I think we can all relate to the fact that social distancing have shifted several events and gatherings. One gathering I miss in particular is a good brunch with family and friends! Using decor from around my home, filler flowers & inexpensive grocery items my family helped me celebrate a festive and frugal brunch out of the trunk of my car. And I have to say, why haven’t we done this before!? We had the absolute BEST time in this outdoor, easy to travel brunch in a trunk style gathering!
Our family loves to bake! Yesterday, my daughter and I baked up some easy blueberry donuts for the brunch. We used HEB brand muffin mix from our local grocery store to bake blueberry donuts complete with an almond extract based glaze. You can use any instant muffin mix and prepare it as usual except instead of pouring the mixture into muffin tins, pour the mixture into Wilton’s donut pans. One mix can prepare five to six donuts. I baked the donuts as the package calls to do for approximately fourteen minutes. Once cooled prepare your glaze in a bowl. For the glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of half-and-half & 1/2 teaspoon of almond or vanilla extract. Hold one donut at a time and carefully dip just the top portion of the donut into the glaze and place on a plate. Once all donuts have set, carefully move them one at a time onto the serving dish you desire to use as the glaze will spread onto the initial plate used. Serve alongside fresh fruit such as strawberries and bananas.
A good brunch food spread includes both sweet and savory eats. Hearty bacon and eggs, fresh fruit, hot coffee served alongside bakery treats to please all of your guests and their likes. I used HEB’s store bought bakery cinnamon rolls, crescents, Smucker’s apricot preserves, bacon & eggs and assembled them onto a charcuterie board for brunch with a side of coffee served in a Magnolia coffee mug. This mug was a gift from a dear friend and I use it regularly. I am convinced any and all coffee tastes better in this mug!
Fresh flowers are two filler flower bunches from my local HEB grocery store. Each bundle of flowers were $3.98. The green and yellow were the pops of summer color to the calm, sophisticated farmhouse decor that surrounded them. Flowers were arranged in a white pitched found 70% off at the end of summer sale several years ago at my local Hobby Lobby. I use it for flowers most of the time. The decor baskets, crochet tablecloths, garland, candlesticks & bead garland were from my dining and living rooms. I love the texture of the Magnolia basket and the neutral spread with the pops if green and yellow. Candlesticks are a steal from World Market. The basket, beaded garland and pom garland are all from Hobby Lobby. I actually added in some burlap to the pom garland to spruce it up and incorporate some rustic texture. The tablecloth and pom garland are hung with clear packaging tape to the rim of the trunk and came off very easily.
Festive gatherings can be made frugal by using what you have and purchasing small but big impacts such as fresh flowers & good eats. Surprise your honey, family & friends with an easily assembled brunch served up picnic-style from your trunk. The trunk hood offers the perfect amount of shade while you snack and chat with sweet friends. Pull together good food, a few pillows, baskets, plates, a garland & tablecloth and you most certainly will have the perfect setting for you social distanced fun! Please message me your brunch in a trunk experiences and use the hashtag #festivefancyfrugal on Instagram if you post your trunk dining experience! I cannot wait to see what you dream up!
xo, Brittnie