As the warmth and beauty of summer take full effect, many are heading outside to soak up some rays and enjoy time with their loved ones, especially since so many events were delayed or canceled in the summer of 2020. Graduations, weddings and retirement parties feel that much more special now that we can truly celebrate them together, but oftentimes when we consider party planning, our minds head straight back inside. Enter Picnic and Pearls, the brainchild of Brambletonian, Shalini Navale, and her business partner, Shub Sawhney.
Shalini and her family have been living in Brambleton since 2016; it was their first choice neighborhood after she and her husband found out they were pregnant with their first child. The couple had been living in Rwanda and working in the public health field but wanted to raise their children closer to family and in a good school district, making Brambleton an easy choice. Shalini and her husband chose a Miller and Smith home that wowed them from the moment they walked in. With the luscious green space behind the home, the family room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto that space, is the family’s favorite room in the whole house.
When venturing into the greater community, the family can’t get enough of all of Brambleton’s amenities. The library is a top destination for both of their kids, three and five, in the Town Center, but their favorite activities involve being in nature. Shalini mentioned, “The beautifully landscaped and strategically developed community is such a delight to enjoy whether it’s on a walk with the family or simply driving around.”
While the kids have a soft spot for Brambleton’s 18 miles of trails, when Shalini gets some time to herself, she loves the special outdoor offerings of Brambleton like the Farmer’s Market, Brewfest and food truck rallies.
Her business, Picnic and Pearls, revolves around the outdoors as well.
Picnic and Pearls is a Brambleton-based, women-run luxury boutique picnic event planning business. They have partnered up with other local businesses to bring you beautifully curated picnics for any kind of event. The picnics are customized to their clients needs. They have several themes and enhancements to choose from to make sure your picnic experience is unforgettable!
Shalini and her partner Shub offer options to truly tailor their events to their clients’ desires and locations, be it at a client’s home or a partnering business like one of the many wineries in the area (Loudoun County is DC’s Wine Country after all). After a highly successful Mother’s Day and fully-booked June, their business is taking off in a big way.
Shalini truly embodies the community-focused spirit that is at the heart of Brambleton’s mission – to see Brambletonians that contribute to their surroundings and are able to relax in them as well, especially with their family and friends as she does. Her enthusiasm and commitment to others is evident in every part of her life, making her just as warm as the perfect summer’s day. If you’re interested in an event with Picnic and Pearls, reach out to them via Facebook or Instagram @picnicandpearls or visit their website, www.picnicandpearls.com for a fantastic event right in your own backyard.
