Cupcakes and Cashmere

Rules of Summer – Part 2

June 6th, 2011

{Picture from last summer’s day trip to Lake Arrowhead}

Last year I put together a list of all the things I wanted to do before Labor Day (here). It was a way of solidifying some of my summer plans – the things you intend to do, but somehow always manage to slip away, along with the long days and warm nights. I’ve decided to keep the tradition going, since I tackled all ten things on last year’s list and it was a great way to celebrate the upcoming season.

1. Spend a day like a tourist in L.A. (similar to this).
2. Rent a bike to ride along the beach*
3. Add wallpaper to our bedroom.
4. Go on a hike that has a lake/river/waterfall at the end.
5. Make fresh jam with friends.
6. Learn how to barbecue on my own.
7. Remember to have drinks/dinner outside whenever it’s warm.
8. Go to Hog Island to shuck oysters.
9. Set a date for our wedding (no biggie).
10. Take a cooking/baking class at a nearby culinary school.

*Embarrassing fact: I learned how to ride a bike when I was a kid, but since I lived in a really hilly area, I never rode that much. Here’s to hoping that the saying “it’s like riding a bike” truly comes into play some 20+ years later.

What’s on your summer to-do list?

Advertisement

  • http://kiki-seattle.blogspot.com/ K

    I like that last one! lol

  • http://devianttartblog.blogspot.com/ Jennifer

    BIG yes to number 7! I have thought the same many times. :)

    -Jennifer
    http://devianttartblog.blogspot.com/

  • http://devianttartblog.blogspot.com/ Jennifer

    Yes to number 7! I have been trying to remember to do the same. :)
    -Jennifer
    http://devianttartblog.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.ciaochessa.com Chessa!

    hooray for wedding plannng:) I know it can be overwhelming but it’s so fun and I have a feeling you will love it…. :)

    as for me, I want to lose the rest of the baby weight (so close!) and get my new apt in order. right now it’s just boxes and chaos everywhere!

  • http://www.triplemaxtons.com Kirsten @ Triple Max Tons

    My bridesmaids got me a gift certificate for a cooking class – we all took a homemade s’mores class, and it was so much fun! I am sure you will be fine on a bike, too….it does come back quickly. Just wear a helmet, haha. ;)

  • http://learninthemaking.blogspot.com/ Lorna

    Love this list! Agree with you on the bike riding – I’m hopeless… but I’m with you on #7 for sure :)

  • http://www.gawgusthings.com GawgusThings

    This is such a good idea! I’m lucky that I get the whole of the summer off so I’ll let you know when I’ve done mine (can’t believe you need to take a cooking course though!).. xx

  • http://www.theafeminada.com Grace Escudero – The Afeminada

    My favourite rule is eating outside whenever it’s warm!

    -Grace

    http://www.theafeminada.com

  • http://fashionfractions.com/ Neris

    More swimming! I live by the Adriatic sea and don’t take enough advantage out of it :)

    Fashion Fractions

  • http://galmeetsglam.com Julia

    these are all wonderful things for your list :) I hope you accomplish them all!

    xo galmeetsglam.com

  • http://www.letiziabarcelona.com letiziabarcelona

    I have to make a list too, I always forget!
    I’m going to Italy this summer !

  • http://emykoster.com/ Emy Koster

    Awesome awesome list!! I´ll def take a few pointers!! I´m going back to my beautiful island in the Caribbean so I´ll be making a list of what I really want to do and eat again, especially eat! And don´t worry riding a bike should be easy lol
    Would you have thought last year that you would be setting your wedding date? Exciting!!
    xx
    Emy

    http://emykoster.com/

  • http://www.seasonedwithyouth.com Seasoned With Youth

    This sounds like a great list. I just created one as well. Some of the things include going skydiving and riding a motorcycle up and down the PCH. Cheers to completing the list by Labor Day.

    Besitos xx
    Samantha

    http://www.seasonedwithyouth.com

  • http://www.bluebonnetsforsal.com Sallie Lewis

    I want to learn to make Italian granita for hot summer days and to perfect the perfect outdoor picnic with friends =)

    http://www.bluebonnetsforsal.com

  • http://www.thelookandlisten.com Neijah

    This is so cute!

    I’ll be adding 2, 4, 6, and 7 to my list!

    xoxo,

    http://www.thelookandlisten.com

  • Matanna Katz

    Firstly I love reading your blog! It always brightens my mood. :) Summer is all I’m dreaming about at the moment because Cape Town is in full swing of Winter right now…

    So this is my Summer to do list:
    - Have a picnic on the beach.
    - Master baking the perfect lemon chiffon cake.
    - Play board games at night with family and friends.
    - Have sundowners on Camps Bay strip.
    - Braai a lot!!
    - Go for a run with my dogs at least 4 times a week.
    - Eat ice-cream like a kid.
    - Eat water melon outside.
    - Swim in the cold cold sea once a week. :)

    Hope you have a wonderful week!! x

  • http://fashionistablogg.blogspot.com fashionista
  • http://www.lovenycstyle.com lovenycstyle

    relax and brush up on my french for our vacation in August!
    http://www.lovenycstyle.com

  • http://shopping-diva-com.blogspot.com/2011/05/vivienne-westwood-dress-giveaway.html Its all Greek to me

    My summer plans are kind of constant. We spend July-August in Amorgos Island, Greece ( if you saw movie ‘The Big Blue’ with Jean Reno, thats the island) as we have a house and beach bar there, so its work & play at the beach in one. We also have a boat and take tourists for a cruise around the island, so when it comes to pretending of being a tourist of your own place I am always in!
    xxx from Greece

  • http://timetochange.over-blog.com Change

    Loved the idea of cooking classes! I would like to do it too!

  • http://lovelylittlevices.com Ashley

    I have a lot on my to do list, but the main thing I want to do is enjoy the outdoors whenever possible. Less shopping, more relishing in mother nature.. I can’t wait!

    xx
    http://lovelylittlevices.com

  • http://www.bloggdakaka.wordpress.com kathlira

    Being spontaneous is on my list!!! hahaha
    xoxo

  • http://www.intothevisions.blogspot.com Nicolette from Into the Visions

    My friends and I make a list for our summer too! I should make a list just for myself though too with some smaller goals that I can actually accomplish!

  • http://www.editbylauren.com/blog Edit by Lauren

    Your list sounds great! My list includes a bike ride on the beach too! Another is to find myself a new apartment and visit a flea market (I’ve never been!) for some vintage decor that I can DIY! =]

  • http://hotpinksox1.blogspot.com/ hotpinksox

    I’m long time reader and first time commenter. A few months ago you posted something about the list. I remembered it from last year and started one of my own. Just yesterday I posted my list to my blog. So far I have crossed a few off my list. Thank you for this great idea. I will be doing it again next year.

  • http://flysongbird.blogspot.com debi

    want more photos of this!specially of you two
    http://flysongbirdblogspot.com

  • http://www.ariel-son.blogspot.com ariel

    lots of berry picking!

  • http://efffthatstuff.blogspot.com/ Amber

    I have a list too! I told my girlfriends to compile lists and we can see what we can put them together to make out summer plans.

  • http://blog.cotewrites.com/ CoteWrites

    I adore this tradition! My summer plans include: moving to California, traveling to Toronto, sewing my own wedding veil, and getting married {!!!} in August. :)

  • Elham

    Hi Emily,

    A great hike in Point Reyes which leads to an awesome waterfall which falls right onto the shore and goes into the ocean is Palomarin trailhead to Alamere Falls… Love it!

  • Heartcoco

    Reduce monthly spending on fashion and all things non-essential by at least 1/3!

  • http://www.hauteteapot.blogspot.com Haute Teapot

    Aw I hope you love riding bikes on the beach. Fun fact: I totally fell over on my beach cruiser on Venice one time as I was taking in the beautiful beach homes. Also, I’m learning how to grill/barbeque this summer too!

  • http://fashionmademefunky.blogspot.com Jenny

    learn harmonica, read, watch sunsets on my roof, exercise everyday and collect vintage dresses and bar ware :)

  • http://www.shiriously.com Shiri

    I saw someone else mentioned it, and I’ll second it -Escondido Falls in Malibu. Such an amazing hike and the waterfalls are a great reward!

  • charissa

    Me too with the bike thing! I’m always nervous that I’ll be asked to go bike riding because I rode one maybe four times, and not since I was really young!

  • http://outsideoslo.wordpress.com/ D. @ Outside Oslo

    I do the same thing, too, and am in the process of working on my summer list.

    Don’t worry about your embarrassing bicycle fact. I re-learned how to ride again within the last couple of years. Though it may take a little while to become comfortable with the concept and with your own abilities, you’ll find that learning how to balance and how to operate a bike as a child will serve you well as you re-learn this summer!

  • Jasmine

    I never learned how to ride a bike. It’s on my summer to-do list.

  • http://www.ladyalamode.com Caitie

    Great list, Emily! It’s always amazing being a tourist in your own city because there are so many new things to discover!
    xxx
    http://www.ladyalamode.com

  • http://wellinla.com erin @ well in l.a.

    The beach bike paths in SoCal are unbeatable! Good luck to you as you live the summer list! Looking forward to seeing the experiences chronicled on Cupcakes.

  • http://A-Life-From-Scratch.com Courtney

    Great list!

    My list involved making use of my families home in MI and Montana as much as I can – as well as getting out of work as early as possible to sneak in a pool date with my son before my husband comes home and fires up the bbq for dinner.

  • http://foxwhiskers.blogspot.com/ chloe.eloise

    Ah, summer plans. When it becomes warmer here, I plan to go to the beach more often. I take it for granted being only a five minute drive!!

    Fox Whiskers

  • http://greetingsfromseattlewa.blogspot.com/ Emily

    I may have to steal 1 or 2 or all of these ideas.

  • http://www.justagirl05.com elena

    I feel ya on the bike thing. I didn’t learn how to ride a bike until I was 12! I have no idea if I even still know how to? Ha! ;)

  • http://beancakes.wordpress.com/ kristina@beancakes

    thanks for the update! oh i have a lot on my summer to-do list one of them being to make sweet basil lemonade ~ my fave ;)
    bises xx~ kristina
    http://beancakes.wordpress.com/

  • http://whispersweetnothing.wordpress.com Amy

    Emily your post has completely inspired me! I have written my own list and posted it on my blog, I’d love to har your thoughts…
    Amy xxx
    http://whispersweetnothing.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/inspired-by-cupcakesandcashmere-com/

  • Anna and Molly

    That sounds like the most perfect summer in the world. We definitely need new bikes. Ours are way too small and extremely uncomfortable. So be sure to ride a bike that is the PROPER size or it will be next to impossible.

  • http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspost.com Cheeky Pink Tulip

    My summer to-do list: Get Married!

    Maria xx
    http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com

  • http://nikkithy.blogspot.com nikki

    love your summer list! you inspired me to make my own summer to do list!

    http://nikkithy.blogspot.com/2011/06/you-dont-need-sun-to-make-you-shine.html

  • http://beagleandbear.blogspot.com Kelly

    Love numbers 5 & 10!

  • http://aroundtheveggietable.com Ali @ Around the VeggieTable

    I loved riding my bike as a child, but then I stopped for a few years. When I finally tried to ride a bike again this year, I remembered how, but it was a lot SCARIER than I remembered it being when I was a kid! Guess I’m a lot more worried about knocking my teeth out than I was when I was 10 ;)