No matter where you live, there are so many ways to take advantage of the last four weeks of summer. As I mentioned yesterday, I asked a few close friends to share their end-of-summer to-do lists, and explain what makes the city they live in so special during this fabulously laid back time of year. 🙂 Read on to see their picks, and weigh in with your own in the comments section below!

End of Summer To-Do: Before summer’s out, I want to take advantage of the weather with a good old-fashioned road trip. I look forward to taking a long weekend, getting a rental car, turning on the radio and heading south. Unfortunately, for my roadtrippin’ friends, I can’t drive, but I do make a mean shotgun!
Why I Love a New York Summer: New York summer is the great equalizer. It’s hot, it’s gross, it’s sweaty and the only way to enjoy yourself is to not take things too seriously and just to go with it. The late nights, the lazy days, the rooftop parties, the sidewalk cafés–it doesn’t get any better! 

BOSTON

End of Summer To-Do’s: I’m in the midst of finishing our samples for mike&ton as part of Boston Fashion Week, but in between, I want to finish the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. Also left to do: enjoy steamed lobsters at Summer Shack!

Why I Love a Boston Summer: I love how there is no traffic, and there are less people around. The city feels so homey this time of year.

— Tonya, Co-Founder and Designer, mike&ton

LOS ANGELES

End of Summer To-Do’s: Leave the State. Actually get “in” a swimming pool. Get to the sexy part of Fifty Shades of Grey (the first 20 pages are a bore). Enjoy a hot summer night with a ginormous ice cream cone (not frozen yogurt, but the real deal). Find a clam bake. Start thinking about my fall wardrobe!
Why I Love an LA Summer: There’s no humidity, and much less traffic. Oh, and the long summer days living by the Pacific Ocean are pretty fantastic!

— Rachel Bailit, Actress

End of Summer To-Do’s: Right now at the top of my summer 2012 bucket list is going to the newly opened Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles for a picnic, seeing the Los Angeles band Best Coast perform at the Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica pier, and multiple trips to the Larchmont Farmer’s Market in my neighborhood to stock up on heirloom tomatoes and summer fruits until the season ends!

Why I Love an LA Summer: The vibe in Los Angeles changes when summer rolls around. True, we have sunshine and warm weather most of the year but when June hits, social calendars start filling up with outdoor concerts, festivals, and spending time at the beach. And I love all the tourists that flock to LA in the summer. They definitely contribute to the excitement and wonder of Los Angeles.

— Angela, Social Media Editor; Blogger at Angela is Here

End of Summer To-Do’s: I am looking forward to going to Catalina Island, hopefully in the next two weeks. Growing up, I used to go every year during the summer (it’s just a 1-2 hour boat ride away!), but I haven’t been in a long time. I want to go kayaking, snorkeling, and whale watching.  Also on my to-do list: sample sale and vintage shopping. A few places I love checking out are Long Beach Antique Market, Shareen Vintage, and Melrose Trading Post.

Why I Love an LA Summer: My favorite thing about summer in LA is early morning runs on the beach. I love waking up very early, when it’s still crisp and cool outside and running in Huntington Beach. The sound of the waves and the cool and salty breeze is so relaxing and energizing. And the view of all the hot surfers is an added bonus!

— Laiza, Lawyer

My to-do list here. Happy summer! xoxo 

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August already?! This summer is flying by. I mentioned last week that I would share my end-of-summer to-do list. With only four weeks left, there’s still so much I want to do! New York, come summer, is amazing. If you can look past the heat and humidity, you’ll discover a different city—one filled with rooftop bars, pop-up pools, and more. The top five things that I still have left to do are below. But stay tuned this week for more: since the joys of summer vary from person to person, city to city, I polled a few close friends to get their own (fabulous) end-of-summer picks. 

At the top of my list: getting tickets to see Shakespeare in the Park’s production of Into the Woods. Besides the fact that it stars Amy Adams, I can’t stop thinking about the inspired adaptation of this musical that my sister and I dreamed up when we were little kids. We performed it only for our parents, but the music has been with me ever since! 🙂

Next on my list, an evening (or afternoon) at Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar. I recently discovered this literally hidden gem, and I’ve wanted to go back ever since. Located on Pier One in Brooklyn Bridge Park, this wine bar features a limited number of tables in a spot that’s cleverly shaded by big, leafy trees. Drink a bottle of wine, then go for a walk in the park—just a few steps away is the Brooklyn Bridge, and that iconic Woody Allen/Manhattan spot.

This pick is slightly more adventurous: I really want to go kayaking in New York. After going sailing earlier this summer on the Hudson, I think that seeing the skyline from the water truly is the ultimate view. The Downtown Boathouse offers great rates, and top-notch equipment, too. Have you done something like this before? Would love to hear your advice!

Happy Friday! I am so happy the weekend is here. What do you have planned? For me, it’s more Olympics-watching. Don’t you just love Kate and Wills’ PDA? 🙂 I’m looking forward to catching table tennis on Saturday—and more swimming events, too! Are you following the Olympics? What’s been your favorite event so far? No matter what you have planned, I wish you a wonderful and relaxing weekend ahead. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from the web:

A fantastic friendship tip. 

Annie Hall, then and now.

Reasons to love August.

Did you see Reese’s Ojai home?

More Kate (and a color crush).

What to wear with an Alain in Blue necklace (so stunning, right?).

The best theme party ever.

The most amazing Tumblr. 

Pretty in pink.

An August mixtape I love.  

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Lately, my summer vegetable of choice is heirloom tomatoes. In sandwiches, in a salad, even as a tasty app before dinner. They’re so fresh and flavorful, and I love the opportunity to prepare such a colorful dish. Two things sparked my recent addiction:

First, the August cover of Bon Appetit. If you haven’t seen it, check it out (the heirloom tomato and feta sandwich recipe is delicious). 

Second, the chance to try Marcus Samuelson‘s tomato and watermelon salad (grab the recipe here). With jalapeno added on, it even has a bit of a kick!

Do you like heirloom tomatoes? What’s your favorite summer vegetable this year? 

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One month until September? How is that even possible?! I’m working on my end of summer to-do list, now. What’s left on your list? Next week, I’ll be sharing several friends’ picks for how they want to spend the last four weeks of the season. Balmy summer nights, trips to the beach, sangria—it goes by too fast. Stay tuned for several fun ways to make the end of summer count!

(Image via Pinterest)