Rizzoli’s Guide to Living Your Best Summer
June 28, 2024
As summer approaches, it’s time to get excited for those summer get togethers and afternoons in the garden. To help you get the outdoor party started, we’ve curated a selection of free excerpts that includes DIY tips and instructions for gardening, cooking, entertaining, and crafts that you can do by yourself or with friends and loved ones.
Also check out our Summer Reading list at bottom for even more ideas for living your best summer!
Share how you’ve used these excerpts on Instagram using #RizzoliBooksSummer. We’d love to hear about your projects and adventures and will share some to our Instagram Stories!
Get Fresh & Tipsy
There is nothing more refreshing than a cold drink on a hot summer day. And what better way to take advantage of the season than to pull that drink right from the garden? That’s why we’re sharing some recipes for non-alcoholic infusions and cordials—with suggestions for how to add a kick—based on fresh from the garden or farmstand fruits, berries, herbs, and spices used as restorative tonics or as the basis for healthy cocktails.
CLICK HERE FOR A SELECTION OF RECIPES — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
from From Garden to Glass: 80 Botanical Beverages Made from the Finest Fruits, Cordials, and Infusions
Unwinding, al fresco
Whether it’s a cozy backyard barbecue, a lively picnic in the park, or a relaxed evening under the stars, outdoor gatherings provide the ideal backdrop for unwinding and enjoying the company of loved ones. Let the laughter and conversations flow as you bask in the magic of summer, embracing the freedom that this season brings.
CLICK HERE FOR A SELECTION OF RECIPES AND TIPS for fun and festive outdoor celebrations.
from Fresh Air Affairs: Entertaining with Style in the Great Outdoors
Take advantage of summer with a delightful outdoor lunch, where reconnecting with friends becomes an effortless and enjoyable experience. As the sun shines down, gather your loved ones for a relaxed and memorable afternoon filled with laughter, delicious flavors, and a few cocktails.
CLICK HERE FOR A SELECTION OF RECIPES perfect for a breezy outdoor meal, curated by the ladies of East Hampton.
From The Ladies’ Village Improvement Society Cookbook: Eating and Entertaining in East Hampton
A classy mid-day meal is not just for the ladies who lunch. Your choice of flowers, tablescape, linens, and recipes can take your at-home backyard entertaining to an entirely new level.
CLICK HERE FOR A SUMMER LUNCH MENU WITH STYLEÂ
From You’re Invited: Classic, Elegant Entertaining
Let the Good Times Grow
Everyone deserves their own garden, whether you live in a home with a sprawling yard or an apartment with 3 x 6′ fire escape. This is where containers and pots come in. Choosing the right pots—and learning how to use them—makes it is possible to create a glamorous outdoor space of ever-changing color, teeming with life, in the smallest of spaces, whether a patio, terrace, or front porch.
from The Flower Yard in Containers & Pots: Creating Paradise Season By Season
Summer is the perfect time to indulge in the art of floral arranging. These handcrafted creations fill your space with enchanting scents while their vibrant colors add a touch of elegance to your home. Let the therapeutic nature of floral arranging awaken your creativity while bringing the beauty of the season indoors.
CLICK HERE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS for creating flower arrangements using the season’s most beautiful blooms.
From French Blooms: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paris and Beyond
Cool Salads for Hot Summer Days
In the heat of summer, nothing beats a refreshing salad as a healthy and cool alternative to a hot meal. Instead of turning on your oven in an already hot kitchen, you can enjoy a nourishing and satisfying dish that keeps you feeling light and energized.
CLICK HERE FOR A SELECTION OF RECIPES for salads made from the season’s freshest ingredients.
From Salad Seasons: Vegetable-Forward Dishes All Year
The Backyard Beckons
A backyard barbecue is the epitome of summer gatherings, offering a perfect opportunity for family and friends to come together in an intimate setting while basking in the warmth of the season.
CLICK HERE FOR A SELECTION OF RECIPES perfect for that backyard barbeque you’ve been dreaming about—and some don’t even require a grill!
From Southern Cooking, Global Flavors
Opening photo from French Blooms. Photo by Kindra Clineff.
