As the sun warms the rolling hills and vines burst with life it’s time to gear up for summer. I’ve curated a list of events, from summer concerts to pet-friendly events to wine festivals, to kick off the season!
IN THIS BLOG
- Food & Wine Events
- Shopping: NEW IKEA® Starter Boxes
- Exploration / Wanderlust
- Summer Reading Challenge
- 7 Delightful Towns to Visit
- Coffee Chat?
FOOD & WINE
Calistoga’s Concerts In The Park | June 20
Photo from Visit Calistoga
Thursday from 6:30 – 8:30 pm • Pioneer Park: 1308 Cedar St., Calistoga, CA 94515
Get ready for Calistoga Chamber’s FREE Summer Concerts in the Park! Grab your picnic blankets and head to Pioneer Park for fantastic music, tasty food, and delicious wine. Enjoy the music stylings from Dirty Cello hailing from San Franciso as they bring the world a high energy and unique spin on blues, rock, and Americana. Enjoy wine from Romeo Vineyards & Cellars and Stellareese.
Summer Soirée - Robert Mondavi Arch & Tower | June 22
Photo from Robert Mondavi Winery
Saturday from 6 pm – 9 pm • 7801 St Helena Hwy., Oakville, CA 94562
Kick off the summer season with Arch & Tower's first annual Summer Festival. Enjoy a toast by the Napa River and savor delicious culinary pairings from our passionate chefs at various stations throughout the venue.
FARM Fest BBQ | June 27 – October 24
Photo from Carneros Resort and Spa
Every Thursday from 6 pm – 10 pm • FARM Restaurant + Bar: 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa, CA 94559
Looking for a Family Friendly Summer Festival? FARM Fest is the place to be! Spread a blanket on the FARM Pavilion Lawn while savoring BBQ favorites. Enjoy live music, and play outdoor games like bocce ball or lawn chess. Explore local shops at Carneros Resort and Spa or stroll through the flower-filled garden. Every dinner ticket purchase includes a complimentary glass of wine. There's something for everyone!
SHOPPING
What’s In Your Box?
Have a new college graduate heading into the dorm? What about a friend or client moving into their new space? Check out IKEA’s NEW Starter Boxes! These no-brainer gifts are packed full of essentials for every need. I might just get one (or two) for myself!
Here is a breakdown of their different Starter Boxes. Each IKEA Start Box goes for $99 each. You’ll save 15% compared to buying the items individually. But don’t stop there…feel free to add a personal touch to these boxes to make it more memorable.
🎓 Dorm Essentials Starter Box (28 Products)
Perfect for college students, this box includes everything you need to make your dorm room feel like home. You'll find bedding essentials like sheets, pillows, and a comfy duvet, as well as desk accessories to keep you organized. The highlight? The versatile under-bed storage boxes maximize your limited dorm space.
Personal Touch: Print out some family photos and grab a handful of frames or a pinboard to display them.
🥘 Cooking and Eating Essentials Starter Box (33 products)
Whether you're a culinary novice or a kitchen whiz, this box has your basics covered. It includes pots, pans, utensils, and dinnerware, making meal prep a breeze. The star of this box? The non-stick frying pan is perfect for whipping up quick dorm-room meals or hosting your first dinner party.
Personal Touch: Pick up some quirky oven mitts, a funky apron, or vibrant dish towels to add color to your kitchen.
🧰 Utility Essentials Starter Box (16 products)
This box is all about making your life easier. It includes cleaning supplies, laundry essentials, and basic tools. The highlight is the multifunctional stepladder – great for reaching high shelves, hanging decor, or even as an impromptu side table.
Personal Touch: Add a viral cleaning product like Pink Stuff, Barkeepers Friend, or the Eco-Friendly Blueland to round off this helpful box.
🚿 Bed and Bath Essentials Starter Box (15 products)
Transform your bedroom and bathroom into relaxing retreats with this box. It includes plush towels, a shower curtain, and a bath mat for the bathroom. For the bedroom, you'll find comfortable bedding and pillows. The standout item? The cozy throw blanket that's perfect for movie nights or chilly evenings.
Personal Touch: Add a plant or a scented candle so they can create a spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom.
They take the guesswork out of what you need, save you money, and provide a solid foundation that you can personalize to your heart's content. Whether you're a student, a first-time renter, or just looking to refresh your space, there's an IKEA Starter Box for you. So go ahead, start with the essentials, and then let your creativity run wild to create a space that's uniquely yours!
EXPLORATION / WANDERLUST
That Was Totally Wicked!
Photo by Spencer Lowell
Every Thursday from 6 pm – 10 pm • FARM Restaurant + Bar: 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa, CA 94559
Are you a fan of Pixar more so, The Incredibles? Look at this Incrediblea-themed Airbnb just in time for its 20th anniversary and PixareFest at Disneyland, which will continue until August 4th. Unfortunately, The Incredibles stay is SOLD OUT but keep a look out for the Inside Out stay coming this June.
AirBNB debuted ICONS this year with 11 amazing offerings to start this Summer Travel Season. For comic book fans, there was the X-Men '97 Mansion, for a music lover there’s Prince’s Purple Rain house available in October or Living Room Live Session with Doja Cat coming in August.
For art lovers and francophiles, there was an exclusive stay during the open of the Paris Olympics Games at the famous Musée d'Orsay.
Airbnb adds new ICONS throughout the year - visit their website or check out their app for their latest offerings.
Summer Reading Challenge | June 1st - August 31st
Photo by St. Helena Public Library
St. Helena Public Library: 1492 Library Ln #1143, St Helena, CA 94574
The Library has exciting reading challenges for Adults, Teens, and Children! Everyone who completes their Summer Reading Challenge earns a prize. Pick up a booklet to participate.
Finding the perfect book can be a challenge. That's where online book clubs come in handy. They're a fantastic way to discover new titles. Here are some of the most popular online book clubs and reading lists to inspire your summer reading:
Need some inspiration or help to complete this Summer Reading Challenge check out these book clubs and reading lists:
📚 NOTABLE BOOK CLUBS
Oprah's Book Club: We all know this one. Oprah Winfrey's legendary book club has been influencing readers for decades. Her picks range from contemporary fiction to powerful memoirs, ensuring there's something for every reader.
Shondaland Book Club: For all you Bridgerton Fans from the mind behind the Netflix phenomenon and TV shows like "Grey's Anatomy," Shonda Rhimes' book club offers a diverse selection of books that often explore themes of identity, love, and resilience.
Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club: If you are all about personal recommendations this book club is for you. This book club focuses on titles that have won the annual Goodreads Choice Awards, voted on by millions of readers worldwide.
New York Public Library & WNYC's Virtual Book Club: For a more literary experience, join this club that often features author discussions and deep dives into contemporary and classic literature.
Between Two Covers: This virtual club fosters a sense of community. With lively discussions and author Q&As, it's like having a book club meeting right in your living room.
RuPaul Book Club: Just in time to celebrate Pride month check out this club…Expect the unexpected with this eclectic book club. RuPaul's selections are as colorful and thought-provoking as the iconic drag queen herself.
📖 POPULAR READING LISTS
TIME Magazine's 100 Best Novels (1923-2005): A list of the best English-language novels published since 1923, as selected by TIME critics. It includes classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and modern masterpieces like "The Road."
The New York Times Best Sellers: Updated weekly, this list is a go-to for finding the hottest new releases in fiction and non-fiction. It's a great way to stay current with the latest literary trends.
Goodreads Choice Awards Winners: Every year, millions of Goodreads users vote for their favorite books across multiple categories. Check out past winners for reader-approved picks.
BBC's 100 Books That Shaped Our World: This diverse list spans genres and centuries, offering a global perspective on literature that has had a significant impact on society.
NPR's 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels: For our younger readers, this list offers a fantastic selection of young adult literature, from dystopian futures to heart-wrenching romances.
Modern Library's 100 Best Nonfiction Books: If you're looking to learn something new this summer, this list offers the best in memoir, history, science, and more.
PBS's The Great American Read List: This list of 100 beloved novels was compiled based on a nationwide survey, reflecting America's most cherished stories.
Remember, the goal of our Summer Reading Challenge isn't just to read more, but to discover stories that resonate with you. Use these lists as a starting point, but be bold and venture off the beaten path. Every book you finish brings you one step closer to your prize!
7 Delightful Towns To Visit In Northern California
Photo by World Atlas
Looking for a summer getaway or a long weekend staycation? Discover the charm of Northern California with these 7 delightful towns, including the enchantingly unsurprising Calistoga!
Coffee Chat at Sam's?
Let's discuss your real estate goals and opportunities over a cup of coffee–my treat!
Whether you dream of a cozy cottage, a spacious family home, or a strategic investment, I'm here to lend my expertise and help turn your vision into reality. Join me at Sam's General Store located at Brannan Cottage Inn.
CALL TO SCHEDULE (707) 804-9577 📱
