Kick off summer with these great outings!

DRINK

You are: hot – no really, it’s like 80 degrees out there (finally!).

Beat the heat: with a seasonal summer beverage like Organic White Tangerine tea or Green Tea Lemonade from M Café.

Why? For every nine drinks you buy, you get the tenth one free – now that’s what we call a smokin’ deal!

Location: Please see website for locations.  Web: mcafedechaya.com.

SWAP

You are: bored of making the same old meal night after night (there’s only so much organic pasta a girl can handle).

Swap out: your tried and true dish for something new and delish at Sunday’s food swap in Santa Monica.

Why? After sampling some of the homemade, locally grown or foraged items, place a “bid” on the item(s) of your liking (think handmade jam, granola or even sausages) and walk away with one or more new tastes to feast on at home.

Location: Salon Vert, 605 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, 90401 (map).  Date/Time: Sunday, June 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.  RSVP: Here.  Web: santamonicafoodswap.com.

CELEBRATE

You want: to celebrate the solstice the way it was meant to be celebrated – by the beach.

Take part at: Main Street’s Summer SOULstice where you can enjoy the cool ocean breeze while listening to live musical performances, perusing a sidewalk sale and more.

Why? Because what is better than music at the beach?

Date: Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 (see website for details).  Web: mainstreetsm.com.

UN-COOK

You tend: to burn everything you cook.

Sign up: for Zuddha Girls’ cooking series, and learn how to make decadent, guilt-free deserts, raw dishes and bikini-friendly tastes – all without touching the stove!

Why? Your Daily Thread readers will receive $30 off this four part series when they include “Your Daily Thread” in the registration email, or $15 off an individual course.

Location: The Gourmandise School of Sweets & Savories, 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, 90401 (map).  Date/Time: Please see website for more information.  Web: zuddhagirls.com.

SIP

You: for just once, would like to walk up to the bartender and ask for a vegan beer, without getting some strange reaction (hey, you should try ordering gluten-free beer – that’s a whole other story!).

Well, now you can at: Saturday’s Vegan Beer Fest featuring 24 breweries, live performances by local bands and of course, food trucks and vendors.

Why? Now you can be vegan and have your beer fest too.

Location: Roxy Theatre, 9009 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069 (map).  Date/Time: Saturday, June 25 from 1 to 5 p.m.  Tickets: Please purchase yours here.  Web: lavbf.tumblr.com.

ATTEND

You’ve decided: to re-design your abode.

Get inspired at: this weekend’s Dwell on Design exhibition featuring over 200 design-forward brands, numerous eco-friendly and sustainable products, over 80 presentations and much more.

Why? Your Daily Thread readers will receive $15 off Conference Plus tickets and $15 off Exhibition Plus tickets when using the code “DWELLBLOGSX.”

Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, 90015 (map).  Date: Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26. Web: dod.dwell.com.

Image via Flickr user Sids1.