The Gossip Girl Guide to Summer

Find out the 10 ways to survive – and thrive!
the hottest season like Blair, Serena, Nate, Chuck and Dan.

1. GET MADE IN THE SHADE

Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) know how to enjoy a lazy summer day: by putting their feet up and – what else? – gossiping over cool drinks.

2. MAKE A SPLASH

Whether you're clad in a sleek sliver coverup like Serena or showing off your biceps in a tight white tank like Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), the beach is the new runway – so work it.

3. BE SPORTY

Croquet is a civilized sport – and one you can play while sipping a cocktail, which is no doubt what bad boy Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) likes to do.

4. EAT A SWEET TREAT

What better way to stay refreshed at the beach than with a slice of juicy watermelon like real-life couple Lively and Badgley?

5. HAVE A SUMMER FLING

The summer heat has a way of creating summer romances. Looks like Blair's ex, Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford), is getting his motor running with a makeout session in a car with an unidentified female companion.

6. GET SOME PUPPY LOVE

'Little J' hasn't lost all her friends! Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) cuddles with a pair of precious puppies, the perfect de-stresser.

7. ENJOY SUMMER READING

There's no better time to indulge in some fun reads: Barbara Walters's tell-all book Audition: A Memoir is the perfect companion for the Upper East Siders, whose summer homes are tucked away beyond the reach of Gossip Girl's Web site.

8. GO ON A ROMANTIC RIDE

Ah, the sights and sounds of summer. Prim and (sometimes) proper Blair takes in the scenery by going for a bike ride with new guy Marcus (Patrick Heusinger).

9. ALWAYS BE PREPARED

Chuck knows that a surefire way to attract beach beauties is to have the essentials of a picnic on the beach ready to go – just in case.

10. CAUSE A SCENE

Bring out those cute dresses! Blair and Serena are the talk of the town in their fashionable frocks (Alice + Olivia for B and Vena Cava for S).

(Aaron Parsley)