Roll out the red blanket for summertime.

It's picnic season and we've found the prettiest spreads at SewnNatural, a popular Ottawa-based Etsy shop. Mother-daughter makers Jen and Jane use eco fabrics with vintage patterns, like Marimekko's vermilion poppies, in all their designs. Quilted, sturdy and big enough for lovers, each blanket rolls into a carry-on bundle.

Strew your cotton blooms over Centre Island and stay chillin' in the sun all day. —SNP

$175 (plus $21 shipping) at SewnNatural on Etsy.

Today, Motoretta turns 10, summertime gets real, and I'm dreaming of a ride on the chic Euro-girl's favourite scooter. Not the Vespa, but the...

Stella! I first saw the name on the pneumatic haunch of a posy-pink number in Paris, parked in a row of boring black scooters, and fell in lust instantly. Then I forgot about the vintage-inspired cult brand—till now.

Motoretta, the Little Italy scooter shop, is Toronto's exclusive retailer of Stellas. The classic, eco-conscious scooters come in creme, avocado, and other yum colours. Cheap? Notsomuch, but scooters use a tenth as much gas as cars; that's major.

I'll probably never own a car, but if I did? I'd trade it for this (and a one-way to Spain). —SNP

$3,895 at Motoretta, 554 College St., Toronto, 416-925-1818, www.motoretta.ca

There are precious few Toronto tattoo shops in which you'd want to browse, sip tea, read a mag or do anything, really, besides get inked and get out. In fact, there might be just one.

Pearl Harbor Tattoo & Gift Shop is an airy, super-clean parlour in the thick of Kensington. The tattoo artists are polite and serious; they draw each tattoo by hand, even if it's just (as a friend had done) three little initials. Original designs, like the decor, are inspired by wartime America and the South Pacific. When you're getting marked for life, it makes sense to do it somewhere that feels timeless. —SNP

24 Kensington Ave., Toronto, 416-595-7184, http://pearlharbourgiftshop.com

Summertime, and the ridin's easy... and it gets easier still with Bowery Lane Bicycles, the made-in-NYC, seen-on-the-Sartorialist, mode of transport.

With Dutch styling and American steel, the Bowery Lane Bicycle is a testament to old-school craftsmanship. Favourite style “The Breukelen,” in sheeny black, has the look of a vintage cruiser without its tricksy, rickety feel. Of course it costs more too, but with extras like sustainable cork handles and a signature wooden crate (holds your handbag or two six-packs), the price tag makes sense. Our city's bickering over bike lanes, but on a ride this fine, who needs 'em? Cars will move for you. —SNP

$595 at the Drake General Store, 1144 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-531-5041 x. 101, drakegeneralstore.myshopify.com; www.bowerylanebicycles.com

Tenpin bowling, once the pastime of lardy middle-aged men and spotty tweens, is making a comeback, with trendsetters like Sienna Miller and Kylie Minogue leading the way.

Toronto’s swanky new boutique bowling alley, The Ballroom joins the movement with ten tenpin bowling lanes, live music, ping-pong tables and a dining area serving gourmet grub like poutine and grilled cheese.

Ladies will love the chance to show off their new Hogan bowling bag and the gents will totally dig the high def televisions wired with sports.

Kylie and Andres found love at the lanes, and with our arm swing, we might too.

$25 per half hour before 5 p.m., $37.50 after 5 p.m. Bowling shoes $5. The Ballroom, 145 John St., Toronto, 416-597-2695, www.theballroom.ca

In our dreams we’re in a hot pink leotard doing a perfect triple Lutz-triple toe loop to Laura Branigan’s Gloria.

Reality is gripping hold of the handle bar as we awkwardly skate around the rink at the Shops at Don Mills. With 7,134 sqare feet of ice, there’s plenty of room to tumble from grace (several times). But it’s still fun, even if with a bruised bottom.

Now all we need is an Olympian hottie like Evan Lysacek to catch our fall.

Shops at Don Mills, 1090 Don Mills Rd., Toronto, 416-447-0618, www.shopsatdonmills.ca

Ever since Michelle Obama flaunted her hula hooping skills on the lawn of the White House, women across the continent have decided to whirl their way to better bods.

Hooping can burn up to 600 calories in an hour, and as well as being a lot of fun, it tones the body in all the right places.

Wham-O, first released the hula hoop in the '50s, and it remains most enthusiasts' ring of choice. Pick one up in hot pink and neon green and get gyrating.

Check out Hoop Toronto for tips, tricks and classes in the GTA.

$9.95 at Swipe, 401 Richmond St. W., Toronto, 416-363-1332, www.swipe.com

You’re pacing it along the lake with Sebastian Coe as your fantasy running mate and just as you enter the “zone” some melancholy ballad comes on to meltdown your momentum.

With Yamaha’s Bodibeat strapped to your arm, runners need not fret about tempos messing with their target. This nifty device measures your heart rate and picks a tune with a tempo to match.

Bodibeat arrives preloaded with thousands of tracks but you can also add your own music.

We’ll take ''Chariots of Fire'' at the 10-mile point.

$300, www.bodibeat.com

Wondering where all the boys have gone? Try BMO Field. Toronto FC games are some of the hottest tickets in town; we prepared a pre-match cheat sheet so you aren’t left behind.

• Wear red (preferably of the fire engine variety). Make an effort—this is a surprisingly stylish crowd.
•  Wannabe hooligans sit in the southeast corner. Visiting team fans belong in the northeast, and the west stands have a spectacular view of the city.
•  At 23 min 13 sec sing for Danny Dichio for scoring TFC’s first ever goal. The song goes, “Ohhh, Danny Dichi-ooh, Dichi-o! Dichi-o! Danny Dichi-ooh.” And repeat. Trust us, you’ll nail it by the second round.
•  The team captain is defender Jim Brennan and he’s a bit of a fox.

Remember, as much as we adore Posh’s trademark pout, TFC fans clap, stomp and sing their hearts out, and so should you.

Toronto FC tickets range from $23 to $176, www.mlsnet.com

With grownups swinging, tight roping and juggling their way to buffer bodies, circus camp is no longer just for kids.

The Harbourfront Centre’s Marsha Kennington, with professional aerialists Rebecca Leonard and Ana Shepherd, will have you walking on your hands and flying high this summer. Develop grace, confidence and leaner, stronger limbs while swinging on a trapeze, walking a tight wire and learning to juggle.

Juggling? You’re already a pro.

Coronation Park, Lake Shore Boulevard at the foot of Strachan Avenue, just south of the Princes Gates. $42 per class or $210 for 6-week session. To register or for more information call 416-973-4093, www.harbourfrontcentre.com/learn/courses