It’s time to get your Hamill Camel on!!!

HOT TIMES KEEPING COOL WITH THE TRENDY OF EAST HAMPTON!!!

For better or worse… it’s winter in the Hamptons so you might as well make the most of it. This weekend, ice skating returns to Buckskill Tennis Club or as it’s known in the winter BUCKSKILL WINTER CLUB. While some egg heads in the Hamptons may choose to muse about Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” while penning the details about the BUCKSKILL SKATING RINK – I kid you not… check this link…

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/business/10pursuits.html

I will merely proceed with the bare bones facts!! The rink operates during daylight hours (they used to do night skating but cranky neighbors complained). The NHL sized rink opens around 7:30 am for open skating closes around 9 am for special events (Hockey, lessons, etc.) and reopens in the afternoon til about 5:30pm.

The rink has it’s own Zamboni machine to keep the ice clear and smooth. There’s also an outdoor fire pit and a concession stand serving hot chocolate and other refreshments. The cost for Children is $8. on weekdays and $12 on weekends and $12 and $18 for adults. Skates are also available for rent $3 for kids $5 for adults. All in all, it’s not too expensive and a heck of a lot more fun than skating on the unsalted sidewalks in front of Walbaums or sliding in the greasy parking lot!

For more details you can also call 631-324-2243. There were rumors that Sag Harbor was also trying to do a rink on the wharf but apparently we were SAVED by a certain organization.

…. AND ANOTHER ONE’S GONE AND ANOTHER ONE’S GONE.

Here’s another to add to the ’09 casualty list. Well, I can’t say it was a shock.. but apparently the bell has tolled for Bellhaus! Fashionista (whatever that really mean’s I’m not sure) Sean Bell’s foray into Hamptons Couture officially… or should we say surreptitiously bit the dust last night. Oh my god where can I buy $4000 leather Lacroix pants for next year’s July 4th Beach party?!?!??!?

The store which had it’s grand opening hosted by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Ripa was a virtual ghost town from day one. By the way,nothing says glamor to me like Jersey’s own Kelly Ripa. Why they just didn’t get Sam Champion I’ll never know. No telling what will go next into what I think is a cursed location. My suggestion!?! Give us a Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware or Whole Foods in the Hamptons…. THESE ARE STORES WE WOULD ACTUALLY SHOP AT!!!?

Next on my retail/restaurant death watch??? Brooks Brothers in East Hampton and Rugosa Restaurant Wainscott.

Carrie, I don’t think we’re in Conneticut anymore!!

Well, it’s been too long since I’ve blogged but I promised some folks I would get back on the horse and start again! So here I am!

First up… good news about real estate. Yes, I can feed the kids! Things are looking up for Hamptons real estate. Houses are actually selling!! But… and you knew there had to be a “but” in there; the good news bad news scenario is more homes are selling… The bad news is all of those lousy properties that didn’t sell before are coming back on the market. Anyway if you want the full details, check out our website for our 3rd Quarter 2009 market report.

http://www.prudentialelliman.com/MainSite/MarketReports/ReportListDetail.aspx?rptType=Hamptons

Meantime, so much has been going on. Yeah, there was news of some town official stepping down… the Blue Parrot continues to disappoint diners… and the Madoff house in Montauk actually sold but the BIG story is.. THE SEX AND THE CITY SEQUEL
WAS FILMING IN SOUTHAMPTON! It is important news indeed. Why? Because the scene they were shooting at Coopers Beach was subbing for a “Connecticut inn.” This is interesting because when it comes to towns where “whale belts” and wearing slippers in public are the fashion norm, most Americans can’t tell the difference. I know I can’t. Meanwhile, I have a suggestion for the sequel that will actually make me want to see it! Have Quentin Tarrentino direct and throw in a subplot about Miranda getting attacked by a great white shark and Carrie gets a job working for a bookie! I thought there were was too little blood and violence in the first one!

Finally…. gosh I don’t know but I’m talking about most these days are the Prix Fixe dinners now available all over town!!! My favorite… Nick and Toni’s is offering a “Freedom of Choice” prix fixe every Sunday all night. Guests may choose either a three-course prix fixe for $30 or a four-course prix fixe for $40, not including tax and gratuity. Also back… the dinner and a movie special; $30 for two courses and a free movie ticket!!! Now I have no excuse for avoiding the movie “Couples Retreat” since technically I won’t be paying “two cents” to see it!!