East Hampton

A Brouhaha at the Beaches in Amagansett and a Cure for Round Swamp Farm’s Cinnamon Buns… well sort of!

VERBOTTEN!

Those oft over-the top folks in “Amagainsit” are at it again.  Fearing that the guest of a guest, share house, booze-swilling Saturday afternoon fedora crowd would drift east from Indian Wells due to parking lot restrictions and an increased police presence, the Beach Hampton homeowners association sent out an early summer warning to members.

That beach access would be restricted to members in good standing with the Dunes home owner’s association (i.e. residents and their tenants ).
OK. We’re good so far.  While we won’t consult our Hamptons Chatter legal department just yet about their legal right to restrict access they have begun stationing “monitors” at various beach access points.  (although when we googled “lawsuit beach public access” it appears the folks in Amagansett are walking a very shaky and fine line).

This summer, clipboard carrying Studio 54 type bouncers have been checking to make sure not only if beach goers are from the right part of town, they’re also making sure everyone is ponied up with his or her Homeowners Association Dues.    But what if you landlord has paid the dues… you want to go to beach but the bouncer says “no you didn’t.”   Well that’s exactly what has been happening.  Apparently this is becoming more and more of a problem with rental tenants lugging their wares to the beach only to be turned back!!! I don’t know the whole deal here but I’m just predicting this is going to blow up before the end of the summer.

Meanwhile here in the Hamptons we’ve got more than our fair share of famous culinary and home making genius’.      There’s of course Martha Stewart…. there’s Ina Garten (who I like even though she and Jeffrey have yet to invite me  over) … and now there’s ANKE.   In keeping with the  summer of healthy eating I want to tell you Anke’s Fit Bakery and her stuff is awesome.   I’ve also been discussing this around town, and I’m hearing similar stories from other agents whose summer tenants are being subjected to random shakedowns in The Dunes.    Perhaps this is just all a bunch of misunderstandings but bouncers on the beach?!!!   Stay tuned.

 

 

Shunning refined flour for her baked goods, Anke uses spelt flour, whole oats and other organic ingredients because, “Ingestion of refined flours elevates the potential for heart disease, stroke, cancer and obesity.  The health risks can be reduced by using whole grain flours instead of refined flours.”  My personal favorite is Anke’s Chocolate Loaf cake make with coco and a bunch of good stuff.   But you would never know it, I would swear it’s Entenmann’s!    Marie Claire, Tracy Anderson, the East Hampton Star and a bunch of other publications will attest to the fact I speak the truth.   So check out the website or go visit Anke at the Sag Harbor Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning.  You and your gut wont’ regret it!!!  Now, back to the treadmill!

The Rich are Fleeing and the Gays are Flocking… plus it’s DesignerShowcase Time!

No more rich people??!

Who cares if it took you 5 hours to get here this weekend and Nick and Toni’s had nothing available after 5 o’clock, The Hamptons are over!   Well, they’re over for rich people.  Well it’s over for rich people according to Richard Kirchenbaum, “noted rich person’ and New York Observer columnist.  But while I’m convinced it’s only over for people named Richard Kirshenbaum.   He believes he and his friends can’t deal with the “social pressures of summer on the East End.”   So, while they’re getting their Grey Poupon elsewhere , I’m pretty convinced we’ll be fine here on the East End, especially now since Fall is the new “Second Season!”

Love on the rocks!  The East End is booming !

One of the factors that I keep hearing over and over again contributing to the September-November boom is weddings.   But to be more specific, it’s gay weddings that are infusing some much needed bucks into the “Second Season” in the Hamptons.      One recently wedded couple of gentleman told
me it was a no brainer to tie the knot here rather than in NYC.   “We have more space to host family members and close friends for dinners or overnight as opposed a two bedroom apartment in the city.”   They also went on to say there’s ample hotel rooms and they’re available at off season prices.  Even I know it would be crazy to try it anytime between Memorial Day and Labor Day.   The traffic alone would cause blood to spill and make for a tension filled event to say the least.

Two of most frequently mentioned locations among these newlyweds are East Hampton Point and Wolffer Vineyards.    In fact, Wolffer Executive Marketing and Communications Director Judy Malone expressed it’s been good to their bottom line, “we’ve had several over the last few years and all of the weddings here were quite elegant and Unique.”   It’s no doubt that the spectacular settings of a vineyard or sweeping sunset over the water are part of the draw but it’s the Hamptons welcoming attitude that is also attractive.

Bridgehampton Florist Michael Grim and his partner Jim Osburn tied the knot in a small ceremony here last year and they also did flowers for several gay nuptials. “Last year we did about 6 gay weddings, which is a lot, considering we don’t accept many wedding jobs.”   I guess there are only so many weddings you can do on a Saturday or Sunday.

One of the few standouts in the showcase!

So forget the Rich or Richard folks Hamptons people we’ll be fine and we know the boys like to spend their money on a good party!

Meanwhile, the new Hamptons Designer Showcase house is opening this weekend.   While I don’t want to say anything bad since it benefits a great cause with Southampton Hospital.     I will say, I’m not a fan of cramming as much furniture and art work in one room as possible but there are a few stand out rooms.    It’s worth the visit to see the house built by Frank and Dawn Bodenchak.  It’s well appointed and features a great lay out.    So, what are the standout rooms?  I liked the works of AnneMarie DiSalvo, Brian Del Toro, Hagins & Mortimer and especially Lynn Scalo’s amazing dining room.

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

First off, I admit sometimes this blog is written with type-o’s, spelling and grammatical errors.   WHY?   Because I’m not perfect and I don’t have a copy editor.  It’s just little old me.   I also have a full time job, in case you didn’t know.   So if you get offended by this sort of thing read something else or lighten up.  Besides, I took the money for spelling lessons my mother gave me and bought an Atari!

Now One of the questions I get asked most often from owners is, “would it be ok if I stayed during the showing?”     Well today, I’m addressing that very topic in a glorious color!

Meanwhile… did you know there is a Vilebrequin Shop in East Hampton?  Me either!   While I generally
don’t go meandering around East Hampton Village.  I did the other day and stumbled upon the place.    It’s located in that little ally to the right behind Citta Nuova.    I’m so relieved.   Now I don’t have to travel to St. Barth’s or Southampton to shop for overpriced swimwear!! Yeah!

 

Finally, a quick question.  Has anyone EVER read a negative restaurant review in that “local publication? ”  Seriously.  I’m asking.

Art Hampton.. the poor man’s edition… Plus Helpful Hints for Sellers!!!

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Kerplunk!! Fun AND exciting!

So while traffic continues to be the worst it’s ever been (yeah, I know I say it every year but sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on 114!?).   I’ve had plenty of time while sitting in my car to observe my surroundings.   One of the things I’ve noticed lately is how much people in the Hamptons love art.  I mean this is the land of Pollack and deKooning right?  It only makes sense.  But considering my idea of art is a cat doing chin ups saying “hang in there baby,” I sometimes have a hard time deciphering what the heck some of this stuff is…   take for example the following two pieces.    I’m sure they were expensive but what are they?   I have my own interpretation!     This first one, I call Kerplunk…. named after one of my favorite childhood games!

YIKES!  It’s going to attack!

Then low and behold… my favorite new addition to the Hamptons gallery!  The three Headed Dragon! Are there any more great works I’m missing, feel free to e mail and let me know!   This is located in front of Guild Hall in East Hampton.   I apologize to any of the artists responsible for these works but I only took Art History 101….. and I got a “C.”   Gosh, I don’t know why but I hear Helen Reddy in my head every time I see this thing!    In fact, I’m going to rent “Pete’s Dragon” tonight!

It’s hard to believe but it’s been 12 years since I sold my first property as a professional real estate agent.   But as much as things change, they’ve also remained the same.      One of the constants is a well maintained and modern kitchen helps a house sell!    Every now and then I’ll go to an open house and see a kitchen that hasn’t been touched since ’73 and the agents remarks,  “it has great potential.”    I always want to retort “if you’re an arsonist!”   But alas, being the good agent I am I bite my tongue.

But if you’re thinking of selling your house and don’t want to spend a fortune to renovate, what are you to do!?  Well lucky for you, my friend designer Libby Langdon has some really great ideas.    So here’s some free advice on updating your kitchen without spending a bundle.