Back to Boots
August 25, 2011
These suede boots by Lanvin ($1,090) get us excited for fall. The embossed python print is subtle enough for the office and the low stacked heel keeps things comfortable. Gail Rothwell, 66 Newton Ln., East Hampton, 631-324-6666
Baby Bracelets by Jamie Wolf
August 25, 2011
Jamie Wolf’s collection of gold baby bracelets for Little Edit are adorned with tiny diamonds and precious gems. They’re the perfect accessory for a baby girl – and one that she won’t immediately grow out of. Edit, 1368 Lexington Ave., 212-876-1368
Sonja Morgan Loves the Hamptons
August 23, 2011
Sonja Morgan at a Danskin charity event in Southampton
The reality of The Real Housewives of New York City is that it has a fun-loving scene-stealer in Sonja Morgan, who makes no apologies for using her humor and charm to offset some very heated moments. But the series is only one facet of her life, and in the name of summer who better to talk with about all things fun, fabulous and Hamptons-oriented? During our chat one of the favorites on “Team Blonde” held nothing back, hosting graciously as we navigated the terrain.
You have a wonderful sense of self. How did you come to fit so nicely into your skin and what advice would you give to those who are still feeling a little awkward?
Sonja Morgan: I came to New York City to study at The Fashion Institute of Technology. Maybe my skirts were a bit too short and my socks a bit too high, but no one cared, no one commented and most importantly whatever they did say was loving and supportive. The moral of this story? Be yourself, be your best and surround yourself with people who accept and enjoy you.
You spend a great deal of time in the Hamptons. What is the allure?
SM: I have traveled the globe and the Hamptons have some of the most remarkable beaches. I also enjoy the parties. Out here there is a unique sense of style. People dress with a casual elegance that is not about being pretentious, but rather speaks to the essence of summer, fun. Not to mention I can go from the beach to a business meeting in under two hours.
It wouldn’t be summer without the beach. What do you need in your beach bag?
SM: Some people walk softly and carry a big stick. I walk proudly and carry a huge beach bag. Inside… the New York Post, Hamptons magazine, reading glasses, sunglasses (Prada and Porsche), sunscreen, MAC lip gloss, iced green tea I make myself, hair clips and a headband.
Any secret hideaways that you are willing to share?
SM: Without sounding “difficult,” no. The reason they are a secret is because I don’t tell anyone about them. I may be Team Blonde, but my momma didn’t raise a fool.
What are your guilty summer pleasures?
SM: I don’t feel guilty! But I do enjoy a little sun, a lot of dancing and more than a few good books: the Kabbalah; AstroTwins' Love Zodiac; and The Younger (Thinner) You Diet.
What’s next for Sonja Morgan?
SM: The world is changing, the economy is changing and I feel I owe it to my fans to offer recipes, entertaining, style tips and most importantly how to do so in the name of affordable luxury.
—JOSHUA ESTRIN
PHOTOGRAPH BY GETTYIMAGES.COM
Marcy Warren on the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons
August 20, 2011
So many animals get injured every year in the Hamptons, and no one knows whom to call or what to do. I learned this after finding a snapping turtle on the road that was run over by a truck. Thank goodness for hard shells! Although the turtle was fine, his shell was not, and he needed a lot of attention. This was plainly a job for the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons, which rehabilitates animals so they can go back into the wild. While some cannot be returned to their natural habitat, they are provided a good home and serve to teach children and adults about our environment and the creatures in it.
Situated on thousands of acres stretching from Tiana Bay to Peconic Bay, the WRC is a professional wildlife hospital. Unlike a veterinary hospital, there are no ambient noises or smells to stress the wildlife recovering within. There are 100 trained rescuers, and the center answers more than 10,000 calls a year. The center provides high-quality educational programs and classes everywhere from Montauk to NYC; they promote the balance of wildlife and humans to better both our future and that of the animals.
I have had so many experiences with the WRC. I have brought in several birds, some of which I returned home with. (I did not realize the mother bird pushes the babies out of the nest in order to teach them to fly. Some land on the ground until they get the hang of it.) The center has saved so many wonderful birds—owls, geese, swans, hawks and even an albino robin. On the property there are also foxes, deer, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, birds, snakes, bats, turtles and rabbits. It is a wonderful place to visit to see what is going on in the environment and how these animals can be helped.
The Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons Summer Benefit will take place at the waterfront estate of Liz Brown & Leslie Alexander on August 20 from 6 to 8 PM.
—MARCY WARREN
PHOTOGRAPH BY RICKY GREENING OF THE WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER OF THE HAMPTONS
3 Hamptons Coffee Drinks We Love
August 19, 2011
Jack's Stir Brew
We scoured the Hamptons for the best signature coffee drinks and found ourselves at the aromatic doors of Love Lane Kitchen, Golden Pear and the newly opened Jack’s Stir Brew. Here, we break down the three most addictive coffee drinks we found and give proof positive that the East End is no slouch when it comes to a good cup of coffee.
Iced Coffee at Love Lane Kitchen
Mattituck’s Love Lane Kitchen is a mecca for all things “New American,” and its coffee is no exception. Billing itself as the “foremost artisanal micro-coffee roaster on the North Fork,” Love Lane roasts only Fair Trade beans, mostly from rich and fertile South American regions, in small batches. The ever-popular, and addictive, iced coffee is made cool by coffee ice cubes, which are made from brewed coffee that is chilled and frozen into cubes. “As a cup of coffee is mostly water, the water’s quality has an impact on the taste,” says Love Lane owner Mike Avella of typical iced coffees. Consider us officially spoiled for conventional ice. 240 Love Ln., Mattituck, 298-8989
Café Mocha at Golden Pear
You can bet we asked the coffee makers at Golden Pear to “spill the beans” on the unique coffee blend they’ve been serving for the past 12 years. Their response? “We could tell you, but we’d have to kidnap you.” They did, however, share some of the ingredients that go into their most popular coffee drink, the café mocha, which is made with rich Ghirardelli chocolate, precisely steamed milk and espresso. Enjoy the staple café mocha at any of Golden Pear’s Main Street locations in East Hampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton. 99 Main St., Southampton, 283-8900
The Mad Max at Jack’s Stir Brew
Before founding Jack’s Stir Brew and becoming the “New York coffee maven,” Jack Mazzola was busy pursuing an acting career in L.A. After being passed over for a part in a Bruce Willis movie, Mazzola rededicated his life to another passion: coffee. Today, Jack’s Stir Brew has blossomed into a caffeinated empire of Fair Trade, meticulously prepared coffees. In Amagansett, Jack’s most popular drink is the Mad Max, featuring Jack’s signature stir brewed coffee, a shot of espresso and Hudson Valley milk. With each cup stirred as it brews, the Mad Max goes down smooth and packs an aromatic punch to your senses. What a way to wake up. 146 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett; 267-5555
—STEPHANIE STARK
