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Elie Tahari's 3 Ways to Enjoy the Last Parties of Summer

August 31, 2012 | At Home

How do you celebrate the end of a fun, relaxing summer with friends and family? By throwing a great party, of course. Here are some tips for mastering every occasion, every time from Sagaponack resident and renowned fashion designer, Elie Tahari.

Set the mood.
The key to a great house party is making guests feel like they are at home. Each summer, we invite all of our family and friends to our Sagaponack home, or as my kids like to call it, “Camp Tahari.” We create a mix of our favorite summer music, grill comfort foods, and talk for hours.

Do something unique.
Get everyone excited by throwing a fun barbeque dinner on the beach, and be sure to have plenty of chilled white wine. We have a big wall on the side of our home where we like to project the latest movies during outdoor parties, which keeps things interesting. Arrange for an after-dinner bonfire and it will be a party not quickly forgotten.

Entertain with ease.
Guests likely attended your party because they want to spend time with you. I always try to remember this, spending time walking, talking, and dancing with all my friends and family.

—ELIE TAHARI

 

Charity Register: September 1-29

August 31, 2012 | Talk of the Town

Sign up for the Hamptons Marathon and Half-Marathon on September 29. 

AZUERO EARTH PROJECT
What: The Azuero Earth Project will host its inaugural fundraiser, Azuero on the Harbor. Rufus Wainwright, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, and others will fill the evening with music. Guests can indulge at the pre-concert picnic with tapas and cocktails and can purchase specialty Lenox dinner plates featuring artwork by Maya Lin and Teresita Fernández, among others.
When: Saturday, September 1
Where: The home of Cindy Sherman, Accabonac Harbor, East Hampton

GUILD HALL
What: The VIP reception for The Painting Plays benefits Guild Hall. The evening merges visual and performing arts, pairing playwrights and artists such as Jenny Lyn Bader with April Gornik and J. Stephen Brantley with Jane Wilson. Blythe Danner and Harris Yulin, among others, perform the result of these artistic collaborations.
When: Saturday, September 1
Where: 158 Main St., East Hampton

MOVE FOR HUNGER
What: Move For Hunger, Strong’s Marine, and Hall Lane Moving & Storage host the inaugural Hamptons End of Summer Food Drive, the brainchild of 13-year-old Grant Andreas. As seasonal visitors leave the Hamptons they are asked to take nonperishable food items to collection bins. All donations will benefit Long Island Cares Inc.—The Harry Chapin Food Bank.
When: Saturday, September 1 through Monday, September 3
Where: Strong’s Marine, County Road 39, Southampton

EAST END HOSPICE
What: Join chair Arlene Bujese for the 12th annual Box Art Auction to benefit East End Hospice. Last year more than $50,000 was raised for the Westhampton Beach-based organization. The afternoon and early evening comprise both silent and live auctions led by Bonnie Grice, with boxes by artists including Shari Abramson, Josh Dayton, Haim Mizrahi, and Gregory Thorpe up for bid.
When: Saturday, September 8
Where: Ross School’s Center for Well-Being, 18 Goodfriend Dr., East Hampton

SOUTHAMPTON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
What: The Late Summer Cocktail Party at the Southampton Historical Museum toasts the end of the summer with hors d’oeuvres and imbibes. The organization shares Southampton’s history with both children and adults, and comprises 12 historic structures and a research center. The evening will support the museum’s educational programs.
When: Saturday, September 8
Where: Rogers Mansion, 17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton

FRIENDS OF THE LONG POND GREENBELT
What: Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, a group dedicated to preserving the Long Pond Greenbelt region, will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a cocktail party and fundraiser at the home of Nancy and Ron VanderKamp. Live music and beautiful views of Long Pond guarantee a memorable evening. Special guest, Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., will speak at the milestone event.
When: Saturday, September 29
Where: Home of Nancy and Ron VanderKamp, Sag Harbor

HAMPTONS MARATHON & HALF-MARATHON
What: The Hamptons Marathon has raised more than $100,000 for local organizations since its debut race in 2007. Proceeds from this year’s marathon and half-marathon will support Southampton Hospital and Project Most, an East Hampton program that offers after-school activities for children, while proceeds from the 5K benefit the Springs Public School and the East Hampton Day Care Learning Center.
When: Saturday, September 29
Where: Springs Public School, 48 School St., East Hampton

 

Katie Lee's 6 Suggestions for Your Labor Day Soiree

August 31, 2012 | At Home

Year-round Hamptonite and thrower of the famous end-of-summer keg party, Katie Lee was kind enough to share her expert entertaining advice on how to throw a Labor Day soiree. See her six top tips below:

Offer a House Wine
Choose a white wine and a red wine that pair well with summer fare and purchase a case of each. I like to stock up on Clos du Bois Chardonnay and Clos du Bois Rouge. When entertaining, it will be one less element of the party to think about, and you’ll always have wine on hand for an impromptu barbecue. Most wine stores offer a discount on wine by the case, so it’s a budget-friendly option, too.

Set Up a Self-Serve Bar
A large tin bucket from the gardening store suddenly looks elegant once filled with ice and bottles of wine. Display cocktail napkins, glasses, and a small platter of bite-sized hors d’oeuvres. Also be sure to offer a non-alcoholic option, like a bottle of sparkling lemonade, for teetotaling guests.  
 
Choose a Theme
A fun theme will give some direction when deciding the menu, wine, décor, and even the music. For example, have a modernized barbecue with a twist on the usual cheeseburger grill fare by adding sliced heirloom tomatoes, artisanal cheeses, and spicy pickles, and dress the table with a red and white check tablecloth. Center on a beach motif and serve lobster rolls, fill hurricane lamps with sand and candles, and write guests’ names on seashells for place cards. Or—one of my favorites—rock the Kasbah, and go Moroccan with tagines, a variety of spreads and salads, and colorful tablecloths.

Set the Mood
Get creative and hang paper lanterns from a tree for an outdoor dinner party, or even try hanging an old chandelier attached to an extension cord. White Christmas tree lights are always nice; I add a twist to the traditional twinkle lights by attaching starfish to the cord with raffia ribbon. Different size candles are always a plus, and be sure to use unscented so as not to attract bugs, or detract from the smell of the food and the taste of the wine.

Keep Cool
Craft a menu of chilled dishes to celebrate the last of these hot summer nights. Prepare the food earlier in the day and refrigerate until serving time—serve a chilled soup, a salad of shaved vegetables, and a poached salmon with a light dill sauce. Preparing chilled food earlier in the day also takes the pressure off when your guests start to arrive. I never like missing out on the party and feeling “stuck” in the kitchen.

Freshen Up
Take advantage of the last few days of summer by serving seasonal fruit and vegetables from your local farmer’s market. Grilled sweet potato tossed with arugula and garlic Dijon dressing is a healthier alternative to traditional potato salad. And a succotash salad is a great way to showcase summer vegetables!

—KATIE LEE, AUTHOR OF NOVEL GROUNDSWELL

 

Trina Turk's Top Tips for Fall

August 31, 2012 | Style & Beauty

She may be a California girl, but her penchant for bright colors and patterns make Trina Turk’s pieces a natural fit for the Hamptons. The designer’s namesake store on East Hampton’s Main Street stocks a slew of graphic ready-to-wear and accessories, most of which have been inspired by the designer's love for 1960s and 70s vintage.

Here Turk gives us her take on Cali vs. Hamptons style, fall trends, her New York Fashion Week plans, and more.

Given that you're from California, how would you say Hamptons style compares to California style?
TRINA TURK: California and the Hamptons do share a relaxed, summertime-at-the-beach vibe. California may have the edge on casual though, as the Hamptons lean more toward tradition. Everyone in the Hamptons also seems ready and able to transition from the beach to more formal evening cocktail parties and soirees.

What trends are you most excited about for fall? 
TT: The changing seasons are always fun and bring an automatic tweak to your wardrobe. I like the crispness in the air as fall approaches, which means we get to wear our jackets and coats again. This autumn, paisley, floral, and geometric patterns will dominate as accents to your basics and solids.  Mixing prints, patterns, and textures, and layering pattern on pattern are key trends.

What are some of your favorite pieces in your fall collection?
TT: The Peplum is one of my favorite silhouettes of the collection because of its delightful scoop neckline, cinched waist, and pristine pleating. The Lexi dress in paisley jacquard takes lady-like style to the next level with its wrap-front bodice and flared waistline, which is flattering for most body types. The fitted, cropped jacket style is the best addition for a fall wardrobe and the Cider jacket feels luxurious in brushed suiting with a faux mink collar. The Royal coat in Faux Mink with its oversized collar and boxy shape is decadent and sumptuous. Another great cropped jacket is the Spence in the Brilliant Fuchsia Tartan Plaid.

Can you give us any sneak peeks into what you're working on for New York Fashion Week?
TT: We are holding a presentation in October where I will be presenting our Spring 2013 collection, titled “Trina Turk Surf & Racquet Club.” The collection is perfect for tennis, surfing, lunching, and cabana-lounging by day, followed by elegant cocktail party evenings. 79 Main St., East Hampton, 324-7075

—SHARON FEIEREISEN

 

Foodie Bucket List: 23 Things to Eat Before Summer’s End

August 30, 2012 | East End Eats

For many, Labor Day marks the official end of summer. We’d be remiss if after season’s end we were kicking ourselves for never making it to new favorites like Andrra for spicy calamari, or to standbys like Clam Bar for a piled high plate of fried clams. So on that note, we’ve compiled a summer 2012 foodie bucket list of must-try eats (cocktails, too!). With four days between now and Labor Day, we realize you may have to pick and choose based on your location, so browse the slideshow below, find your town, and start eating. Bon appétit!

—LEYLA MARCHETTO

 
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