Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: The Hamptons

I just got back from the beach late last night. Sharing photos from The Hamptons seemed like a perfect Waterside Wednesday post.

It was a great trip. I hawked my book, relaxed with friends, and ate scrumptious beach food.


We stayed in Amagansett (one of the towns on the south fork of Long Island, New York that is collectively called The Hamptons) at a former sea captain's house owned by my husband's best friend (since age three) and his wonderful wife Ashley.

Their home features gorgeous original details such as this carved newel post.

The house is located two blocks from the beach and a few blocks from the town's main street. Since I live where you need a car to go anywhere, it was a treat to be able to walk anywhere I wanted to go.


Most of the houses in Amagansett are covered in weathered wood shingles. It's hard to tell the historic cottages from newly built homes, because many humble dwellings have been added on to and remodeled through the years.
Many of the really huge oceanfront mansions, owned by the rich and famous, are hidden behind gates or tall hedges.

Originally a farming community, all but a few of the remaining barns are now guest houses.
Thanks to Hurricane Bill, the beaches were off limits to swimmers.

But our visit was far from a washout.
Ashley and I went shoe shopping! We each bought several deeply discounted pairs. These Progetti pumps came home with ME.
But women cannot live by shoes alone, so we also stopped to shop the end-of-season sales at Roberta Freymann (for cotton print beach kurtas), Purl By The Sea, a terrific yarn shop that is unfortunately closing in a few weeks, and Haven, Montauk's cool coastal home decor emporium.

Here's a peek at the beach glass candle cups I found there.

I'll be featuring more photos of the shop and owner Kathi Cogen's bright and breezy decorating tips on my Waterside Styles website next week.

On Saturday night we had dinner at The Laundry in East Hampton. Despite it being a hang out for the rich and famous, the only stars we sighted as I munched on their fabulous panko crusted crab cakes were the ones in the sky. They were highly visible from our table on the back porch.


On Sunday we had lunch at the Hampton Chutney Company. They specialize in dosas. These are large rolled crepes stuffed with the filling of your choice.
But the real scoop was who sat about 20 inches from me at an adjacent picnic table...Paul McCartney.

Our friends said they run into him all the time. I was at the
right end of our table and he was at the left one of his.

He
looks fabulous, even close up. I need to know who his colorist is. It's the first thing you notice… his fab hair, then his boyish grin. No photo, alas. It would have been rude.

In the Hamptons, Paul is just one of the guys. He was lunching with his girlfriend Nancy and her teenage son. They planned to go on a post-lunch boat trip but Nancy thought the waves were too rough. Although the harbor looked fairly calm, if Paul had asked my opinion, I would have agreed with Nancy.


*** It's not too late to join Waterside Wednesday and win a little Italian fishie. I will draw one lucky linker on Thursday. Good luck. ***


19 comments:

Drawn to The Sea said...

I was forming my thoughts for a comment when I saw those 2 words: Paul McCartney. Everything else flew out the window, I'll have to go back & read the post again!

I'm sharing another redux today, my photos aren't up to snuff for my planned post.

Happy WW!
~Julia

Alison Gibbs said...

Hi Barbara I'll be back. Can you remove my No.4 Link somehow it it wrong but the NO.5 is okay
Alison

Elyse said...

barbara, i read this post, clinging to every word like i was reading a can't-put-it-down novel! loved reading about good food, good shopping, um, paul mccartney! what fun in the sun! thanks for sharing.

xo

Alison Gibbs said...

Barbara what a great place eto visit. Sure helps having friends live in a great location like that. It is wonderful to be able to walk to all the spots you want to visit. OMG Paul McCartney - yeh, yeh, yeh...yeh... I think I may have been cheeky enough to ask for a photo, then again maybe not. Thanks for sharing The Hamptons with us.
Alison

Kathleen said...

Hi Barbara,
Interesting to read about the East End.
I live here year round, and do enjoy the off season more..
Great pics...Thanks for your visit, I never would have found you otherwise!
Kathleen

FrenchGardenHouse said...

What a beautiful, beautiful place! So glad you had such a lovely time. I was so excited, I went to Solano Beach today, and there in a great shop, was your BOOK! Yay! So beautiful to see it in a store.
xo Lidy

Jane said...

Thank you for taking us on your trip to The Hamptons...the photos and commentary truly drew me in.

Love the shoes!!!
Jane (Artfully Graced)

Martha Z said...

Great post, sounds like a great get-a-way. I wouldn't mind not going in the water, it sounds like great fun to watch the surf.

NeereAnDear said...

Fabulous photos!!! Deeelishious looking food as always.... the shoes are truly deeevine... .... and .... Paul Mc Cartney!! OMG!!! A legend !!!.... Sounds like another fun filled trip in spite of old Bill...

Welcome back... looking forward to more adventures of Barbara J

Claudia said...

VEry interesting blog. That was nice of you to not become an annoyance... everyone needs a nice life, regardless of what they do professionally.

Nice blog-- i will stop back again to see what is going on.

If you have a moment join me and come by--- would appreciate your stopping.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

Arija said...

What a topper for your day to almost sit next to Paul! Why didn't you ask him what hairdressed he favoured, he could not hit you over the head for asing.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dearest Barbara,
What a wonderful post you have! First of all, thank you for coming to act 2 of my play, Goodnight Sweet Prince! I love to write and I am trying my hand at some poetry at the same time. Act 3 is done and waiting to be posted on Saturday, so please come on by and take a front row seat! I have seen your marvelous book on other blogs. How wonderful to have been in the the writing business for a good number of years. My dream is to write childrens' books and maybe, even maybe publish one day. I write for fun and I always will, since love for the subject or art is always essential! You saw Paul McCartney? YEAH! How I adore him and his mates....have a great week and please come again! Anita

Roberta said...

Barn guest houses, dosas and Paul? hmmm...sounds like the perfect weekend to me!
xo

decorator to the stars said...

oooooooooohhhh paul! i saw him in an airport when i was about 14, dreamy :) gio

anita said...

barbara, thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog recently. i am visiting you for first time also!
wow girl, what a nice weekend in the hamptons!
i too would have been soaking in every possible moment while trying oh-so-hard not to be rude or uncool w/ the p.mccartney sighting.

the dosas look yummy! never heard of them..

Julie Marie said...

Hello Barbara... what beautiful photographs, I especially love the one of the serene looking barn... yesterday I received my copy of your book "Waterside Cottages" from my sweet friend Roberta... Her Harbor View Haven is so breathtaking! I am slowly savoring the dreamy photos and beautiful stories that go along with them... this is a book to treasure and linger over time and time again... thank you for such a lovely reminder of my many precious summers spent at the ocean... Bisous... Julie Marie

Vicki said...

Hello, Barbara,
I certainly enjoyed my visit to the beach. Everything was very picturesque. The crepes looked yummy, and I am glad you found some time for shopping. I would have had to work really hard at staying calm had Paul McCartney been at the table beside mine! Hope you have a good end of the week and an even better weekend. Vicki

Leeayn said...

Always love your posts and your photos. OMG - I would have turned into a big puddle on the floor had Paul been sitting next to me. As a matter of fact, I may have fainted just to see if he'd try CPR! I hope to be able to buy your book soon but unfortunately economic times have kept me only enjoying your talents online, so I thank you for your blog. Paul is God!!!

Barbara Jean said...

Great post!
Very interesting.
and Paul McCartney, who would htink!!
I'll be back.
blessings,

barbara jean