A Look Back At Summer

As Labor Day is upon us, I hear a lot of “I can’t even believe summer is over.” It always seems to go by too fast. But as I look back at all that has happened this summer, I wonder how I found the time. And even though I may not have done everything on my list (for example, I still haven’t been on a jet ski or gone to Fire Island), there’s still time. Labor Day doesn’t mean the end of summer, it just means a small dip in traffic, so let’s use these next few weeks wisely before we make the switch to sweater weather and to put away the rosé for another day.

Here’s my look back at some of my summer 2019 highlights.

I started Memorial Day weekend celebrating my birthday. My friends made me wear a tiara as we stopped by Tanger for the big Saks Off 5th sale. While I may never be a real princess, for the day, I became the Princess of Tanger Outlets. Celebrating my birthday at Calissa was also one of the best nights of my summer, and so filled with love.

I went to Governors Ball for all of 35 seconds before getting caught in the largest rainstorm of the season. This taught me to always bring an umbrella and also that I may be too old for Governors Ball.

With The Independent team and Simple Vodka, I helped curate a series of foodie events. There was a dinner and brunch with Chef Kevin O’Connor of Cobram Estate olive oil, Chef Palak Patel’s Indian Summer, and an ice cream and doughnuts tasting with Joe and Liza’s and Grindstone at Berry & Co. I love that we’re able host intimate events that really highlight a specific brand or chef. Excited for more!

In June, at the Long Island Press Club awards, I won first place for Narrative Lifestyle Feature for the article I wrote last year on Donna Karan and Gabby Karan de Felice. I also won first place for Best Use of Instagram. Does this mean I’m an influencer now? Just kidding, I know it doesn’t. (But do follow us @indyeastend.)

I test-drove a Moke at the dealership in Water Mill’s pop-up party. I was also given a Maserati for a weekend, which has changed my entire perspective on cars forever. Pearl Street Caviar sent some of its finest goods to my door. Between the caviar and the Maserati, I pose the question again. Am I an influencer? The answer is still no.

I enjoyed The Independent’s produced events like the Water Views Festival at Guild Hall, Independent Thinking panel discussions at The Maidstone, and IndyLit book readings at The Southampton Inn. All were super informative in a lovely setting.

I took a quick trip to LA, where my husband, Joe, and I enjoyed the Sunset Strip on a 48-hour mini-vacation.

I had wonderful meals at new restaurants like The Garden in Water Mill, Showfish in Montauk, Silver Lining Diner in Southampton, and Hampton Standard in Hampton Bays. I also went back to some of my favorites like Cowfish, Hampton Farms, Oaklands, Calissa, Il Mulino, Almond, Tutto il Giorno, and many others. Like they say, winter bodies are made in summer. (Pass the rosé!)

I’ve also typed the word rosé so many times that I officially hate myself.

There was a trip to Montauk (and now that I live in Hampton Bays, it sure is a trip) to visit Coffee + Flowers at Cynthia Rowley and Montauk Beach House for Lizzie Gill’s “Summer Solstice” exhibit with Roman Fine Art.

Getting to see the impeccable interior designs at the Holiday House Hamptons and the Hampton Designer Showhouse is always a highlight. So was viewing remarkable art at the Art Market Fair, and hosting an art show for the East End Photographers Group at our office.

I was able to interview a handful of really inspiring people like Isaac Mizrahi, Nicole Miller, Amirah Kassem, Lidia Bastianich, Angela LaGreca, Gary Swanson, and Barbara Kavovit.

I saw Mark Ronson and Questlove speak at Guild Hall in the “Conversations on Creativity” series.

At The Independent, we were honored to be a media sponsor for many fantastic events this summer. Some that I was lucky to go to include the Sag Harbor Historical Society’s The Point’s gala, The LTV Comedy Salon fundraiser, the SoFo gala, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s Hamptons Happening, the C.U. Out East comedy show and concert with the Wallflowers and Colin Jost, When Stars Collide benefit for the American Red Cross, Hamptons Fashion Week, and the Hamptons Interactive Influencer Brunch.

A few other benefits I was also thrilled to attend and cover for the paper include Southampton Hospital’s Summer Party, Green Beetz kick-off at Blue Parrot, casino night for the Green Beret Foundation at Calissa, the Parrish Art Museum’s Midsummer Party, and the Watermill Center’s “Tabula Rasa.”

Again this year I joined the junior committee for the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation’s Unconditional Love gala. I was also on the committee for SWCRF’s Hamptons Happening. And I helped to judge this year’s Sand Castle Contest with the Clamshell Foundation. Life should be about giving back. Do what you can to help others.

Summer was filled with new experiences. I learned floral design at a class with Millstone Flowers. I did yoga with goats, pigs, and other farm animals at The Green School.

There were walks to the bay, and drives to the ocean in Hampton Bays. Going on the boat and trips to Gemelli Gelato on hot summer nights. Rides at the carnival (as long as they weren’t too fast, too high, or the dreaded Zipper), and trips to the North Fork. The best was always spending time with family and friends.

jessica@indyeastend.com