What A Week...

Well this has been quite a week in the entertainment industry. The VMA awards returned to New York and I think everyone got quite a surprise as they watched the show. In complete respect and style, the show opened with a tribute to Michael Jackson. Madonna gave a speech that I thought really captured the true essence of Michael and also what it was like to be a friend of his. She started out talking about the similarities she shared with him: " Michael Jackson was born in August 1958. So was I. Michael Jackson grew up in the suburbs of the Midwest. So did I. Michael Jackson had eight brothers and sisters. So do I. When Michael Jackson was 6 he became a superstar and was perhaps the world's most beloved child. When I was 6 my mother died. I think he got the shorter end of the stick." WOW! I knew exactly what she was talking about when she said that. It hit me like a ton of bricks that someone as well known as Madonna was saying what I had been thinking.

She went on to talk about how Michael didn't really get a chance to have a childhood and "how do you recreate your childhood when you are under the magnifying glass of the world for your entire life?" She is absolutely correct in what she said. I remember when I was young, seeing The Jackson Five performing on our 13 inch tv and all I could think was that "the little one" was so cute and that he was going to blow his brothers away and become an icon when he got older. I was only five at the time but that is what I thought. Even my parents always remarked how talented he was and they couldn't believe his on stage presence. You couldn't tear yourself away from watching him even as a little boy. But being a little boy was a chronilogical thing. He was surrounded by so many adults with their contracts, concert dates, everything that I'm sure was quite overwhelming as a child. He never really got to be a child. My personal belief, and I'm finding others agree with this, is that since he really didn't get to have a childhood that when he was older he created Neverland Ranch to be a kid. That's why he loved having kids there. They are innocent and carefree and aren't jaded as adults can become. He could be himself with them and there were no hidden agendas, they just wanted to have fun. The accusations of Michael involving the two kids that came to light in the media I think were purely money driven. I personally don't think he did what they think he did. I didn't think at the time and I don't think it now. I'm not just saying that because he is dead, I'm saying that because I think Michael had an innocence about him and I think that usually if you are going to things to kids, it usually starts with your own which he never did. I think people were so quick to judge him because he was always in the public eye. I think the industry and the media made him appear to be eccentric.



For Madonna to say that he got the short end of the stick, I get that. My mother had died and although I was not a child when it happened, I understand her yearning for a mother figure. To lose your parent is quite a revelation to your life. I lost my father first when I was 16 and then my mom when I was turning 25. It was devastating to me in both scenarios and I can only imagine what it must have felt like to lose her mother when she was only 6. So to say that she thinks he got the short end of the stick, is to say that never having a childhood is worse than losing your parent. That is a very powerful statement and people that have lost a parent really know what a statement she was making.

She said that we failed him and we let him slip through our fingers. I can see that because he was trying to live his life as best as he could but sometimes you hope there is someone who is watching after you to point out your mistakes or to point out what you're doing and who was doing that for Michael? I loved how she described of when they were watching a movie together and his hand reached for hers, how he didn't seem like a superstar at that moment but like a human being. That's what he was, a human being. He had feelings and people seemed to have forgotten that. No matter how big you are, no matter how much money you have, we are all still simply human beings with feelings, with thoughts, with emotions. Michael was no different. I'm glad she said what she said. It was a great speech and you know it was from her heart and she meant everything she said.

As if the speech wasn't enough, a musical tribute was given with a large screen showing Michael's videos and dancers on the stage dancing the same steps as in the videos. I sat there watching this thinking, we are never going to get to see him perform live ever again. That's a shame. I always thought one day I would get to see that. I even thought maybe one day, somehow, I'd even get to meet him and what a great thing that would be. I always thought if I ever did get to meet him that I would say to him that he was one of the greatest talents of all time and that he shouldn't listen to what people say about him because in his heart he knows who he is. I'll never get to say that to him but I'm sure now he knows it.

The dancing and the songs were awesome! Then there was a toned down moment, sort of a space/fantasy moment, the glass breaks and there she is-sister Janet!






I didn't expect that. I sat up and was smiling and at the same time my eyes started to water (much as they are now as I'm writing this) because I started to think that she was really going to do it big for her brother. I was not wrong. Janet came out in full force, a force to be reckoned with, and she gave it her all. Then you could see the video of Michael in the background and Janet dancing solo with him. I had no words for that. All I could think of is that in that moment if we could see Michael now, we would see him there in spirit with her on stage. When it ended, Janet's face said it all. She brought on enough energy for both her and her brother. You could see the love and the pain at the same time on her face. It was like she was saying, that was for my brother, that was my love for him and I dare any one of you to say anything against that. When I saw her face, my eyes started to tear and I admit I did start to cry a little. I cried a little because it was sad that we'll never get to see him perform again and I was also happy that she put that whole thing together for him. They were very close and I cannot imagine what it feels like to lose a sibling. Thankfully mine are still here with me.


Madonna's heart felt speech and Janet's full on focused performance made for quite an appropriate opening tribute to the King of Pop. They even had dedicated the show to him. Michael deserved that respect and I'm so happy no one forgot him. I am still shocked from his death, almost like it's not real. I wish it was a fake. I wish we could do it over but death does not opt for a do over.

If you missed this part of the show, you can go to this link and see the written speech Madonna gave as well as the video.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621390/20090913/jackson_michael.jhtml

If you didn't get to see Janet's tribute, here's the link for that.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4ZRFj4RgLk

This was a positive thing for the VMA's especially since it was something that had happened so recently. What wasn't so positive was Kanye's rude interruption when Taylor Swift was trying to give her acceptance speech. He ran up on stage, grabbed the mic and basically said that Beyonce should have won. The cameras were on Beyonce and you could see how embarrassed she was. Taylor was shocked and didn't have the chance to finish her speech. A happy moment ruined because someone reacted off of their emotions. The twitter updates and comments on Facebook started coming in quickly. Everyone was upset with Kanye. I was really wondering what was going through his head? Then later in the show, Beyonce won an award and she said she remembered when she received an award when she was 17 and was with Destiny's Child, what a great moment that was for her and she called for Taylor to come out and finish her speech. The crowd cheered, people stood up and Taylor took the stage and finished her speech. I was happy she got to have her moment even if it did come later in the show. And as for Beyonce, I think that was such a classy thing that she did. She didn't have to do it, but she did. It was a great thing she did. The next day on the Jay Leno show I had heard that Kanye made a public apology to Taylor. I had not yet seen the show and I thought, well too late. He should have thought of that first before doing what he did. I wasn't buying it and I didn't care. Tonight I got to watch the show since I had DVR'd it. After I watched Kanye and watched his face and his eyes, I have a few things to say. I do think his apology was sincere and I do think he was sorry. Jay had asked him what would his mom think of his behavior and he got all choked up about it. I was glad Jay asked him that question because I was thinking the same thing, what would his mom have said? Kanye had said that he knew it was wrong right after he gave her the mic back and she didn't finish, that's when it hit him that what he did was wrong and rude. He said if there was anything he could do to ever help Taylor, he would. He was saying that he had just gotten emotional on how he thinks the award show should've went and also that, if I understood him correctly, he really didn't have much time to grieve from his hurt from his mom's death that he just kept going, making music and all that. Ok I kind of get that. He said what he was going to do was to take some time off to figure things out and how to handle things. That's when I realized that I hope he meant what he said. If he didn't give himself enough time to grieve, I hope he would take time off to do just that and get his priorities in check so that something like that wouldn't happen again. I really hope that he did realize that he needs to think before speaking or before doing something so dumb. He said he was sorry to have hurt someone because of his hurt, I think again he was talking about his mom's death. So what he did was wrong and we all know that but if he meant what he said, then I'm glad he realized it and I'm glad he took the time to apologize publicly for it. Now I'm sure all can be forgiven but he needs to prove himself and only time will tell on that. I'm kind of on the fence about it but if I see that he has grown and doesn't do something rude like that again, fine. But if he turns around and does the same thing again, that's it, he's done in my eyes. I will not believe anything he says again. There are even some DJ's I've seen on Facebook that say that will not be playing any of his songs. That's just one of the results to his actions, I can only imagine others that are taking place. That was a wrong professional and personal move on Kanye's part so let's hope that he puts his money where his mouth is instead of his foot and gets his act together. Kanye, we'll be watching you so make good on your words.


Yesterday we got shocking news that Patrick Swayze had passed away from his fight with cancer. He was 57 years old. He was born in Houston, Texas and in his early years was a dancer due to his mom being a ballet dancer and the director of the Houston Ballet Dance Company. He met his wife when she was a student of his mothers. They got married in 1975 and then moved to New York to pursue their careers. One of his earliest roles was in the movie "The Outsiders" that he starred in with other actors who would become big stars like Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon and C. Thomas Howell.






I loved that movie because I had read the book and really enjoyed it plus can I say, how good looking Swayze was in his role? But the big hit came when he starred in "Dirty Dancing" with Jennifer Grey.



I remember that people were starting to ask him in interviews how did he learn to move so well and then that's when we learned of his dance background. I remember thinking that Swayze was a good looking man with that sort of cowboy/rustic look to him and at the same time sort of a bad boy, as the role had called for. But then seeing him dance in the movie, I thought the same thing that he moved like he had professional training and he was quite smooth. Well there you go, a role that showed us a man could be good looking and sexy when he danced. "Road House" came along and we got to see the rough side of him, still sexy as he kicked ass and tried to clean up the town. Did you notice his brother was in the movie as well?




Demi Moore got to star with him in "Ghost" and who can ever forget that movie? This is kind of eerie but at the part of the movie in the end when Molly can finally see Sam's spirit and he tells her how wonderful it is and that you take the love with you. I always thought that when the day came that Patrick would have to leave us, that they would play that clip of him in any tributes so I guess we will see if that happens.


A completely different role brought us "Point Break" where he was this surfer who was also involved in bank robberies and was befriended by Keanu Reeves. The look was a totally different one for Swayze but still he looked hot and pulled the crazy off that was needed for that role.





Could you ever picture him playing a drag queen? Well, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" brought us a man in a dress who after awhile, you kind of forgot it was Swayze who was under all that make up which to me means he did a great job acting in that and I'm sure he had fun making that movie.

He was a man of many roles and he liked it that way. He never wanted to be known as just one type of guy/actor. That's why he decided to play so many different and varied parts and we were lucky that he did. We got to see many sides of his talent.

Although he was a good looking man and made many womens heads turn, looks could only get someone so far. He knew his affect on women but he was more than just a good looking face. He was a real person, someone you could just sit and have a normal conversation with. He was down to earth and a great soul. There are some lines from some of his movies that I think describe the kind of guy that he was.

From the movie "Point Break" when he said "If you want the ultimate, you gotta be willing to pay the ultimate price." I think that shows us his strength of his talent where he did give great performances in his roles. In "Dirty Dancing" when he says "I'm gonna do my kind of dancin' with a great partner...somebody who's taught me that there are people willing to stand up for other people no matter what it costs them" shows us that I'm sure in his life he had met people that he admired for their convictions and also that he did things his way, like taking on different roles as to not be characterized as one type of character. In "Road House" when he says "Pain don't hurt" I think we saw that in him when he played his role in "The Beast" even though he was dealing with his cancer, he continued on with acting with long hours even though he had pain, he continued to do what he did best. And my favorite is in "Ghost" when he says to Molly "It's amazing, Molly, The love inside, you take with you". I'm sure he has taken all the love with him from his family, his friends and his wife and they'll always have his love with them in their memories and good times with them.

Patrick Swayze, shining soul, talented actor, dedicated husband, friend to many, missed by all...

We Will Never Forget...

Today is the anniversary of the tragic 9/11 event in New York City. I remember sitting at my desk when we heard the news on the radio that a plane hit one of the towers. Some people started to say that it must be one of those sight seeing tour planes. My first thought on that was no, it wasn't. I knew those planes are small and were so used to navigating around the tall buildings and if one of them did hit a building, it would probably smash into the glass or something but not do the damage that a commercial plane could do. We listened more and then heard that a plane struck the other tower. I clearly remember that I had a million thoughts at one time coming into my head. I felt we were being under attack and don't ask me why but I actually thought that this was the beginning of the end of the world. I have no idea why I thought that. I do remember just wanting to run out of my building and run to the city and just start pulling people out. I was in an office in Ronkonkoma, far from the city. All day we were listening to the radio, we had no tvs there, and it was so quiet. Everone had their radios on and no work was getting done. Finally we were able to leave at 2pm that afternoon. I got home and turned on the tv and of course the coverage was on every channel. The first time I saw the video of the plane hitting the first tower, my jaw dropped, chills came over my entire body and I thought, oh my God, that's what my dream was all about!

I dreamt about this prior and had no idea what the dreams meant. So let's go back in time a bit. Labor Day weekend was coming up and me and nine other friends were heading up to our friends cabin in the Poconos. So that Wednesday night before Labor Day weekend, I had this dream. I was standing in a forest that had endless trees, that's all I could see were endless trees. In the middle were two extremely tall trees, like giant Redwoods or something, and I was standing in the middle so on either side of me I could see these very tall trees.

Then I heard this sound that making everything shake then out of nowhere, I looked between the two tall trees and I see a plane headed right at me. The nose of the plane looked like it was headed right toward me but the wings of the plane each hit each of the tall trees on either side and then the plane exploded, it just burst into flames. I threw my arms up as to shield myself from the debris and fire but nothing hit me and believe it or not, I couldn't even feel the heat from the planes. That was it. The next scene in my dream switched to me sitting in a chair with a bunch of other people sitting in chairs in a funeral home. There was a closed casket at the front of the room. So many people were in uniforms like police uniforms, fire dept uniforms, so many uniforms. I didn't get it. And in the funeral home there were endless rooms that all had people in them with the same kind of uniforms and closed caskets as well. Then I felt a hand on my right shoulder and I looked up and standing there was my friends mom, Rose, who had passed away years ago. I asked her what was going on and she had such a somber face on her and all she said was, "Don't worry everyone is fine now and they didn't suffer. They're home now." I was still confused. Who was she talking about? That was it, I woke up and I was trying to analyze this dream as I was getting ready to meet three other friends because we were going up to the cabin to get it ready for everyone. All of a sudden it hit me. Rose must have come to warn me about a plane crash involving her son. Her son was a good friend of mine and lived in California but he was an LAPD officer so that must have explained all the other uniforms in the room. That had to be it. So on our way up to the cabin, I told my friends of my dream and told them that when we get to the cabin I had to call my friend to warn him. We got to the cabin and I called immediately but I got his machine at home. So I left him a message telling him that if ever was going to take what I said seriously, now was the time and that I had a dream that his mom was in forewarning me of a plane crash and that I was in a funeral home with a bunch of people in uniform and that if he and his family were going anywhere on a plane for Labor Day weekend, to cancel their plans to save their lives. I told him to call me back so I know he got the message. I didn't get a call back but I knew he got the message. I was relieved because I sent the message and my job was done.

The following week after Labor Day weekend, I had another dream. In this dream, I was walking up to City Hall and I noticed that there was dirt that had just been laid down and turned over and was roped off. I thought they must be getting ready to plant things. Then I see everyone running out of the building and Mayor Rudy was leading them and he started to yell at me.

He was yelling, "No! No! Turn around! Run! Don't go in there!" I was confused as to why everyone was running out and then I heard a loud thud to the left of me. I turned to look and there was a lady lying there on the dirt that was roped off. I screamed,"Oh my God!" and I ran over to her. I kept asking her if she was ok and I even picked her up and held her in my arms, shaking her and saying," Wake up! Wake up!" Then Mayor Rudy was next to me and said,"It's no use, she's dead." Then I heard another thud and another, two more bodies landed next to us. I looked up and I swear it was like it was raining bodies just falling to the ground. Mayor Rudy grabbed me and pulled me out of there and said,"Come on we have to go. There is nothing we can do for them, they're all dead." Then I woke up. Now what the hell did that dream mean? I remember going to work the next day and telling my boss about my dream and she said she couldn't think what that meant either. I figured I must have watched something on tv or something that crossed things together or something. I shrugged it off and figured I'd eventually figure it out.

So that day that I saw the first plane hit the first tower and then the second plane hit the other tower, and then I realized the two tall trees represented the twin towers. The plane exploding spoke for itself because just the way it exploded on tv was how it exploded in my dream. I figured the uniformed people represented all the police, firefighters, everyone who was there helping and that it represented both those that survived and those that did not who helped that day. As the coverage continued and I saw people jumping out of the tower, that brought me back to the dream with Mayor Rudy in it and all the bodies falling from the sky. Although I think those bodies were not only the people jumping but also that people who were in those planes and the buildings that day. It all made sense. I couldn't believe it. Why did I have the dreams? I didn't know anyone who died that day in any of the planes or anything. But come to find out that there were many people who had similiar dreams around the country before it happened. Now what do you call that? Since then I vowed that if I ever had a dream that had to do with people in general like these dreams, I would look more at a global event and maybe it will help somehow. But then what would I do with the information? Who would I tell without sounding like a freak? To this day, I still don't understand why I had the dreams. I guess one day I 'll figure it out.

That was such a tragic day for everyone but especially for those of us here in New York who were so close to it. There are not many good things you can say about that day but I actually have thought of some. One thing is that people from other states who would say things about New Yorkers, like we were rude, started to see that we were not what they originally thought. They said they couldn't believe how we all united together and so quickly. Everyone who pitched in to help that day had no color, no race, nothing. And the people they were trying to save had no color, no race, nothing. It really was humans helping humans, people helping people, everyone with one goal and that was to save the lives of their fellow men. My heart was so full of love for people that day and the days that followed because I thought wow, Americans are something else. Outsiders come into our country, take our planes and use them against us and what did we do? We united and helped each other, we didn't divide. And we did it without thinking twice. Another good thing that happened was that not only did New Yorkers unite but our country as a whole united. Yes, terrorists, that's what we are, we are in fact the United States of America.

We react in seconds and the same goes for those who were aboard Flight 93. They had heard about the towers and what happened and by all the happenings that were going on in that flight, they figured out what was going on. They were all truly brave. They knew that either way, they were all going to die that day. So would they die by just sitting there and let things happen or would they take action? They took action and saved many, many lives that day. I thought about it and I came to the conclusion that I would have done the same thing and I believe that many people would have done the same as well. If you were in a position to save lives by sacrificing your own, would you? I think that the families of the people of Flight 93 should be proud of what they did and know that those people were true heros.

Everyone that helped that day in any small or big day is a true hero. That day did not knock us down but in fact made us stronger. Our light will always shine because we love our country, we love our people and we will defend until the end. We'll always remember....

Hampton Classic Horse Show...

Well it's Labor Day weekend and normally people would be going to the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton but this year the event took place a week earlier due to scheduling of the competition. Last Sunday we were in the VIP tent and had some great interviews. Here are some of them for you to enjoy.

First up we have B. Smith and Dan Gasby. B. Smith started her career as a fashion model and was the first African American woman to grace the cover of Mademoiselle magazine in July of 1976. She has been on 15 covers of various magazines and she has gone onto many fabulous ventures. Today you can see her on Betty Crocker and Pillsbury products and is the spokesperson for Colgate Palmolive Oxy products as well as McCormick's Lawry seasonings. You might recognize her from her NBC show "B. Smith with Style" and talk shows such as "The View" and "Good Morning America" to name a few. Cooking is one of her favorite things to do and it's no wonder that she owns three restaurants located in Sag Harbor, NY, Manhattan, NY and Washington, DC. She also has products that are sold at Bed Bath & Beyond and has even started a beautiful furniture line. Her husband, Dan Gasby, started his television career in 1977 and has many credits to his name and is the Chairman of B. Smith Enterprises Ltd. Most recently you might have seen Dan in a Mercedes-Benz commercial. I remember when I first saw the commercial, I had to call Dan right away to let him know I saw it. They show all these prominant men and when I saw Dan, I yelled out, "Hey that's Dan!" and thought that was very cool to see him in it. To read more about these two talented and wonderful people, you can log onto http://www.bsmith.com/ . I've known them for a few years now and out of everyone I know, I have to tell you that these two individuals really hold a special place in my heart because they are so genuine in everything they do and they are so down to earth. Here's a link you can click on to and watch the interview from last Sunday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSadiDpsfU

Second up is Michael Wudycka who is the owner of The Enclave Inn chain in the Hamptons. The Enclave Inn has five locations throughout the Hamptons and I can tell you that from the owner to the staff, everyone is professional and courteous and they always make sure that you are taken care of. If you are looking for a great place to stay, these are the accommodations for you. No matter what town you are staying in, there is an Enclave Inn close by. The rooms are clean and close to everything. If you plan on being out here for the Hamptons International Film Festival, you should book with these guys because the efficiencies are great especially if you're going to be out here for that week. Here is the link for my interview with Michael who is such a very nice person, so accommodating and has a heart of gold. Check out http://www.enclaveinn.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMdx9pxHeqc

Next we have Frederico Azevedo from Unlimited Earth Care in Bridgehampton. Frederico is a long time familiar face in the Hamptons and his business had grown by leaps and bounds due to his attention to detail and talking with people to really find out what it is they want and also his expertise in knowing exactly how to transform the dull into the exquisite. He also has a showroom that you can find many items to accent your garden or property. He also has his own show on PlumTV. To find out more watch this video and also log onto http://www.unlimitedearthcare.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VyicDM5BD0

Keith Battaglia was on hand to talk to us about his new series of children's books that is soon to come out. You can check out more of this on the website http://www.andyatlas.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y_abQNqJ8s

Kai Costanzo is the owner of Kai Kai Sandals from Montauk. They really are the most comfortable sandals in the world. I own three pair and are the only flip flops that I own! There are two locations in Montauk and one in Key West. Keep your eye out because one day these will be known world wide! Check out http://www.kaikaisandal.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-yVJhTOKZM

Lanka Dupont is the owner of Hiipuus, a company with a full line coming soon to luxury hotels near you. Check out the interview and also check out http://www.uberhouse.us/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJJeSffY2Eg

Tommy Hill is the owner of East End Limousine which covers the tristate area. The cars are always clean and the drivers are always very courteous and will get you where you need to be on time. For more info check out http://www.eastendlimousine.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkxMnwWpMrY

Frederico Azevedo of Unlimited Earth Care and his daughter, Livia

Shamin Abas, Michael Wudycka of The Enclave Inn, Annemarie Davin, Wyatt Wudycka

Dan Gasby and B. Smith of B. Smith Enterprises Ltd.

Lanka Dupont of Hiipuus, Annemarie Davin, Keith Battaglia

Christine and Dan Rattiner, Jane and Bob Edelman, Dan's Papers

Kai Costanzo of Kai Kai Sandals and Annemarie Davin

Kevin Kaiser and good friend

John Iacono and Kathy Rae, Dan's Papers

Jim Smith, Hamptons Magazine and Annemarie Davin

Annemarie Davin and B. Smith

One of the shops there, Antares

Another shop there, ESI Photography

One of the riders warming up before competition

The riders at the end looking through the VIP tent

Another store, Turner and Co

Our camera man, James Benedetto buying some Kai Kai Sandals from Kai Costanzo

Thank you to everyone for your time and thank you to camera man, James Benedetto.

Photos by Annemarie Davin

Hamptons Magazine and Stoli...

This past Saturday night I attended the Hamptons Magazine party in East Hampton sponsored by Stoli. It was a fabulous party where everyone had a great time. They were so nice to have mini tram cars that took us from the main road down to the front entrance of the home of Jamie Drake and Shawn Murphy. There were a few people dressed in unique outfits and I had to ask what that was all about.

Bottles, bottles and more bottles

Stoli in the pool

Stoli Cup

I spoke with a girl named Kelsy and she explained that the designer of the outfits was Steam Trunk. Steam Trunk couture is sort of a cross of underground theatre meets circus. They not only look good but the people who wore the outfits were also performers. They were very entertaining and I thought this was such a creative way to introduce the line to the public.

Annemarie Davin, FameHampton and the Whip Guy and Kelsy of Steam Trunk Couture


They put on a show where the gentleman had a whip and was very good with it. Kelsy had a woman come up to hold the rose that was going to be cut with the whip. He was nice enough to give me the bud at the end!



The whip guy and Kelsy getting set up with the rose

The whip guy that had really good control with the whip and the snapping was insane!




Kelsy holding the rose in her mouth

Kelsy helps the volunteer hold the rose in place

Everything is in ready position and they are ready to go!

Then there was another girl who performed on stage and was amazing!

The outfits were gorgeous and the entertainment was front row fantastic

She kept her balance very well and was very limber

The crowd was having a great time and everyone enjoyed the cocktails and conversations.



The crowd was full of fun, Stoli and great conversations




PJ Monte, Andrew and Terry Ross kicking back pool side


Jim Smith of Hamptons Magazine and his lovely wife Barbara



PJ Monte, CEO of Don Clothing, Annemarie Davin, FameHampton



Terry Ross, Spanierman Gallery and Jamie Drake, Designer

Some of the many handsome guests at the party



Annemarie Davin, Enrique Martinez, Terry Ross

The party was a great success and I had so much fun, more than I have had in a long time. Thanks to Hamptons Magazine, Stoli, Jamie Drake and Shawn Murphy and Steam Trunk Couture.

Don't forget when you're in the Hamptons to stay at The Enclave Inn for your accommodations enclaveinn.com and travel in style with East End Limousine at eastendlimousine.com

Photos by Terry Ross and Annemarie Davin

Be Nice Or Go Away...

Well the summer is almost over and so is my patience. The summers in the Hamptons are always the same with people who come from other areas and feel they are entitled to do whatever they want and that there are no rules. I don't get this, I have never been to any other place where this takes place. I really try to be patient but about this time every year, my patience wears thin.


First let's start with the ride into the Hamptons via Sunrise Highway. There are speed limit signs clearly marked that for some reason are invisible to these people. There is a point where you start to enter Southampton and you must slow down to 45 mph but people are still going 60mph. Little do they know that the police are just waiting to pull them over and if you're a local, you know where most of these spots are so you obey the signs. You don't know how many times I see people who pass me and have this look like what is she doing? only to get pulled over and then have a look like "oh, that's what she was doing".




Today I was at a stop light, right hand turn signal on, waiting for the traffic to go by and making sure it was safe enough to make a right hand turn. The guy behind me felt that he could not wait anymore so decided to pull up along side my left side to make the right hand turn. REALLY??? I guess I was a mirage to him or something. His windows were down, guess he couldn't afford the air conditioning in his car, and as immature as this was, I really couldn't resist. I put my window down and said to him "Hey congratulations!" and he looks over kind of confused and I said,"You just won the Hamptons biggest a'hole award of the day! Have a nice day!" and I waved with a big smile on my face as he tried to go as I was going to make the right hand turn. What if a car was coming, he would have plowed right into them. What a jerk!

Then I'm on County Road 39 by the 7-11 approaching the red light, and I see a car that was coming from the opposite direction , looked like she wanted to make a left hand turn but actually she was making a U-Turn in the middle of that busy intersection! OH MY GOD! Let's cause an accident lady!





How about the line jumpers whose time is more valuable than yours? Yesterday I had to go to Southampton Hospital to pick up some records for a friend. Side note, I loved the fact that the hospital has an actual valet service at the entrance haha....only in the Hamptons....haha...but I digress. So I am at the admissions desk, waiting for the girl to finish with the guy in front of me. Finally it's my turn and I'm a bit irritated but I don't show it. So I tell the girl why I'm there and while she leaves to go get me the records, a couple come in and practically run up to the counter like "I'm first!" and I'm thinking, don't they see the LINE? Well I looked over at the woman and must have shot her a scary look because she backed down before saying anything and got in line behind me. Good going lady, I guess the death stare made its point.


The best yet is the clubs. Not all the clubs mind you but it's funny how the clubs that could be snobby aren't and the ones that have no reason to be, are for no reason. A couple of weeks ago I had a couple of parties to go to and we were ending the evening by going to Lily Pond in East Hampton. We were on a guest list so no problem right? WRONG! We get there and the entrance has the usual velvet ropes which are so unimpressive anymore. They used to be impressive in the 80's but now they are merely a line that can't be crossed unless one of the flying monkeys let's you get behind the iron curtain to see Oz himself. (haha, I even liked that one lol ) So we go up to the rope and I tell the guy that I'm on the guest list and he points to the other side and tells us that for any guest lists, we go to the other side. Ok. So we walk over to the other side and we're standing there trying to get one of the guys attention to tell him. Meanwhile, the stench of what smelled like urine and trash was the same on that side as it was on the other side and it was really getting to me. So I texted one of my contacts inside then another and both said to tell them we were on the guest list and I'm telling them we are trying but no one is paying attention. The men were all just walking around with their chests (and bellys) sticking out like they were deaf. They reminded me of those ducks at a carnival game that just move robotically as your trying to shoot them. We saw Russell Simmons who I thought hmm....he's not even trying to get in ....so what does that say? haha....and then we get someone's attention to tell them we are on a particular guest list and they say ok and walk away and we're standing there and after five minutes, I turn to my friend and say, "Well, we're certainly NOT in New York City" and I just kind of laugh sarcastically. The NYC clubs are rumored to be tough to get in and they are but I have NEVER had a problem in Manhattan getting into a club that I was on the guest list. The whole point of the guest list is because you know someone so you don't have to wait on line like other random people. So we decided that the stench was not worth the wait outside and we were not going to wait for a place like Lily Pond to get in. There were other parties we were invited to so we decided to go to them. Never again will I go to that club. It's not that impressive inside and I feel sorry for the restaurant that shares space with it because that restaurant has a very good reputation and is high class so I want to be clear that this had nothing to do with the restaurant.




All the locals out here are sick of the attitudes and although the business is very much appreciated, we get to a point where we just can't handle it anymore. Imagine if in someplace like Manhattan, that is busy year round with visitors, was rude to people? If they did that, they wouldn't have the reputation of being the most visited city in the United States. Hampton's clubs need to learn this. I am not in my twenties anymore and don't have to put up with the crap of the doormen who don't pay attention to the rules or treat people like they are beneath anything. I am not going to wait to get into a building, I mean seriously that is all it is, a building like all the others with a sound system, dance floor, over priced drinks and whatever else you find there, you can find anywhere.

You take a place like The Surf Lodge in Montauk that was rumored to have a long wait in line, $100 cover, over priced drinks and pretentious crowd. People were afraid to even go there when it first opened. I heard these rumors but I checked it out myself. There was never and still is never a line. You know why? Because they want people to actually go inside and have a good time. There never was and still is no cover and the crowd is chic but laid back. Everyone pretty much gets along, I mean I've never seen a fight and I've been there a million times. The usual crowd is having a good time with their friends and dancing and just doing it up. The drink prices are on par with other places. The Surf Lodge could act like the other club but they don't which goes to show you that how you treat people, a.k.a. "hospitality", is what will keep people coming back.




The hospitality rule can also apply in the every day treatment of another human being. If everyone would stop thinking the world revolved around them and paid more attention to being nice to other people especially strangers they don't know, the Hamptons would be a more pleasant place to visit and enjoy. There would be less angst and more fun. You know the thing that gets me is that I'm not saying that every person that comes out here is this way. It's the few bad apples that ruin it for everyone. And I'm not the only one who will speak up and say something. More and more I am finding that people are saying what's on their mind. I don't like that we all have this angst because the summer is supposed to be a time of fun and good memories.





For anyone that is reading this, let's try to be more patient if we are a local and for the visitors, try to be less selfish. We don't have that many weeks left of summer so let's try to enjoy what we have left. Be considerate and be safe!