By Elisa DiStefano
The party has begun in the Hamptons and I have a really good feeling about this season. Town was much more alive than I’ve seen it in a long time. Restaurants were hopping. The stars were out, the sun was shining and people were smiling.
After some time with family and friends (and some time resting up to recover from laryngitis) it was off to my first event of the season at the Social Life Estate in Watermill. Beth Stern (yep she officially dropped the “O”) was the guest of honor. She is beautiful on the inside and out. Beth says that she helps maintain her absolutely incredible figure by taking the core fusion class at Exhale Spa in Bridgehampton (she’ll be teaching a class to benefit the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons later this summer). Be careful when you are driving through Southampton, Beth can often be spotted riding her bike. In addition to her stunning Social Life cover and spread- she says her hubby Howard’s new photography hobby has been to her advantage because he’s been “taking really good pictures” of her. She admits “it’s a little annoying when you’re getting massaged or you’re taking a bath and you hear click click click, it’s all in good fun and who better than to have your husband take good pictures of you”. As if she could ever take a bad pic!
NY Housewife Ramona Singer left her own “informal” 24 person dinner party to stop by the Social Life Estate. Not to worry, she said that she prepared her favorite party dish- chicken with mushrooms in her pinot grigio with artichokes and lemon in a chicken broth- in advance.
Unfortunately, I had to get to my next event before Howard (who Beth said was with his daughter for the evening) showed up. I hear that he just quickly stopped by the estate to pick up his lady. The couple was later spotted at Nick and Toni’s. They missed Lou Reed, Naomi Watts & Liev Schrieber by a day (they dined at the spot famous for it’s celeb sightings on Sunday).
My next stop was to meet the adorable Lance Bass. He was among the medly of gorgeous gay men at the Miracle House benefit at the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club. Bass looked and smelled great (when I told him so he jumped back and claimed it was his natural scent). He rocked the mic as the night’s host but left the singing to Deborah Cox. Bass told me that he is retired from music (although admits missing being on tour like BSB and pop icons Debbie Gibson and Tiffany-who he says he introduced). Instead, he’s working on TV shows but says he likes to be behind the scenes as much as he can. He’s also spending a lot of his time on a new ecommerce site called BiggestYardSale.com. I never realized just how cute he is in person.
It was lovely to chat with Countess LuAnn de Lesseps. She was there with her boyfriend Jacques. She gave me a her best Hamptons etiquette tips: Wait your turn. And- don’t park (yourself) too close to someone on the beach, especially if you have a big group of people next to you. She also gave me a little preview, a verse, of her newest single:
“Beauty, Class and elegance lie within the soul. Money, power and romance are waiting for us all. Chic C’est la vie.”
Fellow Housewife and the Countess’ morning tennis partner, Jill Zarin, said she just watched next week’s episode of RHONY with her house full of company including her step-grandchildren who have no idea that their “Oma” is famous.
My work was done for the evening but I was hungry! I never get to eat at these parties. I met up with Andrea Correale (she caters some of the biggest events in the Hamptons), Sonja Morgan (who you may know from the Real Housewives of NY- she is really very funny and surprising down to earth), my cousin and some friends to grab a bite at what I thought would be a non-sceney spot – 75 Main in Southampton. The place was buzzing about their lunch guest, Vice President Joe Biden, and earlier dinner guest Alec Baldwin. When we got there, the late night crowd included Dina Lohan, nightlife notables Matt Levine and Kelly Brady with a bevy of beauties including supermodel Jessica White. Spin Crowd’s Jonathan Cheban was at the table next to us and stopped by to say hello.
The Saturday night party to be at was the debut of the EMM Group’s new nightclub, SL East in East Hampton. Dawn and Kalenna of Diddy Dirty Money performed their hit single “I’m Coming Home” and had the crowd on their feet. Gossip Girl’s Matthew Settle, Russell Simmons, Lance Bass and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps mixed and mingled.
On Sunday, the Hamptons Magazine party brought out the usual Hamptons crowd to the Southampton Social Club (formerly Madame Tongs). Beth Stern posed for photos arm in arm with Katie Lee. Cover star Chelsea Handler arrived with her boyfriend Andre Balazs. She said it was her very first time in the Hamptons and she spent the day on Shelter Island simply stating “I like it, it’s perfect”. She gave me a few minutes of her time, but was much more low key than I expected from watching her show and reading her (laugh out loud funny) books. I chatted with Jonathan Cheban about our dinner the night before- he proclaimed that Southampton is the new East Hampton. I pulled out this week’s People Magazine. He’s in a photo with the Kardashian clan at Kim’s engagement dinner. I had to ask about the ring- Jonathan said her ring looks much bigger in person (can you imagine?). He claims to have no idea when the wedding will be but he thinks it will outdo the Royal Wedding as far as star power goes. Also stopping by- Estelle, James Lipton, Kelly Bensimon, and the super sweet Kyle MacLachlan and his wife Desiree Gruber. Always happy to catch up with Hamptons gal about town editor in chief Samantha Yanks.
We then raced to the Southampton Cultural Center, The Plum Network hosted a private screening of Christy Turlington Burns’ directorial debut of No Woman, No Cry. Christy sang the praises of her husband Ed Burns who was home watching the kids (much to my disappointment). Christy generously gave her time at a long Q&A with the audience. She looked as stunning as ever in a Nanette LePore dress. Nanette was in the crowd. She told me that she still gets excited when she sees women walking in town wearing her dresses and likes to shop at second hand vintage stores. I just got a glimpse of Donna Karan, she dashed in seconds after the film’s start.
We set up shop down the road at the Driver’s Seat so that we could (finally) eat and go through our footage. Got to check out their new garden- very nice.
The Sunday night party to be at was at Georgica (certain to be a favorite celeb hangout again this summer) where Supermodel Jessica White hosted a party for her Angel Wings Foundation to benefit UNICEF’s City of Joy Program. Russell Simmons, Shontelle and Dina Lohan joined in the celebration.
Back in Southampton, reality royalty held court on opposite sides of Axe Lounge. Paris Hilton sitting across the club from Kourtney Kardashian (who partied with birthday boy Scott Disick and her friend Jonathan Cheban). Shenae Grimes was also spotted on the dance floor. A lot of 90210 in 11968.
Lots of fun seeing famous faces out and about, but for me, this is what summer in the Hamptons is all about.
Spending time with my family pool side – even if my Poppie can barely keep his eyes open while he lounges in the sun.
I should follow his lead and rest up- it’s going to be a long, action packed summer ahead!
