Shop 'til You Drop: On Staying Healthy and Festive
The festive holiday spirit is alive and well on the East End. From numerous tree-lightings to candlelight carols, the villages along the two forks are bringing beauty and joy to our quaint main streets—making your holiday shopping a thoroughly enjoyable experience. After years of suburban shopping malls followed by years of midtown madness, it is a tremendous pleasure to find gifts for everyone while strolling around Southampton. So much more civilized!
Herrick Hardware has you covered for Christmas lights, decorations and great gifts for the chef or garden-lover. I took note of tea kettles, all kinds of coffee makers, griddle-like pans and baking sheets and rolling pins for your cookies! While you’re there, you’re sure to find something you need for the home. I personally just bought a pair of heavy-duty dishwashing gloves. Acid couldn’t eat through these babies. I know, super exciting, but I’m calling it quits on the yellow ones. Herrick’s is located at 41 Main St., Southampton. Call 631-283-0026 or visit herrickhardware.com.
Onward to Hildreth’s Home Goods—which is so lovely it’s worth a visit every time, even if only to look around and make mental “pinterests” (new word coming soon to Webster’s) including the Yves Delorme bedding. From picture frames to Ina Garten cookbooks to fluffy bathrobes to Votivo candles, you’ll find something for your sister, your mother and your grandmother, too. The ladies in my family all get excited over that big green Hildreth’s box. Hildreth’s is located at 51 Main St., Southampton. Call 631-283-2300 or visit hildreths.com.
Speaking of exciting packaging, you can’t go wrong with confections from Sant Ambroeus; wrapped in the prettiest of papers adorned and tied with that peachy-color ribbon. Take a mini trip to Milano inside this beautiful Italian restaurant and café and treat yourself to la dolce vita with uno cappuccino, per favore, while you’re there. Bring a tray of assorted cookies next time you’re invited for tea or their plum pie for an elegant dinner party. A bottle of their Tuscan extra virgin olive oil makes a wonderful gift for just about anyone who loves good food. Visit Sant Ambroeus at 30 Main St., Southampton. Call 631-283-1233 or visit santambroeus.com.
Not to put a damper on tasty treats, but with all of the cookies, bonbons and booze circulating around the holidays, it’s important to be selective. This doesn’t mean deprivation—it simply means you’re committed to looking and feeling your best! If you know your weekend is chock-full of parties, use the weekdays to detox. Aside from drinking plenty of pure water and eating nourishing fruits and veggies, try a little something extra. I’ve become addicted to coconut oil. Mix a teapoon in with your oatmeal for a tasty fat-burning boost. I also tried something very unusual and curious that comes in a tiny black jar. It’s called Purblack and it’s a healing superfood under Ayurvedic Classification. It’s also known as mineral pitch, shilajit, moomiyo and salajeet. With claims of naturally assisting the body in reaching it’s maximum genetic potential, I was eager to test it out; dissolving a pea-size amount in a glass of warm water. It had a strange, earthy taste but I felt extremely alert and mentally energized afterwards and slept really well that night. Visit purblack.com to find out more about this mysterious superfood!
Sales!
Donovan Design in Southampton cordially invites you to the Holiday Studio Sale, now through December 22, offering 30% to 60% off select lighting and lamps. Donovan Design as been creating extraordinary handmade lighting since 1990 and is in the collection of the Whitney Museum, NYC and The Art Institute of Chicago. Call for an appointment, 631-283-8175, or visit donovandesign.com.
The ARF Thrift & Treasure Shop, 17 Montauk Highway in Sagaponack presents “The Twelve Days of Christmas Sale” from December 12 through 23. You’ll find great discounts on the entire store each day. Merchandise arrives daily so shop often and help the resident animals at the ARF Adoption Center in Wainscott. For more information contact Wendy at 631-537-3682.