Shop 'til You Drop: Hamptons Shopping to Fight Cabin Fever
On the back of all of our minds is that looming question: How many more weeks of winter? My mother always said a watched pot never boils so maybe we should just ease in and fully embrace the depths of February. Is there really any other option, anyway?
Cabin fever can easily be soothed with just moving from one indoor location to another. I’m all about the Hampton Coffee in Southampton. Located at 749 County Rd. 39A, Hampton Coffee Company is the perfect place to unwind and perk up. If you haven’t tried Chocolate Cherry Kiss, you simply must—the Valentine’s Day special, along with Crème Brulée Lattes are available all month. Hampton Coffee is also on Perka, the app that notifies you of local deals and discounts, and on Wednesdays at 5 p.m., they have a documentary film club. All of their gourmet bites are made on premises and their West Coast city-style pour over bar offers hand-roasted coffee brewed in a method of your choice. Hampton Coffee is also located in Water Mill and Westhampton Beach. Call 631-726-COFE or visit hamptoncoffeecompany.com.
Snowed in again? You obviously need a stack of books. If you’re in a reading rut, make a trip to Westhampton Beach’s Books & Books. They have a wonderful selection along with helpful notes from their book-savvy staff to steer you in the right direction. Always curious to compare Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited to that fabulous BBC version with Jeremy Irons, I finally picked up a beautiful paperback copy of my own. My boyfriend grabbed The Epic of Gilgamesh. Next time we can’t get out of the driveway, we’ll be inwardly rejoicing. The Dan’s Papers Best of the Best bookstore winner is located at 130 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. Call 631-998-3260 or visit booksandbookswhb.com.
With books and beverages in place, what else is a girl to do but give a little attention to beautifying? It’s not vanity, I tell you, to take proper care of your skin, hair and nails. In an attempt to rid myself of toxins, I’ve gone the organic route—selecting minimally processed products when possible. I’m a big fan of Dr. Hauschka’s holistic skincare line. If you’ve recently started using Dr. Hauschka’s products, you’ll love adding Rhythmic Night Conditioner to your evening routine. Little capsules pop open with the exact amount needed and the clear, weightless formula is absorbed instantly. Ideal for times of transition, seasonal change, travel or stress, there’s really no time like the present for this one! Find Dr. Hauschka at Second Nature markets in Southampton or East Hampton, or at drhauschka.com.
As it’s the month of love, why not send some cheer to a loved one with a box of sugar-cube-sized cookies from Carla Hall. Hall is the owner of Carla Hall Petite Cookies, an “artisan cookie company that specializes in creating sweet and savory ‘petite bites of love.’” We were lucky enough to sample a gift box of petite cookies here at the Dan’s Papers headquarters in Southampton and loved them! The Black Forest Crinkle provoked comments like, “Wow! Chocolatey bite of goodness” and “Achtung! Like a trip down the Danube,” while the Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate had us saying, “Crunchy, with a perfect amount of oatmeal flavor.” The Almond Ginger Cherry Shortbread and Lemon Black Pepper Shortbread would make a great duo for tea time. Find them in Manhattan at Chelsea Markets or order online at alchemybycarlahall.com.
Christopher Fischer East Hampton will be closing after 14 years on Main Street, and their “End of Lease Sale” ends Sunday, February 23. Stop by and stock up on luscious cashmere at 67 Main St, East Hampton. East Enders can still shop Christopher Fischer at the Southampton location and at christopherfischer.com.
Take eco-friendly beauty a step further with John Masters Organics. I shampooed this morning with Lavender Rosemary Shampoo, followed by Citrus Neroli Detangler, and now my hair is soft, smooth, shiny and yet bouncy and full of life. You’ll love the 100% Argan Oil, too—the multi-purpose product can be used to mend split ends and hydrate skin all over. Find yours at Wild By Nature in Hampton Bays or online at johnmasters.com.