Wedding Highlights

October 22, 2014October 23, 2014Leave a comment

I’m so excited to share some highlights from the best day of my life with you! On October 4th, 2014, I married the love of my life, the guy who introduced me to the Hamptons, and my other half…my *husband*! Our wedding day just so happened to be exactly five years (to the day!) that we met. What an amazing five years it has been and I can’t wait for the next five!

Wedding highlights:
1. My MOB (mother of the bride) & FOB (father of the bride.) I couldn’t have imagined or executed a better wedding, beginning to end, and I owe that to my amazing parents MOB & FOB! My mom doubled as my wedding planner/organizer/queen of spreadsheets/idea executor/stress diminisher. She made my dream wedding come true when I couldn’t even really visualize what that was. I owe my wedding planner, aka my amazing mother, lots of thanks for years and years to come. Plus, she looked like a rock star on the big day too!

My dad kept me cool, calm, and collected during those key moments, as if it was just the two of us in the room. One of the most special moments in a girl’s life is walking down the aisle and dancing with her father at her wedding. I had dreamed about these moments since the first time I saw Father of The Bride and I will remember them forever and always. I can’t stop listening to the song we danced to (Walk With You by Edwin McCain) and it takes me back to that day and a lifetime of memories.

2. The guy. I have no idea how I got so lucky as to meet my *husband* but I do know that fate played a serious role. We met randomly at a bar in NYC while I was visiting my friend in grad school and he was out with friends. Positive that it would be my last trip to NYC for a long while, (not such a city girl here) I told my *future husband* that I would never see him again. His response: “never say never.” Lesson learned. Although, at the time, it seemed we were just two people at the wrong place at the wrong time, I’ve never been so wrong. Although I couldn’t have dreamed of a better life as we live today, I would have never imagined it as is. Fate is real, folks, you better believe it.

3. The welcome. From the moment my wedding planner (mom) and I began planning the big day over a year ago, we started brainstorming the perfect way to welcome our guests. I wanted it to stand out as original, personal, and from the heart. It took months to put together the perfect collection of goodies that would embrace, please, surprise, and satisfy our wedding guests upon their arrival. We personally packaged gift boxes with a welcome letter (including engagment photos from Kate Petrone Photography and Jenny Moloney Photography) and the following gifts we described as “a few of our favorite things, tastes of our favorite places, and bits and pieces of where we call home:” Tate’s chocolate chip cookies, (yum!) a PB&J Bar made by Lisa Ann’s Desserts, (an upgraded version of our favorite sandwich – a must try!) Wolffer’s white wine cider, Cape Cod Potato Chips and a lobster lollipop for some Boston flair, Hershey kisses, and a green apple (our favorite healthy snack.)

4. The company. The two common bits of advice we got heading into our wedding were that it’s over in the blink of an eye, so be sure to soak it all in and the realization of loved ones from all walks of life, near and far, young and old, all in the same room to celebrate your marriage. So, so amazing.

5. The scheme and theme. To be honest, I always pictured myself getting married during the summer months, outside, near the water. Well, things change and I couldn’t have imagined a better day (the clouds and drizzle didn’t put a damper on anything!) As soon as we decided on our wedding date, autumn in New England opened up such fun possibility. From the amazing poppy colored flowers to the pumpkin place settings, candy apples and gingerbread whoopie pies, the taste of fall, warmth of the season, and essence of love radiated throughout the night.

6. The ceremony. Since the very first wedding I remember attending almost 20 years ago, I’ve always gotten nervous right before the ceremony. I’d only imagined that the pit in my stomach would double when it was my time to walk down the aisle. But, guess what…I really wasn’t nervous for my own wedding. I was content, ready, and full of excitement. I couldn’t wait to walk arm-in-arm down the aisle with my father. I couldn’t wait to stand there with my *husband to-be* and say our I do’s. As soon as our priest (who is also a family friend) began to speak, I fully relaxed and a smile appeared on my face that lasted the entire ceremony…actually, the entire weekend. The fact that the ceremony included personal stories, humor, and lots of smiles made it that much more special.

7. The dress. I fell in love with that dress the moment I saw it and I knew it was the one. I said yes to the dress and never looked back. Now, if only I could wear it more often…!

8. The memories that will last a lifetime.

One Healthy Breakdown: this bride feels blessed to the moon and back, thanks to all who made it possible!

*HUGE thanks to iphone photographers and the fabulous Jenny Moloney Photography for pics!

Hamptons Wellness Week’s Signature Bai-Tini

May 14, 2014May 13, 2014Leave a comment

Last weekend, we wrapped-up Hamptons Wellness Week’s “Ease into the Season” at Page at 63 Main. We celebrated a fabulous week of pampering, wellness, self-care, community, connection, and much more. What a week it was!

To all of you who participated, sponsored, spread the word, reaped the benefits, offered great deals and amazing services, tried new things, and focused on YOU during Hamptons Wellness Week, THANK YOU! And a special thanks to Page at 63 Main, one of my very favorite restaurants around the Hamptons for good reason. Located right in Sag Harbor Village, Page is incredibly in-tune with wellness, freshness, and serving the community right. Right along with Page’s value for both wellness and fun, the “Bai-tini” was born. Bai is a tasty, healthy, natural, and low-calorie antioxidant drink that makes for a great refresher anytime of day and happens to mix great for cocktails too! With our Bai-tinis in hand, we raised our glasses and “clinked” to an amazing summer to come! Join us in “easing into the season” with your own homemade Bai-tini:

Hamptons Wellness Week’s Signature Bai-tini by Page at 63 Main:

Fill martini glass 2/3 full with Molokai Coconut Bai
Add 1 shot Prairie Organic Vodka
Infuse with orange oil and an orange peel twist

One Healthy Breakdown: cheers to wellness and a well-balanced summer!

Worth The Trip: Stone Creek Inn

June 5, 2013

I recently headed out to Quogue with my boyfriend’s family to celebrate his birthday at the Stone Creek Inn. We’d been once before, about two years ago, and I couldn’t remember much, so I was excited to try it again. I must admit, about half way through the drive, we all wondered why we decided to go so far for dinner, (about 45 minutes from Sag Harbor) but once we had our first taste, we all knew it was well worth the trip.

I would describe the dining room (rooms, actually) as “fancy-cozy.” The atmosphere is inviting, (maybe not super inviting to young kids) comfortable, classy, and a great place to share a meal with family or friends.

The menu stood out to me at first glance because of the abundance of options, something kind of distinct from most Hamptons’ restaurants. Everyone likes options. There’s an appetizer for any taste, and Stone Creek makes it easy to share…or, not. (I chose not ;-))

Soon after being seated, we received shots of tomato soup (nothin’ wrong with a little gift from the chef!) It was delicious; creamy, fresh, and flavorful. I decided to start with a roasted beet & baby arugula salad, one of three salad choices. Other starters included grilled octopus, mussel & chive ravioli, duck meatballs, tuna or steak tartar, and a variety of cheese plates, to accompany Stone Creek’s renowned wine list. It’s clear that each dish and beverage is carefully thought out and often change with the season. Although I like to be able to depend on menu staples when I’m a returning customer, I love the refreshing reminder that entrees change with the season to utilize the best local in-season goods.

The tuna tartare looked amazing and, according to two at our table, tasted just as good too. My salad was good; it hit the spot and the yellow beets added a fresh sweetness. I liked that it was served in a bowl, as opposed to on a plate, a minute detail that makes for easier cutting. I’m a fan of eating salads out of bowls and I like that Stone Creek is too.

The food came out timely, not too fast or too slow. The service is also great, our waitress was helpful and kind, but not overly chatty; she got the job done, well. More than a few entrées stood out to me; local roasted chicken with sautéed greens and honey balsamic jus…yum. Although I typically opt for seafood (and Stone Creek offers quite a seafood spread) the herb and mustard crusted rack of lamb caught my eye and when the waitress recommended it, I was convinced. I eat red meat very rarely, so when I do, it’s got to be good. And it was.

The lamb was perfectly cooked, tender, but nice and charred around the bone. The sautéed spring greens and crunchy baby carrots underneath were equally delicious. Props to the chef (that’s Christian Mir.)

I opted out of dessert, but the chocolate decaf tea intrigued me, it was good, an interesting twist on an after dinner drink. Overall, this visit to Stone Creek was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while, and the company agreed. The birthday boy ate every last bite of that strawberry cake.

One Healthy Breakdown: Five out of five people gave it a five out of five!

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