Holidays at the Beach

Having grown up close to the beach in Rocky Point, NY, I know firsthand that you can give any holiday a seaside touch. It doesn't necessarily need to be literal-- for example, you can incorporate soft blues and whites into your normal holiday decor, or add a few natural elements like seashells, driftwood, or whatever you like (just have fun).

This past Sunday, in honor of Easter, I made a few table centerpieces that incorporated a modern twist on that green grass you might remember seeing as a kid-- I took a few simple bowls and added grass, jellybeans and a few starfish and sand dollars to keep things light and fun.

I also made "Easter Buckets" instead of baskets, with some great metal beach pails that I found at World Market. I alternated stuffing these with candy, swim tubes, water guns and other beachy stuff. This was an easy way to make personalized favors for guests of all ages and to get everyone excited for the upcoming summer months.

The Hamptons had a number of great events for young and old alike, and in Montauk Mr. John's Pancake House served up "Bunny Pancakes" all weekend (delicious). While we did not take part in any of the more formal egg hunts or bonnet parades, we did host an egg hunt on the beach. The weather held out long enough for us to charge the dunes in search of easily-spotted plastic eggs filled with money (hey, a bunny's gotta eat), seashells, and other assorted treasures!

I know, you're thinking "no way I would run like a fool on the dunes." Well, after you've had a few of the Blue Gull Beach House's special mimosas, you would be hopping along like the rest of us! Besides, ten minutes worth of fun can create a few memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you all for an awesome time-- it's good to be young, in spirit and at heart.

For those who could not make it out to the End (or the beginning, I don't know) I hope you enjoy the pictures, and if you have some fun shoreside pics or stories from this weekend please feel free to share!