[Sunrise on Ram Island]

Today, our friend DBTH did a cute little fluff post on Ram's Head Inn titled "The Next Surf Lodge?" Bravo Scott for stepping outside your island, and props for picking the place that is in the running's for the best of the bunch out east.  However, I'm not sure why you should be the one posting on this piece of old news.  You see, I have CONSISTENTLY invited DBTH out east with me this summer, and, he has sadly refused.  Opting instead to stay in his LES dungeon counting his baseball cards and hitting up Antik.  Well, this weekend, while DBTH was in Atlantic City balled up in a hotel, I was actually ON Ram Island, enjoying the sunrise.  See comparison below:

Go HERE to see more photos from my Shelter Island Weekend.

I may be shilling for Surf Lodge all summer long, but at least I've BEEN there when I post about the place.  There's still time! Help me save DBTH's summer before it's too late!

[Photos by Kim Bates]

From: hamptons.guestofaguest.com:

Sunset Beach, that little piece of paradise off of the shores of Shelter Island is the perfect place to throw your summer Birthday Bash. Andre Balazs's may be in charge of this hot spot, but even so, once there you feel like you are far away from the normal Hampton's social scene. The food is great, the drinks are even better, and the ambiance is unbeatable. Every year Kim Bates, a regular summer resident on Shelter Island, celebrates her birthday there. I had forgotten how magical the place was until this past Saturday, when I was lucky enough to join in on the celebration.

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[Photos via Kim Bates]

One of the best things about Shelter Island is that you are completely removed from the whole Hampton's Scene...that is until you get to Sunset Beach, Andre Balazs's chic little spot at the North end of the island on Shore Road.  However, even at this hot spot, you feel like you are far away from the normal social scene. The food is great, the drinks are even better, and the ambiance is unbeatable.  Every year Kim Bates, a regular summer resident on Shelter Island, celebrates her birthday there.  I had forgotten how magical the place was until this past Saturday, when I was lucky enough to join in on the celebration there.

More photos and story below:

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[Shelter Island Yacht Club]

On my way to the Shelter Island Yacht Club, where I would prepare for Round Two in the 505, I got pulled over.  I had no idea I was speeding, nor that the speed limit was 25.  I haven't been pulled over since college, and have to tell you that it felt adequately as painful.  I was in my swimsuit, no liscense and not in my own car.  I have a summons on the 25th....Later on, I heard from some locals at the club that New York Street (the street I was on) is notorious for speed traps. Perfect. Now, not only am I a gas-guzzling SUV driver, I'm a speeder to boot, and I'm willing to take any comments you feel are needed to put me in my place.

Go HERE and HERE for more photos of Sunset Beach

I finally made it to Sunset Beach!  Yesterday, this hip spot on Shelter Island, home to many summer memories, was the site of the Plum TV's filming of "The Juice".  I got there right in time to see the end of this very intense Ping Pong Match!  I also got a change to try the famous André Balazs Réserve Sunset Beach Rosé that I have been waiting all summer for (see first photo below).  I will make my second stop of the summer here tomorrow night for the fabulous Kim Bate's Birthday party where I plan on finishing off that bottle I started working on!

I will always hold a special place in my heart for Shelter Island...the site of so many meetings of friends.  Most of the friends I have met on Shelter Island I still hold dear to my heart, it's hard to let go of someone that has shared such a unique secret with you.  Sadly, I have YET to venture onto this magical island, secluded off from the rest of the Hamptons, this summer.  Thankfully, this weekend, I have a very important birthday party to attend at Sunset Beach and will be back on my most loved island.  In preparation for the event, I caught up on my Shelter Island history HERE.

It's interesting to point out that the island was bought from it's first European settlers in 1651 for 1,600 barrels of sugar by brothers Nathaniel and Constant Sylvester.  I think the going rate for land on the island these days is a tad higher....

[Sunset Beach]

[All images via Gina Tomitz]

Last Saturday was the annual Float Fest in Shelter Island Bay, and from the looks of it, the island's entire summer population was more than happy to get their hair salty and their feet wet. While the celebs (Christie Brinkley, the Bissetts) stuck to their yachts, I spotted quite a few surfboards, paddleboards, motorboats, and even a canine-steered canoe. It's nice to see people making use of the water and not just the shore.

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[Image via Gina Tomitz]

Oh, the things they learn in puppy school. At least he's remembered his life vest! Story on the Float Fest in Shelter Island Bay to follow...

Sunset Beach was swirling Sunday when at about 2:30 PM Tyra Banks walked in with two other unidentified males. I was with a large group of girls that included podcastGO owner Andrea Mitchell, marketing guru and former studio 54 DJ Lizzz Kritzer, and cartoonist Joanna Ferrone, when Banks sat down and ordered crudites.

The older Long Island couple next to us kept whispering "that girl looks like Naomi Campbell, wait... it IS her," until I silently corrected them. Although Tyra has a very bubbly on-screen personality, she seemed somber and with-drawn at brunch. She did kindly sign some autographs for a few little fans but spent most of her time silently emailing on her blackberry.

Sunset's still a Sunday night hot spot!

Saturday, I ran in the Shelter Island 10k, and while running in the heat has never been my idea of a party, the utter loveliness of the route -all leaves and sea and sun, made for a pretty decent distraction. Shelter Island's hosted this race for 29 years, and it's garnered a relatively large and loyal following. More»