The Hamptons was a place that I had always wanted to visit. It sounded like my cup of tea-stunning beaches, delicious seafood, grass tennis courts and preppy style as the norm. Oh and Gwyneth lived there so the chance for a sighting was an obvious bonus. Last summer, when we were supposed to be hitting the road to visit all of the beautiful but dauntingly hot states of the Southwest, I pulled the plug and begged my family to agree to head North. Way North. Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia north. It meant that we were bound to repeat some of the places we had shown them years before but the Hamptons were unknown to all of us and they did not disappoint.

Sag Harbor was a quaint town that felt more historic than some of the other towns in the Hamptons. The downtown oozed authentic Americana with white clapboard houses and swinging American flags. But don’t let the word quaint fool you, we had one of our best lunches there at the classic Le Bilboquet.

After a delicious lunch, I shamelessly attempted to shake the family by suggesting they check out the near by boats so that I could visit the most sacred of places aka the Goop store. Alas, they were on to me and we all went to meet Gwyneth (not really). The Goop store was just as I had hoped it would be. Filled with products that immediately went on my birthday, Christmas, and I went for a run today list, I was thrilled to experience it. The kids jumped in the Goop Moke which gave me a laugh and the lovely people working there took many snaps-amused by my kids.

The town of Southhampton was busier and less quaint than Sag Harbor and yet it still never missed an opportunity to welcome you in. From the storefronts decorated with red geraniums and American bunting to the vintage cars that rolled down Main Street, it was like an 80’s smorgasbord for the eyes. There was just so much to look at.

All of the boutiques we visited were gorgeous and curated and felt like my house may look if I were single and independently wealthy…but there was one more place that I was dying to go-the One Kings Lane Shop.

Housed in a historic library, the One Kings Lane shop was what nautical, beachy dreams are made of. I spent over an hour there, each room better than the one before. If the Hamptons lifestyle that many of us dream of and so few get to actually eperience had a stylist, this place was it.

It was a dream to visit the Hamptons last summer, and it will be even more of a dream to return in a few weeks time to participate in the OKL pop up shop on June 22nd. I will be showcasing my photography along with some very talented ladies. And who knows, maybe Gwyneth will pop by?

The Hamptons-Part 1