Summer’s grand finale is here, and for many that means parties, galas, and events all weekend long, which can be lots of fun—but our favorite way to bid adieu to the season is by inviting a few of our favorite houseguests and hosting a simple weekend at home. If that’s your vibe too, keep reading, we’ve compiled some inspiration to help you create the most memorable and relaxing LDW with friends.

SET THE VIBE: Whenever we’re planning a chill weekend, we make sure to invite people who can vibe on that same wavelength, and we let them know ahead of time what the scene will be so they can prepare. It helps everything go smoothly when expectations are met.

 
HILDRETH'S HAS EVERYTHING FOR YOUR GUEST ROOMS 

THE GUEST ROOMS: We want to show our friends how appreciated they are, so we love to use lots of quality bottled water and drinking glasses, fresh flowers, premium linens, fluffy bath and pool towels, and a little gift on the bed. Our favorite gift bag includes a lounge set from Leallo (we added some ideas at the end of the blog) some sweet/salty snacks, a favorite beach read, and some sunscreen from Onda Beauty.

FUN STUFF: We set up games and leave them out for the whole weekend—cornhole and bocce outside, cards and boardgames in the living room, lots of pool games and floats, bubbles and sidewalk chalk for the littles, sparklers and firefly jars for the evenings—just something for everyone to do around every corner.

 
CARISSA'S THE BAKERY

MENUS AND SHOPPING LISTS: We ask our guests about their dietary preferences and favorite foods ahead of time, write out our plans, then head to Round Swamp Farm, Carissa’s, Cavaniola's and our local farm stands to pack our kitchen to the gills with stuff everyone will love. Prepared foods, baked goods, fresh produce, snacks etc. We also give everyone a tour of the kitchen when they arrive, so they feel comfortable grabbing all their fav treats whenever they want them.

 
MUFFINS AT ROUND SWAMP FARMS

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST: First thing each morning we put on a big pot of coffee, set out a pitcher of iced tea with fresh lemon, and fill platters with pastries, bagels, spreads, fresh fruit, and hard-boiled eggs. We might do a lox platter, or a pot of steel cut oatmeal with fixings, depending on what everyone likes. Then it’s just self-serve as people wake up.

 
CAVANIOLA'S GOURMET CHEESE COUNTER

LUNCH CRUDITE AND CHARCUTERIE: Around lunch time we’ll set out some fresh loaves of bread, French butter, a charcuterie/cheese board, some spreads and dips, and a big platter of crudité veggies for grazing. People can sit together or take a plate down to the pool.  

THE GRILLMASTER: Our favorite grill hack is to assign one trustworthy guest as the grillmaster for the weekend. Then dinners are as easy as serving up a bunch of prepared foods from the market, slicing up some bread, and pouring drinks. Then our fav easy desserts are s’mores over the firepit and simple ice cream cones with sprinkles. Or just go out for ice cream after dinner, check out our ice cream blog for our fav spots.

 
PARRISH ART MUSEUM

THAT ONE ‘EXTRA’ THING: If we think our guests will appreciate it, we like to plan one group excursion. We try to make reservations whenever possible, knowing how crowded everything is on LDW. If we do a beach day, we tend to opt for the bay where it’s a bit less crowded and shady picnic tables/grills are perfect for group lunches. Here are a few ideas.

• One nice waterfront dinner reservation (We love Harvest, Beacon, or Cowfish)
• A beach day with picnic lunch (We love Maidstone, Fresh Pond, or Albert’s Landing)
• Sign up for a group class, beach yoga, kayaking, surfing etc.
• A spa day (Gurneys, Naturopathica or book a house call through Zeel)
• A museum (Parrish is nice and spacious so it never feels too crowded)
• A wine tasting/distillery tour (We love Sagaponack Distillery, Channing Daughters and Wölffer)

Our favorite memories always come from this type of holiday, where there’s time to sit around and have good conversations, where spontaneous and silly games create a lot of laughter, and everyone can just follow their own schedule of swimming, napping, reading, eating, playing, and sharing in the love.

Let us know what you think in the comments!

 — FOR THE HOST —

ERICA CASHMERE SWEATER IN GREY

SHARON CASHMERE BUTTONDOWN IN WHEAT

BETHANY DRESS IN FLORAL

 — FOR THE GIFT BAGS —

THE PENNY PANT WITH THE CHARLIE CREW

THE HEIDI TOP WITH THE DUNE RAW HEM SHORT