Strawberry Photo—Round Swamp Farm
With its farm-to-table aesthetic and picturesque ocean beaches, Bridgehampton embodies that quintessential Hamptons vibe. It was also the village that started it all for Leallo founder Meg Chiarello. Her first Hamptons address, first Hamptons job (at ALMOND BAR, where she also met her husband) and her flagship retail store all happened here. Bridgehampton is our home, and the Leallo staff are dishing all our favorite destinations for a picture-perfect summer in this gorgeous little village.
THAYERS HARDWARE DECK TABLE AND LIDO CHAIRS
LOAVES AND FISHES ECO-FRIENDLY WILD CHERRY UTENSILS
ROUND SWAMP FARM BRIDGEHAMPTON
FARM-TO-TABLE ENTERTAINING IN BRIDGE
Casual evening gatherings filled with family and friends are our most treasured moments of every summer, so we always do a little prep work early in the season to make things easier. First, we stop by THAYERS HARDWARE for both the big stuff (outdoor furniture, umbrellas, fire pits and grills) to the little stuff (coolers, candles, pool floats and lawn games) to get the vibe started. Then we head over to LOAVES AND FISHES COOKSHOP, and their perfectly curated collection of entertaining and kitchen goods (grab one of their cookbooks to spark some culinary inspiration.) Then finally, on the morning of the event, we’ll head over to ROUND SWAMP FARM for ‘better than homemade’ prepared foods and baked goods that make entertaining as easy as (a summer peach) pie.
WHAT WE'RE WEARING WHILE HOSTING
Choose an outfit that you can move in comfortably and can take you from farm stand, through party setup, right into your evening without a hitch. You'll look chic and feel confident hanging string lights in the Rikki Jumpsuit, and the Janis will keep you cool as a cucumber right through charcuterie prep.
RIKKI JUMPSUIT IN BLACK—SHOP HERE
JANIS DRESS IN STRIPE—SHOP HERE
CHEF'S SALAD FROM L&W MARKET
PIERRE'S BRIDGEHAMPTON OUTDOOR DINING
KNOCKOUT BEAUTY BRIDGEHAMPTON
BEACH DAYS ARE THE BEST DAYS
Having a solid routine turns a good beach day into the best beach day. We get going early, bringing an insulated bag with an ice pack to L&W MARKET where we grab coffee, breakfast and sandwiches/salads to pack up for the beach. Meg loves the Niçoise, and Hannah swears by the ‘Bento Box in a Jar.’ If it’s just a few adults that day we typically head down to the ‘no lifeguard on duty’ OCEAN ROAD BEACH, where rumor has it, when the lot fills up, you can park on one side of the street without a permit, but you didn’t hear it from us. But with a bigger group and/or kids we feel safer at MECOX BEACH with its restrooms, mobile concessions, and guards, plus kids love splashing around the ‘cut’ when it’s open. Après beach, when we’re all sunkissed and salty, we’ll head over to PIERRE’S for an Iced Cortado coffee (Julia’s favorite) or a Sweet Greens juice, which we’ll bring along for a little late afternoon shopping, usually stopping at KNOCKOUT BEAUTY for some luxe after-sun lotion and of course, LEALLO for a perfect cozy outfit to toss of after that coveted post-beach shower.
WHAT WE'RE WEARING ON BEACH-TO-LUNCH DAYS
Choose a breezy dress that feels good on your sunkissed skin and looks gorgeous tossed on over your suit. The Cabana Dress has a cool inner layer to keep it free-flowing and opaque, while the Emily Tee Dress has the perfectly elevated bell sleeve.
CABANA DRESS IN FAIRY BLUE—SHOP HERE
EMILY DRESS IN NAVY—SHOP HERE
THE 'ROYAL PLATEAU' AT TOPPING ROSE HOUSE
OUTDOOR DINING AT BRIDGEHAMPTON INN
LOCAL SALMON, RAMPS, PICKLED ONION, POTATO AT ALMOND BAR
OUT ON THE TOWN IN BRIDGE
Later in the evening, when we’re fresh, clean and a little sunkissed, we’re ready to eat again! We always recommend making reservations in the summer, but stand-by can work if you’re flexible, and especially if you don’t mind sitting at the bar (which can be a super fun way to meet new people!) Our go-to for dinner is ALMOND BAR, where Meg worked for years saving up to start her dream business. The seasonal, local, and artisanal cuisine includes innovative touches that elevate the whole experience. If you’re looking for the best outdoor happy hour in town head over to TOPPING ROSE HOUSE. Last summer their ‘Rosé and Oyster’ events were a huge hit, and the winter brought bonfire/s'mores happy hours, so we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this summer. Then finally, for something elevated beyond expectation, try the restaurant and bar at the BRIDGEHAMPTON INN. Whether you’re staying overnight with them, or just passing through, the artisanal cocktails and locally sourced fare are nothing less than divine in both conception and execution.
WHAT WE'RE WEARING TO DINNER
True Hamptonites keep it simple, elegant, and comfortable. The Milos and St. Barths dresses are airy and feminine and pair beautifully with a strappy sandal. Roll up the featherweight sleeves on The Maui and pair with metal bracelets and slide sandals for a classic summery look.
MILOS DRESS IN FLORAL
MAUI DRESS IN FAIRY BLUE
ST. BARTHS DRESS IN FLORAL
THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF THE EAST END (CMEE)
WE ALMOST FORGOT THE KIDS!
(Just kidding they'd never let us forget them)
The Hamptons are a magical place for kids if you know where to take them. For a perfect summer camp experience, Meg recommends HAYGROUND CAMP where her son Van will be spending his 6th summer this season. Right now, it’s waiting list only, but it’s worth putting your name down, slots do open, and the kids absolutely love it. For something non-committal, when the kids burn out on the beach, check out CMEE, a wonderland for the littles, but there’s also a really cool physics-based mini golf course for the bigger kids, and SOFO MUSEUM, right across the street, has fun summer programs for your little scientists.
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