I spent the long holiday weekend in East Hampton working on new designs, decompressing from the stress of the city and spending time with dear friends. Dinner at Sam's and Serafina, lounging by the pool, shopping at Bonne Nuit and BookHampton, and long walks on the beach made for a perfect weekend.

One of the last of a dying breed, the independent book store, BookHampton is a favorite and I look forward to visiting every time I am in town. Check out their Staff Selections for the best beach reads. Everybody Behaves Badly, by Lesley M. M. Blume, was on my list but unfortunately had just sold out. I opted for The Headmaster's Wife, by Thomas Christopher Greene, a staff recommendation that so far has been difficult to put down.