July is the month...

July is the month to...quench your thirst. Water will do, if it's "Hawaiian Purified Water." But what about "Ting" from Jamaica? "Bundaberg Lemon-Lime Bitters" from Australia? Or lemondade, if it's "Lorine's French Lemonade?" www.ifsandsbutts.com is the source for all your soda cravings. Assuming they run a little more gourmet (or adventurous) than Coke or Pepsi. We've just ordered some "Rat Bastard Root Beer."

"Coming Out"

July 4th means parades, if you're American. Uncle Sam, community bands, the red, white & blue of it all. Parading on that day isn't quite the same on Fire Island (Long Island, NY). Forget the traditional here. From Cherry Grove they once more will march into Pine Grove, from 2-4 pm. Just like they have since 1976, when the first Invasion of the Pines became a yearly event.

Hundreds of men & women from Cherry Grove, all in drag, will parade through the Grove on Independence Day. 2 communities vastly different, the parade signifies the coming together of the bohemian, gay community of Cherry Grove. And the more conservative, overall wealthier community of Pine Grove.
This July 4th will mark the 26th time differences are put aside and everyone comes out, so to speak, to be neighborly. What better day to embrace the freedom of being who you are, right Uncle Sam? (www.fireislandferries.com will get you there)

"Them Bones"

Outdoors, furniture takes a beating. Outdoors on an island, furniture goes through hell. That's one reason why most outdoor furniture manufacturers stick to the tried and true. Like aluminum, wrought iron & outdoor wicker. And plastics of all kinds.

Philippe Starck has made a new design statement. With his all-weather plastic furnishings, he's saying, "bring more of what you have inside, to the outside." As long as the outside version is plastic. Like his new Bubble Club Chair & Sofa. Available through one of our favorite on-line design resources Design Within Reach.

It's not cuddly & soft, like the overstuffed chair in your living room. But Starck's Bubble Club Chair ($445 USD) has the same "bones." Only in polypropylene. His ingenious Italian design even has water drainage to the seats. We love the colors & hope he adds more. Our only addition would be a seat cushion in outdoor fabric. To make it just a little more like the indoor version.

"Say Cheese"

There's Jaws. And then there's Jaws. In this case, referring to the area off the North coast of Maui, known as surfer's paradise.

July's issue of Vanity Fair magazine introduces many of you to the likes of Laird Hamilton, the god of the extreme sport of big-wave surfing on the island. On the water, Hamilton is Maui. Riding waves as big as 50 feet! On the page, photographer Mark Seliger offers us landlubbers a little cheesecake. Hamilton posing with his board. White water framing his physique, as a wave breaks perfectly over him.

Only when Jaws is roaring, do the big boys come out to play. That means December through February, sporadically, if at all. Other times you may be able to catch Laird and many other surfers (suitable for framing) at the island's nearby Ho'okipa Beach. Don't forget your camera girls.

"The Hip, While You Hop"


Stay in a hip hotel, as you island hop around & you may see a familiar sight after awhile...the complimentary toiletries you find in bathroom, from Molton Brown. This London-based company makes British Airways' First Class, inflight travel bags. And on the ground, it supplies some of the savviest hotels.

Just back from St. Barts, we were treated to Molton Brown "goodies" at the Hotel Isle de France. That meant another supply of their travel-size hand lotion to take home.

To be sure you have their products when you need them, order their "New Age Traveller 5." Newly updated, the signature bag, comes filled with 10 travel-size containers of their best toiletries. Just in case your next island hotel isn't hip enough to have them.