This is one of the prettiest lanes in Southampton with hovering Elms creating a canopy overhead…Can you guess where I am now?

Post your guess below…

KDHamptons: How long have you been coming to the Hamptons and why do you love the East End so much?
Lynn Blumenfeld: My uncle Harry has always had a home in East Hampton, so I think I’ve been coming here since I was 2 or 3 years old. [I wouldn't dare say how many years that is!]

KDH: Describe your company for KDHamptons readers?
LB: b+f is the leading marketing/advertising/design firm on the East End. Jill Fleming, the designer/art director, and I have been working together for 10 years. We both left Madison Avenue for the beauty of the Hamptons~ you could say we’re Type A’s who wanted a Type B lifestyle! We love working with small businesses out here & start-ups, helping them develop their identity and strategy. We just launched a new website and tag line for Group for the East End [www.groupforeastend.org],  created new print campaigns for Landscape Details and MCC, created the Green Logic Logo, Race Lane’s logo, Harvest Restaurant & more. We also work with Suffolk Bank and Southampton Hospital, two anchors in our community. We believe creativity gets you noticed and gets you results. We ALSO believe in beach walks!  During the summer, we try to organize our days around low tide so we can sneak out – and if there’s surf, Jill surfs. We both had careers on Madison Avenue – living and working out here is a gift and we’re grateful every day.

KDH: So you worked in Manhattan for many years, what made you make the shift to being based out East?
LB: I loved working at Y&R and Wells Rich Greene, traveling to LA, Africa and Europe making TV Commercials. But…if nothing changes, nothing changes. I didn’t want the jobs/lifestyle of any of the people I was working for had, I needed to be near the ocean [even though I rarely swim in it].

KDH: Do you have an exciting project that you are working on now? What inspires your creativity?
LB: Yes, I’m writing a Young Adult novel set in Montauk! I’m a long-time member of Marijane Meaker’s Ashawagh Hall Writing Workshop [a group that's helped many local authors get published]. What inspires me? Authenticity. Nature. And the inherent goodness in people – especially the beautiful tight-knit community that is Montauk. I’m inspired by my friends: Sam Christie who founded Karma Kids, Matthew Badger who has created the Lily Grace Sarah Fund in honor of his daughters who perished on Christmas Day, I’m inspired by everyone who works at Group for East End, Project Most and The Retreat. I’m also inspired by the local musicians and artists who donate their works, time and talent to support so many worthy causes out here.

KDH: Please describe your Hamptons home and decorating style? Do you have a favorite item in your home?
LB: My home is an eclectic beach cottage [pictured left] with beautiful sunset views across the Fort Pond Bay. Design elements include: cream colored couches, blue and sand accents, a few amazing Hamptons yard sale steals! Love my vintage Deco lamps from Grandma, and my favorite item would be two amazing mid-century chairs with groovy new upholstery that I found on EBAY.

KDH: Do you have a favorite room in your home, and why?
LB: I adore my garden. My husband is an Englishman and is a bit obsessed. I love my honed slate kitchen, but my master bathroom, vintage claw foot tub, blue and white room makes me really, really happy.

KDH: Personal style: do you have a Hamptons “uniform”? Which designer do you wear the most out East?
LB: Ha! - actually my ‘uniform’ is seasonal. In the summer, 50% of the time I’m in board shorts and tee shirts. I love Calypso because it feminine, sophisticated and festive. Their dresses and skirts are wonderful. I love Henry Lehr, James Perse, Lifestyle and of course, J.Crew is a great “go-to” brand for staples.

KDH: What is your favorite Hamptons restaurant, got a favorite dish & drink you get every time?
LB: Oh for a foodie like me picking one is impossible! I adore the lobster salad and tuna tabbouleh at Race Lane. ENE has the best desert: Creme Brulee 7 ways. Harvest calamari salad and corn crusted bay scallops in fall. Dave, the new chef at Gosman’s cooks absolutely perfect scallops. Robert’s crab cakes are out of this world, and fish-n-chips at Rowdy Hall are as good as any across the pond. I can’t wait to see what Tony is doing with tuna at The Coast – he was genius at West Lake Clam & Chowder House.

KDH: Got a little secret about the Hamptons you will share?
LB: The Hideaway for Mexican in Montauk is a great little secret [and yes my friends will be furious I've told you]. Lunch or dinner at Gosman’s Topside overlooking the boats is a little slice of heaven.

KDH: Describe your perfect Hamptons day?
LB: Summer: Beach walk, paddle, read at the beach, make dinner with friends, or beach pot-luck/sunset gathering at Navy Beach [below left]. In the off-season: remove the paddle, add in a hike or “seal walk,” [this time of year ticks are too prevalent].

KDH: Do you like to entertain? What is your “home-run” dinner party menu that you always serve?
LB: My husband, Simon Sheridan [with Lynn below] owns Exquisite Food a wonderful catering company out here. So I pretty much cajole him into cooking my favorites! He makes amazing “gourmet fish tacos” with fresh guacamole and salsa, fluke and seared scallops and shrimp, sauteed mushrooms and blanched napa cabbage. He also makes incredible roasted corn and tomato ragu that he serves in portobello mushroom caps, and wooed me with Vietnamese summer rolls. Yum! My version of “cooking”? I boil corn, cut up tomatoes basil and mozzarella and pick up fresh lobster salad.

KDH: Who would you invite to your “dream” dinner party [dead or alive]?
LB: Diana Vreeland, Truman Capote, Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello!

*For more information about Lynn’s company please go to: www.blumenfeldandfleming.com

Ingredients

Instructions

WYANDANCH LANE, THE PRETTIEST STREET IN SOUTHAMPTON!

Either you, a family member, or friend have contracted Lyme disease, the most common North American tick-borne illness. It is hard to believe that a tick the size of a poppy seed can transmit an infection, if undetected or undiagnosed in a timely fashion, can lead to long term complications. I diagnose approximately 200 cases of Lyme disease annually at Southampton Urgent Medical Care, P.C. and am acutely aware of Lyme disease’s clinical presentation. The information below, although technical at times, will provide pertinent information. Remember your 28 year old friend who received a pacemaker for ‘heart block’ ? He probably had Lyme myocarditis; if a health care professional entertained this diagnosis, the patient would have been treated effectively with intravenous antibiotics.

Lyme disease is an infection endemic to Eastern Long Island carried by the vector deer tick, and the Lone-star tick. The medical term for the infecting agent is spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Residents and visitors to the Hamptons must be vigilant regarding the symptoms and signs of Lyme disease in order to eradicate the infection, and prevent long term illness.

LYME DISEASE DIAGNOSIS is divided into 3 stages:

1. Primary, or Early localized: characteristic symptoms include fever, chills, myalgias (muscle aches), arthralgias (joint aches), malaise, fatigue, and swollen glands. In other words, think Lyme disease if you develop ‘summer flu’ symptons regardless of a history of a tick bite.

A Lyme rash, also called Erythma migrans, will accompany these symptoms 50- 80% of the time, and commonly manifests a ‘bullseye’ in appearance on the skin.

2. Early disseminated: disease is caused by the spread of the bacteria through the bloodstream resulting in multiple Lyme rash, arthritis, myocarditis, and Neuroborreliosis. Lyme arthritis typically involves the knee (although other joints may be infected) and causes pain and swelling. Lyme myocarditis may present with dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, and palpitations due to heart block. Neuroborreliosis (Lyme disease of the central nervous system) may present with Bell’s palsy (facial droop and numbness), meningitis (fever, headache, photophobia, vomiting, and neck pain), encephalitis (fever, headache, cognitive impairment, personality changes and depression) and polyneuropathy (peripheral pain, numbness, tingling and weakness).

3. Late, or Chronic persistent:
also referred to as post-Lyme disease syndrome, presents with ongoing symptons as elucidated above, even though the patient has completed antibiotic therapy. This may represent an autoimmune reaction and not active infection. Chronic antibiotic therapy is not indicated for this stage.

 
LYME DISEASE TREATMENT is antibiotic therapy. If a patient hosts an engorged tick for 24 hours or more, a prophylactic dose of Doxycycline 200mg. is indicated. Primary Lyme disease, Lyme arthritis, and Lyme disease induced Bell’s palsy is treated for 2-3 weeks with doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. Lyme meningitis and myocarditis requires 3 weeks of intravenous Rocephin. Failed therapy might indicate the presence of a tick- borne illness coinfection, e.g. Babesiosis, Ehrlichioses, or Bartonella.

PREVENTION IS THE BEST POLICY. Vigilance is key. Wear protective light colored clothing so that ticks are visible, use insect repellant, and remove the tick with a fine tooth tweezer at the head.

Lyme disease is also known as “The Great Imitator.” It is diagnosed clinically, and may mimic other illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc. The ELISA and Western Blot blood test aid the diagnosis, but are not indicated for patients with the pathognomonic Lyme rash, or classic ‘summer flu’ symptoms. I administer blood tests for the other tick- borne illnesses if a coinfection is suspected.

*Have a medical question you want to ask Dr. Kot?  Email drkot@kdhamptons.com and look for his upcoming Q + A posts!

*If you need urgent care, visit us at:
Southampton Urgent Medical Care (SUMC)
609 Hampton Road
Southampton, NY
631.204.9600 phone

Aquarius Green

Legendary sandal scion Jack Rogers has launched a chic collaboration with Quadrille, a renowned home interior fabric company known for their bright colors and joyful patterns. Quadrille’s classic fabrics have been applied to the iconic Jack Rogers Navajo Sandal. The editors of House Beautiful will toast the launch of the collection [comprised of two styles & includes five total color-ways] on May 21st at the Jack Rogers Madison Avenue boutique….just in time for the summer season!

Born on the streets of Capri, the iconic “Navajo” sandal was first made in the U.S. by small, independent cobblers in and around Palm Beach. Founded in 1960, Jack Rogers quickly became a leader in the booming footwear industry of South Florida and put the Navajo into expanded production.

The Navajo stepped into their rightful place as an American classic on the feet of fashion icon Jackie Kennedy. They have since become the footwear of choice of fabulous, fashionable women coast to coast, and gliding down the streets of the Hamptons. A half century later, the Navajo is still made by hand in Florida. Jack Rogers offers a wide selection of year-round footwear that can be found in select boutiques.

**Retailing for $138, the collection will become available in June 2012 on www.JackRogersUSA.com

Aquarius Blue

Jacks Orange

About Quadrille:

For over forty years Quadrille Fabrics has been known for creative patterns and superb quality. The Quadrille line, which includes the fabric collections of China Seas and Alan Campbell, features bright and bold prints that are favored by top interior designers. Due to their timeless designs, Quadrille Fabrics has evolved into one of the world’s leading textile companies.

**For more information go to: www.quadrillefabrics.com

Jacks Light Blue

Jacks Pink

Aquarius