This summer left me with so many beautiful memories. We spent five weeks in Amagansett with my family, where we took outdoor cooking classes at Amber Waves Farm and art classes at The Art Barge in Napeague. We enjoyed long walks on the beach, refreshing dips in the ocean, and indulged in plenty of fantastic food and cocktails. Our days included movies in the park, evenings that stretched late into the night, and an exciting first-time adventure exploring Shelter Island.
I had intended to post more while we were there, but I found myself happily caught up in the moment, simply enjoying everything around me. I also spent a lot of time with my Canon AE-1 Program from the ‘80s, which I had recently repaired. Bringing it everywhere and adjusting back to film felt grounding, reminding me how much I appreciate older forms of media—film, handwritten letters, printed books, and magazines. In this Sunday Memo, I’ll share some of our favorite discoveries from Shelter Island, along with other highlights from July and August.
I previously mentioned that John and I planned a trip to Shelter Island this past summer, and I promised to follow up with some recommendations. I want to start by saying that I absolutely loved my time there. It's rare for a place to completely match my expectations, but this destination truly did. Here's a list of my favorite spots:
Seven Bed & Breakfast
Tucked away on Shelter Island, Seven is a charming B&B run by the lovely Beth Swanström, who once worked in New York City's gallery world. The inn is housed in an 1800s home that Beth has lovingly renovated into a stylish little oasis.
With only a handful of rooms, the atmosphere feels intimate and relaxed. There's a beautiful pool with red lounge chairs, and each morning begins with a quaint European-style breakfast — think yogurt, cheeses, fresh fruit, and flaky pastries. Beth has thought of every detail a guest might need: even sunhats hang in the pool house, ready to borrow if you forgot yours.
The location couldn't be better. It's just a five-minute walk to the beach or local restaurants, with bikes available for exploring the island. We especially loved the communal breakfasts, where conversations with other guests felt effortless and fun. Creative, down-to-earth travelers seem to find their way here, making the vibe as memorable as the setting.
Seven has officially become our Shelter Island home base and we can't wait to return.
Sunset Beach – Aperitivo Hour
We stopped by Sunset Beach one evening before dinner, and it turned out to be such a good call. If you go a little early, before the place gets busy, you can grab a spritz and enjoy the view without the chaos. Watching the sun drop into the water with an Aperol in hand felt like one of those perfect summer moments.
By the time the crowd started to roll in, we were already ready to head out for dinner. If you're on Shelter Island, I'd definitely recommend popping in for a pre-dinner drink. The view and atmosphere are worth it.
Léon 1909 – Dinner
Léon 1909 was our favorite dinner spot on Shelter Island. The restaurant is beautiful inside and out — soft lighting, warm wood tones, and a massive open-fire stove at the heart of it all where you can actually watch the chickens roasting. It feels upscale without being stuffy, the kind of space that immediately makes you want to stay a while.
We sat on the outdoor patio with glasses of sparkling rosé before dinner, which set the mood perfectly. My husband ordered the Caesar salad (and was relieved it wasn't skimpy despite the elegant setting), while I went with the roasted vegetable appetizer — simple on paper, but so flavorful. For the main event, their roasted chicken really lived up to the hype: tender, juicy, and packed with smoky flavor from the fire. Between the atmosphere, the food, and the whole experience, Léon 1909 was hands-down the most romantic and memorable dinner of our trip.
Shell Beach
One afternoon, John and I biked out to Shell Beach, and the ride alone was worth it. The route winds past beautiful homes and quiet stretches of greenery, making it one of those bike rides where you don't mind if it takes a little longer. By the time we rolled up to the beach, we were already feeling relaxed and happy.
What really blew us away, though, was the beach itself — covered in scallop shells, so many of them in perfect, pristine condition. It felt almost unreal, like stumbling into a hidden collection just waiting to be discovered. Shell Beach ended up being such a beautiful surprise, equal parts scenic ride and natural treasure hunt.
A Boat Tour with Captain John
One of the highlights of our trip was an afternoon boat tour with Captain John, a true Shelter Island local who grew up on the water and clearly knows where all the skeletons are buried. He took us around the entire island, pointing out famous homes along the shoreline, sharing stories of celebrities who've lived there, and even recounting a notorious island murder.
What made it so special was his storytelling — equal parts history lesson, local gossip, and personal memories of what it was like to grow up on Shelter Island. He was endlessly entertaining, and the time just flew by.
Black Cat Books
Black Cat Books is easy to miss, tucked away on Shelter Island, but it's absolutely worth the stop. Inside, the shelves are piled with everything from old classics and rare finds to vintage records — and even a stack of retro Playboy magazines that make you smile when you stumble on them.
It's the kind of place where you lose track of time flipping through shelves, never knowing what gem you'll come across next. Quirky, nostalgic, and full of character, Black Cat is one of those little stops that makes the island feel special.
One of the earliest scents I remember from childhood is the fragrance of beach roses (Rosa rugosa). I think it's the most beautiful scent in the world—a blend of sweetness and spice that perfectly complements the salty air. These flowers thrive along the coastline, and in Amagansett, they line the trails to the bay. I remember walking these trails to get to the water as a little girl and taking deep breaths to savour their scent.
In addition to their wonderful aroma, I also admire how resilient this plant is. Beach roses bloom in shades of magenta, pink, and white, with delicate-looking petals, but unlike other roses, they can withstand harsh conditions near the ocean. They thrive in sandy soil, endure strong winds, and flourish under the relentless sun. They also play an essential role in the landscape because their roots form dense thickets that stabilize the dunes and help protect the shoreline from erosion. It's hard to imagine a more perfect plant.
So next time you're strolling along the shores of the Northeast, keep an eye out for beach roses. If you come across them, take a moment to appreciate their beauty and breathe in their amazing scent.
I found this seasoning called Spaghetti Dust and I'm kind of obsessed. The packaging is super cute, and it's now one of the random and strange things you'd find in my bag. It's basically all the good pasta flavors (garlic, tomato, basil, a little spice) blended into one sprinkle. I've been putting it on veggies, eggs, even popcorn. And it's a lifesaver when you get a bland dish at a restaurant.
Movie Night: The Birdcage (1996)
One of the highlights of the summer was meeting up with a high school friend in the park for an outdoor screening of The Birdcage (1996). I'd somehow never seen it before, and it turned out to be such a treat. It was heartwarming, hilarious, and full of those quintessential over-the-top '90s performances that make you laugh out loud.
What struck me most, though, was how timely it still feels. In today's political climate, a film about love, identity, and acceptance lands in a way that's both comforting and powerful. It reminded me why stories like this matter — they make us laugh, they make us think, and they leave us feeling just a little more hopeful.
What I'm Reading: Human History on Drugs
My favorite summer read was Human History on Drugs: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence. I love when history is told through a different lens, and this book did just that — equal parts fascinating, funny, and at times a little frightening. It's a wild ride through the role drugs have played in shaping culture, politics, and society, told with plenty of wit along the way.
Last summer, my top pick was Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues — not exactly uplifting but so deeply researched and interesting. Human History on Drugs felt like the perfect follow-up: less grim, often very funny, but still full of those moments that make you stop and think about the strange ways history unfolds.
* For a discount at Bookshop.org use this link.
Wishing you a beautiful week!
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