A Weekend In... Montauk, N.Y.

The first in a new series of posts taking a look at the basics for a weekend away.

MONTAUK, N.Y.: Sunny brights and lifeguard style typify the once-sleepy (and now trendy) beach town at the easternmost point of Long Island. While you're there, g

rab a sandwich from Ditch Witch and watch the surfers at Ditch Plains Beach. P

op into Tauk, a chic clothing and home design boutique. Have a cocktail at Navy Beach before family-style dinner at Harvest; then take in a Sunday night concert on the deck at The Surf Lodge. Hop on the LIRR or the Jitney and head back to the City.

...'til next weekend.

Clockwise from top left: Persol 649S sunglasses (custom blue lenses), $389, here; Saturdays Surf for J.Crew flag tee, $40, here; Jack Spade nylon canvas gym bag, $275, here; Ocean Potion SPF 15 sunscreen, $9.89, here; Miansai hook bracelet, $55, here, Vilebrequin Moorea "Tribal" swim trunk, $230, here.

Spring Switch | Fragrance: Part II

...and when it gets REALLY hot (hello, DC summers), I don't wear any cologne at all. That's where a good body wash or deodorant comes in--an easy way to smell nice and not have that heavy fragrance feeling. I've been using this Energising Seamoss Bath & Shower Gel from Molton Brown all spring -- definitely helps wake me up on a bleary-eyed morning.

Molton Brown Energising Seamoss Bath & Shower Gel, $28 for 10 oz., available here

Friends of mine recently turned me on to this Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant, and I absolutely love it. Alcohol and aluminum free, this stuff uses nature to keep you smelling fab all summer long, with no dyes or chemicals.

Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant, $18, available here

Spring Switch | Fragrance: Part I

When the mercury rises, my desire to smell like Tom Ford's chest hair drops significantly. With that visual in mind, here are my picks for switching it up with a lighter spring/summer scent.

Erolfa is a nautical scent created by Olivier Creed to evoke family memories of Mediterranean sailing excursions. Fresh and citrusy, with one spritz you can almost smell the salty air catching your sails off Capri.

Creed Erolfa, $225 for 2.5 oz, available here

Another perennial summer fave is Hermès' Eau d'Orange, a unisex scent that has the aroma of a fresh orange peel. I don't usually wear cologne during the day in the summer, but when I do, this is the one.

Hermès Eau d'Orange Verte, $75 for 1.6 oz, available here

Cheaper than a vacay in the Tuscan countryside, Acqua di Parma's Cipresso di Toscana is my favorite fragrance from their summery "Blu Mediterraneo" unisex series. An herbaceous blend of sage, lavender, and basil, the cologne evokes Italian cypress trees.

Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo: Cipresso di Toscana, $73 for 2 oz, available here

Chasing the Night

A night out on the town in the U Street corridor, Washington, D.C.

The Upgrade | Grown-Up Ketchup

I'll say it. I'm not a ketchup fan. Probably because the watery, high fructose corn syrup-infused crap that comes out of a Heinz bottle just isn't doing it for me. When your "hamburger" is grass-fed beef on a toasted brioche bun, you need a condiment worthy of your organic ingredients. I have thus been converted after tasting the gourmet "scooping" variety from mustachioed ketchup mascot Sir Kensington. The ingredients are delicious--real brown sugar! pear tomatoes! chipotle peppers!--and it has less sodium and sugar than Heinz. With grilling season right around the corner, pick up some for your next backyard BBQ and impress the madras pants off your guests.

Sir Kensington's Gourmet Scooping Ketchup, $9 a jar, $25 for a four-pack, available here and at Williams-Sonoma, Dean & Deluca, and Whole Foods

Loafing Around

First 80+ degree day in DC called for brown linen pants from Polo by Ralph Lauren and Hermès slip-ons. Photographed in McPherson Square.

Wardrobe Staple | The Khaki Trench

Tried this Black Fleece mac on at Brooks, and it's easily my favorite piece I've seen this spring. Fabric is spot on, the color is gorgeous (more of a British khaki than the photo suggests). Yes, it's a little pricey, but it's a steal considering a similar Burberry number would run you at least twice that. What's best is it's got that perfect fit without the extra helping of Thom Browne ... weird.

Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers Military Trench, $700, available here

Lord Lillypants

Picked these bad boys up a while ago at my favorite Palm Beach thrift store. Circa 1970s Lilly Pulitzer "Men's Stuff," they needed a few trips to the tailor before they fit correctly (bye bye, bellbottoms), but it was well worth it for the print. Toned down (a bit) with navy velvet Stubbs and a white Lacoste.

Photo Op | Palm Beach Punch

Stubbs and a rum punch, poolside, at the Breakers in Palm Beach.

FTP

Put this in your ears and enjoy.

Strong Island

With the mercury today reaching near-tropical heights (compared to the past few weeks), it's become clear that summer is around the corner. That means it's time to make sure you've got all the essentials for a beach trip, whether it be to the Eastern Shore or East Hampton. This (obviously) includes swimwear. If you're still sporting some baggy, cargo pocket-ed trunk, ditch 'em for a suit from Strong Boalt, by Palm Beach native (and Ralph Lauren alum) Amanda Boalt. Now in her second season, the suits are well cut and sport some gorgeous prints inspired by South Florida and the Bahamas. (And they look adorable on girls, too!) Throw on a white linen shirt and you're set for an après-beach cocktail.

Flying Fish Swim Trunks (Papaya), $145, Strong Boalt