One of my favorite haute Hamptonites is gorgeous Melanie Brandman, owner of The Brandman Agency [one of the country’s premier PR agencies specializing in luxury hospitality and lifestyle brands!] and founder of the fab new luxury travel site, The Travel Curator. This awesome Aussie represents some of the world’s most recognized and prestigious brands in luxury travel~ from iconic hotels such as the Cipriani in Venice to La Mamounia in Marrakech…

Melanie shares, “Travel is my business, but it’s also my passion, whether I’m on my millionth trip to a stunning world capital, or an adventure to somewhere exotic, new, and unknown. And although I’ve been lucky enough to visit most of the world’s most compelling destinations, one of the true joys of traveling is the intoxicating feeling that there’s still more to see!”

Surely, this tastemaker clearly knows how to travel~BIG!! But, when she heads to her Hamptons home, it’s all about soaking in relaxed summer sunsets with friends at her charming Southampton boathouse on the bay… Below, KDH gives you a peek into Melanie’s special, secret spot!

KDHamptons: Please describe your Hamptons home for our readers?

Melanie Brandman: I always say I have the best little house in the Hamptons! It’s a 50+ year old boat house that sits on the Peconic on Turtle Bay. It actually sits on stilts in the water on a dead end beachy street, so I feel like I am on a boat at all times! Everyone describes it as Amagansett in Southampton [without the drive!].

KDH: What do you love most about living on the water?

MB: Pretty much everything, as the access is right there and its so calm. I love all things to do with the water, and the bay I am on is perfect for just about any activity. For the past two years, I had a little Sea Ray moored outside, and would really explore all the little bays and inlets, as well head over to the North Fork and pull up to quaint little restaurants… As well, I love to kayak and this summer I bought a Paddle Board!

KDH: Share a story about a couple items in the house that you acquired on your travels?

MB: I love picking up home ware when on the road. Door handles from the Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu [http://www.dwarikas.com/], one of my most favorite hotels and most definitely the only place you should stay in Kathmandu. Bed lines and tassels from Scénes de Lin, a fabulous home store in Marrakech. Most recently, I was in Bhutan and purchased a string of bells [below] which reminded me of my climb and camping at 15,000 feet and I could hear them chime at night…

KDH: Describe your perfect day at the boathouse?

MB: The boathouse is just a perfect place for the afternoons, as I tend to relax on the deck, watch the boats, and catch up on some reading. I usually take an afternoon walk on the beach and then catch up for cocktails with my neighbors who have a house right behind me on the same property. From there, we generally jump in my vintage 560 SL, 1987 Mercedes convertible, put the top down, and go to Coast Grill on Noyak Road [5 minutes away, if that] – which I now love since they changed the décor and food a couple of years ago. You will find me there most Friday nights. I don’t like to venture too far from the property, as there is really no reason to do so. People generally come to us as it’s a very low key environment.

KDH: What made you decide to launch The Travel Curator?

MB: As much as I love finding new things, for me the real pleasure lies in sharing that information. That’s why I created The Travel Curator, which is packed with discoveries from my 25 years in the travel industry [working for Vogue Australia, then in public relations for many of the top names in travel], as well as picks from a broad network of worldly friends and kindred spirits. I consider this a collaborative guide, brimming with the names of much loved destinations to visit and enjoy, that I hope both evokes wonderful places and encourages you to explore them. I look forward to continuing the quest to find and share even more irresistible discoveries…

KDH: What inspires your incurable case of wanderlust?

MB: Wherever I go, I’m always on a quest to discover a fabulous new little cafe with the warmest staff, a boutique that’s off the beaten path and stocks something extra-unique, or a hotel that’s more stylish than the home of your dreams.

KDH: I am totally charmed by your beautiful bulldog, Adelaide. What does she love about her summers in the Hamptons?

MB: Splashing in the water! For a bulldog she is surprising adept in the water, although the deeper water is a little challenging as she slowly sinks. The first thing she does when I let her out in the morning is run around the side of the house and go straight into the bay to splash around. She then just plops down on the sand and sunbaths for a while. It is no wonder she is part bulldog and part Aussie!

KDH: You love to entertain in style at home~ share a tip every Hamptons hostess should know?

MB: Okay here are a few favs:

*I recently discovered Pandora [what took me so long?!?]) It has changed my life. A friend recently introduced me to Mayer Hawthorn, and I love every single track on his CD.

*Murray Cheese at Grand Central food hall is where I shop for a delicious cheese assortment, and for wine, I’m addicted to the sparkling rosé I get from Trader Joe’s. Blason de Bourgogne, Blanc de Noise, Cremant de Bourgogne.

*The candle I burn is Moroccan Date Palm from La Mamounia in Marrakech. They engaged Olivia Giacobetti, one of the top 7 ‘noses’ in the world to create a scent distinctive for the hotel and its many divine bath and room products. It incorporates the smell of cedar and date, and is absolutely intoxicating! I also have the room spray, all the bathroom amenities and perfume, all with the same scent.

KDH: Which three specific beauty products are your summer must-haves?

MB: 1. My Australian Paw Paw Ointment
. Paw Paw is what we call Papaya. Its fabulous for your lips, nails, any dry skin and even mosquito bites. Every Aussie girl carries it in her bag.

2. Moroccan Oil (Light)
I put in my hair every morning.

3. Caudalie Beauty Elixer. It’s a fabulous tonic for the face as well as a great pick me up. I use it religiously on flight.

4. The Gardenia fragrance from Calypso.

KDH: We love your effortless style…have any new favorite fashion items this summer?

MB: I love my Rag & Bone jeans – white with a silver stripe as well as my little camisoles by xx . Both from Intermix. I also love the new skinny line of J Brand out this season~ I just bought them in absolutely every color! I’m also crazy about my new collection of Missoni scarves and the perfect white sun hat I picked up at Sandy Lane in Barbados…

Thanks so much for sharing your KDHamptons Diary Melanie!!

THE END!

***To travel the world with Melanie, check out The Travel Curator at [www.thetravelcurator.com]