KDHamptons talks romance in the Hamptons with professional Matchmaker, Dating & Relationship Expert, and Author, Samantha Daniels. Husband is Steve and I have 2 step-kids, Jack and Alexis. Learn more about her tips for finding love on the east end  in this NEW KDHamptons Diary below:

KDHamptons: How long have you been coming to the Hamptons? Why do you love it so much?

Samantha Daniels: I have been coming to the Hamptons since college. I love it because it feels like a second home to me, my husband Steve and my step-kids, Jack and Alexis. I grew up going to the beach so I just LOVE being around the ocean. I love that there are all the open fields and the serenity, but that there is also so much activity and sophistication.

KDHamptons: Please describe your business for our readers?

Samantha: I am a Professional Matchmaker and Dating and Relationship Expert. I own a matchmaking company called Samantha’s Table (www.SamanthasTable.com). My clients are all busy, high-profile Professionals and Executives who have no trouble getting dates, but who have not yet found that special person they want to marry. I have helped over 300 couples get married and thousands of people get into long-lasting relationships. I am also the author of Matchbook: The Diary of a Modern-Day Matchmaker (Simon & Schuster) which is a fast-paced beach read that tells the fictionalized story of many NY notables who have come to the Matchmaker to find love. Additionally, I had my own TV show on NBC called Miss Match which was based on my life story. The show starred Alicia Silverstone who played my character.

KDHamptons: How did you get involved in the matchmaking business?

Samantha: I was a divorce attorney after law school and whenever I had time, I would throw parties because I was always very social. At the parties, just to be a good hostess, I would introduce people to each other, people who had things in common. I soon learned that I had a photographic memory for little factoids about people, their names and their faces and as a result, the matches I made were a hit. After I had helped about a dozen people get married, I decided to start a matchmaking business.

KDHamptons: When did you first realize that you were a gifted matchmaker?

Samantha: In college. I set my roommate and closest friend up with her future husband. She said to me, “Can you think of anyone I would like?” And I gave it some thought and realized that I knew the perfect guy. She is still married to him today with two kids.

KDHamptons: What’s the best part about your job?

Samantha: Love is contagious. There is no greater joy than being smack in the middle of it. I love when people call me or email me and tell me all the details of their date and how much they liked the person I picked for them. It’s like living in a soap opera all day long, but, of course, the passionate love scenes are so much better than the cliffhangers.

KDHamptons: Any summer love advice for KDHamptons readers?

Samantha: (1) Make yourself hit a sunset happy hour at least one night a weekend. A great one is the wine tasting at Wolffer vineyard.

(2) If you run into an old friend picking up the freshly made Mozzarella from the Mozzarella Man at Red Horse Market, make sure to exchange information and to actually follow up; old friends are a great source for meeting new people.

(3) Tell your friends and acquaintances you are ready to meet someone great. When you verbalize this, it helps to bring love to you.

(4) Participate in fun, outdoor activities like a biking group trip or beach volleyball, so you can show off some skin and your tan.

KDHamptons: Describe your perfect Hamptons summer day in detail.

Samantha: Breakfast at the Golden Pear. Morning bike ride along the ocean. Sandwiches for lunch from Breadzilla. Beach time at Beach Lane beach. An afternoon float on my favorite raft in our pool. Sunset with a bottle of Duckwalk Chardonnay and manchego cheese with truffle honey from Cavaniola’s cheese shop in Sag Harbor.

KDHamptons: What is your typical Hamptons look?

Samantha: I am a dress girl. I literally have over 100 summer dresses. I buy them everywhere. Daytime, I usually wear a fun beach cover-up, a bathing suit and a big brim hat. Then at night, I will choose a flirtier dress, always in a bright summer color and sexy, high wedges.

KDHamptons: Do you have any summer purchases you are obsessed with?

Samantha: My newest additions to my handbag collection, I am obsessed with — a vintage, white leather Gucci with a red and blue racing stripe on the buckle as well as a vintage Carlos Falchi that has all my favorite summer colors: yellow, green, orange and red. Oh, and that fun, beaded Calypso dress that I wound up buying in two different colors.

KDHamptons: What is your favorite Hamptons restaurant? What is your favorite dish?

Samantha: I definitely can’t choose one favorite restaurant. I love the food at Pierre’s, especially their tuna tartare appetizer and their lamb chops. I love the Heirloom tomato salad and the fresh pasta dishes at Nick and Toni’s. The Palm is always great, even though I miss Tomás greeting us at the door. I also love sitting outside on the sidewalk at Osteria Salina. I also went back to Fresno recently and loved it. I love the ambiance on the back outdoor deck and the food was yummy.

KDHamptons: Do you like to entertain at home? Who cooks?

Samantha: I love to have cocktail parties out on my deck. When I chose our home [below], the first thing I thought was that it was a great entertaining house. My husband Steve was a chef in a previous life for sure! He does most of the fancier cooking and he “lets me” do the table settings, the salads and the dessert. I have a board on Pinterest of great creative desserts that I love and I try to make one every time we have people over.

KDHamptons: What is your summer mantra?

Samantha: Actually start relaxing BEFORE Labor Day weekend!

To learn more about Samantha go to: http://www.samanthadaniels.info