Around Town
Meet Sara Deren…!
If you (or your child) loves camp, Sara Deren is someone you should know. When she married into the world of camp (her husband Jon is a camp lifer – and director), she fell hard for the experience it gave to children. While camps have existed for decades, Sara recognized the need for camp for grieving children (to experience camp and to support each other), and founded Experience Camp, which currently provides a FREE week of sleep-away camp to 1500+ kids nationwide who have lost a parent or sibling. In Westport, the annual Day of Champions Event (a local color war for families to support Experience Camps) is highly revered, and this year’s event will be on Sunday, 5/19! Mom of three kids (and two chickens), Sara loves traveling with her family, wishes she were better at karaoke, and has showed so many in our community – and far beyond our borders – that heroes truly live among us.
Meet a Mom – Country Singer Sarahbeth Taite!
This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with rising country star and former American Idol standout Sarahbeth Taite! With the support of her parents, Sarahbeth signed her first record deal at just 14, and drove herself to Nashville at age 17. But it wasn’t until five years later, in 2020, when she put an old single, Long Way, onto TikTok—and garnered 9 million streams of the video and a #1 spot on iTunes, that she started to receive national attention. Since then, she’s performed in front of Katy Perry and other celebrity judges on American Idol, signed with DA Music, and welcomed her first child with her husband , a daughter named Isla (1).
Jelly Bean Bracelet Craft Idea!
Have leftover jelly beans from Easter? Make these adorable jelly bean bracelets from South Orange County Moms! The children can line up their jelly bean designs and then crafty parents can handle the needle and thread. Enjoy!
Sprinkle Matzah Toffee Recipe!
As far as matzah-based desserts go, variations on matzah toffee are one of the most popular. This version, shared by Shannon Sarna, author of Modern Jewish Baking: Challah, Babka, Bagels & More, is made effortlessly festive by the addition of rainbow sprinkles. “My kids love matzah toffee because it’s sweet, crunchy and we have fun adding lots of toppings,” says Shannon. During Passover she also loves turning matzah into “layered” cakes, like matzah tiramisu, or a matzah funfetti cake, layered with whipped cream and sprinkles.
9 Earth Day Books your Kids Will Love
To help honor Earth Day, Rosemary D’Urso, aka Library Mom, chose nine fantastic books perfect for the occasion. Says Rosemary: “From its sparkling waters to its majestic mountains and curious creatures, there is much to love about this beautiful planet we call home. With Earth Day around the corner, I’ve put together a list of my favorite books that capture the splendor of Earth as well as stories that inspire children to help protect it.” Read her list below.
Bring the Spring Inside with Interior Green Walls and Tropicals
As the desire to infuse indoor spaces with the beauty of nature grows, interior green walls are emerging as popular trends. Imagine stepping into your home or workplace and being greeted by the serenity of a living wall; a vibrant oasis adorned with succulents, grasses, and colorful perennials. This is the promise of interior green walls and tropicals—an opportunity to integrate nature seamlessly into our built environments. The experts at Laurel Rock Landscaping share the key factors to consider when making this kind of design decision!
Meet a Mom – Shazi Visram of Healthy Baby!
Mom of two and entrepreneur Shazi Visram first turned the baby industry upside down with the Happy Baby food brand, and now, is doing the same with her HealthyBaby product line.
All of the products are EWG Verified Safe. Their diapers and diaper cream, prenatal vitamins, deodorant, baby balm and cream, lundry detergent, shampoo and even home cleaning products each bear this official stamp of safety that will save busy moms hours researching the best products for their families.
Wondering about the “Mysterious Illness” affecting Dogs?
Given many of us dog owners have been experiencing – or hearing about – dogs with a new mysterious respiratory illness, we turned to our friends at Active Dog, for their thoughts and additional information about what is going on with dogs right now and how to keep your dog safe!
Meet Elyse – Author of “A Shark ate my Bagel”
If you are a lover of BAGELS, business, entrepreneurship, and learning about badass local moms who have done badass things, look no further! Elyse Oleksak – mom of three kiddos here in Westport, founded Bantam Bagels (mini bagels pre-stuffed with cream cheese), which you may have seen on Shark Tank, in Starbucks, or in supermarkets a few years back! THIS WEEK, Elyse has launched her memoir, A SHARK ate my bagel, sharing the journey she and her husband Nick took founding, growing, and ultimately selling Bantam Bagels. What started as a little side project in their NYC apartment grew into a massive success, but not without its bumps along the way. With authenticity, humility, humor, and a whole lot of love, Elyse shares her story, and we promise It is one you won’t want to miss!
Prioritizing Your Mental Health
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group has several primary care physicians throughout Fairfield County who are welcoming new patients now. Whether you’d like to be seen in-person or virtually, our teams provide you easy access to the care you need, when you need It. Visit our website to easily schedule an appointment online at our Fairfield, Bridgeport, Milford, Oxford, Stamford, Stratford or Westport offices.
Tween Skincare Solution in 3 Steps with Dr. Marnie Nussbaum
If you were hoping the tween skincare obsession was going to slow down, experts say it’s just wishful thinking. A now $8 billion industry according to CNBC, spending on skincare is skyrocketing thanks to Generation Alpha – kids who were born in 2010 or after. While we’ve been inundated with warnings about skincare’s active ingredients and the horrible side effects on young skin, it is possible to say “yes!” to our daughters’ love of skincare. Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, NYC-based Board Certified Dermatologist and mom of two, assures us there are plenty of safe options—but you need to know what to look for.
Westportmoms 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
Join us on Saturday, March 23rd from 11AM-1PM for our Westportmoms Easter Egg Hunt at Long Lots Elementary School!
Use Landscape Design to Define Your Outdoor Spaces
Thoughtful composition and organization of an outdoor space can give it new life and meaning. You can reference the context of a project’s inherent character and historical background, such as reviving a whitewashed brick wall surrounding a garden, or you can create a brand new oasis providing the perfect opportunity to revel in a breathtaking view. Professional and thoughtful landscape design is the key to defining your outdoor spaces and making them an integral part of an oasis that you love coming home to. The Laurel Rock experts share some ideas here!
24 Questions Teens Should Ask Doctors (from the Experts at Connecticut Children’s)
We all work hard to empower our kids to speak up when the time is right. By the time your child enters their teenage years, they should be getting ready to take charge of their own health. The more confident they feel speaking up at doctor’s visits, the better. It gives their doctor more information to support them through adolescence – and sets your child up for healthy behaviors later in life too. How can you empower your teen to get more involved at doctor’s visits? Here are tips, with help from Connecticut Children’s psychologists Lauren Ayr-Volta, PhD, and Siddika Mulchan, PsyD.
Top 5 Reasons to go to the Downtown Cabaret Theatre!
FAMILY FUN! DCT is fun for the whole family. We have an entire season of top notch Theatre for Youth Audiences productions for children but they are entertaining for people of all ages. They are the perfect mix of your favorite fairy tales, slapstick comedy, upbeat dancing, fabulous costumes and stage magic- something for everyone. So grab a table and bring the whole family. Learn more why DCT could be a great weekend activity for the family!
Fibroids 101 with System Vice Chair of Women’s Health Services, Dr. Elizabeth Lucal of Nuvance Health
Fibroids are very common and can make life tough, from heavy periods to constant bloating. Read everything you need to know about fibroids from Elizabeth Lucal, MD, Vice Chair of Women’s Health Services, at Nuvance Health.
Meet Mark!
Meet Mark Gilrain, a Westport father of twin 16-year-old sons and a local real estate agent. He and his family moved here from New York City in 2011, because they love how “Westport is relaxed and inclusive, and it has an excellent lifestyle for friendship, eating, and activities.”
Taking the Toxic out of Achievement Culture for our Kids!
Childhood can feel like a pressure cooker with parents pushing kids too far in academics and sports. Author Jennifer B. Wallace urges parents to take a different approach to ensure kids’ success.
Easy Weeknight Meal – Eggplant Rollatini!
This Eggplant Rollatini from the talented moms behind Habitual Hostess makes a great vegetarian entree that happens to be gluten-free as well. Since it uses a lot of the same flavors as Chicken Parmesan, it’s an easy option to serve meatlovers and vegetarians alike. Don’t love eggplant? Try using zucchini instead.
2024 Local Moms Sleepaway Camp Guide!
Overnight camp and travel programs are a classic rite of passage that give kids benefits long after summer ends. Use our Sleepaway Camp & Program Guide to learn about some of the best options in the United States or reach out to Westportmoms’ very own, Melissa Post, at [email protected] to discuss options for camp at no cost to you!! Plus, get organized *now* by ordering through labeldaddy.com. Use code SUMMER365 for 25% off.