Local mom and children’s book author, Karlin Gray, just launched her 5th book – and her first graphic novel – Mia and Friends. Though Karlin did not know much about soccer prior to writing her latest book, she was intrigued by the sensational story of a shy girl who loved soccer, and with the help of the amazing friends she met on the field, went on to change history! Karlin loves being part of the Westport community, and enjoys the many “gems” It has to offer- including the Levitt Pavilion, The Library (of course!), and Toquet Hall, where her son has performed! Karlin dreams of owning a bookstore, but in the meantime, has curated recommendations of many picture-book biographies by interest area on her website called True Story Bookshop! If you are looking for a fun new book for your kiddo, check out Mia and Friends, and Karlin’s impressive other publications as well!

Find out more about this mom and what’s new at Evite.

Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or new to lawn care, there’s something incredibly satisfying about stepping onto a lush, green lawn. To create the perfect lawn, you need a mix of local expertise, thoughtful planning, and proper maintenance. With the right approach – and a little help from the pros – your lawn can become the pride of your home, staying beautiful and resilient all year long. Learn more!

We talked to the experts at Remodeling Consultants for their tips on how to kick off a home renovation with confidence (especially as busy parents).

If weeknight dinners and meal prep stress you out like It does us – The Home Cook may be game changing, so you are welcome! Mom of two daughters here in Westport, Stephanie Berghoff launched The Home Cook in 2019, delivering home cooked meals to hundreds of families across CT and NY weekly! Steph always had a passion for food and cooking, and wrote her own kid’s cookbook at age 14! After college, she worked in PR for several NYC restaurants, started a Linked In- type platform for the restaurant industry, and did chef recruiting! In just 5 years she has grown an incredible business which feeds- and brings joy – to so many families every week! In her spare time, Steph loves spending time with her family at Compo beach, Apple Picking and all Fall Festivals! Fun fact- she hates salmon and bananas! If you haven’t tried The Home Cook yet, use code Westport mom at checkout and get 1 free kids meal with your order; we promise you won’t regret It!

While Labor Day symbolizes the end of the Summer season to many, it’s important to note that the end of SPF season is nowhere in sight. Seen as a summer staple for many, SPF is a year round, daily skincare need to adequately protect the skin from harmful UV rays. To spread this message and educate the Westport community about the importance of year-round sun protection, MDSolarSciences CEO and Westport resident Renee Plato took to the streets to arm the Westport community with sun protection ahead of the holiday weekend, educating civilians about the danger of sun exposure. Locally based in Westport, CT, MDSolarSciences is a dermatologist-founded and formulated SPF skincare brand on a mission to spread awareness about the necessity of daily use of SPF! Learn more!

Summertime is often a much-needed break from the school year and all it brings; homework, extra-curricular activities and packed schedules. So, when it’s time for kids to head back to school in September, they may feel anxious. You may not be able to relieve all of your child’s anxiety, but there are ways to help reduce this stress and build confidence heading into those first few weeks of school. Read on to check out these helpful tips from local mom and Learning Specialist, Dana Aussenberg, M.S., Ed.

With back to school here, we wanted to help you kick off the school year right! Check out our Back to School Activity Guide for great activities ranging from art to sports to theatre – and more! If you have a program you would like listed, email us at [email protected].

With back to school around the corner, backpacks are all the rage! Backpacks are customizable, come in all shapes, sizes and colors and are the ultimate in self-expression. But—when not worn properly, they can cause short- or long-term problems in kids’ muscles, joints and—well—back. So what’s the right way to wear and carry a backpack? What else should you know so we can keep our learners in good physical health? Dr. Phil Mack, orthopedic surgeon with Connecticut Children’s, has answers.