Around Town
July Recipe Roundup!
Need some ideas for your 4th of July menu? These options include something for everyone, from festive cocktails to savory sides. Hope everyone has a happy—and healthy—holiday this year.
4th of July Marshmallow Recipe!
Need a festive, easy recipe that the kids can get in on this 4th of July? Try these patriotic marshmallows! There are only 3 ingredients… and they’re super simple!
Meet Melissa!
Westport mom of three grown kids, and a 3rd generation lawyer, Melissa knew at age 9 she wanted to be a lawyer when she sued the National Little League Association and the Town of Fairfield because she was not allowed to play baseball. As she says, “she has been fighting for her clients ever since!” As one of very few female Divorce and Family Law attorneys in the state of CT (maybe more valuable post Covid time than ever=)), Melissa founded and runs Needle|Cuda, a firm devoted to balancing the needs of its clients in difficult situations, and preserving the long-terms interests of the family. Melissa is known for her red hair, dedication to her clients, and her love of sports. Fun fact – she started a moms Fantasy Football League to help she and her mom peers connect with each other – and their teenage sons! She’s a rockstar mom and lawyer, and a force to be reckoned with!
Calling ALL Kids! Art Contest where every kid is a winner!
Pinstripes is holding a Kids Art Contest where every child wins a meal and Bowling or Bocce session! Between now and July 10th any kid up to the age of 12 that creates a work of art inspired by their favorite memory of Pinstripes will receive a free child’s meal and bowling or Bocce for 4 ppl, and will qualify for a grand prize drawing on July 12th. It is easy to enter, just click the link in our bio for details on the Pinstripes art program — Where magic strikes!
Spice up Summer with Cast Iron Paella
Paella is a simple, one-pot crowd-pleaser that looks and tastes exotic. Toss up an arugula salad with a lemony vinaigrette and dinner is done! Make a vegetarian version by substituting extra firm tofu for the sausage and seafood. Enjoy this delicious recipe from nutritionist, Dana White!
Meet Steve, Owner of Camp Playland!
When they say a Camp Director can make a camp, this couldn’t be more true when It comes to Steve Bloom, owner and director of Camp Playland in New Canaan! Started by his grandparents in the 1950s, Steve grew up on the Playland campus, and knew from an early age that running a camp one day was just part of his DNA! A proud dad to son, Albie, he and his wife have enjoyed this time with their son, seeing many “firsts” but is eagerly awaiting the return to “normal life!” This summer, Playland will run (beginning next week) with a modified – but incredibly safe – program (currently waitlist only), and can’t wait to welcome many new – and old – families back!!
2020 Day Camp Corona UPDATES
As day camps continue to share updates on their programs during this unprecedented time, we will try to keep a running list here of what we know. Please email [email protected] with any additional updates! Thanks for your patience!
Meet the Moms Behind Zipped Bags
After spending so much time at home recently, is anyone else itching to get organized? That’s why we love Zipped Bags, durable, reusable clear bags that are designed and sewn in the USA. They each have colorful, chic accents, are more eco-friendly than disposable options, and can stand up to anything, from toddlers to travel. Learn more about the moms who invented them!
Meet Foti – Head of the Westport Police
Meet Foti! Revered head of the Westport Police department, and often a town celebrity, Foti is truly a dad to celebrate and admire. After moving to Westport from Greece around 5th grade, he never left, and attributes much of his success to his early teachers and principal. Though he intended to be a lawyer early on, a post-college stint as a police officer got him hooked, and he never left! Foti shares with us how Covid and the weeks since George Floyd’s death have impacted our community, his team, and the choices hard (at times) he’s had to make. We are so lucky to have this amazing human – and dad – keeping us safe and reminding us that the hard times are often the ones that define us most. Thank you Foti for ALL you do!
How To Choose The Perfect Tiles For Your Home Improvement Project
We all want to make our home improvement projects personalized to fit our style! Lima Ceramic Tile is explaining how finding the right tile can help you change the design and style of any space in your home this summer season!
2020 WestportMoms Father’s Day Gift Guide
While Father’s Day this year may be a little different than in years past, there is no reason you still can’t splurge on your dad, husband, or another dad you want to celebrate. Check out some great local places that are looking to help you this week!
We Rise Together: Anti-Racism Resources to help Navigate this Time
During this incredibly confusing and horrific time in our history, we wanted to share some terrific resources for thinking about all that is going on with our country at this time, and also some hopefully helpful resources for talking to your kids. We are happy to add others, so feel free to email us at [email protected] any time.
Sunscreen 101
Looking to keep your kids safe from the sun this summer? The first thing to look for in a sunscreen is a physical (as opposed to chemical) formula. Safer ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, while ones to avoid include avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene and ecamsule. See the list here for the Environmental Working Groups top picks for kid’s sunscreens in 2020!
Camp during Covid – Some Important FAQs
As our Spring of homeschooling comes to a close and Summer gets underway, camps nationwide are facing a decision about whether or not to open—and parents are making their own decisions about how to spend their summer. There are so many considerations surrounding camp this year, so we turned to Susie Lupert, Executive Director of the American Camp Association, NY and NJ, to answer some of our questions.
Take Your House where you Want It to Be!
Anyone else noticing everything they want to change about their house, now that they’re spending so much more time at home? If you’re seeing things you want to repair, update or refresh, the experts at Dibico can help! Click here to read more about how they can upgrade your outdoor spaces (from patios to pool homes) and indoor ones (from your kitchen to office).
Weeknight Mexican Tacos – YUM!
We may be missing our favorite margs at our favorite Mexican spot, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate our favorite foodie holiday at home! We’ve rounded up some yummy taco, enchilada, veggie sides, guac, dessert—and yes, margarita—recipes from around the web. And most of them use ingredients that are hopefully already in your fridge and pantry. Enjoy and don’t forget to buy gift certificates to your favorite restaurants (Mexican or not!) to support your local businesses during this time!
2020 WestportMoms Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Happy Mother’s Day to you! Though you may not be doing all the things you normally do to celebrate, check out these local food, fashion and feel good special offers for YOU-and the moms you love!
Treat Yourself – Mother’s Day At-Home Menu you will salivate over!
Since none of us moms are going to a spa or nice restaurant for Mother’s Day this year, bring that spa-like healthy and delicious food to your home/someone you love! This full menu of recipes from Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer and Westport Mom, Robin Barrie...
Raingear from Joules – Because all Moms must be prepared when It Rains!
Whatever the weather, Joules has the whole family covered! We are thrilled to introduce you to Joules, a British lifestyle brand that specializes in rainwear for all!
Meet Frontline Hero Larissa
Weston mom of two girls, Larissa is a real life hero on the front lines of this pandemic as a physician’s assistant at St.Vincent’s Medical Center. While her focus is typically caring for orthopedic, neurosurgery and trauma surgical patients, her new reality is temperature checks when walking into work, PPE of all sorts, supporting patients whose families can not be with them, and the ups and downs of a job where risking one’s own life to save others is part of the everyday.