Around Town
Meet Stacey of The Swag Lab!
Mom to two kiddos (5 and 7), Stacey is your new “go-to” for all things “SWAG” – personalized clothing, gear, accessories and more for bar and bat mitzvahs, parties, sports teams – and anything else you can think of! After graduating, Stacey searched for a career in marketing and PR, and randomly stumbled upon an opportunity in the promotional products industry, and she’s been hooked ever since. After working for others in the field for 12 years, she launched her own business 8 years ago, and is now officially open right here in Westport! Stacey recently completed the NEW YORK CITY MARATHON (this November) – a lifelong bucket list dream – and in another life would be a singer, but as she says “she wasn’t blessed with the talent to meet her passion!” Stacey loves GG&Joes Caramel Lattes, family trips to Aruba and is a decade long supporter of the Sandy Hook Promise. Stacey is creative, open minded, and a pleasure to work with; no matter what you need, Stacey has you covered!
Is Your Landscape Ready for Winter? Time to Transplant, Repurpose, and Decorate
Winter-proof your plants – the secret to a lush spring!
As winter settles in, it’s crucial to ensure your landscape is ready for the season’s harsh conditions. Freezing temperatures, snow, icy winds, and hungry animals can take a toll on even the hardiest plants. Proper winter protection not only shields your greenery but also ensures a thriving spring awakening.
2024 Local Moms Holiday Gift Guide: Men, Women, & Hosts
We get it. Holiday shopping can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated the ultimate gift guide for him, her and hosts.
2024 Local Moms Network Gift Guide: Kids Edition
Struggling to find the perfect gifts for kids? We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re shopping for a tech-savvy tween, an active kid, or a curious toddler, we’ve curated gifts that’ll spark joy and keep them entertained long after the holidays.
Westportmoms Holiday Elf Hunt – List of Participating Businesses!
FUN NEWS! This December, we are hosting a Holiday Elf Hunt! From December 1st-December 8th, visit many local stores, fitness studios, salons and restaurants, FIND A HIDDEN ELF, and unlock a special offer for you (or your kiddos). See all participating businesses here, and get hunting!
Don’t Let Winter Chill Your Home Renovation Plans
From faster project timelines to fewer scheduling conflicts and energy efficiency improvements, Remodeling Consultants is sharing the reasons why winter is actually an excellent time to get to work on home renovation plans!
Experience the Magic of the Holidays at the 2024 Holiday Wish Express!
Holiday Wish Express offers 20,000 square feet of enchanting, immersive holiday experiences for the whole family! New England’s largest indoor Christmas event opens on Saturday, November 23, and runs on select dates through Christmas Eve! Use code westportmoms for 15% off tickets!
12 Calming Exercises to Teach your Child
Just like adults, it’s easy for kids to get lost in troubling thoughts, and overwhelmed by the physical sensations that accompany stress.
But kids can learn to calm themselves by focusing on what’s happening right now in their body, breath and surroundings – aka, mindfulness. Mindfulness helps focus and soothe a worried mind, and makes it easier for kids to control how they react to stress long-term. It’s an important key to resilience. Try these mindfulness and relaxation exercises for kids.
Introducing Hopkins’ New Academic & Performing Arts Center
Introducing Hopkins School’s New Academic & Performing Arts Center, a 26,000sf facility featuring a 350-seat theater, gathering spaces, and multi-purpose classrooms. The center is due to open in the Winter of 2024.
5 Reasons Moms are LOVING $50 Cashmere from Quince!
Becoming a mom requires many adjustments, from the way you spend your free time to the way you budget your money. One of the immediate changes most moms also make is to the way they dress, because comfort becomes just as important as style while taking care of a baby (and then chasing toddlers and sitting on the sidelines of sports games!). That’s just one of the reasons we are loving Quince, a high-quality cashmere line at an unbelievably budget-friendly price. Our Local Mom friends shared some reasons they are reaching for Quince more than any other pieces in their closets—and their top five choices for Fall and Winter.
Meet Renee
Holiday vacation is around the corner, so meet Renee!! Mom of three here in Westport, Renee came happened upon this community before having kids when being somewhere convenient between NYC and Bristol, CT was important. A golfer, sailor, and outdoor enthusiast, she now can’t imagine living anywhere else! Renee is currently the CEO of MD Solar Sciences (based here in Westport!), dermatologist developed SPF skincare products that are made with clean formulas, fragrance-free, safe for kids and adults, and actually improve the quality of your skin! Fun facts- Renee is originally from South Dakota, couldn’t live without cheese, and is a huge fan of the classics, currently re-reading Wuthering Heights as a guilty pleasure before bed! Pro-tip – her favorite must-have product is MD Solar Science’s Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm AND MDSolarSciences products can be purchased at MDSolarSciences.com and will be 35% off from November 21st-December 2nd using the code BFCM35.
Sheer Health- A New App that Saves Moms Time
Sheer Health is a genius new health insurance app that saves moms time and money. Enjoy our interview with Co-Founders Ben Howard (a dad of three) and Jeff Witten (a dad of two).
Meet a Mom: CT Army National Guard Captain & Psychologist Valeria Martinez-Kaigi, PhD, MS
Valeria Martinez-Kaigi is a health psychologist, a Captain in the CT Army National Guard, and a wife and mom. “As a clinical health psychologist, I have the privilege of working in both the military and civilian sectors,” says Valeria. She is currently serving in the Connecticut Army National Guard with the Medical Readiness Detachment. Valeria says that her military experience has enriched her civilian career and life in ways she didn’t expect. “When I felt a calling several years ago to serve the military community, I had no idea of the extensive knowledge I would gain in leadership and the opportunities for personal development that awaited me,” she says.
6 Winter Coats for Kids (that they’ll actually wear)!
As the weather gets chillier, finding the perfect winter coat for your kids becomes a top priority. We’ve curated a list of six jackets that will keep your little ones warm, stylish, and happy throughout the season. From heavy-duty options for the frostiest days, to trendier choices for special occasions, these coats are designed to withstand the test of time (and make great hand-me-downs!).
Meet a Dad: Pediatric Surgeon, Daniel Solomon, MD, of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
Daniel Solomon, MD, is a pediatric surgeon and father of two who treats patients at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Specialty Center locations spanning Greenwich to New Haven.
Meet Sarah Fiallo, MD
A Westport mom and Board certified Family Medicine physician, Sarah is trained in both adult and pediatric medicine and has joined One Medical Westport, the newest location for this nationwide revered Primary Care Medical Practice. Sarah loves being able to treat all different generations, and is excited about the brand new office, offering a new take on the traditional medical experience! Sarah claims she was a total “punk rocker” as a kid, and still loves rock music, shares that an all-inclusive resort hotel is her ultimate splurge, and speaks about the invaluable role her parents – and grandmother Leila – have played in making her the doctor – and parent she is! We are thrilled to have One Medical now open here in Westport (right in Bedford Square!), and are lucky to have a local mom like Sarah at the helm!
NYC Dermatologist, Mohs Surgeon & Mom Dr. Dendy Engelman Shares Her Secret Skin Weapon
Learn all about Medik8 skincare from a dermatologist and mom. Use code LOCALMOMS20 for 20% off your October order!
Renovate and Elevate: 2025 Forecasting Shows Why Home Remodeling Wins Over Moving!
Remodeling Consultants explains why home remodeling offers numerous benefits! From increasing the value of your current home to creating a space tailored to your specific needs and preferences, renovating allows you to truly make a house your own
New Mom Hack Alert: Evite’s SignUp Sheets!
New Mom Hack! Planning class parties is one of those mom tasks that feels like work even though you don’t want them to. As we head into the holiday season, two of the party planning moms from The Local Moms Network-CEO Layla Lisiewski and Westport Moms’ own, Megan Rutstein-are sharing their best tips. These two busy moms have seven kids, from toddlers to teens, and have planned a lot of parties. Both of them say they are absolutely loving the new SignUp Sheets from evite and call it their favorite new mom hack.
25 Halloween Movies to Watch in October!
It’s that time of year where Halloween movies are all the rage! Check out some of our favorites and ENJOY!