Health & Beauty
Meet Julie
Meet Julie! Mom of two (and recent transplant from Southern Cali to Westport), Julie created Modern Pop when she couldn’t find a simple ingredient frozen fruit bar for her teething son. She subsequently pulled our her blender and started making them herself, and fruit bars at home moved to a push cart in Laguna, and Modern Pop is now in 3,000+ retailers nationwide! Julie couldn’t function without her morning coffee, might be a professional matchmaker in another life, and she and her family are amazed by the incredible restaurant scene in Westport! It is always fun to learn about the incredible entrepreneurs right here in our neighborhood, and we are so glad Julie and her family now call Westport their home!
Baby-Proofing Your Smarthome: A Room-by-Room Guide
In 2021, it seems as though technology is everywhere: and that includes your home. Smart devices in your home are making things easier than ever. Whether that’s using voice commands to control your home’s lighting or automatic vacuum cleaners, the days of manual home labor are slowly fading away. For families, one of the most tedious tasks to tackle in your home is baby proofing. Prior to the rise of home technology, installing hardware in every square inch of your home was a baby proofing necessity. Now, thanks to smart devices, it’s easier than ever to babyproof your home in a new, modern, and technologically advanced way.
Not sure where to start? Here are some tips for baby-proofing each room in your house.
Meet Kelly, Founder & CMO of YupPup
Meet Kelly! After decades working in advertising, and raising two boys with two pups by her side, Kelly and her entrepreneurial husband decided why not do something they love together! Their brain child is YUP PUP, a healthy, organic, non-GMO, all natural set of treats for dogs because why shouldn’t our pups live the same healthy lifestyle we do! Kelly and her family returned to Westport after a brief stint in California, and are thrilled to be back! Fun fact- she has two albums on I-tunes, has roasted marshmallows atop a volcano in Nicaragua, and could not live without salted nuts! Kelly has shown us that sometimes following your passion, and doing what you love can create even more fulfillment than you could ever imagine!! Let’s treat our pups!!
Camp Kindness Day!
On July 20th, 2021, The American Camp Association is proud to announce Camp Kindness Day, a day where camps will celebrate the acts of intentional kindness by incorporating it into their programming and daily schedules. Camps across the country teach youth and young adults all aspects of kindness throughout the summer months which continues to be carried throughout their lives. Camp Kindness Day will illustrate the dedication of these camps that instill the core values of compassion, empathy and humanity. Follow what camps will be doing for this special day on social media #CampKindnessDay.
Meet Erin!
Meet Erin! Mom to two daughters, and a superstar person, Erin recently joined the team at New Beauty and Wellness in Westport as a Board certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology. After 13 years at a larger dermatology practice, Erin was inspired by her dad to make a career move to a place where she could spend more time with each patient, and focus namely on non-surgical facial rejuvenation which is her passion. Some fun facts – Erin dreams of of being a dancer in a next life, is addicted to Hot Tamales (the candy!) in this life, and once owned- and rode – a motorcycle! As a mom, Erin has recognized her own increasing need to focus on “wellness,” and is thrilled to be helping others focus on their own as well at her new home! Erin is renowned in her field, and Westport is lucky to have her!
Summer Salad for alllll those BBQs!!
With July 4th weekend just behind us, we are totally in the swing of summer! There are so many backyard BBQs and outdoor dining days to attend! Instead of a traditional pasta salad, try this recipe next time you host or visit friends for a meal. Quinoa is...
Meet Lauren (from It’s Lauren of Course!)
Many people know Lauren for her incredible recipes, unique style of cooking, and her charismatic personality which has stolen the heart of millions on talk shows, cooking shows, and social media! What many don’t know is she is a Westport mom of two boys who left Wall Street for culinary school after her then-boyfriend-now-husband dared her to quit her job and go to cooking school! Since graduating from the French Culinary Institute. Shortly after, she launched her own catering company, while simultaneously working as a private chef, teaching cooking classes, and pursuing her passion for food styling on live television. During the pandemic, she brought joy – and delicious meals – to so many via her Instagram, It’s Lauren of Course, doing 100 live shows! She couldn’t live without smoked fish, is a self-proclaimed night owl, and loves nothing more than a vacation in France! If you are looking for yummy food, some new inspiration, or just someone to make you smile (all the time), Lauren is your girl!!
60 Second Coleslaw!!
This take on coleslaw from Cat with a K Cooks uses pre-shredded coleslaw so it comes together in just under a minute. Plus, it can be made ahead so it’s the perfect summer party (or busy weeknight) side!
Make 4th of July FUN for your PUP with YUPPUP!
For HUMANS, 4th of July is a celebration. For PUPS, 4th of July is a nightmare. Make 4th of July FUN for your PUP with YUPPUP. Fireworks, without the ANXIETY. July 4th BBQ without the BELLY-ACHE. Summer fun runs, without the JOINT PAIN. Pick up a bag of YUPPUP treats at yuppup.shop. You can also find YUPPUP at Earth Animal and this Saturday at the Westport Summer Sidewalk Sale.
Meet Jon
If summer camp, kids sports, leadership development, or good humans are things you enjoy, you should know Jon (and Sara) Deren! Dad to three kids, and a Westporter for ten years plus, Jon is an entrepreneur through and through and continues to create experiences that will change children’s lives and enable them to have active, tech-free experiences outside of their ‘comfort zone’ (and away from their parents!!. He currently owns and runs a boys sleep-away camp in Maine, owns a girls camp and performing arts camp up there as well, and runs Experience Camps for children who have lost a parent or sibling! His newest project is creating a place here in Westport where kids can play sports, socialize, and be part of a community that believes in the values and skills that are built through a positive version of youth athletics, similar to what he does at camp! In his free time, he loves skiing, coaching and watching his kids activities, and is eternally grateful to his wife Sara for agreeing to spend her summers with him in Maine! Jon is just the greatest, and Westport couldn’t be luckier to call him ours!
Come Celebrate Franny’s 1- Year Anniversary on June 19th!
SAVE THE DATE! Join Frannys in celebrating their one year anniversary🌿It’s going to be a great day with live music, free samples, giveaways, local partners, experts to answer all your CBD questions and more!
Meet Curt
If Progressive Diagnostics (a highly coveted same day PCR-testing option) rings a bell, keep reading! In 2014, passionate about helping others, Curt Kuliga (and his wife Anna-Karin- whom he calls A-K!) founded Progressive Diagnostics, a medical technology company focused on the mental health, addiction and diagnostic testing markets. Dad of two in Westport, Curt and his wife were compelled- despite the many risks – to pivot their business to provide same-day PCR Covid-tests, and became the only mental health and addiction provider willing to treat individuals in person (and via telehealth). Curt loves to innovate – and seeing things that others may not – when It means he can help. Because of their COVID-19 testing, they have been able to contribute over $50,000 to local mental health and addiction treatment programs this year. In his spare time, Curt loves his annual trips to Sweden with his family sushi at Compo Beach, and playing sports with his kids! Thank you Curt for changing so many lives!
Have a Parents Night Out at The Lloyd Hotel!
Get away for the night with a parents night out at the Lloyd Hotel! Learn more about the hotel and why it’s the perfect getaway that isn’t too far away.
Meet the Female Executives Behind Flow Alkaline Spring Water!
Meet the Female Executives Behind Flow Alkaline Spring Water! If you’re working to drink more water this summer, you should definitely try our newest obsession, Flow. Check out our interview with co-founder and SVP of Brand Creative Tammy Eckenswiller and Chief Marketing Officer Krissie Millan. These two dynamic women (and toddler moms!) share their story and all the details of this game-changing H20, from their classic alkaline options to the new collagen-infused varieties. Plus, all about their sustainable and stylish packaging (which is also resealable, making it perfect for a diaper bag or beach tote). Go to flowhydration.com and use code MOMSNETWORK20 for 20% off your order and to find out why us moms (as well as stars like Halle Berry and Shawn Mendes!) are raving about Flow!
Meet Courtney (get ready to laugh)!
If you want to laugh, read this, and then start following @thecourtneydavis immediately! Mom to a two year old boy with a little girl on the way, Courtney is a mom by day, and comedian by night (or whenever time allows!). She wanted to be a clown as a kid, but her mom wasn’t sure that was the best career path, so she started acting, and the rest is history. Courtney is thrilled to be joining Homes for Home for their Comedy Show fundraiser on Saturday, June 12th! Courtney lives for bean and cheese burritos, loves how people know how to party in Westport, and is currently addicted to MTV’s show “Are you the One?” (which she highly recommends)! Courtney has an amazing way of making you feel like her best friend immediately, while making you laugh incessantly; we are so glad she chose Westport as her home!
Taco Tuesday! Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Crema!
Thank you to our food contributor CatwithaK Cooks for sharing this delicious plant-based taco recipe with us. Introducing new vegetables (like cauliflower) to kids can be tricky. Experts recommend serving it in a form they are familiar with (in this case, tacos). Try it for Taco Tuesday, or anytime you need a quick, nutritious meal.
Chocolate Cherry Smoothies to Start the Day!
This refreshing smoothie from Elizabeth Lim, the talented mom behind Beach Cities Moms, is an antioxidant and inflammatory powerhouse. Filled with superfoods like cherries and cacao, it can be made with any kind of milk and different types of nut butter. The best part? It tastes like chocolate covered cherries!
FIRST WAX FREE with European Wax!
Meet European Wax!! They began as a family-owned business. Since 2004, they've provided their guests with a first-class waxing experience centering around: Their proprietary Comfort Wax® Private waxing suites A crisp, clean environment And the most professionally...
Meet 21 Seeds!
Meet Kat, Nicole and Sarika – the founders of the newest female-founded tequila brand, 21Seeds. Led by three amazing moms, it’s an all-natural line of fruit and botanical-infused tequila. The first thing you need to know about 21Seeds is it’s as far from the harsh tequila shots of college bars as you can get. In fact, the company was born when filmmaker Kat Hantas started to infuse her own high-quality tequila with fresh fruits as an alternative to wine. About 10 years ago, when she found that she could no longer tolerate her nightly glass of rose or white wine, her doctor (seriously!) suggested she swap in a clear distilled spirit which would have less inflammatory organic matter. The rest is history….
Summer 2021 Re-Entry with Robin! *(and a BBQ Chicken Recipe!)
The summer is almost here! Many of us are getting out more with the rising temperatures. Allow local mom and nutritionist, Robin, to help you look and FEELyour best as you “re-enter” the world! Oh- and check out Robin’s latest BBQ Chicken Recipe for spring and summer- YUM!!!!
