Health & Beauty
Meet Stephanie!!
Mom to three, and one of six, Stephanie has always loved and valued the importance of the home and ensuring It is a space for people to eat, play and live well. While working in advertising in New York, she knew she needed both a change in lifestyle and a creative outlet, so she went to design school at Parsons School of Design to pursue interior design as a passion, but also as a serious career. For many years, Stephanie has loved working with clients who are inspired by fashion and edgier styles, and appreciate how custom design can elevate their lifestyle! Born and raised Italian, Stephanie couldn’t live without pasta, often can be heard using the word “chic,” and in another life would love to be a singer (she is currently amazed at how off tune she actually is!) Growing up in a big family and raising one has shown Stephanie how important It is to listen to others, to have a living space (especially a kitchen!) conducive to a family’s lifestyle, and to feel inspired in your own home.
Everything you need to know about Helix Piercings: By Rowan.
Calling all moms and kids!! This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Rowan is now offering helix piercings by licensed Nurses. AND now you can also get needle piercings. Needle piercing appointments are available on select days. Please check heyrowan.com for availability.
Get Fabulous Spring Photos with Shoott!
As moms, we’re usually behind the camera instead of in front of it. While that means that our phones are full of fun photos and memories of our families, we unfortunately aren’t *in* any of those photos. Shoott, a female-run company making professional photography accessible to everyone, can help us all change that, without making a big commitment of time or money. Curious to try? Go to Shoott.com to find a location close to you, and take advantage of our code, LOCALMOMS, for 15% off 5+ photos.
Meet Michelle Brandriss, Founder of Name Bubbles
If you have a child going to camp this summer, Name Bubblesis a mom-founded brand that can help you stay organized! These Made in the USA custom name labels were created in Michelle Brandriss’s basement when her son Cooper was starting daycare. Cooper is now 15, and Name Bubbles is a team of twenty working on orders that ship to all 50 states and around the world, with labels for everyone from babies to teens! Want to buy some Name Bubbles labels for camp? Head to namebubbles.com and use code CAMPMOM15 for 15% off all products!
Meet Nicole: Founder of NicoleHD Jewelry
We’re so excited to introduce you to Nicole Hendelman Dersovitz, the mompreneur and founder of @nicolehdjewelry ! 💎 Check out our latest feature to learn more about her and her fine jewelry business that’s shaking up the jewelry industry! Plus use our exclusive discount for 10% off your first order with code: MOMS10!
Meet Dana!!
Founder and medical director of Westport Medispa, Dr. Dana Brownell is a board-certified physician, with a sole focus on Aesthetic Medicine, specializing in nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. She has two daughters (10 and 12), and shares she was inspired at a young age by the mantra: “take care of your skin, take care of you” which led her on her career journey to where she is today! She loves the ability to combine artistry with science, and to customize each patient’s outcome! Outside the office, Dana loves to travel, enjoys her husbands cooking (she herself has set her microwave on fire=)), and swears by chocolate! She was born in Israel (despite having no accent!), will be a hard core drummer in another life, and enjoys dressing up when she’s not in scrubs! Dana has built an impressive business with the goal of helping people look and feel their best, and loves being part of this community!
How Hormone Imbalance Affects Everyday Life
Hormones decline naturally with age, but sometimes the changes can occur earlier than usual and can cause a significant impact on the way you feel and function. If your hormones aren’t optimized, you may feel tired, moody, experience weight gain, a decrease in your energy and libido, and have trouble sleeping. You don’t have to simply” deal” with these symptoms- bioidentical hormone optimization can normalize your hormones and help you feel like yourself again.
WestportMoms Spring Essentials from Stylist Natalie Decleve!
Spring is FINALLY just around the corner, and while you may be more than ready–is your wardrobe?? Now is a great time to think about spring cleaning that closet of yours and making way for some seasonal updates. Personal NYC Stylist, Natalie Decleve, shares first hand how cathartic it can be to purge a stuffed dresser, and how life-changing it is to learn wardrobe staples that actually suit your body and lifestyle. Fashion should be fun and getting dressed shouldn’t be hard. See her picks for spring!!
A Mom’s Guide to Managing Sports Injuries
Spring sports have returned, and the competition is fierce for your young athletes. Check out Coastal Orthopedics’ guide to recognize and prevent injuries in your young athlete – with a special feature from Dr. Forlizzi, a sports medicine specialist.
Pantry Must-Haves
Kathleen Ashmore is a social media star, with 1.7 million followers on TikTok alone. Every day, Kathleen (aka Kat) shares recipes and secrets from her chef days. So what does a TikTok chef, and busy mom, keep in her pantry—and more importantly, how does she keep it organized? We asked Kat to share – and here’s what she said.
Meet Rosie!
Meet Rosie! Born with no forearms, she embraced her disability and began painting with her toes as a toddler. By 6, she was winning art competitions, and has gone on to become a tremendously successful artist, after many years in film production and TV focused on visual effects. Mom to three kids here in Westport, Rosie really found her calling at a retreat called We Want More several years ago when she had the chance to paint in front of others, and has been painting and sharing her story to empower others ever since! In her spare time, she loves kdramas (a guilty pleasure!), playing retro Nintendo games, and still hopes to one day be an Oscar winner for a Short Animated Film! Rosie has lived a life to be admired, focused on embracing her differences, sharing those with the world, and choosing to be extraordinary, rather than ordinary. Extraordinary she truly is!
Meet Jen!!
While many in town may know Jen, mom to three who has been in Westport with her family for 14 years, what many may not know is that she works for Save the Children (STC), an amazing organization locally that works to provide resources and support to children across the world when crises strike. At a time like this, the work they do is as important as everI After a pre-kids career in real estate finance, Jen found herself at STC doing research for their strategic foundation partnerships group which she loves, feels good at, and feels good about. In her spare time Jen loves traveling with her family, eating pizza, reading a good book, and avoids snakes at all costs. She is an awesome human doing awesome work!
How to Talk to Kids About Scary or Tragic Events in the News!
Your child has probably heard about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and they may have seen disturbing footage on the news or on social media. This raises a question that parents often struggle with after scary and tragic events: What’s the best way to talk to kids about the news while also managing your own emotions as parents? Connecticut Children’s developmental pediatrician Robert D. Keder, MD, shares advice…
Long Hauler COVID – How do you know if you have It, and what can you do?
Wondering what “long hauler COVID” is, and what can be done about It? We spoke with Dr. Robin Rose from Terrain Health and she shared some incredibly valuable information – and answers to the many questions we all have been asking!
Scoliosis Screenings 101!
Get the 101 on Scoliosis Screenings from the experts who know just what to look for!
Meet the Moms of Send me a Trainer!
Looking to get fitter in 2022, but not sure where to start or if you have the time? Send Me a Trainer (with mom-owned locations in Northern and Southern Fairfield County) is an innovative fitness app that helps you quickly book vetted trainers for at-home (or live virtual) workouts. Use code CTMOM1 for a 20% discount for any 4-month, 8-month or 12-month program!
Meet THE Katie Sturino (Founder of Megababe!!)
If you know – and follow – Katie Sturino, you are psyched right now! If you don’t, you are welcome; she is a legend!!:) In addition to creating a safe, open, and beautiful space – for juicy discussions about boob sweat and leg chafing=), she has helped SO many women – teens, adults, and moms – learn about the importance of body acceptance and size inclusivity, as well as embracing who you are! As 2022 kicks off with many unprecedented challenges, we could all use some positive vibes and thinking right now, so we chatted with Katie, and as always, she didn’t disappoint!!
Meet Andrea!
With the New Year – and many of us looking to eat healthier, exercise more, and just feel stronger, Andrea is someone to know! After a career in events and fashion, Andrea unexpectedly fell into the world of fitness after becoming a mom to three amazing kiddos, and finding herself on a path to feel more confidence and strength- physically and emotionally. She is now a personal trainer, health and fitness coach, and instructor at [solidcore]. Fun Facts: she is up at 430am (by choice!), was once the mascot for a minor league baseball team, and would love to be able to sing and dance like JLo in a next life! Andrea is motivating, strong, and a rockstar momma, and such a great example that when life doesn’t go as planned, there is always a way to make It better by taking matters into your own hands! Thank you Andrea!
Robin’s Recipes for the New Year – Healthy Eggplant Parm, Penne A La Vodka, and Salmon!
Yep, it’s that time of year again: January when everyone wants to crash diet to drop the extra pounds gained over the holiday season. In the case of 2022, perhaps you’re looking to rid all the extra Covid weight. Instead of following the latest fad, try incorporating a couple new simple healthy recipes into your week. The Eggplant Parmesan and Penne a la Vodka recipes are lighter versions of old favorite and salmon is a perfect light, but nutrient-dense resolution-worthy dinner. ENJOY!
Help Prevent Your Child’s Risk Of Injury This Winter Season!
With winter in full effect – and both indoor and outdoor sports such a big part of our kid’s lives right now – learn from Coastal Orthopedics 3 tips for keeping your children safe this season, while enjoying all of their favorite activities & sports!