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Health & Beauty

Vaccine Questions for Kids Age 5-11

Vaccine Questions for Kids Age 5-11

With the recent approval of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11, millions of parents nationwide have already vaccinated their kids—and millions more are weighing the decision. As parents, we always want to have the most information we can when making decisions for our kids’ health, and that’s why we turned to the experts at Yale Medicine, to go over the most common questions we’re hearing about the vaccine and kids, from side effects to what it means for your travel plans, playdates and more. Read our conversation with Magna Dias, MD, Regional Director for Pediatric Inpatient Services at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and chair of pediatrics at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, CT.

Meet Cristine of YOYA

Meet Cristine of YOYA

Meet Cristina – proud momma of two daughters and creator of the beloved Yoya store in NYC, originally designed to create a modern, innovative environment in children’s retail. Though Covid led to the closing of Yoya, Cristina’s love for all things beautiful led to her newest brainchild – CasaYoya, a lifestyle brand that includes home decor, women’s designer clothing, kid’s clothing and more! Cristina is holding in-store appointments in her new Westport studio to view her collection and/or to discuss interior design, her newest passion! In her spare time, she loves visiting her daughter studying in Paris, a delicious piece of grilled fish, and all things gardening! She credits her daughters to being her greatest inspiration, while also hoping to be an inspiration to them! We are thrilled for CasaYoya to be part of the Westport community, and are so glad Cristina chose this special place for her next endeavor!

Meet Maya and Kathy!

Meet Maya and Kathy!

If there was one thing we learned from the pandemic, It was that slowing down enabled many people to find new interests – and launch new businesses – they never may have had time to before! Welcome Local Luxe Co – a business started by two local moms – Maya and Kathy – who discovered amazing local artisans and wanted to bring their products to others. With their custom gift boxes, you can try (or gift) unique products and support amazing local talent. Maya and Kathy love to travel, drink any and all forms of coffee, and are loving the chance to “give the gift of grATTITUDE” as they say! As the giving season is officially here, we wanted to give thanks to them, and share all they offer with you!

Meet Alex Morgan – Mom and Soccer SUPERSTAR!

Meet Alex Morgan – Mom and Soccer SUPERSTAR!

In 2009, Alex Morgan joined the US Women’s soccer team, making history as the team’s youngest player, at just 22. Today, at 32, she’s a three-time Olympian, having taken home gold in London in 2012 and bronze this past summer in Tokyo. She helped the US win the World Cup in 2015. But 17 months ago she added a different role—Mom—to her impressive resume, when she gave birth to daughter Charlie. We spoke to Alex about how becoming a mother has influenced her career, her thoughts on raising an athlete (and her Fun Comes First campaign with GoGo squeeZ), her commit to gender equality in sports, and more.

Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies!

Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies!

If you loved the Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookies we recently shared, you have to try this Pumpkin version! Our food contributor Kathleen Ashmore has seriously done it again with these Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. They have chocolate chips (read: kid-friendly), are full of pumpkin (so they feel all festive for Fall) and happen to be gluten, dairy and refined sugar free. Don’t have coconut sugar? Regular brown and white will work, too.

Halloween Breakfast Smoothie – Thank you Lauren Braun Costello!

Halloween Breakfast Smoothie – Thank you Lauren Braun Costello!

Halloween night is all about costumes and candy, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t start the day with something healthy and wholesome. Enter a delicious breakfast smoothie, made either with frozen strawberries or bananas, milk of your choice, and your favorite protein powder (chocolate pictured). Bring the Halloween theme to life with a chocolate-covered strawberry goblin or an adorable banana ghost. If you don’t have frozen fruit on hand, just use fresh fruit and a fistful of ice. These smoothies are so easy to make that even the kids can make one for YOU!

Meet Kaile

Meet Kaile

After losing her mother to Ovarian Cancer at the age of 19, Kaile made It her life mission to help healthcare providers – and women – learn to see the warning signs of this often fatal disease, as early as possible. In addition to co-founding a foundation to train non-oncologists on signs of early detection, she is most recently the COO of Aspira Women’s Health, a public company focused on early detection of gynecologic diseases, namely Ovarian Cancer. As a mom of two, she believes It is as important as ever that coming out of this pandemic women do not leave the workforce due to pressures to be home more, and continue fighting to make the world a better place with support from their companies to do so. Kaile is as passionate, authentic, and badass as It gets. She loves a good book, sourdough bread, and can not wait to take her kids abroad when It is safe again. In the meantime, she is changing lives – and saving them – and our world (and community) is certainly better for having her in It!

Corri Neckritz Shares her Story

Corri Neckritz Shares her Story

As many of you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so we are interrupting our regular “meet a mom” interviews to feature a local mom (and celebrity!) in town – Corri Neckritz – the owner of Groove store for kids and women, who has so bravely shared her recent journey finding out she had breast cancer, taking proactive steps to keep herself strong – and sane – and the opportunity this experience has provided her to help her family – and others! Thank you Corri; you are an inspiration to us all.

Meet the Rockstars of THINGSILOVE203 – Dori and Terri

Meet the Rockstars of THINGSILOVE203 – Dori and Terri

With five kids between them, It took a pandemic to slow these two rockstar moms down and give them the time and space to finally pursue a longtime dream to start a business together. ThingsILove203 is the brain child of two women who had former careers in fashion, jewelry and design and wanted to bring beautiful clothing, furniture, and HAVE TO HAVE pieces from around the world to their customers here in the US. They love cheese (Dori) and Peanut M&Ms (Terri), time traveling or at the beach with their families, and attribute their mothers to being their inspiration in life and as people. If you are looking for something fun and new to feel good this fall, check out ThingsILove203- Dori and Terri have you covered!

5 Reasons why Moms Should Play Sports!

5 Reasons why Moms Should Play Sports!

As we head into Fall, many of us are signing our kids up for Fall sports—and reminiscing about our own childhood sports careers. What we should be doing? Signing ourselves up, too. Experts say sports aren’t just for kids, and moms especially should stay in the game to have a happier, healthier life. For whatever reason, dads are more likely to keep up with their favorite form of competitive exercise, from tennis to golf—so let’s try to join them if we can. Here are 5 reasons why we should all be staying in the game.

Meet Louisa

Meet Louisa

Mom of three, Louisa left the world of finance and hedge funds to pursue her entrepreneurial itch after having her daughter and realizing there was an opportunity to make ear piercing both a safe and celebratory experience. She shares how studying malls and recognizing the meaningful role Claire’s played in so many of them helped trigger her own idea to do something innovative and fresh! Rowan recently launched in Westport as the 2nd stand-alone studio in addition to Rowan’s presence in over 250 Targets nationwide! They offer piercings done by nurses, and sell only hypoallergenic earrings! In her spare time, Louisa loves yoga, all things French (including – and especially – French Fries!), and has a passion for helping others in the community who need It. Rowan is a special place that helps safely celebrate a special milestone for so many kids (young and old); we are proud to have you in Westport!

Introducing Rockets of Awesome (which is pretty awesome)!

Introducing Rockets of Awesome (which is pretty awesome)!

Anyone else a bit overwhelmed with back-to-school shopping this year, or reluctant to spend a lot of time at the mall with your kids trying on clothes? We’re right there with you, and that’s why we’re partnering with Rockets of Awesome, a mom-founded kids brand that allows you to shop through a subscription service (customized to your child) or simply make a la carte purchases online. All of the clothes are super fun, as unique as our kids, and not cheesy at all. We spoke to Rockets of Awesome Founder and CEO Rachael Blumenthal about her amazing brand, back-to-school picks, being a dual-entrepreneur family (her husband founded Warby Parker) and more. Use the code LOCALMOMS20 for 20% off your first order!

Meet Dana!

Meet Dana!

As we all get ready to kick off the 2021-2022 school year, knowing our kids are supported in their learning is as important as ever! Dana Aussenberg is a local mom of two boys and a Private Learning Specialist with a focus on teaching children Executive Functioning skills – skills and strategies to work smarter, not harder. In her spare time, Dana loves hiking with her family, gardening (in another life she may have been a landscape architect!), and of course beach nights with friends! Dana is approachable, warm, and customizes all of her learning plans to each child with the utmost care. It is people like her who make getting through these tough few years manageable for so many kids- and their parents! Thank you Dana for all you do!

Meet Annabella

Meet Annabella

Mom to three boys, Annabella began mocking up product ideas when too many daily routines (like washing your face and hair, or applying sunscreen) turned into battles! As the co-founder of Daily Jungle, she recently launched her first product – the Rush Brush – a Paint-On Face Wash & Balm that kids can use by themselves, and LOVE! Annabella is Scandinavian born and raised, and spent time living in 6 countries and California, before settling on the East Coast. She believes wholeheartedly in kids spending time outdoors (rather than on screens), and loves sleep, Finnish Panda licorice, and all things travel! As we all struggle with our kids’ daily routines, we can thank Annabella for helping make some of the big things feel a little bit easier!

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