In the Know
Meet a Dad – Geoffrey Baldwin!
If you are a sports parent, player, or just enjoy a great entrepreneurial story, you will love getting to know local dad of two boys, Geoffrey Baldwin. An athlete (as a kid and still today), an artist and industrial designer, and a sports coach (and parent), Geoff recognized a need in the market for a better system for playing Flag Football, to make It more inclusive, convenient and fun! WIN WIN Athletics was born a few years back as a new kind of sports company that solves everyday sports problems for everyday athletes. His flag football kit has gotten interest from recreational teams, collegiate teams, and even the NFL who want to pilot their gear with their youth and adult leagues. In addition to his day job, Geoff loves playing Rec baseball to this day, beach days and nights with his family, and that his biggest learning as a dad he would share is to “just be there.” Geoff is a rockstar designer and coach who Westport is so lucky to have in our orbit. Thanks Geoff for all you are doing for our community- and athletes and kids – everywhere!
Swimsuit Roundup- 9 One-Piece (and Sexy!) Picks for Summer!
Our mantra for summer fun: get in the water and make memories with our kids! We get it… buying a swimsuit can give pause to even the most confident mom, but the trifecta of style, comfort, and quality does exist! We’ve rounded up nine one-piece swimsuits with a wow-factor and a winning fit.
Meet Dr. Tracy Brenner
If you’re looking for someone to talk to, who balances refective listening, thoughtful insights, and practical solutions, meet Dr. Tracy Brenner! A mom to two young kids (10 and 7), Tracy is a licensed clinical psychologist whose primary focus is her private practice working with adolescents and adults. In the last two years, Tracy used her therapeutic skills and has launched a new branch of her business, where many refer to her as “The Camp Counselor” where she works with camps, their staffs, parents, and kids to maximize their social and emotional wellbeing at camp. In her spare time, Tracy loves travel and evening swims with her family, makes a mean spicy margarita, swears by My Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover, and is an early riser, today and always. Part of what makes Tracy so unique is her ability to listen – and to hear what everyone has to say – while always having some thoughts to make a situation easier, less stressful, or more clear. Westport is so lucky to call her ours!
Mom Hack: Moonpig Card for Father’s Day
Father’s Day made simple with Moonpig cards sent right to him.
The 6 Rules of Sports Injury Prevention for Kids, Teens and Young Athletes
Has your child – or someone on their team – been injured lately? Are they missing out on games, or possibly the full spring season? The longer an athlete is inactive, the longer it takes for them to come back to full activity after a break. Connecticut Children’s pediatric and adolescent sports medicine experts have been hearing one question a lot: How can athletes prevent injury, and what is the best way to return to full activities after a break? There a number of strategies to prevent that, and Sports Medicine Doctor, Imran Hafeez, MD., shares 6 tips all parents should know!
Dominate The Game: Essential Spring Sports Safety & Footwear Tips!
Springtime means it’s game time for kids! While they enjoy outdoor sports, there are ways to support their bones and joints, as well as help prevent injury. Check out our latest blog for tips on keeping your young athlete safe and strong this season.
Five Reasons to Choose Bumble Bee Blinds for Your Custom Window Treatments!
We know that shopping for window treatments can often feel overwhelming! We PROMISE that will not be the case when you work with us! Bumble Bee Blinds of Fairfield County provides a simplified approach to delivering custom window treatment solutions, including blinds, shades, shutters, drapes, curtains, and outdoor screens. We recognize that you have many companies to choose from when selecting your window treatments, but here are five reasons that set Bumble Bee Blinds apart from the rest of the pack.
5 Natural Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure
When your blood pressure levels are in question, medications may not always be the best answer. Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, can make a big difference in your health.
In our latest blog, Dr. Nabeel Salih, a primary care provider with Hartford HealthCare MedicalGroup in Fairfield, discusses five natural ways to keep your blood pressure under control.
Concussions 101 with Jeannine Rockefeller, APRN of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
Here’s what to know about concussions from the pediatric experts at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Meet Becca Zipkin
So often, we don’t even know about the amazing work being done by the moms around us! Meet Becca Zipkin, mom to two boys (9 and 7). After starting her career as a lawyer and a sex crimes prosecutor (like SVU) in Brooklyn, she went on to work at nonprofits providing legal representation to survivors of sexual violence and sex trafficking. Today she is the Policy Director at a national nonprofit – World Without Exploitation (WorldWE), an advocacy organization focused on passing laws to help survivors of sex trafficking and educating the public about the harms of sex trafficking and prostitution, and how the Internet is facilitating sex trafficking and exploitation. In addition to her meaningful work, Becca loves ski trips with her family (despite her fear of skiing=)), popcorn, coffee, and time at the beach. In her free time, she helps run charity shopping events as part of a company she founded called No Stone Unturned, and her personal heroes are Gloria Steinem and Ashley Judd. Becca is a truly a gem of a person working to drive meaningful change in this world; thank you Becca!
Why Mosquito Squad might be for you!
Signing up with a tick and mosquito spray service may not be the most sexy decision you’ll make as a parent and homeowner, but it is a crucial one. Ticks and mosquitos can be pesky and even dangerous to your family’s health, and many carry diseases from Lyme Disease (for ticks) to West Nile Virus (for mosquitoes). Here’s what local moms are loving about Mosquito Squad, a company founded in 2005 that has protected over 300,000 backyards in this area – and perhaps yours next!
Your Garden to Your Table With An Edible Garden In Connecticut
Unlock the secrets to a farm-to-table lifestyle. Learn to cultivate your own Connecticut edible garden with fresh produce and aromatic herbs. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a novice gardener, there’s something gratifying about growing your own food. With some careful planning and effort, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh vegetables, fruits, and aromatic herbs, providing a delightful farm-to-table experience all year round with your own edible garden in Connecticut.
Make sure your Dogs are MENTALLY Healthy with these Tips from Active Dog!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Dogs can suffer from mental health issues just like us humans. Sadly, they cannot always tell us what is wrong though. Our friends at Active Dog shared some potential signs your pup may be silently asking for help. Read to learn more…
Understanding Endometriosis
Endometriosis is an extremely common but often underdiagnosed disorder. Learn more from Dr. Nicole Brzozowksi of Nuvance Health.
Meet Sara Deren…!
If you (or your child) loves camp, Sara Deren is someone you should know. When she married into the world of camp (her husband Jon is a camp lifer – and director), she fell hard for the experience it gave to children. While camps have existed for decades, Sara recognized the need for camp for grieving children (to experience camp and to support each other), and founded Experience Camp, which currently provides a FREE week of sleep-away camp to 1500+ kids nationwide who have lost a parent or sibling. In Westport, the annual Day of Champions Event (a local color war for families to support Experience Camps) is highly revered, and this year’s event will be on Sunday, 5/19! Mom of three kids (and two chickens), Sara loves traveling with her family, wishes she were better at karaoke, and has showed so many in our community – and far beyond our borders – that heroes truly live among us.
Meet a Mom – Country Singer Sarahbeth Taite!
This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with rising country star and former American Idol standout Sarahbeth Taite! With the support of her parents, Sarahbeth signed her first record deal at just 14, and drove herself to Nashville at age 17. But it wasn’t until five years later, in 2020, when she put an old single, Long Way, onto TikTok—and garnered 9 million streams of the video and a #1 spot on iTunes, that she started to receive national attention. Since then, she’s performed in front of Katy Perry and other celebrity judges on American Idol, signed with DA Music, and welcomed her first child with her husband , a daughter named Isla (1).
Jelly Bean Bracelet Craft Idea!
Have leftover jelly beans from Easter? Make these adorable jelly bean bracelets from South Orange County Moms! The children can line up their jelly bean designs and then crafty parents can handle the needle and thread. Enjoy!
Sprinkle Matzah Toffee Recipe!
As far as matzah-based desserts go, variations on matzah toffee are one of the most popular. This version, shared by Shannon Sarna, author of Modern Jewish Baking: Challah, Babka, Bagels & More, is made effortlessly festive by the addition of rainbow sprinkles. “My kids love matzah toffee because it’s sweet, crunchy and we have fun adding lots of toppings,” says Shannon. During Passover she also loves turning matzah into “layered” cakes, like matzah tiramisu, or a matzah funfetti cake, layered with whipped cream and sprinkles.
9 Earth Day Books your Kids Will Love
To help honor Earth Day, Rosemary D’Urso, aka Library Mom, chose nine fantastic books perfect for the occasion. Says Rosemary: “From its sparkling waters to its majestic mountains and curious creatures, there is much to love about this beautiful planet we call home. With Earth Day around the corner, I’ve put together a list of my favorite books that capture the splendor of Earth as well as stories that inspire children to help protect it.” Read her list below.
Bring the Spring Inside with Interior Green Walls and Tropicals
As the desire to infuse indoor spaces with the beauty of nature grows, interior green walls are emerging as popular trends. Imagine stepping into your home or workplace and being greeted by the serenity of a living wall; a vibrant oasis adorned with succulents, grasses, and colorful perennials. This is the promise of interior green walls and tropicals—an opportunity to integrate nature seamlessly into our built environments. The experts at Laurel Rock Landscaping share the key factors to consider when making this kind of design decision!