In the Know
Holiday Gift Picks for Kids!
Have you started (or finished?!) your holiday gift shopping for your kids? Recently, Layla Lisiewski, co-founder and CEO of The Local Moms Network, appeared on CNBC to discuss how supply chain issues were adding another layer of holiday stress for parents this season. “Most of the moms in our network of over 100 suburbs are shopping early so they don’t risk not getting the gifts they want because of supply chain issues—the fastest way to get your hands on gifts is to shop locally!” Here are the gifts for kids our moms are buying now! Happy Shopping!
Cheese Latkes – YUM!
These sweet rendition of latkes will be a hit at Hannukah, but also a fun, festive breakfast all year round. More like a pancake than a tradition latke, they are tender and light, and filled with ricotta cheese. Happy Hannukah to all who celebrate!
Moms Holiday Wishlist!
In our opinion, it’s the hardest to shop for the moms in our lives. That’s why we’re sharing our Moms Network Holiday Wishlist, with fun picks from some of our moms nationwide. With ideas and inspiration from chic purses to cozy jackets to exercise equipment, use it to shop for friends and family—or forward it to anyone shopping for you! (Hint: That person can also be you…) From all of us, we wish you and your families a happy holiday!
Take Action to Protect those you Love
Knowing your family health history is the first step to understanding your cancer risk. This holiday season, start the conversation with your family.
2021 Holiday Happenings for the Whole Family!
With the holidays here, we have compiled a list of local events and activities the whole family can enjoy!
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.
Closet Factory Can Help Transform Any Space In Your Home!
Let Closet Factory help you reimagine a space in your home.
Organize Your Kids Toys before the Holidays (in 5 easy steps)!
With the holidays coming up, that means more crafts, artwork, gifts….and clutter. In order to start 2022 as organized as possible, we’re taking some time over the next few weeks to organize play spaces in our homes. Whether you have babies, toddlers, or older kids, having some strategies in place can keep your home tidier, and help kids play more independently and stay engaged longer. Here are FIVE smart tips to try!
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!
My Green Mattress: Big Black Friday Savings and Even Bigger Health Benefits!
Our favorite organic mattress brand, My Green Mattress, is doing a *huge* Black Friday sale and offering special savings to followers of The Local Moms Network! Go to mygreenmattress.com and use code LOCALMOMS to receive up to $225 off on your non-toxic, safe and organic-certified mattress from November 12th to November 28th! And head to the link in bio for all the details, plus more about this family-owned brand.
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!
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!
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 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!
5 Things You’ll Love About Hopkins School
Here at the nation’s third oldest independent school, high-achieving, motivated students come to Hopkins to be inspired, challenged, and share in a love of learning. If your child is passionate about learning, here are five things you’ll love about a Hopkins education.
Easy Pumpkin Chili Recipe!
This pumpkin chili recipe from Chef Debra Ponzek is a classic fall dish, full of seasonal flavors like pumpkin and butternut squash. Like all chilis, it’s versatile and can be made ahead and frozen, making it a go-to for busy autumn nights.
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!
WestportMoms Holiday Shopping Event on Friday, 11/5!!
JOIN US on Friday, 11/5 for our 5th Annual Holiday Shopping Event at the parking lot behind the Westport Playhouse! We will have more vendors than ever, food trucks and so many exciting things to buy! We hope to see you there! Tell your friends=)
Spooky Non-Candy Halloween Treats!
Looking for some candy-free options for Halloween this year? Whether your child’s school doesn’t allow candy, you want to offer kids (and parents) a healthier option or want to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project (allergy-free options in a blue pumpkin), we have you covered. From savory eats to fun toys, here is a shortlist to start with. The best part? They’re all available on Amazon Prime!
Sleep Better Tonight!
What parent doesn’t want a more restful night’s sleep? And yet many of us are struggling to fall and stay asleep. According to statistics from the CDC, one in three individuals in the U.S. doesn’t get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night they’re supposed to. There are quite a few common misconceptions that could be messing with your sleep. Learn more!