Lifestyle
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!
Let Seagull Speech Help You!
Parents everywhere are trying to achieve a new sense of normalcy with their children as we slowly exit the pandemic, but nagging concerns about their speech and language development remain. Are my kids where they need to be academically and socially? My child didn’t qualify for school-based speech therapy, should I hire a private speech therapist or will my child grow out of it? Should I supplement my child’s school speech services with private services?
These questions and so much more can be answered by Seagull Speech Services! Contact them today for a free initial consultation!
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.
Playgrounds at Home: Virtual Field Trips to Beaches, Parks and More
As summer has continued along, and we continue to search for creative ways to keep our children entertained- and to show them the world, the world around us has gotten exceptionally creative! Check out some amazing ways to “travel” the world and have some fun at virtual playgrounds, zoos, parks and more from the comforts – and safety of your own home!
Summer Reading to Kids Entering K – 3rd Grade
While summer is an ideal time for children to relax, explore the outdoors, visit new places, and spend extra time with family and friends, it is also a critical time for children to maintain and build upon literacy skills. To help get your children excited about reading over the summer, we have shared a list of books for children entering kindergarten through third grade with tons of kid appeal, thanks literary specialist and mom Rosemary D’Urso, aka the “Library Mom”.
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.
Get To Know the Closet Factory
From your master bedroom closet to your pantry or your home office, The Closet Factory takes care of all your home organizational needs with space saving solutions.
U ARE HEARD is here to help students in the way THEY need!
Let’s face It – parenting is super hard sometimes. What can a parent do when they are concerned about their young adult? U ARE HEARD was created to make getting help easier. We streamline the process of getting assistance by hiring amazingly talented therapists and coaches to ensure quality care and providing online assistance that is easy, private, convenient and done in the fashion young adults prefer to communicate. Helping students is our passion. Learn more about us!!
Summer Fun with Ledge Lounger!!
Summer is officially in full swing, and our newest partner, Ledge Lounger, wants to make sure your family has tons of fun this year! Their products are all about making the most of your outdoor space while withstanding heavy wear and tear from families (from teens to toddlers!). Learn more about how they can provide summer fun here…
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!
Add Tile to your Next Outdoor Project!!
Whether you’re building a pool, adding an outdoor kitchen or new patio to your home’s outdoor space, tile could be the perfect touch to make your project practical, beautiful, unique & affordable! Learn more about ways to use tile for your next outdoor project from the experts at Lima Ceramic Tile!
Meet the Founder of “Giving Digitized” – A New Approach to Digital Giving
A new digital charitable tool, Giving Digitized, aims to bring charitable giving online into an easy to use platform—a simple solution for the times! In 2020 alone, they helped 17 charities in 4 cities, and are just getting started. “We make it easier for you and charities to help the community by taking the stress out of organizing and tracking toward your promise to help,” explains Giving Digitized’s NYC-based founder and CEO Shazia Peeran. We chatted with Shazia, whose background is in finance, about her new company, including her inspiration as well as future plans.
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!!
Summer Chicken Milanese from “It’s Lauren Of Course”
Any combination of farmer’s market lettuces and tomatoes will work with this Milanese. The simplicity of quality ingredients is what makes this dish shine! People often don’t think of Milanese as seasonal, but I surely do. Vine-ripened colorful tomatoes, basil, and tender, fresh lettuces from the farmer’s market . . . these are summer staples. ENJOY!
YUM!! Sheet Pan S’mores
If you love making s’mores but want to skip the mess of roasting marshmallows, keep things toddler safe and make a lot at once, try these Sheet Pan S’mores from Maria Provanzano of From Scratch with Maria. The best part? You can enjoy them this way well after summer has gone.
Easy Summer Cocktail – Pineapple, Lime and Mint Sparkler!!
Thank you to The Local Moms Network contributor Maria Provenzano of From Scratch with Maria for sharing this delicious recipe! It’s really the perfect summer sip—refreshing, special, and able to be prepped ahead of time. Make a batch of the mint simple syrup on Sunday as part of your “meal prep” and you can whip up individual cocktails during the week without taking much more time than pouring a glass of wine!
Meet Rick (think Challah at The Granola Bar!!)
If you remember Great Cakes in Westport – or have been to The Granola Bar lately, you may have seen the pillow-like Challahs that people line up for on Friday mornings – or the beautiful cupcakes and baked goods making you hungry! Thank you Rick! Rick has been a Westport celebrity since 1989, owning his own bakery for many years, and after a stint at Peter’s Market in Weston, he returned here to continue sharing his love for all things delicious with us at The Granola Bar! He loves making birthday cakes for grown adults who he made toddler cakes for 30 years ago, and seeing the joy he can bring to so many! He has 3 nearly grown children who he adores, and loves Opera and CrossFit in his spare time (he starts making Challahs at 2am on Friday mornings!). If you haven’t tried Rick’s goodies yet, head over there soon; he is a rockstar, and we’re so glad and grateful he keeps doing what he loves in our community. Thank you Rick!!
4th of July Popsicles!
Celebrate the 4th of July with these festive red, white and blue popsicles! Not only are they adorable, but they’re made with protein-packed green yogurt and fiber rich blueberries and strawberries. Thank you to Sound Shore Moms for sharing!
