Lifestyle
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!
Can I Travel with my Children during Covid when my Ex-Spouse Objects?
Recently, the Family & Divorce Law Firm – Broder, Orland, Murray & Demattie had a case where their client, the Father, determined it was necessary to travel with his children to a European country which the CDC designated as a “Level 4 Risk: Avoid Travel” due to COVID. The purpose of the trip was for the children, ages 11 and 15, to be with their octogenarian grandmother, whose health was rapidly declining. Learn more about how Broder, Orland Murray & DeMattie helped the Father manage this situation and how you can seek support if needed!
Let’s Hold onto Summer with this Yummy Cocktail!
Cheers to the last few weeks of summer with this Grilled Peach & Bourbon Smash cocktail from Camp Cocktails: Easy, Fun, and Delicious Drinks for the Great Outdoors. Mixologist, author, and mom of two Emily Vikre says she created this to go with her family’s favorite BBQ food—ribs. “This grilled peach smash is the perfect accompaniment. Grilling the peaches brings out their sweetness and concentrates their flavor, while just a hint of char pairs beautifully with any barbecue,” says Emily.
Our Pups deserve some Back to School Training too!
Back to school time for kids is the perfect time to start homeschooling your pup! Active Dog offers several levels of training packages; ranging from a basic recap to those more difficult problems, and our trainer Sarah is here to help! Head to our website to set your pup up for success!
I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!
Start off the school year right with a free ice cream cone at Embrace Orthodontics!
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!
What’s New at Stepping Stones This Summer & Fall
Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk re-opened in a limited capacity this Summer, and is planning a big Fall re-opening, with updated facilities and programming! Learn about opportunities to experience Stepping Stones!!
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!
Creating a Love of Lifelong Learning
It’s every mom’s wish for her child to be excited to learn. At St. Luke’s School, teachers and staff go Above and Beyond to connect with students, craft a strong academic curriculum, and create experiences that spark a lifelong love of learning. Andrea Klein, a mother of three, shared her family’s experiences in this interview with Ginny Bachman, Director of Admission and Financial Aid at St. Luke’s School.
Back to School Event at Athlete!!
Come join us at Athlete next Wednesday for a BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING EVENT! Get 20% off one full price item plus they will be giving away a FREE pair of Athleta Girl tights to one lucky winner!
Revenge Travel Safely with Treat
Have you heard the term “revenge travel”? This travel trend is about making up for time at home during the pandemic. People are planning trips, and expanding their budgets to make these vacations extra special. Our newest partner, Treat, is bringing together travel, health and wellness via virtual care, curated products, inspiring content, select airport wellness centers and much more. Download their app now at treatcare.com to help plan your healthiest trip on the go, from your phone (and most importantly, while you’re traveling).
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!
It Feels Good to be Prepared!!
Summer is winding down and the new school year will begin soon. The start of school can be both exciting and a bit nerve-racking for both kids and parents alike.
Now is a good time to get a jump start on preparing for the new school year. Below are a few simple, yet helpful things from local mom and Learning Specialist, Danna Aussenberg, regarding what you can do with your children over the next couple of weeks to get them feeling confident and comfortable about the upcoming school year.
Summer Citurs Salad – Your Welcome!
This recipe from sisters Barbara and Carolina of Host to Perfection is, well, close to perfection. On hot summer nights, we’re always looking for recipes that don’t require us to turn on an oven—and this Summer Citrus Salad hits the spot. A nice alternative to a green salad, it’s full of immunity-boosting vitamin C. This simple and delicious salad is perfect because it’s not only refreshing and full of flavor but also looks beautiful, colorful and eye-catching!
Divorce During COVID: The Effect on Parenting Plans
In many cases, COVID has or will have an effect on Parenting Plans for families where the parents are already divorced and for those who will be divorced going forward. A Parenting Plan is a document that sets forth when the child(ren) will be with either parent. Often it is specific as to days and times, school vacations, and holidays. Carole Orland of Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC shares some important things to consider during this complicated time.
Meet Olympic Softball Player and Inspiration, Cat Osterman
When softball star Cat Osterman competed at Athens in 2004, she was the youngest athlete to win a gold medal for Team USA—in fact, she was still a student athlete at the University of Texas. The pitcher won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and she came out of retirement at age 38 to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. While the host team of Japan took gold this year, Cat’s legacy as an inspiration to young girls was cemented by the message she shared after her team’s second place finish. We interviewed her about her experience, and all she’s learned!
A COVID Vaccine for Kids May Overlap With Annual Flu Shots. Is It Safe to Get Both?
Right around now, between soaking up the end of summer and racing through your family’s back-to-school checklist, you’re probably trying to schedule your child’s yearly well visit with their pediatrician – including that old standby, the annual flu shot. But this year, there’s a twist: A COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 12 could be ready soon, too. Should you try to space out your child’s vaccinations? Plan them together? What’s safe, and what’s even possible? For answers, we turned to Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP, physician-in-chief at Connecticut Children’s.
Playland 2022 Registration is OPEN!!
Camp Playland Summer 2022 registration opens tonight at 8pm through their website. The “Day Camp with the Away Camp Atmosphere” offers door-to-door transportation in Westport. If you are interested in visitng, Playland offer tours by appointment 7 days a week. Register today for a summer of fun, friendship, and memories to last a lifetime!
Back to School Find from an Entrepreneurial Mom!
Just in time for back-to-school shopping, we’re sharing one of our favorite new mom-owned brands. StyleChild is a fashion-forward line for kids, founded by Jade Sklaver, mom to Liv, 4. After building a career in corporate fashion, she became a wife and mom, and then, like many women, found herself going through a divorce. We spoke to this inspiring single mom about starting her own business, offering entrepreneurial opportunities to other moms through her Kick Starters program, her favorite must-haves for Back-to-School shopping, and more. Use code LOCALMOMS for 15% off your first purchase at stylechildbyjl.com.
Portabella Pizzas- YUMMMM!
These Portobello Mushroom Pizzas are a kid-friendly choice for meatless Monday, and a great way to get kids to eat more veggies any day of the week. Experts say that putting new ingredients into familiar shapes or dishes (for instance, making mushrooms the base for “pizza”) can help even the pickiest eaters try something the first time. Worth a try, right?!