Lifestyle
6 Expert Tips for Finding a Qualified Nanny or Postpartum Doula in Connecticut
Finding the right support for your family can feel overwhelming, especially during pregnancy or the early newborn days. Here are six expert tips from Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny to help you confidently find the right nanny or postpartum doula for your home.
Meet Sarit, Founder of House of Yes Bars!
A Westport native, Sarit returned with her family in 2019 and has two kids she is thrilled to be raising here. Though she and her husband were ready to open a restaurant just before COVID hit, they pivoted and as they recognized what a picky eater they had with their son, began experimenting in the kitchen trying to find healthy, protein-filled options her kids would eat. From there, HOUSE OF YES was born! In her spare time, Sarit loves a good historical fiction novel and any true crime show, doesn’t go anywhere without a Yeti full of ice-water, loves cheese and coffee, and has a sneaker addiction/collection topping 80 pairs! Sarit loves sharing her passion for creating with her community, and for those who havent tried the HOUSE OF YES bars, get on it- your kids will thank you!
A Westport Neighbor Making a Quiet, Lasting Impact
In a town like Westport, there are many people who give back. Some do it visibly. Others do it quietly, year after year, without asking for recognition. For more than four decades, Bill Evans has been one of those quiet pillars of our community. A Westport resident for over 40 years, Bill is best known locally as the founder of WM Evans Painting, a family painting business he established in 1981 that many neighbors have welcomed into their homes. But beyond his professional life, Bill has dedicated decades to humanitarian work that has touched lives far beyond Fairfield County. Learn more….
Meet Jackie Strause!
Meet Jackie! Single mom to her adorable 5 year old daughter, Jackie recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary at The Hollywood Reporter, where she works as the Digital Managing Editor at their New York office. She covers the business of Hollywood, interviews the biggest celebrities of the moment and delivers 24/7 breaking entertainment news (sounds relaxing, right?!). She started working for them in LA, but returned to the East Coast to be closer to family. Jackie most recently binge watched Tell me Lies (for work of course!), and most recently interviewed Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, the real-life couple who play Lucy and Stephen, and the cast when they held a press day and premiere party! In her free time, she loves playing tennis, spending time with her daughter, and loves listening to the podcast, Call Her Daddy. Jackie is a gem of a person, and a ton of fun to talk to; we’re lucky to have her in our community!
The Bittersweet Emotions of Kindergarten Registration
Though it’s hard to believe, Kindergarten registration for Fall 2026 is almost HERE! For those anticipating Kindergarten for the first time next Fall, not only are many of us a bit scared, sad and nervous, but also overwhelmed by the registration process itself. Here are a few tips – and key dates- to help you!
Meet the Owners of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Stamford
Kelsey Lamoureaux and Sean Pierce are the owners of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Stamford! We chatted with them about the inspiration for opening their business, their plumbing advice for families this winter and what they love about this area!
Meet Janine of J Ashley Fitness!
Meet Janine! If you are looking for a great kick start to the New Year, you will not regret learning about J Ashley Fitness! Janine is a mom of two boys, who started building her own fitness company after she got separated, and needed to find an independent way to support her family. What started in her garage has grown into an incredible business and fitness studio in the heart of Westport (right next to Le Pain Quotidien and Fresh Market!) J Ashley offers classes for women ranging from Cardio HIIT to Strength and Conditioning, meeting everyone where they are at. In her free time, Janine loves time at the beach with her family, running and Mexican food. She swears by her Ninja blender to make smoothies and in another life would be an avid surfer! Janine is welcoming, kind, supportive, and loves being a part of this community. From our perspective, we are the lucky ones!
Snow Days Ahead – Craft Ideas You’ll Thank Us For Later…
Looking for some creative crafts that are easy and fun to do to entertain the kiddos when the weatherman predicts a snow day? Look no further than these adorable craft ideas and tasty recipes that are sure to occupy your kids’ minds and bellies. Read on for the quick and simple how-to’s that will delight your house full of stir-crazy kids!
Wild Alaskan Company – 5 Reasons Moms are Starting the New Year with this Healthy Eating Option…
Getting dinner on the table every single night as a mom can feel like a lot—because it is a lot. At the busiest point of their day, amidst school pickup, activities and more, moms are often the ones tasked with shopping, preparing and serving a healthy meal. Too often, takeout or fast food can feel like the only option when life gets busy—and when is life as a mom not busy? That’s why the moms of The Local Moms Network are signing up with Wild Alaskan for the new year. It’s a perfect jump start to healthy eating in 2026. Here are the five main reasons why our moms are loving this brand…
10 Screen-Free Activities Kids will Love!
Winter with kids can be tough. Short days and colder weather can keep us inside, and being cooped up too long with small kids can lead to tantrums, messes and other general destruction and mayhem. Around the middle of January is when the sheen of new holiday toys begins to wear off, and even the most patient parents can hit their limit. To help you through the next few weeks, we’re sharing 10 smart ways to keep kids engaged – and there’s not a screen in sight. (Not that we’re against screens…we just know from experience that relying on them too much to occupy kids can have a pretty ugly rebound effect…)
Ketamine Therapy: What It Is, How It Works, and What to Know
Ketamine has gained increasing attention in recent years as a promising option for people struggling with persistent mood symptoms, chronic stress, and conditions that haven’t responded well to traditional treatments. If you’ve been hearing about ketamine and wondering what it actually is, how it works, or whether it might be right for you, you’re not alone. At Ki Ketamine, (part of NEINH – the New England Institute for Neurology & Headache), ketamine therapy is approached through a neuroscience-based, medically supervised lens, focused on safety, personalization, and long-term brain health. Learn more here…
Dry January – A Chance to Rethink Mom Wine Culture
Anyone else kind of love Dry January—or at least enjoying the perks, from better sleep to glowing skin? Mommy Wine Culture—the idea that motherhood is hard and wine takes the edge off—has become pretty prevalent. And while both of these things are true, we all know that wine or other substances can be a Band-Aid for pretty much any problem a person might have. So we’re taking these few weeks to 3 reasons we’re enjoying Dry January, and why it’s helping us reevaluate the Mommy Wine Culture (and why that doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t pour a glass next week)
Introducing the College Corner’s 2026 College Prep Guide (presented by Gorilla Grip)!
College prep has changed *a lot* since we were applying. “Between online applications, the huge increase in students applying, and the ripple effects of COVID, it’s a completely different experience,” says Ali Dorfman, founder and CEO of The College Corner. That’s why we’re sharing our favorite resources to make the process more productive and less stressful, along with expert tips. And don’t forget to check out our sponsor, Gorilla Grip! From lap desks to over-the-door organizers, Gorilla Grip has tons of essentials for college-bound kids. Use code LMN20 for 20% off at gorillagrip.com and start putting together the perfect care package.
5 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season
For kids, the holiday season can be all about receiving—gifts of course, but also endless events catered to them (meeting the big guy in red, decorating gingerbread houses, etc.). If you want to encourage them to think of others and give instead of only receiving, here are 5 ways to give back to others this holiday season.
Elf on the Shelf – 5 Easy Tips to Make It Less Stressful!
Like basically everything in parenting, Elf on the Shelf can be a blessing and, well, a curse. The cute little guy (or gal) creates instant opportunities for magical holiday memories, it’s something that doesn’t induce a sugar high in toddlers (we’re looking at you, chocolate Advent Calendars and Hanukah gelt) and most of all, kids freakin’ love it. Of course, it is a statistical fact that every single participating parent will forget to “help” the Elf find his new resting place while the kids are asleep. That’s where these tips come in. Here are some smart ways to make your family’s Elf on the Shelf experience as as festive and joyful as possible!
2026 Holiday Happenings!!
Check out all of the 2026 Holiday Fun happening in Westport- and nearby!
A Year of Growth for OrthoConnecticut Coastal Orthopedics!
We are proud to share that this year, OrthoConnecticut Coastal Orthopedics has experienced meaningful growth in both our team and our offerings. We welcomed three highly skilled orthopedic specialists, who are dedicated to providing the exceptional care you deserve, and are set to relocate our Norwalk office to Wilton, CT in December 2025. As we reflect on a year of expansion and prepare for what’s ahead, we’re incredibly grateful to serve this community and can’t wait to continue this journey in the new year.
Meet Jessica Leventhal!
If you are cookie addicts like we are, then you KNOW who Jessica Leventhal is – the baker and mastermind behind Leventhal Cookies, which have taken Westport (and the rest of this area!) by storm! A local mom of 3 who moved to Westport the summer of 2020, Jess began baking cookies postpartum when she couldn’t find one locally she loved; the rest is history! She loves baking with her little ones by her side, but also swears by her lip balm, her secret spicy snack mix hidden in her night stand for late night cravings, and was a competitive horseback rider for 10 years! In her next life, she’d love to be a real dancer, but for now, she is enjoying days as a nurse, nights baking and being part of this community. We are so lucky to have her! YUM!
Tree Farms for Cutting and Buying Christmas Trees this Holiday Season!
If you are looking to get the Holiday Season started, check out some of these local tree farms with pre-cut and cut your own options!
Fevers in Children: When to Worry and When to Stay Calm
During this time of year, kids are coming home – or waking up – with all sorts of colds, fevers, and sickness. Do we need to be worried when our kids spike a low- or high-grade fever? Dr. Saima Jafri, pediatrician with Connecticut Children’s Care Network, lays out the facts on fever in kids, and answers the many burning questions (pun intended!) parents often have!