Lifestyle
Meet Keenan
Dad to four kiddos, Keenan always loved to build and after a decade in the corporate world, COVID allowed him time to start a side business in woodworking, following his true passion. Now he runs Westport Woodworks, a family-run woodworking company dedicated to creating beautiful, timeless pieces of furniture, cabinetry, and other woodworking projects that will last for generations. Keenan loves building anything and everything with his children (and encourages others to do It with their kids as well!), loves nights at Compo Beach with his family, and swears by his monthly date nights with his wife! If you are looking for anything custom-built that will truly feel crafted and special, we have found you a match!
8 Reasons Why Moms are Obsessed with the Taylor Swift Eras Tour!
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is, officially, breaking records left and right. Besides selling 2.4 million tickets on one day of presale, estimates are being made that the Grammy winner may have ticket sales topping $1 billion when all is said and done. Even as Harry Styles finishes his uber-successful Love On tour, social media is seriously *all about Taylor*. A big portion of those ticket buyers? Moms going with daughters, sons and even on their own. Here are 8 reasons why Moms are all in on Taylor Swift…
Chic Cover Ups for Summer!
When it comes to making your beach or poolside outfit perfect, a cover-up completes the look. Fashion Contributor Kristin Koch, Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen magazine and the mom of three behind Closetful of Clothes says cover-ups are not only pretty, but versatile too. No matter what style you choose, cover-ups can take you from daytime to dinner with a quick change of shoes and a few added accessories to elevate your look. Check out these recos – you’re welcome!
Meet Dan Orlovsky!!
Calling all football and sports enthusiasts!! Did you know that 12 year-NFL quarterback of the Detroit Lions (and the Texans, Colts, Bucs, Lions and Rams) and current ESPN Football Analyst is also a dad of 4 kids here in Westport, including triplet 11 year old boys and a 7 year old girl! Dan met his wife at a friend’s wedding, and shares that he immediately turned to a friend upon seeing her, and said “I am going to marry that girl!” Dan shares how lucky he feels to have been able to follow his love of sports into a career – as a player and broadcaster – and loves what he does. In his spare time, he loves working out as hard as he is capable of (often with his wife, Tiff), beach nights with family and friends, and watching his kids’ sports! Dan loves red wine, golf, and the Jersey shore. Happy Father’s Day to you Dan; thanks for all of the entertainment you have brought to so many, and for being such an involved part of this community!
Meet a Dad- Eric (Charlie Puth’s Trainer)
Eric Johnson is a rockstar local dad to three boys, and a celebrity personal trainer. He currently works at a private facility in Westport, and is currently on tour with Charlie Puth as his personal trainer! He regrets not moving back to CT from NYC sooner, and is so glad he is here with his family now, excited for Friday beach nights and time with his boys! Eric believes It is important to exercise in front of your kids so they see you working hard and overcoming challenges, and swears by water with electrolytes! While 4am wake ups can be exhausting, he loves what he does, loves living in this community, and can’t wait for all that’s ahead!
2023 Fairs & Festivals
Its summer time, which means local fairs and festivals are in the area almost every weekend! Check out some of the fun events not to be missed! If we are missing any, let us know!
Berry Picking 2023!!
It is officially that time of year again when you can load up the car with your little ones and head to a farm to pick delicious FRESH fruit!! Westport Moms has created a list of farms in and near Fairfield County that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and...
Meet Blake Leonard!
If you need a good feel good story to kick off this month – and summer – we’ve got you! Meet Blake Leonard, a Westport native, proud member of the family who created Stew Leonard’s (which we all know and love), mom of two boys, and certified sommelier. After many years working for Stew’s Wine & Liquor store, Blake is thrilled to announce the opening of their family’s first swim school – Stewie the Duck – in Norwalk this month! When Blake was 3 years old, her little brother died in a horrific drowning accident, and her family has been focused on providing swim lessons and water safety to children ever since. Blake loves sushi (OKO is her favorite on a special occasion), Ted Lasso, time with her boys (all 3 of them!), and in another life might work for the CIA! Check out Stewie the Duck for a free lesson, and spread the word about this amazing family – and swim school -opening right around the corner!
Perimenopause – What to Expect…
Until recently, perimenopause had a reputation of being something that was only of concern to “older” ladies. Think: gray-haired grannies playing bridge. In fact, perimenopause, the transitional period where hormones begin to fluctuate, causing symptoms like irregular periods and hot flashes, typically begins in the early to mid 40s but may start earlier. (Once women skip a period for an entire year, they’re in menopause.) But that pre-period, previously, has been glossed over, not only by women going through it, but the very doctors who could be helping them through it. Recently, that stigma seems to be lifting, thankfully, in part because celebrities like Naomi Watts and Drew Barrymore are speaking out about their experiences.
Summer Recipe Round Up!
Summer is around the corner and the seasonal shortlist of recipes below will take you from Memorial Day to Labor Day. From potlucks to backyard barbecues, there’s something for everyone. Most include fresh, colorful and in-season produce, are simple to double or triple and none require a culinary degree – ha! Plus, you can make most of them ahead of time for easy entertaining.
High-Risk Pregnancy: What to Do and How to Cope
If your pregnancy is high risk, it’s natural to have a mix of emotions ranging from joy and anticipation—to fear and even sorrow. Even though every woman’s high risk pregnancy is different, you’re not alone. As a trained, certified fetal care coordinator for women with high-risk pregnancies, Jennifer Humphrey, MSN, RN, supports families facing some of the most challenging fetal conditions at the Fetal Care Center at Connecticut Children’s.
Spring Dresses!
Dresses are the ultimate #momhack for your wardrobe. Just slip one on, and you’re basically dressed in seconds, without wasting time mixing, matching, or styling separates. Our favorite kind? Spring dresses that can be layered in cooler weather, and worn solo through summer.
Meet Kristen Glosserman
Mom to four and newer to Westport, Kristen is a life coach of over 20 years, who achieved her lifelong goal to write her own book – “If It’s Not Right, Go Left” – during the pandemic, which is entirely centered around community, family, and wellness. Kristen has loved the calm of the suburbs, seeing simple things like daffodils on the drive to school each morning, and treasured the family time the COVID years forced upon us all. In another life, Kristen might have pursued a career in politics, always interested in bettering the world (and her community!), loves French fries and sushi, values sleep tremendously, and still treasures her annual trips with her high school friends! As we all strive to balance the many demands of work, self-care, and motherhood, Kristen has helped many stay on track – and find their way. Learn more about this dynamic momma and the many lessons that got her to where she is today.
What are the Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning?
Struggling with allergies, constant colds this Spring? Did you know it might have something to do with dirty ductwork?!
Meet Julie Kucinski, co-founder of Wile
Meet Julie Kucinski, the founder of Wile, a supplement brand changing the way we think and talk about midlife and perimenopause!
Prior to founding Wile, this inspiring mom spent years working with natural brands like Mrs. Meyers to Aveda, as well as other big names like Levi’s, Target, and L’Oréal. Our interview with Julie focuses on Wile, Julie’s founder story, and more. Head to the link in bio to read, and use code LocalMoms20 for 20% off sitewide.
Meet Shonda!
If you ever wondered who the creative genius was behind shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Station 19, and most recently the acclaimed, Bridgerton and Inventing Anna, it is Westport’s very own, Shonda Rhimes. Mom to three daughters, Shonda was a storyteller from an early age, whose long-time interest in hospitals and the medical field were ultimately her inspiration for Grey’s, currently in its 19th season! Shonda is currently most excited about the launch of “Queen Charlotte,” (the prequel to Bridgerton), debuting on Netflix on May 4th. Her own favorite shows include “Yellowjackets” and “Dark,” as well as “Abbott Elementary” when she wants something lighter! She can not live without herbal tea or her iPad, and while she plays many instruments (including the oboe, drums and xylophone), she hopes to be able to sing in her next life! Though Shonda is constantly creating, she values her time with her children more than anything, and has loved being part of the Westport community. In a town so focused on arts and education, how lucky we are to have her!
Keep Moms Moving! 5 Common Orthopedic Conditions We See and How to Manage Them
At OrthoConnecticut Coastal Orthopedics, we’ve seen first-hand what a toll motherhood can take on your body. As Mother’s Day approaches, we want to extend our appreciation for all the hard work you do in the best way we know how — offering some quick tips on the most common orthopedic conditions we see in moms, including how you can prevent and treat them. From the new moms, the veteran moms, the active moms, and every mom in between, we appreciate you!
6 Blazers to Buy for Spring and Beyond!
Blazers are the definition of a fashion mom hack. “Busy moms need pieces they can just throw on and go,” says fashion contributor Kristin Koch, “and tossing a blazer on over jeans and a tee or dress is the easiest way to create a chic, put-together look in seconds.” This Spring, consider investing in a blazer that will take you from work to date night to school functions. “One great jacket can elevate casual basics like jeans, tees, black pants. It can make an evening dress work for the office or PTO event,” says Kristin, a mom of three and editor-in-chief of Seventeen magazine. See some favorites here.
Interested in a Green Home Tour?
Trillium Architects, has been actively designing sustainable and energy efficient, custom homes since 2004.
Meet Mary Dobson
A Fairfield native, Mary and her husband returned back to the area over 15 years ago, and haven’t looked back. After her initial career balancing private-practice counseling with her role as an executive on the corporate side of mental health, directing nationwide treatment programs, Mary found her way to her true passion (after becoming a mom!) and over the last decade, birthed what her children call “her third baby” – LIFT Wellness, a comprehensive counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatry, and nutrition company, employing a team of 25 healthcare specialists, with a flagship campus in downtown Westport. LIFT combines the many needs of families and children into one – featuring integrative, multidisciplinary care, family support/coaching, daily therapy and peer support groups after school and evenings, in the kind of warm, welcoming environment that instantly makes all who enter feel safe and at home. In her spare time (which is rare these days as she’s often jotting down ideas at 3AM!), she has enjoyed watching Shrinking, loves any and all time with her family, and views her heroes in life as the clients she treats who are finding their own strength, confidence and purpose. Mary and LIFT are a true gift for us here in Westport, and we look forward to featuring more of them both in the coming months!
