Blog
Meet Dr. Tracy Brenner
If your child is at – or considering sleep-away camp, Dr. Tracy Brenner is a local mom to know! Mom to two kiddos (and two sleep-away campers!), Tracy is a clinical psychologist who launched a summer camp consulting business as “The Camp Counselor” three years ago where she works with camp directors, parents and nervous campers to maximize social and emotional wellbeing at camp. This work stemmed from her own experience as a camper, camp director’s daughter, and parent of a camper. She shares incredibly valuable content on her Instagram (@drtracybrenner) and is a tremendous asset to so many of us! In her spare time, Tracy loves family swim nights in her backyard, travel, pizza and French fries, and makes a mean spicy margarita! Thank you Tracy for keeping so many of us parents sane- and for reminding us what camp is really all about!
Sip More, Stir Less: The Summer Cocktail for Busy Moms!
From boat days to BBQs, here’s why SipMARGS will be your new go-to summer cocktail.
The Nantucket Club’s Family Membership: The Most Fun Your Family Will Have On Island
The Nantucket Club’s Family Membership including an exceptional kids club is the ultimate ACK mom hack
5 Reasons your Backyard needs Mosquito Squad this Summer!
Already using Mosquito Squad for tick and mosquito protection? Try their new pest control services and consolidate your home care!
Candlewood Lake: The Perfect Summer Day Trip!
Nestled in Northern Fairfield County, Candlewood Lake is an easy and adventurous summer day trip! This summer we’ve partnered with Lakeside Watersports to share the best the lake has to offer.
Meet Eric – Founder of Recess
Looking for a new workout option? Or wondering what Recess Performance Fit is, that new sleek looking gym on the Post Road? Meet dad of three and Recess Founder, Eric Johnson, who wanted to create something that combined his passion for being strong, healthy and being near family. Before founding Recess, he spent over a decade coaching clients from all walks of life—from Oscar winners and A-List celebrities (including Scarlett Johansson and Charlie Puth) to entrepreneurs and performers, helping them stay strong and healthy through demanding projects. He was part of some major films, coordinating training and nutrition on set for movies like Avengers: End Game, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tick, Tick… Boom!, and The Matrix: Resurrections. While he loved his work, he realized he didn’t want to miss major family milestones anymore, and thus, RECESS was born! In his free time, he loves Pizza Lyfe and beach nights with his family, and shares that much to people’s surprise, he was actually overweight as a kid, so he really understands the importance of being healthy, strong, and fit in the way that works for you. We love having you back here Eric!
Meet Billy Mann
In honor of Father’s Day, we wanted to feature a rockstar dad (literally!)…Weston dad of 4, and Grammy-nominated American songwriter, music publisher and entrepreneur, Billy Mann is truly one of a kind. He shares that after living in his car as a traveling musician for two years, he worked his way up to recording studios and boardrooms, and says his work has always had a four corner approach: music, new media, storytelling and advocacy. He has written and produced songs with P!nk, Celine Dion, The Backstreet Boys, The Jonas Bros, Josh Groban, Ricky Martin and many more. Most recently, he has reconnected with an old classmate – Shawn Stockman of BOYZ II MEN, and while bonding about being autism dads they began singing and writing and will release their album this Summer on Green Hill/Virgin Records. Billy speaks of the challenges – and beauty- that comes with raising a family with diverse needs, asserts that his wife Gena is the coolest person he’s ever known (we agree!), and asks that people be kind in this crazy world we live in. Billy loves the Philadelphia Eagles, Compo Beach nights, and Jamaica. He is funny and creative and tells It like It is. He encourages us as parents to embrace and advocate for whatever passion our kids ultimately find because that is what will make them (and us) happy. Thank you Billy; you rock.
The Summer Sneaker Edit: 6 Stylish Picks for Busy Moms
Summer calls for footwear that can keep up with playground adventures while still looking polished enough for impromptu coffee dates and weekend errands. This season’s standout sneakers pair with everything from casual denim to flowy summer dresses, proving you don’t have to sacrifice sophistication for practicality.
Ultra-Processed Foods and Kids_ How to Choose a Healthy Snack
Recently, the term “ultra-processed foods” has become a red flag for parents trying to feed their families healthy foods. In the last few years, studies have linked ultra-processed foods (UPF) to everything from dementia to diabetes. But those UPFs are, unfortunately, staples for many parents feeding picky eaters. Kacie Barnes MCN, RDN, LD is Mom to two picky eaters herself, as well as the creator behind Mama Knows Nutrition, and advisor to Jennifer Garner’s Once Upon a Farm baby & toddler food brand. We asked Kacie to help us cut through the noise and share the facts about ultra-processed foods—what they are, whether and how strictly our families should avoid them. Plus, some easy and healthy snack choices.
Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, Feta, and Honey-Lime Dressing
What is it about watermelon and feta that just screams summer? This Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, Feta and Honey-Lime Dressing is perfect to serve as a side when you’re grilling or to put together for a quick and healthy lunch. Light and refreshing, it’s an elevated summer classic.
What Homeowners Should Know Before Starting a Design/Build Landscape Project
When planning a luxury outdoor renovation, many homeowners don’t realize just how complex these projects can be. From grading and drainage to material selection and long-term maintenance, there are dozens of details that must align to create a truly exceptional space. That’s where the Design/Build model shines. Learn more about how LaurelRock can help with all of your renovation needs!
Whole 30 – Thai Inspired Coconut Lime Chicken Skillet
A great weeknight meal is fast, healthy, and tasty. This Whole30 Thai-Inspired Coconut Lime Chicken Skillet checks all those boxes, says Whole30 co-founder and CEO Melissa Urban. “This recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep, and is quite versatile. Use kale instead of spinach, serve over cauliflower rice (or Jasmine rice in your food freedom), or add hearty veggies like broccoli, cabbage, or sugar snap peas for extra fiber and nutrition,” says Melissa. She doubles the recipe so she has leftovers for lunch the next day, saying “The flavors meld together even better overnight.”
9 TV Shows to Watch (or Rewatch) Right Now
As a busy mom, there are few easier ways to unwind quickly than a great post-bedtime TV show, accompanied by a glass of wine (or mocktail, snack, or all three!). We polled our moms nationwide, and these are nine shows they’re loving right now. Dive in where they are or start one that’s between seasons and catch up over some TV date nights.
Youth Sports – Expert Advice on when to start Travel, Dealing with Disappointment and more!
Your most pressing Sports Mom questions, answered, from when (and if) to start your kids in travel to what to say when they get cut from a team. ‼️Plus, the *only* thing your kid needs to hear after every game. 🤯 We asked these questions and more of Kirsten Jones, former D1 athlete, mom (including of two D1 athletes) and the author of Raising Empowered Athletes
Make a Splash with these Important Water Safety Tips!
As we prepare for summer, the swim and water safety experts at Goldfish Swim School are sharing key water safety tips with us in honor of National Water Safety Awareness Month.
5 Things your Child Should know before Going to College
Before your child goes to college, you want them to be 100 percent ready—but not just academically. Head to the link in bio for a list of what life skills they should know—and an amazing new program in Canada, Next Step, that is filling in the gaps for teenagers this summer.
Meet Kim Hausman Athan of Mother’s Day Movement
Almost $36 billion is spent on Mother’s Day each year. Kim Athan is one of the moms behind @mothersdaymovementmdm, a non-profit organization trying to “shift the gift” to help moms worldwide. Since their launch in 2010, Mothers’ Day Movement has given $1 million to charities supporting women and families; this year’s beneficiary is @family.promise, a nationwide organization fighting family homelessness. Learn more!
Introducing Alphabet Academy- the newest preschool coming to the area!
The Alphabet Academy and Nest Early Learning Community have been crafting authentic learning experiences based on the Reggio Emilia Philosophy since 2004. With current locations in Hamden, New Haven and Branford, they are excited to offer Fairfield County families the high level of care and progressive education as well as real, whole food made by our in-house chef that has defined us for the past 20 years. The Nest at Greenfield Hill, located at 161 Hillside Road, will open this September, and serve families with children ages 1-6 (toddlers through Kindergarten). Learn more!
The Granola Girlies take on Grand Central Station!
Just a few years before we launched Westportmoms (well four years to be exact=)) two local moms- Dana Noorily and Julie Mountain- created and launched The Granola Bar, now a regional phenomenon with it’s newest location opening right outside Grand Central Station in New York City! As we like to do every few years, we connected with them about their journey, how they are feeling today, and they shared some advice for other “mompreneurs” out there! We love you J&D; thanks for the special gem you created first in this community of ours! We are forever grateful!
Meet Dr. Michelle Foley – Pediatric Cancer Specialist at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
Meet Michelle Foley, DO, a Greenwich mom and Yale Medicine pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.