How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport?
Maya– We have 3 kids, Kayla (almost 13) is at Bedford and Aiden (11) and Ava (7) are both at Long Lots. Our newest family addition is our 9 month old English Cream Retriever, Samson, who is now my 4th child! It’s hard to believe, but we have lived in Westport for over 9 years now.
Kathy- We have 3 kids – Zac (15) is at Staples, Marley (13) and Levi (11) are at Bedford. We have lived in Westport for 13 years.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? We both have a love for exploring and travelling. Throughout the pandemic we had MAJOR wanderlust and missed being able to travel. During the summer of 2020 we took day and weekend trips within our COVID bubble and we started to realize that we didn’t need to travel far to find some amazing places and hidden treasures. During these quieter days close to home we were able to appreciate simple things and the little luxuries all around us. As we explored more towns throughout Connecticut and New England, we found amazing products all made locally and we were intrigued by the artisanal talent that was in our backyard. We enjoyed hearing their stories and learned that many of these artisans had emerged during quarantine. We were SO inspired by those who were following their passions, and we wanted to bring these makers together and share their talent. We saw that a lot of good had come out of a difficult and dark time and as people became increasingly tired of shopping online and wanted to support local businesses, we thought that bringing these makers together to share their work, while celebrating the big and small life events, was the perfect solution. That’s how Local Luxe Co. was born. We began talking about this almost a year ago, and we are still evolving as we emerge from the pandemic
What was your best memory from 2020, a strange year we know…
Maya– Having my husband, who typically travels, home for almost 10 months was a first and it was nice to live a slower paced life with no running around to all the different activities. We enjoyed lots of time at home, walks around the neighborhood and weekend trips to our home in the Berkshires. We definitely embraced the quieter days and had lots of home cooked meals and family dinners, completed lots of puzzles and just enjoyed more time together.
Kathy – No Carpools & no Uber driving was my silver lining of 2020! I really enjoyed the slower pace of life, family time and quality time with friends who were in our Covid buble.
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
Maya– Not having to worry about quarantines or the dreaded mail or call from school fearing that one of my kids is quarantined.
Kathy– Travelling with no restrictions
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? AND/OR what is the last book you read?
Maya – Maid- It was AMAZING! If you haven’t seen it you must. I don’t watch a lot of TV and I binged this in a few days.
Kathy – Ted Lasso.
What is one food you could not live without?
Maya– Iced Coffee and Cheese
Kathy- Coffee and Green Smoothies. I am typically double fisting them on any given day.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Maya– I used to have an Oklahoma twang. I spent the first 9 years of my life in Oklahoma City and had to lose it really fast once I moved to a suburb outside of Boston. I made sure I didn’t pick up another accent after that.
Kathy– I grew up with a farm in Ohio and learned to drive in corn fields. I can milk a cow like nobody’s business!
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted to do, what would it be?
Maya– I would love to have 24 hours where I could wake up, get an iced coffee, then sit on the beach with a good book, explore some fun shops and then meet some friends for drinks and dinner. I love my kids but definitely could use some solo/adult time.
Kathy– Run, Ride, Hike, Sail. Anything outdoors!
What was your most memorable family vacation and why?
Maya– Sleepaway camp was cancelled in 2020 so we decided to rent an RV and headed on a cross country trip through the National Parks and headed out West to Yellowstone. This was always my husband’s dream but if it wasn’t for COVID not sure this trip would have ever happened. It was an amazing adventure and one that we will for sure always remember.
Kathy– Definitely the ones we are about to take as we have a few epic trips planned for 2022.
What is the best white lie you have told your kids?
Maya– I made it from scratch.
Kathy– There are no vegetables in it.
Are you a morning person, or a night owl? How does sleep fit into your life right now?
Maya– I am definitely a Night Owl, Sleep is overrated. My kids are still the worst sleepers and early risers but I need my quiet time once the house is quiet.
Kathy – Morning Person. Early to bed, early to rise. I get more stuff done before 7 am than most people get done in a day!
What thing has surprised you most about being in the suburbs?
Maya– How many miles you can drive in a day without really going anywhere.
Kathy – The drama
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
Cake or Pie? Maya– Pie/ Kathy– Neither- Chocolate
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Maya & Kathy– Popcorn
Pancakes or Waffles? Maya– Waffles / Kathy-Can we say green smoothie?
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee? Maya- Iced Coffee / Kathy- All coffee is good!
Beach or Mountains? Maya– Beach / Kathy- Both
Puzzle or Board Game? Maya– Puzzle / Kathy– Board Game
Chocolate or vanilla? Maya – Depends on the day / Kathy – Swirl
Reading or writing? Maya- Reading / Kathy– Who has time???
Ketchup or mustard? Maya & Kathy– Mustard
Watch or play sports? Maya– Watch / Kathy– Play
Winter or summer? Maya– Summer all the way / Kathy- Both!
Comedy or Drama? Maya – Comedy / Kathy– Dramedy? Is that a thing?
