Darien New Canaan, CT March 2024

THE #1 IN ORTHOPEDICS MEANS SPINE CARE WHEN YOU NEED IT

HSS, the world’s #1 in orthopedics according to Newsweek, collaborates with Stamford Health to provide quick access to advanced care in Connecticut for back and neck conditions. The HSS Spine Center with Stamford Health offers appointment availability within 72 hours, and our dedicated Care Navigator will create a personalized care plan for each patient’s journey. Now you can get back to moving better, and doing what you love, sooner.

Learn more at HSS.edu/StamfordHealth

Celebrating Home: Unveiling the Heart of Darien and New Canaan

As we welcome the cozy embrace of March, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the heart of our communities. In this Home Issue, we're thrilled to bring you an array of inspiring content that reflects the essence of local living.

For those seeking wellness and nutrition advice, don't miss our monthly column with Dr. Cece, offering insights to enhance your well-being. We're also excited to share the delightful experiences from Camp by Mama, adding a touch of local flavor to your journey.

In our feature spotlight, meet the dynamic duo behind Ivory & Oak, Steve and Nicole Viola, as they take us through their journey in luxury residential design-build.

As we navigate the tapestry of local living, may these stories inspire a deeper connection with our homes and communities. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.

LAURA SABIA, PUBLISHER @DARIENLIFESTYLEMAG

March 2024

Laura Sabia | laura.sabia@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Kristin Burnell | kristin.burnell@citylifestyle.com

MARKET SUPPORT MANAGER

Lydia Turner | darien@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Emma Parente | emma.parente@citylifestyle.com

Dr. Cece Reeder, Megan Schinella, Barbara Accetta, Zac Mathias CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Abby Cole, Danny Cooney

city scene

2: Elanor Banco, Amy Guzzi, Amanda Mintz, and Kristin Kennedy 4: Amanda Mintz, Kristin Kennedy, and Elanor Banco 5: Sai De Silva and Amanda Mintz 6: Sarah Bamford, Amanda Mintz, Lizzi Bickford Meadow, Andrea Feick, and Laura Sabia

1: Amanda Gershman 2: Cara Barrett, Julia Dzafic, Eva Amurri 3: Meredith Hanson 4: Maureen Ahern, Lauren Stephens, Kaki McGrath 5: Keynote Speaker, Lydia Fenet 6: Inspired women at the elevate conference 7: Danielle Kilarjian Photography by Marilyn Roos

8: Christine Mulhearne 9: Excited to meet Lydia Fenet 11: Nina Clarke, Laura Sabia, Sue De Chiara, Patricia Maristch 12: Alex and Kimberly Thomas 13: Anna Barnes, Laura Sabia, Emma Parente, Megan Schinella, Nina Clarke, Sue De Chiara 14: Alston Calabrese, Leigh Hansen, Kimberly Thomas, Lydia Fenet

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Christa Kenin

Christa Kenin is an attorney turned Fairfield County realtor who lives, works, and volunteers in New Canaan.

Christa is ready to help you make all your real estate dreams come true.

15: Asha by Ashley McCormick 16: Nina Clarke and Jennifer Stocker 17: Jennifer Stocker, Kristin McClutchy, Kimberly Thomas

TIME TO GET IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH

A NEW GARAGE

GARAGE

Rev-up

It’s time to rev-up your garage with a custom design by Closet Factory. Turn your ordinary garage into a man cave celebration. Call (203) 616-5847 for a free in-home or virtual design consultation and estimate. Visit us online at closetfactory.com.

Showroom 100 Wooster St., Bethel, CT 06801

Showroom 110 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820

©2024 Closet Factory. All right reserved.

GARAGES

WALL BEDS

WALL UNITS

LAUNDRY ROOMS

CRAFT ROOMS

MUD ROOMS

WINE ROOMS

Club Sweat, a dynamic local fitness brand, has recently joined the LTK platform, bringing its passion for health and wellness to a wider audience. Known for its innovative workout programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and dedicated community, Club Sweat offers a unique fitness experience tailored to individual goals. Now accessible on LTK, fitness enthusiasts can easily discover and engage with Club Sweat's transformative fitness offerings, fostering a stronger and healthier community one workout at a time.

digital.club-sweat.com

business monthly

New Green & Tonic Location in the Corbin District

In January, Green & Tonic held the grand opening of its new Darien location at 15 Corbin Drive! The opening event featured free lattes, cold-pressed juices, BOGO sales, and giveaways. They are so excited to be back serving the Darien community! This vibrant spot is open seven days a week for dining, pick-up, or delivery. Experience plant-based delights, including salads, bowls, and signature coffee drinks. Enjoy gluten-free, scratch-made treats and explore their juice cleanses.

06820 DARIEN WELCOME BASKETS

The Darien Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with our Chamber members, has brought back a spin on the Welcome Wagon. 06820 Welcome Totes have been made to welcome new residents and families moving into Darien. The Chamber is giving away totes full of goodies and helpful information provided by over 50 Chamber members. Item giveaways include samples, coupons, discounts, products, gifts, useful information, and items for the home.

local experiences

THE BEST PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO IN OUR AREA

Upgrade and personalize your living space inside and out by shopping and engaging with our home and design merchants.

Local Home and Design Merchants

1 | Sign up for AR Workshop, a DIY studio that offers classes for creating custom home decor from raw materials. Make wood signs, canvas pillows, chunky knit blankets, and more! 869 Post Rd, Fairfield CT.

2 | Order an arrangement from Nielsens Florist Garden Shop, offering a large inventory of fresh flowers and various arrangements. 1405 Post Rd, Darien CT.

3 | Enhance your home with Found, the destination for one-of-a-kind new and vintage treasures including furniture, art, mirrors, lighting, decorative accessories, jewelry and gifts. 36 Elm St, New Canaan CT.

4 | Support and visit the Carriage Barn Arts Center, home to the New Canaan Society for the Arts; A refurbished gallery and performing arts venue. 681 South Ave, New Canaan CT.

5 | Shop Whimsical Wicks, where the warmth of a cozy ambiance meets the luxury of fine fragrances. Specialize in hand poured, soy wax candles and melts. 189 Bedford St, Stamford CT.

Want to be featured?

THIS MONTH’S CURATOR Megan

ARTICLE BY BARBARA ACCETTA PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANNY COONEY

Home Sweet Home

The dynamic duo behind Ivory & Oak on building their dream home – family style.

Steve and Nicole Viola, the husband and wife team behind luxury residential design-build firm Ivory & Oak, have been creating dream homes for 20 years. In 2019, they had the chance to build their own, in Steve’s hometown, when they purchased a 1940 raised ranch and promptly tore it down. Two years later and still under construction, they moved in with their three kids and haven’t looked back.

CONTINUED >

Working within the existing footprint of the original home, the Viola’s built up, down, and side to side. The result is an open-concept modern farmhouse with soaring ceilings and custom everything, all fabricated by their in-house millwork shop, including the massive oak dining table. “Beauty and function are at the heart of every one of our projects right down to the simplest details,” said Steve.

For Steve and Nicole’s home, the focus was on family. The main living space layout offers a feeling of togetherness while enjoying separate activities, a testament to the family-first process that Ivory & Oak is renowned for. “We're a family business and tend to each project as if it were our own,” said Nicole. “We put a lot of thought into how each design decision will improve our client’s daily lives.” www.ivoryandoak.com | @ivoryandoak

CONTINUED >

“We designed our home around family, especially our Italian Sunday dinners with all the cooking, eating, and time spent together.”

NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

Working towards building healthy eating routines this March

ARTICLE BY DR. CECE REEDER

Every March is celebrated as National Nutrition Month, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has announced that this year’s theme is, “Beyond the Table.”

The meaning behind this year’s theme is to encourage healthy eating routines, food safety techniques, and environmentally conscious food practices. Food is far more than just the ingredients that we eat throughout the day. Food serves as a mechanism to help us fuel our bodies to participate in the activities we enjoy, a way to celebrate and cherish time with loved ones, and a way to help us stay involved with our community.

FOOD TO FUEL:

Establishing a well balanced diet can endorse a healthy immune system, aids to prevent risk of an array of chronic diseases, and can provide adequate energy sources to help you power through your day. Consuming an adequate amount of calories, and the proper balance of macronutrients for you as an individual can help reduce levels of fatigue and promote an overall good mood.

FOOD TO CELEBRATE:

From weddings to birthdays, most celebratory traditions have a food component tied to it. It is not a coincidence that food plays a large role in celebration practices because food has the ability to foster conversation and encourage connection. In these moments, the food being served is much greater than just the meal being served on the table; it becomes about the environment, the company, and the enjoyment of the event.

FOOD AND COMMUNITY:

Embracing the tie between food and community can occur in various manners; from dining at local restaurants, to supporting local producers at Farmers’ Markets, and even sharing meals with neighbors. Food truly has the power to bond. This could occur through the growing process of cultivating a community garden or establishing rapport with the local producers. It could include phases of food preparation such as taking a cooking class with a loved one, passing down a special recipe with someone, or just spending quality time in the kitchen. Community ties can also be strengthened through sharing food with neighbors, whether it is sharing a meal together or dropping off a food item for an occasion. Recognizing the association between food and community helps not only enhance the food we eat, but the community we live in.

This March, I encourage you to think about how you can work towards building a more balanced diet, celebrating the moments that occur around food, and recognizing the community ties that are involved beyond the table.

Dr. Kelsey “Cece” Reeder, DCN, RD is a clinical and private practice registered dietitian in Fairfield County. Dr. Cece is now accepting new patients! Email nutrition@clubsweat.com for any inquiries.

Looking For Relief From Your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain And Tension Headaches?

Our combination treatment of Buccal Myofascial Facial Release Massage and Acupuncture can help. This treatment includes a therapeutic facial, scalp massage, along with a buccal and upper back massage. Additionally, we use systemic acupuncture to promote better sleep, reduce stress, and increase calmness.

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info@darizenspa.com

688 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 06820

Follow our journey @darizenspa

Effective Educational & Therapeutic Services employs a unique co-treatment model where academic intervention and emotional support are tackled simultaneously. We service clients from elementary age into young adulthood.

We specifically treat individuals who struggle with Executive Functioning | Social Interactions | Anxiety Depression | Learning Differences such as ASD, ADHD, & LD

In order to fully support our clients, we believe in a holistic model where therapy, EF/academic support, and mindfulness are integrated to treat the whole child.

203-539-1541 | www.effective-services.com

info@effective-services.com

1011 Hope St, 2nd fl, Stamford, CT 06907

A Luxury Boutique Salon

MARCH 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MARCH 8TH

Friday Shop Run

14 Brook St, Darien CT | 8:30 AM

Lace up your running shoes and kick off your weekend with the Darien Running Company! Join fellow enthusiasts for a dynamic run covering 4-7 miles, with the route unveiled on Facebook, Strava, and Instagram stories the day before. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just getting started, this weekly event promises a refreshing way to connect, stay active, and explore!

MARCH 9TH

Syrup Saturday: A Pancakes & PJs Breakfast

New Canaan Nature Center | 8:30 AM

Bring the whole family and join the New Canaan Nature Center for their annual Syrup Season celebration – you won’t want to miss the famously delicious Pancakes & PJs party, complete with TONS of fun syrup-related activities! Guests are encouraged to come in their PJs!

MARCH 15TH

Greater Bridgeport Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Burroughs Community Center, Bridgeport CT | 11:00 AM

Mark your calendars for the Greater Bridgeport Saint Patrick's Day Parade! The parade kicks off in Black Rock at Burroughs Community and winds its way down Fairfield Avenue to The Castle in Black Rock.  Don't miss this festive celebration of Irish heritage and community spirit.

MARCH 16TH

Luck Of The Irish St Patrick's Day Weekend Bar Crawl

128 Bedford Street, Stamford CT | 12:00 PM

Embrace the spirit of St. Patrick's Day at the Stamford Official Luck of The Irish Bar Crawl! Join the excitement of a captivating bar crawling adventure through the heart of the city, filled with surprises and engaging festivities. Dress in your finest green attire, gather loved ones, and raise a glass to an unforgettable celebration!

ANYTHING white trim BUT

How to Have Fun With Paint!

ARTICLE BY ZAC MATHIAS

Zac Mathias

For far too long we have all relied on white trim, painting it a color is an easy way to establish the mood of the room. A cheery bright color in a bathroom making this small space feel lively. An easy way to do this is by pulling color from a wallpaper. Or paint your trim the same color as your walls. The options are endless!

NUMBER 1:

PAINT A FRAME! Art by Yvonne Claveloux

Photo Julia Dags

NUMBER 2:

GO BOLD IN A BATHROOM. Interior Design by McNell Interiors Photo Julia Dags

NUMBER 3:

THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS. Pro tip: bring a wallpaper or fabric sample to try and match.

NUMBER 4:

GET CREATIVE WITH COLOR. Room Scheme by Zac Mathias

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