Ridgefield, CT May 2026

MEET JACKIE GIANNELLI

The Midlife Women’s Health Expert Ridgefield Has Been Waiting For LO C A L S E RV I C E S

PRO SKIN STU DIO’ S O LENA GAVRYSH BRIN GS BU CCAL M A SSAGE AN D ELEVATED SKIN CARE TO RI D GEFI ELD H E A LTH + W E LLN E S S

SPIRE TH ERAPY FOU N DER DEN ISE SANTANGELO O N N AVIGATIN G BRE A ST CANCER AN D M ENTAL H E ALTH

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Carole T. Orland Co-Founding Member

Sarah E. Murray Partner

Nicole M. DiGiose Partner

Sue Georgiades Partner

Ashley M. Albini Associate

Laurie B. Markus Associate

The women of our firm bring experience and strong advocacy to every case. From child custody to complex financial issues, our team provides attentive, individualized representation for our clients.

Practicing throughout Fairfield County including Ridgefield, Wilton, Redding & Danbury ERIC J. BRODER • CAROLE TOPOL ORLAND • SARAH E. MURRAY • CHRISTOPHER J. DEMATTIE • NICOLE M. DIGIOSE • SUE GEORGIADES SAMUEL V. SCHOONMAKER IV • ROBERT D. VOSSLER • ASHELY M. ALBINI • MICHAEL R. CHIRCO • LIAM M. WEST • MARK D’AUGELLI,JR • LAURIE B. MARKUS

203-222-4949 • www.ctfamilylaw.com 55 GREENS FARMS ROAD, WESTPORT, CT 06880 • 115 EAST PUTNAM AVENUE, GREENWICH, CT 06830

Let Us Move You

Quintessential CT Farmhouse, Reimagined for In-Town Living | 371 Wilton Road West, Ridgefield

Desirable in-town living meets timeless design in this reimagined Connecticut Farmhouse, moments from the heart of Ridgefield. Renovated & expanded with intention, the home offers light-filled interiors, refined architectural detail, & a seamless blend of classic charm & modern comfort. The well-proportioned floor plan is anchored by a Chef’s Kitchen w/premium appliances & custom cabinetry, opening to inviting living spaces.

Upstairs, generously scaled Bedrooms include 2 Primary Suite options, each with updated baths.

The level, park-like acre features an in-ground pool & a detached, legal two-story guest cottage — ideal for guests or private office use. Open space beyond enhances privacy, while Town Water & Sewer provide ease. A rare in-town offering defined by sophistication, flexibility, & enduring appeal.

At Karla Murtaugh Homes, we are privileged to represent this extraordinary market and remain steadfast in delivering tailored guidance and exceptional results. Whether you are considering a purchase or preparing to sell, trust our award-winning team to provide a refined, seamless experience in 2026.

Consistently Ranked #1 in Ridgefield

m: 203.856.5534 karla.murtaugh@compass.com karlamurtaugh.com compass.com Lic. in CT & NY

Scan to Learn More about 371 Wilton Road West

Karla Murtaugh Homes Team is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass Connecticut, LLC a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice.

This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. *Source Smart MLS 2025

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Women’s Issue

May 2026 PUBLISHER

There’s something truly special about taking a moment to recognize the women in our lives who make the world around us brighter, stronger, and more beautiful. Whether they are our mothers, daughters, friends, mentors, colleagues, or neighbors, these women often shape our days in quiet but powerful ways. Their guidance, compassion, and strength leave lasting impressions that enrich our lives far more than we sometimes realize in the moment.

With Mother’s Day arriving this month, our thoughts naturally turn to the incredible women who have helped guide and support us along the way. Mothers and mother figures play such an important role in shaping who we become. But beyond our own families, there are countless women—teachers, community leaders, friends, and neighbors—who offer encouragement, wisdom, and kindness that leaves a meaningful impact on those around them.

This month, as we celebrate these remarkable women, I’d also encourage you to take a moment to support the many women-owned businesses that help make our community so vibrant. One of the most rewarding parts of publishing this magazine is meeting and connecting with the talented and driven women throughout our town. From entrepreneurs and professionals to artists, creators, and community advocates, these women bring passion, creativity, and leadership to everything they do. Their contributions help shape the character and energy of our community in ways both visible and behind the scenes.

It’s also a reminder of how important it is to celebrate one another. Sometimes the smallest gesture can mean the most. Take a moment this month to reach out to the women who have made a difference in your life. Send a message, make a call, meet for coffee, or simply let them know how much they mean to you. A simple “thank you” or expression of appreciation can brighten someone’s day in ways we often underestimate.

Our communities are stronger, kinder, and more inspiring because of the women who help lead, nurture, and support those around them every day. Their influence can be seen in our homes, our schools, our businesses, and throughout the fabric of our towns.

Here’s to celebrating the women who make life so much more meaningful.

Happy Mother’s Day, and cheers to the women who inspire us each and every day.

Bruce Bernstein | bruce.bernstein@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Katie Parry | katie.parry@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

Katie Bode | katie.bode@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Denise Santangelo C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Kate Wark Photography, Natasha Fleming Photography

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

BRUCE BERNSTEIN, PUBLISHER @ R I D G E F I E L D L I F E S T Y L E M AG A Z I N E Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Ridgefield Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Ridgefield area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/RIDGEFIELD

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Ridgefield Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Thinking About Selling This Spring?

LET’S GET AHEAD O F T H E M A R K E T. The best outcomes don’t happen on listing day – they happen in the weeks before.

From pricing strategy and home preparation to professional marketing and buyer outreach, every detail matters. And in a market this competitive, the homes that stand out are the ones that were planned with intention.

I specialize in guiding sellers through every step of the process so you feel confident, informed, and ready to maximize your results.

Let’s start the conversation.

Contact Jay Contessa for a private seller consultation.

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Jay Contessa Global Real Estate Advisor

c: 203.461.3880 | o: 203.438.9531 jcontessa@wpsir.com | jaycontessa.williampitt.com Ridgefield Brokerage: 470 Main Street, Ridgefield S C A N H E R E F O R M O R E I N F O A B O U T J AY Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

inside the issue MAY 2 0 2 6 | L A DI ES

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Featured

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Pro Skin Studio

Olena Gavrysh Brings the Art of Buccal Massage to Ridgefield with Customized Facials

Strength, Truth, and the Space In Between

On the Cover

Departments

Jackie Giannelli, FNP-BC, NCMP, is one of the country’s leading experts in midlife care. Now she’s bringing her expertise to Ridgefield.

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

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Business Monthly

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Skin Care LOCAL SERVICES

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Mental Wellbeing HEALTH + WELLNESS

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Must See HEALTH + WELLNESS

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Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

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Events

Denise Santangelo, Founder of Spire Therapy, Shares Her Experience Navigating Breast Cancer as a Mental Health Professional

The Hormone Whisperer

Menopause Expert Jackie Giannelli Helps Women Thrive Through Midlife

Photography: Kate Wark Photography

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city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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A Taste of Ridgefield celebrated its 25th Anniversary with another delicious day. Two dozen local establishments filled the Parks & Recreation building with irresistible bites and libations, bringing the community together for this beloved annual fundraiser. 1: Flobee’s brought their famous meatloaf sammich 2: Bernard and Sarah Bouïssou of À Table 3: Acapulco Mexican Restaurant was on hand with delicious specialties 4: Ancona’s Wines & Liquors served up libations 5: Queen B brought their yummy bagels and other treats 6: First Selectman Rudy Marconi with Dr. Blaine Langberg 7: The Rotary Club of Ridgefield members celebrate their 25th Taste of Ridgefield Photography by Ashley Hutchings

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C I T Y SC E N E

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DR. BECKIE D’ANDREA, DDS (203) 761-0223 44 Old Ridgefield Road, Suite 212 Wilton, Connecticut 06897 MAY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ R I D G E F I E L D

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business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Beck Haus Beck Haus is a Ridgefield-based interior design studio led by Rebecca Staub, known for creating clean, curated, and timeless interiors that feel elevated and effortlessly livable. The studio offers full-service design, design-only packages, and in-home consultations, helping homeowners transform every space to reflect their personal style. Beck Haus has been featured in national publications including Cottages & Bungalows and online at Martha Stewart and Real Simple, bringing magazine-worthy design to homes in the community and beyond. Learn more at thebeckhaus.com and follow @beckhaus.interiors.

Photography by Meghan Sepe

Danielle Elizabeth Wig Studio Danielle Elizabeth Wig Studio is a private sanctuary specializing in high-quality hair restoration. Founded by a cancer survivor, the studio offers a compassionate, one-on-one experience for those facing hair loss from chemotherapy, alopecia, or thinning. Their curated selection includes premium human hair and synthetic wigs, toppers, and extensions. It’s a dedicated space designed to help women regain confidence and feel like themselves again. Ask about human hair toppers and how women wear them to add more volume! Visit danielleelizabethwigs.net and follow @danielleelizabethwigstudio.

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Photography by Natasha Fleming

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This Father’s Day, Give Dad

Plank Ridgefield Expands with New Reformer Pilates Room Plank Ridgefield is leveling up its studio with the addition of a dedicated reformer Pilates room featuring six state-of-the-art reformers.

The expansion reflects growing demand for small-group, high-impact Pilates and strength training, bringing a serious core upgrade to downtown Ridgefield. The refreshed space will continue to feature the studio’s beloved coffee bar and a curated retail shop carrying brands like Beyond Yoga, Splits59, and more. Founded by Linda Murphy, Plank Ridgefield continues to evolve as a full-service wellness destination. Visit plankridgefield.com and follow @plankridgefield.

THE ONE SPACE THAT’S ACTUALLY HIS We thank you for all your support as Ridgefield’s closet, garage and home storage company.

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Photography by Melanie Kotcher

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buildinghomesforheroes.org MAY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ R I D G E F I E L D

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PRO SKIN STUDIO

Olena Gavr ysh Brings the Art of Buccal Massage to Ridgef ield with Customized Facials and Advanced Skincare ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATASHA FLEMING PHOTOGRAPHY

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S KIN CA R E | LO CAL SERV ICE S

It begins like a regular facial. You’re lying on a spa bed with soft music playing, drifting toward relaxation as the esthetician massages your face. Then, suddenly, the gloves go on— and she reaches inside your mouth.

“Buccal massage boosts circulation. In a way, it’s like fitness for your face—your muscles are exercising, toning, and strengthening.”—Olena Gavrysh It might sound awkward, but it’s actually an intraoral therapeutic technique called buccal massage.

Buccal massage has roots in Eastern practices like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. French facialist Joëlle Ciocco refined the holistic “insideout” technique in the 1980s. Decades later, Yakov Gershkovich helped popularize the method across Eastern Europe through his trademarked Sculptural Face Lifting technique.

Born and raised in Ukraine, Olena Gavrysh discovered buccal massage during the early years of Gershkovich’s teaching career. She quickly fell in love with the technique and began studying both buccal massage and lymphatic drainage while still living in Ukraine.

“I was 30 when I first noticed signs of aging,” Olena tells us. “That’s when I discovered buccal massage, became a student of Yakov Gershkovich, and was certified in his Sculptural Face Lifting method. From that moment, it became a central part of my life.”

That training placed her among practitioners certified directly in Gershkovich’s method. When she and her husband moved to the United States 11 years ago, though, she struggled to find estheticians here who practiced it.

“I couldn’t find anyone in the area offering buccal massage,” she recalls. “I could do some things for myself, but it wasn’t the same. So I decided to offer it myself. I updated my training, attended classes in Brooklyn, took online courses, and trained with master instructors who traveled to New York. I’m always continuing my education so I can keep improving.”

So what is buccal massage, exactly? Often described as a natural facelift, the technique helps contour the buccal fat pad, reduce puffiness, and stimulate both collagen and elastin production. Licensed estheticians (and some massage therapists) work both externally and intraorally—inside the mouth—following the natural map of the face and focusing especially on the zygomatic region around the cheeks.

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Working both areas together, buccal massage releases deep tension and encourages muscles, fascia, ligaments, and lymph to move more freely.

The approach makes sense when you consider the anatomy of the face. It contains more muscles than any other part of the body—and it’s also home to the strongest: the masseter. Running through the rear of the cheek, this muscle closes the jaw during chewing and is where many people carry a surprising amount of tension from clenching, chewing, or even talking.

As circulation improves and tension eases, the face can appear more sculpted, relaxed, and defined.

Cheekbones look sharper, the eyes seem more open, and the jawline takes on a subtle contour.

These multifaceted beauty benefits make buccal massage a natural—and truly transformative—extension of esthetics.

But even before discovering the anti-aging effects of buccal massage, Olena understood the value of a professional esthetician and proper skincare. At 23, she remembers getting her first facial after struggling with persistent irritation from years of what she calls “experiments” on her own skin.

“The quality of my skin was really awful,” she recalls. “It was dry, red, flaky. No one told me it wasn’t acne. I didn’t know how to choose the right products for my skin. I really didn’t understand it— and I completely destroyed the top layer of my skin.”

Olena met a skilled esthetician who explained her skin type, how to treat it properly, and recommended the right products.

“It took more than a year to repair my skin,” she says. “But once it recovered, I understood how important the proper products and treatments are.”

These two formative encounters—first with a facial, then with buccal massage—helped shape Olena’s career path. She saw how the two could come together and opened her first studio in the basement of her home in Connecticut.

When she outgrew that space, she opened a studio in nearby Orange. Later, when her friend Alena Riviere—owner of Riviere Lash & Brow Design— founded R Studios Beauty Collective, she invited Olena to join as the studio’s esthetician.

Tucked into Girolmetti Court, Pro Skin Studio opened in 2025. The space is a calm, minimalist oasis—light-filled and airy, with soft white tones, clean lines, and touches of greenery.

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S KIN CA R E | LO CAL SERV ICE S

Olena begins each session by chatting with clients about their history and concerns. From there, she tailors each treatment to address their specific skin needs and goals—whether that’s ultra-calming, deep cleansing, or anti-aging.

Many treatments incorporate non-invasive technologies.

Microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin, oxygen facials deliver pure oxygen with vitamins and hyaluronic acid, and LED therapy triggers natural cellular repair.

Olena also works with an arsenal of what she calls “beauty devices,” which are an integral part of her treatments. Cooling cryo sticks help reduce puffiness, calm inflammation, and firm the skin. Gua sha promotes lymphatic drainage and circulation. Radiofrequency technology stimulates collagen and helps tighten the skin.

Her most popular offering is a 90-minute treatment—a combination of buccal massage along with a customized facial.

“As we age, everything slows—our bodies, our skin, all natural processes,” she says. “Buccal massage boosts circulation. In a way, it’s like fitness for your face—your muscles are exercising, toning, and

strengthening. Many people want a more natural look, and this is a great alternative to injectables or surgery.”

Results can often be visible after the first session, but real change comes with time and consistency. Olena emphasizes that great skincare isn’t about a quick fix—it’s about understanding your skin, building a routine, and following a plan that evolves with it.

“Many people here are interested in skincare, health, and taking care of themselves,” she says of her Ridgefield clients. “They appreciate a more holistic approach to beauty, which aligns perfectly with the services I offer.”

When Olena first arrived in Connecticut, she couldn’t find a local esthetician who offered the treatments she had become accustomed to in Europe. Today, she’s the one clients seek out for results they can’t find anywhere else.

Pro Skin Studio is located at 19 Danbury Road in R Studios Beauty Collective. Visit proskinstudio.org to see the full menu and book an appointment, and follow @ProSkinStudio.CT on Instagram to watch a buccal massage in action.

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Carnival of the Animals at the Ridgefield Playhouse

A delightful children’s performance is presented by Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance with Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra June 6th : 6:00pm with post-performance reception for all ages June 7th : 11:00am sensory-friendly show & 2:00pm show Featuring the music of Camille Saint-Saëns, choreography by Christina Fagundes Turner, formerly of American Ballet Theatre, guest performer Henry Seth, formerly of New York City Ballet, and the RSO led by conductor Eric Mahl. For tickets ridgefieldplayhouse.org Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 440 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut. 203.438.5597 : ridgefielddance.org

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DEAR DENISE:

STRENGTH, TRUTH, AND THE SPACE IN BETWEEN

Navigating Breast Cancer as a Therapist—with Honesty, Resilience, and Heart ARTICLE BY DENISE SANTANGELO

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M EN TA L WE LLB E IN G | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

When I first heard the words “you have breast cancer,” my world flipped upside down. I’ve spent my life helping people walk through fear, teaching them how to sit with uncertainty, how to regulate emotion, how to move forward when life doesn’t go according to plan. But there’s a quiet, humbling truth no one prepares you for: when you’re the one facing the fear, you learn that knowing the tools and needing them are worlds apart.

As a therapist and founder of Spire Therapy, I’ve always believed that resilience isn’t about being unshaken; rather, it’s about learning how to steady yourself while the world around you shifts. The truth is that life lives in the moment that you learn to steady yourself within the storm. And suddenly, on October 1, 2025, my world changed—and I was the one learning how to do that in real time.

This is a story about two parallel paths: my personal journey through breast cancer and the lens I carry as a mental health professional navigating it. Because when life breaks open, it doesn’t just ask how strong you are, it asks you how honest you can be with your toughest critic of all… yourself.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, making up roughly one in four female cancer cases. I never imagined I’d be part of that statistic. I was in my early 40s, exercised regularly, and ate well. Then, after a routine mammogram, I noticed persistent pain in my breast. For months, I was told, “cancer usually doesn’t hurt” and “the tests are all normal” But I knew something wasn’t right, so I kept going back.

As a therapist, I constantly encourage my clients to advocate for themselves. I had to do the same. After nearly a full year of conversations with my doctors, I finally had an MRI, and that’s when they saw it. Stage 2 breast cancer.

I remember my cellphone ringing just as one client left my office and just before I was about to let another person in. I saw the number and took a deep breath and answered. Her words were kind and steady, but they cut like a knife.

“This is not the phone call I wanted to make,” she said.

I understood right then. I exhaled hard—in that moment I realized I hadn’t been breathing since I answered the call. I looked down at the floor and then back up.

“What do we do next?” I replied.

I asked questions. I stayed composed. I needed to live and so I did what I do best—I listened, but this time for myself.

After hanging up, I composed myself and was reminded of a skill I offer to my clients: compartmentalization. I put the news of my diagnosis in a compartment in my mind, set it aside, and told myself I would revisit it at 5 p.m. when I left the office. I refocused on my next client, breathed in, and opened the door with a smile. After all, I was genuinely happy to see them.

In some ways, I had been preparing for this moment my entire life. I was a former litigator in New York City and left the field to CONTINUED >

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give back to humanity in a bigger way. My mental health training helped. I knew the importance of sitting with difficult emotions rather than pushing them away. I knew how to recognize when anxiety was taking over and how to bring myself back.

What helped me most wasn’t anything complicated—it was consistency and balance in very simple things. I started writing and making videos more often—not to be profound, but to be honest. Some days it was a few sentences or a 3-minute video. Other days, the videos detailed how hard the day was. But it gave my thoughts somewhere to land instead of spinning endlessly in my head.

I continued to develop my other programs at Spire—specifically, Thrive After 3. I leaned into my love for Rubik’s Cubes. I can now solve the 2x2, the 3x3, the 4x4, the 5x5, the 6x6 and the 7x7!

I also fulled embraced the grounding techniques that I’ve taught for years, especially a simple breath pattern: in for four, hold for four, out for six. When anxiety surged, that was my anchor. Not to eliminate fear, but to keep me from being consumed by it.

And I did something else I often encourage but don’t always see people follow through on, I made sure I had my own support. Spaces where I didn’t have to be the strong one. Spaces where I could just be human and the vulnerable one in the room. I think one of the reasons I love my job so much is because I love both sides of it—being the therapist and the client. Both seats feel so humbling and empowering at the same time. Every day I am learning how insight doesn’t immunize you from pain, rather it gives you a way through it.

One of the hardest parts of this journey was telling my family. My husband, my kids, my parents, my sisters, and my team at Spire. Letting everyone know that while I was sick, I was getting the best care possible—that they weren’t responsible for fixing anything, and that it was okay to feel whatever they were feeling.

There was a moment not long after, when one of my boys looked at me and said, “Are you going to lose your hair?” And I paused, because that question wasn’t really about hair. It was about change. About fear. About “Is my mom still going to be my mom?” I told him the truth. And then I told him something even more important: “No matter what changes, I’m still me.” In that moment, I realized kids don’t need perfection, they need presence, honesty, and to know that hard things can be and should be faced head on and not avoided.

Being a mom through cancer has taught me more about vulnerability and honesty than I ever expected. I’ve always emphasized open conversations about feelings in my work.

Now I was living it in real time, and my kids were showing me how to do it.

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M EN TA L WE LLB E IN G | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

“DEAR DENISE” COLUMN LAUNCH

Life doesn’t wait until we feel ready. It shows up messy, unexpected, and often at the worst possible time. This experience has made one thing incredibly clear to me: people don’t just need answers, they need a place to ask the questions they’re sometimes afraid to say aloud.

That’s why I’m launching “Dear Denise” for Ridgefield Lifestyle. This column is a space for real questions about real life: parenting, anxiety, relationships, identity, overwhelm, grief, and everything in between. It’s where clinical insight meets lived experience, and where advice is grounded in both science and humanity.

You can submit your questions on Instagram at @RidgefieldLifestyleMagazine or by emailing katie.parry@citylifestyle.com.

Cancer has a way of stripping life down to what actually matters. It’s taught me that strength isn’t pushing through at all costs, it’s knowing when to rest, that selfcare isn’t indulgent, it’s essential, and importantly that asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.

I’ll be finishing up treatment soon. And honestly? I’m just looking forward to summer. To being outside. To playing wiffle ball with my boys. To the ordinary moments that don’t feel ordinary anymore. They feel amazing, because I was given the chance to have more of them.

Whatever you’re carrying right now, whether it’s loud and obvious or quiet and hidden, I hope “Dear Denise” becomes a place you can come back to for the guidance that points to the wisdom that we are all looking for with real answers and the reminder that you don’t have to do any of this alone.

DI VOR C E . D I F F E R E N T LY. Ridgefield, CT (203) 431-8720

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ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE WARK PHOTOGRAPHY

THE

Hormone

WHISPERER Menopause Expert Jackie Giannelli Helps Women Thrive Through Midlife

Nobody warns you it will feel like this. Not the 3 a.m. wake-ups, heart racing, unable to fall back asleep. Not the brain fog so thick you blank on a name mid-sentence. Not the weight that appears out of nowhere, the flashes of rage that arrive without warning, the creeping sense that the person you used to be has quietly left the building.

For women in midlife, it’s a slow erosion—like a beach losing inches of coastline each year, so gradual you almost don’t notice.

Until you do.

“Midlife is such a quiet unraveling. We often don’t realize how far we’ve strayed from our best selves. We normalize it. We gaslight ourselves. Then when we finally start to feel better, we look back and think, What have I been doing for the last two years? The progress is retrospective. The celebration is retrospective. We don’t know what’s possible until we begin.”

There is arguably no one in Fairfield County more qualified to show you what’s possible than Jackie Giannelli, FNP-BC, NCMP. A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Menopause Society Certified Specialist, Jackie is a trailblazer in hormonal health, menopause, and midlife care. She served as the founding Nurse Practitioner and Director of Clinical Practice at Elektra Health, one of the country’s first virtual menopause care startups, and currently serves as a clinical strategist for the new Carolyn Rowan Center for Women’s Health and Wellness at Mount Sinai. She is also the founder of the Well + Versed Collective, a media and education brand exploring the intersection of women’s health, longevity, and cultural relevance.

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Her work has been featured everywhere from Goop to Town & Country to PopSugar. She shares insights on Instagram at @Jackie.

GiannelliNPTalks and through her free newsletter, In the Saddle.

“I was one of the first people speaking publicly about midlife care for women—educating Fortune 500 companies, appearing in the media, all of it,” she says. “At the time, it often fell on deaf ears. The algorithm certainly wasn’t pushing it the way it is now.”

She’s also a local mom to two children at East Ridge Middle School who happens to be navigating midlife herself.

While perimenopause may feel suddenly everywhere—Instagram ads, online articles, the Ridgefield Moms Facebook group—Jackie began focusing on this work long before it was trendy.

The reason the conversation took so long to catch up traces back to a seismic moment in 2002, when the Women’s Health Initiative study was published. One of the largest randomized trials ever conducted on hormone therapy, it found that combined estrogen-plus-progestin therapy increased risks of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. The headlines were terrifying, and the fallout was swift— hormone therapy prescriptions plummeted by 85 percent.

What got lost in the panic was the fine print.

“The study looked at older women—many with pre-existing health conditions,” Jackie explains. “They were given high doses of synthetic estrogen that bears little resemblance to what we prescribe today. Before the nuance could be communicated, the media said, flat-out, estrogen was going to kill you. And everybody flushed their hormones down the drain.”

The repercussions of the study extended beyond individual prescriptions—they rippled through medical education itself.

With hormone therapy off the table, training in midlife care began disappearing from medical schools and nursing programs.

Doctors weren’t prescribing it anymore, so why study it? An entire generation of providers entered practice having never learned how to manage hormones—only to avoid them.

Millions of women were left to white-knuckle their way through symptoms, with little support and no answers, for more than two decades. Then, in February 2023, Susan Dominus published Women Have Been Misled About Menopause in The New York Times—and the floodgates opened.

“Many of us had been doing this work for years,” Jackie says.

“But that article highlighted how a key aspect of women’s healthcare was withheld based on faulty data and bad press. It unleashed the menopause gold rush we’re experiencing today.”

Nearly 2 million women in the U.S. enter menopause each year, defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. While the average age is 51, perimenopause—the transition leading to that moment—can wreak havoc for up to a decade as hormones gradually decline.

“Suddenly feeling angry at your partner, struggling to sleep, being unable to lose those last few pounds—these symptoms are often mistaken for stress,” Jackie says. “Women think it couldn’t possibly be menopause starting… when in reality, it probably is.”

Symptoms present differently for each woman and often stretch far beyond hot flashes—our culture’s stereotypical shorthand for

menopause. Night sweats, fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, joint pain, acne, brittle nails, dizziness, and tingling extremities can all be signs of perimenopause.

“The reason the symptom list is so long comes down to biology,” Jackie explains. “We have estrogen receptors on nearly every organ and cell in the body, so there’s almost nothing that isn’t affected by the loss of estradiol—which is essentially the CEO of the body.”

Progesterone is often the first hormone to fluctuate and decline. Because it helps regulate the nervous system and support sleep, its loss can show up as those 3 a.m. wake-ups, anxiety, and heavier or more frequent periods. As perimenopause progresses, estrogen levels begin to swing—and eventually fall—bringing more familiar hallmarks: hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, and mood changes. When testosterone dips, it usually takes energy, libido, and mental sharpness along with it.

Jackie notes that personal history can provide valuable context for both patients and providers when anticipating how perimenopause might unfold. Women who experienced postpartum depression, severe PMS, or very painful periods earlier in life may be especially sensitive to hormonal shifts.

“These are mood-destabilizing symptoms we need to take seriously,” she says. “We’re the sandwich generation—trying to be good parents, good partners, often working full time, while also caring for aging parents. And all of this is happening against a backdrop of hormonal chaos. The mental health piece isn’t a side effect of perimenopause—it’s central to it.”

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Understanding what’s happening in your body is only the first step. Finding the right person to help you navigate it is another thing entirely—especially in a landscape suddenly crowded with self-proclaimed experts. That’s where Jackie comes in.

Last month, she opened her office in Girolmetti Court, bringing her expertise in women’s midlife health to Ridgefield. Her ideal patient, she’ll tell you, isn’t hard to identify—she’s overextended, under-supported, ambitious, and done accepting “this is just how it is now.”

“Maybe your labs are normal and every physician you’ve seen is telling you you’re fine—but you’re not as happy as you used to be, you feel a little inflamed, you just don’t feel like you,” she says. “That’s who I’m here for.”

What sets Jackie apart isn’t just her credentials—it’s her approach. She takes a biopsychosocial, systems-level view of women’s midlife health—one that honors

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the complexity of the female body and brain in this phase of life.

She brings serious clinical rigor to every case, but also understands firsthand what it feels like to flatten out in midlife—and what it actually takes to find your way back.

The process begins with a comprehensive longevity assessment map: a full blood panel covering hormones and cardiometabolic risk biomarkers, an hour-long intake conversation, and an in-office body composition test.

“I don’t care what the scale says. I care about visceral fat—the inflammatory fat deep in your midsection that increases longterm risk of heart disease and cognitive decline. The body composition test helps inform how aggressive I need to be in certain ways as I develop your treatment plan.”

The initial assessment—labs, body composition, and a full intake conversation—costs $797, with no commitment beyond that.

“For many women, this discovery process is everything they needed,” Jackie says. “They leave with clarity. Other women will say, ‘Great, let’s get this show on the road.’”

Those women move into Jackie’s trademarked clinical framework, the Longevity Optimization Blueprint, built around four phases: Restore. Optimize. Maximize. Rewire. This longitudinal care program, priced separately, is all-inclusive and tailored to each patient. It may include hormone therapy, supplements, peptides, nutrition visits, in-person appointments, and ongoing access to Jackie through a HIPAA-compliant messaging portal.

“There’s so much work that happens between visits,” she says.

“I designed the program to be fast, streamlined, and effective— because we need those early wins. We need women to feel better quickly, and then we build from there.”

Having spent years in the industry, Jackie’s built close, direct relationships with both commercial and top-tier compounding pharmacies—giving her the ability to customize treatments with a level of precision that’s hard to find elsewhere. Those connections

have a practical benefit too: her patients can sidestep the delays and shortages that continue to frustrate women nationwide, including the ongoing estrogen patch shortage.

Her toolkit doesn’t stop there. She sometimes recommends microdosing GLP-1 medications—not for weight loss, but for their synergistic benefits alongside hormone therapy.

“Even patients who don’t need to lose weight can often benefit. Very small doses can lower inflammation, improve joint pain, brain fog, gut health, and bloating. And when those things improve, hormone therapy often works better too.”

The Longevity Optimization Blueprint is the culmination of years of experience—of doing “reps in the game,” as Jackie puts it.

“You get better by doing the work—by collaborating with other experienced providers, sharing cases, learning from each other.

That’s where the real expertise comes from.”

Jackie is candid that her model isn't accessible to everyone. It’s a meaningful investment of both time and money—true comprehensive, individualized care that insurance rarely covers. Still, she urges every woman experiencing symptoms to seek help, and to do her homework before choosing a provider.

“Anybody can show up on social media and call themselves a menopause expert,” she says. “They might take a weekend course or Google their way through it. I always encourage women to ask providers: What training do you have? How long have you been doing this? That’s a good way to gauge how much trust to place in their expertise—beyond the marketing.”

Midlife women’s health is having a moment—and Jackie Giannelli is here for it. She’s spent years in the trenches: treating patients, building relationships, and doing the work that others are only now catching up to. If you’re done being dismissed and ready for real answers, she’s exactly who you’ve been looking for.

Midlife, Jackie will tell you, isn’t a crisis. It’s a power shift. And she’s here to help you navigate it.

JACKIE GIANNELLI, FNP-BC, NCMP

To learn more about Jackie or book your longevity assessment, visit jackiegiannellinp.com.

Follow along on Instagram at @Jackie.GiannelliNPTalks. Jackie's office is located at 17 Danbury Road, on the lower level of Beck Haus.

Jackie was photographed in her brand-new office and in the Beck Haus studio (@BeckHaus.Interiors). Makeup by Jen Kinford (@JKinfordBeauty).

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ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

BECKY HILLYARD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From Side Hustle to Style Empire The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY? A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

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Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection

Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND? A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING? A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strat-

website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

egy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED? A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust.

People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off.

After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them.

I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today.

Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

F E AT U R I N G B E C K Y H I L LYA R D The brand millions follow. Hear how it really star ted. Scan for the full conversation.

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2025-2026 Season

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events A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S

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MAY 14 – JUN 21

MAY 1ST

32nd Annual Cannonball Gala Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center | 6:00 PM Tickets are now on sale for the KTM&HC Cannonball Gala 2026 on May 1, honoring Sarah and Bernard Bouïssou for their contributions to the community. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, auctions, and a lively afterparty with DJ and dancing. This signature fundraiser supports Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s mission to preserve and share local history. Purchase individual tickets, sponsorships, and program book advertisements at keelertavernmuseum.org/gala.

MAY 7TH

Have A Heart for Kids In Crisis Silver Spring Country Club | 6:30 PM

GALA JUNE 5, 2026 HONORING REBECCA BAGLIO & GERRI AND BOB LEWIS

Have A Heart Co-Chairs Kimberly Bishop, Therese Marbury, and Christine Wohl invite you to a lively community celebration supporting Ridgefield students on Thursday, May 7 at Silver Spring Country Club. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a seated dinner. Proceeds benefit Ridgefield’s TeenTalk program, providing free, confidential, on-campus counseling and 24/7 support for middle and high school students. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit https://e.givesmart.com/ events/Mqe.

with a special tribute to the late Tom Nissley

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