Stamford - May/June 2026

POWER MOVES

How Stamford shaped State

Attorney General William Tong

VINTAGE CHIC

This designer makes clutter classy

GLOBAL FLAVORS

Talia spices up classic dishes

THE GOOD LIFE

Celebrate spring with cold plunges and other local indulgences

THIS NO- CLOTHES- ON-THE- CHAIR MOMENT WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

contents MAY/JUNE 2026

8 FOUNDER’S LETTER by donna

moffly

11 STATUS REPORT BUZZ

Stamford residents rediscover the joy of roller skating at Rollerland.

SHOP

Hat Attack has evolved from a headwear company to a lifestyle brand with timeless appeal.

DO

What’s the perfect gift for the graduate in your house? We’ve compiled a list of great reads to celebrate the occasion.

EAT

48

THE GOOD LIFE

Seize the summer with new and niche finds in Fairfield County. Dig into our annual list of delightful ways to squeeze every last drop out of the good life in our area.

by jill johnson mann

66

POWER BASE

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong doesn’t just live in Stamford. He credits the city with helping pave his path to the career he dreamed about.

80 POSTSCRIPT 48

by kim kavin

72

ART OF THE REFRESH

Interior designer Ellen Marment returns to a familiar home, where a series of thoughtful updates proves more powerful than a full-scale redesign.

by joey macari

Talia in Port Chester serves up classic dishes peppered with flavors from around the world.

HOME

Hannah Deely turns her obsession with vintage décor into an online business.

GO

Enjoy maximalist flair at the Warren Street Hotel in Tribeca.--

34 MONEY MATTERS

37 PEOPLE & PLACES

44 VOWS

79 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

STAMFORD MAY/JUNE 2026, VOL. 17, NO. 3 STAMFORD (ISSN 2153-2680) is published bi-monthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880

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vol. 17 | no. 3 | may/june 2026

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contributing writers

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art

senior art director Amber Scinto

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“During one birthday celebration, the man of the hour created quite a mess when he threw his cake into a fan.”

OF TALES OF THE 5:11 BAR CAR

My, how a commuter’s life has changed—especially with the demise of Metro-North’s iconic bar car in 2014, the last of its kind in the U.S. Soon after that, Amtrak introduced café cars, but they’re not nearly as much fun.

There are still people in Greenwich who remember riding the 5:11 out of New York back in the Fifties and Sixties with the mad men of advertising, mostly magazine and agency types. It was an express to Riverside, either because a railroad official lived there or the railroad owed one to a journalist who did.

In any case, it became known as the V:XI Gentlemen’s Bar Car, and in 1991 Greenwich Library Oral History asked commuter Bob Pearson to tell it like it was.

It was a comfortable old Pullman car—halfcompartments, half-lounge with plush chairs, paneled walls and a jovial Irish bartender. For air-conditioning, a circulating system blew air over blocks of ice piled at one end of the car.

The dozens of regulars who rode the 5:11 included ad man Verne Westerberg, who became publisher of four Condé Nast magazines; newspaper editor Norton Mockridge of the World Telegram and Sun; and Libby O’Brien, one of few women and an executive of Lily Tulip Cup. Combination den mother/Pearl Mesta, Libby was into celebrating any kind of holiday. Out would come the streamers, party hats and horns. During one birthday celebration, the man of the hour created quite a mess when he threw his cake into a fan.

They framed pictures of these parties and mounted them on the walls. They also brought in their own furniture. Bob Pearson, speechwriter for the CEO of Shell Oil, was often last to board and had to stand all the way to Riverside. So, Libby bought an old wooden chair and plastered it with gaudy shell decals for him.

“There were no teetotalers on that car,”

observed Verne, recalling a power outage when they got stuck at 125th Street during a Team Gin Rummy game. The bartender finally ran out of booze, but they found a guy outside who, for 10 bucks, brought in cases of beer, which kept the game going until buses arrived at midnight and forced them to disembark.

Then came the day the railroad decided the 5:11 had to be replaced with a more modern car. What? “Take away our bar car?!” they moaned. Norton Mockridge ran a human-interest story about it in his newspaper, and soon Bob got an invitation from a representative of the president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to come talk about it. His man explained that the old car had gone millions of miles, it wasn’t economical to keep icing it, and they could have a new Pullman just as nice. “We could even paint the name ‘Gentlemen’s Bar Car’ on the side,” he added.

“Sounds real good,” said Bob. “But make it ‘V:XI G.B.C.’ ”

“And,” the guy concluded, “we’ll transfer all your memorabilia from the old car and hang your pictures on the wall.”

Before long, the 5:11ers had little gold V:XI lapel pins and tie clips made, plus earrings for the ladies.

As a PR grand finale, the railroad suggested a dedication ceremony on the new V:XI G.B.C. The Metro-North president showed up with champagne, flowers, a photographer and an entourage of aides to celebrate en route to 125th, where he’d get off. He didn’t know that regulations forbade people from boarding at Grand Central and getting off at 125th and vice versa, thus competing with the city transit system. So, when the conductor stopped him leaving, the CEO protested: “But I’m president of the railroad!” to which the conductor replied: “Yes, and I’m Napoleon. You still can’t get off!”

Those were the days.

ZOË FELDMAN Zoë Feldman Design NEAL BECKSTEDT Neal Beckstedt Studio

MATT BERMAN Workshop/APD

CHRISTOPHER LAGUARDIA LaGuardia Design Group

HADLEY WIGGINS Hadley Wiggins

DAVID MANN MR Architecture + Decor

Stamford residents are rediscovering the joys of roller skating at Rollerland

My partners and I saw roller skating as something that was going extinct, and we wanted to bring it back. Many of the existing rinks are old and outdated, and we wanted to create something new and fresh, where kids could come for movement and fun,” says Kendrick Bracey, co-owner of Rollerland in Stamford.

The best part about this location? Because it’s indoors, skaters can glide year-round—snow, heat or rain never touch the surface. And more time on skates means more chances to make memories.

“We have parents bringing their kids here and recreating memories that are similar to those from their own childhoods,” says Bracey.

Designed in the 1700s by Belgian inventor John Joseph Merlin, roller skates—and the culture around them—have rolled through centuries of reinvention. There were roller derbies in the 1930s, roller discos in the 1970s and the

inline skating boom of the 1990s. During the pandemic, roller skating surged again as a safe way to socialize and workout at the same time. Through it all, skaters of every generation have found joy in moving and grooving on wheels. Rollerland, which opened last fall, is housed in a 6,000-square-foot space on the fifth floor of Town Center. Bracey says it’s an ideal location. “Malls have become places that people go to for more than shoping. They go for entertainment too.”

Regular visitors say the rink’s retro glowin-the-dark theme, strobe lights and always-pumping music keep the energy high.

Another plus: Walk-ins are welcome, since reservations aren’t required. Rentals are available too, with traditional quad and inline skates. Lounge areas and private rooms make the venue ideal for birthday parties and corporate gatherings, which can be served by the on-site snackbar or catered with custom menus.

Then there are the theme nights that draw crowds, including TikTok Tuesdays, College Thursdays and Cheap Skate nights. Don’t know how to skate? Don’t sweat it. Lessons are available for beginners who want to learn how to roll. More experienced skaters can sign up for sessions designed to help them refine their form.

Rollerland is open seven days a week, but Saturday draws the biggest crowds.

“We have hundreds of people coming and going,” says Bracey. “And with each passing month we see that customer base grow. This is our first location, and we’re planning to expand in the near future. We chose Stamford because it’s a diverse, supportive and growing community that we want to grow along with.” For more information visit, rollerlandct.com.

by liz barron

HEALING HEAT

PERSPIRE SAUNA STUDIO BRINGS WELLNESS , RELAXATION AND RECOVERY TO THE NEWFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD by

liz barron

Ben and Nahoko Mesfin discovered a love of sauna culture while living in Sweden years ago. The practice became an important part of their lives. Inspired by the physical and mental benefits they experienced, and the speed at which they felt a notable difference, the two became hooked. After relocating to Stamford five years ago, the pair set out to share the joys of sauna with others in their community. In March, the Mesfin’s opened their own business, Perspire Sauna Studio, at 573 Newfield Avenue.

Perspire is a rapidly expanding infrared sauna franchise founded in 2010 by CEO Lee Braun. With over 200 awarded franchise licenses and more than 80 locations open nationwide, it is recognized as a leader in the wellness franchise sector.

“When it comes to overall well-being, this type of sauna experience allows you to exert the least amount of energy and still get the most mental and physical benefits,” says Ben.

At Perspire, the Mesfins strive to create a spa-like experience for guests. So, they provide private infrared sauna suites, each with customizable temperature settings, chromo (light) therapy setting, and in-suite entertainment including TVs. Within 10 to 20 minutes, detoxing begins and cellular health starts to improve, says Ben. Post-sauna contrast therapy is also available, with 45-degree cold rainfall showers that aid in

full-body recovery. Halo therapy is another popular service at Perspire. Users receive 20-minute-long treatments with pharmaceutical-grade salt particles, which they breathe in to assist with relaxation and overall respiratory health.

Ben says each therapeutic modality has unique health benefits and that the more frequent the sauna visits, the more benefits are realized.

Infrared saunas have been growing in popularity in recent years, and they differ from traditional saunas. Rather than just sitting in a room with hot air, guests experience infrared light waves that penetrate the body at a deeper level, allowing for a decrease in inflammation, muscle tension, joint pain and stiffness.

Here, sweating doesn’t just feel good, it looks good too, says Ben. The increased blood flow that comes from an infrared session can leave skin looking fresher, younger and healthier. In addition, this type of therapy can help with weight-loss, improved sleep and better immune function. Most people, says Ben, find that they also feel less stress, depression and anxiety after a session.

“We want to bring something to the community that feels like a contribution,” says Ben, “and to serve our neighbors by providing what we see as a missing amenity.” For more information, visit perspiresaunastudio.com.

above: Private infrared suana suites at Perspire in Stamford

A LEGACY THAT KEEPS KIDS IN THE GAME

A STAMFORD FOUNDATION HONORS JUSTIN NIZOLEK BY GIVING YOUNG ATHLETES THEIR SHOT AT THE SPORTS HE LOVED by scott thomas

For years, Justin Nizolek left his heart on the playing field as a member of Stamford teams in hockey and baseball. Now, two years after his passing, a foundation established in his memory will help many more young athletes from Stamford do the same.

The Justin Nizolek Memorial Athletic Foundation aims to honor his legacy by making a positive impact on local youth sports.

One of its primary goals is to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented athletes from pursuing their dreams.

Justin’s father, Kevin, started the foundation. “I considered a traditional scholarship, but there is so much need,’’ he says. “It ended up snowballing. One of the many challenges parents face today is expenses and high league fees that create barriers for kids.”

The foundation helps underprivileged children in the Stamford area step onto the playing field. It has funded 10 scholarships for children to play soccer and football. In addition, it has donated equipment for a local football league, added to an existing scholarship program for Stamford Babe Ruth and sponsored scholarships for the Stamford Stars softball team. The foundation supports nonprofit youthfocused initiatives based in Stamford.

Nizolek died in 2024, after a struggle with addiction issues. He was 27.

While athletically gifted, Justin’s leadership and on-field feistiness distinguished him throughout his athletic career.

“He was the kind of guy you wanted to go to war with,’’ says Billy Santora, who played hockey with Justin for a decade. “You always knew he would have his

teammates’ backs. He was the spiritual and emotional leader.”

Justin brought his best every time. Whether it was a routine practice or a stage with bright lights, he went all-out.

“Justin took a lot of pride in his game,’’ Kevin says. “He was forever in a batting cage or in the driveway pitching.”

One of his coaches said he was the hardest-working player in the Stamford American Little League, a hard-nosed scrapper who would always put his game face on.

Mike Zarrilli, a long-time hockey teammate with the Stamford Sharks and Stamford High School, says Justin showed a different side when they weren’t competing. “He loved animals,’’ Zarrilli says. “In his neighborhood, he would feed wild turkeys. When they saw Justin pull in, they’d all come over. He had the biggest heart.” Santora and Zarrilli maintained their friendship with Nizolek after their playing careers ended. They both expressed shock when they learned their friend had died at such a young age.

“It’s one of those things where you read something, and it doesn’t feel real,’’ Santora says. “He was such a larger-than-life person. It sent a shock wave through our friend group. You don’t think something like that could ever happen to him.”

Justin’s passing hit his father the hardest. “We spent some of the best times of our lives together,’’ Kevin says. “Not only on the ball field, but in the car or when having dinner together. It was the best time of my life. And reflecting on that, Justin told me he had a wonderful childhood, and it was the best time of his life as well.”

Kevin hopes the foundation established in Justin’s name will keep his memory alive and provide a launching pad for Stamford youth who need a helping hand to reach their full athletic and personal potential.

“The foundation would be his baby,’’ Zarrilli says. “He would make sure he was at every event, and he would make sure it would generate more money than ever. He’d be behind it 1,000 percent.”

Justin Nizolek on the ice and pitcher’s mound

shop

MORE THAN JUST A HAT TRICK

WITH HEADQUARTERS IN STAMFORD, HAT ATTACK HAS EVOLVED FROM A HEADWEAR COMPANY TO A LIFESTYLE BRAND WITH TIMELESS APPEAL

by liz barron

In 1981, Bill and BJ Gedney wanted to fill a gap in the women’s outerwear market. Having observed limited options for toppers, the duo founded Hat Attack. They ran the business out of their studio apartment in Manhattan, where they’d work after they returned home from their corporate jobs. Eventually, they quit their full-time gigs to commit to the company. The pair then partnered with Ralph Lauren to produce its iconic pony baseball hat. The business took off soon after. Now, Hat Attack’s most popular items are sported by celebrities like Halle Berry, Rihanna, Julia Roberts and Kristin Cavallari.

The company eventually moved to the Bronx, where its office was based for 30-plus years before moving to Stamford in April 2021. Today,

the Gedney’s daughter, Cooper McManus, a resident of Shippan, leads the creative team. She joined the company in 2012.

“I attended college for retail and merchandising, and then tried my hand at a few different paths. But ultimately, I knew being part of Hat Attack was what I really wanted to do,” she says.

“Growing up in our Bronx factory, Cooper learned early on the value of working alongside people from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of talents,” says Bill Gedney. “She witnessed firsthand how diligent BJ and I were in keeping the company successful, and she developed a strong appreciation for a solid work ethic.”

As creative director, McManus runs the day-to-day operations but continues to work together with her parents. “Mom is still very involved. She manages inventory, places orders and works closely with production. We design collections together with our sales director,” she says. “My dad reviews finances and payables and handles all the banking aspects.”

Hat Attack is no longer just hats. The company has branched out, manufacturing everything from beach bags, scarves, and gloves to earmuffs and other seasonal accessories. “We are willing to try anything that fits into the casual lifestyle accessory category,” says McManus.

Timeless classics with a casual twist, Hat Attack accessories can be mixed and matched for most occasions, and all reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability and affordability. McManus says hats are now more popular than ever as consumers are more conscious of sun protection, “but our bags are a close runner-up.”

What influences the design of the company’s products?

“I’m inspired by what people are wearing wherever I travel,” says McManus, who lives in Shippan. “I pay close attention to what they’re wearing on the street in Manhattan and Vermont. I notice beach bags when I’m in warm places. I note trends and colors.”

Most pieces are made with eco-friendly fabrics and produced overseas, in places such asTurkey and Madagascar. However, panama and wool felts are handblocked, trimmed and sewn in the Stamford factory. McManus and her 12-person team design, develop, source, warehouse and ship items directly from Stamford.

“Everyone here wears multiple hats every day to keep things running smoothly,” McManus says. “The best part of working in a family-owned business is being able to be creative in so many ways.”

Hat Attack pieces can be bought online at hatattack.com or through retailers like Bloomingdales, Saks, Nordstrom, Macys, The Fred Shop, Faherty, Penfield Collective and Morley. S

Westy Mover Concierge

For over thirty years, Westy Mover Concierge has recommended select movers to thousands of customers in order to make their moving experience pleasant and at reasonable cost. Westy does not charge movers for the service, but insists that they satisfy our customers.

BRIT POP

by megan gagnon

In Tribeca, where cobblestone streets meet a palette of brick reds and industrial grays, Warren Street Hotel makes a brilliant entrance. Drenched in blue and topped with a flash of yellow, Firmdale Hotels’ latest New York property is anything but subtle— and that’s precisely the point. Joining the ranks of its stylish siblings—the Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo and the Whitby Hotel in Midtown— this downtown gem opens a bright new chapter in the brand’s designforward legacy. Designed by architecture firm Stonehill Taylor, the building’s striking façade is just the beginning. Inside, British designer and Firmdale founder Kit Kemp, alongside daughters Minnie and Willow, has worked her magic, bringing her signature maximalist mix to life once again.

above: Warren Street’s cant-miss façade left: Woven sculptures by Argentine artist Cristián Mohaded hang in the lobby. below: Kemp’s bold mix is on display in a luxury junior suite.

left: Entering the lobby, guests are greeted with art and color. right: Even in a muted palette, there are plenty of prints on display. below: The restaurant’s dining room is packed with personality.

Beyond those blue doors, Kemp’s kaleidoscopic vision for boutique hotel living unfolds in full color. Dopamine-boosting buttercup walls provide a bold backdrop for a collection of sculptural stone, floating woven towers and framed textural works that pay homage to the neighborhood’s history as a 19th-century textile hub. There is art everywhere, with more than 700 pieces commissioned or created from Kemp’s Design Studio, making every corner worth exploring. And on each seat, settee and sofa, an opportunity for unexpected upholstery, including fabrics from Kemp’s latest collaborations with Christopher Farr Cloth and GP&J Baker. Each of the 69 individually

designed rooms and suites is a jewel box, offering views of lower Manhattan through floor-to-ceiling windows. For those fortunate enough to book a suite with terrace access, a Kemp-designed private residence awaits, where eclectic furniture, bespoke lighting and a carefully chosen color palette transform the space into an intimate, luxe apartment. The living area invites you to relax in front of the fireplace or by the windows, with thoughtful details like a record player and a selection of vinyl, setting the perfect mood. A separate bedroom features a statement headboard, generous space for dressing and a desk, while the adjoining bathroom is a marble-clad sanctuary, anchored

by a silver soaking tub for the ultimate in relaxation.

Dining at Warren Street Hotel is as thoughtfully curated as the interiors themselves. Begin your day with a proper English breakfast, linger over afternoon tea served on Kemp’s signature Spode china or ease into the evening with cocktails and a modern brasseriestyle dinner at Warren Street Bar & Restaurant, where the menu is served all day. Private dining can be arranged under the skylit ro-of of the Orangery, a luminous space that connects to the guest-only Drawing Room. With its inviting sofas, flickering fireplace and help-yourself honor bar, it’s the kind of setting that feels tailor-made for slow mornings or a quiet nightcap. S

86 Warren Street New York, NY 10007 firmdalehotels.com

above: The contemporary sculpture that hangs over the pewter bar was commissioned especially for the space.

home

by jill johnson mann

FINDERS KEEPERS

Hannah Deely has spent her whole career on a treasure hunt, sharing fashion finds with the readers of titles like Us Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Seventeen and right here in our style pages. Now Hannah has turned her latest obsession—scouting out truly unique vintage decor for her home—into a business. Her online store, Plover House, proclaims, “Clutter is Classy,” and Hannah’s form of “clutter” truly is. There are cast-iron bulldog bookends from the 1920s ($297), a hand-painted ceramic swan planter made in Portugal in the 1970s ($89), an enchanting wooden horse on wheels from Great Gramma’s toy chest ($167), gilt and painted Florentine wood trays ($49–$63), brass lion candlesticks for your favorite Leo ($149), plus many more candlesticks, glasses and knickknacks of the most tasteful variety.

above: A cozy nook in Hannah’s home showcases her favorite Saladino chair and some of her most-loved pieces—green foo dogs, Delft candlesticks and her husband’s beloved fish plate.

PLOVER HOUSE IS A TREASURE TROVE OF VINTAGE DÉCOR

Hannah with her trusty sidekick, George

ROYAL DELFT

Blue Bird of Paradise Plate Charger,

WESTMORELAND

Blue & White Glass Argonaut Candy Dish, $225

ANDERSEN DESIGN STUDIO

Pair of Ceramic Seagulls, $155

to add to the shopping fun, hannah has noted when each treasure was “born” and has conjured up a “house fable” for each, because vintage pieces are begging to have their stories told.

Italian Wood Carved Wall Sconce,

WORLD WAR I TRENCH ARTILLERY

Brass Shell Casings, $590

$269

ANTIQUE

Wood-and-Brass Claw Foot Cribbage Board, $239

VINTAGE Small Ceramic Foo Dogs, $135

MOLE HOLLOW Sand Trio 10” Dripless Candles, $17

PALLADIO

$149

PEREIRAS

Ceramic Swan Planter, $89

Vignette featuring a vintage wooden sea captain, hand-carved wooden box and a ceramic swan

To add to the shopping fun, Hannah has noted when each treasure was “born” and has conjured up a “House Fable” for each, because vintage pieces beg to have their stories told. For the swan: “She lived on a sunburnt kitchen table, holding carnations for a lady who smoked Virginia Slims and believed dinner was optional. The swan saw everything and judged nothing—except plastic flowers.” Hannah’s favorite is the tale of a lone brass crane bookend: “They were married for 20 years. In the divorce, they split everything evenly—especially the bookends.”

The site is divided by “houses.”

The Yore House showcases vintage items in four categories: Glass, Ceramic, Wood and Metal. The Guest House has new items, like Mole Hollow candles and artsy One & Only Paper matchbooks. Our House offers Plover House products like “Clutter is Classy” tote bags.

During her childhood in New Hampshire, Hannah tagged along

with her dad to flea markets and yard sales. “My grandmother was that way, he’s that way, and I think it was just passed down,” says Hannah, who spent 18 months building the site, taking all the photos and crafting the stories that breathe life into each of her finds. She launched the site in February. Three years before that, she never could have imagined this fanciful venture unfolding.

At that time, Hearst had a massive layoff, and the job Hannah loved was eliminated. “I felt lost and just really sad,” she says. “My whole life was finding things, and I love the thrill of finding an item for people and sharing it in the [magazine] pages. I still had that instinct, that need to discover the cool, the unexpected, the special, so I started going to auctions and flea markets, hunting for vintage and antique home décor for myself. People kept asking, ‘Where do you find all of this?’”

With Plover House, everyone

now has access to Hannah’s style sense and knack for discovering conversation pieces—and at palatable prices, too.

Items on the site range from $5 (the matchbooks) to $689 (a Danish Aluminia candlestick vase). This reflects a trend: Minimalism is out. “More is more. Everyone is layering. There are so many talented designers, so much color and mixing and matching everything,” she says, and that goes for cost, too. “You can find something for a dollar and mix it with something for a thousand dollars.”

Her favorite items? The Regency-style ginger jar ($297) and the dolphin koi dish ($179).

The Plover House “Bakery” offers Hannah’s brown-butter chocolate chip cookies. She happens to be a licensed cottage baker. “I believe I’ve mastered the chocolate chip cookie,” she says. What a perfectly sweet—and fleeting—end to any shopping spree. ploverhouse.com; @ploverhouseshop

$269

PLOVER HOUSE

Signature Motto

Totes, $42

ONE & ONLY PAPER

Tropical Sunset Birds Printed Matchbook,

An Evening at the FARMSTEAD

Friday, May 29 6-9pm

Mueller preserve | 370 Round Hill Rd Co-Chairs

Angela Ho, Lisa Hurst, Molly Schiff, Kathryn Shaw

Enjoy good times with friends, new and old, while supporting GLT’s mission to conserve and steward open-space in our community.

Relaxed Dress Code | Live Music | Delicious Cuisine scan QR code or Purchase tickets online at GLTrust.org

by eileen bartels

Words oof f o WiSdom

TGIFTS for all of the grads in your life

he perfect way to commemorate any educational milestone—from kindergarten to college—is to pass along ideas and philosophies not covered on a school syllabus. Whether it’s a single book or a whole stack covering a variety of topics, you can reinforce the idea that learning is a lifelong pursuit. From thought-provoking to whimsical, books say something about the giver and the recipient. This graduation season, why not help your graduate start building a library for life?

FOR EVERY CHAPTER— Kindergarten through College

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

DR. SEUSS

Picture books are ageless. This Dr. Seuss classic hits all the right notes for graduates big and small. great as a standalone gift, or pair with a travel accessory like personalized luggage tags or a passport book cover.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

CHARLIE MACKESY

With beautiful illustrations and moving words, this book is a printed hug. It follows the journey of four unlikely friends and is a heartwarming tale sure to touch all ages with lessons on hope and kindness.

What the Road Said

CLEO WADE

Popular Goop host and poet Cleo Wade’s inspiring picture book for ages six and up is a tale of perseverance along the journey of life instilling lessons on kindness and overcoming fear.

The Little Prince

ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY

This classic 1943 novella is thought-provoking for all ages and deals with a range of themes from friendship to the loss of innocence. It’s available in a number of unique and beautiful releases, including the French-language version. No one is ever too old for the sheer joy of a pop-up book—and a delightful version is available.

WHERE TO START

What Now?

ANN PATCHETT

This essay in book form is based on the author’s Sarah Lawrence College commencement speech. It captures the questions and precipice young adults find themselves on upon graduation. As a special bonus, order an autographed copy from the author's Nashville Parnassus bookstore. parnassusbooks.net

Make Your Bed:

Little Things That Can Change Your Life … and Maybe the World

WILLIAM H. MCRAVEN

Motivate graduates with wisdom from a former Navy SEAL. McRaven offers 10 life lessons based on his military career—small steps that create ripples and build momentum. Touching on concepts of leadership and resilience, this book is based on his 2014 University of Texas at Austin commencement speech.

A Few Rules for Predicting the Future

OCTAVIA E. BUTLERS

Available in a small giftsize edition, this short essay by science fiction author Octavia E. Butler, was originally published in Essence magazine in 2000. It discusses principles for shaping the future with a realistic and hopeful tone, emphasizing personal responsibility and the unpredictable nature of life. Pair with one of Butler's other works like The Parable of the Sower.

The Happiness Project:

One-Sentence Journal. A FiveYear Record

GRETCHEN RUBIN

Many versions of similar one-sentence-a-day journals are available online and at most local bookstores. The idea here is simple: Get your young grads into the habit of writing a sentence a day, and at the end of the year—or five—they can look back to see how far they have come.

Atomic Habits:

An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

JAMES CLEAR

With the book and the workbook, the author makes a case for setting up productive habits as the framework to a successful life. This bestselling self-help book uses a sciencebacked framework for building good habits through small changes called “atomic habits.” Inspire graduates to design an environment that makes success easier.

THINKING BIG

Meditations

MARCUS AURELIUS

Some ideas resonate for centuries as demonstrated by the consistent popularity of the ideas of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the current interest in the philosophy of stoicism. Meditations is a collection of the emperor’s writings detailing his ideas, self-improvement exercises and reflections on living in harmony with nature.

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

DONALD ROBERSTON

Combine Marcus Aurelius’s classic Meditations with a more modernday approach to his philosophies with this book. It uses stories from Aurelius’s life and shows how to apply these ancient ideas in practical modern-day situations.

A WEALTH OF WISDOM

Get Good with Money:

10 Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole TIFFANY ALICHE

This practical ten-step plan for achieving financial security and building wealth is a good starter for young earners.

The

Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed and Happiness MORGAN HOUSE

Encourage young consumers to look at the psychology behind spending and earning. This book on money goes beyond typical math and formulas and examines the behavioral and psychological factors surrounding finance.

Girls That Invest: Your Guide to Financial Independence Through Shares and Stocks

SIMRAN KAUR

Gift this guide to understanding the stock market by decoding industry jargon. It also provides a stepby-step plan to invest and build financial freedom.

The Defining Decade:

Why Your Twenties Matter— and How to Make the Most of Them Now

MEG JAY, PHD

This thoughtful book explores the importance of the decisions we make in our 20s. It has been out for a decade, but a revised edition containing new studies and information was released in 2021.

CREATIVE COURAGE

We

Need Your Art: Stop F*ing Around and Make Something

AMIE MCNEE

Inspire the creative thinkers in your life with this book that encourages grads to develop daily sustainable habits to battle procrastination, perfectionism and self-doubt. Featuring a two-week reset plan and journal prompts, it’s an excellent aid to help every graduate continue to create long after school ends.

The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for An Inspired Life

SULEIKA JAOUAD

This bestselling author offers a meditation on the questions of life and a guide to the art of journaling. Gift it alone or pair it with her inspiring memoir about her battle with illness, Between Two Kingdoms: Memoir of a Life Interrupted.

Day & Boarding School Fair

Wednesday, May 6

6–7:30 p.m. • New Canaan Country School 635 Frogtown Rd, New Canaan, CT

For a list of schools attending and to register for this free event, please visit: www.countryschool.net/school-fair-2026

Co-Presented by :

SATURDAY, Y JULY 11

PLAN YOUR BEST SPRING YET

May and June bring longer days, warmer weather and plenty of opportunities to make memories. Here’s a list of FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS for your calendar. by stefanie horn

No. 1 REMEMBER AND HONOR

Get out your red, white and blue for the 2026 Stamford Memorial Day Parade, which takes place on Sunday, May 17 at noon. The parade steps off at Stamford Police Headquarters and ends at Veterans Memorial Park. Gather your family troops and line the parade route to honor local military veterans.

No. 3

CHARACTER PLAY

Stamford Moms hosts its annual Family Day outdoors at the Stamford Town Center Restaurant Plaza on Sunday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy arts and crafts, a touch-a-truck, character appearances and a colorful circus show.

No. 2 GO GREEK

Stamford's Ethos Greek Festival serves up all kinds of fun on Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31 There will be games for kids of all ages, family-friendly rides on a Ferris wheel and giant slide, and a savory selection of authentic Greek food.

No. 4 K-POP TAKES STAMFORD

Head to the ultimate family event with a K-pop beat. Sing, dance, test your trivia skills and dive into the fun at the K-POP Demon Hunters DJ Fanfest with Honmoon Princesses at The Palace Theatre on Saturday, June 20, at 7 p.m. This high-energy live performance is inspired by the hit series.

No. 5 GET OUTSIDE

It’s the perfect time of year to explore the playgrounds at Stamford’s many outdoor parks, including Mill River, Chestnut Hill, Cove Island and Barrett. Wear comfortable clothes, hiking shoes and don’t forget to pack a tasty lunch and a big blanket for a

Follow @stamfordmoms on Instagram, sign up for the newsletter, and check out the full calendar of local events for more family-friendly activities. Go to stamfordmoms.com.

No. 6

BIG EVENT

One of the best ways to bid farewell to spring is at the Stamford Town Center Block Party The event takes place June 20 and 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Stamford Town Center’s Restaurant Plaza. The schedule includes live musical performances, a magic show, photos with Bluey and Bingo, and delicious eats. This event is the perfect way to kick off the summer season.

WELLNESS STARTS AT HOME

Yby georgette yacoub

ears ago, while cleaning apartments in New York City, Angelo Zimmerman found himself repeatedly short of breath, wheezing and noticing his newly irritated skin by the end of a shift. As someone with asthma, the reaction was alarming— but also revealing. The very products meant to “clean” homes were filling them with harsh fumes, and Angelo’s body was sounding the alarm.

“At some point, I realized I was choosing between doing my job and protecting my health,” he says. “And then I thought about the people we’d hire. Was I asking them

to sacrifice their health, too?”

That moment became the seed for everneat, a Fairfield County–based personal and home wellness brand built on a deceptively simple idea: cleaning products should work—and they should be safe for the planet, and for the people using and living with them.

Angelo and his wife, Claudia, didn’t come to this lightly. Both originally from Peru, the couple built their early careers there before moving to the U.S. Claudia trained as an architectural designer, working on large-scale residential and commercial projects and developing an intimate understanding of materials and surfaces. Angelo, after settling in New York, noticed a different kind of design problem—one rooted in modern life itself. People were busy, juggling work and family, and outsourcing cleaning needed to be part of their lifestyle.

In 2015, the two launched an eco-friendly residential and commercial cleaning service in New York City. They were the first employees, cleaning homes themselves and learning the business from the ground up. But the deeper they went, the more a troubling pattern emerged. Traditional cleaning products were effective, but toxic. Eco-friendly alternatives felt safer, but often didn’t work—unusable for a professional service that relied on results.

Rather than accept the tradeoff, they began experimenting. Years of testing, reformulating and rejecting harsh ingredients eventually led to a different approach: professional-grade cleaners powered by enzymes and probiotics instead of harsh chemicals.

The distinction matters. Traditional disinfectants work by killing everything in their path— good bacteria, bad bacteria and whatever else happens to be on a surface. They offer a momentary sense of “clean,” but once the product dries, the surface is immediately vulnerable again. Probiotic-based cleaners, like those everneat uses, work differently. They introduce beneficial bacteria that continue to break down grease, grime and odor-causing microbes long after the surface is wiped

Everneat, started by a local couple, delivers plant-powered home and body essentials designed for sustainable, mindful daily living.

“people here really care about how they live. their homes, their families, their health—it’s all connected.”

– claudia zimmerman, everneat

From formulation to fulfillment, everneat is thoughtfully made—a family-built

brand redefining what clean truly means.

often for up to a week. Rather than sterilizing a space, they help create a healthier home microbiome.

It’s a concept already being explored in hospitals across Europe, where probiotic cleaning systems are being tested for their effectiveness and safety. everneat brings that same science into everyday homes.

After several years in the city, Angelo and Claudia moved to Fairfield County, drawn by its family-friendly feel, access to nature and strong sense of community. The move was personal—but it aligned seamlessly with their mission.

“People here really care about how they live,” Claudia says. “Their homes, their families, their health—it’s all connected.”

That connection is central to everneat’s philosophy. There is endless talk about supplements, nutrition and fitness, yet the home—the place where we spend the most time—often gets overlooked in wellness conversations. As more families work remotely and spend increased time indoors, what we breathe and what we use to clean our spaces matters more than ever.

everneat’s product line reflects that holistic thinking. In addition to its cult-favorite oven scrub (which cleans without fumes or gloves), the brand offers a multisurface cleaner, dish and hand soaps, a

combined hand and body wash, laundry detergent, stain remover and a room and linen spray that neutralizes odors at the source rather than masking them. The line is intentionally streamlined— designed to simplify cleaning, not complicate it. Refillable bottles and aluminum refill containers further reduce waste, reinforcing the brand’s sustainability ethos.

everneat’s growth has been largely organic. The oven scrub first gained traction when a writer for Epicurious happened to stumble on the brand when researching a piece later titled, “How to Clean Your Oven, Because It’s Not Really Going to Clean Itself.” That piece sparked a wave of interest that kicked off everneat’s growth. Today, the brand boasts more than

2,600 five-star reviews on Etsy alone. “Almost mad at how well this stuff works,” writes one customer. “That means I’ve been spending years on unnecessary elbow grease. Devoted for life!”

Now available online at everneat. co, through Amazon and locally via their Fairfield warehouse, everneat continues to grow quietly—guided more by intention than hype.

“We’re not trying to be loud,” Angelo says. “We just want people to feel better in their homes.”

In a crowded wellness landscape, everneat is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful health upgrades don’t come from adding something new—but from removing what never should have been there in the first place. S

GLOBAL FLAIR eat

TALIA SERVES UP CLASSICS THAT SURPRISE WITH FLAVORS THAT SPAN CONTINENTS

by mary kate hogan

Design is in the details, and the same can be said for a memorable meal. Seemingly small touches and thoughtful preparation make a dinner shine, and at Talia, a new modern Italian eatery in Port Chester, attention to detail is served in abundance. Talia is Chef Ian Vest’s first restaurant, named for his daughter; but he’s no stranger to top kitchens, having spent years at Michelinstarred Daniel and DBGB Kitchen & Bar in New York. He was also at the helm of Back 40 Kitchen. With Talia, he has created an inviting space and a global menu with an emphasis on favorite dishes with a twist.

We dined at Talia on a Wednesday evening, when the snow was still piled high around streets and parking lots. We were welcomed into the warm, modern dining room, surprised to find most tables, as well as the bar, full on such a frigid weeknight. For the décor, garden-themed wallpaper stretches behind the bar backed with gold accents. At the back of the restaurant, open windows allow a peek into the kitchen and chefs at work. In the dining room, simple wooden tables are flanked by woven-backed chairs, banquettes are upholstered teal and oil paintings adorn the walls. Upstairs,

clockwise from top: The downstairs bar is also a popular spot for dining. • Seasonal fresh fish and seafood dishes, like these scallops, rotate on the menu throughout the year. • The aged duck breast is prepared differently, depending on the season. Currently it is served with sweet potato brûlée, miso and black garlic jus.

there’s a second dining room and a U-shaped bar that draws a crowd on weekends, a space that can also be reserved for private events.

Talia’s menu appeals for its versatility, spanning Italian, French and Asian-influenced cuisine, as well as its shareability—from the Morsi starters (bites) such as deviled eggs with kimchi and arancini stuffed with proseccolaced parmesan to the Neapolitan style pizzas and homemade pastas. Among the antipasti are dishes that seem familiar but have tweaks or unexpected ingredients that put the chef’s distinctive stamp on them. For instance, a salmon tartare is plated in a bath of a coconut milk and smoked shoyu, served with light rice crips, lending an Asian flair to the dish. The crispy polenta starter gets a decadent kick from smoked garlic crème. What could have been a standard Romaine wedge or Caesar salad becomes something more ethereal with the sprinkling of salmon roe on top, briny pops that balance the bites of radish, all dressed in a lush anchovy vinaigrette.

The pastas, made in-house, can be ordered appetizer or entrée size. We tried a Rigatoni Bolognese for a main, a dish that’s slightly lighter than the classic due to chicken meat (as opposed to beef or wild boar), but nothing is sacrificed as far as creamy pasta goodness with ample cheese and fresh basil. On our next visit, we will definitely try the chef’s cacio e pepe or carbonara. Either as a main or shareable starter, the pizza does not disappoint with its airy, crispy crust that isn’t burned on the bottom.

Throughout our dinner, service was smooth and attentive, with two servers helping our table and Chef Ian making the rounds in the dining room, stopping to chat with people at every table. The party next to us was celebrating a birthday and the guest of honor was asking about a Bordeaux on the wine list. We heard him tell the server, “I love this wine so much, and it’s very hard to find. Do you have any more bottles? I’ll buy them off you.”

CHEF IAN’S FAVES

APP

Carbonara pasta: Spaghetti Alla Chitarra, Guanciale, Onion, Egg Yolk, Parmesan

ENTRÉE

Aged duck breast: Sweet Potato Brûlée, Miso, Black Garlic Jus

DESSERT

Talia tiramisu: Befana Cookie, Mascarpone Espuma, Caramel, Vanilla Gelato

COCKTAIL

Blue filth: Stiltoninfused vodka, Vermouth, Castelvetrano olive

TALIA

25 Willett Avenue, Port Chester, New York, 914-417-6136; talia-restaurant.com

Seemingly small touches and thoughtful preparation make a dinner shine, and at Talia, a new modern Italian eatery in Port Chester, attention to detail is served in abundance.

In addition to the strong wine list, the cocktails and mocktails reflect a creative mix with less expected ingredients such as celery bitters in a Gimlet and black currant foam in the Kyoto Affair. We opted for the Red Shift mocktail made from hibiscus, honey, allspice, lemon and ginger, a soothing blend for a chilly evening.

To cap the meal, we tried a dessert special

of chocolate mousse set in a wreath of toasted marshmallow meringue and flecked with sea salt; it was heavenly enough to make us compete for each bite. As with the rest of the menu, each dessert choice was something distinctive. Between the chic-but-casual ambience and the creative menu choices, we left knowing we will be back soon to indulge in more. S

right: Crisp polenta with roasted mushrooms and smoked garlic créme bottom left: The dining room bottom right: Roasted oysters on the half-shell topped with guanciale, onion, breadcrumbs and smoked trout roe

money matters

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

ENSURING YOUR INSURANCE

The notice arrived by mail. After insuring a Fairfield woman’s home since 1968, her homeowner’s policy would no longer be renewed, her carrier wrote. The reason? The home’s replacement cost could top $1 million, a threshold too high for the company.

The house was a little bungalow, “an old-lady house,” her son called it, with an assessment value nowhere near $1 million. No matter. Goodbye, after more than 50 years. She’d need to find a new carrier—fast. When she lined one up, her premium more than doubled, her son said, from $7000 a year to $18,000.

Here in lower Fairfield County, more and more homeowners are finding themselves in similar situations, says Livy Howard, partner at the independent broker Howard & Gay Insurance in Westport. Indeed, a recent study by the U.S. Senate Budget Committee ranked Fairfield County among the top 100 counties nationwide for insurance policy non-renewals.

“We’re seeing it at a much higher frequency than in the past 10 or 15 years,” says Howard. Homeowners with “high-value” residences, especially those with replacement costs of $1.5 million on up, are especially at risk.

While some insurers automatically pull the plug on policies, others require extensive home inspections by existing policy holders. One homeowner, also in Fairfield, received an email demanding a 20-point inspection, due in a month, or risk losing coverage when renewal time came around. The homeowner emailed dozens of photos of potential trouble spots as mandated in the email—under the sink, beside the boiler, at the electrical panels, and more, inside and outside, from

the attic to the basement.

Several weeks later, the carrier emailed back a half-dozen photos, circled in red, singled out by the company’s AI bot as issues in need of attention. Fix them and provide evidence, the company said, or lose coverage. Fortunately, the homeowner had the means to address the issues. But some changes, like replacing a roof, installing a new water heater, upgrading the electrical system, can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“Carriers are expecting the homeowner to protect their home,” Howard says. “They’re not just saying this is something good to have. They have data that says the risk is less if you have these things. It’s protections for everyone.”

Higher-end carriers used to inspect homes they covered every 10 years. That manpower cost money, though, and some companies got a little lax on the once-a-decade visits. In the meantime, “underwriting guidelines have gotten much more strict, and home replacement costs have soared. It’s not uncommon today for the cost to rebuild your house to be

ALL CARRIERS ARE NOT ALIKE

more than the market value.”

Catastrophic casualty events, like fires and hurricanes, have made matters worse, Howard says, triggering billions of dollars in claims. All these factors have led to dropped policies or increased inspections.

“Carriers want to make sure all the premiums they’re collecting are higher than the claims,” says Howard. “They have to make a profit from their underwriting.”

What’s a homeowner to do? Be proactive. Says Howard, before any inspection notice arrives, ask your insurance broker what you might expect from your carrier and when. If your home’s value is rising, if you’re up for renewal after a decade or so of coverage, even if it’s simply been awhile since you scrutinized the anatomy and physiology of your home, find out now what your company could be looking at and address matters of potential concern now, while you have plenty of time to tackle trouble spots.

Whatever you do, if you get that notice, don’t ignore it. It’s much harder to get insurance from one carrier if you’ve already been dropped by another. S

Just because your current carrier plans to drop you does not mean another carrier won’t want your business. Different carriers cater to different markets. A carrier like Chubb, for example, won’t cut you off because your home is worth too much. They serve high-value, luxury homes — and expect you to stay on top of home maintenance. On the other hand, large discounters might not want your business if your home is worth too much; the claims might cost too much. By the same token, they’re often less vigilant about inspections. Says Howard, your broker can help you sort this all out.

Livy Howard

YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Friday, May 8, 2026

7:00-7:30 AM Registration and Welcome Coffee

7:30-9:00 AM Breakfast Program

9:00-10:00 AM Extended Networking

Hyatt Regency Greenwich 1800 E. Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06870 RSVP by 4.24.26

people&PLACES

Great Neighbors

Person to Person (P2P) drew a sold-out crowd for its annual gala Rising Together, to help families and individuals in need. The event raised $900,000 to support P2P programs offering economic assistance, career guidance, scholarships and access to healthy food. p2phelps.org »

1 St. Luke’s Parish of Darien Mountaintop Award Honorees

2 Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, P2P CEO Nancy Coughlin 3 Sue Bodson, Corey Paris, The S.O.S. Band

4 P2P Board of Directors 5 Senator Bob Duff, Senator Ceci Maher 6 Andre and Michelle Swanston, Catalyst for Change Award Honorees 7 Nancy Coughlin, Event Chair Dr. Celeste Cos-Baldwin

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARA GILBRIDE PERSON TO PERSON BENEFIT / Hyatt Regency Greenwich

1 Dudley Williams III, Dr. Sharon White, Marsha Shendell, Dennis Collins, Wendy Gerbier, Juanita James, Sharon Garry Collins 2 Corey Paris, P2P Chief Philanthropy and Impact Officer 3 Nancy Levine, Nancy-Jean Bono, Dordy Crevecoeur, Krystal Sheehan, Lauren Franciamore, Sarah Lippman 4 Holly and Todd Lindvall 5 Commissioner of Housing Seila Mosquero-Bruno, Germaine Lyde, Angel Bruno 6 Heather Zeigler, Stamford Chamber of Commerce CEO Heather Kavanagh 7 US Rep. Jim Himes, Michael and Sue Bodson 8 Yolande Ford, Dr. Carol Felder Anderson, Carmen Hughes, Dr. Tichianaa Armah, Dr. Jennifer Kaalund 9 Jessica and David Kooris of CT Municipal Redevelopment Authority 10 John Lucero, Marsha Shendell, Dr. Tamu Lucero 11 Bill and Ellen Berman, Leo and Jane Flaherty, Ron and Pam Lake »

PERSON TO PERSON BENEFIT / Hyatt Regency Greenwich

1 (standing) Rachel Khanna, Mimi Santry, Kate Clark, Cristin Marandino, Laura Jordon, Erin Glasebrook (seated) Sara Allard, Dr. Sandra Wainwright, Susan Reynolds Lehman, Dr. Alyssa Gillego 2 Kasha Kanopka and Susan Reynolds Lehman 3 Carole Hochman, Sara Allard, Isabel Allard 4 Carolyn Reers, YW CEO Mary Lee Kiernan

5 Brynn John, Kathleen Dyke, Jonathan and Donna Moffly 6 Erin Glasebrook receiving her award from Shari Aser

7 Sally Harris, Kate Murphy Clark

8 Annie Green, Morgan Warden, Devon Mahaffy 9 Nicole Mitchell, Kirsten Lawrence, Maggie Young, Marie Rocha

YWCA Greenwich recently hosted the eighth annual Women Who Inspire Awards at Greenwich Country Club. This program were established to recognize outstanding women in our community who have excelled in philanthropic, professional and volunteer pursuits. This year’s recipients included Cristin Marandino, editor of Greenwich Magazine, our sister publication. ywcagreenwich.org »

YWCA GREENWICH / Greenwich Country Club

12 Dr. Karen Santucci, Dr. Sandra Wainwright 13 Riona McKersie, Ambika Jha, Eloise Warden, Annie Slocum 14 Kim Jeffrey, Peter Santry

15 Victoria Williams, Ginge Cabrera

16 Wendy Stapleton, Jenna Bush Hager 17 Stephanie Kruse, Lauren Walsh, Mary Lee Kiernan 18 Elisa Wilson, Maryanne Ho Barnum

19 Jane Batkin, Amy Knox 20 Women

Who Inspire, past and present

10 Meg Critchell, Jenn McDonnell, Monique Cunningham 11 Rachel Khanna, Alessandra Messineo Long, Stephanie Cowie, Sue Bodson

Making Connections

With a mission to provide support and “level the playing field” for students with learning differences and special needs, Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.) hosted its annual resource fair, in partnership with Special Education Equity for Kids of Connecticut (SEEK). Guests attended panel discussions about hiring an advocate or attorney, as well as tips for selecting the right school. Families, caregivers, educators, providers and other professionals were able to network and share information about local services at this communitybuilding event. spedlegalfund.org S

1 Panel presentations

Bill DeHaven, Villa Maria School; Attorney Dana Jonson; Advocate Diane Willcutts; Lara Damashek, Windward School

vows

Although Caroline and Billy were in the same friend group at Colgate University, it wasn’t until they moved to Manhattan after college that their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship. Three and a half years into their courtship, Billy surprised Caroline by proposing while on vacation in Maui. Caroline was shocked, because she thought he would never propose without his parents being nearby; but when they arrived at the villa, Jackie and Bill had flown in to be there for the big day.

The couple treated their guests to three days of events in their favorite place, Cape Cod. The bride’s father, Joseph Parsons, officiated at the ceremony at Wequassett Resort in Harwich, where the reception followed.

The bride, daughter of Joseph and Susan Parsons of Massachusetts, graduated from St. Luke’s School in New Canaan and Colgate University. Caroline is in private equity for Blue Owl in New York.

The groom, son of Jackie and William Baxter III of Stamford, graduated from Greenwich High School and Colgate University. Billy is a wealth management financial advisor at Baxter Investment Management in New York.

The newlyweds honeymooned in South Africa and Mozambique. They call New York City home. »

KELLY CRONIN

1 North Beach Island in Chatham 2 Wedding guests enjoying some vitamin sea 3 Caroline and Billy at their rehearsal dinner 4 Samantha, Susan, Joseph and Caroline Parsons, William Baxter IV, Alexa Parsons, Ken Jameson 5 A tablescape with water views 6 The rehearsal night soirée 5 6

by alison nichols gray

7 Next-level hydrangeas 8 Exchanging vows 9 The newlyweds 10 Spencer and Claire Baxter, Caroline and Billy, Patricia and Bill Baxter III, Jackie and Mac Baxter 11 Lauren D’Amico, Taryn Tomczyk, Quinn Weinrauch, Libby Stantial, Emily Dowling, Virginia Whitman, Morgan Stanley, Emma Gladstone, Kiera Rosen, Liza Swindell, Rachel Lima

Claire and Eliot Heher, Erik and Julia Tack

Dance floor shenanigans

Confetti and kisses

Kaitlyn and Michael met while playing shuffleboard late one summer night at Sam’s Bar & Grill in Port Chester. They would soon reconnect by way of a mutual friend on Instagram, and ended up watching the Fourth of July fireworks together from a boat. Sparks flew in the sky and between them.

Six years later, Michael proposed at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid when the couple were skiing. The wedding took place during an unexpected Nor’easter on Nantucket. It was raining sideways from Thursday night into early Sunday morning. As a result, the tent that the mother of the bride had worked so hard to design was never put up. The couple had to pivot and turn an outdoor wedding into an indoor one; but thankfully, they were able to celebrate with all their friends and family.

Rev. Jodi Fondell officiated at the ceremony at the First Congregational Church in Nantucket, and a reception followed at the Westmoor Club.

The bride, daughter of Peter and Wendy Hubbell of Greenwich, graduated from Kent School. Kaitlyn works for Xcel Brands in New York.

The groom, son of Thomas and Megan Byrne of Old Greenwich, graduated from Greenwich High School. Michael works remotely for Bradford Aquatic Group

The newlyweds honeymooned in Zermatt, Switzerland. They live in Stamford.

1 The perfect accessories to complement the wedding invitations 2 Marina Sacramone, Lizzie Pincus, Kaitlyn Hubbell Byrne, Kim Nguyen, Elizabeth Burk 3 Peter Hubbell and Kaitlyn Hubbell Byrne 4 Sealed with a kiss 5 Henry and Charlie Hubbell 6 Wendy Hubbell, Michael and Kaitlyn, Jamie and Kate Todd Hubbell with Charlie and Henry

The wedding party 8 The newlyweds dodging raindrops

ZOFIA

KAITLYN ANNE HUBBELL & MICHAEL TISO BYRNE

9 The beautful blue and white tablescape 10 A twirl before they’re off. 11 Kate Pray, Elizabeth Scully, Alden Kean Mulderrig, Devon McGowan

A dramatic dip 13 Phyllis Freilich, Maria Weissman, Nancy Kozak, Susan Doughan, Regina Cholnoky 14 Beth and Allen Vogel 15 Lizzie Pincus, Kim Nguyen, Alex Pincus 16 The getaway car

Th e Goo d Lif e

Seize the summer with new and niche finds in Fairfield County

BY JILL JOHNSON MANN

From Pilates to saunas,

mahjong getaways to retail therapy, restaurant openings to decadent desserts, free therapy to family fun— dig into our annual list of new or unusual must-know ways to squeeze every last drop out of the juicy good life in our area. Granted, our goodness cup runneth over around here, so this is most likely an impossible goal. But, hey, can’t hurt to try!

Kudos to our team of friends and editors for sharing all the scoop on their favorite ways to get fit, pursue wellness, shop for the coolest clothes and most unique gifts, eat and drink with abandon, keep their kids engaged and bring their families joy. »

We are an active bunch here in Fairfield County, and, fortunately, should we have short attention spans and an antsy nature, the fitness gurus are constantly finding ways to keep working out effective and energizing. Really big this year is rolling wellness into fitness. Out with “no pain, no gain” and in with “no pain (OK, maybe a little pain) and a whole lot of feeling good.”

FIND YOUR

FIT

ANDREA CARSON

Recess Performance Club's Eric and Melissa Johnson

Athleto Pilates

261 Danbury Road, Wilton 340 Grasmere Avenue, Fairfield 203-210-5161

athletostudios.com

Athleto Pilates offers a free intro class for Pilates newbies and $19 price for those who have reformer experience but have yet to experience the Balanced Body Studio equipment at Athleto’s two Fairfield County locations. If you love it, there are class packs, monthly memberships and private options, plus discounted fees for teens. Beginner/intermediate/ advanced level classes are available as well as focuses on particular areas, like Core and Legs Reformer Sculpt. Pilates promises to strengthen the body and improve both posture and athletic performance.

Core Burn Pilates

24 Elm Street, Greenwich 203-914-4433

coreburnpilates.com/greenwich

779 North Street, Greenwich 475-897-1096

coreburnpilates.com/northgreenwich

142 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-829-3834

coreburnpilates.com/new-canaan

165 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton 203-344-1844

coreburnpilates.com/rowayton

12 Elm Street, Westport 203-919-1239

coreburnpilates.com/westport

“Core Burn Pilates Greenwich gets— and deserves—a lot of my fitness spend,” says one of our in-the-know friends. “Kristin, the owner, is fierce to train with. My body would not be the same without the 10-plus years I’ve spent training with Core on a biweekly basis.” Classes are available by level, from Foundations to Advanced, with a variety of choices like Tone & Sculpt, Tower and Cardio Jumpboard. Look for the fire icons by the class listings to anticipate just how much burn you’re gonna feel! Privates, duets and trios are also available for a more customized approach.

Countdown Fitness

409 Greenwich Avenue (2nd floor), Greenwich; 203-594-6684

25 Sylvan Road South (Suite R), Westport; 203-593-6684 countdownfit.com

Countdown Fitness founder Anel Dzafic has trained 400 clients, from kids to NBA/NFL players to 90-yearold tough cookies. He uses a slow lifting approach, which increases the muscles’ workload and reduces injury risk. Anel is a certified holistic health coach who offers nutrition and weight loss guidance, as well as expertise in lower back pain, osteoporosis, pre- and post-natal fitness and golf conditioning. One of our local fitness gurus offers this rave: “Countdown Fitness is amazing. It’s 30 minutes once a week with a private trainer— not a second is wasted, and I swear if it were 32 minutes I would die! It’s the hardest 30 minutes of my week and completely transformative.”

Jetset Modern Pilates

25 Old Kings Highway North (Unit 6), Darien jetsetpilates.com/ct/darien

520 Post Road East, Westport jetsetpilates.com/ct/westport

Jetset Modern Pilates is touching down in Darien and Westport soon, bringing 50-minute dynamic Pilates sessions with Jetset’s signature choreography and curated DJ playlists. Sessions balance strength, flexibility and endurance. Classes are designed for all levels, with skilled instructors guiding the way. Class

and private options include Reformer, Fundamentals, Upper + Core, Lower + Core and On the Mat. The founder, Tamara Galinksy, transformed her post-baby body in nine months with Pilates. You can, too.

Recess Performance Club

1276 Post Road East, Westport recess.fit

Trainer to the stars Eric Johnson is right here and ready to give you the same insider fitness tips he

shares with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Andrew Garfield. The club offers private, semiprivate and group classes to sculpt your optimal summer bod. Recess augments its fitness offerings and improves recovery with an infrared sauna with red light therapy in a private suite. Pair that with a coldwater plunge to reduce muscle inflammation, improve circulation, boost mood and build resilience.

Rhoswyn Wellness

196 Danbury Road, Wilton 203-284-7151; rhoswynwellness.com

With the opening of Rhoswyn Wellness, the first hot yoga studio in Wilton, the town is heating up! Founded by couple Anna Louise Williams and Jerry Griffin, the studio offers yoga (from gentle to power, warm to hot), Pilates, meditation, Qi Gong and more. Prenatal classes, Family Flow and kindergarten-through-teen programs bring out the yogi in every age. Sound healing, meditation, reiki and pranayama workshops and Full Moon Sacred Circles offer more options for finding serenity in this community-minded space. »

Countdown Fitness

Core Burn Pilates, Rowayton

The Barn

Fairfield, CT hello@welcometothebarn.com welcometothebarn.com

Energy healer and guide Courtney Henggeler invites you to The Barn, “a sanctuary for deep realignment” through reiki, guided sessions to reconnect with your true self, and donation-based events like astrology workshops. This is a place for softening the nervous system, opening the heart and reconnecting to “clarity, confidence and a sense of inner wholeness.” Book a session on the website, and start shedding that Fairfield County armor.

SUMA Life House

146 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich 203-524-8000 sumalifehouse.com

SUMA Life House founder Kristin Updike discovered the transformative power of integrative treatments while undergoing a double mastectomy in 2020. Her journey inspired her to create a center that brings modern science, aesthetics and wellness together under one roof, catering to those looking for a longer and more beautiful life. It feels luxurious— but the prices aren’t. The staff is knowledgeable, flexible and thorough. A cozy and chic Hyperbaric Chamber, Red Light Bed, IV Therapy, Emsculpt NEO (which uses radio-frequency energy to target fat and electromagnetic energy to tone muscle), Exion Body (for skin tightening), facial treatments, microneedling—these are just a handful of the miracle treatments awaiting you at SUMA.

The Current Wellness

135 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich 1063 Hope Street, Stamford 203-665-8985 thecurrentwellness.com

The Current debuted at Stamford Twin Rinks and is now bringing its “one-hour brain and body vitality ritual” to Greenwich. The unique approach to exercise incorporates three phases: standing on a vibration platform and bathing in red-light therapy to calm and prepare the body and mind; a 25-minute, coach-led contrast oxygen training session (think: hyperbaric oxygen session meets cardio workout); and then sitting around a BioCharger that emits light and energy in optimal frequency and voltage for maximizing recovery, circulation, cellular repair and clarity. The session is personalized so all levels feel comfortable—and everyone walks out revitalized.

THE BRAIN GAME

A smart mental workout

Blue Sparrow Mahj

From Fairfield County to Italy 415-298-9498

bluesparrowmahj@gmail.com themahjongline.com

Mahjong is all the rage, and Stephanie Kruse, founder of Blue Sparrow Mahj, is drawing a following with her expert lessons. This game, which originated in 19th-century China, is just the antidote to brain-numbing, isolating screen time. Better yet, she is upping the game with a “Mahjong in Tuscany” getaway, October 18 to 23. Kruse offers this enticing invite: “I’m hosting a retreat for 14 lucky people in our own private villa in the hills of Val D’Orcia in Tuscany. We’ll travel to Siena and Pienza and enjoy a cooking class and historical tours of the region. Each evening, enjoy Mahjong happy hour with guided play or lessons before a chef-catered meal.” Kruse has partnered with Duende Retreats, a woman-owned travel company she swears by. Book your spot: duenderetreats.com/retreats/ mahjong-tuscany

MOOD BOOST

A healthy mind starts with the right support New Canaan YMCA – Private Counseling

564 South Avenue, New Canaan 203-966-4528 newcanaanymca.org/ counseling-at-the-y

In partnership with the Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Greenwich Bennett Center for Behavioral Health, the New Canaan YMCA is offering private counseling—with no YMCA membership required. Therapy sessions for individuals, couples and families (ages six through adulthood) are held in a private, welcoming space in the Y’s facility. All major insurance plans are accepted. An intake form is accessible via the website.

The Barn's Courtney Henggeler

SUMA Life House

SAUNAS ARE HOT

Saunas are on the hot list, with a wide range of health benefits hitting the public’s awareness, including the latest: a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s with regular sauna use. A reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and high blood pressure; improved circulation, sleep and skin health; faster recovery after workouts; reduced stress and an immune system boost are other reasons sweating it out is all the rage.

HIDEOUT

1 Blachley Road (Suite 102), Stamford hideoutsocial.club

Connecticut’s first sauna and coldplunge club gives a clean twist on the term "clubbing." This community-based sauna club was inspired by founder Ryan Linner’s trip to Norway, where he discovered that plunging into a freezing fjord and then stepping into a sauna made him feel deliciously alive. Norway’s sauna culture got him thinking: “What if I could recreate the energy of a vibey outdoor brewery—the music, the people, the buzz—just built around health instead of hangovers?”

In partnership with Chelsea Piers Stamford, Linner made it happen. Guests can enjoy a custom-made Finnish (dry) Sauna, fire pits and cold plunges, all in a social setting that makes them feel like the cool kids at the hottest club in town.

KIIN SAUNA

Fairfield and mobile service kiinsauna.com

How about having a beautiful, handcrafted wood-burning sauna and cold plunge tub brought to your door or event? KiiN Sauna’s mobile service makes contrast therapy easily accessible and personalized. KiiN offers two-hour in-home sessions for up to 28 people with towels and herbal tea service. KiiN also offers half-day and full-day retreats and holds events with partner venues and at local beaches. Owner Ginger Richardson says, “I founded KiiN Sauna out of a love for simple, intentional rituals and a belief that healing happens when we reconnect with what’s real—heat, cold, breath, nature and one another.”

TYDE HAUS

11 Pine Point Road, Norwalk 971-803-1361 tydehaus.com

Tyde Haus promises “a sanctuary of warmth by the sea” where guests can channel a Finnish sauna experience right on Bayley Beach in Rowayton. A shared space for eight overlooking the Sound is perfect for a bonding and wellness-boosting outing with family or friends. Guests dip in the Sound between sauna sessions. For unlimited sessions and VIP booking access, buy a membership for $220 a month. Private sessions are available with add-on perks to make your event extra special. Tyde Haus has been known to offer sound bath sauna sessions, so keep an ear out for that. »

Tyde Haus

Hideout

Who doesn’t need a little retail therapy on a rainy—or sunny, or cloudy, or windy or partially sunny—day? Here is our shortlist of shops to check out for fashion (for men, women and the little ones), gifts, scents, home decor and more.

Haute Haul

Gray Clothier

16

HOURS: to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 to 5 p.m.

Sometimes the men get neglected when it comes to shopping, but not at Gray’s Clothier. One friend commented, “Gray’s men’s shop is pretty fantastic. I shop there for gifts—great prices and options.”

Whether browsing for casual wear, golf attire, business casual with flair, blazers or button-ups, Gray’s has the stylish guy covered.

Hill House Home

117 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich 203-962-1311 hillhousehome.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hill House Home has opened in downtown Greenwich, adding to its list of stylish locales like Nantucket, New York City, Palm Beach and Charleston. Founder Nell Diamond dreamed of “making happy things for happy places,” and her delicate, high-quality designs are doing just that. Think: sundresses in cheery floral patterns, cute tops, stylish jackets, coveted short dresses and soft and sophisticated pajamas. The sweet baby and toddler outfits will tempt you to have another.

Hope & Joy

95 Reef Road, Fairfield 203-208-8317 findinghopeandjoy.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hope & Joy brings a carefully curated, cheerful mix of gifts, home and decor, apparel, accessories and paper goods to brighten up every day. Plus there's a party shop and monogrammed options for personalized presents for birthdays, teachers, graduates and brides-to-be. Everything here is fun, affordable and useful. Check out the array of travel totes and cases to make your next trip the most fun to pack for yet. The site allows you to search for “Gifts Under $25/$50/$100.” A cute selection of baby-shower gifts streamlines your decision-making process.

Reformation

272 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich 203-350-7396 thereformation.com/stores/greenwich

HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 12 to 5 p.m.

Eco-chic retail hits the Ave. with the opening of Reformation’s first Connecticut boutique. Priding itself on its mission to clothe you in sustainable fashion, Ref Greenwich is the environmentally friendly place to shop and look ultra cool, too. Reformation states: “Since 2009, we’ve been on a mission to bring sustainable fashion to everyone. And we aren’t stopping there. By 2025, we’ll be climate positive. By 2030, everything we make will be part of a circular fashion system.” This is a fashion parade you want to join.

The Scent Bar at MONC XIII

5 Lewis Street, Greenwich 203-340-2275 monc13.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. One of our “nosy” editors reports: “My latest, greatest discovery is the scent bar at MONC XIII in Greenwich. They have the best curation of personal fragrance options, grouped by scent notes, and Michelle is an expert in recommending based on your personal preferences (she will also make custom samples for you to take home!). The store itself is beautiful and has an exquisite edit of furniture, home décor and, of course, home fragrance.” »

ABOVE: Scents from MONC XIII

Dress from Hill House Home

Theo ’ s General Store

126 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton theosgeneral.com

HOURS: Wed.–Thurs. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Couple Jacob Fisher and Casey Romaine welcomed a baby recently, and now they are bringing Wilton their other baby—a general store for all to gather around and ooh and ah. Both are named Theo. The store version will offer a curated selection of local artisanal products plus international pantry items, a coffee bar, scrumptious pastries and a cozy seating area. One of our editors with discerning taste raves, “It’s amazing!”

The Mariner & The Muse

57 Chestnut Street, South Norwalk themarinerandthemuse.com

HOURS: Thurs.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mariner & the Muse offers “vintage furniture, homewares and interiors rooted in thoughtful storytelling. Each piece and project embodies our belief that design should feel personal, layered and full of soul—an ode to the well-loved and the well-lived.” The brands first brick and mortar location sits in South Norwalk’s design district, ready to drench anyone who walks in the door with a large dose of nostalgic creative inspiration. Founder Jill Arden Lukeman is a designer and owner of Arden’s coastal cafe in Rowayton.

Wee Mondine

35 Corbin Drive, Darien 203-202-2901 weemondine.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wee Mondine’s adorable online shop now has a brick-and-mortar locale in the Corbin District. Founder Elizabeth Crosby curates a selection of apparel for baby, kids and women (with a focus on natural fabrics and sustainable manufacturing), plus home and apothecary items. Soor Ploom, Misha & Puff and Apolina are a few of Wee Mondine’s go-to brands. Unique finds like Kidamento cameras, Kiki & GG wooden retro rotary telephone toys, Dragon Diffusion purses for mom, Minnow swimwear and Sleepy Doe pajamas are just a few special gift ideas for that next baby shower or b-day. »

ABOVE: Owners Jacob Fisher and Casey Romaine at Theo's General Store

BELOW: The Mariner & The Muse

TOP BY

Honorees will be featured in the November

Nominations being accepted in the following categories:

Most Involved in the Arts

Most Dedicated Committee Member

Outstanding Philanthropist

Outstanding Teen Volunteer

Best Friend to Children

Best Health Advocate

Lifetime Achievement

Best Friend to Seniors

Most Involved Couple

Corporate Good Neighbor

DIG IN

New dining options are popping up so fast that there aren’t enough meals in a day! Juicy smashburgers, Mediterranean specialties, Italian feasts, plantbased menus, the very best chicken nuggets, pizza galore, plus delish desserts and inventive beverages— be sure to eat before perusing this section, or you’re gonna get drool all over your magazine.

Dandelion

Delamar Hotel, 1595 Post Road East, Westport 203-266-3111; dandelionwestport.com

HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 5 to 9 p.m., Fri. 5 to 10 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

The health and mental health benefits of the Mediterranean diet keep making headlines, so indulging at this new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at the stylish Delamar Westport hotel is doctor’s orders.

From GHG Restaurant Collection (Artisan, La Plage, l’escale) and set amid designer Christian Siriano’s interiors, Dandelion marries flavor and atmosphere in a happy union. The evening bar scene is sexy, so skip the train ride to New York. Brunch includes a Kids Corner menu and an array of unique options that will have your taste buds battling it out between breakfast or lunch. A Greek yogurt parfait or spanakopita? A Mediterranean omelet or oysters? Fattoush salad or steak and eggs?

Doppio

62 Main Street, New Canaan 203-594-1360; eatdoppio.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sun. 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Doppio has been wining and dining in Greenwich since 2011, and now

New Canaan is joining in on the feast. The interior has a casual chic vibe, and white-tableclothed outdoor tables along the red-brick alley feel quaint and refreshing. The menu features Doppio favorites like tuna tartare and crispy artichokes to start, a range of pizza in the red (“Rosse”) and white (“Bianche”) categories and the bestselling rigatoni alla vodka with a spicy kick. Seasonal specials, like shaved artichoke salad, are determined based on the best available local ingredients. A thoughtful wine list, creative cocktails and cold beer give plenty of options for washing down a scrumptious meal.

Felice

38 Main Street, Westport 55 Abendroth Ave, Port Chester 474-363-4750; 914-786-5500; felicerestaurants.com

HOURS: Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (brunch) and 4 to 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (brunch) and 4 to 10:30 p.m.

The first Felice location in Connecticut fills the former Mexicue space in Westport. This Italian favorite debuted on the Upper East Side and is so popular that 13 locations have opened since, one just over the border in Port Chester. On the menu are dishes rooted in Tuscan tradition and prepared with seasonal ingredients, complemented by Italian imports that honor the restaurant’s culinary heritage. The copious options promise to satiate like Sunday dinner at your Italian gramma’s house. The wine list is curated with care, featuring selections from small-production organic and biodynamic labels. Or choose a crafted cocktail like a Bloody Maria, Mezcalita or Amalfi Spritz. »

Doppio's octopus with watermelon, fennel, feta and herbs

ABOVE: Felice Port Chester OPPOSITE PAGE: Turkish Cilbir from Dandelion

Joylark Plant Kitchen & Bar

260 Post Road, Fairfield 475-999-8491; joylarkkitchen.com

HOURS: Sun.–Thurs. 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

One of our Good Life spies makes a weekly visit to sample the plantbased recipes of Joylark’s talented chef: Oysters and Grits, Cauliflower Parm, Cornflake Potatoes,

Mushroom Magic Avocado Toast and brunch faves like Marzipan Apple French Toast, Lemon Cream Pancakes, Smothered Breakfast Burrito and Blueberry Chai Oatmeal. There’s a kids’ menu for the Little Larks and a wide array of inventive cocktails, hard (and soft) smoothies, kombucha, beer, wine, juices and specialty teas and lattes. A beautiful and elevated setting sets Joylark apart from the more casual take-out or cafeteria-like vegetarian spots in the area.

Lombardi's Ristorante & Bar

32 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-594-1209; lombardinc.com

HOURS: Sun.–Wed. 5 to 9 p.m., Thurs.–Sat. 5 to 10 p.m.

From the owners of Dolci Cafe, Lombardi opened last summer on Elm Street, bringing a whiff of Ischia, Italy, to town. That’s where brothers Andrea and Daniel

Lombardi grew up, so they know a thing or two about Italian cuisine. The menu features classic, simple Italian dishes, plus specialties with a modern twist. Antipasti, insalate, fresh homemade pasta and seafood and meat entrees are served in a welcoming setting, for an authentic Italian experience. Refreshing cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), fine wines and beer will please all patrons. Several private rooms, one with its own bar, cater to parties of 14 to 48.

POP-IN PICKS

Perfect spots for lunch runs, takeout nights and spur-of-the-moment cravings

7TH STREET BURGER

2000 West Main Street, Stamford 7thstreetburger.com

New York’s beloved 7th Street Burger hits Stamford’s ShopRite Plaza with “delicious ingredients, smashed to perfection.” The menu is streamlined to bring you only the best cheeseburgers, spicy jalapeño cheeseburgers, loaded beef fries and a spicy jalapeño version of them, too. Vegetarians aren’t left out, with Impossible cheeseburger options and fries with a kick or not. This news is so hot off the grill that an official opening date hasn’t been announced yet, but expect to be biting into a juicy burger some time in 2026.

CHERRY STREET PROVISIONS

149 Cherry Street, New Canaan 203-594-7447 cherrystreetcheese.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jo and Stephen Bloom are committed to bringing the best farmstead cheeses from around the world, handsliced meats and artisan gourmet products to your table. Whether you’re looking for a decadent charcuterie platter or the nostalgic flavor of a delectable grilled cheese sandwich paired with homemade tomato soup, this neighborhood cheesemonger aims to please. Serious

about your cheese? Join the shop’s Cheese Club and receive three artisan cheeses from around the globe, along with educational information about your cheeses and how they were made. You will also receive special pantry items, early access to events and 10 percent off all purchases.

ABOVE: Joylark's Charred Carrot and Tofu Curry RIGHT: Lombardi's Fettuccine al Tartufo and Polpette Classiche (beef meatballs)

PIE PATROL

FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

The newest pizza destinations worth scouting for your next slice

361 Post Road West, Westport pepespizzeria.com

No one has pizza like New Haven. Except now we do. In addition to the locations in Stamford and Fairfield, Fairfield County is gaining another Pepe’s in Westport this summer. Expect charred, chewy, crispy, coal-fired “Apizza,” just like Frank Pepe invented in 1925, cooked in a coal-fired oven.

SOHO PIZZA

22 Riverside Avenue, Westport

If rumors are right, you just might be able to bite into a SoHo Pizza slice in Westport by the time this mag hits newsstands. Owner Pablo Bolanous is bringing NY-style pizza, pasta and paninis to an 1,100 square-foot space next to Sunny Daes ice cream—so you can fulfill all your cravings in one stop.

EMMY SQUARED PIZZA

48 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich emmysquaredpizza.com

What do you get when you take a New-York-style grandma pie and cross it with a Detroit-style slice, plus throw in fluffy focaccia-like dough and caramelized crispy cheese edges? You get Emmy Squared Pizza, which was born in Williamsburg in 2011 and is so good that it has spread to 26 locations with the newest coming to Grenwich. Emmy Squared kills it in the doublestack burger department, too. Le Big Matt has been named a top burger in NYC and Nashville.

GARDEN CATERING

320 Height Road, Darien 203-679-7111; gardencatering.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Garden Catering, established in 1978, has a cult-like following. The newest location in Darien joins the Stamford and Old Greenwich outposts, bringing instant gratification to those looking to satisfy a comfort-food craving. The menu includes the famous hand-cut chicken nuggets made with antibioticfree, all-white-meat chicken breast, golden potato cones, fries, mac bites and corn fritters. Need gluten-free? No problem. And vegans can enjoy awesome cauliflower nugs.

NATURAL KITCHEN

5 River Road (Studio 9), Wilton 203-210-5115 naturalkitchenwilton.com

HOURS: Mon–Sat. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun. 12 to 9 p.m.

Poké fans will be psyched for Natural Kitchen’s arrival in Wilton. Enjoy madeto-order meals: bold signature poké bowls (with Natural Kitchen’s own secret seasoning), sushi rolls, bubble tea, smoothies, milkshakes, six different non-alcoholic mojito drinks, plus ice cream and cake to top it all off. Stop in for a quick lunch, weeknight takeout or a snack on the run, and get a taste of Hawaii and Hawaiian hospitality right here in Fairfield County.

WONDER

1131 High Ridge Road (Suite 3A), Stamford wonder.com

HOURS: Sun.–Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Wonder has spread across the East Coast, and Stamford is the next lucky spot. It’s a wondrous concept—all of your favorite restaurant foods under one roof. No one can agree on where to order from? Wonder is the answer. Yasas, Alanza Pizza, SriPraPhai, Burger Baby, Bellies, Happy Tuna, Tejas Barbecue, The Mainstay, Streetbird, LimeSalt, Bobby Flay Steak, Pop Salad … the list goes on. Multiple restaurant cuisines, one location. »

ABOVE: Emmy's The Founders Pizza with pickled jalapeños, pepperoni and honey BELOW: Spicy surf roll sushi push pop, rice bowl and strawberry sparkling mojito from Natural Kitchen

SUGAR RUSH

Afew

CRUMBL

newcomers—andacoupleunder

1131 High Ridge Road, Stamford 475-477-9499; crumblcookies.com

HOURS: Mon–Thurs. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy cookies, pies and cakes in a weekly rotating menu of over 300 flavors! In-store pickup, delivery and catering options.

FLOUR WATER SALT BREAD

1215 Post Road, Fairfield flourwatersaltbread.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)

Flour Water Salt Bread has added a location in Fairfield (in addition to New Canaan, Darien and Greenwich). Sure, the sourdough is the staple, but there are plenty of sweets for your delight: croissants, pain au chocolate, cinnamon rolls, cardamom buns, coffee cake, cookies and more.

MAGNOLIA BAKERY

Stamford magnoliabakery.com

Magnolia Bakery hit the mainstream via Carrie and Miranda in Sex and the City back in 2000, so it has taken a mere 26 years for its scrumptious pastel cupcakes

LEFT: Miyki white chocolate raspberry cookie RIGHT: Rosie's blueberry and apple muffins

and famous banana pudding to find a home in Connecticut. Run by Stamford’s own Kelly Fitzpatrick, Magnolia is expected to open this summer or fall in an undisclosed but soon-to-be-swarming spot!

MILKSHAKE FACTORY

1109 High Ridge Center (Unit #10), Stamford 203-514-0889; milkshakefactory.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sun. 12 to 10 p.m.

BELOW: Magnolia Bakery cupcakes

Handspun milkshakes are made with homemade ice cream in flavors like Campfire S’mores, Chocolate Cake Shake, Cookie Jar, Raspberries & Cream, Salted Caramel Pretzel and Mint Chip—yum! Dairy-free varieties are available. Pair your shake with some gourmet chocolate for double the indulgence.

MIYUKI ( PINE STREET CONCESSIONS )

75 Pine Street, New Canaan 203-920-1552; miyukisnoodleshop.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Miyuki’s ’s Noodle Shop got a shout-out for their “incredible cookies.” Tables are available on a walk-in basis to enjoy Miyuki’s rice and noodle bowls as a starter to your cookie course.

MOMU

575 Riverside Avenue, Westport momuicecream.com

HOURS: Wed.–Thurs. 2 to 9 p.m., Fri. 2 to 10 p.m., Sat. 1 to 10 p.m., Sun. 1 to 9 p.m.

The Muñoz and Moreno team behind Laurel opened MOMU this past spring in Westport. The ice cream is churned daily with local ingredients. The owners’ favorite flavors are Mud, Quince, French Toast and Butter Pecan. Want to share the love? Enlist MOMU’s ice cream cart for your next party or event.

ROSIE

27 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-966-8998; rosienewcanaan.com

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rosie’s got an editor shout-out specifically for their giant muffins. If you don’t have a sweet tooth and are along for the ride, Rosie’s menu will seduce you, one way or another. Perhaps you’ll choose to sip a Señorita I Feel for You libation of fresh muddled mint, cucumber, lime, agave and Rosie’s famous mix.

POUR DECISIONS

New spots and clever sips that are stirring up the local drink scene

ELM

73 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-920-4994; elmrestaurant.com

HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 11:30 a.m. to close, Sat.–Sun. 11 a.m. to close (Afternoon Tea: Fri.–Sat. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.)

One of our editors suggested afternoon tea at Elm, which of course is much more than just a sipping situation. Enjoy scones with preserves and clotted cream, cucumber tartines, mini lobster rolls and decadent desserts whose names will make you salivate: Citrus Almondine, Coffee-Soaked Opera Cake, Raspberry Cheesecake …

SUNNY

sipasunny.com

This new brand out of New Canaan brings you seltzer with no sugar, no calories and an “added ray of sunshine”—a microdose of THC to be exact. You won’t taste the cannabis, and you won’t feel a hangover either, but you will feel a refreshing calm. Sunny drinkers describe a “light buzz” with a rapid onset in around 15 minutes that slowly builds then tapers off after 90 minutes or so.

QAHWAH HOUSE

65 Broad Street, Stamford qahwahhouse.com

Eight generations of Yemeni coffee farming are behind Qahwah House. The coffeehouse's first Connecticut location is coming to Stamford this summer. The Sana’ani is a medium roast with cardamom and the Jubana delights with spiced cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. Other options abound: Iced Pistachio Latte? Yes, please! Traditionalists will find plenty of Americano, espresso, cappuccino and mocha options. The café will also sell coffee beans and exotic Arabic dellah pots to bring Yemeni flavor home.

THE THIRSTY COW

203-952-8626

Instagram: @thethirstycow203

How about a mobile dirty soda bar for your next party? “I create custom dirty sodas using layered flavors, syrups, creams and fun twists that turn a simple drink into a true taste adventure,” says founder Nadia Cossuto. How about a Cheesecake Swirl, with Dr. Pepper, cheesecake, strawberry and vanilla foam? Feeling sleepy? The Buzzed Heifer combines Redbull, strawberries and white chocolate foam. To get in beach mode, The Islander is a mix of Sprite, coconut, pineapple and Half & Half. The mobile bar is familyfriendly, interactive and sure to be a gathering spot and conversation starter wherever it pops up. »

THE KID ZONE

ABOVE: Get up close and personal with some furry and feathered

Family time doesn’t have to mean another movie night on the couch. There are plenty of ways to get everyone out of the house—whether that means meeting animals up close, racing go-karts, sailing the Sound or gazing at the stars in a planetarium.

Earthplace LIVE ANIMAL STORYTIME

10 Woodside Lane, Westport 203-557-4400 earthplace.org

Every morning, Monday through Saturday, at 10:30 a.m., Earthplace in Westport shares an animal-themed story with a special guest: one of its many Animal Hall cute critters. For children age five and under.

Southport 914-216-8057

goldilocksfarmsanctuary.com

This adorable farm in Southport, complete with a chandelier in the barn, will wow even the most entitled wee-one with bunny or pony parties and animal cuddles galore. Goldilocks can bring the party to you. (Dads are sure to be all over the Beer Burro option, a miniature donkey to deliver their drinks.) Oh, and the place isn't just cute, it has heart, too—the sanctuary rescues animals. Want to help or teach your kids how they can? Visit the site to sponsor an animal.

friends at Goldilocks Farm Sanctuary.

Island Mike Sailboat Charters

50 Water Street, Norwalk 203-856-4409

island-mike.com

There’s no better way to seize a summer day than with the wind in your hair on Island Mike’s 52-foot custom-built sailboat, Eagle. The kids will be off their screens and in awe of nature. Set sail from Norwalk for a daytime, sunset or all-day cruise, with prices starting at $600 for four people for four hours ($800 for six people).

RPM Stamford

Kart Klash

600 West Avenue, Stamford 203-323-7223

rpmraceway.com

This new immersive go-kart racing experience brings video-game action onto the actual track! Drivers use not just speed but strategy to outsmart their opponents with missiles, shields, EMP’s and turbos. Don’t know what that means? The kids will, and they’ll think you’re the coolest parent ever for giving them this opportunity. Must be eight years old and a minimum of 48 inches tall. (Kids and adults race in separate categories.)

Stamford Diner GUEST CHARACTERS ON TUESDAY NIGHTS

135 Harvard Avenue, Stamford 203-348-7000

stamforddiner.com

Stamford Diner knows how to turn family dinner into the event of the week. Every Tuesday night from 6 to 7 p.m., a guest character is on hand to entertain the kiddos: Peppa Pig, Bluey, Elmo, Pikachu … “It’s super fun!” says our family-fun sleuth, but she warns, “You must make a reservation. The place is packed!”

Stamford Museum and Nature Center PLANETARIUM

39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford 203-977-6521

stamfordmuseum.org

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center has opened its breathtaking Planetarium and Astronomy Center, with shows for all ages. A cinematic Sesame Street adventure called “One World, One Sky” will appeal to the youngest star gazers with a 45-minute show multiple times per week. The Friday-evening showing of “Stamford Skies” at 7 p.m. includes access to the observatory after the show. There are also 2 p.m. shows Wednesday through Sunday. For the older teens and Gen X’ers, there’s “Dark Side of the Moon” on Fridays at 9 p.m. (with Observatory access before the show at 8 p.m.).

Experience the Pink Floyd album like never before with a choreographed laser show.

Totsy Turvy

101 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton 203-763-1763

totsyturvycafeandplay.fun

Playspace for the kids, café for the parents? Win, win. Young ones up to age seven enjoy open-ended play while caregivers can look on and connect over a cup of coffee, cappuccino, latte, mocha, chai tea, matcha or green tea—iced or hot, but always chill. Paninis, baked goods and smoothies round out the menu. And look, the kids are still having a ball! The Totsy Turvy Snackcuterie features a bunch of healthy options when tots need to refuel.

The Ballet Studio 229 students who will be dancing at “Carnival of the Animals” with the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and Ridgefield Symphony at the Ridgefield Playhouse on June 6 and 7. The Sunday 11 a.m. show is a sensory-friendly performance, which has been a long standing goal of Christina Fagundes

CURTAIN CALL

Private coaches helping young dancers, actors and musicians find their rhythm

BALLET STUDIO 229

PRIVATE BALLET INSTRUCTION

229 Valley Road, New Canaan studio229@optonline.net balletstudio229.com

Mikhail Baryshnikov himself invited Christina Fagundes into the American Ballet Theatre company during her illustrious career as a prima ballerina. Now she shares her skills with students in her private ballet studio in New Canaan. Christina’s approach is precise but gentle. Her passion for her art is infectious, and her laser focus is, too.

JAMIE MANN

PRIVATE ACTING, DANCE AND VOCAL COACHING

jamiemartinmann@gmail.com jamiemartinmann.com

Fresh off his Broadway debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow (and his Westport mag cover), Jamie Mann is available to train your budding Broadway hopefuls, in person in the Westport area (or New York City) or on Zoom. (Wait, didn’t his mom write this article? Yes, but she swears he’s the real deal.)

JIM JACOBY PIANO & MUSIC

PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS

203-526-5261

jimjacoby.com

Jim Jacoby has more than 20 years of experience teaching piano to students of all ages and instilling the love of music. He teaches both in person and on Zoom and makes lessons a joyful experience. He will travel to your home, from Fairfield to Darien.

Captain Mike Hart can take you for a sail on the sound on his stunning sailboat, Eagle

POWER BASE

Connecticut Attorney General

William Tong not only lives in Stamford, but also says the city played a big role in helping him get the job

by kim kavin

photography by kyle norton

In 2019, William Tong was in his new office in Hartford, serving his first day as Connecticut’s newly elected attorney general, when his assistant came into the room. She said he had a phone call waiting. On hold was U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, a Stamford native who had served as Connecticut’s attorney general in the 1980s. Tong couldn’t wait to pick up the phone. At age 15, he had gotten his start in politics working for Lieberman’s first U.S. Senate campaign.

“He said, ‘Congratulations, I am so proud that 30-something years later, you are sitting in my chair at my desk, and you are attorney general,” Tong recalls.

Tong remains in the role of Connecticut attorney general today and is simultaneously serving as president of the National Association of Attorneys General. He drives to and from his Hartford office and his home in Stamford, which he shares with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children. He says he is filled with gratitude for many things, including people like Lieberman and Stamford’s strong political network, which he says is a big part of the reason he got the job of attorney general in the first place

“I am attorney general because of Stamford,” Tong says. “Stamford is the most important political base in Connecticut, period. Full stop. I am very proud to be from Stamford, and to have all the weight and influence of Stamford behind me.”

Attorney General William Tong at his office in Hartford, Connecticut.

He didn’t always feel that way. In fact, he chose to go into politics because during the first part of his life, he felt completely unseen.

Tong’s parents immigrated to the United States from China and Taiwan. They owned and operated a restaurant in the Hartford area. Being part of its staff was Tong’s first job as a kid during the 1970s and 1980s, from when he was in the sixth grade. His parents worked 12 to 15 hours a day at the restaurant, where people would bring their families for sit-down dinners with the waiters in bowties and red jackets, back when going out for Asian food meant a whole lot more than picking up takeout.

The people in the dining room were having an excellent experience, he says, but the people hustling behind the scenes, not so much.

“I would be lying if I told you I enjoyed it,” Tong says. “When you grow up like I did, working with your parents, you watch them suffer. It’s backbreaking work. My mom carried five children to term on her feet, and frankly, only went to the hospital when it was time to give birth. My dad had a heart attack. My mom had permanent back damage. You just want to help them.”

There was a door, he says, between the kitchen and the restaurant, a demarcation line of sorts between the haves and have-nots. It had a diamond-shaped cutout where the staff could peer through and see how the other half lived.

“I would look through that door and see people who didn’t look like me,” Tong says. “They were having a good time, enjoying their Friday night dinner. I wanted to kick that door in and show them how hard my parents were working. That’s what drove me to public service.”

His overwhelming feeling, he says, was that he and all the people like him were invisible. That their work wasn’t recognized. That they were recognized only as servants, and nothing more. It’s a feeling that ate at him, so much so that at school, he volunteered for leadership positions. So much so that he went on to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School. So much so that he decided to go into politics, where people on campaigns like Joe Lieberman’s made him feel seen.

“That’s when I realized this was something I could do,” Tong says. “It was a place where I could fit in. They said, ‘Come here, work, volunteer, have fun with it.’”

Tong moved to Stamford after law school because he got a job in New York City, and Stamford was a good hub for a commuter. He attended a Democratic Party event at

“I would look through that door and see people who didn’t look like me,” Tong says. “They were having a good time, enjoying their Friday night dinner. I wanted to kick that door in and show them how hard my parents were working. That’s what drove me to public service.”

Taranto’s restaurant on Glenbrook Road, where he met another politician—a future governor of Connecticut—who also made him feel seen.

“I met the mayor,” Tong recalls. “I shook his hand and said I wanted to be involved, ‘would you be interested in having breakfast?’ That was Dan Malloy, and he said sure, which in its own way was amazing. He was already in his second term as mayor. He was already a big deal around town, and he was willing to have breakfast with some no-name kid right out of law school.”

They had breakfast at a restaurant called the Landmark, after which Tong started helping Malloy at campaign time, doing things like driving him around. Tong grew more and more interested and involved in politics, and felt determined that he should run for office.

“Some local leaders weren’t buying it,” he says. “No Chinese-American had ever served in Connecticut elected office at a state level. I think people were just having trouble getting used to the idea. They just couldn’t picture it. But Mayor Dan Malloy, to his credit, said, ‘William’s got a lot to give, and I support him.’”

In 2006, Tong ran for a seat in the state House of Representatives. “Everybody thought I would get killed,”

“I’m just grateful for the people of Stamford for taking a chance on me so many times. As the first Asian-American elected to any state office in Connecticut state history, there was just no guarantee that this could happen. Nobody looking at the son of immigrants would ever have said, ‘This kid could be attorney general.’”

he says. “That was a Republican seat, and it was previously held by a murderer’s row of Republicans. Really, really successful people. Michael Fedele from Stamford held that seat. Christopher Shays of Stamford held that seat. Chris Burnham held that seat. It was a Republican seat with a long and distinguished line, and for a Democrat to win that seat was impossible.”

Tong says he knocked on 6,000 doors and lost 30 pounds. That’s what it took to win and become the representative for Connecticut’s 147th district, which includes most of North Stamford. He’d go on to serve six terms, rising to become chairman of the Banking and Judiciary committees.

“At one point, I was the fifth living chairman of the Judiciary Committee from Stamford,” he says. “I was part of the team that wrote some of the strongest gun laws in our country.”

As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Tong also worked on reforming the criminal justice system, improving civil rights protections and bringing marriage equality to Connecticut. At one point, he ran for mayor of Stamford, but lost in a close election. It was his run for state attorney general that led him to move on.

Shifting from being a committee chairman into the role of attorney general came with pros and cons.

“I love being attorney general. I’m grateful,” he says.

“And I love being attorney general in this moment because so much is at stake, especially in our fights with the federal government. But I’m no longer a frontline lawmaker. I’m no longer chairman of the Judiciary Committee who gets to choose which bills we’re going to debate and which laws are going to be put up for a vote and be passed. That I miss, because that is one way that you can change the lives of people across this state.

“I get to do that as attorney general in different ways. As one example, I just fought for the thousands of residents of an apartment complex in Rocky Hill that got displaced in extreme weather. I brokered a $5 million settlement. I’ve saved Connecticut more than $2 billion in potential cuts to federal funding in the last year.”

Tong also has vowed to fight any court in any state where access to reproductive health care is under threat. He was the recipient of the 2026 Community Impact Award from Planned Parenthood of Southern New England last month.

Given his biography and career trajectory—including a bid for a U.S. Senate seat that Chris Murphy won—it’s natural to wonder if Tong might someday run for federal office. He says he’s focused on what he’s doing as attorney general in Connecticut right now, but adds: “The best way to get to another office, if that’s what history gives me, is to do a good job, and if I can, a great job, with the job I’m doing.”

When he does take a break from work, Tong can sometimes be spotted out on his 21-foot KenCraft boat, which he keeps docked at Cove Island Park in Stamford. Tong is a big fly-fisherman. “I love to go out in the Sound on my boat,” he says. “That’s how I find peace, fishing for bass and bluefish.”

People out on the water tying flies have a lot of time to think. And given all the challenges a state’s attorney general might be working on at any given time, Tong certainly has a lot that he could be thinking about.

But what stays forever in his mind, he says, is just how much the city where he lives has helped to shape the way his life is turning out.

“I’m from Stamford. I’m of Stamford. I feel the city and the people, and I carry them to Hartford every single day, and then I come home to Stamford every single night,” he says. “I’m grateful for the people of Stamford for taking a chance on me so many times. As the first Asian-American elected to any state office in Connecticut state history, there was just no guarantee that this could happen. Nobody looking at the son of immigrants would ever have said, ‘This kid could be attorney general.’” S

Tong with Deputy Attorney General

Eileen Meskill

Interior designer Ellen

Marment revisits a familiar home, proving that thoughtful updates can outlast a full redesign

by joey macari

photography by jane beiles

Not every interior design project needs a clean slate. Just ask Ellen Marment, who returned to a client’s home nearly two decades after she first reimagined its rooms for a young family. Marment’s update of her original design was an exercise in restraint and evolution, where the focus shifted from starting fresh to refining the elements that have quietly endured.

“It was truly a pleasure to return to a home I first worked on almost two decades ago,” Marment says. “I am honored when a client invites me back to refresh or expand their spaces. It

Color was a big part of the refresh, particularly in the dining room, now covered in Benjamin Moore’s Alligator Alley.

reflects a level of trust that I deeply value.” That sense of continuity made this project especially personal. The homeowners were not only her very first clients back in 2007, but also close friends of her sister. Over the years, the relationship has never paused. “It’s incredibly gratifying to be invited back time and time again,” she says.

That longstanding relationship is central to how Marment works. After beginning her career in sports marketing with the International Olympic Committee through its exclusive marketing agent, she pivoted to design, earning her associate’s

“I am honored when a client invites me back to refresh or expand their spaces. It reflects a level of trust that I deeply value.”

degree from Parsons School of Design while working under a Greenwich-based designer to gain hands-on experience. “I sort of felt I needed to get up to speed pretty quickly because it was my second career,” she says. By 2005, she had launched her own business, building it from her Stamford home through referrals and relationships that, like this one, often span decades.

The scope of original project included updates for the powder room, entry foyer, living room and dining room— spaces that still form the backbone of the home today. Because Marment’s initial design leaned on traditional principles and

quality furnishings, much of it held up. So, instead of starting over, she leaned into what was already working. “Our focus was on evolution rather than removal,” she says. “We chose to update fabrics, introduce new wall coverings, and refresh details like lighting, lampshades and pillows to create a lighter, more current feel.”

Even the architecture reflects that philosophy. Built in the mid-1990s as part of a cul-de-sac of similarly styled homes, the house originally lacked much of the character it has today. Early on, Marment introduced high wainscoting in the dining

The jumping-off point for the refresh was Tibaut’s Hill Garden floral linen fabric, shown here on chairs in the relaxed living room.

room, added molding to arched doorways and layered in millwork to create a sense of depth. Those foundational decisions remain intact, underscoring the value of getting it right the first time.

The shift in decor is immediately felt in the palette. The earlier mix of gold, red and cream has given way to a softer story of blues, greens and natural materials, such as rattan and jute. The jumping-off point for this color story was a floral linen by Thibaut called Hill Garden. “I suggested the fabric for pillows, but then the client encouraged using it for the living room chairs, which set a playful tone for the entire refresh,” Marment says. That decision opened the door to a more layered, slightly whimsical direction that carries throughout the home.

This refresh was also directed by the lifestyle changes of the family. The owners’ children are now grown, so the living room was reworked to feel more relaxed. That was accomplished with things like a larger, more comfortable sofa that anchors the space.

The dining room was also subtly transformed. Original investment pieces like the table and sideboard remain, but the mood in this space has shifted. Chairs were reupholstered, window treatments were removed to let the space breathe and a heavy chandelier was replaced with something simpler and more streamlined. The walls are now covered with Benjamin Moore’s Alligator Alley, which is paired with a lively Schumacher Tiger Palm wall covering above the existing paneling.

There is a sense of ease in these features. Nothing feels forced or overly precious. For Marment, the heart of the refresh lies in respecting what already exists. “I do believe in embracing pieces that feel lived in or carry a sense of history,” she says. “This refresh was about working with what already had a story rather than starting over.” Many of the original pieces from 2007 remain untouched, proof that investing in well-made furnishings pays off over time.

That perspective extends beyond her residential work. During the pandemic, she took on a commercial project at Third Place, where she was asked to help shape the

This page: The designer kept original investment pieces like the sideboard in the dining room.

Opposite: The table in the foyer was painted and paired with updated accessories.

interiors. “I ended up creating my first moss wall,” she says of the 10-foot by 10-foot installation that still anchors that space. “So not only was I decorating, I was actually creating art.” The project marked a creative expansion for this professional, and still reflects the same instinct to add character and texture rather than start from scratch.

Instead of replacing key pieces in her client’s home, she reimagines how they are styled. “Instead of updating the antiques I like to update the accessories that adorn these pieces. Or I will tweak a finish,” she says. An antique mahogany console—once styled with darker, more formal accents—now feels lighter and more current with a seagrass basket, a tortoise lamp with a lilac shade and a simple arrangement of greenery. In the foyer, a custom table was painted blue and paired with a more organic mix of branches, a natural jute rug and a rattan-wrapped lantern. “Simply updating accessories and rugs has the ability to change the vibe dramatically,” Marment says.

It’s a reminder that impactful transformations can be quiet. In this home, the past has not been erased. It has simply been given room to breathe again. S

“This refresh was about working with existing pieces that already had stories, rather than starting over.”

Reach New Patients Showcase Your Expertise

Over 1/4 of ALL Moffly Media magazine and website readers use our annual Top Dentists list as part of their search for providers.

17th Annual

TOP DENTISTS

Dental Profile Special Section

• Special section following our annual Top Dentists editorial feature, within our popular July/Aug Best of the Gold Coast issue

• Annual guide to Fairfield County’s dental experts & cosmetic specialists

• Custom profile created for your practice

• Reach an audience of 200,000+ families and local residents

• One year inclusion in our online dentist directory

• Bonus issue distribution to local events reaching health-conscious families, charitable organizations and community influencers

Issue Date: July/August 2026

On Newsstands: July 1, 2026

Commitment Date: May 12, 2026

Contact Gina Fusco at Gina.Fusco@moffly.com for more information.

postscript

SPRING BLUES

At this time of year, Stamford fishermen are ready for the spring bite. Just off the city’s shoreline, Long Island Sound starts to churn with the arrival of hard-charging bluefish. Few anglers know these waters better than Capt. Jeff Northrop. A longtime Fairfield County fishing guide, Northrop helped introduce poling skiffs to the Northeast back in the 1980s, opening the region’s shallow-water fishery in new ways. He and his wife, Tomi (pictured here), regularly land rod-bending bluefish in the shallow waters near Stamford, a reminder of just how productive our local fishing grounds can be. May brings the first wave of migrating blues, while June delivers more consistent action. Look for these fish around tidal rips and fast-moving currents.

Send us your Stamford snaps to editor@stamfordmag.com for a chance to win $100. Please write photo submission in the subject line.

photograph by gary caputi