Welcome to your Meet a Mom Interview!
Where are you from originally? I grew up in West Hartford, CT, where my parents still live. After college I moved to San Francisco for two years and then Manhattan, where I lived for 11 years.
How long have you lived in New Canaan? How many kids and their age(s)? We have been here for exactly 6 years and the time has flown! We have Cole (almost 8), Amelia (4.5 years), and Gray (20 months). Our house is very quiet and peaceful these days.
Favorite things to do with your kids in general or in town? We never miss seeing Summer Theater with the kids. We also are huge fans of the Farmers Market and are there pretty much every weekend we are in town. Pumpkin picking at Jones Farm is one of our favorite fall activities.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town for a family date? A night out with friends? Why? Our kids LOVE sitting outside at Locali and then getting gelato at Gelatissimo. Rosie is a favorite for brunch, we all love Swirl, and have been enjoying Pine Street Concessions. My husband and I really like Uncorked, South End, and eating at the bar at Elm. We are big fans of Fjord and take-out fish or sushi pretty much once a week.
What is your favorite kid-friendly recipe? My kids love carbonara, crock-pot chicken and rice, taco night and brunch for dinner.
What is your local go-to store for children’s clothes? Shoes? Furniture? Yourself? For the kids, Athletic Shoe Factory, Shoes ‘N’ More and Crewcuts, and I love Shelala and Design Solutions.
What are your favorite events in New Canaan? The Fall Fair at the Nature Center, May Fair of course, and we’ve never missed breakfast with Santa at Waveny. We all look forward to trick-or-treating on South Avenue.
What has been the most difficult age with your children to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time? Well, a year ago I would have said ages 3-4 when the naps are dropped and they are adjusting…but these days, I’d say 20 months! I didn’t remember how tough this age is with climbing, tantrums, throwing food and having no attention span. I do realize that there is no ‘perfect’ age. I am sure that years from now I will be wishing for a baby that eats dirt instead of the challenges that come with teenagers.
What was the best advice your mom gave you? My mom still says to us ‘Everything you do, do to the best of your ability,’ which I have always tried to follow. And, ‘treat everyone the way that you would like to be treated.’
What do you most value in your friends? I really value honesty, authenticity and kindness. I didn’t expect to meet so many wonderful women when we moved to the suburbs, and am very grateful.
What was your career before having children? I started working in floral design in the city in 2002, and opened a boutique floral and event design company, Vine Floral & Event Design, in 2006. While I dabble here and there (such as the upcoming Holiday House Tour), I do really look forward to focusing more on Vine as the kids get older. I never get tired of the beauty of flowers. Below are a couple of blog posts I put together for newcanaandarienmoms.com followers.