I grew up in Northern New Jersey and lived in Manhattan for several years where I met my husband. We’ve lived in New Canaan for four years, and we have two children. Our son Hudson is almost six, and our daughter India is almost 4.
When shopping for children’s clothing in New Canaan, I’m most likely to look in Crewcuts for stylish basics for everyday. When I have time to look for myself I pop into Walin and Wolff for bags and shoes, or into Pimlico for chic accents. She-la-la is a great place to look for a special hostess gift or something fun for the house.
New Canaan is such a charming town with so many special events—it’s hard to choose between them, but the Memorial Day Parade is a highlight. It is so sweet to watch all the children marching so proudly and to get a glimpse of all of the various local organizations. It almost feels as though you’ve gone back in time to an earlier era. The Holiday Stroll is also pretty magical— it’s the night when the holiday lights are turned on downtown and Elm Street is closed down for s’mores and hot chocolate along with other festivities.
Hands down, our family favorite would have to be the May Fair at St. Marks Church. It is a carnival that comes to town every year in early May and it was our first taste of New Canaan when we were looking at homes. We took one look around at the quaint fair with all of these young friendly families and we knew this was the place!
New Canaan has an amazing array of restaurants—definitely one for every occasion. I love Baldanza and Rosie’s for lunch and brunch. For dinner, Sole is a must for the impeccable service and wonderfully consistent quality, Elm for creative cocktails, and Farmer’s Table for fresh, healthy options that are also delicious. Chef Luis is a great option for a family dinner; the food is great and it’s such a festive atmosphere. Finally, South End is a staple for Girls Nights Out!
When dining at home, I try and prepare the healthiest possible options for my kids—it’s not easy as my children are very picky eaters—I always have to sneak in the protein and vegetables! They do love a quesadilla with diced chicken and roasted vegetables—all camouflaged with guacamole and melted cheese! I give the tortilla a quick press on the panini maker and voila!
When I have free time, I love playing tennis, running and reading. New Canaan offers tons of ways to get involved; I just finished a year as the VP of the Children’s Committee for the Newcomers Board of New Canaan, and I’m active in my children’s school, New Canaan Community Preschool. One of the most wonderful aspects of the town is the strong sense of community and the high level of engagement of the mothers. No matter what your interest or how you want to contribute, there’s a place for everyone!