I can’t believe it took us 3 years to visit this cozy little spot tucked away but also in the heart of downtown Westport. It’s a small space but with beautiful outside seating, a mean burger, and a ton of great apps.

This newish pizza bar/Italian restaurant in Fairfield as as Instagram-friendly as it is kid-friendly. The food is great, they have a solid wine list, and the decor is impeccable.

Maybe the best ice cream in FFC?!? We are new to this small-batch ice cream shop in Fairfield and already hooked. They have the creamiest ice creams and their famous “bubble cone” as well as options for gigantic ice cream sandwiches with all kinds of crazy good flavors from s’mores to strawberry balsamic.

This beautiful sushi spot on Greenwich Avenue is worth every single bit of hype. Don’t skip the shishito peppers to start off an incredible meal every single time. Great ambiance, great food, great drinks!

The best pizza in the area, hands down. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! They don’t deliver so pick one of their locations and run there with your whole family immediately. The salad pizza is my go-to and it’s dairy-free if that’s your thing. If you do eat cheese, the hot oil pies are where it’s at.

A beachy and bohemian lifestlye and home decor store that is filled to the brim with furniture, antiques, home decor, gifts, jewelry, and textiles. It is beautifully merchandised and located right in Sconset Square in Westport.

For a beach town, you’d think we would have more restaurants right on the water. La Plage has filled that void with a gorgeous restaurant and patio bar at the Inn at Longshore. The views and the rosé make for a fantastic evening with friends. For food, I recommend their oysters, lobster roll, and any of the Pinsas.

Hands down the best spot for nails and waxing around and I think any local will agree! I go to the one in Westport next to Whole Foods but they have a few other locations as well. They are a well-oiled machine and always have time to see customers.

Per the name they have great burgers and great lobster rolls but the secret best thing on the menu are their thin and crispy onion rings. And randomly their Caesar salad. We pick up food to go from here all the time because the entire family loves it. If you go in person, sit outside and be sure to walk across the street to Saugatuck Sweets for ice cream.

I signed up for a membership when Glow Bar first opened and have been every month since including the day before giving birth to Luca! I love their no-frills quick monthly facials that leave me glowing and clear for the rest of the month.

Fjord is our go-to fishmonger because everything is always fresh and incredible. Pro tip: Pick up their sushi to-go for the best sushi in town. They also cater parties so you can order a sushi platter ahead of time which we often do for big group dinners at the beach. Their lobster rolls don’t suck either. Just sayin’.

Part museum, part café, part tourist attraction, part library, part non-profit? It’s hard to pin down what Grace Farms is exactly but it’s a beautiful property with a stunning café encased in glass. It’s modern and cool, fun to walk around, and great to work in. I try to make it out there at least once a month to work in the library followed by lunch. On weekends, it’s fun to bring kids here to just hang out or for one of their art classes.

One of my favorite restaurants in Fairfield County! Don Memo has it all: ambiance, fantastic cocktails, delightful food, and a great vibe. Their guacamole has fresh mint in it which sounds weird but is out of this world. The chilaquiles rojas is my favorite dish on the menu.

I have never had a pastry or meal from The Pantry that was less than a 10. They are a bakery, gourmet food shop, and catering service that makes the most delicious food. If you’re planning a party or event, I recommend them for catering. Or just go for a sandwich and their addictive cookies, cakes, or pies.

Woody and the incredible team at Burr installed our siding project and did a beautiful job. They were also just a joy to work with and made every day fun. They did everything from new doors to the siding to a building us a portico and new stone front steps. Every detail was impeccable.

Nestled inside The Tailored Home, a high-end decor shop, Studio Café is Westport’s best kept secret. This coffee shop/lunch spot is designed to perfection and makes you feel like you’re on vacation in Europe. The food is outstanding and I find myself constantly going back for more. Get the tortilla Española and thank me later. The baked goods are also out of this worl.

This jewel-box jewelry store in downtown Westport is full of treasures at every price point. I feel like a kid in a candy store the second I walk in! From vintage charms to beaded necklaces to dainty gold chains, they have something for everyone.

This is my go-to spot if I’m looking for a gift for a friend. They monogram pretty much anything you want and have great gifty items like mugs, picture frames, and home decor pieces. They also carry a cute selection of kid and baby gifts.

This fast-casual restaurant makes delicious bowls with rice, quinoa, or greens. You can pick veggie toppings and a protein like salmon, chicken, falafel, and pork. A perfect lunch on the go and everything I’ve ever tried is super yummy.

This dreamy jewelry showroom is right next to my husband’s studio which makes it dangerous for us. I ask him for a piece of ASHA jewelry for every birthday and Christmas gift. I especially love her pendants.

If you’re looking for delicious pre-made meals, look no further. We pop by Garelick & Herbs at least once a week to pick up prepared dinners or made-to-order salads. They have a great selection of soups, salads, proteins, sides, and desserts!

Fine jewelry at an accessible price point. I could buy every single piece in this tiny blink-and-you’ll-miss it shop jewelry shop. They carry dainty earrings, necklaces, and bracelets and make super cool enamel and diamond rings.

The food tastes as beautiful as it looks in this Westport-based restaurant. The bar makes great cocktails too. Their burger is insane and I am a big fan of the hamachi sashimi.

Dina is a mom of 3 who left her corporate job to start a stump grinding business. She is badass and SO good at what she does. If you’re looking to get rid of stumps, I can’t recommend her more highly.

This colorful home shop on the Post Road in Westport is packed full of beautiful pieces of decor, art, and furniture. They also have a great selection of clothing in the back!

This hidden-gem Venezuelan restaurant is a vibe. Super kid friendly and great for lunch and dinner, the empanadas and arepas will knock your socks off! Don’t expect a fancy restaurant but do expect fantastic food that will have you coming back time and time again.

This old-school Italian restaurant has hands-down the best Italian food in Fairfield County. It’s kid-friendly and you literally cannot go wrong with any order, but the spaghettini alle vongole is next level.

Take a tour of one of the coolest architectural features in Fairfield County. Be sure to buy tickets ahead of time for a guided tour or if you’d rather go on your own, buy a ticket for a Sunday to self-guide. This is more of an adult activity but kids over 10 are welcome!

I’ve driven over nails twice now and had to have my tires replaced or fixed. Fetzer does it for a great price and the guys who work there are always so nice and helpful. I always want to shout them out on Instagram but they don’t have one. This place is old school in the best possible way

This cult-favorite bakery makes all handmade, naturally leavened sourdough bread and pastries that are out of this world. I buy their bread once a week and once in a while, I’ll treat myself to their ridiculously amazing almond croissant too. Everything, including the croissants and pizza dough, is made with sourdough so if you have a minor intolerance to gluten, they won’t bother your stomach at all!

If you’re searching for the best Italian market in FFC, look no further! A&S makes made-to-order Italian sandwiches, delicious pre-made Italian dishes, and offers catering as well. When we moved into our new house, a friend sent us one of their lasagne’s and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Anel worked with the incredible team from Back to Nature to build our backyard garden. They were instrumental in helping us set up systems for a successful organic home garden and so patient with all of our questions!

Located in the picturesque Delamar Hotel, Artisan transports you to the South of France with it’s outdoor patio covered in umbrellas. The farm-to-table menu is also incredible and never disappoints. I highly recommend it for a date night.

This breakfast/lunch spot serves mostly toasts on a choice of sourdough bread or a sweet potato. Their food is clean, vibrant, healthy, and delicious. I love that they have great dairy-free options like cashew cream cheese. The company is dedicated to sustainability which is always nice to see locally as well.

I always get asked about who we use for a contractor and I will always recommend Chris. We bought our house from him after he renovated it and we have used him for every project since. He and his team are incredibly nice and their work is impeccable

This Mystic-based eatery and café also has a Westport location that is great for grab-and-go sandwiches and salads as well as frozen prepared foods. They have a ton of healthy options perfect for road trips, beach picnics, or lunch on-the-go!

I saw Dr. Klein at Modern Dermatology in Westport for a skin check and quickly fell in love with her and the practice. The space is beautiful and they were so great about removing a mole that came back as atypical. She explained things every step of the way, making me feel very comfortable. I’ve since done IPL and micro-needling with them and have had great results!

My friend Aly is a born healer. Her services include (dreamy) massage therapy, reiki, energy healing, and craniosacral therapy. If this sort of thing is up your alley, book a session with Aly immediately. I don’t want to say she’s life-changing… But she’s life-changing

I can’t believe it took me so long to try this ladies-who-lunch hotspot because it really is fantastic. They serve delicious breakfast and lunch options and have a ton of baked goods like delicious, buttery chocolate chip cookies, and mini cupcakes for the kiddos. I highly recommend the buddha bowl, a healthy lunch option that is filling and flavorful. And I’ve heard that the breakfast burrito is the best in town!

The Westport location is my favorite but The Granola Bar, a modern-day diner, has a restaurant on Greenwich Ave and a to-go café in Stamford. My order is the avocado toast topped with buffalo cauliflower, the (new) burger, and the cashew yogurt parfait. It’s great for kids too!

I’ve used Coy for her organic spray tans a handful of times and it always comes out perfectly. Plus the smell isn’t strong and they make me feel so comfortable in a very awkward situation. She’s the best!

Silverman’s Farm (which includes an apple orchard, farm, and seasonal market_ is the hottest place to be on fall weekends. I recommend going on a weekday or as soon as it opens to avoid crowds and lines, but you don’t want to miss apple picking, a train ride through the orchard, pumpkin picking, and the cutest feeding/petting zoo. It’s a great place to bring kids.

If you are looking for the happiest store in FFC, this is it. Kerri is an incredible artist and interior designer who creates bright and colorful pieces that always make me smile. Check out her Westport store and design studio for inspiration and a dose of sunshine. And see how I used her paperless wallpaper in our old playroom here.

This new(ish) coffee shop makes great coffee drinks, but I go here for the ambiance and to get work done. It’s a cozy spot in downtown Darien filled with books and rustic wood elements that makes it feel like a library in the woods somewhere. They serve breakfast sandwiches all day and also have lots of other salads and sandwiches to snack on.

Our dog groomer, Ellie, started her own mobile grooming business about a year ago. She’s fantastic with dogs and very thorough with her cleaning. She knows that Boots and I don’t like fragrant shampoos so she always uses what we provide. Her prices are fair and she does a great job.

When I worked in an office, I would stop here every day for breakfast and lunch for takeout. They have great fresh jucies, smoothies, acai bowls, and vegan salads and meals.

I started seeing Sarah for acupuncture when I was pregnant with Amalia and she has since become one of my best friends. But aside from that fact, that is so knowledgable about the human body and Chinese medicine and has helped me with everything from insomnia to anxiety to back spasms to PMS. She’s the real deal and the space she has created is beautiful and zen. Click here to read a Q&A I did with Sarah to answer all of your questions about acupuncture.

Kawa Ni is a Japanese restaurant but it’s not sushi-focused. They make Japanese pub food and it’s heavenly. The lamb dan dan, miso cucumbers, tofu pockets, and the scallop nigiri are must-haves. They also make my favorite cocktail in all of Fairfield County (true story), The Kyushiki, an Old Fashioned made with smoked soy sauce. If you’re really feeling crazy, get a sake bomb!

I’ve never seen a more beautiful dermatologist’s office in my life. Whenever I walk in, I feel like I’m in a spa. And then I get my moles checked and am brought back to reality! In addition to all of the regular dermatology things, Dr. Dolder also offers every kind of laser treatment, an infrared sauna, facials, and more. I don’t trust anyone else with my skin anymore.

When this coffee shop opened just minutes from my house, I was so excited to try it out. Since then I’ve frequented it almost every day and have become friends with the owner because I’m there so often. They source really amazing coffees and teas and have a small but wonderful selection of food. My go-to is the quinoa bowl and a matcha latté with oat milk.

The Whelk is, without a doubt, my favorite local restaurant. Anel and I go here for anniversaries, birthdays, date nights, and everything in between. I’ve never once eaten anything there without loving it and the vibe always feels like The West Village on a Saturday night. If you go to one restaurant in FFC, make it The Whelk. And don’t miss the green goddess deviled eggs with fried oysters and the crab toast.

Whenever I meet a girlfriend in Westport for lunch, I pop into the Spotted Horse for the Chinese chicken chopped salad. It’s one of those always-there-for-you type of restaurants. It’s not the best food in Westport but it’s always a solid choice. It’s also really cozy in the winter with a big fireplace.

I might be biased because this is my husband’s business, but he and his team are the best personal trainers in town. They use a super slow method of weight lifting mixed with high-intensity cardio that you only have to do for 30 minutes once a week. It’s the only workout I do and it really works! Read more about his story and his business here.

Southend’s farm-to-table menu is surprisingly good compared to what the restaurant looks like from the outside. I like to sit outside in warmer months for cocktails and apps with girlfriends. I recommend the little gem Caesar salad, the burger, and the local burrata.

Rowayton Seafood is a local hotspot and always packed to the brim. Make a reservation in advance or sit on their outside deck in the summer. We go for lobster rolls (cold, not hot), rosé, and the amazing view.

Colony Grill is the most famous pizza joint in Stamford but Riko’s was started by a chef that left Colony and started a rival restaurant that actually delivers. It is by far the best pizza delivery in FFC. I’ve never actually been there in person so can’t speak to that. You have to order through their website.

Where to even start with OKO? The sushi is as good as something you’d get in NYC, and I love that they source as much as possible from local farms. This is a great spot for girls night out

For a non-organic mani-pedi experience, Nails Hollywood in New Canaan is your place. They give the most luxurious back massages while you get your nails done and they do an impeccable job. It’s my go-to spot.

I take Boots for a hike in Mianus here multiple times a week. There are multiple entrances and tons of trails so it never gets boring. Technically you aren’t supposed to have dogs off-leash but everyone does it and we’re careful to leash-up if we see another dog or person. The most common question I get asked about Mianus is if I feel safe there and the answer is always yes. There are a ton of other people and I have a 90 pound dog!

Amalia loves going “to the farm” to see the cows, chickens, alpacas, bunnies and tons of other animals. We love that it’s an outside activity that the whole family enjoys. We became members which paid for itself after only a few visits. Don’t miss the farmer’s market on Sundays!

One of our all-time favorite kid-friendly restaurants! The service is speedy, the tacos are delicious and fresh, and the margaritas are killer.

Set inside of a cute little shop, this café is a special little spot for brunch or lunch. It’s a little off the beaten path in Greenwich but when you know, you know.

It took me 3 years to find a good local facial but I’ve finally found it with Barbara at BA Skin Lab. I walk out looking 5 years younger every time and my skin has never looked better. They sell Biologique Recherche products, so if you’re not interested in buying anything just note that at the beginning.

This super fun kids museum is clutch on winter weekends when we don’t have plans. Amalia can run wild playing in the water room, the dance room, and with the hundreds of activities in between. They have a separate section for little kids which was awesome last winter too. The café is also surprisingly good. They make a great mac and cheese for kids and I love the kale salad.

I stumbled into this home store one day and my jaw dropped. Everything is preppy, colorful, and gorgeous.

This chic restaurant has beautiful light, a stunning view, the best ambiance around, and tasty farm-to-table food. In the summer you can have drinks on the back deck and watch the sunset. This place is very special, you don’t want to miss it! I’ve heard the brunch is great too.

TO AND FROM calls themselves a mindful nail concept and that’s just what they are. Through luxurious, clean products, skilled technicians and a beautiful environment, this organic nail salons is an elevated and peaceful experience for anyone in need of a mani-pedi and a little escape

I hired Stef from The Realistic Organizer to help with my closet and we ended up becoming close friends. She is hilarious and kind but will organize the crap out of any space in your home. Check out how she helped me organize my kitchen!

Get your zen on at Inner Light with their calming infrared saunas that warm you to the bone on a cold winter day, boost your immune system, and make you feel all-around great.

It’s technically a pizza place, but Locali serves so much more than just pizza (although the kale leopard pizza is delicious). It’s always packed for dinner but get their early and wait at the bar which makes great cocktails. Our go-to order is the Umami meatballs, crispy Brussels sprouts, chop chop salad, and a pizza.

This bustling French bistro is our go-to brunch spot on weekends with Amalia. She loves the ham and cheese crepe and the Nicoise salad is my favorite in town! The menu is insane, filled with a wide range of crepes (gluten-free available), juices, sandwiches, and soups. It’s very kid-friendly.

Mead Park is a giant park that boasts a baseball field and two playgrounds: one for older kids and one for little kids. They were both recently redone and they’re beautiful, clean, and so much fun. They also have an amazing park lodge, The Apple Cart, with a pretty impressive menu for both kids and adults.

Not a lot of people know about this lunch spot that boasts three fast-casual restaurants in one space: Miyuki Noodle Bar (I get the salmon teriyaki bowl), Greens-0n-the-Go (The sweet potato miso bowl and the Thai-ish bowl are my favorites), Dante’s Pizza, and The Waffle Cabin. I go here to work and eat my lunch at least once a week.

Part garden store, part home shop, and part café, terrain is one of my favorite places in all of Fairfield County. Every product is beautifully curated and the farm-t0-table menu is always mouthwatering. Pop in for a coffee to go, lunch with a girlfriend, or a quiet dinner. It’s always packed mid-day but very slow at night so it’s not hard to get a dinner res which is my little secret!

We love ordering Chinese food, and Lulu’s not only tastes delicious, but is made with organic ingredients including free-range chicken, grass-fed beef, and no MSG. The sesame chicken and tangerine beef are our go-to orders.

Our local aquarium is spectacular and so fun for kids of all ages. There is a touch tank for stingrays and they have a ton of creatures displayed beautifully. Sometimes I think I enjoy it even more than Amalia does.

Lindsay at Salon Shahin does the best blonde in Fairfield County and Cici gives great haircuts. My go-to salon is affordable and never disappoints.

The Westport design shop is probably the most beautiful home store I’ve ever set foot in. It’s an old house that they moved downtown and filled with homey vignettes that make me want to redesign my entire house everytime I walk in.

This New Canaan Italian restaurant is always packed at dinner and for good reason. The menu can be overwhelming, but I recommend the meatballs and the chopped salad timbale. They also make gluten-free pizza which is pretty great.

When we left NYC, one of the things I missed most was good sushi. Pink Sumo is a frill-free spot in Westport with delicious sushi and great service. If your kids eat sushi, you bring them here too.

If you’re in the mood for a fantastic bowl of ramen, Mecha is your spot. The service is quick which makes it kid-friendly. All of the noodle bowls and buns are amazing but don’t miss the kale salad which is the sneaky winner of the menu.

It can be hard to find a great dentist but look no further. Dr. Cimato is the best of the best. He always makes me feel comfortable and does great work. Everyone in the office is great.

A chic French bistro in downtown Greenwich great for a night out with girlfriends. Order the snapper!