Portsmouth, NH August 2026

Financial Planning Webinar Series

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Wednesday, September 16th @

5 Things to Know About Medicare

Wednesday,

Wednesday, October 14th @ 7:00pm ET

6 Pillars of Financial Planning

Wednesday, November 4th @ 7:00pm ET

But have you given the same attention to planning for eldercare?

Thoughtful

Kids & Pets Issue

This issue holds a special place in my heart. Children are more than just the future—they are the heartbeat of our communities today. Their laughter, their curiosity, and their potential shape the world in ways we can’t fully measure.

As parents and caregivers, we put so much effort into nurturing their growth, teaching them, and investing in their futures. But let’s not forget that children also shape us—they bring joy, laughter, and meaning to our everyday lives.

But we also cannot overlook the powerful role pets play in our families. They offer unconditional love and teach us valuable lessons in empathy, responsibility, and companionship. The bond between kids and their pets can be transformative, fostering deep emotional connections that last a lifetime.

At the core of both children and pets is a simple truth—they need us. Our care and attention shape who they become, and in turn, they shape us. This issue is dedicated to celebrating the kids and pets who fill our homes with joy and love.

I hope this month’s issue inspires you to pour a little extra love into the children and pets in your life. They are the ones who remind us of the simple joys and the importance of unconditional love.

Here’s to our future, our little ones, and the pets who make everything better. Cheers!

BLAKE

FOSTER, PUBLISHER @PORTSMOUTHCITYLIFESTYLE

August 2026

PUBLISHER

Blake Foster | blake.foster@citylifestyle.com

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Zach Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling

QUALITY

With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online.

BY AMY

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Homemade Dog Food

Recipe from Amy Tinnin - A Cup Full of Sass

My two pugs are more than pets—they’re part of the family. That’s why I started making their food at home, and it’s been one of the most popular posts on my blog. You may be surprised just how easy this recipe is. I add all the ingredients to my slow-cooker to cook, and my dogs love it. If you decide to try this recipe for your pet, please consult your veterinarian. Every dog has different needs based on age, weight, and any health issues. You can even share this recipe with your vet to see if any changes are needed. The ingredients are flexible and can be easily swapped to substitute the turkey for chicken or beef, and even try different dog-safe vegetables. Making dog food at home isn’t hard—it just takes a little planning, and my dogs love it.

Slow Cooker Homemade Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs ground turkey (85% lean)

• 1¼ cups frozen sweet potatoes

• 1½ cups frozen peas and carrots

• 1 cup frozen spinach

• 1½ cups uncooked brown or white rice

• 4 cups water

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.

2. Break up the ground turkey and mix all the ingredients.

3. Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or Low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.

Note: My dog food was ready in 3½ hours on High. Let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for later use.

ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD IS A FUN DESSERT FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE AND SHARE!

AROUND

CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD

There is little more satisfying to your sweet tooth than ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. Here is an easy and fun way to make this tearable, shareable treat!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 3 (12 oz.) cans of buttermilk biscuits

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously coat the inside of a bundt pan with cooking spray or butter.

Melt the butter in a pot or bowl. Mix the sugars and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Open one can of biscuits, separate, and cut each into four sections. Next, roll each quarter into a ball and then put each one into the sugar mixture to coat. Place the balls in the bundt pan in a single layer and drizzle a little melted butter evenly over the top. Repeat with the other two cans of biscuits.

Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Be sure to let cool for a minute or two before turning the bread onto a plate and carefully removing the pan. If you leave the monkey bread in the pan much longer, it will stick and be hard to remove.

I sometimes make icing, a few tablespoons of milk, to about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with a splash of vanilla.

Drizzle over the top while warm and enjoy!

TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE

Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.

Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.

Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK

JANIE

“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”

Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.

After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”

The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.

FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY

Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.

Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

ELEVATE YOUR CLOSET

Every woman dreams of an organized and beautiful closet space, but it often comes last on the list of places that get their time and attention. Follow our nine tips for transforming and elevating your closet. How you organize your closet will of course differ based on the size of your space, the size of your wardrobe, and the kind of life you lead. But applying these guidelines will result in a much more organized and aesthetically pleasing space.

FACE CLOTHES THE SAME DIRECTION

It may seem silly, but when dealing with a small space, little things count. Hanging all clothes the same direction is a no-brainer for continuity in your closet.

USE REAL ESTATE WISELY

Reserve the front and middle of the closet for clothes worn most often. For someone who gets dressed for work each morning at 6 a.m., work clothes should be at the front of the closet. Store lesser-worn items like formal wear and out-of-season clothes toward the back and on the upper shelves. A large mirror and counter with chair provides the perfect spot to select jewelry and finalize finishing outfit touches. While every closet is different, the key here is everything has a home.

02 03 04 05

HIDDEN STORAGE

Hidden storage is a game changer in keeping a closet visually clean. Tuck folded clothes behind closed cabinet doors if the space is multipurpose. The floor-toceiling built-ins in Keri’s closet contain folded clothes, athleisure and other items she needs as she gets ready each day. Tuck away the least-used items: Use hidden storage and the very top of the closet for out-of-season items and stuff only worn a few times a year.

NEGATIVE SPACE

Using space efficiently is important, but keep in mind every good design includes some negative space. For instance, consider adding built-ins on the long wall of your closet but keep the short wall open with a mirror.

ORGANIZE BY KIND AND COLOR

Group clothes by kind first and color second. This ensures quick location of that favorite shirt when it’s needed. Bonus - it’s easy on the eye. Group like with like: Gather belts, sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, work pants, dresses, button-down shirts, jeans, shorts, etc., and decide the best place to store each item as a group (e.g., hang pants in the closet, fold and stack sweaters in a bureau). Working with groupings will help you figure out how much space you need and the best way to store each type of item.

UPGRADED HANGERS

The simplest and fastest way to make a BIG difference in your closet organization is to get matching hangers that go beyond the traditional plastic or wire hangers. And for sure ditch any with paper from the dry cleaner!

07

BAG & SHOE STORAGE 06

Alternate the way shoes are facing. This ultimately helps fit more on each row and provide a visually appealing way to display those prized possessions.

Everyone understands the frustration of searching for that one clutch when rushing out for the evening. Bags benefit from a space all their own. Get clear container storage for small bags and purses so you can locate and access them easily.

08

LIGHTING

Lighting is everything in a closet. Gone are the days of dim recessed lighting being sufficient. Consider adding a statement lighting fixture like a chandelier or pendant that provides ample bright lighting to your space, no matter how big or small.

09 MAKE A STATEMENT

WHY USE AN ARMCHAIR WHEN YOU HAVE ROOM FOR A SOFA? SLIDE UP A STOOL AND COLORFUL AREA RUG TO COMPLETE THE LOOK. IF YOU HAVE EXCESSIVE WALL SPACE, CONSIDER A MINI GALLERY WALL OR A STATEMENT WALL WITH WALLPAPER TO POLISH THINGS OFF.

BY

Birthday in a Box

Looking for a fun, easy and creative way to help those in need celebrate their special day? Put together a Birthday in a Box! The main element is a birthday cake, and the best part is that no perishable items are needed; all you need is one can of lemon-lime soda to take the place of the oil, water and eggs.

And what is a birthday celebration without decorations? Get the kids to help decide what fun party decorations to include – think candles, banners, confetti, ribbon and more. These are great to make in batches when items are on sale at the grocery store. Stock up and make someone’s day!

PREP:

Collect all materials. Makes one Birthday in a Box.

• 1 Box of cake mix

• 1 Container of frosting

• 1 Can of lemon-lime soda

• 1 Disposable 9x13 aluminum baking pan with lid

• Cardstock or heavy paper, for baking directions and note (printed or handwritten)

• Party decorations of choice, including candles

STEP ONE:

Gather cake mix, container of frosting, can of lemon-lime soda, aluminum baking pan with lid and party decorations. Carefully place each item in the bottom of the baking pan, ensuring everything fits snugly.

STEP TWO:

Print or handwrite the instructions on cardstock, letting the recipient know to replace the oil, eggs and water with the can of lemon-lime soda, following the directions on the back of the cake mix box. You can also include a birthday wish.

STEP THREE:

Once all the items are in the pan, secure the lid and tie the package with a ribbon for an added festive touch. Deliver to your favorite food pantry.

1

THE ELEMENTS

Collect your essentials and special decorations

2

PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Place each element in the baking pan, including directions, and cover with the lid

3

TIME TO DELIVER

Collect your birthday cake boxes together and drop it at your favorite food pantry

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO CONSIDER:

Include candles; balloons; a birthday banner; noisemakers; a blank card for friends and family to sign; a small, gender-neutral gift or a gift card; birthday-themed paper plates and napkins. You don’t have to make each box the same – choose a different cake mix and frosting flavor for each box!

Protecting wealth and lifestyles

As a financial professional, I donʼt see my role as predicting the future. I see it as helping people prepare for it—so unexpected medical events, market shifts, or life changes donʼt derail their goals.

At the core of my approach is control and flexibility. I want my clients—not the IRS—to dictate the rules around their assets.

Lawrence “Larry” Laryea Financial Professional | New York Life Insurance Company Manchester, NH | 607-240-7753 | llaryea@ft.newyorklife.com

ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BIRTHDAY PARTY DIY DOG

THROW A PAWSOME BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND

DIY PARTY FAVORS FOR DOGS

Create delightful DIY party favors for your dog guests by filling small bags or boxes with goodies. Include a tennis ball for playtime fun and a selection of treats for them to enjoy. You can also add a small toy or chew for variety. These favors ensure that every pup goes home happy and tired from all the play and treats.

TREAT STATION FOR OWNERS

Keep the human guests happy with a creative Treat Station for Owners. Use brand new, clean dog food bowls as serving dishes for snacks like chips, pretzels, and candies. Arrange the bowls on a table with a festive tablecloth and some dog-themed decorations. Label each bowl with fun names like “Puppy Chow” for trail mix or “Doggie Biscuits” for cookies.

HOW TO MAKE A DOG BIRTHDAY CAKE

A birthday party isn’t complete without a cake, even for dogs! To make a dog-friendly birthday cake, start with ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, and carrots. Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of cinnamon in one bowl. In another bowl, blend 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1 mashed banana, and 1/2 cup of grated carrots. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then pour the batter into a greased cake pan. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Let it cool, then frost with a mixture of Greek yogurt and peanut butter. Decorate with dog treats and serve to your excited pup!

UNPLUG HAVE FUN! &

ARTICLE BY PAM REID | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Summertime is the best time for kids to disconnect and enjoy being outdoors.

Long, long ago, in a time before technology, children entertained themselves and played endlessly with nothing more than ... wait for it ... their imagination. They played outdoors for hours with friends, balls, jump ropes, buckets, chalk, bicycles, you name it! The level of creativity saw no limits in the minds of these children. While some families have plans for getaway vacations, there are those planning to stay home and scrambling for things their children can do. We’d like to share some ideas that don’t include technology or cost a boat load of money for that matter. The benefits of spending time outdoors and unplugged outweigh complaints about temperature or those annoying creepy crawlers. The added bonus is that many outdoor games secretly teach life skills. Technology is used only to confirm game rules.

Ready or not, it’s time to play! A day - or two or three - full of outdoor games will invoke a trip down memory lane for some adults, or a “this is great” thought for others. In either case, playing these games has tremendous benefits - young people can fully embrace human connection, get a break from the instant gratification associated with technical devices and social media, and enjoy some good wholesome, age-appropriate fun. Many adults admit they played many of their favorite childhood games well into their teen years, and still others say they relish in a good game of dodgeball or tug of war today. This list is not all-inclusive, but it certainly gets the games started!

“READY OR NOT, IT’S TIME TO PLAY!”

CHILDHOOD GAMES

TUG OF WAR - contest between two teams at opposite ends of a rope; each team trying to drag the other across a center line.

SACK RACE - stand in your sack, hold on to the top of your sack and hop as fast as you can to the finish line!

FREEZE TAG - each player freezes when tagged and can be unfrozen only by a player who is not yet frozen. Game ends when all players are frozen.

RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT - shout “green light” and all players run towards you, shout “yellow light” and they are allowed to walk, but when “red light” is shouted, they must stop and freeze. If player moves at “red light”, they go back to start line.

MUSICAL CHAIRS - walk to music around a group of chairs containing one chair fewer than number of players, and rush to sit down when music stops. The player left standing in each round is eliminated.

KICK THE CAN - find players in their hiding spots and put them in “jail”. Once a player is “jailed” the only way to be freed is for another player to beat the “IT” person to the can and kick it.

DODGEBALL - team sport in which players on two teams try to throw balls and hit opponents, while avoid being hit themselves. Consider water balloons instead of balls on a hot day.

There are more great outdoor games. Get unplugged and get outside!

Your Path To Holistic Health Starts Here

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Two Master Certified Picture Framers on Staff

GOING

We’re saying goodbye to plastic wrap, Ziploc bags and aluminum foil, and hello to reusable wax food wraps you can wrap around anything your hungry (or full) heart desires.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN REUSABLE WAX FOOD WRAPS IN 4 EASY STEPS

GREEN

ARTICLE BY NICOLETTE MARTIN

SUPPLIES:

• Beeswax beads

• Fabric

• Pinking shears

• Parchment paper

• Baking sheet

INSTRUCTIONS:

01. PREHEAT your oven to its lowest setting.

02. CUT FABRIC into desired shapes. Using pinking shears so the fabric doesn’t fray, you can cut your fabric into any shape or size you’d like. Consider what size or shape of food you store the most and use that as a guide.

03. PREP + MELT. Cover your baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cut fabric on top. Sprinkle with beeswax beads and place in the oven to allow beeswax to melt for 5-10 minutes.

04. KEEP IT COOL. Remove fabric from baking sheet (careful, it’s hot!) and allow wax to harden and cool.

FOR REUSE, wash in cool water (you don’t want the wax to melt!) with mild dish soap and let air dry.

Tutorial adapted from ApartmentTherapy.com.

W A T C H THEM GROW

The days are long, but the years go fast. So they say with raising children. I have to agree with that sentiment. Each year as summer ends I find myself looking at my kids and reminding myself to “Watch them grow!” Both as a reminder to not miss the growth (with all the distractions and responsibilities that adult life brings) but also as reflection on how far they’ve come since the last time we turned the calendar page to August. Whether there are children in your life or not, I’m sure we can all agree that childhood is fleeting. Instead of stopping to smell the roses, I need to remind myself to “stop and watch them grow”—you can’t see it if you stare, but you’ll surely miss it if you blink! It helps me to set aside intentional time to be present with these fast little growers.

For us that looks like setting a special table to spend time sharing (or drawing) how we’ve seen them grow over the summer before jumping back into school routines. Making DIY game boards together and then having a family game night. Making snow cones for an after-dinner treat or, for a bigger wow factor, for breakfast! They will never forget that one, I promise. (Psst! my snow cones are made with fruit juice so it’s Mommy approved too!)

As August rolls in and the calendar tells us that it’s time for back-to-school shopping, the weather does not usually agree that the times are changing. I find that it’s such

a weird dance between what looks like the change of seasons when I open my calendar but not when I walk out my back door (heat wave!). On one hand, we’re still in full throttle of blazing temperatures in the Midwest and with no end in sight. At the same time, being thrown into back-to-school shopping, Meet-the-Teacher nights, resuming the regiment of packing school lunches, and if you’re a homeschool parent, all the to-do lists and lesson plans in order to launch into another school year. As we find ourselves

with one foot in summer and the other in a classroom, how do we embrace and (dare I say) celebrate this month? Instead of feeling ungrounded in the juxtaposition of August, I am inviting myself, and anyone who would join me, to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the in-between seasons that this month brings. My hope is that these ideas help spark your imagination on how to keep you cool in the heat, launch your kiddos into a new school year, and to set aside time to watch them grow.

DIY GAME BOARDS

Welcome more play into your life with this little DIY project. At our house we like to keep outdoor game boards around for short moments together as well as full blown game nights. These game boards are meant to be kept outside but could also be brought indoors as well.

Materials

• Pebbles for Checkers, 24 similar sized

• Small stones for Tic-Tac-Toe, 8 similar sized

• Acrylic paints (black, red, yellow and white)

• Paint brush

• Raw wooden boards + black paint marker

• Reclaimed wood + black acrylic paint

• Polycrylic spray

Instructions

1. Game Pieces: Paint your rocks with acrylic paint. For Tic-TacToe you’ll need a total of 8 rocks, 4 of each type (here I’ve painted 4 lady bugs and 4 bumble bees). For Checkers you’ll need a total of 24 rocks, 12 of each color (here I’ve used black stones, painting half of them red).

2. Game Board: For raw wood (such as our Tic-Tac-Toe board), use a ruler and black paint marker to create board lines. For reclaimed or treated wood, use paint. Let game pieces and game boards fully dry. Seal with a polycrylic spray for protection from heat and moisture.

SNOW CONES

We adore snow cones at our house! If you’ve been to our house then we’ve probably served them to you. A shaved ice machine makes it oh-so-easy! You can purchase premade snow cone syrup flavors or make your own healthier version by using fruit juice concentrates. Simply thaw the frozen fruit juice concentrate and put the liquid into squeezy bottles for an easy way to pour over shaved ice.

Assemble

• Ice, lots of ice!

• Snow Cone Machine

• Snow Cone Cups

• Snow Cone Straws

• Snow Cone Syrups (or frozen juice concentrates, thawed)

Use a snow cone machine to shave ice into snow cone cups. Top with your favorite flavor—either store bought snow cone syrups, homemade syrups, or our favorite—fruit concentrates. Stay cool and celebrate the last days of summer heat!