BRI NGS HER THRIFTING SECRETS TO WES TPORT WITH LAR A SPENCER
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our uniquely developed stretch mechanism offers effortless wearability, making it incredibly easy to slip on and off while ensuring a perfect fit and exceptional comfort.
Spring signals a time of renewal; a moment to pause, reset, and consider what it truly means to invest. In this April issue of Westport Lifestyle, we explore investment in its many forms: in ourselves, in our community, and in the experiences and passions that enrich everyday life.
On our cover this month is Lara Spencer, whose creative eye and thoughtful approach to sustainability continue to resonate. On her new show centered on thrifting and reinvention, she takes viewers throughout Fairfield County, uncovering local gems and showing that great style—and smart investments—often begins close to home. Her work is a reminder that value isn’t always about what’s new, but about seeing possibility in what already exists.
The idea of investing with intention carries throughout the issue. A candid Q&A with independent insurance advisor Jeff Boley offers insight into protecting what matters most and planning for the future with clarity and confidence. In wellness, Adrienne Fleming shares her approach to movement and strength, reinforcing the idea that health is one of the most meaningful long-term investments we can make.
From personal wellbeing, the focus naturally extends outward. We spotlight Westport’s The Organic Market, a locally rooted store dedicated to thoughtful sourcing and everyday nourishment, and sit down with Sustainable Westport to explore how small, conscious choices can shape our world.
Travel is also framed as an investment, in perspective, restoration, and connection. Our feature on Hidden Pond in Maine invites readers to slow down and experience a kind of luxury defined not by excess, but by nature, intention, and mindful hospitality.
This issue celebrates the pleasures that make life richer as well. Anna Barnes curates an April shopping guide designed for the season ahead, while Skin by Kataryna highlights the power of consistent, intentional self-care. Nikki Glekas welcomes spring with a celebratory recipe meant for gathering, and Chuck Schoendorf’s classic Cunningham cars remind us how passion, craftsmanship, and preservation can become lasting legacies. In honor of National Poetry Month, we’re also delighted to welcome Ellen Burstyn to Westport, celebrating storytelling, creativity, and the enduring power of words.
Rounding out the issue, our Editor’s Pick—a Rainbow Tennis Necklace from Gauhar Jewelry—is a joyful reminder that sometimes the most meaningful investments are the ones that simply bring beauty into our everyday lives.
As the season shifts, this issue invites reflection on where energy, time, and care are being placed—and how those choices shape the life being built.
April 2026
PUBLISHER
Marisa MacLean | marisa.maclean@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sara Gaynes Levy | sara.gayneslevy@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Anna Barnes, Marisa MacLean, Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Nikki Glekas, Johanna Martel, Gately Ross, Haley Lieberman
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Heidi Gutman, Sean S Smith Photography, Emily Billington, Monika Satur
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
MARISA MACLEAN, PUBLISHER
Sustainable
Says the beloved fitness instructor: "There’s not one second that I take this for granted.”
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Every minute, the beauty industry creates 877 lbs of waste.
Aluminum foil is a major culpritoverheating during highlights, causing brassiness, and ending up in our landfills with no chance of recycling.
Artist and collector Ryan Matthew Cohn, best known for his iconic “exploded skull” sculptures and as co-host of Discovery Channel’s cult hit Oddities (plus a November 2022 appearance on Westport Lifestyle's cover) opened his first permanent showroom in Bridgeport, Cvrated by Ryan Matthew Cohn. Open to the public on Sundays, Ryan's space is "part gallery, part cabinet of curiosities." 726 Union Ave., Bridgeport, open Sundays, 12–5 PM and by appointment. For more, visit ryanmatthewcohn.com/showroom
Westport's on-demand car service Wheels2U is now serving more than just commuters. You can now request a ride to or from Greens Farms and Saugatuck train stations during the mid-day hours of 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. "By expanding, we’re making Saugatuck and Greens Farms more accessible to everyone, no parking permit required," said Peter Gold, a Director of the Westport Transit District. For more information, visit wheels2u.org/westport
Photography Courtesy Wheels2U
“ Michelle & Team guided us with confidence, clarity, and exceptional service, from buying our first home to selling years later. Their reputation is well earned. ~A.C., Westport “
Beloved local home and gift shop The Post is now in two spots in Westport: their original location at 1799 Post Road E., and their new spot at 8 Sconset Square.
Scan to read more
Lauren, owner of local mental health business Family Consultants of Westport, recently released her debut novel, Don't Tell My Mom That I Love Her. The book is a nostalgic, heartwarming love letter to mothers and daughters of all ages and stages, and the complicated intergenerational thread that binds them. For more information or to order the book, visit laurenmbarnett.com Your
Life insurance helps protect what matters mostyour family’s home, your children’s education, and the life you’ve built together.
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Meet Koy Price, the newest Associate Financial Advisor at Saugatuck Financial. A Fairfield County native, Koy was a three-time All-Conference Athlete at Bowdoin and joined Saugatuck Financial to apprentice under award-winning founding partner Justin Charise, CFP®. “Justin and the team have shown me not just how to do the work, but how to do it right: with a growth mindset, deep passion, and relentless focus on delivering value for clients,” says Koy. For more: saugatuck-financial.com
THE MAINE SUMMER FAIRFIELD COUNTY KEEPS QUIETLY CLAIMING AS ITS OWN.
TThere is a certain moment every summer when Fairfield County families start craving something different. Not louder beaches. Not longer airport lines. Something cooler, calmer, and more grounded. That is when Hidden Pond enters the conversation and, more often than not, becomes the plan.
Just a manageable drive from home, Hidden Pond is tucked into the woods of Kennebunkport, close enough to the coast to catch the salt air and far enough to feel genuinely removed. We visited last summer, and immediately understood why so many Fairfield County families return year after year. This is not a place you rush through. It is a place you settle into.
The standalone cottages are the heart of Hidden Pond. Set among birch trees, they feel more like borrowed summer homes than hotel accommodations. Each offers a full kitchen, generous living space, gas fireplace, outdoor shower, and layouts that truly work for families. You can cook breakfast in pajamas, send the kids off to activities, and enjoy your coffee without feeling pulled in a dozen directions.
The resort recently announced a thoughtful refresh of its cottages debuting in the 2026 season, with interiors reimagined by Superette Studio. The updates lean into what Hidden Pond does best: quiet luxury inspired by Maine’s woods and shoreline, layered textures, soft palettes, and spaces designed for real living, not just sleeping.
Days at Hidden Pond unfold naturally. Mornings might begin with yoga or a bike ride through the trees. Late mornings turn into pool time at the Serenity Pool while kids happily head off to activities. Afternoons often mean a quick drive to Goose Rocks Beach, a wide, uncrowded stretch of sand that reminds you why Maine summers feel so special. Back on property, the pace stays relaxed. Garden paths invite wandering, kids gather for s’mores, and evenings ease gently into dinner without any sense of urgency.
Earth at Hidden Pond is genuinely excellent. The menu is deeply seasonal, drawing from the resort’s garden and local farms, and delivered with a sense of ease that makes dinner feel unforced. Parents linger over wine, kids eat well, and the experience feels both elevated and comfortable.
The Tree Spa is tucked quietly among the trees. From the moment you arrive, there is a noticeable sense of calm. Whether you book a massage, a facial, or simply take a quiet moment to yourself, the spa has a way of resetting you in a way that lingers long after you leave.
Hidden Pond strikes a balance that is hard to find. It's easy to reach, yet truly transporting. It's refined without feeling flashy. It's family-friendly without feeling chaotic. It's social enough to feel connected, but private enough to unplug. It's no surprise this Maine hideaway has become a summer tradition for so many Fairfield County families (or that availability fills quickly once school lets out). Once you visit, it becomes clear why people come back—and why they rarely stop at just one stay.
For more information, visit hiddenpondmaine.com
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With a proven track record, 20 years experience, over 250 properties sold, and our signature “handholding” service, you can rely on us to get you the best possible result.
“What a treat having Jen Kass and Danna Rogers represent us in the sale of our house in Westport. Their knowledge and expertise allowed us to sell the house in three days at the “highest price and best terms.” They are delightful people to work with making a stressful experience that much easier. If you want the best representation choose Jen and Danna to be on your side.” - L & T
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For Westport Lifestyle's Investment Issue, we are spotlighting individuals who help our community make, serve, and protect their investments. As there's no greater investment than a healthy life and livelihood, we spoke to Jeff Boley, an independent insurance advisor affiliated with HealthMarkets, to learn more about how he advises his clients on their insurance needs. Jeff's specialty is protecting family finances against events that are difficult to unwind later, such as death, disability, and extended care needs.
Westport Lifestyle: How did you get into the health insurance field?
Jeff Boley: Before focusing exclusively on insurance, I spent years in financial advisory and other consultative roles serving affluent clients. As an independent agent, I can objectively evaluate existing coverage for fit and ongoing value as circumstances evolve.
WL: When and why would someone want to work with an insurance agent?
JB: Most people contact a health insurance agent because they need health coverage—often due to a job change, retirement, self-employment, or a family transition. Health insurance is usually the immediate concern. In those moments, an experienced agent can help evaluate plan designs, provider networks, and formularies.
“I view insurance as infrastructure for protecting and deploying capital efficiently. The return is not growth alone. The return is resilience and preserved options.”
What is often overlooked is that health insurance addresses only one category of health-related financial risk. While health coverage can typically be revisited each year, life insurance, long-term care, and disability coverage are far more permanent. They are also constrained by health and age. That makes structure, timing, and periodic review especially important. An agent who can address this full continuum helps families make informed decisions while flexibility still exists and coordinates those decisions with their broader financial, tax, and estate planning.
WL: What are some of the biggest decisions you help guide people on?
JB : The most consequential decisions involve long-duration risks, such as extended long-term care needs, permanent disability during peak earning years, premature death of a primary income earner, increasing longevity with rising healthcare costs, or cognitive decline requiring oversight and care. Clients seek guidance on structuring life insurance, evaluating disability income protection, and using long-term care coverage to preserve assets and flexibility. These decisions are easier to address in advance and far more costly to correct later. Because goals and circumstances change, these decisions benefit from periodic reassessment. My role is to help ensure coverage continues to reflect original intent and remains aligned with a client’s broader financial and estate planning.
WL: What are some services people may not realize they can work with an agent on?
JB: Many people associate health insurance agents primarily with health plans or Medicare enrollment—areas that can often be adjusted year to year. In practice, much of the most meaningful work involves reviewing and aligning life insurance, long-term care, and disability coverage, or identifying gaps where coverage is missing. These policies are often put in place at one point in time and left unchanged, even as assets, responsibilities, and lifestyles evolve. Health and Medicare decisions tend to be adjustable infrastructure. Life, long-term care, and disability planning benefit from thoughtful review to ensure coverage remains appropriate and sustainable.
WL: You work with both individuals and businesses. How is the process different?
JB: For individuals and families, the work focuses on protecting income, preserving assets, and planning for longevity—particularly the impact of disability, premature death, or extended care needs. For business owners and executives, life and disability coverage often intersect with succession planning, continuity risk, buy-sell arrangements, and key-person exposure, while long-term care planning influences retirement timing and capital preservation. In both cases, the process involves reviewing existing arrangements and coordinating with a client’s CPA, financial advisor, and attorney so insurance decisions support—not disrupt—the broader plan.
WL: What does “insurance as an investment” mean to you?
JB: I view insurance as infrastructure for protecting and deploying capital efficiently, not as a return-generating asset in the traditional sense. Life insurance, disability coverage, and long-term care planning exist first to absorb low-probability, high-impact events. In certain contexts, insurance can also be used effectively to meet planning objectives— such as education funding—where flexibility, tax treatment, and risk management matter. The return is not growth alone. The return is resilience and preserved options.
WL: What is the best question someone can ask when starting to work with you?
JB: A productive starting question is: “Do the insurance decisions we’ve already made still protect what matters most to us—and would they hold up if something changed?” That opens the door to a constructive review of existing coverage and coordination with the advisors already involved in the client’s planning.
WL: What are the biggest myths about your field?
JB: “If I have health insurance, I’m protected.” Health insurance covers medical costs, not income loss, long-term care needs, or the financial impact of death. “Cheapest premium equals best decision.” Focusing narrowly on premium often increases long-term exposure through higher out-of-pocket costs or coverage gaps that only appear under stress. “Insurance decisions are easy to change later.” Health insurance often is. Life insurance, disability coverage, and long-term care planning usually are not.
WL: Have you noticed shifts in what clients are looking for over the last five years?
JB: Yes. There is increased attention on long-term care risk, particularly among households that once assumed self-funding would be sufficient. There is also greater interest in confirming that existing life and disability coverage still reflects current priorities. Clients are more focused on value, sustainability, and alignment—and they appreciate guidance that fits alongside the financial and legal advice they already trust.
WL: What is your favorite part of your career?
JB: Hearing from clients after a consequential health-related event and learning that their planning prevented severe financial disruption. Those moments often follow serious illness, disability, extended care needs, or death. Much of this value is invisible when done well. It shows up later, when families realize they had more options and fewer forced trade-offs because they planned ahead and revisited those plans over time. When clients share that earlier decisions—and subsequent reviews—helped them preserve independence or maintain their lifestyle, that is the most meaningful part of my work.
For more about Jeff and his work, visit healthmarkets.com/jboley
After 17 years as an employee, longtime chef Talin Bozuklu, with her partner Mary Taş, now own the business.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
Seventeen years ago, Talin Bozuklu was hired as a dishwasher at The Organic Market, the health food store in Playhouse Square. Talin eventually became the head chef, and her food won awards and devotees across Fairfield County. Earlier this year, when longtime owners Maggie
and Charles Vosgueritchian retired after 38 years, Talin took on another title: co-owner. She and her partner Mary Taş officially took over in January. “For 17 years, she's cooked for everyone, and she loved that experience. And now, in this new chapter in her life, she gets to cook for herself,” says Yeraz Bozuklu, Talin’s daughter, who has taken on PR and marketing in addition to working in the juice bar three days a week. “It’s such a special moment. I can't even describe how she feels about it.” Mary, Yeraz's aunt, worked in the kitchen and juice bar from 1997 until 2011, so it is a full family affair.
The Organic Market is a Westport institution, and Talin and Mary plan to carry on that legacy while modernizing a few things about the business. “We love our customers,” says Yeraz. “Everyone who has tried The Organic Market, whether for the first time or they have been coming for the past 20 years, knows it's so incredibly important to the community. We want to keep it the same and just spruce it up a bit.” One area where Yeraz and her family want to start? “Making it more environmentally friendly,” she says. They’ve been
replacing the plastic produce bins with wooden ones and have other eco-conscious upgrades in the works. If you’ve been in recently, you might notice the store’s layout has changed, too, to be slightly more intuitive. The juice bar is getting new, hand-calligraphed signs done by a local artist and the seating area will expand both inside and outside to make it easier to stay and eat. And while the café staples aren’t going anywhere— after all, Talin has been the chef for many years, and she knows what people like!— they are hoping to add more Mediterranean dishes to the menu, as well as more vegan options.
Yeraz is also hoping to boost the market’s online presence, manning social media and their website so customers can see the daily specials and keep spreading the word about this treasured local business. “It’s such a hidden gem,” Yeraz says. “We want The Organic Market to be well-known in the community.”
The Organic Market is located at 285 Post Road E. in Westport. For more, visit organicmarketct.com
“Everyone who has tried The Organic Market knows it’s so incredibly important to the community.”
Our award-winning team specializes in serving high- income and high-net-worth clients in Fairfield County and beyond.
Our comprehensive approach coordinates world-class wealth management with sophisticated tax-strategies and long-term financia l planning solutions.
And, by learning what matters most to you before we advise, we can t ailor a personalized plan that creates the financial peace- of-mind you deserve.
ARTICLE BY JOHANNA MARTELL, GATELY ROSS, AND HALEY LIEBERMAN
SUSTAINABLE WESTPORT IS ENCOURAGING OUR COMMUNITY TO “UNPLASTIC” THEIR LIVES, ONE STEP AT A TIME.
As you read this, you are probably wearing plastic. If you’re in leggings, a workout top, a fleece, puffer jacket, or anything described as “stretchy,” “athleisure,” or “performance,” (or even denim with just a bit of give), there’s a very good chance it’s made from polyester, nylon, acrylic, or elastane. Translation: oil. Synthetic fibers are plastics, derived from fossil fuels, and spun into thread.
Roughly 60 percent of all clothing produced globally is made from synthetic fibers, and that number is even higher in activewear and fast fashion. In other words, most of us are wrapped in plastic for large portions of the day. Plus, every time you wash synthetic clothing, it sheds hundreds of thousands of tiny plastic fibers. Wastewater treatment plants can’t fully capture them, so they flow into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Scientists estimate that around 35 percent of microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic textiles. Not straws. Not packaging. Clothes.
So, in 2026, Sustainable Westport is focusing on helping Westporters “unplastic” their lives, one step at a time. “UnPlastic Westport’s goal is to reduce single-use plastic in Westport and to inspire and equip the community to choose better alternatives to plastic in our lives,” says Johanna Martell, the co-director of Sustainable Westport. For Earth Month, their focus is on our closets, a sneaky source of microplastics. “Choosing to limit the plastic in our clothing is both good for the environment and our health,” says Johanna.
Here, their team of experts: co-directors Johanna Martell and Gately Ross, and Haley Lieberman, a leader in technical solutions for sustainable consumption, share their tips for “un-plastic-ing” your clothing and doing your part.
“Every garment is required by law to have a care tag that lists its fiber content,” says Haley Lieberman, the director of industry and corporate partnerships for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the
global thought leader in circular economy technology, and a twiceover resale tech entrepreneur. “Once you start looking, you’ll see that the most common plastic-based fibers show up again and again: polyester, nylon, acrylic, elastane (also called spandex or Lycra), and polyurethane.” Focusing on natural fibers, like cotton, wool, linen, silk, hemp, and cashmere, is a great place to start (though beware of blends, as they still shed plastics over time).
“Hangers and storage systems are often overlooked sources of plastic,” says Haley. “Thin plastic hangers and bins degrade over time, trap odors, and contribute to indoor plastic dust. Wooden or metal hangers and breathable storage options like cotton garment bags are quieter, longer-lasting choices.”
“Shoes, belts, and accessories are harder to fully de-plasticize, but awareness still help,” says Haley. “Many shoes rely on plastic soles and foams, but uppers made from leather, wool, or canvas tend to shed less than fully synthetic materials. And ‘vegan leather,’ despite the name, is polyurethane or PVC — just plastic by another name.”
“When you’re ready to part with plastic-heavy items, the goal isn’t to send them straight to the landfill. Donate wearable pieces so they can have a second life, and look for reputable textile recyclers for items that are worn out,” says Haley. Westport and Weston use Bay State Textiles for recycling, and anything that’s not in donate-able shape should go to them. (Drop off at 300 Sherwood Island Rd.)
“I strongly suggest resisting buying more clothes until we actually need to,” says Haley. “New, used, organic, synthetic — no matter what we purchase, almost all of it eventually ends up in landfill. Even fibers that can be recycled usually aren’t. That said, since we do need clothes, the goal is to make purchases intentionally. Start with secondhand whenever possible. It keeps materials in circulation and avoids creating demand for something new. When buying new, prioritize natural fibers, especially in blends. You won’t be able to eliminate synthetics entirely, and that’s okay. The key is to buy them well.”
“The important thing is to choose what works for you and your family,” says Gately Ross, co-director of Sustainable Westport. “There is no one area that is more important than the next. One of the easiest places to start are meals and food storage. Stop buying single-use beverages in plastic bottles. Avoid storing and heating up your food in plastic containers; instead switch to glass containers.” For more tips, swaps, and ideas, visit sustainablewestport.org, subscribe to their newsletter, and sign the Pledge to UnPlastic
The more we understand what we wear, the more power we have to reduce plastic pollution. If this article inspired you to make even one small change, consider supporting Sustainable Westport’s Earth Day April Appeal at sustainablewestport.org.
Says the beloved fitness instructor:
"There’s not one second that I take this for granted.”
ARTICLE BY LAUREN BROWN WEST-ROSENTHAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY BILLINGTON
For Adrienne Fleming, the most significant investment she's ever made didn't happen in a bank. It happened on a dance floor.
Growing up in New Jersey, Adrienne danced seven days a week. “It was my life, my obsession,” she tells Westport Lifestyle. “Not just dance, but the studio environment. I love movement, but I also am really passionate about sharing the experience in a room with people. That group fitness dynamic where there's an energy in the room, the music is amazing and you're feeding off each other? I thrive on that.” Yet, like many, she eventually took the so-called “practical" route, studying at Vanderbilt University and moving into a career in finance in New York City. Though she found a temporary “home” by teaching Barre on nights and weekends, the dream of creating something of her own remained on the back burner. “I remember there was one crossroads where I was looking for a new job and I said, if I don't get this job, I'm going to go into fitness full time. I ended up getting that job.”
Then, in 2023, the unimaginable happened. Her husband died suddenly, leaving her a widow and a solo parent to three young boys.
“I completely stopped moving,” Adrienne recalls. “I felt like a sheet of glass. If I put any stress on my body, I would shatter.”
The catalyst for her return was a 40th birthday dance class, organized by persistent friends. Through tears, Adrienne felt a spark. “Something inside me was waking up and reminding me: You love this. This is part of you .”
Adrienne had a choice: let grief define her or bet on the dream she had carried since youth. She chose the latter. Today, her popular dance cardio, strength, and sculpt classes—held at Dance on the DL in Darien and The Spot at JD in Norwalk—are a tight-knit community built on resilience. Her story is a testament to the idea that there is no "perfect time.” The right time is when you show up for yourself.
CONTINUED >
Westport Lifestyle: You’ve said the circumstances of starting your business made "no sense" on paper. How did you find the mindset to begin?
Adrienne Fleming: I was 40, a very recent widow, and figuring out how to be a solo parent to three little boys. I was broken and lost, but I also felt a deep pull toward this dream. When I slowly started moving my body again after months of horrible grief, a tiny glimmer lit up that felt like the "old me." I latched onto that feeling like a lifeline. I felt this deep need to create and choreograph—and to face the fear that it was "too late." After this event changed my life, I didn't care what anyone thought anymore. I released self-consciousness and said, “Life is short. I want to prove to myself I can do this.”
WL: Once you made that decision, how did you keep going?
AF: In the summer of 2023, I contacted Dance on the DL and asked to rent the studio every Monday and Wednesday [that fall]. I knew if I just did a one-off class, I’d check the box and let weeks go by. I needed momentum. I practiced around the clock all summer, choreographing and figuring out the right level of difficulty. I was so nervous during my first class, I was shaking; I swear I almost fell over when the music started. But then I just kept showing up again and again and again until it started to feel fluid.
WL: From those first few sessions, your business exploded. Was that growth intentional or organic?
AF: It was very organic. For the first eight months, I didn't even post on Instagram. I was slowly healing through my classes and finding myself; I wasn’t ready to "put myself out there." It was all word of mouth. Eventually, I launched a website and finally posted a reel while on spring break with my kids. By the time I got home, all my classes for the following week were sold out. Now, we have three additional instructors and 13 classes a week. What this has turned into is beyond my wildest dreams.
WL: You’ve built a fiercely devoted following. What do you think draws these women to your studio every day?
AF: The energy. There are no egos in my classes; people are genuinely excited to be there. I see friendships forming, and these women have become my friends, too. We're all here raising our kids in the same community. We have a special bond. There are some mornings I’ve cried my eyes
out before class, and I know I’m not the only one showing up on hard days smiling while feeling down inside. Movement is a mood lifter that releases happy hormones. It is healing, uplifting, and powerful. Sharing that experience with other women speaks to my soul. I just want everyone to walk out of my class feeling energized, confident, and connected to their bodies and to each other.
WL: How do you personally gauge the success of your business?
AF: Every day, I wash all the towels from class—and I never, ever get annoyed by that task. Sure, it can be tedious, but every towel represents a woman who showed up that day to work out with me and I take that privilege very seriously. So many women have told me that they have never been this consistent with any workout before. That’s not just because of the incredible results, but because this movement accesses femininity, emotion, and connection to self. That feeling is addictive.
WL: What do you hope your three boys take away from watching their mother build this from scratch?
AF: I want them to learn resilience and the importance of finding passion in your work. My boys and I have been through something tragic, but they see that every morning I get up and do what I love. I also love that I can be there when their bus gets home and be at their games on the weekends. It is special that I can do both.
WL: What do you believe ultimately gave you the push to pursue this path?
AF: Grief changes you on a cellular level. There's not one second that I take any of this for granted. It freed me from many binds I put myself in. I said, “I'm going to be me, I'm just going to do this thing I love.” If it turns into something amazing, great, and if it doesn’t, I’ll be content because at least I tried. I realized there isn't always a tomorrow. You just have to go for it. I told myself for so many years I wasn't good enough, I was too old, the ship had sailed, or I couldn't compete with other people in the industry. Finally, I decided: I’m not competing with anybody. This is my heart and soul. It's such a big part of who I am. I don't even know where this class begins and I end. It’s all one and the same.
For more information about Adrienne’s classes, visit adrienne-fleming.com
America’s Lara Spencer hosts a new series that shows off the hidden treasures right here in Fairfield County.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABC NEWS & DISNEY/HEIDI GUTMAN
Lara Spencer loves a good thrift find. “I’ve been thrifting and going to yard sales since I was very young,” Lara, the Emmy-award winning anchor and host of Good Morning America , tells Westport Lifestyle. “My mom had a great eye and loved hunting for vintage furniture to restore. She would bring me everywhere with her, and that’s really where it all began for me.” Lara has been sharing this passion of hers for years: she wrote a book, I Brake for Yard Sales, chronicling her secondhand shopping secrets; she created and hosted HGTV’s Flea Market Flip, which aired from 2012-2019; and she often shows off her incredible vintage finds on her Instagram, @lara.spencer. Now, Lara is back with another treasure-hunting series, this time in her own backyard of Fairfield County.
Lara is the executive producer and host of That Thrifting Show, which premiers on Thursday, March 19 at 9 p.m. on Freeform, with the first six episodes available to stream on Hulu the next day. Each of the 12 episodes of the series features two interior-design duos, who hunt for beautiful,
unique vintage and thrift store finds to create a magazine-worthy room, with only two days and a $2,000 budget. Style experts Robert Hartwell, Dani Klaric, and Preston Konrad will judge the thrifted designs, and some of the featured designers may be familiar faces to Westport Lifestyle readers, including our contributor Zac Mathias. “I love seeing how into thrifting and upcycling my kids and their friends are,” Lara says of her desire to bring a new thrifting show to the air. “There’s a whole new audience that really understands and respects sustainable design. The idea of creating a room using only vintage and antique pieces found at thrift shops and estate sales just felt right for this moment.”
Much of the show was shot in Fairfield County, too. (Lara has lived here since just before her first child was born.) “It was such a joy to bring viewers to some of my favorite places and to highlight the wonderful people who run them,” she says. “We live in an area where people are incredibly generous with donations of furniture, accessories, and art to local charity thrift shops. That makes these places so fun to shop. I think viewers are going to be amazed by what our teams found and how they transformed those pieces into stunning rooms.” Not to mention that when we’re watching, we have the added bonus of being able to visit those same shops and create our own home-decor magic. “Watching [the designers] unload vans filled to the brim with furniture, art, and rugs they had scored at local consignment shops and thrift stores was so exciting. We were sometimes a little jealous–we wanted to shop with them!”
Offscreen, Lara shares her eye for amazing finds locally at Fairfield County Antique & Design: she and her partner, Lisa Richardson, have a booth called Le Tigre in the Norwalk space. “We joke that we are saving the world one vintage piece at a time!” says Lara. “She and I have been friends since nursery school in Garden City, New York, and our moms taught us everything we know about ‘the hunt.’ We honor them with our booth filled with pieces we know they would love. Our style is elegant, eclectic, and fun. Come see for yourself!” And you can feel good about your purchases there, too: proceeds support the
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North Shore Animal League (@animalleague), the world’s largest no-kill shelter for dogs and cats. “Any money donated goes toward rescuing these precious animals. It’s only about an hour’s drive from Westport, and they take such good care of these animals. Both of our babies are from there, Riva the retriever mix and Betty the corgi,” says Lara.
Whether on TV, on social media, or in-person, Lara says she loves showing others that “thrifting can be chic.” Her top tip? “If it makes you happy and you have a spot for it, buy it,” she says. “When I find a vintage piece that makes me happy and works in our space, I get it. I know I can always find a place for it, and if not, it goes to my shop at the Fairfield County A&D Center. I know someone else will love it.” Locally, she says she “can’t drive on the Post Road in Westport” without stopping at Furniture On Consignment II (1433 Post Rd. E). “The owner, Jim, is wonderful and generous and had great ideas for the teams [on the show] who asked him to help curate pieces with a certain look,” she says. Other favorites include the Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop, and auction houses like Modern Day Auctions and Black Rock Galleries. She also loves Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, where she scored one of her recent favorite finds. “I bought dozens of watercolors depicting African animals and landscapes from Tanzania. They were unframed, and it’s been a joy finding just the right vintage frames for each of them,” Lara says. “Jason at Frame & Save on the Norwalk/Westport border has helped me frame and mat over 30 of them, and I love them all.”
Ultimately, there’s a thrill that comes with rescuing a piece and giving it new life, and that’s what the show—and in some ways, Lara herself—is all about. Thrifting is an investment you can really can feel good about, she says. “It’s so rewarding knowing that these discarded things we find at thrift shops, which still have so much design value left in them, are getting a second look and being used in new and unexpected ways.”
That Thrifting Show premiers on Thursday, March 19 at 9 p.m. on Freeform, with the first six episodes available to stream on Hulu the next day.
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As the old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.”
But along the shoreline here in coastal Connecticut, they also usher in a season defined by misty mornings, breezy afternoons, and skies that can shift from soft blue to menacingly gray in an instant. April here can feel almost cinematic in a charming way: rain tapping against historic homes, fog rolling in from the Sound, sidewalks slick with the promise of spring blooms. But let’s face it; as much as we’d love to curl up inside during a spring shower, life must go on and we must get outside. It’s a
Key
month that invites layers, resilience, and a certain appreciation for weather that refuses to be predictable.
Reliable rain jackets are the foundation of any wetweather wardrobe, offering lightweight protection without sacrificing style. Rain boots are equally essential, shielding feet (both big and small) from puddles and muddy sidewalks; a reminder that there’s no age limit on stomping puddles. And, lastly, a chic umbrella isn’t just functional, it’s the finishing accessory that pulls everything together, keeping you—at least mostly—dry.
pieces to keep you dry and stylish while we wait for May's flowers.
ARTICLE BY ANNA BARNES
REIMA KID’S RAIN BOOTS
Keep tiny feet dry and
RHONE UTILITY TRENCH COAT
A fusion of premium performance technology with the all elements we love in a classic trench coat. $328, rhone.com
NOVELTY WATERPROOF JACKET
You won’t have to ask them twice to put their hood up with this fun, pink 3D monster jacket. $99, boden.com
against the rain, while being small enough to fit in almost any bag. $80, londonundercover.com
The ultimate classic— sleek, chic, and the reason rainy days don’t stand a chance. $190, hunterboots.com
Anna is a luxury PR pro, journalist, and the voice behind Bliss & Bellinis, where she shares her passion for travel, unique experiences, and curating a life filled with style and adventure. Originally from Ohio, she’s happily called Fairfield County home for the past decade, soaking up all its coastal charm. When she’s not crafting stories for brands or on deadline, she’s usually on a plane and always ready for a Bellini.
RAINCOAT
A water-resistant rain jacket to keep even the most ferocious of dinosaurs warm and dry.
GARDENER BOOTS
Full grain leather with a rubber sole makes for a winner when it comes to staying stylish on misty mornings.
SKIN BY KATARYNA IS WESTPORT'S SKINCARE OASIS.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONIKA SATUR
There’s a cottage on Greens Farms Road where Kataryna Parciak, founder of Skin by Kataryna, is quietly offering world-class, celeb-loved facials and skincare treatments. Heal Spa, where Skin by Kataryna is located, is her temple, and a place nearly 20 years in the making. Growing up in Poland, a culture that values skin care at all ages, Kataryna was always interested in aesthetics. “This has been my passion since I was young,” she says. When she moved to the U.S., she became an aesthetician, working at The Peninsula Spa in New York. She has experience in injectables and lasers, and she’s also
a registered nurse. At Heal Spa, she has combined her experiences to tie the medical field and the aesthetic field with a holistic approach, inspired by her travels in Bali. The result is a skincare spa unlike anything else in town.
Kataryna moved to Connecticut and opened her business seven years ago, but it was in just the last two years that Heal Spa and Skin by Kataryna have expanded to their current footprint. Her signature facial, rather than being a by-the-book treatment, is uniquely tailored to each client and their skin’s needs. “I just look at the skin,” she says. “I talk to the clients about what they are looking for, and when I see their skin, I just go with the flow.” She employs many types of technique, from piano-like facial massage to LED light therapy to microneedling and radiofrequency. Some appointments, she says, are more zen and restorative, while others use stronger approaches for targeted results—it all depends on the person and their needs that day. In addition to her extensive menu of facials, she also offers anti-aging hand treatment, back facials, chemical peels, and more.
She also carries a vast array of skincare products from all over the world, which she researches on her extensive travels. She is an ambassador for Forelle’d, out of Japan, and Valmont, from Switzerland, as well as Italian, South African, Polish, and Korean skincare brands. She also carries a line of German fragrances, all made from natural ingredients, and Japanese supplements.
(And Westport is represented too: you’ll also find MDSolarSciences, a local company). Having such a large arsenal of products on hand helps her further customize her offerings for each client: “At the end of the facial, I’ll say ‘you should use this according to what your skin needs,’ and then I prepare the products for them and mix them together,” Kataryna explains. Thanks to her medical background, she has a deep knowledge of the science behind the products she carries. “You have to know the chemistry,” she says. The regimens she makes for her clients take that into account.
Kataryna has loyal fans who have followed her from N.Y.C. to Westport, and with good reason: her treatments are simply best-in-class. Luckily for us, we have her right in our backyard.
Heal Spa / Skin by Kataryna is located at 243 Greens Farms Rd. For more information or to book an appointment, visit heal-spa.com
NIKKI GLEKAS SHARES HER TOP TIPS FOR AN EASTER THAT'S GORGEOUS AND SWEET.
ARTICLE BY NIKKI GLEKAS
With Easter just around the corner and spring's colorful bounty finally here, we asked Nikki Glekas, owner of Nikki Glekas Events, to share one of her family's favorite recipes with us: Easter Koulourakia, a traditional Greek cookie she makes in festive colors. Makes roughly 6 dozen cookies
3. Add 1 t. vanilla until incorporated.
itors come over. I’m giving them an Easter twist!
Ingredients
• 1 c. (2 sticks) room temperature butter
• 1 ½ c. sugar
• 1 t. vanilla
• 4 eggs, plus one yolk for the egg wash
• ½ c. orange juice
• ½ t. baking soda
• 3 t. baking powder
• 6 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• Food dye (I use pink, green, purple, and orange)
• 2 T. water
• Sprinkles
Instructions
1. Add softened butter to a large mixing bowl, and mix it to soften further.
2. Add sugar and cream together until they are well incorporated and begin to become fluffy.
4. In a cup, add baking soda to the orange juice, and let it begin to bubble. Slowly add to the butter mixture. Mix until combined.
5. With the mixer on, add one egg at a time, combining fully before adding each egg.
6. In a separate bowl, add baking powder to flour and lightly whisk to combine.
7. Slowly add flour mixture to wet mixture, using the mixer to combine, until approx. one cup of flour remains.
8. Using your hands, add the remaining flour slowly. Knead to fully combine. Once dough is fully combined, it should no longer stick to your hands.
9. Divide the dough into four equal parts and, using gloves, take one portion of dough and add food dye and knead until fully combined. (You can add as much or as little food coloring as you want, but the less you use, the more muted the colors will be.) Repeat this step for all colors.
Nikki Glekas is the founder and CEO of The Nikki Glekas Collective, an assembly of culinary and event concepts hallmarked by creative ingenuity, sharp eye for detail, and seriously delicious food. She is also the host of Nikki’s Modern Mediterranean, a YouTube show that features her family’s Greek recipes. To learn more, visit nikkiglekascollective.com
Nikki Glekas. Photo by Manolis Klimis.
10. Once all of the dough is dyed, place each color of dough in an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours.
11. Preheat oven to 350 F. Remove dough from refrigerator.
12. Take about a 1-inch ball of dough, and roll out evenly to about 9 inches long and about ½-inch thick. Fold the dough in half and twist the two legs three times. Place directly on your baking sheet. (I use nonstick baking sheets, or use parchment paper.)
13. Continue until all of your dough has been used. Place cookies about a half-inch apart. (They will not spread when baking.)
14. Brush the tops of your cookies with a simple egg wash (one yolk mixed with 2 T. water) and add some fun sprinkles on top.
15. Bake for about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Want to create a gorgeous holiday table? Here are Nikki's suggestions for place settings your guests will remember.
• Mix old and new: Pair heirloom pieces with modern dishes or glassware. The contrast tells a story and keeps the table from looking too "perfect."
• Build in layers: Stack chargers, dinner plates, and napkins (either folded or with a napkin ring) to create depth.
• Keep centerpiece low and lush: Choose low florals, greenery, and candles so guests can actually see each other. Mix the elements to create a long wow factor.
• Place cards are a must!: Guests love knowing exactly where they should sit—it instantly removes the awkward shuffle and makes everyone feel thought of. Tie your place cards into the decor by using matching elements: for example, Easter eggs for springtime, pumpkins for fall, or pine cones or ornaments for the holidays. It's functional and decorative; your place cards become part of the tablescape rather than an afterthought.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN S SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
For fans of classic cars, there’s nothing quite like a Cunningham. These unique vehicles—of which only 36 were ever made—were the creation of Briggs Cunningham, a sportsman and racing enthusiast whose defining passion was to race cars. Briggs lived in Westport in the mid-20th century, in a home on Beachside Avenue with his then-wife, Lucie Bedford
“I didn’t even know I would ever have one,” he says.
“I never dreamed I would have three.”
Cunningham Warren. (Lucie’s grandfather, Edward T. Bedford, was a co-founder of Standard Oil, the founder of the Westport YMCA, and the namesake of Bedford Middle School.)
So it’s an incredible, though perhaps logical, coincidence that one of the top Cunningham collectors in the country today, Chuck Schoendorf, is also based in Fairfield County. Chuck, a Connecticut native, owns three of those 36 original Cunninghams. “I’m a lifelong hobbyist with cars,” Chuck tells Westport Lifestyle. “As time went on, I started collecting vintage cars.” Cunninghams, in particular, piqued Chuck’s interest because of their unusual history.
“Cunningham’s passion was to build race cars, drive them, and compete,” Chuck explains. “In order to qualify to race at Le Mans [a storied annual sports car race in France], he had to make himself into a
manufacturer. So that’s what he did.” Learning about Briggs’ exacting craftsmanship (the cars had to be sent to Italy to be finished, then shipped back to the U.S., before heading to France with Briggs’ own team of mechanics to compete) was exhilarating to a lifelong car enthusiast like Chuck. “The whole story is great,” he says.
In the early 1960s, after Briggs had competed in Le Mans a number of times, Lucie and Briggs separated, and Briggs moved to the West Coast. Some of his designs remained in the area, and about 20 years ago, Chuck heard that there was a disassembled Cunningham at a shop near Bridgeport. Already a fan of the cars and the story, he went and bought it. “It was in pieces,” he says. “It took more than four years to get it on the road.” While working on restoring the car, he became connected with a community of
Cunningham enthusiasts. At one of their reunions in Florida, he got word that another Cunningham was nearby, this time in New Jersey. “I got there, and that car was in pieces,” Chuck says. So he bought a second disassembled Cunningham. “I brought that one to a friend and race car builder in upstate Connecticut, and he got it on the road within a year.”
“During the course of all this, I would travel to try and visit as many Cunningham cars and owners as I could,” says Chuck. It was on one of his trips to California that he happened upon another Cunningham—also in pieces—which eventually went up for sale. He had that one sent back to Connecticut, and took about two years to restore it and get it road-ready. Now, Chuck says, his collection is complete. “I didn’t even know I would ever have one,” he says. “I never dreamed I would have three.” (In his garage in Norwalk, he's actually the caretaker and driver for a fourth Cunningham, though he doesn’t own it, as well as a painstakingly-reproduced replica of a Cunningham C-4RK that he does own.)
Chuck can often be spotted driving his Cunninghams on the Merritt or 95—for him, these aren’t trophies, but living pieces of history that he quite simply loves driving. “Some people would be afraid to take one of these cars out, but I’ve put them together before, and repairs can be made if necessary. I’ve put tens of thousands of miles on them collectively,” he says. “I’ll be driving one and say to myself I can’t believe I’m driving a Cunningham . They’re just wonderful to use.” Recently, he got to take one of the cars in his collection on a very special drive: to Briggs Cunningham’s former Westport house, the one on Beachside Avenue.
“Some people would be afraid to take one of these cars out, but I’ve put them together before, and repairs can be made if necessary. I’ve put tens of thousands of miles on them.”
The property, at 92 Beachside, hit the market in late 2025, a fact that Chuck brought up to his longtime friend and fellow car enthusiast Judy Szablak, who happens to be a realtor, on one of their Sunday drives. “She said, ‘Do you want to see it?’ And I said, ‘well, yeah, I would!’” Judy arranged a visit through the listing agent, Cyd Hamer, and late last year Chuck brought one of his Cunninghams to the property. “It was fascinating to see the house,” Chuck says. “It was fantastic to tour the interior of a house I had heard so much about.” (One special
detail that stuck with Chuck was the study, which was crafted from the interior of a boat—sailing was another one of Briggs’ passions.)
These special cars have brought years of enjoyment and dozens of friends into Chuck’s life. “There probably isn’t anyone who spends as much time on Cunningham as I do,” Chuck says. “It’s wonderful to go down to the garage or up to my shop and look at them. But when you start the car, put it in gear, and drive it, you just pinch yourself. You can’t believe it’s really happening.”
ELLEN BURSTYN
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
On April 30th, Acacemy-Award winning actor Ellen Burstyn, author of the new book Poetry Says It Better, will visit The Westport Library in honor of National Poetry Month. Ellen will discuss her book, and poetry writ large, with fellow actor Pamela Anderson. Westport Lifestyle sat down with Ellen ahead of this exciting event to discuss Poetry Says It Better, her Westport appearance, and why poetry is just as relevant as ever.
WESTPORT LIFESTYLE: YOUR BOOK IS CALLED POETRY SAYS IT BETTER , AND IN IT YOU WROTE THAT YOUR LOVE OF POETRY CAME FROM THE DISCOVERY THROUGH POEMS THAT “WORDS KNEW HOW TO PLAY,” AS WELL AS THAT POEMS “NOURISH OUR SPIRITS.” WHY DO POEMS “SAY IT BETTER,” IN YOUR ESTIMATION?
Ellen Burstyn: Well, I can give you an example. The first poem that called my attention to poetry was ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley. The last line is ‘I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.’ When I read that, as a teenager in unhappy circumstances, I just went, yes! I can change my life I am the captain of my soul. You just couldn't say that in a more impactful way. Poetry will say something that, if it were said in plain English, wouldn't have the same impact.
WL: YOU SPOKE IN THE INTRODUCTION OF WANTING TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK OF THEMSELVES AS POETRY READERS OR LOVERS. WHAT DO YOU HOPE THEY TAKE AWAY FROM THE BOOK?
EB: I hope they get the enjoyment that I get from poetry: the wisdom, but also the way they express [thoughts] that speak to your soul.
WL: THE BOOK IS IN SUCH A UNIQUE FORMAT: PART ANTHOLOGY, PART ACADEMIC ANALYSIS, PART MEMOIR. HOW DID YOU ARRIVE AT THAT STRUCTURE FOR THE STORYTELLING?
EB: You know, I didn't think about it ahead of time. I started writing, and that's the way it formed itself. [I just knew]: I'm gonna write about my love of poetry, and it's going to reveal itself to me as I write it.
WL: TELL ME ABOUT THE EVENT AT THE WESTPORT LIBRARY. YOU AND PAMELA ANDERSON ARE SOMETHING OF AN UNLIKELY PAIRING TO TALK ABOUT POETRY! HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?
EB: [My publisher] asked about doing an event in Connecticut and who I would like to interview me, and I suggested Pamela. We just did a picture together [the upcoming Kornél Mundruczó film Place to Be], and when I heard she wanted to play the part of my daughter, I thought, why? It's only two scenes. Her career is on such a high now, she could play almost anything she wants. So once we were working together. I asked: what made you be interested in this? And she said: because I wanted to work with you. We've really gotten to know each other and she's a wonderful woman. She's so smart and creative. I really love knowing her. So it looks unusual on the surface, but in fact, it's not at all.
WL: YOU TWO WILL BE DISCUSSING “WHY POETRY MATTERS.” HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR YOURSELF?
EB: It's an art, and art matters. There's a beautiful quote that I have in the book by Kaveh Akbar, the Iranian poet, where he says “art is where what we survive survives.” And that is, to me, so beautiful and so meaningful, and it's true. Certainly, in poetry, people do tend to write about what they've survived. The knowledge that we gain from poetry is expressed in a beautiful way. So, that's why.
“The first poem that called my attention to poetry was ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley. The last line is ‘I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.’
When I read that, as a teenager in unhappy circumstances, I just went, yes! I can change my life. I am the captain of my soul. You just couldn’t say that in a more impactful way. Poetry will say something that, if it were said in plain English, wouldn’t have the same impact.”
APRIL 2026
APRIL 3RD
Earthplace, 10 Woodside Ln. | 10:00 AM
Welcome spring with Earthplace's resident rabbits, Peanut and Butter! Your child can meet them, enjoy a nature hunt for eggs, and create spring-themed crafts. Bring a basket! For children ages 2-13. Tickets, $25, and pre-registration is required. Sessions continue at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and on Saturday April 4. Register at earthplace.org
APRIL 14TH
Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct. | 7:00 PM
Eboni Booth’s 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning breakout play comes to the Playhouse stage with an uplifting, gentle and powerful exploration of change, friendship, and quiet courage. Through May 2. Tickets, from $50, at westportplayhouse.org
APRIL 17TH
9 to 5 The Musical
Music Theater of Connecticut, 509 Westport Ave., Norwalk | 8:00 PM
Based on the hit movie, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic. Pushed to their limit, three women hatch a plan to outsmart their sexist boss and give their workplace a much-needed makeover. Through May 3. Tickets, from $50, at musictheaterofct.com
APRIL 19TH
The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd. 2:00 PM
On April 19, The Westport Garden Club presents the 2026 Youth Poetry Contest Awards and National Poetry Month Workshop with Westport Poet Laureate Donna Disch. The young poets will read their work along with Westport's poet laureate, Donna Disch, who will lead a workshop where participants will write their own poems. For more information visit westportlibrary.org.
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APRIL 29TH
The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd. 6:30 PM
In recognition of Autism Awareness Month and in partnership with NeuroMind Services, the library presents a special community screening of Go On, the award-winning feature film by twice-exceptional (2e), autistic filmmaker, golfer, and actor Landon Ashworth. Following the screening, Landon will join NeuroMind co-founders Chelsea Elkind and Lauren Rosenblum for a talkback and audience Q&A. Free, register at westportlibrary.org
APRIL 30TH
The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd. 7:00 PM
Academy Award-winning actress, memoirist, and poetry scholar Ellen Burstyn shares poems that have shaped her life, featured in her new book, Poetry Says It Better: Poems to Help You Wake Up. Actress and writer Pamela Anderson will join her to discuss why poetry matters. Tickets, $27, include a signed copy of the book. To register, visit westportlibrary.org
GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ WESTPORT
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
IInvestments come in many forms, which we’ve (hopefully!) shown throughout our “Investment” issue this month. But as Carrie Bradshaw once famously said: “I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet.” While the venerable Ms. Bradshaw might not be the best financial advice role model, there is something to the idea of an investment piece, especially when the purchase also supports a local jewelry designer. Gaga Murray, the founder of Gauhar Jewelry, is a Westporter, and her pieces are gorgeous, thoughtfully designed treasures with heirloom quality and nods to her Kazakh heritage. I love her whole collection, but anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for rainbow-hued accessories, and this multicolored tennis necklace caught my eye as absolutely my kind of investment. It’s made of green, yellow, orange, blue, and pink sapphires, plus pink tourmaline, morganite, amethyst, blue topaz, tanzanite, and peridot for the full Roy G. Biv spectrum. With a 7.0 total carat weight set in 14K gold on a 16-inch setting, it’s the kind of piece I can truly see wearing anywhere, any time—and isn’t that what a sound investment is all about?
Gauhar Rainbow Tennis Necklace, $6,870, at gauharjewelry.com
