Hope Lights Lives

One of my favorite nights of the holiday season is the Hope Lights Lives luminary display. Not only is it beautiful to drive around and see all the flickering luminaries amongst the Christmas decorations - it's also a fundraiser for a fabulous cause and makes me give pause and thanks during the busy holiday season.

Hope Lights Lives is Family Center's annual fundraiser to benefit the bereavement and critical illness support offered through the Center for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids. All throughout Fairfield County residents will place these luminaries on their lawns to remember those we've lost or those coping with a critical illness or life-altering circumstance. Please don't miss this opportunity to support a wonderful cause in town and shine a little light of hope over the holidays!

Towns participating are Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Rowayton, Southport, Stamford, Weston and Wilton.

This year's luminary lighting will take place on Saturday December 13th at 5pm {with a rain date of December 20th}.

You can buy your luminaries online here but don't delay, it's already right at the order deadline!

Luminary kits are $25 and include 12 tea lights, 12 white luminary bags and 12 candle holders. All proceeds benefit the Center for HOPE and the Den for Grieving Kids.

Learn more about these special programs, opportunities for support for you or your loves ones or ways you can get involved on their website
https://familycenters.isecuresites.com/The-Den-for-Grieving-Kids
https://familycenters.isecuresites.com/Center-for-HOPE

I'll be wishing for snow on the 13th to make it an even more beautiful night!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

It's starting to feel like Christmas with the chilly weather, holiday decorations popping up and 300 catalogs in my mailbox every afternoon! But I couldn't be more ready to kick of the season - would it be too soon to put a tree up before Thanksgiving??

If you're in the Christmas spirit too I have a great event to make you feel even more festive! The Enchanted Forest in Greenwich is visited by over 7,000 people as they enjoy an amazing holiday experience - beautiful gingerbread and Christmas tree forest where all items are for auction, a holiday boutique with over 50 vendors to jump start your shopping, gingerbread decorating workshops and my personal favorites - a Santa breakfast with the jolly man himself and tea with Clara the ballerina from the Nutcracker! There is also a girls shopping event on Friday night with cocktails, beauty treatments and lots of door prizes!

The most fun event of the weekend however is the Saturday Night Jingle Bell Bash - a night of live music with the Short Bus, lots of festive cocktails and delicious dinner, wonderful silent auction items {a week rental in the Vineyard, a year membership to the Hermitage Club, tickets to to Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett concert and so much more!} And at only $125/ticket it's one of the most reasonable tickets in town.

All proceeds from the weekend go to benefit the amazing works of the Junior League of Greenwich supporting those in need in our community! It is by far their largest fundraiser and supports almost a year of their work so please come check it out - bring your kids, your family and your friends! You can buy tickets below or make a donation if you are interested. It's a truly magical weekend and I hope to see many of you there!

Friday Nov 21 - Sunday Nov 22: times for all events listed below

Hyatt Regency Greenwich
1800 East Putnam Ave
Old Greenwich

http://www.jlgreenwich.org/?nd=ticket_list&fundraiser_id=56

oomph Event!

Get into the holiday spirit with a fun shopping event tomorrow. Two things always on my wishlist - oomph furniture and Dani Renchard paintings! If you need an extra special gift for someone be sure to check this out!

November 11th from 1-6pm at oomph, 5 Elm Street in New Canaan

www.oomphonline.com - tiny tables, Quadrille pillows, slipper chairs...heaven!

www.danirenchard.com - the most dreamy landscapes, we're fortunate to call the below one ours thanks to my favorite aunt and the best gift giver!

Makes me smile every time I walk past it - so serene and I love the colors! 

My favorite oomph photo - gorgeous lanterns, side table and of course a shell mirror by Anne Jayson, also featured in our entry hall! SDH is lucky to call this her bedroom! 

Happy shopping! xo

Pure Barre Darien Coming Soon!

FFC411 is very excited to announce that one of their besties is opening a Pure Barre studio in Darien! This is very convenient as Pure Barre is the only exercise, aside from some recreational bike riding, that  I've done since college so I'll actually be able to support this venture with my attendance and not just my writing! And hopefully that speaks volumes to how much fun and addicting Pure Barre is, even to a non-workerouter!

The new studio will be located at 313 Heights Rd in the Noroton Heights Shopping Center. Perfect for FFC411 as we can grab a delicious hot dog from Franks & Frites after our workout : ) My moto is calories out, calories in!

Plans are to open in early November and until they open they are running these great pre-opening specials! All customers are considered new customers and if you have a mindbody account from another studio you can use that to sign in.

5 WEEKS UNLIMITED :: $150
4 MONTHS UNLIMITED :: $500

Available on their website http://purebarre.com/ct-darien/. Even if you only attend 6 classes in 5 weeks the special is a better deal!

They are still posting their schedule but will be offering classes all throughout the day - targeting 6am, 8:30am, 9:45am, noon, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm and 7pm. I also know a few of the instructors and they are peppy, fun and sure to run a great class!

They will also have a retail space offering lululemon and other awesome speciality work out brands. The perfect holiday gift - a PB gift certificate and some new gear!

So join now to Lift, Tone, Burn into the holidays!

Follow them on Facebook for studio updates. How cute are they?

Getting the studio ready!

Winter Street Reading

*UPDATE* This event has been cancelled - wishing Elin a speedy recovery!

My favorite author is coming to town - so exciting! - but I can't go because of a meeting - so sad! - which means everyone has to go out and support her for me. Elin Hilderbrand is releasing her first ever Christmas novel, Winter Street, and she's doing a reading and signing at the Darien Library on Thursday night at 7pm. I'm pretty much crying on my keyboard that I can't go. While I love Elin as my favorite summer beach author, I have a soft spot for Christmas novels so this is the best combo ever to me. I'm going to save it for Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy by a big fire and get in the Christmas spirit!

RSVP via their Facebook events page - books will be available for purchase at the event.

Darien Library
1441 Post Road
Thursday, Oct 16th
7:00

If you can't attend the event, visit their website for a list of bookstores that will be carrying Winter Street, if you can, support your local booksellers!
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/elin-hilderbrand/winter-street/9780316376112/

Barrett Bookstore
314 Heights Rd
Darien CT

#iheartbooks

RHS Chili Fest

Join the Rowayton Historical Society for their 4th annual Chili Fest next Saturday. Want to put your cooking skills to the test .... submit your best chili to be judged for $50. Not feeling the culinary talent ... $10 to enter your carved or decorated pumpkin in the festivities. Or my preferred option, come between noon and three to taste all the entries and vote on your favorites! You'll also be able to enjoy cold beer and live music. Come see who's the big winner! 

Deadline to enter chili or a pumpkin is Oct 12th - rowaytonhistoricalsociety.org 

Saturday October 18th 12-3 

The Blaze

There are still a few nights of tickets available to check out this fun Halloween event - The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-On-Hudson. Come view over 5,000 hand carved illuminated pumpkins as you walk through the grounds of the Manor. Spooky and spectacular! 

We always like to check out a fun area restaurant for dinner before we go - two years ago we visited the adorable Ocean House Oyster Bar in Croton-on-Hudson for oysters and a charmingly cozy dinner. 

www.oceanhouseoysterbar.com

This year we're headed to Red Hat on the River in Irvington to soak in the beautiful views of the Hudson river and feast on some tasty French-American fare. 

www.redhatontheriver.com

Check ticket availability here...
http://www.hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze/tickets

Boo!

UCNS Holiday Trunk Show

Support the United Church of Rowayton Nursery School {my alma matter!} with this holiday trunk show Thursday and Friday, December 5th and 6th at the Meeting House, behind the church. Favorite vendors include johnny-O, Seaside Delights, Soundview Millworks, Sail to Sable, Snapping Turtle Kids, Bling, Moes Monkey and KEP Designs. We're excited to check out the other new vendors as well! 

I think Thursday night shopping followed by a delicious dinner at Rowayton Seafood sounds like the perfect girls night! 

Rowayton Tree Lighting

Join the Rowayton Civic Association to Light Up Rowayton on Sunday December 1st! Festivities begin at Pinkney Park around 4:30 with caroling by Brien McMahon's Holiday Chambor Choir followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree. Stroll Rowayton Avenue to view window decorations by local merchants and warm beverages and snacks compliments of Rowayton Market. 

Be sure to check out the 9th annual Rowayton Egg Nog Contest! Enter your favorite egg nog recipe or just come to taste and vote on your favorites. Tasters must be 21 or older. To enter email Stuart Weismiller at stuart5100@aol.com - participants need to bring 3 gallons of your favorite egg nog recipe; tables, chairs and cups will be provided. The perfect way to get in the spirit of the holidays! 

Also notable is the 19th Rowayton Arts Center Holiday Gift Show. Offering unique holiday gifts, decorations and collectibles from some of Fairfield County's finest artists and craftspeople this is a great spot to look for unique gifts! Show opens Saturday November 23rd and continues through Tuesday December 24th. 

Roasted chestnuts and cider will be served from 5-6:30 during the tree lighting. Admission to the RAC Gallery is free. Open Saturdays 10-5 and Sunday, Tuesday - Friday 12-5. 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

The Christmas season hasn't officially arrived without seeing Santa and his reindeer ride down Greenwich Avenue! Come see them November 29th around 2pm as they make their way into town and down to McArdle's Florist & Garden Center. You'll be able to visit them there until December 24th as well as have your photo taken with Santa. The perfect time to pick up your Christmas tree and other beautiful holiday decorations from McArdle's. 

December 7th kicks of Greenwich Holiday Stroll weekend with over 100 participating merchants offering holiday promotions and refreshments. Free parking on Saturday. Horse drawn carriage rides, professional ice sculpting demonstrations, bouncy castles, food trunks, holiday singing performances, letter writing to Santa and much more! $5 of every photo package will be donated to one of our favorite local charities, Kids in Crisis during this weekend. Also be sure to check the Giving Tree at McArdle's during the month of December to benefit Kids in Crisis as well. 

Visit www.greenwichreindeerfestival.com for more details! 

Run Like A Turkey!

Run like a Turkey! Get in the Thanksgiving spirit with these great Fairfield County Turkey Trots! Help raise money, gather donations or just burn some calories before you dig in for dinner! These turkeys will be trotting in Chatham for the holiday week! Gobble gobble! 

New Canaan Turkey Trot - Sunday, Nov 24th 11am
5K run/walk
http://newcanaanturkeytrot.com/

Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day Race - Southport, Thursday Nov 28th 8:15am
5M run, 2.7m walk
Info!

Rowayton Turkey Trot - Thursday, Nov 28th 9:30am
5K fun, 1M fun run/walk
http://www.rowaytonturkeytrot.com/

Shippan Turkey Trot - Stamford, Thursday Nov 28th 9:30am
4K fun run
http://shippanturkeytrot.blogspot.com/

The Great Turkey Escape - Redding, Thursday Nov 28th 8am/9am
5K run, 1K fun run
http://www.thegreatturkeyescape.com/

Greenwich Alliance for Education Turkey Trot - Saturday, Nov 30th 9:30am/10am
5K run, 1M fun run/walk
http://www.greenwichalliance.org/events/a-turkey-trot-2013/

New Canaan Holiday Market

The Young Womens League of New Canaan hosts their very popular Holiday Market this week. Kicking off with a Preview Party on Wednesday night from 6:30pm-9:30pm you can enjoy entertainment, appetizers and cocktails, featuring "A Taste of New Canaan" with local restaurant specialities and a wine tasting bar. Thursday offers a full day of shopping from 9am-4pm, some of our favorite vendors include B Draddy, Bird Dog Bay, Lizzie Izzie & James, M Milestones, Moe's Monkeys, Shell Stories, Small Field Papers, Splurge, The Pink Mink and Three Islands. See all show vendors online.

Tickets to the Preview Party are $50, $55 at the door {which includes admittance into Market Day}
Tickets to Market Day are only $10 online or at the door
Purchase tickets here!

This years theme is "Help A Child...Change A Community" with all net proceeds being granted to local charities that better the lives of children. It's so much better when you can shop for a cause so kick off your holiday shopping in New Canaan this week!

Waveny House
677 South Ave, New Canaan
http://www.ywlnewcanaan.org/holidaymarket

*So many great things going on in FFC this holiday season so we'll be posting more than once a day when we have lots to say so be sure to scroll down for all daily posts*

Juliska Party Recap

I had a great time last week at the Juliska Holiday Hostess event featuring blogger Catherine Tompkins of My Life in Parties! Tasty treats from Dough & Co. {more details on their Thanksgiving orders tomorrow}, beautiful flowers from Greenwich Orchid, great gift giving ideas from Juliska and fun paper goods by Catherine. Here are some of my favorite photos from the night! It was also really fun to finally meet Lindsay from Vineyard Loveknots! We realized we were buying all the same adorable gift tags and notecards from Catherine, see below! {I also just saw her post on this event when I linked her blog and realized we pretty much wrote the exact same thing about each other : ), hi Lindsay! Her photos are also much better so check them out}

Amazing flowers from Greenwich Orchid. I loved the elephant place cards and the mix of Julikas bamboo styles with the feather napkin rings, perfect for Thanksgiving!

Mmmm, Dough & Co cookies! {more details tomorrow}

Another great table setting, I especially loved the furry owls!

One of my favorite vignettes, the guys gift guide - such a good idea and great gifts for the men in your life. Didn't think you'd find guy gifts at Juliska right?

Christmas is coming! Love the burlap with plaid placemats, the charming Juliska holiday china and the cute pillow in the background!

Letterpress stationary - stocked up on gift tags and notepads! Available at Juliska while supplies last. 

Juliska will be putting their amazing Christmas ornaments out this week as well, a must shop! 

465 Canal Street, Stamford CT 

www.juliska.com 

Calling All Brides!

A not to be missed bridal event this week! My favorite bridal boutique is hosting a sample sale with up to 90% off select samples - amazing! So if you're a bride to be and a sample size get yourself up to Westport Wednesday or Thursday night from 5-9pm. This makes me want to buy a second wedding dress just cause I love my first one so much : ) Tell Allison FFC411 sent you! 

The Plumed Serpent 

295 Post Road East, Westport 

203.226.9868 

www.plumedserpentbridal.com

My dress from The Plumed Serpent <3

The Enchanted Forest 2013

Help support one of Greenwich's largest fundraisers - The Enchanted Forest! This years theme is Celebration of Sweetness and it's sure to bring many sweet treats to all who attend. Enjoy breakfast with Santa, tea with Clara, a gingerbread workshop, sweet soriee cocktails, biding on beautiful Christmas trees and much much more!

One of my favorite events is the Friday night shopping preview from 6-9. Leave the kids at home, free entry and plenty of libations! Enjoy shopping without anyone yanking on your leg and get a jump start on your holiday gifts! There will also be early access to the trees and gingerbread houses for sale this year. 

Another highlight is the Saturday night event - always with a wonderful silent auction, signature cocktails, live band and plenty of delicious food. Grab a group for a fun night out. Last year we left with blue brothers sunglasses for all, plenty of hysterical photobooth film strips and a ski house for ten - party success! 

Learn more at www.jlgreenwich.org. All proceeds help fund the charitable works of the Junior League of Greenwich. 

Shopping Wednesday!

So many great shopping event on Wednesday that are not to be missed! With the short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year it's important to get your shopping started soon! I will admit as I walked down Greenwich Ave on Saturday it felt like the holidays and I loved it! I even purchased my first Christmas gift - this girls ready!

For some daytime shopping hit up this great group trunk show with some of my favorite friends in Darien from 11-4:

To get a kickstart on the holidays join Juliska and Catherine Tompkins to see their best gift ideas along with holiday entertaining ideas - enjoy food, drinks, gift bags and door prizes! Don't miss this fun event in Stamford from 6-8:30 which also supports Neighbor to Neighbor:

For girls night out be sure to check out the Serendipity event at The Loading Dock in Stamford. A great  fashion show with philanthropic models, plenty of great shopping, food, wine and cocktails! Proceeds benefit Canary Kids. In Stamford from 7-10, buy tickets ahead of time for a discounted price:

I'm going to try to really get my shop on and hit all three! 

Month in Review

As most of your know I'm trying to read 52 books this year and in order to make it I've been using almost all my free time to read - I'm on my 48th book so I think I'm going to make it! {side note I might be one of the most boring people to live with - although my husband said it's ok cause I talk less : ) }

Figured I'd do a month in review of photos to catch you up on where we've been...then on to the good stuff! 

My bestie had a baby  - HJL! <3

A great trip to Newport and cocktails at Castle Hill

My first trip to Little Lake Sunapee - so pretty!

Golf at Baker Hill in NH

Wooden Bridge hunting in VT

Lots of laughs (and bad Dispatch singing!) at the Greenwich Food & Wine Festival

Columbas Day Weekend at CBI

Gorgeous Fall golf weather at EHCC

Cheering on our friends at the New York Marathon!

Raising money for Movember!

Can't believe it's already "Movember" - this fall is flying by!

Fall Pickin's

This post from last October was all about pumpkins but Pick-Your-Own is already in full gear for the fall! September is prime picking season for raspberries, apples, pears, peaches and squash with pumpkin season starting soon. These next few weeks are perfect picking time!

Check out the below list of locations and find more than just fruit - corn mazes, hayrides, golf, wine tasting, delicious baked goods, and of course cider and donuts! Combine these with some of the CT Wine Tour stops mentioned in our Watch Hill Road Trip! A perfect fall weekend!

Pick-Your-Own!

Flashback to some September 2007 berry picking at Bishops Orchard!

90 degrees and pumpkin ready! 

Pick your own raspberries = eat your body weight in berries!

Beautiful bounty! 

Rowayton House Tour

A great local event for all those those fellow window peepers out there - love driving around Rowayton and glimpsing a peak inside all the most beautiful homes around town? This is your chance to get a real look around!

The Rowayton Civic Associations 3rd Annual September by the Sea House tour is sure to be a crowd pleaser, focusing on the coastal charm of Rowayton. An opportunity to visit six of the most beautiful waterfront homes in two gorgeous associations - Pine Point and Bell Island. Sure to give you wonderful designs ideas and enviable water views! And finish the day with a lunch at Roton Point Club.

Friday September 20th from 10am-2pm.

House Tour Parking at Roton Point Club, 15 Pine Point Rd - the tour is designer to be a walking tour however there will be shuttle service available if needed.

Advanced tickets $50 ($65 with boxed lunch), tickets the day of $60.

For additional information or to purchase tickets visit www.rowaytoncurrents.com

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

It's crazy to start thinking about Halloween already but there's a great local event that starts in October and it sells out quickly every year {many sessions are already sold out today!} so it's already time to start thinking pumpkins! The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortland Manor is the tri-state area's biggest Halloween event with more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o'lanterns in an elaborate walk-through experience. I'd never heard of this event until last year and I'm so glad I learned about it. It was a truly amazing display of pumpkin art! A perfect night to get you in the mood for the spooky season! This year it will be running for 25 nights, Oct 5-6, 11-14, 17-20, 24-31 Nov 1-3 and 8-11. Each ticket is assigned a time range however they were flexible about when we came in. We wanted a tasty dinner before the event so we stopped at the Ocean House Oyster Bar in Croton-on-Hudson for a delicious seafood feast! They offer an assortment of seasonal oysters on their blackboard in addition to their traditional menu with great wines and a wonderful cozy atmosphere. 

www.oceanhouseoysterbar.com

49 N Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson NY

Buy your tickets here! 

http://www.hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze/tickets

No reservations so be prepared to wait! 

Nightly oysters 

A little sneak peek at the Blaze! 

Tunnel of Pumpkin Love 

I don't want to share too many photos and give away the cool surprises at the event! A really fun outing for kids too however I would recommend going after dark if they can stay up late enough!