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

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! 

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*

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! 

Shop For A Cause

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and start your holiday shopping early! Join Juliska for wine, snacks and great gifts for your favorite hostess. Soundview Millworks will also be there selling their wonderful teak and holly cutting boards. 

Preview your favorite styles at www.juliska.com and www.soundviewmillworks.com

Rowayton River Ramble

Help raise money for the RCA while enjoying a great day of family fun. There will be games and activities including a petting zoo, bouncy castle, water slide, obstacle course and of course a dunk tank! To entertain the adults there will also be local vendors selling their wares, a live auction, raw bar, grill, beers and a live band. 

Rain date is July 14th. 

www.rowaytonct.com

Shakespeare on the Sound

For what I think might be the 14th time I want to say this is the year I will go to Shakespeare on the Sound but somehow every year it gets away from me and unfortunately I don't think this one will be any different - someday I'm going to get there, I have to! But YOU should go this year! Good thing is this year it's only in Rowayton so I believe you get some extra showings, over two weeks worth which means there are plenty of opportunities to make a trip. 

Shows start tomorrow til June 30th, nightly at 7:30 except Mondays. Seating is first come, first serve starting at 4pm. Admission is free but suggestion donations of $20 a person are appreciated. You can call ahead for limited front row reservations for $50 per seat. Show ends at approximately 10:30. Ice cream, snacks and cold drinks will be available for sale in the park from Brendan's 101 - wine is not but can be purchased across the street at Rowayton Wine Shop. You can also bring pizza and salads from Rowayton Pizza or stop by Sails or Rowayton Seafood for an early dinner {we love a low key dinner on the dock from the Rowayton Seafood Market}

For more information visit www.shakespeareonthesound.org/planning-a-visit

Cycle for the Community

Cycle for the Community

Sunday, June 23, 2013; 2 p.m.
SoulCycle Greenwich
266 Mason Street
Greenwich, CT 06830

Join SoulCycle Greenwich for an engaging workout that benefits both the mind and body. Ride together as one to make a difference in our community! Proceeds benefit Homeless Services at Family & Children's Agency (FCA).

Seating is limited so purchase your tickets soon!
Rock Star Ticket (one seat and gift bag) $50
Warrior Sponsor (one seat, gift bag, five raffle tickets and a donation to FCA) $100
Legend Sponsor (one seat, gift bag, ten raffle tickets and a donation to FCA) $250

Buy tickets here https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=df23ac

Raise Awareness. Make a Difference. Find your Soul.
www.familyandchildrensagency.org
www.soul-cycle.com/soul-east/soul-greenwich.cfm

Horsing Around

A fun event to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend - Serendipity's Horsing Around for Charity event featuring some of our favorite vendors! Check out Soundview Millworks, Toggle Home, Elizabeth McKay, Tipsy Skipper, Johnnie O, Harding Lane, KEP Designs and many more! Support the wonderful programs of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding and of course view some great polo!

Greenwich Polo Club, Conyers Farm. Buy your tickets here http://serendipitysocial.com/?page_id=5212!

Smooch A Pooch 2013

Last year I loved our Valentines photo with Smooch a Pooch to benefit ECAD. What's better than a few minutes to snuggle a little lab puppy! These guys couldn't have been cuter and I also loved meeting the trained service dogs. This Saturday head to Saks Fifth Avenue at 205 Greenwich Ave from 1-4 to support "Saks Loves Your Cause". Five percent of all register purchases made with your Saks card will be given back to your charity of choice - our local branch of the American Red Cross, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich or ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities). ECAD is an awesome non for profit that educates and places service dogs with veterans, children with autism or people with degenerative disabilities. Help them support this wonderful event by bringing your friends and family to Saks on Saturday. I know I could never turn down the opportunity to smooch one of these cuties! 

Read more about ECAD here....

fairfieldcounty411.blogspot.com/2012/02/smooch-pooch.html

National Pancake Day

Mmmm what better holiday to celebrate than National Pancake Day - delish! Whip up a few of your own or even better head to IHOP to help them raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Today enjoy a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes courtesy of IHOP in exchange for your consideration to leave a charitable donation. Help them reach their goal of raising three million dollars today!

www.ihoppancakeday.com

Greenwich Holiday Stroll

Time to shop and meet Santa at the Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend 2012. Saturday Dec 1st from 10 to 6 and Sunday Dec 2nd from 12 to 5. Parking is free and over 90 participating merchants will be offering promotions and refreshments. Enjoy carolers, musicians, professional ice sculptors, face-painting, complimentary holiday refreshments and horse-drawn carriage rides. Also travel down to McArdle's to visit with their live reindeer and have your photo taken with Santa!

Photos can be taken Mon-Fri 12-5:30, Sat 9-5:30 and Sun 9-4 until December 24th. Reindeers feedings at 9 and 4 daily.

http://www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com/reindeer-festival.php

Shoppers are encouraged to make a donation to Kids in Crisis at any participating store. Look for the donation boxes!

The Enchanted Forest!

It's that time of year again when we're about to host the Junior League of Greenwich's biggest fundraiser of the year - The Enchanted Forest! A wonderful event for the whole family with gingerbread decorating, photos with Santa, a beautiful enchanted forest of trees for auction, an Apres Ski gala on Saturday night and of course the Boutique! It's EHA and my last year co-chairing the boutique show and we hope you'll come out to support the JLG and all our wonderful vendors! 15% of all sales go to fund the charitable projects of the league. Our favorite event of the weekend is the Friday night Sneak Peek - a wonderful night of shopping, cocktails and good times with friends! We will also have an amazing drawing for a Sail to Sable tunic, Pomeline earrings, faux fur collar from Toggle Home, $100 gift certificate to Fred, Ann Lansing Designs belt and more!

Below is a list of all the fabulous vendors joining us for the weekend - shopping is also open Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm. Many you'll recognize from FFC411! 

To find out more about the other events over the weekend please visit our JLG site!

Alpine Sleds - Traditional European bent wood snow sleds

Ann Lansing Design - new! - Belts, handmade buckles and reversible straps - all sold separately

BabyBox.com - Luxury gifts for babies & children

Bee & Clover - Vintage jewelry, refreshed

Center Stage - Music boxes, snow globes, porcelain dolls, tutus and stocking stuffers

Chalk Talk Sports - Sports-themed gifts, games and apparel

Charlie Dog Boxer Company - new! - Premium mens boxers made from 100% Peruvian pima cotton and dyed with eco-friendly dyes

Children of Tanzania - Beaded ornaments made by micro finance groups to support an educational project in Tanzania

Collared Greens - new! - Mens ties, bowties, belts, hats and t-shirts - eco-friendly and made in America

Devon Baer Designs - Women's one-of-a-kind luxury clothing and accessories

Diana E Kelly - Women's leather shoes and handbags

Elizabeth McKay - Classic American women’s sportswear with a modern sensibility

EMBY - new! - Unique home good and gifts, chic apparel and curiosities

Everything is Rosey - Variety of gift-giving items, including women's and men's clothing and accessories.

Gems and More by Christine - new! - Natural semiprecious stones set in sterling silver and silver plated jewelry.

Greenwich Women’s Exchange - Handmade dresses, sweaters, bows, dolls, wooden trains and Christmas items

Harbor Sweets - new! - Handmade distinctive New England Chocolates - world famous Sweet Sloops

Ilyse's Pieces - new! - Handcrafted jewelry and fashion jewelry

johnnie-O – new! - Classic apparel with a little topspin for men, women and children

Letter Perfect - The Junior League of Greenwich’s shop carrying holiday gifts and accessories

Linen Press - new! - Holiday themed linens, ornaments, tree skirts, stockings, Caspari paper products, pillows and candles

Liza Hennessy Fine Leather Goods - new! - An American collection of fine leather goods designed and manufactured in New England.                      

Lizzie Izzie + James – new! - Fun, whimsical and unique handmade children's accessories

Lynne T. Ward Antique Prints - new! - Full range of antique prints including botanicals, natural history and fashion

Marigot - new! - Cashmere sweaters, pajamas and robes

MIJA Jewelry - Fine jewelry for women & children- 18k gold & sterling silver

Moes Monkeys - Handmade lounge and sleepwear in cotton and cuddle fleece for children

Monomoy Designs - new! - Nautically inspired art

Oliphant Designs - Vintage and contemporary handcrafted jewelry

Once Again Jewels - new! - One of a kind antique and vintage jewelry

Ostilly Collections - Custom handbags, merino wool products, cashmere, belts and jewelry

Patrice - Lifestyle collection including tablecloths, place mats, napkins, women’s accessories and more

PIKME Papers - new! - Stationary, notepads, photo cards and gift tags

Pomeline - new! - Jewelry, semiprecious stones with gold vermeil

Pure Play Kids - Wooden and cloth toys

Sail to Sable - new! - Dresses and home accessories

Seton McGlennon - Hand painted ornaments of homes, pets, children and memories captured in original pieces

Shell Stories - new! - Mussel Shell Trees along with seashell pictures frames and mirrors

Silhouette Artist - Hand cut silhouette portraits, mats & frames

Small Field Papers - Personalized gifts & stationery

Smathers & Branson - 100% Hand stitched needlepoint belts & accessories

Snapping Turtle Kids - new! - Swimwear and accessories with stainless steel snaps for swimsuits, and 100% cotton terry cloth for beach cover ups and hats.

Soundview Millworks - new! - Mahogany and Maple boards completely customizable for your home, and make great personalized gifts.

SPLURGE - new! - Unique holiday hostess gifts, teacher gifts, scarves and unique children’s gift items

The Pink Mink - new! - Fur capes, vests, wraps and shawls as well as pashminas and accessories

The Spa at Delamar - new! - Spa gift certificates and gift baskets

Three Island - new! - A unique line of fun, vibrant, and accessibly priced clothing for the men, ladies and children to enjoy made from traditional hand-stamped Balinese batik.

Toggle Home - new! - Unique monogram designs on goods for adults and children.

Serendipity Girls Night Out

Serendipity hosted such a fab Food & Wine festival this year we have to say that anything they are hosting we are looking forward to attending!

Help them support Fashion Delivers which is a nonprofit that distributes clothing to people battling the effects of poverty and natural disasters - right now they are hard at work providing badly needed products to Hurricane Sandy victims.

Guests will enjoy food, a martini bar, make up artists, skin experts, give away and a fabulous gift bag while they watch eighteen of the community's most philanthropic women walk the catwalk at the J House!

To buy tickets to this event go to www.serendipitysocial.com

Rowayton River Ramble

Don't miss Rowayton's biggest fundraiser this weekend! The 42nd annual River Ramble! A great event that brings the community together for a day of fun and festivities - activities including a petting zoo, bouncy castle, water slide, dunk tank, live auction, food, drinks and live music! The proceeds help to fund RCA events such as the Memorial Day Parade, Fireworks, Summer Music Festival, Halloween Celebration and the Nativity Pageant. Please come out to support your town at this great day! River Ramble t-shirts are also available for purchase Friday at the Farmer's Market as well as Saturday. 

Rain Date July 15th

Horsing Around For Charity

Looking for a fun outing for Dad on Father's Day?? Take him to Serendipity's Horsing Around For Charity. A great event at the Greenwich Polo Club featuring one of our favorites, Preppy Pig BBQ from Newport RI! Also enjoy music from The Short Bus - an awesome rock and roll cover band and winner of Best of the Gold Coast for the last 3 years. What dad wouldn't love beer, BBQ and rock and roll? And the best part is there will be plenty of activities to occupy the kids as well as shopping for mom. Advance tickets are $40 - $45 at the door (children 12 and under free) and all proceeds benefit Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, a fabulous local charity. Make sure dad wears his crazy pants!