Closet SOS

This week I helped a friend with her closet. Janet has a big personality, loves a print and wonderful statement jewelry. A Mom of 3 young kids, like most Moms your closet is often put on the back burner. 

Gone are your days pre-kids where we would shop all weekend with friends, shop during a spare moments at work and pretty much shop in your sleep!

Janet emailed me for help, this how I helped.

Closet Cleanse: I went to Janet's house and we started with a closet audit. I went through her wardrobe piece-by-piece and we discussed which cuts, colors and styles that flattered her. We had a generous bag of donations. 

Post Cleanse: The same day I looked at her newly edited closet and I put together looks using what she had, bringing life back into her wardrobe. This helped us determine what pieces would fill in gaps and needed replacing.

Shopping: We determined Jacket, Jean Shorts, Tank Tops and Day Dress. I knew her budget and did a shop before I met her, then the fun started. Janet loved 90% of what I picked for her, nearly all are classics that she can dress up with jewelry. 

Women especially Moms must remember they are worth it, they are worth dressing up even if they are just picking up their kids. 

Never dress down, always dress up because you are worth it and are fabulous!

Here are the wardrobe fillers I chose for Janet (click on image for direct link to item):

Janet's testimonial: Genny saved so much time TIME. I feel like I have outfits to wear and new ideas, everything Genny chose was to fit my body type and lifestyle. With my new and improved closet, I immediately feel chic-er and more put together! 

If you would like help with your closet and and personal shopping, please email me: info@thedailydarlings.com

Cleaning Eating (with Alice)

I am passionate about all things food and fitness!

I do believe in clean eating. For 3 months Christopher and I ate clean and my lifestyle changed dramatically for the better; I had more energy, my body transformed, my problem areas were no longer a problem. I truly felt superb inside and out. I am not a nautral chef and with two young kids, two dogs I soon learned to eat clean it is all about meal planning.  A great friend recommended Alice Liveing to me and I adore her instagram and IG stories, she is bubbly and very inspiring. 

Alice Liveing helps you understand it isn’t about diet – it’s about transforming your lifestyle permanently. Alice is an author of 3 best selling books. Her books enticing recipes for clean-yet-delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks to transform the way you eat and feel. Alice has two books available in the US, Clean Eating Alice: Eat Well Every Day and The Body Bible.

Alice is also a personal trainer at Third Space London they have 3 locations in London.

I am going to reset starting today and have a goal to eat clean every day.

This post was inspired by Laura Mooney - Thank you always for your support xx

Favorite workout sneakers (trainers)

'Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world' said Marilyn.  I agree with Maz, I LOVE shoes and fitness. This post is about the workout sneakers recommended by me and fellow fitness lovers! Through trial and error we all found our favorite sneakers! 

This post is inspired by Alison Dorfman co-owner of The Paper Alley 

Running: Barbara Lincoln makes running look effortless and has many marathons under her belt. As a runner she alternates between Saucony ISO triumph and Brooks Transcend 3. She wears the ones that have 300 plus mileage for cross training once I'm done running in them. 

Alison Dorfman is a recreational runner and adds interval boxing training to her workout, she loves her Hoka One One. Ali co-owns The Paper Alley offering wonderful personalized stationary.

Tennis: Jess Larit one of the most effortless, A-Team, collegiate tennis player recommends Nike Vapour 9.5 tour I recently bought the same but sadly does not improve my game!

Cross training: My Manhattan BFF loves her Asics gel kayano 20, she loves this sneaker for her workout variation of Barrys Bootcamp, Tracey Anderson & home gym. I love that she already knows her next workout sneaker is Asics gel kayano 24.

Marni Lane favorite cross trainer Nike Air Zoom Strong and for running she recommends Asics Kayano or Asics GT-2000 Marni is co-founder of PR firm Kriskey & Lane Communications.

Nadine Abramcyk co -founder of TenoverTen my favorite nail salon, loves The Class by Taryn Toomey.  Nadine really likes Nike Air Zoom Strong, because of the extra support across the top of her foot with the strap.

I love dance cardio, interval boxing training with weights.  My fav workout sneaker is the Nike Free RN Flyknit they are light and allow very natural movement. They were recommended to me by a young dancer working at Nike and I have not looked back, they come in great colors. 

Nike have a collection called Nike Chrome Blush Collection, they are feminine, sporty and stylish! Each sneaker is lightweight, breathable and great stability. Perfect workout sneaker.

Nike Free RN Flyknit - my favorite cross trainer and also a running shoe

New Nike Chrome Blush Collection

Ali Dorfman at Compo Beach with her Hoka One One

Baby Keepsake Cases

I am in love with these beautiful keepsake cases. Makes my so broody for a 3rd bubba! I love their size too as I kept more than the first scan and first month. Perfectly designed to include pockets and a removable tray to reveal further storage underneath. Made of luxurious leather and pretty lining. Meminio based in the UK create baby and wedding keespsake cases. It is the most beautiful gift for someone expecting or getting married. They personalize the cases too.

They ship to the US for $25

Memory case in Duck Egg

Memory case in blush pink

Summer Cover Ups

We live by the beach, our town is beautiful all seasons but summer is my favorite. I fully embrace leaving the house wearing swimwear and cover-up; apologies if I offend my fellow Westporters.

I like to wear a kaftan or coverup at a casual meal setting by the pool or beach, so I look semi-decent while stuffing my face with my kids leftover fries and washing down with rose.

Here are some of my favs (images link to website) xo

I get a two week break from my crazy Mommy

Today my 8yr old daughter left for sleepaway camp for 2 weeks. Olivia has been counting downs the days til sleepaway camp and her excitement has been out of control.

This morning she asked Alexa what time is it around 50 times. The whole Agnew gang drove Olivia to her pick up bus spot at 9.45am and her whole body was beaming with excitement. The girls on the bus from Manhattan all ran off to say Hi and also all wanted to meet her dogs!

We said our goodbyes and my voice crocked into tears and Olivia looked up and said "PLEASE Mommy its only 2 weeks"

Olivia ran on the bus and looked back at me with a huge smile, the smile that read “I get a two week break from my crazy Mommy”.

How did we pick a sleepaway camp for Olivia?

We worked with an Independent camp specialist called Melissa Post (melissa.p.post@gmail.com), she was incredible and completely understood our criteria and made the process enjoyable.

This is what we were looking for in a camp:

All Girls

Diversity

Non-religious

Uniform dress code

Only offers 4 week session

Why did we decide to send her to sleepaway camp?

We think of it as a gift to Olivia; one that allows her to have fun, create new friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime. She does not know anyone apart from a good friend from the Manhattan and we hope these new friends will become her summer sisterhood!

Where did we pick?

Camp Wicosuta, we toured the camp last summer with Olivia and loved it.  It actually exceeded our expectations. It is set in a beautiful location and the girls sleep in bunks! An abundance of activities from Dance, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and general girls having fun! The camp has the"3 C'S": CONFIDENCE, COMPETENCE & COMMUNITY, the 3Cs were reflected in all the girls we met in addition to warmth and kindness! 

Now the 2 weeks of Max begins xo

Jamestown and Newport, RI

Once schools out, my kids & I normally end up in The Hamptons for 2 weeks. This year we kicked off our summer in Jamestown, RI and Christopher was able to join!

Jamestown is about a 10 minute drive to Newport, RI. They are both gorgeous towns, everyone is so friendly, lots to do with the kids and the change of pace was welcomed by our family. You truly kick back and relax, we were lucky enough to stay in a beautiful house overlooking the water.

Below are the highlights of our trip.

Jamestown (10 minute drive over the bridge from Newport, RI or take the ferry)

Slice of Heaven and East Ferry Market were our favs for breakfast or lunch. They both offered non-dairy milk and outdoor seating. Dogs are allowed to join if you are seated outside!

Simpatico was our favorite restaurant for dinner, yummy Paella and chocolate bomb they have beautiful outdoor setting.

Spinnakers serve delicious home made ice cream! 

Grapes and Gourmet will take care of all your wine, beer. spirits, cheese and charcuterie needs.

Zeek's Creek Bait & Tackle: A little shack selling fresh seafood, and bait to go fishing.

Fishing with Kids, great place to fish with kids Fort Wetherill State Park

Newport

Tennis Hall of Fame lush grass courts, plus an interesting tennis museam. Anyone can play on the courts just bring your whites! They have adult and junior clinics and a morning kids tennis camp.Great lunch venue overlooking centre court!

Cliff Walk beautiful walk with stunning views, more mansion spotting and somehow kids enjoyed too. Futher on in walk it gets a little rocky ideally wear sneakers! Start at Memorial BLVD near First Beach we walked to Ledge Road approx 8 miles. 

Arcade & Game room we stumbled across this and lets the kids bask in their glory! Luckily it was small so we were only in there for 30mins!

Thames Street and Bellevue avenue are lovely streets to walk along and who while spotting all the historic houses dating back to 1700s.

Newport Mansions  our family loved seeing the summer residence of America’s wealthiest families. All the mansions are replications of grand european residences. You can almost see the Vanderbilts, Oerlichs, Astors and Berwinds elaborate spectacular summer parties.

Green Animals Topiary Garden Beautiful setting, 80 pieces of topiary throughout the gardens, including animals sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood. Gardens are beautiful and kids had fun spotting all the animals! 

Juice'd Cafe I had my first matcha bowl here and their juice combos are delicious, huge hit with our family! They have a full healthy menu. Great location too, drink a juice while shopping!

Newport Creamery yummy ice-cream. 6 locations round RI. 

Guerneys Newport I love Guerneys in Montauk, the Newport location just opened so there are a few teething problems but I sure they will iron out very soon!

Newport Wine Cellar & Gourmet Lovely lunch venue plus you can shop for food and wine.

Beaches: Second Beach is stunning. Tip is to stay clear of First Beach....major red seaweed ocean alert. Daily parking $20 per day

Kid&Coe have some nice family friendly homes in Newport available on a nightly basis.

Watch Hill - East Beach (45 minute drive from Newport)

East beach is a beautiful sandy beach. Set back is a picturesque village, very easy to walkaround with young kids. Daily parking approx $5 per day!

Ocean House a beautiful family friendly hotel

Ten Sandwiches perfect for lunch they have a full bar and offer Ten sandwiches and salads made from local and organic ingredients!

Sweet Lolo A cute store selling colorful accessories and great edit of kids toys and knick knacks.

Carousel: Watch Hill carousel was made in 1867 and has been beautifully restored! Kids love it!

Watch Hill, East Beach

Olivia rash guard top is by crew cuts and shorts from Zara

Max is wearing Ralph lauren polo and Crew cuts swim shorts

Ten Sandwiches - Watch HIll

Simpatico - lovely restaurant in Jamestown, highly recommend their Paella and chocolate bomb pudding