BAM

21 Lois Street, Norwalk

There are good real estate markets and there are bad real estate markets, but there will always be bad taste. Everyone has a “they sponge-painted their yard furniture and put it in the dining room next to the litter box” story, but who has actually purchased a home containing such atrocities? Exactly. Which is why savvy brokers enlist interior designer Barbara A. McEntee to “stage” (fully furnish and decorate) empty or visually offensive homes for maximum show-ability and quick sale.

But here’s the kicker: after the house is sold, all of the fabulous furniture, accessories, lamps and linens are homeless. So BAM was born: a warren-like warehouse in Norwalk where you can buy all of this stuff at 30-99% off regular prices. It’s like a glamorous, sheltered garage sale that changes weekly. If you enjoy the hunt, and you don’t bring children that like to push large paintings to see if they fall off the wall, you can find some amazing treasures.

Robin’s note: The women working in the store are lovely and patient: when my kids unburdened a chandelier of its light bulbs, Jane, a designer at BAM, chuckled and asked me if they’d like some candy instead.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Primarily moms from Westport.

Their specialty: Lamps, coffee tables, and sofas.

What you should buy: A new Carver’s Guild mirror with tags for $895, normally retails for $1,175.

What you may not know but should: Upon my departure, they loaded me up with free home design magazines.
Located next to “Sugar & Olives” (see “Sugar & Olives”)

Madewell

256 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich

If Lucky Jeans and J. Crew had a fully-formed love child, Madewell would be it.

Robin’s note: Their striped cardigans are perfectly roomy.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women 20 to 50 who want something more casual (and cheaper) than J. Crew, but less “I wish I were a hippy” than Lucky.

Their specialty: Jeans and boots.

What you should buy: Long striped cardigans and Hunter rain boots.

What you may not know but should:
  1. Madewell and J. Crew share a CEO: Mickey Drexler.
  2. In Greenwich, the longest inseam measurement is 34. In Manhattan it’s 36. Evidently legs grow longer in the city.

Fresh Air Fund

http://www.freshairfund.org

Last year my husband and I decided to host a 6 year old boy, Eddie*, from the Fresh Air Fund. For two weeks that summer I became the mother of 4 instead of 3. It was a living hell. Imagine a playdate that lasts 334 1/2 hours too long, riddled with late-night bouts of homesickness.

However, I liked Eddie. So, despite all reasons to the contrary, we invited him back this year. When my husband picked him up in New York, he exclaimed, “I can’t wait to see Miss Robin!” He ran into my arms as though his whole year culminated in being with us once again. This time, we delighted in being together: the arguing mitigated dramatically, as did his homesickness. Eddie swam every day with us, went to the playground, went to parties, played baseball, and was genuinely and visibly thrilled with every thing we accepted as part of our normal summer routine. As difficult as the past visit had been, through it we had learned how to interact and succeed as a “family.”

Toward the end of his visit he popped his head out of the swimming pool and I saw he was drooling. He laughed and wiped his face and exclaimed, “I slobbered on the tire swing yesterday, too! I slobber when I’m having fun.” With that, he popped back into the water. I never thought I’d be so happy to see someone slobbering in my pool. That must be why God created chlorine.

The day before we drove him back to the city, he said, “Miss Robin, wouldn’t it be fun if I could stay here all summer?” Well, maybe. But I can’t wait to see him again next summer.

Click to read the rest ... "Fresh Air Fund"

Lucy’s

48 Post Road East, Westport

A lovely boutique with pricey day-to-evening attire and a solid designer selection. I wish someone would re-write their website copy, but I digress.

Robin’s note: I bought a pair of Paige Denim jeans at a whopping 13% discount. Their sales rarely qualify as such.

Who shops here: Moms who need a cocktail dress for themselves or a hip, expensive prom dress for their daughters.

What’s their specialty: DVF dresses and colorful silky tops.

What you should buy: They have an impressive selection of chic hard-to-find blazers and jackets.

What you may not know but should: Girls’ Night Out! Lucy’s will entertain you and your friends while you shop with drinks, snacks, and mini-manicures. Yes, manicures. While you try on clothes. Not sure how that works, but I trust their judgment.
http://www.lucysanswers.com

IHA/Homes With Hope

49 Richmondville Avenue, Westport

Who they are: “Homes with Hope provides facilities and supportive services in a structured environment that enable homeless people in the communities we serve to achieve an independent and self-sufficient life.”—ihawestport.com

What they provide: “Permanent affordable supportive housing, casework and supportive services, emergency shelter, food and meals and the life skills training critical in preventing homelessness from reoccurring.”—ihawestport.com

Robin’s note: The IHA Board appoints two high school student members, a junior and a senior, who serve for 2 years.

Approximate number of employees: 400

Biggest fundraising efforts:
Annual May Bandfest organized by student board members
Annual stand-up comedy show, starring Bill Cosby in 2009
Annual sand castle event at Compo Beach, Westport

http://www.ihawestport.com

Caffeine

133 Washington Street, Norwalk

A kick-back coffee shop/tea house with intimate seating “zones” (Moroccan zone, rickety outdoor furniture zone, grandma’s sofa zone, etc.) and a fabulous cake selection.

Robin’s note: Their coffee cup sizes are “Pepped,” “Buzzed,” and “Wired.” That pretty much makes me love this place. That, and the chocolate cherry biscotti.

Who you’ll see drinking here: SoNo shoppers, art gallery owners, and people who listen to open mic poetry.

Their specialty: Select teas and local pastries.

What you should order: A good, reliable cup of coffee and Junior’s cheesecake.

What you may not know buy should: Coffee refills cost $1.

Tina Dragone

1687 Post Road, Westport

This oddly located store houses fun bits and pieces of “now” designers, as well as costume jewelry, ever-popular Alexis Bittar, and lots of t-shirts. The staff is helpful if you don’t have kids.

Robin’s note: I found the same chic Robert Rodriguez jacket at Roundabout—within the same week—for a fraction of Tina’s price.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women 30-55 who enjoy dressing up more than they enjoy bargain shopping.

Their specialty: Cocktail party separates.

What you should buy: Unique designer cardigans.

What you may not know but should:
  1. Lots of candy dishes and a small coffee bar.
  2. Their merchandise is better than their window displays.

Isabelle et Vincent French Bakery

1903 Post Road, Fairfield

Mmm… located conveniently across from Dairy Queen (kill two birds with one stone and all that), this patisserie is a welcome dose of culture to a stretch of thoroughfare crowded with podiatrists and sandwich shops named after bugs (Roly Poly). The chocolate fountain at the entrance is enchanting and an appropriate harbinger of things to come; namely luscious pastries perfectly ensconced in chocolat (that’s not a typo – that’s French) and thickly layered with cream and butter.

The bread is magnifique, with flavorful baguettes such as Bacon & Onion, Parmesan & Thyme, and Olive. Each pastry is generously portioned and the triple-layer mousse with colorful macaroons atop is simply gorgeous. Everything—from the tiniest pink macaroon to the largest baguette—is made completely from scratch in the shop.

Martha Stewart loves this place, along with most newsworthy folks in the Western Hemisphere.

Robin’s note: There are three seating zones in the bakery: a lovely dining table area, tall stools, and a small window counter (through which to watch the Dairy Queen). All are quaint, but none terribly appropriate for a toddler who had to stretch out his neck and put his chin on the table to see his pastry. Fortunately, he was fine because toddlers are too young to know that’s not a great way to eat.

Who you’ll see eating/shopping here: Mothers buying pastries for their families and friends or seated with a child.

Their specialty: Almond and chocolate croissants, Napoleons.

What you should eat: Almond croissants: we watched the cooks make them, then we had one.

What you may not know but should:
  1. They’ve won a bunch of awards in the 3 years they’ve been in Fairfield.
  2. They should take the creepy dolls out of the chocolate case.
http://www.isabelleetvincent.com

Connecticut Muffin

108 Main Street, New Canaan

This muffin-stop is cute enough to attract hungry passers-by and its seating is uncomfortable enough to ensure they don’t stay too long, unless they happen to be eavesdropping on a phone conversation a fellow patron is having with her plastic surgeon.

Robin’s note: They serve all types of other snacks and meals but with a name like “Connecticut Muffin,” well, let’s just say I’m a slave to the obvious.

Who eats here: Downtown employees, local government personnel, and shoppers.

Their specialty: Blueberry muffins and orange-cranberry scones.

What you should eat: We went with the specialties (see “Robin’s note”).

What you may not know but should: The muffins are carted in from Tom Cat bakery.

SCORE

Counselors to American’s Small Businesses, Fairfield Chapter
http://www.scorenorwalk.org

It was the late ‘90s. Like most young women in the free world, I decided to start a handbag business. Because I had no clue what I was doing, the handbag venture sort of fizzled. (I did get to tour creepy manufacturing facilities in New York and Fall River, though, so that was a plus.)

In retrospect, I did two things correctly with my business: 1. Consulted a retired businessman through SCORE, who gave me very helpful advice, 2. Folded.

Given today’s economy, thousands of people are starting their own small businesses. I advise them to consult SCORE for help. (Not to be confused with Scores. Biiiig difference.)

What they do: “SCORE… was established by Congress in 1964 as a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and formation, growth and success of small business. … SCORE volunteers use their expertise and energies to implement proven business practices in accomplishing your business objectives.” (website) Counselors offer expertise in almost every skill (IT, General Management, Marketing, PR, Strategic & Growth Planning, etc) and in almost every interest area (Photography, Retailing, Traveling, Gardening, etc.).

Who they are: “The Fairfield County Chapter has 50 volunteer professionals with a very broad mix of senior executive and small business experience. These dedicated men and women include both working and retired executives and business owners.” (website)

Click to read the rest ... "SCORE"