Owner Jeff Lizotte has one of the most impressive culinary resúmès I've ever seen, and it really shines through in the meals at his Tarrifville, CT restaurant, Present Company. He's worked at La Tupina in Bordeaux, France, La Bastide Saint-Antoine in Grasse, France, and the three Michelin-starred Le Bernardin in New York City, just to name a few. Opened in 2016, Present Company combines all that expertise into a seasonal rotation of locally sourced gastronomic excellence. Read on to discover why we loved our three and four-course prix-fix meals at Present Company. The post Present Company in T ..read more

During the grand opening of DELAMAR Southport's Spa, I was invited to undergo a skin diagnostic assessment by the French luxury skincare brand Biologique Recherche. What I learned has reshaped the way I view and care for my skin. During the Biologique Recherche Personalized Skin Diagnostic, they assessed seventeen areas of my skin's health, from hydration, sensitivity, and blemishes to dark spots, wrinkling, and firmness on seven areas of my face, and presented me with the average results. Then, they took these results and interviewed me about my lifestyle choices and skin history, alongside a ..read more

I've been a big fan of Taiwanese bubble tea for most of my life, but when we moved to New England, I didn't know if there were many good places to find outside New York City. So, when Cha Papi Tea & Sweets opened in West Hartford, CT, we tried it! This was such a wonderfully unique café-style restaurant. They sold a variety of coffees, teas, and other drinks, many of which could be made gluten-free. They also had an assortment of baked goods with Asian-inspired flavors like ume, matcha, black sesame, and pan dan, plus they have a plethora of cute bags and cups for sale.  The post Cha ..read more

I've found very few bakeries sell anything gluten-free due to the complexities involved in preventing cross-contamination. Whenever I find a great bakery that offers gluten-free baked goods, even if it's not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, I am always curious. Run by Adam Young, who is known as the "Best Baker in America", after winning Food Network's Best Baker in America, Sift has won a plethora of awards and is famous globally for their gorgeous, creative, and delicious baked goods foods, and artisanal confections.  The post Gluten-Free at Sift Bake Shop | Mystic, CT appeared first on ..read more

We loved our stay at The Whaler's Inn during our long weekend in Mystic, CT. The historic inn is just steps away from Mystic River, Mystic's Bascule Bridge, some of the best food in Connecticut, and really fun things to do, like the Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Aquarium for injured and rehabilitated marine life, and fantastic boutique shopping. We stayed in the beautiful Hoxie House, with a view overlooking Mystic River, and ate at the hotel's restaurant, The Shipwright's Daughter, which was recently voted Connecticut's Restaurant of the Year. Read on to learn why we loved our time at this ch ..read more

Yesterday, ahead of New York Fashion Week, I attended a lovely luncheon at Nomâde in Westport, Connecticut, hosted by LTK (formerly rewardStyle), The Connecticut Edit, and Moffly Media with some of the state's best and most creative brands and female content creators. It was such a pleasure to join the hosts for an afternoon of learning, inspiration, and wonderful conversation. LTK's VP of Creator Expansion & The Connecticut Edit's founder Samantha Yanks hosted a fantastic panel of inspirational women like PR, health, and beauty pro Chelsea Keyes McDuffie, Kat Ashmoore, the founder of Kat ..read more

We had so much fun visiting Kent, Connecticut, for the first time. Everyone in town was so friendly and eager to speak with us. The food was great, our lodgings were exquisitely comfortable, and I would've traveled much farther to see the area's natural beauty. I've not seen much written about Kent. Still, it was a wonderful weekend getaway, and I think it would be the perfect destination for bachelor or bachelorette parties, family vacations, romantic getaways, and everything in between. Though it's a small town, it's packed with many great things to eat, see, and do, and I hope this Kent, Co ..read more

While in Kent, CT, we explored the charming town and were repeatedly encouraged to try Kinglsey Tavern. I'm so glad we did! Everything was tasty and fresh, and the service was excellent. We dined outside, and though it was humid, it gave us a lovely view of the sunset. This restaurant was like the rest of Kent, such a pleasant surprise. It's not often we find such spectacular food in small towns, but this restaurant wouldn't be out of place in and any sprawling metropolis was a perfect way to end our first night in beautiful Kent.  The post Kingsley Tavern in Kent, CT appeared first on An ..read more

During our time in beautiful Kent, Connecticut, we visited nearby Kent Falls State Park to hike, see the waterfalls engorged by recent heavy rains, and enjoy the cooler weather. The hike was simple and only took about 40 minutes round trip, which may have been elongated since I stopped to take photos. Overall, this was my favorite state park we've visited in Connecticut, and I think you'll agree that it's truly splendid!  The post Hiking Kent Falls State Park appeared first on Annie Fairfax ..read more

The Victorian, part of The Kent Collection, a set of five distinct rental properties in Kent, CT, was our home away from home for a weekend, and we had a lovely stay in their Wedding Suite. We'd never been to Kent, Connecticut, before, and this turned out to be the best possible place we could've stayed in the area. We were within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, and parks, and not far from Kent Falls State Park. Read on to learn more about our stay! The post The Victorian in Kent, CT appeared first on Annie Fairfax ..read more