Brandee Gilmore
Brandee Gilmore
Brandee Gilmore made the turn from media maven to mommy with the birth of her first son in 2008. During her 'maven' days, she produced and directed television shows for Bravo and the Outdoor Life Network, before settling into TV newsrooms in Maryland, Washington D.C., New York City and Connecticut as an on-camera reporter, anchor and writer. Aside from moonlighting for Mommy Poppins CT, Brandee also acts as Media Coordinator and PR consultant for Olive My Heart, a gourmet olive oil and balsamic vinegar shop in Hudson, Ohio. Brandee graduated from Long Island University, Southampton, with a major in marine science and completed her Masters in broadcast journalism at Boston University. Brandee has been married eight years, and has two sons. She lives, bakes obsessively and plays backyard baseball in Trumbull, CT.
You can also follow Brandee on Google+.
Latest posts by Brandee
New England's most beautiful season has arrived once again, and that means pumpkins on the porch, in our pies and muffins, and for us, diehard fans, even in our coffees. Picking a pumpkin is an autumnal ritual for many, and the perfect excuse to get outside on a crisp afternoon. Fairfield County has more than a few great spots to seek out your orange beauty, and most places offer activities like corn mazes and hayrides, as well as mouth-watering cider donuts and other goodies. Check out our Halloween and Fall Fun Guide for lots of other great information. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and don't miss out any seasonal fun.
The autumn sun, colorful foliage, crisp air, giggling children, and a cup of hot cider -- this is the antithesis to the workweek grind. Add a pumpkin or two into the mix, and whether you're decorating it or turning it into a baked delight, you have the recipe for a great fall. Some of the spots we found in the New Haven area are the definition of agri-tourism, so they also made our list of Apple Picking Orchards in central Connecticut. Whether you are looking for slender pumpkins or plump, sprawling farms or cozier ones, New Haven County has what you seek. For even more ideas, sign up for our weekly newsletter and check out our Halloween and Fall Fun Guide.
You can practically say Sayonara to Spanish. With the Chinese economy on a seemingly unending rise, Mandarin is the second language of choice for many mamas looking to broaden their babies' horizons. There are schools across Fairfield County, for children as young as 18 months, and at a range of price points. They all attempt to weave a considerable amount of Chinese culture into their courses, too -- Ni Hao Kai-Lan ain't gonna cut it after this! For more classes, check out our comprehensive class guide.
Art. So simple. Yet, impossible to define. What I will say is, it can be the antidote to the stresses of an uber-busy Fairfield County kid. Yes, they need to do their homework, practice their gymnastics and/or hockey, learn the piano, attend swimming lessons, and hey, master computer coding, but what about an after-school activity that's theirs to make and mold? There are art classes on everything from anime to weaving available, and you can enroll in a short session, or one that lasts all semester.
If baseball beckons you every summer, like popsicles and pools, Connecticut can be a tricky place to live. Is it Red Sox country? A Yankee stronghold? Mets loyal? Probably all of the above, but Mommy Poppins has no intentions of wading into THAT debate. Rather, we'll educate you on the alternatives right in your backyard -- minor league ballparks with major league fun. They're perfect for the family, kind to your wallet, and spread out across the state. Batter up!!
I have a love-hate relationship with children's art. On the one hand, I love decorating the house with my children's paintings, sculptures, and photographs; on the other hand, I just can't bear the mess of the creative process, especially when it involves glitter!
Here are some great places in Fairfield County where your young artists can create masterpieces without trashing your house: (and for more after-school ideas check out our guide.)
Day one of summer vacation and the score in this house is kids 1 million, mom 0. While I dreamed of three freshly scrubbed, idyllic children working together on community service projects and requesting additional math assignments, the reality is the trio argues over, well… everything. Who gets the pink spoon, who gets the cow mug, who gets to grab yesterday’s mail out the box... and this is only the very first day of school break! Clearly, Operation Get the Heck Out of the House needs to be kicked into high gear. And what better way to keep kids of all ages and interests occupied than local fairs and festivals? If you're up for a day trip, we've rounded up fun summer fetes in Hartford and New Haven counties, as well as Eastern Connecticut. But if you prefer a fest right here in your own Fairfield County backyard, read on.
Whether it's getting out of the house in the winter, or filling massive amounts of free time in the summer, having somewhere to go that's free -- even better! A host of museums in Fairfield County and New Haven County have caught on to that fact, offering up free events in the coming days, and even year-round in some cases.
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