This year's Best of the Gold Coast party at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich Wednesday night was another smashing success. Moffly Publications does a great job of bringing their August issues to life! The event showcased this year's winners and featured great food, drink, entertainment and product and store demos. I made the rounds and went home full and happy! I waited till the end of my evening to enjoy a cupcake from Great Cakes (voted best and featured on the cover of Westport magazine). As I devoured the delicious treat, ladies from the Fitness Edge were working out on stage. Thanks and congratulations to Moffly....I'm already hungry for next year. Wendy

Remember when the tooth fairy would leave a quarter or maybe even 50-cents under your pillow when you lost a tooth? (I bet she leaves more these days) Well I didn't realize then you were supposed to save all that money, invest it wisely, and put it away for all the dental work you'll need as an adult! I had my first root canal over the past two weeks. Not fun and not cheap.(and you don't even get to pick a prize when your done anymore) It is amazing what dentists can do to save our teeth these days.

Speaking of pain....have you "locked-in" your rate for home heating oil yet? Looks like oil is running close to 5-dollars a gallon this coming season. If you have any deals or suggestions on good companies and prices please feel free to share.

On a much happier note....I'm looking forward to the "Best of the Gold Coast" party tomorrow night at the Greenwich Hyatt. Moffly puplications always does such an outstanding job with their August magazines and then brings them to life at the party. If you've never been....go! I'll bring you my highlights later this week. Happy August! Wendy

Just a few more days left in July then the long hot hazy month of August awaits us. But if you look around in the stores it's already Fall!. Fall fashions are on the racks....summer clearance is pushed to the back...and school supplies have lined the shelves for weeks. That I expect.( and I don't even mind that the hardy mums are out in the garden section) but today I saw candy corn on sale. I'm not ready to pick out my Halloween costume just yet! Do you think summer is going too fast? One thing to look forward to is the SoNo Airts Celebration this weekend. Stop by and say hi at the Coast booth. I'll see you Sunday. Wendy

Being at Yankee Stadium Tuesday night for the last All Star Game in the House that Ruth Built....priceless.....two beers and a hot dog...27-dollars! Yes I got to go to the game....no I did not stay until the bitter end at 1:37am. It was a great night with all the living Hall of Famers on the field before the game. Sheryl Crow did a good job with the National Anthem and Yankee fans were in rare form with boos for anyone from Boston and even Sarah Jessica Parker when she came out as part of a fundraising plea for cancer research. I spied Mayor Bloomberg in the crowd along with Mayor Rudy and his wife. I also saw Bobby Flay.

If you were there or watched on t-v tell me who you saw and what you thought of the record 15-inning game. Check out some pictures from the game here.

p-s....can you believe the people seated next to us swiped our commemorative seat cushions as we stood up to let them pass ?!?!?!!!

About two years ago or so I was in line behind actor Hunt Block at Trader Joe's in Westport.

Although I wanted to talk to him all I could do is smile because I couldn't remember his "real" name....but Ben Warren from Guilding Light. It's fun living in Fairfield County where you never know who you'll see. I was excited to get my first glimpse at Paul and Joanne...the Newmans this January. Over the holiday weekend my husband took me out to Cafe Luc in Ridgefield.....as we were seated I noticed a woman who looked very familiar. She was seated with a large group of people and wasn't wearing make-up. That threw me for a moment since I'm used to seeing her on t-v usually playing va-va-voom women. My husband went to "check the car" so he could confirm my sighting suspicions. He heard her distinctive voice and agreed that it was Katherine Helmond....most loved from Soap and Who's the Boss.

So, who have you seen around town? When you see someone famous do you go out of your way to say hello? I'd love to hear from you on this! Eyes Wide Open Wendy

First of all Happy July! Hope you summer is going well so far. I had a great day

Saturday (6-28) enjoying Westport. The morning started with a remote broadcast from

Shaw's on the Post Road. Thanks to John and the crew who welcomed up as part of

Shaw's Summer Open House. They sure do have all the food and drink you need to celebrate summer!

After Shaw's I took a short ride down the road for a return visit to Beautiful Faces. I'm now ready for summer after a few hours with hair stylist Jamie Lainey and esthetician Cheryl Cascella. I entered the studio/spa a complete "before"...and left an "after". Jamie did a great job with hair cut and color and Cheryl gave me my first facial peel. Both ladies are pros and know just to do. (if you're like me and have not had a facial or peel get to Beatiful Faces asap!) Thanks to Gail and everyone for taking such good care of me. It's the kind of place where everyone gets custom attention. (check out their website beautiful-faces.com)

Of course I could't leave Westport without a stop next door to see Vicki at The Perfect Piece. Such great stuff for home and garden. I told her the gargole I bought in May is now protecting my deck with style.

Outdoor summer fun is great....and it sure helps to have your hair, face and home in good shape. Enjoy the holiday!! Wendy

With today's high gas prices, there are few reasons to leave Fairfield County ....but

if you're looking for a short trip that will leave your kitchen cupboards full head to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

I'm sure many of you know more than I do about the culinary wonders of this "gritty Little Italy" (a phrase used by the New York Times that fits) but let me share my favorites anyway.

My last visit was this past Saturday (6-21). On-site eating included freshly shucked clams and oysters served sidewalk style at Randazzo's Fish Market. From the store we bought soft-shell crabs for dinner and a bag of seafood mix for a future seafood pot pie. Excellent selection and fair prices.

Another future meal will be cheese ravioli from Borgatti's. Great fresh pasta. Of course you can't have pasta without bread and cheese. Lots of choices for both but we like Madonia Brothers bakery and Calandra's Cheese. And please don't forget the pork! Calabria Pork usually gets our business for all things pig. As far as other baked goods go...you can't go wrong at any of the fine bakeries. There are also scores of restaurants to enjoy.

Those are just a few personal highlights....I'd love to hear your recommendations. And if you have't been to Arthur Avenue yet....grab the cooler and go shopping!

You can find lots of information about Arthur Avenue online and the neighborhood has its own website arthuravenuyebronx.com. Wendy

Summer officially starts Friday....but we've had quite a taste of summer weather already!

The heat wave last week wasn't pretty and we've made it through what seems like August thunderstorms all in the first weeks of June. Of course our weird weather is nothing compared to the floods and storms in other parts of the country. All in all a warm but nice spring season this year with lots of flowers and plants to enjoy in the garden. Also lots of wildlife.

Any hour now the wrens that hatched in a house on my deck will be flying away. I'll miss their demanding chirps for food...but the hummingbird feeder will be going up next. Love my birds!

Even though it's still June it's already time to make plans for the Fourth of July....here's a few fireworks schedules to help: Stamford, Norwalk and Westport will fire their displays on the 3rd....Wilton, Weston and Rowayton on the 4th and Greenwich on the 5th. C