About Us
Welcome to The Connecticut Edit! We’re Sadie and Samantha Yanks, a mother-daughter duo who founded this platform in 2020 to connect, captivate, and celebrate our vibrant Connecticut community. Join us as we dive into all things chic and stylish in CT, from local fashion and trends to unique events and hidden gems. Let’s explore the best of Connecticut together!
Meet Sadie!
Hi, I’m Sadie Yanks, a rising senior at Staples High School in Westport and Co-Founder of The Connecticut Edit. Alongside my role here, I’m a competitive tennis player and work at Groove, a local clothing and accessories store. I also have a passion for cooking and baking with fresh, local ingredients, and I love spending time with my family and friends.
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“I am very passionate about The Connecticut Edit, as I love to be involved with my community in many different ways. Whether through local initiatives, volunteer work, or fundraisers, I believe that The Connecticut Edit can inspire positive change. Our reviews, collaborations, and highlights celebrate the place that I proudly call home: Connecticut.” – Sadie Yanks
Meet Samantha!
​Hi, I’m Samantha Yanks, proud mom to Sadie Yanks and Co-Founder of The Connecticut Edit. I also serve as the Editor-in-Chief of Westport Magazine and specialize in brand building and content strategy. With a passion for tennis, fitness, and wellness, I’m dedicated to philanthropy and love cooking and entertaining. Always on the lookout for the latest trends and emerging talents, I enjoy discovering what’s new and next.
“The Connecticut Edit is our digital platform to highlight how global players are making a significant impact locally. We cover the latest openings, upcoming events, noteworthy creators, favorite shops, and our philanthropic partnerships across Fairfield and Litchfield Counties.” – Samantha Yanks
Our misson
Through daily content we highlight interesting and informative information about the place we happily call home, Connecticut. We feature local restaurants, businesses, philanthropic organizations and happenings throughout our state.
Q&A with Sadie and Samantha
What is your favorite restaurant in Fairfield County and why?
Sadie
When picking my perfect restaurants, I look for a fun atmosphere, and craveable food that I will want to come back to over and over. My favorite by far is Mecha in Fairfield; my go-to dishes are the red oil dumplings, and the Tonkatsu ramen. My second pick would be bartaco. When moving to Westport, everyone told me to go here, but I didn't know if the hype it had been receiving would be worth it. I mean, how good can tacos really be? Well, let me tell you, they’re absolutely delicious; my personal favorite is the steak taco with cheese. The vibe is my favorite; fun, packed, and playful.
Samantha
The Cottage in Westport is a culinary experience that's truly special. For all of our friends in Greenwich, they recently opened their second location there. Gray Barns on the Silvermine River was a restaurant I had visited long before we moved here and feel unbelievably lucky that it's now 15 minutes from my house. The food is extraordinary, the property is breathtaking, and the highly-edited selection in their Mercantile shop makes it a destination. I love Casa Me, it’s like my canteen, you can find me there a few times a week from business lunches to family dinners. I love Elm and Solé in New Canaan and both restaurateurs have second locations in their town.
What are your favorite things to do in Westport, when you have a free weekend?
Sadie
My favorite thing to do is to walk around downtown, and then go out for dinner. I normally end up at Mecha, but I love to explore. I also love hanging out with my family at Compo beach, specifically at night for the guaranteed beautiful sunset.
Samantha
Free time is my favorite time; it’s so rare. For us it's all about family, friends and discovering what’s new. In the summer, you can always find us on the water at Compo Beach or playing tennis. I love nothing more than supporting local creators, boutiques, growers, so I always set myself on a mission to discover what everyone’s up to. From a farmers market, to a chic shop, I'm always looking to see how I can support the Connecticut community.
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If you could recommend 3 stores to someone coming to Westport for the day, what would they be?
Sadie
Definitely Lululemon, because it's Lululemon, the athletic clothing fits so well, and the staff is incredibly helpful. Next, I would stop at Groove, I work there and it has the best selection of clothing. Finally, I would stop at Brandy Melville for basics.
Samantha
Terrain. It's the most magical gardening center and I highly recommend you make a reservation for lunch in their café. The new Framebridge store is really inspiring me to frame everything from art to photos to family memorabilia. And finally, Bel Mondo. The owner always has just the right finds from furniture to small accessories that feel fresh each season.
If you could describe your daughter/mother in six words, what would they be?
Sadie on Samantha
Positive, resilient, supportive, philanthropic, determined, loyal and passionate.
Samantha on Sadie
Formidable, confident, empathetic, ambitious, community-centric, disciplined and loyal.