Ask Leslie! will be a go-to destination for readers looking for smart, relatable, and inspiring advice with a touch of sophistication and edge. Have a question about lifestyle, style, etiquette, entertaining, or everyday dilemmas? Now’s your chance to ask! Send your questions to Darien@citylifestyle.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of Darien & New Canaan Lifestyle.
No topic is too big—or too small. Go ahead, Ask Leslie!
DNCL: You’ve told me that you want this column to have a bit of an attitude to compliment your slight edge. Why?
LK: “Advice with Attitude” is my shorthand for what happens when elegance meets honesty. It’s not about being brash—it’s about being brave enough to say what needs to be said, with style and substance. I’m not here to play it safe. I’m here to offer thoughtful, modern guidance that respects your intelligence, your ambition, and your desire to live well.
DNCL: Who is your ideal reader?
LK:They are sharp, curious, and juggling a lot (kind of like me). Navigating career moves, social dynamics, and the occasional existential wardrobe crisis. They want to host with confidence, speak with clarity, and show up fully—whether that’s at a board meeting or a backyard dinner party. They are not looking for perfection, but perspective. And that’s exactly what I intend to deliver with Ask Leslie!”
DNCL: Unrelated to the column, I’ve known you for a few years now and you always look super put together and have a contagious happiness. What’s your secret?
LK: Haha! There’s no secret. That’s just me. I care about how I present myself and how I’m seen. It’s 100% genuine, what you see is what you get, but I’ve always prioritized self care, on the inside and out. If you’re happy on the inside, it shines through on the outside. You must always catch me on “good days” though!
DNCL: What’s something our readership should know about you?
LK: I grew up in the midwest, but despite my “wholesome” roots I have an edge. I’m a truth teller. I’m incredibly talented at parallel parking. I love music. I love fashion. I love celebrity gossip. I love that my two young daughters look up to me (keeps me on my best behavior!). I love watching tennis (not a player). I love shopping (just ask my husband!) I love luxury hotels (just ask my husband!). I’m told a lot that I give great hugs…and I love giving them. Sometimes you just need a hug!
DNCL: What inspired you to launch Ask Leslie and why do you think now is the perfect time for this column?
LK: I’ve always loved connecting with people, listening to their stories, and helping them find creative solutions. It comes natural to me, so starting Ask Leslie! felt like a natural next step, especially now when so many of us are juggling busy lives and looking for relatable, thoughtful advice. It’s a way to connect our community and share conversations that feel both fun and useful.
DNCL: What kinds of topics and questions can readers expect you to cover — and are there any you’re especially excited about?
LK: Oh, the range is going to be fantastic! I’ll cover everything from modern etiquette (like what to do when someone never RSVPs) to style advice (is it okay to wear sneakers to a dinner party?) to lifestyle dilemmas (how to set boundaries with grace, or make a guest room feel extra welcoming).
DNCL: How would you describe your approach to giving advice — more practical and straightforward, playful and stylish, or a mix of both?
LK: Definitely a mix. I want readers to feel like they’re talking to a friend who’s honest but never judgmental — someone who’ll give them a thoughtful answer with a wink of humor. Advice doesn’t have to be stiff or heavy-handed; it can be smart, approachable, and playful too.
DNCL: What do you hope Ask Leslie! will bring to the Darien & New Canaan community, and how can readers get involved?
LK: My hope is that this column becomes a fun, trusted space where people see their own questions and challenges reflected, and also feel inspired by the answers. I want it to spark conversations and give people those “oh, me too!” moments. Readers can get involved by sending in their questions — big or small, serious or lighthearted. This is their column as much as mine, and I can’t wait to dive into the mix of what’s on everyone’s mind!