Conversations with the Hostess

Do you ever feel like you could be a little more thoughtful?  Well in this episode I'm talking about how being thoughtful is something I'm not great at.  We'll take a journey together about the mindset behind being more thoughtful, why it matters when it comes to building a connection, and a lot of practical ways to start applying right now. I promise by the end of the episode you'll be ready to r...

When is the last time that you had a blast celebrating your birthday?  If it's been too long, listen in today for a ton of ways to make your grown up birthday fun, all about you, and a celebration you'll remember!  Lots of ideas for birthdays where you go out, stay in, travel and give back.  Plus if you need a fun birthday theme, I've got loads of those too.  Bingeing Segment If you are in need of...

If you're a mom have you ever spend a few nights away from your kids?  If the answer to that question is no, then today's podcast episode is one you definitely want to listen in to.  I'm sharing my experience reconnecting with myself whenever I have to travel away from my kids.  I give you ways to make the logistics of the whole event easier and share the benefits of getting away not only to you,...

I have a repeat guest on teh podcast today and we're talking all about his military retirement ceremony and reception.  This is a great episode for anyone that might be retiring from the military soon.   Even if you aren't in the military or having to plan a retirement ceremony, there are a lot of good ideas and tips when it comes to planning any large event.  I hope you enjoy it and get some valu...

Who is kicking off 2023 by trying to get to the gym more?  If so, you'll love this conversation with one of my trainers from Burn Bootcamp.  Suzanne shares her story about why this particular gym feels like home and how to make friends and build community with others at the gym.  It's a great conversation that may just get you motivated to get back into the gym.  Links You Need You can find out mo...

This is a fun recap episode of ten of the best party hosting tips that my guests have shared with us all.  I've gone back through and picked out some of the best advice, encouragement, and tips for hosting any party.  I hope you enjoy the episode and share with me which tip was your favorite.  Or better yet, tell me your best party hosting tip if yu didn't hear it in the episode today.  Links You...

This is such a festive and fun episode talking with Lee Varhola all about how she decorates for Christmas.  Lee is a bonafide Christmas tree expert putting up and decorating many in her own home along with doing it for others in their homes.  Listen in as she tells us the best way to decorate a Christmas tree, along with a lot of other great hosting tips and ways to furnish and decorate your home...

This week I'm talking about a problem all of us Type A control freaks have and that's accepting help.  Listen in to hear a few areas where it's really easy and definitely beneficial to accept help.  Plus, there's some encouragment to take it one thing at a time to slowly ease into accepting help.  Are you a control freak when it comes to hosting?  How much better could your party or event go if yo...

In this week's episode I'm sharing my ways to feelsettled after moving.  We get asked a lot if we're feeling settled in our new place.  The short answer is no, but there are some things we're doing that make us feel more connected and that we're surrounded by our community.  Listen in today if you have made a move recently, or send this to someone that you know has recently moved.  Bingeing Segmen...

Ever feel like everyone is telling you that you have to buy a bunch of new stuff every time there is a new season, holiday, or celebration?  Well, we're not going to be doing that.  In this episode I share five ways to decorate for the seasons, holidays, and even parties wihtout having to buy a bunch of new decor.  Most of the options I share are even free!  Listen in and be sure to share your mon...

My guest this week has a breadth of experience with military members and their families.  She helps them through therapy with a gentle and safe approach.  She especially helps those in the commnity that are going through transitions, whether it be during a PCS or even retirement.  Renee Rugile has so much wisdom to share and her comforting voice will make you feel so good about yourself after list...

This week we're tackling a tough subject and asked Gillian Burgess to share her story and journey with her cancer diagnosis with us.  She gave us so many useful ways to help others in our communities during a difficult time.  I know you'll get so much value from listening to the episode, so don't miss it.   Links You Need You can find out more from Gillian by going to her website Semi-Together. Or...

This week, let's talk about how to make overnight guests feel the most welcome in your home.   Simple ways to make their space accomodating for them so they can get settled quickly and you can enjoy your time together.  Bingeing Segment This week, I'm loving some new pillows that will make your guests feel super comfortable in your guest bed.  You can some similar to the ones I own here .  Don't F...

Who is feeling crazy during this PCS season?  Don't you think a little organizing can help put htings where they need to be and get you prepared for your move?  My guest this week, Macu Mateo, is a professional organizer that helps families implement systems in their home to be more efficient and work better for them.  She has some great insight and practical ways you can get ready for PCS season...

Gear up for some fun in the sun this summer with a picnic.  They are such a great way to host friends in family while enjoying being outside, and it's a bonus that you don't have to clean your house before hosting a picnic either! Listen in while we talk all about the food, gear, and fun things you can do during your picnic.  Links You Need Click here for the picnic basket options I talked about i...

Have you ever felt like you've lost your identity and need to figure out who you are again?  My guest this week, Suzy Sevier, has some great encouragement and practical tips to help you find your skills and figure out how to fit yourself into the best career or community.   Her advice applies to so many aspects of life including your career, spouse, and community of friends.  This is a must listen...

Have you ever not hosted something because you weren't sure how to do it with kids present?  If having kids at a party has every stopped you from hosting then this episode is going to give you a lot of ways to keep the kids entertained so you can still enjoy the adult conversation and time spent with your friends.  We all love kids, but keeping them entertained so you can enjoy yourself is totally...

Who is ready for a vacation?  After the last couple years I'm pretty sure most people are.  We were so excited to come to England so we could travel and after lockdowns the last two years, thankfully things are more open and we've finally been able to travel more.  This episode is going to walk you through how to make those trips more of an event, share it with others in your community, and do thi...

It's PCS season (that means a lot of military families will be moving over the next few months) and with that a lot of goodbyes are going to be said.  This week's podcast is going to walk you through several ways to make saying those goodbyes a lot easier.  I'm talking about marking off those bucket list items, making plans with friends to stay in touch, and how to make saying goodbye easier for y...

This week is an episode that I had a lot more to say about than I realized.  I love a beautiful tablescape and this episode breaks down how to do it yourself.  I walk you through all four main parts of the tablescape and give you lots of ways to make them personalized for your party, theme, season, or holiday.  It's a great episode that can be used throughout your home and throughout the year.  Cl...

This week is all about fun party themes.  Sometimes this can be a roadblock for someone when planning a party.  If so, I'm walking you through how to pick a party theme whether you're celebrating a person or just a holiday.  Plus, I give you easy ways to incorporate that party theme throughout all of the party details.  Be sure to listen in and feel free to send me a DM if you need help coming up...

The relationships we have with the people in our community, especially our spouses are so important.  Working on those relationships is just as important.  In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Cavanaugh a psychologist who has worked extensively with military members and spouses gives us so many tangible ways to reflect and improve on our marriages.   Listen in to hear all about it and how you can apply th...

This week is an opposite perspective of Episode 46 where I share our experience with hosting while living in England.  This episode I'm joined by my British friend Claire Westaway to hear her perspective living in the US as a British person.  It's a fascinating conversation where we both have similar feelings and experiences just in different places.  It's heart warming to hear her thoughts on Ame...

This week, my Instagram audience voted to hear about our upcoming move and all the decisions that go along with a move.  I'm sharing a little backstory about our situation and how transitional our life will look this year.  I also share six categories of things that we consider anytime we move.  We've moved four times over the past 14 years and picked up several ideas about what to research, look...

Want to celebrate Valentine's Day with more than just your significant other?  Don't have a bunch of time to do big elaborate things?   Then this episode is for you.  I share how to celebrate lots of different people in your community for Valentine's Day.  Plus, I share my ideas on how to elevate the everyday things you're already doing to make them feel special and specific to Valentine's Day.  S...