Life's Accessories

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie had the pleasure of welcoming award-winning interior designer Lisa Kooistra of LK Designs, A Burlington, Canada-based firm. Lisa shared her vintage clutch which was her grandmother's, and has stood the test of time! She shares how her travels keep her inspired and teach her an understanding of how people live. Lisa also provided some r...

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie were honored to welcome award-winning book author, freelance writer, and blogger Diana Bletter. Her accessory? Probably the most important one, that not even money can buy: her self esteem. Diana shares why loving and caring for yourself is so important, and how she has incorporated that concept into her life's work. With a tremendous...

On this week's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome the wonderful Kristin McGee, a nationally-recognized celebrity yoga and Pilates teacher, speaker, author, and mompreneur. Many of you will recognize Kristin from her Peloton yoga classes, and fun fact, Kristin helped to launch the Peloton yoga platform. Kristin is a big believer in bringing balance and harmony into every da...

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome Samantha Greene Woodruff, who found her calling as a novelist after spending much of her career in the business side of media. After leaving corporate life, she pursued various passions including teaching yoga, learning how to play the guitar, cooking, and taking writing classes. Her debut novel, The Lobotomist's Wife , is an A...

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome entertainment-industry-executive-turned-author Rochelle Weinstein. Did we mention she's a best-selling author? Rochelle is a prolific writer whose titles include What You Do To Me , When We Let Go , This Is How It Ends , Somebody's Daughter , and more. What You Do To Me is Rochelle's latest book, published in October 2023. Roch...

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome Barri Leiner Grant, the Chief Grief Officer™ and founder of The Memory Circle. Barri shares the moving story about the day her mother Ellen died in 1993 and about how something unexpected that was found in her beach bag from that tragic day turned into a coveted accessory. Barri left a career as a publicist, stylist and editor...

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome Emma Nadler, a psychotherapist, author, and speaker. Her memoir, The Unlikely Village of Eden is a funny and hopeful memoir about learning to adapt when life doesn't go to plan. Emma shares a special pair of earrings from her dear friend Kate. Emma shares the triumphs and challenges of caregiving, and how through her work, she...

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome Dr. Matthew Kulka, a board-certified family medicine physician. His accessory? Something that reminds him to make healthy choices every single day. As the founder of Seriously Simple Steps (S3), Dr. Kulka aims to transform lives by fostering sustainable health and wellness habits. Far beyond fleeting fads or quick fixes, S3 sta...

With eight novels under her belt, Brenda Janowitz knows a thing or two about writing. As the author of The Grace Kelly Dress , The Audrew Hepburn Estate , and The Liz Taylor Ring , she also knows a lot about how to incorporate meaningful accessories (and in one case an entire estate) into her writing. On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Brenda shares the very special ring which was given to...

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie return to the podcast after a short hiatus, to remember Rachel's beloved father who passed away in August 2023. Rachel talks about her father's final days, their treasured relationship and shares the very special -- albeit itchy -- 1963 wool sweater her father earned his first year at the University of Pennsylvania. You may laugh, you...

On this week's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome prolific writer Adele Griffin. Adele shares the story about the vintage dress she found that she has worn on every birthday since she bought it. No need to tell the story here; you'll have to tune in to listen. Adele is the author of The Favor , which published in June 2023. She is also the author of books for young-adult r...

Lawyer-turned-writer Jenny Leon tells the story of her gold skirt -- one which pushed the envelope in her conservative law office. Tune in to hear her story and why she believes that wearing a skirt that doesn't fit is a waste of time, a sentiment to how she now looks at her life which is now full or purpose and joy. Jenny is currently working on a forthcoming memoir about how being diagnosed with...

From a very young age, M.J. Rose knew she would become a novelist, and that had everything to do with the hilarious story (you have to tune in to hear it) she made up about a very special opal and diamond ring which was eventually passed on to M.J. because she loved it so much. M.J. is a New York Times bestselling novelist and the founder of AuthorBuzz.com, the first marketing company for authors....

On this episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie have a wonderful time with Sh*t That I Knit Founder Christina Pardy. Christina started knitting thanks to her mother who taught her everything she needed to know about knitting, purling, and more. Years later, that hobby would turn into a successful business. Christina shares her everyday gold bangle bracelet which is engraved with the le...

In this week's episode, meet Pam Moore, who tells the story about her bike -- which hangs in her garage today (without pedals). There is a new bike (or two or three) in Pam's life, but like many of our life's accessories, she won't part with the OG bike. You'll have to tune in to learn why! Pam is an occupational therapist turned intuitive eating coach, and health and fitness journalist. She lives...

She may not be Sally O'Malley, but Stephanie is not afraid to tell her age, because she can kick, stretch, and kick! Did we mention she's 50? On this week's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel turns the tables on Stephanie and interviews her on the day before her golden birthday. They talk about all the feelings of this big milestone, and of course, all the accessories that make such a milestone...

Shane Reilly is a serial entrepreneur who is inspired by the accessories surrounding her. Shane has had her own interior design firm focused on designing luxury homes in New York and San Francisco. Her first online business, Decorati, was a market place for trade-only interior design brands. Her second online business, Guildery, was a custom fabric and pillow printing business. But wait! There's m...

Dinah Lenney is an actor and writer who tells the story about the time when her mother brought her to an Armani boutique for a custom suit fitting. Turns out this suit has stood the test of time, and was worn on many meaningful occasions in Dinah's life. Tune in to learn more about Dinah's career as an actor on shows including Murphy Brown, ER, and The West Wing, and her career as a writer and mem...

Talk about a feel-good episode! Today Rachel and Stephanie welcome Dara Kurtz to Life's Accessories, where they pay homage to Dara's jean jacket, and the staying-power of jean jackets in general. Dara is the author of I am My Mother's Daughter: Wisdom on Life, Loss, and Love , and Crush Cancer . From her blog, Crazy Perfect Life, to her presentations on how to "Level Up Your Life", Dara tells her...

As the teenagers in their lives approach important life milestones and prepare to exit stage right (or left) out of their respective nests, Rachel and Stephanie share their views and observations on the accessories that can make or break a college visit or graduation ceremony. Your co-hosts dig deep into this topic (when don't they?) -- from which bags to carry to which shoes work best on grass! C...

What's a ruana you ask? You'll have to tune in, as Rachel and Stephanie welcome the incredibly talented fashion designer, and CEO of her eponymous brand, Sara Campbell. Sara shares her love for the ruana as one of the most versatile accessories that can elevate any outfit (and is a staple in all of her seasonal collections). Sara learned how to sew when she was six years old, and she's never looke...

Hey college kids and grads ! When you were in college, was there something in your closet that became part of your campus uniform? Something that became part of your identity? For Allison Winn Scotch, it was her Stüssy hat. Allison is a prolific writer, with ten novels under her belt. Also, do you remember all of those "10 Ways to a Better Life" articles we used to read, on basically every subject...

New York Times bestselling author and entrepreneur Jill Smokler joins Rachel and Stephanie on today's episode of Life's Accessories. Jill was one of the first "mommy bloggers" who became known for her Webby Award-winning blog, Scary Mommy, which became a chronicle of Jill's stay-at-home days with her children. Her accessory of choice? A book which is the compilation of her first year of Scary Momm...

On this week's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome entrepreneur Stacy Madison. Ever heard of Stacy's Pita Chips? That was a rhetorical question; of course you have. It's that Stacy! There's really only one necklace you'll probably ever see around Stacy's neck, a symbol for her family and her life. Stacy shares the incredible stories of how her business ventures came to be,...

Is a piece of furniture really an accessory? Of course it is, and you'll understand why when you tune in to this week's episode of Life's Accessories. Rachel and Stephanie welcome It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway author Elizabeth Passarella. Elizabeth brings the story of that couch to life, and shares the journey that couch traveled throughout its life, and the meaning it holds for Elizabeth and her fa...