Life's Accessories

In this episode of Life's Accessories, a real-life doctor joins Rachel and Stephanie. Psychologist Kira Bartlett tells the story of her cozy purple cardigan sweater and its symbolism related to her career journey. And because this is a podcast about meaningful accessories, they discuss healthy -- and unhealthy -- attachments. Dr. Kira Bartlett is a New York state licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of successful clinical experience with individuals in short- and long-term psychotherapy. Her private practice is in White Plains, New York and Manhattan, New York.Let's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

Sometimes the most meaningful accessories in our closets serve as reminders of loved ones we've lost. Rebecca Soffer has one such item in her closet and in this episode, she shares the story of her late mother's Italian leather boots with Rachel and Stephanie. Rebecca is the cofounder of Modern Loss, which offers creative, meaningful and encouraging content and community addressing the long arc of grief. She is also the author of two bestselling books about loss, one of which Gayle King named one of her two favorite books of 2022. Rebecca's writing has appeared in outlets such as The New York Times, TIME, Glamour and NBC. She is a Peabody Award-winning former producer for The Colbert Report. Rebecca is as introspective as she is funny and these boots tell those kinds of stories and more.Connect with Rebecca Soffer:Modern LossThe Modern Loss Handbook: An Interactive Guide to Moving Through Grief and Building Your ResilienceModern Loss: Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners WelcomeSign up for the Modern Loss newsletter on SubstackLet's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

Rachel and Stephanie welcomed the extraordinarily hilarious Alec Sulkin, a comedy writer and producer best known for his work on the animated Family Guy television series and the movies Ted and Ted 2. Alec shares the coveted picture he has of him with Tom Brady, which was taken on the Ted 2 movie set, in which Tom Brady had a cameo. This wide-ranging episode covers Boston sports, comedy writing, writers who hate writing, karaoke, and everything in between!Connect with Alec Sulkin on Instagram, and listen to his podcast, A Typical Disgusting Display!Let's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

Do you know what a push present is? Do you want to know what a push present is? In this check in/jam session episode, Rachel and Stephanie talk about their push presents i.e. gifts their husband gave them to commemorate the births of their children. Rachel recalls trying to find new mom friends back in the days of mom dating in baby music class but she couldn't get past some of the push presents that the new moms wore. Stephanie tells a beautiful story of the bracelet charms, which were a push present of sorts in her family, and how her mom gave them to her before she died. You may laugh, you may cry and you may consider gifting meaningful accessories to those you love. Full disclosure: Rachel and Stephanie support push presents of all kinds. There are just some that are not for them and that is okay too.Let's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

Elizabeth Mayhew of The Dutchy of Millbrook, an artisanal bakery in New York’s Dutchess County, joins Rachel and Stephanie on today's episode. Elizabeth shares her charm bracelet which, as Elizabeth says, is a monument really to her life. Talk about a life's accessory! For many years, Elizabeth served as a contributing editor at NBC's Today Show and as a monthly columnist for The Washington Post’s Home & Garden section. Elizabeth is also the author of FLIP! for Decorating – a book filled with decorating – and redecorating tips. She has been a creative force for publications including REAL SIMPLE, House Beautiful, Southern Living, and Woman's Day. Elizabeth was also the founding Editor-in-Chief for Reese Witherspoon’s Southern-inspired brand, Draper James. A native of Louisville, Kentucky and a graduate of Georgetown University, she now divides her time between New York City and Millbrook, New York where she makes the most amazing charm cakes!Follow Elizabeth Mayhew on InstagramLet's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

On this episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome lifestyle and entertaining expert Maureen Petrosky, who shares with us a beautiful and timeless watch which was given to her by her mother. Maureen -- who is timeless herself -- is an Entertaining & Lifestyle Expert on NBC’s Today Show. She is the author of three, soon-to-be four best-selling books and a creative brand strategist. Maureen is loved and well-known for her quick and easy yet sophisticated recipes, hosting parties, decorating, food and wine pairings, and cocktails.Connect with Maureen PetroskyInstagramYouTubeFacebookTwitterLet's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome guest Rachel Barenbaum. Rachel is not only an author, book reviewer and podcast host, she is a Harvard University graduate who is also a National Squash Team Champion! Rachel tells the story behind her championship ring, and the meaning behind it. Rachel shares what it was like to compete at the collegiate level, and how her love for sports carries with her today as she coaches her daughter's basketball team! Rachel began her career in finance, and is currently a novelist. Her most recent book Atomic Anna, was released in 2022. Her debut novel is A Bend in the Stars. Rachel also hosts "Check this Out", a podcast sponsored by the Howe Library which introduces readers to new and diverse authors.Follow Rachel on InstagramRachel Barenbaum's website.Rachel's Harper's Bazaar article "The Sports Bra Gave Us the Freedom to Compete"Let's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail us at lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

Who can forget that iconic blue velvet dress worn by the late Princess Diana when she danced with John Travolta at a White House event in 1985?! Rachel and Stephanie certainly cannot! On today's episode, Rachel and Stephanie travel across the pond, and welcome Claudia Joseph, London-based journalist, author, and genealogist, whose latest book, Diana: A Life in Dresses, chronicles Princess Diana's style evolution. Claudia shares with us a very special accessory -- an original sketch of that unforgettable dress, made especially for Claudia by Victor Edelstein, who designed many of Diana's dresses, including the "Travolta Dress". Rachel, Stephanie, and Claudia talk about the style evolution of Princess Diana and other members of the Royal Family (hint, Camilla, Kate and just a bit on Meghan.)Learn more about Claudia hereFollow Claudia on InstagramCheck out Claudia's latest book, Diana: A Life in DressesLet's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!

On this special episode, Rachel and Stephanie celebrate the one-year anniversary of Stephanie's appearance on Rachel's baking show! They give you the behind-the-scenes story about how they met, and the events leading up to their launch of the Life's Accessories podcast. Hear how the passing of Queen Elizabeth II (may she rest in peace!) and Covid may have played a role in bringing this podcast to life!Let's connect!InstagramFacebookLife's Accessories Podcast WebsiteJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupEmail to lifesaccessoriespodcast@gmail.com with comments, questions, guest/episode ideas or tell us about a meaningful item from your closet!