Life's Accessories

Shannon Sarna brought along a fabulous evil eye headband that she purchased on Etsy to this episode of Life's Accessories. Rachel and Shannon discuss all things headbands, evil eyes and Etsy plus cooking, baking, writing and the evolution of Shannon's creative and inspiring career. Shannon is the founding editor of the Nosher as well as the author of Modern Jewish Baker and Modern Jewish Comfort Food. More recently Shannon has been leaning into the pizza side of her identity working alongside chef Dan Richer at Razza Pizza while also helping to lead The Nosher's first ever fellowship for Food Writers and Content Creators to elevate diverse Jewish voices in the food media landscape. Tune in to hear about all of this and more including the latest in food trends. It seems that brulee-ing is having a moment.Follow Shannon on InstagramCheck out Shannon's cookbooks Modern Jewish Baker and Modern Jewish Comfort FoodConnect with Life's Accessories and Rachel!Follow Life's Accessories on InstagramJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupSign up for the Life's Accessories newsletter on Substack

Award winning author and journalist Julie Satow joins Rachel for the very first episode of season two of Life's Accessories to discuss a letter that was sent to Julie's grandmother in 1958 from the iconic department store, Henri Bendel's. This letter is quite fitting as Julie's latest book When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion chronicles the lives of three fascinating and inspiring women who rose to the top ranks at the height of the glamour in the 20th century world of department stores, which were then places "where every wish could be met under one roof." Julie explains how so much has changed in the word of fashion and retail in the last century but also how little has changed in some respects when it comes to women in the workplace. Julie and Rachel go deep into their own department store shopping days and reveal their love for some of the stores. Think Barney's warehouse sale, Guess Jeans at Bloomingdales and accessories displays at Bendel's!Learn more about Julie SatowFollow Julie on InstagramOrder Julie's new book, When Women Ran Fifth AvenueConnect with Life's Accessories and RachelFollow Life's Accessories on InstagramJoin the Life's Accessories Facebook GroupSign up for the Life's Accessories newsletter on Substack

On this episode of Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie welcome Tim Levy. Does the last name sound familiar to you? Well, it should, because Tim is Rachel Levy Lesser's first cousin (and by the end of this episode, Tim is Stephanie's cousin too)! Tim is the owner and founder of Fairways & Dreams Indoor Golf, the premier indoor golf facility in the Philadelphia area. Tim is also a practicing lawyer who advises emerging entrepreneurs. He graduated from Columbia University – where he was co-captain of the varsity golf team – and the George Washington University Law School. Cousin Tim tells the story of how Fairways & Dreams came to be, and gives Rachel and Stephanie the hope and encouragement they need to dream big about their own golf games.Learn more about Fairways & Dreams (or even book a tee time)! Follow Fairways & Dreams on Instagram.Connect with Life’s Accessories!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!

Tullan Holmqvist is a rock star. Okay not literally, but she is a writer, actor, and investigator. She's the author of award-winning thrillers and screenplays including The Woman in the Park, and Lacie's Secrets. She's written an Italian TV thriller series, and other essays and stories. As a private investigator, Tullan has worked on global fraud and art cases. Rachel and Stephanie loved getting to know Tullan and learn more about her journey. Of course, the conversation begins with the big reveal about the accessory Tullan has chosen to share; a beautiful pair of Tibetan turquoise earrings which she once gave to her mother, but since her passing, now wears them when she wants to carry a piece of her mother with her throughout the day. Tullan is a wonderful and accomplished human being. Enjoy tuning in to this episode of Life's Accessories.Learn more about Tullan here or follow her on Instagram.Connect with Life’s Accessories!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!

You will hear a lot of extremely important information from this week's guest, Board-Certified OBGYN Dr. Mary Claire Haver, who is at the forefront of a menopause movement shining a spotlight on the importance of talking about and treating menopause. Dr. Haver has devoted her career to women's health. Her science-educated approach to demystifying menopause has put her on the map for providing women the tools and resources they need for their menopause journey. Dr. Haver is the author of The Galveston Diet. Her second book, The New Menopause, comes out next month and is available for pre-order now. Dr. Haver's accessory? Hint: a tool from her menopause toolkit. Which one? You'll have to listen to find out!Learn more about Dr. Mary Claire Haver here or connect with her on Instagram.Pre-order The New MenopauseOrder The Galveston DietConnect with Life’s Accessories!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 were delighted to welcome lawyer-turned-prolific-writer Jacqueline Friedland. Jackie tells the story of how she felt like she was playing "dress up" as she put on her work clothes each day. Hear the story behind what prompted Jackie to settle in to a new career as a writer of both historical and contemporary fiction. Her latest book, The Stockwell Letters, was published in August 2023. Her other three books include That's Not a Thing, Trouble the Water, and He Gets That From Me. Jackie's accessory? A special Tiffany pen which a group of friends gave to her when she graduated from her Masters of Fine Arts program at Sarah Lawrence College, which helped to launch her new career in writing. Check out Jackie Friedland's website or connect with her on Instagram.Connect with Life’s Accessories!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!

Kiki Smith has said that she wants her gravestone to read, "She had good earrings." On today's episode of Life's Accessories, Kiki certainly delivered with a pair of great earrings. Actually, they are more than great, and you'll have to tune in to find out why because they are one-of-a-kind, just like Kiki. Kiki is a professor in the Theatre Department at Smith College in Northampton, MA, as well as a professional costume and set designer. She is also the Director of the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection that was founded 42 years ago by a student and is based there in the basement of the Theatre Building near the Costume Shop. Her book, Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore, documents garments and accessories that are what she calls "real” clothes worn by “real” women for all aspects of their lives. It has developed a focus on the “uniforms” of women’s many roles and jobs.And, for the first time ever on Life's Accessories, Rachel and Stephanie had a surprise guest join in the middle of the episode recording! Rachel, Stephanie, and Kiki were joined by Paula Deitz, the editor of The Hudson Review. Paula is a writer and cultural critic, and has contributed frequently to The New York Times, The Architectural Review, and Gardens Illustrated. Paula has been a helpful advisor and friend to Kiki and the collection. In fact one of Paula's dresses is in Kiki's new book.Check out Kiki Smith's book, Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore. An exhibition based on many of the pieces in Kiki's book will be on display at the New-York Historical Society in the Women's History Gallery from September 28, 2024-June 2024. Connect with Life’s Accessories!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 chat with writer and teacher Darcey Gohring, who shares her must-have and beloved Birkenstocks -- a first on Life's Accessories! Are they shoes? Are they sandals? Does it even matter? They're comfortable, and maybe that is what matters most. Darcey shares her story about being diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown. She wrote about her journey and all the feelings along the way. What's incredible about Darcey, as listeners will hear in this episode, is her gratitude, and how she focused on finding the positives during such a difficult and uncertain time. Darcey is a prolific writer who now teaches online and in-person classes. Learn more about Darcey Gohring here or follow her on Instagram. Connect with Life’s Accessories!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 Sami Greenfield, who is the oldest of four children. Sami's middle name is Joy -- and joy is exactly what she strives to bring through her Sunny Side newspaper column, uplifting social media accounts, and her first book, Bury Me in My Bathing Suit. Her book is a collection of short essays that range from happiness to heartbreak and everything in between, all connected to a greater message about finding bursts of joy. Sami shares with Rachel and Stephanie a special accessory of her father's that she keeps close to her.Connect with Sami Greenfield through her website or on Instagram.Connect with Life’s Accessories!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!