Event designer David DiCicco is back to discuss authenticity in design and how florals and layered details create an emotional, immersive “stage” for clients, especially at weddings. They compare styling versus interiors, noting the challenge of making permanent decisions in one’s own home, and David shares that his creativity comes from his mother and interests in theater, interior design, and working with people, calling himself “a little bit of a therapist” in emotionally charged wedding work. On marketing, he credits word-of-mouth, referrals from planners and venues, and repeat clients over many years. The conversation turns to relationship structures, divorce, and open relationships, emphasizing that trust, communication, evolving “rules,” and reduced judgment are key, and David shares his own experiences and that he’s been seeing someone long-distance since March.

Visit https://diciccodesign.com/

Topics

01:01 Designing a Feeling

02:24 Temporary vs Permanent

03:44 Where Creativity Comes From

04:43 Marketing and Referrals

05:50 Divorce Rates and Lessons

07:32 Open Relationship Realities

12:32 No Judgment and Boundaries

Tara, Caroline and Allison welcome florist and event designer David DiCicco of DiCicco Designs. David shares his path from a finance background into event design, explains the difference between event planning (logistics) and event design (tangible elements), and describes leaving Mark Hall Design after six years to start his own business in 2019. He reflects on launching just before COVID, noting he had low overhead and spent that summer in Provincetown. The conversation explores work-life balance in lifestyle businesses, David’s need for periodic creative breaks, and how inspiration can arrive unpredictably. David discusses collaborating without ego, relying on his team—especially Eric and Andrew—and thriving on high-pressure event timelines. He outlines budget-first client conversations and explains how modern event aesthetics are becoming more residential, incorporating elements like banquette seating, sconces, artwork, tapestries, and custom woodwork, with design treated as an integrated, math-driven whole.

Visit https://diciccodesign.com/

Topics

00:34 Meet David DiCicco

01:28 Outfit Talk and Style

02:19 From Finance to Events

03:48 Launching Then COVID

04:43 Work Life Balance Reset

06:19 Creative Process and Collaboration

07:56 Deadlines Stress and Team

09:26 Budgets Pricing Reality

11:28 Residential Style Event Design

14:00 Trust Authenticity and Results

14:42 Wrap Up and Tease Next

Tara, Caroline and Allison chat about Caroline coloring her hair at home with a boxed dye to save money. The conversation shifts to frustrations with modern tip prompts on iPads, including being asked to tip for minimal service, differing views on tipping culture (including Allison describing herself as an over-tipper), and the idea that younger people are more comfortable selecting “no tip” unless service is above and beyond. Caroline introduces a grad-school concept she calls the “weeping willow effect,” describing how people seek something that feels safe and cocooning in a wide-open space, and connects it to choosing clothing for comfort and confidence as well as creating warm, inviting home environments. They discuss buying clothes that look good but feel wrong and therefore never get worn, kids preferring comfort (sweats, Crocs/Uggs) over restrictive clothing, and changing school fashion. The hosts also talk about how interior design sends subliminal messages, referencing an uncomfortable waiting area at Kirpalu and Caroline’s vision for a luxury-feeling office inspired by a Chanel fitting room that makes clients feel like “a million dollars,” while still shopping affordably. The episode ends with a humorous aside about social media content reviewing bathrooms in high-end stores and the idea that bathrooms reveal a lot about a place.

Abbey the bathroom girl on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbeywwwww

Topics

00:33 Budget Beauty Hack: Caroline’s At-Home Hair Color Confession

02:19 Tipping Culture Gone Wild: The iPad Guilt Trip

03:52 When (and When Not) to Tip: Rules of Thumb & Generational Shifts

06:29 The “Weeping Willow Effect”: Why We Choose Cozy (Clothes & Comfort)

08:04 Confidence Dressing: Dating Over 50 + Buying What You’ll Actually Wear

09:15 Kids, Comfort & Trends: Sweats, Jeans, and ‘Suns Out, Buns Out’

12:23 Designing Feelings: What Your Space Says (Kirpalu + Chanel Fitting Room Dreams)

14:04 Bathroom Reviews & Sign-Off: The Wildest Outro

Tara, Caroline & Allison dive into the Golden Globes, Nikki Glaser's comedic prowess, and their professional insights on trends in fashion and home design. They discuss the importance of the five senses in dialectical behavioral therapy and how incorporating sensory elements can transform home spaces into comforting environments. They also touch upon the impact of sterile modern homes and share personal anecdotes about clients and the therapeutic nature of optimized personal spaces.

Topics

00:37 Golden Globes Highlights

02:04 Understanding the Five Senses in Therapy

04:16 The Impact of Home Design on Well-being

09:28 Personal Spaces and Rituals

12:15 Conclusion and Farewell

Allison, Tara and Caroline discuss trending styles, the concept of 'enclosed cognition,' and how clothing impacts self-perception and confidence. The conversation lightens with humor about beer preferences and personal anecdotes, then turns heartfelt with a recount of a fashion styling project featuring elderly models. The show ends on a practical note, touching on the emotional impact of clothing choices and the importance of feeling good in what you wear.

Topics

00:36 Beer Talk and Personal Stories

03:41 The Theory of Enclothed Cognition

05:01 Dressing the Elderly for a Magazine Cover

09:12 Fashion Tips and Closet Organization

13:21 Event Dressing and Personal Style

15:09 Caroline's 50th Birthday Dress Story

16:10 Conclusion and Styling Help

Tara, Caroline & Allison discuss the latest trends in home wellness spaces, including the growing popularity of spa rooms and wellness areas. The conversation covers the psychology behind creating these spaces, client preferences, and the practicalities of integrating wellness features like saunas, massage beds, and contrast therapy into homes. The hosts also touch on personal wellness routines and the importance of self-care amid the winter blues. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted discussion on sleepwear preferences.

Topics

00:29 Winter Blues and Wellness Talk

01:35 Home Spa Trends

03:42 Designing Wellness Spaces

06:44 Lymphatic Drainage and Wellness Routines

10:12 Winter Self-Care Tips

14:05 Sleepwear Preferences

17:13 Conclusion and Farewell

Caroline, Allison & Tara discuss current trends and the impact of AI on their respective industries. They explore the nuances of personalized design versus AI-generated solutions, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human touch and interaction. The conversation also touches on the practical use of AI in digital content creation and personal experiences, as well as upcoming podcast guest ideas that promise exciting takeaways for listeners.

Topics

00:32 Saks Bankruptcy and Shopping Trends

01:27 The Impact of AI on Design and Shopping

03:34 AI in Therapy and Personal Connections

06:06 AI in Podcasting and Influencer Marketing

09:14 Cooking, Meal Services, and Family Dinners

11:48 Upcoming Guests and Podcast Plans

13:38 Conclusion and Farewell

Tara, Caroline and Allison delve into the world of style, trends, and body image. They discuss experiencing swimwear culture in Brazil, the rise of the GLP-1 weight loss trend, and the impact of body image perceptions. The conversation also covers the aesthetic and psychological aspects of fashion and interiors, including the trending use of jewel tones, textures, antique furniture in home decor, and the nuanced art of styling both wardrobes and living spaces. The episode concludes with insightful commentary on the importance of moderation in both personal style and home design to avoid overcomplicating or cluttering the intended look.

Topics

00:33 Brazilian Beachwear and Body Image

01:39 The GLP-1 Weight Loss Trend

04:17 Filler and Cosmetic Procedures

06:56 Color Trends for 2026

09:24 Interior Design: Texture and Antiques

12:23 Styling Tips and Personal Fashion

16:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tara, Caroline and Allison recount their eventful year together, marking their one-year anniversary. They share engaging travel stories, including a chaotic adventure in Brazil, and discuss the authenticity and process behind their unscripted podcast format. The hosts emphasize the importance of organic conversation and listener feedback while reminiscing about past episodes and looking forward to future content in 2026.

Topics

00:29 Celebrating One Year Together

01:14 Travel Tales and Family Adventures

07:28 Podcasting Process and Listener Feedback

08:44 The Importance of Organic Conversations

15:33 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

Tara, Caroline and Allison are joined by Christy Cashman, an accomplished author, actress, and model whose book has been optioned for a movie. The discussion covers an array of topics, including the coordination of fashion without planning, the intriguing plot of Christy's upcoming novel 'Buelah,' set in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and the challenges of gentrification faced by her characters. Christy delves into her writing journey, sharing insights on balancing real life with creative endeavors, the significant time and effort required for book promotion, and the need for effective social media presence. The episode also features light-hearted banter about fashion, work-life balance, and humorous anecdotes, making it a rich and engaging conversation for listeners.

The Truth About Horses: Get the book!

Christy’s books

More on Christy and ‘Beulah’ at https://christycashman.com/

Topics

00:31 Unplanned Outfit Coordination

01:41 Introducing Christy Cashman

02:29 Christy's New Book: Beulah

05:27 Writing Process and Challenges

06:44 Balancing Writing and Life

10:17 Book Tour and Promotion

10:42 Fashion and Social Media Pressures

11:35 Challenges of Book Marketing

13:12 The Role of Social Media in Branding

14:00 Insights on Working with Parker Posey

15:30 Writing Children's Books

17:48 Promoting and Selling Books

18:59 Final Thoughts and Farewell