Today I am joined by Mary Hollis Huddleston! Mary Hollis Huddleston is a lifestyle platform from tastemaker Mary Huddleston focused on modern entertaining and style. While Mary loves the tradition of Southern hospitality, you'll never find her cooking from scratch or crafting. Her motto is "Southern charm without lifting an arm.” She loves sourcing the very best sources for tabletop and finding new ways to easily entertain in style.

Mary has also helped design and develop two curated collections for the Southern Living Collection at Dillard's. She is also an author. Mary's debut novel, Without a Hitch, released December 2021, and its sequel, Piece of Cake, in June 2023. She lives in Nashville with her two wonderful kids and amazing husband!

In this episode, Mary and I talk about her fabulous career in event planning, how she started her company Please Be Seated, her two novels, and so much more! 

Mary's Website

Mary's Instagram 

Today I am joined by Frances Ledgewood! Frances Ledgewood of Ledgewood Fine Stationery is known for her art of etiquette and tradition while incorporating modern touches for today’s couples and honoring the beauty and meaning of weddings by designing invitations and stationery that reflect the joy and commitment of marriage. 

In this episode, we talked about how Frances got her start in the stationery industry, how she has scaled her business, her 10 year business anniversary, and so much more! 

Frances' Website

Frances' Instagram 

Today I am joined by Maggie Smith! Maggie is the founder of HappyyHats and Ami à Vie, two brands dedicated to elevating celebrations through thoughtful design and creativity. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, Maggie always aspired to build something of her own. That opportunity came unexpectedly during the Covid era when a casual project of creating custom trucker hats quickly turned into a thriving business. Five years later, she independently runs two successful companies, each focused on the art of celebrating.

HappyyHats specializes in custom trucker hats designed for life’s most memorable moments, while Ami à Vie curates elevated bachelorette experiences and bespoke bridal gifting. With an eye for detail and a passion for thoughtful design, Maggie ensures that every event, gift, and accessory is both stylish and meaningful. Through Ami à Vie, she transforms bachelorette weekends into effortlessly chic, stress-free celebrations, incorporating custom branding, curated decor, and unique gifts tailored to each bride’s vision.

In this episode, Maggie and I chat about finding her niche in business, running two businesses, taking a business from a side hustle to full-time, all things bachelorette planning, and so much more! 

HappyyHats Instagram 

HappyyHats Website

Ami à Vie Instagram

Ami à Vie Website

UnlessU

Today I am joined by Liza Kameen! Liza brings a fresh take on classic and feminine style and aims to create genuine and authentic content around fashion and life with three children. She went to Bucknell and holds her MBA from Michigan Ross. She now lives in the low country of South Carolina. She delights in little luxuries - simple yet beautiful things that bring a smile to your face daily. She enjoys supporting new and emerging brands, especially those that are female-founded. She speaks to the mother that, although lives in a busy phase of life, likes to be in the know on new trends and strikes a balance of investing in timeless well-made pieces but also those that are practical for this season of life. 

Liza's Instagram

Liza's Website

Baby2Baby

Today I am joined by Lydia Menzies! Lydia  is known for her swoon-worthy table settings and her ability to connect the people that gather around those tables. Lydia knows that styling a fabulous table is a creative gift hostesses often love to share with others - and the goal of hospitality is creating a sense of happiness and belonging among the guests. Lydia is the 2025 Contributing Editor for table styling for Southern Lady magazine, and creator of The Supper Club community. 
Lydia is the author of her new lifestyle book, The Supper Club with Lydia Menzies. It is a gorgeous coffee table book full of tablescape ideas for year-round hosting! 
Lydia has been featured in Southern Living, BuzzFeed, GoodHousekeeping, Pop Sugar, among many others and has been asked to style for brands such as Martha Stewart for Staples, Breyers Ice Cream, Square, Mattel, Body Armor, and Netflix star, Julie McAllister. The Supper Club is Lydia’s community that combines her passion of creative party themes with helping businesses claim the recognition they deserve. Lydia takes great pride in seeing everyone enjoy the benefits of kindness and camaraderie through creativity. Lydia lives in Athens GA with her husband and 2 golden doodles. She has a daughter and a son at Furman University.

In this episode, Lydia and I talked about how she started blogging, the many amazing parties she has planned + executed, her community The Supper Club, her new book, and so much more! 

Lydia's Website

Lydia's Instagram

Greenville Humane Society 

Samaritan's Purse

Today I am joined by Ann Archer Atkins! Ann is the owner of Everything Sweet, a charming bake shop and gift store dedicated to making every occasion special. With a passion for creativity and celebration, Ann Archer offers custom cakes, creative consulting, and all the accessories needed to throw the perfect party. Guided by her mission statement—“Every day is a gift and should be celebrated as one!”—she brings joy to her customers by turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. Whether crafting a one-of-a-kind cake or curating the perfect party essentials, Ann Archer’s expertise ensures that every event is as sweet as it is special.

In this episode, we talked about how Ann got her love of baking, how she started her Bake Shop in Auburn, the importance of branding, and so much more!

Everything Sweet Instagram 

Everything Sweet Website 

St. Jude

Today I am joined by Kate Knowles! Kate is a mom to three boys, an entrepreneur, and a home design blogger. She started her blog and Instagram in 2017 to document her home design journey and life as a stay-at-home mom. In 2021, she and her sister launched Jansen Home, curating well-made home accessories and affordable luxuries to fit every home and lifestyle. 

In this episode, Kate and I discuss how she built her blog + instagram, the business she started with her sister, building a life + career that works for you and your family, and so much more! 

Kate's Website

Kate's Instagram

Jansen Home Website

Jansen Home Instagram

Project Harmony

Lauritzen Gardens

Today I am joined by Lauren Gee! You all are going to LOVE this episode. Lauren is one of the most inspiring people I have ever spoken with! If you have ever struggled with confidence (ummm haven't we all?), finding your path/purpose, or are unsure of how to have the courage to change your life... this is the episode for you! Lauren and I talked about her career journey, how & why she started her Instagram account, her cancer journey, and SO much more. 

Meet Lauren Oggs Gee, a dynamic 54-year-old recently retired teacher who has seamlessly transitioned from a career in special education into a thriving social media lifestyle and fashion influencer. Lauren's journey is one of resilience, passion, and empowerment. As a colorectal cancer survivor, she uses her platform to advocate for early detection and regular screenings, all while embracing life with unwavering gratitude and fearlessness.

Lauren’s motto is simple yet profound: "Start before you're ready, and figure it out along the way." She exemplifies this every day as she empowers midlife women to embrace transformation, rediscover their confidence, and pursue their passions with grace and determination. Her content speaks directly to women who are looking for guidance on how to navigate midlife with style, sophistication, and self-assurance.

Hailing from the metro New Orleans area, Lauren has an eye for fashion that merges high-end style with affordability. Known for her "looks for less" expertise, Lauren shows her followers how to look like a million bucks without overspending. She’s mastered the art of finding chic, high-quality, and on-trend pieces that replicate designer looks, proving that luxury style can be accessible to everyone.

Lauren’s daily Instagram content is a go-to for women over 50 who seek inspiration for both work attire and casual looks. She shares her daily outfit picks and styling advice with her loyal Instagram audience, offering fashion inspiration that fits both work and everyday life. Her platform fosters a community where women feel supported and encouraged to embrace their beauty at any age, proving that fashion isn’t dictated by age.

Lauren is also deeply committed to helping midlife women become social media influencers, offering guidance and mentorship to those looking to build their own personal brands. In line with this mission, Lauren is currently in production for her own podcast, The Influencer Sisterhood, which is a joint project with another up-and-coming midlife influencer. This podcast will provide women with a space to not only learn about the world of social media influence but also to find a supportive community as they navigate their own journeys. The podcast aims to create a welcoming environment where women feel connected, supported, and empowered to share their stories and experiences.

Outside of her influencer work, Lauren is also a proud wife to her husband, Eric, and a devoted stepmom to two teenage girls. She balances family life with her love for her dogs, a cat, and her ever-growing closet in Covington, where she currently resides.

Lauren's cancer journey has been a significant part of her story, and she often speaks about her experience to inspire others. She was recently featured by You Night Empowering Events, where she shared her story of survival and transformation. Lauren’s mission is clear: to inspire women to dive into new adventures without hesitation, to live fearlessly, and to embrace each moment with courage and gratitude.

Lauren's Instagram

Lauren's Website

More about We Lift You Up

Today I am joined by Stephanie Niemis! Stephanie is a certified holistic nutritionist, recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator. She loves creating simple, fun, healthier recipes that the whole family will love! As a mom of 3 young kids, she knows how important it is to feed children nourishing meals, so she is passionate about sharing healthy kid-approved recipes and brands with her audience!

In this episode, we talked about going viral, social media woes, what inspires her, and so much more! 

Stephanie's Website

Stephanie's Instagram

American Red Cross

Alzheimer's Association 

Today I am joined by Ashlyn Walters + Julie Pederson! In this episode, we talk about how they started their business, why they decided to rebrand + how they came to that decision, and so much more! You all are going to love Julie and Ashlyn!

Ashlyn and Julie are the mother-daughter duo behind Southern Hospitality Company, a lifestyle brand they founded in 2016. What began as a small Etsy shop with a $100 investment has blossomed into a thriving business rooted in creativity, faith, and a passion for celebrating life. Through custom designs, event décor, and thoughtful gifting, they’ve built a brand that fosters connection and inspires others to embrace every moment. After overcoming challenges like the pandemic and shifting social media algorithms, Ashlyn and Julie are now expanding their brand to include food, travel, home décor, and more. Their mission? To create a space where everyone feels welcome and part of the family, all while continuing to share the love, joy, and resilience that defines their journey.

Southern Hospitality Company Gift Shop

Southern Hospitality Company Lifestyle Website

Southern Hospitality Instagram

Lyla's Legacy