Sip With Me

This week, we’re featuring Tyson and Audy Leavitt of Charmed Playhouses & Resorts! The Charmed team makes the most unique and fantastic playhouses in the world, and also operates a resort featuring stunning cottages that will transport you to Storybook Square or Wonder Way! Become immersed in your own specially crafted fairytale, or stay at the resort and become part of the plot on Hook’s Pirate Ship or The Lost Boys’ Treehouse! Founded in 2015, the duo wanted life to be more whimsical, so they combined their skills and started building! The playhouses eventually went viral (because they’re so freaking awesome) and have been commissioned by a-list celebs like Stephen Curry, and they even were the center of TLC’s “Playhouse Masters”. We chatted about how it all began with a Rapunzel playhouse and how they eventually decided to open a resort to make their magical designs more accessible! We chatted about their favorite fairytales & favorite cottages at the resort! We got the scoop on how to source the right decor, and even discussed how one ships a giant playhouse to a client! Check out their website: https://charmedplayhouses.com/ and stay at the Charmed Resorts: https://charmedresorts.ca/

She comes with news! Welcome back to Fashion Artist and Author, Holly Nichols! Also known as “hnicholsillustration”, she joined us in April 2021 to discuss her rise on TikTok and her book, “Modern Fashion Illustration”. Since then, she’s up to 1.7 million instagram followers, 6.2 million TikTok followers, and has done numerous campaigns and works for some of the worlds most notable brands. She goes viral for her recreations of Disney princesses and red carpet looks of the world’s a-list celebs. In this episode, we catch up and chat all the things that have happened since 2021, including new video content, insane social media engagement, and support from major brands like the Patriots! She also shares a special announcement that she’ll be selling her book again with a new publisher! PLUS, a new coloring book is coming soon!! SO SO SLAY! Shop her amazing products: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hnillustration/ Check her out on Instagram & Tik Tok:https://www.instagram.com/hnicholsillustration/?hl=en

Welcome back to the legendary Queen of Cotton Candy, Emily Harpel, Founder of Art of Sucre! Emily joined us in February, 2021, to discuss her luxury cotton candy brand that was going viral. When we first met up with her, she was just getting ready to launch her online store. We were SO excited to shop when it dropped and we even featured her cotton candy glitter bombs at Ioanna’s Bridal Shower! She scaled the business in a major way during the pandemic and navigated choppy waters, coming out stronger than ever. Today, the business continues to expand into new flavors and products, and Emily even started her own podcast “Let Them Eat”, which dropped its first episode on Feb 1, funny enough the 2-year anniversary of her Sip With Me episode! Emily spun up some fluffy fun with us, giving us the tea on what’s happened since 2021, including some amazing brand partnerships and expanding her team. We talk about the struggle of finding balance as an entrepreneur, crafting new flavors, and making sure you expand your business in a way that is manageable for you and your team. Listen to her podcast wherever you listen! And be sure to shop Art of Sucre at the link in our bio!

We’re once are graced by the presence of wedding and event gawd, Jove Meyer. Jove is a “color obsessed design and celebration expert” who joined us in September 2021 to discuss his wedding and event planning business, and he shared some tips for us as we prepared for Ioanna’s epic Grecian wedding! He’s been traveling around the globe since then throwing epic bashes and co-hosting a new show, Wedding Talk. Jove reflects with us on 2022, a year that was the peak of wedding and event craziness created by the pandemic backlog of events. Imagine throwing parties for folks all day, everyday, all while having them be mega-fabulous! That was his year! He travelled the world and back, all while making appearance on epic shows like Rachael Ray and GMA! Jove also gives Aaron some wedding advice for his upcoming wedding (date still TBD) and we reflect on Ioanna’s wedding! Follow @jovemeyer to find out what he has in store for 2023 and consider him for your next fab event! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sip-with-me/id1522224564?i=1000536005886

Ilana joined us in January 2022 to discuss her epically popular podcast, @seeingotherpeople. On it, she shares expert and listener advice, stories, and opinions on dating, with the goal of making you feel less alone! She also told us about her insane ties to the Jonas Brothers! Ilana joins us for an update on her show, which includes getting signed, hosting events in NYC, and her views on how dating has evolved as we continue to move into a post-lockdown world of love. We also want to say a HUGE congratulations because she got engaged just days after we talked! WE LOVE YOU AND CHEERS TO YOU & JAKE! Be sure to listen to our original interview (linked in bio) and subscribe to her show wherever you get your podcasts!

If you’ve ever seen a photo of a Chicago sunrise, epic skyline, or insane weather shot, you’ve probably seen the work of Barry Butler. Chicago-based photographer Barry Butler is a self-taught photographer with over 20 years of global experience. With one book selling extremely well and another on the way, Barry’s ability to capture everyday moments has touched the hearts and homes of countless Chicago fans. His work has been featured both in local and national media outlets like the Weather Channel, WGN, WBBM Newsradio, CBS-2, Windy City Live, and so many more! He’s even named “Chicago’s Best Photographer” by the Chicago Reader newspaper reader survey. He told us about his career and how he fell into photography. He also gave us tips on how to take shots like his, and what it’s like to live in a city that features some super beautiful elements, like our gorgeous Lake Michigan and world-renowned skyline! Barry also told us about his sidekick pup-tographers (Chopper and Tuskar)! And, hear why Chicago is his favorite place to shoot! We end by playing rapid fire with Barry, learning about his favorite shot ever, tips for novice photographers, and one of his favorite Chicago restaurant! Follow Barry @barrybutler9 and shop his stuff here: https://www.barrybutlerphotography.com/

Imagine you’ve just been hired as an “Intimacy Coordinator” for the film and television industry. There’s not many people who do it, but it’s a job increasing in demand and skill. A new position in the film and tv industry is barring it all- the role of intimacy coordinator! These professionals work to plan and assist the production team in executing scenes of intimacy on film. Everything from the lighting, to angles, to outfits, to protecting the actor’s personal boundaries and preferences need a coordinator to plan ahead with deep care. Chicagoan Dr. Jessica Steinrock is the CEO of Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Some of her well known work includes Moxie, Never Have I Ever, Little Fires Everywhere, and Animal Kingdom. She’s also grown her TikTok to over 700,000 followers, sharing all about how intimate scenes work (or don’t work) on tv and more about her role on set! She joins us to give a backstage tour into what it’s like to coordinate intimate, emotional, and vulnerable scenes. Learn about how the role came to exist only recently, how the pandemic impacted filming, and what some of the most common things she has to plan for are. She talks about what actors wear during sex scenes, just how difficult it actually is to film a scene of intimacy, and how her company is helping to train future coordinators! Follow Jessica on social to learn more and get some amazing behind the scenes tips and stories: Instagram: @intimacy_coordinator_ TikTok: @intimacycoordinator

Imagine you’ve just been hired as an “Intimacy Coordinator” for the film and television industry. There’s not many people who do it, but it’s a job increasing in demand and skill. A new position in the film and tv industry is barring it all- the role of intimacy coordinator! These professionals work to plan and assist the production team in executing scenes of intimacy on film. Everything from the lighting, to angles, to outfits, to protecting the actor’s personal boundaries and preferences need a coordinator to plan ahead with deep care. Chicagoan Dr. Jessica Steinrock is the CEO of Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Some of her well known work includes Moxie, Never Have I Ever, Little Fires Everywhere, and Animal Kingdom. She’s also grown her TikTok to over 700,000 followers, sharing all about how intimate scenes work (or don’t work) on tv and more about her role on set! She joins us to give a backstage tour into what it’s like to coordinate intimate, emotional, and vulnerable scenes. Learn about how the role came to exist only recently, how the pandemic impacted filming, and what some of the most common things she has to plan for are. She talks about what actors wear during sex scenes, just how difficult it actually is to film a scene of intimacy, and how her company is helping to train future coordinators! Follow Jessica on social to learn more and get some amazing behind the scenes tips and stories: Instagram: @intimacy_coordinator_ TikTok: @intimacycoordinator

Let’s see those lashes!! This episode features Anna Phillips, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at The Lash Lounge, a premier eyelash salon franchise with over 120 salons across the U.S. and growing. Founded in 2006, her specialty beauty concept was the first salon dedicated to eyelash extensions in the U.S. and has expanded to 30 states. Anna began her career in IT but always felt like something was missing. Like many in the early 2000s, she knew it was the right time to make a change, and so she decided to pursue her lifelong passion of helping others feel more confident about themselves! She discussed how she fell in love with the beauty world and how she knew there was a market to fill with lashes. Hear about her unique approach to lash services, the absolutely insane growth they’ve experienced in the last five years, and where she thinks the industry will be ten years from now. Plus, she shared her fave lash looks and her bridal lash recommendation! Follow @thelashlounge and visit www.thelashlounge.com to find services!

Gather ‘round the campfire and sing our campfire song! We’re roasting up an ooey gooey treat for you today! Our guest, XO Marshmallow, is the premier gourmet marshmallow company in the world, AND opened the world’s very 1st marshmallow cafe, right here in Chicago! Per co-founders Kat & Lindzi, “the goal of XO Marshmallow is to bring the nostalgia of sipping cocoa with marshmallows, or roasting s’mores by the campfire, into the 21st century with a modern twist! We want to take this fluffy, adorable treat and elevate it. We use premium ingredients to develop our innovative flavors--from Salted Caramel to Champagne”! We met up with them to discuss how I’m the world they decided to enter the gourmet marshmallow business, and why they decided to open up a cafe dedicated to the delicacy! Learn about their blow up on social media, how they make their treats, and what lessons they’ve learned along the way. Plus, they tell us all about their marshmallow advent calendar and their monthly marshmallow club! They also use premium ingredients and make every batch in-house! We end with rapid fire, learning about Kat & Lindiz’s favorite flavors, dream collabs, and marshmallow pairings! Follow them on Instagram  @xo.marshmallow, visit their website (www.xomarshmallow.com) to shop, and visit them in Lincoln Park, IL at 2730 N Clark St! Happy toasting & roasting!