Pretty In Pink Again

This week’s episode is a personal one. With Christina turning 40, we’re having an honest conversation about something so many women experience but don’t always know how to say out loud: what happens when you don’t feel like yourself in your own body?

And this isn’t just a conversation about weight, clothing sizes, or what we see in the mirror. It’s about identity.

What happens when your body changes at the same time your lifestyle changes, your priorities shift, your career evolves, and the version of yourself you always knew suddenly feels a little unfamiliar?

We’re talking about the complicated relationship women have with their bodies, especially through motherhood, aging, and major life transitions. The moments when your closet doesn’t feel like you anymore. When the things you used to wear don’t fit the life you’re living now. When you’re trying to show up confidently while privately figuring yourself out.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why it can feel so hard to admit you don’t feel good in your body without feeling vain  
• The “cascade effect” of multiple life changes happening all at once  
• Losing your sense of style when your identity is shifting  
• The frustration of looking in your closet and feeling like nothing represents you anymore  
• Building confidence again when you feel disconnected from yourself  
• The pressure women feel to embrace every change immediately  
• Why sharing the “during” can feel so much harder than sharing the “after”  
• Aging, turning 40, and letting go of outdated expectations  
• Making peace with your body while still being allowed to want to feel your best  
• How the way we talk about ourselves shapes what our children hear

This isn’t a before-and-after story. It’s not about “getting your body back.”

It’s about learning how to live in, care for, and appreciate the body that has carried you through every version of yourself.

For anyone currently in a season where you don’t quite recognize yourself yet, this conversation is for you.
Love the Episode?
If this episode resonated, it would mean so much if you took a moment to follow, rate, and review Pretty in Pink Again. It helps us grow, reach more women, and continue having these conversations that matter.
You can also follow along on Instagram @prettyinpinkagain @kristinabontempo and @christinatarabishy for more behind-the-scenes, clips, and everything we’re building beyond the mic. 💗
Hey PIPAS! Send us a text for episode feedback, ideas, and questions!

Episode Description:
Have you ever wondered why your heart starts racing in the school pickup line, why small inconveniences suddenly feel enormous, or why everyone keeps telling you to “regulate your nervous system” without explaining what that actually means?
This week on Pretty in Pink Again, we’re joined by licensed clinical social worker and therapist Lindsey Howard to break down the nervous system in a way that’s approachable, relatable, and incredibly validating. We explore why your body often reacts before your mind, how chronic stress impacts everything from sleep and digestion to parenting and relationships, and why understanding your nervous system can completely change the way you view anxiety and overwhelm.
Whether you’re navigating motherhood, feeling constantly overstimulated, or simply trying to understand why you’ve been living in survival mode, this conversation offers practical tools and reassuring reminders that your body isn’t failing you. It’s doing exactly what it was designed to do: protect you.
In this episode, we discuss:
What your nervous system actually does and why it matters
Why your body reacts even when you’re not in real danger
The difference between stress and anxiety
How to recognize common nervous system states
What happens when you spend too much time in survival mode
The physical effects of chronic stress on sleep, digestion, immunity, and overall health
The fawn response, people-pleasing, and why so many women struggle to put themselves first
Why overwhelmed brains tend to catastrophize and spiral
Practical ways to regulate your nervous system during busy, everyday life
Habits that feel calming but may actually keep you activated
Why motherhood is uniquely demanding on the nervous system
How a parent’s stress can influence their children’s emotional regulation
How to repair after losing your patience without getting stuck in guilt
Love the Episode?
If this episode resonated, it would mean so much if you took a moment to follow, rate, and review Pretty in Pink Again. It helps us grow, reach more women, and continue having these conversations that matter.
You can also follow along on Instagram @prettyinpinkagain @kristinabontempo and @christinatarabishy for more behind-the-scenes, clips, and everything we’re building beyond the mic. 💗
Hey PIPAS! Send us a text for episode feedback, ideas, and questions!

Episode Description:
If you've followed Meg Hall (@meghall) for years, this episode will make you love her even more. And if you're meeting her for the first time, consider this your introduction.
This week, we're sitting down with creator, corporate executive, working mom advocate, and mom of three, Meg Hall. As a Vice President at a global company, Meg has built a loyal community by speaking openly about the realities of modern motherhood, workplace culture, and the changes she believes companies need to make to better support working parents.
In this candid and often hilarious conversation, we talk about balancing a demanding career with family life, navigating identity shifts after becoming a mom, and why the traditional labels we use for women no longer seem to fit. Meg also shares how her perspective as both a leader and a mother has shaped the way she manages teams, supports working parents, and advocates for more family-friendly workplaces.
More than anything, this episode feels like sitting down with a friend. Meg is thoughtful, funny, refreshingly honest, and incredibly generous in sharing both her personal experiences and professional insights. Whether you've followed her for years or are discovering her for the first time, you'll walk away feeling like you've gotten to know the person behind the platform.
In This Episode:
How Meg balances being a VP, creator, wife, and mom of three
Why so many women struggle with identity shifts after motherhood
What companies are getting wrong about supporting working parents
How Meg advocates for working moms both online and in the workplace
The changes she'd like to see employers make for families
Managing work travel and leadership responsibilities with young children at home
Ambition, career growth, and motherhood in different seasons of life
Marriage, partnership, and navigating the mental load
Why traditional labels for women and mothers no longer fit
What social media doesn't always show about balancing it all
💗 Pink Spotlight
Each week, we highlight a moment, product, or practice that's bringing us joy:
Christina: Nails Inc. Gimme Strength Nail Treatment. After years of gel manicures, Christina is giving her nails a break for the summer and embracing bare nails. This strengthening treatment helps support healthier, healthier-looking nails while they recover.
T: A mindset shift for summer. With the kids home more often, the house is naturally going to be messier, and that's okay. This season is temporary, and sometimes making memories matters more than maintaining perfection.
Meg: Three simple things making her home feel more intentional:
A quality everyday broom
A catch all doormat
Curated vintage and heritage-inspired finds
Meg also shares details about her new venture, Hunter Hill Co., a collection of thoughtfully curated heritage finds designed to bring character, history, and timeless style into the home.
You can follow @meghall and @hunterhill.co on Instagram.
Love the Episode?
If this episode resonated, it would mean so much if you took a moment to follow, rate, and review Pretty in Pink Again. It helps us grow, reach more women, and continue having these conversations that matter.
You can also follow along on Instagram @prettyinpinkagain @kristinabontempo and @christinatarabishy for more behind-the-scenes, clips, and everything we’re building beyond the mic. 💗
Hey PIPAS! Send us a text for episode feedback, ideas, and questions!

Episode Description:
For decades, motherhood seemed to come with two clear categories: working mom or stay-at-home mom.
But what happens when neither label feels right?
In this episode, Christina and Kristina explore the growing gray area so many women now occupy. Women who are raising children while also building businesses, creating content, freelancing, volunteering, consulting, pursuing passion projects, or contributing financially in flexible ways that don't fit traditional definitions.
Together, they discuss how technology, shifting workplace expectations, rising childcare costs, and changing priorities have reshaped what motherhood looks like today.
They also dive into the invisible labor mothers carry every day, from managing schedules and appointments to coordinating the countless details that keep a household running.
Most importantly, they explore the deeper question behind all the labels:
Are women really searching for a title, or are they searching for a life that feels aligned with their values, priorities, and season of life?
Whether you work outside the home, stay home full-time, or find yourself somewhere in between, this conversation is a reminder that modern motherhood doesn't fit neatly into a box.
And maybe it was never supposed to.
In This Episode:
Why the traditional "working mom" and "stay-at-home mom" labels feel outdated
What it means to be a "working stay-at-home mom"
How technology has changed motherhood and work
The rise of flexible careers, side hustles, and creative entrepreneurship
Childcare costs, flexibility, and the desire for more options
The invisible labor mothers manage every day
Why women feel pressure to explain what they do
The motherhood guilt that exists on both sides
Finding alignment instead of chasing labels
💗 Pink Spotlight
Each week, we share something that's bringing us joy lately.
T: LiiS Ethereal Wave fragrance. This clean, airy scent has become a recent favorite thanks to its fresh, crisp-laundry feel with notes of bergamot, cardamom, tea, blonde woods, and musk. Kristina loves that it's unique enough that people regularly stop to ask what she's wearing, but it's not a fragrance everyone else seems to have.
Christina: Salt & Stone Aluminum-Free Deodorant in Santal & Vetiver. After trying several natural deodorants over the years, this one has become a summer favorite. The scent is warm, fresh, and elevated without being overpowering. If you're new to the brand, their deodorant discovery pack is a great way to test a few scents and find your favorite.
Love the Episode?
If this episode resonated, it would mean so much if you took a moment to follow, rate, and review Pretty in Pink Again. It helps us grow, reach more women, and continue having these conversations that matter.
You can also follow along on Instagram @prettyinpinkagain @kristinabontempo and @christinatarabishy for more behind-the-scenes, clips, and everything we’re building beyond the mic. 💗
Hey PIPAS! Send us a text for episode feedback, ideas, and questions!

Episode Description:
What is it about Mahjong that has women completely hooked right now?
In this week's episode, we're joined by Jamie Dalton, co-founder of Gold Coast Mahjong Club, to unpack the game, the culture, and the community that have turned Mahjong into one of the fastest-growing hobbies among women.
What started as a way for Jamie to connect with her 102-year-old Chinese grandmother eventually grew into a thriving community where women gather to learn, connect, laugh, host, strategize, and build friendships around the Mahjong table.
But this conversation goes far beyond the tiles.
We explore why women are craving hobbies again, the rise of intentional offline connection, adult friendship, the mental benefits of learning something new, and why structured gatherings like Mahjong nights are filling a need so many women didn't realize they had.
We also dive into the important conversation around Mahjong's cultural roots, honoring the game's Chinese history, and how appreciation, education, and tradition can coexist alongside its growing popularity in modern American culture.
Whether you're already obsessed with Mahjong or have been staring at a beautiful set wondering where to begin, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why Mahjong has exploded in popularity among women
Why women are seeking offline connection again
The surprising emotional benefits of learning Mahjong
Adult friendship, community, and intentional gathering
The role aesthetics, hosting, and ritual play in Mahjong culture
Mahjong etiquette and beginner mistakes
The easiest way to learn Mahjong without feeling overwhelmed
Tips and strategies for new players
The conversation around cultural appreciation and Mahjong's Chinese roots
Why some are calling Mahjong "the new golf" for women
Building Gold Coast Mahjong Club and creating community through shared hobbies
Whether you're a seasoned player, Mahjong-curious, or simply looking for a hobby that feels like yours again, this episode will leave you inspired to pull up a chair and give it a try.
💗 Pink Spotlight
Each week, we highlight a moment, product, or practice that’s bringing us joy:
• Jamie: As a self-proclaimed introvert, Jamie shared a mindset trick that has helped her tremendously while building Gold Coast Mahjong. She walks into every room assuming people already like her. It instantly changes your energy, makes conversations easier, and helps create genuine connections.
• Kristina: A quick overnight getaway with her entire family. Between mini golf, a movie night in the hotel, and quality time together, it was a reminder that sometimes getting away from the house and daily responsibilities is all you need to reconnect.
• Christina: This week's spotlight goes to her husband. A scheduling mix-up during the recording of this episode caused some last-minute scrambling, and he completely rearranged his day so she could make the interview happen. No complaints, no guilt, no strings attached. Just a reminder of what true partnership and teamwork can look like.
Connect with Gold Coast Mahjong
Follow Jamie and Gold Coast Mahjong to learn about upcoming events, lessons, and resources for players of all levels.
Gold Coast Mahjong: https://goldcoastmahjongclub.com
Instagram: @goldcoastmahjong
✨ Jamie's Favorite Mahjong Accessories (click here for discounts)
• Racks: Tigre de Tartan
• Mat: Brooklyn Mahjong
• Tiles: Miss Mahjong
• Coasters & Dice Dish: Color & Pour
• Lamp: Addison Ross
Love the Episode?
If this episode resonated, it would mean so much if you took a moment to follow, rate, and review Pretty in Pink Again. It helps us grow, reach more women, and continue having these conversations that matter.
You can also follow along on Instagram @prettyinpinkagain @kristinabontempo and @christinatarabishy for more behind-the-scenes, clips, and everything we’re building beyond the mic. 💗
Hey PIPAS! Send us a text for episode feedback, ideas, and questions!