The Sentimental Twist

Summary
We finally did it. 
After years of talking online through Instagram, texts, Zoom, and podcast recording, Brittany and Melissa finally meet in real life. And it was every bit as fun, funny, and heartwarming as you'd expect!
In this bonus episode, we're sharing stories from our weekend together, from first hugs and home tours to good food, meaningful conversations, and all the little moments that made us feel like we'd been friends forever.
Along the way, we chat about hospitality, making people feel at home, decorating with the things you love, and why authentic connection matters so much in a world that often stays behind a screen.
Think of this episode as a cozy catch-up with friends. Pull up a chair and join us.
Highlights:

Email us thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gamil.com!

Contact The Sentimental Twist:

Follow The Sentimental Twist on Instagram @thesentimentaltwistpodcast.
Email: thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow the Co-Hosts:

Brittany: @brittanyshepard and www.thesentimentaldecorator.com and YouTube.
Melissa: @homewithatwist and www.homewithatwist.com and YouTube.

Chapters
00:00 Meeting in Real Life: A Special Episode
03:03 The Journey of Friendship: From Online to Offline
05:58 First Impressions and Surprises
08:06 Culinary Adventures: Boiled Peanuts and More
11:02 On Brand Moments: Hosting and Personal Touches
13:59 Rapid Fire Questions: Getting to Know Each Other
17:12 Current Obsessions: Gardening and Home Improvements
36:00 Porch Talk: Melissa & Brittany Edition

Summary
In the Season 3 Finale of The Sentimental Twist, hosts Melissa and Brittany share an interview with guest Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute. Lizzie talks about her great-grandmother’s legacy and shares timeless etiquette principles, modern adaptations, and practical tips for hosting and social interactions. The conversation leads to how consideration, respect, and honesty shape gracious behavior across generations and cultures. Melissa and Brittany also discuss their takeaways and personal stories, along with tips for being a gracious host and a gracious guest. 
Highlights:
Guest Lizzie PostEmily Post Institute website 
Instagram 
Podcast Awesome Etiquette 

Melissa’s Reality TV Show Debut: Netflix’s The Million Dollar Secret 
Brittany’s Bless It: Janet’s Honeycomb Collection Waitlist 
Melissa’s Bless It: Holidays Jewelry 
Work with Brittany:  Details Here  
Email us thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com for a chance to win the Mind Your Manners game!
Takeaways
The Emily Post Institute believes that modern etiquette considers both principles and manners
Principles of etiquette are consideration, respect, and honesty. They stand the test of time and can cross cultural boundaries.
Manners are time sensitive, vary from culture to culture, and can look different for different social groups. You have to learn the proper manners for the situations you are in.
Being a great guest means arriving with awareness, bringing positive energy, and engaging thoughtfully with others rather than simply showing up.
Being a great host requires quiet attentiveness like reading the room, guiding the flow, and anticipating needs without drawing attention to it.
Contact The Sentimental Twist:
Follow The Sentimental Twist on Instagram @thesentimentaltwistpodcast.
Email: thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow the Co-Hosts:
Brittany: @brittanyshepard and www.thesentimentaldecorator.com and YouTube.
Melissa: @homewithatwist and www.homewithatwist.com and YouTube.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Season 3 Finale of The Sentimental Twist!
02:36 Guest Interview with Lizzie Post from The Emily Post Institute
50:55 Unspoken Etiquette of Being a Guest
56:38 Unspoken Etiquette of Being a Host
01:07:34 Porch Talk Speed Round
01:24:39 Reader Email: Hosting Challenges and Solutions
01:33:52 Bless It, We Had to Share It
01:43:31 A Toast to Sentiment: Hospitality
01:45:33 Until next season...

Summary
In this episode, hosts Melissa and Brittany share an interview with Lydia Menzies, a hospitality and hosting expert. Lydia shares her journey from childhood traditions to building a thriving Supper Club community. Discover practical tips for creating memorable gatherings, personalized touches, and the importance of hosting with intention. Lydia shares insights on creating memorable supper clubs, the power of storytelling through objects, and how to host with intention and care. Brittany and Melissa discuss takeaway from the interview, community building, and the importance of hospitality in everyday life. 
***Please complete our listener survey: LINK***
Highlights:
Guest Lydia Menzies:website 
Instagram 
book 
Supper Club membership 

Melissa’s Reality TV Show Debut: Netflix’s The Million Dollar Secret  
Brittany’s Bless It: The Heart-Shaped Tin book 
Melissa’s Bless It: L’Oreal Infallible Finishing Spray 
Work with Brittany: Brittany is now offering consulting for home and lifestyle creators who want to grow beyond social media and build a more sustainable, owned business. Details Here  
Takeaways
You can bring guests into your gathering by involving them in thoughtful ways and considering their needs, preferences, and season of life before they arrive.
The most meaningful gatherings are not about impressing your guests, but about helping them feel seen, included, and genuinely cared for.
Small, intentional details like a favorite dish, a kind note, or thoughtful seating often have a greater impact than one big, elaborate element.
Letting go of perfection allows you to create a more relaxed, welcoming environment where real connection can take center stage.
Creating a beautiful environment for others is worth the effort when it reflects love, care, and intention rather than a desire to impress.
Contact The Sentimental Twist:
Follow The Sentimental Twist on Instagram @thesentimentaltwistpodcast.
Email: thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow the Co-Hosts:
Brittany: @brittanyshepard and www.thesentimentaldecorator.com and YouTube.
Melissa: @homewithatwist and www.homewithatwist.com and YouTube.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
38:53 Guest Interview: Lydia Menzies & The Supper Club
40:58 Our Hosting Takeaways from Lydia's Interview
50:17 Porch Talk Speed Round
01:02:02 What's New with the Ladies of TST?
01:17:27 Bless It, We Had to Share It
01:22:26 A Toast to Sentiment: Hospitality & Caring for Others

Summary
In this episode, hosts Melissa and Brittany explore the art of decorating with sentimentality, reimagining your home through storytelling, and the joy of shopping your own space. They talk about practical tips for refreshing your home without spending a dime and learn how to create meaningful moments with what you already have.
***Please complete our listener survey: LINK***
Highlights:
Brittany’s Bless It: Rose Dawn Camellia Japonica from Nancy
The Storykeepers Circle  
Melissa’s Digital Store  
Melissa’s Bless It: Heirloom Roses 
Alexandra Stoddard’s Living a Beautiful Life
Takeaways
You can redecorate and redesign your home without shopping for new pieces.
Shopping your home for decor allows you to freshen spaces without spending a dime.
Creating a meaningful home is about showcasing your family stories through your decor.
Restyling and repurposing items is a great way to use meaningful things you don’t know what to do with.
Seasonal rotation is a fun way to freshen your home when it feels stale.
Think creatively when it comes to the organization of your seasons and everyday home decor.
Rituals and intentional living make life beautiful and meaningful.
Contact The Sentimental Twist:
Follow The Sentimental Twist on Instagram @thesentimentaltwistpodcast.
Email: thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow the Co-Hosts:
Brittany: @brittanyshepard and www.thesentimentaldecorator.com and YouTube.
Melissa: @homewithatwist and www.homewithatwist.com and YouTube.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to The Sentimental Twist Season 3, Episode 8
04:31 Meaningful Spaces: Decorate Your Home Without Buying New
27:17 Porch Talk Speed Round
41:25 Bless It, We Had to Share It
45:05 A Toast to Sentiment: The Beauty of Everyday Rituals

Summary
In this episode, hosts Melissa and Brittany explore what it means to release sentimental items with intention instead of obligation. Through personal stories and practical guidance, they share how to navigate emotional attachments, let go of guilt, and honor your story without holding onto everything. Plus, guest Rachel Weizel from Happy Arranging, author of Trader Joe's Flowers, shares practical tips, creative ideas, and the story behind her beautiful bouquets, all under $35. Perfect for flower enthusiasts and home decorators alike.
***Please complete our listener survey: LINK***
Highlights:
Guest Rachel Weizel from Happy Arranging and https://www.happyarranging.com/ .
Rachel Book: Trader Joe’s Flowers 
Brittany’s Bless It: Clear the Sentimental Clutter: 5 Days to Help You Move One Item Out of Limbo

Takeaways
When decorating with sentimental items, releasing things is sometimes just as important as keeping them. Your home needs space to reflect your life now, not just your past.
You can honor the story behind an item without keeping the item itself.
Holding onto things out of guilt or obligation often creates more weight than meaning.
It’s okay to move slowly when making decisions about sentimental pieces. There’s no need to rush.
Sometimes the most thoughtful decision is “not yet.” You can come back to it when you’re ready.
The hardest part of creating a meaningful home isn’t styling. It’s deciding what stays and what goes.
Whether you’re decorating or arranging flowers, there is no one “right way”—trust what you’re drawn to and let that guide you.
You can create stunning bouquets for under $35 using Trader Joe's flowers.
Experimenting with everyday items like cereal bowls and teacups can add charm to your arrangements.
Using chicken wire helps hold flowers in place and creates more elaborate designs.
Understanding color theory, especially the color wheel, enhances floral design.
Regularly snipping flower stems and removing leaves prolongs vase life.

Contact The Sentimental Twist:

Follow The Sentimental Twist on Instagram @thesentimentaltwistpodcast.
Email: thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow the Co-Hosts:
Brittany: @brittanyshepard and www.thesentimentaldecorator.com and YouTube.
Melissa: @homewithatwist and www.homewithatwist.com and YouTube.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome to The Sentimental Twist Season 3, Episode 7!
03:40 Sentimental Decorating: Letting Go with Intention
18:21 Guest Interview with Rachel from Happy Arranging
43:09 Porch Talk Speed Round
58:11 Bless It, We Had to Share It!
01:04:19 A Toast to Sentiment