The Sentimental Twist

Brittany | The Sentimental Decorator

The Sentimental Twist is a weekly podcast where vintage decor meets heirloom recipes, and every conversation is steeped in Southern charm. Hosted by Brittany Shepard and Melissa Austin-Weeks  – two friends from different generations with one shared love for meaningful spaces and gracious hospitality.  You’ll hear inspiring stories, home styling tips, easy entertaining ideas, and reflections on creating a life (and home) filled with beauty, tradition, and heart. Whether you’re a sentimental soul, a vintage lover, or a curious hostess, you’re in good company here.

  1. 1d ago

    Season 4 | Episode 7: The Stories in Our Silver with Hagerty USA

    Summary What does it really mean to care for the things we inherit? In this episode, Brittany and Melissa share a listener email about savoring summer, documenting the stories behind meaningful belongings, and making time to listen while loved ones are still here. During Porch Talk, they swap stories about habits inherited from their mothers, their most delightfully “old lady” tendencies, and the ordinary objects that hold extraordinary meaning. Then Melissa sits down with fifth-generation family members Dawn Hagerty and Dianna Leinen of Hagerty to explore the story behind one of the most trusted names in silver care. They share how their great-great-grandfather created Hagerty Silver Foam in 1895, how family traditions preserved the company’s history, and why caring for silver is really about caring for the memories connected to it. They also answer common silver-care questions, including how to distinguish sterling from silver plate, which products to use, how to store silver, and which cleaning methods can cause permanent damage. Plus, Melissa shares an organizing event and nostalgic new venture, Brittany introduces her newest Storykeeper resource, and the episode closes with a toast to the things that carry our stories. Highlights: Guests: Diana & Dawn from  HagertyUSA Follow Hagerty on Instagram: @hagertycare Find a retailer: Where to Buy Hagerty Products Brittany’s Birmingham Event Reconnection: Rahab’s Rope Beautiful Table Settings Bash in Vicksburg Melissa’s Bless It: Get Organized HQ Virtual 2026 (Get the All Access Pass for freebies and recordings) Brittany’s Bless It: Seasons of Story: A Storykeeper’s Guide to the Rituals of Home***Hagerty Silver Care Kit Giveaway: Email thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com with your name, address, and a short story explaining why you would love the kit or what silver means to you.Takeaways Savor each season, document meaningful belongings and family stories, and make time to listen while loved ones are still here.Ordinary objects become precious through the stories, relationships, and memories attached to them.Family history survives when people gather, share stories, write them down, and intentionally pass them along.Hagerty began in 1895 when William Joseph Hagerty created a faster, easier way to polish the family silver.Sterling silver is generally marked “925,” while silver plate may still hold value because of its maker, craftsmanship, provenance, or sentimental history.Use the right silver-care products and tools: Hagerty Silver Foam is a helpful starting point, while tarnish-preventive polish and a soft horsehair brush can protect frequently used or intricate pieces.Avoid damaging cleaning methods and storage: skip baking soda, aluminum foil, vinegar, boiling water, toothbrushes, dishwashers, and plastic wrap; instead, store silver in breathable, tarnish-preventive bags or cloth and use heirlooms often so their stories continue. 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 00:05 Welcome to Season 4, Episode 7 of The Sentimental Twist! 07:39 Reader Email: Slowing Down & Becoming a Storykeeper 11:02 Porch Talk Speed Round: Quickfire Questions 32:19 Guest Interview: Dawn & Diana Hagerty of Hagerty Silver USA 33:21 Guest Interview: Dawn and Dianna from Hagerty USA 33:21 The Legacy of Haggerty Silver 01:19:56 Silver Care Set Giveaway from Hagerty! 01:22:26 Bless It, I Had to Share It 01:32:35 Toast to Sentiment: Something About an Heirloom

  2. Sep 3

    Season 4 | Episode 6: Collecting a Timeless Home with Guest Erica Vevurka from Dogwood Interiors

    Summary What makes a home feel like yours? In this episode, Brittany and Melissa share a sweet listener email and get a little sentimental during Porch Talk, reflecting on how home changes over the years, what their mothers taught them, and the clothes that still feel like a hug from someone they love. Brittany sits down with Erica from Dogwood Interiors to talk about the joy of vintage and antiques, why younger generations are drawn to old things, and how to discover your own decorating style. Erica shares four elements she looks for in every room, advice for beginning a collection, and the story of a china cabinet she became the next caretaker of. Plus, we’re sharing cake-themed table linens, a colorful necklace find, and a toast to the comfort of home. It’s a conversation about collecting what you love, using what you treasure, and letting your home tell your story. Highlights: Guest: Erica from Dogwood Interiors — https://dogwoodinteriors.co/ Follow Dogwood Interiors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodinteriors/ Lisa’s Fragrance Recommendation: Bewilderment https://bewilderment.com/ (her favorite scent is Simmer Pot)Content Repurposing Tool: Repurpose.io https://repurpose.io?fpr=739592 Melissa’s Bless It: Lesley Evers cake-print napkins and placematsPlacemats: https://lesleyevers.com/collections/cakes/products/placemats-set-of-4-cakes Napkins: https://lesleyevers.com/collections/cakes/products/napkins-set-of-4-cakes Brittany’s Bless It: Colorful beaded necklace from Amazon https://rivr.link/tSd-QA_BUZ Meme’s boutique in Perry, Georgiahttps://memesperry.com/ Picture-Hanging Reel: The measuring-versus-eyeballing debate https://www.tiktok.com/@cindymchor/video/7230058198672117034  Takeaways What home means to us can change with each season of life.Comfortable guests don’t need to be entertained every minute.Our mothers’ everyday ways of making a home can become part of our own.Vintage finds can connect us to the past while giving us something well-made to enjoy today.You don’t have to inherit an heirloom. You can adopt them and become their next caretaker.Shopping vintage helps you discover what you love beyond what’s currently on trend.Start small, explore, and give your taste room to evolve.Try Erica’s four room essentials: something warm, something from nature, something porcelain or ceramic, and something shiny. Then add art that speaks to you.Use and display treasured pieces now, even if you give them a different purpose.Whatever the day brings, home can offer comfort, peace, and a place to rest. 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 00:05 Welcome to Season 4, Episode 6 of The Sentimental Twist! 00:05 Home and Personal Connections 02:15 Listener Email: LIsa's Memories of Mott's 06:31 Porch Talk Speed Round 21:01 Guest Interview with Erica Vevurka of Dogwood Interiors 59:49 Bless It, I Had to Share It 01:05:54 Toast to Sentiment: No Matter What Happens

  3. Aug 27

    Season 4 | Episode 5: Recipes are Heirlooms, Too, with Guest Sarah Peterson

    Summary In this episode, Brittany and Melissa read a sweet listener note, debate everything from mayonnaise brands to overrated foods during Porch Talk, and share a few things they’re loving right now. Brittany sits down with Sarah Peterson, author of Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart and creator of Vintage Dish & Tell, to talk about why family recipes deserve a place alongside our photographs, letters, dishes, and other treasured heirlooms. Sarah shares how her love of vintage, storytelling, and tried-and-true recipes grew into a passion for preserving not only the dishes families make, but the people and memories behind them. It’s a conversation about gathering around the table, asking the questions now, and remembering that recipes are more than instructions for making food. They’re heirlooms that connect us to the people and places that made us who we are. Highlights: Guest Sarah Peterson of Vintage Dish & Tell:  https://vintagedishandtell.com/Instagram: @VintageDishandTell https://www.instagram.com/vintagedishandtellDish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart https://rivr.link/tSd-BU6Ufj Sarah’s Substack/Newsletter https://vintagedishandtell.substack.com/ Melissa’s Bless It: Swedish Candy Culture https://swedishcandyculture.com/Brittany’s Bless It: Amaryllis & Caladium Bulb Company https://www.amaryllisandcaladiums.com/Vintage Southern Living at Home Thermal Carafe on eBay https://on.ltk.com/+EUu2I1fBraq8D5o4iYdyXA  Takeaways Recipes are heirlooms, too.Don’t wait to ask for the recipe—or the story behind it.Start small: preserving one meaningful recipe is enough.Whenever possible, make the recipe alongside its “keeper.”Write down the little details that never make it onto the recipe card.Take photos, record video, and date the day you learned the recipe.A lost recipe doesn’t have to mean a lost tradition.Recipes can bring people we’ve lost back to the table.Gathering around familiar foods gives younger generations a way to know the people who came before them.The best family recipes are about far more than what’s on the plate. 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 00:05 Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 4 of The Sentimental Twist! 08:06 Reader Email from Lynn! 14:06 Porch Talk Speed Round 31:24 Introducing Sarah Peterson: Dish and Tell 01:11:04 Bless It, We Had to Share It 01:16:00 A Toast to Sentiment

  4. Aug 20

    Season 4 | Episode 4: The Joy of Handwritten Letters Guest Interview with Shannon Howard

    Summary In this episode, Brittany and Melissa talk about the seasons we’re in...on the calendar and in life. A listener email reminds us that every season has a purpose, even the hard ones. Then Melissa talks with Shannon Howard, founder of Dear & Always and Heirloom Letters Studio, about preserving the stories through handwritten letters. Shannon explains how these letters can become heirlooms and how to get started simply. It’s a conversation about slowing down, writing things down, and recognizing that the stories we leave behind matter. Highlights: Guest: Shannon HowardDear & Always: https://www.dearandalways.comHeirloom Letters Studio: https://www.heirloomlettersstudio.comInstagram: @dearandalways https://www.instagram.com/dearandalways/Instagram: @heirloomlettersstudio https://www.instagram.com/heirloomlettersstudio/Melissa's Bless It: Friday Finds Vintage https://www.instagram.com/fridayfindsvintage/Melissa's Bless It: Beautiful Table Settings Bash in Vicksburg, Mississippi — Brittany and Melissa will both be speaking in January! https://www.btsvicksburgbash.comBrittany's Bless It: Beehive Meals freezer-to-slow-cooker meal delivery at https://www.beehivemeals.comListener Giveaway: Shannon is gifting one listener a keepsake letter-writing system! Listen to the episode for details on how to enter! Takeaways Every season has a purpose, even the ones we wouldn't choose.The seasons of our lives deserve to be acknowledged, not rushed through.An heirloom's story can be just as valuable as the object itself.You don't have to document everything. Start with one meaningful object.Handwritten letters can become heirlooms in their own right.Don't assume the next generation knows the stories you've always known.The words we write aren't only for someday; reflecting and writing them can be meaningful for us now, too.Start with the story that matters most to you, not necessarily the most valuable thing you own. 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 00:05 Welcome to Season 4, Episode 4 of The Sentimental Twist! 03:27 Reader Email: Savoring Each Season 13:14 Porch Talk Speed Round 30:38 Guest Interview Shannon Howard from Dear & Always 01:15:09 Bless It, We Had to Share It 01:23:08 A Toast to Sentiment

  5. Aug 13

    Season 4 | Episode 3: A 2nd Act for Dishes Guest Interview with Marieli from Tiers of Joy

    Summary In this episode, Brittany and Melissa answer a listener's question about making dinner parties easier when cooking the main course isn't your strength (spoiler: outsourcing absolutely counts!), take a nostalgic trip through childhood stores during Porch Talk, and share a few things they're loving right now. Melissa sits down with Marieli, founder of Tiers of Joy, whose beautiful tiered stands give vintage, new, and heirloom dishes a whole new purpose. Marieli shares how her business began, the care that goes into transforming treasured pieces, and why meaningful entertaining doesn't require a cabinet full of fine china. It's a conversation about using what you have, giving treasured things new life, and remembering that hospitality is less about having the “right” things and more about making room for beauty, story, and connection. Highlights: Guest: Marieli Cruzado from Tiers of JoyInstagram: @tiersofjoy.txMelissa’s Bless It: Southern Living Insiders Brittany’s Bless It: The Storykeeper’s Shelf + Quiz Renee from @lucybettynjune  Melissa’s Poppyseed Chicken RecipeAlexandra Stoddard’s Daring to Be Yourself Takeaways Hosting doesn't mean making everything yourself.Time counts as an ingredient, too.Old dishes can have a second act.Beautiful entertaining can start with just a few pieces.Use beautiful serveware beyond the table.The stories behind our belongings are worth capturing now.Create a home that “smiles” at you. 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 00:05 Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 4 of TST! 02:44 Reader Email: Entree Ideas When Hosting 11:28 Porch Talk Speed Round 25:18 Guest Interview: Marieli from Tiers of Joy! 26:21 Guest Interview with Marieli from Tiers of Joy 01:17:21 Takeaways from Marieli's Interview 01:25:21 Bless It, We Had to Share It 01:31:46 A Toast to Sentiment: Does Your Home Smile?

  6. Aug 6

    Season 4 | Episode 2: The Art of Embracing Imperfection, Reviving Silver, and Preserving Family Recipes

    Summary In this episode, Brittany and Melissa discuss the soft launch into fall in their homes. They also explore how embracing the charm of aged silver and handwritten family recipes can make your home feel more personal and welcoming. They share practical tips for incorporating tarnished silver into everyday decor and transforming treasured recipes into meaningful heirlooms, all celebrating life’s beautiful imperfections. Cheers to the good old days being made today! Let's gather what’s meaningful, honor imperfections, and create stories worth passing down. Highlights: Favorite Fall Home Fragrances:Candle Bath & Body Works Leaves Pura Welcome Home Pura Sandalwood VanillaHappy Wax Melts Autumn SetCandle Nest Fall ClassicsKelli’s Silver Guide on Instagram - Expert advice for caring for your silverBrittany’s Bless It: Mama Dawn’s Creamed Corn “Recipe”Ingredients1 pt shucked/creamed cornButterGrease2 cups waterSaltInstrutionsPut in oven with 2 cups of water to start off with. Add salt, grease, butter (keep soft). Cooks on 350° for 30-40 minutes.Melissa’s Bless It: Personality Plates on Instagram - Adorable personality-themed dishwareVintage Dish & Tell Book by Sarah Peterson - Inspiration for creating family recipe books ; Website: www.vintagedishandtell.com  Takeaways: The need to rush fall and simple ways to soft launch your home into the fall seasonThe cultural shift away from using silver daily and how to bring it back into your lifeSimple ways to use mismatched or tarnished silver for decor and hospitalityMyths about tarnish and how to care for silver without stressCreative ideas for turning family recipes into treasured keepsake cookbooksHow fragrances and seasonal transitions set the mood in home decorTips for hosting with charm and making guests feel truly welcomeEmotional value of handwritten recipes and family stories passed through foodEmbracing today as the good old daysDon’t wait for perfect to start using heirloom silver; embrace the patina and charmDocument family recipes early, including stories and photos, to preserve legacyTurn everyday moments into celebrations of love, tradition, and home 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: 00:05 Welcome to Season 4, Episode 2! 04:01 The Soft Transition to Fall 13:16 Porch Talk Speed Round 26:30 What To Do With Silver Nobody Polishes Anymore 35:08 Bless It, We Had to Share It 42:17 Turning a Loved One’s Recipes Into a Cookbook 55:46 A Toast to Sentiment: The Good Ole Days are Right Now

  7. Jul 30

    Season 4 | Episode 1: Welcome to TST Season 4 + Savoring Summer

    Summary In this episode of The Sentimental Twist, hosts Brittany and Melissa reconnect after a long break, sharing their experiences of meeting in person for the first time, discussing their summer adventures, and reflecting on the impact of social media on their friendship. In this engaging conversation, Brittany and Melissa share their summer experiences, from humorous mishaps with kitchen appliances to the joys of secondhand shopping. They discuss the importance of savoring the remaining summer days, exploring farmers markets, and creating memorable family traditions. They talk about the value of simple summer rituals, such as enjoying fresh produce and spending time by the pool, while also planning exciting activities to make the most of the season before it ends. Brittany and Melissa share various themes related to summer living, including quick tips for hosting, summer reading recommendations, and engaging with listeners about everyday rituals.  Highlights: Melissa's Homeworthy Home TourBrittany's Homeworthy FeatureMelissa's Bless It: In Good Taste WinesMelissa's Hurry Up & Host GuideBrittany's Bless It: Lavender Steam Eye MasksMelissa's Bless It: Rustic Branch Tulip TopsEmail us at thesentimentaltwistpodcast@gmail.com with your favorite summer memory, a hosting question, or your favorite creamed corn or peach ice cream recipe!Takeaways Summer rituals, like enjoying flowers and pool time, enhance the season's enjoyment.Planning activities before school starts helps maximize summer fun.Simple joys, like making homemade ice cream, are cherished summer traditions.Engaging in seasonal activities fosters a deeper connection to the present.Hosting doesn't have to be complicated; quick tips can save the day.Seasonal living encourages us to appreciate the present.Everyday rituals can make ordinary days feel special. 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 00:05 Welcome to SEASON 4 of The Sentimental Twist 03:31 Finally Meeting In Real Life 12:15 Our Summers So Far 24:33 Savoring Summer: Making the Most of Memories & Traditions 31:24 Our Top 3 Summer To-Dos 39:38 Summer Rituals: Simple Joys and Celebrations 46:28 Porch Talk Speed Round 55:42 Bless It, We Had to Share It: New Finds and Recommendations 01:01:55 A Toast to Sentiment: Stop Wishing the Seasons Away

  8. Jun 11 ·  Bonus

    BONUS Episode of The Sentimental Twist: When Internet Friends Meet IRL

    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

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

The Sentimental Twist is a weekly podcast where vintage decor meets heirloom recipes, and every conversation is steeped in Southern charm. Hosted by Brittany Shepard and Melissa Austin-Weeks  – two friends from different generations with one shared love for meaningful spaces and gracious hospitality.  You’ll hear inspiring stories, home styling tips, easy entertaining ideas, and reflections on creating a life (and home) filled with beauty, tradition, and heart. Whether you’re a sentimental soul, a vintage lover, or a curious hostess, you’re in good company here.