Classic & Curious

As the season unfolds and the calendar fills, it’s time to turn up the cheer! Whether you’re hosting at home, attending festive soirées, or settling in fireside with a favorite cocktail, this is the heart of the season for gathering and celebration.Today’s guest is the perfect guide to mixing a little extra merry and bright. We’re joined by Kara Newman—award-winning writer, author, and recipe developer. Kara is the Spirits Editor for Wine Enthusiast and a writer-at-large whose expertise has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and more.In this episode, Kara also shares her journey—from writing about financial performance to becoming one of the most trusted voices in the food and drink world today. We discuss her philosophy for creating a home bar that feels effortless and inviting. Drawing from her books Shake. Stir. Sip. and Cocktails for a Crowd, she offers smart, crowd-pleasing ideas that take the stress out of entertaining. We also talk about her newest series, The Cocktail Cabinet, and how these beautifully curated cards have become an essential for home bars and hosts alike.Join us as we toast the season—adding a little sparkle, a little ease, and just the right cocktail or mocktail to make your celebration merry and bright!  Connect with Kara at @newman_karaConnect with Anne at @styledbyark, @classicandcuriouspodcast You can find a link to Kara’s books mentioned on this podcast at styledbyark.com 

Welcome back to Classic & Curious—and to our Holiday Series.With Thanksgiving behind us, the season gently shifts toward intimate gatherings: dinners with friends, festive celebrations, and perhaps a New Year’s soirée on the horizon. The timing feels just right for our next guest, Frankie Unsworth, a food stylist, writer, and author of The New Art of Cooking and Last Minute Dinner Party. Frankie's journey began as a writer for a food and travel magazine in Italy. Her passion for culture and cuisine eventually took her to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she trained and lived for several years.It was in Paris that she met Rachel Khoo, British author and host of The Little Paris Kitchen whom she would go on to become her home economist. Since then, Frankie has styled food for numerous best-selling books, always bringing a signature blend of elegance, simplicity, and clarity to the table.In this episode, she invites us into that very approach — offering thoughtful tips on how simple styling can elevate the way we present food at home. We also chat about her go-to nibbles for the holidays and the selections she turns to when guests stop by.Frankie’s styling mirrors her grace and genuine nature. There’s a quiet elegance in the way she works — an ease that turns hosting into an invitation. Her talents remind us that celebration doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes, it simply needs space to unfold.Connect with Frankie at @frankie_u and Frankieunsworth.com Connect with Anne at @styledbyark, @classicandcuriouspodcast and styledbyark.com

Welcome back to Classic & Curious—and to our Holiday Series.This week, as Thanksgiving invites us to gather and give thanks, the dinner table becomes more than a place to eat—it becomes a space to connect, to listen, and to cherish the people we love. Yet in our effort to make it beautiful, we often bring stress to the surface with layers of linens and the pressure to get every detail just right. Sometimes, we simply want things elevated… yet easy. Thankfully, we have options.Proper Table is one of them—a collection of acrylic placemats and coasters inspired by vintage fabrics with timeless appeal. Thoughtfully designed for both messy and stylish eaters, these pieces prove that style and simplicity can beautifully coexist.In this episode, we welcome Dana Lewis, founder of Proper Table. Dana shares how the brand came to life, the effortless care behind these clever textiles, and her exciting collaboration with LA-based interior designer Nate Turner. Proper Table has been featured in House Beautiful and Vogue for its sensibility and style—and it’s no wonder the brand has become a beloved go-to for savvy entertainers who want to keep it easy and elevated.Dana embodies the very spirit of Proper Table: her timeless taste paired with an effortless sense of ease, she creates the very feeling that you want to bring to your own home.Connect with Proper Table at propertableco.com and @propertablecoConnect with Anne at @styledbyark, @classicandcuriouspodcast and styledbyark.com

Welcome back to Classic & Curious and to our Holiday Series. Part of the festive season is gathering together, celebrating connections, and finding joy in the moments we share.In this episode, we meet Alice and Francesca, the co-founders of Porta—a beautiful Brooklyn-based brand whose ever-evolving collection of tableware and homewares invites us to discover, delight, and bring a sense of artistry to everyday living. Blending European heritage craft with modern sensibility, each Porta piece honors the founders’ Italian roots while reflecting the spirit of their global travels and inspirations.Alice and Francesca, childhood friends who grew up together in London and now call Brooklyn home, share their gift for storytelling, artisan collaboration, and the quiet beauty that transforms how we gather and live.Just like the artisans who contribute to their brand, they each bring a distinct creativity and individuality that sets Porta apart. Join us as we explore their brand journey, their favorite pieces, and the holiday traditions they hold dear.Connect with Porta: Porta-nyc.com and @porta_nycConnect with Anne: @styledbyark and @classicandcuriouspodcast

Welcome back to Classic and Curious and our Holiday Series. The holiday season reminds us of the importance of creating experiences that linger longer within our hearts.In this episode, we welcome Amy Neunsinger and Lucinda Lent, the visionary co-founders of l.a. ROUGE — a brand whose very essence lets us light that magic all year long.Amy is a celebrated photographer, designer, and host of HBO's Capturing Home. Her photography and creative direction has supported the influential lifestyle brands and talents, including Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Leanne Ford, and Mark D. Sykes. Her work and personal style have appeared in Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, the LA Times and countless other publications. Combine this strength with Lucinda’s strategic mind, drive and creative business vision — shaped by her leadership as CEO of The Coop and Executive Director LA Dance Project,  you will begin to see why this beautiful brand is beginning to unfold into something truly special. l.a. ROUGE candles are not just candles. There are revolution in red — blended from essential oils, each candle is poured into a chic whiskey class designed to earn its place at the dinner table. In this episode, Amy and Lucinda share:The story behind l.a. ROUGECreating a responsible clean candleThe inspiration behind their beautiful scentsAnd the thoughtful role of each vesselAs you listen to this episode, you will discover the red wick is more than just a signature branding element.  It represents what happens to the heart when a connection is made. You'll feel that same connection with Amy and Lucinda who embody the spirit of l.a. ROUGE — they create moments of joy, intention, and beauty, each in their own unique way. You can connect with la Rouge @la_rouge_candle and larougecandle.com Connect with Anne @styledbyark.com and @classicandcuriouspodcast