Coffee with Creatives - September 15, 2025
Featuring
Tara Braatz of Tara Lee Interior Design
Rebecca Bertoldi of My Local Marketing Shop & 222 Marketing
Coffee With Creatives: Welcoming Fall, Celebrating Busy Weeks, and Holiday Inspiration
Good morning, friends! If you’re a regular to Coffee with Creatives—or even if you stumbled in with a fresh cuppa—welcome. Grab your favorite mug, settle in, and let’s chat about the things that make Mondays feel a little brighter. Today’s post is extra special: we’re diving deep into all the cozy details from our latest video chat on September 15th, featuring Rebecca Bertoldi (your Marketing gal) and Tara Broats (your Interior Designer).
Every week, Rebecca and Tara get together for an easygoing discussion about creative work, life transitions, home updates, and—the best part—lots of mugs and good vibes! The mood? Super casual, just like catching up with friends in your kitchen. Whether you’re a creative, a small business owner, a designer, or just looking for inspiration and a sense of community, there’s something in this blog post for you.
Kicking Off Fall: Cozy Vibes and Mugs Galore
Ahh, it’s almost officially fall! The air is getting crisper (sort of), and we’re all gearing up for sweaters and seasonal mugs. Rebecca starts off by welcoming everyone with her trademark warmth:
“Good morning, everybody. Happy Monday and thank you for joining us at Coffee with Creatives. My name is Rebecca Bertoldi. I am your friend in marketing.”
Tara chimes in, “My name is Tara Broats. I’m your interior designer.” And just like that, the friendly, cheerful banter begins.
The ladies marvel at the changing forecast. Next Monday is the "official" kickoff for fall, but today is warmer—weather in New England really keeps you guessing! By now, everyone’s thinking about seasonal changes, so what better way to celebrate than to show off your favorite mugs? The invitation goes out to the audience:
"If you want to put a picture of your mug in the chat, we'll be able to see it here."
Mug Show and Tell
Tara shows off her “very designer” mug—textured, cozy, and perfect for fall. It even reminds her of a sweater.
Rebecca brings a tried-and-true PRG mug from her Starbucks collection. But mug collecting is getting a bit out of hand: "If I go to the store and buy one more mug, I have to donate one somewhere."
The theme? Creatives love their mugs, but those cabinets can only hold so many!
Cup Fails and Laughs
Sometimes, online shopping for unique glassware doesn't go as planned. Rebecca shares a “cup fail” story—a so-called whiskey glass with a cool motorcycle design. In reality?
"It's a sticker on the cup. Just a sticker. Well, at least you got glass."
Despite the disappointment, the humor lands. Gifts don’t always have to be perfect—a reminder that thoughtfulness always wins out, even if the cup isn’t exactly what was advertised.
Weekly Catch Up: Life, Learning, and All the Projects
Rebecca and Tara catch up on their week, and both have been busy!
Rebecca’s Week
Rebecca taught a class at the local Chamber about Meta ads. It went great but left her reflecting on how to teach marketing and technology without overwhelming people:
"I feel like I overwhelm people when I talk about anything marketing and technology... I have to figure out a way to teach people these things in these classes without them feeling like, 'Oh my God, why would I even want to do this?'"
She also embraced the change in seasons by giving her front planters a refresh (the old plants weren’t looking too lively). Artificial plants step in for now—creativity and practicality in equal measure.
Creative Jewelry Making
Rebecca’s weekend included jewelry-making, weaving memories and personal touches into handmade pieces. Her wedding bracelet is a standout:
She explains:
The greens and purples represent herself and Kyle.
Flowers, bridesmaids' colors, and a special bead from Block Island add layers of meaning.
It’s heavy—but it’s hers, full of personal history.
And now: the challenge of “boy bracelets.” Kyle wants in on the fun, but with a masculine spin. Rebecca tries chunky beads, car-part-inspired spacers, and even little skulls. The creative process is ongoing!
Tara’s Week
Tara had a packed week, starting with a Chamber event up in Palmer.
She was welcomed by the local business community and introduced to Jess, a talented photographer. Jess stopped by Tara’s latest project—a garage transformed into a house—and was amazed by the before-and-after. Jess will be shooting new professional photos for social media, showcasing Tara’s design magic.
Outings and Redesigns
The week also included dinner at a newly redesigned marina restaurant. Seasonal updates mean waterfront dining year-round:
Staying connected with friends, Tara invited Karen to join her for errands at Cardi’s Furniture. Kim, their contact at Cardi’s, is a huge help:
"She’s a great resource for us and I’ve definitely made her part of my team to help me out."
Lunch at a local Mexican spot capped off a day of errands, followed by time at Mohegan Sun for live comedy. The arena seated 10,000 both nights—Sebastian Maniscalco kept the crowd laughing nonstop.
Comedy, Family Memories, and Italian Roots
Sebastian's jokes hit home for Tara, especially those about growing up in an Italian household:
“He would talk about like, oh no, you only have the special Entenmann's for company—can't give that to family, you know.”
She laughs extra hard, though her husband is not a fan!
Lyme Disease: A Tough Reality
Behind the scenes of creative work, Tara opens up about living with Lyme disease—a struggle that affects daily life.
She spent Sunday rebuilding a front stone wall by hand, a project that involved hauling, stacking, and plenty of dirt.
But Lyme brings pain, fatigue, and relentless challenges. Nighttime leg cramps, slow mornings, and the constant threat of new infections:
“Lyme disease is scary. Spray, spray, spray yourself when you go out. And if you’re playing in the dirt, make sure that you’re checking for these ticks because they are everywhere.”
She’s been bitten or reinfected six times since age 14. The support from Rebecca and viewers means so much.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events and Plans
Now, onto what’s coming up this week!
Rebecca’s Busy Calendar
With school back in session, her calendar is blowing up. New requests keep rolling in, and she’s just hired an assistant to help streamline project work. It’s full steam ahead:
Visiting a client in New York tomorrow morning
A joint visit with Tara to a mutual client on Friday
Southeastern Connecticut Ladies Women’s Network luncheon on Wednesday
Vision Board Luncheon
If you want to do a vision board and meet local creatives, there’s an open invitation. Lunch is $30 for guests, and you can register on-site (cash or check). The event is 11:30am–1pm at Langley’s Restaurant in Waterford.
Visit scctwomennetwork.com for more info.
Rebecca says:
“If you guys have never been in a mastermind, this is probably the most affordable way to do it. A mastermind is where you all come together, you brainstorm about your goals, your hold each other accountable... This is $125 a year. So, it's a good group.”
Bring magazines for cutting and creativity—there’ll be plenty!
Tara’s Upcoming Projects
Tara’s week is just as busy:
Planning and decorating a baby shower at the elegant Norwich Spa Cottage.
Working on a house makeover by a big lake in East Hampton.
Designing a deck in Middletown—racing against chilly autumn days to source materials!
She offers tips for anyone planning an outdoor project: call early in the season, as inventory gets tricky in fall.
Holiday Help: Decor, Props, and Wreaths
With the holidays on the horizon, Tara’s services are in high demand. Whether it’s designing your Thanksgiving table, creating custom wreaths, or finding props for photo shoots, she’s ready to help.
Custom Wreaths for Any Holiday
Tara’s wreaths are a hit—not just for Christmas, but for any family celebration.
They can be silk, artificial, or real. Tara even reminisces about the pine wreaths her grandfather made, simple but meaningful, and how she added a light-up base to brighten things up.
Props for Photographers and Parties
Photographers come to Tara for unique props: furniture, chairs, sofas, pews, backdrops, festive pillows, and throw blankets. She offers rental options for holiday shoots, events, or cozy home setups.
“Whatever you need, I’m here to help.”
Wrapping Up: Kindness, Smiles, and Staying Busy
The episode closes out in the gentlest way, with a reminder that resonates throughout creative—and daily—life:
“Always remember to smile. A smile goes a long way. You never know what anyone’s going through. So please be kind and have a wonderful day and a wonderful week.”
Both hosts admit: staying busy is a natural tendency. But taking time for rest, especially if health issues are creeping in, is essential.
Key Takeaways
If you missed Coffee With Creatives, here’s what you missed (and what we hope you take away!):
Community matters: Sharing the ups and downs makes the creative journey easier and more fulfilling.
Creativity is everywhere: Whether it’s jewelry-making, home design, or mug collecting, personal touches bring warmth.
Support local: Chamber events, local restaurants, and small business teams keep creativity thriving.
Health checks: Lyme disease and chronic illness are real challenges. Spread knowledge, take precautions, and support friends.
Plan ahead for holidays: Start holiday decor projects early. Custom wreaths, table design, and props can make your event special.
Mastermind magic: Affordable masterminding and vision boarding offer new ways to connect and grow professionally.
Quick Links and Resources
Langley’s Restaurant, Waterford
Norwich Spa Cottage (for events)
Before You Go
If you want to join the next Coffee with Creatives live stream, bring your favorite mug, snap a picture, and share it in the chat! Connect, laugh, learn—and never forget, kindness and smiles change everything.
See you next Monday!
“You never know what anyone’s going through. So please be kind and have a wonderful day and a wonderful week.”
