Podcast Summary: Gals on the Go – Episode: "Weddings & Weenies with Halley Kate + Jaz"

Release Date: May 7, 2025
Host/Authors: Brooke Miccio and Danielle Carolan
Guests: Halley Kate and Jaz

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of Gals on the Go, hosts Brooke Miccio and Danielle Carolan welcome special guests Halley Kate and Jaz to discuss a blend of wedding planning intricacies, beauty routines, travel habits, and the joys and challenges of dog ownership. The conversation is infused with relatable anecdotes, humor, and heartfelt insights, providing listeners with an engaging blend of personal stories and practical advice.

Wedding Planning with Halley Kate

Unique Ceremony Elements
Halley Kate shares innovative ideas for her upcoming wedding, emphasizing simplicity and personal touches. She explains a unique approach to their aisle walk:

"Kevin and I are walking down the aisle together, and we're also walking towards everyone. So, instead of everyone turning around, we're walking the opposite direction. Everyone's just facing forward and we're walking."
— Halley Kate [43:27]

This approach allows guests to see the couple clearly as they walk down the aisle, enhancing the visual experience for photographs and the overall ambiance.

Dress Code and Guest Attire
Halley Kate opted for a monochromatic dress code, requesting all guests to wear black. This decision was driven by aesthetic preferences and practicality:

"Everyone's also wearing black. Not just our parties, but everyone who comes to the wedding is wearing black. I didn't want anyone wearing a pale yellow or a lavender. Wearing black and white photos look like you're wearing white, so I was safe."
— Halley Kate [44:24]

This choice simplifies the attire decisions for guests and ensures a cohesive look in wedding photos.

Music and DJ Coordination
The couple placed great importance on their DJ selection and song choices. They collaborated to create a comprehensive playlist, allowing guests to request songs while maintaining control over the overall vibe:

"We gave a long list, but we also had a meeting with the DJ to go over the general vibe and things to add or requests that can be taken and those that can't be."
— Halley Kate [45:07]

This balance ensures that the music enhances the celebration without deviating from the desired atmosphere.

First Dance and Traditional Elements
Opting out of traditional first dances, Halley Kate and Jaz decided on more personalized elements. Halley Kate chose not to have a garter toss or a first dance, focusing instead on enjoying the festivities and maintaining a relaxed environment:

"I'm doing three dresses – ceremony, reception, and after-party. I don't need more of it, and I want to enjoy the party."
— Halley Kate [45:07]

This decision underscores their preference for authenticity and enjoyment over adhering to conventional wedding norms.

Beauty Routines and Trends

Hair Color Maintenance
The conversation delves into the challenges of maintaining hair color, particularly transitioning between brunette and blonde shades. Jaz shares her experience with blonde hair maintenance:

"I'm trying to stray away from the bleach and just go back towards my natural color because I can't do it anymore. It's not fun."
— Jaz [02:51]

Halley Kate discusses her upcoming eyebrow microblading procedure to address sparse areas, highlighting the importance of researching and choosing the right professional:

"I've tried everything. Just doesn't grow there. So I'm getting my eyebrows microbladed next week."
— Halley Kate [04:17]

Skin Care and Facials
Halley Kate and Jaz express their preferences for various facials and skincare treatments. Halley Kate emphasizes the benefits of Hydra facials, especially after harsh environments:

"I love Hydra facials. My skin was so juicy, especially after being in the desert for stage coaching at Coachella."
— Halley Kate [05:22]

Jaz shares her experience with lash lifts, despite the discomfort:

"It's horrible but fantastic lashes. If I had darker eyelashes, I wouldn't need it, but it's essential for my look."
— Jaz [06:37]

Makeup and Beauty Enhancements
Brooke introduces Beam's Dream powder, an all-natural sleep aid, highlighting its benefits for skin and overall well-being:

"Dream is an all-natural sleep blend with science-backed ingredients designed to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed."
— Brooke [16:01]

Additionally, discussions around bronzing drops and makeup routines emphasize enhancing natural beauty with minimal effort.

Managing Social Media and Technology

Calendar and Planning Tools
Halley Kate and Jaz discuss their reliance on digital planners and calendar synchronization to manage their busy lifestyles:

"It's literally just this planner app that you cannot syndicate because it's almost like a notepad, but it doesn't transfer to your phone."
— Jaz [26:21]

Halley Kate introduces the Skylight app, a comprehensive family and task management tool that syncs across devices:

"It's rated as our entryway in our apartment. Every task and chore is in this giant calendar, and it syncs to your phone."
— Halley Kate [30:26]

Flight Anxiety and Travel Routines
The conversation addresses common concerns related to flying, with Jaz sharing her fears of turbulence and how communication from pilots can alleviate anxiety:

"A communicative pilot makes all the difference. If they explain the turbulence, I feel more at ease."
— Jaz [15:42]

Halley Kate and Jaz also discuss their strategies for coping with flight anxiety, such as using TRACKER apps to monitor turbulence and the importance of having a reliable travel routine.

Social Media Engagement
Brooke and Halley Kate touch upon the pressures and anxieties related to social media, including Instagram story anxiety and oversharing personal stories. They emphasize the importance of setting boundaries to maintain mental well-being.

Dog Ownership and Lifestyle

Challenges of Traveling with Dogs
Jaz and Halley Kate share their experiences balancing travel schedules with dog ownership. Jaz discusses the complexities of potty training dogs while frequently traveling:

"It's tough to potty train a dog when you're away so much because they can't get into a routine, and a dog sitter can't maintain it for you."
— Halley Kate [65:28]

Benefits of Small Dog Breeds
The hosts highlight the practicality of owning dachshunds, especially for those with active and traveling lifestyles. Jaz reminisces about her childhood dachshund and her current dog Finley:

"Dachshunds are becoming more popular because they're easier for apartments and traveling since they're small."
— Halley Kate [62:22]

Dog Relationships and Temperament
Discussion around dachshunds' temperaments and Jaz’s personal experiences with her dogs showcase the emotional bond and commitment required for responsible pet ownership.

"Nothing was worse than when they showed you people's best friends. It was honestly really good, though."
— Halley Kate [39:26]

Travel Habits and Coping Mechanisms

Maintaining Routines While Traveling
Jaz explains how constant travel turned into a habit, making workouts and other routines ingrained despite the hectic schedule:

"I just give myself no option. When am I finding my workout today? I've created that mentality."
— Jaz [58:01]

Dealing with Sickness During Travel
Halley Kate shares her struggle with frequent illnesses due to extensive travel, emphasizing hydration and rest as key remedies:

"If I can eat before the nausea kicks in, I'm good for the day. Otherwise, it's just a marathon of feeling gross."
— Halley Kate [52:16]

Flight Experience Enhancements
The hosts discuss tools and habits that improve their flying experience, such as using eye masks to block out light and the Hatch alarm clock for simulating sunrise.

"I have to time my exhale right when the plane is about to touch down. It's weird, but it helps me relax."
— Brooke [19:43]

Balancing Healthy Lifestyles with Busy Schedules

Fitness and Wellness Routines
Jaz and Halley Kate elaborate on integrating fitness into their hectic lives. Jaz describes her workout routine as non-negotiable, despite frequent travels:

"I don't think of it as 'should I work out today?' I just find my workout."
— Jaz [57:56]

Halley Kate admits to reducing workout frequency but remains committed to maintaining health amidst her busy schedule.

Mental Health and Self-Care
The discussion underscores the importance of mental health, with Danielle highlighting the role of therapy in maintaining emotional balance. Brooke shares her struggles with overthinking due to podcasting responsibilities:

"Between planning episodes, researching topics, and the 3 am spiral, sleep wasn't exactly my strong suit."
— Brooke [16:01]

Community and Relationships

Friendship Dynamics
Brooke, Danielle, Halley Kate, and Jaz delve into the nuances of friendships, especially in the context of life changes such as engagements and weddings. They touch upon maintaining connections through regular communication and being present for one another.

"When you have things to look forward to, what do you do? You justify your purchases because you're using Rakuten to get cash back."
— Danielle [35:38]

Pet Influence on Community Engagement
Having dogs serves as a social catalyst, helping the hosts build community connections and engage with neighbors and fellow dog owners.

"If you have a dog, people approach you, and that's a great conversation starter."
— Halle [67:17]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with heartfelt exchanges about upcoming weddings, the excitement of friendship collaborations, and the anticipation of creating memorable experiences. The hosts encourage listeners to embrace their unique lifestyles, manage their routines effectively, and cherish their relationships and pets.

Notable Quotes

• Halley Kate on Unique Aisle Walk:
  "Kevin and I are walking down the aisle together... everyone’s just facing forward and we're walking."
  [43:27]

• Jaz on Hair Color Challenges:
  "I'm trying to stray away from the bleach and just go back towards my natural color because I can't do it anymore. It's not fun."
  [02:51]

• Brooke on Mental Health and Sleep:
  "I found Beam's Dream powder. It changed everything... I wake up refreshed, not groggy, not exhausted."
  [16:10]

• Halley Kate on Dog Ownership:
  "You have to find a time where you're really not traveling for like six months because of potty training. It's tough for you and the dog."
  [65:28]

• Jaz on Flight Anxiety:
  "A communicative pilot makes all the difference. If they explain the turbulence, I feel more at ease."
  [15:42]

Final Thoughts

Gals on the Go delivers an engaging and multifaceted conversation in this episode, blending personal stories with practical insights. Whether it's navigating wedding plans, maintaining beauty routines, managing travel stress, or balancing a healthy lifestyle with a busy schedule, Brooke, Danielle, Halley Kate, and Jaz offer valuable perspectives that resonate with listeners seeking relatable and heartfelt advice.