This week, I sat down in person with one of my best friends, Stephanie Richard, for a super fun, totally real, and refreshingly unfiltered edition of our Dear Cathy series. And this time? We filmed it in the studio!

Stephanie isn’t a beauty influencer—she’s a girlfriend you want in your corner. Together, we tackled your questions around aging, skincare, fashion confidence, and navigating the ups and downs of midlife.

From saggy skin and skinny jeans to friendship, hormones, and the messy magic of growing older, this episode feels like a girls’ night in with your ride-or-die. So pour a glass of something fun and cozy up—you’re gonna love this one.

👭 Meet Stephanie Richard:

Co-owner of Sparkles & Lace Boutique in Colorado Springs
Mom of two boys (and newly navigating the empty nest!)
Girlfriend, confidante, and skincare guinea pig 😄
Age 53 and aging with laughter, style, and unapologetic truth

✨ What We Talk About:

Do face creams actually work—or is it all genetics?
The real truth about Botox, TikTok skincare, and finding what works
How friendship fuels beauty from the inside out
The saggy neck struggle and how Gua Sha + oils can actually help
Skinny jeans vs wide-leg jeans—how to dress for you
Why midlife is the perfect time to try everything
Advice to our younger selves (and why you need to stop apologizing)
A peek into our beauty routines (yes, tinted moisturizer counts!)

💬 Favorite Moments:

“Try everything. What works for her may not work for you—and that’s okay.”

“Your skin reflects your joy. So find your people, hydrate your soul, and let the beauty radiate.”

📲 Come Join the Girlfriend Party:

👯‍♀️ Facebook Group: Girlfriend’s Guide to Midlife
📸 Follow the Podcast: @girlfriendsguidepodcast
💁‍♀️ Connect with Cathy: @dearcathy719

📲 Connect With Stephanie:

📸 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sparklesnlaceboutique/

📸 TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparklesandlaceboutique

🔗 https://sparklesandlaceboutique.com/

🫶 Did this episode make you laugh, cry, or say “YESSS!” out loud?

Share it with your girlfriends, leave a quick review, and hit follow so you never miss an episode. This midlife community is growing—and it’s better with you in it.