One of my favorite shops, Elsie Green, just opened up a second location, and it's gorgeous! Their original location has always been a favorite source for inspiration and the design and atmosphere of their new retail space is just as incredible. The bold black and whites mixed with earthy browns are a perfect balance and their selection of wares is unmatched!

Almost everything at Elsie Green is sourced overseas from antique markets and French brocantes, meaning each piece is unique. There's something really special about European antiques - they have character and history that new, manufactured pieces can never replicate. They're one of my favorite home and prop sources when I'm searching for something truly special to add to a space.

This summer, instead of novels about faraway places or unrequited love, my reading has been filled with gardens, interiors, and seasonal cookbooks. The sunlight in the studio seating area (I promise a tour!) makes for perfect reading conditions, and I've been spending a few afternoons lounging on the sofa with an icy cold drink, a whirling fan, and a stack of fresh deliveries from Amazon. 

And while we're all here, do any of you belong to a book club? I've been talking about joining/hosting one for years but I'm at a loss as to where to begin. If you attend one - is it in real life or online? Are they fiction/novel/genre based or cookbook clubs? What about groups you can join on services like Meetup, or does GoodReads have local chapters? Sheesh, sorry for all the questions. You can see why I haven't joined or started one! #sendhelp How about we just get to what I've been reading and move on....

I've visited my fair share of local farmstands and independent grocers. Why, there are at least four produce stands within a few miles of my home that I frequent on a weekly basis. But this small, organic French grocery, Les Jardins de Vaissieres, has to be the absolute most charming one I've ever seen. When you step through the door, it feels as if you're taking a journey back in time or walking through a scene from a movie. Their gorgeous displays are overflowing with baskets of vibrant produce, cupboards filled with jars of homemade terrines and pâté, and crates of organic eggs - all under the "watchful" eye of a sleeping shop kitty....

Who says new beginnings only happen on Jan 1st? A mid-year refresh can be just as exhilarating, regardless of what the calendar might suggest. I've been wanting to switch things up over here so that the website better represents my professional services and workshops, while also organizing the blog and shop into a more streamlined experience for all. It feels good to have this massive project completed and I really hope you love the new space as much as I do! 

I've just returned from spending the month of May in France. My time there was divided between hosting The Academy, visiting friends, and taking a solo French road trip to see new places and have a little creative down time. What I'm always struck by, no matter where I may be in the country, is how authentic the French live. You won't see homes filled with shiny new items from a big box store or mass produced wares delivered to their doorstep. Homes are collected, well lived in, and speak purely to those who inhabit them. They are unique and imperfect. They are nurturing to the senses and welcoming to all who enter their doors. I had the privilege of photographing one such home belonging to my friend, antique dealer Lou O'Leary. His home encourages me to approach my own decor with a sense of authenticity and meaning. My hope is that it does the same for you.

For the past few years, I've aspired to teach workshops here in the US for those who may be unable to travel to France, but have a strong desire to learn how to style professional visuals that reflect their brand and connect with their following. My objective in creating new workshops was simple; to design one-day intensive sessions that focus solely on styling exceptional images. This first series of workshops in the San Francisco area will kick off my plans of extending them across the nation in the coming year. I hope to see you at one!