We celebrated Christmas over the weekend with an open house holiday party at Grove House. We invited friends, family, and all of our neighbors to come for festive appetizers, drinks, and desserts. There was a hot apple cider bar, dozens of appetizers (my husbands lobster dip is always a hit!) and a dessert bar set up in my studio with a chocolate fountain and homemade treats.

There is something very special about styling a home for a holiday issue. Behind the scenes there is a flurry of elf-like work as we gather trees and evergreens, wrap presents, and deck the halls…sometimes in February, or June. Either way, I always consider it an honor and do my best to style in a way that both reflects the homeowners holiday traditions and the vision the magazine has for the feature. Bringing both together through my styling work can in a sense, feel magical to me, even with the large task at hand.

Whether they're a fine artist, designer, crafter, or they love gardening or knitting, the creative people in your life present a really great opportunity for gift giving. Give them something to help them along their unique creative journey; a tool to encourage their creative skills or something beautiful to get them inspired!

With Christmas fast approaching it's time to start shopping for gifts! I've put together my ultimate gift guide for all the homebodies in your life - although let's be honest, this time of year, we're all embracing our inner homebody a little bit more than usual. These gifts are perfect for those who love spending time at home embracing all things cozy!

Cheese boards are the perfect appetizer to serve at gatherings - you can assemble one ahead of time and it requires no cooking or extra work upon serving, which means more time for you to prepare the main dish and socialize with your guests. But how do you make your cheeseboard look amazing? Here are a few simple steps to transform your board into a beautiful visual statement.

It’s that time of year again! Time for family gatherings and holiday parties. I love bringing a gift for the hostess because a little bit of thoughtfulness goes a long way in making them feel appreciated. It’s a lot of work to put on a holiday gathering, so here are some unique ways to say thanks to the hostess in your life.