Today marks the beginning a new monthly series called Styling Essentials. Once a month, I’ll be focusing on a particular interior design styling element, more specifically, I’ll be sharing the exact decor items I source the most and bring to every magazine styling assignment. These are the pieces that many homeowners typically don’t have enough of - or at all. So, I’m here to help you know what to look for, where to find it, and provide tips on how to style it! Think of this new series as a prop stylist at your service!

This month I’ll be focusing on vases, and I’ve broken it down into three categories: statement, accent, and heirloom.

This month I’ll be focusing on vases, and I’ve broken it down into three categories: statement, accent, and heirloom.

Earlier this year, mid-January in fact, I decided to make a few significant changes in my life. These weren’t new year resolutions, which we all know fall by the wayside come February, but more like small doable shifts in how I go about my daily routines and work life. I had felt the need to change for months before actually taking any steps towards making it happen. It was like a quiet voice inside whispering - there’s a better way to go about my life and work. I thought I’d share the ones that made the biggest impact on me in case you might be feeling those same winds of change in your own soul this time of year.

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!