I want to talk with you about something that's been on my mind for a while: the difference between inspiration and imitation. I feel that over the last few years, the prevalence of Instagram and Pinterest “inspiration” has altered our idea of what it means to actually be inspired. As a location scout for Country Living and many other magazines, I've seen homes become more and more identical online, lacking individuality and becoming carbon copies of what's trending. And, although it may seem easier to copy exactly what you see online, the results will inevitably lack depth and personality.

If you’ve been around the blog for a hot second, you’ve probably noticed (or heard me talk about) the fact that I have a lot of stuff - more commonly referred to as props. There was a time I used to apologize for having so many things, mostly because I would anticipate judgement (who wants that) until one day I realized, a doctor would never think she has too many instruments, nor a lawyer too many law books. Those items are the tools of the their trade. As a stylist, props are mine.

Today marks the next installment in our series Styling Essentials, where we talk about the decor items I source most often for photoshoots to help make a space feel layered and beautifully styled. These styling essentials are the pieces that many homeowners often don’t have enough of - or at all. And one of those item are decorative trays. I find that in many homes, they are a highly undervalued piece of decor, but they shouldn't be, because they have a superpower to unite a collection of objects and transform a scene from cluttered or confused to harmonious and balanced.

After I wrote about the best changes I made last year, I received quite a few emails, comments, and Instagram messages with requests to share my favorite business books. It was encouraging to hear from other creatives that were wanting to change how they approach their business, and even more so, to hear from those wanting to start a new one all together.

A book will meet you where you are. Meaning, how you perceive the content, will be directly related to what’s going on in your life or business. A book that really resonates with you, may not feel the same for another person. With that in mind, think about what stage you are at in your business or personal life and start with one that speaks to that area. From there, you can expand on to new topics and ideas as you build your library. To help get you started, here are some of the books that have made the most impact on my business and personal life.

This weekend, I spent some time cleaning our espresso machines and tidying up the coffee station. While I was elbow deep in coffee grounds and forgotten spills, I thought it might be helpful to take photos and share how I keep it all organized. I like to create a simple system so that everything has its own place and items are easily accessible when we’re using the space. As a stylist, it’s also important that it looks beautiful and inviting to me, but more so, that it functions well for our needs.

One of my favorite things to do when visiting France, is to shop for beauty products at any one of their famous pharmacies. I could literally spend hours perusing the aisles of lotions and potions and I never leave empty handed. Over the years, there are standout products that I buy again and again, often stocking up on multiples of my must-haves, before returning home. So if you’re like me, obsessed with French beauty products, you might find my list of favorites and what I love about each of them, helpful on your next visit abroad. And if a trip to France isn’t on the agenda - you’re in luck, as I’ve found most of them online for you!