I was born in Chicago, raised in the Midwest, and studied creative writing and journalism at the University of Iowa. I was quickly immersed in Southern culture when I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and became a writer and editor for Southern Accents Magazine at Time Warner. The lavish interiors and grand architecture of the region inspired me to study interior design while working as an editor.
Today I am a lifestyle journalist, editor, brand strategist, and communications specialist with more than 25 years of experience managing and producing content for magazines, books, digital, television, and sales/marketing/PR assets. I am honored to put my skills to work creating lifestyle content for Lake Homes Realty and its ever-growing sister brands including Beach-Homes Realty and Mountain Homes Realty.
Along the Southeastern Atlantic coast, sea turtle season shapes the cadence of summer as reliably as tides and afternoon storms. From the barrier islands of the Carolinas to the subtropical shores of Florida, loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles return …
Beachcombing in California offers a different vibe than other American coastlines. The state’s beaches stretch from rugged, fog-laced coves in the north to wide Southern California strands framed by cliffs, surf culture, and coastal neighborhoods. That geographic range creates unusually …
Renovating a coastal home comes with a unique set of pressures that inland homeowners rarely face. Salt air corrodes materials faster, humidity complicates timelines, and storms interrupt construction schedules. In many waterfront communities, access, permitting, and environmental regulations can shift …
Memorial Day weekend signals the unofficial start of summer along America’s coasts, from the shores of New England to the beaches of California. For coastal homeowners and beach enthusiasts, it’s also the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family for …
Every June, the shoreline at Cannon Beach becomes a temporary gallery shaped by tide, timing, and a surprising level of technical skill. In 2026, the annual sandcastle building competition is scheduled for Saturday, June 20. It draws participants and spectators to one of …
St-Germain has quietly become one of the most reliable bottles behind a well-appointed coastal bar. Launched in 2007 by distiller Robert Cooper, the French elderflower liqueur helped redefine modern cocktail culture with its light, aromatic profile. Historically speaking, its name …
Beachcombing along the Gulf Coast offers a distinct experience shaped by calm waters, expansive shorelines, and a surprising abundance of natural detail. For coastal enthusiasts, the Gulf presents a more measured rhythm than the Atlantic—gentler tides, warmer breezes, and long …
Outdoor living continues to evolve in 2026. Coastal homeowners across the U.S. are embracing relaxed, design-forward spaces that blur the line between indoors and out. This year’s trending outdoor décor styles lean into organic modernism, coastal minimalism, and layered natural textures. …
Designing a small bedroom or guest room in a coastal home has always required a careful balance between comfort, restraint, and utility—but in 2026, that balance is becoming more intentional. Across U.S. coastal regions—from the breezy Upper East to the …
If you own a coastal home, you know landscaping is as much about resilience as it is about aesthetics. A rock garden—often called a rockery—leans into coastal conditions. It uses stone, gravel, and a restrained mix of plants to create …
