It is my hope that everyone who chooses to work with me feels like they have a truly personal and connected experience, so here is a bit about me!
I grew up in a small town in central New York. I lived in an old manor-style house divided into four apartments. My best friend lived across the hall and together we ventured out in handed down prom dresses to dig for worms and build tree forts in our backyard. My days were filled with building fairy gardens and mini golf courses, canning fruits, sewing dresses and reading classic poetry. Creating, exploring and leaning into my imagination brought me into a place where I could understand myself and see how my gifts and talents could go out into the world to do good. I think fondly of these years because it very much informed some of the major tenants in my cannon of philosophies:
1. Beautiful homes are not exclusive to the rich and famous.
2. Everyday life ought to be filled with joy and celebration.
3. Gifts of the spirit are more fully realized when they are shared.
4. The more you pursue honesty the more deeply you will discover comfort, peace and confidence.
5. If you can make it fun, you probably should.
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Whatever the task is before me, these are the principals I use to guide me. I love to help people embrace the core elements of their own identities. This is my first step in bringing out design styles that embody how a person really lives their life or in guiding businesses who see to communicate their ethos through a fully-encompassing client experience.
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Today, I am a mom of two and a wife to a first responder who is my #1 craftsman. I cook lots and lots of gluten and dairy free recipes and really love being in my kitchen. I grew up as a competitive gymnast and still have a love for movement that often draws me into new adventures. I also have a not so mild obsession with biohacking and women's health. I believe that my unique combination of interests serve my projects well but mostly they make my life a little fuller and a little more fun.
D E S I G N
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I am a trauma-informed designer who implements principals of neuroaesthetics into each of my projects. The work I do has a massive impact on the physical bodies that come into contact with it. As noted in Your Brain on Art, we are sensory beings and because of that we are inextricably linked to our surroundings. We experience life through sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. To me it is crucial to consider our physiology in design.
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Because of my design approach, I start with listening to my clients so that I can understand their priorities, their comforts and their visions of how they want to express themselves or their brand in their space. I don't want to force any trends or looks. I want to draw out a style that springs from the values that matter most to you.
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I love a creative challenge and you can always count me in for pushing artistic limits, developing new concepts and going on the hunt for unique or downright unusual pieces that allow a new kind of aesthetic to emerge.
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I also have a trademarked system for developing and funding design work for nonprofit organizations.
W R I T I N G
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The create original journaling guides and experiences that are customized to a target audience. I have received grants to support my journaling workshops and have toured regionally to run them. I have created experiences for special groups including women, young girls, military-connected men and women, pregnant and postpartum women, athletes, students and volunteer teams. Contact me to discuss your retreat, product or event that you think needs the unique healing benefits that this kind of writing can deliver.
In addition to journaling, I steadily grow my personal body of work which includes essays on life experiences, health, fitness, healing and wellness. I have been published in numerous local and national publications, and have also been a guest lecturer and professor at local institutions. My most passionate writing explores family, loss, identity, eating disorders, ennui and other life lessons with a raw, honest and humorous voice.
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E X P E R I E N C E
E D U C A T I O N +
I received my B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Wells College and my M.A. in Television, Radio and Films from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
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I have over10 years of experience working in creative and management roles, including:
Project management
Event creation + directing
Fundraising
Grant coordination
Program creation + management
Public speaking
Editorial, creative + technical writing
Board participation