Classic and comfortable, club chairs are always a good choice when the goal is to create a cozy seating area. Whether left clean and simple or styled with pillows and a soft throw, the conversation-friendly coupling is a timeless way to outfit a space.

When Jeff and Brittany were together in Nantucket last summer, Emily Westlake, The Scout Guide editor found a prime opportunity to catch the designers who work on two different coasts in one place. Casually sitting in Nantucket together, a shared favorite place of relaxation and inspiration, Emily was excited to hear about Brittany's expanding design firm and Jeff's latest projects. Growing up with a father who is an architect, Emily shares a childhood similar to Brittany's and mine. When I chatted with Emily we laughed about both going on architectural home and garden tours with our fathers as children and touring particular college campuses just because of their design and architectural beauty.

I love to travel...for work, for pleasure, for inspiration.  And over the past several years it seemed that whether I was on the west coast or the east coast, in the north or south, The Scout Guide kept appearing.  Each one wearing its own distinctive color-themed cover and each book unique to the place of my visit.  It popped up at my favorite inns, shops, galleries, gardens and restaurants. Patty and I started a collection of them ourselves, a keepsake from our places of travel. So last year when the editor of the first edition of the Northern New Jersey Scout Guide approached me to tell us that we had been scouted I was thrilled to be a part of the book.

This Thursday night I am looking forward to joining Molly Tully, the Editor of New Jersey Bride Magazine, at the Bernards Inn for the Boutique Bridal Showcase. After all the holiday flurry has ended and the festivities have died down, I look forward to creatively preparing for the showcase and having the opportunity to speak with many new brides who are entering this new year with such excitement and anticipation.

These stunning images of the Governor's residence Drumthwacket in Princeton were just shared with me yesterday.  They will give you a glimpse of the work of the garden clubs I had the pleasure of working with this fall.  As we toast the tradition of the garden clubs of New Jersey decorating the residence, I want to again thank Tillie Emmert, NJ Garden Club decor chair, and the garden clubs from Keyport, Morristown, Mountain lakes, Somserset Hills, Seaweeders of Bay Head and Mantaloking, and Warren for sharing their talents.  I highly suggest scheduling a tour as a holiday activity and if you can't be sure to watch the video tour below.