About Me: Volume 1
I’ve always been pretty introverted when it comes to my professional strengths and accomplishments. I’m not one to boast about that killer event I designed, or how I was able to pivot on-site in order to troubleshoot a situation. When it is zero hour on my minute-by-minute event timeline, I prefer to be with my headset and clipboard, ensuring that all of the cues are hit.
However, as I’m getting older, I’m beginning to see that it’s okay to be proud of what I’m good at and to share what I’ve learned along the way. If nothing else, it’s a great way to spread positivity and brighten up someone else’s day with a bit of inspiration. With that said, I thought I would share some more about me, the (hidden) face behind Harlow & Haven!
What is your drink of choice? It really depends upon the season, but in general I love an ice cold glass of tart and juicy sauvignon blanc. The key is to get the temperature right- if it’s even a bit too warm I don’t want to drink it!
What is your favorite food? I am a born and raised New Englander, and a coastal girl through and through. My favorite food has to be seafood. Specifically, I love local oysters with a loaf of crusty bread on the side to cut the brine and chill of the seafood. On a completely different note, I also adore breakfast food of all types- omelets, blueberry pancakes, breakfast burritos, extra crispy bacon, you name it!
What is a random hobby that you have? While I’m not very good at it (at all), I’m really interested in gardening. It is a dream of mine to have an extensive and lush vegetable garden! So far, I’ve only been peripherally successful at growing flowers and potted herbs.
How do you start your morning? I usually wake up naturally right around 7:30am, and then I’m guilty of scrolling through my phone while I slowly wake up. I’m a big coffee person, and I usually drink about two mugs of dark roast with oat milk and a splash of french vanilla creamer. I like to work out in the morning (otherwise I just won’t do it), while listening to a true crime podcast.
What do you like to wear? Picking my favorite item in my wardrobe is easy- a perfectly worn in pair of high rise Levi’s. In my professional life I’m a big fan of blazers, and I can usually be seen wearing a couple of layered dainty gold necklaces. I’m fairly petite, so I usually complete my workday outfits with a pair of booties. When I’m hanging out on the weekend I love high waisted jeans, simple cotton tees and this one pair of white sneakers that I’ve worn so much they have turned beige. Yes, I agree, it’s probably time to purchase a new pair already!
Do you have any random interests that might be unexpected? I LOVE football, particularly college football. On any given Saturday or Sunday I can be found catching games all day long!
You talk about flowers a lot on Harlow & Haven… what are your favorite types? I’m so glad you asked! Bar none, my favorite type of flower is the dahlia. There are so many shapes, colors, and sizes to choose from, and they can be grown without too much fuss in my region. I also love petite garden roses, ranunculus, anemones, gerbera daisies, lilac, lily of the valley, and sunflowers.
Are you a bargain shopper or do you splurge? I adore finding a good bargain, and the hunt is half the fun! In addition to scouring stores like TJ Max, as a general rule I always check out the sale rack first when browsing in any store. However, I do think that there are certain staple pieces in your wardrobe that should be splurged on, such as outerwear, leather boots, a great handbag, a quality pair of sunglasses, and vintage and antique jewelry pieces that are one of a kind. When it comes to furnishing your home, I’m an advocate for investing in quality pieces that will stand the test of time.
What personal and professional qualities go into being a successful planner/designer? Every planner/designer is different (of course), but there are absolutely some core qualities that give certain people that X factor. The most successful planners are a perfect combination of analytical and creative. After all, within only one given hour a planner has to be able to balance a two million dollar budget, generate invoices, review a menu proposal, sign off on a floral order, come up with complete theme ideas for a client, and negotiate the terms of a musician’s contract. Yes, that’s right, it wouldn’t be unusual to have all of those balls up in the air simultaneously at any given time. Planners also have to be adept at thinking quickly on their feet, not to mention being able to handle fast paced and high intensity situations with ease.
With that in mind, it doesn’t hurt to have a healthy sense of humor and a genuine passion for the industry! Since I get this question a lot, I’m in the process of writing a post all about the ABC’s of being a planner/designer.
I’ll be answering more questions and introducing myself further in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned, and thanks for following along!