A few of years ago, I started a blog tradition of interviewing myself every year on my birthday. These posts are mostly for me to be able to look back at what’s changed and what’s stayed the same as the years go by. I missed writing one last year, but so far I’ve written them at 24, 25, 26 and now 28.

These photos are from my actual birthday this past Monday. We met up with my best friend Jessica and her son to explore a greenhouse we’d never been to before and swap pictures of us and our little ones. Her son really wanted me to carry him most of the time we were there, which was a little hard on the arms but very warming on the heart. ♡

Also, thank you to PinkBlush for gifting me this lovely dress! PinkBlush (affiliate) is known for awesome maternity clothing but they also have so many nursing friendly styles and options like my dress that are designed to work for before, during and after pregnancy. We won’t be trying for baby #2 for a while, but in my quest for a more minimal wardrobe, I am all about versatile pieces like this that can be dressed up or down and last through many seasons and stages of life! Use the code PINKBLUSHTEN to get 10% off your order.

Now for the interview…

What are my defining personality traits?

I want to say optimism and strength. Not because these things come easily to me, but because they are two things I’ve worked on a lot in the last few years. That’s the example I want to set for my daughter!

What are my favorite design trends?

I always love this question! I’m really enjoying the pendulum swinging back to traditional and timeless interior design after a long period of modern, midcentury and minimal. There are things I love about every design period and style, but at heart I am a true traditionalist. I will never stop loving chinoiserie , substantial mouldings and millwork and rich, moody color schemes.

What would I tell my younger self?

Don’t apologize. I’m highly sensitive person and I’m trying to see that more as a strength than as a liability. It’s what allows me to have deep friendships and it helps me relate to my clients and understand their needs. But I have to be very careful to protect myself and my energy otherwise draining relationships or situations can make me go completely off the rails. I’ve known this about myself for a long time, but I still felt guilty about setting boundaries and saying no to certain people and things. At the end of the day, it’s my prerogative and my responsibility to craft the life I want to live. So I think it’s time to stop apologizing for that.

What do I want to be better at?

Gardening and landscape design! It’s not in our budget to do the backyard overhaul I’m dreaming of (it involves breaking up park of our parking pad and building a fence) but I’ve been having so much fun dreaming about it. Monty Don is my homeboy. This year, I started seeds indoors for the first time and it’s been really fun to watch them grow! I’m adding so many flowers to the garden this year. I can’t wait for Mother’s Day, so I can start planting!

What's been the biggest challenge for me this year?

This past year was a really tough one. I shared what I’ve been struggling with just a couple of weeks ago and I was so thankful for all the encouraging messages I received. I learned so many of you have dealt with or are dealing with similar family situations and loss. I’m glad we can be there for each other!

What things did I try for the first time this year?

This past year was also huge in so many wonderful ways! At 27, I became a mother for the first time. I have been dreaming about this stage of life for so many years and now that we’re here it’s somehow even better than I imagined. Sage’s birth changed me forever and I am so grateful that I get to spend everyday with our little love! I am just so in love with our little family and seeing how good of a father Anthony is to Sage melts my heart into a puddle daily.

I also signed my first book deal at 27! If you missed my announcement, I’m currently writing a faux floral craft book! It was such an unexpected but very welcome development in my creative career journey. I’m so excited to see where this project takes me!

And another first, I hired my first employee for Stevie Storck Design Co.! I started out by hiring a Studio Assistant in early 2019. When that ended up not working out, I switched gears and hired a former co-worker and friend of mine as an Associate Designer. Emily has been such a help to me in balancing my design work as I’m writing the book! I’m so thankful for her.

Who makes life fun for me?

Definitely the two little ones in these photos! It’s really wonderful to have best friends who live in the same town and are in the same stage of life (& business!) as you. So another shout out to Jessica & her husband Tim! Also, I’m loving that Anthony’s family lives so close especially now that we have Sage. It’s really fun to see her having fun with her grandparents and uncles! And they are seriously the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. My siblings and I are spending more time together than ever now that we welcomed three more cousins into the family in the last year! And every time my sister Frankie comes home from California to visit feels like Christmas.

What is my favorite memory from this year?

Hands down, the moment we met our little girl. Man, there’s just nothing better than holding your brand new baby after the intensity of labor and nine long months of waiting for them! Thinking about those first few days in the hospital still brings tears to my eyes. It was just such a sweet time in our lives. I can’t believe she’ll be a year old in a little over two months!

27 held some incredible highs and some challenging lows for me. But overall, it was such a full and wonderful year. I’m excited to see what 28 will bring!

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