Jenny and I met years ago on a yoga retreat in Costa Rica. Very on-brand. Kindred spirits from the start - despite 100 degree weather, we both showed up in nearly the same marled grey cashmere sweater because "it gets cold in AC". The rest is history.
Since then, I’ve watched her build a thoughtful life in Maine, where she runs Wintertide, a floral studio that always inspires me stop and appreciate the little things - her work is beautiful. She lives in Portland with her partner Brandon and their son August, and was one of the first people I called when Coastland was just an idea.
So it feels right that she’s our first Field Notes feature. This series spotlights the kind of people who inspire us to slow down, look around, and pack well.
Q&A with Jenny
Where did you grow up, and what parts of that place do you still carry with you?
Vermont will always be home. Its seasons shaped how I move through the year, how I build my space, and how I find comfort in the quiet. That grounding shows up in everything I do, from how I cook to how I arrange a room.
You’ve lived all over. What did each place leave you with?
Vermont gave me flowers and a sense of magic. Nantucket taught me community. Mumbai cracked me open and showed me how interconnected we all are. California helped me dream bigger. And Maine? It feels like my softest chapter. Spacious, steady, and just right. I really believe places give us exactly what we need to grow into who we’re becoming.
How did Wintertide come to life?
I moved to Portland in 2021 and felt a deep itch to do something with my hands again. A friend and I signed up for a winter market with no plan and no name, just an urge to make something. We called it Wintertide, made wreaths and swags, and sold out. That was the spark. I'd run a floral studio in Vermont before, and the feeling of creating and connecting in person again lit me right back up.
You have a good eye. What’s inspiring you lately?
Nature, always. A walk around the block is enough. Color, texture, light filtering through trees. I also love paying attention to how people live and layer their homes, especially here in Maine or when traveling. Architecture moves me too — old farmhouses, clean lines, imperfect corners. Beauty is everywhere if you’re looking.
What makes Vermont and Maine feel like home?
The second I cross into either state, I breathe deeper. The land feels loved. That energy comes through in the air, the light, the way people tend to things with care. I try to bring that same feeling into my own space.
What does a good day look like for you? And what helps when it’s not?
With a baby at home, mornings start early. I try to carve out a few quiet minutes before jumping in. On the best days, that turns into a walk, a latte, some writing, and then time in the studio. But I also love the behind-the-scenes planning and prep. On harder days, I come back to basics: a snack, a breath of fresh air, a check-in with someone I trust. Nothing lasts forever.
Need to know - What’s in your Acadia Tote right now?
Let’s see… keys, phone, wallet, a BKR bottle, Tata Harper hydrating floral essence, headphones, granola bar, a few baby pacifiers covered in sand, a pen, a notebook, and Architectural Digest. Oh, and a single rogue baby sock.
You’ve got 48 hours in Portland. What’s the move?
Day 1: Start with a latte and pastry at Tandem. Wander the West End, then head to the Old Port for shopping and gallery hopping. Lunch at LB Kitchen. Walk the Eastern Prom, followed by a spa treatment at Abura or a sauna session at Washington Baths. Dinner at Fore Street.
Day 2: Bagels at Rose Foods, then ferry to Peaks Island for a bike loop and ocean air. Grab pizza at Il Leone or head back for ramen at Pai Men Miyake. Finish the trip with dinner at Via Vecchia or Leeward. Trust me, the pasta is made with a lot of love..
What’s something that’s been sticking with you lately?
That your life reflects your choices. Every small habit is a vote for who you want to become. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Just keep choosing the next right thing.
You can find more from Jenny on Instagram @wintertidefloral or subscribe to her weekly Substack, Holding the Vision.