Since we are all riding out various “Stay at Home” orders, the Dixie team thought there was no better time to check in with our talented group of Tastemakers to see how each of them are managing their seasons of social distancing in each of their corners of the country. We hope our chat featured below with Laura Nell Burton, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Cloche Designs in San Antonio Texas, leaves you feeling encouraged by her authenticity about some of her struggles during this time as well as creatively energized to practice kindness to those around you.

What is currently inspiring you?

Spring! We live by nature trails and take walks over to our community garden to pick wildflowers for the dinner table. I’ve also had time to more closely follow lifestyle bloggers I admire and am inspired by the ways they are staying positive yet authentic and being intentional about continuing to create beauty and joy for their families during this time.

What is one positive to being at home for you during this time?

As a mother of three running a small business, I’m always on the go and I didn’t realize how truly frenzied I felt all the time. At heart, I’m a homebody and I haven’t minded being at home. Also, I think this time will test marriages and I have been blessed to find that mine is stronger than ever. It’s not really the day-to-day that overwhelms me, its thoughts like my children missing summer camp, our once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Europe being cancelled, and just generally the economic crisis that keeps me awake at night.

How are you practicing:

Creativity?

Cooking delicious, comforting food and setting beautiful tables for my family. We’ve had some beautiful dinners and picnics outside. I always host a full house for Easter but I made it just as special for my husband and kids only. Keeping my house clean and organized. Having a glass (or a bottle) of wine each night with my husband after the kids are put to bed and watching whatever series we are into on Netflix or Amazon together with a yummy candle lit. I’m also working on redecorating here and there including our master bedroom suite. Projects that have long been on my to-do list…like I put together our Christmas scrapbook this week. With work, we’re continuing to move forward from a planning and creative perspective with rescheduled and 2021 events. Working brings me joy because it is incredibly creative, and I love what I do.

Kindness (towards yourself and others)?

Significantly tipping. Sincerely thanking those who are still working every day, like at the grocery store—in reality, they’re our front lines risking literally their lives for service each day. Buying here and there as can be afforded online to support small businesses that I follow and love. When I lose my temper with my kids, I apologize. I saw this recently in social media: “your grandparents were called to war, you’re being called to sit on the couch.” I think right now everyone needs a lot of grace, but I know we can do this.

Discipline (your work, your health, your routines)?

It took me a few weeks but I do feel like I’m in a routine. I wake up at 7 a.m. and have coffee in bed while I catch up on the news (a pleasure I never had time for in the rush to get kids to school). I wake the kids at 8 a.m. and school starts online at 9:00. Each child has their own computer station (although my youngest shares mine which is very challenging). Once school starts, I go for a long walk, shower and get dressed cute like I would for any regular day. It helps me from feeling depressed, is good for my marriage, and a good example to set for my kids that looking good and feeling good is not about what others think. Most of my morning is helping my youngest with home school (or going to the grocery store when necessary). After lunch, which we try to take a break and eat as a family, I get my computer back and can get work done. I listen to Mozart in my ear buds to drown out the chaos. And then, each evening I make dinner an event. I try to cook a new recipe and set a beautiful table. One culinary blogger I’ve discovered that I’m obsessed with is @halfbakedharvest. Meals are something everyone can look forward to, especially my husband, all day. Some nights, it’s a family dinner but if we are tired, we’ll let the kids eat first, light candles and call it a date night.

Name one item in your home that is bringing you joy or that has new meaning in this time?

We live on a dry creek and our view is beautiful. My office window overlooks a canopy of majestic cedar elm trees. Everything is so green right now and I feel incredibly blessed by that.

I also love our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – they bring immense love and joy!

We’re seeing a surge in physical correspondence as there is always something special about receiving a hand-written note and people now have more time. If you were to send a physical note to three of your Instagram friends, who would they be?

@SashaNicholas (I just love the founder and she is always giving so much love to her followers through insta)

@ParadiseDesignCo (she sent my business partner and I the most beautiful notes recently)

@Fabnkosher (just to thank her for being an inspiration)

What are three of your favorite items or patterns currently on Dixie’s website?

I love the Dogwood Hill weekly planning notepads – so useful.

I guess it’s early to be thinking about Christmas but I really love Arabella June’s Christmas Lemon Holiday suite.

Finally I just love all the wrapping paper, I missed it last Christmas but I can’t wait to wrap this year with the Holiday Trimmings wrapping paper – all the wrapping paper is gorgeous!