A South Carolina native, Megan Stokes initially started her lifestyle blog, meganstokes.com, as a creative outlet outside of her position in development at the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital. Ten years later, it has grown from an evening hobby to a full-time job and gained a following across the United States and throughout the world where people visit for entertaining tips, classic fashion finds, home decor inspiration, and more. The blog’s success and Megan’s visibility on Instagram have garnered her partnerships with brands like Ballard Designs, Nordstrom, Serena & Lily, Bloomingdale’s, Lily Pulitzer, Annie Selke, and many others. When she isn’t working, Megan loves to entertain friends and spend time with her husband, Brandon, and their two young children, Watson and Rosie, in their Charleston home. On any given weekend, you may likely find Megan playing tennis, boating with her family, enjoying margaritas with some girlfriends, and rearranging furniture in her home.
Megan was paired with Dogwood Hill artist Holly Hollon who created all of the beautiful artwork for the Megan’s Holiday Tastemaker Collection entitled “Carolina.” Reminiscent of the Carolina coastline, the artwork Holly created is brimming with blues, greens, juniper, and block prints all based off of the inspiration boards that Megan sent to Holly (pictured below).
Continue scrolling for a preview of the Carolina Collection (the entire collection can be shopped here) and to read our Holiday Q&A with Megan.
What do you love most about the holiday season?
I find that while life amps up in many ways around the holidays, it simultaneously feels so much more simple. To me there is nothing greater than baking cookies, then snuggling up with my family to watch a Christmas movie.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
We always plan a “Christmas Lights Night” where we grab dinner with our children and then drive around local neighborhoods to see all of the festive lights while listening to holiday music.
If you had to pick one holiday movie to use as inspiration to decorate your own house, what would it be?
“The Holiday,” without a doubt! Nancy Meyers always gets it right.
What is a holiday tradition that you wish you could do all year long?
I’d be very happy to watch Christmas movies all year long. Between us, I do. I also usually have just one day in mid-October when I listen to Christmas music all throughout the day as well!
What is your most memorable holiday and why?
Honestly, they keep getting more memorable year after year. Our children are 3 and 5, so seeing the magic through their eyes just gets more fun with each passing year.
What is your go-to holiday hostess gift?
There’s a little shop near us that sells these sweet little cocktail glasses. Each one is different from the other, but they coordinate nicely. They make for a perfect hostess gift!
What kind of holiday shopper are you – Black Friday, Christmas Eve, or year long stasher?
I definitely start around Black Friday, but I usually end up changing my mind and always find myself wrapping more gifts on Christmas Eve! Talk about last minute.
What keeps you inspired during the busy holiday season?
I enjoy witnessing the contrast of a cozy and indulgent end-of-year holiday with the fresh, blank slate of a new year coming so soon. It’s a bit easier to stay inspired within the holiday rush when you know a nice reset is coming shortly with the new year.
What brings you a sense of calm during the busy holiday season?
Finding those grounding moments. For me, I’m able to do that by prioritizing fun family activities—even the simplest ones, like baking cookies.
Are you team real tree or faux tree?
It feels criminal to say, but I’m team faux tree. After a few horror stories with real trees in recent years, I’ve learned to appreciate the good faux ones! We do always try to get a small real tree for our porch, though, so that our children don’t miss out on the experience of finding the perfect tree.
Are you team white lights or colored lights?
White lights all the way, but with colorful ornaments.
What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Snowball cookies! I actually have a recipe on my website right here.
Is there one holiday entertaining hack or secret you can share?
Always have jazzy Holiday music on in the background! I love to play it all afternoon while preparing for guests and continue the playlist on through the evening.
Who is on your dream holiday party guest?
I mean, it would have to been Matthew McConaughey. My husband likes him just as much as I do, so maybe we could just sit by the fire the whole time and listen to him tell us stories!
What are you most thankful for this year? And what are you most looking forward to in the New Year?
This year and the last have really put things into perspective. I’m most thankful for health, the ability to both work and play, and being able to see my family often. Looking forward to most? We’ve been building a home the past couple of years, so moving into it finally at the start of the new year will be pretty great.
Styled Card Photography by Mary Margaret Smith Photography