Meet Carmen Johnson- A Fig & Dove Tastemaker and Garden Lifestyle Expert
We are excited to introduce you to Carmen Johnston as one of our Fig & Dove Summer Tastemakers. Carmen is a lifestyle and garden expert with nationally renowned commercial, residential, and wedding flower and garden design business. Her work and effortless entertaining style has gained national attention from the likes of Southern Living magazine where she serves as a garden lifestyle expert. Like the holidays, we believe summer is a time for creating beautiful memories with friends and family whether through decorating or entertaining. Our Summer Tastemaker Series is an opportunity to share the best of summer living with you by asking some of our favorite tastemakers how they make the most of the season and what inspires them! Hope you enjoy.
What's your favorite Fig & Dove item for styling or entertaining in your own home or gifting to others?
Fortuny Christmas stockings will grace my mantle forever! Christmas stockings can be boring and I think Fig & Dove reinvented the category of Christmas stockings. I was so excited when this collection came to life! As a designer, I always knew Christmas décor could be executed to be more aesthetically pleasing and Fig & Dove did just that!
What other Fig & Dove items are on your wish list?
1. Our family loves playing games and I love their acrylic playing card deck. We love to have games in our outdoor area and these would keep the party going all night!
2. As a fan of Boxwood Wreaths, I like to snip and clip rosemary and lavender from my garden to layer in as we greet our guests.
3. Now that we are entertaining more I love how the Acrylic Name Tags make a great addition to a bottle of rose or champagne and can really zhoosh up a gift!
4. During the summer, I am always looking to bring in gorgeous hydrangea blooms in to the home and the Italian Pots are fabulous for this!
What are your key ingredients for summer entertaining plus your favorite recipe?
Summer entertaining should be fun for the host and the guest and I always have Caspari paper plates and napkins on hand to elevate the occasion and reduce the work! I also keep two pots of geraniums that are planted in aged terracotta pots. I keep them ready to go for a last minute centerpiece that adds an extra fair to the table. For a quick recipe I keep a frozen brie wheel in my freezer that I dip in egg wash, scatter with panko bread crumbs and pan fry until ooey, gooey. Drizzle with lemon, thyme and honey then serve with a slice of baguette.
Recipe: Lavender Lily Drink
3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Crème de Violette
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of lemon!
What are your favorite Instagram accounts to follow for entertaining inspiration? (Besides Fig & Dove 😉)
@JuliaAmory
@KimberlyWhitman
@BornonFifth
@DarcyMiller
@TheClassicHostess
What is a summer beauty product you always have on hand?
Dermalogica Skin Recovery which has sunscreen and Super Goop Setting Mist.
