I got my M.A. in Fiction Writing and English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. In my former career, I was the editor-in-chief of The Atlantan lifestyle magazine, as well as the Home Editor of Atlanta Magazine; and a Senior Editor and Contributing Writer at Departures Magazine in New York City.

One of my passions is Italy and I’m fluent in Italian. I grew up in an Italian-American family and after college, I moved to Florence, Italy, for five years and taught English. When I returned to the USA, Macmillan (Henry Holt) published my nonfiction book Living, Studying, and Working in Italy. I’ve also been a guest host on the Southern Home By Design TV show, and was a consultant on A&E TV Network documentaries.

For the past 20+ years I've made Atlanta my home along with my husband, two daughters, and our dogs. In my free time, you’ll find me doing acrylic painting, reading novels, and walking in nature.