Hi, I’m Erin, a content designer, writer and urban gardener based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
I’m the woman behind Surround Life Design, a creative studio inspired by nature and devoted to the evolution of how we live. As with any story, my life has had many chapters. Majoring in Asian Art History, traveling the world, five years working on small scale organic farms in the Pacific Northwest, wild-crafter, forager, massage therapist, recovering Ayurvedic Practitioner, Project Management and Product Development at Banyan Botanicals, to writer, content designer, and constant gardener.
I write short essays focusing on the intersection of plants and people, the elements of nature and architectural form, food and beauty, landscape and spirit.
The work of creative writing, editing, coaching, book development, content strategy, creative organization provides the clients I work with an opportunity to shine in the most meaningful way through prose, story, or poetry. For it is how we understand the world and one another—through experience but also through words.
In my free time, for both pleasure and sanity, I tend to a pretty incredible flower and vegetable garden. I’m sure you’ll get a taste of it in the Sunday essays. During the summer and early fall seasons I host salons with conversation, food, and florals called The Floral Café in my home garden.
Yours Erin
CONTENT DESIGN | EDITORIAL // SERVICES
GARDENS // PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
What’s The Center Piece?
The red thread has always been culture, community, food as language, landscapes, and connection to spirit. Hence the center piece, an object representative of something both tangible and ephemeral. When we gather together, laugh together, celebrate together, grow together, share food together..what is it that holds our attention?
A center piece can be a campfire, a candle, a small bouquet, a memento, yet it can also be a magnetic force. This force of aliveness fascinates me the most, for it can hold our unwavering attention. It’s the ceremonial heart of what brings us together, filling the space in between—linger, longer.
The essays are an exploration, a conversation, on food, nature, humanity, culture, florals, and design. My intention for publishing on substack is to write more and share with folks who love the written word, a kind of languid prose that can be sipped rather than gulped.
May The Center Piece be a sweet way to begin your Sundays and enjoy original writing and photography.
Support the mission
Like a true patron of the arts, you can choose from to support me and the work via two subscription options - Monthly and Yearly.
This not only supports the power of prose but also small scale urban regenerative farming practices focused on the cultivation of food and flowers.
Participation: $6/month for Monthly (billed monthly) or $65/year for Yearly (billed annually).
Both plans will give you access to:
Entire publication library or archive - Free subscribers have access up to 4 months
The Center Piece – sent weekly, on Sundays with original writing and photography
Access to community commenting threads with direct access to me and each other
Behind-the-scenes looks into my writing process and my life
(In development) Access to The Next Meal, a video series, where you’ll join me with what I’m making and arranging for, you guessed it, the next meal
