Hello there East Coasters—feels like it’s been ages! I’ve just returned to East Coast Living after being off on maternity leave. I’m gearing up for another exciting year at the magazine. It’s wonderful to be reconnecting with our writers, photographers and, of course, all of you. Things are well underway for our Spring 2017 issue, which will be hitting newsstands in the middle of March.

Here are some highlights:
We had a flurry of photo shoots recently, including one with Chef Luis Clavel at Shuck Seafood and Raw Bar in Halifax. Chef Clavel prepared a range of mouth-watering recipes for us featuring fresh herbs to accompany Valerie Mansour’s story. Here is a look at one of the cool shots photographer James Ingram took of Basil Elderflower Ice Cream.

Chef Luis Clavel’s Basil Elderflower Ice Cream. Photo: James Ingram.

Another photo shoot took us inside a spectacular Dartmouth home that’s teeming with handmade local pottery and artwork. The shoot is for writer Marilyn Smulders’ décor story about collecting (and using) ceramics and pottery. Photographer Beth Dunham captured some beautiful shots of the collection (highlights were pieces by Lucky Rabbit Pottery’s Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie, Jim Smith, Jane Donovan, Joan Bruneau, Suzanne Babineau of La P’tite Poterie in N.B.). With so many vibrant pieces to choose from, it was tricky deciding what to shoot. Stay tuned for a special online feature about how to get started collecting ceramics.

from left: pitchers by Greg Payce, ceramic bird piece by Lucky Rabbit Pottery; photographer Beth Dunham takes photos of the collection.

Carrying on with the local artwork theme, writer Chris Muise profiles artist Paulette Melanson, who is based in Boutliers Point, N.S. Known for both her abstract pieces and her landscapes, she loves exploring her Acadian roots in her art.

Paulette Melanson with one of her abstract pieces. Photo: Chris Muise

Watch for more behind-the-scenes coverage of our upcoming issue on our Facebook and Twitter pages. As always, send me an email with your feedback and ideas, especially when it comes to homes we might want to feature (the more details you can provide, the better!).
– Janice

Read more:

• Valerie Mansour dishes dishes on Latin food, with sizzling recipes you can make at home.
• Win at wine tasting in four simple steps.
• Check out architect John Leroux’s stylish (and wheelchair accessible) home in Fredericton, N.B.