Camille Styles is the founder and editor-in-chief of CamilleStyles.com, a lifestyle media brand that reaches millions across platforms. She’s also the founder of Casa Zuma, a home goods company rooted in the belief that a beautiful, intentional home can help us live more presently and connect more deeply—with ourselves and the people who matter most. Camille lives with her family between Austin and Malibu, where she finds daily inspiration in nature, design, and the rhythms of everyday life.

Cooking is such a huge part of your life and how you bring people together. Where did this come from? 

For me, food has always been the center of connection. My mom is a really talented self-taught baker, and even though I didn’t become truly interested in cooking until adulthood, I absorbed so much from watching her in the kitchen: how to cook intuitively, test a cake to see if it’s done, and always add twice the vanilla that a recipe calls for. In college, I started cooking for roommates and friends and realized how much I loved food as a form of creativity.  Then, I got a job at a catering company where I was planning menus for the most incredible events. I got to be part of people creating memories around the table—long dinners, simple meals that somehow turned into hours of conversation, and that feeling of everyone lingering because no one wanted the night to end.

I realized that cooking is one of the most tangible ways I know to care for people. It’s creative, it’s sensory, and it slows everyone down. A good meal has this way of dissolving whatever else is going on in life for a moment—people become more vulnerable, they laugh more, and they connect with the people around the table.

What’s your first hosting memory?

A few months after we got married, my husband Adam and I hosted our first Thanksgiving in our tiny bungalow. Shortly after everyone arrived, we realized the one toilet in the house had stopped working, so we spent the afternoon shuttling family members to the nearest Starbucks to use their restroom. By the time Adam finally began carving the fried turkey, I realized with horror that I’d forgotten to remove the plastic bag of giblets inside, which had fried right along with the bird. Let’s just say the sides were the main event that year. Somehow it’s still one of my favorite hosting memories, and it taught me something I’ve carried into every gathering since: a great dinner party has very little to do with a perfectly executed meal and everything to do with the people around it. 

Something you’re unbelievable at is creating a menu. Can you give us a few quick tips for us to keep in our back pockets for our next dinner party?

1. Balance flavors and textures.

I think about contrast—something creamy, something crunchy, something bright and acidic. That balance makes a meal feel satisfying even if the dishes are simple.

2. Do as much as possible ahead of time.

My top priority as a host is to be present with my guests. I try to choose dishes that are prepped earlier in the day so the last minute is just assembling or pulling something out of the oven.

3. Let the season guide you.

If ingredients are in season, the menu almost writes itself.

4. Keep dessert simple.

Something like berries with whipped cream, a great olive oil cake, or store-bought ice cream with a drizzle of olive oil and flaky salt. No one will be sad about it, I promise.

What’s your favorite way to use avocado oil? 

I love avocado oil’s versatility. It has a high smoke point, which makes it great for roasting vegetables or getting a really beautiful sear on fish or chicken.

But I also use it in simpler ways—whisked into vinaigrettes, drizzled over roasted vegetables, or even in baking when I want something neutral that still feels nourishing.

It certainly helps to have a gorgeous home. Can you tell us how you think about creating a space that feels like you?

For me, a home should feel lived-in, not overly styled. I want people to walk in and immediately feel at ease.

I think a lot about texture, light, and natural materials—linen, wood, ceramics, things that feel grounded and tactile. I also love spaces that encourage gathering: a big table, comfortable seating, places where people naturally want to linger.

And then there are the small rituals that make a house feel alive: candles lit at dinner, music playing in the background, a beautiful bowl of citrus on the counter. Those little details create a feeling more than any piece of furniture ever could.

How does this ethos tie into what you’re doing at Casa Zuma? 

Casa Zuma really grew out of the same philosophy. I’ve always been drawn to objects that make everyday moments feel more intentional—setting the table with beautiful linens, drinking coffee from a mug you love, lighting a candle at the end of the day. I design pieces for the brand that elevate those daily rituals. They’re meant to be used often, not saved for special occasions.

I think there’s something powerful about the idea that a beautiful life isn’t built on big milestones—it’s built in the quiet, everyday moments. 

How do you balance your love of bringing people together with a need for alone time? 

As much as I love bringing people together, I also need my solo time to recharg my energy. Balance comes when I’m intentional about both. If I host a dinner party one night, the next morning I’ll carve out time for a long walk, journaling or reading. I’ve learned that creativity and connection both require space. The quiet moments are often the ones where I get inspired.

What is your when-in-doubt, never-fails, crowd-pleaser dish? (please share recipe + photo!)

So many come to mind, but hands-down my favorite dessert for a crowd is my pavlova recipe. In the summer I pile it high with whipped cream and berries, and in the cooler months, I’ll top with roasted pears or even winter citrus. It’s stunning and feels like such a treat, but so simple that my kids always help me make it.

Recipe: https://camillestyles.com/food/recipes/strawberries-and-cream-pavlova/

March is Women’s History Month, but we’re both big believers in lifting up women all year round. Who are some women in your life that inspire you?  

I’m constantly inspired by women who are building meaningful work while also living full, expansive lives. Many of my closest friends are raising families while pursuing creative careers, and watching the way they show up with both ambition and heart inspires me every day. I’m also drawn to women in the food and wellness world who are redefining success—leading with authenticity, generosity, and a spirit of collaboration rather than competition. And I’ve always loved reading biographies of women who weren’t afraid to take risks and carve their own paths—Georgia O’Keeffe, Diane von Furstenberg, Oprah. There’s something powerful about women who trust their instincts and build a life that feels true to them.

A fun one to finish: what’s the best meal you’ve had in recent memory? 

Last summer we traveled to Bali to meet with artisans for a new Casa Zuma collection, and discovering the flavors of a completely new place was one of the highlights of the trip. One day we visited an indigo farm deep in the jungle, and the family who owned it prepared the most beautiful, wholesome meal of traditional Balinese dishes for us. There were bowls of steamed coconut rice, fish cooked in banana leaves, fried tempeh, and spicy sambal passed around the table. It was incredibly delicious, but what made it unforgettable was the spirit of hospitality—they shared the meal with such warmth and generosity that it felt really special.