I'm Susan — devout Francophile, mother of twins, writer, creative director, and aspiring author. I've been sharing my life here since 2010...thanks for reading!
This Paris day trip is so much fun, whether you have children or if you are just obsessed with miniatures like I am! Le Parc des Mini-Chateaux is located in Amboise, in the very beautiful Loire Valley region. With 45 scale reproductions of the areas finest castles, it is an excellent way to see so many, and learn some history along the way. I discovered some that I never would have known about otherwise. Not to mention the cute factor is off the charts, right?!
I'm excited about this book, written by former model Ines de la Fressange, in stores today (the French version came out last year and I was tempted to buy that one). A Chanel muse, always effortlessly chic…she offers her insider tips and secrets for discovering your "inner parisian". Mixing high and low in an elegant way is my goal, and I'm hoping to kick it up a notch!
image via here
I just realized, after almost a year of blogging, that I haven’t introduced my brother, Christopher. He is at least half responsible for my francophilia…because, well…he IS French! To make a long story short, my father met his first wife while stationed in France and had my brother. Technically speaking, we are “half” siblings, but don’t think of each other that way. We have a 13 year age difference – when I was little he would send me care packages, which fed my love of all things French. I cried when I heard his voice for the first time in 2000, and when we finally met in 2002 I REALLY cried.
There is something inexplicable about looking into someone else’s eyes and seeing your own. I know those who have siblings understand, but imagine seeing them for the first time when you are 22. We look so much alike-it’s like there were no mothers involved at all! We have built a strong bond over the years, and for my wedding in 2009 we pulled off the biggest surprise for our father…he had no idea he was coming, and it was the first time we were all together. I met his lovely partner Isabelle and got to know my beautiful niece Elisabeth even better. As of TODAY, I am a “tante” again to a baby boy, Eliott! I hope to meet him soon, but for now, I’m sending him a lot of love from the states.
I am very honored that Lindsey of Lost In Cheeseland asked me to kick off the new series on her blog, Franco File Friday! You can find me over there today, talking about my francophilia!
Merci beaucoup Lindsey!!
I've visited New Orleans three times in my adult life, but never during Mardi Gras, although I had my share of hot toddy's and various other forms of alcohol while visiting, so no judgement! I thought it would be fitting (and slightly ironic) to write about this magnificent city on the actual day of the celebration, although my advice is to visit at any other time of year. The city has SO much to offer…including some of the best cuisine, music, architecture and history in our country. Mr. Fleurishing and I hope to take a trip down there at some point, and I will be able to take in the city with him, through a new lens…literally and metaphorically.