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!
Oh, pie…delicious, tempting, sinful pie…le sigh. Alright, I know – Thanksgiving is not about pie mostly about pie. In all seriousness…I want to take a moment and say thank you. For over five years you have given me your support, kind words, and love. I don’t want you to ever think it goes unnoticed. Every comment, every “like”, both here and on social media…I see and appreciate every one. So in addition to wishing you a joyous + bountiful day surrounded by loved ones, I say…
THANK YOU.
Please allow me to gush for a paragraph or two. A few nights ago, I had the great pleasure of meeting illustrator, photographer, fashion icon, blogger, all-around amazing woman (and now author), Garance Doré. Having worshipped her from afar for many years now, I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard she would be coming to Philly on her book tour! I’ve missed a few opportunities to meet her before (whether in New York or Paris), and I wasn’t going to let that happen again. Her book Love Style Life was just released, and (not surprisingly) I ended up devouring it the day it arrived. Just like on her blog, her writing makes you feel like a best friend, and her transparency is refreshing. She emphasizes staying true to yourself, pushing your boundaries, and embracing elegance, inside and out.
My obsession with Garance goes much deeper than Francophilia. She inspires me as a woman first and foremost – she (like many others I admire) has pursued her dreams, and made her passions profitable. She is incredibly business savvy, and navigates her career with bravery and finesse. She is opinionated and bold, while oozing with femininity and grace. She epitomizes the effortless French style that so many of us strive for – and oh yeah, she also happens to be gorgeous. Most importantly however, and I can say this with certainty after speaking with her and looking into her eyes, is that her beauty runs deep. She spent ample time with every person at the signing, genuinely interested in our stories. She made me feel like I was the only one in the room – a very rare and special quality. I’ll never forget our conversation, her smile, her scent (she smelled amazing), and her inscription in my book. Let’s just say…I’ll be framing it soon.
p.s. – Garance, if you’re reading this…I would love to talk more with you, maybe over a glass of wine (or a margarita) and some amazing jazz trumpet? I’m in NYC often, and Paris whenever possible. xo
So…we’re selling our house. Writing those words for public consumption makes it real, and I need that acceptance. It’s an idea my husband and I have debated for about two years now, but we’ve finally put the wheels into motion. The decision to move wasn’t an easy one, but it makes the most sense for where we are in our life right now, and where we want to be. Ultimately, it’s about freedom. Freedom from (too many) possessions, a mortgage, and a property that needs maintenance and care (as with any home). Freedom to say yes and pack our things if/when we get the chance to move abroad. Freedom to roam, to travel – to make more priceless memories with the kids. We’ve had a taste of it, and we’re hungry for more.
As you can imagine, I’ve been a bit stressed and emotional lately – even though I’m excited for what lies ahead, I’m emotionally attached to this house. We’ll be leaving the only home our kids have known. This house was the first one Parker and I chose together, and poured our heart and souls into. It’s the last place I heard the pitter patter of Billy’s feet. We’ve lived a lot of life here, and have filled these walls with love and laughter. But you know what? We’re going to do that wherever we are. Change as huge as this can be intimidating (and let’s be honest – scary, at times), but this is where growth happens. Our new space will be smaller, but our life will be so much bigger. Adventure lies beyond the paper.
While in Paris, my husband got down on one knee and asked me to marry him…again. As luck would have it, our anniversary (exactly one month and six years ago today) coincided with our trip. I had made reservations at my favorite restaurant, arranged care for the kids with a friend, and imagined us on a romantic midnight stroll along the Seine after enjoying an amazing and memorable dinner. However, between jet lagged toddlers, exhaustion, and not wanting to beg for help, we made the decision to cancel our plans. Our reality was not to be ignored, even in the most romantic city in the world. We chuckled at the stark contrast of it all, compared to the romance and freedom we have known in earlier years. On our anniversary eve, we found ourselves with oven pizza and wine after the kids went to bed. And you know what I realized? Our reality, and our love, is so much richer, deeper, and beautiful, six years later. I live life (and created life) with my best friend. So, in the shadow of Notre Dame, surrounded by our children, I said yes. Again.
many thanks to ashley ludaescher for capturing this unscripted moment!
Today I’m taking you behind the scenes here, as I was asked (ages ago) by my lovely friend Annie of Montgomery Fest to share. These are tough questions that I had to dig deep to answer, but I always enjoy introspection. Thank you again for inviting me to share Annie, and I’d like to pass the baton/nominate my friends Tristan, Lindsey, and Tania.
what are you working on?
In general, I’m focused on creating new + relevant content. I’ve also been working very hard on a few very exciting projects/brand collaborations that I can’t wait to share with you! In the very immediate sense, I’m getting ready to travel to France with my family, which involves a lot of organization + planning (which I revel in – no complaints here). However, in all honesty I did have a mini meltdown the other day due to my workload. It happens to the best of us!
how does your work differ from others of it’s genre?
While I feel both my interior design business and blog have a niche focus, ultimately, our own voices and talents are really what makes us all unique (as Annie so smartly said). My own experiences, voice + style sets me apart from others. I so often get comments from people who saw something French, gold, or stylish for children and they think of me. That tells me my brand must be fairly recognizable, and I’m doing something right. It makes me smile on the inside and out.
why do you write/create what you do?
I write and create simply because I have to. The motivation lies deep within my soul (cheesy, but true). I started this blog as a creative outlet, as so many do. We had just moved (from NC to PA), and I had ample time to pursue my passions during the transition. Ultimately, I was in search of community. I wanted to find and connect with other Francophiles, designers, and creatives (and now, mothers). This blog, and social media, opened the flood gates for connecting with incredibly talented + inspiring people, for which I am forever grateful.
how does your writing/creative process work?
My creative process is something I’m still figuring out, to be completely honest. I used to operate pretty freely, hardly ever scheduling content or planning ahead. Thankfully, the growth I’m experiencing has forced me to finally get serious about my editorial calendar. I’m planning at least one month out on a regular basis, and writing many posts in advance. It’s worth the effort ahead of time, as it eases my long-term stress. Since my posts include my own (amateur) photography 98% of the time, my writing is very often influenced by my images. Writing and creating content that others connect with is very fulfilling for me. Something that satisfies me creatively and hardly ever feels like work is such a gift.