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!
Thursday night in Philly was full of pleasantries…time with friends, the inspiration that is the URBN headquarters, and crafting with Design*Sponge! It is flattering that Grace and her team chose to complete their crafting tour here, and a great crowd showed up in appreciation. Once we turned that pile of greenery into festive wreaths, we had photobooth fun with our friend Courtney Apple! Good times.
After reading the tales of renovating a 400 year old stone cottage in the Dordogne region of France, I was hooked to the stephmodo blog. Stephanie Brubaker is inspiring to me as an American who made her French dreams come true, and for her amazing style! Just take a look at her gorgeous home away from home, La Maisonette, featured on Design Sponge. I am dreaming of staying there in my lifetime, as it is available to rent! I enjoy reading about her adventures with her husband and four children, whether in France or Seattle, where she currently lives. Thank you for sharing Stephanie!
image courtesy of Aran Goyoaga
Your favourite virtue.
Generosity in any form (time, skills, means, listening ear, etc.)
Your favourite colour and flower.
My children ask me this all the time and I have the same answer…”I like all the colors”. This answer is not their favorite, so I’ve been forced to think long and hard and realized I’m always drawn to “periwinkle”; in fact, my favorite flower is the hydrangea in the same shade.
What is your present state of mind?
Trying to be more aware of my health-spiritual, physical and emotional.
Your idea of happiness.
Feeling content, confident, and having the three most basic needs covered (shelter, food, clothing).
Your idea of misery.
Comparison, hate, and port-o-potties.
Your favourite qualities in friends.
Understanding, non-judgemental, trustworthy & fun!
Your biggest flaw.
Learning to bite my tongue at times.
Your favourite motto.
You get what you get, and don’t throw a fit. This is per my children’s preschool, but it applies to both adults and children alike. :)
What gift from nature would you like to have?
I wish I had the pleasure of witnessing a thunderstorm at least once a month (as long as I had shelter!)
Where would you like to live?
We would like to live in France again someday when the time is right, and going back to the Bay Area would be lovely too. However, I am a big believer in going where the job opportunites are so I’d like to live anywhere my husband or I have a great opportunity. Wherever that may be.
**the proust q & a is a regular feature..check out the archives here**
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
e.e. cummings
After many years of lipstick kisses, Oscar Wilde is getting a new tomb today. The Irish writer and poet was buried in the Paris Pére Lachaise Cemetary in 1909, and ever since has become quite the tourist attraction. It is the custom to leave a kiss on his grave, for reasons that are debated…but most say it is because of his daring and passionate lifestyle. Over the years the lipstick began to erode the stone, so the new grave will have a protective glass shield, which I assume will also soon be covered in kisses.
National French Toast Day was…yesterday. I took this photo on…Sunday. I am writing about it….today. Sorry to have dropped the ball on this one (billy takes priority and was sick) but you are still happy to have this to look at, right? Having started my diet yesterday it's a challenge for me. Vive la toast!