While I sort loathe the idea of writing an all about me, me, me page, I thought perhaps readers of this blog might like to know some things about me.
I suppose I've had an unusual life. I was raised all over the world and didn't go to school until I was 10 years old, but was given a sort of bohemian education full of books, interesting people who my parents knew, and tutors. Two things led me to demand my parents send me off to school: the first was that I was a bit lonely and wanted to have friends my own age and the second that I really wanted to meet Madonna. I'm happy to say on both counts, I got what I wanted.
So off I went to America sans parents to get the education I demanded because I knew even at the age I wanted to be scientist. I was always a tomboy and the late arrival of my breasts didn't help. So off I went to MIT (which explains all my geek related posts now, doesn't it?), but because I was young they asked me to defer for a year and so I traveled the world with my closest friend Miss Alexandra.
Six years and seven months later I had two doctorates and could have set out to build a robotic ninja assassin squad that would have taken over the world, but I was burnt out. I moved to New York City with the puppy I brought back with me from Brazil (whom I will refer to as La Chienne, Hound, or The Hound) thinking I could live off my savings, write a book, and become a literary darling.
This didn't happen. Instead I sat in my somewhat cool loft and ate a lot of Ben and Jerry's and exhausted my Netflix queue. I did live in an amazing building though - full of artists, photographers, musicians, chefs - and the money was starting to run out so I took a job as a PA to a luxury fashion/lifestyle entrepreneur who, in my experienced opinion makes Anna Wintour seem like a really nice lady compared to her.
Luckily I was poached away by fashion designer Roberto Cavalli after we met at a fashion show wearing a dress I had made myself the night before (in what I call my Scarlett moment) because I couldn't afford a new dress that was up to snuff. I became a trend forecaster and eventually I applied for a job as knitwear designer with Gucci under Tom Ford.
After a year at Gucci I was asked to venture back into the world of robotics, but with a fashionable twist and the money was right so I took the job. Right around this time I met a lovely man, named Rafael who had grown up his whole life in Willliamsburg and wanted to sell a building he owned. Along with my friend's future husband we bought the place, he rennovated it, and we sold off all the units except the one that would become my home.
Sadly a few months later, my French grandmother told me she had terminal cancer and asked me to move back to France. So I sold my loft, packed, and set out to move back to France with La Chienne, but my darling grandmother Juliette-Chantal would pass away before I would arrive.
Who I am would not have been possible without my darling Mémé. She taught me everything I know about living a beautiful life. She and my grandfather Didi(er) accepted me wholly and without any reservation no matter what I decided to do with myself. Since my parents were constantly traveling for their work I was closest to my grandparents and I miss them every day.
I was a mess, but one thing my grandmother taught me was that life is not only to be lived, but for the living. When she lost the love of her life, she went on living a beautiful life for him, and so I try to find that same courage and live a beautiful life - to be generous, to laugh, to - as my grandfather would say - profitez. I started my own fashion consulting business and worked as a Muse for some amazing fashion designers.
The next part of my beautiful life was to sell my business, to fall in love, and to get back to inspiring myself. I rented a little white cottage with evergreen painted shutters and a beautiful garden in the middle of the Fontainebleau forest with the idea there would be weekend and one day holidays and long winter nights. I suppose it's the dream of all French people to have a place in Paris and a place in the country and while it's more like a shack than a chateau, it's still lovely. (It's also referred to as the shackteau by a few friends.)
But no matter where I am I cook, I read, and I keep on trying to write a book that will give me the thing in life I have wanted most of all - to be like my heroes and write great books.
It's been a full and somewhat unbelievable life full of ups and downs. But if you really want to know more about me, you need to read my blog. I put little bits of myself into my blog and every little bit helps me to discover who I want to really be when I'm all grown up.
Not just a successful authoress, but a person who gives to the world around me with generosity. I wasn't always happy. I thought to live the life I wanted I would have to take that journey alone. My beloved hound La Chienne showed me that a fabulous life is just not possible unless you give your heart to everything you do and with as little reservations as possible.
If anything, by sharing these "things about me", you will see despite some of the adventures I've had in my life and the things I've "accomplished" as people say - that a fabulous life is a continuous and life long endeavour. A journey not a destination.
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| Me in my best friend's bathroom. |
I suppose I've had an unusual life. I was raised all over the world and didn't go to school until I was 10 years old, but was given a sort of bohemian education full of books, interesting people who my parents knew, and tutors. Two things led me to demand my parents send me off to school: the first was that I was a bit lonely and wanted to have friends my own age and the second that I really wanted to meet Madonna. I'm happy to say on both counts, I got what I wanted.
So off I went to America sans parents to get the education I demanded because I knew even at the age I wanted to be scientist. I was always a tomboy and the late arrival of my breasts didn't help. So off I went to MIT (which explains all my geek related posts now, doesn't it?), but because I was young they asked me to defer for a year and so I traveled the world with my closest friend Miss Alexandra.
 |
| I sadly didn't come up with E=MC Hammer on my own. It was spray painted on a brick wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. |
Six years and seven months later I had two doctorates and could have set out to build a robotic ninja assassin squad that would have taken over the world, but I was burnt out. I moved to New York City with the puppy I brought back with me from Brazil (whom I will refer to as La Chienne, Hound, or The Hound) thinking I could live off my savings, write a book, and become a literary darling.
 |
| La Chienne at the little country house. |
This didn't happen. Instead I sat in my somewhat cool loft and ate a lot of Ben and Jerry's and exhausted my Netflix queue. I did live in an amazing building though - full of artists, photographers, musicians, chefs - and the money was starting to run out so I took a job as a PA to a luxury fashion/lifestyle entrepreneur who, in my experienced opinion makes Anna Wintour seem like a really nice lady compared to her.
Luckily I was poached away by fashion designer Roberto Cavalli after we met at a fashion show wearing a dress I had made myself the night before (in what I call my Scarlett moment) because I couldn't afford a new dress that was up to snuff. I became a trend forecaster and eventually I applied for a job as knitwear designer with Gucci under Tom Ford.
After a year at Gucci I was asked to venture back into the world of robotics, but with a fashionable twist and the money was right so I took the job. Right around this time I met a lovely man, named Rafael who had grown up his whole life in Willliamsburg and wanted to sell a building he owned. Along with my friend's future husband we bought the place, he rennovated it, and we sold off all the units except the one that would become my home.
Sadly a few months later, my French grandmother told me she had terminal cancer and asked me to move back to France. So I sold my loft, packed, and set out to move back to France with La Chienne, but my darling grandmother Juliette-Chantal would pass away before I would arrive.
Who I am would not have been possible without my darling Mémé. She taught me everything I know about living a beautiful life. She and my grandfather Didi(er) accepted me wholly and without any reservation no matter what I decided to do with myself. Since my parents were constantly traveling for their work I was closest to my grandparents and I miss them every day.
I was a mess, but one thing my grandmother taught me was that life is not only to be lived, but for the living. When she lost the love of her life, she went on living a beautiful life for him, and so I try to find that same courage and live a beautiful life - to be generous, to laugh, to - as my grandfather would say - profitez. I started my own fashion consulting business and worked as a Muse for some amazing fashion designers.
The next part of my beautiful life was to sell my business, to fall in love, and to get back to inspiring myself. I rented a little white cottage with evergreen painted shutters and a beautiful garden in the middle of the Fontainebleau forest with the idea there would be weekend and one day holidays and long winter nights. I suppose it's the dream of all French people to have a place in Paris and a place in the country and while it's more like a shack than a chateau, it's still lovely. (It's also referred to as the shackteau by a few friends.)
But no matter where I am I cook, I read, and I keep on trying to write a book that will give me the thing in life I have wanted most of all - to be like my heroes and write great books.
 |
| Having a beautiful life helps when you find the right person to travel through life with. |
It's been a full and somewhat unbelievable life full of ups and downs. But if you really want to know more about me, you need to read my blog. I put little bits of myself into my blog and every little bit helps me to discover who I want to really be when I'm all grown up.
Not just a successful authoress, but a person who gives to the world around me with generosity. I wasn't always happy. I thought to live the life I wanted I would have to take that journey alone. My beloved hound La Chienne showed me that a fabulous life is just not possible unless you give your heart to everything you do and with as little reservations as possible.
If anything, by sharing these "things about me", you will see despite some of the adventures I've had in my life and the things I've "accomplished" as people say - that a fabulous life is a continuous and life long endeavour. A journey not a destination.
 |
| Me with Gigi (the leopard rug is named Gigi, no I didn't name her). |
