A New Feature: Saturday Spotlight

Hi, everyone!  Kris from Junk Chic Cottage, and I wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.
We decided to start off this feature with ourselves, and give you a more personal glimpse into our 'real lives' so that you can get to know us a little better! 
We'd love to hear what you think of this new feature!  Without further ado...

"SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT: REAL LIFE BEHIND THE BLOGGER"

I'm Susan from Must Love Junk.  I started this blog a little over a year ago because I have such a passion for 'junking' and for decorating my home with 'good junk' that I couldn't keep it to myself any longer!  I never could have imagined the talented, fantastic people that I'd 'meet' or the exciting opportunities that would open up to me.
  It's so fun to share my home with like-minded peeps who get me and my style!

 My background is in retail (clothing and cosmetics) and I also worked at an employment staffing agency for several years.  My degree is in Fashion Merchandising and while I do enjoy fashion, I've discovered that my true love is home decor.

My hubby Keith and I got married about 14 1/2 years ago.  (You can read a detailed account of our special love story here.)   He works in a crime lab as a Forensic Scientist (a true life 'CSI' guy!)  We have so much fun together and he makes me laugh every day! 

Luckily he shares my attraction to quirky, fun items!  (That makes it a lot easier when I bring home a giant number "3" or something else that's 'funky'!)

We don't have kids, but we do have 2 cats that are definitely our babies! (Cole and Bobbi aka 'Bob' aka 'Bobcat')  I've always adored cats, ever since I was little!

As you can see, they've got hard lives, poor things...

I have one sister (younger) that lives in Arizona.  She has 4 kids (in Arizona, too) and I'm also a 'great-aunt'!  We don't get to see them all nearly enough, but usually try and visit a couple of times a year.  This picture was taken a couple of years ago but we basically all look the same-except for baby Rayne, of course!

I've been blessed with incredible parents!  My dad is a master craftsman-he can fix or build just about anything!  My mom is my best friend-we've always been exceptionally close.

We'd always dreamed of having a shop together but I lived 2 1/2 hours away for the first 6 years of my marriage, so it wasn't feasible.  When Keith and I moved back to my hometown (which I never expected to happen!) my mom and I immediately put the wheels in motion to open what I call a 'Recycled Home Goods' shop.

We've now been open for about 7 years (we're named "Home Sweet Home") in a little bungalow house that my parents own.  That allows us to be open only on Fridays and Saturdays and leaves the rest of the week for 'junkin'- a win/win if you ask me!  We've developed a wonderful loyal customer base that we're thankful for, and more and more new people are finding us every weekend. 

A couple of random tidbits about me:
*I try to walk every day to stay somewhat in shape, but I LOVE to eat!!  (Unfortunately junk food and sweets are my favorites!) Keith and I joke that while we're still eating one meal we'll start planning for the next one!  We eat out all the time because I don't like to cook...at all...ever...

*I'm just 5' tall (good things come in small packages, and all that... :)

*I LOVE to read!  I usually go through about 2-3 books a week.  I've finally rubbed off on Keith-he's now reading mystery/spy books (I never saw him read a book for fun the first, oh, 12 years of marriage!)

*I am directionally challenged...as in I can get lost around the corner from my house.  I am known for it among my friends and family.  They know to slowly and carefully  describe directions to me as if talking to a kindergardener-and even then I sometimes  still get lost.

*My dad is 100% Italian...however, as you notice by my pasty white self, I did not inherit his deeply bronzed/tan skin (bummer!)  My dream is to visit Italy someday!

*I DESPISE winter and snow!  I'm definitely a warm weather girl.  I briefly lived in Florida in my 20's and hopefully will someday return there for good...or possibly Arizona.  (Maybe then I'll get the deeply bronzed tan...?  Nah.)

Well, I hope that you enjoyed learning a little more about me.  Please make sure and visit Kris to read more about her 'real life'.  Thanks for letting us share more about ourselves!
Stay tuned for our first 'official' feature, coming up soon!