Saturday, July 27, 2013

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!

45 comments:

  1. Beautiful Susan. Love this and love getting to know you better.
    Kris

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  2. I love this, Susan! That is a great idea that you and Kris came up with. You ARE a tiny thing, aren't you? You're right- good things come in small packages. Love your kitties, too, and what fun facts. Blessings to you- xo Diana

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  3. This is such a fabulous idea. I enjoyed getting to know more about you. I was reading intently the whole time and was sad when it ended!

    XOXO,
    Meredith

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  4. Very nice idea ladies. Luv it!
    By the way, at only 2 inches taller I can relate.... good things and little packages.. :-)
    Hugs, Gee

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  5. I love your family photo, especially the look on the baby's face! How wonderful that you can work alongside your mother, mine is over 200 miles away :( Great idea, getting to know the person behind the blog.

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  6. I really enjoyed getting to know you. Your love story is especially sweet. I also didn't know you owned a shop with your mom or that you're only 5 feet tall! What fun to know more about you!

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  7. This was so fun to read. If I had read it first, I might have written my post for you and Kris differently. But, I need to stop comparing myself to others.

    Boy could I use you out here in California right now. I got an unexpected BIG check in the mail today and gave myself permission to buy a fun piece of furniture for the entryway. I know if you were helping me shop that I would come home with something quirky and fun.

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  8. this is a great idea, Susan!! loved hearing about "real life", I'm only 5 foot too, (also) your mom is adorable, and love hearing about the shop!

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  9. I found you on Kris' blog. What a great idea! As I'm from Belgium, I had to convert '5 feet' into cm's. Well, I'm just a little bit taller :-). I'm 5 feet 2 inches.

    Goedele

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  10. What a lovely idea. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about you and of course seeing your fabulous home and "find". Keep this idea going, please.

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  11. just found your blog and love it-love deex

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  12. such a great idea, susan! you have a beautiful family and running your shop must be so fun!

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  13. Just found your blog and gee it is so good cant wait to read lots more of it-love dee x

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  14. Susan,
    I love your new idea with Kris! I look forward to these. Thanks for sharing your story - so fun to get know more about you in a more personal way!
    Rita

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  15. Hi Susan I so enjoyed this post !
    Thank you for sharing !
    Have a great weekend !!

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    1. Hi it is such a nice love story that you shared & sounds like fun being in business with your mom. You have a beautiful house and cute cats. Julie

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  16. Your shop looks so fun and how great you are only open on the weekends - perfect! This was a fun post :-)

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  17. Great idea and great post. It must be hard to summarize an entire life in one posting but you did it! Congrats. And what a lovely family you have, all so pretty and handsome. As a new follower this makes it so much more enjoyable knowing a bit about you. Thanks for sharing..... Vicki in KY

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  18. Great feature Susan! I enjoyed reading all about you! What a beautiful photo of you and your family!Your cats are sweet too....ah yes they have the life!Our cat too she was given up and we rescued her.She nearly died before we adopted her.Your home is beautiful it is always a treat to see your photos!
    xx
    Anne

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  19. It was so nice learning more about you! And thanks for sharing pictures of your family and cute kitties! I think this feature you and Kris are doing is going to be a big hit!

    XO,
    Jane

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  20. This is such a great idea Susan! It was a pleasure getting a glimpse into your life and beautiful home. Looking forward to this feature and getting to know the amazingly talented bloggers out there.
    Marie@InteriorFrugalista

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  21. Susan
    You have a lovely decorating style!
    I sure wish I lived close enough to pop
    into you and your Mother's shop someday.
    I bet it's full of all kinds of goodies.
    I've enjoyed this feature and look forward
    to future post with other blogger highlighted.
    Blessings-Kimberly

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  22. Loved this Susan! I didn't realize that you and your mom operated your business that long. How fun to pick and it must be tough to decide whether to keep or sell stuff- I think you have the coolest junk!

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  23. Hi Susan, I just visited Kris! I was explaining to her that in the mornings I grab my coffee and head for the computer. I get so giddy when I see a post from one or the other of you. I cant hit the mouse fast enough to open the latest creation from you! I am thankful each day to follow your journey... Have a wonderful day!

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  24. This will be a fun feature! Love your home and the way you decorate. Enjoyed getting to know you better! Have a great weekend!

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  25. What a fun idea! I look forward to next week. :)
    I'd gladly trade some of our Texas heat for some cooler climes...
    -Revi

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  26. oh, Susan, I love this. Now I feel like I know you better. and I'm with you girl...about the cooking. hate it. but I do enjoy baking. :0)
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrow

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  27. So neat that you have a shop with your mom. Love the relaxing kitties!

    Your home is so charming and pretty.

    I'm five feet and a half of an inch. 60.5

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  28. So much fun you have junkin with your mom, love following you, Di

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  29. What a treat it was to learn more about you. It's amazing how much we have in common. I hate cooking and I love spending time with my sweet mom....but I don't like hot weather:-) Thanks for sharing with us Susan. Love all your pictures.

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  30. What fun to learn more about you!!! I would love to come to your shop. Fun idea to learn more about like minded gals!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  31. Thank you for sharing with us, You have a lovely family :)

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  32. Oh Susan.....I so loved reading about you and "your story"....My hubby's mother is 100% Italian and his dad is 3/4 Italian...you read 2 - 3 books a week?...Wow!...I thought my son was the only one who did that! And, it is no surprise that your career was in the fashion world...you have such a great flair for design, both in what you wear and of course your home!...It must be wonderful to share your passion for antiques and design with your best friend...Florida...that is where I have lived most of my life, until we relocated to be near our son and family...we will eventually go back there as my hubby hates cold weather!!...Great series Susan!

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  33. Susan...it was fun getting to know more about you. Your kitties are adorable.
    Wish I could come visit your shop. Maybe one day I can...it is about 3 hours north of where I live.
    ~Cindy

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  34. Hi Susan!

    As I told Kris - I LOVE your idea for your feature! You have a lovely family Susan and I've been in love with your home since the first time I visited you. It's so nice you and your Mom have a shop together. You've gotta be having a ball doing that!
    Thank you so much for the great look at who you are, just as I would have imagined, sweet to the core!!

    Blessings, Edie Marie & Marie Antoinette

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  35. Susan, I really enjoyed this post and learning things about your life and your hubby and family. I was best friends with my mom that I lost to brain cancer when just 26. She was the best and I cherish that I have so many great memories of my time with her. I really like reading your blog and following you along and I just adore Kris and her blog.

    Cynthia

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  36. Fun to learn a bit of fun info about you Susan!

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  37. Hi Susan,
    I so get you and your love for junk :)
    I too relate to all the things you drag home. As for your journey it's a beautiful one.
    Your hubby and life with him is a life if mystery and the magic of love.

    Thank you sweet friend for taking the time to comment that always joys my heart to hear I inspire you!,,

    A beautifully inspiring week to follow into a month of all things that inspire life.

    Cannot wait to see n what next you drag home.
    Beattiful piece of old in your home that inspire me as well

    Xx
    Blessings

    Doré

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  38. So enjoyed this post! I think this is an awesome idea and will be FUN! I have to say..it was one of the sweetest love stories I have ever read! When life takes a turn we don't expect....GOD always has a plan to make us smile again! Blessings~~~Roxie

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  39. I loved getting to know you better! I think this was such a great idea. You have a very nice family. I had no idea you were only 5 ft tall! You look taller than that in your pictures. It must be nice to spend time with your mom running a business that you both enjoy.

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  40. Hi Susan! Great idea! I think having you and Kris putting your minds together will produce wonderful things! I've enjoyed reading both posts and am looking forward to more! Hugs, Leena

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  41. I am 100% Italian...and I have freckles! Lots of it! yeah, what's up with that? It's fun to get to know you better

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  42. This is a most wonderful feature!!! I love your home ,its lovely with all your redos and the number three. You have a gorgeous family. You must be very proud. I also read, and love cats. You are a very sweet lady and I so enjoyed reading about your life.May you continue with good fortune and health.
    May God Bless,
    Marie Antoinette

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  43. So fun to learn more about you!! We have more in common than just "junk". Before kiddos I was worked in cosmetics and then was a clothing buyer for a boutique :) Fun idea for series ladies!!

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  44. Love your blog! Just discovered you and look forward to following along. I'm a junk lover, too.

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