Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself (Kris) Junk Chic Cottage 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.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 

Saturday February 15th

Susan from Evelyn and Rose

Every Saturday I love to introduce you to bloggers that I love and  I am pretty positive you will love too. 

This week's blogger is Susan from Evelyn and Rose.  Susan is a real sweet heart and from the minute you read just one of her blog post you will fall in love with her kind and warm heart and inspiring decor.  Enjoy learning more about this wonderful blogger.

Hello friends!  I'm Susan, from the blog Evelyn and Rose and Etsy shop.  What a thrill to be asked by Kris to participate in the Saturday Spotlight on bloggers.  Kris is so friendly and loves her whites like many of us.  I always enjoy visiting Kris' blog for her serene and lovely decor.  Thanks for this opportunity to share with you and other bloggers, Kris!

Let's see...this is supposed to be about the person behind the blog.  I realized when I started to prepare for this post that I don't actually share too much about myself on my blog.  I mainly write about decorating and crafting projects, which is what I love to do.  If you ever met me in person, I'd rather chat more about YOU than talk about myself.  Nevertheless, I do appreciate when other bloggers share more from their personal lives.  It draws me in...I'm always intrigued and inspired by you wonderful bloggers.  I guess it's time I shared as well.

So here's a bit about my life behind the blog.  I've been married to my AMAZING husband Brian for just over 10 years.  We met at the church we both attended, St. Patrick's church in Watertown, Massachusetts.  He introduced himself to me as I walked home from Mass and I thought he was so kind.  We fell in love pretty quickly and married within 6 months of meeting.  Ladies - when you know, you KNOW (especially at age 35 like I was).  He's 5 years younger than me, but never makes me feel like the 'old lady'.

Bri proposed to me at a favorite BBQ joint one Saturday afternoon.  I thought I was just going in for a pulled pork sandwich, but I found myself being brought 3 dozen roses by the young server dudes while 'our song' played on the sound system.  Next thing I new Bri was on his knees and all the patrons were clapping as I said YES.  He's a keeper!

In 2005 we welcomed our son, followed by our daughter in 2007.  Happy, happy days!  Our son is bright, curious, funny, and such a kind and gentle spirit.  Our daughter is the apple of our eyes - cheerful, hilarious, brave and she has the sweetest smile.  God's providence was at work when Bri and I met, and these two children are the greatest blessings.  

Best of friends

I'm a stay-at-home Mom to these cherubs now, but before that I worked as a software engineer for 15 years.  My younger years were pretty fun, working in Boston and enjoying a great social life there.  But these past 10 years have been the best.  Our family and our faith are the most important things in our lives.  Our children attend Catholic elementary school downtown, which we love.  I attend a Bible Study for women each week which I don't think I could live without.  Having been brought up Catholic during the 70's and 80's, it has dawned on me how much I never knew about being Catholic.  I'm so grateful for this faith.

New England foliage

Christmas 2013

So how did I end up blogging?

When I owned a small condo during my single years, I really enjoyed decorating it.  Rachel Ashwell's first Shabby Chic books where a huge inspiration, and I used to love watching her show on the Style network.  There ended up being a lot of floral back in those days, but the French influence made its' way into my condo, too.  When my husband and I bought our current home in 2005, I enjoyed stimulating my creative juices by decorating and crafting for our new space.  It was a great hobby during those early years of taking care of babies.  Decorating books and magazines have always inspired me (I still have some Victoria magazines from the 1990's), and I would reach for them even more when I decorated our house.  Through the magazines I discovered BLOGS.  Oh, what a wonderful discovery!  I would drool over the photos and projects in blog after blog....until one day I decided it'd be fun to try one.  I must give credit to fellow blogger Michelle of Petite Michelle Louise for giving me a gentle nudge in that direction.  I found Michelle through blogs and ordered from her Etsy store.  It was so nice to 'virtually' meet a local gal through the blogland.

We eventually met in person, too, and have formed a wonderful, supportive friendship ever since.  We adore going on flea market adventures together, calling ourselves the 'picker sisters'!

We've also met Sandi from A Cottage Muse, and love visiting the 'At Home with White Event' where she works at the Wrentham Country Store.

What a blessing to share my hobbies, crafting projects and dreams with such friends!  Michelle and I even ventured to sell as vendors at our first event - the Vintage Bazaar - last fall.  What a thrilling time, and full of laughter.

With the support of my cherished family and like-minded friends in blogland, I've been able to grow my creative side these past few years.  I guess I'm using the other 'creative' half of my brain, after all those years as a 'logical' engineer.  And I'm loving every minute of it.

  

Thank you Susan for your wonderful feature.  I love that we meet and become friends with bloggers that we normally might not have ever met if it were not for blogland.   Friends and fellow bloggers Michelle from Petite Michelle Louise and Sandi from A Cottage Muse that Susan talks about also have been past spotlight features.  If you missed their spotlight features you can read about them here and here.  

Susan is such a delight and I know if you have not been to her blog or Etsy site you will love it. 

 Now hop over to Susan's blog and get to know another wonderful blogger Robin from Happy at Home.  Have a great Saturday everyone.

Kris

:)