Paris Through Deja’s Eyes

I have already introduced you to
one fabulous blogger who takes me to Paris through her blogs. Well, the second
one is the very stylish Deja Pseu of Une femme d’un certain age.  I have had so much fun learning all things French through her writings
and trips to Paris.  Please grab another
cup of coffee or tea and sit down for a talk with my blog friend, Deja Pseu.

1. 
How long have you been blogging and what is the vision for your blog?
I’ve been blogging now for just a
little over 5 years. I started blogging because at the time I couldn’t find any
style blogs that focused on women over 50. I decided to write the blog I wanted
to read.
2. 
Tell us just a little bit about yourself…
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay
Area, and eventually worked my way south to Los Angeles. In between I lived and
worked for a couple of years on the East Coast. (NYC and Princeton, NJ).
I like LA better than I thought I
would. 😉  I’m a department head for an
administrative department in the entertainment industry. I’ve been married for 17
years (can’t believe that; it’s gone by so quickly!) to a wonderful man who
puts up with my blogging habit (including my need to do periodic Retail Reconnaissance)
and is willing to go along to meet up with other bloggers when we travel. I
have one child, a 14 year-old son with special needs (cerebral palsy and
cognitively challenged) who teaches me about joy and patience daily.

3. 
When did you first visit Paris and what did you take away from there the
first time….your most poignant memories?
I’d dreamed of visiting Paris since
I was a young girl. I’d taken years of French language in high school and
college but never had the resources to actually travel there until 2007. The
thing that struck me most the first time was how visually stunning everything
was. Art wasn’t just in the museums; it was everywhere: beautiful architecture,
bridges, parks and even the buildings undergoing renovation had been given a
decorative facade. Parisians are so visual, and make the effort to make
everything visually pleasing. I was also struck by the juxtaposition of old and
new, and the fact that not all Parisians are uber-chic and slim. Like any
metropolitan city there’s a lot of diversity. The people were so friendly and
helpful. And the food, OMG. You have to try pretty hard to find a bad meal in
Paris. Culturally, what struck me the most is the reverence for the feminine.
In our culture, the feminine is often denigrated, but in the French culture
it’s revered. If French women have a certain allure and mystique, perhaps part
of that comes from living where being a woman is valued. Women don’t have to
act or dress like men to be successful or respected. Vive la différence.

4. 
How often have you returned and what do you love most about the city
now?
We’ve just enjoyed our 5th visit.
The last two trips to Europe we’ve mostly visited other areas but have spent
2-3 days in Paris primarily to see friends, shop (clothes, accessories and skin
care for me, chocolats for my husband), eat, and see exhibits of interest at
one of the multitude of amazing museums. 
I feel as though I could spend a month in Paris and still not see
everything I want to see. What I love is that Paris now feels familiar and
comfortable. We know how to get around, we have friends there, and can visit without
feeling like we “must see” certain tourist attractions, so we can
just go and wander and relax. One of our very best memories of this last trip
was sitting at an outdoor cafe under an awning, eating sandwiches and sipping
wine during a gentle rainstorm.
5. 
What do you believe is the number one challenge for American women
today?
I think the number one challenge
for women today is economic security; being able to save for a comfortable
retirement, and having sufficient health care. Other than the economic
challenges facing us all, I think we have challenges living in a culture that
fears aging… that values women primarily based on their sexual attractiveness,
and encourages consumption as a way to achieve it. Even women of great
achievement are criticized for their appearance and their style choices, and we
still live in an ageist culture that doesn’t value the contributions of our
elders.

6. 
What is your best styling advice?
When in doubt, go with the simpler
choice. Build your wardrobe around neutrals, use accessories to change things
up.
7. 
What is your best beauty advice?
Day: Moisturize and Sunscreen.
Night: Remove your makeup
thoroughly, then moisturize. Never go to bed with makeup on.
Makeup: Don’t overdo it, but if you
can handle dramatic, go for the red lips. (I’m still working on that one.)
Product: Clarisonic. Has made a
HUGE difference in the clarity and texture of my skin.

8. 
What have you learned from French women?

A few pieces of great fit and
quality that suit your lifestyle are better than a closet full of the latest
designer fashions. Stick with what works for you, but be aware of current
trends and incorporate selectively (often with accessories) to keep your look
updated and current. Allure and seductiveness are possible at any age, and not
dependent on flashing a lot of skin or wearing 5″ heels. Femininity can be
powerful; think subtle and strong rather than flashy and loud.
Isn’t she fabulous? Hopefully, you will add her to your list of go to blogs.  Also, make sure your visit Katie’s Thursday Blog Hop on Thursday and the other Paris Party Bloggers!!

21 Comments

  1. She IS fabulous. I especially liked her comments on how the French regard the feminine. And, her answers to number 5.

  2. Thank you for this interview. She is so fabulous and articulates the triumphs and challenges that women of a certain age encounter in our culture. I have been following her blog, which is how I found yours, and find it so refreshing. She validates my experiences and observations so well and I am sure she does the same for so many other women.

    You have cleared something up as well for me. Since reading all the mother-of-the groom postings, I assumed she had a son getting married in France. I was hoping to see pictures of her in her mother-of-the groom finery. Now, I realize, I had it ALL wrong! Thank you for clearing that up.

    I think she looks GORGEOUS standing there in front of the Eiffel Tower. WOW! The jacket, boots, scarf. bag and stance exudes confidence and elegance.

  3. Thank you for your Paris postings. My son took me to Paris about 5 years ago and it was as magical as your guest describes!!! I was curious and clicked on the PARIS PARTY bloggers and was BLOWN AWAY!!!! That was the most exquisite post I have ever seen!!!! To click on the music and read the rest of the blog with the music playing in the background was better than any YouTube or video that I have EVER SEEN!!!! Thank you Pam for treating me to that special post and all of the connections you share on your blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Love your blog, and I read a few more posts as well (I don't usually look that good when antiquing – usually, jeans, t-shirt and ratty sneakers). Anyway, I'm your newest follower. You are right about not many blogs written by women over 50 – actually I'm 62, but I really don't believe it. Love, Linda

  5. What a wonderful post. I have always loved all things French, especially the fashion and the style with which it is worn by the French. I was raised to be a girly-girl and, until you pointed it out here, never realized that's what draws me to the French– the femininity in their style. Even if the individual pieces are masculine, the women find a way to make it appealing and feminine. Additionally, as you said, they always find a way to be totally alluring without showing lots of flesh…and at any age. I do wish that our culture could take a few lessons from the French. Thanks for the great piece.

  6. Thanks so much Pam for inviting me to participate! You are a wonderful interviewer, and I had so much fun responding to your great questions.

  7. Hi Pam, thanks for this post, I am already a fan of Deja but it's nice to read the interview. I love the Paris pictures (thanks for a hit of one of my favorite cities) and she looks so chic with her Louis Vuitton Bloomsbury bag! Oh my God! Jeannie at Gracefully 50 has the same one and now I have very bad bag lust…XO, Jill

  8. She is wonderful and I adore her blog posts. I learned more about her through this interview so thank you Pam.

    It's so nice to have a place for us over 50's to meet and discuss what is relevant in our lives.
    Fashion is a big part of how we show the world that we have not given up and personally I have learned a lot about myself by reading blogs such as yours and deja's.

  9. elle est fabuleuse,merci pour l'introduction :-)Thank you for your bloggy friendship and for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop Linky Party, xo

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