Diana Broussard Interview

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Last month I had the honor of interviewing Diana Broussard for Prestige International Magazine! Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, but with Cajun-French (both from Louisianan and Parisian) roots, Diana grew up in Dallas, Texas. The youngest in her family of four children, Diana Broussard had initially planned to attend Julliard to become a flute soloist, however, her dreams drastically changed when her father had a bad stroke when she was 16. Growing up she always sewn her own clothes and read Vogue, and also always been surrounded by the technology world being her father was a physicist, had immediately committed to her new ambition in becoming a designer.

Holding a B.S. in textile chemistry from LSU with further education at FIT, Diana has become one of the most successful New York designers specializing in accessories. She's worked for luxury goods companies such as Gucci, Dior, Calvin Klein, Armani, Carolina Herrera, and JP Tods - her experience is impressive. From one idea she does many things, with her exquisite jewelry to her impeccably chic shoe line, each concept is clear and her work speaks for itself. Luxury at its finest, it is also yet personal, taken with great care, and is full of heart.

I went to her boutique here in New York City, to get to know her and of course, to see her collection. I picked out a few of my favorites (ahem, gentlemen... your lady friend would love any of Diana's pieces!), keeping the theme green with Christmas Spirit! 

Take a look at my chosen pieces below. Provided links will take you directly to her online store! To read my full interview with Diana, please click here. Pages 58-61.

MONKEY CURVED WITH CRYSTAL RING: GOLD & EMERALD

NATE NECKLACE: BOTTLE GREEN

EAMES SAFARI with LION and MONKEY: DARK GREEN VELVET

Aren't her pieces just darling? I'm in love with all her accessories! Such an amazingly talented designer! To see more from Diana's collection, please go here.

All photos, including the portrait of Diana are by me. And don't forget to go and check out my full interview with Diana here! Pages 58-61. :)

Love & xx's,

Source: http://issuu.com/rougemond/docs/prestige_m...

The Best Gift

Three years ago today was the very first time my husband and I met MaQ! After several years of desperately wanting a dog in our lives, and perhaps a little more so on my end, we finally came to an agreement to, "just look."

The road to MaQ was not as simple as I hoped it to be. We initially wanted to rescue a dog, but more specifically, we also wanted to raise a puppy together. This doesn't discount the eternal bonds with any dog, regardless of age, shelter/non-shelter, but there is something significantly special in having your pup from the beginning.

I have friends with wonderful dogs who've been rescued, some even as a puppy but not too many here in New York City, and perhaps when we went looking it wasn't the right time because our experience was so heart-wrenching, I literally ran out of each shelter in TEARS! Most dogs were pitbulls and staffies, and I have nothing against the breed, but most of the dogs were much older and had cases of aggression and psychological trauma in their history, which never means a case is hopeless and every dog is worth saving, but some of the stories I heard I really wasn't prepared for and did not feel at all confident in having a type of dog with a complicated history as my first pet. It just broke my heart because I wanted to save every single pet but knew I wasn't the best option for any of them.

Feeling a bit discouraged after, my husband was the one who came up with the idea of going to a German Shepherd breeder just to look at the puppies. Since I was a child I've always, deep down in my heart only wanted a German Shepherd but my mother was adamant on not having a dog. And even though I was delighted for my father and brother when they got a German Shepherd after my mother's passing, it only made my desire for wanting a German Shepherd even greater.

So on that fateful day, three years ago, after researching for the top GSD breeders within the state of New York, we drove the 3.5 hours upstate to only start looking at the puppies. When we arrived, the breeders were a married couple who were friendly but extremely knowledgeable in their field. When the wife explained they only had one puppy available at the moment, something in my gut immediately made me want to meet this one!

We walked down the pathway which led us further into the compound, to meet this pup. In a smaller kennel sat two pups, one girl and one boy. The girl was already taken but the boy was MaQ! I'll never forget the first look we exchanged with each other. He was wearing this tiny red collar and his eyes were especially green for a Shepherd. I immediately fell in love, right then and there.

But it's not only about how I felt. I knew how important it was for MaQ and my husband, Gilles, too because it's true what they say, we don't just choose the dog, the dog chooses us as well. When the breeder opened the gate so we could meet, MaQ ran right out to greet us. We even got to meet MaQ's parents, which I felt gave us such insight on character and personality traits. His mother, Giovanna was one of the Alpha-females, and was on constant watch among her Master's and their property. His father, Satch, was a tad more goofy and approachable. Playful and inquisitive, I knew the contrast was an excellent match.

When it started to get colder outside, we brought MaQ inside the main house with us to continue talking and to also keep bonding with him. He wouldn't leave my side! We all knew I wasn't leaving this one behind! In less than an hour, after signing all the paperwork, I had him in my lap in the backseat of our rental car. And just like that, our beautiful boy entered into our lives, forever changing it. He didn't cry once on the drive back home!

MaQ is the best gift (besides my hubby) I've ever received. I have no idea what I would do without my boy, I love him so much! Remember though, dogs are not accessories but a lifetime commitment. Be ready to be truly devoted to your beloved furry companion because they are truly devoted to you. Dogs not only need love, but exercise, training, discipline, structure and consistency. They are a lot of work, so make sure you have the time and financial capabilities before owning a dog. Consider it your fur child! ;)

Have a great weekend! We hope it is spent with the ones you love! ♥

Love & xx's,

maQ + Suz