Hi, I’m Marissa - you might have found me on Instagram, via my Rue Rodier website or perhaps my book, Practising Parisienne, whichever road led the way, I’m so glad you’re here!
I’m a British writer, interior designer and content creator, who has been living in Paris for just over eleven years. In 2013 I quit my job in publishing, packed up my London life and moved across the channel for an old relationship. It wasn’t easy, I didn’t speak French, I didn’t have a job and little to no friends, but I stuck it out, started building a life for myself and Paris in many ways became my raison d’etre, offering endless inspiration as I explored her streets. Finding myself in a new city also gave me the impetus to start my blog, Rue Rodier that’s named after the first street I lived on in the 9th arrondissement. It initially began as a place to document my life in Paris, but as I slowly found my way around the city, it became a space to write about my passions, namely interiors, style and travel, and give an insider’s take on la vie Parisienne.
The blog is now ten years old, and so much has changed in that time. I’m in a new relationship for a start and I’m fluent in French, but really my life nowadays looks and feels very different. My days are now spent writing, setting up my interior design studio (which means a lot of time helping clients source everything from vintage confiture pots to sofas, as well as managing contractors), attending events and press days of brands I love and answering DMS about the best places to stay, dine and visit in Paris via Instagram.
I’ve always loved sharing what I know (my London friends used to call me ‘TimeOut’ to give you an idea), but with so much going on in so many different parts of my life, it’s been tricky dedicating the time I want to you, your questions and creating the kind of content you love! This Substack looks to change that. For the first time I’ll be bringing everything together in one space - my newsletter, the ability to ask me questions on everything from interiors and style, to where to shop in the French capital and lots of other stuff as and when I think of it! Basically I want to create a new sort of community, a place where I can do my best work for you.
With that in mind there will be three parts to this Substack. A free area and a paid area: The Insider membership. I know this is probably new for you. It’s new to me too, but all the work and writing I have done over the last decade on Rue Rodier has been for free and after a while it’s hard to make it all work. This way you will be directly supporting me and in doing so I also hope that the membership will with your input too!
FREE SUBSCRIBERS
My monthly newsletter covering things I’m loving right now, which could be a book, series, jacket or homeware piece.
PAID MEMBERS
I’m calling this The Insider membership, where you’ll get all of the below:
Edits sent out at least three times a month where I’ll be giving you FULL access to my not-so-little Black Book of sources - from interiors to style, along with my coveted Parisian addresses for travel, dining and shopping, so you will feel like an insider too. It will function as an extension of my blog and book, Practising Parisienne.
Access to my community: you’ll be able to chat directly with me and you’ll be joining an exciting and supportive tribe of like-minded souls who share similar interests in interiors and style, and who are fans of all things French and Parisian. It will be an uplifting space away from social media that’s free from algorithms and ads; a place to share ideas and thoughts! My hope is that the membership will grow with you and spark creativity, conversations and friendships!
FOUNDING MEMBERS
All of the above, PLUS founding members are also given automatic access to something really special: my new sourcing service. Hiring an interior designer can be expensive. I would like to bring you a service at an affordable price to help you find the types of items for creating a beautiful and uplifting home that reflects your story. Looking for a lamp for your living room? Or where to buy a beautiful cushion during your trip to Paris? All you have to do is send an email with what you're looking for to an address provided on sign-up and I will send over 3 suggestions within 48hrs.
But mainly a founding membership will really make the difference to the life of Rue Rodier.
And finally…..a bit more about my writing!
I’ve written and contributed to for the likes of Who What Wear, Marie Claire, Forbes, The Telegraph, Domino Magazine and Elle Decor, in 2021 I published Practising Parisienne: lifestyle secrets from the city of lights (Hachette), an amalgamation of everything I’ve learnt living in Paris, split into five sections - style, interiors, beauty & skincare, food & wine and relationships, love, relationships & dating, plus contributions from +30 Parisians of note.
If you know anyone who you think should join this community, please help spread the word.
I hope you join me on this new journey; I’m excited to see where this takes us!
A bientôt/see you soon, Marissa xx
