Every time I read a message from another FOF woman registering for faboverfifty.com, I want to call her. Each statement is filled with the passion, honesty, spirit and wisdom that define my generation. I can’t wait until we celebrate each other’s smarts, style and success—not to mention our fab faves—on the site. It’s going to be great fun.
Leigh, my new FOF friend
Tonight, I couldn’t resist, so I called Leigh Chandler from Las Vegas after reading her message. “Bravo! Or should I saw Brava?” she wrote. “I’ll be 53 soon and I think I’m pretty fabu! I am a self-taught businesswoman, textile designer, mother, wife and sometime blogger who loves life. …one of my main contributions has been to mentor and help other business women just getting started….thanks for what you are doing!”
Leigh owns Papillon Linens, a luxurious collection of bedding and specialty home accessories. I think one of the great joys in life is crawling onto crisp, cool, ultra soft sheets at night, so Leigh and I share a passion. Her humor also captivated me. When I complimented the photo she sent (I asked for one), Leigh said she wasn’t sure she liked it because she’s “wearing makeup.” Her 21-year-old daughter bought it as a gift because Leigh never wore any. “I’m glued to the computer 15 hours a day and didn’t think I needed makeup.” She promised her daughter she’d have a picture taken when she was dolled up.
Although she hasn’t worn any makeup since the photo was taken on New Year’s Eve, Leigh really liked the LashBlast mascara from Cover Girl (“the best lengthener I ever wore and it doesn’t clump or smudge. It comes off in flakes.”)
Leigh's husband Max. Yes, he's real.
Leigh’s husband liked the new look and the photo, she told me. Max, 47, currently restores vintage razors. Check out his website, www.vintagestraightrazors.com, for the men in your life. And check out Max. A former international fashion model, he’s really easy on my FOF eyes. Lee says he’s a wonderful man, smart, and speaks six languages.
“I love sharing ideas and promoting other women,” Leigh said. Will she share Max, I wonder.
JUST KIDDING LEIGH. I am so glad we met.
0 Responses to “FOF, with or without makeup”
Lisa Pinsker says:
As one of my oldest (“oldest” as in we’ve been friends for over 40 years) and dearest friends, I have to say Leigh has always been creative and talented and really has found a terrific niche for herself in Papillion Linens. It is so “Leigh”… through and through. I don’t know anyone who enjoys their work anymore than Leigh or is more commited to their business. Not to mention, Leigh is a loyal and devoted friend, straight forward, empathetic, great sense of humor, always there for a pal. Not to mention, the woman has been a HOTtie since she was 12! Lisa
Bonjour Mélanie, Yes, you are decades away from being FOF, but you are so talented and accomplished at your age, I am amazed! Everytime I visit your blog, I am transported to France for a little vacation – thank you!!
I love this site and I love finding my friend Leigh on it! She always looks fabulous and what you see is what you get with her. That is why Beadboard invested in Papillon Linens for our shop and we had hundreds of choices and we are not sorry. She represents quality and so does her product. Now I have to get some botox or scotch tape and a large glass of wine…….Maryanne
Thank you Maryanne. I love your shop and blog and I am in the process of writing about you and Leigh’s other fans. I am so happy I can now meet all of you. I am a home furnishings fanatic. I was the editor of a trade publication called Home Furnishings Daily for many years and have a great appreciation for everything for the home.
Hi Maryanne, Thank you so much for your comments! This is even better than a big surprise birthday party for me! I’m a bit overwhelmed. I love working with you! You have a great sense of humor, style and I just love your store! A darling hubby too, hi Peter! Bon voyage, wish I were going to Paris!
Leigh is beautiful, both inside and out! She looks pretty gorgeous in the photo, non? I’m pretty sure it’s a NO on sharing Max, but yes on sharing everything else! I carry some of her beautiful Linens, and they are superior in quality and design. My clients who have bought them are just as in love with them as we are here at home. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Lidy Baars
Hi Lidy, Thank you so much for the compliments! Love your site and your blog, how did we survive before, without them? You help quench my thirst for all things French, I love your mix of antiques and new items – very beautiful!
I absolutely adore Leigh. I can attest being a new bedding designer ( at 43! – a reinvention of myself) We have spent so many hours talking about our passion for Belgian Linen and I hope to always be an associate of Leigh’s, as well as a friend. I totally relate to this site, as I was thrown into a shock menopause at 41, after a long illness and surgery. My business actually was geared toward FOF people! After too many uncomfortable evenings (not) sleeping, I designed Belgian linen sheets and aptly named my company A Soft Place to Land. Through the begining stages I met the lovely Leigh and made a lifelong true friend. It is lovely to find a site I relate to!
Hi Cindy Jo! You are so dear, thank you for being my friend! You do have a wise soul for being so young and I think you were born decades too late. You epitomize the glamour of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s! You have the best ideas and I wish you all the success in the world!
Your blog is very interesting. I have to confess , I’m a little bit younger but I’m a woman..and I will be older ( I hope )
Leigh is a fantastic woman and she looks fabulous ., no matter how old she is
She is so fab over fifty and really the nicest person in the whole wide world. I’m so glad I have gotten to know how completely charming and wonderful she is!!
I just so happen to be the lucky niece of Leigh and have always looked up to her. She is a wonderful mom and successful businesswoman at the same time!
Neither she nor her husband look a day over 40!
Thanks for this great webiste…even though i am only 42…i will check it out!
Hi Michael! Actually, it was Southern Living and I’ve been so pleased that you have kept in touch all these years! I have so enjoyed watching your stellar career – I hope you and Geri do get to work together!!
All kidding aside, I’ve had the pleasure of recently meeting Leigh through my blog. She’s one talented woman who creates outstanding products – some of the most beautiful bed linens out there.
Hmmmm… how much would you be willing to pay for the tall handsome one?? You always crack me up, you have the most humorous blogs out there and I love it so much. You are so generous with your readers and always welcome every newbie with ” Hello and welcome to this deliciousness!” Irresistible!
WOW! Where do I start? First of all, I’m 45 and am thankful that you’re here! What an inspiration. I know Leigh and she is just as beautiful inside as out. I didn’t see her with makeup on as we were running around doing lots of heavy work but she could be a model too. When we talked about Max, she told me about him and I assumed he was hot but that’s putting it mildly! Best of all, she told me they laugh ALL the time. Maybe that’s what keeps them so young and happy!
Claudia, You are too kind! You have seen me at my worst, yet you have been such a friend to me and all you meet! You kept me laughing when we worked together, when I was about to have a breakdown working with the NYC Union labor guys, and I am eternally grateful for that! XOL
Geri, I can’t wait to meet you in person! You have come up with such an incredible hot spot here! It is how I would imagine a “Salon in Paris” only in cyberspace! All of the women I have seen on your site so far – just inspire me! Thank you so much;-)
Oh my goodness! Heather, your blog, your home, your family, your life! They are amazing! Phuket, Thailand is my husband’s favorite place in the world, I can’t wait to show him! This is already an amazing journey – Thank you Geri!
0 Responses to “FOF, with or without makeup”
Lisa Pinsker says:
As one of my oldest (“oldest” as in we’ve been friends for over 40 years) and dearest friends, I have to say Leigh has always been creative and talented and really has found a terrific niche for herself in Papillion Linens. It is so “Leigh”… through and through. I don’t know anyone who enjoys their work anymore than Leigh or is more commited to their business. Not to mention, Leigh is a loyal and devoted friend, straight forward, empathetic, great sense of humor, always there for a pal. Not to mention, the woman has been a HOTtie since she was 12! Lisa
Leigh Chandler says:
Bonjour Mélanie, Yes, you are decades away from being FOF, but you are so talented and accomplished at your age, I am amazed! Everytime I visit your blog, I am transported to France for a little vacation – thank you!!
Kisses, Leigh
Beadboard UpCountry says:
I love this site and I love finding my friend Leigh on it! She always looks fabulous and what you see is what you get with her. That is why Beadboard invested in Papillon Linens for our shop and we had hundreds of choices and we are not sorry. She represents quality and so does her product. Now I have to get some botox or scotch tape and a large glass of wine…….Maryanne
Geri says:
Thank you Maryanne. I love your shop and blog and I am in the process of writing about you and Leigh’s other fans. I am so happy I can now meet all of you. I am a home furnishings fanatic. I was the editor of a trade publication called Home Furnishings Daily for many years and have a great appreciation for everything for the home.
Fondly,
Geri
Leigh Chandler says:
Hi Maryanne, Thank you so much for your comments! This is even better than a big surprise birthday party for me! I’m a bit overwhelmed. I love working with you! You have a great sense of humor, style and I just love your store! A darling hubby too, hi Peter! Bon voyage, wish I were going to Paris!
XXOO
frenchgardenhouse says:
Leigh is beautiful, both inside and out! She looks pretty gorgeous in the photo, non? I’m pretty sure it’s a NO on sharing Max, but yes on sharing everything else! I carry some of her beautiful Linens, and they are superior in quality and design. My clients who have bought them are just as in love with them as we are here at home. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Lidy Baars
Leigh Chandler says:
Hi Lidy, Thank you so much for the compliments! Love your site and your blog, how did we survive before, without them? You help quench my thirst for all things French, I love your mix of antiques and new items – very beautiful!
XXOO Leigh
Cindy Jo Morgan says:
I absolutely adore Leigh. I can attest being a new bedding designer ( at 43! – a reinvention of myself) We have spent so many hours talking about our passion for Belgian Linen and I hope to always be an associate of Leigh’s, as well as a friend. I totally relate to this site, as I was thrown into a shock menopause at 41, after a long illness and surgery. My business actually was geared toward FOF people! After too many uncomfortable evenings (not) sleeping, I designed Belgian linen sheets and aptly named my company A Soft Place to Land. Through the begining stages I met the lovely Leigh and made a lifelong true friend. It is lovely to find a site I relate to!
Cindy Jo Morgan
Leigh Chandler says:
Hi Cindy Jo! You are so dear, thank you for being my friend! You do have a wise soul for being so young and I think you were born decades too late. You epitomize the glamour of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s! You have the best ideas and I wish you all the success in the world!
XXOO
Geri says:
Bonjour et Merci
I love everything French.
Geri
le petit cabinet de curiosites says:
Your blog is very interesting. I have to confess , I’m a little bit younger but I’m a woman..and I will be older ( I hope )
Leigh is a fantastic woman and she looks fabulous ., no matter how old she is
Geri says:
Hi Angela,
I think you’ll enjoy the site, despite your tender young age, 🙂 and am glad you’ll check it out.
Best,
Geri
Jennifer Paganelli says:
She is so fab over fifty and really the nicest person in the whole wide world. I’m so glad I have gotten to know how completely charming and wonderful she is!!
Leigh Chandler says:
Thank you Jennifer! You are so sweet and incredibly talented!! I will be blogging about you soon, I’m so excited!
XXOO
Angela says:
I just so happen to be the lucky niece of Leigh and have always looked up to her. She is a wonderful mom and successful businesswoman at the same time!
Neither she nor her husband look a day over 40!
Thanks for this great webiste…even though i am only 42…i will check it out!
Leigh Chandler says:
Thank you Darling! You are one Fab over Forty girl, I love you!
XXOO
Michael Weschler says:
Leigh looks great here and I loved working together with her beautiful linens on a shoot for Country Living magazine.
Geri says:
Hi Michael,
I like your work. Maybe we can work together in the future.
Geri Brin
Leigh Chandler says:
Hi Michael! Actually, it was Southern Living and I’ve been so pleased that you have kept in touch all these years! I have so enjoyed watching your stellar career – I hope you and Geri do get to work together!!
XO Leigh
Leigh Chandler says:
Ooops, it was Southern Accents, hahahahaha I just had a seni…. no, I just had a FOF moment!
Raina says:
Are those two sold separately?
All kidding aside, I’ve had the pleasure of recently meeting Leigh through my blog. She’s one talented woman who creates outstanding products – some of the most beautiful bed linens out there.
Leigh Chandler says:
Hmmmm… how much would you be willing to pay for the tall handsome one?? You always crack me up, you have the most humorous blogs out there and I love it so much. You are so generous with your readers and always welcome every newbie with ” Hello and welcome to this deliciousness!” Irresistible!
the paris apartment says:
WOW! Where do I start? First of all, I’m 45 and am thankful that you’re here! What an inspiration. I know Leigh and she is just as beautiful inside as out. I didn’t see her with makeup on as we were running around doing lots of heavy work but she could be a model too. When we talked about Max, she told me about him and I assumed he was hot but that’s putting it mildly! Best of all, she told me they laugh ALL the time. Maybe that’s what keeps them so young and happy!
Leigh Chandler says:
Claudia, You are too kind! You have seen me at my worst, yet you have been such a friend to me and all you meet! You kept me laughing when we worked together, when I was about to have a breakdown working with the NYC Union labor guys, and I am eternally grateful for that! XOL
Beccy says:
OMG . . . aren’t FOF women awesome!!!!!I
Leigh Chandler says:
Yes, yes, yes! WE are!
Geri says:
LOL. Me too Heather. Me too.
Geri
Leigh Chandler says:
Geri, I can’t wait to meet you in person! You have come up with such an incredible hot spot here! It is how I would imagine a “Salon in Paris” only in cyberspace! All of the women I have seen on your site so far – just inspire me! Thank you so much;-)
XO Leigh
Heather Chapple says:
Wow…are they real?
Goodness me this may get intimidating…I will choose to be inspired!
Leigh Chandler says:
Oh my goodness! Heather, your blog, your home, your family, your life! They are amazing! Phuket, Thailand is my husband’s favorite place in the world, I can’t wait to show him! This is already an amazing journey – Thank you Geri!