Greetings all, long time lurker and first time poster. Thank you all for the laughs and insights!!
I just wanted to share my CD experience - I started watching in 2019, when I dreamed of moving to France from the UK (have bought a small place there). My daughter and I would look forward to coming home on Thursdays or Tuesdays (I can't remember when she used to first post!) and watch the recent CD. I was taken in by Stephanie Jarvis - her love of even the smallest pleasures in life (like hot baguettes or a sunset) , kindness and cheery demeanour. She seemed to have a positive attitude - even when faced with challenges, which I was charmed by. I enjoyed the original Sunday videos when she would sit down and share a more in depth history (of a fabric etc).
When locked-down hit, CD was something lovely to escape into and we even considered going there to volunteer (eye roll!).
There were red flags early on - like the multiple properties (LDN, SA) and the finances she shared, didn't seem to add up. The story about how she sold her property in London to co-buy the property and yet still owned an apartment in Islington. The expensive designer clothing, the expensive holidays, the endless alcohol. The expensive piano, fountain and chandelier her father bought her from Venice etc etc. How was she a child who lived in an attic with hardworking parents who were nurses - yet grew up so many expensive and OTT gifts.
But I dismissed it and thought, she must be one of those rich people that thinks they are poor (I've met many in the UK - crumbling mansions and holes in jumpers but still manage to send Tarkin 4th to Eton).
I thought it was odd how she called MP her best friend - but then learned they had only met a year before on a TV show.. Then I realised everyone was her best friend - it was superficial - and I noticed her flirting with everyone - male or female - more and more. I dismissed this as eccentricity and how 'in love with life' she is.
I noticed that every now and then, her demeanour or tone would be quite snippy or snobby - especially in the charity shop, when she wanted to purchase something that another person didn't agree with - she would be quite curt and do it anyway.
Then money started to pour in and I became unsettled. What was she doing with it all? Why was nothing really getting completed? How were the volunteers being used? I watched one or two of the gift videos and had to stop. I couldn't understand how she was comfortable accepting gifts from strangers. I started to see through the smoke and mirrors.
I started to notice how inappropriately she dressed. She seemed so very desperate and not cultured as I had once thought. Tacky.
When she started to visit other chateaus and give tours, my eyes opened properly. Other people, with far less means, were creating handsome, thoughtful, modern and yet classic interiors - it made her Shiteau look like an absolute mess in comparison. Filled with tat from the charity shop, mixed with a few nice pieces of furniture which were lost in all the clutter. No thought, no clarity of vision and design, filthy - absolutely filthy (the kitchen door etc YIKES).
I couldn't stand watching her filling it up with more and more stuff. How many tassels and fabrics and table clothes and plates does one need? And framing everything - no discernment for quality or value. No follow through - projects half done, attic and outbuildings in a state of filth and disrepair. I couldn't understand the animals - why did she have them? It seems she goes from whim to whim.
I barely coped with the arrival of Philip but thought he would leave soon - like all the rotating characters. He was so disingenuous and tried far too hard. It was embarrassing to watch him. But then he stayed and kept accompanying her everywhere - it was so odd. I thought, "oh she's like a mother figure or mentor to him". The day I found out she was dating him, I unsubscribed and haven't watched a single video since.
I get my info from Tattle instead!
Your analysis and insight has been spot on! Thank you - I feel better for releasing this all! Will go back to lurker mode.