This is my first post, please be kind. I understand we can post our thoughts and opinions and here are mine.
1. SJ should stop the cadeaux videos. Someone stated that she's created a monster, and I agree. SJ's reactions sometimes seems disingenuous and I find it sad that people are sending expensive, heartfelt, and homemade gifts to a wealthy stranger. Stephanie is rich, her mother is rich, her mother's husband is rich, and her friends are rich. I find it interesting that she namechecks Marie Antoinette in her intro and in my opinion, she comes off a bit like her with her unbridled materialism and court of people to do her bidding and keep her amused. I especially see her that way as she's plowing through all the unwanted gifts.
2. SJ's vlog works because she's fabulous. She's both earthy and glamorous. The camera loves her; she's bright, talented, multi-faceted, and she's a PERFORMER. Sometimes her performing is over the top, but maybe it's not on purpose. She's an only child and the product of a privileged and over-indulged life.
3. Michael Petherick is fun and interesting in SJ's vlogs, but not so on his own. He'll do SJ's makeup & hair, dance, dress up, and show his feminine side when at LaLande. When at home, I think Michael plays down any behavior that might seem gay, possibly to appeal to his mostly middle-aged female fanbase. Except for the CK hat, he's very much acting the straight builder and how much fun are they? His family is dull and charmless and in their presence, he acts like them. The mother is dripping in bad vibes.
4. My opinion of the LaLanders changes very little. Mummy is an iron fist in a velvet glove. I'm glad the unfunny Tomaz is gone, and I have to skip all the segments with Gerry. I enjoy Cat, but I think she's not always naturally funny and performs a bit. Still, she is an appealing character and adds a lot. I find Phillipe creepy and suspect he has an agenda (to become a regular?). The lovely Marie Wilk seems sad, and I think Hatti is a lesbian with a crush on SJ (and who could blame her). Nati and Dana appear wonderful in every way. Selmar seems like a sweet soul and he's both talented and very resourceful. What little I've seen of Mason I find unlikable. I wish there was more of David, Michael Potts, and Oliver.
5. Someone else questioned SJ's purchases at the brocante, and I too wonder why, with her refined sensibilities, she doesn't see that tarted-up junk ultimately looks like tarted-up junk. Gold paint doesn't turn castoffs into heirlooms
