Marie Merien

This week artil has challenged sustainability blogger and traveller Marie Merien to choose 11 items that represent her and her life - in past, present and future!

One item that represents my childhood: A seashell

"I’m a little island girl. I was born in La Réunion, a small dot on the world map in the middle of the Indian Ocean. I would also spend the summer with my grandparents on Oléron Island, near the French West coast. My element is definitely water, so calm yet so incredibly powerful. You probably wouldn’t find me sleeping on the beach but swimming or playing with the sand, the waves and the seashells. "

One item that represents my nationality: A baguette

"What’s more French than bread? Whether at home, out in a café or in a beautiful restaurant, you’ll always find bread to be at the centre of the table. We like to keep things simple, but always delicious. The baguette is like the French staple to a good meal, whether you like yours topped sweet or savory. It’s also meant to be cut and shared, because the French like to eat and remake the world together around a nice table. And careful, we like the crust and would be offended to be served soft bread, even for making a sandwich!"

One item that represents my biggest passion: A backpack

"I’m a full-time wanderer. I love to explore, stroll, and take things in without always knowing what I’ll find. My biggest passion is to travel, close by or far away, but always on the road to discover new things, people and cultures. I don’t like suitcases though, I’m much more of a backpack person. Packing light but just enough to be ready to make new memories!"

One item that represents my highest ambition in life: A weeping willow tree

"It may sound like a surprising answer, but I love this tree. It represents for me a sense of balance, harmony and growth. It’s often by calm waters, but yet also looks strong and bold. I hope that in my life I achieve that feeling of grounding and peace, that I grow in all directions into a strong and fulfilled person. Plus, it’s long curtain-like branches and leaves makes it a really comforting place to sit under, and I hope I inspire that trust and comfort to those around me.

The leaves represent the balance, harmony, and growth we experience through these storms and life challenges. The willow tree gives us hope, a sense of belonging, and safety. Furthermore, the ability to let go of the pain and suffering to grow new, strong and bold."

Images from Pinterest.com // Instagram: @wandermarie // @kossassa

One item that represents my current mood: A cashmere jumper

"It’s definitely Autumn here and I need cosiness. In fact, I feel we all need a little bit of warmth in these uncertain times. Cashmere jumpers are just like a warm hug. My favourites are actually those I secretly steal from my dad’s closet, which I wear as they are, on my shoulders or as a short dress with boots. Although it’s like the comfiest and warmest thing you can find, it still gives this effortless and charming look."

One item that represents my favourite person: A ring

"Not only one person actually, but those most important in my life: my little family. It is a silver ring with a blue sapphire circled by tiny diamonds. My family gave it to me on my 18th birthday and I wear it every single day since. I feel naked without it. It is not a big ring, it does not scream ‘look at me’, it’s small and discrete, but so meaningful to me. I love it so much because although I’m often far away from them, moving around all the time, it feels like they are always here with me. It is the kind of present which lasts a lifetime."

One item that represents my style: A minimal black handbag

"If I could pick only one, it would be my vintage Timeless Chanel bag gifted by my grandmother. Not only do I just love and dream of vintage designer bags, it is just so simple, chic and effortless. Plus, it will literally never get old. I like to have a minimalistic aesthetic with rather neutral colours but details in the cut or shape. I love to find timeless vintage pieces with a modern twist. I find having special accessories is what makes the whole look more edgy and put together."

One item that represents my greatest fear: Crutches

"This may sound silly, but I’m a busy bee and I’ve never broken anything. I’m very scared of how bad it must hurt and how long it could take to recover from. Plus, I like to be very independent and love to do sports, so the idea of depending on these to move is a nightmare. Having a healthy body and being able to move freely is a luxury and one of my top priorities in life. Touching wood, it won’t happen any time soon!"

One item that represents my profession: A notebook

"Whether for my marketing job or for sustainability blogging, a beautiful notebook to jot down creative ideas is the go-to item. I actually love to keep notebooks around for getting organized and putting thoughts on paper, whether that’s sticking, writing, drawing or cutting something into it. I often keep them, as they become like a diary or a record of what I’ve been up to. It’s not at all like typing or saving things on my phone or my computer, I just really love the feel of paper and pens."

One item that represents this year: A mask

"Not too original, but definitely necessary in 2020: reusable face masks! My favourite is a linen beige one which really stays in place and is actually breathable."

One item that represents me: An opal stone

"Opals are my birthstone. The opal is a colourful precious stone which changes colour: it is said to contain ‘fires’ which can be blue, orange, black, white, or even green. It actually has a high water content, which, as I mentioned previously, is my favourite element. I find it fascinating and I believe it represents me quite well in the way its colours are high-spirited and diverse. Although it is a stone, it’s also quite fragile and needs to be preserved. I often tend to be very ambitious and forget to take things slow and recover. I actually own a beautiful necklace gifted by someone special to me, who was very knowledgeable about stones, and a ring which I custom-made."