A new year, a new venture!

“To success, and nothing less.” – Snoop Dogg

Welcome to the launch of shannonplante.com!

Just by reading this, you are helping me achieve one of my greatest wishes! Seeing this baby go live has been a dream of mine for nearly 10 years. Perhaps it’s a bit out-of-left-field for someone with a background in the gaming/streaming industry, but blogging was my FIRST passion in social media – not Twitch, YouTube, nor any other platform.

I started a little blog in 2008 and ran it until I left Canada. Back then it was a struggle to balance university, personal life, volunteering for work experience, and finding content for a blog on a shoe-string budget. I tended to focus on flea market finds, sharing stories of things my school friends and I did together, and showing how I decorated my tiny flat in a sort of “Apartment Therapy” inspired way.

Well, a lot has changed for me over the years, and especially in 2017. My partner Chris and I decidedly left civilization and moved to the lovely English countryside, thankfully not at the expense of reliable internet, and I left my job as Community Manager at Twitch, a place that has utterly consumed my existence since 2012 (in a good way). Since leaving that role in June, I made a plan to achieve a lot with my freed up time. Focus on business efforts for my partner’s brand which I’ve always helped with, work on some personal side projects like this site, and build deeper foundations for us and our future as a family.

Really, if it wasn’t for Chris, none of this would be possible. But none of this would be possible as well without the amazing community and following behind us, so I also owe this to the 42nd. Then there’s my family who have always encouraged me, and my best friend, Angela Beckett. She is actually a writer here so you’ll see from her sometimes as well! I couldn’t imagine going on this adventure without her. Some posts will be a collaborative effort between us. Perhaps soon, we can have a post dedicated entirely to how much of a hero she is and tell her story as well.

Perhaps most of all though, my late-grandma should be thanked. Without her, I wouldn’t be any bit of who I am today.

You see, my grandma is my idol. Her name was Patricia. She had grace like Hepburn, wit like Bacall, and intuition like only grandmas can have. She led a somewhat eclectic life, making her so unique.

In her earlier days, her and my grandpa, a Québécois who served in the RCAF, were stationed in France for part of the Cold War. They traveled whenever they could to soak up as much history and sights as possible, had their first child there, and luckily for me, took many photographs.

She read science fiction and fantasy novels, loved French impressionist art, classic jazz, and Star Trek. She was the second person I ever knew to get a computer (my dad was the first). This was in the very early 90s so anyone, nonetheless a grandparent, getting a PC was a pretty big deal.

She also dressed timelessly, decorated effortlessly, and could bake better than Julia Child. Okay, perhaps now I’m exaggerating just a touch. But she embodied charm and class, and always had an answer for everything. She was one of a kind. She was fearless. She was full of verve and devoid of guile. I honestly doubt she ever intended to captivate people the way she did – not even for all her children and grandchildren – she just was.

My grandma still teaches and inspires me now, many years after her passing. She was incredibly private, and to some extent so am I, and yet I also know by her example that you can only impact those around you when you share yourself.

Inspiration happens all the time and in ways we sometimes might not know it at first. I’ve been sharing more on Twitter and Instagram lately, but neither let one really get much out there, just short bursts.

So in part, this website is dedicated to her. We’ll cover life stuff, decorating stuff, travel stuff, cultural and historic stuff, food stuff, or just stuff that matters…things that inspire us. This is as much for my own – and your – inspiration. In honor of my past. And for our collective future. So if you’re reading this and you are inspired by anything we share here, then hello! And I’m glad that my grandma can continue to have an impact in some way.

Do you have any topics you’d like to see us cover?

Let us know in the comments if you have suggestions or thoughts about the site!

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Shannon Plante

Interior designer, gaming industry business and community ops, and 25th great-granddaughter of Henry II, the first Plantagenet king. Obsessed with dogs, champagne, and making things unnecessarily extra.

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11 Comments

  1. Greg
    31st December 2017 / 10:55 PM

    Even though I have known you and Chris personally for over 6 years I learned things today I did not know. I look forward to what 2018 brings you and your blog! Congrats on finally achieving a dream of yours.

  2. Konc
    31st December 2017 / 10:59 PM

    I’ve known you for a few years, and I couldn’t be happier to see you start this blog. Follow your dreams, and I’ll be right there if you need my help with anything.

  3. Sammie_Leigh
    31st December 2017 / 11:08 PM

    I’ve been watching Sacriel for about a year and member of the 42nd for 9 months I believe, and I am so excited to see what you do with your blog! I wish to one day be financially able to travel and see the world but until then I live vicariously through your posts on instagram (and now your blog). I can’t wait to see the wonderful things you will do. Congratulations on making it this far Shannon and Chris! #longlivethequeen #42ndlove

  4. Spike
    31st December 2017 / 11:22 PM

    How exciting! Congratulations on your launch! May your dreams continue to come true!
    Your Grandma seems like she was a really amazing woman!
    I look forward to learning more about you and your Family, your interests, and such! ROCK ON!!! 😀

  5. Grant Henderson
    31st December 2017 / 11:31 PM

    Congratulations Shannon, this is all I could of hoped for! Happy New Year!

  6. Dan
    31st December 2017 / 11:53 PM

    <3

  7. Jess
    1st January 2018 / 5:36 AM

    Lovely story about your grandmother, you’re clearly her unsuspecting progeny, leading your own life by her lovely teachings – with your own added flair. She would be proud of who you have become!

    Can’t wait to join you on this new venture, and learn a thing or two about how to be elegant, classy, and overall exceptional.

  8. Darth Draz
    1st January 2018 / 9:22 PM

    Great to see you following a dream/wish of yours and seeing it become a reality! I have followed you and Chris for several years now, and love seeing what you can achieve. I look forward to what this blog will be bringing in the future.

  9. Jason
    1st January 2018 / 11:53 PM

    Love it! I have followed you on social media for awhile now and really enjoyed getting an inside peek to your life with this blog so far. Keep up the great work and I look forward to more!

  10. LeCat
    2nd January 2018 / 1:00 AM

    I would like for you to blog about your ancestry. I’m history teacher and this part of your life fascinates me. I see Henry II in your Bio?

  11. Laura
    2nd January 2018 / 7:02 AM

    So pleased, inspired and hopeful, to see your blog begin and to watch it blossom.
    Our grandma was an entirely unique, witty, and stylish woman, well ahead or possibly delightfully behind her time. Grace and good humour, beauty and strength.
    I am grateful for every way we are like her, and to see you carry on her inspiration!
    💜

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