What's Up, Pussycat? - 07
Dinner for One's Sutanya Dacres on experiencing immense amounts of pleasure, how to correctly use make-up, and the perfection of the Parisian courtyard.
Welcome to What’s Up, Pussycat? Where we ask grown, self-possessed women to tell us about the various ways they access pleasure and enjoyment.
If you’re interested in participating, you can submit your own responses here for possible inclusion in upcoming Pussycat editions.
I met Sutanya Dacres for the first time on my most recent trip to Paris when a mutual friend invited us both to drinks (at Harry’s Bar, which I only just discovered is not slang for the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz!). It very quickly became apparent that our interests align.
Sutanya is originally from New York and relocated to Paris a number of years ago. She’s the author of the book Dinner for One: How Cooking in Paris Saved Me; the host of the podcast Dinner for One; and runs a regular supper club for single women. Did I mention she’s also a chef?
In fact, I DID mention it in a past newsletter when I told you about the dinner she cooked for me at the pop-up residency she was doing at Aux Vins Vivants in the 18th. It’s a dinner, I’m still thinking about! C’est parfait. Délicieuse. Magnifique. And every other French word that comes to mind to describe satisfaction.
Below Sutanya tells us about the only reason to use make-up, the kind of sex worth having, and why food is form of self-care.
Three Pleasurable Words To Describe You
Deliciously, generously, fulfilled.
What's The Most Enjoyable Thing You've Done This Month?
Cooking - at a wine bar in Paris and for my monthly supper cub gathering.
Best Beauty Advice? (Favorite Beauty Or Make-Up Essential?)
Drink water, clean your makeup brushes, your makeup should enhance not hide or mask anything.
Best Solo Trip You've Ever Taken?
Puglia, Italy after the publication of my first book. It was magical. I spent the entire time getting lost in small villages, eating my body weight in pasta, and drinking A LOT of wine and spritzes :)
Best Travel Hack?
Go with the flow, sometimes it's ok to ditch the itinerary.
What's The Most Useful Wisdom Age Has Brought You?
I'm still waiting for those gems of wisdom to appear, although I do think I'm getting there. That said, as I approach a milestone birthday (the big 4-0) I'm reflecting deeply on my life so far. I am happy and grateful that I always tried to lead with integrity in whatever I do and have always been firm in not allowing myself to remain in situations that threatened my self-worth or values. Essentially, I never set myself on fire to keep someone else warm. [ed. note: I love this!] And that has served me well.