FRANK & EILEEN: As a brand that hand-finishes many of our pieces right here in LA, we love that The Scout Guide connects people with local makers; how did you come up with the idea?

SUSIE: It all started with my blog, The Scout, as a way to shine the spotlight on local businesses that were being drowned out by big box stores and online behemoths. Local business owners are the fabric of our communities. From there, I teamed up with Christy, and together, we produced the first physical guide here in Charlottesville. Our mission and aesthetic resonated with many people, and it grew beautifully from there.

CHRISTY: Before TSG, I had an antique/home store called ‘And George’ with my mom. Customers were constantly asking us where else they should go next. Charlottesville is a topographically beautiful town, but we lack a cohesive Main Street - you had to know where to go to be able to find the city’s gems. I loved that I could use my photography experience (I was a photographer in NYC before moving to Charlottesville) to replace hand-written maps with a beautiful coffee table-worthy book representative of the town I loved!

Susie is photographed wearing Eileen Flannel in Winter White and Sligo in our 1992 wash.
FRANK & EILEEN: As a brand that hand-finishes many of our pieces right here in LA, we love that The Scout Guide connects people with local makers; how did you come up with the idea?

SUSIE: It all started with my blog, The Scout, as a way to shine the spotlight on local businesses that were being drowned out by big box stores and online behemoths. Local business owners are the fabric of our communities. From there, I teamed up with Christy, and together, we produced the first physical guide here in Charlottesville. Our mission and aesthetic resonated with many people, and it grew beautifully from there.

CHRISTY: Before TSG, I had an antique/home store called ‘And George’ with my mom. Customers were constantly asking us where else they should go next. Charlottesville is a topographically beautiful town, but we lack a cohesive Main Street - you had to know where to go to be able to find the city’s gems. I loved that I could use my photography experience (I was a photographer in NYC before moving to Charlottesville) to replace hand-written maps with a beautiful coffee table-worthy book representative of the town I loved!

Susie is photographed wearing Eileen Flannel in Winter White and Sligo in our 1992 wash.
F&E: Does your work influence your clothing choices? What are your favorite go-to pieces?

SUSIE: Work absolutely influences my clothing choices. One of our goals at The Scout Guide is to visually capture the people and faces behind small businesses all over the country, and sometimes clothing can be a distraction. I approach the way I dress with that in mind. I always try to find clothing that captures my true essence so my personality shines through. I really love Frank & Eileen’s oversized Shirley in white and the Sligo Skinny Jean. It’s a classic look that’s simple and clean without distraction. I want people to see me, not my clothing.

CHRISTY: Classic, casual, and comfortable are my three C’s! I live in the Frank & Eileen linen blouses in the summer and the flannels in the winter.

Christy is photographed wearing Eileen Flannel in Heather Camel and Monaghan in our 1990 wash.
F&E: Does your work influence your clothing choices? What are your favorite go-to pieces?

SUSIE: Work absolutely influences my clothing choices. One of our goals at The Scout Guide is to visually capture the people and faces behind small businesses all over the country, and sometimes clothing can be a distraction. I approach the way I dress with that in mind. I always try to find clothing that captures my true essence so my personality shines through. I really love Frank & Eileen’s oversized Shirley in white and the Sligo Skinny Jean. It’s a classic look that’s simple and clean without distraction. I want people to see me, not my clothing.

CHRISTY: Classic, casual, and comfortable are my three C’s! I live in the Frank & Eileen linen blouses in the summer and the flannels in the winter.

Christy is photographed wearing Eileen Flannel in Heather Camel and Monaghan in our 1990 wash.
F&E: I imagine curating local guides and meeting makers is both a ton of work and a ton of fun! Do you have a favorite city to shop and scout?

SUSIE: We love our hometown of Charlottesville because we’re big believers in shopping locally. But I must admit that New Orleans is one of my favorite guides to shop.

CHRISTY: It would be hard to pick just one! The Scout Guide has definitely given me a huge appreciation for the charm and elegance we have right under our noses. Who needs big cities when we have the best local business owners and artisans front and center in the smaller cities we scout.

Christy is photographed wearing Eileen Flannel in Winter White and Monaghan in Cream. Susie is wearing Shirley Everyday Poplin in White and Sligo in our 1992 wash.
F&E: I imagine curating local guides and meeting makers is both a ton of work and a ton of fun! Do you have a favorite city to shop and scout?

SUSIE: We love our hometown of Charlottesville because we’re big believers in shopping locally. But I must admit that New Orleans is one of my favorite guides to shop.

CHRISTY: It would be hard to pick just one! The Scout Guide has definitely given me a huge appreciation for the charm and elegance we have right under our noses. Who needs big cities when we have the best local business owners and artisans front and center in the smaller cities we scout.

Christy is photographed wearing Eileen Flannel in Winter White and Monaghan in Cream. Susie is wearing Shirley Everyday Poplin in White and Sligo in our 1992 wash.

Thanks for cozying up for 'a cuppa with' Susie and Christy!

To learn more about and shop The Scout Guide:

thescoutguide.com
@thescoutguide

Photography by: Jen Fariello

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