About

🌿 About Swell Acres

A Cozy Life of Faith, Healing, Thrift, Style, Homemaking & Humor

Hi there! I’m Genika “GG” Simon, also known as Miss Thriftwoman—former NYC city girl turned country-living homemaker, artist, writer, speaker, host, shopkeep, and wellness thriver. I once shook cocktails for celebrities…now I shake rugs on my front porch. God loves a plot twist. 😌✨

I used to live a fast, shiny, “shi-shi” life—acting, modeling, serving the elite, hustling through the city that never sleeps. Glamorous? Yes. Sustainable? Absolutely not. My body, mind, and soul eventually said, “Enough!”—and I faced breakdowns, chronic health challenges, and a long recovery journey.

As I slowed down, let go, and began to heal, life’s greatest surprises arrived. One day, a chance meeting at Wendy’s introduced me to PJ, the love of my life, my best friend, and my forever partner. From a Biggie Bag and some chili, God’s comedic timing brought me to my second dream: a simple, happy, healing home filled with love, faith, laughter, thrifted treasures, and joy—what I now call Swell Acres.

And here’s a fun tidbit: PJ gave me my nickname, Miss Thriftwoman. He used to watch me lug bags and bags of thrifted finds and my deals and steals—“rags and bags,” as he called them—into our home, then smile and say, “You are officially Miss Thriftwoman.” I laughed so hard I almost spilled my coffee. Now it’s a term of love, a little joke, and a reminder of how joy and humor can make everyday life sparkle. ✨

Around the same time, life threw another curveball: chronic illness and disabilities made traditional work impossible. I grieved my old plans, faced uncertainty, and navigated fear—but I refused to stay down. I drew inspiration from friends, mentors, and everyday heroes, deciding to live like Rudy, the spirited disabled man who danced and laughed no matter what. That became my choice: joy, gratitude, and Swell Living—even in imperfection.

Swell Acres, My Swell Niche

Today, Swell Acres is my corner of the internet and my home on earth. It’s a space to celebrate faith, thrift, homemaking, art, wellness, and simple living—with humor, grace, and style. Here, I document—not perform—my life: the meals I make, the routines that keep me steady, the prayers that guide me, the thrifted treasures that spark joy, and the messy, beautiful, ordinary days that build a legacy.

I write for women who:

  • Want a home and life filled with peace
  • Seek routines and structure when emotions feel overwhelming
  • Crave simplicity, stillness, and God’s presence
  • Love frugality, thrifting, and creativity
  • Want to love their lives gently and intentionally
  • Believe healing happens at home and in community
  • Want to create a micro business that supports freedom, joy, and their family

Through my blog, newsletter, books, courses, videos, and speaking, I share my real journey to encourage, inspire, and build community, connection, and sisterhood—both online and in-person through shops, classes, events, tours, camping, and retreats.

I also believe:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

― Maya Angelou

Every day, PJ and I choose joy, laughter, creativity, and simplicity. We live Swell, celebrate small wins, and embrace the second dream—because life isn’t about perfection, it’s about living fully, gratefully, and intentionally.

Welcome to Swell Acres. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and join me. You’re right on time.

With love, thanks, and plenty of grace, ❤️

Genika “GG” Simon aka Miss Thriftwoman