IN THE NEWS.....

I am hoping that everybody is safely recovering from the hurricane's devastation. Mark and I shot quite a few homes in New England in June and I am still trying to reach some of the people. Just want you to know that I am thinking about each of you and all those we have suffered through the storm and still are in the aftermath. With much love. xoxoxo

***********************

Things are moving right along for me and I am counting my blessings. I am off again on shoots this month but wanted to let you know that, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, Romantic Prairie Style is still getting press and selling very well.

 

It is featured in the lovely VICTORIA magazine

 

.................Has remained on the

WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST SELLERS

since it was released in April.....

..........and was included in a great article by Susan Schwartz for the

 THE MONTREAL GAZETTE 

 

 The best things in life are simple and unadorned

 BY SUSAN SCHWARTZ, 

It was close to 10 as I drove home, the CBC's Tonic on the radio, when one of my favourite Irving Berlin songs came on: What'll I Do? It's a haunting ballad of longing and heartbreak - "What'll I do with just a photograph/To tell my troubles to?" - but this was an instrumental version, unembellished by lyrics.

The song ended, Katie Malloch's mellifluous voice came back on the air, and she described the song with what I thought was the perfect word: unadorned.

I like things that are unadorned: simple food and understated clothing, spare prose and rooms that are comfortable but never showy. I didn't always like restrained, though: for a long time, my tastes ran to the busy and the flashy. I was given to end tables cluttered with framed photographs and elaborate dinner parties with too many courses, to matched outfits and convoluted novels.

Credit my increasing dislike of excess and a growing determination to tread upon this Earth with as light a footprint as I can manage, but I have come to believe that less is more. "Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough," wrote Charles Dudley Warner, a 19th-century American essayist and novelist.

For a time I amassed things with enthusiasm - tableware was a particular weakness - but no longer. I have gradually been divesting myself of things I don't absolutely love; I rarely buy anything these days and, when I do, it's not without giving something away in its place. There's way less to display - and dust.

The notion of less being more is often associated with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a proponent of simplicity of style - although he was a founder of modern architecture and my tastes run to the salvaged, the shabby and the worn. I like the patina age gives home furnishings.

Reading Fifi O'Neill's Romantic Prairie Style (Cico Books), filled with wonderful photographs by Mark Lohman, I was all set to move into any one of the farmhouses she described. I loved their easy comfort. One of them, in northern California, is inhabited by Maria Carr, who grew up on a diary farm in Montana, her husband, Thad, and their five children. The landscape is picturesque with meadows and 200-year-old towns, and the home's interior is decorated with rustic furnishings paired with vintage linens.

Carr said she likes fabrics with "irregularities and subtleties found in old French linens and European grain sacks." With help from her mother and two sisters, they are made made into pillows, throws and table runners.

In the flea markets of Saint-Ouen in Paris, I too, was drawn to the vintage linen - specifically, to the dishtowels. They were white or coffee-coloured, with stripes or checks in red or blue or green; even though they were modest and workaday, many were monogrammed because they had been included in dowries.

At the table, I am happiest with simple food: find me the freshest ingredients, ideally those that have not travelled too far to my plate - and leave the plate unadorned.

Among the noted chefs, people such as Susur Lee and Marcus Samuelsson, and the food writers who contributed to a collection of essays on unforgettable dining experiences in Creating a Meal You'll Love (Sellers Publishing, 2010, $18.95), several described uncomplicated dishes, unfussy food and family meals. "At home, I like to keep it simple," wrote Louisville chef Michael Paley.

"I have grown to love cooking more meals that are simple and straightforward, and that I can make without the use of fancy gadgets and by using only a handful of seasonal ingredients," food and wine writer Tracey Ryder observed.

Skye Gyngell, a Londonbased chef, recalled a lunch with her father one hot summer day years ago in a small trattoria just outside Florence: for dessert, they were served peaches -"ripe, downy and sweet - sitting on top of shaved ice ... I was struck by the rightness of just one thing - one perfect ingredient, unfussed with - pure and perfect in its beauty."

It was Laura Ingalls Wilder, the American author who based her Little House series of books on her childhood in a pioneer family, who observed: "I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones after all."

Simple, real - and unadorned.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

 ******************

I thought it was very interesting that the main headline of the cover of the summer issue of COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS (the UK publication) is:

PRAIRIE STYLE!

And their table setting reminds me of 2 from Romantic Prairie style.

Compare their photo to the outdoor settings in my book (the twilight shot, minus the "romantic mood") and also the day time setting. You can really see the similarities (chairs, hay, chandelier...) all in a field setting. Nice to know Prairie is now a recognized style. YEAH!

Check them out below.........

 

 (photo Mark Lohman)

 (photo Mark Lohman)

 

Speaking of magazines, have you seen

Jo-Anne Coletti's lovely new issue of the

THE FEMININE HOME

If not, do yourself a favor and get it NOW. You will thank yourself when the cold weather comes and you can daydream of spring and summer when turning page after page of romantic settings.

CONGRATULATIONS dear JO-ANNE on another stunning edition.

 

WISHING EVERYONE A

FUN AND FESTIVE

LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

It's going to rain so it will be a good excuse to wear my American flag rain boots!

 

Comments

[It's Me]

Hello Darling...wishing you a happy weekend too.......love love from me...xxx....

[savvycityfarmer]

THERE you are ... missing you like mad!

of COURSE it's still number ONE

[Anne Marie]

Little sweetie daughter is standing here with me Fifi, and she says "I like her boots!! and her kitties"

that isn't funny or ironic about the magazines - you are a trend setter miss Fifi
(that is one of my favorite shots of our prairie...ever!)

[rozmeen]

There you are!! Missing you!! Posted the romantic homes magazine you send me on my blog yesterday...thanks to you :-) Afcourse your book is selling great..it is great and you deserve it!!! Good things for good people!

Love ya,
Rozmeen

[Ido]

Congratulations on all those mentions in magazines! I saw your book on the Victoria issue, I am very proud of you! Love those boots, enjoy the weekend dear Fifi!
XXX Ido

[kathee zurian]

Good Morning Fifi...such a nice surprise to see on my blog side bar that you had posted something new. I've missed YOU!!
I found an old barn wood sign that I hung in my booth that read "PRAIRIE STYLE" it sold within hours! Yes you are a trendsetter my friend!!
YOU too have a wonderful long weekend...love those boots girl!!
talk to you soon,
xoxokathee

[angela]

Fifi, so glad for the success of your book! Very exciting news. Oh, those boots.....fab! Wishing peace to those dealing with the rash of disasters of late. Have a lovely, rainy, holiday. Here=100+ degrees still. Oy! ~ Angela

[Rachel Noelle Pallas]

Congrats for all of the success!! I cant wait for the second book to come out!Maybe someday you will make it out to Seattle and visit me at 425? xoxo Rachel

[Penny @ The Comforts of Home]

I knew your book would be a great success Fifi! Love your boots!
Hugs,
Penny

[Dore Callaway BURLAP LUXE]

Fifi Congrats on the book sales and maintaining its own :) so deserving of its success along with yours being the back bone of all that it is and has become.

I was talking to Laura Dellaporta by phone when she called a few times yesterday, we talked about your lovely-ness! your beauty in your book and the excitement of your up and coming new one :)
We put our heads together with inspiring ideas of our own, and just talked about life itself.

Fifi you have a talent for picking out homes that inspire you and your book, its a joy to share it with my friends who visit my home for a girlie day enjoying a little French lemonade, cheescake and a lot of your "Romantic Pairie style" :)

Thank you for sharing this post a wealth of information.

Love the excuse to where rain boots :)
xoxo
Blessings
Dore

[Monique]

BRAVO..Bravo..bravo..and bisous bisous bisous:)xxx
The book is a treasure~

[Karen Palmer]

Fifi,
Have loved your book... and it deserves to be successful! It's fabulous. I also just ordered Jo-anne's magazine and can't wait for it to arrive. By the way, you pull off those boots remarkably. :)
Blessings & Hugs,
Karen

[Ricki Jill Treleaven]

Congratulations, Fifi! I just received my copy of British Country Homes & Interiors, and I can't wait to read it this weekend. You deserve all the press coverage you are receiving. :D

[Lu Tapp]

Of course its still hot! Love those boots! You can set those trends! Miss you much! Lulu

[Marcia]

Well of course it's still one of the top sellers! Was there any doubt? Have a wonderful weekend Fifi and safe journeys on your next series of shoots. Love you!

[Cinnibonbon]

Wonderful post.Congrats...love those boots by the way!!

[laurie@heavenswalk]

Hey Fifi ~ your book has become a way of life for many of us out here. Your inspiration, your style, your ideas and creativity.....just continue to amaze me. LUV luv luv everything you do, sweetie! :)

xoxo laurie

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

As a Montrealer, I was thrilled when columnist Susan Schwartz wrote about your book, Fifi!!! Have a wonderful Labour Day weekend!

[LA CONTESSA]

COngratulations on all the press!Love it!
Rain?At least you have those SMASHING boots to wear..........beautiful out here these days.Finally.Off to sell a few goods at the HEN HOUSE!
xoxoxo

[Lynne]

Congratulations Fifi on the success of Prairie Style. I just LOVE my copy. I read it and reread it all the time. The photos are divine but the prose is wonderful. You are a very good writer!

[sylvia]

Hello Fifi,

I follow you quite some time now. This time I want to say that your blog is stunning, your clothing wunderfull, your photo's amazing and I love your boots (lol).

Have a nice day,
Bey Sylvia

[{oc cottage}]

How wonderful for you! And you DO deserve each and every word of praise! Especially for those adorable rain boots! HOW cool are they! Have a fabulous weekend!!

m ^..^

[Rhondi Mullins]

Fifi I am so happy for you with the success of your book.It is well deserved!!
Hugs, Rhondi

[FrenchGardenHouse]

Yippee!! Of course it's #1...it's a drop dead gorgeous book. :)
Happy to see you smiling in your great boots, too...happy weekend! xoxo Lidy

[Andrea Baumhardt]

Fifi, your book is awesome and you're beautiful even in wellies! You always know what in style! You're Fifi!!

[Mary Witt]

Fifi, I'm thrilled that your book is doing so well. I love it....Waiting on Book #2. I just bought some rain boots, pink with brown horses on them. I do miss your blog when you travel, but it's worth the wait....

[Sandi ~ A Cottage Muse]

So happy for you Fifi! This book will always be number 1 to me too! You have made all us girls want to live romantically on a real prairie or at least be a romantic prairie girl at heart! Your sequel can't come quick enough!

[Donna Jenkins]

hi Fifi!
You look adorable in your patriotic wellies!
too cute!
Congratulations on the books success! I have thoroughly enjoyed the copy you gave me and find such inspiration tucked within its pages!
See you soon!
hugs,
Donna

[Jennifer Rizzo]

Congrats Fifi! I am so happy for you! I am glad you also made it through the hurricane okay!

[Cindy]

Hello dearest Fifi,
You always post so many dreamy images that it takes me ages to get through them! I'm not complaining, I enjoy every one of them! I would love to find "The Feminine Home" magazine, but I have my doubts that it is sold in Canada. I have never seen it anyways.
You are on the leading edge, if others are talking about the Prairie style of decor and emulating your images! Doesn't it feel good?
I adore your sweet little American Flag boots, I wonder if anyone makes Canadian flag boots.
Enjoy your day,
Hugs, Cindy

[laura]

Hello Dear Fifi just stopping by to send lots of love & sunshine your way! Thank God you are safe & sound with all your travels & all the crazy stuff that is going on. Nothing like looking at my Roamtic Prarie book cuddled up with a warm cup of tea curled up in my cozy chair durning all this rain we are getting.Safe travels...love you Laura

[Katie]

You look adorable in your red white and blue rain boots! I also love love the white top... XoXo

[BringPretty Back]

BRAVO Fifi!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

[Donna Pizzi]

Just got the "new" Vintage & Victorian with yours & Mark's lovely cover shot. Is that from the book #2? Great work. Congrats!

[rochambeau]

Congrats on the great article in Victoria!! You SO deserve it for a job well done!!

You go girl~~
xox
Constance

[Tania - Grange de Charme]

Dear Fifi ! congratulations! you can be very proud, you derserve it ! It was such a pleasure for me to be featured in Jo-Anne Coletti's Feminine home ! this issue is so beautiful ! I know you are working hard now so "bon courage" and hope to meet you in Paris !

[Nicky]

Very cool! :) Love from Sweden! XO

[carol]

so happy to see your book doing so well.....I own a copy and it is beautiful!!! exquisite.......

[Dee Byrnes]

Bonjour Fifi ~ It was wonderful to meet you last week at Debra's Oktoberfest. You are just as amazing as I imagined you would be. I could just kick myself for not bringing my own copy of Romantic Prairie Style for an autograph. I am over the moon in love with your book and consult it all the time. I never thought to check and see if you had a blog page - what a gift - more eye candy. Hope to see again in the future.
Dee ~ French Bleu Vintage

[web design Landon]

Thanks to you :-) Afcourse your book is selling great..it is great and you deserve it!!! Good things for good people!.. I enjoy every one of them! I would love to find "The Feminine Home" magazine,

[giveto]

wonderfull boots!!

[Affordable Insurance]

That isn't funny about the magazines, you are a trend setter miss Fifi! You look adorable in your red white and blue rain boots! So happy to see your book doing so well.