KEEPING UP ..........

I know, I disappear pretty regularly but that's because there is alway a lot of "stuff" happening. Fortunately, it's all GREAT stuff.

Here is what's going on:

1) My friend Mary Forsell who took over my editor's position for ROMANTIC COUNTRY when I resigned a year ago has stepped down and I took back the job.

2) I created yet another new magazine, FRENCH COUNTRY STYLE. The premiere issue will be out in October.

3) I am, of course, working on the second issue of ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE.

So, to recap, I am now producing 3 magazines. Beside coming up with the contents for each it also means being away on shoots. 

Now you know everything.

Should you happen to have a home that fits any of these 3 magazines don't hesitate to let me know.

You already know the looks of Romantic Prairie Style and Romantic Country but I am going to post some shots to help you see what I am looking for (most of them are simply examples. I am sorry I can't give proper credits to the various photographers as I got them randomly on the Internet, except for the last 2-John Ellis photography-)

Keep in  mind that FRENCH COUNTRY STYLE is NOT FUSSY or OVER-THE-TOP and neither is it similar to opulent Parisian homes. Though it can include some upscale country homes (farmhouses, "cottages"...), it does NOT include chateaux and mansions.

It is a style based on understated, authentic charm.

I am very excited to share these news with you and hope some of you will have just the right home for us to shoot.If you do, please email me.

THANKS!

FRENCH COUNTRY STYLE EXAMPLES:

 

MERCI BEAUCOUP!!

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Since I have not blogged for quite sometime I thought you might like to see a few collages from numerous stories featured in the past, either from our magazines or my books.

These are among my favorites but there are SO MANY more.....had to draw the line somewhere for now.

Enjoy!!

 

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Comments

[Monique]

I loved that one of you in the boots:)

Fiou..cannot believe all you do.. Honestly..just having submitted a few photos..I saw you do 10 time the work:)
Always nice..helpful..encouraging.
Bravo!
Great images and collages..Tout est beau!xx

[Yvonne @ StoneGable]

Fifi, Your images are... of course... magazine worthy! They tell such a magical story of easy, breezy living, loving what you have and style being all about comfort and home!
Makes me want to put up a screen door and drink tea on the porch! Sigh!

[Melinda]

Congratulations Fifi on all of your success!!!
I look forward to your new magazine coming out this October!
I would love to one day be in one of your beautiful magazines. I have really enjoyed the premiere issue of Romantic Prairie Style, Maria's home is to-die-for and I read it over and over! :)
Hope you have a lovely day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

[Susan Freeman]

I am so looking forward to your newest endeavor. Everything you do is magical!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

Love all the pictures, Fifi! Details are my favorite! I am going to email you some pictures. Having moved from NY to Ohio last Fall, I've been able to do to our new home what I wasn't able to do in our old house. Plus, we've downsized so no McMansion here! I've been working on projects non-stop since we moved in to make this new place feel like home, so I hope there might be something there that catches your eye. I do share them on my blog, but I'm sure it is easier for you to see pictures via email.

[Andrea Baumhardt]

Beautiful, Fifi. Just beautiful You will do a fantastic job on all three magazines. You work like a whirlwind tornado and continually produce the best of the best magazines out there. I am always searching newstands for any issue that may have missed my eyes. We're all very excited for you! I don't know how you do it, but you do. And you have us all hanging off of our chairs waiting to see what you'll come up with next! Have a glorious summer.

[Penny @ The Comforts of Home & Flea Market Makeovers]

I am thrilled that you are coming out with a French Country Style Magazine!! Yeah!! Congrats on being back at Romantic Country too.

I look forward to all you do Fifi. We recently sold our home and are in the process of getting ready to buy or build a new one. I decorate in the French Country Style, so I will surely send you pics when I move next spring!
Hugs,
Penny

[Michele]

I am tired just imagining your life.

Well, I am glad you do it b/c everything you do is awesome for all of us lucky to read/see/adore!!!

Thanks - but don't burn yourself out!! Remember to take time each day for tea and quiet relaxation!

[Debra Germain]

OMG Fifi!!!!!!! You are my hero. I can't believe you are now doing three magazines. And I know they will all be great. You are such an inspirational lady:)
-Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens

[sandy]

Just one question, Fifi!! When do you plan to sleep???? You have to be one of the busiest women this side of Paris!!
Mon Dieu!
A Bientot,
Sandy

[Kat@LowTideHighStyle]

Ok my dear, when exactly do you plan to sleep?!!! Congrats, and I will keep my eye out as always for some homes!

xo Kat

[carol]

I'm with Michele, it makes me tired just reading about what you do. You are amazing!!! Love all your mags, can't wait for the next one. Take lots of vitamins and don't forget to sleep.

[Julia]

I am in love with all of your publications and your photos evoke such a relaxed, beautiful approach to living. It is so neat that you include "real" homes and families that look like they are enjoying their homes so much! I always look forward to the next publication....congratulations!

~Julia

[rita]

You have so much talent, Congratulations!
I would love to see a Romantic Country FB page been born! not sure if you have the time to run it but, just an idea. Ciao for now Rita
mammabellarte

[Rachel Noelle Pallas]

Yay!! I am thrilled that you are editor again!! :) I spent time at Tausha's house last month and loved getting to know her and see her beautiful home in person! She is a doll and she said so many lovely things about you too!! I made her promise that if you come do photos at her house again that I can fly from Seattle and stay with her so I can meet you! Have a beautiful day sweet Fifi!! xoxo Rachel

[laurie@heavenswalk]

Yay!!! Congratulations, Fifi! I am so excited for you.....and for US who will falling over each other to get to your first issue of French Country magazine! lol! I'll be one of the first to subscribe! Check out Courtney's home (frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com) and Tracey's home (frenchlarkspur.com). They're shoe-ins for your new mag!!

Hugs!

xoxo laurie

[LaurieAnna]

Holy cow, what an amazing accomplishment! Congrats! Can't wait to see your upcoming book and the upcoming issues, I know they will be wonderful. Thanks for all the amazing photo inspiration in this post!

[Michele]

Wow! How exciting all that you are doing! Love your work and the magazines. ; )
~Michele

[Mariette's Back to Basics]

Dearest Fifi,

Wow, whenever you DO surface, you manage to convey some great news! Congrats lady, c´est magnifique.
Wishing you a great summer and hope you have time to relax just un petite peux...
Love,
Mariette

[FRANCESCA]

Congratulations! You will do it all perfectly! As usual!
Francesca

[solene]

Je reviens après une longue absence et je suis ravie de retrouver un aussi joli billet !
Tout est ravissant chez vous chère Fifi et vous avez un goût exquis ...
J'adore ...
Belle journée
Solène

[Jackie]

Looking forward to the new magazine! You're work is magical! Best wishes!

[Chrissy]

WOW you are one busy lady!!!! Would love for you to stop by my blog...think I would fit into one of your styles!!!All the best,Chrissy

[jenny]

http://1.media.hyves-static.net/441803688/6/O4AW/0/img441803688.jpeg

http://5.media.hyves-static.net/441803804/6/6adS/0/img441803804.jpeg

http://4.media.hyves-static.net/441803947/6/fUyH/0/img441803947.jpeg

it's too far away, my home is in the netherlands europa, but i have a beautyfull kitchen handmake from my husband, see pictures

[Erin @ Carolina Country Living]

You are one indefatigable woman, Fifi! Congratulations on the goings on--I am so excited for you. :)

xo,
Erin

[Erin]

Hi Fifi,

Congratulations on the new magazine and welcome back to Romantic Country - goodness gracious you are AMAZING, fabulous, inspirational and continue to show us that with hard work and love for your work one can accomplish anything. You have a magical touch on everything that you do.

Please take care and save a little time for yourself and your kitties.
Congratulations and Many Blessings,
Erin and Bentley

[Lana @whatsthestorymorninglory.com]

Wow, you are busy. Glad you are back at Romantic Country. Love the Romantic Prairie Style magazine and I am sure I will love the French Country Style as well.

[DEBBIE BELL]

Hi sweet FiFi....Congrats to you hon!!!!! Your such an inspiration to other women...you have such talent & you make it look easy-peasy!! LOVE your new magazines!!!
All the best sweets...you deserve it:)
Hugs..
Deb:) xoxo

[Karen @ Brayton Homestead Interiors]

yikes! that is an enormous amount to do, sure you will do it all brilliantly,
Karen

[susan allen]

well, let me just say right on the front end if u need a gopher, someone to do ur dishes, wash ur car,or even draw ur bath YES FiFi, i admire u that much

[kathee zurian]

AMAZING FIFI~I'm so thrilled for you and all your accomplishments~!! I'm also so happy you are back with Romantic Country~Looking forward to French Country Style~
You already know if you want an enamelware collection photo or cottage garden photos...I'm here for you~!!
If you are ever looking for a great shop to photograph with that cottage/garden feel let me know!
So excited for you Fifi~take care of yourself~send Sunday and Mark my HUGS TOO~
xooxkathee

[La Contessa]

I thought you were going to slow down a bit!GOT THAT WRONG!!!!!!!!Just sent you an invitation for my B-day Soriee in the jardin in July!Perhaps, California is calling??!!
xoxox

[Paulette Kinney]

Oh Fifi...so happy you will be producing something like Romantic Country....my product was in the last issue and although I was honored to be included the magazine has really lacked your magical touch ! Do you know I couldn't even find Romantic Country on Facebook?! Wishing you continued success and will await another lovely magazine from you !! xoxo, Paulette

[savvycityfarmer]

can't wait ...
more eye candy headed our way ... yea

xoxox
love from the burbs

[Patty]

I hope you have a few 'hooman' assistants to help you with your work on the magazines. No doubt your furry ones take nap and scratch/pat breaks often. I can hardly wait to see your magic with the French style, I love Romantic and Prairie both. Patty/BC

[joanne]

Fifi, I am so excited for all the projects. Of course I will be looking forward to each and every one. Thanks for taking to time to keep us all up to date!

[Christine]

Thank you Fifi for bringing beauty and inspiration into our lives.

Christine
Gig Harbor, WA

[Sharon in Chicago]

Amy with Maison Decor has some great items in both her home and her new shop that could be a good match for your new magazine. Her blog is http://maisondecor8.blogspot.com (I've already emailed her to tell her about your new magazine -- she's excited about it, especially with you as the lead)

[Donna Pizzi & Philip Clayton-Thompson]

Felicitations, chere Fifi! (no accents here) We are delighted at your success and are pleased as punch to be included in your upcoming issues! You are a dynamo, bien sur!

[Tracie~My Petite Maison]

Love everything you do. Always have, always will!

So looking forward to seeing & subscribing to French Country Style (already subscribe to the others ;) Glad to hear it's not fussy!
Love from Healdsburg,
~Tracie, Shayne, Bechet et Pips

[elyse]

dearest fifi,

you are the hardest working woman in showbiz! all of your projects sound exciting and as fabulous as ever, and i will be sure to keep my feelers out for stories!

i hope that your summer is off to a lovely start ... wherever you are!

love,
elyse
xo

[Dore Callaway]

Hi Fifi
A world wind amazing journey you are on, and French Country style is up my ally, By george I think you are on to something BIG! my friend and I think it is a perfect fit for all I create and inspire :)

come for a visit seeing all I inspire and my French opera theatre's

keep inspire all you create we are loving every bit of it.
xoxo
Dore

[Curtains in my tree]

I loved the animals and you in those english boots , how fun

I finally finishes painting a chair that you inspired me to paint LOL about 2 years ago you painted a chair pink then turquoise , I think it ended up all one color any way I have my pink chair and will post it this week

I always enjoy your updates of what you are doing

Janice

[Jenn @ Rabbit Hill Priimitives]

Lovely and inspiring as always ~ thanks!!

Jenn

[Paulette Kinney]

I follow this blog and thought you might want to take a look at their renovation....lovely and simple..http://thepapermulberry.blogspot.com/2012/06/our-old-farmhouse-restored.html

[Anne Lorys]

Wow, girl!
Mary gave me the head's up a few weeks back about you taking over again at RC but asked me to keep it quiet until you made the big announcement.

But I didn't know you were working on creating a THIRD magazine, too!!! Where DO you get all your energy, and can I borrow some? ;-)

As you already know, I'm working on editing the pics for a shoot we've already discussed, so it will be interesting now to see which of the three it might end up in.

Congrats on all the good things happening in your world!

Anne

[Ginger]

Yeah so glad you are back with Romantic Homes!!!! How exciting, can't wait to see the rest of the magazines.
Ginger

[Courtney]

Oh my goodness you have been soo busy!! All of your news is so exciting Fifi!!! Congratulations!! I cannot wait to see French Country Style!

[It's Me]

Another magazine !!..o my......please let them come to Holland....i love your style and what you are doing !!!...love love love Ria....xxx..

[Micky]

You are very creative,great job.

[janet]

I am so excited about your French Country Magazine...I have loved French Country long before it was cool. Sounds like a country song, right? I have pinned many of the same images on my pinterest boards.I am really excited for October now; it has always been my favorite month, now even more to look forward to. Thanks for your hard work and tireless dedication :)

[patbeglin@yahoo.com]

I am overwhelmed by your photos and
designing talent. I love everything French !!
I am going to go out and find some if these
magazines . I live in Syracuse N.Y there is not
much happening French here although
we recently took a trip to France . We stumbled
on the most amazing out if the way French
city/ town called Annacy. Don't you love
the French flea markets /Puces clingincourt
Your sensibilities about country French inspires
me to get going Pat Beglin

[Curtains in my Tree]

Delicious pictures my dear

besides being wonderful , love looking at every detail,, tell sister I want a cushion for my kitchen bench LOLshe did you good !!

love seeing your kitty cats around your house also ,
just wanted to say hi
after 2 years I finally got my chair painted PINK for my home studio. I seen yours where you had it turquoise I think? so far I have a blue, pink and white arm chair in my studio

[Stone hood]

Those photos evoke such a peaceful approach to living. I am eager to see all your recent work.

- Herman Swan