CHEZ FIFI

ROMANCE IS ALWAYS IN STYLE....................

I was working on designing a little insert for a project when this little phrase came to my mind: Seasons come and seasons go but ROMANCE IS ALWAYS IN STYLE..........while for some it's about matters of the heart, for me it's all about ROMANCING THE HOME..................

                   

You could say I am obsessed with surrounding myself with beauty and you would be right...but I know that if you are reading this I am in good company.............................

It's about finding these wonderfully quirky thingies, like these little stands (yes, I did get the tall one to go with the shorter version) the zinc candle holder was the bottom of a lantern. The glass enclosure that fit over it broke. The piece that looks like a cloche (on the short stand) was the top of that lantern. I got the lantern at HOME GOODS on sale for $12.99. I broke the glass when I unpacked it........ both stands (which I pained gray) are also from HOME GOODS ($7.99 each.) These are recent purchases so they probably still have some....just in case you want them.........unfortunately the enamel heart is one I got in France.........

                     

Romancing the rooms doesn't have to cost a lot. Second hand and consignment stores are full of treasures. I found this carafe and silver bowl in one for a song........................

It's all in the details..........inexpensive little groupings.............................

     

                  

..............and treats for yourself.........(like this steel heart from GYPSYVILLE I gave myself last week........)

               

.......whimsical little corners.....inside and out...................................

(The photo on the left is from my guest house, the one on the right from a wonderful French company called BLANC D'IVOIR)..............................................................................

It's about creating something pretty out of something ordinary....like this big plaster shell painted and embellished with glass beads and filled with sand and  candles (works well with water and floating candles too)....................

                

Romance is as much at home outside as it is indoor...............whether it's a stone heart

                  

an arbor draped with roses......................or hugged by hollyhocks...............

     

......................or a hammock beckoning in the shade...................................

                        

..........................it's dill dancing in the sunlight....................

                           

.........sunflowers............... and........... moon flowers

   

.......pretty lanterns.........and.........friendly settings for 2..........

(lanterns: HOME GOODS--several years ago, table & chairs BEALLS OUTLET--last week)

Flowering trees are also a must for a romantic garden................

I finally got the exact name for the tree I called the "Dr. Seuss tree."

                        

It's a BOMBAX also known as the SHAVING BRUSH tree. Now you know...............and my cuttings are doing just fine..................they have started to sprout tiny leaves..............

                      

I just bought a white Bombax. It's about 9 feet tall. I am still trying to figure out where the best place is to plant it..................

I also bought a small Princess Earring tree........the earring-like blooms begin with a green pod that opens into fuzzy dangling lavender and yellow blossoms....................

They had a very large one at the garden center and it was full of hundreds of "earrings" swinging in the breeze.............totally magical!

Romancing your home and garden is at your finger tips................speaking of which, the summer issue of ROMANTIC COUNTRY will be on the newsstands starting mid June. It's all about...well.....romantic finds, destinations, homes, magical gardens, creative projects and more. As soon as I get an advanced copy I will post the dreamy cover so you will know what it looks like. And, thanks to the overwhelming demand, we are, at last, including subscription cards so from now on you won't have to search for it all over town!

Not sure how much I will be able to blog in the coming weeks as I have a lot of photo shoots scheduled. So, wait for me......I'll be back.

xoxoxoxoxo Fifi

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LITTLE PLEASURES...........................................

THANK YOU for all the lovely birthday wishes! Yes, I did have a wonderful birthday.............I may have come across as 'cry baby" about getting older but it's not the "older" part that bothers me. Let me explain.

To begin with I have to level with you. I DO know I look younger than I am but the fact is I am a LOT older than most people assume. Think about it: I have a 40 year old and a 37 year old....... I was 23 when my first son, Ron, was born. So.....that makes me 63................one thing I know is, unless something major happens, if I live to be 100 I will look like an "old little girl."

Here I am--with Daisy-- on my birthday--- wearing the lovely top my sweet friend CHRISTINA send me from London. It's part of her CABBAGES & ROSES' gorgeous Spring Collection, which features the most darling clothes and home accents............................................ 

Yes, I know, age is a state of mind and 60 is the new 40..yadayadaya......Those of you who happen to be of the same "vintage" as I will understand what I am about to say.

The numbers are not the issue, time is. I don't mind the wrinkles, the changes in skin texture and the inevitable pull of gravity.....the aging process is part of life. But, you can't help wondering where the years went.....when did your little children become adults.....and how so much has change in the world....some things for the better other for the worse...........there is a sense of nostalgia that comes with this kind of accute awareness.....a longing for the days when you were, truly, young and immuned to the deeper meaning of reality...when you could laugh at the silliest of things.....get your heart broken and have it mend in no time....when you thought you had forever to accomplish your goals, realize your dreams. This does not mean I don't enjoy every moment, delight in little things or fall in love with flowers and big and little animals, on the contrary.

Though I have reached many of my goals there is still so much more I want to do. Don't laugh, PROMISE...you won't laugh....OK? ....here we go: I have lots of plans--including decorating and children books and TV shows-- but I have two main goals that take precedent over the others. NUMBER 1 is to win an OSCAR for best movie script! Really! Honest! I have been working on one for the past 3 years. It's just that it's very difficult to find the time to do this with so many daily deadlines with magazines. BUT, I will get there...though I might be 90 by the time I finally walk on stage with my red dress and my high heels (probably from TJ MAXX......) NUMBER 2 is to be on TV with MISS PIGGY! The little porker is such a....ham! ha...ha....ha...Now you know all my secrets!

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Speaking of treats, I got myself a pink garden hose ($20 on line at DOITBEST.COM) and pink and blue butterfly nets (Pier 1, $5.99 each) because they look nice with my pink and blue cottage........

..............and to further celebrate my birthday (I did it all week...why not?) I got myself some gorgeous flowers.......blue hydrangeas and pink peonies..............yummy!

I also found a way to use an aqua mercury candle stick one of my kitties broke a few months back................turns out it makes a cool little vase.......................

                   

I got the little candle holder --below--at Home Goods ($7--they come in different sizes and they are in the candle department but they would be great as a small cake stand too...) I painted it because I didn't like the finish it had.....................

BEFORE....................................................AFTER

I put up a new arbor and added netting for the gourd seeds I planted to grow up on it. Before I know it will be covered with the vine and the green goodies hanging from it. I will take photos...the first of the seeds has already sprouted (you can see it below just popping its little green head out)...............we have had drenching rains (which we badly needed) and it's steamy hot.........not good for my hair but great for the plants!............................

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My sister Sylvie sent me some photos of the pretty new fabric shoes/boots  she made

and also some lavender sachets........................

            

and the most GORGEOUS pillow......................................................

         

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Today I was looking for terrariums and other stuff for an upcoming photo shoot. I went to SARASOTA ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE, a huge warehouse full of great antique and salvaged building materials -- claw foot tubs, hardware, doors, wrought iron, gates, garden art, and more stuff.

I didn't find what I was looking for but I was tempted by many other things.................I was a Good Fifi (how boring!) and controlled myself, although I am contemplating getting this baby for the garden........................

            

Take a look at their website http://sarasotasalvage.com you can order from them and have it shipped to your home. Here is a small sampling of their amazing goods................

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And here is a real treat for YOU. Take a look at MOLLY 's stylish and fun bags.

                        

Molly translates her passion for photography into unique fashion and home accents. Her website is a treasure trove of beautiful and useful accessories you are sure to fall in love with.

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Ok, muppets, that's quite enough for one day. OUI? Have a lovely long weekend and thanks again for all the good wishes. They sure warmed my "wild" heart."                         So nice of you to care. Lots of bisous....................Fifi

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LITTLE DID I KNOW....................................

...................the kind of response I would get to A SIMPLE QUESTION!

How can I ever thank each and everyone of you for taking the time to leave all these heart- warming-doubt-effacing and caring comments??? I had NO idea this little blog was the source of such pleasure and inspiration for so many of you. I am like everybody else: I tend to second guess myself a lot. But now that I know how you all feel, I have a sense of purpose. I wouldn't dream of letting you down. So sorry I created such a commotion. I am just a big whiny-baby!

Not only did all your loving comments made me realize the meaning of Chez Fifi but if I needed yet more affirmation this email from SANDRA (I asked for her permission to post it) would have erased any doubt, if I had any left. It's charming because of her English. It's touching because it's sincere. It's lovely because it shows how a little thing like a blog can bring a little bit of relief in difficult times.

Dear fifi i hope you read this email i know you have so much to do but please read it.my espelling is not so good i am self tought inglish.my name is sandra dias and from may 2007 i fin you and i will take a pick every nigth to see what beuty you have post.i am so sorry for what someone thid to you copy your art there is no words to descrive that action you are so generos with us you share alld the beuty that you have inside  your beutifull hart.letme tell you about me i am 51 years old i dont have a blog but god givme a talent for beuty my grand mother was from spain and i she create the most beutifull weeding dresses and i yusto sit next to her and ovserve the beutifull details that she create andshe also have a rose garden i think i got my talent from her i love white and ligth pink old fassion rosessomethimes i dream of gosefine bounaparte the beuty that she created her rose garden same has madame pompndeur.please dont stop posting rigth 2 days before christmas i foud that i have breast cancer on april 28 i star my kimo i have been thrue alot surgerys  some times you desapir  i know that you have a lots a work i have alld the magassines of romantic country i live 3 hours awy from the beutifull rose story farm and 1 hour from san fransisco ca.you are my window to beuty in this hard times for me  CAND YOU SEND IN THE CLOWNS FOR ME.love and blessigs sincerly sandra dias

I think it says it all. It also makes me feel ashamed to have created such a stir when I should have kept my mouth shut and, instead, focused on "doing the right thing."

So, Chez Fifi lives on.......................................................................................

THANK YOU TO ALL. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

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Back a few days: As you may remember from a few posts back, I had hung 2 big beautiful baskets in the front of the house. One was hanging from the arbor over the front gate, the other from a tree branch by the picket fence. Well, about 2 weeks ago someone stole the one from the arbor so I moved the remaining one from the tree (to close to the street) onto a bracket attached to the post where the blue hammock is fastened. Can you believe that yesterday morning that one was gone as well!? That means somebody actually walked through the gate and right to the middle of the garden to take it.

So, this evening I decided to drive around my neighborhood to see if my baskets were hanging in someone else's garden. Needless to say they were nowhere to be found, Whoever took them must be smart enough to hang them in their backyard..............BUT, something lovely came out of it. I saw the most amazing tree in front of a little cottage. I rang the door bell and this very nice lady told me she didn't know the name of the tree but I was welcome to take home some cuttings. Like with angel trumpets, you can plant the cuttings directly in the ground with some root starter, which I did right away. Tomorrow I will bring her some angel trumpet cuttings in return for her gift.

This is what the cuttings look like.....long branches, with huge buds...............

             

............that open into these "pompoms-like" blooms..............whatever the real name of the tree is, and I will find out, I am going to call it "Dr Seuss tree" because it looks like it comes straight from his books............very strange and whimsical...............just look at these "flowers!"

 

                     

They are like pink fireworks or maybe like feather dusters or again like a fancy bird's feathers.................anyway, when I go over there tomorrow I am going to take a picture of the whole tree (it's a BIG tree) covered with these blooms. You'll see: it's like something out of a fairytale. AMAZING! I can't wait for my little cuttings to grow into big trees. So, out of my stolen baskets saga something very good happened! If not for it I may have never seen that tree!!

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I hung an old bird feeder outside my kitchen window and, of course, the squirrels discover it right away and are feasting on sunflower seeds..............but the cardinals and the blue jays are coming too................................................................................

 

...I got this lovely bush called "the butterfly bush" because its numerous blue flowers are shaped like little butterflies.....the beautiful little "baby" was given to me by a very lovely friend who is very sick and wanted me to look after his favorite little statue.......truth be told, I think he felt I needed the tiny angel to watch over me............what a kind thing to do......

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After planting my new tree cuttings I also planted more moonflower and blue and pink morning glories seeds......................................................

                     

Tomorrow I will plant giant sunflower seeds and hope the squirrels won't dig them out.......

                     

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Lastly, one of the perks of being an editor is getting new books from publishers before the books come out. Look for these due in rhe book stores in May.......................

      

      

Each offers some great ideas, whatever your style...............................

I will try to post again before going to the New York office to do the the final editing for ROMANTIC COUNTRY...................................so, if I am "absent" for a few days don't think I have given up..........I promise................like Arnold would say "I'll be back!"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Fifi-the-Pest.....................................

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LOVE IS ALL THEY Need........................

.....A LITTLE LOVE GOES A LONG WAY...............in response to the previous blog about adopting a homeless pet JANET left a comment that makes a lot of sense:

"Did you know that you can virtually adopt a pet through the ASPCA? Great idea for those who are allergic, can't have pets or just want to help out in a personal way." Janet Coon, AKA SHABBYFUFU

Thanks Janet. I didn't know about this possibility! It's a marvelous alternative for those who want but can't.

DO IT! GIVE LOVE, SAVE A LIFE....................................

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS GO TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE             

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_nflpsa 

OR

www.fightcruelty.org

                                 

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LINDA L. I hope you will read this entry because I would like you to know that when I responded to your question about getting Romantic Country in Australia, my email wouldn't go through. I got a message saying that your email wasn't working.....Can you leave a comment on Chez Fifi, and I will try to respond to it. I hope it will work. So sorry.  Thanks. xo Fifi

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EASY, LAZY EASTER

......I am taking my own advice and enjoying the weekend....starting with a leasurely nap in my inviting hammock on the back deck as soon as dusk comes.........................

         

.............I will turn on the little twinkling lights over the steps leading to the kitchen........it's next to the corner where the hammock is.....................

       

............it's going to be a warm evening and the night bloomers, like the moonflowers, will open......

 

                  

............and perfume the night air..............................................................

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You can make this "egg vase" very easily. All you need to do is cook one (or several) hard boiled eggs. Cool them under cold water when cooked. Next you paint the shell with stencil paint (dries in a flash) in the color you want then--gently-- cut the top off and empty the egg. You can use the eggs as individual bud vases for your table and/or also insert a name card for each guest between the flowers or write the guest's name on the shell with a felt pen. Voila!

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SHABBYFUFU'S FANS WILL BE HAPPY TO KNOW JANET COON WROTE A BEAUTIFUL ARTICLE IN THE SPRING ISSUE OF ROMANTIC COUNTRY. LOOK FOR THE STORY ON DEBBIE DEL ROSARIO'S CALIFORNIA COTTAGE.

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                HAVE A DELICIOUS EASTER.......LIKE THIS BUNNY IS HAVING.............

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ST. PATRICK'S DAY......................................

...................IN TYPICAL FASHION I CELEBRATED ST. PATRICK'S BY WEARING A TOUCH OF GREEN...................OF COURSE IT HAD TO BE..................SOMETHING GIRLY-GIRL........

                                 

..........................GREEN SHOES WITH GREEN BLOSSOMS.........................

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! MAY THE LUCK OF THE IRISH BE WITH YOU, ALWAYS. XOXOX FIFI

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HAPPY HEART...........................................

I WON'T BE AROUND FOR VALENTINE SO I AM SENDING YOU A LOT OF LITTLE HEARTS TO WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE AND TENDERNESS....................................

                   HAPPY VALENTINE DAY, HAPPY HEARTS

                          FROM MY HOME TO YOURS

                        

 

                  

               

 

             

                         THE END

                    BISOUS, BISOUS

                            FIFI

BEAUTIFUL LAVENDER-FILLED LINEN HEARTS ARE THE PERFECT VALENTINE GIFT FOR YOUR GRANDMA, MOM, SISTER AND/OR GIRLFRIEND. THE MOST CHARMING ONES ARE ON JANET SHABBYFUFU'S WEBSITE. HERE ARE A FEW..............

PS: I AM LEAVING FOR NEW YORK SUNDAY,COMING BACK THURSDAY. HOME FRIDAY. LEAVING FOR SANTA FE SATURDAY, COMING BACK THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21. SEE YOU THEN.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR....................................

................may it be the best one EVER, filled with love, success and good health.........

                          

                             oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

                                                with love from

                                   Good Fifi & Bad Fifi

see you in 2008...........................when I get back from Maryland....................

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GIFTS AND MORE........

............I hope every one had a very Merry Christmas. Mine was quiet and lovely. Thank you so much for the many good wishes sent my way. As I mentioned earlier, I got my new, gorgeous, amazing new computer and.....I am IN LOVE with it.......just look at this BIG 24" screen...........................................................................................

         

.....................I am a big girl now!! Just think of what I will be able to do with my new-found love once I figure out all its magnificent tools....the sky is the limit! ......................which will take me a little time. But one thing is already a major improvement: I can read the screen without my glasses! Considering how many hours I spend writing and looking at photos this is a real bonus.

But, this is not the only gift I got. Today some more beauties arrived........................

JOY sent me a shiny and beautiful ornament she made herself....................Thank you JOY! It hangs on one of my mercury jars. It's a perfect companion for it.

               

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Then came a box filled with an array of handmade tags (one more beautiful than the next) and other lovelies (including a very yummy chocolate biscotti....all gone....) from SHERRI.

The antique-like tags feature exquisite designs from chandeliers to dress forms, crowns to stamps, rhinestones and sparkles.......just beautiful! There is also a silver key and tassels and pretty note cards!......Such a lovely assortment! Thank you Sherri. I adore them all.

            

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Lastly, a friend gave me these 2 mercury "urns"--not sure what else to call them..maybe bowls? Either way, they are yet another great addition to my ever growing mercury collection..........................................

This is the smaller one...............and here is the larger .........................

     

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I hung 2 little glass wreaths on my kitchen window. They catch the sunlight and make it "dance" all over the kitchen....I think I will keep them there all year........It's a sweet sight, first thing in the morning..............

 

I am going on a shoot January 1 and will be gone all week. I will do one more post before I go but won't blog when I am on the road.................but, as Arnold would say "I'LL BE BACK....."

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JOYEUX NOEL............................

.....................THAT'S MY WISH FOR EACH OF YOU, MY NEW-FOUND FRIENDS! WHEN I BEGAN THIS LITTLE BLOG THINGHY BACK IN JULY,  NEVER DID I IMAGINE I WOULD "MEET" SO MANY KIND, CHARMING, SUPPORTIVE, LOVELY, CREATIVE AND INTERESTING "BLOGBABIES." IT'S BEEN BOTH HEART WARMING AND REWARDING. THANK YOU.

                           

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I THOUGHT IF I SET MY NEW CLOCK ON MIDNIGHT, IT WOULD HELP MOVE THINGS ALONG... BUT I MADE SURE TO MAKE IT LOOK AS IF ONE STOCKING HELPED THE HANDS MOVE TO THE RIGHT TIME.....I PICKED THE PRETTY WHITE ONE (IT'S MADE FROM BRIDAL FABRIC, TRIMMED WITH PEARLS, A LACE TASSEL AND A RHINESTONE PIN. THE TIP HAS A LITTLE SEASHELL.) SO, IT GAVE THE CLOCK HANDS....THE BOOT..HA! HA! HA!

         

                        

..................WELL! IT WORKED! MY NEW BEAUTIFUL BIG 24" IMAC ARRIVED YESTERDAY........LUCY AND LILY HAVE ALREADY ADOPTED THE BOX BUT I AM NOT OPENING IT UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT.........THOUGH, I REALLY CAN'T WAIT TO SET IT UP..................................................................................................................

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..........AND MORE YUMMIES CAME MY WAY.............THIS TIME, THEY WERE SENT BY THE ALWAYS GRACIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL J0-ANNE. ..................................................

   

JO-ANNE HAND-PAINTED THE HEART WITH HER SIGNATURE ROSES SPRINKLED WITH SPARKLES. SHE ALSO INCLUDED MANY "BONBONS" AND OTHER SWEETS, LIKE CANDIES, CINNAMON TEA, HEART LOLLIPOP AND THE MOST UNBELIEVABLE DELICIOUS HOMEMADE ALMOND/CHOCOLATE/COCONUT CHIP COOKIES I EVER TASTED AND TASTED AND TASTED UNTIL THEY WERE ALL GONE.............I THANK YOU JO-ANNE AND MY FAT, FULL AND VERY HAPPY TUMMY THANKS YOU TOO!! (I PROBABLY PUT ON 5 POUNDS......................................) SORRY I CAN'T SHOW YOU THE HUGE COOKIES BUT HERE IS THE ONLY LEFTOVER...THE PRETTY TAG THAT CAME WITH IT..............................THESE COOKIES WERE THE BEST! YUM!

                              

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I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE VERY NICE COMMENTS YOU HAVE SENT REGARDING MY FIRST ISSUE OF ROMANTIC COUNTRY. COMING UP WITH IDEAS AND STORIES WAS CHALLENGING AND EXCITING BUT, I MUST ADMIT, I FELT A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT ONCE IT WAS COMPLETED. I AM THRILLED YOU ENJOY IT AND REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK.

I HOPE YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE THE NEXT ONE AS MUCH IF NOT MORE.

MAY YOU ALL HAVE THE LOVELIEST CHRISTMAS AND THE HAPPIEST AND HEALTHIEST NEW YEAR. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ENCOURAGEMENTS AND THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. XOXOXOXOXO.

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                                 JOYEUX NOEL AND BONNE ANNEE

                                                

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