CHEZ FIFI

NOW AND SOON

By now I am sure you all know

MATTHEW MEAD'S spectacular magazine

HOLIDAY

with Matthew Mead

From beautiful projects....

to dreamy designs........

and delicious recipes.....

Matthew's 144-page magazine is a MUST-HAVE!

For more info go to MATTHEW'S SITE

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One of the perks of being a magazine editor is that you get advanced notices of new books about to be released. And this week I received several press releases featuring some beautiful books that will be available this spring. One of my favorite is by one of Britain's best loved interiors stylist and designer ATLANTA BARTLETT. Her latest book "PALE AND INTERESTING", photographed by POLLY WREFORD,

is just as gorgeous a her previous ones...

ATLANTA and her partner DAVE COOTE also have a gorgeous website

 PALE AND INTERESTING  

brimming with the prettiest items from furniture (designed by DAVE) to accessories, linens, clothes and more. 

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Another beautiful upcoming book is JANE PACKERS'

AT HOME WITH FLOWERS

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For vintage lovers there is also

MODERN VINTAGE 

By EMILY CHALMERS (photographed by DEBBIE TRELOAR) who also authored FLEA MARKEY STYLE and CHEAP CHIC

 

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Gardening enthusiasts will enjoy

GARDENING IN NO TIME

the new book by gardening expert

TESSA EVELEGH

 

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If you are looking for creative ways to make the best use of your walls you won't want to miss 

GERALDINE JAMES'

CREATIVE WALLS

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When I received all these press releases it also included one on my own book, ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE! And this is a fitting time for me to thank each of you who so kindly put my book cover on their blog

I so appreciate your generous sharing spirit.

THANK YOU! XOXOXOXO

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Speaking of things to come check in next week for my next GIVEAWAY announcement......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!

QUICK UPDATE

Hello everyone,

First a very BIG THANK YOU for all the lovely emails and comments (and pre-orders) regarding my book. It's so encouraging to read your nice notes. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!!

 

I wanted to update you on the book cover. I am new to book publishing and, like everyone else, I assumed that the original cover was it. Well, it doesn't work that way. I found out that it wasn't final until....it was final (actually it's very much like with magazine publishing....) and, this one is the FINAL cover

When I first found out the original one was to be changed my heart just sunk to the bottom of my feet because I was so concerned about Maria being disappointed if her home was no longer the choice but, thank goodness, this new photo is her living room. WHEW!!!

In fact, I L-O-V-E this photo because it is very symbolic of the romantic prairie style: simple but inviting and with the chandelier peeking over the title, just the right touch of romance. And,lucky me, my friend Christina Strutt (of Cabbages & Roses) agreed to write the foreword. 

My other concern was that those of you who already pre-ordered might get confused and think your ordered the wrong book. Rest assured: you got the right one!

I hope you are as pleased with this cover as I am and I thank you very much for all your kindness and understanding. With much love,

FIFI'S BOOK REVEALED

I couldn't reveal much about the book until now but I have been given permission to post the cover so here you go, at last!

Of course I can't post the contents but at least now you know what it's about.

I hope you like!!

It can be pre-order on Amazon (NOT FROM ME)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=romantic+prairie+style&x=0&y=0

I do want to thank everyone for the many encouragements and lovely comments I received while working on the book and I hope to get to meet many of you when I go on book signing tours in the spring.

And keep in mind that without Mark Lohman's photography the book would not be half as nice. "A picture is worth a thousand words!"

Thank you dear Mark for all your artistry, for putting up with me in spite of the tough schedule I put you through and for maintaining such a wonderful composure and your "to-die" for sense of humor.

Oh, and thanks for teaching to enjoy a martini now and then! One could get use to this dangerous potion....but as long as it's only for medicinal purposes--like sore feet, blisters and/or a case of the blues.....well....I won't abuse it! In fact the last one I had was in Ione, California, at that diner we found late one night! And that was back in July. I am definitvly due for another one! What a life!! 

I am so looking to doing book 2 with you! SERIOUSLY!

Of course I would be much appreciative if, as we say down South (yea, even me, a French girl) "YOU ALL" would be so kind to mention the book on your respective blogs. You can use these photos too! Hey even a skinny girl -AND her cats- have to eat so the more book I can sell the  more tuna I can buy for the kitties.

LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL! COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT ANY OF YOU. 

YOU GIRLS ROCK!!!

 

AND THE WINNER IS...............

YES, THE TIME HAS COME TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY:

LAURA INGALLS GUNN

Laura, when you have a moment, please email me your postal address and I will promptly send you your goodies.

THANK YOU again to all for your kind participation.

As I mentioned before

I will have another GIVEAWAY this month so check for the announcement.

xoxoxoxo to ALL!! 

Fifi

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And now a few more projects

ICE BLOCKS

*Make letters of choice using either fresh or fake greens.

*Form snow blocks and insert letters in between 2. Leave outside to freeze.

*Once frozen solid, spray the surface with water to create a bit more transparency, if necessary. 

I made similar ones when I lived in the "great" North but I am going to make some in my freezer (can't really make them outdoors in Florida, if you know what I mean....) and will let you know how they turn out.

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QUICK & EASY CENTERPIECES

 So easy! 

You need:

*A large container of choice.

*3 potted miniature evergreens

*Apples (red or green)

*Set the the evergreens in the container

*Arrange the apples around them.

AND, VOILA!

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ORNAMENTS AND CANDLES CENTERPIECE

*USE A LARGE GLASS BOWL (ONE WITH A HOLLOW BASE IF YOU HAVE)

I PUT SEA SHELLS IN THE BASE, FILLED THE BOWL WITH ORNAMENTS THEN INSERTED THE CANDLES BETWEEN THEM. I PUT SOME STICKY STUFF (THE KIND YOU CAN BUY TO HOLD CANDLES STRAIGHT--I THINK IT'S CALLED "CANDLE WAX"...SOMETHING LIKE THAT--

BUT BE CAREFUL WITH LIT CANDLES.

 

KEEP AN EYE ON THE CANDLES...........

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SILVER AND ORNAMENTS DISPLAY

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CHRISTMAS CHANDELIER

For this one I used a regular iron hanging pot rack.

*I wrapped the rim and the chains with ribbons and weaved  garlands through the hooks then hung ornaments and glass votives from them.

*I also added ribbons to hold more ornaments. If you are going to make one, make sure your glass votives are deep enough and hang away from the ribbons.

Always keep an eye on burning candles.

*The other solution is to use the small battery operated candle-like votives or even larger candles if you can find the right size for your glass containers. The "fake" candles look great and they are totally safe, especially with children around.

Safety first!

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SIMPLE JAR WRAPPED IN BEADED GARLAND

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DRIED ROSES AND HYDRANGEAS CHRISTMAS TREE

I no longer have the tree...I made it about 12 years ago so it's long gone but it lasted for about 5 years.

I used a fake tree to which I hot glued over a thousand roses and hydrangeas that I dried over a one year period. A once in a lifetime madness..

You can make a smaller scale one (this one was about 8 feet tall) and if you use a fake tree you will be able to save it for several years as long as it is stored in a dark space without humidity. Something like a big cardboard box kept in a closet or basement will do.

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If, unlike me, you knit and are looking to create a "country" Christmas theme, then these lovely socks will do the trick. Of course, one can always buy some already made....

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More later...............

PRETTY EASY ....................

Here is a VERY EASY festive center piece you can create in minutes. Nice for a gathering in the kitchen!

All you need is a colander,a styrofoam ball (or the foam kind for fresh flowers), enough dried, fresh or fake fruit or flowers to arrange in the colander.

I use fake pomegranates I had from a previous topiary I made for a photo shoot. 

If you get fake things and they don't come attached to a stick then you need to get wooden skewers and cut them into 5 inch long pieces. Insert one end into the fake (or real fruit)and the other end into the styrofoam or foam half ball. You can also mix real and fake.

If you are using real stuff make sure to use the foam type half ball. Poke a few holes in the foam and submerge in water before proceeding with the fresh flowers. You will also have to line the colander with foil paper so the water won't leak out.

I prefer the fake things for the holidays because they don't require any maintenance. I just stuck little bits of moss between the pomegranates to conceal holes and it ended up making the arrangement much nicer (color wise) and more complete. It took about 10 minutes to make the whole thing.

 

 

It's your turn to make one!

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Will be announcing the winner of the giveaway before Sunday midnight

Keep checking! Maybe it will be YOU!!