CHEZ FIFI

BOOK PHOTO SHOOTS ROUND 4- THE END!!

Bonjour everyone! 

I FINALLY came back home this weekend and I am staying put for, at least, now. After 2 1/2 months of shooting 30 homes (including 13 for the book, the rest for various magazines) I can put my suitcase away and not think about getting on locations at the crack of dawn. 

Yes, I know, this is a great job and I am very fortunate to still have it in this current economy and it beats waiting on the unemployment line, working in an office (or cleaning Time Square with a toothbrush.....you know what I mean.) And, please, don't misunderstand me, it certainly does NOT compare--far from that-- to the incredible hardship of fighting a war in Afghanistan or Iraq. My heart goes out to all who are away from home and loved ones for long period of times.

What I am saying is that it sure is nice to be home (and to still have a home) and sleep in my own bed with my 3 kitties (not to worry: my very caring friend Sue looks after my "girls" when I am away).

In short: I am a lucky Fifi, I know it, and I am very grateful for the wonderful opportunities to see numerous areas of the country, visit so many beautiful homes and meet so many lovely people who have allowed me to intrude into their life --and mess up their houses in order to get just the right shots. Of course, my selection of homes and the styling involved would not have resulted in the gorgeous images we now have for the book if not for the exquisite captures of Mark Lohman, the photographer I have been privileged to work with. Mark is not only very gifted he is also VERY funny, which makes the work a delight.

Here is Mark hard at work..........

 

and me with Joy in Illinois........

 

Moi and the geese in Nebraska......

                          

 

Anne Marie and I in Illinois.........

   

 Add the kindness, hospitality, and help of each homeowner, the tremendous support from the publishing house, and the countless encouragements from each of you, and I believe this is the recipe for success. So, to EVERYBODY involved in the creation of this book and to EACH and EVERYONE of you for believing in me I want to say THANK YOU!!

This is my friend Sunday Hendrickson (who came to give me a hand on a shoot! Really?)

 

 and the wonderful LULU (check out her wonderful blog). This photo was taken in Lulu's house in California (Lulu is on the right)

 

Lulu found this great basket for one of the shoots and I ended buying it (there goes my little profit from the book.......)

 

 

Now, I have until the end of September to write the text and make sure my words live up to the photography.....as the saying goes "the proof is in the pudding!" Time will tell.

I am also working on the next issue of Romantic Country, the Italian magazines, and the TV shows. So, if I seem to be "absent" in the next couple of months you will know why, though I will try my best to keep posting. Just check my blog for updates. OK?

I wish I could take the time to write about all the humorous (and odd) experiences encountered during these shoots but right now I have to meet deadlines. So, maybe later....

Meanwhile, I will leave you with another little collage from the last shoots. I hope you enjoy this latest sneak preview.

Again, THANK YOU for standing by me. I hope you will look forward to the book and that your will love it and what it stands for as much as I love creating it. As we get closer to the publication date (spring 2011) I will have permission from the publisher to give more specific examples and will quickly post them. I will keep you informed about what's happening. 

With much love and gratitude xoxoxoxoxoxo

 Bye for now............

May the rest of your summer be filled with beauty and fragrance, like MARIA  lavender buckets and little pillows......................

 

........and as delicious as ANGELA macarons

 

BOOK PHOTO SHOOTS ROUNDS 2 & 3

It's been quite a few weeks since I posted but I haven't been home. I have been gone on photo shoots for my book and just finished rounds 2 & 3, which took me from Missouri to Nebraska (via Iowa and Indiana), and from Southern California all the way to Northern Cal (Sacramento, Tahoe and Ione), and I am off again on Monday to shoot the last round in Va, MD and finally back to Florida to photograph my guest house, all for the book.

Styling and photographing these lovely interiors, outdoor settings, little children, and animals is pure joy! Not just because of all the beauty  but because of each family being so generous with their hospitality and priceless help. They all make my work (and it is a lot of work as they can attest) fun and memorable and their kindness (as in: Tylenol, Tums,  Ban-Aids and much more) soothes my jet-lagged brain, blistered feet, upset stomach, and weary bones! So to each and everyone of you a very BIG thank you. I feel I have made new friendships that will last a lifetime.

If you really think photo shoots are glamorous, think again! We got chased by a

3-legged dog (yes, only 3 legs) who, though small and handicapped, almost outran us while we were photographing a beautiful horse very early 

one 

morning.............A cranky goose tried to take a bite

 of my 

arm, a lunatic goat thought my hair might be some 

new straw

to nibble on (to be honest it was in need of a 

good shampoo...) 

I picked a handful of weeds, which 

turned out to be poison ivy. 

Yikes.

In order to gain access to a farmhouse we had to drive to a creek with NO bridge.......To photograph an outdoor table setting I wanted to do we piled all the stuff on the back of a tractor and drove way out in the fields. Ok, so, that's not so bad, you say. Well, fortunately, when we did get the shot--we had to wait for the full moon to rise--and when we were taking the things back to the tractor, then, and only then, was I told to watch out for the rattle snakes..(WHAT?.., thanks for the warning Miss Maria!!) Luckily the snakes ignored us but the BATS showed up. Still think you want my job???

I could go on and on but as you can clearly see I am having major issues with fonts today (the whole thing is stuck!!) So, before it all vanishes I am going to sign off and will get back to you in another week or two. Meanwhile enjoy this little preview of the photos I cropped so you will want to see more!

Stay tuned.............................

 

HAPPY 4TH!!

MY SISTER EMAILED ME THIS PHOTO. I SAY ITS A PERFECT EXCUSE FOR NOT WORKING TODAY..........HOPE YOU ARE WISE ENOUGH TO FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE...........IF ONLY I COULD LEARN A LESSON FROM THIS....SO VERY TEMPTING.............

"THE KEYBOARD IS STUCK AND THE MOUSE HAS DISAPPEARED......HUM......."

 

WISHING EVERYONE A FESTIVE AND HAPPY 4TH!!!
 

ROUND ONE

First of all I would like to thank everyone for the heart warming response to my upcoming book. Sure is nice to know so many of you are excited about it. Your words are like a comforting embrace and make me feel all warm and fuzzy! THANK YOU (xoxoxoxo) for taking the time to leave such encouraging comments.

As you know we just shot the first 4 homes for the book. Mark Lohman (photographer) and I met in Chicago (he flew from Los Angeles and I from Florida) and drove off to the countryside.

We were received with open arms by each of the lovely homeowners who treated us like family (including getting band-aids for my blistered toes----you know who you are (JOY)...), feeding us yummilicious homemade pies, salads, ham & cheese scones, roasted chicken and more (not to mention a killer gin concoction that tasted like pure nectar---darn! I never liked gin before but  now have to go buy myself a bottle....see what you started??? (Yes, YOU, Anne Marie), keeping us awake with POTS of coffee (starting with Tracey) and fattening us up even more with the most exquisite homemade macarons, thanks to Angela's culinary delights... 

Of course I am dying to share the photos but, as you clearly understand, I can't. What I did, though, is to make a little collage by cropping some very tight little corners of some of the images....just to give you a minimal sneak preview. This will give you a tiny  sense of the feel of the book without revealing much at all. I know it's a bit of a tease but I hope it will make you want to see more and look forward to the book. I will do the same with the next shoots, which will happen next week. There is A LOT more to come right through the end of July, until we are finished shooting all the homes.......very exciting and rewarding  project.

 

So, I am off again next week (for round 2) and will only be back home for about 3 days before taking off again. I will try to catch up in between trips.

Meanwhile, here is a quick and easy recipe for your 4th of July festivities.

  ENJOY!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

 

 

 

 

NEW HAPPENINGS.........

In my last post I mentioned I was going to tell you about the latest news. Well, here it is: I got a book (decorating) contract and start shooting the first round of homes for the book next week. The first 4 homes are in the midwest, then the next round is in Missouri and Kansas, then Southern and northern California, followed by Kentucky, Virginia and, lastly Florida.

Obviously I can't divulge much about the contents but suffice to say that it's going to be beautiful and unique. It took some time to select the homes for the book and I ended up with more than needed but the upside is that it will allow for a second book.

The book is scheduled to be out spring of 2011 and will be available in the USA and Europe. I am very excited about this new venture. I hope you will be too!

Meanwhile, CAROLA ,a lovely blogger in Germany, send me an email to let me know my house was featured in this month issue of the German Country Living. They bought the story that ran in Coastal Living a few years back--when the doggie was still alive and before I redid the cabana and changed the living room and my office.

It truly is a small world!!

 

 
   

Speaking of homes, I wanted to bring this beautiful Canadian property to your attention in the event that you might know someone interested. It's quite breathtaking. Take a look at JAN'S blog to see the slideshow or go to REVELSTOCK ACRES 

 
You can also see many more photos HERE

Good luck Jan and John. Your place is truly gorgeous!

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Another site for lovers of romantic treasures is SHERI'S where you can find gorgeous Murano lamps......................

 

.................vases....................

 

............and much sought after hotel silver, among many other exquisite pieces.............

 

    ******************

You also won't want to miss these beauties created by 

LAURA 

ARTISANS SELECTIONS

These little pendant are so clever and sweet....

and these are the prettiest cuffs! Perfect for summer...............so feminine and soft!
 

Love how she mixes pearls and the little pendant.............   

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I am looking forward to getting away from the intense heat we have been having in Florida. I may be wilting but the heat seeking flowers are thriving (the other ones have collapsed!) Please, don't ask me the name of the vine below because I can't remember it. Sorry!

It has even managed to find its way through an old clock in the cabana........
     

 

   

This is another cool vine. We call it Florida Wisteria but the real name is Queen's Wreath............

it also comes in purple

 

The jacaranda tree also boasts beautiful purple blooms

 
 
  and the Royal Poinciana's looks like if it is on fire...........

here are some of the blooms close up.......

of course, the roses just love the sun and the heat (and lots of water!!)

and the morning glories keep clambering up the fence........

Well, it's time for me to take my clue from one of my "assistants" (Daisy) and say: good night! I will see you when I get back in a week. Happy summer!