CHEZ FIFI

PRAIRIE COUTURE™ AND PRAIRIE STYLE™ LITTLE PREVIEWS

It seems like forever since I began working on the Prairie Couture™ and Prairie Style™ lines of apparel and home goods. Looking back at my notes and posts it has been over 2 years since I started to develop the lines.

The idea came to me when I was working on ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE,my first book back in 2010. I kept working on it while producing the second book, THE ROMANTIC PRAIRIE COOKBOOK and the magazine named after the first book, ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE. I mentioned it on my blog way back (over 1 year ago...where does time go!) then came up with PRAIRIE STYLE™ and PRAIRIE COUTURE™, both legal trademarks. 

So, it has been a long time coming but I am happy to have a few samples of the desings to show you. They are in the process of being manufactured (some of the baskets are ready to hit the market). Beside finding the time to create the designs the most challenging thing is to have the right fabrics.

 

One more thing: I am working on the third book in the Prairie series. I will be announcing its title very soon but it's going to be FABULOUS!!




Anyway, there is a LOT more coming but here is a little sneak preview. I hope you will like! Let me know.

 

Of course, prairie girls MUST have boots and these are among the many other styles (other patterns, short ones, medium height, with and without heels, cowboy style and so on...) that will be available 

Look for jewelry, belts, headbands and more....this is just the begining....

Stay tuned......

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE ...AND A LITTLE TREAT DOES NOT HURT EITHER!

VALENTINE is tomorrow but even if you don't have a "Valentine" you can celebrate your lovely self!! 

You can be queen for a day (or forever) with one of these exquisite crowns and head pieces from ANNA

(www.annafleberg.se, or email: annafleberg@hotmail.com)

 

 

Lace and pearls..........

 

  

 

or wire and sparkles..............

or flowers, lace, ribbons and pearls..........great for a wedding too....

How about these dainty butterflies to pin in your hair, on a blouse or just set on the table....

Other great "Love" touches

Among the things I am treating myself to:

this cute little top and romantic boots from

FREE PEOPLE catalog

BE GOOD TO YOURSELVES!!

HAPPY VALENTINE

TO ALL!

WINTER (PRAIRIE) FASHION PART 2

First a big

THANK YOU

for all the lovely comments you left about yesterday "Florida Winter Fashion". 

I really should have called it "Prarie Fashion©" as, in many ways, it reflects my vision of today's Prarie Style©, where fashion is concerned.

In fact, I am having my own line of

Prairie Couture™ 

 designed and hope to have some items available late spring. Meanwhile, it's a lot of fun to play dress up with the clothes I have. But soon mine will become available. It's a long process and a difficult one to undertake because of all the magazine work I am involved with. So, one day at a time...but keep checking my blog because I will announce the Prarie Couture™ line as soon as it's ready.

Today: Not quite warm enough to wear the lighter sweater I planned on. Rummaged through my drawers and found this cropped white cashmere (about 10 years old). Combined it with the Free People top, navy leggins (same as the mustard ones of yesterday) and a pair of thigh-high flat black leaher boots (from Dillards on sale). That's good enough for inside (since I don't want to turn on the heat!) but for a trip to the store I needed to add the little leather jackets and a soft-as-a-cloud and white-as-snow scarf.

Yesterday, my friend Miranda was over so she took the photos but today I am alone, hence the shots in the mirror. Not so glamourous but will just have to do! Oui?

 

in front of the mirror in my bedroom....

 

Standing up on a little bench so you can see the boots....

with the jacket (also from Dillards--2 years ago)

and the complete Prairie outfit with the scarf (from Charlotte Russe $10.00)

STAY COZY & TOASTY!

FLORIDA WINTER FASHION (my way....)

   OK, so it IS much colder today. It was 45 this morning AND GOING UP TO ONLY 62!

So, I pulled out my leggings, boots and a fluffy sweater. Voila!       

 

        

with the fluffy sweater....

 

The boots are from 

FREE PEOPLE

(my favorite catalog)

The lacy blouse is from JOHNNY WAS CATALOG

I got the leggins at DILLARDS (they come in sevral colors including this mustard-like shade, dark blue, plum, red and bottle green.) They are perfect for these boots because they are skinny and not bulky like my jeans are).

The white fluffy sweater/cardigan is from STEINMART (also came in black but I prefer white.)

This sweater below is also from FREE PEOPLE but they are out of it right now.

 

Tomorrow it will be warmer so I will go back to lighter clothes like this cotton sweater (TJMAXX) and long top from FREE PEOPLE, jeans and boots.

The pearl "collar" is from BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY ($9.99)

LOVE this collars and those below

 

This one from BETSY JOHNSON (a splurge...)

and these 2 from CHARLOTTE RUSSE ($5.00 each)

 That's it for today's "Florida Winter Fashion show"

 

I do wish that everybody travelling will not have to miss Christmas with their family. I will be spending the holidays with my kitties. Not going anywhere for a chnage. It's good to be home.

Be safe and stay warm!

IN PRAISE OF BEAUTIFUL THINGS FROM BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

Finding time to indulge in anything but work still eludes me. Even things as mundane as cleaning the house or grocery shopping have become a rare luxury. In fact, my schedule has reached the point where it's time to reassess and regroup. The truth is that this overload is my own fault. I am FINALLY coming to the conclusion that I have to cut back. This weekend I found myself "brain-dead", incapable of having one iota of creative impulse.

So, I thought I would just share some photos of things that make me feel happy and content. 

Some are just items from around my house, others are some I had made for Romantic Country but they didn't make the cut so you may as well enjoy them now. You will also see some lovely products that didn't get included in the product section of the magazine (Favorite Finds). I am showing them here because I am sure you will love ordering some for yourself or a friend. None of these things cost much at all but their beauty soothes and comforts.

I hope they do the same for you...........

Roses, even faded ones with petals edged with a paper-like trim, never fail to remind of nature's gift of beauty...............................

The textural appeal of a cushy lace and linen pillow is always an invitation to a comfy nap (if only!)........... The lace panel's hue is a shade lighter than the linen and what you see behind is a white insert. Where did I get it you ask? In a lovely shop in Agoura Hills, just outside Los Angeles (www.agourantiquemart.com Phone:818-706-8366)

                                           

Candlelight mesmerizes and adds instant romance. This particular candelabra was a $10 find. Its original finish was brass but I "aged" it with an antiquing kit (available at Michaels Crafts) composed of a base coat, adhesive liquid and gold leaf. I made it for an article about romantic icons for Romantic Country but it wasn't picked. Oh well! Now I have YET one more candelabra. I know some of you will ask about the fabric and the glasses. The fabric is from Jo-Anne's and the glasses from Home Goods (bought last year.)

Another item that didn't make the cut is this mirror to which I added the lovely fabric flowers I ordered from meadowstreet.com (951-813-9724). Sorry about that but I got outvoted. Personally I thought it was a perfectly fitting idea for the Make It Yourself section of RC. It's so easy to do! Just hot-glue the back of the flowers to the mirror and voila!

                                                   

I fully intended to include these sweet tags from shabbyfufu.com (786-493-2007) in this coming issue of RC "Our Favorite Finds" but they also got deleted.....yet, they make such darling additions to any gift...............

Visit Shabby Fufu's website for many more delightful choices

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

Another thing that got cut (also from the product section) are the pretty Marie- Antoinette plates from mypetitemaison.com (707-293-4701)

I will do my best to try to get them in the next issue (winter/spring) but meanwhile you might get a head start and stock up..................

Here is the last item that didn't not get included:

Penny Carlson's gorgeous mosaic clock. To see more of Penny's exquisite art go to: www.lavenderhillstudio.com

Oh! I forgot another one! This terrific indoor/outdoor rug woven from recycled plastic bottles.  It comes in large (6x9) medium (5x8) and small (4x6). It's mildew and fade resistant. Perfect for outdoor or kitchen. Contact:The Society Gardener jackiewaters@gmail.com Phone: 478-744-2402

I wanted to let you know about all these goodies because it breaks my heart when items get cut from an issue. I know how much it means to you and I do my best to feature everything but I often get outvoted. I do want you to know I will always try but it might not always be within the time frame I hope for. Thanks for understanding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am sure by now you all now about 

WATERSIDE COTTAGES 

                                                                                 

The stunning book written by my friend Barbara Jacksier and photographed by my favorite "shoot partner" Dan Mayers.

Their collaboration resulted in a smashing success, but of course! If for some strange reason you haven't ordered your copy you better do it soon before it's out of print.................

You can do that by going to Barbara's website www.watersidestyles.com

I promise you won't regret it. It's the kind of book you will enjoy over and over.

Thank you to all of you who trust me with their heartfelt work and pretty products. This post is for you!

Talk to you soon.