Fifi


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  • Copyright 2007 Francoise O'Neill. Please do not use my photos or reprint my writing without my written permission. Thank you!

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work

on the road again.....................

....... It seems like I have been gone for a long time yet it has only been a couple of weeks. I will tell you more about that later.

As you all know the summer issue of ROMANTIC COUNTRY is out

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It's seems to be a favorite one for many of you. Thanks for all the lovely feedback. I am so thrilled you are enjoying it.

I understand that the subscription cards are missing in some of the copies so I have scanned one for you. If you like you can print it and mail it to the address below.

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I hope this will help. I am glad so many of you want to subscribe. It certainly makes my work worthwhile. THANK YOU!

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I believe you know I was on shoots in California. You will be pleased to know we shot Rachel Ashwell's own home in Los Angeles and her SHABBY CHIC  shop in Santa Monica.

The days begin very early. Have to be at the Flower Market by 5.30 AMto get fresh blooms for the shoots........................for me that means getting up at 4.00 AM and leave wherever I am staying by 5.00 AM (yikes!)

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Of course the market is a feast for the eyes! Sunday always has a big bright smile. Even at 5.00 AM! As you can clearly see, mine is rather "sleepy."

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Of course, I can't post the actual photos of the shoots but you can take a peek at her shop by going to her website http://www.shabbychic.com/

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What I can show you are a few photos I took during the shoot of the shop:

Sunday poses as Mark gets ready for a shot (on the photo on the right she looks like she is actually working! Ha!..)

Rachel_116 Rachel_120

Below: left, Janis, the store manager, Rebecca-middle- and Ashley. These ladies were so helpful and kind. They put up with the equipment clutter and moving furniture around without any complaints, in spite of the fact they were very busy as the shop was having a big sale.

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Below: getting set to shoot the shop's exterior

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below: taking one last peek--notice the high heels......once a girly-girl always a girly-girl....oh! By the way, that's not my Porshe...........too bad!

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We also went to Rachel's Design studio, but that's another story..........................

Left: Rachel and I at the Design Studio. Left, Sunday and I after we had lunch at the famous Ivy Restaurant. There was a lot of paparazzi but they didn't bother us....though Sunday looks a lot like Farah Fawcett and someone asked if I was.... Pamela Anderson (!!) I told them I was missing her mammoth chest or, as I call the Los Angeles bosoms the "plastic jugs"......)

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I wish I could show you a lot more but you are just going to have to trust me and wait for the magazine. One thing I can tell you is that Rachel is quite beautiful, extremely gracious and a lot of fun to be with. Her home is lovely in a simple but romantic way.The last night after the final shoot  Sunday, Rachel and I had a bite to eat and by then we were like sisters.

A lot more took place during that trip but I have to keep some for later...........

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I have a couple of great website for you to take a look at beginning with a French one http://www.comptoir-de-famille.com/-1-2.html fortunately they have an English version and a couple of stores in the US.

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The other gorgeous one is The Beautiful Life http://www.thebeautifullife.com check out these hearts and the French goodies................................

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I got this pretty flower necklaces from Laura Dellaporta's sweet shop "Verbena-Nested Treasures" located in Ocala, Florida. Laura's website isn't up yet but you can call her at 352- 427-5642. She can email you photos of her many treasures.

I wore all 4 necklaces together and got lots of compliments. They are very light and the colors are beautiful.

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You also will want to take a look at Zazzle.com. You can customized your own stamps or order theirs. I ordered 2 sets made from some of my photos and their own with "Adopt a Shelter Cat." How great is this? 

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                 Stamp001        Stamp002

They are regular 42 cents stamps. I also ordered some Thank You cards. Should have them next week.

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Before I left the night blooming cactus were in all their glory..................................they start with this fuzzy bud, grow to this......................

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Then open into this magnificent perfumed flower.....................

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................that stays open all night and dies in the morning.................

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Just spectacular! One of Natures beautiful miracles.

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As wonderful as the shoots are there is nothing like coming home and finding my kitties waiting for me. I settle in my little cocoon, light candles everywhere and take a deep breath...

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.......before tackling over 200 emails, scheduling the next shoots, working on the fall issue of Romantic and editing the work at hand................oh, and I forgot...dealing with a busted hot water heater, a broken garden hose connection and a flat tire............could be worse! The kitties were fine and the house didn't burn down. I think I need a "wife" to take care of cooking, washing, ironing, grocery shopping, bill paying..............you get the picture..........

Well, I am home for a week then off to OHIO next weekend for a week long shoot. Will be back on the 12 then off to Atlanta on the 20 for another shoot, then New York and the Boston area..............so not sure when I will post again. 

I hope this post will fill in the blank times. As you may have noticed I do, eventually, get around to answering questions, just be patient with me, please.

OK my friends, I will be back as soon as I can.

Be well and be safe.

xoxoxoxo Fifi

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PHOTO SHOOT, EATING THE PROPS & OTHER STUFF....................

................I have been shooting quite a few things for the fall issue of Romantic Country. Speaking of which I just received my advanced copy of the summer issue. You are going to LOVE it. All modesty aside, it's beautiful AND it comes with a SUBSCRIPTION card (including international)! You asked for it and now you have it. So, make sure to subscribe and we (me in particular) can all live romantically ever after .................

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It should start hitting the newsstands around the middle of the month. Let me know what you think when you get it. OK?

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Back to photo shoots. Though I can't post most of the stuff I shot (they are for the next issue) there is one I can share. I got the prettiest pale pink and green roses from the grocery store for a shoot

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and when I was done with them I decided to make an arrangement you can easily recreate.

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Here is what you need

*Fresh flowers

*Vase

*1 large head of Chinese cabbage

*Double sided Scotch tape

*Raffia

"How to"

1-Arrange the flowers in a vase of water.

2-Gently take apart the cabbage leaves and set aside

3-Wrap a strip of the double tape around the middle of the outside of the vase.

4-Affix the first cabbage leaf to the tape then add the next one and secure with more tape.

5-Keep adding leaves and tape until the vase is completely cover

6- Finish with raffia.

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The cabbage will start wilting after a few hours so if you plan to make a centerpiece for a party don't make it to far ahead and keep it in the fridge until just before your guests arrive.

Now I know you will think I am nuts but since I didn't have anything to eat in the house tonight I took the "cabbage vase" apart.........

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Cooked the cabbage with a bit of olive oil in a frying pan (and also sauteed some red onions)..and............. VOILA! I hate the props! Quite yummy and I am very full!

Cabbage_cooking_1 Cabbage_and_onions_1

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In the back of my house---where the little cabana is---there is a deck that will soon be replaced by a brick courtyard (next project and major expense....) I wanted to keep the "plant thieves" from coming into that area. One side was already fenced but this side was wide open to the backyard. The arbor you see below was draped with bougainvilleas but I had to cut is way back in order to have a 6-ft high fence and gate installed..........after the guys cut through a water pipe, which happened to be my neighbor's......and finally got it fixed, the work was done................

Arbor_before_gate_1 Gate_1

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Then came my part of the job: painting it.................never thought I would get it finished as it was over 100 degrees and 100 % humidity.....but I got it done! Whew!!

Painted_gate_1 Painted_gate_2

Now, I can lock both side of the patio and feel secured. I can't wait to get the brick work done and make the new courtyard into a little sanctuary.

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I got a white Petria (known as a Florida wisteria). I have the blue kind of the front fence and love it. The gourd seedlings are thriving............................

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On an other--but color-related-- note I bought my girls a pink litter box......I don't know how Lucy manages to attend to her "functions" by perching on the edge of the box but she always does that! Considering that she is a "chubette" it's quite an accomplishment. I use to think she didn't want to get her little paws dirty but since she goes right in it to cover everything up there must be another reason. Maybe she was a circus cat in one of her former lives.....

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Several people have asked me about the enamel hearts I bring back from France every year. Since they are hard to find I thought I could post some photos and you can use them if you want to reproduce them in some way, shape or form..............................................

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The top ones were small enough to fit on the scanner...............but the bottom ones were too large so I scanned them 2 ways and you can reassemble them if you need to.

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Enamel_heart006a Enamel_heart007a

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That's it for now. Getting ready for more shoots. Before I go I thought you --rose lovers-- might like these for your gardening days.............................

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See you next time. Be well and stay safe.

                               xoxoxoxo Fifi

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I LOVE NEW YORK.......................................

..............feels like I have been gone for a long time.......but here I am again. New York was FABULOUS! So much better than when I was there in February! The weather was just perfect and work was fun. Everything was in bloom and people were actually friendly!

This is the front of the building where Harris Publications is located. Right on Broadway......

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................it overlooks MADISON SQUARE PARK....................................................

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...................lots of pretty flowers....the kind we can't grow in Florida..............

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.................tulips, hostas, snowballs and gorgeous trees..................

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............people jogging....walking their doggies.......................

and, of course, spectacular buildings..........................................................like these at night (right across from the office)..........................and then...........................

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...............walking along 5th Avenue.......................................................................

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...you see that building on the left? The one with a cupola-like top? Well, it's under construction but they draped it with a canvas painted like the finished building will look. How clever!...........................

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...........so much better than having to look at a construction mess!..................

Of course, there is plenty of shopping for those who can afford great stuff......................

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..........................well...............dream on......................................

As much as I enjoyed being able to walk after work I still didn't feel comfortable enough to venture out at night in the streets by myself.....too many weird people...............so I came back to the hotel as soon as it got dark.....................

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Sure was nice to come home and find my fat kitties waiting for me..................on my bed....which they happily messed up.................

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Lucy was ready to call me..............

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Daisy was yawning away ............

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and Lily was snoring......................................

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PIE ANYONE? I got home late and there was nothing to eat in my house....only a frozen pie crust. I defrosted it a little in the microwave then stuffed chunks of dough in muffin tins, topped them with a little butter and Splenda and baked them until golden. They turned out nice and crispy and I ate the whole thing with a cup of tea...............as the saying goes "if there is a will there is a way...) Yum!!

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The weather has been lovely in Florida. Comfortable enough to brave the outdoors and plant a few more things. I added a border of mostly blue flowers in front of my fence.

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..........to go with the morning glories on the arbor...............

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........also has a bit of pink to recall the oleanders and mandevilla vine........................

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........Lucy enjoys the view from the window (when she is not sleeping...)

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In the back, I added some Papyrus grass and more bougainvilleas .................  Garden_may_11_and_things_027 Garden_may_11_and_things_025

...............and homes for the birds....and bees.............................

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...moonflowers seeds are sprouting......and the almost dead impatients have come back

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That's it for now. I am going to catch up with emails and comments. See you soon!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox fifi

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By the way, the above bottle is from HOME GOODS..... in the sale corner ($7)..............

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QUICK UPDATE...................

Just stopping by to say a quick 'hello" because I am on serious deadlines.
I will not get a chance to respond to your lovely comments for at least another week but I will try to do my best.

I did, however, wanted to thank BROCANTE GIRL for having taken the necessary steps to remove my photos from her flicker site and also for having added a link to the images of other bloggers featured on her blog and flicker. All is well that ends well. THANK YOU.

Until next time.
xo
fifi


COPYRIGHTS PART 2...............................

It's good to know most people understand the copyright issue. But, for the few of you who still don't get it, I am posting the email I tried to send to Sammie Foodleberg in response to the comment she left. Unfortunately it came back as "Delivery to the following recipients failed permanently"............hum..........
......By the way, "sntango", I DO NOT delete the unfavorable comments. On the contrary. It's important for other bloggers with copyright issues to see that some people feel it's OK to cheat.

Hi Sammie,
I guess you missed the point. When someone as blog savvy as Kathleen (and she is very much so) does not take the time to check things out it goes beyond ignorance.

Think of it this way:
Would you walk into someone's garden, pick their flowers and give the bouquet to someone else making it appear you grew them yourself? Of course not.

Do you have any idea what will happen to her when a publisher decides to sue her for copyright infringement?
So, you see, there is a lot more involved that you perceive.

There is also ANOTHER major issue. It's call "DOING THE RIGHT THING."
It's unfortunate you interpreted my posts as angry and snooty, they are merely the expression of the frustration many of us feel at the blatant disregard for what we are willing to share in good faith with our fellow bloggers.
Furthermore, as I have said many times, all one has to do is ask to use my stuff. As many can attest, I ALWAYS say YES. The polite thing to do is ask. It's called RESPECT and GOOD MANNERS.

Fifi

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The following is right FROM FLICKER/YAHOO'S RULES, which you have to read when you sign up for a Flicker account...................................

You agree to not use the Service to:
patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights ("Rights") of any party;

Yahoo! respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our users to do the same. Yahoo! may, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, disable and/or terminate the accounts of users who may be repeat infringers. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, or your intellectual property rights have been otherwise violated, please contact Yahoo!'s Copyright Agent.

HOW MUCH CLEARER CAN IT BE?

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I do appreciate the fact that so many of you understand where I am coming from. My hope is that this incident will serve a much bigger purpose: help bring to the forefront the issues of ethics and LAW. And it IS the law.
Thanks.
Fifi

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SO IT GOES.....................

..................I guess sometime you just have to say it loud and clear.........so it goes............

Kathleen,

Thank you for removing the photos of my home posted on your blog yesterday--by the way, there was no link or mention of my blog, only a series of shell-related images that I took of my cottage.

Now, if you would be so kind to delete all those remaining on your Flicker site (my sister's home in Provence, The Cat's Meow shop in Florida, Tumbleweed and Dandelion in California and countless others (Michelle Ward in CT.....and more) ............

After looking at you blog this morning and seeing you had removed my photos from your previous post I was ready to call it a day and give you the benefit of the doubt. But after checking your flicker site, just a few minutes ago, and finding so many of my photos still on it I wonder........ Furthermore when you stated (on your blog today) that I had said I had sent you several emails, you were not accurate. I sent you one email  to which you did not respond then left you a comment (similar to the first 2 paragraphs of this post.) By the way, feel free to mention my name on your blog, unless, of course, you worry that readers will know exactly who the photos belong to.

I appreciate that you may not have been aware of the illegal aspect of your postings and that you had no malicious intent but, as you will note below, some of the comments left on your site should have triggered an honest response on your part.

I just looked at flicker and stopped counting my photos when I got to 24...but there is a lot more................starting with this page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23615728@N08/

In fact, these photos are from my sister Sylvie's home in Provence. I took them myself. Just 2 of many featured on your flicker site.......................

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Boxwoodcottage  Pro User  says:

Oh what a beautiful home you have! Love it!

This comment is a perfect example how people perceive this to be YOUR home.........

VICTORIANTODDLER  Pro User  says:

I've seen this picture before.I believe Fifi's blog...and I love this place .

Did you attempt to check my blog then??

rharsham  Pro User  says:

I don't think this is her home -- its a Sylvie's B&B in Provence!
Disclosure, m'dear -- its a good thing.

These 2 comments should have raised a question in your mind.....

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These next ones are from The Cat's Meow in Venice, Florida, and there is many more....................

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anniedaisybaby  Pro User  says:

Stunning! Your subjects are most fascinating to me. This looks like a shop somewhere in Paris. I think I would be broke if I had to take the photos you do - too, too tempting. The quality of your photos are superb! Thanks for sharing.

Obviously this is why people believe you took the photos yourself.....it's YOUR responsibility to establish where they come from.

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Here we have Michelle Ward's shop in CT, which I shot myself and next (on the right) Pom Pom Interiors in LA, which I featured in Romantic Country.

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Now we move to Texas where I shot Jennifer Eggelston's Fredericksburg's cottage (left) and Robin Brown's farmhouse in Bandera.....................

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Back to Venice, California, for Tumbleweed & Dandelion (left)...........then off to Miami and Janet-Shabbyfufu's home...

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This is MY living room............and MY bucket.................

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I could go on and on but I think you get the point.

For your own protection I would suggest that in the future you include, at the very least, the names of the professional photographers with their photos. But it would be safer to contact them and ask permission first. If you are not sure of the source, ANY SOURCE, find out or don't use the photos.

Thank you

Fifi

COPY CAT....................

............SOME PEOPLE DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH CREATIVITY TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN STUFF. CASE IN POINT http://brocante.squarespace.com:80/ ALTHOUGH I EMAILED HER (KATHLEEN) LAST WEEK TO ASK HER TO, PLEASE, STOP USING MY PHOTOS WITHOUT PERMISSION, SHE TOTALLY IGNORED MY REQUEST AND POSTED YET ANOTHER 9 IN HER LATEST ENTRY.

SHE ALSO HAS A HUGE NUMBER OF MY PHOTOS ON FLICKER http://www.flickr.com/photos/23615728@N08/2382855881/ AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHERS FROM MANY UNAWARE BLOGGERS AND ALL STATING "ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!" HER RIGHTS???

NOT ONLY DOES SHE STEAL IMAGES FROM MANY OF US BUT SHE ALSO POSTS SOME FROM MY MAGAZINE ARTICLES ALTHOUGH I HAVE WARNED HER ABOUT COPYRIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS....

THE SAD THING IS THAT IF SHE HAD ONLY ASKED MY PERMISSION TO USE THEM OR, AT THE VERY LEAST CREDIT ME, AS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO OBLIGE BUT THIS IS OUTRIGHT THEFT. AND TO DO IT AGAIN AFTER BEING ASKED NOT TO IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. I SUGGEST YOU CHECK HER BLOG AND FLICKER TO DETERMINE WHICH OF YOUR PHOTOS ARE BEING USED AS WELL.

THE APRIL ISSUE OF COASTAL LIVING ...................................

          Coastal_living_april_08_cover002PHOTO BY JEAN ALLSOP

..................FEATURES A STORY I DID ABOUT A KEY WEST HOME................

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EVEN I CAN'T POST THE PHOTOS AND MY OWN ARTICLES FROM MAGAZINES. I WONDER IF THEY ARE GOING TO SHOW UP ON HER BLOG???????????

A WORD TO THE WISE: DON'T FOOL AROUND WITH COPYRIGHT MATERIALS OR BE PREPARED FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.

OTHER THAN THAT, EVERYTHING IS FINE....................XOXOXO FIFI

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GONE SHOOTING...................

................JUST FINISHED A 3 DAY SHOOT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THAT I AM GETTING OLDER BUT THESE 12-HOUR DAYS ON MY FEET ARE GETTING TOUGHER TO TAKE.........ANYWAY THE END RESULTS ARE GREAT, THANKS TO DAN MAYERS' MAGIC WITH A CAMERA AND THE COOPERATION OF HIS ASSISTANT, CHITZU'S.

ON SUNDAY WE SHOT SUSIE & MARK HOLT'S GORGEOUS NEW CAT'S MEOW SHOP. ........OF COURSE, I SHOT DAN AND HE SHOT ME.............BUT WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE TO-DIE-FOR SHOP...............................................................

Cats_meow_dan_1  Cats_mewo_me_1

ON MONDAY WE SHOT THE ELEGANTLY ROMANTIC HOME OF JILL & LARRY JOHNS................THE SHOOT WENT TILL 9.00 PM. I FORGOT MY CAMERA AND DIDN'T GET TO TAKE SOME SNAPSHOTS................

TODAY, TUESDAY, WE SHOT SHEILA SON'S ADORABLE ARTIST STUDIO, GARDEN/POOL AREA AND HAD SOME MAJOR WEATHER ISSUES............BUT WE MANAGED.........................

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Dan and Chitzu get ready...........Dan checks the first shot.....

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Dan shows Sheila a proof..........I take a cigarette break....(no lecture PLEASE! I KNOW it's bad for me................)

By now you know I can't show you the actual shots but at least you know why I have not had time to blog for the last few days. The shoots are one reason, the other is the prep time involved (like finding all the props needed--flowers, plants, food, accessories and so on) prior to the shoots.

But I can show you Sheila's (VERY fluffy) kitties

Sheila_shoot_7_cat_2 Sheila_shoot_8_cat_white

............and the gorgeous vine blooming on my fence................................

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....................SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN HOME FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS I WILL HAVE TO PLAY CATCH UP WITH WRITING AND FINISHING UP THE SUMMER ISSUE OF ROMANTIC COUNTRY. SO, I PROBABLY WON'T GET TO BLOG FOR A FEW DAYS..........SEE YOU LATER!........XO FIFI

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JUST A QUICK NOTE FOR NOW.......................

I GET SO MANY REQUEST FROM NEAR AND FAR ON HOW TO GET ROMANTIC COUNTRY (AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OTHER MAGAZINES PUBLISHED BY HARRIS PUBLICATIONS) THAN RATHER THAN TO ATTEMPT TO RESPOND INDIVIDUALLY I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BEST TO LET YOU KNOW HOW TO PROCEED.

The request should be done by regular mail and addressed to

Harris Publications 1115 Broadway, 8th floor,
New York, NY 10010
, ATTENTION: Esther Andrews

The request should be typed or printed and include both a phone number and an e-mail address so Esther can follow up.

As much as I would love to answer each request myself, I simply don't have the time. But, I am so glad so many are interested. Thank you. I hope this helps.

xoxoxoxo FIFI

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A FEW THINGS.............

...................JUST GOT BACK FROM A VERY QUICK TRIP TO NEW YORK FOR A MEETING WITH THE DARLING CHRISTINA STRUTT, THE CREATIVE VISION AND OWNER OF THE FABULOUS LONDON-BASED CABBAGES AND ROSES. WHEN I SAY QUICK I REALLY MEAN QUICK...LEFT THURSDAY AFTERNOON FROM FLORIDA, ARRIVED NEW YORK AT 6.OO PM, MET WITH CHRISTINA AND HER ADORABLE DAUGHTER, KATE, FOR A MEETING AT 8.00 PM AND BACK TO MY HOTEL SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT. CAUGHT A FLIGHT BACK TO FLORIDA THE NEXT MORNING (FRIDAY...)

FOR THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A DECORATING BOOK FEATURING CABBAGES & ROSES BUT CHRISTINA AND I HAD NEVER MET. SHE FLEW IN TO NEW YORK FOR A FEW DAYS SO WE ARRANGED TO GET TOGETHER. WHAT A TREAT IT WAS! I CAN'T DIVULGE TOO MUCH ABOUT THE BOOK RIGHT NOW BUT A FEW PHOTOS WILL GIVE YOU A SENSE OF CHRISTINA'S ENCHANTING DESIGNS, WHICH INCLUDE TEXTILES, HOME GOODS, AND FASHION. TAKE A LOOK AT CABBAGES & ROSES WEBSITE WWW.CABBAGESANDROSES.COM TO VIEW MORE OF THE WINTER/SPRING COLLECTION AND REMEMBER THE SUMMER ONE WILL BE UP SOON. YOU CAN CREATE A WISH LIST ON LINE AND SUBMIT IT, THEY NOW TAKE CREDIT CARD ORDERS FROM OVERSEAS. HARD TO RESIST.....

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...............DREAMY FABRIC.............AND ACCESSORIES........................

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.............QUINTESSENTIAL BRITISH CHARM............................

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..................PRETTIES FORE EVERY ROOMS.........................

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IN CASE YOU ARE INTERESTED, CHECK OUT THE NEW SUMMER ISSUE OF COTTAGE STYLE. IT FEATURES LOTS OF GREAT STORIES.......... INCLUDING TWO OF MINE....................

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...........ONE ABOUT THE LOVELY FLORIDA HOME OF LINDA CHAMBERS.................

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..........AND THE OTHER ON DORIE THOMPSON'S CALIFORNIA HILLS COTTAGE.........................

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YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY A STORY I WROTE IN COUNTRY ALMANAC ABOUT A LOVELY LITTLE COTTAGE IN COMFORT, TEXAS............................................

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AND ALSO CASSELL AND SEAN'S COOL COTTAGE IN FLEA MARKET STYLE.............

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WHEN I CAM HOME YESTERDAY I FOUND A BIG BROWN BAG AT MY DOOR.  IT WAS A SURPRISE FROM KIM, WHO HAPPENS TO LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. KIM AND I HAD ATTEMPTED TO GET TOGETHER MANY TIMES AND SHE WAS MAKING SOMETHING FOR ME..

I OPENED THE BROWN BAG IS GREAT ANTICIPATION AND WAS THRILLED TO FIND THIS BEAUTIFUL QUILTED BAG SHE MADE ..........................................

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..........DAISY DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE..............................

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KIM HAD ATTACHED A NOTE HINTING AT THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE MIGHT GET TOGETHER...EVENTUALLY.........I AM SO SORRY KIM BUT I AM IN AND OUT OF TOWN SO MUCH....BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU.............SOON.............

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.............IN THE BAG WAS THE CUTEST, LOVELIEST LITTLE BEAR................I LOVE IT AND DAISY APPROVES............SHE HAS REALLY TAKEN TO IT.....SHE MUST THINK IT'S A NEW KITTY TO CUDDLE TO.....................THANK YOU KIM. IT'S ADORABLE. XOXOXOXOXO FIFI

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*************MORE TREATS CAME IN THE MAIL............MUST AVE BEEN MY DAY! THE GREAT CROWN TAG.................KEY CHAIN..........................

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.............AND NAPKINS..............CAME FROM ELIZABETH ALL THE WAY FROM THE NETHERLANDS..................................OF COURSE, THEY ARE JUST PERFECT........

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.......THANK YOU ELIZABETH.XOXOXOXOXO FIFI.......................................

.................BUT WAIT! THERE IS MORE...........................PENNY MADE THIS BEAUTIFUL MOSAIC HEART FOR MOI! IT'S WHITE AND DELICATE AND A BEAUTIFUL ADDITION TO MY HEART COLLECTION. SO SWEET OF YOU PENNY. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.....NO PUN INTENDED................................XOXOXOXO FIFI.

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.......................LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, THIS STUNNING FRAME WAS A GIFT FROM SANDRA WHO CREATES THESE ONE OF A KIND TREASURES WITH FOUND JEWELS.........................IT'S SPARKLY AND SPECTACULAR.............

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SHE EVEN PUT A PICTURE OF FIFI AND LUCY SHE CUT FROM A STORY ON MY OFFICE! ........WHAT A LOVELY THING TO DO. LOOK HOW GREAT IT FITS WITH SOME OF MY MERCURY THINGS! THANK YOU SANDRA FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS. XOXOXOXXO FIFI.

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WELL, THIS WAS A LONG POST.......... WHEN I STAY AWAY FROM BLOGGING FOR A FEW DAYS I GET LOTS OF EMAILS ASKING IF I AM OK. PLEASE, DON'T WORRY WHEN I DON'T POST. IT'S ONLY BECAUSE I AM BUSY WRITING OR ON A SHOOT SOMEWHERE. I APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT BUT IT ALSO MAKES ME FEEL GUILTY.................I WILL POST AS OFTEN AS I CAN..............THE NEXT ONE WON'T PROBABLY BE UNTIL NEXT WEEKEND...........BUT ALL IS WELL. XOXOXOXO FIFI.

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