Jikana Damaru

shadow shot

our very elderly family dog who lives with my Mum & Dad. She is about 16 years old & loves to sleep, eat, & laze around in the sunshine.

play along or browse more shadow shots here @ Hey Harriet

Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neil

This month I'm reviewing Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neil from illustrated lifestyle publishers, Ryland Peters & Small and CICO Books. Fifi O'Neil grew up in Paris, France before moving to Canada where she lived for fifteen years before settling in the great plains of the United States of America. She is, and has been for the past twenty years, a freelance writer and photo stylist. Her romantic style and love of quaint cottages can be seen in national publications such as Coastal Living, Creative Home, Quick & Easy Decorating, Windows & Walls, Home Companion, Style, Romantic Country, Cottage Style and Country Living.

I chose to review this book as I loved the title and was intrigued to find out more about Prairie style in the home. Romantic Prairie Style, as explained in the foreword, is not just about how your home looks; it is a mindset. In the age of turmoil and unrest this style is about building a real home that is both relaxed and comfortable yet also sophisticated. Taking a cue from the long cherished ideals of natural beauty it is about the juxtaposition of rugged and rustic versus delicate and elegant. It is an enduring, welcoming style with an aura of romance and nostalgia, inspired by traditional American country life.

Fifi has spanned thousand of miles to bring us the very best examples of Prairie style, something that she obviously has a real affinity and love for. Each example of the varying styles and nuances of Prairie Style is beautifully photographed by acclaimed Los Angeles interior photographer, Mark Lohman.

The book is split into three chapters, Traditional Prairie, Romantic Prairie and Vintage Prairie with a foreword by Christina Strutt of Cabbages and Roses. The first chapter, Traditional Prairie, showcases five homes ranging from the Pioneer Spirit of Anne Marie's Na-Da Farm, with an apple orchard at the back where candlelit suppers are taken sitting on fabric draped hay stacks, to the Illinois-based Angela Reed's Elegant Prairie home with its bright turquoise walls and glass cloche displays.

The second chapter, Romantic Prairie, features my favourite house belonging to Christian McCord and her husband, Bryan. Based in a California beach town, the cottage is full of beautiful treasures from the pretty floral cushions atop chipped and worn whitewashed chairs to the delicate chandelier and vintage jugs full of the prettiest blooms. Oh, and how I love the the vintage picnic blanket laid on the lawn in the delightful pictures from the Nebraska-based Dickerson's family home.

The last chapter focuses on Vintage Prairie from the urban Los Angeles home of Jennifer and Adam Grey to the sweet, light filled prairie home of Lisa and Richard Adkins. I love the pops of bright turquoise scattered around their home from the fabulous shiny 1954 Chevy pickup truck to the battered old stools.

At a recommended price of £19.99, I think this hardback book is one you will cherish not only for the beautiful images, tips and advice but for how it makes you feel. With lines like "The narrow road meanders for miles through lush corn fields and picturesque pastures where cattle and horses graze peacefully under a cloudless sky", you get to sit back, relax and fill your head with dreamy thoughts of a more relaxed, cherished life.

Some of my favourite interior eye candy shots:

Pretty bird cages and candles on the potting table

I am loving the bright turquoise 1954 Chevy pickup!

This kitchen reminded me of our new kitchen, with its wooden worktops, brick tiles and highlights of duck egg blue.

The gorgeous details in the house belonging to Christian McCord and her husband

To summarize, Romantic Prairie Style is a wonderful book full of inspiring homes and great tips and advice.

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews (apart from receiving a free book, of course!).

Have a sweet day!

grateful for

the school holidays & being able to hang out with this happy girl who really loved her first term in prep & whose Muma missed her so much

early morning walks with these three

my little twinkle toes who never seems to find the matching shoe

what are you grateful for this week?

and then there were four....

Evie 

01.04.2011

Born at 11.08pm

Weight: 2.87gm Length: 46cm

Our newest creation arrived very quickly last week and all are doing well. We made it to the hospital with 40mins to spare - everything went so fast. With both girls I went into a little denial that I was actually labouring and this got me into a little trouble this time, seeing that she really wanted to be born on April 1st. I've been home for a couple of days now and slowly getting used to juggling two. Louise loves to "help" and is a great big sister.

Baby Stuff

Well the baby room has been cleared out! Before it was a guest room filled with Hubby's clothes and junk. There was A LOT to clear out. But it is now ready to paint and decorate. This will begin once we found out baby pug's gender...20 days and counting!

A bit drab right now. I can't wait to fix it up!

It's a little bigger than it looks, it's difficult to take photos of bedrooms!

Here's an idea of what I like:

What I love about these: The white wainscot, the espresso furniture, and a calm paint color.

both images courtesy of google

We've narrowed down which furniture we will purchase, and buying that will be step one. We're also 90% sure of the nursery themes. Unfortunately, the themes we were set on since we found out are suddenly discontinued. So we had to re-choose. I'll post those soon!

That brings me to baby names...we have them! We had the boy name picked since before we found out. The girl name was difficult for us but we have finally come up with the one. However, we decided not to announce the name until after the ultrasound :) Sorry, but it won't be long!

And finally, here are baby's first items!

The Pooh Bear blanket/rattle and Mickey Mouse T-Shirt came from Hubby's Grandmother. She bought them while vacationing in Florida. The giraffe and toy came from my sister and nephew!

These are some outfits DH and I have picked up over the weeks! Mostly all clearance items but I had to buy somethingggg :)

This week I'm grateful for... tissues

Have you noticed that I'm not getting about much? I've been working hard in a fab new role at work. I love it, but learning something new takes time so the hours have been long and full on. It's been Couch City all the way for me when I get home. And I've got a nasty, throaty, coughy cold.

So, it's been a tired old week in general.

But a good one.

This week I'm grateful for...

112. Couch City - sometimes all you want to do is lie down and watch inane television and that's what Couch City is aaaaaallll about.

113. Tissues - seriously, how did people manage with just hankies? They look pretty, but they're also pretty useless. Hanky. Even the word sounds limp and feeble. (Although, check out The Mother Huddle for a cute idea for pretty handkerchiefs.)

114. Daphne - the thought of sweet, sweet Daphne wafting across a chilly breeze - one of the great pleasures of winter. I can't wait to plant my own (still sitting in the box after I bought it in last week... hmmmm... obviously I can wait!)

So, what's making you smile today? Add your I'm Grateful For post to the list below (and please, we love you, but it really does matter that your post is a Grateful one and not just a random), add the button (grab the code from my sidebar and paste it into your post) and pretty-please add a link back to me. Then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.

Happy weekend to you!

[Image found here]

Natural Easter finds

This week in my series of posts, "Friday Finds", I bring you a selection of Easter decorations inspired by Monday's post, Natural Easter. I am loving the grass mats with the pink Anemones and the pretty bird candles to go with my Easter Theme.

Have a sweet day!