Romantic Prairie Style and A Give Back

 A  few weeks ago I was contacted by Sharon

 from Ryland Peters & Small - CICO Books,

 who asked if I was interested in doing a book review on

Romantic Prairie Style

by Fifi O'Neill.

 

Well, YES....I would be more than happy to look at this book that people have been talking about all over our blogging community.

 As you know, I have been a bit absent these last few months so I haven't had the chance to take a look at this new book before now.

The book, by the infamous designer and photo stylist Fifi O"Neill and with beautiful photographs by Mark Lohman turns out to be a winner...a must have...a new favorite among the stacks of decorating and home decor books in my collection.

Oh my goodness...

 Let me tell you why this girl who has only ever seen

 the prairies of the midwest once in her life...

...this girl who lives near the Big Apple and summers in the Adirondacks has an affinity for romantic prairie style.

It turns out that what Fifi calls romantic prairie style is all about simple living, contentment, seeing the beauty in everyday objects, family first and a respect for mother nature and history.

I love that the book demonstrates how using re-purposed finds,
 collected vintage treasures and family heirlooms rich with meaning
 can infuse a home with a sense of authenticity and personality.

Each home is very different...
but all are connected to their settings...
the land that surrounds them...
...all have ties to family traditions and lifestyles.
These homes are honest, unpretentious, comfortable
 and undeniably beautiful spaces.

As I turned the pages of this beautiful book

 and took in all the details of the gorgeous photographs,

 I realized that these are real people, real families

 and many of them are, in fact, bloggers who I have come to know through our blogging community.

  I was delighted to see more of their homes

 and learn a bit more about their lives and their families.

Romantic Prairie Style is not just a country style decorating book

 ... it is about an entire way of living.

 It demonstrates how appreciating and using what you have in creative new ways can be fulfilling.

The book encourages us to look closer at the beauty

 that surrounds us.

It edifies the honesty and simplicity of humble living,

 the importance of family

 and honoring the history of our ancestors.

I didn't expect that! 

I just love looking at the beautiful, unique and homey spaces

 that are included in

Romantic Prairie Style.

I find myself inspired anew each time I turn the page.

Here are some of the talented and lovely bloggers whose blogs I love to visit and whose homes were featured in the book:

Tracey Leber from French Larkspur

Carol Spinski from Raised in Cotton 

and her new site and blog Carol Spinski

Anne-Marie from Na-Da Farm Life

Joy Waltmire from Savvy City Farmer

Andrea Dickerson from Faded Plains

Angela Reed from Parisienne Farmgirl

Caroline Verschoor from Ekster Antiques

Maria Carr from Dreamy Whites

and of course...

Fifi O'Neill from Chez Fifi

There were other homes featured... equally as charming,

 unique and inspiring.  I thoroughly enjoyed them all.


So much creative talent!

A Give Back!

Well, if you think you would enjoy Romantic Prairie Style 

 and would like to have a copy of your own...

simply leave a comment on this post. 

For a second chance, please spread the word

 through your blog or Facebook or Twitter.

(Don't forget to let me know you have done so!)

Just so you know...
I was not asked by the author or any of the featured home owners to write about Romantic Prairie Style.

I was not compensated in any way for this review...other than a copy of the book to read and an opportunity to offer one to you in the form of a Give Away.  I have never personally met Fifi or any of the bloggers listed with the exception of Carol Spinski who I met in person at Silver Bella last year. (She was so friendly!)

Having said that...

I do feel a connection to these featured blogger buddies...

several who have commented on my past posts here at 52 Flea

 and many whose blogs I love to visit for inspiration.

 So, yes...I consider them my friends!

But I didn't even know that some of them were featured

 until I read the book!

What a delightful surprise!

I guess that shows you just how removed I have been these last four months!

And I truly love the book!

In the months ahead I have several big home projects planned... 

 ...including a re-do of the kitchen up at the lake house ...

...a re-do on a shoestring budget I might add...

I am sure that I will be referring to

Romantic Prairie Style for inspiration!

The winner of this Give Back will be randomly selected 

on Sunday, April 17th.

Good luck! 

:)

...and if the winner wants a signed copy...the word on the street is that Fifi 

will be at Anne Marie's  Na-Da Farm Sale the weekend of May 20th and 21st.

  Go, enjoy and bring your book!

:)

200th Post Give Back !!!

At some point within the next two weeks, I will, incredibly, publish my 200th post! In anticipation of this, I have been thinking about what to do about a 200th post Give-Away or as I like to call it a Give-Back to all my friends in this wonderful blogging community.



At the same time, I have been thinking about, with great anticipation, the approaching Madison Bouckville Antique Show which I have been going to every August for many years now..... The towns of Madison and Bouckville are midway between Syracuse and Utica, NY. They are filled with many antique shops and the week leading up to this annual event, the streets and fields are full of dealers and collectors. The show this year will be on Saturday and Sunday, August 15th and 16th. Set up and early buying is on Friday...but beginning Tuesday, the 11th .....Route 20 is lined with fields of peripheral dealers who trade and sell up until the main event on the weekend.



When Kate was a little girl....she and I would go midweek and shop all the dealers who were set up along the street and in the fields....Kate was quite the trooper and was always on the lookout for girlie things...like ponies and kittens and pretty sparkly baubles....She drove a hard bargain and many times dealers, looking down into that sweet smiling face, would simply give her whatever her heart's desire....



In recent years, I have either traveled by myself or with my good pal Paula (you will remember all the pictures of her home and garden from the tour in June). We try to do this show and the Brimfield show in Massachusetts once or twice a year.....When I go with Paula...we do it right....the big time.....the actual show....pay the early bird fee and go for several days! Paula and I are kindred spirits and very good antiquing and junking partners...The first time my parents met Paula up at the lake after a particularly successful buying trip in Madison.....my Mom remarked...."I think she loves junk as much as Laura!"



Anyway....this year.....we invited good friends Carole of Maynard Greenhouse in Old Saybrook, CT and Deanna of Gather, a wonderful shop in Ivoryton, CT, to join us for a fun filled girls' weekend of antiquing and junking! Evi, our dear friend and the renowned doll maker, is trying to work things out so that she can come as well....but at the moment her family and most particularly her darling grandchildren need her so it may not work out this time...(we will miss her).



Now....to get to the part that involves all of YOU!
To celebrate my impending 200th post....
I would like to offer the winner of this GIVE BACK.....my services as their personal shopper at the Madison Bouckville Antique Show this year!
You tell me what to look for! You tell me what you collect! Is it Linens? Kitchenware? Ephemera? Sewing Collectibles? Old Millinery Flowers? Vintage Jewelry?
I will do my very best to find the perfect treasure for the winner of my Give-Back!



If this sounds interesting and fun all you have to do is leave a comment before midnight, next Tuesday, August 11th....and I will enter you in my GIVE BACK!
If you would like a second chance to win....mention this GIVE BACK on your blog and let me know so I can put your name in the hat twice.....



Be sure to leave contact information in your comment so I can reach you if you do not keep a blog and be sure to tell me what you want me to look for while I "shop till I drop" at this fabulous event!
This Give Back is open to everyone! (My first Give Back for my 100th post was won by Christina in Sweden!)
I hope you decide to "come along with us" next week and I will do the leg work and hunt for your heart's desire.....