Prairie Wife of the Week September 12, 2014 (Marissa Hermer from Ladies of London) #giveaway

Posted September 12, 2014 by Prairie Wife - 68 comments

Though I am not generally known as a risk taker (I’ve had my life planned out since I was 7) every once in a while I close my eyes, plug my nose, and jump in. I posted in July about one of my new addictions, Bravo TV’s show Ladies of London. After my post went up I had several very gracious responses from a few of the Ladies themselves on Twitter. After I stopped squealing at their knowledge of my existence here on the Wyoming Prairie, I remembered my manners and thanked them. A few weeks ago I decided to go out on a limb and ask one of my favorites Marissa Hermer, if she would be one of our Prairie Wives of the Week. I’ve been stopping by her blog weekly and keeping tabs on the Ladies through BravoTV.com and I kept my fingers crossed that she would find our site worthy! Imagine my surprise (and yet louder squeals of joy) when she wrote me back and accepted! Then came the hard part, what questions would I ask her? From watching the show and following her blog I know about her public life-going to events, running a business with her husband, and her killer sense of fashion. What I really wanted to know about was the more intimate details of her life. How does she balance work, friends, and motherhood? What has is been like moving an ocean away from her family? Her bravery in moving to another country for love, her firm belief that family comes first, and her ability to be a multitasking wonder woman makes her the perfect Prairie Wife of the Week!

We have a giveaway! When you get done reading Marissa’s interview, click the Rafflecopter giveaway to enter to win a Keep Calm and Carry On mug of your very own! We will have 2 winners…wahoo! To be entered to win you HAVE to leave a comment. Earn more points by following Marissa Hermer and PrairieWifeInHeels.com on Social Media. FYI we do check to make sure you really did follow us to earn extra points…so please be honest!

Marissa Shoes

Prairie Wife (PW): First tell us a little bit about you and your family.

Marissa Hermer (MH): I married my husband, Matt, 4 years ago. A little over a year later, we welcomed our first son, Max, and this spring, we had our second son, Jake. We have our hands full with a toddler and a newborn but we wouldn’t have it any other way!

PW: I know that you are originally a California Girl, how did you end up in England?

MH: I married a Brit and followed my heart to England.

marissa sunglasses

PW: What were the challenges of moving away from your family, and being so far away now that you have children?

MH: It is certainly difficult to be so far away from my parents in California and my brother in New York (and the time change doesn’t make it easy)! We are very good about using Skype and Facetime. Also, I make frequent trips back to the states, and the whole family comes to London for almost a month over the winter holiday! It is always my favourite time of year.

PW: Do you think living in England and having a British husband has changed how you parent your two boys?

MH: I am envious of my friends who live in the states and have their parents nearby; they are able to lean on their parents for babysitting help and parenting advice! I have taken to hiring British nannies and babysitters when I need extra help, which is great, but certainly no comparison to having grandparents around offering extra hands.

PW: Speaking of husbands, you and your husband work together to help run several businesses, how do you keep the balance between wife and business partner?

MH: Matt and I work very well together. We try to separate our professional relationship from our personal relationship and avoid any marriage-talk at the office, but sometimes it is unavoidable! There have been a few times when I have used a pet name by accident in a meeting – very embarrassing!

PW: Most of us know you from Ladies of London on BRAVO (Note: Season 2 premiers Monday Sept 7, 2015 on Bravo), how did this opportunity come about?

Ladies of LondonMH: The network contacted me years ago and I was very reluctant to join the show – I wasn’t sure if I wanted to have a public profile and was nervous about exposing my family to everything that comes with being on a TV show. But, the project was so much fun, and I loved being a Lady of London! My fingers are crossed for season 2, too!

PW: Has being on the show, the experience of having cameras around, hearing what the other Ladies had to say, and the media stir when the show aired, impacted your previous friendships at all?

MH: Most of my friends have been very supportive of the show and excited for the project. For the most part, the show has only affected my relationships (both with cast-mates and others) positively; the only negative repercussion of the show is that I’m even busier than I was before!

PW: What are some of the positives you’ve seen in your life in regards to the show?

MH: In terms of our business, we have seen an increase in tourists visiting our restaurants and nightclubs who have seen them on the show. That is very exciting! If I catch wind that a fan is coming into Bumpkin, Eclipse, or Boujis, I try to make their visit special and swing by their table if I am in the vicinity.

Marissa cookingPW: On the show we really get a look into the balancing act you have between wife, business woman, mother and friend. How do you make it look so effortless?!

MH: Do I make it look effortless?! It certainly doesn’t feel that way, but thank you! I think what helps is prioritizing. I will always be a mum first and everything else comes second. Sometimes I have too many balls in the air and the juggling act feels impossible, but that is why I have such a wonderful and helpful husband to share the chaos with!

PW: Your personal style really shines in the show, and you have links on your blog so that your fans can see what you are wearing and where you bought it. How would you describe your personal style, and what are some of your favorite items in your closet?

Mapperton DinnerMH: I would describe my everyday style as very relaxed and Californian (lots of t-shirts and jeans). But, I love any excuse to dress up and have many flirty and feminine pieces. My favourite outfits from the show were probably my outfit at the Boujis party and this outfit worn to dinner in Mapperton. For days when I am running around from meetings to play dates to the office and I need to be comfortable, I live in Isabel Marant sneakers, J. Brand jeans, and a t-shirt.

PW: I always hear that beauty products vary greatly from country to country. Any US products you miss, or newly found British products you can’t live without?

MH: I miss Wakaya Ginger Perfection – it is powdered ginger that I scoop into hot water and lemon in the mornings. When I first moved here and didn’t have it, I noticed a difference in my skin. Now, I stock up every time I am back in California for a visit! A British beauty line that I have discovered and absolutely love is Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis range – I use all of the products and notice a major difference in my skin.

Marissa keep calmPW: Any last Prairie Wife words of wisdom?

MH: Keep calm and carry on!

 

Click below to enter to win a Keep Calm and Carry On mug of your very own! We will have 2 winners…wahoo! To be entered to win you HAVE to leave a comment. Earn more points by following Marissa Hermer and PrairieWifeInHeels.com on Social Media. FYI we do check to make sure you really did follow us to earn extra points…so please be honest!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

68 thoughts on "Prairie Wife of the Week September 12, 2014 (Marissa Hermer from Ladies of London) #giveaway"

  1. Karen Szewczyk says:

    I think moving far away from family and friends can really make for a close relationship. Nice interview…

  2. Ma says:

    I LOVE the green one-shouldered dress. Even those of us here in the States could find (or make) opportunities to wear it. Very nice interview…what a range of prairie wives!!

  3. Nikki says:

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Of course! Stop by again, we will be having a bunch coming up to celebrate our one year anniversary!

  4. Andrea Gomez says:

    Moving is brave on your part, my husband is from Mexico and that’s come up a few times! I’m very curious about the show now 🙂 heard of it but haven’t got the priveladge to watch it! I love the dress and sexy blue heals

  5. Mari says:

    Great article!

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      🙂 Thanks, hope you stop by for more!

  6. Brigette Nieman says:

    Great article! Love Marissa Hermer and Ladies of London. Look fwd to reading more of your stuff!

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Thanks! She was SO wonderful 🙂

  7. Serena M says:

    Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to win.

  8. Mary Diehl says:

    I think moving so far away would be so hard, but having a great husband to work with you and having so much to juggle with everything, you probably don’t have a lot of time to miss home. Sounds like an interesting life, Thank you for sharing the interview.

  9. Maggie B. says:

    Great blog! Think I will be stopping by more often!!

  10. manda says:

    Love the blog.

  11. Sharon Howard says:

    I Love this blog and I could wear this Green One Shouldered dress a lot of places.

  12. Emily Ducatte says:

    It would be cute for my fiance and I to drink out of matching mugs ! 🙂

  13. Montanna Sutherland says:

    I love those mugs! Thanks for the giveaway!

  14. Dusty Schnur says:

    would love to own these!

  15. Teresa Thompson says:

    Thanks for the giveaway.

  16. Mary Beth Elderton says:

    So cute! Thanks!

  17. Mary Rogers says:

    what a wonderful giveaway and if I won I’d use it for my Chai Latte

  18. kathy dalton says:

    I love the way you followed your heart to England!!!

  19. lauren says:

    I love this phrase how cute for it t be on a mug to start your day off right.

  20. brittani adams says:

    great interview. It must have been hard too move so far away from ones you love for others yoou love. Great sacrifices maek a good woman.

  21. Nicole Johnson says:

    How fitting is this mug for hectic mornings right?? HeeHee

  22. Stacy D. says:

    I’d love to win this for my mother in law!

  23. Arena Thompson says:

    Thanks for the giveaway! love the mugs!

  24. Marcia Goss says:

    These coffee mugs are great! Just what I need. Thanks.

  25. deanna says:

    I was in England when I first discovered the Keep Calm slogan. I fell in love with it immediately.

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      I know I need to make a shirt that says Keep Calm and Prairie Wife On lol!

  26. Ricky says:

    My wife loves the keep calm carry on motto. She has a poster we need to frame and hang up. I would like to win these for her.

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Super sweet! File it away for a gift idea if you don’t win 😉

  27. joan says:

    I need a new coffee mug. Mine just broke. This would be perfect. Thanks for the giveaway.

  28. kelly mcgrew says:

    i wanna try Wakaya Ginger Perfection! that sounds like a delicious and helpful skin clearer.

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      I love my detox water (we have the recipe on the site) but I agree that it sounds like the perfect warm drink for the winter!

  29. MARY V says:

    I need a new coffee mug, mine has a chip & a crack Thanks for the chance!

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Fingers crossed for you Mary!

  30. megan tilley says:

    Great article. This mugs are so cute. Love them!

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Thanks, I know…they are so cheerful!

  31. Fiona N says:

    Thank You So Much for this awesome review and giveaway!

  32. Claire says:

    I’d love to win this for my mother in law!

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Oh that is SO nice! Maybe if you don’t win you can use it as a Christmas gift idea!

  33. Ashley Pichon says:

    Thanks for the giveaway! What a cute mug 😛

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      It’d be perfect for some tea 😉

  34. wendy rozema says:

    Great Article!!

  35. Trish says:

    I love this phrase – very positive and upbeat!

  36. wen budro says:

    Those are awesome mugs….thank you for the giveaway. I love your recipes too.

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Thanks for stopping by, hope we see you again!

  37. Dawn Monroe says:

    That was a nice read, thanks! I love that the mugs are red.

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      I know…I just might have to buy some for myself!

  38. Angela Saver says:

    My hubby & I moved to Germany for our first two years of marriage, & I really think it just made as closer because we didn’t have family to rely on, just each other! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      I think that can be true, we don’t have family in our town we live in either!

  39. Kimberly Schotz says:

    Love the green off the shoulder dress.

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      I know, stunning right?!

  40. aimee says:

    awesome giveaway, thanks!

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Thank you for stopping by 🙂

  41. Sue Hull says:

    I love this saying and coffee mugs. They match my kitchen. Thank you for the chance 🙂

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Thanks for stopping by! We have a whole month of giveaways coming up in Oct 🙂

  42. Erica says:

    Marissa, you sound inspirational! No wonder they wanted to put you on this show!

  43. Sherri says:

    Admiring the dedication you put into your website and in depth information you offer.
    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed
    material. Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS
    feeds to my Google account.

    1. Prairie Wife says:

      Thank you for stopping by!

Categories: Prairie Wife of the Week

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Subscribe

* indicates required