4th of july decor and beautiful gifts

July is finally here, and that means the 4^th is literally around the corner, so let’s talk about red, white and blue table décor! And while we’re at it, I have a couple of my favorite recipes that I recently made to share with you again.

 

Isn’t the American Flag Banner cute? I used it here as a backdrop for this gorgeous Sailboat Topped Decanter, but I plan on taking this outside to my front porch later today for a touch of patriotic curb appeal.

It's also right at home indoors or in the backyard as an easy way to add a festive touch to the weekend barbecues and cookouts.

 

I found a big set of these funny little piggy napkin rings last week and thought they deserved some farmhouse style to make them feel right at home, and nothing does that better than gingham. 

Big, bold gingham is perfect for that nostalgic look that I love so much.

 

Here's another recent table I styled using coordinating blue stripes and red checks by Solino Home for a fun patriotic look.

I love these new Nautilus Double Old-Fashion Glasses I recently got, and although they’re so luxurious for imbibing your favorite elixir this summer, I think they would also be fabulous as votive candle holders… stay tuned!

 

When I think of Clam Bake, I also associate it with summers spent in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, so of course lots of red, white and blue accents come to mind!

My favorite recipe includes clams, shrimp, potatoes and corn on the cob. I love how the top of this stoneware tureen features so many quintessential creatures and seashells.

 

This is what a yummy Italian dinner looks like on a glorious summer evening. These two serving pieces from Arthur Court Designs, and I'm totally obsessed! 

 

They're most definitely my "Summer Entertaining Essentials" Recipe for the Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, check out my recipe here.

 

In addition to the Chicken & Penne dish, I also prepared a little antipasto of Cherry Tomato Bruschetta, Marinated Mini Mozzarella, and Marinated Olives, served with Italian breadsticks.

 

Can we talk about this gorgeous 3-Bowl Clam Server? Isn’t it so cute for summer? This is one of three beautiful coastal themed items I recently got from Arthur Court.

The warmer summer weather calls for something cool and refreshing to eat, that’s why I love indulging in fresh veggies and salads this time of year. Last weekend I put together a large platter of veggies on my new Arthur Court Chip and Dip Platter.  

It’s called the "Oyster with Pearl" Chip and Dip, not only is it perfect for chips and salsa, but it’s also just stunning as a crudité server. And it's large. These are full sized carrots pictured.

I simply choose some of my favorite veggies, scrubbed them really well, and arranged them by variety on the chip and dip bowl. The smaller “pearl” bowl is just the right size for holding my favorite Ranch Dip.

Check out my favorite homemade version of this delicious and luxuriously cool Ranch Dressing recipe here, and it just so happens to be paleo.

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

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how about a summer Clam Bake?

It’s the holiday weekend, and we finally made it to the first unofficial weekend of summer, woohoo!

I was so inspired by this gorgeous new Marine Life Soup Tureen from Vagabond House and created a fun, feminine take on a patriotic New England style "Clam Bake". 

 

Afterall, pink is technically a shade of red, so here’s my take on that theme. 

When I think of Clam Bake, I also associate it with summers spent in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, so of course pink hydrangeas come to mind!

 

This tureen is the perfect size for a lovely little sea food feast for the family. My favorite recipe includes clams, shrimp, potatoes, and corn on the cob. 

I love how the gorgeous solid pewter top of this stoneware tureen features so many quintessential creatures and seashells.

 

Here’s a slightly different color palette and a dish of my favorite Clam Bake recipe. 

Easy Clambake for the Weekend

 

      Serving Size: 4

1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

6 cloves garlic

3/4 lb. peeled and deveined shrimp

3/4 lb. clams, scrubbed

3/4 lb. mussels, scrubbed and bearded

10 oz. small red potatoes

2 ears fresh corn, shucked and cut into 6 pieces

1/4 cup vegetable stock or white wine

1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning or similar

1 teaspoon chopped parsley

melted butter for dipping

lemon wedges

    1.   Par-boil the potatoes and corn until they are cooked. Drain and set aside.

    2.   Heat up a cast-iron skillet on stovetop. Add the melted butter and sauté the garlic. Add the shrimp, clams, mussels, red potatoes, and corn. Add the stock or white wine, and Old Bay seasoning. Turn the heat to low, cover the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, or until all the shellfish are cooked. Sprinkle on the parsley, stir to combine well.

   3. Serve immediately with melted butter and lemon wedges.

 

I love this Marine Life Stoneware Tureen so much, that I created this pretty vignette for this tureen in my living room, adjacent to the dining room.

 

Vagabond House always has the most unique pieces that are so perfect for any gathering! They also make gorgeous gifts.

BEST OF ALL...

Here’s a discount code for all my followers for

10% off until August 31, 2022:

 

CIAOFABIANA10OFF

ciao! fabiana

 

 

Shopping info

 

Marine Life Stoneware Tureen: Vagabond House

 

Tern Grey "August Tablecloth": August Table

Pink Gingham Napkins: Similar found here

Red Napkins: Solino Home

Table Runner: Similar found here

 

 

  

 

magazine clippings: cottage kitchens

 

via Country Living

Like many of you, one of my favorite pastimes is flipping through magazines for inspiration and kitchen design always fascinates me.

Remember back in the day when we’d rip out pages from magazines and save them as our inspiration for future home décor ideas? 

Maybe it’s the coziness of a cottage kitchen that draws me in, but whatever the reason I have a few clippings to share with you all today.  

 

I’ve shared this first home before. The modern country cottage vibe is just so good! Designer Raili Clasen is the master at combining that updated look with a few homey pieces that bring a vintage touch to any room she decorates. 

 

via Country Living

And what about that kitchen window? It doubles as a serving area for outdoor entertaining, and during the warm months of the year, this is an amazing bonus! 

 

via Country Living

Speaking of indoor-outdoor kitchens, here’s another cutie. All details of this look point to classic Cape Cod style, which I’ve always loved. 

 

And how about the windows on these last two kitchens with outdoor access... Are you more of a “swing the windows open” kind of person or do you prefer the “slide open to the side” style?   

 

via BHG

This next kitchen may not have windows that open to the backyard, but it has tons of other beautiful elements that add up to a lot on the inspiration meter. 

 

* Open Shelving 

* Rustic Wood Beams 

* Tongue and Groove Walls 

* Copper Pots Displayed 

* Shaker Style Cabinets 

* Gooseneck Faucet 

  

 

via BHG

Bright white cabinets are a thing of beauty and adding vintage-style brass hardware takes this kitchen to another level. 

I love that under-cabinet shelf too! 

 

via Chic & Country

Those lights and those beams! The simplicity of this kitchen space, along with a few key decorative elements, makes it a winner in my book.  

 

via Chic & Country

Isn’t that gingham check tablecloth charming?  

via Country Living

This one’s got cottage charm written all over it! Every single detail just oozes vintage country style. 

 

via Country Living

And how about those open shelves with collections of so many things I love? Ironstone on the top shelf, and then all that pretty blue and red transferware elegantly displayed along with pretty canned goods and pantry staples. 

 

via Australian House & Garden

Shout it from the rooftops! This little kitchen nook just screams COZY! 

Lovely views of the garden, with easy access through the Dutch door. I’ll have what they’re having!   

ciao! fabiana 

 

 

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