my friday five

This week was Spring Break so
 we were in stay-cation mode. 

We visited with friends, did lots of swimming,

drove down to Oceanside for the day and 
the best part of all, we slept in everyday!

I'm so glad it's Friday, so I can share 
my Friday Five with you all:

1. The Boardwalk Clear Tote by Stella & Dot

Isn't this the cutest summer bag?

I just ordered mine this week.  

It's perfect for the pool or beach and so 
cute with its fun orange and navy blue fish pattern.  

AND... all net proceeds from sales of this bag go

directly to Autism Awareness via the Holly Rod Foundation.  

It's a win-win for everyone!

2. Vintage Lucite

I’ve been on the lookout for

a fabulous vintage lucite piece like this table. 

I know it would work perfectly in my living room! 

I think I'm slightly obsessed with this look.

3.  “Radiant Orchid” nail color

Radiant Orchd is the pantone color of the year, and

Butter's nail polish Molly Coddled is the

perfect color for my pedis this summer!  

Check that one off the list!

 

4. Creamy White Walls

I am updating my walls this Spring

with creamy white paint.

5. Mission Accomplished

We visited the Mission San Luis Rey, 

in Oceanside this week. 

California's twenty-one Missions were 

built between 1769-1833 and

are such a fascinating and important

part of  California history, 

I’ll have a lot more mission pics 

on the blog next week including beautiful 

artifacts, interiors and the mission gardens.   

have a fabulous weekend...

ciao! fabiana

palm springs adventures

We just got back from the desert.

Palm Springs and Palm Desert, that is.

Spring break is just about over,

and I’m excited to share some of our adventures

and favorite desert spots with you.

Tomorrow 

I’ll be back with the

lowdown on

where we stayed,

and some artsy

stuff to do in Palm Springs!

ciao! fabiana

my friday five

This week has flown by, 

and now I am thankful that

we are officially on Spring Break!  

Here are some things that

caught my attention this week... 

1. M.Street Artwork

Newport Beach native 

Shannon Wadsworth creates 

unique rope and wood artwork 

that's perfect for any 

coastal inspired home.

2. Camille Beehler Landscape Design

Camille Beehler is a talented 

landscape designer and also puts together fabulous centerpieces 

and one of a kind planting arrangements 

that make great gifts.  

My favorite arrangements are 

the succulents planted in giant seashells.  

Thank you Camille 

for becoming our first sponsor!

3. B. Toffee

Betsy Thagard has been making 

luscious toffee for years, 

but in 2009 she launched her company B. Toffee. 

Her toffee is layered with premier ingredients 

and comes in milk chocolate, 

or my favorite, dark chocolate. 

We are proud to announce 

that B. Toffee is also 

sponsoring Ciao Newport Beach!

4. Barbara Baumgartner 

Barbara Baumgarten 

is an award winning artist

 who loves to paint succulents, 

flowers, fruits & vegetables.

 I especially love her realistic close-ups 

of the gorgeous succulents on canvas.

  

5. the adorable royal family

Prince George is so sweet 
as he looks lovingly 
at his cocker spaniel, 
Lupo!

have a great weekend! 

ciao! fabiana

cozy cottage christmas curio cabinet

A little touch of Christmas here and there is all I need right now, but brrrrr, there is a chill in the air this morning.

 

I may have to get my “fa la la” on much earlier than expected! I might even break out the holiday tunes today…

For now, I’m sharing the cutest and most useful of all curio cabinets I’ve ever seen! Just a little something I recently found... 

It’s really the cutest and most charismatic of all curio cabinets I ever did see. It’s so fun to style it for the holidays! 

 

I can’t wait to style it for spring with all sorts of little daffodils, bunnies and more!

Have you noticed this piece has a classic shabby chic design for a wonderful vintage look? The patina is perfect!

 

 

The design is just so sweet! I love that this little wooden wall cabinet features a cottage-themed window design with a 2-tiered shelf and two arched doors with a metal screening… it’s just perfect!

 

 

ciao fabiana

 

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a new little gem for Valentine's Day

 

Hi, everyone! I’ve had a nice long break this winter, and now I'm back with a few of my favorite things to share. I hope you're doing well so far. 

 

Since the holidays, most of my time has been spent in the garden, creating a new perennial border where we removed a small lawn. Once it starts growing a bit more as we head into spring, I’ll share photos and details. Today it’s all about Valentine’s Day! 

 

With Christmas and New Years behind us, the next holiday to take note of is Valentine’s Day. For today’s feature, I’ve teamed up with Vagabond House to showcase these gorgeous feather napkin rings, created in heirloom quality pewter, and so lovely for any occasion.  

 

To accentuate the beauty of each napkin ring, I chose simple soft pink napkins and folded them in a soft fan pattern to fill the plate, and add movement to this look. 

One of my favorite patterns of red transferware is “Asiatic Pheasant” by Johnson Brothers, and I selected this pattern specifically for the bird motifs, which work nicely with the feather napkin rings. 

In the background, you can see the pretty Song Bird Candelabra, another lovely item I cherish from Vagabond House. It’s just the right size for an intimate table setting and is just filled with charm! 

 

The tablecloth, place mats and pink goblets are all vintage, and if you look closely, the flatware is also from Vagabond House.  

 

It’s the Acorn Flatware set that I love to use for fall, but works just as well here with the feather and bird motif, which makes me think of a romantic woodland setting. 

 

This year it will be just a cozy table for two. Not sure what’s on the menu yet. What will you be having to celebrate? 

 

ciao! fabiana 

 

 

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