summer bike riding fashion

Summer is prime bike riding season,

so why not look super cute when

you’re out and about town?

Here are a few cute summerfashion

choices seen around the city.

do something amazing today! 

ciao,  fabiana

photo credit: who what wear

weekend round up

How is it possible that it’s the weekend again? Here we are almost halfway through the year, so I thought it was about time that I share a weekend round up feature. It’s been a while, so here goes with a few of my favorite things.

 

Let’s start with this pretty bunch of flowers that I collected from the garden. I was working on a fall project for Cottages and Bungalows and needed some kind of autumn floral statement.

This big handful of blooms from the garden may not be wildflowers, but they sure give off that vibe. This is just a bunch of sage, pink grasses, nandina and yellow aquilegia and are so perfect for this big ironstone pitcher that I love so much.

 

After photographing my fall project, I moved the flowers out of the way and set them on these books in front of the window. The sunlight coming in from the garden was so pretty, I had to capture this moment.

Sometimes, it's those unexpected things that are so pretty. I was putting off going to the store to buy sunflowers, and then just went out and gathered what I thought would be a sentimental autumn look.

And speaking of this fall photo shoot, I wanted to share with you how I simply styled this little wooden shadow box. I used it to add some texture to the background of my pictures.

I found it recently at my neighbor’s estate sale. She said she stripped the finish off and never finished the project, but I love it just the way it is. 

A few of my favorite little vintage stoneware crocks fill out the cubbies. I'm not sure if I have room for this piece as a permanent display, but I think it'll be fun to style it seasonally. This little gem is one of my most favorite finds ever!

 

Summer essentials for sure! These two Vagabond House items are my most recent additions to my coastal collection from them.

 

First up is the Sailboat Decanter made with beautiful and heavy Italian glass and topped with the cutest pewter sailing sloop finial.

 

This decanter style actually comes in three different shapes and sizes, and I’m kind of obsessed with collecting all three to display on our bar cart.

 

The cocktail glasses you see here are a pair of Nautilus Double Old-Fashioned Glasses. Check out the base of these beauties. That’s a solid pewter base with nautilus shell motifs circling around the whole glass.

 

I think these would make beautiful votive candle holders as well! I’ll share more on the decanter and the glassware soon.

 

This red, white and blue table I set recently features a tablecloth and napkins by Solino Home. This Navy-Blue Capri Stripe Tablecloth is so versatile, I styled it three different ways, using three different Solino Home linen napkins.

 

I’ll be sharing all three of these looks very soon, but today I wanted to highlight these adorable napkin rings.

 

I just got a set of 12 of these Rattan Napkin Rings on Amazon, after searching high and love for something that was chic and that have wonderful texture.

 

Some of the ones on the market look so cheap, but these are exactly what I was looking for. I love how they look with my favorite Serena & Lily raffia placemats and my Serena & Lily light fixture.

Lastly, I want to share a couple of pages from Country Living UK magazine that I recently spotted. This red, white and blue little baking scene has all the hallmarks of my style and the things I love. 

The gingham, the china and the little stoneware crock are some of the things I love most. This was styled by Alaina Binks.

Also from Country Living UK, this home and bike epitomizes the perfect summer day. I hope to take a leisurely ride on my bike this weekend. It’s been too long!

 

Happy weekend to you all!

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”*. 

 

 

 

 

 

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my friday five

The  Tablelands model home

Wow, it’s Friday!

We made it through the first “official” week of summer

and I’m enjoying our summer schedule soooo much!

School just let out for us last week, so here

in Newport, the kids are spending lots

of time at the beach.

So that means lots of 

sand is filtering its way into the house,

I’ve got loads of beach towels to wash,

and lots of sunscreen to apply!

It is so fun!  

And now, we can look forward

to 4th of July in a few days too.

We’ve already been hearing the pops 

and bangs every night from the local fireworks 

people are randomly setting off…

my dogs are terrified, ugh!

Anyways, this weekend I’m looking forward to

checking out a new community of homes here in

Eastside Costa Mesa, called Tablelands.

The model is now open on Sundays,

so I’ll be taking a peek, and I can’t wait to see it,

 because the model was designed

by Shannon Wilkins of Prairie Interiors and

she’s got a really fun fresh farmhouse style I love!  

This week I stopped into Roger’s Gardens

to grab a few lavender and boxwood plants

to fill in a few empty spot in my garden,

and took a shot of this pretty outdoor table

just for you all!

I just love the pretty blue glasses on the table.

They really liven up the whole table. 

I love the herb section at Roger’s.

They integrate edible flowers and cute

garden accessories so beautifully. 

I’m tuning up my bike this weekend... 

filling the tires with air and oiling things up.

It’s so fun to ride around town

instead of getting in that hot car!

And speaking of bikes,

Here’s a  cute pic from Marissa Hermer’s

new cookbook, “An American Girl in London”.

Doesn’t her Couscous and Tomato salad look good?

This is what I'm making for Saturday...

Herby Couscous with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

1½ lbs. cherry tomatoes, halved
2 red onions, peeled and cut into 8 wedges each
¼ cup plus 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1 tsp. black pepper, divided
3 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
2½ cups uncooked pearl couscous
1 cup pitted, roughly chopped kalamata olives
1 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
½ cup finely chopped fresh mint
½ cup finely chopped fresh basil
1½ tbsp. fresh lemon juice
3 oz. feta cheese (about ¾ cup crumbled)

1. Preheat oven to 250°. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Place cherry tomatoes, cut side up, and onion wedges on baking tray. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Bake until caramelized, sticky and sweet, about 2 hours.

2. Meanwhile, bring stock to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add couscous, and simmer 6 minutes. Remove from heat; cover, and let stand until all of the stock is soaked up, about 10 minutes. Spread couscous on a large, clean baking tray to cool.

do something amazing this weekend! 

ciao,  fabiana

photo credits:

Tablelands

Ciao Newport Beach blog

Country Living

Marissa Hermer

pink perfection for spring

As the  mother of four boys, 

I like to pamper myself with pink. 

And, this Spring, Pink is everywhere! 

There are some incredible fashion essentials out here, 

some frivolous tasty treats, 

and so many ways to brighten up your living spaces, 

that "pinking it up" is  now easier than ever.  

Here are some of my favorite finds:

Above, peony-pink drapes can brighten up most living rooms.  
This one was featured in House & Home.

Emma Stone looks so cute with 

just the right shade of pink lipstick.  

Don't forget to sample different shades of pink 

to pick the right one for your skin tone. 

Ride a bike to run some errands.  

It's so easy now that it's Spring, 

and you'll save a wallet-full on gas . 

 I love one with a great basket to hold lots of goodies, 

and it's got to be a pretty color too!

I love the combination of pink and navy blue.  
This lovely inspiration is from pinterest. 

Martha Stewart does it best mixing pink 

and a bit of red in this tablescape.

Paint some framed mirrors hot pink for a unifying display 

that looks great with a group of shabby pink roses.

Create a breathtaking entry 
with the simplicity of pink and white and
 some statement succulents
 in a beautiful gray tone.

I grow these beauties in my garden.  
They're pink lemons, perfect for 
authentic "pink lemonade" .

Or try this recipe that uses passion fruit.

"Sparrow me the Drama" by OPI 

is my new favorite shade 

for Spring.

Try a mix of patterns and tones in the 
pink and white range, unifying it all with white.

Accent pieces are so much fun!

Treat yourself to a strawberry cupcake.  

These are from Casey's Cupcakes.

Pink accessories can be any easy way 

to pull together just the right look for Spring.  

Sunglasses by River Island 

and flip flops by Havaianas (my favorites). 

Rachel Bilson pulls it all together 

with a fun pink polka dot scarf. 

The perfect pink hat for a cool spring day.  
It's so cute with a blue blazer!

Miranda Kerr out and about in her soft pink slacks.  

I need these!  

Here's a pair from J.Crew:

Ferrigamo patent pink flats, oooh la la!

Pink accent pillows always look great with green. 

Invest in some vintage Pyrex mixing bowls.  

They are quite affordable at

 flea markets or on ebay.

Treat yourself to a decadent dessert. 

No special occasion necessary!

A hot pink wrap around 

studded bracelet by Tory Burch 

is just what the doctor ordered

 to raise your spirits.

I'm loving Jessica Simpson's "hot" pink Dior bag. 

Jessica Alba in "sensible" heels that add 

the perfect fun accent to her conservative outfit. 

A wow of color on Blake Lively.

Pull up a fuchsia cube and relax in this crescent shaped nook.

Soft colors in an elegant format.

Hot pink in small doses is just enough to make you smile.

Make the garden pop with a gorgeous shade of pink!

Plant some pink roses to greet you in the garden.

Tulips are a wonderful way to bring pink into your home.

Shopping for a new camera?  Consider a pink one!

I've got to try this gorgeous pink bowtie pasta, 

colored naturally with beet juice.

A handful of these 

Jelly Belly Pomegranate Cosmo beans 

is all you need to get your pink on.

Now, remember, don't get too carried away!  

A little goes a long way!

ciao! fabiana