valentines dinner for two

 

What could be more romantic than a cozy little table for two by the fire on Valentine’s night? Flowers, candlelight and a roaring fire are sure to spark a few extra emotions from our hearts! Oh, and the glow of the fire offers the perfect lighting too! 

My starting point for setting this table was copper and burlap. I love how the two textures, one earthy and one polished, play off each other. 

I found a set of mini copper lanterns that were the perfect size for this table. The copper dipped water glasses and copper chargers work perfectly for this tablescape. 

To add to the glow, I used gold flatware which plays up the pretty glittery gold heart garland, and is a natural companion to copper. The burlap runner was easy to make. Here's how I did it.    

White and lavender pink flowers add a little color to the table, and varying heights of simple pillar candles brighten up the mantel.   

This viny little fern is growing wild in my garden, so I used it to soften the table and connect all the elements of the centerpiece.

I love the glow of the copper.

I’m not sure what will be on the menu yet. What are your favorite romantic dishes?

I was going for a romantic but relaxed look. I love using high-low pieces, like our grandmother’s Wedgwood china with the new chargers and fun heart salad plates, and the heirloom wine glasses with the new modern water glasses. 

The napkins offer a vivid pop of color!

 And it all came together like this: 

 Dinner Plates: Patrician by Wedgwood
Salad Plates: Home Goods
Copper Chargers: Home Goods
Burlap Fabric: Oriental Trading
Mini Copper Lanterns: Oriental Trading 
Napkins: World Market

Gold Flatware: ebay

Wine Glasses: vintage
Water Glasses: World Market
Gold Glitter Hearts Garland: Oriental Trading 
Flowers: Trader Joe’s

Love Mantel Sign: Ciao Blog Shop
Pink Votives: CB2
White Pillar Candles: IKEA

ciao! fabiana

Thank you to Oriental Trading for sending me these products to review. 

The opinions expressed in this post are truly my own.

Oriental Trading always offers great prices. 

Unique Gifts & Accessories for Everyone on Your List at Cost Plus World Market.

thanksgiving table with hints of amethyst

Here’s the final Thanksgiving tablescape for tomorrow. You know I have been playing around with different elements all month, but I’m really pleased with the results. 

I happened to run to South Coast Plaza yesterday to see if I could score a new raffia table runner for our bigger table and I found this one, that’s down the center of the table. It complements the two burlap runners with the squiggle pattern that I have running perpendicular. 

I also couldn’t resist these three preserved boxwood topiaries that I saw at West Elm. 

The star of the table, for me, is this set of vintage amethyst cut-glass tumblers. They catch the light just right! I also added these vintage purple sundae glasses to add a little more amethyst.    

Then, for a little added sparkle I'm using brass candlesticks with simple white tapers and gold glittery votives. White pumpkins finish off the look. 

And it all came together like this:

Burlap Chargers: Oriental Trading
Dinner Plates: Vintage Wedgwood
Amethyst Glassware: Vintage
Water Goblets: Vintage
Tall Brass Candlestick: Pottery Barn
Other Brass Candlesticks: Vintage
White Taper Candles: Trader Joe's
Boxwood Topiaries: West Elm
Pheasant Feathers: Oriental Trading
"Be Thankful" charms: Oriental Trading
Silver Flatware: Vintage

ciao! fabiana

a fun christmas table for the kids

Christmas morning is one of the most special times of the year, especially for the kids, so why not treat them to a special little Christmas breakfast after they open their gifts? 

I've put together a fun little Santa-inspired table that will keep that Christmas feeling going throughout the day. Hot cocoa will be served in these adorable vintage-style Santa mugs. 

And what pairs perfectly with hot cocoa? Why gingerbread, of course! That’s why our centerpiece for the table is this cute little gingerbread house, easily made from a kit available at Trader Joe’s.

Each place setting also includes a little satin stocking to hold silverware and a keepsake diy ornament that doubles as a place card. Wooden alphabet tiles or extra scrabble tiles can be used to easily spell the names of the holiday guests. Just glue letters on to wide popsicle sticks and then strung with red and white baker’s twine. 

After breakfast, the kids can hang their new ornaments on the tree. I made sure to add the year on the back of the ornament too!

Burlap charger plates are the foundation of the place setting, and then I use my vintage clear glass dinner plates.

A pretty craft paper runner from Oriental Trading was exactly what I needed for cutting out the paper circles that I placed between my charger plates and my glass plates. The snowflake design is perfect for the table! Then each setting is personalized with a cut-out felt Christmas greeting. (I used a salad plate turned upside down as a template for paper circles.) 

Santa is waiting for all the good little boys and girls!

It's such a simple and festive way to set the table.

A fun tradition for us every year is assembling this little gingerbread chalet from Trader Joe’s. All the extras are included in the kit, so all you have to do is whip up some white frosting for the “glue”. Not only is it adorable, but it’s tasty and totally gets the kids’ taste approval!

And it all came together like this:

Burlap Chargers: Oriental Trading

Glass Dinner Plates: Vintage

Snowflake Craft Paper: Oriental Trading

Red Raffia Place Mat: Home Goods

Santa Mugs: Oriental Trading

Wooden Alphabet Tiles: Oriental Trading

Wooden Popsicle Sticks: Michael’s

Small Satin Stockings: Oriental Trading

Red Felt Christmas Greetings: Dollar Tree

Gingerbread House: Trader Joe’s

Water Goblet: Vintage

Red & Green Glitter Trees: Oriental Trading

Silver Lanterns: Oriental Trading

Red & White Paper Lanterns: Oriental Trading

Red & White Tissue Snowflakes: Oriental Trading

Nutcrackers: Vintage 
Tablecloth: Vintage

   

 ciao! fabiana

Thank you to Oriental Trading for sending me these products to review. 
The opinions expressed in this post are truly my own.  

thanksgiving table by candlelight

I'm working on a really fun collaboration 

for setting a beautiful Thanksgiving table. 

My starting point were these textural 

burlap chargers. 

  

Next, I wanted something personal for each guest, 

so the idea of the gorgeous pheasant feathers 

and "Be Thankful" charms wrapped up together 

for each place setting was perfect! 

A set of Silver Metal Lanterns and a scattering of 

Amber Votives create a cozy warm glow in the room. 

Sprays of eucalyptus and olive branches ground 

the table and sweet little kumquats 

add a little color. 

The aroma is amazing! 

I love how all the textures tie in together with 

the burlap table runner, 

and the fact that this tablescape was so easy to put together! 

ciao! fabiana

💕

While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

planning ahead for christmas

I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet,

but I just started working on some

Christmas Tablescape stylings today. 

I have a few themes in mind, oh, how I love a good theme! 

Anyways, I have a couple for you to preview...

The first one is for an Ugly Sweater Party!

I couldn’t resist these adorable little knit sweaters

when I saw them at Cost Plus|WorldMarket.

They some in several different colors and are soooo

cute as little party favors at each place setting…

don’t you think?

They’re actually ornaments that

 you can later adorn your tree with.

I love how the red knit edging on the napkins

compliments the tiny red sweaters!

(The napkins are also from World Market).

The inspiration for my second

themed holiday dinner

were these gorgeous black and white

"Joyeaux Noel" transferware plates.

I got a set of these last year at Home Goods,

and my secret is I only get a set of salad plates,

that way I can mix and match with my white

dinner plates that are so versatile. 

And why not add gold accents to this look?

It helps play up the Parisian glamour for the night.

This look wouldn’t be the same without the bold black & white
buffalo plaid dinner plates, also found at Home Goods last year. 

ciao! fabiana

And it all came together like this…

 the Ugly Sweater Party:

Red Polka Dot Plate: Home Goods

Red Kate Spade Plate: Home Goods

Red & White Chintz Plate: vintage

Burlap Chargers: Oriental Trading

Raffia Place Mat: Ikea

Mini Sweater Ornaments: World Market

Chambray Napkins with Chenille Trim: World Market

Wood Handle Flatware: World Market

Scrabble Tiles: vintage

and the Parisian Holiday Dinner:

Joyeaux Noel Plates: Home Goods

Black and White Buffalo Check Plates: Home Goods

White Charger Plate: Wedgwood

Rattan Charger: World Market

Raffia Place Mat: vintage

Wine Glass: Home Goods

 Linen Napkins: World Market

Gold Flatware: Ebay

Brass Eiffel Tower: Ebay

Unfinished Wood Slice: Home Goods

weekend brunch

I hope you’re having a

happy start of the week, and month!

Can you believe it’s already May?

We just spent most of Sunday

 at home

just catching up

on odds and ends around the house,

and sprucing up the backyard  

but we did get to sit down and enjoy a

simple brunch with the family.

Simple scrambled eggs and toast

are taken to another level
when you get to sit down to

 your very own personal bowl of

 fresh strawberries.

The strawberries here in OC 

are just coming in to season,

and they're so sweet!

More cuttings of the

snowball viburnum from the garden

are perfect with all

the blue and white table décor… 

But wait...
while setting the table,

I was experimenting with

a little red, white and blue color theme
and I couldn't resist a few photos…

I feel like it’s a little too early

to go all out patriotic, but I love how

this blue and white table easily transforms into

 a festive look with the addition of

just a red transferware plate.

These cute 
little seagrass wrapped water glasses

are from Serena & Lily,
 and

I love how they look with

the vintage china and burlap chargers. 

May’s such a festive month,

with Cinco de Mayo,

Mother’s Day,

the Newport Harbor Home Tour,

coming up on May 18th,

and Memorial Day.

Summer’s just around the corner….

are you excited?!

ciao! fabiana

💕

While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.