coffee and then ikea

I started out my day having my coffee at my newly set up table in the back yard and contemplated all the spring cleaning and sprucing up that needs to be done out here. Made a list... somehow, that led me to Ikea later in the day. 

I think what really got me there was needing to go to Peinture to buy some more Pure White chalk paint for some of the projects that need to be done. You see, Peinture is very close to Ikea, and I always need an excuse to go to Ikea. 

Once you figure out your way, navigating through Ikea's a breeze! I know right were to go now, and where to find what I’m looking for.

I guess when I got there, I decided that I really "needed" some “blush” dinner plates, in that very, very pale pink color that's so pretty for spring and summer. And they had just what I was looking for, and more. 

The best thing about these plates, besides their gorgeous soft color, is the matte finish. Love these! Here are a few other things I found today…

1.  geometric design place mats,

 that look great with my Serena & Lily chairs.

2.  a nubby raffia rug for outdoors,

this will look great on the patio or on the lawn.

3.  the blush dinner plates,

the prettiest color!

4. a beautiful oval white metal tray,

perfect for serving drinks and more!

5. blush water glasses,

a must have with the blush plates.

Now there’s just a little painting to be done…

Luckily, it’s almost the weekend,

And I might get a little help with the “sprucing up” part! 

ciao! fabiana

ikea jewelry display cabinet

We purchased a GREVBÄCK glass-door cabinet from IKEA about six years ago to display my son's Lego collection. Well, fast forward to 2011, and the Lego's are out, and we have ourselves cabinet without a purpose, until...

I was inspired by watching one of the Real Housewives shows. One of them had all her necklaces and costume jewelry hung on cup hooks in her closet area.  I took that idea and incorporated it into the six foot tall IKEA cabinet. Now I can see all my necklaces at once, and they don't get tangled. It's quick and easy to find what I am looking for. 

I think it would look better painted a fun color.  

What do you think?

ciao! fabiana

fun and spooky Halloween bottles

I have a thing reusing stuff when it’s kind of interesting, and when we recently  finished an old bottle of B&B, I really thought it would make a great Halloween “prop” for when we entertain, or just to have on our bar cart.  

I soaked the original label off, found some fun free printable labels online, and simply cut out one and adhered it to the bottle with a glue stick.  

To finish the look off, I added a simple silver tray and some fun dotted white and orange napkins, both from Ikea. The wine glass is vintage from Gammy. 

This was so easy to put together!

1  A fancy empty bottle

2 Fun labels found online

3 Tray from Ikea

4 Napkins from Ikea

ciao! fabiana

Fancy beer or gourmet soda bottles

can be updated as well!

shopping for my Easter table

 

I'm starting to prep my table for my Easter table.

This is the fun wrapping paper I found at Marshall's.

I traced circles around my glass plates 

and cut out enough paper circles 

for all my guests' place settings.  

The paper circles are used between 

the silver chargers and the glass 

plates for a colorful look!  

I really fell in love with the colors 

and patterns of this wrapping paper, 

and this started my table inspiration weeks ago...

The four layers of my table setting,

a raffia place mat, a silver charger, 

a glass dinner plate, 

and decorative wrapping paper

 for under glass plate.

Today, I ran over to Ikea to 
grab some fabulous round woven 

raffia place mats. 

These are really chunky, 
and I love the texture!

They're perfect for the table.

These miniature orchids are so cute.

They're also from IKEA. 

My last stop was MerMade Designs 

to get some special coastal inspired 
accessories for the table.

A few pretty blue glass floats will look great 

on the table now and all year round.

These gorgeous blue limpet shell 

napkin rings  are the perfect color!

check back for the final table reveal...

ciao! fabiana

fun kitchen chairs from ikea

The Tobias chair or "ghost chair" 

from IKEA is so versatile, 

and perfect for a kitchen or dining area. 

I love this chair juxtaposed with this rustic kitchen!  

It's so simple and clean in a modern or traditional room.

They really lighten up a space...

and go with all styles of decor.

They're pretty comfortable too!

Don't they look great with this classic round marble table?

I got one for my son's desk in his room 

and I'm thinking of adding a few to my kitchen! 

ciao! fabiana

a few lovely valentine accessories

Just a little gathering of gals…

also known as a galantines day party.

I know, a cute and clever way to celebrate

Valentine’s day with your girlfriends.

And why not?!

We girls have to stick together,

and who better to appreciate all the cute

hearts, flowers and sweet treats

than our besties?

The treat table is all set up with

these fun LOVE candy buffet containers…

just fill with your favorite red and pink candies.

And these mini cupcakes fit perfectly in the letter "V".

And best of all,

there’s no cooking involved.

It’s take-out all the way!

We'll order in some yummy salads,

and we'll be all set.

Just a simple little set-up with lots of pink & red accessories.

What’s your favorite Valentine’s candy?

I think my vote is for M & M’s,

plain or peanut.  

And this darling heart pillow adds

just the right touch to the living room.

I can’t wait for my friends to see it.

ciao! fabiana

And it all came together like this:

LOVE Candy Containers

Red & White Salad Plates

Pink Dinera Dinner Plates: IKEA

Pink & Red Napkins: World Market

White Hobnail Votives

Pink Intagande Water Glass: IKEA

White Flatware: vintage

Candy Hearts: Oriental Trading

Tulips: Trader Joe's

French Marble Pastry Slab: Crate & Barrel

Heart Pillow

Mattituck Armchair: Serena & Lily

breakfast at ikea

I started my day with breakfast at IKEA.  

I love the old-style cafeteria format.  

It's so easy and fast, and kind of nostalgic.

Table by the window to enjoy my 

Spinach and Cheese Crepes,  

Potato Broccoli cakes 

and a really good cup of coffee (only 50 cents). 

The dining room was sunny and so quiet. 

It was really nice to enjoy a little peace 

after getting the kids off to school.

And, now on to shopping...

They have some interesting graphic fabrics.

I need to find a spot in my house for 

one of these clear acrylic chairs.

So cool.

I'm thinking about this bed for one of my teenagers.

 He's outgrown his twin, 

and this bed frame has hidden 

storage in the headboard.

I have to see if these pull-out shoe holders 

would somehow fit into my closet system.  

They're a real space saver.   

They have an awesome kitchen section.  

Only $2.99 for a milk frother ...

Perfect for my morning cappuccinos. 

Gotta love Audrey!

Ooooh, a new item...

hmm, Mirror, Mirror on the wall, 

who's the fairest one of all?  

I might need one of these for my castle!  

ciao! fabiana