monday musings

Over in England, they celebrate St. George’s Day on April 23rd, but the UK and the world were in for another special treat today! The birth of another royal baby…

💕

Yes, Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed their third child, a second baby boy, into the world. So far the baby’s name hasn’t been announced yet.

And a little shout-out to my son Morgan who also celebrates his birthday today!   

Isn't it lovely how Kate Middleton pays homage to her mother-in-law the late Princess Diana with her choices in post-birth fashion?

Around here, the Sherman Library & Garden hosted their annual garden walk and tour this past weekend. Here’s a little peek at my friend Marion’s lovely garden that was on the tour.

Marion’s garden has so much charm!

It's inspired me to keep working in my garden, 

planting and beautify it as much as possible!

Here’s my wagon full of perennials that

I’m planting today and tomorrow.

I'm adding these amazing pinky-purple geraniums,

some ornamental cabbage,

more foxgloves and 

borage...

one of my all-time favorite herbs

which is an amazing cucumber scented plant that has 

gorgeous and edible bright blue flowers! 

And a little more inspo

from Mary McDonald’s garden!!

So when my garden is all zhushed up,

it’s such a treat to be able to go out and

have our morning coffee or evening dinner out

in a special spot.

This morning I acquired a new little

black wrought iron café set for next to nothing!

Actually, it was a free for the taking road-side find!!

So after a little paint and a little fabric, 

 it will be ready to join the garden!

Also, I’d love it if you checked me out on

 instagram too, for all the latest here at

 Ciao Newport  Beach !

 ciao! fabiana

bahama beach house style

Happy Saturday!

💙

The weather here has been amazing, and I’m so looking forward to summer. So today, in keeping with the sunny summer theme, I wanted to share this fabulous Bahamas vacation home with you… spotted in the pages of House Beautiful. 

 ciao! fabiana

who's ready for summer?

This month’s House Beautiful magazine

is literally bursting at the seams with

fabulousness.

Just look a the roof line of that adorable pool house! 

And check out the rest of this

amazing Chicago-area backyard pool area

 that has all the elements I love!

Blue and white accessories ✔

Pink accents ✔

Black and white stripes ✔

Vintage garden urns ✔

A pretty tablescape ✔

Homeowner Shelley Johnstone requested

Palm Beach meets Hollywood style glam for

the design of the pool house and

surrounding spaces.

so dreamy!

 ciao! fabiana

My picks for a similar look...

16" Blue & White Floral Porcelain Planter

Peshtemal Striped Turkish Towel

the home tour and a royal wedding

The excitement is building for three extra special events…

First of all the countdown has now officially begun

for the Newport Harbor Home Tour

on May 17^th…

There will be six amazing homes featured this year,

as well as one boat!

Tickets are still available for this fun event,

but they do sell out every year,

so get your ticket now,

if you’re able to go!

Raili Clasen, one of our favorite local designers and home tour favorite will have another one of her amazing designs showcased this year!

Home tour day starts off at the exclusive

Balboa Bay Resort

where a light breakfast will be served.

Lunch  will later be catered by Plum’s Restaurant…

And then Barclay Butera hosts a super fun

after-party at his Newport showroom.

You won’t want to miss this fun day!

And just two days later…

the wedding of the year will be taking place…

Prince Harry will marry American actress Meghan Markle.

This outfit that Meghan wore yesterday

has been all the buzz today.

I especially love her black and white striped

Oroton cross-body bag!

We were just talking stripes yesterday…

Kate Middleton is due to deliver

her third royal baby any second now!

I’m officially on royal baby watch now!

And coincidentally,

the Meghan Markle bio by Andrew Morton

 just came out and luckily I had preordered it,

so it just showed up on my doorstep!

I’m off now to dive into this book and

get the whole scoop on Meghan.

 ciao! fabiana

black and white stripes forever

Another one of my favorite classic combos…

black and white stripes!

Use them on a table,

for a formal or casual gathering.

It’s a traditional look with modern flair!

A little,

or

a lot…

It’s always a showstopper,

as in this wallpaper in my friend

Marion's kitchen.  

Outdoors this look can’t be beat…

It’s so versatile too!

These stripes can come off as too funky or edgy,

but they can actually bring balance to a room.

The perfect yin and yang!

 ciao! fabiana

photo credit:

1, 2  BH&G

3  Martha Stewart Weddings

7  Opal DC

8  Architectural Digest

9  NY Times

10  Woman's Day

11  House Beautiful

12, 13  Lido Marina Village

15 Domaine