Easter weekend

Happy Saturday! With Easter tomorrow, I have to admit, this is the first year my table is not yet set !

What?!

It’s happening today, and it’s been so nice out, I’m thinking of setting it outside, where I’ve been spending most of my time lately, in the garden.

In the meantime, I’m sharing this gorgeous and oh so colorful place setting that our tablescape group shared on Friday. Ashley of Ashely E Design set is the artistic brains behind this colorful creation.

                                                                 

Whether you’re celebrating Easter or Passover, I hope it inspires you for setting your table this weekend. 

        

And speaking of the garden, I wanted to share these pretty pots I spotted at Roger’s Gardens this week.

Aren't they just so vibrant and fabulous? My garden is evolving into a color palette of pinks, purples, blues, whites and greens, so these would fit in perfectly.

I especially love this pop of chartreuse paired with the hot pink petunias!

And this fabulous shed is a new addition at Roger’s that I haven’t seen before…

It's just a framework with no glass, that's so perfect for southern California. 

Such wonderful inspiration for my garden and shed! I’ll be posting more on my she shed soon…

For now, the waist-high English lavender seems to be taking over and that’s just the plan. It smells heavenly!

Happy Easter and Passover 💕

ciao! fabiana

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eight pretty Easter tablescapes

a fun Easter tablescape blog hop

Yesterday, my blogging friend Janet of Rosemary & Thyme blog hosted a really fun Easter tablescape blog hop on instagram that included some of the sweetest and most talented gals who also happen to be amazing at putting together gorgeous table settings.  

I shared one of my favorite Easter tables done with blue and white transferware… you know how much I love it!

To infuse a bit of springtime color I used bright yellow daffodils and ruffled tulips to play off the vibrant blues.

💙

Now here’s the best part… sharing my seven blogging friends’ amazing visions.

I just love how each and every one of these talented bloggers has their own unique style and approach to setting an Easter table.

First of is Amanda of Rosie Rose Chic.

Her table is so bright, cheery and fun!

Arminé of Ms Modern Manners

set the most divine table with this gorgeous floral centerpiece!

Janet of Rosemary & Thyme has a chic romantic style

and this table captures both the fun and elegance of Easter.   

Larissa of Larissa Jenkins lives in a 120 year old home in Iowa

and as you can see,

it plays big part of her dramatic tablescape.

California girl Marie of Venice Beach QT Pie

showcased her beautiful pink cabbageware plates on her table, 

and I’m officially in love with this whole look!

Pam of Everyday Living created a tablescape

with all our favorite Easter elements like these pretty flowers.

Make sure to stop by and check out the rest of her table! 

My dear friend Yelena of Table with Taste

has a truly elegant way about her and

everything she creates exhibits her sophisticated style.

🐰

I hope you get a chance to explore each unique style

that these lovely ladies share on their instagram pages,

and

let me know if you have a favorite!

💗

ciao! fabiana

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the ivy restaurant, beverly hills

I just returned from a fabulous overnight stay with my mother in Beverly Hills. You may have seen my snapshots on Instagram and facebook of one of my all-time favorite spots, The Ivy restaurant on Robertson.

Today’s post is all about The Ivy’s decor and amazing ambiance that immediately enraptures you within seconds of stepping inside.

Here are the cozy elements that we need to take note of…  

ü pitchers of beautiful roses everywhere

ü blue and white transfeware plates on the walls

ü bowls fresh lemons, oranges and limes

ü lots of cozy chintz pillows

ü terracotta pots filled with geraniums

ü shabby chic old shutters and wooden elements

ü vintage floral artwork

ü antique French signage

ü gracefully aged white picket fences

ü colorful twinkle lights for alfresco evening dining

ü white tablecloths

ü a backdrop of old brickwork

ü a fabulous patio

Every inch of The Ivy is magical.

The Ivy began its life during the 1980’s in a cozy little vintage cottage. Since then it’s been attracting celebrities, locals and visitors from all around the world.

When we arrived on Wednesday morning, we had the whole patio practically to ourselves!

Every time I visit, I’m just amazed by the quaint decor, accessories and attention to detail.

This is one of my favorite tables, which is in the main little dining area that features that cute bar with all the bowls of citrus.

Can you believe how many pitchers of roses there are? The secret in recreating this look is to buy roses in light pink dark pink and yellow, with a few coral colored roses thrown in as an accent.

ciao! fabiana

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a healthy home is a happy home

A few tips to remember when seeking 

to create a healthy home...

1. Always choose linens that have Organic & Natural Fibers. This ensures that the fibers are biodegradable and that they were not grown or treated with pesticides and other toxic chemicals.

2. Shop at home décor stores that support fair trade and have certified sustainable collections. Choosing specifically eco-friendly/fair trade collections at these stores certifies that the products were made under safe and fair conditions.

3. On a budget? Check out flea markets for unique décor that you can upcycle.  

You can uncover great finds at flea markets and even create your own DIY project to bring new life to that well-loved coffee table or bookshelf.

5. Illuminate the room with natural light during the day and CFL bulbs at night. The most energy efficient choice you can make is to limit your use of artificial lights, especially if your apartment gets tons of natural light. 

Those same principles apply in you outdoor spaces, too.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

ciao! fabiana

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healthy home info courtesy of Pildora

photos:  Serena & Lily, Williams-Sonoma, & Studio McGee

when life gives you lemons

This winter has been amazing for our little lemon tree in the back yard. I have literally picked hundreds of lemons since December, and it’s still going strong!

My friends and neighbors were happy to also share in this year’s bounty, and I’ve been trying to find more and more ways to enjoy these amazing fruits.

In addition to adding fresh lemon to my water and tea every day, I have a few other simple recipes to share today…    

A simple lemon scrub is perfect for getting our skin summer ready and it also works beautifully on your face, if your skin’s not too sensitive. Here's one I love with three basic ingredients:  

Lemon Sugar Scrub

2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 to 1/3 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp lemon zest

Glass container with lid for the scrub

In a mixing bowl add 2 cups of white granulated sugar

Slowly mix in the coconut oil until the sugar is a nice smooth consistency. Add the lemon zest.

Transfer the sugar scrub into a jar. When you shower, rub the sugar scrub on wet arms and legs to exfoliate and rinse clean. 

We do love to make homemade lemonade too, and here’s one of our favorite super yummy pink lemonade recipes. The sweetness on the raspberries does amazing things to your taste buds when mixed with the lovely tartness of the lemons.

Pink Lemonade with Fresh Raspberries 

1 ¾ cups fresh squeezed lemon juice, from 8-12 lemons, strained

½ pound fresh raspberries, plus more for garnish

5 cups water

1 cup sugar

Lemon slices and fresh mint, for garnishing

Combine the raspberries and ½ cup of the lemon juice in a blender and purée until smooth, then strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl to remove the seeds.

To create a simple syrup, place water and sugar into a small sauce pan, heat on medium and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool. Add the rest of the lemon juice and combine with raspberry mixture.

Pour into glasses with ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices, raspberries and fresh mint, if desired.

This will last for up to five days in the refrigerator.

Makes about: 1½ - 2 quarts

Lemon Muffins are always yummy, and I have several recipes I love to make. These Lemon Blueberry Streusel Muffins were featured in the Spring issue of Farmhouse Style magazine. 

I can’t divulge this recipe just yet, but you can still find this issue on newsstands. Here’s a similar recipe you can save right now.

The summer issue of Farmhouse Style magazine will feature another one of my lemon recipes. This time it’s Bob Hope’s vintage recipe for Lemon Meringue Pie.

It may sound complicated, but it’s really not! 

This issue will be out on April 16th. Check it out! It’s full of great recipes, tons of inspiring décor and other fun articles.

Here are some bonus lemon recipes:

Homemade Arnold Palmers

Citrus Vinaigrette

Lemon Blueberry Muffins by Gesine

happy saturday! 🍋 fabiana

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