balboa island and anthropologie

Spring has finally arrived on Balboa Island. It's not surprising with all the rain we've had! 😉 And this cottage is the cutest, with all its classic details and pretty garden flowers. 💗

A morning walk on Balboa Island always makes me feel like I'm on vacation. 

And not far away is Anthropologie in Fashion Island. I’m kind of obsessed with some of their antique tables they use as displays.

This one’s ↑ my favorite!

The merchandising and table décor at Anthropologie is always so inspiring.

Kind of like the gorgeous styling at the Paris Market in Savannah!

Thanks for stopping by today! I’ll be back soon with more fun décor to share with you all. 😘

ciao! fabiana

a rose themed galentine’s day table

I’m so excited to finally share my pretty cute Galentine’s Day tablescape with all of you. I shot this layout way back in November exclusively for Romantic Homes, but since that magazine is no longer being published, their sister magazine Cottages & Bungalows got to share it!   

It truly is my most favorite tablescape of all time! I wanted to make sure that I blended beautiful vintage tableware with accessories that were more modern feeling.

Deeply hued pink roses were my inspiration point, especailly when gathered in this vintage red and white transferware tureen. The roses came from the garden, and since it was late fall, I collected as many pretty blooms as possible, and they all seemed to mesh well together!

And the fabric square I used as a backdrop pulled everything together nicely and created that “Romantic” look.

A close-up of the mismatched garden roses….

compared to the more uniformly shaped ones from Trader Joe's. 

And isn’t this ice bucket perfect?

Some of my favorite items from Serena & Lily were incorporated to provide a fun-factor at this party! 

Please stop by Cottages & Bungalows for the FULL STORY and lots of even prettier pictures!

And it all came together like this:

White Dinner Plates -  Home Goods

Floral Salad Plates - vintage

Pink Glassware - vintage

Flatware - vintage Italian silver

Pink Napkins - Home Goods

 Round Raffia Placemats - Serena & Lily  

Assorted tea cups, tea set & vases - vintage

Table fabric & heart wreath - vintage 

  Bedford Tray - Serena & Lily

Floral Ice Bucket - Nice Buckets

Cove Rattan Lanterns - Serena & Lily

Linzer Cookies & Lemonade - Mother's Market

ciao! fabiana

easy & yummy recipes for your valentine

I couldn’t help sharing these fun and easy Valentine’s Day recipes with you all. I hope you like chocolate, because two of them are luscious and chocolatey good but pretty simple to make…

And how about a little pepperoni pizza, valentine style?! This recipe is perfect for the whole family.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz.) chocolate cake mix

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

• 24 fresh strawberries, washed and dried

• ½ cup frozen strawberries, thawed

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

Directions

Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to package instructions. Pour batter into a paper-lined muffin tin. Bake according to package instructions. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Cook on half power for 60 seconds, then continue at half power at 30 second increments, until the chocolate is completely melted. Prepare a plate with wax paper. Dip the strawberries one at a time into the chocolate, then lay on the prepared plate. Set in the refrigerator to harden.

In a blender, puree the thawed strawberries. Yields about ¼ cup of pureed strawberries.

To prepare the frosting, mix together the butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl. Beat in the pureed strawberries and mix until desired consistency.

Spread frosting over the cooled cupcakes and top each cupcake with a chocolate covered strawberry.

Makes 24 Cupcakes.

Homemade Heart-Shaped Pepperoni Pizza

Ingredients

• 11 ounces refrigerated thin cut pizza crust dough

• ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. pizza sauce, divided

• ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. Kroger Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

• ½ cup sliced pepperoni

• Fresh basil, to serve

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

Roll the pizza crust out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a large heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut about 10 hearts out of pizza dough. Gently transfer the hearts onto the prepared baking sheet.

Spread 1 tablespoon of sauce onto each heart, then top with 1 tablespoon of cheese.

Use a small heart shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts into the pepperoni. Place the pepperoni hearts on the cheese.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the edges start to brown.

Serve with fresh basil.

Serves: 10

Slow Cooker Lava Cake

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz.) chocolate cake mix

• 3 ¼ cups milk, divided

• ½ cup pure coconut oil, slightly melted

• 3 large eggs

• 1 package (3.56 oz.) instant chocolate pudding

• 1 bag (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips

•  optional, vanilla ice cream

•  optional, fresh berries  

Directions

Spray the liner of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1¼ cups of milk, coconut oil and the eggs. Beat on low speed for 1-2 minutes, then on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the batter is glossy.

Pour into the lined slow cooker.

In a medium bowl, combine the pudding mix, 2 cups of milk and beat until the pudding thickens.

Pour the pudding over the cake batter; do not stir.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top; do not stir.

Cover and cook on high for 2½ hours, until the top of the cake is set.

Serve with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.

Serves: 10

enjoy!

ciao! fabiana

Recipes courtesy of Kroger 

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pretty motivation for the weekend

I have to admit, since the beginning of the year, I’ve struggled a bit to find the motivation that I usually have. I kind of like to start the year fresh with a clean slate, and recalibrate myself for the new year ahead, but this year it's taking me longer than usual to get motivated.

That’s why I love the simplicity of this quote by Mark Twain. I do find that when I push myself just a little, it really helps to get the ball rolling with whatever endeavor that I’m starting to work on.

And, seeing a pretty kitchen like this, full of gorgeous flowers, always pumps me up, just a little bit... 

Look at those amazing lilacs! I can almost smell their intense fragrance just from their beauty in these photos.  

These dazzling photos are from the latest issue of Country Living, and they're really motivating me to look ahead towards spring, when everything is blooming around me. For those of you who live in utterly chilly conditions, take a moment and think about the renewal of Spring, and that it's not too far off!

Isn’t this cupboard styled beautifully? And look, in the next photo, there it is again, but styled a little differently with just pretty collection of white ironstone.

And I love marble subway tiles on the back wall of these shelves! 

😍 

I'm also loving these vintage bistro chairs... in my favorite color! Aren't they so special in this all white and neutral room?

And speaking of chairs, I love the quirkiness of these bar stools. I'd love a pair of these in my kitchen.

And as a final note... a blue and white room with a pop of yellow daffodils for fun! If this doesn't say "Spring", I don't know what does!

I hope you stay plenty warm and dry this weekend!

I'm quite enjoying the rain from inside 😏

ciao! fabiana

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

photo credit:

1-5 Country Living

6-7 Southern Living

a beautiful and easy valentine treat

Step out of the kitchen and check out my favorite no-bake treats for Valentine's Day this year... stop by Trader Joe's and Costco for these beautiful and truly yummy treats.

And aren't these blush colored stock flowers perfect? They're from TJ's as well.

The chocolate mousse heart cake is from Trader Joe's and the lovely raspberry macarons are from Costco, believe it or not! 

Here’s what they look like in their packaging.

We had this cake for dessert last night, and I’m headed back to pick up another today, since my family loved it so much!

Here’s what it looks like all dressed up with some fresh raspberries… yum!

ciao! fabiana

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a new light fixture and tablescape

Yountville Woven Abaca Pendant by Serena & Lily

I can finally share my little secret with you all. It’s just that I get really excited about new décor, and I've been patiently waiting to share with you… 

Last week I received this new light fixture from Serena & Lily, and I’m soooo thrilled with how it looks in my dining nook!

I didn’t want to share it immediately, because I wanted you all to get the full effect of it, plus I still needed to declutter from the holidays, believe it or not, haha!  

This pendant is actually woven Abaca macramé and in the evening when it’s lit, it gives off the most divine mandala pattern on the ceiling and walls! 

I had to google Abaca, because I’d never heard of it, but it’s a natural fiber from the Philippines similar to hemp and banana leaves. 

And it’s just about time to share my simple table top décor that I have in place for the month of February. A few fresh flowers gets me in the mood for love, no really, it just gets me in a good mood!

A few heart-shaped desserts not only look amazing, but taste so yummy too! Be sure to check back tomorrow for this very budget-friendly no-bake dessert idea. It’s so easy!

In addition to this super beachy Yountville Woven Pendant over my table, I’ve incorporated some of my other favorite Serena & Lily items for this look.

A set of three Amana Brass Candlesticks

Navy Blue Gingham Napkins

Round Raffia Placemats

Riviera Side Chairs

I’m so happy with the coastal charm that this pendant adds to the room. It’s over-sized and really makes a statement, and it’s even visible from the front door, so you can see it when you walk into the house. 

I originally had my eye on the Headlands Pendant, but when I saw the picture below on pinterest, I was smitten with the Yountville style!

Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for my easy valentine dessert ideas!

ciao! fabiana

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

Disclaimer:  I received some of these Serena & Lily items for free and all opinions are truly my own.