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May 31, 2011

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



May 27, 2011

looking forward to the weekend


my inspiration for the weekend...




Tuscan style lunch by Carolyne Roehm...




with all my favorite antipasti,
parmesan cheese, green olives, and fresh salami?




I think we'll try a Skinnygirl Frangelini this weekend. 

Bethenny has a bunch of new Skinnygirl recipes out! 
I'm already a big fan of her margaritas,
so I'm sure this is yummy! 


ciao! fabiana


May 25, 2011

back yard mini make-over

a work in progress...


We just finished a mini make-over
of our patio and pool area,
and added a new fire pit.

Now comes the fun part,
DECORATING! 

The photos I took are a work in progress. 

I'm currently looking for a
7-8 foot long rectangular dining table
and am having cushions made in Sunbrella's Sand color. 

Pillows will be muted shades of blues, greens and tans. 
 I need all the inspiration I can get.  
I'd love to hear your suggestions! 

I think a bright punch of color would be fun...


lambs ears, thyme, and succulents

wating for a cushion
and solid colored throw pillows

Master-mason, Randy Speer,
helped us create 
the plan we had imagined,
and 
we're so happy with the results!  

He added the fire pit in a dark gray concrete finish
and built a new counter to match for our bbq station.

an area for barstools now
Now we have room for four bar stools.  
He also poured a new patio area 
for our lounge chairs that previously was an small, 
unused patch of grass. 
And, one of favorite parts of the make-over 
was getting rid of a large brick planter 
that was between our house and bbq. 

the former grassy area.

In its place, we built a zig-zagged brick seating area
that I call my little "Laguna Cafe". 
It was inspired by all the quirky and fun brick work
and styles I love seeing in Laguna Beach. 

I added two small granite and iron cafe tables,
and a vintage wrought iron sign
that we found at an antique store in Pismo Beach. 


backyard buddies


ciao! fabiana

May 19, 2011

a windy day in newport



A visit to the balboa peninsula...
































local hangouts 









Hope you come down to newport soon...
there's so much to see and do! 


ciao! fabiana