newport harbor home tour 2011

Thursday was a gorgeous, fun day for the 

Newport Harbor Home and Garden Tour. 

My best friend Lisa came down from Calabasas for the day,

and we had the best time!!

Here are the featured homes and boutiques:

The first house we toured was on Flower Street, and was one of our favorites.  It had a lot of vintage touches and a beautiful paint color in the main living area that everyone was raving about called "Healing Aloe" by Benjamin Moore. 

 

Loved the ruffly umbrella and chairs in the pool.   Inside and out it was a treat to visit.  Next, we headed over to the church to catch the OC Cruiser and headed over to beautiful Bayshores.  Nice designs that included work from Barclay Butera Interiors and Molly Wood Garden Design. 

We then stopped for lunch and shopping at the Newport Theater Arts Center. Beautiful friends and panoramic views highlighted our yummy lunch catered by Stone Fire Grill. 

 

All of this could not have happened without all the wonderful volunteers who organized and helped out throughout the day.  Shopping is always a treat, especially when it benefits such a great cause as the Newport Harbor Educational Foundaton. Lisa found 3 large and gorgeous glass candle holders from MerMade Designs (see below), that were encrusted with all sorts of seashells.  They look great in her house. 

  

I found some really pretty earrings from Joie de Jewels, 

which are now my favorites. They are similar to these. 

house number 6

house number 6 was featured in
this month's COAST magazine

the restauranteurs' kitchen that everyone was excited to see

house number 8

outdoor living in bayshores ~ designed by butera

house number 5

the hardwood floor is reclaimed oak from a pre-1900 iowa barn

house number 4

a "european beach farmhouse" vibe on the patio

  house number 3

"mediterranean villa with french chateau accents"
this living room has views of mariner's mile and beyond

 house number 9

a cozy room filled with art in bayshores

My friend, Camille, was there with her

beautiful succulent arrangements called Petite-Pots.

 She's so creative!  Isn't this gorgeous?

 

We also enjoyed a nice, hot coffee from Kean Coffee and some homemade toffee from B Toffee. Coffee and toffee, you can't go wrong with that combination!  

 

We had so much fun at the boutique, that we only got to see two more houses!  I loved, loved, loved the one on El Modena! I could move right in, no problem! Again, it had some nice vintage touches. I really liked the huge windows in the kitchen. We only got a quick peek through the front door of the Somerset Lane house, and it looked dreamy. It was featured in Coast magazine this month, so I got a little more of a peek at it in there. 

 

From there, we headed over to Barclay Butera Interiors for an elegant reception with wine, champagne, and more delicious food. We chatted with Ray a bit, saw some dear friends, and enjoyed their beautiful showroom.  It was a really fun day, and I can't wait until next year!  

ciao! fabiana

lilly pulitzer barnum’s animal crackers

Have you seen these yet?  I found these at Target in Costa Mesa.  So perfect for party favors, school lunches or just grab a glass of pink lemonade and enjoy.  Lilly is so fun and beachy!  Don't you love her beautiful colors and prints, especially her iconic pinks and greens?  Remember, when in Newport, wear a little Lilly.  It goes a long way!    

ciao! fabiana

easy cappuccino the italian way

do it Neapolitan style!

Making a cappuccino is my incentive 

to get myself out of bed every morning 

and start my day.  

It's so easy with a stove-top espresso maker, 

like the Neapolitan flip-drip style aka 

macchinetta napoletana, shown above and below. 

It's the same style my Nonna 
used when I was growing up.  

The aroma of the espresso fills the air, 

and I'm transported back to her 
kitchen in Campobasso.  

All you need to do is froth your 

warm non-fat milk or soy, 

and you have instant gratification!  

My favorite coffees are 

Trader Joe's 
Organic Five Country Blend Espresso 

or Illy Medium Roast.  

Another option is the standard 

Bialetti Moka Espresso maker, 

also for your stove-top.  

They both make excellent coffee, 

and they come in lots 
of different sizes.  

You won't be disappointed!  

These are usually available at 
Williams-Sonoma, 

Sur La Table,  or Amazon.

Need a little sweet to 
go with your cappuccino?  

Have you tried Nonni's Biscotti.  

They come in lots of flavors, 

but cioccolati is my favorite.  

It's a crisp almond biscotti, 

that's simply dipped in rich chocolate.  

It's perfect way I start my day everyday!  

ciao! fabiana