my friday five

Happy Halloween! Today's the day to indulge in fabulous sweets and treats and I could't help but notice how enticing these Browned Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes by Coco Cooks are!  And, I know they will be delicious because Coco has the most fabulous recipes! BTW, the frosting is brown butter fudge!

I just found out that one of my photos will be used on a mood board for a fabulous tv show in the UK called The Great Interior Design Challenge. The show is scheduled to air on November 20^th in the UK, but I am hoping to get a peek from their website. Kind of random, but fun news! 

My new favorite treat is Foxy’s Frozen Yogurt’s “Frisky” flavor aka Pecan and Praline Crunch. It’s so yummy and not so bad in the calorie department, only 120 calories.  They also make Cheeky, Sneaky, Naughty, Sassy and Fancy flavors. Which one do you want to try? It’s available at Gelson’s, Fresh and Easy Markets and other gourmet shops. I love their fun retro vibe too!

This has got to be everyone’s favorite Halloween special, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown". What's your favorite part of this dear little Peanuts show?

Happy Halloween!

ciao! fabiana

one house, two different fall looks

This is an iconic house here in the neighborhood. It stands out on its own as a beautifully designed home, but during the holidays, it really comes to life!  

I took the second photo for my blog a few years ago and  the first photo, above, is in a recent issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  

It’s fun to see the evolution of this home, inside and out. Home owner Jeanne Carmack has amazing style and eye-catching ideas, like these straw wreaths used indoors and outdoors for a gorgeous Autumn display.

ciao! fabiana

favorite October mantels

There are only a few days left to enjoy

what's left of October,  and

I wanted to share with you some

fun mantel décor that caught my eye this week. 

This first one is playful, yet elegant too.  

A few simple black paper bats add height and 

charm to this traditional white mantelpiece.  

Add to it some black and white accessories

to complete the look.  

A variety of pumpkins and pine cones set 

the mood in Courtney’s French Country Cottage.

Spooky artwork and black ivy accent the "Boo" lettering.

 Black cheesecloth, bare branches and vintage touches 

add mystery to this otherwise all white backdrop. 

Isn't the masquerade mask a fun accent? 

Mid-century style with just a touch of orange.

Brown paper flowers remind us of Autumn 

and are so pretty in this neutral vignette.

Why not create your own display 

using natural elements like 

gourds and branches that'll 

last right through 

Thanksgiving?

ciao! fabiana

host the perfect Halloween dinner party

a great menu is a must! 

make sure you have a signature cocktail

and a pretty table setting with  place cards

make the appetizers and food fun!

create an interesting backdrop 

an inverted fish bowl can add drama

wouldn't you love to enter a party like this?

the more candles the better!

a little glitter never hurt anyone... 

and how about a unique costume?  

ciao! fabiana

photo gallery with quatrefoil mirror

 Spotted today at Pottery Barn.  

This symmetrical photo gallery with quatrefoil

 mirror in the center is my inspiration of the day!

x o  Fabiana

decor : rachel zoe style

An inside look at fashion stylist Rachel Zoe's L.A. home.

I love the bright white walls and accents!

Everything is so polished and glossy.

Wood paneled walls add warmth in the den.

More white, with just a hint of black.

Adorbs! 

Skyler's stylish and cozy bedroom.

and he already is quite a collector!

Our favorite part of Rachel's home, her closet...

 and take a look at Skyler's closet!

ciao! fabiana

via  inStyle

have a relaxing weekend

Wishing you a relaxing weekend. We’re off to Alisal Ranch for a couple of days to celebrate my upcoming birthday. 

A couple of other interesting things… Downton Abbey Season 5 premier is 12 weeks away, but here is a sneak peek. My best friend, Lisa is heading to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro! I can’t wait to hear all about it! 

The weather’s cooled off now, so today’s a perfect day to try one of our family favorite tomato soups, Roasted Tomato Basil Soup. You must serve this with grilled cheddar cheese sandwiches. You'll thank me later!

do something amazing today! 

ciao,  fabiana

i love Lucy's persimmon cake

Who doesn't love Lucy? Well today, I'm sharing Lucy’s persimmon cake is a recipe that I tasted many years ago, and have often thought about making, especially when autumn rolls around. It’s a sweet and rich cake, and I was so happy to come across the recipe recently in my vintage Celebrity Cookbook by Dinah Shore.  

Luckily, here in southern California, persimmons are just coming into season, and my neighbor has a very fertile tree and always is generous in sharing with us. This recipe originally comes from Lucy’s mother, Desiree and her Aunt Helen and was always a part of their Christmas tradition.  They usually made this cake for gift giving. I'll be trying this recipe this weekend. I hope it’s as good as I remember! 

  

Lucy’s Persimmon Cake

Ingredients

·       2 c. sugar

·       3 T. butter

·       2 c. persimmon pulp

·       1 c. raisins

·       4 c. sifted cake flour

·       grated rind of 1 orange

·       1/2 t. each cloves, allspice, nutmeg

·       1 t. baking soda

·       2 t. vanilla

·       2 c. chopped walnut

·       1 c. dates, finely chopped

·       1 c. milk

·       2 t. cinnamon

·       3 t. baking powder

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter.  Add persimmon pulp, nuts, raisin, dates and orange peel;  mix well.  Sift flour with baking soda, baking powder and spices.  Add flour mixture alternately with milk beginning and ending with flour.  Stir in vanilla.  Turn batter into 2 well-greased loaf pans and bake approx. 1 ½ hours at 300 degrees F.  

Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.  Garnish, if you’d like, with glazed fruits and nuts.  

Persimmons  - photo credit: Two Peas and their Pod.

Persimmon Cake - photo credit:  Jessie Monds

ciao! fabiana

more of the cdm home tour

I have a few more pretty spaces to share with you from this year’s Corona del Mar Home Tour. 

This cottage style home with separate play house is the home of the owners of Roger's Gardens. Isn’t it adorable all decked out for Halloween?

Don't you love the fun

Ruby's Diner syle booth in the kitchen? 

Books aligned in rainbow order are right up my alley! This study belongs the creative Kim Rodosky of 503found.

I love all the vintage accessories in this room. And here is the adorable little girl's room that belong's to Kim's daughter. So fun!

Traditional, but far from boring, this living room designed by McKee and Co. with their trademark animal print.

The glass-front cabinets and red accents are my favorite part of this Harbor View home’s kitchen. 

A soothing and elegant outdoor space

by Garden Studio Design,

photo by M. Stetson Design.

ciao! fabiana

For more home tour inspiration,
check out this brand new book: