summer into fall table setting

With the end of summer drawing near, I am bringing a little more orange and gold into my home. 

A little pop of orange on the table can always elevate my mood. Grape vines strewn at the center of the table enhance the vibe of this tablescape, and a few wild flowers add brightness. Vintage glasses and bamboo flatware finish off the look. 

What’s your favorite color to use at your table?

ciao! fabiana

favorite looks from Barclay Butera

A beautiful gray front door and brick fountain

greet visitors at Barclay’s Newport Beach home.

Our friend Kerry’s home is designed with fun 

bursts of orange and is balanced by the elegance of navy 

blue damask pillows and window coverings. 

I love all the natural elements too.

The mirror is my favorite piece of this showroom vignette.

Great storage options in this beach house.

This collection of clocks and books looks amazing together. 

A beach house bedroom has a lived-in look that's achieved

with the contrast of crisp white and warm wood tones.

Doesn’t it work perfectly?

ciao! fabiana

5 ways to reduce anxiety during travel

1. Anticipatory Anxiety is the number one issue with most fearful flyers. The only way to overcome this is by gradually learning to feel more comfortable during flight, so before hand, you will have less to worry about.

2. Don’t check the weather more than 2 days out from your trip.  This causes a large amount of anxiety should the flyer see a percentage for rain or storms. The truth is, it is not that accurate that far out anyway!

3. Pack a few days early! Rushing around packing the night before while you are already anxious will only fuel the fire.

4. Exercise, and avoid caffeine. Exercising can help minimize the effects of anxiety, while caffeine can increase the effects.

5. At the airport, the TSA security check is an anxiety increaser, but not if you’re prepared. Take off all jewelry, remove all items from pocket, take belt off, all prior to getting in line. Put all of the items in your carry on, and this way, you’re not rushing to remove everything while everyone behind you is waiting on you. It’s the little things that alleviate stress!

These great tips come from Captain Tim Griffin’s company Fly Home.  Fly Home  is designed to help people overcome any fear related to flying: Visit Fly Home LLC for more info. 

images via travel

ciao! fabiana

fun sorority gifts from ring ching ching

If you’re looking for sorority gifts with a modern twist, you will find exactly what you need at Ring Ching Ching!   They have an amazing variety of clothes and accessories available for that New Sorority Girl as well as for Bid Day and super cute Big + Little Sister gifts!  They offer merchandise for 18 sororities in original and colorful prints.  Check out their fun tanks, pj’s, robes, hats, bags, pillow cases and more!  They even sell fabric by the yard to help you create the ultimate dorm room!  

JenniferMartin, the owner and designer of RingChing Ching, makes the most stylish and modern sorority swank out there. She named her company after the “Ring Ching Ching” song that she and her sorority sisters would sing at Monday night dinners during her Pi Phi days at USC.   The name Ring Ching Ching always brings a smile to fellow Pi Phi’s when they hear it! 

Shop by sorority prints.

Ring Ching Ching also offers custom shirts and gear for any special event you may have!  Their graphic designers can create anything your heart desires. Please contact sales@ringchingching.com 

Visit  Ring Ching Ching for more!

ciao! fabiana

sharing with Life of Meg

Tommy Bahama's pina colada cake

Celebrate summer with a little more than classic rum punch and umbrellas in drinks. For those of you with a sweet tooth, the Tommy Bahama Pina Colada cake is a favorite among restaurant guests. 

This light cake is of full of texture and flavor.  It is covered in toasted coconut and layered with white chocolate mousse and crushed pineapple. 

Each cake layer is generously brushed with rum which provides flavor and keeps the cake moist.  Now you can make this cake at home with this great adapted recipe that is perfect for the weekend. 

Tommy Bahama always embraces the island-lifestyle with yummy flavors and the relaxed attitude that reminds us to“ Make Life One Long Weekend”.

Pina Colada Cake

1 box Pillsbury Deluxe White Cake Mix 
1 box Swiss Chalet White Chocolate Mousse 
1 Quart Heavy Cream 
½ Cup dark rum 
8 oz Crushed Pineapple-drained 
½ Cup Toasted Coconut

Bake cake as directed in 2 - 9" x 12" rounds. Cool. Slice off rounded top level with baking pan and cut each cake into 2 layers (4 cake layers in total). Make Mousse according to the directions.  After the mousse mixture is complete, slowly add heavy cream. Increase speed until mousse and heavy cream are incorporated. Continue whipping until stiff.

Assembly: Generously brush each layer of the cake with rum.  Spread the mousse mix evenly ¼" thick on the first layer. Sprinkle with some of the pineapple. Top with next cake layer and again, spread with mousse then pineapple. Continue with each layer. The layers of the cake and mousse should be the same height. Coat the sides and top with the mousse mix. Sprinkle toasted coconut over the finished cake.

To Serve: Cut into 8 pieces and serve at room temperature.

ciao! fabiana

the hat of the summer...do not disturb

The do not disturb hat,

my style crush of the summer

and seen everywhere on Instagram.

Designed by Eugenia Kim.

So hot!

ciao! fabiana

caribbean style

Here's a little Island decorating inspiration

from this month’s Coastal Living magazine.

I just love the informal, relaxed look of this Bahamian home.

Bring a little island flair into your home this summer with

woven basket textures,

a single huge palm or philodendron leaf in an interesting jar,

or open shelving that includes a few treasured items.

What do you think?

ciao! fabiana

"watermelon steak" salad.

This sounds perfect for a hot day like today, 

Watermelon "Steak" Salad. 

There's no meat involved, 

just a big hunk of watermelon!

Recipe found here.

ciao! fabiana

the ladies of london are back!

I feel like we have been waiting forever for Ladies of London to return. I’m so excited!  This was my favorite tv indulgence of last summer.   You may be happy to know that Ladies of London season 2 kicks off Monday, September 7 on Bravo.  

Caroline, Annabelle, Marissa, Juliet, and Julie (she is married to the Earl of Sandwich and has now been upgraded to full time cast member) are returning. 

As I hoped, Caprice and Noelle are out, making room for Sophie Stanbury (friend of) and Caroline Fleming (full time and pictured above).  Caroline Fleming or the other Caroline, is the former host of “Denmark’s Next Top Model”, and she was born a Baroness into one of Denmark’s oldest families, is a mother of three children and was married to Rory Fleming, nephew of Bond creator Ian Fleming.  

Friend to the show, Sophie Stanbury has been long-time friends with Caroline Stanbury, who introduced her to her brother Alex, and they are now sisters-in-law. 

ciao! fabiana

fun ballet flats

Kind of a fun take on the usually plain ballet-flats.

For tall girls like me, flats are essential!

What do you think?  Would you wear any of these?

I like the ones pictured at the top best.

via InStyle

ciao! fabiana

add a little candlelight

It’s the magic of candlelight, 

a subtle transformation from 
daylight 
to evening splendor.  

ciao! fabiana