vintage brass accessories

I've been a little obsessed lately with these little vintage brass accessories. I've picked up a few here and there over the years, but I recently found some really fun ones on ebay. It all started when I spotted one of these Eiffel Tower pieces, and then I found another…. 

The prices are quite reasonable on most of these.  It’s so fun to sprinkle them around here and there where you need a little zhushing.  A little brass detail looks great in any room! 

Next I found these pretty little hands,  

and this cute little alligator that also doubles as a nutcracker.

I love this little turtle from Halcyon House.

Here’s an elegant stallion from Domaine.

This is one of my favorite looks,

but honestly, those horns scare me a bit!

Let me know what you think of this look.

ciao! fabiana

pretty summer basket totes

It’s so fun to see my blogging friend Andrea included in this month’s Coastal Living Magazine. Andrea aka The French Basketeer imports beautiful market baskets and totes that are made in French influenced areas of Morocco and Madagascar.  These are a great alternative to the canvas grocery store bags we all use.  I have a few of her market baskets, and they are so fun to take shopping!  Isn’t this blue herringbone one cute? 

ciao! fabiana

Drew's favorite grilled cheese recipe

Pairing wine with cheese is a given, but leave it to Drew Barrymore to create a really fun combination of ingredients that she includes in her grilled cheese sandwich.  She has become quite a foodie recently, and this recipe that includes blue cheese, walnuts, sriracha, brie, apples and arugula sounds amazing!  And to wash it all down, she suggests a romantic pinot grigio.  This sounds like a really low key and perfect summer dinner!     

via 

ciao! Fabiana

Bethenny Frankel's home in the Hamptons

Bethenny Frankel’s new Hamptons home is very down-to-earth and relaxed. She uses accents of her signature Skinnygirl red on the front door and throughout the house as fabulous bursts of color.  The Real Housewives of New York  star and Skinnygirl mogul claims, “I’m in the T.J. Maxx witness protection program. I literally don’t want them to see me in there.  I have to hide.” You'd never know that “half the house is from T.J. Maxx”. 

Her casual and practical style is finished off with some of the larger pieces from Pottery Barn, West Elm and CB2. An Ikea mirror that has been with her since her first apartment has even found a place in this home. Here’s a peek at a few photos from this month’s People magazine. I can’t wait to see more of this house!  

She is also debuting her new shorter hair style this month.

Evidently, it' already been dubbed "the Bethenny".

What do you think of her new shorter locks?

ciao! fabiana

💕

While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

color inspiration: mango and peach

Summer is a great time to incorporate a fun splash of color into your interiors.  Pretty muted shades of orange can easily be added as a fun accent in the form of fabric, paint or artwork.

A few new throw pillows or a painted thrift store table are just a couple of inexpensive and easy options for adding a little zing into our homes. 

Mango and peach are the hot colors right now, and besides creating a lively room accent, these colors actually make us happy!  Here are a few of my favorite ideas for adding a little refreshment in these fruity hues.   

ciao! fabiana

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lavender

“There’s a few things I’ve learned in life:

always throw salt over your left shoulder,

keep rosemary by your garden gate,

plant lavender for good luck,

and fall in love whenever you can”
                                              — anonymous

ciao! Fabiana

the mystique of a lemon tree

Living in southern California,
 most of us have the luxury

of having a lemon tree or two 
growing in our yards.

With our Mediterranean climate, 
they are so easy to grow, 
look beautiful, and, of course, 
bless us with their harvest.

And they pair perfectly in the garden with culinary 
herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano and lavender.

Here are some of my favorite lemon tree 
vignettes from California and Italy.

 

Don’t you love how lemons 
can create such a festive look too?

ciao! fabiana

photo credits:

pinterest

Martha Stewart

Oh so Beautiful Paper

Molly Wood Garden

White on Rice Couple

A Lowcountry Wedding

tablescape inspiration

Gorgeous amethyst glassware

accents the blue patterned linens and dishes

beautifully in this decadent outdoor tablescape.

ciao! fabiana

photo credit:

Tiffany Theissen