mapping it out...

Maps, especially of your home turf, are especially endearing.  They're a great reminder of where we come from, where we’ve been and where we are going. Such is life, so why not make it fun?  Here are a few of my favorite mappy things. The first gorgeous item are these prints by Cardelucci.

Jessica Cardelucci is a self-taught photographer who creates beautiful photographic art pieces of her beautiful coastal surroundings here in Orange County. These are two of my favorite images {and destinations} by Jessica taken at Balboa and Crystal Cove. 

I also love these natural-edge state slates by The Uncommon Green.  They are a great way to add a little personal touch when you entertain.  They work wonderfully as a small cheese platter, and come with little cork feet for style and stability.

Have you ever watched the show “Jersey Belle” on Bravo?  The show features Jaime who was born and raised in New Jersey, but is currently living the life of a southern belle {or at least trying to} in Alabama.  To keep her connection with Jersey close to her heart, Jaime has created a beautiful line of crystal state pendants like the one seen here.  I have my own “State of Style” California pendant, and I LOVE it!

Better than a post card and most souvenirs, these beautifully etched bar glasses will remind you of your last glorious vacation or endearing home town. The Uncommon Green makes different barware {wine glasses too} that have intricately detailed maps of city streets and island coastlines. They're so elegant! My favorite island coastline glass in the collection is Hilton Head, where my family has vacationed for over 25 years!

Dilemma Posters makes these fabulous state posters that are so fun!  They offer most states and they are so affordable as an instant digital download.  All you need is a simple frame and you’re all set.  

Create a wall collage of your favorite states for personal homage to yourself and your heritage.  For a wall collage, I would personally choose California {which I already have}, New York {where I was raised}, Illinois {hubby’s home state} and of course South Carolina where we vacation. Here are some other fun examples of Dilemma's states... 

ciao! fabiana

mantel Monday

I am so excited to be participating in the latest “Project Design” coming up this Friday.  The theme is “How To Style Your Spring Mantel Two Ways!” Pictured above is a sneak peek of my two Spring mantels. Here is the list of fabulous bloggers that will be sharing their amazing mantel décor.

Amber B. Design Studio

classic • casual • home

Dimples and Tangles

Garden Home and Party

Katiedid

Lisa Mende Design

Lucy Williams Interiors

Rough Luxe Lifestyle

The Pink Pagoda

Check out #ProjectDesignNow on Instagram 

for sneak peeks all week!!

I found a little Spring mantel inspiration from BHG and House Beautiful that gave me a little direction with my own mantel.  A fabulous mirror is a great way to start decorating a mantel, any time of year.  Fresh flowers are especially  nice for Spring. Go on from  there with candles, books, and layers of your favorite things.

We'll all be sharing our two “Project Design” mantel designs this Friday, March 11th, so make sure you check back and see the whole group’s mantel décor!  I am looking forward to pinning all the beautiful mantels by these talented design bloggers on Friday! 

 and now we segue on to Downton...

{ Downton's mantel}

a few of my favorite Downton quotes from last night.

"We didn't always think we'd get a happy ending for Edith,"  -- Lady Rosamonde

"We're sisters and sisters have secrets." — Lady Mary

"Don't be mysterious. It's the last resort of people with no secrets." — Violet

Happily ever after for Mary too!

 

ciao! fabiana

what will you miss about downton abbey?

The absolute last episode of Downton Abbey airs tonight.

If you have never seen the series, 

I highly recommend you start with a season one

on dvd right away. You won't be sorry!

Here are 

The five things I will miss most about Downton Abbey:

1.    Matthew and Mary’s relationship.  I loved all the twists and turns, but mostly I still miss Matthew.  He was one of my favorite characters.   Their chemistry was fantastic!

2.    The fashion!  The costume designers went to great lengths to recreate the glorious fashions of that era with accuracy and great individual style. The series starts in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic and ends in the mid to late 1920's. What a change in fashion during that time, from sweet Edwardian style to sexy flapper style!

3.    The relationship between Mrs. Patmore and Daisy. Too many cooks in the kitchen?  Not this one. They both were such real characters and so cute and funny with each other.  The flow of the dialogue and their cooking was flawless. I loved that the kitchen was the hub of the action with the servants downstairs. 

4.    Lady Mary and Anna her lady maid.  Mary and Anna had a great trust between each other and I think it was a great representation of how the upstairs class can get along with the downstairs class.  They confided with each other in matters that no one else knew about.  BTW, I have always wondered why Lady Edith didn’t have a lady maid.  Did she share Anna, did she have one they never showed or does she just not have one because she’s not the eldest in the family?  

5.    The great Dowager Countess Violet!  I think I will miss Maggie Smith’s little smirks and comments the most.  She was the much needed comic relief in the show.  And so believable too!  I enjoyed seeing her friendship with Isobel Crawley evolve as well.  

Things I won’t miss…

1.   I was never really a fan of the Anna and Bates drama.  In jail, out of jail, in jail… I am happy things have settled down for them now.

2.   Remember O’brien? She was Lady Cora’s lady maid the first few seasons.  She was hard to like, although the scheming between she and Thomas was quite entertaining.  At least Thomas has some redeemable qualities, like his relationship with little Master George.  So sweet!  You know that Thomas will eventually stay on and become head butler for little George when he takes over Downton Abbey. That’s the direction the relationship is headed, I think.

3.   Lavinia. She was so sweet and pretty, but I did not want her to get between Matthew and Mary.  Sad for her demise.

4.   Edith’s bad luck. From being jilted at the altar to having an illegitimate child, I am happy things are ending on a good note for her!

5.  All the grandchildren only have one parent, having the other parent die in a terrible tragedy, but at least the little cousins all have each other. 

So, so sad to see this series end!

What will you miss most?

ciao! fabiana