a little something new for the table

I don’t know what it is,

but when the weekend hits,

I always try to come up with a fun way

to set the breakfast room table.

That's where we eat most of our meals.

And the table becomes a nice focal point when 
we're gathered in the kitchen and family room.

I'm always scouting stores and 
flea markets for tablescaping supplies and 
I was so happy to find these adorable placemats

that are edged with tiny seashells at

Tuvalu Home this week.

They fit in perfectly on the table

and I love how they look with all

the blue and white table accessories. 

They add the perfect coastal quality 
to the table and to the room. 

Bamboo is another great way to add more

 texture and these utensils give the table

a more casual quality.

 I got this bamboo flatware on ebay,

and it’s quite reasonable!

Actually, I found two different sets.
This one's made out of real bamboo and 
the other set is made out of resin. 

I've seen similar faux sets for sale 
at Neiman-Marcus,
and believe it or not,
their price is reasonable too.

Do you have a favorite set of plates,

 mats or napkins that are a favorite go-to

when you set the table?

I think these placemats are mine!

They’re so easy to style.

Check out how they were styled at

Tuvalu Home, here.

What makes this look easy

to maintain is that after we eat,

I just wash the dishes, glasses,

forks and knives, and quickly 

add them back to the table.

By Monday, I'm ready to change things up a bit...

I think the one thing that’ll stay on my table

all summer long is this arrangement of succulents,

and I don’t even have to water them!

Real succulents are easy to grow and take

care of, but these are even easier,

and don’t they look like the real thing?

ciao! fabiana

It all came together like this...

Blue Gingham Napkins: vintage

Blue Glasses: vintage

Clear Glasses:  La Rochère

Striped Blue Runner: Home Goods

 White Plates: Home Goods

Blue and White Bread Plates:

Place Mats: Tuvalu Home

Flatware: vintage from ebay

Faux Succulent Arrangement: Tuvalu Home

💕

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”.

friday cheese platter

A little trip to Trader Joe’s and

we’re all set for a little Friday night

cheese platter for two. 

Let’s start happy hour with 

a little brie cheese and a seeded baguette.

Fresh rosemary from the garden is the perfect garnish,

 and a couple of little leaves on top is a nice compliment

to the cheese and these smoked almonds.

Oh my goodness, I know it sounds a little weird

unless you’re from the South, but this

“Crispy Crunchy Okra”

is really good!

And it’s just a little something 

different for the palate.

  

I’ve grown to love olives more and more lately

and these large green ones are stuffed with

garlic, and a little tart,in a good way! 

And of course, the black olives always 

pair nicely with cheese.

Did you notice my new 

monogrammed marble cheese board?

I bought it for myself earlier this week

at “Tuvalu Home” in Laguna Beach.

It’s perfect for a party or a little TGIF!

And now time for some R and R...

Enjoy your Friday night and

I hope it’s a wonderful start to the weekend! 

ciao! fabiana

tablelands : eastside Costa Mesa

Last weekend, I got a chance to take a little peek into the Tablelands model home in Costa Mesa’s newest boutique community. This gorgeous model is now open, so if you're in the area, you'll want to stop by and take look for yourself, but in the meantime, here's a little tour...

Tablelands is an exclusive collection of eight single-family detached homes in a prime Eastside Costa Mesa location built by Matt White Custom Homes.

There are lovely details,

inside and out.

The idea behind Tablelands was to capture "a simpler time when families gathered around the dinner table every night, when kids spent summers playing outdoors from dawn to dusk," according to Matt White.

Designed in a lovely farmhouse style, these homes are approximately 1,900 square feet each. Every floor plan features three or four bedrooms and other spacious rooms, including fabulous outdoor spaces. 

I love how they're perfect for everyday living and entertaining, year-round. Popular local design firm, Prairie Interiors, created an ultra-stylish model that updates the classic farmhouse style in a chic new way.

I love the bright and spacious interiors!

The kitchen is the perfect size.

Lots of attention was given

to finishes and storage options.

This home feels just right for

21^st century living.

Look at the details in the master bedroom.

Designer Shannon Wilkins brought 

out the sweetest vibe in this nursery.

Isn’t it adorable?

BTW, Shannon does the staging on 
the HGTV show "Vintage Flip",
and I've seen her on the show several times.

Have you seen that show yet? 
It's features a cute married couple, Jessie and Tina
fixing up vintage homes in Southern California.

Check it out!

I love the flawless transition into the outdoor space. 

And these homes are located in family-favorite Eastside Costa Mesa, which provides the perfect setting for Tablelands. 

For more information on 

Matt White Custom Homes and Tablelands, please visit Tablelands8.com.

ciao! fabiana

For more inspiration by Prairie Interiors,
check out this brand new book:

tommy bahama's backyard barbecue

Nothing says summer quite like a backyard barbecue and Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar captures the essence of this seasonal tradition with its Backyard Barbecue menu. From now through August, we can indulge in grilled summer favorites featuring gourmet burgers, hot dogs,  and ribs. Yum!

These new menu items sound so flavorful and yummy!
 New selections include: 

“Pu-Pu Style” Guava Glazed Baby Back Pork Ribs, 

a Cuban Kobe Dog, 

the Smokehouse Burger, 

the Double Stack Pork Burger, and 

the House Made Veggie Burger. 

Sounds amazing, doesn't it?

In addition to the fun and delicious food,
my family and I love the whole experience of
dining at Tommy Bahama's here in
Newport Beach. 

As we enter the doors,
we feel transported to a far-off vacation spot
 with tropical music and vintagey-island decor.

I know where I'll be headed for my
summer barbecue cravings!

ciao! fabiana

with liberty and justice for all

Happy Independence Day!

I got this little shot of lady liberty yesterday

at one of my favorite cafes in Laguna Beach,

MadisonSquare and Garden.

They have great food, friendly service and

best of all the restaurant is part of

a gorgeous home and garden store!

You literally dine within the beautiful

garden filled with statues and

other pretty antique artifacts.

It’s the best of both worlds for me!

From there I went into downtown

Laguna to do a little shopping.

My first stop is always Tuvalu Home.

They sell pretty coastal inspired

furnishings and accessories.

The store is styled magically,

and you feel right at home

as soon as you walk through the door!

I fell in love with these round

placemats trimmed in tiny seashells.

I got a set and these are now a permanent

fixture on by breakfast room table.

Aren’t they sweet?

I love how they look all set on the table

with this macramé runner.

I have one just like it, so  now I have

this perfect look at home!

The designers at Tuvalu really are masters

at mixing and matching patterns and textures,

and they even offer interior design services

here in the store.

Everywhere you look,

you’ll see a pretty vignette.

There’s definitely a little something

to be found here for everyone,

or in my case, a lotta something! 

Lucky for me I have another

appointment later in the week in Laguna,

so I’ll be stopping in again for a few more goodies

for my home.

I really love their home entertaining accessories

and they have the perfect hostess gifts.

And conveniently located across the street is

one of my other favorite cafes, Moulin.

Another one of my favorite places in Laguna Beach

to pop in for inspiration is the

Laguna Nursery.

They're known for perfectly intermingling beautiful antiques

with plants in a gorgeous garden setting.

As you enter the gates of this tiny haven,

you’ll feel instantly relaxed and happy!

And a walk in one of Laguna’s amazing

beach coves is always a treat.

I always pick a different one to explore.

This morning I picked Diver’s Cove.

…with liberty and justice for all.

Wishing you a happy and safe 4^th of July!

ciao! fabiana