weekend happenings

Happy  Sunday!

Just touching base to share with you some of the latest from around here. I’ve been working on a few new tablescapes for a fabulous website I’m collaborating with. We're currently working on a story all about collecting vintage china and how to use it to set a pretty table.

I can't share too much else about that project, but there's a sneak peek above. 

And there's some news buzzing around the neighborhood about Christina from the HGTV show Flip or Flop...

photo by Page Six

She recently purchased this home that may look familiar because it was featured on the Newport Harbor Home Tour a couple of years ago. Here’s a peek at it.  And best of all, she’s right around the corner from me!

welcome to the neighborhood, Christina!

On Friday I was invited to the Tommy Bahama restaurant in Newport Beach to try all their new menu items! What a treat!

I’ll be sharing all the details soon, but I did want to show you one of my favorite entrees, above, the Ahi Tuna Bowl, filled with lots of healthy ingredients like quinoa, farro, island slaw, roasted corn salsa, avocado and toasted almonds… super yummy!

While we were in Geneva last week, we stayed at our friends Craig and Pam’s beautiful inn, The Herrington. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the only place to stay in Geneva. Located right on the Fox River, it’s within walking distance to all the best shops and restaurants in town.

The stone walls of this build date back to 1874 when it was the Geneva Rocks Spring Creamery. Butter and cheese were produced here and kept cold in the Fox River. In keeping with the dairy tradition, the staff at The Herrington bring guests milk and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to their rooms every night!

We also had a lot of family history to explore in Geneva. This home called Ridgelawn, once belonged to my husband’s great uncle, Ernest Oswalt, who was a successful publisher and the founder of the Campana Corporation in Batavia. 

After Uncle Ern’s death in 1955, it became a convent and is still occupied by the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. Getting to tour this one hundred year old house was quite a treat. It still remains pretty similar to what it was like in the 1940's and 50's when Uncle Ern and Aunt Hazel called this place home.

Our cousin Melinda came along on the tour and had lots of family photos to share with us that all date back to the heyday of Ridgelawn when the Oswalts lived there.

We had a really fun time in Geneva, and even though we’ve only been back a week, I already miss all our fun friends and cousins.

We arrived during a 112 degree heatwave and cooking was out of the question, so Christine opted to order gourmet fried chicken, corn on the cob and salad for all of us to nosh on while we caught up with each other on all the latest happenings.

I miss my sweet Geneva friends, from the top left,
Pam, Lisa, me, Heidi and
front row, Gina, Lori, Christine, and Kristin.

Chicago was all decked out for the Fourth of July. We took the architectural boat tour of the city on one for the hottest days of the year, but still had a really great time!

After the boat tour, we were greeted by the local food trucks and filled our tummies with gourmet lobster rolls and nice cold drinks.  

Back here at home this morning, I set yet another tablescape, this time out in the backyard. And yes, I know it’s a little early for Thanksgiving, but I have my reasons for starting this soon, haha!

I’m going for a blue and white themed Thanksgiving. What do you think?  

 ciao! fabiana