4th of july decor and beautiful gifts

July is finally here, and that means the 4^th is literally around the corner, so let’s talk about red, white and blue table décor! And while we’re at it, I have a couple of my favorite recipes that I recently made to share with you again.

 

Isn’t the American Flag Banner cute? I used it here as a backdrop for this gorgeous Sailboat Topped Decanter, but I plan on taking this outside to my front porch later today for a touch of patriotic curb appeal.

It's also right at home indoors or in the backyard as an easy way to add a festive touch to the weekend barbecues and cookouts.

 

I found a big set of these funny little piggy napkin rings last week and thought they deserved some farmhouse style to make them feel right at home, and nothing does that better than gingham. 

Big, bold gingham is perfect for that nostalgic look that I love so much.

 

Here's another recent table I styled using coordinating blue stripes and red checks by Solino Home for a fun patriotic look.

I love these new Nautilus Double Old-Fashion Glasses I recently got, and although they’re so luxurious for imbibing your favorite elixir this summer, I think they would also be fabulous as votive candle holders… stay tuned!

 

When I think of Clam Bake, I also associate it with summers spent in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, so of course lots of red, white and blue accents come to mind!

My favorite recipe includes clams, shrimp, potatoes and corn on the cob. I love how the top of this stoneware tureen features so many quintessential creatures and seashells.

 

This is what a yummy Italian dinner looks like on a glorious summer evening. These two serving pieces from Arthur Court Designs, and I'm totally obsessed! 

 

They're most definitely my "Summer Entertaining Essentials" Recipe for the Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, check out my recipe here.

 

In addition to the Chicken & Penne dish, I also prepared a little antipasto of Cherry Tomato Bruschetta, Marinated Mini Mozzarella, and Marinated Olives, served with Italian breadsticks.

 

Can we talk about this gorgeous 3-Bowl Clam Server? Isn’t it so cute for summer? This is one of three beautiful coastal themed items I recently got from Arthur Court.

The warmer summer weather calls for something cool and refreshing to eat, that’s why I love indulging in fresh veggies and salads this time of year. Last weekend I put together a large platter of veggies on my new Arthur Court Chip and Dip Platter.  

It’s called the "Oyster with Pearl" Chip and Dip, not only is it perfect for chips and salsa, but it’s also just stunning as a crudité server. And it's large. These are full sized carrots pictured.

I simply choose some of my favorite veggies, scrubbed them really well, and arranged them by variety on the chip and dip bowl. The smaller “pearl” bowl is just the right size for holding my favorite Ranch Dip.

Check out my favorite homemade version of this delicious and luxuriously cool Ranch Dressing recipe here, and it just so happens to be paleo.

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

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cute farmhouse style for the 4th

How about some red, white and blue inspiration today? I was feeling a little bit country while setting the table for dinner last night. 

Sometimes feeling nostalgic feels so good.

 

I like surrounding myself with sentimental things that remind me of childhood summers, like big bold daisies, little flags that are meant to be waved and vivid blue glasses that  used to hold Kool-Aid and Hawaiian Punch on those hot summer days.

 

That’s one of the reasons why I love setting tables that have specially selected elements that bring back fond memories from the past.

 

How fun are these vintage napkin rings?

I found these funny little piggy napkin rings last week at Antiques Cottage in Costa Mesa and thought they deserved some farmhouse style to make them feel right at home, and nothing does that better than gingham.

Big, bold gingham is perfect for that nostalgic look that I love so much. And to even the playing field, red transferware plates are used at each place setting.

 

 

I also found a few pieces of this pretty silverplate flatware at another favorite vintage shop for only 40¢ apiece. They shined up pretty nicely, don't you think?

In fact, there’s an extra set of these adorable farmhouse style piggies available here at my Ebay Store.

The rest of the tableware is mostly vintage stuff I've collected and loved over the years. I use the white plates and raffia placemats all the time, and they look timeless with just about any style at the table.

I recently found this cute stars and stripe pitcher on Ebay, and the tall blue Fostoria Whitehall glasses are from my collection of vintage colored glassware that I couldn't set tables without.  

The blue gingham check napkins were bought in 2019 on Amazon, and they've washed beautifully and still look new, even though I use them all the time. You can check them out here.

 

Well, the 4^th is just around the corner. Do you have anything fun planned for the holiday weekend?

 

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”*. 

 

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the best ranch dip recipe for summer

 

Summer Crudité with Home-Made Ranch Dressing

The warmer summer weather calls for something cool and refreshing to eat, that’s why I love indulging in fresh veggies and salads this time of year.

 

My favorite salad dressing has got to be Ranch. So today I’m sharing my favorite version of this delicious and luxuriously cool Ranch Dressing recipe.

 

It just so happens to be paleo as well, which simply means there’s no dairy in this version of Ranch Dressing. What I love about it, besides its yummy taste, is how versatile it is.

 

This weekend I put together a small platter of veggies on my new Arthur Court Chip and Dip Bowl. 

It’s called the Oyster with Pearl Chip and Dip, and it’s not only perfect for chips and salsa, but it’s also just stunning as a crudité server. And it's large. These are full sized carrots pictured.

 

I simply choose some of my favorite veggies, scrubbed them really well, and arranged them by variety on the chip and dip bowl. The smaller “pearl” bowl is just the right size for holding my favorite Ranch Dip.

 

By the way, this Ranch Dip is so easy to put together in the food processor or blender, and the best part is it’s loaded with fresh herbs, garlic and lemon, which are full of vitamins and goodness, not to mention flavor!

Bacon, Egg, Lettuce and Tomato Salad

I love this dressing so much that I also used it for my impromptu breakfast-lunch salad yesterday. I’m calling this my B.E.L.T. salad: Bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato. Avocado could also be thrown in as another yummy ingredient.

 

This cute vintage McCoy mixing bowl with the pink and blue stripes is a recent find, and I realized it’s the perfect size for my “loaded” salads.

 

My Ranch Dressing recipe is adapted from one by Danielle Walker, and I substituted some of the herbs for ones that I prefer and grow in my garden.

HERBY RANCH DRESSING

 

½ cup avocado oil mayonnaise  (or regular mayo for non paleo)

3 tablespoons coconut milk

1 garlic clove, crushed

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 tablespoon chopped chives

1 tablespoon chopped basil

2 teaspoons lemon juice

½ teaspoon onion powder

a pinch of sea salt

black pepper is optional

 

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend. Keep ranch dressing nice and cold in the refrigerator.

 

Waldorf Salad photo via Danielle Walker

What's great about this recipe is that you can customize the herbs for herbs of your choice. Tender herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, chives, dill and tarragon are all good options.

I originally found this Ranch Dressing recipe when it accompanied this Waldorf Salad recipe that I LOVE! You can find it here. 

Zucchini Fritters

It's also really tasty with these Paleo Zucchini Fritters.

If you’re interested in the gorgeous Arthur Court Oyster with Pearl Chip and Dip Bowl seen in the first picture, it’s available on the Arthur Court website, as well as on Amazon.

 

Not only is this a gorgeous piece for summer gatherings, it also would make and amazing wedding gift for a lucky bride and groom.

 

 

Wishing you a very lovely Sunday.

 

 

 

ciao! fabiana

 

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