staycation fun in Laguna Beach

A few days before Christmas, I spotted an interesting estate sale in Laguna Beach, so I decided to make a day of it! My hubby and I stopped in at the sale first, and then we went on to explore a little bit of Laguna Beach.  

This glorious Tudor house, perched on the cliffs in Laguna Beach, once belonged to silver screen legend Bette Davis. I love to visit every so often. You see there are steps right next to this house that lead you down to a secluded cove where the rugged waves are crashing far below the homes that overlook this vista. 

Here I am looking up at Bette’s former home. The views from the house must be absolutely breathtaking! Here we are on a dreary December day, and the sight and sound of the ocean are truly magical.  

Here’s proof that Ms. Davis lived here. I love that they included her name on the historical marker! 

Only one other couple and their cute pooch were on the beach that day in this little cove. It’s very rocky here, but that’s part of the charm that makes Laguna so interesting.  Every nook and cranny has it's own personality.

It is Winter, and I love this time of year when all that's blooming are the vibrant aloes and flaming hot bougainvillea. Don't you just love the contrast of these flowers with the soft coastal palette? If you look closely, you can spot Catalina Island on the horizon.

Here’s one place setting of the set of aged bamboo flatware that brought us down to Laguna Beach. You can see the whole table here. (BTW, I'm off to another estate sale this morning...) 😉 

Heading a bit north to Crystal Cove, we stopped in for breakfast oat one of my favorite spots, Babette’s. And practically next door to Babette’s is Juxtaposition Home.  

Here’s a peek at how it looked just a few days before Christmas... 

So cozy!

Well, like I said, I’m now headed to an estate sale nearby, and I’ll likely be sharing some of my finds with you very soon. 

I’ll let you in on a little secret... 

I had my first thrifting adventure of 2020 yesterday, and I have to say it was quite fun! Pictures coming your way in a few days... 

ciao! fabiana 

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laguna beach: a week in photos

Work and personal reasons brought me down to Laguna Beach for another week of fun and exploring. I've discovered lots of amazing little coves and beaches throughout the Northern, Southern and the downtown coastline of Laguna.  The ocean and waves were perfect this week for surfers and beachcombers, and the weather was just perfect! I also got to visit some of may favorite shopping spots and found some new ones as well. Here are a few of my favorite shots of the week.    

Madison Square Garden and Café is a favorite little spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch. It’s located right in the heart of Laguna on Coast Highway. The restaurant and garden shop are intermingled so it’s fun to eat surrounded by lots of pretty home and garden treasures.  

You can always find a cozy spot to sit and have coffee. 

Pretty coastline views are found at every beach and cove.

Laguna is all about secluded beaches & great places to snorkel.

Here’s a pretty little Spanish style house with great curb appeal.

This shot from the historic Hotel Laguna at their outdoor restaurant. It’s a great place to stop and eat with some of the best views in Laguna, and right next to main beach. Those little people down there are some of the Laguna Beach junior lifeguards.  

The café at the Hotel Laguna is a must-stop destination for first time visitors to Laguna Beach. The hotel has been in service for over 100 years and it's a landmark in the city.

I love the homes right down on the sand!

Gorgeous stretches of rugged coastline are found everywhere! 

I stumbled upon the beach house of Bette Davis!  This was her second home for many, many years.  She bought the 1929 Tudor style home in the 1930’s when her fame was sky-high and she was seeking some refuge from Hollywood. It’s still a gorgeous home, high above the beach at Woods Cove, one of the most secluded and gorgeous beaches.  

Here is the entrance at the street level with the historic plaque. 

Charming Tudor style!

This is the view of Bette's home coming up the steps from the beach.

One little final shot from Madison Square...

my cute little frog prince!

ciao! fabiana

breakfast by Bette Davis

This is the perfect recipe for a Sunday morning, or anytime you have leftover steak and potatoes. We’ve made it many times without the beets, but now I am in the habit of just roasting a few beets the night before.

I thought the recipe got its name from the color of the beets, but as legend goes, a red flannel shirt would be all Ms. Davis wore when she prepared this dish! It’s hearty and yummy and the whole family will love it!

Bette Davis’ Red Flannel Hash

2 cups cooked corned beef (or leftover steak)

3 cups cold boiled potatoes

1 ½ cups cooked beets

¼ cup of cream or ½ & ½

Chop the beef, potatoes and beets. Season with salt and pepper and moisten with cream. Put into hot buttered ironware frying pan. Stir and spread evenly. Brown slowly over medium heat. Serve with poached or fried eggs on top.

photo courtesy of "sticky gooey creamy chewy"

ciao! fabiana

my friday five

1. The Newport Beach Film Festival 

started yesterday, and one 
of the many theaters hosting 

the festival is the Lido Theater. 

It's a favorite of mine, 

and was built during the 1930's. 

It has beautiful art deco style 

and a great provenance. 

Here is a little fun bit of history from their page: 

“The Lido Theatre was opened in 1938, and the first film it played was Bette Davis in "Jezebel". The reason for that was that Davis lived nearby in Laguna Beach and traveled by the site daily. Upon stopping onsite, she told the owner "they had better open with my picture." And they did. 

"Davis also is responsible for the sitting parlor in the ladies room that harkens back to a time when women sat and smoked and chatted while arranging makeup in the mirrors.“  

There were lots of interviews on 
the red carpet last night, and 

the Edwards Newport Theater was 
hosting all the fun red carpet festivities. 

Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley

2. Downton Abbey season 5 

started filming this week in England. 

3. New York Times list
of home &  garden tours
We made the list!

via pinterest 

4. Glamorous closet organization.

I got started on mine this week, 

with a little bit of this closet inspiration.

5. A fun Summer hat...

I got mine from Hurley.

have a fabulous weekend...
ciao! fabiana

can you guess the baby?

A quiz...

1. "Frankly my dear," this rascal is quite adorable.

2. Would "Mommy Dearest" approve of this little girl?

3. "Here's looking at you, kid"

4. Everyone still "loves" her thanks to hilarious reruns

5. He's had a "Wonderful Life"

6. Fasten your car seats,  it's going to be a bumpy night! 

7. You can barely make out this youngster's famous dimpled chin.

8. This little English belle grew up to be
 the most famous one in the whole south.

9. The little boy on the horse might
"make you an offer you can't refuse."

10. From Hollywood royalty to European Princess

11. Add a tiny square moustache  to this little tramp.

12. "There's no place like home"

13. Little blue eyes with the famous voice

14. Gentlemen really do prefer blondes

15. This cute little guy "likes it Hot"

16. Does she know here that she would be famous
for her husbands,  jewels and violet eyes?

17. This darling's famous mother must feel
"Over the Rainbow" 

18. Little Larry grew up to be,
 according to some, the world's "greatest" actor 

19. Not related to Audrey, but just as famous.

20. Little T has a "Power"ful gaze.

ciao! fabiana

Answers:  1. Clark Gable, 2. Joan Crawford, 3. Humphrey Bogart, 4. Lucille Ball, 5. James Stewart, 6. Bette Davis, 7. Cary Grant, 8. Vivien Leigh, 9. Marlon Brando, 10. Grace Kelly, 

11. Charlie Chaplin,  12. Judy Garland, 13. Frank Sinatra, 14.  Marilyn Monroe, 15. Tony Curtis, 16.  Elizabeth Taylor, 17. Liza Minnelli, 18. Laurence Olivier, 19. Katherine Hepburn, 20. Tyrone Power.