in the mood for sweets, hearts & flowers

January just seems to have whizzed by in a flash, so “Happy February!” I’ve been MIA from the blog and instagram lately, but there’s lots happening behind the scenes.  

We’ve had some “projects” going on here at home, and there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve made a few changes in our living room to provide better flow and prettier views out to the garden. I can’t wait to share this room with you soon! It's still a major work in progress.

My she shed is also getting a mini makeover. The old roof came off, and we went with a more budget friendly option of a metal roof. It’s looks so cool, and my right-hand handyman George made it happen. Pictures coming in a few weeks...   

In the meantime, I’m here to share a few pretty Valentine’s Day vignettes from Ciao’s archive. I have been thrifting a bit and have an interesting secondhand table in the works for February 14th...  

My tableware storage closets have been overflowing over the past few months, so each day this week, I’ve been adding a few wonderful things to the Blog Shop. It’s bittersweet parting with some of my favorite plates and glassware, but I know they’ll find just the right home. 

I also have a few blue and white farmhouse style treasures listed this week.

I’ve acquired so much transferware over the years, that I’ll be going through it today and sharing some favorites with you on the Blog Shop. Some of these pieces have even been featured in magazines, which makes letting go of them a little bit harder.   

What are you all collecting these days? 

As the month of February arrives, I just love getting out my red transferware dishes. Just about anything you pair with them looks pretty, especially pink and red flowers and cute heart-shaped desserts! 

I made these fun Conversation Heart Shortbread Cookies a couple of years ago and plan on making them again next week. Any kind of shortbread cookie is a family favorite! 

And of course, I LOVE chocolate, especially dark chocolate.

How about you...  

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day treats? 

ciao! fabiana

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Shop my vintage treasures HERE.

this year's Christmas table

Christmas day... we’re ready! Or at least the table's ready. That’s one thing I can check off the list, right? Menu planning and prepping is next on my list, followed by last minute shopping and wrapping.  

By the way, did you know that TJ Maxx and Marshall’s open at 7am today and tomorrow? I’ll be there bright and early despite all the rain we’re having today. 

Now back to this table...  

It all started with this cozy plaid throw. I just love how it doesn’t cover the whole table. It seems more interesting that way. A little peek at the white table underneath is just the right look at this casual tablescape. 

The layering for each place setting starts with a natural woven placemat, and to that I added large white ceramic dinner plate and then finally our lovely red transferware salad plate. 

A farmhouse striped napkin tucked in under the plates adds another layer to our table. I found this Joyeux Noel ribbon at Home Goods, and added to the center of the table as an informal banner weaving in and out between the cake stand and the fresh-cut greens.

A candy cane at each setting adds a playful accent and can be saved for after dinner as a treat or to add to our cups of coffee or cocoa. 

Simple La Rochere glasses with a fleur de lys pattern adds to the French flair of the table. All the tableware has just been collected over the past several years, with the exception of one thing...  

I found a set of these black handled bamboo utensils on Saturday at an Estate Sale in Laguna Beach. There’s a website called EstateSales.net that I now subscribe to.  It's makes it so easy to check out all the local sales during the week.  

The best part is there are photos for each sale, so you can spy what they have at these homes before you get there. I spotted these bamboo beauties on the website and dragged my hubby to this sale early on Saturday morning. I found the large bag of this flatware right when I got there, and we settled on a fair price. 

When I got home, I discovered it was a 5-piece set that had service for ten! That’s fifty pieces at about .60 cents apiece. And I later found out they sell the same set at Neiman Marcus for bit more! 😉

Anyways, I wasn’t' planning on using them for this table, but I after I tried them, I really liked the look. They compliment the placemats nicely and offer a nice contrast on the table itself.  

As a main focus of the table, I thought it would be nice to have lovely dessert as the centerpiece. A ceramic white cake stand holds a "Rustic Spice Cake" from Trader Joe’s. Three velvety red roses sit on the top of the cake, and the top is also embellished with a few rosemary sprigs from the garden. 

For added holiday cheer, I sugared a package of cranberries and sprinkled them around the cake. Have you ever made sugared cranberries? It's really quite simple. 

Sugared Cranberries by Martha Stewart 

Ingredients 

1 cups sugar 

1 cups water 

1 cups fresh cranberries 

additional 1/2 cup sugar 

Combine sugar and water in a small pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Place the cranberries in a bowl and pour the syrup over the top. Let cool completely, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. 

Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving the syrup for another use. Place sanding sugar in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries in batches, rolling to coat with sugar. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature until dry, about 1 hour. 

So now that the table set, it adds so much holiday charm to our home. The dining room is just past the foyer, so you can see it right when you come in the front door as you walk past my little Christmas tree.  

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas eve eve! I’ll try to check back in with you tomorrow with one last Christmas post.  

  

ciao! fabiana

Info on table accessories*: 

Plates: Home Goods  

Napkins: Farmhouse Living 

Placemats:  Braided Rattan 

Plaid Throw:  similar found here

Glassware: La Rochere 

Cake Stand:  similar found here 

Ribbon:  similar found here

Cake & Roses: Trader Joe’s 

*affiliate links used. 

P.S. I got a lot of questions this week about my set of Christmas bells that are on my wreaths this year. You can find them here.