10 years of blogging

Blue and white in my home 

The ten-year mark of the day I started my blog was way back in May of this year. It came and went without much thought, as I may have had other things on my mind with this whole pandemic going on and all.  

The idea that I’ve been writing this blog for a whole decade was packed away somewhere in the back of my brain until recently when I noticed that I was approaching the 1600 mark for number of blog posts I’ve published.

I really love sharing my favorite things with all of you. Over the years, I’ve stayed true to writing about and photographing fun tablescapes, local field trips, holiday décor (especially pumpkins, I guess!), recipes, pretty gardens, interior design, and every year of the Newport Harbor Home Tour. 

Sure, my style has changed and evolved, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is my love for sharing here on the blog, and I’m so grateful for all of you who stop by for a visit.   

This is the official 1600th blog post I’m sharing with you all today. I thought it would be appropriate to highlight some of the more popular posts from each year, starting in 2011. (Here's a peek at my first blog post.) 

Just click on each photo,  

and that will take you back to the original blog post.  

More blue and white in my home 

Christmas in Newport Beach

A dinner party at Blue Door Cottage

Cousin Lee's Pepper Jelly

A tour of Geneva, Illinois

Fall tablescapes

Visiting Beverly Hills

Nancy's secret garden

Celebrating New Year's Eve

My first "big" tablescape

Seasonal decor

One of my first pictures to appear in a magazine

A favorite tablescape mixing lots of blue and white elements

A fun holiday DIY

The Newport Harbor Home Tour

thanks again for stopping by!

ciao! fabiana

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shabby chic vintage style

It's my wedding anniversary today, and I'm feeling a bit of a romantic purple vibe. Inspired by a few old-fashioned flowers from the garden and lots of vintage accessories, here's a peek at today's tablescape!

 ciao! fabiana

celebrating 1,000 posts!

Well, this is officially my 1,000^th post! Since I started this blog in May of 2011, it’s been a fun way for me express my creative side and to share some of my favorites things with all of you. I do so appreciate your loyalty and interest in my little blog!  

I'll continue to share my favorite things with you. I love to keep it all on a POSITIVE note! I try to see the good side of most things, see the glass half full, and appreciate the little things in life. 

But of course, I’m not perfect. I’m human and have my ups and downs too. Sometimes we just need a little affirmation. 

And, if you get a chance, stop by every so often with a comment and let me know what you think or just say hi! 
     

do something amazing today! 

ciao,  fabiana

valentine gifts for coffee lovers

We still have a few weeks until Valentine’s Day, so there’s still time to find the perfect gift for your friends, teachers and your honey.  That’s why I love these fun coffee mugs and cups.  Just about everyone enjoys a cup of coffee or tea throughout the day, so why not treat them to a cute mug on Valentine’s day?  These cute sayings and designs will remind them every day of how special you think they are!  I have collected a few of my favorite styles that I thought you might like.  Let me know what you think!

“Hello Gorgeous” coffee mug with small hearts around interior rim and “love you” heart inside the bottom of cup.  Shop here.

I love this chic black “hello beautiful” coffee mug. Around the rim of the mug it says “you look lovely today”. A great reminder for someone special!  Shop here.

Here’s a great way to get the attention of Mr. Right.  Why not get him a “Hello, handsome” mug?  Just a little compliment for him to enjoy every day!  I got these for each of my sons too!   Shop here.

“Love you to the moon & back”.  This one is a special reminder for just about anyone who is dear to your heart, any time of the year.  And, look inside!  There’s a nice little surprise in the bottom of the mug.  Shop here.

The black and white hearts on this cup and saucer are so sweet, and it’s just the right size for a cappuccino or a cup of tea.  A hint of gold adds to the glamour!  Shop here.

“YOU ME US”.  A great reminder of those most important in your life.  And I love all the gold polka dots too.  Shop here.

One of my favorite sign-offs, “X O”.  Just a quick way to send some one a hug and kiss.  This mug is the perfect shade of red with gold lettering on both sides. Shop here.

x o   fabiana

martha stewart living at 25

 

I am pretty sure I have been a fan since the very beginning, and it's kind of hard to believe that Martha Stewart Living magazine is celebrating its 25^th anniversary with the December/January issue.  For the anniversary issue’s cover, Martha Stewart posed for world-renowned artist Will Cotton, whose fantastical painting features Martha in a sweet, sugary wonderland.  This portrait provided the inspiration for eight delectable holiday desserts in the issue.  The December/January issue celebrates the silver anniversary with brilliant decorating, recipe and gift ideas— with the classic sheen of silver.  There is also a cookie advent calendar, which highlights 25 of Martha’s favorite cookies, one from every year the magazine has been published.  All the recipes are available at Martha Stewart Cookie Calendar.

“We are so proud to have created content that ultimately established and founded a new lifestyle category for publishing.  We have seen our readership grow tremendously over the years, and our editorial content continues to inspire, instruct, and please our readers,” says Martha Stewart.

“When Martha launched the magazine, she set out to create a new kind of publication, one that focused on the joy to be had in all aspects of the home,” says Martha Stewart Living Editor-in-Chief, Eric Pike. “Twenty-five amazing years later we are still producing beautiful, inspirational, how-to content in every issue – and that is truly something to celebrate.”

The 25^th Anniversary issue features a number of special silver anniversary-themed features including: 

·        Magical sugary original candies and confections that showcase the versatility of this simple ingredient

·         Show-stopping DIY decorative touches that will set the mood for winter celebrations, including chic cookie tins, glitter-dusted candles, sparkling wreaths, and no-sew clutches embellished with silver leaf  

·          Shimmering make-up picks for creating a glamorous holiday glow this holiday season.

ciao! fabiana