which place setting would you choose?

Which one would fulfill your tablescape design vibe?
via  Coastal Living

ciao! fabiana

the prettiest travel journal ever

Swept away by WANDERLUST is a charming travel journal, bound in a premium, earthy latte-colored cloth, for the boho-chic traveler who wants to document her journey in a unique way. 

Each page is filled with fun questions, original writing prompts and witty ‘to-do’ notes enticing the traveler to jot down her thoughts, feelings and experiences while adventuring our big beautiful world. 

Whether taking the train down the California coast exploring the beaches or honeymooning in Paris, each journey can be celebrated and documented beautifully.

This journal is filled with encouraging life and 

travel quotes, thought-provoking prompts, 

edgy global photography and a world map.

"Stories are born every minute and forgotten the next, and finding a stylish and simple way for people to capture snippets of their own journey through this life is what our journals are all about," said Axel & Ash co-founder Hanna Axelsson.

ciao! fabiana

p.s.  what are your wanderlust destinations?

spooky halloween dinner party update

A couple of years ago, my husband and I hosted an elegant but spooky Halloween party for our friends. We had each place setting set with a photo of one of our favorite classic spooky characters, like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Each guest was then given a sticker on their back with the name of one of those characters, without them knowing which one they had on their back. They were then to go around to the other guests and ask questions so they could try to figure out who they were and where they were seated. Everyone really enjoyed this game, and it was really cute when a newly engaged couple found out that they were Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein.

I’m planning to host a similar party this year, so I have already started planning out my spooky people for this year’s party. It’s such an easy and fun theme for a Halloween dinner party, and you can really personalize it with your favorite movie and tv personalities. All you have to do is print out an 8x10 copy each of the spooky faces you select. Use a round salad plate as a template to draw a circle around where you will cut your printed face.

You now have a circular photo that can be nestled under a glass plate and be visible to your guests. You can use a charger plate under that to finish off the look. Accent your table with lots of candles, owls, spiders and pumpkins! 

Bela Lugosi as Dracula & 
Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch

ciao! fabiana

sweet potato creme brulee

This is an elegant alternative to pumpkin pie!

Sweet Potato Creme Brulee
8 servings

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, baked, peeled, and pureed
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 quarts heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split in half
16 large egg yolks

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the pureed sweet potatoes, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and the lemon juice until combined. Butter 8 8-ounce custard cups or ramekins. Spoon 2 to 3 tablepoons of the sweet potato mixture into each cup to form a 1/4-inch layer.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, vanilla bean, and 3/4 cup of the remaining sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and another 3/4 cup sugar. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Return the saucepan to the stove and cook on low heat for 3 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

Fill the custard cups with enough of the cream mixture so they are about seven-eighths full. Place the filled cups in a baking pan that is large enough to hold them all. Add enough hot water to come within 1 inch of the top of the cups. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the custards are barely set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out a little wet. Remove the custards from the baking pan and place them in the refrigerator. Refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the broiler. Lightly sprinkle the surface of each custard with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the remaining sugar. Place the custards under the broiler for about 30 to 60 seconds and let them brown. Keep an eye on the custards, as this happens quickly.

Remove the custards from the heat, and once the sugar has hardened (1 to 2 minutes), serve the creme brulee.

Recipe courtesy of The New, Low-Country Cooking 

Ciao! fabiana

a fun and easy fall tablescape

Use clear glass dinner plates to showcase your pretty table linens. These are pretty dishtowels that can be used as Thanksgiving napkins.

ciao! fabiana

rooms that feel like autumn

Fall....it’s that time of year again!

Cozy,

comfy, 

rooms that make you just want to hang out!

images  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5 

ciao! fabiana 

easy to transform gold pumpkins

 These little pumpkins and gourds were only $1 and can

easily be transformed with a little gold spray paint!

(purchased at the Dollar Tree)

Here's how I used them at my own table...

These little gold pumpkins can now be incorporated into a fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving tablescape.  At my table, I added orange napkins and neutral accessories to create a soft palette.  These look great on the mantle too!     

 Knotted napkins make it fun and casual.

 Each guest gets their own unique golden pumpkin to keep!

 I chose burlap runners and a knarled olive branch for texture. 

 Bamboo cutlery adds more texture and a hint spookiness.

 Owls and a few white ceramic pumpkins round off the look.

ciao! fabiana