a fire pit styled two ways

Have you seen this fire pit in the pages of Better Homes and Gardens magazine?  It also has been featured on the Newport Harbor Home & Garden Tour.  The top photo is from the home tour, and shows how the home owner Karen Fabian designed the space.  The bottom photo was taken through the creative eyes of the BHG photographers and stylists who added just the right pillows in just the right spots to create this dazzling photo.  See more fun photos of this home here on their pinterest board. 

ciao! fabiana

trisha's summer table

Isn’t this the sweetest summer table setting by Trisha Yearwood?

Trisha got her plates at Target and the cute napkins are from Minted.

This is an easy look to achieve...just accent with blue & white tableware,

add raffia place mats, and other natural accessories, add some wild flowers,

and you're ready for the sweet tea!

Trisha Yearwood's Sweet Tea

4 large, family-size tea bags

16 cups water

1 ½ cups sugar

Fill a teakettle or saucepan with enough water to completely cover the tea bags, about 2 cups. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Let the tea stand for 10 minutes. Put the sugar into a gallon pitcher and add 1 cup of cold water. Stir to mix slightly. Pour the hot tea into the sugar mixture and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the remaining 13 cups of cold water to fill the pitcher.

photos via country living

ciao! fabiana

a few weekend picks for summer

At last, summer is here!  Pack up your beach bag, get in the car and head down to the shore (or pool)! Here are a few of my favorite ways to perk up your summer vibe… 

Lacoste makes the cutest, high quality beach towels, and they come in lots of different patterns and colors.  This one’s my favorite, and they’re available at Macy’s. 
  

I bought myself one of these Lilly Pulitzer Beverage Coolers and even got a few extras to have on hand for the blog shop. The fun patterns of these Lilly coolers will catch everyone’s eye and they hold lots of ice, drinks and snacks. 

They even come with a cute pink bottle opener! Think about how great these would be to keep your drinks cold in the back yard...while looking great on your table!  

Kristy Woodson Harvey of Design Chic blog just came out with her second novel, LIES AND OTHER ACTS OF LOVE. I just started in on it last weekend, and it’s got me hooked! It’s a great summer read and would be the perfect addition to your summer beach bag. 

Here’s a brief description of this novel: A touching look into the lifetimes of love, heartbreak, and resilience of a grandmother and her granddaughter, Lies and Other Acts of Love offers insight into the complexities of bonds--of family, friends, and everything in between--and the importance of what one does when those bonds are broken. Kristy Woodson Harvey's second book is a feel-good must read that is sure to remind you of the cherished memories and relationships in your own life. 

—Deep South Magazine

ciao! fabiana

earthy textures for summer

A room with added textures of wicker, rattan, wood and linen are warm and cozy rooms.  These natural elements are vital in adding just the right amount of earthiness to a room, keeping it from feeling cold and uninviting.  Here are some of my favorite looks from this month’s magazine roundup.

photos via House Beautiful, Traditional Home & BHG 

ciao! fabiana

a visit to wisteria lane

Pretty purple inspiration to brighten your day!

ciao! fabiana 

💕

While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

photo credit:  BH&G, Adore Magazine, pinterest,
The Zhush, Coastal Living, BH&G, pinterest

where is your happy place?

the beach is my happy place!

ciao! fabiana

the cutest and yummiest strawberry tarts

These are the most amazing tasting strawberry tarts made with a buttery crust that features chopped pistachios.  A zesty cream cheese and lemon filling pairs beautifully with sweet summer strawberries for a dessert everyone will love!  Easy to make for that special weekend gathering.

Southern Living’s Mini Strawberry Tarts

Ingredients

1 cup (4.5 oz.) all-purpose flour

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup chopped pistachios

6 tablespoons (3 oz.) salted butter, cubed

1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened

2 teaspoons lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. fresh juice (1 lemon)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 8 (3 1/2-inch) round, 1-inch-deep mini fluted tart pans with removable rims, and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Process the flour, powdered sugar, and pistachios in a food processor until nuts are finely ground, about 1 minute. Add the cubed butter to processor, and pulse 6 to 8 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press about 4 1/2 tablespoons of the flour mixture on bottom and up sides of each tart pan.

2. Bake in preheated oven until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove tart pans to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

3. Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and beat until well blended. Gently fold the whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until incorporated. Spoon about 5 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into each tart shell. Cover tarts with plastic wrap, and chill 4 to 24 hours.

4. Toss together the sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and spoon on tarts just before serving.

ciao! fabiana

recipe via Southern Living