August 28, 2020

an all-american table for four





Interestingly enough, the 2020 pandemic has actually led me to become more creative. With all the negative aspects of this quarantine, there are quite a few positive outcomes and “making stuff” is one for me. How about you?

Although I've always had outlets for creativity, all this stay-at-home time has me pushing the envelope in other directions, like sewing. 

I’ve been sewing since I was a little girl, and I still have my Sear’s Kenmore sewing machine that I got when I was ten years old. That's the one I pull out to mend clothing once in a great while, but I recently got the urge to actually make something...  




This custom-sized table runner is made from two different fabrics I got from Pacific & Rose. I had something like this in mind for a long time, so I just combined a red and white fabric with a blue and white fabric border to make a little something festive for summer.  




The technique I used for this table runner is similar to what I did for this red, white and blue table runner, only the border is much wider and custom-made. I love how it looks with these vintage Serena & Lily “St. Helena” napkins. 




I brought in natural elements with vintage woven placemats and rattan napkin rings. I love collecting fun rattan placemats from the 1970’s and 1980’s. They just add so much texture and whimsy to a table.  




My favorite blue pressed glass goblets add drama and color to the table. I use these so much, and I also have them in the amber color, which is divine for fall. 




Bamboo flatware is also one of my favorite things, and I found this black set at an estate sale in Laguna Beach last year. Bamboo also adds that amazing textural effect I love on a table. 




A natural touch is brought in with these darling garden roses from the backyard. The fragrance is heavenly and these two varieties are just so pretty. I used a combination of Rosa Winchester Cathedral and Meidiland White for this small arrangement. 




In addition to the flatware, the placemats and the napkin rings, these white cabbageware plates are also a flea market find. Well, technically they’re a yard sale find. I got them from my neighbor Kathleen who sold them to me when she moved away a few months ago. I just love them!




So, I'm on a little bit of a roll with the summery red, white and blue tables. I can’t wait until Monday, when I get to debut my latest obsession... 





A new set of plates that are also red, white and blue, but with a more Italian or Spanish look. They’re modeled after the famous Talavera style pottery, and I can’t wait to show you my next table set with this new china. 

I hope you’ll stop by again on Monday for the full reveal. ðŸ˜Š



ciao! fabiana 



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August 25, 2020

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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