planning ahead for christmas

I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet,

but I just started working on some

Christmas Tablescape stylings today. 

I have a few themes in mind, oh, how I love a good theme! 

Anyways, I have a couple for you to preview...

The first one is for an Ugly Sweater Party!

I couldn’t resist these adorable little knit sweaters

when I saw them at Cost Plus|WorldMarket.

They some in several different colors and are soooo

cute as little party favors at each place setting…

don’t you think?

They’re actually ornaments that

 you can later adorn your tree with.

I love how the red knit edging on the napkins

compliments the tiny red sweaters!

(The napkins are also from World Market).

The inspiration for my second

themed holiday dinner

were these gorgeous black and white

"Joyeaux Noel" transferware plates.

I got a set of these last year at Home Goods,

and my secret is I only get a set of salad plates,

that way I can mix and match with my white

dinner plates that are so versatile. 

And why not add gold accents to this look?

It helps play up the Parisian glamour for the night.

This look wouldn’t be the same without the bold black & white
buffalo plaid dinner plates, also found at Home Goods last year. 

ciao! fabiana

And it all came together like this…

 the Ugly Sweater Party:

Red Polka Dot Plate: Home Goods

Red Kate Spade Plate: Home Goods

Red & White Chintz Plate: vintage

Burlap Chargers: Oriental Trading

Raffia Place Mat: Ikea

Mini Sweater Ornaments: World Market

Chambray Napkins with Chenille Trim: World Market

Wood Handle Flatware: World Market

Scrabble Tiles: vintage

and the Parisian Holiday Dinner:

Joyeaux Noel Plates: Home Goods

Black and White Buffalo Check Plates: Home Goods

White Charger Plate: Wedgwood

Rattan Charger: World Market

Raffia Place Mat: vintage

Wine Glass: Home Goods

 Linen Napkins: World Market

Gold Flatware: Ebay

Brass Eiffel Tower: Ebay

Unfinished Wood Slice: Home Goods

fresh entertaining ideas for spring

Welcome to our “Spring Brunch and Entertaining Blog Hop”! Today I’m joined by 4 super talented bloggers, and we’re showcasing our favorite ways to prepare and host a Spring Brunch.

 

First, I’ll be showing you all the details of my tablescape and family room mantel, and then I’ll turn it over to Mary Ann, Cindy, Annie and Michele.

 

I recently had the opportunity to style the new line of table linens from Pacific & Rose, so I was really inspired to use this Lilibet tablecloth in the Cornflower color as the base of my design.

Each place setting is layered with some of my favorite table wares, including the Serena & Lily Raffia place mats and simple white farmhouse style plates from Home Goods that I use ALL the time. 

They really set off the pretty pattern in the tablecloth.

 

The breakfast room is bright and sunny, and I love sharing my different table settings in here.

 

My love for blue and white is evident with the display of vintage transferware plates up above the windows, so I love incorporating that look onto my tables.

 

Since this is a brunch table for the family, I kept the middle of the table fairly simple. 

Just a big bouquet of stock in the middle with a smaller little crock of white cottage roses to add a touch of the garden is all that’s needed.

 

This is one of my favorite little bunnies, and here he (or she) is keeping a watchful eye over the breakfast eggs.

 

Two more larger bunnies on the sideboard are flanking the "extras" that may be needed during brunch. 

All three of these rabbits are lightweight faux cement, so they’re easy to move around if needed.

 

Over on the mantel, I’ve collected a few of my favorite pitchers, vases and crocks to display more spring flowers. 

The lilacs, stock and pink roses are from Trader Joes, and the white cottage roses and early hydrangeas are from my garden.

 

These funny little moss bunnies are also from Home Goods from a few years back. I love how they stand out against all the blue and white.

I really love how the Cornflower blue of this Lilibet tablecloth sets off the rest of the table with all of its spring elements. Imagine if this tablecloth were white.

 

The whole look would be sooooo different. The hand-blocked, unique print of this cloth really makes a world of difference!

 

Now on to sharing more 

Spring inspiration with my friends here:

 • Classic Casual Home 

 • Most Lovely Things

 • Cindy Hattersley Design 

 • Hello Lovely

After you check out the pretty tables from Mary Ann, Annie, Michele and Cindy, please check back here with me tomorrow for more spring inspiration.

ciao! fabiana

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram! 

Info on table accessories:

Dinner Plates: Home Goods

Salad Plates: Home Goods

Green Salad Plates: Bordallo Pinheiro

Tablecloth: Pacific & Rose

Napkins: Fete Home 

Placemats:  Serena & Lily 

Glassware: similar found here

Flatware: Amazon

Egg cups: Amazon

Bunnies: Home Goods

Light fixture: Serena & Lily

All vases and pitchers are vintage

Portrait is a family heirloom

 

home style with the new york housewives

“Word on the street” is that the Real Housewives of New York have already been busy filming season 10 and not only that, but a few of them have been busy redecorating their homes and getting their homes ready for the holidays. The best news of all for me is that the entire season 9 cast is back this year!  

So let's get started...

Firstly, I have to apologize for this being a bit of a long post today, but there's a lot to cover! These women have been busy!

One of my favorite things about watching the Real Housewives is checking out their homes, and my all-time favorites are New York and Beverly Hills! 

I also love that most of them own more than one home.

In addition to their city apartments, lofts or townhouses, several of the NY gals have homes in the Hamptons. And then of course, there’s Dorinda with her fabulous Berkshires mansion! 

Luann’s Hamptons home has recently appeared in Architectural Digest so we can take a sneak peek at its recently zhushed-up interior.

As you can see, Luann replaced the red patchwork cow head in her kitchen with one of her antique mirrors.

This really is a favorite spot for her to pose,

isn’t it?

Here’s a little real action in the kitchen with Sonja,

during filming and seen on Instagram.

Here’s Luann, her son and her niece out on the front porch of her Sag Harbor home. This 19th century Greek Revival house is quite a little gem!  

Do you recognize the kitchen from the show? 

I love how bright and airy it is!

Yum, Yum!

Did they take one of these dining room mirrors

into the kitchen just for the AD photo shoot?

Maybe...

Here’s Lu singing and partying with Sonja

in her dining room, possibly during filming of RHONY…  

A peaceful view out back.

Here’s where she sat with Andy Cohen

for her post-divorce interview.

Sonja and Lu single and ready to mingle!

This little sign is so funny after what happened

 last season to Luann in Mexico!

Here's another pretty view of the back of Luann's home.

And now on to Dorinda...

She's been super busy promoting Home Goods 

and with all the excitement of the holidays,

I don't blame her!

Who would turn down getting your whole apartment

decked out for Christmas courtesy of Home Goods?

If you follow Dorinda on Instagram,

you’ve probably seen all of her fun

Home Goods insta-stories and posts.

Don’t you just love her?

Her tree does look very pretty…

Here’s Dorinda’s dining room in the city, but what I really can’t wait to see is her Berkshires dining room. I hope all the ladies get to spend lots of time there this season.

Shopping at Home Goods is always a good time!

Bethenny has great style too, and news broke just this week that she purchased a second home in the Hamptons. She’s becoming quite a real estate mogul as well as Skinny Girl mogul. 

Don’t forget she has a new real estate show coming to Bravo soon with Fredrik Eklund. (BTW, Fredrik and his husband just welcomed twins into the world this week, a boy and a girl!)

Simple holiday décor is the best way to go in Bethenny’s New York apartment. Don't you just love the white tree and fluffy stockings? 

Fabulous “Skinny Girl" red highlights Bethenny’s front door and it also plays a big part in accenting the rest of her Hamptons home.

 Such charm in the Hamptons!

Here’s the front of Bethenny’s new Hampton’s home, not far from her other weekend home. This former bed and breakfast may be a new business venture for her.

I can’t wait to see how she renovates, decorates and designs the inside of this home.

How about making this a vacation home for wayward housewives? Lol.

Bethenny’s a big fan of TJ Maxx and Home Goods too, so I hope she shares some of her decorating tips with all of us!

And we can’t forget about Ramona (and her contractor Mario)… She just renovated her lower east side apartment last season and it was a HUGE improvement. Now she’s working on updating her Hamptons home. This is a little peek she just shared on Instagram.

Carole is always on top of the most fabulous design trends and her home also recently appeared in Architectural Digest.

Tinsley recently moved into her own place after breaking up with boyfriend, Scott and finally moving out of Sonja’s townhouse. We’ll have to see what her place looks like!

I hope you enjoyed this little bit of RHONY. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills starts up again on December 19th, and until then, I’ll anxiously be awaiting the latest design updates from the BH gals!  Who are your BH  housewives faves? 

ciao! fabiana

photo credit:

Architectural Digest, People, Instagram