laguna beach: a week in photos

Work and personal reasons brought me down to Laguna Beach for another week of fun and exploring. I've discovered lots of amazing little coves and beaches throughout the Northern, Southern and the downtown coastline of Laguna.  The ocean and waves were perfect this week for surfers and beachcombers, and the weather was just perfect! I also got to visit some of may favorite shopping spots and found some new ones as well. Here are a few of my favorite shots of the week.    

Madison Square Garden and Café is a favorite little spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch. It’s located right in the heart of Laguna on Coast Highway. The restaurant and garden shop are intermingled so it’s fun to eat surrounded by lots of pretty home and garden treasures.  

You can always find a cozy spot to sit and have coffee. 

Pretty coastline views are found at every beach and cove.

Laguna is all about secluded beaches & great places to snorkel.

Here’s a pretty little Spanish style house with great curb appeal.

This shot from the historic Hotel Laguna at their outdoor restaurant. It’s a great place to stop and eat with some of the best views in Laguna, and right next to main beach. Those little people down there are some of the Laguna Beach junior lifeguards.  

The café at the Hotel Laguna is a must-stop destination for first time visitors to Laguna Beach. The hotel has been in service for over 100 years and it's a landmark in the city.

I love the homes right down on the sand!

Gorgeous stretches of rugged coastline are found everywhere! 

I stumbled upon the beach house of Bette Davis!  This was her second home for many, many years.  She bought the 1929 Tudor style home in the 1930’s when her fame was sky-high and she was seeking some refuge from Hollywood. It’s still a gorgeous home, high above the beach at Woods Cove, one of the most secluded and gorgeous beaches.  

Here is the entrance at the street level with the historic plaque. 

Charming Tudor style!

This is the view of Bette's home coming up the steps from the beach.

One little final shot from Madison Square...

my cute little frog prince!

ciao! fabiana

staycation fun in Laguna Beach

A few days before Christmas, I spotted an interesting estate sale in Laguna Beach, so I decided to make a day of it! My hubby and I stopped in at the sale first, and then we went on to explore a little bit of Laguna Beach.  

This glorious Tudor house, perched on the cliffs in Laguna Beach, once belonged to silver screen legend Bette Davis. I love to visit every so often. You see there are steps right next to this house that lead you down to a secluded cove where the rugged waves are crashing far below the homes that overlook this vista. 

Here I am looking up at Bette’s former home. The views from the house must be absolutely breathtaking! Here we are on a dreary December day, and the sight and sound of the ocean are truly magical.  

Here’s proof that Ms. Davis lived here. I love that they included her name on the historical marker! 

Only one other couple and their cute pooch were on the beach that day in this little cove. It’s very rocky here, but that’s part of the charm that makes Laguna so interesting.  Every nook and cranny has it's own personality.

It is Winter, and I love this time of year when all that's blooming are the vibrant aloes and flaming hot bougainvillea. Don't you just love the contrast of these flowers with the soft coastal palette? If you look closely, you can spot Catalina Island on the horizon.

Here’s one place setting of the set of aged bamboo flatware that brought us down to Laguna Beach. You can see the whole table here. (BTW, I'm off to another estate sale this morning...) 😉 

Heading a bit north to Crystal Cove, we stopped in for breakfast oat one of my favorite spots, Babette’s. And practically next door to Babette’s is Juxtaposition Home.  

Here’s a peek at how it looked just a few days before Christmas... 

So cozy!

Well, like I said, I’m now headed to an estate sale nearby, and I’ll likely be sharing some of my finds with you very soon. 

I’ll let you in on a little secret... 

I had my first thrifting adventure of 2020 yesterday, and I have to say it was quite fun! Pictures coming your way in a few days... 

ciao! fabiana 

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a morning in laguna beach

Laguna Beach is just a short drive from my home, and I love taking a little field trip down that way every so often. Laguna Beach is so different from Newport Beach.  It really has a European vibe about it.  

Originally an art colony, Laguna’s buildings, homes, and gardens have a really unique style.  There’s so much creativity throughout the city and it’s the perfect locale for a little adventure.  The ever-changing rocky coastline and secluded beaches are always fun to explore, too!   

Breakfast at The Urth Café is a treat.  It sits in a prominent spot on Coast Highway right across from the Laguna Art Museum.  It's the former location of The Cottage Restaurant which was a favorite of locals and visitors alike.  

The Urth Café offers more outdoor seating than The Cottage did, but service can be slow.  Make sure you have plenty of time to enjoy the scene and enough money for the parking meters. This pretty mosaic fountain sits at the corner of the restaurant and is visible from the street.  

This fruit plate from Urth Café was just as tasty as it was pretty.

Blue & white sea creature mosaic spotted 
at Crystal Cove State Beach.

The garden nurseries in Laguna are so fun to explore. A lot of them feature vintage items mingled in with the plants and pottery. This bubbling fountain was spotted at the Laguna Nursery. I love the way they set this vintage looking pot on the pebbles and crushed blue glass.  

This little vignette is from Madison Square & Garden Café.  They have a low-key little restaurant with seating sprinkled in among their fun garden store. This is a great place to get inspired, nosh and bring your pup.  They are a dog friendly restaurant and garden!

Zeus or Moses? 

Not sure, but this guy was all ready for the 4th of July holiday.  

He was also spotted at the fabulous Laguna Nursery. 

ciao! fabiana

molly wood's new laguna beach shop

Please join Molly Wood Garden Design in celebrating the grand opening of Molly Wood Holiday Pop-up shop in Laguna Beach. 

On Thursday, November 12 from 4-7pm they will be offering light bites and beverages as you peruse their Laguna Beach pop-up collection of modern organic holiday decor, greenery, plants and accessories you are familiar with from our Costa Mesa flagship store and exclusives to the Laguna location. 

You'll feel good about your purchase since a percentage of every sale will go towards The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach!

Please visit instagram @mollywoodgarden for more details and the latest on both locations!

ciao! fabiana

field trip to laguna beach

Laguna Beach is a gorgeous 15 minute drive

from Newport, straight down Pacific Coast Highway.

My friend, Nancy and I did a little shopping

and lunching there this week,

and soaked up the coastal-artsy vibe

that only Laguna Beach has.   

 Our first stop was the Laguna Gardens Nursery.

They have a great selection of succulents

and native plants, and

some creative pots and displays.  

Next, was a walk through downtown... 

Finally, we had the most amazing

lunch at the new Tommy Bahama restaurant.

We tried the lobster corn dogs as an appetizer,

just a lobster claw dipped in corn batter and fried,

omg!

A few little treasures from the thrift store. 

ciao! fabiana