6 romantic retreats in california

Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs 

Grab the glass of mint tea that awaits you in your Moroccan 
or Mediterranean-style room, then head out through 

French doors onto your bougainvillea-edged patio to sip and stare 

at the San Jacinto Mountains. Later, go for a swim in one of the inn’s

 two torch-lit pools under clear desert skies, 

or catch an outdoor movie.

 Korakia Pensione

Figueroa Hotel in Los Angeles

Humphrey Bogart would fit right in at this cinematic
Moroccan oasis in the middle of downtown's flurry.

 the Figueroa Hotel

Indian Springs in Calistoga

There’s no better way to warm up, literally and figuratively, for an amorous 
evening than with a soak in steamy water so rich with minerals 
it feels like silk ― especially when your private cottage 
is just footsteps away. 

 Indian Springs

Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee

Skip Tahoe’s typically crowded après-ski scene 
and head back to eco-luxe Cedar House for a glass of red at the

guests-only fireside bar. Enjoy an outdoor soak before an 

Italian supper at the boutique inn’s new restaurant, Stella.

 Cedar House

Deetjen's Big Sur Inn

Each of the very rustic cottages, which are grouped around a 
redwood-shaded ravine on a gorgeously untamed coastline.  

When the rains lash the redwoods, there’s no better place to snuggle 

and listen to the crackling of a fire in the woodstove.

Deetjen's

The Orchid Inn in Santa Barbara

Orchid blossoms appear on your pillow each night, 
the beach is just a short walk away,
and rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and private entries.

 the Orchid Inn

ciao! fabiana

treat yourself: sweet valentine gifts

You know it’s almost valentine’s day,

so now's the perfect time to get yourself

a little something special!

sssshhhh…

you don’t have to let anyone know…

I do it all the time for my birthday

and all other major holidays,

hahaha!

Here are a few things on my wish list…

Isn’t this Instagram notification pillow adorbs?

It would be so cute on the bed in our guest room.

Check it out here. 

Love this Bell Sleeved Ribbed sweater from Nordstrom...

the Orchid Bloom color is just the right shade of blush!

Check it out here.

The cutest one shoulder top for Spring!

Check it out here. 

A super comfy slouchy sweater to run errands in…

Check it out here.

Love this tee from Nordstrom…

Check it out here.

I have a similar one that says “amore”.

Can’t get enough of blush this season!

Check out these sneakers here.

Espadrilles are hot this year for winter, spring and

of course, summer!

Love these wedges with wraparound laces by Soludos.

Check these out here.

I have a pair of flat leather espadrilles by Soludos.

They're so comfy that 

I wear them just about everyday!

An adorable easy to wear layered chain necklace in

rose gold!

Check it out here.

My favorite organic handmade facial and body soap

in sweet shapes and colors by Agnes Beauty.

Check them out here.

The cutest Fan Tassel Earrings, yes please!

Available here.

Natural pigments and ingredients make this

Lip and Cheek Tint a one stop shop

when getting ready in the morning.

Available here.

And then all I need to do is apply a fabulous luxurious mascara that doesn’t cost a fortune,

but works amazingly!

Available here.

A super fun 'Press for Champagne' key chain.

Available here.

I'd want to keep this textured peony pink throw draped over my desk chair for those cool winter mornings.

Check it out here.

ciao! fabiana



 p . s . let me know what you think!

blue plate special

20 times blue plates stole the show      

As you may know, I love blue and white plates. They’re my “go to” item when setting a table, so today I’m sharing twenty of my favorite ways to set a table with blue and white dishes, mostly transferware.

You often see me layer plates of different sizes at a place setting, and my preferred way is to highlight a pretty plate right on top.

                     

Typically I use an interesting salad plate and place it on a plain white dinner plate. That way the pretty plate is framed out and sitting right on top where everyone can see it.

When I do change it up a bit, it’s fun to experiment with different blue and white patterns or mix in different colors of transferware.

I also love interesting borders on dinner plates. You can reverse the look with a white salad plate, and frame it out and just show the pretty pattern along the outside edge of the larger plate.

I’m thinking about starting a series of blog posts about using blue and white china with other colors like green, turquoise, yellow, orange or pink, and highlighting a different color combination each week. 

Would you guys be interested in this?

To further accentuate this look, I love using a natural texture as a base for the plates. I have a small collection of round and rectangular raffia placemats that work perfectly with the blue and white.

Wooden charger plates also do the trick and bring the perfect amount of texture to the table.  

We can’t forget about the napkins! Typically, I love a graphic pattern like a stripe or gingham as a juxtaposition to the mostly floral patterns on the plates, but simply textured and luxurious linen napkins are my latest obsession!

Table runners are more versatile than tablecloths, and I love how they let a little bit of the table show through. It’s a great look to add naturally textured placemats or chargers with your choice of fabric for the table.

And of course glassware is the final glistening touch to any table. I just love vintage colored glass, especially the goblet shaped variety. (Stay tuned for a blog post on glassware soon!)

With blue and white on the rest of the table, it’s just so pretty to continue the look with the blue glasses as well, but sometimes it’s fun to change it up a bit!

I love the look of this fuchsia colored orchid with the bright cobalt blue of these vintage plates. This castle adorned plate is the only one I have, but it works flawlessly with lots of other blue and white patterns. 

  

Teeny weeny bread and butter plates also look exquisite stacked on top of the larger plates. Don’t be afraid to layer, layer, layer!

Utensils can be an unassuming accent, or really make a bold statement… it’s up to you!

Blue and white pattern-on–pattern is a fun look. It’s almost like selecting pillows for your couch, haha. See how the stripe in the table runner, the intricate design in the plate and the mini print of the napkin all play off each other?   

These Blue Pheasant plates and napkins designed by Mark D. Sikes totally coordinate for a whole different look. 

It’s always s fun to have a little coastal accent on a table, either with the plates or placemats, or in the centerpiece. 

Blue and white works flawlessly for any holiday or celebration, and it’s simple enough to use in everyday life too.  

I’d love to hear your favorite way to set a table with blue and white plates...

Do you mix it up or do you like everything to match?

ciao! fabiana