November 30, 2014

my favorite deal for cyber Monday



I have my Christmas gift list ready for cyber Monday and the first stop I will make will be to log on to Stella & Dot. That way, I can treat myself to a little something too!  

They're offering this cute Avalon Bracelet Clutch in black for only $9.95, with a $50 purchase. 

This clutch is the perfect size for holding my wallet, lip gloss and cell phone while running errands! 



ciao! fabiana

an interview with kim rodosky of 503 found



503found is one of my favorite, go-to  shops for home furnishings and accessories. They offer unique décor made by artisans from all over the world and here locally in Orange County. 

It's also fun that they incorporate vintage finds to their store, which I love. Interior design services, large and small, are also offered at 503found to help you create an eclectic, timeless, and functional home

I was so happy to interview Kim Rodosky, one of the founders and talented designers of 503found. I'm so impressed that this mother of six can pull together a gorgeous home for her own family and also run a successful business. Here are some of her insights for creating a gorgeous home.



Kim Rodosky
photo by Ryan Garvin

1.  What's an unexpected place to display one-of-a-kind, personal finds?

“I think a unique, unexpected place to display one-of-a-kind, personal finds would be in the guest bathroom. You always have people coming in and out and no one really expects to see anything unique in a bathroom. Very unexpected! “


2. Do you have suggestions for filling vacant wall space?

I always recommend filling with art and family photos. I love blending the two to make a gallery wall. Art, mirrors, family photos - you can take up a lot of wall space with those elements.” 


3.   My favorite vintage scores are ...

Art! I've found amazing vintage art pieces scouring finds for 503found. They are usually really affordable and are some of my most treasured pieces.“


4.  One design rule you always break?

I don't follow a lot of design rules, but I guess I always break mixing patterns. I love mixing unexpected colors and patterns!“


5.   Best place to spend $500 on decor?

503found in Newport Beach of course! We have great accessories, vintage art, tabletop decor, candles, turkish towels, pillows and more - all under $500.” 



My favorite picks at 503found:



ciao! fabiana




503found
located in Cannery Village

503 31st Street  Newport Beach, California


(949) 877-0147





November 29, 2014

the house in my dreams



There's a house that lives in my dreams.  It is a very large house with elegant Victorian details, secret rooms that have been long forgotten and an abandoned, untouched aura about the rooms. 

It is located in my hometown, a hilltop in Italy or a misty parish somewhere in England, I’m not sure. The location is always different but the house is the same. 


 This would be my view



and the entry into my intimate courtyard

 that leads into a sunken colorful garden


fancy shutters are a must on the windows


a private courtyard for entertaining my friends


I can even feed my pet giraffe 
from my bedroom window


 now we may enter through the front door


 jewelry tiebacks accent my windows


and of course, there are plenty of hidden doors


that lead to my inner sanctuary 


a wardrobe built-in to the wall leads to different rooms
  

 of course there’s a chandelier in my favorite color


 a place to relax


 and another cozy nook for reading


 there’s always a grand staircase in my dreams


like the ones from Gone with the Wind


the staircase does not lead me to Rhett, 
but to long unexplored rooms


 like this one from Alex Raskin Antiques...


 and this one


and this one


or this one


 then I could just slide down
to another secret garden


Do you ever dream of 
visiting the same unknown place?


ciao! fabiana

the ultimate turkey sandwich



It’s Black Friday.  No Shopping for me today. My family and I love to just hang out, take it easy and munch on all the yummy Thanksgiving leftovers. This year, the folks at Oroweat asked me to make my version of the ultimate turkey sandwich using their Oroweat Organic Sandwich Bread. Anyone who knows me knows I generally buy organic food and that I love all the Thanksgiving dinner menu items, so it seemed like the perfect challenge for me. Made with organic ingredients and whole grains, NEW Oroweat Organic breads are the delicious way to feel better about eating better.

Here’s how I created our family’s favorite sandwich, the Bacon Guacamole Turkey Sandwich, or the “BGT”, haha!


I started by lightly toasting the Organic

 Oroweat Grains and Seeds sandwich bread.


Found in my local grocery store.


I cooked my bacon and let it crisp up on a paper towel.


 I like using guacamole for this sandwich
because it has the creaminess of
the avocado with the added flavor of
the tomato, onion and cilantro.  


Recipe for “Martha’s Guacamole” is found below.




 I start with slathering the guacamole on the first piece of bread.


 Next I added the bacon


 Then I layered thick slices of our Thanksgiving turkey.

{White meat only for me!}


 Just a touch of mayo and black pepper. 


And that’s it! 

Martha Stewart’s Guacamole
·         2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and lightly mashed
·         1/2 cup minced onion
·         1 jalapeno chile, minced (remove seeds and ribs for less heat)
·         1 plum tomato, seeded and diced
·         1/4 cup chopped cilantro
·         2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
·         Coarse salt

In a bowl, combine avocados, onion, jalapeno, tomato, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt, and mix to combine.  (If you make the guacamole several hours ahead, keep it in the refrigerator. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic directly onto the surface of the guacamole to prevent discoloration.)



ciao! fabiana



“Some  information has been provided by Oroweat® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Oroweat® Organic bread. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Oroweat®.”

November 26, 2014

my Thanksgiving table is all set !

 

Heirloom china, gold accents and 
orange tulips were the inspirations 
this year for my Thanksgiving table.  

We have a small group gathering this year, but our hearts are full!  
As our tummies will be with our traditional menu of 

Roast Turkey
Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes with Mini Marshmallows
Sauteed Haricot Vert
Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Mushroom Ciabatta and Blueberry Stuffing
Sweet Corn Cake
Homemade Gravy
Fresh Organic Pumpkin Pie

And yes, I am making it all!  
The stuffing, sweet potatoes, pie and cranberry sauce are already finished!  
Now I can relax until tomorrow!








Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. 

ciao! fabiana

thanksgiving tulips




  I was inspired by these beautiful orange tulips,
so I made a few arrangements for my

Thanksgiving table. 




I started with a few green and gold Moroccan tea glasses.




Then I went out to my garden and cut a few springs of fuzzy asparagus fern. They’ve got a beautiful bright green color. 

I wanted to offset the brightness of the fern and the tulips with a little gray from my English lavender. Then I simply stripped the lower leaves of the fern and lavender to put in my little glasses.

Voila!





ciao! fabiana


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