Five on Friday – Vacation

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Aloha!

I’m actually away from the blog this week relaxing in paradise.  I’ll post a few pics of paradise on my Instagram. Back on Sunday with a regular post!
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

While I’m gone though, you can always check out my tumblr blog or my other social media here:  bloglovin, instagramtwitterpinterest, and google plus

Last time I was in Hawaii…

I had my eye on these cute swimsuits before I left…

written at peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #235

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Aloha everyone!! This week I’m actually away from the blog on vacation.  Sorry I didn’t have time this week to choose any favorites!

Please head over to Katherine’s Corner to link up your posts!!  If I can, I’ll post the link for the party… but I won’t have a computer with me so it is unlikely I’ll be able to do that!

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Link Party

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Pretty Floral Dresses for Spring 2016

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Today I’ve fallen in love with pretty floral dresses for Spring!  I love the romantic prints on these dresses.  These would be perfect to wear to bridal showers, weddings, tea parties, or pretty much whenever you feel like dressing up and looking beautiful!!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Top Row: pink maxi dress // pink cherry, daisy and bee print dress // romantic bustier dress // beautiful embellished tulle dress

Middle Row: blue printed chiffon maxi dress // stamped floral dress // belted maxi dress

Bottom Row: bright multicolor maxi dress // lace trumpet dress // floral-applique illusion gown // appliquéd silk-organza gown (for looks, only!)

Which one is your favorite??  I think mine is the pink cherry, daisy, and bee print dress for daytime events and the beautiful lace trumpet dress for evenings.

These dresses were all in stock when I made this.

linking up at: amaze me monday  The Scoop!  BNOTP Mon Inspire Me Tuesday Cooking and Crafting with J&J Wow us Wednesdays! Moonlight and Mason Jars Share Your Style Thursday Favorite ThingsThoughts of Home Home Sweet Home Feathered Nest Fridays The DIY collective Craftberry Bush Foodie Friday & Everything Else Shabbylicious Friday Best of the Weekend Share it One More Time Sundays at Home Dishing it and Digging It

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Five on Friday #12

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.


This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Spotted
Spring Vases Edition!  With all of the flowers about to burst into full bloom next week here I have been browsing looking at pretty vases!!

I love this footed bud vase from Juliska! Isn’t is so pretty?

This vase below is actually more for bulbs as it is a cache pot. It is so pretty, I can imagine a pretty orchid sitting in it, can’t you?

Cute polka dote vase by Kate Spade!

I love these little bud vases! You would need to buy three though! Anthropologie, Tapered Bud Vase

I love this little bud vase from Juliska, it’s only 4″ high so perfect for your garden roses!

This milk jug flower vase is really cute and perfect for the farmhouse look! Only $15!

On the Net
How to avoid the most common nursery mistakes.  Important information as I know we are all headed out into the gardens right now!

Favorite Instagram

Casa de Perrin is actually a business that curates tabletops and does party rentals.  Regardless, they set the prettiest tables!  I am in love with their recent pink, green and gold table! 



From the Blog

If you missed it, I am conducting a reader survey. I value your input about my blog and want to make my blog the best that it can be.  I invite you to take just two minutes to take my reader survey. CLICK HERE to take it! Thank you very much!!

Favorite Recipe of the Week

Ok, I confess, I have *not* made this recipe… yet. I saw it this week and pinned it and knew I wanted to make it.  Doesn’t it look delicious?? It is a lemon poppy seed cake with blackberry vanilla bean buttercream. Get the recipe at Oh, Honey Bakes!

recipe and pic from Oh Honey Bakes

Sharing at these parties!  Friday FavoritesFive on FridayOh Hey, Friday!

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagramtumblrtwitterpinterest, and google plus

Follow:

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #234

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hey, welcome back for another week of Thursday Favorite Things!  I enjoy reading through as many posts as I can that you all link up! So many different things to read!  I confess, I don’t really watch TV anymore. I just read the internet.

This week I conducted a reader survey. Thank you to all who have participated. If you have not yet given me your two cents, you can still take my reader survey HERE. It will take just a few minutes.

Here are a few of my favorite posts from last week’s part-ay!

Kathy at You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out shared her trip to Washington DC that was made specifically to photograph the beautiful cherry trees! You all have to check out her pictures! This is something I hope to see in person some day!

From Parsimonious to Perfection shared this pretty tartan table setting in honor of national tartan day.  I don’t usually think of tartans as Spring colors, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this pretty table!

Cristina at Bird’s Party shared this DIY marble and copper charger.  It is really simple and it looks elegant!  I think I’m going to have to try this!

 You all know I am sucker for *anything* Paris related.  Julia at Auf der Mammilade shared her trip to Paris including pics of an apartment they stayed in.  Her pictures are truly stunning!  The site is in German – here is a link to the English version.

Southern Elle Style shared a great post on What to Wear to a Bridal Shower: Guest Edition.  I just love that colorful skirt!!

Alright, on to the party this week!!

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Link Party

Katherine-Katherines Corner 

 Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage 

 Debi- Surroundings by Debi 

Betty- My Cozy Corner 

 Rosemary-An Italian In My Kitchen 

 Rina-I Thee Cook 

 Pam-Over 50 Feeling 40

Olivia-Reinvented Collection 

 Shellie-The Fabulous Journey 

 Marilyn-Marilyns Treats 

 Angelina –Peonies and Orange Blossoms 

 Jennifer- A Well Styled Life


It all starts with a simple act of kindness. Please visit at least two of the blogs ahead of you on the hop list. It will result in a much more satisfying hop experience. 


PLEASE link to your blog post, not your home page. You can link up to 3 posts.


YES you can link your giveaways.  Please add them to the give away page at Katherines Corner too.


NO links to your shop/services or other blog hops, please. You can add your hop to Katherine’s blog hop page.


OPTIONAL link back or blog/social share is always appreciated.


Adding your link to this blog hop gives Katherine and her hostesses’ permission to share your posts and pictures via social media, on pinterest and as features on their blogs.


Happy Hopping!

If you are a not a blogger, you can still enjoy this party! You simply click on a link below any of the thumbnails and you will be taken directly to the post!


An InLinkz Link-up

;

Follow:

Reader Survey 2016

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hi everyone!  I’m pretty excited about today because it is YOUR chance to tell me how I’m doing!

I am conducting my FIRST EVER Reader Survey! I’m excited and a little anxious.

I am conducting this survey to help me deliver the type posts that you WANT to read!  It will help me make Peonies & Orange Blossoms a better blog.  I love my blog and how much it has grown since it started. However, I love making changes to it and want to deliver content that you, MY READERS, are interested in!

I would be so grateful for your participation… it should only take a few minutes. (I timed my husband – it should take between 2 and 6 minutes).  Your responses are anonymous.

If the survey does not load for you, CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY.


Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to fill out my survey! I look forward to reading all of your responses and to developing Peonies and Orange Blossoms into a better blog!

Follow:

Five on Friday #11

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hello and Happy April!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
On the Net
The king of French cuisine, Alain Ducasse, is going to be opening a restaurant at the Chateau de Versailles! It is also part of a 20-room luxury hotel that will open its doors in 2018.  You will be able to dine like a King on “a terrace with a view of the Versailles orange grove and the Bosquet de la Reine gardens.” Read the article here.

Alain Ducasse’s restaurant at Le Meurice

The decor of the hotel and restaurant will stay in the style of Versailles! If it looks anything like the restaurant above, I think we will all swoon!  Alain Ducasse has earned 21 Michelin stars total!

Spotted

This week I wrote about French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home. I was writing the post I was looking at pretty Chinoiserie pieces… I’ve saved some of them and am sharing them with you!!

Chinoiserie Decor For Your Home!

Top Row, left to right: red chinoiserie plate// Chinoiserie Wastebasket (also in black and yellow) // beautiful red Chinoiserie lamp

Middle Row, left to right: bird toile napkins //  Chinoiserie outdoor wing chair  //  blue and white ceramic jar $49

Bottom Row, left to right: blue plate only $7!!(red and yellow)  // Chinoiserie French stool, a good deal at $165 // Bamboo gold accent table

Personal
To be honest I’ve been working like a dog because I have vacation coming up.  You know how that goes, essentially have to put in 4 weeks of work into 3 so you can have a week off!

On The Blog
After I styled my table this week for a pretty French pink table setting, it had me looking back at my post when I was lusting for lustreware!  Ever heard of lustreware? It is a very pretty pink porcelain.

Favorite Instagram of the Week
If you didn’t know already, I’m obsessed with Instagram!!  I love choosing my favorite IG of the week. I have a hard time choosing every time!  I would love for you to follow me on Instagram! 
This week my favorite pic are these pink velvet French settee and chair in front of an antique tapestry! Love!!  This account by Julio Lima is full of pretty decorating inspiration!

Sharing at these parties!  Friday FavoritesFive on FridayOh Hey, Friday!

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagramtumblrtwitterpinterest, and google plus

Follow:

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #233

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hello everyone! Welcome back for another Thursday Favorite Things Link Party!!!  My favorite thing this week was my French pink table setting for Spring!  My flowers are still looking just as pretty as when I photographed them this weekend below. I wrote about them in my post here.

French table with fresh pink and white ranunculus

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Link Party

So that’s what I’ve been up to. Now onto my favorite posts from the party last week!

Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul shared “Tiptoe Through the Daffodils“… a post full of beautiful Spring decor, fresh flowers, bunnies, and enough Mackenzie-Childs to make me drool!

 

Old Things New Blog did a makeover for her French Country bar stools. They look fab now, you all should see the before!

Rosemary at An Italian in my Kitchen shared her recipe for Spaghetti Broccoli Arugula with Pecorino.  If you didn’t know, Rosemary is one of the Thursday Favorite Things Co-hostesses and she shares the tastiest looking Italian recipes on her blog! I’m always drooling at her pics.

Pat at Bringing French Country Home shared her Spring Changes in the French Country Dining Room. I really loved this little vignette below, it looks like she’s ready for a picnic! 


That’s it for this week’s features.  I’m curious to see what you will share with us all next!  Thank you all for stopping by. 

Katherine-Katherines Corner 

 Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage 

 Debi- Surroundings by Debi 

Betty- My Cozy Corner 

 Rosemary-An Italian In My Kitchen 

 Rina-I Thee Cook 

 Pam-Over 50 Feeling 40

Olivia-Reinvented Collection 

 Shellie-The Fabulous Journey 

 Marilyn-Marilyns Treats 

 Angelina –Peonies and Orange Blossoms 

 Jennifer- A Well Styled Life


It all starts with a simple act of kindness. Please visit at least two of the blogs ahead of you on the hop list. It will result in a much more satisfying hop experience. 


PLEASE link to your blog post, not your home page. You can link up to 3 posts.


YES you can link your giveaways.  Please add them to the give away page at Katherines Corner too.


NO links to your shop/services or other blog hops, please. You can add your hop to Katherine’s blog hop page.


OPTIONAL link back or blog/social share is always appreciated.


Adding your link to this blog hop gives Katherine and her hostesses’ permission to share your posts and pictures via social media, on pinterest and as features on their blogs.


Happy Hopping!

If you are a not a blogger, you can still enjoy this party! You simply click on a link below any of the thumbnails and you will be taken directly to the post!


An InLinkz Link-up

Follow:

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Today’s post is about Chinoiserie decor and how to add it to your home.  If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you may be thinking, uhh, what’s this have to do with your Euro-centric decorating style? Well, let me explain.  First, what is Chinoiserie? It is a French word that means “in the Chinese style”.  It is a European style of decorating that reached its height of popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries.  It was made extremely popular by Louis XIV and his Petit Trianon.This post may contain affiliate links. 

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
Pure Louis XV style with Chinoiserie decor. Chateau de Haroue in France , photo from the Vendome Press
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

That’s why when decorating with French design in mind, using Chinoiserie is totally acceptable!  A lot of it is from France!  One of the prominent artists was Jean-Baptiste Pillement.  He is the artist that is most widely known for popularizing Chinoiserie and is also known for French Rococo.  He designed for many of the royal courts of Europe.

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
Jean Baptiste Pillement’s chinoiserie panel

Most people do not know that Chinoiserie is not from China!  Most of the works that the artists created were influenced by original Chinese works and then stylized with a whimsical European spirit!  This significantly cheaper than importing the real deal!  Owning a piece of Chinoiserie made you the ultimate style icon.  That’s one reason why the Chinoiserie style is so versatile – it’s a mix of real and fake!

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
Louis XIV marquetry chest with chinoiserie silk wall paper

There are ways to add some Chinoiserie style into your home, French-style or not! The style had a huge repertoire: wallpapers, porcelain, silk, fans, fabrics, faux bois bamboo furniture, and lacquered furniture!

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home

While it seems like Chinoiserie is becoming a popular decor trend, I see it more as a timeless decor trend… it’s been around for hundreds of years!  Now, don’t get to themed with this style.  A piece or two of it in the room and that’s it!

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
Louis XV canvas panels from Paris
French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
Reconstruction of how Madame de Pompadour’s room looked like

So, let’s look an some examples of how to incorporate Chinoiserie style into modern times…

1.  Adding Porcelain Plates
You can arrange blue chinoiserie plates on the wall, like the two pictures below.

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home

Don’t you just love this French kitchen below and the painted walls and ceiling?

French chinoiserie kitchen in pale blue

2. Decorating with interesting vases

A popular way to add Chinoiserie to your home is decorating with the blue and white vases.  I like how they are styled in the picture below.  Notice the French settee!

 

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
source: chinoiserie chic from Carolyne Roehm

However if the blue and white porcelain is not your thing, you could always decorate with a pretty vase like this below! I love the colors of this.

Louis XIV terracotta vase

Or for a more minimalist look, prints of blue vases are displayed on the gallery wall.  Notice the bamboo frames.

3. Decorate with Wallpaper
Now, this is my favorite option however it *is* the most expensive option!!  It makes for such a pretty room.  Using the wallpaper in a powder room is your most cost effective option!

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
source – The Enchanted Home
French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
Suzanne Kasler – Design in Canterbury

Below, this pretty pink room is adorned with pink Chinoiserie wallpaper which brings out the pretty pink hues in the Swedish settee.  They also added some Chinoiserie fabric pillows.  Adding a few pillows is another option!

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home

4. Decorate with Chinoiserie Panels

I liked this room below in a hotel in Paris.  It is mid-century modern style which I’m sure appeals to many people, as well as a Chinoiserie panel in the background. You can spot it in the back left with black and gold.

Below is a panel of chinoiserie wallpaper.  I love the French day bed in front of it!

grisaille wallpaper

Decorating with panels is a cheaper way to add the wallpaper look to your room.  Just purchase one panel and frame it!

5. Add Chinoiserie fabric

Another way to add the Chinoiserie look to your house is to add some fabric somewhere.  This house below has some Chinoiserie blue-vase curtains – a modernized version of Chinoiserie.

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home

This French Louis IV chair below is covered in a pretty chinoiserie toile!

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
Fauteuil a la reine, c 1755

6. Add a piece of Furniture
Here, you can see a fabulous Louis style cabinet in the Chinoiserie style black and gold lacquer!

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home
From the Chamber de la Dauphine, Palace of Versailles

Below are some of my Chinoiserie style pieces… an antique Mora clock!  It blends in well with the French painting and cabinet to the right.

I also have a Chinoiserie style tulipiere (vase).  It blends in well with my little French bud vases.

French Chinoiserie and How to Add Chinoiserie Decor to Your Home

Like this post? Check out my other posts about Chinoiserie Wallpaper HERE.

Chinoiserie Wallpapers

What do you all think? Do you like Chinoiserie?

Sources for the writing: Posh Surf SideEssential

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Five on Friday #10

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Happy April!!  I’m so happy it’s April.  It’s one of my favorite months of the year.  Everything is always such a pretty Spring green.

This post contains affiliate links.

On the Net

In this month’s Veranda, there is an article about German architect Peter Nolden and his beautiful 17th century thatched roof country cottage!  The house is located outside of Hamburg in Schleswig-Holstein, just off the North Sea in an area where my Grandmother grew up. The interior design is Scandinavian.  The website is in German, but you don’t need to read German to click pictures!! Check out the slideshow here! 

Peter Nolden's German Country Estate

Spotted

I was out shopping this weekend and found these cute hexagonal honey soaps!  They are made in Switzerland and smell wonderful! I bought one to put in my linen closet.   Do you do that?  It’s a nice way to keep your linen smelling fresh – just place a little hand soap in between the pillow cases and it will keep your linen smelling nice until you’re ready to use the sheets.  The only place I could find that sells it is here.

My other favorite soap to put in between my linens is Pre de Provence’s Verbena soap. I buy these tiny hand soaps and put them in between lots of linens!

Honigseife from Berner Overland - honey soap from Switzerland

Favorite Instagram

The flower I’m loving the most right now are these unique daffodils.  I love the double petals ones but even more I love the PINK ones! This coming Fall I’ll have to remind myself to order some of the special varieties of bulbs! Anyway, this IGer, FloretFlower has the prettiest IGs of flowers. You all have got to follow her! I feature my favorite IG of the week on my IG as well!! Follow along


Personal

Well, this past Easter weekend we worked on the garden.  We planted three different varieties of strawberries, tomatoes, jalapeños, poblano peppers, serrano peppers, zucchini, squash, green beans, corn, spinach, romaine lettuce, mixed greens, basil, cilantro… and a few others I can’t remember.  Most of them are from seed.  I love watching the plants grow! It’s amazing they grow so big from one tiny little seed!

From the Blog

I am sharing with you one of my favorite posts… it’s about tulipieres!  Here is my tulipiere made by Juliska. I just love it!!  I love that it makes such a statement with flowers!  Read the post here.

Juliska Country Estate tulipiere with Astier de Villate bud vases at Peonies and Orange Blossoms

Sharing at these parties!  Friday FavoritesFive on FridayOh Hey, Friday!

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagramtumblrtwitterpinterest, and google plus

Follow:

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #232

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Hello friends! Can you believe it’s almost April??  Before we know it, it will be time for Summer BBQ’s!!  My favorite thing this week was… Easter!!  Easter day we went on a hike with relatives – 6 miles, which was a lot for me. I was sore! But that’s okay, I had to work off some Easter chocolates!! 

Easter chocolates
Easter chocolates… spot the real vs the faux chocolates!

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Link Party

On to this week’s features!! I tweet, pin, and spread the love on google plus for all of my favorite links for the week. I’d love to do the same for everyone that joins, but I don’t have time! (Wish I did have the time, though!)

Pattie at Olla-Podrida wrote about creating a seasonal basket vignette.  Now that I’m writing this, this has inspired me to go make some tea…

 Sheila at My Kentucky Living shared this cute Easter vignette.  I love the pastel colored eggs and the little chicks!

Sheila at Maison de Cinq shared a very pretty post about Swedish Mora clocks.  I think she may be my blogging twin, I was thinking about Mora clocks that same day too!

Raquel at Organized Island shared about her trip to Vienna.  She includes good advice for first time visitors. I’ve never been to Vienna but it’s on my bucket list!

On to the party!!

Katherine-Katherines Corner 

 Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage 

 Debi- Surroundings by Debi 

Betty- My Cozy Corner 

 Rosemary-An Italian In My Kitchen 

 Rina-I Thee Cook 

 Pam-Over 50 Feeling 40

Olivia-Reinvented Collection 

 Shellie-The Fabulous Journey 

 Marilyn-Marilyns Treats 

 Angelina –Peonies and Orange Blossoms 

 Jennifer- A Well Styled Life


It all starts with a simple act of kindness. Please visit at least two of the blogs ahead of you on the hop list. It will result in a much more satisfying hop experience. 


PLEASE link to your blog post, not your home page. You can link up to 3 posts.


YES you can link your giveaways.  Please add them to the give away page at Katherines Corner too.


NO links to your shop/services or other blog hops, please. You can add your hop to Katherine’s blog hop page.


OPTIONAL link back or blog/social share is always appreciated.


Adding your link to this blog hop gives Katherine and her hostesses’ permission to share your posts and pictures via social media, on pinterest and as features on their blogs.


Happy Hopping!

If you are a not a blogger, you can still enjoy this party! You simply click on a link below any of the thumbnails and you will be taken directly to the post!


An InLinkz Link-up

Follow:

Happy Easter!

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Happy Easter everyone!  As I know most of you are all hopping off to church and then to brunch, I’ll keep it light today and leave you with a few Easter pictures!

Hope you have a nice day with friends and family!  Back on Tuesday with the next regular post!

You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagramtwitterpinterest, and google plus

Follow:

Five on Friday #9

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

I would like to say that writing Five on Friday is probably my favorite blogpost that I write every week.  I hope you all have been enjoying the Five on Friday posts that I’ve been doing!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.



On the Net

I found this article about this pretty home in California built in the French Chateau style.  It’s absolutely beautiful.  Enjoy the house tour here.  To be honest, living here is probably nicer than living in one of the old French chateaus… less maintenance!! 

Spotted
Ok everyone! It’s Nordstrom’s Triple Points week!!  If you are a Nordstrom card holder, do not let this opportunity go to waste! So, yes, I’ve been shopping!!  This is what I’ve purchased…

1 – These are my favorite sandals and I have them in gold and just bought them in Navy.  I can’t sing enough praise about them: Tory Burch ‘Miller’ Flip Flop 

2 – As I’m headed to Hawaii next month, I’m trying out different sunscreens. My mom swears by this one: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50+

3– But this Clinique Sunscreen SPF 50 for the face is about half the price. So I think I’m going to go with this one. 

4– Now, I know we all love these Valentino ‘Rockstud’ Gladiator Sandals!  But they are a splurge. Well guess what… I found a knock off…
5-…here’s the knock off! Rebecca Minkoff ‘Georgina’ Studded Leather Sandal. It’s like… 1/10 the price! They’re on their way in the mail, I hope I like them!
6– I felt like the knock off was a mix between this version: Valentino ‘Rockstud’ Sandal and the version in #4!
7– Ted Baker London ‘Hanging Gardens’ Silk Scarf – Isn’t this such a pretty silk scarf??  My mom actually bought it (but I am going to borrow it from her closet!)
8– Lavender spa blanket – okay. This is my *favorite* thing to use when I’m having sore muscles or menstrual cramps. You just throw it in the microwave for a minute or two.  Then you put it on whatever is sore.  It’s a pretty big size, so you can wrap it around your shoulders like a shawl. Oh, did I mention the lavender makes a nice aromatherapy? I bought a new one because mine was super old.
9 –  I ordered these drawstring Linen Pants.  I thought they would be nice for the airplane (yes I know they will get wrinkled, I don’t really care). I also thought they would be a nice transition from Spring to Summer!

Favorite Instagram
I saw this picture from @fabiolacapomillinery on Instagram and I thought it was just so pretty! I had to share it with you all!  I also feature it on my instagram!

Personal
This week in my spare time I’ve been updating my blog.  I have two new pages, Building a French Farmhouse and Trip to Paris. I’ve updated the About Me page as well.  I’ve added the SumoMe app making it easier to share posts!

From the Blog
Almost a year to date I wrote this post about antique Swedish mora clocks!  I was dreaming about them, then I bought my own! I hope you’ll read the post, if you like mora clocks you’ll love all of the clocks in the post!

Swedish Mora clocks - Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Sharing at these parties!  Friday FavoritesFive on FridayOh Hey, Friday!

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #231

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Can you believe another week has flown by and Easter is just around the corner?? I am so happy that it is now finally Spring! 

This link party is shared across *twelve* different blogs.  I encourage you to join in, share your posts, and visit others!  Onto this week’s features…

Christine at Little Brags shared her cute Easter porch! I love the hen in the little nest.

I saw this tutorial on how to make concrete countertops and it made me think of Chip and Joanna on Fixer Upper. We’ve seen Chip do this several times! DIY Fun Ideas has this great tutorial!

 Be Fed Again shares her experience going to a Master Chef try-out.  It’s really interesting… I’ve always been curious how they pick contestants for cooking shows!

And last by not least, I totally love this French Country Farmhouse table from our very own co-host, Olivia, at Reinvented Collection!

Katherine-Katherines Corner 

 Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage 

 Debi- Surroundings by Debi 

Betty- My Cozy Corner 

 Rosemary-An Italian In My Kitchen 

 Rina-I Thee Cook 

 Pam-Over 50 Feeling 40

Olivia-Reinvented Collection 

 Shellie-The Fabulous Journey 

 Marilyn-Marilyns Treats 

 Angelina –Peonies and Orange Blossoms 

 Jennifer- A Well Styled Life


It all starts with a simple act of kindness. Please visit at least two of the blogs ahead of you on the hop list. It will result in a much more satisfying hop experience. 


PLEASE link to your blog post, not your home page. You can link up to 3 posts.


YES you can link your giveaways.  Please add them to the give away page at Katherines Corner too.


NO links to your shop/services or other blog hops, please. You can add your hop to Katherine’s blog hop page.


OPTIONAL link back or blog/social share is always appreciated.


Adding your link to this blog hop gives Katherine and her hostesses’ permission to share your posts and pictures via social media, on pinterest and as features on their blogs.


Happy Hopping!

If you are a not a blogger, you can still enjoy this party! You simply click on a link below any of the thumbnails and you will be taken directly to the post!


An InLinkz Link-up

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Easter Chocolates in Paris

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

I have some real eye candy for you today in celebration of Easter this weekend! All of the chocolates in this post are from chocolatiers in Paris!

The nice part about this Easter candy is that it is calorie-free!  Isn’t the little chocolate Easter vignette below so cute???

Enjoy the feast for the eyes…

Le Marquis de Laduree

Pierre Herme
Arnaud Lehrer
Jean Paul Hevin

Arnaud Lehrer

Arnaud Lehrer

A la Mere du Famille
Pierre Herme
Alain Ducasse

Anraut Lehrer

I like this Wild West Easter series from Lenotre! The red chicken on the cactus below cracks me up!

Lenotre
La Maison du Chocolat

La Maison du Chocolat

Arnaud Larher

I hope you enjoyed this little Easter chocolate round-up from Paris! Happy Easter!

linking up at: amaze me monday The Scoop!  Metamorphosis Monday’s Inspire Me Tuesday Cooking and Crafting with J&J Wow us Wednesdays! Moonlight and Mason Jars Share Your Style Thursday Favorite ThingsThoughts of Home Home Sweet Home Feathered Nest Fridays Foodie Friday & Everything Else  Best of the Weekend Share it One More Time

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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From the Shop

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Air Heart Sunglasses
Le Pliage Torchon XS Top Handle Bag With Strap
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Chuck Taylor® All Star® Lift High Top Platform Sneaker
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