Uncategorized - Petite Haus

Betty- My Cozy Corner

Rina-I Thee Cook

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!

Follow:

Angelina March 11, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday #7

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.

Is it Friday again? I heard other parts of the country are on Spring Break already! Wow!! This year is flying by fast!
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

On the Net
I found this article about Feau & Cie, a company from Paris that specializes in period wood panels. They sell rooms of the panels – from the designers of Napoleon’s Empire style to eproduction pieces. Just go take a look at the eye candy! Isn’t the door below just so pretty??

Personal

My husband and I went to San Francisco for a date day-trip this past weekend. We walked over 5 miles in the city. Doesn’t seem like a big deal, until you realize that a good part of our walk looked like this:

yes that is a giant incline!

Yes, I was huffing and puffing! On our walk, we strolled past pretty houses like the one below…

We then had lunch at our other favorite bakery, Craftsman & Wolves. Hubby had a sandwich and I had potato, leek, broccoli, and celery soup. Then for dessert: a pistachio, honey, and kumquat eclair!

And for my husband, a sipping caramel and chocolate, caramel, and passion fruit cake. Everything was amazing.

Well, little did we know that San Francisco was going to have record rainfall the day we decided to walk around!! Got a little wet, but I wore my new Barbour coat that kept me warm and dry! I’m so happy with my new coat! It’s okay, being from the Northwest, a little rain never stopped me from having a nice day!

Went through Golden Gate park and found… buffalo?! huh! Yep here they are…

Stumbled across this pretty windmill with tulips too! I felt like I was in Holland for a second! You can see it was pouring down rain. I didn’t take a picture of the Pacific Ocean, but let me tell you, the waves were raging!!

Spotted
While we were in San Francisco, we of course went shopping! Spotted these cool sunglasses… perfect for Spring Break!! I actually did try on all of these below. I liked #4 the best, but I would have to find a place that can make them prescription for me. The ones I currently wear are kind of like #2 but are tortoiseshell instead.

1 / 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

Favorite Tip of the Week
My favorite tip this week involves reheating day-old croissants. We bought some croissants from my favorite bakery, B. Patisserie, in San Francisco for breakfast the next morning. We were unsure how they would taste being a day old. So we found out how to enjoy them – Reheat at 350F in the oven for 5 minutes. And voila! Almost as good as the day before!

buy a croissant at your favorite bakery if you’re nearby – heat up the next day for enjoyment!

Favorite Instagram

I saw this photo and it reminded me of my trip to Paris almost a year ago! We would walk by this exact square every day as the apartment we rented was right by here!

If you’re stopping by from one of the link parties below I’d love for you to leave me a comment so I know who was here!!

Sharing at these parties! Friday Favorites, Five on Friday, Oh Hey, Friday!

Follow:

Angelina March 10, 2016 Uncategorized

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Link Party #229

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.

We’re back with another Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop! If this is your first time here, this is a blog link party featured across twelve different blogs! I know it’s technically Wednesday night, but it is already Thursday across the pond and that’s why it’s called Thursday Favorite Things.

My favorite thing this week was going to San Francisco with my husband. We walked 5 miles (in what turned out to be record rainfall for the city). By the way, um, 5 miles in San Francisco isn’t so easy. The map forgot to include the *steep* inclines on some of the hills!! Anyway, now onto this week’s features…

Old Things New shared this pretty Spring bouquet in a garden urn! Puts me in the mood for Spring!!

I just love this Easter tablescape that Southern Seazons shared with us! I like the cabbage napkin rings!

Are you noticing a theme? I’m into Spring tables right now….

I love this Spring tablescape from Rosemary and Thyme as well! Aren’t the egg-filled nests cute?

Check out this French cabinet renovation that The Curator’s Collection shared!

I like to tweet and share my features on google plus every week. But if you weren’t featured, thats okay, we still like to share some social media love by trying to pin one image from everyone of our linkers to our pinterest board every week!

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Betty- My Cozy Corner

Rina-I Thee Cook

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!

Follow:

Angelina March 8, 2016 French Country

Dining Room Inspiration – Which Way to Arrange the Table?

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.

When designing the dining room, I was faced with the question: Which way do you want to have your table facing?

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

Frankly it was something I hadn’t given any thought. Then I started thinking… when I walk into a room, do I like seeing my table head-on first or seeing the side of the table first? Um, both?? I have to choose though. So I went to the ‘net. What do the designers do?

This is what I mean by seeing the table head-on first: You are able to look down both sides of the table. The table is sitting parallel in the room.

This is what I mean by seeing the side of the table first, below. The table is perpendicular in the room.

Head of the table first…

Side of the table first…

Oh, if you are wondering what table I have, it’s this one below from Restoration Hardware. It is 10 ft long by about 5 ft wide.

Okay, back to looking at other pics… Head of the table first…

Side of the table…

I’ll just stop talking now and let you just look at the pictures. Think about what you think looks best. I’ll recap my thoughts at the bottom.

from Bunny Williams

This dining room is really beautiful, love the gray-green wood paneling and plates. Oops, got distracted. I’m SUPPOSED to be looking at which way to place the table.

from Mary McDonald

from Tara Shaw

from Mary McDonald

from Martin Lawrence Bullard

Follow Peonies & Orange Blossoms’s board Inspiration-Dining Room on Pinterest.

from Tara Shaw

Viewing the dining table head-on when walking into a room has some pros – it’s easier for guests to walk down each side of the table and it’s easier to serve guests as well. You don’t have to walk all the way around the table to sit or serve.

Having the dining table view from the side makes quite a pretty sight – you can see the pretty table settings that I like to set.

When I was looking for inspiration for this article I noticed a trend… there was about 70-80% of the tables were photographed head-on. Then the remaining 20-30% were shot the other way. Thus, it seems that the preferred way to have the table arranged in the room is to have it sitting parallel, or head-on, when you walk into the room. So, that’s the way I’m leaning to have it.

What do you all think? Is this something you’ve ever given any thought to? Or do you have a round table so it’s a non-issue?

Sources – the House Beautiful Pictures were from This Article.
Architectural Digest pictures are from here
Veranda Pictures are from here

linking up at: amaze me monday The Scoop! Metamorphosis Monday’s Inspire Me Tuesday Wow us Wednesdays! Moonlight and Mason Jars Share Your Style Thursday Favorite Things, Thoughts 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

Follow:

Angelina March 4, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday #6

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’m excited about this week’s Five on Friday. It is *picture* heavy so give it a moment to load!
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

On the Web
An Australian couple purchased a rundown French château… and are remodeling it. Check out their journey on remodeling the Château de Gudanes! The project started two years ago and it made a bunch of news across the web… yes, they are still working on it. Have you seen it recently?

Personal
Some pictures from last weekend’s antique show in Hillsborough!!!

Transferware in every color!

A $25,000 Aubusson, le sigh, can’t come home with me 🙁

Two large antique wooden swans, reminds me of the one I have. These are $3500, from the 1920s.

I love the purple transfer ware color.

I didn’t know what I wanted an antique barometer until now.

Cute cute cute painted French cabinet! I wish I had this for my non-existent powder room I haven’t built yet!

Oscar Favorites
Did you all watch the Oscars? I didn’t this year as I was working but also frankly I wasn’t really interested in any of the movies that were nominated.
I was actually totally underwhelmed by the fashions the celebrities wore this year too! Usually I dedicate an entire blog post to my favorite fashions but I only had four favorites! Geez.

Don’t know this actress but she’s wearing a sunny Louis Vuitton dress.

Cate Blanchett wearing Armani! I think this is my favorite dress of all of them.

Jennifer Garner looks very elegant in this black number by Atelier Versace.

I don’t know who this actress is but I think she is wearing Elie Saab, who always makes such dreamy gowns.

Isla Fischer in Marchesa, I like the shape of this dress a lot.

Daisy Ridley of the new new Star Wars fame in a cute little Chanel dress.

Favorite Instagram

Spotted
Ok, I went shopping. There is seriously some super cute Easter decor out there right now. Here’s what caught my eye SO FAR.

Clockwise, starting from top left:
I bought the bunny standing up with the vase on its back, but heres the bunny and wagon and the smaller one . I can’t wait to use the vase!!!
Top, right: If I didn’t already own bunny rabbit napkins I’d buy these ones!! Aren’t they the cutest?
Middle, right: This rustic Easter wreath with the nest is super duper cute!
Bottom, right: I bought this cute bunny apron and embroidered my name on it, perfect for Spring baking!! I can’t stop saying cute!
Bottom, middle: This rabbit pillow is also, um, CUTE! Wouldn’t it look nice a bed?
Bottom, left: These Medici almonds are seriously the best Jordan almonds I’ve ever had, they shouldn’t be even in the same category of Jordan almonds. I’ve eaten like the whole box already. Wish I bought the large box! Yes I know they are expensive but they *taste* expensive and thats that. So go get some, I won’t tell anyone you also ate the whole box.

If you’re stopping by from one of the link parties below I’d love for you to leave me a comment so I know who was here!!

Sharing at these parties! Friday Favorites, Five on Friday, Oh Hey, Friday!

Follow:

Angelina March 3, 2016 Uncategorized

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #228

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.

We’re back with another week of Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!! I really do enjoy visiting so many posts that you all link up! It’s so much fun finding things that I may not have found otherwise. Is this your first time visiting with our link party?? It is a link party shared across TWELVE different blogs with all different audiences!

I am loving the features this week! I do a little extra social media sharing with my features, I like to tweet and share on google plus! These posts need to be SEEN!

I thought this shabby chic baby shower from Hoopla Palooza was so cute. I especially like the pink roses on the cake.

This cherry almond flourless cake from Only Taste Matters is something I know my Mom would LOVE. I chose this one for you, Mom! It looks just so good!

I thought you all might love this master bedroom wood plank fireplace makeover that the Painted Hinge did with her husband! You should see the before!

Thistlewood Farms shared four Spring table decorating ideas. Her pictures are really beautiful.

It’s time to share your blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop!

Please follow your wonderful hostesses.

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Betty- My Cozy Corner

Rina-I Thee Cook

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!

Follow:

Angelina February 28, 2016 Uncategorized

Designing a Master Bathroom – Inspiration and Floor Plans

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.

Well I’m quite excited today because this is the first post on my blog completely dedicated to our house build!! If you didn’t know, we are building our dream house. To give you an idea – it’s out in the country on some acreage. We have cows as neighbors! (yes, I’m excited about it and we can’t smell them – I find cows less annoying than leaf blowers, sirens, car alarms, and neighbor’s barking dogs).
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

We met with our architect recently and saw our first draft of our floor plan. What I am going to talk about today is what we’re struggling with in the design: the master suite… and mainly, the master bathroom.

Here’s the deal with our master bathroom. We aren’t going to have a bathtub because frankly, we *never* take a bath and it seems like a waste of space and money. AND if I were to pick out a bathtub, it would have to be a freestanding beautiful one that will cost $10k. Not something I want to spend money on when it will never be used. And for those of you who are shocked by the no-tub thing, there will be another tub in a guest suite that will be very nice to accommodate children and bath-takers.

sorry, no expensive beautiful tub for me. source

Other things about the design… we are going to have double vanities. We are thinking a pair of either this one or this one from Restoration Hardware. The question is, how do we arrange the bathroom??

Other things we are wanting for the bathroom – large walk in shower with double shower heads, bench. Toilet in a separate toilet room. A place for a linen closet. And also a place for a towel warmer.

A few shower inspiration photos. I am thinking marble shower using 12×12 tiles on the wall.

I think this one below may be my favorite…

Or maybe this one, ha! They’re all so pretty.

Instead of a bathtub, I’m going to have a pretty vanity/makeup table. I think that’s how we can add drama back into the bathroom as it seems that the bathtub is usually the focal point. Hmm, guess I’ll have to go shopping for a fabulous antique French vanity table to put in front of the window….

When you look at these pictures, instead of a bathtub I want you to picture a fabulous make-up table vanity there instead. That’s how I’m seeing it.

These photos all have different styles. What I’m focusing on is the bathroom layout. I really like the symmetry of the vanities across from each other. Imagine the pretty dressing table where the tub is in the above picture. In the picture below, again I notice I’m drawn to the symmetry. I think its pleasing to the eye and therefore relaxing.

A different type of layout from the two above. Hmmm…

source: my own picture

Again, love the two vanities, perhaps the makeup table could go in between the vanities under the window. Now though, how is the rest of this bathroom arranged? Where would the shower go? These are questions I’m thinking when looking at the pictures.

Now, this is pretty. Again, the symmetry is nice on the left. A pretty vanity where the tub is. Is the toilet room the door on the left? I think I’d make it that. I think the photographer is standing in the shower. This is nice. Oh, and I totally love all the decor in the bathroom too.

Smaller vanities next to each other, we could do this. How cute are the Monsieur and Madame tiles??

These vanities below are laid out close to each other but I still like it. How is the shower placed though??

This is nice too. The style is contemporary but we aren’t looking at that. Maybe instead of a fireplace, a French armoire to be used as a linen closet? Yes, I think so.

In this layout below, we could just remove the tub from the center. Perhaps the shower is on the left and the toilet on the right.

Traditional Bathroom by El Dorado Hills General Contractors Lee Construction

Here is a bathroom I really love! I do like the built-in cabinets as they look like furniture. I think this bathroom has a really nice lay out. Now, how do I incorporate this into my house plan overall, hmm…

Now, here are some actual sketches of bathroom floor plans that caught my eye. In the one below, I do like how the closets buffer noise from the bathroom. I would remove the linen closet and put symmetrical double vanities there. Also remove the door back from the bathroom to the WIC entrance. Tub turns into a table.

Now, this is nice. Again I like how the closets buffer the noise. Although, the shower is too small for us, we’d have to bump it out.

In the large floor plan below, I’m just focusing on the master suite and bathroom. Has a nice flow to it. Although I don’t need double toilets.

Now on to the overall feel of the bathroom. I am wanting it to feel not so much like a bathroom. I want it to feel like a bit of a spa/retreat. I want some furniture in the bathroom. Instead of a traditional linen closet that’s built in, why not use an antique French armoire?? It adds drama and style. I would like a chair or a bench too, so you can put your robe down or sit!

The bathroom below I am in love with. It doesn’t feel like a bathroom, does it? It feels like a spa! French armoire as a linen closet! table in the middle! Oh, an Aubusson rug! J’adore! I think this picture is the overall “feel” I’m going for.

*love* this bathroom source

Instead of an antique armoire, the person below used an antique secretary as a linen closet! I think it is *so* interesting. I love it.

This scene below has such a nice vignette, if you put your hand over the bottom half of the picture, you wouldn’t think you’re in a bathroom!

Don’t you think these bathrooms with real furniture in them are really cool?

Want to know another bonus of using nontraditional furniture in the bathroom – pieces can be picked up cheaper than built-in cabinets! Go to estate sales, antique stores, flea markets. We can find pieces for cheaper and that are made of solid wood! Built-ins, especially custom built-ins, are a pretty penny!

Look at how someone made this French cabinet into a double vanity! So clever and so totally cute.

One last inspiration picture…

linking up at: amaze me monday Heart and Home Monday The Scoop! BNOTP Mon Inspire Me Tuesday Wow us Wednesdays! Lehman Lane Moonlight and Mason Jars Share Your Style Thursday Favorite Things, Thoughts 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

So, that’s what I’m thinking for the master bathroom. Writing a post about it helped me organize my thoughts!

What do you think about using non-traditional furniture (like an armoire, table, secretary) in the bathroom?? Leave me a comment!

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagram, tumblr, twitter, pinterest, and google plus.

Follow:

Angelina February 26, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday #5

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.

You all seemed to like the new format for Five on Friday! Hooray! I’m liking it too.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

On the net….
1. Earlier this week I blogged about driving around Napa and looking at the Napa Valley home style. I thought I would share a beautiful Napa home designed by Richard Hallberg, it is a slideshow of his top 10 decorating tips and images of the beautiful house below.

2. Are you a No-Reply blogger? That means when you leave a comment, people cannot reply back to you to let you know that they’ve responded to your comment. Guess what. I discovered I was a no-reply blogger! *gasp* I didn’t used to be, but when I switched my blogspot profile over to a google+ profile, it switched me. This tutorial here teaches you if you are a no-reply blogger, and if you are, how you fix it!

Spotted…
A perfume fit for a queen, literally! The Palace of Versailles and Guerlain perfume teamed up to create a perfume named “Le Bouquet de la Reine”, or “The Queen’s Bouquet”. The scent’s inspiration is from the gardens of Versailles, and in particular Jasmine, her favorite flower. It is a limited edition perfume made to help raise money to restore the Palace Apartments. You can read more here and purchase it if you wish, up until May 17.

The bottle of the perfume has the Sun King’s 23-point sun designed on it

From the Blog…
Since Springtime is around the corner, I enjoyed revisiting my post about tulipieres. A What? AKA a fancy vase that stacks way high and shows off your flowers individually. I *love* mine! There are many different types of tulipieres, you need to check it out.

Favorite Instagram

I couldn’t decide. I *love* this floral arrangement below.

And this English hunt below really did happen recently. Don’t you love the English and their traditions?

Personal…
I’m getting ready for Spring and I purchased this totally cute linen tunic from Nordstrom. I bought it and put together this cute little Spring outfit.

Shop my outfit: linen tunic / gold sandals / purse/ hat /

If you are popping on by from Friday Favorites I’d love for you to leave me a comment! I love all of your comments and I’ll pop on by your blog and do the same! Sharing at these parties! Friday Favorites, Five on Friday, Oh Hey, Friday!

Sharing at the parties above!

You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagram and twitter

Follow:

Angelina February 25, 2016 Uncategorized

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #227

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.

You all know what time of the week it is? Blog Hop Time!

My favorite thing this week was that first house plan for the house that we are building was unveiled to us! I am so excited about it! We met with the architect this week and it is all so exciting (and scary at the same time!). I will be blogging about our house build, when I have more things to talk about, but in the interest of privacy I won’t be putting the floor plan on the internet!

If you didn’t know, this blog hop is across *twelve* blogs, so by linking up you get a lot of exposure! We also started a new pinterest board and are trying to pin one image from everyone who links a post with us!

Anyway, let’s get on to some of my favorite link ups from last week! You all have so many inspiring and interesting posts, it is hard for me to choose a few!

Our MT Nest wrote about her trip to Magnolia Market!!! Are you all Fixer Upper fans? If you are, you need to go check it out!

White Grey Home shared this cute mudroom. I love the little olive tree she brought inside, she said she only brings the olive tree in for Winter, but I think it would look cute there year ’round too!

Maison de Cinq wrote this interesting post about the importance of using antiques to decorate. She writes about how using just one antique piece in each room makes the decorating much more interesting and unique.

Old Things New shared this cute French Country drop cloth tablecloth tutorial. It seems pretty easy to make even for those who aren’t super crafty!

It’s time to share your blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop!

Please follow your wonderful hostesses.

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Betty- My Cozy Corner

Rina-I Thee Cook

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!

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

Follow:

Angelina February 23, 2016 Uncategorized

Meal Kit Delivery – Blue Apron Vegetarian Review

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.

Have you heard of meal kit deliveries? If not, let me explain: every week you can have a meal kit delivered to your front door. The kit is complete with just enough of the fresh ingredients to make the designated amount of food. Consider it a mix of… grocery shopping, meal planning, and trying out new recipes all in one box!

Today’s review is about Blue Apron. Oh, by the way, Blue Apron did not pay me to write this post, I just decided to write about it on my own!

Broccolini and goat cheese polenta with red onion jam and soft boiled egg

Let’s continue on, shall we?

How it works: Blue Apron offers once-a-week meal options for either 2 person or 4 person families. You will get to make 3 meals per week. You select which day of the week you want to accept your delivery. You choose your meal type (beef, chicken, or in my case, vegetarian) and then choose which meals you would like. For me, there are 3 vegetarian options every week.

vegetarian options

As you can see, every meal is planned out for the week. If you look closely, you can see that some of the weeks I have chosen to Skip a Delivery… either I didn’t like the menu choice OR I already have plans that week and won’t be around to make it.

If you are not a vegetarian, you can see you have more meal options to choose from: however, you can’t do every single possible combination – some combinations are limited and I don’t know why.

What’s in the box? (It’s a 12-16lb box, I forgot to take a picture).

All of your ingredients are individually packaged with a meal card. As you can see, they give you just enough ingredients for each meal. Example, below you only have 3 leaves of Swiss chard instead of a whole head.

Here is an example of the recipe card they send you. I like how the recipe card is laid out. It is easy to read with blue fonts for the ingredients. And then as you can see, step-by-step illustrated instructions. It is easy to follow.

And here is the finished product: Fresh beet linguine with Swiss chard, goat cheese, and toasted walnuts

Here is another one of the meals, Shiitake mushroom and cabbage dumplings with garlic roasted tatsoi.

…and here’s what’s left of the dumpling because we were hungry and ate them before I could take a picture!!

How does it taste?

Actually, surprisingly good!! I was a little iffy about some of these recipes because they are not meals I would have normally chosen to make for myself. But they were actually really good. They also seemed to be pretty healthy too.

How much does it cost?

The 2-person plan has one delivery a week with 3 meals portioned for two people. The price is $60 per six serving delivery, making is $10 per serving. Shipping is free.

The 4-person family plan comes with either 2 or 4 meals per week, depending on what you choose. This starts at $70 per eight-serving delivery (so two 4-person meals) or $8.74 per serving.

How does the cost compare to competitors?

Hello Fresh is a bit more expensive but has a few more vegetarian options, with 2 and 4 person subscriptions and 3 meals per week. The 2 person plan is $69 per week ($11.50 per serving) and family plan is $129 per week ($10.75 per serving)

Plated is even more expensive, but you have a lot more options to choose from. A 2 person 3-meal order would be $72 per week, or $12 per serving. This company also has some super gourmet meals too that you can order.

Pros

-Made me try new vegetables that I wouldn’t have otherwise chosen to cook – a feat for a lifelong vegetarian!

-Tried new recipes that I wouldn’t have tried otherwise

-Took out a trip to the store and the hassle of meal planning

-Recipes were easy to follow

-No food waste leftover – a problem for my husband and I we usually have to throw food away because it goes bad faster than we can eat it

-You can choose to skip a week – and you won’t be charged. Perfect for flexible schedules

-Dishes seem to be pretty healthy and well-balanced meals. Oh, did I mention they look pretty?

Cons

-Kind of expensive at $10per person to eat at home, however cheaper than going to a restaurant with gourmet type food

-Sometimes I felt like it wasn’t a whole meal, for instance, the day of the Shiitake mushroom dumpling I was still hungry after eating. I felt like sometimes it need a little more – on beet linguine day we added a small side salad.

-There is a lot of recycling with their packaging which takes up a ton of space in the recycle bins, but they do have a program where you can ship back the trash free of charge.

Overall, I am happy with Blue Apron and will continue to use them. We go through the menus each week and decide if we want to order that week or not. If we are too busy that week or aren’t interested in the menu, we simply “Skip the Delivery” (and won’t get charged on our card). If you don’t feel like you’re a “good cook” then I recommend these for you because you will feel like a chic chef afterwards! If you’re busy and on the run all the time, these could be nice too.

Written at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

Follow:

Angelina February 19, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday #4

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’m changing Friday Favorites just a wee bit. Each week I’ll try to stick to general topics… some will always be the same, like “on the net”… which would have an interesting link that I found on the net. The “spotted” category would have something that I thought was cool that I spotted.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

I may change the others around, like “favorite food”, which is self explanatory… or “personal”, that category would have what I was up to this week in real life…or favorite instagram, because I LOVE instagram… On the Blog, for things that I’ve blogged about before as I know a lot of you are new to my blog. Okay, let’s get this started…

On the ‘net…
Julia Child’s French Country estate where she learned to cook is up for sale. You can check out the estate here!

image from Veranda

Spotted…
These cute cherry blossom tennis shoes. I am sure they are going to sell out quickly!

Personal…
We went hiking this President’s Day Weekend. We crossed a stream using the fallen log (or you could have rock-hopped across but the water was high so we went with the log). We felt like the Oregon Trail pioneers going across the stream! Do you remember that computer game?

Favorite Instagram…

I have a thing for orange flowers and roses, I’m going to turn all these embroidered lovelies into pendants. I also really love the color grey ..#greyandorange yes please! #saturdaymorningfun #handembroidery #monograms

A photo posted by Madame Hollyhock (@madame_hollyhock) on Jan 16, 2016 at 8:13am PST

From the blog…
I shared this recipe for Buttermilk scones last year. These scones are *so good*. You don’t have to make them with currants. I like to make them plain too and put jam on them.

If you are popping on by from Friday Favorites I’d love for you to leave me a comment! I love all of your comments and I’ll pop on by your blog and do the same! Sharing at these parties! Friday Favorites, Five on Friday, Oh Hey, Friday!

Sharing at the parties above!

You can also follow me by clicking on these: bloglovin, instagram and twitter

Follow:

Angelina February 18, 2016 Uncategorized

Thursday Favorite Things Blop Hop and Link Party #226!

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! I hope you all had a nice President’s Day weekend and Valentine’s Day weekend! We had a nice weekend. My favorite thing this week was going hiking with my husband and my cousin. It’s so nice to enjoy the outdoors again! Although, we’ve both hurt our legs and are limping around from our hike! oh well!!

Why should you join this link party? Well, for one, your post is on *twelve* different blogs. Also, we pin everyone’s post to our Pinterest Board! Also, link parties are fun! It is fun to go to blogs that you may not have found otherwise.

Click below to tweet:
Tweet: Share your favorite posts at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop http://bit.ly/1U7ZTPD #linkparty via @LePetit_Macaron

Every week I like to share a few of my favorites from last week’s link party! I encourage you to go check them out!!

La Memoire Vive shared a trip to the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. The pictures are beautiful!

Everyday Living shared this beautiful Spring table! Doesn’t it put you into a Spring mood??

Purple Chocolat Home shared a French macaron cooking class party she held. I love macarons so I just had to feature this!

Simply Wright shared her Grandmother’s authentic Austrian apple strudel recipe! Yum yum!

It’s time to share your blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop!

Please follow your wonderful hostesses.

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Betty- My Cozy Corner

Rina-I Thee Cook

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!