Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #231

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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

Follow:

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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What to Do 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 noticed a surge in searches for vacations in Paris recently.  I thought I would round up all of my posts from my trip to Paris last year! I didn’t realize how many posts I wrote until now! Wow, what can I say? J’adore Paris!

First things first though, as I get a lot of questions about how to dress like a Parisian.  Here’s the simplest way to dress like a Parisian:

How to dress like a Parisian: Striped shirt // black pants // chic scarf // ballet flats splurgesteal  // pretty French purse 

Alright, on to all of my posts about Paris!

How to Rent an Apartment in Paris – We rented an apartment in Paris. In this post I talk about my experience.

How to rent an apartment in Paris

A guide to eating in Paris – I write about good eats!

where to eat in Paris!

Best Shopping in Paris – Here I write about my MUST visit shops. I forgot to include Diptyque on this list!

A Paris shopping guide

Day Trip to Chateau de Fontainebleau – I *highly* recommend making the trip out to Fontainebleau. It’s little over an hour away and I explain how to get there and why you should go!

day trip to fontainebleau

A Versailles Bike Tour Review – If you are in Paris long enough, I’m sure you’ll visit Versailles. I strongly recommend doing a bike tour of Versailles – You get to see the *entire* grounds that are nearly impossible to see by foot!

Going to Versailles and going on a bike tour! A MUST do for visiting Versailles!

10 tips for surviving the Louvre – The Louvre museum is HUGE. You have to go there with a plan. If you just meander on in, you’ll be lost and you won’t see what you wanted.

Guide to surviving the Louvre

Strolling the Champs Elysees  – I wrote about our stroll down the Champs Elysees!

Champs Ulysses Walk

Walking tour of St. Germain des Pres – I wrote about walking around St. Germain des Pres- a GREAT place for shopping and dining!

St. Germain des Pres Walk

Walking the Il de la Cite – the Il de la Cite has Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle on it. A Must visit.

Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle Walk

 Pierre Herme Macarons and Pastry review – you all know I’m obsessed with macarons. I went to Pierre Herme and wrote about it. However, I ended up loving the croissant below more than any pastry ever!

Pierre Herme Macarons and Pastry Review

Laduree Paris Tea Room Review – a highlight of the trip for me!

Laduree tea room and macaron review

Buying a Louis Vuitton in Paris – yes, it’s cheaper. I wrote about my experience in this post.

buying a Louis Vuitton in Paris

Plans for a pastry tour in Paris – these were all of the pastry shops I wanted to go to. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to visit them all. Guess I’ll have to visit again!

What to pack in your carry on – The flight across the pond is LONG. Here I wrote about my favorite carry-on travel essentials to help you survive the long flight!

carry on travel essentials for international flights

What to pack and wear in Paris! – I know you want to look like a Parisian. Here I wrote about what to pack so you look tres chic and only pack one suitcase!

paris packing list

Visiting E. Dehillerin in Paris – a famous kitchen store.  If you are into cooking AT ALL this store has the coolest and most unique gadgets around.

E. dehillerin in Paris - the ultimate cooking store

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Five on Friday #8

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! Aren’t you just SO HAPPY that it’s finally not dark at 5pm anymore?? In my head, this is the first week of Spring!  I’m excited about this week’s Five on Friday, so let’s jump in!
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

From the Net

When I was looking for dining room table inspiration (which I wrote about in a post here), I ran into the prettiest Swedish Summer house.  The interior design is by Marshall Watson, and I just love the use of pale Swedish blues and greens.  Look at this entryway for example… I LOVE the mora clock, the curtains in the back are Chelsea Editions Large Check. Click here to tour the rest of this beautiful house!

Spotted
Have you gals seen the new Spring dresses from Anthropologie yet??? There are some cute dresses!  I was shopping around looking for a dress to wear in Hawaii (aka an excuse to buy a dress because I feel like it!) when I decided I COULDN’T decide!

Let’s just start with my favorite… I just love this white eyelet dress! This is perfect for Spring, Easter Brunch, Bridal showers!  It would go well with my tan I intend to get (ok, who am I getting, the sunburn I will have).  You know, the cut of it has kind of an Edwardian feel, doesn’t it?

This shirt dress looks really comfortable and it is totally figure-flattering (and forgiving!)

I really like this striped fringed dress below, I think I would actually wear it as a beach cover-up!

I love the print on the red and white dress below.  The details are really cute!

I think this chambray shift dress below is incredibly versatile!  You can wear it as a dress, you could wear it with leggings.  Don’t you think that’d be cute… perfect dress for *all* ages!

This maxi dress below is so cute with its cherry blossom print! It looks like so much fun to twirl in!

I love the Spring print on this butterfly and flower dress!

This sandstone maxi below looks really comfortable… and it would show off your Summer tan (or in my case, burn!)

This pink maxi dress below would look awfully good blowing on the breeze at the beach!

How cute are the backs of these new two dresses?? I love the dress below with the rope knot pattern. How cute would it be to wear on a cruise?? If I were going on a cruise I would FOR SURE get this one!

cute sailor dress

The black and white two-tone dress is super duper cute!! Look at those buttons! 

Which dress would YOU choose? Leave a COMMENT!

Favorite Instagram
I realized I’ve been featuring my favorite instagram on the blog but not ON instagram.  So on my instagram, (you can follow me here @LePetit_Macaron) I will be featuring this pic too!  This week’s pic is from A Parisian Moment.  It is of a shop in Paris that repairs harpsichords!

Personal
So, sometime last week I deleted my personal Facebook (I never had one for the blog).  At first I thought I would miss it, as I have hundreds of “friends” going back to grade school, but then it occurred to me that we don’t even talk anymore and they just follow me.  Are they really *interested* in me and my life? If they were, I feel like someone would send me a message.  So instead of prying eyes looking into my personal life, I thought, well, if someone really cares to be my friend, we can email or talk on the phone.  So *poof*!  I deleted my account.   And guess what? I don’t miss it!  I don’t have to become jealous about someone’s lifestyle, I don’t have to listen to political rhetoric that I don’t care about, I don’t have 2000 pictures about someone’s kid who just learned to potty train, I don’t have ads popping up everywhere, and I don’t have Facebook spying on me and stealing my information.  So, I encourage you to do the same! You’ll have more free time (for, um, blogging!)

From the Blog
I’ve noticed a recent spike in searches on my site for Cherry Almond Macarons, so I thought I would feature my post about them!  Funny how searches change all of the time, I guess people are ready for Spring!!  These little cookies are really quite tasty, yes they are a little hard to make but even if you make them and they don’t get little feet, they still taste good!

Cherry Almond Macaron Recipe HERE

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, instagramtwitterpinterest, and google plus

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Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Link Party #230

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.

Welcome back for another week of Thursday Favorite Things!!  I am so happy that we have sprung forward with the time change… it’s finally not dark at 5pm!  

This week my favorite things are these pretty daffodils that I put in my new bunny vase.  I just love the bunny vase so much, I plan to use him past Easter!  Unfortunately he is sold out from Williams-Sonoma, but I found a very similar bunny vase here! 

Okay, let’s get this party started and onto my favorite links from this party!  I really enjoy reading many of your posts (I can’t read them all, but since there are *twelve* hosts we really visit every single link!!

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

I loved this farmhouse chic table from Penny’s Vintage Home. Aren’t the pink flowers so pretty? Now with the new time change, you could actually eat dinner out on the patio again!

I’m sure you have seen the pretty apple rose tarts on Pinterest.  Hay Hayla shares an easy way to make them!  I love how the apples look like little roses!!

These Easter whoopie pies from our wonderful main host, Katherine from Katherine’s Corner look so good. Let’s be honest, I would totally eat these for breakfast.

Oh look!! Designs by Pinky has a similar bunny vase as mine! So naturally, of course I loved her pretty Spring/Easter mantle! Love the blue jar with the pink flowers!

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!


An InLinkz Link-up

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Easter Home Tour 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.

Are you all ready for this year’s house tour??  I had a lot of fun this year decorating for Easter.  I love the bright colors. This post may contain affiliate links.

The white bunny duo are placing Easter eggs in the hallway. I love my new standing bunny vase! (It’s now sold out – here’s a  similar bunny vase here! )The pink ranunculus look cute in his basket!

Mr. Swan in the dining room is carrying dried eucalyptus and ranunculus.

New addition this year is the little straw bunny! Isn’t he cute?

Behind him sits some antique hankies that I like with alabaster eggs sitting in the little holders.

Love this little floral egg sitting in a real egg shell.

The Easter dining table that I wrote about in this post. 

 

In the hallway sits an alabaster egg tree and some chicks and lambs.

The bunny duo now with real daffodils in it! Love this new vase – can see myself playing with him year round!  You can get a similar bunny vase here! as mine is now sold out!!

In the breakfast nook I decorated the chandelier.  It has Easter eggs hanging down and a fun garland strung inside of it.

Love the Spring garland inside.  The little bunnies on the pink egg cart is an ornament I found at Christmas… yep, kept it out from Christmas!!

Below the Easter chandelier sit faux-chocolate rabbits. I sometimes psych myself into thinking I’ve left real chocolate bunnies sitting in the sunshine.  Also, my mom made these cute cocktail napkins!

Aren’t the designs on the napkins super duper cute??? Her fancy sewing machine did it!

She told me some of the designs had 36 different colors in them! wow!

The Spring bread bowl centerpiece is sitting in the kitchen…

The tulipiere is full of tulips and daffodils!

A closer look at one of the little bud vases I hauled from Paris. It’s from Astier de Villate!

Springtime blogging! The flowers and candle smell wonderful!  This is how I’m blogging today, I do admit I don’t always have fresh flowers and a cappuccino when blogging, but today is special.  It’s nice to make ordinary things (like blogging) special sometimes, isn’t it?

Easter Home Tour

 I hope you all enjoyed my Easter Home Tour this year! I’ll be sad to pack it up as I don’t decorate the whole house for any other holidays until Fall!

 

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Easter Centerpiece 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.

I changed the decorations in my antique dough bowl!  I just love this dough bowl as it is so much fun to decorate.  I had fun putting together this little Easter vignette using my little Steiff mohair bunnies and friends.

Decorating using an antique dough bowl

The little animals are peeking out from the tall grass.  There are hidden Easter eggs if you look closely!

I used Spanish moss as the base and then poked holes in it to stand up the faux grass.  Every angle that you look at this dough bowl there is a little different scene for you to see!

A last look from up above!  Love looking at my little bunnies.

Decorating using an antique dough bowl

Easter Centerpiece

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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 FavoritesFive on FridayOh Hey, Friday!

Follow:

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 

 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!


An InLinkz Link-up

Follow:

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.

source

from Mary McDonald

from Mary McDonald

from Tara Shaw

from Mary McDonald
from Martin Lawrence Bullard
source

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

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

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 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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Easter Table Decorations 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.

I just love decorating for Easter!  After a boring colorless Winter after Christmas, pulling out Easter decorations is so much fun!  The bright colors are so cheery, how can  you not smile when you see them?

This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a few cents when you click on links.

This year’s Easter table has three little bunny rabbits featured as the centerpiece.  I love these plates from Pottery Barn– they come in several colors and are really pretty and colorful!  The napkins are from William Sonoma – you can’t tell in the picture but they are a pretty blue rabbit toile. I have the matching tablecloth too but… I was too lazy to pull it out.

I just love these little rabbit egg carriers. We found this cute little egg flower at a local antique store – it is actually sitting in a real egg shell! It is so delicate!

The plates are so fun – pinks, blues, greens, yellows.  I have a rabbit salt and pepper shaker from Pottery Barn. The little silver rabbit is actually a place card holder!

My mom found this other cute salt and pepper shaker – the rabbit is the salt and the carrot is the pepper! You can get it here.

These napkin rings are so cute! A little bunny sitting in some lettuce! You can get them here.

One last look at these silly little rabbits…

 

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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 FavoritesFive on FridayOh Hey, Friday!

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Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop & Link Party #228

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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 

 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!



An InLinkz Link-up

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What to Pack to Hawaii Guide

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Since my “What to Pack… ” Guides are some of my most popular posts, I thought I would share a new one with you all: What to pack and wear to Hawaii and any tropical vacation destination!!    I figured with Spring Break coming up, this may be helpful!

No 1 \ Fabulous Sunglasses... you need to protect your eyes from the bright UV.  I am loving these sunglasses: Karen Walker, Ray Bans,  Dior, aviator sunglasses – a good buy, good buy Cat Eye sunglasses

No 2 \ A wrap… It gets chilly on the beach in the evening.  If you intend to stroll the beach at dusk or eat at an outdoor restaurant watching the sun set, I *highly* recommend bringing a wrap with you. Here are my favorites: linen scarf in every color ever!,  pink and green scarf, fun fringe scarf

No 3 \ A Hat.. yes, we know you want to get tan but you really need to protect your face from the sun… as you know it causes wrinkles and aging faster.  I love this hat, but it is a total splurge. Here are some budget friendly options: straw hat, straw fedora, black and white hat, and my favorite visor

No 4 \ A swim suit… You can’t go to the beach without a swimsuit.  Here are my favorite bikinis one, two, three  and one pieces: one, two, three



No 5 \ Beach worthy hair products: I love to bring this with me… after I shower from a long day at the beach I spritz a little of this in my hair to keep the beach-wave going, or you can use this Sea salt spray.

No 6 \ Sunscreen... possibly the most important thing to bring to Hawaii! You are much closer to the equator than the continental US so the rays are more powerful which means it’s way easier to burn! I switch between this one and this one for my face and this for my body.

No 7 \ A Beach Tote… you need to haul your sunscreen to the beach somehow. Do it in a stylish beach tote. I am liking these ones: Lilly Pulitzer, blue and white striped, straw totea steal deal, tory burch

No 9 \ A Cover Up… if you are staying in a hotel you often cannot go from your room to the beach in a swimsuit so you have to wear a cover-up. I like these ones: boyfriend shirt, fringed tunic,a sarong, a long maxi

No 10 \ Stylish Sandals.. I recommend bringing two pairs of sandals.  One pair to the beach and one dressy pair for dinner/wearing around… here are my favorites: tory burch miller (I wear this one), sam edelman plain, valentino rock stud lookalikes, high heeled wedgestotal splurge but super cute!

No 11 \ Tank Top… A nice sleeveless shirt or tank top is a must.  Preferably one that can be dressed up or down for a day around the island and then to a nice dinner. I like these ones… hot pink, eileen fisher,  chambray sleeveless,

No 12 \ Shorts… pretty self-explanatory. You don’t need pants to the island. Only shorts. I wear these pairs: jean cut offs, white shorts, board shorts  

No 13 \ Flip Flops… or as the locals say, slippas.  A pair of foam flip flops are a must for the beach… don’t wear your fancy sandals in the sand! my favorites, two, three,  wedge flip flops

No 14 \ A Maxi Dress… so you know, you can take pretty pictures at sunset with your new tan and go somewhere nice! colorful maxi, striped cute A line, tropical print,  cotton dress, like this one too  

No 15 \ Dainty Necklace… A little necklace is perfect and something you can wear with your swimsuit or with your flowy maxi dress at nice. This initial necklace with quartz is perfect for the tropics, so is this dainty disc necklace, and this halo pendant is nice too! Oh and I *love* the look of gold stacking bracelets  on perfectly tanned skin!

If you need some help about what to pack on your carry-on, check out my useful “What to Pack in Your Carry-On” Guide here!

 

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Designing a Master Bathroom – Inspiration and Floor Plans

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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).
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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.

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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.

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

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I think this one below may be my favorite…

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

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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…

Traditional Bathroom by El Dorado Hills General Contractors Lee Construction

Traditional Bathroom by El Dorado Hills General Contractors Lee Construction

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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

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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.

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One last inspiration picture…

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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!

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