2016 - Petite Haus

Angelina August 7, 2016 French Country

Building the French Farmhouse – a study of French shutters

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Well, we are still plodding along with designing the house. We are actually done (I think!) with the design and it is going to structural engineering now!

So, now that we are pretty much done with the design, now I am tasked with actually picking out the windows and shutters I want to use as it is one of the first things to go up and there is a long lead time for these items.

So, for about half the windows in the house we will be having working shutters on the windows. Yes, they have to be working! That is key! In France, the shutters are actually called volets and they actually open and close – unlike most shutters in the USA that are there for looks alone.

So, why have a working shutter?

Security – they provide excellent security as if you are away you can just close up the house and a robber can’t just break in.

Insulation – here in the hot hot California valley it is nice to be able to close up South facing side of the house to keep the heat out. Oh, then there’s the part where the bedrooms can be pitch black for sleeping – important to someone who works nights!

The sizing is always right – it drives me *nuts* when I see houses with shutters that are disproportionate… a 1 foot shutter next to a 4 foot window? If that shutter were to close it would leave 3 feet of the window exposed! I know it’s for looks but volets would never work like that! I know it is super nit picky and sorry if your house has that (soooo many houses do, including my childhood house!), but I just don’t understand why builders can’t build faux shutters that are least the appropriate size. (rant ended).

This website (in French, but I have it translated to English) talks about the proper volet. There are several different types, rolling ones, swing shutters, folding flap shutters.

I’m interested in swing shutters only.

Below are rolling shutters…

Below are folding flap shutters…

The different types of swinging shutters….

We were debating about what type of panel to go with. We are leaning to the B-n-B (Board and Batten). The Board ad Batten seems to be more French country and less formal than the other types.

So, I thought I’d turn to photos of houses in France.

Below, is board and batten.

Two different types of shutters… ground floor is raised panel and upper floor is board and batten.

Panel…

Horizontal ones…

Board and Batten…

Board and batten up on the windows and the horizontal ones on the door

Louvered…

Mixture…

We found this company, Timberlane, who makes what seems to be pretty nice working shutters. They have several types of Board and Batten and we were debating between the “closed vertical groove”…

…and the “open”. We were leaning towards the open one because we think it looks more authentic. What do YOU think??

The other company we are looking at is Southern Shutter. Have you heard of anything of either Timberlane or Southern Shutter? Are there other companies you know of that are quality and we should consider?

See, here is an open board and batten (in like the cutest little window EVER)

The OTHER question for you is… what about the hardware?

We really like the cutesy hinge hardware on the shutters below.

Here, someone did the same hardware BUT they put it above and below the horizontal board and I do not like it that way. It has to be on the horizontal board.

See, like below, they put the hardware on the horizontal board.

Or, do we leave them plain, like so…

Or here…

What do you all think??
Open board and batten vs closed vertical groove?
Fancy shutter hardware vs plain shutters?

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Angelina August 5, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday #23 – Pokemon Go, Pandora, and more!

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Five on Friday – where I talk about Five different topics every week. What am I talking about this week??

Pokemon Go

Yes. I admit that I played the game for several days. I had to see what all of the hype was about! I thought I’d share it with you all! So how does it work? You walk around the street with your phone up, looking at the virtual map below (that mimics exactly the real map of the world) trying to catch the pokemons.

Then you will see one, you use your poke balls and throw them at the Pokemon to catch it. And by “throw” I mean just swipe your finger up on the screen and tosses the balls.

The coolest part of the game is the augmented reality portion… what that means is that the game uses your phone’s camera and will put a Pokemon on the screen as if the Pokemon were really there. So you hold your phone up in front of say, a street, and if the Pokemon is there you will see the Pokemon on your screen AS IF it were there in real life. It was really actually cool and could open the door for many other cool things. (Below is a pic of the augmented reality).

To catch the pokemons you have to wander all around looking for them… that’s why you see everyone looking down at their phones! Then you will see them stop and swipe– they are catching the monsters.

There are “gyms” – explained to me as places you battle and if you own them you get poke balls for free. Ah ha, poke balls. Poke balls you can find for free at certain landmarks in the city… or you can buy them for real $$$. That’s where Pokemon makes its money.

You can go to hotspots in the city where the Pokemons roam… in Portland where I was playing it, the Washington State Park seems to be a “hotspot” full of Pokemons. You have to be careful about “Battling others” at the gyms – there are reports of theft in those areas as mean people prey on those that are playing the game and will steal their phone and other things. So my advice is to AVOID those spots or at least look up from your phone!

I think it is great that the game is getting previously sedentary people out and about and literally walking miles (sometimes you catch eggs and in order for them to hatch you have to walk several miles to get them to open). The game has cons – you literally spend HOURS playing the game if you want to catch them all. It also sucks the life out of your battery so you have to bring back up battery chargers with you. Now, if only these sedentary people would look up from their phones and just enjoy being outdoors!!

Maybe I’m too old, but I just didn’t “get it”. As I caught more of these little Pokemon monsters, I asked myself, what is the point of the game? What do I DO with them?? Then finally, someone who grew up on Pokemon from the 90s explained it to me… the point of the game is “Gotta Catch ‘Em All”. Oh. I see, the game slogan.

Catching “them all” though wasn’t enough to keep my interest in the game. While I LOVE collecting things, virtual monsters apparently is not something this collector is interested in.

Spotted…

Something that apparently I AM interested in collecting though are pandora bracelets! I have always seen the stores but never have I been into one! So in I went, and out I came with a bracelet and charms. You can assemble your bracelet with so many different charms. I love how many different bracelets you can make using the same beads and charms, it is really cool!

I was having fun looking at various designs from others….

Do you have a Pandora bracelet???

Favorite New Recipe

We finally used our spiralizer to make zoodles (zucchini noodles). It was so easy to use!

We made these spinach parmesan zucchini noodles from Two Peas & Their Pod. It was actually really tasty and super easy to make! It tastes similar to pasta but way few calories. I was actually really surprised as I had never tried zoodles before but I could see it becoming a favorite of ours!

Favorite Instagrams

Well, I like what I did last week… instead of just picking one of my favorite instagrams from the week I’ll just pick several! So here we are…

On the Web

New on Streaming on Netflix, Amazon, on Hulu. I watch more streaming TV than I do “regular” tv. If you do too, check out this guide to new shows and movies!

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Angelina August 4, 2016 Summer

Coastal Tablescapes, A GIVEAWAY, and the 250th Thursday Favorite Things

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We are Celebrating 250 Link Parties-

of the Thursday Favorite Things link party.

Happy 250! Because of you, we continue to enjoy a FANTASTIC variety of things from wonderful bloggers every week. Bloggers and readers often send emails like, “my favorite link party”, “I can’t wait to share every week”, “Thursday wouldn’t be the same without your link party”, “thank you for helping my blog grow my blog”. Reading wonderful emails and comments like this often bring happy tears.

Thank you for continuing to share our wonderful Thursday Favorite Things Link Party with your readers and on social media, it really means a lot to us. It wouldn’t be a celebration of 250 link parties if there weren’t prizes. When the link party ends at midnight on Saturday all of the linkers will be pooled together and a random drawing will select 2 winners. One Winner will receive $50 ( or Amazon gift code) from all of the hostesses and the other will receive a tea for one set from Katherine ( Katherine will ask the winner to select from these 3 styles below).

celebrating 250 parties prize

celebrating 250 parties

One winner will win $50 and one winner wins a tea for one!

This weeks hostess is Katherine from Katherines Corner; she created this party!! Please follow Ms. Katherine; she works so hard every week to bring us this party!

Thursday favorite things hostess

You can party with us here every Wednesday night starting at 6pm PST.

My favorite thing this week was looking at all of these pretty coastal table settings! I have never really decorated with the coastal theme in mind, so I am finding all of these refreshing for the Summer! Speaking of Summer, can you believe it is August already??

I’m digging this coastal themed table complete with a sailboat from the Sweet Sensations!

I love this large clam shell that Designs by Pinky has filled with years of shell collecting treasures… isn’t is pretty?

I love the centerpiece here from Dining Delight – it looks like a nice catch from the ocean!

I love this table (complete with a net) from Olla Podrida – she even gave it a fun name “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”.

Congratulations if you were featured! I have pinned your posts to our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board! Feel free to grab a “featured” button(click on link)!

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Angelina August 1, 2016 antique

French Antiquing trip to Portland and Kitchen Faucets

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Earlier in the month we went up to Portland to do some antiquing and shopping! We went up to the Portland Antique Show at the Exposition Center. There are tons of booths… and we walked 17,000 steps (thanks apple watch and fit bit for counting!)

This post may contain affiliate links.

I thought I’d share some pics from the show and various antique stores around town! At the end of the post I am going to ask your opinion about some kitchen faucets for the French Farmhouse!

Considered this antique French piece to use as a vanity base for a sink *but* it was only 27″ tall. Much too short for a sink!

The pictures from the cases below are from a fabulous booth… she always has the coolest small things!

I *may* have purchased these little lion statues. Ok I did purchase them. They are from France and probably from the 1940s, so not super old, but the shields they have on them display the Fleur de Lis!

I’ve been looking for an antique handmade quilt for my bed, but these did not quite fit the bill… maybe next time…

Love this little French shop in town, she carries both new and old items…

Well, I found a pair of sconces to go home with me… I think I will use these above the fireplace!

Oh boy, I’m tired, time for a chocolate break… (Aren’t these little chocolate and marzipan treats so cute?)

What’s this? A place full of Madeleine pots? Antique fountains and fun?

Hmmm, what color to choose to place around our little fountain? I envision a little French courtyard with what I’m calling the Orangerie but really it will have four pots around the fountain – one with lemon, one with lime, one with orange, and one with a satsuma tree! I think this dark green would look best with these little trees in them, don’t you think?

But this color is cool too. Do you spy all of the vintage/antique garden follies?

Oh, and I purchased this. Yes it’s a picture of a picture but it was in pieces in the shop. I’m going to cut off the top (the horror!) and put a marble top with a sink in it! I know wood colored wood is totally out but I don’t care I love this French piece!

We walked around the Portland International Rose Garden… one of my favorite places in the city.

This bee was totally asleep in this pretty rose…

A sailboat having a nice Summer day on the Columbia River…

Oooh, La La! Dessert? NO! This is breakfast!

You see, *these* are the desserts…

I have also been searching for the kitchen sink faucet. Found these three I really liked. I obviously like bridge faucets. I think we will go with either polished nickel or polished chrome. I think I am leaning towards polished nickel because it is a little warmer. I thought I would go with the trendy brass color but then I haven’t seen one in person that I have liked, so I don’t know about that now.

Which one do you like better? #1 below…

Or #2?

Or perhaps #3??

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Angelina July 29, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday #22

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On the Web

The Five most decadent Parisian Patisseries… and I have not been to one of them! Oh dear, I guess we have to make a trip back! I actually tried to go to one of them but unfortunately it had closed before we got there.

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

Favorite Instagram…

Since I have skipped this category for a little while I thought I would just include a whole bunch of instagrams that caught my eye!

Spotted…

We were strolling through the mall this past weekend and went into the Kate Spade store and she has this new life of cruise-worthy handbags! My relatives are on a cruise right now and I thought these bags would be PERFECT for taking on a cruise!

Resin Ship Clutch – perfect for cruising!! Bring this to the dinner and out dancing on the cruise!

3D life preserver clutch – SO much fun, can’t you see yourself in your nautical wear with this?

Life Preserver tote (on sale HERE). You could fit so much in this bag!

“Going Places” Tote is so fun! I’d bring this to Europe if I didn’t already have other purses to bring!

From the Blog

Have you been to the Nordstrom Sale yet? If not, you have to check it out because it is going to end soon!!!

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine

Favorite Cat….

This is Chloé the cat with her head in the box not moving. Notice her little paw poking through the inside. One paw is inside and one is outside. I am so glad I talked my husband into letting us have a cat… she brings us so much joy! We’ve had her for 6 months now and even though she broke my favorite tulipiere (RIP) she is forgiven.

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Angelina July 28, 2016 Uncategorized

4 French Dessert Recipes | Thursday Favorite Things

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Hello all of my friends! Welcome to Thursday Favorite Things link party #248!

You can party with us here every Wednesday night starting at 6pm PST.

As our 250th link party approaches, I wanted to change it up a little bit about how I choose my features.

This week I have picked out FOUR mouth watering French dessert recipes! Oh, MY FAVORITE THING! Seriously, I *looove* French desserts, in fact, I was working on a strawberry pistachio tart today (coming to the blog soon!)

Easy Peasy Life Matters shared this strawberry basil crepe recipe!

Joy Food Sunshine shared these homemade chocolate eclairs!

The Sweet Sensations shared this almond and peach galette!

Home Made Interest shared this cute little peach tarts!

Congratulations if you were featured! I have pinned your posts to our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board! Feel free to grab a “featured” button!

Welcome to Thursday Favorite Things! Every co-hostess features posts on her blog! If you weren’t featured here, be sure to check out the other blogs as your post may have been featured there! We work hard to bring this party to you and would love for you to follow along so you don’t miss out!

Join us every week as we party and share at the best link party in blog land!

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage

Debi- Surroundings by Debi

Marilyn- Marilyn’s Treats

Angelina –Peonies and Orange Blossoms

Shellie-The Fabulous Journey

Rina-I Thee Cook

Olivia-Reinvented Collection

It all starts with a SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS

Please read the rules before participating, it will be a much more satisfying hop experience. Please visit at least two links ahead of yours. Follow Your Hostesses. Link to your post not your blog main page. By sharing with us you are agreeing that the photos are yours or that you have permission to use them, and that we may use your photos to feature your post on social media, pinterest or as a feature on our blogs.

Have fun we look forward to all you will share. All of the hostesses select their favorites to share in features on their blogs each week. Share your best work!

It’s time to link up your favorite things and posts!

Just click on this link below and you will be able to see the party and add your link!

An InLinkz Link-up

Are you following Peonies & Orange Blossoms on social media? Join the community…

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Angelina July 25, 2016 Uncategorized

Happy 3rd Blogiversary to Peonies and Orange Blossoms!!

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Well, Peonies and Orange Blossoms turns THREE this week! I can hardly believe I’ve been blogging for several years! I suppose I’m no longer a “newbie”, especially in the internet world where things can be viral for all of two seconds!

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

To celebrate this year we’re having a virtual tea party at Chatsworth House. (Every year I have a virtual soiree, one year it was a Marie Antoinette Party, last year it was an evening dinner in Napa).

This isn’t any ol’ tea party. We’re having an Edwardian themed tea party a la Pride and Prejudice and the early days of Downton Abbey. So wear your best Edwardian outfit!

Make sure your shoes are comfortable though, as we’re touring the beautiful gardens first.

After your garden tour, let’s meet up for tea time.

The Dowager Countess has been waiting for you at the table…

No really, she didn’t go on that walk…

Isn’t the table pretty?

There are lots of goodies to nosh on at this tea time, hmm, which to eat first??

A BIG SHOUT OUT to all of my lovely readers! Thank you for following along with me through my little journey called life.

I’d love for you to leave a comment or a follow on a social media!

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linking up at: amaze me monday The Scoop! Make it Pretty Monday Lou Lou Girls BNOTP Mon Inspire Me Tuesday Wow us Wednesdays!Share Your Style Thursday Favorite Things, Creative Circle, Thoughts of Home Home Sweet Home Feathered Nest Fridays Craftberry Bush Foodie Friday & Everything Else Best of the Weekend Share it One More Time

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Angelina July 22, 2016 Beauty and Fashion

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks 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.

OKAY everyone! This week the Nordstrom Anniversary sale started for Nordstrom cardholders. It opens to the general public tomorrow. As a card holder I already shopped the sale and grabbed all of my favorites… some of the things I purchased are already sold out! GAH!

So, here’s my guide to my favorite picks for this year!
The links for each item are below the picture.
This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

One // Two // Three // Four

My Mother bought #1 which is PERFECT for traveling.
#2 is a really great bargain!
We have a bag very similar to #3 and LOVE it… it is great for taking on the airplane.
I *almost* purchased #4 but my glasses wouldn’t fit in it.

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine

These Kate Spade earrings (#1) are a great buy!

The Jo Malone Perfume set (#2) is perfect)

The clarisonic brush head set (#3) is a great deal

I am loving the Burberry and Kate spade watches they have!

#6 is a great plaid blanket scarf for Fall and is under $20!!

If you have been dying for a pair of So Real Dior Sunglasses (#7), they are on sale!
I bought #8 in turquoise but they come in lots of colors
Love #9, also love this bracelet too!

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine
I bought the patagonia pullover for my upcoming trip to the Alps!
The Zella leggings (#2) are my favorite.
The dress (#3) Is SUPER CUTE
I must be digging plaid: #4 is a vest, #5 is a plaid shirt, and #6 is a plaid shirt dress! Get these out for your Fall photos!
#7 is a pretty denim shirt.
I own #8 in several colors.
I love this Vince sweater (#9)

One // Two // Three // Four

They have BARBOUR coats on sale! WHAT! (#1)

#2 is a beautiful Ralph Lauren Coat!

I love #3 for Winter and also am digging the over the knee boots of #4!

There were SO MANY CHOICES at the sale I could only feature some of them…

Ok, maybe just a few more…

I LOVE these JEANS and these jeans (bought this second pair).

These stacking rings are so much fun!

I was *this close* to buying these penny loafers (but I recently bought these flats so I felt bad!)

I bought this exclusive eye and cheek set from Laura Mercier. It’s great!

If you are looking to buy a Clarisonic, now is your chance! They are $40 off!

These Voluspa Candles are a great deal!

This Hermes mini set is super duper cute!

I LOOOOVE Antica Farmacista for my house reed diffusers! They are lovely and I totally stocked up!

You can also shop certain parts of the sale below…

Shop Women’s Shoe Sale HERE.
Shop Women’s Beauty Exclusives HERE.
Shop the Men’s Sale HERE.
Shop Children’s sale HERE.
Shop the Women’s Anniversary Sale Here.

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linking up at: amaze me monday The Scoop! Make it Pretty Monday Lou Lou Girls BNOTP Mon Inspire Me Tuesday Wow us Wednesdays!Share Your Style Thursday Favorite Things, Creative Circle, Thoughts of Home Home Sweet Home Feathered Nest Fridays Craftberry Bush Foodie Friday & Everything Else Best of the Weekend Share it One More Time

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Angelina July 21, 2016 Uncategorized

Thursday Favorite Things #247

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 that we are already half way through July with August *just* around the corner?? Well, I’ve planted my pumpkin patch because Halloween really is only about 100 days away! In fact, the other day, I actually thought that it was starting to feel like Fall! WHAT! I know, August is coming with the 110 degree days, but it had me start planning for Fall decorating! Okay, enough talk, time to look at this week’s features!

Munchkin Time shared this delicious sounding blueberry peach nutella pavlova recipe!

Timeless Creations shared this French country lamp makeover using Annie Sloan.

Nancy on the Home Front shared a cute trip about picking sour cherries.

Homemade Interest shared this Tex-mex coleslaw recipe – perfect for hot Summer days!

21st and Main shared 5 Do’s and Dont’s for wearing Maxi Dresses… Love these tips, I struggle with finding maxi dresses that look good on me!

Congratulations if you were featured! I have pinned your posts to our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board! I would also like to thank everyone for linking up – I visit many of your posts but don’t always comment because I have been super duper busy!

If you were featured on my blog today (or on previous days) please feel free to grab my “I was featured” button! Either right click and download or copy and paste into your blog!

Welcome to Thursday Favorite Things! Every cohostess features posts on her blog! If you weren’t featured here, be sure to check out the other blogs as your post may have been featured there!

Join us every week as we party and share at the best link party in blog land!

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage

Debi- Surroundings by Debi

Marilyn- Marilyn’s Treats

Angelina –Peonies and Orange Blossoms

Shellie-The Fabulous Journey

Rina-I Thee Cook

Olivia-Reinvented Collection

It all starts with a SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS

Please read the rules before participating, it will be a much more satisfying hop experience. Please visit at least two links ahead of yours. Follow Your Hostesses. Link to your post not your blog main page. By sharing with us you are agreeing that the photos are yours or that you have permission to use them, and that we may use your photos to feature your post on social media, pinterest or as a feature on our blogs.

Have fun we look forward to all you will share. All of the hostesses select their favorites to share in features on their blogs each week. Share your best work!

It’s time to link up your favorite things and posts!

Just click on this link below and you will be able to see the party and add your link!

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An InLinkz Link-up

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Angelina July 18, 2016 Uncategorized

In Love with Groin Vault Ceilings

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.

First, before I start, for my regular blog readers, I’m cutting my posting back until the Fall… I will be posting Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays instead of Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. I have found that blog readership is way down right now because everyone is out keeping themselves busy right now in Summer… Myself included. Who wants to sit inside in front of a screen when it’s so beautiful outside! I certainly don’t!! Anyway on to the topic…

I fell in love with groin vault ceilings a little while ago. I think they are so interesting. Below is a picture of a groin vault ceiling, as an example

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

If you don’t know what a groin vault ceiling is, I thought this diagram below was really helpful in showing the different types of ceilings.

I love the look of the groin vault ceiling down a hallway like this… with a pendant hanging down from the center of each one.

I really really wanted my long hallway in my house to have groin vaults down the whole thing. It would have looked so cool! Pendants down the center and all. Like below.

Except, it’s not going to work out. For several reasons – one, by California law we have to have fire extinguishers installed in the ceiling in each one of the groin vaults – it is supposed to run down the center but since you would put a pendant there, you would have to cut an extra hole running down next to the pendants that is off center. This does not look pleasing to the eye. But I thought, okay, well I can live with that.

The other problems is that one area of the house the living room will be on the left and the dining on the right – both with tall ceilings. If I want the groin vault, I would have to either significantly raise the height of the hallway or drop the living room or ceiling heights (reason – because the groin vault drops down several feet from the ceiling, as you can see below). I am not going to be able to do this.

So no long hallway for me with pretty groin vaults.

But wait. Maybe I can work it somehow into the entry?

Hmm, I need to go back to the drawing board and measure around. Maybe that would work.

I found this picture below pretty interesting – it shows how the groin vault is made!

So long, dreams of long hallway with groin vaults. Also don’t want to have too many interesting architectural features – otherwise it will seem too over-the-top.

So, do you like the groin vault ceiling? Do you have one in your house?

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linking up at: amaze me monday The Scoop! Make it Pretty Monday Lou Lou Girls BNOTP Mon Inspire Me Tuesday Wow us Wednesdays!Share Your Style Thursday Favorite Things, Creative Circle, Thoughts of Home Home Sweet Home Feathered Nest Fridays Craftberry Bush Foodie Friday & Everything Else Best of the Weekend Share it One More Time

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Angelina July 15, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday – Haute Couture Fall 2016 Edition

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Angelina July 14, 2016 Uncategorized

Thursday Favorite Things #246

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Welcome back to another week of Thursday Favorite Things! Apparently I am tart-obsessed this week because I am featuring TWO pretty and delicious sounding tarts.

EDIT- forgot to include the link party button below, I have now added it. Add your links now!

The first is this whipped ricotta and blueberry tart from Living the Gourmet. How stunning is the photography as well??

Check out this Chocolate crust mini ice cream tart. Say what??? This sounds tasty! Carolyn’s Homework made this beautiful tart with sugared berries – I love the little lemon peel curl too!

OK, so if you follow my blog then you should know that I *LOVE* Christmas. I mean, I had four Christmas trees. So when I saw this tablescape from Dining Delight, I just had to feature it! Isn’t it so pretty???/

Congratulations if you were featured! I have pinned your posts to our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board! I would also like to thank everyone for linking up – I visit many of your posts but don’t always comment because I have been super duper busy!

If you were featured on my blog today (or on previous days) please feel free to grab my “I was featured” button! Either right click and download or copy and paste into your blog!

Welcome to Thursday Favorite Things! Every cohostess features posts on her blog! If you weren’t featured here, be sure to check out the other blogs as your post may have been featured there!

Join us every week as we party and share at the best link party in blog land!

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage

Debi- Surroundings by Debi

Marilyn- Marilyn’s Treats

Angelina –Peonies and Orange Blossoms

Shellie-The Fabulous Journey

Rosemary-An Italian In My Kitchen

Rina-I Thee Cook

Olivia-Reinvented Collection

It all starts with a SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS

Please read the rules before participating, it will be a much more satisfying hop experience. Please visit at least two links ahead of yours. Follow Your Hostesses. Link to your post not your blog main page. By sharing with us you are agreeing that the photos are yours or that you have permission to use them, and that we may use your photos to feature your post on social media, pinterest or as a feature on our blogs.

Have fun we look forward to all you will share. All of the hostesses select their favorites to share in features on their blogs each week. Share your best work!

It’s time to link up your favorite things and posts!

Just click on this link below and you will be able to see the party and add your link!

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Angelina July 12, 2016 Desserts

Chocolate Cherry Macarons

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Cherries are my favorite fruit and I love chocolate and macarons, so I thought, why not make a chocolate cherry macaron??? So the Chocolate cherry macaron was made and quickly gobbled up!
This post may contain affiliate links.

Chocolate Cherry Macaron Recipe

Materials needed: (affiliate links are used for your convenience)

- parchment paper or silpat (I like this silpat made in France)
- silicone spatula
- electric mixer (your hand will get tired whipping the meringue, I use this super professional one in cherry red, but this model is wonderful too! )
- a food scale (yes, you need this. I use this one)
- a piping tip and piping bag (I like the ateco #806, I use these tips and piping bag)
- Food coloring (the gels or dry powder works best, not the liquid store stuff)
- A macaron template
- food processor (I use this one)

Laduree Macaron shell Recipe (from Ladurée Macarons)

275g ground almonds

250g powdered sugar

210g egg whites

210g granulated sugar

1. Mix almond meal and the powdered sugar in a food processor. Be careful not to grind too long, otherwise it will form a paste.

2. Sift the almonds and powdered sugar. Set aside.

3. Weigh out granulated sugar.

4. Weigh the egg whites. Beat them slowly on a low speed until foamy. SLOWLY add the granulated sugar to the egg whites as you beat. Once all mixed, increase speed to medium and beat until a firm meringue forms. You want a firm meringue with glossy peaks but not stiff peaks. They should defy gravity and remain in the bowl if you turn it upside down. If you tilt your bowl to the side and they are sliding out, keep beating.

5. Add the food coloring gel and mix.
6. Then fold in 1/3^rd of the almond/sugar mixture into the meringue with a silicone spatula. Once combined, add another third of the almond mixture. Add last bit. This batter requires more deflation during this step since it creates such a poofy meringue.

7. Add the batter to a piping bag. . Pipe in rows using your template onto parchment paper.

8. Pick up the pan and beat until the counter. The cookies need to rest on the counter between 30-60 minutes. They are ready to go in the oven when they are dry to touch (the shell shouldn’t stick to your finger)

9. Set the oven to 300F.

10. Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes one sheet at a time. They are done when they look kind of matte and seem firm when you lightly tap on them. You can always rescue a slightly overcooked one with the maturation process that comes later, but you cannot rescue an undercooked one!!

11. Remove from paper once completely cool. If they stick they stick to the paper, they aren’t cool yet. Or you undercooked them.

Chocolate Cherry Filling

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, either finely chopped or chips.

8 oz. heavy cream

3 tbsp kirsch

1. In a medium bowl place the chopped chocolate. Bring heavy cream to a boil; pour over the chocolate and let sit for about 1 minute. Then slowly whisk to combine, trying not to incorporate a lot of air when whisking.

2. Stir in the kirsch syrup.

3. Let ganache chill in refrigerator until set.

To fill the macarons, spread a little bit of ganache on one side of the shell, then gently press the second shell together. Allow to sit overnight in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is a key part!! I promise if you wait to eat them until the next day they will taste fabulous!

Want to know a secret, I confess, I did *not* make the filling in this recipe. I was actually shopping in a trip to Napa and went to one of my favorite gourmet food stores, Olivier, and bought this wonderful Chocolate Cherry sauce. Yes, I cheated, I know. It made this process so much easier though!

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Angelina July 10, 2016 French Country

Antoinette Poisson and Handmade French Paper

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A while ago on one of my trips to San Francisco, I visited one of my favorite boutiques, Sue Fisher King. She had some fabulous pillows from Antoinette Poisson. I had never heard of Antoinette Poisson before, she told me a little history of the company, and now I have done my own research.

Antoinette Poisson is a Parisian atelier located by the Bastille that creates hand-blocked and hand-painted wallpapers, known as dominos, that are either reproduced or inspired by 18th century dominos.

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

The company is named after the Marquise de Pompadour (her actual name is Jeanne Antoinette Poisson).

There are currently 14 patterns that the company creates. Four are exact reproductions, four are reimaginings of the old, and the rest are the company’s own design.

Dominos were originally made to cover the interior of chests, cabinets, or small rooms. They are 32x42cm each and go for approximately 50 euro each.

They create the patterns in several color ways.

Isn’t it lovely?? I love this paper.

In the picture below, you can see a remnant of an old domino and then the newly recreated one in the background!

Here someone used their creations to line a cabinet! Don’t you just love it???

Thought I would include some pictures of their pillows so you could enjoy the patterns!

Also, I found these cute little garden maps they have created!!

So, what do you think? Have you ever heard of this company?

If you are interested in reading more about this company, I highly suggest checking out A Gent of Style – in this post they actually visited the shop and have tons of beautiful pictures!! There is also this article from House and Garden UK, and this one from architectural digest.

You can check out the official website here and if you’re interested in shopping go to Sue Fisher King. *I was not compensated to write this post*.

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Angelina July 8, 2016 Uncategorized

Five on Friday – Italy Edition

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The Five on Friday this week is a little bit different.

Normally I write about 5 different topics for Five on Friday. However, I’ve been working like a dog and am too tired to put together a full list!

how I feel about work.

Instead, I’m pretending I’m enjoying a nice meal at this beautiful soiree below. Here are FIVE beautiful pictures to enjoy. Have a lovely weekend everyone!