I’ve been subscribing to Blue Apron for a little over a year now. The family plan is perfect for us: 2 adults, 3 young kids. I use it for especially hectic weeks when our family schedule is extra busy and also for weeks when Steve is out of town and I’m winging the single parenting thing. It’s a huge relief finding the box of farm fresh ingredients on my doorstep, knowing I can postpone a trip to the grocery store for a few more days.

Trying out new chef-designed recipes at home gets us out of the dinner rut and gives me more confidence in the kitchen, too. The filipino-style beef picadillo and fish & sweet potato chips are on regular rotation at our house.

The kids are always excited when a Blue Apron delivery shows up. The only part they don’t like is sometimes waiting for me to take pictures of the food before they can eat it ;)

Last fall when we were gearing up for our family vacation to Rosemary Beach, I was making a list of food items to pack. To save money, I was packing breakfast, lunch and snack items. We usually eat half of our dinners out on vacation, but I wanted to cook at least two dinners. (The beach house we rented boasted a full kitchen.) I could see that space in the cooler was going to be tight and that’s when it hit me! Why not schedule a Blue Apron delivery to our vacation rental? And that’s exactly what I did.

I set it up to arrive early in the week, a day or two after our arrival. It was delivered to our porch while we were at the beach but, no worries, the box was refrigerated. It was so convenient! No need to hunt down a local grocery store in an unfamiliar city and then spend way too much vacation time trying to figure out where everything is. No need to buy a box of stick butter just for one tablespoon. All the ingredients are shipped pre-measured so there’s no waste and no rummaging around a rental kitchen for a measuring spoon or cup. (The only ingredients you might need on hand are olive oil, salt and pepper – which our rental supplied but you might want to pack them if possible.)

If you plan to cook on vacation, Blue Apron is ideal. There were a few evenings towards the end of our stay where we didn’t feel like rushing back from the beach, cleaning up and going out for dinner. That’s when I cooked. No one wants to take a cranky, overtired toddler out to dinner at a restaurant, am I right?

Do you have a U.S. vacation coming up? Maybe a staycation? If you plan on cooking, I would suggest giving Blue Apron a try. They deliver to most of the country, including Texas now! As always, shipping is free.

*BONUS* – The first 100 readers will get two meals off their first Blue Apron order FREE! Just click here.

Happy cooking and vacationing!

*This post sponsored in part by Blue Apron. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.*

Congrats to Audrey who is very busy not only with her own young family, work and garden but with her parents’ bathroom remodel! Sounds fun!!

I am longtime fan of Jack + Ella Paper. Before we became virtual friends, I was Jessica’s customer. (I mailed out the new digs postcards when we moved.) A little while later when I was contemplating paint colors for my bedroom, Jessica sent me pictures of her cozy bedroom and office and even allowed me to share them here on the blog. So when she emailed me about the newest additions to her stationery shop, I had to share them too.

The I’ve got it together notepad set is ideal for serial list-makers. (That would be me.) Printed on 100% recycled paper, the weekly menu, weekly to-do list and daily to-do list help you manage everyday life. I plan on using them to create an organized, interactive side panel next to the fridge. I’m also keeping the card stash on hand for last minute note writing. (You know how I feel about store bought cards.) The cards have the cutest fonts and prints on the front, and they’re blank inside for personal, handwritten messages. As always, they’re printed on 100% recycled paper and kraft card stock.

Do you live your life in lists? Jessica is offering up her eco-chic paper goods to one lucky House*Tweaking reader! See entry details below.

PRIZE: one I’ve got it together notepad set and one card stash box from Jack + Ella Paper ($56 retail value)

RULES: You must be at least 18 years old and have a shipping address (no P.O. boxes please). This giveaway is open to international readers! One entry per email address.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post proclaiming “LIST ME!”

DEADLINE: Enter before 9:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, May 27th. One random winner will be chosen and announced Thursday, May 28th.

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT: What’s on your to-do list today? I’ll go first: tennis, blog post, check in on progress at the studio, get my mom a birthday gift, oil change, finish up some laundry, scout out some marble remnants for a client…among other things. I’m hoping to squeeze in some outdoor time with my family, too. It’s beautiful here today!

Good luck!

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking