2013 in Review

While I am not a fan of New Year's Eve (amateur night), I do love the start of a new year.  It just brings such promise. But before we start 2014, here's a glimpse of all that 2013 brought the Noble family.

January

Our home renovation was well underway in January; in fact, we even started to move in at the end of the month.  It only took 4 months!

February

By February, I was enjoying our new home, especially my special spot in the bathtub with the tv running and a glass of wine.  One time I left the bubbles unattended for too long and things got a bit out of hand.... oops!

March

I honestly have no recollection of what happened in March. Time flies!

April

We had two small weekend trips in April.  The first was Michael's firm retreat to Amelia Island.  We stayed at the Ritz Carlton.  As I laid by the pool, Michael was stuck in meetings - quite unfortunate for him, but lucky me. 

Our second weekend trip was to Augusta, Georgia for a fun-filled day at the Masters (Monday practice round).  Again, we stayed at the Ritz Carlton (Reynolds Plantation - you have to go there!).  I joked with Michael that a girl could get used to staying at just a Ritz.  I mean two trips to a Ritz in a month - who does that?!?!  This was our Christmas gift to Michael's parents and I think they had a blast.

May

After going through a home renovation (and living in the house while it's going on), we both realized we just had a lot of stuff - too much.  So in May, I took a whole week of work to go through every square inch of our house and make a pile for our annual neighborhood yard sale in June.  It was exhausting, but so fulfilling to clean out things we don't use anymore.  Too bad I couldn't convince Michael to downsize his poster collection...

June

We celebrated six years of marriage on June 2nd.  Husk, a new restaurant in Nashville, had just opened and miraculously we were able to get a dinner reservation on our actual anniversary.  After dinner, we headed to the Hall & Oates concert at the Ryman - who doesn't love Hall & Oates?

Later in the month, I spent a fun weekend with my Mom in Chicago.  Shopping at Nordstrom's and Michigan Avenue, dinner at RPM one night (Bill and Guiliana Rancic's restaurant.  most delish salad ever - try it, it's named after Guiliana), then dinner at a place called Nightwood another.  Just a fun, girls weekend.

July

Nashville's rainy spring/early summer finally let up enough for us to complete our new backyard patio.  As much as Michael and I were excited for the patio to be done, Winston was the most excited to have his yard back!

Michael and I also tried a "pop up" dinner at the Franklin Merchantile Deli.  I guess it's the new rage for local chefs to get together and create a dinner and drinks combo. Such a fun way to meet new people, and enjoy a nice summer dinner.

August

August is and will always be - birthday month.  Michael and I both turned a year older in August - boo! But, we love to give each other presents so that makes up for it.  I bought Michael a Green Egg, and Michael gave me a piece of art and jewelry.

September

On September 6th, Michael and I found out we are expecting!  We had been wanting to expand our family for a while, but some things don't necessarily happen when you want them to.  It was both a relief and nervewracking news to find out that we're pregnant!  We're due May 15th.

October

In true Noble family fashion, almost every weekend of our fall was dedicated to Michael's favorite sport - {Alabama} football.  Mid-month, we traveled to Tuscaloosa one weekend to watch the Crimson Tide in action.  Our good friends, Kyle and Erin, joined us - it was Erin's first Alabama game in Tuscaloosa and poor girl had to watch her Arkansas Razorbacks lose.  We had high hopes that Alabama would make it to another National Championship grame, but alas, our dreams were smashed after that game - you know the one.  I don't even want to talk about it.

And I can't forget Halloween.  This year, our little puggle was an elephant - so fitting.  And clearly, he loved every minute of it. ;)

November

It's amazing how fast the year went by - and as I'm sitting here typing this post, it amazes me how much I have to be thankful for.  Michael and I were excited to host both of our families for Thanksgiving this year.  Every one got along really well and of course is extremely excited about welcoming Baby Noble next year.

December

We celebrated our last Christmas as just a family of three (yes Winston counts in that equation).  While I love receiving gifts (and I got some good ones this year), the holiday season is about so much more.  And this year, we got the great news that we're expecting a BOY! Michael made the news extra special by gifting me with something from my unborn son (that's so weird to type).  My little one got me a pair of kid red-soled shoes and a gift certificate to pick out my own pair - sweetest thing ever!

The last couple days of 2013, I've spent at home - snuggling with this guy. 

I guess you could say that I'm enjoying the calm before the storm.  :)

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Thanksgiving Decor

Shout out to Towbin cause she's the only one who still reads this blog :)

This year for Thanksgiving Michael and I hosted both of our families - ten people (and one dog) total. I wanted to do some special decor this year so I decided to buy a chalkboard and make my own art.  It's all over the blogisphere so why not jump on the bandwagon?

I ordered a chalkboard from Restoration Hardware (this was their small!!). And I found this design on Pinterest.

Totally daunting at first, but I jumped right in.  At first, I looked up how to create a chalkboard design via Google, but to tell you the truth it got a lot complicated, i.e. drawing quadrants, using a projector, etc. so I just decided to free hand it.  I turned the board on it's side first.

While I did this, my little helper seemed very confused.

 
Once I completed the 'Thanks,' I turned the board right side up.

And then added the corn stalk.

Then I propped the finished product up on the make shift bar.

Everything looks better on Instagram.

By Thursday, the bar looked like this.

In order to entertain ten people, I ordered a farm table and cross back chairs from a place in Franklin - Southern Events. I highly recommend them.

And when the table was set, it looked like this.

Not too shabby huh?

Love :: Louis Vuitton Fall Collection

Daydreaming about a New Kitchen

Casual Dining Room Mood Board

Just playing around today...

Den Ideas

Y'all I'm having a hard time deciding what the den layout should be.  Currently the den layout is like this:

Actual pictures for a better idea:

 

 

 

 

But I'm thinking about rearranging it to look like this:

 

 

... which would require a little extra furniture and decor.  Here's what I'm thinking:

 

 

1. Courbe Ottomans from Ballard Designs - I actually already have these but would have them re-upholstered into a neutral animal print... like leopard.  Love me some leopard print.

2. Coral Herringbone Throw from Serena and Lily - to drape over the back of the couch.

3. Mix and match throw pillows for the couch - I already have two large (20" x 20") pillows in the same fabric as the curtains.  And I ordered (from Summer Classics) some two smaller more neural ones as well as a monogrammed bolster pillow for the middle.  You know us girls in the South, we love monograms.

4. Restoration Hardware English Rolls Arm Sofa

5. Circa Lighting Harper Table Lamps (to be bought)

6. Restoration Hardware Salvaged Console Table (to be bought)

7. Eton Chairs from Ballard Designs - purchased and mailed in custom fabric for upholstery.  LOVE THEM!  Seriously, Ballard Designs does an awesome job with upholstering furniture and I love how you can send them your own fabric with no additional charge.

8. Orange Creamsicle Pillows from Olive and Chloe (not that expensive and reversible!)

9. Restoration Hardware Brickmaker's Table (are you noticing a trend here?)

10. Hayes Round Tufted Ottoman from Ballard Designs (another trend...) - to be bought if this is the layout route I take.  The fabric in the pick is an idea... but I'm thinking an off white linen with maybe some coral greek key trim on the bottom...  Still thinking about this one.

 

I'm thinking that once I get the console table (and table lamps) in there, I can move the furniture around to see if I like the new layout.  Stay tuned.

 

Pedro Garcia Shoes

Y'all, it's been one of those weeks at work.  And you know what I do when I have a rough week.  Shoe shopping! 

 

I just discovered Pedro Garcia shoes - they are fun, cute, and super comfy.  I bought these today:

But have my eye on these (shouldn't be too long - these days are definitely happening frequently):