Thoughts for Thursday: December Highlights

As I slowly begin to take down the Christmas decorations scattered throughout our home, I wanted to take a moment to share a few of our December Highlights with you. I still can't believe that one of my favorite seasons has passed and we are about to ring in the New Year, does anyone else feel like this year flew by?! The past 31 days have been filled with joy, love and laughter. It has been a month of special memories and festive activities, if only I could hit rewind so we could do it all over again.

ONE. Getting dressed up to take our Christmas Card pictures.

TWO. This view and Football Sunday with my Dad.

THREE. Beers and BBQ with my sister and her husband.

 

FOUR. Squeezing my best friend after months of being 430 miles apart from each other.

FIVE. An evening at the Ballet, The Nutcracker did not disappoint.

SIX. 80 degrees in December and spending Christmas in Morehead City.

SEVEN. And one last Christmas tree picture. I love my MOL's white flocked Christmas Tree.

 

Chalk House Updates: Kitchen Remodel Inspiration

Happy Friday, dear friends! I am thrilled that there's only 9 hours between me and the weekend. TC and I have had a lot of {festive} fun the past 2 weeks but after last week's birthday celebrations and this week's Christmas parties, we are ready for a lazy Friday night at home. By 5:30pm, you will find me kicking up my feet, catching up on all your blogs and emails while enjoying a glass of wine on the couch. 

With the New Year quickly approaching, I am starting to feel the remodel itch coming on in full force. The first room that is on our list is the kitchen. We spend a lot of time here since we enjoy cooking and entertaining but it is also connected to our family room so if you can imagine these two rooms get a lot of use. I have been bookmarking countless websites, folding corners in numerous magazines and visiting kitchen stores endlessly on the weekends so I hope we can bring my vision to life soon. 

My Inspiration in Pictures:

• Kitchen Cabinets: Painted either Green-Grey or Light Grey with Brass Hardware
  

Via Heidi Piron Design

Via Glitter Guide 

• Sink: Farmhouse sink with a Champagne Bronze Faucet

Via Home Bunch

Via Country Living

•  Backsplash & Countertops: White Subway Tile with Marble Countertops

Via Home Bunch 

• Lighting: Wide Glass Pendant Lights & Recessed Lighting under the Cabinets

Via Heidi Piron Design

• Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Simple White
  
  
  
  I would love your feedback, what do you think?! If you have any suggestions, please share them. Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Five on Friday

Another week is behind us and I can't wait to spend a relaxing weekend at home enjoying all our Christmas decorations, snuggling our pups that haven't felt well all week, wrapping the presents that have slowly started to trickle in from Cyber Monday and squeezing in a few pre-birthday celebrations with TC!

It's time to link-up with April for Five on Friday and Amanda for Friday Favorites. 

ONE: It's my favorite time of the year! I always love looking in my closet to find that perfect festive outfit for our Christmas card picture. We are taking them this weekend which means I have been looking at hundreds of cards online. I have rounded up my top three from Minted and would love your help. Do you have a favorite?

Christmas Card 1

Christmas Card 2

Christmas Card 3

TWO: Speaking of Christmas, this view will never get old. I wish we could enjoy it just a little bit longer than the month of December. 

THREE: Everyone has been sharing such delicious recipes that I can't help but to share a few with you! I am not going to worry about that silly thing called a diet until January 1st. :)

Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers shared a Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole. Doesn't this make you want to run out to the grocery store to get the ingredients so you can make it tomorrow morning?

During the week, I am always looking for a twist to the normal sandwich or microwave meal I take to work so when I saw these delicious Tortilla Roll Ups on Ellie and Addie's blog, I was sold. I've already included all the items on my grocery list so I can make them on Monday.

FOUR: Ever since I saw this quote, it has been my mantra. Change is tough for me {I have shared this before here} but I am fearlessly focused on pursuing a few things in 2016 that I have been thinking about recently. Stay tuned, more details to come. 

FIVE: I'm sure you have noticed that I am a huge sports fan and football is one of my favorites! Since I have grown up in North Carolina, our professional sports teams have never been consistently good. We have our "hot" and "cold" seasons and it is usually more cold than hot. Well, this year is one of those {sizzlin'} hot seasons. Fingers crossed the Carolina Panthers will remain undefeated this weekend after they take on the New Orleans Saints! I think it is a great possibility. Go Panthers!

I hope everyone has an amazing and relaxing weekend!