Karla and Steve's Stoneleigh Wedding

No point in making excuses as to why I have not blogged. I just have been super busy with work, Ollie's recovery, and life in general. Maybe I will make a better effort, but no promises! I do miss blogging and whoever is still reading this, I am glad you are still around! I know my grandmother Margaret is reading and my father in law (Hi Gary!). To anyone else still clicking on this blog - hello! I hope to start posting more regularly!

This past Friday, one of my best friends, Karla got married! Karla and I met while working together over four years ago and she and I have remained friends along with our other partner in crime Tracy. We only worked together for a couple of months but somehow became fast friends. The joke is that I work places just to make friends. I also ended up meeting Eric though another coworker through this job so I am pretty sure I was meant to work there!

Karla and Steve's wedding was a beautiful boutique hotel in Dallas, The Stoneleigh. Weddings are held in the pent house of the hotel, which used to be an apartment building. It is a very elegant and unique space and perfect for Karla's wedding.

 The bride to be and me - the honeymoon suite was gorgeous! You couldn't ask for a better room to spend your honeymoon in!

 She looked beautiful and SO happy!

 The dress!

 Me, Karla, and Tracy - Triple Trouble! (or at least we were back in the day!)

Tracy and I both were readers in the wedding, which is why we are both wearing black and matching broaches. And how good does my hair look?! Kidding, kinda... I went to to the DryBar and got a mix of the cosmo and the mai tai and at first thought it was too big, too curly, but then it fell and I loved it! It is a very different look for me if you know me well!

 The beautiful bridesmaids. All of their dresses were so pretty - each a different style that fit each girl perfectly. I should also mention this crew is pretty fun!

 Some last minute advice from Dad -  so sweet

 I almost cried but held it together.

 Eric and I

 The reception room.

 Party!

 Posing with Tracy

 It was a dance party - fun fact: Karla used the same DJ that I used in my wedding. It was fun to see him again even if he did remember me as the girl who cried when her wedding was over. Yes I did. I was so sad it was over.

Congratulations to you both! I am so happy I was a part of your special day!

Chateau des Arpentis

Well, Happy New Year's Eve! This is my third post tonight. It is New Year's Eve and  Eric and I are not doing anything tonight. Keeping it real, we had Whataburger for dinner (along with a nice bottle of French red wine). To be honest, we haven't had the best last couple of weeks. I don't know why I have an issue with skipping things on the blog... I want everything to go in order, which is why I am obviously trying to get all of our Europe trip blogged (yes, I know we went in September) so I can update the blog with real life real time stuff! I need to update on Ollie (he had major knee surgery), we went to several weddings, we had Thanksgiving and Christmas, and most recently we celebrated the life of Eric's grandmother. But for now, let's continue with the other chateau we stayed at in Amboise, Chateau des Arpentis. Once again, since our flight was canceled going to Paris and we scrambled to push everything back, our first chateau in Amboise could not accomdodate us another night, so we luckily found this place to stay in. I guess it was okay. (Sarcasm!)

 Umm even the covered the pool looks amazing. Bucket list item - to return here in the summer for a week and just relax and tour all of the beautiful chateaux in the Loire Valley and sit by this pool in the afternoons drinking a nice French white wine.

 The sitting area of our room. So quaint with the fireplace.

 The bathroom was to die for.

We all know I love a good bath tub and can't pass up the opportunity for a tub pic. I really should do a blog post on all the bath tubs I have taken my picture in.

Honestly this chateau was so cool. It was decorated exquisitely and the history of the place was just amazing. There was a very nice living room area you could relax in, with a fire place. Breakfast was served in a quaint little eating area. It was like out of a movie.  I was actually really sad we were just here for a night - hardly any time at all to enjoy the beauty that it was. The next morning we woke up, saw one more chateau and were on our way to Spain!

Le Chateau de Nazelles

After spending the better part of the day at the palace of Versailles, we continued on to our next destination of Amboise, France. Amboise is in the Loire River Valley - an area full of old chateaux that were built by royalty, mainly as hunting lodges and to escape the pressures of the big city of Paris. After much research on where to stay, I found a lovely old chateaux named the Le Chateau De Nazelles. It is run by a lovely couple Veronique and Oliver, who live on the grounds. They have converted this old castle into a little a small hotel with only five bedrooms and cottage. The pictures did not do it justice. Everything about it was just perfect. It is located on a hill though and I once again the stupid manual rental car caused a huge problem! Eric was never happier to park and get out of the car!

 Our bedroom was decorated simply and elegantly.

 The bath tubs just keep getting better!

 There was exposed original rock from the side of the mountain the room was built into. 

 That was the entrance to our room. We had a cute little table right outside we could sit at and enjoy the grounds.

 I went on a little hike and took some pictures of the surrounding area.

 There were tons of little outside living areas that you could enjoy.

 How gorgeous is this pool? Unfortunately it was too cold, but how neat would this be in the summertime? Have to go back!

 View of Amboise

 That is the main part of the chateau where the owners live.

 Eric is proud of this artsy picture.

 There was even a little common area kitchen you could prepare your meals in.

 We met a cat.

 Another beautiful picture of the grounds.

 The cat joined us for dinner. We went into town and found a little market. We got meat and cheese, fruit and wine, bread and a little desert and came back to have a little picnic and enjoy our beautiful surroundings.

 Delicious wine! I miss how good and cheap the wine was!

Our spread! Yum!

I definitely reccommend staying at this quaint little inn. We really did enjoy our stay. We were supposed to stay two nights, but since our trip got pushed back a day, they did not have room. Coming up you will see the other chateau we stayed the night in. It was pretty awesome as well!