A bit of Paris comes to Atlanta

I got so caught up in the anti-wedding article I forgot what I meant to blog about!

Sunday, we had tickets to Bark at the Park, which is a special Braves game for dogs and their owners. (There I go with the dog obsession again...) Because of the heat (Pugs don't tolerate heat and humidity very well) and me still not feeling fantastic after last week's oral surgery (don't worry, it's nothing major) we decided against the baseball game. Instead we visited the High museum to see the last weekend of the special exhibit The Louvre and the Ancient World. The Louvre and the High are doing a series of special exhibits that bring exhibits from Paris to Atlanta. It is really interesting because many of the pieces of art have never left the Louvre. My favorite part of the exhibit was the collection of busts by Jean-Antoine Houdon. His famous busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Voltaire, and Rousseau were just amazing to see up close. Not being artistic myself, it fascinates me that he was able to carve such realistic-looking sculptures from marble. Some of them look like they could speak at any second! I highly recommend this series of exhibits to anyone visiting Atlanta. The next one is The Louvre and the Masterpiece and it starts October 12.

I don't understand people like this...

I just read this obnoxious article in The Washington Post and now I'm annoyed with myself for wasting 5 minutes of my life reading it. Seriously, I understand that some people don't want a "Big Wedding". Fine. If you want a simple, no-frills wedding, go to the courthouse and get married. Or, if you want a trashy, no-frills wedding, go Brittney-style and elope in Vegas. Just because a huge wedding industry exists, does not mean that anyone is required to have a gown, flowers, a cake, or a big reception with fancy food. And now, I will step down off my soapbox....

My preppy pug is ready for fall, are you?

I must apologize that I've become "that person" who is obsessed with their dog. I can't help it. After spending time with two other fantastic dogs this past weekend, I'm ready to add another member to the Chandler family. (who just may have golden fur and end up weighing 70+ pounds!)

Happy Labor Day!

We just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Labor Day weekend. Enjoy these last few official days of summer. Here in 'Hotlanta' it will feel like summer for quite a while longer but there's no denying that fall is on its way. Last night was the first night of college football, stores are putting out Halloween decorations and I'm feeling the need to buy new school supplies (well, I guess it would have to be office supplies) - I love fall ;)
We're headed to Charlottesville for the first football game of the season and to visit friends who recently moved there! I don't know if other people feel this way about their college town, but for me, Charlottesville always feels like home and I absolutely love going back. Even if it will make me feel old to see the signs welcoming the class of 2012.
Anyway, happy weekend to all and safe travels!

Home sweet home?

After nearly a year (for Cary at least), we're finally settling down in Atlanta! It's funny how things work out - the whole time our condo was on the market, we casually looked at houses without much success. Everything was either way out of our price range or just not what/where we wanted. Somehow, just one week after closing the sale in DC we looked at this house And it was perfect ;) We put in an offer that evening (with the help of the best real estate agent ever!)

Just a few weeks from now we'll be ready for guests ;)

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by the lovely and always optimistic Kappa Prep at Manicures and Monograms! Here are the rules

*Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

*Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others that you like and tell why.

*Tag 5 random people at the end of post and include links to their blogs.

*Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


This was a really hard first tag so forgive me if it's not that great....


1. I Can't Wait to See you Again - Miley Cyrus. wow, I can't believe I just admitted to that! What can I say, the song is catchy - even if I don't agree with her choice of magazine poses/publicity....


2. Glamorous - Fergie. Again, it's a catchy song. I just can't help but sing along when I'm alone in my car. ( I'd never subject a friend to that!)


3. Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy - Big & Rich. At my wedding, the husband of one of my good friends requested this song. At the time I was furious because it was definitely on my "do not play" list. However, I now think about my wedding and smile any time I hear this song.

4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper. Practically required soundtrack for sorority slide shows. Always reminds me of fun times at the sorority house and getting ready to go out with the girls.

5. Devil Went Down to Georgia - Another sorority flashback, there are alternate words that I always sing when I hear this song. It's especially embarrassing when other people are around.


It seems like every blog I read has already done this so if you haven't yet, join in!

busy, busy, busy

So given my lack of posts lately, you may think nothing much has been going on here in Atlanta. Quite the opposite though, here's a quick run-down of the excitement (haha) in our life.

1. I finally got a project at work - I've billed more hours in the past 2 1/2 weeks than I have in the past 2 months. good for my utilization, bad for my sanity

2. It's mid-year review time at work so in addition to working until 10 PM, I also have to re-assess my goals for the year and figure out how to get moving on them before the end of the year.

3. We finally got a contract on our condo in DC!

4. So now I'm frantically trying to coordinate movers, plane tickets, moving supplies, etc.

5. The house hunt is in full swing now since we want to be in a house ASAP.

6. The husband and I joined the UVa alumni kickball team - one more commitment for Saturdays.

7. I ran the Peachtree on July 4th! It was only my second 10K and the weather was MUCH hotter than the previous race. But I survived and came in with a respectable time - and the coveted Peachtree Road Race t-shirt. I feel like a true Atlantan now ;)

8. We spent the rest of the holiday weekend at Lake Lanier with friends. It was a much-needed break filled with jet-skiing, swimming, bbq-ing, playing with the dogs, etc.

9. Friday, the husband and I are headed to Richmond for my grandparent's 65th anniversary! I feel incredibly lucky to have such amazing, healthy, inspiring grandparents. We're also celebrating my mom's birthday with a lovely brunch before we head back Sunday afternoon.

So that's life in a nutshell!