really, "Hotlanta"?

This past weekend was absolutely beautiful in Atlanta. Despite it being August, the weather was pleasantly warm and not all that humid. We took advantage by going to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens on Saturday.

The Japanese garden

Pretty ornamental peppers

The garden currently has an exhibition of sculptures by Henry Moore - this is looking through one of the sculptures with the Bank of America tower in the background.

One of Moore's favorite themes is mother and child. This sculpture is in the Orchid House.

The spiny forest

View of midtown Atlanta from the botanical garden, which is rightfully called an urban oasis.

We also had dinner with our fun and adventurous friends at a Bangladeshi restaurant. Yum and cheap and they let you bring your own wine!

summer concert fun

Last night we went with a few friends to see Michael Franti & Spearhead, Augustana, and Counting Crows at Chastain Park. I've seen Counting Crows live before and they were great. The show last night did not disappoint. It was an unusual format for a concert though. Rather than the normal 1 band, break, 1 band, break, main band - the three bands played together for nearly the entire show. At a few points all members of the three bands were onstage performing - 18 in all! It was a fun show.

The girls (and yes, that's a can of Bud Light I'm holding. Don't judge - the beer selection was limited and the wines consisted of red, white, and pink so Bud Light seemed like the best option!)

The guys

Junior League

Tonight is my first provisional meeting for Junior League of Atlanta! I'm so excited to meet my advisor and the other girls in my small group. The calendar already looks pretty busy but I'm actually looking forward to being busy with something other than work! Happy Monday everyone!

Dream Design Friday

I'm back with design Fridays! Not much to report this week on the reconstruction/renovation front, I guess things are progressing just slowly. Actually decorating and painting seems like a really long ways off but thinking about the end result helps give me patience with this boring and slow part. Here are some beautiful interiors that I just love...

I love how bright and airy the two rooms above seem, even with the bright pops of color. This is truely dream design for me since there's pretty much no chance of my husband ever agreeing to buy pink furniture! A girl can dream....

Now this may be more reasonable - I just wish that view could be found in Atlanta!

This is gorgeous as well for a more formal living area.

Although this room is much larger than any of ours, I love the overall concept. I think it's such an art to create a room like this that looks put together over time and "goes" without matching exactly.

That's all for today - hope everyone has a fab weekend!

House Update

Sadly this process is slow and frustrating! We met with a fabulous architect several times and have nailed down a design for the house. Now we're working with the contractor on budget, the insurance company on payment and the bank on a loan. If you can't tell, this is the boring part. However, I do have a fun drawing to share of what the front of the house will look like!

It's showing up a little small in blogger. But from the front, it's not all that different. Just a steeper roof and the upper windows will be actual windows that open instead of the glass faux windows up there before. I hope that actual construction will start in August or September and our contractor estimates 8 months until it's finished. sigh

Happy 4th!!

Happy Independence Day! I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!
I'd also like to wish my grandparents a very happy 66th anniversary! I'm so sad to not be with them today but I know they are enjoying the day with the rest of my family.

Summer Cocktails

For a twist on the traditional mint julep, try this blackberry mint julep (courtesy of Martha Stewart, of course!) You'll need:

1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
1 pint blackberries
6 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup bourbon
4 cups small ice cubes
4 sprigs of mint for garnish

Chop the mint leaves then puree the mint, blackberries and sugar in a blender. Press through a fine sieve into a bowl, discard seeds.
Return puree to blender and add the bourbon and ice; blend until smooth. Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint and enjoy!