home goods.

Right before we married we moved into a town home style condo in the Perimeter area. It has tons of space which is nice for all of the new registry items we acquired. Since it was our first place together we pretty much just combined spaces, so we don't necessarily have the most adult/matching furniture, but it works and has made great strides. I find it difficult to decorate the place fully since we rent it and I have no idea how long we will be here... but a few great finds have made it feel more like home! I try to focus on accent pieces and not going crazy buying big budget items... Rome wasn't built in a day after all.

With the addition of china and entertaining pieces, we looked forever for something fun to store things in. Not wanting to invest in a china cabinet (because we don't have a dining room and/or dining table) we finally found this cute hutch that could be used for almost anything and brightens up the space a lot. I think a lot of things can make you feel at home, but fresh flowers, antique furniture and bright decorative pieces do the trick for me (our everyday dining is bright green!).

what you should be watching.

I really love television. In fact, I consider it one of my hobbies and am not at all ashamed to admit it. There are the obvious shows I love- Gossip Girl, Glee, True Blood, Bachelor, Vampire Diaries... and every show to ever hit MTV, Bravo or HGTV (my favorites- Teen Mom, every Real Housewife, Property Virgins).Ok, I have a problem.

But, here are some shows that I am obsessed with that are on in the summer and not getting as much attention as all of these other popular ones. So, if you want to beat the heat and order some seasons or get them on demand, I highly recommend!

Pretty Little Liars. This is up there with Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries for me as one of the best shows ever. It is like a modern day murder mystery, full of scandal, suspense, love and drama.

Food Network Star: Just started watching it this season, but it is in its 7th. The hosts are reason enough to watch: Giada and Bobby Flay. I love cooking shows (Top Chef is my fav), but this is a new spin on it, they also have to be good at TV hosting! I am hooked. 

Giuliana and Bill: I've never met anyone who watches this. But, clearly people do, because it is in its fourth season. The reality show follows the unbelievably precious E! host (who I have a strange girl crush on)and her entrepreneur/apprentice star hubby and their adventures in marriage and struggles to conceive.

FILA

When you've lived in the same city your whole life there are so many things you don't do or take advantage of. Here is a list of upcoming things I want to do or plan on doing and haven't (and let me know if you want to go!)

• High Museum wine tasting. They actually have these sporadically and I have never been! How worldly to look at art while sipping wine. Must go!
• A fun day at Piedmont Park. They have this cool Beer Garden, plus the Tree Top tour, dog park, festivals and oh, so much more. (I've been to Piedmont, but need to do more!)
• Atlanta Bike Tour ok, I really want to start biking around in general, but I have always thought this would be a new, fun way to see the city and hear some history. Check it out!
• World of Coke I went one time on a field trip when I was a tiny kid and that was at the "old Coke Factory." Yes, the new one is not even new anymore and I have never seen it! I guess when you live here it isn't that big of a deal? (side note- I don't like soda, but this just seems so cool and full of fun facts!)

 

Rounding out the list is a ton of restaurants I know I still need to try. 

 
JCT Kitchen, Broken Egg, Pricci, Collonade, Woodfire Grill...   the list goes on. 

Party!

Saturday was my mom's big 5-0. What is crazy is she thinks she is old! She has children ages 23-27 and is only 50, most of my friends have parents much older. My mom does so much still. She is in grad school, works as a full time nurse and manager, full time wife and mom (and therefore counselor) and is probably one of the most domestic people I know! Lots of working moms can't say this. She is honestly one of the best cooks I know and still manages to have dinner on the table each night with all she has going on. Not sure I want to be doing all of this at age 50, but I certainly admire her more than anyone!

Saturday we had a little gathering for mom at our condo and my sister and I cooked all day while Michael (thankfully... best husband ever!) cleaned. In true Murray style, we had a fiesta with Mexican themed food and drinks. I tried all new recipes and they all turned out tasty (which is shocking, since I did not get my mother's domestic genes) of dips and tacos... then took the easy way out and ordered GiGi's cupcakes. Pictures to come at some point when my camera cord is functioning.

Sunday was BRITNEY SPEARS and it was definitely everything I hoped for. I was long due for a girls night and a good concert. Colleen, Whitney and I hung out at a rooftop bar nearby which was very fun before heading to the show. I've been listening to Britney Spears since I was 13 and she did not disappoint her audience of thousands of 20-30 year old women and gay men dancing and singing to more than a decade of fun music.

oh, the places we go

I've just been so busy there has been no time to post! Two weekends ago we spent the long July 4th weekend in Hilton Head with some friends... and lots of dogs! The beach was certainly what I needed as a stress reliever; and Michael was a big sport roughing the weekend with a house full of chicks. Check out me and the pup on her first beach vaca.

Molly loved the sand, she would dig and dig... so cute. The beach was also just what she needed! After spending some time with much more calm and trained dogs, she has been so good. We leave her out during the days now and she is chewing and potty free. She also seems much more acclimated to our lifestyle and has chilled out a lot. Success!

Last weekend we spent some time with Michael's parents at their cabin home in Big Canoe (a mountain development area in northern Georgia). Again, Molly loved that. as did we. No cell reception = no problems. I am not one for the wilderness, but it was fun hiking and spending time with people I love. Molly climbed this waterfall all the way to the top (and back down) with us. We swear she is part cat, part monkey.

(we actually made it to the top. this was just the middle for our photo-op break)

I have a very fun weekend ahead this weekend too! Friday, Michael and I are finally going to a Braves game together, Saturday is my mom's BIG birthday (shh, we won't say which one!) and Sunday I have tickets to the Britney Spears concert with my girlfriends.... just have to get through 32ish more hours of craziness as I continue to be beyond busy at work- which is generally a good thing, sometimes it just makes my head spin a tad.

Congrats to my friends Kelly and Brian who got engaged Saturday!

Auntie (goes shopping!)

We found out Marielle and Brian were pregnant in April, but today we found out... it's a BOY! Which will certainly fuel my shopping as blue is my absolute favorite color and monogramming initials and names is something I love to see done. Like me, my wonderful sister-in-law shares a passion for stimulating the economy, so I have no doubt he will be the most preciously swaddled baby on the block.

If you also love online shopping and things unique, you better spend all your time on Etsy like me. My two recent purchases-

Custom made artwork with our last name I found from this Etsy seller. She was super easy to work with and made this great piece for us to hang in our new home. All I had to do was get it framed!

Simple gold initial necklace I purchased from this Etsy Seller. It is a great everyday piece!

What will I buy next? Something BLUE! Thanks M and B this is just another reason for me to shop :) Your brother will be happy.

Tidbits

I just got back from a conference in Orlando and always return tired. It was a good time, more so fun, not very successful for my company... although I did come back obsessed with the Casey Anthony trial (thanks Jenn), so HLN will be on for good now.

I was SO excited to see little Molly when I got back and just dropped her off for her first grooming appointment and am off to meet Michael for dinner soon. Even when I only leave for a few days I miss my sweet, tiny family.

Before I left we celebrated my birthday. A weekend of fun with friends! Life has changed so much since getting married and I am loving it. After lots of time with friends on Thursday and Friday, Michael and I just chilled out Saturday by the pool then went to our favorite, hole in the wall sushi restaurant. Him and Molly gave me sweet presents and we watched the season that we're on of How I Met Your Mother (we started at the beginning and it is so fun! Anyone who doesn't watch should). It was a perfectly fun and simple day that we both needed.

This weekend we are off to Hilton Head to celebrate the Fourth. My friend, Colleen, has a house down there so a few of us are going to get away for the weekend. I can't wait to see sand and beach.