DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

There's only three more days left to vote for Stehpanie Cook to be on HGTV's next DesignStar. You can cast your vote only once each day before March 3rd, when the polls close. In case you forgot why it is you're voting, scroll down to the post "Vote for the next 'DESIGNSTAR'" and check out her work. And while you're at it, you might get a good laugh from reading the comment section. Apparently Kim's husband, the other girl who is competing against Stephanie for a spot on the show, felt it necessary to pick an argument with my mother. Funny stuff! So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take just a few seconds to vote for Stephanie. Her work is amazing and she definitely deserves the spot on DesignStar! Click HERE to cast your vote.

The Club

Wednesday night at the Marbella Country Club is always endless pasta night. Its my favorite! My dad's membership allows him to spend a certain amount in the dining room each month, and this month he has some left over funds which he graciously donated to me and a few of my friends.

We all had a great time dressing up and chatting over Shirley Temples and Lemonade. And I'm so excited for the next pasta night because Bunker and Allie showed me how to mix the Alfredo and Marinara sauce to make the most amazing dish! Thanks everyone for a memorable night.

Rock the Guitar Band Hero 2008

Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Best ward activity of all time! You're gonna want to get a closer look at these babies. Trust me!

Happy 16th Birthday Scotty!

You rip!

Friday Night

"Super fun!"  These pictures pretty much tell it all...


Friday night I met my girlfriends Kristin, Allie, and Amanda at Irvine Valley College for a fun little carnival in celebration of the Lasers last home basketball game.  I felt like I was 18 again...and I was loving it!   There was free food, cotton candy, and this awesome picture booth!  Kristin works with the Student Affairs at IVC and plans fun things like this all the time.  I was lucky enough to be invited.

After playing around for a little while we watched the Lasers smear the Gauchos (yes, those really are the school mascots).  At half-time Kristin was in charge of the Homecoming show where the 1st King and Queen were crowned.  After the game we decided to get some delicious frozen yogurt from Yorgurtland (scrowl down to read about my new obsession with this place).

We topped off the night with a party in Costa Mesa, followed by a midnight drive on PCH with the top down, the heater up, and the music blasting!  There's not much that beats a great night out on the town with your girlfriends.

Vote for the next 'DESIGNSTAR'

Orange County native Stephanie Cook is competing for a spot to be on Season 3 of HGTV's Design Star. Originally from Carslbad, California, the 27 year old graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from the prestigious Interior Designer's Institute in Newport Beach. Stephanie, now the owner of Cal Coast Designs, a successful Interior Design business, is asking for our help to make her HGTV's next Design Star. If you need some convincing, here's a little peak at her work:

Master Bedroom

Kitchen & Breakfast Nook

Home Office

Master Bathroom

Fantasy Suite

I told you she's good!  So if you, like me, want Stephanie to be on the next season of Design Star, you can vote by clicking HERE or by going to www.hgtv.com/designstar.  Vote once a day for Stephanie Cook!

Here's to you Mr. President.

A tribute to the President's of the past:

Thank you for giving me the day off work. Thank you for letting me sleep in until 8:00 and lay in bed doing nothing until 9, just because I could. Thank you for allowing me to take a brisk walk through my beautiful neighborhood while enjoying the fresh sea air. Thank you for my line of credit that allowed me to purchase new jeans, a tie for my brother, and some hot new Chanel glasses which I am in love with. Thank you for giving me an evening of barbecuing with my friends and stuffing our faces with burgers and fruit salads. And thank you for an enjoyable evening at the movies. Let's do this again next year.

Yogurtland.

I have a new love. Yogurtland. They feature 16 diferent flavors of Non-Fat Frozen Yogurt, 33 different kinds of fresh fruits and toppings at 30 cents an ounce, all with the convenience of self-serve. Load me up! I first experienced this phenomenon Saturday night after the UCI v. BYU Men's Volleyball game...BYU creamed them (no pun intended) 3 games to 1. Ok, back to the Yogurt.

I have heard so many wonderful things about this place so needless to say I was so excited to finally try it for myself. When we pulled up the line was out the door. It was unbelievable. There were at least 50 people in front of me. I thought I was getting in line to ride Space Mountain. I thought to myself, "This place better be worth it, cuz this is ridiculous!" Oh, and it was! I filled up on the most delicious Strawberry, Peach, Mango, and Blueberry Yogurt, topped with cheescake bites, fresh strwaberries, blackberries, and mango.


Right now the closest location to my house is all the way in Irvine, so I checked their website to see if they would be franchising anytime soon. And sweet mercy, they're comin' down south. I can't wait.

3 Reasons Why I loved Valentine's Day:

1.  I  got be creative and crafty...

2. I got these beautiful flowers and delish carmel apples from my Mom & Dad...

FYI Boys - Flowers and Apple Pie Carmel Apples are the way to my heart!

3. I got to hang out with all my other single girlfriends, eat chocolate 'til we were sick, and enjoy a (pretend) striptease from our friend Nate. Hillarious! My girlfriends are the BEST!

The theme of the party was Madonna, so Holly made up these amazing "dolla-dolla-bills-ya'll" that had Madonna on the front and hearts on the back.  Little did we know what they would be used for.  Amazing!

The ladies were loving it!

Work it baby!

Blowing kisses...

Tristen gettin' in on the action!

Yup!  That last one pretty much sums it up.  Thanks for a great Valentine's day in 2000 and 8!

Shhh! Don't tell.

My lunch breaks just keep getting better and better. Today I decided to take my lunch down to the beach and enjoy the 80 degree weather. (During the summertime, this is a daily routine.) So I drove down PCH to the Balboa Peninsula and the thought popped into my head, "I wonder if that one beach house on 57th St. is still vacant (it was empty all summer long!)

The house is absolutely gorgeous. Its situated right on the sand and has this perfect patio on the back where I knew I could hike up my pants, roll up my sleeves, and take a little snooze in the sun. I spent quite a few of my summer days enjoying that house's patio...I think the neighbors either thought I knew the people that owned the place, or that I was some crazy bum who just showed up around lunch time to read a book or eat a Turkey sandwich. Either way, I really didn't care. I was enjoying myself.

Anyway, the blinds in all the windows and doors were closed and the patio furniture was pushed to the side. The Place looked deserted. So, I just casually walked onto the patio, pulled myself out a lawn chair, raised the back to a comfortable height so as to watch the waves as they crashed on the sand and "Ah, bliss!"

I only stayed long enough for a few of the neighbors to stare at the fully clothed female laying on the lounge chair of a house that was clearly not being lived in, but hey, if nobody else is gonna enjoy it, why can't I. And oh how I enjoyed it!

I really want to find out who owns the house and why there's never anyone living there. But until then, I think I'll just continue enjoying their comfortable lounge chairs and the heavenly view.

PART ONE: Italy

Last night was the first meeting for the Book Club I joined.  We're reading Eat, Pray, Love and I've been anxiously awaiting this night for weeks to discuss what we've read. 

We met at April and Laura's cute beach house in Corona Del Mar and discussed the first of three sections. The first section was all about Italy so our gracious hosts provided Italian treats and even Pelligrino to sip on as we discussed. Well done ladies!

I really had a great time discussing the book and its many thought provoking passages. It was so interesting to see what the other girls thought of the main character and how they perceived her travels. Next time we meet to discuss the last two sections: India and Indonesia.  Should be fun.

"Will you be my Valentine?"

Oh how long I have waited to hear those words. "YES! Yes, I will be your Valentine!" Today I was asked to be someone's Valentine. Yes, its true! Ok, so maybe the proposal came from my best friend who also happens to be a girl, who also happens to be married. But hey, those are all really just minor details we shouldn't be worrying about. Bottom line is, I have a Valentine this year! Here's how it all happened...

My girlfriend Erin and her husband Kevin were in town today for a Mexican cruise that leaves out of Long Beach. Since I work in Newport, they kindly drove down from Utah early to meet me on my lunch break before setting sail. They treated me to my favorite salad at BJ's in Huntington. (Its the Crispy Chicken Finger Salad with Honey Mustard dressing for all those who were wondering). So, when I got to the restaurant I sat down and Erin, being the cute little crafty mommy that she is, whipped out this adorable jar of Valentine's M&M's and asked me to be her Valentine.

So, long story short, I have a Valentine for 2008! Sorry to all the boys that were vying for the position. You snooze, you loose!

Spring already?

Can it be? Spring already? Would you believe the trees in Orange County are already in bloom? I know, I know, you Provo folk can hardly believe it! Everywhere I went today the sun was shining and I kept watching the temperature rise up and up. 65...72...78. Amazing! Too bad I had to enjoy most of the afternoon from the couch. I threw my back out washing my car. So embarrassing! Ugh!

My friend Shannon is so talented. We met at the LDSBC while studying Interior Design. Since then she has gone on to do some amazing things. Recently she started her own jewelry line called Lulu Girl. Her creations are beautiful and unique. I've already ordered a few pairs of earrings! Here's the link:

http://lulujewelrydesign.blogspot.com/

Wheel of MisFortune

Many of you already know this about me, but I'm a total Wheel of Fortune nerd! I've been watching this show since I was 2. I really wanna go on and win a load of cash, so I practice as often as I can. Tonight as I was playing along with Pat and Vanna, I was so excited because I thought I had totally solved the puzzle before everyone else.  The category was "What are you doing?"  Here's what was up on the board when I thought I solved it:

_ _ _ _ _ N _    _

_ _ _ T _ _ _   S T _ _ _

I was so sure I thought I knew it that I started jumping up and down on the couch screaming:

LICKING A POSTAGE STAMP

I kept screaming "Licking a postage stamp, licking a postage stamp, licking a postage stamp,"  so that one of the contestants would hopefully hear me, solve the puzzle and win a couple thousand bucks.  (My family hates it when I do this.) Of course the contestant doesn't hear me and he calls another letter: "R"

Immediately I speak my mind. "No, you dumby!  There's no R."  

I am then rebuked when Pat says,"Yes, there are 2 R's."

"What! No there's not!"  My brother is laughing at me in the background.  I am dumbfounded.  What the crap does the puzzle say???

R _ _ _ _ N _    _

_ _ _ T _ _ _ _    S T _ R _

And before I can even take another look at the puzzle, the contestant calls out:

READING A BEDTIME STORY

Are you kidding me?  Now, some may say, Aubrey, you were WAY off in left field my friend.  But wait!  Take a quick look. Before he called that "R", the puzzle honestly could have read "LICKING A POSTAGE STAMP." See!

 Oh well.  It was a valiant try.  But I think this story perfectly illustrates why I will probably never go on this show...I would make a complete idiot of myself by shouting out the wrong answer, thereby embarrassing myself on national television.  I guess I'll just keep practicing.

Thanks...

Corrine,

Lunch was fabulous today. Thanks for getting together! It was fun catching up over sushi. I could've sat and talked for hours. You are so darling! I miss our Provo days of laying out together at the Belmont pool and convincing our rich friends with boats to take us out wakeboarding! I hope we can get together again soon.

Love you girlie,
Aubs

Super Tuesday!

What a commute.

In no way is this post meant to be a brag or a boast. But simply a declaration of my gratitude for, and love of Southern California....

When I woke up this morning I walked to the window to see what kind of day it was going to be. The skies were blue and the ocean was beaming. Yesterday it rained all day and I had hoped for a monring like this. I could tell it was going to be a beautiful day!

I usually take the 73 Toll Roads to work in the morning to save time (not money). But today, I knew it would be worth the $5 toll. For those from Southern California who have driven this freeway on a day after rain, you already know exactly what I'm talking about! As I hurrried up the hill and through the toll plaza, I rounded the corner and behold, this is what I saw:


Well, this is sort of what I saw. I didn't have a camera to take an acutal picture, and unfortunately, there isn't a picture on the internet that does this view any real justice. But believe me, the site was breathtaking. When the rains fall in Southern Calfornia, you can be sure that when you come around that corner on the toll road you first see the snow capped San Bernadino mountains, fresh with powder. Then, your eye moves to the beautiful skyline out in front of you. On a clear day like this you can see all the way to Santa Monica, Pasadena, the Hollywood Hills, and much, much more. Its spectacular. Then, as you start to head down the hill, you look off to your left and you can see the crystal clear ocean just beaming and beginning to fill with the early morning sail boats setting sail for Catalina, or perhaps wherever the wind takes them. Then, to top it off, at the bottom of the hill the Newport Beach temple comes into view and I just simply admire. Life is beautiful.


On my way home form work, the view is just as spectacular. I usually take PCH home (when I'm not in a hurry) to avoid another $5 charge, and of course to enjoy the view. How's this for a drive home from work...


Not too shabby! I love cruising along PCH through Newport, Corona Del Mar, and Laguna. And, if I time it just right, I get to watch the sun setting over the big, blue, Pacific. I honestly couldn't be more grateful. I complain about the 25,000 miles I've already put on my almost 14 month old car, but hey, on days like this the commmute is so worth it!

DJ Obsession

Meet my little brother Scott, aka DJ Obsession.  Last night at my friend Kristin's party, Scotty had his DJ debut. And he ROCKED those turntables!

After a horrible disaster with the music at our New Year's Masquerade Ball, Scotty decided he would throw down some cash and buy this sick system. He's already jockeyed the San Clemente Stake Youth Dance and he's looking to do more.

If you need a DJ for your next party, call this kid. He's good!