Off to Big Bear...

. . . for another weekend getaway!
Time to put some more miles on my board.

A Weekend with the Brackens

This past weekend I went to Arizona to spend some time with my little sister Jacki and her husband Mark. We had sooo much FUN! She pretty much hired me for the weekend to be her Interior Designer to help make their condo cute. We did everything from picking up their new sofa, to designing and building them a custom headboard for their bed, choosing fabrics for draperies, a new rug for the family room, rearranged some furniture, and even hung a few pictures. They've still got a long way to go, but its definitely coming together nicely. Anyway, enjoy some fun pics we snapped during the weekend...

Blue tongues from our Blueberry Slurpies at the QT


Jacki's adorable pregnant belly! 22 weeks and growing...


Enjoying my Barbacoa Pork Salad at Cafe Rio.
"Don't mess with me! I'm eating!"


"Nice shades."


"Yours are pretty cool too."


Dinner at my new favorite restaurant, Oregano's.


Jacki being swallowed alive by the GIANT menu.


Enjoying my dish called "Alfredo the Dark," a spicy mexican twist on an Italian classic. Mmmmm! Spicy!


A giant random chair in the middle of downtown Gilbert.
"Pull over! I need a picture in that thing!"


Time to go home. Thanks for the fun weekend. Love you guys!!!

HOUSE OF BLUES

Monday night I went with a few friends to the House of Blues at Downtown Disney to see Ingrid Michaelson. And well...as you can already see, these pictures are NOT of sweet Ingrid. While the singer/songwriter did put on an entertaining show, the real glory went to this man, Greg Laswell. His lyrical genius mixed with a melancholy fever sent his tunes straight into my heart.

Most of his songs are "sad songs," as Greg likes to call them, with deep meaning and somber melodies that float easily through the ear. I'd have to say that his music has a Colplay/Ben Folds Five vibe, which I love. Greg writes, composes, sings, plays the piano, the guitar, and lulls you into a carnal state of seduction (what, he does!) Like I said, the man's a genius...and cute too!

After he played I stepped outside to grab a cd and on our way back in a few of my friends were lucky enough to meet him in the stairway before the next performer went on stage. Lucky! I hear he plays at a small venue in LA quite often. Anyone care to join us for the next show?

Mesa Arizona Temple

I'm home! No time to blog now, but wanted to share this awesome picture of the Mesa Arizona temple. I love the way it glows! My sister, her husband, and I were able to do a session Friday night and then walked around the grounds for some quick pictures. The Mesa temple is definitely up there on my list of favorites.

More pictures of the trip soon to follow...

Off to Arizona . . .

. . . to play with my little sister again!!!

Maybe we'll ride bikes together...

Or watch a scary movie...

Or play in the water...

Or visit friend's houses...

Or just hang out...

Can't wait to play!!! See you soon Bird!

A Splash of Color

As an interior designer, my favorite part of design is COLOR! While I prefer more neutral tones in my own home, a little splash of color never hurt anyone. Check out these fun interiors from Domino . . .

I Love my Angels

Tuesday night the Halos smeared the Mets in an inter-league game played at the Angels Stadium of Anaheim. Lackey merited a standing ovation from the crowd as he exited after giving us a 6-1 lead over the Mets, securing their position in the leader's circle. Way to go Lackey! Other noteworthy performances are credited to Hunter, Izturis, Guerrero, Kotchman and Mathis. Love you boys!

A special thanks to our oh-so-generous Fari suppliers for hookin' a girl up! You know I love me some baseball!!! So glad you could come along Cora & Deron!

The Other Boleyn Girl

Throughout the month of May our book club took on the challenge to read the salacious novel, The Other Boleyn Girl. Although a hefty read, the book was wonderfully fascinating and most nights kept me up way past my bedtime. I loved learning more about the life of King Henry VIII and his days at court with the Boleyn sisters. Chapter after chapter I found myself being swept away by the romance, repulsed by the deceit, and enveloped in the drama of it all. Aside from the riveting story line, I loved the unfolding of the characters, and at times found myself forgetting the truthfulness of the narrative as I became emotionally involved in Anne's famous, tragic end, offset by Mary's happier fate. But in the end, the self-defeating folly of the quest for power is what lingers longest in my mind.

After this great read, anticipation grew as we all awaited last Tuesday's DVD release of the major motions picture version. Monday night the book club girls gathered at my place and cozied up to watch the movie. While I understand that its difficult to condense an entire 700 page novel into 120 muinutes, I was devastatingly disappointed by the film as a whole. Historically, it takes far too many liberties from the truth. While the theme of Rival sisters duking it out for the passion of a king remians intact, there were such significant changes made to the storyline that left me frustrated and unfulfilled. Were it not for the excellent acting of Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, the film would have been an absolute disaster. The book was much jucier, racier, and far more worth my while.

Over the river and through the woods...

...to Grandmother's house we go! Sunday night we went to my grandparent's home in San Clemente to celebrate Father's Day. While the boys were watch Tiger win his way into the 18th hole play-off at The US Open, I decided to take a walk through Grandma's beautiful garden and try out a few new settings on my digital camera. The subject: my second favorite flower, the hydrangea.

Happy Dad's Day

I love my Daddy!

Ward BBQ & Pool Party

Tonight the San Clemente 5th Ward hosted a BBQ & Pool Party at Club Messick. From the grill, to basketball, mini-golf, waterslides and more, I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did!

Baseball, Bowling & Birthdays . . .

Friday night was AMAZING! Daddy let us take the burb to Mormon Night at the Angel's Game! So fun! We stuffed our faces with hot dogs, nachos, and red vines. We didn't watch much of the game...mostly because our seats were in the very last row of the staduim. Regardless, it was a good game cuz I got to watch Garland pitch. Garland, if you're reading this, "Call me baby!"

Next on the agenda: LA! All the girls piled back into the beast and headed to LA to help one of our favorite friends, Brig Woods, celebrate his 26th Birthday. We did a little bowling (yes, I went bowling 2 nights in a row...AMAZING!) Tessa and I were a team and together we got the winning score of 141 and "totally redeemed myself" after Thursday night's pitiful performance. Thanks Brig for being born and giving us another excuse to party!!!

Fari goes bowling . . .

Thursday night Fari hosted the 1st Annual Fari International Bowling Night held at the Irvine Lanes. We had a great showing of support from all the Fari and Ebanista staff. Fari was of course a hit with his ever jovial banter and hyperactive ADD antics. His adorable son Jordan, my nemesis for the evening, decided that every time I was up to bowl he would sneak through the crowds and bowl me a gutter bowl. Dirty rascal!

While Jordan and I were goofing around, the rest of the team put on their game faces and got ready for some real bowling. Jason Maughan and Jeremiah Johnson, the devilishly handsome Project Managers, were favored to win the event with their unbeatable speed and tricky backspin. However, a surprise performance by the incredible Miss Briana Jones threw us all for a loop with her high score of 128. She left us all choking in her dust. And we all thought she was just an Interior Designer?  Somebody sign her up for the big leagues. Way to go Briana!

Taco Tuesday

Tuesday night Cora had the brilliant idea to get the girls together at Fred's for some tacos! While I was sad Allie couldn't make it (she had a date to the Angel's game...a worthy excuse), Jaime saved the day by bringing baby Bentley and her cute friend Shannon. We had such a great time catching up on everyone's lives. I found out that Jaime and Shannon are attending their 10 YEAR REUNION next week, Jaime's husband Matt is taking 13 finals in Dental school this week, and Deron & Cora have reason to celebrate the great news that they are going to grow their family. How exciting! Every girl needs a little time away from the boys once in a while to just talk "girl talk".

Jaime, Me, Cora, Bentley, & Shannon

Bentley was such a hoot. He loved making a mess and smearing the tortillas all over his face. And no matter how into his tortilla he was, when I would take the camera and start counting 1...2...3, he would drop what he was doing and give the camera this huge grin. How adorable! I just love this little guy.

It's a BOY!

Today my little sister Jacki had her Ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby. How cute is this picture? He's sucking his thumb!


She called to tell me on my lunch break and I was so excited that when I got back to the office I went online and bought him these...

He'll be sportin' these Checkerboard Vans right out of the womb! You know it Jacki...I'm hookin you up! Love you already baby boy!

Dear little sisters,

Thank you for driving all the way down from Provo to play with me this weekend! I love your beautiful faces!!!

Love,
Me

Ps-When are you coming back Kellie? I need a haircut. Bad!

Indonesian Muse

The Bvlgari Hotel & Resort in Bali is the inspiration for our newest Custom Home project, located in the serene bay community of Lido Isle. Much like The Bvlgari, the home will offer an intimate haven of privacy and luxury. To reflect the traditional Balinese architecture, we have combined a sophisticated contemporary design of indigenous stones and native mahogany wood finishes. The result should be an edifice rich in authenticity, character and beauty. The home is scheduled for completion Christmas of 2008. I can hardly wait.

A night at the Villa . . .

Two thumbs way up!

If you're a Jack Black fan, you need to see this movie in all its "awesomeness."

Happy Anniversary

"Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness, but eternal joys as well." - Spencer W. Kimball

Twenty-seven years ago today my parents were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today I celebrate with them and say "Thank You" for setting such a beautiful example of what I hope to someday have in my own eternal marriage. I love you both!

Organic Blend

While thumbing through some magazines at work I came across these beautiful pictures. These interiors are so clean and organic . . . something my life is not! I would love to abide my time in a space like this.