"Shooby Dooby Down To Ruby's"

What could be more fun than a late night trip to Ruby's for some bottomless fries and their famous milkshakes! Thanks Linds for bringing along the camera to capture me at my best. I just love you girls.

Gianna's 1st Birthday

Over the last several months I've fallen in love with these cute little kids I've been nannying for. This weekend I was invited to attend the FIRST birthday of little Miss Gianna B. She is such a darling girl, and a girly girl at that.

In true first birthday fashion, all dressed up in her pretty pink dress, Gianna was offered the opportunity to smash into a cake of her very own. While digging into the frosting Evan and Max caught sight of the action and quickly moved in to have a taste.

When it came time to open presents, Gianna made out like a bandit. She recieved dresses and shoes, bows and headbands, and toys, toys, toys! Of course the only thing that could really keep her attention was a birthday card. Go figure! I just love these kids!!!

L is for . . .

Wednesday night after work a few of us gathered at Disneyland to celebrate the birth of this fine fellow, Mr. Lance Johnson. The park closed at 8 so we weren't anticipating being able to ride many rides. Fortunately for us the park was pretty much deserted so we managed to sneak on 4 in one hour. Impressive.

And I couldn't not (sorry for the double negative) post this picture of Andy and I on Tower of Terror. I don't know why I find this so amusing, but I do. I'm pretty sure we're the only two aware of the fact that we're on a ride. Is the entire back row sleeping? And how about the little Asian family across from us, totally clueless that we're about to drop 10 stories to the ground? Amazing.

Scotty-Too-Hotty-For-His-Own-Body

My baby brother turned SEVENTEEN on Tuesday! I still can't believe it. He's grown into such a handsome young man. I love this candid shot I snapped of him on our trip to Lake Mohave last September. He looks so...bendy.

Anyway, I was pretty excited to give him his birthday present this year. Since I'm on a tight budget I had to get creative. One night while searching the web, I came across THIS. It's a Retro Block iPod Speaker that mimics one of his favorite childhood toys. He thought it was super rad! I wish I could say it made me feel like the coolest sister ever, but it didn't. Probably because I ditched out on his opening of the present to go to the BYU vs. SDSU game. At least they won, right? Happy birthday Scotty! You're my favorite brother.

THE BACHELOR: The Women Tell All

I know, this picture is totally irrelevant to Monday night's episode, but I miss Jillian, okay!!! I feel like the bitter reunion on The Bachelor: The Women Tell All is one of those necessary evils - a way for the producers to drag on the season as long as possible. I'll admit, I pretty much fast forwarded through the entire first hour. Hello, we've been tuned in all season, we don't need to see all the re-cap crap. And why is it that this episode always turns into one big cat fight, as was demonstrated so beautifully by several of this season's drama queens. At least we got to see Jillian one more time. Did you see her shoes? I love her!

Anyway, we finally pressed play again when they started in on the success stories from seasons passed. I found it amusing that the producers felt it necessary to reafirm the audience's faith in the lasting relationships that have resulted from previous seasons of The Bachelor. Were they serious? I'm pretty sure only 2 of the 13 relationships have lasted. Do you know what that means? That means there's a 15.3% chance that Jason and the lucky lady he picks will actually work out. That's right, 15.3%, not even the equivalent of an F. That's like a F,G,H,I...J? That's terrible.

After the feel good stuff ended it was back to the drama. How painful was it to re-live one of the most ridiculous moments in Bachelor history? Did anyone catch what Natalie said in the limo after just having been dumped on her "million dollar date?" It was beyond classic. In case you missed it, let me remind you. In response to Jason's decision to send her home she said "You don't have a connection with me? Who do you think you are, God?" Wow Natalie! Wow! Not your proudest moment I'm sure. And was she honestly surprised to find out that the other women in the household despised her? If even sweet Kari had a problem with her, then I'm sure we all would have to.

Let's talk about Jillian for a moment. Awe, Jillian. I still think she is one of the classiest women this show has ever seen. I really think she handled the awkward reunion with poise as she confronted Jason about why he dealt her the "friend card." Not only was I impressed with her composure, but her positive attitude. Didn't you just love when she responded to Chris Harrison's proposal that she be the next Bachelorette with "I can't wait til Prince Charming gets off his lazy butt and sweeps me off my feet." Me too Jillian, me too.

So, how's everyone feeling going into this final episode? I may be horribly disappointed I know the ending already (my friends totally spoiled it for me with some leaked gossip that has really got me quite upset), but I'm still anticipating the biggest conclusion in Bachelor history. Let's just say I can't stand Jason anymore and think he's an idiot. Stay tuned for next week's After the Final Rose Ceremony. It's gonna be an episode to talk about!

And the Oscar goes to . . .

DAVID ROCKWELL, for his imaginative stage design at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. According to director Danny Boyle, the internationally acclaimed architect and designer's stage creation was “bloody beautiful." And it was. Bravo!

David Rockwell’s design marks the first time an architect has been tapped for the honor. His intent was to craft an immersive environment evocative of an intimate club and his proscenium curtain design made of more than 100,000 crystals did just that.

“We created a spatial and architectural solution for the 2009 Oscars that is based on storytelling, spectacle, and community,” explained David Rockwell, founder and CEO of Rockwell Group. “We wanted to use a surprising and dramatic integration of technology and movement to celebrate the awards ceremony, which has become one of the greatest shared rituals of our time.”

Rockwell also set the stage with his innovative use of five LED screens that transformed and reconfigured to show movie clips and montages throughout the show. It was both brilliant and beautiful. A job well done for Mr. David Rockwell and his amazing team of designers.

The Music Box at The Fonda

Saturday night some friends and I celebrated our dear friend Devin Ord's birthday at The Music Box in Hollywood to hear two of my favorite musicians perform: Joshua Radin and Meiko. The concert was incredible, minus the standing in heels for nearly 4 hours. Never again!

I Heart Troy!

Can you believe it? Friday night my roommates and I skipped out on a lot of fun offers to sit on a couch in Huntington and watch High School Musical 3! You heard me right! We turned down a wild night at the rodeo, the ever popular trip to Disneyland, and even a last minute date, all to watch our favorite High Schoolers dance their way through Senior Year. We might as well be twelve! For months, my die hard HSM friend Erin Hawley had been planning the dvd release party of this blessed movie and Friday night, like a bunch of boy crazy pre-teens, we put on our pj's and East High apparel and watched Zac Efron schmooze the screen with his leading lady, Miss Vanessa Hudgens. It was everything I hoped it would be and more: ridiculous musical numbers that stick in your head for hours, awkward dance numbers that leave you wondering "Did that really just happen?" and of course a shirtless scene with the boyishly handsome Troy Bolton. Am I too young to already be considered a cougar? It was definitely a Friday night well spent. I love my life!

Midsummer Estate

I love my new job, don't get me wrong, but for some reason today I'm missing my old job. A lot. This afternoon I stumbled across these drawings my boss and I worked on back in 2008. Since it will most likely never be built, I thought I would share our ideas for this incredible 22,000 square foot architectural beauty.


After the conceptual design is complete, each home receives a special name. This Newport Coast McMansion would have been known as the Midsummer Estate. Isn't it gorgeous! It comes complete with a subterranean garage, gourmet kitchen, outdoor loggias, guest house, and a view you can only imagine in your dreams. What a fun project this would've been!

The House She Calls Home

I've always been a huge fan of actress Amanda Peet, so when I came across this picture article on Domino featuring her gorgeous Spanish Mediterranean home, which just so happens to be my favorite style of architecture, I couldn't resist sharing. I hope someday someone wants to photograph my home and feature it in a magazine. A girl can dream, can't she?

Actress Amanda Peet and her husband, screenwriter David Benioff, turned their first shared home into an elegant haven that's family-friendly yet pulled-together.

It wasn't until Peet and Benioff bought this Spanish-style bungalow near the Hollywood Hills that they truly married styles.

In the entryway, a collage of family photos and artwork establishes the informal tone. Hanging the frames unevenly, but with roughly the same amount of space between each, is all it took.

Benioff's masculine tastes and Peet's long-standing devotion to stripes and ethnic textiles combine to create a casual, unpretentious sophistication.

A decoupage hollyhock lamp and a pile of vintage textiles warm up the stainless-steel baker's rack and Benioff's leather-and-chrome chair.

"I chose my living-room sofa for its fat seat," Peet says. Set amid neutral hues, the bold upholstery, accentuated by an antique Chinese shawl, commands center stage.

White walls, bare windows, the original terra-cotta floor tiles and weathered industrial chairs gathered around a metal pedestal table form a clean, sun-filled backdrop that's softened by the flatweave rug and vintage-fabric-covered seats.

In the guest room—one of only two spaces that deviate from white walls—a medley of blues, greens and bits of gold unites two very different florals.

Finck's Birthday @ Oceans!!!

Bye Bye Best Friend

While some of you may be hoping to find some juicy commentary on last nights hot tub romp in New Zealand, I'm sorry to disappoint, but this is a family blog, and what happened on ABC last night was anything but PG rated. Although, I will admit I was laughing and squirming the entire time. I mean what was up with the dramatic latin soap opera music? And how about when she...okay, okay, enough! So, I guess it pretty much goes without saying that last night was a sad night for me. As our beloved Bachelor, Jason Mesnick, said goodbye to my favorite eligible bachelorette, Miss Jillian, the adorable 29 year old Canadian Interior Designer, a part of me died. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't devastated to see her go. She was my favorite from the start. However, during Monday night's episode it became painfully obvious to me that Jillian had somehow missed the marriage mark and become the unlikely "Best Friend." I think I liked her so much because I connected with her on so many levels. First of all, she's an Interior Designer and so am I. She's Canadian and I served my mission to Canada. And third, she's been sorely unlucky in love, and well, yah, enough said. Of course I also loved her for her fashion sense, her big heart, and that teensy tiny waistline we all coveted. But at the end of the day, if Jason wasn't in love with her, then what can you do? I think she's one stellar woman and will find love soon...like on next season's The Bachelorette! Wouldn't that be amazing? As for Jason, I think he and Melissa will be very happy together. Sorry Molly, you didn't really think he was gonna pick you just cuz he thinks you have pretty eyes did you? Oh you did? That's so sweet. Oh and Jason, good luck next week! You're gonna need it when you face all those ferocious women again on The Bachelor: The Women Tell All. I can't wait.

A Valentine's Wedding

This Valentine's Day my cousin Chad and his sweetheart Katie tied the knot! It was a small and simple ceremony held at my Aunt & Uncle's beautiful home in Irvine. I was extra excited to have my adorable little nephew Dallen there, along with my two sisters, and brother-in-law who flew/drove-in for the occassion.

After the ceremony we celebrated with delicious food, fun friends and COUSINS! I absolutely adore my cousins and wish ALL of them could've been there to celebrate with us. And YES, my sister Jacki is a natural blonde and is NOT the milk man's daughter. I love her goldilocks!

Before it was time to go, Dallen wanted to give his Great Grandma a hug and kiss good bye. He was immediately drawn to her pretty pink lipstick and dark brown locks. He kept touching her face as if to memorize every square inch. Or maybe he was just trying to figure out the secret to her beauty. I mean, seriously! Doesn't my grandma look AMAZING! I pray I got her genes.

K1 Speed Racing

When you're on an indoor racetrack racing 12 of your closest friends, things are bound to get competitive. And while my 3rd place time may seem impressive, the spotlight once again belongs to Mr. Dusty Monroe. The man is a speed demon. He placed 1st in both races...by a long shot! I'm guessing it had something to do with the fact that he has his own racing helmet, gloves, and shoes. That kid doesn't mess around.

It was so fun to have my little sister Kellie there for the race. She flew in special for the event. Okay, so maybe she came for our cousin's wedding Saturday, but she definitely wanted to race with us. And although neither of us won the gold medal, at least we got to take home this heinous helmet picture to always remember our fun night at the speedway.