{ DESIGN BY AUBREY :: New posts }

When's the last time you visited my floral blog? There's lots of new stuff up to see and enjoy! Like the beautiful flowers I did this weekend for the wedding of Dave & Courtney Facer. You're gonna wanna check 'em out HERE or by visiting www.DesignByAubrey.com. It'll give you something to do while I'm gone...

That's right! I'm off for another adventure. First stop Seattle for a little puddle jumping, then its off to Vancouver to explore the city with my Canadian friend Karen, a short drive up to Whistler for some more sight-seeing, a quick stop at home to exchange my sweaters for swimsuits, and then on to Kauai with the roommates for some much needed rest and relaxation. Sounds like FUN to me! Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! See you soon...

{ THE BACHELORETTE: Season Premiere }

Hi Friends! So sorry for the minor blogging delay. I wish I had some great excuse, but I don't. You see, Tuesday after work I came home to an empty house, ready to blog, but instead went for a run on the beach, did 4 loads of laundry, and watched the Season Finale of Greys. Which, consequently spiraled my mood into an unrequited state of depression! UGH! Why did they do that to me? I started the show in the happiest of moods, so excited to spend 2 hours with my BFFs and before I knew it, I was slumped over in a pool of tears...alone...in the dark.

Emotionally fatigued, I thought it best to just stay put on the couch til the roommies came home. (I never get to watch tv!) So I finished up the night with the season finale of The Biggest Loser (which btw, I just joined 24 other girls in a contest of our own. I've dropped 4 lbs already....Booyah!) and then GLEE...which was uber dumb! Amy agreed. I strongly dislike you Lady Gaga.

But you didn't sign onto my blog to read about all that, you want Bachelorette drama, don't you? So here's what I got...

*Disclaimer: I missed the first 20 minutes due to complications. Or in other words, I'm an idiot and forgot to set the DVR.

- Okay Ali, orange tan? Really? And those extensions? No bueno!

- I like all the Chris'. Cape Cod Chris is darling. I like him. And Chris H. is beautiful. He's gonna be around awhile. I can feel it.

- Jesse is adorable. Don't know much about him yet, but he's a looker for sure. I hope he's in the top 3.

- Craig M. is HOT! I know a lot of you ladies think I'm crazy, but you really need to see things from my perspective! Totally reminds me of McDreamy!!! And hello people, I am OBSESSED with Dr. Shepherd. So...Craig = Dr. Shepherd = Yes please!

- Who doesn't like a little Latin Lovin! Roberto, you are muy guapo. So glad Ali likes you as much as I do.

- Who the HECK tells a girl they just met that their nickname from college was "Shooter." So wrong on so many levels. So glad you went home so you can get some therapy.

- What is up with that one guy's voice? Kasey? OH MY GOSH! While he was yacking my girlfriend blurts out "What the heck is this guy saying? He needs subtitles!" Bahahaha!

- Rated-R for retarded! (Sorry, that was dumb). But honestly, what a DB! Part of me hopes he goes home next episode but then again, part of me wouldn't mind another couple weeks to make fun of the idiot!

And that's all I got for now. Until next time...

{ Inspiration :: Lilacs }

It doesn't take much to make me happy. Today it was something so simple as an email and a picture. My dear friend Catie and I went to Interior Design school together in Salt Lake City. It's been years but we've kept in contact through graduation, our missions, and life's little ups and downs. This morning I sat down at my desk to find this sweet email from her in my inbox:

"You have inspired me to do something to brighten up my office. This morning as I sat on the front porch with my mom enjoying the lovely spring morning I had a brilliant idea to take a vase of our fragrant blooming lilacs to work today. I shall include a picture of my masterpiece. Love you! -Catie"

Thank you Catie, for brightening my day! (It's a gloomy So Cal morning). Your lilacs are absolutely gorgeous. Every time I smell those lovely blooms I'm reminded of the sweet smell of spring on my mission in Canada. Those things were everywhere! Kind of wish I had a bundle smiling back at me right now. Enjoy your lovely flowers! I adore them, and you!

{ A Citrus Celebration :: Dane & Chelsea }

You know you're getting old when all the little girls you used to babysit are getting hitched! Seriously, where does the time go? This weekend my dear friend Chelsea tied the eternal knot with her sweetheart Dane in the Newport Beach LDS Temple, and then celebrated their little hearts out at their beautiful backyard reception in Laguna Niguel, CA.

I honestly can't thank her enough for the awesome opportunity I had to design and create her one of a kind bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. She was an absolute joy throughout the entire planning process and her wedding day was truly spectacular. Happy forever after Dane & Chelsea!











{ FLOWERS: hydrangea, peonies, freesia, sweet pea, ranunculus, tulips, star of bethlehem, snapdragons, china mums, curly willow, kumquats, lemon leaves }

{ Bella Collina Reception :: Josh & Jade }

If you're looking for a gorgeous venue with friendly staff and an awesome event planner, look no further than the Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club in San Clemente, CA. From start to finish, the staff was an absolute pleasure. And incredibly complimentary of my work. Which I always love!

Take a look at the grand entry piece, centerpieces, and a photograph I snuck in of the pomanders lining the aisle of Josh & Jade's wedding ceremony. I can't wait to see more images from their photographer. I'm sure they'll knock some socks off!



{ FLOWERS: carnations, hydrangea, water coast lilies, roses, peonies, tulips, dusty miller, geranium, hanging amaranthus, snapdragon, gladiolas, curly willow, and lemon leaves }

{ A Black & White Affair :: Josh & Jade }

I can't even begin to tell you what a pleasure it was to design the flowers for Josh & Jade's wedding. Back in October of 2009, Jade and I first met and began planning her May date! From the beginning, Jade knew she wanted a classic black and white wedding and I'm so pleased with how well everything turned out. Just look at that bouquet! Almost as beautiful as the bride it belongs to! Congratulations Josh & Jade. I hope your wedding day was everything you hoped it would be and more!

Stay tuned for more pictures from the grand reception at the Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club in San Clemente, CA. Just you wait...





{ FLOWERS: peonies, tulips, sweet pea, roses, ranunculus, anemone, monkey tail, gardenia, carnations, dusty miller, and camellia leaves }

{ Making Something With "The Leftovers" }

Let me tell you a story about a dinner appointment I had on my mission nearly 6 years ago. It was during a time when I was serving in a very rural part of Minnesota (think one farmhouse every 5 miles). In this small town there lived a sweet old lady who invited my companion and I over for "supper." While we sat and talked, she began telling us about the meal she had prepared for us. She told of how she had tons and tons of fruits, veggies, and other leftovers in her fridge, so she decided to make a lasagna with everything (and anything!) she had. Let's just say it was the most interesting thing I've ever tasted. There were mushrooms, celery, peppers, onions, eggs (Yes, eggs!), and several other "leftover" ingredients.

So why am I telling you this strange story about a weird meal I ate on my mission? I'm not quite sure, other than the fact that when I was cleaning up from my double-wedding-weekend, I figured I better do something with all "the leftovers." Kind of like that "special" lasagna I had all those years ago. Awe, the memories!

And stay tuned for wedding pictures galore. It was a busy, busy weekend my friends! Au revoir.

{ Dallen Feeding The Computer }

My Mom and I have been working on wedding flowers for about 12 hours now (well, 16 if you count my 4am trip to the LA Flower Mart, but whose counting?) Anyway, we were in need of a serious break so we enlisted the help of Little D via video-chat. Is he not just the cutest thing you've ever seen? Love him!

OK, break's over...gotta get back to the flowers. Wait til you see what we've been creating. SO GORGEOUS! See you back here real soon...

{ A May Wedding :: Brendon & Serra }

When it comes to flowers, you don't always need a lot of color to make a bold statement! Take Brendon & Serra's wedding flowers for instance. The simple and elegant palette of white, gold, and a touch of Tiffany box blue are all you need to create a modest and elegant appeal. I think you'll agree when you see these beautiful blooms I designed for their Newport Beach wedding this past weekend. Have a look!






{ FLOWERS: Cala Lilies, Astilbe, Lily of the Valley, Phalaenopsis Orchids, Mini Calas, Dendrobium Orchids, Peonies }

{ Kiele's 24th Birthday! }

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...That's Amore!" I just can't get that song out of my head! And you know what I'm talking about if you've ever been to C&O's in Marina Del Ray.

This past weekend my girlfriends and I celebrated little Kiele's 24th birthday at this charming LA restaurant. If you've never been, I highly recommend it! The food is amazing, the service is impeccable, and there's even a special musical number sung by the entire restaurant that includes a toast every 5 seconds. It's seriously the best! What a fun and memorable way to spend Kiele's birthday.

And just for fun...when I put the pics up on FB, I added my own verses to the song "That's Amore!" I'm a poet, didn't you know it?" Enjoy...

"When you're out with your friends dressed in the latest trends, THAT's AMORE!"

"When your friends look like this and your life is pure bliss, THAT'S AMORE!"

"When you walk down the streets with those boots on your feet, THAT'S AMORE!"

"When your hair is this blonde and black men are real fond, THAT'S AMORE!"

"When you aim for the stars, you might find a man from Mars, THAT'S AMORE!"

"When some guy on the fly throws your leg in the sky, THAT'S AMORE!"

"When your friends are this hot and strange men check out what they got, THAT'S AMORE!"

"When you get a birthday treat from your friends that are neat, That's AMORE!"

"When your tummy's are full and your pockets are null, THAT'S AMORE!"

"When those boots we all wear, the men certainly all stare, THAT'S AMORE!"

{ Mother's Day Arrangements :: Part II }

Somehow amidst all the madness of a wedding, birthday and Mother's Day, I found time to make these sweet little somethings for the special women in my life. The first arrangement may not look like much, but just go with me on this one. These delicate and highly fragrant bells are known as Lily of the Valley. While normally wildly expensive, I found them on Friday selling at the flower mart for a mere fraction of the cost and just HAD to have some. Don't they look so angelic arranged in this antique blue bottle?

Aside from this flower's beauty and incredible, I mean INCREDIBLE smell, I love the meanings associated with this bloom. According to Christian legend, Lily of the Valley came into being from Eve's tears after she was driven with Adam from the Garden of Eden. It is also considered to be the sign of Christ's second coming and is believed to exude the power of men to envision a better world. How can you not LOVE this flower. Precisely the reason I gifted them to my beautiful Mother!

This second arrangement was designed for my dear Grandma Janice. With a few hydrangea I built up the base and added some sweet-smelling peonies, a couple roses from our garden, and garnished it with a few viburnum and astilbe. A beautiful arrangement that's perfect for a beautiful grandmother!

{ Mother's Day Arrangements }

I had so much fun up at the LA Flower Mart this morning! I just couldn't get enough of all the spring flowers in bloom. It was seriously a tough decision to pick which flowers I wanted to use for all my Mother's Day orders, but after seeing the gorgeous hydrangea in all their bold and beautiful colors, I was sold! And I just had to have some of those gorgeous viburnum. And oh how I wish you could smell those peonies! They are fragrant beyond belief! I hope the recipients enjoy these arrangements as much as I did. Happy Mother's Day!

{ ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! }

Wednesday night I joined up with mis amigos y amigas (of the non-Mexican descent) to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Don't let Melissa's authentic attire fool you. I happen to have it on good authority that this outfit is not from Mexico, but BYU-Idaho. Besides, she's from El Salvador.

Of all the reasons I love Cinco De Mayo, the food is definitely at the top of my list. I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD! May the heavens be thanked for barbacoa pork, tomatillo dressing, horchata, and tres leches cake! OHHH, my sinful pleasures!




With a belly full of cake, carnitas, and Heather's virgin margarita mix, I was ready to hit the crap out of the piñata. And guess who's name was drawn first? MINE! On went the blindfold, up went the bat, and down came the piñata. R.I.P. High School Musical piñata.