{ Madsen Family Vacation }

My college BFF Erin Madsen came down from Utah for a long weekend with her adorable hubby Kevin, and equally adorable sons Troy (5) and Colt (3). I'm so glad they called up their Auntie Aubrey and asked me to come show them around for the day. Together we visited Balboa Island for some delicious Hippo cookies and shared a tasty Balboa Bar (love the butter brickle) as we walked the colorful streets.

After the island, we all hopped in the car and drove down the street to Corona Del Mar to let the boys play in the sand and get a feel for some of the sea life that lives around southern California. They saw sand crabs, heard sea lions, explored caves, and even touched some sea anemones. Every time Colt "squished" one he would squeal "Ewww Mom, it peed on me!" I definitely want a handful of boys one day!

{ A GardenWalk Birthday }

Met up with my sweet friend Amy this weekend at the Gardenwalk for dinner. It was her 27th birthday and her darling fiance surprised her with a trip to Disneyland to see me! Well, not really to see me, but I know she was excited to see me! Right, Amy?

Amy and I met back in 2003 when I worked at Papyrus in Provo, Utah. She was actually my assistant manager there and I still remember to this day why she said I got the job. "I really liked your cute shirt!" she told me. Haha! I guess it really does pay to be fashionable.

Aside from loving my clothes, over the years Amy has always made it a point to text me every so often just to tell me she loves me or is thinking about me. Who does that! She even wrote me the entire 18 months of my mission to Canada. Girl's a rockstar!

Just this past weekend she sent me a text to let me know she was watching my church's General Conference on television and how much she loved it and that it made her think of me. She truly has such a heart of gold! I am a better person for knowing her. Love you Amy! Happy Birthday my darling friend!

{ Park Bench Cafe }

I realize this picture is totally blurry (blame the waiter) but I don't care because I love it. And it's the only one I've got.

Saturday morning I joined these beautiful girls (you might recognize them from THIS incredible trip last year) for the most wonderful breakfast in the park. Best omelet I've had in a long, long time! Love you Aryn & Laris. Wish you didn't live so darn far away! Come visit again soon!!!

{ If I Were A Rich Snob... }

...then my closet would probably be full of Kate Spade! I love her shoes, her clothes, her jewelry, bags, sunglasses. All of it. Have you seen her Spring line yet? Their newest collection is "in full bloom" HERE.

{ Pirates Play Dodgeball Too! }

If you're friends with me on FB, you might have already seen this video that my AZ ladies compiled of our UH-mazing Dodgeball Tournament. But since my Mom is not on the FB (yet), this one's for you Mummy. Hope it makes you laugh. With me, not at me.

{ Design By Aubrey :: Special Feature }

Several weeks ago I received an email from the talented designer Kirsten Krason of 6th Street Design School asking if she could feature my floral designs on her blog. Her email read:

"I have been a long time fan of your blog and new flower blog. I was wondering if I could do a post about you this week and show some of your lovely work. I was also wondering if I could maybe get some of your thoughts and advice on incorporating flowers into your home for the post. Thanks so much!"

I was elated at the opportunity to show off some of my work and share my creations with her readers. Thanks again Kirsten for the awesome opportunity. You can read the complete blog post HERE.

{ Easter Dinner :: Grandma's Garden }

Every Easter, and every holiday for that matter, The Messick family joins together at Grandma & Grandpa's house to celebrate the season. And over the years we have celebrated together in some pretty amazing homes. There was the house on the sand in Capo Beach (everyone's fave!), the incredible ranch house in San Juan Capistrano that was home to chickens, goats, and acres of fruit trees, and even a Spanish Colonial perched high on The Bluff. Each home was special in it's own way and each holds many memories near and dear to my heart.

Currently my grandparent's live in the seaside town of San Clemente, one of my favorite coastal cities in California. But what makes this home so special to me is the tender touch my Grandma & Grandpa have put into their garden. I find it fascinating to walk along the brick path that my dear Grandpa painstakingly stacked brick by brick for his sweetheart. Together they have made it a sanctuary for birds, butterflies, and even their grandchildren. I think everyone will agree that their favorite thing about Grandpa & Grandma's house is Grandma's Garden. Here's a little sneak peak into their backyard oasis, where we all enjoyed our Easter feast this year.

{ Wild Flower Easter Egg Arrangements }

For years I've wanted to try my hand at these cute little Easter egg arrangements, and now that everyone in my family is over the age of dying and hiding eggs, I thought it time to make something happen.

Don't you LOVE the way they turned out? I love that they cost me nearly nothing! I simply used a carton of brown eggs from the local Farmer's Market, some spring blooms from my parent's yard (with a few ranunculus thrown in from my weekend excursion to The Flower Fields), and placed them atop some mercury glass candle sticks for an oh-so-pretty centerpiece. How lovely!

I hope you all have a fabulous Easter, surrounded with family, friends, and the things that matter most. Like pretty flowers, of course! Happy Easter everyone!




For more beautiful flower images, please visit my floral blog at Design By Aubrey. I do flowers for weddings, showers, and special events. Email me for a FREE quote! And please, spread the good word!

{ The Flower Fields :: Carlsbad, CA }

I found my heaven on earth. And it's in Carlsbad, CA. Would you believe that in all the 28 years I've been living in south Orange County, I have never in my life visited The Flower Fields? I've been to London and Paris, Hawaii and Honduras, Belize and the Bahamas. But I've never been to The Carlsbad Flower Fields in my own backyard. Crazy, I know.

So for my Mom's 29th birthday (that's how old you are, right Mom?) I decided to take her down the coast for a visit. And we never wanted to leave! Not only were there hundreds of thousands of ranunculus to wander through, but there were delphiniums, anemones, columbine, morning glory, tulips, sweet pea, and so much more. Major sensory overload! And I loved every minute of it.

I'm sorry for the picture overload you're about to experience, but honestly, this isn't even half of what I shot. (If you really want to see more, visit my Facebook album HERE). I sincerely hope you all have the chance to go and visit this amazing wonderland sometime in your life. It's truly an incredible experience!




















After the flower fields, we met up with one of my Mom's dearest friends, Julie Rodgers, for lunch. After lunch we ventured over to the outlets and did a little damage at Banana Republic. I'm such a sucker for a crisp white skirt and anything with ruffles! We topped off the day with a visit to the local strawberry stand and bought the biggest, most juicy strawberries you've ever seen! Can't wait to bite into them tomorrow at our family's Easter Dinner. Hope you all have a lovely weekend and a very Happy Easter!

{ DHHS Lacrosse :: Spring Season }

Being the oldest of four, I always had my younger siblings at my High School Volleyball games and Track & Field meets to cheer me on (whether they liked it or not). But I remember how good it felt when I made a great spike or got a new PR in triple jump and had someone there to witness it!

Which is why I enjoy returning the favor and supporting my little brother Scotty as he finishes up his senior year at Dana Hills on the Varsity Lacrosse team. Plus, before I know it he'll be off to college at BYU Hawaii and then on a mission for 2 years. I figure I better enjoy time with my little brother while I can. He won't be around forever!

Anyway, Tuesday night after work I drove down south to watch their game against Aliso Niguel. It was a pretty even match for the first 3 quarters and Scotty did a great job of defending and playing the field, but unfortunately they lost. I'm still proud of my little bro though for his dedication to and love of Lacrosse. Last I heard, he had the best shooting average on his team. 5 for 7 or something like that? Impressive little bro. Go BLUE!

{ J. Crew :: April Enchanted }

I totally ripped this off my friend Daile's blog. But I knew she wouldn't mind. Afterall, I've been searching for internet images of the new J. Crew - April Enchanted issue ever since it made it's way into my inbox.

So here's a confession for you: I am such a J. Crew girl. I mean, I'd like to think of myself as a purely Anthro girl, but I can't deny the fact that I'm sitting here at my desk wearing a navy blue cardi over a ruffly white tee and pleated khaki skirt (belted at the wait of course...I have a minor belt obsession!), and finished off with a pair of black satin flats.

Yup, I'm a J. Crew girl. I mean, I was a J. Crew girl way back when they had Heidi Kloom gracing their glossy inserts. And that, my friends, was a LONG time ago. What are your thoughts on J. Crew? Since they've reinvented themselves?