{ Quick & Easy Recipe :: Hoagies a la Kiele }

Looking for a quick, cheap, and easy dinner? How about these Hoagies a la Kiele? My old roommate in Huntington Beach, Kiele, (hence the name) taught me how to make these yummy sandwiches and I've been enjoying them religiously ever since. Matt loves how tasty they are and I love how quick and easy they are. Perfect for those nights when we're both tired from work and don't want to spend forever making something or cleaning something up!

INGREDIENTS:
- 2 hoagie rolls from bakery
- 1/4 lb shaved deli turkey
- 4 slices favorite cheese
- 1/8 cup thin red onion slices
- apple cider vinegar

DIRECTIONS:
Turn oven to Broil. Cut hoagie rolls in half long ways and place on baking sheet. Cover one side of rolls with cheese and the other with shaved turkey and red onion slivers. Broil open rolls for several minutes or until cheese and onions are golden. Close rolls and slice in half. Serve with apple cider vinegar for dipping.

{ Ryan Southwell Films :: THE GOOD LIFE }

With all this baby excitement stirring up our blog lately, you've probably all forgotten that it was just a little over 6 months ago that this handsome husband of mine and I tied the eternal knot. Which is why we are so excited to share this incredible highlight video of our engagement and wedding with all of you, courtesy of our amazing videographer Ryan Southwell.

We've waited quite awhile to see this video come together and let me tell you, it was well worth the wait! We hope you enjoy! Oh, and sorry about all the kissing. We can't help it, we're in love!!!



To see more of Ryan Southwell's amazing work, you can visit his website at www.ryansouthwellfilms.com or by clicking HERE. And grab some popcorn. You might decide to stay awhile.

{ Maternity :: elovephotos }

Last night I had a little photo session with my FABULOUS friend Emily Gibby. She recently started her own business called elovephotos and does beautiful work, as I'm sure you can tell by the photos. She was so fun and easy to work with, has a great eye for light, and made me feel comfortable and at ease as I tried to figure out how to make this big, growing body of mine look pretty. I can't wait to see how the rest turned out! To see more of Emily's work, visit her website HERE.

{ Nursery Inspirations :: Choosing A Color Scheme }

Who knew putting together a nursery could be so stressful? Let alone picking out a baby name that everyone likes. So many choices I'm on overload. Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration (I hear I'm pretty good at those), but seriously, the choices are endless and we [I] am having a hard time making up my mind. So...I thought I'd blog about it.

These are some pictures I've been staring at, trying to decide what to do with little girl's room. I feel as if they all share a similar vibe. I'm really into the coral color, just not sure how intense or what to pair it with. Feel free to share your thoughts. Do you have a favorite? Have you seen fabrics or bedding or something that might look great in the room along this color scheme? Would love to know about it.

OPTION 1: { mint, coral, soft pink, cantaloupe, mocha }

OPTION 2: { coral, mustard, blue, cream, mocha }

OPTION 3: { coral, blush pink, mint, heather, blue grey }

Who knows what I'll actually choose. With my indecisive brain, these colors will probably change 5 more times before I pick one. But for now, this is where I'm at. Okay, now back to the drawing board of baby girl names. So many choices!!! Thank goodness we still have 3 1/2 more months to decide.

{ Pregnancy Diary :: 24 Weeks }

Have you ever seen a bigger 24 week belly in all your life? Oh my gosh I feel enormous! (Did I tell you her Daddy was over 11 lbs at birth!  What????)  I know I should never compare myself to others, but when your little sister, sister-in-law, and 5 girlfriends are all pregnant and due around the same time as you, it's hard not too!  I remind myself daily "I am not fat, I am growing a baby!"  But sometimes it comes out more like "It's okay that I'm fat, because I'm growing a baby!" Oh well.

I've already become the butt (or belly) of every joke at the office. I swear, I can't even eat a freaking apple or tuna sandwich without one of my uncles stopping by my desk to snicker and ask "What the hell are you eating now?" Haha! It's true. I'm a bottomless pit! Give me food!

But regardless of how enormous I look, I feel fabulous and baby girl and I are loving our life together. It's so nice to always have someone right there with me, every step of every day. Here's a little update of our days together and the new things we've been experiencing along the way...

• Someone at church called this my "Hot Momma Dress!"  She said it showed off all my curves.  I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.  I just like it cuz it's stretchy and comfy and doesn't squeeze my bladder as I sit through 3 hours of meetings.
• That same day as I walked into the bathroom (for like the 3rd time) a woman looked right at me and said "You're glowing!"  To which I replied "Well thank you!  But I think I'm just sweaty!"  Haha!  Yes, the heater in my belly is usually always on full blast these days.
• The baby bump went wake surfing with me the other week.  She absolutely loved it.  I'm sure of it.  We might take her again in October if the weather and our schedules cooperate.
• My hair is starting to get long (but nappy).  I haven't cut it since before my wedding (sick!) but hey, just throw some big loose curls in it and it looks great!  I'm hoping to have "mermaid hair" by the time baby girl gets here.  Pre-natals are BOMB!
•  Now that we know we're having a girl I find myself meandering through the baby section of Target and Old Navy.  I know I shouldn't, but I already bought her some stuff: a Missoni sweater onsie, a floral sundress, a cream cardigan, a polka dot blouse, and a little yellow swimsuit.  I'm so bad! I know!
• Getting to sleep is becoming increasingly difficult.  Bed time for me = play time for her.  Go figure right?  I usually just lay there and let her do her thing while I mess around on my phone and eventually she quiets down and we doze off together.  I love snuggling her to sleep!
• Baby bump went to the LA temple with me and her daddy last night.  She was such a good girl until the last 30 minutes of our session when she decided to play bouncy ball on my bladder!  But I didn't mind too much.  I was just as anxious to stand up and move around as she was.
• The gym has become our friend again.  I went 3 times last week.  Isn't that great?  And I'm even able to run on the treadmill for a solid 10 minutes.  The other 20 minutes I walk.  But hey, I'm just happy I have the energy and stamina to do it at all.
• We're still craving cheese like it's the only food left on earth.  Now instead of cheese crackers or cheese quesadillas though, we're eating just STRAIGHT CHEESE!  I buy the medium sharp cheddar, cut it off in squares and throw it in a baggy to munch on at work.  So good!
• Since cutting down on my wedding flower gigs, I've started picking up an extra shift a week at Handbill.  For two reason really.  One, having a baby is so stinking expensive.  And two, if I don't have a wedding to get ready for what the heck am I suppose to do at home all day?  Daytime television is AWFUL and internet shopping is WAY too tempting.
• No one notices my face anymore.  I could have a giant tattoo on my forehead and I swear no one would notice because nowadays every one's eyes go straight to my big belly.  I think it's pretty funny. At least it makes me less self-conscience of this teenage acne outbreak on my face.  Thank you hormones!
• And lastly, I love being pregnant!  For the first time I have started imagining how amazing it will be to hold my little babe in my arms, but how sad it will be that I'm not pregnant anymore.  Is that weird?  I'm sure I won't be saying this when I'm 38 weeks, but for now, I just really love being pregnant and feeling my little girl move inside of me.  I love her so much it hurts!

{ Our 1st Date }

One year ago today I went on my 1st date with the man I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with! If you've never seen the video of our first date, I suggest you take 3 minutes to see what went down HERE. I think I've watched it 50 times and it never gets old. Happy one year to us!

{ Photo Credit :: Ryan Southwell }

{ APPETIZER RECIPE :: Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip }

Saturday while the hubby was at work I got an intense graving for Spinach Artichoke Dip. Intense! So what do pregnant women do when their husbands are at work and they have a craving? They go to the store and get whatever it takes to curb that craving! Half an hour later I was sinking my teeth into a fresh loaf of bread coated in the most delicious Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip. So quick! So easy! And so good!

INGREDIENTS:
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 (13 3/4-ounce) cans artichoke hearts
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray. Heat the spinach in a microwave oven on high for 5 minutes and squeeze dry. Drain the artichoke hearts and coarsely chop. Combine all the ingredients except the jack cheese in a large bowl. Stir well. Scrape into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the jack cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes. Transfer to a chafing dish and keep warm. Serve with bagel chips.

{ Lake Havasu :: September '11 }

My husband and I are both passionate about our extreme sports. We both love snowboarding, but we both love wakeboarding more! There's just something about being out there on that open water, cutting the glass with your edge and watching that water spray!

This past weekend Matt, my in-laws, and a couple friends enjoyed the PERFECT day out at Lake Havasu. Truly, it was incredible! The temps stayed in the double digits, with no wind, blue skies, and wide open glassy water everywhere you looked! The boys got in a couple great runs on the wakeboard and then we pulled out the wakesurf so the pregnant lady could have some fun too! (Don't worry, I was careful.)

It's a good thing our first day at the lake was so perfect because the next morning we woke up to thunderstorms and showers. Bummer! But we made the most of it just relaxing, enjoying a day away from the office, and even taking the boys out to shoot their Big Guns! We honestly can't wait to go back and do it all over again.

PS - I have some great footage from the weekend that I plan to put together in a little video montage. So stay tuned for more Lake Havasu fun!

{ RECIPE :: Easy Shepherd's Pie }

Fall is just around the corner so I've been pulling out a couple of comfort food recipes to get us in the mood. I really like this Easy Shepherd's Pie that I found from Real Simple, mostly because it was quick, tasty, and well...real simple! I'll be adding this to the menu again.

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 20m
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup ketchup (I was a little more generous)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, and corn), thawed
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
1 16-ounce package mashed potatoes (I used instant)

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 400° F. Place the beef in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until no trace of pink remains. Spoon off and discard any fat. Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire. Add the vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Spoon into a baking dish. Mix the cheese (if desired) with potatoes in a bowl. Spread over the beef and bake until heated through, 10 minutes.

{ Pregnancy Diary :: 22+ Weeks }

"How many more day's 'til you're due!" or "Whoa, you're pregnant!" or "Didn't you just get married?" are some of the funny things I've been hearing at church these days. Of course they're all from the younger ones, but it still makes me laugh!

I truly love what's growing in that bump of mine and can't wait to meet her.  Just 4 more months.  How crazy is that?  Here's a little list of what's been going on lately with this lady lump of mine...

• Still going to the bathroom 2-3 times a night. It's awesome.
• The sickness is gone.  Like magically gone.  No more upset tummy, only a couple headaches a week, much more energy, and some fabulous cravings.
• She kicks and punches me all the time now.  I feel her most in the late mornings when I'm sitting at my desk at work or in the late evening hours just as I'm settling in bed.
• Matt felt her kick for the first time Saturday night.  I think before that he didn't think I was being serious when I said "Dang, she keeps kicking me!"  Haha.  Now he knows.  It's real!
• We're still toying around with names right now.  We have a favorite, but not sure if it will stick.  We'll probably wait until we see her little face and make sure it fits.  Until then, she's just baby girl and we're okay with that.
• I have yet to do a thing to her nursery.  I have no idea what I want to do.  One day it's pinks, corals and yellows, and the next it's black and white stripes with kelly green.  I just don't know what to do.
• Food cravings include goldfish crackers, fresh peaches, watermelon, vanilla ice cream, margherita pizza, and gummy fruit snacks!
• Fashion includes striped shirts, skinny belts, and leggings!  How did pregnant women survive before leggings?  I just don't know.
• My only real complaint?  The nightmares!  Oh the nightmares!  Never in my life have I had such a vivid (and twisted) imagination.  I wish they'd go away!

{ SNEAK PREVIEW :: Our New Kitchen }

For the last couple of months we've slowly but surely been been decorating and remodeling each room in our house. Our latest project? The kitchen! We're pretty dang excited about the transformation that's been taking place and can't wait to reveal the finished product!

So what've we done so far? Well, we painted all the walls gret, had the perimeter cabinets painted a bright white, installed the subway tile backsplash, added some grey grout, and of course pimped out the island in navy blue. Yup, navy blue! Now all that's left is to add some brushed nickel hardware and upgrade to stainless appliances. Woohoo! Can't wait!

{ VIMEO :: Matt Loves Aubrey }

While we were down in San Clemente this past weekend, I just couldn't help myself and opened the 8mm app again to capture some footage of our Labor Day beach cruise along North Beach Trail. Hope you like it. I know I do.

{ Music By :: Jem "Just A Ride" }

{ Labor Day 2011 :: San Clemente Bike Ride }

Happy Labor Day! Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and enjoyed the day off from work. The hubs and I snuck away to San Clemente to spend some time with my parents and to let Matt try out the Harley Davidson beach cruiser my grandparents got him!

We started out at the Amtrak Station at North Beach and made our way over to Califia State Beach and all the way back again. While the weather may not have been ideal for a beach day, it was certainly perfect for a beach cruiser day!

At the end of our ride Matt noticed this mural and was kind of obsessed with it so like a good wife I told him he needed his picture in front of it. My husband is such a hottie! I'm kind of obsessed with him.

{ Quick & Easy :: Mexican Lasagna }

Oh my yummy! Tonight I made the most delicious Mexican Lasagna from a recipe I found online. My favorite part about it - besides the fact that it was delicious - was that it only took less than 30 minutes from start to finish.  And I was able to easily 1/2 the recipe for just the two of us.  Love that!

INGREDIENTS:
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken breast
2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 cup taco sauce
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 cup frozen corn
salt
8 (8 inch) soft corn or flour tortillas
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
sliced black olives for topping

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 Tablespoons of the olive oil to the skillet.
3. Add ground chicken and season with chili powder and cumin. Brown the meat (about 5 minutes).
4. Add taco sauce, black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through then season with salt to taste.
5. Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining Tablespoon of olive oil.
6. Cut the tortillas in quarters for easy layering.
7. Start with a layer of the meat mixture, then layer with tortillas and then cheese. Repeat for a second layer, ending with cheese.
8. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned.
9. Remove from oven, top with sliced black olives and and serve with sour cream.

{ ILLUME :: Custom Wedding Gowns }

Have you ever heard of ILLUME GOWNS before? Well, I can promise you that you will soon! My talented friend Sara Archibald is the master designer behind the gorgeous gowns and guess who got to be her first custom client? Yup, lucky me! I just have to tell you that aside from creating my absolute dream wedding gown, she was so easy and so pleasant to work with and was able to produce a fabulous, fully-custom dress in just 2 months time. Now that's incredible!

Here is the image I gave Sara and asked her to pretty pretty please make me a dress just like it. Keep in mind, this dress is a (gulp!) $14,000 Oscar De La Renta gown that I had been admiring for many, many years. Sara's reaction? "We can re-create that NO PROBLEM!" My reaction? "Hal-le-lu-jah!" So we went to work and this is what we came up with. I know I'm totally bias, but isn't it amazing? I was in love with every detail!

I know these images could never do this dress justice, but just image the thickest re-embroidered lace draping your every curve, hugging your hips and slinging gracefully down to the ground. Oh it just makes me melt thinking about it.

If you or someone you know might be interested in having their wedding gown custom-made, please check out Sara's website at: www.illumegowns.com and tell her you're a friend of Aubrey's!