summer lovin'

I can't believe that August is already half over... my favorite time of the year is autumn, but summer has always had a special place in my heart because it's my birthday!!! This summer has been full and I've loved pretty much all of it!! It's been pretty rainy - it even hailed!! Like gigantic big hail! I've only ever seen hail a couple times and it was so cool!

We will be pretty busy for the rest of the year, so this summer has been perfect not going on any big trips, just taking it easy at home. This month's circle link up is a review of our summer, so here's mine.

This summer we:


- Celebrated the birth of my favorite human being. He was pretty excited that the leftover frosting on his plate looked like a seahorse.

- Went to the movies... a few times - we saw Jurrasic World, Spy, Mad Max: Fury Road, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant Man, and Trainwreck (we didn't look at the reviews of this one before we saw it, it had some funny parts, but had we looked up reviews and ratings, we wouldn't have seen it).

- Walked around downtown. Our capitol grounds are beautiful and it's such a lovely place for an afternoon/evening stroll - and we took advantage of this beauty a few times!!

-Helped my mother-in-love pack up and move :(

- Crafted! the wreath was inspired by one that I saw in a store, I wanted to buy it, but Derek suggested that I make it myself, so I did! It was fun and I love it!

- I made goals and worked out.

- Did lots of yard work, pulling weeds, cutting grass, and aerating the lawn.

- Did the recycling. When we lived in Georgia we had separate trashcan for recycling that was picked up with the trash, but it's different here, so we take it to the recycling bins and separate it all out.

- Went to doctor's appointments - they've been a long time coming, things I've put off because I don't like going to the doctor...but then who does really?

- Thrifted this dresser!! Back in Georgia I bought a beautiful dresser for only $25!! I was going to clean it up, paint it and give it new life... Three years later I finally got around to start working on it only to discover it was a mess and falling apart (like wood was disintegrating). I was going to have to basically buy a whole new dresser to rebuild it and I just wasn't up for that kind of a project so I began looking for another dresser that was a bit less work and I found this one! It's perfect and I can't wait to share the finished product!!

- Went on walks to the hardware store! We live pretty close to some shopping so a few times we walked over to get supplies for different projects.

- Cleaned and organized the garage... This was like 2 years late... We organized it when we first moved in, but since then we've had things thrown in there and it was terrible to try to park and move around in there.

- I went to an interview and got new silverware!

- Played in the rain.

- Went grocery shopping and got LITTLE MERMAID PAJAMAS!!!!

- I played me some cello and built a little shoe rack for the entryway.

- Went to the store and got super silly and took silly pictures and laughed too loud.

- Worked.

- Went to the fair! For quite a few years, the fair has come to town and it's always on a weekend that we are busy and can't go, well it happened again this year but thankfully we had just enough time to make it the last night it was in town. We even rode a ride... my favorite ever Gravitron!!

- Did face masks (and Derek tried to look as creepy/scary as he could) and colored in a big Disney Princess coloring book that my mister got me for my birthday!

- Went bowling! We have a tradition of picking ridiculous dumb silly weird names (it's like illegal to use your actual name or something, I heard, it's a law probably). Derek picked this time, I'd tell you, but they were so silly/dumb I can't even remember ...but usually they have a bunch of letters and look like this - ffffffffllllllllluuuuuuuuuuuyyyyyyyyyeeeeeerrrrrtttttttt - they are basically the best ever.

- Went to the farmer's market. We got the cutest basket to carry our finds in! We got a Nevada magnet (made by a local potter), some local honey, local blood orange olive oil (YUM!), pulled pork, and 3 nectarines (we ate 2 and only brought 1 home).

- Celebrated my birthday with a LITTLE MERMAID CAKE!!! (would you expect anything else?)

- Airbrushed with markers! How cool is that!? Derek got me this awesome little pump airbrush! You can even use fabric markers and make shirts!

- Enrolled in a pottery class where we learned how to throw clay on the wheel! I took a pottery class in high school, but it was all hand building. This class was so much fun!!! It's 4 weeks and we can go in during open studio to play around more! I can't wait to show you what we made!!

- I got tattoos (or as Derek loves to call them tuh-tooos)! I have been thinking and dreaming of these for a while and they became a reality this past weekend! I love them so much!! The verse on my foot is my favorite verse as well as the first verse that I ever memorized in 2nd grade. It's been a resting place for my whole life. Also it is in my own handwriting, how cool is that!!?? The anchor is for Derek and a few others in my life who are my anchors, who keep me from floating away when times get tough and when I seem to forget everything else I've ever learned. But it also stands for Hebrews 6:19. (this was taken the night I got them, so they are a bit swollen still, also say hello to my strawberry mole on my arm underneath the anchor).

How has your summer been? What have you been up to? Do you have any tattoos?

what's up wednesday

This was the view from my backyard in the beginning of the month as I was stretching outside.


What's up!? It's Wendesday and here is what's going on around here!

What we're drinking this week:

Water, water and more water... I LOVE cold water... and by cold I mean I want to see an iceberg floating in my water bottle... I have been trying to stay away from soda and juices for a while and while I've had a few glasses of crystal ice, I've been really loving all this water! Also this water bottle! It's my favorite! Contigo makes awesome bottles, and this is my favorite of theirs!

What I'm reminiscing about:

NYC. We saw something about the city this week and it made us miss it so bad! I used to live in NY when I was younger and I fell in love with NY. I wanted to take Derek so we went there in 2007 and he fell in love too! The next year in August, I half jokingly suggested we go for Thanksgiving and he agreed! I was so excited! He proposed to me on that trip, the day after Thanksgiving in Central Park. This picture is from the day he proposed (before he actually popped the question). We are on the top of the Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Please take me back!! 

What I'm loving:

These sisters. You guys!!! I just can't tell you how much I love these little furries! They don't cuddle often, but when they do it's enough to make your eyes pop with cuteness! Just look!! Tell me you aren't in love! 

What we've been up to:

So I got a job. I'm a working girl now. I mean I was a working girl before, but now I work for someone... I work at Michaels and I love it! Part of my duties are to go around and put out clearance labels, so as I go around the store finding the products that are being marked down, I take pictures of all the things I want to buy and crafts I want to do! Here are some soap making molds - to the left is candle making stuff ... both of which I want to try! 

What I'm dreading:

A certain doctor's appointment I have later this month... we are having some blood work done and it's not a secret that I don't like needles, so I'm not thrilled about it... 

What I'm working on:

This dresser. I have been looking for a dresser to use as a TV stand in our living room for forever. I found the perfect one when we were living in GA it was white and beautiful and only $25!! Y'all I overpaid... that thing is a mess! I super tried to see if I could make it work, but it's so messed up, I'd have to rebuild the whole thing... so I continued to look and I finally found one!! So I'm working on getting the varnish stripped and making it nice and pretty so it's ready for the living room! I can't wait!

What I'm excited about:

I'm so excited to go to David's Bridal to find my maid of honor dress for my sweet Karlie's wedding! She lives in Texas with her southern gent, and I miss her so much! I wish she could go with me, but I know she will be there in heart! Her wedding is in October and I'm going to ball like a baby!! 

What I'm watching:

The Biggest Loser. I love that show! It pumps me up and gets me excited!!! If I'm doing my workout at home, I will put on the biggest loser and work out with them! 

What I'm listening to:

I have a playlist that is set to random and it goes on anytime I go in the car, shower, chores, or out for a walk. So I've been listening to whatever my phone plays.

What I'm wearing:

This second I'm wearing workout clothes (I actually worked out too!) but lately I've been wearing jeans and tshirts because that's the work wear!



What I'm doing this weekend:

Working and working out, and working on the dresser! Derek also has to work this weekend - BOO!



What I'm looking forward to next month:

My birthday!!! :)

I'm linking up with Mel & Shay

Hi, it's me!

This month's topic for the circle link up is blogger introductions, so with no further ado...

Hi! I'm Aubrey and here are some things you probably don't care to know about me.

When I open the fridge, I always hope I find... something good... it changes, but a few things high on the list would be; macaroni and cheese, pizza, and really delicious cheesecake (let's just assume that if these things were found that they would magically have no calories/fat/sugar and would in turn actually be very healthy for me).

My favorite article of clothing is... pajamas all day son! NAPS (I don't have these, but by golly I wish I did) seriously though, pajamas are one of my favorite things about life!

Last week I was really upset when... I don't usually get really upset, so I can't think of anything off hand, but if I did, it was most likely at myself.

One thing nobody understands about me is... uhhhh... I'm not that complex, but probably half the time people don't understand what I'm saying because I can never really get the words out right...

One thing I don't understand is... politics. And a ton of other things.

The world would be a better place if... people would just calm down a little and not get so worked up over stupid things.

If I had a million dollars I'd... help my family pay off their debt, I'd save for our future kids' college, put some away for a house, and invest/save whatever is left.

If I could change one thing about myself, it would be... that I would have a higher metabolism and the ability to make everyone laugh

Something that can always make me happy is... puppies, kittens, and basically all furry animals.

Something I'll never blog about is... politics (or anything else controversial) and relationship issues.

If I could go anywhere I would go... to Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Russia, Antarctica, and all of the other countries

If I were an animal I would be a.... dog because they are always happy and they can have food on their face and still be cute.

A job I've always wanted is.. to be a mom.

My idea of a perfect day is... waking up without an alarm, get a good workout, have a yum breakfast prepared for me, do some crafts with my favorites, get our nails done, have a delish lunch, go to a few stores with my favorites, then go to the movies, then have dinner and a super yum dessert, come home and get a massage and fall asleep.

If I knew I'd die next week, this week I'd... pick a question that isn't so deep. Jeez. Um I'd spend the week with people I love and probably write letters for people to read after I died. Also I'd eat ALL OF THE FOOD.

On a regular basis, you could open the camera roll on my phone and find pictures like this:

and this:

but then there are also these ones....

That's just how I do it. 

I'm really not good at writing/talking about myself... so if the above isn't enough, you can read these blog posts that give you a different little look into me.

Getting to know you

What's in my bag

28 things I learned in 28 years

So what, who cares

Things I like

Things that make me weird

Never have I ever

Reverse bucket list

About me

Reverse Bucket List

oh my goodness I can't tell you how excited I am to be co-hosting the Circle Linkup this month with Kiki!! Do you know Kiki? She is beautiful and funny and kind and encouraging and uplifting! I found her through a link up last year when I started my blog and I was just drawn to her! She just has a way with her writing that is so comfortable, like you are chatting with a close girlfriend! We quickly became friends & pen pals where we discovered that we are basically twins and have been chatting ever since! So thank you for having me as your co-host this month (and as your friend!) Kiki!

The topic this month is reverse bucket list - where you can share about things you've already crossed off of your bucket list (or as I call it my Tuesday list) you can share list of things you've crossed off your bucket list, or you can pick a few to highlight and share about!

So here is my list in no particular order!


-visited the arctic circle

-visit the pacific northwest

-driven a humvee - like a real military one yo! My dad let me drive his!

-visited the leaning tower of pissa

-walked the Sentiero Azzuro (Azure Trail) that connects the five villages of Cinque Terre

-helped build a playground for children in the Czech Republic

-ridden a train (this was not on my Tuesday list, but I count it an accomplishment since I'm super terrified of them)

-visited Disney Land Paris

-graduate college

-toured through the Neuschwanstein Castle

-saw what is believed (by some) to be Dracula's grave

-swam in the Mediterranean Sea

-snowboarded in the Alps

-hiked in the Alps

-white water rafted in Ötztaler Ache

-went vacation with just me and my best friend

-went to a few Christmas markets in Germany

-gone on a cruise (I've always been afraid of them because Titanic)

-learned how to play an instrument that I've always wanted to play

-own my own business

-laugh until I sound like a robot and end up losing my voice (seriously.. this happened last weekend... two different noises were coming out of my mouth at the same time and it sounded like a robot... which made me laugh even more, my stomach hurt and I lost my voice as a result! It was AMAZING)

and here is one that I am working on
-learn another language

Do you have a bucket list? Have you named it something else like I have? What have you crossed off of your list? I'd love to read about what you've done! If you want to share, add your link below!!


What's on your reverse bucket list??

Books books books - monthly link up

I've talked a little about some of the books I've read this year in previous posts but today I am linking up with Kiki over at In It's Time and Anne from in Residence for this month's The Circle link up to chat everything books!! 

I've always been a reader but I stuck to a small genre and didn't really allow myself to try new things... that was until last year (and this year). I mean I didn't go crazy with it, but I added some different genres than I normally read and I added some classic books and I have thoroughly enjoyed expanding my reading experiences!

I actually wrote (and illustrated) a book once. When I was in 9th grade, everyone in my english class went over to the elementary school and had a 1st grader pick us (each 1st grader picked one their own 9th grader) to read to them once or twice a week for a little while (a few months) and over that time, we interviewed them and had to write and illustrate a book, that starred them, for them. I can't remember exactly what mine was about, but I think it involved a basketball player and some animals. I have the book scanned and saved somewhere, so maybe I'll share it here some day? Until then, here are my answers to this month's book questions!

1. What is your favorite book of the year?
Favorite? I hate picking favorites because I always feel bad for all the other things that I didn't pick as my favorite! haha Also I read a lot of books, to which most belonged to a series. The Stephanie Plum series which is currently 21 books long with some 'between the numbers' books and the Divergent trilogy. I loved both of the series, and I read other books, but I'd have to say as a whole the Stephanie Plum series is my favorite - there is action, romance (only a little bit though), and comedy all in one!

2. What are you reading right now?
Currently I am reading Little Women I never read it when I was younger but I really like it! I have tried to identify myself with the girls and see who I am most like. I have decided I am sort of a mix between two; Beth and Jo - quiet and trying to please people like beth, but also artistic and sometimes stubborn like Jo. Have you ever read the book? Who do you most identify with?

3. What book did you just finish?
The last book I finished before Little Women was Peter Pan - I've always been a fan of the movies (well to be honest I am really only familiar with two versions, Hook and Peter Pan, but I have always loved them) and I have always wanted to read it, so I finally did! It was quite different than I expected, but I enjoyed it!

4. What are you reading next?
Right now, I don't currently have a book planned, I have plenty that I need to read still, but I don't know what I will choose. There are a few that are on my want to read list; Mindy Kaling's book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and a classic Wuthering Heights, and The Fault in Our Stars

5. What was your favorite book as a kid?
The books that come to mind are not books that most will probably know... the first book I ever read in its entirety on my own was Norman the Doorman, Norman is a mouse and works as a doorman for a museum of art (a human museum) he lets in other mice and they have to keep hidden from the humans... I won't reveal too much incase you wanted to read it ;). After I read it the first time (with my dad) I begged him to let me read it with him every night! The other book is How a Book is Made y'all, I could not get enough of this book!! I had my mom read it to me EVERY single night, multiple times... She couldn't stand the book, but I LOVED it... I don't know what I loved about it so much, but boy I couldn't get enough of it!

6. What book would you take on a deserted island?
I don't feel like I could answer this accurately as far as books go - there are so many that I haven't read to know what the best choice would be. So my answer is going to be either a "How to Survive" book but probably the Bible, because basically that is a how to survive book in itself...

So how about you? What are your answers to these questions??

Autumn favorites - monthly link up

Autumn is here! I LOVE (uh-oh, all caps, you know this is serious!) this time of year! Cool weather beautiful colors (remember when I posted this? I'm so excited for colors like those to take over my little city!) That isn't my house, I took this last year during an afternoon drive through town. How cute is that house though!? A white picket fence, huge trees, AND a tree house!? Oh! By the by I found this little article on autumn vs fall - I don't side with them on either spot as to why I use Autumn over Fall - I just like the way it sounds better... It sounds more autumny - as in hearing both words, I picture the leaves and colors and cooler weather when I hear the word Autumn vs when I hear the word Fall. Which do you prefer?

I'm linking up with Kiki over at in its time and Amber over at under the oklahoma sky for this month's Circle link up!

We are talking all about Autumn favorites!!

My favorite autumn fashion: Definitely scarves and cardigans! I have a plethora of them both, and I've tried to get rid of some of the scarves that I don't wear over the years, but somehow I just can't!

My favorite autumn drink: Not to be cliché, but I do love pumpkin spice lattes... How can I not!? I can't say I am a fan of pumpkin flavored everything though, because I've had some pumpkin flavored things that just didn't taste very good... I also love sparkling apple cider (or apple cider of any kind really), and this is about the time I usually get it and try to keep some in the fridge at all times!

On my autumn bucket list: I would love to visit Apple Hill this year! Maybe go apple picking, or pumpkin picking, or just to walk around and enjoy the sights!!!

My favorite autumn recipe: I love to bake, but one of my favorite fall recipes comes from a box... these pumpkin pie bars from Krusteaz are amazing (if you haven't tried these, stop what you are doing and go get them! Why are you still reading? Go get them!!!)!! I also love chocolate chip banana bread! For some reason banana bread makes me think of cooler weather and colorful leaves. My mom made it all the time growing up and I have her recipe that I use to create this awesome goodness year after year! And you can always add pumpkin to the banana bread to make it extra festive!

My favorite autumn scent: Besides the crisp scent of cooler air, I love anything cinnamon spice... I know that some people might think of this as a Christmas scent, but to me, this scent starts now with autumn and goes into Christmas!!

My favorite autumn holiday: Thanksgiving! Growing up, we never had a huge gathering (we always gathered for Christmas), or even followed tradition of having turkey and mashed potatoes, but it was always special to gather together with my immediate family!

What autumn weather is like in my town: Well, I can't really speak from much experience as this is only our second year here. Last year the weather started to get cooler and stay cooler mid-late september, and we had the first snow at the end of October. I feel like we have had a pretty mild summer, so I'm not sure what to expect this year. My ideal autumn weather

If you want to see all things autumn check out my pinterest board! What are your autumn favorites!?

closet confidential - monthly link up

I am linking up with Kiki @ in its time and Jenna @ Dearest Love for this month's The Circle monthly link up!

I am not what I would call fashionable. I wear jeans (and the occasional colored pant) and t-shirts or cardigans. But here is a little peak into my closet!

1. What is the newest piece in your closet?

The newest piece in my closet is this sweater cardigan from Target. I got it a couple weeks ago, but I just took the tag of two days ago! I haven't worn it yet, but I love this piece, it's so cute and soo perfect for the fall weather that is right around the corner! I think I will pair it with some dark jeans and a solid top (white probably) and some leather flats.

2. What is the oldest piece in your closet?

I think this is from 94/95. (20 years!?) It belonged to my brother, he was a contestant in a bible trivia game being held... somewhere - not anything on tv, it was held by a youth group or something - but I remember him wearing the shirt there. I don't know if he was on a volleyball team or maybe he got the shirt at a thrift store? I couldn't tell you that... I googled Metro District Volleyball and it kept coming up with things from Colorado, at the time we lived in New York and he had never been to Colorado, so I don't know where this shirt came from. Except for that he wore it on that day as a contestant in a bible trivia game. It has paint stains and bleach marks all over it, so this shirt is mainly used for gardening, cleaning, or anything that I do where I might get dirty and not want to ruin something.

3. What is the least expensive piece in your closet?

I don't care about clothing brands and I don't spend a lot on clothes, and to be honest I couldn't tell you what I paid for most of the things in my closet (I mean I pay attention to the prices at the store, but when I get home... who knows?!). This tank top was given to me by a friend years ago and I love it! It's super comfortable and festive for the 4th of July!

4. What is the biggest bargain in your closet?

Again, like I said above, I don't spend an awful lot on clothes so really it could be anything, but I'm going to say this skirt is my biggest bargain. I got it years ago for maybe $12 or $15 and it's like "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirt" - except the skirt doesn't travel, but it has fit me perfect at any size I've been no matter what I've gained or lost, it always fit perfectly! It is also really comfortable! The material is similar to that of a t-shirt, very soft and flowy.

5. What is the most expensive piece in your closet?

The most expensive item in my closet is something I've worn only once. My wedding dress. It was $500 which is more than I wanted to spend, but when I tried it on, I couldn't say no! I felt like a princess in the dress! I don't have a current picture of it, so here is one from our wedding day.

6. What two items are you loving right now?
I have three pieces actually, they are all shirts. The first two are perfect for just going to run errands, or a day out. both are from Target. The last one is from Walmart and It's perfect for a casual evening out! In fact last night we went to a rib cook off in town and I wore it for that!

What is in your closet?