Category: Fun

"Gold & Silver er er er…"

Posted on by vballphil in Drew Barrymore, Fun, Movies


So my Valentine’s present to myself was going to see the movie “Music & Lyrics”. I have been waiting for this movie to come out for a while so it was awesome to see it on opening night! On top of that, being that Drew is my FAVE actress, you know I had to go support! And, even though Hugh is not one of my fave people, he sure knows how to pick some great romantic movies, with some amazing leading ladies! From Notting Hill to 2 Weeks Notice to Bridget Jones Diary (his character ain’t may fave, but the movie is amazing)…he has done VERY well in the romantic movie area!

The movie might not have been the most romantic movie I have ever seen (nothing can top Pride and Prejudice), but it made me realize the little things. Quirks can be a plus in someone. And HOW AMAZING IS HUGH AS A SINGER! I am going to buy the album on Itunes tonight! It is not grammy worthy…but it ain’t bad either! And “Pop”…wow they nailed the 80’s big hair pop thing perfectly! Hahahaha! So go see it if you can!!!

From Hollywood to "Italy" this past weekend

Posted on by vballphil in Family, Friends, Fun, Italian Meal, West Hollywood


So, most people who know me know that it takes a lot these days to get me to go out on a Thursday night. Let alone to a party in West Hollywood. But I decided to be BRAVE (hahaha) and venture out. We ended up going to a party that my friend helped organize for a “cover” girl at Les Deux. The trio (Silke, Cheri, and me) hit the town again! And, for the most part, it rocked! There were a ton of B list actors there, with the occasional A- actor (Jonathan Silverman) wrapped into this outdoor/indoor club. But ya know, as long as I am with those two chicas…I am cool! :)!








Friday was a blur (which, for the most part I did not feel well) to me. Saturday rolled along and it was all about the Italian meal my step mom was preparing for Cheri’s belated Grad & b’day party. Woohoo! Yummy meatballs & gnocchi’s (one of my all time fave meals). Cheri’s HS friends, along with some other friends and our mommacita, joined in the festivities…and of course my sisters, Lori & Kara were there :)! Good food and good company!

And a couple side notes….my car hit 100,000 miles yesterday on the 405 North at El Camino….CRAZY! AND Kristen, my high school best friend, sent me a pic from our HS prom. Or should I say STRAIGHT CLASSIC (my new fave saying)!

Cheri’s Bday in Napa

Posted on by vballphil in Cheri's Birthday, Friends, Fun, Napa

The trip to Napa was fun, but nothing like our day in the infamous Napa Valley! The day, to start of with, was as absolutely gorgeous. We decided to venture northward and had a mini plan in place. First stop, the Robert Mondavi Winery. Even though this was not a “destination” for us, it turned out to be Alezandra’s husbands’ fave wine. Here are the photos from that stop.







The next stop was the Peju Winery. This winery was more of a French atmosphere (while Mondavi was a Spanish atmosphere). It was really charming. Once inside I was in heaven…MUSTARDS! Hahahaha! I love mustard and they sold their mustards. I ended up with the sweet garlic and red pepper mustards. Who needed wine? I just completely content with my mustard! :)! Here are photos from that stop.









Next on the list was lunch at the V.Sattui Winery. You could tell that this was a very popular place for food and wine. They had a deli inside that was absolutely fabulous. But, due to the fact it was absolutely crazy in there and they weren’t making sandwiches that day we ventured across the street to Dean and Deluca. You can not go wrong in that store. Another fun fact about me is that I LOVE cheese and the cheeses available in both deli’s were absolutely amazing! Parmiano Reggiano chunks were around $140; PER CHUNK mind you. But YUMMO (as Rachel Ray would say).






After lunch we head up to the Schramsberg Winery. As we drove up north to this winery we passed one of the infamous Napa signs. You know we had to take a pic in front of it! The funnest part was running across HWY 29. And Cheri HAD to take photos of this…hilarious. After that we headed into the hills on the one lane/two way road to Schramsberg. This winery was breath-taking. The sad thing is we only got a chance to walk around. The last tour left right before we arrived…plus it is a reservation tour, which is good to know for the next time. I am so game to go through their cave system, etc! Here are some pics from this part of our journey.





After that we headed toward the Silverado Winery, but got sidetracked and ended up at the Mumm Winery. It was a great winery to end our day with too. The sunset over the hill in front of us during the champagne tasting and it was amazing.












Last but not least, we ended up eating at a restaurant named Hurley’s in Yountville. This town was so cute! I would definitely stay there next time! The service wasn’t great here, but my dish was awesome! Butternut squash with prosciutto & mandego cheese. So good! Hahaha!


And here are some more random photos from the weekend….enjoy!!!












The trip to Napa

Posted on by vballphil in Cheri's Birthday, Fun, Napa


So Friday was the day we decided to drive to Napa, Ca for Cheri’s bday weekend. Her friend Alex, who lives in D.C., flew out on Thurs and drove up with us. Because of that we decided to do an extra bit of girl bonding and took the more scenic route. And talk about an amazing day to do that! We toasted the weekend in Paso Robles at a restaurant called Artisan. It was a modern restaurant with some ultra sheek food! And the wine wasn’t bad either :)!

From there we ventured further up the coast to San Fran. I always get chills driving into and out of that marvelous city. The vibe is always so amazing there. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the views are always heavenly! We actaully went into the city to go to Ghirardelli square for some chocolate strawberries! No seriously…who is going to say no to that???!!! All we could say was YUMMO (too much Rachel Ray on the brain)! From there we ventured over the infamous and awe inspiring Golden Gate bridge. To me that is a symbol of California. So bold, so beautiful, so amazing!

From there we headed to our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn-Napa. I would say that the drive through tht country was amazing, BUT it was dark :)! Once we got here we met up with Cheri’s two other friends, Lisa & Rinna. We decided to take a “light” dinner over at Fume, along with a couple glasses of wine. Another Yummo (seriously, I need to stop watching so much 30 Minute Meals)!

So now we are going to venture on a day filled with beauty, wine, and good times! Happy Birthday Cheri!!!

Good times this weekend…

Posted on by vballphil in Fun, Sisters

So this weekend was an interesting weekend to say the least. From the adventures at the Gaslamp/Sacchi to my evening at Lolo house with the kids…Good & CRAZY times!!

So the weekend started out with 4 of my 5 sisters going out to an 80’s night at the Gaslamp. Pat, my brother in law, Silke, Lance (Kara’s boyfriend) and Jen joined in the festivities. And from the pics below…you will see that the night was definitely an interesting time! Enjoy!




























A Long but Amazing week!!!

Posted on by vballphil in AVP, Friends, Fun

So my bad for not writing in a while! From Tempe to Chateau to this past weekend to tonights message…talk about a good week! First, let me say that Tempe was a ton of fun…even having very little sleep and it being EXTREMELY hot out there! I met some amazing people and watched my friends play some amazing vball…After the weekend I got to experience the “A-List” resturant in Hollywood…Chateau Marmont.

Jamie’s friend (and bandmate) Carrie, who works there, got us reservations on Monday night. It was a great bonding experience with some amazing Christian women. From my closest friends to a new friend and half of the “sister sister” duo…it so totally rocked! Here are some photos from this evening…





This week just flew bye leading into a weekend off for me. YEA! It started with my Friday evening hanging with an old friend and going to see some even older friends (like HS friends who I had not seen in a LONG time). Sat started off with some of my good girlfriends at breakfast in Downtown LB at the Omlette Inn. I have not been able to see these wonderful women in a while and it was awesome just to see them!! In the afternoon I went over to Seth’s new apartment to our Gathering BBQ. Then it was off to Diana’s 30th bday party…80’s style!!!

I dragged Amy along with me…talk about fun!

And I actually karoke’d! Yep!

I love to sing in my car (and those who truely know me…know this) but put a mike in front of me and I totally clam up! Amy and me sang “Take on Me” by A Ha. It was cool!

Then we move to the day at hand…Sunday, May 14th, Mother’s Day. I have been blessed with an amazing mother, an irreplacable stepmom, and the best grandma ever! :)!

Which leads into the sermon from Resonate tonight..I need to get by my fears of being hurt by people. I need to believe that I am worth someone’s friendship and companionship…All in god’s time!

Dinner in the mountains

Posted on by vballphil in Fun

So, can we just say I had one of those “only in southern california” moments again! Yesterday was an incrediable day. It started off with doing a beach clinic at Dockwieler beach (in front of my dad’s office ironically). The weather and sceney were GORGEOUS! I wish I took pics! From there I jetted home and then back to my mom’s to meet up with Cheri and a friend from from church. We headed up to Running Springs to meet my church group, the gathering, for dinner. It was so beuatiful up there! But, one thing is for sure…I AM A SO CAL GIRL AT HEART! I wore flipflops (not thinking) in the snow! Hahaha! Here are some great pics from this evening!