kid president and some music

Happy Friday! I mean Tuesday - but it's my last day of work for the week, so it's Friday in my eyes. We fly out for Indiana tomorrow morning. I even got packed last night (who am I?). Cross your fingers all our travel goes smoothly. The last thing I need is delays or missed flights. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Anyway, I have a few things to share with you today, because I am feeling so giving this morning. It must be Thanksgiving that is making me so kind don't get used to it.

I saw this running around the interwebs this morning and thought it was fitting for Thanksgiving and beyond. Kid President is a smart dude, we should all listen to him more. But really, let's say thank you more often and apologize if you're wrong and forgive someone if they do apologize...but maybe stay away from the corn dogs though, they aren't very healthy. 

Also, I have a playlist for you since it's Tuesday, duh. I personally think it would be great background music for a Thanksgiving or a Friendsgiving or if you want to take a nap after all that turkey...it would be great napping music too.

Pearl and the Beard :: Sweetness 

The Oh Hello's :: Hello My Old Heart 

Laura Mvula :: She 

Jamie Woon :: Spiral 

Hey Marseilles :: Heart Beats 

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds :: Into My Arms 

Oscar Isaac & Marcus Mumford :: Fare Thee Well 

Bastille :: Get Home 

Years Around The Sun :: Miles Away (Acoustic) 

These United States :: What Do You Want With My Heart? 

City and Colour :: Harder Than Stone (Acoustic) 

Paul Buchanan :: Mid Air 

Enjoy the music, people. Not sure I will be around the blog much over the rest of the week and I don't hate the sound of that. Don't miss me too much.

Cheers!

<3 BB

Is today over yet?

It's the Monday before Thanksgiving. I forgot my phone at home. I am tired from a good weekend. I don't want to be at work. I need to pack for Indiana. It's cold out and I just want hot chocolate and a fire...Can today be over before it starts? 

Silver lining: I have my Christmas music playlist going right now. 

In other news, I went on a great hike this weekend. Went to a Blazer game on Friday night and they won, because I touched the game ball. Watched the last Timber's game of the season....and I saw Catching Fire, which was fantastic, but long. twss

You heard it from the star herself people. Now go see the movie. 

<3 BB 

ps. sorry this weekend shenanigans post is garbage. I am ready for vacation and evidently so is my phone.

Turkey Day

Just because I have started listening to Christmas music already does not mean I have forgotten about one of my favorite holidays...

Thanksgiving, betches! It's almost here! It's almost here!

And let me tell you. I am a fan. I mean, what's not to love?! There are so many things to love including, but not limited to:

Food.

Carbs.

Football.

Food.

Turkey.

Family.

Stuffing.

Stretchy Pants.

Carbs.

Naps.

Pumpkin Pie.

Carbs.

More Naps.

Mashed Potatoes.

More Football.

MOIST MAKERS! (all you F.R.I.E.N.D.S fans know what's up)*

Basically, you can't go wrong with Thanksgiving, as long as you can put up with a little awkward table talk before the meal is actually served. Then it is sweet, sweet silence as everyone stuffs their faces with carbs! And in honor of Thanksgiving - we have to listen to the Turkey Day song by Adam Sandler. DUH! 

Linking up with Sarah for Fan Friday and Whitney for #backthatazzup Friday! 

Cheers to Carbs!  <3 BB  *Do not search Moist Maker Gif on your work computer. Bad things will happen. 

out of eden walk

On my drive into work today I was listening to NPR (that's the true sign you're becoming a grownup, you enjoy listening to the news and talk radio) and they were interviewing a National Geographic Fellow named Paul Salopek.  Paul is taking on the task of...

Retracing on foot the global migration of our ancestors in a 21,000-mile, seven-year odyssey that begins in Ethiopia and ends in Tierra del Fuego.

You can follow his journey here at Out Of Eden Walk, as well as in National Geographic. As I was listening to his interview I was taken back by his words and how he was describing his walk. He did not dwell on the pain he might have felt traveling 20 miles a day, day after day, in the dessert, often in war torn countries. In fact, it was the opposite, he kept describing it as something that felt right in his bones. He kept talking about the people and nomads he is meeting along the way. He described the walking as if his body knew 3 miles per hour was the perfect speed to travel, to take everything in, that his body knew humans were meant to be on the move, like it is what we were put on this earth to do. 

Each step we take is an arrested plunge, a collapse averted, a disaster braked. In this way, to walk becomes an act of faith. We perform it daily: a two-beat miracle—an iambic teetering, a holding on and letting go. For the next seven years I will plummet across the world. (via)

He says he is on a journey and that he is chasing ghosts, but not the past.

"I don't want this to be misperceived as a journey about the past," he says. "I'm using the past as a road map. I'm using what scientists are telling us are the closest approximations of how we dispersed out of the mother continent, Africa, about 50,000 to 70,000 years ago." 

But, he adds, "it's very much about the present day. It's about how we've changed the world, and how the world is being radically altered in our view by such things as the Internet. I'm starting out this walk with about 35 percent of the world wired. By the time I reach Patagonia in 2020, about 80 to 90 percent will be wired." (via)

I find Paul's trip fascinating, crazy, but fascinating and beautiful at the same time. I can't even begin to imagine being so alone and isolated, yet being so immersed with the world and its people at the same time. I have not had the opportunity to travel much yet, I always have excuses - lack of money and fear of trying something new being the top two... but this journey makes me want to experience life and the world in a new way. I am not saying I need to travel by foot on a global trek, but Paul's story does make me want to experience the world in a way I have never before, much like Cheryl Strayed's book Wild makes me want to appreciate  and experience nature, specifically my home in the Pacific Northwest on a deeper level. 

Both of these storytellers set out on their own personal journey for vastly different reasons, but I am so impressed, fascinated, and inspired by their determination and commitment, not to mention their ability to be on their own. I want to be strong and independent like this. I want to be in touch with myself in a way I think only experiencing the world can help us do. I want to be able to create my own story of travel. My good friend Caitlin and her boyfriend Andrew just quit their jobs and left for 3 months of travel and I envy them. I want that experience. I am on a mission to start one. 

Cheers to travel. 

<3 BB 

circuit fun

Guess what day it is..... hump day..... Well technically it is hump day, but I was going to say Workout Wednesday!!!! Either way, get excited because I have a workout to share. All you need is a kettlebell or even a dumbbell would do. 

//Here is how the kettle-bell swings should look. 

//Here is a reverse lunge. This movement really targets your core and glutes.

Depending on your fitness level you can provide yourself with a lot of variation for this one circuit. To make it harder you can increase the number of rounds/reps, use dumbbells with the reverse lunges, or add additional movements. You can also decrease the number of reps/rounds or do your push-ups from the knees to scale back.

Enjoy! 

<3 BB 

About Time

Ok, so you know how yesterday I raved about the movie, About Time?! Well I think part of the reason I liked the movie so much was the soundtrack. It just blended perfectly with the story. It never overpowered the movie, but each track helped create the perfect mood for each scene. I figured today I would share the soundtrack if you want to give it a listen. 

Hands down my favorite on the album is Into My Arms by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. This Gold In Them Hills track by Ron Sexsmith is a close second and you can never go wrong with The Luckiest by Ben Folds. I think Shay would agree with my choices, especially since she was the one to send me multiple tracks from the movie soundtrack after she saw it for the first time (Thanks Shay!). Music will forever tell a story and it definitely helped tell the story in About Time. 
Now go watch the movie. And go watch it again if you've already seen it. 
Cheers! 
<3 BB 

riding the happy train into monday

Just a few highlights from the weekend shenanigans that are still making me happy today...even if it is a  dreaded Monday. 

//Might have ran errands this weekend and may or may not have gotten twinkle lights on sale at Michael's. Along with a few other Holiday type items. And before you start yelling at me that it's too early for Christmas, just stop. I don't want to hear it. Plus, in my defense, they aren't technically Christmas decorations - it's just twinkle lights with gold accents. 

//I got to play with this puppy. Holy Moly, cuteness overload. My cousin has her hands full with this little guy, but those blue eyes are worth it. 

//Had a good hair day on Saturday, even if I did only end up getting to see the inside of a movie theater and then my apartment. Also, my favorite Holiday beers are back. Cheers to that! 

//Lastly, speaking of movie theaters. Go see this movie. Go see it right now. Leave work, stop what you're doing, and just enjoy everything about the movie About Time. I might have cried both sad and happy tears - but to be honest it doesn't take much to make me cry during movies and shows these days. Evidently I have turned into a big, emotional, sap in my old age of 25. 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

links on friday

Brooke is a little tardy to the party today. Had physical therapy early this morning and rolled in late to work. Good news I am almost done with PT! Only one or two more appointments and as much as I enjoy my therapist I don't want to pay for any more visits. Sheet is expensive.

Anyways, here are some links that I enjoyed. You should enjoy them too...since it's Friday and no one should do real work on Fridays. 

// Sorry, not sorry. I am obsessed with Christmas.

// This headbutt (one T or two?) happened in last night's Colt's game.

// Just do it....later.

// Jim Gaffigan knows a thing or two about food, especially kale.

// Sorry Brad, not going to put our relationship up on facebook. Ever.

// So Alissa and Shay have gotten me beyond hooked on the Daily Grace YouTube. Almost embarrassed to admit how many videos of hers I have watched in the last week.... almost. I want to be her. I want to be friends with her....Just please watch this one. I beg of you.

Lastly, I am leaving you with this Summertime Sadness cover by Miley for #backthatazzup Friday. My friend Scoob sent it to me and it's fab. If you're into Lana Del Rey covers and into Miley just being Miley then you'll like this. 

Cheers to the weekend, Betches!  <3 BB 

gallery wall

So, I've got this office space now and it's starting to come together.... By that I mean there is a desk and chair. But what should I do with the wall?!?!

The choices, there are so many choices. News Flash: Brooke's not good at making decisions not actually news or a new discovery. I stressed over the chair and desk long enough, now you're making me decide what to do with the wall? It's too much, I can't take it.

::Here is what I vision::

Now comes the task of actually creating the space I want. I am thinking it will take a little time and money I don't have to collect the right pieces of art and random crap trinkets, but good news is I already have the white shelving if I want to use that. 

This is probably stressing me out more than it actually should be. 

Someone come decorate for me, please. 

<3 BB 

beware box jumps ahead

I have a workout for you today. It's challenging, but in a good way. It also involves box jumps, which means you should be careful and don't do what I did on Monday night. 

Sadly this is not the first time my shins have taken a beating from box jumps. Now I will have matching scars on both shins. Nice life, Brooke.

Anyway, don't let me being a dummy scare you away from this workout and box jumps in general. Just make sure you focus on each jump, especially when you start to get tired. And contrary to what you think is helpful, don't look right at the box.

//Here is what I want your push-press to look like. No need to get a crazy amount of weight on the bar. You can use just the bar which is 45lbs or often time gyms have smaller bars that weight less than 45lbs. You can also use dumbbells in place of a bar.

//Here are some tips for successful box jumps. Brooke take note.

//Here are tips on one of my favorite movements the kettlebell swing. 

Cheers to getting sweaty and not hurting yourself on box jumps! 

<3 BB

songs i've been hoarding

Happy Tuesday? If Tuesdays can be happy, I think I dislike them more than Mondays. They are just so blah and so far away from the weekend. At least Mondays are excepted and you're prepared for them...Maybe it is just today I dislike. It's raining. It's dark. I thought taking Tylenol PM last night was a good idea, it is not such a great idea this morning. I am tired and groggy. Give me all of the coffee. 

Anyway, for Tunesday I have some good stuff for you. I have been hoarding these songs for a few weeks adding to the playlist when I hear something I dig. They're good or at least I think they are.

Tove Lo // Love Ballad 

Bronze Radio Return // Shake, Shake, Shake 

Amos Lee // Johnson Blvd

Hands down my favorite song on the Amos Lee album. Because I know you cared.

Passenger // Patient Love - Acoustic 

I have been a Passenger fan for a long while. This song. I just have no words.

The Avett Brothers // Souls Like The Wheels 

And this is hands down my favorite song on the new Avett Bros album. 

London Grammar // Wasting My Young Years 

Little Green Cars // The John Wayne 

Keaton Henson // Flesh And Bone

'It might just be something my soul needs'

Caroline Smith // Bloodstyle 

If I could be half as cool as this Smith, she just has so much soul.

Ivan & Alyosha // Easy To Love

Blue Hawaii // Try To Be 

Cheers!

<3 BB

it was a weekend

Had a good weekend and all I have to show for it is this one picture from my coffee date with Jessi at Barista. I am also hoping if I put her on blast on the blog, she'll come back from her little writing hiatus ;) I we miss your face, duh. 

And even though there is no photo proof, I really did enjoy my weekend.  Not that I did anything cray-cray who are you, Brooke? No one says, that., but I celebrated my sister's birthday with my family, ran errands, had a coffee date, caught up with friends I hadn't seen in a while, and got to play with a puppy. All in all it was a good weekend. I even braved Ikea to make returns. Note to self: don't get crazy with what you think you'll use from Ikea.  You won't and then you'll have to go sit in the Ikea returns line and there will be unhappy children waiting with their parents and you'll smell the stupid cinnamon rolls, but you won't let yourself have one, because you have self control, but then you'll be sad on your drive home, because you wish you had eaten one. It's just not good for the soul. 

So yeah, that was my weekend, very shenanigan like. Sami would be proud..pause. not. 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

treat yo'self friday

In honor of Sarah's Fan Friday figured I would share last night's photos with you. Brad and I went to the Timbers' playoff game last night. They won. Get excited. Get really, double, extra excited because they knocked Seattle out of the playoffs and are into the next round. SEE YA NEVER, SOUNDERS! Sorry, not sorry, Sara (different blogger, same name, confusing, I know). Also, check out these photos from last night. They are pretty legit. Fun fact, their head coach is sexy. 

Timbers had just scored when I took this picture. It was also very cold and windy last night in case you were curious.

Also, this sign made my night. Maybe even my week. I mean... does a play on words get any better than that?! Plus it featured the Dempsey Derp face, you know the one. 

Gawd, I laugh just thinking about it. Classic. 

Lastly, in honor of it being Friday and my little Sister's birthday. I treated myself to a pumkpin-y treat. That's how other people's birthdays work right? You get gifts for yo'self, not for them? Nailed it!

And now.... listen to this cover of The Knife's Heartbeats by Ellie Goulding for #backthatazzup Friday with Whitney. It will make your heart happy. 

Cheers to Friday! 

<3 BB 

what it's like to date me

Just wanted to give you a little glimpse into the life of 'I have the pleasure of dating Brooke.' The other day I sent Brad an email asking him to make me this white chicken chili. The email went something along the lines of this:

Dear Brad, 

Please make this or I will cut you in your sleep. 

Love you. 

You know, just your standard love email letter.

Brad proceeds to go to the store the next day to buy ingredients for what I thought was this mouth watering chicken chili and I am out of my mind excited for it. We're talking salsa verde, white beans, chicken goodness here.

I might have even talked this chili up to multiple people throughout the day. I just couldn't contain my excitement. Side Note: I get easily and really emotionally tied to the prospect of good food. Sorry, not sorry. 

Fast forward to that afternoon when I ask him how the chili is going... and he informs me that he decided to make a turkey chili instead of THE WHITE CHICKEN CHILI! Hold the phone. 

Are you kidding me?! 

I might have been just a smidgen disappointed...To the point I told him he might want to sleep with one eye open and then blasted him on multiple forms of social media, including but not limited to, Twitter and Snap Chat. He said I was slandering his good name and gave me multiple excuses as to why he went with the other chili...but ultimately, I was sad and I think this situation deserved shaming.

And before you tell me to stop being irrational, they are both chili, what's the big deal? ... The big deal is they are completely different forms of chili and I had my heart set on the white chicken chili and the highlight of my day was gone forever. First World Problems.

Never mind the fact that the turkey chili he made was delicious, that is besides the point.

The point is... I still want the damn white chicken chili. He better make it for me next week.....OR ELSE. 

<3 BB 

i'm sore

It's official, I am sore. I have mentioned before that ever since I started going to physical therapy for my knee pain and other pains, I have backed wayyy off on my workouts. Read: I have not done anything outside of my PT home exercises and short 15 min. runs. Well, I am finally starting to get back into the swing of things and I realize I have lost a lot of my strength and fitness base. Now, I know I will be able to gain it back, but I forgot how sore you can be from simple body weight movements. Here is a workout I did the other day that left me sore...in a good way! 

Tabata: 

For each exercise complete

// 20 seconds of work
//10 seconds of rest
//Total of 8 rounds of each movement

Then move to the next exercise

*Substitute push-ups for pull-ups if needed.
*Here is what the medball crunch looks like.
*Here is the proper form for mountain climbers.
*Here is a Single leg squat tutorial. 

Good luck! 

<3 BB 

3eb

Guys, big news....one of my all time favoritest bands is coming to Portland. DO I GO SEE THEM?! I guess I should probably fill you in on who they are to help form a decision..... 

Third Eye Blind. Not only are they coming to Portland, they are also playing in my favorite venue, the Crystal Ballroom. I mean, I kind of have to go, don't I? 

With all this excitement, I figured today's playlist would feature some of my favorite 3eb songs! You're welcome. So, without further ado, I leave you with the greatest playlist ever. Ok, maybe not ever, but it's pretty damn close. 

Hands down, my favorite song by them (and on my top 5 songs list, dare I say?) Motorcycle Drive By. Close second would be Slow Motion. Also, fun fact, their later album Ursa Major, did not get nearly enough hype or love in my opinion. So.Many.Good.Tracks. Such as, but not limited to, Bonfire and Water Landing.  Enjoy!  <3 BB 

B.Snook & Brooke do central oregon

For our weekend shenanigans, Brad and I wandered over to Central Oregon to stay with my Great Uncle and his lovely wife, Leanne. We spent time in both Sisters and Bend. While we were there, we hiked, shopped, ate, drank, and enjoyed the first snow of the year! When you go to Sisters and Bend...

Hike here: 

// Metolius River - Camp Sherman, Oregon //

Shop Here: 

// Old Mill District // 

Eat, drink, and be merry here: 

// Deschutes Brewery // 10 Barrel Brewing Company // Three Creeks Brewing //

 

Cheers!

<3 BB

PS. Linked up with Sami, per usual!

twerk team friday

My friend Cory wanted to wish you a very happy Friday, betches! 

We can't stop. We won't stop... #backingthatazzup with Miley and Whitney.
Cheers! 
<3 BB 
ps. He's single and ready to mingle.