new years eve

Had I actually gone shopping for new year's eve.... this is what I would have wanted to wear. Guess my closet will have to do this year though.

new year's eve by brooke-l-smith featuring stretch jeans

Happy New Year's Eve, lovelies!

<3 BB

Sea.hawks.

Oh gosh guys, who blogs during the last bit of the year. There is so much to cover and so much to do. I know things like Christmas happened and I haven't even thought about talking about them on the blog, because well I was busy getting the flu the day after Christmas (really awesome, said no one ever). As soon as I was over the flu I had to go to Seattle and have a kick ass time at the Seahawks game. So, blog? What's that? Anyway, here are a few pictures from my weekend in Seattle with some of my old roomies from college and some awesome puppies. 

Seattle, I kind of like you. 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

fantasy football

Hey Monday, 

You're here. I would be mad that I am at work today, but tomorrow is Christmas Eve and no one can be mad during Christmas week! 

I spent my weekend at home with my family and it was everything I needed. All 4 siblings were home causing a ruckus for my parents, which is always fun. I don't really have anything to show for it, but let's be honest, no one really needs to see pics of me in my PJs with unwashed hair.  

Instead let's talk about how I am officially addicted to Fantasy Football and it isn't even my team. Brad's team was in the Championship game this week and if he takes the Championship he wins me 400 doll hairs!!! We're going to the ship! what? We're going to the ship. - Name that movie. So yeah, I might have gotten a little too invested yesterday.  

Here are some conclusions I have made about myself after yesterday's Fantasy Football Experience. 

1) I am super competitive. 

2) Sometimes most times I get angry when I am competitive. A few curse words might have been yelled. 

3) I am not good when I am not in control. I did athletics all through college - I knew at the end of the day I had control over whether or not I won or lost and how well I competed each time. I don't have control over the fact that Brad didn't start Donald Brown of the Colt's and he scored 24 Fantasy Points and then Reggie Bush, who is supposed to be a Man Among Boys, decided to produce a total of 3.90 points for me! WTF. Bet you would have scored if you were still dating Kim K.

4) I don't think I should become a person that enjoys betting money. When money is on the line, I go crazy. Think of all the things I Brad can buy! 

6) I get obsessive. Yes, I downloaded the NFL Moblie app to both my phone and my iPad. Yes, I hit refresh every 5 seconds. 

7) It is really hard to do Fantasy Football without the Red Zone Channel. Since I was at my parents' house, I did not have access to the Red Zone Channel. How do people keep track of every play without Red Zone?! What? Are we stuck in the dark ages?! 

5) I might have to officially join a league next year. 

Wish me Brad luck, he is up by 25 points with tonight's game left and his opponent has two players left to go and Brad is done. UGH.

San Francisco, your defense better show up to work tonight. I need you to stop all of the touchdowns. Maybe give Atlanta's tight end a concussion while you're at it. 

Show Me The Money! 

<3 BB 

christmas swap

Today is a good day. It's Friday, my hair is washed, I treated myself to Starbucks, I am wearing new kicks (these ones in case you were curious), my sister and I are headed to my parents for the weekend.... and I finally get to show off the gifts I got from the Christmas Swap that Kasey from Life and Love with Mr. Wonderful hosted. 

I was super excited to be paired up with Laura from Happily Ever Parker. The girl didn't disappoint. Here is the one problem though, I took a bunch of pictures with my DSLR of the cute items, buttttttI I still can't find my camera charger and it's dead and I can't upload them. Wa wahhhhhh. 

Oh, well. This iphone picture will have to do. The gifts were super cute. I was in need of new hair ties (it's like she knew!) and I can't wait to use the new stationary...did I mention the dark chocolate peppermint bark is already gone? whoopsies Plus, I am currently wearing the gold glitter nail polish (proof), - granted it's already chipped from when I put it on the other day, but you can't win 'em all. 

Thanks again, Laura! And extra thanks to my girl Kasey for hosting too :)

And since it's #backthatazzup Friday, with Whitney I wanted to share a different version of the Christmas song I can't get enough of 'This Christmas'. This version is done by Christian Aguilera, which side note: can we talk about how happy I am she is back to normal. Less spray tan and less annoying! Good for her.

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

I no longer have to stop at ulta

.....to get my smell good on. Granted, I will still be stopping there for many, many other reasons - but I don't have to spray myself with Miss Dior perfume anymore, because Bradley got me some for Christmas!!!!! Side note: am I the only person that did that every time they walked into Ulta or Sephora?! Anyone? Anyone? Buller?! 

Now if only I could look like Natalie Portman every time I put it on.

Brad and I were forced to have a mini celebration before he leaves for Indiana to have Christmas with his family today. Not that I complain about getting the chance to open up gifts early. We also found out we have very similar tastes in gifts... because we both got each other tickets to see Amos Lee in February....which also means if anyone wants to see Amos Lee in February, we have two extra tickets were are looking to sell. 

Amos Lee will always have a special place in my heart, because it was one of the first dates Brad and I went on, back when we were young and in love.... Now we're just old and live together in sin.

Anyway, that's all I have for today. My advice, if you're looking for a little break from Christmas music, listen to Amos Lee for a bit. He's fabulous.

Cheers to giving gifts :)

<3 BB

best songs of 2013

My girl, Helene, always makes it so hard to create playlists when she picks link-ups like 'songs that define me' or like today's for instance, which is 'the best music in 2013'. Don't make me choose. It's like picking my favorite child if I had any kids or ice cream.

Never the less, I tried. I am sure I will kick myself and think of others after I post this and probably add them to the playlist.

The mix is quite varied from Miley to Bastille to Kanye - my taste in music doesn't discriminate. Plus, how could a top 2013 playlist not have Lorde?! Hope you enjoy :)  What are some of your favorites from 2013?!

<3 BB

semi-charmed life

I got to see Third Eye Blind in concert last night at the Crystal Ballroom. Forgive me if I am tired today. The concert was everything I imagined and then some. The set was well balanced with my favorite old tunes and a few new, yet to be recorded tracks. The lead singer, Stephan Jenkins, is an oddball. Their drummer is legit.... and there were so many mid twenty to early thirties people just fangirling out. Especially the group of 6 bros in front of me. I tired to get video evidence of their love, but it just didn't do it justice. 

I will also try and describe the amount of love they had, especially this one tall, goofy mother-effer that stood right in front of me. Every song that came on he would look over to his bros and give this smug, condescending nod, like yeah I guess this is pretty legit. Then proceed to sing every word WITH HAND MOTIONS. I thought he might have been the lead singer of a girl pop group or the guy from Napoleon Dynamite...No, just a 20something loving himself some Third Eye Blind. One song came on and informed the group that 'this is my least favorite 3eb song, but I still know all the words' uhhh good for you, dbag? He was also VERY thrown off when they played a few new songs that have yet to be recorded. Don't worry he still gave his buddies the nod of approval, even if he didn't know all the words. 

But moving on... let us talk about the couple that was trying to make a baby right next to me. The girl was CLEARLY on something special.  Maybe she was high on her boyfriend, maybe it was coke... WHO AM I TO JUDGE?!  What I do know is they were extremely inappropriate, I felt like I needed to be warned I was going to be in for an R rated scene. Like when you're watching Love Actually and then bam awkward scene with boobies. The favorite part was when she awkwardly grabbed my arm and started sensually rubbing it, because she thought I was her boyfriend. Sorry honey, going to need to look elsewhere for your lovin'. 

So yeah, not only did I get to see a great Third Eye Blind concert, I also got to experience soft core porn LIVE. Thank you? I wonder what google searches are going to lead people to my blog, now that I just used the term soft core porn.

And with that picture fresh in your mind, I will leave you with some great Third Eye Blind tracks (yes, I know I have posted this before. No, I don't care)


Cheers to this Semi-Charmed Kind of Life!

<3 BB

christmas is all around me

I feel it in my fingers. I feel it in my toes. Oh man! Oh man! Christmas is all around me. Holiday Cheer is in the air people. It's official. You know what else is official, my excitement level for said Holiday Cheer.

The tree is decked. The presents are purchased and mostly wrapped. I am attempting to stay away from too many holiday treats.

And now this week's installment of things I learned this weekend. 

1) Your tree will start to die if you don't cut off the bottom and give it some new life. 

2) Fun ornaments from friends are cuter than cheap target balls. 

3) Glitter makes everything better during arts and crafts time. 

4) Holiday parties are more fun with a photo booth. 

5) DMC from Run DMC is jacked for how old he is. 

6) It takes a lot of work to actually do your hair and makeup.

7) It takes even extra work to paint your nails....but if you do paint them, make sure it's with gold glitter 

8) When you lose your DSLR's battery charger, you can't upload any of the actual photos you took of your cute Christmas tree. 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

baby christmas tree

So sometimes Brad does things that win him extra boyfriend points. Last night was one of those times when he came home from work with a baby Christmas tree in hand! He lost a few points when he made us stay up past my bedtime, but that is neither here nor there.

After some rearranging of furniture and attempting to cut the end of it with a bread knife we have the tree inside! Mental note: get Brad tools for Christmas next year. Now we don't have it decorated yet, but just having it in the condo makes me a happy girl. Plus, it smells like Christmas and it's not just coming from my favorite Glade candle either.  Side note, go buy yourself this candle. It will be a well spent $2.99.  

Anyway, I am a happy girl on this rainy, cold Friday and am feeling extra giving - so here are some fun links for you. 

::I don't have a 10 month old, but I can only imagine this to be true. 

::Listen to Amos Lee cover John Prine's Christmas In Prison.

::Going to Brad's company Christmas party tonight and I really wish I had this, this, or this to wear.

::The 18 best sounds at Christmas.

::Lastly, enjoy this Christmas song for #backthatazzup Friday with Whitney, unless you're missing someone during the Holidays, then don't because it might make you cry.

Cheers!

<3 BB

fitness lover's christmas wish list

Today I have rounded up some of my favorite items that should be on any fitness gal's wishlist. The great thing about these items is you can be a newbie fitness person or an elite athlete and these items will be a perfect fit...Or at least make it look like you are athletic and just came from the gym when you go to run errands - even though you were actually vegging on your couch all day.

::Ear Warmer:: - This Lulu ear warmer is the perfect width, not to mention the only thing I can afford from Lulu. So spendy. 

::Kettlebell:: Kettlebells might be my favorite item to workout with. They are a little expensive to buy an entire set. My advice is to find a weight that is challenging, but can be used for many movements. 

::FitBit:: The fitbit is super similar to the Nike Fuel Band (which is what I have), but it also tracks your sleep cycle.  

::Nike Running Tights:: You can never go wrong with running tights. Plus, this fun pattern looks like it is dark enough that it would still hide sweat. Not that I ever sweat, because I am a lady.

::Nike Sweatshirt:: This is not a sweatshirt that I would necessarily go running in, but it is a sweatshirt I would throw on to head to and from the gym. Just because you're hot and sweaty after a workout, does not give you the right to go out into the cold without warm clothes! 

Now go buy me these things, please. kthanksbye! 

<3 BB 

Cards is the theme

This girl was actually productive last night. 

First, my Christmas cards are done. I just need to buy stamps...Which I am not looking forward too. Those little bitches are spendy. 

Secondly, I did this workout last night. It revolved around a deck of cards. I have mentioned it on the blog before, but picked new movements last night. Moral of this workout - squat jumps are no fun and they leave you sweaty. 

*Wanted to note that for the Jokers we decided to do 20 burpees, since there are only two jokers and they don't have a suit. 

Are you sensing a theme around today's post?! All of the cards all of the time! So yeah, that's all she wrote today, guys. Now go do this workout so you can eat a Christmas cookie or five.

<3 BB 

always a kid at christmas

So you know how I said I was woefully unprepared yesterday? Consider me even more unprepared for today. I forgot there was the awesome linkup 'Always A Kid At Christmas' with Taylor from the Daily Tay and Helene from Helene In Between and I don't have any old pictures at my place. Dumb, I know.

What I do have to share with you though is one of my favorite Christmas albums that I play every year. No, it is not your traditional Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra. It's not even a compilation of multiple artists. The Christmas album that will forever remind me of my childhood and being a kid at Christmas is Neil Diamond's The Christmas Album circa 1992.

My parents had this album for some awful reason and we would always listen to it on the 4 hour drive home from my Grandparents' house after Thanksgiving. This album is how we knew it was time to start celebrating Christmas. My personal favorite would be The Diamond's rendition of Little Drummer Boy. Bahhh rump a bum bum. 

Runner up for Christmas album that reminds me of being a kiddo would probably have to be Amy Grant's The Christmas Collection. Does it get better than Breath Of Heaven?! Where did my parents get these albums?! 

So yeah, enjoy the masterpieces that are these wonderful Christmas Albums. Let Neil & Amy get you in the Christmas spirit.... And maybe this weekend I will round up some old, fun pictures from my Grandma! Also, It has officially been decided we are getting a baby tree!!! Now to go find one. Wish me luck.  Cheers! 
<3 BB 

woefully unprepared

I am woefully unprepared for this little light blog of mine today. I even did fun things this weekend and yet I have nothing to show for it this freezing Monday morning. It is literally 15 degrees at the moment, but no snow - not fair - at least give me snow with my freezing temps. 

I did things like make Christmas cookies and drink Peppermint Schnapps and hot cocoa with friends, but didn't upload any of my photos off of my Nikon.I started Christmas cards, but have yet to finish them. I toured beautiful homes in West Linn including one from the Street of Dreams that was decked out in Christmas cheer and took zero pictures....and on top of it all, I didn't get a Christmas tree this weekend.  

Worst all, I don't think I am getting a Christmas tree at all.

Now before you call me a Grinch hear me out. It makes me sad, like really sad, but our living space just doesn't have the room for it. So I might get a baby one, we're talking maybe up to my waist, but I just don't know if that's what I want in my life. It's not the same. I see everyone's pictures of their big, beautifully decorated trees and I WANT IT...but I am trying to be practical. New Alert: I hate being practical....So my question is. Do I attempt something small like this: 

Or just not have a tree at all this year? There are a ton of cute ones on Pinterest. Can I pull it off?! Help me decide, guys! 

This gif has nothing to do with my post, it's just the story of my life. 

Linking up with Sami for my lack of weekend shenanigans. 

<3 BB 

25 and snow flurries

25 degrees and snow flurries don't happen very often in Portland, but when they do it makes me happy. It reminds me of when I was little and lived in the middle of nowhere mountains and got snow every year. Too bad I have to sit at work all day and not by my fire place with hot chocolate. Good news is, I sit by the window and I currently have coconut milk - mint chocolate creamer in rotation for the morning coffee. Mix that with my Christmas Playlist and I am happy. 

Also, last night I went out and got my Christmas cards and picked up wrapping paper from Target. Brad laughed at how long it took me to make a decision when it came to which Christmas cards I wanted. I am never, ever going to be able to plan a wedding at this rate if that day ever comes. So many choices. I don't want them to say Christmas, because WHAT ABOUT M Y JEWISH FRIENDS?! I don't want them to be over the top or tacky. Not my style. Also, decided I wanted my theme to have gold. I finally decided on two options and am going to send them out this weekend...I hope. 

On top of Christmas cards, this girl is hoping to go see some Christmas lights and put up the rest of her decorations now that we are back from Indiana - too bad our house is a wreck. Probably need to clean first, it looks like a war zone ever since our bags finally arrived.  

And people keep asking what I want for Christmas and I still don't really have any ideas. I mean there are always things I want, but then I always feel pressure / guilty when people ask ! Just surprise me?  Or better yet, get me something off this list. I will take the 1,000 bucks or the pet puppy with the peace sign collar, please. 

In honor of my Holiday Cheer I am leaving you with this #backthatazzup song.  Yes, it's Chris Brown and he is a doucher, but I just can't stop listening to it. 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

Kentuckiana thanksgiving.

Don't worry I won't bore you with too much Thanksgiving talk, sure there was plenty of food, I attended an Indiana football game, hung out with Brad's family, etc, etc. but that's old news now... we're on to bigger and better things like Christmas! Besides, I forgot my charger for my DSLR and my camera was dead the entire visit. Instead, what I do want to share with you are the two embarrassing things I did over my trip to Indiana. 

Embarrassing story number 1.

On the flight out to Indiana I had brought a CamelBak water bottle like this one. Well funny story, when water that is stuck in the straw mixes with cabin pressure, you might as well have a fire hose. I flipped up the straw to take a drink of water and it shot straight into my face...Not only did I get a water facial, but there was so much force the water shot up to the airplane ceiling.  There was water everywhere. In my hair, on the roof, all down my sweater. I still don't know how I managed to not drench the older gentleman sitting next to me, but I definitely think I got a few drops on the people in the seats behind me. My bad.

Brad did nothing, but laugh and I really couldn't blame him. I looked like a wet dog or pathetic cat. 

Embarrassing story number 2.

Every year Brad's family plays an annual sporting event for a trophy and all. Aunts, uncles, cousins all partake. They used to play flag football, but too many people were getting hurt. Brad made his mom and sister both cry in one game, not to mention the game his mom tore a muscle in her bicep.  Anyway, the past three years they have played soccer instead of football, because there is a little less chance of someone getting seriously injured....One would think anyway. Now see, I don't play soccer, never was on a youth team growing up, always played sports where you could use your hands. I dribble the ball with my hands, not my feet, ok?! I also only have two speeds when I kick a soccer ball, barely move it an inch or kick the shit out of it. Ball control is not something I pride myself on twss. Of course not long into the game I go to kick the ball and guess who's face happens to get in the way.... Yup, Brad's Loving Mother. wa wa wahhh.  I hit Brad's mother in the face with a soccer ball. I felt horrible. Although, I must say she took it like a champ. She is a stronger woman than I. 

So yeah, that about sums up my trip in a nut shell. We'll see if they ever invite me back. 

Cheers to being an asshat! 

<3 BB 

forgive and forget

I came across this quote on pinterest last night after I had to go to Ulta to buy things like a brush, travel size shampoo, and the minimum amount of makeup I can get by with until my lost bags get back to me. Side note, I think I might be in love with this BB Cream / Primer by Tarte. Sorry, getting off track.... 

Anyway, as frustrated as I was by my travel day from hell and the fact that I was having to spend money out of an inconvenience I did not cause...the quote made me realize how well I actually handled the situation compared to a lot of the others that were in my same situation. Brad and I were not the only ones to miss a flight that day and we were definitely not the only ones that were frustrated - but unlike some people, we were not rude to the workers that were trying to help us get home. Especially, because they were not the ones that actually caused us to miss our flight home in the first place. 

At the end of the day our trip to Indiana was great and I am so happy Brad got to spend time with his family. He only gets to see them a few times a year, whereas I get to see mine often since we all live in the same state. So yes, getting home at 3am after a busy weekend of Thanksgiving festivities was not ideal and still not having my bag with all my essentials (like a hair-dryer) is annoying. (Wet hair in 25 degree weather is cold) - but it happened and you can't really change it. 

I hate how people are so quick to anger in situations that don't go their way. What good does anger really do for us anyway? Do you really feel better after yelling at the ticket gal? Does it get you home any faster? No. The holidays can be a stressful time of year, so instead of picking frustration and anger as our first emotion. Take a deep breath and think before you speak. Forgive the situation or the person and just move on. You'll be happier in the end because of it. 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

holiday travel is the worst

So I started writing a nice little recap post during my first flight back yesterday thinking we'd be back in Portland by 6:30pm.... and then from there I had the travel day from hell and I don't feel like recapping my weekend. Instead let's recap my last 24 hours. 

::Dec 2nd - 12:00pm eastern time. Leave for Indianapolis. Drive for an hour and a half to the airport. 

::3:30pm eastern time. Fly out of Indy to Denver...but first we get to sit on the plane for 40 mins and wait for a mechanic to fix a broke seat. A broken seat!

::4:55pm Denver time (I don't even know what that is, central?) Land...and our connecting flight back to Portland left at 4:50. Did I mention our original layover in Denver was 45 mins and we sat for a broken seat for 40? 

::Missed our connecting flight home. Cool. Real Cool, Frontier Airlines. 

::Now mind you Brad and I were 2 of at least 15 people that missed their connecting flights because of this. Needless to say, the customer service counter of Frontier Airlines was not the place to be last night, but there sure were a lot of us hanging out there. What was even worse is they said that the seat was broken by a passenger and since the issue was not caused by them they did not have to reimburse any of us and could only offer 2 options to get back to Portland and neither was enjoyable.  

::8:55pm Denver time fly to Phoenix (we were never supposed to go to Phoenix) 

::10:50pm get into Phoenix only to be told we have to take a van to a different terminal and go through security again. Almost miss this connecting flight as we are running through the airport and messing with security. hooray fuel points?

::11:50pm 2 hour and 40 min flight to Portland.  

::Dec 3rd - 1:34am we arrive back to Portland.... only to be told our bags have not. Are you kidding me?!

::3:10am arrive back to our condo. 

::6:30am alarm goes off for work.

::7:00am get to work.

::Guess who is not wearing makeup and wearing her old glasses today... this girl. 

Guess who is also not wearing deodorant. this girl. 

::7:45am Brad calls to tell me his car keys are in my car...so I got to sit in traffic again for an hour because I had to drive them back to him.... Girlfriend of the year award goes to me. Also, get a spare key, Brad. ugh. 

::Silver lining: I stopped and got myself a coffee in a holiday cup and there is Christmas music on the radio. Plus, I am getting Chipotle for lunch.

Is it bed time yet?

<3 BB