summer, you can officially start now

Summer, you can officially start now, since I purchased a new pair of these babies yesterday. 

Which was super necessary, because I am going to get good use out of them next week when Brad and I head to San Diego!!!! 

via

ErhMahGerd, vacation!!!! This girl is excited. Like when Oprah gives away cars excited.  You get a car and you get a car.

via

Here is where I need your help my little blogger friends.  What should we do while we are there?! I haven't been since I was like 7 and all I really remember is the Zoo (which was awesome, but then again what zoo isn't awesome?! #amiright?). Brad has never been to California, because he is a very sheltered person grew up in the Midwest. 

Right now we have a hotel, we have a car, and we have sun tan lotion for the beach (that's a lie, I need to make a Target run before we leave).  Basically we're set.  I just want to have a super relaxing, mini vacation and it couldn't come at a more perfect time.  Coaching will be over, I am tired of working, and the rain is currently back here in Oregon.  All reasons to go on a vacation! 

We are also trying to ball on a budget, so the cheaper the ideas the better. Oh, and remember this girl loves food, like lovessss food, so great places to eat is on the top of our list. 

Thanks guys!

<3 BB

tuesday tunesday + a grill

So Bradley bought a grill last night! Yayyy! Hooray, Summer! Then we woke up to rain this morning womp womp.

via

But that's okay! It is supposed to be in the 80s this weekend. Which if you're keeping track, that is the perfect temperature for grilling outside, so it deserves one of these:

Old pic, don't care.

Anyway, enough old selfies... Let's enjoy some music. I am pretty excited about these new tunes.

Josef Salvat :: Hustler
This song, I don't even know what it is I love so much, but dauuumn it's fantastic. 

Neil Halstead :: Full Moon Rising

I feel like I need to listen to this song at least twice in a row to get the full greatness of it. It's lovely.

Houndmouth :: Penitentiary 

You should know this band for a few reasons. Reason one: they are about to blow up in 2013. Reason two: Brad grew up with one of the guys in the band. Reason three: they look like they could be from Portland. So Hipster right now.

Air Review :: Young
There is whistling. There is clapping. Loves it. (Also, I know this video is a different size that the others and it is bothering my OCD, but I was struggling and gave up. Sorry, not sorry.)

Vacationer :: Good As New

This song has the perfect summer time vibe and I need that in my life right now.

The Cinematic Orchestra :: To Build A Home
Beautiful lyrics in this song. Plus it was on the show Friday Night Lights and who doesn't love the Taylors?!

Crystal Fighters :: You & I

Came across this song via the blog Lucky vs. the Globe. This girl has good taste in music. 

Mkkkkkk, enjoy the music. I will be back to bother you tomorrow :)


Cheers!

<3 BB 

shenanigans at uptown

Oh Monday, go home. I am not ready for you yet. Instead, let's recap my weekend shall we?! 

Friday and Saturday: 

Yay for sunburns out at the track!! Actually, I didn't even get that burned, I was a good girl and wore sun block both Friday and Saturday (go me!) Super proud of all my athletes and the team this weekend.  Both the men's and women's teams took second place at the Northwest Conference Track and Field Championships and I would like to take full credit for all their success, obvi.  Kidding, the athletes rocked it. I was just there to remind them to relax and compete.  It is always fun to be a part of a person's success and being out at the track always makes me missing competing. 

After the meet on Saturday evening, I met up with the boy and our friends Tyler and Cory at our favorite spot, Uptown Market for their campaign party. They are currently raising funds to launch a brewery. 

The place was hopping. Live music, food carts, beverages, and a lot people.

Oh! and Cornhole (or bags if you're into calling it that) they're my favorite!

You should ask the boys who won.....Hint: my team!!!

This is the point in the evening where things start to go downhill quickly.

Sunday:
Now, I do not consider myself a big drinker and I have many reasons for not being a huge fan of alcohol. I probably don't even need to be discussing this on the blog, since my Mom, Grandma, and Aunts are my biggest readers, but this girl gets hungover bad, like real bad. I am just not good at it, which honestly isn't a bad thing. I don't even have to drink a lot to be a struggle.  This was the case Saturday. I think I had a total of 4 drinks and I was down for the count all day Sunday. We are talking throwing up for a solid 12 hours.

Don't let the popsicle form fool you. That there folks is Pedialyte and I couldn't even keep that down. It was like demons were leaving my body - taunting me for my sins or something. Not to mention the migraine that came with.  Jeez, I get it, I shouldn't drink. What did I do to make you so mad at me, God?!

After yesterday, this girl won't be touching the demon liquid for quite some time (or maybe just nurse one drink the entire evening) and I am quite ok with that.


What kind of Shenanigans did you get yourself into this weekend?!

linkin' into weekend

How is it already Friday?! This week went so fast, I would put money on the fact that the funshine put me in a better mood and got me through the week. I know it's super stupid to talk about things like the weather, but guess what, it's my blog and I can do whatever I want on it!!!!!! suckers. Plus, nice weather makes me happy and I like to talk about things that make me happy.

Sunshine lets me do things like this:

Eat outside during my lunch, because our boss bought patio furniture! Not pictured: tacos!

And this:

I'm coming for ya, Tiger! Won't be hard after you shit the bed at the Masters.

Also, this has nothing to do with sunshine, but it made my week.  I was so excited when it came in the mail the other day I brought it into Spin class to show Bradley and was waving it around.  Sometimes I forget other people take the Spin class with us, oh well!  He called me a nerd, but my spin instructor was excited about it too. 

Part massage and muscle repair / Part torture device. 

Lastly, with this sunshine all week, my wardrobe has finally felt spring-ish! I have even worn a skirt 3 different times this week. WHOA, I know right, don't get too carried away there Brooke, it's supposed to rain again Monday.

Don't worry though, I didn't get too girly on you.  I am rockin' Nikes and a Vneck tee with today's skirt.

I really like to push the limits of Casual Friday. Sorry, not sorry.

Anyways, enough random photos about sunshine.  Let's get to some links...

::My girl Lauryn Hill is no longer miseducated and is coming out with a new album! This really makes my day and is topical because I was jammin' to her old album earlier in the week before I even heard the good news. Girl's got soul. Must have ESPN or something.

::I love the brand video for this company. Tomboy Style recently shared it and I want to be a part of everything they do.

::What you learned from Seinfeld.

::Thinking about buying one of these for when I make coffee at the office. Maybe even get wild and pick the cow print one.

::So glad Coachella is over. People are idiots.

::I am a grown ass woman and I like Vampire Diaries.

::So excited for the Great Gatsby movie. Speaking of, check out this interview about Brooke Brothers' involvement with the movie.


That's all the internet wrote this week.  Now it's time to get in Coach Brooke mode.  Conference Championships this afternoon and tomorrow! HEYO!!!!


I am leaving you with this jam by my girl Lauryn to #backthatazzup on into the weekend:

Cheers,

<3 BB

tuesday tunesday :: 4.23.13

Guess what! I curled the new did this morning and I kind of like it and by that I mean I am a really big fan! Naturally I was late to work, because of it, but that is nothing new. I miss my long locks a little, but I love how much faster my hair dried and double love how healthy it feels, so beggars can't be choosers, right? 

{Insert work selfie!} 

I know you guys have missed my desk selfies. You're welcome. 

Also, I made these overnight oats for my breakfast this morning. They are lovely. I substituted regular milk for Vanilla Soy milk and added Chai seeds. Although, I think I may have added a few too many, they are getting stuck in my teeth. Anyone have floss?!  Oh well...It's a learning process, really. 

Lastly, before we get to tunes, we have had two sunny days in a row here in Portland. Holy crap, can we talk about how much better my mood is when that happens? I mean really, I don't think I am asking too much for it to stay like this until next December..... 

Anyways, those are my thoughts this fine Tuesday. Enjoy some good music. 

Manchester Orchestra Feat. GROUPLOVE :: Make It To Me

Love this combo of performers! Manchester Orchestra's lead singer's voice is one of my favorites, so this collaboration with GROUPLOVE makes me happy :)

Swim Deep :: She Changes the Weather
Who doesn't want to be this girl they are referencing in the song?!

Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams :: Get Lucky
Yesterday, after about 20 mins I finally realized I had been listening to this one song on repeat and it didn't even upset me.  Love Pharrell, love Daft Punk. Excited for their new project!

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton :: Can't Hold Us Down 
This song isn't exactly new, but the video is and it is classic Macklmore. If someone so young, can be so classic?

Born Ruffians :: Needle

So this song reminds me of something, but I just can't put my finger on it.  Either way I am a big fan. Maybe Fleet Foxes or Vampire Weekend or something, I don't know, it's bothering me.  (actually, now that I think about this, I might have posted this song before.... that could be why it sounds familiar. I am too lazy to go search for it though, so you're stuck with it again if that's the case.)

Kid Astray :: The Mess 

Had this song stuck in my head all evening. Brad made fun of me, because I kept singing it in my beautiful, beautiful voice. 

Everything Everything :: Cough Cough 

So much going on in this song. 

The National :: Don't Swallow the Cap

The National have a new album coming out in May, get excited! 

Cheers!!!!! (it's the sunshine that forced all those extra !s)

<3 BB 

easter sunday

Happy Monday!

Still can't believe Easter has come and gone and I especially can't believe how nice the weather was for it! I am feeling recharged after my long weekend and hoping the nice weather decides to stick around (fingers crossed).

After attending church as a family, we celebrated Easter out and my Aunt and Uncle's place.  They live on a Filbert (aka Hazelnut) farm and keep the place looking lovely.

We ate way too much food - per usual at our family gatherings.  I even brought something this time.

Made these Caprese skewers. Although, I was dumb and bought long skewers and was trying to cut them in half, when I definitely should have just used toothpicks. Might have even broke my Aunt's scissors when trying to cut the wood.  Live and Learn and then get Luvs  I bought OMG Balsamic Vinegar to drizzle over top and the name isn't lying. So Good!

We also had deviled eggs.  Gosh, those are an Easter favorite of mine. I suppose they don't have to be eaten only on Easter, but that is usually when I have them.

Getting my egg hunt on.  My little cousin Emma decided she was going to hide the eggs this year and all of the older kids would find them.

 Let me tell you, this girl did a good job hiding them - straight up dug holes in her mom's flower beds and completely covered them with dirt.

My Uncle had recently put together a small zip line for his kids, so we obviously had to try it out too. 

If you were wondering, I really struggled. Honestly, that shouldn't surprise you though. 

Somehow managed to almost fall off the seat each attempt. Not sure if that is fear or laughter on my face.

Check out this art.  (Ok, it isn't even close to art, but I am slowly trying to figure out my editing software.  It's a real struggle on my old Mac though, so I don't have a ton of patience with it.)

We then thought it was a really good idea to workout after the mountains of food consumed.  Worst idea ever. Even got my aunt to do a couple rounds of our circuit with us. There is a good chance she is feeling sore today, but I was still impressed with her !  

Bradley, The Baby Brother, and Me

Ps. Nice face, Brad. You're so attractive.

Trying to get the little sister back in shape after her ACL surgery. 

So yeah, that was my Easter in a filbert nut shell. 

Cheers to Bunnies! 

<3 BB 

First Day of Autumn - Hood River Style

Saturday Bradley and I decided to celebrate the first day of autumn by trekking up to Hood River.  So after a nice gym sesh we hit the road. 

Our first stop was Multnomah Falls. 

Which was super pretty.

But short lived, because I think all of Portland decided to stop there.  I don't get along very well with crowded places, so we stayed long enough to snap a few photos and then hit the road again.


When we got to Hood River we headed straight to the river to check out all of the wind and kite surfers.

It was like a little city of surfers.  

Brad took this photo and he would like his credit, so I suppose I should give it to him. 

The weather was lovely, but super windy, which was perfect for the surfers not so perfect for my hair.

He wanted you all to know that he took this one too. 

 

It was awesome to see the kites and boards up close. 

Plus they looked like dinosaurs.  

And who doesn't love that?! 

Action Shot. 

 Might have almost fell over when trying to take that photo.  I blame the wind.

Papa. Papa. Paparazzi.


After our afternoon outside, we were quite hungry so we headed over to Full Sail Brewery. 

The beer was yummy. 



 Brad played model for me all day.  Isn't he such a good boyfriend?! 

 

 Look at those pearly whites!

My bubbles!

I tried the seasonal LTD 06 and it was great.  It had hints of coffee which I am a big fan of. 

Gotta love a dark beer and scarf weather!

After dinner we headed downtown to wander around.  We stopped for ice cream at the cutest shop.  Kahlua Chip, wowza!  

 My favorite part of the entire trip might have been this purchase.

These large matches are awesome,
plus they were on sales.  Double Score!! 

Brad kept trying to give out free advice, but no one wanted it from him.  I think he scared the children more than anything.

If you're ever in HR, you should probs check out Mike's Ice Cream. It's precious and the ice cream is delish too.  


All in all, it was a great start to Fall and I can't wait to enjoy the rest of it before the rain sets in...  What did everyone else do to celebrate the beginning of the best season of the year?!


Cheers to Autumn!

<3 BB