MLS All-Star Updates

Today is my last day getting to be a very important person in the world of Major League Soccer. The actual All-Star game is this evening and the weather is supposed to be perfect for it.  So far, Brad and I have gotten to hit up two parties and attend a taping of the Men In Blazers podcast. Not to mention stay in a pretttttty nice hotel in downtown Portland which makes getting to and from very important people places quite convenient. I wanted to share a few things I have learned so far in the world of All-Star.

//I am taller than a lot of male soccer players.

//They will still flirt with you even if you are taller than them.

//My feet are not conditioned to wear tall wedges two nights in a row.

//I am also taller than Brad when I wear wedges. Then again he too was a soccer player...

//That was a lot of talls just used. 

//Pro Athletes are much better at staying up late than I am.

//2 am is a horrible time to fall asleep on a week night when you have to be up at 5:30 the next morning.

//Staying up late 3 nights in a row might be the most horrible thing I could do to my body, but here goes nothing! 

//The world of pro soccer in the US is quite small. Everyone knows everyone, including Brad since he used to work for DC United.

//Hotel robes will forever be a favorite.


//The Men In Blazers are super entertaining and funny, even if I don't know the majority of soccer players they are talking about.

//If you make nice with the chef at Grassa that is rolling out the fresh pasta he will give you pasta dough to nibble on just because.

 Definitely took a creeper pic of him when he wasn't looking!

//Cold War Kids put on a better read: less weird free concert than The Flaming Lips.

//I really like this photo below even though it's grainy as furk. 

//If you yell from your car to the nice construction worker at 6 am to grab the coffee you left on the smart park pay station, he will be confused but will bring you your almost 5 dollar coffee you just purchased and  left sitting there after you paid for your parking. 

//Portland will always be my happy place. 

//I will be ready to go to bed at 5pm on Thursday night.

Cheers to soccer! 

<3 BB 

MLS All-Star Week

You guys, MLS All-Star Week might be the death of me. So, as most of you are aware Bradley is a big soccer fan. Well, it just so happens that Portland is hosting the MLS All-Star game this week. Bradley also managed to score us a VIP experience to the game and the festivities leading up to it. We get to stay in one of the nicest hotel's, the Sentinel, in downtown Portland, get tickets to the big MLS Party the night before the game and get on field access and tickets to the game itself on Wednesday.  I have to admit it is pretty cool and he won this all by playing some fantasy goal game on MLS' website last year. 

Now this is all exciting, but it is also all during the work week and you all know my love for my early bedtime. Wish me luck as I have late night parties tonight and tomorrow night and then the game itself on Wednesday night, not to mention being to work at 6 am each morning! 

Ugh, I can feel a nap(s) coming on already. 

Anyway, if you're in the Portland area you can check out everything they have going on around the city leading up to the big game here. Most of it is free and available to the public. Also, side note - The Flaming Lips had a free concert last night on the water front as part of the festivities. They are really weird. That is all. 

Cheers!

<3 BB

Get sweaty for the US

So unless you live under a rock or hate our great nation you would know that yesterday, the United States Men's National Soccer Team won a pretty important game in the World Cup Group Stage.  So in honor of their win I wanted to share a workout that would make you nice and sweaty just like our boys in Red, White, and Blue were.

Here are examples for each movement so you look like a pro - just like the soccer boys.

::Down Dog Abs
::Side Lunges 
::Dumbbell Woodchops
::Tricep Push-ups 

Also, check out this reaction a Portland news anchor had on live TV when he realizes the US just scored their second goal that would give them the lead and win. You can watch the video clip here.

But no really, do this workout for not only US Men's National Team, but for our Country. It is what our Founding Fathers would want.

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

Friday Favorites - World Cup 2014 Addition

Happy, Happy Friday :)

This girl has big, big plans this weekend. They include being outside in the sun, going to Portland's Saturday Market...maybe laying by my grandma's pool. Going on a hike since there is no rain in the forecast for the next 10 days. Potentially watching The Fault In Our Stars, although, honestly, I am afraid I will cry like a little baby in public and I am not sure anyone needs to see that. 

You know, really important weekend things. Basically what I am saying is I need to day to fly by so this fabulous weekend full of plans and no plans can start. Before the weekend starts though, let's link up with Amanda for Friday Favorites and talk about some of my favorite things that happened this week.

My favorite moment this week - besides my sister graduating - had to be falling asleep while reading outside yesterday afternoon. Gosh I love a good unexpected nap, especially when it is outside in the funshine. 

For my favorite links of the week I want to also team up with Sarah and Fan out for Fan Friday on one topic. Let's focus on - World Cup 2014 

Now, I know not everyone is obsessed with soccer like Bradley is - because let's be honest. Bradley is a little crazy and a little out of his mind with his love for the US Men's National team and soccer in general.

But here are a few reasons why you should take some time out of your schedule over the next few weeks and watch some of the World Cup games - especially the United States Men's National Team (you can cheer for us, Melissa even though you're Canadian).  The World Cup is being held in Brazil this year, so there will be many, many good looking fans that will be showed on TV. The Stadiums are ridiculous (if they get them finished in time - a lot of them are still not finished yet and the first game is in less than a week), and the hair styles by soccer players are always comical. 

::First let the cast of Bend It Like Beckham explain the World Cup for you. Then....

::Get to know the US Men's Team a little bit better and read this. 

::Next, you should watch because there are at least 180 hot men that play soccer. 

::Watch because our most important player is good with kids. 

::Watch for this beautiful Argentinian. 

::Watch for this beautiful American. Oh Geoff, you have won me over with your facial hair and hipster haircut. 

::Watch for Tim Howard's sexy tattoos. 

::Do it for Shakira and her soccer playing, baby daddy and all the other WAGS. 

::Watch for these players and then check out their instagram accounts. 

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WATCH BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST AMERICAN THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY FOR THE NEXT MONTH.  One Team. One Dream.

Oh, and watch for this Derp Face by Clint Dempsey (he is American). 



Lastly, my #backthatazzup song of the week is even World Cup Theme. Check out this awesome music video / ad for the World Cup by Beats By Dre. It's sick.


Cheers to America!

<3 BB

ps. sorry for the link overload. I think I blacked out after looking at so many pretty soccer players.

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 

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 

reasons to watch futbol

Hellllllllllo Sports Fans,

In honor of Fan Friday, I wanted to share with you a sport I have started watching more regularly within the past 2 years. As you may have caught on, Brad has made me become a futbol fan....and no it's not the American kind. It's the kind that everyone, but the US, loves....SOCCER. Actually that's not true. Come to Portland and you'll see it's really popular here too. Brad and I even have season tickets to the Portland Timbers games. Anyway, after being immersed in the beautiful game (that's what they call it) for a little while now, I thought I would tell you all the reasons why you should give soccer a chance.

Δ The players are hot.

Δ The goals are impressive.

Δ The fans are crazy.

Δ The goal celebrations are LEGIT.

Δ The Wives and Girlfriends of the players are sexy. Hello WAGS. Yes, Shakira is a WAG.

Δ The commentators rival golf commentary and if you watch golf, you know that commentary is gold.

Basically, what I am saying is give soccer a chance, like this American football coach is.


*Editor's note: It's true about the 3/4 capris. Brad is obsessed with them and he didn't even buy them in the women's section. 


So appreciate soccer... or at least appreciate this.

And last, but not least...I will leave you with a song off of FIFA 2013 (that's the soccer video game in case you didn't know) for #backthatazzup Friday!!!!! 

Cheers!

<3 BB

USWNT Team!

True story: staying up on blogging is hard.  No wonder all the good blogs are cute, stay at home moms that have time to edit photos of their babies.  A) everyone loves pictures of kids.  B) you don't have to stay busy doing cool things so you have good content to blog about, because when in doubt just throw up the cute pictures of the baby.  It's a catch 22 really - if you plan fun things in your life that you can blog about later,  it doesn't leave you time to actually blog about them in a timely fashion or maybe I am just lazy and like my early bedtime.  

Take this post for instance.  I had an awesome night last Wednesday (that feels like forever ago) with Bradley and my good friend Virginia aka Ginny at the Women's National Team vs. the Republic of Ireland soccer game at Jeld-Wen, but then didn't have time to actually upload and edit photos for the next day's post! #hardknocklife, I know....Plus, now I am behind on my weekend recap post for you guys too and I know you are just dying to hear about how my weekend at home was.  Spoiler Alert: it was lovely.  

Never the less, here they are now!  The game was awesome, the US won 5-0.  Seeing Ginny outside of WU Track was even better! Plus, Bradley did a great job getting us 2nd row seats behind the goal, so my pictures didn't turn out half bad either! 

Enjoy: 

Question: How does one get to be a ball girl?!

National Anthem time! Also, big fan of their Where's Waldo kits. (fun fact: kit is what soccer players call uniforms, who knew?!)

Girl Crush!!! Megan Rapinoe.  Totally met her one time.  Brad has a pic with her even! 

Other girl crush, Alex Morgan, scored 3 goals in the first half. #ballin

Great Seats! 

Ginny and I call each other Thing 1 and Thing 2, so it's fitting that we were matching at the game.

I think I held my own on the knowledge end of things with two former soccer plays. Pats self on back.

For not ever playing soccer, I am definitely becoming a fan, especially live, which I suppose is a good thing, since Brad and I just got season tickets for the Portland Timbers next season.  #RCTID

Cheers to Soccer! 

<3 BB  

That One Time...

Brad talked me into going to a boys high school soccer game and I didn't even have a relative or family friend playing.

Soooo, originally I was going to blog about the awesome apple pie I made on Sunday with Brad and Jessi, but I have yet to edit photos of the awesomeness of said pie....

Why haven't I had a chance to edit photos you ask....because Brad drug me  asked me if I would like to go to the Jesuit vs Westview soccer game on Monday night instead. He has been wanting to know what the level of competition is like out here on the best coast / wants to relive his glory days and since Jesuit High School is in pretty much our backyard and it was two of the top teams in the state playing I agreed.

Let me preface this by saying I said yes to the outing before our hard workout, where I was not happy with Brad the entire 2 mile cool down, because I couldn't feel my arms... Not to mention the fact that I now have awesome calluses from the workout.


That dirty gurl Angie:

For Time:
100 pull-ups
100 push-ups
100 sit-ups
100 squats.
*Finish each set of 100, before you move on to the next exercise.

ouchie. 

The Crossfit workout Angie kicked my butt, but I finished it in under 23:43, so I was happy about that. However, the workout did drop my excitement level a bit, because I was now tired and already feeling the soreness form the workout....but being the good gf I am, I powered on.
‎
Anyway, after a quick shower and and a fresh pair of workout clothes, because no one puts on real clothes to go to a high school soccer game, except young high school girls trying to win a boyfriend, we wandered on over to see what all the hype was about.

The weather was perfect and I was happy to get out of the house for the evening before it starts raining for the next 9 months. For Jesuit being such a power house in sports I was a little surprised by the low turnout, it was mostly parents and a few students, but not many.

Friday Night Lights, anyone?! No, wrong sport? Ok... 

I had the pleasure of Brad coaching me on all there is to know about high school soccer.  He informed me he could spot out the best player within the first few mins of the game, critiqued their match-ups and styles of play (if I recall correctly, both teams were running a 4-4-2, whatever that means..) Brad also informed me that he could tell which kids in the stands were no longer playing for the high school team, but instead playing for the Timbers Academy, because he is just that good.  This is news to me, but evidently, you can tell a good soccer player by just the way he walks and carries himself, who knew?!  I do have to admit the inner-workings of how Youth Academies are set up is pretty interesting.

What's a brush?

And then this picture is what happens when you start to get bored at a high school soccer match and do not know any of the players.  Not lying when I say #nomakeup Jenna Marbles....We left with a few mins left with Jesuit up winning 3-1, which was close to Brad's 3-0 prediction.  I learned a little more about a sport I never played, plus I got to give Brad a hard time about his constant commentary and enjoy a lovely fall evening... win in my book! Also, I promise I will blog about the easiest apple pie later this week! 

Cheers to High School Boys?! (because that's not creepy)


<3 BB