#backthatazzup onto the disabled list

So it's official, my hip is all jacked up and it is making my knee sore too and I am a big struggle. I even brought an ice pack to my office today. UGH. Looks like I am taking up swimming for a bit. Better learn how to do this.

And stick to mostly upper body workouts. Biceps on biceps, bro.

All arms, all day.

Anyway, this has been on the verge of happening for a while now, and I kept ignoring it, hoping it would go away, instead of taking the proper steps to recovery. Things like extra stretching, icing, and taking a few days off. Now both my knee and hip flexor hurt and I am mad and sad. Sheeeeet. Plus, on top of all this Gmail and Facebook rolled out changes today, people are going to lose their shit. Prepare to be annoyed by their angry updates about it.

::But in other news watching this made me laugh.

::5 health foods that aren't healthy.

::What it was like to play high school sports as a girl.

::I know I have mentioned before that I hate shaving and this article helps solidified my thoughts.

::I am officially starting to get old. Seeings how it is my birthday month and all.

::Why chivalry is important.

::Said no one, ever.

::Also, I'm leaving you with Robin Thicke's new single Take It Easy On Me for #backthatazzup Friday.  Take it easy on me today, I am hurt, ok guys?!

Peace out girl scout,

<3 BB

urban waxx

So is anyone else afraid to have their eyebrows waxed?! No?! Just me? Ok. Cool. My fear of someone waxing me probably all stems from my control issues, but that is a post for another day....I just always picture the worst happening. My eyebrows not matching up, having an entire eye brow waxed off. What if they never grew back and I have to get them tattooed on!? The horror.  You know really serious, traumatic stuff here! 

So, when Urban Waxx of Portland got a hold of me to offer a complimentary eyebrow wax, I was slightly hesitant, but also super pumped at the idea.  I have a lot of dark eyebrows and it takes some time and some industrial type tweezers to get them tamed. Otherwise I look like this: 

Or even worse like this. AnnHath, I loathe you.

After checking out their website and yelp reviews, I decided to take them up on their offer. I mean they claim to offer the best wax you'll ever have, had to give them a chance, amiright?!
  

From their website:

At Urban Waxx, we are committed to making your time with us extraordinary. Our motto is "The best wax you'll ever have. Seriously." That is a statement that continues to drive Urban Waxx forward every single day.

Urban Waxx is more than just your typical salon: it's a culture. We love what we do, and it shows. We are a group of super talented, highly trained gals that have 2 things in common: we love to wax and we love to give an over the top customer service experience.

Urban Waxx has 3 locations in the Portland area. I went for the one in the Alphabet District since it was closest to my house. They also offer many different wax options, but I stuck with just a brow wax. I am new to the world of waxing, figured I should stick with simple.  I scheduled an appointment via their online booking, which is extra convenient, because God forbid I have to actually use my phone and call someone ;) 

The shop was cute and all the staff was super inviting and friendly...which they need to be if they think I am going to let them rip hair off my body! They even offer wine, but I had a workout to get to after the appointment, stupid choice on my part, I know. 

The gal, Alix, that did my brows was awesome and she did a great job. And get this, she does Roller Derby, if that's not kick ass, I don't know what is!  Plus, it probably took her a total of 10 mins max.  Efficiency, a thing which I am all about. Girl knew what she was doing too, so it didn't even hurt! Winning! 

Look at those sexy eyebrows.

Anyway, if you're looking for a great place to get your brows (or any other part of your body) waxed hit up Urban Waxx and tell them Brooke Smith sent you! 

Cheers to sexy eyebrows, 

<3 BB

** Disclaimer: I was offered a complimentary brow wax with the possibility of review from Urban Waxx. No other compensation was made. All opinions are definitely honest and my own.

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hike pdx :: dog mountain

Guess what day it is!!!!! 

HUMP DAY!!!! But no really, how funny is that commercial?! Gets me every time and I need a pick me up this morning, because I am running a little low on energy. Brad drug took me to a US Men's National Soccer game last night that didn't start until 8pm.  Other than that fact that I was far too hot and dying crammed in like sardines with the people next to me it was pretty awesome. They won 6-1. 

Also, ladies (and gents - no discrimination here) if you haven't gotten into soccer yet, do yourself a favor and start watching or go to this website. The boys that play are attractive and in fantastic shape. Plus, a lot of them rock sleeve tattoos and I find that enjoyable. 

Anyways, that is not why I am here today.  This morning I wanted to show you guys the photos (not just the instagram ones) I took on my hike up to Dog Mountain. 

Dog Mountain is located on the Columbia River (Washington State side of the River.) 

Thanks for the in focus, not showing any of the river photo, random stranger.

The Gorge is beautiful and the hike is 7 miles by the time you get up and back down. 

Don't let the flowers fool you, it was pretty much all incline up to the summit. 

So pretty! 

One thing to point out, the trail does have a lot of poison oak at the beginning, so make sure you stay on the path! Luckily I did not get into any, because ain't nobody got time for that.

The hike is a modified loop in the sense that it breaks apart into an easier trail and a more difficult trail up the summit. 

We took the more difficult trail on the way up and then took the other one on the way back.  Then the downhill wasn't so steep and it was kinder on my knees. 

Also, I am officially a fan of Shot Blocks by Clif Bar. I don't normally use anything during my workouts, because they are hardly ever over an hour, but these were great for the hike and they taste really good. Kind of just want to eat them as a gummy snack every day. I don't think that is how they are actually supposed to be used, but whatever, I do what I want. 

This is my other token photo opp, when I am not giving the thumbs up. 

Take me back... but maybe by helicopter this time, I was sore after the hike ;)

Cheers to hiking! 

<3 BB

tuesday tunesday :: contact high

Hello my favorite people, yes, you of the interwebs,    How are we doing this morning midday, afternoon, etc.?! Today I would like to introduce you to my buddy Allen Stone.  Ok, so we aren't technically buddies, but I  have seen him live multiple times, including this past weekend at the Blues Fest.  

Plus, I did get a photo with him once. 

#hipsters 

Anyway, me going Fan Girl is not the point. The guy is kind of an oddball, but in the best way possible. He has some fantastic music, often with some great lyrics that go a little deeper than most music that is out there today.....Which brings me to today's Tunesday pick I have for you.  it's just one song today, but I want to talk about it a little bit. The song is called Contact High and no it's not about smoking weed, so don't get too excited.   

Are you looking for peace of mind?

You won't find it in your status line,

What are you trying to prove?

Whose mountain are you trying to move?

Take a quick listen to this interview on why he wrote the song, then we can discuss.

Now before you start throwing glasses of wine at me and call me a hypocrite, or whatever it is you bloggers do when you're upset, hear me out. I understand the irony in my post and having a blog in general.  

Buttttttt....Listening to this song makes me realize that I need to be better about investing in the moments that are currently happening, as opposed to trying to make a moment with my social media. Even this weekend for instance, I had just climbed to the top of a mountain with Brad that had beautiful views and you couldn't help but have a moment and be in awe up there and there I was trying to get enough service to post a photo on instagram Granted the photo turned out legit, but that's neither here nor there.  Chill the eff out, Brooke. There is such thing as a #latergram.  My point, and Allen's point too, I think, is it's one thing to be involved with social media, but it's a whole other thing to consume yourself with people that aren't even present at the time.  

During his live performance on Friday he flat out said, please put away your phones for the rest of the show and make a moment with the people that are here.  So that is my challenge to you. Let's put our phones down a little more often, let's step away from the computer once in a while. Yes it's one thing to get a photo for the blog post, but don't sit on twitter the entire time you're out on a blate (blogger date) or night out with friends. It's rude and you should stay home if you think the internet is more interesting than your real life friends although depending on your friends, the internet might be cooler. 

Drops mic, walks away. 

<3 BB

independence day shenanigans

So, I didn't hunt any British, but I did have great 4th of July Shenanigans! Ones that featured the usual BBQ with friends and fireworks! Question: could you ask for anything more on the 4th? Answer: no. A few of us from our group even dared to head down to the Portland waterfront after the BBQ to see the fireworks, and better yet, managed to stay away from the huge crowds.

Kelley and I were twinning from head to toe.  What you don't see pictured is the matching white shorts and rainbow flip flops, which was all unplanned. 

The rest of the weekend was just as awesome.  It included the Waterfront Blues Festival where we saw 3 different performances, my favorite being Allen Stone. (Don't worry, I will introduce you to him more tomorrow on Tunesday) 

Fact: one can never go wrong with boyfriend fit jeans and rainbows.  Summer uniform has been found.

Brad and I also decided to get a little crazy and hike a mountain on Saturday.  Dog Mountain is no joke, but the views were sure pretty.  I just have to keep telling myself they were worth the sore butt I now have from the 3 plus miles of incline. 

Oh, and did I mentioned I made dessert for the BBQ?  There might not be any left, because this happened a lot over the weekend. Why dirty another dish, when you can eat it from the pan?!

This is why I do not keep sweets in my home. Thank God I hiked a mountain to counteract it a little bit.

Anyway, this 4 day weekend has me jonesing for summer break. Why can't I still be in grade school?! I was so jealous of the little kids riding their bikes in our neighborhood when Brad and I went on an evening walk before bedtime last night. You know they got to stay out past nine, because it wasn't a school night. Not fair.

Cheers to Amurica!

<3 BB

cheers to amurica

In honor of the 4th, I figured we should probably get in the spirit here at Babbles.

Gonna get real Patriotic up in here today:

Wear This:

Eat This:

Drink This:

While Listening To This:

  Obviously, Do This:

But, Lord, Please Don't Do This: 

Nailed It: 

But, no really, don't ever do your nails like that. I will mock you and then have to reconsider if we can even be friends. 

Have a safe and fun 4th of July my people.  I will be back on Monday. Please be responsible, folks and don't do anything I wouldn't do. 

Doesn't get more patriotic and Amurican than Nic Cage in a wife beater tank, amiright?! 

Cheers to Amurica! 

<3 BB

tunesday :: hot, tired, and hangry

Happy Thursday Tuesday!

It is officially hot in Portland and I plan on spending the rest of my summer on the floor of my apartment.

Care to join me?

Does anyone else use their foam roller as a pillow? No just me? Cool. This was after my big struggle at the gym where I thought I might die after my workout. Ok, that is probably a slight exaggeration.  However, I was TIRED after the gym last night and hot and it made me hangry. Good news is, I got over it and by that I mean I ate and watched Love It Or List It.  Food and HGTV make everything better. 

So, in honor of this summer weather, let's give your ears some summer tunes! 

Grouplove :: Ways To Go 

The National :: Exile Vilify 

Casey Abrams :: Wore Out My Soul

Punch Brothers :: This Girl 

Vacationer :: Summer End 

Hey Ocean! :: I am A Heart 

Mount Kimbie feat. King Krule :: You Took Your Time 

A K U A :: Monsters 

Foals :: My Number 

Bad Books :: It Never Stops 

Purity Ring :: Obedear 

Cheers! 

<3 BB