little snippets // june

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just a little catch up from june :
jeff is currently mostly unemployed + taking online classes + i shoot engagements in the evening/weddings on the weekend so we have had l o t s of time together this summer. we are very aware that our situation right now is totally unrealistic but when else will we get to be bums together? riiiiiiight?
right. sure. who's hiring?
onwards!

we have been living at the spanish fork reservoir this summer. it's this teensy man-made lake? pond? pool? up spanish fork canyon + we have made it there at least twice a week this summer. bonus points : there is a sonic on the way(!!!). 

paige moved here! she is going to byu for summer term then transferring to byu idaho so i am soaking up all the time i can get with her. also my mama came to town + we shopped + ikea'd + had the inaugural hokulia of the summer. extra li hing mui, please! with mama time comes lots of grandma time which is my favorite time. i love that spunky lady! i also love that her apartment is fifteen minutes from the SLC temple so i can pop in on a wedding break + watch hgtv/eat all her food/wear her muumuu/nap. hehehe.

NIKKI WENT THROUGH THE TEMPLE!! it was such an awesome experience. 

i am so proud of this lifelong buddy of mine + am continually impressed by how she just. keeps. progressing. mushy gushy. the end. 

we also got a little more lake time in idaho! if you know me, you know the lake is my happiest place so i was in heaven. also i can't stop buying hats...particularly hats from walmart with dumb sayings. sue me.

bye, june! 

balloon fest with paigey //

yesterday morning we woke up at the wee hour of six a.m. to go watch the balloon launch.

to be perfectly honest, we mostly just went in hopes michelle money would be there. ha. 

she said she was going on her snapchat + alarms were set immediately following.

twins!!!! also that lady remained looking into my camera the. whole. time. 

hi lady! 

anyways, she wasn't there. cody wasn't either. it's fine. we're fine.
balloons were there though! and mcdonalds was right next door. small victories.

utah in the summer is the knees, you guys!
(the knees? i don't know? let's roll with it?)

WHAT UP MAY!!!! // the past month.

HI GUYS! it's brooke here, remember me? i'm reporting live from moscow, idaho where i'm currently sitting under three blankets downing my third diet coke of the morning + debating whether or not to move today. you know, tough stuff.

this past month has been GOOD. or maybe it was just that april was so bad? have i said that before? well let me tell you again : april was so bad. but may! may was so good! may is the month where i am reminded that i am a sane + functioning person most usually...sometimes + that i actually do like my life. oh. okay.

ANYWAYS MAY!

i started the month running a half marathon with my nikki-friend. it was very spur-of-the-moment + we were remarkably untrained but it was so fun. seriously. at one point nikki peed on the sidewalk + that will forever by a favorite memory, hahaha. we kept a pace. was it a good one? meh. but it was a pace! and we finished! and we got a giant medal that i keep in my carry-on suitcase. in fact, i pulled it out a few days ago at our hotel just to show it off to morgan. it's whatever.

we went to morgan's restaurant in park city, zoom, and shut. the. place. down. i think i'm still full (just kidding. i'm not. i just ate like, thirty five pretzel thins -- bring on the gluten headache, y'all!). i'm talking three appetizers, entrees, and four desserts. that's what's up. morgan gave us a tour of the kitchen + we watched some mild kitchen drama unfold + i felt like i was on some reality tv show. so basically : all my wildest dreams came true.

avery has been living in my basement (hahah) while she is in transition from student housing to married housing. hi roommate! it has been fun having her + I AM SO PUMPED FOR GEORGIA! watch out ATL (horrible snapchat as proof. you're welcome.)

tandem biking! it's hard! morgan + i (WOW MORGAN! we hung out a LOT this month!) rented a tandem bike one afternoon + MOBBED down the canyon. haha. i felt like i was in a parade/a human centipede. highly suggest it.

i have decided i want to start wearing higher shoes + skirts. so there is that. my first attempt : seven inch clogs. i hardly survived one hour of church before complaining. HOW DO PEOPLE DO THIS ALL DAY? beauty is pain...but do clogs cancel out any attempt at femininity anyways? LET ME KNOW. exciting times, i know.

i had a wedding in washington last weekend (it was so pretty + the couple was the best ever ever) + jeff + morgan tagged along for the ride. side note : jeff sat in the backseat the whole time? it's fine. we're fine. it's fine. anways. washington! weddings! jeff in the backseat!

NOW! we are in idaho. well, actually we are back in washington for another wedding BUT our home base in idaho right now. i just bought a five dollar fishing hat at walmart today so yeah, you could say things are going well. ha. i have reverted back to 'high school brooke' so i have stopped doing laundry + wearing pants + am basically useless. unfortunately my 'high school brooke' legs have not returned but i'll keep you updated.

THE END. for now. that was photo heavy, I AM AWARE.

march in bullet points. //

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OH HI! 
a little catch-up on my march :

1. paige came to visit.
2. shot a butt-load of engagements + a wedding.
3. complained about how busy i felt.
4. complained about how bored i was.
5. had a slight nervous breakdown on a little caesar's bench. hahahahah.
6. self-medicated with diet coke, chocolate, tanning + 35 phone calls to my mom.
    also sleep.
7. spent time with my mom + grandma at her swanky new retirement home.
8. went to logan/vegas/st. george.
9. started unbreakable kimmy schimdt + broad city.
10. ...quoted broad city ad naseum. YAS KWEEN!
11. walked a pug.
12. hopelessly underdressed for everything.
13. tried the master cleanse for 4 hours.
14. discovered GIFS + now don't actually use real words while texting.
15. mourned zayn malik. i don't care if you don't care. I CARE.
16. debated chopping my hair off/going blonder/getting extensions/bangs then
      realized i was at no place to make major hair decisions.
17. stood in front of my closet for a cumulative 7 hours trying to figure out what to wear.
      spring. you have me stumped.
18. got stoop-id with jeff. we love our stoop. jeff has a folding chair + it's so, wonderfully
      white trash.
19. resolved to get a pedicure.
20. ate dinner with my favorite bentley family. cabbage + corned beef, you bet.
21. LOVED THIS WEATHER.

ready for you, april.
peace, love, ponytails.
xoxo BROOKE.

(i wish i signed off all the time.)

WEEKENDING

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This weekend felt like it zipped by. Actually, this whole month felt like it zipped by. IT IS MARCH. Also the dress is blue + black. But let's keep moving.

On Saturday we went + watched my friend Chelsea's game. She plays for Gonzaga + they were playing against BYU. I came equipped with a box full of Swig cookies + a fifteen Book of Mormons. Just kidding about that last part ;). WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OR BUST! 

Sadly these are the best photos we got. HA.

I look way in love with Chels. It's fine.

Speaking of in love with Chels, story : after the game, we were chatting + this BYU fan 

was lingering around us + finally he came up to Chels and started thanking her for coming 

to BYU + telling her how great she was. It was weird but I was like, okay. This dude is hitting on her.

THEN! He's like, hey! Here's my wife! Ha. It was so funny. Also he gave me a handshake

+ gave Chels a fist bump. Interesting observations. 

INDIA PALACE!! This is the cutest restaurant in Provo. The owner is so sweet + 

the food is even better. I just want to smell like curry all the time + I know that's not normal.

Jeff is cute. 

We made chili verde + then added radishes, bean sprouts, cilantro, and avocado to the top.

Random, but so yummy. 

ALSO : you should watch Chef on Netflix. It will make you want to cook + eat cuban sandwiches + beignets.

I subbed on Friday. Is it weird that I debate being a career sub? Ha. Just kidding. I know it's like,

the least impressive job ever but it can be so fun (operative word : can. One time I subbed an orchestra class + just sat in the back wanting to slowly wilt away). I am now realizing that I thrive when I can be the good cop. Early lunch? SURE! Phones in class? WHY NOT! JUST LOVE ME, OKAY?

+ finally : Avery got engaged! I am so happy. 

Also she has fantastic nail beds + these are the things you notice

when your nails look like you're an anxiety-ridden 12 year old boy. 

HAPPY WEEKEND! 

HAPPY SUNDAY! //

Just happily dressed as your least favorite high school art teacher. 

It's fine. 

Today I walked in fifteen minutes late to relief society + immediately started mouthing apologies to the teacher for making such a commotion in the middle of her lesson. I took a minute to long to find a seat + loudly scooted my way to the middle of the room, stepping on toes + knocking people with my bag. AFTER ALL THIS : I realized I was in the wrong class. At the wrong time. My ward didn't even start for another hour. 

Woof. 

I'm back (IN UTAH!)

I am back.

In Utah, that is. 

My eyes hurt from staring at the road, my back hurts from sitting, 

+ my hands hurt from gripping the steering wheel for the first 2 hours of our trip.

WOOF.

BUT I AM BACK! 

I am going to miss my family, Idaho, mom's food, endless free time, 

long naps, Mikey's Gyros, giant Co-Op salads, + cable desperately but...

...this will ease the pain juuuust fine ;).

I love Utah! 

Happy December // Brrrrr...

HAPPY DECEMBER! 

I have been so looking forward to this month.

I feel like this December is going to be one for the books. I'm turning 22 + can finally use and abuse Taylor Swift's song lyrics (you have to! You're feelin' 22!), Jeff + I are headed up to Idaho for two weeks(ish), and I can now openly indulge in all things Christmas. Because I've been hyping my December up, I made a list of things I wanted to do/see/eat. Here's a few :

|| Go iceskating (I used to hate iceskating; I'm blaming it on sexual tension?
Too much pressure to hold hands. NOW I'm excited to just blade, y'all)
|| MoTab Christmas Concert // Savior of the World
|| Survive working seasonal in retail (oof...)
|| work my way through the 'Folksy Christmas' playlist on Spotify. SO GOOD.
(...and Justin Bieber's Christmas album. Ha. Ain't no shame.)
|| See the lights at the Temple + in Lewiston, Idaho (...almost the same thing, ha).
|| Visit CDA + hike Tubbs.
|| Ski!
|| Read the B.O.M. every single day for at least 30 minutes.
|| Go see Unbroken, Selma, + The Christmas Story (at the Kenworthy)
|| TURN 22!

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p.s. Jeff + I are back in Utah! Why is it that any time you finish a road trip, you feel the need to ravenously eat? We were basically plum out of food, so we had some interesting combinations from our pantry (peanut butter + figs are shockingly tasty, wouldn't you know?).

p.p.s. this picture was taken last January in Coeur d'Alene with my mama; we were hiking/walking Tubbs hill + it was so freezing but so pretty...a star jump was an obvious choice. 

The Great Soda Challenge || A Diet Coke-off

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Once upon a time, I decided to give up Diet Coke. Officially.
I held out for two months and convinced myself that I didn't miss it or need it in my life. I specifically remember phone calls to my mother where I talked about my newfound energy and how the thought of forty four ounces of soda made me want to throw up.

What a load of junk. 
Much like watching Mad Men and working in retail and Zumba, as much as I wanted to like it, I couldn't fake it for long. I mean, c'mon. Diet Coke is my one vice (...next to reality television,
celebrity gossip, and buying oversized clothing).

SO! In the words of Caroline Manzo from Real Housewives of New Jersey (Caroline, where are you?!), I'm taking this next level and "being the best." I'm pretty sure I misquoted her there and I'm pretty sure ten million people have said that same sentiment but hey, next level! Caroline Manzo! New Jersey!
(...in case you are of the socially superb, I'm referring to the episode where her daughter is talking about wanting to go to beauty school...)

I am pretty particular with my Diet Coke; it must be from a fountain (a can if I'm in a real pinch) and the ice must be pebbled + not too watery + the cup can't be flimsy and should preferably be a thick styrofoam. A vanilla + a slice of lemon if you have it, coconut if I'm feeling adventurous, and almond joy creamer if I'm feeling chubby.

This is all a long way of saying, yo. I ranked the fountain drinks in Utah because I take myself way too seriously + am a ridiculous human + love me a stiff drink on the rocks.

Sonic : 4.5
The analysis : Is there anything better than a Sonic Diet Coke with vanilla and lemon during happy hour? I think not. Pebbled ice, styrofoam cup, fresh lemons, and the opportunity to see pre-teens fumble with 44 ounces on ROLLERSKATES?! 

Hires Big H : 5.0(!!!!!)
The analysis : Holy sweet mother of fountain drinks, Hires Big H. They have this ice that's a hybrid between pebbled ice + shaved ice and I want to take a bath in it (actually no, no I don't. That sounds cold). They have 'Tropical Diet Coke' which is essentially dirty Diet Coke (coconut + lime) but with more lime and less coconut and it sort of tastes like pineapple? Don't overthink it and get yourself a large.

McDonalds : 3.0
McDonalds in a sweet tea cup (styrofoam) : 3.3
McDonalds Diet Dr. Pepper in a sweet tea cup : 3.5
The analysis : McDonalds' is like a vanilla bean ice cream cone. There's really nothing spectacular about it but you know what you are going to get. Fizzy Diet Coke. On melty ice. Plus it's a dollar and there's a drive through window.

Will's Pit Stop : 3.5
The analysis : I used to be ultra-enthusiastic about Will's; I even raved about their flizz-to-flavor ration on Yelp. While their ice isn't spectacular + their cups are kind of flimsy, they deliver.

Maverik//7/Eleven//Flying J : 1.1
The anaysis : Flat as a fifth grader.
                       Hey, that was funny! Praying people have scrolled this far.

Sodalicious : 4.6
The analysis : If we are being perfectly honest, they could hand me carbonated milk and I'd be happy. They have the nicest employees who will remember your name and ask you about your love life. Ain't nothing better than Anna K. and a Dirty Diet Coke.

Swig : 2.3
The analysis : I want to like Swig, I do! But I just don't. Two points for yummy concoctions + styrofoam cups + .3 because it's Wednesday.

Crest : 3.7
The analysis : Let it be known, the Crest nearest me doesn't carry Diet Coke but does carry Diet Dr. Pepper...which is weird. But! Their Diet Dr. Pepper is so good + they have a drive through and coconut flavoring. It's really all about the drive through. Ain't nobody need to see me barefoot and braless.

Guzzles : 1.2
The analysis : This is right across from Target. It serves Diet Coke. That's about the only plus? Oooof, I'm a cruel Diet Coke reviewer.

Fabulous Freddy's : 4.7
The analysis : People. Of. The. World. Fab Freddy's. They have a drive through, flavored drinks, and a reward program so that you get points for gas and other purchases that you can use in the store and on drinks...  that are already like, 75 cents. I stop here during my Nordstrom Rack runs and it is a match made in heaven.

Honorable mentions : 
Chick Fil A (their lemonade rocks + I always get a Diet Dr. Pepper. Styrofoam cup(!!!).
Carls Junior (overpriced, but always fizzy!)
Holladay Oil (buy a cup for $10 and get fifty cent refills all summer long. Plus drink flavorings!)

...now I need a Diet Coke.

bye june!

 

the final two weeks of june were spent moving into and decorating the place that jeff and i will share come august. my mother came down with a truck-load of supplies and a car-load of kids to help me out (read: do it all while i floated around seven peaks’ lazy river and made ikea runs)(ikea’s soft serve vs. chic fil a’s? i just can’t decide!)(read: my mom is the literal best).

i loved having my family in town. it was so fun to show off provo to them. my favorite outings were to the movie brave (holy best. movie. ever. exclamation point. i recommend it as a mommy-daughter bonding date;  is there anything better than a date with your mom? i submit not.) and to provo’s comedy sportz (there’s something so tasty about soda that’s been snuck in, right?).

and! and we fused together the stapleton and (3/8ths of the) mosman clan. it was magical and chili’s tortilla chips were involved. i was sort-of actually nervous for the ordeal…mostly nervous for myself. when i’m trying to fuse together two groups of people i tend to get seriously awkward and try to force friendships; “susan likes rice and you ordered a rice bowl today and susan likes..breathing and so do you so…ha! friends? let’s take a picture together!” …luckily i didn’t have to build any bridges and everyone got along swimmingly.

bye, bye june!

night hiking.

one thing i super-like about jeff is how he’s always up for adventure! big or small! (except he won’t do some things…like let me spin him around, swing-dancing style? why?!) his response to ‘can we wander around costco and eat every. single. sample?’and ‘can we go sky-dive with no parachutes?’ is the same: YES!

last night at precisely 9:55 he texted me while i was at work (…did you see how i did that there? dropped the work-bomb? working student…you’re impressed, no?) and said “let’s do something active tonight!” to which i said “night hike?” to which he said “YES!”

note to you: night hiking is super fun at midnight o’ clock but is not-so-super fun at seven a.m. the next morning. so tired! also, for the record, we are not ghosts. ha. i was just playing around with a really long exposure…or maybe not? (so tired! so not funny! forgive me?)