Follow My New Collaborative Blog

Now I know that I've been MIA on this blog, but I hope that you will all check out my latest project with my twin sister, Kelcy.  It's a collaborative fashion, design, food, music, media, & worldly inspiration blog.  

It's called BKC².

Follow our blog & Twitter and please tell your friends!  We will be posting daily!

Let me know what you think :)

countdown to.....what?

A month from today, and I will have been a college graduate for two whole days.  Where did the time go?!

As exciting as being done with school is, it's scary at the same time.  I am only certain of my future for the next 28 days...how weird is that? Ideally, upon graduation, I will be packing my bags and moving to Los Angeles where I will have a salary job and a bright future ahead of me!  I know that I can do anything I put my mind to, and that's why all of my free time is spent job searching, cover letter writing, and sending off applications.

If any of you know of a company that I would be a good fit for, or of someone who is looking for a perfect addition to their team (ME!), please don't hesitate to contact me!! :)

kinda obsessed with....

People have a sort of love-hate relationship with country music.  I went through my ultimate country phase back when Shania Twain and The Dixie Chicks were the hot, new artists.  For the next years, I kind of conformed with those who are ashamed to like country.  HOWEVER, I recently set my pre-sets in my car, and I added the local country station to the list.  I've gotta say, I don't know why more people don't like country!! The lyrics are genuine, sweet, they make you smile, and they remind you that the right guy might really be out there.  Below are some of my favorites with a little blurb about what I think about when listening to them.

Just A Kiss--Lady Antebellum

(This song's just cool because it's a duet.  It reminds me of a love/lust that only happened for a short time, but both the boy and girl want it to be more than just that night.)

I Don't Want This Night To End--Luke Bryan

(I love the chorus of this one.  It's what every girl hopes a guy is thinking while she's singing to the radio, instead of "shut up."  It also reminds me of Spring/Summer/anytime where you can ride in a jeep without being cold.)

A Woman Like You--Lee Brice

(The song just proves that no matter what guys say, they all want to be married at some point in their lives, and that they will be happy about it.)

Does this change your mind about country music, or what?!

best hair dryer ever?!

About a month ago, I was given the opportunity to test a hair dryer that was given outstanding ratings from users around the world.  It appeared like a Christmas gift at my door, and I was more than excited to try it out.  

The hair dryer that I am speaking of is "The HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer," and it's sold online at www.misikko.com!

You don't have to take my word for it, just search using Google or Bing and you'll find that everyone who has tried this hair dryer LOVES it.  Personally, my hair just feels soft after using it.  I've always thought that I have pretty hair (after it's straightened at least), but I never felt confident about the softness of it.  After using this hair dryer, I finally have that soft-to-the-touch feel that I've been looking for!

I would send you a picture...but I'm too lazy to put make up on.  However, in my next posts, if you're ever thinking to yourself, "Dang! Her hair looks so soft and frizz-less!", it's probably because I used my new favorite HANA hair dryer that morning.

www.Misikko.com doesn't only sell these amazing hair dryers (it's their best one), but they  also specialize in salon grade flat irons! 

The following link words will take you to exactly where you want to go: 

Professional Hair Straighteners

Curling Irons

Hair Dryers

You will not regret this purchase!! Let me know if you've ever used one of their products and how you liked it, or let me know if you're planning on going online to purchase one!  Good luck girls!

students gone global

This post is for those of you who love to travel.  

Are you studying abroad this semester?

Do you know anyone that is studying abroad in the future?

Please let them know about the cool, new alternative to Blogger and Tumblr that is specific to students, all over the world, who are studying abroad.  

Click on the logo below to learn more!!

The site will be launching soon, and we need bloggers!  It's going to be a great site, with lots of traffic, and an unlimited amount of pictures, information, and everything study abroad!

Tell your friends about it!  They will thank you later :)

life is what you make it

"This life is what you make it.  No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth.  But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up.

Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway.  But just remember; some come, some go.  The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends.  Don't let go of them.  Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world.  

As for lovers, they come and go too.  And babe, I hate to say it, most of them, actually pretty much all of them, are going to break your heart.  But you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate.  You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything.

Just because you fail once doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything.  Keep trying, hold on, and always always always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie?  

So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."

--Marilyn Monroe

i wouldn't call us boring.....but

There's a reason I haven't blogged in a few weeks.  And it's not because I've been busy having fun.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.  I have been "Boring Brooke" for the past couple of weeks.  Group presentations and studying for final exams have taken the place of shopping and going out on the town.  

Sheri and I have realized how little days we have left to have gelato.  Therefore, we spend our weekends studying so that we can treat ourselves to a "cono medio con stracciatella e java" at Cioccolati Italiani or a paper bag lunch at Luini's Panzerotti.  If we're feeling a little crazy on a Saturday night, we go for aperitivo either together or with friends.  Long gone are the days, however, where we stay out dancing until 6am.

I've also been experiencing the Italian culture a bit better!  I met a nice boy a week or so ago, and I've been able to practice my Italian with him and his friends over dinners, karaoke, and exchanging our favorite music videos on YouTube.

aperitivo with friends

our favorite "bar" (the Italian word for cafe)

a little present from my friend! filled with baci chocolates!

we partied together. we basically live together. and now we study together.

currents

I've been seeing this on quite a few blogs lately, so I thought I would make one myself <3

current guilty pleasure:  I'm re-watching the Twilight movies.

current nail color: Charcoal Grey

current playlist: my own "just relax" playlist

current read: only school books :(

current drink: green tea, peach tea, espresso, and cappuccinos <3

current food: ortolano pizza: margherita pizza + zucchini, red peppers, and eggplant

current favorite show: Revenge & Gossip Girl

current wish list: for Kel to get a new car, so we don't have to share anymore with our busy schedules!

current needs:  a new iPhone, since mine mysteriously disappeared

current triumphs: waking up before noon

current bane of my existence: group projects.....

current celebrity crush: Andrew Garfield, Josh Bowman, everyone under the sun haha

current indulgence: triple chocolate ice cream

current blessing: having a best friend in milan, and my friends & family at home

current outfit: zildjian t-shirt, striped pj shorts, urban outfitters slippers <3

current excitement: the reunion i'm about to have with everyone in a month :)

current mood: hungry and sick with a cold...but happy!

current link: i'm obsessed with tumblr. check mine out HERE.

spontaneous village trip

This past weekend was incredible!

Sheri and I received a text from our friend, Lorenzo, on Thursday morning inviting us to his hometown from Saturday until Sunday!  We decided to take him up on the offer, and we boarded the train for Arona on Saturday afternoon!

Once we got there, we visited the town of Arona, Lago Maggiore, and then made our way over to Orta Lake! 

Once we got to our friend's town, we started preparing a classic, Italian dinner: risotto con i funghi.  It was complete with red wine from their personal wine cellar!  After all, in Italy "you cannot cook well without a good glass of wine in your hand." We continued to have a dance party to our favorite songs (including Demi Lovato: our latest guilty pleasure).

The next morning, we got our things together to head to the Alps!  We thanked Lorenzo's grandpa for letting us stay at his place, and he showed us his old American Western movies and the shrine he had set up to commemorate his late wife.  It was precious.  Once at the base of the Alps, in a town called Premia, we went to a thermal spa!! It was a huge public swimming pool (indoor and outdoor) that had natural hot water!! It was amazing!  We did a bit more exploring, and then boarded the train back to Milan.

It was an unbelievably spontaneous trip, but I am so glad that we got to experience "Classic Italia"!!

"me" day

If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that all I've been talking about is the rain.  It's so different from Arizona.  In Arizona, the rain stops.  In Milan? It's been non-stop for probably 48 hours.  And according to weather.com, nothing is changing until Thursday.  

Even though I wanted to be a bum in bed ALL day, I ventured out in the rain to do a little shopping.  On the way home, I decided to treat myself to a french manicure.  My nails look so clean now, and it feels great!!  

P.S. I miss my iPhone!! Can't wait to be able to use it as a phone and not just as a wi-fi "computer"

Sometimes it's important to just have a day for yourself.  It's a time to reflect on your past, but also to plan for the future.  

I'll leave you with two quotes that I've been liking recently:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.  Don't be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people's thinking.  Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." 

--Steve Jobs

"Sometimes you need to step outside, clear your head, and remind yourself of who you are and where you want to be."

the city of love

Tomorrow may possibly be the best day of my life.

Not only is my best friend, partner in crime, womb-sharer, and love of my life arriving in Milan after two months of not seeing each other....when we're used to every hour of the day, BUT, we're headed to Paris with Sheri just hours after!!  

It's about to be the best trip ever.  And I'm not even exaggerating. Even if everything goes wrong, I still have my Kelcy with me.  And we're still in the City of Love/Lights.

So, an homage to my one & only, and of course the beautiful city of Paris, France.

{weheartit} 

{weheartit}

{weheartit} 

{weheartit} 

{weheartit}

I can't wait!!! Sheri and I are planning out our itinerary in just a few minutes!And I just found out that museums are free if you show your student visa--which we have! :)

life lessons

Life is short.

break the rules.

forgive quickly,

kiss slowly,

love truly,

laugh uncontrollably,

and never regret anything that made you smile.

tuesdays with morrie

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours floating in the pool, on Olivia's cute little floaty thing, starting and finishing Tuesday's With Morrie by Mitch Albom.  Not going to lie...I definitely cried for the last ten pages or so.  So much so that the words were blurry.  And so much so that my throat kind of closed up and ached for the next half hour.

But besides all of that, I learned some very valuable lessons.  I can basically narrow it down into three parts.  Live a life you'll be proud of.  Listen, really listen when someone's talking to you.  And don't wait until someone is gone to tell them what you feel.

It's a super quick read, and it will definitely open your eyes.  I'm going to start living a life that Morrie would be proud of me for.

it's never too late

"For what it's worth: it's never to late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be.

There's no time limit, stop whenever you want.

You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing.

We can make the best or the worst of it.

I hope you make the best of it.

And I hope you see things that startle you.

I hope you feel things you never felt before.

I hope you meet people with a different point of view.

I hope you live a life you're proud of.

If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."

--Benjamin Button, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

how to look like a model

I'm an intern at l.a. models and I've been dying to know what the models do day in and day out in order to keep their bodies in shape, toned, and thin.  I didn't want to go ahead and flat out ask one of the agents, but yesterday (my second to last day there) I overheard an agent talking to a "new face" model that they're developing, and she gave her this advice:

Do not eat after 9 o'clock.

Vegetables and protein.  Vegetables and carbs.  Do not mix them any other way.

Yoga.  

(The model offered the information that she runs all the time, and that's what she does to exercise.  The agent then said, no.  Do yoga, it will strengthen and lengthen the muscles making you look taller and leaner.)

So there you have it!  How to look like a model :)

horoscopes

I have the strangest horoscope app on my iPhone, and the analogies it gives always makes for a good laugh.  But today, it actually gave some nice advice!

Observe:

It's rumored that a man in the rainforest of Brazil has discovered the fountain of youth.  He's keeping the location of this life-giving fountain under lock and key.  It's not because he wants it for himself, or because he hopes to profit by selling the precious water to millions of desperate people.  He's keeping it hidden because he fears that if humans thought they could remain young forever, they'd miss out on the true meaning of life.  Think about that today if you fail to live in the moment, or to appreciate those who love you.  The true fountain of youth is to see your life as a miraculous fountain of wonder--every single day.

Totally patched up the kind of emptiness I've been feeling lately, so hopefully it will enlighten you too! :)

twenty-one pieces of advice

One.

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

Two.

Marry a person you love to talk to.  As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

Three.

Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.

Four.

When you say, "I love you," mean it.

Five.

When you say, "I"m sorry," look the person in the eye.

Six.

Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

Seven.

Believe in love at first sight.

Eight.

Never laugh at anyone's dreams.  People who don't have dreams don't have much.

Nine.

Love deeply and passionately.  You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.

Ten.

In disagreements, fight fairly.  Please no name calling.

Eleven.

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Twelve.

Talk slowly, but think quickly.

Thirteen.

When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

Fourteen.

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

Fifteen.

Say "Bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

Sixteen.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

Seventeen.

Remember the three R's:

Respect for self.  Respect for others.  Responsibility for all your actions.

Eighteen.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

Nineteen.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Twenty.

Smile when picking up the phone.  The caller will hear it in your voice.

Twenty-one.

Spend some time alone.

i had a dream

My favorite song right now...I basically have it on repeat.

nice thought

I'm going through my little "blog <3" folder on my desktop.  I found a little note that I must have dragged in there from someone's tumblr.  It's a sweet thought, and I truly wonder how many people are able to honestly do the following:

When I'm older and my daughter asks who my first love was, I don't want to have to pull out the old photo album.  I want to be able to point across the room and say, 

"He's sitting right over there."

reality check

Today it kicked in that I'm really leaving for this summer.  And then leaving some more for the Fall semester.  My work now knows that my last day is April 30.  My mom's looking at booking hotels for May 1st when we go check out the apartment that we want to put a hold on.  It's just coming up so fast.  

I feel like my dad thinks Kelcy and I are going for the wrong reason-- to party, or what not.  But we're going because this summer is a fantastic opportunity for our futures.  Why else would we leave everyone we love and everything we've ever known?  Especially since I'm going to be gone for the whole Fall semester...you would think that I would want to spend as much time as I could at HOME.  But I want to grow--and that's what I'll be doing for the next seven months.  

I'm just going to live the next 29 days or so to the fullest.  I'm nervous, excited, scared, sad, happy, concerned, skeptical, curious, and ecstatic about the next seven months of my life.  I finally feel like I'm becoming me.  By picking myself up from everything I've ever known, all I will have to rely on is who I am.  And I'm confident that Kelcy and I will be just fine.  We can do anything we put our minds to, especially when we're together.