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 :)

sound of my voice

Can I just say that I think I'm going to start obsessing over independent films pretty soon here?!

I went to the movie theatre in Scottsdale that only shows independent films with Paige the other day, and we saw this movie called "Sound of My Voice."  I had pretty high expectations after watching the trailer, and the movie definitely surpassed them!  

I'm also loving the story behind Brit Marling: the lead actress, writer, and producer of the film.  28 years old, the valedictorian of her Georgetown University class, a degree in Economics, a job offer at Goldman Sachs in New York....AND after all of that, she decided to move to Los Angeles to become an artist.  After being cast in "the pretty blonde" roles, she realized that in order to play the roles that she wanted to play, she would just have to write them herself.  So, that's what she did!  She wrote the movie we saw and "Another Earth" at the same time...and they are both doing very well in the independent film community! I can't wait to see what she does next.

As for the film, I don't want to give too much away, but I can say that it was filmed in a way that gives the audience the same emotions and feelings as the two main characters...even up until the end where your thoughts about the ending teach you whether or not you are a believer like or unlike the rest of the characters.  This probably sounds so foreign to you, but please watch the trailer below and 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?!

what happens in vegas, stays in vegas...kind of

Everyone always comes back from Vegas saying that they can't wait to go back.  I'm totally one of those people.  It being my second trip to Vegas, with most of the same crew, it's safe to say that I had an AMAZING time.  Everyday was a new adventure. YOLO was the motto.  And I can't stop looking at pictures from the weekend or unpack my suitcase because I never want it to have to end.  

And now, a recap of the weekend.  Not everything...but enough to fill you in.

THURSDAY:

Olivia, Kelcy, and I drove to Vegas.  We got there once the sun was down, which was perfect because Vegas is way prettier at night!  We met up with the Thursday crew (the three of us and four of the boys) at the Cosmopolitan and didn't wait too long to get the night started.  We went to PURE nightclub at Caesar's Palace, and it was hard not to quote Allan from the hangover all night long.

the best boys you'll ever meet

"the magnificent seven"

FRIDAY:

Lunch at Holstein's at the Cosmopolitan with Kelcy and Olivia for the best burgers and shoestring fries I've ever had.  Everyone we knew happened to be in Vegas that weekend too, so we met up with Natalia and Chelsea at O'Shea's to get some beer pong in.  Mikey and PJ joined us too!  It was like we were in Arizona, only we were obviously in Vegas...you could tell because of all the flashing lights and casino sounds.  After meeting up with friends, we joined the boys at Planet Hollywood to meet with the rest of the boys that showed up to party Friday and Saturday and the ten girls who were there for Friday night only.  Stephanie, our roommate last semester, met up with us too! We all went to Chateau that night and met up with a friend from Arizona living in Vegas, but we didn't stay too long.  Even so, we didn't get to sleep until the sun was already up and chewy bars were thrown at passing taxis that were giving us obscene gestures through their half-cracked window.

Chelsea & Natalia!

PJ and Mikey!

the second half of the best boys you'll ever meet
minus the guy in the middle...he wasn't part of the crew

another amigo from AZ!

Stephanie!! :)

SATURDAY:

Breakfast/Lunch with the boys, Deborah, and Sharina.  We then went to the famous Fat Tuesdays to get the even more famous "Yard drinks."  We hadn't been outside yet, so some of the crew decided to take a walk along the strip.  I don't know who's idea it was, but it was genius.  Our next stop was New York, New York to ride the roller coaster. Yeah, it was $14.  But it was SO worth it.  By the time we got out of NY, NY it was already dark.  We made our way back to the hotel to shower and get ready.  Then, it was time for Marquee!  Dancing, jumping, glow sticks, raining money...needless to say it was probably the best night of the weekend.

SUNDAY:

We woke up from our slumbers and made our way back to AZ.  We stopped at Chipotle, of course, before getting onto the freeway.  And Starbucks coffee drinks were involved to make up for the lack of sleep we'd gotten all weekend.  Vegas gives you special powers though, it can make 3 hours feel like 8.  

  

I can't wait to go back!!

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!

my favorite song lately

I feel like I've been MIA for way too long...but there has just been so much going on!!

This post is to let you all in on what my favorite song is right now (thanks to Kelcy for showing me this song on the train to Florence!)

This post is also to train myself to start blogging more! 

Expect a post about my Christmas in Florence and New Years in Venice with my lovely family! 

And about what it's like to be back. 

There will also be a post reviewing an amazing hairdryer from Hana!

But without further delay, here is my favorite song right now:

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.

how to: make the best zucchini "pie" ever

The other night, Sheri's roommate, Valentina, had her friends over for a dinner party.  Sheri and I watched her as she made this amazing looking zucchini dish.  We had her walk us through it, and two days later, we made one of our own!  It was so easy, and it tasted so good that I am still craving another bite.  

See below for instructions:

Step One: buy three zucchinis, a container of ricotta cheese, flaky dough, and two eggs.

Step Two:  Make slices of the zucchini.

Step Three:  Let the zucchini sit in oil and cook.

Step Four:  While it's cooking, crack two eggs open and fork/whisk them until you can't see the difference between the yolk and the egg whites anymore.

Step Five: Once the zucchini appears cooked, add in the ricotta cheese.  And then the whisked eggs.

Step Six: Lay the soon-to-be flaky dough onto a oven-safe dish. Then place the mixture you just made in the middle.  And if you like it spicy...add some crushed red pepper flakes!!

Step Seven: Make the pastry look pretty by scrunching the sides and making the dish appear more "pie"-like. 

Step Eight:  Put it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (I'm guessing because we used a Celsius oven).  Keep your eye on it, and when it is GBD (Golden Brown & Delicious), take it out and enjoy!! :)

Courtesy of your favorite chefs: Brooke & Sheri

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.