christmas baking.

so Christmas is SOON! Who knew? Crazy. And it will be crazy until the 23rd of December seeing as I am writing finals until the 22nd. Fun. 

Anyways! Every Uni student is complaining but in reality it's a small fraction of what I would do for a solid career (and income). So in the mean time, you know when I should be studying or writing this final ancient Greece essay I figure, hey why do I tempt myself with all these amazing baking ideas, that I can use for Christmas. 

Needless to say, my mind is elsewhere. 

Rainbow Cake

I'm thinking red and green m&m's for Christmas!

Angel Food French Toast

I'm thinking Christmas morning! Yum!

Flaming Strawberry Cupcakes

Ok. Now. These. ARE UNREAL! Come on, such a simple idea that is sure to blow your guests away!

All from the very talented, Sprinkle Bakes

Happy Holiday [Baking]!

-B

on my way.

Vegas. How I have missed you! See you this weekend! :)

-B

my new job?

Bridal Fantasy

Yes, so believe it or not, I am going to be in a magazine! A bridal magazine [shown above], so that is fun but more so a magazine that is sold at Chapters! I. Am. So. Excited! 

This is honestly a dream come true. I was at the two day photo shoot last week and had an amazing time! The scenery, dresses, hair and make up was unreal. The only bummer is I have to wait until January to see any of the pics [as that is when the mag comes out].. I'm sure I will post some photos when they are released! 

Yay!

-B

summer break. finally.

I recently took my first vacation since my surgery. It was great to get away and see some family and friends, while my back wasn't too excited it made it through.

Many highlights included the beach, hanging out with my cute little cousins and visiting a good friend who recently moved to Vancouver! All in all it was a great trip!

Now back to the books..

-B

PS. my bathing suit top is from asos.com, the greatest shopping site! I've found great deals for cheap + free international shipping!

tswift.

I went to Taylor Swift recently and got, what I like to believe is close! So exciting! 

-B

free crappy portraits.

 AHH! Guys. This is so cute. Via Busy Bee Lauren I found this link to free crappy portraits. Bascially you send in a photo [I sent in the one above] and a little blurb about you.. Mine went something like: 

My name is Brooklyn and this is my little puppy Miley. Im 6'1" and she is 3 pounds. I am en route to hopefully become a lawyer some day. In the mean time I like dancing and modeling. 

that was yesterday. And just two mins ago I was super excited to see in my inbox this:

SO CUTE!

Thank you FCP. 

Do your own! Let me know how they turn out!

-B

BDIB: arm party.

Hello! I'm super excited about this Bloggers Do It Better challenge. 

Arm party. Guys I'm going to throw a real party for this, THAT'S how excited I am.You can head on over to Pretty Shiny Sparkly to see the full article and all the other super cute arm parties!!

So there is it! My arm party variety, because we all know that there are all sorts of looks at parties! Ok, cheesy. Whatever. 

In other news, I book a trip to Vancouver later this month to see my dear friend Julie who moved out there in Jan! I have seen her once since she moved so I am super excited! And also excited that I will be seeing her in Van! 

As well I booked a trip to VEGAS! YAY! It's not until Nov but still. It gives me ample time to be excited and look forward to it. 

-B

snail mail my email. SO cute.

http://snailmailmyemail.org/

HEY! I feel like every time I come on here I'm apologizing [well in the last few months].. I know it's been a while and I'm hoping to change that. Back to work after surgery and doing well! 

New starts and changing plans, I have decided to stay home from University this year and take it via correspondence! If any of you have done this please let me know what it's like! I have a feeling like it's going to be a great thing for me. Although I have gone to college and experienced the college lifestyle I think this is the route for me to go at this point in my life. Wiiiiiiiish me luck! 

Also please check out this CA-UTE website I found via College Fashion. It's called Snail Mail my Email. They do just that! So go check it out and send one. Can't wait to see if mine arrives!

-B

photo obsession.

Ah la College Fashion I found the two coolest photo blog type websites. The first shows Cinemagraphs they are cute and beautiful photo's with a little movement! Also they kind of make me feel like I'm in Harry Potter. 

The next site, Dear Photograph, is just adorable. You will have to check them out for yourselves! 

-And seriously check them out, you will not regret it. 

-B

BDIB: neon + neutral.

Sweater, Shirt - PINK, Skirt, Shoes - Forever 21

Hi guys! Oh it's been so long, as it has been with everything else in my life, friends, work, the public in general! My back is doing ok! Pain is down, but nevertheless still very much there. It looks great! And perhaps from the pic you can see I'm rocking 6'1" + my 4" heals. 6'5", what's up?

Anyhow I have been in sweats all day but I wanted so badly to participate in the bloggers do it better, neon and neutral combo. So I whipped up an outfit through it on and covered my no make-up face with my glasses and some lipstick!

-B

sitting in the sun.

Do not be fooled, this is me before surgery. Sorry, one of these days I will forgo sweats.

So summer has finally arrived and in good timing, it's June. It has been three weeks since my surgery and I am slowly getting better. I am able to go to the mall or Wal Mart for short periods of time and with my handy cane I am able to hit up the farmers market Saturday's! [Which is also really exciting since last summer I worked EVERY Saturday and didn't attend a single one!] The sun is out and now I am glad I didn't read at all in the hospital because I have piles of magazines to catch up on. Finished Cosmo and I already had a burn. Great. Slowly but surely I will be back in full swing by [cross your fingers] July!

-B

I'm still here.

HIYA! I am here, back. FINALLY! It has been the longest three weeks ever. Two weeks yesterday since my actual surgery date but the week leading up to it was filled with a lot of work and nervous thoughts! I don't have too much to say at this point. The recovery is going to be long and it is hard to even sit while I type this. Every day is better and will continue to get better! I put up a before and after pic just so you guys can kind of see what a difference it has already made [even though my back is still really swollen and my side muscles are not properly adjusted to the change!]..

My spine was at a 47 degree curve. Now it is at 0! It is 100% healed! [My muscles make it still look kind of uneven but they will adjust in a few weeks, also I look kind of hunched over. It is because my back is too sore to hold my shoulders back yet, still working on it]

Hope all is well!

-B

deal of the day.

America's Next Top Model

So every Wednesday my sister and I sit down to watch America's Next Top Model. I do love that show. I especially love the photo shoots, the ideas, outfits, make-up and hair! It would be unreal to be doing a shoot like that every few days! [Above are some of my favorite photos] This week I was so happy to see Alexandria go. She was not a favorite of mine at all. Both my sister and I agree that she seems so fake in front of potential clients, although thats the face your suppose to put on, a little genuinity wouldnt hurt..

I'm so inpired to head out and take some photos however with the remaining 3 days until my surgery the weather is suppose to rain the whole time. Hopefully it will smarten up for a few hours so I can head out!

Gap-Vest

In other news, I saw this vest online at The Gap. I fell in love, Looked in Red Deer a few days ago and I couldn't find it, I went to The Gap yesterday in Edmonton and couldn't find it, so when I was back home today I looked and by surprise there was one hanging on a rack. I looked at the price and it was $69.95! That's a little pricey! So I put it back, promptly picking it back up thinking, whats the harm in asking. So I carried around with me and finally asked. Then I knew it was ment to be when the sales lady told me it was $4.99! Also I had a 40% off card.

It came to $2.99. Unreal. Just the greatest find. So happy!

-B

going to grow.

So I know I said last week was busy but perhaps I should just stop saying that because I guess that’s just life; busy! Anyways this week my stomach has been turning as I prepare for surgery [happening on Monday, May.9].. I feel sick to my stomach when I think about having two titanium rods screwed into my spine but at the same time I’m excited!

Perhaps I will start with what I am having done. I have what is called scoliosis, which is basically a curve in your spine. Most people will say, ‘you look normal’ or ‘you don’t have bad posture’ but most of the time, and in my case, the curve [as you will see below] will make a hip appear larger than the other. The curve is more side to side, versus something that makes you appear like you have bad posture. I hope that makes sense.

I was thirteen when my mom first noticed that my one hip was looking ‘bigger’ than the other. As time went on we went to the doctor and realized that it was indeed scoliosis. Since I had no pain we let it be. As time went on surgery become more of an option since my pain has definitely increased. It is hard to travel and hard to wear clothes that should look good on me, but because of my back won’t look as it should. So before I move away to Uni and start my life on my own this summer was the best time to have surgery. As planned for a year I just received the date a week and a half ago and now time is flying by. So I am super nervous and just can’t wait to wake up in recovery and start the battle of healing and becoming accustomed to this new trait.

Basically I have to think of the pros, the pain and what not isn’t even that scary for me. I have a high pain tolerance and do not mind what is to come. I think most of it is fear of the unknown.

Bonus: I get to go shopping for a new skin tight dress. Something that will show off everything. [No one said I had to wear it out. Actually I will probably just wear it around the house for the next 2 months in excitment!]

So this week I am preparing for a weeklong stay at the hospital, which isn’t exactly the summer vaca I had wished for, but I know the long run I will be extremely glad I did it.

Scoliosis X-Ray

This is an x-ray of a person who has a '78°' curve. After the rods they are '15°'. My curve is much lower at only 45° so my curve isn't as bad.

So I guess I can call this week busy? Ya, it will be.

Oh! And also, once my back is straightened I will gain about 1.5" in height. Gulp. 6'1.5"? Oh my.

-B

busy week.

I took the picture of my brother. Cupcake in front of face on purpose. I'm so nice.

This week has been super busy! Now I know I say this most every week. But this week is the start of another busy portion of my year.

Easter Sunday was also my brother’s 18^th birthday [I’m in Alberta remember, that’s a BIG deal!], this week my mom and sister are off to Quebec, when they get home my dad is off to Vancouver, and once he is home, my mom and I will go to Edmonton where I will be having back surgery, while at the same time my dad and one brother are in BC again for volleyball provincials. Busy. I told you.

Anyways, I decided I would make a batch of cupcakes; half for my brother and half for Easter. The Easter ones I decided would be a fruit cupcake with berries inside topped with vanilla buttercream, colored coconut, chocolate mini eggs and sour licorice for the basket handle. The birthday ones were just a coconut cupcake [brother’s favorite] with a coconut buttercream. Both were a hit amongst the fam!

-B

heated dome.

This is Miley's heated dome as we like to call it. Basically it's an adorable dome dog bed with my electronic heated pad that she has laid claims to. As shown here, also known as her magic blanket.

She just lays there fast asleep, when she gets too hot she flops one or more of her little body parts out of the dome and cools off on my bed. It's kind of like a puppy whisperer, I'm sure of it because when she is running laps around the basement full of energy, one paw into the dome and shes out like a light. 

Anyways I will allow her to lay there today on account of IT'S SNOWING OUT. Yes, that's right, snow. Yay. I had tanned my legs up in preparation for short/sun dress season and bam. Mother nature will hear nothing of it. Not to mention, I have to work 8 hours today, have a headache, think it's a migraine because I feel sick to my stomach. OH and I can't wait until tonight at 7:00 when I write my economics final, worth 40% of my final grade. 

Great. Day. 

Now I'm not normally one for complaining but today I just felt I would share my wonderful Saturday. Can't wait until tomorrow. And spring. Can't wait until spring too. 

Hope your Saturday is better than mine! 

-B

necklace board.

Today I thought I would share how I store my many necklaces! So here is my 'necklace board' or whatever you would like to call it. Basically it's a cork board + thumb tacs + necklaces = organized, non-tangled display! Yes, I have a thing for cork boards. They can make all sorts of cool things!

From a distance I suppose they all just look like a big random mess but individually I love all my necklaces! I have abnormally tiny wrists so most bangles and bracelets are a no. They just fall off. Unless they are these ones, which I made myself, nice and tiny. 

So yes, my jewelry obsession mainly lies with necklaces and rings. Most of which came from my previous job at American Eagle which has surprisingly nice jewelry! [overpriced, I know, who wants to pay $23 per necklace but I had a discount at time of purchase] Now, even though I don't have a Forever 21 in my city there is one close enough and that is where I am starting to get more and more of my jewelry [at a reasonable price!]..

-B

that's whats up.

Can't wait until summer. Magazines & Ice Tea on the deck. Oh my goodness. Can't wait.

HEYO! I am current chowing down on some delish spaghetti and I mean chowing. I am at work and it is probably all over my face. I wouldn't be surprised..I eat like I'm 5.. No big deal.

So I am extremely happy for the end of my school week [last friday] I am finally becoming adjusted to this whole no classes, sleep in, try to be productive days. I feel like I should give myself a week to not have to do much of anything but still my overactive mind is saying 'there is no time for this missy'.. So today I was convinced by my mother that I should do my taxes. File my own taxes. Ugh. So I did, and they weren't that bad actually so I take back the ugh I suppose it's more the thought than actually doing them. 

Also it's +3 out right now, that's whats up. I almost don't need a jacket. 

..who am I kidding, SPRRRRRRRING WHERE ARE YOU!? I even cracked out the self tanner yesterday in preparation. That way I won't look too pasty compared to all those rich people who were jetting off to warmer lands. Self tanner, that's whats up.

And once it arrives I assure you my little camera and I will be out and about having the most wonderful time. Taking pictures and all. You will see them. Don't ya worry. That is probably the thing I look forward the MOST!

 Have a lovely [mid] week, I will [hopefully] be studying my little buns off until next Wednesday; at which all my exams will be finished - that's whats up.

Until then.

-B

pretty pictures.

preeeeeety pictures?

whatdaya think?

I love them, a little old Hollywood glam feel. 

-B 

PS. I should be studying. Ugh. I really should.Ok now I will.
ok, I didn't instead I found this link you should check out. 75 Abandoned Theaters from around the US. My favorites are 45, 49, 51 & 58. There is just something about them that makes them strangely beautiful. 

[four sleeps].

Vanessa, Emma, Rachel

Today has been a good start to a busy week. Everything is wrapping up finally. I am five days [four sleeps] from being done classes. I know you all must think I'm super whiny but really it's just been the longest, not boring, not hard, but just agonizing semester. The weather sucks. Homework sucks. Work sucks [not my job, just working period]. 

Mentally I neeeeed a break. And that's whats going down on May.9th as me and the papa roll outta here on a little road trip [only to British Columbia], but still. It's hotels, eating out and relaxing by the pool that I can NOT wait for. OH! And also I can wear shorts, and sandels. Yes for those of you who have been wearing either for months-shudup. I am just depressed by the snow that is STILL on the ground. One of these days the sun will come out and when it does, you will get to see pictures. 

Alas, nice weather = inspiration = photography = more blog photos.. you see where I'm going with this.

Also above I have just some celebs that are rocking the spring looks. First of all Vanessa Hudgens chopped the hair. It looks like mine now! I used to look at her long locks and feel this little knot in my stomoach saying "whyyyy did you cut your hair?!" Now after seeing this it reasssures me that this look is fresh and adorable.

Emma & Rachel always look great, no explination needed.

Happy Monday! 

-B

awkward & awesome [mar. 31].

Hey there, it's thursday. Guess what? Awkward and Awesome, two weeks in a row. I'm organized. And I have enough semi-interesting points to share! Enjoy friends!

Awkward:

-Thinking, I’m going to “Like” this [facebook “like”] only to realize, wait, that's a text. Oh boy, I think I need to distance myself from social networking.

-Knowing that next week I am done classes and having this week draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag on. Come on.

-Wanting to dye my hair ombre [See Rachel Bilson..], the  fact that I have never dyed my hair I should have taken that risk before I cut it all off. If it looked bad it was going anyways. Now I wish I would have, maybe in three years when it’s the same length..

-The fact that I am obsessed with making cupcakes and I can never get the perfect frosting! You know the nice kind like on DC Cupcakes and Cupcake Wars. WHY?! I am not thaaaaaaat stupid and I follow all recipes to a tee. Please if you know of a recipe or anything, help a girl out!

-Also, I find this more depressing than awkward but still, Steve Carell will finish his role as Michael Scott sooooon, only to return for guest appearances, which is better than nothing! I am going to cry. For sure. It’s just a fact. I am heartbroken. I love that man and his witty comments. 

Awesome:

-My puppy’s new haircut, it’s adorable. Also she seems happier and more full of energy, like this new look has given her the confidence she needs.

-MY TV HAS RETURNED! It broke 2 month ago, I shipped it 3 weeks ago and now it is back. I am so excited. How bad that, first my facebook problem, now my tv addiction.

-Grey’s Anatomy. That is awesome. What’s better? The musical episode they are going to have tonight. Can. Not. Wait.

-The most awesome point of them all. My new glasses! [Seen above] My yearning for them was discussed here, and I think they are slightly different from Lucy Hale’s, but still they are fantastic! 

-B 

baby barrettes.

Yes. Those are mini barrettes. Cue: "AWWWWW". So cute and hilarious at the same time. Dollar store - great place. She is one funny puppy. 

Also, I have to say picture messaging (MMS) is the best invention. After the recent phone upgrade I finally have unlimited picture messaging and I'm sure my friends appreciate my breakfast, my new study spot and my cute puppy in photo form. Dear friends, your welcome!

On another note, I SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. Man am I pumped. Next Friday: Me + College Classes = Finished FOREVER.. [warning: do not be fooled, it just means I am moving up to university, slightly deceiving] 

-B