brooke's nooks.

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Blogger meet-ups. every meet & greet is so exciting & never as creepy as one might think. since day one, i’ve treated this blog as my little keepsake journal so i’m humbled by the fact there are people who actually read it as part of their daily routine.
  
• Client opportunities. 5 years ago, i never thought i’d be working at a company that even had clients- let alone would allow me to work on a fashionable client at that. so this week definitely caught me off guard—in a good way, of course. i’m always grateful for a diversion from my regular routine…especially if it involves a photographer, hair bows & a make-up artist.
  
• Emails from (EXTREMELY mature) 24 yr olds. thus far, Match.com is proving to be the most entertaining venture i’ve ever encountered.  i get emails from creepy middle-aged men who are recently divorced living in Utah & then i get emails from college frat boys wondering why i haven’t responded within 24 hours of their original outreach.  i’ve seen more selfies from scantily clad men than i ever cared to see & more pleas for attention than i frankly know how to handle.  i’m not really sure why i joined Match (except for the fact that it’s #movinonmay), but a week into the commitment & i can understand why people keep subscribing. (you can also follow my adventures using the hashtag #BdoesMatchdotcom on twitter)
  
• Iced coffee. dear afternoon addiction, please don’t ever leave. xo, B
  
• Kindness. it’s really not that difficult to be kind. contain your sass when necessary, stop being a jerk & the whole world will be a way better place.  simple enough?
  
• Print media. i have 10 magazines sitting on my coffee table & the Friday morning Indianapolis Star by my side. whoever said print media is dead clearly hasn’t visited my house.
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• balance. in work, in life, in everything. i’m trying to find it & it’s tough. for many reasons, this week’s events brought a lot of my past back up to the surface & i’m very grateful to my friends who were able to listen & give advice. it’s easy to tuck things away & move on, but those times when you’re reminded of what once was? that stuff is always a jolt to the heart.
  
• Florida. it was so nice to escape for a long weekend with Mama. i was hoping my mind would turn off, but instead, Florida acted as the catalyst to this strange week of nostalgia.  some good, some indifferent—regardless, new memories made with Mama & i can’t overlook those.
  
• Match.com. yup, that happened.
  
• Splitting the Difference: A Heart Shaped Memoir. i read this while down in Florida & i still can’t get over the beauty of Tres’ writing & how much one person’s mind, attitude & overall being can overcome.  i am in awe of her strength, her optimistic attitude & her faith in something bigger than herself.  i would highly recommend this one.

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Bike rides. if it’s not a night walk, it’s a night bike ride. something about utilizing the pedaling skills i adopted as a four year old brings out a hint of nostalgia every time.
  
• Direct flights. is there really anything better in the traveling world?
  
• Indianapolis Star. i realize there aren’t a ton of people still advocating for print media, but i am truly my father’s daughter when it comes to supporting the written news. this week reminded me just how great print truly is.
  
• Steals & Deals. Today show has a special Mother’s Day edition (hello, Cheryl’s Cookies!) & i may or may not have treated myself to some new stationery.
  
• Sunset. setting on the beach—it gets me every single time.
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Ashley. my teammate since January 20-something. my dear friend since last summer.  i was fortunate enough to flip my hair one day in front of Ashley, whose locks are as luscious as my own, & we’ve been sassy counterparts ever since.  i’m sure the similarities of our personalities annoy those not ready for our inside jokes & contagious giggles, but Ashley has been there through it all- the cravings, the rants, the challenges, the wins, the late night freak out sessions before weigh in Monday & the coffee pick-ups in the morning, noon & night. i am convinced that the goals we achieved were due in part to our personal vendettas, but more so than that, it’s because our bond as friends strengthened each & every day.
  
• cupcakes.gahd, they’re good.
  
• map my walk. downloaded it pre-walk on Wednesday night & it was so worth the price tag (it was free!)
  
• opportunities within the city. i’m trying to embrace everything i can about my present place & that includes unexpected opportunities. i’m such a planner that living in the moment is a challenge— one i’m learning to finally take on.
  
• true friends. one of my best friends explained last week, “you have so many people who care about you, don’t put forth a ton of effort to work on relationships that are so difficult. it shouldn’t be so hard!” & for once, i’m not too stubborn to heed their advice.
  
• pay it forward. i was so taken aback last weekend & grateful to the stranger who offered to pay for my meal. have you paid it forward lately? it’s on my bucket list for the weekend!
  
• Steven Shattuck. a week after my first day at Slingshot SEO, Steven started. a talented videographer and marketing genius, Steven had all eyes on him from the beginning.  i’ve been blessed to witness the remarkable things he’s done for our company (hello, BBC!), but more than that, i’ve been honored to call him a good friend. yesterday was his last day with the company and as he begins a new adventure elsewhere, i will continue to cheer him on with sass & frass because i know the Steven i’ve admired over the past 14 months is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the talent he possesses under his trademark H&M attire.
  
• the end of Biggest Loser. thank you, thank you, thank you for the end of a fitness era & for the abundance of support you’ve all shown before, during & after. i really cannot say it enough, thank you!
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Accountability. this is not about keeping myself accountable, this about friends keeping me accountable when i’ve been shifting into irrational behavior brought on by deprivation.  there was a situation this week where my dear friend Zach had to demand, “Brooke, you need to eat something” when i was seriously rambling on and on and on about calories, working out, how i’m so glad this thing ends on Monday, blah blah blah. he put me in my place & i’m so glad he did. i don’t know who i’ve become… #3moredays(!!!!!!!!)
  
• Community.you don’t always realize the importance of a community until something tragic occurs or until you need even the smallest hint of support.  it can be something so trivial or it can be a life-changing event- regardless, this week served as a reminder that there will always be goodness in the midst of tragedy & that reminder never gets old.
  
• Meat. holy carb cravings! the other day, around 4 p.m i found myself enviously staring at my office mate as she enjoyed crunchy red grapes & a honeycrisp apple. i had to snap myself out of it & grab some turkey pepperonis & almonds before i went mad. i could never be a vegetarian. that is the point hint. i am so extremely thankful for chicken, turkey, cows, pigs & every other source of protein that those little farmers produce.
  
• Pure Barre. you guys, i’m hooked. i bought a groupon many, many months back & believe there’s a reason i waited to use it this month. attending pure barre has been a nice respite in the cardio madness i’ve been experiencing. & even after this competition ends, i’m going to make it a part of my workout routine… but it won’t be on tuesday nights- tuesdays are reserved for hip hop.
  
• Willpower. i believe 90+% of dieting or making a lifestyle change is based on willpower. as a veteran of both dieting & making healthy lifestyle changes (i realize there is a difference between the two), i’ve mastered the skill. i’ve been asked here recently how i’ve been able to keep this going for almost 3 months & i think it boils down to the fact that i wanted to win. plain & simple. is it crazy? absolutely. would i recommend it to someone else? at this intensity? probably not. i’m not sure $ is really worth it. in the end, regardless of whether you’re wanting to lose 3 pounds or as much as possible to win a competition, it has to be your decision—no one else can make you lose weight or get into better shape. the thought of waking up at 5 a.m. to run 5 miles can’t be forced, you have to set your own alarm & follow through. i’m thankful i haven’t let up on my determination, but you better believe Ashley & i already have a celebration lunch of carbs & cupcakes set in place for Monday afternoon!
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Ability to run on little sleep. it’s my own fault- the lack of sleep as of late. going to bed at 11 or 12 & getting up at 5 a.m. is not necessarily ideal, but when i know i can’t work out in the evenings, this seems like the best option. thank goodness i can function on coffee & sass.
  
• Biggest Loser. as i previously stated, this lifestyle is not one i intend to keep for the long haul. but in the meantime, as far as the fitness portion is concerned, i feel great. a year ago, there was no way i could run 6 or 8 miles, so the fact that i’m now doing that a few times a week? that feels pretty fab.
  
• Career Fairs. working a booth at a career fair humbles you out a bit. working a booth at a career fair for Veterans, that’ll really set you straight. i wasn’t sure if i was supposed to thank each & every attendee for their time in service or simply offer words of encouragement as they seek employment. no person’s situation was the same- some recently back from deployment, some seeking a position in between tours, some out of a job for months, some looking to go in a new direction. it was a great day & a pleasure talking to those who stopped by.
  
• Mid-week dinner dates. while not a romantic occasion, meeting my family for dinner always leaves me happy. we talk about life, work, upcoming adventures, the good, the bad, the ugly… it’s all out there & there’s never judgment. the wine doesn’t hurt either.
  
• Teen Mom. much like my attitude toward Amanda Bynes, Janelle, Kieffer & the rest of the MTV crew provide me the opportunity to re-evaluate my own life decisions. i’d say i’m okay, for now.
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Blue Mile. after developing shin splints, i decided to have an expert analyze my stride. turns out, i was wearing the wrong running shoes & essentially setting myself up for injury. so much for choosing cute over quality…
  
• Dunkin Donuts flavored coffee. i wasn’t overly impressed with DD’s regular coffee ($2.43 for a large coffee that wasn’t that much different than a $1.09 large coffee from Mackey’s? no thanks), but their favorite brews?  that’s where it’s at. if i take an alternate route to work, i can hit up Dunkin & grab an xl french vanilla or hazelnut. seems worth it to me.
  
• Easter treats. nothing sweetens a work crew quite like peanut butter & chocolate cookies.  every once in a while, my favorite mixer looks lonely & i realize it’s time for a baking excursion.  hence, this week’s adventure.  i was more than satisfied with the results & the box of goodies made for a nice end of the week diversion, too.
  
• Google discoveries. my biggest loser counter-part, Ashley, and I have been lovingly referring to ourselves at the “Fatty Pattys” since day one of the competition.  with less than 4 weeks left, i thought it would be cute to make spirit shirts.  when i took to Google for ideas, i searched “fatty patty,” clicked images & discovered fatty patty is actually a NSFW blow-up doll. however, if you scroll down the page, you’ll find a snapshot of yours truly.  how about that for some non-intentional SEO work?  my father was not impressed, but the search made for an interesting moment nonetheless. yikes.
  
• Piperlime mailer coupons. new handbag procured. treatyoself? whoops.
  
• Team bonding. yesterday was my last day as a Social Media Networker & i was delighted that my team decided to celebrate the ocassion over lunch.  it was a nice send off of sorts. over the last 13 months, i’ve learned a lot about the industry, about patience, about shadiness, & about what steps need to be taken in order to stay true to myself. i’m excited for a fresh opportunity- it’s been way overdue.
  
• Zappos. the shoes that gave me shin splints? obviously i wore them yet Zappos still gave me store credit to put toward a new pair- whatever style would make running more comfortable. their customer service department is way too impressive for words & i believe Allison, the lovely lady who answered my call, deserves a raise & quite possibly a contract with Comedy Central.
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Ice bags. when you’re dealing with shin splints (holy hell they hurt!), the only thing that feels like heaven? numbing the pain.  i don’t do that whole, “take a rest from working out” thing well, so this whole, “take a rest from working out while you’re in the middle of a workout competition” thing is seriously not fun.  therefore, you can probably understand why i’m so thankful for ice bags.
  
• Java Jive. last fall, on a drive out to Nebraska for a wedding, we mid a pit stop in Hannibal, MO for some shut eye. the next morning, instead of hitting up a Starbucks (that didn’t actually exist within tens of miles) i googled “local coffee shops” & came across Java Jive. ever since Mama picked up a cup of their maple-flavored joe, we’ve been making plans to go back. this last weekend, when i was driving back from Nebraska, i decided to take the South route back to Indy- picked up 4 lbs of Mama’s favorite blend (& a cup of their Creme Brulee for me) & presented it as an early birthday surprise.  every cup has been worth every added mile…
  
• Mama J.  my favorite mother turned another year younger this week & per usual, i gave her a gift i envy.  that’s how it’s supposed to work, right? with gifts? you give those that you would like to receive because then you know they’re truly perfect? regardless of the materialistic bounty, i’d be lost without my loving mother & this week reminded me of that fact.
  
• Scandal.  are you watching this show? because in my next life, i would like to be Olivia Pope &/or be married to the President &/or would humbly settle for her fabulous wardrobe (handbags included!).  but seriously, Shonda Rhimes hit it out of the park with this show & every Thursday night, i look forward to the twists & turns she delivers.  it’s an excellent diversion & one of the simplest forms of entertainment to end each work week.
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Cetaphil. this is one of the most gentle facial cleansers i’ve found & nothing feels better than a night-time workout, a hot shower & a gently cleansed, make-up free face.
  
• Chipotle. i’ve always enjoyed the freshness of Chipotle but here recently, it’s become my go-to for a good, healthy, filling meal. for me, i order the salad, extra fajita veggies, chicken, black beans, tomato salsa & guacamole on the side.  depending on the amount of guac you use, it’s <500 calories & can leave me feeling satisfied for a long time thereafter.
  
• Fiber One Brownies. the sweet lady at Costco was giving out samples a couple weekend back & in the weakness of the day, we bought a box big enough for a couple classrooms to share. but good thing we did.  at 90 calories per brownie, they are the perfect mid-afternoon chocolate craving tamer.
  
• Nike Fuelband. i’m still in love with this device. right now i’m headed toward a 50 day streak of hitting my 300 point Fuel goal. on days i work out, it’s not a demanding challenge, but on those off days, i have to make the conscious effort to walk a little more, park further away, & stay active when possible.  overall, i’ve been pretty impressed with the motivational factor that comes from wearing a little black bracelet on my left wrist.
  
• Show choir. for the better part of three years during high school, show choir was a huge addition to my life.  spring-time weekends were filled with competitions all around the state, illinois & ohio, & some of my best friends were fellow jazz hand lovers.  we were pre-Glee but could have written that show based on the diversity of our 40-person crew.  last week, Mama & i ventured to West Lafayette to see some of her past drama students perform & it brought me back to those days filled with multiple showcases, if you were lucky, & cans of aqua net to hold up my ‘do. i even ran into my director who is still running the show. so much love for the performing arts… & for sequins, of course.
  

in an effort to truly recognize the simple pleasures in my life, i have compiled a list of random happenings that made the last seven days a lot brighter. (& trust me, they were all very much appreciated.)

• Coal-oven pizza. Wednesday night, I ventured over to Tony Sacco’s pizza to try out a new-to-me cuisine. We started with rotoli’s & a side salad & finally ordered a Margherita & Napoli pizza- all were simply amazing! Tony’s Sacco’s is a growing chain, so if there’s one around you, i’d highly recommend giving it a go.
  
• Employee Appreciation Day. the day comes once a year at Slingshot SEO & it happened to be yesterday.  throughout the day, we were treated to in-house coffee catering, lunch from Qdoba, chair massages & cupcakes from The Flying Cupcake.  every day is definitely not perfection at the office, but yesterday was a reminder to bask in the goodness when it comes along.
  
• Graze. i now look forward to my Thursday evenings as I know i’ll be finding healthy-ish snacks in my mailbox.  it’s the little things, i say…especially if they’re delicious & convenient!
  
• Honest emails. regardless of whether they’re full of compliments or full of suggestions on how to improve a situation, stop the BS & just be honest.
  
• Zappos.com. in January, i ordered a new pair of running shoes. on Wednesday, i realized there’s already a hole in said shoes. i took to Twitter & was contacted by customer service within a couple hours. As of last night, I have a new pair (different brand, higher value, no added cost to me) on the way.  If there’s one high mark of a great company, it’s their customer service. & if there’s a reason i’m a VIP at Zappos.com, it’s due to the fact that they take excellent care each & every time.