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Random Acts of Kindness

So today I was having lunch with my BFF, Lindsey at PF Changs in Buford and the weirdest, luckiest, most random thing happened. Before Lindsey arrived I was sitting outside checking Twitter and Facebook on phone while I was waiting for her.  When she arrived I got up, gave her a hug, and we went inside.  After having been seated for a few mins, Lindsey excused herself to go to the restroom and I pulled out my phone again...never liking to be left alone with nothing to do... And I noticed I had a missed call and voicemail from a number that I didn't recognize.  Thinking this was weird, I listened to it and here's what it said: "Umm, hi...my mom and I found your keys outside PF Changs by the Mall of GA and we wanted to let you know that we dropped them off inside at the front hostess stand in case you're looking for them!" While I was listening to the message I automatically assumed it was a wrong number, but instinctively I began looking in my purse...

All We Want is a Haircut

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Sigh.  That's how this post will start, and probably how it will end too.  Having worked in customer service/retail jobs my entire working career, I know how it can affect someone's day/week/career when someone complains about bad service they received.  However, after reading this post, I hope you will see my side and agree that I've given said retailer enough times to get their act together, without much avail. Said retailer is PetSmart.  More specifically, their grooming department.  My parents have always taken their dogs, Raven and Rusty to the vet at Banfield inside PetSmart and they have occasionally used the groomers inside as well.  So, naturally, when I got Riley in March 2009 I decided to start taking her there to get groomed as well.  Not to mention it was incredibly convenient to my parent's house (where I was living at the time)...only 5 mins away.  Without knowing anything about any of the groomers when I first made an appointment...

Black Bean Stoup

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I must confess...I don't cook.  Like, ever.  However much I would like to be able to cook, I just don't ever feel like it.  Also, I hate doing the dishes. Back in the day (college) I was slightly obsessed with Rachael Ray.  I used to watch an hour of 30-Minute Meals every day.  Now she annoys the crap out of me, but I still think she's a good cook.  So, during the obsessed-with-Rachael-Ray-phase I began collecting her cookbooks.  All in all, I've tried maybe three of her recipes.  Of those three, I've made one in particular about twenty million times: black bean stoup.  Stoup?  Yes, stoup.  It's Rachael's word for a dish that's thicker than a soup but thinner than a stew.  Stoup. It's my all time favorite meal and I love making a whole pot just for myself and eating on the leftovers for about a week.  I also like to make it for my grandparents and Moms.  Of course, they love it too! :) I fully intended to...

Quarter-Life Crisis

Oh, life.  You're too funny sometimes. I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life right now and I'm not quite sure how to proceed.  I'm finishing up my Master's thesis and if all goes according to plan, I will be finished in August!  This is exciting by itself but I find myself being plagued with thoughts about, "What's next?!" I know I want to work in the fashion industry.  Of that I'm sure.  Other than that...my thoughts have wavered  about a thousand times in recent months.  Six months ago, I was certain that I would just move up with the company I currently work for by paying my dues at each level until I reached my dream job (something in visual at the corporate level).  Well.  Apparently others have different ideas of what my next move should be.  I  am now second guessing myself and my abilities in the job I perform on a daily basis. Also, thanks to a few books I've read recently ( Retail Hell ...

Retail Bliss

Today at work we received 76 boxes of shipment, yes...76.  That is waaay more boxes than we get on a "normal" shipment day.  We're beginning to receive our Summer merchandise which is pretty exciting, and based on the lookbook, I'm going to want a lot of it.  Bad news for my Mastercard.  <On a side note, just so everyone knows, I currently have nothing on hold at work.  That never happens and I'm so proud of myself.  It's actually liberating knowing there aren't pieces in the back with my name on them saying, "Buy me Brooke...buy me NOW!"  So for the moment I'm good.  However, based on some of the stuff I unpacked today, it won't last long.> Today my whole shift was a stock shift, minus 30 mins on the floor while I was covering another manager's break.  More on that later.  I loooove doing stock because it means you can wear comfy clothes, not deal with a single client, and be the first to see all the new merch!  These three...

I Love America.

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This blog is dedicated to my college roommate, Sarah Kathryn Eldredge.  She is currently finishing up her two year service in the Peace Corps in Ecuador and is coming home in May!  When I asked her what my next blog update should be about she simply said, "Why you love America!...because that's what I'd write about, of course."  So, Sarah...here's why I love America.  And other things. I love America.   I feel privileged to live in this amazing country and am thankful everyday that I have the life I do.  I know how lucky I am to live here so I try to always be appreciative.  Even though I dream of living abroad someday, even for a short time, I love being able to call America...and more specifically...Georgia home.  Another reason why I love this country so much is because of our military men and women.  My step-dad, Court, served in the U.S. Army and my grandfather, Elliott Quattlebaum, served in the U.S. Navy....

"What are you going to do with that?!"

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A few weeks ago at work I was chatting with a client while I was ringing up her purchases.  She was about to graduate from nursing school and I mentioned that I was also in graduate school too - hoping to graduate this May.  Somewhere in the middle of our conversation I also mentioned that I had an undergraduate degree in business.  She then commended me for getting my MBA and said that was an awesome thing to have and would probably allow me to do whatever it was I wanted to do in the future.  I didn't have to heart to tell her I wasn't getting my MBA and was actually getting a Master's in Fashion Merchandising...so I simply went with it, saying thank you and allowing her to go on her way. As soon as she left I began to question why I didn't immediately correct her and tell her what I was actually going to school for. Then I got to thinking...(and clearly channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw)...Who I adore , by the way... Something funny happens ...