My Valentine's Gift!!

Michael and I already exchanged gifts, mostly because I was SO excited when his gift came in the mail, and he decided to give me mine before we went to dinner at our friends house yesterday.  Are we odd for not waiting until V-Day?  We'll do chocolates and what not on the day of, but we're always bad about giving our gifts early!!

Michael received this lovely Smathers and Branson wallet, that I have been so excited about!  It is adorable in person, the leather smells terrific, and has that slightly weathered look that real leather has.  I absolutely love it, and just couldn't wait to give it to him!  Michael is a golfer, hence the golf pattern, but there are many adorable designs.  Perfect wallet for a perfectly prep gent!  Find it here.

As for me...

Michael did very well, choosing these adorable Tiffany Bow Earrings.  I am so happy with them!  I hadn't even noticed them before, and was blown away by how perfect they are for me.  He told me that this way I'll always be able to wear my cute bows, even at the bank!  I am very grateful that he has always been so fantastic with jewelry, I am one lucky girl!!!

On the actual day of we have some fun plans, a guitar concert (classical) during lunch that his old instructor is giving!  And then a lovely dinner together and a romantic movie!  I just love spending time together, but every day ideally is a romantic time together!  

Have a lovely Valentine's day!

XX,

Brooke

Animal Love, and Animal Rights.

I am not normally one to rant on the internet about my feelings.  I'm especially not one to rant on facebook, and yet last night I did.  It wasn't about politics, or religion.  It was about animal rights, the one thing I cannot ignore.

The story was that a sorority sister was moving, and had to get rid of her cat.  This sort of thing always upsets me, but it is a reality.  I think she waited a bit to long to try and find her cat a home, as her deadline was tomorrow.  So after a post or two, another sorority sister began posting about how this kitty would be "turned out" if there wasn't a spot for her in time.  This upset me, and I luckily ran into the cat owner and let her know I was available to help in any way I could, and to let me know if something fell through.  The next day sorority sister number two posts a silly picture, labeling the kitty as a future "dumpster kitty" and I absolutely lost it.  I was horrified and disgusted that she could degrade this creature, who didn't deserve any of this and I let her know how disappointed and disgusted I was.  And no, I wasn't very nice about it either.  I don't curse, but I let her know exactly how truly horrible and wrong it was to say that it was the only option when I had specifically offered to help.  Such cruelty to animals I cannot tolerate in any way.  I have been rescuing animals since I was 5.  We would spend hours trying to catch kitties that had been "turned out" and were terrified and moments from death, we lost many animals, and our hearts broke every time.  But I will never stop believing that animals are the greatest source of love we can have in this world.

I hate when something like this happens, and I see the person in a very different and negative light.  There's really not much that can be done of it, the girl wrote to me such a self righteous message, and roommates of hers boasted of what a responsible pet owner she was, etc.  All I cared about was the cat, she was all that mattered.  Thankfully a home was found for her, I just couldn't believe how it all played out.  How differently you can see the world than someone else, it's just unbelievable.

Thanks for listening, it's been a long week.  However in a good news I was offered a position at the Bank I interviewed with and I am very, very excited.

XX,

Brooke

Valentines Day Wish List!!

So here are a few things I am hoping for, for V-Day.  Also, I think they are generally cute ideas, so you can steal from my list!  I love watches, as well as simple Tiffany pieces.  Oh, and that lovely ring is what I'm hoping for, although not such a big stone, I very much prefer smaller stones (half carat or less, I wear a size 4.5 in rings...).  I have tried on my PERFECT ring at the local Tiffany's, and I may mention a little too often for poor Michael.  I also love Smathers and Branson goodies, and the elephant is super cute and necessary for me to own soon!

Also by Smathers and Branson is this adorable little wallet (again, ELEPHANTS!).  I mean, this is an Elephant drinking a martini!  And, the Elephant is PINK!!!  I want this so bad...

And I also REALLY want a new watch.  And these grosgrain ribbon watches made by A. Tierney, are adorable and affordable at 38.00.  One of these and the little wallet would be pretty AWESOME.  But we shall see, it's just fun to wish, as long as the gift is thoughtful I will be happy--I love celebrating LOVE.

XX,

Brooke

Weekend Update!

Hello all you bloggers out there!  It's been a busy/crazy week for me.  I had a job interview on Wednesday,  which I was incredibly nervous about.  It's at a big company I'd really like to be with, great benefits, and wonderful potential to move up quickly.  The interview went very well, I really connected with the team leader who interviewed me, I met a few higher ups, and they told me they would be recommending me for the position--which then means an intensive background check before an official offer.  So I am excited, and also anxious just to make sure it actually really HAPPENS.  Especially since they suggested I give my notice at my current job, which is bittersweet anyway... So that's been my week, and in a bit I will post some Valentine's day gift ideas.  Oh and happy super bowl weekend... I am not a big football watcher, but I'm sure I will catch part of the game (in my peripheral vision...).

XOXO

Brooke