Monday, February 25, 2013

Birchbox: Social liking turns into another social buy

Did you know women make or influence 85% of all buying decisions? But 91% of women say advertisers don't understand them? Unsurprisingly, I fit both statistics. I shop, like most women, a LOT - but I'm not making purchases based on print or broadcast advertisements. I buy things based on "social liking." Yes, Pinterest has ridiculously changed the way I shop, but I have also purchased multiple things based on friend's images on Instagram, recommendations on Facebook and even suggestions from my Twitter followers

Most recent social purchase example: Birchbox. Heard of it? I hadn't either, but an childhood friend posted a status update on Facebook about how excited she was to FINALLY get her Birchbox. Wait a second, I thought... why don't I know what Birchbox is? Especially if they are shipping up to her in ALASKA? That already tells me I am at least a year behind on this new trend. 

At a $10 spot a month, Birchbox sends you a small box with sample sizes of beauty products to give try before purchasing the full size. At an average of $40 a pop, we all know the feeling when we realize it makes your hair greasy, or doesn't work like it did when your hair stylist used it on you. 

I've only received February's little pink box, but with the ability to cancel at any time, I'm looking forward to a few more months of goodies. 

What's in this month's box?
Juicy Couture La La Perfume 
Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm
Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle
Only complaint... I wish there was more of it ;)

Questions about my first delivery? Already signed up, if so- what was in your Birchbox this month?
As always, thanks for reading- and happy shopping, ladies!
-Brooke


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Thought of the day | What makes a place beautiful?

Beauty is from within. It defines us. BabblingBrooke's thought of the day.
Make something beautiful today.
Throughout the last few years I have taken up DIY crafts, knitting and anything else to add beauty to our house. Beauty is something that comes from within, not just the granite counter tops. While I don't consider myself an artist, my creations define me. 

Make your space (whether it be your house or your office) beautiful by creating something and showcasing it. At work, it's a large poster with my favorite photo of my dog, Goose. At my house it may be a new framed image, plants I grew from a seed or a headboard made from scratch. Those are the things that make a house a home and a place beautiful.

What does beauty mean to you? Share your creations, definitions and photos with me :)

-BabblingBrooke

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Babbling Brook(e)s

I chose the name BabblingBrooke for my blog about two years ago. It was one of those "AH HA!" moments. While I have been in the process of "branding" myself as BabblingBrooke, I am far from where I saw myself being two years ago. Unfortunately, just finding the name of the blog doesn't actually write the blog. :)

Let's breakdown the name, BabblingBrooke.

Babble:


To utter sounds imperfectly... not really what I was going for unless I am a bottle of wine deep...
To talk excessively... this is a little closer to my original idea.

Brooke:

Sir James... Also not what I was going for, but it is my name...!

After reactively researching the literal meaning, I found an excerpt in the book I'm reading, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.

It reads:
Two Basic Personality Types: Dead Sea and Babbling Brook
The Babbling Brook: For this personality, whatever enters into the eye gate, or the ear gate, comes out the mouth gate. And there are seldom 60 seconds between them. Whatever they see, whatever they hear, they tell. In fact, if no one is at home, they will call someone else. “Do you know what I saw? Do you know what I heard?” They have no reservoir.

Nailed it. I'm an active participant in my life and I tend to over share. I'm an intelligent, driven, type-A personality with a LOT to say. You all are here by choice, my mother can't say the same when I am calling every other hour to share a story. I appreciate your participation and readership. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I love typing to the world. wide. web.!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I'm back! But... bare with me.

No more excuses. Every day there is something I think to myself and say "That would be a great topic to blog about." And then... NOTHING. No blog. No writing. Just more ideas. So, as my New Year's resolution I have decided to redo my website and get back to writing. 

Brooke Bloomfield Calendar GraphicPractice makes perfect, and let's be honest- I'm out of writing shape (along with other out-of-shape references.) So please... stick with me. Read, comment and share. 

Four days passed the "30-day-get-your-butt-going time frame",
thanks for reading and here's to make more.


Brooke