Master Biscuit Maker

I am a Marketing Manger for a Bojangles' Famous Chicken and Biscuits franchise in Atlanta. Our made from scratch biscuits sets Bojangles' apart from other fast food chains and it is an extensive process that is very detailed with several steps. Upon being hired at Bojangles' (no matter the position) you have to do time on the biscuit station. Enjoy the next few pictures of my time as a master biscuit maker. I was covered in flour from head to toe but I made some pretty biscuits!

Inspiration

Special

Oscar Turns One!

Until February 2013 everyone knew Brooke Brookins was not a fan of animals. I didn't necessarily dislike them, they just didn't have to touch me, sit on me or be around me. Growing up we had hunting dogs, chickens, goats and pigs but I was never really attached to any of them. I saw them as just animals and that was that. 

Long story short, I am now the mother of the most precious 12 lb. Maltese-Yorkie you will ever meet-Oscar also known as "Boogie". This was the most inopportune time for me to get a dog as I am getting married this year but something struck a chord in my heart and I knew I had to have him. 

We've had our up's and down's over the past six months including numbers accidents in the house, nibbling you anytime you touch him and destroying every toy he owns but I've loved every minute with him. He's taught me patience, unconditional love and is basically like my child! He has the best personality and is so smart (don't all mom's say that?). 

Please enjoy the photo montage of Boogie as we celebrate his first year of life! I can't wait to share many more together. 

Model Pose

Wind-blown look

Who me?

Snuggle/cuddle time

Bath time=bad hair day

Dislikes Costumes

Happy Birthday Boogie!

One Fine Day

The Power of Prayer

Herb Garden

What a great weekend project! I found this pallet at work and have been staring at it for 3 months going back and forth on what to do with it. I decided an herb garden would be a perfect fit for this small pallet and my quaint back porch. 

Materials:

Wooden Pallet

Pluming Pipe Clamps

Flower Pots

Soil

Plants of your choice

The process is very simple and the photos are self explanatory but I will give the step by step process :)

Drill the pipe clamps into the pallet and position them as you like. I love symmetry so I wanted mine to mirror each other but staggering them would be cute too. One screw secured these but two may be a good idea if yours is in a high traffic area or where winds may blow it. Next, pot the plants of your choice with new soil and give them a good watering. I chose the basic herbs, cilantro, rosemary, thyme and oregano. I also threw a flew flowers in the mix to add a little color. Slip the pots in the pipe clamp, tilt the pallet at an angle and you are good to go. Simple as that and it looks so cute! I don't have a green thumb but I hoping this little garden last me several  years to come. Total cost minus the pallet- $40.  

Vehicle Wraps

Looking to drive your business, literally?  Wrapping your vehicle will create a moving billboard advertisement- because 92% of people notice and read graphics on a wrapped vehicle. The Color Spot provides the highest quality wraps available at affordable prices. Vehicle wraps are nonabrasive and can easily be removed when you area ready to sell the vehicle or change your advertising. We design, print and install across the country. 

Give me a call today for a quick estimate-678-385-2188. 

SPARKLE

Courtesy of Kirsten Kuehn

#PR is ____

The Power of We

Approximately one year ago I discovered a non-profit organization called Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) where it's mission is to feed God's starving children hungry in body and spirit. Since 1987 they have packed 133 million meals and have distributed them to over 70 countries. I was first intrigued by the good work they do and how many people they reach with meals that cost only $.22 to produce. After looking further into organization, I was even more amazed that 92% of the proceeds go directly to the food program. Most non-profits take much more than 8% to go to fundraising/administration so I felt good about where my money would go. I donate a certain percentage  each month to an organization/cause and most months that donation goes to FMSC because of the great work they do.

On March 25, 2012, I was able to participate in a beautiful service opportunities with FMSC, MobilePack^TM . This is an event which allows people across the United States to pack life-giving meals. When this came to an Atlanta area church, my boyfriend and I knew we wanted to participate so we signed up immediately. Once we arrived we were given a hair-net and gloves and broken into stations to begin packing. The stations begin with a funnel, various boxes of food with different size scoopers, a scale, a bag sealer and a large box. The order of the food is chicken, veggies, soy and rice which you insert in to a plastic bag, don't worry, the food is dried and in powder form! It is very important the measurements are exactly right because they must all weigh under and over a certain amount or the larger box can not be shipped. 

After these are weighed, they are placed under a bag sealer to keep the food from falling out and the expiration date is stamped on the outside. Lastly, the bag is placed in a large box to be shipped across the world to those who need it most. When they receive the bag, it is then boiled in a pot of water and feeds 5-7 people per bag.The packing process lasted about 2 hours and our entire group packed over 100,000 meals in a few days. 

I volunteer with several organizations and do various things throughout the year, but this was an example where I felt "The Power of We" was so fitting. Everyone came together in our little corner of the world to help feed those in other countries who are literally starving to death. In America we are so fortunate to have programs where impoverished can get food. Other countries are left to fend for themselves and that is where we come in to play. This was a small act that took a few hours of our time but will reach so many and goes such a long way. You feel so fortunate as you are packing those meals because you have shelter, a full meal on the table when you get home and the opportunity to participate in an event like this. The work FMSC does literally revives people who were on the verge of dying and I am so thankful I was able to help in a small way. If you are interested in donating or learning about a MobilePack event in your area, visit www.fmsc.org. 

For I was hungry and you gave me food...Matthew 25:35

Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Land Management Group

My father owns Land Management Group, LLC and doesn't really believe in marketing or advertising to drive his business. In some ways I agree that it is not as beneficial for his business as it is for others, but a little marketing never hurt anyone and he can't expect his daughter with an Ad/PR major to not let him do anything! Without asking him...

I designed this 5x5 mailer to send to the clients LMG did business with in 2012. Just a small recognition that they appreciate their business and hope to work with them again in the future.We printed these at The Color Spot where I work and I think they turned out great! He loved them too and is excited to mail them to his clients.

I am also managing the LMG Twitter site which post land/timber sale oppotunities in the Southeastern United States. If you are interested, follow @lmgland on Twitter!

Marketing+Design

New Opportunities

It is funny how life works sometimes. I will skip the details but I was recently offered the opportunity to do freelance public relations for Ronda Flynn Wow.
RFW specializes in brand management, graphics, marketing, public relations and anything else needed to "WOW" your brand. She is a lovely lady and a great mentor in this industry. Thus far I have written four bios as well as a company bio for a new website launch. I am also assisting in the planning and execution of a company employee retreat. Right now I am just getting my feet wet but I am very excited for the opportunities that lie ahead with RFL and on my own. I am currently developing a brand for my own business so stay tuned for a logo and launch ;)
Never under estimate the power of networking and taking the time to get to know people. Everyone holds some type of position and you never know when you may need to tap into their resources. Networking is a beautiful thing.

The Drive Thru Difference

104.7 The Fish-Atlanta radio station has an amazing ministry known as "The Drive Thru Difference" which happens every Monday around lunchtime. The station ask their viewers to simply pay for the meal of the person behind them in the drive thru at any restaurant. You are asked to then print the letter below and the cashier gives it to the person behind you explaining what just happened...

You never known how far this random act of kindness will go and will really make a difference to those behind you in the drive thru. It is simple and easy to do and it may reach someone that needs a smile, encouragement or to feel the love of Jesus. I cannot wait to do this for someone else. In our world today something like this is unusual but so wonderful. I urge you to do this for someone, you never know how far it will go! For more information on "The Drive Thru Difference" visit thefishatlanta.com

Asheville, NC

This weekend my boyfriend Reid and I went to Asheville, NC to ski and visit The Biltmore Estate. It was a picture perfect weekend...no really, check out the pictures below!

Saturday: It was Reid's first time skiing so we couldn't wait to hit the slopes. We drove about 30 minutes west of Asheville to Chataloochee Ski Resort. After we got all of our gear, we went to the bunny slope to give Reid a lesson. Being the boy he is, he decided he didn't need lessons. He said the best way for him to learn would be for him to just go, so we did. I will spare you the gorey details but on average, Reid fell 6 times per run, and he didn't just fall, he wiped out. Let's just say he is having a very difficult time walking today. I have been skiing several times but I am by no means a pro. I will however brag that I did not fall once this trip, besides Reid falling on me getting off the ski lift. Despite his injuries, it was a blast and are already looking forward to our next trip. He claims if he goes two more times he will be a pro. We shall see...

Before dinner we walked around the historic downtown visiting shops. It was so exciting when we discovered Asheville has the same general store as Knoxville, The Mast General Store. Of course we stopped here and Reid even bought Vibrum Five Finger Shoes. I say ew, he says yes! We also stopped at French Broad Chocolates and bought handmade truffles and shortbread cookies. There is something that makes a truffle so good. It is very personal, as if it was made just for you.

For dinner that night we ate at the famous Tupleo Honey Cafe in downtown Asheville. It is named after the appetizer they serve, a made from scratch biscuit with tupelo honey and fresh blueberries. It was to die for. I could have eaten several of them but refrained and just finished my one. Wow, it was really good.

For our main courses we had shrimp and grits and beef tenderloin medalians. Yes, you can call us little piglets, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

Sunday: When we discovered it was impossible to just drive up and look at The Biltmore without a ticket, we decided to purchase them since we were in Asheville and unsure of the next time we would visit. Luckily, I had found two coupons online that basically gave us admission for two for the price of one. We had a 10:45 a.m. appointment and began by taking pictures, lots and lots of pictures. The view pulling up is absolutely breathtaking. This house (better yet castle), is a piece of art. It is way ahead of it's time with technology. This house has heat, refrigerators, electric food waiters and electricity in every room. Remember, this was the late 1800's where this all was very rare. Every aspect of The Biltmore is amazing. From the indoor swimming pool and bowling alley to the grand staircase and servant quarters, everything is perfect.

After the audio guided tour, we ate lunch in the house's old horse stables. It again was delicious. A BLT with fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese and a black and blue burger. Yum again.

After our wonderful lunch we went to the front lawn to take pictures and enjoy this beautiful North Carolina Sunday.

This was the perfect needed vacation for both Reid and I. Sometimes it is just great to escape reality for a little while and that is exactly what we did. It was a weekend of first for both of us and we got to see and experience new and exciting things. Work is predicable and Monday never fails to come around. It is necessary to spice life up and take little trips to shake it up a little bit, after all, that is what life is all about!