October something 2015, I'm standing in front of my giant full length mirror working on a client’s hair, and I take a glance in the mirror at my super cute flannel shirt from Costco, it was a steal, and I bought 4, one in ever color available, then pan down ending at my trusty (white-ish) flip-flops that I had purchased at the beginning of the summer at Old Navy, that needed to be retired, and that was it...flipflopsandflannel! It wasn't that is was the most stunning or most memorable outfit I'd put together, it was the ridiculousness of it all. By October in Gilbert, AZ locals are anxiously anticipating cooler weather! Perhaps I wore the flannel shirt in an attempt to call forth Fall, or perhaps simply because it's so cute, regardless, my outfit was confused. But the phrase stuck with me, and I just knew I had to do something with it!
I have been a hairstylist since 2001 when I began working on my cosmetology license. I decided to enroll in Cosmetology school on a whim the Fall semester after graduating from University. Married at the time, no kids yet, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to learn something I never knew I always wanted to do. Luckily I took to it, and it took to me! Becoming a source of income, self-esteem, and distraction, for when the giant life-altering Tsunami hit! Fast-forward 15 years, I've grown a beautiful business doing hair, color has my heart, my daughter is 11, and I've been divorced for about 10 years. Who knew a whim 15 years ago would turn into my salvation! I have so many things to be greatful for! I love making people feel beautiful, achieve a certain style/look, and in so doing gain confidence--a battle I've been engaged in for most of my life! My desire for 2015, I abore calling them goals, I never finish those, was to unearth or exact change in the small little corner of my world. I drug my introverted little self to social things, dated, conquered a few bucket list items, fell in love ( I seem to do that once a decade) got my heart broken…again, licked my wounds…which brings us straight up to that absolutely non-descript day in October when an idea took root!
This past spring/summer, I began to follow several fashion blogs in preparation for upcoming beach vacations. I don't know about you, but as I've aged, I've either found myself stuck in a certain look or unsure about trying new looks--best described as a fashion rut. Don't misunderstand, I still found myself shopping, probably too much, but without direction. So I had all these pieces, but was uncertain how to put things together. I zeroed in on a few blogs that I thought fit my style, I discovered midi-rings, ripped denim jeans, hats, swimsuit cover ups with cowgirl boots, crochet and lace everything, my inner bohemian chick, spray tanning, hac-ing, rose gold everything, messy buns and so much more! It was empowering! And soon my confidence grew in building my own sets (Polyvore speak for outfits). This is also about the same time I met Handsome and fell in love, a coincidence, I think not. Confidence fosters success! So, October, needing a distraction, wanting it so bad to stop being summer, flipflopsandflannel lingering in my mind, the thought came to me, blog Brooke, blog. Write and share my thoughts, what??? This introvert retreated at the thought! ***Enter stage left, my sister, the ex to my in--trovert!
I’ve been introduced, I’m the “ex” to the introvert. When my little sis dreamed up flipflopsandflannel she was so excited! I have not seen her this excited about a project in maybe, forever. She was giddy and when I say giddy she was floating! But her vision was not just for her, but me too.. Ikes! I was terrified, why would anyone want to know what a little mom in Seattle, WA thought was beautiful, fashionable or hip! I was beyond hesitant to be apart of this venture. But with a little help from Josh Groban (I love his music) and a lot of encouragement from family, I decided to join the fun!
I graduated from University with a bachelor in communications and a minor in business. I am married to my very best friend! We will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary this month. We are the proud parents of 4 kiddos. One girl, who’s my biggest fan for this new venture and three rough and tumble boys. They are the light of my life. I’m an AZ sunshine girl who has lived in the northwest for almost 16 years. Desert landscapes make me cry and being at the top of a mountain is heaven on hearth! I love, and I when I say love I mean love, dark chocolate. I wear heals virtually everywhere, the higher the better. I love anything sparkly and have a passion for make up.
I too spent a few years in a fashion rut wearing “mom” clothes. With 4 kids 4 and under and 4 miscarriages preceding them, I was definitely in survival mode. But my beautiful little people have grown into teenagers and grade schoolers. With this the girl who loved fashion, shoes, purses, jewelry, makeup, home décor galore has once again emerged! I combed Instagram, Pinterest and blogs to find my look (which is till a work in progress). I love to see what is trending and then, hunt for deals.
