Back in May I introduced a series to the blog that received such amazing feedback that I HAD to circle back and give you more! Chic Little Me's Creative Woman of Color series is all about celebrating fellow minority women in creative fields who are amazing at what they do, and are simply crushing it at life. Today I am super excited to present to you my close friend, Ruth Brooks, who has not one, not two, but 3 design degrees! I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth while we were just little high school nuggets! We were also in Marching Band together (Go Trojans), and we even graduated from the same interior design program at Georgia Southern.
In addition to being a freaking awesome human being with an incredible sense of humor, she's also one of the most super cool, down-to-earth people that I know. She's my friend, my little sis, my bridesmaid, my buddy... I'm so excited for you to learn more about her! Here we go!
Creative Woman of Color
Name: Ruth Brooks
Age: 29
Location: Albany, Ga
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Georgia Southern University – Statesboro, GA
Master of Architecture
Florida International University – Miami, FL
Master of Art in Architecture
Florida International University – Miami, FL
(Yes Folks, that's 2 different Master Degrees! )
Occupation: Architecture (Architectural Intern)
James W. Buckley & Associates – Albany, GA
Website: coming soon!
Social Media : Instagram: @travelandbean (photography) @ruth.jenese (lifestyle)
What served as the catalyst for you to begin your creative career
journey in Interior Design and Architecture?
My first film photography
class in high school opened me up to the creative world. I have yet to
experience many more feelings that are better than being in a dark room and
developing a picture. That’s when I knew I needed to do something creative with
my life, but I wasn’t exactly sure what. The idea of pursuing photography sadly
was never in my vision, mostly due to my own insecurities as a photographer. But how I found my way into
interior design school is honestly due to the lovely creator and author of this
blog! I admired Rae in a way that I never expressed to her and I wanted to
follow in her footsteps. And I tried, but at the conclusion of my interior
design education, I realized that interior design wasn’t for me. I couldn’t keep being a follower and I had to
find my own path. A year later I took a leap of faith, moved to Miami to start
my architecture education, and I guess the cool kids would say the rest is
history.
If you could describe your design style in 3 words, what would they be?
Minimal, geometric, transparent
Who do you design for? What would be your dream project be at work or on your own?
In my real world I work on education projects, mostly k12. But in Ruth’s world I design for the minimalist. Someone who appreciates simple geometry, details and materials in their natural state. My dream project would be to design an urban, affordable housing project that is ACTUALLY AFFORDABLE and is ACTUALLY UTILIZED by the most vulnerable population.
What trepidation did you have, if any, going into your chosen field?
I had a lot of fear about not being successful. I am still fighting that battle
at times, but those fears are lessened every day that I leave the office
knowing that I’ve positively contributed to the firm’s work in some way, no
matter how small.
How would you describe your creative process?
In school, my friends always said that my design process is backwards. In a way, you’re taught to come up with a concept, sketch those ideas onto paper, and then create a whole by continuously developing that idea and piecing things together. But I tend to create a whole first, break it down into parts and then come up with my concept by making those parts work together in some way, shape or form. Also, I don’t sketch. In fact I hate sketching lol. At times, it has crippled me but I have always found a way around it. I tend to work through ideas in diagrams on the computer.
How do you stay inspired?
I am a part of a very small group of African-American women that don’t even make up a percentage of architectural professionals in the United States. Not only am I considered an underdog but that’s the market I wish to design for. I want to make a difference and create some type of social change through architecture. If I could inspire just one person who does not fit the norm of a woman in the design field to hop on board and to make a difference, then I know all my struggles have been worth it!
What doubts, obstacles, or barriers have you had to overcome to get
where you are?
I found out along the way that I was my own barrier to
accomplishing many things. Some say that you are your worst critic and I found
that to be very true for me. I had to overcome a lot of self-esteem and
identity issues. I have God, my family and close friends to thank for overcoming
that!
Who is your biggest supporter?
My family. They believe that I could
literally move mountains! Lol! That’s how much faith they have in me, and I am
more grateful for that than they know!
What do you wish someone had told you before you began your educational
/ career trajectory?
That it’s okay to not have a clear vision of what you
want to do right away. That it’s okay to follow the unbeaten path. That your
idea of success may differ from everyone else’s, and that’s okay.
What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?
I need to
learn to ask for help because sometimes I can’t do it all on my own (no matter
what trending mantras are saying).
What is the best advice you have ever received regarding your life or
career?
When I first decided to move to Miami for graduate school, I was
terrified and almost decided not to go. But then a lovely friend by the name of
Rae Cook told me that if I went and didn’t like it after a year, I didn’t have
to stay. I’ve honestly taken that approach with many things in my life. My life
is flexible enough that the decisions I make do not have to be permanent for
the most part. I feel very blessed in regard to that! For instance, If I move
somewhere for a job and give it a fair shot but do not want to stay, I don’t
have to. That advice has allowed me to take more risks and I haven’t regretted
a single decision yet!
What’s next for you? Where would you like to see yourself in a few
years?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately for some reason. I’ve
been teaching for the past 2 years before I started my first job in a firm 5
weeks ago. Although I am enjoying it, I know I will eventually find my way back
in education. I love learning and there’s no better way to do that than in the
classroom, both as a student and as a professor. So honestly, I see myself most
likely working towards another degree and/or getting some type of fellowship
and doing research somewhere. No matter what I end up doing, hopefully I will
end up creating social change in some way.
What’s the one thing that every creative young woman should have?
The
confidence to not follow the crowd.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Food. Any kind really. I’m a foodie.
What music do you currently have on rotation (and your choice of
device)?
J. Cole, Lauryn Hill, and Mosaic Music. I can go from trap music
to gospel in a heartbeat. Honestly depends on what mood I’m in, which are as up
as down as my music choices to be honest lol. I’m usually at work or in my car
when I’m listening to music.
What’s one thing you miss from the “good ole’ days”?
Being in
marching band in high school and college. Those were times where you could
forget about whatever else going on in life and be with fellow nerds who loved
music and color guard as much as you. Football games were a plus!
What is your go-to outfit?
A black dress with sneakers
Any favorite design pet peeves?
Not really. But I do have an issue with the design industry and how it’s marketed to society. It’s seen as very inaccessible to people of color. I guess that’s a nice way of saying we need more black folks, lol! I just wish that people of every background could see that there is a spot just for them in the design world!
What design trends are you currently loving?
Uhhhh, as a designer
is it wrong for me to say I don’t keep up with current trends?? Oops!
I’m kind of weird when it comes to…
being clean and orderly. I need
to be clean and orderly or I get hives, lol!
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
It’s okay to have
some fear, but don’t let that fear hold you back from taking the next step.
Also, buy those shoes, you deserve it!
So readers... what do you think of Ruthie's story? Did it resonate with you? Leave me a comment below and let me know! And as always, I'm looking for more creative minority women to feature, so if you would like to participate (or if you would like to nominate a friend) let me know! :)
Back in May I introduced a series to the blog that received such amazing feedback that I HAD to circle back and give you more! Chic Little Me's Creative Woman of Color series is all about celebrating fellow minority women in creative fields who are amazing at what they do, and are simply crushing it at life. Today I am super excited to present to you my close friend, Ruth Brooks, who has not one, not two, but 3 design degrees! I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth while we were just little high school nuggets! We were also in Marching Band together (Go Trojans), and we even graduated from the same interior design program at Georgia Southern.
In addition to being a freaking awesome human being with an incredible sense of humor, she's also one of the most super cool, down-to-earth people that I know. She's my friend, my little sis, my bridesmaid, my buddy... I'm so excited for you to learn more about her! Here we go!
Creative Woman of Color
Name: Ruth Brooks
Age: 29
Location: Albany, Ga
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Georgia Southern University – Statesboro, GA
Master of Architecture
Florida International University – Miami, FL
Master of Art in Architecture
Florida International University – Miami, FL
(Yes Folks, that's 2 different Master Degrees! )
Occupation: Architecture (Architectural Intern)
James W. Buckley & Associates – Albany, GA
Website: coming soon!
Social Media : Instagram: @travelandbean (photography) @ruth.jenese (lifestyle)
What served as the catalyst for you to begin your creative career
journey in Interior Design and Architecture?
My first film photography
class in high school opened me up to the creative world. I have yet to
experience many more feelings that are better than being in a dark room and
developing a picture. That’s when I knew I needed to do something creative with
my life, but I wasn’t exactly sure what. The idea of pursuing photography sadly
was never in my vision, mostly due to my own insecurities as a photographer. But how I found my way into
interior design school is honestly due to the lovely creator and author of this
blog! I admired Rae in a way that I never expressed to her and I wanted to
follow in her footsteps. And I tried, but at the conclusion of my interior
design education, I realized that interior design wasn’t for me. I couldn’t keep being a follower and I had to
find my own path. A year later I took a leap of faith, moved to Miami to start
my architecture education, and I guess the cool kids would say the rest is
history.
If you could describe your design style in 3 words, what would they be?
Minimal, geometric, transparent
Who do you design for? What would be your dream project be at work or on your own?
In my real world I work on education projects, mostly k12. But in Ruth’s world I design for the minimalist. Someone who appreciates simple geometry, details and materials in their natural state. My dream project would be to design an urban, affordable housing project that is ACTUALLY AFFORDABLE and is ACTUALLY UTILIZED by the most vulnerable population.
What trepidation did you have, if any, going into your chosen field?
I had a lot of fear about not being successful. I am still fighting that battle
at times, but those fears are lessened every day that I leave the office
knowing that I’ve positively contributed to the firm’s work in some way, no
matter how small.
How would you describe your creative process?
In school, my friends always said that my design process is backwards. In a way, you’re taught to come up with a concept, sketch those ideas onto paper, and then create a whole by continuously developing that idea and piecing things together. But I tend to create a whole first, break it down into parts and then come up with my concept by making those parts work together in some way, shape or form. Also, I don’t sketch. In fact I hate sketching lol. At times, it has crippled me but I have always found a way around it. I tend to work through ideas in diagrams on the computer.
How do you stay inspired?
I am a part of a very small group of African-American women that don’t even make up a percentage of architectural professionals in the United States. Not only am I considered an underdog but that’s the market I wish to design for. I want to make a difference and create some type of social change through architecture. If I could inspire just one person who does not fit the norm of a woman in the design field to hop on board and to make a difference, then I know all my struggles have been worth it!
What doubts, obstacles, or barriers have you had to overcome to get
where you are?
I found out along the way that I was my own barrier to
accomplishing many things. Some say that you are your worst critic and I found
that to be very true for me. I had to overcome a lot of self-esteem and
identity issues. I have God, my family and close friends to thank for overcoming
that!
Who is your biggest supporter?
My family. They believe that I could
literally move mountains! Lol! That’s how much faith they have in me, and I am
more grateful for that than they know!
What do you wish someone had told you before you began your educational
/ career trajectory?
That it’s okay to not have a clear vision of what you
want to do right away. That it’s okay to follow the unbeaten path. That your
idea of success may differ from everyone else’s, and that’s okay.
What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?
I need to
learn to ask for help because sometimes I can’t do it all on my own (no matter
what trending mantras are saying).
What is the best advice you have ever received regarding your life or
career?
When I first decided to move to Miami for graduate school, I was
terrified and almost decided not to go. But then a lovely friend by the name of
Rae Cook told me that if I went and didn’t like it after a year, I didn’t have
to stay. I’ve honestly taken that approach with many things in my life. My life
is flexible enough that the decisions I make do not have to be permanent for
the most part. I feel very blessed in regard to that! For instance, If I move
somewhere for a job and give it a fair shot but do not want to stay, I don’t
have to. That advice has allowed me to take more risks and I haven’t regretted
a single decision yet!
What’s next for you? Where would you like to see yourself in a few
years?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately for some reason. I’ve
been teaching for the past 2 years before I started my first job in a firm 5
weeks ago. Although I am enjoying it, I know I will eventually find my way back
in education. I love learning and there’s no better way to do that than in the
classroom, both as a student and as a professor. So honestly, I see myself most
likely working towards another degree and/or getting some type of fellowship
and doing research somewhere. No matter what I end up doing, hopefully I will
end up creating social change in some way.
What’s the one thing that every creative young woman should have?
The
confidence to not follow the crowd.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Food. Any kind really. I’m a foodie.
What music do you currently have on rotation (and your choice of
device)?
J. Cole, Lauryn Hill, and Mosaic Music. I can go from trap music
to gospel in a heartbeat. Honestly depends on what mood I’m in, which are as up
as down as my music choices to be honest lol. I’m usually at work or in my car
when I’m listening to music.
What’s one thing you miss from the “good ole’ days”?
Being in
marching band in high school and college. Those were times where you could
forget about whatever else going on in life and be with fellow nerds who loved
music and color guard as much as you. Football games were a plus!
What is your go-to outfit?
A black dress with sneakers
Any favorite design pet peeves?
Not really. But I do have an issue with the design industry and how it’s marketed to society. It’s seen as very inaccessible to people of color. I guess that’s a nice way of saying we need more black folks, lol! I just wish that people of every background could see that there is a spot just for them in the design world!
What design trends are you currently loving?
Uhhhh, as a designer
is it wrong for me to say I don’t keep up with current trends?? Oops!
I’m kind of weird when it comes to…
being clean and orderly. I need
to be clean and orderly or I get hives, lol!
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
It’s okay to have
some fear, but don’t let that fear hold you back from taking the next step.
Also, buy those shoes, you deserve it!
So readers... what do you think of Ruthie's story? Did it resonate with you? Leave me a comment below and let me know! And as always, I'm looking for more creative minority women to feature, so if you would like to participate (or if you would like to nominate a friend) let me know! :)
If you didn't know, going thrift shopping is one of my very favorite pass times. Just thinking about the hunt makes me giddy with excitement! The idea that I might find something special that no one else I know has in their home is pretty awesome. Over the years, I have found that one of the most fun ways to furnish my home using thrifted finds is to start a collection. Currently I have one going for decanters, and I recently started one for colorful vintage cocktail glasses. Check it out!
All of these glasses came from Goodwill (my favorite store) with exception of the yellow ones, which I stumbled upon during a spontaneous trip to the Salvation Army. Side note, I love how the pink ones are two different shades. I think it gives them even more character! :)
So far I've collected green goblets, yellow coup glasses, indigo cordial glasses, and pink highball glasses. Of course, I'm not specific on which type I collect. I figure at some point or another we'll use whatever size we have on hand to make a cocktail, plus they're so gosh darn pretty. I've also accepted that I will inevitably have odd numbers of the same type. Visually odd numbers are more interesting in design, so why not embrace the orphan glasses as well? My criteria for deciding if glasses come home with me?
- Are the colors bright or bold?
- Are they vintage?
- Do they make me smile?
If they pass these few questions with a yes, then my collection grows. Of course with every collection, the hardest part is being patient. Ideally, one day I would like to have the whole rainbow represented. Truth be told, I thought that indigo was going to be the hardest to find, but I lo and behold I hit the jackpot! Red, blue, orange, violet... where are you guys hiding?
What I love most about this collection is that it reminds me of grandma's house! I mean, didn't everyone's grandma have glasses like these green ones?
Here's where my collection is living for now. The Vittsjo shelving unit that once held my decanter collection is now collecting glassware just off the foyer. I tried hiding the glasses away in my kitchen cabinets, but it just didn't feel right! Now when I enter the room I can always enjoy them!
So what do you think? Have you started your own collection at home? I want to hear about it! In the mean time I'll keep Goodwill hunting! And don't worry... I'll definitely let you know what I find. :)
If you didn't know, going thrift shopping is one of my very favorite pass times. Just thinking about the hunt makes me giddy with excitement! The idea that I might find something special that no one else I know has in their home is pretty awesome. Over the years, I have found that one of the most fun ways to furnish my home using thrifted finds is to start a collection. Currently I have one going for decanters, and I recently started one for colorful vintage cocktail glasses. Check it out!
All of these glasses came from Goodwill (my favorite store) with exception of the yellow ones, which I stumbled upon during a spontaneous trip to the Salvation Army. Side note, I love how the pink ones are two different shades. I think it gives them even more character! :)
So far I've collected green goblets, yellow coup glasses, indigo cordial glasses, and pink highball glasses. Of course, I'm not specific on which type I collect. I figure at some point or another we'll use whatever size we have on hand to make a cocktail, plus they're so gosh darn pretty. I've also accepted that I will inevitably have odd numbers of the same type. Visually odd numbers are more interesting in design, so why not embrace the orphan glasses as well? My criteria for deciding if glasses come home with me?
- Are the colors bright or bold?
- Are they vintage?
- Do they make me smile?
If they pass these few questions with a yes, then my collection grows. Of course with every collection, the hardest part is being patient. Ideally, one day I would like to have the whole rainbow represented. Truth be told, I thought that indigo was going to be the hardest to find, but I lo and behold I hit the jackpot! Red, blue, orange, violet... where are you guys hiding?
What I love most about this collection is that it reminds me of grandma's house! I mean, didn't everyone's grandma have glasses like these green ones?
Here's where my collection is living for now. The Vittsjo shelving unit that once held my decanter collection is now collecting glassware just off the foyer. I tried hiding the glasses away in my kitchen cabinets, but it just didn't feel right! Now when I enter the room I can always enjoy them!
So what do you think? Have you started your own collection at home? I want to hear about it! In the mean time I'll keep Goodwill hunting! And don't worry... I'll definitely let you know what I find. :)
Here in West Midtown Atlanta, there are a TON of apartment complexes popping up on nearly every corner! When Brandon and I lived in the city, we had a small, narrow balcony and to tell the truth, I didn't really know how to give it life. Now that I'm older and much wiser, I know that all it really needed was a great foundation. A cute, little bistro set is a great way to immediately inject color and personality. In the spirit of dining outside, or even enjoying a good cocktail (or cup of coffee, it you're into that sort of thing) here are a few of my favorite bistro sets... and they're all under $200! Summer's not over yet, so why not enjoy the rest of the warm weather that mother nature has to offer via a new, super cute bistro set for dining alfresco? Here are a few would recommend!
My favorites have to be #6 and #10 because I love a good, strong statement. But take note that you don't necessarily need to commit to a bold color (although that's definitely my jam) in order to create a big impact. You can always go for a neutral set and infuse it with color to add a little personality.
Here are a few other ideas on how to add a little bit of zing to your outdoor space after you get your seating together!
- throw pillows
- chair cushions
- plants and flowers
- floor and balcony railing planters
- an umbrella - this one is great for a balcony
- outdoor rugs and runners
- string lights
And if you haven't done anything with your sad, little outdoor space - now is the time! Most retailers have their outdoor stuff on sale right now, so get on it... and let me know how it turns out!
Here in West Midtown Atlanta, there are a TON of apartment complexes popping up on nearly every corner! When Brandon and I lived in the city, we had a small, narrow balcony and to tell the truth, I didn't really know how to give it life. Now that I'm older and much wiser, I know that all it really needed was a great foundation. A cute, little bistro set is a great way to immediately inject color and personality. In the spirit of dining outside, or even enjoying a good cocktail (or cup of coffee, it you're into that sort of thing) here are a few of my favorite bistro sets... and they're all under $200! Summer's not over yet, so why not enjoy the rest of the warm weather that mother nature has to offer via a new, super cute bistro set for dining alfresco? Here are a few would recommend!
My favorites have to be #6 and #10 because I love a good, strong statement. But take note that you don't necessarily need to commit to a bold color (although that's definitely my jam) in order to create a big impact. You can always go for a neutral set and infuse it with color to add a little personality.
Here are a few other ideas on how to add a little bit of zing to your outdoor space after you get your seating together!
- throw pillows
- chair cushions
- plants and flowers
- floor and balcony railing planters
- an umbrella - this one is great for a balcony
- outdoor rugs and runners
- string lights
And if you haven't done anything with your sad, little outdoor space - now is the time! Most retailers have their outdoor stuff on sale right now, so get on it... and let me know how it turns out!
So here's the situation: My hubby and I were invited to dinner by some sweet friends of ours, and I wanted to create a cute, little hostess basket for them. I had noticed from their social media that our friends had been doing a lot of baking, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to give them something that could aid their process in making all of those wonderful baked goods.
I have found that gift giving around a theme makes it super easy for the giver. Furthermore, sticking to a specific color scheme also makes gift wrapping and presentation a breeze... and we know that as with most things in life, it's all about the presentation!
So the gifts themselves, which I purchased from IKEA, came in right under $20. I jazzed up the basket with Givande paper ribbon from the IKEA papershop (which I already had on hand) and a wire basket from Target's Bullseye Playground for $3. The cake decorating set was wrapped using a paper bag that I cut flat and trimmed out in Scotch Washi Tape from my craft stash. To assemble the basket, I gently folded the textiles, added the wrapped box in back, then slid a hand-written card between the folds. Easy peasy, right? If you want to create something similar - here's a little help!
Unfortunately the Sommar towels and apron I used is no longer available, but no worries! You can find other super cute kitchen textile collections here or even here!
And if your hostess (or host) isn't a baker, here a few more theme ideas:
- The coffee or tea lover (mug, french press, tea or coffee, milk frother, batteries)
- The bartender (ice molds, cocktail shaker, glasses, coasters, wine opener)
- The neat freak (brushes, sponges, cleaning cloths, mini dustpan, soap)
- The workaholic (notebook, notepad, pens, pencils, scissors, paperclips)
- The chef (timer, garlic press, peeler, meat thermometer, oven mitt, trivets)
So what have we learned today about creating an easy, effective hostess gift?
- Make it easy, stick to a theme!
- Using a color scheme creates a bigger impact.
- Keep a small stash of gift supplies.
- Presentation is EVERYTHING!
- Great gifts don't have to cost a lot - they can be small, but also chic!
So here's the situation: My hubby and I were invited to dinner by some sweet friends of ours, and I wanted to create a cute, little hostess basket for them. I had noticed from their social media that our friends had been doing a lot of baking, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to give them something that could aid their process in making all of those wonderful baked goods.
I have found that gift giving around a theme makes it super easy for the giver. Furthermore, sticking to a specific color scheme also makes gift wrapping and presentation a breeze... and we know that as with most things in life, it's all about the presentation!
So the gifts themselves, which I purchased from IKEA, came in right under $20. I jazzed up the basket with Givande paper ribbon from the IKEA papershop (which I already had on hand) and a wire basket from Target's Bullseye Playground for $3. The cake decorating set was wrapped using a paper bag that I cut flat and trimmed out in Scotch Washi Tape from my craft stash. To assemble the basket, I gently folded the textiles, added the wrapped box in back, then slid a hand-written card between the folds. Easy peasy, right? If you want to create something similar - here's a little help!
Unfortunately the Sommar towels and apron I used is no longer available, but no worries! You can find other super cute kitchen textile collections here or even here!
And if your hostess (or host) isn't a baker, here a few more theme ideas:
- The coffee or tea lover (mug, french press, tea or coffee, milk frother, batteries)
- The bartender (ice molds, cocktail shaker, glasses, coasters, wine opener)
- The neat freak (brushes, sponges, cleaning cloths, mini dustpan, soap)
- The workaholic (notebook, notepad, pens, pencils, scissors, paperclips)
- The chef (timer, garlic press, peeler, meat thermometer, oven mitt, trivets)
So what have we learned today about creating an easy, effective hostess gift?
- Make it easy, stick to a theme!
- Using a color scheme creates a bigger impact.
- Keep a small stash of gift supplies.
- Presentation is EVERYTHING!
- Great gifts don't have to cost a lot - they can be small, but also chic!
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