Well, my Dad was a musician. So, I kind of grew up in Nashville in the country music scene in the age of Rhinestone Suits. That was a tiiiime and really is a big reason behind all of this. I’m talking about massive, chunky, masculine gold stacks on everyone. Think Elvis.  In fact, one of the biggest costume designers in the 80s ‘Judy Morgan’ used to have these raging parties with all of the who's who of the music industry. I was the little kid running around those parties. Judy would bedazzle my osh kosh b'gosh overalls to make sure I looked like a star in a sea of em’. I would sit at her vanity and put ALL of her makeup on. My mom still has those overalls.

The truth is, knowing the real stories behind these pieces is rare so that’s the game in making them up, I mean just look at the characters I’ve created for these pieces. I know what I think about who wore what. I don’t buy period specific pieces. I buy pieces that speak to me. I wear jewelry pretty rough and I wear it every single day. I don’t sell delicate pieces and I don't wear them because you really can’t. If you’re going to put money into something like this, you should be able to wear it everyday. 

My taste really has to be a certain level because I’m seeking out pieces that are one of a kind and the smallest details make the biggest difference. Even though gold prices have changed and there have been big shifts in this industry, my point in starting this business was making jewelry more accessible and less intimidating. The large stores have no fucking soul. I thought you should only really buy jewelry from a person with a collection and only in person. This is why I didn’t have a website for the longest time.. but that wasn’t viable for my business to survive. I still focus on client relationships and I want people to know how much pride I put into this. It’s just me, which is so funny because when I talk about A&A I say ‘we’ a lot. Nope! It’s just me. Hi.

I get to work with a small group of wonderful, trusted people who’ve been in this industry a long time and that makes any job feel less like work. There’s just something about dealing with real diamonds and real gold. They literally last forever. You just know how different it feels to wear something like that and the power that comes along with owning it. There’s so much fake, mass produced stuff out there, the quality just isn’t there and it doesn’t feel the same. You know when it‘s real. Most of these pieces tell a story and the ones that don’t will eventually! Also who doesn’t love to spend their days surrounded by gold and gemstones.

I’m a sucker for an alliteration- just really rolls off the tongue, ya know? My initials are BB, so I had that in mind when choosing a name. The truth is, during that time everyone was naming their companies stuff like “blank and blank” and I definitely fell into that trend trap. I had an anchor tattoo on my middle finger and the arrow seemed to make sense as a second symbol. After some time ..and a few doses of self actualization, I realized I accidentally named it something really important and something I’ve struggled with.  It’s always been easy for me to anchor- hunker down and stay put, where it’s safe. But it hasn’t been easy to project myself forward. It’s a reminder for myself and a metaphor for life. I also lived in Annapolis, Maryland for 14 years- which is a heavy boating and maritime town. I feel at home and at peace near the water . There’s something about a boat being anchored somewhere but it still floats and moves… but never really gets out of control, unless there’s a storm. Been through a few of those in life... next question! 

Aesthetics played a significant role in my upbringing. My parents were just fucking cool and I always knew it. Some people don’t realize that about their parents until much later in life. My Dad toured a lot( what Brooke won’t say but the editor will- gigs with Johnny Cash. Steve Earle. Bob Dylan. Beastie Boys. Rem.. to name a few) so he was always dressed to the nines in stage clothes, and my mom had this insane ability to transform the ordinary into something more. They were both committed to detail and quality. Over time, their influence taught me to appreciate and spot what is genuinely "cool." Despite all that, I have always dressed pretty simply, jeans and a vintage tee are my daily uniform. So jewelry became a means of expressing my personal style. I’ve gone through phases- like I used to be the ring on every finger girl, all day every day. I’m definitely more of a chain girl now but the pinky ring remains. It’s my favorite finger.

Before this I was in skincare and cosmetics, mostly trying to sell products or treatments I didn't believe in, which is 180 degrees from where I’m at with A&A, though I’m still known to write out a full skincare routine for friends over dinner. If I’m selling you something it’s because I believe it’s amazing and I think my clients know that. It feels so good to say that confidently. It’s really not just business, it’s extremely personal. I think there’s a funny balance between just selling stuff and making it intentional. I never want to be the used car salesman of jewelry where I just open my weird trench coat like, “Hey you. Check out my stuff.”  You know?

I wonder sometimes how I got into this. I really didn’t grow up privileged by any means. I didn’t have any jewelry as a kid at all, or anything luxury for that matter. So I think it's still surprising to me that this is what I do for a living.  People are probably like, “What is this girl’s deal? I really trip out on that sometimes because I’m not a flashy person, you know? Everything else about me is pretty low-key. Well, despite the fact that I will absolutely own anyone on a Karaoke stage- like all of the sudden it’s 2am and I’m on stage singing ‘Drunk In Love’ with somebody’s uncle. And with my friend’s significant others- I’m truly their worst nightmare. I swear, they’re just like, “Hide your wallet. Do not make eye contact. Brooke’s coming over with her box of jewels.” Oops.

As far as jewelry goes, there’s nothing better for the use of a dollar than buying vintage or antique. It’s the environmentally friendly choice and it supports a more sustainable and ethical approach to luxury consumption. Buying old gold minimizes the demand for new extraction, which is real bad in all kinds of ways.  Don’t even get me started on the lab grown diamond craze. The amount of chemicals and energy used to create them is truly insane. Honestly, vintage diamonds are way more brilliant looking to me, and I’ve seen ‘em all.