Brooke Baxter

Thanks to our dear Gem Gossip, we were introduced to this Southern cutie at COUTURE 2014. Eleven seconds into conversation, Meaghan bought a malachite pinky ring off of Brooke's finger and the rest is history. What started as a hobby has evolved into a thriving e-commerce business, sprinkled with trunk shows, public appearances, world travel, and drinking rosé. Selling some of the raddest estate jewelry around and rubbing elbows with Nashville's finest, Arrow & Anchor Antiques has merged work and play the FFR way.

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One of those awesome Hemp chokers with a clay bead. I bought it at Bethany Beach Surf Shop and I thought I was really making a serious statement with that thing!
— Brooke Baxter

 

Let’s have dinner at your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Where do we go and what do we eat? 

Rolf and Daughters in Nashville is my absolute fave! The menu is constantly changing...drinks are awesome...atmosphere is great and their playlists are always on point! Definitely a Nashville staple. 

 

If you could buy any piece of contemporary jewelry from another jeweler, what would it be? 

Anything from Andrea Fohrman. It’s like she has this magic power. Taking a small piece of outer space and putting it perfectly onto your finger (or neck). Everything that she does is perfect. And then there is Monique Pean! Her use of materials always impresses me. Picking one is difficult!

 

The vacation spot that you keep going back to over and over? 

I wouldn’t say that I have actually been here over and over but Tulum is somewhere that I would like to re-visit over and over and over again.

 

What’s the last book you couldn’t put down? 

I am constantly amazed by the beautiful images in Dries Van Noten’s coffee table book. Visually it has to be my favorite book. I did just read Patti Smith: Just Kids. That was great too!

 

Secret/favorite spot for cocktails at a trade show (and what’s your go-to drink?) 

The Raleigh Hotel in Miami - Dirty Martini. 

 

The gemstone you’re currently lusting after is...   

Malachite and Emerald 

(ed note: still no guilt about stealing the malachite from you...it's often paired with a step cut emerald and it's glorious.)

 

What’s your favorite piece that you made in the last year and why? 

90% of my inventory is antique, some vintage. I have a couple of custom pieces that I have done for clients. I recently found this amazing rose-cut diamond ring. The setting was silver with a rose gold split shank. It was the first piece to sell at the recent A Current Affair market in LA. Definitely having some intense seller's remorse!

 

You have 30 minutes to work out – what do you do? 

A full Hot Yoga class is 60-75 minutes but if I could do that for 30 minutes...that’s what I would choose. 

 

What was the first piece of jewelry you bought for yourself? 

One of those awesome Hemp chokers with a clay bead. I bought it at Bethany Beach Surf Shop and I thought I was really making a serious statement with that thing! Along with a couple of Grateful Dead patches for my L.L. Bean backpack. Livin’ it up in the ‘90s!

 

If you could have dinner with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

I would love to have tea at The Plaza with Salvador Dali. I heard that he used to have tea there quite often. Just the thought of sitting with him and hearing him speak about what interests him on a daily basis would be fascinating. I don’t even think I would ask him about his art. 

 

What’s your preferred mode of transportation day-to-day? 

My car – a Mercedes G550. It’s like driving a tank. This might offend some people but Tennessee drivers are horrible. They’re totally checked out so it’s nice to have a safe car. Oh and I LOVE Uber. Life changer!

 

Top 5 bands in your playlist - go! 

Warpaint, Turbo Fruits,  Palma Violets, Mini Mansions, Father John Misty, Cage The Elephant, Rayland Baxter (my little bro), and Jessie Baylin (my dear friend). The new Alabama Shakes album is unspeakably awesome. Only 5? 

 

You’re having guests for the weekend. What’s your signature dish that you cook?

Kale salad...I like to starve my guests ;)

 

If you could only carry one handbag for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Classic Celine Tote 

 

What’s your signature scent and what three words would you use to describe it? 

A random Amber Oil that I buy at Whole Foods. Subtle, Soft, Calming.

 

If you could sit front row at any fashion show, which would it be and why?

Dries Van Noten. His use of texture and pattern is next level! I have been a long time fan of his (insert prayer hand emoji).

 

Tell us your beauty secrets.

I was just staying with a friend in LA and she had walked out of the bathroom that I was using and said, “Jeez, Brooke, It looks like you are setting up to be featured on Top Shelf” (intothegloss.com), which would be my dream. I am an absolute cosmetic freak. I would pick cosmetic shopping over clothing shopping any day. 

           

Current Faves:

          

-Coconut Oil (general moisturizer)

-La Mer Body Cream

-Phylia de M. Shampoo and Conditioner 

-Sunday Riley - Start Over Eye Cream

-RMS - lip2cheek

-Tata Harper - all of her products are amazing!

         

Signature nail polish and/or lipstick shade for a night on the town?

OPI – Lincoln Park After Dark. Nars – Bimini Lipgloss.

 

Thanks, B! xx FFR