The Insatiable Life

About

Hi, my name is Claire and…

Yeah I said. I want it all. I want an amazing career, deep meaningful relationships, delicious meals and conversations, incredible adventures, plenty of overseas trips, a closet brimming with cherished items of clothing and accessories, and a bathroom stocked with a never ending supply of new skin, hair, and body products. OH and while I’m at it, I’ll take a personal trainer along with all the best fitness classes in NYC, LA, and London. OH and I want to do this while writing for a living, launching new businesses, and sipping champagne while looking cute as hell.

Does this sound familiar? If so, hello friend! We have lots to talk about and even more work to do.

But first, let’s remember that Oprah once said, “you can have it all but not all at once.” 

Eek. So what’s an overly ambitious girl to do? For starters, you can read this blog and follow along on my journey as I try to figure out how to:

1) Have it all

2) Fit it all into your life, and just a word to the wise – it ain’t gonna happen all at once either, buddy 🙂

3) Stay healthy and grounded as your life soars to new heights

Okay, Claire that all sounds cool. But like, what are you gonna write about? 

I’m going to cover a LOT of topics because this is LIFE we’re talking about. Expect frequent musings, product reviews, recommendations, anecdotes, stories, and vlogs on:

Food

Health

Fitness

Beauty

Careers

Creativity

Productivity

Okay, I’m game. But like, who are you again? 

Right, ME. My name is Claire Brooks and I am a creative producer. I am currently an MFA candidate at Columbia University focusing on creative producing and screenwriting. Before I started grad school, I founded and a ran a small production consultancy named SuperSwell. Before that, I worked as a creative marketing executive at companies like HBO, Illumination Entertainment, and the National Basketball Association. And before that I was a student at New York University, which I ran to with open arms after living in New England for 4 years at a very fancy little boarding school (but more on that another day).

Since producing is a pretty 24/7 kind of job that will take over your life, I am pretty militant about finding hobbies and activities that have NOTHING to do with my industry. I mean, a girls gotta have a life right? Each meal I cook, each workout I squeeze into my jam packed schedule, and each trip is time I relish. Quite simply: I’m my favorite investment because I know I’m worth it.

My job is one that will grind you down and my industry is one that will spit you out. To counter balance this energy, I try to live fully and well. I started The Insatiable Life so I can share all of that with you and hopefully inspire others along the way.

Still want to know more about me? Check out this questionnaire I filled out just for you.

Tea or coffee? 

All y’all hot-bean-water-drinking people need to be easy. Matcha all-day, everyday.

Favorite season?

 Is “LA-Weather” a season? If so, I like that.

Fauna or Flora?

Fauna all the way. Plants live. Flowers die. C’mon bruh, bring me a love fern.

What do you sing on karaoke night?

First of all. I don’t do karaoke. Lip Sync Battles only over hear. And probably something whiney and dramatic by Keisha Cole.

What’s your house at Hogwarts?

Ravenclaw, all day, everyday

Favorite cocktail?

Michealada or a strong Bloody Mary. Otherwise, I’ll take a fruity bright colored rum drink with an umbrella (preferably served beach side)

Current favorite restaurants (in NYC)?

All Time Favorite: En Brasserie

To Fancy AF: Gramercy Tavern

For Bougie Brunch: Maman

For Laid Back Brunch: Kefi

For Casual Drinks: The Tippler

For Not-So-Casual Drinks: ROKC Kitchen

What’s the weirdest ingredient in your pantry?

Chili Granola and it is amazing!

Favorite Grocery Store?

In the world: Waitrose in the UK.

In the LA:  The Santa Monica Co-Op and the Mar Vista Farmer’s Markets

In NYC: Whole Foods, Fairway, H-Mart

Childhood nickname and where did it come from?

My middle name is Sukii and up until I was about 7 or 8, my nickname was “Sukii Luv.”  I dropped that somewhere in elementary school. At that time, I really wanted to have a name like Stephanie or Katrina just so I could shrink my name to Steph or Katie. Can’t shorten a name as short as Claire. Sigh.

Describe your personal style / aesthetic?

This is a REALLY hard question for me.  Each year, I discover a new aspect of my personal style. It’s constantly in fluxe and evolving. I haven’t quite gelled on anything in particular and if I said “Urban Minimalist” or “Bohemian Chic” it’d all be a lie. My wardrobe is, at best, described as eclectic and classic.  It’s a mash up of styles, brands, colors, and textures. Some of it is weird and things I can only wear once or twice a year. But more often than not, my go to outfit is leggings, a sports bra, and a white tee (I like to think I burn more calories just by wearing work out clothes, y’know?). I do really love simplicity, structure, and geometry. And I absolutely love bright bold colors and vivid patterns.

My fashion ethos: 

I believe that how we spend our dollars on clothing can have a massive environmental impact. I prefer to buy secondhand. I don’t have any favorite thrift stores because I can almost always find something I like in most shops. But I think the London Thrift Store and vintage seen is the best in the world. If I could travel once a year to London and revamp my wardrobe, I’d be a happy gal indeed.
When I do choose to shop at bigger brands and stores, my go to brands are: Everlane, J. Crew, and Uniqlo.
If money wasn’t an object, I’d have more Rachel Comey, Isabel Marant, and Artizia items in my wardrobe.
For jewelry, I love anything gold. I value crafstmanship and the ethical sourcing of all materials. Aesthetically, I prefer my jewelry to look either organic and “rough” or modern and sculptural. Basically – if it looks like something you might expect to see at either The Met or the MOMA, I will likely love it. mY favorite designers are WWake, Satomi Kawakita, and Vale Jewelry.

My go to look…

When it’s not a workout outfit? Probably a solid pair of straight leg or boot cut blue jeans, a crisp white tee, gold hoops,  a dash of red lipstick does the trick.

Any favorite style icons?

Solange, Tracee Ellis-Ross, and Khaleesi

If you could live anywhere where would it be?

If I could live anywhere and money wasn’t a problem, then I would have multiple homes:

My flat in London walking distance to Borough Market

A Brooklyn Brownstone in NYC

A Dramatic and Modern Cliffside Beach Home in Malibu

An Off-the-grid sanctuary in Santa Cruz, CA surrounded by redwoods

A country get-away near Woodstock, NY

A vineyard in Healdsburg or Sonoma or in France (I said money wasn’t an option)

But the real question is: which house will have all my books?

Favorite thing about your career?

That if everything goes right, I’ll acquire some or all of the homes mentioned above 🙂
But in all seriousness, I love that I get to work with incredibly creative people. And I love that we make something…out of nothing. Producing and bringing something fresh and new into this world is an honor.

If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

Lasagna or Vito’s gnocchi which might as well be lasagna.

Who would you love to throw down in the kitchen with?

Kelis! Apparently she’s my doppleganger and I really love her instagram food pics. Her recipes are daring and unique, and often combine comforting soul food classics elevated with premium and unique ingredients. Also Emeril Lagasse because he’s my hero and his cooking style reminds me of my grandma. And Rachel Ray, because she’s adorable and I think we could get drunk and chat for days.

What does happiness mean to you?

Happiness is cuddling on a couch my boyfriend, our dog at our feet, warm beverages or glasses of wine within arms reach, and watching Game of Thrones.

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