d

Dear Anna,

Thank you for teaching me about patience I didn't know I had.

For letting me know that it was okay to stand up for what you believe in even if it means leaving the only job you have ever had that you thought you loved.

For smiling for me when I had my little point and shoot.

For making me want to live a better life and dream bigger.

For reminding me that sometimes its the little things that make me want to lay on the floor and cry and sometimes it's okay to do that.

For not judging me if my hair was greasy, or I was tired or cranky and for being cranky with me.

You changed my life in way's you will never know. You are the reason, I stuck with that job, left that job and started my own company. Your smile on Sunday reiterated to me that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing no matter the challenges I may face.






Thank you.

Locally Owned and Grown!

This week we are featuring The Watering Bowl! They are located at Lemay Ferry and Lindbergh Boulevard in South County! The owner Jeremy King is just the kind of guy you'd like to sit down and have a chat with,  he is friendly and out going and truly believes in his business! He grew up in the country where his dogs always had acre's and acre's to run! When he came to the city he realized that space was extremely limited and wanted to create an environment that was pet owner friendly, safe and was free reign. The Watering Bowl is open and transparent, its not a location where you drop off your dog and they shuffle them into the back room and off they go. As you walk into The Watering Bowl its open and gated, the main room for the dogs to run in has a large window for you to observe whats going on and their is a gated welcome area for your pet as they are sniffed out and allowed to sniff before joining the pack.

Jeremy believes that the pack can heal a lot in dogs that a trainer can't. I think this is an awesome thought and I love the idea of the pack helping heal skittish dogs, or abused dogs. All of their trainers at The Watering Bowl are trained to work with animals and have the patience and the love for animals that is needed. By letting a dog be a part of the pack it teaches respect among themselves and to listen to other adults besides their owners. You don't realize how important that is until you are walking along with your toddler in your neighborhood and a strange dog comes up, really what defense do I have? I just yell "No" and "Go", thankfully this strange dog listens and runs away but that school of thought makes sense.

I love when you walk into The Watering Bowl, you are welcomed at the front desk and your dog is introduced into the pack at the "Sniff Around", which is a gated section with in the open play area. I love that I am welcomed to stand and watch my dog as long as I please and they encourage you to pop in during the day! They ALSO post video's and pictures on Facebook so you can see what your dog is doing through out the day! As an all day boarder or an overnight boarding, you can expect for your dog to play majority of the day with a break  in the afternoon and then back out to play. In the evening they eat dinner then play again til just before bed which is around 8 or 9pm. Jeremy want's your dog just as tired as you are at the end of the day!

This week's giveaway is for ONE DAY PASS! This is such a great giveaway! Make sure to hop over and comment at THE WATERING BOWL on Facebook, at KATE BROCKMEYER PHOTOGRAPHY on Facebook and leave a HERE for 3 chances to enter this awesome giveaway!

Locally Owned Spotlight Monday!

I had the awesome opportunity to pop over to Pets in the City last week! When I walked in I was greeted by their super friendly staff and the super pet friendly environment. I couldn't believe how great it was! They even have a pet rabbit right there in the front room and he is so cute!

Pets in the City started as a an MBA project! They wanted to create a store that removed chemicals from dog food and to encourage healthier lifestyle for animals. In the owner's ability to seek out and change her own dog's food she saw a dramatic change. Pets in the City is very well known for not carrying items found in big stores, they have their own bakery items and purchase a lot of items locally or from mom and pop stores! Which I personally LOVE!

They also have a groomer! It's not a mass production, lets see how many dogs we can do in an hour groomer though. It's a take our time, no stress and quiet grooming station. They take on one or two dogs at a time. They also have a self wash center right there which is so nice for those big ole' dogs that don't fit in the bathtub anymore or the ones that refuse to follow you to the water!

They also provide training in small groups or one on one training.



Everybody has a pet so spread the word!!

Also they are doing an awesome giveaway with a $5 gift certificate and samples and treats!! So what do you need to do to win this awesome FREE gift?!?! Pop over to Pets in the City on Facebook and Kate Brockmeyer Photography on Facebook and leave a comment on each one! If you want a bonus entry leave a comment on the blog! This is one giveaway you do not want to miss out on!

Top 10 Tuesday

1. I met with an AWESOME bride today, one I go way back with and I have known since I was a toddler! We grew up down the street from each other then her family moved to Ohio and then in college we caught up again on good old Facebook. I photographed her sisters wedding last October and now I will have the pleasure of photographing her engagement photo's as well as wedding photo's! I am so excited! She is an out of the box kind of bride, just like I have been begging the good Lord to send me!

2. My husband is in a weight loss program at work and he lost 8 pounds last week! I could eat soybeans for a week and maybe loose two pounds! I gotta get my butt in gear!

3. I read on another blog today about listening to a book on your iPhone while working out and I am pretty sure that is right up my alley and I am going to try it out tomorrow!

4. VOTE HERE for a blog that I love to read! Seriously, she is a momma from my hometown with three kids under 5 who were at one time 3 kids under 3. She a good christian woman and a photographer and her blog is called JODIFIED please vote for her she deserves it!

5. I heard on Facebook there is a way to check your status on this day for all the previous years as long as you have been on Facebook. It hasn't popped up on my yet but I can't wait for it to do so.

6. Have you seen that Piperlime has a final sale section?!?! If not go check it OUT!

7. My cousin's wife just had her son's 1st birthday party and it was Dr Seuss style and she totally out did my Sesame Street 1st bday party so now its ON! (Just kiddin' Ash) But seriously, I am already thinking of ideas! I did decide I should rock out his Halloween costume first, we are stuck between a superhero one that represents him and a glow in the dark skeleton! He can actually eat candy this year so it should be fun!

8. I love this Popsicle matching game. Check it out HERE.

9. I can not wait to make a doorway bean bag game for Jay! This would be so fun just as something to toss up on a rainy day! Check it OUT!

10. J and I are working on his colors. I have been making him match colors and touch colors but does anyone have any awesome ideas that your kids loved and worked! I'd love to hear them!

Dunaway Books!

Wow, I PROMISE this week is a new week and I will get better with blogging! But, I always get my best ideas right smack dab in the middle or the beginning of my busy season! Meaning, I am currently up to my neck in work! Don't get me wrong I love it!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of cruising down Grand Blvd to Dunaway Books! Have you been down Grand lately just at the corner of Tower Grove Park? Its amazing! It is totally developed and there are some fabulous restaurants! Right in between all those great restaurants is a one of a kind book store! It's so one of a kind they actually have a 1st Edition Tom Sawyer!

I am in love with Dunaway Books! They have entire collections of books you haven't seen since you were a kid and it smells like a bookstore. Forget big name chain stores, pull up a chair, climb a ladder and smell the books. Seriously, if you haven't done it recently you need to! I swear it will take you back to being a kid!

The best part is Dunaway Book is doing a 10% discount for anyone who mentions Kate Brockmeyer Photography! I think this is the best place to check out for a special holiday gift, one of a kind at least!

Spotlight Monday... on Wednesday!

I am so sorry for the delay! I promise it will get better! We were gone in Duluth, Minnesota photographing a wedding and 3 month shoot and there wasn't any internet service! Amazing huh?!? It's weird how I start to tweak out when I am unable to tackle internet service!

ANYWAY! Today is all about I Scream Cakes! You must take 15 minutes out of your cruise around downtown STL to stop in at I Scream Cakes! They are conveniently located off of Jefferson and Cherokee Street (which if you haven't walked down Cherokee YOU SHOULD!) The best part about this place is they do ICE CREAM (home made) AND CAKES! I mean really... how cool is that?!?! When is the last time you had ice cream made with locally grown Eckerts peaches?!? Oh NEVER... well THEN YOU MUST! It is super kid friendly with fun chairs and bouncy seats! There are stools at the bar and the colors are so great and bright! It's unique, has its own style and really sets them apart from the other chain stores!

You have to check out her gallery of cakes! They are so cool! It's ICE CREAM folks, not fondant, not butter cream, ice cream! Her ice cream is smooth and creamy and just the kind you need on these hot summer days! All their cakes are gluten free, and they make organic and vegan flavors!

They just recently opened on May 27th and are excited to be in the Saint Louis area!

This week they are giving away a $10 off a decorated cake! I am thinking this would make an AWESOME birthday cake for anyone! Having a Halloween party?!?! Seriously... you need to call her!

You know what to do! Pop over to I Scream Cakes on Facebook and Kate Brockmeyer Photography and leave a comment! You can also leave a comment on here!

Winners are chosen at random by random.org