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

Top 10 Tuesday

1. Seriously yesterday did you go and check out the post about Verde Kids?!?! And did you comment to win their giveaway?!?! It's a good one!

2. I am spending my day between getting ready to go to Minnesota to shoot a wedding, cleaning and packing and trying to spend sometime with the kiddo.

3. Has anyone used Baby Signs? I have spent the last few days teaching my kiddo how to use some sign language so we can begin to understand each other. He still isn't talking yet so I need something... this whining has got to go!

4. I am in love with these iron on's from this little SHOP on Etsy. I've already added 5 to my cart! I am thinking Halloween, Christmas, winter etc. You can get t-shirts at Walmart for $3.00 and the iron on is only $3 so $6 later I've got a super cute shirt!

5. I am thinking need these little white POTS on my patio.

6. Again, I don't have a kid in school yet but when I do his Kindergarten teacher is getting THIS gift!

7. My kids is 16 months old and still taking TWO NAPS A DAY!!! WOOT WOOT!

8. ... I spoke to soon this will be a top 8 as my little guy just woke up!

Locally Owned Spotlight Monday!

Hey! Oh man... have you got to check out Verde Kids! It is such an amazing and unique store. I am in love. Jessica, started Verde Kids to help start kids out with almost no carbon footprint (how cool is that?!?). She believes in giving gifts you can feel good about giving! They have stuffed animals made from recycled plastic bottles, sandwich bags you can just toss in the dishwasher and organic clothing! The place is stocked with wonderful and good solid toys.

Verde Kids believes in living a green lifestyle, and she purchases LOCALLY! Some of her signs are from Old Barn Rescue and Joe Moore! They are centrally located right in the heart of Webster Groves, with great parking and wide aisle's perfect to get through with those strollers!




















I love how when Jessica goes to purchase an item she thinks about everything that makes it GREEN! What is it made out of?, Who makes it? Where was it made? How is the packaging? and What is it's lifetime, can it be passed on and its durability? I mean way to go above and beyond. She also said that if you order clothes online you can request that they come in a single package instead of receiving each shirt in its own individual plastic wrapping! What a great tip!


This weeks giveaway is for $10 off at Verde Kids, so all you need to do is leave a comment here, and one HERE and one HERE and you will be in the drawing! There are so many great back to school supplies and think the holiday's coming up! So many great options!

Recipe on the run

I was going to take pictures while I made our dinner tonight and then give you the pro's and the con's of this recipe... however, my life didn't work out that way. After a quick work out with my husband at a high school track near our home and a 45 minute run through the grocery store I ended up buying premade pizza crust and pre grilled chicken (GO ME) and slapping it all together in the oven versus the grill.

However this is the recipe I was dreaming of... HERE! If you make it, comment and let me know how it goes! If you don't well store it in your recipe box. I loved that dough was basically everything I already had.. I picked up yeast and the topping's were favorites of the husband. It's now on my goal list!

It does smell delicious!

Wednesday giveaway winner!!

Our winner for the Little Fishes Swim School giveaway was Roxanne Botto! Whoo hoo! Next week we will be splashing the blog with Verde Kids! I promise you will not be disappointed! There are some amazingly owned local businesses! Don't miss out and be sure to check back in!

Remember we will have giveaways EVERY MONDAY and winners announced every Wednesday!

And because every post must have a picture... here is one of my little guy!

Top 10 Tuesday

Here are our favorite links for the week!

1. I am totally addicted to Pinterest if you aren't on it, JOIN! Seriously, its amazing!

2. I am really on a kick of making things at home from scratch versus buying premade or processed in the store, one of my first projects has been homemade dishwasher detergent, the recipe I used is HERE

3. I am pretty sure I am going to have this printed in my bedroom and framed and when my kid is 13 and being a pain I will remind them to go and read THIS

4. My little guy isn't big enough to go school yet, but I know many of you have kiddo's who are when I found this Back To School Fairy I knew I had to share it! Such a fabulous idea!

5. My friends and I are getting together on Wednesday for a toddler art playgroup and we will be rocking out this dough!

6. I am already thinking Christmas and I am in love with THIS mug and home made hot chocolate found HERE, such a great go to gift to have around!

7. It's hot here... I mean its so hot, I don't want to go anywhere. I know my little guy is DYING to get out so last week we made a pit stop at City Garden!

8. Did you check out our giveaway and post about Little Fishes Swim School?!? If you didn't go... check it out... that place could be a lifesaver for your kid!

9. This time next week I will be getting ready for my trip HERE! It's the most beautiful place on Earth! At least in my book!

10. Next week our spotlight is for Verde Kids, which in my opinion is not just for kids and is one of the coolest stores I've ever been to!

And because I hate a post with out a picture... check out this little guy! He turned ONE last week and I can't wait to see him on FRIDAY for his 1st birthday session! Don't be alarmed I didn't steal this picture - Kids Being Kids Photography is our sister company!

Our Locally Owned and Grown Spotlight Monday!

Hi! Welcome to Kate Brockmeyer Photography!! This is our new blog and we are so excited to be here sharing with you! We are especially pumped to show you all the amazing things going on in Saint Louis! This blog is not just about our photography but our community as well! We will be posting sessions on here as well as our Monday spotlight for locally owned businesses, our Tuesday Top 10, our Wednesday giveaway winner announcement, Thursday, our On the Run Recipe! and Friday will be a mixture of cool things going on in Saint Louis, sessions, and things we feel we just have to share!


Our very first Monday spotlight goes to Little Fishes Swim School! I had the pleasure of spending some time with Ruthie, the owner and was blown away by her passion for teaching kiddos how to swim! This place is amazing! I love how kid friendly the decor is! Ruthie started Little Fishes Swim School four years ago with just 60 kids and it has now grown to over 500 kids and 14 staff members! All of their staff have experience working with children, love children and are great swim instructors. They teach swimming through games and activities in a 93 degree pool! They have small classes with an amazing ratio of 5 students to 2 teachers! They have a slew of classes for kiddos from Mom & Me at 6 months up to 6 years old. Definitely click on the word "classes" to check out all the options!

Little Fishes Swim School is doing an AWESOME giveaway! Do yourself a favor and make sure you post a comment on their Facebook page Little Fishes Swim School AND Kate Brockmeyer Photography AND leave a comment here to earn 3 entry's for the drawing!

You are entering to win: a $25 Gift Certificate, a Little Fishes Swim School T-shirt, a beach ball and a Little Fishes Swim School magnet!