Top Shelf

3 of the staff here at Bobbi Brinkman Photography had a fabulous evening out on the town, celebrating a great 2008 and looking forward to the best that 2009 will bring. Bobbi, Tina and Nell (plus Mike-- Nell's boyfriend) went to the Scottrade Center last night to watch the Blues battle New Jersey. Hockey of course, top shelf all the way. The game was loads of fun (even though the Blues lost). My big save of the evening was catching the full beer from the guy in front of me from going over--- tragedy averted. I must confess to hoping for a bit of a brawl on the ice and other than a lot of shoving and growling, no gloves hit the ice. C'mon............. it's hockey!!! Happily for the state of sports in St. Louis, the crowd was large and lively, even the Puck Bunnies were out in full force! (The one sitting next to Tina working on her many beers, texting constantly and waving like a crazy person towards the camera for 80% of the game was not hurt there in her natural habitat although it was dicey for awhile.)

After the game we headed over to Friday's and enjoyed a late happy hour and toasted YOU, the best clients in the world!

So thank you for a fantastic 2008----- we appreciate you very much and look forward to working with you even more in 2009!

It's New Years Eve, celebrate wisely, be safe, stay warm and have a GREAT time!

BBP Warm Holiday Wishes

The whole gang sends the very warmest holiday wishes to you and yours! Remember the most important thing, count your blessings and pass one on!

amazing wedding cakes

Fabulous brides Jean (who received from also fabulous Cara) sent over the clip of these over the top wedding cakes from K*uwait. Check them out!!!




Which one will you choose? I somehow think that they just might be out of the everyday budget!

...getting ready

We are all still crazy busy, every year it seems that the madness extends closer and closer to December 25th! But cookies were made, and shared------ (yum Spritz!) and Nell is a free woman now that school is out for the holidays.

And absolutely everyone seems to be waiting for the Big Day................. with wagging tails! :)

Happy Happy

Another reason for happiness, to know that in this holiday season things are quite right about us..... a growing family with a beautiful baby. Tim and Sarah's gorgeous daughter, so waited for by her extended family and so much apprecited and adored. We are, quite naturally, humbled and honored to be able to capture images from this exciting time that will last for generations. Welcome Becky, what a lucky girl you are!

The "first child" in the family got all dressed up for the holiday family portrait--- can you say ADORABLE! That is the fabulous Miss Meatball, can you stand it? I have no doubt that it makes you smile.

Now keep that smile on your face, after all we are each others hope and light! Count your blessings and pass one on.

The Sweetest Gift???

Gifts from clients during the holidays are always so sweet, so unexpected, so wonderfully kind and thoughtful and over the top!!

The photo above shows the trend this year....................................a small selection of the goodies! Does this mean that we are all very SWEET? Or just chocolate crazy? The fact that someone ate the other chocolates and they didn't make the photo should tell you something!

You be the judge!

THANKS to all!!

Icy Tuesday

So here's the deal............ life is wild. I don't really know why this always surprises me, it happens every year at this time as I'm sure it does at your house! Crazy Soup!

Everyone here at BBP is decorating, gift buying, wrapping, and boxing and shipping and eating. There is the eating of course. I think it might be what keeps us all sane during the holidays!

How we love to touch base with clients this time of year, and to meet new family members? The best, hands down!

Tovah and Josh (who also won the Halloween Costume Contest) allowed us the honor of meeting their 6 month old, Lillian--- and creating the first family portrait.


That is Miss Lillian above, with her Mom. I love this photo, it sort of makes me think of all the times my own kids got a little misty eyed when it was time for holiday portraits, we won't even talk about the screamers with Santa! :)

Isn't she beautiful? And such a lovely and warm little spirit she has!

Here in St. Louis it is COLD (okay, freezing) and icy to boot. Stay warm, be safe and enjoy the lead up to the holidays---- wherever you are!

Farewell Natalie

With great sadness we say farewell to longtime client and friend Natalie who passed away this week. Natalie lost a very hard fought battle to breast cancer and left us all too young. She leaves behind 3 wonderful children who Bobbi was privileged to have photographed from their births. Everyone at BBP adored Natalie and the kids as did everyone who knew her, she was a wonderful, giving woman.

Please say a prayer and send warm thoughts to her family and friends who will miss her very, very deeply.

A Wee Holiday Libation

December 11---- which of course means that (and I don't say this to instill panic!!) we are getting pretty darn close to the Big Day, and most creative sorts are madly at work. Or not, your choice entirely of course! We have been working like crazy around BBP to finish holiday orders, create custom holiday cards and pack and ship. No elves have yet appeared although we have had some lovely offers! (Thanks Julie!)

I thought maybe a breath, a small moment to relax was called for and perhaps a nice seasonal toddy was a great idea. I left nothing to chance and tested a few recipes just for the occasion, on the hunt for a really great peppermint martini. When it comes to martinis, normally my choice is just a nice extra dirty vodkatini, but the holidays do call for something a bit more decadent. After several tumbles through the shaker I came up with this recipe, quite delicious, a Chocolate Peppermint Martini! :) Do watch it though, it packs a bit of a reindeer kick! Not a drop of filler, or mixer, so do be careful!

Chocolate Peppermint Martini

• 2 oz. good quality vodka
• 1 oz. creme de cacao
• 1 oz. and a titch chocolate cream liqueur (I have a knock off around the house but Godiva is always divine)
• 1 oz. peppermint Schnapps

Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice and shake. Strain into pretty martini glasses. You could rim with crushed peppermint candies or garnish with a peppermint patty if you really wanted to gild the lily!

Here's hoping that all your ducks are in a row................ or at least not floundering on a frozen pond!

Kiener Plaza all Dressed Up

I did not make the annual tree lighting last week at Kiener Plaza. I did see it on television and it looked quite lovely.

We recently met Colleen and Scott at Kiener Plaza for their last engagement session and had a great time. Okay, it was super cold but it is December after all! They are getting married next month and we're so anxious for the big day!

Kiener Plaza has had a big boost in it's holiday presence since last year, quite a few of the steps have been taken over by lighting and greenery. I can see that many city employees have been hard at work!

The star on the tree is beginning to list a bit to the left, other than that, catch the lights at Kiener as well as the improved holiday elements on the surrounding streets in the medians------ very pretty indeed!

Another holiday tradition we love is the annual tree lighting in Lafayette Square. That will be held tonight at 6, in the square in front of SqWires and should be a great time to see lots of residents and shop owners as well as some goodies not to mention Santa arriving at 6:30! Bobbi will be covering the event so there will be some great photos to share soon.

Bring on the Elves!

Where are the elves when you need them anyway? When my daughter was a little girl and sleeping around this time of year I'd put a bit of butter on my fingertips and go outside to her window and place "elf prints" on the glass. She was always delighted to find that Santa's elves had been peering in at her and of course reporting her behavior back to the fat man himself. I will note that the whole naughty or nice thing had generally successful results! (I wonder if it would work the same magic now???)

Now I need the elves in their real life forms to swoop down and help around the BBP Studio! New sessions, holiday cards, albums and the like are stacked pretty high on the desks around here and a little elfly intervention would be a good thing! Unfortunately, they are making themselves rather scarce and I can assure you that I've been nice as can be!

All of the holiday cards here at BBP are custom, designed to fit your personality and color preferences, and non elf created. Two recent versions, the red and green above...........

and the blue, white and rose. I don't know which one the client will choose and I love them both!

There is still time for YOUR holiday card so don't delay!

And if there are any elves out there reading this post, send your resume's in post haste, we're hiring, all the hot chocolate you can drink and maybe a martini on Friday evenings in the Square!

New Baby on Board!

It is always such a delight when one of our brides and grooms are expecting their first babies---- I think we're as giddy as the family!

The very sweet Ashley and wonderful Andrew are going to be a mama and papa! They're already quite busy with a new house to work on, and their careers, won't they be surprised to find out that life will never slow down! Well, at least for 18 years or so (give or take 10)!

Congratulations to them both------ our warmest wishes for a happy, healthy pregnancy! Of course, we can't wait to meet the baby when he or she arrives!

***

I hope that everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving----- shopping------ weekend off----- whatever makes your heart sing! It seems like everyone is trying to get back into the swing of things and ready for the holidays that arrive in a very short while.

Snow fell in St. Louis yesterday and today, it was a bit of a shock to see it falling so early in the year, at least judging by the past few years. Let's hope this isn't setting a trend for the white stuff, please!