Hot off the Presses!

The much anticipated engagement photos are here! Many were taken, few will be selected. The main object of these photos will be to make a guest book for attendee's to sign at our reception. However my mom may pick one from the bunch for an engagement announcement. Here are a select few...some good, some goofy. To see the entire line up go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jurgenhooper/EngagementPhotos#

We found these cool iron structures while on our way to a 4th of July party. They are fun to play in.

I think this looks like it could have been taken in Paris. It wasn't. We were in Chicago.
You gotta have at least one in front of the bean. It was raining by this point.
He is trying to bite my ear and I think his expression is hilarious!
Notice the change in attire, and more importantly the change in weather!
Amazing what a little sunlight can do....
We were standing on a dock full of goose crap. Yep, it's true. Anything for the shot.
Two by the lilly pond.
I call this Sweet....
And Sly....
Tiny and not so tiny feet.
Out by the "Point". Check out my sun dress....it was that warm! Who knew?
Kind of looks like a prom shot. And I think we could pass for high schoolers too...
I love these gold shoes. They are falling apart but I love them....

So here is just a smattering of photos. None of which will actually be used for our guest book....we are keeping those a secret. Plus we still have yet to take our night shots, which means even more fabulous photos are on their way!

We LOVED working with our Photographer Kevin Weinstein, and we cannot wait to have him shoot our wedding.

Happy Viewing!

We Got Sunshine!

Hooray!

We were finally able to take our engagement photos today. Whew.

The day began at 8 a.m. (sheesh), but we put on our game faces and got to work. We started around Lincoln park, followed by the Lilly Pond, The History Museum ending at "the point." The point being a beautiful spot by the water with a full view of the Chicago skyline. Lovely.

We had amazing weather: blue skies, cool breeze. You would never know it was October.

Pictures coming soon....so exciting!

Rain Rain go Away

Well we try as we might we just cannot seem to get Mother Nature to shower us with sunshine during our Engagement photo sessions.

Our original session was to be held on September 29th, however the heavens opened up around 10:00am and didn't let up for hours on end.

We rescheduled for yesterday, Tuesday October 7th, at 2:00pm. We managed to get about an hour worth of shots in before the heavens opened, yet again. Ugh.

So we are hoping the old adage "third times the charm" holds true on Friday morning. We will have to make ourselves all pretty at the ungodly hour of 8:00am, but we are troupers. Right now the forecast calls for sun.

Send us your good vibes on Friday morning!

I'm a Satisficer

My name is Blair, and I'm a Satisficer

("Hi Blair!")

While reading the October 2008 issue of Real Simple (love it!) I came across an article by Gretchen Ruebin titled "Ten Ways to be Happier." I was intrigued. In it I learned there are two types of decision makers: "Satificers" and "Maximizers".

She writes:

"Satisficers (yes, satisficers) make a decision once their criteria are met. When they find the hotel or the pasta sauce that has the qualities they want, they're satisfied. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision. Even if they see a bicycle or a backpack that meets their requirements, they can't make a decision until they've examined every option. Satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and they're often anxious about their choices. Sometimes good enough is good enough."

I occured to me, I have been a Satisficer throughout this entire planning process, and will do my darndest to stay that way. I have mentioned this before, but reading it tickled me pink...just a little bit.

I must clarify....I am not always a true Satisficer. You can ask my MOH about the time I spent hours debating over what type of purse to buy. Seriously I spent more time deciding on that than my wedding dress.

What brought on this clarity of choice in decision making? I haven't the slightest idea, but one must not question a good thing....that would be very Maximizer of me.

Smoking Guns

Do you think my mom developed her fierce biceps from stuffing all these envelopes?

Here they are, your tickets to the main event. Our invitations. We had had them for awhile, but now they are all addressed and ready to be stuffed. I am so pleased with how they turned out. These lovelies will be mailed one month from today. In the meantime your mailboxes can pine...
Sorry the photo isn't bigger, but you get the idea. Simple and classy. Just the way I like it.

My mom and I were both in agreement from the get-go that neither of us wanted to address the invites. Our handwriting simply will not do, not to mention the idea of hand cramps make us cringe (I am a hand model after all!). So we hired a calligrapher.

Her name is Kim Diamond and she did a wonderful job! Should you wish to inquire about her services contact me! I will hook you up.

I scratched out some of the pertinent info, so no one gets stalked, or egged, or TP'd


Thank you Kim!

And thank you Mom for doing all that stuffing!

Bar none to bar some....and then some....

I have determined the trick to a long lasting relationship is access to nice wine and good spirits at all times. Wine solves everything.

Therefore it is necessary to have a stock the bar shower. Thank you to the Taustine's, Butler's, Lawrence's and Penta's for hosting a delightful party for us this past weekend. Jürgen wishes he could have been there, but alas the stage calls and that is where he was. Thank you also to all who attended! It was wonderful seeing all of you and catching up, and I am so blessed to have so many lovely people who are excited and supportive.

Here are some fun photos!

Everyone needs a nice Tequila! Thank you to Bo for keeping track of the gifts!

Everyone also needs nice wine glasses!

Cheers everyone! Thank you!