Our Engagement Photos (For Real)

I joked before that we were going to get our engagement photos done here, but of course, we did not. The talented Steve Koo did our photos. Steve has been an online friend for years, so he was one of the first I thought of when it came to our wedding and engagement photography. We love his style: Not posed, just getting to the heart of the feeling and emotion of a moment. I also love how vibrant the colors in his photos always are. Since Steve is coming with us to Hawaii, I think he will make some beautiful wedding photos.

For our engagement photos, Steve and his assistant Nicky came over to our house early one morning. We decided to walk around our neighborhood, Logan Square, and just take photos as we go. Good plan, but it was seriously about a hundred degrees and as humid as hell that day. I don’t think it shows in the photos, though. The friends I’ve showed these to already have commented how the photos reflect our personalities and our vibe together: Lots of smiles and laughing, no mushy or weird poses. Very real, very casual, and very us!

So, without further ado:

We can’t wait to work with Steve more at our wedding. If you need to get some portraits, engagement photos, family photos or you need a wedding photographer, check out Steve’s portfolio or follow his blog.

I Love My New Uncle Dallas

Shortly after we told my brother that we got engaged he sent us these photos of Jessica doing some art on their driveway with sidewalk chalk. I must admit that my first reaction went something like this: “Awwwww!!!!” And then after a second passed I saw it for what it was: A Hoax! If you have ever met Jessica and Dallas together or have read this site, then you will know why! Plus, that handwriting looks an awful lot like Amanda’s handwriting!

Our Engagement Photos

There’s a photographer located next to The Whistler on Milwaukee Avenue who has the most bizarre photographs in their storefront window display. We were at The Whistler for Dallas’s birthday in and I couldn’t resist finally documenting the craziness!

Dallas’s friend forgot his ID that night and the Whistler wouldn’t let him in so we went to some kind of sketch bar nearby. You had to ring a buzzer to get in and there were signs warning you not to do drugs in the bathroom. From the fancy pants drinks at The Whistler to drug warnings at the other bar.. oh, Logan Square. You are SO having growing pains!

Later on we went up to The Rocking Horse for more drinks and dinner.

Celebrating with Wine, Cheese, and Pizza

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Triple XXX Cheese Flight :: Bin 36, River North, Chicago

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Sauvignon Blanc vs. Chardonnay :: Bin 36, River North, Chicago

Anjum and I planned to take Aimee out for her birthday and Aimee insisted we also include my engagement, so there was a lot of celebrating to do last night! We walked over to Bin 36 and each got a flight of wine. Mine was the Sauvignon Blanc vs. Chardonnay flight.* We also shared the Triple XXX flight of cheese that included an American mozzarella, Brie, a goat cheese, Camembert, and one on the end I can’t remember. On the side we had apricots and figs and some truffled honey. Delicious, delicious, delicious. We need to do this more often!

Aimee and Anjum surprised me with a gift, which was a gift bag with a bunch of wedding magazines in it. It was fun to look through them, although I’m so not in a wedding mode yet. Someone needs to knock me on the head and remind me that when you get engaged then you have to plan a wedding. I think Dallas and I were just so excited to get engaged that when people immediately ask us when or where the wedding is, we have no answer just yet. But it was fun to page through and look at the different stuff. A lot of it is way more than anything we want, I think. One of the magazines was a destination wedding magazine and that was fun too.

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Wild Mushrooms, caramelized onions, taleggio cheese, hazelnuts, truffle oil :: A Mano, River North, Chicago

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Buffalo mozzarella oven dried tomatoes, basil pesto :: A Mano, River North, Chicago

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Classic margherita: Tomatoes, basil & mozzarella :: A Mano, River North, Chicago

After our cheese and wine extravaganza, we decided we should probably eat some real food. Downstairs at A Mano they were having their $5 pizza night so we ordered a few pizzas and had a bit more wine. Great night! I need to go out with the girls from work more often!

*Note to self: Favorite wine of the night was the 2008 Domaine Des Fontanelles Sauvignon Blanc.

2 Parties, 1 Night


Steve, Rachelle, Dallas :: Rogers Park, Chicago

Party 1: Dallas’ college friend Steve and his wife Amy are moving to New Jersey at the end of the month. His going away party was on Saturday night. We played a lot of video games and talked about New Jersey and New York a lot. We don’t see Steve and Amy as much as we should here in Chicago, so wouldn’t it be funny if we get to see them more when we go on trips to the east coast? Oh, also, Steve and Amy have a really, really large and beautiful condo in Rogers Park. It’s for sale if anyone is interested! I wish I had their bathroom. I could live in it. The shower is enormous and includes a huge soaking tub and as if the rain shower head isn’t enough, it also has spouts that spray straight out from the wall!


Chris and Cory :: Humboldt Park, Chicago

Party 2: Dallas’ cousin Cory got engaged to her boyfriend Chris recently while they were on a trip to Vail. Chris’ brother and his fiance threw a party for them to celebrate. I didn’t drink at the first party, but for some reason when we got to the second party I hit the champagne cava big time and played the role of Drunk Girl. I don’t think I did anything too embarassing, but I’m sure I’ll be hearing about it anyway the next time I see all of Dallas’ cousins. FYI, the stuff below is super tasty, but lethal.


Marques de Gelida Cava :: Humboldt Park, Chicago