On the road again...

I hope everyone had tres fab Holidays! I have been home in NY since Wednesday and it has been wonderful. Seeing family and friends always reminds me how truly blessed I am!

I am on the road again today heading back to Boston

and then onto Stowe, VT for some skiing and New Year's Fun!

Santa Came!

My family's Christmas Card this year -- we crack ourselves up!

Home for the Holidays!

Seeing is believing,

but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.

--The Polar Express

Well I am driving home to NY today to celebrate Christmas with the family,

I am so excited to head back home to see family and friends!

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday!

Nars Velvet Lip Pencil....

My BFF KB was the one to introduce and give me my first Nars Velvet Lip Pencil, she swore by it and after forcefully converting me, I am truly obsessed! These pencils are now all over the magazines - I love when I am ahead of a trend haha!

Editors are saying it "gives you a date-ready pout!",

I couldn't agree more and it photographs amazingly.

Do any of you use this lip pencil?

My fav color is Bahama - love love love it.

My own NARS pencil next to the mag!

Candy Canes as Valentine's Day Treats...

As I look at my beautiful Christmas Tree, I know that no one will eat the darling candy canes that are hanging from the tree, they never do and

unfortunately usually get thrown out when the tree comes down.

However, this year, I will be saving the candy canes and using them at Valentine's Day!

How perfect?!

Original purpose: Adorning Christmas trees and stuffing stockings.
Aha! use: Valentine candy. With some minor melting, they can decorate cupcakes and gift boxes, or cards that will be hand delivered.
How to do it: Remove the cellophane wrapping from the canes and form hearts by placing them hook to hook and tail to tail on a nonstick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for 2 to 4 minutes (depending on the canes' size) or until they stick together when you pinch the ends lightly. Cool thoroughly and remove with a spatula. If you want to make flat hearts with psychedelic stripes, bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Reward: Leftovers that say "love."

*Image and Idea From Real Simple*

Our Christmas Card!

The Boyf (MMB) and KAG's 2009 Christmas Card!

Genius!

Like most of you, I love to wear my jeans tucked into my boots, however, I HATE when my pants bunch in the legs and don't look right.

Enter the Kuza Strap!

Hook the Kuza Strap to the hems to create stirrups!

Your jeans or pants will never bunch again when you tuck them into your boots!

AMAZING - off to order a pair now!

How it works:

Jack Cards - Snail Mail Lovers Check This Out!

For all you snail mail lovers, you are going to be obsessed with Jack Cards, this site reminds you when to send a traditional greeting card and supplies the actual card too!

How It Works:

1. Sign up and enter important dates (from your sister's birthday to Father's Day).

2. Select each card from over 1,000. Jack Cards will deliver every one to you pre-stamped, addressed and ready to be signed before each big day!

3. Membership is free, cards start at $2!

I just put in all my important dates yesterday and ordered some cards,

it seemed simpleand I know I will be prepared for all those birthdays!

How great?!

Bahamas Recap!

I am back from the Bahamas, the boyf and I had an amazing time --

it went way too fast!

The weather was amazing,

it was the perfect getaway from a Boston winter!

Now I just have to complete my last final paper that is due on Wednesday

and I am done with another semester of Grad School! Wahoo!

A Few of my Favorite Pics from the Bahamas:

The boyf (MMB) and I on our last night in the Bahamas!

Gold Jack Rogers and Sperry's = a classic pair. Loved this fire pit at night!

Massages on the beach were amazing!

Beautiful Views!

Can I go back now?!

Bahamas!

Well the boyf and I are off to the Bahamas very early tomorrow morning. I am so excited to get out of this cold Boston weather and head to the islands for some SUN! We will be gone until Monday evening, the perfect long weekend and a very wonderful Christmas present,

he is the best isn't he?!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Can't wait to be sipping on one of these!

Bahamas!

Thought of the Day...

"Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win."

--Nadia Comanec

I am trying to keep this food for thought in my head as I drown in final projects for Grad School! Hard work always pays off, and as my reward I am headed to the Bahamas on Friday with the boyf for a long weekend, best Christmas present ever!

Bahamas here I come!

MIJA Jewelry and Discount Code!

As I have mentioned before, I simply adore MIJA Jewelry - it is stunning! The collection is crafted from the finest quality gold, silver, gemstones, and pearls. The pieces are cast from original hand-carved wax sculptures and the gemstones are individually set by hand. MIJA's creator Michelle Guest is so very talented and just as nice! She is offering a discount code to all Monogram and Martini readers - enter MandM20 at checkout and receive 20% off your entire purchase - this offer is valid through December 20th. MIJA has something for everyone, and her pieces make the perfect Holiday gift! So head on over and start shopping,

you don't want to miss this discount!

A few of my favorite pieces!

IN or OUT: Poinsettias

So I have been reading that Poinsettias are out, they are being called old-fashioned and frumpy! While they are not my all time favorite flower, they do remind me of Christmas and home, they're traditional - right? Well, it seems the new in flower for the season is the Amaryllis. They are beautiful and fun - but don't scream Christmas to me?

What do you all think are Poinsettias in or out?

Poinsettias

Amaryllis

Mantra!

My BFF LAB had posted this on her blog and I just LOVED it, such wonderful food for thought! I've saved it as my desktop image...

I Want These Under My Christmas Tree!

How darling are these "big flower" earrings from Amanda Rudey? I love the smoky topaz paired with the pearls! Just might have to add these to my Christmas list!

Santa I've been really good!

Hope you all have a tres fab weekend!

Amanda Rudey Large Flower Earrings!

The Ultimate Brush?!

Every time I find someone who has fab hair, I always ask, "What is your secret?"(I mean who doesn't want to be able to give themselves an amazing blowout?) There seems to be a common product in every answer and that is, "I have this amazing brush..." Well that amazing brush is the Mason Pearson brush, which costs about $150. Now I think that is just CRAZY!

Unless the brush is going to give me an actual blowout,

I don't think I am interested.

Have any of you used this brush -

is it as amazing as everyone says it is?

Mason Pearson Brush

Thought of the Day...

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly

-proverb

Witty Words by L.A.B!

As I have mentioned before, my bff LAB, started a wonderful biz - Witty Words by L.A.B. She has written rhymes for party invitations, special toasts, and even witty poems for many of my friends and family - she is so talented! With the Holidays rapidly approaching, be sure to check out Witty Words by L.A.B. -

'Tis The Season To Be Witty!

I know she will be jazzing up my Christmas card with a little ditty!