Sunday, January 31, 2010

Helllo!

Well my first week of student teaching got off to a rough start! I woke up on Wednesday at around 4 in the morning, so so so sick with a horrible stomach flu! I guess I need to boost my immune system a bit. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the week in bed! I am finally feeling better and hoping this week goes much smoother!

Love
I was so excited to open my mailbox and find these beautiful earrings! I won Starfish & Sundresses giveaway - thanks again! I can't wait to wear these with my new CK Bradley dress
in FL in 2 weeks!


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Wabi Sabi!

Second day of student teaching down! Wahoo! Today I did a read aloud for my students from the book Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein and illustrated by Ed Young - such an amazing book and so beautifully illustrated, you need to check it out.
I thought I would share the Japanese Philosophy of Wabi Sabi because it is actually something very beautiful. . It means, more or less, that you are able to appreciate the beauty in simple, everyday items or moments that might be missed by most. Wabi-sabi is underplayed and modest, the kind of quiet, undeclared beauty that waits patiently to be discovered. Through wabi-sabi, we learn to embrace liver spots, rust, and frayed edges, and the march of time they represent. I find the nicks and chips in a piece of pottery I have sitting on my desk to be beautiful, it's my wabi sabi - what is yours?

Monday, January 25, 2010

and I'm a Student Teacher!

As most of you know, I headed back to Graduate School this past June to get my Masters in Education. I am now entering my final phase of the program which is my practicum and I will be student teaching in a 3rd grade classroom until the end of May! Today was my first full day and I am BEAT! I know there will be some long and trying days ahead but in my heart I know it will be all worth it. The poem below is something I have hanging above my desk to remind me everyday how important teachers are!

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE
The dinner guests were sitting around the table
discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain
the problem with education. He argued:
"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided
his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true
what they say about teachers: "Those who can...do.
Those who can't ... teach."

To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a
teacher, Susan," he said. "Be honest. What do you
make?"

Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness,
replied, "You want to know what I make?"

"I make kids work harder than they ever thought they
could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal
of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the
student did not do his or her very best."

"I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence."

"I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home"

"You want to know what I make?"

"I make kids wonder."

"I make them question."

"I make them criticize."

"I make them apologize and mean it."

"I make them write."

"I make them read, read, read."

"I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely
beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and
over again, until they will never misspell either one
of those words again."

"I make them show all their work in math and hide it
all on their final drafts in English."

"I make them understand that if you have the brains,
then follow your heart...and if someone ever tries to
judge you by what you make, you pay them no
attention!"

"You want to know what I make?"

"I make a difference."

"And you? What do you make?"


Friday, January 22, 2010

Love THIS!

My good friend Cassie from Cassie Adams Designs (she did my blog header) has created such a fun 2010 Decorative Calendar! Best part is -- that the quote seen on May, is one of my favorites and is proudly displayed as my gchat quote! Cassie was inspired by it and included it on her calendar - how cool?! You simply must check out her site, I use her all the time for my invitations!

The Quote:

"Be pretty if you can,

be witty if you must,

but

be gracious if it kills you."

- Elsie de Wolfe


The Calendar

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Back in Boston!

Well I am back in Boston. I had a tres fab time at home, I truly heart NY! I got to spend some much needed quality time with family and friends. Friday night was especially fun as I got together with some of my besties, some of these girls I have known since I was 15 - amazing! Nothing like a fun girls night out to bring a smile to your face!

My Girls and I at dinner!
Some of my besties!

We have been friends together
In sunshine and in shade...

Monday, January 18, 2010

JOJO's Bling Discount Code!

As I reported a few days ago, I am obsessed with JOJO and her bling earrings! I picked up my first pair last week and have been loving them - so fun! The girls over at JOJO have been so kind and are extending a 20% discount code to us - so excited! Head on over and get your bling today, receive 20% off when you enter "thanks" at checkout! Sale ends today!

KAG's 1st pair of JOJO's Bling!

Get your bling today!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Valentines That Help Haiti!

Send some love to your family and friends this Valentine's Day and help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti as well! For more information visit, Ashley Brooke Designs!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Shop for a Cause!

Kim Kardashian's New Fragrance...

I am a big fan of Kim Kardashian, I think the whole family is hysterical and my guilty pleasure is totally watching Keeping Up With The Kardashian's every Sunday night! However, I don't know how I feel about Kim coming out with her own fragrance? I feel like every other celebrity these days feels the need to create a perfume. Well, I happened to be in Sephora the other day and I tested out her signature scent and was pleasantly surprised! I just couldn't bring myself to buy a bottle though -- it felt cheesy for some reason? What is your take on her new fragrance?


The Bottle

Kim's Print Ad for the Fragrance

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

And the WINNER Is!

Congrats to Katie from Let's Be Preppy! She is the proud winner of the A. Tierney Flower Cuff! Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Monday, January 11, 2010

JOJO - Love this!

Since moving to Boston, I have seen tons of women wearing these super fun stud earrings, recently I've felt like every other woman I see on the street has a pair of these studs on! And then my friend (LJG) had a pair on in class this weekend (yes I was in class all weekend! Not fun...)I was so excited because I finally was able to find out who made these fab baubles! The answer was JOJO and she calls these awesome studs Bling...so fun! These one and only Bling Earrings are hand crafted in JoJo's studio in Boston, MA. Vintage Swarovski crystals are handset in sterling silver posts and then packaged on their hand-punched pink hearts and placed in their signature round silver tins. Best part is -- they are only $30! I am off to buy my first pair today! So excited!


JoJo's Bling Earrings!
Party Bling
Bling


PS! Today is the last day to enter my blogoversary giveaway!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

It's My 1 Year Blogoversary & Giveaway!

I am so excited to announce that today is my 1 Year Blogoversary! I started this blog one year ago today with a small introductory post and had no idea what I was getting myself into! I am still here and still truly love this blog and feel so lucky to have become part of a wonderful blogging community. A special thanks to all of my readers who visit my blog and share kind words, you are a very special part of everyday!
I am celebrating my blogoversary by hosting a tres fab A. Tierney Giveaway! Special thanks to Alyssa - owner of A. Tierney, who has always been supportive of Monograms & Martinis! One lucky winner will be the proud owner of the A. Tierney Flower Cuff - in the color of their choice! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cuff, I have been giving it all year as birthdays gifts
and my friends and family are obsessed!

The A. Tierney Flower Cuff!

To Enter:

1.) Let me know how long you have been reading my blog for and leave a comment by Monday, January 11th, by 8pm EST. Make sure you put your email address or link to your blog so I can find you for 1 entry!

2.) Tweet about my giveaway with a link to this post & also my twitter ID, @KAG24, for 2 entries

3.) Add my address to your Blog Roll or become a follower for 3 entries

4.) Write a post about my giveaway on your blog for 4 entries

Best Of Luck To Everyone & Thanks For Reading My Blog!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Tangerines are in Season...

February is peak time for this Florida fruit -
make the most of it by making yummy tangerine tea cakes!

Tangerine Tea Cakes!

Ingredients

  • 13 ounces almond paste or marzipan
  • 1 tablespoon tangerine or orange marmalade or apricot jam
  • 1 tangerine, sectioned and rind grated
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Arrange 50 mini muffin paper cups on a sheet pan. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment combine the almond paste, jam and tangerine rind until smooth. Mix in the eggs 1 at a time, adding the single yolk last. Add the flour and mix on low speed. Add the melted butter and mix until blended. Fill a pastry bag with the batter and pipe into the cups filling each 3/4 full. Place 1/4 of a tangerine section, with the cut side facing up on each teacake then sprinkle them all liberally with powdered sugar. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until firm and lightly browned, about 20 minute. Cool and serve at room temperature in their papers.

*Recipe from the Food Network*

I am very excited to announce that tomorrow is my 1 year Blogoversary!

I am hoping to celebrate with a tres fab giveaway!


Monday, January 4, 2010

Entertaining: Red Wines Under $10!

Some of my friends who are wine guru's have always told me that you do not need to spend a lot on a bottle of wine to get delicious flavor. Here are a few of my favorite bargain bottles of red -- your friends will think you spent a fortune!

Alto Almanzora Este
Blueberry, plum, fruitcake, and chocolate are a few of the flavors in this six-grape blend from Spain - delish! A bottle is only $8.99!

Alamos
Malbec is super popular right now, it was our wine of choice in Stowe over New Years - loved it! Alamos is an Argentinean variety that boasts a hint of
sweet spice that makes it wonderful with Steak - yum!
A bottle is $9.99!

Vinos Pinol Ludovicus
This wine is a combo of four Spanish wines - so yummy!
Best part, it tastes very expensive!
A bottle is $8.99!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Happy New Year!

Our 2010 New Year's Card!

And I'm Back!

Happy New Year! 2009 was a wonderful year for me
and I am sad to see it go but I am so excited for 2010 --
I think there are awesome things to come!
The boyf and I went to Stowe, VT with some friends for New Years,
we had a blast!
I hope everyone is enjoying 2010 so far...

Ski House in Stowe
View of the Mountain from the house
The Boyf and I on the slopes!