Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Happy Birthday to ME!

I can't believe I am another year older! 26 was an amazing year,
but I think 27 is going to take the cake. I get to marry MMB!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Wedding Poem Candle Set

I have to say I just LOVED all of my bridal shower gifts, they were truly fabulous and so generous. My good friend LM, attached the Wedding Poem Candle Set to her gift and it is such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. The wedding poem requires specific colored taper candles to be used at different landmark events in the married couples life and this set includes all of the candles. Such a fabulous gift that I know I will be giving to brides-to-be!

The wedding poem reads:

A basket of candles that come in a pair,
of all different colors, for you two to share.

The white ones burn first, they are wrapped in white lace,
to celebrate the first night in your new chosen place.

The mauve pair is smaller, and thinner,
they burn with your first company over for dinner.

There are candles to burn Christmas Eve, before bed,
your first Christmas married, that’s why they are red.

The navy candles are for your first fight;
use them to burn when making up all night.

Pink candles will set the mood and pave the way
for your very first married Valentine’s Day.

Now when your first year of marriage is through,
the Ivory anniversary pair will light for you two.

By this time we hope maybe, just maybe,
you could burn the yellow ones on the birth of your baby.

And just when you thought you could put these away;
take the light blue ones for your fifth anniversary day.

Now just one pair left for the big "25",
the anniversary pair that will keep your love alive.

So congratulations both of you on the start of your "forever",
may the two of you always be happy together.

And burn these candles just like I said,
but please don’t forget…blow them out before bed!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Vineyard Vines & the Kentucky Derby!

Last week WWD (Women's Wear Daily) reported
that Vineyard Vines was creating a collection for the Kentucky Derby!
How exciting, it should be perfectly preppy.
VV will be releasing a line of custom clothing for men and women this April,
just in time for the annual Run for the Roses!


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

New York Bridal Shower Recap!

I am back from my bridal shower weekend in New York. It truly was such an amazing and special day, I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to shower me with love. A few of my Mom's friends hosted my shower at the yacht club and they did a spectacular job, the room looked perfect and the tables were beautiful. It was great to see all of my friends and family who traveled from near and far to be apart of my special day, I am one lucky girl! The presents were beyond generous and thoughtful, I loved all of them. Now I am off to finish writing my thank you notes!

The pretty tables & amazing view!
Favors/Centerpieces...CTS and CVS did an amazing job creating them!
The flowers were in stemless wine glasses - loved.
My MOH's & Bridesmaids!
My sisters and best MOH's ever!
LI girls
Villanova Girls
Time to open gifts...
MOB & MOG
Aunt Mary's basket full of gifts!
Inside were decorations for every holiday, such a great gift!
I sat in the bride-to-be chair, so fun!
Aunt J wins most creative gift!
My girls did a great job with my hat :)
Hahaha...

Mommy's Oscar de la Renta lingerie gift, so beautiful.
Everyone is laughing in this pic because Mrs. D, told the crowd,
"the robe is just in case of a fire!"
Heart the married monogram!
PWYC has a heavy hand!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Irish Eyes Are Smiling...

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays, as my whole family is IRISH!
Our family actually still owns a farm in County Kerry in Ireland,
one of the most beautiful places in the world.
(I might be a little biased!)

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!


Killarney Ireland, in County Kerry

*and today marks 100 days until
MMB and I TIE THE KNOT!!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Wedding Program...

This past weekend was fabulous and included lots of wedding planning. Besides the floral mock up at the house, we spent an afternoon picking out music and other details for the wedding Mass. It was really special and got me back to thinking about what really is important -- to remember that MMB and I are getting married! It's not about the reception (although that will be an amazing party), it's about the vows we will take in front of our family, friends and God. Picking out the music to be played in Church and the Scripture we want read at the Mass was really special. My mom got teary eyed when our musician played the song she will walk into the church to... special moments like that will forever be burned into my memory.

I have started working on the wedding program and wow is it A LOT of work! I feel pretty confident that I have gotten most of it done and I will be sending it to our Reverend to look over. The actual program will be printed by William Arthur, and I love it! Have any of you brides out there been working on your programs?

Love the program,
we are going to be changing out the ribbon and the print will be navy.

*Wishing my Mama a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I love you very much!

Monday, March 14, 2011

on repeat...

I am listening to Colder Weather on repeat...LOVE IT!

And the WINNER Is!

Congrats to Living Well for winning my Smathers & Branson giveaway! I hope you enjoy your coaster set. Thanks to everyone who entered and a very special thank you to Smathers & Branson for hosting this fab giveaway!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Smathers & Branson GIVEAWAY & Discount Code!

The month of giveaway continues with a fabulous festive coaster set from one of my FAVORITE companies, Smathers and Branson. I have to start off by saying, Smathers & Branson IS THE NEEDLEPOINT BELT company, there are some copycats out there but the products just don't compare. S&B offers fabulous needlepoint products, that are entirely hand-stitched, this allows every single product to be unique! Most people are familiar with their classic belts which are versatile enough to wear from cocktail parties to the office or from the links to a night at your favorite watering hole.
Besides belts, Smathers & Branson has a wide range of products including key fobs, dog collars, wallets, flasks and coasters! I am actually loving the coasters right now and think they make a wonderful gift! When Peter and Austin (owners and pretty cool guys in general) approached me about hosting a giveaway, I knew which product it had to be!
The Clover Coaster Set...a $75 value!
(St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite days of the year!).
Smathers & Branson are also offering a discount code to all KAG readers!!!
Enter MMARTINI at checkout and
receive 10% off your coaster order!
*offer valid until Saturday March 12th at 3am*


To Enter:

*Please leave each entry as a separate comment!!!

1.) "LIKE" Smathers & Branson on Facebook and follow Monograms & Martinis to receive 1 entry (make sure you let me know you did this!)

2.) Follow Smathers & Branson on Twitter (@SandBBelts) and retweet about my giveaway with a link to this post & also my twitter ID, @KAG24 and @SandBBelts for 2 entries

3.)Leave a comment with your favorite product by Smathers & Branson by Friday, March 11th by 8pm EST. Make sure you put your email address or link to your blog so I can find you for 3entries

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

*All entries must be entered by Friday, March 11th by 8pm EST!


Monday, March 7, 2011

Wedding Details!

I have been working on little wedding details today and I was so excited when my calligrapher sent along some pictures of the envelopes! It's all coming together :) I am also working with the fabulous Ashley Brooke to create custom stamps for the wedding invitation, I just got a sneak peek at them and they are amazing! I am one happy bride-to-be!

Our Wedding Invitation Envelopes!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

And the WINNER Is!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the JoJo Loves You Giveaway! Unfortunately, there can only be one winner and it is Lindsay from Vineyard Loveknots! Enjoy your pair of blings and bling bangle!

Stay tuned this week for another amazing GIVEAWAY

Lindsay was the winner of these lovely baubles from


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

JoJo Loves You ~ GIVEAWAY!

It's my birthday month,
so I am hosting a couple of giveaways
from some of my favorite companies.
I am so excited to host a giveaway from JoJo Loves You! They are one of my favorite jewelry lines, my bridesmaids will be wearing earrings from JoJo, love them! Recently, I have been wearing the Fleur Blings, so fun and perfect for Spring. You simply must check out their site and look around, you are sure to find something perfect!
JoJo is being super generous and offering the winner of this giveaway, a pair of the original bling earrings (I have about 10 pair and always get compliments when I wear them)
and a bling bangle, in a color of your choice!
This giveaway ends this Friday, March 4th - so enter now!!!

*Thanks so much to JoJo Loves You
for offering this giveaway to KAG readers!


To Enter:

1.) "LIKE" JoJo Loves You on Facebook and receive 1 entry (make sure you let me know you did this!)

2.) Follow JoJo Loves You on Twitter (@jojolovesblings) and retweet about my giveaway with a link to this post & also my twitter ID, @KAG24 and @jojolovesblings for 2 entries

3.)Leave a comment with your favorite product by JoJo Loves You by Friday, March 4th by 8pm EST. Make sure you put your email address or link to your blog so I can find you for 3 entries

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

*All entries must be entered by Friday, March 4th by 8pm EST!