Fashion Friday: The Fitted Little Leather Jacket

Hello Friday!

I hope your not freezing your tails off! New York got cold for a bit, now it's slowly moving back up into the mid 40-50s. Yay! Now I don't have to be bundled up like an Eskimo. But, who knows, you never know what's around the corner! Since it's Friday, I wanted to keep up with my favorite pieces for the upcoming weekend. I always had a thing for a nice fitted leather jacket. I love black and brown! I'm not super comfortable about wearing a trendy one, just a jacket that fits right and is made from quality leather material. These leather jackets look great with jeans, black fitted pants, dresses, and leggings. It's definitely weekend wear! Save your money and invest in a real leather jacket that will last a lifetime! So this upcoming weekend, give your look a bit of an edge with a fitted leather jacket. You won't regret it!

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.: January Children's Book

Hello There!

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., I wanted to review a book I thought would be helpful for students ages 6-9. For most children, it is hard to bring up death and disaster to them. That is why a teacher needs to celebrate the lives of the people who were part of our history in a prominent and honorable way. It is a book called; The Cart that Carried Martin: by Eve Bunting. This book gives teachers and parents a positive and honorable angle on the man that changed America forever. Students need to learn these  very important figures in history, not the horrible way ones life abruptly ended. It's sad to see these things happen to such courageous people. Let's celebrate the great things he did for the future of America! This book is set on the day he was laid to rest in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a great book that pays homage to such an inspirational American Figure. Here's a link to MLK's Biography and History. Thank You, Dr. King!


To save man from the morass of propaganda, in my opinion, is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction. 

-Martin Luther King, Jr., The Purpose of Education

MLK's Biography Link:

http://www.history.com/topics/martin-luther-king-jr

Words of Advice: Life as I Know It Right Now

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a great start to the New Year! I have still been transitioning from my move career wise. As I look back in my life, I see major triumphs and challenges. One of these challenges I am facing as we speak. Being in a big city sounds glamorous and well played, and it is at times. But, sometimes it not all roses and daisies. I mean, the sweet isn't as sweet without the bitter. Ever heard that one? Finding that perfect job is challenging and demanding. Technology has its pros and cons when you are scouting for one. Sometimes I just want to yell at my computer saying " You're not a human being!" I need a face to face connection! I recently spoke with someone who was in my exact position. She was really helpful and told me it's hard right now, but will only get better in due time. I'm not impatient, I just want to fast forward thru life once in awhile.

But, I know I don't have the magical ability to time travel.

We can't learn from our mistakes if we do. Life is full of choices and decisions. We just have to roll with it and make sure we pick what's best for ourselves at the time. I know I will become a success. I know what I end up doing will better the world in some way. No one can stop me and I have the ability, and my good health right at my feet.

So Kristen, calm down and understand that your time to shine and show my talents will come again. I have faith in myself!  Your time to shine will happen too, just be patient! Speaking of patience, here is a picture of Patience the NYPL statue. Hmmm, I wonder what makes her so patient?

January Children's Book: The Snowy Day

Happy January!

If you are a Midwestern or Northeastern State, I hope you are enjoying your streets full of glowing white snow! Wow, this weekend was a whitewash! As I trudged around Central Park, I noticed tons of kids sledding! I thought: " Why not blog about SNOW ". Since it's January, I wanted to continue on with my children's book reviews as well. This one in particular is an oldie but goodie! It's called  The Snowy Day: by Ezra Jack Keats. Every time I see this book, it makes me all fuzzy inside. I love the pictures of the urban setting that this story takes place. This book is pretty simple: it's all about a boy in a red snowsuit that wakes up one morning to the sight of fresh gleaming snow. He discovers this snow and what it feels like and how you could play in it. It's a great book for ages 3-6 that are using their senses in the snow. If your a teacher like me and need some ideas, here's a great website to tie this book into your lessons. Here's also a website dedicated to the author.

About The Author:

http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/the-snowy-day/

Teaching Ideas:

http://www.teachingheart.net/snowyday.html

Have a Snowy Day!

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Good Day!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Since the holidays are done, and the new year is here, I thought I would give a bit of an uplifting spirit to those that face January and February with an unwelcoming attitude. Researchers says that the month of January is the least favored and hard on people. Yes, it's cold, there's no celebrations, and it's either back to work or school for most. But, I think that if we truly try and make it a celebrating month of new beginning, and focus, we can appreciate this month. November and December are time for families to come together and show love and support for one another. You know what they say about company after three days. Company is like fish, you can deal with it in your fridge for a couple days, but after the third day it starts to smell. I enjoy my family get togethers tremendously, but I like getting back on my own schedule of fitness, finding that perfect career, and moving on with day to day things is refreshing! When we tend to doubt, think negatively, and complain, we won't reach our desired goals and place ourselves in a box. Thinking positively leads to more happiness. Happiness leads to:

-Better work performance and more success.
-Connections with communities and better friendships
-Better Health
-Higher income and financial success
-Better outlook on life
-Stronger family bonds in marriages and children
-Healthier body
-Goals become attainable
-Higher Self-Esteem

Remember you have the ability to create your best life, in doing so, you create the majority of your own happiness. Sounds pretty awesome, right? So enjoy the new year in your new positive outlook for 2014! Live your best life!

New Years: I Love You 2013, Bring on 2014!

Good Day!

Since we are almost through with 2013, I thought I would wrap it up by going though the many memories that went on in such a whirlwind period of my life. No, I'm not going to stand here and write you a brag letter. I hate those! But, more importantly, recap the things that went on not only in my life, but the world around me as I saw it. 2013 was a major growth spurt in my life. I learned to let go of possessions I carried throughout high school and college, in order to fit into a small studio apartment with my fiancé. I was proud of myself to shed no longer used materials and clothing to give it to someone in need. My last year of grad school was a major game changer. I enjoyed working with all the professors, students and children I met at Belmont, Vanderbilt's Susan Gray, and Rutland Elementary. It's funny because as a teacher, you're supposed to be the educator. I learned so much from the students I taught! They're all little masterminds! I broke down in tears at the end of my last professor evaluation because they had such an essential impact on my learning. It was also sad to say goodbye.

On the upside, I got engaged to the love of my life and we are now living in New York City! My sisters wedding was also a very important day in my life. Not only do I have her, but I gained a wonderful brother-in-law as well. She will always be my little sister! Hmm....what else happened? I learned how to make the best green juices ever! They are so good for you. That is on my list for New Years Resolutions. Ok, since I'm onto lists, here is one that shouldn't be too hard to handle. I'm writing it now, so it's in stone.

I learned to let go of things that happened in the past, and deal with things as they are. I can't change the past, but I can prepare and try my best to be the best that I can offer this little ol' world.

2014 New Years Resolution:

1. Find A Great Place To Work!
2. Drink More Green Juice!
3. Stay In Shape So I Can Fit Into My Wedding Dress.
4. Write, Write, Write.
5. Plan A Wonderful Wedding.
6. Find a Bigger Place to Live.
7. Be Kind and Considerate, and Stay Positive:)
8.Keep Making Baby Steps towards my Goals.
9.Live My Dreams And Stay Passionate About Things That I Love.
10.Give Back What I Receive.
11. Keep In Touch With Family And Friends.
12. Stay Inspired and Keep Creating New Ideas!
13.Keep in Touch With People That Matter!
14. Don't Take Things Too Seriously, and Keep Things General. Plans and Life change! Be Flexible!

Great! It looks like 2014 will be a very busy, yet exciting year! What about you, what are your New Years Resolutions?

Bagels Everywhere! The NY Bagel and It's History

Hello!

Since I head out everyday onto the busy streets of New York, I thought I would give you a a refresher on the history and creation of a New York bagel. These little pieces of soft dough have so much love to give! There's a bagel deli on every corner in this city. It's hard not to pay homage to such a rotund circle of dough. I was not really aware of the different ingredients and makeup of bagels from all over the world. Here's a little history course: Thousands of Eastern European Jews immigrated to The United States in 1880. They brought with them a cherished recipe to create the bagel.  Large cities that had a increased Jewish population such as Chicago and New York, soon became associated with the bagel. It wasn't until the 1960s when bagel production increased dramatically, that the machine produced hundreds of bagels per hour. In the 80s,  people were consuming 1 bagel per month. By the mid 90s, consumption jumped from one bagel a month, to one bagel every two weeks!

There are two distinct North American bagels. The Montreal style which contains malt and sugar but no salt. It usually has the poppy or sesame seeds on the surface. It's boiled in a honey sweet water before it it transferred to the wood burning fire. The New York Style bagel contains salt and malt and is boiled in water before being baked in an oven. The New York bagel has a puffy, soft,  crust, (like a pretzel), whereas the Montreal is smaller sweeter and crunchier. The popular bagel around this area is of course the lox (salmon) and cream cheese. The NY Deli's have large bowls filled with cream cheese of every flavor. Can I just get a schmear? My taste buds are quite simple, I love a good everything bagel toasted, with plain cream cheese. Michael loves his breakfast bagels. Yum! Here's some great NY Deli's that make some noteworthy bagels! I love bagels!


Best NYC Bagel:

http://www.restaurantsinyc.com/best-bagels-in-new-york-city

Holiday Gift Guide: Don't Forget The Dog or Cat!

Hello There!

Don't forget those cute little pets you live with! Bark box.com is a great gift for the dog in your life. Like Birchbox, Barkbox is a monthly little box that comes to your home filled with the latest and greatest pet products for your dog. It's usually filled with toys and food. Fluffy will love it! C. Wonder has these great dog and cat food bowls and collars as well. They even have a cute dog jacket! I noticed T.J. Maxx has some really cute dog bowls, organic treats, leashes and other pet trinkets for a inexpensive price. Etsy online has some great homemade things for your little precious pet. I'm not one to spoil an animal, but I would get them a small gift for the holidays. There's a difference between catering to your pet and caring for a pet. My sister would beg to differ. Happy Holidays!

Bark box:

https://barkbox.com

Etsy Pet:

http://www.etsy.com/browse/home-garden/pets

C. Wonder Pet:
http://www.cwonder.com/search?text=Pets&_requestConfirmationToken=e5a98ff4a098cb1cbcbbec6419e8b044389d1dd9

T.J. Maxx:

http://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/index.jsp

New York Vs. Chicago Style Pizza

Good Day!

Since I'm becoming acclimated to my new surroundings, I thought I would try out the ever popular New York Pizzerias in the area. I'm probably going to get a great deal of hate mail by posting my personal opinions, but this is my blog and I'm entitled to my own opinions. There's always been a competition between who has the best pizza. I'm here to give you my own personal opinion about what I like best. Yes, I've been to the best pizzerias in Chicago; Lou Malnatis, Giordano's, Pequod's and The Art of Pizza. For some reason, I was never enthused about the super thick pizza pie filling that filled me up in one piece. Sorry! I still have love for you Chicago!

I think my taste buds prefer thin crust, a cheesy and crunchy, but soft slice. There's so many great little pizza spots around here! To each their own, right? I don't know what the whole battle was about, maybe it had to do with the 1930s gangster prohibition times. My fiancé would beg to differ. He could care less about the big city battle. He enjoys a great pizzeria from his hometown called Chet and Matt's in Huron, Ohio (it is pretty good). All I know is that I can't wait to try some great New York thin crust pizza! Mmmmmmm! Here's a list of the best New York style pizzerias. What about you? What's your favorite, New York or Chicago Style pizza? Here's some photos of my New York slice!

Timeout Best New York Pizza:

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/best-new-york-pizza-the-top-25-pies-in-the-city

Oh, There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays!

Hello Everyone!

I hope your having a fabulous week. Since I am just now adjusting from my moving transition from Nashville to New York, it's been a change! I just finished organizing my belongings into a tiny shoebox size studio for two.I feel like two sardines in a tin can. Two sparkling sardines, that is. This place needed a woman's touch!  While it's quite cozy, it is also tight quarters! I felt like organizing was a game of Tetris. Everything had to be in its place in order for this to be comfortable. Guess what, my belongings fit perfectly! Now, our little place is so quaint!

When I  was finished, I felt the need to encompass some sign of the holidays in this space!
Right down the block from our humble little abode, was a small flower shop that was selling itty bitty Christmas trees! So cute:) I thought it would be so festive to grab one and decorate it with lights. Now, it's no Rockefeller Center tree, but you get it. Since we do have such a small studio, I've been trying to persuade him in getting one. It's literally 3 feet high. It will be a Charlie Brown Christmas!  I guess my point of this blog post is to make the best of what you have and the people who are in your life during the holidays. Don't wait for that perfect place. Enjoy life right now. Prepare for the future, but live in the present. No matter where you live. This is one life lesson that I must learn. That's what the holidays are about. Here's some photos of the city I took while shopping for my nieces. Have a good one!