Winter Style 2014: Don the Winter White

Hello Friends!


Today I thought I would share with you my curiosity with the color white this winter. I would have NEVER even thought of wearing a pair of white pants after Labor Day. Since I've lived in the city, I've learned that some rules are meant to be broken.

A little "risqué" you might add.

The color white looks so elegant on. Women waiting their whole lives for that special wedding day don the purest of white shades. Since my wedding day has come and gone, I thought, why not take full advantage and wear a little white. It's not snowing in New York yet, so I'm not waiting for the snow to accessorize with this color. Before I did, I wanted to consult Vogue and make sure that I wouldn't be the laughing stock of the town. Beyonce's sisters entourage showed this color tastefully.

So, I went out and this is what I wore:

Baby, it's cold outside!


Vanity Fair:

http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/11/beyonce-saved-solange-wedding

Vogue:

http://www.vogue.com/4598559/white-pants-kim-kardashian-anne-hathaway/


Harpers:
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/fall-2014-celebrity-jeans-trends-11#slide-1

Kristen's Killer Krispy Kale Chips

Hello Friends!

Today I thought I would share with you my snack I love! It's Kale chips! Some of you are wondering how good these so called vegetable chips may be. You really must try some. Not only are they delicious, they are super easy to make! Some stores sell these chips extremely high. You would be surprised that you can make them in minutes with a few spices and olive oil.

Kale is full of  vitamins A, C, and K. Consuming Kale on a regular basis can help improve diabetes and supports heart health.  Kale also helps in digestion, bone health and healthy skin and hair health. Kale also helps guard against cancer.

Here is a yummy treat to try. Forget the store preserved high end chips, you can make them in minutes.


Kristen's Killer Kale Chips:

1. 1 package of Organic Green Kale
2. 2 Tbsp. olive Oil
3. A couple pinches of sea salt
4.  1 Tsp. Cayenne pepper
5. 1 Tsp. Garlic Powder

Wash Kale and lay out to dry. Sprinkle all seasoning on kale and olive oil in a bowl. Mix until blended. Preheat oven to 350. Bake 10-15 minutes or until crispy. Serve.

Cold, Flu and Ebola Season?

Hello Friends!

This morning was the first symptom of the sniffles. I couldn't tell if it's allergies, the beginning of the cold, flu, or some other scary term we all are fretting about. The media instills fear in each American with minute to minute updates on the latest Ebola news.

It's great to be informed and aware, but I feel like it can be a little much sometimes. It is not the zombie apocalypse as many of you would like to believe. No you will not get to play your favorite character on The Walking Dead anytime soon.

I do have some health tips to keep you safe and Ebola free if you do need to stock up on some supplies if need be;) I will be sanitizing everything in my classroom and house.

Ok, nothing kills more germs than Clorox bleach. I love buying the handy wipes and foam spray for my bathroom and other areas in my environment. Things that get touched constantly like door handles, sinks, counters, toilets, showers, garbage cans and refrigerator handles.

Yes, bleach is awfully strong, but I would prefer that smell knowing that I wiped out the flu virus away effectively. I like organic cleaning supplies, but nothing feels more clean than good old fashioned bleach.

Heres are some tips and supplies to keep on hand this season:

1. Clorox Bleach Wipes
2. Clorox Bleach Foam Spray
3. Hand Sanitizer
4. Get a Flu Shot
5.Claritin
6. Drink lots of water
7. Kleenex
8. Cover your mouth when you sneeze
9. Make some homemade Chicken Noodle or Matzo Ball Soup! Mmmmm!
10. Stay in if your not feeling well. Don't spread germs!
11. Wash your sheets on your bed and towels in hot water weekly or every other week.
12. Wash your hands with warm soap and water. Sing two happy birthday tunes should be enough time:)


Stay healthy!

True Grit: The Ability to Have a Growth Mindset

Hello Friends!

I want to inspire you this Thursday morning. Rest assured, I'm not a morning person. This is my "True Grit" moving full speed ahead as we speak. On that note, Good Morning!  I wanted to talk today about the term, "Grit"."Grit" is defined as:

1

a :  sand, gravel

b :  a hard sharp granule (as of sand); also :  material (as many abrasives) composed of such granules

2

:  any of several sandstones

3

a :  the structure of a stone that adapts it to grinding

b :  the size of abrasive particles usually expressed as their mesh

4

:  firmness of mind or spirit :  unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger

Wait, go back, "Grit" is defined as firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding in the face of hardship or danger. I really like this term. Especially since I'm a teacher. 

Unsurprisingly, it's difficult to motivate a student.  Especially on A Monday morning when they may be half asleep, dreaming of bed on a rainy morning clutching a teddy bear. 

I even dream those thoughts! We're all human. We all have difficulties in our lives and tragic events such as someone close to us passing away, a debilitating sickness, or a hardship in our family. 

It's the ability to move past those experiences, no matter how hard they may be and keep moving. This is were a teacher can not only be teaching the common core standards, but teaching students to move past these experiences in time of fear and anxiety. 

We almost need to be inspiring life coaches that frame a child and prepare them for the life ahead. Good or bad. School shouldn't be just about getting recognized by achievements, but also working past obstacles in daily experiences and trying our very best in life. 

If  you didn't learn about this term in school, it's never too late to start! Never give up! 

Because one day, that little grit of sand will become a beautiful pearl:)

Fall/Winter Style: 50 Shades of Gray

Good Day!

Today I wanted to write about color. Each season, color inspires me to my mood and what is happening around me. Since the days are getting shorter, I want to wear less black and something more appealing to the eye. I loved wearing black during October. The eye palette can take in this color since the colors in the environment are strong and constantly changing.

When we transition into darker days, my wardrobe tends to stay on the warmer side. I don't like to wear bright colors, but neutrals like a perfect grey sweater. Gray is great, you can pair it with another neutral, or throw in a brighter color.  Even Manolo Blahniks come in a beautiful gray color!

I also love gray in interior design. There are many different shades of gray. Finding one for your style is the fun part! I love a gray neutral on any wall. Gray works well with darker hardwood floors. It really pops!

Men look really polished in gray as well. I keep telling my husband to cherish those little gray hairs around his sideburns! Gray is a very distinct color. It shows age and sophistication. I have paint links below to get any ideas. What is your favorite shade of gray?

Benjamin Moore Paint:

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/our-five-favorite-grays

The Breton: A Nautical Inspired Style

Ahoy Mates!

Just kidding, I wanted to get you attention by writing a cheesy tag line. With that being said, I am a complete striped tee shirt addict! Long sleeve short sleeve, cotton, jersey,  it doesn't seem to matter. I love all sorts of colors, but my favorite would have to be the classic black and white or navy and white striped.

Do you know why the sailors wore The Breton uniform? No? Then I'll tell you. It was the French navy that was thought to inspire this pattern. This was out of safety and one of good measure: so that if a sailor fell overboard, the distinctive stripe print could easily be spotted in the waves. Pretty cool, huh? The sailor stripe was associated with the coastal region of Brittany, which is why it's called The Breton stripe.

So why blue and white? One reason was because blue is associated with the sea and the sky, and the white either symbolized the point at which the sky and sea meet, or the frothy waves in the ocean.

This is neat fact:  there should be 21 stripes on a true sailor shirt. These signified 21 of Napoleon's victories. So now that you know a little bit about the nautical shirt history, I thought I could tell you were to find some great well crafted Nautical shirts. Have Fun!

The Breton Co.

http://www.bretonshirt.co.uk

J. Crew:

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/ingoodcompany/saintjames/PRDOVR~26211/26211.jsp

Edith A. Miller:

http://shoptest.edithamiller.com

Saint James:

http://www.saintjamesboutique.com