Annnnnnd The Winner IS!!

Once again I am just amazed by all my creative and fun loving preppy readers! You guys are the BEST! I swear! I really love doing this contest because you guys never dissapoint!

Now I must say, this was a close one and we actually have a tie for first place. I counted everyone who got a vote. So even if someone placed two votes, both people they voted for received votes. And now, what you've ALLLLLLLLLL been waiting for!!!

The tie goes to....

Alyssa (the Preppy Princess)

and

Lauren!!!

Horray!!! Horray!!! Great job everyone!!!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to email their cards to me for the contest, and also everyone who voted. I am so excited by all the excitement from you guys and LOVE your participation. You guys really make this so much fun for everyone!

The winners will each be receiving monogrammed ribbon cuff bracelets by Creative Ta Da. This is the one I have, with my monogram in a circle and I ADORE it. I'll be sending you each an email today to get yuor personal information and monogram! Congratulations!!!

Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine: Holiday Cards

First of all, let me start by apologizing for the delay, and thanking you guys for your patience. As you know I HATE to be late and really pride myself on being prompt and on time, and today I have been anything but. It seems I had a little "holiday emergency" pop up that could only be solved by this one lady on this one afternoon and yada yada yada, 3 hours later, I was still needing this lady's hand out of the jam I was in and it was dark by the time my car rounded the corner into our neighborhood (as an aside, a SERIOUS hug to my neighbor who was waiting patiently at the house with the mini monograms, probably wondering if I had deserted her to raise them alone).

But you know what? Enough about that! Let's see all these fabulous cards you've all sent in already!

Show Me Yours......!

Kicking things off this go round is none other than the Preppy Princess herself (card 1 of 3). Seriously, can you find a better suited card for royal heiness? I didn't think so.

Alright, so this one is pretty dog-gone cute too. Shoppers! In a window! Window shopping! ..as in Shopping with the Preppy Princess!

So there's no shopping theme, but you gotta love the girl for never being afraid to show off her inner preppy and love of all things pink and green (card 3 of 3).

I must say, every one's favorite Preppy Rider has done a fine job herself of picking out the perfect holiday card as well! Expecting her first baby in February (within days of mini #1's due date I might add), Marissa has chosen the perfect classic preppy pregnant paper this year if I do say so myself. P.S. Worthy of note here is that she did try awfully hard to capture her two pups for a photo card, but let's just say they weren't exactly being cooperative.

J has decided to give everyone a run for their money with her hand made cards this year (1 of 3). Most impressive, J!

This is my personal fave of hers, all tied up with a bow!

Woo-Hoo! Check out all that detail (card 3 of 3)

What in the WORLD are the chances we would have a second Marisa enter the contest at monogram momma's?! I guess that means I need to go play the lottery tonight! At any rate, Marisa put this hand-made card together and in lieu of a photo, opted instead to share a recipe for "Charleston Shrimp & Grits." This is most fitting since her hubby is the executive chef at a 5 star Southern resort!

A fellow Auburn Tiger hand made this little number, complete with preppy trees and all! Love that round enclosure, Melissa!

Looks like someone has been shopping on Paper Source avec moi! Monogram momma reader, Pam, has done a bang-up job with this ultra chic blue and brown color scheme accompanied by the black and white photo in the pocket.

For our celebrity entry today, we have none other than THE Lauren Goessling's holiday card! Of course, you know we would expect something terrific and perfectly preppy from Lauren and she does not disappoint! In the pocket is a lovely B&W photo of the Goessling gang.

You know I had to show the enclosure on Lauren's card too. It wouldn't be complete without the signature "G" we've all come to know and love!

Watch out everybody because once again, Scarlett is back in the contest bearing that Burberry plaid. You may remember her pugs donning Burberry in the first Show Me Yours competition, which secured the win for her. Looks like she's is SERIOUS about winning again, folks! P.S. She completely did this herself in photo shop too!!

Another repeat contestant and regular monogram momma reader, Alyson has sent in this photo of her little Christmas cuties. Clearly she has opted to go the "Black Tie Optional" route this year and dressed her little ones up to the nines for the monogram momma contest! Much appreciated! P.S. Alyson ordered the top part of her card from an ebay seller and then assembled it all onto a black card stock.

Preppy Mom sent in two cards of her sweet girls. Here they are all decked out in Hanna Anderson pj's and all their baking garb and enclosed is a sugar cookie recipe from Martha. Sweet, PM!

So this is the card that Preppy Mom opted to send. Adorable girls hugging in their Hanna Anderson striped holiday pj's!

Now you know I love someone who can take a theme and run with it and Gena really exudes that preppy pink and green monogram momma spirit with this card!


Sunny is no stranger to monogram momma contest's either. She has shown us "hers" more than once and we are happy to see her back again, in all her holiday finery, candy cane ears and all.


Marta sent in this card of her little cutie, Summer. This is so classic and pretty and what's that I see? Smocking on the gown? Extra points for Marta for smocking!

This is Madigan looking very merry and bright in her Kelly green cable-knit sweater and matching bow. She is a preppy in training if I ever saw one!

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to meeeeeeeeeeee... some Whitney English Stationeryyyyyyyyy. Second place winners in the Preppy Pumpkin contest, the Phillips family have also really stepped up their game by sending in their holiday card with two little cuties in red Pottery Barn Kids pj's hanging out under the Christmas tree.

Now, I'll Show You Mine!!

Sporting pink popped collars, the light blue Phillip Pant, white RL cable knit sweaters, and A. Tierney grosgrain belts the mini's are a perfect preppy picture if I do say so myself! I always like to take our Holiday card picture at the beach in October and the green Adirondack with the swaying sea grass sends warm wishes to our friends and family. Noticeably missing is preppy puppy who opted against participating in the portrait this year.

Did you really expect anything other than a pink and green themed greeting from the Monogram family this year? P.S. Not pictured is the large square sticker that was placed on the back of each envelope bearing the large "M" in green as shown above, with "The Monograms" over it in pink.

So now that you've seen mine and I've seen yours it's time to vote! So whether you sent in a card or not, start commenting and voting! You guys never fail to disappoint and I really do have the most creative and inspiring readers! Thanks to ALL who participated and proudly displayed their inner prep and/or inner Martha with everyone!

Unlike past contests, I'm leaving the voting open all week since I know we're all busy and not everyone can hop on every day. As always, you can always count on a great prize for the winner from monogram momma!

Last Call: Show Me Yours Entries

Last week I was so good about getting up and getting to mass but so far it's not looking like I'm going to make it this week as planned. At any rate, this is the last call and final warning for entries into the Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine: Holiday Card contest.

All entries must be submitted by this evening!

Email holiday card's to:

monogrammomma@charter.net

Happy Sunday!

Speaking of Cards....

While we're on the subject of Holiday cards, this is your friendly reminder that you have 5 days (5!!!) to email me your entries for the Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine: Holiday Card competition! Now, you all KNOW there will be a prize so stop procrastinating and get those emailed to me at:

monogrammomma@charter.net

I'm waiiiiiiitingggggggggggggg... (and tapping my foot, btw)

Friday Afternoon Reminder

Just popping in for a friendly reminder to email me those holiday cards for the Show Me Yours competition. Again, if you have a photo on your card and you'd rather I blur out the faces, Just let me know when you email it to me.

Okay, well now that the mini monograms are down for their afternoon naps my neighbor is coming over to sit here for a bit so I can go run a few more errands. Fingers crossed my pictures for our holiday cards arrive today becuase I am a little nervous they haven't yet arrived!

Email your cards to: monogrammomma@charter.net

I'll be back later!

Sunday Reminders

I thought I'd sneak in here on a Sunday afternoon and just throw out a few reminders to the few sprinkles of weekend readers, the large amount of late-night readers (geez, don't you guys sleep?!), and my every faithful early morning riser readers. So, first of all, just a little reminder that if you've got me on your blogroll and I haven't reciprocated, please send me a little email and let me know. I try really hard to visit everyone's blogs and pop in and say hello but let's face it. It's December and there really are only so many hours in a day when I'm trying to shop, wrap, decorate, craft, party plan, bake, etc. I'm tired just thinking about it! So if I haven't added you to my blogroll, please let me know and just know it isn't on purpose. I'm just covered up in a mound of ribbon and decorations right now. As you know, monogram momma would never purposely be rude to you (well, unless you cut me off in traffic anyway) . Okay?

Now, most importantly today before I make yet another trip out to Hobby Lobby (for all I know they could be playing a drinking game out of me over there this weekend...Everyone drink when the mismatched lady in the gray yoga pants, sneakers, ponytail, and red coach bag walks into the store!), let me remind you of your looming deadline of the Show Me Yours competition. There was some initial confusion over my email address since it spontaneously went MIA one day, but it's back where it belongs on the right-hand side bar (top) and here it is again, just in case it decides to walk off again...

monogrammomma@charter.net

Okay, I'm out. Off I go. AGAIN.

Turkey Day Re-Cap & a NEW Show Me Yours!

Hopefully everyone is back in full swing today after the long holiday. I, for one, really enjoyed the time off from blogging and just laying around doing nothing. Well, we did take down all the Fall decorations to make way for my Christmas decor that is about to spew its way into the house and yard, but I'll save that for another day. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, though! Aside from mini mongram #1 spiking a 102 degree fever on Thanksgiving and getting a little tummy virus, everything was great. Here are a few little highlights of the Monogram turkey.

Here is our girl. Sadly, we did not think enough of her to name her as the PP and fam named their turkey, but she was a good 'ol turkey none the less. Name or not. We loved her and rubbed her with lots of yummy spices, then injected her with a spicy cajun marinade. She was a good strong one too, because she didn't flinch once with all those needle pricks going into her backside!

This is about the moment in the day when I warned Mr. Monogram, my dad, and BIL that really they should be frying the turkey on the cement driveway and not the grass.

Just in case THIS happens and 350 degrees of oil comes overflowing out of the pot and onto the lawn and grass, creating the prefect environment for a fire. And well allknow how I feel about fire.

Ta-Da! Well this is how she looked upon her first removal from the fryer. She actualy made another trip inside since she wasn't entirely cooked but she sure is pretty, don't you think?!

Breakfast! Who would have thougth a wreath of leaves and turkey would taste so good? Well Sandara Lee did, that's who!

So now the turkey’s all gone, and there’s only one more slice of pecan pie left, so with the fall holidays a memory of yesterday(well, last week, anyway), it’s time to start moving onto Christmas. Yippie! I guess I’ve been going on and on about Christmas here for a while now (or at least since Halloween ended), but it’s now time to really start getting into the nitty gritty of things. And nothing says “Welcome Holidays! I’m a crazed purchasing person arguing with people in Target over the last plasma screen!” quite like a Show Me Yours competition, right? So in honor of all of our late nights and panic stricken days and weekends full of parties, packaging, and wrapping that lay ahead of us, I’m giving you plenty of time to get things together for the next competition. So, without further waiting, monogram momma is happy to announce…

Show Me Yours, I’ll Show you Mine…..

Holiday Cards!

Yes, that’s right! You heard it here first! You asked and I aim to deliver so by popular request, email me pictures or proofs of your holiday cards and I'll show you mine too! Now, DON'T PANIC. I'm announcing it today to give you guys plenty of time so don't feel rushed. The deadline will be Sunday Evening, December 17th, so that should give you guys enough of a head start and give you plenty of planning time. I will then post all the entries on Monday, the 18th and leave the voting open for a few days since I know we will all be extremely busy with that being the last week before Christmas and all. So get working on those cards and email them to me ASAP!

P.S. Oh! One more thing! Card contest is for photo AND non-photo cards and I am still working out the details in my head, but I am thinking there may be categories such as "Best DIY Card" and "Best Store Bought/Ordered Card" and POSSIBLY even "Funniest or Best Play on Words Card" so everyone feel free to send your cards in! And if you do send in a photo card but wish to remain anonymous, just let me know and I can blur out faces if you so desire. More details will trickle out this week from me so stay tuned!

And the Preppy Pumpkin Winner Is.......

Well, once again, you all have showed me how talented and crafty you all are! Thank you to everyone who carved, emailed, voted, or even just stopped by to have a look! I hope you guys love the Show Me Yours competitions as much as I do, but then again I tend to have a slightly overly competitve spirit so perhaps not. Anyhoo, let's get right to the point, shall we? Drum roll please.......

After careful calculations by the accounting team at Earnst & Young (ok, well not really, but that's what they say at the Emmy's so I thought it would be effective here too), the voting total broke down like this (although seriuosly, it won't hurt my feelings if anyone demands a re-count, given my less than superb math skills which we've already adressed on this blog).

Pirate: 1
Jill: 1
Lisa:1
Heather:1
Phillips family: 4
Alyson: 9

Therefore, by Popular Vote, the winners of the
Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine: Preppy Pumpkin contest are...

1st Place: The recipient of Preppy headband from Three Chickadees is
Alyson with her preppy ribbon
(which everyone seems to be stealing, btw)

and......

2nd Place: The recipient of a preppy grosgrain belt from Three Chickadees goes to
The Phillips family with their preppy Chad

Wooooooo Hooooooo!!!
Thank you to the Lisa and the ladies of Three Chickadees for sponsoring this fun contest! Congratulations,Winners! Alyson, you especially really came back strong in the competition! So Please email me with your contact information

Now, it occurred to me last night that we never even chatted about Halloween costumes! DUhhhhhhh! But give a girl a break as I did give you plenty of warning that October would be super crazy for me. Not to worry, I've taken note to cover that next year (Lord knows I think I exhausted myself with all the talk of pumpkins so next October will have to be all about cosumes I suppose). So, to officially end Halloween and put it to rest until next year, behold, the mini monograms in all their Halloween finery.

Sporting the most fashion forward in yellow fishing gear and boots, is Mini #1, a.k.a. The Fisherman (and b/c he's too busy to shave, he was donning his 5 o'clocl shaddow).

Look! it's the catch of the day! A big Scary Shark, a.k.a. mini #2. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Of course, I DO realize they look more like examples from the "Fashion Don't" page of your favorite magaine with their faces blurred out, but sorry guys, take it up with Mr. Monogram over the anonimity issue. Until tomorrow when we start up with Holiday fun, Bye and thanks for stopping by!

Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine: Preppy Pumpkin

At the risk of sounding like Charlie Brown's old pal Lucy, Good Grief! I mean, I had some really clever things to say here but Blogger just went and blew those plans right up in smoke didn't they? Anyway, at long last, you can all stop refreshing your browsers as the preppy pumpkin pictures have arrived. *horn sounding, Duh-Du-Duh!* And once again, the monogram momma readers have made me proud! So I'm wiping my hands on my apron to give you all a big round of applause for the fabulous pumpkin entries! So without further adieu....

Show Me Yours!

Kicking off the competition is an entry compliments of our contest sponsor. Let's get a round of applause for Lisa and the Three Chickadees and her ultra preppy madras wrapped pumpkin trio to represent the chicks.





Here is Ashley's front porch, all decked out and ready

for trick-or-treaters, preppy dogs in tow!




Mr. Ashley attempted a dog house with a tree and crescent moon on his pumpkin, but sadly, Ashley said he chose a bargain basement pumpkin and it was not the sturdiest of the bunch. She does say, however, that he has learned his lesson and will not be skimping next year. Good thing, Mr. Ashley.


In keeping with their dog theme, Ashley has done a fantastic job of carving herself a preppy puppy into the pumpkin, therefore incorporating last months contest AND this months contest. Bravo, Ashley. Bravo.





Jill sent in her classic jack's. You know preppies are all about the classic and traditional look so Jill bucks modern tradition by sticking with classic jackolantern happy faces. Hello there, Jacks!



Laura has decided to show her preppy pumpkin spirit in the garden but using her pumpkins as planters this year. Great creative display, Laura!


Susan was the first to repond to the contest and you all know how I feel about being prompt so hats off to Susan! She got a head start on the carving and worked up her little number a week or so ago, but here is her preppy monogrammed pumpkin sitting ever so pretty on a lovely green adirondack chair.

Go on and walk the plank, Sarah, who sent in this pirate from Sunny California! Excellent carving skills and I only have to assume the pirate's head scarf is pink and green, no?

Ever the sorority girl, Emma's pumpkin is giving us a sly little wink. I sure hope she's got her beer in a koozie. No labels visible in pictures, you know!

The Phillips family have really gotten into the holiday spirit with monogram momma. Lovely display of sunfolowers in a carved pumpkin, guys!

Ahoy There Maties! Batton down the hatches and secure the treasure me hardies, 'cuase the Phillips have a pirate on board this year. ARGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

And for our final Preppy Pumpkin entry from the Phillips family, here we have preppy guy "Chad" with his angular jaw, dimpled chin, and perfectly coifed doo, showing his newly whitened toothy grin and sporting his uber preppy fall argyle cardigan. Would you believe this was done free-hand with no pattern?!?!

Looks like Robin went through the monogram momma archives and opted to give the preppy pumpkin topiary's a try. Worthy of noting here, is that Robin used real pumpkins for her preppy-dot topiary's, and knowing that I am a stickler for details, wrapped the based of each topiary with leaf garland. You know how I love those fine details, Robin! PS. This is her cutie, Ben sporting his pumpkin pj's and fireman hat on the front stoop. No people, while Ben is a cute little pumpkin he is not actually entered in the comptetion as an actual preppy pumpkin.

While Pam says that she is not "Martha-worthy," this Martha wanna-be begs to differ. Going the traditional jack-o-lantern and quirky kitty route for the competition, Pam is making a strong debut for her first ever Show Me Yours competition. Welcome, Pam!

Watch out fellow contestants, because it looks like Alyson is serious about winning that preppy grosgrain belt or headband. After the hot dog entry in the last competition, she has clearly pulled out all the stops with her preppy pumpkins. She sure does mean business with these 5 yes, FIVE, preppy pumpkins! In addition to the two large jack's that her little guy Drew sketched (and she carved), Alyson proudly displayes her monogram momma spirit with a monogrammed pumpkin and two super cute plaid ribbon pumpkins. Way to bring your "A game" Alyson. Whoop!

A close-up of Alyson's preppy ribbon pumpkins. I love how she "belted" the pumpkins with this preppy fall ribbon by weaving it in and out of the pumpkin and tying it off with a perfect little bow. Who would have thought?! Alyson is clearly proving she is a force to be reckoned with, monogram momma readers.

This cleaver creation was sent in by Heather. Heather chose to go the spooky route and has sent in an excellent example of her preppy bat hanging upside down on a branch. Three-dimensional design is always a "good thing" in my book, Heather!

Now, I'll Show You Mine!

TA DA!Okay, so this is a little teaser first (he he he). Here is the front of my house with my preppy pumpkins and outdoor fall deorations from the street, so you can get the full effect. You can see better if you click on the photo to make it larger.

Now, a closer look gives us this. VOILA! On the top level we have a monogrammed pumpkin (you didn't actually think I wasn't planning on doing this, did you?) of course, follwed by mini monogram #1's pumpkin on the left bale of hay, with his silhouette pumpkin underneath his pumpkin. Then on the right, you can see mini #2's pumpkin that he drew with his silhouette pumkin underneath that as well.

Ah yes, a close up of the monogrammed pumpkin. This was a popular favorite this year I see! In the trus spirit of monogram momma, I topped mine off with a little pink and green grosgrain bow.

And upon even closer view we can really see mini #1's artwork at the happy fece he decided to design for his jack, and then the silhouette pumpkin I did with his his silhouette.

And finally, not to be outdone, is this lovely multi-colored number that mini #2 picked out at the pumpkin patch all by himself, and scribbled this scary little face and Mr. Monogram cut it out. You can see his little silhouette I did nestled nicely against a bale of hay as well.

P.S. Just to go ahead and answer this question, no i have no idea why my hay has started sprouting grass when it is sitting in black mulch. Go figure!

Now, because the *fine* folks (and I am using this term loosely) made this as difficult as possible for me today, voting is being extended until 5pm TOMORROW. First place winner will received a preppgy belt and 2nd place will revieve a preppy headband compliments of the finest Chicks we know, The Three Chickadees! So get voting!