I am VERY proud to unveil my first ever crochet design.   

Motivated by my goal to handmake 75% of my christmas gifts this year, I designed a fabric-lined purse pouch (a cosmetic, toiletry, money, or just whatever bag) that many of my female family members or friends will love!

You may leave the bag unlined or you may line it with any matching or contrasting fabric to add a special touch!

What You'll Need:
Yarn (I used Red Heart Shimmer Worsted Weight)
Size H Hook
Needle (for weaving in the ends)
Matching/Contrasting Fabric (fat quarter)
Thread
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Magnets (optional for purse closure) & Glue Gun

Here's How:
First, crochet the purse pouch.  
Gage: Isn't particularly important as the purse isn't "fitting" anybody.  
Stitches Used:  Slip Stitch, Single Crochet (Sc), Half-Double Crochet (HDC), Front-Post Half-Double Crochet (FPHDC), Back-Post Half-Double Crochet (BPHDC), Picot

Body
Rnd 1)   Ch3.  Turn.
Rnd 2)  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 3)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 4)  Ch2.  *HDC in first ch, FPHDC in next ch*;  Repeat from * to *, ending in last ch  (29). Turn.  
Rnd 5)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 6)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 7)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 8)  Ch2.  *HDC in first ch, FPHDC in next ch*;  Repeat from * to *, ending in last ch  (29). Turn.  
Rnd 9)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 10) Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 11)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 12)  Ch2.  *HDC in first ch, FPHDC in next ch*;  Repeat from * to *, ending in last ch  (29). Turn.  
Rnd 13)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 14)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 15)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 16)  Ch2.  *HDC in first ch, FPHDC in next ch*;  Repeat from * to *, ending in last ch  (29). Turn.  
Rnd 17)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 18)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 19)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.  (This is where you will fold the body in half when complete.  See pic for explanation)
Rnd 20) Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 21)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 22) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 23) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 24) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 25) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 26) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 27) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 28) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 29) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 30) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 31)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 32) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn
Rnd 33) Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn

Flap
Rnd 34)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 35)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.  (This is where you will fold the flap over to cover the purse opening.  See pic for explanation)
Rnd 36)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 37)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 38)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 39)  Ch2.  *HDC in first ch, BPHDC in next ch*;  Repeat from * to *, ending in last ch  (29). Turn.  
Rnd 40)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 41)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 42)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 43)  Ch2.  *HDC in first ch, BPHDC in next ch*;  Repeat from * to *,        ending in last ch  (29). Turn.  
Rnd 44)  Ch2.  HDC across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 45)  Ch1.  Sc across (29).  Turn.
Rnd 46)  Ch2.  HDC in first ch;  HDC in next ch;  Ch3.  Slip Stitch in 3rd ch from hook (picot); *HDC in next ch; HDC in next chain; Ch3.  Slip Stitch in 3rd ch from hook (picot)*;  Repeat from * to * ending in last ch.

Weave in ends.

Second, break out your lining fabric, scissors, thread, and sewing machine.  Remember, this second part is optional as you may just whip stitch the sides of the body together.  The lining just adds a special touch!

Lining
1)  Measure the body of your purse -- do not include the flap part in your measurement!  Mine turned out to be 8x10".
2)  Iron your fabric!!
3)  Cut your lining fabric by the same dimensions.  Therefore, I cut my fabric 8x10".
4)  Allow for a 1/2" seam allowance on all sides -- pin.
5)  Sew seam on all four sides.
6)  Sew lining into body of purse.
7)  Fold over and whip-stitch sides of body of purse.
8)  Fold flap over opening! 
9)  You may add a magnetic closure by glueing the magnets where appropriate.  I added the magnets after realizing it needed that "something" to keep it closed. 

*This design has been copyrighted.  Please make and sell as you wish, but do not plagiarize, copy, or infringe upon my pattern  -- it took a lot of effort, and I'd appreciate a shout-out or link!***Also note that you may see flaws in the sewing technique of the lining because I am a BEGINNER sewer, remember?!  But the crocket design should be flawless as I've followed my own pattern and have been able to recreate it.  Let me know if you have questions or comments!**

This year I was nominated to perform the ultimate Christmas makeover of my dental office on a beer budget:  $100.  Of course, I could easily spend thousands making a space into the categorical Santa's Workshop, but where's the challenge in that? Frugal is my middle name -- and I honestly pride myself in finding the best for pennies on the dollar.  

Before heading to my two favorites stores, The Dollar Tree and Michaels, I had to decide exactly what Christmas theme to go for: Winter Wonderland?  North Pole?  Vintage?  Modern? Traditional? Religious? There are so many Christmassy themes!! However, I decided to go for The Traditional with a modern twist -- decor with contemporary undertones all the while screaming nostalgia. 

Although I did purchase some ready-made decorations, most of the office will be bedecked by my own DIY creations.  And here's how you can recreate a couple of them at home!

Ok, ok, I know I could have entitled this project DIY Christmas Vase, but doesn't Jardiniere sound so much fancier?!

What You'll Need:
Vase (Dollar Tree)
Red/Green/White Excelsior/Packing (Michaels)
Christmas Ribbon 2.5" (Dollar Tree)
Apple Cinnamon Potpourri 
Jazzy Fake Christmas Flowers (Michaels)
Glue Gun & Glue

How To:
First flower arrange:  decide which flowers you want in each vase.  I purchased 6 vases and a ton of flower separates without much thought.  Then when I got home, I played with different arrangements, deciding which flowers would go together in each vase.

Second, measure and cut ribbon according to the circumference of the mouth of the vase allowing about 1/2-1" overlap.

Next, place about an inch of hot glue at the very lip of the vase. Quickly, but neatly, place the long edge of the ribbon along the glue, making sure that the edge of the ribbon is even with the lip of the vase.  Continue around and finish with overlapping the ribbon enough to make it look like a continuous band of ribbon.  (I only glued the top edge and it seemed secure without having to place any glue on the bottom edge of the ribbon). 

Fill bottom 1/3 of the vase with excelsior and firmly press down. Fill remaining 2/3 of the vase with potpourri.  

Lastly, flower arrange -- place stems of the Christmas flowers within the potpourri and excelsior, making sure that the stem feels somewhat secure so that it's not shifting all over the place if moved.  

Waalaa!  You've created a beautiful DIY Christmas Jardiniere!

Coming from a large, traditional Italian family, I found it hard to break any customs with my own family in order to "holiday share" with my husband's family.  The expectation and success (and let me reiterate success) of all my family's holiday festivities is what built my love of the last quarter of the year -- October, November, and December.  Once the trees start to change and the weather cools, my heart only warms and excites -- I simply cannot wait to do the same damn thing every year!

However, as we all know, holidays cannot be completely one-sided; there must be bend and flexibility (as much as I hate to bend and flex -- I'm a rigid type-A, remember?).  Some couples will do Thanksgiving with one family and Christmas with the other, then switch year to year.  Or some will do Thanksgiving dinner with one family, and dessert with the other, again switching year to year.  However, my husband and I have worked it so that we host "Thanksgiving Brunch with the Tatros" for his family, and see my family for Thanksgiving dinner (especially this year as my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary landed on Thanksgiving!  woohoo!!).  

Hosting Thanksgiving Brunch has never been too stressful.  I am the trifecta:  a type-A, uber early riser, crockpot lover -- no further explanation needed, right?  My meals are always a hit. And this year will be no different!  Here's the menu:

The Perfect Thanksgivin' Brunch Menu:
(click on the links below to see the recipes that I use)

Crockpot Cinnamon Coffee Cake (2 hours cook time)

Crockpot Sausage & Egg Casserole (8-10 hours cook time)

Overnight Hashbrown Casserole (40 minutes cook time)

Fruit & Cinnamon Yogurt Dip (15 minutes prep time)

Bacon (10 minutes cook time)

Sparkling Guava Apple Cider (Guava Juice mixed with Sparkling Apple Cider) (2 minutes prep time)

How To:
As a hostess (and guest), I strive for three main things concerning the meal:   1) that it be served on time 2) that all components that need to be served hot, are served hot, and 3) that it be tasty, of course!  It's a skill that simply takes prior proper planning (preventing perplexing problems).  

First, I always shop the day before the planned meal.  I take with me all the recipes, and when shopping, I shop recipe by recipe. This means that although I may visit certain areas of the grocery store multiple times, I never confuse the amount of ingredients that I need for each recipe.  Moreover, not only do I check off what I have put in the grocery cart, but I double and triple check before leaving that I have everything that I need, again recipe by recipe.

Second, I make a game plan.  I physically write on a piece of paper the dishes that I need to make and how long they take to cook.  Then I subtract that time from the time that I want to serve everything.  For example, if I want to serve breakfast at 9AM, and my dishes take 40 minutes, 2 hours, and 5 hours to cook, I'll start cooking them at 8:20AM, 7AM, and 4AM (yes!  I REALLY will get up at 4am to start cooking something!!), respectively.  That way, everything is served hot at the same time.

Thirdly, I try to eliminate all prep work the night before.  Within my game plan, I decide what I can get done that night.  Meaning, if I can make a casserole the night before, and cook it the next day, I will prepare the casserole, and put in the fridge until the next day.  Or, if I can only make something the day of, I measure out  and prepare all the ingredients the night before (chopping, dicing, measuring, etc) and place them in marked ziploc bags so that the day of, it's a no-brainer.  

Fourth, crockpot, crockpot, crockpot!  The crockpot is your best wingman -- it does all the work for you and makes you look super impressive!

Holiday Wishes
I hope that you all have a joyous Thanksgiving.  Even with all the devastation throughout the world (and I pray for relief everyday), there is still so much to be thankful for.  I hope you all take a minute to realize all the good in your life.  

Happy Thanksgiving!