if pinterest was a book.

I am now twenty-nine and married. But before all that, I lived with my parents for a freakishly long time. I moved out for a short stint in my early twenties, but it wasn't until I was TWENTY-SEVEN that I moved out officially. And that was less than two years ago. When I moved out I had a rude awakening, and not just because I was living alone with a man. Since my husband (then fiancé) is the major bread winner and works wayyy more than I do, I took on the role as homemaker. With no real prior training. I mean, during my first year of teaching my mom packed my lunch for me everyday. And it was delicious. But I had to get my life together before my man woke up one day and was like UMM WHY AM I MARRYING HER. Since I am almost six years younger, I still get to ride that little baby wave. But I had to make some major changes and learn a few things about separating lights and darks, proper grocery shopping for two, cooking healthy meals from scratch, and cleaning the toilets. Really keeping house in general. I had never kept a house! This is probably why during our first year of living together I plotted his murder daily. Ladies you need to be prepared!! Even if you are out there with your careers thinking to yourself that you will NEVER become Susie homemaker. Um, if you get married, yes you will. END RANT.

Homemakers: A Domestic Handbook for the Digital Generation by Brit Morin is AMAZING for those of you who are digitally inclined and domestically incompetent. It's a brand new world out there since our mom's were homemakers, especially in the kitchen. Brit's super gorgeously colorful spread includes must-have kitchen gadgets and apps for every millennial. Your mom can use them, too. There are tips for every room in your home, and a crazy organized index that will easily help you find what you are looking for. For example, photo editing, chalkboard walls, curtains, parties, recipes upon recipes, and 8403842 others. This book is packed, and super adorable, just like Brit. A great gift for the college graduate or bride to be.

friends that bead together.

Since we live in a DIY everything world at the moment, (thank you Pinterest), many of you have already started making your own jewelry. If you have not looked into Virginia Jensen's Stitching with Two-Hole Shaped Beads guidebook to better your jewel making with this classy new bead, then you need to immediately because you can make some gorgeous pieces with just a little help from Jensen's materials list and direction. And speaking of directions, hers are listed step-by-step WITH pictures (figure 1, figure 2, etc.), super easy to follow. My favorites are the cuff pieces, SO CUTE and timeless. And you should see the necklace patterns, AH! I will never buy a cheap statement necklace from Forever 21 ever again because hello? I can make one or seven.

the new cake decorating bible.

I do have a bestie who doubles as a baker/cake decorator. And honestly, she's been a life savor for many an event. She makes my little brother's birthday cake every year, whatever he wants. Last year it was Frozen themed, he turned 26, whatever. But sooner or later, she's going to get married, have her babies, and she may not have time to give us the gift of beautiful cakes for all of our special events. That's where Artisan Cake Company's Visual Guide to Cake Decorating by Elizabeth Marek comes in. I do have the prerequisite of cake decorating class at summer camp 15 years ago, so I am totally ready for this guide to take me to the next level. Marek includes delicious cake recipes that do not come out of the box, along with the basics on creating, chilling, assembling that many decorating books leave out. There are examples upon examples, and as a visual learner, I appreciated all the photographs, especially the ones of what the batter should look like. I mean, how am I supposed to know that batter has a look? Anyways, this is a cake decorating guide for everyone, there is always something new to learn, and Marek will make sure you learn it. 5+ stars.

beaders of the world, unite!

What am I looking for in a good craft book? Oh, I’m glad you asked. Well, I look for easy to understand directions with A LOT of illustrations, as I am a visual learner. What am I looking for in a good beading book? That’s easy, anything by Diane Fitzgerald. This chick keeps coming out with the best illustrated bead books I have ever seen, and she outdoes herself with her latest, Shaped Beadwork & Beyond. This is a resource that should be gifted to every artsy-crafty-jewelry making person on your Christmas gift list as it includes 40 amazing projects that are super unique and adorable. It is heavy on the necklaces, leaving only a few bracelet and earring projects, but every project is super inspiring, so who knows? You may use these ideas and begin designing your own.

bags, bags, bags.

All the ladies in the house can agree that purses are uber expensive. I only get a new one when it's absolutely necessary. Twice when I was in Europe my purse broke and I had to buy a new one. Once in Munich and once in London. As you can see, I wear them out, good to the last drop. Now I have an answer for all of our "ain't nobody got money for that" purse problems...well, Tricia Waddell has an answer in Best of Stitch: Bags to Sew.

(Interweave/F+W Media; $26.95)

You can purchase here.

Now a decade ago, ladies would be like oh hell no I am not sewing my own purse. Today, since the arrival of Pinterest and the economic decline, we are all about the DIY. For all the women who are independent, and broke, and cheap, and have way more time on their hands because they are broke and cheap. You have got to see the types of purses you can construct in Best of Stitch, it's really amazing. Waddell has included idiot-proof directions on how to sew messenger bags, zippy pouches, GARMENT BAGS, wallets, coin purses, clutches...ALL cuter than Vera Bradley (no offense). She has even included seven actual sewing templates for seven different styles of purses. Towards the back of the book Waddell gets nice and specific on how to create handles/straps, pockets, zippers, and includes other tips and tricks as well. I loved this collection, now I just have to pay someone to sew them up for me. (Just kidding).