Tales of the Traveling Tote - Custom Bags From MacKenzie-Childs

Welcome to a special edition of

Tales of the Traveling Tote, 

where we are celebrating five years of travels 

around the United States,

 and the world, with our 

MacKenzie Child's totes. 

 As you can see from the collage above, 

my MC bags have been from Hawaii, 

to the Caribbean, to 

London, Rome and Paris, 

and all the way to South Africa,

 besides 

having lots of fun in the 

United States and Mexico.

  If you have been following for a while, you know 

Patti from Pandora's Box started this fun group

five years ago, featuring the large checkered tote from 

MacKenzie Child's.  Click here to see how it all got 

started. 

I was invited along three Christmas's ago

 by Sarah and Linda, 

and have had so much fun taking my checkered tote 

around the country and around the world. 

 This was a highlight as I visited the flagship

 MacKenzie-Childs store in New York in 2018!

As self-appointed ambassadors for the 

MacKenzie-Childs brand, 

at the end of October Patti let us know

 that MC was creating 

a surprise gift for all of us in the group -

 a custom made 

bag, individually designed for each of us, 

based on our blogs. 

In addition, they created a gorgeous bag 

to give away to 

one of our loyal readers - 

this is quite the grand giveaway!!! 

Keep reading to the end to see how to win

 one of their 

lovely custom made totes!

It was so fun as the totes created by Julie and Joan 

at the Sewing Department of MacKenzie-Childs 

started arriving to our group across the country.  

Here in Utah 

mine was one of the last to arrive, as 

they were coming from New York. 

 We went out of town 

by the time it arrived.  My daughter 

told me a huge box had been delivered. 

 It was so exciting to come home from our trip and

open it and finally see my custom tote.

I held my breath as I drew her out of the bag.  

It is just as big as Miss Madi K, so it is 

wonderful to take around with me.

I decided to name her Miss Pansy, 

because all of her colors remind me of 

the colors of pansies in the spring.

We were told that some of the details would be 

similar to have continuity in the purses, 

and I think all of us fell in love

 with those details. 

Look at the button and tassel closure,

 and the metal name plate!  Just wow!!! 

The name plate is my absolute favorite detail.

I also adore the MacKenzie-Childs ribbon that 

becomes the handle, and the checkered trim

on the top and bottom.

Miss Pansy arrived just in time at 

Purple Chocolat Home 

to celebrate Christmas.

Once everyone had received their totes,

we each had a chance to guess whose bag was whose.  

I only guessed a few right, and that was with some 

help.  Of course, mine was easy, as it had purple on it!

We also wanted take our photo on a 

carousel horse.  It was a cold Thanksgiving morning, 

but I found a cute carousel in St. George, Utah, 

and went for a ride with a couple of my

 granddaughters.  We had the carousel 

all to ourselves.  

There was a sign that said no bags 

were allowed, but I explained the bag 

was the reason we were there!!!  

She was very kind 

and let us get some pictures.  She told us the music 

wasn't working, but we said that was ok, we would 

sing songs ourselves.  So we sang and made up 

Christmas songs as we rode around, and around, 

then did it again.

 Miss Pansy enjoyed the holidays, 

just spilling over with lovely Courtly Check items. 

 We wanted to do this post up in a "grand way", 

so what better place for Miss Pansy's debut 

than at The Grand America 

in Salt Lake City, for our traditional over-night

 right before Christmas with all of our

 children and grandchildren. 

It's our little reward for working so hard to get 

Christmas ready, and The Grand knows how

to do it up in style!

Miss Pansy was happy to be invited along, 

and she felt every so elegant there. 

She felt right at home with the lovely decor, and 

especially these gorgeous Mark Roberts nutcrackers.  

I really would have loved to purchase these, but 

they were way past my budget.  

We both went to the French patisserie in the Grand 

and ordered croissants and macarons.

Then we were off to The 

Grand America Gingerbread House, 

which was a replica of The Grand America 

this year with little vignettes of Maileg Mice

in each window.

I feel so honored to have received 

this amazing gift. 

Thank you so much to the 

lovely people at MacKenzie-Childs 

who made these beautiful 

custom totes for us, 

and to Patti who got all of the fun started.

Miss Pansy just sparkled with the holidays.

Here is our carousel of travelers with their 

matching totes.  Look closely to see 

if you can see their personal style 

in their custom-made totes.

Thanks to Linda for our 

collage and Cherry Kay for our poem.

Now for the fun for you -

  This gorgeous bag has been 

custom made by MacKenzie-Childs 

for one lucky winner!  

We will be submitting names to Patti of those who 

are loyal followers and commenters on our blogs, 

Instagram and Facebook pages.  She will then 

randomly pick the winner.

This is definitely the grand prize of all of our 

MC giveaways, to celebrate five years of 

Tales of the Traveling Tote fun!  

Good luck to the winner.  

Be sure to comment below and visit and comment 

on all of the posts of our fellow TTT ladies. 

 Patti with Miss Tizzy@ Pandora's Box

Debbie with Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths

Emily with Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss  Hello Gorgeous @ The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda

Rita with Miss Penny @ Panoply

Sarah with Miss  Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie with Miss Pansy  @ Purple Chocolat Home  (you are here)

Ricki Jill with Miss Square Peggy @The Sketchy Reader

Cherry Kay with Miss Waverly  @ Entertaining Women

Then join us again in March for another adventure

with another giveaway.

Waffle Bar

I was looking for an easy but delicious brunch 

to feed a crowd for my youngest grandson's 

baby blessing.  We were expecting around 50, 

right after church.  My daughter suggested waffles, 

so we ended up with a fun waffle bar. 

You will notice I am using the gorgeous gold and 

whitewashed board my middle son made me.  It 

makes the spread more elegant.

I decided a white and greenery theme would be perfect, 

so I gathered silver, mercury glass, and crystal and filled 

everything with greenery, baby's breath and white roses, 

all from Trader Joe's, so it was very reasonable.  

Any container can make a pretty arrangement,

 even a gravy boat, 

or a sugar bowl, 

both set on pedestals to add height.

I made sure the serving board looked good from 

both sides.  This is the sink side.  

The candlesticks were a project done at our craft group.  

I happened to be gone that night and I was gifted these 

three at our Christmas party.  I was just thrilled.  They 

are made by stacking and gluing candle holders and 

salt and pepper shakers and such from thrift stores.  

I found this wonderful product to help tapers 

stay upright on Amazon.  Click here to find 

Stickum.  Just use a pea size ball on the bottom of 

the candle.  It is amazing.  When I think of all the 

ways and means I have tried - I am so happy to 

find this.  

We used four waffle makers that each make 4 squares, 

so we could have fresh waffles for everyone.  It also 

works well to make them ahead and pop them back in 

the waffle maker to reheat them.

The board was filled with berries, sugars, crushed Oreos, 

mini chocolate chips and crushed Heath bars. 

 I just loved this fun bottle of Maple Syrup from 

Trader Joe's.  We hadn't had this before. 

We had three kinds of syrups, including homemade 

Buttermilk Syrup, which is everyone's favorite.  The 

baking soda in it interacts with the acids in the 

fruits to give a fun little tingle on your tongue.

My son in law's mother made the mini quiches 

to go along with the brunch and we did sugared 

bacon and plain bacon in the oven, which works 

really well for a crowd.  

We also served Nutella, peanut butter, lemon curd 

and Biscoff Spread on chocolate and plain waffles. 

It was a lovely event, and everyone was served easily.  

I love finding something easy and filling, yet beautiful 

to serve a crowd.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Let me know if you try a waffle bar. 

Winter Kitchen Mantel

As most of you know, 

Purple Chocolat Home 

has a Mugnaini Pizza Oven in 

the kitchen.  Besides being a fun way to cook 

and party, it is always great to decorate.

I like to transition from full out Christmas decor, 

so little snowy sparkling touches around 

the house, so that it doesn't go from glam to drab. 

Frosty white snowgirls flank the opening to the 

pizza oven, while white snow fairies look down 

from above.  

I found these adorable snow girls a few years 

ago at Home Goods, and knew they would be 

fun, both for Christmas and winter.

Trees and jewels sparkle as the winter sun starts to 

come through the windows. Sometimes I just go 

and sit in the sun in the kitchen during the winter.  

I just love those quiet moments basking in the winter sun. 

The top of the mantel is draped with two garlands - 

one with silvery crystals, and one pale pink and 

silver balls.  Two frosty and furry stars are also included.  

You know there are fairies for all seasons living 

here.

They create a touch of winter magic.

Sometimes we light a fire just for ambiance during 

the cold winter months.  That way we can sit in 

the kitchen with a cup of hot chocolate and just relax.  

Do you transition to winter, or go right into Valentines? 

Thanks for stopping by to see our Winter Mantel.

Christmas Mickey and Minnie Cookies

Just a little hint at what theme the Christmas Eve table 

is going to be this year!

Grandma's little helpers came up to help decorate 

cookies!  I just had to grab a picture of them before 

we began and before they weren't quite as clean. 

I had the cookies baked and cooled and the frosting 

ready so their mom and I could get started.  

We wanted one for each place, so I did a double batch 

of cookies and frosting.  I got found with this delicious 

recipe from my friend Amy.

I discovered I can roll the dough out right 

after making it, between two pieces of parchment, cut,

place on parchment and freeze for 30 minutes and then bake 

for 8-9 minutes, and we are in business pretty quickly.  

I have two sizes and shapes of Mickey cookies, and a small 

bow mold.  

The bows added so much, so most of them turned out 

to be Minnie cookies.

My favorites ended up being the sparkly ones - 

no surprise huh?!!!

Well, come back later to see our table set for 

Christmas Eve, starring our favorite pals, 

Mickey and Minnie!  This table is for the kiddies!!