Elegant and Simple Thanksgiving Menu

I think Thanksgiving is one of the few times in life when boring and traditional is exactly what you want. Nobody wants an avante garde Thanksgiving Menu. We do a very simple but elegant dinner and then have pie at my mother's home. Our menu is small but tasty, everything is made from scratch and relatively simple to prepare. Our menu for this year is: 

Dave's Smoked Turkey with Pecan Wood

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips topped by Pumpkins Seeds

Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Pancetta

Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes

Traditional Green Bean Casserole 

Apple Pie 

Pumpkin Pie

Whipped Cream

All in all is not large or complicated but just wholesome enough to make you feel like you enjoyed a proper Thanksgiving Meal. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving Traditions

In our home Autumn is a super busy time of year, with all the Michigan Games and friends birthdays we don't have a free weekend all season. Which is the reason a calm and peaceful Thanksgiving means so much to me. Here are my family's top 10 traditions. 

1. Thanksgiving Day in the morning we go for a walk in the woods in a park near our house and do our "Wildlife Thanksgiving." We throw pieces of bread and bird seed as we walk around. We get to enjoy the scenery and send some love to the birds and squirrels. 

2. In the same park we are going to try to meet up with my brothers to throw the football around. Not that we are very good, but it is nice to get the blood flowing before a big meal. I also really like to run around with my three year old. He has so much fun and joy is just contagious. 

3. My husband smokes a turkey breast. He starts it when we get back from our walk. I think it is the best turkey you can eat, but I also love that it frees up the over for me so I can make all the fixings and of course... PIE. 

4. PIE... nuff said. My best friend growing up always had a thankful list on her mom's fridge. On it was "I am thankful for pie and more pie." So, without fail I will make at least two if not three pies. I have a super simple pie crust I use, and the fillings are really simple, but it is wonderful to make them from scratch. 

5. I can't say I have ever watched the entire Macy's Day Parade, but I love having it on in the living room while I cook, between football commercials... of course. 

6. While the pies are in the oven, the turkey is in the smoker, the baby is napping and the parade is on TV. Dave and I play board games usually dominoes and back gammon. This year we are super excited to introduce our little one to this tradition, we are betting on "Let's Go Fishing."

7. When we sit down to dinner, we eat off of Dave's Grandmother's vintage Mikasa Whole Wheat china. I love it. Truth be told, we eat off these dishes almost everyday, but it is particularly nice to have an heirloom to use on the holidays. I like to think of all the wonderful meals that have been served on these plates for the last 70 years. 

8. Our centerpieces for the table is really simple, just some nice yellow and golden leaves that we collected on our walk in the woods that morning. We have a song that we sing to my son every night called "golden leaf." It seems only appropriate that we would have some golden leaves on the table, as he is what we are most thankful for. 

9. After we eat our meal, we all head over to my mother's house. You would think that we would get dressed up like families do at the holidays, but we actually dress down. I wear a slouchy sweat shirt, leggings, and slippers to go over to my moms. We put my son in pajamas so he can go straight to bed. 

10. Last but not least, every year we set up my mother's Christmas tree, my dad's old nativity and my sisters little Christmas village. It is really the only tradition that we have. It is a cheesy tradition, but I love it. My mom has a huge artificial tree and more ornaments than any healthy amount. But it is a hoot, to have coffee and pumpkin pie and bring the dusty boxes from underneath the stairs. 

So, there you have it. My families top 10 Thanksgiving Traditions. I hope it helps you with yours. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I heart Fall Tag

I don't know if you have ever heard about tagging someone but it is a pretty common occurrence in the blogisphere. Essentially, it is asking someone you know via blog to answer a series of questions. This set is based on a love of all thing fall.  I adore autumn, and I have shared a few things that I love about fall. 

QUESTIONS:


1. Favorite Fall lip product?

My favorite lip product of all time, not just fall is the Dior Lip Maximizer. It is a sheer gloss, it goes on easily, tastes delicious, is not too sticky and naturally enhances the shape and color of your lips. Anyone can wear it and it appropriate all the time. 


2. Favorite Fall Nail Polish?

I love Wicked by Essie. It looks like red wine on your nails, it is elegant and a little edgy. I also find it goes well with autumnal colors and neutrals. Which is what I wear this time of year. I also love how versatile the color is, it looks elegant with a suite at work and perfect with jeans and flannel on the weekend. 


3. Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink?

Yup, I am a card carrying member of the Pumpkin Spice Latte Cult. (#psl) I love it, I look forward to it all year, and it is one of the few treats I allow myself to get. For a make at home rendition, this recipe is amazing. 


4. Favorite Fall Candle?


I love Autumn  Wreathe by Yankee Candle. It smells like cinnamon, apples, pears, and fresh pumpkins. It is not too sweet, which I like also. I burn this from when I walk in the door to when I go to bed. It makes the house smell amazing and there is something so welcoming about having a candle on when you walk in the door. 

5. Favorite Fall Scarf or accessory

I have too many scarfs to mention. I love them all. I wear them all. My latest two favorites I got in my Popsugar Boxes: Marchesa Voyage and Tilo Scarves Modal Graduation in Raisin. But my favorite fall accessory is actual my pair of LL Bean Boots, which my husband calls my duck boots. They are awesome, I wear them all the time. They are warm, waterproof, and go great with jeans or leggings. I heart you LL Bean. 


6. Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?


I say none, I don't like anything haunted. I do love hayrides, and houses, but no thank you on the haunted parts. 

7. Favorite Halloween movie?

I am a complete wimp when it comes to scary movies. I have still have nightmares about a movie I saw in college... nonetheless, I love watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Practical Magic, and Johnny Depp's Sleepy Hollow. 


8. Favorite candy to eat on Halloween?

Twix, Kit Kat, any cookie candy chocolate thing... 


9. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

My son told me our family is all going to be puppies, I will wear the ears. 

10. What is your Favorite thing about Fall?

My favorite thing about Fall is sitting outback with a blanket, the fire pit going, and a nice glass of wine. My friends and I call this being European, and I love it. But I love lots of things about Fall, the excitement of the holidays, the beautiful leaves turning, going to the farm for apples and pumpkins, all the cozy sweaters and socks, the delicious comfort food. There is so much to love. 

Happy Fall everyone! And if you are reading this, tag your it... 

Apple Picking

I love fall, all things fall. I especially love apple picking. We have the best farm. Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia. It is the perfect farm if you have children. They make it super easy on you. So often apple picking in Virginia is an extreme sport and you have to be ready for an all day, athletic event. But not so at Great Country. You don't need to bring anything... except maybe a sturdy bag to hold the apples (they have plastic ones.) I bring my Boat and Tote, because it holds a ton and it is easy to carry... and could I really go anywhere without. 

They have great set up for entertainment. The tractor pulled hay ride come about every 15 minutes. So you never have to wait long to get out there, or come back. The farm usually have live music and cider or apple butter demonstrations. There is an apple festival every weekend in September. My son loves the little barn animals and the huge playground. 

They also have a "Roosteraunt" where they sell amazing cider donuts and coffee for your morning fix. After you are done with the farm and apples you can grab a lunch outside the barn. They sell hotdogs and BBQ, homemade pies, and old fashioned glass Cokes. 

On your way out you can stop through their farm stand to pick up some fresh local produce, so you get some grocery shopping done. 

It is a working mother's dream for a family day: healthy, outside, quality time, and great pictures. I heart you Great Country.  

NYC Rooftop Party Styling

The hubby and I are off to NYC this weekend. His brother and fiancee are throwing a swank Rooftop Party in Manhattan. I wanted to go against the grain, and dress down, comfortable, but still pay respect to the hosts. 

When it comes to beauty, I think manners and kindness matter so much more than what you wear or who did your hair. Just being authentic and interested in others is what people will remember. Whenever I write a fashion or a beauty post, I always want to remind myself that the most important thing a woman can wear is compassion. 

For my dress, I chose this long sleeve black tee-shirt dress Velvet By Graham & Spencer, which I bought at Nordstorm Rack for under $150. I'm not going to wear any nylons, because it is not really worth hassle, as long as your legs are shaved. 

Accessories: I am going to go with a nude pump because they make your legs look fantastically long, my pair are from Sam Elderman. I love the D'orsay style because they fit my feet and you can stand and walk in them for hours, I literally do, these are my pumps I wear to work. I love my Moda Lux nude clutch with gold detailing. When you hold the clutch low, it has an elongating effect to your silhouette. To compliment the gold detailing in the clutch, I choose my gold Marc Jacobs watch and some understated but elegant Kendra Scott earrings. 

Beautywise, I'm not doing much. I am currently on a no makeup kick. I like my freckles and my tan, I don't want to cover that up. It took a lot of beer drinking in the pool to get it, and I am proud of that. I do love the way my hair feels and looks after a blow out so I am going to get my haircut and highlighted on Friday. Because, I think second day hair looks better. 

Scent, I am loving the sexy vanilla scent BYWAY eau de parfum. It is a sweet fragrance with warm notes of caramel, wild rose, vanilla candy, honeysuckle. To me it smells like amber moonlight, it is both fun and sexy. Also, it is made in the USA, which is exactly what I am looking for these days. 

More than anything, I'm just excited to celebrate a wonderful couple's engagement and a have a fun night out with the hubby. I can't wait! Congratulations Jeff and Cara! 

All Natural Beauty Treatment: Coconut Oil

There are easily over a hundred uses for the oil but I am practically evangelical about its beauty treatments. Coconut oil is a naturally anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and it smells amazing. It is baby and pet safe and there are no harsh chemicals or carcinogens. You can pick it up anywhere, and if you choose you can get all natural, organic, cold pressed and bonus it is CHEAP!  Coconut Oil is an incredible beauty multitask-er, here are some of the uses I like the best.

• Natural Teeth Whitener - I have lately added oil pulling to my mourning routine. Oil pulling is essentially swishing a teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes. I know that sounds like a long time but for me that is making lunch for my husband, breakfast for my son and emptying the dishwasher, or the time it takes me to drive to my vegetable garden. The hardest part about oil pulling is remembering not to swallow. Coconut oil tastes delicious, it is not painful unlike many mouthwashes and the benefits are pretty amazing. Oil pulling helps eliminate the harmful bacteria and viruses in your mouth to keep your healthy, remove plaque, help reduce mouth irritations and even help with tooth aches. Pretty awesome, Listerine and ain't got nothing on that. 
• Shaving cream - Coconut oil is probably the best shaving cream I have ever used. It goes on smoothly, allows for a close shave and it smells amazing. It has a few added benefits, the oil will keep your razors sharper longer, and because it is a natural deodorizer and moisturizer your underarms and legs will smell and look incredible. 
• Body lotion - Don't pay way to much money for chemicals, just use Coconut Oil, it will work better than any other moisturizer. The only caution is you don't want to stain your clothes so be careful and when you put it on and give yourself some time to let it soak in. 
• Cuticle cream - I have terribly dry hands and cuticles. It comes from being a mom and washing my hands a thousand times a day. A little rub and my fingers are baby soft. If you are painting your nails you can use q-tip and put the oil right on the cuticle, paint your nails and when they are dry all of the extra nail polish will just come off with oil... perfect manicure at home. 
• Scar and Stretch Mark Treatment - Coconut oil contains vitamin E, lauric, caprylic and capric acids which makes it  an excellent scar treatment, just rub the the oil in at least once a day but up to 4 times if you have the time
• Hair Mask - Coconut oil is one of the best essential oils for hair and scalp health because it contains healthy fatty acids and vitamin E. You can message about a tablespoon into your hair and scalp and leave on for about 30 minutes. Wash your hair out and you will enjoy healthy, glossy and moisturized hair.

Coconut Oil is really a wonder oil, a magical elixir that can make you healthier and more beautiful, you will be happy you tried it, I know I am. 

Fall Into Gorgeous Nail Colors

I love Fall. I always have. I love the changing of the leaves, the cooler weather. I love Autumn Harvest and the delicious soups and stews that come from all those squashes and pumpkins. I love the sweaters, and the layers, and the cozy nights with a glass of bold red wine and the fire pit outback. As I have gotten older, and more so since I started gardening, I do have a little bit of sadness as we wave goodbye to Summer. But as the sunburn on my hand will attest, it was a great summer. Time for some lovely trappings of Autumn. For me usually the first that changes with the seasons is my nail color. It is ridiculous, I know. I will change my dishes, my door wreathe, decorations on the mantel and our menus, but for some reason nails get changed first. Here are some of my favorites from this years new lines... 

• Essie's when i'm buttoned up, i always dress to kilt

• Nars

• Opi's Nordic Collection

• Butter of London Nail Lacquers