I have a pretty strong track record of being super organized around the holidays, especially when it comes to gift giving. Some years I’ve started a “gift idea” list on my phone as early as June. This year though, we’re doing a little bit less gift-giving with our family and instead focusing more on experiences, so my to-do-list looks a little bit different this time around. I’m still trying to keep everything in order though, marking things off the list one day at a time to make the most of the holiday season. My friends at AAA Northeast shared a fun, quick online quiz with me to help me find my holiday saving personality and use my #AAADiscounts to save this season as I tackle my holiday errands!
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One of my best memories as a kid at the holidays was heading to our family-friend’s house for their annual Christmas Eve party, and seeing at the back of the dining room a lavish display of cookies and sweets. They were set out on a buffet table on beautiful platters and tiered serving stands, and I would pluck one off the display every time I walked by it. By the end of the party I was so full of linzer tarts and rainbow cookies, it’s a miracle I didn’t get mistaken for Santa himself. I love the idea of these lush cookie displays, full of everyone’s favorite treats, but I just don’t have the stamina for that level of baking-commitment! My solution is a bit of a fake-it-til-you-make it take on the holiday cookie display, using some of my favorite Chinet®brand products!
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Tis the season for getting the house looking festive! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite holiday decor, tabletop, and entertaining pieces for the season — many of which you’ll see in my holiday content over the next few weeks! Scroll down for more, and don’t forget to check out my gift guide for her, for him, and for the kids!
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This kids gift guide is focused on the toddler-stage since that’s where we’re at right now with Jane. I included a few of our current favorites like the cutest rainbow colored pencils, an ice cream puzzle, a doggie matching game, and books like High Five and Cookies, an interactive cookie-making book. And on Jane’s wishlist this year is a “real” camera, a fun Peppa the Pig watch, and an umbrella — she’s a practical kid! My husband and I were thinking we would also get some old school board games like Connect 4 and Candy Land that are fun for the whole family! Scroll down for more, and don’t forget to check out my gift guide for her, for him, and for the home! read more
This is always an easy list to put together because it’s typically my very own wishlist, and a few of my tried and true favorites. My top gift recommendations are things that I own and love: the coziest pajamas, my favorite spice sets, the trendy hair dryer brush (it’s a game changer), and always a few good cookbooks (I love the new Half Baked Harvest Super Simple, and New England Invite makes a great gift too!). On my own wishlist, a new slim wallet from Dagne Dover, a monogramed travel jewelry case, and a fun sequin jacket to ring in the new year! Scroll down for more, and don’t forget to check out my gift guide for him, for kids, and for the home! read more
Men are SO hard to shop for, and I always feel like gift guides for “him” tend to be the most helpful ones I see this time of year. I polled my husband for some of his favorite things when I was working on this, like his cozy LL Bean pullover, a durable duffle bag, his yeti travel mug, and his smoker (which we all benefit from — yum!). I also included some practical items — bean boots and garment bags, fun ideas — like artisanal caramels, lawn games, and a few tech-faves — like speakers, AirPod cases, and a wireless grilling thermometer! Scroll down for more, and don’t forget to check out my gift guide for her, for kids, and for the home! read more
Please note: This post was created in collaboration with Chase Freedom Unlimited. All opinions, images and content are my own.
I have been working on my “be a better baker challenge” in collaboration with my friends at Chase Freedom Unlimited for several months now, and I’m winding down the official challenge but still baking away! This month I decided to tackle an apple pie, for a few reasons. First, I used my cash back credit card to stock up on the most beautiful, seasonal farm stand apples and I needed to make something with them! And second, apple pie is one of the few baked goods that I always felt really comfortable baking. It felt like the perfect time to come full circle, back to the basics, and see how far I’ve come over the past few months with a dish that’s tried and true.
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This is one of my favorite posts to write each year — it’s like a greatest hits album for all of the deliciousness that I love about Thanksgiving. I’ve got everything from appetizers to desserts and all of the side dishes in between that you need to plan a drool-worthy Thanksgiving feast. Scroll down for 30+ Thanksgiving recipes to inspire your turkey day feast, and don’t forget, there’s a full Thanksgiving menu with recipes and tips in my cookbook — New England Invite: Fresh Feasts to Savor the Seasons!
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We are in the home stretch for Thanksgiving planning, and I have it easy this year since we’re going to my in-laws. I’m in charge of stuffing (my fave) and helping Jane finish the turkey crowns we’ve been coloring for our family. I just can’t help myself though and had to put together a little Thanksgiving table setting for the blog! My friends at Serena and Lily shared some of their beautiful tableware pieces with me and inspired this preppy-harvest look that incorporates some of my favorite tips and tricks for a holiday table.
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I just got back from a whirlwind 24 Hours in Cincinnati where this site took home Best Entertaining Blog of the Year from Saveur Magazine’s 2019 Saveur Blog Awards!! I truly can’t believe it, it was so surreal hearing my blog name called during the awards ceremony. I’m so grateful for the experience of being among such amazing creators and am beyond honored that so many of you voted for me. Check out the full list of Saveur Blog Award winners for some amazing inspiration (I left so creatively recharged after meeting these amazing writers and photographers!), and scroll down for a few pictures from the event and awards ceremony! 
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