What to Wear for Thanksgiving Dinner- and other things

Hi lovebugs!

Happy almost Thanksgiving! I wish you very safe travels and hope you overeat.  Speaking of eating, I would like to talk about two things today: what to wear to dinner that will allow you to overeat AND the inevitable mom talk of "you should cut back on the food [insert name here]".  Let's start with the mom talk.

I'm sure you know it well.  And don't get me wrong moms I know you mean well.  But if you're anything like me, you KNOW you should cut back on the mashed potatoes, and hearing it out loud just makes you want to eat more to comfort yourself.  Just know you're beautiful and whether you're a size 4 or a size 24. Treat your body like a temple----with the occasional eating of the Dorito bag in one sitting occurrence.  Happens to the best of us.  Whether you plan a New Years resolution for weight loss or are happy with your size, more power to you! Dress your body fabulously (by reading TCB, obvi) and love your curves, bumps, and pant size.  Love you mom!

Ok, now onto the fashion.  Thanksgiving dinner is a semi-dressy occasion but skinny ANYTHING is out of the question if you plan to enjoy yourself at all.  So here's what I recommended to look gorgeous while camouflaging the second serving of pie!

 Lulus, Elegant Teal Dress, $41

The drape effect with the belt makes for optimal stuffing intake.  Please pair with tights as this dress is on the shorter side!

Modcloth, La Creme Glacee Sweater, $48

I love this cream color and paired with some corduroys this makes the perfect outfit.

Loft, Charmeuse Top Sweater Dress, $48 with code ENJOY

The blousing on the top of this dress is beautiful.  Paired with pearls of a big earring you're ready.

Canvas, Pleated Tartan Shirtdress, $79

SO sweet.  And the pleating plus the bow, bring on the potatoes.

Canvas, Chunky Cable Cowl neck, $69

It has the word "chunky" in it! 

And if all else fails:

Amazon, Easy fit extenders for jeans, $13

How to Pack for Thanksgiving Travel

As we all travel to our family and friends homes this Thanksgiving, most of us will be doing over-nighters which means packing.  Generally this is a 3 or 4 night trip so nothing epic, but still you don't want to use your giant tote bag either.

Today we will talk about fabulous suitcases fit for flying, busing, driving, or however else you may be getting to your destination.  Tomorrow I will feature what to wear to Thanksgiving dinner....think elastic!

Vera Bradley, Large Duffel in Hope Garden, $60

Some people have a severe aversion to Vera but love her or hate her this duffel is the BEST carry on in the world because you can shove it under your seat on the plane if the overhead storage runs out.  And let me tell you from experience, it's ultra-durable!

Rockland, Giraffe Pink, $29

Feeling sassy? Try this rolling duffle bag!

Lesportsac, Medium Weekender in Twinkle, $73

SO many pattern options to choose from, this bag will never be mistaken for someone else's!

Overstock, International Traveler Shiny Dot, $79.99 

If you REALLY need a roller bag I just love this one.  The handle is curved too so its easier to maneuver. 

A shoe with room

Today's post is going to be a little selfish, as I need your help.

I went to the foot doc this morning and I have good news and bad news:
Good News: I can start to wear "roomy" shoes
Bad News: these shoes are clogs, crocs, an sneakers.

So, I'm going to put up what I consider roomy and comfortable shoes that are work appropriate and are not made of rubber or Birkenstock.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

Also- early calls for Friday Foodday, I know you have recipes ready for Thanksgiving!

Minnetonka, Suede Skimmer, $40

I like these because they have a nice sole for walking and they can be easily disguised under black slacks.

Easy Spirit, Junee, $39.99

Nice roomy toe box, this could work

Ugg, Retreat, $85

I'm having trouble with the idea of spending $85 for a rehab shoe...

Airwalk, Flurry, $24

Oh payless, I think we may have a winner. However, I may be mistaken for the abdominal snowman with this weird fur!!! 

**Note: please do not judge me on these choices, they are by no means reflective of what my shoe collection looks like.  This is a temporary option! 

Friday Foodday

Its the best day of the week lovebugs! Thank you so much for sending me your recipes, and please keep them coming!!!

Spiced Apple Galette

c/o Nikki

• 1 large apple (I think this one is a honey crisp), sliced
• 1 frozen pie crust
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice mix (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lemon peel, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom)

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix apple slices with sugar, flour and spices.
3. Arrange apples on pie crust.
4. Fold the edge of crust in, around the fruit creating folds.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Chicken Divan Soup
c/o M&SJ+C

• 2  tablespoons  butter
• 1  garlic clove, chopped
• 1/4  teaspoon  dried crushed red pepper
• 1  (48-oz.) container chicken broth
• 2  (12-oz.) packages fresh broccoli florets (about 12 cups)
• 1  (8-oz.) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 4  cups  chopped cooked chicken (I cooked four chicken breasts in the crock pot all day then shredded and added to the soup).
• 8-oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red pepper, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth and broccoli. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Stir in cream cheese.

2. Process mixture with a handheld blender until smooth. Add chicken, shredded cheese, and noodles. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Note: If you don’t have a handheld immersion blender, let mixture cool slightly; process mixture, in batches, in a regular blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Return mixture to Dutch oven, and proceed as directed.

Parmesan Potato Balls

• 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes 
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened 
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
• 2 1/2 teaspoons onion soup mix 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 
• 1 dash pepper 
• 1 egg, beaten 
• 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs 

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese into the potatoes until smooth. Stir in Parmesan cheese, soup mix, salt, hot pepper sauce and pepper. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place the egg and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip potato balls in egg, then roll in crumbs. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 for 15-18 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.

Chicken and Mushroom Marsala

3 whole boneless chicken breasts with skin (about 2 1/2 pounds),
halved
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, sliced thin
3/4 pound mushrooms, sliced thin
1/2 cup Marsala
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. 


In a large heavy skillet heat oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown chicken in 2 batches, transferring with tongs to a large plate as browned.


Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet and sauté onion and mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated. Add Marsala and cook mixture, stirring, until Marsala is almost evaporated. Add broth and chicken with any juices that have accumulated on plate and simmer, turning chicken once, until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken with tongs to a platter.


Simmer mushroom sauce until liquid is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Remove skillet from heat and stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and salt and pepper to taste, stirring until butter is just incorporated. Spoon mushroom sauce around chicken and sprinkle with parsley.