🦃 Thank you for being you

“I am happy because I’m grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.” – Will Arnett

Thanksgiving Decor: This is one meal that many of us look forward to eating every year. And one universal truth we all know is that most of us eat with our eyes first.

With that in mind, here are some lovely table decor ideas to help you set the table and delight the senses this Thanksgiving. 

• Go heavy on the wooded outdoor theme. Yes, pinecones are a must. 

• Gratitude Place Settings. This is a fun way to leave a little note for each person at the table. 

• Ribbon and pumpkins place settings. As you can see from the photos, this is a cute way to warm up your home.

• Glam Gold Accents. You can do candle holders, silverware, cups, or other serveware to tie the theme altogether. 

A few items can do a lot to bring the settings together. Just flex your creative side and choose the options best for you. It’s even better if you can find items you can use every year. 

Holiday Travel: Okay, don’t freak out, but if you’re traveling for the holidays this year you may have some major delays 😱

According to CNN,  a “strong storm system is pushing its way across the eastern US ahead of Thanksgiving and is expected to deliver its most widespread and significant impacts on Tuesday, threatening to disrupt holiday travel with severe thunderstorms, drenching rain, and snow.”

It seems that these delays are focused on the East Coast, but it’s good to keep an eye on these and prep for delays if you’re heading out in that direction this Thanksgiving. 

The good news is that if you’re doing a road trip, the price of gas is going down this week so… you win some, you lose some.

Mental Health: Truth time. While many of us love this time of year, there are many who face a lot of grief, stress, and struggle during the holidays for various reasons.

It’s important to keep up your mental health, but there are times that that can be a struggle. So how can you help those who you know may be struggling? 

Check in on them. Be present and offer a listening ear. Be especially attuned to the guys in your life since they’re often the most silent in their struggles. And if you are the one who needs a listening ear, reach out to those you know or to resources like those listed in the above-noted article. 

Investments Worth Watching 

What’s better than beautiful cookware? How about non-toxic cookware that’s also oven-safe? That’s Great Jones for you and this female-founded company is already making strides in the cookware space. 

They’ve been around only since 2018 but have raised over $5 million in funding. Oh, and did we mention they’re running a Black Friday sale too? 

💪 What they do: Great Jones is a modern kitchen company that equips, encourages, and inspires people to cook more frequently.
📅 Founded: 2018

🤑 Funding: $5.1 million 

Get Rec’d: Food Edition

Skinnytaste One and Done: 140 No-Fuss Dinners for Your Instant Pot®, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer, Sheet Pan, Skillet, Dutch Oven, and More: A Cookbook

Healthy, fast to make, and delicious. That’s what author Gina Homolka offers in her yummy recipe book. These meals utilize all the handy tools like air fryers, Instant Pots, dutch ovens, and a few more.

With over 100 recipes, there are plenty of quick and easy ideas in here to try out to find the next crowd-pleaser for lunch and dinner time. 

😋 MMM, Yummy! 

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a festive drink to go alongside it. In fact, a great drink can help cut through some of those heavy dishes that Thanksgiving is known for and really tie the whole thing together. 

So here are 30 Thanksgiving-related drink ideas that you can try out this year. 

• Pomegranate Mule

• Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy

• Pear Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe

• Cinnamon Bourbon Hot Toddy