What are you doing for Thanksgiving? I’m wondering if COVID will upend a lot of plans, or maybe simplify things in a pleasant way? We are staying put and having my sister and brother-in-law over for the occasion. We’d love my parents-in-law to come up as well, but they are in wait-and-see mode, and I get it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve deferred plans with a vague “maybe in [June/August/October/2021] things will feel different.” I don’t even know what differences I’m expecting…? Infection rates in New York are and have been very low for weeks and weeks now, which is encouraging, but still there is a persistent ~1% of total daily COVID19 tests returning a positive, and mini is back at school, and we are therefore exposed to more people and also out and about more often, so in a sense, I feel like we should be battening down the hatches more than we have in the past, which is almost unimaginable right now, especially with seriously cold weather right around the corner (and therefore even more mandated indoor time). It’s such a confusing time with so little clarity, and so I just keep putting one foot in front of the other, focusing on things that make me happy, and planning ahead for the few excursions we have on our calendar — apple and pumpkin picking, a trip to Storm King Art Center, a Friday night date night (our first proper date night out since the beginning of March — it will be the first time in six months I won’t put the children down to sleep! — and I have no idea what we are going to do but I’m thinking we have to take advantage of outdoor seating while it’s still over 60 degrees at least ONCE), Halloween with the little ones, and likely a trip to finally see my parents for the first time since Christmas. And, of course, Thanksgiving, which isn’t as far away as we think.
Which brings me to today’s post on all things Thanksgiving, and a quick, mildly corny quote to kick it off:
Gratitude takes what you have and makes it enough.
Thanksgiving Outfits.
If you like to dress up for the occasion, a couple of autumnal-leaning picks to consider:
THIS SEA DRESS I’VE FEATURED 44 TIMES (TORN BETWEEN THIS AND THE NEXT DRESS FOR MYSELF)
THIS TOILE STATEMENT FROM NICHOLAS
ELEGANT CREPE DRESS IN CRANBERRY
THIS LACE DRESS WITH A BROWN SUEDE BOOT = MAGIC
THIS TIERED BROWN DRESS ($29!!!) — LOVE LOVE
THIS STUNNING SIR IN THE AUTUMNAL FLORAL
For something in-between dressy and formal…I’m not even a leather kind of person usually but I’m very drawn to this leather mini (or this pleated midi) with a sweater like this or this. I also love this ribbed knit dress with a smart flat like this. Or this wool top with some high-waisted trousers or denim.
For more casual, love a neutral vibe like this sweater with these jeans. A few alternate tops to pair with your favorite jeans: this fall blouse (similar, for less), this ruffled cable-knit, this plaid blouse, or this turtleneck poncho. And a great plaid headband won’t hurt.
Thanksgiving Outfits for Children.
I am buying micro these corduroy dungarees and this top, and mini this dress. I was literally stopped in my tracks by the entire fall collection from Spanish childrenswear label Luca & Luca! (I also love this dress for girls.)
Other options for girls:
THIS STUNNING VELVET (MINI WORE LAST YEAR)
CASUAL: A BOBBLE SWEATER LIKE THIS OR THIS WITH JEANS
Other options for boys:
CASUAL: CORDUROYS AND A SWEATER
For an itty baby: a knit set like this or this, or this corduroy bubble.
Thanksgiving Tablescape.
I am drawn to forest green at the moment. I’m currently wondering if I can somehow transform this gorgeous green toile fabric into a runner/table throw….and then pair with these napkins in the spruce color and a lot of mercury glass votives/pillars. I also found these vintage (but never used) toile napkins on Etsy which are compelling.
And speaking of toile (can you tell I’m in love with toile?), these Juliska plates are always on my mind come the holiday season. Love! Maybe I’ll just buy the napkins this year as a harbinger of things to come. They would pop against a pretty cranberry red tablecloth/mats!
I also really like the idea of drinking a jammy red Thanksgiving wine in these bee goblets this year.
More generally, some great fall finds here. Music? Ella Fitzgerald!
Thanksgiving Menu.
I’ve had a few questions about our Thanksgiving menu already — we’ll probably be doing exactly what we did last year, and I included almost all of the recipes at the bottom of this post.
P.S. On making it through tough times: it begins with a prayer.
P.P.S. Our Thanksgiving prayer — it touches me that so many of you have adopted this in your own homes.
P.P.P.S. This time of year makes me nostalgic for my hometown of D.C.