Wow Thanksgiving creeped up on me FAST.

I cannot catch my breath with all of this holiday content (more like CHRISTMAS content) going up like four weeks ago! WTF!? Clearly if I’m going to do this whole blogging thing I need to be planning content like six months+ in advance. Lordy.

While several Friendsgiving’s happened this past week, there is still time to plan a tablescape for next weekend, and better yet, for the actual big Thanksgiving Day! I collaborated with my good friend Sarah of Bug and Brookie blog (ig: @bugandbrookie)—who is a home decor / tablescape / activities & crafts genius—and we created a super fun, unique tablescape for Thanksgiving, charcuterie board and a fall-inspired mimosa!

Scroll through this blog post to find the following:

• • • Links to the tablescape products
    • A list of all items on the board
    • Mimosa ingredients
    • 8 things I am thankful for!

The key to a charcuterie board is to leave no space at all!

Start building the board—or butcher paper for an even easier clean up and super sleek look—by placing your higher up items first. For example, the ramekins we have here, or any risers that you will place some of the nosh on.

Then, place your full blocks of cheese or larger decor items (like the orange and pomegranate photographed above).

Build your board out from these higher up items and larger items. For example, maybe place some prosciutto around a ramekin; it’s an easy food to manipulate the shape of, so that’s a great place to start.

Additional Tips:

• • • Choose your items in “3s”; i.e. one meat, one cheese, one starch (bread/crackers)
    • We were working off of a smaller board so we did two meats and two starches, but were able to fit three cheeses.
    • Place the items in a crescent moon shape
    • Add the fruit, veggies and nuts in the blank spaces between the meats, cheeses and starches
    • Then add in the additional decor items; i.e. we have cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs and mini carrots for decor.

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board shopping list (I like Trader Joe’s obvi):

• • • Prosciutto
    • Salami
    • Brie
    • Goat cheese
    • Parmesan
    • Water crackers
    • Cracked wheat sourdough
    • Cornichons
    • Dark purple grapes
    • Blackberries
    • Bosc pear
    • Almonds
    • Marcona almonds
    • Dried cranberries

APPLE CIDER MIMOSA

You guys, just like the traditional orange mimosa, this guy is two ingredients. Just sub the OJ for apple cider! YUM!!

• • • Pour your desired amount of champagne in a flute (I like more champagne, less juice)
      • LaMarca is a great mimosa champagne that isn’t too cheap like Andre but is also inexpensive
      • Or the Kirkland brand at Costco. Might as well just stock up on that for the holidays. It’s $6.99 a bottle and delish.
    • Add a splash of apple cider
      • I have a homemade mulled cider recipe coming soon!!
    • Garnish with an apple slice
    • Enjoy!

8 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

These “things” are mostly people because, well, it’s the people in your life that truly enrich it and make it what it is. But to start, the most important thing of all…

1. 1. Mine and my family’s health

      • You don’t have anything unless you have your health, and I feel so fortunate to have a healthy child, husband and immediate family. Two years ago, just days before my wedding, my dad suffered a brain aneurysm that was the scariest health scare I’ve ever experienced with an immediate family member. I remember that I couldn’t process the information when I was told because you always think, “Those things won’t happen to me.” Thankfully, my dad is good as new and had a successful surgery and recovery. Since that moment, I’m just so grateful for the health of all of my loved ones that I get to enjoy life with.

   2. My husband, Thor

      • I know he will laugh when he reads this because we always joke with each other and make fun, but he is truly the reason for all my happiness in my adult life. Since I met him in college, I’ve never been happier; we had an amazing, carefree time together in college, transitioned to real life together, and then opened up a new chapter of starting our lives together as husband and wife, and now parents. And our strong foundation is the key to a happy family, so I try my hardest to invest time into that. Love you bae!!

   3. My baby boy (not so baby anymore)

      • Omgggg where do I begin with this one!? I know it’s so cheesy and typical to say that he is my world but he is. What was life before Cannon? Waking up with him makes every day something to truly look forward to and he always puts a smile on my face. I love seeing his personality shine through more and more each day and I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in life.

   4. Our home and everything we are blessed with

      • I’m just so fortunate and grateful to have a roof over my head and more. Self-explanatory, but something that cannot go unnoticed.

   5. My friends of now 10+ years

      • I have the best friends. I’ve stayed in touch with my best friend since age 7 (Emma where you at), and my core group of college girl friends and guy friends. I’m so lucky to have them to decompress with, be silly with and let my hair down with. Bachelor Monday wine nights and mistletoe-making classes could never be the same without these girlies. And for those of you where there are several miles between us, it’s like no time has passed when we see each other. #BlessUp

   6. Becca Booker

      • I have to single out Becca because she is such a big part of my life!! Since I met her a year ago during my interview for the Dames Collective, my life has become exponentially better! Her drive and entrepreneurial spirit has been such an inspiration and I truly don’t think that I would be doing all the things that I am right now without her presence in my life. Not to mention—we are now co-hosting a podcast together. I think it’s safe to say we like each other after deciding to work together outside of Dames!

   7. Tara Hainsworth

      • Like Becca, have to single out Tara too!! Some people are just meant to come into your life at just the right time. I had met Tara when looking for a new hair stylist to help me get the wedding hair color of my dreams. She not only did just that, but we’ve become such amazing, close friends and she has truly elevated my life in so many ways. We get to “mom” together, work together, have fun together… the list goes on and on. Love you T <3

   8. Working for myself

      • I mean I don’t enjoy working for other people in the sense of being employed by them… having customers/clients… YES. Working underneath someone… meh. I know this is such a “millennial” mentality but I don’t feel like I flourish, do my best work or feel inspired when working in the best interest of someone else. I don’t want to climb the ladder, I want to build my own. And back to #2, being grateful for Thor… he is the true reason I am able to do this. And he supports me. So really, I can’t thank him enough. Also – being in the “entrepreneur” world, I have been lucky to meet so many amazing women who I have been lucky to learn from and even work with.

I hope that this Thanksgiving, you take the time to not only eat your entire body weight in stuffing—which I will be doing—but to also just personally, quietly think about what you’re thankful for. I’m not usually one to express my emotions or get all sappy, but what is life without the the people and things who make you’re life so great? They all deserve your gratitude and recognition.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.