JC Swift, Your Style Cultivator

Image Credit: barneys.com

Black Friday exists online, but it’s called Cyber Monday and starts the Monday after Thanksgiving instead of the day after Thanksgiving. While some retailers do run their online and in-store Black Friday deals simulatenously (ex. Saks), Cyber Monday isn’t as well advertised as traditional the Black Friday. There’s a sense of urgency and impulsiveness that comes with shopping in-person, which may be why retailers with brick-and-mortar stores bank on Friday in-store sales rather than Monday online sales. For more on cyber Monday, check out the-signal.com, and wikipedia. There’s a site dedicated to Cyber Monday as well: cbermonday.com.

In the mean time, The Budget Fashionista offers a roundup of online black Friday deals that excite the inner penny pincher. From Budget Fashionista’s list, I have my eye on target.com deals. Refinery29 offers some pre-Black Friday sales, with labels such as Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, Elizabeth & James, Opening Ceremony, and more. Nexus404.com covers Apple’s Black Friday deals for those of us who can use a tech update. Deals will ensue for iMacs, MacBook Pros, iPods, Apple T.V., and more. Happy hunting!

Bib necklaces are a large accoutrement that when worn well, steal the show. “Bibs” are best worn with simple outfits such as a monochromatic Holiday dress. In a vintage post, Fashionista suggestions wearing bib necklaces or collars with a “tattered t-shirt”. Even atop a pair of boyfriend jeans, bib necklaces cast a regal air of confidence. Below are samples of Sprouting Edge Bib Picks.

Urban Outfitters Studded Bib Necklaces $29.99

Marni Embroidered Tulle Collar $810

Anthropologie Dressed Down Bib necklace $218

J. Crew Sparkle bib necklace $250

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM

Image Credit: gourmet.com

Health conscious Connecticans have a lot to be thankful for when prepping for a Holiday feast. Cedar Meadow Farm is a small, family-run farm in Southeastern CT that provides pasture raised turkey, as well as other heritage-bred meats.

A trip to the farm can become a new holiday tradition, or even a regular outing. Hurricane Farm in Scotland, CT has something for locals any time of the year, including maple syrup, flavored vinegars, goat’s milk, free range eggs, and even the firewood to warm your home’s hearth this Thanksgiving.

Ocean Spray has a handy tool that helps you choose your turkey’s size based on the number of dinner guests you’re expecting. Use this to plan your whole meal– although the dessert serving chart doesn’t take second helpings into account!

No matter where you live, localharvest.org can direct you to the best local, family owned, small-scale businesses. Or, you can even purchase an organic turkey on Amazon.com.

If you would like more in depth information about turkey and farming practices, Sustainable Table is a wonderful resource.

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM

Image Credit: bouchonbakery.com

With all the Holiday cooking and planning, sometimes its nice to treat yourself to a bakery purchased delicacy. At Bouchon Bakery its hard to choose between pastries, chocolates, and tarts. I suggest the macaroons for a colorful treat.

Image Credit: anthropologie.com

Anyone within NYC limits can enjoy Gotham Chocolate Cake from Gotham Bar and Grill (best served with seasonal ice cream). For readers across the country, Lady M Confections’ Mille Crepes are available for shipping with only 24 hours notice.

Any desserts look beautiful served atop an elegant platter. Any of these suggestions also make excellent hostess gifts.

Image Credit: sarahdrakedesign.com

Setting the Holiday table is as much a creative outlet as preparing the Holiday meal itself. Country Living reminds us that “colorful linen napkins or a family heirloom can inspire a whole look”. Place cards or untraditional items such as leaves can decorate plates before the food is served. Food and Wine reminds us that the table settings and place cards should be set the night before to make Holiday entertaining preparation flow as smoothly as possible. For table setting basics such as how to set the table and why, refer to this Style Cultivator post.

Anthropologie is often my go to source for beautiful table ware. I have my eye on the ‘Beast Feast‘ collection, a nice showcase for Holiday fowl. I am not one for alcohol shots per se, but I’m trying to work in this Boreal Beast Shot Glass into my table settings this Holiday season. I might flip the glasses upside down and use them for flowers.

Most publications will suggest goards, pumpkins, twigs and fall foliage as fitting table decorations- I prefer a polished seasonal bouquet. Although the colors have to be adjusted for fall and winter entertaining, confettisystem.com always inspires me to entertain.

It’s also a nice touch to give guests a little something to take home, such as a small box of chocolate, a tasteful candle, or even a small bouquet.

Image Credit: sarahdrakedesign.com

Cookiemag.com has a vintage post on setting the stage for Thanksgiving or any Holiday for that matter. Warm spiced cider give the room a welcoming fragrance- when coupled with a fire, it’s hard to push guess out the door.

Hollister Hovey doesn’t offer Holiday inspired suggestions per se, but this is a great blog to view for decor inspiration.

Finally, a good glass of wine will help any table setting shine. The New York Times offers a Holiday wine guide.

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM

Dress: Vena Cava

Holiday season is the perfect time to wear your “Sunday best”. Clothes should be formal enough to pay tribute to the hostess, yet comfortable enough to engage with nieces and nephews. For women, this dress by Vena Cava is a reasonably priced yet beautiful piece…just get it while you can, it sells quickly. Marni offers some beautiful jewelry that adds to any Holiday outfit.

If you can wait until December 20^th, Wendy from Nitroliscious suggests a lace dress from Rodarte for Target. This dress will sell for $34.99, allowing some money left over for Holiday gift shopping.

For men,  many different designers are making patchwork shirts – they are conversation pieces and a nice alternative to the traditional “Christmas Sweater”. The Patchwork shirt featured below is the result of a collaboration between the historic Pendleton Woolen Mills and the always cool Opening Ceremony.  Whether wearing a shirt or sweater this season, everything looks good under a smart jacket. Check out this men’s UNIS waxed cotton jacket.

For children, J. Crew offers a boy’s two-button velvet sportcoat. As described by J.Crew, this jacket is “polished enough for visits to grandma and just-right for holiday gatherings.” J. Crew also offers this beautiful outfit composed of Girls’ sparkling moon cardigan, cascade dress, socks three-pack, and bubble jewel bracelet.

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Pendleton X Opening Ceremony Patchwork Shirt

J. Crew cardigan, dress, socks and bracelet

Image credit: newblogswick.org

Entertaining on Thanksgiving is a welcome challenge. One of my favorite NY food bloggers, Deb from Smitten Kitchen, posted a special Thanksgiving roundup back in 2007. Deb’s informative post answers frequently asked questions, and is just as relevant today as ever. She even lists a round up of Thanksgiving suggestions and recipe links broken down into “appetizers and sides”, “soups”, and “dessert.” I like the sound of her Acorn Squash with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette, the Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup, and Simplest Apple Tart.

The ever informative Epicurious offers how-to videos for those of us who feel that a picture is worth a thousand words. If you are looking for something more hands on that simply reading a blog post or watching a video, epicurious.com also lists a sample of cooking classes around the country.

Sometimes nothing beats an old fashioned cookbook. Blogger Amy of Cooking With Amy likes Thanksgiving 101 by Rick Rodgers so much that she interviewed the author.

If you are looking to brush up on elements of entertaining style,Florence Fabricant of the New York Times offers a touch up on “how to set the table and why.”

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM

Image Credit: http://terii.wordpress.com/category/day-rides/

“A farmer’s feast has no menus (at least not the traditional kind); instead we’re creating multi-course tastings around the day’s harvest.”  Blue Hill

Tired of the daily grind? Look no further. Plan a visit to Blue Hill at Stone Farms, a working four-season farm just 30 miles north of New York City in Hudson Valley. Walk the grounds and sit down to a farmer’s feast! A quote from their website: “An easy drive or train ride on the Metro-North (so you can enjoy their stellar wine list) make this an ideal getaway to wind down and appreciate the simpler things- even if just for a day.”

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM