Last minute Thanksgiving inspo and my first week back in La-la land.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday x

A little Thanksgiving inspo

It's our first year not hosting Thanksgiving in our home in Los Angeles, and while a part of me will miss being with our loved ones, I do feel relieved that we don't have to take all that on right now. But, since the boys go to an International School and we are lucky enough to have a large expat community already, Andre will be taking the boys to a few Thanksgiving celebrations this week in Italy to get that holiday fix in. And, for me, I'm grateful to be spending a very low-key Thanksgiving with our dear friends Tofer and Mari, just us catching up and eating some delicious food at their home in LA. Small and simple. It sounds perfect.

I wanted to send along this week’s newsletter a few days early, just in case anyone needed a last minute recipe for Thursday. Here are a few of my favorite salads and veggie sides from previous years. Andre and I were never "traditional" Thanksgiving people. We always opted to include a lot of bright, fresh, veggie-focused sides to balance out the heavy richness of dishes like mashed potatoes, biscuits, and stuffing. I love including a big, colorful salad filled with seasonal ingredients like pomegranates or persimmons to bring fresh vibrancy and acidity to the plate. Here are some of my favorites from Thanksgivings of the past:

Arugula Salad with Persimmon, Pomegranate, and Sherry Vinaigrette

Fennel Salad with Persimmon and Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Persimmon, Pomegranate, and Mint

Little Gem Salad with Persimmon, Radish, and Pomegranate

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Persimmons

Little Gems with Apple, Toasted Walnuts, and Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

Green Beans with Marcona Almonds, Shallots, and Almonds

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Back in La-la land

I'm in LA for a few weeks for work, and it's strange to be back, especially by myself. Being here simultaneously reminds me how much I love LA while reinforcing my happiness that we moved our family to Italy. Both feelings exist at once. I'm enjoying every moment, seeing people I love, working as hard as I can, and soaking up all the goodness of a city that will always be my home at heart. Here are some of the highlights of this first week back:

1) The golden California light at sunset.

2) Palm trees and bright blue skies.

3) The escarole salad with toasted almonds and sunchokes at Gjelina.

4) Sweating, screaming, and dancing at The Class.

5) A perfect cappuccino made by @nicely85 at Hooked Venice.

6) All things Erewhon, including the most delicious Super Green Frittata, Chicken Noodle Soup, and Turkey Bacon & Egg Breakfast Burrito.

7) Watching My Best Friend's Wedding and 13 Going on 30 with my bestie.

8) Overnight Oats from Go Get Em Tiger.

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