Hump Day Distractions

They say it's chocolate swirl ice cream...
but I think we all know what this emoji is about

How are we holding up today my friends? It seemed like yesterday was a rough one across the board, with at least a dozen different people I encountered (and I don't think that's an exaggeration!) bemoaning that it was just a "tough day". Preach. I've been recovering from some sort of "when-did-I-get-so-old!?" lower back injury since Sunday night, popping Aleve like candy and using a heating pad at my desk #oldballs. Here to help you survive today, and get one step closer to the glorious shortened holiday week that's just around the corner, are some fun goodies from around the web. Enjoy!!

* Have family coming to visit you in NYC this holiday season (I do!)? Just want to get out and get into the spirit?! Click HERE for some excellent ideas and events going on around the city!

* 10 things to stop doing so you can get happy.

* This mom seems pretty bad ass.

* These are an excellent blend of hysterical, creative and occasionally quite creepy...

* Aca-scuse me!? You need more a cappella Beyonce in your life?

* Have you met these two best buddies yet? Prepare to say awwww (x, 1,000,000)

* Well THAT is an inventive and delicious looking combination of foods I love!

* Mom always said she was the most evil Disney villain... now she's got her own movie to prove it!

* This girl cracks me up (last one is my favorite)!

Counting Down...

Perfect for the kids' table!

Hello hello and happy Monday my merry friends! I am officially in "it's almost the holidays" mode, thanks to Thanksgivukkah being just 10 days away. Even more exciting though is that I will be departing for the land of loving Grandparents and sun (aka, Florida) in one week from tomorrow. Tick tock is it time to go yet!?

Here to get us into the holiday spirit are some standout Thanksgiving suggestions - everything from tablescape to a hostess gift and dessert, it's time to get our turkey on people!!

Gold & Burlap elegance.

This table decor is so easy to execute and so elegant to look at that I'm actually disappointed to not be hosting a feast of my own to set it up at. Simply pick up some pine cones, gourds, berry branches, leaves and any other seasonal items your yard (or nearest Michaels crafts store) has to offer and head outside with a can of gold spray paint. Lay across the center of your table on a burlap (or other solid color) runner, add some votive candles and voila! The classiest Turkey Day table you ever did see!

Bite sized YUM. 

I love this idea! Since everyone loves the crispy outer edges of the stuffing casserole dish, why not make every bite an edge!? Using a muffin tin to bake your stuffing (whatever recipe you prefer) creates adorable individual portions with lots of crispy edges for everyone to enjoy.

Put a bow(tie) on it!

Looking to one-up all those guests who arrive with a bottle of wine and say "thanks for having me?" How about this idea from Real Simple? Pick up some fresh "Italian for dinner" supplies (pasta, sauce, herbs, olive oil) then box and wrap them with string and (pasta) bows. Adorable, inexpensive and perfect for the Saturday night after when the idea of more leftovers just isn't cutting it!

Candy Corn "bark"

Helllllo lover. Time to put all that leftover candy corn to use before it's out of "season"!! 

Click HERE for the full recipe or HERE to pin it. YUM.

Eat, Sleep, etc.

I'm with ya kid.

When I found that picture, I couldn't believe how perfectly it embodied how I'm feeling on this sunny fall Friday. Really hungry and pretty darn tired... I'm ready for a tasty meal and a serious nap. Way to get things done kid.

Also, want to hear something kinda nuts? In two weeks from today, Thanksgiving will be over and Channuka will already be underway. Holy holiday season how quickly you've snuck up on me!! (And don't even get me started on the turkey/dreidel overlap, more on that next week...) This will be my last weekend hanging at home for a bit, so I'm hoping for a solid combination of productive (I need to get gift shopping!) and relaxing (family Sunday brunch reservations made.) And since we've still got plenty of football to be watching:

"Feed Your Football Face" Recipe of the Week: 

Cranberry, Butternut and Brussels Sprout Brie Skillet Nachos

* brought to you by Half Baked Harvest

These my friends, are not you're average nachos. These are a high brow, brie-tastic, fancy feasting treat perfect for your "it's too damn cold outside, this game will be better from the comfort of my couch" viewing party.

Since this recipe has a whole lot of ingredients (and some pretty drool-inducing photos) on the Half Baked Harvest site, why don't you just click HERE to learn how to cranberry, butternut, brussel sprout brie nacho your weekend or click HERE to Pin it for later.

And for all of the "Feed Your Football Face" recipes of the week, click HERE.