Miscalculation

It seems that I may have slightly underestimated the ratio of time left before Thanksgiving to the number of tasks I must complete before my guests arrive. Whoops. I think I've been getting cocky, as I've hosted Thanksgiving five times now. But just because I know how to cook a turkey doesn't mean that the dog hair tumbleweeds are going to disappear all by themselves. Unfortunately.

My menu hasn't changed too much this year, and one of the things I am thankful for this year is that my family is more than willing to pitch in and bring over dishes. As much as the the control freak in me would like to do everything myself, the working mom/pregnant chick/frazzled girl is so happy to farm a few things out to others!

Here's the TCP Thanksgiving Menu 2008:

• Spiced Nuts


• Brie with Cranberries (TCP Mom's specialty)


• Roast Turkey (dry-brined this year, we'll see how that goes)


• Apple, Cranberry, and Sausage Dressing (I scrapped the usual Oyster & Chestnut version for this more toddler-friendly recipe. We haven't yet introduced nuts or shellfish into his diet, and I don't think Thanksgiving is a good day to give it a whirl for the first time. No ER visits this year, please.)


• Mashed Potatoes (TCP Mom is bringing them)


• Orange Cranberry Relish (ditto)


• Green Bean Casserole (my brother is bringing this one--the traditional Midwestern favorite, everything out of a can)


• Cheesy Corn Casserole


• Sweet Potatoes (MIL is in charge of this)


• Pies, Apple and Pumpkin (TCP Gram is the Pie Lady)


• Birthday Cake (for TCP Mom, also provided by my grandmother)

And I think that's it! I hope so anyway, because anything else has been forgotten.

So I'm signing off until after the big feast, but I will leave you with this helpful guide to settling--or starting--holiday political spats. I may print this one out, as the TCP family is rather politically divided!

I hope you and yours have the happiest of Thanksgiving Days!

Weekend Codes

Design Her Gals: 25% off this weekend only with the code USAVE25

J.Crew: Additional 20% off sale merchandise this weekend with the code EXTRA20

Lands' End: Free shipping with no minimum if you use the promotion code SKATE and the PIN 00001277

Claire Murray: A whopping 50% off one rug, and 20% off everything else with the code PR50

Vineyard Vines: 25% off your purchase now through Tuesday with the promo code FRIENDS2008

Not Quite So Festive

So I'm listening to the "All Christmas Carol, All the Time" radio station online, and every. single. commercial. break has included a spot about the dark days of ... heroin dependency. Now, I understand that opiate addiction is tragic and am all for people being able to find the help they need.

But right on the heels of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree? It's just a little jarring!

Where to find TCP this weekend...

... at the Junior League of Chicago's Gazebo Holiday Market!

When:

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2008

Where:

The River East Art Center

What:
A cozy boutique shopping experience, featuring 40 unique and exceptional vendors from across the country. Explore and browse for unique gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season.
Relax in the Lounge from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy tasty bites from Mrs. Prindable's, The Melting Pot, Cabot Creamery and Argo Tea.
Rejuvenate with mini makeovers provided by Trish McEvoy with plush furnishings provided by Kenneth Ludwig.
$10.00 at the door
A portion of all purchases goes to support the JLC's mission and programs, making this the "Ultimate Gift with Purchase Event"!

I'll be working a shift in the early afternoon, so if you see me, stop by and say hello! Some of our favorites will have tables at Gazebo--I know for sure that Tucker Blair will be there with the fabulous needlepoint headbands...on sale, too!

If you're feeling particularly festive this weekend, the CTA is back with the annual holiday tradition...the Santa Train! Didn't you know that Santa likes to travel around the Third Coast on a flatbed El car? This combines two of TCP Toddler's favorite things (trains + Santa), so we'll definitely be looking to catch a ride at some point during the holidays.

What's the Opposite of NaBloPoMo?

I just cannot seem to keep my head above water lately...we've had an awful lot of stuff going on this month and the blogging is falling by the wayside. Some nights by the time I get home, get dinner on the table, get TCP Toddler fed, bathed, and put to bed...well, it's all I can do to curl into the fetal position on the couch and watch ANTM. (And by the way, I totally predicted that Third Coast girl McKey--who is from the uber-preppy town of Lake Forest-- would win, like, months ago!!)



So instead of blogging, I delete all the pitches and the REALLY HUGE SALE notices from the inbox and eat a little ice cream. I highly recommend it, it's very restorative.



But there comes a time when, in the immortal words of Cher, you need to "Snap out of it!!!"









So first, let's dicuss all the contests. The preppy bloggers are in a giving mood and there are tons of contests in the air at the following fab destinations:



The Monogram Chick



Grosgrain Garage



Preppy Days



Mom x 2

I think all of them are still going on, but I'll be honest--I started writing this post a couple of days ago, so you might want to check to see if the deadlines have passed.

What else has been going on? I was shocked, shocked, to realize that Thanksgiving is exactly one week away. We're hosting as usual, so it's time for me to get the lead out on that one. Plus, TCP Mom's birthday is Thanksgiving Day, so I've been knee deep in planning some fun things for that. I need to get her permission, but one of my projects is too good not to share. Stay tuned.

Also, TCP Mom and my not-really-Aunt (you know, she's my mom's oldest friend, so we aren't really related, but might as well be) went to Vegas last weekend to celebrate their joint birthdays. I got a voicemail from them in which they informed me that they needed to do a guest post for TCP on the tragic fashion choices they saw in Vegas. I hope they really want to write one and that it wasn't just the Bellinis talking, because well, this could be hilarious.

And because I'm feeling rather warm and fuzzy today for the first time in ages, I will leave you will three things that make me happy today:

1. I borrowed a FAT TON of winter maternity clothes from the fabulous Heaven in a Paper Cup. You don't know how nice it is to wear pants that fit and are warm. Yay for friends who had babies in the opposite seasons!

2. My friend from college was on the local radio this morning, performing his new song Thanksgiving With You. It's a very sweet retro number that will definitely be playing at the TCP compound this holiday. (I mean, I love me some Adam Sandler Thanksgiving Song, but that's definitely not one I want to hear TCP Toddler repeating!)

3. I have a venti decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte on my desk, the snow is flurrying outside my window, and I have on my favorite cozy argyle socks. Not too shabby.

Follower

So talk to me about the "Follow This Blog" feature...is it just a way to publicly proclaim the unhealthy number of blogs I read or can it somehow replace my increasing ridiculous Bloglines account?

Also, do I need Twitter? Especially if I'm already wasting time with blogging, facebooking, etc.

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I really wish I had a fabulous report from my trip to the new L.L. Bean store last weekend, but it was a no go. Needless to say, I was pretty bummed out to not make it there, but am trying to convince Mr. TC that it would be a good family outing for this coming weekend. Am hoping the lure of fly-fishing paraphenalia (geddit? lure? fishing? hahahaha. I crack myself up.) will do the trick.

Where to Find TCP This Weekend

At the opening of the new LL Bean store on the Third Coast!

TCP Toddler, TCP Mom, and I plan on heading up to Old Orchard for the preppy festivities. Here are all the details if you're interested:

Come celebrate the Grand Opening of our new Skokie store, located at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center. Doors open at 9 a.m. – and stay open 24 hours a day all weekend long – with great events for the whole family. Be one of the first 500 guests and receive an L.L.Bean GiftCard worth up to $500* Participate in FREE Walk-On Adventures from our OutdoorDiscovery Schools® Enjoy free refreshments, live music, kids' activities and more.

Ascot Advice

Photo credit: bensilver.com

I need some help and who better to ask than the preppy blogging community?

I got an email from TCP reader Katie who wants to know where one can find an ascot for a reasonable price...Since we all know Mr. TC doesn't go in for super-preppy attire, I'm at a loss. Google seems intent on directing me to faux ascots for waiters, and that just doesn't sound like what she had in mind. I'm thinking more Cary Grant, less banquet hall. Do any of you have any suggestions for Katie?? Inquiring minds want to know.

Boatload of Codes

I think retailers are really getting worried about holiday revenues, because my inbox is literally overflowing with deals...take a deep breath, and here they all are:

Janie & Jack has an extra 20% off sale items through Tuesday.

Gymboree has 30% off through November 9 with the code GYMFRIEND.

Martin + Osa has 30% off with the coupon code 42592242.

Gap Maternity has an additional 25% off sale with the code EXTRA25 through November 11.

Lauren Nicole is offering 15% off with the code CHRISTMAS through November 15.

My Own Labels is offering 10% off orders of $50 or more with the code CPZ26S through November 30.

Babycenter has a 15% off this weekend with the code EXTRA15%OFF.

Lands' End has free shipping through November 11th with the promotion code FREESHIP and the PIN 81004102 .

Preppy Monogrammed Gifts has 10% off monogrammed soaps with the code 212110035, this weekend only.

Design Her Gals is offering 20% off with the code GALS, today is the last day.

Whew, I think that's it for now! I'll update with any new codes I receive.

Everything Looks Better in Cable Knit

Yesterday, on my way to the doctor, I had a few extra minutes so I decided to pop into the Starbucks down the street. While I was waiting in line I saw the cutest mug...it was off-white with a cable-knit design. It was so adorable and cozy looking. Should have gotten it right then and there.

Because now I can't find it online or at any of my regular Starbucks shops. Sigh.

TCP Reads: The NY Times

Check out this great article from the style section about TCP favorite Lilly Pulitzer. It seems the Parsons School in NYC has opened a retrospective of LP's work...oh, to be in NYC to see it in person!!

Yes, We Can (Save Money)

(Sorry, I couldn't resist a little post-election humor...)

• Vera Bradley has up to 60% off in their sale section right now for these patterns: Mesa Red, Capri Blue, Botanica, and Pink Elephants.
• J.Crew is offering an additional 30% off sale merchandise with the code EXTRA30.
• In the Pink has the entire Fall Collection on sale with the code 8003.
• Emily Lacey has an unadvertised sale with the code HOLIDAY for a whopping 50% off.

Monogram Momma, Your Paper Concierge

Have you been reading Monogram Momma's blog lately? If not, hop on over there and see what she's been up to...not content with only her fabulous SWAG, she's opened up her own stationery shop through Paper Concierge selling all your favorites (Boatman Geller, Whitney English, MomAgenda, etc.)

I can tell you from personal experience that MM is a delight to work with and she always goes above and beyond to make sure that you get just what you need, when you need it. However, don't challenge her in Wordscraper, unless you want your behind handed to you. Girlfriend is good.

So of course, I have a fantastic deal to pass along to all of you from Monogram Momma-- All Whitney English digital photo cards are 50% off this week only on her website. The offer expires November 7th, no exceptions. Enter coupon code smilepretty and 50% will automatically be deducted when you checkout. Three lines of text are included, and The Paper Concierge will email you a complimentary proof (an additional $6 in savings!).

Holiday Preview Sale at A Little Bit of This

If you're on the Third Coast on Thursday, November 6, stop by the Holiday Preview Sale at TCP fave A Little Bit of This. They are offering 20% off all in-stock merchandise that evening, and will offer 10% off the rest of the weekend.

I'm a huge fan of this shop (it's my go-to monogrammer in town) and have always been happy with the gifts (for others and, uh, myself) that I have purchased there. Stop in and check them out!!

Seriously Outnumbered

So, it seems that the TCP household is going to be 3 to 1 in the battle of the sexes come March...I'm going to need advice from Monogram Momma and Mom x 2 about how to maintain a little pink in a house full of blue!!

November 3

I have the attention span of a gnat today, because this afternoon is The Big Ultrasound! It's like Christmas for me. I know lots of people don't approve of "spoiling the surprise" (and have felt free to lecture me about it!), but I like the idea of knowing who exactly is in there. Plus, I hate referring to the baby as "it." Seems rather impersonal, doesn't it?

So, the best I can do today is to pass along news of a few giveaways...

Preppy Days is doing a "Mystery Giveaway" where the prize is a mystery (although I think it is safe to assume that it will be something we all would like)! Comment here to enter... 15 people must comment in order of the giveaway to happen.

I just found this blog today... Peeptoe Pumps and Pearls just got back from a trip to China and is celebrating her 100th post by giving away one of the strands of pearls she picked up during her trip! Comment to enter.


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Last but certainly not least, I would like to wish Mr. TC a very happy anniversary!!

11-03-01

Confidential to Preppy Friend A

Happy Birthday!!! Hope you have a sensational day!!