Aside from taking advantage of a well deserved long weekend break from our jobs (seriously, the work week can be so draining sometimes!), we are so excited to go back home to New Jersey and spend time with friends, family and of course, FOOD! 2016 has been a very good year for us, from graduating college after 4 long years and travelling throughout Europe and Hawaii for 3 months to finally starting our full time job in the city that never sleeps. We have so much to be grateful for this year, so we thought we would answer a few fun questions from the Youtube Thanksgiving Tag videos that have been floating around social media for some years to give you a more inside scoop on our Thanksgiving loves and traditions.
Thank you SO much for visiting Penny & Dash. It really means the world to us. We hope you have a wonderful holiday catching up with loved ones, eating delicious food, and shopping those Black Friday deals. Leave us a comment below on what you love about Thanksgiving or any traditions you have on Turkey Day! We would love to know :)
Thanksgiving Tag
1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?
Jess: Sweet potatoes. Mashed, roasted, fries; I'll eat any form of it. Many people probably know that one of my favorite foods in the world is sweet potato, which goes back to my early high school days, when I would come back from school and go straight to my oven to make them as a snack. I eat it all year round, but it's still a special food for me on Thanksgiving, especially when it's in casserole form, topped with marshmallows and cornflakes. Check out one of my fave recipes here.
Mel: Mashed Potatoes - In all honesty, I am not big fan of the turkey, but I go balls to the walls for a side of mashed potatoes. I remember going to a steakhouse with my family when I was younger, and actually not eating any of my entree, just so I can leave more room for the buttery, fluffy goodness. Nothing much has changed since then, and lets just say that I will be scoping out the best seat around this year's kitchen table!
2. What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?
Jess: My choice is a bit more traditional than Mel's, since I love nothing more than a slice of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. I've made pumpkin pie before with a pre-made pie crust and [pumpkin puree with other mix-ins, but somehow, it never comes out like the $5.99 Costco ones. Seriously, pick yourself up a pie at your local grocery store, and have it with a cup of warm coffee or tea for dessert. My other top pick is a classic apple pie from Junior's Cheesecake. It's a bit pricier (around $40), but it nothing beats a slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. YUM
Mel: Lady M, Green Tea Crepe Cake - For those who haven't been to Lady M in the city yet, you all must go this holiday season! Though the desserts are a tad pricey (it's ok though because the holiday season is the time to indulge a little), but they are completely worth it! If you can't get a cake for the holiday weekend, at least get yourself to one of their cafes in midtown or downtown NYC for a slice and hot drink. It's the perfect date spot!
3. What does your ideal Thanksgiving outfit look like?
Jess: To be honest, I actually spend very little time prepping what my Thanksgiving outfit will be since I'm always too excited in the kitchen helping to prep for the dinner feast. Thanksgiving has been hosted at my house or my aunts' for numerous years, and I usually go for something loose (must take into account the food baby) but stylish enough for some family photos. This year, I'm going with a simple lace jumpsuit with minimal accessories.
Mel: I definitely like to take full advantage of the holiday season to dress to the 9's and add a little more glitter and sparkle to my usual look. A loose sweater dress with over the knee boots and a statement necklace is the perfect ensemble to lounge about and still impress all the aunts and uncles you haven't seen since last Christmas.
4. What is your best Thanksgiving memory?
Jess: Last Thanksgiving was actually the first that I did not spend at home in New Jersey, since I was studying abroad in Vienna at the time. My favorite memory is definitely having our very own Thanksgiving potluck in my dorm with all of my American, Canadian, and European friends. It was a bittersweet feeling since I missed being with family at the time, but one of the best and most unique experiences that I will always treasure. Turkey was pretty impossible to find in Austria at the grocery stores, so I made chicken drumsticks for everyone!
5. What do you love most about Thanksgiving?
Jess: I love that it really kicks off the spirit of the holiday season, and it turns into weeks of excitement that builds up for Christmas and New Years. I loved having that time off from school and now work, since I appreciate breaks 10x more these days. Most of all, I love getting to sleep in, cook massive amounts of food I normally don't, and consuming all of it with family I don't always get to see.
Mel: Similar to Jess, I love the general atmosphere of Thanksgiving, since it is the official start of the holiday season and you can just feel the excitement in the air. Working full time can definitely be draining and tiring at times, so I love and value any additional time off I can get and I take full advantage of those days by completely vegging out and spending some quality time with Netflix and my cat while eating copious amounts of food.
6. What are you thankful for?
Jess: The hot topic of the moment and of the last few weeks have shed light on both the hatred and love that people have for this country and for each other. In a time when people are extremely concerned about the future (as am I), I am so grateful to be safe, happy, and have the people I care about around me.
Mel: Even at the risk of sounding too cliche, I am honestly most grateful for the health and happiness of all the family and friends who I love. It is easy to get caught up in life and the inconveniences and struggles we all face on a daily basis, but on a day like this, it is important to take a step back and acknowledge the fortunes we all have. Furthermore, I am so thankful for all the readers and supporters of Penny and Dash. I cannot believe it's been a little more than 6 months since the official launch of our blog and we honestly feel the sense of community in the blogging industry through the lovely comments left on the blog and Instagram! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all your support and we cannot wait to share with you what we have planned for next month. We promise it'll be a good one ;)
Love Always,
Jessica & Melissa
Outfit Details Jess: Dress - BCBG (Extra 50% off!), Jeans - Zara, Heels - Manolo Blahnik (peep-toe version) , Clutch - Ports 1961 WomensWear (similar)
Mel: Top - Halson Heritage, Jeggings - J-crew , Heels - Brian Atwood , Clutch - Zac Posen (different style - Zac Posen)
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