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BEAUTY AND THE FEAST: SUMPTUOUS LIVING’S MANDY LANDEFELD
REVEALS RECIPE FOR A STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING
Lifestyle Expert Provides Preparation Tips That Make Hosting
Lifestyle Expert Provides Preparation Tips That Make Hosting
Biggest Meal of the Year as Easy as [Pumpkin] Pie
ATLANTA (Nov. 1, 2017) – The pressure that comes with hosting a crowded house for Thanksgiving is a tale as old as time, but Sumptuous Living’s Mandy Landefeld is providing a more suitable story for the modern host that starts with giving that Pinterest-perfect vision the bird. Landefeld created the Sumptuous Living lifestyle brand to give women confidence and empower them to have it all without breaking a sweat. Now, she’s translating that expertise into a guide for hosting family gatherings.
“Thanksgiving can either drive you crazy or be an event that you can’t wait for; it just depends on how you decide to tackle it,” Landefeld says. “Are you going to pressure yourself into making every little detail look Pinterest worthy, or are you going to concentrate on smart planning, creativity and bold flavors? The latter option ensures a fabulous time for everyone involved.”
Landefeld tackles cooking and cocktail appearances, interior design and travel guides to show her blog readers how to make the everyday easier. She has gained a loyal following for her inventive cocktails, easy recipes, budget-friendly design style and larger-than-life personality. Now, she’s sharing her secrets to a Thanksgiving that’s even smoother than Grandma’s mashed potatoes.
- Set the dining table the week before Thanksgiving with classic white linens and a rustic dough bowl filled with pumpkins, cotton sprays and bay leaves for a modern and stunning centerpiece.
o Pro tip: Purchase high-quality artificial versions of these items to prepare weeks in advance. Tuck in a few votives or concrete pears for a table that will stop guests at the door.
- While they are stopped at the door, hand guests a fabulous fall cocktail immediately.
“Let’s be honest, the holidays and families are always easier to handle with a great cocktail!” Landefeld says.
o Recipes: Harvest Sangria, Pomegranate Cider Cocktail
- Keep traditional family recipes on the menu but tuck in a few fresh additions or a modern spin on an old favorite.
o Recipes: Butternut Squash Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Pistachios, Grandma’s Louisiana Cornbread Dressing
o Pro tip: Bake cornbread dressing in mini Bundt pans; the center hole can be used for gravy or cranberry sauce
- Don’t let any dish take a spot on the menu if it can't be prepped days ahead of time or even months ahead by going in the freezer.
o Pro tip: Sauté onions and freeze them in baggies for a quick addition to recipes later.
- If guests are kind enough to offer to bring something, be smart enough to let them do it!
o Pro tip: Let guests take on a dreaded dish or give them a copy of a recipe that might be pressing for the host to accomplish.
- Leave a few tasks that can be handed to guests to get them out of the kitchen. “People like feeling useful, so it’s a win-win if you can plan for your guests to have small duties,” notes Landefeld.
o Pro tip: Have guests set up the bar with wine glasses and a bottle opener and fill the ice bucket, or have them place food platters on the sideboard. Label the platters with a Post-it note beforehand to keep track of which dish is going on each.
- The “menu” is more than just what is served at the big event. Don’t forget about an easy dinner like a pot of soup for the night before Thanksgiving when overnight guests are arriving at different times, as well as quick-prep breakfast goodies for the morning.
o Recipes: The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup, Sausage & Kale Frittata Bites, Orange Glazed Biscuit Mix Cinnamon Rolls
About Mandy Landefeld:
Lifestyle and entertaining expert Mandy Landefeld, who has a big personality and an even bigger belief that nothing is impossible, is the powerhouse behind the Sumptuous Living brand. Her 12-year career as a designer and decorator as well as her countless guest chef demonstrations enable her to tackle interior design, cooking and cocktail appearances and travel guides to show her blog readers how to make the everyday easier.
About Sumptuous Living:
Launched in 2012, Sumptuous Living is a lifestyle brand dedicated to helping women make life easier, more fun and full of flavor. The Sumptuous Living blog has gained a loyal following for creator Mandy Landefeld’s inventive cocktails, easy recipes, budget-friendly design style and informative travel guides. Landefeld’s infectious smile and easygoing vibe inspires her followers to let go of the need for perfection.
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