Hello, Sweet Friend!

Y’all — we’re knee-deep in Freezer Week, and if your kitchen looks anything like mine, there’s flour on the counter and butter wrappers everywhere. 😅 (I went ahead and made my pies, and my tiny, normal freezer is PACKED...)
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Before we roll into the next phase of Thanksgiving prep, I wanted to share a few little things making my life easier (and a lot prettier!) this week. These are the pieces I reach for again and again — the ones that earn their keep in my hosting toolkit.

🛍️ Things I’m Loving This Week

👉 This gorgeous beverage dispenser — Perfect for sweet tea, punch, or even infused water, this beauty looks far more expensive than it is. You’ll pull it out again and again for parties, brunches, and holidays alike.

👉 A classic white serving platter — If you don’t already own one, consider this your sign. It goes with everything — from Thanksgiving turkey to Tuesday night takeout. Simple, timeless, and endlessly useful.

👉 To-Go Boxes (yes, really!) — This might seem over the top, but trust me: it’s the hostess move of the season. Send your guests home with leftovers without sacrificing your favorite Tupperware. It’s thoughtful, practical, and your friends will remember that little act of kindness long after the dishes are done.

🪩 Hosting Tips

• Keep a “Freezer Inventory” list on your fridge door so nothing gets lost. I also like to add this list to my Reminders on my phone. That way, if I'm in the store, I can look and see what I've got, and if I should pick up salad things, or something else.
• Stock up on disposable foil pans for casseroles — perfect for freezing and gifting leftovers. I will toot this horn until all have heard the gospel of foil pans! ((And I know, they're not good for the environment. I hear you, but I choose not to listen. You listen to you.))
• Use sticky notes to track what’s thawing when during Thanksgiving week.

🧹 This week would be a fantastic time to give the guest rooms a fluff, if you're able. A nice little dust and deep-ish clean. Change the sheets, clean the bathroom, etc.

⏲️ Set a timer for 30 minutes, and use it to give your home a little bit of a tidy and reset.

💌 Don't Forget:​
If you’re feeling that pre-holiday buzz, pause. If you're feeling overwhelmed with all the things you *think* you *should* be doing, pause. I know the loud online world tells us to do all the things... Make all the recipes... Make everything extra, extra extra! But, seriously, stop and think. Is it worth it? Is that what you (or your people!) will remember? Or, will you remember the time spent together?

You are the only one who can make the choice to say no. You don't need a reason; you can just say no. ((Even these emails! If you're just not a fan, hit that unsubscribe button! I promise I won't be offended!))

Protect your own time, peace, and mental capacity so you can gift it back to the others around you.

Go on, make it magical — and don’t you dare stress,​
xo, Ashley