Thanksgiving Brunch Ideas with our New Lifestyle Editor Jeanine Hays of Aphrochic

For all of you recent newlyweds, tomorrow will be your first official Thanksgiving as a married couple.  How exciting and also nerve-racking at the same time!  Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen and have everything set and ready to go, or you are still online searching for unique ideas for your first big holiday gathering, we’ve got your covered.  While our site is meant to provide you with endless wedding inspiration, we can’t help but to keep you plugged in with ideas and inspiration for everything that happens after the wedding…life in general.

Early next year, we’ll be launching a series of new sections on our website…one of those will be a new Lifestyle section.  With that being said, we’re beyond excited to introduce you to our new Lifestyle Editor, Jeanine Hays!  Jeanine Hays is a former lawyer turned designer and the Creative Director and Founder of Aphrochic, a Philadelphia-based textile company specializing in home decor infused with culture and style.   Her modern, soulful and stylish pieces have been featured in The New York Times, Elle Decor, California Home + Design and a number of other interior design blogs.  She’s amazingly talented and gifted with a great eye for design and style.  We are thrilled to have her join our team and anxious to share lots of freshly curated content for you all next year.  To start off, Jeanine has put together some ideas for a colorful and easy Thanksgiving Brunch.

An AphroChic Thanksgiving Brunch Full of Color and Pattern

by Jeanine Hays  photos by Leon Belt

This Thanksgiving, decorate your table using bright colors and lively patterns for a fun and modern look.

These mini latte bowls from Anthropologie are the perfect pop of color, and can be used to hold side dishes like cranberry sauce or jelly.  For plates, look for patterned pieces to create a unique look.  I love these Kaleidobug plates from Anthropologie.  Each has a different pattern, and look great when mixed together.

Take the traditional shades of orange and brown, and update them with coral, tan and yellow for an eclectic mix.  As we set the table this year, our Haze Placemats in Mimosa yellow enliven the tabletop.

Presentation is everything, so give your family and friends the VIP treatment by putting together a menu for your holiday feast.  Simply create a postcard on your computer, print it out, and place it in one of your favorite picture frames to put the menu on display.

The most important part of any Thanksgiving celebration is to make it a family affair.  Every year our whole family comes together to set the table and make special dishes.  The fun is in family and friends and the joy of coming together.

Even for intimate gatherings, place cards for your guests are a nice and welcome touch.  Pre-cut cards from stores like Paper Source are a budget-friendly option.  Simply write out each guest’s name using a fine pen.

For something sweet and refreshing, serve up sparkling cranberry juice before the meal begins.

If hectic schedules are getting in the way of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, try putting a twist on the usual Thanksgiving foods for a sensational brunch.  These roast beef sliders with horseradish cheddar are sure to be a big hit.

You can also spice up the table with a fun, eye-catching centerpiece.  This year, look beyond traditional settings like flowers or a cornucopia, in favor of something new and modern that expresses the season, like these brightly colored arrows from Fletcher and Fox.  Simply put them in bud vases, and line them up for cute holiday decoration.

Once the table is set, the candles are lit and the food has been served, it’s time to eat, laugh and give thanks.

And at the end of the meal take time to share what you’re thankful for on a family thankful tree.

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Thanks so much to Jeanine and a warm welcome to the Munaluchi family!  For more unique Thanksgiving ideas, be sure to head over to Jeanine’s blog. 

Vendor List

Thankful Tree tutorial / AphroChic Haze Mimosa Placemats / Anthropologie Mini Latte Bowls / Anthropologie Kaleidobug Melamine Plates/  Reusable Plastic Cup Set / Red and White Paper Straws /  Marquee Die-Cut Chipboard /  Fletcher and Fox Arrows

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