Miss Sophisticate | November 2014 by Miss Sophisticate

Miss Sophisticate

Luxury Living At Its Simplest.

Thanksgiving Table 101

Table setting tutorial, plus decor ideas for an elegant holiday dinner Turkey Dinner

Your favorite Thanksgiving recipes with a twist NOVEMBER 2014

Miss Sophisticate NOVEMBER 2014

BONJOUR pg. 6 Editor’s Note pg. 8 InstaMoments Lookback pg. 9 Film & Print pg. 12 Blogger Spotlight: Blake Lively’s Preserve

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Miss Sophisticate fashion pg. 10 Fashionable Fall Coats

pg. 14 Inspired By: Thanksgiving Dinner

Food pg. 16 Local Spot: Fig and Olive pg. 18 Turkey Dinner: Thanksgiving Recipes

Miss Sophisticate Design pg. 22 How-To: Thanksgiving Table 101 pg. 26 House Hunting: Parisian Pied-a-Terre

Travel pg. 28 Jackson House Inn in Vermont

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Editor’s Note

So, now I remember what it means to experience fall weather. For the past two

weeks, I’ve been residing in Paris and have gotten a taste of the cool air that is associated with this season. Back in California, I’m pretty sure people are still experiencing 80 degree temperatures, which can definitely grow tiresome when all you want to do is don chic fall clothes. That’s why I’m enjoying the chilly weather in Paris for as long as I can. I’m also taking advantage of all the fashion inspiration here, especially when it comes to fabulous fall coats. Parisian women generally excel in the fashion department, but this is exceptionally true when it comes to cool weather attire. That’s why I hope you find this month’s feature on fall coats to be just as helpful as I do. November is also turkey month, of course. My family is big on Thanksgiving, and my mother and I both enjoy creating twists on some of our favorite Thanksgiving meals, every year. In this issue, you’ll find some tried and true recipes that put a little spin on the classic Thanksgiving dinner foods we know and love. I also think that equally important as the actual dinner is the attention paid to setting up our table. We spend so much time and energy creating the holiday dinner, we might as well make sure the ambiance and atmosphere in which we consume it is enjoyable. There are plenty of table decor ideas circulating the web, and I’ve made sure to showcase some in this issue, but I also thought it was just as necessary to include a video tutorial on how to set up a formal table setting. It’s something that I learned to do recently in my own adult life and I thought some of you would appreciate it. Most of all, I hope we all remember that this month is about being grateful; grateful for our veterans, for our family, for our friends, and for our health. Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving! 6

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October InstaMoments A lookback at last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instagram snapshots.

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Film & Print

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reading... Girl, Stolen by April Henry Cheyenne Wilder, a 16 year-old teenager, is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom picks up her pharmacy prescription. Before Cheyenne realizes what’s happening, their car is being stolen, with her inside! The thief doesn’t know she’s inside, meaning only to steal the car, not kidnap anyone. But once the thief’s associates find out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful company, Cheyenne becomes a lucrative bargaining chip. What her kidnapper doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is also blind. Will her kidnapper sympathize?

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watching... Magic in the Moonlight Stanley, portrayed by actor Colin Firth, is a

magician who has dedicated his life to revealing fraudulent spiritualists. He plans to quickly uncover the truth behind celebrated spiritualist Sophie, played by actress Emma Stone, and her scheming mother. However, the more time he spends with her, he starts thinking that she might actually be able to communicate with the other world, but even worse, he might be falling in love with her. Written by Anne Campbell

watch trailer here 9

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Fall Coats

Fashionable

FALL COATS

Fall often brings brisk, cool temperatures with its golden leaves and pumpkin spice lattes,

making your outerwear just as, if not more, important as what’s underneath. When you’re walking outside, your coat will often cover up most of your outfit, making a stylish coat a must-have for your fall wardrobe. Whether it’s the classic trench or the trendy cape, here are some chic options to stay warm in.

Burberry London; $1,870 This classic trench coat can work for fall or spring. It’s light, neutral, and will go with almost any outfit. It’s also timeless, remaining in your wardrobe for years to come. 10

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Stella McCartney; $1,975 While wool coats may sometimes seem stuffy or overdone, don’t underestimate the power of a well-tailored, structured wool coat.

Fall Coats Valentino ; $2,235 The trend of the season, the cape, is an easy, lightweight option for those who find themselves averse to heavy outerwear, or just love its versatility. The cape is also an excellent option when you’re seeking an additional layer to keep you warm without any bulkiness. If you’re already wearing a thick sweater, you may not need as much warmth as a coat typically provides, making a cape a viable piece to wear on top.

DKNY; $361 Like the cape, faux fur has also filled department stores. Whether it’s a fur vest or the whole Elizabeth Taylor, calflength version, fur is in. You can also throw on a faux fur shawl for a touch of added warmth, not to mention that it’s an incredibly French way to wear fur. In all cases, you’re sure to add glamour and luxury to your look, regardless of what you’re wearing underneath!

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Blogger Spotlight

Photo Source: Preserve.us

Blogger You Should Follow Preserve a blog and ecommerce site by Blake Lively

While actress Blake Lively needs no introduction, her new blog and ecommerce

site, Preserve.us, might. Lively is best known for her role on the hit T.V. show Gossip Girl. From there, she only obtained more attention as she became fast friends with the likes of Anna Wintour (Vogue Editor-in-Chief) and Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel mastermind), proving she has impeccable taste. Her site, Preserve, is a representation of her highly sought-after choices in clothing, interior decor, beauty, and accessories. From handcrafted candles and jewelry to fine leather handbags, Lively features one-of-a-kind, artisan goods that have been collected from artists around the country and curated into one, unique and very cool collection. Plus, Lively makes the site extra personal with her own editorial blurbs!

For the Love of France French Antiques,Vintage French Decor and Linens www.FortheLoveofFrance.com

Inspired By

Thanksgiving

This month, we’re inspired by the Thanksgiving holiday, and are already planning what to wear for Thanksgiving dinner. We often celebrate the family holiday at home, but because it’s a formal dinner, it’s important to dress up a bit and make it feel special. Here are some pieces we love and think would be perfect for the holiday. 3

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(1) Dr. Hauschka Lipstick; (2) Tory Burch Kathleen Skirt; (3) H&M Beaded Neck Blouse; (4) Alexis Bittar Cuff; (5) Charlotte Olympia Clear Leopard Clutch

Inspired By 6

(6) H&M Sheer Sequin Top; (7) Gianvito Rossi Leopard Pumps; (8) Mary Katrantzou Dress; (9) Burberry Jacquard Trousers; (10) Deborah Lippman Glitter Polish

Local Restaurant

Fig & Olive in Newport Beach, CA Fig and Olive is well-known in New aesthetic of hip, Scandinavian design with York and L.A., but it was only recently that a location was established in Newport Beach, California. Already, it’s become one of the hottest restaurants in Orange County, with residents and tourists flocking to its posh location, near the chic and trendy Fashion Island outdoor mall. With its intimate, yet airy interior design, and a gourmet menu provided by Chef Pascal Lorange, there is nothing left to be desired. From the moment you first walk in, you are greeted with a a large, fancy bar designed with sleek, marble countertops and stocked with every beverage you can imagine. From first glance, the restaurant does an incredible job of combining the modern

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the warm woods and leather found in the likes of France and Italy. It’s really contemporary chic at its best. Items on the menu range from charcuterie plates to more exotic dishes like saffron paella. As described on Fig and Olive’s site, the “signature dishes embody Executive Chef, Pascal Lorange’s passion for the best olive oils and cuisine from the Mediterranean region,” which explains why each meal begins with three distinct olive oil tastings, perfect for any food lover. Chef Lorange’s desire to serve the best is apparent with every bite; you won’t be disappointed! www.FigandOlive.com 151 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA (949) 877-3005

Photo Source: Fig and Olive

Turkey Dinner

Photo Source: savorsa.com

Turkey Dinner

Your favorite thanksgiving recipes with a twist

Turkey may be the star of Thanksgiving dinner, but we all know that Thanks-

giving dinner wouldn’t be Thanksgiving dinner without the sides. Everyone knows what the classics are: mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green beans, just to name a few. But Thanksgiving dinner becomes really special when you can count on your family for turning these classics into their own, creating fun variations and twists on what we have all come to know and expect. In this feature, we’ve shared a few of our favorite twists on classic Thanksgiving ingredients. These recipes have reinvisioned what’s become status quo for the dinner table, providing a fresh and scrumptious take on the usuals. Whether it’s cranberry sauce repurposed or swapping in pumpkin for green beans, each recipe is just as delicious as the other. Each recipe has also been found to be a definite crowd-pleaser, so make sure you write these down! 18

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Sweet Rosemary Pumpkin wedges Green beans are the usual for Thanksgiving dinner, but the truth is that there are so many other vegetables that can be utilized in your dinner spread. These pumpkin wedges are deliciously sweet and are the perfect example of a unique way to use vegetables in your Thanksgiving meal. Recipe Source: beeandcompany.com Ingredients: 8 pumpkin wedges 1 sprig of rosemary, finely chopped ¼ c unsalted butter, room temperature pinch of salt & pepper ¼ c brown sugar Directions: 1. Rinse pumpkin and cut into large wedges. Cut these wedges into even smaller wedges (about 4-5 inches in length). Use your knife to slide off all the excess pumpkin pulp, as well as the pumpkin seeds. Place pumpkin wedges on a baking sheet and roast at 350° F for approximately 20 minutes. 2. Create spread by mixing butter, brown sugar, rosemary, salt, and pepper into a spreadable paste. Smear the butter spread onto the tops of the pumpkin wedges. 3. Bake wedges for 20 minutes. Take wedges out and use a pastry brush to rub the melted butter spread all over the wedges. Place back in the oven to bake for another 10 minutes.

Cranberry Brie Bites Cranberry sauce is de-lish, but it’s even more tantalizing when it’s used as a filling on top of warm, melted brie. These bites will be gone in a flash! Recipe source: beeandcompany.com Ingredients: 1 (12 oz) bag of cranberries 1 cup maple syrup 1 cup cranberry juice 1 lemon, zested

3 tbsp orange juice 1 box of puff pastry (2 sheets) 1 small wheel of brie

Directions: 1. Rinse cranberries before pouring them into a medium pot. Add the maple syrup, lemon zest, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Test out the sauce for sweetness; if you want your relish even sweeter, add a little bit of white sugar (one tbsp at a time) to your taste. Once the mixture has come to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. Then pour into a glass container to cool. 2. Roll out puff pastry sheets and cut into 12 squares (4 squares down, 3 squares across). Grease a mini muffin/cupcake pan and shape the puff pastry squares into the molds. 3. Cut a large wedge out of your wheel of brie and then proceed by slicing off the rind. Scoop small chunks of brie from the wedge and place into each puff pastry cup. Then, add a little bit of cranberry relish on top. Bake at 400°F for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until the tops of the puff pastry begin to golden.

Turkey Dinner Buffalo Ranch Sauce Turkey is flavorful and juicy when made properly, but it still doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt to add a little something-something to it. This buffalo ranch sauce is so easy to make and adds the perfect kick to your turkey. People will be asking you for this recipe! Recipe source: RachaelRay.com Ingredients: 1 (12 oz) bottle of Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hot Sauce pinch of Cajun seasoning pinch of garlic powder 1/4 cup unsalted butter the juice of 1 small lime Ranch dressing, to taste Directions: 1. Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add hot sauce, cajun seasonin, garlic powder, and the lime juice. Whisk to combine. 2. Remove saucepan from heat and whisk in Ranch dressing to taste. For best results, use 2 parts buffalo sauce to 1 part Ranch dressing.

Photo source: Rachael Ray

Thanksgiving Table 101

Photo Source: Pottery Barn

Thanksgiving Table 101 Table setting ideas for the holiday, plus a video tutorial on how to set up a formal dinner table

hanksgiving dinner is one of those meals that truly is a labor of love, and like most things that are, can truly result in a work of art. If you’re going to be spending all that time creating a beautiful meal for your family and friends, you might as well provide the accompanying ambiance and desirable atmosphere to enjoy your dinner in. This can easily be done by creating a thoughtful dinner table. On the following pages, we’ve outlined some table setting ideas you can utilize for your own spread, in addition to a video tutorial on how to set up a formal place setting. With just a few touches and some attention to detail, you’ll see that you can quickly transform your Thanksgiving dinner from soup kitchen buffet to an elegant and memorable experience. 22

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Natural Garland We love a natural, earthy garland to place over a table runner because of the rustic elegance it provides. Thanksgiving dinner, at its best, utilizes farm fresh ingredients and creates a harvest feast for food lovers and all. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why it only makes sense to use fresh plants and earthy materials for your table decor. A green garland is also a really useful way to fill in the gaps throughout your dinner table, as it can easily wrap around the main courses without obstructing space. Photo Source; Amalie Orrange Photography

Gold Accessories Gold is a smart way to bring in some glamour and warmth to your dinner table. You can create your own gold accessories with a simple can of metallic gold spray paint. Whether you use pumpkins or pine cones, once spray painted, they are lovely centerpieces to use for a posh dinner table. Bonus: pumpkins are also low enough in height, allowing guests to easily see each other across the table. Photo Source: Better Homes & Gardens

Thanksgiving Table 101

Mini Pumpkins as Place card Holders Place cards are a wonderful way to keep guests organized and ready-to-go when dinner time rolls around. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also a simple way to make people feel special, almost like theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a VIP guest. To create these pumpkin place card holders, all you need are some mini size pumpkins, place cards, raffia ribbon, and a hole puncher. Simply punch a hole into one end of your written or printed placecard. Loop a strand of raffia ribbon through the hole and tie it to the stem of a mini pumkin. Voila; fancy place card holders!

I Am Thankful For Placemats We all know that Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, but rather than simply sharing a thanks before feasting, go the extra mile with these specially created placemats.

Photo Source: AbbyMInteriorsBlog.com

All you need is some kraft paper and a black felt pen. At dinner, everyone can write down what they’re thankful for, and when it’s time for dessert, they can share their personal lines of appreciation with each other. It’s a great family tradition to start that everyone will remember.

Formal table setting 101 watch here

Parisian Pied-A-Terre Paris, France

(Images courtesy of Paris Perfect)

The dream for any francophile is to buy

a quaint and charming apartment in Paris. It has to be somewhere with parquetry floors, an antique marble fireplace, and a view that will make your coffee and croissant in the morning taste better than it’s ever tasted before. If this sounds like your dream and you’re in the market for a Parisian pied-a-terre, than look no further than this apartment, charmingly named “Cabernet.” The apartment is priced at 895,000 euros, and is located in the 7th arrondissement, home to the Eiffel Tower and Rue Cler market street. Knowing this, it’s no wonder why the apartment has such amazing views of the “Tour Eiffel”. French doors open up to a darling balcony, with the Eiffel Tower showing up bright and clearly in front of you. The apartment has 1 bedroom, 1 bath, and an updated kitchen with granite countertops and cherry cabinets. The apartment is also located in a building equipped with an elevator, and sits on a sunny, upper floor location. As a bonus, the apartment comes fully stocked, including everything from the furniture to the dishes in the kitchen cabinets. Whether you’re looking for a home away from home, or a new full-time residence, you’ll be sure to be living la vie en rose in the Cabernet! For more information about this property, please visit: www.parisperfect.com.

All Natural Quest Inc.

www.AllNaturalQuest.com Gourmet products made easy for the everyday cook.

The Jackson House Inn Woodstock, Vermont

Photo Source: vermontvacation.com

ermont has become famous for its fall foliage, where its abundance of lush greenery turns bright yellow, orange, and red with the changing season. Some inns and hotels book up as far as 1 year in advance by nature-seekers and those just looking to catch some stunning views this time of the year. The good news is that there are plenty of places to stay. One of our, and many others’, favorites include the Jackson House Inn, located in Woodstock, Vermont. The inn has been repeatedly rated 5 stars by its visitors, on the web. This is most likely due to the inn’s spectacular service, comfortable rooms, and raved-about food. The owners, Rick and

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Kathy, do a wonderful job of bringing the amenities of a high-end hotel to a cozy, bed and breakfast style retreat. The beds are plush and luxurious, and the bathtubs are large and modernized with fully working jets. All the while, the bedrooms maintain character and charm with damask wallpaper, quaint fireplaces, and antique-style, four-poster beds. The grounds at the inn are vast, and yet entirely secluded, offering privacy and views throughout. Enjoy one of the most reviewed aspects of the inn, owner Rick’s delicious breakfast, as you sit at a breafast table looking out the oversize windows, at the gorgeous, surrounding nature views. The Jackson House Inn, (802) 457-2065 43 Senior Ln, Woodstock, Vermont 05091 www.JacksonHouse.com

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