Keep in mind these are my picks for convenience and yumminess. If you prefer to cook everything from scratch, go for it! But if you need to stress a little less and enjoy time with friends and family a little more, this list is for you.

Credit for all images: Trader Joe’s

Main dishes

Maybe you’re hosting a small group. Maybe you’re hosting a large, diverse group of eaters. These main dishes will impress everyone, with minimal work required.

1. Brined Bone-In Half Turkey Breast

The juiciest, most flavorful pre-cooked turkey breast I’ve ever had. These go fast, for a good reason!

2. Breaded Turkey-Less Stuffed Roast

Even if you’re not vegan, definitely grab one of these. It’s so flavorful and cozy.

3. Balsamic Rosemary Beef Steak Tips

If you’re not a fan of turkey or just want to go for something unconventional, these steak tips are delicious and ready to cook.

Apps

In my opinion, appetizers are the true star of the show at any gathering. Isn’t grazing while you mingle until it’s time to sit down at the table the best part?

1. Savory Squash Pastry Bites

Bite-sized appetizers are always a good choice. These little cuties are filled with a lovely combo of pumpkin, butternut squash, and four different cheeses. All you have to do is bake and enjoy! And share, I guess.

2. Mini Brioche Bites

These fluffy bites are filled with apricot and brie cheese. Yes, they will absolutely melt in your mouth.

3. Double Cream Brie Cheese

Charcuterie may be “out” according to some Gen-Zers, but it’s still the perfect Thanksgiving app IMO (yes, I am a millennial). Trader Joe’s is my go-to for all grazing board necessities, but this Double Cream Brie is my favorite. If you’re not into the effort of an entire board, wrap this little wheel of goodness in puff pastry and bake it. Serve with your favorite crackers.

4. Chicken Uncured Bacon Ranch Dip

Chicken, cheese, uncured bacon, and ranch. My advice? Bring at least two of these babies. Serve with chips and veggies.

5. Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn

This appetizer is a little unconventional, but delicious nonetheless. As a bonus, it’s sure to break the ice and spark conversation.

Sides

Tired of the same boring Thanksgiving sides? Can’t cook? No worries.

1. Harvest Apple Salad Kit

What goes better with turkey and heavy, starchy sides? A crisp, zippy salad. This Harvest Apple Salad Kit is ready to go, with a spring mix, Unexpected Cheddar (IYKYK), crunchy apple chips and pecans, and a tasty apple vinaigrette. If you want to level this up, serve with fresh apple slices.

2. Herbs de Provence Potato Wedges

These look and taste like you put in a lot of work. They’re crispy, herby, and delicious. You truly can’t go wrong with this Thanksgiving side.

3. Garlic Shiitake Green Beans

Are you team fresh green beans or team green bean casserole? I’m team ALL green beans tbh, but I’m obsessed with these Garlic Shiitake Green Beans. Not only is the flavor amazing, but they look and taste like you made them from scratch.

4. Mashed Potatoes

Nobody really talks about the PRESSURE that comes with making mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. They aren’t as easy to master as you’d think! These potatoes are pre-cooked and mashed, and frozen into cubes so you can heat as much as you need and dress them up as you like. No chance of globby or dry potatoes.

5. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Plain, pre-cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, ready for you to add your own personal flavor. Will you keep them pretty basic with butter, or go all out with brown sugar and mallows?

6. Scallopini Potatoes

The third and final potato in this series is the most extra. Cheesy, creamy Scallopini Potatoes. You could definitely make this from scratch if you have the time and motivation, but these are a yummy alternative.

7. Fresh Cranberry Sauce

If you’re in charge of cranberry sauce, this is the one. It’s made with simple ingredients (cranberries, sugar, and water) and doesn’t taste overly sweet.

Desserts

Perhaps the most important course of all?

1. Apple Crumble Pie

The oat crumble topping on this is so delicious my mouth is watering just thinking about it. If you pass it off as homemade, I won’t tell.

2. Nantucket Style Cranberry Pie

A buttery crust topped with juicy, sweet, tart cranberry filling. The perfect compliment to traditional desserts like pumpkin pie.

3. Petit Fours Mousse Cakes

Light, sweet, and bite-sized.

4. Sweet Cannoli Dip

Serve this in a cute little bowl topped with mini chocolate chips or berries, and a side of graham crackers. If you want to get fancy, use it to layer in a trifle.

5. Macarons

The easiest choice if you’re in a pinch or just looking to add a little variety to your dessert table. Macarons instantly elevate the vibe. The pistachio flavor is my fave.

Beverages

If the food is covered, a yummy beverage is always a good choice. Trader Joe’s has an amazing selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. And… this new ready-to-drink espresso martini, which I will FOR SURE be grabbing!

Before you check out, don’t forget to grab some flowers!

SHOP FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS

These faux leather leggings mimic the texture and look of leather while being stretchy enough for a legging! For my girls who dream of a ‘going out’ outfit that feels like staying home in your comfies, THIS IS THE ANSWER.

I love them so much that I made them in 9 !!) sizes (XXS-3X) and 5 inseams! Please measure from crotch to ankle bone! Not the floor like full length jeans. Here are your options:

EXTRA PETITE: 23” for heights 5’ and under
PETITE: 25” for heights 5’1” – 5’3”
REGULAR: 27” for heights 5’4” to 5’7”
TALL: 29” for heights 5’8” to 5’ 11”
EXTRA TALL: 31” for heights 6’0” and above

As a reference, I’m 5’5” wearing size small, 27” inseam. But def measure yourself because just because we’re the same height doesn’t mean we have the same torso length and leg length!

I can’t wait to see how chic you look in these!

SHOP FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS

SHOP HALF ZIP HOODIE

The Half Zip Warm Up Hoodie

A classic that I designed and launched a couple years ago, and to this day, remains one of my favorites. You can wear it long or cinch the adjustable bungees on the sides for a cropped look! The structured neck is so regal and gives a higher end, elegant look to an otherwise very casual, sporty piece!

But the key to how good it looks is… THE SHAPE. It’s an inverted triangle that tapers you in at the waist. NO FRUMP HERE. Some other things that make the half zip hoodie one of my faves:

Cloud fabric
Drop shoulder
Blousy sleeves
A HUGE double-lined hood
A zippered pocket (no dropped phones!)

And yeah… I did fit my entire lunch in the kangaroo pocket. Anyway, what else do you guys want to see? From full zip to no zip to half zip…which is your zip of choice!?

SHOP HALF ZIP HOODIE

That iconic waistband
That anti-cameltoe crotch
That booty seam
That squat proofability
Those pockets
And the fact that I’ll always cover my shorties to my supermodels.

SHOP LEGGINGS

What’s silhouette is your fave?

I am 5’5” wearing the POPFLEX Crisscross Hourglass® Legging in size small, 27” inseam. This legging comes in xxs-3x in 5 inseams! For leggings measure from crotch to ankle bone. For flares measure from crotch to floor.

I wore the POPFLEX Ooey Gooey Half Zip and Ooey Gooey Sweatpants on my 14+ hour flight to Italy and it was perfect for making me look put together while also being soft and comfortable enough for sleeping!

SHOP OOEY GOOEY

Not so fun fact

The one time I wasn’t wearing this half zip on the way back to the U.S., I put my printed boarding pass in a non-zippered pocket and 100% lost them at TSA. I was running around FREAKING OUT. Luckily someone returned them to an officer and I got them back but OMG. Unfortunately that’s not even a bad airport situation for me. I’ve def showed up to the wrong airport before, or right airport but 1 day late, or waited at the wrong gate not realizing my flight had already taken off.

Thank goodness for Sam. Me traveling solo = bad news.

Biggest accomplishments:

Finally walking the ancient streets of Pompeii and seeing the famous cast of the man who tried to get up in his last moments (so tragic).
Riding a gondola in the actual Venice canals (not the one in LA or the one in Vegas haha).
30,000 steps a day (honestly v proud).
Seeing our friends tie the knot on the Amalfi coast (so romantic).

Biggest Travel Learnings:

Flats can still be extremely painful (women need better options for cute, comfy, dressy shoes).
Don’t travel without cash (oops).
Don’t travel without a debit card esp when you forgot the cash (let’s just say stressing out about not being able to pay for things in euros was 100% the backbone of this trip).
Always pack your personal bag with emergency undies, contacts, toothbrushes, skincare etc bc when we missed our connecting flight back to the U.S. due to a delay, we were stranded for the night in a foreign city with NOTHING.

Amalfi, Venice and Rome were so impressive – rich with history and bursting with stunning architecture, but it was A LOT to take in in such a short amount of time.

I need a vacation after this vacation

SHOP CLOUD HOODIES

Haven’t talked about my fave hoodie for a while now so going to show her with some love since it’s getting a lil cold outside. I can’t believe I debuted this hoodie in 2020 and it’s still going strong. I haven’t changed the pattern once since then bc it’s THAT GOOD – I’ve only added more sizes!

Extended size range!!!

With the Pistachio drop, I decided to extend the cloud hoodie size range to include:

XXS/XS
S/M <— what I’m wearing
M/L (new)
L/XL
1X/2X (new)
3X/4X (new)

If these sizes work out well, I’ll implement the new sizing across all the colors!

BTW you do not need to size up as each size is already designed to be oversized! If you want to see how this hoodie looks on more bodies check out the try-on POPFLEX just posted with 9 different girls!

SHOP HOODIES

At least they started off each insult with love.

I am wearing the Supertee, the That’s A Wrap Skort, and the On the Run Ruffle Short from POPFLEX, ya know, just in case you wanna look like a trash bag, waitress or baby.