November 23, 2024

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photo: JB Lacroix/Getty Images

We have two major celebrity What I Can’t Live Without lists for you to pore over this weekend. First up is French actress Isabelle Huppert, who told us about the Uniqlo Heattech socks she wears to keep warm around the house, the Smythson agenda she always carries with her, and her Asics sneakers of choice. (“You can walk forever and you don’t feel anything. It’s miraculously light, like you have no shoes on, in a good way.”)

And Bravolebrity/Amazon influencer Paige DeSorbo told us about the hair mask she uses during BravoCon, her water bottle of choice, and the $220 Jo Malone candle she likes to give as a gift. 

Also on the site: As a former department-store worker myself (shout out to the Nordstrom at Mall of America), I’m swooning over this look back at when New York was a department-store town, which made me feel a rush of nostalgia for in-store shopping (but not for the crowds).

SALE

A SEAT AT THE TABLE

Kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman on what to give your Thanksgiving host and rapid-fire tips if you’re hosting the big event next week. 

What’s a good host gift? 

I think bringing a bottle of wine is always appreciated — but that doesn’t really count as a host gift. An aperitif or digestif in a beautiful bottle does. My personal favorite is Amaro Nonino. It’s lovely to break open after a giant meal, and they can sip on it for weeks to come. If you don’t want to go the booze route, a special pantry staple will do.

If you know your host well, cater your gift to them. Do they always have taper candles on their table? Give them a set they can use for future dinner parties. Do they always ask someone else to bring dessert (meaning they don’t have their own gear)? Give them a beautiful pie server, like this, or this, or this. 

What are your thoughts on tablescaping?

I like to fill my table with items that are actually useful (a salt cellar with Maldon, a pitcher of water, bottles of wine). Even if you have a separate station for food, too much stuff — like branches and fruits no one will eat — can look cluttered. If you want to lean into Thanksgiving, add some fall colors. Get some linen napkins in pretty brown tones, like these or these. If you have amber- or green-colored glassware, use it. Set out candles galore and some low small vases with simple, seasonal arrangements. If you want to get a little gimmicky, something like these silver acorn name-card holders could be cute.

What should a first-time host know about …

- Carving a turkey: It’s like carving a chicken — only a little bit scarier. Don’t do it until the turkey has had ample time to sit after it comes out of the oven, and make sure your knife is sharp. (No fancy carving tools here! A supersharp chef’s knife is all you need.) And even if you do screw it up, it will still taste delicious

What’s one tip you wish you’d known the first time you hosted?

No pre-dinner snacks unless it’s something superlight like olives. You just made a ton of food, and you don’t want people to fill up.