FOOD + BEVERAGE
A SIMPLER THANKSGIVING
HOSTING HACKS
FOOD + BEVERAGE
S’MORES DESSERT BOARD
LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON!
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Welcome, Holiday Season!
As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, we find ourselves reflecting on the beauty of gratitude and the warmth of connection. This season, we invite you to embrace a spirit of thankfulness, celebrating the remarkable moments and cherished relationships that enrich our lives.
With the holidays fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to gather loved ones and host unforgettable parties. Imagine transforming your home into a haven of elegance and joy, where laughter and stories flow as freely as the finest wines. Our upcoming features will guide you through the art of hosting, from creating stunning table settings to curating a delightful atmosphere that speaks to the heart of your guests.
To elevate your gatherings, we’ll share exquisite drink mixes that will tantalize the taste buds and spark conversation. Picture a signature cocktail infused with seasonal flavors—perhaps a spiced apple cider mimosa or a classic whiskey sour with a twist. These thoughtfully crafted beverages will not only refresh but also set the tone for an evening of celebration and gratitude.
In addition to the art of hosting, we are excited to introduce daily gratitude prompts—simple yet profound reflections designed to inspire mindfulness and appreciation in your everyday life. These prompts will encourage you to pause and acknowledge the small joys that often go unnoticed, fostering a deeper connection to yourself and those around you.
As you plan your holiday dinner parties, our magazine will offer pairings that are sure to impress. From sumptuous roasted meats to vibrant vegetarian dishes, we’ll provide suggestions for complementary wines and delightful desserts that create a harmonious dining experience. Each pairing is thoughtfully curated to enhance your culinary creations and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
As we embark on this journey of thankfulness together, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our dedicated readers and partners. Your unwavering support inspires us to continue curating the luxurious content you love. Thank you for being an integral part of our community. We look forward to sharing this season of gratitude with you, filled with inspiration, joy, and unforgettable moments.
With warm regards,
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Aaron Swart | aaron.swart@citylifestyle.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Steven Casupanan | steven.casupanan@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Rae Linas | amandarae@belovedpetphoto.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Amanda Rae Linas | amandarae@belovedpetphoto.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Amanda Rae Linas
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Rae Linas
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
AARON SWART, PUBLISHER @SHORTPUMPCITYLIFESTYLE
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ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA RAE LINAS
Beauty, Brains, and Bold Personality
This Maine Coon mix knows exactly what she wants, navigating her home with intelligence, charm, and a strong, independent spirit.
Moti is the kind of cat who makes an impression. At 10 years old and part Maine Coon, she’s beautiful, intelligent, and fully aware of it. She carries herself with the confidence of someone who expects the household to run on her terms. Selective about who she welcomes into her inner circle, Moti is not one to dole out affection casually. When she does, it feels earned.
But beneath her cool exterior, Moti is smart. She’s quick to communicate what she wants, often with a string of insistent meows that leave little room for interpretation. She is very talkative. If she’s after something specific, usually her brush, she doesn’t just call for attention. Moti will lead the way into another room, pause to glance back, and continue until her human gets the message. It’s her way of showing exactly what she wants.
Her fascination with brushing began when she claimed her human’s hairbrush. After countless hours of use, her humans had to get Moti a new one. Moti enjoys marathon grooming sessions that can last as long as her humans are willing to keep going.
Moti is talkative, intelligent, and unapologetically herself. She doesn’t soften her personality to fit expectations, and that’s part of her charm. She thrives on being respected, and admired; a combination that has secured her spot as the undeniable star of her home.
Your pet could be the next pet of the month! Enter them for a chance to be featured at belovedpetphoto.com/shortpump
SEASONAL
a simpler
RECIPES BY BRITTANY MEADTH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY MERRILL
ARTICLE BY SAMANTHA DURBIN
HONEY
ROASTED CARROTS WITH LABNEH AND FRESH DILL
Hosting Tip: “Ask for help from the right people. Some people aren’t going to be comfortable making bread rolls or a dessert, but maybe they’re great at making salad. Others can be asked to bring drinks or clean afterward. Nobody is a mind-reader—don’t be afraid to set up a spreadsheet where they can sign up!”
Ingredients
• 10 carrots
• ½ cup fresh dill
• 3 sprigs of thyme
Directions
• 1 cup labneh
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1. Preheat oven to 400° F
2. Wash, peel, and prep your carrots. If carrots are skinny, you can peel them and place them onto a cookie sheet. If the carrots are thicker in diameter you can cut them lengthwise into halves.
3. Drizzle honey and olive oil over carrots on baking sheet. Use your hands to make sure the carrots are properly coated on all sides.
4. Add salt and pepper
5. Bake in the oven at 400° F for about 25-30 minutes
6. Take them out of the oven and set aside
7. On a large serving plate add about a cup (or more) of labneh. My favorite is called Luretik.
8. Add your carrots then freshly chopped dill and thyme to the top
9. Drizzle a good olive oil over the whole thing
FLAVORS
SEASONAL
HONEYNUT SQUASH
Ingredients
• 3 honeynut squash
• olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• smoked paprika
• pomegranates
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400° F
2. Slice the squashes in half, remove all the seeds
3. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast for 30 minutes
4. Add smoked paprika and pomegranates to serve
Hosting tip: “It’s all in the way you present it to kids…when you ask your kids to join, try not to make it sound like a punishment. Emphasize that they have a responsibility prepping really yummy food. Include a special drink for the kids while they’re helping, like spiced apple cider. Adjust your expectations to allow for extra mess, extra time, and know it won’t turn out exactly as if you had done it yourself. But the tradeoff of creating happy memories is 100% worth it.”
Cooking tip:
CRISPY POTATOES
“I don’t peel my potatoes because who really has time for that? The secret to this recipe: baking soda. The baking soda makes the water alkaline which helps break down the surface of the potatoes, making them very crispy and very delicious.”
Ingredients
• 10 small yellow gold potatoes
• 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
• olive oil
• salt
• rosemary, garlic, chives (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400° F
2. In a large Dutch oven, bring water, baking soda, and salt to a boil. Place unpeeled potatoes into the water and reduce the heat to medium-low. Once the potatoes are soft to touch (20-25 min), drain and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. On a cutting board, grab a potato and use any large object (wine bottle, glass jar) and smash down the potato. Do this gently and have a spatula close by to transfer to a baking dish. Once you have smashed all the potatoes, add salt and olive oil.
4. Place in oven and roast for 20 minutes or until crispy
5. Top with the garlic, rosemary, and fresh chives
FLAVORS
FLAVORS
“A Thanksgiving Meal: The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing. Remember to keep the meal simple so you will have time to cherish your love ones and the blessings that come with.”
CARAMEL CHEESECAKE
Ingredients
Crust
• 12 graham crackers
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
Filling
• 4 sticks of cream cheese (room temp)
• 1-1⁄2 cup sugar
• 5 large eggs (room temp)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F
Crust
• 2-1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• zest of whole lemon
Caramel
• 1-1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1-1⁄3 cup water
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup unsalted or salted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In a food processor, add the graham crackers, butter, and brown sugar. Blend until sand-like texture.
2. In a springform pan, add parchment paper and butter the sides
3. Place crust into the pan and pat down to form a smooth base
4. Set in the fridge and chill for 15 minutes
Filling
1. Add the cream cheese to a standing mixer. Make sure it’s room temperature—this is an important step!
2. With your whisk attachment on medium speed, mix the cream cheese. Once it becomes fluffy, add the sugar and one egg at a time. Scrape down sides as needed.
3. Remove the pan with the crust from the fridge, add the batter to the pan, and place into your preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and let sit. Once cool, cover and place in the fridge.
Caramel
1. In a saucepan, add the sugar and water. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Keep heat on medium. Watch the sugar water—it will slowly go from a light brown to a rich amber color.
2 . Once it turns amber in color, add the heavy whipping cream and butter and whisk
3. Turn the heat off and let sit for 5 minutes
4. Remove cheesecake from the fridge and add the caramel to the top
DON’T FEAR THE HOLIDAYS.
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Tips on meal prepping for less stress
ARTICLE BY ALISON STANTON
Let’s face it: hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful.
Between grocery shopping, house cleaning, cooking and baking, it’s no wonder the day devoted to giving thanks can feel a tad daunting.
Here’s some very welcome good news: whether this is your first holiday hosting rodeo or you’ve stuffed many a turkey over the years, you can knock out most of the Thanksgiving meal prep work in advance – some of it two weeks before the big day.
To make this year’s Thanksgiving meal easier and more enjoyable, consider the following timeline of tips.
2 WEEKS BEFORE
Create Your Thanksgiving Menu
• Print out the recipes you plan to use – this will be much easier than constantly tapping your phone to prevent the screen from going dark or scrolling when your hands are covered with flour or onions.
• Using your menu and printed out recipes as a guide, compose a complete shopping list.
• Double check your supply of herbs and spices to see what you have on hand –even the ones you are pretty sure you have enough of, like salt and pepper (this tip comes from personal experience!).
• Shop for all non-perishable and frozen food items. Basically, if it doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge, or if it doesn’t have a short shelf life, it’s going in the cart.
• Plan three easy and tasty dinners for the days leading up to Thanksgiving and purchase those ingredients during your shopping trip. Or plan at least one night of takeout. CONTINUED >
4-5 DAYS BEFORE
Clean & Organize, Buy Fresh Groceries
• Clean your home completely, enlisting family members to help. Then, as the big day approaches, you can touch up as needed.
• Finish your grocery shopping for fresh vegetables like potatoes, onions and carrots and other items not purchased earlier.
• Go through your fridge and toss any old, expired condiments, leftovers and mysterious food items that no one is eating. This will free up valuable real estate for your various dishes.
Prep Meals & Set the Table 2-3 DAYS BEFORE
• Wash and chop all veggies and place the prepped produce into plastic baggies or airtight food storage containers. If some recipes call for “minced onion” and others require “chopped onion,” label the bags accordingly.
• Set the table, and include the empty serving dishes. This will help you figure out ahead of time where the larger dishes can go (and if they will all fit!) Add Post-It notes to the empty dishes to remind you what will go in what. Use a clean sheet to cover everything and keep it all dustfree until Thursday. You can also do this for a buffet.
• Gather all needed serving spoons and other serving pieces.
• Pre-measure herbs and spices for your recipes and store them in labeled small plastic bags with the name of the dish they are for and what’s in the baggies. You can also do the same for any flour, sugar or other non-perishable ingredients you’ll use in your dishes.
Tidy, Prepare Dishes & Drinks 1 DAY BEFORE
• Do a quick clean and tidy around the home; for instance, run the vacuum and shine up the bathrooms.
• If you haven’t already done so, bake your pies, or, at the very least, prepare your pie dough. Wrap the dough in plastic and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the pies.
• Make the mashed potatoes. Bonus tip: on Thanksgiving, put the potatoes into a slow cooker and heat them up using the “warm” setting.
• Prepare the gravy. If you have a second slow cooker, it too can be warmed up this way on Thanksgiving. This will also help free up pots, pans and burners on the stove!
• Set up a separate drink station where guests can help themselves or someone can serve them away from the kitchen. Stock it with glasses of different sizes, napkins, bottle and can openers and straws.
uniqueGIFTING
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
ADVICE EDITORIAL: ALTERNATE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
The holiday season is officially on, and gifting is top of mind. We’re all used to scrolling online, browsing the malls or hitting the local boutiques, but sometimes it’s fun and unexpected to switch it up. If looking to surprise and delight recipients this year and to bring a new tradition to the season, offbeat gifting can be a great way to turn a new leaf on stale routines.
1) PRE-HOLIDAY SURPRISE.
For those traveling, send gifts early, such as cheeses, fruit or pies.
2) FUTURE FUN.
Browse winter or spring events; snag tickets to enjoy with recipients.
3) GENEROSITY.
Donations make heartfelt, thoughtful ideas.
4) TRAVEL.
Gift a loved one with a trip.
5) TIME.
Is a recipient busy, overloaded and overworked? Treat them to a whole home cleaning before or after the holiday.
6) LOVE OF LEARNING.
If a loved one is planning international travel, grab them a gift card for a language learning app.
7) THOUGHTFUL MESSAGES.
Ask friends and family to record loving messages on cellphones; combine recordings using a video app for meaningful holiday greeting.
8) BON APPÉTIT.
Sign up special someone for cooking class regarding favorite cuisine, or cuisine they struggle to make.
9) RECIPE BOOK.
Gather traditional family recipes and create printed books for guests as priceless keepsakes.
Falling For Neutrals
SEASONAL DECOR TIPS FOR KEEPING IT SIMPLE
I love decorating for the holiday season, but it gets tough if trying to keep a home decor airy, light and neutral. My home is full of neutrals, such as linen, khaki, white and gray, so decorating for the holidays can be tricky with the bright and bold themes on display at the stores. Here are tips regarding how to achieve a festive look without going overboard.
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
LESS IS MORE
First, whenever decorating for the holiday season, I clear what's possible to make room for what's coming. I eliminate decor pieces that are displayed year-round to avoid adding clutter to rooms. Giving decor pieces or floral arrangements their own space to shine can pull the room together and make it feel very designed.
STICK TO THE PALETTE
As best as possible, I try to stick to each of the color palettes in my room. When it’s time to bring out pumpkins or holiday Santas, I stick to white and neutral or add in color pops of gold and silver to keep everything flowing. If I start to add too many primary colors, it ends up looking like a mash-up gone astray.
CELEBRATE MEMORIES
The holidays are often bursting with family traditions and memories, and decor can reflect that, too. I have many items handed down over the years that I like admiring, but if they aren’t quite right for my room, there are options to bring the spirit of them to life. Framed holiday family photos in a black and white filter are an excellent way to tie in your history of celebrating in a subtle way.
LOOK TO NATURE
Some of my favorite items to use for holiday decor come from a simple nature walk. Using actual items you find, or just getting inspiration from the outdoors is a great way to bring sights of the season indoors. For fall, elements such as branches, leaves and neutral gourds match with everything. For winter, I love using sticks with berries
or evergreen branches with pine cones to fill vases. Add a battery-operated strand of lights and you’re looking just like a designer home magazine spread.
GO COZY
Swapping out usual throw pillows and throw blankets for plushy, cuddly materials and seasonal prints are another simple way to add holiday spirit without being so literal. Opting for neutral plaids, cable knits, or sherpa materials add that feeling of fall and winter.
CATER TO ALL THE SENSES
Don’t forget about the smell! Stocking up on candles that smell like the season is the last missing piece for a holiday vibe. The total sensory feeling of the holidays is what really brings a home to life, whether it's pumpkin spice burning for Thanksgiving or a fresh pine and cedar for Christmas.
If items aren’t working together, don’t be afraid to get crafty. Painting pumpkins with spray paint or tying some neutral ribbons around existing vases are an easy and affordable way to make them fit a specific aesthetic.
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BUILD A CAMPFIRE READY S'MORES DESSERT BOARD WITH THIS HOW-TO GUIDE
S’MORES DESSERT BOARD
ARTICLE BY BAILEY MORRIS
It’s campfire season! You know what that means? S’MORES! These sweet treats are staples during the fall and winter! I have many childhood memories of sitting by the campfire with my family telling stories, gazing at the stars, and roasting marshmallows.
This year, take your s’mores to a whole new level with this S’mores Dessert Board! They are so easy and fun to make! Similar to a Charcuterie Board, a S’mores Dessert Board is beautifully decorated and full of everything you need to make the perfect s’mores! Some of my favorite things to include in a s’mores are either peanut butter or a mint chocolate candy!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Board: A beautiful wood board or metal tray will look great!
Marshmallows: Choose between regular, jumbo, or flavored marshmallows.
Chocolate: There are so many options for chocolate when it comes to s’mores! There’s milk chocolate, peanut butter chocolates, white chocolate, caramel chocolates, and much more!
Graham Crackers: Use graham crackers or a variety of cookies for your s’mores.
Fresh Fruit: Include fresh fruits as toppings for your s’mores.
Skewers: Don’t forget to bring skewers to roast your marshmallows on!
HOW TO: seasonal home scents
ARTICLE BY CELENA CISCO
S PROV I DE W A R M A N D C O Z Y S C E N T S
Fall essential oil combinations provide a warm and cozy scent while also protecting from sickness prevalent in the colder season. Follow these oil combinations to create your own seasonal scent.
immune boost
DIRECTIONS :
Combine the following essential oils with a base oil (coconut oil).
INGREDIENTS:
• Cinnamon: Antibacterial; Antiviral
• Clove: Antibacterial; Antiseptic
• Lemon: Uplifts; Kills Bacteria Reduces Inflammation
• Oregano: Antimicrobial; Antioxidant
• Eucalyptus: Decongestant; Provides Healing
HOW TO USE:
Apply to wrists or feet. Do not use it on your face.
home defender
DIRECTIONS:
Combine the following essential oils.
INGREDIENTS:
• Orange: Reduces Stress; Antimicrobial
• Eucalyptus: Decongestant; Provides Healing
• Cinnamon: Antibacterial; Antiviral
• Black Pepper: Supports the Nervous System
• Clove: Antibacterial; Antiviral
• Rosemary: Reduces Stress; Helps with Respiratory Fatigue
HOW TO USE:
Fill the diffuser with water and apply the desired amount of drops.
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO SEE THE UNSEEN
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
ON Fall Fun STALKING up
Cornhusk Centerpiece
When life gives you lemons, or cornstalks as it seems, make something beautiful! The holidays can be stressful. Your table centerpiece doesn’t need to be.
To create this cornhusk centerpiece, simply remove the dried tops of the cornstalks, arrange them in a vintage soup bowl adding a few ears of corn to give more stability and visual interest. Add preserved pinecones for guests’ place settings and you have the perfect touches for your table. Pinecone instructions can be found at SilvertoothHome.com/blog/pinecones-leaves
LeAnn’s Cornhusk Styling
• White Dishes & Platters
• Gold Charger Plates
• Woven Placemats
• Rust-Orange Napkins
• Thanksgiving Crackers
• Cornhusk Centerpiece
• Pinecone Guest Cards
• Real Pumpkins
BY LEANN
LeAnn can’t wait to see what you create for your own fall table. Tag her on IG @SilvertoothHome and #SilvertoothHome so she can share.
PARKER
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