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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 257

ByStacy Ling Posted on
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Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

Thanksgiving 2025

Another fine year in the books! And This year, my turkey may have been the best it has ever been.

Every year, I get a fresh turkey from Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey and I follow their cooking directions. I typically get a 20 pound turkey, do a dry herb rub, add some butter and start cooking!

They recommend first half hour tented at 375 and then drop to 300 (remove foil until golden brown) cooking until internal temp reaches 160. I pulled it at 162 and let it rest for about 90 minutes. It was seriously moist and so good.

Every dish that my guests brought was quite delicious, but I was particularly proud of the turkey this year. Last year, it was a little undercooked, so I definitely made up for it this year.

Can’t wait to eat all the leftovers this weekend while I decorate for the holidays!

A man and woman smile in a kitchen, standing behind a large roasted turkey on a wooden cutting board. The kitchen has light wood cabinets, a granite countertop, and windows in the background.
A golden-brown roasted turkey with crispy skin sits on a wooden cutting board in a kitchen, ready to be carved and served.

Decorating For Christmas 2025

If you recall, I decorated the front entry hall last week and I love the vibe! The vintage mixed with blooms from my garden look so pretty! Next year, I am going to intentionally cut and dry more for holiday decorating.

This weekend, I got the rest of my house done! I have some glass cloches on order that I want to decorate with so it’s not complete but I’m well on my way.

I’m hosting a wreath decorating party here later in the week so I was hoping to be completely finished before.

I’ll do a Holiday Home Tour for 2025 in the next week or so, so you can see the flow of my home all spruced up for Christmas! If you’ve been with me since we first moved here, it’s truly incredible how much our home has evolved. More to come! But here are a few pics to give you a little sneak peek!

A decorated Christmas tree with lights and ornaments stands by a window. Nearby, a fireplace is adorned with stockings and garland, and two lanterns sit on the floor, creating a warm, festive atmosphere.
A plaid pillow with cream-colored Christmas tree appliqués rests on a brown leather couch, alongside two patterned pillows with intricate black and beige designs.
Two decorative lanterns with glowing candles inside are placed on a wooden floor by a fireplace. A Christmas wreath, stockings, and part of a lit Christmas tree add to the festive holiday scene.
A decorated Christmas tree with gold and brown ornaments, pinecones, and ribbon stands by a window, surrounded by wrapped presents with orange and green ribbons on a patterned rug in a cozy living room.

Stranger Things 5

Did you watch? It was so good! We watched the first 2.5 episodes on Friday night and then spoiler posts were making it difficult not to watch the rest much sooner. It was sooooo good! I can’t wait for the rest to come out. If you watched, what did you think?

What I’m Shopping For This Week

Other Random Things I Bought This Week!

  • I bought more of these ornaments for the cloches I just bought. I love how it looks in the front entry hall! They are a great deal and are shatterproof.
  • Here are the glass cloches I just snagged – I’m planning to incorporate them in different spaces for year round decor. Glass Cloche 1, Glass Cloche 2, Glass Cloche 3.
  • Seriously how adorable is this ginger bread set????
  • My teak mushroom decor arrived and I love it! This is a solid piece and adds the right amount of an organic aesthetic with my family room plants. Right now, it’s in my formal living room, but it may be getting relocated to my sunroom.
  • I bought these throw pillows for my living room decor to punch up the reds.
  • As I’ve previewed all the ribbon I purchased for my wreath making party, I think I’m going with this one for my front door wreaths!
  • I started using my Hexclad set this week and it is everything and more!!! If you are in the market for new pots, pans, etc…I highly recommend! They’ve got serious markdowns this weekend for black friday/cyber Monday sales. I think I saw 52% off still?
  • These PJs just arrived and they are super soft! I can’t wait to get in them at night! (And if I’m being totally honest here, sometimes late afternoon. hahaha)
  • Also loving my new slouchy bag. It’s the perfect size, can hold everything I need to take with me when I go out, and adds a polished look.
  • I love this festive long sleeve turtleneck!
  • Or this long sleeve tee layered with a puffer vest? As an aside, I get all of my puffer vests from here and they are 50% off this weekend. I feel like they run a little large so if you want something fitted, do not size up.
  • I have these gorgeous earrings – and they go with everything for the holiday season!
Two hands holding festive christmas cocktail with vodka that has a with sugared rims, garnished with cranberries, orange peel, and rosemary. Background features holiday decorations and a warm, cozy ambiance.

My Curated Gift Lists From Amazon

Its one of the biggest sale weekends of the year! And I’ve curated my finds from Amazon and broken these down by category so you can find exactly what you need without the scrolling fatigue.

BEST OF THE REST (Retailer Specific Deals)

Beyond Amazon, these are the major retailer sales where I shop that have caught my eye. These are the ones offering significant discounts on things we actually buy:

  • Walmart: They are winning the gaming battle this year—Nintendo Switch games are 50% off ($30). Plus, huge drops on Dyson Vacuums. Shop Walmart SalesHere ​
  • Target: Up to 50% off. Apple products (iPads & Apple Watches) and KitchenAid mixers are great deals! Shop Target Sale Here​
  • Old Navy: 50% OFF EVERYTHING. (Pajamas, coats, and stocking stuffers). Shop Old Navy Here​
  • Gap: 50% OFF everything.(Grab the CashSoft sweaters!).. Shop Gap Here​
  • American Eagle: 30% OFF all jeans and up to 60% OFF clearance styles. (Denim refresh time!!!) Shop American Eagle Here​
  • Anthropologie: 30% OFF storewide storewide Shop Anthro Here​
  • Lucky Brand: 40% OFF EVERYTHING plus an extra 25% off. My favorite shop for boho looks! Shop Lucky Brand Here​
  • Pottery Barn: Early deals are live with up to 60% OFF. If you need new stockings, holiday decor, or want to refresh your guest bedding before visitors arrive, check this one out. Shop Pottery Barn Here​
  • Hexclad: The “Gordon Ramsay” pans are up to 52% off. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your cookware to hybrid pans, this is the lowest price of the year. This is the set I just got – and yes it is worth the hype! Shop Hexclad Here​
  • Lowe’s: up to 50% off appliances + DeWalt tool deals. Shop Lowe’s Here​
  • Sephora: Up to 50% off specific “Holy Grail” brands like Fenty Beauty, Rare Beauty, and Urban Decay. Shop Sephora Here
A festive arrangement in a beige ceramic pot with pine branches, pine cones, red berries, birch logs, and a gift wrapped in green plaid paper with a red ribbon, sits by a cozy fireplace.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

How to Keep Your Poinsettia Plant Alive and Thriving

Poinsettia care made easy! Covers watering, light, and more.

close up of red poinsettia plants
Red Poinsettia Plants

How to Dry Orange Slices

This easy DIY guide covers oven, air, and dehydrator methods, plus creative decorating ideas. Get the tutorial for how to dry orange slices here.

A festive farmhouse dining room mantel decor featuring evergreen branches, pinecones, dried orange slices, apples, and spiral wood accents beneath a large rectangular mirror. Two lit candles on the left add warmth to the elegant Christmas display.

Build the Perfect Grazing Table for the Holiday Season

Host a feast for the eyes and palate. Step-by-step guide with tips for beginners. Cheese, charcuterie, styling & more. Get my grazing table styling tips here.

A vibrant charcuterie board, ideal for a grazing table, featuring an assortment of cheeses, fresh strawberries and blackberries, nuts, and sliced bread. Garnished with edible flowers and a small cup of honey for dipping, it's an inviting spread.

Easiest Eggnog Dump Cake

Easiest Christmas dessert EVER! This eggnog dump cake is simple, delicious, and perfect for holiday gatherings. 🎄

A plate with a serving of christmas dump cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a fork beside it. A container of vanilla ice cream and a baking dish with more cobbler are nearby, all on a red tablecloth.

Garden Layout Guide: From Blank Canvas to Blooming Oasis

Design your dream garden & watch it bloom come spring.

A lush garden with blooming white, red, and purple flowers, set against a rustic stone wall and surrounded by green trees and shrubs.

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

An illustration of a pink flower with green leaves on the left, accompanied by the words "Stacy Ling" in an elegant, cursive font to the right—a perfect piece for any garden decor.
Stacy Ling

Stacy Ling is author of the best selling book, The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and writes the blog Bricks ’n Blooms from her 1850 farmhouse located in zone 6b northern New Jersey. She is a trained master gardener who’s been gardening for almost 30 years and enjoys sharing her passion to help beginners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. Stacy loves to bring the outdoors inside her home and decorates with a comfy, casual, and cottagecore style. Come grow stuff and create beautiful spaces with her.

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