Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Looking at the calendar, I’m realizing this is the last Favorite’s post of February. How are we already so deep into 2020? This past month has been more of a challenging one, but I’m looking forward to the week ahead (my brothers will be in town!), my upcoming travel, and slowly starting to incorporate more springtime recipes into the mix.

Though not just yet because it’s still very much winter here in Colorado. We’ve had a cold and cozy snowy weekend, so I’ve been cooking and baking inside. I made my coconut banana cake on Instagram stories Friday. I’m loving seeing everyone’s Instagram photos of their cakes they’ve baked up. I think the best part about social media (for me anyway) is being able to so easily interact with you guys. It’s so fun for me and you guys feel like a true family!

In other news, our Williams-Sonoma cookbook events are almost completely sold out. YAY!! I was so excited to see the incredible response from you guys. Our first LA stop and Chicago stop sold out immediately. Thank you all so much! If you didn’t get tickets yet, I believe there are still a few spaces left for Beverly Hills, Dallas, and San Francisco. I cannot wait to meet you guys soon!

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be kicking the week off with a non-traditional Monday recipe that’s delicious (and full of broccoli too…promise it’s good). Then I’ll be sharing an easy brunch recipe, a brand new better than takeout style dish, and the sweetest Friday recipe that I hope excites you all greatly…hint this is something Asher LOVES, so yes, there is chocolate involved.

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).

Hope you enjoy this week’s Nine Favorite Things and have a wonderful, relaxed Sunday!

1. Inspiring me this week on Pinterest.

I’m on the lookout for new dishes and I always love finding inspiration on Pinterest. As you can tell, I love handmade ceramics with plenty of unique texture. I love that no two pieces are the same! Here’s what I am loving…

(photo via Kirsty Bryson)

(photo via Kirsty Bryson)

All photo found via Pinterest. Specific sources are unknown.

Question: What are your favorite sources for tableware? I love shopping Etsy, Jenni Kayne, Food 52, and Anthropologie for more unique finds. I turn to Crate and Barrel and Williams-Sonoma for everyday essentials. I’d love know where you guys shop? Any places I need to check out?

2. March Recipe request.

I put this out on Instagram this past week, so I thought it was only fair to ask you guys here too. To me, March is a weird month. It’s this time in between winter and spring. We all want it to be spring, but the reality is that it’s winter…with spring days here and there. This means one day we want soup and the next salad. Confusing? Yes. So, I love creating healthier comfort food recipes this time of year with plenty of color.

What do you guys want to see in March? Please leave all your thoughts and requests in the comments. Would you like to see more dinner recipes? More desserts? Are you looking for St.Patrick’s Day recipes? Or are you already planning for Easter and looking for brunch dishes? Would you love to see an entertaining post? Tell me all the details. Please and thank you! Excited to see what you all are looking for in March.

Related Reading: the top three recipes from March 2019

most popular: Filipino coconut adobo chicken

runner-up: broccoli pesto pasta with whipped ricotta

also have to mention: falafel naan wraps with golden rice and special sauce

3. everything from the Leanne Ford x CB l collection…

Loving this collaboration for more affordable home pieces.

4. favorite questions of the week.

q: I am amazed at your creativity. How do you keep your creative juices flowing?
a: Think outside of the box. Seriously though. I don’t look at cookbooks or online for inspiration. Instead, I find it through family members, the seasons, fashion, design, basically anything that’s visual. It’s hard to explain but I am very very visual. I can see a photo of something I love (maybe it’s flowers, an outfit, rainy day photo, destination, etc) and create something based on the colors or mood of the photo. I just need something to look at so that my mind can start picturing things. Again, so hard to explain. Basically recipes are formed in my head before I write them out. I think about the colors, textures, how I want it to look and taste. I picture everything in my head first, then I work to create it.

q: Was there one thing that helped HBH get popular? Or was it a long process?
a: It was a process, HBH gradually grew over time. There hasn’t been one thing that skyrocketed HBH and I’m thankful for that. Growing over time has really helped build such an incredible group of dedicated followers and not just random people who hit the follow button because of a big shout-out our something similar. This is cheesy, but you guys kind of feel like extended family!!

q: When you and your family eat, is it as pretty as when you plate it?
a: No never!! My family is the complete opposite of me and they could care less about pretty plating. They really just want the food.

q: What do you enjoy creating more, the recipes or the photos?
a: For me, the process of creating recipes and photographing them really go together. Sometimes I wonder if I’d be less stressed if I only had the recipe to worry about and not the photos…and trust me, I would. BUT  I think it’s because I think very visually that my recipes are uniquely mine. I’m not just thinking about flavors and cooking methods when creating a recipe. I’m also thinking about how it will look visually and most of the time that affects the flavors of the recipe. I’m always adjusting as I go, adding color, taking it away. In turn, changing the recipe as I go. So the answer is I love both together!

5. newest videos.

Cheddar Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Bacon…homemade…and SO. MUCH. BETTER! 

Sheet Pan Blackened Salmon Bowl with Avocado Goddess Sauce…it’s healthy food that’s addictingly good.

6. Hotel recommendations?

You guys! Here is the deal. I am not the best traveler…meaning it gives me so much anxiety. BUT what I have found to really help? Staying in a nice hotel that can actually feel semi-like being at home. Ever since I made this switch, traveling has actually been enjoyable for me. So….

I need hotel recommendations for Dallas and San Francisco. What are your favorites??

7. a few links i am loving…

the best clean mascara…need to try this.

tried 7 of the most popular pimple patches…and found the best one.

10 sage green decorating ideas that feel very 2020…Iove this color so much.

15 Vogue editors share the stories behind their first designer bag…loved reading this.

peek inside Athena Calderone’s newly renovated Hamptons home…simply stunning.

am + pm skincare routines…3 different skin types.

long distance relationships aren’t easy…here’s how 3 women make them work.

the Friends reunion has finally been confirmed…are you freaking out??

12 celebrities to follow on Instagram for design inspiration…love following Karlie Kloss.

the 10 most addicting reality TV shows to watch on Netflix…which is your favorite?

would you put your fridge in the pantry…thoughts? I would do it.

how to change the way you think about work-life balance…if you need a reset.

an art lover’s road trip through the South of France…spring break?

8. style finds from Nordstrom’s winter sale…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: 30 Minute Creamy Sesame Miso Ramen with Crispy Mushrooms

Tuesday: Chicken Tinga Tacos with Pineapple Salsa (HBH Super Simple recipe)

Wednesday: One Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Thursday: Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Avocado Cobb Salad with Tahini Ranch

Friday: One Skillet Greek Meatballs and Lemon Butter Orzo

Sunday Stack: Earl Grey Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Salted Maple Butter

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.