Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Welcome to March everyone! It’s officially the month of spring. Even though we have a few more weeks until the official day, I’m so excited for the longer days ahead. Yes, here in Colorado the snow will not stop for a couple more months, but as soon as I return home from this mini “book tour” I’ll be filling the house with flowers, baking up springtime sweets, and prepping for Easter. I am very much ready for a fresh spring start.

Speaking of the book tour, I could not be more excited for this week, I’m off to LA on Tuesday. I have one more day of cramming to get everything checked off my list! And while it’s taken a lot of work to prepare to be away for over a week (I may or may not be ready to pull my hair out at this point) I’m really looking forward to sunny LA, then Dallas, San Francisco, and back down to LA to round out the trip. If you didn’t get tickets yet, I believe there are still a few spaces left for Beverly Hills, Dallas, and San Francisco. I know there is limited space, so if you’ve been holding out…the time is now!

Aside from the Williams-Sonoma events this week, I have a few other events and some exciting meetings on the calendar. It’s going to be a busy week, but again, I’m excited for the change of pace and hopefully warmer temperatures!

In other news, my younger brother Red competed and took third at the Burton U.S Open this past Friday! As always, I am beyond impressed by him. It was so fun to watch!

Coming up this week, we’ll be sharing a new vegetarian Mediterranean inspired recipe to start off the week. Then moving onto an easy homemade bread, a new skillet dinner (that’s my favorite), the best noodle dish, and a very different kind of Friday recipe (for me anyway). Can’t wait to share!

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. What I loved in February…

…my $98 wide leg Levis. Could not love these jeans more. I’m now eyeing them in the black too.

…after losing our milking goats, I was so happy to discover Malk Organic Milks. They have only three ingredients, nuts, water, and pink sea salt.

…perfecting my skincare routine with Vintner’s Daughter Serum, Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream…a splurge, but I honestly have seen such a difference in my skin while using this, and Nécessaire body lotion and body scrub. Also, Versed Cleansing Balm to help remove stubborn makeup (I love this very affordable clean beauty brand, their face oil is so nice. And then dry brushing to get rid of all the dead skin…which I really need to do more often, because when I do it, I see such a difference.

…Floret Farm’s a Year in Flowers. This book brightens my month. It’s so pretty.

…baking my favorite banana bread with my favorite little sister.

…speaking of Asher, she LOVES this little fox that gets warmed in the microwave and smells like lavender. I find it super, super odd to stick a stuff animal in the microwave, but I guess it’s a thing and I guess she loves it!

…what I am dying to try – these clean burning candles from Otherland. Has anyone tried these? Do you have a favorite scent?

…what I didn’t love – TikTok, I’m so confused by it. Anyone else?

2. the most popular recipes of February.

Most popular: One Skillet Greek Meatballs and Lemon Butter Orzo

I shared this recipe just last Wednesday. Already it has bumped up to the top most popular recipe for the month of February. Never would I have thought this recipe would become so loved, but I’m so happy it is! It was inspired by my oldest brother, and I have to say, it’s delicious. Hello to Greek seasoned chicken meatballs, cooked together with lemon butter orzo pasta for a complete dinner made in just one skillet. Serve everything over creamy, salty, whipped feta cheese.

Runner-up: Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Ranch

Plus all the toppings. Because loaded tacos are just better. If you’ve not made these tacos yet, you must soon. They one-up the average at-home taco. Trust me.

Also have to mention: Sheet Pan Korean Chicken Bowl with Sweet Potatoes and Yum Yum Sauce

SO GOOD. The chicken is tossed in a sweet + spicy Korean style BBQ sauce, roasted until crispy, and caramelized. There’s sweet potatoes + rice, all the toppings, and creamy, tangy “yum yum” sauce too. And it’s all made on one sheet pan…so it’s EASY.

3. It’s 20% off Entertaining Essentials at Anthro…

4. favorite questions of the week.

q: Do you ever get a sponsored product that you are just like, “UGH. What do I do with this?”?
a: Yes, but if that is that case I will not share it with you guys! I only share the products I personally use and love!

q: Top five basic cooking tips?
a: This is in no particular order of importance. It’s just off the top of my head!

1. Always keep your pantry stocked with your most-used items.
2. Never drain your pasta before reserving some of the water. That water is liquid gold and creates the best pasta sauce.
3. Don’t serve cold cheese, room temp cheese has the best flavor.
4. Never overcrowd a pan. Trust me it just doesn’t work.
5. Use the broiler with caution….meaning watch it like a hawk.

q: What are the essential pieces of cookware for a beginner?
a: I truly believe everyone needs a cast-iron skillet. I use my Staub skillet every single day, they’re enamel coated, so they’re the easiest to use and clean. I also use plenty of sheet pans, I live for a good sheet pan dinner! And then, a nice big pot for soups and stews.

q: Did you go to college?
a: I graduated early from high school with an associate’s degree. I really hated school, so I took college courses during my last 2 years of high school in order to graduate early + get my associate’s degree. That’s as far as I went. I started working on HBH just after my 19th birthday 🙂   

5. newest videos.

Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice…creamy, hearty, extra cozy, and very easy.

Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Chicken…everyone’s favorite chicken. Promise.

6. I almost forget…I’m getting my hair cut.

How could I forget, I am finally getting my hair cut while in LA. I’m embarrassed to say that it has been well over a year since my last cut. Yes, over a year, and yes, my hair needs some help…

But the year question is…should I keep it long, or chop it?? Just kidding, I don’t think I could ever chop it. But I will be losing all the dead ends, so it’s probably going to be much shorter. What do you guys think? What kind of cut should I ask for? So curious to hear your thoughts! Let me know!

7. a few links i am loving…

natural lipsticks that are good enough to eat…if you love a good lip + a clean beauty buy.

how supermodel Karolína Kurková became your new go-to wellness guru…an inspiring read.

7 steps to chill your social anxiety + panic attacks…I certainly need to take notes here.

what to read this spring…depending on your mood.

up to 91% more expensive…how delivery apps eat up your budget.

how to style 6 utility jumpsuits…for 6 different occasions.

9 black women who weren’t in your history books…learn something new today.

your bathrooms don’t have to look the same…lessons learned from two stunning transformations.

8 affordable clean beauty brands…I like Versed via Target.

inside a Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent-designed 1925 tudor...so simple. so pretty.

what’s one nice thing someone has done for you recently…certainly something that everyone should read.

the top 5 places design lovers should travel in March…Munich or Boston for me please.

13 stunning Airbnb kitchens…that’ll make you want to book a trip ASAP.

how to tell if you have a leaky gut…things we need to know.

living well with LPA designer Pia Baroncini…a fun read.

5 very smart ways to use frozen hash browns…yes, yes, and yum.

“Don’t Be Scared to Fail—Failure Is a Part of Life”…quotes From Create & Cultivate.

8. just some things from Shopbop…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: Flaky Broccoli Cheddar Soup Mini Pies

Tuesday: Better Than Takeout Sesame Ginger Chicken Fried Rice

Wednesday: Spicy Tomato Parmesan Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Thursday: Herbed Garlic Butter Scallops with Lemony Feta Dressing

Friday: Herby Kale Pesto Pasta with Buttery Walnuts

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