Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

(Flowers from Grace Rose Farm. Vase from Terrain)

Happy Sunday! Happy Father’s Day! It’s such a weird time in our world right now, but I’m hoping many of you are able to celebrate with your dads today. Or at the very least just take this Sunday to step away from it all. Might I suggest taking the day off of social media, not going online, and maybe just spending the day outside? Just something away from the internet/online world.

YES, many of us spend a decent portion of our day online, myself included. But I’ve recently found the online world to be a more negative space than ever before. It’s hard to digest at times. I know I spoke to this last Sunday, but limiting my time on social media has been very helpful in keeping a positive outlook and staying focused throughout the day. Of course, I hop on to connect with you all, usually once in the morning, and then again at night. But staying off throughout the day is key for me personally. I’ve actually been doing this for the past year in order to have more productive days. I’ve found it especially helpful and I’m trying even harder to stick with it.

My biggest tip? If you’re struggling with things like anxiety, comparison, stress, worry, and constantly opening the apps on your phone, take the day away. The more you stay off social, the easier it will become…and the more you will get done!! Trust me, your mind (and your to-do list) will thank you!

Not sure why I felt the need to share all of that, but maybe some of you will find it helpful. Anyway, that’s what’s been working for me!

So let’s talk fun things now! First off, I’m so grateful and happy to live where I live. This time of year is one of the prettiest. Our leaves have finally turned green, the weather has finally warmed up, and our garden is flourishing with fresh herbs. The sunny, warmer, greener days leave me filled with energy…even though I should be dead tired. It’s just nice to be able to get outside and see things growing for a change! My morning hikes are the most peaceful. I feel so lucky I get to wake up and do them every single day. For me, it’s always the littlest things that end up making me the happiest…like my flowers and candles.

Question: What about you guys? I’d love to hear one thing, big or little, that’s making you the happiest right now?

My Saturday was spent out of the kitchen for a change, which was nice. I took some time to organize my house, order some new wallpaper for a project, work on an HBH project that I’m SO EXCITED about, and make my current favorite cocktail, watermelon lemon margarita, to round the day out. Twas nice. And today? Today we’ll be celebrating my dad with a simple dinner and some gifts. My siblings and I all went in on a lifting machine for his at-home workouts since our local rec center is still not running at a workable capacity. Therefore, my dad’s been missing his usual equipment. So everyone is pretty excited to give him this gift!

Coming up this week on HBH… On Monday I’m excited to share the simplest summer dinner. On Tuesday we’ll have a sweet summer breakfast like nothing I’ve ever shared before. Then on Wednesday, it’s a fun zucchini appetizer. For Thursday it’s another healthy summer inspired dinner that uses plenty of fresh produce. And on Friday, we’ve got a dessert inspired by Key West. Or I may go with one inspired by all the summer flowers. I’m not sure which one I’ll be posting first…thoughts? And Saturday’s drink post is still a little up in the air. But I’ll figure that out with time. Hopefully, the inspiration will come throughout the week!

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. If you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s # 9 on the favorite’s list). You can grab the full grocery list for this week’s menu in our special Sunday newsletter.

Have a great Sunday guys! Enjoy this week’s ramblings and links!

1. So, I bought some wallpaper…

Plus all the Pinterest Inspiration photos too. 

Truth? I am that person that leaves items she wants to purchase in her shopping cart until they sell out. When it comes to personal purchases, I have a hard time “pulling the trigger”. By the time I finally decide that I can and should buy said item…it’s usually sold out. But sometimes, I find something I like and just tell myself to BUY IT. The other day I did just that.

We have a cabinet in the studio that has needed back paneling since we built the space. I’ve gone back and forth about whether to do a wood back panel or to simply wallpaper it. Well, I found this wallpaper the other day and as soon I saw it, I ordered it in both the Gray Buff and Bright Days (so I can see which I like best). And now I can’t wait for it to come!

But I’ve never wallpapered a thing in my life, so I’m in need of your tips and tricks. Please share!

In the meantime, here are all my inspiration photos. Trying to get this studio space in tip-top shape so I can finally share it with you all!

All inspiration photos via Devol Kitchens. Check out their hand painted cupboards. So pretty.

PS. If all ends up well, I’ll share more here with you guys and on my Instagram stories too. So (hopefully) more to come on this!

2. My go-to summer appetizers and sides.

marinated goat cheese strawberry crostini

corn, tomato, and avocado pasta salad

greek watermelon feta salad with basil vinaigrette

layered jalapeño cheddar biscuits

caprese prosciutto farro salad

oven baked tuscan fries

crispy bbq beer battered cauliflower nuggets

roasted cauliflower salad with creamy honey mustard vinaigrette

peach thyme tarts

crispy salt and vinegar smashed potatoes

corn, tomato, and avocado chickpea salad

souper creamy lemon butter cheesy zucchini orzo

homemade goldfish

pan fried brie with peppered honey and olives

pastry wrapped baked brie with thyme butter roasted plums

browned butter jalapeño cornbread muffins

melon caprese salad

herby everything cheddar swirl buns

pan-fried feta with peppered honey

heirloom tomato cheddar tart with everything spice

the best herby potato salad

Question: What are your favorite BBQ recipes? What’s missing from the HBH line-up?

3. Summer Home Finds…

4. favorite questions of the week…

q: Do you ever feel like you can’t share certain recipes on the blog if they aren’t pretty enough?
a: Yes! But this is when I adjust the recipe. I add something or take something away. Not only to make it prettier, but also to make it taste better. I truly believe we eat with our eyes first. So even something as colorless as BBQ chicken can be “pretty” or at the very least look mouth-watering. Usually adding an herb, or spice, or vegetable will do the trick. Getting it just right takes time, but it’s all a part of my personal process of developing new recipes!

q: Do you ever plan the future of HBH or what you might want to do 10 years from now?
a: I do! I wouldn’t say 10 years out, but I have goals and dreams for HBH that go at least a few years out. Haha! I’m not that planned, but I’ve got an idea where I would like to see HBH go!

q: Does your sister live with you or does your family just live super close?
a: Nope! Asher lives with my parents who live very, very close. Like neighbors. She can walk to me in a matter of 2 minutes, 5 if she’s moving slow, 20-30 if she’s “getting ready”. Meaning she’s getting all dressed up because she knows I’ll put her on stories 😉

q: If your basil goes to flower, is it still useable?
a: Yes, and you can and you should still use it! I use my basil blossoms all the time. They make really pretty garnishes too. Especially for cocktails!

5. latest recipe videos.

Skillet Strawberry Bourbon Cobbler with Cream Cheese Biscuits…extra juicy…so flaky…so buttery…nothing better.

Crispy Chicken Tinga Taquitos with Salty Lime Avocado Crema…a switch up on the “average” chicken dinner.

Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch…the only baking project on the Sunday to-do list.

And on Instagram stories…

20 Minute Lemon Butter Pasta…with (whipped) ricotta and breadcrumbs. The perfect summer pasta.

Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones…not your ordinary scones, but extra delicious.

Sweet Potato Fry Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Butter…french fries on a salad. It’s a (delicious) thing.

Marinated Goat Cheese Strawberry Crostini…super simple…amazingly GOOD.

Buckeye Crunch Bars…addicting.

6. Notable businesses owned by People of Color…

Marie Hunter Beauty – has a wide variety of cosmetics and fragrances. And this bourbon vanilla candle sounds incredible.

Offerings. Co. – some of the prettiest florals. I especially love this arrangement.

The Koop New York – offers carefully crafted candles made in Brooklyn and hand-poured. All are currently sold out, but I’ve been checking in on Golden Hour daily. Sounds like the perfect summer scent.

La Botica – a luxury candle studio and loungewear brand. Again, the candles! Very excited about the Ceremony Candle.

Linoto – lines for bed, bath, and home. I’m in need of new sheets and love the look of their organic linen line.

Related Reading:

14 Black-Owned Brands To know.

3 Black-Owned Beauty Retailers.

8 Black-Owned Boutiques and Vintage Shops Fashion People Will Love!

10 Food Gifts From Black-Owned Companies

7. favorite links i’m loving…

What Chefs and Foodies Are Cooking for Their Dads on Father’s Day…6 recipes dad will love.

Louis Vuitton Debuts New Dollhouse…what a cute idea. Love this.

Cookbook author Toni Tipton’s Home Renovation…a beautiful Sunday read.

When Summer Travel Means a Hotel of One’s Own…what a cool idea. My family would love this.

The Best Summer Road Trips in Every State…where are you heading?

Your Home Can Be Dripping in Vines, Thanks to This New Wallpaper…love this unique idea.

Zio and Sons This Old Hudson Maison Reveal…the prettiest, most unique remodel. I want to stay here.

What to Do This Weekend Based on Your Zodiac Sign…I guess it’s rest for me.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Handling Conflict With a Friend…if you need advice

The Best Natural Sunscreens…for a summer’s worth of silky skin.

20 Summer Activities You Can Do At Home…S’mores and mojitos, please.

How to Do Anything…de-stress from too much time at your desk with these stretches.

Padma Lakshmi’s New Show Brings People Together Through Food…excited to watch this.

16 Female Leaders Share the Unexpected Lessons They’ve Learned During COVID…inspiring lessons.

10 Books to Read With Your Kids About Racism and Diversity..to start the conversations.

7 Bath-Lovers Share Their Go-To Methods for a Superb Soak…if you’re a bath person.

The Best Thriller Books…for summer reading.

12 LGBTQIA+ Founders, Executives, and Leaders…who are shaping major companies and shifting culture.

Why Are Some Rooms Hard To Design and Others So Easy…all your questions answered.

An Ethical Jewelry Brand Creates Pieces With Fair-Trade African Metals…and they are so pretty.

The New Restaurant Etiquette…6 things you need to know before dining out again.

Everything You Need for a No-Construction Outdoor Shower…summer project?

This Dad Build His Kids a Backyard Halfpipe…sounds like something my family would do.

16 New Trader Joe’s Products To Get Your Hands On This Summer…the smoked cheddar cheese. Yum,

The Summer Basic That Is Now Replacing All My Leggings…loving these shorts.

3 pantry dinners…these all sound delicious.

31 Affordable Slide Sandals…easy summer sandals.

Aunt Jemima Is Finally Getting a New Name…lots of talk around this one.

More Food Companies Are Reconsidering Their Racist Branding…and this too.

Recognizing Juneteenth…resources to learn more.

8. Pretty summer bags…

9. This week’s dinners…

Monday: 20 Minute Lemon Butter Pasta with Ricotta and Spicy Breadcrumbs

Tuesday: Sweet Potato Fry Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Butter

Wednesday: Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chili Garlic Oil

Thursday: Chicken Souvlaki Bowls with Garlic Fries

Friday: One Pot 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake

Saturday: Smoky Watermelon Lemon Margarita

Sunday: Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones

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