Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Happy Sunday everyone! We are slowly entering into late August and summer is coming to a close. It’s weird, this August has been the warmest I can remember. Temperatures have been in the low eighties during the day, which for us is very, very warm. Especially for this time of year. It’s about this time every summer that our mornings begin to turn a little cooler and our nights go from cool, to cold. This year it’s different. I’m not sure if this could be due to all the fires in the area, but I have to admit, I’m enjoying the warm temps.

With that said, the fires I mentioned last week sure are unsettling. They haven’t let up and continue to cause so much smoke and haziness during the day. I-70 near Glenwood Springs has been closed for 12 days, the longest in its history. We’re all hoping for some rain this coming week, but August and September are typically very dry months…fingers crossed.

Anyway, that’s that. How was everyone’s week? I’ve personally been prepping for fall (meaning shopping the Nordstrom sale for cozy fall knits), getting ready to head to Cleveland soon for my cousin’s wedding (need to find a dress for that), and planning some really fun work-related things for the coming weeks and holiday months ahead. All fun things!

My parents on the other hand are spending some time with my younger brother out in Tahoe this week. Which means that sadly, I will not be seeing little Asher on her birthday. I want to send her something special to help her celebrate, anyone have some fun ideas? Asher has been loving creating outfits these days, so I’m thinking just some cute new clothes from her favorite shop…Zara. But if someone has a better idea, please share!

And with that, how about a little fun fact for you guys that really highlights my dorkiness?

Here’s the story. I ran out of laundry detergent the other week, so I did what any normal adult does and called up my mom looking to see if she had any extra (the perks of living so close to your parents….staple items like laundry detergent). Obviously, that’s what all twenty-something adults do, right? Anyway, all she had was this non-skin sensitive detergent for babies, but I gladly snatched it up and now all my clothes smell like fresh clean baby clothes. I could not love it more. Like could not love it more.

I may never go back.

Anyway…

Coming up this week on HBH. We’ll have another delicious late summer corn recipe. A back to school inspired treat – that I know everyone is going to love (or at least I hope so). A simple, healthy chicken dinner. A wild card recipe for Thursday (which means I really have no idea what I will be sharing). And something perfectly sweet for Friday to round out 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.

1. things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try…

watching…Vogue Beauty Secrets. Loved Kat Graham’s Hair Routine, Lucy Hale’s Everyday Makeup, and Ashley Benson’s Smoky Eye.

loving…the Magnolia fall collection. I’ve ordered this floral plate + matching pitcher, this amber vase, and this dried platycarya bunch.

baking up…my skillet cinnamon sugar peach upside down cake. Using up those summer peaches. 

loving…this warming honey cleanser. It leaves my skin feeling so clean and soft.

excited to try…Living Proof shampoo and condition. I’ve heard such good things and I am in need so something new.

excited to try…I’ve been into nut/seed butters lately. I just ordered this one. Also re-ordering this Be Well Crunchy Nut & Seed Blend too.

loving…this candle and this tote from The Little Market, who recently partnered with Amazon.

wanting…this silk scarf (I think it’s so pretty….but the price is scary). Instead, opting for either this simpler bandana, or I also love this bandana too.

thinking about ordering…MARU Coffee beans or Spyhouse Coffee beans to switch things up. Has anyone tried either? What’s your favorite place to order organic coffee beans from?

2. A late August Sunday dinner menu…

Peach Spritz

Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls

Spicy Pesto and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Involtini

Blackberry Lavender Naked Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream

3. Bathroom refresh…

4. favorite questions of the week…

q: Best tips for meal prepping? 
a: Meal prep is hard, really hard! But start small. I think it can be overwhelming when you try to do a week’s worth of meals in a day. Plus, I find that most of the time at least one or two of those meals goes to waste. Plans change or you just don’t feel like eating whatever you prepped on Sunday come Thursday, you know?

So start/think smaller. If you want to make full meals, try making 2-3 meals on Sunday or Monday for the week ahead.

What I like to do is roast a whole chicken and use the shredded meat for tacos, salads, soups, etc. I also think it is REALLY helpful to have your favorite fruits and vegetables washed, prepped, and in the fridge to throw together for quick lunches and dinners throughout the week.

And lastly, mix up your favorite sauces/salad dressing to keep in the fridge. Things like a lemon pepper vinaigrette, Thai chili sauce, pesto, bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, anything you love that can help make meals exciting.

q: If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?
a: The English countryside! I’ve never been to the UK and definitely want to make the trip soon! The countryside looks like a fairytale ?‍♀️

q: What’s your favorite sauce to dip fries in?
a: Ketchup, no question. The second choice is aioli. I never liked aioli until I made it (with avocado mayo, which I think is key), now I can’t stop. But always ketchup with fries.

q: Do you have any simple recipes with fresh figs?
a: Yes! I love figs and wish more people would be open to cooking/baking with them. They tend to turn people off, but they’re delicious! Below are some of my favorite fig recipes.

No Fuss Healthy Coconut Tart

Fall Harvest Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad

Maple Fig Tarte Tatin

Fig Bourbon Cider Smash

Fig Dark and Stormy

5. latest recipe videos.

One Skillet Creamy Chicken Lazone with Herby Corn…the best use of that late summer corn is with this chicken.

3 Cheese Zucchini “Ravioli” with Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce…basically just cheesy vegetables…so delicious.

Instagram Reels:

Everything Cheddar Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese

Swirled Blueberry Lemon Thyme Cake

Layered Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits

6. a Podcast Question for you + my favorite podcast.

I love listening to podcasts while I’m photographing recipes. At times they can be a little distracting so I have to turn them off. Which often means I don’t usually get through an entire podcast every single day. That said, I still love listening to them and always learn so much. I’ve shared my favorites before, but below are a handful I seem to be listening to most right now…

The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast – an oldie, but such a goodie. Not all of these episodes are for everyone, but I usually find each episode interesting, informative, and fun. They have such a variety of topics and are never boring. If you start with one episode, listen to How To Stand Out In A Crowded Space With Alfred Coffee’s Josh Zad.

Live To Eat – Candace does an incredible job interviewing people within the food space. One of my favorite recent episodes was with Tiffani Thiessen. They spoke about family, food, and farm life. It’s was a fun episode, especially since I know Tiffani myself, she’s the sweetest!

bonus: Half Baked Harvest’s Tieghan Gerard on self-taught success

Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard – we all know this one. My favorite recent episode was with Travis Pastrana.

Trove Business– Love this one for business tips and trips. You have to listen to this episode with Tezza and Cole Herrmann on what it took to build the Tezza App (5M+ downloads) and a successful working partnership as a married couple.

bonus: Half Baked Harvest’s Tieghan Gerard on The Role Of Influencers & Building A Community

The Lady Gang – Honestly, this one is just fun. It’s my “guilty pleasure” podcast that I listen to when I need to de-stress a little. These girls keep things light-hearted. I find their back and forth banter to be really cute and friendly. This episode is especially funny, spoiler they talk about Taylor Swift a bit.

And now my question: What are your favorite podcasts? I need some new ones to rotate with!

7. favorite links i’m loving…

The Trader Joe’s Products Nutritionists Always Buy…need to try that peanut butter.

Inside A Classic Spanish Colonial House in Santa Monica…the kitchen is the cutest.

8 Healthiest Cooking Oils…the benefits and how to use them.

A Kitchen Backsplash Crafted From Broken Marble Remnants…this is such a cool idea and so pretty.

10 Foods That Will Boost Skin Glow…eat all the avocado everyone.

Inexpensive Products on Etsy…I love shopping Etsy. Do you have any favorite shops?

9 Things to Do When the Sunday Scaries Set In…I need to focus on #4.

3 Vegan Comfort Food Recipes…yummm.

8 Surprising Habits That Are Holding You Back…from having a truly healthy relationship.

Take It From a Home Education Pro…how to set up your homeschooling space.

You’ll Want to Order a Loungewear Sets…loving this set and this one too.

The Fall 2020 Boot Trend We’ve All Been Waiting For…all the flat boots for fall.

Disney Is Selling a ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Mug That Is Fit for the Pumpkin King…and I want it.

Here’s What to Know About Voting by Mail, State by State…everything we need to know.

This Cold-Weather Backyard Addition Is in High Demand…we need this.

Clean and Cool Fruit Pops for Hot Summer Days…just what we need.

Tested 4 Famous Chicken Tender Recipes…and they found a clear winner.

Everything You Need to Know About Changing Careers in Your 20s…rule No. 1 is not to check out of your current job.

Essentials for A Healthy Mouth…read this, oral health is so important and this encouraged me to floss more often.

This New Online Tool Is Great for Home Repairs…learn how to fix everything.

8. Transitional dresses for a late summer/fall wedding….

I mentioned that my cousin’s wedding is coming up. She has chosen a garden party theme. I’ve been on the lookout for some casual but cute dresses to showcase here. Here are some of my favorite pics for summer to fall transitional dresses.

And also…beauty finds from the Nordstrom Sale. 

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: One Pot Lemon Basil, Corn, and Ricotta Pasta

Tuesday: Oven Fried Coconut Shrimp with Thai Pineapple Chili Sauce

Wednesday: Weeknight Sesame Teriyaki Chicken with Ginger Rice

Thursday: Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas with Chipotle Peach Salsa

Friday: One Pot 4 Cheese Caprese Mac and Cheese

Saturday Scoop: No Churn Fudge Brownie Coffee Ice Cream

Sunday Night Bread: Swirled Garlic Herb Bread

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