Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Happy Sunday everyone! Hoping you guys all had an amazing week and are welcoming in September with big open arms. Our week was very full but filled with so many fun things. It ended in the best way possible, with an incredible photoshoot on Thursday, and the sunniest fall-like day on Friday.

Most of the week was spent prepping for the shoot, which was for a project we’ve been working on for months now. I was pretty nervous all week, so I’m feeling quite happy and excited it’s all said and done. There was a lot of preparation that went into this shoot beforehand, but thankfully everything came together. It could not have gone any better thanks to an incredible team and a whole lot of prep and strategizing. So excited to be able to share more with you guys soon. I’m not wishing September away by any means, but I also can’t wait for October. Fun things are coming on October first…which is hard to believe is less than a month away.

Our small team is what made this photoshoot so amazing. I was lucky enough to get my friend, Kristen out here from Austin. She’s not only the most incredible photographer I know, but she is without a doubt the kindest person I know. This girl has the biggest heart and brightest smile. The second she walks into a room the energy changes and her happiness and positivity spread like a wildfire. Have you ever met a person like that? Someone that has the brightest and most genuine personality that it actually feels contagious? That’s a truly special person, you know? If you need an inspiring Instagram to follow, she’s my number one recommendation. Just take a scroll through her feed and you’ll instantly get what I’m saying.

Most of you know this by now, but September has to be one of my favorite months of the year, especially here in Colorado. Weather-wise it’s picture-perfect with blue sunny skies, leaves turning shades of yellow and orange, and the first scent of autumn in the air. I know most of you are still experiencing summer weather, but early September is when our fall hits and it’s just beautiful.

I’m going to do my best to get outside this weekend. I want to enjoy the fresh fall air before heading to Cleveland on Wednesday for my cousin Maggie’s wedding. We’re all pretty excited for this wedding, but I still have not a clue what I am wearing. The rehearsal dinner is Hawaiian themed…

Any thoughts on that one for me? I’m stumped.

Question: what’s your favorite thing about September? What are you looking forward to most? Apple picking? Cooler temps setting in? The official start of fall? Pumpkin spice (which I will try to hold out on until October!)?

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be taking Monday off for Labor Day. But we’ll pick right back up again on Tuesday where I’ll be sharing a new game-day dinner. Then we’ll move onto an easy slow cooker recipe. Next up is a fun new meatball dish…that’s going to be great for Sunday night. And we’ll end the week with my favorite apple recipe yet. It’s going to be good!

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…Ozark. This came highly recommended by both of my cousins. Starting at season one!

loving…Kosas lip oil gloss. I’m not a lipstick kind of girl, but this has me changing my tune. I used it for our shoot this week and I’m now obsessed.

also loving…all things Kosas. Their concealer, tinted face oil, and bronzer have become new staples.

baking up…my homemade Nutter Butter cookies. I can’t get enough of these, and they’re so easy! 

loving…my Hunter boots. I finally ordered these and can’t stop wearing them.

thinking about ordering…these Beyond Yoga Leggings. Anyone own a pair? Thoughts?

loving…hair accessories. Ordering this scrunchie for fall. Love this barrette that would instantly create the prettiest bun.

excited…to burn this candle. It’s Chai scented and pricey, so I’ve been waiting to burn it until fall really set in. Excited to light it as soon as I get back from Cleveland next weekend. Bring on the fall candles. PS. would anyone be interested in hearing all my favorites? Any new ones I should be trying?

shopping…the Magnolia fall sale. So many good finds. I own and love this vase, ordering this candle, and am on the waiting list for this tray.

loving the idea…of wine tasting. My cousin brought this up and a trip to wine country sounds so nice during the autumn months.

ordering…this Halloweentown sweatshirt I found on Etsy. I am obsessed…and clearly such a Halloween freak.

thinking about ordering…this vintage jug. Autumn dahlias would be so pretty in this.

wanting…this Burberry trench coat (love this longer length, so pretty), but ordering this affordable and just as cute trench instead.

loving…all the Labor Day sales. We’ve updated the shop page with some favorites.

2. September Apple Recipes.

Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita

Apple Butter Old Fashioned

French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese

Autumn Braised Chicken Escabèche with Roasted Apples and Grapes

Roasted Butternut Squash Apple Burrata Pizza

Honey, Apple, Cheddar, and Bacon Panini

Fall Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad

Prosciutto Apple and Sage Butter Chicken with Cider Pan Sauce

Apple Butter and Sage Pork Chops

Mulled Spiced Apple Cider Doughnuts

Spiced Pecan Apple Cider Doughnut Cake

Salted Maple Apple Tarte Tatin

Cinnamon Apple Puffed Pancake

Double the Streusel Apple Butter Bars

3. Everything autumn from Pottery Barn…

All items 25% off through Labor Day.

4. favorite questions of the week…

q: How many hours per day are you thinking about, practicing, and filming recipes.
a: Haha! So many hours. You’d be shocked how much thought, brainstorming, and trial and error goes into one recipe. Coming up with a recipe concept and or testing a recipe can be a one hour process or a five-day process, just depends. Filming a recipe for IG stories or IG reels usually takes two to three hours, plus editing.

I don’t ever practice anything…which is why you see all my mistakes 🙂

q: The butter in the gnocchi recipe looked amazing, where is it from?
a: Honestly, so excited you noticed! I cook/bake mostly with European style butter. Unlike traditional butter, European style butter (or cultured butter ) is fermented for 20 hours then churned to 82% butterfat. This provides the butter with a rich taste and a high smoke point, making it perfect for browning ingredients (my favorite)…and healthier too!

I love Straus European Butter, which I grab at Whole Foods (and is what I used for the gnocchi) OR Land O’ Lakes European Butter, which I can grab at the grocery store.

q: What is your favorite thing about fall?
a: I could never just pick one thing. Fall is my favorite. In my world, it doesn’t even compare to any other season. I love the changing of the leaves, the crisp air, apples, fall sweaters, fall boots, pumpkin carving, HALLOWEEN, Harry Potter weekends, apple cider, fall baking, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin bread, longer nights, fires burning, all the autumn candles, cinnamon, and all the excitement for the holidays ahead (hello to Thanksgiving and Christmas). I could go on and on, I truly love fall.

Oh! And all the fall cocktails. Who’s excited for the start-up of the annual HBH fall cocktail Saturday series? Should I share some new Harry Potter-themed drinks?

5. latest recipe videos.

Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter Polenta Fries with Lemon Aioli…I recommend making a double batch.

New Instagram Reels

Lemon Strawberry Dutch Baby with Ricotta Cream…everyone’s favorite giant pancake.

Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken…add some homemade beer bread. Promise it will be good.

Coconut Popcorn Chicken with Sweet Thai Chili Lime Garlic Sauce…t-t-t-t-t-tasty

6. Inspiring Me on Pinterest…the Fall Foliage Edition.

Sources unknown, but all found via Pinterest. Please let me know if you happen to know the exact sources.

Related Reading: the best places to see fall foliage.

7. favorite links i’m loving…

13 Labor Day Home Sales You Can Shop From Your Sofa…this burnt orange blanket is perfect for fall.

What’s Your Dream Movie House…read the comments on this post, so fun. Also, what’s your dream movie house? I don’t think I have one in mind!

8 Outdated Rules for Healthy Eating That We’re Ditching…such a good read. Agree with this so much.

11 Must-Visit Small Towns in Upstate New York…the foliage in Ellicottville looks amazing.

9 Cooking Steps You Should Feel Free to Skip…everyone needs to read this one.

6 Fresh Ways to Spend a Girls’ Night In…such fun and cozy at home ideas.

50+ Items on Etsy to Help You Decorate for Fall & Halloween…in love with this list.

A Yucca Valley Desert Home…what a unique home. Perfect for the desert.

A Guide to the 12 Best Labor Day Sales…plus, favorite deals from each.

Your One-Stop Shop for The Best Labor Day Sales…lot’s of sales this weekend!

11 Ways to Empower Kids to Make a Difference in the World…love these ideas.

Chef Eden Grinshpan Turns to This Recipe When She’s Over Cooking…make it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. YUM.

Emily Henderson’s new Mentorship Program…which is basically “Design Blog School”.

How to Find Your Ring Size in 3 Easy Steps…tips you need if you love your rings.

How to Get Your Pumpkin Spice Fix This Season…skipping the deodorant, but love this spatula, and of course this candle. Oh, and this one too.

All the Fall Nail Inspo You Could Ever Need ?…I’m not a nail person, but I am loving this moody amber shade.

10 Tips to Help You Nail Your Virtual Interview…if you need some tips.

Your Face Oil Soul Mate Exists…here’s how to choose the best formula.

8. Autumnal tones…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake

Tuesday: Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken Taquitos with Street Corn Salsa

Wednesday: Ricotta Gnocchi with Herby Mushrooms and Sage Browned Butter

Thursday: Sage Lemon Butter Chicken Piccata with Mashed Cauliflower

Friday: French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese

Saturday Snacks: Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

Sunday Simmer: Homemade Maple Apple Butter 

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