Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Hey, hi, and Happy Sunday! Tuesday marks the official start of autumn, but around here we’re already deep into autumn days. As you can see from the photo above, our trees are all starting to turn vibrant shades of yellow and orange. Walking outside or simply looking out the window is the absolute prettiest site and always brings a smile to my face. I’m amazed every single year by these colors and so grateful I get to take them in daily. I only wish this time could last longer. In only a couple of short weeks, those pretty leaves will have fallen and the color will be lost for the season. So while the color is still here, I’m going to talk your ears off about all the prettiness!

With Tuesday being the first day of fall, I’ve finally been thinking about those pumpkin recipes. Should I share a new one this week or wait until October? I’m feeling like it just might be time for pumpkin? I guess I’m ready…

And on that note, I’m thinking and brainstorming fall cocktails. Is this something you guys would be excited to see return to HBH this season. For the past few years, I’ve started back up with Cocktail Saturdays around this time and carried the series on through December. Should I continue? I LOVE these posts and have so much fun with them, but want to hear what you guys think? Harry Potter drinks for Halloween? Let me know!

Anyway, how’s it going? This week was another busy, but good week. We all had so much fun at my cousin’s wedding this past weekend back in Cleveland, but I have to say, the travel made me miss traveling for work. I’m so sad I’m not headed to NYC this fall. Being in the city during the autumn days is my favorite. This time last year we were gearing up for the release of the HBH Super Simple cookbook and planning multiple trips to NYC for press and events.

I have only one trip on the calendar, to LA in November, but other than that, nothing else is planned. Laying very low this fall, so it’s going to be a little different. But I’m also feeling excited to have more time at home.

Which…is really inspiring me to add touches of fall all around the house. I love decorating for the seasons but am never able to find the time. This year I’m making it a goal to decorate for fall and Halloween. I’ve already been shopping around on Terrain and Pottery Barn (see my picks below). Please let me know any stores you love to shop for fall decor? But, what I’m looking for the most? Shockingly, a new candle. I’ve tried so many candles that I absolutely love, but I’ve yet to find a clean fall candle with warm autumn scents like cinnamon.

Questions: What’s your favorite fall scented candle? How about your favorite places to shop for autumn decor?

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be kicking the week off with a warming, but healthy, chicken dinner. Then moving on to share something warming and sweet on Tuesday. On Wednesday we’ll have a fun recipe that’s great for Sunday snacking. For Thursday we’ve got a simple vegetarian dinner. And we’ll be wrapping the week up on Friday with yet another fall dessert….which are clearly my favorites!

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. Everything I want to decorate, wear, and do this fall…

1. Find an apple orchid nearby and pick all the apples. Then, bake these apple blondies.

2. Actually decorate for fall…with autumn flowers (and so many mums), pumpkins, cute wreaths, and my favorite candle (it’s a splurge, but Chai scented and perfection).

2. Bake my favorite pumpkin bread with cinnamon maple butter.

3. Watch all the best Halloween movies…Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, and do a Harry Potter marathon with Asher. What’s your favorite Halloween movie?

4. Go to a pumpkin patch and pick out all my favorite odd-looking pumpkins. Then do some carving and roast their seeds…yumm. Here’s a list of 40 of the best pumpkin farms.

5. Homemade apple cider, apple butter, and apple cider doughnuts (above photo)…again and again. And let’s throw in some pumpkin butter too.

6. Send fall care packages to friends. Love these ideas…filling mine with lots of cookies too.

7. Sunday morning pumpkin pancakes while watching 31 nights of Halloween. I used to watch The Scariest Places on Earth when I was younger on Saturday afternoons while sitting by our fire enjoying dad’s chocolate chip pancakes. Best memory.

8. Go for a hike and take in all the fall foliage. Our trees are so pretty right now.

9. Mixing up spooky Harry Potter cocktails.

10. Fall shopping! I’m in need of new fall sweaters and a cozy coat. Loving this sweater and this wool coat…and this trench too.

12. And on that note, splurge on a new pair of fall boots. Or these (real big splurge).

13. Watch reruns of all the autumn Gilmore Girls episodes. Stars Hallow in the fall was my dream place.

Questions: What’s on your list for fall. What’s the one thing you want to do most? For me, I really want to find a fun pumpkin patch in Colorado. I’ve never been to one here!

2. Favorite Autumn Cocktails.

Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita

Sleepy Hollow Cocktail

Pumpkin Sangria

Frothy Whipped Coffee White Russian

The Golden Snitch Cocktail

Harvest Apple Ginger Spritz

The Black Widow Smash

The Half Blood Prince Cocktail

Poison Apple Martini

Fig Bourbon Cider Smash

Spiced Persimmon Bourbon Old Fashioned

The Deathly Hallows Cocktail

Apple Butter Old Fashioned

Death Eater Negroni

3. Leanne Ford’s Crate and Barrel fall collection…

Love so many of these pieces.

4. favorite question of the week…

q: Do you prefer remote living to the big city life? Does it affect your creativity?
a: Yes! I’m very small town. It works for me. I love to travel to NYC and LA but I love coming home to my small town. I love the space, all the trees, and the openness. But as I said I love being able to work in the city some too. Missing my fall trips to NYC so much this year!

5. latest recipe videos.

Pastry Wrapped Baked Brie with Maple Butter Roasted Apples…make with this apple butter.

Mulled Spiced Apple Cider Doughnuts…nothing not to love about these.

Pumpkin Beer Broccoli Cheddar Soup…an oldie, but truly a goodie.

Baked Sweet Potato Parmesan Tater Tots…with a drizzle of herb butter. SO GOOD.

New Instagram Reels: 

Dark Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Bars...Sunday baking with a healthier twist.

Spicy Pesto and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Involtini…cheesy zucchini rolls in tomato sauce.

New Instagram Stories: 

French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese

Pull Apart Parmesan Sage Butter Brioche Rolls

Sheet Pan Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara with Rosemary Bacon

Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze

Question for You: do you guys like this “latest recipe videos” or would you rather see something as as favorite #5? Let me know!

6. Inspiring Me On Pinterest…everything Halloween.

(photo via Good House Keeping)

(photograph via Martha Stewart) 

(photo via Good House Keeping)

(photograph via Martha Stewart) 

(photo via Apartment Therapy) 

(photograph via Women’s Day)

(photo via Country Living)

7. favorite links i’m loving…

20 Comfort Food Recipes for When It Gets Crisp and Cool…these all sound so perfect for autumn days.

An Australian Coast Home…the tiling in this home is stunning and so unique. Especially love the bathroom.

7 Yoga Moves to Relieve Back Pain…if you’re feeling the pain, try these.

Tried Every Frozen Pizza at Trader Joe’s…these are the top 7. Which is your favorite?

11 Curling Mascaras If Your Lashes Are Stick Straight…personally love this one by Ilia.

27 Fall-Scented Candles That Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing…love this one, ordering this one, (plus they’re 20% off with the code FALLING…and free shipping), and if you want to splurge, get this one.

Leanne Ford’s New Kids’ Line Features Mini Versions of Her Signature Designs…this collection? So cute.

31 Spooky Movies to Get You in the Mood for Halloween ?…can you believe I’ve never seen The Blair Witch Project? Should I watch it?

30 Apple Recipes to Make This Fall…yum. These all sound incredible.

Tour Ziggy Marley’s California Home…love the uniqueness and those blue couches.

3 Bad Posture Habits + How to Correct Them…always (trying to) working on my posture.

31 New Zara Items That Are Perfect for Fall…I have these boots, this sweater, and this blazer in my cart.

Under $50 H&M Fall Items…love this cozy cardigan and this sweater too.

5 Eye Makeup Tricks That Will Actually Take Years Off Your Face…always looking for makeup tips and tricks.

5 Organizing Tips We Learned From The Home Edit’s Netflix Show…obsessed with this show. Have you seen it yet?

6 Ways to Organize Your Cookware That Don’t Involve Stacking…if you’re trying to get organized, read this.

Trader Joe’s Fall Foods Have Arrived! 33 Items You Need to Try…need the Ginger Brew and the Haunted House Chocolate Cookie Kit (so fun).

Copper Isn’t Just for Looks…who knew copper equals a healthier home?

Is Soy Good for You or Not…an interesting, informative read.

How to Decorate Your Front Porch for Fall…such cute ideas!

The Hendersons Are Homeschooling…if you are homeschooling and need tips/advice read this.

Cameron Diaz’s Breakfast Brownies + Her New Rosé Brand…brownies for breakfast with a side of rosé?

8. New Style finds for fall…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: Sheet Pan Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Tuesday: Fall Harvest Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad

Wednesday: Herby Buttered Mushroom Stroganoff

Thursday: Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken

Friday: Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara with Rosemary Bacon

Saturday Baking: Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze

Sunday Roll: Pull Apart Parmesan Sage Butter Brioche Rolls

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