Nine Favorite Things.

Welcome to this week’s Nine Favorite Things.

I’ve been looking forward to this post all week, so much to share! I know I’ve said this before, but I enjoy the switch-up from recipe content. Sharing my favorite things with you guys takes time, but is so much fun. I love knowing that it has become a positive, fun, and entertaining part of your Sunday for so many of you (thank you for your comments!). It’s just very cool to me! Sometimes I have a hard time starting out writing this post, but once I start, I literally just can’t stop.

These have gotten so long, it’s insane! I’m curious to know what your favorite parts of this post are? Anything I’m missing or could include more of?

Before I really dive into today’s post, I just wanted to say that the events of the past week have been difficult to watch unfold. Of course, I wish there was a clear answer on just how to stop these horrific acts of violence within our communities. It’s horrible to see and while I don’t have the answers, I did want to share a quote by Mr. Martin Luther King that I wish we could all keep in mind.

Hate only seems to feed off of itself and bring more hate. Remember that we don’t have any idea what someone else is going through and try to have respect for everyone. Try to put something good into the world each and every day. Share love and kindness with those who need it the most…which can often be the hardest to do. It’s easy for me to sit here and type that, but it’s what my mom taught me. She always goes back to the golden rule…

Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Again simple to say, and I’m not trying to preach here, but to me, that’s just a moral standard I strive to live by. It’s also something that’s nice to be reminded of every now and then. Because we can sometimes forget, I know I do! So, I’m just putting out the reminder!

This week was busy, busy…what’s new, right? I am prepping for a lot of things, but especially for my trip to California this week. It’s a small trip and not as back-to-back booked out as a lot of trips can be. But it’s exciting to be leaving the studio, leaving home, and Colorado for a minute. I’ll be spending some time in LA for a few small work things and the weekend in Julian for my cousin’s wedding.

This means I finally have an excuse to look for some new clothes, and I have to say, I forgot how fun putting outfits together can be. I ordered a decent amount of clothes, just to try them and see what works. Does anyone else do that? Fingers crossed I’ll find a few cute things that are keepers. Kai’s girlfriend, Cait has been helping me pull some pieces. Shopping (even online) takes so much time so I really appreciate her help! She’s working her way up in the styling world in LA and becoming a real pro. It’s cool to see her growth within the space!

In other fun and exciting news, I opened the door to yet another new project this week. To be honest, I shouldn’t have done this, but it’s something I’ve really been wanting to do for a while now. This week I finally just bit the bullet and did it. It’s a passion project that will tie in with HBH, so I’m REALLY excited. More details to come, but fingers crossed it all comes to fruition here soon.

And then aside from that, it’s been a busy week in the kitchen too. I have to say that while I’m still struggling to get out of bed at my usual time (I think because it’s still dark out as opposed to being light, like it was), I LOVE this extra hour of light at the end of the day. Anyone else? It’s helps things feel even more spring-like, which is nice!

Speaking of spring, I think I mentioned last week that I put an order in for fresh flowers from Terrain. Well, they arrived this week and they are SO PRETTY. When it comes to flowers, our selection here can be hit or miss. Sometimes we have great ones and other times the trucks don’t make it up the pass because of snow. Which was the case this week. I love that I can easily order some of my spring favorites from Terrain. They instantly brighten up the day, whether it’s sunny or a full-on snowstorm.

Let’s see, family update. Asher! Oh, this girl is such a teenager these days. Sure, she is just twelve, but she’s already “borrowing” my clothes, stealing all my fancy skincare, and obsessed with (online) shopping. I was happy to get to spend a little time with her this past week baking up Tuesday’s chocolate cinnamon crunch knots. Which Asher has declared as her personal favorite recipe of the year thus far.

But what’s even cooler? I’m realizing that while Asher and I are very different, in a lot of ways we are the same. Watching her do so many of things I used to do at her age is so cool. Like me, she loves interior design, pulling and styling outfits, watching Gilmore Girls on repeat, and even sweeter…spending time with my mom. Like me, she loves getting my mom all to herself. Mom and I used to go for daily walks together when I was a kid, but she and Asher have been cross country skiing, just the two of them (Oslo in a front pack carrier). It’s so cute to see. I love it!

Hmm, who else. Oslo! He’s great and as cute as can be. Such a happy little dude!

Question: What are you looking forward to this Spring? Any Easter plans?

Coming up this week, we’ll be sharing lots of recipes with spring and Easter in mind. A couple of dinners, a quick weeknight take on a favorite spring dish, and more sweets for Easter! What’s your favorite Easter or spring dessert?

Hope you guys love this week’s favorites…have a great first Sunday of SPRING! Tip? Buy yourself a fresh bouquet of flowers. Promise, it will surely make your day brighter and happier.

1. Things I’m Loving, Wanting, and Excited to Try…

watching…College Scandal Admission on Netflix per my cousin Abby’s recommendation. This isn’t my usual kind of show, but super interesting!

cooking…Easy Chocolate Cinnamon Crunch Knots. Obsessed with these knots. They make the perfect Sunday breakfast or afternoon snack.

listening to…Julia Turshen Best-Selling Cookbook Author on Second Life. Enjoyed learning more about Julia’s approach to food

preordering…Lauryn Evarts Bosstick second book, Get the F*ck Out of the Sun: Routines, Products, Tips, and Insider Secrets from 100+ of the World’s Best Skincare Gurus. Anyone who loves skincare needs to pre-order this.

loving…Seed Probiotics. Trying these out and really loving them so far. I am halfway through the first month, so more to report back soon. But feeling great thus far! Do you take a probiotic?

burning…the Hypernature Votive Set from Boy Smells. Perfect trio of spring scents. This would be a fun spring time gift for any occasion.

ordered…so many clothes, which I’m excited about, but especially love these boots that I grabbed on sale!

testing…the foot peel my mom got me for Christmas. More to come next week on this. We’ll see if it really works. Has anyone tried this??

thinking of ordering….these slippers, which everyone has recommended. However, I’m skeptical about the open toe. What are your favorite slippers? I could certainly use a new pair to cook in.

listening to…Tinx on Tiktok and Finding Your Niche on Life with Marianna. Found this so interesting. She built her career on Tiktok in less than a year. Crazy!

watching…Kim Kardashian Reflects on 20 Seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, on Today’s Good Morning Vogue. 100% got sucked into this and I don’t follow the Kardashian’s at all. But this was a nice mindless distraction for my brain and sometimes we just need that. 

ordering…magnesium after reading this article which I found so interesting. Magnesium does so much for our bodies!

2. Spring Baking Recipes.

Coconut Pecan Caramel Butter Cake

Simple Lemon Sugar Burnt Basque Cheesecake

Easy Vanilla Earl Grey Crème Brûlée

Earl Grey Blueberry Lemon Cake

Skillet Strawberry Bourbon Cobbler with Layered Cream Cheese Biscuits

Coconut Carrot Cake with Jam Swirled Buttercream

Bursting Blueberry Lemon Thyme Tarts

Dirty Horchata Tres Leches Cake

Lemon Coconut Naked Cake with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream

No Fuss Lemon Tart

Cinnamon Sugar Brown Butter Popovers

Bursting Blueberry Lemon Layer Cake

Easiest Coconut Lime Tart

Strawberry Chamomile Naked Cake

Blueberry Basque Cheesecake

Herby Everything Cheddar Swirl Buns

3. Easter Gifts and Basket Ideas…

4. favorite questions of the week…

q: What’s your favorite mascara? Your lashes always look so pretty! 
a: I always curl my lashes first, then I do a layer of Ilia Beauty mascara to help lengthen, then a layer of Kosas mascara to darken and build body.

q: Favorite TV Shows of all time that you could watch over and over again?
a: Gossip Girl and or Gilmore Girls. They’re my all-time favorites. How about you?

q: What stone is your black countertop? We have black granite and I find it so hard to clean!
a: it’s marine black soapstone! I love how it cleans up. It’s honed so it’s not shiny as polished granite.

q: Do you ever get tired of pressure to post daily?
a: yes! sometimes it can be a lot and I feel like I’ve always got to be on with social media. But at the same time, I love sharing every day and helping solve the  “what’s for dinner” question for you guys! I feel lucky you guys give me time in your busy lives 🙂 When I’m not feeling it, I usually just post less that day and try not to stress about it. But I’m not the best at this and it’s definitely something I’m working on.

q: What is your favorite condiment?
a: this is way too hard. 1. ketchup (but really only with fries), 2. hot sauce, 3. avocado oil mayo, right now I’m really into it. I love making sauces with it.

5. I’m Getting My Hair Cut This Week…

It’s been over a year since I got my last haircut. So it’s pretty safe to say that my hair is long, overgrown, and while the roots might be healthy, the ends are very dry. I am finally getting my hair cut this week and literally cannot wait.

Now, the question is, do I stick with my long hair that I’ve always had, or do I switch it up and do something totally new and fresh? The shortest I’d ever go is to my shoulders, but man that would be short for me. I’d certainly love to hear what you guys think?

6. Just a few photos from Aspen…

My parents headed to Aspen again this weekend to watch Red compete in the U.S. Grand Prix and World Cup, which is technically the first Olympic qualifier for next year’s games. It’s CRAZY that we’re already thinking about another Winter Olympics, but exciting too. Both Red and Hailey, Red’s long-time girlfriend, did incredibly well, both placing second and putting them in 1st for the American team. So proud of those two and absolutely loved cheering them on!!

They’s the cutest. We love them 🙂 

Photos via Mark Calvin

Red and Kai

7. Favorite Links of the Week.

Emma Roberts All Grown Up and Undone….such a gorgeous photoshoot and nice Sunday read.

Inside a Charming Locust Valley Home…love this laid-back home, so pretty.

Chef Opens an Idyllic Restaurant on the Pacific Coast of Mexico…what a stunning location, would love to go sometime!

Turns Out, the Best Small Office Ideas Are on Instagram…if you’re looking to refresh your office space. 

Some of the Best Face Sunscreens Can Be Found at the Drugstore…Versed is a favorite pick of mine.

Verishop’s Home Sale Is Filled With Staub, Boll & Branch, Smeg, & More…some of my favorite brands are on sale.

Calorie Restriction + Intermittent Fasting Are Not The Same Thing According to Dr. Will Cole…love this take on food as a whole. 

31 Easter Gifts to Delight Your Little Bunnies, er, Kids…such cute and fun ideas. 

The Weird Health Benefit To Eating Leftover Sweet Potatoes…certainly good to know.

Chrissy Teigen’s Mom Pepper Publishes Family Favorite Recipes…such fun recipes.

These Are the Best Beauty Items at Nordstrom…and surprise, they’re on sale.

I Tried 5 of the Best Clean Mascaras—This Brand Was the Clear Winner…I layer on Ilia to lengthen, then Kosas to darken and thicken. 

Everyone Is Watching These 10 Shows & Movies On Netflix…what’s your favorite?

The Best Grocery and Food Delivery Services for Right Now…love online shopping, even for food.

8. Spring Dresses for Easter and Every Other Day….

9. This Weeks Dinners + Weekend Eats…

Monday: Basil Parmesan Pasta with Crispy Chicken, Prosciutto, and Arugula

Tuesday: Hot Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken Fingers

Wednesday: Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon

Thursday: Cauliflower Al Pastor Quesadillas with Lime Smashed Avocado

Friday: Caprese Pesto Pasta Bake

Saturday Snacks: Oven Fried Halloumi Bites with Hot Honey

Sunday Brunch: Easy Chocolate Cinnamon Crunch Knots