Nine Favorite Things.

{my favorite little girl and all the summer tomatoes}

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post!

I want to start off by saying THANK YOU to everyone for your kind words on Friday’s post. We are so inspired that you are so excited for the New HBH studio barn. Many more post to come. Thanks for the support guys, you are making my dreams come true!

Now onto this post…

I am so happy to be home this week and just getting back to normal after the past few weeks of crazy ups and downs my family has had. After returning home from Cleveland on Wednesday, I hit the ground running and finished the week off with plenty of new recipes and recipe videos. Come Saturday I was pretty much exhausted, so I took the day completely off from cooking and tried to take some time to just chill a bit. Really trying to do this more often to give both my mind and body a break from constantly working…and stressing. It’s all about baby steps for me though.

Right now it’s all about planning Asher’s birthday, which is this coming up on Wednesday. I cannot believe she is going to be NINE years old. I actually thought she was turning eight, but then my mom kindly informed that it was nine, and I honestly almost cried. How that little girl is nine years old is beyond me. Last year I gave her a surprise trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so that’s kind of hard to top…oops. This year, I’m thinking maybe a girls trip down to Denver for a day of shopping and possibly even hit up a spa? Asher loves the spa, which is kind of weird because my mom and I have never even had a manicure…just not our thing. I don’t know, I’ll really have to think about it. Anyone have suggestions for a nine-year old’s birthday (…she acts more like a teen though)? Let me know!

Coming up this week on the blog. We’ll start the week off strong with a deliciously cheesy recipe, then move along to something a bit lighter, but equally delicious. We will of course continue to have fun with all the summer veggies, and on Thursday I’ll be sharing something cozy (but healthy). We’ll finish up the week with a fun ninth birthday treat and another fun announcement. This time the announcement will be cookbook related (and very fun for all you readers)!

Until then, here are this week’s favorites. Enjoy the reads…and fall fashion finds!

1. Gluten Free? My little cousin Lake, who is just three years old, was diagnosed with celiac at the age of the two. This little girl is possibly the cutest, kindest child I have ever met, and after spending three days with her, I am just a little obsessed. The way she asks if foods are “gluten free” is SO CUTE. Ugh, I miss her! Anyway, her gluten intolerance has inspired me to create a few gluten free recipes (gluten free vanilla cupcakes…for Lake’s birthday… are coming soon), so I am loving these easy gluten free weeknight dinners. The Turkey Chili looks delish.

ps. here are some of my favorite gluten free recipes from HBH..

Skinny Cajun Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Cheese Sauce

3 Cheese Zucchini “Ravioli” with Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce

Lemon Garlic Roasted Broccoli Salad

2. A few articles I found inspiring…

–> 9 kick ass quotes…”I believe ambition is not a dirty word. It’s just believing in yourself and you abilities.” Reese Witherspoon

–> 6 ideas for healthy eating at work…love the tip to put work “away” while eating.

–> 3 traits of a confident women…authentic, don’t need praise, and compassion.

–> 25 famous women on their guilty pleasures…I am all about Ina’s.

–> 6 things successful women DON’T do every morning…I am guilty of checking my email.

–> 7 things to do every September…LOVE this, especially building a vision board.

3. H&M for Your Home? Yes, it’s a thing! Here are the pieces I am loving…

these cotton napkins. this stoneware pitcher. this tea towel. this wooden tray.

these ladles. this table runner. this tumbler. this porcelain cake stand. these linen napkins.

4. Excited for Fall? ME TOO! Here are the best times for fall foliage in your area.

5. New videos:

–> Avocado Zucchini Carbonara Pasta…healthy..ish, but feels indulgent.

–> 20 Minute Crispy Honey Ginger Salmon…Sweet, spicy, and all ready in 20 minutes.

6. Crushing hard on these denim items…

–> these distressed girlfriend jeans (under $60!).

–> the mid crop flare jean.

–> the high cigarette jean.

–> the 501 skinny

–> the milla denim mini skirt.

7. Office Space Inspiration with Karlie Kloss…Karlie just debuted her new Kode with Klossy offices in NYC and I could not be more in love. Such a stunning office space.

8. Fall Boots I am Loving…

this flora velvet bootie (a major splurge…but cute!) these ombre knee high boots. the Logan over the knee boot.

this suede bootie. the engineer boot. these rain boots.

9. This Week’s Dinners: 

Monday: Summer Abundance Salad

Tuesday: Rosemary Peach Chicken in a White Wine Pan Sauce

Wednesday: Quinoa Crusted Schnitzel with Creamed Corn Gnocchi

Thursday: Thai Chile Corn Chowder with Coconut Fried Shrimp

Friday: 4-Cheese Caprese Mac and Cheese

Bonus: Asher’s Birthday Cake

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.