Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things

Hi, hi! And happy Sunday!

We’re exactly three (oops, not 2) weeks out from Halloween! Then it’s into November and officially Thanksgiving time. It’s already getting so busy! I’m loving the cozier autumn days, though I struggled a bit this week with the sun setting so early in the day. It’s totally throwing me off!

I use only natural light to shoot photos and film any video content, so the adjustment to earlier and earlier sunsets hit me hard this week. And the scariest thing is that it’s only getting worse by the day. Somehow I’ll adjust and figure it out. I mean I do it every year, but oh how I wish the days could just be a little longer. Does anyone else struggle with this?

The good news is that we have yet to have any snowfall. Which means we still have pretty yellow and orange leaves on the trees (the longest I ever remember them remaining). It’s picture perfect at the moment and I love it!

Not too much more to share. Instagram was down for a day, which was very interesting. I can’t say I minded though. Did you guys embrace the outage, hop over to Tiktok, or just stay off social for the day? I know a lot of people who really embraced it, and then others who stressed.

Let’s see what else, the boys (Malachi and Red) are still over in Europe. They’re in Saas-Fee, Switzerland right now, it looks beautiful. We found out that China will only be allowing spectators from mainland China to this winter’s Olympics in Beijing. This is such a huge bummer for all of us. Our entire family (there were 18 of us) traveled to South Korea 4 years ago to watch Red compete. We were all planning on doing the same if they decided to allow outside spectators. We’ll of course be watching from home, but it’s just not the same!

And lastly, I’ve been doing a lot of fall shopping from coats, to boots, to beauty…and of course candles too. Basically trying to stock up on all the cozy things for the upcoming holiday season. Getting excited!

question: what’s exciting you all right now? Halloween? The upcoming holidays? The autumn weather? Would love to know!

Coming up this week on HBH, I am starting Monday off with a healthy soup! Tuesday is all about sweet, but this time, it’s something for breakfast. For Wednesday I’m excited to share a new comfort food classic that I hope you’ll make all season long. For Thursday it’s a toss-up between a game day snack or an easy dinner, not sure yet. Then onto some fun Halloween sweets and drinks!

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

loving…this cozy pullover.

listening to…Drew Barrymore on Armchair Expert. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this interview, but I really loved the raw conversation.

burning…chai scented candle from Byredo. Always a fall favorite.

reading…The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and The Glory of Growing Up by Evanna Lynch 

loving…the new Leanne Ford for Crate & Barrel collection. So many great cozy home finds. I love this hugger chair, floor mirror, metallic vase, and candle holders.

ordered…sweatpants from Donni. Got these to wear at night and they’re so soft and cozy.

dreaming of….a massage from Four Moons Spa in Encinitas, California. My cousin, Abby, and Asher as getting birthday massages next week and I’m jealous.

following…kjp on Tiktok. The fall content from New England is so pretty.

loving…randomly sending out gift cards to friends or when I know they’re feeling down. A Starbucks gift card can really go a long way sometimes.

drinking…the grave digger. Yesterday’s spooky cocktail. The glasses are from Pottery Barn.

ordered…bitters from Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Excited to try this new to me (and local to Colorado) brand. Lots of cocktail making is ahead!

watching…Britney vs. Spears. Have you watched this yet? My brother said it’s really good.

dreaming of going…a House Fit for Winnie-the-Pooh in the Original Hundred Acre Wood. This is the coziest spot and so cute. I loved Winnie the Pooh as a kid.

baking…a batch of pumpkin butter and then my pumpkin butter chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin butter bread.

listening to…DamnGood Drugstore Finds on Breaking Beauty Podcast. For anyone looking for products that work, but are still affordable.

loving…this fairytale like bedroom. Such a cute little girl’s room.

2. Warming fall soups and salads.

Brie and Cheddar Apple Beer Soup

Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad

Creamy Gnocchi Soup with Rosemary Bacon

Creamy French Onion and Mushroom Soup

Shredded Brussels Sprout Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup

Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad

Creamy Wild Rice Chicken Soup with Roasted Mushrooms

Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana

Pumpkin Beer Broccoli Cheddar Soup

3. My autumn skincare + makeup…and fall candles.

skincare

makeup

fall candles 

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: How many times have you cut your hands or fingers this year?
a: more times than I can count, but thankfully nothing bad. My skin is already dry, so living at 9000+ feet doesn’t help. My hands crack so easily in the fall/winter.

q: Can you please say more about making hot chocolate in your milk frother?
a: Lol. so my mom drinks hot chocolate like most people drink coffee. She has it EVERY SINGLE morning and many nights too…she’s got an issue. She doesn’t drink it very sweet though and uses cacao powder to make it. My dad uses the Breville milk frother to mix up her cocoa/cacao every day, they love it. I can do a how-to, would anyone be interested?

q: Is it ever difficult to find ingredients living in the mountains?
a: yes! I try to be prepared and order things online but I’m not very planned out with recipes. Sometimes it’s super annoying, but it’s also not that bad either. I have most of what I need, it’s just specialty items that are tricky.

q: Fav met gala look?
a: I loved Gigi Hadid and thought her look was so timeless and pretty. I especially loved the slit in the back.

q: Do you create a schedule when creating content?
a: I try to, but I’m not very good at it. I find my recipes are more creative when they’re not planned out. It’s a little chaotic but it seems to work for me ??‍♀️

q: Advice for anyone who wants to start a blog?
a: you have to just start! Starting is the hardest part because you’re always a little scared and unsure when starting something new. Get your voice out there and adjust as you go. Once you start you’ll slowly be able to develop your own style and continue to grow and learn from there.

q: How do you style your hair?
a: I really don’t style it at all. I shower at night and usually throw it up into a messy bun before bed. While I’m cooking it’s still up in that bun. But when I take it out of the bun (usually just to film something) it has a nice light bounce to it which gives it the added volume that I need that!

q: New follower and need to know who Asher and Oslo are?
a: sorry to everyone who knows this, but Asher is my little sister, and Oslo is my little brother. I’m one of 8 kids ?? ages 36 to 11 months. My parents are only just a little crazy

q: Best and worst habits you have?
a: best habit, getting outside every day for exercise and drinking lots of water (I know I know, but water really helps!!!). Worst habit, not getting enough sleep.

q: Tell us 3 things you actually did love about your birthday?
a: I’m not a birthday person at all, it’s actually one of my least favorite days of the year. That said..this year’s birthday wasn’t bad!

1. The song Creighton and Asher wrote me.
2. All the flowers everyone sent.
3. The email I got from anthro for 15% off site-wide…ordered up all the fall candles.

q: What’s an easy mistake you often find yourself making in the kitchen?
a: not setting timers on recipes!! Especially when baking. Guys, set the timer on recipes! Trust me, you’ll almost always forget if you don’t.

q: Love your nature pics! They come out so clear! Do you use your phone? If so, which one?
a: always use my iPhone. I have the 11 but I did just buy the 13!

5. Holiday requests + Nine Favorite Things.

hbh holiday

It’s the time of year when I really start to dive into holiday content planning. As always, I love to ask you guys what you’re looking for most. I feel like so many of us will be entertaining more this season, which is so exciting!

As always, I plan to share a new Thanksgiving menu, recipes, and tips and tricks. Any Thanksgiving tips or tricks you’d love to see in November?

Same for Christmas (my favorite!). Planning to share a new menu and of course plenty of fun holiday recipes and cocktails. I have some really fun ideas!

Please shout out any requests you have may have. And guys be specific. Your ideas might spark something for me, you never know. I really love to hear your feedback. It’s SO important to me to not only create content that I’m excited about, but that you guys want/need too.

nine favorite things

I also wanted to ask your opinion on our weekly favorites post. I know so many of you religiously ready these on Sunday (thank you!). But I’m curious how I can make them even better and more interesting/exciting for you. Especially with the holidays ahead of us.

I have ideas for holiday gift round-ups, easy crafts ideas, homemade gifts, and more. I’m considering possibly bringing back my homemade holidays series as well! Last year I just incorporated the series into the Sunday favorites. But I’m wondering if you’d prefer the homemade holidays as their own blog post?

holiday giveaways

As we’ve always done in the past, we’ll also be doing our 25 Days of Christmas this year. This will include a new giveaway each week in December. Any gift items you’d love for me to include in my upcoming holiday giveaways?

6. Inspiring me…simple fall decor.

(stoneware bowl, stoneware mug, stoneware pitcher, ceramic vase, round trey, wool blanket, linen pillow cover, piping bag (for holiday baking!), wavy mold)

some ideas from Pinterest

(love this cute DIY pumpkin)

(such a cute garland for Thanksgiving or Christmas)

(loving using dried fruits for a DIY wreath)

(cozy fall table)

(a cozy fireplace set up)

7. Favorite links i’m loving…

We Love Expensive Skincare, But Only When It Works…these 19 brands are worth it.

16 New Netflix Features We Can’t Wait To Watch…watch on your list?

Cassandra Grey Reveals The Best Smoky Eye Shadow…really enjoyed this interview with the Violet Grey founder.

7 Reasons You’ll Want to Switch to This Underrated Foundation…have you tried cushion foundation?

Trader Joe’s Coffee Products You’ll Love…and the ones you should skip.

50 Halloween Nail Ideas That Aren’t Cheesy…these are so fun and spooky.

Inside Kirsten Dunst’s Charming Ranch House…the kitchen and cozy vibes are so good.

Inside the Jamaica Hotel That Inspired James Bond…what a location. I would love to vacation here.

The Skincare Ingredients You Should Never Mix…good to know.

Beauty Travel Tips to Pack Like a Pro…always need packing tips/tricks.

Inside the SoHo Home of Influencer Danielle Bernstein…into the moody color scheme.

One of the World’s Largest Superyachts Is About to Go to Auction…wow, this is insane.

How To Boost Digestion…love these easy tips.

Inside the Sets of the New James Bond Flick No Time To Die…love a behind-the-scenes.

8. Fall Boots.

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats…

Monday: Simple Baked Cheesy Italian Chicken Meatballs

Tuesday: Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup

Wednesday: 30 Minute Creamy Chicken and Parmesan Sage Dumplings

Thursday: Super Simple Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala

Friday: Sage Butter Pumpkin Cheese Ravioli

Saturday: “I put a Spell on You” Poison Apple Martini

Sunday: Cream Cheese Swirled Cinnamon Pumpkin Butter Bread