Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things

Isn’t the long Thanksgiving weekend just one of the best of the year? First, you have Thanksgiving, which for us is always a laidback low-key day. Then you have the entire weekend to do ALL the fun holiday things… Deck the halls, trim the tree, frantically sift through the incredible Black Friday/cyber week sales. Stay up late watching Christmas movies, maybe sip some hot cocoa, and just hang with family and friends.

It’s so nice because even though the Thanksgiving holiday has passed, we still have the entire holiday season to look forward to, which is so exciting! I have so much I want to do over the next month. But at the same time, I want to try and remember that if not everything gets done, it’s OK. This is a lot easier for me to say than actually do. But I can try and learn a little year by year, baby steps work too.

Anyway, I’m very excited for this next month. As you all know, it’s my favorite time of year! What’s new to HBH this year is our gifts guides. We’ve all been having a lot of fun pulling products for these and asking all our resources for their best ideas. I texted all my brothers looking for the best gifts for our men’s gift guide. These are really fun, I hope you all enjoy them!

Really looking forward to the holidays and all the fun they bring. I spent the last few days working on upcoming giveaways and decorating. I want to really do it up this year with the festiveness. Just feeling like we need some holiday cheer!

Let’s see, what else. Thanksgiving recap! First of all, wow you all made and baked SO many HBH recipes. Watching the messages pile in on Instagram was overwhelming in the best way possible. I really hope every single recipe you made was delicious and enjoyed by all! The most popular recipes were my classic herb butter roasted turkey, the parker house rolls, cranberry baked brie, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and sweet potato stacks, and then ALL of the cocktails. So many cocktails, which I just love to see!

That’s all from me for today! Enjoy this week’s favorites and happy holidays!

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

loving…these Frosted Bottle Brush Trees. They’re cuter in person and fun for all over the house. I keep ordering more. Plus they’re 30% off for cyber week.

loving…Paper Source Holiday Wrapping Paper. These are my favorites: the nutcracker wrapper paper, santa head paper, glitter cars with trees paper, wintery wreath with dear paper, nutcracker dogs, merry chrismouse paper, and this skating critters paper (Asher would LOVE the last 3). They’re offering 15% off sitewide, plus free shipping when you spend over $50.

listening to…Rachael Ray on Armchair Expert. Fun fact? The first recipe I ever made for my family was a Rachael Ray dish and she really helped teach me how to cook in the early years. I enjoyed this conversation and learning more about her.

dreaming of going to…London to see all the holiday displays. Has anyone ever been? It looks so pretty.

reading…The Christmas Promise by Richard Paul Evans. My mom and I are kind of sappy when it comes to Christmas movies and books, but I heard this one is good.

decking the halls…with Gracious Garlands. the prettiest greens. more to come with these!

shopping…all the NAADAM Christmas Sweaters. I’m thinking about ordering this cashmere holiday sweater for the girls in the family. It’s 40% for cyber week and the goats just feel so fitting for us.

ordered…Holiday PJ’s. I actually ordered 2 pairs, one from Abercrombie (I haven’t ordered from Abercrombie since middle school), and one from J.Crew. I’m going to see what we like better. I got a pair for my mom and Asher too.

listening to…Christmas music, of course, and loving this classic playlist and Michael Bublé too.

ordered…these Etsy Christmas ribbons. I got so many colors. I can’t wait for them to get here.

excited to try…Betty Buzz, sparkling non-alcoholic mixers for mocktails. These look and sound really great! I have some on the way.

loving…this Little People Team USA set for Oslo.

drinking…Cinnamon Bourbon Fizz.

watching…The Waltons’ The Homecoming, A Christmas Story. It premieres tonight (11/28), 8/7c, on the CW. My mom said she used to watch The Waltons when she was little. This Christmas special is narrated by Richard Thomas, who played John Boy in The Waltons original series.

stocking up on…Winc. It’s always a good idea to have wine on hand for the holidays. Use this link to get 4 bottles of wine for $24.95.

ordered…Philips Sonicare Toothbrush on Amazon’s Black Friday Sale. Not very exciting, but gotta take care of those teeth!

2. The most popular recipes of November.

Most popular: Creamy White Chicken Chili
(thank you cousin Abby for really pushing me to finally make this!)

Runner-up: Creamy White Lasagna Soup
(creamy white soups are popular!)

Also have to mention: Salted Honey Butter Parker House Rolls

My personal favorite: Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie

Favorite Cocktail: Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma

3. Cyber week sales…beauty & home.

Violet Grey Sale

Anthropologie

holiday

home

Holiday Candles

Lulu and Georgia – get 25% off with the code THANKFUL

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: what is your go-to appetizer?
a: honestly, my go-to is a cheese board (of course, you probably guessed that). OR this super vintage recipe of my grandma’s that’s only 3 ingredients. She called it her “blue cheese appetizer” and it’s the best thing ever. It’s a staple because it’s so freaking easy and I’m not joking…everyone loves it! But it’s not very healthy ?

q: how do you keep up with your skincare routine? I struggle to do mine each day!
a: I’m one of those people where once I make something a habit, I have no problem fitting it into my day. Try doing your routine constantly for 10 days, no excuses, and then see if it’s easier. I honestly look forward to mine, especially my nighttime routine, because it kind of feels like I’m just cleansing away the day and letting go of whatever stress I’m currently focusing on. Also, keep it minimal!! 

q: is Asher homeschooled or does she attend virtual school?
a: she’s doing online school this year.

q: can you share your favorite candle brands? trying to make the switch to non-toxic.
a: I love Otherland, Boy Smells, Diptyque, Cire Trudon, and Byredo.

q: how to grow a successful blog and social media?
a: quality content and consistency are the two keys. Put out work that you feel is SO GOOD and stay consistent. Over time these two things will gain you momentum!

q: favorite candle if you could choose one?
a: I have a lot, especially right now, but the chai candle from Byredo never disappoints 

q: if you don’t watch any TV/Netflix usually at night, what do you do?
a: I work a lot at night. However, when I edit photos and do things where I don’t need to think much, I’ll usually have Netflix on in the background though. I’m currently rewatching Harry Potter for the millionth time.

q: I live in Oslo, Norway. Is your brother Oslo named after my city?
a: yes! Some in my family have been there and loved it. But more than anything my mom just liked Oslo as a name. She’s all about unique names! Also, I love this kid sooo much.

5. All the Christmas movies we need to watch.

Netflix Picks

1. LoveHard – been on my list for months
2. A Castle Christmas – with Brooke Shields. It sounds like a cute movie
3.  The Holiday – just a classic
4. Dash and Lily – Actually a short series, but it’s cute
5. David and the Elves (available 12/6) – for younger kids, but honestly, it sounds like a good story
6. A Boy Called Christmas
7. Holidate
8. My Dad’s Christmas Date                                                                                                          9. Klaus
10. Just Friends…if you love a comedy
11. Christmas With A View 
12. Angela’s Christmas…for families
Read: Everything Coming to Netflix for the 2021 Holiday Season

Hallmark Picks

1. Next Stop, Christmas
2. Sister Swap Part 1: A Hometown Holiday
3. Sister Swap Part 2: Christmas in the City
4. My Christmas Family Tree
5. Coyote Creek Christmas
6. Christmas in Tahoe
7. A Nashville Christmas Carol
8. Holly & Ivy

Read: Check out all Hallmark’s new 2021 Christmas Movies

Amazon:

1. Elf – a forever favorite
2. Snowbound for Christmas
3. The Spirit of Christmas
4. A Gift Wrapped Christmas
5. Christmas Contract
6. The Rooftop Christmas Tree
Read: 25 Best Christmas Movies on Amazon Prime

The Classics (which will forever be my favorites)

1. The Grinch
2. Miracle on 34th street
3. The Santa Clause (all of them)
4. Elf
5. Home Alone (all of them)
6. Eloise at Christmastime
7. The Polar Express
8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Question: What are your favorite Christmas movies?

6. Charity of the week.

This week’s charity: Alliance for Children’s Rights

The Alliance for Children’s Rights advocates for abused, neglected, and vulnerable children and teens in the foster care system. They work with runaways, emancipating youth, children who need guardians, and the families who step up to care for them.

Every story is different, but each child they help is healing from hardship.
With pro bono partners, the Alliance provides legal representation, supportive services, and policy solutions to help children and young adults access the nurturing conditions they deserve and need to thrive.

Donate here

7. Favorite links i’m loving…

The Best Black Friday + Cyber Monday Sales to Shop…can’t believe the number of sales right now.

These Game Night Games Equal Friday Night Fun…love a game night, especially over the holidays.

What’s New in Aspen This Winter…Christmas break is coming.

5 Ideas for Converting Your Extra Closet Into an Office, Mudroom & More…fun, love these ideas.

28 Beauty Buys Worth the Splurge and Where to Get Them Cheaper…shop the sales you guys.

The Best Wrapping Paper…I love a wrapped gift, some of these are so pretty.

The Best Long Puffer Coats That Would Survive Arctic Temps…this Zara coat looks super warm and it’s reversible + 40% off.

7 of the Most Extravagant Hotel Suites Around the World…would happily stay in any of these stunning rooms, but the Le Meurice in Paris especially.

5 Holiday Gift Set Traps, According to a Beauty Editor Who’s Tried Them All…some of these are such GOOD deals.

Holly, Jolly, and Full of Fun…the Christmas party games every guest will love.

What is an Enneagram…and what those numbers actually mean.

8. Cyber week sales…style.

under $200

splurges

APL sale

women

men

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats…

Monday: French Onion Dumplings

Tuesday: Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Ranch

Wednesday: Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

Thursday: Creamy Balsamic Mushroom Chicken Marsala

Friday: Shredded Brussels Sprout and Bacon Pizza

Saturday: Cinnamon Bourbon Fizz

Sunday: Caramel Espresso Hot Cocoa