Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things

Happy Easter Sunday everyone!! To be honest, it just doesn’t feel like Easter at the moment. Our family is kind of scattered all over the place. Red is up in Canada, the remainder of the boys are in southern California, and it’s just myself, Asher, Oslo, mom, and dad here in Colorado. So I guess we’re not all over, but we’re not ALL together. And with all the chilly, windy, snowy weather, it certainly doesn’t feel like spring. More like a normal winter Sunday.

But it’s Easter, and regardless, Asher and I are excited! I might be a very grown adult woman, but my mom goes by the rule that if you’re within driving distance, you still get an Easter basket. No matter your age. You really do have to love my mom. She’s a special one and always goes the extra mile for her kids.

We’ll do Easter baskets and dinner tonight, which sounds perfect after a long busy week. And I’m sure we’ll Facetime with the boys too. How about you guys? What are your plans and what’s on your Easter brunch and or dinner menu? Would love to hear how you all are celebrating!

Aside from that, it was a real “week” after coming home from traveling for 10 days. I still don’t feel totally caught up, but getting there. It’s been nice to be home, but it’s always hard to get back into the groove of things after a long trip. Plus, I have to say, I do miss the excitement of being somewhere new and having days that are totally different. The 10-day trip made me realize I need more days outside the kitchen exploring all the other things I love. It was so nice getting out of my cooking uniform – leggings and a hoodie. I loved wearing cute clothes, that’s always so much fun for me!

Already talking with my mom, who’s the travel queen, about planning some trips. And starting to look at some places in LA to rent for a couple of months. It’s time for some new adventures! Feeling excited about changing things up a little!

Currently, we’re trying to find the perfect spot for our family to vacation this summer. Are there any fun places you’d suggest traveling to in the spring and early summer? Warm destinations only please!

Ok, let’s see, what else to share. Hmm, well aside from that, there isn’t too much happening. Well, a lot of exciting things with the cookbook…sharing more of that below. But it was a pretty normal work week. I’m cooking non-stop to get ahead before I leave for LA at the end of the month. So many new, fresh recipes coming that I’m excited to share. I’m all about spring color too!

Oh, and a little Asher/Oslo update! Both are so good. Asher is a teen now and I just can’t believe it. And Oslo, well, he’s running around just enjoying life. And apparently lots of pasta alla vodka (his new favorite) too.

I think that’s all for today! Hope you guys have a lovely Easter and get to enjoy some sweet chocolate Easter bunnies too (always my favorite).

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

curious to try…BeautyStat universal C skin refiner. Have read so many good things. I use vitamin C every morning, so I’m very curious to try this.

listening to…My Interview with Kim Kardashian on Not Skinny But Not Fat. I’ve not kept up with the Kardashians, but I have a lot of respect for them and the businesses they’ve built. I love listening to interviews with them, especially Kim. I thought this was really good and goes all over the place with questions. A fun, interesting listen for sure.

dreaming of going to…Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel in Anguilla on the Caribbean Sea. My dream destination. Pushing for our family vacation to be here. Or Rosewood Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Either location would put a smile on my face.

loving…beach bags. This basket bag would be fun for a day at the pool. Also, this sweet Loeffler Randall woven tote. And these super cute rattan box bags from Zara.

ordered…Evolve Organic Beauty bio-retinol gold mask. I just read about this mask on Who What Wear and am so excited to try a retinol-based under-eye mask.

burning…Diptyque Feuille de Lavande candle. Well, technically I just order this along with the Tuberose candle and then also Baies /Berries candle (oldie favorite scent) during the Nordstrom sale. I love Diptyque candles, but they burn fast, so when they’re on sale I always order a few. At the moment I’m burning my favorite Snif candle.

ordered…Dry Farm Wines. This is such a perfect Mother’s Day gift. My mom recently got into red wine, so this set is perfect. I love that each wine is organically grown on family farms and sugar-free with no additives.

following…Lindye Galloway. For new design ideas. I’m in love with this bathroom. I would love to have this shower someday.

loving…affordable style finds. This fleece hoodie is an everyday staple and these Mango jeans are the cutest (and look super comfy). From Zara, this blazer + pant set is casual and cute. I love this long crochet dress and then this satin effect linen blend dress too.

listening to…Francesca Aiello on How Frankies Bikini landed an 18M from Victoria’s Secret. And she’s only 27! Such an inspiring brand/career to follow.

cooking with…Brightland Vinegars. You know we love a tangy vinegar and Brightland’s have been my favorite recently. I love the classic duo of The Pair, which includes parasol (which is my favorite champagne vinegar) and rapture.

drinking…spicy strawberry basil margaritas from HBH Every Day .

watching…Kacey Musgraves’s Nashville home tour with Architectural Digest. I love how peaceful each room is. I also loved learning that she enjoys making ceramics. See the full tour in photos here.

excited to eat at…Gusto Green in LA. The menu sounds wonderful.

newly discovered…Burlap & Barrel. So many incredible spices. I want to try the cobanero chili flakes and smoked paprika.

loving…Étene. An oldie, but goodie staple. I love their soft basics and really do live in these pieces.

2. It’s 20% off Anthropologie Home.

3. Favorite spring sheet pan dinners.

Quick Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki

Hot Honey Mustard Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Jalapeño Pineapple Shrimp Tacos

Easy Greek Chicken and Potatoes

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Easy Sheet Pan Tomato Herb Pizza

Lemon Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Avocado Goddess Sauce

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: does the new book have a dairy-free section?
a: No dairy-free section, but if a recipe is dairy-free, it’s labeled that way at the top of the page, so it’s easy to find. We made a symbol system for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, etc. so that those recipes are easy for everyone to find.

q: statement, just so happy you do what you do!!
a: You guys are the best ?? when I see messages like this, they make days/nights. Thank you for continuing to follow every day and appreciate what I do! 

q: how do you get crispy oven fries?
a: Don’t overcrowd the pan. When baking fries, make sure to give the fries room so that the air can circulate and make the fries crisp. If you have too much on 1 pan everything will just end up steaming.

q: favorite more affordable designer handbag brands?
a: Staud, By Far, Anine Bing, and Acne Studios are all great with slightly lower price points.

q: did you take all the photos for the cookbook too?
a: I did all the food!! Kristen Kilpatrick took all the photos of me (:

q: top 5 all-time favorite clean candles?
a: Snif.co, Boy Smells, Diptyque, Byredo, and Heretic. These are in no order! Always looking for new clean candles. What are your favs? 

q: do you ever struggle with imposter syndrome? How do you deal with it?
a: basically every day. I don’t really know how to deal with it to be honest. Just keep going, pushing forward, and working. The thoughts are there but I just try to move past them. I wish I had a better answer for that one. I guess just keep going, don’t stop what you’re doing, and keep proving yourself wrong.

q: do you all actually eat the food you make or does it go to waste?
a: repeatedly get this question. Guys, we eat it! 10 people in my family and we always, always have extra mouths to feed between cousins + friends. Anything we don’t eat goes to our local church or my dad takes it to the gym to give away.

q: new follower, 5 things about you?
1. I’m actually really shy and not the most social in my day-to-day life. I swear I have 2 personalities. I can flip a switch and become social ??‍♀️ 2 sides to me I guess.
2. My dad says I can throw a ball better than any of his boys… he thinks I missed my calling and would have been his best athlete ?
3. I swear more than you’d ever expect.
4. before HBH I wanted to go into fashion. I always wanted to be a stylist. I still love that side of me and am trying to embrace it a little more.
5. I don’t love to drink, but I have a lot of fun making cocktails.
6. No I am not married, I don’t have kids. I live in Colorado, and no, I don’t live with my family, just close by!

q: I remember reading that your grandma was an inspiration in your interest in design?
a: she was! I grew up being best friends with my grandma. We’d shop on the weekends, plan her parties, buy flowers, and do the most random things. She was THE perfect host and her style was perfection. Not like a “grandma”. She loved anything designer and taught me how to put outfits together, how to shop, how to host a party, and how to set a beautiful table. Cooking wise, she was simple, simple, so she taught me that an easy recipe is always the way to go. I could go on but she really is the reason I love to make things beautiful, it’s what she always did ? 

q: how long did it take you to choose the cover of HBH Every Day?
a: A long time! I actually reshot the cover 3 times in the end ?

q: have you ever struggled with mental health problems?
a: growing up, definitely. I had pretty bad anxiety (mostly towards school). It’s why I ended up graduating early. I still deal with it a lot today (not for school obviously), but I’ve gotten so much better about managing it.

5. Dealing with negativity + what’s making me happy.

While there’s been so much excitement and kindness around me the last 2 weeks, there has also been a good amount of negativity on social. I hesitated to talk about this because I truly believe you should never acknowledge the “haters”. Don’t engage and give them what they want, you know?

But I just want to say a few words, then leave you with everything that’s inspiring me and making me happiest!

Be kind to people. Don’t comment on their looks, their body, their family, or their work in ways you wouldn’t want to be spoken to. It’s the simplest rule of thumb, treat others the way you’d want to be treated. I think it’s important to remember that no matter how shiny and pretty things may look on the surface, you never know what someone is dealing with behind their screen. And trust me, everyone is dealing with something.

And this is for me to remember, comparison is the thief of joy. Not my quote, but shout out to Tinx reminding us of that daily. Also, T-Swift really does say it best, “hater’s gonna hate”.

7 things making me happy

nightly phone conversations with my mom 

Though we live pretty much next door, talking on the phone never gets old. We have a “phone date” almost every night around 8 pm. I’m so grateful and lucky to have her.

traveling more  

Really excited for some new adventures, the Caribbean is calling my name.

(from Pinterest)

(from Pinterest)

springtime flowers + candles

buying them all to help brighten up the seriously dreary weather we’ve had

my love for clothes

I am feeling excited about style again. I always said growing up I wanted to be a fashion stylist. Having cute looks is definitely making me happier and I am glad I am taping back into that side of me.

family photos

(Dad and Oslo)

(Bren, Lyns, and baby Bud)

inspiring quotes 

(found on Pinterest) 

6. HBH Every Day update + recipes y’all are making.

The most exciting news of the week…

This 3rd cookbook that I was so scared to release. So scared that no one would think was any good. Scared that the recipes were not creative enough, the photos might not be delicious looking, or that you might think the writing was boring. Pretty much every fear one can have, I had. But you all have made me feel so excited and happy!

For two weeks in a row now the book has been on the New York Times Bestseller list!!! Two weeks at #1!!

Just thank you guys. Thank you for buying the book and for sharing your creations on social. Thank you for your kind 5 star Amazon reviews. And really, thank you for making me feel loved and excited about the book I created. Just thank you!!

Below are some of the recipes y’all have been making on social. Scrolling through these photos makes me so happy! What has been your favorite recipe so far? If you have photos, please share! I love to see them (so do my mom and dad!).

HBH family fav recipes 

honey roasted carrots

pizza pasta

strawberry basil margarita

loveee this!

more honey roasted carrots

uncle joe’s stuffed peppers

easy garlic knots

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

Nicola Peltz Marries Brooklyn Beckham at Her Family’s Palm Beach Estate…the wedding everyone is talking about. She looked so pretty.

This Is the Only Nail Color That Matters This Spring…very into the lilacs.

An L.A. Home That’s Surrounded By Nature and Filled With Light…so pretty.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Married at One of the Priciest Estates in the Country

65 Best Gifts for Moms that She’ll Absolutely Love…spoil your mom.

21 Affordable Jewelry Pieces All Under $200…the cutest finds.

Bella Hadid’s Facialist Taught Me 7 Tricks For Amazing Skin…taking notes.

5 Expert Hacks To Take Your Skin From Good to Incredible…still taking notes.

Gigi Hadid on Creative Expression + her H&M Campaign…loved reading this.

7 of the Most-Hyped Face Masks…so many goodies to try.

U.S. Destinations for a Romantic Getaway…these should be on your list.

5 Skills to Grow Your Career This Year…if you’re looking to expand/learn.

A Brooklyn Restaurant’s Take on Garbage Plates…Creighton kind of meals.

Gigi Hadid Shares Her Packing Tips…I hate packing, but these tips will help.

8. Spring dresses.

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: Peanut Chicken Spring Roll Bowls

Tuesday: Roasted Tomato Basil and Feta Orzo

Wednesday: Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad

Thursday: Asada Mushroom Tacos with Lime Smashed Avocado

Friday: Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce

Saturday: Oven Fried Feta Rolls with Chili Honey

Sunday: Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Sweet Rolls