Nine Favorite Things.

Mom and Asher in Haines, AK – Nine Favorite Things

Before diving into the usual Sunday post, I just want to take a moment to wish all the moms out there a happy Mother’s Day! You all work the hardest and I hope you’re spending time with your loved ones today and enjoying a wonderful day of relaxation (or fun!). 

For my mom personally, we don’t have anything grand planned, but Asher and I have a special night that we know my mom will enjoy. She’ll get all the phone calls from the brothers, we’ll spoil her with flowers, and give her all the hugs. She knows this, but she really is the most important person in each of her (EIGHT) kids’ lives.

Anyway, all you moms, have a wonderful day!!! 

It’s hard to top Mother’s Day (more on my mom below), but all-in-all this week was a little up, a little down. It’s always tricky for me to get back into a good groove after travel, but this week was harder than others. By Friday I was good though. I think it was the sunshine and warmer temps. A little vitamin C always does the body and mind some good! 

So yes, a ho-hum week, but in general, I’m excited. Another trip to LA is coming up real soon, then we have a surprise vacation on the books that I could not be more excited about. Not going to share any details other than that we’re headed somewhere tropical. The rest is a mystery until we get there! One of my biggest goals for this year is to do more outside of work. Travel more, be with family more, and just explore more. So while it’s out of my comfort zone, I’m proud of myself for taking small steps! Little by little, you know! 

Lastly, Williams-Sonoma has chosen the HBH Every Day cookbook to feature for their cookbook of the month club for May! I feel so honored. You can join the class this Thursday at all Williams-Sonoma stores. Grab details here. 

And aside from all of that, the rest is pretty much just the usual. It’s slowly thawing out here, which is nice. I’m looking forward to June and the colors outside to really blossom. The family is all good, healthy, happy, and busy. And we’re finally making some progress on our home and studio re-designs!! I’m sharing a few images below! 

Have the best Sunday with your moms y’all! 

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

loving…the Half Baked Harvest cookbook bundle from Anthropologie. All 3 HBH cookbooks sold together! This set would be a really nice gift, especially as a wedding gift!

loving…summer straw bags. This basket bag from Mango is perfect for the beach. But also love this fun Staud bag for vacation, every day, and fun dinners out. 

loving…designer sandals. These Chanel satin mules have been open on my computer for weeks. I think they are so cute. Also adore these Prada padded mules in celeste too. I love the fun color. And these Chanel slides are so fun. But I’m ordering these slides from Reformation (thinking maybe in the wisteria patent) instead. Much more affordable, but still so cute. I like the wisteria patent, but I also like the white and the toffee (my mom would like the cow print)…I can’t decide! 

listening to…Move with Heart with Melissa Wood-Tepperberg. I finished the first episode and it’s so good. Melissa is very real and answers questions so many have about her wellness journey. She shares approachable tips and the podcast doesn’t feel overwhelming but is instead inspiring.

curious about… the Evolve Organic Beauty bio-retinol gold mask. I have read really incredible things about this mask. I love that it contains retinol and will help stimulate collagen production. Also, I want to try the watermelon + AHA glow sleeping mask from Glow Recipe. 

reading…Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life by Delia Ephron (Nora Ephron‘s sister). This is another Cousin Ethel (Dad’s cousin) suggestion.

loving…Anine Bing. Her outfits are some of my favorite. Loving this blazer and these trousers, this cute jean skirt, and this bag. 

shopping…love this little black recycle satin dress from Ganni. Would be great for a wedding or night out.

reading…The Best Hotels in New York City, From Five-Star to Boutique. OH WOW. I’d be excited to stay at any of these. The Greenwich Hotel, Tribeca looks so special and unique. 

ordered…this Microplane set. As crazy as this is, I don’t own a Microplane and have been using the smallest cheese grater for zesting citrus. I finally order this set of 3. 

following…Jake Arnold. You probably already follow him, but he’s a new follow for me. I’m finding so much inspiration for our own home redesign. I love this marble shower. 

shopping…this mini skirt in red butterfly from Réalisation. I have a love for butterflies. And even though I’m not usually a fan of patterned clothes, I love this skirt for summer.

dreaming of going…The 7 Most Beautiful Resorts on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

cooking…from the HBH Every Day cookbook with Williams-Sonoma. You can join the class this Thursday at all Williams-Sonoma stores. Grab details here. 

listening to…Andrew Huberman part 1 and part 2. I’m only midway through part 1, but already they’re talking about sleep and its importance. Just like Melissa’s podcast, these episodes have a wealth of knowledge. The way the information is shared feels so approachable. Kind of small changes daily equals a big return down the line kind of thing.

loving…the Nood lift and shape bra. Kind of random, but these bras are great for all the summer dresses with cutouts. 

drinking…Blackberry Champagne Mule. would be nice for Mother’s Day.

2. Weeknight dinners.

Roasted Tomato Basil and Feta Orzo

Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa.

Easy Sheet Pan Tomato Herb Pizza.

Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper

3. Crate and Barrel x Lean Ford Collab.

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: favorite cutting board?
a: this Zwilling cutting board is my go-to. it’s on my counter every day. I have the darker wood though.

q: does photography come naturally to you? or do you have to work at it? 
a: I love to style things, but I have to work at the photography every single day. It definitely doesn’t come naturally to me.

q: what’s your favorite way to decompress after a long day?
a: lighting candles and getting wrapped in a blanket and just chilling. Candles are huge for me. So is warmth. Feeling warmth relaxes me.

q: when you say 1 inch of ginger, what exactly do you mean?
a: picture the end of your thumb, from the knuckle to the tip.

q: what is your favorite part about traveling?
a: getting out of my environment + the change of pace. I live in a small, snowy town, so not much happening except the usual day-to-day. I hate the actual travel part but love seeing new places, meeting new people, and honestly, I’m a sucker for a nice hotel stay. Anytime I travel I always come home with new ideas, so I’m really trying to travel more.

q: pancakes or waffles?
a: Both? But maybe waffles? I can’t decide.

q: best thing you’ve done for yourself recently?
a: taking care of my skin, so facials…love them!

q: what are your favorite travel necessities? Skincare, clothes, bags, shoes?
a: I bring all my usual skincare. Dr. Barbara Sturm serums, eye cream + lotion. IS Clinical cleanser + active serum, Tatcha lotion, Shani Darden retinol. The only thing I don’t bring is my red light mask 🙁

Clothing depends on the trip. But always my APL sneaks, a couple pairs of Alo leggings, a comfy hoodie + light-down jacket that can fit basically anywhere because I’m always cold on planes. 

I always have my Béis luggage + Senreve backpack.

q: does your dad ever get frustrated with how much mess you make in the kitchen?
a: he never complains. never. He’s a legend (really though).

q: who would you love to do a collab with (fashion). what items would you create?
a: right now my dream is Prada because I’m obsessed. I’d do something fun, a bag, a smaller leather item, I don’t know. I have ideas! Haha.

q: favorite and hardest part of writing a cookbook?
a: my favorite part is once it’s done. I’m honestly not joking ? (everyone is different) Cookbooks are incredibly hard to write. Mostly because I’m creating the book on top of everything else I do every day. So it’s a lot of work. There’s also so much recipe testing, like sooo much recipe testing, so a ton of cooking. And then there’s the writing, which has never been my favorite part.

The way a cookbook works is that you need to have your recipe list prepared before you begin writing (and 2 years before the book will even be released). This means that the ideas for all the recipes in the book are thought up at 1 time. This is not my ideal way to create. I love creating recipes day by day and feeling inspired by something. That’s not as easy with a cookbook.

All that being said, it’s always worth it in the end (assuming you like the book ?). And with the new book, I was able to put it together a little differently. So it’s definitely my favorite book yet. It feels the most true to me and who I am today! And I’m excited about the recipes!!! Literally just praying you guys like them too.

5. Re-design updates – project planning. 

some very sneak peek photos of what we are planning

(plan for the studio)

(kitchen ideas)

(studio bathroom)

(fabric samples)

(my living room)

(studio)

6. A note to mom.

I share this note every single Mother’s Day, though the words change year to year. My mom is and always will be the most special person in my life. We’ve really been through everything. She’s been with me through my lowest lows, always by my side, always fighting for me. We’ve struggled with our working relationship since starting HBH, due mostly to the fact that we are indeed just that close. But always loving each other and still somehow wanting to talk to one other at the end of every day.

This year, I feel things changing. There’s been a definite shift in myself and her as well. We’ve grown stronger, almost more mature. We get each other better, and listen to each other more (but promise we slip up often too and I’m usually to blame). It’s cool to see the changes we go through as a mother-daughter, working relationship.

But what’s always been a constant for me is that at the end of the day, no matter what, she’s the person I want to talk to. She’s the person whom I know will help me through my lows and be there to celebrate my highs. No matter what, she’s always there for me. And all her kids for that matter, including our 3 cousins, who lost their own mom to cancer when they were just kids. She’s there for me, there for Asher, my brothers, and Maggie, Abby, and Mathew too. She loves little Oslo more than anyone ever could. And watching her raise a child through an older lens is really the coolest experience.

I can’t express enough what an incredible woman my mom is. I really am in awe of her. She’s very, very special and while I don’t really believe in luck, I feel so lucky to have been gifted her as my mom.

Superwoman really is the best description of my mom. 

So mom, here’s to another Mother’s Day. I know we don’t do any huge celebrations, but I hope you know how much you’re loved and appreciated.  I really am in awe of you.

Thank you for being you!

7. Favorite links I’m loving.

Tour a Totally Modernist Apartment in New York’s “Jenga Tower”…adore this space.

In the Kitchen with Max Lugavere, Author of Genius Foods…great tips.

Gigi Hadid Wore a Corseted Leather Catsuit on the Met Gala Red Carpet…wow.

16 Best Los Angeles Airbnbs to Book in 2022…so pretty. 

16 Backyard Vegetable Garden Ideas for Beginners…all the tips

The McGee Home Basement…the mini ramp is so fun. 

I Always Wake Up to Better Skin When I Wear This Face Mask…love a good mask. 

32 Affordable Buys That Could Pass as The Row, Khaite, or Totême…cute pieces

The New Shows and Movies to Watch This Month…fun, wow, what to watch?

Kendall Jenner Dramatic Brow Transformation at the Met Gala…stunning 

Every Breathtaking Red Carpet Look From the 2022 Met Gala…who was your favorite?

What is Gua Sha…Everything You Need to Know About the It skincare Tool.

The Dazzling Met Gala After-Party Looks You Didn’t See… lots of lace.

8. Vacation style edit. 

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs and Tzatziki

Tuesday: 20 Minute Stir Fried Honey Ginger Sesame Noodles

Wednesday: Grilled Vegetable Burrata Sandwich

Thursday: Lighter Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Friday: Crispy Cheese Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Saturday: Spinach and Brie Triangles

Sunday: Maple Glazed Doughnuts