Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things

I love the long Thanksgiving weekend! For me, it’s so cozy and relaxing. I don’t usually put a ton of stress on myself to get through every last Black Friday sale (so that eliminates some stress right there). And once Thanksgiving has passed, it’s my green light to deck the halls and embrace the Christmas season!!

I AM SO EXCITED!!

I spent Thanksgiving night scrolling through all the messages on Instagram. It’s always so amazing to see just how many recipes everyone is making. It’s the coolest. I feel so grateful you allow me into your family in such a special way. I am so thankful for you all this holiday season!!

If you ended up making any HBH recipes, please, tell me – what did you make? What was your favorite dish of the night?

And now that we’re on to Christmas! Holiday dinners and cookie boxes will be coming soon! I spent all day Friday working on a new cookie that I love. I can’t wait to share them! And we have a very big holiday gift guide coming this week. We’ve been working for weeks on this guide. I’m so excited to have it ready for you all! Taylor, from our team, did the design work on it and it’s so cute!

Let’s see, what else, in addition to scrolling through everyone’s IG tags, I finally started watching Christmas movies!! It’s tradition, so I started with Miracle on 34th Street, then moved on to the Lindsey Lohan movie, Falling for Christmas. It’s cheesy and super cute. I’m so ready to watch every last Hallmark and Netflix holiday movie. I love them all.

Aside from that, not much is happening around here. But my family is off to Europe, and by now, they should have arrived. Just mom, dad, Creighton, Asher, and Oslo on this trip. A small crew, but I know they will all have so much fun! They’re off to the Christmas markets in Europe! Paris first, then over to Prague, Vienna, and Munich! I’m jealous, but also happy to have the opportunity to travel for work somewhere Christmassy myself. Such a busy season!

I think that’s all from me today. Have a wonderful Sunday. Hopefully, you’re all decking the halls for the holidays!

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

loving…this quilted duvet robe. How cozy and amazing does this look? Might order one for my mom for Christmas. Also, these UGG booties.

wanting…to order this heater. I love a personal heater. It’s on sale, so going to give it a try!

everything in my cart (low)…this denim maxi skirt from Free People is really cute. I would pair it with this double faced jacket from Zara. I think I might try these Helsa pajamas, love the oversized fit.

H&M is now carrying affordable cashmere – I love that! This cashmere sweater looks so nice and I need to order these cashmere blend gloves.

also on my Alo list…Alo bootcut leggings. I’m certainly into the bootcut legging right now.

loving…Tatcha hand cream. This is the only product currently helping my hands. It’s so thick and creamy.

wanting…this MacKenzie-Childs special delivery puzzle. It’s the cutest Christmas puzzle. I love this. Plus, this vintage bookshelf edition monopoly game. So cute.

wearing…oversized beanies. I love this off-white beanie from Totéme, but these affordable fleece beanies from Zara are equally cute.

reading…from my mom, My Kind of Christmas. Do any of you read Christmas stories? My mom reads them every season. She loves them, and I love hearing about them from her. This is a cute one.

everything beauty…the forever eye mask is on sale for cyber week. Time to try it out.

shopping…my favorite Breville espresso machine, Staub cast iron, and KitchenAid stand mixers are all on sale this week!

supporting…Alliance for Children’s Rights. They advocate for abused, neglected, and vulnerable children and teens in the foster care system. If you’re interested, you can learn more and donate here.

listening to…the HBH Holiday playlist. McKenzie, from our team, created this fun playlist full of our favorite Christmas music. I’ve been listening to it non-stop.

ordered…the CUTEST wrapping paper. I LOVE the Gingerbread house, gingerbread snowmen, Christmas trees, stockings, Christmas cars, happy Christmas decorating tree, nutcracker, winter dear, Christmas Santa clause, and snow person. Such a cute site! You can use code HARVEST at checkout for 20% off too!!

ordering…holiday ribbon. I order from AnastasiaMarie last year and loved every ribbon.

eating at…Jupiter for pasta and wine the next time I’m in New York. Excited!

everything in my cart (high)…ordering this recycled cashmere hoodie from Pangaia, my mom is obsessed with this faux fur jacket from Alo. Or I love this Khaite quilted down coat. It’s on sale too!

This midi dress from Tom Ford is a cute holiday look. So is this Khaite sequin maxi dress. It’s so pretty. I love this dress.

This padded velvet bag from Bottega Veneta is adorable. Asher would certainly love it. Speaking of Asher, I’m thinking of splurging on this heart necklace from St. Laurent. It is so pretty. And for my mom, this pretty necklace collar from Jenny Bird.

And last, these Maxie Boots from Chloè look so cozy. I want them!

drinking…Asher’s 5 Minute Vanilla Bean Hot Cocoa. All season long.

listening to…John Stamos on Armchair expert. I don’t know how I missed this, but I’m listening now. Like many of us, I grew up watching Full House and then ER. Do you remember ER?

gifting…little books of fashion. These are so fun and would be great to style on a coffee table. Asher would love them!

2. The most popular recipes of November.

Most popular: Crockpot Herb Butter Chicken and Wild Rice

Runner-up: Thanksgiving Cider Punch

Also have to mention: Roasted Balsamic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Popular dessert: Crinkly Salted Caramel Snickerdoodle Pie

Favorite Salad: Kale Bacon Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Also, I just have to note that the Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy (#4) and Our 2022 Thanksgiving Menu and Guide (#3) were both in the top 5 this month! As was the Creamy White Chicken Chili (#2)

3. Cyber week sales – beauty + home.

violet grey – put it in the bag event 

the beauty sales

stocking stuffers – mixed high + low 

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: why don’t you wear makeup at home?
a: Well for one, because I’m home and I don’t need to be wearing makeup all day while I work. I try to protect my skin and keep it mostly makeup free unless I’m traveling and doing work things.

I also can’t do makeup for the life of me, I love it, but can’t properly put it on myself. My mom has never worn any makeup her entire life. So I didn’t have her or any sisters to teach me. I swear, I just can’t do it myself. So I’ll usually have my makeup done for tv appearances and events when traveling.

q: top New York restaurant recommendations?
a: I still have so many I need to go to. So so so many. But I will say that The Polo Bar was a whole new experience and the food was really good. Be sure to order the espresso martini. And we didn’t get it, but the burger looked insanely delicious.

q: do you pick your favorite things based on partnerships with those brands? 
a: No never. I don’t work with many brands. The brands I do end up working with must already be a favorite. I’m incredibly selective. I’ll only share what I really love. Products that really are my favorite.

q: do you use retinol? Any recommendations?
a: I started using SkinCeuticals retinol. So far I love it and my skin has reacted well (but everyone has different skin). I’ll share more after I’ve used it longer though. It’s only been a little over a week.

q: one has to go, coffee, cheese, cake?
a: Cake 😬

q: favorite thing you have eaten, but not cooked yourself recently?
a: The ravioli Cacio e Pepe from Palma NYC.

q: what prompts you to remove a recipe from your site?
a: I don’t think I’ve ever taken a recipe down. I’ve definitely had to go back and edit and adjust recipes if something wasn’t working for people.

q: where do you cook when you are staying at a hotel? Or do you prerecord?
a: I prerecord so I make sure I still have new recipes to share with you guys every day (:

q: how long do you put your legs up the wall at night?
a: At least 20 minutes, but I always have my legs up while I post my IG stories. So I just let them fall down naturally. I have them up now (;

5. Less than 24 hours in Austin.

I flew to Austin this week! The quickest, less than a 24-hour trip, but still fun! And kept me busy.

I flew in on Sunday night. I was so hoping for warm, sunny Texas weather, but was instead greeted with what reminded me of midwest winter weather. Cold, dreary, rain. I didn’t love it, but it was cozy. I stayed at the Austin Proper which is the perfect location if you’re doing things in the city, but also busy. It pretty much has everything, and every time I’ve been, it’s always so nice. The design of the hotel alone is reason enough to stay there. Cozy, but in a very elevated way. Every corner you turn is cute. Plus, there’s the food. The hotel has 3 options, The Peacock, which serves Mediterranean cuisine. Then there’s the La-Piscina for authentic Mexican, and last, Goldie’s, the hotel’s bar (which is the cutest space, perfect for drinks).

Since it was late by the time I got settled in, I just ordered room service from The Peacock. Highly recommend getting their Chicken Tajine with a side of Herb & Garlic Marinated Vegetables, and the Crispy Shallot Hummus. Delicious!

I was in town for a podcast. I finally recorded with Lauryn and Michael of The Skinny Confidential (congrats to those who guessed it last week) Excited for this one!

My flight out left around 6 PM, so I squeezed in a quick coffee at the hotel with a good friend (Kristen Kilpatrick, who shot the photos of myself in all 3 HBH books). She drove me to the airport and then off I went!

Such a quick stay, but fun! Also, if you have time, be sure to go to Goldie’s at the Proper. Their drink menu is sooo good. You’ll love it!

6. Inspiring me – Christmas everything.

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

The Biggest Holiday Decor Trends for 2022… let’s deck the halls.

How to Make Charcuterie Actually Look Cute on a Cheese Board…tips!

Inside Hilary Swank’s Private Colorado World…such a cool house near Telluride.

15 Cozy-Season Essentials…everything cozy please!

18 Cozy Winter Books To Curl Up With This Season…what are you reading?

How To Battle Inflation When It’s Straight Up Ruining Your Life…helpful ideas.

These Black Friday Sales Are Amazing…absolutely everything worth buying.

Some Experts Say Birth Order Can Explain Your Personality…is it true?

Best Redness-Reducing Products…I certainly need to test these.

The Best Hotels in Las Vegas…if you’re planning a NYE trip.

24 Best Subscription Boxes to Give and Receive…from coffee to flowers, to wine.

Shop Beauty’s Best Advent Calendars…so fun. I love this idea!

The Definitive Guide to the Best Yoga Pants on the Market…trying some of these.

Vogue’s Ultimate Edit of the Nordstrom Black Friday Sale…so many good sales!

The Holiday Decor Inspiration You’ll Want To Copy Immediately…certainly fun!

8. Cyber week sales – fashion/accessories.

everything from Shopbop

the Abercrombie sale 

Reformation sale 

Revolve sale 

Nordstrom holiday sale 

“ugly” Christmas sweaters

 

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala

Tuesday: Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Wednesday: Gnocchi Soup with Rosemary Bacon

Thursday: Balsamic Mushroom Chicken Marsala

Friday: Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

Saturday: Vanilla Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

Sunday: Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies