Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things – view from the Faena, Miami

Hi from Miami! I am so excited to be here this weekend. I’m here mainly for South Beach Food and Wine, but I’m also doing a book signing today! I’m staying at the very chic, Faena, and you all, it’s so cute! For anyone heading to South Beach, I highly recommend that you check it out.

Today I’m heading up to Palm Beach for a Williams Sonoma book signing before heading home very late tonight. This has been one of the quickest trips. But I don’t think I could ever complain about being in hot and sunny Miami. It’s certainly such a nice break from the snow! Not sure I’m ready to leave!

I’m on a very late flight tonight, so it’s going to be a long day ahead. Still, I’m looking forward to it all! Growing up, my grandparents (Nonnie and Grandpa, my mom’s parents) had a home in Jupiter, Florida. Just about 20 or so minutes from Palm Beach and 10 or so minutes from the Palm Beach Gardens mall. My grandma would take me to the Gardens ALL THE TIME when my family visited for spring break. We’ve had many girls’ trips to that mall and it will always hold special memories. It was where she bought her first-ever Louis Vuitton bag, which I would just love to have today!

I’m excited to spend a little time back in our stomping grounds today, it’s been way too long. I love this area of Florida. Both Miami and Palm Beach are gorgeous, very much my kind of place!

That’s pretty much the update on my last few days. I spent most of the week preparing content and cooking away in the kitchen as usual. It’s been pretty cold and snowy, so I’m craving more colorful recipes. Especially now, after spending time in Miami.

Ok, onto a completely different topic, thank you for the many, many kind messages on last Sunday’s favorites post. When I explained how I was feeling in terms of sharing more lifestyle content with you all, I really wasn’t expecting the amount of support and kindness you all showed. Thank you for boosting my confidence and helping me to better ignore the negative that’s often said. It’s so hard. The negative always seems to be 10 times louder than any positive, but your messages last week are really helping!

I’m excited to share more of our lives with you all. More fashion, home design, day-to-day life, and of course, new recipes!

Not much else to write about. It’s that weird time of year when it’s not yet spring and we’re all kind of just waiting for the change of seasons. I will say that we finally have some travel plans on the books for spring break. It’s looking like some of us (including me), will be heading to the Caribbean sometime in the next few weeks. So I guess I’ll be back in the tropics soon enough. Pretty happy about it. We’ll be staying with my grandpa and it’s going to be a nice, low-key family vacation. Chill is the idea for me. Just lots of time in the warm sun. I am so ready.

Speaking of family, Red’s been in town this week for Dew Tour, which is this weekend at Copper. We haven’t seen that much of him, but it’s always nice to have him around. I know my fam is looking forward to spending some time with him this weekend!

This is a light Favorite’s post. They’re always difficult to put together while traveling, but I tried to still fill this with some goodies! I hope you all enjoy this final Sunday of February. Onto March we go! What are you looking forward to heading into March?

Walkway to the beach from the Faena

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

loving…Miami. This is such a fun area and the food here is incredible. I was able to eat at Komodo Miami on Friday night with a friend. It’s really incredible food if you’re visiting Miami.

everything in my cart (low)…from Zara, I love their double faced leather jacket. It would be so cut paired with their cargo pants. Also, their cargo midi skirt and denim skirt with slit. Very cute. This knit vest is a wonderful staple piece. If you need a good spring trench coat, this water repellent trench is on sale. For a small bag, the pearl minaudier bag is really sweet. And for shoes, these metallic slingback heels. They look designer and would be great paired with this short dress. I love the button detail.

From Reformation, the Ezlynn top is very pretty. And then lastly, how cute and cozy is this cardigan from Everlane? A great lounge piece.

I am very into tights under skirts and dresses, my favorite pair is the 50 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights from Calzedonia. I would get the red color, so fun. These fishnet tights on Free People are great too. Fishnets are very in this season.

listening to…Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest. Me! Again! Well, personally I haven’t listened. I really can’t listen to myself speak. But, this is one of my favorite podcasts I’ve had the opportunity to be invited to speak on. Melissa and I had an amazing conversation that went everywhere from food to fashion, to business, and of course wellness. So excited the episode is finally up. We recorded it back in October in New York! 

dreaming of going to…the Virgin Islands. I’ve never been able to travel that far down in the Caribbean. The furthest I’ve gone is Turks and Caicos. Sounds like I might have the opportunity very soon as we’re talking about visiting the Grenadines. But I would be excited for any kind of Caribbean vacation. More to come soon!

loving…Nickey Kehoe. This round-hassock-ottoman is stunning.

shopping…the new Jake Arnold for Crate & Barrel collection. This is so fun. I love the chairs and lighting from this collection. Especially the Broome Upholstered Olive Green Dining Chair, Metal Accent Chair, and then, the Rattan and Linen Task Floor Lamp. All so chic.

everything beauty…to my Ulta cart…I’m dying to try the Chanel le lift crème yeux eye cream. I’m always looking for a great eye cream. And then, the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops. Time to get a healthy glow back. And to my Sephora cart…after reading so many amazing reviews, I am adding the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish Color Corrector. 

For the body, the Tata Harper body cream is my winter go-to. You can use the coupon code TATAxTIEGHAN for 25 % off your order at checkout.

loving…these pretty Moroccan Glasses. They made any drink so pretty.

watching…How Emily Ratajkowski Gets Ready for a Night Out in New York City. Just for fun. I got to watch her walk the final look in the Jonathan Simkhai show during New York Fashion week!

wanting…everything from Lawson Fenning. Such a cute home decor website.

everything in my cart (high)…I’m all about the color red right now. I ordered and love these Bottega Veneta Punta Mule Pump. So chic and the color is amazing. These Khaite Metallic Leather High-Heel Sandals (great for spring and summer). And lastly, I’m obsessed with the Prada Metallic Leather High-Heel Sandals. So pretty.

Also from Prada, the Raffia tote bag is perfect for a beach vacation. And if you’re looking for a good one-piece swimsuit, I love this logo print scoop-neck swimsuit and open-back recycled-seersucker swimsuit from Toteme. Oh, and I love this oversized coat from The Frankie Shop.

These new Bottega Venta Enamel Teardrop Earrings are cute and such a fun spring color. Morgan dress blossom garden party from Staud is also fun for spring, especially if you love the color pink.

shopping…the Rowen & Wren Flori Glass Pendant in brass. This is a new to me website, but they have really pretty pieces for the home.

watching…Outer Banks. Starting season 1 tonight on the plane. That is if I don’t fall right asleep. What’s good on TV these days? My cousin recommended the Murdaugh Murders: a Southern Scandal on Netflix, but that’s a little dark for me.

cooking…excited for spring recipes! What are your requests for March?

2. March is almost here, 9 recipes to cook.

Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa

Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken

Basil Parmesan Pasta with Crispy Chicken, Prosciutto, and Arugula

One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake

Crispy Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Garlic Herb Roasted Olives with Burrata

Double Strawberry Cupcakes

Bakery Blueberry Vanilla Crunch Muffins

3. For the home.

early Easter 

colorful for the kitchen

colorful furniture 

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: do you prefer a gas or electric range? 
a: I know this is somehow becoming controversial, but I really prefer gas cooktops, and usually a gas oven too.

q: what is your dry brushing routine? Any tips? It always seems to hurt. 
a: just be gentle, especially at first since your skin is not at all used to it. Over time it will begin to feel comfortable, and eventually, I think you will think it feels good! But you don’t need to apply super intense pressure, just do gentle strokes. Melissa Wood Tepperberg has some good tutorials on dry brushing techniques.

q: do you keep the kitchen clean or are you a messy cook?
a: At the end of it ALL, yes the kitchen gets clean but it’s a mess all day long. My dad usually helps clean but when he’s out of town, I’m on my own.

q: go-to affordable blazer that never fails you? 
a: This blazer is Song of Style. It’s such a great, affordable staple blazer, I’ve worn it over and over.

q: do you read a lot? 
a: I don’t love to read, it’s always been something I struggle with. I can’t focus long enough. But I love to listen to podcasts and learn through those. I’d also love to get into listening to audiobooks! But regardless, I listen to The Skinny Confidential podcasts for self-improvement. Especially today’s episode with Steven Pressfeild. It’s incredible. They have SO MANY good episodes though and always recommend great books. I would do a deep dive through past episodes if you are not familiar.

q: when you’re cooking, do you purposely try to make messes or is that just how you cook? 
a: No. I don’t try to make messes. What you see is exactly how I am, camera on or off. Ask everyone who knows me, they’ll tell ya.

q: how do you build a platform on social media? 
a: Oh it’s hard and sometimes not fun, but you have to be open to change. Try new things, and adapt as needed. But always stay true to you and the content you want to be creating. Don’t lose sight of that! People will follow if you have good content no matter what social is doing.

q: what are your guilty pleasures? 
a: I don’t believe in guilty pleasures for food/drink. For TV, honestly any kind of cheesy Hallmark or watching reruns of my favorites like Gossip Girl or Gilmore Girls. Fashion, scrolling the new arrivals in my favorite sites in the early am/late evenings. Music, Miley Cyrus Flowers is still on repeat every day.

5. What’s your best travel tip?

My goal this year is more travel! I’ve been flying and staying in hotels more than ever. I’m curious to hear if you have any travel tips you love. Mine are pretty simple…

– I always have hand cream in my personal bag since I have especially dry skin and flying only makes it worse. I keep hand sanitizer in there at all times too.

– wear or bring a packable down jacket on the plane. I’m always cold on planes and having a lightweight jacket saves me.

– legs up the wall every night after travel before bed. I do this every single day no matter what. But it’s especially important following travel as flying increases inflammation and swelling. Putting your legs up the wall for even just 5 minutes helps to reduce the inflammation caused by travel days.

– I used to always get dehydrated any time I would travel. Recently, I started packing my 40 ounce hydro flask to keep with me in my hotel room. I make sure to drink at least 4 full bottles each day. It’s been a game-changer for me in terms of staying hydrated while traveling.

– pack a set of “comfies” for the hotel room to make it feel more like home.

That’s all I got. How about you? Share all your best travel tips!

PS. read all the comments on this post from Cup of Jo. So many great travel tips.

6. Inspiring me.

a couple of photos from Miami…

Dinner at The Tree of Life at the Faena on Friday night

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

he 17 Most Beautiful Starbucks Stores Around the World…ok, wow. I mean, Milan?! So stunning.

The 12 Best Bachelorette Party Destinations for the Ultimate Girls’ Trip…fun.

The Best Design-Forward Stays in Palm Springs… vacation time.

Why I Plan All My Outfits on Sunday…if I could get organized, I would do this.

TikTok’s Three-Word Method is the Secret to Personal Style…I love this idea.

Valentine’s Day Breakfast Shea McGee-Style…I know it’s over, but this is the prettiest tablescape.

I’m In New York For Fashion Week…5 hotels to consider.

Candace Nelson, Founder of Sprinkles, Morning Routine…I love reading these.

I Implemented 5 New Habits and Had the Best Month of My Life…I want to journal and practice daily affirmations.

50 Positive Affirmations That Will Change Your Life…so many great ones.

In Honor of Mardi Gras.…a yummy recipe for Jambalaya.

5 Ways to Make the Transition off Birth Control Easier…important to know.

A Photographers Desert Oasis…such a pretty home.

5 Things in Ina Garten’s Kitchen That We Need to Unpack…if you love Ina.

9 Small Changes Shoppers Are Making to Keep Their Grocery Bills in Check…good to note.

8. Jewelry + vacation looks + Nordstrom finds.

Jewelry

Vacation Looks

Nordstrom Finds

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai

Tuesday: Sheet Pan Poblano Chicken Fajita Bowls

Wednesday: Red’s Favorite Spicy Tuna Poke Bowls

Thursday: Sheet Pan Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Crema

Friday: Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower

Saturday: Giant Double Blueberry Muffin Cookies

Sunday: Cream Cheese Swirled Cinnamon Carrot Cake Muffins