Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things – little things that make me happy

Hey everyone! It’s finally May! I’m feeling so happy and excited and even more importantly, motivated! I have a new energy that I’ve been really searching for the last few months. I’m not sure if it’s the changing of the seasons and happiness that summer is finally approaching. Or the acupuncture I’ve been doing this month, but whatever it is, I am thankful for it!

I know it’s so annoying when people do this, but we have so many projects in the works. They’re too far out to share details yet, BUT I can’t wait to share because they’re making me so happy! So fun! Sorry, there’s really no point in sharing this information, other than to say that I’m excited for some new projects ahead. I guess I just want my happiness to leak through the screen. Happiness is contagious, I swear!

Moving on now. It’s been an awesome week. We’ve had a mix of sunshine, light snow, and more sun. Very typical weather for this time of year. I’m just happy the snow is melting!

Asher, my mom, and I are plotting a fun Mother’s Day weekend away. I normally would try to not involve my mom in the planning process, but she just needs to be in the know about everything. It’s much easier to include her than surprise her. I decided that the best way to celebrate this year is to take a mini trip. So I just asked her, “Mom where do you want to go for Mother’s Day?”. She always says she doesn’t want gifts, but she never turns down a weekend away to a new destination!

So I think that’s what we will be doing a week from today! One of the resorts near the top of our list is a resort in Utah called Amangiri, it looks beautiful. Another, probably much more likely, possibility is Gateway Canyons. This too looks so beautiful and is much closer (and much more affordable). Any other suggestions for us? I want to go back to Florida, maybe Palm Beach? But it’s mom’s choice and she is all about somewhere new.

I think that’s all for today. No fun updates for now, but soon enough we’ll have plenty! I hope you all enjoy yet another round of Sunday favorites. Lots of good links, fashion, and home decor finds this week!

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

loving…everything about Monday’s Met Gala. The “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”  theme this year was amazing. This was one of my favorite Mets yet. My favorite look of the night has to be Dua Lipa wearing Chanel Haute Couture F/W 92 dress and Tiffany jewels.

everything in my cart (low)…so many new, GOOD, Reformation pieces. Love this cashmere sleeveless turtleneck sweater. Also, the dusk knit top is a great staple. Loving the Alo supernova bodysuit, kind of random, but I think it’s really cute. And then, I think these linen shorts from H&M are pretty great too.

For some shoes, these woven raffia slingback flats from Zara are perfect. Speaking of Zara, let’s get to all my picks. I have a lot this week. This basic knit sweater is great. Very into this ruched cropped tank top. I think I would wear these cargo pants every other day, super cute and comfortable. Loving their maxi pocket bomber. And then, the belted technical trench coat is an everyday staple. Their open back linen top is really so pretty.

For Zara dresses. Love this short strapless dress. And of course, this satin effect dress, is pretty close to perfect. Then, their ruched midi dress, I especially love this one! The ruched midi dress too. And lastly, the Zara Jute tote bag is perfect for summer.

listening to…lower your expectations about people on Anything Goes.

reading…What’s Your Relationship Status? I relate to this so much. And yeah, I am still single.

dreaming of going…The ten most stylish villas to book for summer now. So many cute places. I would love Masseria Pistola in Puglia, Italy, Villa Santa Marina in Paxos Greece, and Villa Basmah in Essaouira Morocco.

burning…Boys Smell’s Grace Jones candle, the Byredo cotton poplin scented candle, and Snif’s off the grid candle.

loving…Abercrombie’s Annual Shorts Sale. Honestly, such great shorts. I love the high rise 90s cut off short and the vintage Sunday short.

shopping…Bloomist for new dining + entertaining pieces. Love their Vermont mixing bowl, berry colander, honeycomb platter, and stoneware mug set.

reading…What Celebrity Sightings Have You Had. Read the comments if you want to smile/laugh.

everything in my cart (beauty)…summer is coming! These are the body sunscreens in my cart. The Sun Bum original sunscreen has such good reviews (a solid drugstore option). I’ve used and loved Bioessence squalane + zinc sheer mineral sunscreen SPF 30 from Biossance (an incredible Sephora find). And then I want to try the EltaMD UV pure broad-spectrum SPF that everyone is always so excited about. This also has incredible reviews (you can find it on Amazon too). The IS Clinical Eclipse SPF 50+ is what I use every day.

For the body, I’m always looking for great cleansers and super hydrating moisturizers. I consistently re-order The Body Wash as well as The Body Lotion from Nécessaire. And in my Nordstrom cart is the Manuka honey shower body exfoliator from OSEA. I recently read about this manuka honey shower body exfoliator from LovelySkin and also added this to my Lovely Skin cart, it sounds wonderful.

For makeup, I’m finally ordering my first Makeup by Mario product, the plumping lip serum. I learned more about these products through this Life with Marianna podcast episode. And I’m still obsessed with the passionfruit jelly lip treatment from Rhode. It’s finally back in stock.

I’ve never done a hair mask, but I have the parma dolce nourishing hair mask in my Sephora cart. Also, I’m curious to test the brand’s dolce nourishing shampoo too. OK and for skincare, I restocked for the millionth time, IS Clinical pro heal serum advance+, cleansing complex, and cleansing polish from IS Clinical.

Fragrance-wise, I’m loving Phlur’s solar power. Also, the brand just released candles! They sent me both missing person and sweet smoke. LOVING both of these, but Sweet smoke is my favorite of the two.

loving…Force of Nature Meats. I love the ethos of this brand and its high quality. They truly have some of the best meats and poultry. They’re checking off all the right boxes, organic, free-range, grass-fed. I’ve been only cooking with their meats lately, so yummy and good for us! Read more about them here.

loving…this cashmere comb. This comes from my mom. The comb removes pills and fuzz from your cashmere pieces. She LOVES it and says it works so well. Also, from my mom, these cashmere trouser socks. She says they’re so cozy!

wanting…this lavender plant from Blooomscape. Do you think I could keep this alive and growing? Loving Bloomscape for shopping new houseplants.

everything in my cart (high)…summer dresses! I think this Christopher Esber draped silk-georgette maxi dress is so pretty. Then, this sequined tulle trimmed gown from Nensi Dojaka is so so so pretty – and fun too! The dress would be cute styled with this leather trench from Reformation. Also Reformation, this max open knit two piece.

Ordering the intrecciato raffia slides from Bottega Veneta, the perfect summer sandal.

And for summer sunglasses, the Chanel butterfly sunglasses are cute. From Celine, the crossbody purse in raffia and calfskin is super cute. I also love the brand’s lympia flat strap sandal too.

And finally, all the bags, the medium panier raffia tote from YSL and leather-trimmed raffia shoulder bag from Bottega Veneta are both cute for warmer days. Love the YSL small Kate chain bag. And lastly, both the GG matelassé leather tote and aphrodite embellished textured-leather shoulder bag from Gucci – so good.

shopping…the Staud summer collection. My favorite picks are below!

watching…Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. They made my mom’s favorite book when she was a kid into a movie!

2. The most popular recipes of April.

Most popular: 20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls

Runner-up: Souper Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Rice

Also have to mention: Sheet Pan Spicy Ginger Sesame Beef and Broccoli

Mom’s favorite: Coconut Chicken Fingers with Bang Bang Sauce

OK. Last one: Salty Pretzel Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake

3. H&M spring home finds.

Shopbop home 

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: did you ever think this would become your full-time career? Did you ever think you’d own your own business? 
a: Not even close. I could never have imagined doing what I’m doing today. This job didn’t exist. I thought for sure I would be working as a fashion stylist or at a fashion magazine

q: why do you stack glassware on the window sill while you photograph? 
a: The glassware helps me control the lighting.

q: How do you spend your free time at home and while traveling?
a: When I’m in Colorado, free time is spent with family!! When I travel I always try to meet up with everyone I know in that city! That’s kind of my social time.

q: Are you still re-designing your studio space and home? 
a: Yes, definitely!! We have a long ways to go but I’m excited!! More to come in a few months. 

q: How do you deal with criticism? 
a: Constructive criticism can be sooo incredibly helpful. Hard to hear at first, but it’s always helpful, and it can make you perform better! I try to take it all in and sit with it for a day or two before acting/responding. At first, I may want to push back a little. But once I sit with it, I take it all in and adjust what I feel could be good for me personally to adjust. Now if it’s rude, unkind criticism, I do my best to ignore it.

q: do you count calories? 
a: No never, personally, I think that’s always going to be a toxic and unhealthy thing to do. Calories really aren’t important to me. It’s the nutrients within the food that you eat that are important to pay attention to. But this is just me and my take.

q: would you ever go on Armchair Export? 
a: I mean, of course!!! I’d be so excited (: go ahead and manifest that for me!

q: do you change your moisturizer seasonally? What do you use regularly? 
a: I don’t change up my moisturizer, but I’ve been loving this moisturizer from Biologique Recherche.

q: do you have pancake recipes?
a: Yes, so many! Here are my favorite pancake recipes!

q: what are your siblings’ middle names?

a: Creighton Jennings

Trevor Graham

Brendan Christian

Tieghan Elizabeth

Malachi John

Redmond Baird

Asher Rylan

Oslo James

q: what dry brush do you use? 
a: I use this dry brush from Goop. It’s great!

q: how do you deal with hurtful trolls? 
a: Keep my head down and stay focused on family, our HBH team, work, and friends. Don’t give it the time of day, if you do the trolls win. You’ll have wasted valuable time you could have spent building what YOU want to build. Just stay focused.

q: current favorite style trend you love? 
a: Red!! Loving an all-red look or accessory color pop!

5. Tell me something fun!

I’m curious! What’s something fun you’re looking forward to that’s coming up?
(diving into a new work project!)

What’s making you happiest right now?
(peonies and candles)

Are you traveling? If so, tell me where!
(possibly Utah, then LA is next for me)

Leave your answers in the comments. I can’t wait to hear!

6. Quote of the week.

(found via Pinterest)

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

Red Carpet Looks From the 2023 Met Gala…so many pretty looks.

See Inside the 5 Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in the South of France…booking tickets.

The 38 Best Restaurant Patios in Austin…need to go to Austin.

These Are the Best Spots to Sip a Refreshing Margarita in Austin…yup, Austin it is! 

Red Carpet Beauty Looks You Need to See From the 2023 Met Gala…loved Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Suki Waterhouse. Oh, and Emma Chamberlain’s look too.

The Biggest Red Carpet Moments from the 2023 Met Gala…love this.

7 Not-to-Be-Missed Trader Joe’s Groceries That Just Hit Stores…things to know. 

9 Modern Bathroom Ideas for a Spa-Like Oasis…pretty.

Discover 5 Surprising Benefits of Cold Water Therapy…love learning about this wellness habit.

How can a cold shower benefit your body…more cold water tips.

Everything You Need to Host Mother’s Day Brunch…courtesy of Trader Joe’s.

Three Things Syd Learned Launching Studio McGee with Shea….great advice/knowledge.

17 Ways to Style the Table for Your Next Dinner Party…cute ideas.

35 Sustainability-Minded Fashion Brands to Shop Year-Round…new discoveries.

The best cities in Europe for every type of traveler…ready to go.

The Cocktail You Should Make, Based on Your Favorite Taylor Swift Era…so fun!

Handbags for Flying, According to Those Who Catch Planes Like Buses…adding to my carts.

8. Style finds.

my monthly Shopbop style and accessory finds

logo-less, but high-end. I’m all about this minimalist fashion trend

summertime raffia trend finds

spring/summer dresses

accessory picks from What Goes Around Comes Around

Nordstrom styles

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: 20 Minute Garlic Butter Cashew Chicken

Tuesday: Crispy Chicken Tinga Quesadillas

Wednesday: Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad

Thursday: Sheet Pan Jalapeño Pineapple Shrimp Tacos

Friday: Cauliflower Gnocchi with Crispy Zucchini

Saturday: Roasted Garlic Caprese Dip

Sunday: Strawberry Pretzel Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches