Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things – something new is coming soon

Happy Sunday! It has been such a good week, so much to share and fill you in on. Lately, things have been go, go, go, which I honestly love. What’s hard is traveling while juggling cooking, but regardless, I am loving this time of life. Who knew I’d ever say that? Travel used to give me so much anxiety and stress, but now it’s probably my favorite thing. I feel so lucky to be able to have opportunities for work that allow me to visit New York, LA, Miami, and Chicago. The destinations are limitless and it’s exciting. For someone who’s a creature of habit, I love the “habits and routines” I’ve created around travel. They make my travel days bearable, and being away stress-free. These are now the days that I really look forward to! Well, not travel days, I still don’t like travel days.

The last thing I filled you all in on was my time in LA, which feels like so long ago already. The end of my trip was great, I made plans with Benny for some fun upcoming events, recorded a podcast, then had drinks and dinner with a friend. Friday morning I flew from LA to Miami to spend the weekend with my family. We love Miami. And you all, wow Miami is crazy hot right now. I love the heat, so I was OK, but wowww, it was HOT.

We spent the weekend mostly walking around the city, just taking it all in and getting to know the area better. It was just a small group, Mom, Dad, Creighton, and Oslo. Asher was spending the week in California with my brothers.

We did have a yummy Greek dinner at a restaurant called, Calista Taverna. We’d all recommend it if you’re in Miami Beach. It’s located at the end of Española Way, a cute little blocked-off street with lights strung across the road.

It was a very, very quick trip for me. I flew from Miami to New York on Sunday to spend a couple of days working in the city. So many exciting things are in the works behind the scenes. This includes two new launches that I cannot wait to share more about in September. My fingers are crossed that you’ll all be as excited and in love with these launches as much as we are!

While in New York I had a fun dinner out at a spot called Cecchi’s that recently opened. It’s cute, it has a very New York vibe.

I took a late flight home on Tuesday night and have been working in the kitchen non-stop since returning. It was hard getting back into the groove this week, but I’m finally hitting my rhythm. I’ll be home for the remainder of the month, but prepping for a lot of travel come September.

I’m excited we’re about to enter my favorite time of year. Cocktail Saturday is approaching, longer cozy nights are ahead, fall fashion is already in all the stores, and before we know it, we’ll be talking about Halloween!! Are you someone who gets excited for fall or wishes that summer would never have to end?

It’s already turned cooler here come nighttime through early morning. So for me, the cozy season is basically here.

Let’s see, what else? My family is also home, they spent about a week in Miami and now we’re all here. Asher turns 15 at the end of the month, and Oslo turns 3 in October. So we have birthdays on the horizon! Still not sure what to get Asher.

I’m thinking maybe more of an experience this year. I was SO BUMMED we couldn’t get tickets to see Taylor Swift. I’d love to give her an experience like that. Also, we WILL be seeing her next fall. I am not missing her next time.

I think that’s really all my updates. Excited for so much to come, even the recipes I’ll be sharing. They’re very back-to-school focused and so delicious!

Have the best Sunday!

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

burning…Lavune candles. Currently burning solstice. It smells like a summer night with jasmine, lavender, cedarwood, and a heliotrope flower blend. So nice for August.

wanting…everything from Chloe May Brown. This designer has some of the cutest ceramic pieces. I want everything from her August collection. Her porcelain serving dish is in my cart and I want this pretty sold-out vase so bad. Everything is so cute!

everything in my cart (low)…this is a great organic cotton halter sweater top from Reformation. It’s summery, but a nice transition piece into fall since it’s also a sweater and under $100. I am very into this rosetta shoulder bag. The butter yellow color is perfection. Do a monochromatic moment and wear it with this cashmere midi dress. Both are a little pricier, but great investment pieces and “affordable” designer finds.

If you need a fall wedding dress, This Norma Kamali long sleeve gown black mesh would be perfect. Sending this to my mom for a late September wedding we have. I’ve ordered these opaque matte tights from Commando in multiple colors. And I need these Wolford athleisure leggings, so cute and they look even more comfy.

Some new Zara pieces I love. This limited edition draped knit dress is the perfect shade of red for the upcoming fall season. I’d pair the opaque tights above with this knit hooded top. Such a cute outfit with a pump and these sphere silver earrings. Love the color of this dark green one-shoulder ruched dress, another good choice for an end-of-summer wedding. Ok, last up, these boots are a bit of an investment piece, but they’d be super cute with this black strapless mini dress. The look is designer.

listening to…5 Career & Business Mistakes To Avoid In Life & What We Wish We Knew Earlier. If you’ve got a job, as most of us do, this episode has so many incredible takeaways. I was excited to listen all week and finally got through the entire episode last night. It’s really good.

listening…How To Constantly Level Up In Life Ft. Lauryn Evarts Bosstick. Even better than above. This is a must-listen for anyone trying and wanting to be the best version of themselves.

dreaming of going…La Residencia, Mallorca.

loving…curved sofas. The vera sofa from Anthro is so pretty. But I’m also really into this pretty Chelsea sofa from Maiden Home. The cider velvet, amber mohair, and spice mohair are my 3 favorite colors.

shopping…the ARK elements. I have no idea how I came across this site. But they have some of the cutest kitchen and home decor if you love unique, more vintage-like pieces. Both the Sirena Rouge Soup Bowl and Sirena Blue Opal Soup Bowl have been added to my cart. Love the Linea Red Wine Glass and be sure to check out their candles, they’re certainly fun and creative.

loving…Gift Matcher. My mom sent me this site a while ago and I just now looked into it. It’s really cool!

everything in my cart (beauty)…a new face mask to try, the LOOPS variety pack has so many good reviews. There’s a mask for every skin type/concern. What a cool product. And two masks that I use and love, the 111SKIN cryo de-puffing facial mask and MZ Skin anti-pollution hydrating face masks. And also from 111SKIN, Asher loves this mask as well as press refresh mask from Zit Sticka.

If you love all things Barbie, this flower power ballet pink hair tie is for you.

watching…crazy that I am saying this, but Sex and the City. I’ve been putting this on at night while I clean the kitchen, before bed, or while I am showering. I love that I basically half-watch it and still have an idea of what’s happening. I also love that I kind of find the show comforting too. Honestly, I never thought I would be a Sex and the City girl. But I have to say it’s a pretty good show. I’m already onto season 4.

reading…Yes, the Girlboss Is Dead—But Her Replacement Isn’t So Great, Either.

loving…baby red check jumpsuite. OH my gosh. This is so cute. If you need a new baby gift, get this jumper.

everything in my cart (high)…my mom and I did some shopping in Miami. We daydreamed our way through Prada. Right away this nappa leather miniskirt caught our eye in the store window, it was even prettier up close. We also loved their cashmere miniskirt, it screams fall. It would be really cute with their cotton and satin jacket. And I am obsessed with this suede jacket. Each piece gives off major fall vibes. And, like most, I’m dreaming of owning the Prada Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Special Edition Bag. It was a fun little visit!

Loving these long denim shorts from Khaite. They would be cute with flats, pumps, or boots for fall. I would wear them with this pretty striped ribbed cotton tank from Veronica Beard. From SIMKHAI, the cashmere turtleneck (need), fringed robe coat, and vegan leather trench coat. These are certainly my favorite 3 pieces from the 2023 fall runway show.

This Reformation cashmere cardigan is a great, relatively affordable style staple. You could own it forever.

And finally, in the designer bag category, the Bottega Veneta mini cassette crossbody bag in the almond gold shade. Perfection. Or the candy pebbled shoulder bag, in the banana shade from Mansur Gavriel.

following…Lone Fox by Drew Michael Scott. Home decor/DIY ideas. 

eating at…Nice Guy LA. Just read their menu and I have to try it when I am in LA next. I’ve never heard of this restaurant before, but the menu sounds great and it looks cute too!

shopping…Wildflower Cases. This phone screams strawberry summer.

2. Favorite back-to-school recipes.

Blender Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks

Sheet Pan Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo

Crockpot Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Ranch

Detroit Style Tomato Herb Pepperoni Pizza

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Noodle Casserole

Spicy Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken Fingers

Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken

Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread

Havarti Avocado Sandwich with Spicy Mayo

Soft Garlic Herb Cheddar Cheese Bread

Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala

6 Ingredient Frozen Blackberry Yogurt Bark

Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

3. back to school, back to work, bags.

cozy home

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: How did you and Benny meet?
a: Benny followed me on Instagram, reached out, and the rest is pretty much history. He’s super creative and very, very talented (just google him and you’ll learn). I was so excited to cook with him. We have a lot of fun together. We’re complete opposites, which I think makes the dynamic even more fun. I love doing different things. It keeps me creative and not bored with the day to day 🩵

q: How do you deal with negative comments and rude people online?
a: I don’t give them any time or energy. If it’s constructive feedback, I always read and always respond. Otherwise, I ignore the negative. People can say whatever they want. They can make their assumptions and be just so nasty. But if I respond and let it take up my time then they win. So I don’t do that. I keep my head down, stay focused and keep pushing to achieve my goals.

q: are you starting a podcast? 
a: Nope! I’m not. Podcasts are so much work. I don’t currently have the time to dedicate to it.

q: how do you plan your daily content? Are you a planner? 
a: I love a plan. In some areas of my life, I am very much a planner. I used to be more so and I used to be obsessive about it. Unfortunately, as I have become busier I seem to have lost some of this 😣 When it comes to developing recipes, I work very much on the fly. I can’t have anything planned. I love to feel so excited and in the mood for what I am making! When I go into the kitchen in the morning, I don’t usually know what I’m making that day. It’s whatever I am feeling/excited about.

q: how long do you keep your legs up the wall? 
a: Usually 15 minutes or so every night. I always work on IG stories with my legs up.

q: are you launching product? 
a: Multiple projects are in the works!!! I can’t share details but some are coming in a couple of months. Some in a year!! Product is one of those projects (: a fun design project and another (longer lead time). And then something so fun that I can’t wait to share this fall!!! There is certainly a lot in the works!!

q: do you enjoy engaging with your readers?
a: Always!!! Always!! One of my favorite things about our community is how kind and loyal you all are. You feel like extended family/best friends. I love chatting with you all through messages, comments, emails, and even out in the world. It is also so fun to see how you recreate recipes!

5. Miami & New – photos.

6. Inspiring Me.

(the prettiest late summer florals)

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

Amber Lewis Conjures Up a Family’s California Dream House…obsessed with this home. That kitchen. The bathroom. The mural. It’s all so good.

What Do You Like About Where You Live? 12 Readers Share…this is cute. Read the comments.

An ‘And Just Like That…’ Guide to New York City…this is fun.

I Take an Apple Cider Vinegar Shot Every Morning…here are all the benefits.

The best Non-Toxic Cookware…I love cast iron, but could be nudged into trying some of these.

Four Iconic Supermodels Reunite for Vogue’s September 2023 Issue…what a September cover.

17 Trader Joe’s Breakfast Items to Keep on Hand for Busy Mornings…yum.

7 Pink Nursery Ideas You’ll Love After the Barbie Mayhem Subsides…these are so cute.

HomeGoods Halloween Decor…40+ finds you can shop online.

10 Books That Will Turn You Into a Reader Just in Time for Fall…new ideas!

8. New fall finds for under $200.

$200 and up

Abercrombie jean sale 

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: Skillet Caprese Prosciutto Chicken

Tuesday: Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini

Wednesday: Chipotle Cauliflower Tacos with Creamy Jalapeño Verde

Thursday: Spicy Ginger Sesame Crusted Salmon Bowls.

Friday: Zucchini Parmesan Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Pasta Carbonara

Saturday: Hot Bacon Tomato Peach Goat Cheese Salad

Sunday: Easy Ginger Peach Galette