Nine Favorite Things.

happy in Chicago

Nine Favorite Things

Hello from Chicago! As I write this, it’s a pretty cozy fall day here. I’ll be heading home first thing tomorrow, but tonight one last event with Williams Sonoma. Our Snif event on Thursday night could not have gone any better. I’m so excited to have officially launched the Pumpkin Smash candle in select Ulta Beauty stores across the US. It’s so much fun!

If you wander into your local Ulta store and spot the candle, please please, share it with me on social. It’s incredible to see everyone burning the candle. It’s the perfect cozy scent for this time of year. And as I said last year, this candle has been one of my favorite projects to work on. I love sharing it with you all!

A quick note to everyone who filled the Chicago Ulta beauty store, thank you all for coming out in the rain to support (and for waiting in line). I LOVED meeting all of you. Your stories melted my heart this week. Thank you again!

Chicago has been amazing. We had dinner at Gilt Bar with the Snif team after the event. Both the food and vibe were the perfect way to end the night. I’m currently cramming in some work before tonight’s event with Williams Sonoma. More to come next week on that. I just want to add that Fall in the Midwest is always so special.

I think that’s all I have for this week! Sharing a lighter post today since these posts can be hard to put together while traveling. Back to normal next week.

Hope you have a very cozy, late October Sunday!

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

loving…fancy matches for easy holiday hostess gifts or stocking stuffers. I’d order the Ridged Glass or the Skeem Glass. Also love these Fluted Taper Candles. I have them in red and yellow. These Whittled Taper Candles are so pretty too, I actually just added them to my cart for holiday tablescapes.

wanting…new UGGs for fall/winter. The tazz braid slipper and classic cloudpeak boot are currently in my FWRD shopping cart. The Tasman slipper is great too.

everything in my cart (low)…from Zara, I’m very much into their new knit bomber jacket. They have great sweaters this season. This knit cardigan with pockets, tied textured knit top, and embroidered knit cardigan are all in my cart. This gold-button-soft-touch-jacket is really cute too.

This is a great leather jacket from ASOS. Also loving the Free People, Miller Faux Leather Jacket.

If you’re shopping H&M, I like this red mini skirt and would pair it with a cozy red sweater or maybe this top in red. Festive for upcoming holidays.

listening to…Celebrating Your Failures, The Importance of Relationships, and Carving Your Own Path with Valeria Lipovetsky.

dreaming of going…Soho Beach House Canouan. This resort looks really nice. My family went last March and loved it!

loving…the idea of a storage cabinet for displaying pretty dishes. The Fern Storage Cabinet from Anthro caught my eye. It is so pretty.

reading…Call It Home: The Details That Matter. The prettiest interior design book of the year. If you love home decor and are always looking for inspiration, read this book from front to back. The photos are stunning.

gifting…this Luxe Faux Fur Throw Blanket. Honestly, this just looks so cozy. The perfect blanket to snuggle up in while burning your favorite candle and watching your most cherished fall show. Also, these Santa Maria novella melograno wax tablets. These would be awesome as stocking stuffers and would be a really cute hostess gift.

everything in my cart (beauty)…for the lips, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine, LAWLESS Forget The Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask

Mothership X Eyeshadow Palette: Moonlit Seduction Sephora and LiquiLUST: Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick.

watching…What Is Kendall Jenner’s Roman Empire? I always love watching these Vogue videos. Kendall discusses how she packs and tells what’s in her bag, fun!

ordering…Halloween Slice & Bake Cookies. These are so cute and if you’re not a baker, these are a total shortcut to Halloween entertaining.

loving…Pure Matte 50 Semisheer Tights from Falke. I’ve gotten these in so many colors. They’re great for fall and winter.

everything in my cart (high)…I could not love the new Coach line Coachtopia more. It’s so fun and they just launched this Quilted Puffer Jacket. The second it’s back in stock, I’m ordering, so cute.

Loving this cute Carhartt Work In Progress – Black Zip Jacket. I’m also really into vests this season and think this Braided Vest is cute. And this Shearling Jacket would be such a splurge, but I’d love to add it to my cart. For something leather, this is a super cute leather top from Nanushka.

Sweaters, this cropped cable-knit sweater from Love Shack Fancy is very cute. I love the cropped fit and the braiding around the neck.

Lastly, I love these Saint Laurent patent leather slingback pumps. Yes, another splurge, but so pretty!

reading…How to Be a Good Dinner Guest: Seven Rules. Things to keep in mind this holiday season.

shopping…Artificial Christmas Trees over on Balsam Hill. These are on sale for the brand’s anniversary. If you need a new tree, get one now.

And if you’re looking for an easier way to get a real tree, try Christmas Trees In The Mail!

excited to try…one of these 25 Best Christmas Towns in the U.S. Number 18, Telluride, would certainly be up at the top of my list.

2. Cozy Soups.

Brie and Cheddar Butternut Squash Beer Soup

http://Creamy White Lasagna Soup

Healthier Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup

Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice

30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen

Slow Cooker Turkey and White Bean Chili

Creamy White Chicken Chili

3. More advent calendars.

a few pieces from H&M home

Banana Republic’s New Homewares Line

Target x Studio McGee holiday collection

4. How can I BEST help you this Thanksgiving?

I asked this question on Instagram, so thought I’d open the conversation up here as well. I know we’re all thinking about the upcoming holiday season!

What kind of menu are you looking for? What can I share this year that’s going to help you all the most with your Thanksgiving prep? Do you do Friendsgiving? What do you want to see most from me? Are you skipping the turkey this year? Tell me everything!

Below is some feedback from everyone following on Instagram:

-Shopping list to go with the Thanksgiving menu – I do usually do this. Can I make it better?
-More vegetable sides – got it! 
-Full schedule breakdown of when to put things in the oven, what time to make things, etc.
-Dishes to make with Thanksgiving leftovers 
-Things that can be made ahead/prepped in advance 
-Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Vegan dishes
-Traditional Stuffing recipes
-Ideas for Decorations/Full Tablescape
-Dishes that travel well
-Easy Appetizers
-Tips/Instructions for cooking a smaller turkey/just the turkey breast
-Brunch items to serve the morning of
-Dessert Ideas
-Easy dinner rolls
-Salad recipes
-Main meat dishes besides turkey
-Scalloped Potatoes
-Thanksgiving Cheese Board
-Pumpkin Desserts that aren’t Pumpkin Pie

5. Chicago Photos.

6. Inspiring me – a fall bucket list.

(let’s do everything listed)

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

Food52’s Highly Coveted Advent Calendars Are Here…so cute.

The 30 Greatest Life Hacks of All Time…some of these are so on point. Read through and take the hacks that feel best to you.

Here’s What Happens When You Stop Drinking…something to think on.

11 Best Properties for Leaf-Peeping This Fall

A fairytale garden surrounding a 16th-century hunting lodge…so pretty.

What Is a Favorite Things Party? Here’s Why It Was My Favorite Night of the Year

Cozy Books That Will Make You Feel Warm and Fuzzy…if you love to read by the fire, these books are for you.

Ina Garten’s Kitchen Essentials…such practical but awesome tips. 

The 16 Best Books to Cozy Up With This Fall…and a few more to consider.

Favorite Fall Items at Trader Joe’s…what’s your favorite TJ fall item? I’m curious!!

The Best Amazon Gifts for Kids (and Their Parents), Found…these are cute.

21 Gifts Under $25 Worth Tucking Under the Tree…ideas for you.

No Halloween Plans? 10 Spooky-Themed Things You Can Do at Home…love love love.

The Taylor Swift Restaurant Guide to New York City…places to try if you are visiting the city.

The Best Wine Pairings for Every Type of Takeout…good things to know.

Clothes are So Much Worse Now…Asher sent this, super interesting. 

8. Cute fall styles – looks from Nordstrom, J.Crew, H&M.

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: Crockpot Thai Short Ribs with Coconut Rice

Tuesday: Smothered Chicken in Mushroom Wine Pan Sauce

Wednesday: Better For You Chicken and Spinach Ramen

Thursday: Creamy French Onion and Mushroom Soup

Friday: Quick Tortellini Bolognese

Saturday: Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned

Sunday: Spiced Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies