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Nine Favorite Things – Gingerbread Smash is almost here..
BOOO! Happy Halloween weekend! I can’t believe Halloween is this Tuesday, I am so excited! I’m not dressing up or anything like that, but I can’t wait to see Oslo in his costume. He decided to be Max from Where the Wild Things Are. He’s going to look so freaking adorable.
I’m traveling Tuesday night, but I’ll make sure to get a preview of Oslo all dressed up before I head out!
How are things? October is coming to an end, and it is now finally GO TIME for all things holiday. I am so excited and so sad all at the same time. While this is my favorite two months of the year, I know they will go so fast. Every single year I blink and all of a sudden it’s January. What I will say is that over the past few years, I’ve worked to really enjoy the days leading up to both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Celebrating something a little each day to really soak up the season and all the joy it can bring.
I know the holidays can be really hard for some of you. If you tend to dread this time of year, try celebrating something small each day. Maybe find a fun advent calendar you’ll look forward to opening each day, or order a holiday candle you’ll enjoy lighting each night. Or try committing to a few fun dinners with friends to celebrate the season. Whatever it is, bring a little joy into each day this year!
My very, very best tip for any of us is to bring a little joy into someone else’s life. Invest even a little time in giving back to others. Every year we sign up to sponsor a family in need. My mom, Asher, and I dive head-first into making their Christmas as magical as we can. We try to find the best gifts, package them cute, and have fun learning about each kid in the family. It’s a great way to distract yourself from being negative towards the holidays. We really love doing it each year!
Aside from my holiday excitement, I’m looking forward to a lot of travel in between. We have some fun events coming up that I have details on below. Feeling so lucky and excited I get to do these things. It’s always fun meeting you all in person!
That’s all for today! Prepare yourself for the kick-off of Thanksgiving recipes this week. My potatoes this year are the BEST I’ve ever shared. Can’t wait for you to try these recipes!
Have the spookiest, frightful Halloween!
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
loving…Asher and I love these Matchete hair claws. They are durable but so cute! Fun gifts and stocking stuffers.
sipping…Amante 1530. Ordered this and am excited to use it for holiday cocktails!
everything in my cart (low)…the new Varley ribbed knit sweater looks super cozy. I love the half-zip style. This Reformation bomber jacket is great. I love their bomber jean jacket too.
Zara has some of the best fall/winter pieces. This 100% wool coat could pass as designer. Or try their denim jacket look, very cute. And then, you can never have too many leather jackets, their faux leather biker jacket is perfection. And I want to order the new faux shearling carabiner jacket. So sweet, cute, and cozy.
Love this high collar knit sweater, zip-up hoodie, wool knit sweater, buckled ankle boots, and these slingback kitten heels are the style everyone wants to wear right now. Lastly, I love cozy socks year-round, these long ribbed socks are especially great for fall and winter dressing.
Here are a couple of other great coats. The Madewell Gianna Coat in Insuluxe Fabric and the Free People Mina tie belt jacket.
listening to…Steph Shep On Finding Your Purpose, Accelerating Your Growth, & How To Be Resourceful & Adaptable. The first quarter of this episode reveals some of the best advice that everyone can apply to their own lives. I was surprised by this episode and all that it brings to the table. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but ended up being so much better. Highly recommend.
dreaming of going…9 Hauntingly Beautiful Abandoned Mansions Around the World. Spooky and I love it. My favorite October show used to be ABC Family’s Scariest Places on Earth.
reading… by Stevie and Sazan Hendrix. Simple stories and life lessons that help you find the good in every single day. A wonderful book to read, especially during harder periods of life.
loving…these Satin Effect Tights. Festive for the holiday season.
ordering…these pretty on-sale Pleated Taper Candles. Perfect for setting our holiday tables.
can’t stop thinking about…these Victoria Beckham Sculptural Wedge Boots. If you could afford them, would you wear them? I don’t think I could, but they’re a fun “spice girl” boot. Eye-catching for sure!
shopping…the J.Crew sale. So into their fair isle half-zip sweater in brushed yarn. My favorite sweater I’ve seen in a while. This lady jacket with jewel buttons is really pretty, and I’m ordering the cashmere tech gloves and beanie. Anytime J.Crew has cashmere on sale, I order it.
wanting…a clean toothpaste. Going to try the RiseWell mineral toothpaste and Boka Fluoride Free Toothpaste.
everything in my cart (beauty)…Holiday gift sets, the Sephora Favorites Holiday Sparkly Clean Beauty Kit, Saie Mini Glowy Super Gel Multipurpose Illuminator Set, and I think I would love the Summer Fridays skincare set.
watching…Inside the Copenhagen Home of Ditte Reffstrup, the Creative Director of Ganni. AND Inside NBA Star Carmelo Anthony’s Stylish New Home. I love these home tours.
traveling…Take an Exclusive First Look Inside Chip and Joanna Gaines’s First Boutique Hotel. It is giving major New York City vibes. Didn’t know I needed to visit Waco, Texas, but now I am at least very curious to.
gifting…this cute recipe journal. A great hostess gift when paired with your favorite cheese plate and candle. Oh or this yummy COCO Five Bar Milk Collection.
ordering…this cute tree skirt. It give Eloise vibes and I LOVE that.
everything in my cart (high)…loving Ben-Amun jewelry. These 24K Gold-Plated Earrings are so pretty.
A couple of coats, this Canada Goose Bomber has been added to my cart. It’s pricy but I could wear this all winter. Also, My mom would live in and love this Norma Kamali Hooded Sleeping Bag Car Coat. So cozy.
loving…This pretty, serene Montauk home. It’s so elegant, yet so laid back.
shopping…this pretty and fun Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue Vintage Board Game Bookshelf Collection. We LOVE a board game night when all the family is in town. So fun. Clue is my favorite.
2. Favorite Halloween Recipes.
Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
Monster Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
BOO! Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Enchanted Graveyard Pomegranate Punch
Chewy Brown Sugar Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
Halloween Monster Mash Cookies
3. Shopping the Sephora Savings Event.
hostess gifts for the entertaining season
4. Gingerbread Smash is here! Our new Snif candle!
My excitement and my LOVE for this candle is more than I can express in words. If you’ve seen my happiness on Instagram this week then you already know how happy I am to share this candle with you all!
Some of you may have already guessed this, but on November 2nd we’re launching our first-ever holiday candle with Snif, Gingerbread Smash.
It’s been my dream to create a Christmas scent for you all. We have been working on this candle all year and it’s been what I have been most excited to share. We will always love Pumpkin Smash, but we LOVE Gingerbread Smash too. This candle is Christmas. I can’t think of anything cozier than watching the snowfall while nestled up next to a warm fire with the scents of gingerbread baking away filling the air.
The Gingerbread Smash candle reminds me of holidays growing up, and makes my home feel extra warm and festive. It’s been so hard to keep this project a secret, and I cannot wait for you to experience it! Gingerbread Smash is Christmas in a candle!
The candle will launch November 2nd. You can preorder it HERE. It’s going to make your home the coziest around. And it’s a great holiday gift for everyone on your list.
5. New York + New Jersey November Meet and Greets!
So happy to share that I will be back in New York next month, and this time for two in-person events! The first with Ulta Beauty and our Snif family, and the second with Williams-Sonoma.
Snif Ulta Beauty Meet and Greet – Wednesday, November 8th
I’ll be hosting a Meet-and-Greet at the Ulta Beauty on Herald Square in New York City on November 8th from 5-7 PM EST. We’re celebrating the relaunch of the Pumpkin SMASH candle.
Tickets are FREE, you can get them here (the first 150 to show with a ticket are guaranteed access to the meet-and-greet opportunities).
We’ll be having a couple of fun giveaways. Including a chance to enter a raffle for a year’s worth of Snif candles. Oh, and there’ll be a holiday-themed giveaway too. It’s going to be SO FUN! You can come and grab a candle, take photos, chit-chat, and maybe do some holiday shopping too. I can sign whichever you like, candles or books! We had the BEST time in Chicago with a line out the door, let’s make the New York event even bigger!
Get your tickets for the event here.
Williams Sonoma Short Hills, New Jersey – Thursday, November 9th
And of course, we can’t forget New Jersey! It’s been years since we’ve done a New Jersey event, so I can’t wait for this. We have some really fun things planned. I’ll be sharing how I put together my holiday tablesapes! and just like we did in Chicago, we’ll have a big giveaway happening here too. It’s the holidays, and I love a good giveaway!
I’ll be at the Williams Sonoma in Short Hills, New Jersey on Thursday, November 9th at 6 pm EST. I didn’t want to miss anyone on this trip! I’ll be signing books and candles here too. You can even purchase the two together, which would be the cutest holiday or hostess gift.
Reserve your tickets here – looking forward to this so much!
6. Inspiring me – Thanksgiving tables.
Just getting my wheels spinning. Where do you look for table inspiration?
7. Favorite links i’m loving.
A Guide to New York City’s Best Bookstores
30 Unique Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
Tour a Glamorous French Normandy–Style LA Home…I love all the windows and the outside garden the most.
The Best Gifts to Give Yourself This Holiday Season
Holiday Decor Hit Shelves, These Pieces Are Bound to Sell Out Before December
15 Games Everyone Should Have On Hand for Your Next Game Night…cute. I love board games.
The 50 Best Gifts for the Homebody on Your List
The Taylor Swift Restaurant Guide to New York City
22 of the Best Thanksgiving TV Episodes of All Time
A Guide to Condesa, Mexico City’s Culinary Neighborhood…sounds yummy.
What’s Cool in Mexico City Right Now…need to plan my next trip!
96 Gifts That Will Impress Even the Pickiest People on Your List
8. Everything Burgundy, Oxblood, Merlot.
obsessed with deep moody shades of red this fall season
affordable fits for chilly weather
everything from Mango and H&M
9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.
Monday: Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice
Tuesday: One Pot Stove-Top Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Wednesday: One Pan Roasted Herb Chicken and Wild Rice
Thursday: Bacon and Pumpkin Pizza
Friday: Cider Braised Pot Roast with Crispy Sage Butter Potatoes
Saturday: Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz
Sunday: Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Latte Cookies
This post was originally published on October 29, 2023
Is there any reason that you don’t typically host events, signings, or meet&greets in Colorado? I’m sure your Co fans would love to meet you and discuss all their local favorite spots!
I second this! Seems like such a missed opportunity to show up for her local community! I wonder if it’s because the Denver area won’t get as much influencer press as NYC or LA? As a local fan, it’s such a bummer 🙁
I was looking forward to be able to participate in the live home chef event since we don’t get any irl opportunities here in CO. But that got postponed or canceled? I’m not really sure.
Same! Was there any reason for the home chef cancellation? Is it going to be rescheduled? I’m not feeling hopeful given that the collab is over now. Such a shame!
Just LOVE the NFT ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Silvie! xT
Good AM – I saw all the comments about Candles – That’s why I buy expensive ones – they are made to burn correctly and do not cause any harm. You need a wick trimmer and a snuffer to properly use candles. I know not everyone can afford very expensive ones but that is my guilty pleasure instead of going out to dinner and spending double the amount – I love to cook and burn my candles. Thanks for all your wonderful reviews and recipes.
Oh you might want to research a bit more… and take a look at some of the ingredients in the Snif candles and what studies say about them. This is one of the ingredients in the pumpkin candle according to the Snif website:
Benzyl Salicylate.
May cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. The toxicological properties of this material have not been fully investigated.
Here’s another ingredient in the Snif candle:
Cinnamaldehyde.
There is some evidence that cinnamaldehyde may be a respiratory irritant following inhalation. The respiratory irritation potential of cinnamaldehyde was investigated. Data from humans indicated that cinnamaldehyde caused upper airway irritation.
Not to mention that just the act of burning anything and creating smoke creates toxins in the air. But you do you. I think the comment arose since Tieghan seems to be so concerned about living such a clean life. Just curious about her take on it as well.
Thanks so much Gail! 🙂 xT
Good morning, as always love spending time reading your blog. I appreciate all the effort you make to create it. Sundays I start creating my menu for the week and the first place I go to is your weekly blog for recipe ideas as the entire family enjoys these meals. I love that you have introduced me to spices and flavourings that I never would have used. I hope you can find the time to visit us in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as my daughters and I would love to meet you in person. I am waiting to purchase your candle (s) on an upcoming trip to Chicago. So excited about that.
Thank you so so much Marlie! Have a great week! xT
“Every year we sign up to sponsor a family in need.” – I would LOVE to know how you do this. Is it through an organization, can you share? Would also really love to do something like this.
Hey Elizabeth! We have something in our community called the Family Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC). But we’ve also gone through a church before. I would think any local church would be able to provide you with a family. There is also an organization called Samaritan’s Purse that organizes Operation Christmas Child every year. Super cool, you can read about it here
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/mission-and-history/
I don’t think you understand your average follower. You’re in your cart “low” items are not low. $198 for a jacket or $140 sweater is not attainable for the majority of Americans. Even your recipes require so many ingredients, it would cost $60 to buy everything to just make one meal. And now trying to sell a very expensive candle that your followers will buy even though they can’t afford it is seems slimy. You seem very out of touch with how most actually people live- especially in this economy.
Abby, you seem to relish the opportunity every week to complain about some aspect of the content. Are you in marketing and know who the “average” follower is? I can say that the average follower doesn’t willingly continue to follow a blogger that they repetitively find objectionable. Why don’t you pivot to content that aligns with what you find enjoyable, enlightening, entertaining, etc.? I don’t understand the payoff for you to consume content by an author who doesn’t appeal to you and then to invest the time and energy to critique it? Honestly, it is you that seems “slimy” with the regularity of your negative and critical commentary.
Sarah, This is actually the first time I have ever commented on her blog. There might be another Abby out there. You really don’t need to be so defensive…geez. I was giving honest feedback. Most influencers and content creators like to get such feedback.
I agree highly with you. This was on my Google feed so thought I’d take a look. I’m sorry. Most people are in desperate need of food, warm socks, heat, rent money etc…let alone spend close to 75 bucks on one meal! Honestly I don’t know anyone who can or could afford this high class crap…never go on this site again.
Ok Peggy, you came, you didn’t like what you saw. Move on please.
Not every food blogger needs to be uber budget, some people on the planet can afford to drop 75 on a meal. Some people like to be able to do it as a treat every now and then.
If you can’t afford her recipes, don’t follow her. It’s not rocket science.
And …. if you don’t like her life style content, don’t look at it.
Next time she pops up on your google feed, just don’t look. It won’t kill you, it won’t kill anyone else but far out, in today’s world environment we can do without out the b!tch!ng and moaning that you and abby bring to forums like this.
Bye 👋
I’ll chime in on the toothpaste too! Check out Living Librations toothpaste, too. I like Boka. But tried Living Libations and I like it too. Their sunscreen is also the BEST. It’s the only one I actually love to use!
Thank you Nancy! xT
Boka is the best toothpaste. I have a holistic dentist who’s really helped me with dental issues the past couple years and it’s what she recommends. I love the lemon lavender flavor the most!
Awesome! Thank you for the input! xT
Aren’t you worried about all the icky stuff candles put out in the air? Even “clean” candles emit all kinds of bad stuff. Just curious because I’ve heard/read that you don’t even use soap because of the chemicals in it. So I’m surprised you would be involved in creating candles now.
Snif candles are not actually “clean” read the ingredients. They also use artificial fragrances not 100% essential oils- so yes they are releasing chemicals into the air you breathe. Boil some spices and herbs on your stove to fill you house with scent instead of burning a $100 candle. Or even better just bake some gingerbread cookies!
I agree! Much cheaper to just simmer some spices in water on the stove. AND safer for your health.
From a quick Google search:
Are candles worse than cigarettes?
The Truth About Candles
That’s according to Andrew Sledd, M.D., a Missouri pediatrician who specializes in environmental toxicology. Sledd told KFVS-TV that it only takes an hour of burning a candle to produce the same harmful effects as smoking just one cigarette. He said soot from candles can pose a threat to our respiratory systems.
Also, burning a candle releases particulate matter (soot) and volatile organic compounds into the air, including formaldehyde and benzene, which are known carcinogens.
Thank you, Susie, for bringing this question up–I never knew candles could be so toxic!
For someone who preaches “clean” living, it’s clear that HBH is shilling these in a pure money grab.
Yep I’ve found it’s really hypocritical that she preaches clean living chemical free (ex: won’t use dish soap) but lately just produces recipes laden with cheese and grease that will clog your arteries! Seems healthy.
Catching up on last week’s 9 Favorite Things …
I hope Ulta in Helena, MT has the SNIF Pumpkin Smash! I am going there today, so I will find out!
Thank you for Cozy Books That Will Make You Feel Warm and Fuzzy! My current stack of to-be-read books seem to all have war as part of the theme or character back story. I know it is denial, but I just cannot handle humans doing death and destruction all day in real life and then again in my reading.
My top 2 Thanksgiving helper ideas from your list are Things that can be made ahead/prepped in advance and dishes that travel well.
Your list of links is a home run! I will be coming back to this a lot! Love the 21 gifts under $25!!
I am definitely doing your Creamy Tortellini Veg Soup this week!
Q: When making a recipe, do you taste along the way?? I kind of don’t want to – so I can 100% enjoy the finished product, but it is also necessary to get the flavors right.
Hi Pam! Thank you so so much for taking the time to read Nine Faves! Yes, I often taste my recipes along the way to make sure that the flavors are coming together! Have an amazing week! xT
Lots of fun content this week! I love this time of year also with the holidays coming. I also appreciate the nano hydroxypate toothpastes you are considering. I had been thinking about switching myself and it’s nice to have a starting point.
Thank you so much Vickie!
Very excited for the holidays too! I’m kind of bummed about the Ulta event though. You mentioned signing books or candles but when I went to get my tickets I noticed it said that only people who buy a candle can have things signed. I was going to bring my cookbooks ☹️
Congratulations on gingerbread smash! I absolutely can’t wait to try it!! Pumpkin smash is my all time favorite for the fall season. The marketing for both pumpkin and gingerbread are fabulous!! Love all the outfits!
Thank you so much Elizabeth! xT
Hi folks, you often put links to articles from vogue.com but your readers can’t read them unless they have a paid subscription to vogue.com. Just an fyi. I would love to read them but don’t want to pay! Thanks
So sorry about that! Thanks for the reminder Lisa! xT
Hi folks, you often put links to articles from vogue.com but your readers can’t read them unless they have a paid subscription to vogue.com. Just an fyi.