Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Are you guys celebrating the big game today…making plenty of yummy game day food? Or are you simply relaxing on the coach or maybe cozying up by the fire? My Sunday is definitely going to be packed with cooking and preparing for the big trip to Korea. We leave on Wednesday so I’m currently in “crunch mode”, scrambling to get everything done before I leave. It’s really starting to hit me that we have a pretty BIG trip ahead. Nervous, excited, slightly overwhelmed, and unsure of what to expect when we touch down in South Korea. One thing I know, this is sure to be an experience of a lifetime. I’ve got my brother, Kai on the task of taking photos, so I’ll have plenty to share with you all when we return.

Until then, I’m just hoping to make some time to catch a little of the half time show later tonight. Honestly? I’m not much of a football person anyway. I mean, the food can be fun and all, but I never really got into watching the game. That said, I’ve always loved watching the half time show…

Sadly, I don’t even know who is performing…

Okay. Just checked. Justin Timberlake. Umm, cool! I’ll definitely be watching that. Who else is excited?

Coming up this week we have a new instant pot recipe, a pasta perfect for Valentine’s Day, a fresh take on chicken and rice, and some sweet cookies that will win anyone over. To all of you doing some weekday meal planning, check out my dinner ideas below (number 9 on the favorites list).

Have a great first Sunday of February and enjoy my favorites for the week!

1. Interview with Anthropologie. 

I recently did an interview with the Anthropologie on the Half Baked Harvest Cookbook and shared one of my favorite french toast recipes with them as well. You can read the full interview and grab the recipe for that french toast here.

PS. the video for that French Toast recipe is coming very soon!

2. The Quickest Trip to Austin, TX and LA. 

Austin – I flew into Austin on Monday for a quick overnight stay with the amazing Camille Styles who invited me to Austin to work on a fun project with her and her team. The project will not be announced until the spring, but I had a blast in Austin and cannot wait to go back. As you can probably guess, I didn’t have much time to explore, but we had dinner at Chicon Monday night and breakfast tacos on Tuesday morning. The tacos were amazing, but the highlight for me was the all veggie dinner at Chicon. So delicious, and if you live in Austin, I highly recommend trying this cozy spot out.

LA – I flew right from Austin to LA to film with my friends over at Hallmark Home and Family. We made one of my favorite pork chops recipes. If you missed the show, you can watch the full replay here. Already cannot wait to go back and visit with the Home and Family crew again. Also, the eighty degree temperatures and sunshine were very much welcomed. Again, can’t wait to go back.

3. Wearing Makeup to Empower You. 

I really loved reading this honest article on why Olympic Bobsledder, Aja Evans, is wearing making to help empower her throughout these games. If you know me, you know my hair is always in a bun and my face is makeup free. Most of the time I just don’t have time for makeup and I am totally fine with that. But her take on make up made me rethink things a bit. When I need to feel like I can do anything, a swipe of mascara and a little tinted lib balm is an easy go-to pick me up.

What helps to empower you guys? Would love to hear your tips and tricks!

4. Fun Valentine’s Day Finds…

mini spa set | heartfelt crew socks | sealed with a bloom pen | heartbeat necklace

RMS beauty lipstick | french girl rose lip polish

5. New Videos:

Homemade Poutine…Sunday funday food.

Sake and Ginger Noodle Stir Fry…delicious, healthy, and so easy to make.

6. Favorite January Product…

RMS Beauty Oil

I use just a couple drops in the morning and night, and my face has never felt better.

PS. Reader’s favorite January recipe…

5 Ingredient Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies

7. A Few Links I am Loving…

everything coming to Netflix in February…excited for Oceans Thirteen. You?

28 cozy recipes to make in February…yum.

what to consider if you want to go vegan…very interesting and informative.

travel photography tips…learned so much from this.

6 instant pot recipes that are not boring…mmm tacos.

a home in Tuscany…I need to go to Tuscany.

8.Valentine’s Day Dresses…

mini dress | off the should ruffle dress | dion dress in red | midi dress in black

turtleneck mini dress | strappy maxi dress | maxi dress | satin mini dress in red

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: Superfood Bibimbap with Crispy Tofu

Tuesday: Lighter Shrimp Po Boys with Avocado Mango Slaw

Wednesday: Roasted Greek Chicken and Farro Salad with Oven Fries

Thursday: Mexican Hot Pot with Avocado Crema

Friday: Epic Crispy Quinoa Burgers Topped with Sweet Potato Fries, Beer Caramelized Onions + Gruyère

Cozy Treat: Chai Cashew and Hemp Latte