Nine Favorite Things. - Half Baked Harvest

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Hey everyone! Happy February! Happy birthday to my brother just ahead of me, Brendan! Oddly, my family has so many birthdays in February. Brendan, his wife Lyndsie, and their son (my little nephew Bud!) all have a February birthday. And my dad’s birthday is February 19th! Yep, starting the post with some very random family facts!

I’m excited for this month! I have my first trip of the year this week. It’s back to New York for a long overdue meeting! With the cookbook workload behind me this year, I’m excited to have the time to focus on our other big-picture projects that we’re working to build. I am so excited!

This will be a pretty quick trip, but I’m packing in a couple of meetings, podcast recordings, and, of course, New York dinners.

Next up is an event in Aspen that I’ll share details on next week. Then, of course, Valentine’s Day is on the 14th. And at the end of the month, I’m heading somewhere new for an exciting outing!

February might be the shortest month of the year, but it can still be full of exciting things! Is there anything you’re looking forward to this month? Are there any recipes you want to try? Traveling? What’s new with you?

This last week, my family was all back home, and I cooked so much food. I made a few recipes from Quick and Cozy for my older brother, Creighton, like the Salisbury Steak, which seems to be a real hit with everyone who makes it! I shared the full “how to” video on Instagram, which was fun! What recipe should I make next week from Quick and Cozy? Maybe the cover? The meatballs? Or the chicken parmesan sandwich; this could be perfect for the Super Bowl! So yummy!

Speaking of Quick and Cozy, I know many of you are waiting for the remainder of the tour dates. We’ve had some scheduling issues, plus it’s been tricky to plan and pick which cities to travel to! We’ll have the new dates ready for next Sunday. We’re finalizing the cities, dates, and times on Monday!

How’s the new year been treating you? I’ve had ups and downs and many mixed feelings towards things. But as I said, I’m looking forward to a new month, travel, seeing more of you all, and focusing on what’s super important to me: growth within our company!

Leaving you with that today! Enjoy a very easy/fun Sunday read!

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

loving…Cymbiotika. You can view all the products I use every day and get 20% off when you click HERE.

eating…raw Mānuka honey. This is my favorite honey. I use it for sauces (I don’t heat it. Sometimes I’ll get it warm over a low, gentle flame, but never a boil), drizzle it over yogurt, or swirl it into warm drinks. Raw Mānuka honey is good for digestive health, supports a healthy microbiota balance in the gut, and helps to strengthen the immune system.

for the home…I need this cozy sheepskin rug. This is a great table lamp and faux fur blanket from Zara Home.

everything in my cart (low)…Just a couple Zara pieces this week! I adore this chunky knit sweater vest. So cozy, and I am really into vests right now. I’d wear it with a jean and then these Zara kitten heel boots.

listening to…Gary Brecka On The Truth About Weight Loss, Longevity, Curing Disease, & Essential Nutrients They Don’t Talk About. I found this to be so informative. I listened twice just because it was so full of information.

traveling…The Vogue Editors’ Guide to Palm Beach. I’ve loved Palm Beach since I was 12 years old, and my Nonnie took me shopping on Worth Avenue, followed by lunch at The Breakers. Best kept Florida secret if you ask me!

loving…Varley. I’ve been wearing this half-zip sweater all week, I need it in all the colors. I want to order their leggings next.

shopping…for a new lightweight down jacket to travel with. I’ve been looking more at designer brands that seem like too much money. Then I found this insulated hooded jacket. I immediately added it to my cart. I’m going to try it! Also added to my Lululemon cart is my original favorite flared legging.

everything in my cart (beauty)…I am really late to the game when it comes to hair care, but I want to get into it! I love the ACT+ ACRE Repair Hair Oil, but I need to be better about using it regularly.

I’m loving the new Rhode Contour Lip Shaper. I can’t do makeup, but something about this is so easy to use. It shapes your lips beautifully!

Also, the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and Soft Pinch Liquid Contour. These blend so easily, and the shades are really great. The liquid blush in true rose is my personal favorite.

Been really enjoying the original body cream from Cyklar. It glides on so smoothly and leaves my skin feeling plump and nourished even during this dry, cold winter!

watching…Watch Sonam Kapoor Get Ready For the Dior Couture Show. If you enjoy fashion, this is cute. I always love the behind-the-scenes. Plus, of all the couture week shows that took place this last week in Paris. The Dior show was both Asher’s and my favorite.

ordering…pinch pots from McGee & co. These are really cute, and I can use them to prep ingredients when cooking!

everything in my cart (high)…I really love this oversized grandpa coat in navy from Source Unknown. The color, the shape, it’s so cute.

This cashmere hat from The Row is the softest thing I’ve ever worn. I thought I would for sure return this because of the price, but it’s just too good of a hat. I wear this every day.

Into this Structured Check Cotton Jacket from Bottega Venta.

2. Date night recipes…here are my favorites!

Baked Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala

Braised Black Pepper Short Ribs

Pot Roast Sunday Sauce With Rigatoni

White Wine Miso Braised Pot Roast

Easy Chipotle Cheddar Beef Chili

Skillet Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pot Pie

Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Parmesan Wine Cream Sauce

Pomodoro Pepperoni Pizza

Cider Braised Pot Roast with Crispy Sage Butter Potatoes

Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

Creamy French Onion and Mushroom Soup

Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Pesto Pasta

Lemon Rose Shortbread Cookies

Simple Chocolate Celebration Cupcakes

Game Day Cookies – for Valentine’s Day

Easy Chocolate Pudding Cakes

3. Favorite Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts.

game day entertaining with Crate and Barrel

4. Something Fun to Share!

Big shout out to my younger brother, Red, who took home his second X-Games Gold medal two years in a row! It’s always so fun to watch him compete! Though I prefer to watch him after he’s taken his run, once I know all went smoothly.

I am his big sister, I stress.

Anyway, such a fun day last weekend! Congrats Red!

(photo shot by Dasha Nosova)

(photo shot by Malachi Gerard)

(photograph shot by Dasha Nosova)

(my dad!)

5. The Comments.

As many of you have noticed, our comment section, especially on the Sunday post, has become a place for a sad group of people to leave rude, hateful, and truly dumb comments. These comments have gotten to the point of harassment. As much as we’ve tried to manage them, we can’t keep up with the influx of negative and hurtful words.

It’s left others feeling as though they can’t comment and created an unsafe space for our loving community. This has truly broken my heart, as the comment section once was a place of positivity and happiness.

Because of the difficulties these hurtful comments have caused, we’ve decided to close the comments on our Sunday post for the time being. I hope to bring the comments back soon, but for now, we’re removing this section.

I’m so sorry to anyone who wants to comment with real feedback and kind words. If you have something to say, please DM me or send an email! I’ll do my best to read them all!