Nine Favorite Things.

Nine Favorite Things:

What a week it has been since we last chatted. I think I’d just landed in Austin and was getting ready to speak at the Create and Cultivate summit held over at SXSW (South By Southwest). This was my first time as a speaker at C&C, and I enjoyed every second. It was cool meeting so many female founders. We shared our knowledge in the creator space, learning more about how to scale a brand and brand longevity. Over the years, I’ve come to love sharing more and more with you all in this way. This was such a great opportunity. I feel lucky to have been asked to speak!

Plus, I’ll take any excuse I can get to visit Austin, even for just a QUICK trip, to see my friend Kristen. I decided to stay Sunday night to visit with Kristen, who just had her first baby. We did dinner at Sammie’s, everyone’s favorite Italian restaurant. If you go to Austin, get a reservation at Sammie’s. I LOVED this spot! The food is incredible, the service is true southern hospitality, and the vibe is all-around good. Like you don’t want to leave, so you will order dessert, which we did! The Cheesecake and the Tiramisu. Delish!

My Austin trip was pretty fast. I spoke with and met so many people, had the best dinner, and then flew home on Monday. The remainder of the week I spent cooking and catching up on recipes.

Thursday night was yoga night with my little sister, Asher, and my mom. Remember how I mentioned back in January that Asher and I were trying to find a hobby to do together? Well, we’re giving yoga a try! It was nice having all three of us together for an hour. I’ve always enjoyed yoga. Fun fact, I used to practice yoga 4 or 5 times a week when I was a teen! I would love to mix in some Pilates too.

Oh my goodness, and lastly, St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow! I’m just now realizing that I never made that corned beef I kept saying in my head that I wanted to make! My oldest brother, Crieghton, loves nothing more than a good, slow-cooked corned beef and potatoes dinner. As a Cleveland kid, he was ALWAYS telling me about these corned beef sandwiches I need to make, but I never have. Maybe someday! But something about corned beef sounds intimidating to me.

Anyway, I’m curious how you all celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. When we lived in Cleveland, we used to love going downtown to the parade. It was always so fun! I’m going to make some Irish soda bread for sure, and maybe some brownies, too! If you are looking for a cute and festive treat, check out Lucky’s Golden Ticket Cupcakes.

I’ll be here at home for another week or so, working on new spring recipes. With Easter just weeks away, are there any recipes you’re looking to add to your menu? I’m going to share a collection of recipes for you all to add to your menus soon, so keep an eye out for that post.

Happy Sunday, and almost spring!

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

loving…all these pretty wallpaper murals. Makes me want my own!

wanting…cute workout gear. I went down a bit of a rabbit hole on Free People. Love the ankle/wrist weights, 3 pound and 8 pound dumbells, and I obviously need this Pilates ball too. Linking some other cute workout gear below. If you need some motivation to start strength training, I’d start by treating yourself to some cute gear. It will kick your butt into action!

kitchen finds…I use mostly cast iron, but I’ve been loving Caraway home pans too. I have the classic set, in grey. They’re great if you want a clean, non-stick pan! I need to try their new cast iron pans that just launched as well. Cooking with clean/safe cookware is so important.

everything in my cart (low)…a very pretty spring bow dress, from Zara.

listening to…Sal Di Stefano, Top Fitness Coach: Boost Your Metabolism, Stop Late-Night Cravings, GLP-1 Insights & Protein Tips.

love…Gigi Hadid Can’t Stop the Beat. This video takes me back to my High School Musical years (I still love Gabrielle and Troy).

loving…this silk pillow from Cozy Earth. Remember, our face touches our pillow every night for hours. It’s important to have a quality pillow and pillowcase! My other favorite is the Boll & Branch organic cotton set.

shopping…apparently a new toaster. I read about this Magimix Toaster and am convinced it’s the toaster for my mom. She toasts up fresh bread every morning. Sidenote: Mom slathers her toast with real salted butter because she’s known the health secrets of real butter all her life. I swear it will be her secret to longevity.

fun fact…a pickle was my first solid food. Ever since then, I’ve always adored pickles. Well, turns out there are a lot of health benefits to eating pickles. Read this piece from Vogue for details: This Probiotic Food Might Help You Live Longer.

everything in my cart (beauty)…I want to try out this Scalp Dermastamp from Act + Acre. I really need to get into hair care, but I struggle to find the time!

I’ve been loving this Vitamin C Body Oil in Naked Neroli from Cyklar. This RMS Beauty Coconut Clean Cleansing Balm is awesome for double cleansing. I use the cleansing balm to remove makeup.

And on my to-try list is the new Tatcha Brightening Eye Cream With Vitamin-C for Dark Circles.

burning…Flamingo Estate candles. The Limited Edition Coriandoli Candle is my favorite. But don’t skip the Euphoria Candle. I love this one too!

practicing…the “Lucky Girl Syndrome”. More positive energy.

reading…The Culture List: Every Buzzy Thing to See, Do, and Visit for Spring 2025. How fun is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond train? What a pretty way to experience Venice!

speaking of travel…I want to stay at this Paris hotel.

everything in my cart (high)…these black satin Prada pumps are on my wishlist. And, wow, I wouldn’t ever purchase these, but I do think these YSL loulou slingback pumps in patent leather are very pretty.

loving…wrapping myself in my new Goop label cashmere blanket wrap.

something fun…did you love the Little Debbie blueberry muffins? Our poll on Instagram was almost a tie.

2. Favorite recipes to bake up this spring.

Swirled Ginger Crunch Carrot Cake Bread

Coconut Sheet Cake

Homemade 5 Ingredient Sour Fruit Gummies

Banana Bread Carrot Cake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Coconut Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

White Chocolate Raspberry Swirled Pistachio Cookies

Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Banana Doughnuts

Double Strawberry Cupcakes

Iced Lemon Loaf

Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies

No Fuss Lemon Tart

Bursting Blueberry Lemon Layer Cake

3. A few Home Finds.

desk essentials

outdoor pieces

4. An Evening in the Kitchen with – benny!

Eek! I am so excited to share this! My good friend benny blanco and I will be hosting an intimate event in New York on Sunday, March 30th! I’ve been waiting since launching the cookbook back in November to share this fun event, and it’s finally here! The original plan was to host this event before the holidays. But after a crazy holiday schedule for both of us, we are just now getting this planned.

In the end, this all worked out perfectly because now we get to host a fun event together in New York! Benny is already in New York promoting his new album (yes, the one with Selena!), so having the event in New York made the most sense.

I can’t wait. Hands down, this will be our best cookbook event. No one is more fun than benny!

Tickets are limited, so please, if you’re able to, come grab them today before I share this on social. I’ll be signing books before benny arrives for the event.

Once benny arrives, we will be cooking together. Then the conversation will go out to you all for a Q&A style chat. It’s going to be a blast!

Grab tickets below. Hope to see you soon!

Williams Sonoma Columbus Circle
New York, New York
Sunday, March 30

Book Signing will begin at 5 pm
The event will begin at 6 pm, following the book signing

Get Tickets Here

5. NYC -> Austin.

working on new Snif scents!

Chex Margaux for dinner in the city

a good night

dinner at Coqodaq in New York

an all brown look for dinner

can you guess what’s new?

Austin

arrival night dinner look

I travel with a candle for a cozy hotel room

Create & Cultivate

an Austin drink meeting at The Proper

Sammies for dinner

Until next time!

6. This Week’s Wins.

1. making the time for yoga with mom and Asher –

   Asher and I are trying new “hobbies” and tonight was yoga night. We got lucky and got my mom to come too. I used to practice yoga as a teen, so I loved getting back into it tonight. Pilates is next, then I vote horseback riding

2. ordering new candles while on sale for 25% off
3. laughing with Oslo on a Friday night.
4. my nails lasting a whole week without chipping!
5. daylight savings time!

7. Favorite Links I’m Loving.

9 Mountain Trip Ideas for When You Want to Unplug and Reset

Everything You Need To Know About Kitchen Design

I’m Romanticizing Spring—These Are the Solo Dates I’m Looking Forward to Most

How I Paid Off $200,000 of Debt—And Still Managed to Go to Greece

“It Sounds Like a Horror Movie”: 20 Women Share Why They’re Child-Free

8. Favorite spring dresses + Nordstrom sale.

cute spring dress

the Nordstrom spring sale

9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.

Monday: Baked Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Tuesday: Crockpot Korean Gochujang Pot Roast Tacos

Wednesday: One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Thursday: 30 Minute General Tso’s Chicken

Friday: 20 Minute Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

Saturday: Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Sunday: Frosted Chocolate Fudge Pop Tart Bars