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April is here, and spring is springing! I spent the past week in New York, which included a very random 80° day (it was so nice)… followed immediately by a 30° one. Classic. Needless to say, I’ve officially started craving warm weather. Not the most realistic craving, though — I came home to temps in the teens and a full day of snow. The forecast is looking up, but it’s still cold here!
All is OK, though. I’ve got a couple quick trips back and forth to New York coming up, and then I think I’ll manage to sneak in a few days in Miami. Honestly, my plans are a little up in the air at the moment. What I do know is that I won’t be home for the first half of May — I need to be out of the house while we move back into the studio, and then work finally starts on my house! All very exciting… and very nerve-racking.
I know I promised you all an update post on the studio barn renovations, but I’m a little behind. The build is almost finished, but furniture won’t arrive until fall! So while it’s still a ways off from being fully done, it’s really coming along — and I can’t wait to share more soon.
There’s been so much happening behind the scenes! I’m excited to start rolling out some updates to the website, share a new community-focused project we’ve been working on, and reveal a few bigger things we’ve had in the works, too. If you follow along on Instagram, you’ve probably seen a few sneak peeks already!
Before I get into all of that, I have to tell you about my week in New York! I’m starting to feel like a bit of a regular. I love that work has me going in and out so often — I could never live in the city, but I always enjoy my trips!
The highlight of the week was, of course, our event with Benny! First off, huge thanks to Benny for being so generous with his time — we had the best night. I was a little nervous beforehand, but honestly, I had no reason to be. Benny always makes everything fun!
The night kicked off about an hour before Benny arrived, with book signings and time to meet everyone. As always, you all never let me down — so kind, so sweet, and truly, meeting you is so special. I love these nights with you. And Williams-Sonoma was packed! This had to be one of our biggest New York events yet. Such a fun, feel-good crowd.
Once Benny arrived, we headed to the test kitchen to make my pizza pretzels recipe from the book. But there was a mix-up with the recipe, and unfortunately, it wasn’t what I had originally planned. I want to sincerely apologize to everyone who attended. I was disappointed too, but thankfully, Benny (and his amazing energy!) totally made up for the lack of cooking.
We had the best time chatting, answering questions, signing even more books, and taking tons of photos. All in all, it really turned into such a wonderful night, and everyone seemed to leave happy — which means everything to me. I honestly wish we could do it all over again!
The remainder of the trip was busy, busy with back-to-back meetings. It felt very corporate, and I had to put on my “business” hat, which I didn’t mind. While I love the creative side of this business, I’m really enjoying leaning more into my business role as well!
I had some yummy dinners, a smell session for the next candle, and even got to see my uncle Al, who was in town for work. Couldn’t have asked for a better trip!
We’re all home this week, but my parents are heading out for a month+ of travel to escape the Colorado springtime weather. Lots of adventures to come!
How about you all? Are you traveling this month, or staying put? What’s something that’s making you the happiest right now?
I hope you’re all having the best start to April! Spring is finally here, and I’m so happy about it! Enjoy another fun favorite post — I have lots to share below.
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
baking…Blueberry Muffin Bread on repeat. My favorite – I’m loving this bread!
for fun and home decor…the Gray Malin 1,000-Piece Box Puzzle. Both are so cute, but I’m personally a fan of the Palm Beach puzzle. I love it!
reading…Building Muscle Is Hard—This Supplement Makes It Easier (And It Actually Works!). Huge fan of creatine for women, and this article explains the benefits. Also, What Actually Happens When You Eat Enough Protein. Protein is the name of the game these days. I’ve been using a lot of Greek yogurt in place of cream and cottage cheese. I’ve also been cooking with venison, beef, liver, and even some lamb too. I think for Easter, I’m going to cook lamb ribs!
wanting…fresh flowers! Craving spring color with this cold, snowy weather! Going to order some fresh roses from my favorite place, Grace Rose Farm. Also, considering house plants from The Sill.
everything in my cart (low)…Zara finds for spring break. I’ve seen this modal top everywhere, it’s the perfect basic. I would pair it with these straight leg jeans and kitten heel sandals. Such a cute easy vacation look.
If you get chilled like I do, pack this short trench coat for nighttime.
This is the perfect beach suede shopper and a cute night out woven elongated bag.
maybe I need these?…‘Sonja’ Oiled Leather Clog from Dansko. I’m looking for a more supportive shoe to wear while cooking. All the nurses say these are the best!
dreaming of going…The Landing. What a pretty vineyard in New Zealand around the crown of the Bay of Islands. The property has villas all around for guests to stay in. It’s also mentioned here, The Best Wine Tasting Destinations in New Zealand.
watching…Here’s Everything Coming to Netflix in April 2025. What are you guys watching? I feel like I only ever watch old shows. What’s good these days? My cousin mentioned she’s loving Good American Family and Paradise, both on Hulu. They look a little creepy. Anyone else enjoying either of these?
burning…I need/want new spring candles. I just added this Hotel Lobby Capri Boxed Candle to my list. I’m very into citrus this spring. I’ve also been loving candles from Santa Maria Novella. I’m currently burning the Acqua Della Regina Scented Candle, and have the Melograno Scented Candle up next.
eating…100% Grass-Fed Beef & Organ Meat Sticks. Again with the protein.
travel…to the wilderness of Africa we go! The
everything in my cart (beauty)…eager to get my hands on the new line from Patrick Ta for glowing summer skin. Added his Major Glow High Shine Skin Perfecting Body Crème to my Sephora cart. We all know I love a body creme, so I’ll report back soon! Also adding the Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil, Major Glow Balm, and Body Brush. If you’re heading to the tropics soon, these will be perfect. I guarantee Asher will get her hands on them too!
Reading about how Exosomes Are Taking Over Skincare. Adding the Dr. Barbara Sturm Exoso-Metic Face Serum to my list of products to try. Added to my cart!
Device-wise, I’m a loyal believer in the red light mask. I’ve used the Dr. Dennis Gross mask for years. It’s the best of the best. But of course, I’m super curious to test Shark’s Cryoglow LED face mask after reading this review. Sounds like it could be perfect, especially for anyone looking to fight off acne.
listening to…Get Back on Track: 5 Evening Habits to Wake Up Focused, Recharged, and in Control.
something to do…11 Easy Hobbies to Pick Up.
everything in my cart (high)…a pretty striped raffia hat for the beach from Chloe.
something cute…The Love Language Quiz.
2. Cute Easter Baskets and Decor.
baskets
decor
3. The Most Popular Recipes of March.
4. Our Event with Benny + New York – photos.
a day-to-night look
Sartiano’s for dinner
facials with Cynthia Rivas
Le B. for dinner
Williams-Sonoma spoiled Benny and me with the yummiest snacks
Oribe is the secret, I switch up the line every so often
not a night goes by without a good facial cleanse
so many exciting meetings
this trip felt very corporate
Crane Club for the first time
you can’t order wrong at San Sabino
5. Favorite Podcasts I’ve Loved.
What are you listening to? Any to share? Here are my favorites from this week!
Lauren Graham: Lorelai, Love, & Life Lessons – haven’t listened yet, but Asher did. I’m so excited to listen! I grew up with Gilmore Girls.
Gab Waller, Celebrity Fashion Sourcer: Must-Haves for Spring & Summer, Building a Capsule Wardrobe, Favorite Celebrity Style & More—I love Gab and always find the podcasts she goes on to be fun!
How to Optimize Digestion, Reduce Sugar Cravings, Heal Leaky Gut and Improve Mental Clarity with Tina Anderson – something it seems everyone is talking about in the health space.
Amanda Jo ‘The Organic Bunny’ On The Rise Of Infertility, Forever Chemicals, Toxic Homes & Products, & Healthier Choices To Make – less is more!
Hard Truths & Healing ft. Remi Bader – a very honest conversation, I think many of us can relate to in one way or another.
6. Inspiring Me.
dreaming about peonies
7. Favorite Links I’m Loving.
The 27 Best Trader Joe’s Groceries of All Time
Tour a Colorado New Build With the Feeling of a Century-Old Home
11 Simple Habits of Women with Beautifully Decorated Homes
Everything You Need to Host a Cookbook Dinner Club
The “Baby French” Is Officially Spring’s Most Elegant Nail Trend
8. Favorite Spring Dresses Under $300.
spring dresses over $300
9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.
Monday: Baked Cheesy Cuban Chicken Taquitos
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Buffalo Ranch Chicken
Wednesday: Skillet Lemon Pepper Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce
Thursday: Creamy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
Friday: Artichoke Gouda Tart
Saturday: Homemade Baked Frosted Chocolate Donuts
Sunday: Banana Bread Carrot Cake
This post was originally published on April 6, 2025
I was surprised to see Benny Blanco’s cookbook was not featured at the NYC event. Why was he singing your cookbook and not his own?
Hey! It was Bennys choice. He had asked to not sign books. He is so caring and said that he wanted the night to be about celebrating the new HBH cookbook only! How sweet is he?
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!! Happy Monday and have the best week!!
“Our” new cookbook? Did I miss where you & Benny wrote a cookbook together?!
Nope, “our” as in the Half Baked Harvest cookbook:)
Why do you have to be out of your house to move back into the studio? Where will you be staying while your house is worked on?
Hi Shanice,
Once the studio is finished, I will be moving all of my kitchen supplies from my house back to the studio. We are then going to start renovations on my house:) I will still be able to sleep there and I spend most of my day working in the studio. Thanks for asking! xx
Thanks for all of your hard work Tieghan! I appreciate all of the recipes you post every week as well as the fun updates! Thanks Again!!
Thanks so much for your kind message, Amy! Love to hear you are always enjoying the posts! Hope you are enjoying your Sunday! xx
Hi Tieghan,
Your recipes are some of our family favorites, and my kids and I share them and rave over them. It’s always enjoyable to read your NFT email – I enjoy looking at the gems you source and appreciate everything you put into it.
I highly recommend the awesome app Yuka to check your beauty products for chemicals that are associated with carcinogenicity, endocrine disrupters, neurotoxicity, and their effects on organs, among other factors. The app is easy to use and we find it invaluable when making decisions about what products we put on our bodies.
Thank you for all the fun content you produce, and cheers to good health!
Hi Jan,
Thanks so much for your kind message and reading each week. I am so glad your family always enjoys the recipes:) Thanks for sharing about the Yuka app, I will definitely look into it! Have the best week!
Hi Tieghan,
You mentioned previously you were going to join your family on their upcoming vacation. Specifically, why are you no longer going?
Hi Barbara,
I never said that I wasn’t going:) I’m hoping to try and meet them at some point. Have a great weekend!
Oh my gosh, I immediately added the Anthropologie puzzle to my cart! So cute!!
Hey Maura,
Right?! Super cute! Glad you enjoyed:) Thanks for reading today! xx
It would be great, if you could include the designs you are wearing in your photos.
You always look so put together.
Thanks so much, Kelli:) I always share all of my looks over on LikeToKnowIt:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/halfbakedharvest
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Sunday!
That’s a bummer about the cooking not working out at your event, what was your original plan?
I think it’d be so fun if you did some sort of cooking event where you cook a full meal from start to finish! When you post cooking in your stories so much of it gets edited but I’d love to see your true methods for making everything turn out so beautiful!
Thanks so much for sharing this suggestion, Denice! It all just depends on each specific event, time constraints, etc. Love the idea! Have a great Monday!
I’m sorry you felt the Wms Sonoma event wasn’t what you expected for the “cooking” portion. During the event, you said you’re making 3 ingredient pizza pretzels–how could that go possibly wrong? And I see you posted on Dec. 22, 2016 your recipe for 3 Ingredient Pretzel Pizzas consisting of pretzels, cheese and pepperoni. But this recipe is also in your new book? Very confusing of you! You have said that ALL the recipes in your new book are completely NEW. But you’ve had this same recipe on your site for almost 10 years!
Why were you so disappointed and what went wrong? Please let us know so we don’t make the same mistake!! Glad the rest of the event went well though.
Hey Chelsea, the recipe on the website is very old. I would not have chosen that to demonstrate that as it’s barely a recipe! The recipe in the cookbook is similar but has a few more added ingredients that make the pretzel so delicious!
I wanted to make the recipe in the cookbook! It was just a mix up is all. The event was just amazing no matter what! Everyone seemed to have a Lovely time!! I did too!
Have a great week!!! Thanks for catching up!
Would love to see you join your family on a trip for once! I think it would be good for you! 🙂
Thanks, Sarah! Hope you are having a great Sunday!
Does your mom handle all the business side of things? Just curious what you meant by you starting to learn the business side of things. You haven’t done this previously?
Hey Rebecca!! We both handle the business side to the website, but she definitely takes the lead for sure!! I am learning more about certain areas that I personally have not worked on before! I love it!
Have such a nice week!! Thank you for catching up with us!! And happy spring!
You have a recipe on this site for the 3 ingredient pretzels – how were the ones you made at the event different than that?
Hi Suzanne,
The recipe on the website is very old. I would not have chosen that to demonstrate that as it’s barely a recipe! The recipe in the cookbook is similar but has a few more added ingredients that make the pretzel so delicious!
I wanted to make the recipe in the cookbook! It was just a mix up is all. The event was just amazing no matter what! Everyone seemed to have a Lovely time!! I did too!
What was the difference between the pizza pretzels in your book and what you made at the event?
Hi Sara,
The recipe on the website is very old. I would not have chosen that to demonstrate that as it’s barely a recipe! The recipe in the cookbook is similar but has a few more added ingredients that make the pretzel so delicious! I wanted to make the recipe in the cookbook:) Happy Monday!
Happy Sunday, Tieghan, Gerard fam, and HBH team! Thank you for another great NFT. I saw your candle meeting on Instagram and I am so excited! I can’t wait to see what the new scent will be. Also, I know what you mean about NYC. It’s such a fun, vibrant city to visit, but I don’t think I could live there. It might be a little too busy for me! I hope your family enjoys their vacation and that you have a wonderful week ahead! Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Hi Jen,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading as always:) I am so excited for the new Snif project, can’t wait to share more! Yes, totally agree with you about NYC, it’s amazing, but I couldn’t do it long term. Hope you are having a great weekend! xx
All of the meetings seem so exciting! How have you been managing the transition to the more corporate side of the business? I know in the past you’ve mentioned that meetings and business calls can feel a bit long for you. Would love to know how you’re handling these new and exciting responsibilities!
Hi Marie,
Thanks so much for reading today!! I am really just giving myself grace adjusting to the business world. Having meetings in person vs calls are much more exciting for me, seeing everyone face to face really adds so much value in my opinion. Hope you are having a great weekend!
Happy Sunday, Tieghan!
Thanks for reading, Kerita:)
Tieghan,
I’ve been a follower from the beginning and it’s been wonderful to see how much the years of hard work have paid off.
FYI: Recently, I have found HBH/Nine Favorite Things website to be extremely busy and in general quite difficult to navigate without being kicked out. It is no longer convenient to access recipes, links etc., due to the never ending pop-ups, videos, ads.
Hi Mavin,
Thanks for following along and your comment today. So sorry for any frustrations with the site, I appreciate you sharing your feedback! Have a great week!