Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Nine Favorite Things
I promise I am not skipping straight from summer to fall todayโฆbut I also canโt lie, I am so excited for my favorite season. The most excited! Our summer weather has been a little rough, so Iโm really looking forward to sunny September days, crisp autumn apples, and, as we inch closer, those first colorful leaves.
Fall is quick hereโtwo, maybe three weeksโbut itโs always the prettiest stretch of the year. I canโt wait to soak it all up! And slowly but surely, Iโm starting to test fall recipes this week.
Anything you all want to see this fall? I have chili on my mind (you know I love, love, love a good chili with beer bread). Iโm also thinking cozy appetizers, easy weeknight dinners with apples, and of course, plenty of apple desserts. Once October hits, weโll be back to Cocktail Saturdayโwith a mocktail version for each one, just like past years.
In other exciting news, our new Snif products launched this week! Have you seen them yet? Pumpkin Smash body butter and even Pumpkin Smash laundry detergent (!!). Plus, the relaunch of my favorite fall candlesโApple Cider Smash and Pumpkin Smash. Iโve been burning the apple cider candle practically nonstop over the last two weeks. You guys, I forgot how much I LOVE that one.
Weโve got a few more Snif launches coming before the end of the year, so stay tuned for that too!
And letโs see, this week has been a total hodgepodge of recipe testing, writing, photographing, and filming. Lots of kitchen chaos, but the family has been enjoying it all. Creighton has already requested buffalo chicken for our Sunday dinner tonight!
Ok, I think thatโs all my updates. Iโm so excited about the recipes Iโll be sharing this month (and next). Theyโre very back-to-school focused and oh-so delicious. My favorite time of year to cook and bake is almost here!
Have the best Sunday!
1. Things Iโm Loving.
lovingโฆthisย Astrid Fringe Stool. Cozying up the home for fall. If you want to splurge, this Ziggy striped velvet pouf from Missoni Home is cool.
travelโฆwith the help of Le Collectionist. They have a curated selection of the most beautiful houses to rent across the world with exceptional services. Such pretty destinations anywhere you want to go. Just search their website and theyโll find you what you need. My family likes to rent homes when we travel as a big group. My mom loves us all together.
everything in my cart (low)โฆconsidering ordering thisย FP Movement Breeze Blocker Jacket. The weather is definitely getting cooler here, so Iโm shopping for jackets for fall.
This Oversized Button Down from Daily Drills is perfection. I got it in white.
From Zara, this is such a prettyย suede draped dress. You would think it is designer.ย These are really cute,ย low-rise, wide-leg jeans.ย The dark wash is great for the fall. And then, this cut-out knit skirt. I love the shape/flow and the color!
listening toโฆAspire with Jessica Alba: Why Itโs Time to Break Up with Perfection. So I havenโt had time this week, but Iโm planning to listen to this tomorrow. I love listening to podcasts while I clean the kitchen after a day of cooking.
dreaming of going toโฆHotel Principe di Savoia in Milan. Maybe this winter!
fun factโฆthe first shot of this Anthropologie mug is actually from the shoot we did with them back in 2020. I canโt seem to track down any other photos from that day, but the mug shot they still use all the time? Yep, thatโs my pantry!
something funโฆHalloween Half Term at Eltham Palace and Gardens. This is so cute! Of course, itโs in London, but I know there are many towns that do the same for kids. My parents need to take Oslo to a pumpkin patch and hay maze this season! I found this list of farms in CO from last year.
I orderedโฆrandomly, this Divided Serving Tray. Itโs great for snacks!
everything in my cart (beauty)โฆeveryone is talking about this French pharmacy find, Avรจne Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. Itโs targeted for sensitive skin and helps restore the skin barrier. I ordered a tube to work into my routine. Weโll see how it goes!
I just received this Agent Nateurย holi (water) creme and am excited to start preventing fine lines on the face and neck. I had to pause all skincare for a while, and Iโm slowly working in some new products.
This Primally Pure lip oil is my favorite. Itโs the only product ever use on my lips when I am home.
Ordering the Skinny Confidential toilet paper. Chemical-free body care is so important!
And finally, I canโt get enough of our Pumpkin Smash Body Butter. I actually layer it with either the Mutha body butter, Tata Harper body butter, and/or the Osea body oil. Double the hydration with the scents of pumpkin. Itโs so cozy!
Something I really want to try next is this Multi-Oil Body Butter. All about good body care these days.
OH! And lastly, the Flamingo Estates bar soaps are the best of the best. If you havenโt tried their soap, it really makes showering feel more like an at-home spa. I currently have the Jasmine & Damask Rose Soap Brick. Next up for me is the Manuka Soap Brick.
Also, these are theย 6 Fragrance Trends for Fall. Personally, Iโm excited to use the Rare Beauty Rare Eau de Parfum (itโs coming this week) and Caramel Skin Body & Hair Fragrance from PHLUR.
everyone has been asking aboutโฆthese side plates.ย I got them from Zara Home along with thisย porcelain salad bowl, and aย bumblebee glass honey jar.ย I also got the newย Old Havana Serving Bowl andย Woodland Metal Cake Serve Set.
lovingโฆthe new Dairy Boy sleep sets. They sent me the pumpkin set and Iโm obsessed. Such cute styles.
everything in my cart (high)โฆthis is a really greatย Leather Oversized Bomber Jacket with a fairly decent price point too.
Iโm not sure designer jeans are worth it, but the Eglitta Jean in Cotton from The Row is pretty cute. I also really love these Low Rise Straight Twisted Seam jeans from GRLFRND. And you can never go wrong with a pair of SLVRLAKE jeans. The Cassie high-rise wide-leg is great!
followingโฆI have actually been editing who I follow and unfollowing a lot of accounts that I no longer find inspiring. I want to curate a social space that only brings added value and fun content! Who do you love to follow?
questionโฆare you excited for this new Taylor Swift album everyone canโt stop talking about?
2. Simple Crockpot Recipes.
Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Bowl
Chipotle Pineapple Pot Roast Bowls
Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo
Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
3. Home Bestsellers โ August.
4. August Podcasts I Enjoyed.
Ep 119: Routines for Optimal Longevity with Jason Straussย
Ep 118: Building a Clean Beauty Empireย ย with Laney Crowell from Saieย
The Aspire Playbook: How Allison Ellsworth Turned a Kitchen Experiment into a Billion-Dollar Brandย
The Debrief: My Closet Revamp, The Next Gold Rush in Fashion Tech, and Fall Style Predictionsย
5. An Activewear Edit.
6. Inspiring Me.
7. Favorite Links Iโm Loving.
7 Everyday Distractions That Keep Us from Living Fully
35 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Meal Prep This Week
The Breast Health Routine That Keeps Me Feeling Confident
Taylor Swift Has Announced Her Next Album, The Life of a Showgirl
5 beautiful hotels in the happiest places in the world
15 Swoon-Worthy New York City Date Ideas for Your Next Night Out
The Right Way To Apply Eye Cream, According to a Celeb Facialist
A Sir Lanka South Travel Guide
102 Thoughts I Had While Watching โFreakier Fridayโ
โWicked: For Goodโ Is On Its WayโHereโs the First Trailer and Release Date
8. Fall Looks From Our Favorite Websites.
The Reformation sale
Nordstrom fall stylesย
9. This Weekโs Dinners + Weekend eats.
Monday: Cheesy Zucchini Chicken and Rice Bake
Tuesday:ย Baked Chipotle Beef and Cheese Tacos
Wednesday: Chipotle Queso Chicken Corn Chowder
Thursday: One Pot 4 Cheese Caprese Mac and Cheese
Friday: ย 20 Minute Crispy Mongolian Beef
Saturday:ย Apple Butter Zucchini Bread
Sunday: Caramel Peach Dump Cake
This post was originally published on August 17, 2025
How did the photo shoot go that you said you had scheduled for mid August? Canโt wait to see results of it!!
Hi Sasha! Sharing more details soon! Have a great week! ๐ xT
Can you please help me understand if comments get manually reviewed, or if there is an automatic filter? Iโve given up even trying to ask recipe questions because they rarely get approved, or it is several days later until it is approved.
Hey Jenny! I completely understand how frustrating that can feel! Comments do go through an automatic filter to help keep spam and inappropriate content off the blog, and some are also reviewed manually. Thatโs why it can take a little time for recipe questions to appear. Please donโt stop commenting, your questions and thoughts are always welcome, and they really do help make the blog even better! Have a wonderful week! xT
Itโs very frustrating to comment multiple times in hopes it will get through โ surely you can understand this.
Hi again Jenny! I absolutely understand, and I always try my best to make sure comments are responded to in a helpful and timely manner. Was there a specific comment/question you had that never got a response? Happy to help, just let me know! ๐ xT
You said you love cheesy buttery recipes โnow and thenโ but in This Weekโs Dinners + Weekend eats., 4 out of 5 entrees have cheese in them. Your newest recipe for hamburger helper also has cheese. Where are the lighter, fresher dishes you said you enjoy creating?
Hi Esti! Thanks so much for this input on incorporating some lighter and fresher recipes, I really appreciate it! Have a great week! ๐ xT
These posts are starting to feel really out of touch. Most of your followers (I imagine) are not paying $700+ for a pair of jeans, and buying expensive new skincare items every week.
Hey Morgan! I hear you and I am noting that the expensive products are not what most are looking for. Totally understand! In general I try to share more affordable products I enjoy, just had some more pricy items I guess this week!
This Sunday I will pull all my favorite affordable fall fashions. Iโm so excited! Also maybe share some Halloween products I purchased too!
Thank you so much for this great feedback!! Have a wonderful week!! xT
You said you love cheesy buttery recipes โnow and thenโ but in This Weekโs Dinners + Weekend eats., 4 out of 5 entrees have cheese in them. Where are the lighter, fresher dishes you said you enjoy creating?
Hi Esti! Iโll definitely keep your note in mind and work on balancing things out with more of the lighter, fresher dishes too! Thank you for the input! xT
What is Mission Home? I googled it but canโt find anythingโฆ
Hi Sharon! I was referring to a home website called Missoni Home! Hope this helps! ๐ xT
Ohhh ok it looks like the typo you made has been updated! Thanks! ๐
I would love to see something besides more chili recipes, you already have a lot! Maybe some more stew recipes (Iโm very surprised you donโt just have a basic beef stew recipe on your site!) preferably nothing heavy or creamy.
Hi Lara! Thanks so much for this input! I really appreciate it! Have a great week ๐ xT
Happy Sunday, Tieghan, and HAPPY AUTUMN! My HBH Pumpkin Spice candle arrived yesterday (the BIG one โ LOL) and Iโm so ready to light it. (I hold out until September 1st.) Iโm like you and very much enjoy the fall season. Getting ready for ALL the HBH soups!
Hi Kerita! Happy Sunday and happy fall to you too! Love that youโre ready to light your pumpkin spice candle, it really is such a cozy way to kick off the season! Excited for you to enjoy all the HBH soups this fall! Thanks so much for your kind comment! ๐ xT
You already have sooo many chili recipes, I would love to see some new ideas instead of just slightly different variations of recipes you already have!
Hi Cherie! Thanks for the feedback! I totally hear you! Iโll keep that in mind for future recipes! xT
I follow Amy Fritz. She inspires me to get and stay organized, cook and clean! Thanks for all you do on your site too!! Every Sunday I read yours with my coffee ๐
Thank you so much for your comment Cindy! And thanks for taking the time to read nine faves! Have a great week! ๐ xT