Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Sunday is one of my favorite and least favorite days of the week. I love Sundays in the fall because they are full of cooking, football playing in the background, and cozy fires. But Sunday will also forever be an “uneasy” day for me. As a kid, Sunday was the day I dreaded most…aside from Monday of course. I hated school with a serious passion, so Sunday was a very anxiety driven day for me. Even now, years out of school, Sundays can still bring back those anxiety driven feelings.

The older I get, the more and more I’ve learned to embrace Sunday, but sometimes I can’t shake the anxiety. Today is one of those Sundays, and I blame it mostly on the fact that I’m traveling this week. Any time I travel I’m always overly stressed. Anyone else a nervous traveler? As with most things in life, the more I travel, the easier it becomes. But I’m pretty sure it’s never going to be fun. On a positive note, I’m really looking forward to spending a few days in LA later this week for some fun work events. I’ve been in the kitchen cooking pretty much every single day for the last three weeks, so I’m very much looking forward to a little time out of the kitchen and into the sunshine…

As you can tell from the photo above, we had our first major snowfall of the season this past week. Therefore, it’s been pretty frigid here all week except for Friday and Saturday afternoons (snowing today). Looking forward to a little more fall like weather in LA, and not having to bundle up to go outside in October.

Coming up this week on HBH we’ll be sharing some really fun posts, one of which I am SO excited to finally be sharing. We’ll be starting things off on Monday with a very colorful, fall inspired recipe that’s cheesy and delicious. Then on Tuesday we’ll have a very special post about the studio barn and our Anthropologie collaboration. This post has been months in the making. This is hands down my favorite post of week, probably month, so make sure to check it out! On Wednesday it’s back to recipes for the rest of the week with a new slow cooker recipe, a warming soup, an extra sweet fall dessert, and of course a new “spooky” cocktail on Saturday.

Lastly, if you missed anything from this past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best fall weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Favorites!

1. Practicing Self Care.

I feel like this is a topic that everyone is talking about right now. But maybe it’s a hot topic for a reason…because it’s important!

I am one of those people that tends to put work and others needs before myself. I am slowly beginning to realize that no matter how much I love what I do, or how bad I want to say YES to every amazing opportunity that comes my way, or how much I’d love to please another person, sometimes I have to say no and take time, even if it’s just an hour, to prioritize myself…or sleep a little.

My mom is probably reading this rolling her eyes. I can talk the talk, but can I really walk the walk? Ahhh, I can try, but it’s so incredibly hard. I definitely have not mastered the work life balance. If an opportunity is great, I’m going to say YES, no matter what.

I will say that the one thing I’ll never give up, no matter how busy I am, is hiking. Above all, it’s what keeps me energized, creatively thinking, and it’s just how I have to start my day. Anytime I don’t get to hike in the morning my day is totally off-balance.

My biggest goal right now is getting to bed earlier. As my mom continues to tell me, I’ll be more productive, more creative, and all around better person with more sleep!

So my questions is, how do you take time to take care for yourself?

2. My Favorite “spooky” Halloween Cocktails. 

In my efforts to try to figure out how to get it all done, I took a break from “spooky” cocktail Saturday this week (sorry!). Don’t worry though, I have two more Halloween inspired drinks lined up for you guys before All Hallows Eve on the 31st. In the meantime, below are all my favorite Halloween cocktails. I’ve created these over the last couple of years…clearly I love a moody, smokey, cocktail photo.

The Half Blood Prince Cocktail

Poison Apple Martini

Haunted Orchard Cocktail

The Deathly Hallows Cocktail

Death Eater Negroni

What’s been your favorite Halloween cocktail that I’ve shared??

3. Favorites for Halloween Entertaining…

4. What’s on Your Fall Reading List?

I’ve never been much of a reader. But when I do have a good book, there’s nothing better than getting lost in its pages and forgetting all about everything else happening around me. Not going to lie, I think the last time I read something I really loved was the Harry Potter series…so yeah it has been a while.

I have lots of upcoming travel ahead, so I’d love any fall book recommendations. What are you loving?

PS. This post over on Gal Meets Glam this past week was the inspiration for me to read a little more this fall! 

5. New Videos:

Mulled Spiced Apple Cider Doughnuts…perfect for any autumn weekend.

30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen…reader favorite.

Pumpkin Beer Broccoli Cheddar Soups…one of my personal favorite soups.

6. Current Favorites I Can’t Live Without…

Honest Beauty Oil. I can’t live without this and it’s been saving my dry skin.

Capri Blue Candles. My favorites are spiced cider and pumpkin clove.

Ugg Slippers. Nothing better.

7. A few Links I am Loving…

is Arielle Charnas the future of fashion…SO INSPIRING.

11 recipes for your holiday leftovers…Thanksgiving is coming guys.

the Rory Gilmore pool house suite…forever a Gilmore Girls fan. love this.

31 thoughtful ways to help a stressed out friend…love these ideas.

homemade tortellini, ravioli, and agnolotti is easier than you think…for your Sunday cooking.

a stunning Brooklyn townhouse…the prettiest.

getting dressed with celebrity nutritionist Kelly Leveque…take notes.

the protein packed smoothie Jennifer Garner swears by…for your Monday morning.

the best jackets for fall…because fall jackets are the best.

8. My Favorite Autumn Coats…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice

Tuesday: Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash

Wednesday: Thai Pumpkin Laksa with Crunchy “Fried” Chickpeas

Thursday: One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Friday: Butternut Squash Cheese Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Pesto

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.