Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

I am so excited to have a full weekend at home, and a Sunday night that does not require any kind of packing. The last two weeks have been full of back to back travel (details below). And while I am slowly getting better about traveling (mostly because I love what I’m traveling for), it’s nice to know I don’t have to hop on a plane tomorrow. I’ve mentioned this before, but travel brings on so much anxiety for me. Though it has gotten so much better in the last year, it’s still there. It’s nice to just not feel any of that today, and instead just be enjoying a fall Sunday.

Instead of stressing, I’ve been focusing all of my energy on an exciting, but very time consuming project, that has a deadline drawing nearer and nearer. Slightly tired, but also oddly energized, and definitely excited. I’ve also been planning all of my upcoming Thanksgiving content for HBH. Cannot wait to share this year’s full menu…I have lots of pumpkiny things this season. If there’s anything you guys are dying to see on my Thanksgiving menu, be sure to leave me a comment! Also, thinking about sharing my Thanksgiving tablescape, is that something you guys would be interested in?

Coming up this week on HBH, I’ll be kicking the week off with a new french inspired recipe, that’s perfect for both the instant pot and slow cooker. Then moving on to something sweet, sticky, and delicious. Up next, a simple Italian soup that’s perfect for Halloween night. On Thursday, I’ll be sharing a fun kick off to November, that’s all about family baking. Friday is all about pumpkin cake, and on Saturday I’ll be sharing the first Thanksgiving cocktail. A very good week ahead.

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. LA and NYC

As mentioned above, within the last two weeks I’ve traveled to both LA and NYC. Here’s my mini recap.

LA: I headed to LA to tape a segment of Home & Family where I made my One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice. I always love getting a chance to cook something up on H&F. Every time I visit their set everyone’s so nice and it’s just a lot of fun. If you missed the episode, you can watch it online here (go all the way to the 2nd to last segment, 1:10 in). Spoiler alert, I totally dropped a spoon on the floor…oops, but it happens.

Also, this is the Gal Meets Glam dress I wore, which I got so many questions about. It’s so comfy and perfect for fall. I love it with these boots.

The main reason for heading to LA however, was to attend MyDomaine’s Womaneer lunch, celebrating women who are pioneering a voice in their field and paving the way for strong female founders of the future. I was so honored to be invited to attend such an inspiring event. I left feeling so grateful to be surrounded by women who are building their own careers and doing good at them same time. You can read more about MyDomaine’s 10 Womaneer’s who are changing the world here.

While in LA, I stayed at my home away from home, the LA Peer Hotel. I’ve now stayed in many LA based hotels, and this is hands down my favorite. The location is perfect, the rooms are gorgeous, and the staff is honestly just the kindest. I don’t have one complaint…and that says a lot coming from me, because I am very, very picky about my hotels.

NYC: Oh I how I am beginning to love NYC. Every time I travel there I end up loving the city more. I hate flying in and out of the city, but the city itself, I love! This was a quick two night trip to film something very special with my sweet friend, Joy Bauer. More to come in December, but we spent all day this past Tuesday filming and cooking. I can’t wait to share details soon! In the meantime, if you’ve yet to get your hands on Joy’s newest cookbook, Joy’s Simple Food Remedies, I am highly recommending you do so soon. It’s truly a new favorite, and I’m sharing a sneak peek inside the cookbook this week!

I was in an out of the city pretty quickly, but I did stay at the Bowery Hotel, which so many of you recommended. It’s super cute and has an old New York City charm. Since this was such a quick trip, I didn’t have time for much. But I did get in a very early walk through Central Park, which was of course beautiful. I was really hoping the leaves would have begun changing, but most were still very green. I’ll be back in NYC in November, so maybe I’ll be able to catch the changing leaves then!

2. Last Minute Halloween Tricks & Treats.

Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies

Monster Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Spooky Halloween Pretzels

Sweet and Salty Chocolate Drizzled Cider Caramel Apples

BOO! Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Hocus Pocus Spellbook Brownies

Monster Mash Cookies

Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake

3. Must Have’s For Fall Baking…

4. October Favorites…

…bought this coat for NYC and love it.

…my 2 favorite recipes of the month were this pasta and these cookies.

…this cookbook by Tiffani Thiessen is a true favorite.

…hands down, current favorite Staub cocotte.

5. New Videos:

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins with Cinnamon Honey Butter…reader favorite recipe.

Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese…perfect for Halloween night.

Butternut Squash and Brie Soup…pretty much the best.

6. I VOTED…and you should too. 

Because every vote really does count. Election Day is November 6th. Whether you’re sending in a ballet (like I did), or you’re heading out to your local voting poll, your vote matters. Here are 10 reasons why your vote matters.

7. A few Links I am Loving…

how to build the perfect ring stack…so cute.

8 clean eating candies for Halloween…yes please

25 of the best last-minute Halloween costumes…what would you be?

the best black basics…because black will never go out of style.

Taylor Hill’s daily make-up routine…her brows are perfection.

TSA do’s and don’ts for packing gifts…good to know for upcoming holiday travel

last-minute Halloween guide…spooktastic.

the best halloweekend drink…autumn in a fancy glass and spooky too.

skip the middle seat with these 5 travel tips…needed these.

this new airport is larger than Manhattan…um, wow.

9 Thanksgiving salads…getting excited.

healthy instant pot chicken tortilla soup…one of my go-to’s right now.

what it’s like to take the longest flight in the world…makes me cringe. my brothers have taken the previous record holder – Houston to Sydney…and then gone on from Sydney to Queenstown, New Zealand!

8. Fall Favorites from Sézane…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: Spaghetti Squash 4 Cheese Pesto Lasagna

Tuesday: Vibrant Broccoli Buddha Bowl

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf

Thursday: Herby French Shallot Soup

Friday: One Pot Chicken and Sage Dumplings

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.