Nine Favorite Things.

{it’s finally watermelon and berry season. YAY}

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post!

Hey, hi! Hope you guys are having a great weekend! Mine has been jammed pack so far. I spent yesterday in Denver for a Quaker Oats event and then stopped in at a friend’s house on the way back home to say hi. Saturday night was spent celebrating my brother’s 30th birthday and then today is all about getting ready for a work trip to Minneapolis (or mini apples as I call it) tomorrow. I’ll be gone through Wednesday so I have tons to get done before I leave in the morning, including working on a couple of fun projects that I’m pretty excited about. Hoping to spend tonight chilaxing before a busy week!

What are you guys up to? Hoping you’re doing all kinds of fun things, soaking up the sun, and drinking a Pimm’s Cup while you’re at it. <–perfection!

Here are the nine things I am loving this week. Enjoy the thoughts and reads!

1. I didn’t really grow up with Marilyn Monroe, but I am obviously aware of what an icon she is. Her former LA home is pretty stunning. I mean, look at that kitchen. Check out the photos here.

2. As a lot of you guys know, I renovated the old horse barn on my family’s property and turned it into my current home. It’s perfect for me because I love being so close to family, but I also need my own space…you know?!? Ever since then I have been mildly obsessed with sliding barn doors. I have a couple sets in my house now and I love them. I’m working on something I am really exited to share with you guys that is going to require some new sliding doors and I’m loving some of the doors featured in this post. The first photo is my favorite, what is yours?

ps. I will be sharing that behind the scenes project with you guys very soon. I am pretty excited about it, so keep a look out for a special post coming soon!

3. Traveling this summer? Here are 5 easy ways to get in superfoods while traveling

4. 26 summertime movies that will remind you of your childhood. Oh my gosh. Father of the Bride, Rip Girls, IT TAKES TWO, THE PARENT TRAP, so many good ones. What is you favorite of them all? I think my brothers would say The Sandlot, but I was never into that movie. I was more anything Mary-Kate and Ashley.

5. New videos:

–> Frozen Watermelon Rosé Sangria…one of my favorite summer cocktails.

–> Farmers Market Hummus…go-to snack or busy weeknight dinner.

–> Roasted Zucchini Burgers with Garlic Whipped Feta…a veggie friendly burger and so delicious.

–> Skillet Strawberry Cobbler with Cream Cheese Swirled Biscuits…to use up all those late spring strawberries. This cobbler is addictingly good.

–> Salted Pretzel Nutella Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches…I mean, I mean, no explanation needed. SO GOOD.

6. Summer is basically here. Little miss Asher got out of school on Friday and the weather has finally warmed (it was almost 80 degrees in Denver yesterday and I loved every minute of it). This means it is 100% ice cream season. Here are six favorite recipes from summer’s past.

ps. this is my favorite ice cream maker. It attaches right to your stand mixer.

pss. if you don’t have a stand mixer, I love this Cuisinart ice cream maker.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream

Chocolate Dipped Homemade Peanut Butter Oreo Mocha Ice Cream Sandwiches

No Churn Ice Cream 5 Ways

Tiramisu Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich Bars

Toasted S’more Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream

Cinnamon Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Ice Cream

7. Getting married this summer? Here are the best U.S. honeymoon destinations. In order from first choice to last I’d go first to Hawaii, then The Virgin Islands, next to The Florida Keys, or maybe Puerto Rico…all the other’s I’d totally take vacations to, but not for my Honeymoon. Nope, it’s got to be a tropical destination. Where would you guys go?

ps. on the travel note, is anyone wanting to head to Italy this fall?! Tickets could be as cheap as $189 if you go in November. What?!? See here for info. Thinking I need to push Asher and my trip back just a smidge. Hmmm….but Italy in the summer sounds amazing. UGH. What to do.

8. Must have bag for Summer: loving this straw bag

9. This week’s dinners: 

Greek Olive Pesto and Fried Zucchini Grilled Pitas w/Marinated Feta + Garbanzo Beans

Quick Honey Ginger Pineapple and Summer Veggie Chicken Stir Fry with Caramelized Cashews

Everything But the Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad

Grilled Chiles Rellenos with Chipotle Peach Mojo Shrimp

Burst Cherry Tomato, Artichoke, and Zucchini Pesto Pizza

Bonus Smoothie: Tropical Fruit Breakfast Smoothie

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.