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Happy May, everyone! As I write this, I’m in New York for a quick trip. It’s the nicest spring day outside. Sunny skies and warm – I need to get outside! The warmth and sunshine are exactly what I’m craving and need right now after our longer winter and wet spring that we’ve been having at home.
Originally I was scheduled to be in New York for a longer stay, but I decided to pull out of a photoshoot tomorrow and head home a little early. To be upfront, I’m a little disappointed not to get to shoot in the city, but I know there will be other opportunities! We have a lot going on right now behind the scenes, and this shoot was just a little too much. So home I go!
The main reason I’m in New York is an event we had with Benny Blanco to launch his first cookbook, Open Wide. It was so much fun and great to finally meet The Pasta Queen, too. She’s really so sweet! We all had dinner at Carbone after the event. It seemed as though we ordered the entire menu. It’s a great New York restaurant if you’re in the city and have the opportunity to go!
Aside from our event, I spent the remainder of my time in New York, taking meetings and getting some writing done. Sometimes I find it’s easiest for me to get bulk amounts of computer work done when I don’t have the option to be in the kitchen cooking. So, I buckled down on Friday and got in a good amount of writing. Locking myself in a hotel room was key.
I’m definitely looking forward to this month! May will bring some new beginnings, sunnier, warmer days, and, of course, so much excitement for summer. I can’t believe we’re approaching June! How is summer so close already?
I think that’s all for today. No exciting updates this week, but soon enough, we’ll have plenty! I hope you all enjoy yet another round of Sunday favorites. We’ve got lots of good links, fashion, and home decor finds this week!
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
ordered…the everyday glass from Mannerist. I have some cocktails I need to photograph, I’m hoping to use these for one of them!
loving…this fun Wavy Blocks Towel Set. I can’t decide between the blue or the yellow. Both are cute and would be the perfect towels to style if you’re lucky enough to have a pool, ocean, or lake in your backyard this summer.
watching…Mother of the Bride. This is out May 9th on Netflix and looks so cute!
listening to…How To Start A Side Hustle Or Your First Business To Generate New Income.
dreaming of going to…15 Underrated Europe Destinations Beyond Paris and London. What’s on your list?
reading…Inside Benny Blanco’s Eclectic LA Home, Which Doubles as Hollywood’s Favorite Hangout.
ordering…this set of 4 recycled stemless wine glasses from Casa Zuma. Have you guys checked out Casa Zuma yet? The website run by Camille Styles has some of my favorite kitchen and home decor pieces right now. They carry the most unique and pretty finds for the home and kitchen.
eating at…Miami’s Best New Restaurant Serves a Peruvian Grandma’s Recipes. Bookmarking this for my next trip to Miami.
everything in my cart (beauty)…Everyone has the best reviews of the Jan Marini Skin Zyme. I just had to add it to my cart to try. I love a good face mask. And with sunny days ahead, I’m looking for the best facial sunscreen. The Universal Glow Daily Defense Mineral Sunscreen from Dr. Loretta comes highly recommended.
I’m just a little obsessed with everything Victoria Beckham at the moment. From her style to her beauty products (I’ve definitely been listening to some Spice Girls recently too). I’m going to try the VB Future Lash Mascara. Do any of you have any other Victoria Beckham product recommendations?
We all know I really like a thick brow. The Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade is a wonderful product.
Lastly, if you need something for Mom next weekend, both my mom and Asher really love the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler. Asher can spend hours playing around with different hair styles with this!
hosting…game night! I love this idea of game night with friends/family. It’s affordable, easy, and fun!
cooking with…the Titanium Always Pan Pro. Well, not yet, but I’m curious to try this pan out. I LOVE cooking with cast iron the most, but I think having a pan like this one could be very helpful for delicate things like eggs.
everything in my cart (high)…the Hermes harnais de coeur scarf. I think the pattern is so cute. I wouldn’t ever buy this for myself, but it could be a cute splurge gift. Either way, I think it’s pretty!
traveling…The Most Luxurious New Hotels of 2023. I would love to stay at Convento di Amalfi, how beautiful!
shopping…for clean toothpaste. Our toothpaste matters too. I’ve been on the hunt for the best non-chemical-filled toothpaste. I want to try the Supermouth hydroxamin with Fluoride Toothpaste.
2. The Most Popular Recipes of April.
Most popular: Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
Runner-up: Creamy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
Also have to mention: 20 Minute Ginger Cashew Beef
My personal favorite: Pot Roast Gyros
Ok, last one: Spicy Honey Balsamic Salmon Bowls
3. One last Round of Cute Mother’s Day Gifts.
beauty
4. What are your Favorite Things?
I recently read a piece listing different people’s favorite things, from kitchen gadgets to movies and small pleasures like flowers and candles. Then I realized I don’t have a ton of “favorite things”. I love my candles, fresh flowers, my red light mask, a great dry brush, a fancy hotel, my Pinterest board, etc. Mine feel very small, like everyday simple pleasures, which is fine with me. I love that I have a love for the littlest things in life.
I’m curious what your favorite things are? Big or small, I would love to hear!
5. Pretty for your Home.
outdoor
6. A few New York Photos.
my favorite hotel in the city
all about the details
goodnight
a very casual morning full of meetings + busy work
the city is full of so much color
onto the event with Benny + THE PASTA QUEEN (she is so sweet)
dinner at Carbone, this steak was unreal
the mozzarella and pepper were so yummmm!
signs of a delicious meal
Benny and friends (hi Jake)
I know Carbone gets a lot of hype, but it’s worth it, and I’d recommend
testing something new
good morning, New York
the sweetest room on a spring day
7. Favorite Links i’m Loving.
Victoria Beckham’s Mango Collab Is Live…shop the Edit Here.
50 Things to Bake When You’re Bored
A Design Lover’s Guide to Marseille…dreaming of the South of France.
Five Looks From The McGee Home Backyard…ready for summer.
The Secret to More Muscle? A Breakfast High in Protein…always more protein.
10 Easy Ways to Dress Up a Store-Bought Birthday Cake…these are cute.
How Oral Hygiene Affects Your Gut Health…good to know.
8. Swim Trends for Summer.
to go along with your cute suit, summer bags
the best lounge pieces I’m seeing at the moment
9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.
Monday: One Skillet Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Chipotle Steak Tacos with Mango Salsa
Wednesday: Thai Basil Chicken and Garlic Butter Noodles
Thursday: Caprese Caesar Pasta Salad
Friday: Honey Mustard Chicken Avocado Sandwich with Tahini Ranch
Saturday: Blackberry Champagne Mule
Didn’t you say the renovations were starting in May? How’s it going? Did you find a place in Florida to move to?
Hey Casey,
Still working on solidifying all of these final details! Will definitely share more in the coming weeks:) Have a great Monday! xT
I shouldn’t have judged Benny by his tik toks. He was on Jimmy Kimmel and he was adorable. He was so funny, authentic, and really nice. He told funny stories and I know he is so talented. He explained that his cookbook was about entertaining and it really sounded interesting. He seems to be a real foodie and his house is beautiful. Congrats on getting to work with him. Thanks for sharing your life with sll of us. I look forward to Sundays!! Remember people are critical of Martha S. too and she’s the queen!
Hey Scarlett,
Thanks so much for reading today and your kind message! Yes, Benny really is just an awesome person, all around great guy! Glad you enjoyed watching him on Jimmy! Have a great week! xT
Have you finally had a chance to try the pizza and bagels New York is known for?
Hi Tieghan!
My favorite things right now are play off hockey, and pink flowers!
Question.. who eats all the food when your family is traveling?
Thanks for another great Sunday post
Hey Beth,
Thanks so much for reading today!! My brother Trevor is enjoying the hockey playoffs as well! Usually I freeze a lot of the food or donate it:) I hope you have a great Sunday! xT
To whom do you donate it? I imagine most places wouldn’t accept food that’s been sitting out while you photograph it… I’ve volunteered with a few organizations focused on food insecurity and they have very strict rules about anything prepared (ie, only food prepared on-site). My kids’ school won’t even allow treats from home on birthdays!
She might bring it to elderly neighbors, or neighbors who have just had a baby and can use the help with food prep, or even to people who have recently had a death in the family. Respectfully, I don’t know what country you are posting from, so it may be different, but in the US., the above scenarios are really common. We don’t talk about it, but we do it. Anyone in need, in the neighborhood, gets fed. My parents cook a lot of good food and bring it to a local church that is right up the street. They live in a very rural community, and everyone is happy to pitch in without a lot of rules. They trust each other and it works – everybody eats.
When do your renovations start? I hope you’ll share lots of behind the scenes!
Hey Alyssa,
They should be starting in a few months, I of course will share lots of behind the scenes! Can’t wait! Have a great week! xT
Thank you. Great post, as always. 😊
Have the best first week in May. Xx
Thanks so much, Kelly-Jane!! Happy May! xT
Loving all your recent NYC content, I’m going for the first time in a few weeks! What are your fave bagel and pizza spots? I’m also planning on exploring Chinatown. I love all of your Chinese takeout inspired recipes, do you have any recommendations for food in Chinatown? Thanks in advance!
Hey Mara,
Thanks so much! I love visiting NYC and I think you will have the best time! I actually have some of my favorite hotels and restaurants listed here for reference:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/lifestyle/travel/
I hope this helps! Have a wonderful time! xT
Love the bit about your favorite things!!! If only I could afford hotels like foquets and consider them a simple pleasure hahaha
Thanks for reading today, Kara:)
You’re in one of the greatest cities in the world and you locked yourself in a hotel room?? Girl, that is just sad. Get out and live a little! Life isn’t meant to be all work, it’s ok to play too, and it’s ok to set aside time in your schedule for fun.
She had work to do as she stated. She was traveling for her job. She also obviously had a lot of fun out on the town as well. It looks like there was a good balance of both.
Hey Caitlin,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts…I don’t do this every time I am in town, but just needed some time to get computer work in, there was also time for fun as well:) Happy Sunday! xx
Thanks again for sharing another great post! Working with Benny would be so fun I’m sure! Looking forward to checking out his new cookbook as well.💕
Hey Karen,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading! Yes, working with Benny is always such a blast, he has great energy! Have the best week! xT
Should correct the typo in this article
“…don’t have the option to be in the kitchen cocking”
OMG. 🤣 Normally I am not a fan of typo policing but this is hilarious.
Thanks Ann!!
Love your recipes & posts – just noticed that little typo & thought you’d want to correct.
Favorite things: getting my hands in the soil in spring, a great flea market find, fresh popcorn and Netflix on a rainy Sunday.
Hey Christine,
Thanks for sharing your favorite things…love a good planting day in the spring! Netflix on a rainy day sounds relaxing:) Have the best Sunday! xT
I went to the 92nd st y event. I wish I got to meet you as well!!!
Hey Fawn,
Thanks for reading today:) I hope you enjoyed yourself at the event, sorry we didn’t get to see each other! Happy Sunday! xT
Happy Sunday, Tieghan!! Benny’s couch (in the first pic) needs a WHOLE photo shoot by itself – it looked AWESOME! He looks doggone tiny on it! The other sofas look cozy, also, but the Bon Vivant one is luxe ☺️ I’d stay on that couch knitting and drinking tea for days! 😂 It’d be ground zero for my weekend! …my favorite things? Yarn, tea, and fresh baked goods! Have a great week!
Hey Kerita,
Thanks for reading today!! Lol right?! Thanks for sharing your fave things today! I hope you have a great Sunday! xT
Such a bummer about the photo shoot! Why did you back out? I swear last weeks NFT mentioned the importance of honoring your commitments! Maybe your team should schedule less things on your business trips. I know all of us HBH fans would hate it if you tarnished your reputation by not showing up 🙁
That wasn’t at all transparent, Mindy. 🙄 Spare us the left-handed “concern” and nagging lecture. If she had a reason to miss a photo shoot, she had a reason. It happens to literally everyone on planet earth. Sh!t happens.
That’s the reality of a busy professional. Schedules get rearranged at times. First and foremost, a person has to know what to say “no” in the interest of balance and self-preservation.
Hey Mindy!! Only reason I backed out was because the shoot hadn’t been properly planned and we didn’t have a full team in place. Otherwise, I would have 100% moved forward. We just needed more planning ahead of time is all! Have a wonderful Sunday!
Tieghan speaking reasonable facts here. 😊 Makes sense, Tieghan. Things will happen when they are meant to and when they can. The haters can suck it. They have no idea what goes on in your life or anyone else’s for that matter. You are doing a great job and having so many fantastic adventures out there. Keep it up, and best of luck going forward!