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Hi, hi. HI! It’s the last Nine Favorite Things post of April, and I have to say that this month has thrown me a curve ball. I had to make a big pivot on my plans for the current project I’m wrapping up. That ended up positioning me here in Colorado, cooking and photography a whole lot of delicious recipes. That was certainly not the plan, but sometimes life loves to test our limits. It’s been a lot, and oh my gosh, it’s been a lot of cooking, photographing, and cleaning. But I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and I feel so excited and confident because I know that what I’m creating is the best it can be.
I can not wait to share it with you all!! By now, I’ve left enough hints that I think you’ve all guessed what’s coming soon!
Mahahahaha…
All in all, it was actually a very good month full of travel, fun things, good people, hard work, and even a good amount of flowers (plus new candles because I can’t help myself and I need them in my life right now). With time spent in both New York and LA, it’s been a good mix! Thankfully, I got some beautiful weather while in LA because it’s currently snowing here, and it’s such a dark day.
I’m excited about a trip to New York this week to escape this “lovely” spring weather! I have an event with Benny Blanco to help him launch his first cookbook! Are any of you coming? I can’t wait to see you all there. If Benny is running the show, you know it will be a very fun night!
Looking forward to May, we have big changes happening, so things feel overwhelming, exciting, and scary all at once. It’s both good and bad, but mostly SO GOOD. I feel really excited!
I talk to Asher almost every night. I really look forward to our conversations. She is the sweetest 15-year-old, and I feel so lucky to have her as my sister. She’s also such a big help to me!
OK, lastly, are there any recipe requests for May? I would love to hear the dishes you all are looking for. I am excited to share new Spring/Summer recipes! Wahoo!
That’s my update for you this week! Have a wonderful Sunday!
1. Things I’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
loving…this Brinjal paint color. The idea of this in a walk-in closet or a bathroom is so fun!
loving…this Free 15 Minute Walking Activation. Been loving this. It’s free, so give it a try!
listening to…Half Baked Harvest entrepreneur Tieghan Gerard on authenticity. The podcast I recorded with Martha is finally out!
everything in my cart (low)…added these slingback kitten heels to my must-have shoes for spring. Asher would love them.
The H&M new arrivals are so good. Love this simple cotton t-shirt. And this top with collar + jersey shorts is the perfect pool/beach day cover up.
Cute royral blue sambas, spark/wonder clay/white Gazelles, and green spark/almost yellow Gazelles.
listening to…this entire All Out 2000s playlist on Spotify. The only thing missing is the Spice Girls, so then I listened to this 90s Pop playlist. Needed some good vibes.
dreaming of going to…Grand Hotel Bellevue London. When I make it to London one of these days in the future, I’m staying at this hotel. It’s new and, wow, so pretty!
burning…Nette candles. I just lit the Laide Tomate Scented Candle and I’m surprised how much I love it. It’s so great for spring and summer. I never thought I would be into a tomato candle, but I love it! Also being added to my cart, the Spring 1998 Scented Candle, Twelfth Night Scented Candle, Gallica Rose Scented Candle, and their collab candle with Tata Harper, Into the Garden Scented Candle. I truly have a candle issue.
shopping…this pretty Jason home Leif Serveware. I already added it to my shopping cart!
ordering…the Amazon 8 Set Packing Cubes. Should I finally invest? Are packing cubes worth it?
wanting…more spring florals in my life.
reading…Inside Emma Roberts’s “Grown-up Dollhouse” in LA. Honestly not what I pictured she’d live in, but it is very unique decor!
everything in my cart (beauty)…I want to test out the new Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum Instant Face Bronzer. I’m in need of a little glo!
Ok, last thing, if you’re a lash girl, you have to try these Velour Lashes Lash Extension Cluster Refills. They come highly recommended by makeup artists.
following…You Have To Read This Now. If you love to read, you have to follow this account on IG for the best recommendations. McKenzie from our team has been loving everything. She also said she’s obsessed with her kindle right now.
wanting…this Foldable Treadmill. Everyone talks about these! I want to order one but other than at night, I don’t sit at my desk and by then I’m way too tired to walk. But for computer days this would be so good for me. Any thoughts? Do you think it could be worth the investment?
everything in my cart (high)…these Burberry Chisel Square Toe Kitten Heel Slingback Sandals are gorgeous.
If you have a tropical vacation planned, or are looking for the perfect one-piece for summer, this Monica Ribbed Swimsuit from Haight is the prettiest shade of red. and I love the cut. I’d even wear it as a tank with jeans.
loving…this pink marble slab. It’s so perfect. I’d use this in my bathroom for sure.
shopping…last minute Mother’s Day gifts.
2. Mom’s Favorite Brunch Recipes.
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Homemade Honey Butter Cheddar Biscuits
Harissa Eggs in Whipped Goat Cheese
Baked Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast
Baked Cinnamon Crunch French Toast
Salty Pretzel Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake
Bursting Blueberry Lemon Layer Cake
3. Affordable Drinkware for Summer Entertaining.
and some serve ware
other Home Finds
4. Favorite April Podcasts I’ve Loved.
How To Take Control Of Your Time & Manage Time More Productively
Gwyneth Paltrow – On Real Wellness Routines, Career Advice, & How To Feel Your Best
10 Ways To Upgrade Your Morning
10 Self Care Habits To Upgrade Your Life
Unleashing Wealth: How to Invest and Get Rich with Codie Sanchez
Designing Confidence and Facing Life’s Greatest Hardships with Ronny Kobo – an incredible story with heartbreak and a truly beautiful ending. This will leave you in awe and feeling inspired.
adding to my podcast list
Giggly Squad – my cousin Abby loves Giggly Squad, and I recently started following Paige. I’m excited to dive into her podcast!
New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce – super curious about this mainly because my brother grew up playing hockey with Jason.
Career Contessa – I’ve known about this podcast forever but never listened until now!
Morning Quickie – if you love The Skinny Confidential, these quick bites will leave you inspired every morning. I haven’t listened yet, but want to start.
5. Photos I Love, What I’m Cooking + Inspiring Me.
Photo I Love Most – Asher is so cute
Cooking – every single spring recipe. Sharing all 25 of our most popular spring recipes right here. Also, all 25 of our most popular Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo and the upcoming summer season!! My favorites are all here – so excited!
6. Tell me something fun!
I love doing these! So fun learning more about you all and what you’re up to!
What’s something fun you’re looking forward to that’s coming up?
(my event with Benny and finishing up this BIG project)
What’s making you happiest right now?
(phone calls with Asher + excitement for new work ventures)
Are you traveling? If so, tell me where!
(back to New York this week)
Leave your answers in the comments. I can’t wait to hear!
7. Favorite links I’m loving.
15 Underrated Summer Destinations to Visit in the U.S.
This Easy Protein Hack From Trader Joe’s Changed My Life…I love bone broth.
Every ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ Song Ranked…what’s your favorite song?
Your Guide to Copenhagen—Where to Eat, Stay, and Shop in This Creative Capital
Pretty Summer Nail Colors with Major Vacation Vibes…cute colors.
30 Summer Nail Ideas We’ll Be Wearing All Season Long…even more ideas.
10 Phrases Successful Women Use at Work
Love, Kat: What’s on My Radar in New York, Paris, and London…cute.
8. Favorite Pieces for Spring/Summer
Amazon swim
9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.
Monday: Spicy Honey Balsamic Salmon Bowls
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Chicken Tinga Bowls
Wednesday: Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing
Thursday: Peanut Chicken Spring Roll Bowls
Friday: Hot Ranch Chicken and Bacon Sandwich
Saturday: Artichoke Gouda Tart
Hi Tieghan! Gosh, I love all of your food pictures! Got some saved to try! I was thinking, it would be nice to make some really nice spring and summer salads with some seasonal fruit involved! I am finding that I almost prefer a salad with fruit and nuts instead of the usual cucumber, tomato etc. stuff. I am noticing so many people posting recipes lately with artichokes. Not too interested in that ingredient. Love anything with salmon. (I do love that you often post salmon dishes. ) How about some galettes , crostada’s, tartes…(pretty much the same thing, just different country variations) Hope your snow is soon finished! We’ve been getting temps in the 70° – 80° F range. The warmth from the sun can really regenerate your soul! I love it! The trees are getting their leaves and there are blossoms everywhere!
Hey Colleen,
Thanks so much for reading and your kind message! I love your idea of summer fruit salads, fresh produce is always the best to use! I love salmon, I think it’s super easy to cook with and typically pretty easy to source. Thanks for sharing your suggestions! Ahhh your weather sounds so so nice, I’m over the snow:) I hope you have a great week! xT
Tieghan, packing cubes are so worth it! I started using them in 2017 and they are a game changer. You will love them and mine were so old I just ordered the ones that you posted today
Hey Jacqueline,
Thanks so much for sharing your feedback on the packing cubes!! Hope you are having a great Monday! xT
Girl stop with the pointy-tied elf shoes. Enough is enough.
Girl, stop with the creepy obsessive stalking and harassment. Enough is enough.
I guess if these lame fools wanna keep adding to her engagement, and increasing her revenue, they aren’t 100% useless. 🤷♀️
Is one comment considered “stalking”?
Tr#lling under multiple screen names every week with juvenile personal insults and attacks is considered exactly that, yes.
Not to mention the vile attacks on the blog and her socials is just the tip of the iceberg as everyone knows. Deplorable.
Yes. The harassment is never ending, and it’s creepy as hell.
“One comment”? 😂 cyber-bullying her is a lifestyle for you. One to which you are fully committed. It’s pathetic.
I love pointy toed shoes. Classic!
The pointy toed shoes are gorgeous, and the perfect compliment to a flared ankle pant. She’s not dressing for you anyway, Jealous.
Packing cubes are totally worth it! I don’t travel nearly as often as you, but I now use them even for car trips and non suitcase trips.
Thanks so much for sharing, Jennifer! Good to know they are so helpful! Have a great week! xT
I loved your podcast with Martha.
I have followed you for awhile now and made many many of you recipes.
All have been exceptionally fantastic. I think you are amazing and I look forward to all you bring to us.
Just a little note ….. last night I served your Easy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Souvlaki and Potato to friends .
They were wowed
Hey Brenda,
Thanks so much for reading and listening to the podcast, so glad you enjoyed it:) Thanks for your kind message and following along, I’m so glad to hear the greek sheet pan chicken was enjoyed! Have the best week! xT
So many of your recipes are inspired by your childhood. How about present day inspiration? Are you ever going to share a recipe inspired by a meal you had during one of your business trips to NY or LA?
Hey Cami,
Thanks for reading today and sharing this suggestion! Will definitely add this to my list:) Have a great week! xT
Help. When I try to print the recipe it’s not in the usual format. It says powered by Juniper and there’s no picture or title. How can I get back to the original format of printing recipes?
Hi Linda,
So sorry for any confusion here! This is our new printing format, but thank you for sharing your feedback regarding the picture. The recipe title is at the very top of the page. I hope you have a great Sunday! xT
There’s a little checkbox at the top to include a photo when you print from Jupiter.
I enjoy your blog so much every Sunday. Thank-you for all the great recipes, looking forward to making the Tinga Chicken. Good luck with your project with Benny. You are so talented, wishing you the best with all you do! Can’t wait to listen to you and Martha.
Hey Scarlett,
Thanks so much for reading each week, it really means a lot:) I hope you love the Tinga chicken, it’s a family fave! You are too kind, I hope you love the podcast episode! Have a great Sunday! xT
I would love some low carb recipes for lunch/dinner..not that I WANT to eat low carb mind you, but I really should! Also, I carpool with a coworker and he is completely low carb (and diabetic). I cook for him in exchange for him driving on our hour commute. Having a hard time coming up with fun flavorful meals that he can eat!
Hey Erin,
Thanks for reading today! Thanks for sharing your suggestion for low carb meals, I can certainly try to add this to the list! How nice of you to make your coworker meals! Here are some recipes you might enjoy to get started:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pineapple-adobo-chicken-skewers/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/avocado-bacon-chicken-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/thai-crunch-chicken-salad/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sesame-miso-chicken/
I hope this helps! xT
Can’t travel/camp/road trip without packing cubes!! However, EBags packing cubes are the ones to buy! I’ve recommended them to many people who love them too.
Hey Deanna,
Thanks so much for sharing your recommendation! Packing cubes are definitely helpful! Have a great Sunday! xT
Loved the interview with Martha!
Thanks so much Tanja!
Happy Sunday! First of all, Asher with her dark hair is now officially your mini-me! OMG she is so cute and has such great fashion sense! Love her sweater and bag. We are traveling this year to Mexico and also (hopefully) England and Ireland. I’ve never been to Europe before, so we’re pretty excited! Have a wonderful week and enjoy NYC — please post more pics from that trip because I love that city and wish I could visit more often. 🙂
Hey Jen,
Happy Sunday! Right?! I just love her dark hair, it fits her so well! Her fashion sense is unreal, especially for her age! Wow, you have quite the travels happening…Mexico is a blast, I’m sure England and Ireland are amazing! Have the best time:) I hope you have a great week! xT
Fun thing – going to try making my own vanilla! Ordered beans & hopefully it will turn out good enough to give as gifts.
Making me happy- hummingbirds! They are feeding like crazy in my backyard! They are so precious & fun to watch.
Looking forward to a tour of Bohemia for a milestone birthday this summer.
Thanks, Tieghan, for another great Sunday Favorite Things. Appreciate you!
Diane, I’ve done this before!! It is really fun and worth the wait while the beans steep! I let mine go for a solid year before I started using it and it was fantastic. Hope it goes well for you!
Thanks Cari!!
Hey Diane,
Thanks for reading today! Ohh fun, I’ve never tried making vanilla, but sounds like a great idea especially as gifts! Love that you are enjoying the hummingbirds, always such a nice sound of spring. Your tour of Bohemia sounds like quite the adventure, have the best time!! Happy Sunday! xT
Happy Sunday, Tieghan! The blog had a different “tone” today 🤔 No big deal – it was just different.
I’m so curious about your new big project! Love seeing your excitement for it – that definitely extends to us! (Thinking of the first HBH Pumpkin Smash launch ☺️ THAT was a fun time!)
Spending long, lazy mornings on my deck having my tea and scone is making me VERY happy right now. We only have April to do that before our morning temps are 80, so I’m not taking these spring mornings for granted! Y’all have a great week!
Hey Kerita,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading! I can’t wait to share more about the project, the wait is killing me:) Ahhh, your mornings sound so relaxing, thanks for sharing that! I hope you have a great week! xT
Exciting times!
I’ve preordered Benny’s book, hoping for some online snippets from the night as I’m in Scotland!
Very excited for new project! I’m glad it’s what you want it to be. 🥰 xx
Hey Kelly-Jane,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading! Ohh I know you will just love Benny’s book:) Can’t wait to share more on the new project! Hope you have a great week! xT