445: Nine Favorite Things.

Keep your head down, work in silence, worry about yourself, and let what you create bloom.

Do you all remember last week when I shared this little reminder I always come back to? Well, this week I’ve been living it.

As I type this, I’m wrapping up another week in Austin for a photoshoot. Even after spending so many weeks here over the past several months, this one felt different. I’ve been working alongside some incredibly talented, supportive people who have encouraged me in ways I’ve never really allowed before, and it’s been such a rewarding experience.

The first couple of days took a little adjusting. Sometimes everything clicks right away, and other times it takes a minute to find your rhythm. I realized I was letting my desire for everything to be perfect get in the way of actually creating. I was so focused on making everything look exactly as I’d imagined that I wasn’t allowing myself to simply be present.

Then, somewhere in the middle of the week, something shifted.

I let go of the pressure I was putting on myself, trusted my instincts, and everything started to flow again. Isn’t that usually how creativity works? The more we try to force it, the further away it seems to drift.

By the time I head home to Miami, I already know I’ll look back on this as one of those weeks that leaves you feeling tired in the very best way—the kind of tired that comes from giving something your full heart.

And honestly, I’m so excited to just be home for a bit. I’m looking forward to cleaning and organizing the house, seeing my family, taking evening walks with my mom, and settling into a good planning week.

My mind is definitely starting to drift toward fall and Halloween (I can’t help myself!), but I’m not ready to let go of summer just yet. There are still plenty of peach recipes to make, late August dinners to enjoy, and warm evenings to soak up before the seasons begin to change.

I think that’s what I love most about this time of year. For just a little while longer, we get to enjoy the best of both seasons.

1. Things I’m Loving.

Wearing: My wish list is actually much smaller than it usually is, which feels a little surprising. I barely had time for my usual late-night scrolling this week! Right now, The Pina Knit Dress from Jacquemus is just so beautiful and a dress I’d want to wear to a summer dinner somewhere.

And then there’s The Elder Statesman Striped cashmere and silk-blend robe. I don’t even wear robes, but this one looks so incredibly soft that I keep going back to it. Maybe it’s the start of a new morning ritual.

In reality, I’ve been living in my Vuori Sedona Classic Full Zip. It’s become my uniform for long days on set, especially with how cold the studio always is.

For dinner this week, I pulled out my favorite pair of jeans, the Low Curve Jean in Milkshake from AGOLDE. They’re the perfect white jeans.

Listening to: Packing is a whole system for me, so I’m always interested in hearing how other people do it too. I really enjoyed the Summer Travel and Packing Guide episode from the girls at Lipstick on the Rim. It got me even more excited to start planning and packing for my upcoming trip. I even picked up a few new ideas along the way.

I’ve recently started listening to The Dr. Mark Hyman Show. I don’t tune into every episode, mostly because some get a little over my head with the number of doctors and the science behind it all. But this week’s episode, How Brain Inflammation Drives Alzheimer’s Disease, Depression, and Parkinson’s Disease, was incredibly informative. I learned so much about the connection between inflammation and overall brain health. It’s worth a listen if you’re interested in wellness and understanding how our everyday habits can impact long-term health.

Dreaming of Going to: Portugal and Spain have been on my mind all week. A friend recently took a solo trip through both and couldn’t stop talking about how much she loved it.

It has me in my own Eat, Pray, Love era. I don’t know that I’d ever actually travel solo, but I always say you can never say never. Especially with me.

There’s something really appealing about wandering beautiful streets, finding vintage stores, discovering little cafés, and not having to manage anyone else’s agenda.

Then, that very same night, this guide to the Balearic Islands was published. It feels like a sign to at least start planning the trip. Already have the hotel picked out! Torre Vella Menorca!

Around my home: I already hinted at this last week, but I couldn’t resist Anthropologie’s Halloween collection. Every year I tell myself I’m going to wait, and every year I do the exact opposite. I’ve learned that if I don’t order the pieces I love right away, they’re almost always backordered by the time the last week of September rolls around—which is when I finally let myself decorate.

The piece I’m most excited about is the Stoneware Pumpkin Mug. My morning coffee is one of my favorite parts of the day. I always make two Americanos with an extra shot of espresso and pair them with a high-protein breakfast. It’s such a simple ritual, but it’s one I genuinely look forward to every morning.

I have this silly rule that the Halloween decorations can’t come out until the very last week of September. Once they do, though, this mug will definitely be in constant rotation.

I also picked up two of the Honeycrisp Oakwood Candle. Honeycrisp apple is one of my favorite scents for fall, and I already know these are going to be burning from September all the way through Thanksgiving. I couldn’t resist thees Pressed Floral Glass Pumpkins. They’re so pretty and will be perfect mixed in with the rest of my fall decor.

Beauty: This summer I’ve really simplified my routine, and my skin has never been happier.

About a month ago, I started using May Lindstrom’s Blue Cocoon again, and I immediately remembered why I love it so much. It’s become my little cure-all for dry patches, tiny cuts, and anything that needs a little extra moisture. I brought the travel-size jar with me to Austin and used the entire thing in just one week. It’s definitely an investment, but a little goes a long way, and for me, it’s absolutely worth it.

I’ve also been using the Tata Harper Restorative Eye Cream every night. It feels so smooth and nourishing without ever irritating my skin. In the mornings, I switch to the Pure Radiance Supreme Eye Cream because it’s a little lighter and layers perfectly under makeup.

Hair has become my newest project. Mine desperately needs a cut (Miami friends, send recommendations!). But I’m also making it a goal to grow thicker, healthier hair. I’ve been taking Nutrafol and applying their scalp serum every night after I shower. My dad decided to join me, so now we’re comparing notes every week! It’s actually been kind of fun. He’s also talking about trying the BON CHARGE Red Light Hat, so I’ll keep you posted on that too.

And then there are scents. Candles will always be my first love, but lately I’ve been lightly spritzing PHLUR’s Mango Mood Body & Hair Fragrance Mist. And I mean very lightly because I’m incredibly sensitive to fragrance. It smells like summer without being overpowering, and that’s exactly how I like it.

Watching: Us Against the World. Soccer (or football, depending on where you live!) mania is finally catching on here in the US, especially with the World Cup right around the corner.

My friends Rand Getlin and his wife, Janina, founders of Park Stories, created this incredible HBO documentary series. They spent four years following the U.S. Men’s National Team, capturing everything from the highs to the heartbreak, and brought it all together in a really powerful look at the journey leading up to the World Cup.

From My Kitchen: I’m baking with peaches as much as I can right now. My first box from Peaches LA arrived, and they’re some of the sweetest peaches I’ve had all summer. I’ve already baked, cooked, and eaten my way through the entire box.

The kitchen has smelled like peaches all week. Peach cake cooling on the counter, homemade jam in the fridge, brown butter peach cookies, and an old-fashioned peach crisp. It’s one of my favorite weeks of the summer. Before peach season comes to an end, I still want to make peach pork chops and a peach shrub.

Something else I’ve been loving lately is goat protein. I first heard Dr. Mark Hyman talking about it on his podcast, immediately ordered some, and have been hooked ever since.

I’ve been adding it to smoothies, blending it into my morning coffee with collagen, or frothing it into a glass of cold milk. It has a really clean ingredient list, tastes delicious, and if you struggle with dairy, it’s gentler on the stomach and easier to digest.

If you missed it, I shared my 50 Most Popular Summer Recipes of 2026 this week, along with 48 Recipes To Cook In July. If you’re looking for dinner inspiration or trying to make the most of all the amazing summer produce right now, both lists are full of recipes I make all summer long!

Around My Table: My mom’s favorite Brown Butter Cinnamon Peach Dutch Baby has been making an appearance almost every weekend lately. It’s one of those breakfasts that just feels like summer to me.

Oh, and I have to tell you about these almonds I’ve been snacking on! Dill Pickle Sprouted Almonds and Pepitas are SO GOOD. They have the perfect combination of crunch and tang with that classic Cleveland Kitchen Dilly Pickles flavor I love so much. I’ve been reaching for a handful every afternoon.

This Week’s Little Joy: A friend shared these words with me this week, and I know they’ll be something I come back to often.

“God gives every one of us unique gifts. He gave you the gift of creating, loving people well, caring deeply, and bringing light wherever you go. Those gifts are meant to feel like gifts, like Christmas morning. Exciting, joyful, and a little childlike.

But in our humanness, we start carrying more than we were ever meant to carry. That’s when the gifts begin to feel heavy. Gifts were never meant to feel heavy. They were meant to feel joyful.

So whenever things start feeling too heavy, let that be a reminder that you’re probably carrying more than God ever asked you to. He isn’t disappointed in you. He simply wants you to let go and let your gifts feel like gifts again.

And never forget, you are loved exactly as you are. Not because of everything you do, but simply because of who you are.”

Whether you connect with them through faith or simply as a reminder to be kinder to yourself, I hope they encourage you to embrace the gifts that make you uniquely you.

Looking Ahead: I’ll be back home this week, and I’m so excited because it’s a planning week. Those weeks can be challenging since my favorite part is always creating, but I’m learning that the best creative seasons begin with a good plan.

There will be lots of calls, brainstorming sessions, and so many exciting projects to dream up for the website this fall.

Right now, I’m leaning into the things I love most: creating beautiful things, capturing special moments, cooking simply with what’s in season, gathering people around the table, and building traditions that make everyday life feel just a little more special.

My hope is that everything we’re creating this season inspires you to do the very same in your own home. I can’t wait to share it all with you!

2. July Recipe Edit: Every Recipe You’re Loving This Month.

For summer mornings (or an afternoon drink), my Iced Cinnamon Honey Latte has become a favorite. It’s not too sweet, and the cinnamon makes it taste better than any coffee shop.

If you’re looking for one appetizer, make my Mexican Street Corn Dip. It seems to be everyone’s go-to this summer.

The recipe you’re all making on repeat? Prosciutto Peach Pizza with Summer peaches, prosciutto, and melty cheese.

The salad that comes back on my table every single summer is my Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad. It’s on everyone’s menus!

Mexican dinner party,  Fiesta Steak Fajitas with Creamy Jalapeño Verde Sauce. Love this one because everyone gets to build their own plate. And the jalapeño verde sauce is great for dipping with tortilla chips too!.

On the grill, Teriyaki Chicken Burgers with Bang Bang Pineapple Slaw. I’ve been grilling these a lot too!

One of the most recurring recipes on my menu is this Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken. It’s in our top twenty recipes of all time too!

From July 2024, Raspberry Smash Super Green Summer Smoothie. I need to make this again!

For dessert, it’s all about my Peach Dump Cake. Mid-July is exactly when peaches are at their sweetest, and this recipe couldn’t be easier.

And already climbing the charts this week is my Brown Sugar Caramel Blackberry Peach Crisp with Double the Crumble. I’ve loved seeing so many of you making it over the last couple of days. This is going to be on repeat all peach season long.

I have to include the Strawberry Jam Shortcake Sheet Cake. It’s my favorite recipe this month!

3. The Big Anthropologie Sale.

home

kitchen

They’re having their early fall sale this week, and everything is 30% off!

4. A Wish List.