Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

(my favorite little sister)

Looking at my calendar, I am only just now realizing that it’s somehow already the last Sunday of July. Summer 2019 is surely flying by, isn’t it? This makes me feel both sad and excited. Sad because like most of you, I don’t want summer to end. I love these long warm days, the green grass, flowers, and all the produce. BUT, I can’t help but be excited for the coming months ahead. A quick trip to LA in August, my older brother’s wedding in September (which is at the new studio…and yeah, I am also making the cakes), the release of HBH Super Simple in October, the big Thanksgiving feast, and yes, then onto December and all things Christmas. So pretty much every month from now through the end of the year is packed full…

Excited…and also so overwhelmed. Looking at my calendar scares me, but it’s all good things. It’s uncomfortable but in the best way…if that makes any sense at all. I always like to say, you have to be OK being uncomfortable in order to grow. It’s not always easy, but the outcome is worth it. At least this is what I’m telling myself.

Anyway, If you have wedding cakes ideas, let me know. If you have cute clothes you’re loving for fall, LET ME KNOW. I’m going to need all the help I can get, and you guys always have the best suggestions!

I’ll be spending the month of August prepping for all the upcoming events ahead. I’m also working hard to get ahead with all the behind the scenes stuff here at HBH. And…there may even be an impromptu trip to the Caribbean with some of my family, we shall see!

What are you all up to this week and for the month of August? Any exciting trips planned? Are you heading out to pick peaches? What’s happening?

Coming up this week on HBH, I’m kicking the week off with a killer new salad, sharing a berry-filled dessert…that’s different but easy and delicious, a new summer pasta, the perfect Mexican recipe…that also uses up all the market vegetables, and of course, something sweet for Friday. So all good things coming up this week!

Lastly, if you missed anything from the past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Nine Favorite Things!

1. Inspiring Me On Pinterest…Summer Patio Inspiration. 

We’re currently working to complete the studio barn’s patio, so I took to Pinterest to find some of the prettiest farmhouse style patios. I’m officially in love with all of these. Now the real questions is how do we go about making these patios come to life here in Colorado? That’s always the question, isn’t it?

(photos via pinterest)

Question: do you have any suggestions for us? Would love your ideas!

2. August Recipe Request. 

I put this out on Instagram the other week, so I thought it was only fair to ask you guys here too. To me, August is a time to start thinking about back to school, on the go snacks, easy family dinners, delicious desserts, and fun ways to incorporate all the end of summer peaches, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, etc.

But that’s just me! What do YOU guys want to see in August? Please leave all your thoughts and requests in the comments. Would you like to see more dinner recipes? Would you love to see an entertaining post? More desserts? We need all the details. Please and thank you! Excited to see what you all are looking for this month!

ALSO! We Are Still Hiring! If you, or anyone you know, would love to join the HBH team, we’re looking for someone who is excited to learn, a team player, so crazy organized, loves food and cooking, and most importantly, is very knowledgeable in the social media space. You can apply here.

3. Everything I’m loving from Pottery Barn:

4. Questions of the Week: 

q: Why did you choose the “quick and easy” theme for your second cookbook?
a: I chose to do HBH super simple because I wanted to give you guys a cookbook that you could really use every single day. Like when you come home from work tired and have nothing in the fridge…I got you covered with pantry staple recipes!

The request I get most often is for easy weeknight recipes with minimal ingredients that still taste good! We are all busy, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get to eat delicious homemade food! The new book solves that problem!

q: What are some of your favorite dessert cookbooks?
a: The Sprinkles Baking Book is hands down a go-to for me!

q: How many recipes in your new cookbook are vegetarian? Please make a vegetarian cookbook!
a: The new book has an entire chapter of only vegetarian recipes! In addition to that chapter, there are countless other vegetarian recipes (breakfast, appetizers, pastas, pizzas, salads, desserts). So a good mix of vegetarian.

q: Ideas to make veggies more “hearty” to feed picky men.
a: Try my sneaky zucchini Mac and cheese, zucchini ravioli, asada mushroom tacos, zucchini lasagna, coconut butter cauliflower, or chicken noodle casserole.

5. Newest Videos: 

Garden Herb Shrimp Scampi Linguine…easy enough for a weeknight, but fancy enough for the weekend.

30 Minute Korean Beef and Peppers with Sesame Rice…when it’s way too hot to turn the oven on, make this.

6. Currently Loving and Wanting…

loving…this Vince sweater (so cozy for fall) and this Claire V. bag (perfect work trips) that I recently purchased during the Nordstrom anniversary sale. So cute.

wanting…to bake my favorite peach layer cake from last summer…but thinking about making cupcakes instead.

loving…this thoughtful post from Camille Styles on How to Ask Great Questions for Better Conversation.

wanting…to binge-watch the new season of Sugar Rush. Making this happen tonight. What are you binge-watching?

loving…these new pasta bowls and this cute pie plate I found on Etsy. So in love, especially with the bowls.

wanting…these sneakers, BUT like, why are they so much money? Thinking about these instead.

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

Half Baked Harvest’s Tieghan Gerard tells us her Trader Joe’s must-haves…had to link it. enjoy.

this is how you host a summer dinner party without breaking the bank…if you love to entertain.

best skin and makeup tips for your wedding makeup…if you’re about to tie the knot or just need some good make-up tips.

12 wedding dos and don’ts…because it’s very much wedding season.

5 financial mistakes to avoid when moving in with your significant other…good to know.

Pottery Barn’s fall line is the antidote to the summer heat…and i’m so into it.

3 perfect Austin itineraries for design lovers…loving this town more and more.

this west Texas design hotel is the ultimate escape…so really, can I just go to Texas already?

dear Bobbi Brown…what foods should I avoid for better skin?

could eating cold foods sabotage your health…I don’t buy into stuff like this, BUT I love hot food. so cool.

16 fall pieces under $150 from the Nordstrom anniversary sale…snatch these up fast.

7 things to do with your money before you turn 30…time to start that retirement fund.

10 hauntingly beautiful abandoned palaces from around the world…I find this oddly fascinating.

yet another reason to put down your phone and reclaim this…something I’m trying to do more of.

an uptown maisonette Is reborn with unexpected panache…I could definitely live here.

this trick makes tomatoes even more tomato-y…salt people. salt.

designer Jean-Louis Deniot reveals his historic Los Angeles abode…I love the details of this home.

an insider’s tour of St. Petersburg…would love to visit. Especially during autumn.

the most versatile summer salad…this sounds so good!

inside Jennifer Lopez’s over-the-top 50th birthday party…ahhhh. wow.

8. Favorite Cozy Summer Loungewear… 

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: better than takeout sweet thai basil chicken

Tuesday: asada mushroom tacos with lime smashed avocado

Wednesday: 20 minute ramen carbonara

Thursday: chicken broccoli cheddar quinoa casserole

Friday: one pan zucchini and 3 cheese lasagna

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.