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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
Asher and I after the first day of shooting with Anthropologie
Happy Sunday everyone! I am finally home, and actually HOME for a good minute, before I have to head to the airport again. The homebody inside of me is so happy about this. It’s mid-November, things are really getting cold, Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and I am 100% ready to hunker down and just be home for the holidays. Nothing sounds better.
Of course, I am still so excited for one last trip to NYC in early December (a bit more info on this trip below) before Christmas. It’s crazy, because I’m not sure that even two years ago I could have imagined myself doing all that I’ve done in the last month. But I say this wholeheartedly, it’s really been amazing. Sure, the travel aspect of it all really stresses me out, but I’ve loved getting to talk with so many of you face to face. I’ve loved getting to appear on some of my favorite shows (hello to GMA…doesn’t get much better than that). and I’m just SO HAPPY with the response to HBH Super Simple. I know I said this last week, but thank you all again for your kindness and support, I truly feel so loved!!
I am excited to get back into the kitchen this week. To be working on holiday content (my favorite), and continuing to make recipes with you all through Instagram stories. Basically I’m just happy to be back to a bit more normalcy. Travel is fun and exciting, but for me, nothing beats being cozy at home!
Question: what recipe do you want to see next on IG stories? Maybe something from HBH Super Simple?
In other news, before I headed to Chicago I spent Sunday through Tuesday shooting with Anthropologie (if you follow on Instagram you got a sneak peek). I can’t wait to share more of that shoot soon! It was so much fun. We wrapped up shooting on Tuesday night, then it was off to Chicago on Wednesday, and back home Friday night.
While I was in Chicago, my family flew back to Cleveland. They watched the Browns beat the Steelers while standing on the sidelines. Red and Creighton launched t-shirts into the Dawg Pound at halftime (the highlight of the year for my oldest brother, Creighton). They spent the rest of the weekend with family and on Saturday attended the Cleveland premiere of my brother’s, Kai and Red, snowboard movie, Joy. Meanwhile, I headed home to get a little rest.
Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be kicking the week off with an easy appetizer…that I’m a little nervous to share, but also hope you all love. Then we’ll be moving on to a sweet treat for your Thanksgiving tables, then on to a delicious baked vegetarian main course, a simple creamy soup, and lastly, we’ll be ending the week with a warming mug of something so GOOD. On Saturday I’ve got a new cocktail that’s great for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).
Hope you enjoy this week’s Nine Favorite Things!
Asher stealing the show at our Anthropologie shoot this week
1. My HBH Super Simple Chicago trip.
I spent the end of this week in (CHILLY) Chicago and had the most amazing quick trip. First things first, everyone in Chicago is so kind. I’m not sure if that is just a midwestern thing or what, but all the people I came across throughout the city where overly kind and it was so welcoming.
During my two night stay in the windy city, I stayed at the Waldorf Astoria. This is without a doubt one of the nicest hotels I’ve had the pleasure of staying in. They made my quick stay feel more like a home away from home. I was lucky enough to arrive on the very same night that the hotel was hosting its annual tree lighting ceremony benefitting Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. As someone who LOVES Christmas, this couldn’t have been a better welcome. It was such a magical, gorgeous, and classically lighted Christmas tree. I loved every minute of it, and I’m so happy I was able to be there for this ceremony. I loved that it benefits such an incredible cause as well!
The hotel is currently decked out in holiday decor and so festive. There’s a stunning tree in the lobby, sitting next to the cutest little pastry shop, Petit Margeaux. Aside from the wonderful hotel, my room was also incredibly nice. It came complete with a fireplace…and well, it was probably the highlight of my trip. Chicago was bone-chilling COLD. Temperatures were in the teens, it was damp, and it was windy. Midwest winters are brutal, and the fireplace in my room was the nicest thing to come back to after my all-day event at Eataly, Chicago. If you’re looking for a good home away from home while visiting Chicago, I can’t recommend the Waldorf Astoria enough. I had a lovely stay with them and their staff was all so helpful and kind.
Moving onto my event with Eataly Chicago. I spent the entire day in this incredible marketplace and fell in love with everything from their multiple restaurants to their meat and cheese counter, to all their dried pastas, sauces, and breads. This Eataly blew me away. I feel honored to have been able to host not one, but two, cooking classes here.
During the two-hour-long classes, I walked everyone through a few recipes. We made my ricotta toast with honey-roasted grapes, lemon basil pasta with roasted brussels sprouts, and 10-minute chocolate mousse…all recipes from the new HBH Super Simple. I answered questions throughout the class and then signed everyone’s books at the end while taking photos and chatting too! It was so much fun and loved meeting SO MANY of you. Thank you to all who spent part of their day with me!
In between the classes, we did a quick book signing and then by the time 8 pm rolled around I hadn’t even realized that I have been there since 11 am. The day flew by and all went so well! Once the class was over, I quickly headed back to the Waldorf…because that fireplace was calling my name. I spent the night finishing up on work, then flew home Friday morning.
Short and sweet trip! I can’t wait to come back to Chicago!
2. Thanksgiving tablescape inspiration…
I love putting together my holiday tablescapes, here is what’s inspiring this year’s Thanksgiving table.
3. Holiday Decorations I am eyeing Pottery Barn…
…especially those cozy Christmas sheets.
4. favorite questions of the week.
q: What do all your brothers do (besides same your awesome cooking)?
a: below!
Creighton: works in a law office…he does a lot researching for different cases
Trevor: a snowboard mag (not exactly sure)
Brendan: works Shoppe Amber Interiors
Malachi: videographer (he also does all of our video content for HBH)
Red: professional snowboarder
Asher: she’s 11…
q: Favorite holiday tradition?
a: Christmas movies with my mom and little sister, decorating the tree, baking Christmas cookies, cooking for my brothers, mixing cocktails, Christmas Eve with the family…basically all of it ?
q: How many recipes do you create/photograph in one day?
a: Depends. Anywhere from 0 (bad day) to 3 (great day). Right now with the sunlight setting so early, I usually can’t do any more than two recipes.
q: Go to Starbucks order?
a: Black coffee all way…it’s what my dad ingrained into me. That said I’ve never tried any of their holiday drinks. Do I need to? Also, I’m pretty excited about my next coffee run because I NEED to see the holiday cups ❄️?
q: What would you say was the most impactful move you made to propel your business forward?
a: Connecting with you guys/listening to your needs and wants, consistency, originality, and dedication.
q: What’s your biggest fear?
a: Losing a loved one 🙁
5. Nine Favorite Things – HBH newest videos.
Herby Buttered Mushroom Stroganoff…twist on a classic and SO GOOD.
French Onion Gnocchi Soup…it’s kind of hard to not love this soup.
6. Lululemon Live Q&A in NYC.
As mentioned above, I am heading back to NYC in December for a full week of press, events, and meetings. I’m excited for this trip as we have some really fun things planned that I can’t wait to announce soon. In the meantime, I wanted to share an event that I’ll be hosting with Lululemon at their Soho store. We are doing a live Q&A, where I can answer questions, talk about HBH Super Simple, Instagram, the blog, whatever you would like to know! We’ll also be serving recipes from HBH Super Simple, along with wine and other goodies too. It’s going to be a fun night and I hope to get to see many of you there soon!
I will say that the last event sold out very QUICKLY, so sharing this here first, and next on Instagram…
Grab your tickets here.
7. a few links i am loving…
Thanksgiving question: what’s your glark…for us, it’s probably mom’s pecan and chocolate chip cookie pie. what about your family?
the best sites for stylish wrapping paper...i’ve already ordered a few of these.
how to find the best black Friday deals…good to know.
these are the prettiest pantries on Pinterest…because I love a good pantry.
clean beauty skeptics…try these 3 brands. I love RMS Beauty.
how to be guest-ready for the holidays…with an interior design pro.
all the red carpet looks from the CMA awards…who was your favorite?
this pantry staple will make your tomato sauce even better…love this tip. love this ingredient.
what a healthy plate looks like in 6 different countries…interesting.
holiday gifts for him…for the men in your life.
this serene SoHo loft Is the ultimate oasis…never would have guessed this was in the middle of the city.
7 autumnal acorn squash recipes…perfect for Thanksgiving.
the art of doing absolutely nothing…sometimes doing nothing is OK.
burrata toast with caramelized walnuts and mint pomegranate pesto…well this sounds amazing.
how to help a child after a bad day…a good read.
what booze is worth buying at Costco…holidays are coming, read up.
the world’s largest Starbucks opens with more than 1,000 fans in line…I was just here, but never would have waited.
8. Affordable Cozy Sweaters with pearl detailing…
9. this week’s dinners…
Monday: one pan broccoli cheese wild rice casserole
Tuesday: Korean beef with yum yum sauce (recipe in HBH Super Simple)
Wednesday: roasted mushroom kale pizza
Thursday: ginger sesame chicken potstickers with sweet chili pomegranate sauce
Friday: one pot spicy pesto cheese baked rigatoni
PS. check out my 2019 Thanksgiving Menu and Guide!
Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.
If you enjoy this Nine Favorite Things, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
