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Nine Favorite Things – this weeks birthday girl!
Now that we’re well into January, how is everyone feeling about the new year? Thus far mine has been pretty busy, which I’ll never ever complain about. But at the same time, I’m dying to get out and travel again. There are no trips locked in just yet, but I know some fun things will pop up soon.
I’m using this time at home this month to buckle down and work on a few projects we have happening this year, which I’m so excited about. This is the first year we have a real team in place. It feels amazing to be in the position we’re in today. It’s also fun to see the growth. I’m so incredibly thankful for our small team. I also want to give a shout-out to Asher for a minute too.
She’s been so helpful the last few months. You give her a task, and, just like my mom, she just gets it done. She’s been helping with everything from packing up and shipping out cookbooks, returns and exchanges, cleaning, organizing, orderings things, you name it. I’m so grateful for her, she’s the sweetest. We need to make Asher’s hot chocolate together tonight, she’s certainly earned it!
Other than that, its been pretty much business as usual over here. We still have some family in town through the end of the month. We’ve got a small trip planned to Aspen for X-Games the 26th – 29th. I’d like to stay at the Hotel Jerome. I peeked in there the last time I was in town and it was really beautiful. Sadly I think all the rooms are sold out. So possibly another trip. Maybe Asher and I can do a girl’s overnight stay. That would be a fun surprise for her!
Also, there are talks about a winter vacation somewhere tropical, so that’s currently on everyone’s minds. Any ideas? I think you all know that my vote is for Turks and Caicos. The Amanyara Resort looks amazing!
Moving along, I’m loving this year’s January recipes. The banana bread I shared the other week has been on repeat. I’ve made it so many times! Also loving the sheet pan curry chicken, cauliflower tzatziki bowls, and baked crunchy hot honey chicken (my favorite of them all – we love this one so much). Do you have a favorite?
Tip for the week? I’ve been comforting myself nightly with candles lit all around me. Coming home and lighting a candle every night is just the coziest, happiest task for me. If your anxiety is high and you’re feeling stressed, light your favorite candle tonight. If you need a new one, I’ll share some of my favorites next week (both affordable and my fav splurges too), i have to gather them all together. Promise the act of burning a candle will do wonders for your mental health!
It’s always the smallest things that can make the most difference. Happy Sunday!
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
wanting…a new pair of everyday lounge pants. I’m loving the pairs that Alo has. The straight leg sweatpant is my top pick. I have the black, cinnamon, and toffee in my shopping cart. The matching hoodie is super cute too.
more Alo picks
everything in my cart (low)…From Zara, I am really into these cargo-style pant, super cute. Also, these high rise straight leg jeans and wide leg jeans are both must-haves and super-affordable denim options. Also love these extra cozy knit pants and soft sweatshirt. And on the fancier side, a pretty sequin skirt, full-length pants, plus this sateen top (very cute).
listening to…Anna Kendrick on Armchair Expert. Really enjoyed this fun, but also serious conversation. It surprised me.
Also, I haven’t started this yet, but I’m curious about EXPANDED by To Be Magnetic. It’s a manifestation-focused podcast, which sounds funny, I know, but I’m giving it a try! Have you ever listened? Any podcast you listen to that you’re loving?
listening to…Khloe Kardashian on The Importance of Putting Yourself First and Making Kindness The New Norm on the Jay Shetty podcast. I’m currently in the middle of this one. It’s good!
watching…Wednesday. Asher, Kai, and Cait watched it and said it was good.
ordering…Summer Friday’s new Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum. I just ordered this now actually and I’m looking forward to testing it out. Like many of us, I love Summer Friday’s product.
dreaming of going to…Tokyo! I came across a list of some of the best Tokyo hotels and I now want to plan my trip! Have you been? I’m thinking of the HOSHINOYA Tokyo.
reading…How Florence Pugh Became Hollywood’s Most Grounded Superstar. Up until now, I was not familiar with Florence, but I thought this video was cute. She seems really cool! I also watched this cute video, Florence Pugh Shares the Recipe for Her Very Best ‘Garlicky Crostini’.
loving…everything Dyson. Especially my Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Autoreact and Dyson V8 both of which are on sale. Also, I’m finally getting the Dyson Airwrap.
everything in my cart beauty…my hands have been horribly dry this winter. Cracked, cut up, and honestly they just hurt. I ordered this Chanel LE LIFT La Crème Main and will be curious to see if it’s worth the price tag. Also, trying cuticle oil to see if that helps at all.
Also…the new glow glides highlighter from Charlotte Tilbury is SO pretty. I think I have to try it.
ordered…Premium Matt Second Skin 15 Denier Tights. I’m very into tights right now. Love this simple, affordable tight (they’re on sale for $9).
everything in my cart (high)…Love this pretty CORDOVA hooded quilted down ski jacket. It would be cute paired with this very, very pretty Jacquemus cropped knitted cardigan. Also, I adore the ravy suede shearling booties from The Row. So cozy and cute.
watching…23 Shows You’ll Be Glad You Stayed In For. What of these are you watching and loving? I still have not started season 3 of Emily in Paris, but now also want to watch Outer Banks, plus the Sex and the City spinoff – And Just Like That.
cooking…Uncle Joe’s Stuffed Peppers. Creighton’s favorite recipe from the HBH Every Day cookbook. I made these on Friday night and they were a real hit. Creighton LOVED them and so did the rest of the family.
listening to…Miley Cyrus Flowers on repeat.
2. Easy, cozy winter recipes.
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice
Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Homemade Cheesy Gordita Crunch Tacos
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Pesto Pasta
3. cozy winter mugs.
4. Favorite questions of the week.
q: favorite knife brand?
a: Miyabi knives are my favorite. I have four of the very same chef’s knives because I love them so much. This set is awesome and on sale today too.
q: do you have a skin condition? I noticed marks on your arms?
a: No these are just oven burns. I need to be more careful. I used not care much, but I’m making more of an effort since they obviously scar 😩
q: do you have an exercise routine to stay in shape? Especially with all the food?
a: When I’m home, I hike every morning. When I travel I make it a priority to get out in the morning as well. I do it because it helps so much with my anxiety and when I don’t, I’m overly anxious. Getting outside is my best tip for managing anxiety
q: how did you get started? What was your inspiration?
a: I started cooking for my family in 6th or 7th grade and just never stopped. I never thought I’d be doing what I’m doing now, but I’m so happy it worked out this way. I’ve always loved fashion and thought I’d become a stylist, but I switched gears a bit after a stint in LA. My only hope now is to start to share more of what I love with you all. Not just the food, but design and fashion as well. I’m excited about what’s to come this year because I’m working on combining more of my passions!
q: tips for staying warm in the cold? Trying to get outside, but brr.
a: Layers!!! I always layer a long sleeve under everything. Then you can continue to layer from there. I’m obsessed with this cashmere hoodie from Alo. It’s great to layer. To stay really warm, put a windbreaker over your down coat to block the wind. I do this at home and I’m never cold hiking in the snow.
q: best/worse part about social media?
a: Best – all the connections you make and the kind, strong community you can build
Worst – negativity, criticism, and internet trolls
q: what made you fall in love with cooking?
a: The people I get to cook for. I love to cook because I love to cook for others. I love seeing how happy a dish can make someone. It brings me so much pleasure to so easily be able to please friends and family with food. It’s their reactions to each dish that makes my day. I love knowing that someone LOVED a dish I made just for them.
q: favorite holiday tradition?
a: Being able to spoil my mom with gifts. Gift-giving is my absolute favorite thing to do. I hate receiving gifts, BUT I love giving them. I love finding personal and special gifts that people might not buy for themselves but will be so excited to receive. My Mom and I made it a tradition to open her gifts together after Christmas morning, just the 2 of us. It’s my favorite and this year we added in Asher.
And then of course my family. Christmas Eve is my favorite!!!
5. Mom’s birthday.
This past week was my sweet mom’s birthday!! Mom’s birthday is funny because it falls so soon after Christmas, so spoiling her with gifts can feel repetitive to the holidays, but this year was different.
My mom was actually sick on Christmas so I ended up saving most of her gifts for her birthday. I know it sounds lame, which it totally is, but it honestly ended up working out so perfectly. After her b-day dinner Wednesday night, we spent the night together (with Asher of course), opening gifts. Just mom, Asher, and me. It’s SO rare that Asher and I get mom all to ourselves, so the time felt incredibly special. I couldn’t think of a better way to be able to celebrate her!
And I’m very pleased to say that my mom, Jen, absolutely loved her gifts. Not that that’s the important thing, but it’s a nice added bonus for sure. She’s keeping everything, so I feel like I did a pretty good job this year. I may have gone a little overboard, but if there is one person in this world worth spoiling it’s my mom.
She’s pretty special! And to celebrate her even more, here is one, very rare photo of her!
It’s one of my favorites to date.
6. Inspiring me.
Mona Vand
I recently met Mona in New York a few months ago. I’ve followed her online for many years. But meeting her and getting the opportunity to really get to know her has been so inspiring. I loved her recent podcast episode with The Skinny Confidential, you’ll learn a lot about her. She’s very chill and I love her approach to health and wellness. If you’re looking to find someone who feels relatable in the space. Her YouTube is full of amazing video content too, so she has a lot to offer for you to explore!
Oh, and even some yummy food ideas as well. She’s Persian and has really good family recipes to share, plus these cookies sound delish.
quote of the week
7. Favorite links i’m loving.
14 Best Coffee Makers of 2023 to Get You Through the Day
Tour a Famous Socialite’s Former Palm Beach Estate…very palm beach.
Inside the Beautifully Revived Mallorca Home…wow. Beautiful.
53 Best Valentine’s Gifts for Her (2023)…fun finds.
Miley Cyrus Has a Mic Drop Moment in Vintage Yves Saint Laurent
The Model-Approved Ways to Master Effortless Winter Dressing…love these looks.
Interior Design Trends to Know in 2022…and what’s on its way out.
What Do Vogue Editors Actually Wear to Work…a Look at their mood boards.
How to Mix-And-Match Seat Pairings (4 Tips)…I love to do this.
This Extreme Method for Stress Management is Becoming Mainstream–The Wim Hof Method, Explained
Everything You Need To Know To Make a Vision Board That Actually Works
A Montecito Ranch House Home Tour with an “Open Kitchen”
Why You Should Be Dry Brushing (and How to Do It)
8. Affordable finds.
coziest winter sweaters
base layers
9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.
Monday: Cauliflower Tzatziki Bowls with Sweet Potato FriesA
Tuesday: Crispy Sesame Ginger Chicken Tacos
Wednesday: BBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Jalapeño Sauce
Thursday: Sheet Pan Curry Butter Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Tahini
Friday: Artichoke Pesto and Burrata Pizza with Lemony Arugula
Saturday: Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls
Hi!
I am new to HBH, and loving it!
You sound like such a loving daughter and the relationship you have with your mom is so incredibly special, and inspiring. You both have some beautiful memories from wonderful traditions that will always be in your hearts, that’s awesome.
I look forward to trying out some of these delicious looking recipes, and must say all the pictures here look so beautiful, my stomach is growling just looking at the plates of food.
One last thing, I don’t know what the critics are saying, but I knocked out season 3 of Emily in Paris last weekend in one night, I really enjoyed it!
-A new happy follower
Hey Michele,
Thanks for reading and being here! Awe, thanks for your message, I really am so luckily to be so close with my mom! Let me know which recipes you try, I hope you love them!! Definitely have Emily in Paris on the list, I need to watch it! xx
Great post and Happy Birthday to your adorable mom! Glad to hear she’s feeling better after being under the weather during Christmas.
Ooooohhhh, I feel your pain regarding the oven burns. I’m a very prolific and enthusiastic home cook, but also a rather clumsy one. 😀 I am forever hitting the burning hot elements on the top interior of the oven when I reach in to take things out, or turn food. If I’m in a hurry or have a lot going on in the kitchen, I burn the heck out of my knuckles and forearms. I’m way too clumsy to use regular pot holders, so I have to use the longest oven mitts I can find now. I finally had to get diligent about wearing them all the time, due to so many painful injuries. There were times when I’d have multiple burns in various stages of healing, and it was a straight-up mess. You think I’d learn, but nah, haha! So now it’s the “Mitts of Shame” for me. 😀
Thanks for all the great inspiration – that hot honey chicken is calling my name!
Hey Aline,
Happy Monday and thanks for your bday wishes to my mom!! Sorry to hear about your burns, but glad to hear I’m not the only one who can be clumsy in the kitchen! Lol love the “Mitts of Shame”, too funny! Thanks for following along:) xT
I could not find the link for your favorite candles
Hey Marian,
I didn’t share those today, I can do a round up for next week:) Happy Monday! xx
The crispy chicken with hot honey was a big hit! Will be making that again .
I also bake your blueberry lemon thyme loaf all thru the year, everyone loves it.
Thank you.
I need some ideas for Valentine’s day, something fun😊
Hey Nancy,
Happy Monday! Thanks so much for trying the crispy chicken, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Same with the blueberry lemon loaf, that’s a good one!! Stay tuned for Valentine’s Day:) xx
Love reading your weekly blog and learning about your Family as well. I have tried many of your recipes and honestly, everyone in the family loves them. The list is too long but one day I may send you a list of all that I have tried. Keep it coming 🙂
Hey Marlie,
Thanks so much for reading and your kind message! We love to hear that you have been enjoying the recipes and appreciate you being here! xT
Great post, thx! i made the hot honey crunchy chicken for my family last week, they loved it! i don’t eat meat so i did the same recipe with tofu for me and it came out great!
Hey Leslie,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading! Love to hear that your family enjoyed the hot honey chicken, thanks for giving it a try! xT
I Love my Sunday morning ritual of Nine Favorite Things. Coffee and quiet time on Sunday morning with HBH! I love getting lost in all the fun links to clothes, products, food and articles. I’m going to give cold water therapy a try! Have a great week! ❤️
Hey Jessica,
Thanks so much for reading each Sunday, I love to hear you enjoy all of the links, products, and articles:) Have a great Sunday! xx
You might want to try Kelo-cote on your burn scars. My dermatologist recommended for my scars and it worked great…OTC too! Love your Sunday morning blog and your recipes.
Take Care,
Jody
Ahhh thanks so much for sharing Jody! Really appreciate this and will have to check it out:) Have a great Sunday! xx
I would love to see a good gift guide for teen girls. Perhaps co-curated by Asher? This year for the holidays I got my teen nieces gift cards to Alo apparel but would love to be more creative next time around. Thanks!
Hey Andrea,
Thanks for reading!! Sorry if you missed it, but we put out a large gift guide each year, a lot of which Asher helps to pick:)
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/2022-holiday-gift-guide/
I hope this helps! We will have another next year too:) xT
Is Asher your sister?
Hi Gail,
Yes, Asher is my sister:) xx
I have dry hands in the winter too! I discovered a new cream this year which I think is really helping. It’s from a brand called Adami and has macadamia nut oils in it. It’s called Adami restorative hand cream or something….just thought I’d suggest it if the Chanel brand doesn’t end up working. I can have zero fragrance or essential oils in the creams I wear in the winter because they are too drying.
Depending on the hand soap brand you use, that also can impact the dryness of your hands. Mrs Meyers I think has olive oil in their soaps, my hands are noticeably better when I use that kind.
Good luck!
Hey Heather,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading!! Ohh I’ve never heard of Adami, but it sounds lovely! Yes, you are so right about the hand soaps, a combo of that and this super dry weather will do it! Thanks again! xT
I’m sorry, but $200 for a sweater is NOT what most of us consider affordable.
Agree, most of the items and even the ingredients in some of the recipes she makes are out of my budget, but I enjoy looking anyway just for fun.
So unbelievably rude both
I am so sorry if I caused offense with my comment. I did not mean to be rude. I still love HBH and come by for inspiration, whether or not I can afford the items posted.
How is this rude? I’m expressing my opinion. I consider myself solidly middle class but something that costs $200 is a huge splurge for me, not an affordable basic. An affordable basic for me is the $25 sweater I got at Uniqlo yesterday. What is “affordable” for Tiegan is generally not what I would consider to be affordable. I hope that she would consider promoting things that are *truly* affordable for those of us who are in a different income bracket than her.
LOVE HBH! Regarding hurting hands… O’Keefe’s Working Hands cream and lotions have been the ultimate savior in our house. Inexpensive and has been the most effective in healing cracked skin virtually overnight. XXOO!
Hey Laura,
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your suggestion for the O’Keefe’s Working Hands!! Good to know if works well for your family!! Happy Sunday! xT
Aww…Happy Birthday, Momma Gerard! 🥳 Every time I see a snap of your mom, I see a future version of you! You, your mom, and Miss Asher look so much alike, and I love that you’re all so close. Here’s to a wonderful year ahead for another awesome Jen. 😉
Also, I don’t know if you’ve stayed in an Aman resort before, but you’re in for a treat. And knowing how much you love warm, sunny climes, I would like to recommend you visit Southeast Asia and the Maldives. It is a VERY long journey, but it’s like nowhere I’ve ever been. The beaches and culture are amazing, and the food from local cooks and vendors is off the charts delicious! So maybe not a whole family trip due to time and cost, but maybe a Girls’ Trip with your mom and sis one day! Have a wonderful, peaceful week. (Love the nightly candle idea — will be trying that starting tonight!)
There is a product called Gloves in a Bottle that many medical professionals use. It’s a long lasting barrier that’s helpful to use in the morning. You can use lotion also, but it’s protective, especially when your hands are exposed to lots of water. That may help you : )
I love gloves in a bottle. Ohio weather is not as cold as some states, but my hands crack and bleed ( I think from such frequent hand washing and cold weather). This is the only product I have found that works.
Thanks so much for sharing Karen!
Thanks so much for the suggestion Jamie, I’ve heard of that one before just haven’t tried it!! xx
Hey Jen,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading and your birthday wishes for my mom, she reads all of these messages so I know she will appreciate it:) I’ve never stayed at an Aman resort before, but you just made me that much more excited! Thanks for sharing! xT
Great post but is it possible you forgot to share the candles? Love HBH
She indicated she would share them next week….
Hey Sybill,
Thanks for reading! I’ll share a round up of candles next week:) xx