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Nine Favorite Things – happy on set in Chicago
I can’t tell you all how happy and excited I feel right now. I know I’ve been saying this for months, but we have so many exciting (new) projects and launches in the works. They’re slowly starting to come to fruition and it’s so exciting!
I spent most of the week in Chicago on a shoot for something we’re launching this September. All I can say is that this is something we’ve never done before, something completely new and different. It’s going to be so good. The excitement I feel after leaving such a wonderful shoot has given me new life, and new hope. It just feels so good. A little life tip for you all? Surround yourself with only the best people and it’s crazy the things you can create. I am so, so, so thankful to finally have the right people around me. It’s such a blessing.
And on top of that, we also had a call this week for something that will come in about a year’s time. We’re working so hard on it right now, but it’s fun to see my visions come to life.
And after traveling this past week, I’m back at it again, for a couple work related things. And yes, one of them is another launch that will come in late fall. So you see? All good things and I just can’t express how thankful I am for you all. You show up for me regularly, follow along, have bought the books, and spend time on the website. I do what I do with you all in mind, thank you for letting me share my world with you! You all really do feel so much like family, it’s wonderful.
Ok, I’ll stop gushing now! Onto more life updates. As mentioned I’m heading out today actually for about a week and it’s going to be the best 2-stop trip. I’ll get some work and some family time in. It’s going to be so nice.
Speaking of my family, they’ve also been busy traveling. They spent two days in Aspen at The Limelight Hotel in Snowmass. They love staying there because you’re up in the mountains with great hiking, yet still close to town. According to Creighton, they have a great breakfast that’s included with your stay. We love that. It’s a great spot in Aspen if you are looking to go.
I think that’s it for life updates! Lots of rambling and reflecting today, but I hope it leaves a few of you with the motivation to embrace change and go for what you want this week!
Here’s another round of favorites!
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
loving…Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Yogurt. If you’re dairy-free, this is a great yogurt. I like the plain, but my cousin loves the strawberry.
wanting…everything Gorjana jewelry. They have the best dainty pieces. This is such a cute diamond palm necklace. Their Catalina Huggies and link bracelet are also cute.
everything in my cart (low)…I’m loving linen for summer. And these Zoey linen shorts and Olina linen pants from Reformation are great. These linen palazzo pants from Zara are cute too.
And for basics, try this knit tank from Reformation or a ribbed tank top from H&M.
And how cute is this ruffled off the shoulder silk dress and this Layla skirt from Reformation?
And for a cute bag, this Coach polished pebble leather crossbody bag is a part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
And last, these pretty resin metal earrings from Zara.
listening to…Tay & Tay Lautner: Taylor’s Version. To every single Taylor Swift fan out there, this episode is for you. Taylor Lautner talks details on his past with Taylor Swift, her song, I Can See You (Taylor’s Version), and the Eras Tour.
dreaming of going…Todos Santos Retreats. Located in Todos Santos, Mexico. Wow, this property looks stunning. It would fit my family perfectly. Looking for something smaller, The Hilton Los Cobos looks nice too.
loving…Yuka. This app allows you to scan barcodes, then analyze the health impact of food products and cosmetics.
shopping…Nnickey Kehoenew arrivals. New to me website. Such cute finds for the home and kitchen. Eying this ribbed glass pitcher.
everything in my cart (beauty)…The Chanel rouge coco tinted lip balm is so pretty. I would love to try their limited edition multi-effect quadra eyeshadow, and their powder blush too. They have the prettiest colors. Hourglass’s ambient lighting palette, is an old favorite too, adding it to my cart now, it’s so pretty. Ok ok, and I’m loving the shades of the Dior backstage glow face palette, wow.
For brows, the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz brow pencil has been a long-time favorite of mine – just reordered. Also picked up the Charlotte Tilbury brow fix clear eyebrow gel. And my cousin Abby recommend the Benefit Cosmetics brow pencil, she said she’s been loving it!
Loving YSE beauty body oil liquid glow, spf 30 primer skin glow, and highlighter stick vacation glow for absolutely stunning (and glowing) summer skin.
watching…SUITS. Have you seen this? My cousin said I have to watch it.
listening to…
dreaming of going…Il San Pietro, Positano. Someday SOON I will make it here. How beautiful is this place? Have you been?
everything in my cart (high)…Loving this cable knit cotton cricket sweater from Ralph Lauren. If you love the preppy vibe, this is for you.
And a cute bag for you, the Dior small toujours bag.
following…Jenna Cooper. She calls herself the secret agent for super special houses. And you all, some of the places she shares on her IG account are stunning. Makes me think I need to live in LA (I don’t, but the homes are pretty). Also, love shopping her website, +COOP LA.
reading…16 Books That Will Transport You to Your Dream Lake Vacation.
listening to…Giggly Squad. My cousin, Abby recommend this podcast. I’m excited to do a deep dive through past episodes. This is good if you need a fun podcast, something light-hearted.
2. Big Summer Salads – 5 favorites.
Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad
Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad
The Best Simple Vegan Potato Salad
Melon Basil Burrata Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
3. New for the mid-summer kitchen.
4. Favorite questions of the week.
q: when did your parents start dating?
a: High school, they’ve been together since my mom’s freshman year and my dad’s senior year.
q: why did your mom stop answering the question, about how to create a strong family unit?
a: She stopped because she didn’t want to get backlash for her answer (the internet is harsh). But we spend time together as a family very often, and we did that growing up too. It was always the family together, we didn’t split up much. I think it created a really strong unit. We all really love to be around one other and my parents always made it fun for us to do so. It was never a “dreadful” experience.
q: what did you watch growing up?
a: Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, and 7th Heaven. Oh, I watched Baywatch too.
q: what do you do for probiotics?
a: I take Cymbiotika probiotic every day. Also, fermented food is a great source.
q: top kitchen essentials?
a: a cast iron skillet, knife set, cutting board, blender and/or food processor, stand mixer (if you love to bake). And a cookie scoop, I use mine for everything! Other items, sheet pans, baking dishes, and good towels (looking for new ones if you have recommendations)!
q: where do you want to travel?
a: Morocco, South of France, Paris, and Greece.
q:
a: No, I’ve actually never been 🤷🏻♀️
q: favorite LA hotels?
a: The MayBourne Beverly Hills, West Hollywood Edition, 1 Hotel West Hollywood. And then I just stayed at the Waldorf Beverly Hills and really enjoyed my stay. Oh, and the Santa Monica Proper Hotel is really nice too.
q: do you have a recipe you can’t make?
a: Not a recipe, but I can’t get soft/hard-boiled eggs right.
q: are you going to the Taylor Swift concert?
a: I wish, but I don’t have any plans to go – or tickets, sooo if you have an extra ticket 🤔
q: do you have a favorite vacuum?
a: Any of the Dyson cordless vacuums are pretty incredible. I have the smaller one for my house and it’s the perfect size (and the larger one at the studio). I pull it out almost daily for quick sweeps but it also cleans the biggest of messes too. I highly recommend the Dyson, but research which of the Dyson vacuums is the best fit for you.
q: what are your favorite New York hotels?
a:
Downtown – Fouquets New York or The Greenwich Hotel.
Central Park – Park Hyatt New York
Soho – Soho Grand Hotel, The Bowery Hotel
Other hotels that I know people love, but I personally haven’t stayed at are, The Ned Nomad and Crosby Street Hotel. Also, Mercer Hotel.
5. Chicago in 72 hours (in photos).
As mentioned above, I really had such a wonderful trip to Chicago. We had the very best team in place on this shoot, including Kristen. I’ve now known Kristen for over five years. She shot the lifestyle photos for both Super Simple and Every Day. She shot our Etsy collab and numerous other projects as well. I felt lucky to get to spend a couple of days with her creating something amazing.
And aside from Kristen, shout out to hair and makeup, Cat and Dina. And then the entire team from Chicago. Every single person on set was so nice to work with.
Again, I can’t wait to share more soon! Ok, ok, below are some photos. Chicago is such a fun city!
6. Jamaica.
My family stayed at The Cliff Hotel in Negril. An affordable boutique hotel located on the west end of the island. They said the hotel has all you need. Beautiful sunsets, delicious food, and the kindest staff they’ve ever encountered. You could easily stay there and never leave. But of course, my family doesn’t know how to relax and they did hit up a few tourist spots.
My cousin’s friend referred them to Irie Mon Links Tours for airport transfers and tours and they couldn’t have been more pleased. Sanjay, the owner, was so friendly, trustworthy, honest, and professional, they were sad to say goodbye to him at the end of their stay. They never felt unsafe in Jamaica, in fact just the opposite, the people were so friendly! 🇯🇲
7. Favorite links i’m loving.
6 Celebrity Vacation Destinations Worthy of a Spot on Your List…booking flights.
These Secretly Damaging Habits Are Causing Your Dry Summer Hair…good to know.
The Best Kitchen Rug…cute finds.
The Lakefront Seattle Escape of Celebrity Hairstylist Jen Atkin…very pretty spot.
This Content Creator Bought A Flipped Home That Turned Out To Be A Trainwreck…Does She Regret It?
Walk-In Pantry Organization Ideas Are Hiding in Plain Sight…these are a dream.
A Trainer Swears By These 9 Low-Impact Exercises…love these ideas.
8. Abercrombie Best Dressed Guest + an Extra 20% Off.
get 15% off almost everything at Abercrombie + an additional 20% off with the code AF20.
the AF best dressed guest collection (use cade AF20)
such cute, affordable AF pieces (use cade AF20)
still in stock – the Nordstrom sale
Cute and affordable from H&M.
9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.
Monday: Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken and Zucchini Orzo
Tuesday: Summer Chopped Tomato Peach Salad
Wednesday: Almost Instant Red Curry Beef and Garlic Noodles
Thursday: Crispy Chipotle BBQ Chicken Tacos with Creamy Charred Corn Salsa
Friday: Creamy Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
Saturday: Summer Bellinis 3 Ways
Can i just say that your mom looks GOOOOD for having so many kids! Dang; i have zero kids and dont have a flat belly like that ! more power to her!
Lol thanks Beth:) She does look great! She loves her hiking and taking care of her body! xx
Looking forward to seeing what your new things are! Xx
Thanks so much Kelly-Jane!!
Hi Tieghan, The Yuka app sounds great. I just put in my shopping arsenal. Thanks!!! Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Happy to share:) Have a great week! xT
Hi Tieghan,
I am 68 and have been a big fan for many years, I think from beginning of blog. I am concerned about you, you seem to have lost weight and are much too thin. Do not expect you to print this, just worried about you. Could you reply to email, not on blog? This is out of concern, not in any way meant to be critical. I am a great admirer of all you have done snd enjoy the blog every week.
On a recent podcast, you said you’re not into cookbooks. Why write one then? How will you get people to buy something you wouldn’t buy and didn’t want to create?
Why would someone who is an excellent cook need a cookbook?
There seems to be no problem getting people to buy them. All three are bestsellers. One needn’t be “into” something to recognize the demand is there, and produce the product to meet the market demand.
Hey Taylor! I’m not exactly sure what was said, but I think it is very taken out of context.
Yes, I personally do not buy cookbooks. I do this because I don’t want to be influenced by another’s recipes. I want my recipes to really come from me and personal inspiration, not other recipe creators. So this is why I personaly don’t use cookbooks.
Cookbooks are very different and time consuming to create. I LOVE creating them for our amazing community, but they are so much work. So it’s also a very hard process. But I love them and I love that our community really enjoys the cookbooks. That’s all I can hope for!!
Hoping this clears everything right up for you! Please let me know if I can answer any further questions. Thanks!!
On Will Cole’s podcast you said you would like to stop with the cookbooks because they are so much work. If you don’t want to create a book and don’t enjoy the process why burden yourself?
On Dream Bigger podcast you said you had always said you didn’t care to make a cookbook. You said you thought it was stupid to write a cookbook when your recipes are already online. You said you never read cookbooks because you are from the “digital era”.
You made your feelings on cookbooks pretty clear. We get it, cookbook$ are lucrative. What was taken out of context?
Chicago is such a great city for food, did you eat anywhere exciting?
Hey Tina,
It sure is!! Here is my list of places I want to try: Giordano’s Pizza, Ditkas (which I was informed has closed since Covid), Catch 35, Stan’s Doughnuts, Velvet Taco, Luxbar, Somerset, Athena, Kasama, Bavettes, Monteverde. Have you been to any? xx
Oh, thanks for the list, but I was so curious to hear about your eating adventures from this past trip! Did you go to any of these places? Where did you eat when you were just there?
Just fyi to all readers! Half of these “want to try” restaurants are places that locals would never recommend. Velvet taco is a chain, and Chicago had a very vibrant Mexican food scene in the Pilsen neighborhood. Try somewhere local!!!! Also, Ditkas is permanently closed lol. Plenty of other great steakhouses to check out.
I’m sure Tieghan saw a lot of these places as sue walked around the 4 block radius of her hotel. Anyone visiting Chicago should venture outside of Michigan Ave for better dining options.
If you’re looking for real Chicago recs, look for a locals perspective! Or a true foodie!
Katherine, while your grammar and vocabulary are atrocious, your attitude is what’s really deplorable.
Tieghan was kind enough to provide some restaurant suggestions to someone who very clearly was trying to bait her in an extremely intrusive way. It’s highly doubtful “Tina” is at all genuinely interested in where Tieghan ate while in Chicago, as evidenced by her disingenuous and badgering comments.
If you are such an expert on Chicago “local foodie hot spots” why don’t you make some suggestions yourself, instead of criticizing T. for trying to kindly answer someone who wasn’t even remotely sincere in the first place?
She was obviously on a short business trip, and was probably very busy doing what she went there to do. She’s not a tour guide, and is not obligated to entertain people who have no genuine interest in doing anything other than harassing her.
Even if T. ate at the most local and highly prized “niche” spot, and then saved a baby from a burning building and cured cancer on her way home from said “hot spot”, you and your ilk would still pile on to attack her for some perceived shortcoming. Just stop. It makes you look bad, not her. Find something else to do.
You appear to be quite immature and jealous, Katherine. Maybe try to do something with your life that you can be proud – of instead of whatever this crap is.
Some chain restaurants are perfectly good – even great. Kinda snobbish to dismiss a chain just for being a chain, huh? And of course, she is most likely to see restaurants near her hotel. What do you expect? She doesn’t live in Chicago. She also was there with a purpose, for a few days, not to do intense research on all Chicago restaurants and make that report the sole purpose of her life’s work just to appease Tina and her other screen names. The sense of entitlement of her detractors is out of control these days.
The sad irony? She may have recommended a chain to appeal to families and people on a budget. She gets smeared for that. If she had recommended high end or niche places, she’d have been bashed for being “not relatable” and “out of touch”. You people really are insane.
How about being part of the solution instead of part of the problem, then? If you have such superior knowledge of Chicago’s dining scene, then by all means, share your own recommendations, Katherine. Complaining about someone else’s suggestions when they are merely trying to be helpful, is useless – not to mention rude.
These replies are so sad and vicious! Asking a a FOOD blogger about which restaurants they visited doesn’t seem intrusive? It’s kind of part of her job? People who have made food their careers tend to have great recs, I’m confused how this is supposed to be a “gotcha” moment? People still eat on work trips as far as I know. I’m sure T was starving after a long day of shooting! Tina probably was just curious to know if T made it to any great places on her short trip. This is also a part of lifestyle influencing which Tieghan is interested in!
Maybe T genuinely did want to try chain restaurants, that’s fair enough! But including a restaurant that has been closed for years is a tad bit confusing.
Give it a rest, Lucie. 🙄 Nobody’s buying it. It’s painfully obvious what’s going on here. It’s the same disingenuous nonsense every day, from the same group. Transparent as hell.Rightfully, genuine readers are tired of it.
People need to stop harassing her. She answered the first question – with great politeness. More than most of us would have done considering that it came from a place of insincerity.
Quit while you are ahead, Tina/Katherine/Lucie.
Chain restaurants can be great, no question there! But I’m now so sure she was trying to be relatable to families on a budget. She has very expensive taste, which is fine! She’s worked hard for her money and she can spend it on whatever she likes! But let’s not kid ourselves here, she recommended a 5k Chanel bag as a Mother’s Day gift. Not very relatable to families on a budget!
As she continues to shift into lifestyle content I’d expect to see more things like dining out. But maybe that’s just what I’m used to from other food bloggers that post lifestyle content in addition to recipes!
She already answered you. Your level of prying is over the top now. Stop. It’s weird.
Nice red herring Danielle, but not convincing. She was not talking about a purse, Tina’s question was not about a purse, and this conversation is not about a purse. So stop making it about something it’s not, just to further your agenda of bashing her. She was asked for restaurant suggestions, and she complied with a pretty wide range of selections, even with her limited knowledge of a city she does not live in, and spent very little time in. In other words she was trying to be courteous to an ingrate. She wasted her time being kind to an insincere person who was not genuinely interested in what T had to say, and then the ingrate continued to harangue her even after receiving an answer. Demented. Truly demented. That’s the problem. Not a damn purse.
Oh, thanks for the list…
That would have been a good place to stop. 😉
Happy Sunday, I’m very excited for you and all you have accomplished over the years. Looking forward to your upcoming projects and my favorite time of the year fall. Thank you for the reminder of the summer salads, something cool sounds really good right now. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks so much for reading and your kind message, can’t wait to share the upcoming projects:) Let me know if you try any of the salads! I hope you love the recipes! xT
Love your emails! You are so creative – the photos are inspiring and recipes incredible. Making Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad tonight! Random question – I love a good jumpsuit and it would be great to know where your photographer in the first photo got hers if possible? You both look adorable!
Hi Molly,
Thanks so much for your kind message and reading along:) I hope you love the cucumber and watermelon salad, it’s so refreshing! I will ask Kristen about the jumpsuit and try to get back to you ASAP! Happy Monday! xT
Molly–Kristen got back to me, the jumpsuit is old from Revolve but here is a link for one that is very similar:
https://www.freepeople.com/shop/jayde-flare-jumpsuit/?color=208&countryCode=US&gclsrc=aw.ds&inventoryCountry=US&utm_kxconfid=vx6ro62gj&type=REGULAR&quantity=1
Hi Teighan! I love all the inspiration and positivity this week! I’m taking one year off social media, so this and Mel Robbins’s podcast are getting me through my first days.
Check out the kitchen towels from Williams-Sonoma.
Have a great week!
Hi Erin,
Thanks so much for reading! Wow, that is so impressive, 1 year off social media?! Good for you! Hope you are having a great Monday! xT
THE WINDY CITY IS ALSO GORGEOUS…HOPE YOU GOT TO TAKE THE LAKE SHORE DRIVE TOUR…..GORGEOUS…..MICHIGAN AVENUE IS WONDERFUL TOO..FOR SHOPPING.
Hi Joy,
Thanks so much for reading! Chicago is great, I had a wonderful time! Have a great Sunday! xx
Just started watching SUITS – it’s very good!
Hi Amy,
Thanks for reading!! Good to know you have been enjoying Suits:) Happy Sunday! xx
Oslo, in front of the fridge, in his helmet,….cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time!!!!
Thanks so much Anna:) It’s pretty cute!! Happy Sunday! xx
Love, love, love reading your blog Sunday mornings before I head to the gym. I love getting updates on your family and your little brother is sooooo adorbs. I appreciate all the thought and effort you take to create this well rounded blog. Until next Sunday…..
Hi Marlie,
Happy Sunday and thanks for reading each week! I love that you have been enjoying the content:) Oslo is the best!! Have a great day! xT
LOVE Chicago-so glad you featured it this week. Suits is addicting(& that theme song is an ear worm!) but unrealistic in so many ways. Try it & see what you think-there are 8 full seasons available in the US. Thanks for all you do…
Hi Dale,
Thanks so much for reading today! Chicago was great:) I’ll keep you posted on Suits if I am able to watch it, thanks for sharing! xT
I love this weekly update! I get all recipe updates by email but not this one. I have tried subscribing many times. What is going on?! I hate to miss the update some weeks when I don’t remember to check the site
Thanks so much Emily!! It sounds like you may need to update your settings as to what you want to receive, but you can always send an email to contact@halfbakedharvest.com and someone from my team can help you further! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx