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Hello! It’s finally the Christmas holiday season! Whether you celebrate or not, this can be the most magical time of year. I’m so excited to hopefully help bring some of that magic into everyone’s homes. We have lots of festive recipes, decor ideas, holiday menus, and more! I truly cannot wait to share it all with you this month!
This year more than ever I feel so much happiness for the holidays. Things have been up and down for everyone in 2023. But from now through the end of the year, it’s important to prioritize spending time with family and friends. I also love gift-giving, so I’m looking forward to picking out some special gifts for the people I love most!
We’re also supporting a family of seven this holiday season. Asher, my mom, and I are looking forward to finding each child just the right gift. It’s something we look forward to doing every year. I love that no matter how much my mom has on her plate she’s ALWAYS gone above and beyond to support families in need. She is so special in that way.
Before I get too far ahead, I hope everyone has been having a wonderful long Thanksgiving weekend. Our Thanksgiving was very, very low-key this year. We ended up having fewer people than planned, but we all enjoyed our time together. We had the big meal up at my parents. I was happy to have a few minutes to sit by the fire and chat with my mom and younger brother Red. This almost never happens, so the solo time with both of them felt special. It was a really nice way to end the night. And then I went home and started watching one of my favorite Christmas movies, Miracle on 34th Street. It’s kind of a Thanksgiving tradition for me!
I’ve been cooking all weekend. I have a trip to New York this week, so I’m prepping content ahead for the time I’ll be away. I’m looking forward to experiencing all the New York holiday magic! I will for sure be walking down 5th Avenue to see the holiday windows, so fun!
Hoping you’re all settling into these cold, cozy days. Enjoy this week’s favorites, I’m sharing A LOT of Cyber Week sales below. And of course, there’s plenty of Christmas/holiday inspiration too.
1. things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
loving…the Gingerbread Smash! Been burning this scent nonstop all weekend. The candle is 30% off this week! Uc off both Pumpkin Smash and Gingerbread Smash today through Tuesday, November 28th. Or better yet, buy the Half Baked Smash Bundle (also 30% off with code)!
everything in my cart (low)…this is the perfect wool blend short coat from Zara. I know my mom would love something like this for Christmas.
Loving this Oversized Teddy-fleece-lined Jacket and Double-breasted Jacket, both from H&M. Or try the Oversized Mohair-blend Sweater and Cashmere Balaclava. Super cozy and cute.
listening to…Our holiday baking playlist. This is the BEST playlist. It includes all my favorites. I love the classics!
shopping…Vogue’s Guide to Black Friday. The found the best designer deals.
loving…this cute The River Wallpaper for a kid’s bedroom. So sweet.
everything in my cart (beauty)…the facialist I LOVE to see anytime I’m in New York, Cynthia Rivas just launched her new website. She is offering 25% off on some of my favorite (and rather pricy) products. You have to take advantage of the sale!
My favorites for the morning (in order of use), the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, then Restorsea Pro Firming Eye Serum, followed by the MBR CytoLine Eyecare Cream 100. Next, I use the iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+ or iS Clinical GeneXC Serum.
For the night, I use most of the same products, except I swap out the serums for these Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF Drops.
In addition, I also love the iS Clinical Warming Honey Cleanser, iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish, and iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 30.
And then Cynthia said she’d recommend these for any skin type. Either the Restorsea Pro Rebalancing Lotion or iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion as a moisturizer, The iS Clinical Cleansing Complex is her go-to cleanser. And her favorite eye is the MBR CytoLine Eyecare Cream 100. For an exfoliator, she recommends the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish. And her sunscreen of choice is EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. She also mentioned that the iS Clinical Essentials Kit is a great gift set to try a few products!
Lastly, a few sales from Ulta. The Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream, Pro Artist 24K Gold Collection Extended Barrel Curling Iron (under $45), and The Curl Party Heated Curling Round Brush.
watching…Christmas movies all season long and nothing else. My mom and I are working on our annual “to watch” list (#5) that we share every year. It’s coming next Sunday! Until then, I rewatched Falling for Christmas (which is so cute) and The Grinch (LOVE – and Oslo is obsessed with Mr. Grinch). And thinking maybe Best. Christmas. Ever. tonight. Not sure about this one, so I will report back!
listening to…The Messiness of Life, Divorce, Addiction & Navigating the Highs and Lows with Alli Webb, founder of Drybar.
everything in my cart (high)…I adore these patent leather slingback pumps and leather mini-pouch from Prada. Cute holiday looks.
This Canadian Goose hooded quilted cotton-shell down jacket is the perfect winter coat. Worth the splurge, you’ll have it for a lifetime. Also, this pretty Bandana Shearling Jacket too. Different style, but cute.
shopping…new Boll & Branch sheets. I love their Signature Hemmed Sheet Set, Signature Hemmed Duvet Set, Waffle Bed Blanket, and their Plush Bath Towel Set. I use their sheets and towels daily, they’re perfect, and I love knowing they’re ethically sourced and organic.
watching…These Are the Best Holiday Movies To Watch Tonight. I need to watch them all – of course!
2. The most popular recipes of November.
Most popular: One Pan Roasted Herb Chicken and Wild Rice
Runner-up:Â Shaved Brussels Sprout Candied Bacon Salad
Also have to mention: The Most Popular Side Dishes
Popular dessert: Gooey Pecan Pie Brownies
Favorite soup: Creamy Pierogi Chicken Soup with Rosemary Bacon
Also, I just have to note a few more that were in the top 5 this month. Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy. And our 2023 Thanksgiving Menu and Guide. As was the Creamy White Chicken Chili.
3. Cyber week sales – beauty.
4. December list and new holiday traditions.
Here is a list of nine things I’d love to do over the next couple of weeks. Last year my family was traveling most of December. This year we’ll all be home more. I’m looking forward to trying to do all of the holiday things listed here.
-
- Decorate gingerbread houses. I have 2 kits waiting for Asher and me, a holiday mansion, and a classic house.
- Do a Christmas puzzle! So fun! I want to do this Christmas Eve and make it a new tradition. This was an idea from last year that we didn’t do it.Â
- Decorate my house! It needs some holiday cheer! Checked this off! Done!
- Watch all the Christmas movies possible. Of course, if you have any favorites please send them my way!
- Hot chocolate for Asher every day. And maybe a gingerbread latte occasionally too. This one will be easy, Asher has already been coming down at night for some hot cocoa while we clean.
- A walk down 5th Avenue in New York. I want to stroll the stores to find Asher something special. I don’t care if I can buy it online, I want to find her something in New York!
- Do something thoughtful for someone every day. I did this last year and loved it. My favorite was sending a random text of good cheer to a friend or family member. Starbucks gift cards are an easy much appreciated gift. And for someone who needs a little more cheer, you can never go wrong with flowers and a candle!
- Simmer my Christmas potpourri the week leading up to Christmas.Â
- Order everyone Christmas pajamas. I love holiday PJs so much. I felt like the pajamas needed their own favorite number. So many cute and festive options this season.
5. Christmas Cookies to Bake this Week.
Soft Gingerbread Latte Cookies with Brown Butter Icing
Chewy Frosted Cinnamon Swirl Snickerdoodles
Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies
Speaking of cookies, I ordered this Edible Gold Glitter Spray and Gold Highlighter Luxury Cake Dust via Amazon today. Not items I would normally purchase, but think they might be fun for cookie decorating!
6. Inspiring me – Christmas everything.
7. Favorite links i’m loving.
The Best Black Friday Home Deals to Shop This Week…time to shop.
Cashmere Guide: the Best Brands to Shop…we love cashmere.
Deck the Halls Like Martha: Holiday Decorations Through the Years…festive.
The Best Holiday Accessory Is a Hair Bow…so cute. Love this holiday trend.
How to Apply Foundation? 11 Expert-Approved Ways…taking notes.
These Winter Nail Trends Will Dominate Our Feeds…fun!
The Best Places to Visit This Winter for a Sun-Soaked Escape…time to plan.
Hailey Bieber’s Winter Outfit Inspiration Is a Glass of Malbec…LOVE.
8. Cyber Week sales – Fashion/accessories.
gifts for her
Shopbop Black Friday Buys
Madewell’s 50%-Off Black Friday Sale
9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.
Monday: Spicy Miso Braised Beef Ramen
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Sticky Ginger Soy Chicken and Broccoli
Wednesday: Gnocchi Soup with Rosemary Bacon
Thursday: Creamy Balsamic Mushroom Chicken Marsala
Friday: Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka
Saturday:Â Brown Sugar Sage Ginger Paloma (with mocktail)
Sunday: Gingerbread Chai Brûlée Latte
Hi Tieghan,
Thanks so much for another great Nine Favorite Things. I am happy to hear you had
a great thanksgiving with family and friends. I especially love all the fun things you want to do on your list before Christmas. That makes me so happy to see your family is helping out a family of 7 in need. I hear that a lot more in my groups people doing that as well. What I always remember is going to the mall and seeing Salvation Army set up inside with the tags on a Christmas tree of families and kids in need. It felt so good to help out someone who might not otherwise get much at all. Kids are my biggest passion so it was a no brainer for me. Yesterday, my mom was watching TV and saw you on the Fox News segment. She recognized the name right away and said isn’t Half Baked Harvest where you get your recipes. It was exciting to watch you live for the first time very well done!! Did you enjoy the segment? All your recipes you shared looked nothing short of amazing!! Those short ribs you talked about I’d love to make minus the mushrooms. Every time I want to make them I have the most difficult time finding them in any market. Where do get your short ribs w hen you buy them?? Also, that Gingerbread Chai Latte looks simply nothing short of heavenly!! Lastly, those Vanilla Hot Chocolate Molten Cookies are a must make!! Thanks again for sharing everything have a great weekend 🙂
Hi Mike! Thank you so so much for following along! That is such a fun memory, thank you for sharing with me! I usually get my short ribs at Whole Foods here in CO! Have an awesome holiday season! xT
Did you enjoy the Browns/Broncos game with your family? Seems like they were all there, I’m sure that would have been a nice time to be present with them!
I can totally understand not wanting to film family during the day, but as a food blogger, it would have been nice to see photos of the recipes you prepared! Holidays are when most of my fave bloggers usually shine the brightest. I’m looking forward to to expensive hotel lobby’s and bathrooms and more authentic content in 2024.
Or at the very least, the tablescape especially after watching your most recent tiktok live!
Thanks so much for another great newsletter. I look forward to it each week! I made your three cheese slow cooker mashed potatoes and thanksgiving punch for our family on Thursday and both were a hit. Your recipes never fail!
Thanks so much for reading each week, Jacque!! I appreciate you being here and trying the mashed potatoes and thanksgiving punch this year! Have a great week:) xx
Enjoy your trip to NYC! My sister and her family are going in a couple of weeks and I’m so jealous!
Just wanted you to know that I made several of your recipes this Thanksgiving…the fireside cranberry margaritas, Cinnamon apple bourbon smash (my personal favorite!), Cinnamon Streusel Swirled Maple Sweet Potato Casserole, and the Gooey Pecan Pie Brownies. All were absolutely amazing! Looking forward to seeing what’s coming!!
Hi Jen,
Thanks so much for reading and your kind message! I hope you and your sister have a great time in NYC!! Thanks for making so many recipes over Thanksgiving:) Have a great week! xT