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Nine Favorite Things…Happiest December! This time of year is filled with so much excitement, I love every second. I hope you all are feeling some of the magic too!
This time of year is also the busiest time. It can be overwhelming, but my piece of advice (that I too am trying to follow), give yourself some grace. Not everything about this time needs to be perfect. Set aside a little time each day this December to celebrate the holidays. Spend 10 minutes dancing around the kitchen or listening to holiday music. Take a night (or a day) to bake up your favorite holiday cookies. Commit to at least one new holiday movie per week, or spend a little time each day decorating. Just a little bit of holiday magic each day can really add up and make this season special and fun instead of stressful.
I know this is all easier said than done. Trust me, I’m working hard to take my own advice, but this time goes so quickly!
Moving along, this week has been fun and busy, with a quick trip to New York (details below). Plus a lot of baking of fun holiday recipes soon to be shared. I really hope you all can feel my excitement through my words. I’m a happy girl!
Since I’m heading back into the city later this week, my mom and dad decided to take a quick trip to Canada to watch Red in a Big Air competition. Then, we’ll all be here in Colorado for the remainder of December, which I know my mom is looking forward to. We both love our snowy mountain town this time of year.
Below, I have a lot of holiday things to share that are fun and festive. Hoping you’re all having a magical Sunday and start to the holiday season!
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
loving…Loro Piana. Their pieces are the best of the best when it comes to knitwear, cashmere, and anything cozy. These are investment pieces, but worth it. The quality will last you a lifetime. None of their styles are trendy, you really can wear each piece for years to come. I’m LOVING their winter collection this season. It is so cozy. I would love to order their entire holiday collection; their cashmere sweater is especially on my wish list. This Noel pattern is the cutest! It’s been in my shopping cart for weeks. And I know my mom would be living in this cable-knit wool and cashmere-blend turtleneck sweater. The coziest, and she loves a good turtleneck.
Ok last thing, check out their cashmere accessories. Again, these are investments. But I love their Noel pattern. They have it in their socks (I am so in love with these), collar, and shorts too. And their scarves, mittens, and ear muffs, look really cozy.
Again, these are major splurges, but I just love the festive prints. Below are more options!
If you want to go all out, these Christmas Santa sweatshirts and tees on Amazon are pretty cute.
gifting…knit weighted organic blankets. I’ve been wanting this blanket all year. It will make a great gift for anyone on your list or even for yourself!
Also, this is a cute Scallop Spine Notebook. Great for jotting down new recipes!
everything in my cart (low)…loving Zara coats. I have my eyes on their short knit coat with scarf, long belted wool coat, and wool blend short coat.
These buckle angle boots from Mango are super cute. You can wear them all winter long. They would be cute with these Alo bootcut leggings or these flared leggings. All in my cart. We love cozy fits.
Also, if you need a great backpack for holiday travel, the Béis backpack is awesome. It holds a lot and is cute too!
listening to…The Untold Story with Martha MacCallum. I appeared on her show on Friday!
dreaming of going to…Telluride, looks so pretty at Christmas! 🎄
loving…DIY Velvet Inspired Ornaments. Such a cute idea! I love making homemade ornaments too. These gingerbread Christmas tree ornaments are my favorite. I need to make these again, this time with Asher! These pine cone ornaments are fun too.
shopping…stocking stuffers. You can never go wrong with a portable charger.
wanting…this cute set of bows for a festive holiday hairstyle. Loving all the hair bows I’m seeing this month.
everything in my cart (beauty)…everything Chanel beauty is so pretty for holiday gifting. I’m loving this nail polish in tuxedo; it has a bit of shimmer to it, and the classic holiday red is stunning. You can never go wrong with a Chanel perfume. Their Ultimate Repair Night Concentrate is wonderful for everyone. I also love their body lotion and their hand cream.
Last thing, there are so many incredible beauty gifts at Sephora right now. Loving all of the below.
watching…A Merry Scottish Christmas on Hallmark.
ordering…on repeat, Caramelo Tortillas. These are the best tortillas. Benny introduced me to the brand, and I’ve been loving both their corn and flour tortillas. So delicious and worth ordering online. They come frozen, so you can keep them in the freezer for however long you need.
reading…Meet Me Under the Mistletoe – by Jenny Bayliss.
everything in my cart (high)…Very into trousers, love this pair from Phoebe Philo. The fit is so good. And I want to get these Miu Miu shearling slippers for my mom. They look so cozy. My mom would kill me for buying them, however.
Also for Asher, she LOVES these Miu Mu sling back pumps in the red, so festive!
The Chanel COCO CRUSH Ring in 18K Beige Gold. Stunning.
drinking…Vanilla Espresso Martini.
watching…Eloise at Christmas Time. Watching this in New York makes it even better.
shopping…heaters. Well, kind of. I’ve been reading about this heater, Kelvin. I wonder if my mom could use it in her office to keep her toasty while working.
2. Cozy Soups.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Wild Rice and Orzo Chicken Soup
Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
3. Festive Holiday Decor.
Christmas ornaments
wrapping paper
4. A holiday cookie party with hot chocolate for all.
It’s that time of year for festive holiday parties. If you want to host a holiday cookie party, make it cozy and magical with a fun hot chocolate bar. Make a batch of Asher’s favorite hot chocolate, keep it in your crockpot or in a tea kettle, and set up a hot cocoa bar. Call it something cute like “Santa’s Hot Cocoa Station.”
Then, have marshmallows, whipped cream, fun toppings, and, of course, super cute mugs. Sharing the holiday mugs I’ve ordered that we all LOVE below.
the cutest Holiday Mugs
Asher’s Hot Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate
everything you need for sharing cookies
cookie recipes to share!
Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles
Vanilla Hot Chocolate Molten Cookies
Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Millionaire’s Bars
Easy Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies
Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies
Brown Butter Christmas M&M Cookie Bars
Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
Salted Caramel Pretzel Snickerdoodles
5. My Christmas movie list…all the classics I love.
1. The Grinch (2004)
2. Miracle on 34th Street (1994 remake, original 1947)
3. The Santa Clause (all of them – 1st one came out in 1994 – new series on Disney+)
4. Elf (2003)
5. Home Alone (all of them – 1st one came out in 1990)
6. Eloise at Christmastime (2004)
7. The Polar Express (2004) 8. Frosty the Snowman (1969) 9. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970) 10. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964)
11. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 12. White Christmas (1954) 13. It’s a Wonderful Life (1947) 14. It Happened One Christmas (1977) – this is a favorite of my mom’s. It’s a woman in the role of George Bailey (Mary Bailey, played by Marlo Thomas).
New Movies to Watch: these Are the Best New Holiday Movies to Binge-Watch Before New Year’s
6. New York to celebrate Gingerbread Smash!
As many of you may have seen, I flew to New this week for a very quick (72 hours) in the city. I arrived Wednesday and was snuggled in back at home by Friday night. Quick trip, but I will be back later this week for our Williams-Sonoma holiday party!
I flew into the city for two things. I was invited to come on Martha MacCallum’s show to share a few holiday recipes and chat all things Christmas. It was truly such a wonderful experience. Everyone on Martha’s team was genuine and sweet. Her assistant Lori baked the hot chocolate cookies and the cinnamon roll snickerdoodles. She also made the fun Holly Jolly Christmas Cocktail. It was all SO CUTE! And Martha herself was so kind. I loved our time together; it was fun!
From there, I headed back to my hotel to quickly change for event number two of the day, our Snif x HBH Gingerbread Smash candle launch dinner! This was in celebration of the new Gingerbread scent and it was so special.
Our dinner was held at The Bowery Hotel, in the back of the hotel’s restaurant, Gemma. The menu was curated perfectly. The appetizers included a wonderful burrata with heirloom tomatoes and basil pesto. There was also a stunning beet, arugula, orange, and avocado salad that felt so festive. The main course was a delicious honeynut ravioli with browned butter and sage (so my style). A New York strip steak with a black pepper sauce and shoestring potatoes (yum). And a really yummy salmon with Brussels sprouts in an Italian salsa verde.
For dessert, a big cookie plate and chocolate cakes. There was so much food, and all so delicious!
Now, the decor! Oh, it was magical. Everything was so festive with the gingerbread candle lining our tables. The room smelled like freshly baked Gingerbread. It was a Christmas dinner done just right, I loved it.
I ended the night on the earlier side, came back to the hotel, and fell asleep pretty much immediately.
I am SO EXCITED to be heading back later this week for our Williams-Sonoma Christmas party on December 8th. I’ll share the details below for any of you who are in the city and would like to attend. It’s going to be so fun. I’ll be demonstrating how I make my Christmas tree cheese board. There will be cocktails and charcuterie board apps. I’ll be signing books and candles, and we’ll be chatting all things holiday! Truly can’t wait to see you all soon!
Williams-Sonoma, December 8th
I will be at the Williams-Sonoma in New York City on Friday, December 8th at 6 pm EST at their magical Columbus Circle location. Because this is a special event, tickets are super limited, you can snag yours here. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
7. Favorite links i’m loving.
60 Cozy and Festive Things to Do This December…festive ideas.
10 Festive December Activities to Try This Weekend…that cost less than $5.
50 Holiday Nail Ideas to Show Your Nail Artist…so many festive looks.
How to Get Your Makeup to Last Through Your Holiday Parties…good to know.
All the Holiday Essentials You Could Possibly Need…so fun!
These 12 “Anti-Static” Hair Products for Winter…good to know.
30 Unique Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List…if you need ideas, read this.
30 Ways to Romanticize Your Life for Winter…fun ideas.
Under-$25 White Elephant Gifts…these are cute.
The Best New Books of Winter…if you love to cozy up and read!
Successful People Make “Pre-Resolutions” in December…love this idea.
8. December fashion pieces that are perfect for gifting.
cozy holiday sweaters
holiday looks
the best Nordstrom gifts for her
luxury stocking stuffers
fuzzy slippers to snuggle into
9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.
Monday: Skillet Creamy Chicken and Parmesan Gnocchi
Tuesday: Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Wednesday: Shredded Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Salad
Thursday: Crockpot Short Rib Bourguignon
Friday: Sheet Pan Sticky Ginger Soy Chicken and Broccoli
Saturday: Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail (with mocktail)
Sunday: Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles
I’ve been burning the giant Gingerbread Smash candle and my house smells amazing!!! Also, you look stunning in the beautiful red outfit you wore to dinner at The Bowery Hotel. Thank you for the time and effort you put into Nine Favorite Things. They are a Sunday favorite for me. Cheers to a wonderful holiday season!
Hi Ann! Thank you so so much! You are so sweet! So glad you’re loving the candle, I hope you have an awesome holiday season! xT
It’s alarming how mean people are to Tieghan, and very sad. She’s said it numerous times that she enjoys fashion, so just take it at that. If you don’t like her anymore, just leave quietly. No need for such ugliness.
They are mentally ill, unfortunately. It’s a compulsion that comes from them being pathologically miserable. Most likely personality disorders. Tragic really. Says everything about them and nothing about Tieghan.
Wow. You sound like an unhinged jealous wacko. Congratulations on being the most miserable person on the internet today. You’re…horrendous. Just absolutely disgusting.
Actually I agree with LM. We get it. Tieghan is earning a boatload of money passing off sloppy recipes that she won’t even eat. She’s going to start to lose even her most ardent fans if she keeps throwing these ridiculously overpriced fashion recommendations at everyone.
The only people getting fired up (with fake, unnecessary, indignant rage) about someone sharing fashion links on their own blog are the same couple of nutters that t/r/o/l/l this site every day like clockwork to regurgitate the same petty complaints ad nauseum, instead of getting a life and a job. Mentally well-adjusted, secure people with purpose in life don’t give a crap. Get over yourself. Do better.
Two trips to NY days apart. Why not stay in New York and explore the city you say you love so much? You don’t need to put out a new recipe every day. You could take time for yourself. How can you be inspired by your travels if you’re not taking the time to see the place? There’s so much you haven’t seen and so many wonderful restaurants!
My very first thought. Something is very off about her.
If you don’t like her content then stop reading instead of being mean.
Actually, there’s something very off about a group of maggots who make it their life’s work to harass a food blogger 24/7. You’re a joke.
What’s odd about going on two business trips and returning home to tend to things in between? It’s perfectly normal.
HI! I love NY but had to get home. Thanks!
“We love cozy fits.”
Who is “we”?? Aren’t you the only one wearing your clothes?
Seems like an influencer thing you picked up. It sounds ridiculous.
You sound ridiculous nitpicking about this. Sorry you are so miserable. That’s your problem, not hers.
Love the NY pics. The red dress was stunning! Love all the cookie suggestions for those of us who go to cookie bake parties:)
Thanks so much Candace! 🙂 xT
Can you share links for your tik tok live outfit? Thanks!
Hey Lana! I have links for that outfit here! 🙂 https://www.shopltk.com/explore/halfbakedharvest
I needed to find a cookie for my daughter’s work exchange and I just found it! Thanks for posting the chewy M&M snickerdoodle one. I’m making her cookies for her and it’s perfect! All of the NY Christmas photos are gorgeous and you look beautiful.
Thanks so much! I hope you all enjoy the cookies! xT
Loro Piana is a brand that old old money has been wearing for 100 yrs. Became mainstream popular a few years ago when the newly rich wanted to flash their status. I believe there was even an article written about it. I do not think most of your readers are in the market for this brand. Tone deaf
It is tone deaf! Plus, clothing is not an “investment”! Most of the population can’t afford $3000 sweaters because we have mortgage and car payments. I guess if you live with your parents and don’t own a car you can afford to spend all your money on expensive clothing. I wonder if she understands her demographic?
You clearly aren’t it, Deja, so see yourself out. Nobody will miss you. 👋
Your petty jealousy is sad. Try to be better!
She has a mix of tons of different recommendations of various prices, and specifies repeatedly that many of them are just for inspo. Stop overreacting.
Love that red dress!! Absolutely stunning!
Thanks so much Ellen! xT
Good Morning. NY is so beautiful at Christmas. Question about the tortillas. I have been wanting to order but don’t know which ones to order. Love both corn and flour. Which ones are your favs, Duck fat Flour? And which corn do you like the best. I want to order them all, LOL. The Today show used them a while ago and Carson said You have to try these, they are the best ever. Thanks for your wonderful read every Sunday AM. Cheers🥂
Loro Piana???? One piece is more than my monthly rent lol. I love and understand the point of an investment piece but unfortunately it’s never going to be Loro for my budget.
Do any other readers here have blog suggestions with more affordable Christmas ideas that aren’t fast fashion like Zara? And “affordable” that isn’t like $500 dollars lol…
Quince has great cashmere pieces that are much more affordable. I have many sweaters and love them all. Jcrew also has nice cashmere pieces. Bloomingdale’s has their own cashmere which is really nice and will last you years and years. These suggestions of hers were insane!!
Try Quince – unbelievable quality at a great price
The cockroaches are all triggered by the Loro Piana mention and flocking here in droves to engage, cry, whinge, and drive traffic. So adorably clueless in their predictability. Another brilliant move, T. This is why you win, every time. 🙂
$500 socks? I’m almost shocked you didn’t call them a great stocking stuffer idea.
I know it’s like, we get it you’re rich now. Too bad she doesn’t understand most of her reader base isn’t. So sick of this consumerism.
Rich but is going to find Asher a knock-off the Miu Miu pumps she loves… like, just buy the girl the real thing!
or better yet, buy Asher a BOOK. all this emphasis on ‘stuff’ – how can this be good for her?
Then stop reading
People are cruel
They’re jealous. T is living her best life, literally, swimming in success, and here they are. Doing this. Every day, same pathetic attacks with multiple fake screen names. The sock puppet user names change, but the whiny drivel remains the sad, predictable, pointless same. Says so much more about them than it does about her.
LOVE the sweater + jean + belt + perfect pointed heels look
Thanks Rachel! 🙂 xT
Happy December! It is always great to see and hear about your travels. I am getting into the festive spirit by planning holiday cookie boxes for gifts, home decorating and as it’s chilly out, making some of your wonderful and warming soups and stew recipes for home.
On my festive watch list for this year are my usual favourite movies, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, The Holiday and Home Alone. I will watch a few others also, however these are my top 3.
Theme wise, I love both the Nordic and also Winter Wonderland, so decorations will be in this style, but also with a touch of tartan. I have always loved tartan, more especially at this time of year.
Wishing you a great week and travels to New York and all the best at your Williams Sonoma event.
Happy December, Colleen! Thank you so so much! I also love all of those Christmas movies, such good ones! Hope you have a wonderful December xT