Nine Favorite Things: The Little Things, Dream Gardens & Mother’s Day Finds 🌸

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A part-time move to Miami has definitely turned my world upside down—but honestly, not in a bad way. It’s been a huge adjustment, and there have been moments where it’s felt overwhelming. I’m still figuring out my rhythm here and learning how to balance everything. But underneath all of that, I can feel it: this move is pushing me in the right direction.

Sometimes I think a real shift is exactly what you need to spark something new creatively, and that’s very much how this season feels for me. Lately, I’ve been feeling more inspired, more open, and more excited to create than I have in a long time. My mind has been full of new ideas, and I can’t wait to start sharing more of them with you.

One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is manifestation. I’ve never really considered myself someone who talks about it openly, but over the years, people close to me have called me a “master manifestor.” I’m not even sure I fully know how to explain what that means, but I do think I’m beginning to understand it more as I get older.

These Sunday posts always end up becoming a bit of a reflection point for me. When I look back over the years, I can see how many things I quietly held onto in my mind eventually found their way into my life.

I’ve never been someone who makes vision boards or maps everything out. Most of my dreams just live quietly in my head, slowly becoming clearer over time. And then one day, I look around and realize…oh. This is what I pictured all along.

Cookbooks. Warm weather. Long evenings cooking and gathering with people I love. Creating recipes and spaces that bring a sense of ease and happiness at the end of the day. In so many ways, I think I’m always trying to recreate a little bit of the magic my Nonnie gave me growing up.

At the heart of it all, I just want to create things that feel meaningful. Recipes that help make dinner easier, but still feel thoughtful and special. Food made with real ingredients. A space that feels welcoming, inspiring, and happy.

It still feels pretty surreal that I get to share all of this with so many of you. I honestly don’t think that part will ever feel normal to me—in the best possible way.

This week felt a little emotional, if I’m being honest. A little up and down. But underneath all of it, I feel energized. Excited. There’s a lightness I haven’t felt in a while, and even a little extra pep in my step.

I also know this about myself: you can knock me down, and I’ll feel it, but I won’t stay there. I’m persistent, passionate, and probably a little stubborn too. When I’m challenged, it pushes me to work harder and come back stronger. That side of me feels very alive right now.

There’s a lot of new energy building lately—new inspiration, new motivation, and a fresh sense of excitement heading into summer. Maybe it’s the season change, but everything feels a little lighter and brighter right now.

Anyway…that’s my Sunday brain dump for the week.

How are you feeling lately? What are you excited about right now? What are you most looking forward to making or baking this month?

I’ve also been dreaming up a new summer series that I think could be really fun. I’m still working through the details, but I have a feeling it could turn into something really special.

I hope you enjoy this week’s Nine Favorite Things—we’ve got lots of great links, fashion finds, and a few last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas too!

1. Things I’m Loving.

ordering…Compression Packing Cubes for upcoming travel. My mom has used these vacuum storage bags and really likes them. Lots of travel ahead!

looking into…the Avocado Green Mattress. I’m looking for an organic mattress, and Avocado mattresses are designed for healthier, more comfortable sleep—without all the unnecessary chemicals. They’re also naturally cool and supportive.

everything in my cart (low)…the New-In Zara Items for Summer. Zara does it so good you all. Their Bandeau Lining Dress with these Heel Sandals is the easiest summer look. Bring this Fine Knit V-Neck Jumper along in case it cools off at night.

A pretty Leather Pareo Skirt, Lace Tie-Back Camisole, and great Leather City Bag.

listening to…The Laziest Science-Backed Habits That Actually Stick – with Liz Moody.

travel…an Airbnb in Baja California Sur. An easy summer weekend away.

drinking…the new ARMRA Colostrum Soda, which comes in four flavors, delivers 400+ nutrients in every can. Each flavor contains Grass-fed and calf-first-sourced bovine colostrum, Cold-Chain BioPotent Pasteurization Technology, and 400+ bioactive nutrients (including peptides, whey protein, immunoglobulins, and growth factors). The Huckleberry and Spicy Lime flavors are my favorites.

wanting…The Feel Good Mat. A full-body nervous system regulation mat designed to help your body actually switch out of stress mode. Using gentle vibration and sound, it signals safety to your body—so you can move out of fight-or-flight. This is definitely something I need.

everything in my cart (beauty)…you guys. I got the Large Detangling HairBrush (in Essential Almond Green) from La Bonne Brosse. I have their classic brush in Colorado, but this detangling brush works like magic. Brushing my hair takes a third of the time.

Just ordered the Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen. My sister highly recommends this. I needed a good facial sunscreen, so I will update in a couple of weeks.

The new summer collection from OPI is full of color. My favorite is Your Zestination Awaits (zesty orange crème). Super cute for summer. It reminds me of an Aperol spritz!

wearing…the Everyday Crew Socks. Needed new socks and I’m loving how these feel. Super comfy, even in the Miami heat.

loving…the Amber Lewis x Four Hands collaboration. Lighting is so tricky, and personally, I dislike any kind of hard, overhead lights. This collab solves everything. I love the Cerie Sconce.

everything in my cart (high)…the Stella McCartney leather-trimmed raffia tote. I don’t normally love anything made with raffia. But this bag is pretty cute and would be great for summer lunches, pool days, and a quick farmers market run.

One Pan Ranch Cheddar Chicken and Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

Runner-up: Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Feta Yogurt Sauce.

Also have to mention: 40 Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights.

Popular Appetizer: Mexican Street Corn Dip

Baking: Homemade Goldfish

3. Mother’s Day Gifting.

beauty

shoes

accessories

home

style

One week away! Sharing a few last-minute gifts with you guys.

4. Outdoor Patio Items + Warm Weather Essentials.

The team at Gozney sent me their Arc XL pizza oven and I love it. The weather is so nice year-round, and I’ve been loving cooking outside. I’ve been baking breads at home all week, but pizza is definitely on the menu next. I went with the XL, which fits one 16-inch pizza at a time—honestly, I prefer that. Trying to cook two or three pizzas at once can get a bit hectic, and this way I can really focus on each one.

My mom just got this concrete table along with these Abbott Dining Benches

She’s looking for an outdoor umbrella. Does anyone have suggestions? She’s considering this Cantilever Outdoor Patio Umbrella to go over the concrete table.

On the grill front, they went with the Weber Genesis E-435 Grill from Williams Sonoma and have been obsessed. The side burner has been especially handy for quick cooking without turning on the whole grill. It’s also great for cooking things like bacon outside so the entire house doesn’t smell, plus cleanup is easier too!

This William Sonoma Home Livia Outdoor Coffee Table is cute. So is this Concrete Pedestal Table from West Elm.

I love a good fire pit at night to help to lengthen the season. This Rutland Steel Fire Pit Table from West Elm looks nice.

Laura Harrier’s First Crate & Barrel Line Is a Nod to Old Hollywood

5. It’s The Little Things For Me.

Lately, I’ve been listening to so many podcasts — I’m truly a podcast girl through and through. But I still love flipping through Vogue, reading Who What Wear, and diving into all the articles I link each week. Last week, I came across a post called “Tell Me Something Lovely,” and it really stayed with me.

For me, life has never really been about the big moments. It’s the smaller, everyday things that so easily bring joy. Fresh flowers (dahlias are still my favorite), lighting a candle at the end of the day, nighttime walks with my mom or sister, a good workout, cooking dinner for my family, a beautiful sunny afternoon. I’ve always believed the simplest things are usually the most meaningful.

It genuinely makes me so happy to create and share beautiful things with all of you — whether it’s a recipe, a tablescape, a holiday menu, or even just a photo of a pretty sunset or flowers on the kitchen counter. There’s beauty in everyday life if you slow down enough to notice it. Lift your eyes from your phone for a minute, take a breath, and look around. There’s so much goodness there.

A few things that made me especially happy this week…

It’s peony season. I used to say they weren’t my favorite flower, but now I absolutely love them. I’ve been buying far too many bundles lately, but honestly, they’re worth every penny — even the giant mess of petals they leave behind once they start fading.

And candles…I think I may have ordered nearly every candle Anthropologie carries. At this point, it’s fully an obsession, and one I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon. I love them that much. Honestly, I feel the same way about clothes, bags, and shoes too — though I try to show at least a little restraint there.

My dad has also been working on a little garden right outside my back door, and it’s been making me so happy. Right now everything is still in pots, but eventually we’ll move it into flower beds once everything grows in a bit more. We’re keeping it simple with herbs and a few flowers, but I love having fresh herbs just steps away from the kitchen.

And finally, having the windows open. The birds chirping nonstop — even in the middle of the night — is somehow the most peaceful sound. The fact that it’s warm enough to actually want the windows open feels like pure happiness to me.

I also managed to get out for a walk with my mom every night this week. Some were longer walks, some were late-night strolls, but they’ve become one of my favorite parts of the day. We mostly just debrief, talk through everything on our minds, and do a full brain dump from the day. It’s been such a meaningful way for us to connect, especially during a season that’s felt so busy and full.