Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Hard to believe, but it’s already the last Sunday of August. Next Sunday will officially be September! Up here the summer days are really dwindling down. School has started back up again, and the leaves are just beginning to turn. Fall is just around the corner, which yes, I am very excited about. Bring on the crisp fall days, autumn leaves, and apples. Are you excited?

Regardless of whether or not you’re excited for fall, it’s on its way. September is the transitional month. The first half of the month is all about soaking up the last days of summer, and the second half is about easing our way back into routines. Things like a more regular bed time, making lunches, and turning the oven on again. All done while embracing the coziness that is fall.

Coming up this week on HBH I’ll be sharing a new pasta recipe inspired by my summer garden, a quick fix snack, the perfect skillet chicken dinner, an easy recipe to use up all that zucchini, and for Friday? I have no idea, because that content is totally not ready yet…

Cleary, I will be spending the weekend playing catch up from my week away (more on that below).

As always, if you are meal planning today, check out my menu ideas below, and if you missed any recipes from this week be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters.

Hope you guys have the BEST last weekend of August and enjoy this week’s Favorites.

1. Inspiring me this week. 

{Hannah and Lauren this past Friday at The Little Market lunch}

{photo by Stephanie Tadaro}

Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla of The Little Market. As you guys know, I just got back from a week in LA on Friday night and one of the main reasons I was in town was because I was invited to a Female Founders Lunch in honor of Women’s Equality Day (which is today!) hosted by two of the most inspiring women, Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla. Some of you may or may not be familiar with Lauren from Laguna Beach and The Hills, but aside from her TV career, she’s built up an empire and done so much good while doing so.

Together, Hannah and Lauren have founded The Little Market (you guys have heard me talk about this amazing nonprofit many times over now). The Little Market is dedicated to empowering women though job opportunities. Their online store gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase unique handmade items while knowing they are supporting the artisans and their communities. They support disadvantaged communities, including people with disabilities, survivors, female refugees, victims of domestic violence, and young at-risk mothers. Each purchase helps people build a better future for themselves and their families.

If you’re not familiar with The Little Market, I highly suggest you familiarize yourself. Not only are you supporting an amazing cause when you shop with them, but they carry some of my favorite homeware and accessories, and make the best candles and farmers market bags.

The Little Market is just one (very) inspiring venture that both Hannah and Lauren are doing. If you need some good inspiration, read about all these two have done. I feel honored not only to work side by side with them, but also to have the opportunity to learn from them as well.

In honor of Women’s Equality Day, I’d love to know what woman are inspiring you. It could be a friend, your mom, someone you look up to or follow on Instagram, anyone! Please let me know in the comments. And if they have a business or IG accounts, give me their info. I’m always looking for inspiring people to follow!

{Hannah and I}

Below I am sharing a few of my favorite Little Market pieces.

{market baskets}

{personalized candles}

{handmade tall glass}

 

2. What I Did on My LA Trip.

{gorgeous lobby of the La Peer Hotel}

It seems I travel to either LA or NYC once a month lately, and even though I’m not a traveler at heart, I’m loving these work trips. I always find it nice (even if I stress beforehand) to get out of my day-to-day routine and work in other environments. Most of my time this past week was spent shooting or in meetings, but I was also able to get out and see a little more of LA.

Where I Stayed: The Kimpton La Peer Hotel. This is hands down my favorite hotel in LA. I’ve stayed at a few hotels throughout this city and this one easily beats out all the others. It’s located in West Hollywood, nestled away on the cutest street, and surrounded by incredible restaurants and shopping. I love that the location is very central, and that most destinations are either walkable or a short Uber ride away. It’s kind of like a clean, stylish oasis in the middle of the city. The restaurant serves up the best food and drinks, the rooftop is stunning, the rooms are spacious with bathrooms fit for kings, the staff was so kind and helpful, and the pool relaxing and so cute. I loved ending my days at the La Peer, and am already excited to return in September.

{the coziest sun-filled corner in my room at the La Peer}

{the pool is perfection}

Where I Shopped: The Grove. The cutest outdoor shopping mall complete with all my favorite stores.

Where I Ate: Joan’s on 3^rd. I had a lunch meeting here (with one of my favorites, Orly Shani) and fell in love with this place. Whether you need a good salad, a slice of cake, or just a good cup of coffee, check out Joan’s on 3^rd.

Favorite Meeting: Honest Companies. Honest is a brand that I have loved for years, so I’m really excited to be working with them this year. If you haven’t done so already, checkout their beauty products, they’re some of my favorites, especially the cleansing wipes.

Fun Things: Kate Somerville Clinic. Have you ever had a facial? Before this visit, I’d never even had anything close, but this was a life changing experience, and I am now HOOKED on skincare, especially my Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisture. It’s the best of the best. If you live in LA, or are planning a trip, make an appointment at the clinic and get the laser treatment. Trust me, you will leave feeling like a new person.

3. My Favorite Salad Bowls and Spoons.

When I shared this chicken salad on Wednesday I got A LOT of questions about where I got my salad spoons from. Honestly, I buy my dishes from anywhere and everywhere, and sometimes even overseas. That said, I do have some go-to resources. Below are some of my favorite salad bowls and spoons right now.

Salad/Serving Bowls:

etched wood bowl | pottery bowl | wooden bowl | glenna bowl

marble bowl |  black bowl

Serving Spoons:

marble servers | wood servers | evie servers | crescent servers | metal servers

4. August Most Popular Recipe.

The Best Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Swirled Cookie Bars.

Wow, oh WOW, are you guys loving these bars. I only posted this recipe this past week and already it has climbed to the top of the list for August. So happy you’re all loving them!

Runner Up: Saucy Coconut Curry with Garden Vegetables and Noodles

Another major favorite, as so many of you have loved this easy recipe!

5. New Videos:

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Bread…favorite way to use zucchini.

Garlic Butter Cream Corn Chicken…best weeknight dinner that everyone LOVES.

6. Favorite Products of August.

Honest Makeup Removal Wipes

I wore a lot of makeup this month and these wipes kept my skin clean every night.

Breville Waffle Iron

Because I made a lot of waffles.

Instant Pot

I used this almost everyday all month long…have you make this corn chowder yet?

7. A few Links I am Loving…

8 sheet pan recipes for easy weeknight dinners…perfect for back to school.

a southern style home in Austin…so country, so cozy, so gorgeous.

how to beat the afternoon beauty slump…love these easy tips.

a cool LA workspace…always love seeing a pretty, inspiring office.

August style splurge versus save…love this series.

the most versatile outfit…hint, hint, the shirt dress.

3 healthy school lunches…that your kids will eat (maybe…depends how picky they are).

the complete travel guide to Florence, Italy…I must go.

8. Favorite Transitional Summer to Fall Knits…

stripe pullover | knit tee | cutout sweater | cashmere sweater

vince sweater |  cropped sweater | lova sweater

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Casserole

Tuesday: 30 Minute Korean Beef and Peppers with Sesame Rice

Wednesday: Rosemary Chicken, Corn, and Peach Salad

Thursday: Late Summer Vegetable Bolognese

Friday: Garlic and Herb Roasted Cherry Tomato Pizza

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.