Nine Favorite Things.
Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
Sunday is one of my favorite and least favorite days of the week. I love Sundays in the fall because they are full of cooking, football playing in the background, and cozy fires. But Sunday will also forever be an “uneasy” day for me. As a kid, Sunday was the day I dreaded most…aside from Monday of course. I hated school with a serious passion, so Sunday was a very anxiety driven day for me. Even now, years out of school, Sundays can still bring back those anxiety driven feelings.
The older I get, the more and more I’ve learned to embrace Sunday, but sometimes I can’t shake the anxiety. Today is one of those Sundays, and I blame it mostly on the fact that I’m traveling this week. Any time I travel I’m always overly stressed. Anyone else a nervous traveler? As with most things in life, the more I travel, the easier it becomes. But I’m pretty sure it’s never going to be fun. On a positive note, I’m really looking forward to spending a few days in LA later this week for some fun work events. I’ve been in the kitchen cooking pretty much every single day for the last three weeks, so I’m very much looking forward to a little time out of the kitchen and into the sunshine…
As you can tell from the photo above, we had our first major snowfall of the season this past week. Therefore, it’s been pretty frigid here all week except for Friday and Saturday afternoons (snowing today). Looking forward to a little more fall like weather in LA, and not having to bundle up to go outside in October.
Coming up this week on HBH we’ll be sharing some really fun posts, one of which I am SO excited to finally be sharing. We’ll be starting things off on Monday with a very colorful, fall inspired recipe that’s cheesy and delicious. Then on Tuesday we’ll have a very special post about the studio barn and our Anthropologie collaboration. This post has been months in the making. This is hands down my favorite post of week, probably month, so make sure to check it out! On Wednesday it’s back to recipes for the rest of the week with a new slow cooker recipe, a warming soup, an extra sweet fall dessert, and of course a new “spooky” cocktail on Saturday.
Lastly, if you missed anything from this past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best fall weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Favorites!
1. Practicing Self Care.
I feel like this is a topic that everyone is talking about right now. But maybe it’s a hot topic for a reason…because it’s important!
I am one of those people that tends to put work and others needs before myself. I am slowly beginning to realize that no matter how much I love what I do, or how bad I want to say YES to every amazing opportunity that comes my way, or how much I’d love to please another person, sometimes I have to say no and take time, even if it’s just an hour, to prioritize myself…or sleep a little.
My mom is probably reading this rolling her eyes. I can talk the talk, but can I really walk the walk? Ahhh, I can try, but it’s so incredibly hard. I definitely have not mastered the work life balance. If an opportunity is great, I’m going to say YES, no matter what.
I will say that the one thing I’ll never give up, no matter how busy I am, is hiking. Above all, it’s what keeps me energized, creatively thinking, and it’s just how I have to start my day. Anytime I don’t get to hike in the morning my day is totally off-balance.
My biggest goal right now is getting to bed earlier. As my mom continues to tell me, I’ll be more productive, more creative, and all around better person with more sleep!
So my questions is, how do you take time to take care for yourself?
2. My Favorite “spooky” Halloween Cocktails.
In my efforts to try to figure out how to get it all done, I took a break from “spooky” cocktail Saturday this week (sorry!). Don’t worry though, I have two more Halloween inspired drinks lined up for you guys before All Hallows Eve on the 31st. In the meantime, below are all my favorite Halloween cocktails. I’ve created these over the last couple of years…clearly I love a moody, smokey, cocktail photo.
The Half Blood Prince Cocktail
What’s been your favorite Halloween cocktail that I’ve shared??
3. Favorites for Halloween Entertaining…
4. What’s on Your Fall Reading List?
I’ve never been much of a reader. But when I do have a good book, there’s nothing better than getting lost in its pages and forgetting all about everything else happening around me. Not going to lie, I think the last time I read something I really loved was the Harry Potter series…so yeah it has been a while.
I have lots of upcoming travel ahead, so I’d love any fall book recommendations. What are you loving?
PS. This post over on Gal Meets Glam this past week was the inspiration for me to read a little more this fall!
5. New Videos:
Mulled Spiced Apple Cider Doughnuts…perfect for any autumn weekend.
30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen…reader favorite.
Pumpkin Beer Broccoli Cheddar Soups…one of my personal favorite soups.
6. Current Favorites I Can’t Live Without…
Honest Beauty Oil. I can’t live without this and it’s been saving my dry skin.
Capri Blue Candles. My favorites are spiced cider and pumpkin clove.
Ugg Slippers. Nothing better.
7. A few Links I am Loving…
is Arielle Charnas the future of fashion…SO INSPIRING.
11 recipes for your holiday leftovers…Thanksgiving is coming guys.
the Rory Gilmore pool house suite…forever a Gilmore Girls fan. love this.
31 thoughtful ways to help a stressed out friend…love these ideas.
homemade tortellini, ravioli, and agnolotti is easier than you think…for your Sunday cooking.
a stunning Brooklyn townhouse…the prettiest.
getting dressed with celebrity nutritionist Kelly Leveque…take notes.
the protein packed smoothie Jennifer Garner swears by…for your Monday morning.
the best jackets for fall…because fall jackets are the best.
8. My Favorite Autumn Coats…
9. This Week’s Dinners:
Monday: Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice
Tuesday: Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash
Wednesday: Thai Pumpkin Laksa with Crunchy “Fried” Chickpeas
Thursday: One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Friday: Butternut Squash Cheese Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Pesto
Check out all the past Favorites posts here.
Self-care is SO vital – definitely not selfish. My favorite forms of self-care are daily exercise, weekly hot stone massage, daily expression of gratitude & prayer.
I love that! Thank you Liz!
You’ll devour any book by Stacey Ballis! She’s a chef and goes perfectly overboard in her culinary descriptions in her books. Enjoy!!
Thank you Megan!
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
It’s a great book that takes place in Ohio and it really makes you think about family relationships.
Thank you Kathy! I love that its based in Ohio!
Love the Negroni cocktail and that Ravioli dish needs to get in my tumtum ASAP!!
Rebecca | http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Yes! So glad you’re loving this Rebecca!
So excited about the Anthropology collaboration. That’s so awesome! Can’t wait to try at least two recipes this week! My husband travels quite a bit so I can’t cook all that much but my goal is to have two recipes from my Half Baked Harvest cookbook a week! ?? Just so hard to choose which ones !! They are all so amazing…
Thank you so much Kristen!
Tieghan, I feel exactly the same way about Sunday. It’s always a relief when someone understands. I have struggled with “Sunday anxiety” my whole life. But–reading your Nine Favorite Things post always brightens up my Sundays, I look forward to it every week! Thanks for sharing you talent 🙂
Thank you so much Casey! I am so glad you enjoy this and hope you continue to!
I feel like especially as women, we’re taught to be everything to everyone, and if we’re not, we’re labeled as selfish. It’s only been in the last year or two that I’ve finally come to the revelation that beating yourself up to make others happy isn’t a good way to live. Changing that mindset is hard, and I still struggle, but I definitely feel more at peace. Hope you find more time for yourself as well. Plus, I find it makes me a better friend and partner when I’m not living my life to please everyone else, so it really is a win-win. ?
Thank you so much Amanda! I am so glad you are putting yourself first and it is going so well for you!
Love your posts; so look forward to it!
Thank you Carole!
Wanted to let you know how much I really enjoy these nine favorite things posts, I look forward to them every Sunday. Your photography is gorgeous; I want to make EVERYTHING in the post. You are a gifted writer/blogger/photographer & we fans really admire your talents. Keep up the GREAT work!
This is so sweet! Thank you so much Marcia!!
I really recommend the Lockwood & Co. books by Jonathan Stroud. Like the Harry Potter series, they’re YA books, so they’re super entertaining and fast-paced, and they’re frequently astonishingly creepy, making them a prefect fall read. The entire series has been released, too, so there’s no waiting to see how things turn out!
Sounds so interesting! I will definitely check these out, thank you Julia!
I have read a couple of really great books in the past few months. Any of these would be great options!!
1. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
2. Educated by Tara Westover
3. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
4. Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
Thank you!!
Anything written by Jenny Colgan is guaranteed to be fabulous! Female entrepreneurship, romance and recipes-what’s better? Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe is currently my favorite.
I need to get a cocktail shaker because I am so ready for these spooky cocktails!
Love that! I will totally check her out! Thank you Katie!
Fantastic staging in pictures!
When hiking be careful of ticks when hiking! I have Lyme and it is horrible!
I am so sorry to hear that! I hope you are doing well and continue to stay well, Jen! I will definitely be looking out for them!
Re: what to read
I’m loving The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. It’s great for your spooky October fix. 🙂
Thank you Emilie!
Dear Tieghan,
Will you please share the self-care suggestions in a post? I am SO bad at this. Like you, I love what I do, and I will always say yes. I put others before myself, and I’m facing the reality of being an empty nester in less than 3 years! I need to teach myself to make time for myself and I’ve tried so many different things….nothing sticks. I think many of your readers would appreciate this.
Thank you!!
Hi Lisa! This is such a great suggestion! I will try to come up with a few things to share!
Book you might LOVE. It’s called The Night Circus, and is magical realism, like the Harry Potter series. It is one of the most visually beautiful books I’ve ever read.
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Circus-Erin-Morgenstern/dp/0307744434/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Thank you so much Lisa! I cannot wait to check this out!
Great picks.. yummy meals..
The balance is something most can never manage.. so you are not the only one.. at least you are aware of the situation and are trying to change and find the balance..
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
Thank you Hena!
Glad you got snow before we did in quebec, canada. Keep up the great work, always look forward to your sunday posts
hank you so much Toni!
I am also a big fan of the HP books (have read all so many times over and they just keep getting better!). I read a lot and so have found other books I’ve liked *almost* as much. I just finished the series A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas and thought it was probably the best series I’ve read since HP. It has some of the same good vs. evil, battle to save the world, and magic elements (set in a world of fairies). It’s more grown up than HP, and the main character is a kick-ass female who really evolves throughout the series. Can’t say enough good things about it. The first book in the series was okaaayyyy, but the 2nd and 3rd blew me away. Give it a go!
Ah thank you so much! I cannot wait to check these out!
Let me start by saying that I love your site and really look forward to your post “Nine Favorite Things” each week. Secondly, I completely understand and agree with your feelings about Sundays. I am almost 61 and have hated Sundays for as long as I can remember. Like you, I would get very anxious as a little girl before school each week. But I have nothing to dislike about Sundays anymore-I don’t work and I still get down every Sunday, especially in the late afternoon and evening. By Monday morning I’m fine again! It made me feel better to read your post that your feel the same way.
Thank you for your wonderful recipes, suggestions and shopping tips!
Patti Rooney
I am so glad you have been loving my blog and recipes, Patti! Thank you so much!
Stephen King – The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Great Book – And not typical Stephen King. I loved it and would read it again.
Thank you Jennifer!
I so look forward to your Favorite Things posts every Monday! I know they’re published on Sunday, but I love waiting to read them until Monday because they make that day just so much better. Thank you for another great one!
Awh that is amazing! I am so glad you are loving nine favorite things and I hope you continue to Jennifer! Thank you!
Also the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini. Absolutely MIND BLOWING. Would say it ties with HP, but nothing really can soooo…
Thank you so much Carlie!
I just watched you on Home and Family!!
I loved the delicious fall recipe you made on the show. After Debbie mentioned to follow your Instagram, which lead me to your website. I am so impressed by your recipes, articles and thoughts. Congratulations and thank you for this new connection!!
Fondly, Lisa Angell
Thank you so much Lisa!