Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

(my favorite little sister)

Happy summer everyone! I know the official first day was Friday, but either way, it’s SUMMER! Of course, it’s beyond cold up here in the mountains again. However, I’m going to just ignore all this snow and pretend that it’s not freezing here. Instead, I think we should talk about all things summertime…4th of July, family vacations to Costa Rica, and everything else in the world that I am excited about it!! First up is my summer bucket list! I shared a bucket list with you all last summer. To be honest, I think I did maybe one thing on that list? I don’t know, but it was unrealistic.

This summer I have only one item on my list, Costa Rica with my family in less than 2 weeks!! I’m excited…and stressed. Excited because we’ve never been to Costa Rica, and the entire family is going. Stressed because vacation for a week means so much work beforehand. Consequently, I have a huge week ahead of me. Creating new recipes, finishing up projects, and getting everything organized before a week away out of the country. It’s going to be A LOT. Therefore, fingers crossed I can get it all done.

Those of you who’ve traveled to Costa Rica, please let us know the places you loved and would recommend visiting. Is there anywhere we have to make sure we go, and anywhere we just have to eat. We’re flying into Liberia and staying in Playa Ocotal in Guanacaste. I would love to hear any recommendations if you have them!

We’ll be spending the 4th in Costa Rica, so I’m hoping to pick up some BBQ food to throw on the grill. The next day is my oldest brother’s birthday. I’m thinking my Nonnie’s 6 ingredient peanut butter ice cream cake will be perfect. Of course, we’ll also need mixers to make our favorite summer drinks. So excited! What are your 4th of July plans? Are there any recipes you NEED me to share?

Coming up this week on HBH, we will really be focusing on 4th of July recipes. I’ll be sharing an easy appetizer for a crowd, a very summer salad, a pasta filled dinner, the first sweet peach recipe of the season, and much more! So excited about all the summer produce!

Lastly, if you missed anything from the past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Nine Favorite Things!

1. HBH in the Kitchen…our New Cooking Series. 

Tomorrow we’ll be kicking off our new summer cooking series, HBH in the Kitchen. Do you remember when I was in LA a few weeks back? Well, I was working on this very exciting project. I spent four back to back days filming this mini-series. I’m SO excited to finally be sharing the videos and details with you guys. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be rolling out eight brand new videos on Instagram. In addition to new recipes, there will be an exciting new guest with each video. It’s going to be so much fun. I can’t wait to see what you all think!

These videos are a bit different than the usual videos we share. Instead of an overhead, hands-only style video, you’re actually going to get to see my face! Of course, this makes me nervous, but it’s OK, because I’m more excited than I am nervous.

The details…

I’m cooking up new recipes alongside friends who are truly inspiring me every day. We’ll be making both new and old recipes, sharing the step by step process, all of my tips and tricks, and having fun conversations in between. What’s even more fun? Each guest is so different from the other. We’ll be cooking with chefs, bakers, fashion designers, actors, and entrepreneurs. So many fun and different guests!

I had the best time filming these videos and I’m certainly excited to see what you guys think! The first video will be up tomorrow on Instagram and YouTube, so be sure to follow along.

2. Favorite Summertime Cocktail Recipes…

Smashed Berry Rose Spritz | halfbakedharvest.com #cocktails #4thofjulyrecipe #summerrecipes #easy

smashed berry rosè spritz

Hibiscus Cherry Vodka Spritz | halfbakedharvest.com #summercocktail #cherries #easy #vodka

hibiscus cherry vodka spritz

Strawberry Hibiscus Ginger Margarita | halfbakedharvest.com #cocktail #margarita #tequila #drinks

strawberry ginger margarita

Summertime Rose Tequila Sangria | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

summertime rose tequila sangria

Blackberry Bourbon Smash | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

blackberry bourbon smash

Frozen Watermelon Rose Sangria Slushies | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

frozen watermelon rosé sangria slushies

 

Blackberry Thyme Margarita | halfbakedharvest.com #blackberries #margarita #tequila #summer #easyrecipes

blackberry thyme margarita

Strawberry Melon Elderflower Pimms Cup | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

strawberry melon elderflower pimms cup

Sweet Bourbon Peach Lemonade | halfbakedharvest.com #peaches #bourbon #lemonade

sweet bourbon peach lemonade

3. Favorite 4th of July Entertaining Pieces…

Dining:

Festive Decor:

Games:

4. Questions of The Week: 

q: Do you enjoy having social media being such a big part of your professional life?
a: I think like most people I have a love-hate relationship with social media. For the most part, I honestly love it, especially IG. I LOVE getting to connect with everyone through comments and DM’s. Seeing all the photos and videos of recipes you all are making is my FAVORITE. I love going through my DM’s at night. I try to get through as many as I can…usually staying up waaaay too late… because I just love talking to you guys and answering your questions! It’s so fun for me!! Sharing more of the behind-the-scenes with you guys and making recipes on Stories is the best. It takes a lot of time, but I have a lot of fun. I’m also excited about the IGTV vids that we have coming out soon!

The part I hate is the pressure I constantly feel to have to share stories, post, and always have new content. Overall, I really love creating and sharing, it just can be very overwhelming at times. I’ve certainly not found a good balance…at all, but it’s something I’m trying to work on.

q: Are you a makeup gal? And have you ever struggled with breakouts?
a: No not at all! I wear very minimal makeup and prefer a much more natural look. CC cream or light foundation, thick brow, mascara, and a nude lip. Very simple.

In contrast, I am hugely into skincare. I love brands like Honest Beauty, Biossance, Sunday Riley, Drunk Elephant, Summer Fridays, Beauty Counter…there are so many!

I was lucky as a teen and didn’t have many breakouts. But unfortunately, I occasionally get them now, and they are definitely annoying 🙁

q: Does anyone cook for you?
a: Haha!! Nope! But it’s more because I’m a control freak and really just LOVE cooking for others. It feels especially weird to have someone cook for me. Like super weird.

q: What are your thoughts on having your own cooking show?
a: 100% all for it.

5. Newest Videos: 

Greek Orzo Stuffed Red Peppers…quick, simple, vegetarian, pretty healthy, and of course, SO GOOD.

Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder…certainly the only corn chowder recipe you really need this summer.

Saucy Coconut Curry with Rice Noodles and Garden Vegetables…always love extra saucy. Always.

6. Currently Obsessed With…

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

Sunday Riley skincare. Their Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil is a staple in my routine. I’m also really excited to try their Retinol Serum.

…I can’t stop making these strawberry shortcakes. The title says it all, they are truly the BEST ever.

Honest Beauty Mascara. I love that this a 2-in-1 product with a lash primer on one end and mascara on the other. It’s surely a game-changer and has made my already long lashes look even longer and more exaggerated.

…I use my Zwilling Knife set every single day. They feel particularly good in the hand, stay sharp, and they look nice too!

…Candace Nelson’s newly launched podcast, Live to Eat. Such a fun listen.

…I have this pan-fried feta on repeat right now. It’s truly easy and SO GOOD.

What products are you currently obsessed with? Anything I need to try?

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

in Tennessee, Blackberry Farm takes over a mountain…please, can I visit?

Taylor Swift’s real-estate portfolio…um, wow.

9 spots prove that hotel restaurants are better than ever…where would you stay to eat?

how different foods really affect your skin…tip? eat your berries.

3 ways to stop negative talk…taking notes.

5 places design lovers should visit in July…I’d easily visit them all, but Italy and the Hamptons are my top picks.

inside actress Shailene Woodley’s kitchen…she’s into Irish butter and kimchi.

a daily strategy for getting more done…finally. I think we could all use this.

19 of the worlds most stunning staircases…didn’t know stairs could be so pretty.

the healthiest ways to brew coffee…super interesting.

tips for eating healthy on vacation…all about balance of course.

7 things to know about freezing your eggs…very informative.

vegan beauty is about to go mainstream…says the founder of Hourglass cosmetics.

an insiders tour of Marrakech…what an especially beautiful place.

Goop body glow luminizer…so curious if this works. have you tried it?

27 kitchens that belong on your Pinterest board…pinned, pinned, and pinned.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis had an epic response to false rumors…laughed at this.

19 quick and easy asparagus recipes…yum.

what to wear to a wedding…the dress code for every type of wedding.

Arielle Charnas’s New York apartment…there is a shoe wall. like an entire wall.

8. Dainty Summer Whites with a Pop of Color…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com #healthyrecipes #salad #cauliflower

Monday: roasted cauliflower salad with creamy honey mustard vinaigrette

Cajun Pepper Shrimp with Creamed Corn Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com #shrimp #summerrecipes #corn #30minutes

Tuesday: cajun pepper shrimp with creamed corn orzo

Korean Grilled Steak with Toasted Sesame Chimichurri | halfbakedharvest.com #summergrilling #easyrecipes #dinner #steakrecipes

Wednesday: Korean grilled steak with toasted sesame chimichurri

Spicy Chickpea and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini | halfbakedharvest.com #healthy #easyrecipes #summerrecipes #zucchini

Thursday: spicy chickpea and cheese stuffed zucchini

Skillet Burst Cherry Tomato Summer Pasta with Lemony Breadcrumbs | halfbakedharvest.com #pasta #tomatoes #burrata #summerrecipes

Friday: skillet burst cherry tomato summer pasta with lemony breadcrumbs

Finally, check out all the past Favorite’s posts here.