Nine Favorite Things. – Half Baked Harvest

Happy Halloween weekend! Did any of you have Halloween parties last night?

I can’t believe we’re approaching the holiday season. I’m already preparing our Thanksgiving menu for you all! It’s beyond crazy that Friday is November 1. Every year around this time (usually with a November snowfall), I start to get so excited!

With so much travel, this will be our busiest holiday season yet. This feels both exciting and scary. I’ve shared this many times, but my true self is a homebody. Up until about two years ago, I honestly would get so stressed when I had work trips. Sometimes, I’d make myself so anxious that I’d actually call the trip off. Looking back, that seems crazy because today, this could not be more different. Now I look forward to travel. And while there are a lot of elements about travel that really do make me anxious, I’ve discovered ways to push through. I now actually feel excited about work trips!

Today, I’m on my way to New York for a few days. I have an event with Amazon on Monday night, and then it’s time to start diving into Quick and Cozy book press! The book launches on November 19th, so less than a month away. Every day we get closer, I become even more anxious. I’m so excited to share this book, but that makes me care even more about how it’s received. My only hope is that this cookbook truly brings value to your everyday life, providing you guys with quick recipes that taste delicious. I want to be that girl who solves your cooking problems. I want to take the fear and stress out of cooking and help you find ways to make it fun! This is certainly my favorite book I’ve created yet!

I’m really looking forward to sharing this book, traveling to see you all, and then chilling with my family for Thanksgiving! Oh, and then decorating with my mom and little sister, Asher. I’ve been ordering way too much holiday decor. I just can’t help myself, it excites me so much! Hence, I’m sharing some of my favorites below!

I spent this week at home. It was my first full week home in a while and also my last full week home before the New Year. Isn’t that crazy!?

Last week, I shared the book tour dates with you all. It was so fun to see everyone’s excitement about the book! I know we can’t get to every city, but with many of them almost sold out, I hope to add more cities to the list very soon. I’m resharing all the book tour information below in case any of you missed it!

I feel so lucky and excited to do these things and meet so many of you. It really is special to me!

Finally, prepare yourself for the kick-off of Thanksgiving recipes this week. My potatoes are so yummy this year, but do not miss the pie! Can’t wait for you to try these recipes and see my tablescape!

That’s all for today – have the spookiest, frightful Halloween!

1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.

burning…our entire HBH x Snif candle collection. All three candles are finally back in stock, including everyone’s favorite holiday candle, Gingerbread Smash. I’m curious, of all three candles: pumpkin smash, apple cider, and gingerbread, which one is your favorite?

cooking…Apple Cider Smothered Chicken. Love this recipe!

everything in my cart (low)…ordering this Full-Length Trench Coat from Abercrombie (they have some of the best coats!).

And for my hair, this sweet Emi Jay Sweetheart Clip.

listening to…Danielle Bernstein AKA We Wore What – How To Create Your Dream Job, Overcome Challenges, & Build An Online Presence & Brand. Top podcast of the month for sure. I really enjoyed this and took a lot away from it. This was just what I needed to listen to.

dreaming of going to…for spring break, Belmond Cap Juluca Hotel in Anguilla. And for right now, Fouquets, Paris. How pretty? I bet this hotel is magical during the holidays! Fun fact: my mom and Asher stopped here two years ago.

Everything for my mom…I know she would love these cute Brushed Cashmere mittens from Lisa Lang. Oh, and then I just found these Gabriela Hearst Foster cashmere mittens, too – she would live in these! They’re 40% off, so maybe I need to order them now! These Donegal cashmere gloves are great, too! I would definitely get her the matching cashmere neck tie and ribbed two-tone cashmere-blend socks. She would say they’re all too expensive, but she almost only wears cashmere sweaters now, they’re her favorite. Thus, I think she needs some mittens!

Also for mom, thinking she might enjoy this Convertible Puffer Coat from UGG.

shopping…the new fall it bag, the Coachtopi Alter/Ego Hobo Bag in Checkerboard Upcrafted Leather.

loving and wanting…Mauree Velvet Garland I found this on Lulu and Georgia. So cute but out of stock until December!

wanting…to experiment more with Lymphatic Treatments. I have to be in Austin in a couple weeks and want to visit The Road where they offer this! I’m loving learning more about the benefits lymphatic massage has on our overall health.

everything in my cart (beauty)…I love the Saie Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid and am reordering it. I’m also testing out the Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment from the Anine Bing x Ole Henriksen collaboration.

I adore the new The Skinny Confidential Brow Peptide Eyebrow Growth Serum. It helps to lengthen, strengthen and thicken eyebrows for a fuller brow. I have been using it everyday for the last week!
And lastly, the new Victoria Beckham 21:50 Rêverie Eau de Parfum. Sounds lovely

watching…Everything Coming to Netflix in November 2024. So excited for Christmas movies! Like you have no idea. I will not start until Thanksgiving, but I’m ready! Tell me, what’s on your Christmas movie list?

ordering…these pretty champagne coupes for upcoming holiday cocktails.

loving..the Collector’s Study Peel and Stick Wallpaper. Also, this Dutch Yellow Wool and Tencel Kids Area Rug. Both by Jeremiah Brent.

everything in my cart (high)…the super cute Azure Knit Dress. I would wear it with this Veda Luca Suede Jacket, both from Reformation. Of course, if you want to kick it up a notch, there’s this beautiful Canvas Coat from Prada. Also super cute from Prada, their sweet but pricey Velvet hair clip. How cute for a holiday look?!

Love this gorgeous Lysandre Jacket in Leather from The Row. And I can’t stop thinking about the new Bottega Veneta  Lauren 1980 Maxi Bauletto Bag.

watching…Sabrina Carpenter Loves a Musical Theater Reference. Sending this one to Asher because she and my sister in-law, Brenna, are going to see Sabrina in November!

shopping…The Everygirl’s Holiday Gift Guide 2024! Wow, they shared so many good holiday gifts!! Excited to start shopping for Christmas! I certainly love gift-giving!

2. Our top November recipes from years past.

Cranberry Bourbon Sour

Cider Braised Pot Roast with Crispy Sage Butter Potatoes

Smothered Chicken in Mushroom Wine Pan Sauce

Crockpot Creamy Coconut Chicken Tikka Masala

Shaved Brussels Sprout Candied Bacon Salad

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken and Broccoli

Creamy Pierogi Chicken Soup with Rosemary Bacon

3. Early holiday decor – some recent favorites.

4. The Quick & Cozy Book Tour!

The Quick & Cozy BOOK TOUR is here! I’m resharing the information I shared last week. The response was so amazing. So much so that we’re working to add more book tour stops soon! So keep an eye out for those.

I’m also working on bringing out some surprise guests! Both Dallas and Nashville have someone special making an appearance! I can’t wait!

Grab tickets to a signing nearest to you!

all detailed information is below and can be found here too

Tour Dates

5. Good Things List.

With November and December being holiday months, it’s time to celebrate the season, share with family and friends, and, of course, bake all the cookies. However, this time of year can bring a lot of stress and sadness as well. I read about a Good Things List and I love the idea.

Basically, it consists of writing down just one good thing that happened that day. This can be on your phone, in a notebook, or on Post-it notes. But I love the thought of celebrating even the simplest “good thing” about each day.

Here are a few that come to mind for me:

• getting up on time and getting out early for a hike/workout.
• creating and styling a recipe that I feel SO EXCITED to share!
• getting to create menus for the holidays – like our Thanksgiving menu!
• talking on the phone to my mom.
• having time to dry brush, shower, wash my hair, do skin care, get in my sauna blanket, and ice roll my face.

What’s on your Good Things List?

6. Inspiring Me – Thanksgiving Tables.

(sourced via Pinterest)

7. Favorite links I’m Loving.

The Emory, The London Hotel That Epitomizes Stealth Wealth Style

Can LED Light Therapy Truly Deliver “Fountain of Youth” Skin Benefits?

These Heidi Klum Costumes Prove That She’s the Queen of Halloween

H&M Is Celebrating 20 Years of Designer Collaborations

Two Gen-Z Vogue Editors Go to the Eras Tour in Miami

8. High and Low Fall Styles.

cashmere sweaters

burgundy pieces 

9. This Week’s dinners + Weekend eats.

Monday: Red Wine Braised Pot Roast

Tuesday: Pesto Zuppa Toscana Meatballs

Wednesday: Creamy Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

Thursday: Better For You Chicken and Spinach Ramen

Friday: Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

Saturday: Smoky Black Pomegranate Cocktail (with mocktail)

Sunday: Pumpkin Butter Cinnamon Rolls with Coffee Icing