Nine Favorite Things. – Half Baked Harvest

Nine Favorite Things.

I know I’ve said this before, but if you’re looking for a picture perfect time to visit Colorado, it’s mid-september. I’m not going to go on and on about the weather. Suffice it to say that it has been perfect every single day this week. Warm during the day, cool and crisp mornings and nights, autumn is in the air.

And our leaves are turning! It happens fast, so I’d expect some foliage photos next week!

To be honest, the weather is about the most exciting thing that’s happened this week. Well, aside from our internet being non-existent for two whole days, which as you can imagine, was not ideal. So nothing much new to report here.

I have been keeping up a bit with New York fashion week though. It’s definitely left me with the desire to be there! Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to go. “My space” might be more food focused, but the fashion world has always excited me. Even more so this year than in years past.

It’s funny how I seem to go through phases. I become obsessed with something for a certain period of time and then move onto something else. Design of any form has always been a huge interest of mine. When we started Half Baked Harvest nine years ago (how CRAZY is that?!), I really poured all my creative energy into working to build a beautiful space where people could just get lost trying to decide what to create. But I lost touch with the side of me that really loved fashion and interior. This year I’ve been finding my way back to that love. It’s been fun, and has brought so much new inspiration.

I’m excited for the upcoming few months. I have some really fun things planned for October, November, and December! We all know how much I love my holiday content!

And it’s all starting with the return of Cocktail Saturday on the first Saturday of October (just a couple weeks away). We’re going all out for Halloween this season, with spooky cocktails and desserts. I cannot wait!

I know it’s a little early to be thinking Halloween and holiday, but if you have any requests…whether it be new recipes, menu ideas, hostess tips, or tablescapes…please let me know. We’re going to do it all this year and make the holidays truly magical. We’re already planning out some fun holiday giveaways too!

My brothers, Kai and Red, are getting ready to head to Europe this week. Red has a Toyota commercial, a Quiksilver shoot, and will be training, and Kai is filming. It’s been really, really tricky with all the covid restrictions in place, but I’m glad they’re getting to go and can’t wait to see photos. It’s been almost two years since they’ve traveled to Europe!

Coming up this week on HBH… I’ll be sharing the ideal sheet pan dinner. A new game day recipe. A quick pasta recipe. And some sweet September cookies that I’m so excited about – love these. And lastly, I’m very excited to share our annual Fall Recipes post with all the top autumn recipes from years past. I do this post every year and it’s always one of my favorites, so expect that this week!

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

ordered and love…this Frame Fleece Mix Pullover Jacket. Literally so warm and cozy. I can’t wait to wear it.

loving…this fun chair in rust, looks super cozy.

listening to…Morbid: A True Crime Podcast. So I am not someone who listens to true crime regularly, but the girls who host this podcast had the SWEETEST things to say about HBH recipes in this episode. I listened and then couldn’t turn off. A fun podcast, especially with “spooky” season upon us.

listening to…Fall Beauty Trends with Breaking Beauty on Life with Marianna. A fun episode if you’re into beauty.

dreaming of going…Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Pairs. Stunning and I would imagine even more so in the September light.

wanting to try…the Kora Organics Berry Bright Eye Cream. Been looking for a morning eye cream and this sounds perfect.

watching…Only Murderers in the Building on Hulu. This description actually sounds pretty good. Has anyone seen it?

cooking…gumbo. It’s my brother Creighton’s favorite and he’s been requesting it for weeks.

loving…the Olive & June nail polish. And this CN color is such a pretty shade of brown.

reading…Facts You Didn’t Know About the Original World Trade Centers.

loving…this Laptop Radiation & Heat Protection Shield. I use this every-night to put my computer on while I work because I love to shit on the floor and work. 

watching…Madison Beer’s Guide to Soap Brows and Easy Blush. Unique and so pretty.

burning…Diptyque Feu De Bois scented candle while I patential wait to break out my first official autumn candle.

drinking…Ginger Apple Moscow Mule. A fall cocktail favorite.

loving…Biossance Squalane Body Cream. This feel so god on your skin and is super hydrating. I’ve been mixing it with my Necessaire Body Oil.

2. Easy Weeknight Casserole Style Dinners.

One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo

Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese

One Skillet Cheesy Chicken Rice Bake

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Zucchini Chicken and Rice Bake

Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Cobbler

One Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole

3. Cocktail glasses for cocktail season.

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: do you have a pot filler in your kitchen?
a: no, but it’s something I wish I would have added to my kitchen!

q: best lighting conditions for photographing your food? 
a: I shoot all hours of the day but usually enjoy the light most between 3-6pm (at least right now in the summer). I usually prefer to shoot with back light so the window is directly in front of me. Then the food is styled in between the window and myself

q: where do you get your energy when you feel unmotivated?
a: getting outside for a hike either in the morning or at sunset. I always feel so much better after. And I usually get back home with a new idea or solution to a problem.

q:have you found and online store that sells long leafy branches? 
a: try Terrain they always have the best branches and fresh flowers.

q: favorite swimwear? 
a: we love Frankies Bikinis.

q: favorite thing to do on your birthday?
a: I am not big on celebrating my birthday, but I love something sooo simple. Like a hike with my mom (because we never get time together just the two of us). Oh, and flowers, I will never turn down fresh flowers ?

q: who plans these awesome family trips? whose schedule is the hardest to work around?
a: my mom! She plans all our family trips, she lives for them! I’d say my schedule and Reds are the hardest to work around, but everyone is busy. And with 18 some people usually going (my cousins, who are like siblings, always join too) it’s not an easy task!

q: best place in Colorado to visit in October?
a: literally anywhere!! It’s so pretty! But the mountain towns especially! Breckenridge, Aspen, Telluride, and all the small, small towns surrounding. Aspen is especially pretty!

q: what’s your favorite thing about life?
a: knowing that I have the ability and freedom to do anything I want. If I’m unhappy, I have the ability to pivot, make a change, and try something new. My opportunities are endless, it’s just what I make of them! And of course my family.

q: when do you officially start baking with pumpkin?
a: late September, once fall has officially started.

q: what kind of lunchbox did you have or want as a kid?
a: haha, we used brown paper bags. I can’t remember ever wanting a certain lunch box. Was that a thing to have a “cool” lunchbox?

q: how long do you hike each day?
a: about an hour and half. Depends on how much time I’ve got, or if I woke up late. But I try to get up early to carve out the time because hikes my favorite thing about my mornings. They keep me sane ?

q: does kitchen clean up bum you out? 
a: it depends. For the most part yeah, but sometimes I like doing it. When it’s just me cleaning (I usually have my dad to help) I love to see the kitchen go from disastrous to spotless. It’s quite satisfying.

q: fashion influences? what made you get into it in the first place?
a: love this question!! Definitely my Nonnie. The women was stylin’ and knew what was up. We would go shopping every other weekend together and I used to spend so much time in her closet dressing up her mannequin. She definitely introduced me into fashion…and I definitely talked her into a few designer bags ? We were trouble together. Today I love Who What Wear for inspo, and of course, Vogue, and always Instagram style accounts too.

q: dinner meal you make most often/keep in rotation?
a: Tacos!

q: what’s your opinion on the pumpkin spice latte?
a: I’m here for it. I know it’s a little over talked about, but I love all things pumpkin spice. Just wait till fall though!! Don’t start in August, that’s too soon.

q: how did you get a book deal? Interested but don’t know where to start.
For my first book, I had publishers reaching out for about a year or so before I even considered the idea. I never wanted to write a cookbook, but something switched after reading an email. From there, I decided to hire a literary agent to help me find the right publisher. I wrote a proposal and the literary agent shopped it to the publishing houses. We had interest from several publishers, so I was lucky enough to be able to pick my favorite! And then the second book came after the first book had success ?

q: what literary character would you want to spend the day with? 
a: Literally any character from Harry Potter. Hagrid seems like he’d have an adventure for us ? but obviously Harry, Hermione, and Ron too.

question: what Harry Potter character would you spend the day with and why?

q: what are you goals for fall this year? For you and HBH?
a: For me, a little more sleep and time to enjoy life…I love working so much but forget about everything else in life, so focusing on that a bit more

For HBH, developing/working on some new things to help grow and expand into new things! Product and more ?

5. Six things to do in September.

I’m not quite ready to share my fall bucket list yet, but here’s what’s on my September list in prep for the autumn and holiday season. I know I’m a little ahead of myself, but I’m trying to be organized this year!

1. clean out your closet and prep for those warmer fall items

This is high on my to-do list. I have a lot of things to give off to Goodwill and get organized. I know it’s “spring cleaning”, but personally I love to start fresh in fall and get organized.

2. hike your favorite trail and soak up the perfect September weather 

September in most states is usually a great month weather wise, so take advantage of these nice days while they’re here!

3. later in the month preserve the beautiful fall leaves

September might be early for some you to preserve your leaves, but I want to try this out and see if I can save them to create a pretty Thanksgiving tablescape. I have some cute ideas!

4. prep for the holidays

I’m always behind on holiday prep, so this year I’m buying my decor and kitchen items early. Crate and Barrel has some of my favorite things for Halloween (and Thanksgiving), Williams-Sonoma has their Thanksgiving shop already live. I love their triple duty Staub set and all of their fall Staub items). And Pottery Barn has such cute Halloween decor.

5. make cider, apple butter, and then bake up some apple cider doughnuts…

Or any other sweet apple treat! Here’s my homemade apple cider, apple butter, and then in terms of something sweet to bake: baked apple cider doughnuts, apple blondies, and apple fritters – 3 of my personal favorites.

6. order your first pumpkin spice latte of the season

I’m still waiting until October first to post anything pumpkin. But I kind of think all bets are off for these lattes come September 22nd…have you gotten your first PSL yet??

bonus: this is obvious, but apple picking of course!

Also, if you live in Colorado, here’s an awesome list of things to do within our state and where to see the best fall foliage. I don’t think we’ll have time, but I’d love to get to Telluride to see the fall leaves. And then apple picking at Ya Ya Farm & Orchard (so my kind of fall Saturday). In October, I want to make it to Cottonwood Farm to see their pumpkin patch too.

6. Autumn Content Request + Inspiring me.

Every fall I ask you guys what you want to see most in the coming months to help spark ideas I might not be thinking of. I know we all love new recipes. But with Halloween, and then the holidays, right around the corner, there is so much more I can share!

I’m looking forward to sharing not only new recipes, but some more lifestyle content. Some entertaining posts, menus, tablescapes, and fun DIY things for holiday entertaining.

And in favorites, I’ll make sure to share style inspiration for all those upcoming event too.

I love to hear from you guys. What do you want see this season?

And on that same note, I am so excited about holiday giveaways this year and want to plan some fun ones.

Are the any holiday giveaways you’d LOVE to enter? 

Inspring me…

(found on pinterest – source)

(found on pinterest – source)

7. Favorite links i’m loving…

16 Perfect Airbnbs For a Fall Weekend Away From New York City…everyone should take a fall trip this season.

I Tried 19 Trader Joe’s Dips…what’s your favorite?

Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Applying the Perfect Blush…taking notes.

The Biltmore Estate…Is an Ideal Fall Escape.

3 Dermatologists Share At-Home Treatments to Repair Damaged Skin…good tips.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Best Met Gala Outfits of All Time…such timeless looks.

21 Chic Nail Colors We’ll Be Wearing Exclusively This Fall…so in love with these shades.

Your Essential Tools For Any Kind of Thanksgiving Feast…if you are planning ahead.

These 15 Movies Will Give You All the Fall Feels…Harry Potter every season!

The Best Refrigerators in 2021…we’ve always loved our Sub-Zero Wolf units.

This $15 Sunset Lamp Creates Vacay Vibes From Anywhere…huge fan of red light.

These Are the Most Iconic Halloween Costumes…Cher Horowitz from Clueless is my favorite.

8 Jars of Pumpkin Pasta Sauce…these are the 3 to buy.

The Buzziest New Hotels to Discover in Italy…planning that Italy dream trip.

Tour a Malibu Home That’s Far from the Coast…the warming and moody vibes.

Zara’s Fall 2021 Collection Just Dropped…grab your favorites before they sell out.

8. Fall Picks From Free People.

9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats…

Monday: Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper

Tuesday: Sheet Pan Sticky Sweet and Sour Chicken

Wednesday: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar and Zucchini Soup

Thursday: One Pot Lemon Rosemary Dijon Chicken and Butter Toasted Rice Pilaf

Friday: Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara with Rosemary Bacon

Saturday: Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard

Sunday: Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts with Cinnamon Maple Glaze