Nine Favorite Things – Asher and Oslo 

Happiest September! It’s a new month, and it’s one of my favorite months of the year. With September here, we’ll be closing out summer and moving into fall! This time of year is so special. It feels more like a fresh start than the new year does. It’s back to a bit of hustle and bustle. So time to get organized, start prepping, and plan for the holiday season.

But first, a very busy September and October are ahead. And I simply cannot wait. I’ll be kicking off almost a month of travel this week in New York. Heading to the city for a mix of New York Fashion Week, meetings, filming, and events. My days here at home have been full in prep for a month away. I’m so excited to be traveling again. More on all that next week! Fun things to come! Lots of work and new opportunities, which is so exciting and motivating for me.

As I’ve said, cooking will always be my focus, but I need other outside interests to keep me creative and excited!

Oh, any new NYC recommendations? I feel like every time I’m in the city, I never know the best places to head into for coffee, a fun dinner, etc. Let me know your favorite places in the city to visit!

Moving along, we celebrated Asher’s 15th birthday. Nothing huge was planned, but I did make her favorite dinner, my pesto pasta alla vodka. And of course, her favorite chocolate birthday cake. She loved it all, but I’m still searching for just the right thing to celebrate with. Maybe I’ll find something special in New York. She would love that!

That’s all I have this week. So much to look forward to in the next few months! I hope everyone is feeling that excitement too!

What are you most excited for this September?

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

loving…this pretty checked mohair-blend throw. How cozy and warm does this look? Love the fall color palette too.

wanting…designer home pieces. Loving this pretty Ralph Lauren bar collection. It’s not something I’d buy for myself, BUT it would be the perfect hostess gift for the upcoming holiday season. A little more of a splurge, but I think these Tiffany’s dessert plates are so sweet and cute for a slice of cake.

everything in my cart (low)…from & Other Stories, this is a great Cropped Zip Front Ribbed Cardigan. And this long sleeve button up cardigan will be great for those upcoming chilly days between summer and fall. This is a great long maxi skirt. It would be so cute with these heeled sandals. OR I adore the warm caramel color of this maxi skirt from Favorite Daughter.

I LOVE this Cashmere Crew Sweater from Reformation in cherry. So stickin’ cute for an all-red look as shown. And this pretty cable knit cardigan would be cute with this long Reformation skirt. And when the time comes, this oversized coat from the Helsa collection is so pretty.

Fall shoes, love these square toe flat knee high boots. And the Adidas Samba OG sneakers in the Cloud White/Better Scarlet/Supplier color.

For jewels, these Jenny Bird mini hoops are in my Nordstrom cart.

listening to…Not Letting Perfectionism Stand In Your Way. As someone who is a tried and true perfectionist and actively struggling with perfectionism, I listened to this at just the right time. LET IT GO! Nothing is perfect and you shouldn’t hold yourself to unrealistic standards.

dreaming of going to…Dawn Ranch in Guerneville California. Wow, this place looks magical. What a pretty California escape. Their Instagram, account is full of pretty photos of the property. 

loving/wanting…back-to-school supplies. I might be a grown adult, but it still feels like back-to-school time. Love these notepads, I ordered the spiral one. Also, I heard amazing things about the Daily LifePlanner Duo. I personally love the Golden Coil planners and notebooks. I’ve been using them for years for my daily agenda and as a recipe notebook.

shopping…everything Coach. Remember Coach? It was the designer brand back in middle school and they’re making a major comeback into fashion. And I am here for it, especially since they’re designer pieces at a more reasonable price point. A few favorites include the Rogue 20 With Braid, Rae Tote, The Leo bag for travel days,  and I love this Long Leather Skirt and Patent Leather Jacket look. And Asher would adore this Shearling Shrunken Aviator Jacket, but sadly it is completely sold out. Oh also, this fun Floral Print Scarf.

wanting…every single one of these fall decor pieces from Etsy. So cute.

everything in my cart (beauty)…the Rhode strawberry glaze lip treatment. Just got this and the strawberry is my favorite shade. Very pretty

loving…the Altuzzara x West Elm Kids collab. I don’t have kids, but this is such a cute collection. The Upholstered Crib and Swivel Glider are so sweet. And Oslo would love the Soft Cloud PJs, Duvet Cover & Shams, and sheet set for his new bed.

everything in my cart (high)…let’s talk fall sweaters. I love how unique this sweater from Interior is. It looks cozy and I need it. And the color of this Cashmere Collared Sweater from Reformation is perfection.

This double-faced wool mini dress from Tory Burch is a wardrobe staple. You can’t go wrong with a great little black dress. And the Éterne Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress will become a staple as well. They make the best everyday pieces.

For some splurge-worthy bags. I’m currently loving the Tory Burch Eleanor Leather Satchel. The FERRAGAMO Arch Leather Hobo Bag, and the Bottega Veneta Leather Shoulder Bag.

And for heels…Miu Miu’s Calzature Donna Bow Embellished Slingback Pumps, and Prada’s Loop Bouquet Pointed Toe Flat are so pretty. And these buckled suede mules from Manolo Blahnik are in my cart.

These Triangle Drop Clip-On Earrings from Saint Laurent are a true splurge, but they’re certainly beautiful.

2. Favorite September apple recipes.

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes

Cinnamon Sugar Swirled Apple Butter Bread

Brie and Cheddar Apple Beer Soup

Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad

French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing

Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

Brown Butter Apple Blondies

Ginger Apple Moscow Mule

Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita

3. Food52 Labor Day sale

Food52 is offering up to 25% off + free shipping with code SAVEBIG
(ends 9/5/2023)

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: what age did you start cooking? 
a: I started in middle school! I am 1 of 8 kids (at the time I had 5 brothers and was the only girl until Asher was born). Dinner time was complete chaos, we ate super late and usually just chicken and rice or Dad’s tacos. One night I decided to make dinner to help out and ended up really finding fulfillment in the process. I loved being able to please my family in such an easy way. I also enjoyed the creativity of it all too!

q: is there a food you really do not like? 
a: I’m really not a tofu gal or any kind of alternative meet person. Just not my thing.

q: what do you do when other people share your recipes as their own
a: Nothing!! To claim that you are the only one to make a certain recipe or style of recipe is craziness. You do you and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. No one will be able to do it exactly like you no matter how hard they try. Have confidence in your work. What everyone else is sharing literally does not matter just as long as you’re excited to share what you’ve created! And even if maybe they are copying, it’s a compliment!! How cool that someone wanted to make something just like you!

q: what do you do on working trips? 
a: All kinds of things. This last trip was for important meetings that needed to be in person and some product things. And this next trip has more fashion-related events! Sometimes I’m there with brands too!! There is a lot happening in NY. Oh, and our book publisher is also in NYC!

q: how does your family make money
a: The only reason I am answering this is because it comes up a lot and it bugs me. There are a lot of assumptions.

We make our own money in my family and everyone supports themselves. No one is taken care of except Asher and Oslo. We work hard for what we have and all that we’re able to do, buy, travel to, and see. Our lifestyle is supported by our work efforts.

q: what is your guilty pleasure? 
a: It’s designer bags for me

q: what is your process and method for packing?
a: I always hang everything on a rack first, then I pack it. A packing list for me is key and one made with photos is ideal!  It reduces a lot of packing anxiety for me. I use Béis Luggage, Cuyana – and their travel pouches. And to be honest, I’m looking for a cute tote or duffle bag situation for the plane. If I’m not checking my bags I use the Béis carry-on roller bag.

5. Early access to the half baked pumpkin smash candle.

The time is finally here! I am SO EXCITED to share that we are relaunching last year’s Pumpkin Smash Candle this month. The candle was so loved last fall, that we want to bring the magical scent back again.

I’m looking forward to burning this all month long and through Thanksgiving. It’s just the best scent. Did you order it last season?

We’re launching the candle on September 13th, but you can get early access here. This candle sold out within hours last year, so you might want to sign up!

get early access to the half baked pumpkin smash candle here

6. Inspiring me.

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

The New Shows & Movies to Watch This Month…what’s on your watch list?

8 Hacks to Make Grocery Store Flowers Look Like an Expensive Arrangement…love these tips.

Copenhagen Is Cooler Than Ever…a guide to the city.

Remove “Energy Leaks” to Manifest Your Dream Life…things to be aware of.

This Ritual Is the Ultimate Body Transformation Hack…I too love to use red light.

100+ Labor Day Sales to Sweeten the End of Summer…every place you need to shop.

Our Favorite Design Hotels in Coastal California…a few new spots to try for sure.

The Best Breakfast Tacos in Austin…so yummy.

Your One-Stop Shop for This Year’s Best Labor Day Sales…for shopping the sales.

8. Boots for fall.

Splurge

jackets for fall under $300

jackets for fall $300 and up

dark wash denim for fall

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken

Tuesday: White Chicken Chili Corn Chowder

Wednesday: Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Crispy Prosciutto

Thursday: Crispy Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Cauliflower Taquitos

Friday: Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara with Rosemary Bacon

Saturday: Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives

Sunday: Chewy Maple Brown Sugar Blondies