Nine Favorite Things. (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

Nine Favorite Things

UPDATE: I’m updating today’s post with some fun news for those of you in Chicago!! I’ll be hosting a meet-and-greet at the Uita Beauty in downtown Chicago on October 19th from 5-7 PM CT. We’re launching the Pumpkin SMASH candle in select Ulta Beauty stores across the US!!

Tickets are FREE, you can get them here.

We’ll also be having some fun giveaways, including a chance to enter a raffle for a year’s worth of Snif candles. And what’s even more exciting? You’ll get a free sample of another secret project we’ve been working on that’s coming in November! It’s going to be so much fun!! And you all, I am so excited! So much so that I just had to update today’s post with the news!

Happy Sunday! Has everyone broken out their Halloween decor? I’m in full spook-tober mode here and loving it. I had so much fun creating this week’s “spooky co*cktail” and I have a fun dessert coming up this week too! I know, I’m a bit dorky, but I love Halloween and this time of year. So I’m having fun with it!

Anyway, it’s been such a good week. I flew to LA a week ago last Saturday for a very exciting shoot on Monday. I had fittings all day Sunday, then spent Monday on set from sun up to sun down. All I can say right now is that I’ve never been more excited to share something with you all. And the good news is, I can do that VERY soon. Fun things are coming this holiday season!

Being on set all day was the best way to start the week. I felt so much good energy and excitement for the remained of my LA trip. It made my entire week feel REALLY GOOD. I can’t say there was one bad day. This was such a fun, productive LA trip. Following the shoot on Monday, we had a late dinner at Sunset Tower. All of the food was really good, but the cozy vibe inside was just what I wanted after such a long day. It was the perfect way to end a great day.

On Tuesday I filmed with Benny and we created two new videos that are my favorite yet. I spent a portion of the afternoon working in the sun on the computer, then had dinner with a friend. We went to Marvin in West Hollywood, it’s small but cute. If you go, order the rigatoni spicy vodka, it was delicious.

Wednesday I locked myself in my hotel room most of the day. I had to write, and while that’s the hardest task for me to do, I fortunately, got a lot done. I had a meeting scheduled before dinner, then met Siffat Haider for dinner at Sugarfish. Siffat is the founder of Arrae. We met last year when I was on her podcast and quickly became friends, she really is the sweetest. We ordered the Trust Me Lite and it was all so good. I never eat sushi, so this was such a treat, I highly recommend.

I flew home Thursday after a slew of meetings, it could not have been a better LA trip. In between shoots, filming, and meetings I was able to do a lot of walking in the sun, it was so nice. Even the trees in LA are changing to deep shades of red, and the sunsets were so pretty!

I jumped right back into the kitchen on Friday, created some spooky recipes, and then started in on today’s post. The weekend will be spent in the kitchen. On Sunday I’ll be prepping for an interview/photoshoot here in the studio on Monday. I am SO NERVOUS about it, so my anxiety level is at an all-time high. I’ll feel better once things get going, but feeling nervous is the worst!

However, I’m not complaining, so many good things are happening.

Ok, last thing, I’ve been burning my Pumpkin Smash candles like crazy. It really is one of my favorite candles of all time. For those who’ve purchased, what do you think? For those of you still considering, you can order a candle here. I truly believe you’ll love it!

Oh, and I almost forgot, Oslo’s 3rd birthday is on Wednesday! Wow, I can’t believe he’s so big already! Maybe I’ll create a new cake recipe! He started pre-school last week too!

Sharing some fun favorites below. I put together a lot of affordable fashion finds, some big splurges, and my Amazon Prime Day picks too!

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

loving…On a Washington Bay, a Large Arched Home. Love the large arches, the kitchen, the furniture – this is such a pretty, unique home.

genius hack…how to roll your belts. GENIUS, so smart and simple!

everything in my cart (low)…Free People has some super cute piece for fall. Obsessed with their vegan leather jacket in red. The Clarkie jacket is so cute too. And I could splurge on these cute rider boots.

Here’s a great distressed leather trench coat from Zara.

Okay, on to some bags. If you’re looking for a fall bag that will last for seasons to come I’ve been eyeing at this pretty Rebecca Minkoff Signature Carryall, super cute. I’m also loving this short-handle shoulder bag from Mango, I’d get it in red. Oh, and this coconut-effect shoulder bag too.
If you need a duffle bag for holiday travel, I found this oneon Nordstrom.

listening to…Overcoming Addiction, Healing Through Nutrition and How to Become Your Body’s Best Caretaker with Adam Sud. Taking notes on this one. I’m in the middle of the conversation and loving it.

dreaming of going…to the east coast to see all the pretty changing leaves. Ideally, I’d live in Stars Hollow all fall long.

ordering…Dansk Købenstyle 5-Piece Saucepan & Casserole Dish Set. I love these pans and use them all the time. Cute for co*king and for the table. Also, the Costa Nova x Food52 Recycled Clay Pie Dish. This will be so pretty for thanksgiving.

loving…Heaven Mayhem jewelry. Their pieces are all well made and so cute and they offer a nice price range too. Currently, I’m very into these plate mixed earrings. I’m sharing more pieces in Favorite #8.

listening to…Devon and Sydney Carlson. Loved learning a little more about these two powerhouse sisters.

2. The 5 pumpkin recipes we make the most.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Haunted Pumpkin Patch Margarita

Fluffy Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Sage Brown Butter Pumpkin Pasta Alfredo

Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. Amazon Prime Day picks.

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: how do you feel about freezing your eggs?
a: Super personal and specific to each individual. For me personally, it’s a yes DO IT. You can’t lose by freezing and even though I’m in a busy work era that I’m loving, I might not always be. Options are good! I don’t want to look back and feel regret that I didn’t, so why not? But again this is going to be different for each individual, you need to do what’s best for YOU.

q: how do collaborationscome about?
a: It depends on the collab! It could be either me or the brand organically wanting to do something together, which in my mind is ideal. Usually, for me, the brand reaches out first, then I decide if it’s something I’d like to do! It has to be a “hell yes” for me to say YES to a collab. With Snif.co for example, I knew right away it was a hell YES. I love the brand and their candles.

q: best piece of advice you’ve been given?
a: Treat everyone, no matter their position in the world, with the same amount of kindness and respect. Kind people get amazing things, do amazing things, and have an impact in a positive way. Negative, unkind people will always lose out eventually. It’s simple, work hard, treat others with kindness, and you’ll always win in the end. Also don’t ever let anyone tell ya no. Just keep trying. Always get back up and go at it again.

q: favorite season of Gilmore Girls.
a: I can’t pick just one, but I think the first season will always be my favorite. There’s something so special and comforting about it.

q: best recipe to make for a dinner party?
a: Lasagna! Make two, do one vegetarian and the other traditional. Adapt the flavors to the season. For summer tomato basil or zucchini, fall butternut squash, winter spinach artichoke, etc. Have fun with them. A dish like lasagna is also great because while it’s cooking as guests arrive the house will smell delicious.

q: how do you pack your shoes?
a: In their “shoe” bag. Then, I try to lay them flat on the bottom or top of my bag.

q: do you create a style mood board for your trips?
a: Kind of! We’ll do lookbooks/style guides with outfit selects that go together. And mood boards for bigger things/events/trips. They are fun!! I’d do more mood boards if there was more time!

q: what are you listening to right now?
a: Anything from the early 2000s. Love old-school Britney, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, anything Disney (lol), plus anything fun and upbeat. The early 2000’s Spotify playlist is my thing right now.

5. New York Restaurants.

People have been asking, so I created a small list of places I tried on my last trip to New York. So many more to explore!

La Cabra – for coffee. Try the cardamom bun and a cappuccino. Or go for something fun like a pumpkin spice latte.

Balthazar – steak frites and a dirty martini.

The Bar Room at The Beekman – I heard the onion dip is really good. Also, the chocolate semifreddos. But you can’t go wrong, they have a great menu.

Rezdora – Italian, huge menu, all sounds delish.

Isabelles Osteria – the cacio e pepe is classic and yummy,

Veronika – just went for a drink, but I heard the food is good. Super cute bar area.

Planta – great vegan menu. I haven’t been, but I would try the fried broccoli and udon noodles.

Gabs – did not go, but I heard it’s great!

Tried and true favorites: The Polo Bar (get the burger, of course), Sartiano’s (order everything, and definitely get bread for the table. Carbone (try everything, but you have to get the alla vodka, The Nines (really cool vibe, get the potato with caviar).