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Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

I made it to Italy! According to my brother Kai, there was some speculation about whether I was really hereโ€ฆ but I can confirm, I am indeed here.

Itโ€™s been such a wild trip so far โ€” and such a good one. My mom and I hosted an incredible dinner together in Milan at Moebius, and it was truly special. It felt like the perfect way to celebrate family, friends, great food, my sister-in-lawโ€™s birthday, and of course, the Olympics. Iโ€™m sharing some of my favorite photos below.

Weโ€™ve seen so much already. We even stayed at a castle, toured two Franciacorta wineries, and walked all over Milan. Itโ€™s been busy in the very best way.

Now Iโ€™m especially excited to head back up to Livigno to watch Redย compete and spend time with my family. Weโ€™re a big family โ€” and definitely a chaotic one. Thereโ€™s always something happening. But what I love most is that, at the end of the day, we are each otherโ€™s biggest supporters. We look out for one another, and they truly make me smile more than anything.

Looking back at photos from the trip so far โ€” and itโ€™s not even close to being over โ€” has been so much fun. The pictures I have with Asher, Red, and our whole family have honestly brought happy tears to my eyes. Itโ€™s been really special.

On Saturday night, Dry Milano hosted our entire family for dinner in Milan, and wow โ€” what a fun spot! Chef Lorenzo and his team really took care of us. Everyone loved the gourmet pizza, creative cocktails, and way too much tiramisu. Truly the best way to celebrate!

Enjoy todayโ€™s favorites, and I hope everyone had a sweet Valentineโ€™s Day. How did you spend yours?

Happy Sunday!

1. Things Iโ€™m Loving.

readingโ€ฆGo Sports Dives Into the Wonderful World of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

lovingโ€ฆthe Dior Saint-Honorรฉ candle. I just picked up this candle scent in Milan and am excited to burn it when I get home! I didnโ€™t know Dior had candles!

wantingโ€ฆthe new UGG Elea Slip-On in dusted cocoa and Elea Embossed Slip-On in dense smoke. I already have these, and I LOVE them. I want a second pair for the studio! Which color/style should I get?

everything in my cart (low)โ€ฆgrabbing theseย Made in Italy long leather gloves with cashmere lining during the Nordstrom sale. Anything lined in cashmere.

Wishing thisย zip-front zebra-print skirtย were in stock at H&M. Itโ€™s the perfect affordable match to myย zebra-printย skirt from Khaite. Hoping itโ€™s restocked soon!

listening toโ€ฆDr. Gerry Curatola On The Oral Microbiome, Ozempic Teeth, Jaw Clenching, & What Your Dentist Isnโ€™t Telling You.

shopping the newโ€ฆJ.Crew Iconic Rollneck sweaters designed by Buci, Collina Strada, Eckhaus Latta, Patrick Taylor, and Tanner Fletcher. I added the Rollneck sweaters from Buci (the back is so pretty!) and Eckhaus Latta to my cart.

lovingโ€ฆreading about the benefits of drinking hot water. Everyone looks at me with crazy eyes when I have my hot water. Iโ€™m happy to report, itโ€™s so good for you!

shoppingโ€ฆthe Made In Presidents Day Sale. You have to pick up this Japanese Damascus Steel Knife Set.

wantingโ€ฆthis prettyย Larch Wood Cutting Board.

everything in my cart (beauty)โ€ฆorderย The Repair Hair Mask from La Bonne Brosse. I have their hair brush and am looking forward to testing this out. Iโ€™ve gotten interested in hair health this year!

I want my mom and sister, Asher, to try the T3 Curling Straightener, 2-in-1 Styling Iron. It dries and styles your hair at the same time!

stocking up onโ€ฆARMRA. Itโ€™s 15% off all ARMRA jars and travel sticks from February 12th โ€“ 17th. Use the code HALFBAKEDHARVEST.

everything in my cart (high)โ€ฆthe newย Gucci Borsetto Boston Bag.

readingโ€ฆ17 Romantic Books Worth Savoring All Month Long.

home loveโ€ฆMandy Moore and Her Family Go Home Again to Altadena. Cute kitchen!

giftingโ€ฆthis pretty diamond signet ring to my sister, Asher! I had it engraved with her initial. Itโ€™s on sale for their Valentineโ€™s Day sale!

2. Baking This Week โ€“ 5 recipes to try.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars | halfbakedharvest.com

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Homemade Honey Butter Cheddar Biscuits | halfbakedharvest.com

Homemade Honey Butter Cheddar Biscuits

Double Strawberry Cupcakes | halfbakedharvest.com

Double Strawberry Cupcakes

Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies

3. For the Home.





4. Milan โ€“ so far!

Mom and Dad

the familyย 

our special HBH Gerard Family dinner at Moebius

the girlsย 

our birthday girl Lyndsie

Mom and Oslo

a very fun night!

Thank you so much to Moebius for hosting, Chef Enrico Croatti for the most wonderful food and menu. Franciacorta for the wines. And Bialetti for providing the most special gift bags with their espresso maker.

touring the Franciacorta wineries

Bellavista

walking through Milan โ€“ Duomo above, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele below

visiting Pradaโ€™s famous Marchesi bakery in Milan

Asher is the prettiest young woman โ€“ sheโ€™s my valentine this year

our birthday girl

Castle Tabiano

So much Parmesan, meat, and crackers โ€“ what a cheese board!ย 

Thank you so much to Chefs Vincenzo and Christina for two incredible dinners at Castle Tabiano. We learned so much and left feeling completely inspired. If youโ€™re in Columbus, be sure to visit their restaurants โ€” Pelinoโ€™s Pasta, Piazza Pelino, and Caffรจ Pelino. You wonโ€™t regret it!

Somehow, these two grabbed my phone and made their own video! Future actors right here!

5. I Love A Good Podcast.

Recently started listening to Mel Robbins. I love these life lessons and practices.

My personal favorites:

Embrace jealousy; itโ€™s telling you what you need in your life

โ€œLet them,โ€ and โ€œlet meโ€

Forget about balance; focus on boundaries

The five-second rule โ€“ I use this in the morning to get out of bed!

Whether you think you can or you think you canโ€™t, youโ€™re right

Frustration is a very good thing

The โ€œWhat If It Works?โ€ mind hack

6. Inspiring Me.

(you deserve love too!)

7. Favorite Links.

The Best Trattorias in Milan for Old-School Diningโ€”During the Winter Olympics

8 Fermented Foods For Fantastic Gut Health

The High-Paying Remote Roles You Can Pivot to Without Starting Over

Starbucks Dropped a Ton of New Items for February, So I Tried Them All

8. The Nordstrom Sale.




9. This Weekโ€™s Dinners + Weekend Eats.

Monday:ย Sheet Pan Sesame Feta Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

Crispy Honey Parmesan Chicken Cutlets | halfbakedharvest.com

Tuesday:ย Crispy Honey Parmesan Chicken Cutlets

Potato Prosciutto Burrata Pizza | halfbakedharvest.com

Wednesday:ย Potato Prosciutto Burrata Pizza

Sheet Pan Chili Ginger Orange Chicken and Broccoli | halfbakedharvest.com

Thursday: Sheet Pan Chili Ginger Orange Chicken and Broccoli

Chipotle Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Creamy Green Sauce | halfbakedharvest.com

Friday: Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Creamy Green Sauce

Really Good Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

Saturday: Really Good Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sesame Gouda Khachapuri | halfbakedharvest.com

Sunday:ย Sesame Gouda Khachapuri

This post was originally published on February 15, 2026

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Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing this wonderful
    Experience with your Internet โ€˜familyโ€™! We loved seeing the sights, the delicious foods, sharing the love you have with your family but most of all cheering for your brother!!! How amazing to be a member of the Olympics. He did a wonderful job, we/Internet family are very proud of him!

    1. Hey Cindy,
      Thanks so much for your kind message! Happy to share all the things:) We had the best time in Italy and supporting Red! Have a great weekend!

  2. Such amazing pictures of your family in Italy, treasured and happy memories.

    All the best to Red, Iโ€™ll watch on Wednesday. Xx

  3. Love all these pictures! What awesome memories you are all making. Enjoy your time together! I love all of Mel Robbins wisdom as wellโค๏ธ

  4. Iโ€™m watching and rooting for your brother competing in the Olympics today! They did such a lovely piece about him at the beginning of the broadcast. You all must be so proud!

    1. Hey Susan,
      Thank you so much for your well wishes and support for Red! We are so proud of him! Iโ€™ll have to try to find a clip of the broadcast:)

      Have a great week!

  5. Could you share a few photos of the meal at Moebius? Everyone looks great but Iโ€™m dying to see the food! It must have been so exciting to dine at a Michelin restaurant. Im sure all of the HBH community would love to see the artistic creations of chef enrico shared in next weeks blog

    1. Hey Jamie,
      Thanks so much for reading! I did share some of the photos over on IG, but I can try to share more here next week. The food was so amazing, every detail was thoughtfully planned. Have a great week!

  6. What a beautiful family! And lovely pictures, thank you for sharing them with us!
    Looks like a lot of fun ๐Ÿ˜€

  7. Asher and your momma. Both aging gracefully and beautifully. (Loving your momโ€™s doc martens w her long gown! ๐ŸคŒ๐Ÿผ) You too! So fun to see your family enjoying their hard work!! xx

  8. Iโ€™ve been following your brother and his olympic experience. What a fun time for your whole family. What dishes are you most excited to get home and recreate for us followers here? I found Italy to be one of the most inspirational food destinations Iโ€™ve been to!

    1. Hey Jamie,
      Thanks so much for following along and your message:) We have enjoyed so many amazing meals here everything from salads to pasta and pizza and meat dishes. I canโ€™t wait to share more with you all!

      Happy Monday!

  9. You have such a beautiful familyโ€ฆthe joy that you have with one another comes through in the pics. Your mom has such a classic elegance and she emanates joy and contentment. You can see what a wonderful pair your parents are.

    Good luck to your brother and may your family continue to make the most of your wonderful trip.

    1. Hi Tracy,
      Aww thank you so much for being so kind. Nothing is better than family, I truly believe that and my parents are amazing!

      Thanks for your well wishes to Red. Have a great Monday!