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Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

Surprise, surpriseโ€ฆ hello from Austin, Texas!

In a very non-Virgo move, I made a last-minute decision on Tuesday to hop on a plane and head to Austin to wrap up a pretty big project that needs to be finished by the end of March.

I was feeling a little backed into a corner with no clear solution in sight. After a few long conversations with my mom โ€” who, as most of you know, is also my business partner โ€” we both agreed this was the best move. So I said, OK. Itโ€™s now or never.

And just like that, here I am.

I knew that if I overthought it, I might talk myself out of it, so I moved quickly. The last few days have been a blur of logistics, planning, and getting everything organized. Iโ€™ll share more soon, but for now Iโ€™m just focused on getting it done.

I will say, the eighty-degree sunshine in March is not a bad place to land. I am fully embracing it. It has me even more excited for Miami, where a little crew of my family has been this past week after flying straight from Milan. Theyโ€™ve had a mix of beautiful and just-okay weather (spring can be unpredictable!), but theyโ€™re soaking up the time together.

You may have noticed things have been moving at a slightly slower pace on the site this year, especially since we returned from Italy. Thatโ€™s been somewhat intentional, but also the result of being away โ€” and then catching the flu that spread through almost everyone (except my mom and Red, somehow!). My cousin Abby and I seem to have had it the worst, and weโ€™re still shaking it off. It definitely slowed me down more than I expected.

Iโ€™ve been trying to listen to my body and give it the rest itโ€™s asking for. Iโ€™m easing back into my routine and giving myself a little grace โ€” or at least attempting to.

Iโ€™ll be in Austin for a few weeks, so Iโ€™m planning to find a great acupuncturist and explore the farmersโ€™ markets. Iโ€™m especially excited to check out the local dairy and meats. You all know that part makes me very happy.

Below, Iโ€™m sharing more from our time in Milan, including the incredible brands we partnered with. Iโ€™ve also included some fresh spring styles Iโ€™m loving from Reformation โ€” perfect if youโ€™re planning a warm-weather getaway.

Hope youโ€™re all having a beautiful Sunday!

1. Things Iโ€™m Loving.

lovingโ€ฆordered thisย A24 x Joya Blueberry Pie candle. Interesting scent, so excited to try. Joya is new to me, and Iโ€™m loving discovering their candles.

currentlyโ€ฆburning the Loewe Earl Grey medium candle and Boy Smells Salty Caramel Candle.

goat yogurtโ€ฆyum! The Anti-Inflammatory Yogurt Nutritionists Swear Byโ€ฆI told you goat milk is good for you!

everything in my cart (low)โ€ฆ

From Zaraโ€ฆA very springy, Asymmetric Flowy Top. Love the color of this Wool Knit Top, Fitted Rib Knit Top, and Striped Knit Polo.

This Striped Tie-Detail Shirt is a perfect warm-weather vacation top. Bring on those Miami nights!

This ZW Collection Asymmetric Skirt is so pretty and can pass as designer!

Shoe-wise, I love theseย Leather Heelsย andย Leather Strappy Sandals.ย Both great vacation pieces too!

A gorgeous Double Pocket Leather Tote. The perfect work bag!

listening toโ€ฆLauryn Bosstick On Nervous System Regulation Practices & Building Routines To Stop Feeling Overwhelmed.

dreaming of goingโ€ฆBrazil! Creighton is already planning the trip.

spring nailsโ€ฆright now Iโ€™m loving the OPI Angels Flight to Starry Nights, Lucky Lavender, AppointMINT Confirmed, and $elf Made.

wantingโ€ฆ The HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter. How cool is this? So, so, so curious to try this. So much so that I might have it delivered to Miami when I get there! I LOVE my HigherDose products, and I miss my Infrared Sauna Blanket more than I can explain. I love that thing so much!

everything in my cart (beauty)โ€ฆA few beauty items I am using while in Austin. I will not travel anymore without my Cyklar Cream. I prefer the unscented, but do love the Vanilla Verve too. Both are SO GOOD! They do have a body cream too, but honestly, the hand cream on the body is the trick!

I use Saieโ€™s Setting Spray in the morning and at night before applying skincare to dampen the face. Then I usually apply Dr. Diamondโ€™s Metacine InstaFacial Infusion Biomimetic Microcollagen Matrixย at night.

Then I do love this Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Soft Matte Powder Bronzer (in summer feels). Though Iโ€™m not sure I really know how to apply it.ย 

eating atโ€ฆSunnyโ€™s. Sunnyโ€™s is both a restaurant and bar from the team behind Miamiโ€™s award-winning Jaguar Sun. The popular Covid pop-up became a full-time restaurant. I went last year, and the food was delicious. Steaks, seafood, and cocktails all in a courtyard setting. I want to bring my family back.

do you rememberโ€ฆMarbleworks from the 90โ€™s? I found thisโ€ฆSuper-Fun Marble Run Set. My brothers and I used to play marbles and build these sets ALL THE TIME. So fun!! Iโ€™m going to get it for Oslo!

orderedโ€ฆ this coloring book to Austin, itโ€™s cute!

everything in my cart (high)โ€ฆthe Prada Bonnie extra-large leather handbag

2. The most popular recipes of February.

Raspberry Muffins | halfbakedharvest.com

Most Popular:ย Raspberry Streusel Muffins

Easy Japanese Steak Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com

Runner-up:ย Easy Japanese Steak Bowls

Crispy Mini Chipotle Chicken Tacos | halfbakedharvest.com

Also have to mention: Crispy Mini Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Thai Peanut Chicken Noodle Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com

Easy Dinner Idea: Thai Peanut Chicken Noodle Bowls

Really Good Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

Baking:ย Really Good Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. A few New Spring Kitchen Finds.




4. Podcast โ€“ what are you listening to?

Iโ€™m always sharing my favorite podcasts with you, but what do YOU listen to?

I usually stick to business, health, and wellness. Occasionally, I love a good beauty podcast too โ€” but there are so many out there.

So tell me, whatโ€™s on your Spotify playlist lately?

5. The Last Milan Recap.

Last summer, while my mom was in Milan with some of our family, she met Elizabeth De Filippo-Jones โ€” and weโ€™re so incredibly grateful she did. Elizabeth has called Milan home for over a decade and knows the city inside and out. They bonded immediately over family, food, and a shared love of Italy.

Elizabeth was instrumental in bringing the HBH Gerard Family Dinner at Moebius in Milan to life. From venues and flowers to menus, the DJ, and wine, she handled every detail with care and intention. She even sourced an entire wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano for us in Parma โ€” truly unforgettable. Her planning and guidance made the evening feel seamless and incredibly special.

It was also Elizabeth who introduced us to Violetta Sturiale, founder of VS Studio Agency. Violetta connected us with Marchesi 1824 โ€” the iconic Prada-owned bakery in the Galleria โ€” Franciacorta, and other wonderful partners and press. If youโ€™re looking for PR support in Milan, Violetta is truly amazing.

If youโ€™re traveling to Milan (or nearby Como or Torino), I truly canโ€™t recommend Elizabeth enough. Through Fazool Food Tours, she leads thoughtful food and culture tours that open doors you simply wouldnโ€™t find on your own. And through Risotto & Steel, she offers culinary concierge services that are just as special.

I also want to mention a few brands that helped make the evening so memorable.

Staub USA and Staub Italy generously provided a variety of Staub pieces for the dinner, including their beautiful cast-iron mini cocottes for every guestโ€™s gift bag. We use and love Staub at home, so it felt especially meaningful to share something we truly believe in. If you donโ€™t have Staub in your kitchen yet, itโ€™s a must in my book.

Enkay Home included gift cards for each of our guests. We love their artisanal rugs and the way they work directly with craftspeople to support and preserve their artistry.

Franciacorta not only sponsored our dinner but also welcomed us to tour several wineries within their consortium. Castello Bonomi and Bellavistaย were incredibly gracious hosts, and we were especially impressed by Bellavistaโ€™s collection of six million bottles aging in their beautiful cellars. It was such a special way to experience the region and its winemaking traditions firsthand.

Doladiraย served the prettiest rhubarb and elderflower cocktails made with all-natural ingredients โ€” including rhubarb and carrot for their beautiful red hue โ€” and crafted with 60% less sugar than other leading aperitivi.

And Bialettiย gifted the cutest Moka Express single-serve espresso makers, engraved with HBH, to our guests. A true Italian classic and the sweetest keepsake.

Dry Milano โ€“ We spent our last night in Milan at this fun spot, known for pairing incredible pizzasโ€” made with the finest ingredients โ€” with equally amazing cocktails. The chef and staff were so kind, and he even made us a special USA tiramisu cake โ€” such a sweet way to end the trip!

We feel so lucky to have partnered with such talented, generous people and brands. The trip truly wouldnโ€™t have been the same without them.

6. Inspiring Me.

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

(source unknown)ย 

7. Favorite Links.

The 34 Best Family Movies for Movie Night (All Ages, All Vibes)

Glutathione Is Your Bodyโ€™s Natural Reboot

Burberry FALL 2026 Ready to Wear

At Burberry: Going-Out Style, Trench Coats, and the Next Color Trend

Lots of Things Feel Impossibleโ€ฆ Until You Start

Carolyn Bessette Kennedyโ€™s โ€™90s Outfits Still Offer Inspiration Decades Later

I Tried the โ€œDidnโ€™t Knowโ€ Rule and Decluttered 3 Boxes in 10 Minutes

8. Spring Wedding Dressing.



splurge

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

One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake | halfbakedharvest.com

Monday:ย One Skillet Cuban Chicken Rice Bake

Spinach and Artichoke Pita Grilled Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com

Tuesday:ย Spinach and Artichoke Pita

Sheet Pan Lemon Brown Butter Salmon and Potatoes with Parmesan Asparagus | halfbakedharvest.com

Wednesday:ย Sheet Pan Lemon Brown Butter Salmon and Potatoes

Quick Cajun Chicken and Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

Thursday:ย Quick Cajun Chicken and Rice

Parmesan Garlic Butter Crusted Halibut | halfbakedharvest.com

Friday:ย Parmesan Garlic Butter Crusted Halibut

Dirty Horchata | halfbakedharvest.com

Saturday:ย Dirty Horchata

Baked Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast | halfbakedharvest.com

Sunday:ย Baked Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

This post was originally published on March 1, 2026

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Comments

  1. Hope you are all better soon. Super Italy pictures. Dying to hear about the new project! Have a great week. Xx

    1. Thanks a lot, Kelly-Jane! I think we are all feeling better:) Will definitely share more soon! Enjoy your evening!

  2. Iโ€™m obsessed with podcasts! Currently loving Giggly Squad, Bad on Paper, Good Hang, and the Daily.

    1. Hey Tori,
      Thanks a bunch for sharing these suggestions, I will definitely have to check them out!

      Hope you are having a great week!

  3. Thank you for sharing your life with us! I love your recipes and your cookbooks ๐Ÿ™‚ Iโ€™ll be going to Milan for the first time next month and Iโ€™m making a note of your recommendations!

    1. Hi Sophia,
      Thank you so much for your kind message and following along! Happy to share with you all:)

      I hope you have a wonderful time in Milan!

    1. Hi Cindy,
      Thanks a lot for taking the time to read today:) I will have to check out Dr. Leeโ€™s podcast, thank you so much for sharing this recommendation, sounds super interesting!

      Have a great Sunday!