Nine Favorite Things. - Half Baked Harvest

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I know it has been a hard week. Before we dive into the favorites this week, I want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in LA during this time. It’s been so hard to see everything taking place and the mass destruction the LA fires have caused. It’s devastating and heartbreaking. There are no fitting words.

With family in LA, our interior design team, and more family close by in northern San Diego, this is close to home. I’m sure almost everyone knows someone who is affected.Â

My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew are in Woodland Hills on the edges of the fires. Thankfully, thus far, they’ve been able to stay put but are considering leaving if it gets too smoky.

Our interior design studio, Amber Interiors, lost its Palisades Shoppe and watched it burn on the news. Thankfully, everyone is OK. But so many on their team have been affected, and some have lost their homes.

We’re sending all our love to everyone who is affected. If you’re looking to donate, please read the post my friend Camille shared. It’s the best resource we’ve found to help support so many who are in need right now.

We’re thinking of everyone in LA and praying for lighter days soon. Learn more about donating here.

It’s hard to jump into the usual Sunday favs when times are scary, but I want this to be a place of comfort. Somewhere you can escape. Come, smile, and feel happy, if only for a little while. That’s the magic of sharing on the internet!

It’s been a busy week, and it felt nice to get back into the swing of work and life. We spent the week hammering out details for the second leg of our book tour. I’m excited to share those dates with you all soon. It’s going to be so fun and a nice escape from our day-to-day during these colder winter months! More on that next week!

Cooking-wise, I’ve been making a lot of rice. When my younger brother Red was visiting last week he said he’d love anything over or with rice. It’s his favorite food, aside from maybe sushi, which of course also has rice! I had to make him happy, so we enjoyed some new rice dishes that I’m excited to share soon!

And then a lot of soup, because it’s been freezing here. It’s currently -8 degrees.

My family members who are still in Austria (and soon headed to Switzerland) have been really enjoying their time. Today, they are watching Red compete in Big Air. Next week, he will compete in slopestyle. They’ll be home soon, and I’m looking forward to celebrating my mom’s birthday with her, which will be fun! Then, they go straight to Aspen for X-Games.

I would like to address the many comments about Austria. It is correct that I opted out of traveling to Austria for Christmas, although I honestly had originally planned to go. But after two months of back-to-back travel and other obligations, I was feeling tired and needed time at home.

That’s all! I love my family and missed being with them, so it was a difficult decision. The anxiety of traveling somewhere new again and the timing of the travel just wasn’t not right for me. Not everyone went on this trip, but I am so happy for those that did. One of my brothers and one of my cousins spent the holidays with their in-laws. Red and Hailey spent Christmas with Hailey’s family and then came here to Colorado.Â

Alrighty, moving on and ending on something positive. During these cold short days, remember to comfort yourself with something that brings you pleasure. Maybe flowers, a favorite candle, or just a little online shopping!

Enjoy some of my favs below!

1. Things iâm Loving, Wanting, and Excited to Try.

lovingâ¦The Golden Globes Red Carpet Looks That Have Our Jaws on the Floor. So many pretty dresses! Who was your favorite of the night?

wantingâ¦a cozy home. I need to order sheepskin.

everything in my cart (low)â¦mentioned these the other week, but I love theseÂ Swedish Stockings Sanna Glossy Tights. I need them in black, but ordered the brown since they had my size.

Adore these boots. I’d pair them with a chunky oversized sweater. And this is the perfect layering tee from J.Crew.

And I love this split leather shoulder bag from Zara too.

For winter travel…ordering the Free People Light As A Feather Packable Puffer.

listening toâ¦Mimi Bouchard Part 2: Become Your Future Self & Manifest Abundance, Success, and Health.

dreaming of going to…Sri Lankaâs South Coast Is This Winterâs Hottest Destination.

reading…The Organizing Recipe Book: 70 Simple Projects to Take Your Home from Chaos to Composed.

lovingâ¦my Higher DoseÂ sauna blanket. It has been negative degrees this week. There’s nothing I love more than my sauna blanket, it’s my favorite! These blankets help to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve muscle pain, and have a multitude of other health benefits as well. These benefits are just added plus, plus, plus for me.

birthday shopping for momâ¦this cozy brushed cashmere sweater. And this Simms lounge sleep set (it’s on sale too).

burning…every night, Winter Wonder. My favorite winter vanilla candle.

Buying the broken rosary candle from Boy Smells – an old favorite, and it’s on sale!

splurging on the Sapin Pine Scented Candle from Diptyque. I can’t stop with this. I never liked pine, but this candle made me love it! And I’m reordering the Loewe Orange Blossom Candle. Excited to try their Roasted Hazelnut Candle. I’ll report back if it is worth the splurge!

everything in my cart (beauty)â¦this is a beauty splurge, but I’m curious to try the new SÅM skin lip serum. It’s supposed to hydrate and visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. With all my dry skin right now, I’ll try it!

One last splurge, theÂ Instafacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum from Dr. Diamond’s Metacine. Everyone who has used this loves it. It’s supposed to work like a facial and leave skin looking more lifted, firmer, tighter, and luminous.

For our hair, I already know I love Oribe, so I want to try their Maximista Hair Thickening Spray. I have long hair, but not thick hair. Maybe this would help! And I need to be more consistent with using the ACT+ACRE scalp treatment. I already love this product!

Lastly, have you tried the Osea body oil? I keep seeing it everywhere!

wantingâ¦theÂ Cori Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater, a great winter layer. I also love all the Eterne thermals (thermal top and thermal bottom) for winter too. The material is the softest! Next, I need theirÂ cashmere beanie.

everything in my cart (high)â¦thisÂ Beaded Hand Embroidered Mini Dress from Raisa Vanessa is so pretty. I am very into winter whites this season!

readingâ¦What Are You Grateful For, Large or Small?

2. Winter Citrus

3 Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza

Fiery Golden Mango Tonic

Citrus Avocado Salad with Orange Tahini Vinaigrette

Lemony Pesto Chicken Noodle Soup

Spicy Orange Sesame Chicken

Rose and Ginger Paloma

Lemon Chai Cake

Lemon Butter Dijon Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce

Winter Citrus Tequila Smash

Iced Lemon Loaf

Baked Sesame Orange Cauliflower

Earl Grey Blueberry Lemon Cake

3. Fun Valentines Day.

other cute home

4. Happy Birthday Mom!

Today (the 11th) is my mom’s birthday.

This is one of the first years I am not with her to celebrate. Not that we ever do anything super special, but I always have fun finding her a few gifts. This year, she is in Austria, so we’ll celebrate in a week!

My mom is the most special person in my life. She’s superhuman in my eyes, and I couldn’t have been gifted a better mom (or dad). I am the luckiest to have her. Sometimes, I wish I didn’t have to share her with seven other people, but we love those people too!

She’s Mom first, but business partner second. We’ve run our business together now for 13 years. For the first 11 to 12 years, we were constantly butting heads, and it’s really all on me.

But then something magical happened last year…I think I just wisened up and realized that we’re both working towards the same thing. We’ve finally become in sync. I wouldn’t have changed working with her before, but now our relationship feels the strongest it’s ever felt.

And my mom has been the most important person in my life my entire life. But we’ve certainly had our struggles, but this year, it’s been so special working together and not working against each other.

This woman does more than anyone out there. I know that for a fact, and I can’t believe how much she gives to everyone around her on a day-to-day basis.Â

I’m just giving Mom a big birthday shout-out! She’s the rock that binds our family and the person we all LOVE most. There really is no one as special as my mom.

5. Inspiring Me…Let Them.

(let them theory)

Listen: Mel Robbins: The Life-Changing ‘Let Them Theory’ to Overcome Fear, Self-Doubt, and Build Stronger Relationships in Work, Love, and Friendships.

Also this: Mel Robbins On Life-Changing Tools & Habits To Rise Up And Build Your Dream Life In 2025 & Beyond.

6. Something fun – a day with Red.

I am so excited to share this! Honestly, this was just so fun. This time last year, I was lucky enough to spend an entire day with my younger brother, Red. He had called me up a few months prior and asked if I would do him a big favor. I was at the airport about to take off, but I always answer Red’s calls.

The thing is, if Red is calling, I know he needs something. And to be expected, he asked if I would please, please, please spend the day with him and his Ski-Doo team out snowmobiling.

The idea was I teach Red to make pizza, and he takes me out for a day in his world.

I didn’t even hesitate. Of course is all I said, whatever you need. No, literally, I just don’t ever tell Red no, he’s always so much fun.

So we spent the day making pizza, then snowmobiling, and even though it was the coldest day of the year, I loved this time with Red. The video came out so cute. You can watch it here!

I hope you enjoy it. It’s certainly fun and gives you a little peak into my family too!