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Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a great start to October! Honestly, it was such a beautiful week here in Colorado—one of our best of the year, for sure. The leaves are starting to fall now, but they were in peak season earlier in the week!
I spent the first half of this week in LA filming a couple of recipes out of the new cookbook Quick & Cozy with a very special guest. Can you guess who? It was so fun and it was the first time I’d cooked from the actual cookbook. I still can’t believe the release date is so close. My nerves are all over the place. I’m not only nervous but excited and impatient too. I genuinely cannot wait for you all to get this book, it’s my favorite book yet. My biggest fear is that it’s not what you need. BUT I hope you’ll find it’s exactly what you all need most right now. Quick and cozy recipes to get us through the winter. My fingers are crossed that this becomes your favorite too!
I spent one day filming and the other recording a podcast, then quickly headed home. And now, I am typing this up late Friday night before heading off to Chicago in the morning! I’m so excited! We’re doing a doughnut popup with Firecakes Doughnuts today (Sunday the 6th) from 10 am to 1 pm CT. It’s going to be so fun. If you’re in the Chicago area, come grab a free apple cider doughnut and apple Cider Smash candle sample and say hi!!
From Chicago, I’ll head to Utah for a quick 1-night stay to film something fun. Then, I’m off to Austin for two very exciting shoots with my favorite type of content! It’s going to be a busy month. But I’m truly looking forward to it all. And when I start to feel overwhelmed, I think about how excited and grateful I am for all these opportunities. It’s such a wonderful time for HBH. My mom and I are so excited! A lot of really big changes are coming. But good changes we know you guys will love!
One of our Zooms this week was regarding a little website and brand refresh we’re working on. It’s going to be SO GOOD. We’re working with a really great team.
On the cooking front, I’m deep into fall cooking mode and jumping from creating Halloween recipes to planning Thanksgiving 2024. Can you believe the holidays are here? Again, I’m so excited! With Thanksgiving on my mind, I’m wondering, are you guys into a roasted turkey, or do you want to switch up your Thanksgiving main? What recipes would be exciting to share this year? I already have my theme set!
Sharing some fun favorites below. I put together a lot of affordable fashion finds, some big splurges, and some of my Amazon Prime Big Deal Day picks too! Plus, I’m sharing a small cookbook Q+A that I did on Instagram earlier this week. Hoping this answers some of the questions you all might have about the cookbook process!
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.
loving…both the Bottega Veneta Milan Fashion Week 2025 show and the Saint Laurent Paris Fashion Week 2025 show. Both collections really are so pretty! And I love that Bottega had guests sitting in bean bag chairs! How fun!
gifting…charm jewelry. With the holidays coming, I’m making a list of great gifts for hostess, stocking stuffers, and more. Love this Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Bear Coin Pouch. And you can never go wrong with monthly flower delivery.
everything in my cart (low)…from Zara. My mom would love this hooded double-sided jacket. The suede is cute! Actually, they have SO many cute jackets. I love this Pockets Jacket. And, of course, a great Suede Jacket. This Corduroy Collar Jacket is adorable. And I’d live in this Soft Bomber Jacket for sure.
listening to…Dr. Stacy Sims: Female-Specific Exercise & Nutrition for Health, Performance & Longevity. This is long, 3 hours, but I’m slowly working my way through it, and it’s super interesting.
dreaming of going to…Austria for Christmas– and we’re going! In fact, the whole family is going. My mom rented a spot at a resort outside of Innsbruck. Christmas is my favorite, and this town looks so cute!
loving…Stylist Mieke ten Have’s Upstate New York Retreat—And Her Tips for Fall Decorating. Such a beautiful home! Wow!
reading…Leanne Ford’s new book, The Slow Down. This book sounds super cute, and I love learning about the behind-the-scenes aspects of home design. You can preorder it here.
embracing…press tour networking. Taking notes as we head into the cookbook’s press tour this November!
everything in my cart (beauty)…ok, let’s start with a few Amazon highlights. I’m trying out this Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum, a Korean beauty favorite.
I reordered a tried-and-true, the Vanilla Apricot Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter from Josie Maran. I’m also trying out Shani Darden’s new Sake Nourishing Essence. I love these YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads.
On the laundry front…I only ever use the Branch Basics laundry detergent.
watching…31 Spooky Movies to Get You in the Mood for Halloween. BOO! I just love Halloween. I don’t love scary movies, but Disney movies are so fun for me! How about you?
a charming home…A Soaking Tub Is Only Steps Away From the Bed in This 900-Square-Foot Cotswolds Cottage. So sweet and cute.
reading…13 Cozy Books to Get Wrapped Up in This Fall.
everything in my cart (high)…Jackets! This Corrine Suede Jacket from Staud. Reformation’s Veda Leon Oversized Suede Blazer, and then this Corrin Suede Trench Coat from Ducie are so chic. If I were to get one, though, I’m ordering that trench! So cute!
Lastly, this Christmas night tasseled crystal-embellished gold-tone clutch is a major splurge, but wow, it’s so pretty and unique!
remember…Dooney & Bourke? Their bags used to be the IT bags, and now they’re coming back. This leather bag is cute and on sale!
shopping…everything from Coach. Like Dooney & Bourke, Coach seems to be the IT brand right now. Everyone wants a Coach bag, myself included. Personally, I have the Soft Empire Carryall Bag in my shopping cart.
2. Amazon Prime Big Deal Day October Picks.
home
beauty
fashion
3. My Favorite Chili Recipes.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili
Slowcooker Chipotle Queso Chicken Chili
Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili
Healthy Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili
4. New Cookbook Q+As.
How many new recipes are featured in the new cookbook?
125+
How do you go about selecting the cover photo?? It must be so hard to choose!
It is sooo hard! With this book, I didn’t have much of a choice. We needed to decide on the cover almost as soon as I started shooting the recipes for the book. At the time the cover needed to be chosen, I had only had a handful of recipes photographed. And I still didn’t feel like we had a cover. I pushed out the deadline as long as could – like as long as I possibly could. I shot the cover at the 11th hour but the second I saw the photo come up in my Lightroom catalog on my screen, I knew I had it.
Wait, let me rephrase. My mom knew I had the cover shot. Of course, I was still not sure, but I did love the photo, and I knew the recipe was a good one, so meatballs it was! And now I do love the cover. There is only one other recipe I would have considered, but in the end, I think we have the perfect cover! It all worked out!
Is it more of a “familiar dishes/back to basics” or a “something different/unique new flavors” type of book?
I’d say it’s a mix. If you know my recipes, then you know that I always try to include something unique that makes the recipe special and different. I don’t love creating recipes that have already been created unless it’s something my parents made growing up or a holiday recipe that is tradition. That said, I think you’ll find comfort in recipes that feel familiar but different and exciting too!
When will the book signing locations be announced??
So soon! Promise! We’re just working through details and changing schedules, but NYC, NJ, DC, Atlanta, Denver, Texas, Chicago, Nashville, Miami, LA, and San Fran (and others we’re still working on)—I’m coming to you soon!! We’re really trying to make these events fun and special, not just your average book signing.
More to come!
What Do You Love Most About The New Cookbook
This book is so special to me. It’s the one I am most proud of, excited to share, and nervous to release! I really put everything I had into creating this book. I buckled down and made it my only focus for so long.
The recipes and stories I’m sharing reflect the way I cook today. You can really see my growth as a not only a recipe creator, but my styling, photography and approach to cooking and entertaining throughout these pages.
Simple, real food, easy to make, no fuss, totally delicious, beautiful, and family favorites. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Are many recipes gluten-free?
Yes! There are some gluten-free recipes. But even if they aren’t gluten-free, most people find my recipes to be very easy to adjust.
Will you have autographed books available with the new cookbook? I’d love one!!
We will have limited signed copies available at independent bookstores! I can get details on how you can preorder those today. On my list of “to-dos” for this week is to sign a whole bunch of cookbooks!
Are they quick recipes and kid-friendly?
Yes, I definitely think so!
How do you know whether certain recipes will work in different parts of the country, the world, or in different climates?
I had two recipe testers for this cookbook, plus myself and some family/friends testing recipes, too. We had one tester in New York and another on the West Coast, plus team members in Nashville and California testing recipes! These recipes have been tested from all over the US. I want the recipes to work really well for everyone!
Can you do a cookbook for dinner parties? Cooking for a Crowd
Haha! Guys let’s focus on i book at a time!!! But I do love this idea
Will you do a holiday bundle with all 4 of your books please!
I love this idea! I’m not sure we can pull it off in time for this holiday season, but I’m definitely going to ask our teams what we can do!
Already preordered!
Thank you to everyone who has messaged saying they’ve already preordered! You guys have no idea how much your support means! I created these books for you, and my only hope is that they solve the problem we all ask ourselves, “What am I making tonight?” I hope these recipes bring new inspiration and deliciousness into your lives!!!
5. Inspiring Me – fall pumpkins.
6. Something Sweet.
Someone had asked, “why the random ladder to know where tho? Love you like a sister, lol”. And this was a follower’s response, so sweet:
7. Favorite Links i’m Loving.
10 Cozy Fall Destinations That Look Straight Out of a Nora Ephron Movie
How To Layer Your Skincare Products To Make Them As Effective As Possible
10 Fall Foods to Boost Your Gut Health, According to a Nutritionist
A Nutritionist Names the Best Fall Foods for Hormone Health
The Who What Wear 100: Every Fall 2024 Item to Shop This Season
31 Halloween Recipes for All Your Spooky Gatherings This Fall
The Prettiest Dessert of the Season is this Pear Frangipane Tart
How to Clean Leather Boots and Keep Them Looking New
8. Favorites Under $150 for Fall.
the best from J Crew, Abercrombie, Madewell
9. This Week’s Dinners + Weekend Eats.
Monday: Apple Cider Smothered Chicken
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Ginger Chicken and Brussels Sprouts
Wednesday: Sage Brown Butter Pumpkin Pasta Alfredo
Thursday: Crockpot Chipotle Queso Chicken Chili
Friday: Marry Me Chicken in Pumpkin Cream Sauce
Saturday: Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned
Sunday: Spooky Homemade Twix Bars
In an effort to keep this a happy, uplifting space for our community, any unnecessary, hateful, and just plain silly comments will be deleted. Any responses to that comment will also be deleted. Please remember that we are real people, and we have feelings too. Your words hurt. Remember what our mothers taught us: “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”.
Hey Tieghan,
I hope you are doing well. This was a great post loved reading the Q&A about your cookbook so much fun!! I’ve bought all your cookbooks to date there all awesome! No doubt in my mind this one will be amazing as all your recipes have been!! I share and make your recipes as much as I possibly can. Lately, you’re outdoing yourself with all the pumpkin recipes I love them. You must have read my mind. Any great seafood recipes you have where we can incorporate pumpkin?? I love all the desserts you shared. What’s your favorite dessert to incorporate pumpkin outside of Pumpkin Pie?? Any plans to come to Arizona on your cookbook tour?? My friend lives a couple hours from SF, I have a relative in Denver, and another friend in NJ. They could all use your cookbook and should come meet you as well. Please consider coming to AZ we’d love to have you!
Hey Mike,
Thanks so much for reading today and your thoughtful message! So glad you enjoyed reading about the cookbook and I appreciate all of your support in purchasing them! Ohhh I never thought about adding pumpkin to a seafood dish, love this idea!
I am loving these pumpkin sugar cookies:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/frosted-soft-pumpkin-sugar-cookies/
these bars are super yummy:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cinnamon-chocolate-chip-pumpkin-bars/
and this is great for a weekend breakfast/brunch:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pumpkin-butter-cinnamon-roll-bread/
Unfortunately, Arizona is not currently on the tour list, but maybe next year! I hope you have a great weekend! xT
Hi Tieghan and HBH team!
There aren’t enough days in the week to make all the stuff I want in my belly (immediately) from your posts! But, I started with a double batch of Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter – I use half Honeycrisp and half Granny Smith apples for a sweet/tart flavor – I make it every year now and give a jar of it with homemade bread as a little sussy (love gift) to friends, family and neighbors.
Also, I made a “test run” Ginger Apple Moscow Mule for my husband and I before we batch it and serve at our dinner party tonight – good heavens (!) they were GREAT! This is coming from someone who doesn’t really care for vodka and a man that really only likes good bourbon, on the rocks. Well done!
Keep bringing the excellence & keep being awesome!
Cheers!
What happened to deleting the negative personal attacks? It seems they’re spreading like a cancer again. I agree with Natalie, you need to pre-approve comments. Not try to clean up the bilge afterwards.
My daughter-in-law asked for a traditional Thanksgiving, and my husband is thrilled! It’s not often we have one. I’ll bet you will come up with some creative recipes for those of us who like something interesting but satisfying for those who choose tradition. Thanks for asking. Great post this week. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Kym! I appreciate you reading today! I’m excited to share some holiday recipes soon:) Have the best week! xT
I appreciate your intent to delete negative and deliberately antagonistic comments, but it seems several got missed. The top 4 for instance – for starters.
That is why so many of your regular readers have asked that the comments be pre-approved before publication, as well just the site requiring verified email and user accounts to be able to comment at all. Simply deleting personal attacks after the fact never works – they just won’t stop, they still get seen, they still ruin the HBH experience.
That said, the same policy of deleting hateful remarks should absolutely apply to your Instagram as well. I had to stop following there, simply due to the overwhelming amount of unchecked abuse happening on your account. It’s painful to see.
It seemed hopeful to check back here to see if the attempts to keep the blog positive were working, but it doesn’t seem so. As long as there is an open forum here, it will not get better. These people will not let up. Even if they try to disguise the snark, it’s still obvious to everyone reading, and it’s way past the point of old.
For the people in the back, can you help us understand your definition of constructive criticism vs “plain mean comments?” I’ve seen my fair share of comments here asking for advice when a recipe fails them, or very benign questions to clear up misunderstandings. More often than not, those are the ones that get deleted. It’s super frustrating when on one hand, you praise the love of your community, and on the other, completely silence them at a mere hint of anything that is genuinely constructive. I’m just trying to comprehend the rules of engagement here, since you’ve added your new disclaimer, and I interpret that as you and your team carte blanche deleting whatevern you want.
Love that we are keeping HBH an echo chamber of positivity! Being in a bubble without any negativity or criticism is a such a nice break from my real world! I’m sure so many readers are accustomed to feedback at their jobs and would gladly block themselves from others opinions if they were given the chance…
Several people commented and asked questions about the direction HBH is taking, pivoting more towards lifestyle. Those comments have been deleted. Are questions and feedback not permitted? Will only complimentary posts be allowed? If so, that is not reality or authentic.
Hey Serena,
Thanks for your comment today, I am not sure what questions you are referring to, but we wouldn’t delete any genuine questions that are being asked. If you would like to share them again, please feel free! I would happily answer any questions you have regarding HBH:) Also, constructive criticism is always welcome, plain mean comments are not. I hope this makes sense! xx
This doesn’t make sense at all. Several people commented yesterday about HBH’s pivot towards lifestyle, there was a question about living simply. Those comments were deleted by you or your team.
A couple of people replied to my comment, those replies have been deleted. There was a reply from you that was deleted, it was quite different from your current response.
I love reading your Sunday posts 🙂
I’m sorry you had to put that last bit into the post & just know you have readers who aren’t getting sucked into whatever negative chaos is going on. My husband & grown kids love your recipes & your yummies are part of our family lore.
Take care of yourself & I’m glad you are finding ways to care for yourself through it all.
Can’t wait for the new cookbook!
Aww, thanks so much, Sonya! I am so glad you and your family have enjoyed so many recipes and I appreciate you being here! Have a wonderful week! xT
Ok, I have been waiting all week to ask this question! While waiting for your newest cookbook to arrive (my aunt pre-ordered it for me as a bday gift), it got me thinking about your other three cookbooks. I love them and have personal favorites from all of them (beer bread [obvi], banana chocolate chip bundt bread, pizza dough recipe, whole wheat popovers, etc.), but I haven’t even come close to trying them all out. I realize that asking you to pick your personal favorites from each of your previous cookbooks would be like asking a mother to pick a favorite child, but I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing what recipes from each of the other three cookbooks are the ones that other readers have shared are their favorites based off meeting and interacting with them at other cookbook launches, or elsewhere? I’m wanting to bake/cook a few more highly loved recipes from the other ones I already have, as a means to tide me over while waiting for November 19th. 🙂 Thanks for your consideration!
Hey Alex,
Thanks so much reading and your message today! I am so glad you have been enjoying the cookbooks and appreciate you trying so many recipes! Here are some super popular recipes from each book:
HBH-salted brioche cinnamon rolls, dad’s one pan Friday night pasta, potato chip chicken
Super Simple-autumn harvest salad, penne all vodka, chocolate peanut butter blondie brownie bars
Everyday-sweet potato pierogi, Nonnie’s sticky apricot chicken, spicy tuna roll stack
I hope this helps! Let me know how the recipes turn out for you! xT
What is the location of the cover pic? Very cool witchy vibes:)
Thanks, Amy!! The photo was taken in Beverly Hills. Have the best week! xT
There’s no need to correct your quote “if you don’t have anything nice to say…”. It’s a very common idiom and has been for generations. According to idioms.thefreedictionary.com, it means “ if you are only going to say something rude or mean-spirited, keep quiet instead.”
Thank you so much for all your hard work and delicious recipes! A number of them are made and enjoyed frequently in our home. We’ll be making your very tasty dish, skillet cranberry chicken for our Thanksgiving. Which for those of us in Canada, is next weekend. Cheers.
I think the correction refers to the Golden Rule- which is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” No one is questioning the validity of her phrase “if you don’t have anything nice to say,” just pointing out that it is not the Golden Rule.
Hey Rose,
Thanks so much for your kind message:) I appreciate you making so many recipes! I hope you love the cranberry chicken, Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Hi all,
For some reason I am having trouble with some of the links in today’s NFT (specifically “Favorites Under $150 for Fall” and “Amazon Prime Big Deal Day October Picks”. Is anyone else having this issue?
Same! Can’t access….
Same
Hey there,
Thanks for letting me know, looking into this now and will get it fixed ASAP! Have a great Sunday! xT