FAVORITE HALF BAKED HARVEST MEALS + A FEW TIPS

I used to meal plan a ton when our kids were smaller but as they’ve gotten older and our schedules have become more involved, I’ve found I have less and less time to dedicate to sitting down to meal plan. Now, I realize that doesn’t make total sense since it seems as though the planning would make for less confusion in our schedule during the week and it seems like a bit of a catch-22 but I just…can’t…even…right…now.

Enter in Half Baked Harvest to save all of our days. Her recipes tend to make my weeknight meal planning not only a little easier to bear but fun, even.

Since we’re moving into fall, I thought it’d be helpful to share some of my favorite fall (and honestly, any time) recipes that I’ve pinned and tried that have become hits in our own home.

IMAGE | HALF BAKED HARVEST

THAI CHICKEN MEATBALL KHAO SOI

Not much to say about this. This is my number one favorite soup to make and I’m completely obsessed with Thai food. Always. Disclaimer: this one takes me even less time as I sub out the meatballs for the Argentinian Fresh Frozen shrimp from Trader Joe’s (if you haven’t used it ina recipe, do it now) and also add some pre-cooked chicken. It’s just the right kind of spice and an opportunity LOAD the cilantro on as well as tons of green and red onions. Hands down, this one is sure to be a fave in your house as well and the best part is that it’s gluten and dairy free!

IMAGE | HALF BAKED HARVEST

SWEET POTATO LENTIL SOUP WITH RICE

Another dairy-free fave, this sweet potato lentil soup with rice recipe feels like a bowl of soul-filled goodness. I always loved chicken and rice and thought that this one would have to compete with that the first time I tried it but I didn’t miss the chicken one bit. I love any recipe or meal that I can make and eat that won’t make me feel guilty after. This one leaves you feeling full but light and if you’re really feeling good, you can make the naan that accompanies the recipe or just buy some from your local market. No extra points for homemade bread but if it’s your thing, do it! Then, send me some.

IMAGE | HALF BAKED HARVEST

APPLE AND KALE SALAD

Another light fare fave, this apple and kale salad is an EASY meal that was surprisingly a crowd pleaser. The tartness of the apples with the salty flavors f the bacon and crunchy texture of the kale and the seeds come together to make a party in your mouth and I am totally here for it. I love it as a weeknight meal but also love it as a lunch or on-the-go meal. This one’s a keeper, for sure.

IMAGE | HALF BAKED HARVEST

CREAMY WILD RICE CHICKEN SOUP

Ya’ll. This is even better in person which is hard to believe considering how absolutely amazing it look here . If you’re looking for light and healthy this meal probably isn’t it since it’s filled with lots butter and heavy cream but you will not be sorry for making this soup at least a few times a month during the fall/winter season.

Those are just a few of my favorites for rotation during this season.
Where are some of your favorite places to find quick + easy meals for your family? Leave ‘em in the comments below!

FOR MORE OF MY FAVES + IDEAS FOR MORE EASY WEEKNIGHT MEALS CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD HERE.

SHOP MY KITCHEN + HOSTING FAVES

STEAK KNIFE SET

WOOD TRAY SET

CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN

FLATWARE SET

COTTON NAPKIN SET

DINNERWARE SET

WOOD BOARD

A LAYERED BEDROOM REFRESH WITH REVIVAL VINTAGE RUGS | PART ONE

Recently I partnered with Revival Rugs and decided to give the one rug that I chose a try in our bedroom.

First, I guess I should start with the beginning: I have seen Revival and others touting the brand for a while and I loved what I saw. They offer wide range of vintage rugs in an array of sizes, colorways, and styles.

With all the selection I was able to square in on one that haunted me (quite literally) until I put it in my cart the next day.

Some of you may remember that we currently rent so flooring options for us are pretty slim. Rugs are a simple way in a temporary space to ground the space and to make it feel more cozy and like home.

Enter, the Aspasia.

Originally, I thought this rug would be a great addition to our family room but when I unrolled it, I realized it needed a place to show off in our bedroom against the moss green linen duvet that I recently replaced our white cotton IKEA duvet with.

First impressions really are everything and I was so impressed with the attention and detail given to packaging and the branding of everything before I even unboxed the rug. It came in an easy to carry and access package and was neatly folded inside with a cute, thoughtful note from the folks over at Revival.

I’m not sure about you all and how you see your bedroom, but I really want this space to feel like a bit of a retreat. Most days it’s stuffed full of things like laundry and books and magazines (only on my side—Larry keeps his side tip-top) scattered all over the place.

Initially I thought the rug was a bit more of taupe/beige from the site but then saw that it really presents as more of a lavender and thought that it would work well with the neutral tones of our upholstered bed which actually carries some purple and lavender/grey tones as well. I loved it.

I love how the colors transition from grey to tan to lavender and that it pulls colors I’d really not ever noticed out of what could be a very boring upholstered bed.

So, what do you think? Stay tuned for more of our bedroom refresh reveal next week! Can’t wait to talk more about how I’m using what I have but also mixed in a lot of fun new (old) things to build character in this special space.

My Favorite Coffee + Side Tables for Small Spaces

“Houston, we have a problem. We have no space for all this furniture we want to fit into our small home.”

Well, no worries my friend. Hopefully that will be less of a problem after surfing through some of my favorite designs in side and coffee tables for small spaces.

A s point of reference for where I even have the least bit of authority to speak on this topic: we live in a…well…a weird home.

This is what I mean: If you look at the square footage (2750 sq ft) you’d think we’d have plenty of space. (And honestly we really do—the layout is just super funky) After all we have 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The problem with that is that a large percentage of that square footage is walk-in closets in four of the five bedrooms that could literally qualify as bedrooms themselves if they had windows.

This leaves little room in the area that we use the most—the combined living and dining space on the lower level of the home.

I think we’ve gone through a billion arrangements in trying to figure out how to make a small space feel large and I’ve settled for now on using our ottoman as a coffee table which isn’t a bad deal if you ask me but I’ve had some requests recently on Instagram for suggestions on small space living and I thought since I’m actually living that life, it’d be fun to offer some products and items that have helped me make that lifestyle a bit easier along the way.

round marble + gold table | 125 bay isle coffee table | 336 black nesting | 33

rivet side table | 126 dubois coffee table | 600 wood + gold round coffee | 129

turned wood coffee table | 699 small wooden round side table | 50

xeros woven coffee table | 300

I love that the above options offer something for just about everyone whether your style is more casual and relaxed or a bit more traditional and classic. There’s something out there for everyone.

Where are some of your favorite places to shop for furniture for smaller spaces? Let me know in the comments below.

until next time,

xo Kennesha