Chai Spice Mix – A Beautiful Mess

admin — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:36:20 +0000

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Chai spice has to be one o the most beloved spice mixes in the world. This homemade chai spice mix is great in drinks, tea, and baked goods. It’s so fun to make too because it leaves your kitchen smelling SO good. To me chai spice has such a cozy aroma and flavor.

You could use this chai spice mix in drinks like a homemade chai latte, iced chai latte or a dirty chai. It’s also a great spice mix for things like cookies, quick breads, muffins and cakes.

Related: Next up learn to make a Turmeric Latte (Golden Milk) or Starbucks Medicine Ball.

Ingredients

Cinnamon
Cardamom
Ginger
Nutmeg
Cloves
Black pepper

How to make Chai Spice

Add all the spices in a small mixing bowl and stir to combine.

Store in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place for up to six months or more.

Notes and Additions

This mix is pretty universal. That being said, one of the benefits of making your own spice blends is you can customize it to your own preferences. If you don’t like nutmeg, omit it. Want it more spicy? Increase the black pepper.
You can add more spices to this mix like allspice or star anise. I tend to keep it simple but will sometimes add star anise as a garnish to drinks I make with chai spice.
Make sure all the base spices you use are fresh so your final spice mix will last for 6 months or more.
This also makes a fun homemade gift for any tea-lover or baker you know!

Homemade Spice and Seasoning Mixes

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Chai spices taste like?

Weeknight Pumpkin Chili Recipe | Epicurious

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:33:55 +0000

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It’s almost a misnomer to call this recipe simply “pumpkin chili.” While there is an entire can of the stuff (the kind you’d use for pumpkin pie) in the hearty stew, it’s also chock-full of ground beef, canned beans, and enough flavorsome ingredients that any prominent pumpkin flavor all but disappears. What’s left is velvety richness, body, and an autumnal hue. During the season when you’re likely to have an extra can of pumpkin purée on hand for baking purposes, this is a great way to repurpose it into a speedy, filling, extremely cozy weeknight meal. (Canned butternut squash purée would make a great substitute for the pumpkin if you happen to have one in the pantry!)

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409: Nine Favorite Things. – Half Baked Harvest

admin — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:11:44 +0000

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Happy Spooktacular October!
I hope you’ve all had a spooktastic week. I’m so excited that spooky season is here, it’s truly one of my favorite times of the year. Even though life feels a little chaotic right now, I can still feel all the cozy magic that this season brings.

I’m thrilled to share that our first piece of Halloween content is coming next week — it’s frightfully fun! We shot the story in New York, and I think you’re going to love it.

After a week spent at home, I’m looking forward to some travel later this month. There’s so much happening! I’ll be back and forth from New York, plus heading to Dallas, San Francisco, and a few new cities for our Williams-Sonoma fall/holiday tour (I’m sharing updates below!). It’s going to be such a fun season.

Before all of that kicks into high gear, I’m home for the next couple of weeks — hoping for sunny fall days and cozy nights. I’ll definitely be watching my favorite Halloween movies (Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, and of course, Harry Potter). Reruns of Gilmore Girls have also been on repeat lately. They always bring so much comfort and remind me of fall back home in Cleveland.

Speaking of home, the leaves are gorgeous right now! We’ve got that crisp chill in the air, and the trees are just past their peak — golden, orange, and so pretty.

That’s it for our weekly catch-up! I have so many fun things to share below. Wishing you a cozy Sunday – I’ll be burning a pumpkin smash candle mixed with an apple cider candle (the secret is burning them together!) while baking soft pumpkin sugar cookies today.

And don’t miss 31 Recipes to Cook in October 2025.

1. Things I’m Loving.

gifting…Lola Blankets. As we head into the holiday season, I’m noting everything I want to gift this season. Lola Blankets are top of my list for friends and as hostess gifts. I know if someone brought me a cozy blanket, I would be excited! I have some inside scoop that their holiday collections is launching very soon. All I have to say is you need to be on the lookout because I think it’s going to sell out fast! Also, I highly recommend the weighted blanket (I think it’s my personal favorite).

cozying up with…Hanna Andersson holiday PJs. Speaking of gifting, holidays, and getting cozy, how cute are the Hanna Andersson pajamas? I don’t have kids, but for those of you who do, I love the Halloween collection. It’s so cute! My cousin just had a little girl. I want to send her this Halloween HannaJams Sleeper. And for Christmas, Oslo would be so excited about these Dr. Seuss Grinch HannaJams Pajama Set. Also, the holiday collection has matching adult PJs. Get them for the family! This Holiday Plaid Matching Family Pajama set is cute and festive.

reading…What to Do With Your Life in October—31 Cozy Ways to Embrace the Month Ahead.

coats…everything in my cart (low)…the Nike Full-Zip Jacket Windrunner. This is great for outdoor workouts through the fall. I love that it’s good for travel too!

I also found this Water Repellent Wind Resistant Stretch Nylon Jacket from The North Face (and it’s on sale), as well as a very cute Cropped Unify Jacket from Alo.

Sweater-wise, I’m into this Twist Reversible Sweater on Nordstrom. And both my mom and I love White & Warren. I added this cute Cashmere Neckerchief to my Shopbop cart. She added this Cashmere Crewneck to her White and Warren cart.

I wear the Perfect White Tee brand all the time. They make for awesome layering pieces. Adding the Hendrix Tee 3 Pack to my Shopbop cart.

And a pretty Reformation Knit Shrug Dress Set. Easy to style with fall boots!

listening to…Unlock Your Brain’s Full Potential from Aspire with Emma Grede. I listened to parts of this 3 times over to help fully absorb the information. It’s a really great episode! Emma’s guest and her solos are always so good. I learn a lot! I loved last week’s episode too, Plan Your Life Like a Business.

traveling…The Insider Guide to Milan: The Most Stylish Places to Stay, Shop, Dine, and Go. We’ll be heading to Milan for hockey during the winter Olympics (Red competes in Livigno), so I’m bookmarking everything on this list!

loving…the new Antique Arras Peel and Stick Wallpaper by Jeremiah Brent. Pretty!

shopping…the new New Balance sneaks. I have the 1906R Sneaker and love them. But I’m into these new WTAPS x New Balance Abzorb 2010.

shopping…Zara 50th Birthday Collection. The brand is dropping 50 new objects designed in collaboration with people across art, design, film, and fashion. All proceeds will benefit Women’s Earth Alliance. Very cool! You can start shopping tomorrow, October 6th.

everything in my cart (beauty)…excited to try the new Rhode peptide eye prep set. I always travel with eye patches and put them on at night after I shower. They’re easy to throw on, so I love them!

The Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette from Diptyque sounds like a lovely fall scent with notes of vanilla.

nails…I’m into a dark nail for October, and OPI has some pretty opaque colors! Dark Cherry Cutney is spooky but still pretty, and Malaga Wine is a nice fall shade that would be cute for Thanksgiving.

My hair has been getting easily tangled lately and taking forever to brush. I’m ordering The Care & Detangling Hair Brush after reading about how good it is! But you guys, which color brush should I get? I can’t decide between The Essential Cherry Red and The Essential Terracotta. And honestly, the “Octobre Rose” Limited Edition is really pretty too! What’s your favorite?

wearing…J.Crew is doing everything right this season. I’ve been living in their brushed cashmere V-neck sweater.

also wearing…I love fleece jackets in the fall. This season, I actually got two! The Cabernet Fleece Cady Quarter Zip. The cabernet is sold out, but the black is cute too (and fully stocked). And from Alo, the Sherpa Edge Shacket in espresso – just restocked (the navy and the black are cute too). Skims has a cute boxy jacket too.

following…Dr. Amy Shah. I recently listened to a podcast she was on. I’m excited to follow. Also, Doctor Tara, whom I found through the Aspire podcast linked above.

getting excited…for all the new holiday decor launching! Currently scrolling the Mcgee and Co Holiday Boutique. They design classic, timeless decor, which is very much my style for holiday decorating. I love this pretty Faux Dried Oranges Garland.

reading…What Is Your Joy Span? and A Big, Juicy Round Up of Fall Recommendations.

everything in my cart (high)…how cute is this cardigan from Tanya Taylor. I really love the raisin shade for fall. If you’re more of a neutral color girl, this cardigan from Revolve looks really cozy.

This Low Waist Leather Maxi Skirt from Reformation has Thanksgiving dinner look written all over it. So pretty, and the color makes it perfect for the holidays. I’d definitely wear it with this pretty STAUD Canal Top Canal Top. Just add boots!

loving…the Bottega Veneta Milan Fashion Week 2026 show. This collection is the first from Louise Trotter, the brand’s first female designer. I loved the new collection, it really is so pretty! Another highlight, but this time from Paris Fashion Week, was definitely Dior. One of my favorite collections! And the first from the brand’s new designer, Jonathan Anderson.

2. October Pumpkin Recipes.

There are so many…if you want them all, CLICK HERE

Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Cinnamon Swirl Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Pecan Latte

Cream Cheese Swirled Cinnamon Pumpkin Butter Bread

Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

White Chocolate Chai Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

6 Ingredient Spiced Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Butter Cinnamon Rolls with Coffee Icing

3. It’s Prime Day – this is what to shop.

beauty

fashion

home

4. The Fall/Holiday Tour Updates!

We have tour updates! After so many requests, two more cities have been added to this year’s fall and holiday tour with Williams-Sonoma — I’m so excited about this! If I could, I’d add even more stops, but time is so tight this season. (There’s a chance we may add one more, so keep checking back for updates!)

I’m especially thrilled to be back at Columbus Circle this December. That stop is going to feel so special!

Aside from signing books and snapping photos, what would make these nights extra meaningful for you? I’d love your ideas — email me, leave a comment, or just let me know what you’d like to see at these events.

See details and grab tickets below!

Williams Sonoma Stanford Shopping Center

Palo Alto, California
Tuesday, October 28th at 6 pm

Williams Sonoma South Coast Plaza

Costa Mesa, California
Wednesday, October 29th at 6 pm

Williams Sonoma at The Original Farmer’s Market
Los Angeles, California
Saturday, November 1 at 12:30

Williams Sonoma Hill Center

Nashville, Tennessee
Wednesday, November 5 at 6 pm

Williams Sonoma SouthPark Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
Thursday, November 6 at 6 pm

*Williams Sonoma Columbus Circle
New York City, New York
Friday, December 2 at 6 pm

Note – correct date above (the link will be updated soon!)

5. Online Hate and Cruel Comments.

When did it become OK to speak to people you don’t even know in such a negative – sometimes even hateful – way? It’s something I’ve been feeling deeply lately, and it’s hard to understand.

The body shaming. The cruel, unnecessary comments. Even the threats and relentless criticism. It’s painful—and it’s not okay. We shouldn’t treat anyone this way.

I try every day to create recipes and content that make people feel happy, inspired, and connected. So it’s hard to read words meant to tear down rather than lift up.

Please remember:

If you don’t have anything kind to say, don’t say it at all.
Words have power. They can hurt – even those who seem strong on the outside.

Before posting something negative, ask yourself: How would I feel if someone said this to me, or to someone I love? Would I want to cause that kind of hurt?

I hope we can all choose kindness more often. That’s what I want this space to be, a place filled with love, warmth, and inspiration.

6. An October Giveaway.

It’s a spooky one! I am very excited to be gifting 10 winners over on Instagram the Staub pumpkins! Everyone LOVES these when I break them out every season. Giveaway ends Thursday night (October 9th).

enter here