Spiced Apple Cake {With cream cheese frosting}

My husband has a friend in town this week, and so I'm on my best hostess behavior, making sure they have plenty of treats to snack on throughout their day.
When I saw this recipe on Smitten Kitchen, I kept it open and made it that same night. My house flooded with smells of cinnamon and apple and sweet cream cheese icing.
They both loved it and needless to say, the cake was gone by breakfast.





Hope you all have a fantastic Halloween weekend! We will be making our way to the parade in greenwich village with spiked cider in tow :)

Shearling

To me, there are few things more glamorous in the cooler months than oversized, draping shearling coats. I've wanted one since I was a little girl, and now there are so many more options out there that it seems impossible to choose. I love the cool grey colors just as much as the classic camel I once dreamed of.




1. Vince Draped Shearling jacket.
2. Topshop Shearing bootie.
3. YSL shearling lined suede gloves.
4. Rag & Bone Shaerling lined coat.
5. DKNY hooded shearling-lined leather vest.
6. Opening Ceremony shearling turn over boot.
7. Dom & Ruby oversized shearling jacket.
8. Hunter Cervina over the knee boots.

HAPPY MONDAY! xx

PS.....

ENTER MY ANTHROPOLOGIE BIB NECKLACE GIVEAWAY HERE!

Artichoke Pasta

I should start by saying that I make some form of this stir-fry, pretty much every week. My best friend and fellow blogger, Annie, shared this recipe with me when we were in high school and used to cook it with her Mom. It's just as delicious today as it was back then.
I can never get tired of the artichoke-pepper combo tossed with pasta and garlic. I usually add grilled chicken, broccoli and this time, capers. Delish!






Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! xx

ENTER MY ANTHROPOLOGIE BIB NECKLACE GIVEAWAY HERE!

Leading Lady

I'm a month late on posting these amazing pictures of Ashley Olsen from the September 2010 issue of FASHION mag, but I couldn't let these details go without praise.
I adore everything from her smokey eye and high chignon to her platform penny loafers.







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ENTER ANTHROPOLOGIE BIB NECKLACE GIVEAWAY HERE!

Kimberly McDonald

There is something truly special about each and every breathtaking piece by jewelry designer, Kimberly McDonald. The entire collection uses natural and organic materials, including agates, geodes, diamonds and raw emeralds.

I discovered these creations recently while scouring the perfect agate necklace, and after researching more, I'm completely smitten.


images via

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! xx

Giveaway!

As announced on twitter, I've been anxiously awaiting my 100th follower to finally host my first giveaway!
I thought a Fall Themed Giveaway would be appropriate given the gorgeous weather and all the beautiful Fall accessories that are filling the stores.

The winner will receive this Anthropologie "autumn floral" necklace, a soft berry colored pashmina and few other fall-themed surprises.



To Enter:
Must be a Follower of Style & Charm, and/or follow me on Twitter!
Leave a comment below!

I will announce the lucky winner next week, so stay tuned!

I also want to thank all you Beautiful Bloggers for reading my blog everyday and leaving me the warmest comments. You've made this hobby of mine so rewarding and fun each and every day. xx

Good Luck!

Haute Handbag.

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I think it's pretty obvious that I have a dangerous obsession with handbags. Which is your favorite?



P.S.....

The Vitals.

This week I wrangled myself into the daunting task of organizing all my beauty/health/hair products into a new system in my closet. The hoards of products that I own, and never use, was alarming.
It got me thinking to my essential product stash, the one that I keep on hand at all times, and that never gets lost in the abyss of my closet.
Here are my beauty saviors, most of which I've used for years and years and years...



1. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
{Oil free and perfect for just a teeny bit of moisture before makeup.}

2. Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner
{One of my favorite times of day is washing my hair with this succulent coconut creme.}

3. L'Occitane Body Lotion
{Smells like the sweetest baby powder.}

4. Healthy Hoof Nail Lacquer
{Started using this when I was a teenager! Major addiction. Nails.Never.Chip.}

5. Benefit Cosmetics "Dallas" Blusher
{Somehow always defines my face and adds the perfect sun-kissed glow.}

6. Prada Infusion D'Iris Perfume and lotion
{All time favorite fresh scent.}

7. Lavender Oil
{Perfect for bedtime, relaxation or extra dry spots.}

8. Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste
{My savior for blemishes and under eyes.}

9. MAC lipstick in Blankety
{Consistently works, whether I'm pale or tan.}



What are some of your Vitals?
xx

In Love With.

Green Bags.


Neck Ties.


Olive Leather.


Camel Coats.


Whimsy Prints.

Images via

Hot Chicken Chili

My reasons for loving cool weather go on and on and on, but I must admit that food is high on the list.
This meal came in handy last week when it was cold and rainy in New York and we desperately needed something to warm us up without going out.
I adapted this recipe, substituting beef with chicken, beef broth with beer and added 2 jalepenos. The best part? You'll have leftovers for days.







Have a Wonderful Monday!

October Eats

Yesterday, I bought my first pumpkin of the season, along with several cans of organic pumpkin for baking.
I'm planning to make some treats for our cousin-in-law who lives downstairs, and my heaping supply of fall recipes is overwhelming. Here are a few inspiring pics, featuring one of my all time favorite ingredients: the pumpkin.

Hope you all have a LOVELY weekend! big kiss, Nikki







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Essentials

As the cooler weather approaches New York, I am thriving on wearing thin layers, booties and fresh makeup to welcome the change. It also has me thinking of fall essentials I already own, and ones that I need. While I acknowledge that not All of these items on my list are "essentials," I do feel that Fall would be all the more enjoyable if these lived in my closet.



1. Modcloth lace blouse, $50
2. Olive green wrap/scarf, $50
3. Topshop tall ribbed socks, $12
4. Judith Jack Large Onyx Ring, $199
5. Carven Vintage Clear Frame Sunglasses $180
6. Rachel Leigh Gunmetal Blush Drops, $48
7. Mulberry Neely tote in Spongy Nude, $1200
8. Tommy Hilfiger Benningon Low Duck Booties, $298
9. Essie nail color in Little Brown Dress $8
10. Monica Vinader Nugget amethyst earrings, $270
11. NARS matte fuschia lipstick, $24
12. Topshop studded purse, $55

Peekaboo

Can we please talk about...





I've seen glimpses of it everywhere, each time looking different and alluring with it's peekaboo lining. I love the hidden closure that safely holds your essentials, while showing off the the contrasted interior of the satchel.
This is fashion at it's best and just another reason why I love good design.

Blondie

This weekend was the kind of weekend I've been longing for. New York was perfectly crisp, allowing me to wear my new leather jacket out for drinks on Friday night and cozy enough for me to stay in the kitchen for the better part of Sunday. Aside from preparing bruschetta, (our Sunday ritual) I needed a treat to enjoy while watching my Sunday night shows.

I whipped up these deliciously moist and decadent blondies in no time and they were the sweetest end to a perfect weekend.

Peach+Banana Muffins

For my husband, it's a huge treat to have baked goods in the house. We are no strangers to going out for sweets, but as far as what we keep stocked in the house, it's pretty healthy stuff.

Since I often have to trick him to eat healthier, I packed these muffins full of fruit and reduced the sugar, hoping he would never know the difference.
I was right :)

Recipe here.

Note: I used 4 bananas and added one large chopped peach to the wet mixture. I reduced sugar by half, since the peach was bursting with sweetness.

HAPPY FRIDAY AND HAVE A LOVELY WEEKEND !!