Have a beautiful day!

I hope you all had a great weekend. The weather here in NY has finally reached summer temperatures, which makes me both happy and exhausted (being in my 8th month of pregnancy.) It was fun to relax, sleep late and go to some yummy brunches around the city this weekend, and now I am on to a crazzzzzy work week!

Hope you all have a wonderful day! and short week!

xx

Nikki

Bill Cunningham, New York

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Sunday afternoon we decided to pop into the IFC theater to see the Bill Cunningham New York documentary. My husband and I are both fans of his photos and short commentaries on NYTimes.com. This film was so touching (especially if you live in New York) and we left the theater feeling totally inspired.

Has anyone seen it yet?

Carrot Pineapple Cake.

For my dinner party Tuesday night, mentioned here, I wanted to make a birthday cake for my friend that was sure to be unexpected.

You all know my love for cream cheese frosting, so if the recipe includes it, I'm making it. I decided on this two layer Carrot Pineapple cake, that did not disappointment. My only regret was feeding my guests so much for dinner that we could barely fit dessert!

Happy Birthday to Monique and I hope you ALL have a great weekend!!!

Recent Purchases.

This time last year I was planning my wedding, so shopping was basically off limits. It was tough, especially since Autumn is my favorite season and fall fashion purchases usually get me through till spring.

I feel that this year, I have made up for all that I missed. Here are a few of my recent purchases that I know will get me through to the rest of the year.

CHUNKY CRYSTAL NECKLACE

LEATHER DRIVING GLOVES

NUDE SUNGLASSES

RACHEL LEIGH "BLUSH DROPS"

THE NEELY BAG

Haaaappy Friday! I'm so excited the weekend is here! Hope you all have a fabulous one xx

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.

Just Desserts

Last night as my husband and I went for our night time stroll to the highline park, we came across a truck reading "FREE DESSERTS," a promotion for Bravo's new show Top Chef's Just Desserts.
Sweets were flowing as Bravo reps served up ice cream, truffles, cupcakes and milkshakes...right there on west 16th street. It got even better when I realized the cupcakes were from my favorite bakery, Billy's. Needless to say we stocked up, but before you decide we are total pigs, we shared some of these treats with our doorman :)

















Just another reason why I <3 New York.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Happy Friday Ladies!

This week flew by for me and now I'm looking forward to visiting my parents and spending a whole weekend at the beach. What do you all have planned? Hope it's wonderful!

xx

Saving grace.

I'm welcoming August with an influx of new projects (a good thing) but not much time to do anything else.
There is one thing and one thing only keeping my head above water, and that is Starbucks on every surrounding corner of my apt.





swoon


photo via

Hope your weekend is Fabulous

I can't believe we are at the last weekend of July already! The summer is flying by before my eyes and I hope August goes a little slower so I can actually take it all in. I'm looking forward to the rest of the summer and also certainly looking forward to fall {my favorite season.}
Have a lovely weekend.

xx
photo via

I heart New York.

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend in the city.





...and the MAD MEN premiere Sunday night.


What are your plans this weekend?

xx
Nikki

It's Monday

Bruschetta

Whenever possible, we spend Sunday afternoons making homemade bruschetta. It seems to take forever, but the preparation is so much fun and entirely worth it for the end result. The house fills with a garlic basil aroma and we usually make our way through a bottle of wine before the meal is ready.

















{Fudge Brownies were baked as a thank you gift for my cousin in law}

Mark Burger

Tuesday night my husband and I went out for a quick yet indulgent dinner to Mark Burger in the East Village. This is one of his favorite spots, but I allow myself to indulge in the savory sliders, crispy fries and creamy shakes only once a month.
Let me tell you, it is all worth the calories, especially when you get to choose from 4 deliciously unique sauces to dip your fries.

{Black and White Shake}





{Slider with onions and cheese}





{Fries with Jalepeno ketchup}









{My favorite, warm pecan pie a la mode}

A family affair

Yesterday was my mother in law's 60th birthday and her one request was an intimate gathering of our 2 families.

We decided to throw her an elaborate brunch, including mimosas, fresh lox, mini panini and decadent chocolate birthday cake. I started planning early last week and created a detailed menu since I knew it was going to be a busy weekend.

It was a really beautiful morning and even better was getting our families together in our home.