I want my apartment to permanently smell like these apple cider donuts that I made last week. I wish there was a scratch and sniff for this post because you would D-I-E! Cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and butter wafting through the air…heaven, truly. This was the easiesttttt recipe, and believe it or not – I am not even a donut person! Yeah, seriously! But these bad boys, are nothing like the store-bought donuts you’re used to. They’re moist, flavorful, and light – almost like an apple cinnamon muffin, but more fun. When I moved back to NYC, I left most of my cooking supplies and cute holiday decor behind. It was too much of a pain to bring every little thing, and I just figured I wouldn’t have enough space in my city kitchen for it all. Thankfully, I was able to replace a ton of items I left by ordering them at Walmart (their 2 day shipping option is THE BEST) and everything was soooo reasonably priced and sized. You really do have to think about the size of things in NYC, and this petite 6 donut pan is PERFECT for any kitchen. So is this baking rack! Affordable Items From Walmart It’s so fun to get in the fall/holiday spirit and I wanted to share a few easy, affordable things from Walmart that have made my place feel more cozy and fall-like this season! For fall/Halloween/October themed decor, I love these white pumpkins which can also be used on a Thanksgiving table. These black and white linen napkins are so classic and honestly great to use year round. These black and white straws make any drink more festive. And how fab is this big plaid blanket for picnics or snuggles on the couch? For baking, I love these Halloween sprinkles, this donut pan, baking rack, simple black spatula, hand mixer, and black “cauldrons” to put toppings in. Walmart literally has everything from decor, to baking items, and ingredients – like flour, sugar, vanilla, and candy corn or frosting! These are my favorite mixing bowls – I use them for everything from apps to baking, candy and more. Apple Cider Donuts Recipe Get the apple cider donut recipe here – and let me know how you like them! I can’t wait to make another batch this weekend (I already ate all of these in 2 days – after sharing a few of course ;0) Oh my goodness, I almost forgot – can we talk about Charlie’s costume?! It’s a Where’s Waldo? Halloween costume for dogs – and was under $20. He surprisingly likes it too (minus the glasses which he tore off in 5 seconds haha!) Do you have a pup? There are so many perfect dog costumes here!!! PS Walmart also has some really great adult costumes too! PPS you can shop this black henley here!

I hosted T and his family at my place the other night and wanted to share the spread I put together for all of us. I wanted all of the food to be casual and easy – nothing over the top. Everyone loves cheese and crackers. It’s a European staple. So I ran to Whole Foods and picked up a medley of goodies to create the perfect cheeseboard. I’ve been whipping up cheese boards for friends and family for years, and thought I’d share my tips on how to make a cheese board in 10 minutes! Wood Cheese BoardsFirst and foremost, get a beautiful wood cutting board to place all of the yummy ingredients on. This one is from Hudson Grace, which is one of my favorite home decor stores in LA (it’s at the Brentwood Country Mart.) This one from Studio McGee’s shop is super similar. They have TONS of other boards that would be stunning in any kitchen. If you’re looking for a huge, oversized board for a large party, I have this one from World Market and LOVE it. It’s perfect for creating a massive spread. Bistro table + chairsMy table is a great find from Wayfair’s outdoor section. Sadly it’s sold out, but I found this gorgeous one for half the price! Not only is this a cute outdoor table, but it’s a darling entry table, bedroom side table, or living room console. My chairs are from One Kings Lane and can be used indoor or outdoor. I also love these ones from Serena + Lily, and these ones from Amazon are super affordable. Napkins, Plates, CutleryLay out napkins, plates, and cutlery. My napkins are oldies from Pottery Barn (love this vintage stripe version). My silverware is a total STEAL and under $30 for the set! The plates are Hudson Grace’s organic style. The cheese knives are Williams Sonoma and have beautiful thick marble handles that have held up for years. If you’re looking for a more modern set, these ones from Nordstrom Home are chic. How To Make A Cheese BoardWhen it comes to building a cheese board, I like to always get; at least 3 different types of cheeses, green grapes, a fig jam (or figs), 2-3 different types of crackers, marcona almonds, and honey to drizzle on top! If it’s a meat loving group, I’ll pick up a prosciutto or salami to place underneath the cheese. It’s nice to have a mixture of different colors and textures to place around the board and for people to choose from. Types of CheeseLet’s talk about the most important part of the board – the cheese! Whole Foods has a nice cheese selection. It’s so convenient, so I head there and typically pick out 1 hard cheese, 1 softer cheese, and 1 brie. For the softer cheese, I like to get one with truffle in it. A truffle fontina is to die for!!!! For the hard cheese I like to get a parmesan and/or sharp cheddar. Other cheeses that are yummy are Manchego and Mt Tam by Cowgirl Creamery. Mt Tam is my favorite cheese of all time (legit drooling thinking about it right now LOL) and you can get it at FarmShop in LA! Arranging TechniqueIn terms of arranging everything, first place the 3 cheeses equal distance a part on your board. Then place 2 handfuls of grapes on opposite sides, and 2 handfuls of marcona almonds sprinkled on the other sides. Tuck a fanned out line of salami or prosciutto in one corner, and then place a jar of fig jam or handful of figs in the other corner. Lastly, dip a honey spoon in fresh honey, and drizzle over the brie. Place crackers to the side, or even sliced baguette for guests to help themselves! Open a bottle of wine – I love Whispering Angel rose – and enjoy!