AUTUMN

It's been a while since the days of coloring my nails with a black Sharpie during 7th grade study hall. But that doesn't mean my penchant for nail art has changed much. As an adult I've upgraded from marker to proper polish, and occasionally even enlist the help of a professional. Still, the perfect onyx color has long eluded me. Most black lacquers I've tried are runny, chip easily, and leave my nails looking well, about the same as they did in study hall. Light and sheer is desirable for some shades, but with black it's important to find a rich, full bodied color. Polish that is too thin or light requires multiple layers that eventually end up a gooey mess. Countless cotton balls and bottles of acetone later - not to mention the occasional cringe worthy paint fleck on my teeth - I've compiled a list of lacquers perfect for fall that make the angtsy teen inside me pout with appreciation.

'Party' -Beyonce f/ Andre 3000 Remember that scene from 'Goodfellas', when Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), escorted Karen (Lorraine Bracco) past the line at the Copacabana, through the kitchen, somehow navigating his way to the main floor of the club. Then getting a fresh table setup for him right in front of the stage. Fellas, this doesn't mean you go through kitchens now...There are many other ways to impress that special someone. Autumn is the perfect time to express yourself to someone. It's a time of year someone falls for another, whether literally or figuratively.

Yes, summer is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean that you have to put away your garden hoe and gloves! Many varieties of trees grow extremely well in the gap between summer’s heat and the real onset of winter. The heatwaves are (hopefully) over, and both the soil and air temperatures have dropped. This will help keep your tree moist so it will stay healthy and strong.

Here are the top 10 autumn-lovin trees that want to be planted this fall!

• Japanese maple
• Ginkgo
• Liquidambar
• Tupelo
• Chinese pistachio
• Chinese tallow tree
• Claret ash
• Golden ash
• Flowering cherry
• Scarlet oak

Continue reading here to learn how to properly grow a tree. Good luck and happy autumn!

This recipe was indeed created with a cold, autumn night in mind. Preferably spent in front of the fire place, but we'll take what we can get. Originally made with kabocha squash, a few changes were made and butternut squash was subbed in for its prevalence in local grocery stores and farmers markets. Feel free to use your squash of choice, but stay away from the spaghetti variety. Winter squash, like butternut, is one of the more versatile vegetables of the season – use it in lasagnas, soups, soufflés, and add it to baked goods for moisture and a hint of earthy sweetness.

This easy to prepare dish - butternut squash simmered in coconut milk with exotic spices - takes advantage of squash's ability to amplify all manner of flavors and textures. Take it with you as a side-dish for your next dinner party or serve it atop brown rice and a lean protein for a hearty, and healthy, meal. Its creaminess and subtle heat will keep you warm and impress your guests.

Even though there is no such thing as Thanksgiving cookies the people at Cookie-Recipes.net have given us some recipes that fit into the flavor theme of autumn and Thanksgiving.

Honey Pumpkin Cookies

1 1/4 cup Honey
1/2 cup Shortening
2 Eggs
1 ½ cup Cooked pumpkin puree
2 ½ cup All purpose flour
4 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
1 ½ tsp Salt
1 ½ cup Raisins
1 ½ cup Chopped pecans or walnuts

Cream 3/4 cup of the honey with shortening. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Combine the pumpkin with remaining 1/2 cup honey and add to egg mixture. Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Gradually stir flour blend into pumpkin mixture. Fold in raisins and nuts. Chill batter for 30 minutes. Drop by teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies.

NOTE: If a spicer cookie is desired, use canned pumpkin pie filling in place of plain pumpkin.

Even though there is no such thing as Thanksgiving cookies the people at Cookie-Recipes.net have given us some recipes that fit into the flavor theme of autumn and Thanksgiving.

Honey Pumpkin Cookies

1 1/4 cup Honey
1/2 cup Shortening
2 Eggs
1 ½ cup Cooked pumpkin puree
2 ½ cup All purpose flour
4 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Nutmeg
1 ½ tsp Salt
1 ½ cup Raisins
1 ½ cup Chopped pecans or walnuts

Cream 3/4 cup of the honey with shortening. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Combine the pumpkin with remaining 1/2 cup honey and add to egg mixture. Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Gradually stir flour blend into pumpkin mixture. Fold in raisins and nuts. Chill batter for 30 minutes. Drop by teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies.

NOTE: If a spicer cookie is desired, use canned pumpkin pie filling in place of plain pumpkin.

Flannel shirts, denim jackets, and puffer vests, oh my! As the weather transitions from maxi dress and jeweled sandals to wool coat with over-the-knee boots, we need to adjust our wardrobes accordingly. Classic American is back in a big way, and here are some ways to honor the U.S. of A with your look and stay within your budget:

1. Fur-trimmed hoodie puffer vest from Gap – Ah, the classic American styles of the Gap. A perfect place to go for standard wardrobe staples and with the weather rapidly starting to dip, a nice fur-trim vest is just what the doctor ordered.

The cold weather is starting to set in. What better to warm those chilled bones but with some soup. About.com has found this Gingered Pumpkin Soup with Gruyere Cheese soup. It is a little sweet and a little spicy, just like you.

Ingredients:

1 ½ - 2 Pound Fresh Pumpkin, seed and skin removed, diced
½ Pound Yukon Potatoes, peeled and diced
2 Tablespoons of Fresh Ginger, minced
½ Sweet Yellow Onion, sliced thin
4 Cups Vegetable Stock or Water
¼ Cup Orange Juice
½ Cup Cream Sherry
1 Cup Heavy Cream
2 Tablespoons Butter, unsalted
4 Ounces Gruyere Cheese, grated, for garnish

Tasty Clouds Cotton Candy Company was inspired by a pregnant woman craving freshly made cotton candy. Now you can take pleasure in any kind of sweet Tasty Cloud has to offer.

With autumn here Joonbug was glaring at the Caramel Apples. Available in red or brown caramel, Tasty Cloud uses fresh apples and covers them in cereal crunch or peanuts. Tasty individually wraps them for that sweet tooth on the go or you can just eat it right there and then.

Not a candy apple fan. Well, the cotton candy is offered in more than pink and blue flavors. Try pink vanilla, cherry, strawberry, watermelon, bubblegum, blue raspberry, orange, grape, banana, lemon, pina colada, lime and apple.

Thanks to the people at Kraft Food, there are three of the best desserts all wrapped into one. Now this recipe serves 10 but you don't have to share if you don't want to.

Candied Apple Pie Cheesecake

Ingredients:

1 cup crushed NABISCO Ginger Snaps
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
½ cup BREAKSTONE’S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
2 eggs
1 cup apple pie filling, divided
½ cup PLANTERS Walnut Pieces, divided
½ cup toffee bits, divided
9-inch pie plate