Today on weekend meanderings vintage brooches, the Barefoot Contessa, Oprahs’ favorite brownie and more.
Good morning and a very happy weekend friends.
I am a little tired this morning, we had friends for champagne margaritas and tacos last night. Bill made adobo beef and I make Korean beef, then everyone made their own homemade tortillas and we loaded them up with all the fixings. Lots of fun but a late night.
This morning we are headed to the Holly Art Fest, then to an antique fair. Finally, we will round out the weekend with my niece, nephew and sister in law at a picnic on the village green.
On to the good stuff, I am joining Kim and Juliet for our weekly series “weekend meanderings” where were share all of the things that piqued our interest, caught our eye or that we just feel like sharing.
Vintage Brooches and How to Wear Them This Year
I personally love vintage finds, home decor and jewelry. Lately while perusing Pinterest I’ve noticed vintage brooches popping up everywhere. The holidays are always a great time to elevate your wardrobe and add a brooch is a wonderful way to do that.
Not only that, it is a great way to bring new life to pieces in your closet without having to buy new.

Image Little Treasure Blogspot
You can cluster the brooches on a sweater, dress, jean jacket or whatever article of clothing you like.

Image Erdem via Vogue
A classic cashmere twinset paired bedazzled with 3 brooches and paired with an over the top skirt or just a pair of jeans makes quite a statement.

Image Pop Sugar
Switch it up by adding them to your waist instead of your lapel or shoulder while wearing a dress.

Image Here
Once you find the perfect way to tie or untie your scarf a brooch can keep it closed or elevate the look.
Using a brooch in an unexpected way or on a piece of clothing like a t-shirt or the cuff of a white blouse certainly makes a statement.
Are you a fan of brooches? If you don’t have a collection of them passed down from your grandmother you can find them at estate sales, on Ebay or at thrift stores. You can also purchase new ones that suit your style and personality.

Image Burberry
I’ve already been in my jewelry box looking to see which pieces I can add to my winter wardrobe, one of the first places I will be adding a pin will be to the my winter beanie.
Image via
If you can’t have good hair on a winter day at least you can look stylish while sporting a hat.
Here are a few of my favorites, this snowflake brooch, perfect for the upcoming season. This peacock, of course an acorn, which would pair nicely with the squirrel.
Ina Garten
Ina Garten seems to be everywhere lately, on the cover of the Williams Sonoma Fall catalog sharing tips and recipes for the perfect Thanksgiving. On Instagram, her website, Food Network TV, on a virtual book tour.
And now on her own Podcast! You can listen to Ina chat with her friends on Be My Guest!
If you don’t have Ina’s cookbooks I highly recommend them all! Her roast chicken, outrageous brownies, and Mac and cheese our favorites at my house.
Add Go to Dinners or Barefoot in Paris to your Christmas list.
Speaking of Paris, Ina recently shared her favorite places to eat(love this cafe), buy cheese(my favorite place too), flowers and more bookmark this article.
Oprah’s Favorite Brownie
The famous Baked brownie, have you ever had one? This amazingly rich and delicious brownie is made at served at Baked NYC, but the good news is that you can make it at home. The recipe is in their cookbook along with many other tasty treats.
I have been making this brownie for years and year and in fact made it lat night for guests, so I thought I would share it with you, just in care you want to make some for the holidays. If you like cake brownies these are not for you, this brownie is a cross between fudge and a brownie, they are perfect alone or you could serve them with ice cream and a side of hot fudge to take them over the top.
It’s been said that this is one of Oprah’s favorite things, but it is also Americas Test Kitchens favorite brownie, and they would know a good thing.
In case you missed it
It was a busy week on the blog, on Monday Musings I shared a great book, a movie, and some fabulous finds for the holidays.
Tuesday it was all about 7 spooky Halloween sweet treats, each recipe is easy and delicious, and cute too.
Wednesday what I bought on Amazon Prime, did you shop the sales? What did you get?
Thursday I shared all of my favorite cozy finds for Christmas from Pottery Barn. If you have not perused their catalog yet you are in for a treat. The whimsical pillows, and of course everything plaid are my favorite pieces.
And last but not least, on Friday I shared all of my Friday Favorites from around the web. Comfort food, books, finds and lots and lots of links for you to explore.
In other news
How I became an accidental leaf artist
The Gardener King: The New British Monarch’s Passion for Sustainable Gardening
Here’s How to Get Pesky Oil and Grease Stains Out of Clothing
The Hills are Alive With The Sound of Cheese Making
How to Make A Cozy Guest Bedroom
Holiday Movies By Personality Type
That’s It
I hope that you enjoyed meandering today and that when you leave here you pop over to see all of the things that Kim and Juliet have discovered this week.
If you missed any of the previous Weekend Meandering posts you can find them all here.
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
Have a wonderful and safe weekend.
This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a commission at no cost to you.

Love the brooches! I’ve also added them to the top of my flats or pumps to dress them up for parties.
Valletta, that is an excellent idea. In the past I have used shoe clips but I have never thought of using brooches. Thank you for sharing!
How does one make homemade tortillas?
Would you please share the recipe you used last night? That’s my favorite thing at a Tex-Mex restaurant, when they bring you fresh homemade tortillas. I’d love to learn how to make them. Thank you.
Hello, I will post the recipe on Monday on the blog and I can also send it to you in an email. The recipe is very easy, the “hardest part” is pressing them in the tortilla press.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Elizabeth … I have a few brooches that I love looking at in my jewelry drawer, but rarely wear. The exception is a big snowflake that makes it’s way to my winter coat during the holidays and it makes me feel so festive. I love all these new and creative ways to wear a brooch and I’ll give mine another look to see how I might use them to jazz things up a bit for everyday. Your tacos night sounds like a lot of fun … and yummy too. And those brownies. Wow. I have every single one of Ina’s cookbooks and I’ve never had an Ina recipe go wrong. I love that they’re simple but elevated and I can’t wait for her latest book. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. xo
The brownie sounds good.
Elizabeth, Sounds like a fun filled weekend. I think fall weekends are the best! So many fairs and harvest things and the weather is still nice with pretty leaves all over.. We had friends over last night too.. and I am wiped out!
I love the brooch ideas especially the cardi sweater photo. I have a far amount from my mom. grandma, and great-grandmother. I usually wear them at the holidays, but should try them now! Great inspo.. As your other reader said, I have also used clip earring for shoe embellishments.. You just have to be careful not to lose them.
The brownies look excellent and Iike anything from Ina. I bookmarked her Paris faves and will find her podcast!
Love the price Charles article about his sustainable practices and garden. We need more of that! think it’s going to mean he will be a caring King. Have a great weekend! x Kim
Kim, Fall weekends are the best! I love seeing your adventures in CA and in Tahoe!
The brooch ideas are all beautiful, so many interesting ways to wear and carry around the memories of the friends and family who gave these special pieces to us.
I hope that you try the brownies, you will love them.
Cannot wait to see what you are up to this weekend. xo
Eliz
I love each and every one of your posts. I always find something I should be reading, cooking, wearing or studying! You are the best!
Thank you! I feel the same about your posts! Have a wonderful week Cindy.
It sounds like you had a jam-packed but fun weekend! I hope it was great! I love brooches and I’m intrigued by the idea of clustering them! Enjoyed seeing all your fabulous finds! Blessings, Donna
Such beautiful finds. Sounds like you had a b usy tiime
Elizabeth, I love brooches too, and have quite a few of them. Are there any tricks to wearing brooches without ruining your clothes? Especially sweaters. Thanks!
Kathy
Hello Kathy,
Here is an excellent video on how to wear brooches and save your clothing! https://youtu.be/X0wBe7oLGgk
I hope it helps!