• Peacoat: Banana Republic (also in this post, back when I thought this jacket was navy)
• Cable Knit Sweater: J Crew (paired with railroad stripes here, hiking boots here, and buffalo check and a white dress here)
• Windowpane Mini: Madewell (worn with a gray turtleneck sweater and camel overcoat in this post)
• Tights: Hue
• Boots: Via Spiga
• Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

• Puff Sleeve Blazer and Eyelet Sweatshirt: J Crew
  
• Jeans: Club Monaco
• Booties: Via Spiga 
• Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

In serendipitous fashion, I learned of an exhibition of Mr. Parks’ work at the High Museum of Art here in Atlanta. The exhibit runs through June 21, 2015, through which time visitors also receive discounted admission to the Center for Civil and Human Rights (and vice versa:  click here for specific details).

The exhibit features about 40 of  Mr. Parks’ photographs, the original Time Magazine article, and nearby, a Leonard Freed: Black in White America photography exhibition.

Have you seen, or do you plan to see, this exhibit? I would love to hear (read :-)) your thoughts on it. Do share!

• Glen Plaid Blazer: Zara (styled with a bit of color here, hunter green and a cardi here, and double denim here)
• White Button-Down Shirt: Polo Ralph Lauren
• Crop Sweater: J Crew (worn in navy in this post)
• Cords: J Crew (worn with hot pink/burgundy here)
• Riding Boots: Via Spiga (paired with a mini in this post)
• Crossbody Bag: J Crew (worn with a little leopard here, prepped up here, and with a floral tee and frayed ladylike jacket here)
• Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

 Quick Tip: How to Authenticate a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Bag

Duck logo features bill detached from body and stitching that is visible on the other side of the logo (i.e. inside the bag)

“D” shaped buckle hardware with “SOLID BRASS” printed on underside

Brass imprinted rivets 

Even-numbered solid brass protective feet 

Round zipper pull with hole in center and “riri” imprint

(Note: rectangular pulls have different authenticating marks)

Tag sewn under leather seam; registration number printed on back of tag (not pictured)

See these links – 1, 2 – for more authentication tips

Outfit details in this post

Vintage is one of my One Hundred. Click here to see the rest!

Yo. I don’t know why I didn’t know this sooner, but my favorite J Crew employee acquainted me with the existence of “kill” prices at a recent sales event. Indicated by a red slash on the price tag, “kill” prices are the low-low-J-Crew-says-it’s-got-to-go items that are typically way out of season and final sale (i.e. try it on, and love it or leave it, because it’s a no returns/exchanges purchase). I got these regularly almost $300, fully lined, linen collection pants for under $24! My fave mentioned that some “kill” prices are $10 or less. (Swoon.)

• Camel Coat: J Crew (styled with a denim jacket and plaid here and with jeans and a bow-print top here)
• Cable Knit Turtleneck: J Crew (paired with a mod jacket here, worn in reddish-orange here, and in gray here)
• White Button-Down Shirt: Theory
• Houndstooth Mini: J Crew
• Tights: Hue
• Boots: Via Spiga
• Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Backstory: I have spent a small fortune on the delicious petite French cake 3-packs at Starbuck’s. When they’re not in view near the register, I always ask the salesperson if they would mind checking the back, please. I’ve even gone so far as to ask if there is a barcode on the stock box so I could just get a bunch at a time. (There isn’t, and for some reason, purchasing 30+ individual packages of Madeleines didn’t seem like a good idea at the time.)

Frontstory: Last fall, I was minding my own business, flipping through the September issue of one of my favorite home magazines, Canadian House & Home, when what did appear on page 106?! A recipe for madeleines! I wasn’t looking for it; yet, there it was. Despite the fact that I am NOT a baker, I decided to buy a madeleine pan, and try my hand at making some petite French cakes. The following is a slight adaptation of that recipe.

Y’all. It is the simplest, easiest, melt-in-your-mouth-iest recipe ever! Plus, the batter can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator for a few days. Perfect +1 (or +5) for tea!

Ingredients: makes about 16 petite cakes

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• zest of 1 lemon
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon honey (I used orange blossom honey.)
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for pan

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl.
• Melt butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Add eggs, sugars, and vanilla to another small bowl, and mix using a hand or stand mixer for about 2 minutes.
• Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture.
• Mix in butter/honey.

This is where I messed up the first time I made these: The original recipe called for the madeleine pan to be greased and dusted with flour, as pictured above. Clearly, I didn’t do that part right because the resulting cakes didn’t really take on the shape of the pan. Keep reading; you’ll see what I mean

• Oil the pan liberally with EVOO.
• Use a tablespoon to scoop/pour batter into center of each well, being careful not to fill the wells completely.
• Bake until golden brown and just set in the middle, about 7 – 10 minutes.

• Remove from pan, and serve immediately.

First round, flour dusted pan petite cakes

I prefer the shape and darker caramel color of the oiled pan only madeleines, but both versions tasted yummy!

Crafted by hand in Maine and available in a variety of color combinations, heights, and styles, L.L. Bean “Bean” boots are a classic staple shoe that suits both girls who favor a preppy aesthetic and girls who just like their feet to be toasty, dry, and comfy. I fall into both categories

Watch this quick 2-minute video to see how Bean Boots are made by real, non-robot people

These boots are made to be worn with very thick socks and run large, so it’s recommended to order a whole size smaller than normal.

8″ Bean Boots in Tan/Navy

The tongues of the shoes are stitched into the sides to ensure dryness and warmth.

Love the chain-tread detail on the bottom!

Outfit details in this post

Bean Boots are one of my One Hundred. Click here to see the rest!

• Eyelet sweatshirt: J Crew
• Check Shirt: Ralph Lauren Boys
• Puffer Vest: Gap Kids
• Sweatpant leggings: J Crew (styled differently here, dressed up here, and worn in navy here and here)
  
• Boots: Ecco
• Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

• Striped-sleeve hooded sweatshirt: Madewell 
  
• Puffer vest: Crewcuts for J Crew
• Jeans: Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren
• Sweater cap: Ralph Lauren
• Camp Socks and Bean Boots: LLBean
• Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (no way these were going to be summer-only :-))

These socks are sooooo warm and comfy!

Not only can classic s’mores be made indoors in the oven (!), but the flavor can updated by varying the types of crackers and chocolates used

Ingredients:

• Ginger crackers (I used Annas Ginger Swedish Thins, available at Fresh Market and Whole Foods)
  
• Coconut dark chocolate (I used Theo’s)
• Marshmallows

• Set oven to “broil.”
• Place marshmallows on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and broil for about 60 seconds. DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM THE OVEN unless you’re in the mood for a visit from your friendly neighborhood firefighter.
• Note: I mistakenly bought jumbo marshmallows from the store, and I will be sure NOT to do that again. They’re so big that I had to flip them over to roast the other side. Normal, non-steroid looking marshmallows will brown and soften throughout without being high maintenance and demanding to be flipped.

• Top crackers with a square of chocolate, a hot roasted marshmallow, and another cracker.
• If desired, you can place chocolate-topped crackers in the oven for 2-3 seconds to melt the chocolate a bit before adding the marshmallow.

• Smoosh together, and enjoy!