Author Charles Finch photograph by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.

We all know the saying don’t judge a book by its cover…all I can say is I am so glad I did exactly that with the first Charles Finch book, A Beautiful Blue Death.  The cover drew me to the book, the author drew me to the story, and the story drew me to the series. The protagonist, Charles Lenox, begins the series (I always recommend reading the first in a series just to set the stage…each of these books can be read alone but in this case best to start at the beginning and then read them in order or as you like!) as a detective and just as his career takes many paths so do the cases he solves.  While I do love a good historical mystery, especially an English one set in the 19th century, I also like character development and side plots…Finch excels in giving us these in great depth.  In addition, each book is a history lesson and gives us insight into England at this period of time, its morals, manners, and murders!!!

I have just finished reading The Inheritance, the tenth book and newest in the series, and one I have mentioned in other Books Books Books posts.  I must say it didn’t disappoint!  Charles, his partners, and Scotland Yard are investigating several cases, the one indicated in the title is the primary story and takes us back to Lenox’s youth and a friendship made there. Looking into a mysterious inheritance and helping his friend takes Lenox into very interesting territory.  Finch has given Lenox a wonderfully interesting cast of characters including his partners and his family, Lady Jane, his wife and his daughter, Sophia.  What I like about including a family life is that it makes Lenox more believable and human (and he is very much both), which is a major part of each book. The plot, as is usual in the Lenox series, takes many twists and turns.  It takes you into the lives of high society of the era as well as the gangs in the back streets of London’s East End.  Lenox is a very modern man living at a time when major inventions and scientific discoveries were being made, all of which he accepts and finds fascinating, and all happening in Victorian England. (I hope you all are watching Victoria on PBS, I was totally entranced with the first episode.)  It looks at the traditional politics of the time (not much different than today, all about power and money!!!) without being political. Once again a book I didn’t want to end…I become a part of the time (I am, after all, a major Anglophile!!) and the stories that Finch enticingly weaves. As you can tell, I am a huge fan of Finch’s writing and of his wonderfully developed and continuing to grow “hero” Charles Lenox.  More please and soon…..

http://www.facebook.com/charlesfinchauthor

http://www.bookcellarinc.com  My independent bookseller of choice

I am loving profiling my models and from my readers responses you are enjoying their stories as well.  Lou May was with me for longer than most of my models (and quite frankly looks the same today, what is her secret???), I have told many of them they hung up their “dancing” shoes much too early!  I have found when I do reunion shows (yes, a posting on that down the line!!) they come show ready and it is as if they have never been off the runway!  It is a joy to see.  Lou was a chameleon to the nth degree.  She could be sporty in one run, sultry in the next and pure glamour in the next.  Quite frankly that is what a model should be but not all are.  When you book a show you consider the look of the model…sure you can make them all look the same, and I have done that on many, many occasions, but you also need to take into account how they will present the garments they are wearing.  They most certainly don’t have to like what they have on but they need the audience to think it is the most fantastic outfit ever!  Lou always did that.

WHEN DID YOU START YOUR MODELING CAREER, WAS THIS SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO?

In 1963 I was working as a stylist for a photographer who did all kinds of photography, including fashion ads.  One of the photo models was going to the Marshall Field’s audition for runway models.  She asked if I would go with her.   I had no plans to actually audition, but when the director of the audition pointed to me and said “You’re next”, I thought “Why not”.  I was hired.  The first show that they booked me for was the Designer Show.  They gave me one outfit.  It grew from there to include Saks Fifth Avenue, Carson Pirie Scott, I. Magnin, Lord and Taylor, Wieboldt’s, Montgomery Ward, The Art Institute and many small specialty stores, as well.     I feel that I have been most fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many intelligent, professional, fun and lovely women, both models and fashion directors.  It was a great experience that I treasure.

On the catwalk at an Apparel Center Fashion Show.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SAKS FIFTH AVENUE SHOW (S)?

My favorite Saks Fifth Avenue shows were the in-store seminar shows with Nena.  What could be better than a lovely setting, beautiful clothes, a small group of friendly models, an informative presentation and a smiling, attentive audience.  Modeling was a part of my life for more than 30 years.  I enjoyed the big, extravagant shows and tea room shows and all those in between.  The peaceful respite provided by the in-store shows certainly was a help and a joy in my life.  Nena has an extraordinary talent for orchestrating all kinds of events and I have been privileged to experience many of them.

In a trend show.

WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNER AND WHY?

I always looked forward to all of the new collections and never really thought about a favorite designer.  Each designer had a very distinct style and personality.  I enjoyed the challenge of adjusting to the mood of that individual style.  It was also fun to be in the Art Institute student shows produced by Dorothy Fuller. I got to listen to part of the lesson at the fittings.  Marcia Anderle was one of the special students who went on to work successfully in the Chicago fashion community.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST FAVORITE “BEHIND THE SCENES” STORY?

A story from the olden days

In 1969, Prince Philip came to Chicago and Marshall Field’s was on his itinerary.  I was one of three models hired to wear Hardy Amies’ (atelier to the Queen) collection and pose as mannequins in the 28 Shop in case Prince Philip should ask for a fashion show.  There was a banquet table sumptuously displayed with an antique silver tea service, silver trays filled with tea cakes, cookies and mini sweet rolls, Wedgwood china and fresh flowers, just in case he requested tea.  A server dressed in black with a ruffled apron stood next to the table. We took our places on the appropriate platforms and the Field’s executives arrived to inspect.  An argument arose over whether the table cloth should be ironed to remove the creases formed by the folds.  It was decided it must be ironed.  Chaos followed as we all pitched in to remove everything from the table.  Housekeeping raced to iron the table cloth.  We were all in fear that the Prince might walk in at any minute.  We helped rearrange the display on the table and took our places again.  We stood for four hours, not being able to sit in fear of wrinkling our outfits.  Prince Philip never left the men’s store in the annex.  He never saw all the British displays carefully crafted throughout the main store and, of course, he never got to see those gorgeous live mannequins patiently standing and waiting for him.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW AND HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR NEW CAREER/PASSION?

The very nature of modeling and fashion is seasonal and thus part time.  This allowed me the flexibility to pursue real estate and rehabbing.  I definitely spent more time in lumber yards and plumbing shops than shopping anywhere else.  (Still do!)  Combining construction with make-up and high heels in the same day wasn’t always easy.  I still have the first building I bought.  Thankfully, I married a man who can fix anything and doesn’t care that I am a better plumber than a cook.

WHAT DID YOUR MODELING YEARS TEACH YOU THAT YOU ARE USING NOW?

Modeling has affected my life in many ways.  First, I have lots of wonderful memories.  Second, I am always on time! Being on time benefits both parties.  It shows respect for the other party and you are best served by being prepared in advance.  I still think twice when I put myself together for the day, although I am past trendy.  I have finally stopped dreaming that I arrive at a show without my bag of shoes.  I do confess that I need my slippers to match my bath robe, or co-ordinate at the very least.

Nena, I share your love of chandeliers and lighting in general.  It has a profound effect on mood and ambiance.  I have collected many fixtures throughout my life and incorporate them in my rehabs.  Recessed light adds a dimension, but a central chandelier can decorate a room regardless of the furnishings.

In Lou May’s foyer, stunning, I want it!!!!

At the opening of the Terra Museum of American Art in its first location in Evanston, Illinois.  I will do a separate post on this exceptional event.  As you can see Lou May is dressed in a modern interpretation of the painting behind her.

Photos courtesy of Lou May.  Terra Museum photo, photographer credit not available, is part of the Nena Ivon Collection in the Columbia College Chicago Archives.

Please be sure to leave comments…and pass the blog information on to all your contacts…I would be most appreciative of your support!

From LIFE Magazine photo by David Lees 1960, Pucci in his studio.

Emilio Pucci signing his signature print fabric in his workrooms.

Emilio Pucci visited the Chicago Saks Fifth Avenue store on several occasions.  We always did a formal show for a charity group (most of our shows were to benefit the many worthy organizations in Chicago, over the years we helped raise millions of dollars, who says fashion shows are fluff!!!???)  I found Sr. Pucci to be beyond charming, a delight to work with and a great conversationalist.  His talent, of course, goes without saying and his creations had a unique look.  His clothes were always very wearable, packed like a dream and were totally timeless.

A bit about him, the following taken from the Pucci website:

“Born in 1914 to one of Florence’s most illustrious families, the Marquis Emilio Pucci di Barsento naturally embodied the jet set glamour of post-war Italy. Multilingual, well-travelled, American-educated, air force pilot, Olympic skier and aristocrat – he was a Renaissance man in every sense of the term. Recovering in Switzerland after the war, and with the Italian economy in ruins, Pucci made ends meet by teaching Italian and giving ski lessons in Zermatt. It was there that in 1947 a streamlined ski outfit he designed, initially for himself and then for his enthusiastic socialite friends was photographed by a fashion photographer and published in Harper’s Bazaar USA, giving rise to a fashion phenomenon that continues to reverberate to this day.”

Photo credit unknown.

I like to think that Adam Gimbel, President of Saks Fifth Avenue, built his famous ski slope in the Fifth Avenue flagship store to honor Pucci (probably not but it sounds good, don’t you agree!!!)  They would have been in the same social circles and Mr. Gimbel, one of the most imaginative of the Merchant Princes, was always finding new ways to “market” his illustrious brand as well as highlighting all the major designers, of course that included his wife the incedible Sophie of Saks (I did her profile several weeks ago). That has always been a Saks signature.

Pucci is credited with the Capri pant, the dinner pajama and was the first to do an eclectic mix of color in his original signature prints…a precursor to op prints

1970’s photo credit unknown.

The dinner pajama as a jumpsuit. Photo credit unknown

What I love about the Italian fashion industry  (other than its beauty, of course) is that they are dynastic with few exceptions.  This is true of the Pucci brand which has been carried on by his daughter, Laudomia.

More intel from the Pucci website ….”In the 1980s Emilio’s daughter, Laudomia Pucci, became increasingly more involved in her father’s business, ultimately taking the reins following his passing in 1992. In April 2000, an alliance was formed between the Pucci family and LVMH, with the French luxury group acquiring 67% of the company and the family retaining a vested interest. With the Group’s financial support and expertise the brand has soared on the international fashion stage and in a relatively short time has built up a global network that now includes over 50 boutiques in global fashion capitals and a footprint in the world’s foremost luxury retailers.”

Here I am with an unknown gentleman holding one of my Pucci dresses, proabably early to mid 1960’s. It is shades of yellow and green. It had a matching chiffon scarf, (the dress is silk matte jersey) which I still own. Don’t you love the print against print, oh my!  The outfit I have on is from Adolfo’s first ready-to-wear collection.  Both the Pucci dress and Adolfo costume, there is a navy wool 3/4 jacket trimmed in the same print, are in the Fashion Study Collection at Columbia College Chicago. Please take note of the curls and the really hateful shoes!!!  Was I ever that young!!!! www.colum.edu/academic/fashion-collection. Photo credit unknown. Photo courtesy of the Nena Ivon Collection in the Columbia College Chicago Archives.

Emilio Pucci at a fitting of his collection.  Photo credit unknown.

My favorites were the beaded gowns.  This one is delicately embellished at the deep plunge neckline.  Photo from lst Dibs.

Here an example of an all over beaded gown. Photo credit unknown.

Some of the cloth covers of the Pucci limited edition book.

A monograph on the designer from a series from Assouline.

I am always entranced with other people’s collections, especially when they aren’t in my realm of knowledge. A few years ago, I became fascinated with the collection I am sharing with you today.  My friend, Barbara Varro (we became friends many, many years ago when she was in the fashion business as an editor and I was in retail), has a wonderful home in Harbor Country, it is a modern structure filled with many treasures from her extensive travels, various artworks, photos  from her trips and with friends, books, etc. and family heirlooms.   One of these heirlooms is today’s topic.

The china canister set is housed in a pine hutch in her dining room and when I am sitting at the dining room table it is what I look at (sometimes having a meal and often playing a game of cards that gives us the giggles!!!), I love these pieces. Let me tell you a bit about them and their interesting history…

The base is burnt orange and white with transfers of cottage and garden scenes, two in fact.  The cottages look very English with thatched roofs and English flower gardens.  They are Czechoslovakian and the pattern is Victoria (is that where the English comes in???)  The 15 piece set was given as a wedding gift in 1935 to Stephanie and Edward Czechanski.  Stephanie had the set displayed in her kitchen hutch. She later gave the set to Barbara’s mother in the 1950’s who placed them on shelves in her kitchen.  They were stored for years and now are proudly displayed once again so everyone can admire their unique look.

I am particularly fond of the cruet set…love the shape of it. Here are a couple of the other pieces in more detail.  You can see the two images clearly in this shot.

We have no idea why the writing is Asian, obviously hand applied and not in a straight line, I think both add to the charm of the pieces.  I think the lids look like a pagoda in their shapes. Having searched on line, I didn’t find anything similar.  Lots of Victoria brand but totally different patterns.

What discoveries have you made when visiting your friend’s homes or in your attic or garage…do share in comments!

What an amazing wood pile…. the symmetry is extraordinary.  If I had a wood burning fireplace this is how I would store my wood, wouldn’t you!!!  Photo credit unknown.

I have always loved wood, got that from my Father,  I adore wood burning fireplaces, wish I could have one, but since I can’t I like to visit my friends who do and sit as close as I can to enjoy the warmth and the flickering flames.

A friend’s wood pile by their backdoor. My photo.

In addition, I do love to look at trees especially in the winter when you can see the shapes of the branches and look at all the different colors and textures of the bark.  One of the best places to observe this is, of course, our wonderful Chicago Botanic Garden, http://www.chicagobotanic.org!

Chicago Botanic Garden, love seeing my favorite weeping willow tree in winter silhouette. Photo from Chicago Botanic Garden.

I took a couple of photos last weekend, when I was in Harbor Country, of bare trees and a bit of falling snow…it was 0º at the time so I shot them from inside the car.  I was trying to find birch trees to no avail, saw them while I was on the South Shore train but the windows were too dirty to do them justice!!!  Oh well, I shall do them in the near future.

Look at frozen Lake Michigan from the Michigan side with the windswept conifer against a truly magnificent blue sky.

In one of the walking “parks”, I found this lovely shaped tree against a background of a grove of trees, you can see what I mean about different shapes and shades of gray, brown, taupe, etc.

Today’s recipe is from Margaret Buckman’s http://www.maragetbuckman.com recipe box…it is her specialty, Cheese Souffle, truly a delight, don’t wait for company to serve, do it on a regular basis.  All it needs is a green salad and more white wine, beer or champagne, of course!

MARGARET BUCKMAN’S CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUFFLE

PREHEAT OVEN 400 DEGREES

6 EGG WHITES

2 CUPS FINELY SHREDDED WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE

3 TBSP. SIFTED FLOUR

3 TBSP. UNSALTED BUTTER

¼ TSP. CREAM OF TARTAR

½ TSP. SALT

1-1/2 C. SKIM MILK

ROUX

3 TBSP. UNSALTED BUTTER

3 TBS. SIFTED FLOUR

1-1/2 C. SKIM MILK

PREHEAT MILK IN THE MICROWAVE FOR 1 MINUTE

MELT BUTTER IN A SAUCEPAN AND WHISK IN FLOUR WITH A WIRE WHISK.

WHEN SLIGHTLY BROWNISH IN COLOR, WHISK IN WARM SKIM MILK.

WHISK UNTIL MIXTURE IS THICK WITH THE CONSISTENCY OF CAKE BATTER.

REMOVE FROM HEAT AND COOL.

IN A MIXER WITH WHISK ATTACHMENT, BEAT 6 EGG WHITES WITH ¼ TSP. CREAM OF TARTAR AND ½ TSP SALT.

BEAT UNTIL MEDIUM DRY PEAKS APPEAR.

FOLD IN ONE SPATULA OF EGG WHITE MIXTURE TO THE ROUX.

FOLD IN THE REST OF THE ROUX IN SMALL BATCHES INTO THE EGG WHITE MIXTURE.

ADD 2 CUPS OF FINELY SHREDDED WHITE CHEESE

POUR THE MIXTURE INTO AN OILED SOUFFLE DISH AND PLACE IN THE OVEN FOR 40 MINUTES IN A PREHEATED 400º  OVEN.

WHEN THE SOUFFLE IS A GOLDEN BROWN ON TOP, REMOVE FROM THE OVEN AND SERVE IMMEDIATELY WITH YOUR FAVORITE SALAD!

SERVES 4

It is the BEST cheese souffle you will make or eat…give it a try, don’t be nervous it will turn out just beautifully.

I decided to give my former models a questionnaire much like the one I do with my other profiles.  Here is the first of that series.  Join me in learning more about Jennifer Wisniewski.

Jennifer was always the consummate professional and extraordinarily talented on the runway, doing informal modeling in the Store and working with me on small “trend” shows both in and out of the Store for many years. She was a chameleon, in one outfit the girl next door in the next a siren…here are her recollections of her modeling days.

NI: WHEN DID YOU START YOUR MODELING CAREER, WAS THIS SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO?

JW: I remember walking through the grocery store when I was 12 years old with my mom and a woman walked up to her and asked if I was her daughter and told her I should be a model. That was all I needed to hear after that I was on a mission

One of Jennifer’s model composites.

NI:  WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SAKS FIFTH AVENUE SHOW (S)?

JW: Oscar de la Renta! It was my first show for you ever and I was so petrified of doing a good job and after I ran to the phone and called Eva (my agent) and on the other line was your assistant telling her that you wanted to use me for the rest of the season’s shows. I’ll never forget that day.

The finale of an Oscar de la Renta fashion show in the Lobby of Lyric Opera.

NI:  WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNER AND WHY?

JW: Vivienne Westwood: I like how she takes her particular punk sensibility and makes beautiful clothes from it and still remains true to who she is. That’s a fine line to walk and it’s not easy to be authentic to who you are and remain relevant after decades.

NI: WHAT WAS YOUR MOST FAVORITE “BEHIND THE SCENES” STORY?

After I did a show for Isaac Mizrahi, he lined up to kiss all the girls on the cheek and of course I missed his cheek and gave him a big kiss on the mouth. He wasn’t thrilled!

JW: WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW AND HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR NEW CAREER/PASSION?

I own a restaurant called Bread & Wine  http://www.breadandwinechicago.com. I write stories and design t-shirts for my company called Tall Orders http://www.tallorderschi.com and I am director of operations for a PR firm called Six4 Creative http://www.six4creative.com.

I like to take an idea and make it into reality. That’s what drives me, that and I love to solve problems and boss people around.

NI: WHAT DID YOUR MODELING YEARS TEACH YOU THAT YOU ARE USING NOW?

JW: You (Nena) taught me how to be a model. How to come prepared, how to wear the clothes and be inspired by them and most of all how to be a professional. You were my mentor and what I learned from you I implement in every aspect of my life today.

JENNIFER’S SALAD NICOISE

Romain de Tirtoff (23 November 1892 – 21 April 1990) was a Russian-born artist and designer known by the pseudonym, Erté, from the French pronunciation of his initials.

I had the amazing experience of working with the legendary Erté on two occasions. Both were tied into launches of his new works.  The first was in 1974, it was the year that Saks Fifth Avenue (Corporate) was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the store’s opening in New York (the store opened on Fifth Avenue on September 15, 1924) and the Chicago store was celebrating this special event with an elaborate cocktail party.  Designers had been asked to do special Art Deco inspired garments which we used in our Michigan Avenue windows as well as on models for the event.  At the same time, Erté was launching his jewelry collection at the Circle Gallery in the Chicago Marriott Hotel on Michigan Avenue and I was asked to have models dressed in Art Deco garments do informal modeling for this cocktail party…what a perfect tie-in!  One of his art pieces featured a gown with a beaded cobweb for a sleeve.  We had a similar piece in our collection and I thought it would be amusing to feature it.  How presumptuous of me….here I was with a group of models gowned in Art Deco inspired garments and one inspired by the master himself!!!!  As I remember it, I held back on sending out the model in the “spider web” gown but finally did…he LOVED it and thought it was very clever!  My reputation was saved!!!!

The second was in 1981 to celebrate his 89th birthday at a champagne reception at the Circle Gallery followed by a ball. I co-chaired (I was asked to be involved because of the successful first event I did with Erté) the evening with Jo Hopkins Deutsch for the Fashion Group International of Chicago. There was a student Erté fashion design competition and the winners were presented their awards by this famed creator!  This exhibition featured a retrospective of all his work.  Guests were encouraged to wear Erté inspired dress or black tie.  It was a very dramatic exciting evening.  The piece you see below was given to the guests, Jo’s and mine were personally signed by Erté.  Unfortunately, the writing has faded with time but says “To Nena Ivon with many thanks for a wonderful evening” with his signature!  A true treasure of mine.

My framed poster from the Fashion Group event.  The signing in on her sleeve.  (I must remember to always do non-glare glass on my pieces, I had a very difficult time photographing this, finally put it on the floor!!!)

The original Top Hats as pictured on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar can you spot all the differences?

Front of the invitation to the Fashion Group event.

My other serigraph, La Traviata, was given to me by my Mother in 1982.  I don’t remember the occasion, but it is my favorite opera.

Both these posters were hanging in my office at Saks and now live in my friends, Tom Hawley and Tom Mantel’s, home along with their Erté‘s, see the photo below.

Two spectacular pieces flanking a magnificent Erté bronze.

“Kings Favorite” bronze with painted enamel face and silver leaf on the gown.  Isn’t she glorious!!!

To have been able to work with this iconic creator was obviously a once (no, a twice) in a lifetime experience.  Imagine being able to talk with an artist without equal in the world of fashion…a man who created more than 200 covers for Harper’s Bazaar, started his career with Paul Poiret (it has been debated that it was Erté, not Poiret, who created the now famous “lampshade” silhouette), designed for the Follies Bergère and the Ziegfeld Follies, for film, as well as dressing many of the celebrities of the time and to have created for most of the 20th century…I am truly a very lucky gal!

A Harper’s Bazar cover before the name change to Bazaar!

Costumes for the Follies Bergère.

There are many books on Erté including his autobiography,.  I have found the biographies written by Charles Spencer to be the most definitive.

My collection of Erté and other books on Russian designers and clothing…the one in Russian I got in Moscow, can’t read it but the pictures tell the story well.  The Jacqueline Onassis edited In The Russian Style was the companion book for the Met’s/Vreeland Russian costume exhibition which was extraordinary!

Looks like I need to add to my collection and this is only a sampling!

He was a total joy to work with, very debonair, very French and, of course, without equal in creativity.

***I meant to include a note on a film I wanted to recommend yesterday in my posting on malachite.  The film is The Russian Arc, it was filmed with one camera in the Hermitage.  I find it fascinating, others find it quite strange…to each his own!  Give it a try and let me know your thoughts, which I always welcome on each of my postings.  Thanks for coming along with my wanderings through nenasnotes!

By now you know I am obsessed with the color green, it would, therefore, be logical that I would collect objects in green.  Since I have made this week a celebration of Russian (and Greek) Orthodox Christmas, which is this Saturday, January 7th, I wanted to continue the theme with a discussion of my small malachite collection. I visited Russia in 2002 and had the opportunity to spend a week in Moscow and a week in St. Petersburg.  It was an amazing trip and I will discuss my impressions of the Cities in another post, today I wanted to concentrate on this interesting mineral. I did get a couple of malachite objects there but I  purchased more amber than malachite, again another story. I just learned that this mineral is special to Libra’s.  Most certainly a fact I didn’t know… lucky me, I’m a Libra!

It is said that malachite is a healing stone.  Here a cross section of the mineral.

The Malachite Room in the Winter Palace (The Hermitage). I want these doors, can you even imagine?????  They were magnificent, to say the least.

A malachite mantle in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. The green paint on the walls is almost the same as my walls….who knew!!!

Close up of my faux malachite mantle, made especially for me by my dear friend, the incredibly talented, Mark Heister, with its gold embellishment. I featured the entire fireplace in my mantel posting several weeks ago.

In 2005 we had a very special visitor at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago, Tatiana Fabergé who brought her incredible collection of objects to us, it was the first time since 1917 that new Fabergé was available. I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the pieces and to be able to own a Fabergé was beyond belief and to have it signed by Tatiana Fabergé, words escape me. I purchased two items for myself, a green enamel egg and a malachite and gilt frame. She was kind and signed both for me.  I did purchase a couple of eggs to give as gifts.

Tatiana Fabergé, great-great-granddaughter of Gustav Fabergé, founder of the company, whose son was Carl Fabergé.

A photo of my Father in my signed Fabergé malachite and gilt frame. He is wearing a favorite Hawaiian shirt all the rage in the late 1940’s, seriously!!!

The Czar in a Fabergé malachite frame, in the Hermitage malachite room, notice the attached stand, it is the same on my frame!

My small collection of malachite items….the necklaces, along with large ball drop earrings, were purchased in Moscow as was the charming watercolor of Saint Basil’s Cathedral, in its own malachite and gilt frame.  The needlepoint pillow is from Jonathan Adler.

Time for our weekly recipe….this one is kindly shared by Tom Hawley from his Mother, Elenor’s, recipe box.  I can attest to the fact that is is absolutely delicious and very easy to make.

Elenor Hawley’s Quick Beef Stroganoff

1 1/2 pounds of beef  cut into strips (we used cooked beef, see below)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Dash of pepper

Dredge beef in flour and pepper in a plastic bag

Brown in 1/4 cup butter

Add

1 pint sliced fresh mushrooms

1 clove of garlic minced (we used jarred garlic, a generous teaspoon, worked perfectly)

1/2 cup chopped onion

Cook until mushrooms are browned

Add

2 beef bullion cubes dissolved in 2 cups water boil and reduce liquid, about 10 minutes just watch to be sure most of the liquid is absorbed

Stir in 1 cup sour cream

Serve over wide egg noodles

We used leftover beef from a standing rib roast, unbelievably delicious!!! Use a good piece of beef don’t use tenderloin it is too lean….you do need a bit of fat  Since this was already cooked we only browned it and cooked with the other ingredients for about 20 minutes or until the mushrooms were tender. If using raw meat cook for about 40-45 minutes after browning.

Our meal was served with glazed carrots, followed by a green salad lightly dressed with a vinaigrette and a rich dessert.  Of course, lots of wine, this time we did a bold red but since is it a Russian dish why not more champagne!

Enjoy!!

The finished product…..

Here we are in a brand new year…can’t even imagine how that happened but it has and we all reflect on where we are, where we have been and where we are going.  I was asked, several years ago, to write an article about what I thought “fashion” in Chicago was all about.  Being a native Chicagoan I resent that our moniker “Second City” is used in a negative way…it means it is Chicago’s brand new city after the Great Fire not that we are second to any other city! I do realize that I am a voice in the wind but it really annoys me!  I am sharing my thoughts on how our fashionable citizens choose their style and more importantly, maintain their elegance by being individuals!

THE CHICago FASHIONISTA

Second City, I think not….remember our name contains the word Chic!!!!! We don’t use hay in our hair as accessories…we prefer wonderful fascinators.

Chicago’s fashion savvy are very aware where to find the best of the season and how to put it together with panache.  Perhaps they depend on that special secret sales associate to assure them that they won’t appear in the same dress their best friend has chosen or work with their stylist (a term that needs more definition, does everyone think they are a “stylist” maybe…but really….). They know a  good sales associate and fitter are key to their shopping experience, it is magical to have that perfect relationship!  Even the most seasoned shopper welcomes positive reinforcement and creative suggestions to add to their closets, therefore avoiding mistakes by impulse buying. Who among us hasn’t done that, just think of all the “on sale” things that end up on the top shelf of the closet or under the bed, never worn?  On the other hand buying on sale, something that works with your already established items can be the smart thing to do.

They might shop pre-season when ALL the International designer trunk shows come right after their debuts from around the world (including our fashion forward local creators).  Or they might wait until early receipts come into the vast variety of stores Chicago has to offer.  They can pick from Designer’s Boutiques (aren’t we lucky to have all the best of the best with more coming, this seems to be a weekly occurrence!) to Ikram, to Saks Fifth Avenue (perhaps I am partial to that retailer since I spent my entire retail career there!!!) to Neiman Marcus to Barney’s…the list is endless.

I can think of many of our superbly dressed (no, I’m not mentioning names, they know who they are and so do you, you read Candid Candace, the many local blogs, Michigan Avenue and CS  for pity sake!!) who used to wear a designer label head to toe, in my opinion that isn’t the modern approach, mixing designers, prices, high with low and low with high, is the way to go and our CHICagoans seem to be doing just that. Where else can you spend days in three vertical malls on Michigan Avenue or countless hours in neighborhood boutiques or even find the season’s dream outfits at H&M or Zara. The fashion self-assured photograph their wardrobe along with chosen accessories, label their shoe boxes and categorize their accessories for easy access. They dress in a comfortable way, do not think for a minute I mean messy…if they wear jeans and a t-shirt they are designer labels, defining their individual style with their choices.  I don’t feel our fashion intelligentsia has to scream “look at me I am wearing an entirely new outfit head to toe” but rather “look at me I am a smart shopper who is in tune with herself and can pick what are the newest items to add to my already established wardrobe”.  They are indifferent to fleeting fashion trends unless those trends can work with their other choices and their lifestyle.

Our fashionista is cool, calm, confident, classic, current…she (or he!) knows what works for them and has the confidence to carry off their own brand, themselves!!  Second City, nonsense!!!

Submitted, several years ago, to Michigan Avenue, never published.  Updated here.