Odette Lake pictured from birth to 5 years old

I wanted to do this post on Odette’s actual Birthday, her fifth to be exact, alas it wasn’t meant to be…so I thought what better way to celebrate the end of one year and welcome a fresh new year than by celebrating the continuing adventures of this fascinating young lady.  I met Odette’s delightful parents, Cory and Stephanie Lake, a couple of years ago when Stephanie came to Chicago to launch her magnificent monograph on Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin: Chic Is Where You Find It.  We bonded at The Ritz Carlton over champagne (both Stephanie and my drink of choice) and stories of Cashin.  Both Cory (a major player in insurance) and Stephanie (not only THE authority on Cashin, she also owns and maintains the Cashin Archives and is also a superb jeweler of one of a kind pieces) both their CV’s are beyond compare and they are totally involved in their community, with the Arts, multiple philanthropy endeavors, known for their glorious entertaining, and most importantly exposing their daughter to all their interests and letting her find her own charitable causes, artistic pursuits, entertaining, (a Lake passion!) dancing, art, fashion, interior decor, her new passion…singing, and on and on.

The very, very happy family……

And with her best friend her Gaga, Kay (Stephanie’s Mother)

After our initial meeting I did a week of posts on the Lakes (check the nenasnotes Archives), they are still some of my most viewed posts. We have continued to be in touch and refer to each other as “BFF” at all times, in writing and on the phone.  I invited Stephanie to be in conversation at the August nenasnotes The Fashion Book Club which was a great success with my Club Members, only Odette’s 5th Birthday kept her from being with us in person.

One of my favorite photos, absorbing garments from the iconic Bonnie Cashion Archives at age 2.

But I digress…this post is about a very special 5 year old.  I could, indeed do an entire post on Sayings by Odette, I have, in fact, suggested a book, the words/phrases are quite memorable, instead I thought I would tell her story through photos…you know the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” so prepare yourself for many thousands of words! I am including just a small portion of the photos shared with me, you can be sure there will be Parts 2, 3, 4 and so on….a fascinating young lady, and her exceptional parents, there needs to be more than one post to totally appreciate the education, excitement and enlightenment of this inquiring young mind.  Enjoy…

You have met Odette in some of my earlier posts, recently when I did my review post on The Joffrey Ballet’s new production of Swan Lake (again please check the nenasnotes Archive for the post).  I asked the Joffrey if they could send a signed toe shoe from her namesake Odette along with other memorabilia.  She was enthralled with her package, it was an early birthday surprise.

Swan Lake inspiration…..Halloween baby “Odette” and Halloween 5 year old “Odelle”

And with the Joffrey gifts, the t-shirt was her first and she slept in it the first night… and amazingly the toe shoe fit her!

One of her many ballet class outfits…very definitely under the spell of Swan Lake.

More dance class….

With animals…..

Odette’s Environment….

Entertaining guests…

Closets and collections….

Original Warhol shoe painting from Odette’s Cashin Collection…

Christmas 2018….Santa knows a good girl when he sees one….

The caviar connoisseur….

Caviar is not only one of Odette’s favorite foods, I must admit it is one of mine, actually I started enjoying this delicacy as a child as well!  I found this wonderful recipe in a Sunday New York Times article (see info on their food app below) and it will now be my go to treat to be included in my New Year’s Eve celebration to ring in 2019 and every year…and in between….enjoy!!!!

Caviar Sandwich from The New York Times
By Gabrielle Hamilton
INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup crème fraîche
3 scallions, thinly slivered on the bias, about 4 tablespoons
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 eggs
8 slices white sandwich bread, preferably Pepperidge Farm “Very Thin”
2 to 3 tablespoons soft butter 2 ounces caviar
2 tablespoons chives, minced
PREPARATION
FOR SCALLION CRÈME FRAÎCHE:
Step 1
In a small bowl, mix the crème fraîche, scallions, black pepper and kosher salt. Stir aggressively with a rubber spatula until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the crème fraîche is smooth and spreadable. Set aside.
FOR SOFT HARD-BOILED EGGS:
Step 1
Bring a small pot of water to boil over medium-high heat. Carefully lower your eggs into the boiling water using a slotted spoon, taking care not to crack the shells. Cook the eggs for 7 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to maintain a gentle boil. Remove eggs to a bowl of ice water, and cool completely. Gently crack eggs all over, peel and roughly chop. Set aside.
TO ASSEMBLE:
Step 1
Toast white bread until light golden brown. Remove from toaster, and butter each slice, as we say, wall to wall.
Step 2
Repeat with the scallion crème fraîche so that both halves of each sandwich have an even schmear.
Step 3
Spread an even layer of chopped egg on 4 slices (of the total of 8 slices) of toast.
Step 4
Evenly dot the caviar on top of the chopped egg.
Step 5
Sprinkle chives on top of the caviar.
Step 6
Place the remaining 4 slices of crème-fraîche toast on top of the egg-caviar side. Press down very gently, and slice in half on the bias. Serve at once.
YIELD 2to4 servings
TIME 30 minutes
Find Caviar Sandwich (https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019864-caviar-sandwich) on NYT Cooking.

Download The New York Times Cooking App (https://itunes.apple.com/app/id911422904) on the App Store.

A brief glimpse at the first five years…..can’t wait to see and share the next chapters….stay tuned…

Perhaps she an she see into her future, it can only be filled with continued wonder, excitement and enlightenment..

 

 

All my best wishes for the Merriest Christmas to you and yours!

Ralph Lauren Bears

I’m sure, by now, you are aware that Ralph Lauren is celebrating 50 years of trendsetting fashion and a total way of living. The name is synonymous with the word “lifestyle” and, in my opinion, no one does it better! The theme of the Michigan Avenue, Chicago windows this season is a glorious bear family and they are truly Holiday magic.

A few more from the Ralph Lauren Collection…

This is not, however, a Ralph Lauren sponsored post but a story about teddy bears which really started with founder Margarete Steiff in 1880 who was making plush toys in Giengen, Germany.  The company is best known for its teddy bears which were invented in 1902 some of which command thousands of dollars on the secondary market  According to the Steiff website “Manufacturing is still done by hand in our factory in Germany. Steiff products are often considered family heirlooms and are passed from generation to generation. Steiff animals are made from mohair, alpaca, cashmere, 100 percent cotton velvet, 100 percent wool felt, and valuable woven plush – a material usually reserved for the high fashion industry.”

I’m sure we all have had or still have our childhood Teddy’s.  Just a little story about my kitty, Noel (guess when she arrived, yet another story for another time) her favorite “companions” were her miniature Steiff animals, in particular her teddy bear, that she would carry around in her mouth and talk to, adorable and treasured memories!

Margarete Steiff and her favorite nephew, Richard Steiff “father” of the teddy bear in 1902.  Do read the story of how “teddy” got his name on The National Park Service website, it has “something” to do with Teddy Roosevelt, but you knew that!!

While I was recently visiting friends I was invited to another friend’s home that is filled with many treasures (they will fill several posts in the near future) but one bedroom is the teddy bear tree and then some…the following photos I took of Earl Summers delightful teddy bear guest room….

Aren’t they all too adorable for words….what a collection.

A precious little lady whose portrait I found on Pinterest, love her…

Of course, Pagebear, The Peninsula Chicago’s iconic bear….

And then there are our Chicago Bears….go Bears….

For your Holiday entertaining a perfect recipe for your drinks party….

I saved this recipe to (I don’t remember where I originally found it!) the New York Times Cooking App (one of my favorite Apps), subscribe for fabulous recipes and you can save any recipes you find on line, give yourself a gift of the App, you will thank you!!!!!  Tommy and I have added this nut recipe to our tried and true collection for gift giving, Holiday entertaining and, of course, your own snacking  really, really delicious, it is my favorite this year!

Rosemary Spiced Nuts
by PETER MCQUAID

Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/11308-rosemary-spiced-nuts

INGREDIENTS

1 pound unsalted mixed nuts
1 tablespoon melted butter
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar or granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Mix nuts and butter together on a baking sheet for 10 minutes at 350.  Mix the rest of the ingredients and toss with nuts and let cool.

Nena’s Note….you will want to make more than one batch, trust me!!!!!!

All photos,  unless wisenoted found on Pinterest photo credits unknown.

This is an unsponsored post, as always, unless quoted, the copy is mine for sponsorship opportunities please contact me at nenasnotes1@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

I have had the pleasure of working with Hutton Wilkinson when he launched his first book written with Wendy Goodman, TONY DUQUETTE, followed by MORE IS MORE and TONY DUQUETTE AND HUTTON WILKINSON JEWELRY and when he presented his extraordinary fine jewelry collection at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago on several occasions…just gorgeous. “Discovered” by the legendary Elsie de Wolfe, Tony brought his distinctive dramatic style to the world of theater and modern interiors. (An aside, Hutton has also written a book, in two volumes, on these two totally different personalities, THE WALK TO ELSIE’S, and a children’s book,  GASPER BROWN AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GASPARILLA  SUCESSION.) The Duquette books have brought the genius of Tony Duquette to the public many of whom really only knew of his unique creativity through his stage and screen sets and costumes, as well as ballets and operas.  I fell for his sketches (aspire to own one!) years and years ago (Hutton, a book of Tony’s Sketches please!!!!!!)

From Kismet, the film, I recently saw this, hadn’t seen it in years (I’ve always adored Howard Keel’s voice), a fun campy film, but totally worth a viewing for the sets and costumes, oh my!!!!

From the film, Lovely To Look At….

And a sketch for the Broadway production of Camelot….another piece of heaven…

To see this iconic man’s vision through the eyes of the man who worked with him, is maintaining his legacy and continues to honor the Duquette culture by restoring and “modernizing” his home DAWNRIDGE.  We must applaud Hutton for continuing the mystic of this unique creator. NEWS FLASH, HUTTON WILL BE WITH US, IN CONVERSATION, EARLY 2019, FOR nenasnotes THE FASHION BOOK CLUB TO DISCUSS DAWRIDGE AND WILL DO THE PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THIS BLOG….I AM BEYOND, JUST BEYOND THRILLED!!!!!  You will immediately love his stories and enjoy sharing his brilliance!  You can tell I’m a HUGE fan!

Tony Duquette with Hutton Wilkinson, his protégé, collaborator and now the keeper of the Tony Duquette legacy.

Now on to the book….in my opinion it is the most intimate and personal of the three “lifestyle” books, it features photos from the original homes and new photography by Tim Street-Porter of the restored/redone breathtakingly beautiful house(s) and grounds.  Hamish Bowles does the brilliant forward (himself, a busy Icon, (my favorite fashion/lifestyle guru), with all the book “forwards” he has done along with his position as International Editor-At-Large for Vogue and his own publications, does he sleep?  I wonder, would he do mine, when my book comes to fruition….just saying!!!)

Here is a quote of  part of a paragraph from Hamish (I had the joy of being “in conversation” with him for the Costume Council of The Chicago History Museum several years ago, a major thrill and true honor!) From the forward a quote talking about another idol of mine the superb designer Gilbert Adrian, in my opinion, the best of the Golden Age of Hollywood designers, Adrian also brought his talents to department stores across the country as well as his own salon…

“‘Amaze me!’ was Adrian’s injunction to Duquette, and the young artist obliged with decors for the designer’s salon and fashion shows of eclipsing fantasy and charm. Duquette was made for Tinseltown, the land of illusion, and for the director Vincente Minnelli he created movie decors as fanciful as the homes he invented for himself and his wife, the ethereal artist Elizabeth Johnstone.”

Imsges of the Duquette interiors for Adrian’s Salon (not from the book found on Pinterest credit unknown).

And from Hutton these two quotes from page 13 (by coincidence, my lucky number!)

“Before he died, (in 1999) I promised Tony that I’d try to save Dawnridge.”

“It has been our pleasure (Hutton and his wife, Ruth) to save the life of this fabled house and to continue the tradition of creative hospitality that Dawnridge is known for.  As Tony would say ‘We do these things for our pleasure, and hopefully, to inspire individuality and creativity in others through the art of living and the living arts’.  Dawnridge is a living house, constantly changing and evolving.  It is the dearest hope of mine and my wife Ruth’s—and hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul—that Dawnridge will continue to inspire, enchant, and inform for generations to come.”  Hutton, exquisitely stated!

The beginning of the book gives us a detailed understanding of Tony’s life, and, of course how Hutton became his creative partner.  The book is then organized by the three main houses and the elaborate grounds. Hutton takes us through the painstaking process of repurchasing many of the “lost” treasures of the home, the detailed drama of “reinventing” the original concept and not only enhancing it but bringing the dream into the reality of the 21st Century with its modern technology while keeping the essence and tradition of the original rooms, buildings and grounds in their transformations. I would go so far as to say an exquisite Phoenix has risen from the “ashes”.

Some photos from the book….taken from Pinterest.  I could live in any of the spaces since my motto is definitely more is more and my most favorite color is green, let alone all the Malachite, and the chandeliers, and the layering, and…………totally dreamy!  

A perfect choice for your gift giving and for yourself, of course, this Holiday season….remember to patronize your local Independent Bookseller, mine is The Book Stall

This post is underwritten by an unanimous sponsor.  Contact me for details for nenasnotes sponsorship opportunities, nenasnotes1@gmail.com.

Much like Clara (Marie in this production), in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, I think I have been fascinated with Nutcrackers since I first saw the ballet as a little girl.  Our own Joffrey Ballet, does a superb new interpretation choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon and running through December 30th at our exquisite Auditorium Theater, as seen above in my photograph of the curtain.

My first, and for many years, was the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo which I adored, that was followed by the New York City Ballet choreographed by the incredible George Balanchine at Lincoln Center which I saw in NYC in 1964 and to my mind the best until I saw the Joffrey’s production when they first came to Chicago….pure magic and performed at The Rosemont Theater.  An aside, when I was at Saks Fifth Avenue we did a series of what we called Platinum Events and our Platinum clients could choose from a menu of events (I’ll go into those in another post) one of these was the opening night of the Nutcracker with a catered dinner after the performance in the Theater’s Private Room.  I did red plaid taffeta cloths to the floor, of course, on the dinner tables and along with Gerald Arpino had at least one dancer from the performance, in their costumes, at each table.  The centerpieces were elegant stunning German Nutcrackers which we’re given to each guest as their gift after dinner. The event was very private with only fifteen couples, the Store Manager with their spouse and me.  A huge success.  I have been a huge fan of The Joffrey’s Nutcracker and I must admit I was skeptical of the new version…..silly me it is beyond brilliant….is Wheeldon the new Balanchine, I am beginning to think so.  I have to compliment the genius team of Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director and Greg Cameron, President and CEO for continuing to push our extraordinary company in new directions especially with the Classics (my favorites).  Up next the world premiere of Anna Karenina, February 13th through 24th, Mark your calendars now, I know I will! Better yet get your season tickets….what a perfect Holiday gift for everyone on your list and for yourself, I’d like to find that in the toe of my stocking!

Julian Crouch bringing his incredible Nutcracker to life. Photos by Cheryl Mann.

I  wrote the following on my Instagram account immediately after the performance last week and wanted to share that “review” with you.

“I am never at a lack for words but the Joffrey Ballet Chicago’s production of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker has rendered me speechless….it is a flawless spectacle. The dancing, the use of modern technology in a traditional beloved ballet, the costumes and the sets…WOW. On this the 200th birthday of our State, it was a perfect celebration of our history to reimagine the setting and place it in Chicago at the spectacular World’s  Columbian Exhibition of 1893.”

Fabrice Calmels as  The Great Impresano of The Fair and ensemble, Cara Marie Gary as Marie, Fabrice, Cara and Yoshihisa Aria as Franz.

Miguel Angel Bianca and Alberto Velazquez

Dylan Gutierrez as The Rat Catcher.

Fernando Duarte as Mother Nutcracker

Fabrice Calmels and April Daly as The Great Impresario and The Queen of the Fair

The corps de ballet as snowflakes in the Second Act.

Finale…please notice the staging replicating the Auditorium interior pillars, beyond gorgeous. They also lit the ceiling for a bit of glamourous effect. The Louis Sullivan building was completed in 1889 and in addition to the theater the building housed a hotel…I’m sure guests to the World’s Fair stayed there.

The production will be at The Auditorium Theater through December 30th. Do go you will be transfixed, something we all need!!!!

Where can you find vintage collectible Nutcrackers, of course, i would suggest you check out the December Randolph Street Market on December 15 and 16. And if you more history about actual nutcrackers please go to the Randolph Street Market blog for my  November post on them (I do two posts monthly you might enjoy them give, the site a look!)

All the images were shared with me by The Joffrey Ballet and were taken by the talented  Cheryl Mann.

This is not a sponsored post.