Author: nenasnotes
WEDNESDAY MUSINGS: HALLOWEEN STORIES
I have mentioned that I am asking my friends to be guest contributors to nenasnotes so on this special day, Halloween, I am featuring several stories from Virginia Heaven, a historian, teacher, author, curator, raconteur and very good friend, which she has entitled “Halloween: Culture Is Everything”. You are in for a treat.
This vitrine is up all year in Virginia’s home. She likes to use her huge collections differently each year and, of course, constantly adds new items…that is what a collector does! Speaking of collections be sure to check out the Halloween blog post I did for the Randolph Street Market.
Story #1
Now, I love Halloween (well, the sweet kind). It’s magical because it’s really fun and kind of scary for me all at the same time. I’m from London and in my day (and neighborhood) Halloween was not celebrated. Although there is ample evidence that it was celebrated all over the UK as All Hallows Eve.
When I first came to America, Halloween fascinated me and I gradually began to gather a few decorations, and I loved pumpkin carving. But most of all I loved the children coming around to get their candy. All those kids dressed as their heroes or some fantastic creature, how fun is that? And the tiny ones are so funny!
When my cousin (who is like my sister) had her first three kids, they lived in a small English town where there was no Halloween celebrations either. So, I would pack up a box in September of all the fun Halloween things I could find and post it off (all big boxes were sent by ship then, remember?) and her kids were the only ones in the town to have a Halloween party which made them very popular! They are all in their 30s now but still remember the box arriving each year and the excitement of opening it to find what was inside! By the time her last two babies were born (now in their 20s) Halloween was popular in Britain too, but I still sent boxes of American Halloween tchotchkes for the parties!
Story #2
I was dating a guy (who later became my husband, but after this stunt it was by the skin of his teeth!) who loves haunted houses at Halloween. He insisted that I would find it really fun, it was part of his Halloween “tradition” that he wanted to share with me. We found one in Milwaukee that looked pretty good and off we went.
I began to have misgivings when I realized it was a derelict building entirely made over into a pretty spooky looking house. We entered. The actors were excellent, the scenes superb, the lighting magnificent and after the first “scare” I didn’t stop screaming! At first my date, and presumably the actors, thought it was all in good fun, until it was evident I was actually traumatized. I’d never seen anything like this; I put my coat over my head (sobbing) and was led outside. The people in line were very excited when they saw the state I was in—“wow! It must be great!” I heard someone say…
Needless to say I have never entered another Haunted House, and after about five years I forgave the man I married, but I still shudder at the memory.
Story #3
I have been to Mexico twice to celebrate The Day of the Dead. The first time was after the loss of my Father and a beloved Aunt. I went to Mexico City by chance was still grieving but, I had a wonderful time. It was colorful with alters everywhere and in the Zócalo there were orange marigolds and magenta cockscomb flowers laid out in patterns: beautiful. It was a wonderful and strangely healing experience because there was an acceptance of the inevitability of death rather than a resistance to loss.
Some years later I was in Oaxaca at the same time. That time was very different, just as moving but more visceral. I was taken to a graveyard where families sat around graves sitting with and laying out offerings of food to the dead. It was very dark and the graves were mounds of earth with simple crosses. Death felt present rather than removed under heavy stone monuments. As the night progressed more and more people arrived and they brought candles and flowers and eventually it was as light as day in the candlelight and the atmosphere was quietly celebratory. It was a very beautiful and soulful experience.
All above photos courtesy of Virginia Heaven….a million thanks for the wondeful Halloween memories and the awesome decorations….what a way to begin my guest posts!!!!!
Above photos from Pinterest photo credits unknown.
Love these charming plates from Williams-Sonoma.
Hope I get these in my treat bag……
PROFILE: SWAN LAKE JOFFREY BALLET STYLE
Swans in a peaceful country setting on an exquisite fall day. Photo credit, Nena’s iPhone.
i have always been enamored with the beauty of swans as well as adoring ballet since I was held on my Father’s lap to see the majesty of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake, created in 1875-76, the first of his classic trio of ballets that include Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Swan Lake, an initial failure, has become one of the most popular of all ballets. I have seen dozens of performances of this well known piece and until now my all time favorite interpretation was with Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev….now tied for first place is the current production of Christopher Wheeldon’s reimagining of the story of a swan brought to life and love by her prince.
There are so many elements that I adore about this version, I must say Wheeldon’s imagination, in all he creates, is at the top of my list. From the Joffrey’s reimagined Nutcracker, to the critically acclaimed musical An American In Paris, his vision takes us to places not seen in dance productions before and quite frankly isn’t that what a choreographer should do…in my opinion, yes, they should. Wheeldon along with Joffrey’s dynamic The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater and forward thinking, President and CEO, Greg Cameron have succeeded in making my favorite ballet company world class. The Company can, most certainly, make us proud on the world stage. When Robert Joffrey and Robert Arpino brought the Joffrey to Chicago, as a visiting company, I fell under their spell….fortunately that spell has not dissipated over the years it has just gotten stronger and as a native Chicagoan and lover of ballet I am so proud they are ours!!!
Using the background of the Paris Opera Ballet and Impressionists Edgar Degas and Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec to set the scene, we are transported into a beautiful world of sets and costumes (watch for an upcoming posts on the costuming for the Joffrey’s Spring World Premiere of Anna Karinina). The principles, and there are several couples in the two week run which ends on Sunday, October 28th, are breathtakingly brilliant, the dual role of Odette and Odile, one of the most intricate in any ballet, is matched to perfection by the Corps de Ballet….gorgeous! Let’s not forget the male dancers…beyond perfection. The following photos were taken at our unparalleled, The Art Institute of Chicago, in front of some the iconic Impressionists paintings.
Ballerinas Dara Holmes, Yumi Kanazawa and Brooke Linford photograph by Cheryl Mann.
The painting in the background of the photos that hangs, along with other superb Degas works at The Art Institute of Chicago.
Another of our Degas paintings that inspired the production. Both above images found on Pinterest no photo credit available
Jeraldine Mendoza and Grieg Matthews photograph by Cheryl Mann.
My thanks to The Art Institute of Chicago’s Gloria Groom and Nora Gainer and Joffrey’s Vicki Crain for giving me permission to share these images with you, I am forever grateful!
I have to admit I had tears of pure joy at the end of the opening night performance and to read the glowing reviews, by all media, was gratifying to say the least….I would have lost all respect from the critics if they been anything less. The long standing ovation and shouts of bravo were beyond perfection. Run don’t walk to get your tickets for a not to be missed cultural experience, it ends Sunday, October 28th.
I had to share the following photos with you of the daughter, of my dear friends Stephanie and Cory Lake, Odette (you read that correctly and yes, she is named for our heroine). I did a week of posts on Stephanie in 2016, check the nenasnotes archives they are fascinating insights into a creative mind. That mind has translated to the Lake’s precious, about to be 5 year old, child. Don’t tell her but I am doing a special Birthday post for her. Here a taste of our budding ballerina, prepare yourself Joffrey Ballet!!!!!
Looks more Odile than a Odette….versatile our little Diva at ballet class and in her swan print skirt at Pre-School….the theme continues….photos courtesy of Stephanie Lake.
Could there be a book any more perfect, I think not!!!!!
Both swan photos found on Pinterest photo credits unknown.
BEGINNING YEAR THREE…….
October 13, 2018
Another year has flown by and I am now starting year three of NENASNOTES. I must admit I haven’t been consistent of late, computer issues, other obligations, etc. I plan to continue my same schedule with more tweaks. I am asking the people I have profiled over the last two years to do a guest post on whatever subject they like. I think their thoughts will be of interest to all of us. I do like my Tuesdays posts, BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS, and will continue them and probably expand to an additional day. This has led to the formation of NENASNOTES The Fashion Book Club a monthly gathering to discuss all manner of fashion books, featuring fascinating authors and a throughly engaged audience, I will do monthly posts on these books as well. More recipes, more decor, more fashion….yes, all of those along with interesting personality profiles. If you have something you would like me to discuss please let me know. By now, if you follow me, you know I have a wide range of interests that I like to share with my readers. I now also do two monthly posts for the Randolph Street Market blog, one on collection trends and one on fashion trends these are totally different from my NENASNOTES posts. Do follow me there, on Instagram, (I’m having a blast there!) and Pinterest. I am in the process of launching a sponsorship program with unique incentives based on level of funding. So lots to look forward to…I do hope you will continue to join me in my ventures and do recommend NENASNOTES to your friends and please make comments, they are invaluable. Here we go….welcome Year Three!
October 13, 2017
Here is what I wrote one year ago today when I launched NENASNOTES, as I begin my second year, my goals remain the same. I have tweaked the daily themes a bit but the concept hasn’t changed. I will be adding new features and ask that you watch for an upcoming announcement of how you can supoort me and what incentives you can expect. I hope you are enjoying my thoughts on the variety of lifestyle things that interest me…so I say, Happy Birthday NENASNOTES and I hope you, my followers, will continue to join me on a regular basis and invite your friends to have their morning coffee with us as well.
October 13, 2016
Well, here we go….I have been waiting to start my blog NENASNOTES for what seems like ages, actually, it has been ages!
I, therefore, feel it is necessary to give you my thoughts on what you can expect on what will become daily postings.
It began with the current trend of focusing on people reinventing themselves, through career and/or lifestyle changes. I realized that there are so many of my friends and acquaintances whose diverse lives now are totally different from how they started. First up were my many former models who were superstars in the myriad shows I produced during my lengthy career as Fashion and Special Director at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago. Most, if not all, have totally changed careers and become successful with their new life choices. You will learn their stories, reminiscences and photos from then and now.
MY MODEL CREW IN THE 1960’S
I thought why not carry this further to my other friends and people I know who had fascinating stories to tell and was I correct in that assumption! I began this process with a handful of people, which soon became many more, by doing an in person hour long taped conversational interview and Proust-like questionnaire. Again, I asked for photos and this time a favorite recipe. I hope you will enjoy these posts as much as I am enjoying gathering them. They are riveting.
These two groups of conversations will be my Monday posts, here is what I have planned for Tuesday through Friday:
Tuesday….Books, books, books. I’m afraid I have a book fetish, especially fashion books. It seems to be my goal in life to own every fashion book printed!!! So we will start there. I do read a lot, particularly historical fiction, I love fiction about “real” people, we will go that route as well. Nothing like a good English mystery but don’t mind a “Cozy” once in awhile and can never miss Louis Penny’s newest (who doesn’t love Armand!). So much to read so little time.
A SAMPLING OF MY CHANEL LIBRARY
Wednesday….Miscellany day could be a great recipe, restaurant, movie, play….whatever strikes my fancy that week.
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM TIFFANY STAINED GLASS
Thursday….Homes and Gardens, again tapping my friends and their eclectic styles, mostly self-decorated homes and brilliant gardens. A glimpse at my tiny space as well.
A FRIEND’S EXQUISITE SOLARIUM
Friday….Fashion Flashback. I’ve worked with over 150 designers and fashion personalities through the years and want to share some of these experiences with you. I’m sure those of you who know me thought the blog would be all about the “glamorous” fashion shows I produced, yes, there is that but the nitty gritty as well and only one day a week.
Here we go….I hope you will join me on my on reinvention.
FASHION FORWARD: NEW YORK SPRING 2019 PART 3
Here we are in week two of NYFW when most of the “big” guns presenting, lots of new designers on board with established houses. Do they continue in the tradition of the brand, bring a freshness or go in a totally different direction and how about those with their originators and those who have come back to New York….let’s see. Several showed in outside venues and carried on in the rain….
What am I seeing thus far….chrome yellow, black and white alone or together, polka dots, color blocking, splashes of boho, ethnic prints, pattern mixing, feathers, a bit of red, a smattering of all shades of pink and now a splash of ink green. Pretty much classic silhouettes, seasonless garments and lots of interesting shoes and boots (for Spring!) Shall these trends continue through NYFW, London, Milan and Paris…the next few weeks will give us the answers.
RODARTE
CAROLINA HERRERA
OSCAR DE LA RENTA
PROENZA SCHOULER
PRABAL GURUNG
All photos from Pinterest credits unknown.
BOOKNOTES: THE MASTERPIECE
THIS REVIEW IS POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 11th A DAY WE MUST NEVER FORGET. I DEDICATE IT TO THOSE WHO PERISHED, THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND THOSE OF US WHO REMAIN TO HONOR THEIR MEMORY. WE ARE A VERY STRONG COUNTRY AND WE KNOW WE ARE SURVIVORS, NEW YORK CITY IS OUR BEACON OF LIGHT AND THIS STORY TELLS THE REBIRTH, OF TIME LONG GONE, OF AN EXQUISITE STRUCTURE THAT HAS SURVIVED DESPITE ALL ODDS, JUST LIKE ALL OF US!
Fiona Davis photograph by Kristen Jensen.
Having read The Dollhouse and The Address, both of which I absolutely loved, I didn’t want them to end, I waited with baited breath for Fiona Davis’ next book, The Masterpiece, to arrive. I most certainly wasn’t disappointed This time, like both of her other books, the story takes place in a landmark building in New York, the Grand Central Terminal.
It is the story, told in two time periods (seems to a trend in many of the novels I have been reading, wasn’t a fan, but am adjusting to them…this one definitely works!), of the art school housed in the Grand Central Terminal in New York, one of my favorite NYC structures. You know how much I love historical fiction…this is a fascinating little known story.
Our two protagonists, Clara Darden, a noted illustrator, artist and teacher of the period, whose history has been lost to time, and Virginia Clay, recently divorced who has taken a job in the Information Booth at the dilapidated Terminal, tell stories of their different eras, one the late 1920’s and the other the 1970’s. While the stories are years apart, the way women were (are still?) treated in the workplace and in life in general isn’t much different. Their stories intertwine with the downturn of their work place, the once glamorous GCT, and to my mind’s eye it is a tale of the arts during the Depression, how they survived, their decline in the ‘70’s and the promise of a light at “the end of the tunnel”, telling us that things can, indeed, get better, that beauty and confidence can be restored whether it is a building or a person and how our two women survive. We follow them through love affairs, betrayed trust, found and lost friendships, power struggles (no matter your social class!), in other words, the real world. We find the determination of one to find more about the other…the story we want to continue. Ms. Davis is a master of mixing periods, giving us a story of architecture, New York City’s history and making the past come alive through the structures we come to admire and love
Relationships come and go, grow or die, new jobs, new directions, the promise of talent in many guises, so many life lessons in one work of fiction…I really enjoyed the book…I can’t wait to see what’s next in Ms. Davis’ oeuvre!!!
42nd Street entrance
A cross section rendering of the building….love this and it relates perfectly to our story
The Great Hall and it’s restored constellations painted vaulted ceiling, it has always been one of my favorite places in NYC.
I try to go to the legendary Oyster Bar as often as I can, love the ambiance, the decor, the delicious good food…..oysters, of course!!!!
Many a time I walked down this passageway to my train, The Twentieth Century…legendary, what train travel should be!! Oh my, another post…..why not!!!!
The catalogue for the Grand Central School of Art, one of the art instructors in the studio. Opened in 1922 and closed in 1944 reported to have enrolled up to 900 students the year before it closed according to the author’s notes
The restoration and rededication in 1998 was led by architecture firm Breyer Blinder Platt and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and brought the derelict building back to its glory, preserving it for the ages. This looks like yet another book I need to add to my collection. I am mad for nostalgia, but you know that!!!
And then there is this….Sir Paul McCarthy impromptu performance at Grand Central Terminal last week!!!!
All photos from Pinterest photo credits unknown.
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FASHION FORWARD: NEW YORK SPRING 2019 PART 2
I’m still recovering from the overload of a perfect event….the Ralph Lauren 50th Anniversary extraganza. But let’s move on, there are so many collections to cover and I’m sharing my take on trends as I see them…..(quite frankly RL is in a league all their own).
Lots of pretty wearable clothes (you know I’m a merchant at heart, need to share what can work) but also very forward avant-garde pieces as well. Perhaps if we look beyond the extremes we will find the common ground of trends. So far I’m seeing a sea of black (my kind of “color”) white, neutrals with red, pink and bold neons, particularly citron. Let’s see how these early colors translate through the four markets.
CHRISTIAN SIRANO
Fashion as political statement….Cynthia Nixon for Governor of New York…she was in the front row
Leopard continues to be one of the prints of choice no matter the season, I particularly like the middle piece mixing leopard with tropical very modern. Animal prints are the focus of my monthly trend report in the Randolph Street Market September newsletter, I am doing two articles per month that are totally different from my nenasnotes posts! One on classic fashion trends and the other on collectibles. If you want more of me check it out, just saying!!!
Citron, staring to see this as a trend in several collections..full leg pant, love it…draped strapless bodice, good combination of color, fresh.
Smoky black with a pop of citron.
Of course, evening, a Siriano signature…fabulous jet black two with dashes of citron.
And, the Siriano ballgown. I think he dresses more red carpet appearances than all other designers combined….this is why!!!!
BRANDON MAXWELL
Using a palette of mostly pink and red with a dash of citron and white, he fashions understandable, wearable clothes in the tradition of the classic American designers. The plastic handbags carry either a bottle of wine or a hat…why not!
TORY BURCH
Always wearable garments with a twist, here in neutrals, a trend, with accents of neon color, another trend. Easy tops in bold Royal or sand with colorful shoes and bags along with a bold pattern. She always shows all the components of her brand, smart marketer. Tory knows her market and always nails it. No drama here.
For drama let’s look at two of the cutting edge designers who always push the boundaries. First…
JEREMY SCOTT
Fun, youthful, statements….always!
THE BLONDS
This collection is based on the Disney villains, I’ll leave the reasoning to the designers….my take on the trends are still evident, lots of black, bold neon color and feathers. Who will be the client…rock stars and their fans, of course.
To be continued……
All photos from Pinterest photo credits unknown.
FASHION EXTRA: RALPH LAUREN THE FIRST 50 YEARS!!!!!
I have worn, shown, lived with, admired, Ralph Lauren’s creativity for all those 50 years. The excitement of this extraordinary exuberant extraganza was a once in a lifetime “happening”. From the venue, the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, to the pre-show reception (and the people watching), to the staging (perfection), to the presentation (featuring a diverse mix of 150 models and more people watching), to the finale (all models on the staircase with Ralph taking his finale bow-wave), to the formal sit down dinner (further people watching and a toast lead by Oprah!), WOW! For those of us not there in person, we have the modern experience of technology and can watch the evening streaming, via video feeds, still photos, the joyous postings, on all social media platforms, and can absorb this perfect event from beginning to end whenever we choose. All I can say….I can’t wait to see what is in store for us in the ensuing years. Fashion is not dead, long live fashion…Bravo Ralph Lauren Bravo!!!
The staging.
Lets take a look at some of my favorites, I can’t show you every run, would love to, you can find many on line sources to show you the entire collection. Here, then, in no particular order my likes….
Notice Chicago’s own, Chance The Rapper (in baseball cap) in the front row.
Love Ralph in a typical outfit, tuxedo jacket with distressed jeans, modernity at its best!!! I think this is one of Jeffrey Banks’ fabulous photos of the evening. See his Facebook postings for a incredible capture of the evening. An aside, Jeffrey was a sketch artist for Ralph back in the day. Two true American creators, long may they wave!!!!
Photos from Pinterest photo credits unknown
FASHION FORWARD: SPRING 2019 NEW YORK PART 1 TOM FORD
And so we begin my trend reports from the Spring 2019 Fashion Weeks, as always beginning with the New York market and Tom Ford’s collection. In my opinion (the only one I can offer you) a perfectly edited collection for his followers, in this case he showed both women’s and men’s looks. Sexy, modern, wearable…wow, what a combination and no one does sexy clothes better. A muted color palette of mostly black, a Ford signature, blush and a bit of white. Leather with lace, tuxedo dressing, a trench coat we all will want, and exquisite gowns. Particularly love the embossed leathers, the starkness of leather tempered with lace, and my most favorite piece, the animal pattern with silk fringe long long…..genius!!!! The mis-step, again in my opinion, the headwrap….didn’t work for me, I would have rather seen a close sleek garçon haircut. Make-up superb as usual…Tom Ford products, of course. Here are some of my favorites.
Feathers continue into Spring 2019.
My diet begins now…..coveting this gown! WOW!!
All photos from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
BOOKNOTES: SEPTEMBER TO BE READ LIST
I thought I’d give you a preview of some of the books I will be reviewing this month.I have SO many on my TBR list that it was difficult to choose just a few…but here goes…
I am currently reading The Masterpiece by one of my favorite authors, Fiona Davis. So far it doesn’t disappoint. It is the story, told in two time periods (seems to a trend in many of the novels I have been reading, wasn’t a fan, but am adjusting to them…this one definitely works!), of the art school housed in the Grand Central Terminal in New York, one of my favorite NYC structures. You know how much I love historical fiction…this is a fascinating little known story…..I’ll post the review next week.
Next up, I’ll probably review a long over due non-fiction work by another of my favorites, Julia Reed, South Toward Home. I always love her books and her other writings….informative, funny, and very, very well written I never want to finish her books and that is a compliment….I think we are in for a good read. 
Torn by which of these titles to read next….maybe The Dinner List, intriguing to me and hopefully to you since that is one of the questions I ask each of my nenasnotes Profile guests to answer…”who would you have, living or dead, to your dinner party?” Should be a fun read
Or maybe I’ll switch gears and go with another author whose works I enjoy, Natasha Solomon’s and her House of Gold. Another historical piece set in Austria and England during the World War I era. You know I love any story set in England and that time period….we shall see! 
Of course I need to re-read Bonnie Cashin Chic Is Where You Find It by the Uber talented, Stephanie Lake, who is joining this month’s nenasnotes The Fashion Book Club and then read what looks like a stunning addition to the Christian Dior oeuvre Dior and His Decorators by Maureen Footer, this is the October selection for nenasnotes The Fashion Book Club.
Stay tuned for my reviews on each (go to the nenasnotes Archives for my review on the Bonnie Cadhin book). As the song says….the beat goes on, or should I say the books go on and on and on…..
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