I’ve been fascinated with paisley forever and in my very eclectic home it works perfectly in many ways from draping the back of a chair, to pillows, to the layering of authentic vintage pieces, Ralph Lauren textiles, and modern fashion shawls on my day bed (I’ll feature the “made” bed in another post, it is a pillow explosion!!!!) to many other renditions of the paisley pattern.
In the above illustration you see how the paisley shawl was worn during Victorian Times. While watching the superb second season finale of VICTORIA on PBS (having planned on doing this post for a long time) I was thrilled to see the Queen pick up a paisley shawl and wrap it around her shoulders….heaven!!!
Paisley’s origin goes back centuries in India, Iran and other countries but the name came from where it was manufactured in the 19th Century, Paisley, Scotland. Just as Queen Elizabeth II attended her first fashion show during London Fall 2018 Fashion Week to present the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Richard Quinn, she also made a huge endorsement to the British fashion industry. The same was true of Queen Victoria. This being said the royal presence and seal of approval is a huge boom to any industry in the UK.
Some examples of paisley in clothing
Wooden paisley fabric stamp
Above images from Pinterest photo credit unknown
There are many sites and articles and, of course, books where you will find more information on this glorious pattern. I wanted to share my own collection in my home as well as share some from my Pinterest account where you will find many more examples.
One of my window ledges with vintage bamboo shelves (mostly holding novels and to be read books) collectibles (of course, many treasures found at Randolph Street Market ) and festooned with a vintage paisley fragment next to antique lace panels backed by two panels of green drapery, one silk one velvet perhaps overkill, to me not too much!!!! Linda Heister helped me get the drape exactly right…took a bit of time with me standing on my build-in daybed and adjusting all the elements just so! She also gave me 4 pillows also made from vintage paisley fragments. They are unadorned, I will, at some point in time, do some trim.
The elements of the top of my painted antique French daybed one of my first purchases for my room when I was in high school. One piece I would always keep. The upper right you can see a peek of the base which is a fitted sheet from a long ago Ralph Lauren linen collection (I have several just in case one wears out) the stripe is a mix of pattern (I often use it as a table cloth especially for Christmas time dinners) on the bottom left the tradition paisley pattern which layers over the stripe and the black banded piece is a challis shawl from a Gloria Sachs outfit (worked with her on many personal appearance trunk shows at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago). The outfit was three pieces, jacket, slim skirt and this shawl each a different paisley coordinating pattern, loved it, wore it, wish I had it now…more to the point wish I could fit into it now! At least I can enjoy, and wear the shawl!
This pillow sham is at the head of my bed and holds my guest bed pillow love the combination of paisley patterns 
Interesting assortment….actually three paisleys the base is yet another vintage fragment that I used to “upholster” a love seat in the library area of my apartment, a few of my vintage pillows and two bolsters one more vintage paisley and the smaller piece made from a watered velvet paisley that I found in a remnant bin that I also had upholstered on my antique dining chairs (my point here is don’t walk away if there are holes, tears, small amount yardage, think of how you can use them in your decor…use your imagination and creativity). The lily of the valley rug drapped over the caned settee is one of my many needlepoint projects. Most of my pieces I do from charts rather than painted pieces. I will do a story on my needlework later (of course I will!!!!!)
I showed you this pillow in another post it was a gift from my friend and former boss, Michael Hawley (you can check the nenasnotes archives on his profile) he had it made for an Antiquity piece when he was at Gumps in San Francisco, yet another of my treasures. At the moment it resides on one of aforementioned watered velvet dining chairs.
A closeup of one of my many full paisley shawls (this one is on my “comfy sit in all the time” chair) it is in mint condition…not always easy to find, especially the centers which are often solid red or black, and usually quite pricey. I have gone that route but LOVE to find that illusive bargain. I actually found a beauty last summer at RSM! Love the treasure hunt, that is why I always look forward to the monthly Randolph Street Market. I don’t drive so can’t get to antique malls, etc. a joy that we can visit this always fascinating event right in the heart of the City….thank you Sally Schwartz!!
The above photos are my images
The above images are all from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
FROM NENA’S RECIPE BOX
CURRIED LAMB
I have done this recipe to rave reviews for years it is from the Life Picture Cookbook. I use leftover leg of lamb which I usually serve for Easter the recipe below call for lamb shoulder…choice is yours. You can substitute beef, veal or pork, I never have. I serve with small bowls of the following toppings…shredded fresh coconut, chutney, peanuts or pistachios, Golden raisons, chopped hard boiled eggs, perserved lemon slices, chopped green onions and lots of white rice. It serves 6. Does keep well if you have any left over it can be frozen without the add ons.
3 pounds lamb shoulder
1/4 cup flour
2 cloves minced garlic (I use the jarred garlic, which I love)
4 large white onions, sliced
3/4 cup butter
4 small apples, pared and chopped
4 Tablespoons curry powder (I use Spice Islands and probably add a bit more)
4 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
4 Tablespoons raisons
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 lemons sliced
4 Tablespoons shredded fresh coconut
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel
1 Tablespoon salt
Cut meat into 2-inch cubes, roll it in the flour. Sauté the garlic and onions in butter in a large skillet for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add meat and sauté for 10 minutes (less is using leftover lamb), stirring constantly. Add apples and curry powder. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining ingredients and two cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. The aroma is a killer!!! Serve over white rice and accompanying garnishes. Enjoy. Suggested wine…your choice but I would do a love a full bodied red Dessert I would do a fruit sorbet with season fruit and a slash of orange liqueur.
Before you think I have gone totally mad stay with me…..I know this is a children’s book….but is it really. Let me explain. A new friend of mine, Brett Firdman, a major Media Influencer, knowing I love books, and she is no longer reviewing them, has referred nenasnotes to publishers, authors and publicists. This was the first I received. I immediately loved our heroine’s name (I collect vintage paisley and was planning a post on it…it will appear later this week) so I thought why not! When I received the book, before I opened it, I was totally enchanted by the exquisite cover illustration. I have been enamored with books from birth. Both my parents constantly read to me and when I started to read, well you know the rest…I haven’t stopped. I don’t have children but have always read to my friends children and grandchildren and their presents are always books. This one would be bought in bulk it is glorious in its prose and art…I want to live in Paisley’s treehouse.
I have always loved maps and globes, the two maps you see in the above photo hung in my Father’s art studio for many years. This space had either charcoal gray or bitter chocolate brown walls with drapery and Paul McCobb furniture covered in Ben Rose Mid-Century modern textiles. They now hang in the “smoking” room in a Michigan country estate.
Here are some more globes and maps I found on Pinterest photo credits unknown.
I am obsessed with Instagram….admit it you are too….and follow at least a zillion fascinating posts. I have made “friends” with other “grammars” and often ask if I can use their images. Below you will see an example of a vignette using small souvenir globes courtesy of Renee Lafontaine of 21st Century Flea Market. Follow her you won’t be sorry….
One of the first bloggers I met, back in the day, was Nikia Jefferson she, along with her amazing husband, have exposed their young son, Melvin Jefferson III aka “MJ” to the world of collectibles. This genius child can name all the countries on this map on his newly decorated bedroom. It is actually a decal, love it!!! You can view MJ on YouTube 
Sorry I’ve been gone for a bit…having major tech problems (once again), this time everything failed me…my laptop browser, where I do nenasnotes, no longer wishes to accept my program (no I’m not going to tell you how old it is, you would faint!!!!!). Obviously means a new one, I am now deciding between a lap top or a desk top. Stunned at the prices!!! Then my email wasn’t working on my phone nor my iPad for three days…tried everything then magically it returned….email grinches for sure. But more importantly, my dears, I couldn’t upload, download,”side load”, whatever load ANY photos onto my posts, (and you know I am obsessed with photos) they went directly to “publish” and wouldn’t appear in the body of my posts…okay, bored yet, well there is more!!!! I really, really, really love working with WordPress and the Happiness Engineers (don’t you love it!!!!) have always helped me when I can’t figure something out on my own. The same three wasted days with email, computer, etc. were further wasted with back and forth questions and answers (I was told how to post, I’ve been posting for a year and a half, I know how to post)….finally I was told the feature I have always used isn’t “at the moment” available…by now I was more than frustrated and decided to take a “timeout” from WP. Not great since I had just posted the first in my Fall 2018 Fashion Trend reports, I will get back to them shortly, I promise! I was visiting My Toms in Blue Island and mentioned, well more than mentioned, my dilemma and in mere minutes the problem was solved. At least I hope so. I’m doing this on my iPad, a first…here we go.
. Oscar Wilde
. Virginia Woolf
. Truman Capote
Christian Siriano celebrates his 10 Year Anniversary with a knockout collection of 72 looks shown on his usual diverse models. He just gets better and better and never compromises his design philosophy….Siriano is, of course, known for his drop-dead red carpet looks but his style is all about the person wearing the clothes. While the majority of the collection was evening there were day pieces to pay attention to as well. And, of course, the shoes, always the shoes!!!!
This is a color I will be watching for the next few weeks….obviously red isn’t new to our wardrobes but so far I am seeing it in all collections either full-blown as in the examples above or as accents or accessories.
Two trends here….the midriff or cutouts and the opulence of this exquisite full ruched tulle skirt….magnificent! …
Ombre metallic in purple and turquoise let’s see if this goes further…..
Black is in every collection (with a couple of exceptions) thus far and teamed with metallic, fresh, modern and chic. Is black a trend, yes, I believe it is and metallic and/or shine is as well.
Which brings me to Tom Ford and Alexander Wang….first up Tom Ford.
Still, his trademark cut outs, love the jewelry and shoes and for once, I can say I like the leggings….in silver metallic.
And then a throwback to the ’80’s but I want you to look at the print combinations and either pattern or textured tights, we are already seeing these as trends as well as the feeling of patchwork for it’s tunic…just saying!!!!
Alexander Wang a predominately black collection with a splash of color.
Jeremy Scott loves to play along with us with color, pattern and whimsy making him the darling of the cool music lovelies such as Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus and, of course, those who want to follow their trend and Jeremy’s….note the pattern, the color, the tights, the shoes and one can’t disregard the wigs! 
From fun and games to feminine looks set in a garden of pink carnations…Tory Burch shows us trends that are both fashion-forward and understandable. A boho look of print combos and a perfect dress in an orange-red. Not a fan of the shoe looks more spring/summer to me!
Jason Wu shows the orange-red with midriff top and wrapped skirt and a classic black look for after five.
Tomas Maier brings a new luxury to a classic brand Bottega Veneta. I particularly like the casualness of the bathrobe coat and jumpsuit in one of the color combinations of fall shades of pumpkin, a working of patchwork….and, of course, black for evening.
The glitz of a Chanel shoe pared with a ombre tweed jacket from Lafayette 148 New York.
This has always been my motto in my wardrobe choices and when I assist others in planning and updating their closets and refreshing their hair and make-up.
Arrival with Daniel
Pondering the look…..cut it off Daniel!!!!
Some of the old look on the floor…..
Much better, don’t you agree…..
The Spring Chanel palette Armenia used on me (she had Googled me to plan ahead the look she thought would be best and she was spot on! Smart lady!)
The Chanel special blush formed like a Chanel tweed….amazing!
I love make-up charts, this is mine (wish I looked like the sketch…one lives in hope)…she did a green liner on top of a smoky dark grey liner above the lash and in the waterline under the top lash. I usually do a nude on the lower waterline. A blend of a couple of lipsticks for a softer red than I have been using…like it alot. She kept my smoky eye and added a bit of blush, which I usually only do for evening, I also intensify my eye for evening. I liked the addition of the green, having green eyes they change from green to blue to hazel but the green brought out the green perfectly. Luckily I have a lot of lid and it does like color…..my brows are in the process of growing in but must be groomed, they are wild otherwise and one can’t have wild eyebrows…oh my! I find having my make-up done, in fact any personal service, so relaxing and rewarding to take away not only a new and refreshed look but a new tip or two on application and/or color.
The initial pull…a couple of the pieces were sold (that is the idea!!!!) so you won’t see them in the actual photos. I also took a couple of photos of the jackets with my shoe selection…one of which is at the top of this post…here is another
I am obsessed with this Chanel tweed “sneaker” can you even stand the pearl detail, oh my. The 
When I got to the Fifth Avenue Club Bryant Keith Von Woodson II was ready for me with the garments pulled (we took a couple of minutes to pull more shoes) and was all set to photograph the “try-on” portion of the refresh. He is always spot on with own trendsetting look as you can see reflected in the mirror. New York City you had better get ready because as soon as he graduates from Columbia College Chicago in May he is planning on taking the Big Apple by storm….just saying!
Let me show you my favorite look of all, this incredible print jacket by Etro…love everything they do, but this mix of color and pattern is superb and would be the one piece to add to my wardrobe. My closet is seasonless (a few hot weather pieces thrown in but mostly year round clothes…drop the turtleneck for a black shell or cammy for those hot summer days). I am wearing my own new gold triple hoop drop earring a bargain found at the last 
Two of the trends I followed in the Spring 2018 shows I covered in nenasnotes, Crome yellow and a bold abstract print. The jacket is from Lafayette 148 New York and the charming black lace trim print top from Kobi Halperin, one of my new favorite designers. Can’t wait to see what will show us for Fall 2018 in New York Fashion Week shows beginning this week. I’m suggesting a high heel black suede sling from Manolo Blanik. The jewelry featured is from my own collection of jet necklaces, you can be sure there will be a feature on jet in the near future.
Love this Lafayette 148 New York jacket in an ombre black and white tweed but perhaps too similar to pieces I already own. But it is a stunning classic that can be worn forever! Hum, I wonder and with that Chanel shoe…….
Another trend that I followed through all four major markets for Spring 2018, stripes, here on an Akris jacket accented with stripes that look like a bar code and a triangular detail of metallic. The shoe, picking up another trend polka dots, Chanel’s clear and black patent with pearl dots…love!
All shades of pink were on the catwalks for Spring, this classic blazer from Oscar de la Renta, many items in my established wardrobe are OdlR. I’m holding a slide, I don’t usually like them because I tend to walk out of them but found this one a delight in a charming rose print from Gucci.
Every designer I ever worked with wanted me to wear red, not my color of choice but this one might be the exception. Again from Oscar de la Renta and I’m showing you two shoe choices, both from GUCCI, the floral applique leather stiletto or the carnation embroidered flat. The pin on the jacket from my Bakelite collectiion also from a visit to the Randolph Street Market.
For some unknown reason this looks architectural to me….like a pointilist painting of a skyline, vivid imagination, I know! It is from the Akris Punto spring collection. The shoe I have chosen is from Ferragamo and is black patent with a sculptured gold heel, yum!
Viktor & Rolf
Charles Frederick Worth the Father of Haute Couture. The first Couturier began in 1858. The term Haute Couture was coined in 1908 meaning High Fashion and By Hand.
Too magnificent for my words…just enjoy. You can always view the shows on the designer’s websites or stream them on YouTube…what did we do before technology, don’t even remember.
The inspiration.
And 2018’s interpretation…glorious!
Lots of white and pastels, pale pink, in particular, which was shown in many of the Spring 2018 Shows in the Fall, in the Chanel Collection, along with appliqued flowers embellished with jeweled beading.
The Dior collection was primarily black and white with a few nude tones and pale pastels here and there. I thought the black and white pieces were exquisite, very wearable and timeless from the day pieces through the elegance of the evening gowns, Total red carpet ready. I also liked the simple one strap gold sandal with all! Another accessory seen in more than one collection…the mask, are we getting ready for another try at a Capote Black and White ball, how exciting!
Valentino does feathers as hats, feathers were everywhere, and the collection had fabulous color combinations and exciting prints.
Giambattista Valli always the showman who does unbelievably beautiful gowns.
Jean Paul Gaultier never disappoints, love this androgynous outfit.
I actually found this collection to be quite wearable for him!
Armani Privé
Maison Margiela….don’t quite know what this is but perhaps after I study it a bit more I will get its brilliance! We shall see…….
Valentino…I thought this was great fun my friend Virginia Heaven hated it! Such is the debate over Haute Couture!
Another Viktor & Rolf
Raw amber
All three photos from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
The necklaces in different pairings, I would wear them all together.
Her amber ring collection on my finger……
Some of my pieces almost always worn together, some from Barbara and others collected, over the 15 years of its existence, at 
My faceted collection, the top piece is my Grandmother’s piece, the middle is multi-colored from St. Petersburg and the bottom piece one of my 
The three photos are from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
A necklace from the talented hands of 
Made especially for me by Margaret Buckman several years ago, it includes many of my broken necklaces pieces along with some from the designer. It is a huge statement piece and I wear it often usually with my embroidered jacket from my Moscow trip. It is one of my most favorite necklaces.
Isn’t it glorious….when I find my Russian trip photos I’ll show you it being restored. Photos from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
Nancy Plummer
Nancy working with clients, here a classic trench, one of the Spring 2018 trends.
Appearing on 
Marcus Samuelsson…. Nena’s note, I visited his restaurant Aquavit many years ago…must do Red Rooster in Harlem, New York on my next visit. Photo from Pinterest credit unknown.
BLVD, I want to go too….really glam! Photo from Pinterest credit not available.
Sam Kirk and a portion of a mural. Photo from Pinterest credit unknown.