Yes, I do read a Cozy Mystery now and then…to me, they are like an Intermezzo between dinner courses, they cleanse your brain, it doesn’t have to work too hard and the characters are all familiar. I find that especially true with Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries I have read almost all of them. I also like her Scrapbooking Mysteries series, they are set in New Orleans, one of my most favorite cities in the States, I’m not a scrapbooker, oh wait, I do love Pinterest and have always been a clipper, do those count! http://www.laurachilds.com
Pekoe Most Poison, while being formula, which is why I like Childs, is a good read and a much needed break from some very heavy reading that quite frankly I gave up on and will start again later. You can easily sit comfortably on your deck, by the water, in your garden and read while sipping tea, of course, or in my case on the South Shore Train going to and from Michigan City, Indiana one day last week. The protagonist, Theodosia Browning, owns a tea shop in charming Charleston (which always plays an important role in the stories) along with her staff, her tea sommelier the debonair, Drayton, her chef the young, Haley and, of course, her dog Earl Grey. As always, I would suggest starting with the first of the series just to get the lay of the land, but I’ll leave that up to you.
The murder in each story always happens quite near the beginning of the book and gives you many, many suspects along the way. In addition, and an addition I really like, you get to know Charleston’s charm as well as the surrounding area. Theo was a marketing whiz and decided to change lifestyle and became the owner of an extremely successful tea shop. She, Drayton and Haley plan not only the day’s breakfasts, lunches and tea times but also host themed tea parties in each book, sometimes several. The recipes included are always delightful and sound quite delicious. I am a tea drinker and have found many of Drayton’s suggestions interesting and Childs gives a list of purveyors at the back of each book.
This book opens with a “Rat Tea” (a Charleston tradition) being given by one of Charleston’s wealthiest women (her money not her husbands), Doreen Briggs, in her elaborate mansion During the course of the party Doreen’s husband, Beau, drops dead…we learn from poison. The police arrive with a new detective, Detective Pete Riley, who, of course, is fabulous (will this develop into a romance…Theo usually has a beau in each book, we shall see!). Theo has helped the police in the past, much to the dismay of Detective Tidwell who is out of town for this book and has just met Detective Riley. We find out much about Beau’s soon to be opened Gilded Magnolia Spa. Learn about misappropriated funds, an overpowering PR woman, Starla, Beau and Doreen’s family, and many of the usual cast of characters from previous books. A grant that Doreen is holding over Drayton’s head to “blackmail” Theo into getting to the bottom of the murder. As always twists and turns, but a fun romp none the less…my little gray cells didn’t have to work very hard and they could take a breath. When you want a “book breath” why not cozy up with a cozy!
Above photos taken by me with my iPhone at Randolph Street Market 
A rare matte green flower frog
A marriage of a wire cage flower frog on top of a vintage plate. Owner says it is quite useful for floral centerpieces. Above photos were taken by Linda Heister of her flower frog collection exclusively for nenasnotes.
Above photos on how to use your flower frog collection (when not used for flower arrangements) from Pinterest photo credits unknown.
A book, of course, there is….looks quite interesting…found this on Amazon.
I want to live here…..photograph from Pinterest from Architecture Digest.
Photo from Pinterest credit unknown.
Unless otherwise noted photos of hydrangea from friends country garden.
These two photos are from Grant Park between Congress and Roosevelt from Michigan Avenue to the railway tracks.
View from the top of a building looking down at Lincoln Park and Farm In The Zoo. Our entire City is a garden…..
Three photos from a friend’s City penthouse terrace.
An old fashion English rose bed in the country.
Nothing beats the color of geraniums, from a country garden.
A lush fern in a vintage urn from the front garden of a country home.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a garden of your own (or be able to visit country gardens which I have the pleasure of doing) you can always enjoy botanical prints…these found at Paper Patty’s at the Randolph Street Market, the next Market will be Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30 
This is the first book I have read by Marcia Willett, I will now investigate her other works. I don’t really remember where I saw the recommendation/review (I must start writing those things down…another learning curve!) I do remember it appealed to me that the story is set in Devon, England. It was 20 years ago, just about now, that I was in the general vicinity of the setting of the story…the only reason I remember this is that I had just returned to the States when Diana, Princess of Wales died.
Viktor & Rolf’s whimsical Fall 2017-2018 Haute Couture Collection
And in reality… I really love the shirred jacket and the patchwork jeans
From their program notes “the mascots are rooting for a world that is creative, diverse and eco-conscious.” The collection is all manipulated recycled fabrics.
The Chanel set
The traditional Chanel tweed suit given modernity
A new version of the LBD. I particularly liked the nod to Chanel’s beginnings as a milliner.
Schiaparelli’s up next….I felt these represented the surrealistic feeling of the original designs of this imaginative creator.
Of course, it is Dior, another collection that is inspired by the original designer in this instance Christian Dior and his Bar suit from the first Dior Collection in 1947. This Collection celebrates the Brand’s 70th anniversary. Again, an ode to the importance of quality, longevity and pure style and looking perfect for today.
Almost looks like a Galliano for Dior piece….take note of the red suit in the background, I’ll explain a bit further in the post
Speaking of John Galliano, here is a piece from his collection for Mason Margiela
From Iris van Herpen’s collection which compares water and air (?) and was accompanied by underwater musicians, Between Music……
Another look from the Dutch designer’s Haute Couture collection.
From John Paul Gaultier, as alway,s a fun but exciting collection. I usually wear a knit cap with my ball gown, don’t you??!! But why not it is young, quite tongue in cheek, and very Gaultier. Please note the long gloves, they were most definitely a trend in many of the Collections as well as the platform shoe and lots and lots of black, gray and white.
From Valentino, looking a bit like Armani…there were many beads, this gown with beaded fringe, in the Collections but done with a light hand and quite beautiful.
One of my most favorite pieces from the shows by the master of elegant sophistication and subtlety (perhaps not so subtle here!), Giorgio Armani for Armani Privé
Another from Armani, I’m obsessed with the cocktail hat, if only we dressed like that again, so glamourous!!
Two American Brands showed their Spring 2018 Collections the Sunday before the Haute Couture Collections. Above three looks from Rodarte.
Another from Rodarte by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Baby’s Breath adds a Spring touch along with the flower garden set.
Interesting red lace, the shoe bootie throws me a bit, don’t mind the idea but a bit heavy in the black, tan and white with the delicate lace….Many, if not all Collections had red in them…yet another trend to watch.
From Proenza Schouler
Remember last season the corset over the garment now we are seeing the bra over the dress
Love this look from Proenza Schouler need to lose the ruffle on the arm…aren’t the shoes to die for!!!
I end today with this exquisite gown from Giambattista Valli…he continues his short/long silhouette and it really works, here just one of his incredibly beautiful gowns from his Haute Couture Collection.
Each month at the Randolph Street Market 
A couple more shots from the booth. All three photos I took with my iPhone.
Love this!
Of course, I have to share his book….what would nenasnotes be without a book recommendation!!!!
Taken from Pinterest, photo credit unknown.
Isn’t he glorious. He graces the lobby of AT&T in Dallas. Pinterest photo credit unknown.
Here he is for all or us to admire in Chicago. The staff were quite intrigued with my story and I happened to have a photo of Daddy’s illustration which I shared. And now I share it with you……
Ivon’s illustration for the Bell Telephone Book from early 1930’s to early 1950’s.
Enjoy our day of Independence!
WSome wonderful prints, dated 1809, from Paper Patty’s booth at Randolph Street Market 
Is this a fly or a bee, I’ll let you be the judge. It is embroidered on a Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress. Stunningly beautiful.
A botanical of beetles.
I posted several photos of the beetle wing embroidered gowns last week…here is a close up of the delicate work.
Isn’t this the most beautiful insect pin you have ever seen (there is another one further along in this post) it is by Faberge and is from a dear friend’s jewelry collection. Photo courtesy of the owner,
I do hope none of us encounter any creepy crawlies this size…a bit of English humor.
A jeweled beetle minaudiere from Judith Leiber 
The cochineal insect gives us the natural dye, carmine, and is used for fabrics and in our red cosmetic products most particularly lipstick. Who knew!!!!
Not the actual beetle but I thought an interesting illustration.
A couple of photos on dragonflies…I have always been fascinated with them and you don’t see them too often. This marcasite and enamel pin from Carrie’s Fabulous and Funky booth at the Randolph Street Market. My photograph.
A beaded pillbox with a three-dimensional dragonfly from Judith Leiber.
A miniature vase by Jay Strongwater 
The second pin from my friend’s jewelry collection….a Faberge spider, this will cure anyone’s fear of the little creatures, don’t you agree! Photo courtesy of the owner.
Insects captured in amber.
I love this watercolor of insects, do you agree?
The back of a jacket by Gucci. Love it!!!!
A Bakelite phone, you can find something similar at RSM. I particularly like this in ivory but, of course, you might prefer the more familiar black version! Pinterest photo credit unknown.
I am crazy about this Art Deco radio…isn’t it a stunner! Again, you will find vintage radios at the monthly RSM, let me know if one like this hits your eye, I want it!!!! Pinterest photo credit unknown.
You know how much I adore anything green….so this desk lamp immediately appealed to me, a bit too modern for my taste, but then again, maybe not! Pinterest photo credit unknown.
Or perhaps for your pool table, really cool. Pinterest photo credit unknown.
More pieces from Carrie’s booth, I choose some of the butterscotch pins and bangles along with a couple of adorable napkin rings, love them! I placed them on one of Carrie’s vintage clothing pieces…this a crazy quilt hostess gown.
A close up of a couple of the pins.
My collection of pins all of which I got from RSM over the years, they were made by the same vendor using buttons and broken pieces…I wear them all the time and get huge compliments. The vendor moved to New York, pity for us, she had really great pieces.
I wear these the most (I am particularly fond of the one with the mother of pearl inserts) and I have placed them on one of my crazy quilt pieces.
This one I place on the lapel of a purple looped mohair Oscar de la Renta jacket, it matches perfectly!
I think this is quite a unique piece with its braided center and the color combination struck me, had to have it!