Oscar de la Renta                          Carolina Herrera                   Oscar de la Renta

In reviewiing New York Fashion Week Fall 2019 Collections I found many print looks to varify my theory that prints are seasonless.  Here are a few from selected collections.

More Wes Gordon’s Carolina Herrera…

And more from Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia for Oscar de la Renta…

And Michael Kors….

From Marc Jacobs…

And from Spring Haute Couture….John Galliano for Maison Margiela Artisian Collection…

The article below was first published exclusively for The Randolph Market blog, I am reprinting it with permission from RSM Market founder, guru and guiding force, Sally Schwartz.  To update the post I inserted looks from the current NYFW Fall 2019 Collections.

                                           ALWAYS CLASSIC…ALWAYS NEW

Collecting Trend Impressions from Nena Ivon

Gone are the days that floral prints are only worn in the spring or summer they are shown for all seasons (or for that matter, any print, think leopard, but that is another post!!!!). The photos above are just a few looks from the Fall 2019 ready-to-wear collections. So why do I feel this is a trend…for exactly this reason….fashion is no longer seasonal. Wardrobes are refreshed by adding a new piece, and yes, that can be a vintage item that you find at the Randolph Street Market. I find it exciting to pair a floral print skirt or pant with a sweater….looks new, fun, fresh. That, to me, is the key to modernity in styling.

Let’s look back a year at a few more pieces that were featured in the Fall 2018 Fashion Week Collections.

And from Oscar de la Renta

And more looks from Fall 2018 Fashion Week Collections….

I adore all of Carolyne Roehm’s books and this is an exquisite one….and made even more special, one of the extraordinary Randolph Street Market vendors gave it to me as a gift at the last Market…..can you imagine anything nicer!!!!  Look to books, magazines and Pinterest for print inspiration.

Now let’s look at a few vintage pieces….feminine, for sure, whether floaty, sheaths, nipped waists and full skirts, all can be adapted to work today. If it’s a vintage “sundress” to wear in cooler seasons style with a cardigan, a blazer, even a leather jacket to give an edgy twist or perhaps drape a contrasting print shawl around your shoulders…..

Lily Pulitzer and her iconic print pieces….

As you can see, by the endless variety, you will definitely find a floral print to incorporate into your year round wardrobe….do it, you won’t be sorry on a gloomy cold day to brighten yourself with a print dress, blouse, jacket, scarf, shoe or bag. Don’t be afraid to mix your prints although I suggest working with the same color palette….have fun, that is what fashion is all about!!!!

2018 Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda

All photos from Pinterest credits unknown.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, in my opinion any day, I wanted to share the story, and unique beauty, of my friend, Shelley Rosen’s Luxe Bloom. I took a photo of this glorious bouquet to show you the vast variety of colors….beyond one’s imagination.  Here is the exciting news…..go to www.luxebloom.com  or follow them on Instagram @luxebloomroses. Upon check out you, my readers, can use LOVEKISSES15 for a 15% off coupon. Local Chicago clients can pick up your custom rose arrangements in the Luxe Bloom West Loop Office in time for Valentines Day. Act quickly….you want to take advantage of this special offer.

And Luxe Bloom will be on ABC’s WINDY CITY LIVE February 14 at 1pm for their Valentine’s Day Special, Mark your calendars.  You will want to keep Luxe Bloom in your contacts for special occasions or for no reason st all just as a perk to yourself or others, to me the best gift of all!

My photo of this glorious piece done as a present to Shelley that holds a place of honor in her office….Happy  Valentine’s Day!!!!

 I want you to know this isn’t a sponsored post…by now, I hope you know, I only post about things that appeal to me….books, people, collections, and in some cases businesses, this is one such example.  I love the uniqueness of the product and the dedication of Shelley and her staff.  And, bonus, you, dear readers, get a lovely 15% off coupon as a treat for yourself or a special someone!!  Enjoy! (An aside…..I’m thrilled to accept sponsorships, you can email me, or pass the thought along, at nenasnotes1@gmail.com for a media kit and price list)

Shelley and I first met many years ago when she was on the Columbia College Chicago’s Board of Trustees. We have kept in touch over the years with her interest (and obtaining the rights to and) in ERTE, one of my favorite artists/designers ever!  Her current passion and “life work” is roses….in every color imaginable, and yes, they are real.

 I am thrilled to share this woman-owned Chicago based, Internationally recognized company Luxe Bloom that is changing the way people buy flowers and therefore is making a new market for your home and gifts but also for corporations to rethink design and visuals.  Luxe Bloom has over 100 subscription based luxury operators such as Langham, St. Regis, Waldorf Astoria,  Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Loews, Hilton, Hyatt, Red Door Spas nationwide.

Iconic installations like Saks Fifth Avenue New York city with 100,000 roses May, 2015.

Official Flower to Walt Disney Company “Beauty and the Beast” Premier, March, 2017. (The four above photos for nenasnotes courtesy of Shelley Rosen.)

I was invited to visit her showroom/workroom/distribution center and I must tell you it was fantasyland….absolutely gorgeous and quite the production! Each hand assembled arrangement must go through several steps each step handled by an expert straight through the packing and shipping process.  The arrangement I chose for myself was a blush rose piece in an antique silvered pedestal vase.  I watched it go through it’s assemblage, fascinating to say the least.  I’ve had it for 8 months and it is as fresh today as the day I got it….talk about “everlasting”!

Some examples of arrangements photos courtesy of Luxe Bloom…

Shelley in front of boxes and boxes full of roses for a QVC appearance….

And now some photos I took on site at the West Loop Luxe Bloom offices to show you some of the process and some finished pieces that appealed to me  I think my next bouquet will be a nosegay of multi-color roses….love them so much.  Looks like another visit is in order!

Refrigeration….all by color…

Prepping the base…

Beginning the assembly…

Finished bouquet….

Several of my favorites….many one of a kind…possibilities are limitless….

And my most favorites…..

Mad for the framed pieces….

AND NOW INFORMATION FROM LUXE BLOOM…….

“Luxe Bloom Hospitality

Luxe Bloom provides long lasting luxury rose arrangements to luxury businesses (nenasnotes…and, of course, to individuals) on a recurring basis.  Our roses do not require water or refrigeration to keep their natural beauty and can last up to 60 dayS.

• Subscription contract for every day floral
• No water, ever
• Saves Money-up to 30-50%% over fresh-cut contracts
• Saves Time – with labor associated with floral care
• Lasts up to 60 days in a hospitality setting and longer in your home
• BESPOKE design to suit the hotel or other businesses
• Over 20+colors and rose sizes
• Allergy free-no aroma
• Ships direct to business throughout the USA
• Perfect for Private Suites, in room dining, concierge check in and more
• Forbes Travel Guide approved as the “Official Flower” of the firm that verifies luxury”         

Happy Chinese New Year…the year of the pig.  I did a post featuring the incredible creativity of GUO PEI and her Haute Couture Collection for Fall 2018. Here are some looks from her Spring 2019 collection. Dramatic, stunningly beautiful, totally innovative and incredibly inspiring. Amazingly creative!!!  Let’s look at a few more pieces from the collection.

I have always been fascinated with Chinese culture.  One of my Father and Mother’s dear friends was a gentleman by the name of Charlie Lum who owned a Chinese restaurant on Rush Street in Chicago, The Cantonese Cafe.  I adored it from birth until it closed.  Daddy severely cut his hand during the Depression (I wasn’t around as yet), that would be an issue for anyone but, as I have told you, he was an artist so it was a double whammy.  Charlie made sure that my parents had food either at the restaurant or he personally brought dinner to their apartment on Astor Street on a daily basis.  In addition, when Mom was pregnant with me she was quite ill for the entire 9 months and basically the only food she could tolerate was Chinese…Charlie to the rescue yet again.

As a little girl I was totally fascinated with the color and glamour of the restaurant, the food, of course, and adored being allowed to visit the kitchen and visit my friend the cook…he looked like a Genie, was huge (think Sumo wrestler huge!) toothless, didn’t speak English but every time he saw me he would break into a huge grin and carry me around on his immense shoulders. I adored him, I don’t think I ever knew his name. Once in awhile, on special occasions, we would be invited to Charlie’s apartment, upstairs of the restaurant, for an evening of an extravagant dinner.  And on special Chinese Holidays, such as today’s, we would go to Chinatown with Charlie to celebrate where he was honored as a major celebrity, which he was.  They are very, very fond memories.

Happy Chinese New Year…perhaps something Chinese for dinner…sounds perfect to me!!!!

All photos found on Pinterest credits unknown

                      Into the New Year…….all best wishes for the best year ever!!!!!

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!