Brielle Buchberg and Lindsay Segal in Toyko.
When I began my blog a year ago two of the people I wanted to profile were Brielle Buchberg and Lindsay Segal the Co-Founders of the extraordinarily successful Luxury Garage Sale www.luxurygaragesale.com It has taken a year to finally have this happen and I am delighted to have my first joint profile with two very savvy and delightful entrepreneurs. I have known the ladies for years and have consigned with them many times over those years. I am obsessed with their great eye for trends and for what their clients are looking for (or better yet, didn’t even know they wanted!!!!) Sticklers for quality merchandise, they don’t disappoint.
Let’s hear from these on target businesswomen and get a glimpse of their lifelong friendship and their closely knit business and personal partnership. I know you will find their story engaging.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB
B: As a kid, I worked at my grandparent’s antique store in Lincolnwood on the weekends, In high school, I used to work with teens with special needs, shadowing them on their jobs. When I graduated from college I worked in PR before working as a corporate event planner.
L: When I was in grade school, I worked as a bagger at a grocery store- haha! My first job out of college was at Vogue.com as an editorial assistant
BRIEFLY, DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT OCCUPATION
B: We are co-founders of Luxury Garage Sale (LGS) a designer consignment business. We mostly focus on branding and client experience initiatives.
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF YOUR TALENT
L: We launched LGS in 2011 after seeing a hole in the market for a luxury consignment experience that delivered white glove service and curated offerings – both for consignors and buyers.
LUXURY GARAGE SALE BOUTIQUES.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU HAD “MADE IT” EXPLAIN
B: We had our first pop-up shop in early 2011 and had a line around the building to get in. Most of the local Chicago media outlets covered it and we knew immediately we were on to something!
HOW DID YOUR ORIGINAL PASSION BRING YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW
L: We have always been interested in expressing ourselves through fashion. We saw a need for LGS in the market and were able to turn our innate passion and strengths into a thriving business.
WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR ALTERNATE CHOICE AS A CAREER….WAS THERE ONE
L: I was styling prior to starting LGS and would have most likely continued down that path
B: I was content as a corporate event planner but honestly can’t say what I would be doing today if we hadn’t started LGS.
HOBBIES….
B: Shopping :). We are both foodies and like to try new restaurants. Mostly love spending time with our kids!
HOME….MODERN, TRADITIONAL, ANTIQUES (WHAT ERA) ECLECTIC DESCRIBE
L: Mid-century modern meets Hollywood Regency. We both have very similar aesthetic and actually have a lot of the same items throughout both of our homes. My style leans a little more modern and Brie’s is slightly more traditional.
WHO WOULD YOU HAVE AT YOUR FANTASY DINNER AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE (10-12 GUESTS)
B+L: Simon Doonan + Jonathan Adler, Iris Apfel, Gary Janetti, Karl Lagerfeld, Jessica Seinfeld, Stephen Colbert, Andy Cohen, Jeremy Scott, Jill Kargman, John Legend + Chrissy Teigen, Leslie Jones, Takashi Murakami, Barack Obama , If they don’t have to be living then John Lennon for sure! Of course, both of us and our husbands!
FAVORITE CHICAGO STREET ART
“Monument with Standing Beast,” by Jean Dubuffet for a few reasons… 1. We both love black and white and 2. When we were in middle school we both loved photography and took a trip downtown one day with Lindsay’s dad to shoot sites around the city. We took a million pictures of this sculpture and I’ll never forget it!
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT VISITED AND/OR ON YOUR GO TO LIST
B: TOKYO!!!! We went together with our husbands in 2015 and had the most incredible time. We ate our way through the entire trip!
L: Italy (Tuscany and Rome) as a close second.
Jason Buchberg, Lindsay Segal, Brielle Buchberg, Lou Jacobson
The picture-perfect families….
Lindsay Segal and Lou Jacobson with their precious little one…
The Buchbergs, Jason and Brielle with their adorable girls.
The Buchberg Childeren…Aiden, Sloane and Harper…
FAVORITE NEW CHICAGO RESTAURANT
B: We both LOVE Kai Zan!
L: Sushi is our top choice. I am also a big pasta eater… I am a huge fan of Monteverde.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LIFELONG FRIENDSHHIP
Top photo 1988 bottom photo early 1990’s
B: We have been friends since we were 3! When we were younger we were always collecting things. Back then it was stickers, erasers and beanie babies and now it has moved to vintage fashion! We reconnected after college when Lindsay moved back to Chicago and after a quick conversation about the need for a luxury consignment business decided to start LGS! As they say, “The rest is history!”
Lindsay and Brielle fashionable even then for Halloween. Two-headed monster costume made by Brielle’s Mom, 1989.
Brielle and Lindsay
Brielle’s Goldman Family Pancake Recipe
My kids and nieces demand these every weekend for breakfast 🙂
PANCAKES3 cup unbleached flour6 teaspoon baking powder3 tablespoon sugar in the raw1 1/2 teaspoon salt4 1/2 cups skim milk6 tablespoons melted butter6 eggs beaten (use only 3 of the yolks)3 tablespoon vanillaMix all dry ingredients in smaller bowlMix all other ingredients in a larger bowlThen add dry ingredients to wet ingredientsDrop by large spoon onto hot griddle
Lindsay’s Pasta with Vodka, Parmesan and Basil from Bon Appetit
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¼ cup olive oil
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½ shallot, finely chopped
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1 small garlic clove, finely grated
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½ cup tomato paste
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2 tablespoons vodka
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1 cup heavy cream
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1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
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1 pound fusilli
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1 ounce finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
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¼ cup chopped fresh basil
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Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add shallot and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until paste is brick red and starts to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Add vodka and cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is mostly evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add cream and red pepper flakes and stir until well blended. Season with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
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Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Add pasta to skillet with sauce along with butter and ½ cup pasta cooking liquid. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly and adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until butter has melted and a thick, glossy sauce has formed, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add 1 oz. Parmesan, tossing to coat. Divide pasta among bowls, then top with basil and more Parmesan.
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Do Ahead: Vodka sauce can be made 5 days ahead; cover and chill.
Liz Klafeta
Photos from Pinterest credit unknown.
All photos of Liz and her BANGTEL properties are courtesy of Liz Klafeta.
Samantha Saifer Berngard, Partner, Boldface Co. Photo by Monia Ponce.
Sam and her “Crew” on a recent Windy City Live (ABC Channel 7 weekdays at 1:00) the spot was for one of her clients, Monica + Andy 
With husband, Jason, Brooklyn and Baby Billie June….they look like a photo out of Central Casting….photo by Suzy Brown for Monica + Andy.
Camping with Billie June at one of the Berngard’s favorite summer vacation spots, Camp Wandawega (A nenasnote…I must do a post on this amazing place!!!) 
With Billie June at Stephanie Izard and Paul Kahan’s recent Harvest Fest.
Each definitely has a story to tell. I particularly like the gentleman who is looking directly at us…what is he saying with his very blue eyes and jaunty mustache!!!! Love all of them. Melissa, thanks so much for sharing.
Isn’t she a charmer with the pearls and magnificent hat.
Really, really old but I really, really like her gaze and the primitiveness of it (is that a word!!!!)
I believe a Chagall…
My photo at RSM, frames all ready for your art!
Just a few suggestions on how to display your collection.
A pastel done by an American in Paris at Le Montmartre.
A portrait of Kevin at 13 from a show in San Antonio, no art could be more than $10, it was called the Starving Artists Show, no wonder!
Kevin done a couple of weeks ago at the Lakeview Festival of Art.
She is my favorite find on Pinterest…I have become addicted to the site. I have always be a “clipper” it is in my DNA both my Mother and Father were clippers and I am proud to carry on in the family tradition…I must admit I still pull things out of magazines and newspapers but with all the ways you can save on the Internet I am in pig heaven!
I am mad for Asian pieces and this one is a gem….a rectangular Cinnabar box from the 19th Century with black lacquer inside. The carving is, in my opinion, and I’m, most certainly not an expert, exquisite. From Webster’s Dictionary:
The top of the 1920’s Chinese enamel stamp box…does anyone use stamps anymore, hopefully, on lovely handwritten notes, I always love that personal touch, don’t you!
A beautifully carved Mother of Pearl box in different shades of the shell. Stunning piece.
I didn’t take notes on this but it is obviously an old hand painted tile set into a carved wooden box. It is shaped and gives me the idea that the tile was originally on a foot stool or a neck rest! But then again, I don’t profess to be an expert, just like what I like. On that subject, do make the acquaintance of each dealer, you will learn so much and they truly love to talk about their treasures. Keep in mind your friends tastes and what they collect and stock up on gifts when at RSM and ALWAYS buy it when you see it and like it…it may well be gone in the minutes you walk away to make up your mind!!! Haven’t we all done that……
When I was visiting my friend Barbara (I have shared some of her other collections with you as well as a couple of her recipes in past posts) I mentioned that I was doing a piece on small collectible boxes. We got busy and gathered hers together on her marble coffee table. Barbara is a world traveler and always brings back treasures for her collections and as gifts (over the years I have been the lucky recipient of many objects). Let’s explore their stories….
The first is a Russian Palekh hand painted black enamel box she got on a trip to Russia. I love the primitive look of the painting,
This beauty, we named it “Mother of the Pearl” major giggles all around…..is Limoges and my mother, Ruth, got it at Field’s AFar, many, many years ago it was a house gift from us. In my opinion, it is an unusual piece and the interior is in an iridescent white totally resembling a shell. Love it.
Two hand painted Herend Porcelain pieces from one of her trips to Hungary.
And Barbara’s Cinnabar box from her trip to Hong Kong.
The two large photos are of vintage Sophie garments and are the first things you see when you enter the restaurant. You can see in this photo, the bar where you can have a refreshing drink to enhance your shopping experience and/or a bite to eat.
The restaurant, I was seated by the windows to the right. It is a view like no other. This space was formally the Beauty Salon at Saks, in my opinion, a waste…I can only dream of the events I could have done here! Oh well, I’ll have to be content with eating delicious food instead!
My view…isn’t it perfection!!
My first starter Marrakesh Watermelon Salad, red and golden watermelon, mint, crispy feta, on mixed greens with a balsamic reduction with an olive tapenade. Truly photo op ready and more importantly totally delicious…and I am not a fan of watermelon nor feta, this dish completely changed my mind!
Next was Focaccia Soppresata, fresh mozzarella, green olives, roasted tomatoes and truffle oil. Chef’s version of pizza! Amazing presentation and was very good.
And now the entrees…Pan Seared Chilean Salmon, with green beans, grape tomatoes, shishito peppers and truffle corn sauce. I am a major lover of salmon and this was one of the best preparations I have had!
Not your usual Avacado Toast…isn’t it incredibly beautiful and tasted just as wonderful. I posted this picture on Instagram and it has gotten the most hits by far of any of my photos. The ingredients, toasted harvest wheat, a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg (you can see it tucked into the greens at the top of the photo) mixed greens, radish, marinated tomato salad. Extraordinary!
Dessert was this lucious panne cotta on a cake base surrounded by a medley of fresh berries, a berry puree with a dollap of lightly whipped cream, not only gorgeous to look at but a delight to eat.
Oh, my goodness, the finale and at the time wasn’t on the menu….grilled fresh peaches with candied pecans and a scoop of ice cream….unbelievably good!
A collection of brown transferware. Photo courtesy of Pinterest credit unknown.
Here is a small portion of the collection I amassed several years ago. It is a complete supper set found in various antique markets both here and abroad. I started this collection before RSM began but have found items to add to it recently at the Market. I didn’t want anything very flowery nor with people but rather English scenes and a flower or two. I don’t remember where I first found what I wanted for this country house but it just grew from there. I do remember I was doing a fashion show out of town and went antiquing at a local mall on our way back to Chicago and happened to glance down into a case and there was an entire set of the exact pattern I was collecting…if you are a collector, you can only imagine my excitement…had to run out to find a cash machine and hurry back to make my purchase. I have, as mentioned, added to the collection over the years but the place settings are done. I add a pitcher, a platter, a bowl, etc. when I see them. I particularly like the salt and pepper shakers on the top shelf, they were in the antique mall collection.
The platter at the top of the breakfront was found at an antique market in the English country side. I carried it and several other pieces back with me on the plane home, I was, for some unknown reason, upgraded to first class on the flight and my treasures were stowed very carefully by the flight attendant, she must have been a collector as well!
More of the collection displayed on a rough white plaster wall. I think very country, don’t you agree!
A group of pitchers found at various times on various treasure hunts.
I would love to find a similar cheese dome, isn’t it smashing! Love it! Pinterest image credit unknown.
Great collection of plates from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
A couple of reference books found on 
English Summer Pudding Pinterest photo credit unknown.
My garden cherub (originally in my Evanston garden) now residing in a lush garden in Harbor Country, Michigan.
Michigan or France….this one is Michigan with day lilies, hedges and beautiful trees around water….
Here we are in Giverny 
Giverny
Michigan
Our Monet at The Art Institute of Chicago 
More Michigan and actually I think these are lotus flowers. “The lotus flower represents one symbol of fortune in Buddhism. It grows in muddy water, and it is this environment that gives forth the flower’s first and most literal meaning: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment.” Taken from 
Monet’s home and studio in Giverny, glorious!
A charming home in a Michigan garden.
A vignette with Lutyens bench in the walkway next to the house.
More Giverny
Trees being trained over an arbor in Michigan.
The white garden and trained arch shrubbery at Sissinghurst, my Queen Mary II trip in 2004. 
A hidden treasure at Sissinghurst
Nena in the Sissinghurst formal garden
Sissinghurst path
Michigan garden path
Back in France, 2006 and Paris in the Jardin du Luxembourg on my last Sunday, glorious day.
And another lovely Sunday this time 2017 and in a Michigan country garden
Freshly picked from the garden for a cold soup, how delightful to forge for your own dinner and carry your bounty back to the kitchen in a trug, seriously, how wonderful for a major City Girl to play Country Girl at least for a few days…….
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.
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!!!!