DID YOU KNOW . . . .

Chicago has a Fashion Week just like the big four, New York City, London, Milan and Paris?

We are delighted to bring you a taste of Chicago’s first fashion week since the Pandemic!

Let us know what you think about the fashions at the Neiman Marcus luncheon and show . . .then heading over to Saks Fifth Avenue to meet Cinq A Sept founder, Jane Siskin to view the brands Fall 2024 Collection . . . .who would miss meeting the talented team of Badgley Mischka back at Neimans . . . a fabulous night at Chicago Fashion

Showcase when they took over iconic Union Station and our favorite Chicago designer, Lauren Lein, closed the show with her best collection ever, A BEAUTIFUL TRAINWRECK.

We love the quote about the show from Chicago Fashion Showcase founder, Wendy Callupe….”A nod to the designers, style-setters, creators, textile workers and everyone working behind the scenes to push Chicago’s fashion forward.

It’s not about clout or being the first – it’s about celebrating the creativity, beauty, and grit that makes this city so special.”

No Chicago fashion story would be complete without Entrepreneur Contessa with the final word on fashions at her Boutique at One Delaware Place

We have our favorite fashions of the week . . .please tell us yours . . . .

sit right next to us…

for Fun and Fashion

It’s that time of year . . .you know the time . . .when you look into your closet and declare “It’s Spring and I have nothing to wear”

Your closet might resemble mine pictured here.

Trust me it looks larger and neater than it presents to me every morning.

Perhaps it is our childhood memories of wearing pretty flowery dresses for those Spring Rituals of old or that we are bored with our Winter black and more black….

Whatever the reason, bright happy colors beckon us.

So, when Neiman Marcus beckoned,

inviting us to premier fashion events, including an Oscar Luncheon and Fashion Show, we answered a resounding YES!

For many many pictures

of Oscar’s incredible designs viewed up close and personal and speaking hundreds of “Oohs” from the audience, please click through to our YouTube Channel, DARE TO BE CURIOUS

REMEMBER . . .”I LOVE NEW CLOTHES. If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore” Sophie Kinsella, Writer

It is something to consider.

Especially when confronted with the beauty and workmanship of an Oscar de la Renta dress.

Our friend and designer, Laurie Borsé, followed her dream to Paris, after she won First Place Evening Wear Designer and “All Outstanding Designer” in the Fashion Group International student competition of 39 Universities.  The Scholarship to PARIS FASHION INSTITUTE was part of her award.

Laurie told us,

“This changed my life!  I vowed I would NOT return until I worked for Yves Saint Laurent!’’

She did just that!  Among other opportunities in Paris!

Now a couture fashion designer under her own Brand Label: BORSÉ Laurie Paris she designs between Paris and Chicago designing for private clients Sur Measure.

We were recently fortunate to visit Laurie in Paris.

Yes, there was no elevator (just like in our fav series, Emily in Paris) – so we walked up the six flights to her tiny studio where we were greeted with fresh flowers in her narrow couloir, her door opened and she whisked us thru her studio, out the French doors to her flower covered terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower!

What a delight!

We sat enjoying French champagne, foie gras, fresh fromage all French delicacies prepared by Laurie.

We also visited her atelier next door where Laurie does EVERYTHING!

And we mean everything!

Laurie starts by sketching her designs – her sketches are truly frameable art!  Honestly, they are so very special.

She drapes the muslin to create the pattern and first sewn muslin sample.  She makes adjustments and the final muslin is also sewn by Laurie.

Since she designs for private clients, it may take a few muslins until the final muslin fitting. Then it is on to creating final patterns, cutting the fabric, stay stitching all pieces necessary before the final sewing and precision pressing.

Laurie’s love for the entire process from sketching to sewing and hand stitching the final garment is so obvious.

She takes the time and meticulous care needed to make sure each garment is made with quality and love.

Laurie assured us,

“All worth the effort and time.  Once my clients step into one of my creations . . .the smile I see on my clients face and in their eyes . . . warms my heart with love and joy and sometimes a tear.”

Laurie is a woman who is truly living her passion for designing.

We are thrilled to feature her on our Dare to be Curious YouTube channel and give our friends the opportunity to own one of her beautiful designs – created with love!

Dare To Be Curious

Are you curious on how to Transform your Thanksgiving Tablescape?

Wondering how you’re going to get a new recipe in time for Thanksgiving?

If so, join us, we have creative solutions for you!

 From the first Thanksgiving in 1621 to this day, Thanksgiving has been a celebratory feast with family and friends.  It remains the same for us.

Sherrill’s Thanksgiving Memory

My grandmother’s old lace cloth covers the table and I am consumed with cherished memories of bygone days. I’ve polished the silver and chosen which china will grace the table. I’ve purchased new tall candles and decided which flowers I will use to best represent this day of declining autumn and the blessings of being together with friends and family.

For me, flowers are the key - so very different than the pumpkin, gourds, corn stalks of Halloween and the greens of Christmas. With flowers, you can create the bountiful harvest of Thanksgiving. Last year I was prowling through antique stores (a fav past time) and stumbled across ceramic pilgrims - a man and a woman. They were vases fired and carefully painted by someone in a long ago ceramic class. I fell in love with them!!  These pilgrim vases have now become part of my Thanksgiving tradition!

Debi’s

Thanksgiving Memory

The Thanksgiving dinner table is where some of life’s most important memories are made.  I just love the bounty and abundance of the textures, colors and spices of harvest season.  One of my favorites is a well-crafted cornucopia filled with the succulent colors of burnt orange, crimson, deep green, and gold.

As a young girl, I remember watching my Grandmother, Josephine, fix a side of traditional Italian Pasta. Eating well in Italy requires a little more than just the main course, it also includes the luxurious style of a unique pasta dish and of course, a delicious wine.  Today, I’ll be sharing with you, one of my favorite harvest season pasta dishes, that has now become a tradition at my Thanksgiving table.  The colors and texture are sure to harmoniously blend and add an Italian Style mix with any Thanksgiving menu.  Plus, I’m always baking seasonal Divine Biscotti….

Sherrill’s Secret Special Stuffing

2 loafs sliced bread, toasted, preferably bakery egg bread
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 pound butter melted 
1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
2 large apples, grated
6 ounces sliced mushrooms sautéed with butter (I am generous with the butter!) 
2 cans water chestnuts, chopped

(I double this recipe as I get large turkeys but this will be plenty for smaller birds) 
Place bread in large colander. Run cold water over bread for a few minutes & then squeeze as dry as possible. Transfer to large bowl and add all other ingredients 
Place extra stuffing in a casserole & bake, covered, for about 45 minutes at same temperature as turkey.

From Debi’s Dolce Kitchen - Delicious Butternut Squash with Pancetta

1 container of pre-squared butternut squash (you can find this in produce at wholefoods, or in the frozen section or you can always cut up a fresh butternut squash yourself)

1 head of garlic (you can peel the individual cloves or keep the skin on for a more rustic look)

2 tablespoons Italian Olive Oil

1 teaspoon smashed 5-peppercorn blend (I use the blend from Williams Sonoma)

½ teaspoons kosher salt

4 ounces of diced Pancetta (you can find this already packaged in the deli section)

1 pound or less (depending on how much pasta you like) of DeCecco Farfalle no. 93 Pasta (cooking time on the box, 11 minutes for al dente)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Place the squash and garlic cloves on a sheet pan in one layer.  Toss with the Italian olive oil, kosher salt and 5-peppercorn and bake for 30 minutes, turning once at the 15 minute mark. In the meantime, start making your pasta according to the directions on the box.  Then, take out of the oven, turn again using your spatula and sprinkle the pancetta, bake for another 25 minutes.  Put the pasta and butternut squash in a large serving bowl, season to taste and serve hot.

(Chef’s note: If your pasta is too dry, you can always add melted butter…Yum!)

Join us this Thursday on our YouTube Channel “Dare To Be Curious.”  We will be interviewing super talented florist and dear friend, Harry Nyholm, who shows us how to use fruits, vegetables, flowers and your special found treasures to transform your Thanksgiving tablescape.   

May your table be filled with lovely flowers and more as you sit in conversation and conviviality with beloved family and friends.

Well, soon our turkeys will be in the oven and the wonderful fragrance of cooling apple cider, pumpkin and pecan pies will fill the house. We hope that you enjoy our gift to you, on this day of giving thanks with our special family recipes. Enjoy!

We are Grateful for YOU!

Always Dare to be Curious,

Cheers to You,

Sherrill and Debi

xoxo

P.S.

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Go to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLdc0n6EVDC54JYYLlNgBQ and click Subscribe to the top right for new videos every Thursday at “Dare to be Curious” 

Follow us on Social Media on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherrill_bodine/ and https://www.instagram.com/debicatenacci/

Don’t forget to check out our books, which are easily found on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Sherrill-Bodine/e/B001XSJ1X0? and https://www.amazon.com/Debi-Catenacci/e/B07DLFP3H7? :

“Talk of the Town” by Sherrill Bodine

“Divine Biscotti” by Debi Catenacci

Websites: https://bigbiggerbiggest.life/ and https://divinebiscotti.com/