Culture | Nov. 2023
THE BUZZ: NOVEMBER 2023
By Michelle Crowe
Yves Delorme
TUCK IT
The houseguests are coming, and they’re hoping for luxe linens. Pop into Yves Delorme for a sumptuous refresh to any suite. The Fugues Collection is a whimsical favorite, printed with a design celebrating herbs and the link between humans and nature. Renditions of chamomile, angelica, and thyme weave their way over the long staple combed organic cotton batiste comforter. Coordinate it with neutral sheets and top with (not too many) throw pillows for a welcoming haven they’ll appreciate. Yves Delorme 38 South Garfield Avenue, Hinsdale, 630.655.0497, usa.yvesdelorme.com.
READ IT
In her new book, The New Classic Home, beloved designer Paloma Contreras answers the most perplexing home design question: how does one design a space that successfully mixes traditional and modern elements? After all, the perfect home is harmonious and getting the balance correct can be challenging. Contreras walks readers through her four main techniques—color, texture and pattern, scale and proportion, and tension. With these in check, Paloma creates harmonious, balanced interiors even when the individual pieces are from different eras and styles. A forward by India Hicks makes this a must-add for any design library and an excellent gift for stylish friends. Available at Barnes & Noble Oakbrook Center.
GIFT IT
To truly dazzle your Thanksgiving hosts, arrive with See’s Candies Signature Gift Pack. Four pounds of decadent chocolate, buttery toffee, and brittle, plus lolly pops will garner a great deal of good will. The classic brand is comforting in its familiarity. From the checkerboard floors to the uniformed shop assistants who always offer a sample, See’s is delicious nostalgia. For cocktail parties or an open house, a smaller box is absolutely appropriate, but for turkey dinner or overnights, go big. See’s Candies, 132 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, 630.663.9126, sees.com.
LOVE TO WRITE DAY
National days can be silly, funny, or delicious. November 15 is National Love To Write Day, which feels worthwhile. Mark time on your calendar to journal, work on the great American novel you’ve always wanted to write, or even practice calligraphy for holiday cards and gift tags. Classical music and pots of tea are optional, but taking a couple of hours to put pen to paper or hit the keyboard is a must.
HAY BARN DINNERS
Get into the giving spirit this Thanksgiving season at Elawa Farm. Starting this month, Elawa Farm will host “Soup & Bread Night: A Community Supper” on Tuesday evenings. Enjoy a meal of house-made soup, salad, freshly baked bread, and wine in Elawa’s cozy Hay Barn. Dinner proceeds will support the donation of weekly soup and bread to a local food pantry in Lake County. Enjoy a hearty, healthy supper—while helping to feed our greater community. This event is family friendly and runs through April. To learn more, visit elawafarm.org.
WELLYHAUS CUSTOM POTTERY
Look no further for the perfect Thanksgiving table centerpiece or holiday hostess gift. Wellyhaus custom vases transform even a small handful of blooms into a professional-looking work of art. Founded by North Shore resident Kate Higgins, Wellyhaus started in 2020 as a roadside flower stand. It “blossomed” into so much more when Kate partnered with Melissa Monroe Pottery to create the ideal vase for her roadside bouquets. Wheel thrown, each vase is slightly different and comes in a variety of sizes. Vases are available at wellyhaus.com.
WESTMAN ATELIER ARRIVES
If you’re unfamiliar with the brand Westman Atelier, pop into The Lake Forest Shop to explore this clean, high performance makeup line by renowned artist Gucci Westman. Lightweight complexion enhancers, creamy blushes, bronzers and highlighters create Gucci Westman’s signature “you-look-well” glow, once reserved for A-listers like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Westman Atelier’s holiday line is now available at The Lake Forest Shop.
HARRINGTON JUNIOR CLASSIC CARS
Harrington Group offers a dazzling collection of halfscale classic vehicles for adults and children alike.
The junior cars are available in either electric or gas and customers can choose from a 125cc combustion engine or an electric drivetrain. The cars can reach 28 mph and, although not street-legal, are great for private roads. They can accommodate one adult or two children, and each vehicle has a speed restrictor and seatbelts.
The line-up includes the Series 1, 300 SL, 250 Spyder, Daytona, XK, Cobra, GB6 Short Chassis, Land Junior, Willys Jeep and a single-seater race car inspired by the Lotus 25. Future models will include a Formula 1, 156 Sharknose, a 356 Speedster, and a Defender.
Every jig-built chassis houses independent suspension, gas shock absorbers, a limited slip differential, a hydraulic braking system, and vented disks. Every detail is considered to replicate a full-size classic car from the fiberglass bodies to the beautiful finish in DuPont paint. Prices start at $16,000 and go up to $26,000. groupharrington.com
CHICAGO A CAPPELLA’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY
Chicago a cappella is one of Chicago’s most original, versatile, and talented musical experiences. This vocal ensemble, comprised of outstanding vocalists with stellar credentials, offers a unique opportunity for music lovers to experience the best in choral music, both traditional and contemporary, performed with precision and emotion. For information on the 2023-24 season of concerts and special events, visit chicagoacappella.org.
PROPRE BABY
After having a baby in France and falling in love with the famous French pharmacy baby products, Isabelle Bertolami decided she had to share her favorites with American parents. In 2023, she launched Propre Baby with her best friend Victoria Piluso. Their first product, French Diaper Care, is an alternative to baby wipes and diaper creams. This French changing table essential is applied with their oversized European-style Organic Cotton Pads. Made with simple and natural ingredients including organic olive oil, organic sunflower seed oil, and beeswax—French Diaper Care helps prevent diaper rash by forming a barrier on sensitive baby skin. You can shop this classic French baby product at proprebaby.com.
ASIAN IMPROV ARTS MIDWEST (AIRMW)
Asian Improv aRts Midwest (AIRMW), directed by multi-instrumentalist and media artist Tatsu Aoki, presents the 28th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival at Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey Ave., #208, at 8:30 p.m. Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11. The November 10 concert features solo sets by Chicago- based multi-media artist Takashi Shallow, Pittsburgh-based shakuhachi player, composer, and visual artist Devon Osamu Tipp. AIRMW founder Tatsu Aoki will join Tipp in the world premiere of a collaborative work.
BALLET FOLKLORICO QUETZALCOATL
The acclaimed Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, returns to the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 for an evening of rich and vibrant Mexican folkloric dance. The show features magnificent traditional costumes and thrilling dance by an ensemble of nearly 100 dancers performed to classic songs from various regions of Mexico as played by an ensemble of live musicians. For tickets, visit atthemac.org.
JOHN DERIAN’S FALL DECOUPAGE COLLECTION
John Derian has always been passionate about 18th century delft. Sourcing the plates from France last year, Derian was immediately inspired to make them into a dynamic decoupage series. johnderian.com
PRE-FABULOUS
Established in January of 2022 and partnering with the Latvian brand My Cabin, PrefabPads LLC brings its vision to North America. The company builds prefabricated, sleek, Scandinavian-style cabins in four different sizes ranging from 132 square feet to 520 square feet. The cabins are suited for year-round use as in-law suites, artist’s studios, backyard offices, an Airbnb in the wilderness, or just your primary or secondary residence. The factory is located in Waukegan, where the cabins are built in a controlled environment and can be delivered nationwide and to Canada. PrefabPads LLC is a family business founded by Managing Member Hemang Mehta, his wife, his son-in-law, COO Peter Seltenright, and his daughter, CMO Anisha Seltenright. For more information, visit mycabin.us or contact the company at [email protected] to place your order.
NATALIE KONSTANT X ARCH COLLECTION
Chicago and Florida-based interior designer Natalie Konstant of Konstant Home has collaborated with Winnetka interiors store ARCH to launch a high-end collection of customizable furniture pieces. The Natalie Konstant x ARCH collection brings new life to works by some of the most influential French designers of the 20th century. The pieces include the Settee Nouvelle—a sleek mohair and wood bench inspired by Jean Prouvé’s Banc Marcoule; the Beau Bench—a new take on Jean Royère’s X-shaped bench; and the Le Lin Trunk—a stylish interpretation of Pierre Jeanneret’s “Dirty Linen Basket.” The locally made pieces are offered in a variety of fabrics with various wood and metal finishes and are available exclusively at ARCH in Winnetka. For more information, visit archglow.com.
BIRKIE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the American Birkebeiner (“Birkie”) is the largest cross-country ski race in North America. The two premier Birkie events are the 31-mile skate and the 34-mile classic races from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, the U.S. Ski Team’s Jesse Diggins—the greatest American cross-country skier of all time with three Olympic medals—joins as a special guest racer. The Birkie is patterned after the Norwegian Birkebeiner Rennet that dates back to 1932. The race recreates a historic Norwegian event when in 1206, two warrior soldiers, called “Birkebeiners” because of the birch-bark leggings they wore, skied infant Prince Haakon to safety during the Norwegian Civil War. Prince Haakon subsequently became the King of Norway, and the Birkebeiner soldiers became a Norwegian symbol of courage, perseverance, and character in the face of adversity. The first American race took place in northern Wisconsin in 1973. Today, the Birkie provides year-round, active lifestyle events for thousands of adventurous spirits of all ages and abilities. Celebrate the warrior within and sign up for a race in February For more information, visit birkie.com.
