Last week after a routine visit to my physician, I was sent to the lab for a series of tests.  Health is my number one priority and thankfully all of my test results were within normal limits. However, in the process of having my blood drawn, the phlebotomist noticed on my paperwork that I had recently turned 70. He commented on my age in a respectful and bantering manner, and I responded with, ‘Well, how old are you?’  He quipped, ’52.’  ’In reality, you’re young enough to be my son,’  I replied, throwing caution to the wind.  And he said, ‘In reality, you’re young enough to be my girlfriend.’

Surprised with his comment and the flirtatious smile on his face, I was out of the room at the drop of a hat.  I’m familiar with health care settings and all the paraphernalia that goes with it, but I wasn’t ready for a spontaneous and playful interaction of this nature.

So I will immediately change the subject and talk about the hat that I wore to an Easter gathering last Sunday afternoon, which was purchased at the Manhattan Vintage Show last September.  The yellow marabou feathers with brown veil deserved a close-up, perched upon The SC’s head, enjoying a small corner of the hat room newly painted in its metallic rose tones.

Attending the show with the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas HERE, this hat made Valerie smile, which seemed the perfect reason to acquire this chapeau, as though I needed a reason.

Photos by Rachel

Brown YSL suede pumps purchased at a consignment store years ago, with heel upon one lonely piece of fringe from the piano scarf covering the chair in the hat room, framed by hat boxes and vintage red fabric gloves.

A close-up of this estate sale vintage silk scarf reveals green pumps emerging from a multicolored circle skirt, embellished with patterned hose, yellow roses and ribbons.  This image was too delightful to hide draped around The SC’s neck, and at some point, when framed, would make a perfect piece of art in the room that holds my shoe collection or worn as a skirt, out to lunch with friends.  Some accessories lend themselves to a multitude of possibilities and functions.

This sketch by the talented artist and blogger Anne Bray of Spy Girl HERE greeted The SC by email this week.  One of the wonderful things about blogging is the unexpected and glorious surprises that appear in my life unannounced, accessorizing my days with abundant gifts beyond my imagination.

POST PARTY PONDERS, CONTINUED

Photo by Shelley of the Forest City Fashionista HERE.

In a post composed of multiple subject changes, party memories include hand massages which were provided in the guest room to party participants by gorgeous manicurists (left to right) Oz and Angel of Tootsies Nail Salon HERE.  Massage recipients Diana and Carolyn demonstrate their appreciation with full-blown laughter, reinforcing the concept that nurtured guests are happy guests!

Art cake gifted by dear friend Robyn, owner of the fabulous consignment store Wardrobe Works HERE.

Off to join the crew at Patti’s Visible Monday HERE at Not Dead Yet Style and ‘shoe shine’ with Bella Q at The Citizen Rosebud HERE.

As I reflect on the party and the past year of renovation, I feel a touch of disorientation.  I was so focused on one point in time, and now I feel adrift or unsettled.  It’s not that I don’t have things to do. Although I had promised myself to sort through everything I owned, I wasn’t able to complete the magnitude of that task. Time ran out as other projects took priority.  And I have designated this summer to be the season of the garden, which needs its own renovation.  And the headwrap project is waiting for my attention.

But I no longer feel driven and can allow myself to relax into the beauty and comfort that my home provides.  I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and can take some time to enjoy the changes. Otherwise, why do it?

I realized that the woman who was on the dance floor, organizing the entertainment and party details, and loving the gathering of friends in my home was a part of the woman who Nelson fell in love with.  I managed to bring her back to life after a long hibernation, if only for an evening.  Now I know that she remains within and that she can make a visit when I call upon her. We all wear many hats in life, and party headwear is not to be denied in this new decade.

My shoes have been stored in clear plastic containers and organized on industrial shelving, and the gold silk damask curtains which cover the sides of the shelves facing the door to the room were created by Diana, a woman of many talents and skills.  The ‘shoe rug’ was discovered at an estate sale several years ago.

Photos by Rachel

Vintage silk floral patterned Hawaiian dress (an invitation to spring) – vintage store years ago, navy felt cloche – gifted, navy pants – consignment store, vintage navy gloves – estate sale, navy turtleneck and booties – retail.

Treasured birthday gift created by my dear friend Kathleen.

Though my party is now a memory, I will keep it alive with photos at the bottom of my current posts. Today I celebrate Camille, my daughter who has brought limitless meaning to life during the past two years.  Her empathy and dazzling smile have the ability to brighten even the darkest of days.

Camille with friends.

Camille with family.

Camille with the youngest dancer Malakai and his grandfather Donald.

The SC is off to join the gathering not to be missed at Patti’s Visible Monday HERE at Not Dead Yet Style.

Camille gave The SC the gift of photos by her friend Charli White HERE, a talented photographer who documented the first half of the event.  It’s difficult to choose the images that  I love the most, but I’ll give it a try, starting on the front porch as the party began.

Who is Diana?  Now you know, as she allows a reveal, radiating in all her glory on the staircase, dressed to the nines and ready for a party.  Diana makes blogging a less solitary endeavor; without her weekly visits and our photo sessions over the past year, that bring laughter and fun to a weekday afternoon, Style Crone may have been destined to wither on the vine.

My extraordinary friend of many years, Daniel N returned to Denver in the middle of his yearly month in Mexico to help master the music.  He flew back two days later and was on the beach again without missing a beat.  Now that’s truly a generous and loyal friend!

Bernadette Malone of Moveable Feast created The SC’s birthday cake in the shape of a hatbox.  A woman of multiple talents and a dear friend of many years, she also gives a heavenly facial!  A critical care nurse in the past, she is spreading her wings in a new and elegant direction.

Photo by Sally.

The cake close-up with Bernadette and the bow created by Barbara DeSalvo.

Photo by Sally.

The feast prepared by Bernadette with the help of Colleen Emory (above) and Sarah Ashford.

The fabulous Shelley Long of the Forest City Fashionista HERE flew from London, Ontario Canada to Denver for a 46 hour stay to attend the party.  Thank you Shelley for helping with last minute details, taking photos, for wearing the red hat from the studio with panache and for blogging about the event HERE and HERE.

The Flamenco Dancers in the living room.

Maria Vasquez of Maria Vasquez Flamenco Denver HERE.

Susan Richardson takes the floor!

The Flamenco Skirts.

We were all dazzled by the Flamenco Performance!

Vintage pale blue silk chiffon gown with blue lining, vintage silver heeled sandals and vintage jewels – estate sales, custom designed ostrich feather hat created by Erin Saboe of Go Go Chapeaux HERE.

Stay tuned for more entertainment, dancing, friends who helped make my home shine, and the vintage studio, as the party rocked on late into the night.

The SC is dancing over to Patti’s Visible Monday HERE for the weekly party at Not Dead Yet Style!

Photo by Sally

My party was all that I could have hoped for as I danced through the evening with feathers and 30′s silk chiffon, surrounded by friend old and new.  I have so much to integrate as I continue to visit with friends who came from out of town and gaze with wonder at completed projects in my home.  Having a goal was what I needed to catapult myself into a new decade.

I have no idea who took this photo, which I received from Camille the day after the party.  She has a ‘sparkle’ on her forehead, placed there by a friend who was sharing glitter as though it were love.  I have more to say and share, but for today I need stillness and reflection.  I feel light as a feather.

The SC is floating over to Patti’s Visible Monday HERE at Not Dead Yet Style, eager to join the weekly gathering of like minded and creative bloggers.  Thank you Patti, for providing the venue that brings us all together.

Time is flying by as I enter the week of my celebration and the opening of my home.  My hat provides the elevation that is symbolic of how I feel.  One of the magical qualities of hats is that they sometimes indicate one’s state of mind before that awareness becomes conscious.

It feels as though an energy has entered my body that has a life of its own.  All focused temporarily on one goal with little room for other parts of my life, as now it’s all about the details.

I will be taking a break from blogging until after my silver metallic heeled dancing sandals are back in their box this coming weekend.  I appreciate and am grateful for all who read and comment on Style Crone, and look forward to visiting the blogs that I love as soon as my party is over.

Have a fabulous week!

Photos By Diana.

And by the way, covered buttons are well worth the extra time and effort.

The bow on lace sheers, which embellishes my front door in anticipation of the arrival of beloved friends.

Vintage multicolored paisley tunic with red lining – vintage shop early 80′s, hand crafted earrings with gold tassels – vintage shop late 80′s, tall black structured felt hat – estate sale, black turtleneck – consignment store, tall boots and leggings – retail.

The SC is linking up with Patti’s weekly elevated celebration at Visible Monday HERE on Not Dead Yet Style.