Photos by Camille

The SC made the decision on New Year’s Eve Day that 2011 would not go gownless.  I have a passionate love for gowns; I feel enveloped, protected and held in space by folds of fabric and the structure of design.  I am of the opinion that gowns should not be limited to formal occasions, especially as there are so few of these events in my life and my vintage inventory lies in waiting.  I seldom let a year go by without the expression that a gown provides and the year of Nelson’s death was to be no exception. So yesterday I threw on this beloved vintage silver gown with ‘bow pattern’ accessorized by everything vintage and attended three consecutive gatherings held by friends in the celebration of the New Year.  I have found planned structure to be as important as the lack of it.  Frivolity with friends balanced by stillness and the company of memories (some of them involving gowns of all shapes and forms).  I thank my friends for the invitations and understanding when my process does not allow me to be present.

The SC approaches 2012 with hope and a desire for the evolution of peace and positive intention. Thank you to all readers and commenters for your kind, thoughtful, comforting, supportive words and elegant expressions.  I have appreciated and have been touched by your generosity.  And wish all the best possible ‘gown energy’ for you in the New Year!

Happy Holidays from The Style Crone!  The red vintage wool coat with faux Persian Lamb collar and the black vintage hat with rhinestone trim were encouraging participants in seasonal festivities.

Photos by Kelly

I have found this holiday season to be a balancing act!

Photos by Daniel N, December 2010

Last year at this time I was putting together a Style Crone Holiday Hat Review, so why not roll out the tip of the holiday hat iceberg?   Somehow it seems like many years have past; when these photos were taken I was in the comfort of Nelson’s physical presence.  However, we were entering new territory.  I could continue to gaze into the familiar bottomless pools of his compassionate and kind dark brown eyes fringed with eyelashes that had been thinned by years of chemo and although the escalating and frightening physical changes related to the disease and treatment that were ravaging his body screamed ‘danger,’ everything about him remained beautiful in my eyes. It now becomes my task, as it does for many,  to release the trauma related to ‘living with crisis’ from my cells.  Today he is in my heart, but his absence during this cold and dark season is especially stark.

Music was always a major part of our lives, and the holidays were no exception.  One of Nelson’s favorites was ‘Merry Christmas Baby’ by Charles Brown, a blues singer who we saw live in an intimate venue before he died in 1999 at the age of 77.  Today as I listen to this song with new awareness and in the spirit of honoring the belief systems of all,  I am flooded with memories that will remain with me forever, when the days are short, bleak, bitter and the snow falls outside my door leaving a carpet of beauty, waiting for the light to return as the Winter Solstice slowly approaches to mark the end of the shortening of days.

Merry Christmas, Baby  Click to listen to Charles Brown.

Photos by Daniel N

The SC’s holiday season nail polish choice, Chanel’s Vamp, inspired an outfit composed of a vintage burgundy silk velvet top with rhinestone closures (a holiday gift from Nelson in the 80′s) and vintage burgundy silk velvet hat with rhinestone trim, a vintage black velvet maxi skirt, vintage black velvet gloves, and a black velvet cape with burgundy satin lining and a transparent floral pattern that reveals itself when exposed to light.  Could that be a metaphor for life?

I view the color of my nails as an accessory, so it was a playful diversion to create a look that represents the opposite of what I currently feel and give credence to the concept that inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime.  A visual paradox, a self contradiction, a few hours of velvet, rhinestones, and satin.

I am fortunate to have friends who appreciate all positive forms of self expression. A casual dinner party provides the opportunity to wear sumptuous velvet and satin, and feel accepted and embraced in the process.  To be free of judgement for my choices is a paradise worth celebrating with rhinestones.  It allows me to explore my inventory without fear, and to wear any look that I envision.  ’Where would I wear this outfit?’ is never a question as I meditate on ensemble possibilities.  For this holiday season I am grateful for the gift of ‘outfit freedom’ and the support of my fun loving, creative, talented friends.

Check out the lovely Patti of Not Dead Yet Style and her Visible Monday series.  I found that I continue to have the ability to follow directions and learn something new!

Photos by Camille

This past weekend presented the first snowstorm of the season.  We’ve had brief bouts of snow over the past few months, but this was the real thing.  Mounds of snow in the garden with soft white blankets stretching as far as the eye can see in an inner city neighborhood.  I don’t have huge amounts of sidewalk to uncover, but another ‘first’ for me, as Nelson was the shovel master.  The SC began the task Saturday morning as snow continued to fall in gentle layers, creating a picturesque winter landscape.  I was feeling a bit ‘snowed under’ as ‘first’s’ trigger memories and along with them an unwelcome lens of insecurity, a veil that clouds my vision as I take on another role in the now absent division of labor.  As I began slowly and methodically moving the snow I noticed that the shovel handle was red.  Suddenly I saw it as an accessory and my mind traveled to my coat inventory for the perfect outerwear to accomplish this mission with more enthusiasm than my current sad, forlorn state.  The vintage red wool maxi coat with hood and black velvet trim (previously worn HERE) nudged its way into my consciousness, and it turned out to be the ideal match.  Who cares if I defiantly shovel the snow in a long red coat, with only myself to entertain (along with Camille who generously took photos). Could this be another example of special effects? I managed to feel a sense of empowerment with the realization that I could get past the first winter storm with the assistance of an outfit and a shovel with a bright red handle.

Photos by Alexis

The SC has been fascinated with bed jackets since the 70′s.  I love the lace, silk, satin, ribbons, delicate details and the soft muted colors of mostly blue, pink, lavender and peach.  The photos above are a small sampling of my cherished collection.  These historical pieces of art were discovered over the years at estate sales, flea markets and vintage shops, and I have worn them out on date night, dancing or to dinner, or to an occasional party.  I have been known to wear a quilted bed jacket to the grocery store!

Wickipedia states, ‘Bedgowns lingered as fashion garments into the mid-20th century, usually under the newer name bedjackets, in the form of short robes or wrappers worn over a nightgown or negligee for warmth and modesty while sitting up in bed for breakfast, reading, or similar pursuits. They had mostly fallen out of fashion by the 1960s.’  They may have fallen out of fashion in the 60′s for the activities described, but I find them irresistible and they are too divine to keep hidden while reading in bed or tucked away in a closet.  Better for a bed jacket, or any collection of art,  to bask in the light of day or the mystery of the night, and allow their unique beauty to reign.

Thank you to Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style HERE and Shelley of Forest City Fashionista HERE for brightening my week of Thanksgiving!

Photos by Camille

‘What to Wear’ to the first Thanksgiving dinner without Nelson?  A vintage veiled headpiece, a vintage off white lace bed jacket trimmed in satin, and a black maxi skirt to mark the significance of a day that marched into The SC’s life as holidays do; life does not stand still during loss.  The lace a representation of the intricacies of a relationship that on this holiday were felt more deeply than any other day of the year, a team of two closely united in ritual. For decades we had been partners in a tradition, host and hostess, in creative preparation for this day of gratitude.  The festive atmosphere, the lush menu, the holiday diorama accessorized with candles on the front porch, the flurry of the last few hours before guests arrive.  Tradidtionally there has always been a gathering of loved ones around the carefully set table with the vintage rose patterned china, the abundance of flowers, the glowing candles, the playlist of jazz and blues.  This year a sense of presence and absence as the day unfolded. We circled the table, family and friends, each of us proclaiming our gratitude for life and a special memory of Nelson. Tales of his discipline, his kindness, his determination, his love.  A newborn baby boy was in attendance.  There can never be a replacement of a much loved person.  Only a symbol of the cycle of life and its mysterious portals. The painful shift of dynamics, yet precious moments of expressions of love, support and mutual sadness.  The bittersweet festival of appreciation for all that remains and all that has been lost. All that has been forever changed.

Photos by Daniel N

Preparing for Thanksgiving is difficult this year.  Our favorite holiday always, filled with family, friends, food, fun, fashion!  Standing on the staircase in a 60′s orange dress with faux persian lamb trim, black wool leggings, vintage handcrafted wool hat, 90′s black suede boots, black fingerless wool gloves and vintage jewels, I recall memories of last Thanksgiving with its celebratory yet tentative tone.  It was in the month of November 2010 that it became clear that Nelson’s disease had taken a brutal turn in a direction that showed little hope for improvement, and the future was painfully uncertain.  Now it’s a question of whether to go up the staircase or down, as many decisions arrive with complexity and ambivalence.

According to Emily Gems HERE , ‘ Orange is a power color and is one of the healing colors. It also stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. Orange means vitality with endurance.’

I wore the orange dress to the 27th floor of the downtown Hyatt, the Peaks Lounge which overlooks the city, to gain a different perspective.  During the day, from this location, the majestic Rocky Mountains present snow capped beauty and sweeping splendor.  But during the mysterious darkness of the night, the breathtaking view with shimmering lights amidst towering structures as far as the eye can see, reminds The SC that the world is vast, limitless, open and expansive.  A Presecco toast to Nelson, announcing the arrival of the first holiday season in decades without his physical presence.

Photo by Daniel N

Saturday at yoga The SC noticed that the woman on the mat in front of her was accompanied by a royal blue towel with leopard trim. Inspiration appears at anytime and anywhere!  I immediately had the desire to repeat this motif with an outfit.  I seem to have blue on the brain, so the idea of pairing leopard with this vibrant color followed me home to my closet.  I brought out the vintage 60′s royal blue Einiger wool jacket and the small structured 80′s royal blue Importina wool felt hat and accessorized with Donald Pliner consignment store leopard boots.  The quirky 60′s leopard pin with gold trim announced itself on my lapel, reflecting the boots and adding a sense of humor to a Monday, a tiny piece of leopard art in a gold frame.  Glove season is here again, and the vintage suede gloves proclaim there can never be too much blue to add to the picture, with a black ‘uniform’ as background.

Several readers of SC have asked about the ‘grounding tools’ that I employ to deal with stress.  Heated vinyasa yoga is the main event!  I need the the development of balance, flexibility, and strength to deal with whatever life throws my way.  Many a day I went from ‘what to wear to chemo’ to ‘what to wear to yoga.’  An hour of focusing on the moment, just me and my mat and my inner thoughts, guided by a voice with no judgement, allowing the processing of my experience in a noncompetitive environment. The classes that are held any time of the day, the eclectic choice of music, the variety of teachers, the focus on breath with each pose and the luxurious feeling of lying on my mat in the heat before and after class are what draw me back again and again.  So much about yoga can be applied to life and at any moment a teacher has been known to softly say:

-The pose does not begin until you want to get out of it.

-Turn your eyes inward and gaze upon your heart.

-The transition is as important as the final pose.

-Turn yourself upside down with intention before you begin your day.

-Find peace, even in this pose.

-Look into your own eyes.

-Open your heart to the morning and breathe.

-Be open to the guidance of synchronicity and do not let expectations hinder your path.

Photo by Alexis

Photos by The Style Crone

The SC greets the chill of a November day with a Maeve Carr blue velvet brocade turban and scarf, which were ‘self gifted’ from the hat shop in the ’80′s.  Maeve Carr was Donna Karan’s hat designer during that era and I have several of her creations in the hat room waiting in anticipation to be featured in the future.  Navy provides the background for varying shades of blue, including a vintage Frank Gallant HERE jacket accented by vintage gloves and jewelry, all discovered at estate sales.

The morning was spent with organizational guru Alexis of Funktional Home HERE, as we brought order to files and papers which have been in disarray. Before the arrival of Alexis, I would walk into a room with the intent to focus, feel overwhelmed, and walk back out, only to feel discouraged and ineffective. It became clear that I needed ‘supervision.’  Having a neutral person to help with decisions about what to shred, what to file and what to save until further notice has made a big difference.  I have found someone to work with who is professional, fun, empathetic and willing to engage in a photo shoot before we dig in. Keeping records and documentation regarding every physician appointment, every scan and every medical experience over the past six years only retains The Emperor’s energy in my space and does nothing to honor Nelson.  I long to create peace in my home and rebuild the scaffolding of my life.