I love lace in all of its permutations. Especially vintage lace. The delicate lace top in these photos had been hanging in my closet for years, waiting for the perfect composition. There was a small hole in the back beneath a shoulder seam, which was insignificant to my eye, because vintage has its flaws. However, when I gently pulled the sleeves on, the lace covering the underlying nude fabric disintegrated in several areas. Imperfect and a bit tattered though it now appeared, I decided to go with it as is. In the midst of this decision, I thought about a
The SC was thrilled and honored to be contacted by Sacramento of Mis Papelicos HERE to be her partner in Share-In-Style: Denim, which is her link-up project that takes place every other Monday. How fortunate that I had composed this ensemble for the last evening out to dinner with Mr. J in Vail several weeks ago. It was barely unpacked from its last adventure. The gorgeous and creative Sacramento is wearing a fabulous denim dress for her Share-In-Style event! My denim contribution is a pair of skinny jeans that I purchased at a retail sale years ago. I've worn them in
The SC and Mr. J traveled to Vail HERE, a breathtaking mountain wonderland just an hour and one half drive to the west of Denver. We spent three days wandering around an area known for its skiing resorts and in the off-season continues to attract visitors to its majestic Rocky Mountain scenery, galleries, shops, and restaurants. We floated through each day without a structured agenda, like the soft floral scarf that I purchased at Wild Flowers Home, Gift, and Garden HERE, owned by dear friends Jonah and Brian, who have a great eye for that which tantalizes the senses. Photos
The SC and Daniel traveled the short distance from home to Cheeseman Park HERE for an afternoon of photos. We started with the Cheeseman Park Pavilion HERE as background to an ensemble which was neutral based, but adorned. Decorated. Covered with ornamentation. Accessorized. Embellished. I began today's composition around the 1930's evening bag which instantly caught my interest at an estate sale. Inside the bag was a tag which described the bag as "gold brocade , silver and gold work, double-sided jade and emerald beads." The perfect illustration of adornment. Inside the bag is a small and elegant satin pillow
The rain in Denver continues, and a series of technical difficulties caused challenges for The SC and Daniel during today's photo shoot. Just as with aging, adjusting saves the day. Today's frustrations were not an issue of life or death, and led to improvisation and an unexpected flow. Without a flash for the camera on a day without sun, we decided to use the lighting from the window in the shoe room/office for a few shots that we would not otherwise have considered. My ensemble today was centered around the Chatino handwoven bag that was gifted by Mr. J during
Tornado warnings. Hail storms. Torrents of rain. It was difficult to catch an outdoor photo this week, but The SC and Daniel managed to enter an interlude of calm after one of many storms and to mirror the greens of nature with this thoroughly vintage ensemble. Thank you for your thoughtful, insightful and supportive comments in response to my post of last week. I was touched by your thoughts on aging and have been thinking about our individual differences and the awareness that we are all in this together, regardless of our choices. Obviously I am not "au natural." I
I have been blogging for almost four years, and over this period of time I have watched myself travel from the age of 67 to 71. I seldom look back at my posts from the past, but when I do, I notice the changes that happen with growing older. I post what I perceive to be flattering photos, based on my how I'm feeling at the time and my comfort level. I don't photoshop my skin; I do use iPhoto edit to crop, brighten and reduce the shadows of an image when necessary. I have decided not to intervene in
The SC and Daniel took a walk in City Park, adjacent to my home, to take a few photos. Along the way we enjoyed the beginnings of spring, reflected by the greening of natural spaces and accessorized by lilacs which magically appear as the brilliant blooms of flowering trees fade. Planning my ensemble for Friday evening's dinner out with Mr. J, I was drawn to the vintage feather fascinator which was purchased at Fabulous Fanny's in NYC HERE during my hat shopping adventure with the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas HERE. It had been flirting with me from its perch in the hat room,
Now that spring has officially arrived, The SC is "flipping" the hat room, transitioning the fall/winter hats to their tissue lined boxes, and bringing forth the spring/summer beauties. In the process, I gave one last felt hat a spin, pairing it with a long vintage black and white graphic patterned jacket that I found at a yard sale years ago for five dollars. The jacket has been featured on Style Crone before, accompanied by red. This spring electric blue was the chosen color to accessorize the jacket's bold lines. However, I'm not feeling blue! Mr. J has made a flight
The SC discovered this vintage Christian Dior chapeau about a decade ago at Frock NYC, which is no longer in existence. Evan, the proprietor of this once fabulous vintage salon, upon learning that I was a lover of headwear, brought boxes overflowing with hats from his basement for my admiration. He wasn't interested in selling hats in his shop, and he offered me a very special price for whatever I was drawn to. Another one of those offers that I couldn't refuse. Among the beauties on display was this piece of art, with its swirls of fabric adorned with feathers
Spring brings new beginnings and new life after the dormancy of winter. Color is everywhere, as The SC is embraced by the flowering tree a block from home. Spring is about movement. The gifted high-waisted black with gold threads circle skirt by Camille's talented friend Tess of 50 Dresses HERE can be tossed about and twirled, creating dramatic patterns with its energy. Yards of fabric take up space around me. I feel moved by the skirt's drapes and folds, and how it envelops me with its volume. April marks the third anniversary of Nelson's death. Feelings of sadness move through me,
The SC and Mr. J drove to New Mexico from Denver for a short getaway. Often referred to as the land of enchantment, our stay in Santa Fe lived up to its reputation. Spring was well on its way, evidenced by flowering fruit trees along our path. Sculptures and a vast variety of art greeted us from all directions. The food was influenced by many cultures and the people friendly and interesting. It was well worth the six hour drive to reach this nurturing destination. Hat by Erin Saboe of Denver and orange jacket discovered at a Santa Fe boutique,
Who knew? At the end of October 2013 I met a man who over time captured my heart. After six and one half years of cancer caregiving and two and one half years of grieving, I thought that the romantic part of my life was a thing of the past. I found that it was only sleeping and that there are no age limitations on the opening of one's heart. Nelson would wholeheartedly approve. After all, it was his unconditional love for me that resides in my every cell, and that will never leave me, that was available to be
Going out to dinner is like going to the theatre. It's about the food and its presentation, but so much more. The other patrons. The servers and staff. The space that contains the restaurant. The decor that is the set. The conversations. It stimulates the senses! I love to build an outfit to participate in this intimate community experience. It allows me to wear whatever catches my eye and gives life to my creativity. My rule of thumb has been that if a piece can be worn once in 20 years, it's a keeper. I'd better get busy, because in
The SC transitioned to 71 over this past weekend. Last year I threw a huge party to celebrate the age of 70. This year I hung out on the other end of the continuum, with a quiet embrace of the march of time. Contemplation has its benefits. I've worn this estate sale vintage cape on special occasions that I remember as though they were yesterday. I love that it takes up space, and that it demands a basic background of navy booties, leggings, vintage pencil skirt and turtleneck. Vintage suede gloves reflecting the color of its off-white trim ensure the
This week The SC found herself under the influence once again. The "pattern mixers" within the blogging community have inspired me with their talents and creative powers. I consider myself in the class of Pattern Mixing 101. But somehow my eye has been changed by years of observing photos of those who teach the Master Classes. These artists have encouraged me to experiment, if only minimally, and begin to play in a way that I wouldn't have thought of before I began blogging. As I was putting together an outfit around this vintage estate sale wool coat dress with subtle
This week my hairdryer stopped working after years of service, so a trip to Target was on the agenda. It wasn't long after I began roaming the aisles of the superstore that I spotted this blue and black striped maxi skirt. At the moment of discovery two bloggers popped into my thoughts. Jean of Dross Into Gold HERE, who has featured a gorgeous black and white striped maxi and Jan of Fort Smith Stylista HERE who describes her Target shopping experiences in exquisite and delightful detail. How could I resist? The influence of other bloggers in my orbit manifested itself
The SC traveled with a friend to Coronado Island HERE, across the Big Bay from San Diego, California, for a weekend reprieve from the Colorado cold. There's nothing like relaxing on the spacious grounds of the magnificent Hotel del Coronado to remind me that every moment is precious, that life can turn on a dime in a good way and that a leopard print turban can be enjoyed in any location. Wearing a black background and adorning with color is my strategy for traveling with carry-on only. The beach, the Pacific Ocean and palm trees were a wonder to behold
Last week was Diana's 60th birthday, and has become the tradition HERE in my orbit of friends, a croning ceremony took place as part of her celebration. In honor of this glorious transition, The SC chose to wear the Lisogorsky elevated crone crown, which was purchased in NYC while hat shopping with the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas HERE. The multicolored draped velvet chapeau immediately sparked a 'hat attack.' I know when I've been smitten by the beauty of headwear, and in this case I couldn't possibly leave the shop without this hat in my possession. Every angle has its charm and distinctive appeal. I
Hat Attack #7 inspired The SC to wear a hat by Patricia Underwood HERE, which was brought home to the hat room from my hat shop of the 80's. Ms. Underwood names her hats and the T.S. Elliot has a presence that has held my attention since the moment I laid eyes on its many charms. I am of the opinion that Patricia Underwood's hats are some of the finest in the world. I adore the shape and the space that it assertively inhabits, making a statement that is difficult to ignore. This hat is an extrovert, announces itself from