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  The Source HERE is a new marketplace unfolding in the RiNo area of Denver, which "collects artisans and foodies under one roof." Diana and The SC ventured down Brighton Boulevard to check out this exciting and emerging creation by Zepplin Places HERE.  The proclaimed mission of this new development is to "salvage, reuse, and reclaim." Restaurants Comida HERE and Acorn HERE reside at the front of the building, and both feature outdoor patios. Last week I went to lunch at Comida with my friend Susan Wick HERE, and it was absolutely delicious.  Babette's Artisan Breads HERE, a french bakery, is also open.  There are plans for other

Diana and The SC took a mid Saturday morning tour of the Denver Performing Arts Complex HERE to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beauty and majesty of its architecture and its downtown Denver grandeur. "The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the largest performing arts center under one roof in the country. Connected by an 80-foot-tall glass roof, DPAC houses ten performance spaces on its four-block, 12-acre site, including the historic Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Buell Theatre, and Boettcher Concert Hall, each with their own charm and character.  DPAC is home to a Tony Award-winning repertory theatre company, Broadway

The Lowenstein CulturePlex, HERE, and HERE, is located within walking distance from my home, and is a beloved location in The SC's Denver Discoveries Series, captured in photos by Diana.  One of its main tenants is The Tattered Cover Bookstore HERE, which opened in 1971 in the Cherry Creek area.  It's one of the largest independent bookstores in the country, and now has three locations in the Denver area.  The Colfax Avenue store currently lives in what was formerly the Lowenstein Theatre, and is a treasured gem which I frequent when browsing for books and cards, catching a latte in their

When I recently heard through the grapevine that a John Fluevog HERE store had opened on Larimer Square, I was beyond ecstatic. How did this happen without my knowledge? It's probably because I spend so much time blogging and working on my headwrap project that I wasn't paying attention to the local details! For several years I've been watching my gorgeous Canadian Sisters flaunt their Fluevogs!  Now I can enjoy them in person by driving a few minutes to the west of downtown. On Saturday morning that is exactly what The SC and Diana did.  Gazing into the window of

On a bright and sunny day in August, Diana and The SC wandered the exterior areas of the Denver Botanic Gardens HERE.  Within walking distance from my home, this Denver treasure offers hours of magical splendor that I enjoy several times a year, throughout the seasons. However, today we barely touched the surface of what is located within this landmark by lingering along its boundaries on both sides of the street that passes by its entrance. As I composed an outfit worthy of the Botanic Gardens, each piece that met my gaze was decidedly vintage.  This vintage straw headpiece adorned

Diana, her friend Pat and The SC continued the "Denver Discoveries Series" on a rainy late afternoon, visiting the Denver Art Museum to view Nick Cave: Sojourn  HERE, "a multi-sensory, immersive installation that transports visitors to a magical world of color, texture, sound, and movement." Nick Cave is a fabric sculptor, dancer and performance artist, and his work is fascinating and innovative.  His use of found objects and buttons threw me into a state of pure bliss, and though photographs were not allowed inside the exhibit, I threw my hands up on the wall at its entrance in celebration of this artist's glorious explosion

The SC and Diana took to the streets to explore the growing and vibrant food truck scene at Civic Center Park, which borders the State Capitol, the City and County Building and the Denver Art Museum.  Downtown Denver provides a majestic background for our romp through the park. Civic Center Eats HERE takes place at lunch most Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer. Before I launch into this week's Denver Discovery, I want to thank everyone who participated in my inaugural monthly Hat Attack series which began on August 1st and continues through midnight on Wednesday, August 7th.  You still have time

The SC took time off from exploring Denver to visit her 93-year-old mother in Minnesota, accompanied by Camille.  My mother Norma continues to live in the assisted living facility that has been her home for five years.  She remains energetic, in good spirits and as 'sharp as a tack.'  Camille and I cleaned the rings in her extensive collection, which she wears when playing bridge with other residents and at the senior center down the street from the facility. Camille took the above photo of the two of us walking the halls of the facility. Due to macular degeneration my

Diana and The SC headed out to the River North Art District HERE to take in a few of the many art galleries and creative businesses that are flourishing in this north of downtown Denver area.  We visited the Ice Cube Gallery HERE, an artist run cooperative, and came upon an exhibition, Electromagnetic Transformations, by Linda Graham HERE. I felt the sensation of floating with the planes of colorful translucent plexiglass in my yard sale floral silk chiffon Diane Von Furstenberg dress.  The recycling goddess has been with me all summer, and the priceless and unique pieces that I've found in

I love to discover fascinating places that have in the past escaped my radar.  In this case the Lovely Diana and The SC headed under the Speer Avenue viaduct to play amidst the murals by painter, sculptor and muralist Emanuel Martinez HERE.  "Confluent Peoples" is one of the many public artworks HERE created by this highly esteemed and nationally recognized Colorado artist.  This was the location we were searching for several weeks ago when we came upon Centennial Flower Gardens HERE,  just a few blocks away from the viaduct. The SC's NYC street vendor multicolored fabric hat (which plays nicely with

The SC and Diana headed to the Mercury Cafe HERE, which was created by Denver icon Marilyn Magenity in 1975 (on The SC's birthday the year she moved to Denver) and "this exploration of food, the arts, politics and community that surround food" has settled in a highly visible north of downtown location.  We attended a fundraiser, "Not Forgotten, Denver For Haiti," and I decided that fuchsia and orange were my inspiration for this festive event.  Not a big surprise, as these colors frequently pop out at me from their resting places, eager for an outing. The Mercury is a Denver

Diana and The SC continued their "Denver Discoveries" series at "Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art" HERE, located about seven minutes from home.  A treasure of a museum, we planned to take photos in front of its beautiful exterior. As we were playing near the entrance, the museum staff opened the door and gently informed us that we had appeared on their security cameras, but then warmly and generously invited us to enjoy the outrageous beauty inside.  An unexpected and irresistible gift on a Thursday afternoon! We were in awe of the numerous glass display cases which held objects that

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013   Veronica at the Tattered Cover Bookstore book signing by Juana Bordas.

On our way to another destination not far from downtown, Diana and The SC discovered Centennial Flower Gardens. We had not been aware of this space that immediately drew us in and we spent time exploring its many areas of sculpture and beauty.  The Gardens are patterned after the Gardens of Versailles, with paths and patterned flowerbeds showcasing native species along with other flowers that grow well in Colorado’s arid climate. The Speer Avenue (named after a former mayor of Denver HERE) viaduct is on display in the background.  You never know what you might find when you get in the

Diana and The SC took to the streets and decided to do a series of photo shoots throughout Denver over the next few weeks.  After all it's summer and easy to navigate the city, searching for spots that we love.  Today we settled on Cheesman Park HERE and its Walter Scott Cheesman Pavilion, which is just minutes from my home by car. Unlike the brilliant and dearly departed Nora Ephron, most of the time I feel good about my neck, next to the columns built in 1908.  They both have an interesting and intriguing patina.  Patina is such a beautiful word.

The SC knew she was in for a change when her nail polish color went from neutral to a vivid coral.  In the distant past I wore a shade of orange on my fingers and toes during the summer, but during the era of crisis it didn't seem to work.  This week that suddenly changed and here I am decked out in 'ginger,' and I hardly recognize the crone hands that currently move in front of me.  I stare at them in amazement as I arrange my headwrap in knots and folds.  This evolution affected my outfit choice, which I

The SC has finally made it to the garden!  The purple iris have just passed their prime, and play parallel with the cherub on pedestal that I discovered at an estate sale several months ago. I have a late start, but have been motivated by a dear friend who has fallen in love with my rose garden.  Marge is a retired nurse with a beautiful, warm and engaging smile and a heart of rich gold.  She enters through my back gate once a week at 6:30 am and stays for at least two hours.  She is lovingly transforming this small

"Curiosity Sparks" is a sculpture created by Barbara Baer, located in front of a residential building a block from my home and across the street from City Park.  Camille was born in this building, which was formerly the home of Mercy Hospital.  I've been wanting to use the sculpture as background for some time now, as I drive or walk by it almost daily.  It calls to me with its bright blue and yellow features which spiral upward. There are so many ways to play on a sculpture, which became an analogy for a change I wanted to make in

This past week The SC was honored and thrilled to be included in a feature in Look.UK, the best-selling fashion magazine in the United Kingdom.  Click The Pensionistas to view the article.  Jean and Valerie, The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas who were also in the piece, wrote about the feature HERE with their usual brilliant and witty commentary. I decided that the only thing to do in celebration would be to lounge in leopard while savoring this fun and unexpected surprise.  To be in the company of the magical and phenomenal Jean and Valerie, Tziporah Salamon, Lynn Dell, and Linda Rodin has me over the moon

A tip of the hat to mothers and all who nurture others along life's journey.   In recognition of this day, The SC wears a 60's beaded straw hat with tall crown, purchased at a flea market last week. It called to me from the rack of vintage beauties as I entered the urban venue and it didn't let go.  A hat that is destined for my hat room somehow magically finds its way into my heart. This black wooden cane was used in the hat shop to capture headwear perched high above our reach. It continues to be used in