Vintage green beaded hat with satin trim - gifted and worn previously on SC HERE, vintage olive green lace dress over vintage navy blue silk satin slip and jewelry - estate sales, YSL olive green fabric chunky heeled slides - Buffalo Exchange. The SC was headed south on Broadway when she drove by the new Buffalo Exchange, which had recently moved. I came to a screeching halt and ran in for a quick scan. I came upon these olive green YSL's, and for some reason I remembered the olive green lace dress, which had been waiting for an outing for
Sun spots collecting on red scarf with tiger print straw hat. Photos by Diana in the midst of the party. This past weekend The SC attended a retirement party for a dear friend who owns a home with her partner in the mountains. Susan was a professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Denver, and the gathering included many of us who had worked as therapists in the 70's at mental health centers in Denver and the surrounding areas. The 'mental health sense of humor' that I have missed with all my heart was abundant
Photos by Diana Vintage multi-colored cotton dress as tunic HERE, vintage earrings and bangles - estate sales, vintage yellow straw toque HERE - Buffalo Exchange, black yoga pants/leggings, orange peep toe heels - summer retail sale several years ago, black obi. The current guest room was Camille's domain when she was growing up. The chosen color for this room is a soft melon which changes in intensity and tone depending on the lighting and the time of day. The SC temporarily threw a white antique tablecloth on the antique iron bed and embellished the space with a mannequin. I continue to
The SC spotted this armoire while helping a friend move her booth out of an antique mall which was closing the end of May. This Art Nouveau piece was in the space next to my friend's booth and I admired its beauty with the thought that it would make a great accessory closet. It was discounted at $250 from the original $800. I decided not to purchase it, but the next day the owner called me and made an offer of $20 if I would pick it up and take it off her hands. I couldn't resist what I viewed
Photos by Diana Vintage straw sun hat with fruit trim - gifted, cotton multicolored orange scarf - NYC street vendor, neutral cotton cropped pants and tank top - consignment shops, vintage fruit earrings and multiple bangles - estate sales, heeled sandals with fruit trim - summer retail sale years ago. The SC might as well consider orange a neutral, similar to leopard print. I love to coordinate small and large amounts of this vibrant and powerful color. In this instance a large cotton and verging on sheer scarf has the ability to function in multiple ways. It can be transformed
The vintage scarf with double-faced fabric was perfect for a headwrap with just the right texture, shape retention and flexibility without stiffness to tie once and tuck within its own folds. I enjoy the process of wrapping and how the end result changes every time, and presents a unique perspective at every angle. This scarf provides multiple possibilities, with only creativity as the guide for the 'wrap of the moment.' Photos by Camille Vintage double-faced scarf for headwrap - gifted, 70's estate sale rust fringed semi-sheer top over black tank top, cropped skinny jeans - Buffalo Exchange, vintage Troylings peep
Photo by Diana The Maeve Carr white straw hat gets its first outing in years accompanied by an estate sale vintage multicolored Malia of Honolulu maxi dress with vintage bangles and earrings, and grounded by the orange patent leather peep toe pumps that have been a SC favorite for several summers. Things are looking up. It's been raining off and on for three days and the temperature has dropped significantly. In fact, it's raining softly as I create this post. The raging fires are close to containment, leaving much damage and loss in their wake. A collective exhale can be
The room where I store my hats is complete. It's been painted in a metallic rose with white trim, a shimmery background for the white straw Maeve Carr hat with asymmetry and folds from the hat shop in the 80's. The first hat to enter the room called for a solo show without occupation. The hardwood floors have been redone. The bedrooms upstairs, representative of the Denver Square floor plan of 1907, have received much needed paint. Tomorrow I can start moving the hats from the dining room and the clothing on racks in the living room into their
The vintage yellow wide brimmed straw hat with scarf providing shade for The SC in the rose garden. The Charles David platform flip-flops are a frequent companion as locating most of my summer shoes in the chaos of renovation has become a difficult task. It will feel like I have an entirely new shoe wardrobe when this transition is complete. Multicolored cotton shawl - flea market, yellow beads and multicolored bracelets - estate sales, black tank maxi dress - yoga studio. Photos by Diana I love wide brimmed hats, but wear them infrequently. I tend to go vertical in my
A dear friend's birthday party presented the opportunity to create an ensemble, which was then accessorized by trees in City Park (or rather, The SC was an accessory to the majestic trees). The blue straw fabric hat with delicate blue feather and rhinestone trim has had a perch in the hat room since the days of the hat shop in the 80's. The designer is Joan Carney, who was from NY and worked out of our shop as a milliner for a period of time. I am trying to track her down, and I may have found her. I will
The SC would not miss the appearance of the legendary Jimmy Cliff, who is making a much appreciated comeback, at the historic Ogden Theatre just a few blocks from my home. According to the review in The Denver Post, I wasn't the only one who thought this was an event not to be missed HERE. At the age of 64 he owned the stage with his mastery of reggae, dance and stage presence. Talk about aging with style and creativity! Knowing that Nelson would have been there with me if he were here and feeling good, I wore his knit
The Advanced Style Book is out HERE and the excitement about Ari Seth Cohen's fabulous creation continues to build. It's a true celebration of older women and their love of life and style, with a vibrant diversity of self expression on every page. It came out two days before my mother's 92nd birthday, and she received it just in time. How wonderful that she could lay her eyes upon her peers; how special that she could revel in the visual beauty of aging, even though her eyesight has been affected by macular degeneration. How exciting that this book is available
Photos by Diana The SC has limitless work to do in the garden, which has been neglected for several years. I managed to do the bare minimum last year, but now I've become aware that it needs my attention as much as my home does. It must be part of 'waking up.' In an attempt to show my garden some love as I strolled through its pathways and small patios, I donned a luxurious 1940's burgundy silk satin dressing gown, vintage jewels and vintage burgundy heeled sandals. I wanted to accessorize the ensemble with a headwrap, but none of my
Photos by Diana Vintage from head to toe - all pieces from estate sales: black 1960's straw hat with bow and veil, black jet earrings, orange silk rose, sheer nylon gloves, black 1970's lace dress over black 1940's silk satin slip with lace trim, black suede heeled sandals. The SC's friend Diana, who has generously been taking my photos, requested a rose delivery for her friend whose father recently transitioned at the nursing home a block from my home. His memorial service was held in the morning at the facility where he had been a resident, and the presentation was
Photos by Camille Out of necessity The SC stumbled upon a renovation outfit. Locating pieces in my memory bank became chaotic as my closets are on racks on the first floor, allowing the upstairs hardwood floors to be refinished and the rooms/closets to be painted. I needed something simple and comfortable that I could change up on a moment's notice and that I could grab off a surface at the foot of my bed as I approached the day. Several months ago for the purpose of travel I purchased, at my yoga studio, this combination of black layering pieces made
The SC began her day with meditation and yoga, preparing for anything that what might come her way. This was the day that N's office was painted, after years of attempting to avoid the use of any form of what could be perceived as a noxious substance in the house during the time of his illness. The colors had been carefully chosen with the help of a dear friend, and the prep work was complete. Time to walk up the stairs, turn to the left and gaze into a different reality. I wasn't prepared for my internal lack of balance
The SC sends virtual rose deliveries to the fabulous bloggers Shelley of Forest City Fashionista HERE and Rosemary of Forever on the Catwalk of Life HERE for honoring myself and others with the Blogger Appreciation Award. Thank you from the bottom of my SC heart. The responsibilities of the recipient of this award are: 1) Thank the person who nominated you by linking to her/his blog. 2) Answer the four questions below. 3) Award the Blogger Appreciation Award to fellow bloggers. 4) Let the blogger know that you have nominated them. THE FOUR QUESTIONS: 1)
Surrounded by flowers a block from my home. Down the block under a canopy of trees. Amidst mottled shadows by the white fence on the corner of my block. Across the street and a few steps from my home. Photos by Diana. The cone hat with multicolored blue swirling straw fabric folds. The vintage cone hat, vintage blue pin and earrings, and vintage cream colored fabric gloves - estate sales, vintage powder blue suit - vintage shop, cream colored leather peep toe pumps - purchased retail 1996. The cone hat is a sculpture of multicolored blue splendor and had been
Photos by Diana Close-up of the hat! Sheer orange/purple scarf - purchased in Mexico; vintage orange beaded pillbox, vintage earrings, vintage umbrella - estate sales, black sleeveless dress with asymmetrical hemline - boutique on Colfax now closed, orange peep toe pumps - summer retail sale years ago, all on black background. The SC wore this outfit dominated by orange to a friend's 60th birthday party and out into the rain, requiring an umbrella. I live in a climate that seldom allows me to play with this accessory, so I took full advantage of my vintage umbrella inventory. Looking for the
Photo by Camille Vintage Gano-Downs Denver patterned white/black long spring jacket -yard sale, vintage black velvet pillbox, vintage long black gloves, vintage red/white/black bangles and earrings - estate sales, black knit leggings- gifted, black suede heeled boots from the '90's, and a touch of red lipstick. Tess and Camille Photo by The SC On Mother's Day Eve Camille and The SC dashed off into the chill of the rainy May evening to attend the studio opening of 50 Dresses HERE , the new dress designing home of Camille's dear friend Tess. Camille and Tess grew up together dancing at the Cleo