Photo by Nelson Vintage 60's white leather jacket with gold closures, vintage gold earrings, and vintage black/white leather gloves-estate sales; patent leather/suede newsboy cap-Nordstrom Rack; patent leather ankle boots-yard sale; black ruched jeans-Gabriela Designs. The Style Crone has been grappling with conflicting thoughts and emotions. It seems as though I can firmly make a decision and 10 hours later I consider the polar opposite. Perhaps opposites are comprised of similar elements and right now most issues are gray or plaid. As I was pondering this internal confusion, my yoga teacher of the day began class by reading a quote by
Photos by The Style Crone Vintage jewels on vintage silk polka dot scarf from the 'Feeling Blue' outfit. Jewel=a very pleasing or valued person; a very fine example. Gem=a person considered to be outstandingly good or special in some respect. Nelson has decided that he can't continue to teach his rowing class at Kinetic Fitness Studio as his energy and strength have decreased with his disease progression. Today was his last class and he was honored with a gathering of his clients who expressed their appreciation for his skills as a rowing instructor and admiration for his inspirational qualities as a human. One of his clients
Photo by Nelson Vintage '60's blue wool jacket, vintage navy/green silk polka dot scarf, vintage pin and earrings-estate sales; vintage 80's Makins blue fur felt hat with black ribbon trim-Les Chapeaux; jeans-Buffalo Exchange. I feel a reluctance to 'let go' of winter and leap forward into spring. Usually The SC loves the transition to spring with its unfolding displays of crocuses, daffodils, and tulips in quick and breathtaking succession. This year I want time to stand still so as not to witness each small loss as the days pass. A new symptom, a small functional change, anything that points towards
Photos by Nelson The Style Crone received these lovely flowers from dear friends for her birthday, which inspired the wearing of the Lloyd Allen black/red 80's cape made of sweatshirt fabric for lunch with adored friends. This cape was purchased at Neusteter's Department Store during the hat shop days, and it was the outfit of choice for many a rose delivery! During the days of Les Chapeaux, the rose delivery service was created by my business partner and The SC as a way to market our hats, provide another source of income, and have an extraordinary amount of fun. We
The Style Crone is participating in the 'Bloggers Day of Silence' tomorrow, Friday, 3/18/11, and donating to Shelterbox in support of 'For Japan With Love.' Click here if you are interested in joining this effort to assist the Japanese people during this crisis. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s
Photos by The Style Crone The birthday cape was graced with sequins and beads, so it seemed fitting that its accessories should reflect these decorative details. Fortunately The SC's inventory cooperated and provided the elements to achieve this concept! With this outfit The SC gave herself a gift.
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone adorned herself with a vintage navy wool cape with off white trim embellished with gold sequins and white beads accessorized with a vintage navy velvet hat with round navy sequins for the bittersweet celebration of her 68th birthday. As we left for dinner at our favorite restaurant, I took Nelson's arm and walked down the steps of our front porch with the cloak which reflected his regal nature and his elegant stance even in the worst of times. In his weakened state he sat across from me with his leather Kangol newsboy cap, grey
Photos by The Style Crone Giving the accessories a loving close up!
Photos by Nelson Vintage white fabric hat with horsehair trim/Neusteter's label-consignment shop, vintage pearls and vintage white leather gloves with cutout designs-estate sales, Nicholas K black jacket with short wide sleeves-Buffalo Exchange, worn with black foundation. Nelson and The SC received flowers from a dear friend, so why not create an outfit to complement this lovely gift. Today my focused gaze landed on a chapeau that had been patiently waiting for years for an outing. Didn't that happen in January to another persistent white hat in The Hat Room? This vintage beauty threw itself upon my head, framed my face
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone saw the first crocus of spring today! Time to continue with the 'Bloom Where You're Planted' series with a vintage felt hat with full face veil sprinkled with chenille accents and adorned with feathers. I found this hat during one of my estate sale adventures and it has a special place in the hat room; to be honest, all the hats have an honored place in the hat room. I love the mystery and allure of veils and the movement of feathers, so this chapeau provides a great deal of pleasure on a
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone has been drawn to orange over the past few days and the analysis of this attraction escapes me for now. I have worn the elements of this ensemble in earlier posts, except for the gifted red wool scarf which provides warmth as I am about to dash out into the 'March chill' of this day. This afternoon Nelson and The SC met with his primary nurse and social worker with hospice. We feel as though we now have everything in place and are comfortable with his caregivers who project empathy and competence, which is
Photo by Nelson Vintage orange leather jacket and vintage jewelry-estate sales, black fur felt fedora with fuschia brim-by Guy NYC, fuschia sweater-H&M 10 yrs ago, black/pink striped fabric gloves-street vendor. This morning Nelson and The Style Crone went over paperwork, legal documents, and files together. I took notes in a special journal that has a black fabric cover with a regal gold dragon design. I purchased this journal at an Indian import store years ago and it now becomes clear that it was waiting for this purpose. I can't rely on my memory to work without cues. I know that
Photo by The Style Crone Vintage leopard bracelet on leopard print fabric/50's chair Once The Style Crone gets started on leopard it just won't quit. This all began when fine jewelry designer Wendy Brandes 'let the cat out of the bag' by wearing that beautiful vintage Patrick Kelly leopard print dress! Click HERE to view the inspiration for 'Leopard Week.' Maybe tomorrow I will switch to another motif. To those who have asked through your comments, 'What do you need from us?' I would like to say thank you. You are doing everything we need right now with perfection. All who
Photo by Nelson This afternoon we met with a nurse from hospice to initiate admission and to receive information about services. Nelson decidedly signed all forms presented. Our health care experience has radically shifted in that for the most part we will be seen in our home instead of a medical facility. At times this process feels surreal and our conversations have entered new territory. It's comforting to know that we have a phone number to access an expert at any time, day or night. A safety net has been set in place and I can feel my anxiety decrease
Photo by Nelson Vintage 60's wool jacket with leopard print trim, vintage yellow felt beret, and vintage yellow suede gloves-estate sales; Donald Pliner leopard print ankle boots-consignment store; jeans-Buffalo Exchange. This week has been a bit chaotic, so my plan to wear leopard print in celebration of the Leopard Week pronouncement by Sheila of Ephemera was put on hold. As I've mentioned before, my leopard print inventory is deep, so it's fun to have a reason to play in this direction. I've been in love with leopard for years and my many estate sale adventures over the decades have provided
Photo by Ari Seth Cohen This morning I was surprised and thrilled to discover the above photo of The SC on The Huffington Post. Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style is also a Huffington Post blogger and his article today was titled, 'A Return to Hats.' Click HERE to check out the post! I was honored to be included with such amazing women as #9 of the slide show. Yesterday hospice and today The Huffington Post. Another in the series of 'the agony and the ecstasy.' I will have to say that Nelson had the biggest smile I've seen
Photo by The Style Crone Nelson has been referred to hospice and today everything that I love about our home has become more special, brilliant, intense. Our home was built in 1907 and this stained glass window is located on the landing of the stairs which lead to the upper level of our sanctuary. Every morning and evening, and many times during the day, as we walk up or down the stairs, it greets us with its beauty and colorful splendor. It's as though the space that we have lived in together for so many years is showing itself to
Photos by Nelson Vintage light peach silk satin dressing gown-estate sale, with belt of previous gown as head wrap. The Broadmoor gown series is complete as The Style Crone poses for Nelson. I feel as though I can take flight with this buoyant luxurious fabric which has its own memories in its folds. I would like to envelop/wrap/encircle Nelson in wings of satin and fly away to a glorious place free of dis-ease. Maybe that's what these two days of reprieve have been! The 'Emperor of All Maladies' has been our constant companion for over six years. At times
Photo by Nelson Vintage light peachy pink silk satin dressing gown with powder blue trim and vintage light pink/powder blue silk satin head wrap-estate sales, powder blue heeled sandals-flea market. Nelson and The Style Crone ordered 'breakfast in' on Saturday morning, which was a new experience for us. We have always been practical when traveling and like the adventure of discovering new restaurants. However, our room at the Broadmoor was so beautiful that we wanted to enjoy its splendor and it gave The SC the perfect opportunity to wear yet another gown. Eating breakfast with Nelson in silk satin seemed
Photos by Nelson Vintage black silk chiffon gown with black silk satin lace trimmed slip, vintage black velvet cocktail hat with burnt ostrich feathers, and jewelry-estate sales, minus the subtly transparent fingerless gloves that were inadvertently left at home. And I thought I had packed everything! Nelson and The Style Crone threw caution to the wind as we ventured forth into the world of fine dining. Layers of silk chiffon lead the way as we walked together amidst elegance. A pillow for your back as though it's an every day occurrence? Yes! Jazz band in the background playing sensuously and