Photos by Nelson and The Style Crone Vintage rust silk velvet gown-vintage shop, black silk velvet jacket-flea market, rust silk velvet structured turban-custom made by Jeanne Bjorn. Nelson proclaims that we are in 'the lap of luxury.' We feel nurtured and surrounded by beauty. When we arrived at the Broadmoor late yesterday afternoon, we were surprised by gifts from friends from Kinetic Fitness Studio (Nelson's rowing home) that had lavished us with wine, fruit, flowers, a gift certificate for an elegant restaurant, and a special room in the hotel. The SC expresses her gratitude with silk velvet and a
Photo by Nelson Plum/orange hat-consignment store; vintage 1940's plum wool jacket with fur trim, vintage orange leather gloves, vintage jewelry-estate sales; long black rayon skirt-Camille cast off. Nelson's oncology appointment today was a consultation to determine follow-up details. His blood work values continue to indicate cancer growth and liver dysfunction. The chemo infusion two weeks ago did nothing but cause distress and suffering, so Nelson's decision to discontinue treatment was reinforced. When asked about his symptoms, he described 'itching' as a frequent occurrence. The oncologist asked what seemed to help this side effect of liver impairment and Nelson wryly replied
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone changed hats and gloves and added a vintage gold pin to the turquoise coat for a slightly different look. As I chose the taupe accents, I realized that I could go on for days with different combinations of hats/gloves to play with turquoise. But I won't. For today, the gifted vintage taupe with turquoise trim fur felt hat with bow and estate sale vintage taupe leather gloves accessorize the 80's coat as Nelson captures my eyes though the lens just as he captured my heart so many years ago!
Photo by Nelson Long vintage turquoise wool coat for Auer's-estate sale, vintage turquoise/fuschia/black velvet cone hat and vintage fuschia gloves-estate sales, patent leather boots and belt-yard sales. Today Nelson and The Style Crone decided to spend two days at the end of this week at the historic Broadmoor, a luxury hotel about an hour from home. As I drove to yoga this morning I attempted to identify and name the feeling that I was experiencing. And then it came to me. I was elated! Elated that we're going to have an adventure! Elated that we're going to have a new
Photos by The Style Crone Thank you for the comment regarding The Style Crone's outfit planning process. This practice has been a part of every day for many years. Just as some people love to write, paint, play a musical instrument or sing, I love to express myself by creating outfits. As I wrote in my bio, " I spent most of my career working as a psychiatric nurse in an emergency setting. I also spent a period of time managing the care of people with head and spinal cord injuries. Choosing my outfits, which always included a hat, was
Photos by Nelson Vintage turquoise knit headwear, vintage turquoise/black plastic dangle earring, vintage mustard gloves-estate sales, turquoise/mustard faux pashmina-street vendor, black yoga wear foundation. The Style Crone enjoys putting outfits together that can travel from yoga to activities before or after class. This headwear looks like short turquoise dreadlocks to me, and never fails to bring a smile to my face when it catches my eye in The Hat Room. It stopped me in my tracks yesterday, so I knew that it needed an outing. So I gave it two! Yesterday it went from yoga to lunch at a friend's
Photo by Nelson Long red sweater-TJ Maxx, black/red silk scarf-flea market, patent leather ankle boots and patent leather belt-yard sales, suede/patent leather cap-Nordstrom's Rack, suede gloves-estate sale. Nelson and The Style Crone had a second appointment with Palliative Care this afternoon. It's a relief to talk without restraint about end of life issues. One of the most significant concepts brought forth by the physician is that within our culture we talk openly about birth, but death is not approached in the same manner even though it too is a phase of life. She reassured us that 'just because we talk
Photo by Nelson As you've probably noticed, The Style Crone loves leopard print and the inventory in this category is very deep. A few days ago my gaze fell on these Tony Lama cowboy boots that I had purchased at a consignment shop, and even though I don't usually do western I decided to challenge myself. The boots needed an outfit! Last evening a hose broke in the basement, which presented a bit of a water issue. My first thought was that our home was weeping! However, in the process of bringing order to chaos I spotted this vintage camel
Photo by The Style Crone Vintage silver cupid pin with jewels-gifted by Nelson for Valentine's Day in the 80's Last Thursday Nelson decided to discontinue chemo as the side effects have become too overwhelming to tolerate and his tumor markers continue to soar. Yesterday, on Valentine's Day, another painful medical procedure indicated that his cancer is making itself at home in his body and has no intention of loosening its grasp. He does not want more procedures. He wants to live out his days without brutal interventions and so life will unfold as it will. Nelson is relieved to have
Photos by Nelson On the day before Valentine's Day of 1992 Nelson informed me that he wanted to take me to lunch and would be at my office at noon the next day to pick me up for our date. As I was working in my office on Valentine's Day, I heard the elevator door open. I looked up to see my stunning husband entering my space carrying an elegant silver tray and dressed in a vintage black tuxedo with tails, a white shirt, a vintage black silk bow tie and a black top hat. Displayed on the tray was
Photo by Nelson Vintage leopard print hat and bag and vintage green gloves-estate sales, black tall flat boots with zippers-Century 21, black yoga pants and tunic. It was a beautiful, sunny day not to be wasted, so The Style Crone and Camille were out for errands and yoga. The times are a little rocky, like the magnificent mountains that can be seen on the horizon; the shadows come with the sun. But I can't think of anything more engaging right now than Nelson taking photos of leopard print on a brilliant day in the midst of melting snow.
Close ups of the jewelry from last Friday's date night! Memories.
Photos by The Style Crone Details of The Style Crone's 'What to Wear to Chemo' outfit become perfectly clear in close up. In comparison, my feelings are blurred, out of focus, a soft fog. Confusion reigns as Nelson struggles with extreme fatigue. He has been unable to get out of bed throughout most of the day. Camille was here with us during his effort to eat as his appetite is absent. He was able to communicate his wishes at this point and it is has been painful but I understand his every word and support whatever he decides is best
Photo by Nelson Long dark plum sweater with green/mustard/white floral hand embroidery-NYC flea market, vintage mustard velvet hat and vintage mustard fabric gloves-estate sales, with the foundation of contemporary black boots, pants and turtleneck. 'You present a complicated picture,' are the words from Nelson's oncologist. The PET scan indicates disease progression, which then involves more decisions. Nelson's chemo dose will be increased, but not to the full standard dosage because of concerns about his liver numbers. So poison is the first line of defense, and consultation with specialists and Nelson's wishes will determine the path forward. The options of cut,
Photo by Nelson Recently there have been several highly appreciated questions from readers of Style Crone about wearing hats and hair. As I've mentioned in the past, for many years my hair has been cut for the daily wearing of hats. During the days of the hat shop I wore a just below the chin classic bob, which was a complement to most headwear. At times I would pin my hair to the top of my head prior to placing my chapeau, creating a totally different look. Just before my 50th birthday ( a long time ago I might add)
Photo by Nelson Now this black wool fabric hat trimmed with a brilliant orange flower with a hint of green, when compared to Patricia Underwood's designs, is on the other end of the hat continuum. The Style Crone loves the entire spectrum as hats have the ability to express different moods, attitudes, perspectives, possibilities. This hat is fun and a bit 'tongue in cheek.' I needed a touch of humor after Nelson's PET scan this morning. On the way to the facility before the scan, I was about to take a wrong turn, at which time Nelson asked, "Did your
The hats designed by Patricia Underwood are exquisite. For 35 years she has used the finest materials to create interesting shapes. During the hat shop days in the 80's I loved to go to her showroom to buy for our store. Everything about her studio was enticing and of the highest quality. This black fur felt hat with red suede trim escaped from the hat shop and found a permanent spot in The Style Crone's collection. Which is where it should be! And I do have to confess that I have more of her designs, which I'm sure will make
Photos by Nelson Black fur felt hat with red suede trim-Patricia Underwood from my hat shop in the 80's, vintage leopard print jacket-gifted by Nelson, estate sale jewelry. Date night met all expectations! We left early for a movie to match Nelson's energy level, followed by dinner at a favorite restaurant. It must have been our laughter about memories of the origin of the 60's faux fur leopard print jacket, which Nelson gave The SC for her birthday some time in the 90's, that took us out into the light of the day. As though we didn't have a care
Photos by The Style Crone As we draw closer to the six year anniversary of Nelson's diagnosis, I have been having recollections of important and memorable experiences that we've shared during our journey over these years. During Nelson's remission in 2008 we traveled to Panama and visited a friend who I hadn't seen since graduate school in the early 70's. Reviewing photos from that time, which of course included elephant bell bottoms and maxi dresses, brought much laughter as we reminisced. During the visit we were introduced to the Kuna, an indigenous people of Panama. Nelson and I were sitting
Photo by Style Crone These boots were gifted by a friend who discovered them at a consignment store sale. They were next to nothing, but not her size. Luckily she was aware of The SC's shoe size, she had a suspicion that I would love them as much as she did, and she knew that I would do the same for her. Priceless friendship is the only reason that I have a pair of Prada boots in my shoe inventory.