Photo by Nelson Time to bring out the vintage black/white herringbone cape with rhinestone buttons, black velvet collar and red satin lining and top it off with a vintage black velvet beret to greet the freezing cold day. These items, along with the vintage black long fabric gloves were 'finds' at estate sales over the years. The Style Crone finished off the outfit with gifted tall black heeled boots. Capes are great for covering any number of layers during the bitter cold weather and have the additional ability to make dramatic sweeping entrances. And since the definition of caper is
Photos by Daniel N This 'rasta blue headwear' was a holiday gift from Nelson (he knows a hat would make me happy?) which just happened to flow with a sweater that had been in 'one' of The SC's closets for years. With the neutral navy as a foundation, this outfit was waiting in the wings for Date Night this past Friday. Maybe it will make its public appearance this week! As this ensemble lies in waiting, The SC reflects on the intensity of the past week. I remember the unease and apprehension we felt as we prepared for chemo on
Photo by The Style Crone One spot at one point in time in The Hat Room.
Photo by The Style Crone Nelson has loved rowing on the Concept2 Rowing Machine for about 26 years and for much of that time he rowed competitively. During the time of his remission, in 2007 he participated in the international competition held in Boston and became certified as a rowing instructor in 2008. He has been on the staff at the Kinetic Fitness Studio since that time; the staff photo on the left was taken in 2008 before his disease recurred. The studio club owner honored Nelson by creating 'The Boyd Row House' and the members are very supportive and
Photos by The Style Crone The Style Crone had her outfit ready for Date Night, but it was not to be. Nelson was in a state of fatigue before his chemo infusion, so the side effects have been extremely intense for him. Watching him suffer is a blanket of sorrow. Few words are exchanged as he needs all of his resources go get through this time that feels endless. The best that I can do is be here in silence. Our home, our sanctuary, feels heavy and time seems aimlessly slow. As Nelson slept, the SC picked up her camera
Photo by Nelson (as seen in mirror) Vintage 60's pink faux fur trimmed jacket-NYC flea market; 60's pink earrings, pink/green vintage silk scarf and pink vintage gloves-estate sales; brown ankle boots-gifted; brown crocheted hat-Xeino; and outfit foundation of jeans and brown turtleneck. After over two months without chemo because of his elevated liver lab values, Nelson is back in the 'chair' with the usual sounds in the 'not so back' background. The most obvious is the rhythmic and persistent sound of the pump which is a component of the delivery system that transports the chemicals into Nelson's port directly into
Photo by Daniel N The 60's dominates The Style Crone's outfit with a gifted burgundy hat, vintage shop grey/burgundy cardigan, and estate sale navy jacket. The outfit is completed with estate sale vintage grey gloves and a NYC street vendor faux fur stole. Navy turtle neck, pants and boots are contemporary pieces which provide the foundation for this vintage display. For years I've enjoyed combining clothing from decades past with modern garments. Connecting the past with the present is like putting together a puzzle, and finding the right components is my daily meditation. This puzzle is one that The SC
Photo by Nelson Another outing for the hat that hadn't been worn for 20 years. 'Clutch Pearls!' The vintage hat joins a pair of vintage black/white gloves for play, along with vintage pearls galore and a black vintage jacket with velvet trim. This hat is having so much fun that it may never want to return to its box! Having fun and living outside the box sounds perfect to The Style Crone.
Photos by Nelson It becomes more difficult to go out in the evening as Nelson fatigues as the day progresses. We've been going out on Friday nights since 1977 and we're not about to give up on it 'at the drop of a hat.' We went to a new restaurant that I discovered when I was parking for yoga last week. We love trying new places and it didn't disappoint. Restaurants are like theatre: the atmosphere and decor of the space, the other patrons, the staff, and the food. It is a riot for the senses. For the occasion I
Photo by Nelson A comment from a reader asked, 'What do you wear if you have errands after yoga?" The above photo is an example of The Style Crone's answer to the question. Layers, layers, layers! My formula is hats, scarves, and boots! In the winter I always wear a knit hat, which can be cleaned, along with one or two scarves chosen haphazardly from my winter scarf inventory. I throw on any number of casual jackets/coats and I have a collection of boots that fall into the 'worn' or casual category, and off I go! My yoga ensemble is
Photo by The Style Crone The Style Crone drew an analogy this morning with an accessory collage and the full range of feelings that occur during any situation in life. This seems to be intensely true during a crisis. Sometimes I would rather protect Nelson than express anything negative such as anger, sadness, or engage in a conflict. But as I think about it, suppressing the so-called negative also inhibits the positive. An emotional collage is the expression of life, and whatever comes up always passes through. Perhaps all emotions are really neutral. Easier said than done, but I'm
Photo by Nelson Leopard print fur felt hat with large brown ribbon trim-Go Go Chapeaux, vintage cashmere camel jacket-yard sale, vintage jewelry, brown suede gloves and silk scarf-estate sales, brown ankle boots-gifted. The appointment today was with the Palliative Care Department, which felt like a 'camel and brown' day. We were referred when Nelson was in the hospital and it seemed like a good idea to us because their expertise includes symptom management and coordination of care. And hopefully a little bit of advocacy on the side!!! We don't need help right now, but we wanted to be able to
Late last week The Style Crone and Camille were honored to hear Carlotta Walls LaNier speak about her life, her place in history as the youngest of the "Little Rock Nine," and her book A Mighty Long Way. As stated in her introduction, "Her Journey began in 1957 when she was 14 years old and entering her freshman year in high school. Three years previously the Supreme Court had outlawed segregation in public education in the famous decision Brown vs. the Board of Education. Attempts to desegregate the schools had been sparse and often unsuccessful until `1957. When Carlotta and her
Photos by The Style Crone The Style Crone had the pleasure of a visit by a dear friend (world traveler, entrepreneur, writer and more) who presented her with a gift of a bag full of vintage jewelry. The above watches were included in this amazing grouping of treasures. Life can turn on a dime in so many areas, and suddenly I have the beginnings of a 'watch collection.' Who knew? Another focus area to build an outfit around, and the green ring watch is especially fascinating! And the black/white cube watch has a different quirky design on each of its
Photos by Nelson Vintage '60's jacket with large leopard print collar, green vintage gloves and black fabric beret-estate sales, Donna Karan boots, black ruched jeans-Gabriela Designs Denver. The Style Crone has to say that I really don't know how we pulled this off. Nelson was not feeling well today with symptoms that were very uncomfortable and I will have to say a bit scary.. But we have to eat and he wanted to take me out to one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants, City O' City. The people watching is fab! We love intergenerational energy, and there is a lot
Photo by Nelson Vintage coat and gloves-estate sales, multicolored scarf-Bryant Park holiday shop, hat-NYC street vendor. Today was the first day this week without medical appointments. Nelson and The Style Crone rushed out the door into the beautiful day before us to soak up the sun and breathe. It's a much different day when we don't have to walk into a medical environment and be surrounded by the drama of chronic disease and its accessories. A freedom that we used to take for granted and didn't think about for a second! Now a day without contact with the 'medical world'
Photo by The Style Crone The boots from yesterday accompanied Nelson and The Style Crone to an oncology appointment today sans chemo. It appears to be the week of many appointments and these boots were made for walking!
Photo by Nelson Amy Downs black/white hat, yoga pants and tunic, black/white hand painted boots-vintage shop close out, jewelry-estate sales. Today Nelson had a liver biopsy to determine the cause of his elevated liver enzymes which have prevented him from receiving chemo for about two months. The Style Crone's outfit is her armor as we leave home with a sense of internal crumbling, like the brick front steps of our home which are deteriorating due to lack of attention. Over the past six years our priorities have not included home repairs. Even corrective clothing cannot conceal my waning sense of
Photo by Camille Sarah Cant Pink structured fur felt hat with velvet trim-The Hat Shop, black Yves Saint Laurent sleeveless turtleneck-consignment store, vintage pin/earrings-estate sale, black Carolina Amato fingerless gloves-The SC's hat shop inventory in the '80's, black ruched jeans-Gabriela Designs Denver, black heels-consignment store. The Style Crone had been storing this hat in it's hat box in the hat room for several years. It was waiting for the perfect occasion and Camille's birthday party was the ideal celebration for this chapeau's debut. As usual, I planned the entire outfit around the ornament on my head and the entire ensemble
Photo by Nikki We threw a party at Sienna Wine Bar for Camille in celebration of her forthcoming birthday and her return to Denver. The house was packed with many dear friends, the music was divine, and dancing was included in the frivolity. It was a sweet spot in time in an intimate and elegant space and Camille and The SC are showing Nelson a little love and devotion. Camille was beautiful and radiant, inside and out, in a dress designed by her friend Tess of 50 Dresses, and there were many vibrant and festive outfits in the room. It