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The Style Crone has been featured in the January issue of Denver's 5280 Magazine. The online version of the piece HERE is available for all to read. The print version is available in newsstands across Colorado.  It's a full-page spread, and I'm very excited to be honored in such an impressive publication. Fashion Editor Georgia Alexia Benjou interviewed me several months ago.  She created instant rapport and trust, and made our time together relaxed and fun.  I was very happy with the article, and feel that she captured our conversation beautifully.  She included information about the widows' project that I'm in

Several years ago, just as my hair had almost grow out from the color red to my natural white, my hair stylist retired. This event sent me in search of a new person to understand my hair, my need to have it fit for hats, and for a new beginning. I had no idea what was in store. What occurred was life changing.  I compiled a list of hair stylists with the help of a friend who knew the industry in Denver.  I was planning to interview five people who had been recommended as possibilities.  The first artist on the list

Welcome to the Hat Attack dedicated to January, 2019.  Happy New Year beautiful followers.  I wish you the very best in the New Year, including health, happiness, and abundance in all forms.  I embrace 2019 with high hopes and anticipation, along with a year filled with magnificent headwear in all of its diversity and beauty. The featured milliner for January is Julia Emily Knox of East Village Hats NYC. "Julia is an English Milliner, trained in New York, who heads up a small team of milliners at East Village Hats, where they hand craft the hats on the premises, using

Happy Holidays to my beautiful followers. However you celebrate or don't, I send warm wishes for all the best that life has to offer. During this difficult time in many places across the planet, my heartfelt hope is that there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. The tulle dress that I'm wearing in this post was discovered in September when I had the pleasure of attending the show Curate International Collection, which showcases curated designers from across the world.  "Curate is a group of like-minded designers and representatives that have joined forces to offer a creative

I am a collector of the art by my friend Carol Markel, who is an artist, milliner, and creator of the blog Femme et Fleur. I adore Carol’s love of color, texture and design and this hat is a statement piece that never fails to inspire me to live life to the fullest. Carol is also a cherished friend, and I always visit her and her artist husband Richard whenever I travel to NYC. Not only is she talented, but she is kind, clever, and generous. My sanctuary in enriched by Carol's headwear, manikin heads, and statement beads.  Who knows what

The most exciting photo backgrounds in Denver can be found in the River North Art District. Located just north of downtown Denver, RiNo includes a remarkable concentration of creative businesses, including architects, art galleries, designers, furniture makers, illustrators, painters, media artists, photographers, sculptors and an array of studio spaces. RiNo is "Where Art Is Made" in Denver and you can always find something new and exciting to check out around the neighborhood. The holidays are approaching with breakneck speed, as I find myself involved with a flurry of parties, events, and gatherings of dear friends.  I'm also working diligently on my

December's Hat Attack is this vibrant red feather headpiece by Lilia Fisher Millinery. Lilia Fisher is an exclusive Russian millinery and accessories brand, which was founded in November, 2012. Every season Lilia Fisher creates two lines: the Haute-Couture collection presented at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia and Ready-to-Wear hats with eye-catching details. I met the gorgeous Lilia Fisher on Instagram HERE I was fascinated by her creative designs and her wide range of styles.  She has both casual and extravagant covered and there's something available for every occasion!  I already have plans to wear this feather confection to a Winter Solstice Party.  My

Newsflash!  Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style and designer Fanny Karst have released another iconic collaboration.  Their statement tee reads "Not Dead YetI"  In celebration of this inspirational message, I took to the yoga studio to express my appreciation. My yoga posts always include a bit of whimsy. Why not wear the newly created graphic tee with tulle, a pink head wrap, pink skinny jeans, pink vintage hoops, and black flats embellished with rhinestones. I'm adding and subtracting adornments pose by pose. A believer in accessories, hat boxes were made for more than protecting headwear.  They can be used as

It was a warm fall day in Denver. Balmy enough to wear short sleeves after the autumnal sun broke free from the morning clouds and graced the city once more before the snow fell days later. Out came my vintage two piece satin dress with jacket, which I purchased at Santa Fe Antiques this summer.  Give me a great antique market and I can get lost amidst the vendors for hours. Wearing vintage with jeans comes easy for me.  It brings a dressy ensemble to casual and funky, and switches up formal to fun. I found these Rag & Bone

It's been over a year since Mr. J and I traveled to Italy, which was one of those trips of a lifetime.  However, every time that I travel it becomes my favorite adventure, even if it's somewhere in Colorado. It's all about mindset and the willingness to be open to the unknown.  But for today, I'm reflecting on Rome. I loved everything about Italy.  The culture. The people. The food.  The architecture. The museums. The history.  And the fashion.  Every city and location in this breathtaking country was impressively beautiful.  Nevertheless, my favorite destination was Rome. This dress was discovered

I've featured Cha Cha's hats on Hat Attack in the past, and for November I'm thrilled to showcase her work again.  Over time I've become friends with this talented milliner, and I wouldn't think of a trip to NYC without visiting her and her captivating studio.  I feel welcome and at home in her creative space filled with headwear, inspiring and contagious energy, and an environment where I can play to my heart's content. Today's millinery confection is a powder blue sixties-style cap a la' Courrege/Twiggy with matching pom-pom. Get out those go-go boots and spread the word of millinery

I have never gone back to the beginning to read my blog.  I alway moved forward to the next outfit and the next post.  I've decided to begin putting together a workshop to present to widows about grief and transformation, creativity and passionate aging.  It will be based on my story through my blog. Today I started to review the posts which began on July 13, 2010, which was about nine months before Nelson died.  I use the word "died," because it makes it seem more real.  And here I am again, writing exactly how I feel when I feel

The artisan jewelry gallery Balefire Goods hosted a pop-up shop for Marigold Shadows, a clothing designer based in Los Angeles. Their designs are statement pieces, both funky and bold with interesting lines and shapes.  It was a pleasure to feature these magnificent pieces in honor of Marigold Shadow's Denver debut. I'm wearing the Augustini striped twirl top with the Augustini flare pants.  This versatile swirl top can be worn with its skirt flowing with movement, or belted for an entirely different feel.  There's nothing like having several outfits in one! Balefire Goods, the host of this fun-filled pop-op, is an

October's Hat Attack is the red Cocktail Parasol Hat by hat maker, artist, and designer HEIDILEE. HEIDILEE is a RISD graduate and recipient of the 2012 MET Museum Costume Institute Accessory Design Award, H E I D I L E E is a NYC-based artist and designer whose hats have featured in VOGUE, V, W, Visionaire, Dazed & Confused, MTV, SHOWstudio, NYT, New York Magazine, The Creators Project, etc. Exhibitions include The National Centre for Craft and Design (UK) "The World is Your Dressing Up Box" and MAD Museum’s “MAD Biennial: 100 Makers that manifest the cultural capital of NYC." Her clientele include Anne Hathaway, Madonna, G-Dragon, Lady Gaga,

With today's post I'm honored to be partnering with Artful Home, which is part art gallery, part art fair, part online marketplace.  Artful Home seeks out the most exceptional works of fine art for your wardrobe and your home, while representing almost exclusively North American artists—some of the most accomplished makers working today in the USA and Canada. Most artwork is shipped directly from their studios to your home.  Launched as The Guild in 1985, Artful Home has been successfully connecting artists and art lovers for over 30 years. Photos above by Jenna Westbrook I chose diverse locations at City Park

I've been in NYC having a wonderful time and have fallen behind on blogging.  The photos in this post were taken before my trip, as I embraced the waning days of summer. And now it's the beginning of fall and the transition of seasons is undeniable.  My straw hats are giving way to felt and the hat room is in disarray in the midst of its biannual transformation. I began this composition with the duster that I purchased at a retail sale about two years ago and paired it with polka dots.  Could it be true that polka dots are

Have you ever walked into a store and had the feeling that you were in a special space? That you were surrounded by beauty and a sense of wonder?  A store that felt like a gallery, yet warm, welcoming, and inviting? This is what happened when I entered Barbara and Company, a local clothing boutique with locations in Denver’s Washington Park area and in Boulder. Owned by Kathy King, the store is a reflection of her creativity and dedication.  I believe that I’ve found a woman who is as passionate about beautiful and unique clothing as I am about hats!

September's Hat Attack features a headpiece by Anya Caliendo HERE, which has a story associated with its place in the hat room.  I follow Anya's breathtaking gallery on Instagram and have been aware of her talent for a long time.  When I first saw a photo of this headpiece on her feed, it caught my gaze immediately.  Her caption, "Some hats are meant for mourning," added to its allure.  There is headwear for any occasion, and since death is a part of life, it's a reality that should not be ignored or considered taboo. Later on Instagram, Anya posted about

Recently I experienced a reminder that life can quickly turn on a dime.  About two months ago I sprained my ankle during a photo shoot at Cheesman Park.  With this post I returned to the scene of the crime, with my sprain mostly healed and my mobility restored. It seems like a small thing compared to the pain and the tragic circumstances that I have witnessed over the years. In no way do I intend to minimize the severe injuries or illnesses of others. After all, a sprained ankle is fixable and healing is imminent. It wasn't life or death

With this post I have the honor of featuring the gifted Blue Squares parasol by Lily-Lark HERE. Though I'm an ardent fan of headwear, this parasol provides another glorious option for sun protection.  After all, since large brims don't always provide shade for the entire face are not usually my first choice of head beautification, as portrayed in these photos, this gorgeous parasol is a welcome and stylish addition to my accessory collection. Handmade by artisans with custom printed fabrics and bamboo frames in Chiang Mai,Thailand HERE, the Lily-Lark parasol is produced in the "Parasol capital of the world." Who knew