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I'm down to the wire and packing for a trip, and in the process my gaze landed on this cream-colored vintage suit with peplum which I haven't worn since my daughter Camille's graduation from college in the spring of 2004. The hat was created for the suit by the talented milliner Jeanne Bjorn HERE. Jeanne lived in Denver for a period of time, and I took millinery classes from her. I considered becoming a milliner, but decided instead to become a hat journalist, seeker and collector. I don't have to own every hat that I love.  Photographing headwear and trying

This past week I spent several days with the gorgeous blogger and instagrammer Jean of Dross Into Gold HERE, who was visiting Denver with her husband Joey Sommerville HERE.  Joey, a talented blues/jazz musician who plays the trumpet and keyboards and is an inspiring vocalist, was performing with his band over the weekend at the Genuine Jazz and Wine Festival in Copper Mountain HERE. It was the perfect opportunity to spend time reconnecting with Jean, which over the years has become a summer ritual. Jean was the first blogger that I met over six years ago, and we have been friends ever

One of the great joys of life for me is dancing. To feel the music through every cell and express myself with its vibration has for many years been irresistible.  As long as the music moves me and I feel like moving, I'm on the dance floor. I don't need a partner and I don't need permission.  It's a form of freedom and self-love. There was a dance floor at the Pioneer Conference (see post of last week HERE) and a great band with a singer who sang Amy Winehouse to perfection. That's all that it took for me to

Two weeks ago I traveled with Mr. J to the Pioneer Network HERE Conference which was held in Chicago, Illinois. The Pioneer Network is an organization which is devoted to creating a culture of Aging that's life-affirming, satisfying, humane and meaningful. Mr. J presented at the conference and I went along to enjoy the events and the city of Chicago. Mr. J's new book collaboration was recently released  and a book signing event in honor of this accomplishment was a highlight of the conference.  Musings + Art was written by Mr. J and Illustrated by the talented artist Sandy Ransom HERE.  I

During my recent trip to Minneapolis I had the pleasure of meeting the talented milliner Celina Kane of Hat Make HERE.  I had great fun in her studio trying on hats and partaking in "Hat Chat."  I fell in love with this canary yellow parisisal percher with pearl, sequin and Swarovski hand embroidery.  Magically it played well with my vintage yellow silk dress embellished with white beads.  Celina named this hat "Limoncello." About me by Celina Kane Educated at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, I triple-majored in Art History, Political Science & French Studies. While studying in Paris

Two years ago I began collaborating with the talented and accomplished Denver designer Brooks Luby of Brooks Ltd HERE. Over the years it has been an honor to model for her photo shoots, a piece featuring her mother-of-the bride couture in Novelty Bride Magazine and her recent pop-up shop. Over this period of time we have become friends and have spent hours talking about fashion, aging with passion and the unfolding adventures of our lives.  I have found that developing new friendships at the age of 74 to be a life enhancing pleasure. Brooks Ltd was founded in 1976, the dream

Earlier this week I returned from a trip to Minnesota to visit my 97-year-old mother Norma. Residing in an assisted living facility, she continues to be an inspiration to me.  She loves to play bridge, and every evening  a group of residents gather to play cards. For this activity, my mother wouldn’t miss an opportunity to adorn her hands with rings from a collection which she has maintained over a lifetime.  Every year when I visit it has become a ritual to snap a shot of her hands with a few of her rings. This year I asked Mom about

July's Hat Attack features a whimsical feather delicacy that captured my attention in England fourteen years ago while attending my friends' wedding.  The fuchsia and black feathers cascade from a black velvet headband, covering my face and hair like a veil. I wore this headpiece out dancing after I returned from England.  My hair was red at the time, and I received many compliments about my pink, black and red hair.  Now that my hair is silver, there is more definition between my hat and my natural hair. The only way to find out if this is true is to

I adore wearable art.  I have many pieces in my vintage collection, most of which were discovered at estate sales over the years.  This white silk Chinese embroidered garment with silver threads attracted my attention this week.  I never know where my gaze will land! Though the temperature was in the 90's, this piece was the perfect choice.  Silk is breathable and has impressive moisture wicking properties, keeping me comfortable despite the weather. Daniel and I traveled the short distance to the Denver Botanic Gardens HERE in search of a kimono worthy background.  The gardens did not disappoint. Strolling through the

I was driving down a street in Minneapolis about 15 years ago during a visit to see friends and family. Out of the corner of my eye appeared  a beautifully patterned gown gracefully floating in the breeze from its perch on a tree by the side of the road.  I quickly realized that a yard sale was taking place and I brought my car to a screeching halt. I opened my car window and the man running the sale came to greet me. I inquired about the dress on the tree, and he quickly brought it to me for inspection.

Blogging has had a role in my evolution in many ways. Wearing color more frequently is one of the changes that I've noticed over the past several years.  I have been influenced by other bloggers and instagrammers and consider myself a novice.  I would love to list their names, but there are so many, and surely I would leave someone out in the process. I will always be a fan of wearing black, but exploring and experimenting with color  has become a form of self entertainment.  I find it to be playful and exhilarating, and the possibilities are endless. This

June's Hat Attack is a tulle "crown" which was discovered at an estate sale about a year ago.  I was drawn to its lightweight taupe layers and soft sculptured silhouette.  It makes me feel like I'm floating when I walk. I'm wearing it with a vintage black satin jacket in today's photos, but as I write this, several pieces in my vintage inventory have come to mind, which would give it a different flavor.  Sometimes it takes time to get to know a chapeau!  This tulle beauty is like a fine delicacy waiting for an exceptionally special occasion. Photos By

Sometimes I get a crush on a hat, and wear it several times in succession. That's what happened with this black and white polka dot fabric hat by Toronto milliner David Dunkley HERE.  Like any brief and intense infatuation, I became obsessed with its beauty.  It grabs my attention whenever I walk by the hat room, and it playfully visits my thoughts intermittently throughout the day. When this headwear phenomenon occurs, I become focused on outfit possibilities that harmonize with the hat that holds my attention. This polka dot hat offers versatility, because it can be worn with black and white or

The fabulous Shelley of The Forest City Fashionista HERE from London, Ontario, recently flew into Denver for a visit.  As I've mentioned before on Style Crone, blogger meetups are the most wonderful part of blogging. Friendships with like-minded people are life enhancing and immensely fun. On the first day of Shelley's visit we met up with Daniel in Confluence Park HERE for a photo shoot.  Isn't that what style bloggers do? When bloggers get together, a riot of spontaneous fun and creativity ensues! The weather was perfect and the park provided numerous posing possibilities. Here we are, checking out the scene

Two weeks ago I accompanied Mr. J to Toronto.  He was presenting at a conference on aging, and I went along to enjoy his keynote address and to visit a city that I hadn't experienced before. I also had the pleasure of meeting up with two incredible bloggers that are not only gorgeous and stylish, but fun, creative, bright, witty, warm and interesting.  I had met Shelley of Forest City Fashionista HERE several times in the past, but it was my first time meeting the stunning Suzanne of Suzanne Carillo HERE. Gathering with like-minded people is the best part of blogging,

"Black straw widow pillbox with veil and large pink flower"....Karyn Gingras I was in Toronto for the past five days and returned home last night.  During my visit I found four fabulous milliners/millinery salons/shops/workrooms.  I was very impressed by the talent and skill of the milliners that I discovered and am featuring them on May's Hat Attack. The millinery world is filled with wonderful, bright and fascinating people.  I consider them all international artists and treasures.  Toronto's milliners are no exception.  I was welcomed with open arms and magic was in the air.  I was captivated by their exquisite work,

I love the time of year when the lilacs bloom. The lilac bush in my front garden is in its prime, and every time that I walk by on the way to or from my front door, the air is filled with its intoxicating scent.  I have come to associate the arrival of spring with this fragrance and I fall under its spell. City Park has a lilac garden filled with color and magic. Daniel and I traveled across the street from my home to take in its magnificent beauty.  It's a floral show that I've been witnessing for years

Thank you so much for the heartfelt comments on my last post, some of which brought me to tears. I would not be blogging if it were not for my beautiful readers.  I have known some of you through death and grieving, and blogging provided a support system that I would not have had were it not for Style Crone.  I cherish my blogging relationships, both new readers and those of you that I have known for years, which are an integral part of my life. I thank you from the bottom of my Style Crone heart. Speaking of gratitude,

I've been blogging for almost seven years and as I look back over the weeks, months and years, I am amazed that I have been able to come up with something to write about every week, almost without fail.  However, I do have to admit that there are times when I have experienced blogger fatigue. For me, it surfaces with procrastination, a lack of focus, and a sense of scarcity of energy and interest in composing a post.  Blogging is an integral part of my life, and having emerged from cancer caregiving, death and grief, I feel an intense desire

April's Hat Attack is a collaboration with the talented milliner Amina Marie of Amina Marie Millinery HERE.  This stunning headpiece is a custom-made free form parasisal straw flower.  It is the perfect crowning glory for my vintage cream suit with navy trim and is so much fun to wear. I met Amina on Instagram, and was fascinated with her magnificent designs. I'm thrilled and honored to wear Amina's creation for this month's Hat Attack. About Me by Amina Marie Hood Amina Marie Hood is a milliner and designer based out of Kansas City, Missouri. She creates authentic hats for clients and