Spring brings new beginnings and new life after the dormancy of winter.  Color is everywhere, as The SC is embraced by the flowering tree a block from home. Spring is about movement.  The gifted high-waisted black with gold threads circle skirt by Camille's talented friend Tess of 50 Dresses HERE can be tossed about and twirled, creating dramatic patterns with its energy. Yards of fabric take up space around me.  I feel moved by the skirt's drapes and folds, and how it envelops me with its volume. April marks the third anniversary of Nelson's death.  Feelings of sadness move through me,

The SC and Mr. J drove to New Mexico from Denver for a short getaway.  Often referred to as the land of enchantment, our stay in Santa Fe lived up to its reputation. Spring was well on its way, evidenced by flowering fruit trees along our path. Sculptures and a vast variety of art greeted us from all directions.  The food was influenced by many cultures and the people friendly and interesting.  It was well worth the six hour drive to reach this nurturing destination. Hat by Erin Saboe of Denver and orange jacket discovered at a Santa Fe boutique,

Who knew?  At the end of October 2013 I met a man who over time captured my heart.  After six and one half years of cancer caregiving and two and one half years of grieving, I thought that the romantic part of my life was a thing of the past. I found that it was only sleeping and that there are no age limitations on the opening of one's heart. Nelson would wholeheartedly approve.  After all, it was his unconditional love for me that resides in my every cell, and that will never leave me, that was available to be

Cocktail hat.  Headpiece.  Fascinator.  Terms dear to my heart!  Today my vintage headpiece is composed of feathers and silk veiling.  Years ago it was discovered in a vintage shop in Cambridge, which is sadly no longer open.  I entered the store with a friend, and there it was perched on the wall, calling to me.  I found it irresistible. It's been with me ever since.  The pink and chartreuse color combination greets me daily from the hat room. The top of the headpiece reveals the artistry of the milliner. Sometimes I wear the feathers, which resemble a blooming flower, on

Going out to dinner is like going to the theatre.  It's about the food and its presentation, but so much more. The other patrons.  The servers and staff.  The space that contains the restaurant.  The decor that is the set.  The conversations.  It stimulates the senses! I love to build an outfit to participate in this intimate community experience.  It allows me to wear whatever catches my eye and gives life to my creativity. My rule of thumb has been that if a piece can be worn once in 20 years, it's a keeper. I'd better get busy, because in

The SC transitioned to 71 over this past weekend.  Last year I threw a huge party to celebrate the age of 70. This year I hung out on the other end of the continuum, with a quiet embrace of the march of time.  Contemplation has its benefits. I've worn this estate sale vintage cape on special occasions that I remember as though they were yesterday.  I love that it takes up space, and that it demands a basic background of navy booties, leggings, vintage pencil skirt and turtleneck.  Vintage suede gloves reflecting the color of its off-white trim ensure the

This week The SC found herself under the influence once again.  The "pattern mixers" within the blogging community have inspired me with their talents and creative powers. I consider myself in the class of Pattern Mixing 101.  But somehow my eye has been changed by years of observing photos of those who teach the Master Classes.  These artists have encouraged me to experiment, if only minimally, and begin to play in a way that I wouldn't have thought of before I began blogging. As I was putting together an outfit around this vintage estate sale wool coat dress with subtle

 Royal Blue, I'm not done with you yet!  I feel more alive when under your spell. Royal blue vintage felt hat with fringed brim and feather purchased at Fabulous Fanny's HERE during the hat shopping spree with  the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas HERE.  Pieces accessorizing the hat are vintage estate sale treasures discovered over the years.  The scarf was tossed about with no plan! Photos by Daniel N As always, lighting is everything.  Blue becomes electric when exposed to filtered light through sheers! Now it's your turn! Please display your hat, headwrap, headpiece, fascinator, hair flower, headband or other adornment for your head

This week my hairdryer stopped working after years of service, so a trip to Target was on the agenda.  It wasn't long after I began roaming the aisles of the superstore that I spotted this blue and black striped maxi skirt.  At the moment of discovery two bloggers popped into my thoughts.  Jean of Dross Into Gold HERE, who has featured a gorgeous black and white striped maxi and Jan of Fort Smith Stylista HERE who describes her Target shopping experiences in exquisite and delightful detail. How could I resist?  The influence of other bloggers in my orbit manifested itself

The SC traveled with a friend to Coronado Island HERE, across the Big Bay from San Diego, California, for a weekend reprieve from the Colorado cold. There's nothing like relaxing on the spacious grounds of the magnificent Hotel del Coronado to remind me that every moment is precious, that life can turn on a dime in a good way and that a leopard print turban can be enjoyed in any location.  Wearing a black background and adorning with color is my strategy for traveling with carry-on only. The beach, the Pacific Ocean and palm trees were a wonder to behold

Last week was Diana's 60th birthday, and has become the tradition HERE in my orbit of friends, a croning ceremony took place as part of her celebration.  In honor of this glorious transition, The SC chose to wear the Lisogorsky elevated crone crown, which was purchased in NYC while hat shopping with the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas HERE. The multicolored draped velvet chapeau immediately sparked a 'hat attack.'  I know when I've been smitten by the beauty of headwear, and in this case I couldn't possibly leave the shop without this hat in my possession.  Every angle has its charm and distinctive appeal. I

Hat Attack #7 inspired The SC to wear a hat by Patricia Underwood HERE, which was brought home to the hat room from my hat shop of the 80's.  Ms. Underwood names her hats and the T.S. Elliot has a presence that has held my attention since the moment I laid eyes on its many charms.  I am of the opinion that Patricia Underwood's hats are some of the finest in the world. I adore the shape and the space that it assertively inhabits, making a statement that is difficult to ignore.  This hat is an extrovert, announces itself from

Now that The SC is back home in Denver and 2014 is well established, I've been thinking about my goals in life and how to accomplish them.  What do I truly want to focus on that will make each day meaningful and closest to what I desire.  What do I desire? As I contemplated this question, my outfit for the day began to evolve.  The Guess faux fur-trimmed jacket that I purchased at Off Broadway Boutique HERE, just a few steps from where I was staying with my friend in NY, seemed to fit for a day which included newly

  After visiting Sue Kreitzman's magical studio and apartment, we gathered at the Rubin Museum HERE Cafe for fun and frivolity, and the privilege of meeting the fabulous blogger from London, Alyson Walsh (on the right) of That's Not My Age HERE.  Blogger Carol Markel of Femme et Fleur HERE smiles brightly in the center! Along with Sue Kreitzman, who was leaving for her London home the next morning, we toasted to the celebratory gathering of Wild Old Women (Sue's term) and had a bite to eat, along with libations. Meeting Alyson was a memorable occasion.  I've been enamored with

Photo by Carol Markel of Femme et Fleur HERE The SC was thrilled beyond words to accompany Carol Markel and Richard Cramer to Sue Kreitzman's HERE studio and home in the Washington Heights area of NYC on a rainy day, which did nothing to decrease the absolute joy and exhilaration that I felt when I entered Sue's magical world of color and creativity.  For the occasion I wore Denise, the hat that I purchased from Carol Markel at her studio earlier in the week. Denise fit right in with the color that surrounded her on this day of her debut.

Several months ago The SC became enthralled with a post that Carol Markel, milliner, artist and blogger extraordinaire published on her blog Femme et Fleur HERE, which previewed her new hats.  I couldn't take my eyes off of her remarkable manikin heads, and sent Carol a message asking if they were for sale.  I was excited that her answer was "yes," and during my trip to NYC, I purchased one of her manikins from the lovely line-up above.  There are some pieces of art that are irresistible! Carol designed this hat shop in a box, and when opened, displays  a thrilling

The SC made the decision to spontaneously travel to NYC to finish off 2013 with a spectacular adventure.  A message to myself that life is precious and delicious, and to visit the city of dreams because I longed for its energy, its people and the endless opportunities to delight the senses. I had the privilege of hat shopping with Jean and Valerie of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas, who exquisitely blogged about our time together HERE. Their ability to describe experiences has me feeling as though I'm repeating every detail of this event again in real-time. Who better to hang out with

Happy New Year to all, with love from The Style Crone. The SC prefers feathers to a face lift. Valerie of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas HERE spotted this hat in a photo of the hat room several months ago, and because of her comments, I decided to start out 2014 with a continuation of my feather 'faze,' and honor the long burnt ostrich allure of this Adolfo II vintage estate sale find.  It had never been worn, with its tag from the 1980's hanging from its splendor.  Thank you Valerie, for the inspiration!  Black and white hat in black and white,

The SC enjoys wearing as much 'resplendent red' as is humanly possible during the holidays. Instead of decorating my home this season, except for a bright fuchsia bow (from the scarf installation) on the front door and a poinsettia in the living room sitting on the round deco blue glass covered table, I've been decorating myself.  In the spirit of experimentation, I wanted to focus on spending time with friends and family, so that's where I directed my energy this year.  However, I have been admiring the glorious decorations and environments created by the beautiful Tameras of Tamera Beardsley HERE

The SC has a friend that is an ardent Bob Dylan fan and has chosen the artist's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" from the Blonde on Blonde album as his ringtone.  Inspiration can come from anywhere, and this outfit was composed after noticing and taking delight in the sound of an incoming call. The leather jacket has been hanging in my closet for over four years after I purchased it on sale at TJ Maxx.  It was the day that my friend and hat shop business partner died, and I was out with a friend, in the dazed state that occurs after loss, randomly