As I reflect on the party and the past year of renovation, I feel a touch of disorientation.  I was so focused on one point in time, and now I feel adrift or unsettled.  It's not that I don't have things to do. Although I had promised myself to sort through everything I owned, I wasn't able to complete the magnitude of that task. Time ran out as other projects took priority.  And I have designated this summer to be the season of the garden, which needs its own renovation.  And the headwrap project is waiting for my attention. But

Camille gave The SC the gift of photos by her friend Charli White HERE, a talented photographer who documented the first half of the event.  It's difficult to choose the images that  I love the most, but I'll give it a try, starting on the front porch as the party began. Who is Diana?  Now you know, as she allows a reveal, radiating in all her glory on the staircase, dressed to the nines and ready for a party.  Diana makes blogging a less solitary endeavor; without her weekly visits and our photo sessions over the past year, that bring

Photo by Sally My party was all that I could have hoped for as I danced through the evening with feathers and 30's silk chiffon, surrounded by friend old and new.  I have so much to integrate as I continue to visit with friends who came from out of town and gaze with wonder at completed projects in my home.  Having a goal was what I needed to catapult myself into a new decade. I have no idea who took this photo, which I received from Camille the day after the party.  She has a 'sparkle' on her forehead, placed

Time is flying by as I enter the week of my celebration and the opening of my home.  My hat provides the elevation that is symbolic of how I feel.  One of the magical qualities of hats is that they sometimes indicate one's state of mind before that awareness becomes conscious. It feels as though an energy has entered my body that has a life of its own.  All focused temporarily on one goal with little room for other parts of my life, as now it's all about the details. I will be taking a break from blogging until after

To celebrate the much needed snow, which provided moisture to relieve our dry winter, I wore black velvet, accessorized by a vintage lace apron that was found in a box during my excavation.  There have been many treasures that have revealed themselves over the past months, and within two weeks (I have promised myself) I will have gone through everything in my inventory.  But today it was time to take a few minutes to play in the snow. Without the help of dear and generous friends, Camille and the two young women from the Art Institute of Colorado, I would

A swirl of activity escalates as I check off the items on my long to-do list.  Just as I put together a renovation ensemble last summer, now is the time for errand outfits. This is one of the compositions that's been rushing around the city this week.  Not nearly as glamorous as Vix of the Vintage Vixen's outfit HERE ,which she wore as she shopped for wine a few days ago. The SC has been eyeing this metal structure in my neighbors' back yard for some time, thinking it could serve as a great background for photos.  Today my request for access was

The SC  has been swept away by the projects that are in process which will complete, at least for now, her home renovations.  This festive broom was found during a visit to Tuesday Morning, a shopping experience that can feel like an estate sale with its unpredictable selection of items that are at times extremely inexpensive but of high quality (if I get lucky).  A polka dot broom?  Not only is it inspiration for an outfit, but my broom of many years came to its demise two weeks ago (a much smaller version of my furnace and car).  It was

The SC has been undertaking her own personal excavation over the past month.  I'm finally to the point of going through every item in my inventory, and choosing whether a piece stays or goes.  I seldom look back on previous posts and enjoy the process of moving forward.  However, in preparation for this post I recalled that last year at this time I was going through Nelson's belongings HERE.  It took a year to get serious about my own. It must be something about this time of year that encourages new beginnings.  After the holidays. After the beginning of the

"Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."  ...Carl Sandburg I've been thinking a lot about time recently, as my 70th birthday approaches in March.  "Decade" birthdays have always brought new revelations and insights, related to the passages of life.  My thoughts about aging are much different now than those that I entertained 10, 20, 30 years ago. I decided to break the coins down in numbers to give me a feel for

In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday, The SC attended a play with dear friends at the Vintage Theatre.  A remarkable one man show, RFK HERE was directed by Terry Dodd, a friend of many years.  For the occasion, I chose to wear the helmet collage cloche designed and created by the talented and gorgeous artist/milliner/blogger Carol Markel of Femme et Fleur HERE.  I purchased this beauty from Carol during my last trip to NYC and it has been calling to me ever since. Because of the many vibrant colors in this hat, it was fun to pull just

The passing of the holidays appears to have released palpable energy and I find myself motivated to finish organizing my home, which I would do in one day if humanly possible.  I have enlisted the help of two young and vibrant students from the Art Institute of Colorado who have brought new life to my projects. I hear them laughing together in a room close by and it makes me smile as I receive the effects of playful enthusiasm.  After they leave I find little gifts of creative display in the rooms where they worked their magic.  How can I

On the veranda in the winter in the midst of a cold snap, The SC ponders the similarities of physical and emotional healing, as relating to my recent fall and rib injury and the experience of loss.  The initial shock of disbelief and numbed emotions, but then the realization of pain.  Learning how to move in the world and navigate with certain limitations.  Slowly going with the process and plateaus of recovery, fearing that it will never change and allow life to return to full range of motion.  An awareness of uncertainty and vulnerability, and the ability to choose a

The SC was thrilled to spend New Year's Eve with Jean of Dross Into Gold HERE and her multi-talented husband Joey HERE.  Jean informed me several months ago that Joey would be traveling from Atlanta to perform in Denver, so I immediately put it on my schedule and when the evening arrived, I was totally enthralled with the jazz performance that entertained for hours. Joey's red trumpet dazzled on stage, as did the friendly and vibrant crowd and the energy in the room. Toasting with champagne at midnight brought an end to a New Year's Eve to remember always. It

I fell in the park the day before the Winter Solstice.  A hidden patch of ice under the newly fallen snow captured my osteoporotic bones, and I rolled into a bundled ball to the ground beneath my feet.  I instantly felt a dull pain in my right rib area.  Slowly I got up, relieved that I hadn't fractured a hip or something equally horrifying.  The discomfort from my fall did not stop me from walking home, but I had not totally escaped injury. Early the next morning I was off to yoga and grateful that I was able to complete

Snow fell to greet the holiday season just in time for the Winter Solstice. The sun in the back garden announced the possibilities of the light soon to come. Tis the season of boots and gloves and all things warm and comforting. Happy Holidays and special greetings, however you celebrate or spend time this season, to all who follow and comment on SC.  I am grateful for the radiance that you bring to my life.

At a recent estate sale The SC stumbled upon this double layered tulle maxi skirt with large silver sequins and immediately stopped in her tracks.  Tulle has been worn by many bloggers over the past several months and to try to list them all in their glory would involve relying on my memory, which can be risky.  Because of the inspiration of the multiple interpretations of tulle wearing, I captured this piece and took it home to give it new life at a holiday party.  Blogging provides ideas that otherwise wouldn't have crossed my mind! The antique bookcase on the

Blue/mustard multicolored garment embellished with beads and rhinestones - yard sale, vintage mustard knit hat with gold sequins and vintage long blue gloves - estate sales, black suede booties - consignment store, earrings- gifted, all on black background. Decorating for the holidays is a minimalist activity this year.  A poinsettia and perhaps I will throw some jewelry on a small faux tree that I acquired by trading with a hat two years ago.  I intend to simplify. The most important part of the holidays for The SC is to spend time with the people I love and focus on the

The gifted vintage off-white cashmere belted coat made the downsizing cut. Vintage fur felt sculptured cloche with felt band and bow by Warcelle Agrellet/Paris purchased at Fabulous Fanny's, NY. Vintage blue gloves and earrings and vintage silk patterned scarf - estate sales, my favorite and frequently worn black ruched jeans, and black suede heeled boots which have been in my closet for 20 years.  The upholstered armless chair with fringe was discovered at an estate sale over 20 years ago. Photos by Rachel On a recent Friday evening my friend Susan Wick HERE had an art show in her home,

Photos by Camille. The sleeve. Back of jacket. Sometimes the days before a holiday are more intense than the day itself.  The SC found Thanksgiving to be festive, with 12 for dinner and friends stopping by in the evening.  Laughing, eating, drinking, telling stories, my infamous chocolate cake devoured by all. Perhaps it was the outfit that I wore that hadn't been seen seen since a party in the 70's that brightened my day. I came upon it in a closet that I've been exploring, tucked away for safekeeping along with other memorable garments.  It had been gifted by Nelson

Photos by Rachel. On the veranda in vintage orange belted coat - gifted, vintage brown hat that's received a lot of play lately - Manhattan vintage show, vintage brown suede gloves and brown turtleneck tunic - estate sales, vintage tall suede wedge Pucci boots - consignment store, brown leggings - retail. This vintage brooch was gifted by a friend who discovered it at an estate sale.  It has a special place amidst my collection.  On November 21st I'm linking up with 'Une femme d'un certain age' in response to Pse's call out to share our favorite beauties HERE, as we celebrate