The vintage scarf with double-faced fabric was perfect for a headwrap with just the right texture, shape retention and flexibility without stiffness to tie once and tuck within its own folds.  I enjoy the process of wrapping and how the end result changes every time, and presents a unique perspective at every angle.  This scarf provides multiple possibilities, with only creativity as the guide for the 'wrap of the moment.' Photos by Camille Vintage double-faced scarf for headwrap - gifted,  70's estate sale rust fringed semi-sheer top over black tank top,  cropped skinny jeans - Buffalo Exchange, vintage Troylings peep

Photo by Diana The Maeve Carr white straw hat gets its first outing in years accompanied by an estate sale vintage multicolored Malia of Honolulu maxi dress with vintage bangles and earrings, and grounded by the orange patent leather peep toe pumps that have been a SC favorite for several summers. Things are looking up.  It's been raining off and on for three days and the temperature has dropped significantly.  In fact, it's raining softly as I create this post. The raging fires are close to containment, leaving much damage and loss in their wake.  A collective exhale can be

  The room where I store my hats is complete.  It's been painted in a metallic rose with white trim, a shimmery background for the white straw Maeve Carr hat with asymmetry and folds from the hat shop in the 80's.  The first hat to enter the room called for a solo show without occupation. The hardwood floors have been redone.  The bedrooms upstairs, representative of  the Denver Square floor plan of 1907, have received much needed paint.  Tomorrow I can start moving the hats from the dining room and the clothing on racks in the living room into their

The vintage yellow wide brimmed straw hat with scarf providing shade for The SC in the rose garden. The Charles David platform flip-flops are a frequent companion as locating most of my summer shoes in the chaos of renovation has become a difficult task.  It will feel like I have an entirely new shoe wardrobe when this transition is complete. Multicolored cotton shawl - flea market, yellow beads and multicolored bracelets - estate sales, black tank maxi dress - yoga studio. Photos by Diana I love wide brimmed hats, but wear them infrequently.  I tend to go vertical in my

A dear friend's birthday party presented the opportunity to create an ensemble, which was then accessorized by trees in City Park (or rather, The SC was an accessory to the majestic trees).  The blue straw fabric hat with delicate blue feather and rhinestone trim has had a perch in the hat room since the days of the hat shop in the 80's.  The designer is Joan Carney, who was from NY and worked out of our shop as a milliner for a period of time.  I am trying to track her down, and I may have found her.  I will

The SC would not miss the appearance of the legendary Jimmy Cliff, who is making a much appreciated comeback, at the historic Ogden Theatre just a few blocks from my home.  According to the review in The Denver Post, I wasn't the only one who thought this was an event not to be missed HERE.  At the age of 64 he owned the stage with his mastery of reggae, dance and stage presence.  Talk about aging with style and creativity! Knowing that Nelson would have been there with me if he were here and feeling good, I wore his knit

The Advanced Style Book is out HERE and the excitement about Ari Seth Cohen's fabulous creation continues to build. It's a true celebration of older women and their love of life and style, with a vibrant diversity of self expression on every page.  It came out two days before my mother's 92nd birthday, and she received it just in time.  How wonderful that she could lay her eyes upon her peers; how special that she could revel in the visual beauty of aging, even though her eyesight has been affected by macular degeneration.  How exciting that this book is available

Photos by Diana The SC has limitless work to do in the garden, which has been neglected for several years.  I managed to do the bare minimum last year, but now I've become aware that it needs my attention as much as my home does.  It must be part of 'waking up.'  In an attempt to show my garden some love as I strolled through its pathways and small patios, I donned a luxurious 1940's burgundy silk satin dressing gown, vintage jewels and vintage burgundy heeled sandals. I wanted to accessorize the ensemble with a headwrap, but none of my

Photos by Diana Vintage from head to toe - all pieces from estate sales: black 1960's straw hat with bow and veil, black jet earrings, orange silk rose, sheer nylon gloves, black 1970's lace dress over black 1940's silk satin slip with lace trim, black suede heeled sandals. The SC's friend Diana, who has generously been taking my photos, requested a rose delivery for her friend whose father recently transitioned at the nursing home a block from my home.  His memorial service was held in the morning at the facility where he had been a resident, and the presentation was

Photos by Camille Out of necessity The SC stumbled upon a renovation outfit.  Locating pieces in my memory bank became chaotic as my closets are on racks on the first floor, allowing the upstairs hardwood floors to be refinished and the rooms/closets to be painted.  I needed something simple and comfortable that I could change up on a moment's notice and that I could grab off a surface at the foot of my bed as I approached the day. Several months ago for the purpose of travel I purchased, at my yoga studio, this combination of black layering pieces made

The SC began her day with meditation and yoga, preparing for anything that what might come her way. This was the day that N's office was painted, after years of attempting to avoid the use of any form of what could be perceived as a noxious substance in the house during the time of his illness.  The colors had been carefully chosen with the help of a dear friend, and the prep work was complete.  Time to walk up the stairs, turn to the left and gaze into a different reality.  I wasn't  prepared for my internal lack of balance

The SC sends virtual rose deliveries to the fabulous bloggers Shelley of Forest City Fashionista HERE and Rosemary of Forever on the Catwalk of Life HERE for honoring myself and others with the Blogger Appreciation Award.  Thank you from the bottom of my SC heart. The responsibilities of the recipient of this award are:      1)  Thank the person who nominated you by linking to her/his blog.      2)  Answer the four questions below.      3)  Award the Blogger Appreciation Award to fellow bloggers.      4)  Let the blogger know that you have nominated them. THE FOUR QUESTIONS: 1)

Surrounded by flowers a block from my home. Down the block under a canopy of trees. Amidst mottled shadows by the white fence on the corner of my block. Across the street and a few steps from my home. Photos by Diana. The cone hat with multicolored blue swirling straw fabric folds. The vintage cone hat, vintage blue pin and earrings, and vintage cream colored fabric gloves - estate sales, vintage powder blue suit - vintage shop, cream colored leather peep toe pumps - purchased retail 1996. The cone hat is a sculpture of multicolored blue splendor and had been

Photos by Diana Close-up of the hat! Sheer orange/purple scarf - purchased in Mexico;  vintage orange beaded pillbox, vintage earrings, vintage umbrella - estate sales, black sleeveless dress with asymmetrical hemline - boutique on Colfax now closed, orange peep toe pumps - summer retail sale years ago, all on black background. The SC wore this outfit dominated by orange to a friend's 60th birthday party and out into the rain, requiring an umbrella.  I live in a climate that seldom allows me to play with this accessory, so I took full advantage of my vintage umbrella inventory.  Looking for the

Photo by Camille Vintage Gano-Downs Denver patterned white/black long spring jacket -yard sale, vintage black velvet pillbox, vintage long black gloves, vintage red/white/black bangles and earrings - estate sales, black knit leggings- gifted, black suede heeled boots from the '90's, and a touch of red lipstick. Tess and Camille Photo by The SC On Mother's Day Eve Camille and The SC dashed off into the chill of the rainy May evening to attend the studio opening of 50 Dresses HERE , the new dress designing home of Camille's dear friend Tess. Camille and Tess grew up together dancing  at the Cleo

The SC stands in front of the new fence in the garden. Flaunting crone hands with cuff in floral ground cover. Photos by Diana Cuff by Debra Rapoport HERE, multi-colored patterned silk wraparound skirt with turquoise lining - NYC street vendor, silk hat - flea market, vintage silk turquoise jacket - estate sale, black/turquoise shoes - Buffalo Exchange, and black obi from deep within my closet. The first phase of the partial renovation of my home and garden involved the replacement of my backyard fence.  As I  watched the destruction and the disappearance of the old fence as it left

  Almost every day I drive by the murals across the street from the middle school that Camille attended years ago and they always draw my attention.  The SC became carried away with each powerful and colorful expression of art and decided to show them all.  I wanted to display the two street vendor totes from my trips to Mexico City and NYC, and threw in the orange fabric hat from my journey to Minnesota.  I'm wearing my trips as accessories, which goes to show that accessories have the ability to speak for themselves. Photos by Diana who risked her

Photo of Debra Rapoport by Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style HERE Cuff created by Debra Rapoport Photo of Susan Wick by The SC  Painting on paper bag by Susan Wick The SC wearing an industrial felt hat created by Debra Rapoport The SC met Debra Rapoport in NY in November of 2010.  Debra has been regularly featured and has a page on Advanced Style HERE, Ari Seth Cohen's blog about people aging with style, dignity and enthusiasm. Debra, the generous connector, introduced me to her friend of many years who lives in Denver, artist Susan Wick HERE.  I admire the friendship

Photos by Diana A close up of the Francois! Vintage Francois multicolored fur felt fedora - consignment shop, vintage gloves, vintage YSL pumps, vintage jewels and vintage black wool jacket - estate sales, and the black ruched jeans that have been my uniform for the season. The SC once again wears the outfit that she wore at the YSL exhibit (details were vague under the pink bow) and it may be the last felt hat before the spring/summer hats begin their appearance on a regular basis.  As long as the weather is chilly, felt is the favored option, even though

Photo by Jackie The week prior to the anniversary The SC landed beneath the pink bow at The Denver Art Museum for the Yves Saint Laurent Exhibit HERE, along with dear friends Linda, Jeanne and Jackie (who came in from NYC).  Showing in Paris, Madrid and Denver, the show was a spellbinding display of beauty.  The designs, the colors, the hats, the history!  We were entranced for hours as we slowly walked through the many rooms of the exhibit, only to end up in a space which consisted of a presentation of tuxedos from floor to ceiling facing a long