Photos by The Style Crone The birthday cape was graced with sequins and beads, so it seemed fitting that its accessories should reflect these decorative details. Fortunately The SC's inventory cooperated and provided the elements to achieve this concept! With this outfit The SC gave herself a gift.
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone adorned herself with a vintage navy wool cape with off white trim embellished with gold sequins and white beads accessorized with a vintage navy velvet hat with round navy sequins for the bittersweet celebration of her 68th birthday. As we left for dinner at our favorite restaurant, I took Nelson's arm and walked down the steps of our front porch with the cloak which reflected his regal nature and his elegant stance even in the worst of times. In his weakened state he sat across from me with his leather Kangol newsboy cap, grey
Photos by The Style Crone Giving the accessories a loving close up!
Photos by Nelson Vintage white fabric hat with horsehair trim/Neusteter's label-consignment shop, vintage pearls and vintage white leather gloves with cutout designs-estate sales, Nicholas K black jacket with short wide sleeves-Buffalo Exchange, worn with black foundation. Nelson and The SC received flowers from a dear friend, so why not create an outfit to complement this lovely gift. Today my focused gaze landed on a chapeau that had been patiently waiting for years for an outing. Didn't that happen in January to another persistent white hat in The Hat Room? This vintage beauty threw itself upon my head, framed my face
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone saw the first crocus of spring today! Time to continue with the 'Bloom Where You're Planted' series with a vintage felt hat with full face veil sprinkled with chenille accents and adorned with feathers. I found this hat during one of my estate sale adventures and it has a special place in the hat room; to be honest, all the hats have an honored place in the hat room. I love the mystery and allure of veils and the movement of feathers, so this chapeau provides a great deal of pleasure on a
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone has been drawn to orange over the past few days and the analysis of this attraction escapes me for now. I have worn the elements of this ensemble in earlier posts, except for the gifted red wool scarf which provides warmth as I am about to dash out into the 'March chill' of this day. This afternoon Nelson and The SC met with his primary nurse and social worker with hospice. We feel as though we now have everything in place and are comfortable with his caregivers who project empathy and competence, which is
Photo by Nelson Vintage orange leather jacket and vintage jewelry-estate sales, black fur felt fedora with fuschia brim-by Guy NYC, fuschia sweater-H&M 10 yrs ago, black/pink striped fabric gloves-street vendor. This morning Nelson and The Style Crone went over paperwork, legal documents, and files together. I took notes in a special journal that has a black fabric cover with a regal gold dragon design. I purchased this journal at an Indian import store years ago and it now becomes clear that it was waiting for this purpose. I can't rely on my memory to work without cues. I know that
Photo by The Style Crone Vintage leopard bracelet on leopard print fabric/50's chair Once The Style Crone gets started on leopard it just won't quit. This all began when fine jewelry designer Wendy Brandes 'let the cat out of the bag' by wearing that beautiful vintage Patrick Kelly leopard print dress! Click HERE to view the inspiration for 'Leopard Week.' Maybe tomorrow I will switch to another motif. To those who have asked through your comments, 'What do you need from us?' I would like to say thank you. You are doing everything we need right now with perfection. All who
Photo by Nelson This afternoon we met with a nurse from hospice to initiate admission and to receive information about services. Nelson decidedly signed all forms presented. Our health care experience has radically shifted in that for the most part we will be seen in our home instead of a medical facility. At times this process feels surreal and our conversations have entered new territory. It's comforting to know that we have a phone number to access an expert at any time, day or night. A safety net has been set in place and I can feel my anxiety decrease
Photo by Nelson Vintage 60's wool jacket with leopard print trim, vintage yellow felt beret, and vintage yellow suede gloves-estate sales; Donald Pliner leopard print ankle boots-consignment store; jeans-Buffalo Exchange. This week has been a bit chaotic, so my plan to wear leopard print in celebration of the Leopard Week pronouncement by Sheila of Ephemera was put on hold. As I've mentioned before, my leopard print inventory is deep, so it's fun to have a reason to play in this direction. I've been in love with leopard for years and my many estate sale adventures over the decades have provided
Photo by Ari Seth Cohen This morning I was surprised and thrilled to discover the above photo of The SC on The Huffington Post. Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style is also a Huffington Post blogger and his article today was titled, 'A Return to Hats.' Click HERE to check out the post! I was honored to be included with such amazing women as #9 of the slide show. Yesterday hospice and today The Huffington Post. Another in the series of 'the agony and the ecstasy.' I will have to say that Nelson had the biggest smile I've seen
Photo by The Style Crone Nelson has been referred to hospice and today everything that I love about our home has become more special, brilliant, intense. Our home was built in 1907 and this stained glass window is located on the landing of the stairs which lead to the upper level of our sanctuary. Every morning and evening, and many times during the day, as we walk up or down the stairs, it greets us with its beauty and colorful splendor. It's as though the space that we have lived in together for so many years is showing itself to
Photos by Nelson Vintage light peach silk satin dressing gown-estate sale, with belt of previous gown as head wrap. The Broadmoor gown series is complete as The Style Crone poses for Nelson. I feel as though I can take flight with this buoyant luxurious fabric which has its own memories in its folds. I would like to envelop/wrap/encircle Nelson in wings of satin and fly away to a glorious place free of dis-ease. Maybe that's what these two days of reprieve have been! The 'Emperor of All Maladies' has been our constant companion for over six years. At times
Photo by Nelson Vintage light peachy pink silk satin dressing gown with powder blue trim and vintage light pink/powder blue silk satin head wrap-estate sales, powder blue heeled sandals-flea market. Nelson and The Style Crone ordered 'breakfast in' on Saturday morning, which was a new experience for us. We have always been practical when traveling and like the adventure of discovering new restaurants. However, our room at the Broadmoor was so beautiful that we wanted to enjoy its splendor and it gave The SC the perfect opportunity to wear yet another gown. Eating breakfast with Nelson in silk satin seemed
Photos by Nelson Vintage black silk chiffon gown with black silk satin lace trimmed slip, vintage black velvet cocktail hat with burnt ostrich feathers, and jewelry-estate sales, minus the subtly transparent fingerless gloves that were inadvertently left at home. And I thought I had packed everything! Nelson and The Style Crone threw caution to the wind as we ventured forth into the world of fine dining. Layers of silk chiffon lead the way as we walked together amidst elegance. A pillow for your back as though it's an every day occurrence? Yes! Jazz band in the background playing sensuously and
Photos by Nelson and The Style Crone Vintage rust silk velvet gown-vintage shop, black silk velvet jacket-flea market, rust silk velvet structured turban-custom made by Jeanne Bjorn. Nelson proclaims that we are in 'the lap of luxury.' We feel nurtured and surrounded by beauty. When we arrived at the Broadmoor late yesterday afternoon, we were surprised by gifts from friends from Kinetic Fitness Studio (Nelson's rowing home) that had lavished us with wine, fruit, flowers, a gift certificate for an elegant restaurant, and a special room in the hotel. The SC expresses her gratitude with silk velvet and a
Photo by Nelson Plum/orange hat-consignment store; vintage 1940's plum wool jacket with fur trim, vintage orange leather gloves, vintage jewelry-estate sales; long black rayon skirt-Camille cast off. Nelson's oncology appointment today was a consultation to determine follow-up details. His blood work values continue to indicate cancer growth and liver dysfunction. The chemo infusion two weeks ago did nothing but cause distress and suffering, so Nelson's decision to discontinue treatment was reinforced. When asked about his symptoms, he described 'itching' as a frequent occurrence. The oncologist asked what seemed to help this side effect of liver impairment and Nelson wryly replied
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone changed hats and gloves and added a vintage gold pin to the turquoise coat for a slightly different look. As I chose the taupe accents, I realized that I could go on for days with different combinations of hats/gloves to play with turquoise. But I won't. For today, the gifted vintage taupe with turquoise trim fur felt hat with bow and estate sale vintage taupe leather gloves accessorize the 80's coat as Nelson captures my eyes though the lens just as he captured my heart so many years ago!
Photo by Nelson Long vintage turquoise wool coat for Auer's-estate sale, vintage turquoise/fuschia/black velvet cone hat and vintage fuschia gloves-estate sales, patent leather boots and belt-yard sales. Today Nelson and The Style Crone decided to spend two days at the end of this week at the historic Broadmoor, a luxury hotel about an hour from home. As I drove to yoga this morning I attempted to identify and name the feeling that I was experiencing. And then it came to me. I was elated! Elated that we're going to have an adventure! Elated that we're going to have a new
Photos by The Style Crone Thank you for the comment regarding The Style Crone's outfit planning process. This practice has been a part of every day for many years. Just as some people love to write, paint, play a musical instrument or sing, I love to express myself by creating outfits. As I wrote in my bio, " I spent most of my career working as a psychiatric nurse in an emergency setting. I also spent a period of time managing the care of people with head and spinal cord injuries. Choosing my outfits, which always included a hat, was