Photos by Nelson Vintage turquoise knit headwear, vintage turquoise/black plastic dangle earring, vintage mustard gloves-estate sales, turquoise/mustard faux pashmina-street vendor, black yoga wear foundation. The Style Crone enjoys putting outfits together that can travel from yoga to activities before or after class. This headwear looks like short turquoise dreadlocks to me, and never fails to bring a smile to my face when it catches my eye in The Hat Room. It stopped me in my tracks yesterday, so I knew that it needed an outing. So I gave it two! Yesterday it went from yoga to lunch at a friend's
Photo by Nelson Long red sweater-TJ Maxx, black/red silk scarf-flea market, patent leather ankle boots and patent leather belt-yard sales, suede/patent leather cap-Nordstrom's Rack, suede gloves-estate sale. Nelson and The Style Crone had a second appointment with Palliative Care this afternoon. It's a relief to talk without restraint about end of life issues. One of the most significant concepts brought forth by the physician is that within our culture we talk openly about birth, but death is not approached in the same manner even though it too is a phase of life. She reassured us that 'just because we talk
Photo by Nelson As you've probably noticed, The Style Crone loves leopard print and the inventory in this category is very deep. A few days ago my gaze fell on these Tony Lama cowboy boots that I had purchased at a consignment shop, and even though I don't usually do western I decided to challenge myself. The boots needed an outfit! Last evening a hose broke in the basement, which presented a bit of a water issue. My first thought was that our home was weeping! However, in the process of bringing order to chaos I spotted this vintage camel
Photo by The Style Crone Vintage silver cupid pin with jewels-gifted by Nelson for Valentine's Day in the 80's Last Thursday Nelson decided to discontinue chemo as the side effects have become too overwhelming to tolerate and his tumor markers continue to soar. Yesterday, on Valentine's Day, another painful medical procedure indicated that his cancer is making itself at home in his body and has no intention of loosening its grasp. He does not want more procedures. He wants to live out his days without brutal interventions and so life will unfold as it will. Nelson is relieved to have
Photos by Nelson On the day before Valentine's Day of 1992 Nelson informed me that he wanted to take me to lunch and would be at my office at noon the next day to pick me up for our date. As I was working in my office on Valentine's Day, I heard the elevator door open. I looked up to see my stunning husband entering my space carrying an elegant silver tray and dressed in a vintage black tuxedo with tails, a white shirt, a vintage black silk bow tie and a black top hat. Displayed on the tray was
Photo by Nelson Vintage leopard print hat and bag and vintage green gloves-estate sales, black tall flat boots with zippers-Century 21, black yoga pants and tunic. It was a beautiful, sunny day not to be wasted, so The Style Crone and Camille were out for errands and yoga. The times are a little rocky, like the magnificent mountains that can be seen on the horizon; the shadows come with the sun. But I can't think of anything more engaging right now than Nelson taking photos of leopard print on a brilliant day in the midst of melting snow.
Close ups of the jewelry from last Friday's date night! Memories.
Photos by The Style Crone Details of The Style Crone's 'What to Wear to Chemo' outfit become perfectly clear in close up. In comparison, my feelings are blurred, out of focus, a soft fog. Confusion reigns as Nelson struggles with extreme fatigue. He has been unable to get out of bed throughout most of the day. Camille was here with us during his effort to eat as his appetite is absent. He was able to communicate his wishes at this point and it is has been painful but I understand his every word and support whatever he decides is best
Photo by Nelson Long dark plum sweater with green/mustard/white floral hand embroidery-NYC flea market, vintage mustard velvet hat and vintage mustard fabric gloves-estate sales, with the foundation of contemporary black boots, pants and turtleneck. 'You present a complicated picture,' are the words from Nelson's oncologist. The PET scan indicates disease progression, which then involves more decisions. Nelson's chemo dose will be increased, but not to the full standard dosage because of concerns about his liver numbers. So poison is the first line of defense, and consultation with specialists and Nelson's wishes will determine the path forward. The options of cut,
Photo by Nelson Recently there have been several highly appreciated questions from readers of Style Crone about wearing hats and hair. As I've mentioned in the past, for many years my hair has been cut for the daily wearing of hats. During the days of the hat shop I wore a just below the chin classic bob, which was a complement to most headwear. At times I would pin my hair to the top of my head prior to placing my chapeau, creating a totally different look. Just before my 50th birthday ( a long time ago I might add)
Photo by Nelson Now this black wool fabric hat trimmed with a brilliant orange flower with a hint of green, when compared to Patricia Underwood's designs, is on the other end of the hat continuum. The Style Crone loves the entire spectrum as hats have the ability to express different moods, attitudes, perspectives, possibilities. This hat is fun and a bit 'tongue in cheek.' I needed a touch of humor after Nelson's PET scan this morning. On the way to the facility before the scan, I was about to take a wrong turn, at which time Nelson asked, "Did your
The hats designed by Patricia Underwood are exquisite. For 35 years she has used the finest materials to create interesting shapes. During the hat shop days in the 80's I loved to go to her showroom to buy for our store. Everything about her studio was enticing and of the highest quality. This black fur felt hat with red suede trim escaped from the hat shop and found a permanent spot in The Style Crone's collection. Which is where it should be! And I do have to confess that I have more of her designs, which I'm sure will make
Photos by Nelson Black fur felt hat with red suede trim-Patricia Underwood from my hat shop in the 80's, vintage leopard print jacket-gifted by Nelson, estate sale jewelry. Date night met all expectations! We left early for a movie to match Nelson's energy level, followed by dinner at a favorite restaurant. It must have been our laughter about memories of the origin of the 60's faux fur leopard print jacket, which Nelson gave The SC for her birthday some time in the 90's, that took us out into the light of the day. As though we didn't have a care
Photos by The Style Crone As we draw closer to the six year anniversary of Nelson's diagnosis, I have been having recollections of important and memorable experiences that we've shared during our journey over these years. During Nelson's remission in 2008 we traveled to Panama and visited a friend who I hadn't seen since graduate school in the early 70's. Reviewing photos from that time, which of course included elephant bell bottoms and maxi dresses, brought much laughter as we reminisced. During the visit we were introduced to the Kuna, an indigenous people of Panama. Nelson and I were sitting
Photo by Style Crone These boots were gifted by a friend who discovered them at a consignment store sale. They were next to nothing, but not her size. Luckily she was aware of The SC's shoe size, she had a suspicion that I would love them as much as she did, and she knew that I would do the same for her. Priceless friendship is the only reason that I have a pair of Prada boots in my shoe inventory.
Photo by Nelson Time to bring out the vintage black/white herringbone cape with rhinestone buttons, black velvet collar and red satin lining and top it off with a vintage black velvet beret to greet the freezing cold day. These items, along with the vintage black long fabric gloves were 'finds' at estate sales over the years. The Style Crone finished off the outfit with gifted tall black heeled boots. Capes are great for covering any number of layers during the bitter cold weather and have the additional ability to make dramatic sweeping entrances. And since the definition of caper is
Photos by Daniel N This 'rasta blue headwear' was a holiday gift from Nelson (he knows a hat would make me happy?) which just happened to flow with a sweater that had been in 'one' of The SC's closets for years. With the neutral navy as a foundation, this outfit was waiting in the wings for Date Night this past Friday. Maybe it will make its public appearance this week! As this ensemble lies in waiting, The SC reflects on the intensity of the past week. I remember the unease and apprehension we felt as we prepared for chemo on
Photo by The Style Crone One spot at one point in time in The Hat Room.
Photo by The Style Crone Nelson has loved rowing on the Concept2 Rowing Machine for about 26 years and for much of that time he rowed competitively. During the time of his remission, in 2007 he participated in the international competition held in Boston and became certified as a rowing instructor in 2008. He has been on the staff at the Kinetic Fitness Studio since that time; the staff photo on the left was taken in 2008 before his disease recurred. The studio club owner honored Nelson by creating 'The Boyd Row House' and the members are very supportive and
Photos by The Style Crone The Style Crone had her outfit ready for Date Night, but it was not to be. Nelson was in a state of fatigue before his chemo infusion, so the side effects have been extremely intense for him. Watching him suffer is a blanket of sorrow. Few words are exchanged as he needs all of his resources go get through this time that feels endless. The best that I can do is be here in silence. Our home, our sanctuary, feels heavy and time seems aimlessly slow. As Nelson slept, the SC picked up her camera