Photo by Nelson (as seen in mirror) Vintage 60's pink faux fur trimmed jacket-NYC flea market; 60's pink earrings, pink/green vintage silk scarf and pink vintage gloves-estate sales; brown ankle boots-gifted; brown crocheted hat-Xeino; and outfit foundation of jeans and brown turtleneck. After over two months without chemo because of his elevated liver lab values, Nelson is back in the 'chair' with the usual sounds in the 'not so back' background.  The most obvious is the rhythmic and persistent sound of the pump which is a component of the delivery system that transports the chemicals into Nelson's port directly into

Photo by Daniel N The 60's dominates The Style Crone's outfit with a gifted burgundy hat, vintage shop grey/burgundy cardigan, and estate sale navy jacket.  The outfit is completed with estate sale vintage grey gloves and a NYC street vendor faux fur stole.  Navy turtle neck, pants and boots are contemporary pieces which provide the foundation for this vintage display.  For years I've enjoyed combining clothing from decades past with modern garments.  Connecting the past with the present is like putting together a puzzle, and finding the right components is my daily meditation.  This puzzle is one that The SC

Photo by Nelson Another outing for the hat that hadn't been worn for 20 years.  'Clutch Pearls!'  The vintage hat joins a pair of vintage black/white gloves for play, along with vintage pearls galore and a black vintage jacket with velvet trim.   This hat is having so much fun that it may never want to return to its box!  Having fun and living outside the box sounds perfect to The Style Crone.

Photos by Nelson It becomes more difficult to go out in the evening as Nelson fatigues as the day progresses.  We've been going out on Friday nights since 1977 and we're not about to give up on it 'at the drop of a hat.' We went to a new restaurant that I discovered when I was parking for yoga last week.  We love trying new places and it didn't disappoint.  Restaurants are like theatre: the atmosphere and decor of the space, the other patrons, the staff, and the food.  It is a riot for the senses. For the occasion I

Photo by Nelson A comment from a reader asked, 'What do you wear if you have errands after yoga?"  The above photo is an example of The Style Crone's answer to the question. Layers, layers, layers!  My formula is hats, scarves, and boots!  In the winter I always wear a knit hat, which can be cleaned, along with one or two scarves chosen haphazardly from my winter scarf inventory.  I throw on any number of casual jackets/coats and I have a collection of boots that fall into the 'worn' or casual category, and off I go! My yoga ensemble is

Photo by The Style Crone The Style Crone drew an analogy this morning with an accessory collage and the full range of feelings that occur during any situation in life.  This seems to be intensely true during a crisis.  Sometimes I would rather protect Nelson than express anything negative such as anger, sadness, or engage in a conflict.  But as I think about it, suppressing the so-called negative also inhibits the positive.   An emotional collage is the expression of life, and whatever comes up always passes through.  Perhaps all emotions are really neutral.  Easier said than done, but I'm

Photo by Nelson Leopard print fur felt hat with large brown ribbon trim-Go Go Chapeaux, vintage cashmere camel jacket-yard sale, vintage jewelry, brown suede gloves and silk scarf-estate sales, brown ankle boots-gifted. The appointment today was with the Palliative Care Department, which felt like a 'camel and brown' day.  We were referred when Nelson was in the hospital and it seemed like a good idea to us because their expertise includes symptom management and coordination of care.  And hopefully  a little bit of advocacy on the side!!! We don't need help right now, but we wanted to be able to

Late last week The Style Crone and Camille were honored to hear Carlotta Walls LaNier speak about her life, her place in history as the youngest of the "Little Rock Nine,"  and her book A Mighty Long Way. As stated in her introduction, "Her Journey began in 1957 when she was 14 years old and entering her freshman year in high school. Three years previously the Supreme Court had outlawed segregation in public education in the famous decision Brown vs. the Board of Education. Attempts to desegregate the schools had been sparse and often unsuccessful until `1957.  When Carlotta and her

Photos by The Style Crone The Style Crone had the pleasure of a visit by a dear friend (world traveler, entrepreneur, writer and more) who presented her with a gift of a bag full of vintage jewelry.  The above watches were included in this amazing grouping of treasures.  Life can turn on a dime in so many areas, and suddenly I have the beginnings of a 'watch collection.'  Who knew?  Another focus area to build an outfit around, and the green ring watch is especially fascinating!  And the black/white cube watch has a different quirky design on each of its

Photos by Nelson Vintage '60's jacket with large leopard print collar, green vintage gloves and black fabric beret-estate sales, Donna Karan boots, black ruched jeans-Gabriela Designs Denver. The Style Crone has to say that I really don't know how we pulled this off.  Nelson was not feeling well today with symptoms that were very uncomfortable and I will have to say a bit scary..  But we have to eat and he wanted to take me out to one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants, City O' City.  The people watching is fab!  We love intergenerational energy, and there is a lot

Photo by Nelson Vintage coat and gloves-estate sales, multicolored scarf-Bryant Park holiday shop, hat-NYC street vendor. Today was the first day this week without medical appointments.  Nelson and The Style Crone rushed out the door into the beautiful day before us to soak up the sun and breathe.  It's a much different day when we don't have to walk into a medical environment and be surrounded by the drama of chronic disease and its accessories.  A freedom that we used to take for granted and didn't think about  for a second!  Now a day without contact with the 'medical world'

Photo by The Style Crone The boots from yesterday accompanied Nelson and The Style Crone to an oncology appointment today sans chemo.  It appears to be the week of many appointments and these boots were made for walking!

Photo by Nelson Amy Downs black/white hat, yoga pants and tunic, black/white hand painted boots-vintage shop close out, jewelry-estate sales. Today Nelson had a liver biopsy to determine the cause of his elevated liver enzymes which have prevented him from receiving chemo for about two months.  The Style Crone's outfit is her armor as we leave home with a sense of internal crumbling, like the brick front steps of our home which are deteriorating due to lack of attention.  Over the past six years our priorities have not included home repairs.  Even corrective clothing cannot conceal my waning sense of

Photo by Camille Sarah Cant Pink structured fur felt hat with velvet trim-The Hat Shop, black Yves Saint Laurent sleeveless turtleneck-consignment store, vintage pin/earrings-estate sale, black Carolina Amato fingerless gloves-The SC's hat shop inventory in the '80's, black ruched jeans-Gabriela Designs Denver, black heels-consignment store. The Style Crone had been storing this hat in it's hat box in the hat room for several years.  It was waiting for the perfect occasion and Camille's birthday party was the ideal celebration for this chapeau's debut.  As usual, I planned the entire outfit around the ornament on my head and the entire ensemble

Photo by Nikki We threw a party at Sienna Wine Bar for Camille in celebration of her forthcoming birthday and her return to Denver. The house was packed with many dear friends, the music was divine, and dancing was included in the frivolity.  It was a sweet spot in time in an intimate and elegant space and Camille and The SC are showing Nelson a little love and devotion. Camille was beautiful and radiant, inside and out, in a dress designed by her friend Tess of 50 Dresses, and there were many vibrant and festive outfits in the room.  It

Photo by The Style Crone These are the jewels which adorned the 'Drama Crone' outfit a few days ago.  The earrings were found at an estate sale years ago and the pin was a birthday gift from Camille when she was about seven years old.  Her father took her to one of my favorite vintage stores and she picked this out from which I'm sure was a huge selection.  I have cherished this precious and brilliant ornament since the day I received it about 23 years ago!  Call me sentimental!

Photo by Nelson Vintage grey/white striped coat and vintage fuschia gloves-estate sales, vintage black fabric structured hat-vintage store, long fuschia scarf-street vendor. This vintage 60's wool coat has a dramatic shawl collar which frames the face and is perfect for the theatre, walking down the street on a Thursday afternoon, or descending the stairs in our home just for fun.  There are no limits to self expression!

Photos by The Style Crone The navy cloche in this photo was gifted by our daughter Camille, who has always put a lot of thought into giving a present that fits the recipient's personality.  Growing up her bedroom was adjacent to the hat room, so The SC's  preferences were an obvious daily visual!  With the hat as the centerpiece The SC combined the accessories from yesterday's green and navy ensemble, which became a collage within seconds.  And the vintage estate sale bracelet is a piece of art that screamed for a close up!  It's a wonder what a few minutes of

Photo by Nelson Navy felt cloche with velvet bow-gifted, vintage green gloves and navy jacket-estate sales, green neck warmer-Xeino, navy diane von furstenberg pants-consignment store. Flirting, posing and laughing with Nelson through the lens as the feather neck warmer softly teases my chin, The Style Crone gets ready to run out the door for appointments and errands.  As the day progresses, I reflect on the events of the past week and how advocating for a loved one in the health care system takes constant hypervigilance and the ability to be flexible when a status change occurs. There is a fine

Photo by The Style Crone Most hats deserve a close up, and this beautifully blocked taupe fedora 'shines' on one of the Style Crone's wire hat stands. Today was spent making follow up appointments following Nelson's hospitalization, so getting the perfect shot of this hat between tasks was the high entertainment of the afternoon. And by the way, wearing a hat will get you a better seat at a restaurant.  Try it!!!