Boulder and the Beautiful

Remember when stores had lay-away?
You could have the store hold a shirt you liked and you could pay on it until you had paid it all and then you got to take it home.
I remember how exciting it was when you finally got to take it home, after all that anticipation.

Does anyone lay-away anymore? Lay-away is kind of the opposite of credit cards. With lay-away, you got the shirt after you paid. With credit, you get the bills after the shirt.

Oh, the good ol’ days.

Apparently now I am not just a reporter, but I am also an agent of mass destruction.
Do I get a raise with that? Or at least my own weapon shed?

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All the terror and creepiness that comes with this dress for only $1,500! And to think, I was willing to sell my soul.
http://www.hazelandmelvin.com/products/sock-monkeys/wearable-art/sock-monkey-dress

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Know any over-the-top rich to-be 16-year-olds who also care about the environment? Or who at least want to get on the Green Train?

Boulder-based Spicer’s Events has been approached by MTV’s Super Sweet 16 show to organize an eco-friendly Sweet 16, Quinceanera or Coming Out event.
Spicer’s is currently searching for the perfect “eco-chic” to fit the bill. 

Super Sweet 16 is “gives you an up close and very personal look at the extravagant and sometimes extreme measures teens take to ensure that this milestone in their lives is commemorated by the ultimate celebration. Will their real life Sweet 16 ever live up to their fantasies?”

To learn more about Spicer’s Events, visit www.spicersevents.com or call 303-817-2833.

What: Women’s Expo.
When: 2-8 p.m. Sunday, May 4.
Where: St. Julien Hotel, 9th Street and Walnut, Boulder.
Why: Proceeds benefit the YWCA of Boulder.
More info or to register: http://www.we2e.biz/

www.findmypromdress.com

I went out to eat in Denver this weekend. While taking a bite of my lasagna, I looked up to find two gaping breasts heaving in my face. I quickly looked away because based on the perkiness factor, these breasts were obviously underage and illegal.

Yep! Prom time again! Yay!

I am writing my fash column this week about prom style. I am going to put on my Old Person Cap real quick to show you what you little whippersnappers are wearing this year.
The Old Person (who uses the word “cap” to begin with) in me says tisk, tisk, hide your goodies, gals.

But the fashion lover in me feels jealous, in the same way I get jealous when I see all of the cool toys that kids have to play with today.

I am not an advocate of looking like a hooker if you’re underage or heck, if you are of age. But at least prom dresses this year are creative.
Yeah, that’s the word. ”Creative.”

And now that I’m old, I can totally poach them and wear them legally.
So woot to prom 2008.

This is not what my prom looked like.
$450, www.tiza.com
On that note, I also don’t remember spending $450 on a dress

$270, www.tjformal.com

$400, www.findmypromdress.com
By the way, there is no way this girl is in high school. Come on. If you don’t want to put a teenage model in it on your Web site, maybe you shouldn’t be selling it to teenagers.
Not that I don’t love this dress, but still.

$400, www.findmypromdress.com
Meh.

Or you could just take the more direct communication route:

OK, now here are examples of gorgeous prom dresses that won’t stop your daddy’s heart.

$298, www.tjformal.com

$250, www.tjformal.com

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I just wanted to say “nugget.”
And disclaim the fact that I found fantastic shoes at a store I had, until now, completely sworn  off.
In fact, I once got a $50 gift card to Payless Shoes and could not even use it because I didn’t even want any of the shoes there for *free.* I eventually ended up using the gift card on two pairs of tap-dancing shoes there for me and my sister-in-law. We proceeded to set up a fake “show” in the middle of the mall, put out a hat and tap dance for money. We didn’t make much, but we did humiliate my mother enough that it was worth it. Which is to say nothing, because I highly dislike Payless Shoes.

Today, I got my second ever pair of Payless shoes. They aren’t as cool as the tappers, but they have a certain grandmother silliness that made them worth the, oh, $3 that they cost. Actually, they were about $20, but they are surprisingly comfortable, they look vintage and they have these cute little no-slip felt soles that I can’t wait to destroy. Unfortunately, the felt bottoms also prevent any shoe clicking, so there is no way to make up the money I spent through an impromptu tap show.
Awwww, flowers. How sappy.

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Summer 2008 has some gorgeous suits that put a modern twist on past eras.
Here are a few that stand out:

80s: Hot gym shorts

Back in the day, these were less than sexy. But by making them skimpier hipsters, it gives them more edge. The front and back are different colors, too, so you don’t feel too serious, a la “Dodgeball.”
www.victoriassecret.com, $7.50 bottoms.

70s: Elegant flower power.

Elaborate embellishment and embroidery. Plus, I love these shades of pink and green.
www.victoriassecret.com, $110 top, $60 bottom.

50s: The new Bettie

One-piece Bettie Page-style suit.
www.pinupgirlclothing.com, $68.

Modern zebra-print

Put some color — and glam — in your animal print.
www.victoriassecret.com, $21.99 top.

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The Maruca Design sale is happening now. Beautiful handbags, wallets, tote bags, etc.
The studio is up on North Broadway right before it joins up with U.S. 36, way in the back, you’ll see signs.
The sale runs today 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Check out Maruca Design at: www.marucadesign.com Click on the picture for a few styles.

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Blue and white stripes with red accents has been done for years.
How about this new twist on the summer sailor:

Urban Outfitters throws in unpredictable colors for this style: green with oversized red buttons. But with small pleats, the dress is flowy enough to not look rigid and military, as you might expect with green and double-breasted buttons. The babydoll shape makes me want to visit of pier. Of any kind. Just a pier.

$118, www.urbanoutfitters.com.

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