Boulder and the Beautiful

I wrote a story about the Bodacious Beauty when it first opened in December, and I revisited it today at its permanent home in the Twenty Ninth Street Mall.

Word on the street was it was the pinkest, most beautiful place in Boulder.

Word was right.

Even if you don’t want your picture taken, or you don’t like makeup or lingerie, and you don’t wear a bra (chances are you are not reading this blog), it’s worth a visit to just bask in the oh so bodacious beauty of this store.

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My column on Feb. 3 is about my addiction to the Front Range Flea Market Mercantile in Longmont.
Here are some of my favorite finds in the shop, as of Friday, Jan. 20. Remember, it’s a flea market, so things sell and are not replaced.

Old wooden Philco radio, $39

Orange washboard, $6.95

Metal sign, $11.50

Schlitz metal beer tray, $14

Orange and cream vintage hat with old hat holder, $12.95

Vintage floral chair, $15

Vintage Fitzgerald advertising clock shaped like a key, works, $28

Old step fold-out ladder, $12

Blue wall cabinet, $32Old children's school desk, $24

Vintage French-style nightstand, $35

Word sign ($34) and metal frame ($28)

Green "smoke stand," $39.99, great for a little cupboard in a bathroom.

Awesome old phone, gold and cream: $20

Shabby chic picture frame, $12.50, off-white.

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What: The Flatirons Mineral Club of Boulder will hold its annual Gem and Mineral Show. Features 19 gem, jewelry and mineral dealers, exhibits, demos, activities, classes and programs.
Where: The Boulder County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building
When: Dec. 9-11
About: The Flatirons Mineral Club is a nonprofit dedicated to developing and maintaining interest in all aspects of earth science and associated hobbies. It has been a part of the Boulder community since 1957.
More info:  http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/fmc

Highlights:
* Local artisan Caren Johannes will teach a beginners’ class in wire-wrap at 1 p.m.  Saturday. Students will make a handmade sterling silver pendant set with a stone cabochon and enough wire to make another. Johannes makes wire-wrap jewelry for many dealers.
* Pete Modreski will talk about Colorado diamonds at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

From http://geosurvey.state.co.us/minerals/Gemstones/Pages/Diamonds.aspx

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Click to enlarge. 

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Icelandic Design is opening its seasonal fashion show to a select few this year — and in case you weren’t on the guest list, I’m doing some sneaky-sneaky journalism work for you. Here’s a sneak peak at this 30-year-old Colorado-based company’s Fall 2012 line, not available for retail purchase until August.

Look for:
Nordic wool sweaters
Luxuriously embellished coats
Fun cold weather accessories (hand-knit in Nepal and Peru)

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Obviously, I love unexpected pairings.

I married a man nearly 2 feet taller than me, who loves the sun, is laid back and loves relaxing while listening to Jack Johnson. (I, however, burst into flames if I see sunlight, am high strung like a toy poodle and relaxing stresses me out because it reminds me of all of the stuff I should be doing).

I also am currently wearing a sea green polyester grandma skirt with a black leather corset.

Unexpected fashion pairings are like surprise parties, or finding a $20 in the pocket of your winter coat.  They’re also key to how to put together a fantastic modern outfit — even if you’re on a budget. Take what you already have and put it together in impossible ways. This works especially well for color-blocking with bright colors.

Photo from http://web.me.com/sheinatacarn/www.sheinatacarnhallartistportfolio.com/Blog/Entries/2011/3/20_Color_Block.html.

Here are a few inspirations:

 Beverly Feldman shoes:
 

From http://vantagepointvintage.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

From http://somuchtosmileabout.com/2010/10/unexpected-pairing/From http://mondette.com/blackburnandsweetzer/2010/06/29/events-loft-shows-off-fall-2010-at-the-chateau/

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This cold, dumb air makes me want to be a hermit.
I just want to stay home all day and clean and decorate my house and nest.
But instead, I am at work, which is the exact opposite.

Here are things I want to put in my house, from Modcloth.com.
They are also great gift ideas for the holidays.

1. Little Old Lady Recipes book, $14.99.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/books/little-old-lady-recipes
 

2. Perfectly Primrose Tea Pot, $34.99.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-decor/perfectly-primrose-tea-pot#

3. Nest Friends Pillow, $34.99.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/room-wall-decor/nest-friends-pillow

4. Tea wall hooks, $64.99.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/room-wall-decor/practical-proprie-tea-wall-hooks#

5. Let There Be Flight hanging lamp, $97.99.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/lighting/let-there-be-flight-hanging-lamp

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Need fashion  inspiration?
Check out the HospiceCare & Share Thrift Shop “All That Glitters” event 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday at the store, 5290 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder.
The sale features higher end, used women’s evening gowns, accessories, shoes, handbags, slacks and tops — perfect to prepare for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve.

Tip: Holiday gifts and decorations go on sale for half off after 2 p.m.

Fashion flash: 

What: The Swiss Chalet is hosting a silent auction to benefit HospiceCare of
Boulder and Broomfield counties.
Where: The Swiss Chalet, 1642 Pearl St., Boulder.
When: Friday, Dec. 9, noon-8 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also:Catering by Laudisio’s.

About the event: The Swiss Chalet is known for its fine timepieces, so be prepared to find plenty to bid on.

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