Boulder and the Beautiful

Local students found cruelty-free feather hair extension company

The mission is clear: “Style without slaughter, quality without cruelty.”

Fair Feathers, an online company founded by two local college students, sells synthetic feather hair extensions. The founders, Scott Hardy, from Silver Creek (now at Santa Clara University), and Spencer Wolfe, from Niwot High (now at Columbia) founded the company in an effort to protect roosters that are used for their beautiful feathers that people affix to their hair. The company aims to offer an ethical (and equally as beautiful) alternative.

According to Fair Feathers, once the roosters’ feathers reach the desired length, “the rooster’s back is then skinned, producing a “saddle” with approximately 200 usable feathers.”

Fair Feathers are custom, synthetic feather bundles that cost less, come in more colors and are more durable. In fact, the company donates a portion of its profits to help prevent animal cruelty.

For more information, check out FairFeathers.org.

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I few years ago, I wrote about Boulder’s Vanessa Barcus and her online store Goldyn.
Tonight is the grand opening for her new storefront, 2040 W. 30th St., in Denver.

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Because this is a top 10 shoe list I have not yet made.

Strippers, burlesque dancers and showgirls have the most creative footwear.
For a local shop selling dancing shoes (but not all of these featured below), check out thehouseofharlots.com.

1. You stepped on something.

2. Geek chic: Tron sexy.

3. Wood. Heh. OK, I don’t really like this one. I picked it for the unique award.

4. Hardcore. This shoe says “Look, but don’t touch or I will murder you.”

5. Something else to do with your old newspapers.

6. For gals who like sneakers and trucks with mud flaps.

7. If Dolly Parton were an exotic dancer.

8. My name is James. James Bondage.

9. There’s no place like home.

10. Pin up, get down.

And my least favorite shoe ever:

I am sure there are a lot of nasty puns I could make here, but instead I will just say “I don’t really like cats.”

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Click to enlarge. And be there, for the love of God and shoes.

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Want to update your spring look for under $200?
Celebrity stylist Jenn Falik says:

$34, Shoes.com.

Think toe-to-head.
One of the easiest ways to update a look is to add bright, colorful shoes.

$14.99, Urban Outfitters

Stock up on skinny belts.
This is the  easiest way to change the silhouette of a dress. Spring and summer styles are more feminine and polished, giving billowy summer dresses a new feel by throwing a belt around the waist. This can also make a simple shift dress more interesting and flattering, Falik says.

$28.90, Nordstrom

Go long — with necklaces.
Layer long necklaces to create a line that draws the eye vertically, giving the slimming  illusion of a longer torso.

More tips:
Refresh your look for spring

$39.99, Crocs

Want a spring makeover?
Crocs is holding a New You contest. Enter to win a $7,000 wardrobe makeover trip to New York with Falik, with Dress For Success, which provides clothes to disadvantaged women.
Enter at www.crocs.com/newyou.
For every entry, Crocs will donate $5 to Dress for Success Worldwide.
Every day during the entry period, Crocs will randomly give away one new pair of shoes to three women.

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Forever 21′s new look book has me wondering: What is so interesting on the floor?

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On April 5, nationwide TOMS is asking people to go without shoes so that kids don’t have to.

The CEO and founder of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie, was a contestent on The Great Race and he noticed that most of the children living in rural areas in Third World countries did not have any shoes. Without proper foot protection, many children contract diseases from not wearing shoes.

Savvy in Boulder will be participating on April 5th for One Day Without Shoes. We will be asking everyone who comes in to Savvy to leave their shoes at the door. For everyone who participates in this event, Savvy will enter their name into a drawing to win free TOMS. We will also be offering a discount on all TOMS just for that day.

Here is the link to the website:

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Click to enlarge.

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But I do.

Deal with it.

$210, http://www.etsy.com/shop/shadowempress

$200, http://www.etsy.com/shop/shadowempress

$200, http://www.etsy.com/shop/shadowempress

$50, VenusFlytrapJewels.etsy.com

$20, VenusFlytrapJewels.etsy.com

$30, VenusFlytrapJewels.etsy.com

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