Boulder and the Beautiful

My friend Lisa recently texted me to let me know she found a bounty of amazing ugly Christmas sweaters, including a sweater featuring a cat in a Santa hat that said, “Meowry Christmas.”

I was excited by her discovery. I mean, at this time of year with all the ugly sweater parties, the hideous sweaters just fly off the racks at the thrift stores. A whole store, just dedicated to ugly sweaters? It was a brilliant marketing move, and I wanted to go witness the genius.

That’s when Lisa told me it was a Real Store. Not like a thrift store where people donated their hilarious old sweaters or costumes. But a real store, at the FlatIrons Mall, where real people shop — on PURPOSE — and these sweaters were NEW and REAL, not sarcastic at all.

It took about a week for this information to fully sink in.

Then I got up the courage to take a gander for myself. Presenting: Christopher & Banks, selling real sweaters that are for sale on real racks for people who apparently drink way too much eggnog, or who need to drink a lot more eggnog, or who seriously owe the Style Elves a major explanation.

This sweater is $69.50. ALMOST SEVENTY DOLLARS. You can find the same sweater at Arc for $1.50.

This one is $79.50 -- obviously more expensive.

This one isn't even Christmas - or heck, maybe it is? But I had to include it because it is so special.

This would be a perfectly nice sweater except for the MASSIVE TEDDY BEAR on skiis smearing dorkiness all over it.

They call this the "party cardigan." No ish.

Let me say it again. This sweater is SEVENTY DOLLARS.

This one is in case you cannot go a single day without wearing an American flag on your sweater.

These sweaters would have really done well on the Ugly Sweater Contest I held several years ago. In case you don’t remember, here is the winner:

http://boulderandthebeautiful.com/fun-we-have-a-winner/

And just for funsies, here’s a gander at the original top 10 ugly Christmas sweaters: http://boulderandthebeautiful.com/fashion-top-10-worst-christmas-sweaters-ever-ev-er/

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Last year, many people came to this fundraiser to get beautiful jewelry for Christmas gifts, and it made a HUGE difference! 100% of the money goes toward helping refugees in Uganda. Come hang out, get some shopping done and help make a positive impact on people who need our help!

WHAT: 2nd-annual Jewelry for Jenipher fundraiser, in memory of the Girl’s Hostel President who died last year of complications related to malaria.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 4, from 5-8 p.m.
WHERE: Holiday Inn Express in Loveland, 6092 East Crossroads Blvd, near the Budweiser Event Center.
WHAT’S THERE: Colorful African jewelry handmade by Acholi women on the camp. Jewelry is inexpensive, ranging from about $10-20 per item.
MORE INFO: Check out Thinkhumanity.etsy.com for examples of the jewelry. See Thinkhumanity.org for more info on our nonprofit.

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A high-school reader recently asked me this question. Here is my answer.

It is about beauty. At the core of everything that humans do is the quest for beauty. It drives everything we are and everything we do. Ultimately, beauty is something DONE WELL, and when something is done well, we consider it art. How we express ourselves visually is an extension of ourselves – how we communicate, relate, feel, prioritize and see the world. If we choose to imitate others or we try to look like someone who we are not, that says a lot about how we define ourselves, and our reality. Fashion is a fascinating societal window, and it can serve as a sort of key to translating the values of societies throughout time. Also, beautiful things trigger a pleasure response in our brains. Pretty things make us happy.

My friend recently asked me if I know of any good local designers.
Dude.
Boulder might have a reputation for hairy armpits, but those armpits are gosh darn creative. Meaning we have an extensive list of excellent designers right here in our home town.
I realized there is no comprehensive list of Boulder County fashion designers, so I quickly compiled one based on some of my favorites. There are many more that I have probably overlooked in my end-of-week, undercaffeinated daze.

1. Boulder’s absolute best designer:
Designer CarolAnn Wachter, who moved to Boulder from New York.
She only designs dresses, jackets and hats. She started with hats, as a way to financially support her painting career. She had been trying to get an appointment with Barneys New York when someone saw one of her hats at a party. The woman worked at Barneys, and called Wachter in right away.
The hats were so popular, she began making coats and dresses, too. Her designs are now available in New York, Chicago and Tokyo. Soon Boulder. For now, check her out at www.carolannwachter.com.

Wachter sees fashion as a form of art. Her silhouettes are elegant, yet functional. The fabrics are as high-quality as those used by world-renowned designers, she says. And she uses her fine-arts background to design original prints.
Wachter is inspired by the classics: Old movies and photographs. She had to search hard to find a sewing machine that could do the old-fashioned “gilmore stitch” on her ’40s evening jacket in satin crepe. Her hats include a “spiral ’60s” hat and a fedora.

2.  Stud Apparel, of Broomfield, www.studapparel.com — This line allows me to keep one foot in punk rock and the other in the sunshine. Especially my favorite shirt, a fitted deep V-neck tee with light grey and white argyle print (ooh, cute), accented by a picture of a black pistol (ooh, tough), $32.
You can find Stud Apparel online or at Buffalo Exchange, 1717 Walnut St., Boulder.

3. The Secret Boutique: www.etsy.com/shop/thesecretboutique, www.dailycamera.com/ci_16267929
The Secret Boutique is inspired by Gothic, neo-Victorian and steam-punk. Features one-of-a-kind designs and deconstructed pieces, as well as custom corsets, burlesque outfits and historical-inspired bridal gowns.

4. Rachel Znerold (of Boulder, but she might have moved since then): http://www.rachelzart.com/lustrous.htm

5.  Blue Jean Pink: http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_14101175

6. Dot’s Diner Aprons:

http://dotsdineramablog.com/

ACCESSORIES
7. English Retreads: http://www.englishretreads.com/
English Retreads repurposes inner tubes collected from local truck stops.

8. JLRY: http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_16071731
www.jlrydesigns.wordpress.com
Jen Raga designs beautiful fabric flower accessories, inspired in part by the tulips on the Pearl Street Mall. Recently featured on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

9. Ru Fabricates: http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_15219269
We love the bags for their fabric patterns, great colors and sleek shapes.One of the reasons we love vintage accessories is they are unique and often durable (they have to be if they’ve lasted 40-plus years). Some of Galbreath’s bags look vintage, and also boast that same originality and quality.

Check out the Etsy shop at www.jrmiller77.etsy.com. Also find Ru Fabricates at www.rufabricates.com and on Facebook. Contact Galbreath at jessica@rufabricates.com for questions or custom bags.

10. Natha Perkins: Natha Perkins jewelry, www.lusciousmetals.com.
Natha Perkins, a Louisville jeweler, is inspired by words. She wants her accessories to evoke a feeling, dream or memory through the combo of metal, stones and words.
Every time I think I’ve found my favorite Natha Perkins piece, I find another: delicate “fairy ring” necklaces ($110); a plum pendant made with Australian crystal detail ($185); a small copper heart necklace inscribed with the word “pierced” ($102).

I’m totally intrigued by a green stone ring she made with the word “secrets” stamped on the side. For a hush-hush lover? Or a naughty promise? This piece evokes “Desperate Housewives” in me.

11. Dsenyo bags, www.dsenyo.com. Lafayette artist Marissa Perry Saints founded Dsenyo in 2007 after living in Malawi. Her contemporary African-style bags are made out of low-impact dyes and sustainable fibers, such as hemp and organic cotton. Plus, a portion of the sales goes to community development projects in Africa.
This year, the business is moving production to Malawi, training women there to sew the bags for a fair wage.
My favorite item is the Holiday Hobo bag, $110, featuring a triangle pattern in red with gold metallic accents and a black herringbone hemp trim.
Find Dsenyo bags Muse Gallery, 356 Main St., Longmont; the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder; Particulars, 401 S. Public Road, Lafayette; and Sew Fresh Studio, 361 Second Ave., Niwot.

12. Ric Rac handbags: www.ricracdesigns.com

- Boulder-based Cowboy’s Sweetheart Jewelry (cowboys-sweetheart.com, from about $58-$380). This line recently won the 2010 Jewelry Design Business Development Grant, sponsored by wholesaler Halstead Bead Inc.
The annual, nationwide award goes to a jeweler with exceptional design skill and business acumen.
The local artist, Amy Fortunato, studied fine arts at the University of Connecticut. She says she moved to Colorado and started Cowboy’s Sweetheart as her answer to the call, “Go west, young lady, go west.”

13. KIR jewelry, kircollection.com.
Boulder’s Kirsten Boedecker began designing jewelry nearly 20 years ago. She starts each piece with the idea that a well made piece might become an heirloom.

is inspired by Indonesia’s spiritual underpinnings, the element of weight and the concepts of harmony and balance. She uses silver and gold, adorned with semi-precious stones and pearls. We like the unique finishes and textures.
“I think that every woman likes to tap into her femininity, and wearing a piece of my jewelry brings that fun and sexy factor to the forefront,” Boedecker says.
KIR donates a portion of proceeds to community groups, including the Colorado Youth Program and Chooseoutdoors.org. Find it online at shopgoldyn.com or at Starfish Jewelry, 1738 Pearl St. in Boulder.

14. Green Guru Gear, greengurugear.com.
Boulderite Davidson Lewis started this line as an extension of his senior thesis project. His friend at a printing shop gave him some vinyl scraps to play with, and Lewis came up with messenger bags — made out of old billboards.
The bags are tough, functional and Mama-Earth-loving. And in case you’re afraid of looking like a walking ad for Southern Comfort, the vinyl just looks like funky graphic print when it’s chopped down.
Prices start around $29.95 for shoulder totes or about $100 for messenger bags. Find them at Topo Ranch (1505 Pearl St., Boulder) or Bicycle Village (2100 28th St., Boulder).

JUST BEYOND BOULDER
15. DVLP Clothing (www.developclothing.com), of Denver, is one of my favorite local designers. This line, for kids, men and women, makes edgy, skater-esque tees, jackets, skirts, hats, belt buckles and pants under the mission to “create, inspire, evolve and move forward.”

16. CLP Jewelry, of Denver, www.clpjewelry.com — This jewelry is made with a torch and hammer. Designs, made with gold, sterling and stones, are rustic yet classic. Each piece is unique. In fact, the designer, Christy Lea Payne, says she loves to find the “special imperfections” in the pieces she designs.
“So few things in life are perfect,” she says.

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Dear Santa,

I know it’s sunny outside and I didn’t even wear a coat to work today, but I heard “Jingle Bells” playing in the Flatirons Mall last weekend, so I take it that it’s officially the nondenominational Holiday Season again.

I have been such a good girl this year that I am sure you’ll agree I deserve A LOT OF STUFF. Because we shouldn’t just be good people because that’s the right thing to do, but we should be good in order to get STUFF.

That being clear, here is part one of my Christmas, er, I mean, for-no-reason-just-because-it’s-December-I-guess wish list.

1. Jacob’s ladder bracelet, $60, www.etsy.com/shop/ExpiredGoods.

2. Get Lost compass necklace, $50, www.etsy.com/shop/ExpiredGoods.

3. Vintage letterpress drawer jewelry holder, $98, www.etsy.com/shop/bluebirdheaven.

4. Any of the altered book-purses from The Smart Girl shop (which blends fashion and literature omg I’m such a geek because I’m in love with this concept), EXCEPT please not the Twilight books because… really.  www.etsy.com/shop/SmartGirlsArt.

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My friend, Jess, recently put this together, and I have to share it for three reasons:

1. All product advice Jess has ever given me has been well received by my pores and follicles and husband.
2. I also read the Allure list and was annoyed by it.
3. I need some new product ideas as my skin withers into that of an old crookedly witch in this dry, sometimes-fall weather.

So here goes: Jess Morgan’s more-official-than-Allure 2010 Best Beautifying List, in no way inspired by press releases or product bribes. The real deal, by a real woman whom I really love.

I was reading Allure the other day, and they put out a “best of” list for beauty products.  I swear that they just  write down the winners based upon number of press releases on the topic.  And nothing ever changes.  The same mascara they liked last year is STILL their favorite this year.  As someone who constantly finds things that are new and better, I am skeptical of this blind obsession to one product; one that, having tried it, doesn’t work very well.  Therefore, I’m making a random list of wonderful things that make me happy they exist.

May as well start with the obvious:

1.  Best Mascara
* Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Mascara
Not only does the little brush grab every lash and elongate it, but the mascara also seems to make my lashes grow more lush.   Turns out this was part of the intent of the mascara, though they don’t advertise it.  I’m not AS crazy about the waterproof version, but it’s still a really nice mascara.

2.  Best Body & Hand Lotion
* Jason:  Lavender Hand & Body Therapy Lotion
I am constantly searching for really moisturizing lotions since I live in the driest state in the continent.  And, being allergic to Shea Butter, all the good ones were out of reach . . . or so I thought.  Then I tried my mom’s Jason Lavender lotion and learned that mom is ALWAYS right (well, MOSTLY right).  It’s incredibly moisturizing – even on my normally so-dry-they-peel hands, and the scent is wonderful.  This coming from someone who usually avoids lavender products because often the smell is cloying.  Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive.

3.  Face Care for sensitive, acne-prone but also very dry, skin
* Cleanser:  Kiehl’s Centella Skin-Calming Facial Cleanser
This simple cleanser gets your whole day off of your face while still being extremely gentle.  Plus, Kiehl’s products are anti-animal testing – which is a huge plus in my book.  All of that said, I still haven’t forgiven Kiehl’s for discontinuing the BEST face cleanser (a wonderful, creamy milk and honey concoction) that made my skin incredibly soft.  But I have made up for this with:

*LaConchita Naturals Honey Drops
I have often blessed Etsy.com for providing me with unique and wonderful little shopping joys, but this one really takes the cake.  After Kiehl’s broke my heart with the cancellation of its milk and honey cleanser, I spent hours online searching for another oil-free cleanser with honey (which seems to really add moisture without causing acne).  Lo and behold, I discovered LaConchita’s honey drops which I just add to my cleanser before using it, and my face ends up clean, soft and smelling sweet.

Oil-Free Face Lotion: Kiehl’s Sodium PCA Oil Free Moisturizer
And we are back to  Kiehl’s.  Having tried so many products, I have really found Kiehls to be the only line that works for my skin.  In fact, they have the only eye serum that doesn’t  make me look like I got in a bar fight the night before – and I’ve tried ALL of the sensitive eye serums on the market.  And reacted to them all.  In any case, as most folks with acne-prone skin know, oil-free lotions are a necessity, but they also tend to be thin and not very moisturizing.  Or so I believed until I tried the Sodium PCA Oil Free Moisturizer.  This thick, wonderful cream fully softens and moisturizes without causing any breakouts.  Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way, so one jar will usually last me at least 6 months.

Fighting Aging: Philosophy Booster Retinol Caps & Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder
I had all but given up on any chance to stop the wrinkles and lines slowly growing on my face since most products cause my face to erupt like an active  volcano.    Welcome Philosophy Booster Caps with Retinol.  These little gold pods which you twist open have a gooey Retinol-filled fluid inside that you mix with your lotion at night and, VOILA, the next morning your skin looks radiant and younger.  So far, I have not had any sensitivity to the caps, though I use them every other night.  A more recent discovery from the same line is Philosophy’s Turbo Booster C Powder which you use in your lotion in the morning.  It gives you instant brightness and, because it’s a powder, doesn’t “turn” like many other Vitamin C anti-agers.

4.  Best Red Lipstick for Fair Skin
* Clinique’s Angel Red
My husband and I started watching film-noir movies every Saturday night, and I pined to have my lips look as red and luscious as the leading ladies (at least in the few films that were in color).  Turns out, though, that unless you are on the Oscar’s red carpet, most red lipsticks can make you look more like you are trying out for Barnum & Bailey’s clown car.  I tried on numerous shades at makeup counters and bought too many Revlon’s at the drug store only to constantly be disappointed.  Then I red about Clinique’s Angel Red in a magazine and rushed out to try it.  It’s the perfect red.  Not to pigmented that you can only wear it at night, enough blue in it so that you don’t look clownish, and enough moisture so you don’t see lip lines.  Bring on the red carpet.

5.  Best Eyeliners
* Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner
Eyeliner is a new addition to my beauty routine.  For too many years I eyed the little pencil fearfully – unable to put it on in a nice, straight line.  One day, wandering around Sephora, I picked up one of Makeup Forever’s beautifully pigmented eyeliners, and I was “Forever” theirs.  The liner is soft enough that you can make it smokey if you wish.  It glides on with beautiful precision and lasts until you take it off at night.  And the colors are truly remarkable and vibrant.

6.  Best Foundation
* Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup
Perhaps the one place I agree with the magazines’ top 10 is Bare Escentuals Foundation and Mineral Veil.  Ever since I tried this makeup four years ago, I have been hooked.  My skin immediately became more even and glowing – even without the makeup.  With the makeup my face looks flawless, but not cakey.  In fact, most folks don’t think I’m wearing any makeup – and I get constant complements on my “flawless” skin.  The Mineral Veil is key to finishing the look after using the foundation and any other makeup you chose.  The moment you put it on, your look comes together with a perfect 1940s softness.  The added bonus is that both the foundation and Mineral Veil contain SPF 15, AND, should you choose, you can now get Mineral Veil that contains SPF 25.

7.  Best Jewelry
* Harmony Scott and The Artisan Center
Okay, technically no magazines include jewelry in their top beauty list.  But I think it’s essential to the whole package.  Plus, nothing in the world makes you feel more beautiful than a gorgeous accessory.  Both of the stores listed above carry unusual and stunning jewelry guaranteed to become your favorite pieces and garner you numerous compliments.  Harmony Scott is a local Colorado jeweler who has stores in Carbondale and Aspen and creates incredible jewelry art.  Never fear, you don’t need to drive all the way up to Carbondale.  Her website [www.harmonyscott.com] is loaded with wonderful goodies – and, if you sign up for her newsletter or become a Facebook fan, you often get great deals.  The Artisan Center in Cherry Creek North carries similar gorgeous and eclectic pieces from many different jewelers – many of them local.

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What: Group fashion show/event featuring Carolann Wachter’s clothing, hats and coats, which she designs and Boulder and produces in New York. Also featuring designs by Boulder’s Nicole Linton, of e bella Textiles, and Mary Ellen Vaughan jewelry or Wren Designs.
Where: Design Within Reach in Boulder, 2049 Broadway.
When: Friday Oct. 8 from 6-8 p.m.
Bonus: Event will also feature two fine artists from New York, Eric Bonnin’s eclectic ceramics and Matthew Austin’s lighting.
RSVP to boulder@dwr.com.

www.carolannwachter.com

ebelladesigns.com

www.ericbonninceramics.com

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