Boulder and the Beautiful

Click to enlarge. 

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

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)

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

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/

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

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

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

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.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Check out this upcoming fashion event: 

Mad Hatter Brunch & Fashion
Show A three-course plated
brunch, live music, floral displays,
dance performances, fashion show,
live auction, crazy hat contest, raf´
fles and more while helping bring
awareness about Lyme Disease, 9
a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, St. Julien Hotel and
Spa, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, $75.
Details: 213-308-7306 or www.robin´
srescue.blogspot.com.

Who is it? Mari Lowery, of New York.

Link: www.etsy.com/shop/frighten. Also check out frankenkitty.etsy.com.

Why is it awesome? Original, one-of-a-kind collages and prints that marry antique photos, animals and all of the joy, beauty and freakishness of Halloween.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

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.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

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.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite