Mikki Rainey, owner of Classic Facets.

Rainey’s store, Classic Facets (942 Pearl St., Boulder), sells only estate, vintage and antique jewelry, and has been since 1985. That’s an awful lot of reused bling.

Reuse is key here, because the production of new jewelry is no cakewalk for Mother Earth. Take gold for instance. Making just one 18-karat gold wedding band results in tons of rock being removed from the earth and flooded with cyanide. This process can be poisonous to the ground water and wildlife (ask Classic Facets for further details). In addition, small-scale gold mining, often done in third world countries, is the second largest source of mercury pollution in the world, according to MSNBC’s report, “Mercury in gold poses toxic threat.”

Choosing already-been-loved jewelry is an effective (and fun) way to reduce pollution and protect wildlife habitat.

According to Rainey, “The purpose of jewelry is to feel good,” and what feels better than doing right by the planet?

Classic Facets is like a giant version of Grandma’s jewelry box, complete with glitzy rhinestone pins and elegant circa-1900 gold necklaces.

“This is not like a regular store,” says Rainey. “Everything in here is a ‘one-of-a-kind.’”

No kidding. Where else could you find a 200-year-old, 2-inch garnet ring?

The store operates on a consignment system and has carried jewelry from 37 states and 10 countries. (Antique brooch from France, anyone?) Rainey prefers that pieces predate 1950, but will occasionally take in new styles. Prices start around $40 and can go up to, oh, just around $20,000.

“We’re really recycling emotion,” says Rainey. “These are wonderful things that have been loved through the ages. Every piece has survived history, and now it’s ready for someone new to love it.”

This year marks Classic Facets’ 25th anniversary. To Rainey, the anniversary marks more than just 25 years of running a successful business; it means years of salvaging sentiments and stories from the past.

— By Kate Nelson
Get more of Nelson’s eco-diva tips at www.ecodivaboulder.blogspot.com. Contact her at ecokate@live.com.

The perfect businesswoman is classy, sexy, trendy, comfortable and confident. With a combination of looks from two unique boutiques on the Pearl Street Mall, we’ve put together five distinct outfits that will help you embody that businesswoman and have you struttin’ your stuff around the office and around town afterwards.

MAX, 1177 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-449-9200

Chelsea, 935 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-447-3760

Classic little black dress

From Chelsea

Who says you can’t wear a little black dress to work? We’ve embellished this sophisticated piece with beautiful green accents, creating a sense of regality and a down-to-earth feeling to the outfit.

James Perse black fitted scoop neck dress, $165
Chan Luu aventurine eight-strand necklace, $232
Khadi & Co emerald small squares scarf, $233

Hey there, sailor

From MAX

We love the trendy nautical theme of this outfit, and all of the components that create it. The dark jean and longer boyfriend blazer are slimming and sharp, while the stripes add a little spunk.

Elizabeth and James navy blazer, $395
Alexander Wang nautical shirt, $95
J Brand skinny jeans, $140

Opposites attract

From Chelsea

This peasant top by Shoshanna flows effortlessly, allowing you to flow effortlessly, as well. The strong coloring and intricate pattern challenges the slimming black skirt — and both win.

Cobalt/cypress v-neck peasant top, $255
Susana Monaco black slim skirt, $78
Kathleen Doyle Murphy ruby graduated hoop, $102

Boldly blue

From MAX

Whether you work in a cubicle or are on-the-go, this outfit will turn heads. The pairing of fashionable shoulder pads and the striking blue color inspires strength and enthusiasm.

Elizabeth and James blue dress, $395
Yves Saint Laurent black booties, $860

Simply mod

From MAX

This Diane von Furstenberg dress gives a whole new meaning to rolling out of bed and going to work. As comfortable as this dress may be, it’s even more flattering and stylish.

Red dress, $365

More than a pretty face
Jillian Frazin, 38, personifies not only the strength and inspiration of a successful businesswoman, but also a vibrant spirit we all aspire to attain. After spending eight years learning about various types of medicine, she has created what she calls embodiment therapy, which is a unique combination of energy medicine and psychotherapy.

“Our energy needs to flow out; yet we’ve been taught in our culture to squeeze it tight,” she says. “I teach people how to maintain energy and gain empowerment. It’s a very eclectic approach.”

She has helped women conquer fears, gain confidence, overcome pain and awaken sexual energy. The Boulder resident is a true Renaissance woman, having just finished writing a book, creating a guided meditation CD and picking up Flamenco dancing to further motivate her work.

“It’s been a new awakening of everything in my life, coming together and clicking.”
For more information about Embodiment Therapy, e-mail jillfrazin@yahoo.com or call 303-709-7101 for a complimentary first session.

Model: Jillian Frazin
Stylist: Angel Garcia, www.pinupprettymua.com
Photos: Jonathan Castner
Story: Maggie Schoonmaker

Etsy clothes by local designer Blue Jean Pink. Courtesy photo.

Dana Paulson, 50, of Broomfield, loves kitschy vintage fashion. She also loves tattered jeans, cowboy boots and wearing her heart on her pasties.

That’s why she created Blue Jean Pink designs, our latest favorite local Etsy shop, in honor of our love issue.

Blue Jean Pink styles are made out of recycled jeans, velvet, ballerina tulle, ribbons and retro/burlesque influences — oh, and hearts. Lots of pink and red hearts. We especially love the denim corsets. So sexy and unique.

Paulson’s styles have stolen our hearts — and for only $20 to $44 each. Check them out at www.bluejeanpink.com and www.bluejeanpink.etsy.com.

— By Aimee Heckel

Dot’s Diner Aprons — www.dotsdineraprons.com

Broomfield resident Dana Paulson makes these retro aprons cute enough to wear beyond the kitchen. Her prints span peacocks, cupcakes, cherries and hearts. And her prices won’t have you eating Ramon for a month. These handmade gems start at $24.

Paulson is inspired by ‘50s diners, pinup gals and bold graphic designs. She inspires us to want to spend more time in the kitchen cooking. Or at least eating.

– By Aimee Heckel

* Audible attachments, such as bells.
* Felt appliqués of any variety (Santas, presents, trees, reindeer).
* Electronic parts that glow or blink.

If you answered “yes” to any of the abovementioned, it’s time for some extreme fashion intervention.
It’s easy to get carried away in the season of tinsel, embellishing our yards and trees and presents and bodies. But before you scare the reindeer games out of Rudolph, offer yourself the gift of good style by checking out this local shop:

Barbara and Company, 1505 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-443-2565

Barbara and Company carries a range of styles, all touting “casual sophistication.” The hip, but not trendy. We love how the store is organized by colors, with tons of inspiring and accessorized outfit combos on display — making it simple and quick to walk out with a foolproof (and applique-proof) party outfit.

Here are a few style inspirations:

Models: Alexandria Holton (brunette) and Rose Silkey (blonde), both of Boulder.
Stylist: Angel Garcia, www.pinupprettymua.com
Photos by: Jonathan Castner
Story by: Aimee Heckel

The little details
The little things add up big, like delicate bead accents, crystal accessories, ruffles and black diamonds.

On Ali: Bailey44 ruched beaded tunic, $152. Equestrian velvet leggings, $156. Giles and Brother black diamond earrings, $104. Giles and Brother crystal and topaz bangles, $52-114.

On Rose: Bailey44 scoop neck dress with draped strings and lurex trim, $220. Season Whispers bracelets in black with crystals, $84. Bailey44 camisole in black with silver banding, $102. J and Z ruffle wrap, $218. Marlyn Schiff silver rosette ring, $48.

Sparkles and silver
The holidays are the perfect time to shine. Sparkling silver becomes less garish and more sophisticated when paired with black or a deep purple wrap.

On Ali: Bailey44 beaded tunic, $152. Liz Palacios collar necklace in silver with pearl/topaz, $174.

On Rose: Bailey44 camisole in black with silver banding, $102. J and Z ruffle wrap, $218.Marlyn Schiff silver rosette ring, $48.

Long shirts and leggings
Leggings are in this winter, but they can be done oh so wrong. The right way: Dress them up with long shirts or dresses, extravagant jewelry and a sexy, cropped jacket. (Leather and crystal is our ideal combo.) You’ll be comfortable, but not look sloppy.
On Ali: Andrew Mac leather jacket, $298. Michael Stars crystal sprinkled tank, $50. Bailey44 ponte zip front leggings, $142. Virgins, Saints and Angels charm, Magdalena in hematite, and sterling necklace, $358. HOBO red leather clutch, $85.

On Rose: Language flora applique tee, $78. Equestrian French velvet leggings, $156. Virgins, Saints and Angels san benito necklace, $320.

Violet and ruched
Deep purple is the color of winter 2009. And shirts and dresses with ruching, or a gathering of the fabric, flatter all body types.

On Ali: Three Dotes v-neck rouched front dress, $132. Chan Luu hematite earrings, $94. Chan Luu hematite necklace, $182.
On Rose: Bailey44 rosette ruched tunic, $176. Equestrian French leggings in black velvet, $156.

More than a pretty face: Meet the models

Rose Silkey, 25, of Boulder
Loves: Music, art and dancing.
Motto: “If you do everything that you are capable of, you will truly be amazed. Give it all you’ve got.”
Inspired by: God, beauty and love.
A challenge overcome: “When I was 16, I had to move away to a new town. I learned how to make new friends and also learned what is important to me in life.”

Alexandria Holton, 27, of Boulder
Interests: Traveling, exercising at Rally Sport, cooking, shopping, fashion, reading and enjoying the first year of marriage.
Motto: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away.”
Inspired by: God, my husband, my mom, family, friends and everything around me.
A challenge overcome: “The hardest obstacle I’ve had to overcome was leaving home for college and learning that it molded me to become who I am today.”

Tom’s Shoes has decided to find out. Buy one pair of these comfy loafers (starting at $44) and a second pair will be donated to a child in poverty. They call it the One for One movement, and Tom’s plans on distributing over 300,000 pairs of shoes around the world just in 2009.

Lend a hand (or foot) to the cause when you purchase your favorite style of Tom’s at Savvy (1114 Pearl St. in Boulder) or Whole Foods Markets. Helping people in need really is the best deal going.

-- By Kate Nelson

Check out these five comfortable — and cozy — winter looks.

1. A little wild
A new edition to the shop, this edgy, fitted leopard-print jacket wasn’t something we expected to find at a store with the word “knit” in its name.
Leopard jacket, $548
Majestic black v-neck tee, $98
Nanette Lepore black pants, $278

2. Cashmere heaven
Knit Wit is most known for its vintage cashmere sweaters, made out of chunks of old cashmere pieced together. No two are the same. Wear it with a Burning Torch cashmere hat ($194 each) and you can literally be clothed in cashmere from your head down.
Burning Torch long sweater coat, $678
Burning torch necklace, $198
Park Vogel brown T-shirt, $62

3. Oversized and comfy
A lot of Knit Wit’s inventory is from France, including this oversized boyfriend sweater vest.
Park Vogel gray sweater, $318
Cotelac tweed vest, $228
Park Vogel gray shirt, $88
Nanette Lepore black pants, $278

4. Buckled in
Give a little shape to this cozy dolman-sleeved gray Graham and Spencer sweater outfit by tying it together with a wide belt.
Graham and Spencer gray sweater, $378
Wide belt, $248
Nanette Lepore black pants, $278

5. Wrap it up
We love this funky Pete and Greta gray wrap, which can be worn an exponential number of different ways. Creative, unique yet well polished? Sounds like a Boulder woman to us.
Pete & Greta gray wrap, $68
3J Workshop plaid tunic, $238

Model: Nicole Wienholt
Stylist: Angel Garcia, www.pinupprettymua.com
Photos: Jonathan Castner
Story by: Aimee Heckel

More than a pretty face
Nicole Wienholt, 41, is a woman with a mission: “To inspire others to embrace their potential, accomplish their dreams and experience the joy that is discovered through living passionately.”
The Broomfield resident, who works all across Broomfield and Boulder counties, is a yoga instructor, life coach and nutrition coach. She teaches yoga at the Yoga Pod, 1750 29th St. in Boulder, and also teaches yoga to athletes at the University of Colorado.
She says she enjoys yoga, not only for the physical exercise, but also for the mental and spiritual workout.
“Yoga plays into everything in your life,” she says. “Work hard, have fun and be safe all at the same time. Protect your body, and honor your body. Know your limits but stretch your limits a little bit. Flirt on the edge a little. See where you can go. And surprise yourself.”
Check out www.nourishyoga.com and www.pepimpact.com to learn more about Wienholt and her work.

Today, my mix tapes have made way for an iPod, my notes for a cell phone, and now I seem to be schlepping around a whole new gang of things I can’t live without. At least I can schlep in sustainable style these days, thanks to bags from local companies Ecologic Designs and English Retreads.

What started as a senior thesis project for Davidson Lewis, owner of Ecological Designs, has turned into a full-blown business. Lewis made his first bag from a busted truck inner tube as an assignment to turn old junk into something useful. Not long after, a friend employed at a printing shop gave him some scraps of vinyl to experiment with, and the idea for messenger bags made from spent billboards, yes billboards, was born.

Available under the Green Guru label, get your own giant-highway-advertisement-turned-messenger bag at Topo Ranch (1505 Pearl St., Boulder) or Bicycle Village (2100 28th St., Boulder). Prices start around $100. Don’t worry that you’ll become a walking Southern Comfort ad; the billboard vinyl takes on the look of a funky graphic print when cut down to bag size.

Lewis isn’t the only local who once looked at spent truck tire tubes and saw the potential. Since Heather English founded her company English Retreads, eco-conscientious ladies have been able to test drive tires-turned-purses in a variety of styles. Adorned with heavy-duty grommets, colorful lining and seat belt straps (what else?), the rubber used to make these tough-girl bags literally did hit the road in a previous life.

English Retreads’ creations can be found at the Boulder Arts and Crafts Co-op (1421 Pearl St.) and Common Threads (2707 Spruce St., Boulder). Prices range from $39 to $209.

We sure are lucky to have such innovative and eco-minded folks in town. Now if someone could just find a use for old mix tapes and other, um, essentials.

– By Kate Nelson
Get more of Nelson’s eco-diva tips at www.ecodivaboulder.blogspot.com. Contact her at ecokate@live.com.

Just as shocked as when she tells her modeling gigs that she has her master’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado and she works as an engineer with spacecraft for Digital Globe in Longmont.

“In the States, that’s the way it is: Either you’re smart or you’re pretty,” she says. “Whereas in Japan, there’s an adage: ‘A woman endowed with both brains and beauty.’”

That certainly describes Kanner, 26, of Longmont.

Kanner used to hate getting her picture taken, she admits. Then, in 2007, she got engagement pictures done. She loved them. And that launched her new hobby.

Kanner has an eclectic background. Before switching to engineering, she originally was going to major in dance. She also plays the violin, cello and string bass. She enjoys helping friends decorate their houses, and she spends her free time watching Japanese Anime cartoons.

“I’m the biggest nerd ever,” Kanner says.

And if she won the lottery, she says she would go back to school and become a linguist. For the past few years, she has been studying written Mayan — “just for fun” — and she recently took a trip exploring the ruins.

Indeed, Kanner is as diverse as this month’s shoot, designed to show the myriad of looks you can get from the same person at the same store. Even beyond society’s stereotypes, so many women lock themselves into a rut, whether in their habits or the way they do their hair. In fact, Kanner says she keeps her hair short to show people that short hair has just as many options as long.

This month, she says she also tried to expand the stereotypes of each era.

“Rather than doing the ‘50s in cheeky pin-up, it was very demure and restrained and sculptural. Rather than the ‘70s as some high-fashion, anorexic drug thing, it was outside, free and fun,” Kanner says. “Playing on that other aspect of the eras was really big for me, and I had a blast doing it.”

— By Aimee Heckel

Whether it’s for Halloween, for fun or as a much deserved fall makeover, take this month to reinvent yourself — and your style.

A great place to start:
Goldmine Vintage, 1123 Pearl St., Boulder 303-945-0845

Goldmine opened in September 2007, stacked with vintage clothing and accessories, men’s graphic tees and the greatest selection of vintage dresses we’ve ever seen — organized by era. This makes finding what you’re looking for easy, and it also helps you break out of your style rut. Not to mention the sales associates are knowledgeable, total experts to help you put together a one-of-a-kind outfit.

All vintage clothes are hand-picked from trade shows, thrift stores and rag houses, huge warehouses of vintage clothing.

Goldmine explodes in Halloween, dedicating about 75 percent of its attire to Halloween costumes and inspirations. But here’s our style secret: Any day is a good day to tap into the classics.

Check out five different outfits from five different eras on one local model.

1940s
Coral/yellow rayon gown, $90
Feather headband, $14.95
Coral glass ring, $12
Vintage gold tassel earrings, $14

1950s
Sharkskin satin wiggle dress, $75
Black elbow-length satin gloves, $11.95
Rhinestone necklace, $26
Rhinestone bracelet, $30

1960s
Drop-waist flower power dress, $28
Yellow tights, $5.95
Yellow plastic bangle, $2.95
Yellow plastic mod earrings, $4.95

1970s
Geometric-print shirt-dress, $28
Vintage gold owl necklace, $20
Vintage ladies’ sunglasses, $14
White over-the-knee tights, $5.95

1980s
Black and white polka dot party dress, $40
Vintage ladies’ hat with veil, $24
Plastic bangles, $2.95 each
Neon pink fishnets, $5.95

Story by Aimee Heckel
Photos by Jonathan Castner
Model: Laurren Kanner
Stylist: Angel Garcia, pinuppretty@yahoo.com, www.pinupprettymua.com