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ALIVE Beyond Colorado Casual

1 Mariel Boutique, Denver

The personal stylists on hand at Mariel, in Denver’s upscale Cherry Creek neighborhood where more than 16 blocks of shops can help you make a week-end of it, offer a personal-ized shopping experience to help craft the perfect look for your next soiree. From exquisite gowns to dramatic Vilaiwan jewelry, Mariel’s sumptuous pieces are hand-selected and guaranteed to be unique — the store only carries three of each item, so you’ll never show up in the same dress as your host-ess. marielboutique.com

2 Decade, DenverBrowsing is half

the fun at this South Broadway boutique, where funky jewelry jostles for real estate with hand-made purses, vintage belt buckles and Honeydew underthings. The resident kittycat, Stella the Fella, presides over the store, which is jam-packed with reasonably priced items. At Decade, you can very easily pop in for a bottle of Tokyomilk perfume and leave with a refurbished vanity table, a form-and-function diaper bag and all the clever birthday cards you’ll need for the coming year. 303-912-8961, 56 S. Broadway

3 Cedar & Hyde, Boulder

A modern-day mercantile, Cedar & Hyde selects its apparel, home goods and gift items with an eye to handcrafted, qual-ity products. Every item in the store is ethically made, from the artisan chocolates and Sefte baby alpaca scarves to the custom-designed rugs (which are created by the proprietors’ sister). Hop a few blocks over and you’re right in the middle of Pearl Street Mall, the town’s open-air shopping hot spot. cedarandhyde.com

4 Two Sole Sisters, Boulder

Also nestled along the historic buildings of Pearl Street, look no farther for your next pair of favorite shoes. From unforget-table Bos. & Co boots in the smoothest suede to super-hot Corso Como leopard-print heels, Two Sole Sisters has you covered. They also carry gorgeous Liebeskind and Tano handbags, scarves and sophisticated jewelry. Worth the splurge, these high-end pieces will make you feel like a million bucks. twosolesisters.com

5 Details, LittletonPassersby can’t miss

Details’ eye-catching window displays or the signature, flower-draped antique bicycle parked outside. Inside, Archipela-go Soy Monogram candles, darling bottles of Lollia bubble bath and colorful Old Gringo cowboy boots line the shelves. Located in Littleton’s historic district, this charming little bou-tique is housed in an old theater and is the perfect place to find that little gift for your friends back home. detailsboutique.com

“Colorado casual” is a mysterious

term thrown around in the dress

code section of many Colorado

event invitations. Lest you think

we’re only about performance

fleece, hiking boots and boot-cut jeans,

we’ve rounded up a few fashion-

forward local boutiques that might change

your mind.

Whether you’re looking for that upscale designer jacket or a one-of-a-kind jewelry creation, you’ll find it at one of our unique home-grown stores. A few to keep your eye out for:

Boutique Shopping Hot Spots

By Lianne Veenstra

Beyond Colorado Casual:

18 1-800-Colorado | Colorado.com

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ALIVE Beyond Colorado Casual

6 Wildflower Boutique, OurayThis warm, welcoming boutique is a love note to mountain living and local craftsmanship. Proprietor Dee Hilton has stocked the shelves with items, many of which are Colorado-made, designed to pamper the body and the senses. You can find delicate cop-per necklaces by Colorado artisans, locally roasted coffee, body butters made in nearby Montrose, rustic night lights from Fort Col-lins and massage candles made in Longmont. If you’re looking for a “true Colorado” souvenir or gift, this is the place. ouray wildflowerboutique.com

7 Elizabeth Dean Boutique,

Glenwood SpringsThink Anthropologie without the sticker shock. This boutique carries sweet party dresses, light-as-air cardigans, pretty little candles in antique jelly jars, sunny botanical prints, pewter bird-shaped bottle openers and a host of other absolutely charm-ing finds. Browse away in this gem of a store, or

enlist one of the friendly, knowledgeable staff to help you find what you need. 970-945-9075, 715 Grand Ave.

8 Gorsuch, VailJet-setters rejoice.

This lavish boutique, opened by former Olym-pians Dave and Renie Gorsuch, has everything you need for luxe style in one of the nation’s see-and-be-seen locales. From luxurious Frauenschuh ski jackets to Bottega Veneta boots, you’ll find designer clothes as well as a selec-tion of refined housewares and gifts in Vail Village, which will have you surrounded by dozens of other shops, galleries and restaurants. gorsuch.com

9 Alpen Schatz Boutique,

TellurideTelluride boasts not one single chain store within its boxed canyon borders. Truly a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, Alpen Schatz fits right in with all things alpine — from darling little dirndls and lederhosen for the kids to traditional Swiss dog collars for Fido. They carry an extensive selec-tion of authentic alpine wear, like embroidered Swiss farmers shirts, alpine hats, stunning sweaters and gorgeously crafted leather jackets. They also sell genuine Swiss cowbells, adorable imported stuffed animals, delicate Austrian linens and a small selection of European furniture. alpenschatz.com

10 Distractions, Aspen

Shop for top designers like Balenciaga, Libertine and rag & bone at this fashion-forward boutique in fashion-forward Aspen. Owner Heidi Semrau has filled her shop with chic, contemporary looks like Greg Lauren pants and Blue Area tees, as well as some sportswear, like edgy Free City hood-ies, but her main focus is on softest-of-the-soft knitwear. While you’re there, be sure to check out some of her infinitely pet-able cashmere pieces. The town’s walkable downtown will lead you to many other shops, running the gamut from consign-ment to Prada. distractions aspen.com

Lianne Veenstra is a freelance writer who spent several years in Denver before moving to Lake Tahoe with her family. She likes hiking, biking on flat terrain and swimming in cold mountain lakes.

Dear Margot JewelryOne of our favorite Colorado finds are the colorful, chunky, beady, brilliantly shaped necklaces and earrings made by Denverite Sarah Gregori, which can be found online and in many local boutiques.

Your designs are colorful, modern and eco-conscious. To what extent has

living in Colorado influenced your work?A. It has influenced me a great deal. The col-or palettes for several of my past collections have been inspired by the natural elements that surround us here in Colorado.

In your opinion, what defines Colorado style?

A. Style plus practicality. We might be more casual than a place like New York City, but I think we offer a unique blend of eclectic style and functionality.

What are some of your favorite boutiques in Colorado?

A. Some of my favorite boutiques are Decade,

Reverie Living and Kismet in Denver and

Kansas City Kitty in Fort Collins.

Q

Q

Q

Check out Sarah’s collection at dearmargot.com

20 1-800-Colorado | Colorado.com

You asked. We listened.Book early at mountains.choicehotels.com/colorado-hotels and

or call 866.228.5152 and get our Best available rate.

Advance reservations required. Advance Purchase rate offer only available online and cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Subject to availability at participating hotels throughout Colorado. ©2014 Choice Hotels International. All rights reserved.

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