Jun 10
I’m a Boulder Hippie. Yipee.
How to be a Boho Boulder Hippie in 10 easy steps:
1. Only consume things that are green- like Kale and spearmint gum and swig cocktails like a Green Chartreuse.
2. Drive a Subaru. Hippie’s drive VW buses. Boulder Hippies drive Subaru’s.
3. Carry something hemp on your person at all times (like hemp seeds for yogurt or a purse that says “legalize hemp”).
4. Shop at Whole Foods Market Boulder. And Alfalfa’s. And the Boulder Farmers’ Market. And eat dumplings from Sisters’ Pantry.
5. Sport vintage Turquoise rings with stones mined from Colorado in the 1940s.
6. Wear the rainbow. Actually, eat the rainbow too (like veggies and stuff).
7. Talk about dream catchers.
8. Go to a music festival. Post on instagram.9. Make sure your pants are AT LEAST 7 inches too long so they drag on the bottoms and get super earthy.
10. Repeat steps 1-9 as necessary. Until you you decide you’re tired of being a hippie and want to re-brand as a hipster.
Vintage 1960s Turquoise Rings mined in Colorado
Thanks for the super styly’ 1960s, neon floral Tunic Grandma. I’maa Hippie!
Bad.
No, LL Bean. These DO NOT FIT PERFECTLY.
Bad.
Good…!
So technically they aren’t *exactly Mom Jeans. This style is a bit more Kelly Kapowswki than 1990s soccer Mom. But they’re pretty, pretty, pretty darn close (these are wide legs by Edun). Mom jeans go all shades of right with a dash of neon Aztec, layers of boho inspired necklaces and vintage cuffs. Add a Capri Sun and orange wedges and you’re ready for a 1990s inspired night on the town.
**Note, this outfit was worn to the Art Walk on Santa Fe in Denver and was quite the hit. New fashion moto: MJ24/7.
Spring is in the air, which means but one thing: hosting a Real Housewife of X-inspired outdoor party. Will there be lawsuit threats a la Beverly Hills or the table-cloth-pulling bouts of rage circa RHNJ? No, this will be (somewhat) civilized. Perhaps there won’t be scantily clad SUR employees shucking oysters at a raw seafood bar, but we’d be sure to have no fewer than three fab “bars” of our own, including mimosa, Bloody Mary, and organic yogurt, plus an array of fresh, organic dishes (#duh).
But the very first key to success? Leave the heterosexual males at home. There will be gallivanting and gossiping, Facebooking exes, and lots of picture taking (and retaking). While you may get the occasional “Can I drag Tim along—or will this be a female-only event?” feel free to say something polite such as, “I only invited the girls, but you never know who will show up …” A spring brunch is undoubtedly an event that should be exclusive to all your favorite ladies, and when they arrive, somehow having gotten the unspoken message to break out their finest seasonal frocks, you’ll know you made the right decision.
We kept the menu simple: a flavorful spread that we placed not-too carefully on a vintage tablecloth. Everyone arrived at around noon; by the time we had our first (or second or third, depending on who you ask) cocktail, listened to Alabama Shakes, talked and the like, it was at least an hour later before we started eating.
The main food attractions were our two quiches, each made with a homemade basic butter crust (don’t be scurred, it’s easier than you may think and a store-bought crust is an entertaining faux pas).
When we think quiche, we can’t help but recount our recent trip to Colorado’s Delta County, so we called on our girl Margauex, who runs the charming Hanson Mesa Bed & Breakfast in Hotchkiss for the recipe that she prepared for us while we stayed there. “I use only organic foods; I am certain the taste is much better and they are great for you,” were the wise words that she sent along with this divine and oh-so-easy recipe.
How to make the Hanson Mesa Bed & Breakfast Vegetarian Quiche
4-5 organic diced green onion tops
6 fresh organic eggs
1/2 organic red onion
1/2 organic red bell pepper
3-4 roasted chili peppers, homegrown and roasted on the grill
1 cup grated organic sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Bake the crust for 10 minutes on 375 degrees and then add the egg mixture. Cook until center is firm, usually around 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and test the center for firmness with a knife. Voila! (It really is that easy.)
The second quiche was equally simple, made with breakfast sausage from Whole Foods, along with mushrooms, broccoli, and jack cheese. Also delicious and a great way to please your carnivorous guests (though it’s safe to say everyone in attendance likes a good piece of meat).
To satisfy a sweets craving, we made this awesome Chocolate Zucchini Muffins recipe, also from Hanson Mesa, which you can find on deliciousliving.com. When things got dicey (nobody likes a dry muffin, nobody!!!!) we soaked the muffin tops (a phrase that shall never be uttered again) in a glaze of buttermilk and agave and refrigerated them, only to find that the result was a delicious, dense and moist chocolate-cake like variation of the muffins that we already adored.
We also adapted a very basic raspberry scone recipe, swapping out raspberries for blueberries for no reason other than that they looked more delicious at the store. When it was time to leave, we sent our guests away with the extras to have for their Monday-morning breakfast.
Finally, the “bars”: The mimosa bar was built with cheap champs and three different organic juices from Whole Foods: mango, cranberry-pomegranate, and grapefruit, plus our favorite vintage cocktail classes presented on a vintage gold cocktail tray. The star of the Bloody Mary bar, which also included pickles, celery, and a simple all-natural Bloody mix from Freshie’s, was the Sweet and Spicy Candied Bacon.
How to make Sweet and Spicy Candied Bacon
Combine half a cup of brown sugar with one teaspoon (or more if you’re feeling fiery) of Cayenne pepper and stir until blended. Cover both sides of high-quality, thinly sliced bacon with the mixture. Broil at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until crispy.
For a refreshing non-alcoholic option, we set out our new beverage pick, recently discovered at a natural foods store in Boulder called Alfalfa’s: Steven Smith Teamaker’s Blend No. 71 White Petal, made with white tea steeped in water that has been infused with apples and pears. They call it “fruitsmithing,” we call it good.
The final bar, also fully stocked, was our yogurt bar: organic yogurt and a series of toppings—or “accessories”—including coconut flakes, dried tart cherries, fresh strawberries, and hempseeds.
From the food to the company, this was the most fabulous brunch we’ve attended (and we know a good brunch). And remember this one final tip for your gathering: Keep the entire day open, because although some guests will leave for a hike or to do some gardening, to do laundry or get a head start on the week, a good host always entertains until the last guest has had her fill. Oh, and always wear your favorite Frisk.
Jessica’s brunch Frisk pick
A prim and proper, yet funky, pearl necklace adds a touch of ladylike flair to brunch. Ava Chunky Necklace.
Amanda’s brunch Frisk pick
Who doesn’t love gold? The Egyptian Statement Necklace shows a bold, vintage piece keeps you looking fab from morning until night (or 5 pm when you have to go nap).
Donna’s brunch Frisk pick
There is never a wrong time for a little sparkle and bling! Bringing high glamor with rhinestones and lions- the perfect accessory for a fierce brunch. Check out our Lion Cascade Chain Necklace.
Josh Collazo shopping at Frisk. He picked up some vintage shades.
Frisk: Hiiyah, Josh. Thanks for answering our style questions. First thing’s first: Where did you grow up?
Josh: I grew up in Downey, CA. It’s about 30 minutes south of Hollywood. The first Taco Bell was actually built there according to Wikipedia haha.
Frisk: Wow, first Taco Bell. That’s pretty impressive. How did growing up in Downey influence your style?
Josh: Well, I guess it had much more of an influence on my style while I was growing up and living there. Not so much at all now. Downey was the perfect place to skateboard and bike around since it’s not a huge city, so my style was based purely on what felt comfortable to wear while doing the fun outside stuff.
Frisk: Describe your personal style when you were 12 years old.
Josh: If I were to describe my style when I was 12 years old, my answer would be: awesome. HAHA I kid, I kid. Hmmm … 12 years old? I guess that would put me in 7th grade. During the day, I had to wear a uniform to school (Catholic school and all), which consisted of brown corduroy pants and a white itchy polo shirt. After school, at this time in my life, I don’t think I owned one pair of normal pants or jeans. I actually hated them! Probably because I was so into riding bikes. I was definitely a t-shirt, shorts, and skateboarding shoes kid.
Frisk: How would you describe your current personal style?
Josh: I don’t really think I have a personal style per say. Christian (guitar player in Edward Sharpe) and I actually met each other through swing dancing competitions in the mid-90s. At this time, I enjoyed wearing vintage clothes and getting stuff made that looked exactly like what the 1930s jitterbugs used to wear. (Striped shirts/striped socks/deck shoes/high-waisted slacks/etc..) In contrast, I’ve always liked rock’n'roll and mod clothing. So I guess it’s just a mix of all that crap somehow. I don’t think about it much at all now. I just wear what I want to wear. It changes daily.
Frisk: What (and who) are you wearing right now?
Josh: I am currently wearing a Kill City long sleeve striped thermal, Levi’s brown skinny jeans, and some burgundy-ish Beatles boots that I found while out on the road.
Frisk: Who are your fashion icons? Who are you inspired by?
Josh: The Beatles & Izzy Stradlin of Guns ‘N’ Roses. Hands down.
Frisk: What’s a fashion trend you would never wear?
Josh: I’m not a fan of sandals or snuggies.
Fashion flubs: Snuggies and sandals. Nice.
Thanks Josh!
May 28
Urban Boho
For early Summer 2013 we are excited for the arrival of our new, “Urban Boho” jewels. Perfect for the streets, the beach or the club, these neon pieces add a dash of flavor to a summer wardrobe. This was our first shoot of the season with Meg (find her on instagram @sunkissedstars- her photos are amazing). We shot on location on The Hill in Boulder, finding gritty areas with a touch of bohemian flair. Simple, yet captivating, these crystal quartz jewels can be worn alone or layered with other pieces, or with a burst of neon fringe.
Stay cool this summer and be cool while you’re at it. Shop the new styles HERE.
You’ve heard the saying “youth is wasted on the young.” No? Well, maybe that’s because you’re 17. But the rest of us, we sometimes look back on our high school days with a collective sigh of “what were we thinking?” Our “Essence of Frisk” contest showed a different, road-less-traveled rendition of these years. The depth of talent and intellect among these emerging artists from the Boulder, Colorado area was startling. Each of their works was truly a unique piece of art—creative, eclectic, thoughtful.
At only 15 years old, our winner Hannah has a deep understanding and appreciation of vintage that is wise beyond her years and that allowed her to relate to our brand through her winning piece. Hannah took elements of Frisk Jewelry that spoke to her and infused nods to the glamorous 1920s—a time when opulence prevailed. Because Frisk styles are current but always integrate various inspirations from the past, her piece really stood out. Hannah’s youth added freshness to her interpretation of styles and previous times. Plus, we loved the ethereal tone of the mixed-media composition. Whimsical and interesting, it felt so modern and fashion forward.
In addition to creating a beautiful, original piece, part of the contest was the artists promoting their work. We wanted to show students that social media is a powerful platform for sharing ideas, concepts, and art. Hannah not only created an incredible piece, but also was extremely successful in this component of the contest. Through her popular Tumblr page and by reaching out to friends and family, she garnered more than 130 votes.
Here, we sit down with Hannah, a soon-to-be junior at Boulder High School to learn more about her winning piece.
 |
 |
Frisk: What were your inspirations for your piece?
Hannah: Well, it was partly inspired by the fashion I like, specifically fashion from the ‘20s and ‘30s, and also by fashion photography I’ve seen floating around the Internet. I wanted to incorporate the vintage aesthetic of Frisk with a modern layout.
Frisk: Which Frisk collections or pieces inspired you most and how did you incorporate them into your art piece?
Hannah: Initially, I really loved the classic jewelry. I dig how it uses vintage materials in a modern look, which is how I define my own style. I tried to use this idea by putting the damask pattern, vintage style, and jewelry all in an updated composition (for example, the jewelry hanging from the tree branch).
Frisk: You were the only artist that used multimedia effects in her work; tell us a little bit about your process.
Hannah: I used mixed media to create a three-dimensional look. I watercolor painted the background first and then glued on a damask pattern. The pieces in the foreground, the girl, and the jewelry were also watercolor, but I had to cut them out with an x-acto knife and glue them on, too. Needless to say, it was a very tedious process.
Frisk: Getting to know you, we can tell you are really dialed in to art and culture. Who are your favorite art and fashion influences?
Hannah: My favorite artists would probably be Picasso, Monet, and Mondrian, or Joan Miro. More specifically, however, most of my inspiration for my art comes from the music I listen to and the album art. I suppose music could be an art influence as well. Uh fashion influences, haha … I don’t really pay attention to fashion trends, but I dig Twiggy’s and Alison Mosshart’s styles. I mean, I pretty much like fashion from the ‘20s through the ‘70s—with some grunge thrown in.
Frisk: An important factor in the contest was the social media component. Each student was responsible for promoting his or her work, and you got a ton of votes. What was your process?
Hannah: Welp, I mostly just posted about it a lot on Facebook and Tumblr. A lot of my friends shared it too, so I guess it worked out in the end!
Frisk: In an ideal world, what would you like to be when you “grow up”?
Hannah: This is probably going to sound really naive, but I’d be a writer with some art on the side. My friends and family could tell you about my opinions on careers and the social hierarchy, but I’ll put it this way: I’d like to be a writer to change the way people think. Social activism, as well as freethinking, is important to me, and I would love if people became more aware of the world around them. I mean in a cerebral, self-aware kind of way, not just looking around and noticing buildings, haha.
Frisk: How do you think fashion and art are similar and influence each other?
Hannah: Fashion and art are very similar, the most prevalent difference being the canvas and the medium. If you think about it, fashion is essentially using clothes to create an aesthetically interesting look. That’s art in its simplest terms.
Frisk: Tell us a little about you! What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not at school or creating awesome art?
Hannah: Oh man, this is gonna sound sad, but I spend most of my time watching TV and going on the Internet. Granted, I usually watch stuff like Twin Peaks, but it still sounds mindless. Other than that I collect records and draw/paint. Music is super important to me—I have so much music I’ve filled two mp3 players (not including my records). This week I’ve added Vampire Weekend to my collection.
Thanks for sharing more about you and your process with us, Hannah!
Congrats to Hannah for her success in creating a beautiful art piece and running a successful social media campaign. With her prize of $150 in store credit, she picked vintage pieces—a 1950s dress from our Spiked Tea Party, a constellation necklace, and other keepsakes. Finally, Hannah chose a delicate, hand-painted locket from the 1940s, complete with images of family members from the past, which were her favorite part of the necklace. It’s impossible to say who owned the necklace in the past, but now, many years later it is given new life by a talented, creative, artistic 15-year-old from Boulder.
In a vintage dress and necklace from Frisk.
Check out Hannah’s tumblr Three Times Freed
Apr 30
Spiked Tea Party!
Welcome to…THE BEST PARTY EVER! If there is one thing we know at Frisk, it’s how to party (oh yea, and how to design jewelry and over accessorize, obvs).Pacing. Waiting. Will anyone show up? I’ll have a cocktail. Just a little one. After all, it’s 303 Vodka. And a cupcake. Just one. Okay. maybe two (they’re minis!). The clock hits 6. WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE??? Then..
 Tee and Cakes boss lady Kim |
 Leah Ann in her new Frisk gear |
Rings from Frisk- pic by blogger Nine Lives For Fashion
 Jenna poses with the mini tea cup |
 The lady in charge of keeping our hair fab, Jessica |
 Vintage hats! |
 Heather of EcoLuxe |
1970s Boho necklaces on sale
 Meredith in her new 1980s vintage Dior glasses |
 Some of our fave Frisk shoppers |
 Styling intern Laura V. posing in front of her own pic |
 Donna |
Vintage dresses, special for the party
 Amanda |
 Jessica |
 Tee and Cakes treats |
 303 Vodka |
Apr 27
Lessons From Prom
It’s that time…You’ve found your prettiest Jessica McClintock dress. Your hair has been coiffed. You’ve landed a date (yay). It’s not like the dates in the Babysitters Club Books (boo). Here we are at our proms, and we’ve got some helpful lessons to remember while you’re out on the town for the big night…
Jessica in 2004, Amanda in 1998.
1. You will regret everything you’re wearing from head to toe.
Every item you’re wearing will be awful ten years later (unless you’re wearing something like Herve Leger, in which case you’re not going to prom, you’re going to the Oscars). No matter how fabulous you think you are, you will post the images years after the fact and get a text saying, “I just almost spit my almond latte across the table when I saw your prom pictures.” The black cocktail dress is cute- but the handbell choir gloves are not. The pink 80s Betsey Johnson is fun and ironic…But there is, sadly, no irony in high school. There is a sneaking suspicion in the bottom of the previous pics there is a lot of stockings and open toes. Which brings us to…
2. You think Prom will be a memorable night…
…It won’t be. You will likely not remember one detail about prom. Wait…That’s not true. You’ll remember where you bought your dress. But that’s all.
3. That Mother of the Bride hairdo you’re so excited about is not fashion forward. It’s just a bunch of crispy curls.
Not exactly sure why prom goers think it’s a great idea to get their hair twisted and coiffed into a hairstyle that makes them look 121 years old. But everyone does it. Without the requisite crunchy “barrel curl” tendrils, prom just isn’t prom.
4. You’re super pumped to ride in a limo. BUT…
Limos smell like cheese and Cool Water cologne. Always.
5. You think after prom at the East Boulder Rec Center is going to be the best time of your life. Yet…
Faux casino games? A used car giveaway? A DANCE PARTY???? All of the ear markings of the best thing in the world. But alas, you don’t win the car, you win a bright yellow puffy jacket and fall asleep in it because you’re EXHAUSTED. Your prom date is bugging you. The dance party is cheesy. And you want to sleep. Now.
6. You deserve eyebrows.
Put the tweezers down. Please.
It’s time for our yearly vintage event! We’ve been accumulating rare fashion finds throughout the year, and it’s time to sell them all- to make way for next years crop. A Frisky twist on the old prim and proper party, some sip a booze-y confection out of a vintage tea cup, and shop some incredible one-of-a-kind looks with us next Tuesday, April 23 from 6-8 pm. Hat and gloves not required (though we’ll be wearing them).
With the party less than a week away we wanted to showcase some of the incredible vintage clothing that we’ll be selling at the event. So many fashionable girls shop at Frisk, and the common denominator is they often have vintage elements mixed in with our jewelry, and the latest “it” clothing designer. Ironically, turning to the past can provide the freshest take on fashion. Vintage transports the wearer to both another time and place with a whisper when paired with modern outfits.
We are presenting a mix of periods at Frisk for the party- the only criteria are the following: The pieces must be in great condition (no holes, odor free) and they must be fabulous. While we don’t lean towards one decade exclusively, we find many of the pieces we collect are boho inspired from the 1960s and 1970s.
Here Frisk client, Laura, a New Yorker with a passion for vintage, styles herself in items on sale at the party.
Dress: Late 1960s- Early 1970s boho slip with Grecian bordering styled as a dress.
1970s slouchy, white leather zodiac boots.
1970s over sized starlet sunglasses.
 |
 |
1970s blue, Asian inspired double knit cover up with red, white and green trim
Early 1980s knee high boots
Frisk Lion Cuff Bracelet
 |
 |
1960s Indian caftan dress.
Frisk stone cuff and lion rings
 |
 |
Rounded 1980s sunglasses
Vintage, embroidered, Mexican peasant dress.
 |
 |
1970s lavender, suede, sweater with fringe
1940s vintage locket
Frisk unicorn cuff
 |
 |
1960s sweetheart dress with lace and bows
Frisk classic chunky necklace and luck bracelets
1960s cropped sassy sailor crop top
1970s high waisted, plaid pants
1980s working girl clutch purse Tortolani Man Necklace from the 1960s
1960s puffer quilted psychedelic skirt
All jewelry in photos available at Frisk.
Apr 11
L.A. food pick: Urth Caffe
Sure there were oversized pickles from the “fresh produce” kiosk and the imperative churrrrrrrro at Disneyland. But even that, even that, couldn’t compete with our best Southern California food find: Urth Caffe.
Maybe we reinforced every Boulder stereotype when we became instant fans of this restaurant known for its organic coffee and tea (in fact, the recommendation came from one of our favorite Boulder baristas) and fresh, local food. But it really was that good.
With four locations throughout California, Urth Caffe is everything every quick service restaurant should be—and almost never is. No questionable food prep, no grimy wilted lettuce, no shortage of options on the fresh and flavorful menu.
The casual, comfortable environment and delicious, primarily organic breakfast and lunch food makes this the type of place you could eat at every day, which is why we went to the West Hollywood and Santa Monica locations back-to-back. One caveat: At West Hollywood, BYOP (bring your own pen) for waver signing purposes because you may have to sign one in case the back of your noggin appears in a Queen Latifah and Jada Pinket Smith sitcom. Or something.
Here are few highlights. We were partial to the Santa Monica location, just a couple of blocks off the beach.
Blended Spanish Latte Granita
Urth is fully dedicated to sourcing only organic coffee and teas, with a focus on other sustainable practices including fair trade and shade grown. We were obsessed with their signature Spanish Granita—rich, creamy, and frozen. They also have “tea lattes.”
Grilled Chicken Salad with Pesto
The perfect salad: A hearty portion of local greens, topped with organic tomatoes, moist chicken strips and freshly made herb pesto.
Old-Fashioned Banana Cream Pie
Don’t leave without dessert. No, seriously. You can’t go wrong with choices like the Torta Della Nonna and Matcha Tiramisu, but we were all about the old-fashioned banana cream pie. There’s a nice selection of vegan options, too.
 |
 |