Issuu

The Stories We Wear TH E ST YLE ISSU E

S E P TE M B E R 2 02 6

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Style, Uniquely Yours Putting together our Style Issue reminded me that the most memorable style is rarely about following a trend. It comes from the stories we carry, the confidence we build and the personal details that make something feel unmistakably our own. Whether expressed through clothing, a beautifully designed space or the way someone welcomes others, style gives us a glimpse of the person, and the heart, behind it. This month, we celebrate inspiring women who bring incredible style to Fort Collins, each in a distinctly personal way. Their stories remind us that style can be shaped by family history, inspired by the people who raised us and carried forward through meaningful traditions. It can be expressed through bold design, discovered in a thoughtfully curated closet or revealed in the confidence to choose what feels unmistakably your own. Style also lives in the spaces we create and the experiences we share with others. It is found in the details that turn a building into a destination, an outfit into a statement or an ordinary gathering into a memory. Sometimes it is polished and sophisticated; other times, it is colorful, playful and a little unexpected. I have always believed life is more interesting with a little color, personality and unexpected flair. What I love most about this issue is that it reaches far beyond fashion. It explores the stories, relationships, creativity and confidence that shape how we show up in the world. True style is not about having the perfect wardrobe or following the latest trend. It is about knowing who you are, embracing what makes you different and allowing your individuality to shine. Thank you for welcoming Fort Collins City Lifestyle into your home each month. I hope this issue inspires you to celebrate your own story, express yourself confidently and embrace a style that is entirely yours.

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Carli Taylor-Drake carli.taylor-drake@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R I AL C O O R D I N ATO R

Luke Purvis luke.purvis@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Carli Taylor-Drake C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Bob Younger Images, Boxwood Photos, Kathie Peden Photography, Sydney Olsen Photography, Clayton Jenkins Photography, Brian Hepp Photography

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

With Gratitude,

C A R L I TAY L O R - D R A K E , P U B L I S H E R @FORTCOLLINSCITYLIFESTYLE

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Fort Collins City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Fort Collins area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/FORTCOLLINS

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Fort Collins City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue SE PTE M B E R 2 02 6 | STYL E

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

10 18

Featured

Departments

Feathers, Fashion and Living Colorfully Kari Sanders carries Fort Collins history while inspiring women to embrace color, confidence and individuality

Style Worth Checking Into

Ask Jenna: Confidence Curated

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Inspired By ARTS + CULTURE

Local Limelight HOME SERVICES

Must See LIFE + CULTURE

Expert Help STYLE + BEAUTY

Happy Hour FOOD + BEVERAGE

Artist’s Palette STYLE + BEAUTY

At The Buxton Hotel, Ashley Stiles blends bold design, family memories and heartfelt hospitality

Style Curated’s founder shares honest advice for building confidence, dressing intentionally and shopping more personally.

On the Cover Kari Sanders, Jenna Hepp McEnaney, Carli Taylor-Drake and Ashley Stiles bring four perspectives together for one bold celebration of style at The Buxton Hotel. Photography: Bob Younger Images

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SEPTEMBER 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Kari and Scott Sanders at the PBR at CSU’s Canvas Stadium. 2: The Blue Federal Credit Union team supports Realities for Children at its annual golf tournament. 3: Andrea and Guy Tuell enjoy the Larimer County PRCA Rodeo with their daughters. 4: Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies physicians, team and families enjoy PBR. 5: Julie and Glenn Frank of Origin PHCE bid during Larimer County’s 2026 Junior Livestock Sale. 6: Glenn Frank, Donja Medina, Todd and Jenny Harding, and Susan & Tracy Walker celebrate Todd! 7: The Alvarez family cheers on Elena at the Larimer County Junior Livestock Auction!

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A lifetime of color, creativity and style comes together in Kari Sanders’ curated closet. Photo by Kathie Peden Photography

FEATHERS, FASHION AND LIVING COLORFULLY Kari Sanders carries generations of Fort Collins history while inspiring women to embrace color, confidence and freedom to stand out.

ARTICLE BY CARLI TAYLOR-DRAKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHIE PEDEN, SYDNEY OLSEN, CLAYTON JENKINS

I NSP IR E D BY | ARTS + C U LT U RE

Rainy days call for bright color, playful confidence and a fabulous pair of heels. Photo Credit Clayton Jenkins

Some know Kari Sanders as the woman who always arrives dressed for the occasion. The dramatic coats. The vintage treasures. The feathers. The pink. The unmistakable confidence. Others affectionately call her the “Carrie Bradshaw of Fort Collins.”

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Kari and her husband, Scott, have never been afraid to make an entrance. Photo Credit Clayton Jenkins

“She’s my spirit animal,” Sanders says. “Every time I get dressed, I think, What would Carrie wear?” But long before New York shaped her wardrobe, Fort Collins shaped the woman she would become. Born at Poudre Valley Hospital and raised here, Kari comes from a family woven into the city’s history. For Sanders, style didn’t begin in a closet. It began on College Avenue, inside Julian’s, where her grandmother, Ginny Allen, ‘Honey’ to everyone who loved her, worked among racks of elegant clothing. Kari’s mother would dress her up and take her downtown to meet Honey for lunch at the Walgreens diner everyone called Wags. Afterward, Kari wandered through Julian’s with her hands tucked behind her back, absorbing the glamour and Honey’s impeccable style. Sometimes Honey let her sit in the front window and watch College Avenue pass by. Kari still remembers Honey’s Ciara perfume and keeps a bottle today.

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Kari, Scott, and her 1957 Thunderbird, Blossom, against the iconic backdrop of CSU’s Oval. Photo by Sydney Olsen Photography

“Every time I get dressed, I think, ‘What would Carrie wear?’ Then I reach for something fun and unexpected.”

I NSP IR E D BY | ARTS + C U LT U RE

Honey favored black and white, drove enormous yellow Cadillacs and rarely left home without looking polished. Kari inherited that belief in making an effort, though her version includes considerably more color, volume and feathers. “My grandmother would probably be a little embarrassed,” she says with a laugh, “but she would respect the effort I put into it.” In Kari’s family, showing up well meant being present, for a dinner, a friendship, a celebration or a community. In 1959, her grandfather, Bill Allen, was one of four founders of the Fort Collins Country Club. Kari remembers summers at the pool and family membership number 128, which she later reclaimed. She still has Honey’s white Cobra golf bag. It is heavy, impractical, and priceless. Her grandparents were generous hosts, and Kari and her husband, Scott, continue that tradition.

Scott served 25 years in the Air Force and retired as a colonel, giving Kari one of her favorite introductions: yes, she has her own “Colonel Sanders.” He also brings his own polished style right alongside hers. Together, they can turn almost anything into an occasion. For their pug Olive’s 10th birthday, they hosted a blacktie celebration. Even a dog’s milestone deserved formalwear. That playful spirit explains Kari’s wardrobe better than any label. Dinner is more fun in a fabulous coat, a CSU game more celebratory in sequins, and lunch with friends reason enough for feathers. Her childhood Fort Collins was filled with familiar rituals: Panhandler’s Pizza after football games, Saturdays at Foothills Fashion Mall and Friday evenings at The Rio when she returned home. “It was the better version of Facebook,” she says. “You would see people you

YO U R TA B L E I S WA I T I N G

hadn’t seen in a while, get caught up and reminisce.” The city has grown, yet Kari can still pass Julian’s and Garwood Jewelers and feel decades have passed on the same block. One piece of that history never leaves her hand. Kari wears Honey’s wedding ring, originally purchased from Garwood Jewelers in Old Town. She brings it to Randy and Deb for cleaning, and Randy recognizes it. It is a small circle of Fort Collins history - chosen by Honey, remembered by Randy, and now carried through Old Town on Kari’s hand. College in Texas and Scott’s Air Force career took them around the country. Seattle introduced Kari to polish, and New York gave her permission to stop wondering whether an outfit was too much. The move to Manhattan was not entirely unrelated to Sex and the City. Kari loved its energy and women who dressed for themselves. On New York streets, she saw

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feathers with denim, vintage coats on ordinary afternoons and personal style without apology. Thrift and secondhand stores became sources for unusual pieces with enough personality to inspire an entire look. Then she brought that freedom home. “I wasn’t going to leave it in New York,” she says. New York influenced the way Kari dressed, but family ultimately brought her home. Her younger brother, Matthew, lives with disabilities, and being close to him was one of the most important reasons she and Scott returned to Fort Collins. The confidence she developed in New York came home with her. Today, her closet is a joyful collision of sequins, tulle, faux fur, vintage finds, statement coats, shoes and enough pink to qualify as its own design philosophy. She doesn’t chase every trend. She gravitates toward texture, movement and pieces that make her feel something. For her, clothing is storytelling. “It’s kind of like reading a foreword to a book before you start the first chapter,” she says. “You get a feel for what the person is like or how they’re feeling.” Kari jokes that athletics were never her calling. What she could do was spot one unusual garment and imagine a look around it. “I love that challenge,” she says. Her message isn’t to dress like her, but to stop talking yourself out of what you love. Fort Collins may be known for hiking boots, athleisure and relaxed Colorado style, but Kari believes casual should be an option rather than an obligation. She imagines more local fashion variety, even a boutique filled with elevated CSU gameday looks: sparkly boots, feathered skirts and sequins worthy of a home game. “Bring it for the home team,” she says. “Let’s have some fun.”

“Fashion is like telling a story without having to use words.” - Kari Sanders Kari and Dawn Burton celebrate the home team in true CSU style

I NSP IR E D BY | ARTS + C U LT U RE

Kari celebrates her pug Olive’s 10th birthday in style with a black-tie affair

Style may evolve through the years, but the bond between Kari, Scott and Olive remains timeless. Photo Credit Sydney Olsen Photography

Good conversation and genuine connection never go out of style for Kari and Scott. Photo Credit Sydney Olsen Photography

Kari’s closet is more than a wardrobe, it’s a colorful reflection of a life shared with Scott

The most meaningful pieces in Kari’s collection are not always the boldest. She owns fur coats that belonged to Honey and her mother, their names embroidered inside. The ring, coats, perfume and golf bag carry the presence of the women who taught her to enjoy beautiful things instead of saving them for someday. Which raises the kind of question Carrie Bradshaw might have turned into a column: Does confidence create style, or does style teach us to be confident? For Kari, the answer is both. New York gave her courage; Fort Collins gave that courage somewhere meaningful to return. Now she hopes younger women discover that freedom sooner than she did. Experiment. Shop vintage. Try the unexpected piece. Wear the fabulous coat to lunch. Add the feathers. Choose the color. “Reach for the thing that makes you happy,” Kari says. “Find a place to wear it. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion.” The little girl who walked through Julian’s with her hands tucked behind her back now reaches for the beautiful thing, puts it on, and walks straight into the day. The feathers may be what people notice first. But in Kari’s world, there’s no such thing as overdressed, only permission to celebrate yourself. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/FO RTC O L L I N S

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Ashley Stiles, owner of The Buxton Hotel

M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

AT THE BUXTON, ASHLEY STILES BLENDS BOLD DESIGN, FAMILY MEMORIES AND HEARTFELT HOSPITALITY INTO A COLORFUL, MEMORABLE FORT COLLINS EXPERIENCE.

The lobby of The Buxton Hotel

ARTICLE BY CARLI TAYLOR-DRAKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOXWOOD PHOTOS

STYLE WORTH

CHECKING INTO Before The Buxton was a hotel, it was a feeling: a pink house in Oklahoma, supper around the table, peonies in the garden and evenings watching Hee Haw and Dallas, a feeling of being expected, included and cared for. For Ashley Stiles, that feeling lived at her grandparents’ home in Hominy, outside Tulsa. Growing up in an oiland-gas family meant moving often and rarely staying anywhere long enough to call it home. Nina Belle Buxton and James Caldwell Davis became her constant. CONTINUED >

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Their names now live at the property’s center. The Buxton Hotel honors Nina Belle, while The Caldwell carries James’ name, celebrating the people who taught Ashley what it means to be welcomed. “Every time I went back there, I knew I would be well cared for,” Ashley says. “They were this grounding force in my life.” On South College Avenue, Ashley has translated that love into a pink boutique hotel created to make visitors and locals feel like family. And if Nina Belle could see it today? Ashley smiles. “She would say she was tickled pink.”

A FAMILIAR PLACE, REIMAGINED

Ashley is founder and CEO of Tribe Development, a Fort Collins-based, female-founded and Nativeowned real estate development firm. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, she built the company around a belief rooted in her heritage: community over the individual. For nearly three decades, Ashley drove past the former Best Western without seeing its potential. Built in 1962, it had welcomed generations of families, CSU visitors and travelers. That changed on a flight home from a Colorado State University board meeting. Inspired by a hotel pairing imaginative design with genuine

Double-double room with vaulted ceilings at The Buxton Hotel

M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

“THERE WAS NO WAY IT WASN’T GOING T O BE P INK .” - ASHLEY STILES

All season, covered pool at The Buxton Hotel

hospitality, Ashley considered what Fort Collins was missing. Her mind returned to the College Avenue property, and she imagined its future. Before landing, Ashley asked the owner to meet for coffee. They discussed the hotel’s history and Ashley’s vision for preserving rather than replacing it. The owner recognized that Ashley saw a place worth reimagining. “I think you are the one to buy this from me,” she told her. Over the following year, they worked toward the purchase.

THERE WAS NO WAY IT WASN’T GOING TO BE PINK

Dusty pink, jewel tones, playful patterns and leopard carpet replace the neutral palette common in modern hotels. The Buxton was destined for pink: Nina Belle’s house was “pink on pink on pink.” “So much modern design has become neutral,” Ashley says. “We wanted The Buxton to feel different, to inspire people and spark joy.” A mixed-media portrait Ashley created of Nina Belle hangs above the lobby fireplace. Every artwork either depicts a woman or was created by one, extending that celebration throughout the hotel.

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The family story continues at The Caldwell Bar, named for Ashley’s grandfather. A proud Chickasaw man, James was strong without being hard. He taught Ashley to fish, wrestle, love classic country and appreciate a good knee-slapper. Ashley once imagined giving his name to a son. “We didn’t have more kids, so we had a bar,” she jokes. James did not drink, making a bar named for him all the more playful. Still, he would recognize himself in its rugged cowboy spirit and warmth. One visitor called the style “honky-tonk glam,” a description Ashley considered the highest compliment. Southern-inspired dishes and family recipes carry Ashley’s childhood memories into the menu, while a partnership with The Mishawaka brings live music and curated evenings down the mountain. The result is a gathering place for hotel guests and the Fort Collins community. CONTINUED >

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The lobby of The Buxton Hotel

STYLE YOU CAN FEEL

At The Buxton, style extends beyond what guests see. A sandalwood-forward signature scent, Italian linens and carefully selected mattresses make comfort part of the aesthetic. Its 69 rooms, all-season pool and recovery-focused wellness space carry that intention. Locals are invited to experience it through coffee, dinner, live music, pool days, wellness or a staycation around a Rams game. The point is not merely to stay. It is to belong. Ashley credits the team with bringing that belonging to life. A culture guide, not simply an employee handbook, defines how staff care for guests and one another. When someone goes above and beyond, teammates recognize it with what they call “the extra cookie.”

THREE GENERATIONS, ONE VISION

The Buxton is ultimately a story of women creating across generations. Nina Belle inspired its heart, Ashley transformed that love into a place, and Ashley’s daughter, Alana

M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

Nina Belle Buxton and James Caldwell Davis, Ashley Stiles' grandparents and inspiration for The Buxton

Stiles, helps carry its story forward through marketing, brand management and social media. “Getting to watch my daughter thrive in this is a once-in-alifetime experience,” Ashley says. “We get to create this thing that pays tribute to our family and is something we can all be proud of.” For Ashley, success will mean more than industry accolades. It will happen when The Buxton becomes the place where people

Ashley Stiles, owner of The Caldwell Bar and Restaurant at The Buxton Hotel

meet friends, hear a favorite band, celebrate something meaningful or welcome someone they love to Fort Collins. Nina Belle once created that feeling around her own table. Today, her granddaughter, Ashley Stiles, has made the table bigger, and painted the whole thing pink.

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Ask Jenna: Confidence Curated Style Curated’s founder shares honest advice for building confidence, dressing intentionally and shopping more personally. For Jenna Hepp McEnaney, personal style is less about following fashion rules and more about helping women feel like themselves. She began as a personal stylist before opening her first boutique in Berthoud and eventually bringing Style Curated to Old Town Square. Today, the boutique combines thoughtfully selected clothing with personal guidance for women who want to refresh wardrobes, prepare for an important moment or feel more confident getting dressed. We sat down with Jenna to talk about creating a welcoming shopping

experience, making better use of what you already own and why feeling good is always reason enough to dress well.

WHAT MAKES STYLE CURATED DIFFERENT FROM A TRADITIONAL BOUTIQUE?

We approach the boutique as an experience rather than a place to shop. Customers can browse independently, ask for assistance or work one-on-one with a stylist. We want to understand what you are looking for and how you want to feel. From there, we can help identify flattering

ARTICLE BY CARLI TAYLOR-DRAKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN HEPP PHOTOGRAPHY

EXP E RT H E LP | STYL E + BE AU T Y

silhouettes, create outfits and introduce pieces you may not have selected for yourself.

SOME WOMEN FIND BOUTIQUE SHOPPING INTIMIDATING. HOW DO YOU MAKE CUSTOMERS FEEL COMFORTABLE?

From the moment someone walks in, we want her to feel welcome. I have been in boutiques where I felt like I didn’t belong, and we want to be the exact opposite of that. We explain that styling assistance is available, but we never force it. Some women want help, while others need time to browse. We let each customer decide what kind of experience she wants.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE WHEN HELPING SOMEONE SHOP?

I’m like the best friend you shop with. I’ll support you, be honest when something isn’t working and make sure you know when something looks wonderful, because we need that sometimes. Shopping can feel stressful, particularly when you are uncertain about fit or trying something outside your comfort zone. We want to take away some of that pressure while giving an honest opinion.

WHAT DO WOMEN COMMONLY MISUNDERSTAND ABOUT DRESSING FOR THEIR BODY TYPE?

We tend to focus on what we think looks bad instead of discovering what looks good. Every body is different, and sometimes the problem isn’t the piece, it is how the outfit has been styled. A wide-leg jean may need a more fitted top to create balance, or the wrong shoe may interrupt the look. Styling is about adjusting the proportions and making an outfit your own.

CAN YOU HELP SOMEONE MAKE BETTER USE OF CLOTHING SHE ALREADY OWNS?

Absolutely. During an in-home closet refresh, we go through clothing, shoes and accessories and remove pieces that are worn out or no longer reflect the client’s life. Then we create outfits using what she already owns, photograph the looks and identify what is truly missing. I love helping women get more value from their existing wardrobes so that when they do shop, they are making purposeful additions instead of rebuying things they already have. CONTINUED >

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At Style Curated, every shopping experience is personal, from thoughtful guidance to the final detail.

Jenna helps a client thoughtfully edit her closet through personalized, one-on-one styling designed around her lifestyle, needs and individual style.

EXP E RT H E LP | STYL E + BE AU T Y

More than a boutique, Style Curated is a place to feel known, encouraged and completely yourself.

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WHAT IF SOMEONE HAS ONE DIFFICULT ITEM SHE LOVES BUT NEVER WEARS?

Bring it into the store, and bring the shoes and accessories you might wear with it, too. We can style around the piece, find the missing layer or show you a different way to wear it. Sometimes a new top or shoe changes everything. Other times, the piece simply isn’t right, and we can help you feel comfortable letting it go and finding a better replacement.

WHAT KINDS OF MOMENTS BRING WOMEN TO YOU FOR STYLING?

We see women preparing for interviews, promotions, conferences, family photographs, travel and special events. We also work with women who are navigating a life transition or simply no longer recognize themselves in their closets. Targeted styling sessions can solve a specific wardrobe challenge, while in-store appointments can help someone refresh her everyday essentials or begin building a capsule wardrobe.

“Personal styling that helps you look, and feel, your best.” DO WOMEN NEED A SPECIAL OCCASION TO DRESS UP?

Not at all. Women often tell me, “I love that, but where would I wear it?” I believe you should dress in what makes you feel good, and that becomes the occasion. Style does not have to wait for a wedding, vacation or important meeting. The way you dress can change how you carry yourself through an ordinary day.

WHICH PIECES OFFER THE MOST VERSATILITY HEADING INTO FALL?

Fall is the season of denim, so I always begin with a favorite pair of jeans. A strong jacket, whether it is a blazer, trench, moto or denim style, can transform pieces you already own. I also love a sweater draped over the shoulders and a slightly pointed ankle boot. A good blazer may be the most versatile piece because it can elevate jeans and a white T-shirt or add structure over a dress.

WHAT DO YOU ULTIMATELY HOPE WOMEN FEEL WHEN THEY LEAVE STYLE CURATED?

I want them to remember that they are always welcome and that there is something that can work for them. My vision has always been for three generations, a daughter, mother and grandmother, to shop together and each find something she loves. Confidence is reflected in how you present yourself. When you feel good, it projects, and other people notice it.

EXP E RT H E LP | STYL E + BE AU T Y

Jenna Hepp McEnaney Visit Jenna at Style Curated in Old Town Square in Fort Collins for personalized styling, thoughtfully selected clothing, closet refreshes and confidence-building guidance.

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INGREDIENTS: • • • • • •

1 bottle, standard size, of pinot grigio 2 1/2 cups fresh apple cider 1 cup club soda 1/2 cup ginger brandy 3 Honeycrisp apples, chopped 3 pears, chopped

DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients together and stir. Refrigerate for an hour or so (or longer) before serving. The drink can be enjoyed immediately, if desired, but the longer you let the ingredients sit and mix, the deeper the flavors will be. Giving it time to develop will make the drink more captivating and interesting.

NOTE: Regular brandy can be used, but ginger brandy gives it an extra kick of flavor.

APPLE CIDER

sangria A LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL TREAT

As the season transitions into fall, it still features the warm, sunny days of summer but nights start to drop into the crisp temperatures. That leaves us in the limbo of wanting cool, refreshing drinks part of the time but also craving the deeper, spice-infused flavors of autumn. This recipe for apple cider sangria is the perfect blending of the seasons, leaving you feeling both refreshed and warmed through the deep flavors and interesting hints of spice. It’s a great drink to add to any dinner party, cocktail gathering, back deck after-hours get-together, or birthday bash. Here’s what you need to make the perfect mid-season cocktail to enhance whatever event you have planned.

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Kari Sanders reminds me that style should be joyful. Her bold fashion captures attention, while her warmth, humor and Fort Collins spirit make her unforgettable. Her confidence reflects family history, deep roots and love for the community she calls home. Jenna Hepp McEnaney shows how style can encourage. She helps women choose clothing, but also listens and helps them recognize what makes them beautiful. Her gift is creating confidence without asking anyone to become someone they are not. Ashley Stiles demonstrates how style can tell a story and create belonging. Every detail at The Buxton reflects the memories and traditions that shaped her. Its beauty is the warmth behind it and her desire for guests to feel cared for and at home. Together, these women reminded me that what we wear and create is only part of the story. Friendship, kindness, confidence and inner beauty leave a lasting impression. To me, that is style at its best.

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Style has never been limited to what we wear. It appears in the spaces we create, the way we welcome others and the confidence we bring into a room. Its most beautiful expressions come from within. As owner and publisher, I find joy in sharing others’ stories. This issue invited me to step forward, and I’ll admit, I was hesitant. I prefer spotlighting others, but this felt like the opportunity to share more of myself and show the personality and heart behind Fort Collins City Lifestyle. Bringing together women with unmistakable style showed that style is as much about who we are as what we wear. At The Buxton Hotel, colorful dresses, cowboy boots, a crowded photo booth and laughter made being serious impossible. Bob Younger of Bob Younger Images brought it all to life, capturing not only how we looked, but how the moment felt. He captured the laughter and personalities that let our inner style shine, something a picture never could.

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