Janeen is a woman living her best life. The first time I walked in to RF Lifestyles, a trendy fashion boutique that opened this summer in the heart of Montrose, the statuesque brunette seemed truly ecstatic to show me around the store, in the same way that I get excited to tell people about the brilliance of Friday Night Lights or the breakfast tacos at Villa Arcos.

Working as a salesgirl at RF Lifestyles is Janeen's second job, and she says most of her paycheck goes straight back to the store, for things like the pleather pencil skirt and crop top that she shows off by striking a pose. If the key to happiness is to get paid to do what you love, Janeen is nailing it.

The person behind RF Lifestyles (other than Janeen) is Ruben Flores, who spent years working for the company behind Langford Market, Wish and DuO before striking out on his own. (And his timing is pretty excellent, too, as this both Wish and DuO closed their doors this summer.)

Flores has transformed the dated space on Westheimer, last home to antique and collectible store Flashback, into a modern, airy boutique, with racks full of youthful, affordable fashions, shoes, handbags and accessories. There are plenty of body-conscious going-out dresses but there are also stylish separates, basics and pieces that are office-appropriate. 

All the jewelry is of the statement variety, and it's branded as the Gardenia Coleccion in homage to Flores's grandmother, who he says was never without her signature big earrings. 

Janeen, for her part, loves convincing people to try on something they wouldn't normally wear, whether it's a tee that shows a little skin with cutouts, a fringe faux-suede skirt, a pantsuit or in my case, an enormous geometric collar necklace that, to her credit, I thought would be awful but did in fact take my outfit to the next level. Score one for Janeen.

RF Lifestyles is located at 1627 Westheimer Rd. (across from Buffalo Exchange), 832-940-2913, instagram.com/shop_rflifestyles