The City Sage

You're Invited: A Rue + Gap Party in San Francisco!

If you've been following Rue for a while, you know we look for any excuse to throw a party. And I'd say our Styld.by collaboration with Gap is a darn good excuse indeed! We've asked some of our best buds to help us celebrate--there'll be gorgeous decor by Enjoy Events Co., The Flashdance will spin tunes, Our Labor of Love will capture the evening, the Smilebooth will be in full force, and we'll have parking courtesy of Jeffrey Valet (seriously, these are the smoking-hottest valets you've ever seen. Yum.)

But it wouldn't be much of a party without our friends and supporters. So you're ALL invited. Please join us if you're in town Thursday February 23. Let us know you're coming--rsvp[at]ruemag.com--then eat, drink, shop, dance, and get 20% off your purchases during the event. See you there!

Photos: Angela + Ithyle

Spring Office Inspiration from Poppies for Grace

There's a distinct twinge of spring in the air. The cherries in San Francisco are blooming. As always with Spring comes the itch: to tidy, to regroup, to fling open the windows and let the breeze blow through. So I'm really digging the latest from Australian stationery line Poppies for Grace--not just for the sunny new product, but also for the fresh and fun way the website images are styled.

There's some serious office inspiration going on here. Nothing revolutionary--organization is not rocket science--but just enough to kickstart me into gear with my own stack of receipts, tax documents, and other 'monkey on my back' administrivia. Because if you can trick yourself into thinking those tasks are worthy of flowers, vintage clipboards, and pink and purple envelopes, you'll do them faster right?

Vegas Bound: Airplanes and Blazers Two!

I'm not really a Vegas girl. I don't drink, I don't gamble, I don't care much for feeling like a tourist. But there's one event per year that gets me excited about Vegas: the Airplanes and Blazers party at the annual WPPI photographers' conference. And it's THIS MONDAY! I'll be hopping in the car for a road trip, speaking at the conference, then getting gussied up to shake a tailfeather or two.

Last year was tons of fun--especially since we packed a Rue shoot in the desert into that trip as well. This year, the theme of the party is the 1960's Old Strip. I don't know what I'm wearing yet, or how I'll style my hair, but I've got my karaoke song picked out--and with a nine hour drive ahead of me, there's plenty of time to practice my high notes. Bonne weekend, all!

P.S. I'll be speaking at WPPI as well--if you're at the conference, stop by the Squarespace.com booth on Monday at 11 am! Photo credits: Smilebooth and Google. 

Statement Necklace Addiction: La Raffinerie

Ready for a vocabulary lesson? Panacea: an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties. In fashion terms, a single fabulous necklace is the best panacea money can buy. My go-to? La Raffinerie, an exquisite label based out of Montreal. Designer Julie Vallelunga was working in the busines world when she started the line (yes yes yes to taking the creative leap!) and we're all the better for it!

This spring's collection has me especially smitten. Inspired by Frida Kahlo, the colors are vibrant juicy, the shapes are graphic and bold. I'm especially fond of La Raffinerie's signature cord and silk-wrapped rope as an alternative to the usual chain--so tactile and unexpected. Pair these pieces with jeans and a white button-down, or wear them with a gown for a night out. You seriously can't go wrong!

Get the Look: Madewell Interior Design in Lucky Magazine

The March issue of Lucky Magazine is thick, fat, juicy: like a deluxe fashion burger with a super-size side of perfectly spiced curly fries. My favorite, as always, is the 'Lucky Life' column, in which we get a peek behind the curtain at the home life of an uber-creative mover and shaker. This time around we meet a designer at Madewell--and she's the living embodiment of Outfit to Room!

This Brooklyn apartment is exactly what you'd expect from someone who helps create the look and feel of J. Crew's little sister brand. The tone is utilitarian chic with occasional splashes of color and pattern, and the focus is on fabulous texture and materials. Wood, leather, and cotton abound; there are plenty of stripes; and there's a sensibility of heritage-meets-modern that will never go out of style.

Of course I had to put together a wee 'get the look' guide. With clothing from Madewell, and with decor from big box staples like CB2 and West Elm. I adore how simple, straightforward, and accessible this look is. There's nothing complicated or pretentious about it, it would be brilliant for an urban childless couple in their 20's or an established suburban family of six. So I guess you could say...I'm sold!  

Images: Lucky Magazine, March 2012. Shopping Guide: Leather Butterfly Chair. Laugh at Every Joke Art. Ticket Collection Art. Striped Sweater. Charmed Ring Set. Llama Charm Necklace. Green Suede Flats. Blush Pink Envelope Clutch. Noir Pendant Lamp. Mod Needlepoint Pillow. Wood Bench.