The City Sage

Inspired By: Casa de Perrin

A wedding is rarely just the beginning of a new chapter in a couple's life together. In the case of Josh and Diana Perrin, it was also the start of a business that has taken the events world by storm. The two lovebirds were married a year ago today, and in the twelve months since, Casa de Perrin has become the premiere vintage tableware company in California. (Cough, celebs I can't name, cough.)

My favorite part? Their idea for a tabletop rentals company began when Josh and Diana couldn't find exactly the pieces they wanted for their own wedding and spent months gathering the collection themselves. These shots from their wedding--mixed with a images from my own inspiration files--don't lie; the two are an aesthetics powerhouse to be reckoned with. I can't wait to see what they do next!

Photos: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12. Josh + Diana Wedding Photos, W. Scott Chester Photography. 3. 5. 7. Jen Gotch for Rue Magazine. Oh yeah, that dollhouse shoot? Diana Perrin concepted and styled it. POWERHOUSE, people. 10.

An Announcement...

It is with no small degree of sadness that I share this news with you today. The June issue of Rue will be my last with the magazine. After weighing a number of personal factors quite heavily these last few months, I've arrived at this decision knowing it is the right one for me at this time in my life. I wish my cofounder Crystal and the rest of the team all the best in the world as they move forward with Rue.

I feel so blessed to have worked not only with my fellow editors but also with our extended family of photographers, designers, stylists, and others who have helped bring Rue to life. Being a member of this community is such a gift, one that I will continue to cherish in all my endeavors here on the blog and elsewhere. Thank you to everyone--readers, contributors, and advertisers--for your support.

Photos: Ben Morris

YEAH! Weddings: Win a Dream Wedding for Free!

The wedding biz has changed a ton in the past few years. Blogs have had a lot to do with that. But so has the fact that couples are more interested than ever in expressing their individuality on the big day; and there are more incredible events pros than ever who want to help make it happen. The gang at The Flashdance and bash, please are some of my faves--and they're giving away a FREE WEDDING! 

The contest is called YEAH! Weddings, and it's literally an all-inclusive free wedding that any engaged couple can win. Photographers (Max Wanger and Our Labor of Love both shooting your wedding for free?), event design and florals, honeymoon, complete outfits for the bride, groom, and attendants, and more. It's really easy to enter. Just go to the YEAH! Weddings website and follow the instructions.

They're still sharing the rest of the fine folks involved, so stay tuned to the blog and Twitter for further announcements. And you never know when other hangers-on might get involved too--like, who the heck wrote this crazy manifesto?* But the most important thing to remember is that these guys just plain 'ol love weddings, and they want to make yours amazing. For free. So entrez, s'il vous plait!

*It was me. Heck. I adore this crew so much, I might see if those bash, please girls need an extra set of hands come free wedding day. Yes, I basically just invited myself to your wedding. Also, if you're not engaged but you know someone who is, gosh, wouldn't they love it if you entered them in this contest? BEST WEDDING GIFT EVER! Or, if you're in the industry and you'd like to get involved, it's not too late. Just drop 'em a line.  Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Gearing Up for Summer: Beauty Must-Haves

Yesterday I went on a long hike in the afternoon sunshine. This morning I woke up to sore calves, sunburned shoulders and, in spite of it all, the irrepressible feeling of giddy anticipation that comes with knowing that summer is just around the corner! So I'm turning my thoughts towards the beauty routine required of warmer months. No way do I want to get caught unprepared! 

There's something so satisfying about getting ready for the season, such pleasure in knowing you've got smooth skin, shiny hair, and beach-ready sandal toes--even if the closest you'll come to the ocean this year is the salt that rims your margarita glass. I like to keep it easy-breezy with glowy oils that smell like paradise, lightweight double-duty products, and of course sunscreen! What are your faves? 

Shopping Guide: Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation SPF 30, Bobbi Brown Shimmering Fragrance Oil (smells like the beach!), Shea Moisture Line (my signature sexy scent--I get asked constantly what I'm wearing!), Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Cleansing Foam, By Terry Rose Balm Gloss, Bliss Mammomth Minty Scrub Soap, Ojon Rare Blend Oil Hair Therapy. Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 

Warm Weather Bedrooom Makeover with Lemlem

It has been a long while since I did anything new and interesting around the house--chalk it up to being busy with work and worrying myself silly over what other peoples' homes look like. So when Lemlem reached out to us Rue editors to let us know that they have expanded from clothing into decor, and they invited us to style the pieces our own indvidual ways, I was so excited to flex my interiors muscles!

Lemlem was founded by Ethiopian model Liya Kebede as a way to support women and children in her native country. All the products are handmade from cotton in Ethiopia--the colors are so punchy, the material is unbelieveably soft, and I love knowing that the proceeds from these products are supporting independent artisans. I had such fun refreshing my bed with these bright striped pillows!

Of course I couldn't just plop new pillows in without swapping out the artwork on the walls and the bedside accessories too (in case you hadn't noticed I'm a bit of an all-or-nothing kind of girl). I'm a big proponent of 'use what you have' decorating so I grabbed a lamp from another room, tore some pages from a book, and voila! Ready for summer! Tell me: Have you switched it up lately?

P.S. See how Bri styled her Lemlem blanket and Crystal styled her Lemlem pillow!

Outfit to Room: Sensitive Artist Boyfriend Edition

Oh Colin. I can see you're feeling anxious. Let me stroke that pensive expression off your face. While we're at it, let me stroke your shoulders beneath that butter yellow vee neck sweater, your biceps and forearms too. That would probably help us both relieve some tension. A cuppa tea will do us good, come to think of it. I'll put the kettle on while you lie down, won't you...?

Musical prodigy Glenn Gould, is that you? I didn't expect you to turn up here on my list of fantasy gents, but hey--your outfit is cute and your nonchalant lean is so devil-may-care! And there's something about you distant creative types that attracts us ladies. We want to break down your walls, discover what makes you tick. So Glenn, won't you let me lead you up those stairs and into the abyss?

Steve! My original funnyman crush! From the old Saturday Night Live sketches (King Tut!) to your tortured portrayal of a modern Cyrano de Bergerac in 'Roxanne', I've wanted to snuggle you since I was approximately eight years old. So lemme do exactly that, and bring your banjo while you're at it. We'll head to a cabin in the woods and have a running joke about the Smeg fridge in the kitchen. (Smeg!)

Charles Eames, don't look at me that way! I'm not sure I can handle the intensity of your stare! Phew, gettin' all hot and bothered up in here. Maybe it's the curve of that chair you're resting on, or maybe it's knowing how good you are with your mind and with your hands--I just can't help thinking you understand how to treat a lady right! Maybe we should move to that couch on the and find out, get my drift?

Guy Pics: Colin Firth, Glenn Gould, and Steve Martin: Nerd Boyfriend. 4. Charles Eames. Rooms: 1. Lisa Hubbard Photography 3. Tara Like

Mindblowing: Tim Gunn at the Stanford Shopping Center

When I was in college the Stanford Shopping Center was just a (dangerously!) close bike ride away. I have such fond memories of escaping campus with girlfriends to window shop and drink milkshakes while our term papers awaited us at the dorms. Ten years later, the selection of stores and restaurants is better than ever. I was thrilled to meet Tim Gunn at an event they hosted on Saturday!

The afternoon kicked off with a fashion show featuring Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, and Lucky Brand Jeans. Tim emceed with his signature mix of humor and wisdom. (On dressing your age: "You don't want to be a Grandma Jezebel.") Tim then did a Q & A that displayed brilliance and humility. (To an aspiring designer: "Fashion isn't in a bubble. Study all cultural forces." Regarding his future: "I've been given so much. It would be hubris to ask 'What's next?'")

Then the time came to get up close and personal. Tim spoke with each fan who waited in line to see him, and from the girl who named her pet rabbit Tim Bunn to the boy named by his graduating class 'Most Likely to Be the Next Tim Gunn', you could tell that Tim genuinely cared about what they had to say. It's easy to see why he's so beloved. Um, Tim? My name is Anne, and I'm your newest admirer. 

A huge special thanks to the Stanford Shopping Center for hosting Tim and inviting me to be the official blogger covering the show! The shopping center holds tons of great events like this one--follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

Have a Colorful Weekend!

Happy Friday! It's been a long, fun-filled week on my end. A blog birthday, a blogger birthday (this girl!), and a busy round of meetings and work. Tomorrow I'm excited to be covering the Tim Gunn fashion show at the Stanford Shopping Center. The new lines from Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, and Lucky Brand Jeans will be on the runway. If you're in the area come say hi, and have a great weekend!

Shopping Guide: Juicy Couture Scarf, Sunglasses, and Watch. Kate Spade Bathing Suit, Earrings, and Armadillo Bag. 

 

Palette Lust: Mint Chip and Cream

Apologies for yesterday's absent post; I was ringing in my 30th birthday! It was a lovely one indeed, full of laughter and thoughts of good times to come. As often happens on birthdays, conversation turned to memories of celebrations past. All of us 'round the table found we had one thing in common: a deep and abiding love for the classic Baskin Robbins mint chocolate chip ice cream cake!

You know the one I mean. It had that undefineably plastic-y flavor with the fake whipped cream rosettes, and if your mom tried to ply you with something homemade, you'd throw a fit. Today my tastes run towards a more sophisticated palette, but I'm never one to turn down a forkful of that always alluring, not-quite-natural green. Because whatever our age, we're all kids at heart!  

Shopping Guide: 10 Crosby by Derek Lam Dress, Modcloth Hanging Planter, Kremelife Polka Dots Wallpaper, Soludos for J. Crew Espadrilles, Jas M.B. Crossbody Bag. Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 

Rue Heads South: Gap Styldby Bloggers in Atlanta

I published my first blog post 4 years ago today. If you told me then that 48 months later, as a direct result of this blog, I'd be creative directing, producing, and modeling in a campaign for the Gap, I'd have replied, 'What the heck took so long?' (Patience is not my forté.) But now my response is, 'Gosh, I feel proud.' So I'd like to share with you the most recent installment of that campaign.

We went to Atlanta to shoot with one of my favorite photography teams Our Labor of Love--not only because working with them is a joy, but because there is some seriously hot blogger action down south! Erin of Design for Mankind, Elise from Pennyweight, Kel from Addicted to Discovery, and Emily from Once Wed made amazing models for the Gap Styld.by campaign. We had a blast on set.

I wanted it to feel like our first set of campaign photos had been dragged into the Georgia woods, left for a year, then revisited. Ginny Branch-Stelling killed it with wardrobe, Amy Osaba and team made beautiful sets and florals, Claudia Mejerle and Raney O'Keefe primped our blogger models, and Sun In My Belly kept us fed and watered. Thanks to EVERYONE who made it happen, y'all!

P.S. You can see all the Gap Styld.by photos in the current issue of Rue starting on page 30. With witty copywriting courtesy of none other than yours truly ;)