Ruche

An Interview with Completely Gail

2012-01-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

We simply adore these indie made cards designed by Abigail de Jesus. The unique designs are ideal for letting your loved ones know just how much you care! Join us for our interview with the creative mind behind Completely Gail.

Can you tell us how Completely Gail got started?
Ever since college, the dream of having my own greeting card / stationery business was always brewing in my mind. I would always make cards for friends out of any kind of paper I could find and they seemed to like them. Completely Gail, however, was officially born in 2009, after a friend of mine recruited me to make her cousin’s wedding programs. Since then, I’ve been doing wedding invitations, greeting cards, and the like.

Describe a typical day for you.
I usually start my day by going to church. Two reasons – it forces me to wake up (mass is at 8am) and gives me a clear head. After mass, I go back to my home office and dream away. =) Most days I work on filling orders, but I am trying to spend more ‘working’ days out of the house and do more designing.

When you left your previous job to pursure Completely Gail full time, did you face any challenges in the transition?
The biggest challenge I faced (and am still facing) is being my own boss. There’s no one around to tell me what to do and when I should be doing it. I work from home and there are so many things that distract me…the tv, my bed, chores…you’ve got to be self-disciplined and self-motivated to do this kind of thing.

When you’re not busy creating cute new designs or fulfilling orders, what can we find you doing?
There are usually a few places where you’ll find me when I’m not at home…

Church – My husband, Mark, and I are the youth ministers at Holy Family Church in Artesia, so that keeps us busy. We love being able to share our experiences with God & ministry to the youth.

Disneyland - We love to take walks around Disneyland (it’s great to have annual passes!). Whenever either of us is stressed out, we’ll usually make our way over there to loosen up.

Costco – We wander dangerously through the aisles of Costco and love to eat all the samples!

A National Park - Mark and I are starting to fall in love with the national parks. We plan to visit some this year – Grand Canyon, Zion, etc. He’s forcing me to hike more! Just kidding, I love it.

With Family & Friends – They’re my biggest supporters so the least I could do is hang out with them as much as I can!

Tell us about your latest collection! What were your inspirations for these designs?
The Toujours (French for ‘always’) 2012 Collection is one of my favorite collections so far. I did a collection for Valentine’s Day last year, but this one had more focus. I started with a soft, romantic color scheme and from there it blossomed. I was inspired by the French and little quirky things that remind me of my hubby. I love it because you can give them any time of the year!

Coming soon to Ruche! (See here: http://bit.ly/wu89QU)

You also make personalized invitations. Can you tell us more about them? What sort of events do you make invitations for?
I actually started by making personalized wedding invitations & programs. I’ve also made invitations for baby showers, birthdays, baptisms, graduations…anything worth celebrating! The idea behind Completely Gail is making things ‘completely you’ – using what you love and adding that into the design. My inspiration when I design usually comes from personal things and experiences, so I figured why not share that concept with others.

Do you have any advice for people who have hopes to pursuing more creative careers like you did?
It’s never too late to do what you love. I have plenty of friends that don’t figure out their passion until after they’ve spent years in their careers. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I do at this time in my life and best of all, my family and friends support me in it!

♥

Do you adore Completely Gail as much as we do? Follow more of her work here:

Ruche: http://bit.ly/wu89QU
Website: www.completelygail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/completelygail

Contact: info@completelygail.com

xo,
Ruche

Affordable Valentine's Day Dresses

2012-01-31T05:50:00.000-08:00

Whether you're going to brunch with friends or enjoying a romantic evening, you will be simply smitten with these affordable Valentine's Day dresses. Every girl needs the perfect dress, after all. ♥

xo,

Ruche

P.S. If you have a love story, we want to hear it! Send your story to blog@shopruche.com for a chance to be featured on our blog during Valentine's Day week!

Picture This: A Vignette Photoshop Tutorial

2012-01-30T17:05:00.000-08:00

Learn how to create a vignette photo effect in Photoshop with these simple steps. ♥

1. Open Image in Photoshop

2. Select the Elliptical Marquee tool (if it isn’t visible, click and hold the marquee icon which will show a menu of options, including the Elliptical Marquee) and draw an oval shape around the center area of your photo. (Any area you don’t select is going to be shaded.)

3. Next choose “Select > Select Inverse” in the top Menu. Then enter “Quick Mask” mode by clicking the camera icon on the bottom left.

4. On the top menu bar, select “Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.” A menu box will appear where you can make your adjustments. The more blur you add, the more smooth the transition of light to dark will be in your vignette. Exit Gaussian Blur (click “Ok”) and Quick Mask (Click the camera icon again) when you’re done. (The edges should already be selected when you exit “Quick Mask.”)

5. At the top menu again, select “Image > Adjustments > Levels.” In your Levels box, use the top center arrow to darken the outside of the image, making your vignette. Moving the slider to the right will darken the edges, and moving it to the left will lighten it. Make sure “Preview” at the bottom right of your Levels box is selected so you can see what your image will look like.

6. Hit “Ok”and Deselect the image (“Select > Deselect” or Ctrl + D) and you’re done! Enjoy you’re beautiful vignette image.

Before & After

xo,

Ruche

If RucheWere a Crafty Valentine...

2012-01-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

(Source: one, two, and three)

...we would look something like this ♥ Have a happy Monday!

Spotlight: Amelia Earhart

2012-01-29T06:48:00.000-08:00

"Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others."

--Amelia Earhart

image sources: Amelia Earhart and Museum of Flight

Amelia Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean. Truly inspirational, she was an active women's rights supporter and she wrote captivating books about her experiences. Fun fact: she also created her own fashion line. She is remembered today for her remarkable determination, courage, groundbreaking achievements, and adventurous spirit.

Outfit inspiration: trousers, jacket, scarf, and shoes

xo,
Ruche

Cold Weather Essentials

2012-01-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

As a casually fashionable addition to your wardrobe, these comfortable leggings are perfect for early morning tea, quiet afternoons, and cozy weekend getaways. ♥ See more details here and here.

xo,

Ruche

Love Story: From the Shore

2012-01-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

Steven and I met in Okinawa, Japan. I was 14, he was 16, and we were neighbors. A year after awkward hellos and high fives in the high school hallways, we exchanged numbers (on myspace, mind you) and out of the blue started talking constantly. Sun-up to sun-down. Our first date was to the sea, where we picked up shells, and I fell asleep for the first time in a boy’s arms next to the crashing waves. And I swore I was falling in love.

However, my family had orders to move to America just a month after we started getting close - and we were scared… so we agreed to just be friends, even though we both (and everyone around us) knew we were unstoppable.

So I ended up moving away, and we couldn't help but to love as deeply as the seas and as tall as the mountains for as long as they separated us. Which was 642 days to be precise. I was blessed enough to visit Japan twice before he joined the military and was stationed just over 60 miles away from me. About a year after he moved to America, we were married surrounded by an ocean of the people we love in the snowy city of Salt Lake.

And today, we are simply newlyweds. Residing in the rolling northern California hills with both a puppy and a kitten, and we are as crazy about each other (and of course a little more) as we were that first night along that Okinawan shore.

love, n'tima
from ntimajoy.blogspot.com

♥

See the previous Love Stories here! If you would like to submit your story and join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com and add photos as attachments. Please try to keep your stories to a 1200 word limit. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected.

Style File: Blogger Roundup

2012-01-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

These fabulous ladies are a constant source of inspiration. Be sure to stop by their blogs for more beautiful photos, creative ideas, and loving adventures. ♥

Mandy from Harpers Happenings in our lace top.

Tieka from Selective Potential in our gray dress and midi skirt.

Mara from M Loves M in our knit cardigan.

For more style inspiration, view our longer length hemlines, pastels collection, and colorful recommendations. ♥ Happy Friday, everyone!

xo,
Ruche

Seasonless Coats

2012-01-27T06:06:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for transitional coats to wear from season to season, we have them! Pair these seasonless coats with cozy winter knits and transition them into spring with floral dresses. With a little mix-and-match creativity, these coats will become your go-to gems. ♥

xo,
Ruche

Project DIY: A Dollhouse Suitcase

2012-01-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

We stumbled across this charming handmade dollhouse and we simply adore the vintage-inspired aesthetic. Visit Hart & Sew for more photos and detail! ♥

xo,
Ruche

Project DIY: Vintage Book Pomander

2012-01-26T06:02:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Shannon

Perfect for wedding decor, this DIY pomander is a must-do project. Simply recycle an old book and follow these simple steps for a gorgeous masterpiece.

--Shannon, from Our Footprints

♥

If you would like to join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com and attach photos. You will receive an e-mail when your post is selected. Thank you!

Wedding Wednesday: Colorful Wedding Dresses

2012-01-25T15:41:00.000-08:00

Inspired by our pastels and Jessica Claire's recommendations, we searched for colorful weddings and discovered beautifully unique wedding gowns. Here are two of our favorites:

image sources: one and two

How do you feel about colorful wedding gowns? We'd love to know your thoughts!

xo,

Ruche

Wedding Wednesday: Birdcage Veils

2012-01-25T11:54:00.000-08:00

We're currently swooning over handmade birdcage veils from Etsy. ♥

Shops: The Honeycomb, Powder Blue Bijoux, SIBO Designs, and Mignonne

xo,

Ruche

Style File: How Bloggers Wear Pastels

2012-01-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

Pastels don't have to wait for spring. ♥ Here are two of our favorite bloggers wearing pastels this season:

Perfected with textures, we adore this head-to-toe pastel outfit from Atlantic-Pacific.

With polished layering pieces, The Clothes Horse, wears our Mint Julip Knitted Sweater.

View our Pastel Palette for more outfit inspiration and pastel pieces. Happy styling!

xo,
Ruche

One Week to a New Closet -- $50 Giveaway Winner Announced!

2012-01-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

To join us in inspiration, organization, and our "New Closet" project, we asked you to share the image above on any of your social media accounts. By random drawing, the winner is...

WISH UPON THIS!
Wish Upon This said... Here's my pin! http://pinterest.com/pin/77968637268600236/ Love the organization tips!

Congratulations! And thank you, everyone, for participating in our giveaway! We hope you have all gotten a great start on refreshing your wardrobes. ♥

xo,
Ruche

A Colorful Winter Engagement

2012-01-24T09:17:00.000-08:00

Meet Jessica Claire, a fabulous wedding photographer located in southern California. We recently met up with her to discuss winter engagements and her number one tip was color, color, color. View her favorite Ruche items for a colorful winter engagement and take a peek at her interview below too. ♥

When did you become involved with photography? What do you love most about it?

My father has always had a passion for photography, so growing up, there were cameras and lenses around all the time. For awhile, he and my mother opened up a One Hour Photo, and I loved spending time there looking at the discarded piles of photos that were being adjusted and the negatives drying in the racks. When I got to college, I realized that all the traditional majors sounded a little bit boring to me, especially within the context of the jobs I'd likely be doing when I graduated. That was when I decided to get into photography, and I spent the next four years working for a large wedding photography studio in my area. After graduation, I started my own company and never looked back! I've now been a professional photographer for over ten years.

How would you describe your artistic aesthetic?

I think my aesthetic leans towards clean and modern with an overtone of pretty :) I am always looking for interesting color and contrast to frame the moments I love to capture. I'm most attracted to situations where I can have a beautifully lit (backlighting is my preference) subject crisp and clear with a colorful background to work with.

People typically associate soft colors with winter. What makes you attracted to bright color?

I've just never been one to blend in with the crowd! While soft, muted tones stay in the same palette as traditional winter scenes, I love a pop of color in an otherwise dreary world! I think winter is the BEST time to add a brightly colored scarf, jacket or pair of gloves. It's so easy during winter to feel bogged down and sad when it can be days or even weeks before you see the sun. Wearing something that cuts through that bleak day is enough to make even a gloomy girl smile :)

What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day for me starts at 6 am, which is usually when my five month old baby wakes up! I take care of him in the morning, and then when he goes down for a nap, I WORK! Work for me means returning emails, scheduling calls with clients, organizing album or reprint orders for my production assistant to process, and just generally keeping things running smoothly. Every day, I try to get out to do something fun in the middle of the day, such as have lunch with a client, coordinator, or other vendor, see a friend for a cup of coffee, or take my son for a walk. In the afternoon, I would typically have a shoot for an engaged couple or a family, and then in the evening, I like to spend time with my husband! On weekends, I typically have a wedding one of the days, and the other day is strictly for relaxing. Of course I also make time here and there for online shopping, Pinterest, facebook, twitter and other assorted time wasting :)

Do you ever get to travel to destination weddings?

Yes, I travel frequently for weddings! Just in the last few years, I've traveled to Russia, Canada, Hawaii, Texas, New York, Greece, Mexico, Atlanta, and a bunch of other places. To me, traveling to weddings of all kinds and getting to experience how people of other cultures and religions celebrate is the BEST part of my job. I get to do and see things I would never have gotten to do if I'd followed the line into a more traditional career.

If you're willing to, tell us about Jeff!

Jeff is my favorite person! We have so much in common and so many things we like to do together that he really makes being married fun. Whether it's a spontaneous trip to Vegas, having friends over for dinner or games, or finding interesting offbeat things to do, he's up for anything, any time. It's been especially fun getting to see him become a father, and I can't imagine a better man to have my son be able to look up to. I just adore him!

Adore Jessica Claire as much as we do? ♥ See more here:

recommendations: http://bit.ly/zZ8c7P

website: http://www.jessicaclaire.net

twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jessicaclaire

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessicaclairephoto

pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jclairepins

xo,

Ruche

Stylist Tips: Pastels Before Spring

2012-01-23T10:43:00.000-08:00

Spring is just around the corner and we're anxious for a pretty pastel palette. So we thought, why not wear soft pinks and blues now? Even though it's still winter, simply remember this: you can incorporate pastels into your wardrobe now! Read our stylist's thoughts about pastels before spring below.

Take a peek at our Pastel Palette feature to begin your spring collection:

xo,

Ruche

If Ruche were a pastel dream...

2012-01-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

image sources one, two, three

...we would look something like this. ♥ Have a beautiful Monday!

xo,
Ruche

Spotlight: Lucille Ball

2012-01-22T06:49:00.000-08:00

"I'm not funny. What I am is brave."

--Lucille Ball

image sources: one, two, three, four

Also known as the "First Lady of Television", Lucille Ball was a successful starlet and remains one of the most beloved sitcom actresses of all time. Her impact on the entertainment industry was widely recognized with her Emmy Awards, Television Hall of Fame induction, and executive status over her own film studio. Her confidence and infectious charm will forever be a true inspiration.

Our Lucille Ball outfit inspiration: dress, shoes, earrings

xo,
Ruche

Rainy Day Inspiration

2012-01-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

image sources one, two, three

xo,
Ruche

Style File: Longer Length Hemlines

2012-01-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

Longer length hemlines? We adore them! ♥ Here are a few Ruche customers in dazzling longer length outfits.

Jana, from Small Town, Big Smile, perfects knee-length skirts with a touch of sophistication.

Chloe, from The Style Project, wears our Maccha Tea Skirt with casually chic style.

Daria, from Kittenhood, polishes her longer hemline with delicate accessories.

Which longer length items do you currently adore? Browse our collection of knee-length, midi, and maxi hemlines to find your most desired length.

xo,
Ruche

Project DIY: Garland Decor

2012-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

Complete your party decor with these darling DIY garland projects. ♥

Dixie Cup Garland

Perfect for Valentine's Day decor, this simple garland DIY project is created from dixie cups and a string of lights. Take a peek at Hey Gorgeous for step-by-step instructions.

Fabric Bow Garland

We stumbled across this fabric garland DIY project on Smile and Wave. It makes the perfect decor for birthday parties, baby showers, and brunch gatherings!

Fabric and Doily Garland

Even though this lovely lady's Etsy shop is now closed, be sure to stop by Ravenhill to see her beautiful completed projects. Made from fabric and doilies, this garland is one of our favorites for home decor.

xo,

Ruche

Project DIY: Glitter Shoes

2012-01-19T06:45:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Jessica

Glitter Shoes

What You'll Need:
- Pair of shoes
- Mod Podge Glue with a Gloss Finish
- A bowl
- Sponge brush
- GLITTER (any kind you'd like! I suggest buying the biggest jar you can find)
- Painters tape (tape the bottom and insides unless you want glitter all over your shoe)
- Water proof shoe protection
- Newspaper (or a bag) to put the shoes on

Total Cost: $11

Total Time: Approximately 2 hours. (It depends on how many coats you apply and how long you wait in between coats.)

Instructions:

1. Tape off the inside and bottom of the shoe. Otherwise your feet will be covered in glitter.
2. Mix the glitter and glue together in the bowl. You will most definitely need more glitter than you imagine. Go glitter crazy. Warning: this DIY is quite messy! Be prepared for glitter to be EVERYWHERE.

3. Mix and start applying to the shoe. This is the messy part. Let sit for twenty minutes and go back for round two and three. (The first layer should be rather thin otherwise the glitter will become really thick, chunky and uneven by round three.)

4. Once the shoes are completely dry go back over them with just glue to make sure the glitter stays in place.

5. Let shoes dry. Take outside and spray with the waterproofing.

VOILA! A new life for your old shoes!

--Jessica, The Midwest Muse

♥

If you would like to join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com and attach photos. You will receive an e-mail when your post is selected. Thank you!

Wedding Wednesday: Pastry Versus Cake

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Andrea Smetona

Pie Pops Take the Cake

It's great to have options for your guests that are partial to pastry versus cake. These little bite-sized goodies are small enough to provide a variety of flavors, are easily displayed, and can be customized to fit any couple's style. They're perfect for dessert buffets, wedding favories and we've even started to see them replace the cake itself!

Photo credit: Smetona Photo

Photo credit: Purple Tree Photography

--Andrea, Cakewalk Desserts

♥

If you would like to join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com and attach photos. You will receive an e-mail when your post is selected. Thank you!

Art Studio: Watercolor Dancers

2012-01-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

We found inspiration from ethereal watercolor paintings today. ♥

Discovered on Etsy: one, two, and three

xo,
Ruche

Picture This: A Home Photo Studio

2012-01-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Eileen

Set up a Photo Studio in your Kitchen!

A common misconception that I have heard time and time again is that people who feature beautiful product photos on their blogs must either be professional studio photographers, or at least have fancy equipment and lots of spare time. I am here to dispel that myth – and demonstrate how with just a few basic items, a little planning and even less time, you can create a studio in your kitchen, (or any natural light-filled space) where you’ll be able to take great still-life photos!

In addition to choosing a spot in your house with good natural lighting, for this set-up you will need:
-- Table or flat surface
-- Selection of fabric, decorative papers, textural backgrounds
-- White foam core board (to use as a reflector)
-- Elmer’s Sturdyboard Stand (to prop up your board)
-- White tissue paper or sheer fabric (to diffuse bright light)
-- Camera + items to photograph
-- Tripod (optional)

My kitchen setup:

Depending on where you live, the time of day, and which direction the light is coming from – you may or may not have very bright light streaming through the window. I’m in Seattle, so harsh sunlight on a winter day isn’t usually an issue. That said I still like to cover the glass with some white tissue paper, which acts as a diffuser and creates a softer light.

My table covered with some white fabric + a teacup from Goodwill:

Cover your table or floor with the background material of your choice, and arrange your photo the way you want. Have your foam-core light-reflector handy, and set it up near your items but outside the frame of your photo. Take a few shots with and without the reflector to see the difference it makes.

Here you can clearly see a change to the shadow in the upper right corner of the shot. And while it’s not gone completely in the second photo? It is significantly better, and even the background feels softer with fewer shadows in the crinkled fabric.

It’s always a good idea to take lots of photos. (Read: “way more than you think you should”...) In this age of digital photography there is really no reason not to, and the way I look at it? The more you take, the chances are significantly better that you’ll end up with several that you like! Once you feel like you’ve captured your scene adequately, move your items, change your background, switch things up a bit and keep on going! Here I placed the teacup on my concrete floor, removed the fabric and added a white dish.

For a more interesting photo, try cropping part of your subject out and shooting from an angle:

. . . and zooming in!

I love doing product photography and color stories this way because the possibilities to what you can create are endless! So there you have it. With just a few basic supplies, some natural light and a little creativity - you can achieve those professional photography results you’ve always dreamed of.

--Eileen Nishi
www.westofwhimsy.com
www.westofwhimsy.etsy.com

♥

If you would like to join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com and attach photos. You will receive an e-mail when your submission is selected. Thank you!

One Week to a New Closet -- $50 Giveaway!

2012-01-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

Delight in inspiration, organization, and more. Take a peek at our newest project: http://bit.ly/vZHjl5 and refresh your wardrobe. ♥

Interested in a $50 giftcard to Ruche too? For a chance to win, simply follow these steps!

1. Share the image above on any of your social media accounts (e.g. your personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr).
2. You MUST include this URL in the post: http://bit.ly/vZHjl5
3. Leave us a comment on this blog post with a link to your post.

You may increase your chances of winning by sharing the feature on more than one social media account. If you do this, please include each of your links as separate comments. The giveaway ends on Monday, January 23rd at 12 pm PST. Please check back to see if you won!

UPDATE: The winner has been chosen! Drum roll...

Congratulations, WISH UPON THIS! You are the winner of this giveaway. Thank you for sharing our feature on Pinterest!

xo,
Ruche

Contest Disclaimer: We will use randomizer.org to find the winner. No purchase necessary. We reserve the right to close the contests early or late without warning. We will post the name of the winner on January 23, 2012. Upon winning, you agree that your name can be published on this blog at the close of the contest. You must contact us via contests@shopruche.com within 7 days after the winner has been announced to claim your prize.

Charming Reminders

2012-01-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

We adore the simple things -- truly, the most important parts life. Never forget to say, "I love you" and make sure to say it more than necessary. Hug your loved ones. Remember to wish and to wish big and to make those wishes come true. Accept challenges and conquer the world -- because you can. Notice the small details and appreciate every rose petal. Learn and keep learning and always spread your wings. ♥

With charming reminders, we hope you will hold these simple things close to your heart and enjoy the beauty life offers.

xo,
Ruche

If Ruche were a sweet treat...

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

image sources one, two, and three

...we would cure your sweet tooth with something like this. ♥ Is anyone else already dreaming of pastels?

xo,

Ruche

A Sparkling Weekend Mood Board

2012-01-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

Sparkle, shimmer, and shine. May everyday be truly magical!

(Images Source: Ruche Tumblr)

xo,

Ruche

Designer Spotlight: Australian Designer, Gorman

2012-01-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen Gorman's collection? We swoon! This Australian designer features a vintage-inspired collection with citrus color palettes and adorable polka dots. We're daydreaming about a trip to Australia now. ♥

Source: Gorman Online

xo,

Ruche

Style File: Blogger Roundup

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday, everyone! Take a peek at these two lovely ladies for style inspiration. ♥

Liz in our Kempsville Collared Coat.

Tieka in our Swan Lake Collared Dress.

xo,
Ruche

Love Stories: A Romantic Engagement

2012-01-13T17:39:00.000-08:00

One beautiful Saturday in October my now-husband Ben surprised me with a trip to historic Charleston, South Carolina.

Exactly one year earlier, Ben had taken me for dinner at High Cotton, a chic southern restaurant in the downtown of my hometown, Greenville, SC. After dinner and a concert, we took a long walk in the park, sat on a particularly lovely and romantic wooden swing, and decided we'd like to stay together forever. That night Ben gave me a single pink rose. After arriving home, 11 more pink roses were waiting in the kitchen.

A year later we decided to celebrate that day. I jumped in the car expecting to end up a great local coffee shop, and after being on the road awhile realized we were going in the opposite direction, and then that we'd be driving about two more hours because our destination was Charleston. Needless to say I was very surprised!

The original High Cotton happens to be in Charleston, and so after spending the day exploring the city, we went there for dinner. Everything was perfect—seafood, sweet tea, candlelight, bamboo ceiling fans all moving in synchronization. A single red rose and a note from Ben were waiting at our table, just for me.

After dinner, a bike taxi was outside to take us to the park along the water. Dusk fell over the city as we rode along, arriving at the water just in time for sunset. We walked along the ocean watching the orange sky fade and the lights twinkle on in the houses along the waterfront. As the last light fell, we made our way up to a beautiful white gazebo. In the center of the gazebo, Ben leaned over and said softly, "This has been a perfect day. But it's not over yet. There's one more thing I'd like to do." And he got down on one knee, took my hand, pulled out a sparkling diamond ring, and asked me to marry him.

When I arrived back at my house, still carrying my red rose from dinner, 24 more red roses were waiting in the kitchen.

We've been happily married for 2 and a half years now, and are returning to Charleston to celebrate our first anniversary.

--Elizabeth Blanton
Yellow Elm Blog

♥

See the previous Love Stories here! If you would like to submit your story and join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com. You may attach up to 5 photos. Please try to keep your stories to a 1200 word limit. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected.

An Essential Wardrobe Accessory

2012-01-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

Necessity meets fashion with our cold-weather collection. With soft knits and classic styles, browse our luxurious scarves for an essential wardrobe accessory. Don't forget to view our scarf tutorial too! ♥

xo,

Ruche

Project DIY: How to Alter a Skirt

2012-01-12T09:59:00.000-08:00

Guest Post by Sarah

STEP 1: Use your seam ripper to detach the lining from the inside of the skirt. It’ll be much easier to work with if the lining isn’t fully attached to the skirt.

STEP 2: Try on the skirt and determine how much you’ll need to take in the skirt from both sides. For me, this was about 1.5” on each side. I used a safety pin to temporarily measure each side, and to keep both sides even. Then, turn your skirt inside out, and pin along both sides. Sew along both sides using a basic stitch. This will depend on the type of fabric you’re working with, but I used the basic settings for a straight stitch.

STEP 3: After you’ve sewn your sides, be sure to try on your skirt. Don’t feel bad if it’s too loose or too tight. Simply rip out the stitches and try again. (That's what the seam ripper is for after all!) Once you’re happy with how it fits on your waist, turn your skirt right side out and cut off the excess fabric. Repeat this same step for your lining also.

Note: The elastic on my waistband was quite thick, so I sewed two seams just for added measure.

STEP 4: Determine how much you want to take off the bottom of the skirt. This skirt was pretty long, so I ended up taking off about 8”! With your skirt inside out, fold up the hem so your skirt is the desired length. Pin your hemline, and use the free arm on your sewing machine to sew all the way around the bottom of the skirt. Be careful not to sew the opening closed! Then, repeat for the lining.

STEP 5: This part is optional, so feel free to jump ahead! As you can see, the inner lining of my skirt started fraying quickly after I cut it. So, I simply folded the the hem in so the frayed part wouldn’t be exposed. Pressed the fold to get it to hold it’s shape better, then sewed along the edge. I may consider doing this with the skirt hem also, but that can wait for a later time!

STEP 6: Try on your skirt to make sure it fits how you want. And you’re done! Easy right?!

--Sarah

Simply Dove

♥

If you would like to join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com and attach photos. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected. Thank you!

Wedding Wednesday: An Affordable Wedding

2012-01-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

To all those overwhelmed brides out there, there's hope. You'll make it to the honeymoon. Scout's honor. AND you'll love your wedding day. What's my advice from a bride that made it through to the bliss on the other side? Be yourself. Check the bridezilla at the door. But express yourself in the ways that delight your heart and creativity. I'm not the traditional type and I'm also not the girl that has planned my wedding since I was five. No shame if you did, it just wasn't me! Plus, once you get the right man to marry everything is just little details that get you to the day when you get to pledge your love for one another 'til death do you part. That was always the light on the other end of the tunnel for me as well as the perspective that kept me off of the emotional roller coaster.

Curious about what I did? Well, I'll tell you. I never wanted to get married in a building so I chose to get married outside at the Earle Harrison House in Waco, Texas. It is a fabulously green place, which is saying a lot when you live in Texas in the summer time. Kathy, the up keeper and gardener extraordinaire is extremely helpful. She'll set up your decor for you the morning off. Incredible! Not to mention she has great taste and rooms full of decor that you can use for free when you book them. Major score and major save! The EHH is a place where you can have both your ceremony and reception in the same place! We got married under a giant oak tree in front of this beautiful gazebo. We got married as the sun was setting, which for pictures made the lighting superb. Then we had our reception under a big white tent also on the property.

I am a sucker for DIY/vintage as well as drawing inspiration from what you already have, aka being frugal. What was in my wedding toolbelt? Fabric, talented friends, old window frames, my mom's books from college, and a large collection of old records. I had window frames hung from trees all over the garden as well as in the gazebo. I made a fabric over hang from strips of different white and cream fabrics that was hung above the spot where my groom and I stood. Then my centerpieces? So easy. I wanted them to be cohesive but all a smidge different. The base of the centerpieces were old records, with some old books here and there, lanterns, tea lights, smaller flower arrangements, and buttons. What a winning combo and really quite effortless. I had a beautiful and talented friend do all my flowers. Weren't they fabulous? I keep telling her she needs to start a business. Another advantage of getting married in a garden is that the area speaks for itself and you don't need a ton of decor to make the space look good.

I chose a muted color palette of vintage pastels for my bridesmaids. Then I gave them the freedom to choose a dress they liked, within their budget, that flattered them, and one they'd wear again. They did a great job didn't they? Yup. For the groomsmen I hunted on Ebay diligently until I found some cheap grey suspenders and quirky/vintage inspired ties. I got their grey pants and shirts from JCPenny on sale! So their whole groomsmen outfit was around 30 bucks. I bet your jaw just dropped. Mine did too. I was pretty proud of myself.

For my accessories, I got the earrings and necklace from XXI. I got the shoes from Marshall's. That large shiny object you see, my love gave me. Then I made a braided belt for my dress out of left over fabric from the overhang. So my overall accessories cost me under 60 bucks. And of course my killer dress, that until last week I haven't seen on another bride. I had only a few months to plan my wedding and needed to buy a dress in ONE weekend. I got my dress from the last store we went to and ended up walking out of the store WITH my dress. Another divine encounter. The dress had just come into the store and was exactly my size. No altering necessary. I talked with the manager and she let me have the sample dress for 10% off (a sweet trick to keep up your sleeve if you haven't gotten your dress yet). Since the sample had just come it, it was in mint condition, which of course if vitally important.

For my cakes, I wanted several of different sizes and bought or made the cake toppers! I bought the little wooden bride and groom from a shop on Etsy. I made the stuffed fabric heart. I bought the wooden letters and heart, painted them, and then sanded them on the edges for a more vintage looking effect.

What else is important for your big day? A stellar photographer. Who was mine? Taylor Lord. Fate brought us together. I am not even sure how I heard of her but it was destiny. I love the art of photography and thus was very picky on whose style was up to par to my visual standards. She more than made the cut. She has incredible taste and I love her visual style. Her pictures make me drool. She's personal, doesn't make you feel awkward, and she makes you look GOOD. Another note of advice, of course tell your photographer what you want, but also give them some room for creative freedom. They'll get you the pictures that you want, but if you give them more freedom to be themselves and go out of the box, they'll also give you the pictures you didn't KNOW you wanted. I didn't have a set list for Taylor, I essentially told her to have fun and do whatever she wanted. I'm probably every photographer's dream. As you can see, it worked out really well for me.

You'll make it and you'll love it. Hope my tips were inspiring and encouraging!

--Anne Brookshire
www.annebrookshire.com/blog

♥

If you would like to join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com and attach photos. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected. Thank you!

Candied Dreams

2012-01-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

We couldn't help but fall completely in love with this whimsical Mulberry campaign shot by Tim Walker. Let's get lost in this sweet candy-colored daydream. ♥

(Image Source)

Picture This: A Trip to Seattle

2012-01-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

I love this quote from the movie, Love Happens:

"During your travels it's important to always keep one thing in mind, when one thing ends, something else begins."

Fun fact: The movie was filmed in Seattle and the filmography really inspired me to go there. ♥

-- Laura
Polaroids and Kisses

Shop With Our Buyers -- LIVE!

2012-01-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Our buyers are shopping today from 10 am - 4 pm PST and they want to hear your opinions! Follow our facebook page to view LIVE FEED and join the buying experience. With only 5 minutes to vote per item, your votes will immediately determine our buyers' decisions. After this shopping trip ends, the winning items will be uploaded on our Shop With Us page. Be sure to sign up for the notification emails and we'll let you know when your favorite fancies become available for purchase. ♥

If you miss this shopping trip, don't worry! You'll be able to see the winning results here. Stay tuned for more weekly shopping trips!

xo,

Ruche

Style Studies 105: Seasonal Solutions

2012-01-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

Gather your holiday attire and join us for another Style Studies course! In this feature, we demonstrate how to incorporate your holiday garments into your everyday wardrobe. You can still wear your statement sequins with a few quick styling tips. Our Buyer and Stylist, Mara, recommends:

For a polished daytime look, layer a neck tie blouse underneath your holiday sequined top and pair with pants.
Dress down your statement sequined dress with a chunky sweater and your favorite pair of boots.
You can also transform your sequined dress into a work appropriate outfit by pairing it with a blazer and an infinity scarf.
Pair your sequined sweater with a maxi skirt for an effortless and classic style.
Wear your sequined shorts with a thick pullover sweater and tights for a casually chic outfit.

With these tips in mind, view our outfit examples in Style Studies 105 to learn how sparkle year-round. Every girl deserves to sparkle, after all. ♥

xo,
Ruche

P.S. Join us on another "Shop With Us" trip tomorrow from 10am-4pm PST!

If Ruche were a decadent treat...

2012-01-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

Source: one, two, three, and four

Happy Monday!

xo,

Ruche

Style File: Blogger Roundup

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Kim, from Eat Sleep Wear, wearing our Wooden Aspen Striped Cardigan.

Micaela, from The Drifter and the Gypsy, wearing our Marian Faye Print Dress.

Julie, from Orchid Grey, wearing our Radiant Panache Sequin Top.

If you'd like to be featured in our Style File series, please feel free to send your Ruche outfit photos to blog@shopruche.com. Happy weekend and happy styling!

xo,
Ruche

All the Pretty Things

2012-01-07T12:58:00.000-08:00

Sneak peeks, behind the scenes glimpses, and a collection of pretty pictures? Of course! Come swoon with us on Instagram to see all of the above. ♥ We hope you're having a lovely weekend!

Ruche Instagram

xo,

Ruche

An Interview with Tara and Jamie

2012-01-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

Tell us a little more about being a cheerleader and gymnast.
Gymnastics and cheerleading have been a part my life since 3rd grade and I have no idea what I would do without them! Both sports (yes, COMPETITIVE cheerleading is a sport) have helped me become a stronger person, both physically and emotionally. I have gained leadership skills and lifelong friends participating in competitions and camps. I have coached numerous teams and even became a professional cheerleader, working with the National Cheerleading Association. Fun fact? I can do 10 standing back tucks in a row and walk around an entire room on my hands. :)

What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Well, I live by a quote that a late friend of mine always use to say: "It is not about how many days are in life, but how much life is in each day." That sums up everything to me.

What do you love most about customer service?
I love working in customer service! I enjoy talking to our customers and getting to know them. I try really hard to provide the best shopping experience for everyone and I like resolving issues, hearing personal stories, and helping someone find a product they love. It's extremely fulfilling when I'm able to make someone's day or turn a "not-so-favorable" experience into an easy and fun shopping experience. I especially love when I get an enthusiastic "THANK YOU!" and when customers stop by to pick up their orders. Ruche customers are awesome!

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?
I am very excited for 2012! I have never been SO excited for a new year to start and I am more motivated than ever to reach my goal. I have set many, many, many resolutions, which include to be nicer than necessary, of course to be healthier, and to stop cracking my knuckles!

Favorite Ruche video?
I love all of the Ruche videos -- how could you not?! The one that I play over and over again? The Cherished Winter Lookbook video. It's so romantic, the scenary is breathtaking, the song is perfect and the styling is to-die for!

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Tell us a little more about your need for music.
I love music! I have to have some sort of background music at all times, especially during work! It keeps me going throughout the day. And I also love searching for new songs. "Have you heard this?" or "Listen to this!" probably comes out of my mouth multiple times everyday.

How did you become apart of the Ruche family?
I joined this family all thanks to my best friend, Robin! She is Josh's cousin and when Josh and Mai needed help with Ruche, I became the fifth hire. I can honestly say that Ruche is my second family, and I think it's awesome that I'm growing with everyone and the company. Within a year and a half, the company has grown tremendously and I am happy to be here!

What is your favorite daily task?
My favorite task is printing the packing slips every morning and evening. I like having responsibility over the orders and answering any order comments, questions, or making changes. As an online shopper myself, I know what it's like to anxiously wait for your order, so I try my best to make sure everything goes smoothly and answer questions promptly. Don't be afraid to say "Hi!" in the order comments. I'll be happy to leave you a note. :)

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?
I am excited to spend my 23rd birthday in Seattle! I've never been to the northwest and I get to reunite with my best friends from high school for the first time in over of couple years! I am also excited for the summer. My New Year's resolution is to take up a new hobby and I would really like to try to surf and spend more time at the beach.

Favorite Ruche feature?
Mara's Style Studies feature! I loved seeing how to use just a few pieces to transform an outfit. Plus, I'm always complimenting Mara on a daily basis and she is a genius in styling. She deserves to be my favorite on this one. :)

♥

Meet a few more of the Ruche ladies here and check out the other interviews too!

xo,

Ruche

Inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly

2012-01-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

Audrey Hepburn & Grace Kelly

We admire the classic looks of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Their timeless style exudes effortless sophistication and beauty, and we think our Starlette Rose Dress by Eva Franco does just that. Inspired by fashion icons, this elegantly designed dress is THE dress to wear to your birthday soiree, your grandparents' anniversary celebration, and to your best friend's wedding.

xo,

Ruche

Project DIY: How to Transfer a Photo to Fabric

2012-01-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Elsie, the lovely lady behind A Beautiful Mess, is a craft-genius. One of her favorite projects is this method of hand printing: photo transfer without iron-on sheets! With a couple supplies and simple steps, you can create your own masterpiece.

To see step-by-step instructions and tips, stop by A Beautiful Mess. As Elsie says, "This method is so easy! I can't wait to use it to make pillows, bows and canvas prints of our wedding photos! Oh, and you can use this exact same method to transfer photos onto wood and many other surfaces. The possibilities are endless!" We can't wait to try it ourselves! Happy crafting, everyone!

xo,
Ruche

An Interview with Beth and Liz

2012-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Tell us a little more about being a nerd at heart.

Well, I'm a nerd. :) I love being alone with a good book, a stack of poems, or even a fashion dictionary. I actually like studying and learning new concepts, words, theories. I miss school! And I'm a goofball. My days are filled with silliness and tons and tons of laughter.

How did you become involved with writing?

It's something that I've always enjoyed. I started my own journal in elementary school and never stopped writing since. I majored in English and spent my entire college career dissecting literature, practicing writing techniques, and enjoying written 10-15 page assignments. Also, my grandpa has written a countless number of short stories, poetry and books. Maybe it's in my genes? He has encouraged me to write and to appreciate literature. There's something about writing a description that paints a picture in someone's mind or a quote that people want to share... It's just inspiring.

How do you keep up with deadlines and a fast-paced environment?

Focus, focus, focus. I don't mind being glued to the calendar though. In fact, the busier I am, the more productive I am. Yesterday, Tiffany jokingly said to another coworker, "I don't think Beth can answer your question right now; she doesn't even have time to breathe." It made me laugh. I guess I should remind myself to breathe while finishing my tasks. :)

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?

First and foremost, Ruche! My career is blooming right in front of me and I'm anxious to see what else I will learn, do, and create. This is my second family and I'm excited to grow with them. On another note, I'm excited to take one of my dream vacations in September. I haven't figured out all the details yet, but it includes Hawaii. :) When it comes to resolutions, I'm going to learn to cook, and make time to read more, and simply continue to be happy.

Favorite Ruche Blog Series?

It's a tie between Love Stories and Project DIY. All the posts in Project DIY never fail to impress me. There are so many creative people out there! As for the Love Stories series, anecdotes about best friends, fairytale romances, and strength are incredible, even if they don't all have "happy endings". The stories are little slices of life that we all can appreciate.

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So, who is your "wittle boogie woogie"?
Boogie is my 10 months old Pekingese. He is one of 3 pets, but since he's still the baby, he's a bit spoiled. I also have a rescue pug/chihuahua mix named Linguine and a cat named Moo. Fun fact: Boogie is on the cover of our Sparkling Soiree Lookbook.

How did you enter the world of fashion marketing?
I started a personal style blog, Late Afternoon, when I was still in school. When I moved out to SF after graduating college, I leveraged the popularity of my blog to get internships at various fashion companies. Because of my background in Social Psychology and Social Influence, marketing just seemed like a natural stepping stone to get into fashion.

What do you consider to be the highlight of your job?
I consider myself a very creative person, so being able to contribute my ideas and work on lookbooks has been really rewarding for me. I live in perpetual fashion daydreams, so seeing some of them come to life is literally a dream come true.

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?
This year I'm excited to get into a routine in Los Angeles. I've been back in LA for almost 10 month and it's been tough getting settled in. I can't wait to start feeling like LA is home again. I would also love to get another Pekingese, a girl this time, but I know that would be crazy.

Favorite Ruche Program?
I love coming up with marketing ideas and programs that go beyond traditional advertising. I've worked on a lot of different programs, but my favorite is Shop With Us. It's a realistic interpretation of what our fashion buyers go through during a buying trip and it's such a cool way to shop. And as someone who is addicted to online shopping, I just love the idea of having the power to decide what a store should sell.

♥

Meet a few more Ruche ladies here! We also have a interviews with Ruche's Co-Founder, VP of Operations, Buyer/Stylist and Products Manager. Thanks for stopping by!

xo,

Ruche

January Desktop Calendar

2012-01-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012, everyone! One of our talented employees, Love (Yes, this is her name!) created a hand-drawn illustration just for you. Stop by our wallpapers to download the free desktop calendar for January. ♥

We hope your New Year's weekend was full of champagne toasts and new memories. May 2012 continue to be just as beautiful.

xo,

Ruche

Project DIY: Coffee Exfoliant

2012-01-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys!

My name is Sorren Isler and I write a personal style blog (classic noise) that also touches on food, my upcoming wedding, design and the occasional DIY. Below is my home beauty post: DIY Coffee Exfoliant. I hope you enjoy the post! :)

With winter and cold air knocking at the front door, it's time to start thinking about a new skin regime to beat the season! This coffee exfoliant not only scrubs the winter-skin-blues away, but also keeps a gal's skin in tip-top shape for the return of the warmth and sunshine.

I first stumbled upon the idea of a DIY coffee exfoliant back in the winter of 2008 with a professional aesthetician. Since then, I have experimented with a few different recipes and measurements, finally discovering a balance that I love. All ingredients are items that you likely already have stocked in your kitchen, however I would caution that premium coffee is not meant for this - it is meant for drinking, enjoying and then remembering how much you love a good cup of coffee.

What you'll need:

1 cup coffee grounds
The coarser, the better. This is somewhat subjective. Coarser grounds will offer a more intense exfoliation, where asfiner ones will be softer. I enjoy medium. Also, the cheaper, the better. I lucked out because my finace is a coffee snob and turned his nose up at a full can of coffee, leaving it for me- naturally I choose to rub all over my skin ...like you do.

3 Tablespoons Oil
The oils job is to act as a moisturizer. It will be added to thecoffee to create movement and soften your grains. I'm not a big fan of a slushy exfoliant so I stick to a modest amount of oil (also more cost-effective). If you do like a looser scrub, you can add up to 2/3 cup, but do so incrementally to play it safe.

Massage Oil
The first time I made this exfoliant I used a no-scent massage oil. It was alright. I lost it in the move and then discovered that oils found in your kitchen are better! Not only are they more natural, they can offer more benefits to your skin than a massage oil can.

Coconut Oil
I now use coconut oil. Iwas drawn to it because I thought coffee and coconut would complement eachother, but it's health benefits are pretty impressive too!

Grapeseed Oil
I may try this oil next time. The health benefits are also incredibly impressive.

Olive Oil
This is a heavier oil, so it is best saved for the winter and other times your skin is prone to dryness. It's health benefits are also worth noting.

1 Tablespoon Sugar
The sugar helps to create movement between the coffee grounds,as well as acts as an exfoliant in itself and increases circulation. You can choose between brown, cane or white sugar. I chose white, however brown sugar offers a sweeter fragrance.

Fragrance
Honestly, this is really unnecessary. I had some Vanilla Body Shop perfume oil leftover from back in the day so I added a few drops to sweeten the coffee scent. It added a soft vanilla scent but was not overly obvious.

Vanilla Extract
It will do the samething, and may also thin the scrub a bit. I would keep it to half a teaspoon.

Cinnamon
Will enhance the coffee scent and add a little kick.

A Jar

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. At first you wont notice the the oil moving through the coffee grounds, but keep mixing and it will coat evenly. And that's it!

How to Use Exfoliant:

Use scrub only once a week. Use a body wash prior to the scrub for ease of application and better movement. Rinse after exfoliation, but do not re-wash with soap or body wash. The scrub is messy, so make sure to rinse the tub out when you're done!

--Sorren Isler
http://classicnoise.blogspot.com

An Interview with Laura and Mara

2012-01-04T14:03:00.000-08:00

Tell us a little more about your obsession with soccer.
Being the youngest out of three siblings, I always tried to be just like my older sisters and I started playing soccer when I was four. Then I simply began to live and breath it -- my parents even threatened me that I would have to miss practice when I got in trouble. I spent many years idolizing Michelle Akers and the US Women's National Team, especially in the 1999 Women's World Cup, and after years of playing, I earned a scholarship to a university where I played for another two years. I continue to love European Soccer and the World Cup, and my Red Devils, of course!

When it comes to New Arrivals posts, how do you select the items?
The main factors that go into choosing items for a New Arrivals post are the upcoming features, price points, color, and overall style. I like to make sure that there is a great range of items! I take into consideration affordable versus splurge-worthy items, neutrals versus colors, prints versus solids, and a balanced selection of dresses, tops and outerwear, et cetera. I like to think someone can make an entire outfit, or a mini-wardrobe revival, from any post!

What do you look forward to at work everyday?
I look forward to the problem-solving everyday. Being able to figure out what went wrong, how to fix it, and how to make processes easier on someone else -- that's my favorite part! When someone asks me a question and I have an answer for them, it's such a fulfilling feeling. I also love the people I work with. They make me laugh, which is something you can't find everywhere.

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?
I'm most excited to see Ruche grow even more in 2012. The growth and improvements made over the last year have been remarkable, and I can't wait to see where we're at in another year!

Favorite Ruche perk?
Puppy Fridays! I love bringing my Maizy into work with me to play with the other poosies (my weird word for dogs) and she loves that it's also Free Lunch Friday that day since there are sometimes drops of yummy food to pick up off the floor. I call her my little wetvac!

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Tell us a little more about your sweet tooth. Exactly how bad is it?

Let’s just say it’s pretty bad when your bosses know you’ve licked a plate of chocolate cake clean... and then they see you do it!

How did you enter the world of styling?

I guess you can say I started by styling myself. I’ve always been interested in fashion and clothes so that’s what led me to start my fashion and lifestyle blog. I also worked for a magazine and that was my first experience styling for photoshoots and features. It was so much fun to work in such a creative environment and I just knew this was something I wanted to do every day.

What's the most rewarding aspect about being a buyer and stylist?

I love seeing the whole process unfold. It starts with finding inspirations for the shoot, finding a location, a model, a photographer, buying the clothes, and then actually having the shoot, a few weeks later seeing the photos on the site, and then seeing how the items sell. It’s nice to see everything come together. I also love how clothes can transform a person’s mood, by making them feel a little happier, or a little more confident. Hearing from Ruche customers that they loved an item, or that they got a bunch of compliments, makes me so happy! Always feel free to let us know what you’d like to see on the site, through Facebook, Twitter, or an email, and I’ll make sure to keep an eye out. :)

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?

I’m so excited for a fresh, new year! This year I want to make more time for reading, travel, friends and family. I also want to craft more, bake more and journal more!

We heard you have over 60 items on your wishlist... Is this true?

Haha my most recent count is at 83! It’s so hard to not love everything on the site. I did help pick them out for a reason. :)

♥

Meet a few more Ruche ladies here! We also have a interviews with Ruche's Co-Founder and VP of Operations!

xo,

Ruche

Wedding Wednesday: Succulents for Your Special Day

2012-01-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Source: one, two, three, four, and five

xo,

Ruche

An Interview with Mai & Tiffany

2012-01-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

Tell us a little bit more about your dream of being a ninja.
When I was younger, I was hooked on kung fu movies! I thought that if I became a ninja, I could fly amongst the trees and throw fireballs. I was bummed when I found out that it was not real and thought maybe I could act in those movies. It wouldn't be the same though. Anyhow, I'm glad I started Ruche instead!

Have you always wanted to own your own boutique?
I've always wanted to have my own business and I wasn't sure what exactly. I was a web programmer by trade, but I just couldn't see myself doing that for the rest of my life. I love being creative and I wanted to do something where I could use my creativity to the fullest. I considered opening a little cafe as an alternative, but that was such a big risk so it always fell thru. I started selling items on ebay for extra cash and it slowly lead into the creation of Ruche. As a web programmer, creating an ecommerce website vs a brick and mortar was a no-brainer.

What do you love most about your career?
I love everything about my career. Ruche has been a dream come true for both me and Josh. Although there are times when it can be highly stressful, I've never questioned my love for running Ruche. I love our creative meetings and being able to put our visions into life -- everything from features, photoshoots, products, graphics, design and everything else that makes Ruche what it is today.

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?
2012 is a big year for Ruche. In 2011, we relaunched our site in hopes to prepare us for our big plans in 2012. We have a few big launches and surprises that we are all SUPER excited about! As for my personal plans, I finally got my personal twitter account going! Come follow me if you'd like: http://twitter.com/MaiOlivo. And the most important plan is... Josh and I are planning for a little Ruche baby this year! :) We worked hard in 2011 to build our Ruche family and now that we are both in our 30s, it's time to start our own family.

Favorite Ruche Project?
I must say that the paper trees from our Sparkling Soiree lookbook were the highlight of the year. I was inspired by a small newspaper tree and simply told Josh, "I want to make gigantic trees out of paper." The engineer in him didn't hesitate to build a base for a 9 ft tree; he loves to take off his CFO hat once in a while to play arts and crafts. The "Homemade Holiday" guide was another one of my favorites too. I absolutely loved having our customers contribute and I get so excited when I see photos from others who were inspired by Ruche and recreated our projects.

____________________________________________________________________________

You're a human calendar. How do you do it?

Haha well, I used to work as a production coordinator for 4 years and it involved remembering TONS of deadlines and dates. Forgetting one small thing could've resulted in delaying production (and getting in trouble with clients) so I forced myself to remember all the dates by looking at my production calendar religiously. Now it's become a habit and I can't seem to shut my brain off; I'm constantly thinking of due dates and what needs to get done... it's the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last before I fall asleep.

What is the most fulfilling element of your career?

The most fulfilling aspect of my career is actually being able to say "I love my job." I know it's something very few people get to say or think and I feel lucky and blessed that I get to wake up every morning smiling and happy to go to work. It's not just the cool projects I get to work on, or doing a job that a lot of girls dream of... it's about being part of a family that Mai and Josh have created and growing that family into something we can all be proud of. I can look back to my first days at Ruche (I was their second employee) and reflect on how much it has grown since then. Being able to say that I had a small part in that is beyond words.

What are you most excited about for 2012? Any plans or resolutions?

I'm excited for all the big plans we have for Ruche for 2012... which I can't reveal yet. :) While it's incredibly exciting to be a part of a growing company (and I love it!), my resolution for 2012 is to learn how to balance work and my personal life. With all the plans we have going for work, it's definitely not going to be easy to work on my resolution, but I promised Pebbles (my puppy) that I will try my very very best.

Favorite Ruche lookbook?

For sentimental reasons, I would have to say Autumn Bell and Her Story are my favorites because it was the first time I got to work on a Ruche Lookbook shoot. We went to Boston and it was so much fun seeing all the scenic areas that I wouldn't normally visit. Since it was my first shoot, I was VERY nervous and a bit overwhelmed, but overall I was super super excited. I still remember our last photograph of the day: the sun was setting and we had to get the final shot, but we were lost and couldn't find the beach location we were supposed to be. We thought we weren't going to make it, but just as the sun was just over the horizon, we found the location and we frantically ran out to get the shot. Fun fact: the last few pages of the beach scenes from "Her Story" were all taken in the span of 5-10 minutes!

♥

Meet a few more Ruche ladies here!

xo,

Ruche

Ding ding ding! It's time for a toast.

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

xo,
Ruche

Ruche Lookbook Collection 2011

2011-12-31T12:10:00.000-08:00

Brought to you by shopruche.com, here is our collection of lookbooks for 2011. Do you remember which one made your heart swoon the most? From persimmon orchards to secluded cabins, we hope you will reminisce with us and fall in love with each lookbook all over again. ♥

A huge thank you goes out to Stephanie Williams, Brandon Kidd, KC Witkamp, Nyrie, Found Vintage Rentals, and the entire Ruche family (and that includes you!) for making our visions possible. We love you all!

xo,
Ruche

Style File: One Year of Style

2011-12-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

We have been incredibly inspired by everyone's style throughout 2011! In addition to the fashionably cozy and affordable knits, peterpan collars, and classic silhouettes, take a look at a few of our favorite trends from this year.

Color, color, color. Statement Color and Colorblocking.

view original posts: one, two, three, four

Midi and Maxi Length Dresses and Skirts

view original posts: one, two, three, four, five

Mix and Matched Patterns and Statement Prints

view original posts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight

Browse through our Style File collection to view more. There are so many great styles this year--we simply couldn't fit them all here! To everyone who adores modern-vintage style as much as we do, we can't wait for what 2012 brings. Happy styling and happy New Year!

xo,

Ruche

Love Stories: Capture Special Moments

2011-12-30T14:12:00.000-08:00

As one year ends and another begins, here is a short and sweet post about capturing special moments, brought to you by Anna. May your weekend be filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Happy New Year, everyone!

This is the time of the year when we tend to reflect on our lives and our loves. Not only have I fallen in love once in this lifetime, but I've fallen in love with two special little people. The day I first met them both, it was love at first sight. I knew they were coming; I had time to prepare. You prepare their nurseries, buy special toys, fold sweet smelling clothes. Your belly is rubbed, your body aches. But, finally the wait is over and into your arms is placed the most precious gift. And it is love. A love that will never go away however horrible the day can be and a love that grows as they grow. It makes me not take a moment for granted and to hold them and hug them for as long as I can.

--Anna
Simply Stylish Mom

♥

See the previous Love Stories here! If you would like to submit your story and join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com. You may attach up to 5 photos. Please try to keep your stories to a 1200 word limit. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected.

New Year's Eve Mood Board

2011-12-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

With tinsel, glitter, and confetti, it's time to sparkle and dazzle on NYE!

images source: Ruche Tumblr

Adore the "cheers" banner? It can be all yours from this etsy shop. If you're feeling crafty, learn how to create a photobooth backdrop from tinsel -- perfect for your New Year's Eve party.

xo,

Ruche

Project DIY: Party Hats

2011-12-29T15:49:00.000-08:00

With New Year's Eve this weekend, we rounded up some of our favorite party hat tutorials. We hope you have a blast celebrating the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012! ♥

To see step-by-step instructions, visit these blogs: one, two, and three .

xo,
Ruche

Project DIY: Nail Plate Tutorial

2011-12-29T15:27:00.000-08:00

Add the final detail to your outfits with these stunning nail tutorials by Lindsay. They are perfect for everyday style, wedding soirees, and your New Year's Eve celebration this weekend.

Guest Post by Lindsay of Shrimp Salad Circus

(source)

Have you ever heard of nail plates? Most people haven't yet, but they're starting to catch on for creating gorgeous, intricate nail designs right at home. They're more sustainable (read: reusable over and over) than those cute little nail stickers that are so popular right now, and you can try out any color combination you like!

(source)

Are you ready to try this out for yourself? It'd also make a great holiday gift for the beauty-junkie in your life!

Find out step-by-step how to get this look for yourself in just 10-15 minutes right here. Have questions? Don't worry - you can find all the answers and ask your own questions on this post.

--Lindsay
Shrimp Salad Circus

♥

If you're interested in another nail tutorial, click here! Have a tutorial that you'd like to share with us? We'd love to see it! Stop by our Ruche Blogger Family to see more details.

Project DIY: New Year's Eve Hairclip

2011-12-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hello there! My name's Sam and I'm from a little blog called My Latest Obsession. I have an obsession with making pretty things and just bought a bottle of gold glitter that I needed to put to good use! So what better to make than a glitter star hairclip?! It's really easy and super cute, a perfect little accessory to add a little magic to your outfit!

What You Need:

Cardstock paper
Glitter (color of your choice)
Mod Podge (glue that dries clear)
Hairclip
Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

Instructions:

Cut out a star from your cardstock, about 2-3" from point to point. Then apply glue on the star and coat with glitter. Let dry.

After your first coat of glue and glitter is dry, add another coat of glue and glitter. When that dries, add one last coat of glue to seal the glitter so it won't fall off. Let dry.

For the last step, use a hot glue gun to attach a hairclip to the star. And voila! A glitter star hairclip!

I wish I could wear this everyday! It makes me feel kind of fanciful, but doesn't overdo it with the glitz and glam.

--Sam
My Latest Obsession

♥

If you would like to submit your own DIY project, please see our Ruche Blogger Family for details!

Wedding Wednesday: Perfect Beginnings

2011-12-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

image sources: one and two

xo,

Ruche

Wedding Wednesday: New Year's Eve Inspiration

2011-12-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve is an amazing time of year; it brings excitement and the promise of new beginnings. Here is some inspiration for your walk down the isle and a very happy 2012!

Source: one, two, three, and four

xo,

Ruche

Picture This: My Heart Belongs in...

2011-12-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Charming Gypsy

I was born in Canada and live in Canada, yet my heart seems to always be in New York City and I wanted to create a photo collection with a few photos I took the last time I visited New York. I love taking photos that capture something unique and that will help me remember exactly where I was when I took the photo. I hope that others will enjoy these photos too!

♥

Join our Ruche Blogger Family! Click here for details.

An Audrey Hepburn Hairstyle

2011-12-27T17:21:00.002-08:00

Inspired by Audrey Hepburn, we recreated an easy updo for a touch of sophistication and glamour. Perfect for your New Year's Eve event or as a wedding updo, we hope this tutorial will teach you how to polish your outfit and enhance your classy charm.

xo,
Ruche

A Look Inside

2011-12-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

Take a peek into our world with Instagram.

If Ruche were a New Year's Eve party...

2011-12-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

image sources one, two, and three

...we would celebrate like this. ♥ May 2011 end with cherished memories and 2012 begin with heartwarming laughter. Cheers to another year!

xo,
Ruche

Style File: Inspired by the leaves.

2011-12-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

We are simply smitten with how these bloggers dressed on chilly days.

Linda in our "pipette applique hoodie sweater".

Kendi in our "cathedral heights crochet applique dress".

Rebecca in our "galena marino coat by Tulle".

We hope you're staying warm this weekend with lots of cozy clothes and loving hugs. ♥ Happy holidays, everyone!

xo,
Ruche

Love Stories: Study Hall Notes

2011-12-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

The first time I met Corey, we were six years old and in the same first grade class. Even though we went to school together from then on, we didn’t have another class together until eighth grade. We happened to sit next to each other in science class that year, where our friendship kind of began. Looking back, Corey admits he had a crush on me then, while I admit that I had a crush on the other guy who sat in our row (oops). Even after that, our friendship was still not fully fledged until two years later during our sophomore year of high school. We ended up in the same study hall class and truly began the most important friendship of our lives. The teacher in that study hall class was probably the scariest woman I’ve ever had the misfortune of being around, so without a peep, we built our friendship off of notes passed back and forth across the row.

Something clicked between us, and we were self-declared best friends before any time at all. We talked on the phone for hours every night, hung out nearly every day after school, and divulged every bit of personal information about each of our lives. We always joked around that “we could never date; we know way too much about each other!” Despite the constant rumors, we truly were just friends for the remainder of our high school years. We grew closer every year through the openness of our friendship. We helped each other through relationships, good and bad, comforted the other whenever there was a particularly stressful or upsetting incident, and simply were consistently there for each other. To this day, I have never had a friend who measures up to the level of friendship that Corey and I shared with each other.

The moment that everything changed was the summer after our senior year in high school. I left the state of South Carolina and went to live with my sister and work at an organization local to her area. That month I spent in New Hampshire was the longest time I had ever spent apart from Corey since the true beginning of our friendship. We still talked on the phone and Skyped all the time, but even with that, I realized that there was a void in my life where he was supposed to be. We talked these feelings through, and he admitted that he had feelings for me, as well. However, we had both decided on our future colleges by this point, so we knew that in two months, I was going to be headed to Oklahoma and he would be going to school in South Carolina. We lived out the rest of the summer to the fullest, and at the end of it, he accompanied me to the airport where we said our temporary goodbyes.

When I got to Oklahoma, I started seeing someone, and Corey was also seeing someone in South Carolina. However, as hard as I tried, I could not get what Corey and I shared beyond our friendship out of my mind. Within the month, both Corey and I had ended our respective relationships, but we still didn’t act upon our own. Finally, in October, he came out to Oklahoma for the homecoming football weekend. During that weekend, we reaffirmed our love for each other and I very clearly stated my desire to be with no one else but him. So, after twelve years of knowing one another and four years of being best friends, Corey and I were finally in a relationship.

It has been nothing but perfect since. Despite going to school halfway across the country from one another, we continue to fall more in love every single day, and most importantly of all, we are still best friends. I still tell Corey every detail about my life, but instead of talking about other guys and girls, now we just talk about each other. We’ve worked out a schedule of traveling back and forth once a month to see each other, and though at times we have to be apart for longer than two months, we are still the happiest together we could possibly be. I have less than two years left in Oklahoma, and we are counting down the days until we never have to say goodbye again. We can't wait to affirm our unending love for each other and start our lives together!

I still have the notes from that study hall class. They’re filled with talk about other guys and girls that we liked at different points in our high school lives, but they simply serve as a reminder of everything we went through that ended up bringing us together.

--Lara

♥

See the previous Love Stories here! If you would like to submit your story and join our Ruche Blogger Family, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com. You may attach up to 5 photos. Please try to keep your stories to a 1200 word limit. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected.

Project DIY: Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

2011-12-22T15:12:00.000-08:00

Make your gift even more special with creative gift wrapping. From unique tags to painted designs to personalized family photos, the possibilities are truly endless. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

(Source one, two, three, four)

Stop by our Homemade Holiday lookbook for more DIY ideas.

A gift from us to you.

2011-12-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

You shopped for others, so now it's time to treat yourself. ♥ Here is a little gift from us to you! Use coupon code SMALLGIFT20 for 20% off selected items. Expires 12/26/11 at 11:50 PM EST.

Happy Holidays!

xo,
Ruche

P.S. If you're a late bird, there's still time to send a gift card!

Wedding Wednesday: Frosted Winter Details

2011-12-21T15:42:00.000-08:00

images sources: one, two, three

xo,
Ruche

Wedding Wednesday: Holiday Wedding Ideas

2011-12-21T11:53:00.000-08:00

Source: one, two, three, four, and five

Holiday Moodboard

2011-12-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

Embrace the holiday spirit.

(Source one, two, three,four, five, six)

"Win Your Wishlist Giveaway" Winner!

2011-12-20T13:01:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the holidays, we gave you a chance to win $150 to spend towards your Ruche wishlist. Chosen at random, the winner is...

THUAN LE!

She said, "Here's my wishlist to enter the contest!! Love everything about Ruche including your blog!! The wishlist was hard because I definitely would've just chosen the entire site!" Happy shopping, Thuan!

Thank you for participating in the contest everyone! ♥

xo,
Ruche

Attention Shoppers!

2011-12-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

Stop by our facebook page to shop LIVE with our buyers. It's a half-day of shopping today, so act quickly! They're anxiously waiting for your feedback. To see the previous Shop With Us winners, click here.

And for all of you last minute shoppers, there is still time to give a thoughtful gift! Create a greeting card here and view our gift guide for the perfect present. ♥

xo,
Ruche

Picture This: How to make a mirror image

2011-12-19T16:20:00.000-08:00

Seeing double can sometimes be a lot of fun. In today's tutorial we will go over a quick and easy technique to mirror your images.

Step 1.Open the image you want to manipulate in photoshop. Open a new canvas twice the width of your image. Using the move tool, drag a copy of your opened image onto the canvas.

Step 2. Go to the original image you opened in Step 1. Go to Layer>Duplicate Layer. You will see a copy of your image show up on top of the original image you opened. Next go to Image>Image Rotation>Flip Horizontally. Your new image will now be flipped.

Step 3. Using the move tool, drag your new image to your canvas. Align your two images, crop your canvas and enjoy your creation.

Easy as Pie! See more of our photoshop tutorials.

Picture This: Richard Avedon

2011-12-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Richard Avedon's work has been described by the New York Times as defining "America's image of style, beauty and culture for the last half-century." For over fifty years, his work has been featured in the world's most renowned fashion magazines. The spontaneity of his subjects' movement and his minimalistic style have made Richard Avedon one of the most beloved American photographers.

Source Richard Avedon

If Ruche were a White Winter...

2011-12-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

Source: one, two, three, and four

Have a happy Monday!

xo,

Ruche

Love Stories: Birthday Bliss

2011-12-16T17:31:00.000-08:00

I was a senior in high school, and I decided to join a team going on a mission trip to Ecuador. While on the mission trip, a girl on our team had her birthday and the rest of us decided to share our birthday dates. After I shared mine, the birthday girl, Reagan, said that her brother, Austin, had the same birthday as me. I had seen Austin once or twice before and thought he was very handsome, but I always thought he was out of my league. Reagan said that she would mention our mutual birthdays to him and see his response. It wasn't even a week after I had returned home that I got a call from Austin.

We talked over the phone as friends and met a few times, but things didn't take off right away for me. Austin fell quickly for me, and one of our conversations went a little something like this.

Austin: "I love you, Allison."

Me: "I love ME too!"

Poor Austin! We continued with our friendship for two years, but one day it hit me -- Austin was THE ONE. We dated for two years before Austin proposed to me with my grandma's original wedding ring set. I'm a lover of all things vintage, so it couldn't have been more perfect. We were engaged for one year as I was finishing up my degree and we got married September 25, 2010. Everyone thought we should have been married on our birthday, but I wanted the satisfaction of making Austin have to remember one of the special days of the year. :)

It has been such a wonderful year with my husband and best friend, and I'm looking forward to many, many more.

Allison Deaver
ourvintagelove.com

♥

See the previous Love Stories here! If you would like to submit your story, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com. You may attach up to 5 photos. Please try to keep your stories to a 1200 word limit. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected.

Project DIY: Ruffled Knee Socks

2011-12-15T18:19:00.000-08:00

The lovely lady of Dear Lizzy shared this DIY project with us and we're excited to share it with you! ♥

My sister used to always tease me because my socks were always mismatched. You couldn't see them so who cares, right? I'm not sure when things changed, probably when Punky Brewster stopped airing on television, but now I am pretty much obsessed with socks. My drawer is filled with polka dots, stripes and my favorite are over-the-knee paired with leggings. I put together this little diy to make your own ruffle knee socks they are perfect this fall and winter with boots so the lace just peeks out at the top.

These socks are from Target for $2.50 along with some other more decorative ones. I cut off the band at the top and then also made a slit about 2" long down from the edge. After you cut the slit, smooth off the corners so that there is a bit of a dip in your sock and not quite so blunt of corners. What this does is it gives your more room to fit the sock on your leg after your sew the ruffle. The first time I tried this the sock was too tight on my leg so I unstitched it and added the slit and it worked. Also, the ruffle is quite forgiving once you are done and you won't even tell where you cut it.

Next, cut 2 strips of 2" lace. Layer both strips of lace on top of the sock and sew a few stitches to keep it in place. Then hold the fabric behind the sewing machine while stretching the bottom sock layer in front as far as you can. Keep it stretched out really tight the whole time you are sewing. You don't need to ruffle as you go because stretching it out makes the ruffle once you are done sewing and you release the sock.

Add a bow or buttons on the outside of each sock. This bow was made with Chevron Fabric paper but I removed the fabric from the adhesive back that way it is easier to work with.

Looking forward to keep warm while wearing these with boots and leggings this winter. Enjoy!

xo Lizzy

Wedding Wednesday: DIY Bouquets

2011-12-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

No bride should ever walk down the isle empty-handed. Making your own bouquet is a playful and budget-friendly way to make the wedding uniquely yours! What do you think?

source: one, two, three, and four

Shop live with our buyers!

2011-12-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

Our buyers are shopping RIGHT NOW and they want to hear your opinions! Follow our facebook page to view LIVE FEED and join the buying experience. With only 5 minutes to vote per item, your votes will immediately determine our buyers' decisions. After this shopping trip ends, the winning items will be uploaded on our Shop With Us page. Be sure to sign up for the notification emails and we'll let you know when your favorite fancies become available for purchase. ♥

If you miss this shopping trip, don't worry! Find out when our buyers are shopping next by following our facebook page and see the winning results here. Weekly shopping trips are on their way and we're excited to have you join us!

xo,

Ruche

P.S. Don't miss the holiday giveaways on our blog and Twitter too!

The Fundamentals of Accessorizing

2011-12-13T11:42:00.000-08:00

These 10 essential pieces will effortlessly transform your wardrobe into an elegant statement. Check out how our stylist, Mara, dressed up her outfits with these statement details in Style Studies 104. ♥

Get these looks here!

xo,
Ruche

Picture This: John French

2011-12-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

John French was one of London's top fashion photographers during the 1950's and 1960's. He pioneered a new form of fashion photography that utilized natural light and low contrast. His flawlessly lit images have appeared in virtually every newspaper and fashion magazine.

Source: one, two, and three

xo,

Ruche

If Ruche were a Holiday Gift...

2011-12-12T10:57:00.000-08:00

Sources: one, two, three, and four

...we would look something like this. ♥ We're simply smitten with handmade wrapping paper and charm. If you're looking for the perfect gift to wrap, stop by our Holiday Gift Guide!

xo,

Ruche

Winter Weekend Moodboard

2011-12-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday!

(Source one, two, three, four, five)

Love Stories: Love at First Laugh

2011-12-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

I was 17 when I met my husband.

My friend had told me stories of how great his laugh was and how he made the best mac and cheese. When we ended up meeting, I couldn’t get over his quirkiness, the way he laughed, and his perfect smile. We only hung out a couple times before I, being a little high schooler, stop hanging out with this adorable boy.

Almost a year went by, but we didn’t go a day without talking to each other. I graduated, decided it was time to grow up, and finally called him to hang out. We sat in his car for over two hours just laughing. I couldn’t get enough of his laugh. If it were up to me I would have stayed there forever. When the night was almost over, we said our goodbyes and I knew right when he drove away that I wanted to be with him forever.

We had busy schedules, so we didn't see each other for about three weeks. I remember walking through a crowd of people and seeing him -- I don’t think I have ever been more excited to see someone. I ran to him and gave him a hug and we have never been apart since that day. That was three years ago.

In that time, we got engaged, we married and now we have been married for two years. He is my better half, he makes me laugh all the time, and his mac and cheese IS delicious. I love him with all of my heart.

Courtney & Ben Campbell
Benandcourtcampbell.blogspot.com

♥

See the previous Love Stories here! If you would like to submit your story, please send an e-mail to blog@shopruche.com. You may attach up to 5 photos. Please try to keep your stories to a 1200 word limit. You will receive an e-mail when your story is selected.

Introducing: Shop With Us!

2011-12-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

Back in August, our buying team went to Magic, the largest apparel convention in the world, and we decided to show you sneak peeks of items via Facebook while we were there. We simply loved everyone's feedback on the products! Your opinions were heard loud and clear and it helped us decide what to buy. We were shopping for you, after all. ♥

Inspired by your amazing participation during Magic, we're now excited to introduce you to our new Shop With Us program! Take weekly shopping trips with our buyers by following LIVE FEED on our facebook page. With only 5 minutes to vote per item, your votes will immediately determine our buyers' decisions. After each trip, your favorite fancies will be uploaded on our Shop With Us page. If you adore any of the winning items, be sure to sign up for the notification emails and we'll let you know when your favorites become available for purchase.

Click here to see the results from our first Shop With Us experience. If you missed the shopping trip, don't worry! Find out when our buyers are shopping next by following our facebook page. Many more shopping trips are on their way and we're excited to have you join us!

xo,
Ruche

Holiday Gift Guide

2011-12-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season for cherished moments, so let's find the perfect gift for someone special. Whether it's a shabby-chic picture frame, a decadent cookbook, or an adorable children's pillow, you'll discover the perfect charming gift here. Happy shopping! ♥

xo,
Ruche

Wedding Wednesday: Vintage Romance

2011-12-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

We adore shabby chic details.♥

Source one, two, three, and four

Wedding Wednesday: Winter Pomegranate Accents

2011-12-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

Source one, two, three, and four

A picture's worth

2011-12-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

Did you know that we're on Instagram? Follow us for our daily musings, behind the scenes tidbits, and sneak peeks.

Win Your Wishlist Giveaway

2011-12-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

*image from Sparkling Soiree

Do you have items on your wishlist? If so, here is your chance to win it! ♥

To enter, browse Ruche, create your wishlist with our wishlist feature, and share your completed list with us! Please send your list to contests@shopruche.com via the wishlist feature. Contest ends on Tuesday, December 20th at 12pm PST. The winner will be chosen at random for a $150 Ruche gift card to spend as her heart wishes.

Happy wishlist-making!

xo,
Ruche

Contest Disclaimer:
Wishlists must be created and shared with us via our wishlist feature in order to be counted. We will choose the winner at random. No purchase necessary. We reserve the right to close the contest early or late without warning. We will post the name of the winner on December 20th, 2011. Upon winning, you agree that your name can be published on this blog at the close of the contest. You must contact us via contests@shopruche.com within 7 days after the winner has been announced to claim your prize.

If Ruche were a crafty tree...

2011-12-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

sources: one, two, three, four

...we would look something like this. Happy December!

xo,
Ruche

Picture This: Elliot Erwitt Black and White Inspiration

2011-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Source one, two, and three

Style File: How Bloggers Wear Color

2011-12-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Elsie in our nauticus pleated dress.

Jen in our brooklyn skyway ruffle blouse.

Liz in our clarissa jazquard dress by BB Dakota.

xo,

Ruche

Weekend Project: Halfmoon Nails

2011-12-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

(Source)

Project DIY: How to Make Vintage Teacup Candles

2011-12-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

We are absolutely smitten with this charming teacup candle DIY. Stocking stuffers anyone?

(Source)

Click Here for Instructions

Sparkling Soiree, holiday party attire.

2011-12-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

Here is your invitation to our Sparkling Soiree! With holiday parties just around the corner, let's dazzle the nights away with a touch of sophistication and shine. View by our newest lookbook to find your holiday party attire. ♥

Photography by Brandon Kidd (http://brandonkidd.net/)
Makeup & Hair by KC Witkamp (http://makeupbykc.com/)
Furniture Rentals from Found Vintage (http://vintage-rentals.com/)

xo,
Ruche

Wedding Wednesday: Illuminate

2011-11-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

Source one, two, three, and four

xo,

Ruche