Wedding Bouquets: An Interview & DIY Project

We recently had the pleasure of working with Mai, the creator of Bunch Studio, and her team. They helped us create our wedding vision with their gorgeous flower arrangements and bouquets. Take a peek into Mai's creative mind below. ♥

When did your love for flowers and designing begin?
I've always had a preference of creative outlets over anything else academic... it's worked out for me so far. I am also an interior designer by trade, so I have respect and appreciation for all things beautiful and well curated. A room, space or event is never complete without the presence of natural botanicals.

What does a typical day in the studio/shop look like?
Cold early mornings at the Los Angeles flower mart, anywhere from 4am to 10am... leaves, petals, and branches everywhere at the studio mid-day, and late nights at the computer. There really are no breaks, but the work is quite enjoyable so you don't always notice when the day has passed you by.

Do you like to garden at home?

I do not have a green thumb, but my goal is to master the art of gardening as we just moved into a space with a 4,500 sq ft yard!

What was the process like for creating Ruche bridal bouquets?

It was a fun palette to work with, and the garden theme gave us more range with the shapes of the bouquets.

Are there any behind-the-scenes moments from our bridal lookbook to share?

The urns at Kimberly Crest had some well rooted aloe plants that we thought were going to be easy to temporarily uproot and replace with our arrangements. While it worked out beautifully, it was quite a process we didn't anticipate. Also both my assistants grew up with horses, which was really helpful when we had to shoot with the ponies.

For a bride on a budget, what flowers would you recommend?

If garden roses aren't in the budget, try standard / Ecadorian roses that are fuller in bloom. Stock and lisianthus are great filler flowers and look really lush in dense quantities. Using just one flower type everywhere makes a great statement, no matter what the flower is. Always aim for seasonal or local.

♥

Thank you so much, Mai! We truly appreciate all the beautiful work you created for us. Ruchettes, be sure to stop by our Wedding Guide and learn how to create wedding bouquets. Bunch Studio shared their recipes from our bridal lookbook!

xo,

Ruche

Tweet

An Interview with Elizabeth Messina

Our enchanted daydream and vision of spring was brought to life by the talented and esteemed wedding photographer, Elizabeth Messina.  We were so thrilled to be able to work with Elizabeth for our spring lookbook. She is truly one of a kind.  Elizabeth was able to capture breathtaking moments of sweetness and beauty through her lens.  Using only natural lighting and shot completely in film, the lookbook turned out amazing.   Take a peek into her musings in the interview below. ♥

When did your love of photography begin?

When I was 12 years old, my mother gave me my first camera.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

There is no such thing as a typical day. That's what I love about it. I love that I get to access the creative part of my brain on a regular basis. I also get to be around people in love, which is quite wonderful, and I love the freedom that comes with making my own schedule.

Where do you edit your photos?

My office is a special place. It's a mixture of antiques and paperwork, photographs and shoes. I have a vintage wrought iron daybed that I love to sit on while I edit photos.

Do you have any advice for people who want to pursue creative creatives like yours?

I think it is important to have a healthy balance of creativity and business sense. Much of my time is spent doing very un-creative things... running a business is full of paperwork and organization. I love my career, but make no mistake about it, it is a lot of work.

Which images do you adore most from the lookbook, Enchantment?

Ahhhh, so hard to choose.... I love the cover image, it's definitely one of my favorites. And I really adore the image with the white hat. The entire day was filled with so much beauty... I don't think there are any shots I don't like.

To see more wedding inspiration and beautiful photographs by Elizabeth Messina, visit Kiss the Groom and view her new book! 

You can preorder it here and we'll be carrying it at our boutique soon too.  ♥

xo,

Ruche

Tweet

Textile Designer, Lotta Anderson

All images via Design Sponge

While browsing one of our favorite sites, Design Sponge, we were introduced to textile designer, Lotta Anderson of Lotta Jansdotter. Her interview is a source of inspiration.

"When I am in my studio I feel exhilarated, enthusiastic, chaotic, unorganized, happy and crazy!"

"Just start doing things, try them out. You might make mistakes and that is OK. The more things you do, the more you will find and learn what you are good/bad at; what works and what you want to spend your time doing. If you are too afraid of even trying, then nothing will happen."

♥

See the entire interview here.

xo,

Ruche

Tweet

An Interview with Completely Gail

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

Tweet

A Colorful Winter Engagement

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

Tweet

An Interview with Tara and Jamie

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!

__________________________________________________________________________________

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

Tweet

An Interview with Beth and Liz

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.

___________________________________________________________________________________

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

Tweet

An Interview with Laura and Mara

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!

________________________________________________________________________________

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

Tweet

An Interview with Mai & Tiffany

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

Tweet

Picture This: Interview with Ruche's Fall photographer - Brandon Kidd

Just a little update: Ruche continues to be thankful for our friends and photographers, Stephanie Williams and Isaac Hurtado. As you may recall, Isaac became paralyzed after a critical surgery. We're happy to announce that Isaac's pain is starting to reside and he should be transferred out of ICU soon. He still has a long road to recovery, but there is a lot of hope and love in the air as Isaac remains his cheerful self. Thank you, everyone, for your incredible support! While we continue with Steph and Isaac on the road to recovery, we're happy to introduce our newest photographer and talent behind our fall lookbook, Brandon Kidd.

Ruche: How did you start out in photography and why did you choose this path?

BK: I always loved photography and appreciated good photographs at a young age. So much so that my parents actually bought me my first 35mm at the age of 13 for a Christmas present one year. I loved it so much that I brought it with me everywhere I went. Constantly documenting people, places and life as it happens, I suppose some things never change. Its hard to call photography my career because I would realistically do it for free. (shhhh dont tell my clients) But I know that because I love it as much, if not more then the day I started, that it is a path I know I was meant to be on.  It allows me to express a thought or a vision, the opportunity to tell a story and the ability to create art. I dont think you can create a better job if you tried. I thank Jesus everyday for the opportunity to do what I love and giving me the desires of my heart in this capacity.

Ruche: What do you think is the most important aspect of getting a great picture? Lighting? Composition? Model?

BK: We offer a wide variety of photography services from portraits to fashion to commercial. There are so many things that go into making up a good picture. But I think in order to capture a truly great image you need to think about the end product first. What story are you trying to tell and focus on the key elements that are going to convey that message. Of course composition and lighting are important elements but they are nothing without feelings or emotions.

Ruche: What do you love most about wedding photography or photography in general?

BK: One of the reasons I love photography so much is to have the ability to document and tell stories visually through creating artistic images. I also love seeing new places, meeting new people and capturing all the different stories that are out there in this world! Whether that be of two lives coming together on a wedding day or of a story line for a fashion shoot! It never gets old to me!

Ruche: Who are your favorite photographers/who's work do you follow? Do you read photography blogs, forums or websites? Which ones?

BK: When I have time the list of photographers and blogs I read for inspiration goes on and on. Every personal has a unique and special gift about them that I find encouraging, motivating and inspirational. I try not to spend too much time comparing my work to others but rather focusing on what I do and bettering the way I tell each of my clients stories.

See more of Brandon's work here: Brandon Kidd Photography

xo,
Ruche

Tweet

Wedding Wednesday: Found Vintage Rentals

images via Found

images via The Industry

We're honored to introduce you to Jeni, the owner of Found. Found has an incredible selection of vintage rentals, which are perfect for practically any event. Weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, photo shoots, corporate events... We even used Found's furniture and props in our recent lookbook! Read below for Jeni's story. ♥ 

When did you start your collection of vintage pieces? 
I bought my first vintage item 15 years ago... and pretty much haven't stopped since then! The inventory collection is always growing, and evolving, which is what I love most about what I do!

What catches your eye?
Anything with chippy paint, I am automatically drawn to. I love the layers of paint showing through that prove that the piece has been around for a long time. I love things that are worn and imperfect; I feel this is what gives furniture character. I love the shape of really old chairs and couches and can always see past the fabric, because I usually have these type of pieces re-upholstered anyway.

How often do you add to your collection?
Everyday. Literally, I feel like I pick up pieces almost every single day. Even if it is just a small suitcase that I pickup at a thrift store. I am constantly searching for new pieces, and always trying to keep my eyes peeled for things that I think would be perfect to add to the collection.

How did you dream-up your business? The concept is so unique! 
Actually, my hubby had suggested it a few times (which I thought was sweet, but never really put too much thought into it). But, it wasn't until a wedding coordinator came into our studio and saw all of my vintage decor and props everywhere and said, "You should rent this stuff out to brides" that I really put some thought into it. Less than 24 hours of thought that is. The next day I walked two blocks up the street to the City Hall and filed my new business license for "Found"...which was the name that my hubby thought up and I instantly fell in love with. 

Do you have any favorite memories from previous events?
Weddings are so much fun! I really do love working with brides and coordinators to infuse the look and style that they are after for their wedding by bringing in vintage pieces that help define their style. Also, I helped style a 10 year old little girls birthday party with vintage chairs and tables for her birthday party. It was a surprise for her and when she saw it  for the first time, she smiled a smile that will forever be engrained in my memory.

What's in store for the future?
So much. I have so many exciting things in the works right now for Found that I can't wait to share. But daily, I am focusing on growing my inventory and continuing to evolve my collection in a way that reflects the current trends and styles, while staying true to things that I am attracted to and happy to add to the found collection.

images via Oh Hello Friend

♥

Thank you, Jeni! Visit her website, Twitter, and Facebook page for more!

xo,
Ruche

Tweet

Meet Petit Plume

Meet Genie, the brilliant talent behind Petit Plume. She designs and hand-makes all of her hair accessories and we're excited to officially introduce her to you!

 

What's the meaning behind Petit Plume?
Petit Plume means "Little Feather" in French. I love a touch of feathers and other materials that are inspired by a French bohemian style and can translate into everyday style. Whimsical, cute, wearable, unique and stylish!

How was your line created?

I simply wanted to stand out for an interview in 2008 and since handmade accessories weren't as popular as they are now, I made my own. I thought it would be fun to wear something colorful in my hair with my plain black and white suit. I have also been interested in creating things all my life and majored in studio art at UCI. After I graduated, I taught art to kids and did many different projects for church, so naturally, I wanted to create something that could be for "the everyday" and for my friends. I incorporated my love for mixed media arts and ceramics with some basic sewing skills my grandmother taught me when I was a kid. Somehow, I still remembered how to do it!

  

What inspires your designs?

Fine art, nature, unique materials, flea markets, everything! I also think about my friends, the women around me, and their unique personalities and individual styles. I make things that I think would make them feel beautiful.

Do you have any favorite pieces that you've created?

Eeek! That's a hard one! I think when I make something new, I feel like it's the best thing and then I end up making something I like even more later. I guess I go through phases and I love variety, so it's hard for me to have a favorite. My favorites are things that are wearable, like simple vintage trims on headbands and felt flowers that I can just clip in to pull my bangs back and I'm out of the house.

Will you be designing your own hair accessories for your wedding and bridesmaids?

Oh! Many people ask me this! Of course! There is some pressure to create something absolutely amazing, but I have a feeling I will end up going simple and traditional. We shall see! My bridesmaids will wear grayish purple dresses and I'll make them a sash and hair piece, most likely in a mustard color. For myself, I'll have a veil during the ceremony, but a hair piece for the reception. Probably with peach accents.

Do you have your own studio?
I  have a studio in my home. It is pretty insane looking because I have collected a bunch of materials since I started. I think it's time to expand, but I can't really do anything yet since I'll be getting married pretty soon. 

If you could have anything from our Desert Oasis lookbook, which items would you choose?

Oh man! Every Ruche lookbook makes me drool! Such amazing photography, styling and stuff! AHH! I love the outfits in Oasis 15, Oasis 18, Oasis 21, and Oasis 26. Apart from the lookbook, I love the pink lemonade dress and the meeting before dark dress in jasmine. I actually own the lace dress and I love it! So comfortable!

♥

Click here to see all Petit Plume accessories. Thank you, Genie!

xo,
Ruche

Tweet

Meet Keiko Lynn

Remember Keiko? We swoon over her vintage style and how she previously styled one of our crop tops and a pair of our oxfords. We're also in awe with her passion and talent for reconstructing clothes and her business savvy self. ♥ Enjoy the interview!

 Image by Alice Rutherford

Were you born and raised in Brooklyn?
I was born and raised in South Florida. I moved to Central Florida for college, and then to New York shortly afterward. I've been here for over four years and don't plan on leaving anytime soon, but I doubt I'll find myself retiring in Brooklyn. I have a little bit of country in me and would love to have my horses in my backyard at some point.

What’s a day in your life like?
I spend most of my day sewing and talking to my animals like a crazy person (I work from home). I blog and edit photos during breaks in my day, and always have music or tv on in the background. I watch an embarrassing amount of television while I'm sewing.

What do you love most about blogging?
Though it is primarily focused on personal style and general happenings in my life, I also use my blog as a platform for causes I truly believe in. I'm lucky to have extraordinary readers with big hearts. Together, we are making a difference, whether by raising funds or spreading awareness. Every little bit counts.

You mentioned that getting dressed everyday boosts your mood and helps you concentrate. How so?
When I'm dressed too comfortably or sloppily, I tend to get in a rut. All I want to do is relax or sleep! Since I work from home and I'm my own boss, I have to keep myself in check. Getting dressed up gets me in the right mindset.

What inspires your clothing line, Postlapsaria?
I had no intentions of working in fashion - I went to school for musical theatre. I always enjoyed expressing myself through my personal style and when I was in school, I was on a tight budget. I started reconstructing thrifted finds and pieces from my own closet. People started commissioning pieces from me and I decided to turn it into a business.

Any fun facts you’d like to share?
My favorite fun fact to share is that my mom's name is Barbie and my dad's name is Ken. People always think I'm fibbing, but it's absolutely true!

What items are on your Ruche wishlist?
This lace jacket is the perfect topper for summer dresses:
http://www.shopruche.com/lacey-lullaby-lace-jacket-p-7345.html?zenid23=1816be99a84c638db670bf4fc0cccb5e

I love the bright florals and flattering skirt of this trench:
http://www.shopruche.com/within-the-garden-walls-floral-trench-jacket-by-ark-co-p-7340.html

Blush pink is my favorite color to wear:
http://www.shopruche.com/make-me-blush-ruched-blazer-p-7332.html

This lace bralette would look great beneath a cutaway blouse:
http://www.shopruche.com/lacey-touch-scalloped-bralette-in-black-p-7249.html

A nipped in waist and full skirt is such a flattering silhouette:
http://www.shopruche.com/breakfast-in-bed-floral-dress-p-7228.html

I'm a sucker for lace, florals and feminine hues - can you tell?

 Thank you, Keiko! If you haven't yet, be sure to stop by her blog and her online shop for vintage style, beautiful makeup tutorials, thoughtful musings, and inspirations. ♥

xo,
Ruche

Tweet

Meet Violet Bella

Hello, world. Meet Laura, also known as Violet Bella. She's the talented indie designer who makes all of these pretties. ♥ Here's her story:

How did Violet Bella begin?

I think Violet Bella is something that was in the works of my soul for a lifetime really. I grew up with two very creative and talented parents, my mother, a jeweler, and my father, a carpenter. I have always highly respected that they both grew something amazing out of nothing by using their hearts and their hands.

What was life like before Violet Bella?

Before Violet Bella was created, I worked full time for my mom. She had a company called Broken China Jewelry for over 25 years, where she made beautiful jewelry from antique china plates. When my mom lost the battle of breast cancer in 2008, it was the most life changing event to ever happen to me. My mother was my best friend, greatest admirer, and simply my soul mate. My father and I decided to sell her business and move onto our own things. I had no idea what to do, so I waited tables for about a year or so. When I made Violet Bella a full time job, the first few months were very rocky and I thought several times I would have to stop living in this dream and go back to waiting tables.  But I just kept going through the hard times, and every time I was just about to give up, something would come along to remind me to keep going.  And just two years later, Violet Bella is more amazing than even I could ever have imagined. I feel so truly blessed. The only thing that could make it perfect would be to have my mother here to see it all, but I know she is up there helping me out along the way through this incredible journey.

What inspires your designs?

I am very inspired by nature. I love leaves, birds, aged textures, woodland creatures, feathers... I have always loved fashion and textiles, and I am very inspired by the bohemian vibe. Color palettes are also very inspiring to me. And music is something that carries me through. I always have my tunes on while designing, and I love to sing along! My biggest inspiration is probably just knowing that each day I sit down to create.

Do you have a design studio?

We just moved from a small rent house where my jewelry table behind our couch in the living room, our dining room was my office, and my sewing desk was a tiny fold up table in a corner. In our new house I have two whole rooms for the time being (until we have kids), plus an office! I have one room for my jewelry studio, one for my sewing studio, and I put my office in part of the main house so I can do most of my business still being near my hubby!

What's your daily routine?

Coffee as soon as I wake up! I love love love my coffee, probably my worst vice. Then I feed our animals, Bella, Violet and Nico. (Yes, my business name came from my cat and dog!) I’ve been spending my coffee time on the porch listening to the birds chirp. Then it’s off to check emails and my etsy shop. After all of my shipping is done, I either work on current wholesale orders or new stuff for the shop. I usually get excited right after designing new work; I photograph it and post that day if I can. If I’m in design mode, I have to remind myself to stop and eat, or takes little breaks. Evenings I usually spend with my husband and/or blogging. And just like everyone else, I of course have to squeeze in laundry, dishes, sweeping and taking care of the house daily, which I honestly enjoy most of the time. My husband and I just bought our first home, so I am in the exciting stage of decorating!

What inspires your wardrobe?

My style and wardrobe are simply inspired by prints and colors that I love and comfort. I love a mixture of bohemian textiles and accents mixed with long simple necklaces. I love to wear converse with dresses, a piece of my youth you just can’t take out of me. I’m pretty sure my style would be a lot more refined if I could spend a bit more money on it, but I love being creative with what I have!

Do you have a life motto?

I definitely believe that you get what you put out there, and it’s up to you to create the life you want.  And to always come from a place of heart in who you are and what you do. We are all human, and we all stumble and make mistakes, but trying to come back to love at the end of every hard lesson, will pull you through. And to stay true to yourself in life, love and your work.  I truly believe in the importance of family and friends. I love just about every quote written by Maya Angelou, go read them!

Thank you, Laura!

Want to read more about her? Be sure to stop by her blog for swoon worthy images and Violet Bella updates.

xo,
Ruche

P.S. She's wearing our sending my love floral applique dress. A perfect pairing with Violet Bella jewelry. ♥

Tweet