Friday, April 29, 2011

A Beautiful Mess

Meet Elsie, also known as elsiecake. She's a blogger, talented designer, and boutique owner with a vintage vision. In a studio littered in glitter, paint, and fabric, Elsie created A Beautiful Mess. The blog is her muse and a place to explore everything fashionable, crafty, and pretty.  ♥

Her blog also provides updates on her dream come true, Red Velvet. In 2002, Elsie teamed up with her sister, Emma, and friend, Rachel, to create the independent boutique full of indie and vintage items. It started with the girls making and selling their handmade creations, and as Emma said, "that's pretty much what it still is today." Their days are busy and full of online and in-store work, editing photos, and photo shoots. While they admit to being workaholics, they love their jobs and find themselves to be "pretty lucky."

Elsie and Emma are sisters, so we wondered, of course, how well they work together. Emma remarked, "I think the biggest fear everyone has about a family business is that there will be a fight that will damage your love/friendship for good. And sure, we are sisters, and we disagree about things here and there, but if we didn't get along, I think we would have figured it out by now." She also added that they have different strengths, which creates the right balance. "I would hate to compete against her anyway, she's feisty."


As their dreams continue to become reality, the ladies remain a strong team, they know they can rely on each other, and they continue to feel joyous and thankful.

If you haven't yet, visit A Beautiful Mess and find vintage inspired looks and beautiful inspiration. If you live in the area, stop by their Sweet Shoppe too (we wish it around the corner from us). We fell in love with it all and we hope you do too. ♥ And as always, we hope you had a lovely week!


P.S. Elsie wears our Chelsea Crew "Malibu" heels!

(and she has an adorable pug)


xo,
Ruche

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Style File: following your lead

Maxi dresses and spring go together like two peas in a pod. ♥ We're smitten with this pretty ensemble.


Photo Credit: Lust for Life

The lovely Olivia styled our following your lead lace maxi dress for a spring brunch. The wedges and sun hat add the final touches for a perfect sweet pea outfit.

xo,
Ruche

P.S. Check out our love is real maxi dress for a similar look!

 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Spring Thoughts

Just a little spring musing for today.


It is so amazing to see flowers springing up everywhere. We still don't have blooming trees or leaves on the trees, but it's so close I can just feel it! It's amazing. It's crazy how such beauty just grows out of the earth. I'm impressed, world.


Tell us, what do you love about spring?

xo,
Ruche

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

A Key to Mom's Heart


Mother's Day is less than two weeks away! Show your thanks with a little something from Ruche. The crafty artist will love our art prints and unique handmade jewelry. We have a selection of mugs for the coffee and tea lover, and our kitchen aprons and refrigerator magnets are perfect for the master chef. The nature bug will swoon over our garden inspired clothing and accessories, while the style maven will adore our fashionable sunglasses and jewelry stands. Find the perfect gift for the special woman in your life here! You do love her, after all. ♥


xo,
Ruche

Monday, April 25, 2011

If Ruche were an Easter egg hunt...



                                                All images: Martha Stewart

...we would look like this. ♥ We hope everyone had a happy Easter!

xo,
Ruche

Friday, April 22, 2011

DIY: Let's Get Organized

Spring cleaning, anyone? Let's get crafty and organized. ♥ The Ruche family got together to decorate the office and create these fabric cubes:



STEP 1: Pick up boxes like these and pretty fabric of your choice. (We got our cubes from Ikea.)

STEP 2: Cut a piece of fabric to fit the box's side and add glue.
STEP 3: Cover the box with the fabric and smooth.
STEP 4: Cut another piece of fabric (mix and match!) to fit the handle and apply glue.
STEP 5: Smooth the fabric and repeat until your heart's desire.
These drawers organize our office and brighten the room. They make us smile too! Happy DIY spring cleaning!

xo,
Ruche

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Style File: Coffeehouse Art

Ruche ladies, meet Mara.

She's is the sweetheart and writer behind M Loves M, a blog about everyday musings. She wore our enjoying the coffeehouse art pocket dress, and we love her fashion-forward sense of style!

Her accessories and use of color create a perfect look:

"I wanted to add to the laid back vibe {hello adorable pockets!} with a stone necklace and these awesome cat eye sunnies!" -Mara

How would you style this dress? We'd love to know!

xo,
Ruche

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Take a Peek Behind the Scenes!

A weekend with Sydney brings countless laughs, silly moments, and fun in the sun. Take a peek behind the scenes and laugh with us! Watch the video here!








In sum, this lovely lady is beautiful inside and out, and there is never a dull moment with her. ♥ Thank you, Sydney, for the chance to celebrate with you and for all the amazing memories!

xo,
The Ruche Family

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Daydream Believer

Big news! We met Sydney from The Daybook! ♥

Sydney recently reached over 5000 followers on her blog, and we were overjoyed to celebrate with her. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, it's a must-read. Her loveable personality shines through her words and photographs. And believe us, she is one loveable gal.

She flew from Idaho to California for a weekend of celebration, laughs and memorable moments. Stay tuned for a peek behind the scenes. ♥

Become a daydream believer with Sydney and shop the looks here:


xo,
Ruche

Monday, April 18, 2011

If Ruche were a doughnut...


...we would look like this. ♥

Actually, we would look more like this:

Photo Credit: Whisk Kid
Happy Monday, everyone!

xo,
Ruche

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Style File: Something Simple

Meet Tania. She's the grad student and lovely lady behind What Would a Nerd Wear. She understands fashion on a limited budget and shows us how she dresses creatively "to face the world."

Here, she brightened up our "something simple smocked gray dress" with cute yellow flats. She makes a simple dress effortlessly fashionable. ♥

What colors would you pair with this dress?

xo,
Ruche

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Delightfully Delicate

Chiffon, lace, and charming accessories refresh your look and nourish your poetic imagination. Let the elegance and allure of delightfully delicate pieces enchant your wardrobe and life. ♥

xo,
Ruche

Monday, April 11, 2011

If Ruche were a luncheon...

Found via Ritzy Bee

...we'd look like this. ♥ Happy Monday!

xo,
Ruche

Friday, April 8, 2011

Basket of Sweets

Indulge in our Basket of Sweets and treat yourself to something sweet!
Shop the looks for family gatherings, Easter, or a simply loveable day. ♥

xo,
Ruche

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Indie Era: Tulle

Tulle was established in 1999 and its design team continues to create stunning fashion. Each designer has their own aesthetic, but they come together for a cohesive collection inspired by vintage designs. They are known for their coats and dresses, which have clean lines, great fabrics, and an overall statement look. Tulle's aesthetic can be tagged as modern vintage, like Ruche, and their pieces will turn you into a fashionable statement too.

Our Tulle looks:





Shop Tulle here! ♥

xo,
Ruche

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Indie Era: 50 Dresses

We're honored to introduce you to our newest indie line, 50 Dresses, from downtown LA. Created out of her basement, Tess Virgil launched her line of 50 dresses less than one year ago and we couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce her beautiful creations to you. The looks are inspired by vintage fashion and modern silhouettes. They are easy to wear, feminine, and flattering, and they will effortlessly make you look and feel like a lovely lady.



Shop 50 Dresses here! ♥

xo,
Ruche

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Indie Era: Dear Creatures

Dear Creatures is an indie clothing line that inspires individuality and optimism. It was created by Bianca Benitez and Rob Sinclair, whose creations fit Ruche's aesthetic as it "looks to the future of fashion, with a nod to the past." Their signature look stands out with precise tailoring, classic silhouettes, and simple lines. The pieces contain the beauty of vintage photographs, and we believe these clothes will enhance your beauty and unique self too.


See our remix on some Dear Creatures pieces:



For more outfit ideas, check out Rebecca from The Clothes Horse. She's wearing our Dear Creatures "Nancy" dress, and we can't get enough of her styling! We adore her creativity and her use of color:


What's not to love?

xo,
Ruche