THE RECAP: RUE LAUNCH WEEK IN NYC!

I've been excited to share these pictures with you all weekend long! Rue just got back a few days ago from NYC after a helluva good launch week in the city that never sleeps. Coincidentally enough, we never slept either. And to give you a point of reference on how tired we were, we also didn't sleep the 48 hours leading up to the trip. Rue went live on a Thursday and on the following Friday we hopped on planes and hit the ground running in New York...

Thank goodness for Kelley Moore - our fabulously stylish friend and a designer from Seattle who had us over to her place in Soho on Saturday. She graciously wined and dined us, restoring a little life back into our veins. Kelley is known for putting on the best dinner parties and this was no exception! Not to mention, she can tabletop like nobody's business :)

After a delicious dinner, inspiring conversation, and free flowing champagne, we couldn't help but take to the living room floor for a little impromptu dance party. Can you blame us? ;)

It was amazing to finally have all the Rue gals together for the first time, but I also couldn't have been happier to share the evening with some of my closest friends, Cassie, Jaime, Julie, Erin, and Will. These gals and gent have been there for me since the beginning!

Not only do Anne and I finish each others sentences, apparently we also both show up to parties in pok-a-dot dresses cut in the same style. It's beginning to get eerie really.

And finally, what would the night have been without a little catwalk action alla New York Fashion Week. With the bevy of beauties in attendance that night, it was only a matter of time.

On the way back to our hotel, we were delighted to run into one of Rue's premier advertising partners, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams! We ceased the photo opp and tested out the gorgeous chester sofa in the window display.

The following morning, Sunday, we brunched at Clinton St. Baking Co. and unanimously decided the hour long wait was defnitely worth it. At night we dined at Pastis in the meatpacking district and devoured dishes made of truffles, savoured plates doused in butter, and basked in French flavors.

The next day was Monday and Anne and I had a full schedule of meetings and appointments. We met with our good friends at Ferencomm PR, HGTV, and Benjamin Moore. Serious meetings meant serious shoes, which came off when Anne and I had to run 7 blocks to get to our last appointment. Long story...

And between meetings what did Anne and I do, you ask? Why we held an impromptu fashion shoot in Grand Central! Would you expect anything less from two style bloggers?

We even found time to drop by the HGTV blogger luncheon that day. We adore the HGTV family and had so much fun meeting the other bloggers.

Monday evening rolled around and it was time to get dolled up and head to the Rue Launch party, hosted by the New York Design Center, and held in the gorgeous Century showroom.

We were absolutely overwhelmed by the turn out! The girls and I could not have asked for a better party. It was perfect in every way imaginable.

It was very empowering to have so many inspiring and talented people in one place at the same time. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I am so honored to be a part of this community.

Friends and colleagues flew in from London, Toronto, and Los Angeles to be part of the celebration.

To everyone who came, we hope you had as much fun as we did!

Then after the party came the after party. Here's the group leaving the design center for the East Village for some post party fun. But we'll keep the pics from the rest of the night secret :)

The next day, Tuesday, we were thrilled to attend a Nate Berkus Show party hosted by The Nest and organized by Camila. One of the reasons I love traveling so much is because of the new friends I always make. Case in point, Eric Miller from Studio M on the left is our new BFF ;)

On Wednesday, Rue was honored to be part of the New York Design Center's annual What's New What's Next event!

Partnering with InHouse showroom, Rue's food columnist and NYC chef, Marissa Lippert put on a cooking demo, while Jackie of Merci put together a beautiful fall tabletop inspiration and florist Kathleen of Kat Flower provided the gorgeous floral design for Rue.

The event was a smashing success and we loved talking to all the people who stopped by!

Later that evening, we headed to the John Saladino showroom where I had the honor of giving a closing toast! We stayed for what felt like hours and hours just chatting with all the wonderful people we were so fortunate to meet that night. Already, we can't wait to be back for the event next year! And though we were graciously invited to more dinners and more drinks that night....

...the girls and I decided that after our whirlwind week nothing in the world sounded better than going back to our hotel, getting into pajamas and ordering pizza. So we did just that and had ourselves a fabulous little girls night in. We woke up at 3am the following morning, got into cars waiting to take us to the airport and peaced out back to Chicago and San Francisco.

Oh and I almost forgot! Despite our crazy schedule, we also managed to fit in three photo shoots while in town! But shoots alway stay top secret so you'll have to stay tuned till issue 2 :)

Thank you to everyone who was a part of our launch week - whether there in person or in spirit - it truly was the time of our lives and we owe it all to your support!