VENICE BOUND!!!

Just a quick email - as I board a plane - to let you know I'll be back soon! In a very generous gesture, my parents have booked me a post Rue Issue Two vacay to Venice!

For those of you who have read this blog for awhile, you know that Italy is my place. It's the place that makes my heart jump and my soul sing.

So you can imagine my excitement! I plan to spend the time with some good bonding with mom and dad, a bit of shopping, a lot of eating, and ceasing as many opportunities to speak with locals as I can!

But before I take off, I wanted to say THANK YOU! All your support and lovely comments about the new issue of Rue mean more to me than you'll ever know!

See you in about a week....ciao!

xo,

Crystal

*images unknown

RUE ISSUE TWO IS LIVE!

After a fun filled night of final touches and finessing, Rue Issue Two is officially live! Check it out and let us know what you think (there's a new site, too!). We're even more proud of this issue than we were of the last!

Enjoy my friends!

xo,

Crystal

P.S. Anne and Bri, you totally rock my world!

*image of Katie Ermilio at home; photographed by Jamie Beck for Rue Magazine

FOR THE LATE NIGHT CROWD

Popping in with a Friday night post to wish you all a wonderful weekend! When you wake up Monday morning, there will be a new Rue Issue Two waiting for you!

It's a bitter sweet thing to wrap an issue. You become attached to your features. You smile at the memories of traveling to fun places with new friends. You feel fortunate to have worked with so many talented contributors. And you're happy to have been able to pack in a little fun along the way.

xo,

Crystal

*images: David Tsay for Rue Magazine

RUE ISSUE TWO SNEAK PEEK!

Yesterday we leaked our second Rue Issue Two sneak peek to blogging sensation Holly of decor8! We were thrilled when we saw the fabulous little collage she put together with the images we shared with her. Hop over to see more!

This particular home is definitely one of my favorites from the upcoming issue. Though the homeowner has fantastic style already, I was fortunate enough to be able to help out by styling the shoot. The photographer was the one and only Emily Anderson and the location will remain a surprise :)

OFFICE SEDUCTION

After 20 days of traveling and working from various couches, coffee tables, dinning rooms, and beds, I'm excited at the prospect of sitting at a desk and chair today. I love to travel more than anything in this world, but there's really no place like home.

As someone who's hyper organized, this little office space is calling my name. A floor to ceiling wall of uniform notebooks to file important documents away, a clean, clutter-free work surface to spread out and think, and of course a flood of blinding white....I could definitely get through the today's long to-do list here!

*image via dwell

COZY UP WITH SWEET PAUL MAGAZINE

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away! Is it just me or did it creep up on us this year?

Perhaps it's because I've spent all of November in California where it feels more like summer than fall, or perhaps it's because I've got Rue Issue 2 blinders on and haven't had a moment to think of anything else.

Either way, I'm loving this rustic tabletop that serves as the perfect Thanksgiving inspiration from the latest issue of Sweet Paul. I adore the knit covered everything - it's the visual equivalent of being all bundled up and warm inside.

I'm headed back to Chicago this evening after 20 days of pure fun and productivity in California... maybe the cold, crisp weather in The Windy City will finally get me in the holiday mood.

It'll be a stretch for me though as I'll be spending Thanksgiving in Venice, Italy this year. Maybe we'll just scratch the turkey, concentrate on a making a beautiful tablescape alla Sweet Paul and make pasta instead. Yum.

*images via Sweet Paul

WRAP IT UP

Whether it's to protect your hair from the sun, keep warm in the winter, or hide a bad hair day, the headwrap look just popped into my life via the Toast catalog and I'm intrigued.

Admittedly though, it's just not me. So instead I'll shelf it in the "fashion statement I love but can't pull off" file for now. Along with drop crotch pants and sweatpant chic.

RUE ISSUE TWO SNEAK PEEK + A TWITTER PARTY!

Rue Issue Two is just around the corner and the girls and I are working around the clock to perfect every last page for you! In the meantime, we thought we'd whet your appetite with a little sneak peek over on sfgirlbybay, - head over to Victoria's blog if you'd like to check it out!

We're also throwing a Twitter party this Sunday @ 8pm EST. We hope you'll join the conversation!

Have a lovely weekend everyone! Thanks for visiting this week! See you Monday.

xo,

Crystal

*image: Emily Anderson for Rue Magazine

LEOPARD LOVE

I tire pretty easily of patterns. I'm shelving ikat for now and wouldn't mind seeing less of chevron. But one look I fall in love with a little more each season is leopard.

The secret though is not to over due it. Sure, Rihanna can pull off the look from head to toe, but for me it's all about the perfect accent piece - like a pillow or shoe - to exude just the right amount of sexy and sass.

*images via Simply Seductive, Rue Magazine, SFGirlByBay, and unknown

Vicente Wolf's Touch of Gold

I fell in love with his portfolio the moment I discovered it. It's got soul, it permeates with passion, and it has an uncanny way of easing my tension.

Espresso wood floors contrasted with milky white panton chairs and a tulip table. It couldn't be more straightforward yet the depth of interpretation is endless.

Though my heart melts at the warmth of this palette, it's the texture in the space that speaks most to me. I can feel the plushness of the carpet under my feet, the silkiness of the chairs on my fingers, and the slippery glide of the polished wood table just looking at this image.

What I love so much about Vicente's interiors is that an intuitive ability to cut out the noise and listen to his core radiates like gold from every project he touches.

*image via Veranda Nov/Dec issue

COMING HOME

Driving along the gorgeous coast of California, I'll be making my way from Los Angeles to The City by the Bay today. At a time where being in flux is my new normal, somehow knowing I'll be resting my head to sleep in San Francisco tonight feels like coming home.

Though my address still says Chicago, and my schedule says I'll be traveling for the remainder of the year, my heart says I'm ready to make San Francisco my new home.

So until then, I'm going to savour my time there this week. I'm going soak up the crisp, gray city of enchantment, love, and dreams.

*images via oh happy day

FASHION RENDEZVOUS

I've decided that I've been cheating on fashion with furniture for too long. Slowing I find myself returning to that other love. From a perfectly tailored button-down flirting with a tease of lace...

To a peep show of skin reigned in by a strap of leather...

Hello, love. I've missed you.

*fashion by Katie Ermilio, shoes by Yves Saint Laurent

COLORWAYS

Why not think outside the box?

And go crazy with color.

A little vibrancy goes a long way on a dreary Monday morning...

*image via Design Love Fest, Dinnerware via French Bull

Laid Back Elegance

I've been coming back to these images for a few weeks now. Something about them is just so simple and sweet. From the color palette of navy with pops of purple, to the whitewashed walls and ceiling, there's not an inch of this space I don't love.

More than anything though I'm completely taken by the seating. An English roll arm sofa, a curvy wood framed chair, and a boxy chaise lounge - all so different but working in perfect harmony in this room.

Then, there's that beautiful sunlight streaming in...if only we could bottle up the warm glow of sunbeams and make them part of every room.

Have a lovely weekend my dears. I'll be bunkered up in LA working day and night....issue 2 is just around the corner!

xo,

Crystal

*images via mi casa

RUE MAGAZINE & BASH PLEASE GET HITCHED!

If you follow wedding and event blogs then you already know Bash, Please is the hottest team around. Based in Los Angeles and founded by the sweetest, most creative gals you'll ever meet, Paige and Kelly are true pioneers in the industry.

Tired of the stuffiness that the wedding industry is oftentimes associated with, the gals decided to host a big wedding fair that got rid of the protocol and provided an interactive and memorable experience for all. They called it Hitched and the rest is history!

In light of the overwhelming response, Paige and Kelly are taking Hitched on a nationwide tour. On January 30th they're bringing it to Palm Springs and I'm thrilled to announce that the gals have asked Rue Magazine to be part of the spectacular affair! We'll be styling and hosting the grooms lounge - think cigars and scotch, my friends.

We hope all you brides-to-be and event planners will come check it out! Not only is it going to be a blast, but the best in the industry will be there to offer you inspiring and innovative ideas. Hitched sells out fast though, so signing up early is highly recommended!

*images via the bash, please portfolio

Modern Warmth

Today I'm feeling inspired by interiors with warmth and hints of masculinity. Perhaps it's because I've been around girls all weekend, or maybe it's just the change of season sweeping over me.

Either way, I'm craving worn in leathers, deep colors, dark floors and the visual anchor of introducing black into my home.

*images via moodboard and haute design

EASING INTO FALL

Though I still have a couple days left in sunny Palm Springs, my mind is on the cool call of fall and all the comforts that come with it.

The best part of my daily routine is my morning cup of coffee. There's not a sweeter moment in the day than when I can warm up with a mug when the air outside is cozy and crisp.

I also look forward to retiring my shorts and sandals for tailored jackets and scarves this time of year. I find fall fashion so interesting - layers of texture and rich colors not only keep me warm, but also inspired.

Working from home, a nice desk is so essential. A cashmere throw to stay warm with and a beautiful window from which to watch the vibrant leaves also feels like a little luxury of this season.

And finally, what I love so much about autumn is that opting for a night in with a good book instead of late nights out with friends all of a sudden seems totally acceptable. Just blame it on the cold weather...

*images via dress design decor and stockholm street style

POOLSIDE IN PALM SPRINGS

Hello from Palm Springs! The Rue gals are in The Desert this week for a big photo shoot...

But first, we couldn't help but take a day off at the Ace Hotel to have a little fun in the sun! Girl talk, lounging, and tans...yes please!

*images via my iphone