A MASSIVE GIVEAWAY: RUE PLAYS SANTA!

You didn't think we could publish a holiday issue without leaving you with a few presents, did you? It is the holiday season after all and nothing makes us happier than gift giving! Plus, we've got a lot to be grateful for over at Rue and this is our way of thanking you! the. best. readers. ever.

So, we've rounded up a grand prize package with over $2,000 (!!!) in amazing products just for you! One lucky reader will win all 15 of these fabulous gifts from our sponsors! And in true Rue fashion, we've got you covered in every department!

*DwellStudio Tubular Burst Object ($373); Crate & Barrel Nord Vase ($149); CB2 Ernest White Bar Cart ($149)

*QSW Left Bank Puffy Coat ($164) ; Glamorously Gray & Golden necklace by Elva Fields ($198 one of a kind, not sold online)

*DwellStudio Draper Stripe Ash Duvet Set ($280); Perricone MD hypoallergenic line ($277 total value); Molton Brown hand wash and lotion ($50); GHD scarlet collection limited edition flat iron ($225)

* Chronicle Books Lifestyle Roundup: Decorate ($35); The Liberty Book of Home Sewing ($28); Lotta Jansdotter Open Studios ($25); It's Lonely in the Modern World ($20); Nomad ($40)

Entering is easy, here's the scoop: Head to the holiday issue right here, turn to page 76, and tell me in the comments section below what room in the Captain Fairfield Inn you would most like to spend an afternoon. Easy, huh?

And guess what, you can enter up to four times, once on each of the four Rue editors' blogs to up your chances.

So head over and visit Cassandra, Bri, and Anne and enter again and again! Oh and if you're on twitter, tweet for ONE extra entry this phrase: "I wanna win the $2k @RueMagazine holiday giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/76u2dd9"

Easy as pie, right? Our winner will be chosen Wednesday, December 21st at 10am PST (US only).

Good luck and happy holidays!

xx

Crystal

Sweet Dreams... A Giveaway from Select Comfort!

When the nice people at Select Comfort contacted me a few months ago about trying out one of their Sleep Number mattresses, the timing couldn't have been better. I was prepping for my move from Chicago to San Francisco and jumped at the chance to leave my cheap-o mattress behind and start fresh with something new.

When I arrived to SF just three weeks ago, I found my new bed waiting and have never slept better! A special mattress filled with air (not springs), Sleep Numbers allow you to adjust to your preference. And as an added bonus for all you coupled people, you can set different levels of firmness for each side. Or if you're like me, you can roll around depending on your mood :) I'm currently a number 65 on the right and 45 on the left.

How many of you are also ready to ditch the old in favor of the new? Well, my dears, the Select Comfort people aren't only nice, they're also generous and today we're giving one lucky reader their very own Sleep Number bed! Here's what you have to do to enter: Follow this link, fill out the quick questionnaire, and mention that Plush Palate sent you!

A winner will be announced next Monday. Good luck!

P.S. Remember how I told you I was coming to SF with nothing more than my clothes and a few personal belongings so I could decorate my new place from scratch (RIP Chicago home)? Well, this bed is literally the only piece of furniture I have and tomorrow I'll start chronicling the process of making my new place a home. The final product will be revealed in our anniversary issue of Rue...hope you'll follow along!

GIVEAWAY: Pottery Barn Vase + A Day with Nathan Turner

Last week I had the exciting opportunity of meeting Nathan Turner, one of the country's leading style experts, at a Pottery Barn event on styling ideas for tabletops and weddings. He brought in quite the crowd!

Miss Alaina was also there and we had the pleasure of chatting with Nathan beforehand at a private breakfast with the Pottery Barn team. He is the epitome of California cool -- laid back and so fun! I loved hearing the story of how he got into the industry, which involved honing his eye for style while living in France and Italy, buying trips to Europe for an antique store, opening a his own shop in LA, unorthodoxically installing a kitchen in it (he loves to cook), and the LA Times discovering him as the guy who threw parties in his store for friends. How fun is that!

At the event, we learned a few tricks of the trade, like using varying heights on your buffet tables through cake stands and tiered trays to create a table of dimension and visual interest. Rolled up napkins and cutlery is also a pretty and practical way to make the buffet experience more casual. And then, a tip I really loved was using things you already have in your kitchen as repurposed flower vases, like coffee mugs, soup bowls, and water pitchers.

For weddings or parties, Nathan showed us how things as simple as paper and ribbon can really tie a color palette and story together. I huge crowd please was his idea of wrapping floral arrangements in bundles within the vase so guest can easily take one home with them at the end of the night. This is an idea I'm definitely going to try!

Today I'm teaming up with the fantastic team at Pottery Barn to host a giveaway of their Villa Bottleneck Vase, part of a brand new collection! Designed with a footed base to showcase florals, it's made from handblown glass and looks good in any home. Below you can see how I styled it in my own place. I love how it turned out!

Entering the giveaway is easy. First, you have to be an official 'follower' of Plush Palate (on the right). Next just leave a comment and email address below and you'll be entered. The winner will be announced here on Friday morning. Good luck!

*For a second chance to win, head over to Alaina's blog, where she's also hosting the same giveaway today!

GIVEAWAY: Hammocks & High Tea

From the first time I was introduced to the eco-friendly home decor company, Hammocks & High Tea, I was smitten with its modern sensibility of tropical design.

Designer Karen Young pulls inspiration from her childhood growing up in South America for all her designs, channeling flavorful memories, travels, textures, and architecture.

From placemats, pillows, tea towels, napkins, drawer liners, cloth sachets, and perfume boxes, the home goods collection is made with organic fabrics, including hemp, soy, and organic cotton. That certainly makes it more lovable for me!

The gorgeous prints and patterns make for endless possibilities of mix and match. With spring upon us and summer not too far behind, it's the perfect time to dream up an inspired little tabletop. I'm ready to infuse a bit of color into my al fresco dining, are you?

Hammocks & High Tea is giving away a set of two beautiful Maya napkins and the Ikat Chevron tea towel to add to your collection of table linens (both seen below). A statement piece, a conversation starter - these fun patterns are sure to bring a little sunshine to your day!

Entering is easy. First, you have to be an official 'follower' of Plush Palate (on the right). Next, pop over to the Hammocks & High Tea shop for a peruse and then come back and leave a comment below. The winner will be announced here on Friday morning. Good luck!

Amelioratic: Sponsor Spotlight & GIVEAWAY!!!

Please allow me introduce you to Plush Palate's newest sponsor! Amy is the talented designer behind Amelioratic, a creative line of beautiful handmade jewelry.

The name had me curious, so when Amy explained the meaning of Amelioratic - the quality of making better - I instantly loved it! Her shop truly is dedicated to giving you a make-better experience through affordable pieces and classic designs.

Amy's latest collection 'Whimsy' (featured here) is romantic, earthy, and the perfect complement to the warmer days of spring and the call of summer forthcoming.

To enter the giveaway for one of these necklaces, all you have to do is let us know which of the four is your favorite by leaving a comment below. The winner will be drawn on Friday! In the meantime, be sure to check out Amy's newly launched etsy shop of other jewelry (I'm smitten with this ring), hair accessories, stationary, and photography. Good luck!

*If you are interested in being a sponsor on Plush Palate, please email me at plushpalate@gmail.com for my very affordable rates. I keep small businesses in mind!

GIVEAWAY: Notebook & Planner from Pretty Chic SF

I'm so excited to introduce Richelle to you today! She's the lovely designer behind Pretty Chic SF and these fun, function, and affordable notebooks and planners.

What I love most is the variety of her designs. There's a style for everyone. I personally chose the houndstooth planner to keep myself organized and just love it.

They're portable enough to tote around in your purse and durable enough to get you through the year. But my favorite part of all? Each week comes with a happy little quote to get your week started off right!

Richelle and I are excited to be teaming up today in the form of a giveaway! Simply stop by the Pretty Chic SF shop, check out the fun designs, and let us know which one is your favorite by leaving a comment below. The winner will be drawn on Friday and will receive a notebook and planner of their choice. Good luck!