TOUR OF MY HOME!

I'm just back from a wonderful weekend in San Francisco where the sun was shinning, the time was fun, and the city was more enchanting to me than ever. I even found my future apartment and Rue offices on the trip! So, as I start to close my life here in Chicago and set sail towards my future in San Francisco, I thought I'd give my Chicago home a proper post so I could remember it always.

The windows were what sold me on the place. They're the true show stopper of my home, the feature guests always gush about, and the thing I'll miss most when I leave.

The beautifully etched stone fireplace will be hard to say goodbye to also. It's kept me warm through many cold Chicago winter nights and transported me into relaxation with its blaze.

The decidedly feminine space has served as a reminder to me of my independence. The ability to create a cozy little haven, all to my girly self, is a luxury I have cherished.

Like little pockets of delight around the home, I place flowers in every room and have candles burning always.

A makeshift project of gathering magazine tear sheets meant to stand in as a temporary solution while I searched for art, turned out to be a more permanent one.

Simple things around the place make me smile, like this modern leopard print pillow which I adore against the antique chair.

My living room is rather large and so this second sitting area has been a fun way to try out a new look. The global flair is a departure from my usual but the one thing that stays constant is my love for my little gray sofa.

Moving to the bedroom, here's an image of the perfumes I've collected from trips and stays around the world.

My bedroom is a spot I particularly savor. It was the last to get attention and so now that it's done, I appreciate it that much more. In fact, propped up on my bed is where I get most of my work done these days.

Muted blues and grays paired with soft caramels create a soothing spot to start and end my days.

I generally gravitate towards solids over patterns, but I just love the way the otomi textile on the bed pairs with the pattern of the pillow.

Flowers, a candle, and books are my nightstand staples.

A little snapshot of my kitchen. It's small but adorable and has a glorious view overlooking the building's courtyard.

And speaking of the courtyard, have you ever seen something so charming? I wake up every morning and feel I'm in Paris or Rome. What a lovely feeling to have!

And so as I wrap my head around the fact that I'm leaving, excited as can be, I'm going to savor this home for the last few weeks that I have it...

*images: Emily Anderson for Rue Magazine

Do You Rue? + First Look at My Home!

Over at Rue we like to play around in photoshop for a little creative outlet when we get stressed (case in point). So, the other night the girls and I thought it'd be fun to create some "Do You Rue?" buttons to share with all of you!

And, the room with the pink might just be my favorite. Why you ask? Because that's actually my living room... Welcome to my home:

I receive a lot of reader emails asking what my place looks like, but am always hesitant to share. I'm a rather private person when it comes down to it and prefer to put images of other peoples' homes out there than post my own. So until now I never have.

But I realized that wasn't fair of me as so many of you open up your lives to me on a daily basis. And what better place to debut my cozy little bachelorette pad than in the premiere issue of Rue! So for everyone who's ever asked, my full home tour will be in the first issue of the magazine! I just have one little request of you: don't be too cruel if you don't like it.

P.S. Feel free to spread the word with a "Do You Rue?" button on your blog. It's easy - just click here for the buttons, post it in your margins, and link to our site!

*photography by Emily Anderson for Rue Magazine