What were your favorite Brimfield finds? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala with #brimfield2013.

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Meet Sam, a Manager of Partner Marketing here at Rue. She’s the point person for some of our very important partners, and she makes sure everyone is happy on both ends (and that our marketing looks awesome, of course). Check out the gifts she’s picked for those lucky enough to make her list.

For my husband: ”He’s been hinting around for a new watch and this could be the one. I also think that it will look great on my wrist as well!”

For my sister: ”She’s an avid reader and adores her Kindle. This cover will be perfect for her.”

For my son: ”He’s 14 months old, and reading stories with him before bed is the best time of my day. This was one of my favorite books growing up and I know that he would love it, too.”

Find all these gifts (and lots, lots more) in our Get Gifty: Our Holiday Gift Shop Boutique, open now.

By Anna Kuchinsky, Staff Writer

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Here at Rue, there’s no shortage of really, REALLY great staff traditions. Freshly popped popcorn every day at 3PM, the hallowed Bagel Fridays, Craft Beer Thursdays in IT… the list goes on. One that stands apart from all the rest, though? Our annual Toy Drive (or, as we affectionately call it, “Mitten Gifts”).

Partnering with the Boston Department of Child Services, we’re able to provide over 200 underprivileged kids with gifts they may not have received otherwise. It works like this: Rue employees pick a mitten (well, a piece of construction paper cut into the shape of a mitten) which lists the gift wishes of a specific child. The gifts are then purchased, wrapped, and placed in our café to be delivered accordingly. And while participation is totally optional, let’s just say – the pile of presents this year, as a whole, weighed in at 400 pounds.

While, for me, it’s so easy to obsess over what I think I absolutely need (my many Pinboards can attest to that), it’s times like these – when people come together to make Christmas just a bit brighter for others – that truly puts the meaning of the holidays into much-needed perspective.

Would you like to make a donation of your own? Click here to learn more.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

For more on stylish acts of charity, check our In Good Fashion column every Thursday.

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Candy Cane Oreo Balls
“The crushed candy canes added a minty flavor and crunchy texture that’s seriously amazing, and they look so festive!” —Melissa M., Copywriter

Joyce’s Molasses Cookies
“These are our favorite molasses cookies. The recipe is special in the sense that it’s from my fiancé’s grandmother, who unfortunately passed away some years ago.” —Shaina M., Copyeditor

Six-Layer Bars
“My aunt used to make these bars when I was little, so I snagged the recipe to bake them myself in college. They’re always a hit and perfect for the holidays (or any time of year).” —Brianna L., Junior Copywriter

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
“These are for lovers of all things peanut butter.” —Julia I., Junior Copywriter

Rum Balls
“My father called these ‘decadent’ the first time he tasted them. They’re now the most requested treat not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year.” —Jess H., Copyeditor

And that isn’t all. If you wish it were still pumpkin (rather than peppermint) season, try Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cuffins. Editor Joanna B. says, “They’re dense and cakey, somewhere between a cookie and a muffin. Try baking them in mini muffin tins and serving them for brunch.” And if you’re craving fruit, Raspberry-Pecan Bars are a delicious change of pace.

Sarah R., a junior designer, fell in love with these Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies when her best friend made them for her birthday last year. She uncovered the secret to even more ooey-gooey deliciousness: switching out the crème de menthe chips for Andes Chocolate Mints. And Designer Melinda B., in discovering “everyone’s dream: a chocolate chip cookie meets a brownie,” whipped up a batch of Brooksters for everyone to enjoy.

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer

What’s your favorite holiday cookie? Share it in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Meet Austin, our Studio Operations Coordinator. He’s the man behind the scenes of our incredible in-house studio, and he has a hand in everything from booking models to painting sets (ever so artfully). Check out the gifts he’s picked for those lucky enough to make his list.

For my mom: ”She’s an illustrator/graphic designer, and spends a lot of her time sitting in front of her computer. This should definitely help her stay warm through the winter in her home office.”

For my younger brother: ”He’s a senior in college, and he needs some more grown-up sweaters he can dress up with. This is a good start.”

For my roommates: ”In our quest to be real adults in our mid-twenties, my roommates and I have been cooking a lot of meals that don’t involve the microwave. I’d say a real set of knives works better than my old, hand-me-down butter knives – plus, it’s a gift I can also use.”

Find all these gifts (and lots, lots more) in our Get Gifty: Our Holiday Gift Shop Boutique, open now.

By Anna Kuchinsky, Staff Writer

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Have a brilliant suggestion for our next login page? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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It isn’t all fun and fashion working at Rue (though those are huge components). We still have to do our fair share of research when it comes to putting together the fun, inspirational copy we all know and love. Here are the writing resources lining our copywriters’ work shelves:

The Associated Press Stylebook – Our A to Z guide on grammar, abbreviation, and number usage.

The Elements of Style – A classic reference to clear and concise writing.

The Associated Press Guide to Punctuation – Everything we need to know about dashes, brackets, and slashes. Nerd alert.

Fortune-Telling Book of Dreams – Don’t judge. Check out our Rue Horoscopes if you need any clarification.

The Copyeditor’s Handbook  – A very hefty guide (think Harry Potter dense) on editing procedures and typecoding. Also, a pretty useful weapon should an intruder ever wander through the office.

The Complete Fashion Sourcebook – A year-by-year illustrated volume on all things fashion, from 1920s silhouettes to the structured attire of the 80s.

The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping – A how-to guidebook for spotting modern couture from a mile away.

Oh, and Vogue. Lots and lots of Vogue.

By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer

What books are you reading in your office? Share the titles in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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The best part? Eddy has his very own Tumblr – so you can keep up with all his OMG-adorable antics.

By Melissa Mann, Staff Writer

Does your office allow pets? Do you have a cute one of your own? Share it in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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In Boston, the party at Nanette Lepore on Newbury Street was packed for hours with stylish shoppers and plenty of Rue Members. The champagne was flowing, the mini cupcakes (from Kick*ss Cupcakes) were flying off their trays, and our Rue Recharge Kits were saving party-goers from high heel woes.

In New York, our team took to the streets to offer solace (in the form of more Rue Recharge Kits) to shoppers strolling through the Meatpacking District. And it was pretty clear Manhattanites needed relief – our team ran out of Kits in just 30 minutes!

How did you celebrate Fashion’s Night Out? Share it in the comments below or tweet us your pics @ruelala #ruerecharge.

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So what do they really look like?

We’ve all heard of the Running of the Brides. And yes, it looks exactly like that. Associates start lining up at least 15 minutes before the sale, armed with bags (for storing stuff as you scoop) and wallets. Then as soon as we’re all given the go-ahead, the mad dash to the goods begins. Everything from athleticwear and lingerie to wedding dresses and towel sets. If you blink, you’ll miss it.

Some might say there’s strategy involved, but for me, I head straight for what catches my eye and start rummaging for treasures. However, I’ve seen fellow co-workers with more pre-planning (and better running) snag everything from luxe dresses to designer shoes for mere dollars.

This week’s haul was two sets of high-end towels, in luxuriously soft Egyptian and bamboo cotton. It was about time I snagged myself some grown-up towels, and as one associate mentioned – “you can’t get them for this price anywhere else.”

By Melissa Mann, Staff Writer

Have you snagged something at one of our Associate Sample Sale Boutiques? Share it in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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