We can’t stop talking about last night’s Project Runway All Stars finale. During the show, we checked in with our friend, PR insider Ben Chmura, for a Facebook live chat to get his play-by-play reaction to the finale.

Playing Favorites
At the start of the finale: “My money is on Mondo because of his consistency this season, but to be completely honest, I was rooting for Mila.”

Pressure Boiler
On the backstage chaos: “Everyone is frantic. It’s overwhelming to say the least, but incredible all at the same time!”

Judgment Time
The waiting period: “This part of the process is the most mentally and physically exhausting! It feels like an eternity while they deliberate!”

Last Call
When the judges choose a winner: “It comes down to the question: Are they looking for a designer who is more commercial or who has new ideas?”

Surprise, Surprise
In the audience: “I’ve been to the finale shows for the last two seasons. I have been surprised in who the judges chose as the winner, but sometimes you don’t know what they are looking for exactly.”

Spoiler Alert
And the winner is… Mondo!

Busy’s style is fun, courageous, and timeless with a twist. Here are a few items from tomorrow’s Boutique that caught her eye. For more scores for women, kids, and homeware, check out her handpicked selection in Doing A Little Good: Busy Philipps – A Curated Boutique to Benefit the Step Up Women’s Network, starting at 11AM ET.

We grabbed a few minutes with the fun-spirited actress/mom/philanthropist, and were instantly inspired by her lively outlook.

Rue La La: Your Boutique will benefit the Step Up Women’s Network – tell us about this organization.
Busy: Step Up is an organization that does two things simultaneously: It puts professional women in a mentoring position with underserved teen girls, and puts like-minded professional women in contact with each other, helping to advance women all across the board.

Rue La La: That’s such an inspiring mission – did you have women in your life who have helped to guide you through your career?
Busy: My agent Lorrie Bartlett is one of my personal mentors. My friends and costars Christa Miller and Courteney Cox have become my working mommy mentors. I know I can always call any of those ladies, any time of day or night if I’m in need of advice!

Rue La La: Speaking of influence, who are your fashion icons?
Busy: Women who take risks. Carrie Bradshaw, for sure. Alexa Chung is so cute and vibrant and hip; I can’t dress like her much because that’s not really my style, but I love seeing what she wears. I always think Nicole Richie looks amazing and tries out different looks. Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, and of course, my friend Michelle Williams.
Continue reading “Five-Minute Pow-Wow: Busy Philipps On Fun-Loving Style” »

On Sunday, we’re throwing the Academy Awards party of the century. To get our guests off the cocktail-touting sidelines and into the action, we’re passing around Oscar ballots to cast votes just like the Academy (downloadable below).

And in the case of a toss-up, we’re going with best-dressed.

GET YOUR BALLOT 

For starlet style, shop Our Award-Worthy Style Boutique opening Sunday, February 26 at 8PM ET from your phone.

Our party-throwing skills can always use a few fresh touches. Which means we’re in luck – the event planning pros at the new Avery Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common and CZERLONKA-LAROCHE event design and management have pooled together five tips to help us host an award-winning Oscar party. Check them out, then start planning your must-invite list.

TIP #1
Stylishly invited.
Research the forecasted 2012 Oscar fashion trends and incorporate them into your invitation.

TIP #2
The Best Dressed list.
Ask your guests to arrive “red carpet ready.” Who isn’t waiting for an excuse to dress up? Maybe take it a step further and begin the celebration with an afternoon trip to the spa for hair, makeup, and mani/pedis with some of your guests.

TIP #3
“And the award for Best Cocktail goes to…”
Get guests to participate in “The Best Picture (Cocktail) Contest.” Ask them to choose a title from this year’s Best Picture nominees and create a cocktail worthy of its namesake. Throughout the evening, have guests sample and vote. At the end of the night, present the winner with their very own version of the Golden Statue.

TIP #4
Dust off the cookbooks.
The most celebrated Oscar event in Hollywood is the Governor’s Ball, catered by Wolfgang Puck. Create your own version of the menu: this year’s includes one of Wolfgang Puck’s signature salads (artichoke salad with confit tomato; heirloom beet salad with oranges and almonds; asparagus with Iberico ham, black truffle aioli, and mizuna leaves) and serve it along with Dover Sole or a similar white fish, and follow up with an amazing dessert. Opt to serve buffet style so that you can prepare in advance and spend more time with your guests.

TIP #5
The swag bag.
Everyone loves a party with a takeaway. Instead of a paper gift bag, consider a box, fabric pouch, or small basket. For the girls: pick out sample items of lotions or perfume, gourmet olive oils, candles, and maybe a cupcake from your favorite local bakery. For the guys: include a cigar, a nip of their favorite scotch, and a pocket square or bow tie (they’re so back in Boston).

Rue-Exclusive: The Art of the Cocktail…Party hosted by the Avery Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common is open until February 17, 2012 for Rue Boston Members.

Between the after-parties and the runway soundtracks, New York Fashion Week is almost as much about music as it is about fashion, and this season is no exception.

Pillow-lipped chanteuse Lana Del Rey‘s been in the news a lot lately. Sure, her SNL performance was panned, but she looks great in clothes, and for the fashion flock, that’s all the matters. Her angsty pop songs have been the de acto soundtrack throughout the early part of Fashion Week, most notably at Doo.Ri’s show, where a remixed version of Born to Die played throughout.

Another newcomer is Harlem’s Azealia Banks, a witty, NC-17 rapper whose playful lyrics and street chic style have earned her editorial shoots with A-list photographers for V, GQ, and ELLE magazines. Thierry Mugler designer Nicola Formichetti directed the video of her upcoming single, “Liquorice,” and Terry Richardson shot her for the next issue of T. Banks played a private party at Karl Lagerfeld’s home in Paris during the couture shows last month and her song was in heavy rotation at the Rebecca Taylor and Tracy Reese shows this week.
Continue reading “Music, Maestro!” »

As a Boston-based company, we’re swallowing our pride and giving the Super Bowl champs and Giants fans their due recognition. Check out the MVP himself as he signs Steiner Sports Memorabilia that’ll be featured in today’s A Game To Remember: Giants Memorabilia Boutique.

We fully realize not everyone is looking forward to The Big Game this Sunday (some might not even know who’s playing). Instead of declining that party invite altogether, brush up on a few football terms and get ready to cheer.

Possession
Whoever currently has the football.
In other words: That molten chocolate cake with salted caramel ice cream? You’ll have to pry it away from me.

Line of Scrimmage
An invisible line at the start of a play; there’s one for each team. No player can cross it until the ball is put into motion via a “snap.”
In other words: Boundaries. “This half of the closet is mine. This half is yours.”
Continue reading “A Beginner’s Guide To Talking The (Football) Talk” »

Whether we’re rooting for the Giants, the Patriots, or the E*TRADE baby, one thing’s for sure – we’re not sticking strictly to sports hoodies, tees, and jerseys. Coincidentally, this year is marked with a similar color palette for both teams, so we’re gearing up with this roundup of red, white, grey, silver, and blue apparel (pulled from this week’s Boutiques) and taking a stylish cue from the Super Bowl XLVI.

Our Steiner Sports Memorabilia: Football Boutique opens on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11AM ET.

When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime events, we’ve found our go-to guy. And apparently Condé Nast Traveler agrees – they recently named Jim Zissler 2011’s Top Specialist for Hard-to-Get Tickets to Sporting and Cultural Events. He doesn’t just secure tickets; he gets the inside scoop on after parties and celebrity sightings.

With Jim’s help, we’re kicking off a week of the ultimate A-list packages on Rue. To start our Bucket List series off right, we’re offering tickets to the Music Lover’s Movie Awards today. Take a peek at what’s coming up for the rest of the week – and check out Jim’s in-the-know tips to prep for this year’s biggest events in sports and entertainment.
Continue reading “Rue’s Bucket List Weekends” »