Any good bonfire needs the right tunes to feed the flames, and these savory tracks provide the perfect backdrop to keep the party going until the embers start to cool.

“Don’t Worry Baby“ - The Beach Boys

“Deadbeat Summer“ - Neon Indian

“Spill the Wine“ - Eric Burden

“Un Rayo de Sol“ - Chakacas

“Electric Avenue“ - Eddy Grant

“Kinky Reggae“ - Bob Marley

“These Eyes“ - The Guess Who

“Golden Years“ - David Bowie

“I Feel Free“ - Cream

“Midnight Rambler“ - The Rolling Stones

“Low Rider“ - War

“How Does That Grab You, Darlin’?“ - Nancy Sinatra

“All the Flowers“ - Bibio

“Le Premier Bonheur du Jour“ - Os Mutantes

“Bam Bam“ - Sister Nancy

“Cecilia“ - Simon & Garfunkel

By Erika Jordan, Staff Writer

What are your favorite fireside tunes? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us @ruelala.

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we talked one-way monkeys and chic workroom looks. This week? Things are taking a cue from makeover standby, What Not to Wear.

The challenge? To make over a real woman – from hair to toe – and design something that makes her feel chic, confident, and still totally herself. There’s no Stacy or Clinton in sight, though, just a boatload of designers who seem quite unsure how to dress someone of more than 110 pounds.

Case in point: Ven, who ends up with one of the larger-than-size-2 (read: beautiful and totally normal-sized) clients in the group and spends the entire episode spewing woe-is-me phrases like, “God, she’s a 14,” and, “her proportions are definitely off.” He forgoes the bright colors his client loves in favor of black (it’s “slimming”), spends a good five minutes discussing a belt he wanted to use that’s too small for her, and calls out – to her face, nonetheless – that her “before picture is definitely a nightmare.” Gasp.

Needless to say, his client wasn’t happy with the end result – a black zipped skirt and frumpy blue swing top – and I’ve now completely lost all respect for One-Way Monkey Ven and secretly (not so secretly?) wish upon him Honey Boo Boo’s Mama June for the next episode’s challenge. Thankfully, I’m not the only one who’s lost respect – check out these tweets.

On a positive note, evil Elena spends the whole episode smiling – yes! Smiling! – and wows her client with a sweet and flattering ballet pink top and black pencil skirt. And freegan Fabio ups the confidence level on his artsy tomboy client with a totally wearable colorblocked dress in three shades of grey (insert bad 50 Shades joke here).

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Did you think Ven was beyond rude, too? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. And don’t forget to catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime.

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Surviving flash floods, blizzards, or the unexpected alien attack (à la TNT’s Falling Skies) is all about wearing the right gear. With a season of not-always-trusty weather approaching, we’re hitting our Marmot Boutique to ensure full preparation for whatever the skies (or far-off galaxies) may throw at us.

Sun-scorched hike: ”Vogue” tank.
Soft and stretchy (with a built-in bra), this tank moves with us as one. And with the added plus of heat-transfer technology, we’re staying cool (or at least as cool as it’s possible to stay under the late-summer sun).

Torrential downpour: “PreCip” jacket.
Totally waterproof – and with a hood that’ll stay put, we’re staying totally dry, even though our surroundings (okay, and our backpack) are totally soaked.

Invisible wind tunnel: “Trail Wind” jacket.
This jacket can do no wrong. Not only is it super lightweight and seriously packable (it can fit into a fanny pouch), it’ll fight off any gust of wind, no matter the strength.

Shredding powder: “Reactor” fleece vest.
We’re kicking the layering game off by throwing on this plush piece. While it’s extra light, the 100 wt. microfleece is sure to keep core body heat intact while skiing those not-so-balmy slopes.

And even if you already have survival down pat, don’t miss the Season 2 finale of TNT’s Falling Skies this Sunday at 9/8c, and get that adrenaline pumping.

Our Marmot Boutique opens Saturday, August 18, 2012, at 11AM ET.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked middle-of-the-night departures and more. This week? It’s all about making it work – or rather, making it for work.

That’s right, the challenge is to create a cohesive line of professional women’s wear to be featured in Marie Claire offshoot, Marie Claire @ Work (side note: how have I never heard of this? My 9-to-5-heavy closet needs it, stat).

It’s another team challenge – cue a clip of Ven’s reaction: “Honestly, I want to kill myself” – and the two teams seem pretty evenly distributed, talent-wise. Team 6 has one more person (once-eliminated Raul) and the all-male Team 5 (dubbed the Silk Chiffonies) has judge favorite, Ven.

Apparently, though, Dmitry doesn’t play favorites. “I think Ven is one-way monkey,” he taunts. “Oh no, he’s one-trick pony, that’s what I meant.” You tell ‘em, Dmitry.

Typical of team challenges, there’s plenty of drama. Elena proves to be an utter b-word (and that’s saying it in the nicest of ways), and faux-widow’s-peak Raul disregards the team aesthetic entirely.

But despite the drama, the end results are pretty strong across the board. I’m talking three I’d-wear-that amazing pieces – Fabio’s easy black-and-white shift, Melissa’s super edgy number, and Dmitry’s black-and-navy sheath. (Yes, you can combine black and navy, despite what your mother told you. I’m kind of loving it this season.)

As for the lows, Gunnar’s sad little frock topped my miss list – and the judges’, too. Heidi likened its oddly bubbled top to “floating soufflé boobs,” and guest judge Joanna Coles said it looked like “two puppies wrestling in a sack.” Ouch. That poor, poor model.

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Cue the calls of “Bon appétit!” Yesterday would have been Julia Child’s 100th birthday. In celebration of everyone’s favorite beef bourguignon master, PBS released this amazing “Julia Child Remixed” video. Watch it – and get ready to tap that foot.

Even after all these years, her recipes – and big personality – live on. This recent New York Times article gets it right:

It was Child – not single-handedly, but close – who started the public conversation about cooking in America that has shaped our cuisine and culture ever since. Her Mastering the Art of French Cooking was published in 1961, just as trends including feminism, food technology, and fast food seemed ready to wipe out home cooking. But with her energy, intelligence, and nearly deranged enthusiasm, Child turned that tide.

For more PBS remixes, check out Bob Ross Remixed and Mister Rodgers Remixed. They’ll melt your heart – and make your day.

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week, we talked All Stars, faux widow’s peaks, and drugstore Halloween costumes. This week? Things get serious.

Here’s what you need to know:

Two designers leave.
Crazy stuff. Tim announces that Andrea (the only designer who remembers life before Internet) slipped out in the middle of the night. Apparently, she left no note – but Tim and the team assume she’s probably alive.

When the designers get back to the workroom, cartoons-are-real-life Kooan interrupts the Andrea-fueled, tear-heavy gossip to deliver his own exit speech, “I know I’m like a funky and little nerd person, and I thought about it for three days, and I think I should go.”

Frankly, I think it’s the end of an era.

One designer comes back.  
Faux widow’s peak – Raul. And Ven is not happy about it. I can’t say I am either.

For Buffi, tacky doesn’t cut it. 
Goodness, I love her accent. But bright pink chiffon over zebra print? I had flashbacks to past-life shopping experiences at Wet Seal. I know you pride yourself in tacky, but did you really think that would satisfy the challenge – to create a day-to-night look for a woman on the go? I think guest judge, Hayden Panettiere, put it best: “I look at her outfit and I go… woah.”

Here’s to hoping more designers don’t crack under the pressure next week. Until then, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

“Pursuit of Happiness” – Kid Cudi feat. MGMT and Ratatat
“Empire Ants” – Gorillaz
“Cinema” – Benny Benassi (Laidback Luke Remix feat. Gary Go)
“Morning Sun” – Rock Mafia feat. Miley Cyrus
“Kids” – MGMT
“Feel So Close” – Calvin Harris
“Punching in a Dream” – The Naked and Famous
“Crown on the Ground” – Sleigh Bells
“New Theory” – Washed Out
“Life in Technicolor II” – Coldplay

And even if you’re not ready to hit the powder quite yet, tune in to an all-new TNT’s Falling Skies this Sunday at 9/8c, and get that adrenaline pumping.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

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Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked Reese’s, rock candy, and a whole lot of licorice. It’s no wonder things got a bit sticky this week.

That’s right – we reached our first team challenge: create an Emmys-ready dress for… drumroll… past Project Runway contestants, from the good (Kenley, April, Anya) to the very bad (Irina). And goodness, it could not be clearer that this group does not know how to work together. Think: eye rolling, bickering, and Elena declaring, with vigor, “The weak ones don’t survive.”

The final results? A little lackluster. Despite their background in tailoring, Team Raul & Alicia opted for a floor-length black “gown” to outfit former designer, Mila – which was, in its final form, a frumpy, ill-fitting maxi.

Even the judges’ top looks were completely lacking that wow factor. The short, midnight blue number team Ven & Fabio made for Kenley was well made and flattering, but just. So. Boring.

And the all-white number Kooan and Gunner made for Irina? Not bad – elegant, at least – but not good. I think Kooan got the gist across best when it was walking down the runway and he whispered, “I want to eliminate myself.”  (Or maybe come in second place, Kooan?)

On a positive note, Raul’s gigantic, faux widow’s peak made my night. It was almost as unflattering as the bjillion-inch-long hair extension he made poor Mila wear. And guest judge Krysten Ritter was a real firecracker, daring to call the unflattering, chocolate-hued dress Christopher and Andrea made for Anya, “a Halloween costume you can get at a drugstore.”

Looks like next week will be filled with drama. Are you ready for it? Until then, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM ET on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Welcome back, Project Runway fans. Last week we talked Snuggies, light-as-air gowns, and Kooan’s apartment. This week? It’s all about thinking outside the box. The candy box, that is.

Yup, we’ve reached the unconventional challenge, and I have dreams of fierce Reese’s wrapper–covered dresses (Season 4, anyone?) as the contestants approach their material-sourcing destination: Willy Wonka’s dream world, Dylan’s Candy Bar.

How’d things work out? Here are some highlights:

Taylor Momsen lookalike Melissa strings Twizzlers together for an all-black, rock ‘n’ roll look that makes me think, maybe it is okay to have another April. This girl’s got edge.

Sonjia’s shark candy–bedecked, sea-inspired number and Ven’s sleek black liquorice and pastel rock candy dress are judges’ favorites. I vote Sonjia here. This look is what candy’s supposed to be: simply fun. And did I mention she’s a Bostonian?

As for the lows? Heidi describes Elena’s bold-shouldered, nude Twizzler dress as “art with noodles,” and MK (Kors, not Olsen) calls it “rigatoni Mad Max.” Buffi’s dress was a little too SATC meets Miss Piggy for my taste (although, bless her heart, her accent wins me over).

And as for Lantie’s umbrella-fabric dress splashed with an eensie bit of candy (a rookie mistake), has this girl never watched a previous season? They always get you for using fabric-like materials.

Now, it’s time to do as Nina Garcia tweeted – Eat. Some. Candy.

Until next week, auf wiedersehen.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Catch Project Runway Thursdays at 9PM on Lifetime. And don’t forget to enter Lifetime’s “Make it Work in NYC Sweepstakes” for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Rue La La shopping spree, a deluxe trip for two to NYC with accommodations at The Surrey, and two tickets to the Project Runway finale. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.