For today’s Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Boutique, our Home Team took off to Greensboro, North Carolina, for a three-day photo shoot. There, they created five different worlds – one for each buttery leather chair to live in. Luckily, we were able to snap a few behind-the-scenes shots and see how each setting came to life.

Our Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Boutique opens Tuesday, April 30, at 11AM ET.

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Continue reading “A Look Behind the Scenes: Inside Our Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Photo Shoot” »

Here at Rue, we pride ourselves on our creativity – and that doesn’t end at our love for great writing, design, and killer fashion. Take, for instance, the newest addition to the after-hours lineup: the How-To Half Hour, designed to help each of us embrace our inner crafty kid.

Yesterday, we tried out this week’s Rue How-To and upcycled old T-shirts into Nantucket-inspired bracelets. How’s that for Earth Day spirit?

By Jess Huckins, Staff Writer

Are you creative like Rue Associates? Check out all of our openings on Rue La La Careers.

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The Clothing Swap: It’s a fad that’s suddenly popping up everywhere. Friends gather, each bringing clothes to trade, and everyone walks away with something new – even if it is a little pre-loved.

Since we’re always looking for ways to pump up our wardrobes here at Rue La La, we decided to give it a try. (But we didn’t limit it to clothes – since we welcomed additional odds and ends, we called ours the “Stuff Swap.”)

While not as mobbed as our infamous sample sales, the Stuff Swap proved to be a success. The majority of the goods were clothing and accessories, but there were some hidden little gems, too. Where else can you find a The Muppet Show DVD set, kitchen canisters, and leopard print thank-you cards in the same place?

And the best part? In the end, everything that wasn’t nabbed by a Rue employee was packed up to be donated to Goodwill. Scoring new clothes and benefiting charity – what’s not to love?

By Anna Kuchinsky, Staff Writer

Have any tips for hosting a Clothing Swap? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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One of the (many) perks of life at Rue: coworkers who love to bake, and then share their stellar confectionary creations. Yesterday, the Creative Team gathered for our annual cookie swap – and you’re invited to check out the to-die-for spread, straight from our kitchens to yours. Feel free to click on the titles below for printable recipe cards to add to your collection.

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

Keep reading for more delicious recipes.

Meet Mike, our VP of Audience Development and Syndication. That fancy title means he helps establish Rue’s presence via social networking channels, like our blog. He has to be in-tune with our Members, and is ever-knowledgable about the biggest, of-the-moment social media trends. Check out the gifts he’s picked for those lucky enough to make his list.

For my team: ”Nothing says, ‘Get some work done on the weekend!’ like an eye-catching laptop sleeve from Vera Bradley.”

For myself: ”I will never forget watching with my late father when Jack Nicklaus won the 1986 Masters. I’d love to experience the tournament in person.”

For my girlfriend: ”She would really like diamond earrings, so I’m choosing these cozy and sweet pillows. Plus, what better inspiration for our Words With Friends games?”

For my children: “Teaching kids to be responsible with money is really important, and a piggy bank is a great conversation starter. Matthew and Charlie are identical twins, though, so I’ll need two.”

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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Whether your holiday shopping is in full swing or you’re a die-hard December 24 sprinter, it’s essential to stay on top of your list. Luckily, Rue is always there to help.

When you find that perfect gift, be sure to check on a few key pieces of information:

“Ships in” Window
When you find the dress for your holiday soiree or a great cashmere sweater for Mom, be sure to check when it’s expected to head out the door. Since we use different shipping methods on different pieces, some do take longer to send out than others. Checking this window will let you know if the dress won’t make it to you until after the party’s over.

Estimated Date of Delivery
After you order, the date that your package is expected to arrive will be in your order history. This is handy if you need to hide a gift from some (overly) curious eyes.

Continue reading “Insider Tip: Need-to-Know Rue Shopping Info” »

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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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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