Rachel S., Copy Director
“I love Different Like Coco – it’s the story of Coco Chanel, with great illustrations, and an amazing lesson about being your own person, having confidence, and overcoming tough circumstances.”

Cheryl K., EVP Chief Member Advocate
“As a little girl, I loved the Madeline book.”

Graham K., Art Director
“My favorite book was Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood. It was all about individuality and feeling good about oneself. It follows a little boy (that I always thought was me) alongside a bunch of animals. My mom would read each page and act out the animals. She’d bellow: ‘I’m as large as a whale’ and in a high, squeaky voice she’d shout: ‘I’m as small as an ant.’ It always made me laugh.”

Lauren D., Lead Stylist
“I still have them all, they’re my favorite things. I love Mickey’s In The Night Kitchen.”

@JeffBrailsford, Rue Member
“My favorite has always been The Giving Tree. Classic.”

@Jacksontalent, Rue Member
“Tie between Philip Hall Likes me, I Reckon Maybe and Green Eggs and Ham and a little-known classic, The Three Matildas.”

@Mdfletch7836, Rue Member
“The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton! I always remember it! That and The Monster At The End Of This Book. Classics!”

@Jon_elle, Rue Member
“My favorite childhood book is Are You My Mother? Love it. Oh that and the Hungry Catepillar. Hmm, where are my copies?”

Download the Little Rue bookplate

Little Rue is coming soon. In the meantime, find more on Tumblr (thatssolittlerue.tumblr.com) and tell us: what’s your favorite childhood book?

1. Pick your own favorite summer reads (or take a suggestion from below!).
2. Print out bookmarks for all your friends.
3. Tuck a bookmark into every beach read you pass along this summer.

Who: Ben Busko, of Ben’s Garden
What: The Balthazar Cookbook by Keith McNally, Rainmaking Conversations by Mike Schultz, and House Beautiful and Martha Stewart magazines
Why: “My summer reading plans will be sure to include late afternoons by the oceanside, hopefully sipping mojitos, and listening to the whisper of the ocean as I dive into my latest favorites. To keep on point at work my Ben’s Garden employee book club is reading, chapter by chapter, Rainmaking Conversations; I enjoy discussing points of interest with everyone every Monday. Somewhere in my beach bag, and before the sun sets I would also be sure to get to my essential magazine reads.”

Who: Karen Karbo, author of The Gospel According to Coco Chanel
What: Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand, State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, and My Faraway One: Selected Letters of Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz: Volume One, 1915-1933 edited by Sarah Greenough
Why: “Hilderbrand’s stylish beach reads all take place on Nantucket – a place that seems so exotic to me, having grown up on the beaches of Southern California. This one features a character whose husband had pulled a Bernie Madoff, leaving her homeless and desperate. Of course, she repairs to Nantucket to heal. Also looking forward to Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder, about a scientist who travels to the Amazon to find her lost mentor. There are promises of poison arrows and cannibals. Finally, My Faraway One, which publishes in June. Theirs was a love story like no other; the book takes you back to a time when people seemed more passionate, more engaged, and more willing to break the rules.”

Who: Abby Larson, the blogger behind Style Me Pretty
What: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel by Jamie Ford
Why: “It’s the most delicately written love story you’ll ever read. With subtle twist and turns that make you fall head over heels for the lives tucked inside. I gobbled this book up in just a couple of days and couldn’t stop thinking about it for days.”

Who: Kerry O’Brien of commando
What: New York Magazine and 29: A Novel by Adena Halpern
Why: “Oh yes. I remember days long ago when I could actually read on the beach! Now, I’m usually covered from head to toe in sand keeping my three-year old twin daughters and seven-year-old son entertained. It’s very glamorous. I love love love New York Magazine. Its title is a misnomer because it’s so much more than New York centric. It covers politics, entertainment, finance, and fashion in a wickedly shrewd way. I can’t live without the approval matrix; it’s the final kiss goodbye. Then I was on vacation last month at the Rosewood Resort in Little Dix Bay and started reading 29, about a grandmother turning the clock back to become 29 for a day so she can hang out with her granddaughter, whom she envies. It was a lot of fun and reminded me of the wise, older, smart, and vivacious women in my life.”

Who: Rosanna, designer and founder of Rosanna
What: As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis D’Voto by Joan Reardon
Why: “I love this book because it celebrates the friendship between two women. Plus it’s fun to find out more about Julia Child. She is a role model who took her passion and wrote a cookbook that became a classic masterpiece. Julia was a pioneer in introducing America to French cooking and opened up a whole new world to the American public about the importance of well-prepared meals and eating in season.”

Who: Sydney Wasserman, ELLE.com Fashion & Shopping Editor
What: Lost on Treasure Island by Steve Friedman
Why: “I only read romance or comedic books on the beach — it only enhances the relaxation state. This summer, I’m taking ELLE’s advice to read Lost on Treasure Island. It essentially takes the common “single girl in the city” storyline and tells it from a man’s perspective who is going through the same emotions. I also love reading anything about New York because it makes the story feel much closer to home.”

Who: Lauren David Peden, Rue La La Contributing Editor
What: I have a whole list!
Why: Bossypants because Tine Fey’s the funniest woman on the planet, as far as I’m concerned (sorry, Amy Poehler!).
Life by Keith Richards – my husband just finished reading this and I’ve been hearing about nothing but Keef, Keef, Keef (and listening to vintage Rolling Stones songs) for the past month. Now it’s my turn.
The White Album – Joan Didion is my favorite writer, hands down, and I like to read – or re-read, in this case – at least one of her books every summer.
Ruben Toledo’s Fashion Almanac – A collection of Toledo’s fashion illustrations for Nordstrom. My sister actually gave this to me for Christmas (I am officially obsessed with Ruben’s — aka, Mr. Isabel Toledo’s — work) but I haven’t had time to sit down and pore through it the way I would like. Summer vacation will be my chance to do just that.

Download the bookmark

Olivia Chantecaille and I go way back, having first met six or seven years ago when I interviewed the striking beauty guru for a shopping column I used to write for Fashion Wire Daily.

So I was delighted when she recently invited me to Chantecaille’s newly revamped Soho office for a sneak peek at their new collections and the skinny on her not-so-average workday. (Chantecaille was founded by Olivia’s mother, Sylvie, in 1997 – her father, Olivier, and sister Alex now work for the company, as well.)

“Every day is so different, which is the fun part of my job,” Olivia told me as we sat in a corner of the loft-like whitewashed space in front of a display of Chantecaille cosmetics, all of which I was dying to play with. “I wear so many hats. For example, tomorrow I’m going to one of our labs to work on our new spring colors for 2012, which is very exciting. They’re actually a lab based in Italy, outside of Milan, but they have a satellite lab here [in upstate New York] where we can go and mix colors that they’ll produce in Italy. It’s a great, fun place to work with the technicians and be very creative and come up with all the new shades that were inspired by the current fashion trends.”

But before she turned her attention to next spring, I wanted to know what we could expect for Spring/Summer 2011. “This season was about two things: neutrals and color, and the balance between them,” she said. “So if you’re going to wear a lot of color [in your clothing], wear neutral colors on your face — or choose one pop color if you’re wearing neutral clothing.”

There’s also a movement toward very clean, healthy skin this season, which Chantecaille translated into three new products: Poudre de Perle, a mineral blush housed in its own flow-through brush (a similar refillable container houses Chantecaille’s Protection Naturelle loose powder, which contains SPF 46+ for on-the-go touch-ups). Ultra Sun Protection Anti-Glycation Primer, meanwhile, protects against the elements thanks to its collagen-boosting formula and SPF 50+ and can be worn alone or under foundation. For those of us who want to look sun-kissed without the sun damage, there’s Compact Soleil in St. Barth’s, a warm brown shade with sunny golden pearl highlights. Chantecaille’s spring/summer color palette was inspired by sea turtles, one of Olivia’s current obsessions (five percent of the proceeds from the sale of the eye/cheek palette go to WIDECAST, a Caribbean non-profit dedicated to saving sea turtles).

For fall, it’s all about a strong lip or a strong eye. “It’s very powerful and feminine and seductive,” enthused Olivia as she fanned out color copies of her fall inspiration boards. She snapped open a square grey compact to reveal “The New Classic” palette, which is all sophisticated inky plums for the eyes and a shimmery peachy-pink blush, offset by two new Lip Chic lipsticks in rich berry shades of Calla Lily and Violetta. They’re also launching a new version of Mascara Faux Cils, with a peptide that actually helps lashes grow (yes, really).

In addition to serving as Creative Director and the brand’s public face (that’s her gorgeous mug you see in all Chantecaille advertising and store displays), Olivia also personally presents all new products to editors, and designs the preview packaging, and oversees all global PR and US advertising as well – “from handling the accounts to working on the design of the ads.” She touts “the magic of the iPad” with helping her get it all done. “I am on it from the time I wake up until I go to sleep — and it’s also amazing for when I’m traveling.”

“I’m very lucky because I love my family and get along with them very well, so I’m actually very fortunate to work with them,” said Olivia as we prepared to say good-bye. “So it’s a great situation. It may not work for everybody, but it works for me.”

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

Our A Splash of Chic: Swimsuits & Cover-Ups for Poolside Boutique opens Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 11AM ET.

RUE STYLIST EVAN TAKES THIS TANK TO NEW LEVELS (x3)

We love gathering a few friends in the summer for impromptu get-togethers outside. Set the scene with rustic silver buckets filled with wild flowers, twinkling tea lights on banisters and tables, and platters overflowing with fresh fruit for a little something sweet after the barbeque. For the must-try main course, we turned to the grilling experts at Robinson’s Prime Reserve and the culinary mastermind Samuel Adams Chef David Burke. Fire up the grill for this three-part recipe and serve with ice-cold lemonade and Sam Adams, of course (fresh sliced lemons are a must).

Download the recipes (or view all on the next page)

Samuel Adams Boston Lager Cut
Serves four

Ingredients:
4 Samuel Adams Boston Lager Cuts

Instructions:
1. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Grill over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium rare.

Boston Lager Onion Marmalade
Serves four

Ingredients:
3 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups sliced cipollini onion
1/2 cup honey
2 bottles Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in pan over medium head and sweat onions for approximately 8-10 minutes.
2. Add honey and stir until onions are completely coated.
3. Add Boston Lager and continue to cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture reaches a marmalade-like consistency.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Remove from heat and set aside.

Creamed Collard Greens
Serves four

Ingredients:
2 bunches collard greens
1 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tablespoon butter

Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a large sauce pot over medium high heat with sweat garlic and onions 4-6 minutes until tender.
2. Wash the collard greens and remove the ribs.
3. Cut to a manageable size, then add to pot with garlic and onions.
4. Cook until tender over medium high heat for 12-16 minutes.
5. Add cream and reduce by half.
6. Add chili flakes, salt, and butter.

Our Robinson’s Prime Reserve Boutique opens Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 11AM ET.

Normally, beach shifts are relegated to weekends on the sand, waiting in line at the boardwalk snack bar, or sipping mai tais seaside. However, with the expert styling of Rue La La stylist Maureen, this Three Dots vintage voile boatneck tunic has traded in its sea legs (at least in part) to become one of our favorite looks for out on the town as well.

1. We believe that the night is still young. Wear the tunic out, with the sash tied in a loose knot at the side, partner with dark rinse jeggings, a long gold necklace with matching bangles, and your most leggy black heels.

2. We believe that the words “beach bum” are not an excuse for summer slacking. Wear this tunic as a dress, pair with a berry-hued straw bag, flat leather sandals, a lavender floppy sunhat, and of course, shades.

3. We believe that for a better view (and loftier sense of style), heels can do the trick for outdoor music festivals. Team with a teal pocketed skirt, tall metallic sandals, and wear this tunic tucked.

Now it’s your turn to play stylist - how would you style this floral number?

Our Three Dots Boutique opens Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 11AM ET.

There’s nothing quite like a late summer concert. The days are still long, the air still warm, and the amplifiers still cranked to 11. Whether you’re hitting up a free show on the Brooklyn waterfront or taking in a set at The Fillmore, we believe in looking backstage fresh. Who knows, you might be called on stage for a guest appearance.

Luckily, the solution to the concert fashion quandary is a quick fix. We’re loving the rocker appeal of William Rast, the clothing company founded by Justin Timberlake and Tracy Ayala. This is the look of the world-tour, lifestyle-premium denim (that looks better unwashed, after several consecutive days of wear), tailored leather jackets (preferably in the iconic black of the Ramones), and essential graphic Ts. Of all pieces, the graphic T is most emblematic of the anti-hero vibe that comes from being under the bright lights and elusively answering questions from interviewers. It has sass and attitude, and is not afraid of being in your face. It is the definition of swagger.

If an indie rock concert is in the plans, try black jeans and a form-fitting T for admiring looks from the Williamsburg set. Complement the dark denim with a simple canvas sneaker or a mid-height boot. The fit of the denim for guys should be a bit looser than skinny jeans, but not overly baggy – you want to be noticed, but not in the “look at that guy in the wide-leg jeans circa 1996” kind of way. Boyfriend jeans on women send a “not trying to impress” vibe.

At a hip-hop or electronica show jeggings look right on women, and the stretch factor makes it easier to move. On guys, a lighter shade of denim in distressed cuts is a sure shot – we prefer a slightly roomier fit (for easy dancing). Pair them with plain white Ts or a subdued graphic shirt that is more urban swagger than rocker moodiness. Sneakers, preferably high-tops, amp up the funkiness.

Regardless of genre or cultural scene, William Rast lends itself to the musically inclined. Either from the front row, the lawn seats, or up in the box (for the arena shows), experience summer tunes in style. Channel your inner rocker, rapper, or DJ. Kick out the jams.

You heard it here first: Style is alive and well in Boston’s clubby, white-shoe financial world, and we’ve met a man who proves it. In a city that some would say “plays it safe” when it comes to fashion, it was refreshing to find someone who isn’t afraid to push the envelope. Here, our favorite financial planner dishes on his style dos and don’ts.

Rue La La: You work in a very conservative town in an uber conservative profession - how do you incorporate some risks into your style?
Andrew: I wear pocket squares that match my ties, I incorporate a ton of pink, and I also wear argyle or colored socks that work with my tie’s color scheme.

Rue La La: What are some of your workday style “rules” - we know you financial types have them!
Andrew: Belt must always match shoes (a no-brainer in my book), suit and tie Tuesday through Thursday, I never wear a blazer with slacks and a tie (always a suit), and my shoes must always be shined. And never, ever square-toe shoes, black suits, button-down collars with a tie. And no jewelry.

Rue La La: What about non-business days? Do you have a weekend uniform?
Andrew: Usually golf attire as I play every weekend (shorts and a polo), sweats when relaxing, jeans, blazer, and shirt at night and loafers with no socks.

Rue La La: Tell us about your signature style elements.
Andrew: Pocket squares, the color pink, and “different” socks. Sean John or Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue for fragrance. And I have three pairs of monogrammed cufflinks, all from Brooks Brothers. One is plain silver with old English script initials, another plain silver with block initials, and lastly and most importantly there is a silver and blue handpainted enamel pair with white block initials - I’d definitely grab those first in a fire.

Rue La La: Do you shop vintage?
Andrew: Yes, I have two vintage blazers from the Garment District - solid tan and tweed. I also have two V-neck Lacoste sweaters (one yellow and one red), and one navy cardigan. Actually reminds me, I should go search for more!

Rue La La: Who are your style icons?
Andrew: Rick Fox, Sean “Puffy” Combs, André 3000, Terrence Howard, and Kanye West.

Rue La La: What’s your dream vacation, and what would you pack for it?
Andrew: St Tropez - because I rarely relax and it seems like such a relaxing place. I would do nothing but hang out and relax! All white. White linen pants, shirts, and bathing suit along with a pair of flip-flops and sunglasses.

Rue La La: What’s something style-related you’ve been coveting for a long time?
Andrew: A tan seersucker suit. A summer essential!

Rue La La: Now it’s time to dish. Embarrassing fashion moment?
Andrew: I wore a shirt a couple months back that I’d had handmade when I first got out of college. I hadn’t noticed the back collar was frayed. A stylish woman in my office pointed it out to me one day, and I threw it away on the spot.

Rue La La: What inspires you to dress up every day?
Andrew: My dad always had his clothes custom made and he always would say, “You never know who you’re going to meet.” Every morning, I approach the day that way - because you never know who you’ll run into.

As a personal shopper and stylist, it’s no secret that I love fashion. And for me, there’s nothing more exciting than finding that holy grail – something that can seamlessly transition between seasons with a few simple changes. Here are my go-to pieces to buy and wear now – and keep handy for fall.

LEOPARD WEDGES
Wear it now: With denim boyfriend jeans, a tank (I like the look of an army green tank), and an arm of bangles.
Wear later: Keep your summer look, just add a blazer and trade summer bangles for a light scarf instead.
Why I love it: Leopard is everywhere this fall, so adding a touch of the print can instantly update your wardrobe, and with leopard, a little goes a long way.

WIDE LEG PANTS
Wear it now: Because the pants are loose, go with a more fitted top, and if you are comfortable with your arms (not everyone is) go with a tank. A belt will break up the tight top and wide bottoms, and make the look so polished.
Wear it later: Keep the belt, but trade your tank for a super-soft cashmere top – and layer on a jacket.
Why I love it: Wide leg pants are universally flattering. Who doesn’t want their legs to look longer and leaner? They are one of the pieces in your closet that should be tailored to perfection and they can create a new illusion for you body.

WHITE BUTTON-DOWN
Wear it now: Look cool and crisp by pairing with a camel skirt (which will also be huge for fall). Add gold jewelry, a classic tote, and sunglasses.
Wear it later: Keep the skirt and add a pair of tights, or switch to wool trousers and a belt. Keep the gold jewelry, tote, and sunglasses.
Why I love it: This is a piece every woman should own. It can be paired with almost anything in your closet and as long as it’s clean and pressed, it will make your look pulled together. It can be the most conservative piece in your wardrobe or one of the sexiest. It’s all about how you style it.

3/4-SLEEVE BLAZER
Wear it now: To instantly pull together any look, throw over your favorite summer dress, or pair with a tank and denim shorts or a skirt. Make sure the jacket is tailored perfectly – when it comes to jackets, fit is everything.
Wear it later: Pair with jeans or trousers, but stay away from wide leg because you can end up looking boxy. If you do choose to wear wide leg pants, belt the blazer to emphasize your waist.
Why I love it: For me, this is a definite must-have. If you can, invest in black, charcoal, and white versions. I usually suggest spending less on staple pieces and more on bags, shoes, and other accessories, but this is an exception. Jackets should be of good quality with an expensive fabric so they last. Spend the time (and an extra few bucks) to have it tailored, and you will find yourself wearing it a few times a week. Totally worth it.

JEAN JACKET
Wear it now: With just about anything! It’s the quintessential summer jacket. Right now I’m wearing mine over a romper.
Wear it later: Layer over a short or longsleeve shirt, and just make sure your bottoms aren’t denim! Some designers pulled off the denim-on-denim look in their Spring 2010 collections on the runway, but for the most part I wouldn’t recommend it for everyday wear.
Why I love it: Denim is everywhere this summer, and this piece can easily transition into fall. Chances are it will keep coming back in style, so don’t toss it come winter. If you have an old jean jacket that looks dated, try cutting off the sleeves and making it into a vest.

BLACK SKIRT
Wear it now: I love to jazz up the classic black skirt with a trend, like a tank in a neon shade.
Wear it later: Black skirts are universal, so most longsleeve shirts or sweaters will work. The mini length is going to be huge for fall, but since it’s short, pair with tights and ballet flats.
Why I love it: Another staple, and a piece you should hold on to since it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. You can create a trendy look around the skirt, and black has a tendency to make legs look thinner.

SILK BLOUSE (in a blush color)
Wear it now: With your little black skirt! Just add a pair of flats and jewelry - très chic.
Wear it later: Switch the black skirt for black jeans or trousers, and a pair of booties or heels (this color looks amazing with black!).
Why I love it: Tons of designers showed blouses on their runways for spring and fall, but it’s important to know how to wear them. A silk blush-colored blouse with black on the bottom is flattering on just about everyone and is suitable for most occasions. It can be your “go-to” outfit for summer and fall.