Our Year In Review: Dusk & Rubies' 13 Favorite Moments Of 2013

2013 was a whirlwind for me. I felt 2013 was a learning year filled with trials and tests; it was a year where I  was yanked from my comfort zone, and then my comfort zone was demolished, blown up to be exact, and I was fed to the wolves (not to mix too many metaphors).

Although, at times, 2013 was uncomfortable it allowed me to keep moving, forced me try new things, afforded me new opportunities, pushed me to meet new and amazing people, and most importantly it helped me grow as a person. I am grateful to be moving into 2014 with a fierce courageousness, and burning fire to push myself further! 

Here are 13 of our favorite Dusk & Rubies moments from 2013:

1. We launched our new and improved blog. We added new contributors, new topics, and a new look!

2. We launched our own website, Dusk & Rubies, for your shopping convenience!

3. We met with Wendy Williams and were given insider information about her Broadway debut.

4. We covered the Pencils of Promise white party hosted by Sophia Bush. 

5. Our 2013 Fall Collection "How Country Feels" was made available to purchase in boutiques and shops like Queens City Cupcakes in Patchogue, New York.

6. We were granted insider access to QVC. 

7. We met with CEO and founder Maureen Kelly, and the team behind Tarte Cosmetics who sent us these wonderful goodies!

8. Dusk & Rubies visited Ohheychrisi for their first blogger and jewelry crafting weekend!

9. We were invited to cover the private launch party of fashion ambassador, and international model Farah Zulaikha. 

9. We created an advertising platform for small businesses called The Women Support Women Project, and worked with amazing companies, non-profits, shops, and women like Jenna Mule of Jenna Mule Photography, and Melissa Gaglio of Magic's In The Make-up.

Jenna Mule Photography

Photography: Jenna Mule Make-up: Melissa Gaglio

Photography: Jenna Mule Make-up: Melissa Gaglio

10. Dusk & Rubies was invited to the New York Times for a NY fashion blogger's meeting.

11. Dusk & Rubies was made a fashion contributor to an up and coming website called Bellas Fashionistas, which will be launching soon! 

12. Dusk & Rubies was published on websites like: Your Zen Life and Get Festy.

2013. The Dusk & Rubies blog was invited to a private shopping event with Cynthia Rowley. 

Looking back at 2013 I can really see how amazing it was. Why is it always when looking back that everything seems so great? (**New Resolution: try to enjoy the moments while in the moment.)

Here is to 2014! May there be more moments to excite us, more moments to enjoy, and more moments for us to share with all of you! Happy New Year!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies 

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The Be Bold Collection: Working With Jenna Mule of Jenna Mule Photography

With flecks of gold, and some bold colors- voila! The #BeBold Collection has been born! Or should I say with the expert eye of Jenna Mule Photography, and the steady hand of Melissa Gaglio of Magic's in the Make-Up The #BeBold Collection was created?

I was so lucky to get to work with the uber talented, precise, artistic, fun-loving, up for anything, playful Jenna Mule of Jenna Mule Photography.  

Last Monday I walked into Jenna Mule's studio super excited, and slightly nervous. A couple of weeks ago we had discussed all of our ideas, our dreams, our hopes, and boy was there a lot of them! I found out quickly that Jenna and I think so much alike, artistically,  and we are just about down to try anything to get a good photo (just check out some of these shots for a reference).

What's great about Jenna is she is not only a professional, who graduated cum laud from Post University for Photography, but she is also a relaxed, competent photographer who makes everyone she photographs completely at ease.



Between having my hair done, my face put on, and choosing which jewelry to shoot, I was able to ask Jenna a few questions:

Danielle: You have so many amazing shoot ideas, including this one, what inspires you, and your photography?

Jenna: People. (laughs) Their look, the interactions they have with one another. You know, if someone is having a bad day, and then you make them smile. That's my whole outlook/ idea of what photography should be.

Danielle: That's probably why you capture people so well. I love your ballerina series- the movement/ the poses- they look effortless and just so real. If you know what I mean.

Jenna: Yes! I know exactly what you mean. Let me show you my Christmas card picture; it was not the norm, but we loved it! (Talking about her and her boyfriend she showed both Melissa and I a large print of last years' Christmas photo including: her two dogs and cats.) We are not even all looking at the camera, but it just captured us!

  

Danielle: (laughing) Your essence. I love how you guys are laughing and looking at each other. It's perfection! I noticed your website jennamulephotography.com is a great platform for your work. You have so many beautiful shots that you have captured. What has been your favorite project so far?

Jenna: Thanks! Today was really fun. Where this is going to go is going to be really fun. (Pointing to Me and Melissa). It's fun to mess around with paint, and someone's face, and that's not something I can do on a normal shoot. I really loved the ballerina shoots too!

I really liked the neon splatter with black light, the girls on black series, and the pin up girl series.  

Working with Jenna Mule I was astounded by her ability to walk the line between professionalism and personability. Her strengths include really listening to what her clients want. Jenna told us a story about a shoot she did  two weeks prior. They were family shots which incorporate not only having to listening, but being patient. When the parents would state "the baby looks alert" she wouldn't hesitate to take as many shots as possible. I call that a photographer's intuition. By capturing what others want exactly Jenna is able to respect others visions as well as her own.

I cannot wait to work with Jenna Mule again! So please check her website out, and if you need photographs for any occasion she is your woman.

Website: www.jennamulephotography.com

Follow her on Instagram: @jennamule

Stay Lovely And Support Small Businesses,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog

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Part of the WSWP: Women Support Women Project

Know someone who is starting a small business and is looking for press? E-mail us your story, and your business may be chosen to have an article written about it [duskandrubies@gmail.com]

Written by: Danielle A. Rufrano
NYS Teacher Certification in English Language Arts
Freelance writer for: yourzenlife.com and getfesty.com
BA in English, 2010

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