NEW YEAR NEW OUTLOOK

Happy New Year Lovelies!

I've been waiting to talk about the new year with you all. I just wanted the first week to sink in, plus I've been sick as a dog. Last year I made a few NYR (new year's resolutions) and worked diligently to see them come into fruition. 

Wait. What?

'worked diligently to see them come into fruition'

???

You mean NYRS don't work like wishes? Yeah, I know, I used to think of them the same way.

But no, unfortunately not.

But, NYR can completely come true, like wishes. When I reflected back on the ones I set for last year, which are ongoing, I realized that because I made them important enough to dedicate time to everyday I was able to reach them. 

I want to leave you with something one of my favorite yoga instructors said during my New Year's Day class that really seemed to stick, 

"We often equate a New Year with the idea of a 'new you'. But, think of it more as you are becoming less of who you were never supposed to be. You were never supposed to be anxious, nervous, or a tense person. You were never supposed to be this stressed out person. You were never supposed to be this angry person."

I love this! Because, instead of focusing on remodeling yourself to be this "better" version of yourself, (we think thinner, healthier, fit into a certain pant size, maybe fixing some insecurity you may have, some hang-up, dating more, whatever) you're already this "better" version, and you're just leaving behind the things that no longer serve you--the things that just get in your way. 

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Bog  

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HIGH TEA AT THE RUSSIAN TEA ROOM

We won't lie, besides for our affinity for tea, the Kate Spade clip with our beloved girl Anna Kendrick totally inspired us to make a winter trip. 

First of all, what you need to know about The RTR is that during the winter season it hums magically with the chatter of those lucky enough to have a front row seat to the best people watching in Manhattan. The red and green glow, the eclectic collection of art, and of course the delicious food and warm tea make for a perfect afternoon. 

What To Order: 

Sandwiches & Blinis

Curried chicken salad with raisins and pecans

Shrimp salad with rémoulade

Smoked Scottish salmon with chive cream cheese and cucumber

Artichoke with red pepper, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese

Smoked ham and turkey with truffle croque monsieur

Sandwiches & Blinis 

NY smoked sturgeon with dill and sour cream

Roquefort bleu cheese and pear with walnuts

A tasting of two American caviars on blinis

DESSERT

Assorted seasonal scones, cupcakes and petits fours

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad 
Marinated grilled chicken a top traditional Cobb salad.

Rooibos Chai
South African red bush with Indian spices

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog 

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YAY OR NAY THURSDAYS: BLANKET SCARF TREND

Here just in time to help you create your perfect weekend outfit our ‘Yay Or Nay’ post!

Let’s break this down: We’ve asked 7 real guys their take on the latest fashion trends. After viewing photos of the latest trends, the panel will either give it a Yay (they dig it) or Nay(they don’t) and explain why in about one sentence. Because, let’s face it, sometimes we’re into attracting the eye of that cute guy across the room and wished we knew what he was thinking.

Other times we could care less.

So, either take it as valued information, an education, or proof that sometimes guys know nothing about fashion.

Today’s Trend: Blanket Scarf Trend

Brian: Yay- "It's kinda a classy, homeless look. Says I can lay down right here in the street and I'll still be cozy. Do they make a pillow headband? That would match perfectly."

Ryan: Yay- “Especially if they're paired with a nice set of sweater pillows."

Darryl: Nay- “The overly big ones look like clown clothes. The not so big ones are cool. Weird, they're just weird shawls.Overall, nay, but not a big nay though, as I am very pro normal human scarves. 

Joe: Nay- “It kind of looks like they threw their childhood blankies around their necks and called it a day. It obstructs any sense of fashion that might be going on underneath."

Daniel: Yay- "I think they look great on the smaller end with tight clothing and no outerwear-pic three is a perfect example. When you're wearing a coat with a poor pattern, it looks clownish. I'm a sucker for a faux frontier cowgirl look though."

Dylan: Yay- "The possibilities are endless. Bar is boring? Grab a seat, turn it into a blanket and catch a nap."

Mike L: Yay- "Multi-functional for warmth, style and it's a blanket."

The poll is in and 5/7 guys dig blanket scarves. Agree to disagree, or agree completely with our panel?  We want to hear your take either way! Sound off in the comments below and let our guys of summer know what that got right and what they got wrong. 

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog 

CONTINUE READING

YAY OR NAY THURSDAYS: HIGH WAIST PANTS/SHORTS

Better late than...

Here just in time to help you create your perfect weekend outfit our ‘Yay Or Nay’ post!

Let’s break this down: We’ve asked 10 real guys their take on the latest fashion trends. After viewing photos of the latest trends, the panel will either give it a Yay (they dig it) or Nay(they don’t) and explain why in about one sentence. Because, let’s face it, sometimes we’re into attracting the eye of that cute guy across the room and wished we knew what he was thinking.

Other times we could care less.

So, either take it as valued information, an education, or proof that sometimes guys know nothing about fashion.

Today’s Trend: High-Waist Shorts/Pants

Brian: Nay- “They remind me of Huggies; I like babes not babies.”

Ryan: Yay- “First pic is totally T-Swift. I like that they are basically just shifted the pants upwards and it flaunts more sexy stems. Also helps control muffin tops. Reminds me of my mom though…”

Darryl: Nay- “NOPEEEE. Is this the 1940’s? If you want to look like a frumpy house wife then look no further. Although T Swift pulls it off, because she is TSwift.”

Joe: Yay- “I’m not sure I like your sample set here, but in general- yay- because they’re a great throwback. I’ve been seeing high wasted shorts and really like them, but the last one in particular is no Bueno. T Swift knows how to rock them though.”

Mike S.: Yay- “With the potential for a little rear showing, I say yay.”

Felix: Nay “Definitely nay on the frayed ones, because they make the butt look weird.”

Sam: Yay “Retro but yay; cutoffs are great!”

Daniel: Yay- "Oh man. This is tough. I've literally fallen in love with some girls who had been rocking these, but I have mixed feelings. I think jean cut offs with a tank top is SUPER attractive. It does flatten the bum a bit, but it makes the legs look incredible."

Dylan: Yay- "Total yay. I definitely dig this look. It's a combination of fun and hot. The best combination." 

Mike L: Nay- "They actually make women with nice bodies look terrible and they go too far into the trashy category for me." 

The poll is in and 6/10 guys dig high-waist shorts. And 10/10 guys know Taylor Swift's body. Agree to disagree, or agree completely with our panel?  We want to hear your take either way! Sound off in the comments below and let our guys of summer know what that got right and what they got wrong. 

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog 

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OUR INTERVIEW WITH: EVA BAI AND AVA BAI OF VALE JEWELRY

It's gift giving season! And to help make our decisions easier on what to get for who, we spoke with Eva Bai and Ava Bai, twin sisters, entrepreneurs, and the design masterminds behind the successful Vale Jewelry. 

We are completely obsessed , scratch that, addicted to their pieces! Because we keep going back for more to add to our growing collection, we decided to bring them in for a little interview where we asked them about their favorite pieces and for some quick and easy styling tips. 

Not only have Eva Bai and Ava Bai's jewelry designs been featured on fashion websites like Refinery 29, Vanity Fair and Lucky Magazine, but also Vale Jewelry has been spotted on celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Lena Dunham and models like Miranda Kerr. (They are basically a walking, talking girl power tale of epic proportions, and we love that.)

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE?

E&A Bai: Well we, it was very difficult finding affordable fine jewelry, so we wanted to create a line that was very accessibly priced, but also what we call "stuck in skin" jewelry so pieces you can put on and never take off. 

Q: THEY ARE VERY BEAUTIFUL. AND YOU'RE COMPLETELY RIGHT ABOUT THE FEEL OF YOUR JEWELRY. I BASICALLY WEAR MY EARRINGS EVERYDAY. WE WERE TALKING BEFORE, AND YOU SAID YOU LIKE TO PAIR THE IDEA OF MODERNITY WITH ROMANCE, IS THAT HOW YOU WOULD DESCRIBE YOUR PIECES?

E&A Bai: I would say they are very minimal, I guess, and modern. Most importantly they are easy to wear. 

(Earrings we wear almost everyday: middle row third pair from the left.)

Q: HOW WOULD YOU PAIR THESE PIECES IN THE WINTER VERSUS THE SUMMER?

E&A Bai: Well you can create a desired effect depending on how many pieces you wear, depending on if you want to have a strong look. Maybe in the summer you'll want to wear only one or two pieces. But, during the winter I would layer on longer necklaces over the heavier sweaters and knits. 

Q: AND, THEN IF YOU WANTED TO WEAR JUST ONE PIECE, A GREAT GIFT ITEM THAT CAN GO WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING FROM YOUR TEE AND JEANS TO A NIGHT OUT, WHICH ONE PIECE WOULD YOU SUGGEST? 

E&A Bai: My favorite piece is this one, and it is one of our signature pieces, a large square, plain necklace. 

(Signature necklace referred to is top right)

Q: Thank you so much! 

E&A Bai: No problem! Thank you so much!

To shop the pieces you see above visit: HERE

Follow Vale Jewelry on Insta @valejewelry to stay up to date on all things Vale and to find out when they will be doing a pop up capsule collection at Chelsea Market!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog 

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