RUE in NYC: Oh What A Night, Rue Magazine Launch Party

Exactly one week ago, on Monday night, Crystal, Caitlin, and I hailed a cab in Midtown and ventured to the New York Design Center at 200 Lex for our very own launch party (Anne was coming from downtown). The Rue Magazine launch party, to be more specific. The night was perfect: the weather, the location, the ambience, the guests, the food, the champagne, the fashion... it was a fairy tale dream.

I kept thinking, "Where am I? This isn't my life... I should be at home with Nate and the puppies, wearing sweats and sipping Diet Coke while I blog and sing Dog Days Are Over."

Alas, I was not at home. I was in New York City. Living. It. Up.

Serendipity perfectly defines last week. It just so happened design bloggers from around the world flew into NYC for the Nate Berkus show - many of whom are ladies I've gotten to know over the past year of blogging. And it was such a delight that so many of them were able to make it to the Rue launch party! We got to meet and laugh in person. Wow. What a crazy concept. Of course, this wonderful event would have never happened without the support and generosity of the NYDC PR team! Thank you a million times over, ladies!

Before I show more pics, we must first discuss the outfit.

The dress I ended up wearing was - pause for shock - rented. Yes. I thought what better time to try out Rent the Runway than for my fabulous NYC launch party? And I cannot say better things about the experience! I recommend it ten times over. After much debate, my very helpful and always fashionable stylist picked out this black one-shoulder from Mark & James by Badgley Mischka. I've been wanting to try a one-shoulder dress for quite some time (mainly since seeing how hot Lea Michele always looks on the red carpet), and the That's So Fringe dress fit the bill of a classic look shaken, not stirred.

My clutch was Tory Burch tortoise shell, and my heels were black suede Louboutin's. Needless to say, I felt fancy-pants.

The Rue Crew: Crystal, me, Anne, Caitlin, Will and Bri. Together at last. And looking quite dapper if I do say so myself.

As soon as I saw the talented and glamorous Rue Mag cover models, Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield, I had to steal a photo with them.

So many bloggers, all in one place. Marianne, Camila, Mackenzie, Crystal and me.

I finally got to meet the talented and sweet Emily Clark! She and her friend made it to the party even though they had just landed in NYC (no joke - their luggage was in the hallway).

Rolando Santana - the fashion designer behind the yellow dress that I wore to both my sister's wedding and Nate's sister's wedding this summer (see profile picture). After seeing that I blogged about him several times, he invited me to his fashion show that was last Thursday (it was amazing - pictures to come!), and then he and his PR team all came to the Rue launch! Yay for supportive people in the design world!

Beautiful bloggers again: Camila, Mackenzie, photographer Jamie Beck, me, Emily and Elizabeth, and Marianne

Adrian (Kelley Moore's assistant), Crystal, Kelley Moore (host of the fabulous dinner party), me, Laure Joliet (photographer), and Cassandra (Coco+Kelley) - I literally cannot choose a favorite dress. Sparkles, vibrant colors, J.Crew, and one-shoulder drama. I loves!

A tale of two Amy's: Amy of ABCD Design and Amy of Shelterpop

The beautiful Century Furniture showroom in the New York Design Center where our party was held.

So you may remember me posting here and here about my admiration for designer Emily Henderson, winner of HGTV's Design Star. Well here I am with Emily Henderson! No big deal. Totally normal. Just your average Monday night. We're pretty much besties.

(um... what??? am I dreaming???)

Suffice to say, it was a great night. Better than we could have hoped. Of course, after several hours of standing on our feet and chit-chatting away, we were tired, thirsty, and most importantly: HUNGRY. So we hopped in a cab and headed downtown to a little place I like to call Heaven (also known as Luke's Lobster).

See how happy I am with my lil' lobster sandwich? Yum.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was night two.

RUE in NYC: Oh What A Night, Dinner with Kelley Moore and Company

Saturday night Caitlin, Anne, Crystal, and I ventured across Soho to attend a dinner party thrown by the talented lifestyle expert, Kelley Moore. Never in a million years could I have anticipated what beautiful surroundings, talented people, and delicious champagne awaited.

Behold the very first photograph taken of all the Rue gals together. After four months of working closely with one another online, we finally all met in person. Things went well to say the least. We laughed. And laughed. Then laughed some more. Well, you'll see...

The night began when we rolled up to the tallest building on the block. Not knowing what floor to buzz, we were able to figure it out once we spotted the elegant candelabras in the window. Always a good sign.

Upon entering the front door, we were greeted by one fabulous hot pink hallway that led to the main living room. There is no denying Kelley knows how to travel in style.

The solid black frames not only made the art more dramatic against the bright wall, but they unified the collage as a cohesive whole.

After countless tweets and emails, I was finally able to meet our lovely, talented, and entertaining hostess, Kelley Moore (left). Seated with her is close friend Cassandra of the wildly popular Coco+Kelley, and Rue's cover girl, Jamie Rummerfield of Woodson and Rummerfield's House of Design in LA.

Rue's Man in the Blue Blazer columnist, Will (also of Bright Bazaar fame) and his boyfriend Toby had just arrived from London. Literally. Got off the plane and came to the party. I was fortunate to be seated next to these gentlemen for the meal and within minutes, I was positively smitten. Their accents, style, manners, and overall genuine personalities reminded me why I love England so much and why I need to go back. Soon.

Glam, glam glam.

I let out a gleeful yelp when I saw the place holders were our own colorful portraits a la famed Andy Warhol paintings. The acrylic frame and pop art made perfect party favors.

While guests mingled and clinked glasses, I grabbed my camera and kept snapping photos. I knew the table setting was one of those things you have to see - no description could do it justice. And believe me when I say it was 50 times more glamorous and magical in person. Kelley had the fashion fabric constructed into a table cloth specifically for this party, and accented with hot pink, navy, and gold items. The antique candelabras that we spotted from outside the building are Kelley's own. Some people pack too many sweaters. Kelley packs tableware.

Kelley's good friend from home flew with her from Seattle and cooked a mouth-watering three-course meal for us. The main course consisted of pressed game hen, roasted beets, and haricot verts drenched a mustard butter sauce. Ohhhhh myyyyyy gaaaaaaaaawd. Best meal I had in NYC. Hands down.

I'm now convinced that when a group of style-savvy ladies get together in NYC, anything is possible.

Remember when I met Crystal earlier this year? Actually, it was just a few months ago! Who would have thought we'd be here now. Neither of us did! Talk about serendipity. (And the power of blogging.)

Seven hours later, we were all pretty much besties. Left to right: Cassandra, Anne, Crystal, Caitlin, me, Erin and Julie.

And as for the Rue team... needless to say after four months, thousands of emails, and one stressful all-nighter, the honeymoon went well.

Walking back to our hotel we spotted the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom and posed to show our appreciation for one of Rue's advertisers!

That, ladies and gentlemen, was night #1.