A QUICK TRIP TO THAILAND

Here at Ruby+Ed HQ we are all great ambassadors of our brand that we love to take a little piece with us wherever we go. Therefore we have decided to start the 'Around the world diaries with Ruby+Ed' to let you all know about our adventures out of the office and also to show you how we like to personally style our own products.  

Claire our newest addition to the trade team has just come back from a two week holiday in Thailand where she went to go and meet a university friend who is out there travelling. 

Claire (right) with her friend Anna (left)

Claire is now back in the office working away and longing for those golden sand beaches she has recently left behind. Here is her story of her holiday accompanied with some beautiful pictures she took whilst she was out there.

“I recently took Ruby+Ed around the world for a holiday in Thailand, where I met my friend Anna - who now resides in Australia (lucky thing!). Flying into Bangkok, we spent two days exploring Koh San road and the crazy sights of “backpacker” land – getting Thai massages, bartering for souvenirs and taking a “Tuk Tuk” to the Grand Palace of Bangkok. The city is crazy and there are bright colours everywhere! The beautiful silks and fabrics of Thailand are prevalent in every market stall and tailors on every corner offer bespoke dresses and suits cut in amazing prints and colours.

Market stall in Bangkok

Anna bartering for food in Koh San road (Bangkok) wearing the Ria Emerald

From Bangkok we took a 13 hour overnight bus to the Island of Koh Tao, where we spent lazy days chilling on the amazing beaches and enjoying a passion fruit daiquiri at night time! The following days were spent Island hopping on the fisherman boats, taking in amazing bays and beautiful sunsets before heading back to Bangkok for a final two days.

Beach at Koh Phangan

The sunset on Ko Tao

Inspired by the beautiful fashion and colours of Thailand, I couldn’t resist showing off some of Ruby+Ed’s SS12 Collection and Anna loved wearing the Esha Tunic and the Ria Emerald on the beaches and around the city streets. Teaming them with a pair of denim shorts and a pair of knotted sandals in chocolate, she got many admiring glances and the tunic looked amazing on the beach over a bikini or later in the beach bar!

Anna wearing the Esha Tunic dress in Ko Tao

Anna wearing the Esha Tunic dress in Ko Tao

I had an amazing time and came back with so many photos of the bright colours and sunshine of Thailand – as well as inspiration for Ruby+Ed’s future collections. I would definitely recommend a trip to paradise, with Ruby+Ed in hand to ensure you sparkle on the sand and look stylish at sunset!” 

Ruby+Ed x

THE ANCIENT ART OF HAND PRINTING

Prevalent in India as early as the 12th century, this craft has been passed down through generations in order to create beautiful colourful printed garments. Each dye colour used in the print must be prepared, the fabric must be washed and stretched onto a printing table. Each print is applied to the fabric using carved wooden blocks by skilled artisans trained in this time consuming art. A wooden trolley with castor wheels holds the dye tray, this must be wheeled around the printing table, whilst applying consistent pressure to each stamp, each block must be lined up in accordance with the next to ensure a dovetail finish. This collection was born from a deep respect for this highly labour intensive painstaking process, this exacting art. Each piece is entirely unique, lovingly crafted to become an heirloom, a work of art because passion is always inspiring, reminding us that skill and imagination transcend boundaries.

Many of our items of clothing and nightwear from our SS12 collection have been hand printed. Below you can see pictures of an artisan in India working on the prints for our collection. Due to the nature of the hand printing process every piece is entirely unique and made in limited quantities, adding to their exclusivity. 

This print above being worked on is our beautiful Bela Tunic (below).

Bela Tunic £98

Other hand printed pieces from our SS12 collection are the Neha chemise night dress, the Ula pyjama set and Ula print pari robe and the Orchid Pink pari robe.  

Ruby+Ed x

MOTHER'S DAY -18th MARCH 2012

This Sunday is Mother's day and here at the Ruby+Ed office we were all wondering what we could get for our Mums to truly spoil them this year. So we decided to put together two gift sets from our new Spring Summer collection which we have also made available to you. All our gift sets include a branded Ruby+Ed gift box, a pair of slippers and a matching make up bag. 

There are two gift sets to choose from the 'Oriental bow gift set' and the 'Linen blossom gift set' both pictured below. 

Oriental bow gift set

Linen blossom gift set

Ruby+Ed x

WIN* A PAIR OF BLUE BELL CANVAS LACE UPS!

It is that time again for another Ruby+Ed giveaway - all you have to do is go to our Facebook page and count how many Easter eggs you can see in the picture! 

Click here to enter. 

There will be 10 winners in total, so good luck!

Ruby+Ed x 

Terms and Conditions

Competition runs from 07/03/12 to 10/04/12. Entries have to be made via our Facebook page ‘Ruby+Ed’ by completing two steps: (i) liking our page (ii) clicking to enter the competition where a form has to completed in full by the entrant. Any entries made after the closing date or through a different method will not be counted. Ten separate winners will be selected and notified after the closing date by email with the address used for entry. Entrants must be UK residents. Prize is not exchangeable for cash or any other item. Competition winners will be able to select the size of their choice subject to availability; if the chosen size is not available a substitute size/product of equal value will be chosen by Ruby+Ed. This competition is not open to employees or contractors of Ruby+Ed, any person directly or indirectly involved with Ruby+Ed or the running of the competition, or their direct family members. The winners will be announced on the Ruby+Ed Facebook page and the Ruby+Ed Blog. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions and to have agreed to be bound by them when entering this competition. This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook and Facebook shall not be liable for any losses whatsoever arising from this competition and/or the Prize. You are providing your information to Ruby+Ed and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for the purposes of this promotion, unless you opt-in to receive future marketing communications. Your personal information will only be used as set out in Ruby+Ed’s privacy policy and will not be passed on to any other company or institution.

CHILDREN IN NEED

You may remember that a few months ago we all got dressed up in fancy dress and had a bake sale for Children In Need well today we received a very special poster from the bear himself!

LOVELY CUSTOMER COMMENT!

The other day we received another lovely comment from a customer that we just had to put on the Blog as it made everyone in the office smile.

Remember we love to receive your feedback so keeping sending it in via our website, Facebook or Twitter page.

Ruby+Ed x

OUR TOP 10 SALE PICKS OF THE WEEK!

As you may have noticed our Autumn Winter sale is in full swing, so we have decided to put together our top 10 items from the sale that we think you will love as much as we do. 

1. 1. Latte and Damson frill stick Umbrella

2. Patchwork flower slipper mule

3. Crushed faux fur hot water bottle cover 

4. Hand knit bobble boot in Damson

5. Snow leopard headband

6. Faux fur snood in Siberian stone

7. Faux fur mittens in Snow leopard

8. Luxury full grain leather bruno slipper in Black

9. Girls velvet bow ballerina in Orchid Pink 

10. Silky faux fur pram and duck toy set

Ruby+Ed x

RUBY+ED OFFER THE BEST PRICE FOR LUXURY TOSCANA SHEEPSKIN COATS!

Sheepskin was all over the catwalk last year from Dolce & Gabbana to Isabel Marant however Ruby+Ed has the REAL THING for the BEST PRICE!

Our double sided Toscana sheepskin coats are three quarter length with front hook fastenings and a turn back waterfall collar.  Due to them being double faced they can be worn inside out to create a head turning evening coat.

Toscana sheepskin is world renowned for its beautifully long and high quality fur. All the coats have natural variations due to the nature of the fur from tight curls to loose waves adding to the uniqueness of the coat.

Our double sided coats are available in two different colours Black and Chocolate, and they have now gone into sale at 30% off. Order online now whilst stocks last. 

We have also had another review of our Toscana Sheepskin coats on the blog 'High Heels and Fashion Reels', where the author has spotted non other than Kate Middleton  wearing a very similar coat to ours over the Christmas period. 

Ruby+Ed x

RUBY+ED CHRISTMAS PARTY

On Tuesday we all went down to the Cotswold to stay at the beautiful Calcot Manor to celebrate a very successful year and also Christmas! If you haven't been to the Calcot Manor before it is a truly beautiful spa resort set in Tetbury.  We all got dressed up in glamorous dresses and suits for a wonderful evening of fine food and drink.

Here is a group picture of us in the room where we did our secret Santa and played pass the parcel!

Merry Christmas 

Ruby+Ed