TRAVEL DIARIES: MEXICO

The summer’s nearly over but a lucky few are still jetting off on holiday. Our customer service coordinator Lauren was one of the lucky ones who has just got back from Mexico. Lauren loves the brand and she took her favourite summer looks with her on holiday. Here is her travel diary accompanied with some beautiful pictures she took whilst she was out there. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did!

Lauren:

I was persuaded by my extended family to come along on a group to trip to Mexico. I had heard so much about how amazing Mexico is and it certainly didn't disappoint. I found it to be a perfect place to relax, unwind and also a great place to learn about the culture and Mayan history.

We were lucky enough to stay in a luxury five star hotel in the resort of Riviera Maya. Our hotel had 5 pools to choose from and it also ran along a white sandy beach. The hotel had such a relaxing atmosphere and lots of food and cocktails available, so all I did for the first week was relax and unwind which was lovely! I took the Ria Falling Leaves top with me which was a perfect cover up for the beach. The fabric was nice and lightweight which kept me cool in the Mexican heat.

The second week of my trip I went to visit the Cenotes. Cenotes are unground caverns that were sacred to the Mayans. The cenotes are natural sinkholes that expose ground water beneath the surface.  On the trip we trekked into the jungle and came across a cluster of Cenotes. The first one we went into was underground with a small exposed area. In this centoes ancient Mayan rituals are still preformed. The cenotes was filled with beautiful exotic birds and a colony of bats. The second cenote was open air and was filled with lots of beautiful fish and fresh water turtles. This was a perfect location to go snorkeling or swimming as the water was crystal clear. 

The closest town to us was called Carmen del Playa. The town was really busy filled with small shops and bars. Despite the town being a tourist attraction, the Mexican culture was very strong throughout the town. I wore the Aruna crimson blouse to the town. I paired this top with some denim shorts and sandals and I was ready to explore the small streets and traditional markets of Carmen del Playa.

I had an amazing time in Mexico and I would definitely recommend taking some Ruby+Ed pieces on holiday to make sure you keep cool whilst looking stylish. 

We would love to hear about you holiday experiences, so if you do want to share you stories with us send us a message on Facebook!

Ruby+Ed x

AN INSPIRING DAY OUT

We are all preparing for the launch of AW13, and the time has come to re-inspire the creative team. Naz our brand director surprised Ed (creative design manager) and Lorna (graphic designer) on Friday morning with a trip to the city. Driving down to London, singing along to Capital FM, the creative team did not have any idea of what was in store for them. As soon as Monday morning came, I quizzed Lorna about her day out and this is what she filled us in on. 

Where did you go on your day out Lorna?

We started the day at The National Portrait Gallery, then moved onto the National Gallery and then went to the Royal Academy of Arts to see the Summer Exhibition. We finished the day at the Natural History Museum.

I really enjoyed the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts as the work on display there was so varied and different. There was everything from sculptures to paintings on every subject matter you can imagine. The exhibition was full of colour and life and included works from new and upcoming artists. Its always great to see new things that you wouldn't usually come across.

Which was your favourite place and why?

I loved the room in the National Gallery devoted to 18^th to early 20^th century paintings as it showcased some of Manet’s work, which really inspires me. Manet was a great artist and I love his use of colour and tone.

Two of my favourite creative pieces were both displayed at the Summer Exhibition. One of them was a piece by Marilene Oliver called ‘Dreamcatcher’. It was a combination of lasercut acrylic, ostrich feathers and fishing wire and consisted of a long line of different sized dreamcatchers, all coming together for a stunning final effect.

The other was a piece titled ‘Geography’ by Jadranka Bekavac-Kononenko. It depicted an open book with letters climbing out of the page. I love reading and agree with people when they say the words of a good book jump out of the page so this piece was a particular favourite.

How has this inspired you?

I’ve been inspired by the amazing use of colour and the creative, new ways of displaying things. Both old and new have something to offer and being able to see both in one day was brilliant. I have got lots of inspiration for my photography from the day and it would be great to make some of our images look painterly!

The creative team had a brilliant day out, and we would love to hear more about your creative experiences and places we should visit. We may even feature you on the blog too.

We will look forward to hearing from you!

Love Ruby+Ed x 

SNEAK PEEK PART TWO

We have another sneak peek to brighten up your Monday morning!

As promised, part two of our AW13 teaser is now here. September is quickly creeping up to us, who is excited for the brand new collection?

Enjoy

Ruby+Ed 

xx

SNEAK PEEK INTO AW13

This short video is a sneak peek into our AW13 Collection, stay tuned for part 2 coming very soon.

We would love to hear what you think of the collection so far.

Love Ruby+Ed

A GLIMPSE INTO AW13

We are very excited to give you a sneak peek into our brand new AW13 Collection.

This year we are launching our fabulous faux fur gilets for the first time ever!

A faux fur gilet will be a classic staple for your winter wardrobe this year. If you are looking for a fashion investment then the faux fur gilet is the one for you. A perfectly transitional product that will take you from Autumn to Winter and back around to next Spring. The beauty of Ruby+Ed gilets is that the sleeveless style means there are a variety of ways to wear it. Go large with a bigger size and play around with silhouettes.

We have three key gilets for you this year, inspired by the catwalks of Malene Birger and Belfstaff. A simple, one colour gilet offers an incredibly chic and sophisticated look, as loved by fashionista Olivia Palermo. Get the look with our Jet fur gilet from September 2013.

Another addition to the Collection is the Wolf gilet. Rosie Huntington-Whitely is a key follower of the gilet trend and you can recreate her look at Ruby+Ed. The Wolf Gilet will look great over our Long Sleeve Jet Tee, add some knee high boots to create a loose and layered Bohemian style.  

The final addition to the Gilet family is the Reversible Aztec Stone gilet, made with a superior blend of Siberian Stone faux fur on one side and a woven cotton blue and white Aztec design on the other. The reversible style means you get two very different looks from one gilet.

To retain exclusivity the collection will be limited edition and there is now a pre order list open. For more information click here.  To secure your gilet today, call us on 01664 452906 to guarantee you will be one of the first to wear a Ruby+Ed faux fur gilet! 

Love Ruby+Ed x

COMPETITION TIME

It’s competition time here at Ruby+Ed! We listened to all of our lovely customers and thought it was time we hosted another giveaway.

We wanted to offer you so many prizes that in the end we listed our top three summer products and you get to choose your favourite for a chance to win* it! The competition is as easy as 1,2,3 and can be entered on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Our favourite three products we selected for you to choose from are:

1.       The Denim Blue Advantage Pump

The Denim Blue Advantage Pump is our cool and casual take on the traditional pump and features a sporty R and E detailing to the sides. They’re a great staple item to get you through the last of the summer and even take you through Autumn. Playing on sports luxe, one of the season’s key trends, these are the ultimate must haves for a laid back look.

2.       Mist Ribbon Lace Up

Our Mist Ribbon Lace up gives you the option of having organza ribbon laces or our original laces, depending on whether you want to dress them up with a pretty dress, or tone them down for a day-to-day look. In a gorgeous Mist pink, they’re sure to add a feminine touch to any outfit. They’re also great to add into your Autumn wardrobe as Pink is set to be a hot trend next season!

3.       Crushed Iris Bow Ballerina

One of our best selling ballerinas this season is the Crushed Iris bow ballerina so we know you love it already. With a pretty chiffon bow on a neutral base, these are perfect for late summer evenings and will compliment any outfit. Plus, with a soft leather insole, your feet will thank you too.

The competition runs until the 18^th of August so hurry up and get your entries in before its too late! You can enter on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, just look for the Competition post for instructions on what to do. Don’t forget to comment with your choice of prize!

Good Luck!

*Terms & conditions apply