InstaInfo:
Jen Lauren Grant is 1/4 of the photography team at Birds of a Feather (as well as a blogger) and is based in sunny Los Angeles, CA. She’s an incredible wedding photographer that has been featured on Style Me Pretty, and from what we can tell… a pretty good home chef.

Most Likely To Photograph:
Recent travel to far (and not so far) lands, glamorous wedding previews and to die for floral arrangements, and even a few snaps of her adorable pets.

Why We Love Her:
Often times, folks will ask what we look for when we’re choosing our latest Instagram obsession. Truth be told, one word defines it all: Fresh. That’s why we were so smitten when we stumbled upon Jen Lauren Grant. She has a spirited viewpoint and a sunny disposition- so whenever one of her photos shows up in our feed, it’s a total treat. As part of famed photography group Birds of a Feather, Jen is always at the coolest locations or diving into awesome new projects. We love getting a behind the scenes look at her day-to-day.  Of course, her natural eye for photography makes that day-to-day look absolutely fabulous. For a fresh addition to your Instagram feed, you can follow Jen here.

Here at Rue we often talk about the amazing tastemakers whose style we admire, sharing with you our biggest sources of inspiration and new trends we think are relevant. But rarely do we open up our own lives to show you what we are wearing. Well, in the spirit of spring, we thought that we’d give you a glimpse of one of my go-to outfits this season.

Stopping off in New York before I headed down to North Carolina for High Point Market, I was eager to wear some of my edgier outfits. In Rio de Janeiro (where I live), the style is fairly casual, and my daily uniform is a pair of jean shorts and a silk blouse. New York City was my home for five years, so I missed being able to walk around in coordinated fashion-forward clothing without feeling like I was completely out of place.

This outfit was the perfect thing to wear to a spring cocktail party or dinner with some friends. I love this white dress from Zara - it’s tight but is a little longer than most body-con dresses so it is still tasteful. I combined it with a pair of gladiator shoes from Coach that are my go-to heels for the spring and summer. They work well with white but also look amazing with hot pink or orange, giving your outfit an edgy yet earthy feel. Finally, I chose to pack my things in this stylish canvas bag from Lo & Sons*. I wanted to tone down the femininity of my dress with something that looked borrowed from my boyfriend.

To give you a bit more insight into what my personal style is, I’ve decided to go through some of the standard questions we ask our style tastemakers.

How would you describe your personal style?

My style is definitely minimal, casual with an undertone of sophistication. I used to live in Belgium and France so I really appreciate style that is elegant without trying too hard. For example, I have embraced the fact that in general, my hair doesn’t stay perfectly blow-dried, it has a wave to it. And I don’t mind a little wrinkle in my pants or shirt.

Has it changed at all over the years?

Living in major cities around the world has made me quite strict about wearing only neutrals. In fact, at work, my colleagues would always make jokes about how much I hated color. However, when I moved to Rio de Janeiro I found myself gravitating towards tropical tones (coral, lime green, yellow). It just didn’t seem right to wear black in 90 degree weather in a city that has a long stretch of beach. Now I keep to my clean lines, feminine with a hint of masculine style, but I am much more flexible about what sorts of patterns or colors I wear. The important thing is that the outfit should always be sophisticated with a little bit of an edge.

Do you have a go-to look?

I have two- for day time I love wearing medium waisted skinny jeans or denim shorts with a loose fitting silk blouse and a pair of gladiator sandals. I usually tuck the front part of my blouse into my pants to give the illusion of longer legs. For night time I love a body-con dress. I used to never wear dresses until I found one from Helmut Lang that I fell in love with. The reality is just that I didn’t like dresses because I never found the right fit for me. A tighter dress that is either long sleeved or sleeveless is what looks best.

What tip can you share with us on achieving great style?

Fit is so important. Don’t wear something just because you saw it on someone else and it looked great. If it doesn’t make you look 100% spectacular don’t wear it. Also, I would say that adding a a bit of edge to an outfit is always a great way to make sure you have style. This could be in the form of studs on a shirt collar, or a statement necklace.

Favorite online hidden gem to shop from?

I am generally looking for things that have a lot of style without breaking the bank, therefore  there are a few places I go to find designer pieces on sale- Revolve Clothing is a great resource as well as 6PM. I also think that Styloot is a great way to find the exact piece that you are looking for by using their incredible search tool, it saves me a lot time.

Here is what I am wearing:

Shop Rue: 1. White Dress // 2. Gladiator Heels // 3. Canvas Overnight Bag* // 4. Gold Bangle // 5. Black Sunglasses

* Rue readers get a 15% discount at Lo & Sons until the end of May. Enter the code RUEMAGSPRING.

If you’re a fan of cooking shows- or just a fan of good food- you no doubt have Brian Malarkey on your radar. He’s a past Top Chef finalist (season 3, Miami), a mentor and judge on NBC’s hit show The Taste (which he won!!), and the author of a book filled to the brim with recipes we love. As if that wasn’t enough, Brian is a restaurant superstar- the driving force behind 5 popular San Diego spots (plus 1 in Scottsdale, and endeavors in Austin and LA on the horizon). Brian is basically as busy as they come- however, his zest and passion ensure that his personal life is never compromised by business.

A few weeks ago, Brian invited Rue to join his family at home, where we met his beautiful wife Chantelle and their adorable children Hunter O’neil (age 4), Sailor Elizabeth and Miles James (twins, age 2). Nestled in Point Loma, a small seaside fishing village in San Diego, Brian soaks up all that the community has to offer. He gets his produce from the farmers market, picks up fresh seafood from local fishermen, and spends time at the beach with his kids. On Sundays, you’ll find the Malarkey’s getting the freshest ingredients for a seafood feast. We tagged along, gathering entertaining tips and an exclusive recipe along the way.

When getting ready for Seafood Sunday, what are your must visit spots?
-Point Loma Seafoods: Great location, right on the harbor. It’s an unpretentious local spot that serves good food and doubles as a fish market. The best fish tacos in San Diego by far and a great selection of shellfish and fish.
-Point Loma Farmer’s Market: This is a weekly stop for us. We come down here every Sunday. After picking up the fresh catch and clams (or some local spiny lobster when it’s in season) at Point Loma Seafoods we head to the farmer’s market and do the same with the produce and herbs. That’s how our family Sunday Suppers come together, the menu is based on what looks and smells the best that day and what the kids are drawn to. Most kids won’t touch seafood, mine live for it. Sailor loves lobster and crab. They can’t get enough.

That is so cute! Speaking of the kiddos- you’re clearly busy between owning a flurry of popular restaurants and winning The Taste. How do you find a balance between work and family?
It’s a challenge for sure, and some weeks are better than others. I am constantly trying to improve the proportions of my pie. What percentage is being dedicated to family, the restaurants, to traveling for work, to sleep! I try to balance out the pie chart as much as I can. I am lucky enough to have an amazing wife that is supportive and somehow manages it all. While I was filming The Taste she moved us from our old house to our new home in Point Loma. Impressive.

I couldn’t do any of this without my restaurant team, they make it possible for me to spend as much time at home with the family as I do. Mornings are important in our house. That’s when we are all together. I make the kids breakfast before Hunter goes to preschool, play with the twins for awhile and then I head off to check on the restaurants. I come back home for a few hours and then it’s off again for the dinner rush. I bounce from one restaurant to the next. Sundays are spent at home and Chantelle and I do date night out as much as possible.

We love that you make sure to add a bit of romance to the mix- so important! When did you discover your passion for cooking and entertaining?
When I was a kid. I grew up on a ranch in Oregon with my brother and a single mom. I learned to cook from necessity. My mom was supermom, she ran the ranch, and so I did the cooking for the family. We spent summers on the coast with my grandmother and I learned a lot about food, cooking and entertaining from her. That’s where my love for seafood started.

When you’re creating a meal or entertaining, what is your mantra?
Keep it simple – relax and have fun, it’s just food. It’s not rocket science. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake, that fear will keep you from making a delicious meal. The less you do to it the better. Fresh ingredients will speak for themselves, so don’t mask them with fancy techniques and preparations. Salt, pepper, fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, olive oil, butter and more salt! Serve with a side of local vegetables. That’s how we do it at the Malarkey house.

Yum! That’s definitely a concept that a lot of home chefs could benefit from. So- if we wanted to host a soiree of our own, what advice could you give us?
1. Serve Family Style. It creates a relaxed vibe, makes everyone kick back and dig in. Plus it cuts down on the work for you.
2. Seafood – Keep it Simple. Salt, pepper, olive oil, butter, finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon and chopped herbs (whatever you have on hand).
3. Good Conversation. The conversation, and company you keep, is more important than how elegant the meal you serve is. For me, dining is about the social experience and memories you make with friends and family over a delicious meal and comfortable meal.
4. One Pot Meals. Keeps all the flavors in one pot, and the mess out of your kitchen.
5. Keep it Flowing – the wine that is! My go-to is New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with a twist top… can’t get easier than that.

Sounds like absolutely perfection- and we’re definitely on board with #5. In addition to offering you his tips, Brian shared an exclusive recipe created just for Rue readers! Check it out here- and find other exclusive recipes from Brian Malarkey in his book “Come Early, Stay Late.“

We recently had the exciting opportunity to hang out with celebrity chef Brian Malarkey (of such fame as Top Chef, The Taste, The Fabric of Social Dining, and his book- Come Early, Stay Late). Not only did Brian let us tag along as he prepared for Seafood Sunday with his family, but he also shared his entertaining tips. Of course, no party is complete without a killer entree- so Brian is giving Rue readers a chance to create one of his famous dishes at home. Get ready for summer parties (or even just a relaxing meal at home) with Brian’s Farmers Market Clams:

INGREDIENTS
2 lbs clams
1 bunch radishes, chopped
1 bunch carrots, chopped
1 lemon
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 glass of white wine
½ stick of butter
1 bunch cilantro
2 heirloom tomatoes, diced
½ onion, diced
2 tbsp chopped dill and cilantro (or any fresh herbs)

RECIPE
Sauté carrots, radishes and onions for two minutes in butter.
Add garlic, clams and white wine.
Cover and cook until clams open.
Finish with chopped cilantro, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Garnish with chopped herbs.

Enjoy!!

Since launching last summer, we’ve been totally smitten with San Francisco based bedding company, Crane & Canopy for their sophisticated style, affordable price point, and “buy a set, give a set” commitment to a charitable cause. Today Crane & Canopy gives us another reason to fall in love with them all over again. Meet their chicest bedding selection yet: the Floral Belles collection.

What do we love about it most? The Floral Belles collection allows you to create a one-of-a-kind look by dressing up your bedding with whimsical fabric flower pins. At Rue, we’re big fans of anything customizable and are definitely adding this one to our bed arsenal. And the best part? It’s as easy as one, two, three: 1. Select a duvet cover, 2. choose a flower pin kit, 3. pick your pillow and make it your own. Happy shopping! 

What we love about Restoration Hardware is that they know three important qualities very well: craftsmanship, elegance and effortlessness. Drawing from rural French and Belgian traditions, their designs have a historical foundation but have been given a modern makeover. We have been huge fans of their furniture and bedding line for quite some time, so when we found out that they were coming out with a tabletop collection, we immediately rushed over to their site and stocked up on some new dinnerware. This is the kind of relaxed yet sophisticated styles that we love!

Table settings should be beautiful but they should also highlight the awesome food that you spent time preparing. You want dishes that are going to last if you use them on a daily basis, but will also be able to dress up nicely if you have guests over. Restoration Hardware spent two years finding the perfect Chinese porcelain, where every detail, up to the weight, color and glaze, was considered. Their glassware is made by the German company Riedel, famous for their high quality wine glasses, making your $18 bottle of wine taste that much better. But, true to RH‘s style, they have included a stunningly simple line of linen placemats, runners and napkins. The best part about linen is that is only gets softer with use and looks amazing even when slightly wrinkled (so no ironing needed!).

Since every piece is in a stunning neutral tone, there’s no reason to worry about mixing and matching. This is a fool-proof collection- so at your next dinner party, all you really have to worry about is the menu that you’ll be preparing.

Here are some of our favorite pieces!

Shop Rue: 1. Cream Serving Bowl // 2. Cherrywood Cheese Boards // 3. Bone Spreading Knives // 4. Petrified Wood Serving Boards // 5. Graphite Serving Platter // 6. Modern Serving Set

Each season, fashion enthusiasts proclaim that stripes are back (!!), when in all reality- they never really leave. Stripes can add a crisp, classic element to any look, and even though they are popular season after season- they always look fresh. We love incorporating stripes into our wardrobe- whether we’re out running errands or dressing up for a fun & fancy soiree!

For a casual, daytime look- pair a striped top with shorts, strappy sandals, and a cross body bag. This top from J.Crew is great because it has a little burst of color- so it doesn’t come across too casual. With a bold top like this, you should keep your accessories basic (we’re personally loving this dainty initial necklace). If you’re heading out for a night on the town- we suggest diving into the world of print mixing. You don’t have to go overboard to achieve a maximum impact look. A striped dress + floral heels is a small-scale way to mix it up yet still be fashion forward! We’re curious- which look do you love most??

Shop Rue: DAY: 1. Bag // 2. Top // 3. Necklace // 4. Sunglasses // 5. Sandals // 6. Polish // Shorts // NIGHT: 1. Clutch // 2. Dress // 3. Necklace // 4. Belt // 5. Pumps // 6. Watch // 7. Lipgloss

At Rue, we absolutely love parties. When hosting our own, a few bottles of champagne and a charcuterie plate are all we need to invite friends over for the evening. For days when we are feeling more ambitious, a dinner party is perfect to introduce new friends to old. With a few general guidelines, there is no need to be intimidated.

Do take your guests’ dietary restrictions into account. Craft a flexible menu that accommodates various restrictions, when possible. Set aside extra sauce for the vegetarians before adding meat to the large pot, or keep the cheese on the side for sprinkling for the lactose intolerant. With the growing number of allergies and more people choosing restricted diets for health and other reasons, today’s host does better to plan in advance and keep the party flowing smoothly. There is always a level of moderation to this; when hosting a shrimp boil there may not be much for a friend who is kosher but making the effort will mean a great deal to your guests.

Don’t forget to enjoy your guests’ company. We’re listing this up top because it is an important one! While there are always things to get from the kitchen or more ice needed, remember that you threw the party not to practice your culinary skills but to share a meal with those who enrich your life. Our rule? Once the food is on the table and all are feasting, it’s time to relax and join the conversation. We’ll get around to dessert when we’re all ready.

Do have a partner. This one is optional, but cooking and hosting can be difficult to do at the same time. Having a co-host in either a spouse, romantic ‘other’, or just a good friend can be very helpful so you can greet guests and get dinner on the table. On that note, for a more formal or larger event, consider bringing in outside help. Taskrabbit or KitchIt are great for those in cities. Elsewhere, a little assistance can be found in neighborhood teenagers or as professional as a catering company or private chef.

Don’t neglect the importance of ambiance. You don’t have to handcraft place cards for every event, but a few flowers, coordinating colors on the table, or a bit of candlelight go far to creating a memorable first impression. Plus, your guests will be more likely to overlook the mismatched chairs you brought from all over the house or the fact that the kitchen is less than spotless.

Do let your guests contribute. For informal events, party RSVP sites like evite even lets you list requested items (salad, dessert, wine, etc.) for guests to sign up for to keep things simple. Otherwise, when guests ask, “What can I bring?” give them a choice of two things that would be helpful. While assigning specific dishes is taking things a shade too far, don’t feel you have to do it all yourself.

Happy Entertaining!

You know it’s a good week online when you have trouble narrowing down your favorite finds! We poured through the pages of our RSS reader, intent on bringing you only the best. Without further adieu, here’s what we’ve deemed as “can’t miss” inspiration:

We are big fans of Bethany Struble’s blog, Snakes Nest, and are totally obsessed with her latest outfit. Such simple pieces- like a white dress, jean jacket, and ankle boots- came together for what may be our uniform for spring. We love it!

Over at The Glitter Guide, Caitlin shared 3 Ways to Style Your Entryway. It’s amazing how a few simple adjustments can make such a huge difference- and is total motivation to do some redecorating in our own places. We’re crushing on the second option- tell us, which way is your favorite??

Bri, the creative connoisseur behind designlovefest, made a super-cute cocktail video that has us ready for summer entertaining. Not only did we learn a ton about various alcohols, ingredients, and glassware- but we’re itching to try the Fleur de Lis they created. Lemon + violet? Yes please!

On Domaine (AKA one of our favorite new shelter sites!!), they teamed up with two renowned designers to show readers the “proper” way to dress a bed! As you may expect… each designer (John Robshaw & Barbara Barry) had a few different opinions… but our biggest takeaway is layering is key for a luxurious night’s sleep.

Here at Rue… we had a bit of a different How To. Kicking off the week with our Distressed Denim installment of Weekly Wardrobe, we partnered with Amanda to show how to create the look yourself. Turns out, DIYing denim is a total breeze… and is definitely how we’ll be spending our Saturday.

Now, it’s your turn! Leave your favorite links from the week in the comments below. We can’t wait to see!

Yesterday Claire Thomas showed us around her home and her favorite place in LA- the farmer’s market. Today she’s sharing the perfect recipe for summer meals. Eat it with a simple salad for a weeknight dinner or grill next to steaks for the ideal outdoor supper party. Quick, simple, and delicious is exactly how this California girl cooks on her blog, The Kitchy Kitchen, her nationally syndicated show on ABC, Food for Thought with Claire Thomas, and in her cookbook out next year. Time to fire up the grill!

Grilled Asparagus with Chili and Truffle Oil
For 2-3

1 bunch asparagus (thicker stalks work best)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon truffle oil
1/4 cup finely grated parmesan
salt and pepper

Chop the woody tough part of the asparagus off (the bottom inch or two), and dress with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill over high heat until marked up, but not totally blackened (about 4-5 minutes total). Immediately drizzle with truffle oil and sprinkle on the chili flakes and parm. Toss together with your hands and serve.