By Boe Black Contrast Necklace. I love how it stands out yet is so simple and delicate. Could be worn casually or for going out.

Splendid Round Neck Tee. A great stripy staple. Perfect all through the year, either with shorts in the summer or jeans and boots in the winter.

Porcelain Boho Navy Top. Beautiful dark navy silk draped perfectly and totally flattering. Style it with skinny black jeans and stilettos for a stylish night out.

Splendid Heather Grey Vintage tee. This is the sort of thing that is great to get in the sale. Perfectly practical, super soft and comfy. Yet luxury chic all at the same time. 

xMary 

This week RRR HQ has been all a-buzz with the launch of Little Citizens Boutique – a candy shop of kid’s clothes and lifestyle treats, taking temporary ‘pop-up’ residence chez Red Ruby Rouge.  To say we’re happy to share our space with this newbie store doesn’t quite cover it – we have loved soaking up the adorable baby gifts and exclusive ‘mini’ fashion lines brought to NI by the mastermind behind LCB, Alicia Waddell. Frankly we feel honored to share even a little in the launch of this inspiring new online retailer. 

For two weeks only Little Citizens Boutique’s mission is to bring the best designs from around the world. Seeking out independent and small labels from Paris to Hong Kong through the Mojave desert that design with vision and style. The toys and clothes inspire the imagination, to remind us of good times past and present, and to prepare little citizens for the adventures of their life. 

Little Citizens Boutique is unique not only in it’s product base but also in the fact it is the first Pop-Up shop to hit our home town Holywood and one of a growing group of exciting new businesses in Northern Ireland to jump on the band wagon of all things Pop-Up.

It seems that the first Pop-Ups appeared in 1999 in LA but the idea of having a short term store stocking limited edition items quickly spread from niche to global as brands like Kate Spade, Gucci and Liberty saw the benefit of creating an exclusive limited lease selling space.

2011 saw a wave of Pop-Up businesses spread across Northern Ireland, the most talked about one being Home, a collaboration between chef Ben Haller and furniture up-cycling collective Refound (who coincidentally collaborated with Alicia on kitting out LCB). Creating an event as well as first class dining the short-term nature of the Pop-up caused a frenzy of bookings so keen were we to share the experience before it was gone.

While we’re lucky enough to have the LCB oh our doorstep, come by and meet the team and check out the newest retail trend holding it’s own in this tough climate. And of course, don’t forget to pop in to see the latest in NYC design In Red Ruby Rouge, that way everyone will look good!

x Caroline

Here at RRR, we love ourselves a good Pop Up - whether resto, shop or art installation, what's not to love about a fresh and inspiring concept to brighten up your Monday morning and that is exactly what has happened here today. 

We are super-duper-uber delighted to be home to the Little Citizens Boutique, a haven of adorable baby clothes, perfect newborn gifts and the sweetest kid's lifestyle goodies we have ever seen. LCB is residing chez RRR for two weeks (June 11 - June 24) and we already feel inspired to have such an exciting new neighbour. You absolutely must take a few minutes to browse their b-e-a-utiful new web store (attention please to the hand drawn illustrations that pepper the site) and if you are local to our store, stop by to peruse these gorgeous picks up close. We challenge any mother/ grandmother/ god mother/ baby gift buyer not to want everything immediately! 

xfiona 

Last weeks' hot Red Carpet event had to be the ever stylish MTV Movie Awards. Never mind the actual awards it was all about the red carpet for us!  It was a relatively casual and laid back affair with the likes of Taylor Lautner and Channing Tatum going without a tie and unbuttoned shirts. The girls went for cute dresses and high stilettos.         

Our favourite of the night had to be the monochrome Martin Grant 2012 dress worn by RRR favorite Emma Stone. She paired the dress with Atwood two tone Grace pumps and Tiffany jewels. This dress just suits her down to the ground and as usual Emma Stone gives us all a lesson on how to rock the latest trends.

Emma Watson went for an on trend sports luxe look with a Brood Fall 2012 digi print top and skirt. She paired the edgy look with Tabitha Simmons Gothic sandals and rocky cuffs.

Fashion icon of the moment Kristen Stewart as usual got the look bang on with a Guishem Dress and Louboutin heels. We absolutely love the colours and style of this look and Kristen Stewart is fast becoming our go to girl for all the latest trends. She also took home the ‘Best Kiss’ award for the fourth year in a row!

Charlize Theron in the wake of success from Snow White and the Huntsman and Prometheus, wore a sizzling scarlet peplum Lanvin dress.  She kept things simple with her accessories, Jimmy Choo strappy sandals and Cartier jewels. Theron really brought some sophisticated style to the awards and this look is a winner.

So those are our favourites from the awards, who did you like?

xMary 

All the stars where in attendance for Sunday's BAFTA Television Awards 2012.  With the temperatures soaring on the Red (white and blue) Carpet we bring you who was hot and who was not from London last night.

Louise Redknapp wore Gucci to varying response - some say drab, others say fab. At RRR we love the dropped waist and the colour blocking but it has to be said that this was a very safe option for the presenter.

Davina Mccall rocked a Michael Kors belted zebra print dress and amazing hot pink Jimmy Choo heels. 

Fearne Cotton wore a vintage gold shimmering dress with Kirkwood heels and finished off the retro look with a slick of red lippy and side swept hair. Holly Willoughby wore designer of the moment Jenny Packham pink gown, accessorised with matching clutch and silver jewels.

The most daring look of the evening had to be Kelly Brooke in a Jacques Azagury tutu dress. Kelly scored points for accessorizing with a cool blue clutch and beautiful sandals.

So who do you think deserved an award for their Red Carpet appearance? 

xMary

Sounds: Loving the chilled out sounds of vintage Bon Iver for these beautiful warm summer days.

Wearing: Rachel Rose printed silk tee’s with jeans and brown Kurt Geiger sandals.

Smell: L’Eau de Chloe Eau de Toilette for summer floral notes.

Make up: Mac's frost ‘Bombshell” lippy and plenty of bronzer on the cheeks!

Nail Polish: Chanels Le Vernis Nail Colour in Blue Boy. These jean colours are going beautifully with floaty summer styles.

People: Trendy photographers snapping the shop for upcoming publications.

Travel: RRR-er Caroline is chilling out at the Chelsea Flower Show.

New In: Loup NYC - check out the fab forest green maxi skirt.

Plans for the weekend:  Al Fresco dinners in the fading dusky nights. I’ll be making a gorgeous Jamie Oliver Moroccan Tagine on Saturday night and drinking Prosecco. Can’t wait!  

xMary

I think it’s about time we discussed some of the jaw dropping Red Carpet action we have seen recently from twinkle town and further. Forget the Oscars, the style we have seen at the Met Gala, the Cannes Film Festival and various other events has had us literally squirming with jealousy.

Let's start with the Met Gala. Nicknamed the Oscars for Fashion, this year did not disappoint. The favorite had to be Carey Mulligan in THAT Prada dress. Showing all the wannabees how its done, she literally shone in a twinkling metallic disc dress. She later auctioned this off on eBay to raise money for Oxfam America so she has pretty much sealed the deal for beautiful, stylish and charitable celeb of the moment. (Muffled expressions of jealousy and exasperation)

One of the major Red Carpet moments of the week has to be the premier of the new film Snow White and the Huntsman. To be honest I wasn’t really expecting this event to be as show-stopping as it turned out to be. Kristen Stewart has fully evolved as a fashionista of the highest pedigree. Stepping out of her usual comfy trainers and jeans she wore an incredible Marchesa Gown to the London event that resembled a very delicate skeletal form under all the embroidery and lace. She is officially our ‘One to Watch’ for future Red carpet events, and we can’t wait to see what she wears next! 

Then finally the Cannes Film festival. With all the favourite celebs, models, actors and photographers tweeting and instagrammimg about this event we couldn’t wait to see all the pics so far. Diane Kruger wore an asymmetric mint green flowing gown by Giambattista Valli Couture that billowed out in the in the Riviera Breeze. Tres Chic. Eva Longoria stole the show in a Marchesa close cut gown, featuring a fab train of corsage tulle.

Oh, to be floating round Cannes at the moment, in amazing designer dresses and shoes – it’s a hard life for these A listers!

 So that’s our little round up of the Red Carpet events of the past week. And now that we are all up to date – roll on the next ones…

xMary

At Red Ruby Rouge we love to have as many clothes as possible in our wardrobes. For me it’s something of a life ambition to have certain things hanging in my closet. However in these current economic climates even I have to realise the beauty of a fabulous capsule wardrobe. The concept is simple. Have a list of a few basic items that can all be worn in conjunction with each other and that is it. No massive piles of unwanted or unworn clothing. Each item has to be the perfect example and most flattering of its kind on you. This way you always look great, co-coordinated and slick. It’s worth investing in some of these items since you are going to get a lot of wear out of each piece.

Here is a little guideline for you to get started. (And a few RRR suggestions!)

• One Jacket. -  From cropped leather to tweed blazer whatever suits you and your personal style

• Two Skirts - pencil for day, silk and flowing for evening

• An amazing dress –  Hunter Dixon red we think!

• Jeans – have to be the best you ever had.

• One quality knit . . . cashmere jumper, or vintage cardi whatever is most you. We think White and Warren anything would fit in perfectly here.

• Lovely Tailored trousers or leggings  - make sure they fit perfectly like Niki Biki Stretch Leggings.

• Two Silk blouses / shirts  - Tucker by Gaby Basora or an injection of Porcelain NYC?

• Basic white T or some great Splendid luxury cottons. 

• 2 handbags -  a carry everywhere, chuck everything in version, and one perfect little trendy Marketa Clutch for nights out

• Coat  - for a whole season it will be the piece you’re seen in most so get this one right!

Of course no one ever said you have to just have ‘One’ capsule wardrobe!

x Mary 

The excitement is high at RRR headquarters this week because we have just had a shipment of one of our fave new designers -  Rachel Rose. There is always a scramble for choice pieces and this season's loot certainly doesn’t disappoint!

There is something so refreshing about light beautiful silk shirts with inky spots dappled all over the surface. Each piece is truly individual and unique - these are going to be perfect on holiday or just wandering around with sandals in the summer sun.

Directly inspired by nature, clouds, fruit, the night sky and the sea, Rachel Rose is a true artist. Every piece is hand dyed in her trendy and enviable New York studio.

Production is kept local, virtually waste free and environmentally sustainable. Even the scraps of material are made into little belts or chic hair ties to keep your big hair in check!

We have a lovely selection in store now including three beautiful styles of silk tees. Each has a basic base colour palette of blues, greens pinks and lilacs. The newest style to Red Ruby Rouge is the Simple Belted Shift Dresses. These come in tantalizing hues of Grey/ Navy/ Blue or a Pink/ Lilac. We promise you will love this designer, so get down here quick and snap yours up before they all go! 

xMary 

My hair is a mess today. Frizzy and poorly formed curls are the bane of my existence – well today anyway. I have mid to short length curly thick red hair and it is something of a daily battle of ‘Me vs Hair’ to even get out of the house in the morning! A few years ago I took the executive decision on behalf of me and my sanity, to chop it off in a short curly bob style. This has worked well and I loved my new short style for exactly a year and a half. Then as I am admittedly a changeable person I soon got bored and began lusting after the long luscious locks I see on cool bloggers from New York and in magazines. The reality of living in Northern Ireland not Manhattan and our near 90% humidity did not enter in my decision making at this time.

So fast forward a few months, I now have an out of shape, dry looking mess that I got wet on the walk in to work this morning. This is so depressing!

Decision time has come. Stay short, chic and manageable or face the expected war that will be managing long curly hair. I wish for smooth blow dried curls every day, but realistically this is not going to happen. The other issue is that I am not prepared to wait through the months of growing it out to get my perfect style. Stubborn though I am I may just have to admit defeat with this one, and get it chopped off as the odds of surviving are stacked against me!

xMary