Join me as I share the behind-the-scenes diaries of curating my boutique-on-wheels experience from the beginning in 2017 up until now. I’ll be highlighting the latest trends, discussing the ins and outs of mobile retail and the inside scoop on the good, bad + ugly.
But it's not just about fashion; it's also about community. I also co-founded 'A Local Collective' with my boutique bestie, Katie Lakin and I'll dive into the heart of supporting small businesses and sharing killer collaborations. Discover how my passion for fashion extends beyond the truck, creating a collective space that uplifts and unites entrepreneurs in Nebraska.
You can expect conversations with fellow small business owners, insights into the fashion industry's trends, and exclusive peeks into hello ruby. And if you know me personally, you know I can't skip on celebrity gossip, Bravo, and the hottest trends on TikTok.
You'll be able to listen + watch on all major podcasting platforms! Thanks for the support, as always!
WHERE THERE'S A WHEEL, THERE'S A WAY! Listen to the podcast trailer here.
GO PLAY!
]]>Job Title: Photoshoot Coordinator/Stylist/Model
Job Description:
hello ruby, an online boutique and fashion truck specializing in women's clothing, is seeking a photoshoot coordinator slash stylist slash model (lol) to join our team. This person will be responsible for organizing and executing our product photoshoots and also modeling for the photos.
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
This is a part-time contract position with a flexible schedule. If you are passionate about fashion and have a keen eye for photography, we encourage you to drop us your IG & resume to info@shophelloruby.com
]]>Valentine's Day Ideas for the girls: Making the Most of the Holiday of Love
Valentine's Day can be a special time to celebrate love, friendship, and relationships. Whether you're single or in a relationship, there are plenty of fun ways to celebrate this holiday. Here are some ideas for women to make the most of Valentine's Day:
Galentine's Day Party: Get together with your closest gal pals for a fun night of food, drinks, and celebration. Plan a potluck dinner, bake some sweet treats, or mix up some cocktails and enjoy each other's company.
Couples Spa Day: If you're in a relationship, treat yourself and your significant other to a relaxing spa day. Book massages, facials, and other treatments, and spend the day pampering yourselves and enjoying each other's company.
Wine Tasting: Visit a local winery or wine bar with your friends or significant other and taste some delicious wines. This is a fun way to learn about wine, try new flavors, and enjoy some quality time together.
Adventure Date: If you and your partner enjoy adventure, plan a day of outdoor activities like hiking,
Movie Night: Snuggle up on the couch with your loved one or a group of friends and watch some of your favorite romantic movies or comedies. You can also have a movie-themed night movie marathon.
Game Night: Grab a deck of cards or a board game and have a fun night in with your loved one or a group of friends. You can also plan a game tournament and make it a friendly competition.
Volunteer Together: Give back to your community by volunteering together on Valentine's Day. You can help out at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or any other organization that you both support.
Night Out: Head out to a concert, show, or comedy club for a fun night out. You can also plan a night out on the town with your friends or significant other, exploring the local bar and restaurant scene.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Valentine's Day, the most important thing is to make it a day that you enjoy and that reflects your personal interests and preferences. So, go ahead and make the most of this holiday of love, and have fun!
A Local Collective has grown the past few years since myself (hello ruby owner, Jill Dudzinski) and Katie of Little Mango co-founded this.
Every year since 2017 we both traveled to Kansas City and Des Moines for Holiday Shows for a full five days of hard work, fun and meeting new customers.
We always talked and dreamed about how we would do it if Omaha -- full of support for our community, fun for our customers, bringing in Santa and of course a philanthropic aspect to help those in need. With the success of Modern Market at our warehouse, we have finally expanded and are introducing Holiday Modern Market!!
You can expect to get a head start on your holiday shopping, a kids fun area with, yes, the man himself, SANTA! 🎅🏼 There will be a cash bar, food (& coffee), a wrapping station + more! Support Angels Among Us (a local charity helping families with kids with cancer) with your advance ticket purchase. There’s only 15 days left to snag a ticket for $6!
]]>😉
this weekend we brought our hello ruby label into Kansas City’s Array of Shops in Town Center Plaza! we always love coming to the KC markets so this decision was a no brainer. Array: a collection of shops, is home to multiple local businesses and makes shopping small simple. we're so happy we've been added to their line-up, and our loyal Kansas customers can shop a little closer to home and all year long!
now you can shop our exclusive hello ruby label online at shophelloruby.com, on Instagram @hellorubytruck, at our pop-ups, and Array at 5320 w 119th St, Leawood, Kansas.
]]>We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their loved ones and are feeling the holiday spirit. As the final autumn leaves fall and we enter the thick of the holiday season, shopping for the perfect gifts is at the top of everyone’s to-do list. And it can feel oh-so-easy to open Amazon and purchase with the single click of a button. Hello, timesaver. With a million other hectic things to prepare for this time of year, the ease of buying gifts from corporate giants is tempting. Because as much as we’d all love to spend 100% of our budget on shopping local, sometimes it simply is not feasible.
But that doesn’t mean you should exclusively shop at giant retailers, either! In moderation, you can find a balance. Use the 80/20 guideline: 80% corporate, 20% local.
It’s an easy mantra to apply going into your holiday season, and it helps make a big impact on the local community. Here are just a few benefits of dedicating a small portion of your gift-giving budget to local vendors:
You are boosting the economy around you.
Visualize the money that you spend at a local business staying local — you are literally investing in the betterment of your hometown.
Your gifts will be one-of-a-kind.
When you purchase from a local artist, maker, or small business, you get to give presents that can’t be found anywhere else. Nothing beats that kind of satisfaction.
You are making an eco-friendly decision.
Buying gifts from a smaller-scale business rather than a giant corporation means that you’ve chosen to reduce any additional pollutants.
You know exactly who you are buying from.
Have you ever felt guilty about not knowing where and how your gifts were sourced and assembled? There’s more peace of mind when you buy directly from a local maker.
You are supporting the dreams of a business owner in your hometown.
And you have the chance to directly impact the livelihood of that artist, craftsman, or maker in your own community.
The reality is that it’s not always easy to shop local - but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. With Small Business Saturday approaching on Saturday, November 27th, remember the 80/20 rule as you scroll through your gift-giving guide. That small push to add a few local gifts to your shopping cart will leave a big impact! So thank you for choosing us to be a part of your list. Anything big or small really means the world to us and we are thankful for you ❤️
Happy Holidays!
xoxo go play, Jill & crew
]]>meet the hello ruby crew!
come kick back at HQ with the hello ruby gals! we're entering the holiday szn (yay!), and we figured you'd want to meet the faces behind all the clothes, packages, and events that you won't want to miss this year! we love the little "family" that hello ruby has cultivated and we get so excited when everyone is in the office, it's so fun!
]]>come kick back at HQ with the hello ruby gals! we're entering the holiday szn (yay!), and we figured you'd want to meet the faces behind all the clothes, packages, and events that you won't want to miss this year! we love the little "family" that hello ruby has cultivated and we get so excited when everyone is in the office, it's so fun!
jill • owner + head honcho
the brains behind the beauty of hello ruby! jilly keeps these girls in line and makes sure to order all the coolest and cutest looks. she has a deep rooted passion for small biz and the people who support it, aka you! reach out and tell her what's on your mind, she loves to hear from the hello ruby groupies!
denie • graphics + marketing extraordinaire
she joined the crew as an intern in her ole college days and she just couldn't stay away! she's blossomed into our graphic designer, marketing guru, merchandising go-to and so much more. if you get a text or email, she is the one making it all pretty!
grace • pop-up + shipping queen
the beautiful smiling face we know you've seen on the truck & at the pop-ups. from tagging all the product, to shipping out your orders, to welcoming you to so many events, grace does it all! not only will you see her in omaha but catch her in KC this winter at the holiday shows! yay grace!
madalyn • model turned pop-up girlio
a newer face at hello ruby but oh so familiar! you've seen her as the gorgeous model that joined us this fall and that's not the end of it! she's joining the pop-up culture and is ready to say hello to each of you at the events to come. she's literally the sweetest soul so stop by and say hellooo!
maddi • try-on tuesday legend
red rover red rover send maddi right over! we stole our tuesday legend from our friends at little mango and never looked back, (sorry KT!) she shows you the cool girl looks, and gives you the best styling tips... so basically she's your bestie. think we can get her to jump on the truck too?
--------
we're so thankful for all the work these girls do to keep us movin' and shakin'! their genuine care for hello ruby & our customers make the company culture something so special.
it's like they say, if you love what you do (& who you're doing it with) you'll never work a day in your life! so as our motto says, go play!
xoxo, the hello ruby crew
]]>we've seen beer flights, wine flights, and the coffee flights from our friends at Zen Coffee Company have been all the rage as of late! we couldn't resist the fun and have decided to put our hello ruby twist on things.
our jewelry flights ™ are flying in to deliver you a whole new accessory look! not only will you get a new necklace, bracelet, earrings, and hair clips, but also the cutest wood paddle & glasses that will be the perfect decoration in any part of your home. everything included is valued over $135 but with our exclusive jewelry flight you get it all for $75 with FREE shipping! get your on board now, quantities are limited, & we'll sell out fast!
what's included:
we've always loved collaboration and we are having the flight collaboration of your (& our) dreams! Zen Coffee Company is also launching their Toast Flight series! we've taste-tested the line-up and you guys are going to be O B S E S S E D 🙌 i could literally eat the caprese toast every. single. day.
if you're a flight fanatic like us, get your hands on our drop of ‘catch flights, not feelings’ crewneck in collaboration with Zen! there is no coincidence that the jewelry in our flights are the perfect accessories and also gives you extra room to fill up on toast & coffee- we're professionals don't forget it.
shop with us online at shophelloruby.com to lock in your flight and get a taste of Zen's flight selections at their two locations, 2504 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131 & 2505 S 133rd Plaza, Omaha, NE 68144.
]]>if you haven't already heard the news, we're going to be on the morning toast!! to some a small ad like this doesn't mean much, but to someone who has found comfort, guidance, and friendship through the toaster community, this means everything. like E V E R Y T H I N G.
claud & jackie have formed a space where all millennials can spill the hottest tea and be fully themselves without society judging everything they do. (including wearing skinny jeans & side parts, lol kidding but like not..?)
whether you're already a daily listener or a newbie, tune in tomorrow wednesday the 24th to hear a little shoutout to hello ruby and fan girl along with us. if anything comes from this we hope the toast cult following grows just a liiiiittle bit more and we all can start talking all things TMT!
don't be RHD, and find the pod on these channels:
audioboom, apple podcast, spotify, & stitcher
SPECIAL BONUS: we're dropping a hot new collection in their honor & you won't want to miss it. pretending the weather is extra ~toasty~ and preparing for the spring sun! shop now!
we don't mean to brag, but seems jackie-o is a fan. see here & here.
]]>do you ever not realize you're obsessed with a color until you look in your closet and half of your clothes are that color? that's how we feel about our newest arrivals and the color sage!
nothing says spring like a pop of color and these green tones do just the job while staying neutral enough to mix & match. we're getting heavy inspo from Pantone's Spring/Summer 2021 color palettes and think you're going to love them just as much as we do!
Pantone's "Tomatillo" green brings a vibrant, yet subtle, glow to any outfit just like our almost spring knit & almost spring knit mini. this set is trimmed with a cutsie small frill but hugs your curves to make you feel just spicy enough. the mini has an adjustable string to make it as short or long as you please!
if you want to bring the blazer trend into your spring wardrobe you must shop the sage oversized leni blazer, sage square micro top, and sage paper bag shorts! this set together is tooooo die for. effortlessly profesh and on trend. each piece is just as good paired with any of your other fav tops and bottoms!
but not sure if you're ready to totally commit to this sagey trend - shop the double slit mini. a faded tie-dye style pattern gives you a mix of dark greens with just a hint sage. the perfect bottom to pair with your favorite graphic tee and head off to drinks with the gals.
spring fever is SO real, and so is sage fever. no better color to walk into the new season with! you know what they say - green is the color of nature, it symbolizes, growth, harmony, and freshness. I don't know about you guys but I'm ready for all of those things - bring it on spring!
]]>we're collaborating with local Omaha based boutiques and are coming to ya with multiple HUGE sticker sales for up to 90% off your favorite items! how is the possible may you ask? here's the DL.
it all started when my friend Katie, owner of Little Mango a kids boutique, and I decided to do a blowout sale to make room for new inventory in our boutiques. we rented out an old Hallmark off 120th & dodge to create a make-shift store front (dressing rooms made of old card holders to boot) and have been doing the same thing ever since.
we search for spaces to all over the omaha area to rent for a weekend and sell everything from sweaters, jackets, graphic tees, jeans, dresses, and more for as little as $5-$25!! (literally up to 90% off you guys, that's insane.)
events like this even sparked a new venture for Katie and I called A Local Collective. through this we've gotten to team up so many new small businesses across the state by hosting online shopping events to connect each other to new opportunity.
come shop this huge boutique warehouse sale & say hello to me, Katie, & our other local friends!
Boutique Warehouse Sale | West
633 N 114th St, Omaha, NE 68154
Thursday, Jan. 28 / 11-5
Friday, Jan. 29 / 11-5
Saturday, Jan. 30 / 10-4
Boutique Warehouse Sale | Midtown
3201 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131
Thursday, Feb. 4 / 11-5
Friday, Feb 5 / 11-5
Saturday, Feb 6 / 10-4
Boutique Warehouse Sale | Online
shophelloruby.com || alocalcollectivene.com
Starts: Monday, Feb. 15 / 8am CST
Ends: Friday, Feb. 20 / 11:59pm CST
]]>
First, you have to gather all of your supplies:
These are literally the only supplies needed for this!
The sweatshirt I used in the video is from Walmart and it was literally $8, they also have different colors and matching sweatpants too! If you don’t feel like buying a sweatshirt/don’t want to go through the hassle at Walmart, you could use any clothing piece in your closet that you feel as if you’ve overworn, has lost its character, or it’s just something you can’t make yourself get rid of even though you don’t wear it.
Then after you have all of your supplies, you can start the whole process. (Tip: make sure you’re wearing clothes that could get ruined by bleach without breaking your heart) You start off with preparing the clothing piece, I did the basic scrunch and swirl tie-dye technique for my sweatshirt because that has been the most popular on my social media. But, if you want to make it more exclusive, you can google “tie-dye patterns”. So many cool ideas will pop up and there are also usually directions along with the patterns to assist you in the technique.
After you decided on your pattern, you then add rubber bands to the clothing. I promise the way you put your rubber bands over the piece and the number of bands you use, do not matter, it’s just to make sure it stays tight while being bleached.
The next step is to get the item wet, you can do this outside with the hose, in your bathtub, sink, anywhere you can trust yourself using bleach.
Once your clothing piece has gotten wet you now can apply the bleach! You add bleach to both the “top” and “bottom” of the clothing. (Tip: I used my hands and smashed the bleach into the clothing. Did this make it work better? I’m not actually sure) In the video, I used “toilet bowl cleaner bleach” because, in my opinion, it saves you money and hassle. You don’t have to get an extra container and then put the bleach in there and then hope it will work to go on to your shirt. The toilet bowl cleaner is already in a bottle? If you may? Anyway, it works great for keeping your hands free from touching any bleach. I also think that it’s easier to place the bleach in the desired spots that you want when it’s more of a gel-like concoction. But, regardless of the bleach you decide to use, it will get the job done.
After about 15-30 minutes come back and check up on your project! You should be able to see the bleach in action at this point. You want the bleach to sit on the fabric long enough for all the spots to be uniform in color. But, don’t let the bleach sit too long because it has more potential of destroying the fibers of the clothing. - That being said not every piece of clothing is made out of the same material, obviously, so time may vary, after 15 minutes you may be able to move on to the next step! I let the bleach sit on my sweatshirt for about 22 minutes.
Nowwww take off the rubber bands and look at your almost complete masterpiece!! (or don’t and surprise yourself) After the rubber bands are removed, you can throw your artwork into the washer, change the setting to cold water, and fling in your detergent. (Please do NOT wash with any other clothing pieces this bad boy deserves his own load) After washing it you can dry it any way you desire.
And then VIOLA you just tie-dye bleached!!! My favorite part about this activity is that no matter how hard you try no item will be like the other, it’s an enjoyably unique way to update your closet. Oh, and become TikTok trendy. Tag us in the items you make!! Can’t wait to see them!!
Stay safe! -Elli
]]>A Local Collective Nebraska Hosts Small Shop Online Virtual Market
Omaha – In an effort to support small businesses in Nebraska, A Local Collective will be hosting an online virtual market on Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26, 2020. The goal of A Local Collective is to create a one-stop shopping platform that focuses on bringing a variety of online small Nebraska-based businesses together in one place, while also making it easy for customers to shop the online market with one universal discount code valid this weekend only.
Due to the recent global situation due to Covid-19, many small businesses have been significantly impacted and have experienced a loss in sales. As a result, A Local Collective realized a need to move quickly and think creatively about how to market small businesses in Nebraska. This is where the idea of the Online Virtual Market came from.
By creating this online space, each individual business will be able to direct their customers to the website to shop their sale while also introducing their customers to other small shops in Nebraska. Small businesses are the core of our communities and it is vital we continue to support these brands and keep our shopping dollars local when possible.
A Local Collective’s online virtual market features clothing and accessory boutiques for men, women and children, dog accessories, hair products, artisan bags, jewelry, gift items and paper goods.
A Local Collective was established in 2018 by Katie Manganaro, owner of Little Mango Children’s Boutique and Jill Dudzinski, owner of Hello Ruby Women’s Boutique. Both women saw a need to collaborate with other local, small businesses to help promote each other and learn best business practices and new ideas. A Local Collective’s first event was a Small Shop Holiday Market located inside Westroads Mall in November & December 2018.
For more information, please visit https://alocalcollectivene.com
hi, 2020, how are ya??
why is it that 2020 seems more exciting than others? is anyone else so ready for a fresh start in a new year?
it would be a crime if we rang in the new year in a bum outfit though right? we pulled 4 of our fav pieces that will be sure to send you into the new year on the right foot.
1. GLITTER GLAM
this little mini dress serves the most glitter of all the looks. a showstopper you ask? duh. the midnight shine dress features a scrunch detail in the front, super flattering if you find yourself sippin' extra bubbly this holiday 😜🍾, a front panel that gives more length in the front, and a spicy spaghetti strap. pair it with your fav hoops + a sassy shoe {sometimes a planner bootie} and you have yourself a winner!
2. SHAKIN' SHIMMER
it's so shiny i'm gonna die!! ✨
be ready for heads to turn when you're rockin' this baby! shimmery gold from head {or chest? 🤣} to toe! i've got the gold, pops romper is a fully pleated strapless romper with a tie to accentuate your natural waist.
3. LAVISH LACE
for our gals that don't fancy a dress or romper this one's for you! our for your ex cami's lace detail and shimmery fabric brings just enough shine to make you stand out. easy to pair with your fav jeans {the five star high rise} and statement booties {snake crawler ankle bootie} to make the perfect NYE staple outfit! 🙌🏼
4. S'MUCH SCRUNCH
could you ever go wrong in a LBD?? um yeah, no you can't. this archie pull dress is forever a winner in our book. a spin on a classic look, it gives you a chance to show off those legs girl! if you forget to get a spray tan {lol gets us every time😅} have no fear, this baby is fully adjustable. you decide how much leg to show and how deep the cowl goes! we paired it with our {mild} statement booties- the white croc booties!
hope everyone has a happy new year! this year doesn't have to be "new year, new me" but find intentions to make yourself better each day- there's always room for growth, just don't be too hard on yourself!
&& go play!
Cheers Denie & Jill ✨🥂💛
]]>We have partnered with ReRUNS; the Nation's Largest Non-Profit Consignment Sale. All of their profits are donated to charities in our community and around the world.
They are dedicated to supporting non-profit organizations that empower, advance, protect, respect, and strengthen family life. In support of the family, they seek to improve the mind, body and spirit of as many children as possible.
Their focus is giving funding on committed, grass root organizations that rely strongly on volunteer efforts.
Coats collected during this year’s drive will be given to La Vista families through a partnership with ReRuns R Fun and Papillion La Vista Community Schools. Donations of hats and mittens are also welcome.
We will have a box in the shop and will collect coats through the holidays through December 8th -- when you donate, we'll give you 50% off an item of your choice at hello ruby!
We will be driving the ole hello ruby fashion truck straight to the facility to donate to the families.
Read more on ReRUNS donations: https://www.rerunsrfun.org/reruns-gives/local-giving
]]>From Fashion Truck to Storefront
We are moving into Rockbrook for another holiday storefront pop-up!!! 2019 baby, the last two months of the decade & we're making a show-stop!
Announcing hello ruby storefront at 10813 Elm Street in Rockbrook from November 1 through December 31.
➿Grand Opening Weekend: Friday & Saturday, November 1-2 {10-6} & Sunday, November 3 {12-4} *Enjoy 20% off everything!*
➿Holiday Season Hours: Monday - Saturday {10-6} & Sunday {12-4}
You know when it gets chilly and you want to shop in a normal temperature? Yeah, we got you. Sleep well, fashion truck -- we'll see you again come spring.
Join Jill, Denie {with a possible Ruby appearance} and the gang for a couple months. We really just want to hang with ya.
]]>"Top 5, top 5, top 5.."
Oh, how we've missed you so!! Picture this, you're off work, you're going to take your dog on a walk, the sun is beginning to set, the weather is at a perfect 62 degrees, you have your favorite leggings and sweater on AND you're not sweating your a$$ off !! Can it get any better???
2. Iced Drinks Turn to Hot Drinks
Will we still order a medium iced Carmelicious 1/2 the flavoring every morning? Yes. Will we no longer have to water our drinks down with ice? Absolutely. Bring on those hot steamy Carmelicious that make the mornings much more bearable.
Okay for me this is an all year thang but for Jill the claws are about to be ~all natural~. And by that we mean the color - we're going back to the neutrals. Yes, 100% we still will be getting plastic tips glued to our nails than covered in an artificial dip to make ourselves feel like we have our lives together.
Anyone else have a thing for long sleeves? For a person that easily sweats, it's a very complicated relationship but man do I love long sleeves, hoodies, sweaters, etc. With that we cannot just jump headfirst into the chunky knits and heavy sweaters- that would be a disaster, emphasis on the sweat. The good news is we have the perfect fall transition sweaters that will satisfy your fall needs but are light enough to be paired with shorts, jeans, leggings, or skirts!
Like heels but better, more stability. The booties are coming back but why make them the boring ole neutrals we see every year? Spice things up this season with the print that is absolutely EVERYWHERE, snakeskin babyyy.
]]>Heyooo, Denie here! Jill and I are back from Las Vegas Market (sad) and I wanted to give you all the inside scoop on what it’s like to go to the clothing market for the first time! To help you paint a picture of what this experience is like, let me break it down a little before we dive in completely.
Throughout the year convention centers around the world are packed with clothing vendors from everywhere that display and sell their products for businesses, like us hello ruby, so we can bring them to our wonderful customers like you all. Jill most typically goes to the Vegas market, MAGIC. She goes in February to order from the brand’s Spring lines and if she’s lucky maybe see a sneak peek of what is to come for prefall. Then in August, what we just went to, she orders Fall/Winter/Athleisure clothing and gets a glimpse of what is what come Spring. The kicker is there are HUNDREDS of vendors to weed through. It’s an opportunity for us to actually touch and see (and on occasion try-on lol) the clothes that we order for you guys to make sure they’re exactly what we want. The physical “samples” that are on the racks aren’t always exactly what we get in a shipment but it’s helpful for us to actually handpick the clothes compared to just ordering online and crossing our fingers for the best. SOOOO this is what it was like from my eyes.
First Impression: Overwhelming and exciting!!
There is no situation that is comparable to this. Just take my word for it when I say this place is PACKED. Luckily Jill had a game plan (JK she actually forgot to register me and we had to stand in line for an hour to do so). We already have brands that we know and love so those were our go-to’s the first day. The main stops were DoubleZero, to see our main man Eddie, and Le Leis to see Brandon. It was so fun to see how Jill has made such fun relationships with her vendors, they were just as excited to see her as we were to see the clothes… I mean them- soo cute. The first day we spent an hour in line at Starbucks before we started (lol priorities) so we went the whole day without stopping and ended the day picking out shoes mostly so we could sit down while we shopped.
The last day we spent the majority of the time searching high and low for the perfect jewelry and accessories. Let me just say, I will be purchasing one of about everything as soon as it comes in- it's sooo good. Jill also came face to face with her big time girl crush, the owner of The Tiny Coset.
Vegas wasn’t all work obviously we had to play a little. We had ourselves a Sunday Funday before market and spent the day walking the strip sippin, shoppin, and eatin. You may recall our stories form that day, and if you do…. I’m so very sorry. After day one, Jill met up with another fashion truck boss babe from Vancouver and talked “business” while I put my feet up at the hotel. After we treated ourselves to a crab + steak dinner and had ourselves a niiiight.
I’ll start this by saying I have NEVER been a fan of group fitness. I’ve tried it multiple times before and always end up quitting. I love running and totally gave up on the idea of working out in a gym. UNTIL we tried our first class at Elevate. Sarah Marshall, the owner, {Yes, like Forgetting Sarah Marshall} invited us to a class after a pop-up we had at Elevate {after Jill wouldn't go alone for the past year} and the rest was history. Every time we go to class we are excited and {nervous} gitty to see what the workout will be like. The instructors mix up the workouts so even though we’ve taken the same classes over and over, it’s never the same workout. When we leave {after chatting Sarah’s ear off for over an hour} we both feel so accomplished and motivated to join more classes.
Here is the list of the classes & their descriptions that we’ve tried so far:
Cycle & Sculpt:
Their signature 45-minute cycling class with an upper-body component, this class is set to the beat of the music that will get you going! Light hand weights are used throughout your workout to incorporate upper body toning throughout the class. Focus your energy and ride!
Cycle & Strength:
Raise your heart rate with 25 minutes of interval training on the bike and follow it with 25 minutes of floor work off the bike using dumbbells, Bosu balls, medicine balls, and TRX.
Box & Sculpt:
Get ready for a full-body workout! A combination of weights, bodyweight, TRX, and bag work will be used throughout the class.
What we loved the most:
-love the events they throw, they really strive to build a community with their clients {ehem, we pop up there a couple of times a year :)}
-feeling super fit and energized after {obvi, that ish ain't easy}
-having the competitive edge being in a group environment but having the lights off so there wasn’t any added pressure
-love the people: owner, staff, fellow clients
-how easy it is to sign up for class: the MINDBODY app makes it easy to fit the workouts into a busy schedule
-cash and coco {duh, the totally adorb pups you always see}
What was hard af:
-the classes, the instructors will work your azzz off {they cool though, don’t worry}
-being on time {sorry Sarah, we love you}
ALSO, I think I can speak for both Jill and me when I say, having a buddy to hold each other accountable was KEY. It’s so much harder to say no to a workout when someone else is counting on you. It also makes it 1000x more fun! My fav is when the instructor demonstrates a hard station in boxing then Jill and I just look at each other and laugh {is it due to fear?? 100x yes}.
Now that you have the DL on our experience at Elevate Fitness so far, we have a very special treat for you! You get the wonderful opportunity to join us on the bikes or on the bags with a free class! Find Elevate Fitness Studio on the MINDBODY app and use code ‘helloruby’ to try your first workout fo freeeee. {Message us to tell us what you signed up for so we can laugh together hehe}.
They also have a class deal for the month if July: buy 20 classes via the MINDBODY app and she'll tag on an extra 10 on your account! Also works if you buy 10, you get 5 free!
WARNING: try it once and you’ll be addicted!
BTW: No they aren't giving us a million bucks for this blog we genuinely just love it this much lol
]]>Although Jill might still introduce me as, “Denie, my intern” every now and then, this girl right here is moving onto bigger and better things. As of late, I may now be introduced as….drumroll, please…. "Denie, my brand manager". What does this mean you may ask?? I have no idea! Neither does Jill!
JUST KIDDING ….. kinda
Has our obsessive schedule of coffee, Indian food, watching Ruby, and Jeffree Star drama come to a halt? Absolutely not. We would never let that happen. {Actually, we’ve tried to cut back but it’s the first week and it’s not looking good for us or our wallets. Scooters lady to Jill this morning: “Aren’t you the medium iced Caramelicious half flavor girl?” Lmk if you hear of a Scooter’s Anonymous meeting anytime soon, I know a girl.}
What IS different this go-around is I’m making Jill relinquish the reins {just a tad} to give me just a liiiittle more responsibility. When I’m doing my thang you can catch me at work on a handful of things. Things like….
X brainstorming new marketing strategies
X social media curating
X explaining something to Jill to only realize she hasn’t been listening for the last 10 minutes
X content development/graphic design
X truck management
X hanging out with Ruby at Jill’s house when she’s gone
X customer relations
X learning the in+outs of small business
X babysitting Jill
And the list continues to grow….
So yes things are basically back to normal around here but also SO different, normal on steroids - ask Jill, she’s been dying without me ;) My position isn’t the only thing that is changing around here either. hello ruby has some very exciting new ideas in the works. I can’t tell you exactly what but all I gotta say is keep a look out for some new new.
What I caaan tell you is just for reading through this entire blog, I’ll slip ya the code “DENIE” to use at checkout for 15% off your entire order. {good for all items, excluding sale}. If you want something even sweeter than that be sure to subscribe to our email list to receive all the perks of being a part of the helloruby VIP crew!
I ALMOST FORGOT… the best and biggest change from last summer is I got my very own little Ruby, well kinda. {Apparently a requirement to work here is to have a doodle and I didn't even know it??} Her name is Lucy and she is the cutest gdang GOLDENdoodle I could’ve ever dreamed of- had to specify for the sake of Rub's feelings. {ily forever Ruby}.
Omg we had an amazing weekend full of pop-ups that were FUN! I mean all pop-ups are fun but it's such a treat to have so many fun ones in a rowwwwww!
Friday we made a stop at Hank and Ax on 129th and Maple. They remodeled their space and it's literally gorgeous. They also have new services from facials to brows so take a look on their website.
It's so scandy & airy I can't explain. I may be stopping by on another day to just hang out cuz wow is it instagramable. I also bought a face mask called by Image Skincare -- the anti-aging hydrogel sheet mask. Your girl's almost 30, so. For $7 it's like a facial in a pouch.
Fun fact: the Crane Coffee re-opened on 129th and Maple after the accident awhile ago. They had 25% off their signature drinks so mami got herself a crane special. They are also running specials all week so go see their new drive through building
Then Saturday--- so much fun. Had a pop-up at Zen Coffee where they opened their newest venture Zen Room. Check them out on IG.
They also were celebrating the opening and renaming of their neighborhood, Farnam Hill! Adorable!
Got these fresh blooms from Magnolia from their flower bar. They are already making my house smell great and it makes me happy!
And lastly, Sunday -- a pop-up with a favorite, lululemon. They styled me and paired with some hello ruby jewelry for the event. So. Much. Fun! Especially with our BFF, Little Mango.
On the fly skirt {I am wearing a 6}: https://shop.lululemon.com/p/skirts-and-dresses-skirts/On-The-Fly-Skirt-Woven/_/prod9270817?color=36763
Why I like it:
Why I like it:
Sweater: https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-scarves-gloves/Still-At-Ease-Wrap/_/prod9270746?color=4780
Why I like it:
What’d you all do?
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our cloud short sleeve breathable sweater:
our ruffle ribbed off the shoulder top:
we are still vibing for stripes as a neutral on this top:
How do you style your natural items? Are you all in for natural all over or do you pair with something bright for more sass?
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Join us February 15th from 10-2 at Village Point for a fun day of shopping hello ruby and lululemon! We will be featured in their store with a few racks and accessories for you to shop your little heart away. I mean if your significant other didn't get you the things you ACTUALLY wanted, we got you.
Here is how we styled one of our FAVORITE large printed leopard distressed sweater with lulu. We just got this beaut in!
Our favorite leggings are ones that are high waisted and some sort of texture on them that way it's easy to dress them up or you still have the option to wear them to barre/spin class. Oh and I can *literally* have my phone glued to my hip. These are a win and of course will last a lifetime. See more here.
After the sweater and legging were decided, we wanted to add some flare to the outfit. This Trace Back Bomber is made with military grade material -- it's lightweight, water repellent, and keeps you dry on the inside. I can see myself wearing this on a daily basis, too.
And all together xx a perfect HELLULU collab {Am I funny? No?}
]]>athleisure refers to casual clothing — like yoga pants, sweat pants, and hoodies — that are designed to be worn both for exercising and for doing (almost) everything else. so what exactly IS everything else. we have ideas.
any other suggestions?
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Lush Clothing is for the alluring, the ambitious, the adventurers and the trendsetters. The Lush girl is noticed for her youthful spirit. She is on the go and confident; upbeat and effortlessly stylish.
Lush has spent over ten years creating versatile pieces with Californian flair for nights that go well into the morning and days spent on the town. Since the brand was founded they have valued their savvy customers and are continually dedicated to creating stand out pieces that are uncompromising in style.
We can get on board with this! We love a brand that wants us to stand out, right? Are you familiar with Lush? Do you love their brand as much as we do?
for a limited time only,
👉🏼 buy a $25 gift card & receive $5 free
👉🏼 buy a $50 gift card & receive $10 free
👉🏼 buy a $100 gift card & receive $25 free
GIFT CARD LINK: https://shophelloruby.com/collections/gift-cards/products/gift-card-1
here’s how it works:
*at checkout you’ll purchase the gift card denomination you would like and you’ll receive it via email instantly.
*the extra bonus gift card will be emailed to you separately within 24 hours.
*promotion runs from 12/3-12/24 and gift cards never expire.
again, this happens once a year for a limited time so take advantage if ya shop with us or know someone who does. it’s a great way to sneak yourself a gift in this holiday season. we don’t tattle on who uses the free gift card ;)
]]>When I moved from my old house to my current house, I had her do a custom piece of a picture of my first house as a surprise for my husband. It’s amazing and we love it and show it proudly on our wall!
Julia’s studio sits near 20th & Leavenworth and is as adorable as she is. I snapped a few shots and if you are near the area (or not even close - worth the drive) message her to stop in. She is open by appointment only and has the cutest local, neighborhood prints, canvas totes, tea towels & beyond. It’s perfect gift items and or just to add to your own place.
This is her first Lincoln piece that she has done and wanted to collab with hello ruby on the shirts! She sent the print over and I was in love. The shirt includes Home & Closet, The Stadium {of course!!}, the Capitol, Prescott Ave., the University & more. We got them printed through a local printer that I always use, Ink Alley, and are thrilled with the detail and how they came out.
Take a look at Julia's Studio & our shoot for the shirt! PS: would you like to see other shirts? OMAHA, EHH??
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