february in instagram

artist showcase at the cornell club

preparing for my next adventure

a peek at my fall 2014 collection

bloody orange mimosas at kittichai

a peek at my summer 2014 collection

iced coffee...take that winter!

happy valentine's day

maya hayuk mural on houston street

obsessed with this window display at bergdorf's

mermaid mary's

Tai Beauchamp rocking my earrings to the Image Awards

evening at the ace hotel

playing in my studio

the pj necklace

ten years ago today I lost someone who meant the sun, the moon, and the stars to me. 

on february 26, 2004, my grandfather passed away from pancreatic cancer. he was one of the most genuine people I've ever met and I have nothing but the fondest and most amazing memories of the 20 years I had with him.  thus, loosing him to such a terrible disease was truly devastating.

a few years ago I decided to design a piece of jewelry that would benefit the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. the pj necklace {my grandfather's name was peter john stappers...but one of his nicknames was "pj"}, shown below, is handmade from faceted onyx gemstones with a purple velvet ribbon {purple is the color associated with pancreatic cancer research and support}. 100% of proceeds goes to the Lustgarten Foundation. so, be stylish with a cause.

click here for more info/to purchase

earring red carpet debut

guess what...a pair of my earrings made their red carpet debut this past weekend!! my freshwater pearl leaf earrings, from my Katie's Finds collection, were worn by the gorgeous Tai Beauchamp to the NAACP Image Awards. and Tai mentioned that Patti LaBelle (pictured below with Tai) complimented her on the earrings. so exciting!

freshwater pearl leaf earrings, Katie's Finds {$52}

introducing: the ellie bracelet

the ellie bracelets

my grandfather carried a wooden buddha with him during his deployment in europe in WWII and every morning when he woke up, he would rub the tummy for good luck. my grandmother also kept a wooden buddha with her and would rub its tummy every morning and wish for my grandfather's safety. my grandfather returned home safely in 1945 and buddha became and important symbol of luck for our family (I keep my grandfather's buddha on my dresser). 

this collection of stacking bracelets pairs wood and gemstones with resin and jade buddha figures. I named the collection ellie because that was my grandfather's nickname for my grandmother :)

inspiration tuesday: nyfw street style

all photos, nymag.com

nyfw favorites

{lela rose}

{lela rose}

{lela rose}

{mara hoffman}

{mara hoffman}

{mara hoffman}

[christian siriano}

{christian siriano}

{altuzarra}

{altuzarra}

{altuzarra}

{marissa webb}

{marissa webb}

{jason wu}

{prabal gurung}

{prabal gurung}

{prabal gurung}

{victoria beckham}

{delpozo}

{tracy reese}

{tracy reese}

{10 crosby by derek lam}

{rachel comey}

{diane von furstenberg}

{diane von furstenberg}

{tommy hilfiger}

{carolina herrera}

{carolina herrera}

{carolina herrera}

{carolina herrera}

{alice + olivia}

{badgley mischka}

{zac posen}

{zac posen}

{oscar de la renta}

{oscar de la renta}

{oscar de la renta}

{naeem khan}

{naeem khan}

{naeem khan}

{bibhu mohapatra}

{honor}

{marchesa}

{marchesa}

{jenny packham}

{jenny packham}

{jenny packham}

{rosie assoulin}

{rosie assoulin}

{rosie assoulin}

{rosie assoulin}

{rosie assoulin}

{reem acra}

{nonoo}

{nonoo}

{nonoo}

{timo weiland}

{suno}

{suno}

{suno}

{lisa perry}

{lisa perry}

{j.mendel}

{ralph lauren}

{ralph lauren}

all images, nymag.com