beauty

I adore this version of the twig ring in 18k yellow gold with diamonds nested on either side of the center stone.  Congratulations to the lucky lady that received this beauty!

hong kong: part 1

My husband and I recently returned from our honeymoon to Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.  With my business being busy as ever, we had to wait about 6 months after we were married to set out on our adventure. Turns out it was a good thing, because after the stress of getting married, I'm not sure I would have been able to enjoy a trip to the other side of the world.  

I really loved Hong Kong.  Navigating the city was so simple, easier than San Francisco!  We were able to escape so easily as well, hopping on the MTR, bus or ferry will get you out of the hustle and bustle and into the pretty environs in a snap.

We literally walked until our feet were swollen.  There was so much to see around every corner, we couldn't stop.  There's nothing I love more than wandering a new city with no particular place to go.

Street food is the way to go here.  It's the best way to sample different things and save money in an expensive city like Hong Kong.  I had the best pork bun of my life at Tim Ho Wan and some pretty amazing late night fried chicken.

We took the MTR to Shau Kei Wan and traveled up through a cemetary built into the side of a hill to find the dragon's back trail.  Unfortunately, the fog was so thick that we couldn't see the magnificent views, but the hike was interesting in its own way.  We had the trail to ourselves and it was quite eerie knowing that we were at the top of a craggly windy cliff all alone but unable to see the treacherous drop below.



We ended up in the small beach town of Shek O which was also quite deserted due to the weather.  They are known for their thai food, so we indulged in a lunch of fresh curries covered with dried shrimp, which I love.

 next up: Hong Kong part 2, then off to Sri Lanka.

how sweet it is

This ring has the most darling story behind it.  The client approached me because he knew his girlfriend would love my twig ring.  He then had the wonderful idea to make her a custom ring cast from a branch he sourced from the backyard of her childhood home.  I thought this was the sweetest idea and loved being in on the secret.  In fact, he snuck all the way down to Southern California to the house she grew up in to pull it off!  He wanted a dainty vintage feel, so we went with a beautiful princess cut diamond.  She was wonderfully surprised and he can now call her his fiancé.  I want to start offering this customization service to others as well.  Have a favorite place that you can pluck a small branch from?  Turn it into a gorgeous custom ring that she'll never forget.  Contact me if you're interested in making your very own special ring.

siba sahabi

Amsterdam based artist Siba Sahabi creates exquisite vessels.  Not from clay, glass, plastic or wood, but from slivers of paper and felt.  Her method is intriguing and curious, and the results breathtaking.

new stockist: still house

While we were in New York attending the Gift show in January, we were lucky enough to pick up some really wonderful new accounts.  Still House is one of them.  Owned by Pratt graduate turned retail maven Urte Tylaite, this impeccably curated shop in the East Village is lucky to have an equally gorgeous and gracious woman behind it.  I'm very excited to be part of such a lovely space.

Shop Still house virtually here

images courtesy of design milk, racked & shopikon

wild coast

The Northern California coast is wild, rugged and breathtaking.  We escaped the city for a few days to soak up some nature and sun along highway 1 near Mendocino.

this year and every year to come...

I am promising myself a great adventure.  The type of adventure that takes you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown.  The wild, free feeling of being somewhere you have never been and may never set foot again.  Experiencing things so curious, humbling and surprising that you change as a human being.  Travel is so powerful and important and I haven't even come close to doing enough of it.  In 2013 and beyond, I resolve to take great adventures.

First up, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka this Spring.

Gorgeous original photos courtesy of girl and the world