Wanting to please his mother, 19-year-old Roma Lansky envisioned a pair of earrings that would highlight her best qualities. He sketched out his design idea, gave it to an artisan to fabricate and his lifelong pleasure of giving gifts of beauty was born. 

Now a successful businessman based in Barcelona, Roma has continually kept his hand in the art of jewelry design. His inspiration springs from the places he visits, nature, architecture and beautiful women. “I never sell any of my pieces,” says Roma. “I would give them to friends who I love and respect.” Looking out for him, these friends began to encourage him to do something more with his talent. 

 “The idea came to me that I should use these objects I create to somehow help the world,” says Roma. While visiting a friend’s child in a cancer ward in Belgium, he realized he could donate his jewelry to the hospital charity, aiding families lacking funds to pay for expensive medication.

Nati Abascal, Spanish style icon and ex-model, introduced Roma to several fashion designers, who then styled their magazine shoots, videos and runways with Roma’s R.L. Jewel earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces. Eventually, names like Berta, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Giorgio Armani, Valentino and Oscar de la Renta began to feature his work on their models.

 Readers and viewers who asked where they could buy the pieces were told that they were not for sale, but advised that they could be bid on at various upcoming charity auctions. The highly desirable designs brought in nearly $300,000 last year for children’s charities including two in Russia, two in Spain and one in the United Kingdom.  

Roma foots the bill for all the materials that go into the making of his jewelry, so that the entire price brought at auction can be used where it will do the most good. By designing with a lightweight silver alloy, even the largest pieces are easy and comfortable to wear. Semiprecious stones like quartz, peridot, topaz and amethyst look rich, but keep costs in check. Exclusivity is assured by limiting production to five to 10 copies of each design. 

To build word of mouth about his work, Roma has given away his jewelry to European beauties with large media followings, such as model and Victoria’s Secret Angel Katsia Damankova and model Tatiana Korsakova. They support R.L. Jewel, wearing his pieces and auctioning them for their own charitable projects “Live” and “Gracious Heart.” 

Recently, the international fashion network FashionTV aired a video featuring R.L. Jewel pieces worn by popular European actress and singer Vera Brezhneva, founder of the charity “Luch Very” (Beam of Faith). The spot promoted Roma’s own charitable project “Pretty Hearts,” and the entire line sold out.

Korsakova praises the designer and those who support his work. “I think the concept behind R.L. Jewel is not just about the beauty of what Roma creates,” says Korsakova, “but the beauty and love in the hearts of the people who give generously knowing that wearing his jewelry helps children everywhere.”

> Written By: Francine Kaplan

Live event artists offer a unique and specialized touch to weddings all around the world. While many couples will hire artists to paint live scenes from their wedding day – most often, the first dance or reception dinner – Lucy McLoughlin is an artist who focuses on the people and depicts them in a way that appeals to fashion lovers.

My husband and I have built a foundation for our marriage, as well as a foundation that’s helping hundreds of foster children find their forever family. Both of our foundations are based on the concept of selfless love; the kind of love that gives without expecting anything in return.

As a byproduct of adoption, I know firsthand how life-changing the gift of a family can be. I always had a desire to pay back my blessing of being adopted, and Selfless Love Foundation is just that.

Early in our relationship, I told Ed that I wanted to help foster children. To my surprise, he also had a heart for foster children, especially older youth. Ed felt these were the “forgotten children"; kids that were not likely to get adopted and eventually aged out of foster care.

As the former CEO of Tequila Patròn, Ed was in a unique position to truly change lives, and together, we wanted nothing more. So we made the decision to create a 501(c)3 in lieu of wedding gifts and Selfless Love Foundation was born.

Selfless Love's first initiative was focused on helping bridge the gap from dependence to independence for youth aging out of the foster care system. Without a family or adequate preparation to be self-sufficient, these emerging adults often struggle with homelessness and unemployment, so we stepped in to give them supportive housing, life skills training and resources, and most importantly a community of caring adults. 

One young lady that has forever left a fingerprint on our hearts is Kiensha. She aged out of foster care at 18-years-old and was living in our supportive housing when she decided to adopt all four of her siblings out of foster care. Not only did she continue to raise her four siblings, but she was also in school and working full-time. Kiensha graduated from our program and went on to purchase her own home. We surprised her at our gala by furnishing it. She continues to amaze us and recently graduated with her Master’s in Social Work. Kiensha is now working as a Life Coach to help youth transition out of foster care.

Next, we set our sights on helping children in care get adopted. Selfless Love helped launch a statewide program which leverages technology to better match foster children with families. I’m thrilled to share we have already helped over 450+ foster children get connected with an adoptive family. We are finding families for the hardest to match children – teenagers, sibling groups, and high medical needs. We are even helping find families for 17-year-olds!

We gift each of our families a personalized adoption sign on their adoption day to congratulate them on their family and celebrate their day one of forever. I will never forget when a 17-year-old was adopted by a single mom, and she asked him where he wanted his adoption sign, and he stated, “Above the TV, so I can always be reminded how lucky I am.

My husband and I just celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary. As I reflect back on our marriage, I realize true “selfless love” is what bonded us. The growth of our foundation has a direct correlation to the growth of our marriage. They are both seeds of love that we continue to water with hard work, devotion, and empathy.

Ed made me a promise five years ago to support me with Selfless Love, but I had to “do the work.” My favorite moment together was at our first-year gala. It was a tremendous success, raising over one million dollars with less than 200 people in the room. He was BURSTING with pride and emotion. Seeing our dream of transforming the lives of foster children became a reality.

Through our Selfless Love Foundation, Ed and I have created a huge family with hundreds of children whose lives we have impacted. And as for the next five years, who knows what curve balls life will throw our way; but I know through “selfless love,” we will continue to give the greatest gift of all – “FAMILY.”

If you would like to learn more about our foundation, please visit, www.SelflessLoveFoundation.org. Help us continue to foster dreams for foster children by following us on social media and sharing Selfless Love with others. @SelflessLoveFoundation

>Written By: Ashley Brown

* Ashley and Ed Brown’s wedding was featured in the Summer 2017 print edition of Wedding Style magazine.

While September continues to be peak season for California wine country, the changing months mark the beginning of the grape harvest in regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, and Burgundy. Fall, in fact, is arguably the best time of year to host wine country weddings, as the harsh summer heat subsides, and the colors of the changing leaves make for an incredible backdrop. The cooler temperatures also make spending an entire wedding weekend (or week) in wine country with guests feel cozier and intimate.

A destination wedding in places like Napa, Florence, and the Loire Valley is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in and of itself; but pampering guests with stylish party favors will make it a wedding they’ll never forget. Whether you’re celebrating love stateside or exchanging vows abroad, consider gifting your guests with these luxe, stylish party favors that they’ll love using well after your wine country wedding has ended.

1) Wine Wipes – Convenient, functional, and charmingly packaged, these wine wipes from The Vanity Project are the perfect party favor for any occasion where wine is involved. A quick swipe with these flavorless wipes will keep wine stains at bay and teeth looking pearly white, without compromising the palate. There’s no reason why sampling endless bottles of Malbec, Merlot, Chianti, and Pinot Noir should stop anyone’s smile from looking perfect during those candid wedding photos.

2) Wine Log – Wine country weddings always include some wonderful wine tastings featuring local libations. Including a wine log in your guests’ gift bags will allow them to fully immerse themselves in the experience and take note of any new favorites they may discover.

3) Water Bottle – Apparently, luxury water bottles are a signature of millennials, but we’d argue that they can be appreciated by anyone who values eco-friendly products, healthy living, and anything with a fashionable twist. During wine country weddings, guests will need to stay hydrated after all those tastings. A glass water bottle from bkr is a stylish party favor that will last for years to come, and they’re available in enough designs to suit anyone’s fancy.

4) Statement Glass – Live cigar rollers are a popular addition to many wedding receptions, and this cigar glass is a piece that gents will love – especially if they’d prefer to switch from wine to brandy.

5) Wine Country Themed Sweets – A trio of Sugarfina champagne gummy bears is the perfect sweet treat.

6) Cashmere Travel Set – If you really want to treat your guests to a luxurious wine country experience, then a cashmere travel set is the ultimate party favor to make those long journeys and chilly nights as comfortable as possible.

7) Wine Tools – Wine decanters, aerators, bottle openers, bottle stoppers, etc. For wine country weddings, including at least one chic wine tool is a must for goodie bags.

8) Grape Infused Face Mist – Is there any skincare brand more apropos for wine-themed party favors than Caudalie? Treat guests to bottles of refreshing Grape Water mist, which both men and women will enjoy using for a luxurious spritz of hydration throughout the day

9) Custom Tote – No matter what combination of stylish party favors you choose, present them in a fashionable – yet neutral – reusable tote. The Market Bags from Apolis are water-resistant, can carry over 100 pounds, and make for an ideal grocery shopping bag. The best part? The bags are handcrafted by mothers in an effort by Apolis to break the poverty cycle. Customize your totes with anything from your monogram, to the region in which your wine country wedding took place.

What do you get when you marry a photo of the happy couple or monogram with the most delicious brownie ever? You get minibrownie weddings! Their incredible, chocolatey brownie topped off with the bride and groom’s photo or personalized monogram of choice will make a lasting impression with your guests.

One of the hottest trends to hit weddings, and one that shows no sign of slowing down is customization. Couples want to delight their guests in a very unique way, especially with a surprisingly personalized favor.

The new minibrownie wedding favor features two custom brownies inside each festive transparent box designed to show off what makes each couple special on their very special day.