True story: a few years back when I was a new transplant to NYC, 🗽the fashion incubator I was a member of closed, and I had to find a second job to help stay afloat. I took a part time position at @westelm on their Visual Merchandising team: creating fantastical displays with faux ❄️, papier-mâché and fluffing A LOT of pillows. 🛏 During my time there, I discovered that when an upholstery fabric was discontinued, those huge swatches of sample materials (swipe left) on display were being thrown in the garbage. 💔 It broke my heart to see such beauty be discarded, so I started bringing the swatches home. ♻️ In less than a year, with the encouragement of my then-manager @jordan.t.short , I took the leap to focus full-time on my 👜 business and quit the side gig. (Wait for it. . .⠀) ⠀ Fast forward a few years later - my handbag business is thriving, I earned a Venture Fellowship at @bkaccelerator, and sure enough: I've chopped up all that amazing #reclaimedfabric into (IMHO) some pretty chic, useful and #zerowaste #crossbody bags. The icing on the cake? 🍰 This past weekend, I was featured in my very own #popup at the SAME STORE I worked in @westelmbroadway and couldn't resist geeking out at how my life (and this fabric) have come full circle. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #madeinnyc #mywestelm #westelmlocal #fullcircle #entrepreneurlife ⠀ (at West Elm Broadway)

Get ready for this chilly winter with a Cha Cha Mini Crossbody in black glaze. You'll be safe from any unwarranted rain, snow or sleet because this bag is 100% water resistant- AND machine washable. Make it a gift set by pairing with the Ivory slim wallet made from #recycled_materials!⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ #sustainablefashion #upcycling #slow_fashion #womanentrepreneur #ladiesfirst #treatyoself #holidayshopping #madeinNYC (at Central Park)

Thank you @westelm for embracing your local community, and giving #womenownedbusiness like mine prime exposure to a wider audience! #shoplocal (at West Elm Broadway)

It’s my favorite thing: seeing my bags out in the wild! Getting to meet customers in person (and helping them choose their next one) is what makes me so happy to be an #entrepreneur. . . . #popup #westemlocal #westelmpopup #entrepreneur life #sustainable #veganstyle #madeinbrooklyn #madeinnyc (at West Elm Broadway)

What more do you really need? ❄️. Come see these cuties (and Crystalyn!) at @westelmbroadway today 12-5pm. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #velvet #upholsteryfabric #smallpouch #wallet #headphonetaco #westelmlocal #popup (at West Elm Broadway)

I’m back in action again today! Swing by @westelmbroadway today 12-5 for the second day of my #popupshop as their featured #westelmlocal designer (at West Elm Broadway)

Hooray! Yesterday’s #popup at @westelmbroadway was so fun, that they asked us to come back again today!!! See you at 🕛. #westelmlocal #madeinnyc (at West Elm Broadway)

Front and center. 👀#locationlocationlocation #popup #westelmlocal #westelm (at West Elm Broadway)

So honored and thrilled to be the featured Local designer this weekend at @westelmbroadway Its amazing how life has come full circle. A few years back I was working here on @westelm display team, and now I’m here with my own company, selling my bags. I’ll be here today AND tomorrow 12-5pm. Come say “hi” and help celebrate this momentous occasion! #fullcircle #westelmlocal #sustainablebags (at West Elm Broadway)

Grab your friends and run on over to the @westelmbroadway pop-up shop happening today!!!⠀ ⠀ One day only, I hope to see you there! 12-5pm⠀ 1870 Broadway, New York, NY⠀ ⠀ #popupshop #holidayshow #sustainabledesign #grabagift #holidayseasonsale #shoplocal #westelmlocal (at West Elm Broadway)

🎄 is up. 🐶 is out. 💤. . . . . . . . . . #beaglesofinstagram #adoptdontshop #brooklynmutts #supermutt #tinseltree (at Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn)

🎄 is up. 🐶 is out. 💤. . . . . . . . . . #beaglesofinstagram #adoptdontshop #brooklynmutts #supermutt #tinseltree (at Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn)

We are sooo excited for our @westelmbroadway holiday pop-up, can you tell?⠀ ⠀ Saturday December 9th 12-5 pm ~ tell your friends! ⠀ ⠀ #veganleather #giftsforher #sustainablesdesign #visitus #onedayonly #shopfortheholidays #uws #upperwestside #mywestelm #westelm #westelmlocal (at West Elm Broadway)

❄️⚫️ ⚪️ ⚫️⚪️❄️⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #blackandwhite #texture #monochrome #tweedbag #veganshopper #laptoptote #veganstyle #upcycledfabric #deadstock #madeinnyc (at Hudson Clothier)

A fresh crop of our Laptop Leafs are ready to help keep your cords tangle-free! Just in time for holiday gift-giving season. Have you tried one yet? (P.s. come see these lovelies in person THIS Saturday at @westelmbroadway 12-5pm at our pop-up!).⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #techaccessories #laptopleaf #headphonetaco #vintagemodern (at West Elm Broadway)

Excited to announce our @westelmbroadway pop-up #holidayshop on December 9th in Manhattan!⠀ ⠀ This is our ONLY holiday show in NYC!⠀ Mark your calendars xo! ⠀ #shoplocal #westelmlocal #westelmpopup ⠀ (at West Elm Broadway)

“Can we go home now, mom?” 🐶 Another late night in the workshop and Franny is over it. #holidayseason #shopdog #beaglesofinstagram #supermutt (at Crystalyn Kae Handbags)