A few weeks ago, I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting the fantastic Julie Feldman of Julie Feldman Designs. I was in Southampton with my friend, Stephanie Newhouse, who was there representing Self Magazine, one of the sponsors for Ellen's Run. The day before the run for Breast Cancer, Stephanie insisted that I meet Ms. Felman to take a look at her fabulous bag collection.

Immediately, Ms. Feldman graciously offered a purse of our choice, to model at that evening's Gala event: HEAT at Steven Klein's Estate. Let me tell you, it was difficult to choose just one. Ms. Feldman's handbags are custom-made  from florals, satins, silks, leathers and exotic fabrics and trims. Having been featured on Fox News, CoolDesignerHandbags.com, in Accessories Magazine, Couture Magazine, the New York Post, the Santa Monica Star, and the Las Vegas Review Journal, among others, I now knew why. Divine.

A Chicago native, Ms. Feldman left the Windy City for Los Angeles bringing with her a passion for art and design. As an artist, her work usually took form in welded steel sculptures and oil paintings. Several years ago, after an art showing of her welded copper roses, Ms. Feldman was awed by the beauty and innocence of tiny, colorful, fabric roses. She began adorning satin evening bags with hundreds of brilliantly colored silk ribbon baby roses in "pavé-style". This was the birth of her Signature Baby Rose Collection.

What's even more fabulous then the pocketbooks themselves, Ms. Feldman created Handbags for Humanity® to honor and assist the great work of certain charities and foundations. "Over the years," Julie says, "I have felt extraordinarily lucky to be involved with organizations, and more profoundly the people behind them, that make a huge difference in people's lives. I count myself privileged to be able to give something back."

Whenever a handbag or accessory is purchased through the website that is accompanied by a handbag icon, Julie Feldman Designs donates a portion of that sale to one of the organization's profiled on the page; Ellen's Run, Center Theatre Group, Long Beach Women's Cancer League, and Planned Parenthood Los Angeles.

Um, hello? How much do you already love her?!

If you haven't already, check out the website HERE, and get one of your own custom-made designs that have been adorned on some of Hollywood's A-list celebs.

*JFD: Julie in Hot Pink Hornback Leather

*JFD: The Tye Dye Collection: SOLD OUT!

*JFD: Pirate Skull Beltbag

The morning after the much talked about HEAT benefit celebration for the new Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital at photographer Steven Klein's estate, supporters and survivors gathered for the 14th Annual Ellen's Run. The 5K race/walk, is a family event to benefit breast cancer patient support services.

Over 1100 runners participated in the race, which began at Parrish Hall at Southampton Hospital, and over 48 breast cancer survivors crossed the finish line. Each year, survivors receive a pink bandanna upon registration, and handed a pink rose, donated this year by local florist- Dutch Petals, when they cross the finish line. "They are the heroes," remarked Julie Ratner, Ellen Hermanson's sister and chair of The Ellen Hermanson Foundation, upon sharing the event details with me, adding, "I think we are all really here to have a good time. I like to think of it as a giant family raising money for support services."

Ms. Ratner informed me that it was the first time Ellen's Run had taken place in Southampton, and she couldn't have been more pleased. "Incredible... it was a beautiful race course and a perfect day."

Ellen Hermanson, who lost her battle to the disease April 11, 1995 at the age of 42, cared about educational outreach, psychosocial support, and pain management. Ms. Ratner said that one of the most prudent things her sister told her was, "People in my position, don't have time to have their days compromised by pain."

Thus, in honor of her courage and voice, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation is unique in its commitment to helping breast cancer patients and their families cope with the changing nature of the physical and emotional aspects of breast cancer.

In two weeks, Ellen's daughter, Leora, will be turning 21 (she was 6 yrs old when Ellen passed). Leora, which translates to "my light" in Hebrew, is a psychology major senior at Wesleyan. "She is our light, " Ms. Ratner stated, "she is a fabulous young woman. Amazing, beautiful, and smart... she was always the kindest kid too. If anyone was ever left out, she would bring that person in, even if they weren't cool. She's always had a tremendous empathy, patience and wisdom that far exceeded her years. Her mother always made her come first."

Ms. Ratner went on to tell me that even when Ellen was in the hospital, she always made sure Leora knew the "drill for the day", so she would never have any anxiety about who was going to pick her up from school, who was going to take care of her. "I think that is a gift she inherited from my sister. Knowledge, wisdom, and insight. What takes most of us, including myself, a long time to learn."

I believe Ms. Ratner has given us all a gift by bringing Ellen's vision and determination to address an aspect of breast cancer, that doesn't get as much attention or funding as research, to the forefront of treatment approach.

Through Julie Ratner's devotion and dedication, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation has helped so many families and has touched so many lives with love, respect, and understanding.

Sponsors: Self Magazine, Bloomberg, ISA Advertising, Entemman's, Bridgehampton National Bank, Liv Vodka, Panera Bread, Sotheby's, Southampton Inn, Sparkling Pointe, Modell's, Ocean Printing, WBAZ, and WEHM.

*Photo 1 by Jesse Newhouse

*Photo 2 courtesy of Ellen's Run: Ellen Hermanson

*Photo 3-4 by Jesse Newhouse

Tia Walker, celebrity blogger for The Quest for "it", chair and host of the second annual Save the Eggs Benefit, took place at the Williams Club Wednesday evening. The elegant soiree, presented by Diamond Club Jewelry, is a fund raising effort for Fertile Hope to increase awareness of egg harvesting.

Always an appreciated staple around the trendsters of NYC, the ever so dazzling Ms. Walker assembled friends from the fashion and press industries. Ms. Walker mingled amongst her tres fashion forward guests with her co-chairs, Emma Snowden-Jones and Peggie Walker, who were all more than happy to support Ms. Walker's endeavors and Fertile Hope. Also among the attendees, were members of her host committee: Alex McCord, Simon van Kempen, Benjamin Emile Le Hay, Douglas Marshall, Christine Marchuska, Juliana Ilvento, Robin Ross, Jeremy Logan-Cavendish, and Robert Levine of the Icon Group.

What exactly is this event Save the Eggs all about that it brought together such a fabtastic group of people? Well, there is only one way to answer that, ask the lady of the evening.

SBS: Why did you choose Fertile Hope?

TW: I chose Fertile Hope because it specifically addresses the issue of infertility as a possible result of cancer treatment more specifically chemotherapy. This was of course close to my heart after undergoing chemo last year! Fertile Hope not only addresses the issue for women through egg freezing but for men through sperm banking. Lance Armstrong's Foundation is partner and my own group Save the Eggs (not yet a S01c(3)) is an unofficial partner.

SBS: Congrats. That's great. What is your goal with the Save the Eggs Benefit?

TW: My goal last year and this year was to raise as much as possible on behalf of Fertile Hope. Future goals would be to further defray the coast of egg freezing through conduit funding... stay tuned!

Pretty intense. This is not something that we generally think about being a concern, and I imagine, unfortunately until it is too late. I found it so admirable for Ms. Walker to showcase and champion a cause that really does not get that much attention. This also led me to wonder how some of the host committee members got involved. I turned to fashion designer, Christine Marchuska.

SBS: Can you tell me a little bit about your clothing line, cmarchuska?

CM: cmarchuska is a new eco-friendly clothing line that offers chic sustainable clothing for today's sophisticated socially conscious woman. Each piece is made domestically in NYC's garment district out of sustainable blends, recycled and organic materials. My designs are influenced by the amazing women around me, hence, why each piece is inspired and named after a different friend, family member or female mentor.

SBS: Very cool. How did you get involved with Fertile Hope?

CM: I got involved in Fertile Hope through my dear friend, Tia Walker.

SBS: What was your participation in Save the Eggs 2009?

CM: I was part of the host committee for last night's event and also had the pleasure of dressing Tia and her mother, Peggie, for the event. I hope to be involved in future events for the organization and to raise awareness for the cause.

SBS: I've seen you and your company affiliated with other events, are you actively involved in any other charities you hope to bring awareness to?

CM: I am on the Junior Council for Safe Horizon, which is a NYC based charity that fights domestic abuse and violence. In general, I always give a portion of any of my event proceeds from cmarchuska to charitable organizations and am currently working on expanding my charitable giving with other organizations such as, The Nature Conservancy and Make-A-Wish. I feel very strongly about giving back and want cmarchuska to always be aligned with philanthropy.

SBS: Ok, I already thought you were pretty fab, now I'm really impressed. Also to boot, my family is a big supporter for The Nature Conservancy.

Conclusion: "it" comes in all shapes, sizes, platforms, dreams, and while Ms. Walker's quest Save the Eggs is for life and is a mission for lifetime, I have no doubt that Tia Walker will achieve "it".

*photo 1 courtesy of © 2009 WireImage (A Division of Getty Images, Inc.) by D. Arnoult: (L-R: Alex McCord, Tia Walker, and Emma Snowden-Jones)

*photo 2 courtesy of © 2009 WireImage (A Division of Getty Images, Inc.) by D. Arnoult: (L-R: Tracy Stern and Pooneh Mohazzabi)

*photo 3 courtesy of © 2009 WireImage (A Division of Getty Images, Inc.) by D. Arnoult: (L-R: Tia Walker, Peggie Walker, designer Christine Marchuska and Maria LaBrutto)

*photo 4 courtesy of © 2009 WireImage (A Division of Getty Images, Inc.) by D. Arnoult: (L-R: Kristian Laliberte, Carol Han and Timo Weiland)