Going camping for a week in August to Mokuleia, Hawaii... but don't worry it's not going to be all play and no work. I'm attending a leadership & community development workshop that just happens to involve a lot of rhythm and drumming on the beach in Hawaii :) To find out more about leadership/community development through rhythm go to www.drumcircle.com/playshops/hawaii/index.html

My silversmithing class started last night. I love my teacher!! Her name is Honey and she's awesome. I will continue to take classes from her for as long as I live in NYC. She's helpful, very knowledgable, warm, and encourages outside-of-the-box thinking. I'm working on a ring similar to this one in it's simplicity. I'm using white topaz and am embarrassed to admit I didn't know white topaz even existed. It's beautiful and sparkly and wonderful...and it isn't something that involves human exploitation :)

Oh me, oh my, blueberry season is just around the corner. Last year I went picking with my dear friend Kiasa and her family, and brought home 30 lbs that I froze and used sparingly throughout the winter. Blueberry picking is the lazy man's sport which is one reason I gravitate towards it. You can sit on your bum with your friends and eat, talk and pick. The blueberries hang so low they practically come to you. Pure Heaven. I CAN't WAIT!!! If you want to fill your own freezer or make delicious jellies and jams this season, check out where to go get 'em. www.pickyourown.org/CT.htm

My mom turned me onto Mary Jane Butter's Farm in Northern Idaho. I'm beyond inspired by her and want to stay at her b&b one day. She created a 'country club' on her farm where people pay a yearly membership fee to be able to access fresh u-pick fruits and vegetables all summer and fall. What a wonderful idea. You can check out the farm at www.maryjanesfarm.org

Ohhh...flowers... I'll be posting a lot of pictures of flowers as they are often my inspiration in jewelry design, and they've been known to send my heart aflutter.

With summer approaching I've been reminiscing about and thinking of beautiful places I've been. This is one of my favorites. A hidden oasis way down deep in the Grand Canyon. A brutal hike in...and out :/ but definitely worth every bead of sweat. For more info. check them out at www.havasupaitribe.com

The most powerful documentary I've ever seen about how music was used as a tool for hope and organization of emotional chaos during apartheid.

A resource-efficient type of organic gardening that I've taught in Africa and India. My friend Kamilah and I are now doing it in my backyard :) Our mouths are watering just thinking about fresh garden tomatoes. Check out the organization at www.squarefootgardening.com

One of my favorite places on earth, Kitengela Glass, just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. It's a sustainable business where they take used motor oil to generate their furnaces for making everything you can imagine out of recycled glass. A most magical place...

Check them out at www.kitengela-glass.com

Starting level III Silversmithing this Thursday. Can't wait. I get a lot of inspiration from Sundance styled jewelry. It's rustic and feminine and imperfect. Just what I like. Check them out at http://www.sundancecatalog.com

Stunning earrings by Sundance Designer, Thoi Vo