POSTCARD FROM OREGON

At least once a summer, I set aside a long weekend to travel with my girlfriends.  It's this special, undivided time that pumps me with the creative energy to do what I do every day.

This summer, it was destination Oregon. My dear friend Ann and I traveled to the remote and largely un-touristed area in the Northeastern part of the state which is known for its peaks and forests.  We soaked in the local culture, and spent an amazing day hiking a slice of the Pacific Crest Trail.

The views are magnificent from Pilot Rock, a peak in Northeastern Oregon - and a 2-mile scramble up about 6,000 feet!  

Debating the steep climb up Pilot Rock

Ann and I hiked with her friend Carole (from her photo shoot work for Harry & David)

Ann loves to visit this corner of Oregon, and as a stylist, has done many a photo shoot here.  Ashland is home to one of the only non-commercial sources for Lithia Water.  The supposed elixir bubbles up from water fountains in Lithia Park.  It may have healing properties, but it tasted terrible!    

Ashland is an incredibly sweet town - with its open air market and music on the street.  And great boutiques like Prize, my new favorite.

And there's lots of that funky Oregon cool.  Yes, these are bumper stickers.  My favorite is still "What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?"

This part of Oregon exists in a sphere of its own - it is clean and real, and people share themselves with joy, with a true independent spirit.  Being here with friends was for me, like sharing a pact that we'll have sealed in our thoughts, until our next journey together.

May we live such beauty every day!

Feel beautiful,

Elizabeth

DANCING WITH MY DAD

Every day I thank my lucky stars for the adventure and imagination that colors my world - and the privilege of being able to bring it to life in my jewelry.

Without my Dad's strength and consistency, his unflagging belief in my inspiration and ability, I'm not sure I'd even have started.  

I have incredible memories from when I was little, of dancing with my Dad -- my small feet firmly planted on his bigger ones, my hands in his.  

Truth is, in spirit, I'm dancing there still.  

My Dad, Jim Showers, with Susanna and me, in Carmel, California.  About age 12.  

feel beautiful -

Elizabeth

THE WILD AIR OF SUMMER

It is officially here - the first week of June brings a different kind of routine, one that calls for a gentle approach, a nod to warm air and bright sun, time with family and friends both at home and afar.

Every Monday morning, my team and I share our "bests" with each other.  We reflect about our accomplishments of the last week, and also about our "personal bests", what we're most excited about outside the space we share at work.  I love how full my team's lives are, love hearing about their little ones learning to swim, and about friends, sisters and brothers getting married; about cross-country travel and all the stories that seem more vivid just for taking place during these sultry days of summer.  

Summertime is when we charge our engines around here.  

Go out and drink in that wild summer air!

feel beautiful,

Elizabeth

BOSSA NOVA AND THE WATERFALLS

In Brazil and in Argentina, there is an inseparable energy of music and color.

The Bossa Nova in Rio is a sensory explosion.  The rhythm and play of sound and color makes you forget the hour and the outside world.  Everyone dances - they start late and dance into the night.  A unique, incredibly lyrical fusion of samba and jazz, Bossa Nova makes you move!  It is life at its most alive.    

Rio Scenarium, a Bossa Nova club in Rio that we just tripped upon

There is also music in nature.  

Our hotel in the jungle, tucked inside the Iguazú National Park in the Argentina side of the falls, was host to an annual music festival, going on just beneath the balcony.  Iguazú en Concierto features children's choirs and orchestras from 5 continents -- 700 kids, playing together, accompanied by the music of the Iguazú Falls and the Misiones Forest.

From the roof of our hotel we looked out over the concert stands.
La Garganta del Diablo, or Devil's Throat, is just beyond.

So much like the music of Brazil, the jungle is nature's fusion -- this crazy strength and resilience is such a force!    

I hear the music of the jungle, the interplay of branches and light, in the design of my one-of-a-kind Dendritic Quartz Tree of Life Ring. 

Is there an element of nature that is not at work in Iguazú Falls?   

The Brazilians say, lindo maravilhoso! which means "utterly marvelous, beyond words!"  Such is life there and in Argentina.  The music, the colors, the people of this part of South America. Lindo maravilhoso!  (Portuguese)

Feel beautiful!

Elizabeth