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

A POSTCARD FROM RIO

Greetings from Brazil!  

The weather's lovely and the people are too.  

Wish you were here!

Feel beautiful!

xoxo

 Elizabeth

The view from atop Corcovado Mountain

 Fresh juice and all kinds of little snack sandwiches. They've been juicing for years in Brazil! 

Local flavors at the local market

Conde -- one of the sweetest sub-tropical fruits I've ever tasted.

 

Late afternoon snack of fresh mango, a hot dog and Kibbe, an Arab delicacy made from bulghur, onions and meat.  It migrated to Brazil with the Syrian & Lebanese Diaspora in the early 20th century.  

And of course, um garoto, an espresso shot with just a splash of milk.

Tommy and me.  

Christo Redemtor is said to be the largest Art Deco statue in the world - 130' tall standing 700 meters above the City.

Such an adventure!

SUMMER IS A BON VOYAGE!

It’s Memorial Day and after a year of hard driving forward, the long weekend always signals the beginning of summer.  I’ll be spending mine getting ready for some fun summer travel.

“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” - Rumi

Travel is at the heart of everything I do.  My favorite designs are inspired by where I’ve been and who I’ve met while there.  Many of my designs are made in Thailand – the exotic, earthy quality of that land and culture comes to life in my Monkey Tales and Mariposa Collections. 

sterling silver swinging monkey; 18kt mariposa pendant; 18kt  monkey see monkey do hoops

This summer, I’m off to such far flung places as the islands of the Bahamas and the back country of Brazil.  I’ll also travel closer to home, to the Pacific Northwest and the mountains of Colorado -- most special because each of these trips are to visit close friends I don't often see.  

This Memorial Day, I am especially thankful for my freedom.  I realize the privilege of having so many choices, I deeply appreciate the gift of travel.  As I get ready to live into summer, I do so with tremendous gratitude for these privileges.

Here are a few things I know will go into my summer travel suticase.

E’s Essentials for Summer Travel

My favorite simple halter dress by Patagonia - easy to pack and easy to wear - looks great with my jewelry.  These blue turquoise Holey Surfer earrings go with everything, and they just scream “summer”!

This crochet Mar y Sol beach bag is on my radar -- I’ll be looking for something like it during my trip in Brazil.  Turquoise is definitely my color!

I always travel with these two essentials: SkinCeuticals sunscreen has a sheer, universally flattering tint - and I never go one day without wearing sunscreen on my face.  These gluten-free NuGo bars are my favorite snack, both for energy and as a sweet (+salty) tooth satisfier!

Welcome summer, it’s almost time to Bon Voyage!

Feel Beautiful!

Elizabeth

E's Essentials: Finding Center

Meditation is one of the elusive essentials in my life - and it’s so simple!  I meditate for clarity.   By committing myself to regular practice, my relationships are more balanced and my priorities become ordered.  I’m able to lead with creativity, and it informs my jewelry. 

Meditating is an aesthetic experience and not just for someone who designs for a living!  Finding center brings beauty and presence to life, and it takes many shapes.   I meditate as part of my transition from sleep to wakefulness, first thing in the morning.  Meditation is part of my yoga practice and of walking my dogs.  It’s my “answer” when I’m faced with a decision without a clear solution.  When times are chaotic in the office, I may lead my team in an easy 5-minute meditative exercise.  I’ve even facilitated groups of my retail partners in meditation to help bring them closer to the needs of their customers.  

photo courtesy of Exhale Mind Body Spa where I practice yoga in Dallas & New York

There are so many ways to meditate, ranging from staring into your steaming cup of coffee at 7:00am to simply being fully aware of the road and surroundings while driving.  The power of meditating is not in how it’s done, but in actually being present in the action and/or moment at hand.  

Here are some of my meditation essentials:

Making meditation easy is the best way for me to ensure it happens! I begin my day with my practice, often simply sitting upright in my bed.  I love and use Deepak Chopra's "Creating Abundance," 21 daily affirmations that are accompanied by beautiful music.  I am also committed to quiet sitting meditation, once or twice a week - this is just 10-15 minutes of silence. 

I've created a perfect space for meditating in my bedroom, which is my haven.  It is painted Palladian Blue (a Benjamin Moore hue); the color is cool and relaxing.  It has such a soothing effect that I've used the same paint color on the walls of my office. 

my bedroom upon awakening (with a foot and tail of my dog Whitney on the left)

While I am not a fragrance person, I love the scent of lemongrass, and the Believe essential oil by Young Living.  And green tea is an elixir, throughout the morning.  Mighty Leaf's Green Tea Tropical is a very pure balanced tea with a hint of fruit.

"You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible."

- Deepak Chopra

Meditation is intention; it's slowing down so that you can catch up and then move forward.  I channel my creativity through meditation and have distilled it into the message carried by all of my jewelry, empowering all women to feel beautiful, right now.  To me, the feel beautiful message has almost the same meaning as the deepest meditative blessing there is of thanks and gratitude for what is:  Namaste.

feel beautiful -

Elizabeth