I am the happiest this time of year! It’s warm, the trees are full of leaves and blooms, and the flowers are in full color! It is rich with life! I often hike in the forests this time of year. We have the national Ice Age Trail here in Wisconsin and my fiancée Dan I have hiked many segments and miles of those beautiful trails. I get so much peace, joy, and energy in nature! I often tell myself “take a hike”!  What a fun & silly thing to say to myself in this context!

 

I love getting a tan, smelling the scent of a freshly cut lawn, tending to my flower beds and planters, having a nice lunch or dinner with Dan and friends on my deck or outdoor patio, being on the water in a pontoon boat, doing my morning run in shorts with no jacket, going to farmer’s markets, fairs and festivals, and the longer days of light. 

 

I also love wearing brighter colored clothes and choosing complementary jewelry pieces in fun colors to accessorize. What are some of your favorite things about summer?  Do you have fun jewelry to wear with your favorite outfits?

 

Then there’s the gems of summer! I want to highlight the unique and beautiful birth gemstones for June…the pearl and the alexandrite! Pearls are not just your mama’s or grandma’s gemstone. They are making a huge comeback…a beautiful traditional look is now super trendy – even for men! From single or multiple pearls used in jewelry designs to strands of all lengths, sizes, and colors, they are the biggest fashion statement happening now!

 

There have been more celebrity women and men wearing strands of pearls. And pearls still remain the popular and traditional jewelry of choice for bridal jewelry on your wedding day.

 

The alternate and more rare birth gemstone for June is the alexandrite… a gem which possesses the rare phenomenon of color-change. The alexandrite actually exhibits a color-change when exposed to natural light vs. artificial light…lovely green or greenish-blue in daylight to raspberry and purplish-red in incandescent light. Alexandrite is one of the most intriguing gemstones in the world!

 

Check out my blogs below to get more fun information on these beautiful gems!

I love being in the diamond business and am proud to have learned the DeBeers Group, known for their diamond mining and distribution role of the industry, values protecting endangered and threatened species.  Since most large-scale diamond mining operations are located in various regions on the continent of Africa, I and most consumers want to be assured natural resources and communities are protected and supported.

 

Elephants have always been one of my favorite animals…especially cute and endearing are the baby elephants.  Elephants play a huge part in the sustainability of our ecosystem…their role is incredibly important.  This article will enlighten you, and also give you some peace of mind there are companies who care. 

 

Read on for some joy…

 

 

 

Can diamond jewelry be considered a “Quiet Luxury”?  Certain diamonds and designs certainly are and it’s a trend that’s here to stay!  There are those who appreciate the beauty and rarity of diamonds but are not “showy” types of people, so they prefer a more minimalist look to their jewelry designs.  And this doesn’t mean they are tiny pieces, they can be big and bold and beautiful – expensive - but still look understated.  This is a really interesting article about where this trend originated and why so many are desiring it and pulling off the look! 

 

 

I absolutely love rewarding service providers with tips for a job well done as an acknowledgement of my deep appreciation.  My fiancée Dan does the same and I am proud of him that he too recognizes the value in doing so.  So many professions rely on tips for a greater part of their income since their wages may be lower in certain industries like food service. 

 

Whether it’s my hair stylist, nail or lash technician, local tradesman, restaurant server (yes even when I have ordered online and am picking up), parking lot attendant or valet, oil change techs, house cleaning service, and on and on, I find ways to make it appropriate and acceptable to tip someone.  I find people are so grateful to be appreciated…especially when it’s not typically customary that you would tip a certain type of service   Unless service is horrible of which I will still give 10-15%, I give a minimum of 22% tip…and up to 30% if extraordinary!

 

And even if you can park your own car, please use the valet service and give that high school or college kid a chance to earn a few extra bucks with your tip for having him/her park your car.  When I get my oil changed at Valvoline, or have my tires rotated at Firestone, I tip them and say “have lunch on me”.  A lot of the time, I get a shocked look because I’m sure not many people do that.

 

I would love it if you would message me and share ways you have tipped service providers in your life.  I’d really like to expand my giving and I may pick up some new ideas from you!