Amazonite Cuff Bracelet

In most parts of the world, when it says summer on the calendar it means blue skies and sunny days. Well, I've learned, after living the Pacific Northwest for a few years now that just because the word "summer" is printed on a calendar doesn't make it so. No matter what Mother Nature says - I have always thought that summer officially begins on June 1^st - must be a mindset from my school days as a kid  - when we couldn't wait for summer vacation to start. (To this day I feel sorry for kids that go to school year-round. I do understand the thinking behind the policy; but I still think it takes out the fun of it all.) Living in New York City for several years - the Memorial Day weekend was the official start of summer; and one of the best east coast ideas, "summer Fridays." For those of you who are not familiar with this tradition - from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the majority of businesses in NYC operate with skeleton crews

Botswana Agate & Freshwater Pearl Bracelet

after noon on Fridays, thus (did I just say "thus") allowing people to get out of the city and head for the beach or the country. Now that sounds like fun for some. Me? I'm afraid my weekends have always been a bit lackluster (at least in the eyes of others) since I have always been a homebody so my weekends were enjoyed in the quiet city.

On another note, for me, summer is a time to lighten and brighten up your fashions a bit. While designers are showing color, color and more color in clothing, I have always had a struggle trying to wear an orange top or a bright blue (yes, to me blue is bright) maxi-dress. Maybe you are a bit like me and in jeans, khakis, or white jeans (yes, I do), you don't have to ignore color completely - in fact, you can flaunt it in your jewelry. Adding colorful jewelry to your closet is a fun way to get new

Flourite & Crystal Sterling Silver Earrings

looks from existing wardrobe staples. While it might be tempting to buy disposable jewelry for the summer season; if you know where to look and shop you can find real gemstones in well-made handcrafted pieces that you won't toss when the summer season ends. Because they are real gemstones and quality materials you can add them to your collection and in most cases, if you treat them like fine, the majority of pieces will last you a lifetime. I love mixing the gemstone pieces in my collection with sterling silver or gold pieces I have gathered over a lifetime of collecting. And, when you are tempted by the street vendor and buy a stack of bangles for three dollars, those bangles immediately move into a different category when they are layered with unique one-of-a-kind jewelry. That's what makes it all so much fun. I hope the ideas highlighted here will set your creative mind on hyperdrive.