Okay, so I know many of you out there are protesting the Olympics this year in China and I understand why. However, my internal antennae went buzzing when I saw photos of the opening ceremony. You can’t deny the magnificent display of lighting and fireworks. Me? I’m impressed.

This really appeals to my inner five year old who loves flickering things in the night. It’s also simply beautiful.

I love the globe light and the symbology of the little people walking across it.

Source:: Flickr

This this is the sweetest story. Look at this tiny red panda cub (shown at left), recently rejected by it’s mommy at a zoo in Amsterdam, and then adopted by the zookeepers house cat. The baby is shown nursing on it’s new mommy.

Red pandas are a rare species, don’t get bigger than an average sized house cat and are not related to the giant pandas. They are also an endangered animal. Shown at right is an adult red panda. Isn’t he the cutest?

Today is not only my sister’s birthday, but also the re-birth of something very beautiful–California’s Supreme Court overruled a voter-approved ban on same sex marriages. What does that mean? It’s means, hit the streets baby for a party tonight where same sex couples in the Golden state are celebrating and planning their nuptials.

“It’s about human dignity. It’s about human rights. It’s about time in California,” San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, pumping his fist in the air, told a roaring crowd at City Hall. “As California goes, so goes the rest of the nation. It’s inevitable. This door’s wide open now. It’s going to happen, whether you like it or not.” ::Source: My Way News

I happen to be visiting Los Angeles today for my nephew’s college graduation and I can feel the collective joy. That vibration can be felt around the globe and it’s very healing.

Models at People Tree–the company often referred to as fair trade pioneers.

For those of you who know my shopping sensibilities, you also know that I tend to covet People Tree dresses. And now that Summer is on the horizon, I can fully express myself in People Tree feminine Divine.

Why is People Tree so high on my list you might ask? Well, this says it all, as stated on their website: “For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there’s an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world. We like to think of it in terms of our little shoots-and-roots motif. We provide you with exclusive fashion - the shoots - while at the same time we work deep down through the roots, improving the lives and environment of the artisans and farmers in developing countries who work to produce it. It’s Fair Trade throughout. Simple.” Yes simple indeed. And sustainable and luxurious.

In celebration of World Fair Trade Day (that’s today), People Tree has launched a “limited range of dresses by renowned designer Bora Aksu and created by People Tree’s fair trade partner, the Bangladeshi Swallows producer group.” :: Smart Planet

Here goes…

That would be perfect with cute sandals, over a bathing suit…

Carolina, that would adorable on you…as would the dress above..

This one feels very ethnic and the design at the neckline is like a map of the world. Love that.

Happy World Fair Trade Day. May we continue to embrace People Tree and others like them who support humanity and the environment.

Jen and I at the dinner table getting ready for our first toast.

Last night was the first night of Passover–a Jewish holiday celebrated every year for a week to honor the freedom of our ancestors from enslavement by the Egyptians. It was the first time I’d celebrated it in many years and this year had special meaning for me. It was a return to the earth in the simplest form–sharing a meal (and lots of laughter) with dear friends and loved ones. Mine happened to be Jen, Josh and Jen’s grandma, Dorothy.

Jen and her beautiful grandmother, Dorothy.

Josh in a random fidgety camera moment…

After dinner in a loving Jen.Cheryl moment….

Happy Passover. May the joys of freedom, good friends/family, laughter and healing be spread all around the globe.