When it comes to shopping for ethically-sourced and sustainably-produced products, not a lot of people stop to consider their jewelry. Many of us are starting (or continuing!) to ask questions about where our food, our clothes, our beauty products, even our cleaning products come from…but our jewelry? I’ll admit, I didn’t think much about where the metals that make up my necklaces and rings come from, or where they were being produced; I’d buy pretty pieces from small businesses and feel happy enough about supporting a local, family-owned operation. And while that is incredibly important, there’s an important part of that supply chain I was overlooking: the source of that metal and the labor needed to craft it.
Read MoreThis past August, I had the good fortune of flying out to a little island north of Fraser called Lady Elliot. Located off the coast of southern Queensland, it is one of the southernmost cays of the Great Barrier Reef and is known for its abundance of sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and spectacular array of other marine species. The moment I arrived in Hervey Bay, I was surrounded by chatter about Lady Elliot and people who gushed over how amazing it was. Literally, I’d be sitting at the office at work and multiple other crew members from different boats in the harbor would bustle by and stop in for a chat, and inevitably, Lady Elliot would come up. “You have to go. That place is insane.”
Read MoreI had some time off! And it was amazing! Whale watching is a beautiful way to spend your days, don’t get me wrong. In the midst of a busy season, though, you can bet I’ll snatch an opportunity to take a few days off and explore amazing Aussie. After taking so many guests on our trips who simply gushed about the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay, I knew I wanted to go see them for myself.
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