Choosing jewelry doesn’t have to feel complicated.

Over the years, I’ve watched people try on piece after piece, searching for something that feels right—and I’ve come to believe it’s less about getting it perfect and more about paying attention.

In this new post, I’m sharing a few simple ways to choose jewelry you’ll actually wear, along with a gentle approach to picking something meaningful for someone else.

Living on a small island doesn’t mean living in a small world. News, change, and the weight of global events reach us here just like anywhere else. But the rhythms of island life—tides, seasons, animals, gardens—offer a kind of perspective.

Last Saturday my mom and I spent the afternoon learning to make dumplings from scratch with Ger Liang Tysk of Red Kettle Kimchi through Partners in Island Education. Dough, filling, pleats, and plenty of laughter filled the room.