Category Archives: Clothing

Change is Good…

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Photo: © Sheryl Checkman

Being a lover of warm weather the end of summer always feels a bit bittersweet. On one hand the lazy, sun-drenched days of beach visits and barbecues are past, but on the other hand, the crisp air and glorious colors of Autumn do offer a welcome consolation prize. Change is good.

I find that the change in season gives me new subject matter to photograph and new ideas for product design. The photo above was taken on a visit to Narrowsburg, NY. Walking along a country road one morning I was struck by the beauty of the surrounding woods. Using a slow shutter speed I was able to capture the colors of the the changing leaves and the striking vertical lines of the tree trunks in this impressionistic image.

Autumn Woods Scarf available on lifeisbalance.etsy.com

I designed this sheer scarf (above) from this impressionistic fine art photograph.

A chic addition to any Autumn outfit! Wear this luxuriously soft scarf around your neck, as a wrap, or tie it around your waist as a beautiful sarong. Dimensions: 50 in x 50 in. You can find this scarf on my Etsy shop here.

Autumn Woods Throw Pillow

This design is also available as a throw pillow or pillow cover in a variety of sizes.

A Breath of Fresh Air at the Top of the World!

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Montorosa Ski Valley
Alagna Valsesia, Piedmont, Italy

I recently spent a week skiing in Montorosa, a vast ski area consisting of three valleys in the Italian Alps. While we had no new snow for the 5 days of skiing, we were blessed with warm temperatures and bluebird skies. There is nothing like breathing crisp clean alpine air and skiing along side one beautiful vista after another to rejuvenate the soul and invigorate the body!

Sipping a glass of Italian wine Aprés Ski
Me, sipping a lovely glass of white wine for about 3 Euros! Gressoney-la-Trinité, Aosta Valley, Italy

I spent my week taking it all in — skiing till my muscles ached, eating pasta in every shape and form and tasting as many Italian wines as was possible — when my ski day came to an end, of course!

I came home with a healthy looking tan, a resolution to start a diet and some new ideas for t-shirt designs to add to my store, Life is Balance. You can see the new ski designs here.

I’m ready for summer…or at least spring!

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No GravatarIt’s winter again today! After temperatures in the 70’s last week it just plain wrong that it was back to winter today in NYC! My summer mojo was poking it’s head out, complete with t-shirts and shoes without socks! Today it was firmly put back in its’ place as I layered up once again in sweaters, scarf and ski jacket! Well mother nature’s tease did put me in the mood for spring to hurray up and get here for good. I’ve had enough of scarves and wool hats! I want to wear my new straw beach hat, my flip flops and nothing but a tank top and shorts! I guess I’ll have to wait a bit longer though.

This past weekend I visited two distinctly different trade shows that each added to my yearning for the warmer season to arrive. The first, on Saturday was the Whole Bead Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC, where I stocked up on some new stone beads and silver charms to add to my Life is Balance Jewelry Line. Roaming through the various stalls of bead vendors I got inspired to create an “Ocean Collection.” Here are are few photos of the end result:

Life is Balance Ocean Collection Fish Balance Necklace

Silver, Laboradite, Amazonite & Swvarski Crystal Balance Necklace from the new Ocean Collection

Balance Bracelet with Dolphin charm

Balance Bracelet with dolphin charm

Balance Bracelet with tiny Fish Charm

Balance Bracelet with tiny Fish Charm

On Sunday, I took a bus from the Port Authority to the Exposition Center at the Meadowlands to visit Beneath the Sea, the largest consumer scuba and dive travel show in America. There I walked from booth to booth salivating over all the wonderful dive destinations I’ve yet to visit. I stopped by and visited with vendors who I have gotten to know over the year such as David Dunleavy, whose paintings bring the underwater world to life and Roland St John, an incredibly talented jewelry designer who specializes in beautiful diving and aquatic gifts. David and I talked about my Life is Balance® line of t-shirts – (he too has a cool line of marine life tees). Of course I was wearing one of mine!

Protect and Preserve Ocean Conservation T-Shirt

Protect and Preserve Ocean Conservation T-Shirt

I stopped by my local scuba shop’s booth (Scuba Network) to look over the dive computers and try to decide which one I will eventually buy to replace my older model. I just can’t seem to decide between a wrist model or one on a console! I was also on the lookout for a decent strobe light for my camera to take underwater with me the next time I go diving. I stopped by a couple of photo booths and learned a lot about the Sea & Sea YS-01 DS-TTL Strobe. It sounds like the right set-up for me. Between that, the dive computer and all those great destinations I want to travel to, I think I need to start saving my pennies (and selling more t-shirts)!