Unspoiled landscapes, uncharted reefs, an unbelievably beautiful, natural environment. This is the only one way to describe the stunning raw beauty of the South Pacific, Solomon Islands.

It’s astonishing and inspiring to explore a place in the world today where the most common form of transportation is canoe, painstakingly carved out of a single tree by an entire family over a ten year period. A place where the majestic coral reefs are still undiscovered by tourists, the Discovery Channel, and even Google Earth.

Here, between dives and lagoon swims, playful dolphins come right up to the boat to swim alongside me, joyfully unafraid. I was also taken by the friendliness of the island children, who unacquainted with Gameboys and electronics fished with hook and wire and played happily with toys of their own making; home made stilts and guitars of all things! Their innocence and friendly, open demeanor was a reminder of how easy it is to find happiness and tranquility in the natural beauty of our planet.

The pristine underwater palette of the South Pacific reefs inspired A Southern Seas Sojourn Collection. Exploring the underwater beauty here has made me so much more appreciative and highly aware of the millions of people who depend upon the reefs and the oceans for their food and their livelihood. More inspired than ever to help protect these endangered ecosystems, my company will donate proceeds from the Destination Eye & Cheek Palette in Solomon Islands to Coral Reefs in the South Pacific (CRISP), a non-profit organization which will specifically fund a project in the Solomon Islands to help preserve the stunning beauty of this unique region.

The beauty of nature inspires generosity, we can follow it’s example in creating beauty through generosity.