Do What You Love is an inspiring photo and video series about women that are loving their work and working their love. The one below features Anna Bond, owner of Rifle Paper Co., and since I adore anything and everything that comes out of the shop, learning about its creation was super fun. Watching these ladies pursue their passions reminds me that there’s no time like the present to take risks and live your dreams. That’s right, it’s time to invest in YOU. The project is still in its infancy, but after soaking up the first few films, I’m positive more good things are on the way. Dream on!

There are certain eras so unique and special that when word of them spreads, visitors and transplants flock to be a part of the scene, even years after their heyday. Skateboarding in Southern California during the 70s is no exception, and we’re lucky Hugh Holland was around to capture the magic. Holland’s collection of photography in Locals Only chronicle the youth skateboard scene from 1975-1978 with everything from action shots to playful candids, all in the sun-faded glory you can expect from photos in this region.

Copyright: © 2010 Hugh Holland/Courtesy of www.ammobooks.com

Besides the amazing shots captured everywhere from empty pools to Venice Beach, the book contains an in-depth interview with Holland. For me, it was interesting to learn how drought conditions gave birth to getting vertical and how everything changed over three years, going from groups of kids just skating and hanging out to the start of commercialization in the sport. Hell, it even made me a little sad. The large format and nostalgia this book evokes make it an awesome gift and a worthy addition to anyone’s coffee table book collection. Just be warned that you’ll probably find yourself shopping for Vans and tube socks after browsing through.

I’m a huge fan of photographer Betsy Vanlangen and when I checked up on her website to see if there was anything new, I got very excited to see that she added some more mixed media photos to her already-amazing portfolio. Betsy uses a lot of traditional objects (fruits included) in very untraditional ways to create some of the most remarkable portraits I’ve ever seen.

Collaborating with friends who launched the “How could Colorado Springs rock?” postcard campaign, a group of San Francisco locals decided it was time to inspire people in the Haight district. They dropped postage-paid postcards in cafes and shops, inviting people to share their thoughts and engage with neighbors on issues of community improvement. The ihaightsf project has turned into an incredible display of local creativity and dialogue. I was excited to fill out a postcard and mail it in, and I can only hope other communities latch on to this idea!

I recently came to the realization that my connectedness had become more overbearing than I was comfortable with. I developed a compulsive urge to check email on my phone upon awakening, even before showering and eating breakfast. I’d check Facebook and Twitter, not for any particular reason, but just to see how certain comments and tweets were being received. It was making me feel more anxious than a pot of coffee on an empty stomach and it was hard to concentrate on meaningful work. If you’ve ever felt the same way and are interested in shaking things up, Hamlet’s BlackBerry is an amazing resource.

First-time author William Powers shares his own story about becoming more disconnected and how it’s greatly improved his quality of life. What I like about his approach is that it’s balanced – it doesn’t discount all the amazing things technology does for us. It just suggests that hey, maybe we’re not using it efficiently yet. It’s solidly researched (dude spent some time at a Harvard fellowship working on it) and proves that information overload has always been a problem for society (long before computers). Powers explores what we can learn from the past and finishes with recommendations for anyone looking to change their habits, stressing that it’s not a prescription and the individual will need to create a strategy that makes sense for his or her lifestyle.

Reading the book has helped me lighten the amount of information I subject myself to and be okay with that. Why? I’m making the choice to become a happier, more creative and productive person. After all, is anyone really ever going to regret not spending enough time in front of screens?

A good friend of mine told me about InTheMO before it launched and I’ve been anticipating using it ever since. Her boyfriend, Cary Levine, happens to be the site’s founder; he and a small team spent years creating the first interactive video-based travel guide to spots you’ll love around the world. InTheMO is finally live, and here’s how it works: you share your local expertise and rate your favorite places, the site then learns your tastes and recommends other spots you’ll enjoy. InTheMO also features awesome original footage of the people behind local businesses — they have over 4000 videos for your viewing pleasure. Get started and start earning street cred!

If you’re a fun lovin’ photography geek, Photojojo is your spot for choice camera accessories and DIY photo projects, not your wardrobe – that is until now. Two of their latest additions to the store that completely lit up my frontal lobes for impulse buys are a sweet Camera Strap Tee and Lens Bracelets à la Livestrong, except way more creative. I’m sure if a charity for camera-needy nations existed, part of the proceeds would go there.