Becky Cable Halter in Navy, $118; by Lilly Pulitzer. Nothing is more nautical than a light-weight cable knit with a chunky gold chain halter. Pair this summer stunner with a pair of crisp pair of white jeans. (photo courtesy of lillypulitzer.com)

Check out this inspiring video on the Gulf! It's nice to see everyone--including A-listers--come together to fight this tragedy. Forewarning: it might give you the chills.

Since I can't be there, I'm always looking for ways to better comprehend the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There are countless stories, videos, and images available online that can help you understand the scale of the tragedy and why we should do everything we can to prevent it from happening again in the future. 

Here are a few sites to visit if you want to learn more about what's going on. 

• CNN.com provides us with a 3D rendering of the location of the spill. Take an underwater look at the cleanup site.
  
• The New York Times has an interactive map to track the spill and where the oil has made contact with the land. It also gives you a comprehensive look at the efforts to stop the leak and how the local wildlife is being affected.
  
• I've also been following the updates on CNN's iReports page. With all the media attention, it's important to view some unfiltered perspectives from the people who are really there.
  
• Check out The Beacon, the blog from Oceana, an international organization dedicated to protecting the world's oceans. A few of the posts I've found worthwhile: details of the cleaning process for oiled birds, their oil spill quotes of the day, and a link to buy a charity poster.
  
• Follow the daily news and pictures on National Geographic's Web site.

Photograph by Gerald Herbert, AP 

Have you found any links online that have helped you understand the disaster's scope? Share them in the comments!

-Perry Del Favero, Editorial Intern

Recently, some experts have voiced the opinion that birds found covered in oil as a result of the Gulf of Mexico spill should be euthanized rather than rescued, cleaned, and, hopefully, released so they can continue to lead a full life. As they say, the attempt to rehabilitate them is often futile.

 Others think that since we're the ones that got them into this mess, we should do everything we can to help the wildlife recover. Unfortunately, we can't save them all, but bird rescue leaders are confident that many can be saved. 

Since many affected animals, such as the brown pelican, are already endangered, isn't it worth it to rescue as many as we can?

-Perry Del Favero, Editorial Intern

Image courtesy of the International Bird Rescue Research Center

Image courtesy of the National Wildlife Federation                      Drawing: Olivia Bouler, courtesy of aolartists.com

Recently, the Audobon Society received a letter. It read, "I am a decent drawer, and I was wondering if I could sell some bird paintings and give the profits to your organization." The writer was 11-year-old Olivia Bouler, who has since raised more than $110,000 for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill relief with the support of AOL Artists.

To read more about this inspiring story on CNN.com, click here!

Watching the coverage of the oil spill is so frustrating, it's wonderful to read about someone so young who got productive and really made a difference. What about you? Does Olivia motivate you to get out there and do something in support of the Gulf?

-Perry Del Favero, Editorial Intern

That’s what happened to me earlier this week when I arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on a connection to find cancellations across the board.

Thanks to a helpful (and kind!) visitor’s center and fantastic local suggestions, here’s how to make the most out of 24 hours in Halifax.

Fun Airport Fact: You can buy lobsters in the airport lobby at Clearwater Fine Foods

Stay: Check into the Marriot Halifax Harbourfront (rates start around $189). Here, the beds are plush, the rooms are stylish, and you’re within walking distance to waterfront eateries, shops, historic architecture, and live entertainment. Downfalls: You have to pay for Internet, and parking costs about $20 (but well worth it if you’re not into hunting for a spot on the busy downtown streets.)

Stretch your legs at the Historic Properties Marketplace.Steps from the Marriott on Upper Water Street, this national historic site was created by settlers in the 1700s and the early 1800s.

• Shop: Grab an “I heart Nova Scotia” T-shirt in one of the shops along the waterfront, browse art in the Puffin Gallery, or pick up handcrafted souvenirs, including Anne of Green Gables collectibles in Harbour Swan Giftware.
  

• Snack: Sample flavors like Gooey Mooey and Wowie Cowie ice cream (made with butterfat, very little air!) from Cow's. Photo op: You and your new friend, Cow, in front of the shop.

Get out of town: Peggy’s Cove. About 35 minutes from downtown Halifax is Peggy’s Cove: A tiny fishing village with weathered grey lobster shacks, fishing piers, brightly colored boats, and the red and white Peggys Point Lighthouse. Photo op: Take a seat on one of the large, granite rocks with the light behind you.

Lunch: On the way back from Peggy’s, look for the tall wooden mermaid sign and stop in at Nixie Café for a lobster roll made with chilled hunks of fresh lobster, and a cold Stella beer.

Dinner: The Economy Shoe Shop Café and Bar. Up a few blocks from the Marriott (and up a hill) is the Shoe Shop: you’ll know it by the covered patio filled with boisterous locals. The distinct style lends a cozy, villa feel that can be as social or as intimate as you make it. Try the locally caught pan fried Nova Scotia Haddock ($14) served with a caper and preserved lemon sauce.

After Dinner Drink: Stick around the Shoe for a nice wine list, including a Nova Scotian classic L’Acadie Blanc ($28 a bottle). Live music downstairs in the Seahorse Tavern is known for bringing in some of the best Canadian acts around. Monday night is jazz, and Tuesday is new music night. Or, if you’re looking to wander, Argyle Street has al fresco bars, clubs, and eateries open until around 2 a.m.

Concerned about your Gulf Coast vacation plans? It’s understandable, considering the oil spill is affecting so much of the area’s beaches and ocean. But don’t cancel that reservation just yet. There are hundreds of miles of beaches, some of which haven’t been affected—yet. I spent a wonderful weekend with my family in Gulf Shores, Alabama, this Father’s Day. The streets were less crowded than usual, as were restaurants and shops. Everywhere we went, we were greeted by grateful business owners and locals. Our waitress at Lulu’s (the restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister) asked where we were from and thanked us for not changing our vacation plans. The owners of The Oar House restaurant in Foley even opened their doors to us when we, not realizing they were about to close for the day, arrived for a late lunch.

Knowing the residents of the Gulf coast rely partially on tourism to survive was the main reason we kept our plans to travel there. Another reason: the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach post oil spill updates on their Web site daily (thebeachfacts.com), and we could keep up-to-date on the real impact to the beaches. Some other reports had the sand covered in tar and smell of oil in the air—the truth was many of the beaches were still clear. During our stay, clean-up crews lined the beaches, but there were few signs of oil. In fact, I spotted only one 50-cent-piece-sized tar ball the entire trip. Once the temperatures hit the upper 90s, I even ventured into the water. So did several other vacationers along our stretch of white sand. All in all, it was a relaxing, successful trip, and we were glad to do our part to support the Gulf coast.

—Tempy Segrest, Senior Designer