Taken...

Taken by the dimensions of her beauty and the subtle layers that make us each who we are.

1 word, 6 letters, 2 syllables, 1 meaning...Tender

...captured in this very stripped down cover of Yellow by Sara Bereilles. " Look at the stars, look how they shine for you and everything you do....you know I love you so. "


        

Just a few things...

Just a few things that caught my eye and my love...the perfect tasseled clutches and slouchy totes from Morgan Parish, a pair of tiny love knot rings, blue and white stripes, the upcoming collaboration between Swedish Hasbeens and H&M and a set of silly Lolita heart shaped shades that make everyday Valentine's Day.

1. Morgan Parish Clutch here 2. Love Knot Rings 3. Hasbeens and H&M Clogs 4. Permanent Vacation Striped Shirt here 
5. Morgan Parish Tote 6. Lolita Sunnies

Accidental Brilliance Superfood + Supplement Series...Chickpeas

One of the earliest known vegetables to be cultivated for food, the chickpea is the little legume packed with a big superfood punch and a perfect dose of protein. A good source of fiber and manganese which aids in fat burning and necessary for proper brain and nerve function. They are a low glycemic food so they burn slowly, keeping blood sugar low and energy sustained. And just one cup of beans adds 15 grams of fiber, more than half of the recommended 25 grams we should be eating everyday. Throw them in a salad or whip up a batch of The Barefoot Contessa's recipe for hummus and indulge. Adding these into the diet is a no brainer for sure.

Accidental Brilliance Monday Muse...Ms. Lake Bell

...muse worthy for the way she mixes up bright pops of color for night and casual neutrals for day.

SUPERFLY. Celine Spring 2011

SUPERFLY. From the bags on down to the boards...there is just so much goodness in the sporty cool vibes mixed with just enough sophistication. Celine Spring 2011.

Sunday Simple Wisdom of Buddha + A Song from Amos Lee

" This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need
for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our
temple. The philosophy is kindness. " - Buddha

                         
                          Amos Lee- Arms of a woman
                          don't forget to check out his new album
                          Mission Bell 

Accidental Brilliance at the moment favorites...

At the moment favorites...patterns and pastels reminiscent of Palm Beach in Jules Reid's Spring collection, the collision of colors in an oil on cardboard painting by Theo Altenberg and a reminder to live life fully and without regrets.

...rather than let the winter blues sneek in, add a little light with a white balzer

Playin' on repeat today... Red Hot Chili Peppers

"...now let us drink the stars, it's time to steal away. Let's go get lost, let's go get lost. "

                    
                     Red Hot Chili Peppers- Road Trippin'

Accidental Brilliance Picks...

...raw, organic and so functional. And, if you are in the market for one check out Bjorling & Grant they make custom furniture from reclaimed or certified forests collected in environmentally and socially responsible ways. For each piece of furniture they make the company plants two trees. They believe that if they can help a culture, tribe or village and not put them in a situation where they have to sell their land or forests to survive they are moving in the right direction. They also believe that the piece should reflect the culture where it came from and the hands that made it. So simple and so responsible.

INSPIRATION.

Inspiration found...in the most perfect pile of pillows, a very messy ponytail, a few H&M Spring looks and a row of palm trees caught in a purple haze.

From The Runway...Elie Saab Spring Couture 2011

Although sorta impractical especially on a snowy afternoon, these amazing Elie Saab gowns shown this week at the Paris Haute Couture shows paired with simple hair and makeup are just a little reminder that Spring will be here soon enough. Until then I am just going to get lost in the fantasy of where I might wear one of these stunners...

Accidental Brilliance Wednesday Wisdom...

Tunes for a Tuesday...Cyndi Lauper and Sarah McLachlan

" If your lost you can look and you will find me...time after time. If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting...time after time. "

                      

Inspired By...

1. turquoise neckalce here 2. bounkit amethyst & turquoise earrings here 
3. ralph lauren wedge 4. tory burch tunic here 5. mara hoffman swimwear
6. topshop straw clutch

Amazing Grace...

I have always thought that with simplicity comes grace...and often with grace even the most complex situation becomes simple.  Somehow these illustrations so beautifully capture an emotion of complexity made simple with just pen and paper and a bit of watercolor. Perfectly graceful...
 

Illustrations by JKL Design available here in various sizes from $15 to $105

Accidental Brilliance Superfood & Supplement Series...Quinoa

Simple to cook and nutty in flavor this Peruvian grain related to leafy green vegetables like spinach and swiss chard is perfect in place of any grain. Once considered the "gold of the Incas" after being recognized for it's ability to increase the stamina of warriors. It is considered a complete protein as well as a good source of magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus. In addition it is a good source of lysine, an amino acid important for tissue growth and repair. Delicious and nutritious can't beat that and it cooks in minutes.

Accidental Brilliance Monday Muse...Ms. Charlize Theron

...muse worthy for her flawless beauty and the way she mixes casual with a little glamour.

...wouldn't it be great to have an old card catalogue you filled with cards of wise wisdom.

Sunday Simple Wisdom of Buddha + A Song from KT Tunstall

" We live in illusion and the appearance of things. There is reality. When you understand this, you see that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all. "  - Buddha

                      

Accidental Brilliance at the moment favorites...

 At the moment favorites...simplicity found in the appeal of a white shirt, the joy of sitting down to write a letter with pen and paper and cup of hot tea, in a practical list of suggestions to live by, and in the stylish utilitarianism of a classic old school tool bag for Spring.

Ralph Lauren blouse Vogue Paris Feb 2011, Klein Tools bag

Deposit for the style files...Belted

BELTED...over blazers, dresses, flannels, flirty skirts and sweaters.

Stefanel Spring 2011

...rolled up and off the shoulder simple uncomplicated cool by Italian favorite Stefanel.


* Stefanel campaign shot by Mario Testino

Playin' on repeat today...Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians

                       
                         Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians- Circle 1988

Accidental Brilliance Picks...for a good cause

...and if you have a James Perse store near you, bring in your old James Perse shirts and the store will give you a credit towards a new one and more importantly they will repurpose the shirts and donate them to homeless families in need.

Can't take my eyes off...

Can't take my eyes off...the subtle fuchsia shadow on the rim of her eyes, the simple reflection of nature in an infinity pool, the length of her legs, the perfect knot of hair in this illustration and you. Can't take my eyes off of you.


Emma Leonard illustration, images via ulterior projects, sunday in bed, bipppityboppityboo

Accidental Brilliance Wednesday Wisdom...

...and tonight like so many other nights he sat at his typewriter.  A note for the morning, to leave beside her tea.

Destinations. Treehotel, Sweden

Quite amazing...way up high immersed in nature, a group of tree houses that make up this well designed Treehotel in the Boreal Forest in Sweden. In the winter you can spend the day snowshoeing or taking a Husky driven sleigh ride and in the summer there is amazing hiking, fishing and kayaking. The philosophy of the hotel is to  live in harmony with nature. For sure this is a destination where you become one with nature.

Tunes for a Tuesday...Florence and The Machine

Somehow this song never gets old. Just turn it up and dance...

INSPIRATION.

INSPIRATION found...courtesy of Pendleton, Porsche, poetry and a pair of ruby red slippers.

Accidental Brilliance Superfood & Suppplement Series...MSM

Healthy skin, hair and nails, are just a few of the amazing benefits of adding a dose of MSM powder to the daily regime. MSM which is an organic sulfur compound that detoxifies the body is on the top of the list of supplements worth looking into.  There are so many benefits to this supplement from enabling cells to release toxins to increasing the bodies ability to metabolize carbohydrates. The list goes on and on and who doesn't want shinier hair, stronger nails and more supple wrinkle free skin. Dissolve a dose of this wonder powder into water and drink to good health.

Accidental Brilliance Monday Muse...Ms. Mila Jovovich

...muse worthy because whether she is dressed up or dressed down, she just has that down to earth angel vibe.

Always remember...

Simple Sunday Wisdom of Buddha + A Song from Teddy Thompson

          
          Teddy Thompson- Ain't No Sunshine
          He does the cover of this song proud.

Accidental Brilliance at the moment favorites...

At the moment favorites, the clean slate appeal of all white...in the most perfect white convertible, and the whitest flower petals, in the easy appeal of a classic white button down shirt and in a soft white leather carry-on bag packed with nothing but the best expectations and intentions for this new year. Although life comes with distractions, the occasional disappointment and moments of doubt there is that beauty in knowing that each day we can wake and begin the day anew...a clean white slate where anything and everything is possible.

...for the perfection of a tweed vest and rolled up shirtsleeves, to the look of layers and that hair and beard, to glasses and an open starched white shirt in the morning before work and the look of a few non-conventional bracelets paired his watch and those arms in that t-shirt ain't bad either.

Reads...Locals Only by Hugh Holland

Locals Only...this book is full of the photographs of Hugh Holland as he captured a generation of Southern California skateboarders from 1975-1978. There was a drought in California in the mid-1970's and plenty of empty swimming pools available for trespassing skateboarders and a young photographer to take advantage of. A cool look at the culture before it became commercialized.

Accidental Brilliance Wednesday Wisdom...

Spring Frock Inspiration...

Snowing in NYC again so, for now these frocks go in the style files for Spring.

Dedon...not just an outdoor furniture company.

How cool is that setup ? Just about as cool as the story behind the company that created the furniture. Dedon outdoor furniture was the brainchild of Bobby Dekeyser a former goalie for The Bayern Munich soccer club. After an injury to the face he decided to leave the game to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Unsure how he would make it happen, he knew one thing, he wanted to start a company and the idea was simple " to work with family and friends in a nice environment, creating beautiful things. " And the company is not only building one-of-a-kind furniture, they are expanding the idea to one-of-a-kind vacation experiences. Although it is in the beginning stages the description of the idea sounds intriguing. " Meeting up with partners all over the world we're always discovering incredible places. From ski chalet to island hideaway, African wilderness lodge, tree house, igloo, boat or city harbor hotel, a reflection of our company's nomadic spirit. For people who want to push themselves a little farther, to go beyond the typical luxury experience". Sign me up !

Dedon's famous Nestrests...the perfect place to hang.

Always the gentleman...

...yet another reason why Mr. Grant tops the list of my all time crushes. Always a gentleman.

Just a few things...

Just a few things that caught my eye...perfect jeans for Spring, a beautiful pile of bracelets, the most amazing handmade clutch replica of the classic Lolita, a funny set of pencils, a pink number that taunts you to book a trip and the sweetest pair of shoes.

1. Gap wide legged jean 2. Irene Neuwirth & Lanvin bracelets here 
3. Olympia Le-Tan Lolita clutch here 4. Chopstick Pencils
5. Mara Hoffman dashiki for Madewell here 6. Lanvin shoes

Tunes for a Tuesday...The Band live at The Last Waltz Concert

There have been lots of documentaries made about great music but one of the top of my list is The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorsese. The film is the last concert of The Band in 1976 at The Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The Last Waltz was advertised as the last performance of the group's career and saw them joined by dozens of musicians from Joni Mitchell to Neil Young and Bob Dylan in addition to a dozen other artists. The Winterland Ballroom the venue that was used for shows that were to large to fit into the famed Fillmore was host to a number of epic concerts recorded for live albums and for sure this was just one of those epic shows. So many great performances...

                       
                        The Band- It Makes No Difference

Accidental Brilliance Superfood & Supplement Series...Raw Honey

There is nothing better than a steaming hot cup of tea with honey...that is if the honey is in the raw state. Although we all love honey for it's sweetness, it is packed with health and medicinal benefits as well. Used to calm the nerves, neutralize toxins, provide the body small amounts of vitamins like A, all the B-Complex vitamins, C,D,E and K to name just a few...why not include a spoon or two in a day. But why raw ? Raw honey is not heated so it does not lose any of it's nutrients and beneficial enzymes. It is important to look at the label and find one that says "raw" or "unpasteurized". It even makes a really great skin mask, just apply it to the skin and let it sit for 20 minutes and rinse. And if you are working out, dissolve it in your bottle of water. It is perfect post workout, acting as a fast source of easily absorbed carbohydrates and minerals to replenish depleted glycogen or muscle energy. The stuff is worth it's weight in gold.

Accidental Brilliance Monday Muse...Ms. Elisa Sadnaoui

...muse worthy for the way she pulls off that fine line between eclectic elegance and laid back cool.

Sunday Simple Wisdom of Buddha + A Song from Fleetwood Mac...

"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind"-Buddha
                                                                                                                          
                          
                          Fleetwood Mac- Gypsy

...falling back on lots of layers as the snow is falling again in NYC today but looking forward to classic stripes for Spring.

Accidental Brilliance at the moment favorites...

At the moment favorites...the idea of finding the art in everything from the obvious in a favorite Basquiat painting, to the artful beauty of the drape or pattern of a blouse, the artistry in a handcrafted table or in the imagination of a kid. And the reminder that there is art in everything...in the way we dress, the way we love someone, the way we feel, the things we say. Life is art, and each day we get a fresh canvas to create.

Accidental Brilliance In the Beauty Bag

*All products natural and free of parabens and harmful chemicals.

Accidental Brilliance Wednesday Wisdom...