Overall Obsession...

I've been obsessed with overalls for as long as I can remember but, I just don't see them around often enough these days. With summer officially here i'm thinking, throw em' over a bikini with a high pair of espadrilles and you've got a beach weekend uniform...

left to right 1.Gap (love this dress and I bet it will be on sale soon) 2.Les Halles 4&;6. Rugby 5. J.Crew (last season) 

Can't take my eyes off...

Can't take my eyes off...the flowers she so perfectly tucks behind her ear, the magnificence of mother nature and the clarity of her emerald gaze. The way his hand just barely touches her arm and with just a touch, probably communicates all he needs to say and how with ease he seems to gracefully walk on crystal blue water...

images via all the lovely things tumblr and pinterest

Accidental Brilliance Picks...

image via where did you get that. elizabeth and james rings available at bloomingdales

Blondie. Tunes for a Tuesday...

Don't you agree a little Blondie, the punk rock princess with two-tone bleached blonde hair, too much eye shadow and a tiny face of a doll belongs on every playlist ? Doesn't matter if it's for a sunny beach weekend or late nights in the city or a day like today...

                       

Accidental Brilliance Superfood + Supplement Series...Hunza Raisins

Grown in the Hunza region of the Himalayas, golden Hunza raisins are one of my favorite sweet treats, these guys put any other raisin to shame. They are cultivated from ancient fertile soils irrigated with Himalayan glacier water and that's what makes all the difference.  It is well known that this mineral rich water is high in iron, calcium, copper and gold. The raisins are hand-picked, sun-dried and known as the most delicious raisins in the world. And another really neat fact, the Hunza people are the healthiest, longest living people in the world. When they were studied, the only difference in their diet is they do not consume any animal fats and they eat a diet very rich in fresh or dried fruits and nuts. Pretty interesting right ?

* you can find hunza raisins at Whole Foods in their bulk department or most healthfood stores.

Kirsten Dunst...Accidental Brilliance Monday Muse

Muse Worthy because she has been marching to beat of her own drum for years. She always keeps it simple and perfectly laid back and never seems to waver from her aesthetic.

Weekend Distractions...

images via paterson maker, turquoise dove, the house home, pinterest

Sunday Simple Wisdom of Buddha + Somethin' from Eddie Vedder

...and at least for me, there is nothing better than something new from Eddie Vedder on a Sunday morning. Off his second solo album Ukulele Songs out May 31st. If you can't wait for it, NPR First Listen is streaming the whole album for free until it's release. Check it out here. This one is my favorite...

                          

Love what she is wearing...

...for so many different reasons but mostly because there is nothing better than denim...worn in, cut off, rolled up, as a skirt, in different colors, with a little boot or a ballet flat and on and on and on.

images via Phill Taylor photography, Isabel Marant, Just Jared, Joie, Vogue Espana

Juan Usle...Accidental Brilliance at the moment favorite

Lately I have been drawn to color, the brighter the better and Spanish painter Juan Usle's work fits the bill. And more inspirational than his use of color is his use of lines, almost like a metaphor for life. Although in each painting there are straight lines they all seem to blur, curve, and sort of go off course to create something beautiful and unexpected...

Alexi Murdoch...Playin' on repeat today

...put the i-pod on shuffle just to see what happens. Hit repeat a few times lost in thoughts of when I first found Alexi Murdoch. Late Spring years ago in one of my favorite towns, Mill Valley, California. Wandered into a tiny shop playing his music while eating the sweetest peach I have ever tasted. Strange the things you remember, stranger the things you forget...

                       

Accidental Brilliance In the Beauty Bag...

...summer is officially almost here so better get your bronze on. People are pretty particular about their idea of what makes a great tan. For me, my top priority is using products that are natural and free of harmful chemicals, that are kind to your body, skin and the planet. These are just a few of my top picks for a faux bronze glow au natural.

St Tropez & Josie Maran products available at Sephora, Sonia Kashuk brushes availiable at Target, Mineral Fusion available at Whole Foods

Just a few things...

Can you say under $10 ? Yup, there are tons of great summer treasures from a bubble gum tank over a bikini you can afford to get in a couple of colors to a pile of fun summer bangles. No need to break the bank to bum around the beach in style this summer.

Tank and bathing suit available at H&M. Bangles available at Forever21 here.

Spell Jewelry. Can't take my eyes off...

Can't take my eyes off  these photos of the sisters/designers of Spell Jewelry on a recent designing trip in Bali. Whenever I see their designs their free spirited piles of rings, bracelets and necklaces just seem to draw me in. The Gypsy Collective their store in Byron Beach, Australia is a must see as well, stocked with Native American influences, fashion, footwear and their beautiful collection of recycled and vintage treasures. To see the entire collection click on over here, careful you might fall under their Spell.

Accidental Brilliance Wednesday Wisdom...

Use Your Voice...

The devastation in Missouri is heartbreaking. The damage is unprecedented for a natural disaster and brings to mind something Gandhi said..." whatever you do is insignificant, but you must do it ", with that in mind now is the time to Use Your Voice and donate to help the people of Joplin and the surrounding areas. Visit the Red Cross to donate and get involved.

Accidental Brilliance Picks...

Maggie Bjorklund...Tunes for a Tuesday

...this is sweet and slow, perfect to end the day from Danish talent Maggie Bjorklund.

         

Superfood + Supplement Series...Asparagus

There is no shortage of asparagus around the market lately and Spring is the best time to take advantage of them. Besides being one of the most flavorful vegetables around, asparagus is a powerhouse of nutrients and vitamins. A great source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K. Along with avocado, kale and brussel sprouts, asparagus is also rich in glutathione, a detoxifying compound that helps break down carcinogens and helps to fight cancer. They are also packed with antioxidants which help slow the aging process. And the most well known fact is that they are full of amino acids which act as a natural diuretic helping to rid the body of excess fluids and salts, perfect since bikini season is here.

Angela Lindvall...Accidental Brilliance Monday Muse

...when you say environmental goddess, model and free spirit Angela Lindvall comes to mind. Muse worthy for so many reasons, for the way she keeps her look perfectly simple, for the way she knows how to rock a t-shirt and jeans...but mostly for her dedication to the earth. In 2009 she founded the Collage Foundation with the belief that the first step toward making a change lies in recognizing that there is a better way. To check out how you can get involved click on over here.

Weekend Distractions...

Images via Musings in Femininity, garden House Beautiful, bed linens by Serena & Lily, artwork by Jenny Nelson, pale pink pant photo via Gastro Chic.

Sunday Simple Wisdom of Buddha + Somethin' from Joe Cocker...

                         

Deposit For The Style Files...Fragile Florals

...tiny fragile floral prints in paper thin fabrics with worn-in jeans or a little pair of shorts. Pair that with a warm afternoon and a romantic picnic and you have the start to a great weekend.

Shirts by Madewell, J Crew, Joie

Accidental Brilliance at the moment favorites...

INSPIRATION FOUND.

Inspiration found in Katharine Hepburn on a skateboard, the color red and it's ability to brighten things up, the classic appeal of a wide-leg jean and the incomparable light as air talent of Gene Kelly

images via we heart it, Zara red blouse, pinterest

Moby's new album Destroyed...Playin' on repeat today

I have written before about how it never ceases to amaze me how powerful music is to transport you back to a place long gone in your past. Listening to Moby's newest album Destroyed, there I went again, off into a time gone by. Years ago I worked for a magazine in downtown NYC, the offices were housed in one of the largest lofts I have ever seen and everyone worked really late into the night, the overhead lights were turned off and only tiny desk lamps were used, everyone played their own music at their desk and when all the different sounds came together the office seemed to buzz, almost as if it could have lifted off and flown. I played Moby over and over somehow electronica sounded right late at night. When I heard his new album, there I was back at my desk and I thought about what I might have told myself back then...

                      

...to hear the whole abum check out Moby's website.

L'Amour Fou...

After just finishing the NY Times review of L'Amour Fou the recently debuted documentary on Yves Saint Laurent, I am completely looking forward to seeing it. This is the third documentary about the French couturier who died in 2008 and I think this one will likely be the most interesting. It is well known that although as a designer he was a visionary, an icon who will most likely go down as one of the most influential designers, he also lived with overwhelming bouts of depression which made it very difficult to truly experience the magnificence he had created. Two things he greatly treasured were the love of his partner Pierre Berge who narrates the film and the his attachment to the possessions and art they amassed which was basically astounding. In 2009 Berge sold most of their collection at auction at Christies which was known as the "auction of the century" netting $483.8 million dollars. The "mad love" of the title refers to their passion for collecting homes and art. After reading the review I went to look for the trailer on the film and the most interesting part is that after a short montage of his work, there is a shot of Saint Lauent at a press conference where he says..." I understand the most important encounter in life is the encounter with oneself ", and sadly it seems that despite his creative accomplishment and his long lasting relationship and their amazing surroundings there was something in his genius that never allowed him to master that encounter and relationship with himself.

...there are many aspects of his empire that I admire but this Helmut Newton photograph below which I have had a print of hanging in my bathroom for years, personifies his brilliance. The women's tuxedo which he originally created in 1966 and which most likely became his trademark is that perfect combination of masculine and feminine, light versus dark and in his case his artistry versus his demons...

Here is a little sneak peak from the trailer...

       

Maya Hayuk

After the last few day of May showers, the art of New York based artist Maya Hayuk feels like the perfect way to get an infusion of color. With a mix of graphics, graffiti, and no fear of color she creates these incredibly layered pieces...

Destinations. Shambhala Estate, Bali

Shambahala Estate has been on my passport wishlist for quite awhile now. Located in the jungles of Bali, this is a luxurious destination retreat built around the concept of holistic wellness. A place to revitalize and focus on mind, body and soul.  Whether it is the lush jungle or the sacred and spiritual culture of the region it seems like this place is nothing less than pure inspiration to just unplug and focus on appreciating the moment. There is an amazing menu of holistic spa treatments, hiking, yoga, meditation, waterfalls and endless ways to relax and rejuvenate with the overall message of experiencing utter well being...

...and just in case we don't get there, they also have an online shop with their own line of massage oils, haircare, bodycare, home and travel products all aligned with their holistic and healthy living philosophy.

For more beautiful photos of the retreat click on over here.

Accidental Brilliance Wednesday Wisdom...

Accidental Brilliance Picks...

Echo by Jaume Plensa

One of the most special parts of living in New York City is that you come across amazing, new and different things every time you take a walk...things that stop you in your tracks. Every once in awhile you even find something that takes your breath away. Such was the case yesterday, on a rainy walk I found this amazing sculpture in the middle of Madison Square Park. Echo is her name, created by the renowned Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa. She depicts a nine-year old girl from Plesna's Barcelona neighborhood, lost in a state of thoughts and dreams. Perhaps it is her massive size, 40 feet tall or my amazement in finding something this peaceful in the middle of the hectic city but I could not take my eyes off her. There I stood and the city went quiet... 

...once I got home I looked into the background on the sculpture and read that the sculpture also refers to an episode in Greek mythology in which the nymph Echo is forced as punishment to repeat only the thoughts of other people in her mind. So, in many ways as this breathtaking sculpture sits peacefully in the park with her eyes closed perhaps, she is sitting in the thoughts of the thousands of people who come each day to gaze at her. If you have a chance go check it out, it will be there until August 14th, 2011. It is worth the trip, I promise.

The Antlers New Album Burst Apart. Tunes for a Tuesday...

...this album is sorta perfect for the day, each song feels like what I think rain on a windshield might sound like just as it rolls off. The latest from The Antlers titled Busrt Apart. For sure it could be a contender for one of the best albums of the year so far. Peter Silberman the creative force behind the band has said that " this record is about being lost, and getting your bearings back." After listening to it I also think it is about beginnings, and endings about complicated histories you have with people about forgiving, reconciliation and moving on...it is about the honesty of human emotion.

        

        

Jordana Brewster...Accidental Brilliance Monday Muse

...Jordana Brewster has been a favorite of mine for a long time, not sure what took me so long to feature her as a Monday Muse. Someone recently asked me what I thought made a woman beautiful and although I guess the answer is different for everyone, for me I most admire women who seem comfortable in their own skin, and in Jordana's case that would be perfectly tanned skin...add in her natural not really there makeup and shiny hair and she tops the top of the muse worthy list as one of the best dressed ladies in Hollywood. And, have you seen her home in the May issue of InStyle, all the more reason why she is a favorite...

home images via InStyle

Weekend Distractions...

images via The House, Soul Surfer, Head Over Heels, B-Elle. Indian Chief by David White

Sunday Simple Wisdom of Buddha + Somethin' from Brandi Carlile

...and on thoughts of things that bring peace this song sits well, sad but somehow hopeful all at the same time. And Brandi's voice like an angel on a Sunday morning...