Spell & The Gypsy Collective

Here are a few photos from the latest shoot with Spell & The Gypsy Collective. Every shot is so on point. Her pieces skim beautifully over the body and the grace of her style meshes perfectly with her surroundings. They incorporate recycled and vintage fabrics in their conscious clothing line which I love! You can shop the style here.

And check the feather Kimono in this last pic

Affirmations

I just finished reading Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play by Kimberly Wilson and LOVED it. It is such an inspiring book for ladies trying to do good in the world and be successful in all aspects of life. The best thing I got out of this book was the Tranquilista Manifesto, which I’ve now hung right beside my bed to wake up to every morning, helping me to set my intentions for the day. Affirmations have been crucial for me on the road to enlightenment, and this list of them is great.

Tranquilista Manifesto:

• connect to my spiritual core daily
• access my aspirations seasonally and create aligned action steps
• be an activist for causes close to my heart and do good every day
• express my creativity daily and replenish my creative spark weekly
• start something that aligns with my values, intentions, and passions
• build a brand with authenticity and a focus on community
• expand organically, strategically, and compassionately

Beyond that, the book spoke of the power of intention and setting your intentions for the day as a morning ritual. Your intentions help you take greater control of your life by directing your mind with a purpose or plan. When we set positive intentions for our day, we are aligning our mind and spirit on the proper energy vibrations on which to act upon to achieve what we want out of life. What are your intentions for the day?

Words to live by:

• Eat good food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
• Always answer the phone with a smile
• Learn to pick and chose your battles wisely
• Surround yourself with only positive people who will lift you higher
• Volunteer
• Travel as much as you can
• Send thank you notes
• Be good to your body, its all you have
• Try to cultivate a few great friends
• Vote
• Don’t be prissy
• Always have fresh flowers in your house
• Don’t be excessive
• Help anyone who needs it
• Only buy things you LOVE
• Hit save often
• Be a lifelong learner
• Find something beautiful in everyday
• Work harder than you should

Whatever you are, be a good one

I’m sure by now you are all aware of the devastating effects of bottled water on the environment. I am happy to say I have almost entirely weened myself off of bottled water. After watching the inspiring documentary, Flow, I had to take action. And you know what? I don’t miss it at all and it was actually pretty easy to do. There are those occasions every now and then though when my habits slip up and I’ve forgotten my water bottle. In those instances, boxed water is a great alternative.

“What is this?” you ask.  “Bottled water in a box?”  Nope.  It’s boxed water, and it’s brilliant!  With 90% of the container coming from renewable resources and 20% of their profits reinvested in clean water and sustainable forestation initiatives, it seems like they’re living up to their claim).  Boxed Water is a much needed breath of fresh air in a world littered with plastic bottles saying the same thing the same way (i.e. Mountains and rivers on clear plastic containers that will exist long after we’ve turned to dust).  A great piece of design from a local company in the US.  Could it get any better? -Packaging World

Raw Tomato Napoleon Recipe

I have been eating raw foods since I was 17. The health benefits are amazing! If you are unfamiliar with raw foods, it is a vegan diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts & seeds, and a few other basic food staples that are not cooked over 115 degrees. This is to preserve the high amounts of nutrients and enzymes in the food that work to raise your energy levels, aid in digestion, and benefit your overall health. This is one of my favorite recipes, adapted from http://www.rawmazing.com/

Raw Tomato Napoleon with Basil Cashew “Cheese” and Basil Oil

For each Napoleon you will need:

• 1 small tomato
• Basil Cashew Cheese Spread
• Basil Oil

Cut the tomato in thirds. Form a patty of the Cashew Cheese the same size as the tomato slice. Layer tomato slices and cheese. Drizzle basil oil over top. If you want to add an extra kick to it, you can also add balsamic vinegar.

Basil Cashew “Cheese” Spread

• 1 C Cashews, soaked at least 1 hour
• 2 T. Lemon Juice
• 1 Clove Garlic
• Pinch Salt
• 1 C basil leaves

Start food processor. Drop clove of garlic into processor and run until garlic is chopped. Add cashews, lemon juice and salt. Place all ingredients except basil in food processor and process until smooth (it will be a little grainy). Add basil and pulse until basil is chopped up and combined into cheese.

Basil Oil

Finely chop 4 T basil and add to 1/4 C oil

How beautiful is it to do nothing and then rest afterwards…

Let me just say, I love my bed. It is an intricately made thing of beauty, from the high threat count organic bamboo sheets to the feathertop on the mattress that makes me feel like I am sleeping on clouds…I owe it much gratitude for many slumber-filled nights. I work in bed, play in bed, eat in bed, sleep in bed..its hard to get me away from it for too long. However, the nature girl in me has always loved those times where I’ve fallen asleep outside, on the beach, passed out on the grass reading, only to be woken up by the most lovely sounds and sensations of being in the middle of such beauty. One day, I may just attach my bed to the roof of my car and drive out and plop it right on the sandy beach where my bedroom belongs. Until then…

As one of the greatest ideas i’ve seen lately, this organization is trying to raise money to buy a satellite about to go up for sale soon in order to provide free internet access to everyone, especially to those most in need in developing countries. Access to information truly is a human right! Check it out here and donate if you can.

Simple Steps to Declutter Your Home

I am so much more productive and at peace when my mind and my home is decluttered. Even after I seem to have thrown out or donated the majority of my belongings, somehow within a matter of weeks I have built up enough new clutter to throw my good vibes into disarray.  I find myself doing a thorough cleanse of my home pretty frequently, and these tips help a lot to rid myself of unnecessary clutter.  Try it and I promise you will feel so much better afterwards!

For each item, ask yourself:

• Have I used this item in the last 6 months?
• If this item broke or was lost, would I replace it?
• Does this item have a proper place? If it doesn’t, you need to create one so it is out of sight.
• Does it work properly? Do I have something similar that works better?
• Would someone else appreciate this item more than I do? If so, send it their way.
• Does this item actually prompt a truly meaningful memory? I was surprised by how many mementos I kept that invoke very little emotion from me. Now I only keep something if it really makes me laugh or cry.

Other helpful tips:

• It is near impossible not to have a “maybe” pile. In this instance, set the maybe pile out of sight and wait 3 months. If you have not used it within this time period, it is time to get rid of it.
• If you feel bad about getting rid of something that is inherently useful or expensive, even if you don’t use it enough – don’t! Just donate it. Someone else will appreciate it much more than you are currently.

I am currently working towards a kitchen this organized…

Wheat Berry Salad with Raisins, Beets, and Citrus Vinaigrette

It may come as no surprise that I am obsessed with Whole Foods. I know, I know…some of you may call it “whole paycheck” but think about the money you are saving in medical care by eating healthier, right? Try as I might to create unique recipes on my own, sometimes Whole Food’s prepared food section is just so on point with their recipes. I couldn’t make a better wheat berry salad if I tried (which I have, many times…) so here is a recipe of theirs for the most delicious wheat berry salad. With such a unique mix of flavors, it is a great salad for the fall season.

Wheat berries are the actual kernels or seeds of whole wheat grains. They are less processed than other grains you can buy and have high amounts of dietary fiber, protein, and vitamins A, B, and E.

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked wheat berries
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 orange
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flaxseed oil or canola oil
• 2 small raw beets, peeled and grated
• 1 carrot, grated
• 3/4 cup seedless raisins
• 1 small bunch green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced

Method

Place wheat berries in a large bowl and cover with several inches of cold water. Let soak 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the berries and place them in a large saucepan. Cover by several inches of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover, and simmer until berries are tender and some break open, about an hour. Drain well and set aside to cool. Zest orange then transfer zest to a large bowl. Add juice of half the orange (save remaining for another use), lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper and whisk to make a dressing. Add cooled wheat berries and toss. Add beets, carrots, raisins and green onions and toss again.

“What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork.”

Life is far less in memory, and spirit, though, if we do not stop and savor in all that is tender and warmhearted. We live, and this world we live in is satiated in splendor, in daily miracles of magnificence, only waiting for one to lift the blinders of materialism and observe: The silken yawn of dawn and dusk. Sun beams fragmented, like a kaleidoscope, by leafy tree tops. The scent of the earth after a summer rain. The sea, with all its elegance and vigor. Misty mornings, blades of grass crowned with dew. Fireflies winking in the melodious twilight of summer. The serenity of earth laden with the pale powder of snow. The tiny pin-pricks of stars in the ebony mantle of sky.” -GirlMeetsNYC

I have always been astounded by the beauty of trees and the wisdom they seem to possess. I have an inclination to assign inanimate and natural objects alike feelings and personalities, and my imagination goes wild looking at these trees. I want to climb up or lay under all of them. They are lovely teachers. Enjoy more pics after the cut…

Gratitude