"Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Vermeer

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I have always loved this painting by Johannes Vermeer ever since I first saw it.

This painting is considered by many as the "Dutch Mona Lisa" for both it's beauty, masterful technique and of course, the 'mystery' about who and why this painting came to be, adds on to this comparison.

There was even a movie about it!

So when we visited Atlanta last July, visiting and seeing this painting up close and personal was a priority. We went to see it at the "HIGH Museum in Atlanta" ( it is currently on exhibit at the "Frick Collection" in New York until January if you want to see it too).

It was indeed a masterpiece  no doubt, and 'the girl
 looked very mysterious indeed  - the way the girl stared at me  and  perhaps through me...

So I had to bring 'her' home! I grabbed a print from the museum store of course!
I just had to find the right frame, which I eventually  got from TARGET, and finally hung 'her'.

I know, why hang her in the Powder room right? Well, I thought that something so pretty deserves to be in a place where we pretty-up too right?! ;-)

This was what was hanging before - my thrift store find...

Pretty but a little small

Apparently, I'm not alone in putting this 'girl' inside the Powder room...

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Saw it, or at least, a version of it in a Dining room too!

source - this one is actually made of Pins and needles - literally!

Wall Art By Blair Stocker - amazing!

How about you, do you have any 'Masterpiece' around your home?

Have a Nice day!

*VEL* 

 Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...

Halloween Dining Room 2013 - The Witches Table

Yes, we are all set for this fun Holiday (like since 3-weeks-ago-ready!), and no other room in my house can epitomize our readiness more than our Dining Room!

Lots of green and black

I wanted the room to feel like witches were about to come in for a meal, or whip up some potions...

As much as possible, I did not want to repeat what I've done in the past...

Like my simple Crow and branch Centerpiece last year

... or my Halloween Glam Dining room in 2011

So I though branches were in order for this year...

Twig Centerpiece I made - super easy

...with a lot of moss - used reindeer and sheet moss

Spray-painted some thrifted plastic fruits (ll for $1 from Salvation Army) and added reindeer moss all around

Tha Bar area got an 'upgrade' too!

Web place mats and doilies from the dollar store on my sunburst mirrors, and purple flowers, make this section Halloween worthy!

Witches have to drink too right?

Skulls and hats abound in both shelving

Draped a clearance table cloth ($2.50 each from Dollar General last year) on the other ghost chairs

If you want to learn how I Halloween-ized my lamp, click HERE. It's super easy!

Perhaps my most favorite Halloween update this year is what I did for my Dining room chairs!

Added Runner on my  two head chairs (clearance find again from last year). Tucked it up front and
safety-pinned it at the bottom - easy peasy!

And circular placemats on my other ghost chairs - nylon string and scotch tape was
my friend for this one. :-)

Simple black gauze 'drapery'

Sets the mood for this witches dinner brew...

When I was finally done with all this, again, the most valued opinion in our home for me, is that of my youngest son, since he's the guy who's INTO this holiday the most.
He said in the car as we were headed off to church,
"How did you do all the decorations mom? It's like magic!"
And with that, I say, HALLOWEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

All I have to do now is prepare the candies and we're set for a fun Halloween night!
Can't wait to show you guys our family costume too!!!
So, how about you, are you ready for Halloween?

Have a Wonderful day!

*VEL*

 Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...

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VMG 206

Linking back to...

Life on Lakeshore Drive, VMG 206, Serenity now, Dwellings, the Heart of your home, Homemaker on a Dime, Under the table and Dreaming, Linda's Coastal Charm, Homecoming, the DIYers, A Stroll thru Life, Our Home away from Home, Centsational Girl, Gingersnap Crafts, Savvy Southern Style, JAQS Studio, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Style Sisters, The DIY Dreamer, From my Front Porch to yours, No Minimalist here, Sweet Haute, Shabby Creek Cottage, Jennifer Rizzo, A Stylish Interior, Fidlers Under one roof, The Tablescaper

Antiquing

While we were renovating, I got out of the house a lot.

Other than thrifting, I also visited a couple of antique malls and scored these...

Large Brass Milk Can

Brass Champagne bucket

Gold accented Decanter

Tin Server

Fire King Gold-rimmed glass bowl with lid

Letterpress Drawers/shelves

But my most favorite find is this...

A genuine Mink Shawl!!

Makes me feel glamorous! Now I just have to go somewhere fancy enough this winter to strut it around!

I know that it's not PETA-friendly, but wouldn't it be a shame to burn or destroy this thing, knowing that it was made during times we didn't know any better?! That's just my humble opinion, hope nobody takes it against me. I got it at a great price too and so I could not resist. 


Have a Great Weekend!

*VEL*

 Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...