My Artwork

Today I stumbled across these sketches that I drew during my college days. They are 10 years old now. Some are my imaginations and some inspirations. The below one is one of my favorite. This is an inspiration from an old newspaper. 





Image : By me



This Krishna sketch is completely my imagination and I love this too. Though it has some dirty spots on it now, soon I'll do something of it.

Image: By me

I love portraits so I created this one of famous writer....any guess. 

Image: By me

I have special space in my heart for Ganesha. I saw a very beautiful sculpture of Ganesha and instantly fell in love with that ....so I created this one.

Image: By me

One of my favorite "Mother-baby" sketch I've given for framing so not able to post it right now but whenever I get it back I'll sure upload.

Linking it to PPF



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Mercury Mantel

Happy Saturday !!  

While my fellas are off running errands, I thought I'd share my mantel as it looks this very moment (we all know that it could change any second).

I've been bitten by the silver and mercury bug lately ... can you tell ??

On a recent trip to Pottery Barn, I grabbed up this small looking glass.  To give it height, I perched it on top of a small cake stand I found awhile ago at Home Goods:

The mercury votives stand front and center, while a picture of one of my favorite beaches, Sandbridge (in Virginia), peeks through.  I have so many wonderful childhood memories of Sandbridge.  We vacationed there every summer for almost 22 years.  And, during my college years at Old Dominion University, I spent many days at Sandbridge soaking up the sun.  Needless to say, I was thrilled when this print was given to John and me as a wedding gift 15 years ago.  I decided to retire the brass frame it has been in all of these years and simply use the cream matte as the "frame."  

The print is leaning on a new mirror I found at Pier One.  While I really wanted a vintage sign here, when I spied the mirror, I loved the octogonal shape and thought it'd be perfect above the mantel:

Moving along, I found this mercury based hurricane for a song at Home Goods.  I filled it with seashells and layered a beach fan behind it:

Framing all of the silver and mercury pieces are my two green vases (from Tuesday Morning) filled with branches and faux flowers.  I recently added more greenery to the base to "beef" them up a tad:

Finally ... down below is another looking glass, which I nestled in spanish moss (inspiration: for the love of a house).  I found it at Wal-Mart for a mere $15 buckaroos!  

I love the reflections that you can see in this big ol' looking glass, EXCEPT for this one ... I spy with my little eye, hair roots that are in desperate need of attention.  Yikes!

Thanks for stopping by ... I'm off to finish up a Memorial Day project:

Have a wonderful weekend !!

I'm linking up with these fun parties ... come on ova:

BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
Dittle Dattle/Amaze me Monday
A Silly Little Sparrow/Toot your Horn Tuesday
The DIY Showoff/Project Parade
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
Elements Interiors/Whassup Wednesday
All Things Heart and Home/All Things Inspired
My Backyard Eden/Make It Yours Day
Shabby Chic Cottage/Transformation Thursday
My Romantic Home/Show and Tell Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday

Becca

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It's Official ... I'm a Stripper !!

Yes, folks, "Boom Boom Becca" has hit the stage, I mean dining room, and stripped the table top.  Woo Hoo !!

And, when I asked my husband to please come and take my picture because I was about to start stripping, I thought he was going to break his legs racing to the dining room!  Imagine his sheer disappointment, when he found me waiting for him, looking like this ... can you say *sex-ay* ?!  NOT (lol).

All I can say is I'm soooo glad I did this !!  This table is part of the set that my sister gave me when we moved into our home five years ago.  I love the set ... it just needed a little TLC, which I was afraid to do before now. 

BEFORE:  Cherry table ... quite a few dings in it:

AFTER:  Now dark walnut, which matches the sideboard much better!  (This picture is right after the 3rd coat of polycrylic ... not done yet).

It's FAR from perfect, but it'll do!  I simply stripped the top with Citristrip ... sanded with my palm sander ... coated with three coats of MinWax Dark Walnut ... and topped it off with a few coats of Polycrylic.  If I had to do it again, I would've heavily sanded after applying and removing the Citristrip.  Being my first time, I was afraid I'd gouge or truly ruin the table.  I'll know better next time, fo' sho' !!

I also painted the bases BM White Dove ... annnnd, of course, that meant I then had to distress, glaze and wax them to match the chairs:

The dining room is just about ready for its reveal !!

Thanks for stopping by,

*Boom Boom*

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Nothing is Safe ...

... from my paintbrush !! 

I'll bet you're SHOCKED that I've been dipping in the paint/glaze/stain cans again, aren't ya'  ?!  The latest victims have been the dining room chairs that one of my sweet sisters, Mitch, gave to us when we moved into our home.   Her husband and she bought a new set for themselves and passed these on to us.

BEFORE ... traditional cherry:

AFTER ... French-y FUN:

I think distressing has become my favorite part:

I also recovered all of the cushions with a soft *taupe-y gold-ish* durable fabric.  Just a few more chairs to go, and I'll be ready to show you the dining room's *new* look!

I hope my sister approves of the change!

Well, I'm putting the paintbrush down (for now) to enjoy this soon-to-be gorgeous day with my fellas !!

Thanks for stopping by ... I'm off to play at these following awesome blogs:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
Elements Interiors/Whassup Wednesday
Finding Fabulous/Frugalicious Friday

Becca

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Barefoot at Havelock, Andamans

...is an eco-friendly resort in Havelock Islands in Andamans tucked away behind the tropical tree fence on Radhanagar beach.

Having read some great reviews online we decided on this place for our summer holidays and it surely was worth it.

Pristine, unspoilt beach with aqua waters and surrounded by lush tropical foliage it is a treat for city dwellers.

All the structures at the resort are constructed using locally sourced natural materials. The reception area...

A vibrant arrangement of tropical flowers floating at the reception area gives us a small peek into the amazing things to be experienced during our stay...

The Nicobari-styled dining area completely engulfed by lush foliage...

Exotic tropical flowers...

We enjoyed the airy dining area with a great view....

Eco-friendly-ness is evident in every aspect of the hospitality experience, the place-mats are made of handmade paper and dried flora.

The low dining arrangement was out favourite during our evening chai sessions, listening to the sound of waves on a high-tide, the changing shades of sky and excitedly watching fireflies at dusk...

The sandy path scattered with dries leaves of various shapes and colours lead you to the various cottages...

What a practical way to keep the sand off your cottage, just wash your feet and enter 'bare feet' into your room...

Sit outside and enjoy the sounds of the tropics, the intoxicating symphony played by the crickets, chirping birds and croaking frogs.

Our place on the deck for many cups of tea...

...and hours of reading.

The interiors of our cottage, antique four poster bed with mosquito nets, which the housekeeping staff would spread out in the evenings...

What a memorable experience of being surrounded by nature's best elements....

Will be doing a post on our travel experience soon on Rang~ The Colours of Life.

( Images by Arch)

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New Found Love: Canopy bed

This is my very fresh n new found love...n after watching these pictures for hours... I am dying to have one. They add luxury to bedroom...... here not only bed, a vase standing proudly near the bed is also to die for.



Image Source: Click Here

There's no full stop on my day dreaming. Amazing pictures of amazing canopy beds...unique in style.
white white white ...how do ppl manage with this color



Image Source: Click here

 

Image Source: Click Here

Now if I can't manage imagine whites....here is the color...so refreshing and vibrant.


Image Source: Click Here

What about having one outdoor canopy bed.... have a look...

Image Source: Click here

Image Source: Click here

 Enough for the day I think ....lets see what will be the next new found love of mine...keep visiting this space for some good ideas and some day dreaming :-)))

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Vastu Gyan: Introduction

Vastu Gyan (Knowledge Of Vastu) is a new series that I am adding to my blog for all my blog readers out there. This series is my endeavour to make Vastu bit simpler than what its in present days. Many fake experts and those having half cooked knowledge have made it a business to dupe the gullible masses. Deep study of the teachings of Vastu Shastra has therefore become very important and relevant today. Besides design & decor knowledge of Vastu is also very important to transform our home into a peaceful place.

Our life is sensitive to not only the ambience around but also the structure and design of residence we live in.The science that deals with the knowledge of architecture, interior and exterior design of residence is known as Vastu Shastra. There is no point if someone believes in this ancient science or not, there are lot of examples are present around us, many of the ancient temples, monuments built according to vastu shastra are still existing and standing tall against all odds.
According to 'Vrahad Vastumala' - a scripture of Vastu Shastra says-
" House(Home) is that which offers the worldly joys of having a family, keeping pets, cattle, etc; which protects from cold, heat, storms and other external hazards and which facilitates the proper performance of dharma (righteous duties), artha (attainment of wealth/material power and progress) and kama (fulfillment of desires).

Read more about Vastu:
Foyer/Entryway Vastu
Living Room Vastu
Dining Room Vastu
Kitchen Vastu
Master Bedroom Vastu
Guest Bedroom Vastu

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