Brittany Town Morning, Larmor

This stunning painting by Dennis Miller Bunker is held by the Art Institute of Chicago.  I couldn't find it on their site, but I saw it at the museum.  Brittany Town Morning, Larmor is so beautiful, don't you think?

Heart and Eiffel Tower Necklaces

I found these charming (pardon the pun!) necklaces on clearance at Target.  I got them for $5!  I love the sideways Eiffel Tower.

Votive Plaque with God Vishnu

Since I'm taking the jewelry class again I was especially impressed by this piece at the Art Institute.  Votive Plaque with God Vishnu is made of gilt bronze with ivory, semiprecious stones, crystal, and glass.  Stunning.

Lifefactory

Another great discovery at Lucky's was this glass water bottle, made by Lifefactory.  (I actually did get this!)  Drinking from glass is safer and tastes better - and is quite stylish, if I do say so myself!

Foliage--Oak Tree and Fruit Seller

The paintings that the Art Institute holds by Edouard Vuillard are very large and very beautiful.  This one is called Foliage--Oak Tree and Fruit Seller.

Because of Him

Nourish Organic

We spent some time in Missouri over spring break last month and found a fabulous new store in Columbia called Lucky's.  I've been making the transition to more natural health and beauty items, so I was excited to discover Nourish Organic lotion.  The fresh fig scent is especially lovely.  (I may have to go back and pick some up!)

The Banks of the Marne in Winter

I love Pisarro.  The Banks of the Marne in Winter is a very lovely oil painting by Camille Pissarro that is held by the Art Institute.

Purl Color Wheel Quilt

I read an issue of Martha Stewart Living a month or so ago and saw this beautiful quilt from Purl Soho.  They're now selling fabric bundles to make this quilt.  I love the idea, but I'm sure it's beyond my skill level!

Assorted Zum Bag

It's been a few years since I posted about Zum soap from Indigo Wild.  When we were in Missouri for spring break, we stayed at the Hotel Frederick in Boonville.  They have Zum soap samples in their rooms and offer a few items in their gift shop.  I picked up this Assorted Zum Bag, and it's fantastic:  Frankincense and Myrrh mini soap, Lavender & Tea Tree lip balm, etc.  I'm excited to try all of the products!

Istanbul: Recipes from the Heart of Turkey

For my birthday in February I got this beautiful cookbook.  Istanbul: Recipes from the Heart of Turkey by Rebecca Seal is a hardbound book with lovely photos by Steven Joyce.  I was excited to get it because the recipes are ones that a person could actually make - and remember Istanbul!

Saint Louis IX, King of France

This year marks the 800th year since the birth of King Louis IX of France for whom the city of St. Louis is named.  It is also the 250th anniversary of the founding of St. Louis.  When we were down there in February we attended a concert at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and picked up this card.  On the reverse is a prayer to Saint Louis.  An interesting instance of people and places intersecting over time.

Circassian Cavalry...

This painting is so stunning in real life.  Circassian Cavalry Awaiting their Commanding Officer at the Door of a Byzantine Monument; Memory of the Orient by Alberto Pasini.  Find it at the Art Institute of Chicago.

San Francisco Sourdough Starter Kit

Do you bake bread?  I've tried a few things, but I'm not great at it - yet!  For Christmas I got Williams-Sonoma's San Francisco Sourdough Starter Kit.  I hope it will be fabulous!

In the Auvergne

More Millet!  More sheep!  Jean-Francois Millet's In the Auvergne is a beautiful pastoral scene, held by the Art Institute.

Sistine Chapel Virtual Tour

One of the classes that I'm taking this semester is called "Masterpieces of the Humanities."  We're studying a different masterpiece each week.  We studied Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel one week and viewed an amazing virtual tour online.  See it here.

Renoir's True Colors

The Art Institute has an interesting exhibit right now.  Renoir's True Colors demonstrates how the conservationists discovered that the background colors in a Renoir painting are not what they were originally.  The painting is displayed alongside a computer-generated image of what they think the original looked like.  Fascinating!

Jewelry Class

I just finished another ring in my jewelry class!  This newest one (top) is a green amethyst.  I made the bottom one last semester.  It's an aquamarine - my husband's birthstone.  I bought some new stones last month so I can make some more bling.  Fun!