Jewels of India

I have always found Middle Eastern and Indian art and architecture to be incredibly beautiful and interesting. I love their use of jewel-toned colors, the intricacy of their mosaics and designs, and the unique structural elements (the arches, pillars and moldings).

How could you live in rooms like these and not feel like a Mughal princess?! So beautiful...

I love the archway and the mosaics

More beautiful arches, this time scalloped

Beautiful use of light


Peaceful

Love these headboards

I love the gemstone colors against the stark white on the left

(all photos via An Indian Summer - such a beautiful blog!)

Favorite things Friday...

This week, these have been a few of my favorite things...

• Nivea chapstick
• The sound of rain against your window as you fall asleep
• Long, cultured conversations with complete strangers
• New crushes
• Watching the U.S. Open (tennis) all day, all week
• Stepping on the scale to find out you've lost 5 pounds without even trying
• Finishing a painting
• The smell of D&G Light Blue perfume
• Frozen yogurt runs with roommates
  

Have a beautiful weekend!

(painting by Joan DaGradi)

Paper Art

These are some entries for an art contest put on by the Hirshorn Modern Art Gallery in Washington DC. The only rule was that you can only use one sheet of paper.

Aren't they incredible?!