Halloween Decor Done Right

I've never been one to really get into decorating for holidays as I've always felt most decorations were cheesy or just too generic. This year I'm trying to work harder on decorating for Halloween and found some great inspiration. Below are some lovely samples I found to use for my inspiration this month.

Garden Eels

I had totally forgotten about these little fellas till today. I stumbled upon them somehow and was reminded that I think these may be my favorite little sea creature... or at least one of them. I had seen some in an aquarium years ago and was fascinated. They tend to live in groups and are easily frightened by most anything, sending them back into their holes. Seeing about a dozen of these retreat in unison is sort of a silly site. I think that's why I like them so much. They seem to be real characters living in the bottom of the sea.

Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Some places we travel to we soon forget or never care to revisit. Then there are those that we hope we have the chance to one day revisit while trusting they live up to our memories. One of those places for me is the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy. I was lucky to go there on two separate trips but still long to revisit.


Founded officially in 1612, although actually dating back to 1221 at the arrival of the Dominican friars in Florence, the Officina is one of the world's oldest pharmacies. Hallways showcase a range of preparations and products, including perfumes, essences, soaps, unguents, spirits, balsams, colognes, aromatic vinegars, and liqueurs, all still made in accordance with the ancient formulas. The frescoed rooms of the Officina are a museum of original furnishings and the ancient tools of the pharmaceutical trade.





The pharmacy is located in a chapel that once belonged to the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria Novella. Stepping into the pharmacy is like stepping into a museum.

Hello

A hearty hello to all.

Image from here.