Take A Look Inside: The Taj Mahal

A Testament of Love: The Taj Mahal

For homework last week in my Art History class we had to read and take notes on Islamic art. One of the fascinating stories I read was about the Taj Mahal. I'd seen and heard about it before in a previous class but what I read was simply amazing.

 

 

So in 1631, the emperor during the Mughal empire of India was devastated when his wife took a turn for the worse after the death of their 14th child. According to history, her famous last words were to build her a mausoleum more beautiful than any the world had ever seen before and her husband did just that...

 

 

 

The Taj Mahal, which means "Crown of Palaces" is was finished in 1648 in Agra, India. Made entirely of marble, the structure was built massively at 560 feet high. The architecture of the Taj Mahal is built with harmony, balance, and geometry. Beautifully symmetrical, each element of the Taj Mahal is independent, yet perfectly integrated with the structure as a whole. You can see a little Gothic influence with the pointed arches and the onion shaped dome, which was a new artistic element to this time.

 

 

 

 

After the emperor died, he was placed forever in spirit next to his wife. In plan view, you can see how big the entire park is. The Great Gate is at the bottom of the plan, the the Taj Gardens in the middle, with the actual mausoleum at the top. The calligraphy on the Great Gate reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you."

Today, the Taj Mahal is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and is open to the public to tour. If you're like me, broke, it's not that easy to just hop in a plane and go to India. Instead, you can Take the Virtual Tour of the Taj Mahal! from this really awesome website. It goes in depth of every inch of this beautiful masterpiece. The Taj Mahal has definitely been added to my bucketlist!

 

 

How To Create A Sexy Bedroom

Think about the room in your home that is the room you feel the most comfortable and the most relaxed in. Did you think of your bedroom? Your bedroom should be your safe haven, a.k.a. the room that you love the most. If it isn't, then it may need some updates. Below are some great tips to help create a room that you'll never want to leave!

Be Dramatic:
Don't be afraid to add a little drama with a deep wall color like rich chocolate. You'll feel enveloped at night, which will ease you into your zzz's a lot faster. Keep the room from feeling too heavy by balancing it with a white headboard. You can pick up the wall color again with plush throw pillows.

Cozy Up The Walls and Floors:
If you're craving a serene scene, try soft gray, taupe, or baby blue bedding. Add coordinating drapes around the windows -- a floor-to-ceiling style makes ceilings seem taller. Finally, buy a cozy rug for the floor -- think shag or sheepskin. That way, when you step out of bed, it will feel super-soft.

Add Luxe Linens:
Buy a set of soft sheets that make you want to climb into them at night. Most sheets top off at softness when you reach a 500 thread count, so don't bother paying extra for anything above that. Cover the bed with a fluffy down duvet, a heavy wool blanket, or a soft cotton quilt. Then, toss a gorgeous throw onto the foot of the bed.

Soften The Lighting:
To make your bedroom calm, a dimmer is a lighting must-have. Use it for everything from overhead ceiling lights to pendant and bedside table lamps. For an eclectic bedroom look, mix and match by going with different bases with matching shades.

Snag Hotel-Suite Style:
If you have room, add a chair to a corner of your bedroom, which will make your room seem larger. (And hey, you need someplace other than the floor to toss your outfit outtakes!) Or consider an upholstered bench at the foot of the bed. Be sure to buy a headboard to give your bedroom a hotel-chic look that a bed frame can't do on its own.

Add Eye-Catching Accents:

When you wake up, why not see beautiful things? It could be a painting on your wall or an antique quilt that's draped over a chair. Put your favorite items on display on bedroom shelves, along with art books, glassware, and anything with a burst of color -- like a bright gift box or jewelry tree.

 

 

I live by myself in a little bitty apartment so I can't do much as far as decorating goes. I can't paint and the carpet was already existing so it was difficult to find something that I liked that went well with my light beige walls. BUT, I did. I love my bedroom, when I can keep it clean! I'd like to think it's pretty romantic, for me I guess. I finally chose colors to work with and the rest just fell into place. I love my bedding* and I am obsessed with my curtains! I have a lot of different textures such as wood, linen, burlap, and oil rubbed bronze. My dresser is an antique buffet that I miraculously found on Craigslist. I love re-doing old furniture and bringing it back to life. I have some really neat items that I found in my Grandfather's barn that I have sitting on my bookcase. I like collecting interesting picture frames so I have plenty of those. My mirror is my favorite piece, an unfinished wood with a metal motif on either side.

I wish I had more pictures. I'm definitely going to have to take some more professional ones.

However you define "sexy" is how you should decorate your bedroom. Play with dramatic colors like chocolates and blacks and see how it makes you feel. If your bedroom makes you feel good, you'll sleep good. This last photo, with the black ceiling, is remarkable. I wouldn't be brave enough to paint my room pitch black but it looks phenomenal with the chosen decor to match, especially with the high-gloss white trim. This, indeed, is a super sexy bedroom!

*Bedding is from Target Online.

House Tour: Howie Mandel's Cape Cod-Style Home

 

House Tour: Howie Mandel

You probably have seen him on "Deal or No Deal," but as of a year ago, it was no deal for Howie Mandel. The host couldn't sell his $7.25 million dollar Cape Cod-Style Malibu home. So, he raised the price in hopes of taking a gamble that would be very rewarding. See it for yourself.

 

 

House Stats:

5,936 square feet

5 bedrooms

5.5 bathrooms

Mailbu, CA

$7,750,000

Trulia Property Listing

 

The architecture of this house is well-crafted and I am in awe of the interior as well. I love that the wood paneling on the ceiling was left exposed but was painted with a glossy finish to attract your eye upward. The seamless indoor-outdoor flow of the floor plan works so well with its Cape Cod style, and I love that the second level overlooks the first with a gorgeous banister all the way around the family room. The little nooks and built-ins really make this home unique. The textures and colors of the home are so warm and inviting, and elegant decor Mandel has selected really gives a sophisticated feel. Could you imagine waking up every morning to have a cup of coffee on that stunning patio? Or to arrive home from work only to jump in the infinity pool? The joy that must feel to have a view of the rolling hills of Santa Monica right out your back door. Simply breathtaking. What a perfect dream home!

 

If only I had 7 million...

 

So is this home a deal or no deal for you? You decide.

 

 

One Month Later..

Well, hello all! It has been quite some time since I've even logged on to my blogging account. I miss writing, or rather I miss the time I used to have to write. I have been super busy since last quarter ended that I have forgotten all about this blog. But, no more. I hope to write at least once a week if not twice.

Just in case you were wondering, I haven't been hiding under a rock; I have been doing things. At the beginning of April I adopted a mixed puppy who has become the joy in every day. Her name is Mila and no one knows just what kind of dog she actually is. I've gotten Pomeranian, Beagle, Chow, etc. You can be the judge of that.

 

 

She's pretty cute. For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @neosborn. Basically, all I post is picture of this dog. A little about her: she loves to run and play outside, even when it's raining. She's just about mastered a few tricks like "lie down," "roll over," and "shake." She likes to chew up anything that will fit in her mouth. From iPhone chargers to flip flops, you name it! She's a mean kisser and will attack you at any moment and give a bunch of kisses. She's a fearless, fun-loving little girl, and I couldn't picture life without her.

I also started an internship with Ai Corporate Interiors in downtown Birmingham. They are a commercial furniture dealer with over 50 furniture vendors such as Teknion, HON, and Dar|Ran. They also have quite a hand full of fabric vendors such as Momentum and Design Tex. I get the pleasure of working with a fun group of girls and a few pretty awesome guys just three days a week. A day at the office is never short of drama. Every day, I work with either Project Management, the Design Team, or Sales Administration getting the complete ins and outs of a commercial setting. I'm learning a lot and I hope that God takes me somewhere through this opportunity.

Classes this quarter are going well. I'm taking Economics, Art History, Sociology, and Revit Architecture. With four classes to account for, plus an internship, and then work on top of that, life is pretty hectic! Oh, plus I'm studying for the LEED Green Associate exam. Shew! That's no excuse; however, I should be able to spare some time to do some things that I enjoy. Besides, life shouldn't be so stressful!

My 21st birthday is coming up which means that they will be lots of posts about birthday shenanigans like decorations, food, and party favors. I'm super excited about that! May 30 couldn't get here fast enough!

See you soon!