Halloween Throwback DIY: Gold Skull

I was at Michael's the other day grabbing some watercolour supplies and was happy to spot that this year they restocked the little cardboard skull that I used for my gold skull DIY last year.
This skully used to be a permanent figure on my coffee table, adding the perfect amount of edge to an otherwise pretty space. The zebra has since taken over, but I brought this guy back out for some Halloween fun!

 Pretty glamorous for a dead guy, right? Check out the full throwback DIY HERE. I promise it is quick, easy and inexpensive.

Do you guys go all out or minimal with your Halloween decor?

Instaglimpse

Just popping in today to share a glimpse into my daily life via my instagram feed.
Are you all on Instagram? I was pretty late to the game but it has quickly become my favourite form of social media. It's so fun to see what you are all up to each day.
If you don't have Instagram...well, it's time loves, it's time. But in the meantime you can catch up here.

 ^My new prints came from The Aestate, including the original watercolor of the Yves St. Laurent leopard loafers. Couldn't be more excited! The gallery wall is coming along..

^Some additional art I've been gathering. Loving the little oil landscape I scored at the flea market recently. See more info on my butterfly taxidermy here.

^Got a huge bag of my favourite candy! What is your favourite?

 ^ Working on rendering leather in class this term

^One of my fave dresses from BCBG

^My best Olsen twin impression, wearing my mom's vintage sunnies circa 1970s

^Spent the day at the Blue Jay game with my brother and his gf on Sunday. A perfect day in my perfect city <3

 ^Couldn't be more pleased with my sandals from Marsha's Closet (or the wonderful customer service...thanks again for shipping to Canada guys!).

So come on now! Let's be instafriends so I can snoop your life too!

Framed Butterflies: Love or Hate

Way back in November I talked about how much I adored this space that Ray Staples designed in the 80s because it truly stood the test of time:

via Style at Home

 One of the other (many) reasons why I love it is the gorgeous butterfly taxidermy art hanging above the sofa.
I also love this picture from Lonny (as spied on A Storied Style's post about her butterfly find at Home Goods):

via Lonny

Grace had good luck at Home Goods, and I had good luck here at Home Sense (which is the Canadian equivalent...same company!) where I scored this beautiful piece:

And at this price, I was more than happy to get it (knowing that real framed butterflies are often expensive). Now I just need to find the perfect spot for it!

I didn't realize at the time of my purchase, however, that there is a bit of controversy over butterfly taxidermy. I was looking for some inspiration and stumbled across a post about framed butterflies on Little Green Notebook. Some of the comments cited the practice as creepy and/or cruel. I was actually surprised by the negative reactions.

I was wondering where you guys sit on the debate. 

I still love it. Butterflies do not live very long (I have heard an average of 2 weeks) and so I think that this is a great way to preserve and enjoy their natural beauty for years. Also, there are many butterfly farms that collect butterflies that have died of natural causes for this purpose. And to be honest, I would feel like a bit of a hypocrite if I said I disapproved because I sit on leather couches and I eat meat and I have killed a spider or two. 

So what do you think...Love or Hate?
And as always, be nice! xox