Halloween

Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead

Dia de los muertos is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and Latin America.  Not wanting to offend the dead by mourning and sadness, the holiday focuses on remembering their loved ones who have passed away.  Beautiful ofrendas (altars) adored with sugar skulls and beautiful flowers are crafted in homes. 

During this special time, the dead are considered part of the living.  I love that the Latin culture considers death as a natural part of life and something to be celebrated-We can all learn from that. 

 

Here is my tribute to the living and the dead!

Viva la vida and do it with ESTILO!

Los fantasmas de Marilyn Monroe y Lucille Ball

The ghosts of Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball

Marilyn Monroe's Spanish style home in Brentwood, CA is reportedly haunted. The single story, white stucco and red tile roofed house was built in 1929. It is, the very house in which a 36 year old Miss Monroe met her untimely end in August of 1962 due to an (alleged) drug overdose. But you have to admit, who would want to leave this perfect hacienda?... Reportedly, she is seen in the mirrors and roaming the house in the evening. The home retains many original details- including extra-thick walls, casement windows, original beamed ceilings, terra cotta tile Floors and period hardware and tiles. 

La Casa de Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball died at the age of 77 in her home on N. Roxbury Drive in Los Angeles. Since her death, she is said to remain in the home that experiences a number of bizarre haunts. Many report of unexplained broken windows, furniture and objects moving around inside the house and loud noises. Her playful personality seems to want to stay in this beautiful home, but who can blame her? 

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Viva la vida and do it with ESTILO!

Casas Entradas

Haunted Houses

One of my favorite types of homes is a haunted one! There is nothing quite like the character and history in an old home and if you have no fear of the dead, they can be fun to fix up. The south has many homes known for their style and charm but there is one that is extra special...

Notorious for its ghostly haunting, is the old history Myrtles Plantation home built in 1796 in St. Franciscville, LA. Draped with Spanish moss and set in the countryside, this beautiful old estate boasts of mayhem and ghostly visits. 

in 1808, Clark Woodruff took charge of the plantation from his deceased father-in-law, general David Bradford, where he kept things running along with his wife, Sara, and three kids. Legend has it that Woodruff also took a special liking to a slave he owned named Chloe. But Chloe was immensely jealous of Woodruff's family and baked a birthday cake filled with poisonous oleander leaves. Woodruff's wife, Sara, and two of their children died. Chloe confessed, but fellow slaves retaliated, hanging Chloe and dumping her body in the Mississippi. 

Lots of other natural deaths occurred in the home, but the only other murder was when plantation owner William Winter was shot and killed in 1871 while standing on the front porch. He supposedly staggered inside, dying on the 17th step of the home. Myrtles Plantation is also reportedly built on the site of an old Indian burial ground and during the Civil War, Union soldiers ransacked the home. 

Popoular sightings of ghosts around Myrtles Plantaion include the large mirror in the home that contains the spirits of Sara Woodruff and her children, ghosts seen around the 17th step and, of course, Chloe who is outside, tending to her plantings. The house is on the National Register of Historic places and is now a bed and breakfast. *zillow

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Viva la vida and do it with ESTILO!

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Negro

Black
 
In light of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos around the corner, the next couple weeks are dedicated to my favorite time of year.  Not only do I love to scare myself and snack on chocolate, but I happen to love the color black in fashion and in home décor.  Don't be frightened by the color, it can be extremely chic in the house.  If done right by an accent wall or piece of furniture, it can add a sophisticated element to your home all year long.  See these pics for some inspiration and a little scare!

Viva la vida and do it with ESTILO!

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