Meet the herd and view some art

If you hanker for the idyllic life and think you might want to raise alpacas some day, you will want to take advantage of the free National Alpaca Farm Days on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28.

Small farms or ranches in the suburbs are joining the event, including ones near Barrington, Elgin, St. Charles and Woodstock.

For locations and hours visit www.nationalalpacafarmdays.com.

Susan Neri-Waldron lives on a farm at 39W856 McDonald Road west of Elgin. While Neri-Waldron loves the animals almost as much as her husband, Ron Waldron, does, she also is exploring ways to use the alpaca fleece.

As an artist, Neri-Waldron has dyed fleece and created clothing and works of art with it. She even sells kits to help other artists learn how to create decorative felt with the alpaca fleece.

The picture shown here is a combination of alpaca felt and acrylic.

Other artists will display their wares at the Waldron farm, where the hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours vary from farm to farm.

Yes, you and your home can be stars

Does Hollywood decor ever go out of style? Not while we are so entranced with celebrities it won't.

And all but the most committed minimalists are at least occasionally enchanted with old Hollywood glamour.

There might not be a look easier to achieve with accessories and new touches. While a curvy sofa would be great, pillows in deep purples help a lot. Expo Design Center says everyone needs purple in their fall decor and offers decorative pillows from $25 to $55.

The glitter and glamour of metallics also is in fashion and certainly furthers the theme. Ideas from Expo include a vanity with a mirrored front for $1,226 and a tiered, 22-light chandelier for $3,000.