Fresh Made Lemonade

You’re like fresh made lemonade
Just like fresh made lemonade
So sweet to the taste

~ “Fresh Made Lemonade” by Barnaby

It’s still hot here and a tall cool glass of fresh made lemonade is the ticket. This fresh look is invigorating too. Start with this lovely dress from Carmella Ruby. Carmella, who is known for her distinctive skins and shapes, providing the grid with a much-needed alternative to all the pretties out there, is now branching out into mesh clothing. She asked me to preview this dress and I was so delighted with the textures and silhouette, I decided to blog it. Carmella will be offering this dress and other gorgeous items with hand-made textures at very competitive prices (I heard her suggest under 100L for most items) so that folks who are unable to get their hands on quality mesh items regularly can do so.

My skin is one of Tricky Boucher’s 15 gorgeous offerings for the Arcade this time around, and it’s, as usual, stunning. With a variety of makeups and skin tones, Tricky is presenting these skins in the affordable gacha environment of the Arcade. (Whether you can get in is another question.) Just jam your linden into the machine and grab whatever you can get—they are all lovely.

My short ‘do from Chiaki Xue, another one of her stunning wavy short cuts, shows off the earrings and necklace that Maizon Rayna so generously offered as her Love Donna Flora contribution. The exquisite and intricate build of the jewelry is very representative of Maizon’s work with its gorgeous shapes and baroque sensibilities.

All I want to do is spend my nights with you
Sipping the sweet lemonade
Making love til we see the sun again.

Hair: *Dura-Boys&Girls*47(Mocha) by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: -Belleza- Leila Arcade 5 by Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-, available September 1 at Arcade

Eyes: [Crash Republic] Gem Eyes – green by Isabelle Requiem for Crash Republic

Dress: RUBY Empire Gown (Mossy Fire) by Carmella Ruby for Ruby *

Jewelry: TdO*DonnaFloraParure necklace, earrings, and bracelet by maizon Rayna for Terra d’ombrA *

Shoes: [Gos] Paris Peeptoe – Satin Collection by Gospel Voom for Gos Boutique *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Hot Spot

Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.

This weekend my town is a hot spot. Harley-Davidson is celebrating their 110th anniversary, so riders from all over the world have rolled into town to celebrate. It’s been a non-stop rumble since last night, especially since I live near the main strip along the Lake where they like to ride.

This sexy dress from OneBadPixel would probably be fashionable at the festivities for some of the ladies (though I see most in jeans—too old for stuff like this). With a tight silhouette and textures that highlight all the curves ahead, this sexy mini is a great look. Coordinating with the dress, I wear Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus’ newest ankle boots. The HUD that comes with the boots allows changes for the main leather boot, the sole, the strap (which I changed to a contrasting leather), and the metals. My shades from Tiffy Vella (one of six great color-changing mesh sets she is releasing) keep out the sun.

A hot spot in SL in a couple days will be the Arcade and that’s where you fill your pockets with gachas galore. Start with this skin from Tricky Boucher, one of the rare skins he is offering in his gacha. With sensuous lips and eyes, it’s a typical sensational Tricky offering.

My favorite rare, though, is this hair with hat from Queue Marlowe. Queue is offering a variety of hats with sayings from “newbie” to “sugar momma” to “stereotypical” at the Arcade. Queue said she had tons of fun making these but “hot spot” was definitely my favorite because of the double entendre. And then she has her sexy wavy hair with the hat, which is irresistible.

God didn’t create metal so that man could make paper clips! ~ Harley-Davidson Ad

Hair: AD – just sayin – house wine (wifi) RARE by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog, available September 1 at The Arcade

Skin: -Belleza- Leila Arcade 2 RARE by Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-, available September 1 at The Arcade

Eyes: [Crash Republic] Gem Eyes – indigo by Isabelle Requiem for Crash Republic

Dress: ::1bp::  Jersey Tank Dress Pewter by OneBadPixel for One Bad Pixel *

Sunglasses: Eclectica ‘Pastel Sunnies’ Sunglasses by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Nails: Nailed It – Prim Nails – Bright Set by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Boots: L&B S’wear “Bianca” Ankle Boot (Smooth  Neutrals) by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Poses by Dove Swanson for Long Awkward Pose (no longer available)

Honeychild

Clouds from chimneys rise
There’s something wild and free
The river always runs
Away from here and you and me
Ah Honeychild
Oh my Honeychild

~ “Honeychild” by Eddi Reader

A sweet soft song for a sweet look. Today I decided I needed to be casual. Summer’s almost over and I am feeling melancholy about that. Start with this great mesh top from Erratic Rain that she released a little while ago. I love the color, the drape and the texture. For a t-shirt, it fits and moves great. And it goes great with the flare jeans from Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus. I really think these are the best jeans in SL. The shape is terrific with a nice round booty, beautifully rendered textures and the case of these, flares that are fashionable and sexy.

The big story are Paul and Bastchild’s newest release, the mesh ankle boots you barely see under the jeans (but I feature them in the lead in photo). They are selling two sets—one in neutrals and one in more pastel colors. Each comes with a color change HUD for the boot color, metal and sole. And the textures are absolutely gorgeous with perfect sheen, detailing and sexy style.

Queue Marlowe’s casual curly locks are the perfect look for casual, especially with Aida Ewing’s darling freckled skin. I got Audrey Lamede’s group gift eyes yesterday and can’t take them off—they are stunning.

They match the RARE froggy necklace from Maxi Gossamer that will be available at the next Arcade in a couple days. Yes, folks, it’s almost Arcade madness time again. Save up your linden, set out your yard sale table, organize your folders. Judging by this necklace, there are going to be some great items.

These stones are in your hands
Through the air, across the sea
Passing over skipping waves
With all these anchor chains around my feet
Ah Honeychild
Ah save me Honeychild

Hair: AD – pop scotch – dark browns by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Katya – Jamaica 03 D by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair, available at Collabor88 *

Eyes: .ID. August Gift by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Top: erratic / mindy – tshirt / plain coral by Erratic Rain for erratic *

Jeans: L&B S’Wear Jeans “Flare” Womens by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Necklace: MG – Necklace – Jazz Hands Frog – Turquoise – RARE by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at the Arcade, starting September 1

Boots: L&B S’wear “Bianca” Ankle Boot (Smooth  Neutrals) by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Poses by Mavi Beck of Ma Vie *

Welcome Back

Welcome back
your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back
to that same old place that you laughed about.

~ “Welcome Back” by John Sebastian

School can’t start early enough in my house—just sayin. The huge bag of supplies has been purchased, registration is paid for. Now all I have to do is lay out my clothes for the first day! (My first day I have to take someone else to school and the mommy looks competition is fierce—who can be casually dressed and look fabulous at the same time?)

If I were going to school in SL, I would definitely choose a more funky look. Start with this darling jacket from Kehl Razor that he is selling at Fi*Fridays for a sinfully low price. It comes with a HUD that allows color change for the stripes on the shirt bottom plus the stripes on the sleeves, and it fits perfectly. If you have been hesitating to get Razorblade’s great content for whatever nutty reason, this is a great chance to get one of his pieces a rock bottom price.

I paired it with some awesome shorts from Ivy Burner and these brilliant socks over shoes from beanster Potato. The set includes socks alone or socks with shoes and has a great HUD for changing the textures, which include argyle, striped and polka dots.

I accessorized with a hipster pork pie hat from JohnFrancis Laville, who is offering a red version in his gacha at The 24 or you can get an entire set without chancing it. My backpack is from Guu Nishi, who is the queen of great and inexpensive accessories in SL. How can you resist that little monster on the side?

My youthful skin comes courtesy of PeachieMuah—her latest release. She combines youthful glow with a touch of Japanese sensibility and I love her stuff for a younger look. My ponytails are Truth Hawks’ latest. I am hearing only good things about his revised store and vendor system. People are really digging the new textures and colors!

Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they’re turned around.

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Lyma [Roots] – LightBrowns04 by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Poppy  Olive Bigger Breasts by PeachieMuah for [Fresh Face] *

Eyes: pearl – bog wood – medium dark by Lano Ling for Poetic Eyes *

Jacket: =Razorblade Jacket= Ballistic Nylon 1/2 Coat w/ Stripe Shirt by Kehl Razor for Razorblade, available at Fi*Fridays

Shorts: ~Sassy!~ Cuffed denim shorts – black by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~ *

Hat: JfL pork pie hat felt_black by Johnfrancis Laville for JfL Men’s Store, to be available at The 24 *

Glasses: [UMEBOSHI] Castor Glasses -Black- by Keiba for UMEBOSHI *

Backpack: HOC – Randoseru – Lime by Guu Nishi for HOC

Bracelets: BoHo HoBo Three Friendship Bracelets together by Trill Zapatero for BoHo HoBo *

Socks and shoes: DN Mesh: Socks with Shoes by beanster Potato for Ducknipple

The Agent

“Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” ~ Andrew Carnegie

Seven years of being a real estate agent in a very tough market told her all she needed to know. This wasn’t one of those click-the-box-and-rent 50 different views. This was a place on one of the hottest sims in the grid. You couldn’t just show up in your newbie, furry costume, still dancing because you tp’d in the middle of ‘80s night at your favorite club. No, you had to dress the part of the fashionable estate manager. The client (not “customer,” not “renter,” not even “resident”) had to feel like the sim would always be up, always be lag free, and always be fabulous.

She dressed stylishly in an ensemble from SamanthaSJones, a set that showed her daringness with print and color and her stylishness with a silhouette that was womanly and sexy. Of course, in SL, a low cut, decolletage-revealing top is standard to show cleavage, so this top suits the look. Black pearls from Maxi Gossamer give a touch of class to the ensemble as do matching nails from Giela Delpaso. Gospel Voom’s latest slingbacks with their high heel and sexy ankles were a must.

The house is Barnesworth Anubis’ latest with sliding doors surrounding a private courtyard. For a lived-in feel, furniture from Cherelle Capra (the elegant tea house set) and Cory Edo (the gray upholstered chairs) fill the space, giving the client some feeling of how it may look.

Tricky Boucher’s skin has a polished appearance (and terrific cleavage). She found that men always buy when she has short hair—they find it sexy and appealing. So this cut from Dura makes her look stylish and sexy.

Hair: *Dura-Boys&Girls*42(Black) by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: -Belleza- Mya SK WCF by Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- *

Eyes: pearl – java blast – medium bright by Lano Ling for Poetic Eyes *

Dress: [LG] Boutique-[Summer 13] Lets Get Loud by SamanthaSJones for LIV-Glam, available at Pure Sales Room *

Necklace and earrings: MG – Necklace and Earrings – Alexa Black Choker Pearls by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer *

Handbag: {{BSD Design Studio}}milano handbag-pink by BabyChampagne Sass for {{BSD Design studio}} *

Hands:Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant Right and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 S Left by Siddean Munro for Slink

Hand appliers: -Belleza- Slink Hands – SK by Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Bright Set by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Shoes: [Gos] Paris Peeptoe – Patent Collection by Gospel Voom for Gos Boutique *

House: [ba] atherwood home by Barnesworth Anubis for barnesworth anubis, available at The Liaison Collective Garden

Furniture: [CIRCA] Pkg – AYUMU – Teahouse Sitting Set – in Sunset (Blog) by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at Genre *

Chairs: Trompe Loeil – Thrift Shop Accent Chairs Gray Exclusives [mesh] by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at the Thrift Shop *

Table: -Table-Happy Labor Day2013 by Quark Fallen for ISOVII (group gift)

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression (no longer available)

How to Upload Temporary Textures in the SL Viewer

I use the official SL Viewer. I use it for a variety of reasons, most of which have to do with stability and features. I have been pretty pleased with the viewer. (Yes, I said it. Heresy!) The interface doesn’t bother me, I am not missing many features (double click to tp works, etc), and it runs pretty well for me.

Lots of people are reluctant to try the SL viewer for various reasons. One of the biggest is not being able to do temporary uploads.

Well, guess what? You CAN do “temporary textures” or what is called local bitmaps in the official SL Viewer AND you can view real time changes to those textures!

This summer, when I was working on my laughable bandana for the Hair Fair, I whined to my pal Vaalith Jinn that I wish there was a way to see the texture ON the bandana so I knew were I was putting things. I wanted to change the texture on both the inside and outside of the bandana and be able to line them up so any decorations weren’t ending up in weird spots on the bandana, and I wasn’t keen on uploading 200 textures while I tried to think my way out of this paper bag.

“Easy!” he said. Turns out he wrote the code for this feature for the official SL viewer. And he showed me how to do it in a few simple steps. I want to share that with you!

Let’s use the bandana as an example. Let me state that Mel Vanbeeck made the bandana and its textures for Hair Fair. I am simply dumping stuff on top of it. Thank you, Mel for a great job.

Here is the bandana rezzed as it was given to me with its textures:

I started by selecting the top surface of the bandana and clicked on texture so I could focus on that one texture.

Here is where the magic happens. When you open the texture picker, you see two radio buttons, one for Inventory and one for Local. Click “Local” and this is what you get: an untextured prim.

What the client is doing is looking to your computer for a texture rather than to the asset servers. (Ah ha!) So all you need to do is “Add” or point to a texture from your computer. This way, the SL Viewer pulls a texture locally to apply to the mesh.

As you can see, I chose “Hair Fair 2013 Outside Bake,” which is a Targa (.tga) file. It’s really important to remember 1. the name of the file and 2. the extension for the file. It must always remain exactly the same or the SL Viewer will not find the file again when you make changes.

As I add the file to the list and “apply” it, the texture shows up automagically in my viewer! Now if my pal is standing nearby, he won’t see that in his client because it’s pulling off my hard drive. It’s a local action, not going through the internet. Until I upload the texture to LL’s servers, no one but someone at my computer will be able to see that texture on the mesh.

Now here is the cool part. When I make changes to that texture, they show up as I save them to the file.

The first thing I did was take my paint can and dump purple on the texture. (We could have a long discussion about layers here and how clearly stupid I was to do this but for the purposes of illustration, let’s pretend I meant to do this.)

I SAVED the file to the exact same name and it showed up in real time on the client.

Let me show you here what I mean by saving correctly. Since I messed with the file and turned it from a .tga to a Photoshop file, the extension changed. If I saved it as a Photoshop file, SL wouldn’t even accept it. If I save it as a .tga file, it appends the name “copy” to it in PS. So I made sure I saved it, character for character, as I originally told the SL Viewer to find it.

Then I flipped over to my SL Viewer screen and this is what I had! OK, yeah it looks stupid. But that’s not the point. The point is—there it is, as I saved it!

Now let’s say I figured out layers and managed to color my bandana purple and want to put a little leaf on it as a motif. I’d like the leaf to be on the side of the scarf so people can see it. I stamp the leaf on the texture. I save.

And then I find that my leaf has ended up entirely on the wrong side. Of course.

I moved the leaf over, based on where it seems it should go, saved. And voila! I have a leaf on the side of my bandana.

I could do more tweaking—changing the shape of the leaf so it’s not so stretched, adding more layers, etc. Each time I change something, I can save the file off to the original file name I had targeted and see how it looks in SL. That simple.

For every object, you can load multiple textures so you can see how they look together. Simply pick the next surface, “add” the file name and it will target the file. You will not have to reupload textures to SL. Every time you save, SL will show the revised file.

Select the surface, add the texture from your hard drive.

Go into your graphics program and make it look the way you want. Save as the exact same name and file extension.

And voila, it appears on the surface you had chosen, changed.

Finally, when I have decided the textures work, I upload both to SL, apply them to the mesh, and I have a finished piece—ready for everyone to see.

A few things you should know: once you relog or crash, you will have to relink your files. It’s unavoidable. This feature can also be used with avatar layers (skins, makeups) or anything in SL that needs textures. Best of all it works with materials!

I hope this tutorial helps. If you have questions, please feel free to IM me with questions about this procedure, and if I can’t answer, I will try to help you find the answer.

Amendment: I just got word that this works in EVERY viewer that has graphic capabilities. (Don’t try this on your iPhone ;))

Bright Eyes

The one with the bright eyes
Laughed her way inside this music box;
Stored away in the corner of my heart

~ “Bright Eyes” by Jason Mraz

Ivy Burner has made this gorgeous dress with an Indian gold motif on the collar for the Black Fair (which will be closing soon, so get over there NOW). With a great halter neckline and a short-up-to-there skirt, it’s sexy and sensual and perfect for a girl with bright eyes. (I thought the turquoise would pop against the black and I’m right.)

I am showing Gospel Voom’s newest shoes, the Paris Peeptoe, which comes in satin or patent in several bold colorways. Once again Gospel wows with his beautifully designed shoe, which comes with the choice of slingback or full pump (you choose from the menu). So for every pair you get, you not only get the prematched skin catalog but also the two pairs for one.

My glowing skin is Aida Ewing’s pretty offering for Collabor88, one of the several makeups she is offering at a rock bottom price. My pulled back ponytail is one of the mesh hairs Siddean Munro is sneaking in past your hand-and-feet-loving eyes. Yes, she can do more than just whip together mesh extremities—she does the hair too!

And I let her get away from me
But I’ll never take that day away from me.

Hair: Slink Marling Tail Auburn by Siddean Munro for Slink *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Katya – Jamaica 02 G by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair, available at Collabor88 *

Eyes: IKON Horizon Eyes v2 – Deep Turquoise (ML) by Ikon Innovia for IKON *

Dress: ~Sassy!~ Henna dress – black by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~, available at the Black Fair *

Bracelet: Zaara : Atiriya stone bracelet  *turquoise-gold* by Zaara Kohime for Zaara *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant Right and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 Left by Siddean Munro for Slink

Hand appliers: Glam Affair – Slink Hands Skin Appliers ( Jamaica ) by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair

Nail appliers: Orc Inc. Fingernails – Glitter Split Fatpack by Nicole Twigvald for Orc Inc. *

Shoes: [Gos] Paris Peeptoe – Satin Collection by Gospel Voom for Gos Boutique *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

The Serpent

“And the woman said, ‘The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.’” ~ The Bible

Bax Coen has just released her new thigh high boots, based on the latest technology she has exploited to create a boot that doesn’t need an in-world staff to fit. Her “Collision Bone Deformer” allows the boots to fit to your avatar, adapting to slider changes. (I am proof because my legs are often too muscular for many mesh products—these fit me like a skin.)

She has also included materials textures on the boots so you can see sheen and surface details. I have featured a video about materials that explains what they are. Most people don’t get it until they see it.

The best part is the boots are mesh, which means they move with you. Bax has been very careful in making these boots. A peek to the inside shows she has textured the upper lip. The boot bends naturally around the calf and knee so you don’t see the ungainly bending that is clear on so many mesh pieces that go over joints. Most people won’t notice this, but it’s a design marvel. They’ll just see how hot they look.

My serpent friend is Rogan Diesel’s offering for this month’s Collabor88. With three color options for the snake and 10 different poses with snakes wrapped around the torso, it’s a hot posing accessory. Even more convenient, the snake rezzes separately from the avatar, so you can use this snake for your self or others.

I am wearing a glittery bikini from One Bad Pixel’s recent release. With sexy side ties and a shimmering texture, it’s a snake handler’s dream, especially when set against the glimmer of a serpent. My necklace is AvaGardner Kungler’s latest offering for L’accessoires, which is celebrating their first anniversary this month.

My skin is one of Aida Ewing’s features in the latest Collabor88. I chose the freckles because I wanted a girl who was marked beautifully by nature the same way the serpent is. My hair is Tabata Jewell’s newest long wavy ‘do. She includes a HUD for texture changing with each color pack, relieving your inventory of carrying a multiplicity of pieces.

To beguile the time,
Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under’t.
~ William Shakespeare

Hair: Vanity Hair: Divinity by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Katya – Jamaica 03 F by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair, available at Collabor88 *

Eyes: pearl – bog wood – large dark by Lano Ling for Poetic Eyes *

Bikini: ::1bp:: Glimmer Bikini Gold by OneBadPixel for One Bad Pixel *

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Laccessoires #03 – Ivatan necklace – Plum by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers, available at L’accessoires *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual S Right and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant S Left by Siddean Munro for Slink

Skin Appliers: Glam Affair – Slink Hands Skin Appliers ( Jamaica ) by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair

Nail Appliers: Nailed It – Gold Glitter by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Boots: BAX Regency Boots Cream Leather STANDARD by Bax Coen for Bax Coen Designs *

Pose prop: Diesel Works – Serpent HUD (All Sets) by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations, available at Collabor88 *

Mesh and Lace

I saw the world crashing all around your face
Never really knowing it was always mesh and lace

I’ll stop the world and melt with you
You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time
And there’s nothing you and I won’t do
I’ll stop the world and melt with you

~ “Melt with You” by Modern English

Did they know when they wrote these lyrics that they were prescient—”mesh and lace”? Voshie Paine has combined them to make this lovely dress for the Black Fair. With a gorgeous system top in black lace over a beautiful flowing mesh skirt, this dress is extremely elegant, especially in black. (I took it dancing and the mesh skirt performed well. I would not do the tango but other moves worked.) I accessorized with pearl s from Barf Delicioso (yep, folks, examining the creator yielded that), which are being sold at Collabor88.

My mesh hair with color change bow is one of Truth Hawk’s newest. Pearl earrings are from Maxi Gossamer’s set at the Black Fair and my eyes are from Maddox DuPont’s group gift for his seventh rez day (old man!). My luminous skin is Hlin Blackbird’s lovely offering for the Black Fair.

“Lace – the invention of a goddess and the occupation of a queen.” ~ Federico de Vinciolo

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Misty [Roots] – LightBlondes03 by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: al vulo- Cecilia*  smoke blonde brow sunkissed by Hlin Bluebird for al vulo, available at the Black Fair *

Eyes: KMADD Eyes_FROST ~ Frozen Grass by Maddox Dupont for KMadd Enterprises

Dress: .la petite morte. black collection. formal black by Voshie Paine for la petite morte, available at the Black Fair *

Earrings: MG – Earrings – Alexa Black Choker Pearls – GOLD y Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer

Pearls: DECO – MESH Marilyn Pearls (Smoke) by Barf Delicioso for DECO, available at Collabor88

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual S Right and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant S Left by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail Appliers: Orc Inc – Pastel Shimmer – Slink Avatar Enhancement HUDs by Nicole Twigvald for Orc Inc. *

Shoes: [Gos] Eva Slingback – Colour Collection by Gospel Voom for Gos Boutique *

Poses by Mavi Beck for MaVie

The Collector

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. ~ Thomas Merton

If SL is a fantasy world, than my fantasy is to be an art collector. In fact, at one time, I indulged in that fantasy and had my own little person gallery of art I had collected, but now I just enjoy it in my own home. I found that I could be a fantasy art collector at a new site called curiator.com (apply for an invite), in which people can exchange their favorite art and build a collection, perhaps finding more by their favorite artists and learning about new artists. Consider it a Pinterest for fine art. (I am Harper Beresford on there as well—find me.)

For this blog entry, I imagined an art collector with a country home—a modern villa with plenty of wall space for hanging paintings and sketches and photographs. (I do realize art encompasses more than this, but indulge me here.) I pulled some pieces from my collection on curiator.com and put them up on the walls and went to town with new items from FaMESHed and Collabor88.

Cory Edo has made a collection for FaMESHed with a sort of postmodern bent. With suggestions of earlier periods, she mixes funky with traditionalism, modernist curvy lines with varied surfaces to offer a set that seems eclectic and pulled together all at once. The furniture features a variety of PG, and if you choose to upgrade, adult poses which will make it very versatile. And I even snuck in BabyChampagne Sass’s modern trunk (as my art collector travels back and forth quite a bit).

Putting this collection in the villa that Cory is offering at Collabor88 was a no-brainer. It all fit together. The villa itself has a large open space with two rooms off the main space and three levels climbing up. She offers it in a shadowed white, which you can customize to your pleasure. I tinted the floor and several walls to pop color in our art collector’s house and give a tension to this modern but homey space. As always she offers privacy settings, pull down blinds, and locks on the doors so art thieves can’t creep in.

Tya Fallingbridge’s dining room set at FaMESHed is a gorgeous addition to this house. With color change built into the table and credenza and changeable fabrics on the chairs, it’s entirely customizable. The modern lines of the chairs and credenza compliment the more traditional round table and provide a handsome or beautiful look to a dining room (depending on your styling).

Our art collector is, of course, eclectic and stylish and I tried to show this with a black pantsuit that Spooky Mistwallow has made for the Black Fair. Coupled with strappy stylish shoes from TeamRedgrave (made orange to pop), the look is sleek but also colorful, especially with Maxi Gossamer’s Limited Bazaar jewelry. Funky nails from Giela Delpaso mix it up in this colorful assemblage.

I used the elegant gold shadowed skin from Izzie Button, a feature at the Black Fair, as my palette. With dark brows and sleekly lined eyes, the skin has a neutral lip, perfect for our art collector. And a casual wavy flip from Chiaki Xue completes the look—she doesn’t want to look contrived.

We have art in order not to die of the truth. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Hair: *Dura-Boys&Girls*45(Dark Brown) by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: Izzie’s – Kaelyn Skin pale DB (gold) by Izzie Button for Izzie’s, available at the Black Fair *

Eyes: IKON Ardent Eyes – Skyfall (ML) by Ikon Innovia for IKON *

Outfit: :KR: Glamstreet Pantsuit – Black by Spooky Mistwallow for Kastle Rock, available at the Black Fair *

Jewelry: MG – Necklace, Earrings, and Bracelet – Tarifa Neon by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Limited Bazaar *

Shoes: – Shoes Grace – 12colors R / REDGRAVE by TeamRedgrave for Redgrave

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

House:

Trompe Loeil – Modern Villa by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at Collabor88 *

Furniture:

Trompe Loeil – Oceania Brights Collection by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *

[PM]Pixel Mode – Cohen Dining Set by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *

{{BSD Design studio}}Model offshore luggage brown by BabyChampagne Sass for {{BSD Design studio}}, available at SL Fashion Week *

::PopArt:: Iwanca Lux vase by Fionna Cale for PopArt

:CP: Vita’s Lamp by Isla Gealach for Cheeky Pea

Rug Pale Paradise **Sweet Sorrows** by Colette Charleville for Sweet Sorrows

Pixelated Petals- Zen Bowl Set  and Pixelated Petals- Glass block vase w/orchids by Miko Omegamu for Pixelated Petals

MESHWORX – Flute Floor Lamp v3b (Mod/copy Only) by Loz Hyde for Meshworx

Trompe Loeil – Star Duo Ground Lamps Gold & White by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil *

Wedge Table Lamp by Kaerri Rae by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri

Medallion Rug by Szabo Horn, no longer available

Art by:

Robert Rauschenberg

Michael Wolf

David Hochbaum

Jeremy Geddes

Richard Avedon

Hiroshi Yoshida

Oleg Dou

Banksy