Another Life

“Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I’m not living.”  ~ Jonathan Safran Foer

A few weeks ago I was asked to review the Altamura mesh body. I had never worn a mesh body before, so it was a new thing for me. Put on the full body alpha, wear the mesh, adjust shape, fiddle with HUD. I wore the fitted mesh body over my shape, found it looked kind of wrong, and I wore the shape supplied with the mesh body. Tall, lithe, model-like, I adjusted the shape a few more times and saw a very new me.

With a HUD that allows for alpha removal, hand and feet changes within two screens, it was relatively easy to click into a look. Click on alphas to remove spots and I was good to go.

I wore this fabulous lace halter mesh dress from Ariadna Garrigus, slipped on Slink-ready shoes from Yani Trice, plopped a hair from Chiaki Xue on my head and great earrings from Maxi Gossamer. Everything fit with minimal effort on my part. Instant glamour!

Except…. it was not me. The face, while beguiling, includes a darling lip biting animation if you wear the animated mesh head. But it can not be altered, adjusted, or otherwise changed. There is no accompanying make-up. (I am guessing the creator was planning on allowing appliers.) It’s an attractive face—the most attractive of the ones offered from Altamura but in wearing it, I realized the soul of “me” as an avatar was my face, especially since I take so many face shots. When I show skins in on my blog, I never change my shape. It’s a litmus test for the skin. So I am very attached to that face and seeing another one is very unnerving.

However, if I wanted to be someone else, have another life, this may be the way to go.

Hair: *Dura-Girl*56(Irish Coffee) by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Mesh avatar: Altamura: TANYA AVATAR by Rumegusc Altamura for Altamura *

Eyes: {S0NG} :: Prisma~ Ice Eye by Funeral Plutonian for {S0NG}

Dress: ***Arisaris AA58 2 Halterneck Black Pencil Dress by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Jewelry: MG – Earrings and Bangle – Neon ChuChu by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

Shoes: :::LP::: Michi_Heels Black by Yani Tryce for Le Primitif

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

Maga

“Oh, Maga, whenever I saw a woman who looked like you a clear, sharp pause would close in like a deafening silence, collapsing like a wet umbrella being closed. An umbrella, precisely.” ~ from Hopscotch by Jose Cortazar

I just started reading Hopscotch by Jose Cortazar, recommended this weekend by a friend. But I had just started Behind the Beautiful Forevers from Keatherine Boo, which won a scad of awards and deservingly so. It’s amazing. But then last night someone told me to read A Sand County Almanac, so of course, I couldn’t wait and cracked that open. So I’ll probably find quotes from each one to share here.

This outfit reminded me of Cortazar’s description in the first chapter of his mixed-up book, a lady named Maga, who accompanies him through Paris on many adventures. (If you read the book and Maga turns out to be a poop, don’t tell me. I just read the first chapter so far.) I loved his description of this woman, and I thought it suited this look, a sophisticated beauty. I have assembled a set of mesh pieces on the Belleza body to prove, once again, that is quite doable. First, a top from one dress made by Nevery Lorakeet with a sheer panel on top and a lovely blousing that leads to a belt I found in inventory from Fhara Acacia (search: “belt,” scroll). My skirt is part of a dress from GraceHaddington that she will be putting out at Designer Showcase this month. With its perfectly shaded texture and flirty shape, it’s a great piece even without its accompanying jacket and worth it at the price. A handbag from Monicuzza Babenco from The Dressing Room and heels I retrofitted to the Belleza feet from Aleida Rhode (originally meant for Slink feet but nonrigged, so I could make them work), and the outfit is complete.

I am, as I said, wearing the Belleza body. Why? Well, frankly, I love being able to switch my hands and feet at the touch of a HUD button rather than searching through my inventory for the many separate pieces that make up separate mesh hands and feet. I was able to match my body skin pretty nicely to Sawsan Secretspy’s new Lolita skin, which she recently released at her store. I got Karla Marama’s hair at the Dressing Room. The sleek, low style is very nice though the rigging still needs a little work (saw some breaks in turning my head and pieces obscuring my face). It’s not the most sophisticated mesh hair. For a discount you can get bright colors at the event but regular hair colors like this were bundled for a higher price.

Hair: pr!tty – Rae – by Karla Marama for pr!tty, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Lolita Darktan 05 with .::WoW Skins::. Lolita Black eyebrows B/DT by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. *

Eyes: #adored – siren eyes – kelp by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Body: -Belleza- Venus by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Top: *LpD* – *Celina* Top Pure V.2 (Mesh) by Nevery Lorakeet for Les Petits Details

Belt: R.icielli – VERONICA belt /black by Fhara Acacia for R.icielli

Skirt: [LG] Boutique-Fall 2014 These Waters Skirt by Grace Haddington for LivGlam, available at Designer Showcase *

Handbag: *YS&YS* – Velletri Bag ZebraGold by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at the Dressing Room Fusion

Wedges: Elysium – Mei wedge shoes – noir by Aleida Rhode for Elysium *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo

Layla

Layla, you’ve got me on my knees.
Layla, I’m begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won’t you ease my worried mind.

~ “Layla” by Eric Clapton

I thought this great rocking song of desire was a perfect name for this sexy look, made better by fitted mesh. Start with this sexy dress that Kehl Razor hand crafted from mesh up to fit not only to standard sizes but also to match the rigging of the Belleza mesh body. Form fitting, sexy with lacing up the sides and a D-ring in front, this leather dress is just what you want mesh to do—bend to your will and fit to your bod. With sexy crossed mule platforms from Lindsey Warwick, also specially designed for the Belleza body’s feet, it’s a hot look.

I am, of course, wearing the Belleza body and with this dress, it was very easy to create this look. A few clicks of alphas and I was set. Shyla Diggs will be coming out with a new set of skins for the Uber event, and those skins perfectly match Tricky Boucher’s work on the mesh body, for obvious reason. With darkly rimmed eyes and a neutral lip, this makeup goes well with black leather. Truth Hawks has come out with a pair of sexy ponytails in mesh and I chose this wicked red to accompany my black look.

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Aviva by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: -Belleza- Brooke Uber Med 1 R by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza-, available at Uber *

Eyes: [theSkinery] Maple eye – Kiwi by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery] *

Body: -Belleza- Venus by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: Razor/// Slither Dress – Belleza Body Sized by Kehl Razor for Razorblade, available at Suicide Dollz

Bracelet: Elysium – Kira bracelet – geometric silver (no mat – ver 2) by Aleida Rhode for Elysium *

Shoes: [L.Warwick] Revelry -Platform Heels- Noir Leather (BELLEZA) by Lindsey Warwick for L.Warwick *

Poses by Nancoix Urquan for {NanTra} Poses *

He’s Ba-ack!

He’s back like a bad penny, like a persistent cold sore, like my property tax bill, like dandelions in spring, like tiny little seeds in my raspberry jam that jam themselves in between my teeth and I can’t get them out… well you get the point. Barely Texan has wheedled his way back into my blog.

Barely’s not about the accolades; he doesn’t care if he glitters or glares or struts. He just cares that he looks cool and reflects a unique sartorial presence—when there aren’t barbecue stains on his sweater.

Barely graces us with this great ensemble including a cardigan/shirt combo from etham, tweed slacks from Leri Miles, boots from Theosophy and hair from Dura. No droopy pants or ‘tude with Barely. Just head-on casual chic.

Hair – Dura – Chiaki Xue – Boy*52 in Dark Brown

Skin – Skin – Swallow – Luciayes Magic – Daniel Peach in Brown eyebrows

Hairbase – Exile – Kavar Cleanslate – Hairbase 2: Brownie

Eyes – IKON – Ikon Innovia – Eternal Eyes in Pewter

Necklace – KOSH – Lynaja Bade – Thorn Necklace

Cardigan/Shirt – etham – stephenweiss – James Cardigan in All Colors

Slacks – Leri Miles Designs – Leri Miles – LMDforMen max
Mesh Slacks in Mocha

Shoes – theosophy – Trace Osterham – Lewiston Boots in Moss/Desert

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

Done up while listening to the Pimps of Joytime doing “Keep That Music Playin’”

Sensitive Kind

Don’t take her for granted, she has a hard time
Don’t misunderstand her or play with her mind
Treat her so gently, it will pay you in time
You’ve got to know she’s the sensitive kind
Tell her you love her, each and every night
And you will discover she will treat you right

~ “Sensitive Kind” by JJ Cale

JJ Cale’s song is the first I had ever heard about sensitive women. I tend to shy away from that label. I am of Midwestern stoic stock. But the song is lovely and suited this gentle look I donned. Ariadna Garrigus has made a beautiful gown with a texture change HUD so you can have three distinctively different looks out. This one is lace and satin. The others are leather with studs and sparkling sequins. I liked this one the most with the lace bodice, the flowing skirt and the subtle colors. My complex necklace from Paco Pooley is one that he is offering at the Jewelry Fair that creates an elegant piece for this look.

Truth Hawks recently released this gorgeous full ‘do with its loose curls and beautiful textures. It suits this dress so well. And Sawsan Secretspy has just released this gorgeous skin with its refined brows, makeup and sexy details. Perhaps our sensitive kind is worth the attention because she’s so beautiful.

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Amaris by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Lolita Darktan 05 by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. *

Eyes: #adored – dream eyes – black coffee by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Dress: ***ArisAris AA60 Shena Gown by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Necklace: 22769 ~ [accessories] Cascade White by Paco Pooley for 22769, available at the Jewelry Fair *

Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands – Elegant by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: KOSH – Slink Applier GLOSSY FINGERNAILS #2 by Lynaja Bade for KOSH

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo

A Little Nonsense

“A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.” ~ Roald Dahl

Check this out! I hit the motherlode! The folks at MadPea made a darling collection of gacha items for the Arcade this month, and I lined them all up (after I played with each one, of course). Each one is interactive in its own special way, from the goofy Sticky Finger I wore on my finger and flung around to the barking doggy that I had to turn off because it drove me nuts to the musical guitar you can wear and play like you did when you were 5 and your dad hoped he was raising another Eric Clapton to the ultra rare robot. These fun pieces can be won and traded or given away or you can use one in your own special photo for the MadPea Rewind & Play Photo Contest. To find out more about that, click through on the link to their Facebook page and the rules are listed there. Important thing is it ends September 30.

My Attic opened again and this darling dress from LacunaInc is one of the great fashions being offered there. The dress is a great little mini for the coming fall with a nice cowl neck and a short skirt. The textures are rich and the silhouette is sexy. I matched up Kenadeecole’s strappy wedges from No21, which she has made for both Slink and Belleza feet. They also have a HUD for choosing metal colors and an optional translucent cuff around the ankle.

That being said, I am again wearing the Venus mesh body from Tricky Boucher. I want to reinterate that it’s easy to wear mesh clothing with this shape by using the alpha area of the HUD and editing your shape. It works brilliantly and look how great my legs look! And I don’t have to shuffle hands around. I am so relieved to not have to deal with that.

My skin is Shyla Diggs’ newest and wow, I am impressed. As always, Shyla doesn’t fail to impress with beautifully shaped brows, gorgeous eye makeups, muted and lush lips, a darling nose. With or without the mesh body, this is a skin worth having.

Elikapeka Tiramisu has been rather quiet, pursuing her first life I presume, but she does have a store with some gorgeous mesh hairs with her lovely textures. Elika was one of the first in SL, kids. And she still can pull it off. This hair comes with a great texture-change HUD and, as you can see, some sleek styling.

Hair: [e] Cassidy by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Skin: -Belleza- Yasmin SK 6 Br by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza– *

Eyes: #adored – dream eyes – mushroom by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Body: -Belleza- Venus by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: *LACUNA* Maeve Dress –  Aurora by LacunaInc for Lacuna, available at My Attic *

Earrings: MG – Earrings – Nima’s Fall Leaf Necklace by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at  FaMESHed *

Shoes: REIGN.- Oli Wedges (BELLEZA/HIGH)- Crimson by kenadeecole for REIGN, available at No21

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

Shelf: Sway’s [Army] LampShelf . blue-plain (empty) by Sway Dench for Sway’s *

The Toys: MadPea Rewind & Play by Arduenn Schwartzman, Indigo Lucerne, Rag Randt, and Harter Fall for MadPea, available at The Arcade *

• MadPea – Crazy Jack-in-the-box
• MadPea – MadPea Singers Piano
• MadPea – Rosetta (Add or Rez)
• MadPea – Sniffy
• MadPea – Sticky Fingers
• MadPea – Thunder Chord
• MadPea – Thunder Chord  – Guitar Stand – Rez (click -> view.)
• MadPea – Wind-n-Watch (Add or Rez)
• MadPea – Zerbert 2000 RARE (Add or Rez)
• MadPea Toy Phone (blue) – prop to wear [use HUD to call]
• MadPea Toy Phone (red) – prop to wear [use HUD to call]

Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues

You never get nothing by being an angel child
You better change your ways and get real wild
I wanna tell you something, I wouldn’t tell you a lie
Wild women are the only kind that really get by
‘Cause wild women don’t worry, wild women don’t have their blues

~ “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues,” sung by Francine Reed

A week or so ago I spent a few hours looking for good blues songs by and about women because all the great blues joints and DJs on SL have taught me to love the blues. I have a particularly warm spot in my heart for women blues singers. Finally, I found women who could sing it low and sing it high. Women’s blues embraces women’s sexuality and feelings with passion and humor.

This outfit reminds me of wild women. Start with the mesh clothes from Poulet Koenkamp. Poulet makes no beef about using mesh templates but her texture work and texture-change HUDs are so amazing that she lifts them beyond the run-of-the-mill. For example, you can find this jacket elsewhere but are you going to find it with such awesome zippers, such great suede and tweed textures, and most importantly this gorgeous embroidery on the back? Nope. Her jeans are just as nice with a tweedy texture and a variety of colors available on the HUD.

My necklace and ring are from Crashnoww, who is one of the folks at the Jewelry Fair. I have blogged his work already but can’t say enough about the great texture-change HUDs and the styling of his and his business partners’ work. Make sure you get over to the Jewelry Fair tout suite!

Then step down to my beautiful boots from Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus. As with all their creations, the mesh is made from the pixel up by Paul and Bast and includes their brilliant proprietary texture-change HUD, which includes scads of color and metal choices so when you get this boot and the HUD, you get a very fat fatpack.

Umazuma Metaluna released this skin in full with all the appliers (including the Mesh Project face), add-ons and gorgeousness I just adore with these skins. The eyebrows are exquisite (I am big on eyebrows), the freckled skin is subtle and sublime, the eyes are expressive and the lips are full and drop-dead gorgeous. I love this skin on me! I wore one of Harry Hyx’s hairs from Hair Fair to give our sexy wild woman a sleeker look. Don’t think because her hair isn’t messy, she isn’t willing to get a little dirty.

Hair: ISON – Ruler by Harry Hyx for Ison *

Skin: [theSkinnery] Zuri – Bare face (toffee) DB CL1 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery]

Eyes: #adored – siren eyes – kelp by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Jacket: :: PM :: Erica Jacket – All Colors by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations *

Jeans: :: PM :: Acire Slacks – All 16 Colors by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations *

Necklace: **RE** LUX Mia Necklace by Crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at the Jewelry Fair *

Ring: **RE** LUX Mia Ring by Crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at the Jewelry Fair *

Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands – Casual by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – set 227 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair, available at My Attic*

Boots: L&B S’wear “Carissa” Ankle Boot by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

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

Alexandra

Well I took a happy hour
And I ran it through your heart
Don’t you lose me to those blue skies
I still miss you when we swing apart

~ “Alexandra” by Hamilton Leithauser

It’s been a busy week for me. While I only generated a few blogs, I hit the events I wanted to blog, I set up the Dutchie house, I did my other work AND I made Honey Almond Cake. I also saw the launch of Damselfly’s newest endeavor, a two-for-one hair set that both old and new fans of the brand will love. Tommy and Shylah worked together to add flexi to their hair, combining mesh in an unrigged form to the flexi to allow the movement so many people loved from their previous styles. In the meantime, they are retaining their regular mesh hair, which I am showing here. So if you purchase the hair I show here, you get this regular rigged mesh piece (which is fantastic on its own) and another unrigged mesh piece with flexi attachments, giving you an entirely different look. It’s a two-for-one deal!

The Jewelry Fair is still on and I found some gorgeous pieces. I am always struggling to find accessories to go with my looks but I sated my needs at the Fair. Atuko Cliassi made the lovely chain/diamond necklace I wear with earrings and hair pieces as well. She has a few other pretty pieces at the Fair too. Ivy Burner, in her great sexy fashion, made this darling dress in several colors for the Young Spirit event.

So while I have been building and blogging homes n stuff, I have been wearing the Belleza mesh body around and yes, you see it here. I realize the version I have is prerelease version because I honestly believe Tricky is making tweaks. I am hoping they will make this even better than it seems. That being said, I am wearing it in these photos with a skin from Inka Mexicola. Yes, I combined Inka’s face with Tricky’s body and I don’t think it’s too Frankenstein. The skin is on my face and then I matched the body to the face via the prematches in the HUD. It worked. There is no reason one can not wear another creator’s skin on the face until the appliers start coming in.

I also want to show you I am wearing a mesh dress with this mesh body. Yep, I clicked out alpha areas and voila! It fits. I look fine. Not all shoes made for Slink feet fit on the Belleza feet (hence the option to wear the Slink feet). However Leslie Warwick has already applied herself to the issue and has made her shoes both Slink and Belleza feet compatible. And I am so glad because she makes some fantastic shoes!

So let summarize with FAQ:

Q: Can I wear other skins with the Belleza Body?
A: Yes, it seems so!

Q: Can I wear mesh clothes with the Belleza Body?
A: You betcha. There needs to be more refinement with the alphas but yes, many clothes will work.

Q: Can I wear Slink shoes with the Belleza Body?
A: Kinda. Some fit. But you CAN wear the Slink hands and feet with the Belleza body or opt to wear shoes made for the Belleza feet.

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Becky(Med) Rigged-Mesh Big Pack by Shylah Honey for Damselfly *

Skin: Essences – Tila {medium02} brown by Inka Mexicola for Essences *

Eyes: {S0NG} :: Prisma~ Ice Eye by Funeral Plutonian for {S0NG}

Body: -Belleza- Venus by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: ~Sassy!~ Forever Young  – pink by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~, available at the Young Spirit event *

Necklace: **Feel**DoubleChainDiamondNecklace(BrightOff) by Atuko Cliassi for ***Feel***, available at the Jewelry Fair *

Shoes: [L.Warwick] Elation -Platform Heels- Burgandy/Rose (Belleza) by Lindsey Warwick for L.Warwick *

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

A House is a Home

a house is a home where the chores are never done
where you spend your whole life running to and from
and if the life that you live is not the life you choose
make your child a home and start anew

~ “A House is a Home” by Ben and Ellen Harper

As I blogged yesterday, my trip to the Home and Garden Expo 2014 was very fruitful. I found many home treasures for both exterior and interior. I decorated one room of Froukje Hoorenbeek’s fabulous villa with a few treasures to share. Most of them are donation items at Home and Garden Expo 2014 , which means that 100% of the money earned from their sale goes to Relay for Life in SL. It seems like a gimme: get something awesome and donate to RFL all at once.

So let me tick through some of these items. First, Eku Zhong, who makes some awesome stuff, is co-sponsoring a sim at H.G.E. and she has donated the money from the sale of the brown leather sofa and chaise plus a black set and some other goodies to RFL. Eku does absolutely great textures and buildings for her business (as well as sexy shoes for her other label, Koikoi). I broke down and bought her Dragonfly Cottage at the H.G.E.

Loz Hyde is also co-sponsoring a sim at H.G.E. and he is offering this coffeetable and a similarly-shaped ottoman for donation. I recolored the table to match the décor (thank you for leaving it mod, Loz). The stately armchair in the corner is one of a set of chairs that Apple Fall is offering with full donation going to RFL.

John2010 Dexler has made a few things for the H.G.E. including the artwork above the fireplace from Cleom Bailey. I framed it in black (thank you, Stephen) so it would stand out against the great wallpaper Froukje made for this room. Rod Eun specializes in “low prim” furniture, which means textures on prim blocks, but they look good and are inexpensive and his blanket chest here donates 100% to RFL as does the awesome samovar from Rusalka Writer. Plato Novo is providing a set of lamps with pithy quotes on the shades for RFL’s cause and Laurent83 Waco made the tray that brightens up the room with croissant and tea.

And here is a shot of Froukje’s lovely villa in the full sun.

Villa: Dutchie Villa Utrecht  by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie, available at the Home Expo 2014 *

Interior:

• Culprit Sleek Lounger Brown Leather by Eku Zhong for Culprit, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• RE Old Wood Immigrant Blanket Chest by Rod Eun for RE Blueprint Designs, available at the Home Expo 2014
• Antique Ebony Samovar by Rusalka Writer for Absinthe & Others, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• -JoHaDeZ- WallArt “dead tree” by John2010 Dexler for -JoHaDeZ-, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• fireplace by Cleom Bailey for Cleo Design, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• Apple Fall Wingback Chair 5 by Apple Fall for Apple Fall, available at the Home Expo 2014
• %Percent – Betty Lamp (Wells) *MESH* by Plato Novo for %Percent Furniture & Lighting, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• [PM]Pixel Mode – Manchester – Endtable by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *
• Culprit Soft Sofa Brown Leather by Eku Zhong for Culprit, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• Culprit Wall Candle by Eku Zhong for Culprit, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• !! Follow US !! French weekend tray (blog) by Laurent83 Waco for !! Follow US Design !!, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• MESHWORX ~ Elegance Oval Coffee Table (Mod/Copy Only) by Loz Hyde for MESHWORX, available at the Home Expo 2014 * (modified)
• Dutchie hanging fern by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *
• AF Annan Reclaimed Frame by Apple Fall for Apple Fall
• {theosophy} Palmerston Wall Hanging (Beachgrass) by Trace Osterham for {theosophy} *
• tan  rug3 by Daedalus Brink for DaHaus
• Fowler Rug 3 by Eric Linden

Thank you, Etrone, for getting me through this!

Going Home

Home, I’m making my way home.
My mind’s already there.
Yes, my mind is

Light, you’re with me in the dark.
Light my way at night.
Let your light shine

~ “Going Home” by Asgeir

The Home Expo is on, benefitting RFL. I had the fortune to preview it and then the “misfortune” of sorting through the amazing things I picked up and got to preview. I admit I am not as quick to decorate my space as I am to decorate myself, so it took me some time and some help. (Thank you, Grayson, for the space!)

Froukje Hoorenbeek is premiering her new home, the Villa Utrecht, at the Home Expo. While the sale of this beautiful structure is not benefitting RFL, Froukje co-sponsored a sim at considerable expense, so she is definitely donating to the cause. The house is gorgeous and she told me has a lot of personal significance for her (which is I chose the lovely song from Asgeir for the title and quote). The textures are lush and lifelike and the house is well made with windows and doors that open out as they would in RL and a great attic up top (plus the clock keeps time in your time zone).

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention other creators who have donated to the cause for the Home Expo. Alex Bader is also a sim co-sponsor and has built a gorgeous parcel that makes going to Home Expo worth it alone. He is generously donating all the proceeds from sale of this oak tree at Home Expo to RFL.

Cleom Bailey is also participating and donating proceeds of the set from which this iron table and chairs comes. And John2010 Bailey is donating proceeds from the lamp I threw all over my parcel. I am astounded by the content and generosity of the creators participating in this event. They not only donated to participate but give 100% of proceeds from their donation items to RFL. When I got to preview, I made sure I hit a lot of those RFL kiosks to purchase items.

Tomorrow I will take you inside the house to show a few more items from Home Expo. By the way, that pretty flowerbox is a GIFT that Sheerpetal Roussel is offering at Home Expo.

Villa: Dutchie Villa Utrecht  by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie, available at the Home Expo 2014 *

Exterior:

• DaD DESIGN “Pink flowers on pot” C/M – 2014 HGE Gift – and DaD DESIGN “Red flowers on pot” C/M – 2014 HGE Gift – by Sheerpetal Roussel for DaD Design, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• Topiary d’Ete Fleur with Lights by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine
• -JoHaDeZ- Garden Latern “Star” by John2010 Dexler for -JoHaDeZ-, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• Skye Four Season Oak Tree by Alex Bader for Studio Skye, available at the Home Expo 2014
• iron table and iron chairs by Cleom Bailey for Cleo Design, available at the Home Expo 2014 *
• *alirium* nanohana by Alir Flow for alirium
• *aG* MossyBrickPath by Alir Flow for alirium