Divine Pleasures–KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 19

“Surely everyone is aware of the divine pleasures which attend a wintry fireside; candles at four o’clock, warm hearthrugs, tea, a fair tea-maker, shutters closed, curtains flowing in ample draperies to the floor, whilst the wind and rain are raging audibly without.” ~ Thomas de Quincey

There is something so cozy about a fireplace with a fire, even if the fire is coming from candles. Cory Edo has made this cozy fireplace set for Collabor88 and these stylish chairs for Fameshed. They created the perfect scene for Barnesworth Anubis’ gift for the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar gift for today, the Kitty Campaign Stool. Now, while this was made for KittyCats, the truth is that you could use this stool for a coffee table or other décor (though my Calliekins rather likes it for herself). It’s mod so you can even put poses in it. Grab yours from the calendar!

Shiny Shabby is opening tomorrow, so I am showing a few wonderful pieces from the event. First, this knit dress from Ainaraluas comes in several colors and is a very versatile look for accessorizing. I wore Tatyana Ultsch’s fur stole for Winter Trend, a piece that fit quite nicely and includes a ton of fur variations so you can wear it with many looks. My boots are Senzati0n Domenitzo’s Winter Gacha pieces. For a small amount, you can grab a pair of one of 10 awesome colors, and they fit several mesh bodies and feet. That’s a great deal for her wonderful work.

I finally got the Annie head from Catwa Clip and took some time getting used to it. JourdanMcMillan is offering appliers at Shiny Shabby for the Catwa heads and I was able to mix and match lipstick and eye makeups and come up with a look that pleased me greatly. She has a sophisticated, very blushed look with a nice choice of makeups. My hair is one of Thora Charron’s newest ‘dos with the “Swish” animation included. While I was photographing this look, I could feel the breeze caress my face because of the moving lock of hair.

Hair: .LeLutka.Adriana hair.FIT.A.Swish by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Annie V4.4 by Catwa Clip for CATWA

Skin applier: Bold & Beauty :: Scarlet (Catwa Applier). Fatpack by JourdanMcMillan for Bold & Beauty, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: #adored – nova eyes – thunderstorm by Constance Daehlie for #adored, available at Winter Trend *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: Luas Fall Dress Blue by Ainaraluas for Luas, available at Shiny Shabby *

Stole: :::insanya::: Synthetic Fur Stole by Tatyana Ultsch for :::insanya:::, available at Winter Trend *

Boots: Essenz – Warsaw (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Winter Gacha Festival *

Décor:

Trompe Loeil – Haldis Fireplace Empty by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at Collabor88 *

Trompe Loeil – Haldis Candleholder Scripted by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at Collabor88 *

Trompe Loeil – Haldis Holiday Tapestry by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at Collabor88 *

Trompe Loeil – Xeni Armchair + Blanket PG for Fameshed by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at Fameshed *

Trompe Loeil – Xeni Armchair PG by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at Fameshed *

LISP – Mesh – Jewel Summer Rug – Sunset Red by Lainy Voom for LISP

kitty campagin stool by Barnesworth Anubis for Barnesworth Anubis, available December 19 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

Serenity Style- Winter Picnic Brownie Plate by Hanstrid Inshan for Serenity Style, available at Shiny Shabby *

[Toiz] 7. x-mas tree deco by marinestella for [Toiz], available at Shiny Shabby *

KittyCats – Calliekins by KittyCats for KittyCats *

Soup Season

“I live on good soup, not on fine words.” ~ Moliere

It’s the last of photos taken in Barnesworth Anubis’ house. The event has already switched over but this was such a fabulous place to showcase the great pieces I have recently acquired. Finally we’re in the dining room, where the centerpiece is Kalie Firelyte’s sexy dining set for ROMP. Now, typically this may not seem so sexy but it includes several animations in chairs and table that makes it sexy. A very innocuous piece can suddenly become amorous with the right person (especially if you thought you wanted to do it in every room of the house). I decorated with various pieces from gachas at Shiny Shabby, including some darling pieces like the photo hanger from AnaisTerpallie and DanielEstro, the garlands and side table. Jake Vordun does some great work and he’s featuring a picture perfect chandelier at Shiny Shabby and I found pieces from Jammeh’s gacha to make perfect side pieces. Thanks again to tastemaker Sabein Streeter, who organized my stuff and placed a lot of it. All I had to do was go in and put the final touches.

The story is about soup because it’s on my mind a lot. I have made Mark Bittmann’s chunky vegetable soup three times now in the past couple weeks (as delivery of my CSA boxes winds up for the season), and today we had a carrot squash soup with ginger that my mom made. A ratatouille will no doubt make it to the table because there is an eggplant and a box of thyme on the counter. (When did this turn into a cooking blog?)

I put together this casual look with Miffyhoi Rosca’s cuddly soft knit mesh dress as the centerpiece and Darling Monday’s boots as the accompaniment. Available in several autumn-pretty colors, the dress includes a HUD for changing the belt color, so I was able to match it to my boots. Queue Marlowe’s beautifully wavy, side-caught ponytail is a lovely top for this casual look. Umazuma Metaluna made actual system skins for Chapter Four, a lovely set with her characteristic moles and finely-groomed brows. I added Constance Daehlie’s pale lipstick to the look to accentuate my soup warmed blush.

Hair: AD – september – DARK BROWNS by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: [theSkinnery] Nicky – Bare face(honey) CB CL1 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at the Chapter Four *

Lipstick: #adored – slayer lips – barely by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Eyes: .ID. September Eyes / Blue by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kyra lashes.01 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

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

Dress: =Zenith=Autumn Long Dress (Blue) by Miffyhoi Rosca for =Zenith=, available at Shiny Shabby *

Earrings: (Kunglers) Philippa earrings – Cobalt by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at On9 *

Bangles: *YS&YS* Antibes Brac Brown by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS*, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Boots: fri. – Rosie.Boots (Buck) by Darling Monday for fri.day, available at Shiny Shabby*

Poses by Luna Jubilee for !bang

Décor:

• Apt B // Snuggle Up Shelf by FadeArcade for Apt B, available at Shiny Shabby *
• Apt B // Snuggle Up Rug by FadeArcade for Apt B, available at Shiny Shabby *

• [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Garland by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Shiny Shabby *
• [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Chair by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Shiny Shabby *
• [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Photo Frame – Light by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Shiny Shabby *
• [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Table by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Shiny Shabby *

• Toro. Shinjuku Framed art by jammeh for Toro., available at Shiny Shabby *
• Toro. Shinjuki Dining Table by jammeh for Toro., available at Shiny Shabby *
• Toro. Shinjuku Cabinet by jammeh for Toro., available at Shiny Shabby *

• Jian :: Saxton Dining Chair (Adult) by Kalia Firelyte for Jian, available at ROMP *
• Jian :: Saxton Dining Table by Kalia Firelyte for Jian, available at ROMP *
• Jian :: Saxton Dining Setting (Clean) by Kalia Firelyte for Jian, available at ROMP *

• concept}  Corner set –  01. Plant box by ConceptDesign for concept}, available at Shiny Shabby *

• {what next} Winter Harvest Soup Tray by Winter Thorn for {what next}

• Fancy Decor: Classic Chandelier (gold) by Jake Vordun for Fancy Décor, available at Shiny Shabby *

• :HAIKEI: white cosmos pot by qo0op for :HAIKEI:, available at Shiny Shabby*

• Con.&floorplan. framed poster / aeronautique by Tegin Serin and Wavie Haller for Consignment and floorplan *

• AF Annan Reclaimed Wardrobe by warehousefifteendesign for Apple Fall

Mellow

“Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.” ~ Samuel Butler

The days are still golden this autumn. I was able to take time and toss out the flowers in the window boxes and trim the euonymus and then I sat down to listen to the radio for a bit, lounging on the sofa. In this case, the sofa is part of Alia Baroque’s featured set at ROMP this month, appropriately packed with poses for lounging and love making. I have decorated the family room with various pieces from Shiny Shabby—autumn and vintage pieces from Paolla Flux, pillows from Kunst and Hoorenbeek, chairs and tables from Soyoy, qu0op, and jammeh, and a charming piano from Marinestella. DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie have made the awesome ladder bookshelf for The Men’s Dept and Cherelle Capra has leant color to the room with her pieces for the Color Me Project. My radio is from the talented Lauren Bentham, who is offering prizes for the Peatonville Asylum game from MadPea, opening later this week (which I will write more about soon). And of course, this is all housed in Barnesworth Anubis’ lovely house for Collabor88.

Today I am casual in a baseball tee made for the season from Flutter Memel and Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus’ fantastic mesh jeans which have been refitted for the Maitreya body and also nicely fit my Belleza body with few adjustments. My skin is Shyla Diggs’ newest, a look that is fresh and comfortable on my own face, the most “me” look I can imagine, and my braid is MissAllSunday Lemon’s great fishtail braid for Fameshed.

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Faith Mesh Hair – Chocolate by MissAllSunday Lemon for /Wasabi Pills/, available at FaMESHed *

Skin: -Belleza- Faye SK Dk Br 1 by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza *

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Flirtacious  eye collection – 12 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery] *

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kyra lashes.01 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

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

Top: Stories&Co. by Flowey / Baseball Tee – Vintage Skull by Flutter Memel for Flowey *

Jeans: L&B Swear (*Fitted*) “Flare” Denim Jeans by BastChild Lotus and Paul Lapointe for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Nail appliers: [LB Ombre2] *Belleza* Manicure and Pedicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Décor:

• {Reverie} Day Dream – Dreamers Frame – Autumn [RARE] by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*
• {Reverie} Day Dream – Wooden Birds- Light Autumn by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*
• {Reverie} Day Dream – Aged Chest – Autumn by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*
• {Reverie} Day Dream – Aged Chest – Vintage by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*
• {Reverie} Day Dream – Wooden Birds – Dark Autumn by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*
• {Reverie} Day Dream – Candle Light Chandelier – Autumn by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*
• {Reverie} Day Dream – Dreamers Dresser – Vintage by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*
• {Reverie} Day Dream – Nest of Tables – Small – Autumn by Paolla Flux for {Reverie},available at Shiny Shabby*

• :HAIKEI: Stiff old chair / Color by qo0op for :HAIKEI:, available at Shiny Shabby*
• :HAIKEI: Vintage wooden board by qo0op for :HAIKEI:, available at Shiny Shabby*

• .07 [ kunst ] & [ hoorenbeek ] – Wood planks stool (b) by Kunst Himmel and Limer Hoorenbeek for [ kunst ], available at Shiny Shabby*
• .03 [ kunst ] & [ hoorenbeek ] – Pillows (wall) by Kunst Himmel and Limer Hoorenbeek for [ kunst ], available at Shiny Shabby*

• Soy. Corduroy Chair w/ texture change by Soyoy for Soy., available at Shiny Shabby*

• Apt B // Snuggle Up Bucket by FadeArcade for Apt B, available at Shiny Shabby*

• [Toiz] 4. Autumn Piano by Marinestella for Toiz, available at Shiny Shabby*

• Toro. Shinjuki Dining chair by jammeh for Toro., available at Shiny Shabby*

• Trompe Loeil – Enfield Wall Art Barn by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil *

• [CIRCA] – “Into the Forest” Autumn Wall Branch – Brown/Dk Org by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at Color Me Project *
• [CIRCA] – “Into the Forest” Area Rug – Fallen Leaves Dark by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at Color Me Project *
• [CIRCA] – “Into the Forest” Ottoman – Fall Stripe (12pos) by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at Color Me Project *
• [CIRCA] – “Into the Forest” Autumn Wreath – Berry Mix by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at Color Me Project *

• [ zerkalo ] Hangout – Ladder Bookshelf by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Men’s Dept  *
• [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Pillow by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Shiny Shabby*

• ~Libertine~ Floor clutter, candle and books by Alia Baroque for ~Libertine~, available at ROMP *
• ~Libertine~ Floor clutter, decorative cushion by Alia Baroque for ~Libertine~, available at ROMP *
• ~Libertine~ Viscount Couch, Mature Ed. [v.1.0] by Alia Baroque for ~Libertine~, available at ROMP *
• ~Libertine~ Table mess, porto and letters by Alia Baroque for ~Libertine~, available at ROMP *

• [BM] Old Time Radio v1.0 by Lauren Bentham for Bentham Manor, available exclusively for the MadPea Peatonville Asylum *

• junk. arch lamp. tall. by Tab Tatham for junk

• AF Books by warehousefifteendesign for Apple Fall

House: [ba] tabor cottage by Barnesworth Anubis for Barnesworth Anubis, available at Collabor88*

On the Porch

“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Fall is a time of a lot of running around. School’s going again, the harvest is coming in (and if you think that’s silly, it’s not—I have a fridge full of vegetables I have to do something with), the garden has to be cleared, leaves have to be raked. And meanwhile we are clinging to the last few warm days for a long time with evening descending ever earlier. So it’s hard to sit still and just… relax and enjoy.  I ran around SL shopping in this outfit from Cecilia Blachere, who does amazing textures on mesh. Check out the suede on this skirt and the beautiful knit of this sweater. I accessorized with new pieces from Monicuzza Babenco, including a darling handbag which comes with a HUD to change the inside part so you have a nice neutral bag with optional details to change.

Kuranosuke Kamachi’s beautiful new style tops this look in a very lovely way. I am trying another skin made for Logo heads on the new Chloe. This is the skin offered by Otyebis for Shiny Shabby and I would say it lies on the Chloe head in a very interesting way. There is a lot to love—the pores on the skin, the skin tone, the nicely drawn brows (though not their placement), the pretty lips. But something is just not working quite right. I tried to make it work for me—changing out eyes, clicking different lashes on the HUD, but I think the nature of how these skins are made, they want a tiny, widely spaced round eye and narrow nose, which this head doesn’t quite have.

Hair: =DeLa*= Mesh Hair “Simone” All colors by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*= *

Mesh head: LOGO Chloe v4 Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: ** [PUMEC]  – RYOKO – SUMMER –  LOGO (OMEGA) HEAD  APP by Otyebis for PumeC, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Flirtacious  eyes – 6 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at The Cosmetic Fair *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Sweater: shine by [ZD] LENNIE MESH SWEATER beige by Cecilia Blachere for shine by [ZD] *

Skirt: shine by [ZD] GRETA MESH SKIRT tan by Cecilia Blachere for shine by [ZD] *

Scarf: shine by [ZD] NICKY MESH NECKERCHIEF tan by Cecilia Blachere for shine by [ZD] *

Handbag: *YS&YS* Parioli Bag Vintage (right arm)  by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS* for the Mix Event *

Bangles: *YS&YS* Antibes Brac Brown by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS*, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Shoes: *YS&YS* Monaco Suede Vintage (Maitreya)  by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS* for the Mix Event *

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

Décor:

• [CIRCA] – “Verde Topiary Planter with Pumpkins2 -8 base colours by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], *
• [CIRCA] – “Into the Forest” Autumn Wreath – Berry Mix by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at Color Me Project *
• Apt B // Snuggle Up Hanging Seat RARE by FadeArcade for Apt B, available at Shiny Shabby*
• Hayabusa Design Magnolia Wada Geometry Curved HD-A M3 v1-2 T3G by Mitsuko Kytori for Hayabusa *
• 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Shabby Pumpkin Decoration by Paco Pooley for 22769, available at Shiny Shabby*
• 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Autumn Handbarrow by Paco Pooley for 22769, available at Shiny Shabby*
• GOOSE – wooden pumpkin lantern hanging by Tyrek for GOOSE *
• Pixel Mode – Fall Harvest – Barrel Display by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode
• {what next} Fancy Pumpkins by Winter Thorn for {what next}
• concept}  Corner set –  01. Plant box by ConceptDesign for concept}, available atShiny Shabby*
• Apt B // Snuggle Up Bucket by FadeArcade for Apt B, available at Shiny Shabby*
• Toro. Racer Bicycle {Midnight} by jammeh for Toro., available at Shiny Shabby*

House: [ba] tabor cottage by Barnesworth Anubis for Barnesworth Anubis, available at Collabor88*

The Last Smile

“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant

Fall came in yesterday just like that. It was balmy out on Monday evening, the air thick with humidity and early the next morning a cold front came through with a storm and chill air and golden sunshine followed it. When I was trying to take these photos and struggling, my friend asked, “What kind of windlight are you hoping for?” I said, “The kind that imbues the scene with sunlight filtered through a thousand autumn leaves, tinting everything with a nostalgic depth and laying upon it its honeyed warmth before the chill winter winds descend.” He sighed. “Try ‘Sunset.’”

My dear friend Sabein Streeter, helped me set up my autumn house, which I will be photoing in pieces because she jam packed it so full of goodness, and I can’t cover it all in one blog. Her wonderful decorating sense was assisted by the many beautiful décor items available this month at Shiny Shabby. We start, of course, on the back stoop, where we find leaves have covered the area via Kunst Himmel and a cart of gourds, courtesy of FadeArcade. A cozy rocking chair from Marinestella waits for a friend to sit but I have just finished riding my bike from Danielestro and am about to go inside. The house? Barnesworth Anubis’ beautiful cottage for Collabor88, more of which you will see in the next days.

My outfit is a combination of fall and summer. A warm but sexy middriff-skimming sweater from Kiddo Oh at Tres Chic tops short shorts from xxxsaltandpepperxxx, available at the Cosmopolitan Room—both mesh. Long socks from Roslin Petion for My Attci and great little boots from Darling Monday at Shiny Shabby complete the look.

I want to highlight the berries in my hair—a lovely hair pick from Abraxxa Anatine, featured at the Cosmopolitan Room. I pushed it into my hair in front, a celebration of the fruits of fall. The pick has a color change menu on click and is exquisitely crafted in mesh, but not rigged so you can move it around and resize or copy and wear multiple. My hair is one of the wild fusion shades from Kavar Cleanslate, his contribution to Fantasy Collective. And once again I wear Catwa Clip’s lovely Jessica mesh head with a beautiful skin applied from Inka Mexicola , both available at the Cosmopolitan Room.

Hair: Exile::The Countess by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at the Fantasy Collective *

Hair pick: EarthStones Hair Branch Hair Stick – Berries by Abraxxa Anatine for EarthStones, available at the Cosmopolitan Room  *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Jessica by Catwa Clip for CATWA, available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Skin applier: Essences Catwa Appliers [Natasja] by Inka Mexicola for Essences , available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Eyes: Mesh – Marble Eyes – Old Book by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Sweater: Autumn Sweater – Pink MAITREYA by Kiddo Oh for .::Dead Dollz::., available at Tres Chic *

Shorts: S&P Hotpants Kay by xxsaltandpepperxx for Salt & Pepper, available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Socks: {Luxuria} T&C Thigh High Socks – Applier *light* by Roslin Petion for Luxuria, available at My Attic *

Boots: fri. – Rosie.Boots (Dirty) by Darling Monday for fri.day, available at Shiny Shabby*

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Décor:

• [Toiz] 1. coming Autumn swingchair by marinestella and [Toiz] 3. Autumn Board by Marinestella for Toiz, available at Shiny Shabby*
• [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Bicycle by danielestro by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Shiny Shabby*
• .05 [ kunst ] & [ hoorenbeek ] – Autumn leaves by Kunst Himmel and Limer Hoorenbeek for [ kunst ], available at Shiny Shabby*
• Apt B // Snuggle Up Wheelburrow by FadeArcade by FadeArcade for Apt B, available at Shiny Shabby*
• (MB) Wicker planter with fern “BREEZE” dark by Minke Bailey for MB-CreationZ

House: [ba] tabor cottage by Barnesworth Anubis for Barnesworth Anubis, available at Collabor88 *

Together—KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 17

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.” ~ Garrison Keillor

Today’s KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar is a double-whammy of star power. Both Shai Delacroix and Barnesworth Anubis are giving gifts, so make sure you get to the calendar today. Shai has contributed this darling mesh Santa hat, perfect for good girls and boys (and bad ones too). I matched it up with this darling coat from Ivy Burner that she is featuring at Frost, a beautiful piece of mesh work, intricately done  with a hood and fur-trimmed cuffs, collar and hem. Ivy has really upped her mesh game and she caters to every applier possible. She is a hard-working lady. I paired it with tights from Lisanna Lauria and great boots from Senzati0n Domenitzo, both also available from Frost.

Barnesworth has made these beautiful sets of mesh frames, 1 land impact with both dark and light frames, which can be modified in size, to change the matte colors, whatever you choose. He has improved the LOD over frames he has made in the past so they render beautifully. I use these frames extensively in my house because, well, I am a shutterbug (duh) and love having a visual reminder of the wonderful times I have had with my friends. The frames are kind of an iconic piece for SL—we are social and we are visual in this world and this piece serves as the perfect container for that.

Shyla Diggs is offering a gorgeous set of skins at The Liaison Collaborative this month and with separate lip tattoos, you get a seemingly endless variety of looks from one small pack of skins. And what a gorgeous set of looks. Ms. Bubbles Clawtooth’s hair fits perfectly under Shai Delacroix’s holiday hat and makes my look pretty and festive.

 

Hair: Clawtooth: Color Me Pretty – Coco by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth *

Skin: -Belleza- Mae TLC Med 6 Dk with -Belleza- Mae TLC Med Gloss 3 by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza-, available at The Liaison Collaborative *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – light blue by Constance Daehlie for #adored, available at AnyBody *

Coat: ~Sassy!~ Let It Snow by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~, available at FROST *

Hat: *Shai* Christmas Santa Hat by Shai Delacroix for Casa del Shai, GIFT available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

Tights: MoDANNA [Myriade Collection] Wool Tights Green by Lisanna Lauria for MoDANNA, available at FROST *

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

Feet: Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) – Mid by Siddean Munro for Slink

Boots: Essenz – Brooklyn (Fatpack 1) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at FROST *

Frames: [ba] gallery wall frames – light and [ba] gallery wall frames – dark GIFT by Barnesworth Anubis for Barnesworth Anubis, available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

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

Melancholy—KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 14

Isn’t it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for — I don’t know what exactly, but it’s something that you don’t mind so much not having at other times. ~ Kate L. Bosher

I have been spending some time wandering around SL by myself and rather enjoying it. There is something in me that needs time alone, and when I can view the beautiful creations in SL, I am often content. It seems melancholy but is a pensiveness that is sometimes suitable during a busy season. Barnesworth Anubis’ new gazebo that he is selling at Collabor88 is a perfect place for solitary contemplation.

And I am contemplating yesterday’s opening of Frost because it’s bound to be packed with goodies you want for a warm winter. This darling outfit from Lisanna Lauria is sure to please with a system top in several jewel tones that also comes with appliers and pretty skirts with sparkle. Tights from a gacha at Frost from Manda Schmooz keep my legs warm and beanster Potato’s great boots with a texture-change HUD complete my wintery outfit.

This shot accents the beautiful gift in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar today—a gorgeous bracelet from Abraxxa Anatine, the goddess of metals and semi-precious stones. Abraxxa crafted this beautiful bracelet with sodalite and silver so it can be worn year-round, not just at the holidays.

My lovely long locks are Ikira Frimon’s featured style for Frost and I love this look. With the face-framing locks and the great texture-change HUD, this style has a lot to offer. My skin is a glowing look from Inka Mexicola with blushing cheeks and a lovely green eye makeup. And I love these deep blue peepers from Constance Daehlie.

Hair: [^.^Ayashi^.^] Yasu hair-fatpack by Ikira Frimon for ^.^ Ayashi^.^, available at FROST *

Skin: Essences {Quinn01} Medium02 *brunette* by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – dark blue by Constance Daehlie for #adored, available at AnyBody *

Top: MoDANNA [Crystalline Collection] Chiffon Bodysuit Blue by Lisanna Lauria for MoDANNA, available at FROST *

Skirt: MoDANNA [Crystalline Collection] Glitter Skirt Silver by Lisanna Lauria for MoDANNA, available at FROST *

Tights: [trs] Knit Tights – Melon (PL) by Manda Schmooz for [trs], available at FROST

Bracelet: EarthStones Ruffle Button Bracelet – Sodalite/Silver by Abraxxa Anatine for EarthStones, GIFT available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

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

Nail appliers: -{ZOZ}- Placid Blue by Zozicon for ZOZ

Boots: DN Mesh: Frost Boots by beanster Potato for Ducknipple, available at FROST

Gazebo: [ba] garden gazebo – snowy by Barnesworth Anubis for Barnesworth Anubis, available at Collabor88 *

Furnishings by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil *

• Trompe Loeil – Snow Day Bed White + Drape {A}
• Trompe Loeil – Star Duo Ground Lamps Silver & White
• Trompe Loeil – Valiano Firebox Metal Ornate (high LOD)

Landscaping: Skye Enchanted Trail Curve Slight by Alex Bader for Studio Skye

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

Assisted by Avimote Posemaker by Avimote Dreamscape

Photographed at the private home of Eliza and Barely (thank you!)

Romance for Dummies

”Nothing spoils a romance so much as a sense of humor in the woman.” ~ Oscar Wilde

I met him at a party. He was seated alone in front of the fireplace. At first he seemed a little wooden, a bit stiff. He responded slowly—I guessed he had a lot of girls in his IMs. We chatted a while.  He had that suaveness, those cool, distant, unmoving eyes, suggestive of a strong man deep in thought. Turns out he was a model, which impressed me. He said he posed mostly for artists but I could see his hard abdomen and broad shoulders suited him for so much more.

As the evening wore on, we got closer and closer. “You know, Harper,” he said, putting his hand on mine, “I think we have a lot in common. I’m a model. You’re a model. I’m a poser. You’re a poser.” (I had to think about that for a moment but took it as a compliment.) “I would like to get to know you,” he smiled, or I think he did.

I wrapped my hands around his and we talked deeply for hours. “You know, Harper, I think you get me. You’re different from the other women. You don’t treat me like a dummy, to pose and change, and make me do what you want.” At this tender moment I had to click the last animation in the sofa….

And make him kiss me, a long deep soulful kiss, one that wore the varnish off each other and revealed our true grain.

This romance has been embellished with several lovely items, including the sexy dress Poulet Koenkamp is featuring at the Monochromatic Fair. I have worn it to several parties with this long necklace from Maxi Gossamer, feeling very chic. I ran out at the stroke of midnight last night to get Eku Zhong’s new shoes for the 21 Shoe event. It’s ridiculously only 24 hours, so get shopping TODAY.

I highly encourage you to find McChris Flanagan’s gacha at Erotigacha, where I got the set of lamps I show on the mantle. They are animated and so dang fun and cute. Some swing their legs, some open and close so the books fall or their lampshades bow down. I am absolutely fascinated with them. Kay Weston’s posing dummies can be found at yard sales near you or at her store. And the art dummy avatar from Sylvia Cuthbertsson Blunt wore for me in these photos  can be found on Marketplace. Finally, find this awesome kissing sofa from Warmanimations Lisa at Erotigacha.

“The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any love story. It changes the relationship of two people much more strongly than even the final surrender; because this kiss already has within it that surrender.” ~ Emil Ludwig

Hair: Magika [Hair] Shimmer by Sabina Gully for Magika

Skin: -Belleza- Ria SK 9 R by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- *

Eyes: [Brixley] Spring Eyes – evergreen by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at Kustom9 *

Dress: :: PM :: Maia Dress in Red 3×1 by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations, available at the Monochromatic Fair *

Necklace: MG – necklace – Tokyo Party Night – Long by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer *

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

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

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: KoiKoi SIren Red by eku Zhong for KoiKoi, available today only in 2 for 1 for 21 Shoes

On Blunt: .:R’s:. Art Mannequin by Sylvia Cuthbertsson for Roadrunner’s Creations

The other dummies: IE – The Dummy Gacha 5 and 4 by Kay Weston for Image Essentials

Furnishings:

• [ba] mahogany fireplace with candles by Barnesworth Anubis for barnesworth anubis *
• Warm – Confident Chair Red by WarmAnimations Lisa for Warm Animations, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Candy – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Bernard – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (George – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Kevin – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Penelope – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha

A Marriage of Design and Beauty

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”~ John Keats

Monica Outlander, always known for her creativity and fun in SL, has announced the Miamai Luxe Scavenger Hunt, and I have been given the auspicious honor of being one of the bloggers who will be supplying a hint for you. While I won’t just give you the question and answer, I will give you many hints photographically and textually.

This is how it works: The first three people who answer all the questions on the website and submit a notecard to Shae Sixpence will win the entire Luxe Collection, including all the shoes you see in these photos. Every single one for your virtual tootsies. How can you not try?

This is all in honor of the release of Monica Outlander’s new spring collection at Miamai, the Luxe Collection, which includes shoes from her partner, Pill Kanto.  With this “reception,” I wanted to point out how Monica’s work is a marriage of design and beauty and for this collection, it’s a romantic assemblage of the sensual qualities of fabric and clothing with softly-colored, spring textures. The blouse drapes and balloons around the waist, the skirt flows in billows of heavy luxurious fabric. The pieces are mix-n-match so you can wear them with other pieces in the collection or potentially with other creators’ work.

As for our reception, what better place than the Nash Conservatory at Kew Gardens, which Barnesworth Anubis has so faithfully replicated with his Classic Conservatory, which is being sold at Collabor88 this round. The building is perfect for concerts, parties and wedding receptions, as you can see here. I festooned the windows with Maxwell Graf’s mesh drapes and hung Tya Fallingbridge’s gorgeous chandeliers, which she is selling at the Home Show. Froukje Hoorenbeek’s bistro table and vases are perfect for dinner.

That being said, if you look closely, each table has three pairs of shoes, one from each of Pill Kanto’s three different collections, at each table. (All the tables are shown in the photo with all the shoes Pill will be selling, hint hint hint. And yes, they are heavy on style AND land impact I found out, so put them on your feet, not on your land.)

The Seasons Story opened yesterday to great applause and lag so take your time before you run over. It’s open through the end of the month (I think—no dates to be found). Aida Ewing is offering a set of skins derived from her popular new Brandi series, delicate and otherworldly. I top the look with a wavy ‘do from Bubbles Clawtooth and accessorize with gorgeous pieces from Maizon Rayna and a pretty ring from Allegory Malaprop.

Check out these other bloggers’ entries for the other hints:

Strawberry Singh
Foxx Pawpad
Caoimhe Lionheart
Sylphia Constantine
Harlow Heslop
Kynne Llewellyn
Shae Sixpence
Grazia Horwitz

Did you find the answer? No? One last hint: XXXIX

Hair: Clawtooth: Lady Stardust – Coco by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth

Skin: -Glam Affair – Brandi – Europa 04 H with -Glam Affair – Brandi – Lipstick 04 by Aida Ewing for –Glam Affair-, available at The Seasons Story *

Eyes: ::Nar Mattaru:: Bardo Eyes / Forest by Jade Glazner for Nar Mattaru

Top: Miamai_Kalia Cotton Rose by Monica Outlander for Miamai * (available April 12)

Skirt: Miamai_Anya Gown Plain Brown by Monica Outlander for Miamai * (available April 12)

Jewelry: TdO*CLOE’ bracelet and earrings by maizon Rayna for Terra d’ombrA *

Rings: Schadenfreude Simple Ring Trio (copy) by Allegory Malaprop for Schadenfreude

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

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Autumn Nights Set HUD by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Venue: [ba] classic conservatory by Barnesworth Anubis for barnesworth anubis, available at Collabor88 *

Table: Dutchie bistro table by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *

Vases: Dutchie glas vase with yellow flowers by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie * (modified)

Curtains: Rustica – Mesh Drape TOP SWAGS by Maxwell Graf for Rustica * (modified)

Chandeliers: [PM] Pixel Mode  – Chandelier – Long – Pewter by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at the Home Show 2014 *

Shoes: MIAMAI_Curiosity high pumps – luxe, MIAMAI_Difference high pumps -luxe, and MIAMAI_Indifference high pumps -luxe (to be worn with Slink high feet) by Pill Kanto for Miamai * (available April 12)

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin, available at Collabor88

Home

“Unless one decorates one’s house for oneself alone, best leave it bare, for other people are walleyed.” ~ D.H. Lawrence

This is going to be one of those mega blog entries where I share all the pretties I have picked up or been given. Start with this fabulous skybox from Tobias Corvair, which he is featuring at Fameshed. He calls it the “Architect’s Skybox” but I have figured out that it’s the gacha-player’s skybox with all its wall space and shelves. I hung the clever windowboxes from Barnesworth Anubis outside with his pansies and vines (which you can’t see) and took a shot through the window. Barnesworth makes the flowers super big so you can arrange and shrink them. A great tip is to LINK them when you have arranged to reduce the land impact.

Tobias gives the main floor a big space so you can enjoy a main living and social area. I arranged a more traditional chair from Hideki Carami’s gacha at Chapter Four (you get two chairs in the “prize”) with Cory Edo’s latest chairs for Collabor88. Cory’s chairs come in a handful of great decorating colors (lots of neutrals) and have a huge variety of poses and animations and, if you’re in the mood for love, delectable adult animations.

Tobias tucks little shelves under the staircases—the one up to the bedroom, which I made into a contemplative loft lounge—and then another up to a top-floor balcony. I put some of my yard sale gacha finds on the shelves, particularly my collection of art dummies from Robin Sojourner. (Yes, I do the gacha yard sales. Your trash is my treasure!) And he gives you an abundance of walls. I was able to hang my entire collection of LeeZu Baxter gacha posters around the skybox.

Tya Fallingbridge has a nice set of home accessories at FaMESHed including this modern lounge chair with footstool, side table and funky flower lamp. The chair includes several relaxing poses including this contemplative one, perfect for resting and listening to music after a long day.

I opted to make coffee the theme of the kitchen downstairs, using a darling graphic from Isabelle Requiem’s gacha at Oh My Gacha. She includes several kitchen and house décor items, including the rug beneath my feet. These little touches are what makes a house a home.

My outfit is an assemblage of pieces I liked together—first, the slouchy sweater from Sanura Snowpaw, a warm casual look for being at home. I paired it with Ivey Deschanel’s skirt from her ensembles at the Dressing Room Fusion. I am so glad to see Ivey working with mesh. Her textures have always been outstanding and at 70L, the skirt and top (which you don’t see here) are a steal with the quality she puts into them. My little boots are LeeZu Baxter’s mesh concoctions, wearable art on my feet rather than just on the walls.

Shyla Diggs has come out with a new skin for Collabor88, and I wear it with pleasure, opting for a pale lip to match the smoky eye, which accents a pair of eyes from Umazuma Petaluna’s gacha at Chapter Four. Fortunately, I lucked into these blue beauties though looking at her prize board, they are are all gorgeous. Amberly Boccacio is offering several colors of this funky necklace at Collabor88—it comes with silver or gold metal. And Circe Ishtari has made a long short cut with winsome wisps and a color change menu in the hair itself—click for colors and relax.

“Home is the nicest word there is.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Hair: Tokyo.Girl Hair Mia [ all color ] ~short~ by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Skin: -Belleza- Ria SK 4 Br with -Belleza- Ria SK Matte Lip 3 by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- , available at Collabor88 *

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Obscurity eye collection – 4 by Umazuma Metaluna for the Skinnery, available at Chapter Four

Sweater: .: Somnia :. Poofcake {Red} by Sanura Snowpaw for .: Somnia :. *

Skirt: :::Sn@tch Angela Pencil Skirt (Oxblood)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch, available at The Dressing Room Fusion

Necklace: Glam Affair – Chainedlink Necklace Black/Silver by Amberly Boccacio for Glam Affair, available at Collabor88 *

Boots: [LeeZu!] Havasu Falls Ankle Boots /red by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu! *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

 

Skybox: +CONVAIR+ Architect’s Loft – Fameshed by Tobias Convair for Convair, available at FaMESHed *

 

Featured furniture and decor:

R(S)W Guru Manniswami
R(S)W Paramahansa Yogamanna
R(S)W Manny Dude
R(S)W Manny Jumper
R(S)W Manny Astair by Robin Sojourner for Robin Sojourner!, available at Oh My Gacha

Trompe Loeil – Astrid Chair Nostalgia Haze {A}
Trompe Loeil – Astrid Chair Berry {A} by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at Collabor88 *

Hideki – Armchair – Black by Hideki Carami for Hideki, available at Chapter Four

[Brixley] Comfort Zone Poster
[Brixley] Coffee Love Print
[Brixley] Striped Rug by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at Oh My Gacha *

[LeeZu!] Capital Citys Poster
[LeeZu!] Streetart Poster
[LeeZu!] Portraits
[LeeZu!] Huh Poster RARE
[LeeZu!] Cover Poster RARE
[LeeZu!] Fisheye Poster RARE by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu!, available at a yard sale near you! *

[PM] Pixel Mode  – Crono Chair – Black
[PM] Pixel Mode  – Crono Ottoman – Black
[PM]Pixel Mode – Flower Wire Table Light
[PM] Pixel Mode  – Crono Table Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *

[ba] wrought iron window box
[ba] flowering vines
[ba] pansies
[ba] simple terracotta pot by Barnesworth Anubis for barnesworth anubis, available at FaMESHed *

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