Clouds in My Coffee

“I had some dreams. They were clouds in my coffee, clouds in my coffee.” ~ “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon

Home with a cup of coffee is where I want to be. I recently remodeled in SL with some new pieces including this kitchen set from Tobias Convair, an architect who has an eye for what a good kitchen in SL needs for décor. Included with the set are PG and Adult animations for a full kitchen narrative. (You can get busy with your honey or just share coffee.)

My top is one that Circe Ishtari put out a couple months ago but I have been saving it for the perfect look. It comes with a texture change HUD and the ability to color the ruffle and seams, which allows various iterations of the top. I waited well because these new jean capris from Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus are going to be worn frequently this summer for casual looks. I love the painted denim they include in their extensive texture-change HUD. Finally, an African-inspired necklace from Maxi Gossamer, which is one of her featured pieces at Collabor88, which just opened, punctuates the look with a little fashion. (And Pho noticed my nails match my top perfectly with little flowers, thanks to one of Sasy Scarborough’s designs.)

Dutchie Hoorenbeek came up with this clever little four-person table that could serve 1-4 people and she has expanded the idea with newly fashioned chairs in an arts and crafts theme. Dutchie has a fine eye for what people want in furniture—classic, usable, and wonderful animated. An entire meal can be had at these tables with place settings appearing as needed. She also supplies extra settings for viewings as this. With artwork and lighting, the scene is contemporary and cozy.

My new skin is Sawsan Secretspy’s luscious Melodia. With sensual lips and eyes and a pretty blush, this skin suits many shapes and comes with appliers for most body parts. My long locks are Mirja Mills’ newest, suitable for both men and women, as she shows in her ads. I love her textures and the fine wisps that curl about.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from – or how you feel… There’s always peace in a strong cup of coffee.” ~ Gabriel Bá, Daytripper

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ROXANNE * by Mirja Mills for.:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Melodia Tan 02 A by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. *

Eyes: [Buzz] Ardent Eyes – Angel by Eleri Catlyn for Buzzeri

Top: Tokyo.Girl . Ixi Ruffle Top by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Capris: L&B Swear “Capri” Pants – Denim by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Necklace: MG – Necklace – Keisha – Short by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands – Elegant and Elegant 1 by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails and Toenails Applier Slink A/E – Set 116 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair *

Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) Flat by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: Essenz – Portland (Fatpack) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz *

Kitchen:

• +CONVAIR+ Birchdale Kitchen dark PG (short) by Tobias Convair for Convair, available at FaMESHed *
• Various glasses and plates in the cabinet by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *
• Dutchie blue and green rug by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *

Dining room:

• Dutchie dining table by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *
• Dutchie double ceiling lamp by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *
• Extra table dressing dessert by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *
• Dutchie Falling Snow by Kamisaka Sekka by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *
• [PM]Pixel Mode – Throw Rug by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode *

Skybox: {theosophy} Nicholaston Skybox by Trace Osterham for {theosophy} *

An Irrevocable Condition

“Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.” ~ James Baldwin

Tobias Convair believes in home and he knows his stuff. His latest release, the Pinewood Cottage, which he is selling at FaMESHed at a rock bottom price, is his American interpretation of home, an arts and crafts style bungalow which would find a safe place in many neighborhoods around the U.S. With a cozy floorplan that allows for small furniture groupings and an intimate upstairs space with room for a bedroom with fireplace, master bath and office, it’s a sort of archetype of the American dream and where else but SL would one best indulge that dream?

I located the house on my parcel overlooking the Linden seas with a late afternoon light falling in the windows to match the shadows and sunlight Tobias baked in and furnished it with pieces I have collected and new furnishings out for sale right now.

Start with the casual room to the side. With flowing curtains from Isabeau Baragula that I used throughout the house, I put down Tya Fallingbridge’s darling rattan collection for FaMESHed, which would be great in a room like this or the kind of outdoor living room that is so popular here right now. With beautifully coordinated textiles, pillows and blankets, the set has a versatility with several sitting poses per chair.

The casual dining room is furnished with Cherelle Capra’s blue and light wood furnishings that she sold at the Monochromatic Fair but which are now in her main store. Coordinated with several funky accessories (the retro clock and hanging lights), the set brightens up the house, giving a casual homey feel to the kitchen.

Cory Edo has made this formal dining room set for FaMESHed, which I have accessorized with Sway Dench’s gorgeous Moroccan carved screen and one of Tya Fallingbridge’s curved chandeliers. Cory provides the full compliment for a beautiful dining room including captains chairs with several texture change options, dining chairs, a gorgeously designed arts and crafts influenced table and separate dining pieces including place settings with color change scripts. A set of candles from Spooky Mistwallow’s RP store creates an elegant ambience to the scene.

I found pieces with an East Asian influence from Kaerri Rae in my inventory to place in front of the cozy fireplace that Tobias has included with the house. Tobias’ fireplace set, sold separately at his store, fills the hearth with a warm glow while a floor cushion recently purchased from Wendy Xeno provides a space for singles or couples to cozy up by the fire.

In my own home in SL there is no reason to dress up or flounce around in ball gowns. I chose separates from Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus so I could color change to make a harmonious combination and accessorized with Maxi Gossamer’s latest offerings at FaMESHed. My lovely skin is Umazuma Metaluna’s newest piece, a lovely Asian skin with freckles sprinkled across the nose and a high ponytail from Circe Ishtari, drawn up with a scrunchie, completes my look.

“After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” ~ L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

Hair: Tokyo.Girl Hair Suzu [ all color ] ~long flexi~ by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

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

Eyes: Amacci  – Zenith Eyes – Mesh Eyes with HUD – Brown by Carina Larsen for Amacci *

Top: L&B S’wear “Bianca” SM  Camisole Cropped – Color Knit Set by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Jeans: L&B Jeans “Classic” (SM) (Feet) – FatPack by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Earrings: [MAGIC NOOK] Lasso Hoop (Silver) MESH by Ayumi Cassini for Magic Nook, available at the Dressing Room Fusion

Necklace: MG – Necklace – Riva Bow – Short by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

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

Nail appliers: Nailed It – French Manicure – Pastels Set by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) Flat by Siddean Munro for Slink

Sandals: MG – Sandals – Riva Bow by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo, available at Pose Fair 2014 *

 

House:

• +CONVAIR+ Pinewood Cottage by Tobias Convair for Convair, available at FaMESHed *

 

Casual Room:

• [PM] Pixel Mode: Juniper Rattan Chair – A by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *
• [PM] Pixel Mode: Juniper Rattan Chair – B by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *
• [PM] Pixel Mode: Juniper Rattan Chair – C by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *
• [PM] Pixel Mode: Juniper Rattan Chair – D by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *
• [PM] Pixel Mode: Juniper Rattan End Table by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *
• [PM]Pixel Mode – Throw Rug – Straw by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed *
• Kalopsia – Flying Curtain (Left) by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia (modified)
• Kalopsia – Flying Curtain (Right) by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia (modified)

 

Casual dining room:

• Winston Drape, M/C by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Retro Starburst Clock – Indigo by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Cafe Stool 1 – Indigo (3 pos) by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Cafe Stool 2 – Indigo (3 pos) by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Cafe Stool 4 – Indigo (3 pos) by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Cafe Stool 4 – Indigo (3 pos) by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Sofa Table with Sea Birds – Birch by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Whimsy Light Strands Row – Light Blue by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• * [CIRCA] Open Table Magazine by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Modern Floor Vase – Birch by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Tiered Crate Shelf w/ Items- 3 Woods by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• [CIRCA] – “Charlotte Bay” Round Cafe Table with Planter – Birch by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *
• blue rug by Jeanie Moonflower for Bygone Days

 

Formal dining room:

• Sway’s [Shirin] Folding screen – ebony by Sway Dench for Sway’s, out for The Challenge *
• [PM] Pixel Mode  – Chandelier – Short – Pewter by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode *
• =Mirage= Candle Cluster – Magick Mix (3 LI) by Spooky Mistwallow for =Mirage= *
• Fowler Rug 3 by Eric Linden (yeah!)
• Trompe Loeil – Darya Dining Table by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *
• Trompe Loeil – Darya Dining Chair Autumn F1 {A} by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *
• Trompe Loeil – Darya Dining Chair w/Arms Autumn F1 {A} by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *
• Trompe Loeil – Darya Napkin and Flatwear Neutral by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *
• Trompe Loeil – Tall Wine Glass by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *
• Trompe Loeil – Darya DIning Plate Neutral by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *
• Trompe Loeil – Darya Salt/Pepper Shaker Neutral Plum by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *
• Kalopsia – Flying Curtain (Left) by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia (modified)
• Kalopsia – Flying Curtain (Right) by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia (modified)

 

Formal living room:

• Trompe Loeil – Cobble Hill Rug by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil *
• Saitama Ottoman by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri *
• Saitama Couch by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri *
• Saitama Picture by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri *
• Saitama Orchid by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri *
• Saitama Zen Stones by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri *
• [we’re CLOSED] floor cushion army by Wendy Xeno for [we’re CLOSED]
• +CONVAIR+ FIreplace Tools by Tobias Convair for Convair *
• +CONVAIR+ Fireplace Grate by Tobias Convair for Convair *
• Kalopsia – Flying Curtain (Left) by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia (modified)
• Kalopsia – Flying Curtain (Right) by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia (modified)

 

Porch:

• Sway’s [Shells] Wind Chimes – berries by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at the Liaison Collaborative *
• Sway’s [Garrison] potted topiary – cone by Sway Dench for Sway’s , available at the Liaison Collaborative *

Spread Your Wings

Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly

~ “Butterfly” by Mariah Carey

Soon the butterflies will be out, flitting around flowers, spreading joy. I can’t wait. In the meantime, I can fill my home with colors and butterflies, specifically this furniture Kaerri Rae is selling at the EB Awareness Event with part of the proceeds going to Debra of America for research into Epidermolysis Bullosa. I wrote about the disease and a classmate who had it yesterday, but as I was listening to this song by Mariah Carey, I was thinking about the bravery of the parents of such children. The song talks about letting some you love spread their wings and fly and for a parent of a child who is so easily injured, what a leap of faith to let their butterfly out into the dangerous world. That’s why support of the patients of EB is so important. It would be wonderful to see these Butterfly Children fly.

I wear Ivy Burner’s darling sun dress for the Monochromatic Fair. This is a kind of essential party piece in my mind—perfect for casual dances, beach parties or shopping. The flowered texture is almost retro and the lined hem and belt makes the dress pop. My shoes from Pill Kanto are his interpretation of pumps with a open sole, which he is selling at L’accessoires. (Shouldn’t it be “Les accessoires”? I keep getting tripped up by this.)

My fresh and beautiful skin from Sawsan Secretspy was a natural for this look. The pale red lips, the gorgeously lined eyes with a touch of yellow give my red dress a bit of glamour and a little retro touch. With Circe Ishtari’s newest hair, a combo updo ponytail with click-to-tint color menu, this pretty red ensemble compliments the butterfly décor.

So flutter through the sky
Butterfly
Spread your wings and fly
Butterfly

Hair: Tokyo.Girl Hair Ariane [all color] ~updo tail~ by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Leilani Tan 02 by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::., available at the Spring Break Fair *

Eyes: [UMEBOSHI] Ren eyes -Seal- by Keiba for UMEBOSHI

Dress: ~Sassy!~ April dress – red by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~, available at the Monochromatic Fair *

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

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

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

Shoes: MIAMAI_Organica pumps – carmine by Pill Kanto for Miamai, available at L’accessoires *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo, available at Pose Fair 2014 *

Furniture by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri, available at the EB Awareness Event *

Black Vase With red Hibiscus
Butterfly Cabinet
Butterfly Chair
Piero Butterfly Table R&B
Butterfly Rug
Framed Butterfly Picture

Frolic Bar Chair Left
Frolic Bar Chair Right
Frolic Modern Side Table w/ Gold Trim
Frolic Table Lamp
Modern Coffee Table w Gold Trim
Butterfly Rug 2

The Red Room

“Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.” ~ Khaled Hosseini

He pulled me close, and I gasped. Beneath his impossibly long lashes, Tristan Grape’s hooded dark searing eyes scanned me. “Before I kiss you with my hot lips, I must ask you, Harper, have you finished your blog entry?”

I dropped my eyes in shame, heat filling my face as I turned 50 shades of red in embarrassment. “I… I did not, Tristan. I was having problems with fitted mesh and my boots needed refitting and I kept losing a hand when I put on my hair and I crashed 20 times.” I shuddered at the memory of adjusting the skybox and testing the windlight with 50 shades of blue density.

He sighed. “You know what this means, Harper?”

I blinked. “I lost my Flickr Pro privileges?”

He shook his head solemnly. “No, it means you must go to the Red Room.” When he said “Red Room,” I heard an echo as if he had turned on his voice morph in SL. My heart fluttered. Now I would know about Tristan’s Red Room, that forbidden skybox of pain and pleasure, that mesh enclosure of virtue and vice, that mysterious cube in the sky made by Niemack Saarinen that took only 32 prims on his spacious Homestead. I was going to enter the forbidden zone!

He rezzed a chaise from Rogan Diesel and after I clicked through several poses, finding a comfortable position, he moved me up into the skybox. Where I waited. And waited. I fluffed my mesh skirt from Ivy Burner and checked the buttons straining on the leather vest, hoping I showed some Rock Attitude. I retied the laces on my boots from Circe Ishtari and admired their shiny materials-ready texture. I readjusted my fishnets from Bax Coen and clicked my nail HUD to try all 12 colors (not 50 shades but come on, it’s only 5L!) from Giela Delpaso’s generous applier for the Runway Perfect Hunt. Twisting my heart-shaped ring from Maxi Gossamer that I just got at FaMESHed, I clicked the light fixtures on and off… on and off… on and off.

Wisps of my straight asymmetrical hair from M4ri1yn Magic floated against my cheek. I checked all 50+ shades of hair M4ri1yn offers on his HUDs while I waited. I admired my spanking new skin from Shyla Diggs (pun intended), enjoying the vibrant makeups and her beautiful features. (I am so glad Shyla is back!) I clicked some more, changing the color of the stones in my heart-shaped pendant from Maxi Gossamer. Click… click… click. I sighed. Click… click… click. As I waited, my heart beat faster and faster in anticipation of what would happen in this red room.

And then I saw something that made my heart stop:

“Tristan Grape is offline.”

Ugh, fifty shades of f’ed up.

“Tators, baby.” ~ Tristan Grape

Hair: ~Tableau Vivant~ Valentin Hair (regular) – FatPack by M4ri1yn Magic for Tableau Vivant, available at FaMESHed *

Skin: -Belleza- Ria SK 9 Dk with -Belleza- Sk cleavage (Tattoo) by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- *

Eyes: .ID. Delicate Eyes / Brown by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Outfit: ~Sassy!~ Rockitude vest+skirt by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~, available at the Rock Attitude Fashion Fair *

Necklace and Ring: MG – Necklace – Kinbaku Heart – Short – SILVER and MG – Rings – Kinbaku Heart – Large – SILVER by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

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

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Slink – The Runway Perfect Set HUD by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It, available from the Runway Perfect Hunt *

Stockings: BAX Ornament Leggings Fishnet long low-waist by Bax Coen for Bax Coen *

Boots: Tokyo.Girl . Myr Boots . Orenji by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Skybox: iDoM \\ The Red Room by Niemack Saarinen for iDoM *

Chaise: Diesel Works – Elvira Ottoman (Cerise/Black) by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Rock N Roll High School

Well I don’t care about history
Rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school
‘Cause that’s not where I wanna be
Rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school
I just wanna have some kicks
I just wanna get some chicks
Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school

~ “Rock’n’Roll High School” by the Ramones

A couple times a week I go over to the high school for water aerobics and when I am done, I walk through the halls and I am so amazed and excited to see the variety of looks and styles the kids have. And no one walks around with duck lips. None of the kids dress like this but I do remember “Rock’n’Roll High School” and how revolutionary it was at the time, so I made this look in tribute. Start with my guitar from Christel Morane and my lunchbox from xOLanaxO Serenity at the Luck of Irish Gacha Fair (had to sneak that lunchbox in again). Then add more glasses from Boyd Krastins for a more academic look and one of Sasy Scarborough’s new nail appliers from My Attic.

Ivy Burner has a few of these exclusive corsets left at her store—this is a limited edition and I am not sure why they weren’t gone immediately because it’s a gorgeous piece of mesh and texturing work. I topped Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus’ new sexy zipper pants that come with their amazing texture-change HUD (with a variety of amazing textures—these pants will be seen again and again). And oh my, look at that tush. Paul does the best ass in SL, bar none. And Circe Ishtari has put out these amazingly sexy next boots!

The whole impetus for the look was, of course, Kavar Cleanslate’s hair band hair, which he is featuring at My Attic. I think Kavar and I went to rock’n’roll high school together because the sight of this hair made me laugh and then drift back into reminiscing (during which I sang that “Reminiscing” song from the Little River Band from my childhood and then I went to find my old black Phil Collins concert t-shirt and it turned into something schmaltzy I can’t share here and then realized with horror that this is all considered “retro” now). I donned Ava Grau’s gorgeous new skin from Skin Fair, which I will be showing again, of course, because I layered on Madrid Solo’s deep cherry lips and one of the free eyeliners Nena Janus offers at Skin Fair. Thank you, Kavar, for making my week!

“Things sure have changed since we got kicked out of high school.” ~ Johnny Ramone

Hair: Exile::1985 Wild Fusion by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at My Attic *

Skin: *Glance Skins – Aina – SKT05 – Black Brows by Ava Grau for Glance Skins, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2)

Makeup: Madrid Solo- Eyes & Lips- Seductress Red LIp Color by Madrid Solo for Madrid Solo, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2) * and *League* Classic Wing EyeLiner 3 Tattoo by Nena Janus for League, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2)

Eyes: Mayfly – Deep Sky Eyes (Molasses, w2) by Arkesh Baral for Mayfly

Corset: ~Sassy!~ Stamina Carbon Fiber corset – black by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~ *

Pants: L&B Pants “Zipp” (SM) (Tucked) – BW Leather Set by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Glasses: BNe simple glasses black/red by Boyd Krastins for Random Gear (unreleased) *

Guitar: D-Style – Guitar Gacha Punk RARE by Christel Morane for Delirium Style, available at the Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

Lunchbox: {XO} Graffiti Dreams Lunchbox – RARE by xOLanaxO Serenity for XO Visions, available at the Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

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

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – set 205 by Sasy Scarborough forFlair, available at My Attic *

Boots: Tokyo.Girl . Lyke Boot . Black by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Poses by Willa Whybrow for don’t freak out!

Bored

Life, friends, is boring. We must not say so.
After all, the sky flashes, the great sea yearns,
we ourselves flash and yearn,
and moreover my mother told me as a boy
(repeatingly) “Ever to confess you’re bored
means you have no

Inner Resources.” I conclude now I have no
inner resources, because I am heavy bored.
Peoples bore me,
literature bores me, especially great literature,
Henry bores me, with his plights & gripes
as bad as Achilles,

who loves people and valiant art, which bores me.
And the tranquil hills, & gin, look like a drag
and somehow a dog
has taken itself & its tail considerably away
into the mountains or sea or sky, leaving
behind: me, wag.

~ “Dream Song 14” by John Berryman

Let me say right off, I am NOT bored. Not with SL or what I am showing. I am merely amused today with John Merryman and had to share this poem, which always appealed to me. Whenever someone pipes up in Skin Addiction that they are bored, I always say something like Merryman’s mother. Then I suggest they go out and about in SL or else log off and find a good book to read. There is so much to explore in this world!

I like running around the grid in something kind of non-themed and cute so entrance into any adventure is guaranteed. This gorgeous new dress from AvaGardner Kungler is a great pick because it combines pattern with solid, an all-in-one that can get you from needing a skirt to prancing around a garden. I love the Mary Janes Sissy Pessoa is selling at FaMESHed with texture-change socks. Her mesh is well-proportioned and as with everything Sissy does, beautifully textured. I am sure these shoes are going to show up again on my feet. When I go out and about, I make sure I carry my inventory in a big bag (because it’s big) and this almost-free bag from Temperance Snoodle does the trick.

Circe Ishtari of Tokyo Girl had backed off making skins for a time. She hand-draws them, which is time-consuming for her and with RL things going on, she wasn’t finding the time. She followed her muse with several hair releases and mesh fashions. But she is back, gloriously, at Skin Fair 2014 with three new skins, one of which is the one I am showing. Available in five tones with appliers for boobs and butt (but not hands or feet, regrettably), all three of the skins include a makeup and natural version. I topped my look with M4ri1yn Magic’s darling top knot from the Attic, available with his awesome textures via HUD, which one can click around to test looks to avoid boredom. Love the wisps! (There’s my next suggestion when someone says they are bored—”Go click something!”)

“I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored.” ~ Louis CK

Hair: ~Tableau Vivant~ Gloster Hair – Fatpack by M4ri1yn Magic for Tableau Vivant, available at The Attic *

Skin: Tokyo.Girl Skin Inari . Sunkissed . Makeup by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2) *

Eyes: {S0NG} :: Inka~ Lost Eye by Funeral Plutonian for S0ng, available at Kustom9

Dress: (Kunglers) Lilian Blouse and Skirt – Art by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Handbag: *SB* Sola brown tote by Temperance Snoodle for Sheik Bags

Shoes: Baiastice_Anna Pump-choco by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice, available at FaMESHed *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov by oOo Studio

Where the Wild Things Are

“There should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen.” ~ Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

A menagerie of poufs have landed in my studio, mismatched but still darling. Sway Dench has packed her gacha at the Arcade with these darling little creations, which can be mixed and matched, each containing four poses specific to the piece, all cleverly included so you can have one pouf and it works! I dressed to match the poufs in Circe Ishtari’s newest dress, a sexy mini with bows and pretty satin flowered textures. Cyclic Gearz’ just-released high heels for the Slink high feet are bowed as well but also ridiculously sexy. One more bow at my neck from Aranel Ah and it’s all tied up.

Elizaokkbye’s skin from Skin Fair 2014 is a quandary. It’s got an innocence to it that could make it almost suitable for child avatars except the lips, which are lush and, frankly, purely sexy. Her skins come in 8 tones with a cosmetics pack that includes many moles and freckles, a lipstick pack with color-modifiable tattoo lipsticks, a “rough night/eyebags pack,” and all the appliers. I overlaid one of her lipsticks with a pink base and upped the pinkiness (as the makeup can be modified with SL color) and amped up the innocence and sexiness of my look, especially when I wore MissAllSunday Lemon’s curly pigtails from the Whore Couture event.

“There must be more to life than having everything.” ~ Maurice Sendak

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Marin Mesh Hair – Jellyfish by MissAllSunday Lemon for Wasabi Pills, available at Whore Couture Fair 3 *

Skin: [okkbye] Marina – Afterglow: C1: Brown Brow with [okkbye] Marina Lippies – Candy – [TINTABLE MEDIUM] by Elisaokkbye for [okkbye], available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 3) *

Eyes: .ID. Bright Eyes / Reg / Earth by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Dress: Tokyo.Girl . Chi Dress Orchid/Black by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl

Ribbon: *BOOM* Precious Bow Choker carnation by Aranel Ah for *BOOM* *

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

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Slink -Blooming Spring Set by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It, available at the SAVIAD Spring Fair *

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: [LVLE] Cat Bow Sandal – Baby Pink by Cyclic Gearz for LVLE *

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

The Menagerie: Sway’s Pouf [Animals] by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at The Arcade *

Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Bear – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Bear – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Bunny – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Bunny – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Cow – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Cow – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Fox – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Fox – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Frog – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Frog – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Horse – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Horse – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Owl – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Owl – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Pig – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Pig – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Poodle – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Poodle – top
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Unicorn – bottom
Sway’s Pouf [Animal] Unicorn – top

Fresh Feeling

You don’t have a clue
What it is like to be next to you
I’m here to tell you
That it is good
That it is true

~ “Fresh Feeling” by the Eels

I am going to reframe the winter. I will see the cold air as “fresh” air. After all, the sun is out, the snow has stopped falling. Put on a warm coat and boots and take a walk. In this warm coat with lace hem from Circe Ishtari, it can be a fresh day and cute too. Circe is presenting this darling coat for the Style Icon. She has included a hud that changes the colors of the lace, cuffs and body of the coat to preset neutrals or you can tint yourself. LacunaInc is selling these stockings with hearts up the seam at Style Icon as well. And Cerberus Noel just rereleased the Nancy boots in additional colors with a color change hud to control your laces, cuff and toe colors.

Lutricia Roux has created a skin for the Style Icon fashion fair inspired by Audrey Hepburn. With her classic dark brows and pretty lashed eyes, this skin evokes the delicacy of Hepburn’s features. A darling cut with buns and a color change hairband from Truth Hawks completes this look.

Words can’t be that strong
My heart is reeling
This is that fresh
That fresh feeling

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

Skin: [DBF] Audrey skin #3 subtle cleavage by Lutricia Roux for Deluxe Body Factory, available at The Style Icon *

Eyes: [Brixley] Mist Eyes – brown by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at Kustom9 *

Coat: Tokyo.Girl – Lirit Coat by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl, available at The Style Icon *

Tights: *LACUNA* Sheer Heartseam Pantyhose – Chocolate by LacunaInc for Lacuna, available at The Style Icon *

Nail Applier: Nailed It – Slink – The Style Icon Set HUD by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It, available at The Style Icon *

Boots: *GF*[Mesh] Wedge Boots “Nancy” -white- by Cerberus Noel for G Field

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

:*

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 *

:*

Grumpy Harper

“I don’t wanna know what love is and I don’t want you to show me.” ~ Grumpy Cat

I’m a bit grumpy. The holidays are over but there is crap still strewn all over my living room. My property tax bill came in and has to be paid. It hasn’t freakin’ stopped snowing for a month. And the Christmas cookies have added up on the scale. So I am back to a healthy eating regimen (bleah), I have the check written and sent to the village, and I am letting someone else do the shoveling.

At least in SL I can look put together. I start with this darling dress form Zii Minotaur, who makes mesh mostly for furries, but the dress fits us less hirsute creatures as well. She cleverly included many sizes with the dress so that many shapes can fit it and attaches the top and bottom separately so a variance of size in top to bottom can also fit. The texture and silhouette are darling, especially with the bow in back. And my silly and fun Grumpy Cat stole is a hunt gift at her store right now.

I didn’t put my grumpy photo in the lead composite because I wanted to show Sawsan Secretspy’s very gorgeous new skin on a “nice” face. I love the luscious lips, the beautifully shaped brows, the pretty nose and deep skin tone. She includes appliers for Slink and Lolas. Circe Ishtari recently released a set of eyes with the larger irises typically favored by Japanese creators, and the colors are luscious—I love the depth of this brown. My sassy style is one of Truth Hawk’s newest with his great color hud. Well come to think of it, I can look cute and stylish in SL—what’s there to be grumpy about?

“No.” ~ Grumpy Cat

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Ainsley Light Brown by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Maram Med 01 by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoWSkins::.

Eyes: Tokyo.Girl . Eyes ES11 . Brown Green by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Dress: AP – Ribbon Dress – Red by Zii Minotaur for Apricot Paws

Stole: Apricot Paws: Monster Scarf: PPITS Grumpy Meow by Zii Minotaur for Apricot Paws

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

Hand applier: .::WoW Skins::. * Maram Medium slink applier hands by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoWSkins::.

Nail applier: Nailed It – Dark Set by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

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

Feet applier: .::WoW Skins::. * Maram Medium slink applier feet by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoWSkins::.

Shoes: [LVLE] Olivia Strappy Heels – Woodland  (MATERIALS) by Cyclic Gearz for LVLE *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Make sure you see the Grumpy Cat meme. It will take the grumps away in no time!