Dearly Beloved

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here
To get through this thing called life….”

~ Prince (Super Bowl half time show)

I got teary-eyed like everyone else when I found out Prince had died. I grew up during his ascendancy—he was on my AM radio in my old Nova when I drove to work in high school. His album, 1999, was one of the first I bought when I read an outstanding interview in Rolling Stone (I was 13). When I first saw him in the video for “Little Red Corvette,” I was shocked by how sexy a man could be.

When I went to college in Minnesota, his live shows in the Cities were already reknowned. When he wrote, “Sometimes it snows in April,” I knew just what he was talking about (because it does up here). I am heartbroken that he passed after such a long winter—I am sure he would have greeted the spring with relief and happiness like the rest of us.

Best of all, Prince transcended race and gender and class more than anyone else. He didn’t run to LA but stayed in Minnesota, keeping his wealth there, and turn into a privileged fat cat, rather choosing to fight for the rights of artists to make an income and generously giving his artistry to other musicians. He loved women—sexually but also intellectually, spiritually, and of course, emotionally. He supported so many women artists (writing for them but also employing them) but also respected women. His masculinity was never threatened by women. And race kind of went away with Prince. The people who surrounded him were of all races and mixed, as he was.

By the way, my son was mortified when I blasted “Little Red Corvette” in the car yesterday while we were cruising down Lake Drive on our way home. He was doubly mortified when I explained that the song was full of sexual innuendo. Bahahaha!

This look has nothing and everything to do with Prince. Prince was, I think, about the future and imagined other lives and ways of being. So my girl here belongs on a space station. Start with the sexy dress from Unitedcolorsteam for ROMP, one that is sexy but even sexier on this otherworldly woman. I accessorized with a stellar necklace from AvaGardner Kungler and bangle from Mea Carnell, both for Shiny Shabby, which just opened. Senzati0n Domenitzo’s sexy gladiator pumps finish the look.

The real story here (besides my meandering about Prince) is the opening of Fantasy Faire. The sims are, as always, gorgeous and the generous content available with 100% donation to Relay for Life is incredible. MissAllSunday Lemon is offering three hairs in the Solar colorway as her donation, including this funky bob that has studs (which I made transparent with her HUD). Aikea Rieko is also at the Faire and debuting two sets of fantasy skins, one of which is inspired by galaxies of stars and comes in many different color combos. She also offers almost any kind of applier you can imagine and I chose to use the Logo Alex head, which shows the skin beautifully. I honestly think a sexy space girl like this would catch Prince’s eye.

 

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Cleo Mesh Hair by MissAllSunday Lemon for /Wasabi Pills/, available at the Fantasy Faire *

Skin applier: :[P]:- Constella Skin (Femme):// Kiyana by Aikea Rieko for The Plastik, available at the Fantasy Faire *

Mesh head: LOGO Alex v3.0 Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Sona eyes (Omega Applier) 9 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at the Chapter Four *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.5 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: UC_Triangle_dress_all in 1_Maitreya_Lara by Unitedcolorsteam for United Colors, available at ROMP *

Necklace: (Kunglers) Chris necklace – Teal by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at Shiny Shabby *

Bangles: Meva Indrya Bangle golden by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at Shiny Shabby *

Shoes: Essenz – Ankara (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at the Black Fashion Fair *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Taken at Solaris Space Station

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

When the bells all ring and the horns all blow
And the couples we know are fondly kissing.
Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?

Maybe it’s much too early in the game
Ooh, but I thought I’d ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year’s
New Year’s eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year’s eve

Maybe I’m crazy to suppose
I’d ever be the one you chose
Out of a thousand invitations
You received

Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
What are you doing New Year’s
New Year’s Eve?

~ “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald

Wow, I love this song. I love Ella’s voice and the longing. I am not sure what you are doing New Year’s Eve, but I am going to be dressing up and enjoying champagne, date or not. I chose this sparkly look from Polyester Partridge that she is featuring at Uber. (I forewent the sash.) The mesh itself is basic but the texture is fabulous, which is why I loved it. The price was a winner too! I accessorized with pearls from Sigifaust for Shiny Shabby and AvaGardner Kungler’s gorgeous earrings for Shiny Shabby that I show up close.

The show stopper of this look is, of course, pepehair’s gorgeous new skin for Shiny Shabby, an applier for the Catwa Annie mesh head that is absolutely amazing. Coupled with the applier for the Maitreya body, it’s a stunning look that is showing up on blogs and in photos all over the grid. She has created liners, shadows and lipsticks for the skin as well, but I chose to tint with the colors on Catwa’s HUD. Miu Edman’s pretty updo for Uber adds a simple elegance to my look.

Hair: +elua+ Gemma_Darkbrown [unrigged] by Miu Edman for +elua+, available at Uber

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Annie V4.5 by Catwa Clip for CATWA

Skin applier with eyes: Pepe – Catwa Khadijah Skin (Espresso) Natural HUD with Pepe – Khadijah Eyes by pepehair for Atelier Pepe, available at Shiny Shabby

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

Dress: (NO) Beaded Sweetheart Gown  – Antique by Polyester Partridge for Nylon Outfitters, available at Uber

Necklace: ieQED fifi.pearl.necklace.white by Sigifaust for ieQED, available at Shiny Shabby *

Earrings: (Kunglers) Cerys earrings – Copper by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at Shiny Shabby *

Nail applier: [LB Swirling Vines Gold] *Maitreya* Manicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Shoes: Essenz – Sardinia (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz *

Poses by Katya Valeska for an lar *

Poses assisted by Avimote PoseMaker PE 1.02 by Avimote Dreamscape for Avimote *

Taken using the LUMIPro 2016 HUD by Stefan Buscaylet *

Sweet Caroline

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would

~ “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond

Sweet Caroline is feeling free and easy with this pretty long shirt from Miffyhoi Rosca, which she is featuring at Shiny Shabby this round. Made from fitted mesh, it fit over my Maitreya body pretty darn well and came in several lovely colors. I matched it up with the gorgeous found-object necklace from AvaGardner Kungler that she is offering at the Cosmopolitan Room and darling t-strap pumps from JourdanMcMillan, also available at Shiny Shabby.

My messy braids are the beautiful creation of Mina Nakamura for Kustom9 and have lovely face-framing, growing-out bangs with a gorgeous texture (which looks like our Caroline is growing out some dark ends). I popped the color of the necklace in my eyes with peepers from Soleil Reid. And Ensorcelante has made a custom set of skins for Shiny Shabby which include a pretty spectacular set of appliers-in-one HUD with mesh faces (Slink, LeLutka, Genesis, andTMP)  and then bodies (Belleza, Maitreya, Banned, Lena, and Slink).

Hair: MINA Hair – Yuliya (materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Kustom9 *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-KARIN v1.1 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Head applier: **[PUMENS]  – .:SCARLETT:. SKIN –  SUMMER – ** by Ensorcelante for Pumens, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Aqua by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Shirt: =Zenith=Oversize Shirt (Rose) fitted mesh by Miffyhoi Rosca for =Zenith=, available at Shiny Shabby *

Necklace: (Kunglers) Yvonne necklace – Quartz by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Shoe: Rebel Gal::Janis Patent Platf.Maitreya/Gold by JourdanMcMillan for Rebel Gal, available at Shiny Shabby *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo *

Warm December—KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 22

I’ll keep you warm in December
Warm when the cold breezes blow
My arms so lovin’
A kind of oven
To melt the sleet and snow

This heart that glows like an ember
Longs to be loved just by you
If it could be so
Then you’d keep me so
Warm in December too

If it could be so
Then you’d keep me so
Warm in December
Oooh — it’s cool in December
Please keep me warm in
December too

~ “Warm December “ by Julie London

I swear I am going to keep it a warm December. One way is wear sweaters and other warm clothes. I put together this cute ensemble with some new things that have come out to make my December sexy and warm. Start from the top with the great KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar gift, a set of scarves from AvaGardner Kungler in three colorways for great accessorizing. Ava gave us a pink and then a black and brown (for men too!) so you can switch it up and be warm.

I matched to the scarf Moonbubble Gothly’s darling mesh sweater, which comes in several colors, and is perfect for the FROST event. I paired it with jeans from the Mustang Sally outfit that GraceHaddington recently put on her floor. With a great washed look and fit, these jeans will work with boots! And these boots were essential—not only for getting through Froukje Hoorenbeek’s prim snow but also because Carmella Ruby made them so cute. She includes a script to remove or show the sock. I just dig the low profile and the great texture she uses.

Shylah Honey has just put out one of my favorite hairs she has ever made at N21. With the waves that turn about on themselves. It’s the ultimate in wavy, windblown hair, sexier than heck, and awesome with their great texture-change HUD. This is a *must have.* My beautiful soft skin is one I picked up weeks ago during the Skin Addiction Black Friday from June Salmson. The face is exquisite with a beauty and softness that highlights my pretty eyes from Constance Daehlie. How can a girl not keep warm with such goodness?

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Natala Rigged-Mesh by Shylah Honey for *~*Damselfly*~*, available at N21 *

Skin: [LoveMe] Chelsea Skin – [Lightbrow] – Lipstick01 – Sunkiss by June Salmson for [LoveMe] Skins

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

Sweater: [ bubble ] Knit Sweater Blue, [ bubble ] Knit Sweater Orange, and [ bubble ] Knit Sweater Grey by Moonbubble Gothly for [ bubble ], available at FROST *

Jeans: [LG] Boutique-Fall 2014 Mustang Sally Jeans by GraceHaddington for LivGlam *

Scarf: (Kunglers) KittyCats 2014 Adv C gift – Pink scarf AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers , (Kunglers) KittyCats 2014 Adv C gift – Black scarf, and (Kunglers) KittyCats 2014 Adv C gift – Brown scarf by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers, GIFT available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

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

Nail appliers: Frogstar – Winter Glitter Fingernails HUD by Ravenna Rossini for Frogstar, available at Winter Trend

Boots: RUBY Ladies Brown Cowboy Boots by Carmella Ruby for RubyWear *

Poses by Fanny Willis for *EverGlow*

Tree: Trompe Loeil – Winter Tree – White Bag by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil *

Streetlight: Dutchie animated streetlight pg with Dutchie snow add-on streetlight by Froujke Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *

Bench: Dutchie mesh park bench by Froujke Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *

Snow: Dutchie square snow layer by Froujke Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *

Jaded

“The constant happiness is curiosity.” ~ Alice Munro

I named the post “Jaded” because of the jade in my jewelry and not because of a feeling of jadedness. In fact, I think the antidote to that feeling is curiosity. I am curious, of course, of juxtaposing different ideas and in this look, I am combining pieces from the Fantasy Gacha Carnival (opening soon) and elegance from AvaGardner Kungler. First, this gown, which Ava “whipped up” with her characteristic savoir with textures and proportion. It’s a simple gown with an overlaid sheer skirt but the glittering of the bodice and the seams make it fantastic. Paired with her deco jade necklace, it’s a classy look.

Shylah Honey recently put out this updo with a lock of hair hanging down. It comes with their texture-changing HUD and gives a new twist to “formal” with the romantic looseness of the hair. My skin with its arresting liner is Shyla Diggs’ offer for the Black Fashion Festival, opening soon. And my captivating jade eyes are Umazuma Metaluna’s featured item for Chapter Four, available in a dozen colors.

You can get this lovely teahouse as a “rare” at the Fantasy Gacha Carnival, designed by Paco Pooley with several accessories also available. And my pretty parasol is one of several accessories at the same carnival from Sohma Dix.

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Marybelle Rigged-Mesh Big Pack by Shylah Honey for :::Damselfly Hair:: *

Skin: -Belleza- Claudia BFF SK 1 Br by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for –Belleza, available at the Black Fashion Fair *

Hair decoration: + Jade Green Chopsticks + by princessaii for Aii

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Bohemian eye collection – 7 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at the Chapter Four *

Dress: (Kunglers) Rebecca gown – Nude by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Magdalene necklace –  Turquoise by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at L’Accessoires *

Parasol: *pm* Qitou – Paper Parasol – Peach/Lotus by Sohma Dix for Paper Moon, available at the Fantasy Gacha Carnival

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

Poses by Dove Swanson for Long Awkward Pose

22769 ~ [bauwerk] Tea House RARE by Paco Pooley for Bauwerk, available at the Fantasy Gacha Carnival

Sunshine

Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you. ~ Walt Whitman

This morning I woke to perfect sunshine, lovely warm air that wasn’t too humid, a dozen peaches, and the anticipation of my little cousin (she’s 12) coming to visit. I made a peach cobbler (gah, the putzing with the peaches!) and frozen yogurt (awesome) and we had burgers for lunch. Then I took my cousin and son to the pool in this brilliant weather and cleaned the kitchen. It was just a lovely day, full of sunshine and the contentedness of small joys.

So I didn’t feel a need to dress up in any manner more than something pretty. I started with this loose dress from AvaGardner Kungler, who is a pro at textures, colors and proportions. Ava always brings elegance to her fashions, even the most casual, and this outfit feels rich even if it’s not “dressy.” I paired it with lace leggings from Tatyana Ultsch, who is also a pro at textures. These leggings will work with asses and mesh bodies but also come as pure system pieces with add-ons, which I prefer. My shoes are darling wedges that Senzati0n Domenitzo is offering in a gacha at the Aloha Fair.

Sawsan Secretspy, who is one of the most prolific skin makers in SL, I swear, is offering this gorgeous skin for the Aloha Fair. In several bright, sunshiny make-ups, it’s sure to add warmth to your look. My hair is one of Queue Marlowe’s newest, loose curls casually pinned up in back with her ever gorgeous textures. And my pretty, delicate hanging earrings are Maxi Gossamer’s new offer for Uber.

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night. ~ Steve Martin

Hair: AD – val – dark blondes by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Iwana Tan 02 by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::., available at the Aloha Fair *

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

Dress: (Kunglers) Mirian dress – Rose by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Leggings: :::i::: Lace Leggins Style2 – trans (1) by Tatyana Ultsch for :::insanya::: *

Earrings: MG – Earrings – Ashira Hoops 3 by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Uber *

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

Nail appliers: Izzie’s – Slink Metallic Nails Applier Huds (hands & feet) by Izzie Button for Izzie’s

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

Shoes: Essenz – El Paso (Fatpack 1) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at the Aloha Fair *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

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

In My Garden

Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are. ~ Alfred Austin

My friend Todd Action is quite a gardener in real life. He’s also a reader, so he built a reading shed in his back yard in the middle of a city—a cozy area where he can go out  and read a book, enjoying the peace and quiet of his beautiful garden. Todd, like many of us, however, will have to wait to get out in that shed because this has been one heck of a winter.

I was inspired by two sets of gardening items that have recently hit the grid to replicate Todd’s set up for myself. My reading nook is Sway Dench’s newest little build, a little “half-timbered” Summerhouse based on German design. Sway also made all the fencing that goes around it. Now this house is not just a joke—when I visited Berlin, my host pointed out huge areas of these little houses with little gardens. People from the city owned them and would plant their garden and spend their weekend sleeping in their tiny house and tending to their garden and of course, going to the biergarten in the evening. It is a restful respite from the stresses of the city, though the houses themselves were not far out of the city and seemed close together. I made Sway’s little house into a reading shed complete with Cory Edo’s Cabinet Bed.

My other inspiration is Tya Fallingbridge’s charming gacha set for the Arcade. She has attended to each piece with loving detail, from the seed packets hanging from a string to the garden tools and the spare birdhouse. There is even a coiled hose to add to the collection. And it all goes with the wonderful potter’s bench she is offering. For any gardener, this set would be a wonderful gift, and the great thing about gacha items is that they are transfer, so hit the Arcade and buy your favorite gardener this darling set.

Of course I don’t garden in a dress but I was so inspired by the folksy details of AvaGardner Kungler’s tunic dress that I had to wear it. Done in spectacularly detailed mesh (notice the tie at the waist), this darling dress is really perfect for a flower child. Flowered wellies from Moonbubble Gothly are the right footwear for muddy patches and Maxi Gossamer’s turtle-shaped necklace adds a natural touch to the look. Mina Nakamura has just released this lovely loose braid with her signature HUD coloring system.

My skin is Aida Ewing’s base skin for the Arcade, the pretty Aria skin. I wore eyebrows from the set to shape the face but it’s otherwise untouched so you can see it in its glory. The package that Aida offers has confused some, so I hope I can shed some light on it. She has packed the gacha at the Arcade with complete skins (already made up) and then a base skin and add-ons. The 12 “combination” skins are complete skins with complete make-up and are counted as commons. Then she has rare items that are all accessories: a base skin, 3 packs of different lipsticks, a pack of eyebrows, a pack of different noses, a pack of eyeliners and a pack of freckles and moles.

This is the thing: if you put your money in and get a combo skin and then try again and get a pack of accessories, you are set! The accessories can be laid over your combo skin to alter the look of that skin. So imagine you got one of the combo skins and then the package of brows. You can now make 7 different looking skins with the different brow configurations. (And the brows come in several tones for each of the 7 designs.) So nothing is really a loser in the Glam Affair gacha. You don’t *have* to get the base skin to win. It’s a generous offering on that gacha. I imagine the yard sales will be full of items you can pick up later.

The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway. ~ Michael Pollan

Hair: MINA – Nanda NB by Mina Nakamura for MINA *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Aria skin – Asia – Clean Base with -Glam Affair – Aria – Eyebrow 05 – C by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair, available at The Arcade *

Muddy knees: ~Soedara~ Muddy Knees by Marbella Provonost for Soedara

Eyes: .ID. Bright Eyes / REG / Feb Gift by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Dress: (Kunglers) Laura tunic dress – Concrete by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Necklace: MG – Necklace – Teardrop Turtle – Orange by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at The Arcade *

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

Nail applier: Nailed It – French Manicure – Pastels Set HUD (wear) by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Boots: [ bubble ] Cat Wellies by Moonbubble Gothly for [bubble] *

Poses: Di’s Opera – Those Seventies by Di Hoorenbeek for Di’s Opera, available at Limited Bazaar

 

Featured décor:

Trompe Loeil – Cabinet Bed Morning Light Fabrics by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil *

Sway’s [Zwerg] Garden Gnome by Sway Dench for Sway’s *

Sway’s [Zwergin] Garden Gnome by Sway Dench for Sway’s *

Sway’s [Andersen] half timbered Summerhouse by Sway Dench for Sway’s *

Sway’s [Andersen] Fence by Sway Dench for Sway’s *

Pixel Mode – The Happy Gardener – Arcade March 2014 by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at The Arcade *

• [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Bird House
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Cultivator
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Empty Sack
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Garden Hose
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Hand Fork
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Hanging Seed Bags
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Large Clay Pots
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Plant Markers
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Potting Table RARE
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Seed Box RARE
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Seedling
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Small Clay Pots
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Tool Box RARE
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Trowel
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Watering Can
  [PM]Pixel Mode – THG – Weeder

Persevere

Of the Earth signs, Taurus most relate to an unmoving force of nature that has become wise through perseverance.

I was born under the sign of Taurus, and I represent my sign well. Some will feel I have stubbornness, but I prefer to think of it as perseverance and steadiness. One blog I read suggested that the Taurus wants to get things done, and that pretty much sums me up. Taureans also love material things, beauty, the earth, the sensual and the grounded. “Down-to-earth” is how many describe me.

This outfit is a perfect choice for me as a Taurean. It combines a cozy long sweater with artistically patterned leggings and sexy red heels. Made with a texture that makes the sweater seem plush and expensive, the outfit from Kim Lysette, which she has at LivGlam this weekend for 55L, is nevertheless a deal, which is important to Taureans, who like to spend on beautiful things but also want to make sure they have financial security.  My shoes, a buy at 70L, are AvaGardner Kungler’s offering at The Dressing Room Fusion. Beauty on the cheap is a great thing.

My hair is one of Queue Marlowe’s Arcade pieces. At 50L a pop, it’s well worth it because she gives you a full array of colors in each hair and has included a darling little charm for every sun sign. She gave me the Taurus to show after I stubbornly insisted I wanted it. (Go figure.) My skin is a melange of pieces from the Aria set from Aida Ewing at the Arcade. She has configured it cleverly so you can get add-on pieces and mix and match for a great look. Pretty blue eyes from Isabelle Requiem, for the One Word event, complete the look.

“As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci (Taurean)

Hair: AD – Star Struck – TAURUS – light reds by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog, available in all 12 signs at The Arcade TODAY *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Aria skin – Asia – Combination 07 G with -Glam Affair – Aria – Eyeliner or 02-Glam Affair – Aria – Lipstick Vinta – 03 by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair, available at The Arcade TODAY *

Eyes: [Brixley] Woeful Eyes – blue by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at OneWord *

Outfit: [LG]KC Winter 14- Praise You by Kim Lysette for the K Collection at LivGlam *

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

Shoes: (Kunglers) TDRF 033 – Donna pump – Cardinal by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

The Gift of Appreciation

“

You… You really like me!” ~ Sally Field

I got an email from Doctor Gascoigne today that said, “I voted for you,” in the subject line and nothing else. I had to email back asking what he was talking about and he pointed to me the Avi Choice Awards, where I was listed as a candidate for best blogger. I was really surprised! Wedged between such heavyweights as Fabulously Free in SL, Hamlet Au, Inara Pey and Juicybomb was little old me. I am, needless to say, very honored just to be among their company and if you are planning on voting for Hamlet and have a shaky hand, well I won’t stop you from accidentally clicking on my name. Thank you for nominating me. It’s a true gift that warms my heart. Vote here (click on the here).

That being said, I am behind on my blogger duties due to SL weirdness and oh, sleepiness. I’ll admit it. I couldn’t stay up last night to finish my photos. So today you get Days 2 AND 3 of the KittyCats Advent Calendar goodies. First are a set of poses by Veridian Frog, designed to be used with the KittyCats Megapuss. Created to be used with the built in poses on the KittyCat, the poses are darling and picture purrfect. Imagine what kind of cute holiday cards you could make with your Megapuss.

And Barnesworth, an old old friend of the KittyCats, is offering this gorgeous mahogany fireplace with candles and a special pet feeder. The good news is if you missed yesterday’s, you can go today and get it. The previous days’ gifts stay open. The gifts are available to anyone—not just KittyCats fans. However, only one per avatar. How many fireplaces do you need anyway? And the Kittycats friends are doing this in appreciation of you as customers and fans of Kittycats.

AvaGardner Kungler is offering this elegant dress at the Winter Trend. I love the studs on the front—usually I hate studs on mesh but these are like jewels sparkling on the dress. My darling boots are Pixieplumb Flanagan’s answer to sexy winter wear. I got my gorgeous skin from Chandra Masala during the Skin Addiction Black Friday sales. (Bet you wish you hadn’t missed this one.) Chandra imbues her skins with beauty and a sort of spiciness (she who “puts the ‘desi’ in ‘desire’”). And my sassy chic ‘do is one of Mirja Mills’ latest.

Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. ~ Voltaire

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * COLLIEN 2 by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: Jalwa – Zahida – Carom – Brown Eyebrow by Chandra Masala for Jalwa

Eyes: [Crash Republic] Moon Eyes – hazel by Isabelle Requiem for Crash Republic *

Dress: (Kunglers) Milla shift dress – Abalone by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers, available at Winter Trend 2013

Boots: BM Mirari Boot by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey *

Poses: Megapuss Poses, MoodSwings by Veridian Frog for MoodSwings, available at the KittyCats 2013 Advent Calendar at KittyCats Winterland

[ba] mahogany fireplace with candles and fancy pet feeder – KittyCats advent 2013 by Barnesworth Anubis for Barnesworth Anubis, available at the KittyCats 2013 Advent Calendar at KittyCats Winterland