Love Birds

It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds. ~ Aesop

I walked out to the beach to find that it looked like a flock of lovebirds had taken nest in my palm trees. Oh wait. They purred and I realized they were KittyCats perched in my palms. KittyCatS recent release of LoveBirdS include a removable beak and crest and come with brightly colored feathers, made for Valentine’s Day but perfect to brighten up your spring after a long winter. Each KittyCat includes a special animation in them, where they will rez you a blanket and special poses so you can enjoy them with a friend.

I enjoyed the warm air in an outfit made of separates from the first anniversary Shiny Shabby. My top from evastika Aura is fitted for Maitreya bodies matched to denim shorts from Systi Cisse, also for Maitreya bodies. Cute bowed flats from Darling Monday come in several colors. A cute little diamond-studded watch from Bob for Shiny Shabby includes a HUD to change various parts of the watch.

Carina Larsen has made this cute and casual ponytail for Shiny Shabby with her great texture-change options. I am wearing Monicuzza Babenco’s gorgeous new applier for Shiny Shabby on the Catwa Annie mesh head in a warm tan. I found my palms at the RFL Home & Garden Expo from Cari McKeenan, who got them out late. The donation from purchase of the trees will go directly to ACS.

Hair: Amacci Hair – Lorene by Carina Larsen for Amacci, available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Ariel Tone03 Skin Applier – Catwa Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Eyes: L’Etre – Mesh Eyes [#30] by dam1710 for L’Etre

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

Top: #EVANI – Wendy top  BLUE (MAITREYA LARA) by evastika Aura for EVANI, available at Shiny Shabby *

Shorts: [sYs] CALINE short (fitted mesh) – denim by Syane Cisse for [sYs], available at Shiny Shabby *

Watch: [VALE KOER] PASTEL BEZEL WATCH by Bob for Vale Koer, available at Shiny Shabby *

Shoes: fri. – Sarah.Janes (Cloud) – Maitreya by Darling Monday for fri.day, available at Shiny Shabby *

Palm Trees: LB_PonyPalmv1.3 by Cari McKeenan for Little Branch, avialable at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *

Poses by Sylva Petrov for **Sylva’s Animation Factory

Wildlife: “LoveBirdS” by KittyCats for KittyCatS

Manhattan Avenue

Oh but dreams come true on
Manhattan Avenue

~ “Manhattan Avenue” by Nellie McKay

The setting for this grouping of furniture from the RFL Home & Garden Expo and the first anniversary Shiny Shabby is deep in the city with Nellie McKay’s satin voice. Stephen came over and gave me a tutorial in color theory in decorating, starting with the deep purple sofa and chairs Victor Newchurch made as his donation items for the Expo. With yogjio’s deco fireplace as the centerpiece and Tess Spargel’s mirror over the mantle (both donation items), we accessorized with Piraiyah Novikov’s glamorous pieces for his gacha at the Expo. I clothed the windows with the city view with curtains from Piraiyah for Shiny Shabby (which I tinted slightly), and I topped the mantle with finials from Elsa Wellesley’s gacha at Shiny Shabby. Kaerri Rae makes some of the most beautiful flower arrangements in SL, and this orchid is one of her donation items for the Expo. (She also happens to be one of the hard-working organizers, with her partner Cain Maven and bestie Reven Rosca, for the Expo). I thought Synnaria Vlodovic’s gothic chandelier with purple roses might add a kind of a eclectic addition to the décor.

My Manhattan cosmopolitan might be dressed up for a night out in Hilly Haalan’s sexy mini with a color change HUD that allows me to tint the main dress a blackberry with fuchsia insets and pink studs. The one dress could provide hundreds of combos with such versatility. My jewelry is Mea Carnell’s contribution to Cosmopolitan Room, studded with rhinestones. Senzati0n Domenitzo’s sexy shoes for Shiny Shabby complete my look.

Monicuzza Babenco has created a gorgeous applier for the Catwa mesh heads for Shiny Shabby this round, and I spent some time messing with eye makeup and lipstick to make this look. VivienMarli’s beautiful and barely controlled tumble of curls gives a wildness to this chic Manhattanite’s sexy look.

Hair: .Entwined. Lena by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Skin appliers: *YS&YS* Ariel Tone02 Skin Applier – Catwa Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: L’Etre – Mesh Eyes [#38] by dam1710 for L’Etre

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

Dress: [hh] Nicola Dress MAITREYA SIZE by Hilly Haalan for Hilly Haalan *

Jewelry: Meva Cubes Collar Iron with Meva Cubes Bangle Iron by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Shoes: Essenz – Congo (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Décor:

• :: N :: Etheria Sofa, Relay (1.1) by Victor Newchurch for NEWCHURCH, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• :: N :: Etheria Chair, Relay by Victor Newchurch for NEWCHURCH, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // 05 // Gilded Gold Table by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // A // Antique Palm Tree Lamp // RARE by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // 06 // Gilded Gold Room Divider by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• RFL Orchid Vase by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Bocas Belle Mirror by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Sanctuary Darque Decor~Iron Rose Chandelier in Purple by Synnaria Vlodovic for Sanctuary, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // Beige Satin Curtain by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Shiny Shabby *
• [Schultz Bros.]  Deco Fireplace – Black by yogijo for [Schultz Bros.], available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• llorisen // finial d by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial a by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial b with books by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial c by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial e by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *

Tree House

“A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house.
A street house, a neat house,
Be sure to wipe your feet house
Is not my kind of house at all-
Let’s go live in a tree house.”
~ Shel Silverstein

This is one of those mega blog entries that just about puts me under. The RFL Home & Garden Expo is packed full of amazing things and I want to show them all, so I crammed select pieces into a gorgeous little treehouse from Kathy Greymoon. My living room is comprised of donation items for RFL, including an industrial table from Bethesa Hancroft, a rug from Tess Spargel, an original painting from Sarah Gantt, a gacha polaroid display from xMister Dash, a lovely Japanese lute from Ryo Ixxel, and one of the darling yoga frogs from Garvie Garzo. My plush sofa and chair are ValiantCo’s contribution to Fameshed this month.

Slide around the corner and find Aki Shichiroji’s orchid terrarium on Loz Hyde’s Paris-themed chest of drawers with one of jiuis32’s full perm frames. There is a whole section of full perm items at the Expo this year, which I spent a fair amount of time perusing. Sometimes I get frustrated and want my own frame with my own texture or to create gifts for friends and full perm can fulfill that need. (It’s not just for reselling!) I found quite a few things that struck my fancy!

Chic Aeon has made a collection of book lover pieces for her gacha at the Expo, and I rather liked the idea of books piled around my house (read or to-be-read). Propped on top is a sunny pitcher of daffodils from Chiana0 and Sisterbutta’s hunt item. I want to note that everything I show contributes, if not 100% donation to RFL, at least a portion. This house is built from love.

My dining room is a place of comfort and joy. I used Liz Gaelich’s gateleg table, (which comes in closed and open versions) as my main table, flanking it with Cory Edo’s chairs for Collabor88. Sisterbutta’s whimsical and beautiful floating paper cranes serve as my centerpiece. Chiana0 made the lovely dark wood hutch and plates that line the hutch. I always like chairs as a piece of art and décor so Akahata’s awesome skyline chair and Sisterbutta’s lovely neoclassical armchair decorate as well as provide seating. DanielEstro always makes his pieces in grays with modify so I feel free to color pieces as I see fit and I warmed up his “Hope” wreath with color. A pretty lamp and wall hanging from Isabelli Anatine bookends the scene with Kasslina’s exquisite and unique antler chandelier lighting the space. Another pretty rug from Tess Spargel gathers it all together.

Shiny Shabby opens today with their first anniversary round and I look forward to showing more items in the next few weeks but I couldn’t help donning Sora Tatham’s denim-based dress. With a texture-change HUD included, you can switch up the top and scarf for different color combos. Boots from Katat0nik Pidgeon fit men or women and are completely modifiable for size as they are not rigged (whew). Elikapeka Tiramisu is also joining in on the fun for the first anniversary with this full bob for Shiny Shabby.

I got my hands on the new Omega-ready Sadie head from Maximillion Grant that he has been promising his pleading customers for a few months. It’s finally done! Since Max had to retrofit his HUDs to be Omega ready and redo all the layers, it took some time. I tried Monicuzza Babenco’s new Logo applier for the Alex head on this one with mixed results. I think we are going to have to wait for Sadie-themed skins to come out for it to look good. For example, Moni compensated for Alex’s full lips by making them thinner but on the thinner lips of the Sadie, it doesn’t look the best. I will keep experimenting, dear readers. Just get yourself to the RFL Home & Garden Expo and donate til it hurts!

Hair: [e] Olivia by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: LOGO Sadie v5.0 Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Paige Tone 02 – Skins Applier for Logo Mesh Head Alex by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eye applier: Weaponized Sugar Eyes – Spring Green by weaponizedsugar for Weaponized Sugar

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

Dress: *agp* Jean outfit-Maitreya by Sora Tatham for *agapee*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Boots: *katat0nik* (dark) Buckle Boot by Katat0nik Pidgeon for *katat0nik*, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Dining Room:

• UNCERTAIN SMILE DECO FLOOR LAMP – DECO FANS by Isabelli Anatine for UNCERTAIN SMILE ,available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• – aKa – Skyline Chair Oak by Akahata for aKa, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• [ zerkalo ] Hope Wreath – Dark by DanielEstro for [ zerkalo ], available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• by Chiana Oh – Welsh Dresser [Dark] by Chiana0 for by Chiana Oh, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• by Chiana Oh – Dotty Plates – Welsh Dresser Set [Yellow] by Chiana0 for by Chiana Oh, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Rug Multi-Floral 3 by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Thistle Gateleg Jacobean Table Open Dark Wood (cm) by Liz Gealach for Thistle Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo
• UNCERTAIN SMILE DIY RECYCLED FRAME – DARK ROSES by Isabelli Anatine for UNCERTAIN SMILE, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• DG – Ebonized Neoclassical Armchair w Silk Broche Fabric m/c/nt by Sisterbutta for AMDG, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• DG – 19th Century Japanese Crane Serving Plate w Origami m/c/nt by Sisterbutta for AMDG, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo*
• Yoga Frog 11 ~ Sleeping Angle Pose by Garvie Garzo for meadowWorks, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• OTB! Rustic Retreat  Antler Light by kasslina for Outside the box, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Trompe Loeil – Savonarola Armchair Charcoal PG by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at Collabor88 *

Living Room:

• [[RH]] Biwa -Japanese Lute – display by Ryo Ixxel for [[RH]] Design House, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Sarah Gantt – Medium Landscape Oil Painting by Sarah Gantt for Gallery by Sarah Gantt, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Yoga Frog 10 ~ Lotus Pose by Garvie Garzo for meadowWorks, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• [Con.] Basic Sidetable – Medium by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• [Con.] Cooper’s Leather Sofa – A by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• [Con.] Cooper’s Armchair – A by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• [Con.] Regal lamp – freebie by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• HORNTAIL – Polaroid Parade [HeartCreative] by xMister Dash for Horntail, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• *RnB* Wagon Table – 14 Weathered Painted Woods (c) by Bethesa Hancroft for RnB Furniture, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo * by
• Rug Multi-Floral 2 by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• MESHWORX~Lulu Chest – Effel Tower (Mod/Copy) by Loz Hyde for MESHWORX, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo
• Frame004Texturized by jiuis32 for CCDesign, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo
• [ Organica ] Orchid Terrarium by Aki Shichiroji for Organica, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• tms bird cage decor:  petunia planter (antique white) by Lavinia Godenot for the mustard seed home store, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• by Chiana Oh – Jug of Daffies [Yellow] by Chiana0 for by Chiana Oh, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• DG – Framed sketch “The House that Jack Built” – RFL Hunt by Sisterbutta for AMDG, available at
• Book Lover’s – Tall Book Stack (copy) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Book Lover’s – Book Stack with Leaning Book (copy) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Book Lover’s – Book Stack Short (copy) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Book Lover’s – Repurposed Veggie  Storage (RARE) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Rug Multi-Floral 4 by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *

House: Treetops Cottage by Kathy Greymoon for Greymoon Designs, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *

Kodachrome

“Kodachrome…
it gives us those nice, bright colors,
gives us the greens of summers,
makes ya think all the world’s a sunny day,
Oh yeah!
I’ve got a Nikon camera,
I’d love to take a photograph,
so mama don’t take…
my Kodachrome away…”
~ “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon

RFL Home & Garden is still going on. I got a chance to walk around after folks had set up. I indiscriminately bought things in vendors to make sure donations went to RFL—you should too. In fact, maybe you should get the scripted clock and bamboo from McChris Flanagan’s retro set, a modernist furniture grouping that reminds me of my parents’ first living room set and stereophonic sound system (in hifi, not wifi). With color change built into the menus so you can change the insets to yellow, orange or bright green and some rather humorous accessories (like that vinyl record from The Lindens and the 8-track player), the set is a virtual testament to kitsch. I added Cain Maven’s retrofuture hanging lamp and Elin Egoyan’s bright and beautiful painting to my living room and I was set.

I wearing Poulet Koenkamp’s lovely skirt and top set for the Instruments this round with her gorgeous textures. Shoes from Saki Galiazzo include a very versatile HUD for color change on different parts of the shoe and fit the Maitreya feet perfectly. I love the skin applier Monicuzza Babenco made for the LeLutka mesh heads, especially the blonde choices because they are so nicely done. My hair from Tabata Jewell for the Hairology event includes a panel in the HUD that lets you change the hair tie.

Hair: Vanity Hair:Talamasca(F)-Greedy by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair, available at Hairology *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-KARIN v1.3 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Eva Tone02 Skin Applier – Lelutka Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Collabor88 *

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

Eyes: {D.A} Striking Eyes – Spring by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

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

Top and skirt: :: PM :: Jess Top and Skirt -all colors- FITTED by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations, available at The Instruments *

Shoes: H@S Midnight – Multicolor – Maitreya by Saki Galiazzo for H@S *

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

 

RFL Home & Garden:

Retro living room by McChris Flanagan for [USB], available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *

• [USB] – Straight Curtain Set
• [USB] – Magazines
• [USB] – Retro Coffee Table
• [USB] – Retro Sofa (Adult)
• [USB] – Bamboo Decor  (DONATION ITEM)
• [USB] – Retro Chair (Adult)
• [USB] – Coasters
• [USB] – Retro Shelf Unit
• [USB] – Retro Records
• [USB] – Candle Set
• [USB] – Books
• [USB] – Mushrooms
• [USB] – Retro Clock  (DONATION ITEM)
• [USB] – 8 Track Player
• [USB] – Retro Speakers
• [USB] – Retro TV

Dancing Soul 2 by Elin Egoyan for Elin Arts, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo

Ico lamp by Cain Maven for Quantum Luxury Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *

My Big Closet

“Some people dream of having a big swimming pool. With me, it’s closets.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

The RFL Home & Garden Expo opened today across 10 sims—the biggest shopping thing going on in SL right now with 100% donations from two exclusive and new items from each participant going to Relay for Life benefitting the American Cancer Society plus more.

I nearly squealed when I saw Ria Bazar’s pieces for RFL H&G: closets. OMG! She gets me! Available in modular pieces, the closet can be rezzed as a row as shown here or broken up into modules to fit your space. Ria kindly makes them mod so I went through and colored the textures of the individual clothes and shrunk it all up a bit to fit in my space. The tufted large stool is part of the set and includes poses for men and women and couples and a texture change menu.

Said space is the skybox that Akahata is offering as one of her RFL donation pieces. With a grungy interior, it’s a perfect loft space with windows that let in light and look out over a cityscape she has placed outside. The sliding doors in the middle can be opened and closed to create distinct spaces.

I feature several of the donation and gacha items from RFL H&G as my décor: gold gacha items from Piraiyah Novikov, gacha rugs from Corvus Szpiegel, a modern floor light with on and off switches and enhanced lighting from Cain Maven as well as his wood dining room chair, a darling neon sign from Rosemaery Lorefield, an Arts and Crafts inspired ceiling lamp from my brother from another mother, Troy Vogel, and the cutest ever silly light from Persey Garcia.

Thrift Shop is still on with everything at the place half off (in price, not your body though I did see some rather sexy items). This lovely dress from StellaJane includes a texture HUD with a ton of colors and she offers it in four different versions for a criminally low price. I paired Maxi Gossamer’s beautiful set for Collabor88 with the look and Senzati0n Domenitzo’s cute heels for Flower Power.

Umazuma Metaluna has created another gorgeous applier for the Catwa mesh head with a pretty freckled face. I paired Neveah Niu’s pretty long hair with the look, using her pretty ombre HUD set to color my look.

Hair: ICONIC:NADZIEJA by Neveah Niu for ICONIC, available at Hairology *

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

Skin applier: [theSkinnery] Maddie (Catwa Skin Applier) honey by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at Collabor88 *

Eyes: .ID. Attraction Eyes / Mesh by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

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

Dress: Stella Jane Sheerly Sexy Dress (Slink) – Dark Royal Lace by StellaJane for Stella Jane, available at the Thrift Shop *

Thong: Solange – Thong Panty – MLara by Solange Cerveau for Solange *

Jewelry: MG – Necklace – Mata Hari – Low Neck and Earrings by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

Shoes: Essenz – Stuttgart (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Flower Power *

Poses by Luna Jubilee for !bang

RFL Home & Garden:

*Shabby* Twin Hearts Light by Rosemaery Lorefield for Shabby Tabby, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

Little Llama – Lamp of Shame – Blonde by Persey Garcia for Little Llama, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

Wooden dining chair by Cain Maven for Quantum Luxury Homes, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

NOMAD // 06 // Gilded Gold Room Divider by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

NOMAD // A // Antique Palm Tree Lamp // RARE by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

NOMAD // B // Golden Pinapple Deco // RARE by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

[ht:home] neo-baroque rug – square light grey by Corvus Szpiegel for [hate this], available at RFL Home & Garden Expo

[ht:home] neo-baroque rug – square grey by Corvus Szpiegel for [hate this], available at RFL Home & Garden Expo

Wavy shade floor lamp by Cain Maven for Maven Homes, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

Glam-FEMALE closet 05 WHITE by Ria Bazar for ~Bazar~, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

Glam-Ottoman by Ria Bazar for ~Bazar~, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

MHS: HGE 2016 Pendant Lead Glass Lamp 1meter by Troy Vogel for Mission Home Store, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

-aKa- Expo Skybox (New release) by Akahata for Akahata, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *

Eastern Romance

The moon tries every month in vain
To paint a picture of your face;
And, having failed to catch its grace,
Destroys the work, and starts again.

~ Dharmakirti

The RFL Home & Garden Expo is opening on February 14, a perfect day to do double duty in the love department. First, you can go shopping with your sweetie to update your home or buy a new one and second, you can give love to the millions of lives the American Cancer Society helps save with their research, education and outreach.

I am giving you a Bollywood version of romance because I want to remind you that the ACS doesn’t just help people in the US, but also people around the world in conjunction with their many affiliate organizations, Remember, cancer doesn’t know a nationality, so research and education developed via ACS can help anyone. And besides, I love romance and Bollywood romances are the best!

I realize it’s rather incongrous that two people in Indian outfits (most of them supplied by Zaara Kohime, who is, as we all know, the chief devi of Indian wear in SL) should be standing in front of a Japanese temple but in this case it makes complete sense as the temple is one of the items that Ryo Ixxel and Ouka Ugajin are offering with 100% of the proceeds going to RFL. It’s a magnificent structure and a beautiful addition to the sims, which are all named “Hope” and were planned and constructed by Kaerri Rae, Cain Maven and Reven Rosca, who are the generous and frazzled organizers of this year’s RFL H&G.

Mr. Karthikeyan Engineer is my willing but handsome victim in these “wedding” photos. (A miracle because he’s usually outfitted as a panda.) He made the garland you see both of us wearing, which includes a texture change for different parts of the garland in the fatpack. The garland is a traditional item for the bride and groom in Indian weddings. He is also contributing two other items that will give 100% to RFL–a treasure chest and a dallawali cart (which I hope to somehow feature in another blog because it’s so cool). Karthikeyan is, as you might guess, in India and loves teaching about his culture and life in Southern India.

Besides wearing Zaara’s beautiful clothing and jewelry, I piled on the beauty, which is how an Indian bride is presented to her husband traditionally. Since many Hindu Indian marriages are arranged, the bride arrives bedecked and bejeweled so that the couple’s tour around the fire three times for their wedding ceremony allows the groom to see her sparkle and shine before they enter into their new life together. I was able to combine a darker skin from one of Umazuma Metaluna’s appliers for the Catwa Annie head with an exotic liner from Demi Placebo. Henna mehendi on my arms and hands is traditional makeup and Leti Hax has made a perfect applier that doesn’t go all over the body. My romantic poses are part of a wedding set from Olaenka Chesnokov that I slightly altered with Avimote Posemaker.

Hair: AD – top shelf – DARK BROWNS by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog, avialable at Hairology *

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

Skin applier: [theSkinnery] Sienna (Catwa Applier) mocca by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery] *

Makeup: .euphoric ~Nefertiti Eyeliner ~[Catwa] by demi Placebo for .euphoric

Eyes: .ID. Attraction Eyes / Mesh by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

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

Outfit: Zaara : [Mesh] Chandni lehenga *scarlet* by Zaara Kohime for Zaara

Garland: MI Garland Female by Karthikeyan Engineer for Mesh India, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo (opens February 14) *

Henna tattoo: Letis Tattoo :: Mehndi :: H15005 :: by Leti Hax for Letis

Jewelry by Zaara Kohime for Zaara

• ZC : Nizam bajubandh (arm band) *white*
• ZC : Nizam Choodiya (bangles) gold *white
• ZC : Nizam Jhumka (earring) *white*
• ZC : Nizam necklace (long) *white* (chest)
• ZC : Suvarna kundan head jewel 2
• ZC : Suvarna kundan necklace
• ZC : Suvarna kundan nose ring
• ZC : Suvarna payal (anklet)

Shoes: Zaara : Janya jeweled sandals *crimson* by Zaara Kohime for Zaara *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo Studio *

Taken with the [[RH]] GOJYUNOTOU -Japanese Temple Tower-  (exclusive) by Ryo Ixxel and Ouka Ugajin for  [[RH]] Design House, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo (opens February 14) *

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

Taken using the LUMIPro 2016 HUD by Stefan Buscaylet *

Model: Karthikeyan Engineer

Taken at the RFL Home & Garden Expo