Quietness Desired

“Every lake belongs to the quietness desired by the swans.” ~ Munia Khan

Some people log on to SL to find a place of peace and quietness. Some wander the sims to seek peace and quiet. Lauren Bentham recently put together a new sim, Netherwood, that I recommend for that sense of peace and quiet in a crazy world. I dressed casually and enjoyed different spots on the sim. I wore a simple hoodie and top from Asia Rae, part of a unisex set she has created and paired lolly Carlberg’s gray jeans for Thrift Shop (half off) and Aleida Rhode’s latest flats for Cosmopolitan.

Sawsan Secretspy’s group gift skin brings a touch of spring to my look with pink lips and eyeshadow. The whole look was inspired by n0match’s darling hair with felted cap for Hairology. She includes texture change for the cap in several colors with the hair color HUD. A pretty little fantasy necklace by moonbubble Gothly for Fantasy Gacha Fair adds a little color to my look.

 

Hair: NO.MATCH_NO.DISTANCE. by n0match for NO.MATCH, available at Hairology *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. GG FEB 2016 Amour Bronze by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW Skins::. *

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

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kyra lashes.02 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

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

Top: [AR] Night Women Hoodie Size [GREY] by Asia Rae for Asia Rae *

Jeans: .:* LOULOU&CO :. – Fitted Jean :: SOLEDAD :: MAITREYA Grey/flow by lolly Carlberg for .:* LOULOU&CO :., available at the Thrift Shop *

Necklace: [ bubble ] Drakonae Egg Necklace –Purple by Moonbubble Gothly for [ bubble ], available at Fantasy Gacha Carnival *

Flats: Elysium – Ella balerina – charcoal by Aleida Rhode for Elysium by Aleida Rhode, available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Standing pose created with Avimote PoseMaker PE 1.02 by Avimote Dreamscape for Avimote *

Taken at Netherwood by Lauren Bentham

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 *

Sweet Melissa

Lord, in his deepest dreams the gypsy flies,
With sweet Melissa.

~ “Melissa” with Jackson Browne and Gregg Allman

I heard this song today, and it was so laid back and lovely, it reminded me of a pretty sunset at the beach, so I rezzed Cory Edo’s latest gorgeous set for the Fameshed third anniversary and had a lovely evening taking photos and enjoying the breeze and waves. The set includes elements for a wedding including the lovely arch you see here (that comes with or without sash and flowers), lanterns and hanging baskets on poles to decorate the way, and chairs with texture change sashes (or can be used without).

A pretty summer dress from Ariadna Garrigus was the call for the day. The dress comes with a texture change HUD offering four versions, including a black and a taupe dress and two flowered versions. HauteCoutureDesign’s pretty little flats for the Tres Chic event include a texture change HUD to allow six colors and metal choice and fit the Slink flat foot. Maxi Gossamer is offering this cheerful necklace in a long and short version for Collabor88.

Alice Demonia has made this lovely full mesh hair for the Thrift Shop, which is priced at a discount as the exclusive piece for the event. It includes a very full HUD of colors (this was just the natural colors and I was amazed) and gorgeous textures. Sawsan Secretspy offered this absolutely lovely skin for Mother’s Day this weekend at a discount but it’s certain to still be found in her shop. Sawsan has appliers for nearly every mesh body part as well (like the Maitreya body and Slink feet I am wearing). What a beautiful beachy look for sweet Melissa.

Hair: *Alice Project* Nikki – Basics by Alice Demonia for Alice Project, available at The Thrift Shop *

Skin: .WoW Skins::. V2 Mary Darktan by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. * (Mother’s Day Special)

Eyes: #adored – moon eyes – md blue // a by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

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

Dress: ***ArisAris AA98~I stay with you~ Dress – by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Necklace: MG – Necklace – Ariel Sun Pendant – Short by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

Nail appliers: The Wicked Peach – Mani/Pedi – Spring Basics by Autumn Amaranth for Wicked Peach

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

Sandals: Poute- Roma Flat Sandals- FATPACK by HauteCoutureDesign for Poute, available at Tres Chic *

Décor: Trompe Loeil – Driftwood Wedding Set [mesh] by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at Fameshed *

• Trompe Loeil – Driftwood Pathway Planter Hanging 1 (Plain)
• Trompe Loeil – Driftwood Pathway Planter Hanging 2
• Trompe Loeil – Driftwood Beach Chair Natural + Sash/Flowers
• Trompe Loeil – Driftwood Beach Chair White + Sash/Flowers
• Trompe Loeil – Driftwood Archway Flowers Only

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

The Nap

“I count it as a certainty that in paradise, everyone naps.” ~ Tom Hodgkinson

Paradise sounds good to me if it includes lazy afternoons on a sun-dappled lanai on a beach. Sway Dench has created the lovely hut and Balinese parasol I show here with the sitting cushions for a lovely beach scene, now available at Liaison Collective.

With Zlyskritek’s ruffled bikini, I am enjoying the sun (including sunscreen) and taking a much needed rest from all the hustle and bustle of June in SL. I took a trip over to the Thrift Shop, where I found this bikini and the cute purple watch I wear, though really, on vacation, should I be wearing a watch at all? Senzati0n Domenitzo’s darling sandals, which she has at Fashion for Life, are an almost naked alternative to common flip flops and show off my pedicure from Zozicon nicely (which is another exclusive at Fashion for Life).

My skin is Aida Ewing’s fresh face for Collabor88, which I am loving with a blue shadow I accidentally left on from Chandra Masala (a beautiful serendipity). My hair is Mina Nakamura’s newest for Chapter Four, a casually pulled back feminine look with her special textures and texture-change HUD, perfect for a relaxing summer… and a nap.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, look to tomorrow, rest this afternoon.” ~ Charles M. Schulz

Hair: MINA Hair – Ilse (no materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Chapter Four *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Summer skin – America 02 F by Aida Ewing for –Glam Affair-, available at Collabor88 *

Makeup: Jalwa – Meenakshi Makeup – Blue by Chandra Masala for Jalwa *

Eyes: pearl – bog wood – medium medium by Lano Ling for Poetic Eyes *

Bikini: Kaithleen’s Beach Ruffled Mini Skirt – Purple and Kaithleen’s Beach Ruffled Top – Purple by Zlyskritek for Kaithleen’s, available at The Thrift Shop *

Watch: AURORA – Mesh Ladies Gold Watch – Lilac and Tribal by X for AURORA, available at The Thrift Shop *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Flat Left and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: -{ZOZ}- Love Polish – (Slink) Fingernail and Toenail Huds by Zozicon for ZOZ, sponsor for FFL Promenade at Fashion for Life *

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

Shoes: Essenz – Tampa (Fatpack) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, sponsor of FFL Trek  at Fashion for Life *

Beachy stuff: Sway’s [Pantai] Beach Hut – detailed, Sway’s [Pantai] balinese parasol . blue, Sway’s [Pantai] floor cushion B, and Sway’s [Pantai] floor cushion A by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at the Liaison Collaborative *

Thank you, Mikalis, for lending me some sand.

For the Architects

The first gesture of an architect is to draw a perimeter; in other words, to separate the microclimate from the macro space outside. This in itself is a sacred act. Architecture in itself conveys this idea of limiting space. It’s a limit between the finite and the infinite. From this point of view, all architecture is sacred.   Mario Botta

I have a huge thing for architects and architecture. It’s the combination of artistry and engineering, the aesthetic and the practical, the communication to the human condition through space that is so amazing to me. I have visited many beautiful spaces in my life and my breath has been taken away.

I am not an architect—I lived with one for a time. My best friend from childhood is now a practicing architect for a German company in Chicago. She designs buildings around the world. I am so damn proud of her because I remember the drawings she made of houses for us when we were ten and sitting in the living room of her parents’ tiny suburban ranch home and now she works for an international firm.

I know many real life architects in SL as well—degreed, licensed, practicing. I read a funny thing about romcoms that they always have a main man who is an architect, and this guy always seems to have a great house, job and seemingly endless time for romance. Truth is that the architects I know, even partners in firms, drive old cars, live in fixer-uppers (because they are doing the fixing up), and work 60-80 hours a week. They are interesting group for sure, but generally overworked.

Nowadays most architects work on computers, endlessly between the CAD work and reading emails and architectural code, but at one time they worked on paper. Think Frank Lloyd Wright when you view this gorgeous set of items Tobias Convair has created for the Arcade (opening in a week). You can collect all the fun stuff that even seasoned modern day architects drool over—drafting table, pencil cup, drawings, cabinet, stool, french curves, compass, model—and even an architect’s scale (which is so evocative of one my dad used to have that I want to pick it up, weigh it in my hand and feel its smooth surfaces). They are rendered in exquisite, loving detail by Tobias, who is himself an architect. The brilliant part is there are all no copy/transfer so if you have an architect friend or two (or one that would like to be one), you can purchase the pieces at the Arcade or a yard sale and give them as a gift.

I dressed like my dear friend, who tends towards stylish but mostly practical (her shoes, once she gets to the office after walking from the L, get changed to a more stylish pair and promptly kicked off under the desk). A sleeveless bowed top and long slacks from Thetra Blackheart are the main outfit in complimentary, almost neutral tones. Pops of color come from Ariadne Garrigus’ modern glasses and Erratic Rain’s absolutely sexy and chic sandals (made for Slink feet).

My hair and makeup are pictures of simplicity—there simply is not enough time for overdoing makeup and hair when buildings need to be designed! I love Mirja Mill’s darling updo with a built in animation to let the hair down into a ponytail. After all these years, Mirja still finds new styles and has fun making them for her customers, and this one is particularly fun. My skin is one of Shyla Diggs Boucher’s newest, being offered at the Arcade as a rare. If you want this rare skin with dark brows, find a friend who is willing to swap with you! Or pass your extras on to your alt.

Architecture is not simply a job. It is a lifestyle. It is a way of looking at the world. It is a verb. It is a constant exploration where one looks for and finds inspiration in the world around them, and then applies that inspiration to create something completely new. And that thing we create is beautiful and makes a difference in the world.  ~  J. Brantley Hightower

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * VIOLET*/chocolate by Mirja Mills for.:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: -Belleza- Mimi Makeup 1 RARE by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-, available at The Arcade beginning March 1 *

Eyes: adoness: havila eyes: asparagus by Cruella Pennell for Adoness, available at The Thrift Shop *

Top: E-Clipse MimiChemise CaenStone by Thetra Blackheart for E-Clipse, available at The Style Icon *

Slacks: E-Clipse MimiChemise CaenStone by Thetra Blackheart for E-Clipse, available at The Style Icon *

Pencil: [MAGIC NOOK] Pencil (Mouth) – Yellow /FREEBIE/ by Ayumi Cassini for Magic Nook (may no longer be available)

Glasses: ***ArisAris Igs95 Azahara Classic Glasses by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual  Left and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

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

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

Shoes: erratic / clarice – mesh sandals / gold by Erratic Rain for erratic *

Pose by Rogan Diesel from

Skybox: [PM]Pixel Mode  – Clock Tower Sky Box by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at FaMESHed*

Rug: Buchanan Round Rug from the Buchanan Collection by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri *

Architecture set: +CONVAIR+ The Studio The Arcade by Tobias Convair for Convair, available at The Arcade beginning March 1 *

• +CONVAIR+ Studio Architect Scales
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Architect’s Drafting Table RARE
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Architectural Drawings
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Architectural Model
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Art Pencils
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Curves/Eraser
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Drafting Compass
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Drafting Stool RARE
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Drawing/Tape
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Lead Pointer/Holder
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Mystery RARE
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Sketch Book
  +CONVAIR+ Studio T-square/Triangles
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Tracing Paper
  +CONVAIR+ Studio Lead Pointer/Holder

For my favorite architect: S ;)

Things To Do

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.’ ~ Jim Rohn

I got a little worried that after the holidays I would be thrown into the abyss of Having Nothing To Do. After remodeling my RL family room, baking 400+ Christmas cookies for the four holiday parties I held, cleaning the house, decorating, finding gifts and so on, I thought I would be wallowing in boredom. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, my “to do” list has grown.

I have written it all down and I slyly glance at it while I am pondering what the next step might be. My pondering is done, of course, fashionably in a top from isiss Bade, belted and accessorized with a cute necklace from Maxi Gossamer that she’s selling at Love is in the Air. Leggings and boots from Nena Janus complete the look. And my to-do list? Courtesy of Hanstrid Inshan from her store of darling furniture. (Thanks a lot, Hanstrid. I needed more to do. Really.)

To dos are a lot easier to face when you feel comfortable and casual, and I certainly am with this new ponytail from Chiaki Xue. Chiaki has embedded wispy flexis with the ponytail so it doesn’t have that static feeling that many mesh ponytails have. My big blue eyes come from Cruella Pennell’s offerings at The Thrift Shop. And my skin is the lovely Ria from Shyla and Tricky Boucher, which was being offered at Collabor88 last month. Something makes me believe Shyla is working hard on something new—it’s not a fact, just intuition. Of course, she has a long “to do” list too. *sigh*

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” – Walt Disney

Hair: *Dura-Girl*52(Coffee) by Chiaki Xue for Dura by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: -Belleza- Ria SK 5 Br by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- *

Eyes: adoness: havila eyes: frost by Cruella Pennell for Adoness, available at The Thrift Shop *

Top: [NV] Mimi Blouse -Jean Bleach by isiss Bade for NV Madworld *

Leggings: *League* Folklore Leggings -Shibori Shadow by Nena Janus for League

Necklace: MG – Necklace – Aliah Moonshine – Short by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Love Is In the Air *

Boots: *League* Lauren Wedge Boots -Rigged- Blue Medium by Nena Janus for League

Trunk: Serenity Style-Things to do…. by Hanstrid Inshan for Serenity Style *

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