Compulsory Christmas–KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 8

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

Christmas this year is, as always, fraught with some tension in my household. Things like who is going to get the tree out, whose house are we going to on which day, how much are we going to spend on everyone is driving us all crazy. The good thing is that we generally get along and don’t allow it to become a point of argument with each other. It’s us against the world, as it were. So when I got Zzoiezee’s charming gifts for the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, it was a natural to get them out and create a cozy Christmas card scene (using my poor dude alt who yes, needs some revision but I was hurrying) and erase all that tension with a picture-perfect setting. Zzoiezee packed today’s gift with jammies for him and her, ornaments, a decorated tree (!), and a great couple’s pose (that you see here). Your Christmas card shot is done in one gift from the Calendar!

I enhanced the décor with Winter Thorn’s amazingly cozy woodstove and Christmas décor (which she also offers in white and blue for those of you who are so over red). Everything comes in pieces and she has different settings for the stove so you have a variety of options, all done in Winter’s beautifully warm style. Anaisterpellie and Kerryth Tarantal are two folks who are offering gifting possibilities at the soon-to-open charmingly-decorated Christmas on 34th Street. One of the KittyCatS is checking out a treat Anais is offering for shoppers at one of the gift wrapping stations for a mere 10L. I admit I got in early to the event and Sabein and Callie are in for some awesome holiday gifts this year!

Mina Nakamura is offering this darling hair with hat at Christmas on 34th Street, which means it is also transfer for gift giving. Several of the creators are giving the gifts in a package that can be handed to your friend and when she opens it, the resulting pieces are copy/no trans, so don’t worry about that scary business of giving and potentially losing no copy items. It’s a pretty clever set up as long as you do not peek in the box! (Meaning, don’t open it before you give it or it blows up and you’re holding on to a copy/no transfer item.) Mochi Milena has created a new set of Logo mesh head appliers for the We <3 RP event in three tones. I opted to use the applier on the newly reissued Chloe head and clicked around for the glossy lipstick included with her appliers.

On her:

Hair (with hat): MINA Hair – Jade 01 (no materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

Mesh head: LOGO Infinity Chloe Hybrid Mesh Avatar – Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: [PF] <Latte> – Kiyomi – LOGO Head Applier by Mochi Milena for Pink Fuel, available at We <3 RP *

Eye appliers: :{WS}: Omega Eye Applier – Turquoise Medium by weaponizedsugar for Weaponized Sugar

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

Pajamas: zanze W-holiday jams-[MAITREYA} by zzoiezee for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

 

On him:

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Jasper Non-Rig Mesh Dark Browns by Tommy Fairplay for *~*Damselfly*~*

Skin: HERMONY / SKIN / LEON / ST6 by Hermanni Laville for HERMONY (no longer available)

Pajamas: zanze Men-holiday jams by zzoiezee for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *
 

The scene:

[ zerkalo ] Hot Chocolate (winter edition) by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

[ zerkalo ] Chocolate on a Stick – 10L GIFT by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

Spyralle Moravian Star Lamp (Touch On/Off) by Kerryth Tarantal for Spyralle, available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

zanze HOLIDAY POSE by KatyaSessions for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

zanze TREE and zanze Ornament BOX by zzoiezee for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

{what next} Hanne Woodburning Stoves by Winter Thorn for {what next}, available at Collabor88 *

• {what next} Hanne Woodburning Stove (Almond) – Wood Fireplace
• {what next} Hanne Fireplace Surround (Wood)
• {what next} Hanne Log Ple
• {what next} Hanne Fireplace Tools
• {what next} Hanne Kettle (Red)

{what next} Nordic Winter Decor Set – Red  by Winter Thorn for {what next}, available at Collabor88 *

• {what next} Red Nordic Print 1
• {what next} Red Nordic Print 2
• {what next} Red Nordic Print 3
• {what next} Nordic Stocking (Red#1)
• {what next} Nordic Stocking (Red#3)

{what next} ‘Winter’ Laurel Rug by Winter Thorn for {what next}

Various KittyCats by KittyCats for KittyCats!

The End of the Sentence–KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 2

“Nails are the period at the end of the sentence. They complete the look.” ~ Prabal Gurung

I threw down some awesome decorations for the holidays to get in the mood today and then realized that a decorated sim is not quite as good as a decorated Harper, so I sat down to paint my nails. Fortunately, Santana Lumiere is offering today’s gift in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar—nail appliers that can be used on Slink and Maitreya and any other nails that accept Omega (like Belleza). Of course, I would not be able to paint in these gorgeous designs because I lack artistry and I am shaky. So let Santana do the artistry for you with these absolutely exquisite and FREE nails. I wanted to point out that you can hit the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar at Santana’s store and while you’re there, check out her other wonderful gifts and purchase a special set of nails for 10L, which enters you in a drawing to receive each of her 457 nail sets. (My inventory winced hearing that.)

Grooming requires some comfort so I put on Flutter Memel’s darling long underwear. Shiny and cozy, they are  perfect for hanging around the house or going to a slumber party without being too twee. I paired them with Hilly Haalan’s UGG-style boots, which include optional socks or fur liners/trim and have a great HUD to allow you to color individual parts of the boots.

My décor includes a darling tree from Anaisterpellie that I increased in size and then added color to sections. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get modify furniture, especially ones without poses. I am able to do all sorts of things with modify furniture to custom color it, fit it to spaces, or rebuild it for my own purposes and this tree is a case in point. It’s darling and would have been wasted if I could not mod it. Tyrek has made a cute holiday-themed daybed with couples poses and sequences and a texture-change menu for several different colorways. And as always, he includes his lovely lights.

Shyla Diggs has perfected the look of the Logo Alex mesh head with her new applier, created from a skin she had already sold. With her sublime lips and blush, groomed brows and beautiful features, she makes the Alex head bloom with beauty. I was able to apply eyeshadow from Alaska Metropolitan to add a little extra color and Weaponizedsugar’s great eye appliers. I am so pleased that Shyla decided to do these appliers, especially for Maximillion’s revised heads.

A full and beautiful style really needs to finish this look and Kuranosuke Kamachi’s look is perfect—full, clean but not overly styled. I am just doing my nails after all.

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

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

Makeup:  alaskametro<3 “Matte Smoke” eyeshadows by Alaska Metropolitan for Alaskametro

Skin applier: -Belleza- Amber LOGO Applier Sunkissed by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza–, available at Winter Trend (opening Dec. 4) *

Eyes: :{WS}: Omega Eye Applier – Spring Green Medium by weaponizedsugar for Weaponized Sugar

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

Long johns: flowey / Wool Me Tender – Sleepies Set Honey by Flutter Memel for Flowey *

Nail applier: [LB O Tannenbaum Silver] OMNI Set – Slink Omega Maitreya and [LB O Tannenbaum Gold] OMNI Set – Slink Omega Maitreya by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme, available December 2 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

Boots: [hh] Cosmos UGG Boots by Hilly Haalan for Hilly Haalan *

Décor:

• GOOSE – Winter Home Daybed by Tyrek for GOOSE, available at Winter Trend (opening Dec. 4) *
• GOOSE – cozy pile of christmas pillows by Tyrek for GOOSE (group gift!) *
• Trompe Loeil – Holiday Pillow Basket Décor by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at the Arcade *
• {what next}  ‘Cosy Christmas’ Rug 2 by Winter Thorn for {what next}
• [ zerkalo ] Winter Cozy – Christmas Tree by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ] *
• Soy. Window [Here I am] white – blightness on by Soyoy for Soy.
• {what next}’Cosy Christmas’ Drapes by Winter Thorn for {what next}
• -tres blah- Jolie – Nail Polishes by Julliette Westerburg for -tres blah-

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

A Drop of Happiness

There will not be a spring without autumn; no taste,
If no sorrow, what taste happiness will provide, say?
If no youth, why then heart will throb; gaily and gay?
Autumn prepares to decorate the heart with haste..

~ from “A Drop of Happiness” by Aftab Alam

Fall is rolling in with cooler temperatures. The leaves are piling up outside and while the sun is shining, the day is ending quickly now. So it’s important to grab my drop of happiness whenever I can and remember with every fall into winter, there later comes a spring to summer. I have furnished Trace Osterham’s great new skybox with new finds and pieces that I have custom colored using SL’s tinting. Big strategy for me for decorating is using tints on mod furniture and builds. If a piece of furniture is not mod, I am not a happy person. Half of what you see in these photos was tinted that way, including the cushions of Piraiyah Novikov’s daybed available exclusively in his store at Flux Sur Mer. I paired it with ArtizanMesh’s awesome chair for Chapter Four and Sofi Trenkin’s lovely décor piece that I picked up a month or so ago. Clever pillows from Sway Dench’s gacha at Geeks n Nerds add some cute humor as well as Piraiyah Novikov’s fun Simon Says game for Collabor88 on his gothic table for Gothic Diva.

My dress is Ariadna Garrigus’ gorgeous look for the Boho Culture Fair, which opens tomorrow. She includes the very folk art wedges with them. My bestie is a grayhound from Garvie Garzo’s collection of pups at the Chapter Four. I am so glad to see her in these events because she’s a great artist! Behind me is Tyrek’s collection of potions on a shelf for Chapter Four as well and the awesome RL work of Joe Mainskreet through the avatar hibeebu at Gen Neutral. I saw the pieces on an ad and had to come get a few because they were mounted nicely and fit so well in with the mood here.

Again, I custom-colored a piece from one of Piraiyah Novikov’s gachas, added Anaisterpellie’s lovely table, candles, and rug for the gacha at The Epiphany, and popped up Joe’s artwork. Again, I have Sway Dench’s darling pillows on the chair (making <3). Below. I custom colored pieces of Piraiyah Novikov’s desk and chairs from gachas at his store (I had a big of a night there with the gachas—everything is so pretty and Piraiyah is smart enough to leave things modify so I can do this) and put my laptop win by Surrealia Anatine from The Epiphany on the desk. My doggie from Garvie, whom I have decided to name Herman, stands close.

Bubbles Clawtooth just came out with this casual but cute high ponytail with or without bangs (Saturday and Sunday) and I paired it with one of Inka Mexicola’s lovely skins on my own, familiar system face. Both are available at Kustom9. My necklace was a gacha pull at The Epiphany from Isabeau Baragula. First time’s a charm!

Hair: Clawtooth: Simply Saturday – Dark Ombre Pack by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth, available at Kustom9 *

Skin: Essences – Quinta02 *medium01* brunette by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at Kustom9 *

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

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

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

Dress and Wedges: ***Arisaris~Gara08~Coachella~Dress (Fitted Mesh) with ***ArisAris/B&W~Gara08~Coachella~Wedges For Maitreya by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris, available at Boho Culture Fair (opening October 19) *

Necklace: Kalopsia – Full Moon Necklace – Blood by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia, available at The Epiphany

Bracelet: Kelly Double Tour_Hennessy by Tracei for Tracei, available at Gen Neutral

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

Décor:

• Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art (Wide) – 2 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
• Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art – 2 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
• Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art (Wide) – 1 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
• Bee.Bu – Clipped Art – 6 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
• Bee.Bu – Clipped Art – 5 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
• Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art – 3 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral

• Greyhound – Watcher by Garvie Garzo for meadowWorks, available at the Chapter Four

• NOMAD // Country Daybed by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Flux Sur Mer *
• NOMAD // Brocante // Chaise longue by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD
• NOMAD // Classical Chair // .05 by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD
• NOMAD // Amore Desk by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD
• NOMAD // 07 // Fallen Columns Table by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Gothic Diva *
• NOMAD // Mystery Memory Game // Copper by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Collabor88 *

• SIGMA Home/ Moroccan tapestry chair by Sofi Trenkins for SIGMA Home

• tarte. pulley light – pitch by alixxbella for tarte.

• Stockholm&Lima: Failed Adulting Laptop by Surrealia Anatine for Stockholm&Lima, available at The Epiphany
• Stockholm&Lima:Failed Adulting Record Pile by Surrealia Anatine for Stockholm&Lima, available at The Epiphany

• dust bunny . potted jade plant by lxlnoel for dust bunny

• {what next} Comfortably Worn Rug #2 by Winter Thorn for {what next} *

• !six o’clock! wired lamp by Pepite Roxan for six o’clock

• junk. boho curtain. by Tab Tatham for junk

• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Paris Pillow by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *
• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Table – RARE by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *
• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Candles by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *
• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Rug by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *

• Sway’s [Text Emoticon] Pillows . :* RARE by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at Geeks n Nerds *
• Sway’s [Text Emoticon] Pillows . <3 RARE by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at Geeks n Nerds *

• *AF* Asilah Low Chair – Cuddles by ArtizanMesh for Artizan Fantasy

• GOOSE – wall shelf by Tyrek for GOOSE, available at the Chapter Four *
• GOOSE – batwings jar – light brown by Tyrek for GOOSE, available at the Chapter Four *
• GOOSE – fingers jar – light brown by Tyrek for GOOSE, available at the Chapter Four *
• GOOSE – eye balls jar – light brown by Tyrek for GOOSE, available at the Chapter Four *
• GOOSE – virgins blood jar – light brown by Tyrek for GOOSE, available at the Chapter Four *
• GOOSE – candle (touch on/off) by Tyrek for GOOSE, available at the Chapter Four *

• Hayabusa Design Elegant Tree Platane Plane MX2-4 v1-3 T5 by Mitsuko Kytori for Hayabusa *
• Hayabusa Design Japanese Maple High Details M15-10 v1-4 P1-G by Mitsuko Kytori for Hayabusa *

• {theosophy} Bonvilston Skybox by Trace Osterham for {theosophy} *

Soup Season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Poses by Luna Jubilee for !bang

Décor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• AF Annan Reclaimed Wardrobe by warehousefifteendesign for Apple Fall

On the Porch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Décor:

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

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

What Doesn’t Show

“Real elegance is everywhere, especially in the things that don’t show.” – Christian Dior

I have to flash a photo of the HUDs piled up with windows on my screen, windlights set, inventory opened, and Callie and Aleida chatting with me. How does someone take a photo among all this?? Now you know some of what doesn’t show.

What does show is LeeZu Baxter succumbing to mesh bodies. Yes, folks, she has transferred some of her best system pieces, hand drawn, beautiful work, to mesh body appliers. I am so glad she did. LeeZu was always known for her gorgeous work, which was, before mesh came along, some of the most innovative and artistic on the grid. It was painful to have to pack it up when I decided to go all mesh body all the time. Now that’s not a problem. For example, I am wearing the incredible Monroe lingerie, a set I had long ago blogged on my system body in all its elegance and sexiness.

I thought the soft candlelight from Winter Thorn’s beautiful candle cages from her set at Collabor88 would lend some atmosphere. I applied Umazuma Metaluna’s gorgeous skin for the LeLutka mesh heads to another head in the set after my blog a week or so ago with the same skin was such a success. I think people are concerned they might all look alike with these mesh heads, and certainly with a certain male mesh head I see on the grid, that fear is justified, but with six heads already in the LeLutka collection, all modifiable by messing with head stretch and a plethora of skins already created to apply to these heads, I don’t think you need to worry about that. I applied the basic makeup to the eyes and Umazuma’s gift lipstick to create this look, after tweaking the blending and shimmer on the HUD. My super sexy hair is Bubbles Clawtooth’s beautiful offer for Kustom 9, a fitting style for this beautiful look.

Hair: Clawtooth: Up and Away  – The Complete Collection by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth, for Kustom9 *

Skin applier: [theSkinnery] Silke (LeLutka Skin Applier) HUD (honey) with [theSkinnery] Silke Cranberry Lipstick (LeLutka Applier) by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at the Chapter Four *

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

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

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

Lingerie: [LeeZu!] OMEGA Monroe Lingerie HUD /blue by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu! *

Relay: Omega System Relay HUD for Maitreya v.03 by Chellynne Bailey for Omega Applier Systems

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

Shoes: Glamistry : LINARIA Heels by Glamistry for Glamistry *

Poses by Tutys for Tutys

Décor: {what next} Amberley Tree Bench Set by Winter Thorn for {what next}, available at Collabor88 *

• {what next} Amberley Hanging Lantern  (lilac candle)
• {what next} Amberley Floor Lantern (pink candle)
• {what next} Amberley Floor Lantern (lilac candle)

Poor Dear Silly Spring

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise! ~Wallace Stevens

It’s coming! It’s coming! The sun is out, the snow is melting, the world is puddle wonderful! I admit I was starting to doubt with the many inches of snow, the never-ending unrelenting cold, and the fact that a groundhog bit the mayor of a town in my state. I know I am overdoing it with the flowers here, but spring is coming and I can’t wait!

TheAnnex is offering this lovely dress among others in their gacha at The Luck of the Irish Gacha that Depraved Nation is holding. There are a kazillion gachas full of all sorts of awesome stuff like this, so bring lots of change. My shoes are HauteCoutureDesign’s original mesh set, and they come with a HUD with six wonderful springtime colors with a darling t-strap design and a wedge heel.

I outfitted my parcel with this great gazebo from Winter Thorn, which also comes with a beautiful cozy fireplace, though I opted to use the more open one so I could take in the promise of spring in the air. I dropped in minor decorations from Sway Dench and a hanging mobile I picked up at Origami by gin Fhang.

Skin Fair opened at midnight and the sims were INSTANTLY jam packed. (Find all the details here.) You can find this gorgeous skin from Hart Larsson on Sim 1. As usual, he decorates the skin with a cateye liner and lovely lips and features, all hand-drawn and refined. And since Hart is a programmer himself, he managed to unlock every kind of major applier, including that for the Belleza body, so you can rest assured you are PXL top to bottom. My hair is one of Thora Charron’s newest, a lovely romantic look with a twisted lock that pulls to the back and beautiful waves, all with her clever texture-change HUD. And a branch of blossoms from Siestabril Nitely, also from Origami, completes the look and brings spring, finally, to my blog!

Hair: .LeLutka.Honor hair.M by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Skin: [PXL] Aeryn SK ~ Makeup 04 LEB C2 by Hart Larsson for [PXL], available at Skin Fair *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Deep by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples, available at The Men’s Dept.

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: The Annex – Spring Fling – Dress – Pink Floral byTheAnnex for The Annex, available at The Luck of the Irish *

Branch: SakuraAsobi-Shunmin-Hand by Siestabril Nitely for un Jour, available at Origami

Shoes: Poute Timber High Wedges by HauteCoutureDesign for Poute *

Poses by VestigeCreations for Vestige Poses *

Gazebo: {what next}Toscana Gazebo (with lights) by Winter Thorn for {what next} *

Décor:

• HEART – WILDFLOWERS – Buttercups and Daisies Display by Lilith Heart for Heart Garden Centre, available at FaMESHed
• Sway’s [Heart Birds] garden stake by Sway Dench for Sway’s *
• *:..Silvery K..:*tsurushi hina_TypeB(T) by gin fhang for Silvery K, available at Origami

In the Shape of a Heart

People speak of love don’t know what they’re thinking of
Reach out to each other though the push and shove
Speak in terms of a life and the learning
Try to think of a word for the burning

~ “In the Shape of a Heart” by Jackson Browne

Valentine’s Day is coming upon us so the explosion of love-themed events is not a huge surprise. Pink is a challenging color for me. It was never a favorite, even when I was a little girl, and I find it difficult to incorporate, so I am seizing the challenge for Valentine’s. I lucked out because Mariska Simons is coming out with this fabulous lingerie set at the With Love fair, one that comes with every applier imaginable (wrapped up nicely in an Omega hud) and has system layers. Mariska knows that in play, you want to have layers (remove the stockings, leave the panties or vice versa) and so she has given you every imaginable option in swapping out the pieces so you can wear it as you please. And what a confection of pink this set is. Worn with Tiffy Vella’s latest release, a set of pumps with a rose atop, it’s a lovely Valentine’s Day surprise for your lover.

With Kavar Cleanslate’s loose and lovely locks (with a most unlikely name—I don’t know any librarians with hair this sexy), I am lounging on a heart-shaped sofa from margotmuffen but with sexy poses from Olaenka Chesnokov, which she is featuring at the Burlesque event. (I hung Winter Thorn’s darling texture-change balloons from Love is in the Air to add some Valentine’s feeling to the scene.) Kavar has changed up and consolidated his hair colors into a larger selection per shade with the same tinting features in the HUD but more selection. Shyla Diggs is offering a set of gorgeous and romantic skins at the Love is in the Air event, this being one of them, perfect for wearing with lingerie or… without.

Hair: Exile::Librarian Chic by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available for Enchantment *

Skin: -Belleza- Mae SK 3 Br by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza, available at Love is in the Air *

Eyes: #adored – cloud eyes – midnight – a by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Lingerie: ~Blacklace~ Cotton Candy Pink Lace 14 by Mariska Simons for Blacklace, available at With Love Fair *

Earrings: (Kunglers Extra) Finrod earrings – Silver amethyst by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at L’Accessoires *

Shoes: Eclectica ‘Bella’ Platform Stiletto-plain fuscia by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Décor: {what next} Sweetheart Balloons Décor by Winter Thorn for for {what next}, available at Love is in the Air *

Sofa: striped mocha – heart sofa by margotmuffen for striped mocha

Poses: oOo adelaide by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo, available at Burlesque *

The Christmas Candle—KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 21

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away.
~Eva Logue

The glow of a candle is the warmest sight on a cold dark winter night. Here in the Northern hemisphere, we are coming on our longest night, so a warm light is doubly welcome. I have fun these beautiful holiday lanterns from Winter Thorn to shed light on the beautiful gift that Monica Outlander is giving in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar. With a mesh bodice that includes materials (hence the light reflecting off) and a great flexi prim skirt, it’s a piece of Miamai couture you can get as the gift for today!

My beautiful illuminated face is Umazuma Metaluna’s lovely gift to her group members. The skin includes teeth, which you can vaguely see behind the lips I added. I never like myself with teeth so I used one of her lipstick tattoos. The eyes are absolutely fabulous and she generously offers it with freckles and, as I show, without. I have one of Mirja Mills’ just-released up-dos she made for MVW, a gorgeous french braided number, just in time for the holidays. And Poulet Koenkamp crafted this spectactular hair piece and earrings for the holidays, which dresses up my look just perfectly, creating a sparkle in the evening darkness.

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ELES* with .:EMO-tions:. HAIRBASE 10 – straight autumn by Mirja Mills for.:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: [theSkinnery] Estelle – Christmas gift 1 (toffee) BB+H CL1 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery] *

Lipstick: [theSkinnery] Valerie Lip Intensity 4 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery] *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – light green by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Dress: Miamai_Taylor Emerald by Monica Outlander for Miamai, available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

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

Headpiece and earrings: :: PM :: Savannah Headpiece and Earrings by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations *

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – Set 192 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair *

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

Holiday Décor: {what next) ‘Gold’ Alpbach Tree Lanterns by Winter Thorn for {what next} *

• {what next} Gold Alpbach Tree Lantern (snowflake) – large
• {what next} Gold Alpbach Tree Lantern (snowy) – small
• {what next} Gold Alpbach Tree Lantern (starry) – large

Happy Halloween!

I had the lucky fortune of being asked to do photos for the SL splash page and Marketplace for Linden Lab. They chose two photos, and I think it’s only fair to give credit where credit is due on the great content I used to put them together.

Left witch:

*~*Damselfly*~*Jojo Rigged-Mesh Big Pack by Shylah Honey for Damselfly, available at the Body Modification Expo *

.::WoW Skins::. Aisha Tan 01 by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::., available at the Black Dot Event *

…:::Beautiful Dirty Rich:::… Candy Corn Witch Dress by Cameron Velinov for …:::Beautiful Dirty Rich:::…, available on Marketplace

 

Right witch:

*~*Damselfly*~*Tabby Rigged-Mesh Mixed by Shylah Honey for Damselfly *

[theSkinnery] Hazel – Pumpkin (toffee) DB CL1 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at Seasons Story *

Tameless Witchy Woman Outfit by Nita Bracken for Tameless, available on Marketplace

 

{what next} Bubbling Brew Cauldron by Winter Thorn for {what next}, available on Marketplace

 

Background taken at Garden of Dreams

 

Left sister:

*~*Damselfly*~*Brielle Rigged-Mesh Big Pack by Shylah Honey for Damselfly, available at the Vintage & Cool Fair *

.::WoW Skins::. Aisha Tan by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::., available at the Black Dot Event *

IKON ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Aspen by Ikon Innovia for IKON

.::DD::. Nevermore! by Kiddo Oh for Dead Dolls, available on Marketplace

 

Right sister:

AD – k’leesish – light browns by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog, available at Mystic Realms Faire *

:: PM :: Creatura Headpiece – Halloween Special by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon, available on Marketplace

-Belleza- Mae Med 2 Bl by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza-, available at the Vintage & Cool Fair *

.ID. Portrait Eyes / Blue by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

NS::  Witch Costume (mesh) by Nani Soulstar for  NS:: Cutie Store, available on Marketplace

.:* LOULOU&CO *:. – Choker ::TANGO :: V.1 by Lolly Carlberg for .:* LOULOU&CO *:.

 

Poses: Familiar Pose by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo, available at Pose Me Amazing *

 

Background taken at Bentham Forest