I am going to start dating my posts because I'm tapped out of ideas lately

I hope everyone who celebrates the Christmas holiday had a safe and happy one.  I live in a cold climate and as I get older I have really come to love the beauty of winter.  The Trace at The Celestial Realm is the most gorgeously landscaped sim and it has become a favorite place for photos (you can even rez there!).

I was excited to get out of red/green clothes; it's not really a favorite combination for me, probably because my schoolteacher mother is the most festive person on the planet and had outfits and various regalia for just about any holiday. Even in SL I tend to grab black so lately I've tried to be more expansive and I'm liking the results. Azure Electricteeth of Tee*fy is someone who really knows her colors and I love the combinations she is offering at this months Collabor88.

Speaking of Collabor88, Miss Cory Edo has recently put her December release for the event out for sale and it is nothing short of a STEAL at L$ 88.  This seems to be some kind of penitence she is forcing upon herself for not being on time for once in her life as she is such a consistent and high quality creator. The Willoughby Lakehouse is a gorgeous farmhouse with touches of Gothic Revival to give it special character. It comes in 2 different colors; I'm showing the "warm" version here as I love the trim combination.

The home includes a snow add-on for the roof (that I forgot to put on) and has a control system for lighting, windows and doors.  It weighs on with a LI of 119 (10 more if you remember to add the snow).  I am a sucker for houses (though I spend my time on a platform) and this one is a definite keeper.

Credits:
Hair: Truth: Ainsley: New Release
Skin: Glam Affair: Mokatana Petal (Happy Xmas) - New Group Gift
Shirt: Tee*fy: Elan Wool Vest Shirt - mint/grey - available at Collabor88
Skirt: Tee*fy: Edela Buttoned Skirt - knitted grey - available at Collabor88
Hands: Slink: Avatar Enhancement Hands - elegant
Stockings: Izzie's: Overknee Socks - aqua
Boots: Maitreya: Stagioni Boots - artichoke: New Release (group exclusive color @ discount!)
Deer: The Secret Store: My Lil Fawn - Toffee - FREE at The Inspiration Point Hunt: the best hunt ever!
Home: Trompe Loeil: Willoughby Lakehouse - "warm": New Release at Collabor88

Snowy Solstice

Hi everyone!  So many great new releases that I need to chat about.  I dragged my pal SigiFaust over to Beetlebones to play Suetabulous' newest gachas, Artic Friends.  Insanely cheap at 50 L per play, two machines are stuffed with adorable animated animals and avatars.  These amazing creatures transform based on your animation (e.g. standing, sitting).  They are not rezzable but the prizes come in these little domes and you can edit and remove the dome if you want a rezzable version: 2 prizes in 1!  Maybe I was lucky yesterday (I wish) but I won quite a few rares.

I'm really excited about the new subscriber gift at ieQED.  The unisex Antler Paudrons have been specially textured textured in a candy cane version and include both red and green bases (they are so vivid under normal light settings).  You can also pick them up in the ieQED inworld group that is free to join until January 5, 2014.  Group benefits include 10% store credit for all in-store purchases (possibly some events) as well as 50 L store credit/monthly (coming soon) and exclusive group sales.  Wasabi Pills has been cranking out new releases again and I love the new Casey hair for a nice off-the-shoulder flowy look.  Maitreya also has new releases and I love sales and could not resist the new Stagioni Boots in the group exclusive Artichoke texture (at a reduced cost, yay)!
Credits:
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Casey:  Rye - New Release!
Skin: Glam Affair: Mokatana skin:America 03 w/ lip gloss 02 (included): available @ Collabor88
Paudrons: ieQED: antler.pauldron.candy.cane: available in red and green: NEW subscriber gift, also in ieQED group archives.
Coat: u.f.o.: Nerd Duffle Coat - Red: originally released for Geeks'n'Nerds
Skirt: Coco: Pleated Mini Skirt - TartanRed
Socks: Maitreya: Dahlia Socks - Magnolia: New Release!
Boots: Maitreya: Stagioni Boots: Artichoke: New Release: Group Exclusive Color at Discount!
Owl: Beetlebones: Artic Friends: Snow Owl (rare): Gacha, 50 L per play
Poses: !Bang

Let's Give it up for Santa!

Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be oh so good
If you'd check off my Christmas list 

 (Santa Baby, J. Javits, P. Springer)

Santa looks like I'm full of it, which I usually am. Call me the Christmas Queen cuz there is a plethora, a cornucopia o' holiday themed items all over the grid right now.  Absolutely no reason to not be festive, so shape up and cheer up!  Read the credits below for item information so that I don't end up being too wordy here.

Credits: 
Sleigh: Trompe Loeil: Holiday 2013 Couples Sled: Available in Dark (shown here) and Light (white w/blue embellishments). 18 LI Includes several snugly and adjustable couples sits for your daily dose of holiday spooning: Available at The Garden @ The Liaison Collaborative.
Santa: !! Follow US !!: Christmas '13 Santa Claus: Truth in reporting here. This very grumpy but cute santa is a mesh item that includes a sleigh and a bunch of presents around him. All uploaded as a single object with a super low LI of 7.  I just wanted Santa and so I ended up derendering everything but him and a bag, which was tons of fun since my horrible graphics card causes me to crash with nearly every photo I take.  Follow US has a ton of adorable, inexpensive items on the Marketplace, but I recommend if you just want the santa don't be as miserly as me and spend a few Lindens more on the Santa with just the bag.
Dress: The Secret Store: Sarah Dress Coat - Carmine: available at Collabor88
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Sally - Golden: available at FaMESHed: cute hair bow is texture change via HUD
Skin: Glam Affair: Mokatana skin - America 03: available at Collabor88
Eyes: IKON: Destiny Eyes: Clarity
Hands: Slink: AvEnhance Hands: one Pointed and one Elegant
Stockings: Cannibelle: Spot of Winter Tights - Brown (from Darks pack): Slink Appliers included.  A slew of cute new releases at the store, all very reasonably priced!
Shoes: ieQED: Gerda flat for Slink Flat Feet: available at The Seraphim Social. Mesh, materials ready. These shoes are really quite splendid with painstaking texture details, including scuff marks on the bottom and little nails that attach the heel to the sole, as they would have been in the days of Hans Christian Andersen. I just kept crashing and couldn't take it anymore
Feet: Slink: AvEnhance Feet Female Flat
Poses: Imeka: from the Katie set: available at Collabor88

Catching Up

I'm so far behind on posts and there is so much to show! There are some sales that cannot be missed, like the Winter Sale at Coco that ends December 15.  Everything is half off and so I went big spender! The Men's Department, where everything there is original work, is in full swing. And Wasabi Pills has recently done 3 completely awesome hairs which I must show off.  Kira from Arcade is probably one of my all time favs from Wasabi creator, MissAllSunday Lemon. I'm a little obsessed with the widow's peak. Lastly, HANDverk creator Daphne Klossovsky has up and rebranded her work to ieQED and is working under her favorite avatar, SigiFaust.  Her HANDverk items are now being added to The Marketplace, but be sure to keep following her creations on ieQED!

Credits:
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Kira - Golden: gacha available at The Arcade
Skin: Glam Affair: Vera - last week's FLF item (LOVE)
Eyes: IKON: Destiny Eyes - Clarity
Necklace: HANDverk: Strand Necklace - manic maize
Sweater: NERD.P: Sweater 006 - 01 (mens size S for a cute boyfriend look): available at The Men's Dept.
Purse: Indy&Co: The Ireben Carry-all
Pants: Coco: Tapered Pants - black: HURRY for 50% off!
Shoes: Coco: Ankle Boots - black: HURRY again!

Wish You a Manly Christmas

So, we are celebrating Christmas at my brother's house this year. My brother, Dean, is a big imposing Harley guy with the heart of a marshmallow. Generally there would be a motorcycle in the middle of the living room, but he has a new house so I'm sharing a mental image of what I hope it looks like.  Sometimes men need cozy, too.

Credits:
From The Men's Dept.:
Aria: Hiver sideboard cabinet: Touch options include texture change (color and stencil) and shadow effect
22769 ~ [bauwerk]:  Barrel Chair Green: available in green, red and blue. Includes 10 adjustable poses (animated and static)
From The Arcade: 
Trompe Loeil: Advent Calendar 2013: The tree calender itself is free to all.  Plays are only 25 L for a variety of adorable items.  The items I have rezzed include (left to right): Tree Candleholder, Branch Wreath, Dashing Through The Snow Chalkboard, Recycled Wood Photo Frame, Snowflake Pillow Bunch with animations (Seats 2, eight couples animations). Just rez the keys near the advent tree and the corresponding door opens and delivers the actual item.  The items are exquisite and it's kind of fun to see the door pop open with a mini replica of each item.
From FaMESHed:
Trompe Loeil: Holiday 2013 Hearth: available in 3 wood finishes and touch on/off fire; Holiday Couch: PG and Adult versions with 9 touch controlled color/pattern sofa fabric options and 8 pillow fabric options. About a zillion animated poses; 2013 Holiday Tree: available in 6 colors; each set includes 6 versions; perfect inside or outdoors.
Misc:
Barnesworth Anubis: fancy pet feeder - KittyCats advent 2013: gift 1 of 25 lovely free gifts.  If you miss a day you can come back and get!  The KittyCat folks do such a lovely job with this event.
EmmePose: little grey kitty: attachable mesh prop from Meow pose reopening gift: TY TY
POST: Retro Coffee Table
Apple Fall: Chinese Takeout: old group gift
Sari-Sari: Weihnachtsteller: part of 4 Walls Hunt: 20L
Silent Sparrow: Rudolph Penant: free gift in store with the unmistakable artwork of hyasynth Tiramisu
Lisp: Assorted Gift Boxes: Transferable, but I could not bear to part with them!

Lindens Go Poof

Wow! Has this been an expensive weekend in SL. The Geeks'n'Nerds event is still on, the Arcade has opened, there were 10 billion Black Friday sales but it's been fun.  My outfit is an amalgamation of those two events plus other purchase from my 5 day shopping binge.

Credits:

From Geeks'n'Nerds:
Glasses: Ison: Pegley Glasses
Slink Nail Appliers: elephante poses: Once Upon a Dream
Poses: bbqq: from the Believe Set
From The Arcade:
Coat: Elate: Willow Coat: Solid Burnt Orange
Hair: Clawtooth: Closer: Coco
Necklace: Katatonik: Carousel Necklace: Sunny
Purse: Coco Animal Clutch: Dochi: Glitter Rare
Boots: Sleepy Eddy: Engineer Boots: Camel
Other:
Skin: Essences: Dyana: from last week FLF
Shirt: Pig: Dollinger Tank
Skirt: Maitreya: Leather Mini Skirt: Eden
Stockings: Izzies: Overknee Socks (incl. Slink Appliers): New Release

Birding

A few more of my favorite designers from Geeks'n'Nerds as well as Shoetopia.  Shoetopia ends in a few days and right now it really is shoe heaven.  The crowds are gone and you can shop in comfort.  It really is a wonderful showcase and the build is fantastic.  Slink is introducing their new Av Enhance High Feet and has included some new shoe releases as well.  This is a great foot for uber sexy shoes and I cannot wait to see what she will release next.  Two designers that have reappeared on the scene recently are Sienia Trevellion from Lark and Fae Eriksen from Fishy Strawberry.  I have been a follower of each for years and basically rush to get my hands on any new releases from each.  Super talented women who do not cut corners.

Credits:
From Geeks'n'Nerds: 
Outfit: Fishy Strawberry: 3 wonderful separates - Bookworm Mesh Cardigan, Ivy League Tops and Freshman Skirts. Each comes in a wide choice of colors and tartans so you can mix and match.  Fatpacks are discounted which makes having to make hard decisions less painful
Glasses: ISON: Pegley Glasses - Tortoise
Furniture Set: Lark: Bird Nerd - quite a unique set of nerdworld are these folks!  My husband was a huge big bird fan.  You can purchase this set as a full set or if you prefer in 7 individual pieces.  Shadows have not been baked into the desk so it presents naturally.
Blocks: floorplan: Winter is Coming: fun accessory!
Handheld Game Console: c( TC ) : Yes, my favorite Pokemon are the Flying type. This little system comes in many colors and can be held or rezzed. It has a menu for a game as well as an animation that plays when you wear it
Pose: Elephante Poses: from the Dream Pack - includes wand and sparkly dust
From Shoetopia:
Slink: AvEnhance Feet Female High: Rigged Mesh in Standard Sizes. Easy to use and fully functional HUD for self tinting or skin and stocking appliers.
Boots: Slink Demi Boots - Chocolate: These are add-ons exclusively for the Slink HIGH feet.  Includes HUD to show or hide toecap.
Other:
Horsie: HANDverk: Carousel Horse: Ceramic Unicorn (rare) stretched and sized huge for a sneak preview for The Arcade December 2013!
This will be the last new release under the HANDverk brand, which has become ieQED.
Hair: LeLutka: Helen - Praline

Geeks'n'Nerds: I Qualify

So, I've had fun thinking about what qualifies me as a geek or nerd.  I'm generally not one to overshare but I got to thinking about my obsession with gas pumps in SL.  If I see one, it must be mine.  In RL I'm not a car aficionado but there is just something about them that pleases me here.  Quite a few of my friends have asked me...like..."Eden, why do you have a gas pump in your house?" and I have no explanation they could understand.  It's just one of those things.

The Geeks'n'Nerds Fair is simply, fun.  It's lighthearted and makes me laugh at our human condition.  Plus the offerings are A++.  These are a few of my favorite finds!

Credits:
From Geeks'n'Nerds:
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Maya: LOVE!
Shirtdress: Ison: Embossed Sweater: awesomely comes with a hud that allows you to change the texture of the blouse underneath!
Poses: Sari-Sari: I <3 Books: very clever and a darling set
From Shoetopia:
Boom: Fair Isle Wool Mukluks: Gacha Machine!
From My Attic:
Skin: Idiosyncrasy: Natasha II: It's Cold Outside!: Dood, Awesome skin that comes with every applier known to man for less than 100 L.  Love it, Ash <3
Others:
Turkey: *UI*: Wearable White Turkey: he talks but you can shut him up which makes his company much more agreeable.  My new bff.  Free in The Jerky Turkey Hunt: TY to Virtual Vagabond for the tip!!!
Gas Pumps: from the collection (left to right)
FMA: GAS POMP max: store now gone :(
Organica: Broken Gas Pump
BERDAV Marine: PRIMOIL Fuel Pump DIESEL: Free! TY again to Virtual Vagabond for satiating my fetish.
ILO: Gas Heater: from a gacha!
Vignette: 1920's Gas Pump: everything here is free!
POST: Rural Gas Tank

Studious

Hey all.  I apologize for getting so behind on blogging; this has been one of the most trying weeks I've had in a long, long time on top of my continual struggles with my lame graphics card.  I now have strange objects, like big blue squares showing up in my photos, leaving me to take photo after photo until I finally get one without.  The two events at the top of my must-see list are Shoetopia 2013 and starting today, the Geeks'n'Nerds Fair.  Shoetopia is in it's second week and runs to November 30. Geeks'n'Nerds is a hugely fun event organized by Sash Arabello and Inka Mexicola that runs through December 7. It is full of witty, nerdy and goofy goodness.

I gave some thought to what qualifies me to blog stuff of nerdish character and my list is long.  For one, I am fairly oblivious to the "social" aspect of Second Life, preferring to adore people's creations and understanding their creative process.  In RL I am guilty of being a rabid fan of Pokemon and have been playing since the game was created.  I think that makes me more of a dweeb than a nerd :)

Credits:
From Shoetopia:
GOS: Dita from the Bordello Collection: Nerds can be incredibly sexy. Premiering at Shoetopia.
From Geeks'n'Nerds:
Dress: Orion: Sash Dress - Argyle.  Perfectly preppy yet body hugging.
Glasses: 22769: Nerd Glasses - repaired: everyone needs them.  I've been looking for a good replacement for my old textured ones forever!
Nerd set: Collage: literally! awesome detailing and shading
Shelf: Collage: Flower Power Shelf: Here we go!
Rugs: Collage: 8 Bit Ruglets - adorable
Pose: photo 1: Double Take: from the Neon pose set: ossum action poses!
Other:
Cabinet: junk: Milo Cabinet - Dotty
Chair: Di's Opera: Seated  - Mus: in-store gacha.  <3!
Hair: LeLutka: Serena
Ring: ieQED: araw ring - red: large set of special colors of red or blue currently available at Typhoon Haiyan Fundraiser

Shoetopia 2013: Let's Talk about Shoes!

OMG, It's almost here and I am so excited.  I have been dreaming of shoes for months now as one of the committee members of Shoetopia 2013 and I can promise that you will not be disappointed. It's been a few years since we've had a shoe fair of this proportions and so much has changed. Mesh was in it's infancy, Slink feet were in their 1st generation and none of us tossed around the words "applier" and "add-on" like we do these days, we had not been blessed with Gos' genius skin matching and color+ systems.  Shoetopia is going to spoil and thrill you.

I'm not going to go into a huge description of the event as photos and maps are on the offiicial Shoetopia 2013 blog, so let me give you the skinny:  Shoetopia is composed of 2 sims (both equally amazing).   The layout is in a circle with landing point in the middle as well as sponsor stores. To the left and right of the landing point are gacha machines that are full of tons of things from a variety of top designers. On the edges of the circle are all the other shoe booths.  The two sims connect by a walkway.

The adorable T-straps are a new release from League and are made for Slink Medium Feet.  Incidentally, they can be sized down to fix your SL feet but the fit will not be perfect.  They also include a hud to change the metal textures.  I'm also showing a few of the gacha items from Shoetopia and darling new releases from coldLogic and Wasabi Pills.

Credits:
Shoes: League: Vintage T-Bar Pumps for Slink Medium Feet: New Release for Shoetopia
Chairs: junk.: juju chair sample: gacha items at Shoetopia (the chairs do not have all the same poses!)
Dress: coldLogic: Golding Coat: New Release (includes optional shirt and skirt layers)
Stockings: Miamai: Ombre Stockings: gacha item at Shoetopia (Slink appliers included)
Nails: MaVie: LesVernis nail appliers: gacha item at Shoetopia (items for both hands and feet)
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Mila Hair: New Release

Serious Moonlight

If you say run, I'll run with you

If you say hide, we'll hide

Because my love for you

Would break my heart in two

I was yearning to create a quiet, romantic scene ever since I saw Trompe Loeil's Skarstind Patio, that is included as part of this massive cottage pack which is at Collabor88 right now for a ridiculously low price.  It includes the world, so no debate on this buy.  I've decorated it with a collection of items from Collabor88, The Men's Department, We <3 Role-Play and a few old favorites.  Details and locations in Credits.  PS. I miss you, honey.

Credits:

Patio: Trompe Loeil: Skarstind Patio: currently available @ Collabor88 as part of the Skarstind Modular Cottage Pack

Chair (front left): Trompe Loeil: Industrial Lounger: currently available @ Collabor88 in a pack of 15 colours

Chest (left): Culprit: Old Chest Crackle: currently available at The Men's Department

Candle: Funky Junk

Lillies: POST

Chair: (rear left): .encore. President's Chair: currently available at The Men's Department

Bust: Culprit: Dragon with the Girl Tattoo: currently available at The Men's Department

Backpack: Zenith: Rammus Leather Backpack Open: currently available at The Men's Department

Speakers: floorplan.: drive-in speakers: currently available at The Men's Department

Screen: POST: Prouve Dressing Screen

Daybed: 11th Hour: Noir Daybed - Adult: currently available at The Men's Department

Tea Set: Two Cats One Cup: Tilting Tea Server - Pumpkin: available at We <3 Role-Play

Lighting: Trompe Loeil: Industrial Chandelier Tall: currently available @ Collabor88

Rug: *MMG: Mesh Rug [A-#2]: I think it was free or super cheap!

Pale

New events! New stuff! The competition for your Lindens is so fierce these days.  I should just purge my inventory every six months because it just keeps getting better. 

Credits:

Hair: Wasabi Pills: Rene - Rye: New Release currently at FaMESHED

Paudrons: ieQED: Dragon Paudron - Platinum Black: New Release currently discounted at We <3 Role-Play (available in 4 metals w/solid & contrasting versions)

Dress: !RAWR.R: Vintage Belle - White: Exclusive Subscriber Gift (3 colors included) This is the new brand for DahliaJames GossipGirl who owned Doux Couture - so nice to see you back!

Boots: Beetlebones: Fowler Laced-Up Boots - Bone: New Release currently at Collabor88

Catfish

You hang around the internet for too long and it happens to you...or are you the perp? New starting tomorrow at The Men's Department, ieQED offers Real Eyes realize Real Lies in chain or ring version in different metals at a discount so significant that they are easy to gift to your favorite impostor.  ieQED is a kind of new brand; Daphne Klossovsky of HANDverk has re-branded into ieQED and is using a different avatar for the brand, but those of you that have followed HANDverk can continue to rely on the same exceptional quality and originality with ieQED.

Also debuting at The Men's Department are S O R G O's new IDGAF glasses in wood or golds.

Credits:
Neckchain: ieQED: Real Eyes realize Real Lies: new release available this month @ The Men's Dept.
Glasses: SORGO: IDGAF sunglasses -Gold version: available this month @ The Men's Dept.
Hair: ISON: Heidi
Tank: Eater's Coma: Slashed Tank - nude
Jeans: ISON: Coated Denim - gray

I should be out raking, really.

Qopi says I talk to much in my posts so brevity is the word for the day. Lot's of gorgeous new releases from designers I love!

Credits:
Drift: Cold Shoulder Dress: new release (so cozy and versatile)
Ison: Lace-Up Gladiator Sandals for Slink Med Feet: new release @ Collabor88 (badass)
Stockings: Izzies: Thigh High Knit Socks (incl. Slink applier)
Necklace: Bliensen + MaiTai: Time Loop Necklace: new release
Hair: Elikatira: Brenna: new release (YAY)
Skin: Izzies: Lucie - Pumpkin Pie: new release @ TDR Fusion
House: Trompe Loeil: Autumn Cottage: new release @ Collabor88 (cutest house ever!)
Garage: POST: Hurley Rural Garage: new release (was for The Neighborhood last week - if Post has something new I will be there!)
Walkway: Barnesworth Anubis: Flagstone Pavers
Mailbox: +sanctuaire+: Siouxie Mailbox
Pumpkin / Cornstalks: Deco
Wheelbarrow: Hayana

Apples in Autumn

Hi!! This post literally took me 3 days to finish due to continual crashing when I tried to take photos. I really need a new graphics card.  Autumn is my favorite season, a time when we return to our normal routines, which I find particularly comforting.  I'm also crazy about anything that looks vintage Halloween.  The season and the holiday just go together. I could not imagine Halloween in April, ya know?

Trompe Loeil's Apple Cart release for October's The Garden at The Liaison Collaborative round made me smile. I live in an area of Michigan that is on a high glacial ridge and is perfect for orchards.  Leave the city and within minutes you are in a rolling countryside rife with farm stands, hay rides, corn mazes set against a backdrop of changing leaves. Some of the markets are massive but you can still find Ma & Pa farms with small stands like Trompe's that work on the trust system where you buy your goods and put your money in a bucket.  It hearkens back to simpler, non-electronic days. The Apple Cart is actually quite a complex product: you can simply rez it and have a cute photo prop but it also comes with all it's individual components, including an empty stand that can be used as a stall for any kind of event you choose.  The hand drawn sign has 4 messages plus a blank so you can use your own signage.  The trim and body are separately tintable for your own color options. It's a must have.  Seraphim Social is hosting it's Book Club sales event and for the next week or so you can pick up some lovely items inspired by Neil Gaiman’s Coraline.  A popular meme are the buttons that the ghost children who had them sewn in as eyes. Atelier Visconti released the sweet Other Chair for the event. The chair, which is color change through a HUD, has both individual and couples poses, all adjustable.  The assorted vintage buckets are from my collection of both old and new pieces, including years of Schadenfreude's annual Halloween Bucket (alas none this year!) and Lark's perfect buckets for Candy Fair, which is ending today.

My skin is an exclusive version of PXL's new Jade skin. I love it and it was fun to wear dark hair on Eden for a change.  I wanted to get a decent shot of one of Bliensen+MaiTai's new nail appliers for Slink Avatar Enhancement hands and feet.  Brilliant and so unique they are only one of several awesome new releases for this month's Genre event which features a Steampunk theme. Nothing is over 100 L at Genre and I see many creators there that I don't normally see at other events. I've become a huge fan.  Lastly and I shut up, Wasabi Pills Stella hair for the Wizarding Fair is charming.  If you wish you can unlink the front braid, though I find it makes the hair!

Credits:
Cart: Trompe Loeil: Apple Cart: currently available at The Garden at The Liaison Collaborative
Chair: Atelier Visconti: Other Chair: currently available at The Seraphim Social Club
Halloween Buckets: older Schadenfreude buckets and awesome new buckets from Lark at Candy Fair
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Stella: currently available at The Wizarding Fair
Jacket: ISON: Leather Asymmetrical Jacket: currently available at Collabor88
Pants: TokiD: Rolled Chinos
Shoes: Bliensen + MaiTai: Industrial Revolution - brown: currently available at Genre
Skin: PXL: Jade PA: Halloween Group Gift (join fee required)
Nail Appliers: Bliensen + Mai Tai: Slink Nail Applier HUD: Industrial: currently available at Genre
Eyes: IKON: Destiny Eyes: Clarity
Balloons and the word HAPPY on the Apple Cart: Boogers for the Havenhollow event: free!
Hands & Feet: Slink: Avatar Enhancement Hands and Medium Feet

Collabor88: Bye Bye Lindens

Like every other budget-wise fashionista in Second Life, I adore Collabor88.  Lately, the collections have been simply outstanding and it becomes a true effort on my part to decide what to purchase and what I must live without.  It's not that I don't have clothes; my 100+ K inventory is a testament to that.  It's just that everything is so stinking well made and thus I would be a fool to wait and purchase it later at a higher price, and so my logic goes.  I must look good while hiding out on my platform!

R2 gets the win for the totally impractical but oh, so sexy kagaya bodysuit.  Mesh is nearly impossible to layer unless you have pieces from a set, but it reminded me of the skimpy clothing worn by the woman in the iconic Annie Lebovitz portrait of James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, that woman with the legs that went on forever, thus I had to have it.  I should have bought the nude but I love black.  Gos introduced his new Isabella sandals at Collab and of course I had to get the 3 pack.  I love his shoes but they do take a bite out of the wallet and it's like 3 pairs for the price of 3.

I was and am a HUGE Sopranos fan and this photo is etched in my brain.

Clawtooth made me drool with his new Windswept hair, also new at Collabor88. I've been following Bubbles since he started and this style reminds me of one of his first, Lola's Big Date.  It was very glamorous and this one is even more so, with a few air-brushed layers that gives it a nice sense of depth. He also makes some of the best reds on the grid and I pretty much favor them over my usual blonde.  Glam Affair is selling even more skins that I cannot live without, especially as I am a sucker for a smokey eye.  Lastly, not at Collab but special right now are HANDverk's Lion's Tail necklaces that are at a steep discount at We <3 Roleplay.  Sales are your friend!

Credits:
At Collabor88:
Bodysuit: R2: kagaya - black
Shoes: GOS: Isabella sandals
Skin: Glam Affair: Neva - Arctic 02b
Hair: Clawtooth: Windswept - Strawberry Cream

At Other places of awesomeness:
Necklace: HANDverk: Lion's Tail Necklace - bright: discounted at We <3 RP event (50% off)
Cupid Motel: 7 Emporium: was at a recent FaMESHED and being a sucker for roadside Americana I bought at first sight with my awesome Linden shooting trigger finger. Now at the mainstore.
Hands: Slink: Mesh Hands - Elegant

Greetings from Charlevoix

I live in Michigan, which gets a really bad rap because our economy, which has been over-reliant on the auto industry, has really suffered.  However, I grew up on the west side of the state, i.e. not Detroit, less than a mile from Lake Michigan.  It is idyllic most of the year though the weather can be harsh.  There are so many great decor items and some can be had for a song.  The Nest has 18 items to be found as well as a few new dollarbies from floorplan.  All you need to add is imagination.

Credits:
From The Nest's Halloween Hunt:
Piano: +sanctuaire+ : Reclaimed Piano Bookcase - Gypsy
Hand Chair: [ Organica ]: Caress Hand Chair (red) - one of 3 colors
Cabinet: [Noble]: Harvest Time Cabinet
Chair: Cleo Design: Mystery Chair
Owl: Thistle: Owl Ceramic Biggie (cm)
Lanterns: Sway's: Paper Lantern [lampion] candy corn / string
Bowl: (on top of piano): Cleo Design: Halloween Candy Apples
Crate of Pumpkins: 11th Hour: Pumpkin Storage Crate

Other: 
Wine Bottles: floorplan: pumpklin bottles and ghost bottles - 1 L each
Plate: floorplan: nevermore plate - 1 L each
Shed: POST: Toimi Pole Shed
Star Light: POST: Ely Roadside Star
Wagon: artilleri : Old wagon (with pumpkins)
Tall bucket of Apples: artilleri
Spigot / small bucket of apples: POST: Old Spigot with Apple Bucket
Hay Bales: Botanical: Rectangle Hay Bale
Crates: 7: Lab Crates
Pumpkin Planter: 11th Hour: @ The Fantasy Gacha Carnival
Sign: 7: Portable Marquee @ The Men's Department
Bench: POST: Nisswa Pine Bench
Table: Lark: Dessert Table
Tins: vespertine: cookie tin/butter cookies
Apple Juice: vespertine- apple juice basket
Birch Trees: Deco
Conifers: Tree House Designs

The Men's Department: Talk Nerdeh to Me

The October round of The Men's Department (TMD) opens Saturday!  The event will be even bigger beginning this month with 40 participating designers, all who use original content. Most of the decor and some of the things I am wearing are new items for The Men's Department.  My cute bloomers aren't from TMD (bummer, right) but another cute item I got at The Fantasy Gacha Carnival.  They are from Yasum and the bracers and the bloomer itself are separate items available in all sizes so you can get the right fit for your avatar.  The Jade hair from Wasabi Pills includes a hud to change the headband color and is available at this month's FaMESHed round.  It's a really fun mid-length style.

I absolutely fell in love with Sorgo's Steam glasses which are available in Wood/Earth/Black (gold) colors at The Men's Department.  The glasses include both sunglass and regular lenses.  Also, if you find you cannot get enough of them, there are a white pair available at the main store in LIMITED quantities so I will include a link to the store as well in credits.  Ispachi item for TMD are the brilliant Attero Headphones and Music Player.  The set includes 3 versions: Head, Neck and Hand attachments as well as a fully integrated HUD that controls the color, size, and shine control.  The Headphones come in 15 base colors and 8 metal textures, as does the Music Player, which also has 8 LED options.  Sweet.  Deco has some badass Duck boots at TMD.  They come in 3 different colors and include both small and large sizes.

There are also some fantastic decor items at October's TMD.  Culprit's Leather Wingback chair is lush with it's aged leather effect so that it looks like it's been a well loved reading chair.  It includes animations for both genders (and no, this is not a lady animation).  Eleventh Hour's Hinge Shelf is a great set of shelves held on each end by ladder scaffolding for a nice industrial effect for any decor. The large photo space can be edited to hold your own photos but I kinda like the photo of River Stromfield.  Cheeky Pea's Driftwood Silhouettes just make me LOL, with iconic cutouts of Bigfoot, Nessy, a shark and a platypus, perfect for all the big, tough burlymen of SL.  Floorplan's funny Mustache Marquee let's you chose between 9 different color choices, some with various levels of aged effect for a nice vintage feel.  I can't wait to see what else is there when it opens Saturday, October 5.

Credits:
The Men's Dept:
Glasses: Sorgo: Steam Glasses - black gold
Headphones: Ispachi: Attero Vintage Futuristic Headphones
Boots: Deco: Legends: Duck Boots - Dirt
Floor Shelving: Eleventh Hour: Hinge Shelf
Cut-Outs: Cheeky Pea: Driftwood Silhouettes
Mustache: Floorplan: Mustache Marquee
The Fantasy Gacha Carnival:
Bloomers: Yasum: Babes Romper - #1
Planter: Eleventh Hour: Pumpkin Planter
FaMESHed:
Wasabi Pills: Jade Hair - Golden
Other:
Skin: LAQ: Ebba - Fair
Large Bookshelf: Lark -  Imaginarium Librarium - Sage (Sept Arcade)
Side Table and Misc Library Decor: Post
Hanging Bulbs: 7
Lamp: Artilleri - Tampa Table Lamp
Ladder: we're CLOSED: old Ladder dark (Group Gift!)

Sneak Peek: Fantasy Gacha Carnival

The second round of The Fantasy Gacha Carnival begins on October 1st.  There will be over 80 different gacha machines and most of the items are items perfect for role play.  I spent a lot of time playing Junbug's lovely The Queen Set  (14 items) which was L$ 75 per play.  All the pieces are original mesh content and spectacular.  Tomorrow, something skimpy!

Credits:
Gown: Junbug: The Queen Gown - Night (Rare) includes all Standard Sizes - available beginning October 1 at The Fantasy Gacha Carnival
Collar: Junbug: The Queen's Ruff Collar - Rosey (Common) - resizable - available beginning October 1 at The Fantasy Gacha Carnival
Parasol: Junbug: The Queen's Parasol (Ultra Rare) - available beginning October 1 at The Fantasy Gacha Carnival
Hair: D!va: Giz - Type A Cat's Eye: available at The Arcade through 9/30
Skin: Belleza: Delany

Fly Girl

Oh joy and happiness!  Plurabelle Laszlo of Bliensen + MaiTai has hit it out of the ballpark with her adorable releases for A Clockwork Spiral, a steampunk themed event that ends today! Run and get these things! The event is a charity event for the National Kidney Foundation. Designers offer select items with a percentage going for the charity. The items may be sold at the designer's mainstore and Marketplace at their discretion. The hair and shoes I am wearing are both from Bliensen + MaiTai.  The adorable, must-have shoes are made for Slink's medium feet and come in many colors. The brown's are a 50% donation to the charity.

The clothes and jewelry I am wearing are from the My Attic event that just started it's Flowers in My Attic round. This round runs until September 30 and every item is only $L 95.  There are some incredible selections this round and I pretty much bought it out.  Ironically, besides the cute ring from Epoque nothing I am wearing in these shots has flowers!  I loved Emery's Safari Shirt and Striped Skirt. They are both impeccably made and the shirt comes in both a tucked in and longer version.  I really appreciate those kinds of features and play a big influence in my purchasing decisions.  The peplum from Tee*fy is an older Collabor88 item and I've used it over and over again with several looks.  My Kaelyn skin is from Izzie's and was for last month's Collabor88.  Izzie Button included Slink skin applier's with the skin and I was all over that like a fly on stink!  I shop a lot and I've learned to be smart about it...because I hate tinting for all the various windlights.

Credits:
Hair: Bliensen + MaiTai: Diesel Hair - Aeronaut Carmel, bases included - available the rest of the day at A Clockwork Spiral and then at the mainstore
Shoes: Bliensen + MaiTai: Avaitrice: Shoes for Slink Med. feet - Brown are 50% donation to National Kidney Association - available the rest of the day at A Clockwork Spiral and then at the mainstore
Skin: Izzie's: Kaelyn 20's skin - Fire Lips
Shirt: Emery: Safari Shirt - Norbert Black: available at My Attic through September 30
Skirt: Emery: Striped Skirt - Ludwig Cake: available at My Attic through September 30
Peplum: Tee*fy:  Thick Peplum Belt Add-on - Black
Ring: Epoque: Metal Petal Ring: Gold / Obsidion: available at My Attic through September 30
Airplane: Lindy Premium Airplane: SL Premium member gift (yes, it flies)
Shed and Ely Roadside Star: POST
Trees: Deco

Girl Friday

One of my all time favorite looks is the ingenue look from around the 1950s.  That was before my time but I used to love those old romance movies where the new to the big city girl is "seduced" by some more sophisticated man.  Now I sneer at the sexism of those films but I recall daydreaming about moving to a large city and living at the Barbizon Hotel. It's still one of my favorite looks to put together in SL though mesh layers aren't always cooperative with that (thank god for those times when a larger size coat works!).  Tomorrow I might be wearing a phatazz, but today you can call me Miss Priss.

Credits:
Coat: ISON: Oversized Wool Coat: currently at Collabor88
Dress: Baby Monkey: Pilar: HUD driven color change: New group gift
Shoes: GOS: Peeptoe Pumps - Black Satin
Purse: The Secret Store: Girly Briefcase - Cherry (not mesh but still ridiculously cute)
Necklace: HANDverk: Mucha Necklace - Silver
Hair: LeLutka: Dulcina - Praline
Skin: Glam Affair: Katya - Europa 03
Lips: Pink Fuel: Elly Glam Lipstick - Vamp

DU, too!

Comp is giving me fits today but nonetheless I must carry on!  More cuteness from Designers United.  The dress is from B.C.C., called Jewelry Raindrop dress so of course I had to get blue. It comes with these little raindrops that you can attach to your avatar for added effect but raindrops and pose chairs don't go together very well.  The pose chair is a collab between Marukin and NYU and is all adjustable and stuff.

So today, I ended up at the Courtier's Docks because I had to get this adorable hair piece from Black Liquid.  It is a limited Edition and I think it's nearly half sold out so hurry if you need it.  It does not include a hair base and it's one tough black to match. The designer gives you a LM to Paper Couture because she has a matching hair base but I knew I had one in my inventory and get tired of rebuying things because I can't find what I need.  However, I did go to Paper Couture and lo and behold there were new items!  I had to get the Pearl and Silver Collar, in all it's delicate loveliness.  Oh and, I did find a hairbase and it's a really good match: It's Miamai Hairbase Style C_Black 3. I needed the middle part and nothing else would do.

Credit:
Dress: B.C.C.: Jewelry Raindrops Dress - sky: available at Designers United
Necklace: Paper Couture: Pearl & Silver Collar
Shoes: Schadenfreude: Casinelle -always get the fat pack!: Aug Collab and let's hope in the elephant
Stockings: Izzie's: Cat Tights
Hair: blackLiquid: Chen: limited edition at Courtier's Docks
Hairbase: Miamai: Style C_Black 3
Skin: Belleza: Aiko
Pose Prop: Marukin: automatism posing stool: available at Designers United

DU! No, U!

This is how I feel when there is a Designer's United event!  Honestly, I adore this event and I have waited YEARS for it to return.  A fashionista's dream it is...highly skilled designers creating exclusive one-of-a-kind items that I treasure forever in my own special overflowing SL museum called Inventory.  This is why I can't leave SL.  Think what could happen!  The theme of the event this time is Surrealism so don't be looking for basic tube dresses here...they will not be found. Many Lindens were spread among many designers today and they deserve it because the one sad thing about exclusive is that; they can't ever sell the items again.  Today I am wearing So Many Styles Son of Man Coat, which I adore for it's tweedy vintage coat ala housedress style. Was so hard to limit myself to one!  The freakishly amazing and yet really cool shoes are from HANDverk, who really didn't need to have a theme to make weird things because that is what Daphne Klossvsky is..strange and how I love her for it. Oh also, the shoes can be purchased as a Slink med feet add-on or regular Linden feetage types.  I am wearing the regular shoes because Appy needs to come back and make all her socks for mesh feets.

Also, joy upon joy, Glam Affair released a new group gift today.  I wear GA skins almost exclusively and well the new Angelica with bright happy eyes was like so perfect for this outfit it defies belief.  I know!

Credits:
Skin: Glam Affair: Angelica - Europa Group Gift: 30 L join fee a bargain, too!
Hair: Truth: Hailey
Lashes: dfo!: faux Twiggy lashes
Jacket: So Many Styles: Son of Man Coat - Pink: exclusively at Designers United
Skirt: Maitreya: Mini Skirt - Vivid Leather Minsk
Purse: Boom: Studio Bag - Black - available at Collabor88
Socks: Pig: Knee Socks mit Suspenders - Coral
Shoes: HANDverk: Magritte Pumps - teal and lime: exclusively at Designers United
Pose: dfo!: Escape: exclusively at Designers United - a totally awesome pose set!

Yer not much if you aren't Dutch

Honestly, I don't agree with the statement but I live in a city that is heavily populated by Dutch and it's something we jokingly say here.

Credits:
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Akiko - Golden: new release at The Season's Story
Skin: Glam Affair: Candy04: new release at The Arcade
Cape: Milk Motion: Wool Cape - Navy: new release at Collabor88
Pants: Schadenfreude: Tweed Fanceh Pants: new release at Collabor88
Shirt: Pig: Plain Olivia - Olive
Socks: Pig: Socks mit Suspenders - Mint
Clogs: Handverk: Klompen: new release at The Arcade (gacha)
Bike: What Next

Bring on the Cool Air!

I live in Michigan, which is basically a sweaty, miserable swamp in the summer.  Today we finally hit the coolest day since early June and I am so relieved.  It put me totally in the mood for League's Etta Knit dress which is being featured at September's Collabor88.  It's so nice to see Nena Janus making some new clothes as she has such a lovely way with color...and I love heathers.  The belt is color changeable via hud and perfectly accented Ingenue's new Delia Heels, also new at this month's Collabor88.  I've never been one to minimize my love of anything that Betty Doyle of Ingenue does.  Her work is always impeccable and intricately crafted.  It is because of Betty that I finally broke down and bought Slink feet (I can be so old skool I swear).  Now my hunt is for skin appliers :)

Izzie Button installed a new gacha at her store in just the past week and I have played it to get various colors of these cute camera necklaces.  They are mesh and a song at only 40 L per play.  Auxiliary's Purrfect Headband from The Arcade works so matchy matchy with the dress and works nicely with Wasabi Pill's
Melissa Hair, also at Arcade.

I'm almost ready to shut up. I hit The Season's Story last night and was overwhelmed by the items for sale there.  u.f.o. has an two adorable gachas and I had to play until I got the adorable camera in the first shot. The poses I'm using are from Model Poses and they are sooo cute.  Each set is only 60 L each and includes both the individual poses plus a hud and loaded pose stand, which I thought was super thoughtful!

Credits
Dress: League: Etta Dress - Old Lavender: available at Collabor88
Shoes: Ingenue: Delia Heels (Slink Med add-ons) - Lake: available at Collabor88
Necklace: Izzie's: Camera Necklace - Pink Gold: 40 L/play
Headband: Auxiliary: Purrfect Headband - Purple: available at The Arcade
Camera: u.f.o.: pori poloroid camera - pink: gacha at The Season's Story
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Melissa - Rye (rare): available at The Arcade
Skin: Glam Affair: Europa Amberly Frostbite 02: from March Collabor88
Poses: Model Poses: Marcia: available at The Season's Story

The Elephant in the Room

We've all experienced it. Now you can have your very own Elephant for your room.  Daphne Klossovky from HANDverk created these adorable elephants for The Liaison Collaborative in Summer and she is releasing them in a bunch of new colors so there is no excuse to ignore them anymore.  HANDverk VIP group members can pick up an elephant in red, blue and jade for 50% off on Thursday, September 12.  They come in 2 sizes but they are modifiable so if you want to size one say...elephant sized...and stick it in our living room, you can.  The white one on the left is a new subscriber gift and is a must-have at any yard sale.

Credits:
Tables: .Shi: High Stools
Elephants: HANDverk: White - Subscriber gift
                                    Red, Blue, Jade - 50% off Flash sale for group members 9/12/13 only
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Akiko - Gingerbread: new release available @ The Season's Story
Skin: Glam Affair: Candy 04 - available at The Arcade
Dress: Tee*fy: Aurora Nightdress - Passion - available @ The Arcade
Stockings: Izzie's: Cat Tights (Slink Appliers included!)
Shoes: HANDverk: Clogs - Dorothy Rare - available @ The Arcade

Men's Department Stuff: Not just for the guys

Hi everyone! I'm back. I have missed blogging so much. RL continues to be hectic but my son is getting treatment and overall is doing much better. I had reached a point where I was blogging so much (event upon event) that something just had to go for awhile...and it ended up being my personal blog.  But I've missed it and the blogging community and it's time to do something that is me.

I'm not a huge girly girl unless I'm having an occasional pink explosion.  That being said, I love The Men's Department, a monthly event coordinated by Mikel Monk.  Mikel has put together a showcase of high quality items that includes both avatar and decor items.  All the designers do original work and the prices are never more than L$ 300.  It;s the perfect place to familiarize oneself with some of the best creators that design with men in mind and fills a huge gap for the guys.

I am totally digging the boots from Trauermarsch boots from Deadwool. The set includes both rigged and unrigged versions and the rigged come in two sizes as well as 3 styles so they can adapt to different pant styles.  This is so thoughtful as it is endlessly annoying when meshes don't play nice with each other. Bauwerk has 3 amazing arcade machines out.  I adore the Second Life one and it comes with 9 unique poses, all of which are easily adjustable. Eleventh hour made some really interesting Tube Beer Tap that dispenses a beer or a cup for your cold one when you touch the tap. Second Spaces did great Ezra pieces that includes the table shown (resized for my purposes) and a cigar set that includes an ashtray and rotary dispenser. Nicely detailed decor items to add masculine touches to your home.

My shots were actually inspired by LeLutka's new Seiko hair that is a messy androgynous style that I adore. My clothes are not new but in my opinion Coco's mesh denim shorts are the best I've seen on the grid and I wear them all the time. OK, time for me to shut up and roll the credits. It took me a lot of time to muster up the courage to blog again and I'm so glad  I finally did it. See you soon!

Credits:
Items currently available exclusively at The Men's Department :
Arcade Machine: Bauwerk: SL
Second Spaces: Ezra Table and Ashtray - sold separately
Beer Tap: Eleventh Hour: Weissbier version
Boots: Deadwool: Trauermarsch boots: - blue

Other:
Hair: LeLutka: Seiko -fades: new release
Skin: Glam Affair: Katya: Europa 03 - at Collabor88 for a few more seconds - maybe
Sweater: Coco: Cropped Sweater & Shirt
Shorts: Coco: Denim Shorts - Dark Blue
Stockings: Meil: Lo Socks
Flowers: Apple Fall: Poppies / Glazed Vase - available at The Arcade