5.7.2014: A Quiet Life, featuring TMD / TFGC / Culprit

She yearned for a quiet life and found just that on a secluded key. The land and the sea sustained both her physical and spiritual needs.

She rose early in the morning and often had no contact with another person save the occasional passing ship. Jip, her greyhound, was ample company.

She kept busy with her experiments

or her metal work as she might have to leave this place one day and return to battle.

But for now, she enjoys today.

Credits:
Lighthouse: culprit: Wayfarer's Rest - inspired by the Mukilteo Light Station in Washington State: NEW RELEASE: besides being adorable this build has features galore - doors/windows open/close, working fire, ladder (usable by +1 avatars at once), adjustable lighthouse light, animations in tower top with smart menu that lets you know who is using what animation.  LI 57
Interior:
From The Men's Dept. : New Location!
Bed: Cheeky Pea: Skye Boat Bed Red
Rugs: llorisen // uno area rug (lg).green herringbone / (med) red
Fan: junk: Fan Light
From The Fantasy Gacha Carnival:
Alchemy Table and stuffage: Cheeky Pea: The Alchemist - table is rare, rest are common
Chair: Tiar: Master's Chair (rare)
Bookset: on floor: TumbleTwig: Teach me Magic (rare)
MirrorL BananaN: Cage Mirror (rare)
Forge set: Munereia-C'est En Forgeant-Table (ultrarare) all others common
Helmet: on forge table: *[MeshedUp]*_Helmet Gold
Zombie War: 11th Hour: War Z - All Items
Clock: Kei Spot: Time Flies Couples Clock Bottom (silver) (rare) (add your own photos!)
Little Plant cutie:.::C.C. Kre-ations::. {Mandragoraaaas!~Tears} (rare)
Bound dood: [Anyon] Bound Banner M -Soviet Union (rare)
Other:
Dog: Half-Deer: Sleepy Italian Greyhound - Grey

The4.21.2014: Under the Tuscan Sun

It's been awhile since I've done a decor post, which is a shame since it's a favorite activity of mine. Always a challenge to get started but once I start mixing I have to be careful and edit. The setting for this post is Trompe Loeil's new Cortona Villas which you can pick up at Collabor88 through the rest of the month. I will talk about it more in a sec because it's so good it's sick.  Trompe also is a monthly participant at FaMESHed and has the most remarkable, over-the-top furnishings in her Whimsy collection this month.  The Alyce Bench is a favorite of mine and you can select many different texture types (velvet, leather, etc) and a myriad of colors as well as chose between adult and general poses.  I also tucked in the Candle Fireplace to replace the fireplace included in the Cortona because I loved the glow of the candlelight.  The other items in the room are mostly from the April collection at The Men's Dept. and The Chapter 4.  I spent a fortune on the gacha at Chapter 4 trying to win the adorable Elephant Cart only to discover how amazing all the items are in the set.

 An overall look at the Cortona Villas shows just what an amazing build Cory did for Collabor88 this month.  It sells for L$ 388 and my god, I remember when something as gorgeous as this would have cost thousands and thousands of Lindens.  Get it now at Collab if at all possible. The rooms surround a central courtyard that contains many little living spaces as well. There are all kinds of secret rooms and the doors open upon touch.  The build includes planters and numerous water features as well as a striking pergola at it's entrance. I did add the main fountain which is from Cory's March collection at FaMESHed (the furniture from which is PERFECT for this build). 

Credits:

Build: Trompe Loeil: Cortona Villas: available at April's Collabor88 round

Big Fountain: Trome Loeil: Valiano Fountain Stone Dirty: from March's FaMESHed round 

Sofa: Trompe Loeil: Alyce Bench Velvet Yellow: available at April's FaMESHed round

Fireplace: Trompe Loeil: Candle Fireplace Tile With Drape (drape is texture change): available at April's FaMESHed round

Audrey Chair: Abiss Design: Concerto Chair: available at the April The Men's Dept.

Leather Chair: Hideki: from Set 2 (rare): gacha at April The Chapter 4

Elephant Cart: Hideki: gacha at April The Chapter 4

Bust: Dinmael Bust (Coal/Gold): available at April The Men's Dept.

Mirror: Abiss Design: Deco Mirror: available at April The Men's Dept.

Record Player: Hideki: gacha at April The Chapter 4

Table: Convair: Noguchi Table: soon available on The Marketplace

Rug: Zaara: Ikat Dhurri Rug: gacha from March The Arcade

Asst Decor: Post, Bazar

4.4.14 Batdog takes over The Men's Dept.

Birdy has turned me into one of those "doll carriers".  I'm not usually the type for those huggy things that get attached to your avatar but Birdy makes some of the most adorable mesh animals that I have joined the ranks.  Birdy is releasing the Batdog at The Men's Department for it's April round that begins on the 5th. This round marks the 2 year anniversary of The Men's Department and the designers for this round have really outdone themselves.  Many have also included a bonus gift with your purchase as a thank you to the support the event has been given. I grew up with Dachshunds and they are my favorite pup...all hound and still small enough to take everywhere so this was instant love for me.  The dog comes in 2 versions: one without the mask and one with and also includes a mask for your avatar so that you can be a badass duo avengers.  Truth's new Lagertha hair is perfect for the mask.  Make sure you wear a hairbase with this one as it does sit off your face.  I don't know what planet I've been orbiting but I was unaware that Truth released new hairbases for mesh hair.  You can find them in the color sample boxes scattered throughout the store.  I have not taken off Glam Affair's Sylvia skin in the Jamaica tone from Collabor88 for days now. I picked up a variety of lip colors and eye shadows which makes it a recommended pick. You can pick it up for a few more minutes at C88.  

Credits:
Pet: Birdy: Bat Dog (without cap) and Human Batcap (Unisex): available at The Men's Dept. on April 5th
Hair: Truth: Lagertha: Blondes
Skin: Glam Affair: Sylvia: Jamaica: available for a few more mins at Collabor88
Corset: League: Nyx Corset: Lavender
Skirt: Boom: Tweed Mini Skirt: Graphite: I picked it up at the last round of TDR Fusion and should now be in the store.
Eyes: IKON: Destiny Eyes: Clarity
Hands: Slink: Elegant Hands with Glam Affair Jamaica Appliers
Pose: !Bang: from the Pose Set 11-15

3.10.13 Fringe Society

I took some time today to wander around Kaelyn Alecto and Maxxster Resident's lovely new sim called It All Starts With A Smile. The sim is open to the public and full of all kinds of wonderful places to take photos, meet with friends or even dance.  In addition to the little village, where this photo was taken, there are rolling hills, playgrounds and wandering paths along the water.  I have been a longtime fan of Mimikri and ran to pick up some pieces to her new Milano set.  Mimikri does great things with textures and the snakeskin fabric on the skirt is simply delicious.  The set also includes sleeveless tops with lace overlays so it's perfect when you just want to throw something on and not worry about whether the meshes are going to fight. I just tossed on the fringy Leather Waist Bag from Zenith that is out at this month's The Men's Dept. It comes sized and in an unrigged version so you can mod it to your needs.  I broke my bank this weekend at the new Slink West sim which is devoted to SLINK friendly items, natch. Each store has at least one item at 50% off for the first week the sim is open.  I binged at Renegade, which has all it's shoes half off (OMG). I was also super impressed with Annabelle Couturier's Cannibelle stockings.  I'm wearing her new Chandelier stockings as they look funky with Renegade's Mendes boots. I can't forget the new hair release from Tableau Vivant for this months round of Collabor88.  The Low hair is a unisex hair that has a loose pony in back with a tintable band.  (sorry I didn't get a back shot, my comp decided to crash while I attempted to take a decent shot).

Credits:
Outfit: Mimikri: Milano Python Leather Skirt (gold) / Milano Lace Top (gold): sold separately
Bag: Zenith: Black Leather Waist Bag: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Cuff: Lark: Alena Cuff
Stockings: Cannibelle: Chandelier Tights (cream): 50% off at the new Slink West sim
Shoes: Renegade: Mendes OTB (black): 50% off at the new Slink West sim (not far from the Cannibelle stall in an upper shop
Hair: Tableau Vivant: Low: new at Collabor88
Skin: Glam Affair: Aria: Asia Cominbation 10: available at The Arcade: L$100 per play
Pose: an lar poses

3.5.14: The Men's Dept. and other newnesses!

The March 2014 round of The Men's Dept. opened today. One of my favorite events, though I am not a male in SL or RL, but I have a penchant for clean lines and menswear so watching this collection come together every month is one of my joys.  Mikel Monk, the talented organizer (don't tell him I said that) of TMD, has been at this now for 2 years and he has really brought together a wonderful set of designers.

I have a few fetishes in SL.  Three of them are chairs, lighting and stuff that looks like store fixtures.  I was able to indulge them all at TMD this month with Theosophy's new Denim Trois Chairs that are available in 3 colors (I am so happy to see you back around, Trace), Oyasumi's workchair with it's awesome industrial lines (other pieces also available) and Mudhoney's Benson Chair (part of a larger set that also includes the rug and mirrors shown), which also has a clean design reminiscent of van der Rohe's Barcelona chair. BBQQ is offering the very handsome Clothing Rack V6, which has most excellent worn wood and metal textures.  Last but not least, my sweet buddy, Andel Rhiadra, of ADD Andel, makes her TMD debut with very versitile Retro Hanging Lamp, which she made all by her little marvelous self, painstakingly deciding on textures that she thought would have a masculine edge.  There is love in this stuff, I tell you.

My clothing is also pure dood but I managed to feminize it with gold touches of prettiness from Hucci and Mandala.  I have stalked Ison's clothing since forever and and am overjoyed they are participating in TMD.  Ison is offering the Leather Biker Vest (that includes the shirts, yay). It comes in many colors but my RL brother is Mr. Harley so it's de rigueur that I wear black.  Not so bad's James pants are a dream. I'm not usally a sagger but I totally dig these narrow hipped pants.  You will have to remove your phatazz to properly enjoy them. Even the Song Sublime eyes are available at TMD (I am wearing the Cold tone). Finishing off the look is Truth's new Perla hair and Glam Affair's sumptuous Aria skin, which is currently yours to win at The Arcade.  It includes a ton of appliers too, so I am all over it! Kat Valeska, blogging queen and darn great pose maker, has updated some of her poses which you can now find at her new inworld store.  Kat knows blogging and I appreciate the care she gives to stance in her poses.  No wonky hiding parts!

Credits:
Practically everything shown can be found at the new March 2014 round of The Men's Dept. except the following items:
Hair: Truth: Perla - new release!
Skin: Glam Affair: Aria: I am wearing Combination 02 including Slink hand and feet appliers: available at The Arcade
Shoes: Hucci: Payson Sandal - Gold. These were a limited edition for the Feb 21Shoes event (2 for 1 plus exclusive colors!!) but true to Hucci there are several other fab offerings. Made for Slink High Feet
Hands and Feets: Slink
Jewelry: Mandala: Chunkeeey Bracelet and Kamayara Dogtag Necklace: These were valentine's specials, I am not sure if they are still instore.
Poses: an lar poses

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!

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!

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

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!)

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