And We Seem so Normal

Ok, this post has taken me literally a week to do but I am so swamped in RL & SL that I can't even tell you the last time I changed. I have taken on some huge tasks for the upcoming SL Home & Garden Expo, which while may leave my own blogging a bit sketchy for a few weeks, has gotten me totally psyched about decor.  Trompe Loeil's August releases for both FaMESHED and Collabor88 only urged me on.  The Brooklyn Carriage House will fit in perfectly in a gentrified urban setting but I was compelled to drop in on what I like to think of as the English countryside and I think it works. In my opinion the Fiona Greenhouse, which is one of the components in Trompe's current collection at FaMESHed is one of the prettiest things Cory Edo has ever built. I will describe details of items in credits or this post will run the length of the blog.

The interior of the Brooklyn Carriage House is spacious, with a high ceiling and a loft upstairs that is roomy enough for you to have a complete bedroom or sitting room. I've decorated the home with a manly touch, using items in current collections at The Men's Dept., The Chapter 4, The Garden @ The Liaison Collaborative, and The Theme Park.

I absolutely love the ceiling lights at the back of the lower level.  Lighting and blinds are controlled by a panel at the front door, which I've come to count on with Trompe builds.

I went for a "party pit" look on the upper level.

The house has gorgeous doors and I found a nice place for a message center.  Breno's Elk Horns...I just think they are mega cool and needed a close-up:)

Credits:
Home: Trompe Loeil - Brooklyn Carriage House: available at Collabor88 - ridiculously priced at L$ 288 for the course of the event.
Greenhouse: Trompe Loeil -  Fiona Greenhouse: available at FaMESHed - this precious piece includes working doors.
Sofa/Ottoman: Stockholm&Lima: G.U.Y. Sofa/Ottoman (TMD Edition): Surrealia Anatine's new brand is beyond fabulous. The sofa is available in both PG and adult versions and is part of a living room set that includes the ottoman, Bicycle wheel art and track lighting (not shown): Available at The Men's Dept.
Chair: -JoHaDeZ- LapDance Chair "Nest" - available in "cuddle and" adult versions, the original mesh chair is loaded with features, incl. 14 cloth textures, 15 lapdance & 15 couple anims in both versions and 24 additional adult anims in the adult version. Available at The Men's Dept.
Square Rugs: junk: Barlet Rug one (lower) / Barlet Rug two (upper): These rugs are available along with the daybed at The Men's Dept.
Round Rug: junk: Round Rug - Zebra: Just an adorable rug from the current round of Kustom 9
Wall Art: Stockholm&Lima: Bicycle Wheels: see Sofa
Antlers: Breno: Elk Horns: These "special" antlers include some bondage fun and accompanying anims. Available at The Theme Park for the "Some Like it Hot" round.
Small Table (down): junk. bartlet wheel table. worn.: Available at The Men's Dept.
Doll: D-LAB Pinocchio02: he is just bad
Neon Sign: HIDEKI - What the f*ck: lovelovelove: Available at The Chapter Four (August)
Cooler: Soy. Cooler box (white)
Stools: oyasumi / metal stool / black & grey: 2 of several components available at The Men's Dept.
Bar/Cabinet: oyasumi / wire cabinet: See Stools
Instrument: HIDEKI - Atom Ukulele: Available at The Chapter Four
Gas Pump: junk. gas pump shelves. green. - I honestly have a gas pump fetish and the little door opens and closes so you can put your junk in: Available at The Liaison Collaborative
Ceiling light: junk. headlamp light. red.: adorable AND manly - Available at The Liaison Collaborative
Daybed: junk. bartlet daybed. denim. - it comes in both PG and Adult version as well as an equally cool tan canvas version: Available at The Men's Dept
Small Table (up) -JoHaDeZ- Sidetable "One" /w Vase: Available at The Men's Dept.
Hookah: [ Nikotin ] Hookah-AK  (Update-4): Available at The Men's Dept.
"Cuddle" Rug: DIGS - Sheyda Rug: comes in both PG and adult versions as well as 6 different texture themes. Both versions are configured similarly with Single, Couple and 3Some poses. The adult version is a steamier version with various sexual preference groupings as well as 3some combos and contains over 400 animations for you to get down. (I apolgize for the texture blur; this new FS viewer is giving me fits): Available at The Theme Park for the "Some Like it Hot" round.
Photo: YONSOU-YOUHEN-OTOME-ZU by Agathe Latte: I picked this up at some gallery ages ago but Agathe made some of the coolest pre-mesh items ever.
Wall Desk: Second Spaces - Patrick Pallet Desk: This little cutie includes both decorated and undecorated versions, each only a wee 1 LI: available at The Men's Dept.
Heart: A.D.D.Andel! Wall Decor: Heart -Blue: Was at the <3 Ulaa event, may possibly be at the store.
Clock: HIDEKI - Pyramid Clock: June Arcade

07.08.14 Trompe Loeil: Rivershire Waterwheel House - Inside & Out

Cory Edo has created the most adorable new house for July's round of Collabor88.  The Rivershire Waterwheel house is an utterly charming cottage, perfect for tucking into the woods.  The outdoors home comes in 2 sizes as well as versions with/without the waterfall.  It includes the hand painted patio, which includes the small foliage, though I did add more of my own.  See the lovely windows?  They can change from evening to daylight textures with just a click.

The interior is cozy yet includes ample room for decor.  The lower interior features the large main window, which can be be modified like the exterior.  The long afternoon shadows seen above are baked into one of the lighting options.

House includes little nooks and crannies as well as candle-light throughout.

 All the lighting, doors, access, etc can be controlled by the panel at the door.  Most things, too, you can simply touch to change.  The bookshelf is included with the house.

There is a small half-loft on the upper level for a small bed or secret hiding place.

The Rivershire Waterwheel house is exclusively available for a meager L$188 at July's Collabor88 event. There are also chairs in the same theme, which I will describe in details.

Credits: Exterior:
Home: Trompe Loeil: Rivershire Waterwheel house: exclusively available at July Collabor88 - shown in small size w/ waterfall LI 81
All trees: Botanical
Gnome: Mutress: The Jackal Gnome - from The Arcade - June 2014
Mailbox: Happy Mood: Old Post (group gift)
Milk: D-lab
Hollyhocks: Barnesworth Anubis
Rocks: Deco
Interior:
Barrel Chair: Trompe Loeil: Rivershire Chair - available at July Collabor88.  Pillow is texture change and includes FP maps for you to add your own textures. PG and Couple poses.
Fireplace: Trompe Loeil: Candle Fireplace Plaster With Drape - from previous FaMESHed
Large Lamp: Soy: Gourd Tree: currently available at July The Men's Dept.
Sleigh: Trompe Loeil:  Roanna Sleigh Seat Brown With Blanket - available at July FaMESHed. 31 fabrics and 6 cushions. PG single animations.
Lilies: Post
Rug: BamaLama: Leafy Vine Rug - store is closed :(
Wooden Chair: junk: Old School Tube Chair - available at July The Men's Dept.
Magazine Rack: Hideki: Magazine Shelf - previous Chapt, 4 gacha

7.6.2014: Deep Thoughts

Hi there!  One of my little projects in SL is being one of the assistants for The Men's Dept.  I am most happy here when I am busy and I spend a lot of time on location at The Men's Dept. on the days leading up to it's opening.  I am so happy to be part of a well run event that features items for men.  Everything here is original content plus discounted from it's normal price.  And lots of designers include items for feminine avatars, which I love!

Set up was kind of slow this month because of it falling during Canada Day and Independence Day...or it felt like that to me and I got a little stir crazy hanging out so that I could be helpful to someone or at least maybe nag somebody.  And I started to feel like this, like the girl with the empty dancecard or the only person on the planet not running around with sparklers.  And had way too much time to brood.

I've been around SL for many years now and I debate off and on whether it's time for me to depart.  I know all of my friends who are also "oldbies" are pretty jaded, too, but many of them continue to log on to create, blog, run events, etc.  Most of them "do" something in SL, though I wonder what keeps us here, complaining about lag and big body parts, while other people eventually move on.

I love Eden, my avatar.  She is my first avatar and has always been my favorite.  With the recent talk of SL "closing down" I wonder what will happen to poor Eden if it does actually happen. Will our avatars be waiting for us like waiting for an event to open or will they finally be free to be themselves? And now, with clothes just starting to get really good!

Credits:
Photos taken at TMD at junk's lil booth.  The following items I'm wearing are featured at the July round of TMD:
Shirt: TonkTastic: Commando Sweater (for women):  Tonktastic is a new designer for TMD and is offering this fantastic fitted mesh shirt for women.  Each shirt contains a HUD so that you can change shirt textures as well as the patches on the arms.  You can even add a nameplate so that you can add your name or something funny.
Pants: Deadwool: Joad Pants - Desert: These pants were made for men but I am wearing them in the same size as I do mesh item's for women.  They are sublimely made, as is anything that comes from Deadwool.
Shoes: Milk Motion: Double-Strapped Sandals - Marie Lauridsen of Milk is offering these fabulous sandals for both men's and women's Slink Bare feet. You get to chose from 15 different textures, patterns and solids, and they are as comfortable as my RL sandals, ftw.
Bag: Le Primatif: Chameleon Bag: available in both male and female avatar sizes and is also re-sizable; includes 4 versions (rigged/unrigged) and with and w/o bottle.
Furniture: junk: Old School set - tubed chair (PG), bench (PG or A) and Cabinet - sold separately
Others:
Hair: Truth: Blythe - New Release!
Skin: Glam Affair: Cassia: Artic - 06 - available at Summerfest

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

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