Cuprit: Villa Sirocco + Tons of Stuff!

Hi everyone!  I knew that my posts were going to get skimpy while I worked on preparations for the SL Home & Garden Expo but I never knew how much time it actually takes (sometimes 16 hrs/day).  I have a whole new level of respect for the folks that do this regularly and while I was exhausted by opening day, I also knew that I was hooked.  I loved the challenge and am looking forward to the next adrenaline high!

SL's Home & Garden Expo 7 opened this week and has 9 sims devoted to some of the best new products on the grid.  The Expo is one of several mega-events operated by Relay For Life of Second Life, which donates funds for cancer research.   I've long been a fan of eku Zhong's work for Culprit. In addition to be a Gold Sponsor at this year's Expo, Culprit has released a fabulous house, the Villa Sirocco, which is a lovely mix of Moorish and Spanish architecture.  The home features a large U-shaped room on the main floor.  There is enough division between the rooms so that they can include a kitchen or a main bedroom; there are really no restrictions.  All rooms open directly into an inner courtyard that features a reflecting pool.  

The stairway is on the exterior of the house, adding to the openness of the interior and also another spot to decorate :).

This is actually just a small corner on the lower level.  Because the house has so much area it can handle heavy furniture looks.  The ceiling is lower on the main floor but the upper level has soaring ceilings.

This photo of the study area is tan from the courtyard.  The room entries are truly fantastic.

Eku has made a few new extras for the house, like the sconces shown above and the lanterns on the stairway that really add a sweet touch to the house.

The upper rooms feature tall beamed ceilings and large windows to let in natural light. These are also very large rooms and can easily be multipurpose.

The two upper rooms are separated by a darling open patio.

/Hangs head in shame for leaving out the toilet!  I had a lot of fun making the other upper room into a bathroom, Trompe Loeil has a lovely set at FaMESHed this month so thanks to Cory Edo for all her hard work on it!

Almost all of the items I've shown in the rooms are available right now at several of the current rounds of several fantastic events.  They include the Home & Garden Expo, The Liaison Collaborative, The Men's Dept., Collabor88, FaMESHEd and The Arcade, all mesh and with amazingly low impact so that you can fill up this grand house and still have room for a garden.

Credits: There are a ton of new items in the post and the SLURL to each event is in the paragraph above so as to keep the credits as clean as I possibly can make them.

Exterior:
Home: Culprit: Villa Sirocco - LI 90: New Release: currently available exclusively at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo  (url is direct tp to the exhibit)
Trees: Studio Skye: left: Four Season Oak Tree: 100% donation to RFL;  right: Ancient Olive Tree: 100% donation to RFL   Both trees exclusively available at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo  (url is direct tp to the exhibit).
Walkway: +Half-Deer+ : Lighted Pathway - Planks - Tex. Change
Pagoda: KIDD: Japan Lantern -Single Lamp
Lantern: Thistle - Lantern with Arm & Glow
Lounge: Sway's:  [Dreamer] Garden Lounger . lavender (from I<3 Ulaa event)
Cart: Roawenwood: Fantastical Cider Cart

Courtyard:
Bench: POST: Nisswa Pine Bench (blanket)
Cat: Fashionably Dead:  Cat - 07 Sitting Down: currently available to win at The Arcade

Stairway:
Lanterns: Culprit - Moorish Lanterns: New Release: currently available exclusively at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo
Cat: Fashionably Dead: Cat - 10 Scared: currently available to win at The Arcade

Living Room: (left to rightish)
Lantern: Barnesworth Anubis: moroccan filigree pendant lantern
Birdcage: +Half-Deer+ : The Mad Scientist's Birdcage - New Release: currently available at The Liaison Collaborative
Sofa: Stockholm&Lima: The Spellbound Settee: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Chair: [Fetch]:  Vega Chair -  New Release: currently available at The Liaison Collaborative
Rug: Max Marine - ancient!
Table: Trompe Loeil - Octopus Table Marble - Black: currently available to win at The Arcade
Cigars (on table): Zigana: cigars: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Leather Pouffe: Zigana:  leather pouffe . chestnut: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Lillies: Dutchie: lilies
Big Lamp: Soy. Floor lamp [Gourd tree]
Lounge: Culprit: Sleek Lounger Brown Leather: 100% donation to RFL. Exclusively available at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo
Radiator: ARIA: Parma short radiator: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.

Sconce Photo:
Sconces: Culprit: Wall Candle:  New Release: currently available exclusively at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo
Table: POST: Latour Antique Telephone Stand
Dispenser: POST: Neuchatel Absinthe Fountain

Study:
Desk and Computer: [Fetch] Vega Desk / Vega Computer & Snacks: New Release: currently available at The Liaison Collaborative
Lounge: Culprit: Sleek Lounger Black Leather: 100% donation to RFL. Exclusively available at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo
Chair: Consignment:  Travelers Desk - Chair (gacha item)
Wall Display: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Wall Display: New Release: currently available at The Liaison Collaborative
Rug: junk.: bartlet rug. one.
Coffee Table: EliBaily: Nar Coffee Table_Black: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Plant: EliBaily: Potted Nep Plant: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Ceiling Light: ARIA: Parma pendant  light: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.

Bedroom: (left to right)
Drafting Table: Aria: Parma drafting table, includes stool & cactus - both PG/A available: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Wall Light: Pixel Mode - Manchester - Wall Light: New Release: currently available at The Liaison Collaborative
Trompe Loeil - Monserrat Chair With Blanket: New Release: currently available at Collabor88
Bedside Lamp: EliBaily: Pipe Lamp_Black: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Horsie: 7 Emporium: Giddy Up (rare): currently available to win at The Arcade
Bed: Pixel Mode: Manchester Bed - PG/A: New Release: currently available at The Liaison Collaborative
Cats: Fashionably Dead:  Cat - 19 Cuddling Pair (rare): currently available to win at The Arcade
Table: Thistle: abc Animal coffee table: 100% donation to RFL. Exclusively available at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo
Sofa: EliBaily: Chester Leather Sofa brown PG/A: New Release: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Rug: LISP - Lolo Rug Green-Beige

Upper Patio:
Fountain: Kaerri: Expo Planter Fountain: 100% donation to RFL. Exclusively available at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo
Lamps: Shabby Tabby : Chalky Lights: New Release: Exclusively available at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo (part of the Chalky Dining Set)

Bathroom:
Lounge: Prime 1:1: StyleWise No.3 By PRIME
Table: Trompe Loeil - Octopus Table Copper: currently available to win at The Arcade
Lilies: POST: Haarlem Deco Vase with Calla Lilies

Tub, Shower Curtain, Towels, Hamper and Vanity: Trompe Loeil - Classic Bathroom pieces PG/A: New Release: currently available at FaMESHED: these items are absolutely full of features and superbly done

Sink: Dutchie:  toilet sink with towel: 100% donation to RFL. Exclusively available at The 7th Annual Home & Garden Expo

Rug: Cheeky Pea: Fish! Rug

Cabinet: Dutchie: distressed cupboard empty

Home Expo Highlights

Tomorrow is the last day for Home Expo 2012.  I just want to show you some of my favorites from the event. I am going to keep my comments to a minimum and let the credits do most of the explaining.

Barnesworth Anubis Catalina Cabana and Furniture Pack (does not include basket or bonsai) 150 each - 100% donation to RFL

Thistle Coastal Cottage - 142 prims, 17x27 footprint, rezzer, scripted windows and paints

Piddler's Perch Lil Red Wagon Flower Bed - cute!

FD Decor - Mudroom Cabinet

The Pink Room - upper floor - all details in Credits

UrbanizeD Candles &Ivy Mannequin...hundreds of texture change options and poses by Glitterati!

Sway's "Peace" Lawn Chair - many animations incl. guitar

Funky*Junk Deck

For information about Home Expo including maps and store locations please visit the blog.

Credits:

Photo and Collage 1:

Barnesworth Anubis: Catalina Cabana and Furniture Set

Buddha Beats: Ginko Bonsai

AtiXx Designs: Basket Half Open

Photo 2:

Thistle Homes: Coastal Cottage

Photo 3: Piddler's Perch Lil Red Wagon Flower Bed

Photo 4: FD Decor: Mudroom Cabinet: 100 % donation item.  Also, everything has been permanently discounted by 50% at the expo and the store. 

Collage 2 (left to right)

Artilleri: Elisabeth Chaise - green : 100 % donation item

What Next: Keep Calm Print

What Next: Loungin Chair & a Half : pink/green

fucifino: Verona out on a limb lamp

Urbanize: Garden on a StringA: Candy Pop

Prime: Expo Coffee Table

LeeZu: Studio Ring Table Lamp

Urbanize: Deco Sparkle Paintings - RFL

Dutchie: Old Radio

Thistle: RFL Memories Loveseat

Photo 5:

Urbanize: Candle & Ivy Mannequin -- so many options and the poses by Katey Copolla from Glitterati are fantastic.

Photo 6:

Sway's: Peace Lawn Chair - Guitar included

Photo 7: 

Funky Junk: Summertime Dock: RFL item

Park Place: Chill Out set

Sway's: Vacation Deck Chair and accessories (and then Sway's again!)

Home Expo: Circa

Cherelle Capra of Circa has some adorable items for you at Home Expo 2012.  Home Expo is a charity event for Relay for Life, the fundraising branch of the American Cancer Society.  Circa is offering 2 items for RFL.  One is the starter set of the mini Living Life Greenhouse and it includes the darling greenhouse and a planting shelf with items.  Many of you may also know Cher as the creator of C&D Designs.  She has been around creating great items for years and the brand is transitioning to Circa.  The greenhouse is a perfect size for a garden and is only 24 prims.  Lots of shelving is available for you to add your own plants...or it is soft linked if you want to modify it.  Keep in mind it is not copyable so keep the parts you remove!

Cher was telling me about her new terrariums and I was thinking to myself...yeah, ok...but OMG they are fantastic!  Several versions are available at the Expo.  I am showing three styles here.  Some hang and some stand along bringing individual character to each.  She is so clever!

The Greenhouse Multi-Stand caught my fancy with it's 5 plants on a nice stand.

Circa's other item for RFL is the precious Birth of Venus birdbath in an aqua pearl texture.  It includes the birthbath, the decorative pearls and starfish and the grass swoop with butterfly.  The three main pieces are not linked so you can put out as much or as little as you choose.

I simply could not resist a closup of the water and the adorable seahorses!

Home Expo runs until the evening of May 28 and then it's all over!  [Circa] is located on sim 12. I do not have an exact location of the store but I promise you it is the correct sim! 

A Step Back in Time

Home Expo, which raises funds for RFL, is in it's final weekend.  The event runs through Monday, May 28th and covers 14 amazing sims.  I would love to see this fair run another week but the world doesn't revolve around me.  I am going to hopefully be doing twice daily posts in order to cover some more ground...RL kind of crept up on me this past week, mostly in the form of a wee bit end of the school year drama with my teenage (omg) son.  On expo preview day I spent some time chatting with Kat Alderson from Clutter and I was astounded by her work on the Ruined Courtyard.  This is not a house but indeed a courtyard like a old castle you might see in Europe.  It fits on a 38x30 footprint and it can be rezzed entirely at 157 prims or with individual pieces which include the ivy, seating, grasses and orchids or just the courtyard.  Kat probably doesn't know it but I remember when she had a cute little jewelry store called Cad & Tart, that I adored and I have always thought she was super talented.  

I was charmed by the Chinese Peace Lanterns from Alchemy Immortalis.  Traditionally in Asia, blue lanterns represent immortality and peace, and these were created as a tribute to the legacy of those who lost their battle with cancer as well as the spirit of survivors.  It is super easy to use; you rez the 1 prim blue and white rezzer and in moments the sky is filled with gently floating lanterns that glow with a soft flame.  These have several settings and you can even ride them.  They have been scripted for low lag.  

My darling friend, Skyler John, of Mystic Sky finally got the creative bug and has made a lovely little gown.  The Miranda Ballroom gown comes in 8 rich jewel tones and it includes both knee and floor length skirts.  I love the shorter length as I rarely have an occasion to wear gowns but it's a perfect addition for those that do.  The shorter length would be really nice for a fae.  Skyler includes a matching hair piece but somehow my final photos didn't include it...sorry Skyler, I owe you! 

I died, just died, when I got Wasabi Pills newest release, Anais, which is for the new wave of Zombie Popcorn which started today and ends June 9.  I had to IM MissAllSunday Lemon, Wasabi creator, immediately as I have fallen in love with this hair.  The hair is mesh and is available in all of Wasabi's gorgeous textures.  I've been around SL for a long time and every time I think I am ready for a long break, people create more amazing works and I remain enthralled.  It is a constant visual feast.   I also had the opportunity this week to preview Skin Addiction's Skin Showcase which started yesterday and runs for 2 weeks, until June 10.  Voishe Paine, group creator and the dozens and dozens of designers have showcased what they believe is the best of their brand under one location.  Designers from female, male, petite, fantasy, etc. are all represented.  It is set in a lovely parklike setting with meandering trails. Many designers have also placed out special gifts for members of the Skin Addiction group, which is free to join.  I am wearing a new skin by Leafy, Sapphire, that is available in neutrals as well as 5 fantasy tones.  It is a beautiful pure skin with just the right amount of facial definition to give it true character.  

It's been a busy few weeks in SL and so many talented people are just cranking out amazing work.  Get out and see what you can discover.  Home Expo has a great website that details store locations as well as daily activities.  

Credits: 

Build: Clutter: Ruined Courtyard @ Home Expo (located on sim 8, I promise!)

Lanterns: Alchemy Immortalis: Chinese Peace Lanterns @ Home Expo

Dress: Mystic Sky: Miranda Ballroom Gown: new release

Necklace: LaGyo: Ippolita Necklace Aqua

Shoes: Ingenue: Organique Flats: Droplet

Hair: Wasabi Pills: Anais Mesh Hair for Zombie Popcorn

Skin: Leafy: Sapphire - Neutral - Lumiel Pure @ The Skin Showcase

Poses: LAP: Gown with the Wind - Get them before they are gone!!! 

Home Expo: Beachy Keen with Cory Edo

If you are in the mood to shop you've found the right time.  Some major events are happening right now,  many with the purpose of raising funds for charity.  Culture Shock 2012 comes to an end on May 26th and has raised well over a 1.4 million Lindens for the charity Médecins Sans Frontières.  The event has been fantastic and mesh is the star.  It's hard to imagine now what we ever did without it.  Chic Management has been challenged by the  charity to earn 2 million dollars so tp on over! The blue Mahvi Sequined Pants (mesh) from Miamai are an exclusive color at Culture Shock and a perfect tone for summer.  The sequined texture picks up all kinds of high notes making them really fun to dress up or down.  I'm in love with the Safari Back necklace from Finesmith and it is another Culture Shock exclusive so you really might want to get back for a last look before these are a thing of the past.

Before I get started on Home Expo I wanted to quickly mention that Mimi Coral from Cupcakes had her 8th Rezday yesterday and they are having an amazing sale on select items.  All clothing is 25 or 50 lindens, the Charm skin line is 50 L, several full perm templates for mesh clothing and skins are steeply discounted as well as discounts on eyes and some Model Kits.  Being a frugalista, I had to grab the St. Patrick's Day model kit for 50 L as it included the skin above in 3 tones, 2 mesh dresses, and several pairs of eyes.  I've been a Cupcakes supporter since before Mimi and Rosemary Galbraith merged their two stores; they are so generous and sweet.

This gorgeous piece of furnishing is from Trompe Loeil and makes it's debut at Home Expo 2012.  Home Expo 2012 is the largest home products event of the year and features 13 sims, musical entertainment, a breedables fair as well as a hunt, silent auction and a grid-wide raffle.  This event continues it's tradition of benefitting Relay for Life, the fundraising arm of the American Cancer Society.  The event has a short run of only 10 days, ending May 28th at 10 PM SLT.  Please follow this link for tons of information for the expo, including maps and slurls and a catalog of exclusive items.

The Tropical Beachside Bed above is a 100% donation item from Trompe Loeil.  It is a mesh product and with a land impact of 38 prims.  It comes in an instant set-up and includes everything seen here (except my land, lol).  Both the bed and the deck have single and couples poses.  The  sheltered bed, as well as each pillow and billowing curtains, have several texture changing options for a myriad of possibilites.

Another stunning Trompe Loeil offering with 100% of it's proceeds benefiting RFL is the Tropical Scoop Bed.  It is also a mesh product and is available in 3 wicker colors.  The deck is from the Beachside Bed above so is not included.  The Scoop has a touch-activated top that smoothly moves up and down for stargazing/sunbathing.  All fabric elements are individually texture change and I am showing a sample of colors available.  The palm trees in this photo are part of a mesh megapack of 48 trees that includes 3 models with 4 bark and 4 leaf textures for each.  This is also a 100% donation item and with the exceptional attention to detail that Cory Edo offers in this product you should never need another palm tree again.  Thank you, Cory!

Other Credits:
Hair: LeLutka: Rykiel
Tank: MichaMi: Washed Out Tank - Turquoise
Belt: fri.day: cinch belt