It's Cozy Inside

Is it only me???  Ever since the weirdness with SL this past weekend I cannot stop freezing up or crashing.  I have deleted and reinstalled viewers, checked the health of my comp, etc. to no avail.  So I am back in catch up mode (story of my life).  Today has been a quite a bit more stable and I was able to create a sweet Christmas scene with a cozy daybed that I would love to curl upon.  I think back to our pre-mesh days and I had zero interest in holiday items.  However, I love vintage in RL and there are so many stand-outs in SL...things that evoke deep sentiments and so I indulge, if only for a brief moment.

Credits:
Daybed: Trompe Loeil: Snow Daybed: available in both PG and A versions, includes optional AO packs in case you want to customize it with your own textures. Otherwise, the bedding and blankets are color change.  Currently available at Collabor88.
Fireplace: noctis: Aloysus Edwardian fireplace - Gorgeous Art Nouveau period fireplace, a style that was particularly popular in Europe during the Edwardian years.  It has a crackling fire (w. sound) that I somehow managed to cut out of this shot..naturally. Currently available at Gothmas by Gaslight.
Tree: Dysfunctional Designs: Christmas Tree - if you did not get this tree last week for FLF and you like to decorate for Christmas, I hope you go back and get it.  This tree has all kinds of bells and whistles, different foliage colors, lights, ribbons, decorations, tree skirt - you name it, its customizable on top of being a really nice looking tree.
Chair, toys under tree: 8f8: Granny's Winter Cottage items: currently available at The Arcade.
Stars (wall, mantle), candles, lighted packages:  Trompe Loeil: gorgeous items you can win at The Arcade.  Make sure you get the so pretty advent calendar in front of the Gacha - it's free and precious. You will need that to open the keys, which is really fun on it's own. Cory never overcharges and none of the items are rare <3.
Nativity (left): Pixel Mode: Nativity: includes 4 different sign changes with a touch: available at The Liaison Collaborative
Nutcrackers: Convair: available in both white and color versions. These guys are mod and I shrunk them a lot from their original size: available at The Liaison Collaborative
Stockings: MishMish: Hammie Stocking: gift under the tree at The Arcade
Wreath: The Forge -  Xmas Crown Wreath - I blew it up and put it on the wall - gift under the tree at The Arcade.

I feel a Nip in the Air

In RL you can feel much more than a nip as we are receiving a massive Arctic blast and the only reasonable place to be is bundled up in your home.  On days like this my gratitude simply overflows for what I have.  Tableau Vivant and Glam Affair have collaborated on a hair/skin look that is sold together!  Miko Chii has been made for the CosplaySL event, which runs November 15 - 30.  How it works is that there are 11 different combinations to chose from, each corresponding to one of Tableau Vivant's hair HUD options, and a Glam Affair skin is specially chosen and included to enhance the hair.  The hair HUD includes 30 color options and includes 3 sizes. The skin chosen is in the Arctic tone and includes several brow shapes and color options. Because the skin and hair is sold together, your option to mix and match is to purchase more than one combination.

The clothing and accessories I am wearing are currently available at The Liaison Collaborative. Valentina E is offering the cozy  Kristin knit dress that includes a matching scarf.  It is available in 4 color options.   The pomme de pin set from Cae includes a necklace and earrings.  This special set is fully customizable and you can change the texture of each separate element. I've also included some of the outdoor decor items available at the event: Bench and Pump from Atlier Visconti and Lighted Trees from Pixel Mode.

Credits:
Hair & Skin: Tableau Vivant/Glam Affair: Miko Chai - 10 / blondes available at CosplaySL.  The combinations are a sight to behold!
Dress: Valentina E.: Kristin knit dress - silver - available at The Liaison Collaborative
Necklace: Cae: pomme de pin necklace: available at The Liaison Collaborative
Bench and Pump: Atlier Visconti: available at The Liaison Collaborative
Lighted Trees: Pixel Mode: available at The Liaison Collaborative
Pose: LePoppycock: from the Die A Little Set

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

Color Challenge: Patina

Happy Monday!  Some people are absolute speed freaks with these color challenges.  When I looked this morning there were already almost 80 responses of completed posts!  I feel like a total slowpoke even though each week I do it earlier.  I refuse to do it sooner; it's become part of my Monday ritual once my son is finally off to school and I have some time to myself.  I love the color of patina; we have a gorgeous old basilica near my home that has a copper dome and it has aged to such a lovely patina.

The upside of having a gargantuan inventory is that so far I have had plenty of items for this challenge.  It was hard to sort out the all the 'greeny' and 'bluey' things but some of my household items actually helped blend the colors for this picture.

My only new item is a must have for all of you doing the color challenge. Mocksoup Graves of MOCK Cosmetics sent her group a "color block" gift that has several of the next few weeks colors in it!  The group is not free but Mock has to be one of the most insanely generous women I know here and she is damn good at her craft.

I've not been online much lately but I have been slowly culling my inventory.  Jacqui and I are keeping track of our progress on the sidebar of the blog.  Hopefully, I can make some good progress this week and feel like I deserve to blog more.

Credits:
Jacket: DeLa: Shearling Jacket "Rosa" -  Crystalblue
Skirt Outfit: Schadenfreude: Seafoam Funster Top and Skirt
Shoes: Pixel Mode: Fae Wedges - Teal
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Kimmy Hair - Ethereal
Skin: LAQ: Ebba
Eyes: Mlo: Crystal Eyes: store is closed
Makeup: MOCK: Patina Luna Eyeshadow: Group gift
Decor: All but right print from Post: Fin de siecle set and Picasso print
  North West: Clip Hanger Poster - Programma
Pose: Di's Opera