Fractured Dreams & Broken Cars

Fractured Dreams & Broken Cars

If you ever actually read my credits, you’ll notice that junk. is a frequent flyer in my photos. Not just in the sets I build for photography; Tab Tatham and EvanKeel’s work grace my home in every room. It is not just the style of furnishings and knickknacks that draw my eye – it is the attention to detail, the fabulous textures and imaginative products that make my shabby little heart go pitty-pat-thump.

A couple of weeks ago, junk. moved to a new sim. They were in the process of moving when I was dying to get my hands on their “The poor gentleman’s club shed.” Of course, I had to wait until the new sim opened, so with the eagerness of a child I rushed over as soon as I could on opening day. I got my shed, but so much more…

The sim is a wonder for a “things” lover like me. You can easily forget that you are at a store; it is an incredible venue just for wandering and taking photos. Which I did that day…I wandered, I took photos, I squee’d at their stuff, old and new, I bought more things and had just a wonderful time. It is a fabulous destination and even more so in that you can take the pretties home with you.

To celebrate their grand opening, junk. sponsored a photo contest of images of their sim. After consultation with Rwah (who was right; the original photo was too purple!) I entered the photo above. And to my shock and surprise, I won second place! It was really nice to receive cash as an award, but more importantly, I felt pride that I was able to capture the essence of Tab and Evan’s sim.

Fractured dreams, broken cars and beauty among the castoffs.

Location: junk.

Come Home For Christmas

1 Come Home For Christmas With LUMIPro

It is getting closer to that day that either brings out the child or the Grinch in all of us. Well, those who celebrate Christmas, anyway. It has been a long time since I went all out for Christmas; it is just my cat and me, and she views decorations as her special playthings, so I tend to keep things to a minimum.

This year marks my 15th Christmas in Australia. I still haven’t gotten used to the idea of Christmas in summer, but no matter where I call home, that’s where you’ll find me for Christmas.

I shot this photo for the LUMIPro Holiday Advertisement contest, and to my surprise and delight, I was one of the winners. Thank you to Stefan, for choosing my photo and especially thank you for such a wonderful product.

I also want to thank everyone who voted for me in the Avi Choice Awards. Although I didn’t win, I was just honoured to be nominated and touched by the support I received. I especially want to thank Starr, who nominated me. Your thoughtfulness is a gift that I will always treasure.

I hope to post more before Christmas rolls around, but as everyone else, I have very busy days ahead. If I don’t see you before, I hope you are able to come home for Christmas…wherever that may be.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Top: The Secret Store – Scallop Sweater – Milk by Maylee Oh
Jeans: tulip. Alana Jeans S Classic by Minami Susanowa
Boots: tulip. Suede Buckled Boot (Sand) by Minami Susanowa
Hair: *ARGRACE* HAKU – Ginger by rika Oyen
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT PetalPink MEB C2 (FR) by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual (L) & Splayed (R) by Siddean Munro
Hand appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Rug: Scarlet Creative Meribel Comfort Rug – Light by Charlotte Bartlett (gacha prize)
Pillows: 8f8 – Granny’s Winter Cottage – Cushions Set by iBi (available at The Arcade Dec. 2014)
Puppy & kitten: ISPACHI [CHERISHED MOMENTS] Paws & Claws RARE by Andred Qinan (available at The Arcade Dec. 2014)
Postcard garland: {vespertine-postcard garland/christmas} by Amelie Knelstrom
Fire: Trompe Loeil – Fireplace Logs and Fire (larger stack of wood) by Cory Edo (part of the Trompe Loeil – Attic Skybox V1.1 [mesh])
Hamster stockings: *MishMish* Hammie & Stocking by Aime Takaaki (Christmas gift at The Arcade Dec. 2014)
Firewood: Scarlet Creative Mountain Lodge Birch in Belts by Charlotte Barlett (gacha prize)
Cupboard: 8f8 – Granny’s Winter Cottage – Wall Cupboard by iBi (Arcade)
Sleigh: HIDEKI – Sledge by Hideki Carami (available at Shiny Shabby December 2014)
Build: RARE Scarlet Creative Foundry Prefab MT RARE by Charlotte Bartlett (available at Shiny Shabby December 2014)

Pose: aDORKable Poses: Floored II 2 by Adorkable Peapod

And, of course, photo taken using the LumiPro HUD by Stefan Buscaylet

Close My Eyes Forever

1 If I close my eyes forever1

It’s hard to hold on
So hard to hold on to my dreams
It isn’t always what it seems
When you’re face to face with me

~ From “Close My Eyes Forever” by Ozzy Osbourne & Lita Ford

I had done another photo for the Hair Fair Photo Contest, but even with four different versions, I wasn’t satisfied. I still wanted another entry, so I thought I would try a couple’s shot. I enlisted my (m)alt, Chance, because I could traipse with him from store to store trying out new poses (although I ended up using one I already had lol), stick him on his pose ball and literally drag him around the bay without one whimper of complaint. He’s definitely the strong, silent type.

I am using my LUMIPro HUD, as I usually do, but this is the latest beta version. Stefan has added some new capability to the HUD that makes using it with couples much easier. Previously, you had to use drop-downs individually for all of the controls (intensity, fall off, radius, etc), which made it rather unwieldy. The new version has a pop-out slider section that allows you to manipulate these in one small control panel. Where I used to simply use the Intensity drop down for one model I can now control all aspects of the lighting elements at once. Then I just toggle to the other model to make further adjustments. It is effortless to use and gives you so much more versatility in an already wonderful product.

If you already have a LUMIPro HUD, just stop by the LUMIPro World Headquarters to pick up the beta version. If you don’t yet own it, you can trial the HUD there. Updates are free for life, so there is never a need to purchase a new version when it is released. You can get a quick peek at the update and how to get the beta version on this video.

Now, for the song. I’m going back to my Rock Chick roots for this one. Classic tune by two classic rockers.

If I close my eyes forever
Will it all remain unchanged?
If I close my eyes forever
Will it all remain the same?

Close your eyes

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

On Peep:
Dress: GizzA – Morning After [Gold] by Giz Seorn
Earrings: EarthStones The Diamond Stud – Oval/Gold by Abraxxa Anatine
Hair: *ARGRACE* SHIORI – Auburn by rika Oyen
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT Terre MEB C2 (FR) by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Hand appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyelids: Slink Mesh eyelids by Siddean Munro

On Chance:
Jeans: REDGRAVE – Blue Jeans LQM – ClassicCut by Emilia Redgrave
Hair: *ARGRACE* TAKUMI – Dark Brown by rika Oyen
Skin: Fruk – Jeremy skin shade 3 Dark brown by Chucky Hollack
Facial Hair: Fruk Host stubble – Dark brown by Chucky Hollack
Hands: Slink Male Hands (AvEnhance) – Relax by Siddean Munro

Pose: {.:exposeur:.} Summer Nights by RubyStarlight Writer

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD