Second Life Home & Gardening

Blinded By The Light

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1 Kuro The Three Lamps

I often have a concept for a photograph that in application, runs a bit awry. I honestly thought this picture would be relatively simple to pull off. I was thinking Casablanca, Moroccan nights, mystery and illumination, all designed to show off these pretty lamps against a setting sun. Three re-shoots and quite a lot of time in Photoshop later, this is the final product.

I am sometimes disappointed that I can’t capture in print what my mind’s eye sees. I am in love with lighting – blinded by it, even. I can get caught up for ages playing with Windlight, tweaking, adjusting and just marveling at how powerful Second Life images can be. With music thumping in the background I get lost in the wonder of how a particular light setting can completely change an image. Add in a little post-processing magic and the result can either be rewarding or frustrating.

I didn’t quite pull off what I saw in this little brain of mine. So close your eyes and listen for the rustling of the wind in the palm fronds, the surf pounding against the rocks and the strains of “I’ll Be Seeing You” wafting across the water. You will hopefully come a bit closer to my vision.

The lamps from Kuro are available for this month’s round of The Challenge. The theme is Moroccan and there are a lot of lovely and exotic offerings. Check out the The Challenge blog to keep up to date. I will do my best to post more in the coming days.

Here’s looking at you, kid. By the light of three lamps.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Lamps: Kuro – The three lamps (black, silver & copper) by Luana Dawg (available for The Challenge May 2014)
Trees by Tobias Novi
Rocks/waves: Las Islas – Naima Coralline Barrier by Naiman Broome

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD

N Is For Netting

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1 N is for Netting

Dressed in my Easter finery, contemplating the ripples in the fountain in the waning light of the afternoon sun.

When I saw this hat/hair from Mina Hair, I had to have it. It just speaks of mystery, femininity and spring. It is the perfect complement to the dress from *LpD*, both available at this round of The Dressing Room Fusion.

N is for netting, nature and narcissism 😉

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Dress: *LpD* – *Zena* Dress Sand by Nevery Lorakeet (available at The Dressing Room Fusion April 2014)
Hair/hat: MINA Hair – Monique by Mina Nakamura (available at The Dressing Room Fusion April 2014)
Necklace, earrings & bracelet: Cae :: Riviera :: Ensemble by Caelan Hancroft
Shoes: _Candy Doll_ _CD_ Newell Heels – SLINK HIGH FEET by Rebeca Dembo
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT PetalPink MEB C2 by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) High by Siddean Munro
Hand & Feet appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand & Feet Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Fountain: Trompe Loeil – Valiano Fountain Stone by Cory Edo
Build: Barnesworth Anubis [ba] classic garden pavillion by Barnesworth Anubis (available at Collabor88 April 2014)
Lounge: The Loft – Bennet Chaise Mature OffWhite 2.0 by Colleen Desmoulins (available at Collabor88 April 2014)
Vases: junk. oddity vases. ocean. by Tab Tatham
Tree and flowers from *HPMD* by Sasaya Kayo
Turnip’s Skydome 2.0 by Turnip Sorbet

Pose 1: Diesel Works Clover4 by Rogan Diesel

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD

Living In The Wild, Wild West

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1 Wild Wild West_004

I’ve had the song by The Escape Club running through my head since I started working on the photos for The Challenge – it isn’t that bad as far as earworms go, but it is still an earworm! I am hoping by getting this post done I can also banish this song from my memory. If not, I’m sure it will feature in at least one of my DJ sets later this week 😉

As you may have deduced, the theme for The Challenge this month is “Wild, Wild West.” If you are looking for a rustic build or decor items, then this is the event for you.

The western store by [hate this] is really amazing. It weighs in at only 35 LI and has a HUD so you can customise the sign, the colour of the attached shed and the wood on the front of the store. It is materials enabled, so it will catch the movement of the setting sun. It could even be used as western home, since you can remove the sign completely – or add your own if you choose.

There is a separate decor pack which includes barrels, coffins, a watering trough and burlap sacks, each with a materials enabled version or standard. You can mix and match to your heart’s content.

1 Wild Wild West_022

Next is this detailed wagon from Cleo Design. There are actually two versions available – this one with the barrels and pillow and another with cactus nesting in the wagon. Two people can sit in the version I am showing. LI is 16-18, depending on whether or not you include the two barrels as shown.

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From Sway’s comes this lovely bench with a western flair. There are three versions to choose from and for the first week of The Challenge, you can pick them up for 20% off. There are a ton of poses for singles, friends and cuddling. You can see some of the items from the [hate this] decor pack in this photo, as well.

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And finally is this mug tree from Kuro. You can have a cup of coffee from the mugs and if your horse is suffering a fashion crisis, you could always disassemble the mug tree for a new pair of shoes. Well, maybe not, but we know I’m a shoe-loving gal, so I would probably try 😉

The Challenge runs from today until April 29th, so saddle up and head to the stores to grab these nifty items with a western theme. And I won’t be unhappy if you get “Wild, Wild West” stuck in your head…it might get it out of mine!

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

*Building: [hate this] [ht] mesh – western store by Corvus Szpiegel (available for The Challenge March 31-April 29 2014) LI: 35
*Barrel, Western Sacks & Coffin: [hate this] mesh – western deco pack by Corvus Szpiegel (available for The Challenge March 31-April 29 2014) LI: 1 each
*Cactus: [hate this] [ht] mesh – cactus by Corvus Szpiegel (available for The Challenge March 31-April 29 2014) LI: 1
*Wagon: Cleo Design Western Wagon by Cleom Bailey (available for The Challenge March 31-April 29 2014) LI: 16-18
*Bench: Sway’s [Tuari] Bench – foliage by Sway Dench (available for The Challenge March 31-April 29 2014 – 20% off the first week) LI: 2
*Mug tree: Kuro – Wild mugs by Luana Dawg (available for The Challenge March 31-April 29 2014) LI: 8
Surround: ChiC buildings The Meadow MESH surround by Chic Aeon
Grass & dead tree: ChiC buildings The Meadow Landscape Pack by Chic Aeon