And Suddenly

My sister used to say, “When I was little, Christmas seemed to come once every three years. Now it seems to come every three months.” The same could be said for the turning of the calendar to a brand new year. 2017 was a year of more downs than ups for me, but as 2018 sneaks up on me, I am grateful for the bright spots in my life. Although I have had some health issues this last year, I could be worse than I am. I don’t love my job in real life, but I can take pride in knowing that I do it well. While I have had to cut back on my blogging, I still find pleasure in the process.

While I have never been primarily a Home & Garden blogger, I have dabbled in it over the years. Expect to see fewer of these types of posts on my blog in the future, but when I do one, it will be because of inspiration from some of the finest designers on the grid.

As always, I love anything from [ keke ]. These New Year’s inspired offerings by Kean Kelly at Shiny Shabby and Uber were my starting point. If you plan on hosting a NYE party in Second Life, make sure you include these beautifully made party decorations.

To set the scene, I blew my budget on the amazing ROIRO L’ Annulaire Gacha, available at Cosmopolitan. There are so many options in this gacha I normally would have steered clear, but I was captivated by the quality of the items and story that they tell when put together. Add in some furniture and accessories from Kuro and The Liaison Collaborative and suddenly, it’s time to celebrate.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:
From [ keke ] by Kean Kelly:
*Confetti: [ keke ] confetti . canarie (available at Shiny Shabby through January 15)
*From Happy Celebrations Box (available at Uber through January 23)
[ keke ] 2018 rosegold
[ keke ] serpentines . rose
[ keke ] glitter spheres
From Kuro by Luana Dawg (available at District 20 through January 19)
* Kuro – William chair (PG) brown
* Kuro – William side table
* Kuro – William books
From The Liaison Collaborative through December 30:
* Raindale – Whorouly carpet by KeiraLans (gacha prize)
* 22769 – Mulled Wine Bottles – COMMON by Paco Pooley (gacha prize)
* 22769 – Cashbox – COMMON by Paco Pooley (gacha prize)
* 22769 – Lantern Glass – COMMON by Paco Pooley (gacha prize)
* 22769 – Lantern Glass – COMMON by Paco Pooley (gacha prize)
* Sway’s [Wintertime] flower pot with plant . Sweater by Sway Dench (gacha prize)
* Sway’s [Wintertime] flower pot with plant . Winter Night by Sway Dench (gacha
prize)
* {E}lusive Designs Hanging Pails with Lights Gold by Dema Fairport
* Granola. Ruby’s Holiday Vase. Winter Pack. by Kimbra Iridescent
From the ROIRO L’ Annulaire Gacha by roiro (available at Cosmopolitan through December 30):
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Desk
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Desk Chair
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” DDC Various butterfly
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Desk Lamp
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Rose vase Blue
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Sample bottles
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” SB Wire light
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” SB Airplants
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Books-A
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Books-B
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Wireplant DROP
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” SB Kacho
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Rose vase Red
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Butterfly A – D
ROIRO – “L’annulaire” Collector’s house RARE

Winter Is Only Three Months Long

Merry Christmas, everyone. While the day nears its end on the topside of the world, it is moving along toward evening on Boxing Day here on the other side. I wish for everyone a festive season and I hope that all your Christmas wishes came true.

If you are lucky enough to have a few Lindens leftover after today, treat yourself to this lovely dress and coat from Salt & Pepper, available at Uber. The dress will be perfect for a New Year’s Eve party and the coat will keep you cozy as you make your way to the event. The earrings from [ILAYA] at The Liaison Collaborative through December 30 are a lovely accessory to compliment the sparkle of the dress. And if you are a Maitreya VIP, don’t miss out on the seven group gifts set out underneath the tree at the main store. Onyx Leshelle has released updated versions of some of my favourites with Lara fit. The Radical boots were my go-to footwear prior to the release of Lara, so I am super happy to have this gorgeous burgundy pair!

Don’t let the cold get you down. It is a wondrous season and remember, it’s only three months long.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:
*Dress: Salt & Pepper S&P Selena Lara no materials by xxSaltandPepperxx (available at Uber December 25-January 23)
*Coat: Salt & Pepper S&P Susan Lara no materials by xxSaltandPepperxx (available at Uber December 25-January 23)
*Earrings: [ILAYA] Ava Earrings by Ilaya Allen (available at The Liaison Collaborative through December 30)
Boots: Maitreya Radical Boots – Burgundy Lara by Onyx Leshelle (group gift)
Hair: Analog Dog AD – soca – DARK REDS by Queue Marlowe
Mesh head: .LeLutka.Head.May 3.0 by JadenArt
Mesh body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V4.1 by Onyx LeShelle
Mesh head applier: Revoul Lefort.Saje Lelutka Applier in Tone 3 by HighCache (available at Shiny Shabby through January 15
Mesh body applier: Lefort by Revoul :: 2017 Body Appliers in Tone 03
Eyes applier: Avi-Glam AG. Vivid Eyes – Lelutka Applier – Daylight by Kendra Parfort
*Eye makeup and lipstick: Izzie’s – LeLutka Bento – Applier First Snow Make-Up Set by Izzie Button (available at The Liaison Collaborative through December 30)
*Body freckles: .::Nanika::. KIRA Freckles mesh body applier by sDEVAs

*Pose: an lar [poses] The Artemis Series – Two (m) by Katya Valeska (available at The Liaison Collaborative through December 30)
Photo taken with LUMIPro 2017 by Stefan Buscaylet

Deco Prep

Every year, I say this: “Even after (fill in the blank) years in Australia, it doesn’t feel like Christmas in the middle of summer.”

This year will be my 18th year here and that hasn’t changed one bit. On Friday at work, a couple of the women in my office started putting up small Christmas trees on their desks. Mind you, it was around 30C degrees (86F), so I just shook my American head and went back to proofing.

When I logged into Second Life today, I started putting together a room for my post. It was non-seasonal when I began, but somehow, the Christmas Spirit seemed to call my name. That led me to Tannenbaum 2017 and a little festivity began to creep into my setting. I decided that these new holiday things would compliment items already in my inventory from [ keke ], Kuro and {what next}.

I haven’t gone full-blown Festivus yet, but I’m well on my way with my Christmas deco prep.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:
*From [ keke ] by Kean Kelly:
*[ keke ] hygge collection vol. 2 . giga pack bx (available at Uber through December 23)
[ keke ] hygge sofa . white . sits 3 prs
[ keke ] hygge sofa table . white
[ keke ] glitter bottles
[ keke ] rainfall glitter broad
[ keke ] glitter chandelier . aged

*[ keke ] mistletoe fatpack . 15 pieces (available at Shiny Shabby through December 15
[ keke ] mistletoe . mist . mini
[ keke ] mistletoe wreath . green .
[ keke ] mistletoe wreath . frost . laying

*available at the mainstore:

*[ keke ] hygge collection . fatpack . 10 pieces . bx
[ keke ] hygge cup . hot matcha tea
[ keke ] triple tray table . white
[ keke ] bulb box . white . switch light on and off
[ keke ] hunters moon lamp . switch light on and off

*[ keke ] group gift winter 2017
*[ keke ] rosehips in pitcher . bugs
*[ keke ] winter ornaments in metal box RARE (gacha prize)
*[ keke ] winter metal box snow (gacha prize)
*[ keke ] shimmer stars in a jar

*From Kuro by Luana Dawg:
*For Sad November through December 2:
*Kuro – Antique armchair (Blue) Adult

*For District 20 through December 19:
Kuro – Nature sidetable
Kuro – Nature rugs I
Kuro – Nature rugs II
Kuro – Old lantern
Kuro – Nature plants I, II & IV
Kuro – A frame skybox

*{what next} ‘It’s Cold Outside’ Neon Light (warm white) by Winter Thorn (available at Collabor88 through December 6)

Available at Tannenbaum 2017 through December 25:
BALACLAVA!! Starlit Birch Tree & Photo Ornaments by Uriah Eulenberg
Dahlia – Finola – Ornament Basket – Assorted Gold by June Fallon
Dahlia – Finola – Mochi Sleeping Ornament – Rare 01 by June Fallon (gacha prize)
Dahlia – Finola – Mochi Looking up Ornament – Rare 02 by June Fallon (gacha prize)
Dahlia – Finola – Mercury Ornament – Blush 10 by June Fallon (gacha prize)
{anc} vintage bell chair 3Li {milk ribbon} RARE by aki69 (gacha prize)

From +Half-Deer+ by Halogen Magic:
+Half-Deer+ Favorite Sweater Clutter – Pink – Floor A
+Half-Deer+ Stringlight Clutter – Loose Coil
+Half-Deer+ Stringlights – Draped B
+Half-Deer+ Stringlights – Floor D

*Little Branch LB_GiantCedar{Animated}*Seasons by Cari McKeenan