tulip.

Come Home For Christmas

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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

Spring Forward, Fall Back

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1 Autumn Blight3

It is the time of year when those of us who follow Daylight Savings Time start changing our clocks. Here in Australia, we did it this weekend. I, of course, forgot. Because it is our spring, that means moving the clock forward an hour. Yet after over 14 years in Australia, October still feels like it should be autumn.

The fall months have always been my favourite. The gradually cooling temperatures, the crisp and riotous colours of the changing leaves and the promise of longer nights to snuggle down into soft, comforting blankets are special moments of the season to me. It is a time of transition that speaks not of an ending, but of a beginning of seasonal festivities to be shared with friends and loved ones.

Here in Australia, that is all turned on its head. October brings springtime, new growth and bounteous blossoms, but also a rise of allergic reactions. I have already abandoned my woolly nightshirts for tee-shirts and open windows as I try to find a cool spot on the pillow when I lie down to sleep. When I dream, it is of bonfires, hay rides and mulled cider around an open fire. When I awake, it is to covers tossed to the floor and a sheen of perspiration on my face. As my body adjusts to the time change, the morning light that awoke me just a few days ago is still an hour away when the alarm jars me from my seasonal dreams.

At least in Second Life I can recreate the season, falling back on my midwestern memories of oranges, golds and red. Of the walks through a meadow, glorying in the magical glow that only comes from an autumnal sunset.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Jacket/top: *Fishy Strawberry* Ducato Leather Jacket S – Brown by Fae Eriksen
Jeans: tulip. Alana Jeans S Classic by Minami Susanowa
Boots: (LaRoo) Shotgun Boots (Brown) by LaRooShoes (store closed)
Hair: *ARGRACE* Mia – Ginger by rika Oyen
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT PetalPink 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
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Pose: Eternal Dream Poses *ED* Trudi 09 by Fata Boa

Location: My home

Bye, Bye tulip.

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1 Bye Bye Tulip

When a person first arrives in Second Life, it can be a challenge to find quality designers, unless you have an experienced resident to help guide you. My “experienced guide” had been in SL about a week before I managed to get dragged off the island, so while she was quite helpful at teaching me the basics, such as inventory, teleporting, movement controls and how to actually get dressed, she lacked the expertise to help me find high-calibre clothes. Of course, this is the same person who introduced me to the perils of prim boobs, so I don’t know why I would expect her to know where to shop!

I struggled with freebies, hunts and a few cheapie X Street designers at first (yes, way back before it was Marketplace). But somewhere along the line – actually, probably through doing a hunt – I stumbled upon tulip., a bastion of feminine clothing and good taste. It really was one of the first stores where I shopped and suddenly realised there was more to dressing in Second Life than donning slut wear.

Those who know me realise I’m a fatpack whore, but I usually at least vacillate before I make the purchase. But over the past four-plus years I have been a regular shopper of tulip., I don’t even think about it; I just bite the bullet and buy the fatpack.

So when I heard that tulip. is closing its doors, I was sad. With 50% off everything, I rushed over and as I suspected, there was little in the store that couldn’t already be found in my inventory. I wish Minami Susanowa, the creator, all the best and I hope she knows how many smiles she has put on my face during her tenure in Second Life. May all of your dreams come true, and thank you for sharing your creativity with the rest of us for so long.

I also wanted to announce that Rwah has officially opened her sim, square pegs in round holes, to the public! I took this photo there and I encourage all of you to visit. Here is a little information that Rwah has passed on to the folks who stop by:

Welcome to Square Pegs in Round Holes, Kashmir Dreams!

Please take a moment and read some general rules.

* This is a Moderate sim. Act accordingly.

* Be respectful towards others and those who live here and don’t eat all the cookies.

* Help us to reduce the lag…please no heavy scripted items. Don’t make us become the script police but be responsible.

* If you want the right to rezz, then please contact me (Rwah Resident) for an invite to the group. Sadly I can not make it an open group because already we have suffered our first spammers.

* Suggested Windlight: Bryn Oh’s Immersiva Grey Dust (Moody) or Bree’s appleblossom (happy sunny day).

* For the photographers, please join the group ‘Square Pegs in Round Holes’ on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2696893@N20/

More information can be found in the ‘Church’. (the first building you come across)

Enjoy your stay!

Rwah

I took advantage of being in the group to rez several items in one of the buildings to shoot this photo. She is being very generous to group members, so if you love the location (like I do) but want to add your own touch, contact Rwah for membership, rez your pretties, take your photos and be a good little housekeeper and clean up after yourself. To be honest, most of the areas she has set up need no embellishment. Rwah is truly a wonder at creating a scene. And yes, you can take that however you want, Rwah 😉

So one door closes – the 50% off sale at tulip. continues until the store closes on October 10 – and another one opens. It’s really easier than you think to be a square peg in a round hole.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Top: tulip. Geo Cut Tank S – Off White by Minami Susanowa
Skirt: tulip. Twilight Maxi Skirt (Coal – S) by Minami Susanowa
Necklace: Cae :: Promise :: Necklace by Caelan Hancroft
Earrings: Cae :: Promise :: Earrings by Caelan Hancroft
Ring: Cae :: Promise :: Ring by Caelan Hancroft
Hair: tulip. Ashley by Minami Susanowa
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
Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) Mid 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

Bed: Kuro – Anfisa bed *Adult* by Luana Dawg
Rug: *Y’s HOUSE* Rug_Linen003(MUJI)_a by yacchan Clip
Boxes: *Y’s HOUSE* [Display] Leather box01(natural)_OMAKE02_5prim by yacchan Clip
Bedside table: [kusshon] singapore side table, trans lp 6 by Beolas Whitfield
Shoes: Cleo Design Shoes by Cleom Bailey
Cabinet: Scarlet Creative Meribel Cabinet by Charlotte Bartlett
Lamp: Apple Fall AF Dolly Lamp by Apple Fall
Picture on cabinet: Zaara [home] : 19 Vintage frame *square* by Zaara Kohime
Picture above window: Apple Fall AF Gilt Frame (Portrait) by Apple Fall
Build: +sanctuaire+ Sans Souci Cottage by Scout Eberhardt

Pose: Di’s Opera – Feminine Line 1 – 5 by Di Hoorenbeek

Location: square pegs in round holes

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD by Stefan Buscaylet