Weary Gardener

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Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
~ Nursery Rhyme

Not being a very good gardener, about all I know is that it makes me tired. And why get dirt underneath my nails when I can create a lovely garden space with all of these gorgeous things?

Let’s start with my gardening dress – a loose shift that is casual enough for gardening, yet pretty enough for something more. It is from Belle Epoque and is available at The Liaison Collaborative until April 30, 2016. Warning: if you’re going to do “real” gardening in it, you might want to get some knee pads!

With all of the springy events right now, you can’t go wrong in filling a garden space. The planters on the table in the background are from {what next} at this month’s round of Collabor88. There are three, and go perfectly with the bench, which you’ll see in the next photo.

I couldn’t resist using the [ keke ] petals and lotus basin again. These are the kind of things that are guaranteed to get a squeeeee! out of me every time. And there are a plethora of pretties from [ zerkalo ], [ kunst ] and *LODE* from the current round of Shiny Shabby. Keep looking through the credits for more amazing stuff!

All of the crates in the photo include a pose (including the one I am using), so they are perfect for decor and photography. They are part of the gacha from Le Poppycock, also available at The Liaison Collaborative.

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Now that the hard work is done, I can sit back and relax, and enjoy the fruits of my labour. Well, the labour of the fabulous designers whose works are the inspiration for this post.

I guess there’s no excuse for being weary, after all.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

*Dress: Belle Epoque BE { Kaley } Beige by Janire Coba (available at The Liaison Collaborative until April 30, 2016)
Necklace: (Kunglers) Ida necklace – Copper by AvaGardner Kungler (available at ON9 through April 28, 2016)
Shoes: [Atomic] Footwear // Dark Horse – Sand (Maitreya) by Ivy Graves (available at Collabor88 April 2016)
Hair: “”D!va”” Hair “Amanda” (Red amber) by Marisa Kira (recoloured)
*Skin & Maitreya Applier: Elysium – Candice skin (red brow) – creme freckles by Aleida Rhode (available at Skin Fair 2016, Sim 1 through March 27, 2016)
*Lips: ::JOLI:: Giselle Lipgloss #4 by Aisling Caiben (available at Skin Fair 2016, Sim 2 through March 27, 2016)
*Eyeliner: ::JOLI:: Basic BOLD Eyeliner by Aisling Caiben (available at Skin Fair 2016, Sim 2 through March 27, 2016)
Body, feet and hands: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara by Onyx LeShelle
*Eyes: Mayfly – Luminous – Mesh Eye (Ghost Persian Blue, w3) by Arkesh Baral

*Crate/pose (photo 1): Le Poppycock *Sweet Reverie* Long Afternoon by Olivia LaLonde (available at The Liaison Collaborative until April 30, 2016)
*Additional crates: Le Poppycock *Sweet Reverie* Dyed Carnations, *Sweet Reverie* In Increments, *Sweet Reverie* Intuitions and *Sweet Reverie* Poetic Thinking (each includes a pose) by Olivia Lalonde (available at The Liaison Collaborative until April 30, 2016)
Sofa: Soy. Velvet Lounge Chair w/ tex change by Soyoy (available at Collabor88 April 2016)
Plaque: [ kunst ] – Dandelion pallete art II (Shiny Shabby Gift) by Kunst Himmel
Table: [ zerkalo ] Vintage Tea Party – Table Light by DanielEstro (gacha prize at Shiny Shabby through April 15, 2016)
Bag: ionic – Tote Bag [ stripes ] by Iakua Arriaga (gacha prize at The Chapter Four through April 21, 2016)
*Basin/flowers: [ keke ] sacred lotus in zinc basin – white by Kean Kelly
*Petals: [ keke ] sacred lotus petals ground – white and pink by Kean Kelly
Box: Knick Knacks ::KKs:: une journee a la ferme – farmbox by Yeiyaiel (gacha prize at The Chapter Four through April 21, 2016)
Lantern: [ zerkalo ] Spring Gifts – Lamp Light – RARE by DanielEstro (gacha prize at Shiny Shabby through April 15, 2016)
Phone: .random.Matter. – Rotary Phone – Snow by Nikohl Hax (available at The Chapter Four through April 21, 2016)
*Planters: {what next} Marlow Planter 1, Planter 2 & Planter 3 by Winter Thorn (available at Collabor88 April 2016)
Hydrangeas: Ariskea[Isabelle] Hydrangea Vase [Rosy] by Diaxm (available at FaMESHed through April 27, 2016)
Watering can light: tarte. watering can light (steel) by alixxbella (available at Collabor88 April 2016)
Tricycle: FLECHA Tricicle blue by Flecha Warwillow (available at The Chapter Four through April 21, 2016)
Potted plant: Soy. Potted Pothos [Ssize] by Soyoy (available at Collabor88 April 2016)
Chair: Apt B // Vie en Rose – Chair by FadeArcade (gacha prize at Shiny Shabby through April 15, 2016)
Dress form: ionic – Vintage dress mannequin # silver (gacha prize at The Chapter Four through April 21, 2016)
Artwork: :HAIKEI: I’m Old Fashioned GACHA / {2} by qo0op (gacha prize at Kustom9 through April 10, 2016)
Rug: Apt B // Vie en Rose – Rug by FadeArcade (gacha prize at Shiny Shabby through April 15, 2016)
Pitcher: *LODE* Decor – Birch Vase [rust] by Chirzaka Vlodovic (available at Shiny Shabby through April 15, 2016)
Tulips: *LODE* Decor – Parrot Tulips [white] by Chirzaka Vlodovic (available at Shiny Shabby through April 15, 2016)
Books: Knick Knacks ::KKs:: journee a la ferme – flower books by Yeiyaiel (gacha prize at The Chapter Four through April 21, 2016)
Build: {vespertine} lorraine greenhouse / worn white by Amelie Knelstrom (available at Collabor88 April 2016)
*Bench/pose (photo 2 – edited): {what next} Marlow Bench by Winter Thorn (available at Collabor88 April 2016)
Lacy garland: [ zerkalo ] Vintage Tea Party – Lace Garland Horizontal by DanielEstro (gacha prize at Shiny Shabby through April 15, 2016)

Who Needs Bette Davis Eyes?

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Her hair is Harlow gold
Her lips sweet surprise
Her hands are never cold
She’s got Bette Davis eyes
She’ll turn the music on you
You won’t have to think twice
She’s pure as New York snow
She got Bette Davis eyes
~ Lyrics from “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes

Give me a break. Who cares about Bette Davis Eyes when you can have the red hair and glamour of Rita Hayworth? The famous redhead danced her way through the glory days of Hollywood in the 40’s – one of the most glamorous times in cinematic history. While most of her films were done in black and white, there is no denying the feisty yet feminine wiles of this darling ginger. Best known for her role as the fiery “Gilda,” Hayworth was an iconic siren in a time known for its femme fatales.

I was inspired to create this scene to honour Miss Hayworth by the dress from Salt & Pepper and the strappy heels from Apple May Designs. The shoes are available now at Tres Chic and the dress will be featured at the upcoming round of Shiny Shabby (starts tomorrow). Throw in the blazing locks from Magika and the classic chair with glamour puss pose from junk., plus some props from [ keke ] and [ zerkalo ], and it is like stepping onto the set of a 1946 Hollywood film.

The skin I am wearing from ::JOLI:: is creamy and classic. It comes with a variety of mesh body appliers and make up options on tattoo layers or in appliers. It is available at Skin Fair 2016, Sim 2.

Speaking of Skin Fair, there is a week remaining and if you were thwarted in your attempts to gain entry in the first week, now is the perfect time to get in for this amazing event. For those of you who might be wondering, script limiters have now been lifted. Although Hayworth once said, “I have always felt that one of the secrets of real beauty is simplicity,” you don’t need to strip down to bare simplicity to get in to create your perfect look.

“After all, a girl is… well, a girl. It’s nice to be told you’re successful at it.”

1 Skin Fair Poster 2016 FINAL SQUARE

Skin Fair 2016 Sim 1 Landing Point
Skin Fair 2016 Sim 2 Landing Point

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

*Dress: Salt & Pepper S&P gown Reese by xxSaltandPepperxx (coming to Shiny Shabby March 20 – April 10, 2016)
*Shoes: Apple May Designs After Dark Heels (Maitreya) – Candy Apple by Apple May (available at Tres Chic through April 10, 2016)
Hair: Magika – Honey Whiskey by Sabina Gully (New release)
*Skin: ::JOLI:: Giselle ’16 Skin-Bare-Pale-RdB by Aisling Caiben (available at Skin Fair 2016, Sim 2 through March 27, 2016)
*Lips: ::JOLI:: Giselle Lipgloss #4 by Aisling Caiben (available at Skin Fair 2016, Sim 2 through March 27, 2016)
*Eyeliner: ::JOLI:: Basic BOLD Eyeliner by Aisling Caiben (available at Skin Fair 2016, Sim 2 through March 27, 2016)
Body, feet and hands: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara by Onyx LeShelle
*Eyes: Mayfly – Luminous – Mesh Eye (Ghost Persian Blue, w3) by Arkesh Baral

Chair/pose: junk. dahlia chair. burgundy. cushion. by Tab Tatham
*Cart: [ keke ] metal tray cart by Kean Kelly (available at The Liaison Collaborative through March 30, 2016)
*Water bottle: [ keke ] bottle of spring water by Kean Kelly (available at The Liaison Collaborative through March 30, 2016)
*Bottle/vase: [ keke ] milk bottle flower by Kean Kelly (available at The Liaison Collaborative through March 30, 2016)
*Glass: [ keke ] hard to find – glass of water by Kean Kelly (gift at The Liaison Collaborative through March 30, 2016)
*Trays: [ keke ] zink trays w paper whites by Kean Kelly (available at The Arcade March 2016)
*Tins: [ keke ] vintage tea tin – green, white & black by Kean Kelly (available at The Arcade March 2016)
*Flowers: [ keke ] flower circle – 1 LI – red, white, yellow and blue by Kean Kelly
Bottles: [ zerkalo ] Mademoiselle – Three Altered Bottles by DanielEstro (available at The Arcade March 2016)
Mannequin: [ zerkalo ] Mademoiselle – Mannequin w/Hat by DanielEstro (available at The Arcade March 2016)
Gloves: [ zerkalo ] Mademoiselle – Lace Glovesby DanielEstro (available at The Arcade March 2016)
Curtains: Kalopsia – Lace Curtain by Isabeau Baragula
Build: Apple Fall Old Manufactory by Warehousefifteendesigns

Photo taken with the LUMIPro 2016 HUD by Stefan Buscaylet

The Ghost of Valentine’s Days Past

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I have never been a big believer in Valentine’s Day. It is a commercialised holiday, designed to guilt people into becoming consumers in the name of love. When I was married, I always told my husband to forego the flowers on February 14th and wait until the 15th, when he could get twice as many for half the cost. Or better yet, spring them on me on March 3rd…or July 9th…or September 23rd; just whenever he felt like buying me flowers for no reason. Now that I carry the Single status, I can consider VD just another day. And I like that.

But that doesn’t mean that over the years I haven’t received a Valentine or two: the flowers, jewelry, chocolates in boxes that are pretty enough to keep, even a love letter or two. Those little mementos of times when a significant other defied my request and presented me with a single rose, a necklace, a box of chocolates, a note with a few heart-felt words scribbled in his best penmanship.

Those things are all gone now. But the memory of them conjures up the Ghost of Valentine’s Days Past to haunt me for a few days each February. The gifts from those relationships, either fleeting or sustained, are a reminder that I have been loved.

It is a haunting always welcomed, then forgotten very quickly as the days pass by.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

*Dress: United Colors UC_Sonia_dress_all in 1_Maitreya by Unitedcoloursteam (available at The Liaison Collaborative February 7-28, 2016)
Shoes: Essenz – Maine (Cream) Maitreya by Senzati0n Domenitzo
*Hair: “”D!va”” Hair “Jasmine” by Marisa Kira (available at The Liaison Collaborative February 7-28, 2016)
Body, hands and feet: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara by Onyx LeShelle
Tattoo: [White~Widow] Legend – Henna – RARE by Julie Hastings (gacha prize)
*Skin: [PXL] Creations Shara Winter NAT Makeup 03 REB C2 by Hart Larsson
*Eyes: Mayfly – Luminous – Mesh Eye (Ghost Persian Blue, w3) by Arkesh Baral
Eyelashes: * Mon Cheri * *MC* “Falsies” by Freya Oliveri

Rug: dust bunny . ruffle rug by xlnoel (gacha prize)
Hanging plant: dust bunny . hanging flower pot . blue by xlnoel (gacha prize)
Room divider: junk. picture doors. by Tab Tatham (gacha prize)
Plant stand: junk. plant stand. by Tab Tatham
Table: [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Table – Light by danielestro (gacha prize)
Birdcage: [ zerkalo ] True Love – Birdcage by danielestro (gacha prize)
Gift box: [ zerkalo ] True Love – Gift Box White by daniel estro (gacha prize)
Box of candles: [ zerkalo ] Vintage Entryway – Crate with Candles by danielestro (gacha prize)
Book: [ zerkalo ] Cozy Corner – Book by daniel estro
Wash stand: [ zerkalo ] Fall in Love – Washstand – Light by danielestro (gacha prize)
Vase of branches: BelleEquipe Design Store {BE} Lighted Branches by Pokute Burt
Build: junk. attic skybox. RARE by Tab Tatham (gacha prize)

Pose: BodyLanguage SLC SS POSE Back Shot!! BackShot04L by manmoth Nishi