Welcome to Silverlake Village!

Hi again, can you believe it’s the last day of January already?  I can’t!  This month sure flew by quickly.  Did you know that today is National Hot Chocolate Day, in fact I’m sipping one right now.  Any excuse for delicious chocolate works for me!  Today, I wanted to share with you my home sim, Silverlake Village.  I mentioned earlier this month that since I’m slowly returning to SL, I didn’t have a opporunity to ‘go-all-out’ for Christmas 2016, so there are just a few items in my Winterfest scene.  On my little slice of virtual heaven, I created a country village with four builds nested into the snowy mountains.  The first home {shown above} is the Home for the Holidays December 2015 arcade gacha items from What Next.  All the gacha items are displayed including the adorable five-room winter cottage I dubbed grandma’s house.  The two-story stoned build with porch, snow roof, outdoor string lights and working indoor fireplace is the perfect winter backdrop for the cute snowman, holiday bike decor and snowflake bench {some of the other gacha items}.  Grandma’s house is ideal for all seasons with a no snow option and is sure to remain on my homestead.  Next is Josette Boutique {in green} by Trompe Loeil, also available in 3 other colors {red, blue and black}.  Every good village needs a coffee shop, so I converted the space into a cafe with my living quarters upstairs.  The cafe has lovely etched windows with an open floorplan in warm woods and a ladder leading up to the loft with fireplace.  So far, I spotlit the lower level and this coming week, I’ll focus on the bedroom for upcoming Valentine’s Day post.  For outside decor, I used Tylar’s Treasures Cold Winter Night Bench {3 couple cuddle poses only}, hunt gift for Ball of Yarn Hunt (ends today, 1/31/17).  Also shown is Apple Fall Farrow Garden Wall set {free}. My third stop on the tour is the Iona Conservatory by Trompe Loeil which I’m transforming into a romantic spot.  Either a fancy restaurant or a small theater lends itself to the beautiful glass and brick single room copper roof architectural gem.  Also shown in the exterior is What Next Wintry Pembury Bench, Winter Harvest Lanterns and Trompe Loeil Valiano Fountain. Last but not least is the Alpine Cabin by What Next, which I nicknamed the Ski Patrol Cabin because every country village burrowed in the snowtops needs a friendly snow bunny!  This home is decked out mostly in wintery decor with nods to Nordic decor, details here.  Thank you for allowing me to share my homes with you.  In the past, I’ve never had time to capture the place I call home, just whatever I was blogging at the time.  This year, I want to remember everything and have fun!

Home Sweet Home!

Happy Monday!  Hope y’all had a nice Valentine’s Day.  Real life kidnapped me for a bit but I’m back with tons of post featuring items from the SL Home & Garden Expo 2016 to benefit Relay for Life of Second Life.  RFL of SL is the signature fundraising event supporting the American Cancer Society.  The Expo will run from February 14 -March 6, 2016 on 10 sims with exhibitors designing two exclusive 100% donation items and 50% of gacha proceeds are donated to RFL.  For more information on Relay for Life or to donate directly, click here.

With such a large event the shopping guide page is a great resource with maps and directory for the home & garden exhibitors as well as the Breedable Fair, that is taking place at the same time on Hope 10.  Another good tools is the flickr expo preview page and blogger list.  There is a $10L hunt featuring 35+ H&G creators gifts with 100% donated to RFL (hint page & gift preview page).  Lastly, every day there is a series of events including lantern release at 4pm SLT (to honor & remember loved ones who are touched by cancer) and discussion with designers hosted by Prim Perfect Magazine.

I’m honored to participate as an official blogger for RFL Home & Garden Expo for the second year.  Each blogger was assigned a region to cover with the opportunity to feature other H&G designer on neighboring sims; my area is Hope 6 with 16 creators.  Today, I’m pleased to introduce Cloverleaf by Galland Homes (Hope 2) offered at a deep introductory discount of 50% off.  The one-bedroom home features an animated kitchen with 21 animations, 11 poses and props to prepare your favorite meals, running water and working stove.  The home also feature a 2-car garage with stable-style doors, double-hung windows, french doors and working fireplace.  The 100% mesh home is American Craftsman style but can be adapted to Colonial, Chalet or California bungalow with 112 prims (143 prims with kitchen) best for a 2048 lot.  Open floor-plan interior features baseboard, crown molding, tray ceiling and walls that can be re-textured without losing the baked in ambient shadow effect.  The Cloverleaf home is a wonderful adaptable spaces perfect for a couple or single.

Potomac Signature Homes is offering two items for 100% donation including the Wishing Well shown above (Hope 9). The adorable water well with spring flowers, willow tree and gazing deer is a delightful addition to your garden.

Spring has sprung at Cloverleaf and the entry is decorated with Bird Cage Bougainvillea & Wooden Flower Box from Closer to the Heart and texture change Stacked Pots of Primroses offered at 50% off from Lunar Seasonal Designs (Hope 6).  The entry also features Circa Living Bloom Blossom Wreath in Rainbow (free gift at Flower Power event till 2/16/16) and Pestique Cat Welcome Mat ($1L on MP).

Another fun offering from Potomac Signature Homes is the squirrel mailbox.  Shown behind is What Next Monaco Scooter with sidecar, available at February round of Collabor88.  Two more 100% donation items shown in the garden are the Romantic Willow Tree and Le Jardin Bench from Bee Designs (Hope 6).  The willow tree features single and couple poses, floor pillows and bucket of flowers.  I just love the garden bench, it reminds me of a special place from my childhood.  Bee Designs bench has couple cuddle poses and single animations.  Flanking the house is Lunar Seasonal Designs Menu Driven Spring Flower Beds (50% off), and both exclusive donation creations (Animated Multi Birdhouse and Bird Feeder).  To the left of the house with a working gate is Dysfunctionality donation item the texture change Lattice Top Fence (Hope 4).  I strongly encourage you to take some time to explore the SL Home & Garden Expo 2016, participate in the daily events, play a few gacha’s, grab some exclusive donation items and be inspired to redecorate your home knowing that your lindens are benefitting an important cause that touches all of us.

Everything’s coming up roses!

Happy February!  Today is my big birthday, the one I’ve been dreading for years…..the one I’m in denial about.  As I look at the scope of my life, I should have done more, traveled more, seen more, failed more, accomplished more, basically the next half of my life, I need to create adventures and live life fully.

Today’s post continues the Valentine theme only this time bringing the love outdoors with Tylar’s Treasures Rose Arbor offered for 50% off at Perfect Ten (2/1-15/16).  The rose patterned draped arbor includes a chaise lounge with dance, single female poses and 44 intimate couple animations.  Behind the arbor is Tylar’s Treasures Valentine Proposal Gazebo scene with pink trees & shrub.  The gazebo animations include couple dancing, cuddling, kissing, wedding proposal and acceptance kiss pose, available at the main store.  Also shown in the first photo are Lunar Seasonal Designs menu driven heart flower beds and planter, offered at Perfect Ten for 50% off.  Have a great Groundhog Day; Punxsutawney Phil & I will be ringing in our special day and wishing for an early spring!

Structure: Trompe Loeil, The Karin Cottage (Sky)

• Finishing Touches: Trio of Roses & Hearts (Pink), Trio of Roses & Hearts Topiary (Pink), Roses are Red Hanging Heart, Crazy Daisies Birdhouse Trio, Victorian Rose Bench, Victorian Rose Swan Planter, Roses Are Red Topiary, Roses are Red Woodland Bench & Summer Garden Tiered Dessert Tray
• Alouette: Pansy Fence Planter (White) & Pansy Plant
• Apple Fall: L’Olivier
• A.D.D.Andel!: Potted Plant Lavender
• [DDD]: Rose Bush (Potted)
• O.M.E.N: Dear John – Diaries & Love Letters Mail Box
• Lunar Seasonal Designs: Menu Driven Planter & Bed of Heart Flowers (@ Perfect Ten, 50% off)
• Tylar’s Treasures: Rose Arbor, Valentine Proposal Gazebo & Tiered Candleholder (Pink)
• Jian: Beaumont Brick Path & Boxwood Shrub (Hedge)
• LISP: Rain or Shine Table & Chairs (Texture Change)
• What Next: Antique Heart String Lanterns

Love is in the Air!

Happy Sunday!  Are you in the mood for love?  In need of a romantic pink bedroom suite?  Can’t get enough hearts & flowers?  Or, maybe just love Valentine’s Day (like I do).  Today’s post features CIRCA Livings Love Notes Room Collection in Amaranth discounted 50% off at Color Me Project till Wednesday, February 3rd, so run now.  The lovely and romantic Valentine themed room is available in either deep ruby or amaranth (rose-pink) hue, both colors are 50% off and all pieces are sold separately.  The Love Notes series is a mix of vintage with modern touches including desk set with opening drawers and 24 male/female chair sit animations, V-day card string, letter ladder with rose planter, vintage birdcage, wall and side tables, multi frame heart wall art, and damask area rug & drapes.

I paired the Love Notes items with Sway’s Rosalie Romantic Bedroom previously released at Uber, now available at the main store.  The bed is available in PG or Adult version with 20 single/friend animations for up to 3 avatars or 10 couple poses.  There are 8 linen texture options and 3 metal frame finishes (gold, silver & copper).  The Rosalie set includes a bedside table, lamp and decorative accessories.  Also shown above are Sway’s Keira Candlesticks & Picture Frames offered in 6 color choices.  In addition, I used Sway’s Birdcage Wall Art & Candle Holders available at Tres Chic until February 10th.  Lastly, I accessorized with La Galleria Valentine freebies including the rustic wooden heart collage, applique wall hanging, pink heart garland, needlepoint Valentine toss pillows and heart trinket boxes.  On the desk I added Lunar Seasonal Designs color change Vase of Heart Flowers available at Perfect Ten for 50% off.  Hope you enjoyed my love is in the air Valentine themed bedroom and don’t forget to take advantage of the deals, some ending soon!

Contemporary & Cozy

Park Place Home Decor is participating in a new event called Gacha Good Events Out With the Old…. In With the New! (1/10-1/31) offering a collection of chairs and decor items in different styles ranging from contemporary to rustic.  At the event there are a few new releases and two gacha machines, one filled with chair ($75L) and the other contains decorative accessories ($35L).  To give you an idea of the diversity of products available, I styled two spaces; an art gallery and a cozy cabin.

The art gallery is inspired by the Dada movement, best known for cubism with artist such as Marcel Duchamp, Hans Richter, and Max Ernst.  Dada influenced later avant-garde development of surrealism and pop art.  I wanted to create a tension filled space with a feeling of the unexpected including the Park Place 3-D Cube Wall Decor (on wall & floor), Tabletop Wireframe Decor, and Autumn Wooden Wall Planters (on window), all gacha decor items.  In the gallery, I also used Gold Dust Canvas, Haven Accent Chair (Berry) and Leaf Chair (Harvest Gold), two gacha chair items.  Lastly, I accessorized with Sway’s Facette Collection including the vase & wall art (Jan 2016 Mix event, until 1/31), hanging lights and table, all in multiple color options.

The other space is a rustic cozy cabin designed with two new releases from Park Place at the Out with the Old event; the French Provincial Drop-Leaf Desk with Chair & Accessories and Wood Burning Stove with Brick Floor Hearth.  Also shown are the gacha items Home & Hearth Wing Chair and Comfort in Blue Easy Chair.  I accessorized with Finishing Touches Northwoods Lodge Collection (wall signs, table, lamps, lantern, candle, books, trunk & hanging log cabin quilt) and La Galleria’s Pinecone Accent Pillow and Winter Scene Quilt (both free items).  Check out the Out With the Old…. In With the New! event running until January 31, 2016!