Hope Springs Eternal

Happy Sunday!  The SL Home & Garden Expo 2016 will come to a close this evening.  If you haven’t stopped by yet, this is your last chance to grab some 100% donation items, hunt for home decor treats and be inspired to re-decorate for spring!  There are so many wonderful product, I wish I had more time to share.  Last night, we learned that Relay for Life of Second Life raised over $15,354 or a little under $4 million Lindens ($3,838,469L), so let’s join together and push the grand total over the $4M mark, I know we can do it!

For my last post for The Expo, I wanted to showcase the lovely Spargel & Shines Homes (Hope 1) Bocas Belle Cottage and both of Tylar’s Treasures 100% donation items: Spring Chalkpaint Bench and Spring Gazing Ball.

Completing the scene is What Next Spring Garden gacha items from the current round of The Arcade and Doormat with Wellies (past FLF).

Also shown are Lunar Seasonal Designs Menu Driven Blooming Shamrocks in Basket, Finishing Touches pastel For the Birds Garden Set featuring repurposed fence & birdhouse armchairs (so cute) and The Mustard Seed Greenhouse/Cottage, Weeping Willow Tree, Hydrangea Planter and Wall Fountain, all available for 50% off at Perfect Ten (3/1-3/15).

I converted the inside of The Mustard Seed greenhouse into a relaxing hideaway with Circa Living Bon Vivant Cafe Set in Florals & Colour Frames (50% off at The Expo -Hope 7), and Jolie spring ottoman in aqua, yellow polka-dot area rug and chest cabinet with flower vase in delight serving as a buffet table for sweets, available at the main store (pic below).  Flanking the buffet table inside and over the planter boxes outside are Finishing Touches Wall Mount Half Bird Cage (50% off at Perfect 10).  All the flowers displayed in the greenhouse in pots, milk cans or watering cans are part of the new spring garden collection from Finishing Touches available at the main store (there are some very specials items, please stop by to check them out).  Finally, at the foot of the bistro table is TMS Curious Kitties with Bunny Baskets and Carrots…..just in time for Easter.  Hope you have a nice end to the weekend, stop by the SL Home & Garden Expo and take advantage of the great deals at Perfect Ten!

Welcome Autumn!

Wishing you a very belated harvest greetings!  Sorry, real life kidnapped me again.  In some ways I feel like Second Life is my mistress (or the male version in my case), I love the creative minds, the ability to design and the freedom to explore new ideas but it’s becoming difficult to carve out a few hours each week.  I’m going to finish up my outstanding projects and take an extended break.  But before I get ahead of myself, I want to share with you my version of autumn glamping.  The crisp air, the crunchy fall leaves and glorious harvest moon is beckoning us outdoor and the ideal backdrop to showcase some new releases from Sway’s, Serenity Styles and The Mustard Seed.

Ms. Lavinia Godenot, creator and owner of The Mustard Seed is offering a fresh takes on fall decor, on sale until Thursday, October 1, 2015 (all under $150L).  The new offerings include Happy Autumn Welcome Sign with pumpkins, leaves and Indian corn (group gift), Autumn Apple Cider Patio Set (texture change chairs) with hot cider, sweet treats, woodland bird umbrella chair and apple basket, Autumn Haybale with sleeping kitty (harvest sign & potted plants), Barrel of Fun Corn with multiple animations and Autumnal Fireplace (2 size, small & large) great for indoors or out.  I also used TMS Sunflower Trio and Gentle Overhang Tree (texture change).

To complete the decoration of the pavilion, I used Serenity Style Country Swing, Birdhouse Fence wall decor, Autumn Wood Blacks & Babe Doll (offered at Tres Chic till 10/5), My Fall Set cabinet with bowl and floral frame (available @ The Fantasy Collective until 10/15).  I also styled the gazebo with What Next Harvest Garland, Wreath, texture change Welcome Sign and Pumpkin Bucket.

Finally, Sway’s has everything you will need to enjoy a night under the stars starting with the Birch Gazebo (new release for The Mix, ending 9/30), Camp Out Tents & Oil Lamps available at The Arcade (ending 9/30), Walden Cuddle Log with texture change blanket (2 versions) and Walden Campfire Set including log/tree stump with pillow, camp kettle/mug, and marshmallow/sausage on sticks.  Hope you enjoyed my take on glamping and are inspired to redecorate your home with these great deals.

Trending: Boho Chic

A current trend in interior design is Bohemian!  The Boho Chic style is denoted by collected items from world travels, selected finds at yard sales/ flea markets, and your own creative inspiration; largely centered on global aesthetics and imported products.  Patterns, colors, and styles are intermingled to create lounge style spaces.  Furniture is low to the ground with multiple floor pillows in seating areas and walls are covered with hanging tapestries and beaded curtains.  This is the genesis of the great room where function meets style.

For my build, I used several items from the new cycle of The Perfect Ten event (available until 3/15/15, event items are discounted) including Heart & Homes Boho Green Spring Set (rug & chair) and Willowinds Conway Couch, as well as Little Llama Grandma’s Desk prints from The Challenge March round (theme Globetrotter).  I also used Sway’s Phoda Wicker Chair, exclusively at Uber, theme bohemian.   Most of the other items in the space were ‘finds’ in my inventory from past shopping adventures, my sponsor blogger packs, borrowed from friends (Thanks Morgan!), and current Arcade items.  Let your imagination flow and embrace the spirit of the Boho movement.  Happy decorating!

Whispers of Springtime!

This week has been unseasonably warm in my area.  It’s normally in the mid-50’s/60’s and rains during the month of March.  The weekend forecast has high of 75 degrees, which is awesome.  Spring is upon us and it’s time for me to change my sim over from snowy winter to spring landscaping.  In the meantime, I styled the Trompe Loeil Attic Skybox with Finishing Touches new release, Floral Mint Collection available for 50% off at The Perfect Ten until March 15, 2015.  Finishing Touches Floral Mint Collection includes a twin trundle-bed in soft green floral, mint rugs, matching rocking chair, white chest, standing birdcage with ivy, wall lanterns, and double hanging wall picture frames.  I accessorize the soft, sweet, girly room with spring floral close-up photos, butterfly and bee wall art, Second Spaces Elizabeth Guest Room Shelf, Rosalie Secretary Desk, and Beverly Quilt Rack.  For some added sweetness, I also included Sway’s Cupcake Bunny, Flower and Butterfly, both gathca items at the current round of The Arcade ($50L a play).  Hope you enjoyed the post and are inspired to refresh your space for springtime!

Taxi to Perfect Ten please…

Structure: Trompe Loeil, Attic Skybox

• Trundle Bed, Rugs, Rocking Chair, White Chest, Ivy Standing Birdcage, Wall Lanterns, & Double Hanging Wall Picture Frames: Finishing Touches, Floral Mint Collection (50% off @ The Perfect Ten)
• Shelf Cabinet, Desk & Blanket Rack: Second Spaces
• Watercolor Butterfly Wall Art: La Galleria (**FREE**)
• Butterfly & Bee Diagrams: Floorplan (Past Group Gifts)
• Hodgepodge Alarm Clock, Window Shelf, & Leora Hatbox Stool: What Next
• Cupcake Bunny & Birdcage Photo Frame: Sway’s, Flower and Butterfly (@ The Arcade)
• Suitcase Flower Box: Shutter Field
• Desk/Dining Chair: Tromp Loeil, Darya Dining Chair
• Potted Pansy & Hanging Pansy: Alouette

Things Remembered

The Arcade swung open it’s doors last Monday and the crowds were waiting with baited breath.  The September round is filled with a great deal of home decor, which makes me very excited.  Any excuse to change my home over and design with different themes only strengthens my design ability.  When I first saw the Apple Fall Mayfair collection, I thought European Country, then I loved the Scarlet Creative Meribel group rethinking the pieces into a Farmhouse luxury romantic bedroom. Thanks to the generosity of some of my friends and yard sales, I was able to create my country girlie retreat, complete with a miniature dollhouse, tea time lounge spot, Victorian perfume bottles, and a cozy love seat.  Key to the farmhouse style is reclaimed wood, exposed beams, scrap wood floors, and special pieces. Turning the farmhouse into a luxury suite, I layered antiques and textures blending the furniture styles with colors in the rugs to create a story and unique lifestyle. Hope you enjoy!

Items at The Arcade:

• Bed, Bench & Stool: Scarlet Creative, Meribel Collection
• Victoria’s Armoire, Dolly Lamp, Portrait Frame, Frame Shelf, Landscape Frame, Pheasant Feathers, Carriage Clock, Stepladder Table & Dollhouse: Apple Fall, Mayfair Collection
• Florian Chair, Dresser & Breakfast Tray: Ispachi, Florian Collection
• Attar Perfume Bottles: Zaara, The Maharani’s Boudoir

Other items used:

• Home: Mountain Lodge: Scarlet Creative
• Gramophone, Reading Piles & Victorian Music Box: {Arcana}
• Grandfather Clock: Myrine
• Chandelier [Gold]: Pilot
• Tea Trolley, Tea Set, Monogram Luggage & Hydrangea: Apple Fall
• Hat Boxes: Lark
• End Table: Floorplan
• Pink Roses: The Mustard Seed (*free subscriber gift)
• Planter Suitcase: shutter field
• Cream Rug (Pastel Chinese Flower Tree – under bed): La Galleria
• Blue Round Rug (Round Cobalt Blue – under tea spot): Willowinds (*free on The Renaissance Hunt)