Happy 6th Rez Day to Me....

Six years? Really? I even missed my own rez day this year.  However, I've managed to shop here and there as a rezday gift to myself.  Second Life - my shopping addiction :)

Besides picking up landscaping materials and a new home for Winterfell Harbor, I had to go shopping at We Love Role-Play, my monthly shopping event.

This month has lovely gown, jewels, and more for everyone.  So many in fact, I had a hard time deciding which one to wear tonight.  The Demeter Gown, Fall Edition, from Evie's Closet suited

the season and time. The gown is mesh with beautiful fall texures and then added floating leaves attached to gossamer ruffles at the hem and sleeves.  Adding to the fall colors is the Saku Set of jewels from .aisling.  With the included hud, the mesh set includes 5 different metals and 25 jewels.  I'm wearing the tiara, earrings, necklace, and arm bracers.  There are also a ring, anklets, and belly jewel.

  

Who knew six years later I would still be planting trees, fussing over furniture in my 

virtual kitchen, and shopping for the most gorgeous clothes?   I know Second Life has enriched my real life with giving me the time to relax from real life stresses. Enjoy your virtual life!

~Credits

Gown -  The Demeter Fall edition - Evie's Closet - We love role-play

Jewelry - .asiling Saku Set - We love role-play

Hair - Truth Vida

Skin - Belleza Leila

 

 

Going Medieval

Moving Winterfell Harbor across the bay means my nearest neighbor is Max Graf, owner and designer extraordinaire of Rustica.  Being next door means I can hang out - literally.  Has everyone followed the hidden tunnels in the Rustica castle to end up hanging out over the mountain rocks below?  I know I loved this when I was a young Victorian librarian back in the day.

 

Max has been working on these awesome doublet shirts in mesh.  After hours of working on perfect mesh shirts - he finished the doublets! He dropped me a copy of the chain maille shirt since I needed the protection in case of being attacked by pirates.  More likely, knowing me and my terraforming abilities, I was probably going to be buried under boulders.

 

The chain maille version is well worn with dirt and rusty spots.  There are 3 versions of the armor bracers (those things that look like long shirt cuffs) I grabbed the leather ones since I could haul the wheelbarrows of dirt around easier than in iron or steel bracers.  The doublets for ladies and guys under the bitch and bastard labels are available this month at the We Love Role-Play shopping event.

Now I had an excuse - like I needed a reason to shop, I went to my new favorite monthly shopping place - We Love Role-Play.  The doublets are there in one of the market pavilions. More mesh goodies are everywhere for the medieval ladies, knights, elven, mermaid folks.  It's grand to have a one-stop place to see what is being designed for the role-play groups and those like myself who just like to dress up in another century.  Honestly, many of those long gowns and short tunics will look just fine for contemporary fashions.

I picked up the Muses new Penghel Armor sets at We Love Role-Play in brown and bone.  Realized I needed a more gray set, so took off for the Muses main store. Check out the other variations available on their blog  Of course, just in case of invaders, I couldn't resist arming myself.  Now I have a Primus Granium bow with arrows.  Now if I can figure out the firing system...hmmm...there are now a bunch of blue arrows buried in the sands of the Harbor.  Maybe I'll just stick to my cannons since it looks like Max is arming his WIP ships.

~ Outfit

Doublet - bitch @ We Love Role-Play - Chaine Maille Sleeved Doublet and Armor braces - leather
Pants and Boots - the Muses - Penghel Armor - Grey
Hair - Slink - Constance sorrel
Skin - Izzie Irene natural
Hands - Slink - Casual
Weapon - Primus Grumium Bow- available at We Love Role-Play
Sim - Rustica

I am a creature of the Fae...

I am a creature of the Fae

Prepare to give your soul away

My spell is passion and it is art
 

   

My song can bind a human heart
 

And if you chance to know my face

 My hold shall be your last embrace  

  

I shall be thy lover... 

Mermaid:  erare.syren.glory - Lelutka/Celoe

Skin:  Eliza natural - Izzie 

Location:  Winterfell Harbor

Poem: BrennaGwyn of the Children of Twilight, Based on Heather Alexander's "Creature of the Wood"

Winterfell Harbor Gloaming

Winterfell Harbor Stone Guardian

Winterfell Harbor at sunset was calm and quiet in the darkening skies.  Waves were stirred by the winds in overhead.  It had been a odd week.  Rumbles under the harbor's seas had brought old stone ruins pushed up from the sea floor -  debris of storms long past.  Instead of the usual kelp and seaweed floating past, you could peek down and see a blue glow coming from plants no human eye had ever seen.  When I snagged one with a fishing line, it sparkled in the sunlight.  What was going on? Doors were opening and slamming on their own at night.  Even this morning, I tried to step thru the library door and was blocked from moving.  I reached out and touched....felt like a cold stone wall but nothing was there.  Down in the wine cellar, prized bottles had tumbled to the floor...so much for that Christmas wine!  Candles flickered without a window open.  I was blaming it on Lord Tiger and Tigger Cat.  Lord Tiger was the reason for my sunset stroll, he had disappeared from the Great Hall.  Tigger had curled up on his little couch as if hiding from the world - even with his head tucked under a cushion.  No cat meowed under a bush.  No bird chirped sleepily from a branch.  Tonight was peaceful, except for the missing kitty.  As my evening habit, I stopped to check on the stone guardians of my home - giving their stone towers a quiet pat of gratitude for their diligence.

Fog? Blue mists? Rolling over the manor?

Turning to wander the paths back to the manor, the wind changed directions. The first wisps of fog rose above the manor but it was strange.  Were these the blue mists that cover Winterfell?

Dark Clouds Gathering

I hurried for cover on the manor's porch as the clouds gathered. Rain slashed across the Harbor. Wind blasted the summer daisies in the garden.  I rushed to the conservatory to check the back gardens. 

Waters were rushing to the streams. The old stone bridge was still standing in the downpour. Waterfalls pouring on all sides of the manor contrasted with the thunder and lightening booms.

 

Last thing I saw before the storm blasted my view into darkness was the solitary heron out by the pond. I grabbed Tigger in my arms and huddled by library fireplace.  

The winds continued for what seemed forever.  I could hear the manor being buffeted again and again by the storm.  Trees limbs crashed into the windows.  Let's don't even think about the dining table which I could see thru the doorway!  At the height of the noise, I thought of the old abbey which had stood for centuries on this island.  It's chapel stood on the precipice near the house.  The abbey house itself had disappeared leaving stories of ancient priests in the chapel, ladies guarding the Harbor while their lords were gone, and the children who always left stories of little fairies in the trees and beautiful ladies who talked to them down on the fishing rocks.  As the current Lady of the Harbor, I knew my great-grandfather had torn down the abbey ruins and built the manor.  Now I wondered if I would be the last Anderton to live here on the Harbor.

 

Suddenly it was quiet.  As Tigger stirred in my arms, I realized I could see sunlight - grey with clouds but still the setting sun.  The manor was destroyed with only the library chimney and fireplace still standing.  Everything was wiped clean. I stepped hesitantly out onto what was now a rocky landing high above the sea waters. Tigger meowed and I heard an answering kitty.  That rogue kitty, Lord Tiger popped up from under a rock.  I gathered the two cats in my arms.  Seeing a cottage roof still standing across the bridge, I picked my way across the rocks and slid down the muddy hill for a dry place to spend the night.  Who knew what I would find in the morning?  What was the laughter coming from the ancient oak tree?  I was too tired to investigate. Sunday would be a better day.

Mists of Gray

Cold winds are blowing around the Harbor today.  Mists of gray swirling around from the sea color this gown from The White Armory. Colors of iron gray satin are layered with embroidered gold thread.  The corset bodice is accented with silver buttons and striped satin. Gray sleeves accented with floating white puffs of gauze finish off this gown.  Pulling a lassitude & ennui jewelry set Ophelia Roses and Pearls from the jewel box finished off this look for the 4th week of Color Challenge: Iron

 

 Looking out over the Harbor, encased in winter frost, makes one long for summer roses and lost loves.

~Credits
Gown - The White Armory - Stormy Sea
Jewelry - lassitude & ennui Ophelia Roses and pearls necklace & earrings
Shoes - lassitude & ennui Selene mesh boots
Hair - Truth - Evelyn - Cocoa
Skin - LAQ - Thea - Fair
Poses - Olive Juice Blooms of Flowers and Coquette

Champagne 'n Shadows

 

Shall I give it a go? 52 Weeks of Color Challenge starts this week.  Besides the usual time constraints, etc., I'm going to try doing this with vintage, Victorian, medieval whatever fits historically outfits.  Hopefully, I'll be digging into my closet trunks to see what I already own that will suit the color of the week. Of course, I'll be shopping - heavens - me, not shop?! 

The color of the week is champagne which always reminds me of classic fashion.  What better gown to wear than one of Nicky Ree's classic gowns - Lady Aurora.  This lovely creation comes with multiple variations of ballgowns from simple to full grand trains. Designing Nicky Ree's shop has always been one of my favorite shops. With this gown, the lace decorating the skirts and trains is so detailed and looks so expensive that if you were to shop in real life, there would be a major credit card damage being incurred to cover the costs. Most people only go to Nicky's for bridal gowns but you have to remember she has many different departments - not just formalwear.

Pulled a favorite necklace from the jewelry casket - Ami amet deli pencet French Brooch Necklace by Alchemy Immortalis.  It has changeable gems and metals which makes it a "must have" necklace.  Just checked on the necklace in the marketplace - go click now! It's on sale for 99L.  

Now, let's see if I can keep those shadows on the SL viewer!

~Credits

Gown: Designing Nicky Ree - Lady Aurora - Champagne

Skin: LAQ - Susan -Fair

Hair:  Truth - Francesca- pecan

Manicure: Adam n Eve Astrelle Blushed

Jewelry: Ami amet deli pencet French Brooch Necklace by Alchemy Immortalis

Shoes: GF Ribbon Sling Back Shoes

Poses by Striking Poses

Pose Anywhere Hud

Auld Acquaintance

Ages ago, my first ballgowns came from Shenlei Flasheart's Prim & Proper collection.  I happened into a late night shopping frenzy by a crazed group of ladies who later I learned were ladies from a place called Caledon. I watched & learned as gowns literally flew around the shop and hats snatched in mid-air.  The gowns sparkled with sequins and lavished with lace hit a chord in that newbie shopper's heart.

Funny thing, just this past week or so, I commented in plurk on how I couldn't wait until a designer offered a mesh ballgown.  The idea of being able to waltz without glitch pants or skirts breaking around my knees seemed like a logical progression in mesh designs. Tonight I noticed a notecard from Carriage Trade announcing new tack for horses and new gowns from the Debutante line. I was about to toss the notice when I scanned the word "mesh".  Hold everything! A mesh ballgown! 

Auld Acquaintance pours over your shape in a long glide downward.  It comes in 3 sizes to fit most shapes.  I usually wear a medium but for this gown, the small fit just fine, thank you very much.  Shenlei, who happened to be at her Welcome Center, mentioned that the ruffle did help with the fit at the top, which it does quite nicely. You have to see this dress move - no more glitch pants!  I picked up the graphite color but there is a complete slate of colors for your selection. 

Just so you can see, this is the real me tucked inside the mesh of the gown.  All my curves with a front knee bent plus swinging my hips sideways and the gown just glides on down.  I did not tweak even a pixel of my shape, so here I am curvy bum and all.  The funny thing is you don't need shoes because your feet are covered by the gown!

If you haven't been over to Carriage Trade, you should make the trip. The sims are lovely to wander around and  the horses are available as rideables and as full avatars.  A mesh horse designed as a rideable is being released this week.  Shenlei Flasheart again shows us all how to take Second Life designs to the next level.  Thank you for your creativity and dedication!

~Credits

Gown: Debutante - Auld Acquaintance - Graphite by Shenlei Flasheart - Carriage Trade

Skin: LAQ - Vilda - Peach

Hair:  EMO-tions - Fabienne

Manicure: Adam n Eve Astrelle Blushed

Jewelry: EarthStones Gothique Set - Silver & Onyx

Poses by Lost Angel and Olive Juice

Pose Anywhere Hud

Steamland Summer

 

Summer in the Steamlands can be a tad warm for we ladies who usually wear full corsets and sweeping skirts.  It was a lovely surprise to find in my "mailbox" this gown from sachi Vixen of Adam n Eve fame.  She was thinking of us ladies when this Angelina design.  In Pearl, the lace ruffles accented with satin bows drapes over a light bodice with an insert panel of butterflies in shades of teal, cream and bronze.

 

Angelina in classic black with the butterfly panel in crimsons and golds is just right for an evening gathering.  For those who enjoy a bit of burlesque, the long skirt is detachable with the result being a "wow" dance hall outfit.

 

Since I loved these colors, I popped over to Adam n Eve to do a bit of sight seeing shopping.  The other shades of Amelia are lovely, but a plaid gown Amelia caught my eye.  There are several plaid shades to pick from but the red was just what I wanted for a hot July. Just the thing to wear while gardening over in Winterfell or just hanging out on the terrace listening to Radio Riel, especially on July 11th for the Riel Day for Life broadcasts supporting Relay for Life.  

~ Credits

Gowns - Adam n Eve - Angelina and Amelia

Hair - Truth - Josephine

Skin - LAQ - Pearl - Fair

Winterfell Harbor - Dancing at Midnight

Just to share with friends, I managed to make a small SL machinima while dancing on the celtic Fairy circle Winterfell Harbor....Winterfell Harbor - Dancing at Midnight. Enjoy the music!

Watch more videos of Second Life

Pajama Party

Winterfell Absinthe's Green Fairy is our dance party place. Last week, Star Fairymeadow, our talented DJ, declared a "jammie party". Since it was freezing cold, I pulled out my Elmo jammies with matching slippers. The Tuesday night parties are such a hit since we do line dances which always include tossing us up in the air like Cirque de Soliel dance troupes.

Aren't we cute? Most of the party goers did opt for warm fuzzy flannels! Miss Star gave everyone a teddy bear. Little bears made a handy dance partner - especially later when we did the "dance guard" roll on the dock moves. My poor little bear was flattened a bit but protected me from the dock splinters.

It wouldn't be a successful party in SL if we didn't crash the sim! Turns out Miss Serra had scheduled a "tweaking" with dear Lindens. We tossed ourselves hither and yon until we ended up over Caledon Port Wrath where we watched Winterfell vanish and come back to life.

This cute party goer showed off her moves with an upside down flying rountine. I do have to dig back into my inventory for that landmark for that move. Later, Star sent me a pair of "Talking Elmo" slippers which would giggle in the classic Elmo voice. Hope to see you at the next Tuesday Wintefell Absinthe party.

Time to Make a Decision

I love my home in Winterfell Harbor.....and I'm very attached to my big white Victorian in Caledon and its surrounding gardens. With the Open Sim announcement, I will have to make personal decisions regarding ownership of the Harbor as well as my lands in Caledon. This saddens me to no end. Realizing also that the Guv and Miss Serra are in their version of worry and stress as they look at their dreams changing, adds another facet to my personal choices.

After reading the SL Forum comments to Jack Linden, I finally wrote my letter to Mr. Linden, which can be read here. My post is #3614 in this long line of missives. Will it be read? Who knows? I have participated in the communication process which is everyone's right to do so. I encourage everyone to voice their thoughts in one way or the other. We Caledon and Winterfell folks are a vocal sort, so please use your voices to vote.

Winterfall Harbor - Clan Aberconwy Comes Home!

Such excitement has been going in the past few days! Besides Caledon II Aberconway Estates, I have another home in the north in Winterfell. Due to unexpected events, I now am caretaker of Winterfell Harbor - my very own island sim. Here is a history of what happened:

Winterfell Harbor survived an earthquake and tidal wave which completely changed the landscape. Arising from the sea floor, the Harbor joined the main land mass of Winterfell Laudanum - while preserving the rocky outpost islands surrounding the safe harbor. I rushed over to the newly revealed rocks and hills to find the debris of past Celtic cultures. To my great shock, my own clan - Aberconwy - had left family runes and old brass shields from far away Wales. Tossed about the Harbor were giant boulders, stone columns, old Norman castle ruins, and magically - for how had they survived - a sacred grove of oaks. This land - this place of Celtic legends was connected by generations to me. A journal left in my charge from my maternal great-grandmother Mary Ann was suddenly clear. The journal's stories were not just fairy tales, but tales of a long ago clan whose daughters cared for the Winterfall Harbor and Aberconwy Glen. "Seek the daughters of the Clan Aberconwy for they shall protect the legends of the Harbor," so said the ending page of the journal. I have taken up my duties as Lady Protector of Winterfall Harbor and leader of Clan Abercnwy. My search has begun for my cousins, those daughters descended from the seven daughters of the Clan. For with their aid, Winterfell Harbor will come forth from the mists of time to share its Celtic lore and places. The Aberconwy Old Chapel and Manor has been placed on its foundation of old castle stones and vines. You are welcome to visit our Clan's spiritual home as we uncover the Celtic legends in the land and waters of Winterfell Harbor.

Please come over to visit - I'm still uncovering hidden stories and treasures each day in the harbor and glen. And I may be called upon to perform a seance soon. It seems Miss Robbiani's late husband has been channeling himself through Mr. Wil Beaumont. Miss Audrey is in a flutter! We have to find out who this "Pinky Poo" character is.

Eleanor Anderton,
Lady Protector of Winterfell Harbor
Lairdess of Clan Aberconwy

"Eleanor! You Did What?!"

In a weak moment, the prim princess spirit took over Eleanor's body. Before 24 hours have passed, I have moved my Laudanum estate to Winterfell Harbor with the kind assistance of Miss Serra. Or rather I took possession of the harbor. The old chapel, stained glass, and en garde are still packed in crates. Instead of an island the land area is now connected to Laudanum by a peninsula - land bridge. The wilder little islands still provide a danger to navigation so watch out for the rocks. The creative possibilities are exciting to contemplate. The Merry Widows envision parties and soirees. The gentlemen of my acquaintance are planning and plotting as ships and armanents pop in and out in the harbor. At the moment, all is quiet! If you wander by to visit, please be careful...Mr. Hassanov left two cannon that fire at anything that moves! (At least he picked up his pirate ship and steampunk submarines!)