Category: Landscaping

There Be Dragons…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://There Be Dragons

I do love dragons!  They are a part of fantasy lore — or even history if you believe some of the tales from ancient times (perhaps a type of dinosaur that managed to survive for a few eons???) — that seems to have universal appeal.  I myself prefer the gentle-souled version (Puff the Magic Dragon et al) as opposed to the fierce selfish destroyer (like Smaug).  But here in SL, mine are more like the mountain banshees in Avatar… wild but able to be tamed and then bound by loyalty to the one who mastered them, partners in battle, domesticated to me and ONLY me in the garden.  And oh, what a garden I’ve built for them, a riot of color, a private little hideaway where we can simply be…  Now that IS a fantasy worth having, don’t you think?

!Tylar’s (formerly Tylar’s Treasures):  I absolutely adore Tylar’s fantasy line but it always creates a problem for me… I love sooo many items, I never know quite what to choose.  Her dragons though are ALWAYS a favorite of mine, they’re SO colorful & SO unique!  Here I’m featuring four items from her store in the Faireland of Broceliande at the Fantasy Faire, open just a few more days till May 8th.  Everything there is at 25% OFF, so it’s definitely a DO NOT MISS.  You can TP direct to the booth HERE.

  • Hovering Dragon with Egg in Nest.  The adult dragon not only hovers, flaps its wings, & breathes fire, you also can hear its roar & the sounds of flapping.  6-color texture menu for the dragon, & another 6 for the egg, each of which has a glorious multi-toned texture.  Shown on far right.
  •  Animated Baby Dragon on Rock (includes plantings as well).  Absolutely adorable!  It even includes a touch menu to change the dragon’s color (5 options).  Shown in front on far left.
  • Ruins Garden, Bento.  Includes the ruined wall, the bench (which is FULL of multi-speed bento animations for singles & couples), the bird bath with animated parakeets (chirping can be turned on/off) & animated water, the climbing pink vines, the yellow flowers, & the “zebra” plants around the front.  Available in Adult & PG versions.
  • Fairy Trees with Texture Change.  Two sizes — large (featured in red in the center) & small (featured on both sides).  Both sizes have touch menus for 16 glorious fantasy colors, perfect for any fantasy garden or landscape.

Oblivis Solem :  Dreamflare Lamp.  A new release, these fantasy lamps are PERFECT for any garden, any home.  The Heavenly (white) & Regal (black) lamps are the 100% RFL DONATION items for the faire, & will only be available at their store in the faireland of The Chrysalis Gardens for the duration of Fantasy Faire (ending May 8th).  Each one includes two sizes (large shown on both sides; medium in back center) plus a controller to change the color of the light to any of 11 choices or turn it off completely (I used candlelight).  A fatpack is also available offering 8 metal variants.  You can TP direct to their store HERE.

I Wish…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://I wish...

In some ways, fae are not so different from humans.  We too have wishes, ours just tend to be more centered around nature and the heart, and less about power and prestige (though there are certainly some of THOSE types in my world too).  Right now, there is just so much unrest in that real world out there, so much pain, that my current wishes are less about me and my world and more about “out there.”  But in times of stress, this fae believes that surrounding yourself with the beauty of nature and the wonder of fantasy becomes even MORE important… a small escape into a stressless environment where peace, love and beauty reign.  Wishing that for you, me, and all who share the desire to live in harmony…

From Ostara’s Altar, open through April 30th:

  • Dress:  Oubliette – Persephone, worn in Moss.  Soft, beautiful dress with sheer lace sleeves & skirt, perfect for a fae!  Available in 15 colors or as a fatpack.  Sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, & Maitreya.  EXCLUSIVELY available at Ostara’s Altar.  Demo available. (There’s also a beautiful floral circlet as a Hunt Item there at the booth, which coordinates beautifully with the dress!)
  • Skin:  Arcana – Cirice, worn in Clover.  Just one of  three EXCLUSIVE skins at the event, all of which are designed specifically for Lelutka EvoX.  Cirice is available in 4 tones (see below); body skin is sold separately. Heads include Dark Brow / White Brow / No Brow, Freckle & No Freckle, LeLutka Ears.  Body Skins support Legacy, Maitreya, Belleza, & Reborn, & include two cleavages, two belly options, freckle & no freckle.  SKINS ARE BOM ONLY & do not include appliers.  Demo available.  
  • Pond:  Candle & Cauldron – Olde Pond.  Includes animated water & koi fish; also has seasonal textures.  There’s no way to capture the darting movement of the fish or the ripple of the water in a still shot, but it is incredibly realistic & fun to watch! Includes an optional land blender to help ease the transition of your land to the pond.   See the ad below for a full shot.
  • Plants:  BamPu Legacies – Golden Ivy Field.  This beautiful field comes in three sizes (small, medium, large) & is perfect for adding that golden touch to your surroundings. 

From Fantasy Faire, open through May 8th:

  • Horns:  Naminoke – Pasion Flower Horns.  A Fantasy Faire EXCLUSIVE, it comes with both flex (the long dangling things; see the ad below) & no flex versions, & is available with 3 different color flowers — white, red, or purple.  The purple version is a 100% DONATION to RFL.  At the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Bassett Town; TP direct to the faire booth HERE.
  • Hair:  KMH – Hair F189.  At the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Bassett Town; TP direct to the faire booth HERE.  Demo available.

Also used:

Paying Homage to Ostara

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Paying Homage to Ostara

For the most part, I keep “my” blogging separate from that of my alt’s, “reality” vs “fantasy”.  But this IS Second Life after all, and sometimes the lines get a bit blurry.  This is a very rare post wherein we combined our efforts and created a scene that you might stumble upon one day in your wildest explorations, finding a portal that shimmers and beckons to wonders of another world, another dimension.  Wait!  Is that a signpost up ahead to The Twilight Zone?  well, it’s early in the morning for me, I’m drinking my first cup of coffee and my imagination is going for a bit of a ride…  but then again, isn’t that the point?  Happy shopping!

Dreamland Designs:   Necare Wild Garden.  New & exclusive to this past Wanderlust Weekend, don’t worry that you missed it due to the holidays!  Still on sale (for how long, I can’t say) at the mainstore, this is a wild romantic backdrop with blinking ground lights, swaying trees, & floating lights.   One word of warning… it IS pretty heavy on land impact,  but then again, it IS a complete scene.  Absolutely fabulous all by itself, or if you add more like I did in front of the archway that leads to whatever path you choose…  See the ad below for details on what’s included in this amazing garden.

Ostara’s Altar:  This is a new event for me, one I’ve been very excited to get since its focus is quite different from what I normally do!  Ostara’s Altar is a softer side dark style themed shopping market in Second Life.  Open this round from April 15th – 30th, the spring thaw brings forth the Goddess Ostara, & I hope you will join me as I pay homage at her altar.  Brought to you by Dark Passions Event, this promises to be an adventure into an unusual side of spring.  

  • Portal:  Raindale – Shadowstone Portal.  Includes the portal itself (as shown), a separate version with attached platform, & the platform alone so it can be placed alongside or wherever you prefer, as well as 3 optional rocks in 8 different colors.  The portal even has a HUD, which offers you the choice of 8 colors for the stone, 8 for the platform, 10 for the inner ring, plus 8 options for the portal “waves” as well as the ability to change its opacity all the way from 100% to just the merest rippling.  An amazing addition to any fantasy scene! ALSO SHOWN is Raindale’s 10L$ hunt prize:  a nest, with 3 colors for the flowers & 5 colors for the eggs via touch menu.  EXCLUSIVE at the April round of Ostara’s Altar.  See the ad below.
  • Lamp:   CELESTE – Stone Orb Lamps.  Emissive & materials used, these incredibly mood-inducing lights come in 5 different color gradients.  EXCLUSIVE at the April round of Ostara’s Altar.  See the ad below.

 

Escapist Literature

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Escapist Literature

I don’t know if you’re a reader or not; me, I read an entire novel almost every week.  In a sense, it does the same thing for me that SL does… it allows me to escape into a different world (just in a more socially acceptable and flexible way lol).  But whether a casual or rabid reader, you might have dreamed of literally escaping into the pages of a book; it’s certainly figured into a myriad of fantasy books and films and even tv shows.  This amazing piece of decor takes that dream to the next level.  Available in two sizes, Book View (shown) and Life Size.  It’s literally an open book, where the left hand page has a poem; the right hand side has the story “come alive” as it were, in stunningly realistic 3D because it’s made from miniaturized SL items (see the pic below).   The Book View  is way bigger than a normal book size… the items even cast shadows (depending on your lighting and settings of course)!  The detail is amazing, even more so in the life size view where you can totally put yourself in the picture since the chairs have built-in animations.  The owl is animated too!  This is definitely the chance to do more than put yourself in the picture… you can put yourself right in the book!  Talk about immersion!!!  Go check it out… it’s EXCLUSIVELY available at the Second Life Home & Garden Expo, open just a few more days through March 20th.  You can TP directly to the vendors in their booth HERE.  Absolutely amazing in person!!!

My View – Nature Takes Back, book view.  Also available in Life Size, with built-in animations.  Both sizes are 100% RFL contribution items to help fund the fight against cancer!  (Note that other books are also available, so you can even choose to build a small library!)

Also shown:

The Garden

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The Garden

If you follow my blog, then you know that I always try to do my part to support various RFL (Relay for Life) events, and their fundraising efforts to help fight against cancer.  The Home and Garden Expo is the largest and longest-running event of its kind in Second Life. Home and Garden Expo prides itself on championing not only Relay For Life but the visitors, exhibitors, performers, and volunteers who make this event so successful.  HG Expo supports Relay For Life through fundraising in various forms throughout the event. Funds are raised through sponsorships, exhibitor fees, donation items, great entertainment offerings, The Wall of Hope, Decorating Contest, Finale Auction and much more.  The event runs from February 26th to March 20th, and represents not just an opportunity to see (and buy!!!) a wide range of fabulous creations for both your home and garden, but also to have fun and most importantly to shop for a cause.  I hope you’ll join me in fighting with your pocketbook linden-style while sprucing up your SL home  for spring!  All the details for activities at the expo can be found HERE.  Happy shopping!

Evolving Images – An incredible range of garden items to help you create the perfect outdoor space for your Second Life Home.  I’ve chosen five of my favorites, but that’s only a small part of what’s available at their booth in Hope 5 at the Second Life Home, Garden & Breedable Expo.

  • Adirondack Chairs – Set includes two chairs plus the matching table between.  All are texture change (5 choices!); the table has optional rez of accessories & drinks; & the chairs include 10 sits.  Every garden screams for Adirondacks!!!! 
  • Bird Bath Garden – Includes flickering candlelit lanterns, animated butterflies & the cutest animated squirrel! Both the Garden Stone (in front of the bird bath) & the Special People Stepping Stone (includes the squirrel, in front of the angel statue) are also sold separately.   This is such a highly detailed piece that I included a closeup below. 
  • Barrel Garden – Includes two versions, one bursting with pink, yellow & white flowers (shown behind chairs), & one ready for the gardener in you to tackle (shown left front).  This is a 100% RFL item!!!  I’ve shown the empty one in the 2nd closeup pic below!
  • Garden Tricycle – Just an adorable addition to any garden, with stunning purple trumpets plus bright yellow & blue flowers.
  • Watering Can – FREE, if you can find it, since this is an RFL Hunt item!!!!

Winter Dreamland

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Winter Dreamland

What do an iced fountain, a snowy bridge, and a pine tree scene all have in common?  They’re all FABULOUS, they’re all NEW, all are material enabled with fantastic detail, and they can be used singly or in any combination to help create your own personal winter wonderland!

Dreamland Designs:  All three snowy scenes are available at the main store (be sure to scroll down to see them all):

  • Lost Frozen Fountain – shown on front left.  Includes the snow flowers surrounding the fountain.

 

  • Snowy Frozen Bridge – shown on front right.  With winter plants, snow, & stones.

  • Pine Tree Scene – shown in back left.  Includes a Magical Whisp (I even managed to catch a bit of it in the photo below)!

Happy Holidays!

A duo of wintry delights!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A Duo of Wintry Delights

I’ve been brightening up my landscapes for years now with the amazing creations that come from Tylar’s Treasures.  Every item is lovingly crafted, with just the right touch of delightful whimsy.  Tylar’s items never disappoint but instead always bring to a smile, no matter where or how I use them!  And when you pick them up on a special promo price, well, all I can say is DO NOT HESITATE!!!!  Your shopping will be happy indeed!

Tylar’s Treasures:   Two amazing, recently updated winter items for your landscaping pleasure!  Both are highly detailed, highly creative, & include just delightful cuddles animations to help ward off that wintry chill!  And all at a low, Energy Weekend price of just 50L from Friday Dec 10th through Sunday Dec 12th.

  • Pine Forest Seating – Includes the wooden bench, chair, & table, as well as the snowy pines, stump with a bright red cardinal, curious racoon, & a gentle giant of a moose.  Copy/mod so you can easily adjust as needed.  Includes sitting couple animations (PG) on the bench, & single anims on the chair.  See the ad below for details.
  • Snow Kissed – Stunning addition to your winter landscape!  A snowy wishing well, with bright red roses & scattered petals on the snow.  Just beautiful!!! Also copy/mod, the wishing well includes standing couple cuddles (PG).  See the ad below for details.

Archway to Hell

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Archway to Hell

So with my human counterpart taking advantage of the Halloween season to co-opt fantasy blogging, I took the opportunity to completely redo my avatar.  I never realized how similar we looked until she started “dressing up” for Halloween.  So I decided it was time to move a bit more into what I’ll call an “otherworldly” look as opposed to taking a human look and adding some fae attributes.  You can’t really see my face in this shot (so there’s still some fae mystery here) but  I’m sure I’ll have to modify the look somewhat for my less warrior-type outfits, since I don’t want to look underage lol, but for now I’m quite enthralled by the new face staring out of the mirror to me.  What I love about ALL of this — the outfit, the tree, my new face/body — is that it’s not JUST for Halloween… you always need a touch of the dark when creating fantasy… so even though I might be just getting in under the wire for the events, it’s definitely not too late to take advantage of these finds! Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Jangka – Aeryn.  100% original mesh, & sized only for Maitreya & Legacy, Aeryn is perfect for the huntress or woodland sprite.  The outfit comes in 5 individual colors or a fatpack, & includes the jewelry, with matching armbands & black or brown boots available.  Brand-new, Aeryn is  EXCLUSIVELY at the October round of Chronicles & Legends, which ends today (!!!) but will then be available in the main store.  Demo available.
  • Tree:   Fantavatar & Moonstruck – Arch To Hell, Evil Hollow Tree.  Dark, foreboding, a bit eerie but totally beautiful… exactly what you want for all of the autumn/winter season! See below for full detail. Exclusive @ Trick or Treat Lane 2021, open until Nov 1st, then it will be available at the main store.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Eyes:  SAMIA – MIA Eyes
  • Skin:  Loa – Aroa
  • Hair:  Olive – Angelica
  • Horns:  LOGO – Hellion Horns
  • Makeup:  Mea Tenebra – Xelanah (GIFT); Loa – Nashwa Eyeshadows; Zibska – Quell eye makeup
  • Beauty Mark:  Unholy – Beauty Mark BOM for EvoX
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Thread Leaf Wings
  • Pose:  Angel’s Art Pose – The Magic of Fairies

Last Chance to Outshop Cancer!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Last Chance to Outshop Cancer!

That’s right, this chance to help fight bright cancer and support  research and programs & services for breast cancer survivors just by shopping here in SL is almost over.  The Out Shop Cancer Shopping event  main store and Marketplace shopping event – an official Strides Campaign the American Cancer Society in Second Life ends on October 31st.   Don’t miss out on this opportunity to do something really worthwhile with those lindens you’re spending.  Every linden adds up!!! Happy shopping!!!

Wythburn Fine Furniture – Garden Bench.  This seemingly ordinary garden bench is so much more than it looks.  First off, you can easily texture just the seat, the legs, or both to any of 4 different materials (Goldleaf, Granite, Limestone, or Marble), each with 9 color choices.  Once you have it customized to the look you want, you can play with all of the animations (Gentleman, Lady, or Two of Us), both with two more levels of submenus.  Easily resized, all of which makes it perfect for any garden or patio, be it fantasy or human.   Even better, proceeds of all purchases through the end of October are pledged to the American Cancer Society in SL, through the Outshop Cancer event. What a fabulous way to spruce up your SL home while shopping with a purpose!!! Don’t just sit around and wait… even on such a fabulous bench as this!

Also shown:

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and caldron bubble

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Double, double toil and trouble

OK, so now the Halloween bug has bitten me and I’m all into pumpkins and fog and creepy things (NOTE: I LOVE creepy but NOT horror… there IS a most definite difference)!  But even amid all the creepiness, I want to look my best while keeping with the season.  So although I’m sure some if not many posts will depart from this theme (I mean, Halloween ALL the time is just not as much fun, now is it), plan on seeing lots of holiday spirit through All Hallow’s Eve…  I’m loving it, and hoping you are too! Happy shopping!!!!

What I’m wearing:

  • Outfit:  LUXE Paris Fashion House – SIOUXSEE Bodice, Skirt, & Tattoo.  Low cut, off the shoulders, cinched & laced black bodice with semi-sheer pattern sleeves with a bright red lace cuff.  The skirt has matching pattern on its deep ruffle, & red/black trim between the bodice & the skirt.  A rose chest tatto in red & black is included in both BOM & Omega versions. A be-witch-ing little outfit, not just for the Halloween season! Sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya, EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open Oct 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine (I have to say that I LOVE having the included deformers that let me easily wear outfits like this that don’t include a Legacy version!)
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Boots:  WellMade – Demi Boots
  • Pose:  Sassy Sweet Poses – Witchyness (includes wand)

The scene:

  • Tylar’s Treasures:  Attack of the Man-Eating Spiders.  A must-have for anyone who does Halloween landscaping! The scene features a bare tree covered in a spiderweb. The ground beneath  the tree is covered in skulls and two whole skeletons.  But what really makes this item come alive is that it has 3 animated spiders — one of the giant ones wanders around the scene (yes, you can set his range!); another giant is attacking a skeleton in the foreground; and a smaller cousin is moving up and down on a web from the tree.  This can be seriously creepy stuff in the right windlight, especially if you get tangled up with the big animated spider… Want even more creepiness?  The giant animated spider is copy, so you can have as many of his family & friends as you can handle.  Available at the SL Shop & Hop Halloween Event through the month of October; TP direct to the TT booth HERE.
  • CIRCA:  Moonlight Applebob Cauldron.