Category: Places to Visit

Kittyhelp: Looking For Landscaping Advice!

Kittyhelp: Looking For Landscaping Advice!

by Lisa Millar ♥ 5 Comments

So I’ve moved locations and I need your help Kittyreaders!  Basically I am bobbins at landscaping in Second Life. Don’t get me wrong, I know a good location when I see one, and love wandering around the beautifully landscaped places that the grid provides.But when it comes to creating my own, I really don’t have a clue.

This is the space that I have to play with: 

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As you can see I’ve already installed (and furnished, obviously) my wonderful Bazar Arizona Home. That’s non-negotiable, I have to have my home.

I’ve placed it in the corner, on an elevated portion of the land so that I can benefit from the sea view, which is perfect for the back and left side of my house. Here’s an alternative view:

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To the front and front-right I can see my neighbour’s stuff and things.

Now, I’ve not lived here long, and I have lovely neighbours and no objections whatsoever to what they do to their land, but taste is a very personal matter, and as much as I adore Samhain (Halloween) this view is fair putting me off my cornflakes, as festive as it is:

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So, I’m looking for ideas Kittyreaders.  For a start, how do I hide my view? I thought sim-surrounds could be an option but I’m confused.  I know nothing about them, but I do need something that will offer me privacy and enable me to enjoy my view.  One thing that is certain is that  I know that I’d like to give the space that surrounds my home a woodland feel, which is my favourite kind of environment.  But I could benefit from some advice, obviously. For example, which stores and locations should I be visiting for design inspiration?  As a reference point, I really like the way that The Seasons Story looked, so I’ve visited  again and clicked on a number of items to find out where they are from, which has given me a number of places to visit to price up nice rocks and trees and things.

Whatever I decide to do, it must fit the following criteria:

  • Fit my land mass (ooer missus). I only have 16400m2 (but the house already takes a small portion of that)
  • Be cost effective. I don’t want to litter my place with cheap-as-chips trees with shoddy textures; anything I buy should preferably be copy/mod so that I get best value for money.
  • Low prim/mesh if possible.

Oh and I need to do all this on about 2, 250 prims (preferably less)

So, Kittyreaders what can you suggest?

I’m really hoping you can help with some cool ideas.  As a total noob to this kind of thing I don’t mind admitting I am completely out of my depth, but I do know that learning, especially in Second Life, can be heap loads of fun, so any advice is greatly appreciated. Oh, and I will of course keep you updated on progress via this blog, and if it ends up looking good I’ll invite you round for a cuppa!

Berry’s Memes: Autumn Challenge

Berry’s Memes: Autumn Challenge

by Lisa Millar ♥ 3 Comments

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Another Monday, another Meme Challenge from Berrycakes!  

The instructions are simple: Take an Autumn inspired picture and/or answer the following questions about autumn (Don’t forget to leave a link in the comments of Berry’s blog to your post!) 

1. Is Autumn your favorite season? Why or why not?
It sure is! I think this is because I’m your typical Earth-sign, a Virgo born on the 13th September.  I’ve always thought of Autumn as ‘my’ season. The shades of this time of year  are the palette of colours that feature most in my wardrobe, and I love the way the trees change from lush greens to fiery reds and golden browns. I also love the smells and sounds of Autumn; the crackle of leaves underfoot and the smell of bonfires and roasting chestnuts. It’s a magical season if you ask me.

2. Do you call it Autumn or Fall?
Autumn.  The only time I have ever heard it called ‘Fall’ is in American movies.

3. What kind of weather does your area get during this season?
Well the weather is strange at the moment because we’ve had four days of glorious golden sunshine here in the UK. It’s been better than summer, although obviously the nights are getting really cold. I’ve had to wear a jumper a few times now, and beloved has even put the heating on a few times too, but all in all it’s been rather grand. As I’m writing this the sun is blazing down  onto my desk. This another reason why I’ve always loved Autumn, it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold, it’s just right in my opinion.

4. Which color do you always associate with autumn?
My favourite colour, Maroon. But the palette of colours associated with this time of year is just sensational!

5. Which Autumn themed sim is your favorite at the moment?
Has to be ‘The Trace’, which I wouldn’t know  about if it wasn’t for Caitlin Thomas’s post about it. I’m sure there are many other Autumnal sims waiting for me to discover them though!

Kitty’s Fave Blogs #1 – ‘Cait’s World’ by Caitlin Tobias

Kitty’s Fave Blogs #1 – ‘Cait’s World’ by Caitlin Tobias

by Lisa Millar ♥ 4 Comments

I’ve been meaning to write a series about some blogs that I truly adore, so seeing as I have a hot steaming brew in front of me and a cat to keep me company as I write, there’s no time like the present!

Every week I’ll be featuring a favourite blog that I visit. I follow and subscribe to legions of great blogs, but I will be singling out some particular favourites to share with you. Why? Because I’ve found them to be incredible sources of SL-inspiration,  whether it be for  avatar-styling, location hunting or just because the writer raises some interesting points about our virtual metaverse.  It’s my sincere opinion that If you’re passionate about your Second Life then these blogs have to be on your reading list. They’re not in any particular order, I love each one just as much as the next. And I’m starting this series off with a corker, ‘Cait’s World’. Caitlin Tobias’s blog is my go-to for location inspiration. I love the photographs that she takes and features on her pages.  Her composition is always spot-on, and her artworks are always beautifully framed.  I love the whole feel of her blog and I adore how easy her blog is to navigate. It completely draws you in.

Cait’s imagery really sells the locations that she visits  and makes you want to go in-world and experience them for yourself. I have been out and about in real life and received the latest update to her blog in my inbox, and  found that I was desperately wanting to rush home so that I could  visit it for myself!

Cait also keeps a Tumblr that is perfect for quick visits for personal blogging motivation, and of course she also has a Flickr feed that is perfect Sunday afternoon viewing on your ipad, snuggled under a blanket with a steaming brew. Incidentally Cait makes no bones about the fact that she uses Photoshop to enhance her images, but she explains her reasoning very eloquently on her ‘About This Blog’ page.

I really want to accompany this post with a few of my favourite images, but the problem is Cait features so many stunning pictures on her blogs that  it  proves difficult to choose a favourite.  Also, it would be disrespectful to post pictures without her express permission, so instead I will direct you to a few that you just have to see:

  1. The Moonlight Tea House A rather lovely study of a Japanese styled garden. I adore THIS shot in particular.
  2. The Trace Cait perfectly captures the Autumnal vibe opf Kylie Jaxxon’s ‘The Trace’ sim.  I visited, it’s just as beautiful as THIS picture suggests.
  3. Deadpool No, not the Marvel universe character (although I think he’d approve!)but the ruins of a carnival, perfect for atmospheric moody shots, like THIS one, which is excellent.
  4. Fogo Loch Perseus Insomnia proved to be a blessing in disguise and actually enabled  Cait to create some truly astonishing works of virtual art. THIS one is a real favourite of mine.
  5. Hey Little Girl I really love the way that Cait captures reflection in the water in THIS provocative image. Stunning work.

Thank you for your contribution to blogging the Second Life universe Cait. You’re a real inspiration to me, and I am sure to many other avatars out there; long may it continue!

LOTD: Kitty’s feeling FROCKY!

LOTD: Kitty’s feeling FROCKY!

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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Back after my holiday break, and what a wonderful birthday I had. Once again thank you so much for the wishes. I thought I’d ease myself back in nicely and feature an Autumnal LOTD today.

Now, you all know me well enough by now to know that I do like a good frock. (I said frock you perverts!)And there are many, many good frocks out there to be had on the grid, including this extremely nifty wee number from DCNY.

Apparently there was a version of this Boho dress included in Fifty Linden Friday on the 13th, BUT alas I was away so missed my opportunity to grab a copy.  And I would have done, with much gusto too, because this is a very pretty dress indeed.

I like the shape which perfectly fulfils the boho brief without being too fussy, and it wears incredibly well with boots making it perfect Autumnal fayre.  But thevery  best thing about this dress? Well that will be the choice of patterns and colours that are available in-srore. There’s a version for every occasion.

So dress it up with a floppy hat and boots and long flowing locks, or add a razor sharp haircut, heels and statement jewellery.  Either way it works. Fits like a dream, and looks the part. What more could a girl about Second Life ask for?

What are you waiting for? Let’s get frocking!

Kitty wears: 

Dress: Boho Baby Dress  in Gingerbread DCNY 

Bag: RICIELLI ‘The Birkin Bag’ (Croco) (TDR Fusion)

Skin: BELLEZA Leila Med 3 (The Boutique)

Eyes: IKON Perspective Eyes ‘Blush’ M (The Boutique)

Boots :Color Me H.O.F Rider in Oxblood (The Arcade)

Hair:  Boys&Girls 46 (Sienna) DURA

Hands: SLINK Updated hands!! (Check out Strawberry’s fabulous post about them here) 

Earrings/Necklace :IZZIES ‘Leaves’ Jewellery (TDR Fusion)