The HodgePodge Mall is having an event this month with many of the shops there having exclusives just for February. Chez Toi is a new store that’s still moving into the mall, and their first item is an exclusive shabby chic beach house for only L$150. Now that price would be awesome just for the cottage, but it’s even better when you realize that it comes with a deck that has 5 animations built into it in 2 different spots. The very end of the dock has 3 lounging animations, and the middle of the dock has 2 sitting animations on the side.

Our sim is still in the midst of winter, so just try to ignore the snow and icy trees and focus on the promise of summer in the form of the cute little cottage. Even though I was dressed for colder weather, I still enjoyed the dock and swinging my feet over the water.

I’m such a hermit that I’m never sure how to invite people over, but maybe I can entice you inside my new little house with a cupcake? This cupcake and pose is just one item from the Pink Fuel I <3 Cuppycakes Pack that's part of the Snacks and Sweets Hunt. Just go to Pink Fuel and look for the big yellow arrow pointing to the pink cupcake to get the set for yourself.

I was in such a hurry to show you the house that I didn’t have a chance to decorate. That made me a little sad, but I was glad to have my handy Sad Purple Popsicle from Lolapop! to help me show my emotion. The Popsicle Emotions set is Lolapop!’s gift for the Snacks and Sweets Hunt, and Lola’s main shop is at the HodgePodge Mall, so you can go grab that while you’re picking up the cottage from Chez Toi.

Sharing so many deals with you has made me happy again, so please note the big smile on my Lolapop! Kawaii Popsicle Emotions necklace now. The trapped heart lip piercing is also from Lolapop! The skin is one of the Valentine’s Day Bazaar exclusives from Pink Fuel, and it’s such a steal at L$50 that I ran over there as soon as I got the notice. There are lots of other great deals at the bazaar, so be sure to check it out.

Body
Hair: Exile Amelia / duskwood
Skin: Pink Fuel Skye – Pink Sugar – Flushed (dkbrow/hair)
Eyes: Shine Silent Lucidity Gasoline

Clothing
Sweater: Boom Hickey Hider – Powder
Jeans: Decoy Dana 76 Jeans – Dark
Boots: Kookie Pomski Coffee Candy Boots
Jewelry: Lolapop! Sad Purple Popsicle, Kawaii Popsicle Emotions Necklace, and Trapped Heart Lip Piercing

Props and Poses
Poses: Reel Expression Curvy Casual AO
Cupcake Pose with Cupcake: Pink Fuel I <3 Cuppycakes Pack
Cottage: Chez Toi Lake Cottage

It seems like every time I’m digging through my inventory for something to wear, I end up with at least one piece from silentsparrow in the mix. I guess it’s not that surprising since such a large portion of my inventory comes from silentsparrow. Today’s mix ended up being almost all silentsparrow and in my favorite color purple, and I feel all cute and cozy in it. Wearing something from silentsparrow is like wrapping my av in the artwork of one of my favorite artists, which is a pretty amazing thing to be able to do.

The purple henley I’m wearing in this outfit was a 50L Friday exclusive, but white and black versions of it are available in all the Chapiteau corset sets. The Chapiteau ruffle skirt is one of hyasynth’s more recent releases, and like everything she sells, it comes with a ton of options. In one pack, you actually get 3 skirt styles and a pair of bloomers with ruffles.

Body
Hair: Exile Laya / violetdawn with braid attachment in astral
Skin: Tuli Bella (pale/br) F.Y.E.O. night (PU1)
Eyes: Shine Silent Lucidity Violet (large)

Clothing
Tattoo: silentsparrow (dusk) belladonna:lepidoptera tattoo
Corset: silentsparrow (dusk) Datura corset
Top: silentsparrow (grape) Chapiteau Henley (50L Friday exclusive)
Skirt: silentsparrow (Dollie) Chapiteau Ruffle Skirt
Shoes: Scribble Candy Flats (Marshmallow Rosettes)

Poses and Decor
Poses: Reel Expression Shoes 02 – Curvy and Casual 04 – Curvy
Top Background: silentsparrow (grape) StarForest Wall Sticker

I have a folder in my inventory that’s called Everyday Brandy, and it’s a simple outfit that I can switch into quickly after wearing a complete avatar or to kind of reset my appearance if I’ve been inventory sorting and have on a random mix of things. I update the everyday outfit every couple of months to include new favorites, and I thought I’d share a quick look at my current look. This is also a good time for me to encourage all gacha machine lovers to run to anuenue for the boots at just L$60 a try. Anuenue also has other cute gacha machines with scarves, arm warmers, and mesh glove/sock sets.

Body
Hair: Exile Amelia / duskwood
Skin: Pink Fuel Skye – Leafy
Eyes: Shine Silent Lucidity Gasoline

Clothing
Tank: Mischief Bow Tank – Olive
Cardigan: Mischief Spring Chill Sweater – Leaf
Jeans: Decoy Dana 76 Jeans – Dark
Boots: anuenue patchwork knit boots *green*

Poses
Reel Expression Casual AO – Curvy

Fricka Morgath has some adorable new dresses out at Frick, and of course I had to choose the Grape Lolly set because it’s purple. Other colors are available, and they’re only L$50 each, which is a huge bargain for 2 skirt styles, 2 top styles (short and long sleeves), choker, socks, and underbust corset on all layers. Yellow fans are especially lucky because the Lemon Lolly set is only L$15.

Fricka has also set out a gacha machine with 8 skins and 4 eyes to match the Lolly sets. Each try is just L$20, and I stuck around long enough to get the Grape Lolly Skin in Cream and the Grape Lolly Eyes. If anyone out there gets an extra Grape Lolly Skin in Goth, then I have some extras of the other colors to trade.

Violet Voltaire took a bit of an SL hiatus, but now she’s coming back, and I couldn’t be happier because I can’t wait to see what new things she’ll be creating. Before the new shop is set up though, she’s running a sale on some of her older items. I went by there this morning to see if the Their Cell crown/key set I’m wearing is still available, and I’m happy to say that it is and that each piece is only L$25. Go pick up some super cute bargains today!

Body
Hair: Exile Eva / astral
Skin: Frick Grape Lolly Skin – Cream
Eyes: Frick Grape Lolly Eyes

Clothing
Dress: Frick Grape Lolly
Shoes: Katat0nik Bowie Mary Janes
Crown and Doll Key: Violet Voltaire Their Cell

Poses
Top: Long Awkward Pose F-Blogger9-Poofyskirt
Bottom: Striking Poses Amy Lee Dollarbie

In a world where we can all be perfect and every hair can be in place and every piece of clothing can always look fresh, I often find myself drawn to the deliberate imperfections. I value items that can convey that feeling of literally loving an item to pieces through repeated wearings. Although there’s a lot of variety at Moonshine Designs, the pieces that usually catch my eye there tend to share a similar style of bright fabrics patched together and gently frayed edges. Two of Shelly’s newest releases show that off perfectly from the cascade of patterns in the Carousel top and skirt to the rips in the aptly named Hobo Jeans.

The Hobo Jean comes in two colors, a denim blue and this dark gray, and the textures feel comfortably worn in.

I paired a lace tank and shirt from silentsparrow with the jeans because of the lovely little details in the tops like the pulled threads and a rip in the lace. Though I intended to do something grungier with the ripped jeans, I ended up with a look that feels both shabby and kind of classy to me.

Body
Hair: Exile Karen / duskwood and Brigitte / duskwood
Skin: Pink Fuel Pink Fuel Skye – Flirt (dkbrow + hair) and Skye – Starlett (dkbrow + hair)
Eyes: Shine Silent Lucidity Slate

Clothing
Henley and Tank: silentsparrow (seanorses) Chapiteau henley and lace tank
Corset: Cynful Jeans Corset – Red
Jeans: Moonshine Designs Hobo Jean Dark Gray
Skirt and Top: Moonshine Designs Carousel Horizon
Shoes: SLink Jolie Pied Achillia Gladiator Silver and Shiny Things Button Boots – black

Poses
Reel Expression Arty V2 06 – Curvy and Shoes 01 – Curvy

I didn’t think I was going to get to do this noob blog challenge because I’m ruthless about deleting old stuff from my inventory, but then I remembered a box I packed away months ago. The skin, hair, and eyes that vintage Brandy is wearing are the first items I bought in mid 2007.

I opened my SL account in February 2007, but I didn’t actually go in world until May or June, and between setting up my account and signing in that first, I did quite a bit of reading about SL. I got hooked on Closet Crisis, and that influence led to my very first shopping trip at Celestial Studios on my first day in world. I also bought an outfit at CS that day, but I don’t seem to have boxed that one up. Instead I’m wearing the very first shirt I ever fatpacked, a great off-the-shoulder top from Surf Couture, and my favorite jeans from Launa Fauna.

This example of my current look is courtesy of Exile, Pink Fuel, Fusemelon, Decoy, and Treads. I think the biggest change from then until now is that I change my look a lot more with different skins and hair colors even though I kept dark brown for both in this case. The shape has stayed pretty much the same except for a bit of tweaking around the mouth and the spacing between my eyes, and I became just a tiny bit shorter.

After a few dormant months, the Ivy Falls sim has reopened temporarily as a winter wonderland. I’m not sure how long this version of Ivy Falls will be around, but I say we enjoy it while it’s here! As you explore, keep an eye out for 20 little collectible toys scattered throughout the sim. Click each one, and you’ll get toys of your own to take home with you. If you want a fun overview of the sim, then hop on board the Ivy Express with some friends and sit back and enjoy the ride.

One of my favorite parts is Santa’s toy factory. All the giant toys would make terrific backdrops for dolly-themed photos. Note to self – Come back for dolly photos!

I tried blending in with the angel choir, but I think my antlers had them worried that I played for the other team. Antlers and horns are totally different things though. I should know. I have both in my inventory. Oh maybe that’s what had them concerned.

I spent a bit of time digging through this big sack of presents. I was sure that with all those presents falling from the ceiling, at least one had to have my name on it, but no luck. I’ll have to go back to check again.

My antlers led to the local reindeer inviting me to join their family portrait. They were so sweet, much nicer than that angel choir.

Even though I highlighted the toy factory and Santa-themed area, I’m leaving you with this last photo to show that there are some lovely general snow areas to explore and photograph at Ivy Falls too. And please don’t overlook the ice skating rink, the ice bar by the amphitheatre, and the lovely warm tavern to warm up with some Guinness or hot chocolate or both.

Two of my recent purchases called out to my inner faun, and they both show my love of organic swirls. The Twiggy Fireplace from Balderdash is somehow modern and rustic at the same time, and the different candle additions that Saiyge has designed allow you to customize the style. Illusions Festive Florissinae Antlers add a touch of whimsy and also have an amazing variety of texture and decoration combinations.

One of the things I love about the fireplace is its versatility. There’s no fire included in the firebox area, so you’re free to add your favorite fire or fill that area with candles or anything else you might want. I personally love the look of a fireplace filled with candles because I’m a candle fanatic, so I set up a simple arrangement of a few favorites from Balderdash for these photos. Speaking of my candle addiction, you’ll notice some twiggy candle holders shown with the fireplace. These candles are also a new release from Balderdash but come separate from the fireplace in this crystal style, a copper leaf option, and plain white. Saiyge has said she might have more fireplace dressing items out soon, and I’m eager to see what else she creates in this set.

As with anything Saiyge does, you really have to see these candles up close to see the details. I love the flickering stars with the pillar and globe candles, and those come in several colors. The twiggy candles have a beautiful melting shape, and these flames make for a lovely soft backdrop in photos.

I have to pull myself away from the fireplace for just a bit to show off the antlers again. For one low price (L$325), you get 9 different antler textures and 12 decoration options. You can see just a few of my favorites below, but you really need to get the demo to see all of them in person.

Body
Antlers: Illusions Festive Florissinae Antlers
Faun Parts: Titania’s Court Female Faun Chestnut
Ears: Plastik ElfEars – Burdy
Skin: Pink Fuel Skye – Blood Red Bees (dkbrow + hair)
Hair: Exile Naoko / coffee
Eyes: Shine Silent Lucidity Grass

Clothing
Dress: Evie’s Closet Isabella Green

Decor and Poses
Pose: Long Awkward Pose blogger set
Prefab: nodari dark.chocolate
Fireplace: Balderdash Twiggy Fireplace
Fireplace Candles: Balderdash Twig and Crystals Candle Holder
Pillar Candle: Balderdash Cellestia Cellestio Memorial Candle
Globe Candle: Balderdash Cellestia Cellestio Globe Candle – Starlight

The weather in my real life feels more like a warm autumn than winter, so that might be why I found myself longing for something more autumnal when I was deciding what to wear in SL today. I started by layering a warm brown cardigan from Miseria over one of my most used staples, a tank top from Mischief. This cardigan has sculpted pieces that come down over the hands, a nice touch that has become almost a necessity for me when I look at sweaters. I love that casual, slouchy feel. The cardigan also wins points from me because the small buttons don’t stretch beyond recognition on my larger frame.

Body
Skin: Pink Fuel Skye – Leafy (dkbrow + hair)
Hair: Exile Maren / duskwood
Eyes: Shine Silent Lucidity Kiwi

Clothing
Cardigan: Miseria Ash Cardigan – Umber
Tank: Mischief Bow Tank – Olive
Jeans: League Garage Jeans – Petrol
Boots: J’s Laceup Short Boots Gift

Pose
Reel Expression Fashion S1 01 – Curvy

I’m a fan of all shades of purple, but one of my favorite shades is a dark plum with lovely red highlights. This new Call Me Baby sweater dress from *BOOM* is a beautiful example of that. If you look closely at the knit texture, you see various shades of reds and purples all mixed together. The sweater comes with a sculpted chest piece to give it more of a big sweater feel rather than clinging tightly to your breasts, which I think is a nice touch. I’m also a fan of the sculpted loose turtleneck collar and the sleeves that extend down over your hands.

The color of the sweater reminded me of one of my favorite chairs from Balderdash, the appropriately named “comfy old chair” in distressed plum, so I pulled that out beside the Christmas tree (also from Balderdash) at my home for a photo.

Body
Skin: Pink Fuel Skye – Manna (dkbrow + hair)
Hair: Exile Leilani / charcoal
Eyes: Shine Silent Lucidity Violet

Clothing and Accessories
Sweater: *BOOM* Call Me Baby – sugarplum
Pants: Mischief September Freebie – Match It All Black Pants
Boots: Shiny Things Button Boots – eggplant
Jewelry: Shine Geo cuff necklace and earrings

Poses and Props
Poses: Reel Expression Casual Curvy AO
Chair: Balderdash – Comfy old chair – Distressed Plum
Tree: Balderdash – Cool Yule – Dragonscale – twinkling