. byrd island .

Every so often I like to take a step back and reevaluate how I spend my time in Second Life. Usually this comes after a period of not being able to log in for a while due to a busier RL. I've been in SL in a really long time, longer than I sometimes like to admit lol, and because I have been it becomes easy to take for granted some days. I find when I'm spending a lot of time here, day after day, I get so wrapped up in shopping, which event is next and do I really need that whole gacha collection?(definitely...not really...kinda...no...but it's so cute...why not?!).

All those things are fun for sure and the work that goes into making some of those items blows my mind! I wouldn't even know where to start but even the work that goes into creating I sort of become numb to in the dash to hit up the next event or release. I feel like I've become spoiled with all that's available to buy that I forget why I love SL in the first place which is the relationships I've become a part of and getting to see inside such amazingly creative minds.

Something I used to enjoy, but haven't done in so long, is just exploring sims all you wonderful people have put your heart into creating! So today I left my little pixel purse at home lol and set out for an adventure! I came across Byrd Island by looking through Linden's Destination Guide. It's truly such a sweet, calm yet mysterious place. Something I usually forget to do is set my time of day to estate time but thankfully here I did because it adds to the whole experience. So if you decide to visit, don't be a Charlotte, change your wind light! lol

The sim description from the website is as follows

"Welcome to Byrd Island. Take a step back in time to explore this once inhabited island. The lighthouse keeper and his family abruptly left the island never to return. Could it have been the birds, or something else? Byrd Island is now open for tours. Check the schedule for the next ferry from the mainland" 

Ohhh, kiiiinda eerie right? lol I know, That's why I decided to check it out!

There were plenty of photo opportunities but I fell in love with this raised lawn area under huge shady trees where leaves whirled around me and that overlooked a small orchard. It's really just a beautiful little area to take a breath and enjoy the silence, which is exactly what I did. All my blabbing is really just to say, I think it's time for me to really enjoy more of what SL has to offer again. I'm going to appreciate the time I have to log in spending it with the ones I care about and exploring these beautiful worlds within a world that you guys have created without feeling like I need to constantly keep up somehow. There's a time for all that (don't worry, I'll still get my shop on here and there too! lol). It does a lot of good to reevaluate sometimes.

So why did the lighthouse keeper and his family leave the island? Maybe it was the birds as it's suggested; I'm not sure, but I know they wouldn't have driven me away. Byrd Island is lovely, birds (byrds!) and all!

♥

Destination: Byrd Island

. feel the sunshine .

Don't just hear but listen to the birds sing

mimic their tune even when you have no tone of your own

laugh at and find joy in the silly things you do when no one is watching

twirl until you're dizzy in delight

Don't just view but appreciate the beauty of a flower

allow the wind to mess up your hair 

have a conversation with yourself 

because, after all, you do give amazing advice

and instead of turning away and shielding your eyes

lift your chin and feel the sunshine

♥

: Wearing :

Dress: *{Junbug}* Grace (blush)

Hair: Lamb. Want You  

Hair Flowers: [Wishbox] Rose Crown (champagne)

Necklace: Cae :: Juno :: Necklace

: Scene Decor :

HPMD* Garden Tree 06

HPMD* Colored Bushes 

Studio Skye Enchanted Pond 

Studio Skye Enchanted Woods

Heart Ox Eye Daisies 

LAQ Decor Stone Plates

{what next} Tree Swing Pose Prop

-tres blah- Fairy Whispers and Daisies (modified)

8f8 Silent Conversations Koi Kohaku

Just Animals Small Birds - Mesh

: Pose :

Kirin - Hanami Pose 3 1

. music speaks .

There are times when you can't quite put into words the chaos that swirls inside of your head

You do your best to connect letters and even try to string them together yet, somehow, they always fall short...

Luckily for us...

Where words fail, music speaks

And it often speaks far louder and with much more assurance

♥

: Wearing :

Lingerie: .::Dead Dollz::. Promise - Black

Hair: ""D!va"" Hair "Ana"

Headphones: 22769 ~ [homme] Headphones Vintage Blooming

Tattoos:[White~Widow] Dark Shadows & [White~Widow] Veritgo - Black - Legs (Gacha Item)

Mesh Body: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Mesh Hands:  Slink AvEnhance Hands Female - Elegant

: Build :

Trompe Loeil - Yara Treehouse {Available at Collabor88}

: Pose :

Kirin - Aya Pose 8

. plague doctor .

♥

: Wearing :

Dress: - tres blah - Bustier Dress - Dice {Available at Collabor88}

Shoes: ::HH:: Hucci Pinup Peeps ( Midnight )

Hair: Exile: Memory Bliss

Mask: Trident Plague Mask ( Black )

Head Accessory: LaGyo_Lore Headpiece Antoinette {Available at Collabor88}

Flowers: *katat0nik* Metal Flower Fan ( Set of 3 Colors) {Available at Collabor88}

: Scene Decor :

floorplan. arrow scroll

[ContraptioN] Grandfather Clock: Cycle of Sorrow Rare ( Past gacha item )

Vagabond & Kalopsia - Flying Leaves - Dream ( From pearl's lace set )

Studio Skye Windswept Tree

: Pose :

Kirin - TSS Gift 4

: Location :

Southern Paradise

. spread cheer .

Whether it's home made mittens 

festive garland 

sugar cookies

or just a hug

Be sure to spread some holiday cheer this month

You never know who might be needing a little smile that only you can give!

♥

: Wearing :

Top: ISON - wool side cut sweater (white)

Jeans: Blueberry - Tink - Dark Blue

Boots: fri.day - Jessica.Boots - (Buck) {Available at Collabor88}

Hair: Magika - Never

Glasses: {Sleepy Eddy} Boston Glasses (Wood)

Shawl: erratic - 05. cwe - shawl / green reindeer

: Decor :

floorplan. slat fireplace

floorplan. apple crate stack seat

{vespertine} - slouchychair/beige

(fd) Cat - 02 Sleeping Curled

Sari-Sari - Traditional Christmas - Angel Candles {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

Sari-Sari - Traditional Christmas - Blocks {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

Sari-Sari - Traditional Christmas - Greetings Sign {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

 *texture change to say Merry Christmas in five different languages*

Sari-Sari - Traditional Christmas - My Old Sock {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

Sari-Sari - Traditional Christmas - Upcycled Advent {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

Sari-Sari - Traditional Christmas - Vintage Tin Trees {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

Sari-Sari - Traditional Christmas - Garland and Candle {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

*I made a candle that would normally sit on a flat surface in the middle of the garland invisible so that I could hold the garland up. I wanted to show it off to my puppy, even though he doesn't look very impressed!*

[Commoner] Framed Monogrammed Ornament / G {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

[Commoner] Cardboard Christmas Tree/ Patterned (Green) {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

- tres blah - Cozy Winter - Wide Tin House {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

- tres blah - Cozy Winter - Winter Pillows {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

- tres blah - Cozy Winter - Coat Rack {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

- tres blah - Cozy Winter - Big Pillow {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

- tres blah - Cozy Winter - Knit Fix Rare {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

O.M.E.N. - Waiting for Santa Paws - Black Lab {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

tarte. blanket crate {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

tarte. twig snowflake (white)  {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

tarte. sheet music frame  {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

B.C.C. Emma's Sweet Kitchen Rugs - Grey {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

: Pose :

Kirin - Autumn Leaves 2 / Pose 4 1

. enchantment .

: Decor :

Sari-Sari - Paper Mache - Wendy Ship {Available at Enchantment}

Sari-Sari - Paper Mache - Peter Ship {Available at Enchantment}

 Sari-Sari - Paper Mache -Hook Ship {Available at Enchantment}

*Each of these paper ships come with an attached branch and string for hanging or you can remove them, like I did for this picture*

Studio Skye - Enchanted Pond

{anc} nebra beads [sungold]

Just Animals French Bulldog  

Heart Nymphaea water lily pads 

Ewos Mesh Frog

8f8 - silent conversations - Koi Tancho {Gacha Item}

8f8 - silent conversations - Koi Ochiba {Gacha Item}

8f8 - silent conversations - Koi Kohaku {Gacha Item}

. come gentle night .

Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-browed night,

Give me my Romeo. And when I shall die,

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun.

~Shakespeare

♥ 

: Wearing :

fri. - Cozy.Socks (Cream) {Available at Collabor88}

*Socks come with unrigged mesh tops pre-fit for either Slink Physique or Maitreya Lara but can be resized to fit most other mesh bodies. The legs of the socks -the part that'll keep you all toasty warm!- is an applier. An applier HUD is included for Slink Physique, Maitreya Lara and Omega.*

fri. - Ingrid.Boots (Steel) {Available at Kustom9}

*These boots come pre-fit for Maitreya Lara Mesh Body but can be resized easily! I made mine a bit taller!*

Dress: Mikunch kawayui set onepiece (for trench coat)

Coat: Mikunch trench coat

Hair: [elikatira] Karee

: Pose :

Sari-Sari - Snow Love - Kisses {Gacha Item}

*I did some modifying to this pose for this picture but it's a super cute pose modified or not. It's actually a two person pose. On it's own, it allows you to blow a soft little snow flurry kiss to someone! It 's really sweet!*

: Decor :

HPMD* Rocks in the Forest (ver. 2013)

Studio Skye - Enchanted Woods

{anc} garden. ladymoon {Past Arcade Gacha Item}

{anc} mist cloud [Heavenly Blue]

{anc} nebra beads [Sungold]

 [ keke ] star glitter

[ keke ] star cluster

. silly boy .

As long as I have his favorite treats packed, Watson is willing to follow me anywhere and today was no different!

I made up a picnic basket for us and we went down to the park.

Unable to concentrate on anything but the basket, knowing that that's where I was keeping the goods, Watson was a persistent little devil. People walking by must have thought I never feed the poor little guy!

 Once he got his treats though, he forgot mom even existed!

There was so much for him to get into at the park...including a huge pile of leaves.

He dove and all I heard was rustling and crunching until his sweet little leaf covered head popped up!

We stayed and played until the sun was going down and Watson's little tummy began to rumble again, letting me know it was time to get him home for his dinner.

He's such a silly boy

♥

: Wearing :

Shoes: fri.day Yara.Heels (Tan) {Available at Uber}

*For Slink and Maitreya Mid Feet*

Top: .Atomic. {Darling Sweater} Set 4 - comes with a color change hud!

Pants: coldLogic pant 151 - traux - java

Hair: [LeLutka]-JERRY Hair/Dark Red

Ears: [MANDALA] UNISEX STEKING_ears_ver2

: Decor :

*The following Sari-Sari items are coming to The Seasons Story, opening October 10! A couple more items from this set will be featured in an upcoming post as well.*

Sari-Sari - Bird Barrel

Sari-Sari - Birdhouse

Sari-Sari - Extra Logs

Sari-Sari - Haystack

 Sari-Sari - Picnic Basket

Sari-Sari - Pumpkin Cart

LAQ Decor - Park Bench 

 -tres blah- Eclectic Collection - Charmed Books

MIEL - COURIER BAG - comes with a color change hud!

junk. stone pumpkins. {Available at Uber}

junk. withering bucket. {Available at Uber}

Just Animals - French Bulldog - Full Perm - aka My Watson! he's so adorable! :D

HPMD* Colored Fallen Leaves

HPMD* Shrub - yellow/green - I tinted a bit!

HPMD* Garden Tree07 - yellow - a little more tinting took place

[we're CLOSED] grass field green

*alirium* ItchyGrass [gold] 

Apple Fall - Rockin' Robin

=Druid Designs= Antique Street Lamp

{vespertine} rabbit hole shop build Rare - part of the rabbit hole gacha set

{verspertine} hanging prints - part of the rabbit hole gacha set

{verspertine} tall file shelf - part of the rabbit hole gacha set

{vespertine} rabbit shop sign - part of the rabbit hole gacha set

 {theosophy} Bicycle Cart (Coffee)

floorplan. apple crate stack seats

Botanical - Seasonal Boxwood Hedge - hud to change between seasons included!

 Stormwood - Cobblestone Floor

: Pose :

Kirin - Mika Pose 6

. dance like nobody's watching .

Whatever it is that you love to do

Whatever it is that makes your heart happy

and your spirit soar

Whatever it is that makes getting out of bed worth while

 

Do it with your whole heart

Fill your art with everything you are

Practice it for you alone

Don't worry what other eyes would see or other opinions would say

What matters is that you make yourself proud

Love what you do and do what you love

Dance like nobody's watching

♥

: Pose:

Sari-Sari Ballet 03 {Available at Kustom9}

: Wearing :

Leotard: !gO! leotard&tutu - white

 (tutu not pictured but comes with one! Just so you guys know this leotard doesn't work too well with the Maitreya body which I'm wearing. The alphas don't line up too well so for the picture I did some editing)

Leg Warmers and Slippers: REIGN. - BALLERINA WARMERS - BLUE

Hair: ""D!va"" Hair "Lana"

Tattoo: [White-Widow] Dark Shadows

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

: Decor:

llorisen // eclectic standing mirror. cream 

Kalopsia - Lace Curtains

[ keke ] Twinkling Lights Log - Bare

Apple Fall & An Lar Toile Chair - (Cream)

Apple Fall Roses Box (Pink)

Apple Fall Handbag & Scarf

::{u.f.o}:: Swan Lake, Act 1 practice slippers - pink 

floorplan. music box / newsprint

dust bunny . pillow pathway

[ zerkalo ] Cozy Evening - Rug Linnen

. nothin' but net .

Football season has started?

Yeah yeah I know

But!

What's really exciting is that basketball is right around the corner!

I rigged up my trash bin to get some free throw practice in before I hit the court

and by hit the court...I mean...more like watch the pros from the comfiness of my couch...

either way

super excited to cheer on my team this season

♥

: Wearing :

Top: Vinyl - Jessie Sports Shirt Pak 2 Black

Shorts: Addams // Short Gym 2.0 // White

Shoes: REIGNxFLITE. - Taylors - Black/White

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Jolene

: Decor :

junk. arche desk.

junk. wood block shelves.

junk. vintage stadium seat.

junk. stadium lights. floor.

junk. retro sports tee wall cushion. blue.

junk. retro sports tee wall cushion. green.

junk. lockers. clean. pg. (comes with singles and couples poses adult or pg versions)

junk. barrel table.

:CP: Duncan Hoopz Game (it's really a game! you toss paper into the basket..love!)

:CP: Duncan Parking Sign

:CP: East Side Triangle Mirror

flowey & Joe Mainstreet / Pillomal - French Bulldog

-tres blah- Hodgepodge - Stacked Magazines

-tres blah- Hodgepodge - Agenda Rare

-tres blah- Hodgepodge - Tossed Clothes 

-tres blah- Hodegpodge - Paper Pile

-tres blah- Workspace - Computer Rare (I just added my own texture for a screen saver!)

-tres blah- Workspace - Pencil Holder

PILOT Basketball Goal and Basketball Decor  

[Deadwool] Thoreau backpack - sugar love

Fancy Decor: House of Postcards

MESH Agency Pinned Wall Poster (Again, I just added my own texture!)

R(S)W Manny Schwarzenegger

dust bunny . potted jade plant

(Milk Motion) Cootie Catcher

(fd) Cat - 17 Over Shoulder Rare

(fd) Cat - 15 Maru Pose Rare

(fd) Cat - 16 Curled in Box Rare

floorplan. leaning book stack 

MEIL Courier Bag

::revival:: blanket to go 'stripes'

[Toiz] ocean hawaii radio  

SKBIO - Fall Wall Hanging

Lisp - MESH - Faded Summer Rug - Peaches & Cream

: Pose/Animation :

GROSSHERZOG SHOP - catchandthrow

. step one : start engine .

Benny, my cat, and I had decided to go on a grand adventure today

♥

We were going to take our new plane out for a spin

Feel the wind in our hair...or fur...

See the rest of you pass below us as ittie bittie specks

as we waved hello to other birds of the sky

We were going to swoop this way..

...and nose dive that way!

There was just one sliiiight little problem...

a detail really...

...Neither of us knew how to fly a plane

Luckily for us,

I found a "Beginner's Guide to Flying an Airplane" manual tucked under the seat next to those big red flashy button thingies

"Step One:" it read

"Start the Engine."

Oh! Ok! Easy enough..start the engine...

Which button did that though?

The buttons all looked the same to us and while I've never been one to shy away from pressing big red buttons when I probably shouldn't,

something was telling me that maaaaybe doing that today wouldn't have been the best idea

So...

Benny and I didn't go flying today, but hey!

we got to wear cute clothes and flying goggles right?!

♥

: Wearing :

Dress: The Secret Store - Nathalie Tutu Dress - Mint {Available at Collabor88}

Coat: The Secret Store - Nana Cropped Bomber - Blush

Tights: The Secret Store - Polka Tights - Black & White

Shoes: fri.day - Didi. Wedges (Blush) {Available at Kustom9}

Hair: Magika - Itch

Goggles: *DL* Kimiko - Aviator Steampunk Goggles

Gum: MUSCHI Gum for pics 

Eyes: Slink Mesh Lids & Lashes

Ears: [MANDALA] Unisex STEKING_ears_ver2

: Decor :

{what next} Wearable Airplane - Pink Comet {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

{what next} Wearable Airplane - Blue Eagle {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

 {what next} Wearable Airplane - Tornado {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

 {what next} Wearable Airplane - Hedgehog {Available at The Arcade Gacha Event}

(fashionably dead) Cat - 17 Over Shoulder RARE {Past Arcade Gacha Item} 

-tres blah- Bon Voyage - Stacked Treasures RARE {Past Arcade Gacha Item}

-tres blah-  Frilly Satchel - Pink

Fapps Lo Prim Store - Small Hanger

{anc} mist cloud [sungold] {Available at Collabor88}

: Pose :

Sari-Sari - lollipop06

. a kiss to build a dream on .

Give me a kiss to build a dream on
And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A kiss to build a dream on

Give me a kiss before you leave me
And my imagination will feed my hungry heart
Leave me one thing before we part
A kiss to build a dream on

And when I'm alone with my fancies, I'll be with you
Weaving romances, making believe they're true

Oh, give me your lips for just a moment
And my imagination will make that moment live
Give me what you alone can give
A kiss to build a dream on

 ~ Louis Armstrong

♥

: Wearing :

Lingerie: .miss chelsea. Lily Lingerie Mint {Available at FaMESHed}

Hair: [elikatira] Estelle {Available at FaMESHed}

: Pose :

Kirin - Hanami Pose 4 1

:: Event items featured are in their September '15 round ::

. beauty is not perfection .

Don't allow anyone to make you believe 

that your imperfections aren't beautiful

Your imperfections are authentically you

and authentic you is what this world could use a lot more of

You don't

 have to be

perfect

to be

beautiful

♥

: Wearing :

Dress: :Moon Amore: Estella Dress

Choker: AMITOMO. crop top + loose shirt + choker {Available at Kustom9}

Head Accessory: *LODE* Hat - Binny [black dots]

Tattoo: [Reckless] Whats dead can never die

Hair: (epoque hair) Tied Up

: Pose :

Kirin - Rukia Pose 1

. kitchen essentials . Sari-Sari at the Arcade .

It's that time again!

♥

The Arcade Gacha Event is upon us and that means tons of new items to hoard!

...I mean...collect... Yeah, collect!

Sari-Sari must have been reading my mind 

How else would they know that new kitchen items were exaaactly what I needed?!

Reading my mind, stalking me, whatever they did...I really don't mind because from it came their new set for the Arcade

Kitchen Essentials

♥

The Kitchen Essentials set includes 13 commons and 4 rares

Pieces range from one to seven land impact each and are transfer only

One of the rares, the clock scale, is owner functional! Yep, you can set it to tell you the time!

Commons...rares... you guys will want them all!

The piece I'm most excited about is the rare fridge station

It means I finally have a place to toss all my random, mix matched, skipping pens!

...instead of where they usually hang out...

in every drawer of the house and at the bottom of my purse...

Thanks to you Sari-Sari... I'll be a bit more organized

a tad bit more organized...let's not get toooo crazy! lol

The Arcade opens September 1st...That's just a couple days away!

It gives you plenty of time though to make your Arcade wish 

and trust me...

You want this set on your list

You may never find a pen when you need it otherwise...

♥

: Featured Decor :

{All available at The Arcade Gacha Event opening September 1st by Sari-Sari}

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials -  Wire Shelf RARE

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Clock Scale RARE

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Dish Rack RARE

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Fridge Station RARE

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Chives and Parsley 1

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Chives and Parsley 2

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Chopping Boards

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Washing Utensils

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Kitchen Sign

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Menu Board

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Paper Towel

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Pot and Spoon

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Pots and Ladles

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Silverware Rack

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Eggs

Sari-Sari - Kitchen Essentials - Toast

. make a wish .

Make a wish...

♥ 

Now close your eyes and let it soar

The greater your faith the higher it'll fly

Believe in it until you see it no more

Believe in it until faith turns into fate

and it's no longer just a wish but instead a certainty

Then close your eyes 

 

and wish once more...

♥

: Wearing :

Dress: :Moon Amore: Papillon Dreams Dress (Lilac) {Available at Collabor88}

~This dress comes with two versions, with and without butterflies, as well as with a really awesome HUD that allows you to change the texture of various parts of the dress and the butterflies if you're using that version! Which is why mine doesn't look very lilac! lol

Hair: Exile - You Send Me {Available at Collabor88}

 Eyes: Slink Mesh Lids and Lashes

: Decor :

*alirium* ItchyGrass [Gold]

Apple Fall Bluebell Fencing

*HPMD* Garden Tree07

{what next} Tree Swing Pose Prop

dust bunny . maple cottage

Flux Farm Windmill

Turnip's Skydome

: Pose :

Kirin - Aya Pose 3

:: Event items featured are in their August '15 round ::

. heels in the sand .

I took a little cruise down to Pinoy Hideout this evening

Let me tell you ladies...

just because you caaan wear heels to the beach

...doesn't mean you should! lol

I had a fun and awkward time making my way through the sand in them

but the view was worth it!

It was so nice to wander around town after

just browsing shops and enjoying an ice cream

It was the perfect time of day

The colors of sunset inspire me so much

There's a warmth and hope in the yellows, reds, and oranges that just lifts my spirit

I guess it makes sense then why I claim my favorite color to be yellow!

What time of day most inspires you?

♥

: Wearing : 

Dress: -tres blah- Babydoll Dress (Yellow) {Available at Collabor88}

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Thelma

Shoes: ::HH:: Hucci Sokoto Pump - Nude Collection 

Purse: ::C'est la vie!:: Serry Bag

: Pose :

Meli Imako Handbag Pose 10

: Location :

MESH AVENUE in Pinoy Hideout