Home and Garden Expo-Darla Treehouse

The Home and Garden Expo is ending tonight (12am SLtime).  I've had so much fun with this event and had the best intentions of blogging daily-damn you rl.  With 14 sims, it's kind of hard to cover everything you love in two blog posts but I'm sure I'll be posting expo stuff after it's over.

One of my favorite rides/attractions at Disneyland was the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (the other being Pirates in case you were wondering).  I have memories of when I was 5 or 6 going up the treehouse and imagined myself touching the stars at night.  The ride changed to Tarzan's Treehouse 15 years ago or so-lame but whatever.  

As some of you know, I'm a prefab whore so I had to have the Darla Treehouse by HomeKraft because yeah, any treehouse reminds me of the Robinson Family (Swiss).  I kind of went a little crazy styling this one.  How many different store items can you fit in one room?!  Quite a lot, actually.

Here is the rope going up to the tree and here is me climbing up the rope.  

Blue is my color right now.  I want everything in blue so I love that the Darla Treehouse is blue on both the exterior and interior. 

The room is quite big-I like to separate big areas into different living spaces.  

More great stuff from {what next} in the Living Room area. 

The adorable prints in the corner are by {Kiro} and available at UrbanARTs at the Expo.  She also has some stuff in the latest round of the The Gallery Gift Shop.

One of my favorite new stores I discovered at the Expo (new to me) is Melino Style on the UrbanizeD sim.  I love the Moroccan colors and style of their decor.

I have a ton of hodgepodge stuff from Lisp so I decided to use the boho bed for the bedroom space.

I was eyeing this sofa by [LeeZu!] all week and I finally got it.  The two prints are freebies from UrbanARTs.

Finally, I went a little crazy at the Zanzo store on the {what next sim}.  I bought several things by *KKPW* (Knick Knack Paddy Whack-by creators of Zanzo) including this awesome chairbarrow.

If you have any time today, try to spend a few at the Expo-so many great finds this year. Thanks to everyone who put on such a fantastic event!

Note:  I put a star next to all the items that I didn't get at the Expo
house:  Darla Treehouse
*landscape-UrbanizeD (my go-to place for grass!)

Deck
chairbarrow:  *KKPW*
*bistro set:  Dreamscapes Art Gallery
finch's birdbox:  *KKPW*-RFL item

Entryway
raindrop curtains:  Insight Designs
jardin magnifique sofa and studio fur carpet:  [LeeZu!]
wall paintings:  Piedra Lubitsch -freebies at UrbanARTs
antique book piles:  Sweet Sorrows
octagon side table:  Melino Style
shoji lamp:  *KKPW*

Bedroom Space
villa park door screen:  fucifino
hengsha cubby hole:  *KKPW*
love letters desk:  Thistle
wall tree:  Prime-RFL item
*hodgepodge bed-blue boho:  Lisp
*bookcase:  Tranquility Way Station (TWS)
row of books:  Sweet Sorrows

Kitchen Space
tiled block table and chairs and vivid silk rug:  Melino Style
Marmiton Collection, bowl and vase and tosta amore:  *KKPW*
*sweet moonstone frige:  LeBloom
*traditional hearth console, woodburning stove and fancy cake:  Lisp
retro kitchen prints:  {what next}
asian arte rug:  Prime


Chill/Music/Book/TV Space
loungin chair & a half, loungin floor pillows (RFL items), fleeftone retro record player, and pile of vinyl:  {what next}
*vintage tv:  Lisp
studio fur carpet:  [LeeZu!]
*estate sale bookstack:  Clutter-Retirement sale through June 10!!!
*messy stack of books:  Designer Prims
lost angel 1 & 2 prints:  [AH] at UrbanARTs
text art:  The Gallery Gift Shop

Door Corner
trash to treasures rug:  ~La'Licious~
*eastleigh yoga mat:  CP
lullaby sand timer table:  Lisp
eco cup (sound of coffee):  *KKPW*
*summertime bicycle pose prop:  {what next}
trouble and modern day dino prints:  {Kiro} at UrbanARTs-RFL items
*the fox panda duo print:  {Kiro}at The Gallery Gift Shop

bodhi bonsai:  .:buddhabeats:.-RFL item

light up Joe-chandelier:  elefantu

Fashion
top:  draped crop tee, ISON 
shorts:  frill shorts, *GF*
hair:  late at night, Exile at TDRB-New

work Space

My name is Epione and I have a problem hoarding fabric, art supplies (especially watercolor paper, prismacolor markers and pencils) and beads!  Oh yeah, and art books.  I have a ton of them.

Of course I'm talking about real life because in SL I hoard hair, skin, and prefabs.  I don't think my fabric/bead/art supply habit will ever get me on a hoarders' show though.  I'll scale down before that ever happens.

When I sew in rl i have to do it barefoot.

Basically, I need more space.  And why not dream big-I need my own studio which actually is a possibility in the not too distant future (a little bird whispered this to me).  But for now, I will dream and create my own work space in SL.

As I posted the pics for the post, I laughed because I kind of crammed everything together which is just like my work space in rl.

Fashion
dress:  -tb-, Daydream babydoll@Collabor88-New
tights:  Vershe, Random Tights
hair:  Clawtooth, Kinda Shy @Collabor88-New
skin:  Curio, Jewel Gold Tones
pose:  Olive Juice, Stay Sassy

Home Decor
drafting table, closet:  Zigana
rugs:  Zigana @ Culture Shock-New
sewing machine and table:  Cleo Design
sewing supplies (fabric bolts, yardstick, patterns, piles of fabric and basket o' thread):  Second Spaces
cutting table and round rug:  Urbanized
umbrella lamp: Lisp @ CultureShock-New
Mathilde Sewing Basket:  Lisp
baskets:  theosophy
Mimi's Mannequin:  {what next} 
mirror:  [North West]
magazines:  OBF

Wall Art 
New York Bus Scroll, The Loft
Art Deco - La Chanteuse de Jazz, Qiao Ling Fashion @ Marketplae
Art Deco - New York, Qiao Ling Fashion @ Marketplace
Vintage Vogue Poster, O's Decor @ Marketplace
TA Van Gogh 1, msw Tomorrow @ Marketplace


Textures  
floors:  Limehouse, farmhouse
walls:  Insight Designs, Moulded Stucco

when SLife imitates Art

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,

Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,

Till her blood was frozen slowly,

And her eyes were darken'd wholly,

Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.

For ere she reach'd upon the tide

The first house by the water-side,

Singing in her song she died,

The Lady of Shalott.

-Tennyson, 1832

The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse, 1888

I was going through some of my art books recently and I came across a picture of The Scream by Edward Munch.  I started wondering if I could duplicate that image with pixels and that led to more ideas of how I could reinterpret other paintings in SL.

I used to live in a city that had one of the best museums in the country (well, besides the Louvre, it probably is one of the best in the world).  Whenever I was uninspired or sad I would go to this museum and be instantly transformed.  It made me happy to see so many paintings, sculptures, textiles, costumes all in one place.  Needless to say, I went to this museum a lot!

The Lady of Shalott painting and poem (see top image) is inspired by Elaine of Astolot.  Tennyson's poem (see above) speaks of a woman who is cursed and lives in isolation in a tower.  She cannot look anyone in the eye, her only companion being her own reflection in the mirror.  However, she cannot resist the beauty of Lancelot and so she travels by boat to see him.  In the painting by Waterhouse she is chained down in the boat.  Unfortunately she dies before she can express her love to Lancelot.

Google has this program called Google Art Project where you can view many famous works of art from museums around the world.  You can also take virtual tours of museums.  I think it's quite cool but I'm definitely an art nerd.  Check it out and tell me what you think.

Credits
note:  I absolutely love the new Umbrella Boats from Lisp.  You can find them at Collabor88 this month.
skirt and top:  Sn@tch, Catalina Doll-New
skin:  Illusory, Collabor88, Love Milk Frenchie-New
chains:  ..:DeliciouS:.., Heartache
hair:  Wasabi Pills, Coco-New
nails:  *Rezlpsa Loc* for Wear Gray for A Day, Pastel French Nails (Gatcha) through April 22-New
umbrella:  Lisp, Collabor88-New

hoodies for Justice

Today I wear hoodies for justice.  rip Trayvon.

Pic 1

hoodie:  *Epic*, Mesh Animal Hoodie-New

hair:  Exile, Perri for TDRB-New

pants:  Dee TaleZ, Tartan (sale room)

boots:  Miel, Timber Boots-New

glasses:  Bizarre Creations, Gypsy Sunglasses-New

skin:  [Ill] Illusory Skin, Organic for Collarbor88 (march)

Pic2

hoodie: ...:Perle, Mesh Hooded Sweater-New

skirt:  Spirit Store, Apista Mesh Skirt-New

hair:  .ploom, Kenni

Pic 3

hoodie:  [NV], Hooded Sweater-New

pants:  Has Been, Cord Pants Brown

hair:  .ploom, Kenni

all poses:  Glitterati

place:  Mulholland Highway

Electric INdiGo

At this rate, I should finish the color challenge in five years.

By the way, am I the only one who struggles with mesh?  Sometimes, parts of my body disappear when I use mesh items.  Sometimes I can't use two mesh things at the same time but it worked today.

When I saw this necklace from Kosh, I had to get it.  I made something similar in RL recently. Not exactly similar but there's a key involved and two kinds of chain.  If I was really smart, I would post a pic of it but I'm not that smart.  Maybe I will add it in later.

52 Weeks of Color Challenge-Part Deux

place:  Tea Time
pants:  Sn@tch, Jayne Leopard Skinny Pants
top:  Kim, Lala Mesh Shirt, Kitty-New
shoes:  [Virtual/Insanity], Skull Wedge Slippers-Zombie Popcorn March-New
necklace:  Kosh, The Angel Necklace-New
hair:  Exile, Bring it On
skin:  Skin Within, Alina

tarot labyrinth-The High Priestess

The Fool continues her journey secure in the knowledge that she holds powerful tools that The Magician has placed in her trust.  However, the Fool is young at heart and sometimes takes life for granted believing that she is untouchable.  She has a limited understanding that every choice she makes now, effects other choices she makes in the future.  In other words, you reap what you sow and karma is a bitch.  But this insight is not within the Fool's grasp...at least not yet.

She will experience heartache and devastation.  She will face fear head on but will also find true happiness, love and strength.  Life is a wheel of fortune.

As she travels, she encounters many mysterious places including Valhal.  She braves the fog and sleeps wherever she can find shelter.  The Fool finally arrives at a beautiful space in the sky where the High Priestess awaits for her.  The Fool feels safe again.

The High Priestess is a softer version of the Magician.  Whereas, the Magician is confident, outgoing, and a bit of a show off, the High Priestess is quiet and calm.  She is shrouded in mystery and because of this she is one the hardest cards of the Major Arcana to connect with.

The High Priestess is the no. 2 card and she introduces the fool to the idea of duality.  The fool will come to see again and again that life is run at different points between two polar opposites:  male and female, black and white, conscious and unconscious.  For instance, we are not purely female or purely male.  Each of us has energies that are both feminine and masculine in nature.

To understand the Priestess' energy, you must delve deep into your unconscious to access those feelings that you keep hidden.  Think of the High Priestess as your shadow self.  Have you ever experienced something that is hard to express in words?  Or you understand an idea or a concept but it's hard to explain to another person?  This is the feeling one gets when the High Priestess is present.  She does not use words to communicate but allows us the feeling that it is ok to step back and take a quiet moment to understand all the chaos that swirls around us.

The Fool lays down her tools:  the wand, the chalice, the pentacle and the sword and asks the High presietss for her insights.  She answers the Fool by placing a scroll down next to the tools.  These scrolls will help the Fool not only understand the powerful skills (tools) that she possess but also be a guide to her on on this very long journey.

Self doubt immediately surrounds the Fool and she concludes that she will never be able to succeed but the Priestess calms her just by her presence and the Fool is able to relax again.  The High priestess teaches us to learn by meditation, intution and patience.  The answers might not be immediate, the decisons not obvious but the process will bring an understand and deeper appreciation of all that is wonderful in each of us.

When you encounter the High Priestess in a reading there is definitely mystery present-mysteries you either keep hidden to others or to yourself or both.  Just breathe deep and take a minute and step back-you will see more clearly.  You also might have a sense of fear but there is always happiness in the end once you conquer that fear and it goes away.  The scrolls suggest a deep knowledge that you have to access using your intuition.  Being passive right now is ok but remember, that passivity must eventually be turned into actions.  If you are passive too long, then that fear of life, events and people will continue.

The High Priestess signifies potential in our lives so believe in this and find your potential!

As the Fool prepares to leave the High Priestess, she is afraid.  We all are.  Life is a long journey and it's hard and scary and sucks at times.  But we believe in ourselves and we move on.  

Questions to ask yourself
What are you hiding?  from yourself and from others?  What questions are you needing answered?What is left for you to discover?  Are you intuitive?  What can you do to be more open and trusting to your own intuition?  Who are you seeking help or advice from?  Is someone looking to you for help? What can you do to access the knowledge you need?  Does it require meditation or going to your library and looking at ancient scrolls?  What is your potential?

The Fool
shorts:  COLLABOR88, -tb-, Sailor Shorts
top:  COLLABOR88, -tb-, Lolita off Shoulder
boots:  *Coco*, Engineer Boots
hair:  Truth, Velvet
bag (thanks Emerald):  **1mm**
skin:  Skin Within, Alina

The High Priestess
dress:  Wishbox, Sprite
leggings:  [Sakide], Shredded Leggings (Previous Perfect Wardrobe)
boots:  FIR&MNA, Lahinch Boots (Collarbor88-January 2012)
hair:  Exile, Girls of Summer
skin: Nuuna, B&W
crown:  Lantian@Marketplace, Triple Moon Goddess Circlet

Home Decor and Landscape
house:  Dragon Magick Wares, Spiral Dance
chair, table, plant:  Clutter, Flower Power Sitting Room
pouf:  [North West], Cushy Pouf
mushrooms:  Lisp Discount Store
grass and meadows:  KIDD Grass Garden Meadow
lily:  Clary Craft Home and Garden, Avatar Forest Lily
trees:  Stone Misery, Blossom Tree

Magical Stuff
Chakra Staff, Pentacle, Chalice, Athame:  The Grove
Scroll:  Entity@Marketplace

coral

Color Challenge
dress:  {SMS}, Hippie Maxi Dress (previous TDRB)
hair:  LoQ for TDRB (previous TDRB), Marshmallow
skin:  :Curio, Airhead
place:  Curse of the Maya