Oh, the places you'll go...

Tucked away in a box, I'm sure in the bottom, wrapped in a blanket, is an eighteen year old copy of Dr. Suess's Oh, the Places You'll Go that I purchased when I found out I was pregnant.  The inside cover reveals the hopes and worries of a soon to be mother to her child long before his birth.  I dug through a few boxes hoping I would stumble upon it in the mess, but no such luck.  I wanted to reflect upon the words of a much younger me, but I will just have to peer into the dark recesses of my memory to locate those memories.  My son is my miracle child, since I had suffered through several miscarriages and had told I would never be a Mom; but life always has a way of tossing thing at you that aren't expected.  So at twenty-five when I was suddenly confronted with being pregnant, single and just starting a career, I made the decision that being a Mom was my highest priority.  A few months into the pregnancy I was at my favorite book store starting a collection of my favorite books from my childhood when I saw Oh, the Places You'll Go, and my heart skipped a beat and I grabbed the last one off the shelf, stopped to pay, grabbed a tea and sat down to inscribe it while my thoughts were fresh in my mind after seeing his little face on the ultrasound earlier that morning.  When you have gotten your mind and heart used to something, like not being a parent, it is difficult to switch your brain automatically.  It's like a waking dream where the one thing you had always wanted but KNEW would never come true is your reality.

I became incredibly agoraphobic because I was so worried someone would do something stupid and put my child in jeopardy, and towards the end I rarely left the house and when I did it was to the Doctor's with one of my parents driving.  And when he was born, the world opened up again and the natural wanderlust I have had since I was a little girl kicked in and I spoke to my baby boy about the world, and showed him photos of all the places I had traveled and prayed that I had passed this trait on and that someday he would want to travel far from home to find himself.  Little did I know when he turned eighteen that I would suddenly develop this incredible need for him to not stray far from home!  If there is anyone to blame for the College and University brochures coming in from as far away as Boston, it's me, and part of me is very proud.  He has spent most of his life in a small town with visits to much larger cities, and my stories of faraway places have painted a world outside Flagstaff that I worry may be a bit tainted by the rose colored glasses that come with age.  I think I am as afraid today of him leaving home and traveling as I was the day I wrote my hopes and dreams for him on the inside cover of that book.  And though my voice trembles a bit and my eyes might get slightly teary I still tell him I can't wait to hear the tales he will tell from all the places he'll go.

The Décor Details
Build - Dust Bunny - Willow Farmhouse
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mockingbird/175/142/25

Step Ladder with Books - Irrie's Dollhouse - Book Ladder - Dream Library @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/86/133/1236

Fireplace/Bookcase - Irrie's Dollhouse - Bookcase Fireplace RARE - Dream Library @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/86/133/1236

Rug - Irrie's Dollhouse - Braided Rug - Dream Library @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/86/133/1236

Ottoman - Irrie's Dollhouse - Ottoman Table RARE - Dream Library @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/86/133/1236

Record Player - Irrie's Dollhouse - Phonograph - Dream Library @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/86/133/1236

Floor Pillows - Irrie's Dollhouse - Pillows - Dream Library @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/86/133/1236
Gacha! Dream Library
•  100% Original Mesh
•  5 Commons, 2 Rares
•  Resize
65L/pull

Milk Jug Lamp - junk. - Metal Churn Light @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Floor Pillow - tarte. - Floor Cushion - Floral @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Megaphone - Nefarious Inventions - Megaphone @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Round End Table - junk. - Concertina Book Stool @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Plant - Nefarious Inventions - Trophy @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Hanging Map - tarte. - Traveler's Tapestry @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Vintage Mini Jukebox - %Percent - 1930's Deco Jukebox Radio @ Swank
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sage%20Isle/191/17/2004

Plant Trio - Commoner - Staycation - Tray of Succulents @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Tin on Shelf - junk. - Vintage Perfume Tin @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Vases on Shelf - Commoner - Staycation - Geometric Vases @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Chandelier - unKindness - Little Bird Chandelier Light (Scripted)
unKindness is currently in the process of a move so check your search for the Landmark before you head on over!
Temporary LM
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enchanted%20Valley/195/107/21

Paris Map - junk. - Plan de Paris @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Framed Quote - tarte. - Quote Print @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Basket - junk. - Sign Basket @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Clock - junk. - Pigeonhole Clock @ The Arcade - September
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/149/127/32

Have a wonderfully wicked rest of your day and remember to always be true to your style and make today's trends in fashion and home d écor work for you!

~Jade~

Taking a break from the winds of change to remind myself to breathe

For those of you who have been following my blog for a bit, you know I HATE change in any form, whether for good or bad.  I am like a dog that hates to be walked on a leash; ass end down with claws digging into the ground refusing to be moved.  Recently, however, I have had to be like a Weeping Willow blowing in the winds of change, reminding myself to breathe and allow myself to be swept away.  In case you haven't been following along, the last few months have brought about a new relationship, that I also gained another teenage boy with, a brand-new computer, and as of last night, the boyfriend and I bought a new vehicle!  Which in the grand scheme of things, as I look forward to my future, is HUGE!  Granted, it isn't brand new, and actually it's 14 years old, but we stumbled into one of those finds of a lifetime; a 2002 Yukon that has been used by an 80+ year old woman to get groceries for the last 14 years and then parked in a garage and out of the hot Arizona sun.  It was never our intention to get something that old, or in fact, another SUV, but with the incredibly low mileage, near mint condition inside and outside and the smoking good deal we were offered, we couldn't pass it up.  But after 6 hours at and around the dealership looking at all kinds of vehicles and then not being able to sleep until the wee hours of the morning because of that high you get after purchasing something like that, my body and my mind needed a break.

I realized as I sat down again in this chair today in a tucked away corner of my home I hadn't once taken time out of my day to just breathe.  That is usually the first thing out of my mouth to friends when they are stressed or going to fast, "Remember to breathe."  Now that seems like a stupid comment I know, but think about it for a moment.  When we are going nonstop, and the stress level is bordering on critical we rarely stop and concentrate on our breathing.  In fact, most of the time people's breathing gets more shallow and rapid, making your blood pressure rise which just adds to the issues, so it's important to take just a few beats of your heart and concentrate on ten long, deep breaths.  I took my own advice finally, after the work space cleared this afternoon and I feel incredibly better.  It doesn't take away the stressors, but it does remind you to slow down, even for a moment, which is sometimes all we need when the kettle is about to boil over.  I also am a big fan of retail therapy, and most often with me, that comes in the form of extravagant and nonsensical shoes, in SL and RL.  Rayne had the perfect ones for my mood this weekend and you just have to go pick yourself up a pair or two, or maybe all of them!  The shoes are exclusively available at the Stuff Style Sales Room, a monthly event brought to you by the creators of Womenstuff, Menstuff, and HomeStuff which runs until the 28th, so hurry on over before the goodies head out!

The Fashion Details

Shoes - Rayne Couture - Britania Heels @ Stuff Style Sales Room
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/De%20Campion/100/115/3501

Jeans - Blueberry - Proud Pizza
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lenox%20and%20Blueberry/252/128/23

The Décor Details

Build - Dust Bunny - Willow Farm House
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mockingbird/175/142/25

Art on Floor - YS&YS - European Taste Gacha (previous Gacha Garden collection)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Feel%20Beautiful/106/118/23

Dark Rug - Glam Affair - Joy Collection @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/89/134/1236

Plants - Scarlet Creative - Nerites Collection - Plant (June Arcade item)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/mountain%20view/130/3/22

Lantern - Glam Affair - Joy Collection - Wooden Lantern - White @ The Chapter Four
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/89/134/1236

Plant in Planter - AptB - Dalton Snake Plant - GIFT @ The Crossroads - July
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Crossroads%20Event/127/122/21

Telescope - Random Matter - Lost & Forgotten Collection (June Arcade item)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mercy%20Falls/136/146/31

Light Rug - YS&YS - European Taste Collection - Rug 02 (previous Gacha Garden collection)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Feel%20Beautiful/106/118/23

Chair - Scarlet Creative - Nerites - Metal Chair (June Arcade item)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/mountain%20view/130/3/22

Poufs - YS&YS - European Taste Collection - Pouf 4 (previous Gacha Garden collection)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Feel%20Beautiful/106/118/23

Dreamcatchers - Ariskea - [GypsySoul] Dreamcatcher Feathers and No Feathers @ TLC July
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Remarkable/140/193/22

Sign - unKindness - Believe sign
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Theory/90/130/21

Corner Shelf - Random Matter - Lost & Forgotten Collection (June Arcade item)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mercy%20Falls/136/146/31

Have a wonderfully wicked rest of your day and remember to always stay true to your style and make today's trends in fashion and home décor work for you!

~Jade~

Late nights, video calls, commitment and packages filled with the little I love yous.

For years now those close to me know that there has always been a certain someone I truly missed.  With every part of my soul I longed for our wrongs to be righted, for us to grow and find our way back to each other.  After about 4 years this dream began to fade from thought, and now, 5 and a half years later our friendship was for more important than trying to rekindle what once was.  I don't think either of us expected to find our way back to each other after all these years, it is the same but new, fresh yet familiar and for the last month and a half we have begun to discover who we have become since we parted in 2010.  Long distance relationships are never easy, don't let anyone ever tell you differently.  It is very rare to find that special person in your own time zone, if you happen to date online, which leads to late night calls and lost hours of sleep.  But we all make sacrifices when in love, specifically for love, and in long distance relationships these are the kinds you make.  The perks far outweigh the negatives though, because the world seems so much smaller when you can answer a Skype call and suddenly be face to face, with the ability to watch movies, eat together and share your lives.  I also happen to love the packages that arrive in the mail with the simple little I love yous.  A package arrived recently, and since I wasn't expecting anything, the first thing I did was check the return address.  Seeing it said from over the ocean I let out a little squeal of delight and headed inside to rip open my goodies.  Seeing his flannel shirt and finally getting to inhale his scent literally made my year and reminded me that it is often the little things that matter the most, and when you don't get to see each other very often, if not only once a year, the little things are very important!

The Fashion Details

Body - Maitreya
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maitreya%20Isle/128/133/24
Head - LeLutka - Simone 1.5
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LeLutka/128/128/26
Hair - Elikatira - Quinn
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elikatira/130/116/3005

Skin - DeeTaleZ - Paige Applier
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/DeeTaleZ/111/125/58
Eyes - IKON - Triumph - Oxidation
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/IKON/143/128/501

Lashes - Gaeline Creations - Fantasia
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/GAELINE%20CREATIONS/128/128/30
Necklace - Cae - Refresh
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Violet%20Skies/105/182/22
Shirt - Zed Sensations - Fiona @ ReVamped
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alabama%20Sunshine/185/194/22
Pose - An Lar Poses - The Sought After Series
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fall/151/114/23 

The Home Décor Details

Build - Dust Bunny - Willow Farmhouse
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mockingbird/175/142/25
Table, Chairs, Cabinet, Live, Laugh, Love, Love sign - Seed of Inspiration - *YS&YS* - Riciclo Gacha Collection
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Feel%20Beautiful/141/146/503

Curtains - junk - Boho Curtain (got on the mp)

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/junk-boho-curtain/7453657

Coffee - *ionic* - Spring Coffee (2015 Release)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Soul%20Reaper/27/115/22

Laptop, Notebook, Lamp, Ashtray, Trashcan - SORGO - Writer's Collection @ The Arcade
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Arcade/190/120/32

Rug - unKindness - Battered Rug V2

Heading back to the Milky Way

I have always been what my Father would call mercurial; constantly at the mercy of my whims.  But for most people this conjures the idea of an irresponsible, fickle person, which is incredibly far from the truth when it comes to me.  My Father taught me to be responsible in spite of my nature and over the years I have managed to keep the two in balance; my head is always in the clouds, searching out the stars for something else out there, with my feet firmly on the ground.  My new home on SL is a perfect example of that nature with its cluttered style and eclectic composition and I have found myself sitting at my telescope staring at the stars, just as I do in my real life.  Join me as I "dance along the light of day and head on back towards the Milky Way."

If you see me out and about on the grid this week you will surely find me in this wonderful new ensemble from AnaMarkova Designs only available at this month's round of Designer Showcase.  The Amber collection comes in a variety of colors perfect for this time of year.  The cowl necked sweater fits perfectly and is expertly textured and the pants are curve hugging with great pocket and zipper details that fit fantastically with just a few clicks of the alphas on my Maitreya body.  Paired up with Reign's newest release for FaMESHed and I am ready for a night out on the grid, or to simply relax and check out the stars.  

The Fashion Details

Body - Maitreya

Skin - DeeTaleZ - Marlow

Hair - Damselfly - Shannon @ FaMESHed

Top - AnaMarkova Designs - Amber - Storm @ Designer Showcase

Pants - AnaMarkova Designs - Amber - Storm @ Designer Showcase

Heels - Reign - November - Black @ FaMESHed

The Decor Details

Stool - Tromp Loeil - Tuila Stool @ FaMESHed

Basket - Zerkalo - All White

Pillow on left - Zerkalo - White Halloween

Pillow on right - Zerkalo - Vintage Treasures

Pillow in front - NACH - Cosy Retreat Gacha - Good Morning Beautiful @ Gacha Garden

Standing Signs - *YS&YS* - Riciclo Gacha - Live, Laugh and Love (sold individually) @ Gacha Garden

Lights - unKindness - Stiks Lights Woodland Set - Light Wood @ FaMESHed

Tub - unKindness - Comfort Tubby - Daydream

Art - Pixel Mode - Lost Art

Wall Lamp - *YS&YS* - Riciclo Gacha - Seed of Inspiration @ Gacha Garden

Saying Sign - NACH - Cosy Retreat Gacha - Through the years @ Gacha Garden

Charts - [Lark & Co.] - Favorite Faded Fantasy - Astrological Charts @ Gacha Garden

Hanging Window Sign - Reverie - California Kicks - Colour My Life RARE @ 6 Republic

Telescope - Ex Machina - Vega 1

Rugs - 8f8 - Storyteller's Collection - Old Rugs

Bench - Dust Bunny - Blanket Stool

Dress Form - Apple Fall

Have a wonderfully wicked rest of your day and remember to always stay true to your style and make today's fashion and decor trends work for you!

~Jade~

   

"The home should be the treasure chest of living." Le Corbusier

"If I were asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace."
Gaston Bachelard

Dreamer's Hideaway

For over a year and a half now, since my return to SL, I have felt very unsettled.  I was an untethered balloon being tossed about by the winds of change.  Though many a time I have had a place to call home, it was always shared and I felt like a squatter.  For a few months now I have had my own land and for most people, a home.  Something felt off...  The houses were always too big, and I only decorated one or two rooms; or they just didn't fit with "me."  I have set up and taken down three different homes now and I was beginning to think I would never feel at home on SL, which was breaking my heart.  Last week, the night before FaMESHed opened I wandered by Seraphim to check out the gallery and when I laid my eyes on the the new collection from Tromp Loeil a scene began to create itself in my mind and off I ran to the event to pick up the Tulia Greenhouse and it's accessories.  Between the greenhouse, unKindness's release of the Stiks Lights at FaMESHed, last month's round of Epiphany and the Gacha Garden, I realized my perfect attic eclectic style would come together nicely in this intimate space.  I greatly modified the greenhouse to accommodate all of my knickknacks, books and various pieces of furniture, and yes I love the cluttered look.  I don't need anything more than a small space to entertain friends in, or to just sit and relax.

“Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.”  Charles Dickens

A Dreamer's Hideaway

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." - Maya Angelou

Just in case you all missed the hype from the last round of The Gacha Garden, I am going to let you in on the secrets!  The Gacha Garden is a whole new experience where every machine has a Seed of Inspiration gift after 20 pulls!  Seriously ONLY twenty plays!!  Now I know many are skeptical and I know I was at first, thinking I would get 20 of the same simple item in the gacha and then the Seed of Inspiration.  This was not the case, and as you can tell I had a great time and picked up oodles of new items for my home and for my wardrobe.  I promise you will not be disappointed, so HURRY!!!!

The Details 

Photo One

House - Tromp Loeil - Tulia Greenhouse @ FaMESHed

Lights - unKindness - Stiks Lights Woodland Set - Light Wood @ FaMESHed

Signs - *YS&YS* - Riciclo Gacha - Live, Laugh and Love (come separately) @ Gacha Garden

Basket - Zerkalo - All White

Pillow with saying - NACH - Cosy Retreat Gacha - Good Morning Beautiful @ Gacha Garden

Pillow on Left - Zerkalo - Halloween in White (Epiphany last month)

Hanging Plant - *YS&YS* - Riciclo Gacha @ Gacha Garden

Plant on floor - A.D.D. Andel - Potted Plant - Lavendar

Corner Art - Pixel Mode - Fall Harvest Gacha - Lost Art

Tub - unKindness - Comfort Tubby - Daydream

Wall Lamp - *YS&YS* - Seed of Inspiration  @ Gacha Garden

Charts - [Lark and Co.] - Favorite Faded Fantasy Gacha - Astrology Charts @ Gacha Garden

Books - [Lark & Co.] - Favorite Faded Fantasy Gacha - Books @ Gacha Garden

Art Sign - NACH - Cosy Retreat Gacha @ Gacha Garden

Telescope - Ex Machina - Vega 1

Stool - Dust Bunny - Blanket Stool

Dress Form - Apple Fall

Nightstand - Zerkalo - Tenderness Bedside Table

Plant on Nightstand - Artisan Fantasy - Money Plant - Large

Rugs - 8f8 - Storyteller's Collection - Old Rugs

Vintage Road Sign - junk - Paris Street Sign

   

Photo Two

House - Tromp Loeil - Tulia Greenhouse @ FaMESHed

Tub - Tromp Loeil - Tulia Bathtub @ FaMESHed

Lights - unKindness - Stiks Lights Woodland Set - Light Wood @ FaMESHed

Hanging Plant - *YS&YS* - Riciclo Gacha @ Gacha Garden

Hanging Fabric - Soy - Osc. - Hanging Fabric - Blue

Flowers - Kaerri - Flowers in Jars (on sale through tonight)

Vanity - unKindness - Autumn Vanity Set

Altar - Soy - Essentials of Witchcraft

Have a wonderfully wicked rest of your evening and remember to always stay true to your style and make today's fashion and decor trends work for you!

~Jade~ 

 

 

Getting ready for a little Moon Magick

It has been 10 years now since I had to stop working due to illness but at this time of year I am reminded of the double life I used to lead, well at least it seemed that way.  I spent most of my days in a suit talking to Doctors, Lawyers, Police Officers, Judges and people with Serious Mental Illnesses who also happened to have substance abuse problems.  It was very stressful but it was what drove me and inspired me.  But when you deal with intense issues on a daily basis you have to find a release, and mine was found in my faith and spirituality.  I am a tad bit high-strung at my best and I tend to wear masks well, which means that no matter the situation that arose I kept my cool until I opened the door of my home and stepped inside my space.  As I kicked off my shoes I lit Sage, or an incense and often ended up standing near the smoke, breathing deeply I would let the day melt away.  As I put together this new ensemble from POSH PIXELS I was reminded of those nights as this is something I would have had hanging in my closet for work; combined with the gorgeous Moon Magnifiers from Pure Poison at this round of Collabor88 and the scene was set.  Well, I should really say mood, since this happens to be my bedroom so the scene was already set...just waiting now for the moon to rise.

The Peyton ensemble which consists of the dress and boots, and the matching jewelry set, Leaves of Change are currently only at the September round of Fashion Limited, which means there are only 250 copies available!  The event started on the 5th and ends on the 30th but with all the items being limited releases the sooner the better!  The texturing and detailing is fantastic and the entire outfit is perfect for the upcoming Autumn with its deep reds, golds and browns.  Do yourself a favor and head on over to the event today and get your hands on this beautiful ensemble, and if you too are looking to decorate your house in a way that better represents your spirituality then make sure to head to this round of Collabor88.  The theme is Muted Coven and you will find this wonderfully mystical table, accessories and rug from unKindness and the Moon Magnifiers from Pure Poison available for you to get your hands on at AMAZING prices, so what are you waiting for?!  HURRY!!!  I hope you enjoyed another little peek inside my world and don't mind me, I am off to relax for a little bit with a massage and then later tonight, trust me when I say, I will be having a conversation with the Moon.

The Fashion Details

Body - Maitreya

Skin - DeeTaleZ - Justine

Hair - No.Match - No.Trouble

Eyes - IKON - Triumph - Industrial

Lashes - Gaeline Creations - Felicia

Earrings, Necklace, Bracelet - POSH PIXELS - Leaves of Change @ Fashion Limited

Dress and Boots - POSH PIXELS - Peyton @ Fashion Limited

The Decor Details 

House, Bed, Chair, Bookcase - 8f8 - The Storytellers Burrow @ The Arcade

Tables, Candles, Planchette Boxes, Planchette Burner, Rug - unKindness - Charmed Parlor Set (not pictured here - Fireplace and Mirror) @ Collabor88

Wall Hanging - Soy - Past Arcade piece

Curtains - junk - Shabby Curtains - Left and Right

Stove - Dust Bunny - Woodstove - Black @ The Arcade

Hanging Sun, Moon and Stars - The Forge - Moon Catcher

Dragonfly - Pixel Mode - Victoria's Hideaway Collection - past Arcade

Mobile - The Forge - Celestial Mobile - Silver

Moon Magnifiers - Pure Poison @ Collabor88

Have a wonderfully wicked rest of your day and remember to always stay true to your style and make today's fashion trends work for you!

~Jade~