Before I take a week off...

I have lost count of jobs coming in where the clients starts with 'I know you're away over Christmas but could you just...' these last two days.

So I have, meaning that this blog post may not be terribly coherent but two things.

No, three.

First, however, this is the winter - above is the  Christmassy set out at the Vent du Sud mainstore showing various colours (just click... there are about eleventy thousand combinations but thing burgundy and gold and green. Price? 1L each.

Here it is with some other 1L goodness, and out front?

Other things, some FREE. Baubles with snowflakes, mulled wine, etc. etc.

Next, if red isn't your thing, there are two other 2-prim carts out at the (still lacking-in-signage) NEW area beside the mainstore, also 1L.

I think that's it. Fashion? Ummmm... I took some photos in another outfit. I filed them. And I have forgotten what I called them. It will come to me shortly after takeoff, I expect.

Now, the challenge is to actually get on the plane, because (wouldn't you know it), there are strikes at our airport. French national sport, of course.

So all that really remains to be said this year is... I shall be back on 28th so have a WONDERFUL Christmas. Enjoy both RL and SL. Be nice to one another, and all that kind of thing.

In the new year, there will be gifts in the Vent du Sud subscribo, so this could be a good time to sign up, hm? When? Well, when I've got some of the washing done and caught up with clients saying 'I know you're only just back but...'.

And off I go. I hope. As for where, all will be revealed when I get back.

Oh and PS - I am only taking a netbook with me for work emergencies so no SL. The idea is, y'know, six days off everything but being a tourist.

Can we say HELP? (But hey, Christmas stuff)

Somehow, I got some Christmas stuff out.

Two places... the winter cabins and the  mainstore.

Above, the winter cabins. Read on... because a lot of the Christmas stuff is FREE. 

So...


The idea was this MASSIVE MASSIVE publicity binge about how Vent du Sud did classy Christmas stuff and everybody would rush over and love it.

The reality?

Where do I start? Work arriving in ****loads, details like car window motor dying (while it was open, of course), and... getting sick of over my birthday last week.

No, I won't go on. I won't even scream about Lyon airport being closed because the security people are on strike and we are supposed to head on out on Wednesday. For a HOLIDAY (or vacation if you are across the Pond).

OK, I'll scream.

Look away, please. This is not a pretty sight.

But the Vent du Sud winter cabins ARE pretty and they are 50L each, small and larger. The lights? Not included but free and mod copy so just click and help yourself.

Grab the armchair, the firebowl, the fire basket, all for 1L.  Right here. 

ANYWAY, please do help yourself to some Christmas stuff - I shall blog about the smainstore goodies tomorrow but for today, I am in this sort of mood.

Hammock, 1L. Of course. Colour change pillows and, um, INTERESTING animations for couples.

If you get me. You do, I know, but this is what Blogger considers a SAFE blog. At least that, eh?

Find it right beside the cabins.

And here is moi. In a rather elderly top from Gryphon Wings and amazing hair from Tram.

Incredible that Avatar Ari can look so serene when her typist is about to throw the world's largest hissy fit or simply burst into tears.

Roll on 2012?  And for Vent du Sud blog posts to be, y'know, optimistic?

Mainstore stuff tomorrow but nothing to stop you going to look RIGHT NOW (classy, really... just nowhere near as much as I wanted to do).

Choices (and what things are worth, and fatpacks, and a big fat chuckle and Cindy Crawford)

… er, can you just hold on while I stop chuckling?

There, better. 

Sorry.  Let's get on. Have a glass of mulled wine (here, 1L, gives glasses of hot wine)

See, a lady* who came to buy a couple of things at Vent du Sud the other day told me she'd come over because she'd heard my stuff was not worth more than 1L anyway, and  that other décor creators 'didn't approve of my approach'. 

I actually wondered if she was just stirring trouble but prefer to see the funny side of it.

 (pssst scroll down for another 1L wonder, and one EXCLUSIVE item *cough*). 

First, I am able to offer my stuff at 1L / 50L and I want to (while respecting that others can't or won't). 

I am, in fact, really enjoying the fact that this new approach of mine is really making me enjoy building.  I've met some really great people, too, which gives me the warm and fuzzies. 

The quality? Well,  it's not slapdash or clunky (well, I don't think so but hey, try something out and see for yourself). 

If it was I wouldn't be fiddling with  0.001 texture offsets or spending several hours finding exactly the textures I want, or pestering Geek for Yet Another Script and then tearing my hair because I'm too proud to admit I haven't figured out how to use it. 

(But hey, I do have windows in an upcoming build that change texture nicely together now on two faces only and even the right ones. Go me).

(and I can make snowflakes spring from my bauble platter on touch... get it here, 1L)

I admit all those hours of creating, of buying entire texture packs for ONE door, of sussing out prim faces (ctrl alt shift and T all at once, thanks Geek) will never pay off in terms of Lindens and even less in RL terms,  but this is not RL. This is, as I said before, my hobby. 

My choice.

I usually choose not to buy fatpacks (no, I am not going to use 'fatpack' as a verb because I am old and cranky). I am a frugal clothes shopper. I am never going to wear pink hair, or boots in gold or orange. 

But if a wider selection makes your SL a happy place, then go for it. Really.

(Nor, actually, am I going to become a furry, a Gorean slave, or fiddle with Very Expensive Shoes or Rather Expensive clothes from certain designers any more as I can NEVER make them look right on me *sigh*).

Very soon, though, I so am going to treat myself to some new Very Expensive High Boots and I can't make up my mind which colour so I might just have to, y'know, indulge myself. 

My one other fatpack ever was these, btw, and I love them, and no regrets at all (and I have worn every colour, often).

Again, my choice. (Oh, and armchair with poses. 1L, here).

Bootgasm. J's ankle boots. Wonderful.

 Sometimes it's worth spending a whole lot on something you really want, couldn't agree more. (But, um,  anybody know of some really cheap but totally gorgeous knee-high boots for miserly old moi?) 

Basically, though, what something is worth is what it is worth to you.  

And  I really do want those boots and I don't care if half the grid are wearing them.

(can you hold on while I do a Cindy Crawford pout and say 'because I'm worth it'?)

Thanks.  

Anyway, while I'm at it, and speaking of half the grid wearing them,  let's rant a bit about 'exclusive' .

Sure there is a market for it, sure I can understand having a special colour or style.  Sure the exclusive version may be nicer than the 'not-exclusive' one. 

But (frugal again) I would rarely if ever pay way over the 'normal' price for something on SL – or RL for that matter – just because only a few examples exist. 

 I might buy it because I fall in love with it, or if it's for a good cause, but I am not going get my kicks from knowing I won't find more than a few other people having the same thing.

But if that floats your boat, then I respect your choice. 

See this photo? That's my mate Agade. I just LOVE that hair but am way too much of a wimp to wear it. Wasabi Pill, she says. Her choice. Isn't it wonderful?

and last... one of those flowerboxes I loved making but that never sold... LOL... but with a wintry twist

. Totally exclusive to those who buy it here for 1L here  in the next 24 hours then it's gone. Because I can LOL. 

Do feel free to drop in to Vent du Sud any time.  Ask me to do something in your choice of colours, or just come and say hi. 

*No, not quoting names, and nor did I push for more information.  I sat on my hands for a bit, and then, er, chuckled.  Also, she bought half the store.

As Christmassy as it gets

OK this is as Christmassy as it's likely to get at Vent du Sud, over at the Winter Cabins.

But... there are LOTS of pretty Christmassy things for 1L (of course)

And for those who like their Christmas blue and silver, (or red and gold) this is the place; baubles with snowflakes, mulled wine (grab a glass, or buy your own and let people help themselves), and poinsettias and candles and penguins... well, lots of things.

The selection includes a couple (OK three) hammocks with THOSE animations. More on them another time. But come see!

(OK I am not usually a fan of Christmas but decking out Vent du Sud has made me all... Christmassy?  More to come, probably as I'm having FUN!)

PS. Did you join the subscribo outside the MAINSTORE? If not, do it quick - be the first to know about the limited time offers.

Rett, respect, and really special

I finally wrestled this pic of Rett's Christmas dress out of her, because she's busy making custom-made, fur-trimmed undies for a client (that no, she won't sell in the store in that version because according to Rett, custom is custom, and exclusive is exclusive).

Must say it looks chilly, though, when she lands on the square in a few skimpy bits of organza and fur (which is not snow-covered and won't be: I moved to the South of France to get away from shovelling the stuff where I used to live, which is quite irrelevant but this is my blog...

Anyway.

Details: fluffy red organza that moves beautifully. Two different tops. Different, and pretty.

Oh the price? Well, normally 400L but I wrestled a 25% discount on it, valid only at Rett's store here at Vent du Sud. So just 300L ("for the next few days only, Ari"). It's out front and impossible to miss, right near the tp point.

Oh, and it's also transferable so it makes a great, great gift (guys, note this...).

While I'm rambling about Rett and respect, I really do respect her. She cheerfully ignores my prodding to make more signs, more close-up photos, do more special offers or sales, offer lots of different colours, and tells me that she want to make her clients happy, whether that means fitting something, changing a detail or a colour, or coming up with a special gift for someone -

- which means a lot of her SL time is spent on making unique, custom items for her (extremely loyal) client base, whatever their shape, size or style. It also means that her dresses are not available in lots of colours ("because this is the colour I wanted for that dress, Ari but I can make you one in blue with a different neckline..."). Unique... is nice.

It works for her. And more power to her. She's happy with her business, and with her SL. Her prices for custom creations, considering the work and care that go into the service she gives, are more than competitive too.

And isn't that what it's all about?

Catch her by sending a notecard (Rett Gentil) if you'd like something completely personal. She'll take the time you need, and make something that will be truly yours.

(And quick plug: don't forget your Vent du sud original Christmas decor, including some really pretty stuff scattered around the square, for free or nearly). How about just 10L and 3 prims for this poinsettia pillar marking the entrance to the skating rink?)

St Nicolas!

HAPPY ST NICOLAS everyone: lots of gifts and dollarbies - read on!

Long time no blog but take a short vacation, then the flu, then the catching-up...

... and you get Vent du Sud being a little behind on Christmas despite lots of good intentions.

BUT... there's a pretty, unique free tree in my subscribo today (transferable and mini) or this version on the square (copy/mod) for just 50L (you have to see the bolts of lightning in action, believe me) - so go click on it, right by the TP, and pick it up!

Also, the pool has turned into a skating rink with FREE skates... and beside it, is a bowl that gives out silver glasses of hot wine to sip for just 10L (with a freebie next to it - the white poinsettia below, with a candle you can blow out)!

Find it near to the pool and the skates, and there are a couple of other goodies there to... up to you to find them!

Check out the market stand too - a great gift from Alain of AC Creations, and a dollarbie Christmas tree with twinkling lights plus a classy red-and green copiable topiary for just 5L.

Come regularly - and click on anything Christmassy. The idea is to offer you free or almost-free, classy decor as and when we put it out.

But careful - things will be rotated: grab them now before it's too late!

There will be lots more gifts and surprises to come from myself, Rett Gentil, Menthal Oh and Geek Back too - all on and around the main square at Vent du Sud.