The perfect saleswoman? Also, wenge and CARS.

Good morning / afternoon / evening. May I help you sir? Madam?

Heh. One saleswoman in wenge. Read on...

I actually get quite worried about what to say to people on the sim sometimes. Do I say hello?

If I do they sometimes run away (even if I am quite incapable of the hard sell, honest). And if I don't, they may think I'm snooty or something.

Difficult. 

But before we get carried away on philosophy, however, I am practising my saleslady techniques because I want to get people to come and see Menthal Oh's cars.

I mean seriously, LOOK at this car (and the jacket, but we'll get to that).

Not only do they look fabulous, they drive like a dream and have exhaust fumes and lights and all the fantastic car-type gizmos AND are low-prim: usually around 30.

Oh dear, I would actually be pretty useless at selling cars because I know nothing about them in RL except that these are arguably the best I've ever seen in SL and they are, of course, at Vent du Sud right on the main square.

Lots of cars, in fact, with a rezzer too.

And not only lots of cars but there are some *cough* special versions with *cough* pose balls.

Menthal and his co-builder Alheana have been really busy (and no, I am not referring to the pose balls). Some really outstanding building and scripting and I am, basically, in awe.

I think they've come up with something quite unique in SL (again, they really do drive like a dream, come with instructions and even a car-challenged person like me can drive them. Sort of, although the problem is not with the, um, car).

See? Lots of cars. I even have my very own with a Vent du Sud logo on it (thanks, Menthal but yes this is a hint... he does custom versions too).

(No, I spared you a picture of that. Be thankful. I got it stuck in my mainstore last night because I am... not good at SL driving).

Aaaaaand, as we announced weeks ago, there will be a competition to win one but Menthal is up to his eyeballs in virtual axel grease and needs to be prodded about that.

*Prods*.

But he's having fun, which is important, no? And I'm not very good at prodding either but I really do want people to at least GO SEE THEM (and buy up my decor and builds while they're at it. Not that this is a plug or anything). 

So yes, colours (which is also the reason for this post).

Wenge is lovely, and having found a skirt that worked, I pounced on the new Allegra jacket from Mimikri. And then cursed because my viewer was doing the 'hide the details' thing on the jewelled details so had to redo the photos.

But it was a chance to take one more of a car...

Credits
Hair: Tram. I love this hair. It is gorgeous hair.
Jacket: Mimikri Allegra. Wonderful
Skirt: SYS Sorrow skirt
Top: Michami bustier
Shoes: Enkythings Talyna from Enky at Vent du Sud
CARS: Menthal Oh, EM motors, Vent du Sud 

Facepalm moments and forgetfulness. Moss, 52 weeks of colour.

I needed to sit down and think.

You know, about important stuff like a snappy title and fabulous pictures for moss, world peace and existential... somethingorother.

But more than that, there was something I'd forgotten to do at Vent du Sud. But what?

Back to moss for a second.  And only a very short digression to the 1-prim, 1L bench (see credits)

I did find a top that worked, but I think I had to have been blind over the pea-green shoes. Which I should have cropped out really, or got out the HUD and turned them white.

Pretend they're white on this one. I needed to pace about a bit anyway.


Just imagine about ten paragraphs of stream of consciousness here, involving what shall I build next do I need new hair what shall I cook for dinner should I do marketplace listings no really RL deadline is looming...

Enough?

My mind is a scary place.

But I still couldn't remember what I'd forgotten to do. Seriously, I should make a to-do list for SL but knowing me I'd forget where I put it.

Then I had one of those facepalm moments.

Brought on by somebody buying something (cue big grin, never fails).

Kerchunk. 

Oooo lots of kerchunks including... this, for 25L.

Which I'd set for 25L instead of 50 a few colours ago. And forgotten to change it.

So I'll leave it out for 25L for a bit longer, OK? Two sizes, 20 prims, and I'm thinking of doing a market stall version for considerably fewer (if, that is, I remember).

Credits:
Hair Exile, Monica (love it)
Top by PBI (sadly departed)
Necklace Zaara, Karmuka (stunning as always)
Bracelet Miel, Chum (it's a work of art)
Pants Coco ankle pants
Shoes HOC, Yay wedges (fabulous colours, but sorry about the pea green blunder)
Cabin Vent du Sud, 25L (until I remember to put it back to 50 but I have written it down)

Bench Vent du Sud, 1L, 1 prim, couples and singles anims. Amazing, of course.

Brick red, 1L cabinets, and the horror of heels. Brick red.

So, looks like summer's over in my bit of the world, so time to get a jacket out (and - ugh - suit and heels tomorrow as I have a job in the Big City).

But lovely brick red jacket here, no? Not quite ideal for work with all that cleavage, maybe.

And as I've been on a building spree, I even made a brick red one of these (and it's FREE, see below).

No, the one on the right is dark cherry. Hold on a bit for the free one (see below). But the flower pot? Texture change, also 1L. As are the books. Find them out at the NEW Vent du Sud 'NEW' area right here (have a cookie, Ari - getting on with new signs and LMs and stuff).

More of the jacket (I love it). And cart coming soon but I am all textured and pose-inserted and notecarded out for today.

But here's the FREE brick red corner cabinet (useful for, um, corners).  1L and 1 prim, and superb sculpt (bravo to the maker, whose work is stunning).

What, no snappy prose today? Nope. I have to read stuff and pack stuff and get on a train. And dig out  heels. So peace on the blog front for a couple of days ;)


Credits:
Hair: Argrace Modern Rail. Still my favourite short hair
Jacket: Fri.day Tourist jacket
Jeans: Mon Tissu
Belt: Maitreya
Shoes: Lazies by Kookie (they look so COMFY. Heels tomorrow RL... ew... sorry where was I?)
Earrings: VG republic (sadly no longer around but hey, also similar RL ones I like)
Cabinets (not available in yard sales): Vent du Sud

Get off my lawn. And special offer. And bronze.

No, you can't cut straight to the offer and yes, 99.999% of you are most welcome on my lawn.

But bear with me (go on, you know you want to) for I bring you BRONZE and a chance encounter also. 

So there I was, digging for something bronze and finding something perfect. Quick twirl for it is all floofy (credits later too).

Yep, delightfully floofy. Floofy is not a word? Should be.

But who goes there? A visitor?

Why, a chatty person who is  looking for windmills and my Middle Eastern sim.

Uh-huh. Trying to be funny, are we?

Nope, not an onion dome in sight.

Nor a host of belly dancers. Oh, that's sarcastic? Bad me.

I am nasty? Y'know, it's been that sort of week. And no, you can't rezz things here but nice try (or were you just pointing at the ground?).

Maybe it's time you left.

Right now.

Seriously, you are making me angry. And this is not a good thing.

Take yourself home or I will do it for you.

And no, I am not confessing I can't even remember where to find the eject button.**

Phew. Left of his own accord (I am terrifying, right?).

Now where was I?

Ah yes, putting this out. It is not a windmill but a (cliché? kitschy? you decide) wooden cabin.

And there is a smaller version beside it but I think there are enough photos for now, yes?

Yes.

So try to imagine this only smaller, and both with windows on opaque? You can do it.

Or you can come see. I promise not to eject you unless you mention windmills. Or belly dancers.

But should you have got this far, here goes the offer.

Until I get up on Sunday* - 25L only. 20 prims, mod / copy at Vent du Sud, right here.  
Then it goes up to a massive 50L.

Credits:
Hair: Bella, I love Olive
Dress: AlaFolie hunt gift (her dresses move beautifully and are superb quality, despite normally being way over my cheapskate budget, but those I have, I adore). 
Shoes: should I have not cut off my legs, Talyna by Enkythings at Vent du Sud, amber (perfect match).


*Europe time, and usually around 7 (I know, I know, but the cats don't recognise the concept of weekends)
** I have found the eject button. Go me.

Firebrick, (colour challenge) and making my daughter cry

The first time my daughter came home from kindergarten and saw me in a work suit with  heels and makeup, she cried. 

Seriously.

I was "not her mummy". Mummy wore jeans and occasionally went out in the evening looking slightly more respectable but... not in the daytime. Oh no.


The first time our neighbour here in France saw me as I got back from a job in the big city and not wearing my usual attire, he didn't say anything.

But the expression on his face did (think rural around here: dressing up is clean jeans).

Uh-huh. Basically, I am the scruffy casual type. I work at home. But I do like getting out the heels and warpaint at times too.



Yes, it's a "disguise" of sorts. It gives me a little confidence.

It helps me fit in with the environment I sometimes work in, which can be rather formal.

(Mostly, I should add, that means men in suits. Who would probably be far happier in jeans).


 
So, I decided to dig out some sort of classy businesslike outfit in SL to see how it felt.

 
Dammit, I even found a HANDBAG (which would be a purse to you people across the Pond). Look!

 
And then went out to check a couple of things at Vent du Sud, such as *cough* the Very Useful List of Landmarks you can get from the square and visit the builds.

And why this is a plug, yes.

But being all smart did actually made me feel efficient.

Did some marketplace listings*, uploaded a couple of textures while I was at it (all while still wearing the handbag, of course). Even put a few poses into some new stuff.


Met a friend, too.

"Gosh," he said; "VERY smart today".


Was he looking at the neckline, which might possibly be a bit more daring than I'd go for with my men-in-suits?

Whatever it was, I felt good. Which is never a bad thing, right? 

I may even do it again.

Then I decided it was time for bed, but one last look at the sea (OK, OK, excuse for "LOOK AT ME shot" but at least it's not another Vent du Sud plug about 1L decor).  Would I do that?

 
* Post coming up about more sets of stuff (as in 6-piece sets for a massive 6L) on the marketplace.

Credits:
Top by GryphonWings (do they still exist? Nice, nice top)
Pleated skirt Baiastice (the best, flowiest, smartest black skirt I found in over 4 years. Walks beautifully)
Hair Fri.day (Summer)
Earrings Earthstones (sadly closed)
Bag Orta (group gift, and I think the ONLY one I have except for newbie inventory ones)
Shoes Talyna by Enkythings at Vent du Sud and perfect, gorgeous, brick red *hint*

Getting brain into gear, and lingerie distractions

Look what I found in my inventory! Ah, smart, chic and just the right colour for "liver".

Except I also found this, which...

...seemed a bit more fun.

More fun than fixing texture offsets which I screwed up on an unsaved version of a build (way to go, Ari - how long have you been building now?).

But hey... not life threatening (just tedious to fix). So I played a little longer.

I did, however, fix all the textures. Well... I think I did. Will check again.

Sneak peek of the build in question, hm? Dammit I have to get a plug for Vent du Sud in here somewhere (and it's NEW and on sale soon). I just need to go make signs, notecards, and find a catchy name for it.

And to close, another of these.

Credits:
Reasonable desires Lianna lingerie
Zaara top and skirt
Klavdiya hair, Damselfly (so gloriously MESSY, I love it)
Miel ring
Enkythings Talyna stilettos (get them from Vent du Sud)
House at Vent du Sud if I ever get my brain into gear.

With a little help from a friend - Jazzberry

Seriously, I was starting to despair over jazzberry.

And then the lovely Eclectic Wingtips of Electic Apparel stepped in.

We were gossiping yesterday and I thought I'd pop over and see what she had (having explained I needed something in 'sort of deep fuchsia'), but this landed in my inventory before I'd even got there.

And it's PERFECT. It's also a superbly made minidress that has two sizes for the skirt piece, making adjusting a cinch.

Seriously, quality shows. I have a couple of her other dresses and really need to go there more often (her prices are great, her stuff is beautifully made, and she's lots of fun - what's not to love?).

So I'm a happy little builder right now (I admit it - I've been too busy building, ripping stuff apart and starting again, and then building some more, so shopping hasn't been a priority).

I did, however, buy new lashes which I just HAVE to show off.

Humour me. I am lash-challenged but fitting these was a cinch thanks to the interface that comes with them.

:
Credits:
Skin: Lelutka IFE (group gift) and MOCK raspberry cordial lipstick
Hair: I love Olive, Cora
Lashes: FTL
Necklace: Zaara, Parnini
Shoes: Enkythings Talyna (find them at Vent du Sud)
Dress: Eclectic Apparel Eartha in fuchsia
Location: Vent du Sud (dammit have to get a plug in here somewhere)

Once again, thank you Ec!

Time out, with digression on new skin, nicotine, and apricot

Deep philosophical thoughts, lately - probably because work is slightly less insane.

You know - things like "what am I doing here" or "is it time to make big changes" rather than "I have to meet this deadline, we're low on wine, the ironing mountain is getting out of hand and the cats need their annual shots".

Thing is, it never seems like a good time to make changes. Well that, or I'm a coward. But a little thinking time isn't a bad thing.

Ah, enough of all that. Life is good, basically and counting blessings is not such a bad thing. And I did buy wine, did the ironing, and the cats were dragged screaming to the vet. And I met my deadlines.

And what, pray, has this to do with Vent du Sud?

Well, not a lot (but hey, APRICOT).

But one last Deep Thought. Among other things, it's not only my creative outlet, a place where I can enjoy my friends, but it's where I can sometimes lean against an old stone wall and watch the stars, watch the waves, sneak a cigarette, and ponder on whether I need a new skin or what to build next.

Do I need a new skin?

 Shallow? Stupid?

My Second Life has been described as both but I disagree, which is why I'm still here. And why I intend to stay here for the foreseeable future, rambling on as I do (oh you noticed?) .

Taking myself away now, with the credits (and motivating myself to get some new things out, which no doubt will be extolled in a future, shallow, "buy my stuff" post). Without philosophy and nicotine.

Credits:
Maitreya Green II hair
Tuli Audrey skin (dammit she discontinued it and can't find anything I like better)
Decoy top
Corset part of Armidi shorts (happy accident when changing, once)
Skirt from an old, old gacha (cheapskate Ari strikes again)
Necklace from Leezu (free, see "cheapskate" above)
Yay Wedges from HOC (colour change, beautifully done)
Poses from my Taisaya AO and some PRICKLE smoking freebies (get them at Vent du Sud)

Melon, tai chi, lighthouses and stealing the limelight (52 weeks of color)

Melon, and only a little late?

You know they tell actors to avoid roles with kids and animals, as both tend to steal the limelight?

Well, I'll take the risk with Harold, because what would Vent du Sud be without the various birds (OK and the manta ray, and my (non-breedable cat)? 

Besides, he seemed a natural at tai chi.

(

(Mind, George the seagull was singularly unimpressed).

Amazingly, this post is not plugging anything at Vent du Sud... except to extend an invitation to come visit. 

(You could treat yourself to a lighthouse, however, for the usual 50L?)

Note: there are three different lighthouses at Vent du Sud, all below 25 prims. 

I like lighthouses. 

I even found a melon-y windlight setting while I was taking photos.

 Credits: 

Vent du Sud for the setting (say hello to Harold!)

Oyakin group gift dress (say hello to cheapskate Ari but her stuff is lovely)

SLink Frederique hair (love it love it love it)

Miel shoes (lots of colour changes and so CUTE)

PS: I like melons, too... this photo taken at our local market.

Fly me to the moon? Patriarch and shifting furniture (52 weeks of color)

I needed a break from moving stuff around in Vent du Sud, so I rummaged around in my inventory a bit, having vague memories of some of my BareRose stuff coming in a nice patriarch-y purple.

And HEY PRESTO - there it was. Fly Me To the Moon.

So I went around being dramatic and diva-like, humming away "Fly me to the mooooooooooooon, let me swing among those staaaaaaars"...

Lots of fun.

I'd just got to this one... (a roof seemed like a good place to stand, at the time)

... when a friend rolled up.

"Ari what on earth are you doing up there? And what are you doing dressed up like that? And I thought you were sorting out your sim?"

Clearly, I don't do silly often enough. And I never wear evening dresses to build, I admit. Well, usually. Just call me staid.

But I did (reluctantly) give up the idea of being SL's next cabaret sensation and got back to moving stuff around.

See?

So do drop into Vent du Sud - I'm basically moving a few things and retiring others, and making room for some new stuff. 

Meaning that it could be time to grab a few Vent du Sud 1L decor items while you can?

And no, I won't sing to you. And I will probably be in jeans.

Credits:

BareRose "Fly me to the moon" (comes in 4 colours, sculpt top)

Cinch belt, part of Frid.day romper suit

Stilettos, Talyna by ENKYTHINGS, available at Vent du Sud

Hair, Afterglow by Cake

Location, VENT DU SUD!

Mauve and too rambly for a snappy title.

 

I finally put a few things out at Vent du Sud: just a few basketweave things with lots to click on (mauve being one of the four colours of the lining). One of these is free and the others? ONE linden as usual.  

Find them outside one of the summer cabins, right here. 

And... *cough* they include a pet cushion thing. My SL cat has gone AWOL so just imagine it there? 

And speaking of mauve, or purple in any shade, Mr RL hates it. Loathes it. 

 My RL wardrobe now contains no mauve, but in SL, it sure does (credits later).

In fact, I got quite carried away with the whole 'mauve' thing and among some rather dodgy 52 weeks of colour attempts, took this as well... with a little help from Windlight, but I like it, so you get to see it.

Sorry. But Vent du Sud in mauve. Heh.

Now, if I wasn't about to start packing again (on Monday for a Very Long Way Away but only for 2.5 days of work... but thanks to endless flights nearly a week in all), I would ramble about lots of other things.

What I must slide in, though, is  another not-very-good photo - but see that fabulous shade of mauve in the Enkythings shoes? I would love a pair in RL. 

Mr RL would, however, throw a hissy fit.

I also need to ramble more about textures, and start on a massive to-do list for SL but, with luck, this is my last work trip until mid-September. 

So one last mauve photo (damn I wish I could do SL stuff on planes) and fingers crossed I get a Net connection - I do actually miss Vent du Sud when I'm hauling my ass to weird bits of the planet. 

Credits:

Dress Mrinali, Zaara

Shoes Talyna by Enkythings (available at Vent du Sud)

Hair Melody by Elikatira

Bracelet by Muse (I think the store closed)

And... (as a teaser for a coming post), most of the basket and lining textures by Insight designs, which are always superb and my absolute favourite for quality.