What's in My Bag?? Challenge

What's in My Bag?? This challenge started at Shopping Cart Disco and has been picked up by some of the bloggers.


I carry three different sized purses/totes depending on what I'm working on. I usually spend my lunch hour sitting in the employee break room doing hand work - embroidery or beading, sometimes hand sewing re-enactment garments. If it's a little project, it will fit in this black leather Nine West bag I was given. If I have nothing going on, I read and carry either this bag for a hardback or a really little suede bag that must be 20-30 years old and still had tags on it when mom gave it to me last year! If I am working on a bulky project, I carry one of three larger totes made by Timeless Treasures and given to me by a fabric rep.

The contents are pretty consistent:
- mirror
- comb (use a brush at home)
- sunglasses case
- travel sized rolaids (don't use much)
- travel sized excedrin
- keys
- two house keys for friend's homes (I cat sit when they are away)
- four dimes
- pen, permanent marker
- lipstick (I prefer gloss, but it was a good color)
- wallet (2 gas cards, ID, 2 check cards, New York & Co card, sometimes a couple of general credit cards, list of fav authors for when when the library doesn't have the book I went for)
- 2 deposit slips for household and personal accounts
- candy sleeve? that brown accordion folded paper that holds a piece of boxed candy (shouldn't eat it...)

The lip balm (Neutrogena <--- good) and cell phone are missing.

Oh, and that's Eclipse, the third book in the Twilight series. First vampire books I've read. I've seen the classic movies and saw Bram Stoker's Dracula performed.

Dress Me Up Challenge

Ana Lutetia suggested the Dress Me Up challenge from Achariya Rezak of a long skirt from MG Fashion with a cute jacket from Dutch Touch. First I took a look at what I already have from MG Fashion - pants, a swimsuit, even a beret, but no skirts! My shopping trip reminded me of a jacket and at least one cute top I had intended to purchase.


The burnt orange shade lent itself well to the leaf motif and with my embroidery background, I'm drawn to applique. Dutch Touch has scads of tops to chose from. The belt has green in it, making me think even my mother, who is very matchy, matchy, would condone my choices. Yes, choices! A jacket ............


and then a cute top with a shrug. I don't have the tiniest waist; it's very slimming. The gap between the top and the skirt is too narrow to look like it is on purpose, so it is filled in with matching underpants.

Okay, time to start accessorizing. And here kudos to the Peace on Earth hunt, not because anything came from there (I've done a small fraction of it) but because hitting some of the shops caused me to notice that Eolande designed jewelry specifically for three of the hairstyles I wear. Yay! To wit - the hair pins have color change options and persimmon matches the skirt beautifully.

The back view of the top gives a tantalizing glimpse of the spine for a gentleman who might like to run his finger down it.


I switched hairstyles to show off the Dragonfly earrings. All accessories are seen more easily by clicking on the pictures.

Location for the shoot was the Avenues at Sunset Park. The colors make a lovely backdrop for the autumnal tones of my clothing choices.


The skirt even dances well! I went to Blue Fusion to sit on the pier and finish this post. I was surprised to run into Hevy and Dawni doing synched couples dances. Hevy invited me to join them and since he was the only male friend on just then, he even recruited a partner for me! My thanks to Restless for being so agreeable.

I'm quite happy with the results and have a new outfit to show for it. Thanks Ana!



Credits:
Skirt - MG Fashion - Winter Flower Skirt, Orange
Jacket - Dutch Touch - Leather Jacket Short, Green
Top - LaLa T-shirt Tank, Buff
Top - Dutch Touch - London Green top w shrug
Bracelet - A la Folie - Quincaille Fine (gauche)
Earrings - Earthtones - Dragonfly Earrings, Fire
Eolande - Hair Pins for Marisela
Hair - ETD - Marisela II - Caramel *tinted*
Hair - Calla - Ash - Golden Red
Boots - Insolence - Natasha Boots, Charcoal

Dress Me Up Challenge

RL Story Time Boys and Girls ---

I think my mother is unusual. An example: When my friends got bicycles, mom tried to talk me into a scooter - like the 13 year old neighbor boy had! I wanted to fit in and insisted on the bicycle. My brother and I rode our bikes together growing up.

Although dad wasn't a farmer, I grew up on a farm. Transportation was paramount. A family of four = four vehicles. The Christmas I was seventeen, car keys with my name were hanging on the tree. I started Drivers Ed a week later.

The first vehicle I bought for myself was a Firebird; the second was a small Honda motorcycle. I applied for a job. The application for the national chain had a silly question "How will you get to work?" Answer? motorcycle. As soon as the manager read that far, he pointed it out to the assistant manager and said they'd have to hire me - they both had cycles! I am a wimp, and would never touch a larger bike; I was convinced I wouldn't be able to stand it up again if it overbalanced.

I was working there when I met my husband. He came equipped with a cycle; but could never understand why I wouldn't ride on the back. Okay, I tried it once or twice. BOOORRRING

I could never be considered a Biker Chick though. Very atypical. My sister-in-law (husband's side of the family) was a biker chick. The night he met her, her future husband kidnapped her from a bar, put her onto the back of his Harley and rode off with her into the sunset for the weekend! She thought it was romantic!

I no longer own one, but I still have the permit. :D



When Cen suggested "Dress Me Up" as a Biker Chick, I never even thought about a personal connection! I thought about how to interpret the theme and came up with three scenarios!

1) Clubbing - Out for the night - leather pants, satin top, solid gold earrings, snazzy shoes and freshly colored hair.



2) Lookin' Good - jeans w studs, white lacy top, leather jacket, jewelry & boots with buckled straps and heels you can't ride in.



3) Hanging out at the shop - every biker I've met wears logo t-shirts, so....here's the king of all bikes. Typical for me, if I don't have something to do, I'll find something to sit on even if it's the floor or the ground.


With a pack rat mentality that half way prepares me for themed events and an inventory of 19,000, I was able to play dress up with my only purchase being the tattoo! This is one I would chose in RL if I had a tat!

Thanks Cen, this was a bit of a challenge, but loads of fun!

Credits:
1) Aitui Tattoo, invasion pants-Panache, dream girl bodice of dress-Alchemy(Christmas 07);konase shoes- R2;City Gurl Strawberry-GuRL 6

2) Ambrosia in Blood - House of Heart, Bubble Earrings - Miriel, "Silver Rockstar Jeans" - G.L.A.M., Empire Open Jacket, suede boots - SF Design, caraco - Attitudes

3) Signature jeans - Callie Cline, Bubble earrings - Miriel, Nadia in carmel - ETD,sorry no info on the t-shirt

Holiday Greetings

Santa was in a really, really good mood when he stopped here last night! The cranberry oatmeal cookies, plain sugar cookies (probably already sick to his tummy with all of the frosting other houses foisted off on him) and milk must have hit the spot.

I am truly amazed. I received everything on my wish list, including a couple of things no one knew I wanted!! And I'm not the only one! Santa's little helpers were spot on for everyone!

Have fun this holiday season and have a truly wonderful 2009.

Thank you for reading about my adventures in Second Life (with a little First Life tossed in).

Hugs and Kisses - Love,
Cas

Cherry Sandwich - Recipe Sharing

Cen suggested that we share favorite recipes for the holidays. Here is one with a good memory. I was little the first time I saw my grandmother make these cookies and I was fascinated that she made a sandwich cookie!!

Many people make a large assortment of favorite cookies for holiday parties and giving to friends. This is a Cherry Sandwich.

Cookie Dough -----
1/2 C Crisco
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1 lemon (grate rind)
3 C flour
2-1/2 t baking powder
1 t salt
1/4 C milk

Cream Crisco and sugar. Beat in 1 egg and lemon rind.
In separate bowl shift together dry ingredients. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the Crisco/sugar mixture. Chill several hours.

Filling ------
1 can red cherries
1 C sugar

Stirring continuously, boil until very thick. Let cool.

Assembly -------
Roll chilled dough on floured board until thick. Cut into rounds. Put 1 t filling on round and cover with another round. Brush with egg white. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake 12 min at 375 degrees.

Dress Me Up Challenge

I'm going to offer to let you dress me up. Yes, I'm late. Especially at this busy, busy holiday time, I'm not the least bit sure I'll have any takers, but it looks like fun. Here is the link to Achariya's blog with the challenge guidelines. The potential damage to my budget kept me from volunteering earlier, so please hold potential purchases to no more than 250 lindens.

I play both as a human and a fae, so if you would like wings included, please say so.


This stunning lingerie set with the wonderful satin texture is from Chic boutique. Sadly it is no longer available. However, there are other offerings to tempt you. The pose is from Imperial Elegance

Aglarond's "It's a Wonderful Life" Ball

The Kingdom of Aglarond held a "It's a Beautiful Life" Christmas Ball last night. Lady Maralee turned the castle ballroom into a wonderland for the event. She greeted everyone with great enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. I would like to share part of a message that she sent to the group with the information for the ball "I was reminded of the true joy of the season - that our friends are the most valuable gift we ever have in life."

It is so true, I treasure my friends.

There is a jar in the ballroom to raise money to save the sim of Aglarond Elvendale. It is a beautiful land; Hispa is an extremely talented and creative builder. Ag would not be the same if it disappears into the mist.


Magda - Kat; Aric and Jewel in the background


Drea - Ulfur; Respicius and Kashtan in the background

Desmonda - Riven


Aric - Jewel


Lucas

In the pictures my skirt appeared translucent against the icy floor. Lucas was one of my dance partners *smiles* and I thought this picture was better than any of the ones with me in them. Wings also went translucent - the dark columns behind him are the top of his wings.

I would like to wish everyone in Aglarond a very wonderful holiday season!

RL Sewing Projects

I can't believe it's been six days since I talked about anything here! I am so very far behind on posts I want to do that it's daunting - including those that bounce off of posts that other people have done :( So over the next couple of weeks, I am going to attempt to do a bit of catch up.

I thought I would start by telling you what I have been working on in RL that has kept me either out of SL, or afk a fair amount while I have been logged on over the past month, but most particularly the last two weeks. And have a little RL Show and Tell post.

1) Christmas table runner used as a display for work

2) Set of three kimonos for a customer to give family as Christmas gifts. Long story that required an incredible amount of patience on my part.




3) Four butcher aprons for family members for Christmas. There are three black ones in stair step sizes for the little munchkins. The snowman stripe is for mommy with a matching


4) Super simple table runner.

5) Four napkins for a stack n whack table runner for my sister-in-law.


6) Several bags separated into two compartments to hold a pair of shoes for traveling - for good friends.

I've also decided what I am going to work on for SL Christmas gifties! Yay!

Later note:
About three years ago, I decided I was NOT going to make Christmas gifts....and then everyone asked for something handmade! So I gave up :)

Thorne-Darwin Christmas Party

Last night was the Thorne-Darwin formal Christmas dinner party and dance.


We were served a huge steak with sides. I'm sorry Tym. For the first time I didn't get a picture of your dessert table! The gingerbread house was great!

Kessert - GoSpeed - Mab - Haley - Arminasx

Me - Tym - Night (w bigger antlers!) - Dyami - Margo - Cen - Kess

Nika in front of Tym and Jerremy's new friends portrait wall

Bone and Sehra slow dancing


I had major lag - I danced into Cyn and couldn't move away; after a short time she gave up on me and got out of my way.

I believe everyone enjoyed themselves. The event was held at the Ghambt Art Gallery. It is a nice spacious hall that was decorated for the holidays.

Hump Day at Quaintly's

I regret disappointing anyone who looks to my blog for pictures of the Hump Day parties - I only have one!!!! I snapped pics, but only the first one is in the folder I set up! I did a search with the name and nothing else from the party was found! So I don't know what happened?? They aren't in the generic pictures folder with or without the right name either. Very Weird


Quaintly hosted the party and decorated for a Winter Wonderland theme complete with candy canes and snowmen. Some of us were bundled up for the weather, and some must have frozen. There was of course, lively chat with lots of bantering among friends.

Bling and Siberian Bunny

A couple of pictures I thought were too good not to share -

We all know that now instead of being Ruthed, we are Mist when we don't rez for others. Here we have blingy mist!!


My current RL project is a set of three kimonos for a Japanese lady I know to give for Christmas gifts. Much of the time when I am logged on I'm not really in SL, I'm sewing and just peeking at the monitor from time to time catching up on group chat. I promised myself after I finished sewing the first kimono, I would take down my fall/Thanksgiving decorations and put up my Christmas ones.

In this picture I am standing in the house setting out decorations and had quite a surprise! If you look closely you can see a wedge of dark skirt under the enormous Siberian Snow Bunny Aisuru gifted the Ch'Know group with. I had forgotten how big it was!!! Whoa!!


*giggles* He dwarfs my trees!!

Winter Photo Challenge!!

Ali's latest challenge was to present a picture with altered light settings that has one visible snowflake! Very different!!

Here is my challenge picture. The environmental setting is blizzard - waaaay too appropriate to pass up! This is what skating is like for me - dim sky, uneven ice, a few flurries, sometimes one other person to skate with, frequently a lonely but peaceful time.

Awwwwh Winter! In one sense it is a favorite season for me because it is so picture perfect. I've never outgrown my desire to make snow angels and build snowmen. I remember the very first time mom played "Frosty the Snowman" for me!

I can't believe I caught this one! I'm just, just ready to start a twirling jump on my skates!

I'm wearing my new favorite outfit. CDM in black, a freebie from Jill. The little buttons at the waist, neck and wrists are the extra touch that really sells the outfit. I have enjoyed it sooo much, I went back and bought another color.

Sights You See!!!

An unusual sight at ETD!!




This AV took several pictures while I was watching!! of reactions maybe?