Still of the night.

 

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I was in the mood a couple of nights ago to throw something together with some of my recent finds. Experimenting with lighting, a nice little tip that my friend Draco taught me.  Though I had a heck of a time trying to get the bicycle wheels to show and not fade out as I drew the camera back to get a bigger size of the room.  I had most of my settings as usual, so no idea what the issue was.

Despite the little bit of troubles I was rather pleased with the outcome and decided I would post it today.

Credits:

VaCaTiOn 01 House – {iD}
Headlight Track Lights – Stockholm & Lima @ The Mens Department (TMD)
Bicycle Wheels – Stockholm & Lima @ TMD
Heart Marquee – Seven
Barlet Rug One – Junk @ TMD
Spotlight – Oyasumi – TMD
Desert Floor Plants (Blue & Red) – Kalopsia @ Olive Event
Crate Books Chair – Kalopsia @ TMD
Round Coffee Table & Coffee Cup – Kalopsia @ TMD
Ladder Wall Lamp – Kalopsia @ TMD
Mesh Antique Books – Dutchie
Brown Book – Dutchie
Banjo. Warm Days – Zigana {June Arcade}
Castaway Map – Cheeky Pea
Found Twig Mobile – Lark {previous Neighborhood}
Breakfast Plate – Oyasumi @ Kustom9
Metal Cup/Silver – Oyasumi @ Kustom9
Coffee Maker – Oyasumi @ Kustom9

Listen to the beat…

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I love music like most everyone, but in the last several months I don’t have the constant need to have it blasting in my ears or to really listen to music.   You could say that I am enjoying the solitude of being able to hear my own thoughts and just the peace that stillness and quietness can let you embrace.

Though last night after a few of hours of sleep I found myself wide awake just after one in the morning and reaching for my iPad to listen to music.   Having seen the lyrics to a Lenny Kravitz song led me to listen to Carlos Santana’s song “Maria Maria.”  At this point the beat of the song didn’t help my sleep situation and several hours later and my battery at 5% I finally started to yawn again.

Even slightly tired I found some energy to want to blog this morning.

Alexa

Credits:

Hair – *Barberyumyum* – 16/Black
Top – Baiastice – Litka Top w/ Feathers Black @ A6D MixMatch
Skirt – Baiastice – Litka Skirt Black @ A6D MixMatch
Necklace – Eclipse Art Studio – Steel Plates Necklace Silver

Scene:

Paper Butterflies Light – Plethora
Dreamers Light Iron – Junk

Pose: About to…male by Del May

Lesson 40

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I used to love visiting small bookstores that were cozy, intimate and with an atmosphere of being somewhat quaint.  You could say it was something I indulged in frequently, because it was a place that I found tremendously relaxing and could spend hours just reading in a softly lit corner somewhere.  Unfortunately, it is hard to find any of these types of bookstores around anymore.  At least not where I live.   The only time I get to indulge in a setting like this is when I go visit  a friend of mine that lives in one of the Carolina states.   She has a small sun room that has bookshelves built in and large windows.  I just love sitting there with the sun streaming in and reading a book.

I think her sun room is calling my name.

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© The Best Year of Your Life by Debbie Ford

Lesson 40: Indulge

What are some ways to really indulge? How about languishing extra long in bed on a rainy Sunday morning; skipping the nonfat, no-carb cookie and treating yourself to a hot fudge sundae; buying yourself flowers and sprinkling some of the petals on your bed and pillow; bringing your favorite novel and a cool drink with you into the bathtub so you can luxuriate in the soothing water; getting lost for hours window-shopping or browsing through a bookstore; and planning a day that’s all about you.

These are examples of healthy indulgence. Discipline and structure are essential components for creating the best year of your life, but they need to be balanced with moments of luxury. This is your week to indulge!

Your Self-Love Assignment

Imagine that your favorite person in the whole world is coming to visit you this week. This person has been working hard and is looking forward to some serious relaxation time. Imagine that the two of you have the same tastes, and it’s your job to plan at least three things you can do to ensure that your friend gets the most out of your time together. Write down three indulgent activities that you would like to share with your friend.

Now read over your list, because this is your self-love assignment for the week. Choose at least two of these activities and indulge yourself!

 Self-Love Points Earned

Give yourself 100 points for every healthy act of indulgence.

Credits:

Hair – Argrace – Mizuki Black
Dress – Celoe – Kes Dress Dawn
Boots – Maitreya – Thigh High Boots Bronze Snake
Bracelets – Maxi Gossamer – Ritzy Summer Pearls
Necklace – Pure Poison – Poison Love Necklace – Emerald V Heart Only

Scene:
Ya Bettah Werk, XO, Puddin’ Bears – Boogers @ The Arcade
Ruffled Rug – Apple Falls @ The Arcade
CEO Coffee to Go Cup – 8f8
Bric-a-Brac Globe – Aisling @ The Arcade
Bric-a-Brac Paper Trash – Aisling @ The Arcade
Cushion Pile – Junk. @ The Arcade
Antique Frame Camera – Picnic
Calm & Royal Blue Chairs – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Vending Machine RARE – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Dark & Light Bookcases – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Bookstacks – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Bookcart for Her & Him – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Bookstore Building RARE – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Book of Dreamer RARE – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Brass Chandelier – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Bookstore Cashing Desk – Vespertine @ The Arcade
Postcard Stand – Vespertine @ The Arcade

Lesson 38

 

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A great reminder to include play in our lives.  For me, part of my play and relaxation is taking pictures in Second Life.   Though I like that this lesson sends me a subtle hint with getting some art supplies as I have been wanting to get back into painting and have not made the time.

© The Best Year of Your Life by Debbie Ford

Lesson 38: Play!

Remember “recess” and “play dates’ when you were a kid? As children, we recognize the value of letting everything go and simply enjoying ourselves. But too often, by the time we hit adulthood, our work-to-play ratio is completely out of balance.

Playing is essential. Not only is it fun, but it also renews and refreshes us, helping us better focus on the more serious aspects of our lives.

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Your assignment this week is to play. And if you’re one of those people who grudgingly participates in leisure activities and then spends the whole time thinking about what you “should” be doing, I invite you to engage your whole body, mind, and spirit in the playful activity you choose.

Your Self-Love Assignment

You are hereby ordered to schedule an activity that has no usefulness other than its enjoyment to you. Go bowling with friends, or perhaps get some art supplies and spend an afternoon expressing your creative side.

Playing could also mean picking up a hobby you gave up in honor of being productive in the world. Is there an old instrument somewhere on the shelf of your garage? When’s the last time you rode a bicycle, played jump rope or hopscotch, or put on your favorite music and sang out loud? This is the week to let your playful side out. Notice how your fun-loving attitude translates into other aspects of your life.

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Self-Love Points Earned

Give yourself 100 points for every play date you schedule and keep with yourself this week.

Credits:

Hair – Truth – Electra Variety Pack @ Collabor88
Top – Amerie – Tank Short White
Pants – 2Chez – Riva Black Cargo Pants
Boots – Gos – Urban boots Black
Necklace – Max Gossamer – Zodiac Aries Silver
Belly Piercing – Pomposity – Zodiac Belly Piercing Aries
Pose – Sitting Pose by Atooly

Scene:

Heart Painted Door – Seven Emporium
Repurposed Wheel Light Bronze – Junk
Gorean Lavender Grass – Soul Effects @ 30L Saturday
Love me, Love Me Not Tree Trunk w/ Poses – Fabled @ 30L Saturday