Magic Trees

Need a forest? Have a large parcel, 1/4 of a sim or more, and need some filling? Or just want some large trees for a countryside look?  There are some low prim pines in 2nd Magic’s store. The tree clumps pictured above are 2-prim groups that come in various sizes to fit your needs. Accompanying rocks and paths (and waterfalls, huge off-sim mountain ranges, etc.) are also available. See them inworld [slurl].

What I liked, H&G Expo 2011

Even though I said I would not blog about particular exhibitors in the Home & Garden Expo 2011, I have to admit there are more than a few places that call for a second look. I didn’t even know some of these creators before the expo, which is an obvious advantage of visiting events like this.  While the first post is about promoting the expo, this one is to showcase a few of the exhibitors.

Home Expo 1: Maven Homes

This is quite a large home, not the kind I favor –I usually prefer wooden shacks and cottages–, but there is something attractive about this 3-story spacious building. It must be the nice textures with highlights and shadows. I really like it. They are giving away some cute balloons, too.

Home Expo 2: Thistle Homes

These Thistle Homes cottages are more of my liking, indeed. The house in the background is one of the Relay for Life vendors, too. Flowers from Organica, also exhibiting in this sim.

Home Expo 6: what next?

If I were to choose a normal SL home, this would be the one. And I would buy it with everything you see at the what next? display parcel at the Home & Garden Expo. I think everybody stops at this exhibitor, and no wonder why. This plot is what an expo like this should be, and what every SL community should have for their renters. Too bad it wasn’t showcased as one of the Relay for Life vendors.

Home Expo 7: reBourne Prefabs

Sim #7 was the quiet one, and for a good reason: somehow it lags as hell (I had to restart the viewer twice while there). Yet, I had a hard time deciding which participant to pick up. In the end I chose reBourne Prefabs‘ Marrekech because it was definitely unique. This Moroccan building (judging by the name and appearance), full of details, comes in two versions: furnished and unfurnished, either as a skybox or ground complex. Both require enough money (9,500L or 14,500L respectively), prims, and space. Nevertheless, it is a delight. If money and space is a no go, then you can opt for Mud Honey & Funky Junk cottages, also exhibiting in that sim.

Home Expo 9: Houses for You

Well, actually, these aren’t houses for everyone (imagine you’re not seeing those colorful bushes below it either), but you can’t deny this Houses for You building is interesting in its own way. I kind of like it. The cartoonish pumpkin house next to it (not pictured) also stands out.

Home Expo 10: The Looking Glass

Ever since taking a peek at The Looking Glass‘  Parisian Row Home I fell in love with it. I have been tempted to buy it more than once, but the price tag is a little bit steep for me. It wasn’t in one of Relay for Life’s vendors either, or I could have justified the expense as half donation. It is probably worth it if you have the money since it is richly detailed and well built. It’s no mod, though, a must for me too.

RfL’s Home & Garden Expo 2011

The Home & Garden Expo 2011 is on. Yes, it started Friday the 13th (of May) and will go on until the 22th. The event spreads over 10 sims full of furniture, buildings and greenery from 117 SL designers that have come together to benefit Relay for Life of Second Life. Besides the product sales, there is also a list of events that include musical acts, interviews, classes, a hunt and much more.

It is the first time I apply to blog about a particular event (because a friend convinced me to do so –hi Eleanor). After being accepted as PRESS (blogger) and receiving all the corresponding notecards, etc., the first thing that happened was that I missed the Press sneak peek (apparently) scheduled before the opening. I really don’t know if I was asleep or at work, that’s why, so don’t blame it on the organizers: they have done a terrific job. I was particularly looking forward to a walk with less lag, but fortunately there are a couple of things worth pointing out in favor of this event: firstly, attendees aren’t so narcissistic, so they don’t come in with exuberant quantities of prims to cause huge amounts of lag, capable of embarrassing the most professional of griefers; secondly, there are benches along the road that you can use to propel yourself along the way and avoid some of the crash-inducing lag. So all in all, even at peak hours, the promenade has been as normal as visiting any popular sim. Cheers!

Please, remember that sales in this event are very important, not because the expo wants to promote SL content creators, but because it aims to raise funds to benefit the American Cancer Association. So if you’re visiting the Home & Garden Expo 2011, don’t forget to buy at least a couple of nice items from the properly marked vendors. They are nice and are helping a good cause.  Read more