Month: April 2020

Touch Me

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Touch Me

I’ll admit it again… I’ve been struggling lately.  Blogging just hasn’t been coming naturally, and honestly, I think my pix show it.  (I know I’m not the only one either. Bloggers talk. Many of us are in the same place… it’s hard to feel creative when you’re locked at home and worried 24/7, if not downright scared.) This pic was different. It was a spark… I had already selected my outfit when I saw the pose, and then everything just fell into place… no struggle… it felt like old times… it felt fabulous! and I hope the results bear it out lol, but I learned long ago (well, I’m STILL learning) that I blog because I like it, and I can’t get upset when pix that I don’t believe are well done get more faves. It’s just the way it goes… The most important thing is that I’m happy, and that my sponsors are happy. Lately, I haven’t always been happy just ok, and that’s just unacceptable! So no more of that; if I’m not happy, it’s not getting published, it’s that simple, requirements or not!  It’s just not worth it. The only thing that’s more important is being safe… and that can get mentally distressing.  So I’ll be good to me, and you be good to you! Go have fun with some shopping therapy; and stay safe out there!

  • My Outfit:  Anny’s Fashion – Odessa Pants & Tied Shirt.  A casual pants set that is oh, so sexy! A long-sleeved, billowy crop that seems to just barely tie underneath the breasts paired with a pair of striped tight-fitting trousers that are totally unzipped (& I do mean “totally”)… trust me, this pose is absolutely perfect! 15 texture HUD for the top & 15 for the pants; sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, Legacy, & Maitreya.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the April Girls Heaven event, open April 5th through the end of the month.
  • Durzle’s Outfit:   Allure Couture – NEW!  Thom Casual Jeans & Tank.  Includes the tank (in solids or with cat & dog print), jeans, & sneakers.  Sized for Slink, Belleza Jake, Signature Geralt & Gianni, Aesthetic, Exm Davide, Nx David, & Legacy. Available in several fatpacks & or in any of the 6 separate colors.  All textures are ORIGINAL.  A We Love to Blog Designer. 
  • Head, Brows, Eyes, Makeup:   LOGO – Mae
  • Skin:   LOGO – Amelia, made for Mae
  • Bodies:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet, for me; Male Physique Mesh Body for Durzle
  • Hair:  Doux – Aura
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Jewelry:  Lapointe & Bastchild – Swear Boho Necklace & Chandelier Earrings (GIFT); Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  The Owl – Touch Me

Boom! Pow!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Boom! Pow!

Sometimes a name really does say it all, and the name of this dress — BoomPow — is exactly what it does… it just knocks them off their feet! I have rarely, and I mean RARELY, had so many comments from my partner throughout an evening about how fantastic a dress was and how I looked in it… when I mentioned how it came in lots of colors, rather than a bored response of “oh” I got an “Oh really? then you should be willing to wear it a lot, good!”.  Is there a higher recommendation for a dress than that????  Seriously though, this long dress/gown brings swank to the absolute topmost level of Hollywood Glam (the theme of the current Swank event).  The way it drapes and clings to your shape without looking tight or overly done… the thinnest of straps at the bodice, tieing off at the back of the neck and then dangling down the back.  Available in a range of 9 textures, the stars (which come in 3 different colors, this is Green Stars) is my personal favorite; it absolutely gleams in the right light… talk about eye-catching!  And of course a dress like this needs the right jewelry to go with it — something that can stand up to it but not overshadow or fight it, and IMHO, this is the perfect set.  Remember:  be safe out there, but in here on the grid? Sometimes you want to play it a little dangerous… and with this dress, you can definitely do it in style!

  • Dress:  Skindustrial Bodyworks LTD (SKBW) – BoomPow Dress.  Stunning, stunning, stunning. I talk about it more above.  Available in 9 GORGEOUS textures; sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya.  Available EXCLUSIVELY at the April round of the Swank Event, April 8th – 31st.  See below for a full-length view where you can really see the drape of the dress & the detail of the texture.
  • Jewelry:  Moondance Boutique – Mila Set.  Delicate, beautifully detailed, able to hold its own.  Hud-controlled to provide 28 textures for two gems plus metals. Includes the necklace, earrings, bracelets, & rings (not shown).  See the closeup below.  Available EXCLUSIVELY at the April round of the Swank Event, April 8th – 31st. Also worn: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Head, Brows, Skin, Eyes:   LOGO – Willow
  • Makeup:  LOGO – Enhanced Ombre Glosses & Glossy Eyeshadows (I made my own eyeshadow combination!)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Hair:  D!va – Helen
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Nails:  Plastik – Meore
  • Location:  MMAC for Funk Friday

Lady in Red

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Lady in Red

In case you haven’t noticed, the April round of events is off to a great start! Things may be shut down across the globe IRL, but on the grid, we’re in full swing! I don’t know about you, but I am finding Second Life to be the escape valve that is keeping me sane (well, relatively sane anyway).  This look says it all… taking charge, ready to conquer the world!  And considering how helpless we all are feeling, it’s important to remind ourselves that we ARE still in charge, that we still do have control, over our actions, over what we do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.  So have fun in here… be free, roam, party, socialize… and then IRL have more patience to carry on with social distancing and staying home.  BE SAFE OUT THERE!

  • Outfit:  [Vips Creations] – Alexandra Cross Dress.  Not all glamour is formal… this short v-necked long-sleeved dress oozes glamour with its satin sheen & amazing style.  One thing I noticed was the great shading; the face that I was told I looked “hot” & “aggressive” certainly didn’t hurt!  This lady is definitely ready to go from the boardroom to a night on the town!  Sized for Slink HG/P & Maitreya.  Includes 12 colors, plus panties in black & in white.  Available EXCLUSIVELY at the April round of the Swank Event, April 8th – 31st.
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Agnese worn in Caramel Freckled with the browless option.  Another beauty of an Omega skin, two options of 5 tones each (with or without freckles, including both omega & BOM, regular & browless).  EXCLUSIVELY available at the Spring Flair by Flair for Events, April 9th – 30th.  Demos & shape also available.
  • Bag:  MY BAGS by Mila – My Whim in Red.  Also available in Black, White, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Fuxia, Green, & Pink, or as a fatpack.  Includes both a hand pose & an arm pose, & is absolutely the height of style!  One of three bags available at the April eBENTO, opening today April 9th!
  • Head, Brows & Makeup:  GENUS Project – Strong Face, free gift right now to group members (yup, I said FREE; not sure for how long)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Eyes:  Madame Noir – Paradise Eyes.  FREE as part of  the free Stay at Home Club
  • Hair:  tram – F919 (my own color)
  • Jewelry:  Beloved Jewelry – Modern Flower Jewelry Set in Gold; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Pose Maniacs – Olga Walking Poses (Olga 5M)
  • Location:  London City West

Just Ring, Prove I’m Not Alone

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Just ring, prove I'm not alone

These are tough days, for those of us with tons of friends but cut off physically from them, and for those of us who live more isolated lives to begin with but still quarantined into little bubbles.  We’re all feeling disconnected in one way or another, trapped. And that feeling comes out in different ways… depression, anger, peevishness.  It’s important to remind ourselves to look beyond the moment, to the motivation, to the root cause… we’re all feeling the pressure, the anxiety, the lack of or at least the change in routine. Remember: this too shall pass.  And at least we — and I mean you and me and the rest of us on the grid — have our virtual lives as a small means of temporary escape to another life where we can still go and do exactly what we did before… see our friends, go dancing, explore, and of course shop our little hearts out. One thing that Second Life has really driven home for me is the global nature of this… of course, I KNEW it from the news, but it’s not quite the same thing as talking to your friend from Germany and another friend who lives in the UK and hearing about how topsy-turvy their lives have been as well.  Let’s just all remember that we are in this TOGETHER.  And that is the end of today’s sermon… just remember to be SAFE OUT THERE.  And enjoy yourself in here!

  • Outfit:  ICEWERK Designs – Alica Top & Skirt.   A perfect casual pairing of a comfy-looking, v-neck, spaghetti strap top with a worn denim skirt.  Both pieces have a 16 color HUD in a full range of colors. Sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the April Girls Heaven event, open April 5th through the end of the month.
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Angoira worn in Maple browless.  Another beauty of an Omega skin, two options of 5 tones each (dark or light, including both omega & BOM, with & without brows).  I’m wearing NO makeup, just my freckles, because Angoira really doesn’t need it, especially for a casual look like this.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the Girls Heaven event, open April 5th.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face, free gift right now to group members (yup, I said FREE; not sure for how long)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Eyes:  Avi-Glam – Royalty Eyes in Tropical
  • Hair:  Doux – Jenna
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Nails:  Encore – Shades of Blue
  • Jewelry: Maxi Gossamer – True Hearts Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  FOXCITY – City Life Bento Pose Set
  • Backdrop:  Crystal – The Sweet Spot

Raining Cats (no Dogs)

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Raining Cats (no Dogs)

Have you ever heard the expression “herding cats”?  I’ll never forget the first time I did… my all-time favorite boss, an incredibly smart little firebrand from Texas used it to sum up a meeting, completely confounding me.  Well, I experienced the literal meaning doing this shoot… first I had to wrangle some of my cats over to where the shot was already set up (yes, I’m a crazy cat lady, and have lots of cats milling around), and get them into pose positions.  But then one cat after another would fall asleep and poof! they transported back to their home spot and suddenly there would be a gaping hole in my little tableau.  And one cat managed to break out of pose and just start meandering away, so I needed to herd him back.  So the original 5-cat picture ended up being a 3-cat picture, but I think that’s still enough to highlight what I think are the absolutely adorable kitty design touches on this outfit (which I’ll mention are optional, just in case you’re not into them like I am).  I’ll admit, however, that I am glad that there’s no cat hair included!  Details below… and remember… stay safe out there!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – NEW!  Jenny Rivets & Paws Jeans Outfit.  Rivets or paws, what’s your pleasure?  It’s your choice in this 4-piece outfit including the jacket, sweater (in solids or with kitties), jeans, & boots.  Sized for Slink H/P, Belleza F/I/V, Maitreya, & Classic.  Available in several fatpacks & or in any of the 8 separate colors.  All textures are ORIGINAL.  A We Love to Blog Designer.  Will be available later today…
  • Head, Brows, Skin, Eyes, Makeup:   LOGO – Josie
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Hair:  Navy+Copper – Genna
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Nails:  Cazimi – Matte Solids
  • Jewelry:  Bliensen + MaiTai – Kitty Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  GingerFish Poses – Out of the Rain, at The Liaison Collaborative
  • Cats:  KittyCatS! – 3 of my breedable cats, I’m absolutely crazy for these! I even have my own little store on MarketPlace to sell some of my extra kittens
  • Location:  The new hideaway (private)

And my Durzle is wearing:

  • Outfit:  A&S Clothier – Tan Shirt Tom Outfit

The New Reality

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The New Reality

The new reality… that’s what they call it.  I prefer the OLD reality or fantasy, but I guess none of us gets to choose.  Considering how much time I have on my hands, it’s amazing how much difficulty I’m having with my blogging.  With so much emptiness and so many hours to fill, I find it hard to concentrate… not to mention that I’ve been busy developing other distractions — videogames, puzzles, home repairs, and of course lots of reading.  The main issue is that there’s just this underlying worry all the time, stress that just can’t be resolved.  Once it warms up a bit and we can at least sit in the backyard and work in the garden, I think things will improve, but I also think I’m kidding myself and that it will just be more of the same.  Of course, EVERYONE feels it, but I do wonder if that makes it better or worse to have an entire world society locked up in their homes, on edge, worrying about tomorrow.  We all need avatars that can go out there in the real world for us and face the dangers, avatars that can transmit all the feelings, not just the visual and audio but ALL of it… now wouldn’t THAT be something?  Hmmm, I’ll have to daydream about that for a while… Meantime it’s a new month, and all the SL designers are also locked up in their homes worldwide, so they’ve been busy designing simply awesome things, which are now hitting their stores and the the monthly events.  Shopping is, as always, the best therapy!!!!  Keep your eye out for stay-at-home specials… I’ve found a free house, a free head, free clothes, and more…. but the most important thing is to STAY SAFE OUT THERE!!!

  • Top:  MOZ Designs –  NEW!  “Camilla” Cowl Neck Top.   This 100% Original fitmesh comes in 2 fatpacks — 16 solids or 8 patterns — or a SuperPack of all 24 textures!  Sized for Tonic, Slink, Belleza, Maitreya, eBody & Legacy + Perky.  Demo available.  EXCLUSIVELY sold at the April Designer Showcase starting tomorrow, April 5th.  Group members remember to wear your tag for a discount!
  • Jeans:  Tonic – NEW!  Influence High Waisted Jeans, made exclusively to fit the Tonic bodies.  Whether you’re a fine beauty or a curvy one like me, these jeans are made to fit YOUR shape & boy, do they flaunt it!  High waisted, button-down, snug-legged with natural looking wrinkles in all the right places.  Available in 16 denims & 16 colors, every pack includes versions for bootcut & “regular” fit.  At the main store now.
  • Swing:   Bloom!– NEW!  Swing Chair Lizzie in Purple, with hanging lights that pool on the ground.  Includes singles, couples, & sex animations.   Also available in blue & in pink. A We Love to Blog designer.
  • Head, Brows, Skin, Makeup:   LOGO – Josie
  • Body:  Tonic – Curvy Beauty + Booty Control… truly the most natural curves on the grid with the ability to add that extra oomph how & if you want it!
  • Eyes:  Avi-Glam – Luminous Eyes in Ivy
  • Hair:  Doux – Bloodline
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Nails:  Encore – Shades of Purple
  • Shoes:  N-Core Design – ISLA “White Floral” (2018 Tres Chic Anniversary Gift)
  • Jewelry:   Heartsdale Jewelry – Rhapsody in Silver Set; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Cat:  Image Essentials Props and Poses – Full Perm Mesh Cats
  • Location:  my home in Blake Passage