Month: October 2020

Spookzilla

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Spookzilla

Halloween just seems to go on and on, doesn’t it?  For a one-day/one-night “event,” it really dominates our lives for quite a period of time.  As I’ve said before, I’m not really into the dark side of things; I like my Halloween with a dash of humor as opposed to truly creepy horror.  You’ll never find me on one of those Halloween “experiences” in real life, no way no how.  But here in SL?  Although I’ve stumbled upon a few of what I’d consider to be truly distasteful settings, most of it is wildly creative mixed with a strong dose of fun.  The truly horrific part is that I need to totally redo my home landscaping — again — when Halloween is done!  Happy Halloween!

Tylar’s Treasures – Halloween Graveyard.  10 fun Halloween items for your landscaping pleasure!  If you can find them, use them all together, following the setup below (which is what I did) or create your own layout.  If you only find one or two, no matter, because each one is awesome all on its own.  The sense of humor on the five gravestones is classic, had me groaning & chuckling…  “Crisp P. Bacon, Fried to Death”, “Noah Scape, Always Felt Trapped”… the details are to die for (yes, pun definitely intended)!  The flowers at the graves are eyeballs, the ghost floats up & down, the bats are outlined in red & fly around the Crane Tree, the fog is gently drifting… just awesome! EXCLUSIVELY available at the Spookzilla Hunt October 23rd – 31st.  120 stores are participating, “hunt til you die.”  See the key below for details on the 10 graveyard treasures to find; each item is just 25L.  Happy Hunting!

Trunk or Treat

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Trunk or Treat

Who knew that decorating pickup trucks for Halloween was a thing? Certainly not a city girl like me, but I have to say, it’s a pretty awesome idea! After accidentally tripping over the phrase in Google, I found out that it’s HUGE, & not just for pick-up trucks, but for anything with a trunk.  It’s considered an “alternative celebration”, & this year especially when most door-to-door trick or treating is “on hold”, it’s a great way to show off that Halloween imagination.  Some of the creativity on display is truly impressive!  I’m happy to be able to incorporate just a touch of it here in this post (though a bit spookier & with less “stuff” than how Trunk or Treat seems to be intended lol), since with moving and all in RL there is simply no time for Halloween decorations at my house this year…  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  GiuliaDesign – Ruoyo.  Not really my every-day style since I don’t tend to go “dark”, but absolutely perfect for the Halloween season or for those with more goth leanings in their style.  In black (of course) but with a perfect amount of color added down the laced & lace-edged sleeves (which are to die for) as well as a wide swath down the front of the dress.  With one of those really high “evil queen” type of collars, amazing strapped thigh-high boots, & a stylish eye patch, this outfit is a standout! Available individually in 5 colors or as a fatpack, Ruoyo is sized for Slink HG/P & Maitreya (note that the sleeves are not included for HG, but the Physique sleeves fit me perfectly with just a little alpha use).  See the vertical shot below for all the fabulous texture details. EXCLUSIVELY available at the October Darkness Event through October 28th. Demo available.
  • Truck:  Khargo – Halloween Pickup Truck – skulls.  As I said, I didn’t think a truck could be a Halloween item, but this item totally convinced me! It’s awesome & has a spooky look to it what with the skulls, the crow, & several bloody little accents, without being overdone.  Includes two spots to sit with couple cuddle & single animations & is experience enabled for your own private tailgate party (& maybe a different definition of “treat”, hmmm?)! See the full shot below.  EXCLUSIVELY available at The Mad Circus, an Evil Bunny Production, which is open from October 10th – 31st.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy
  • Hair:  EMO-tions – Hairbase 3 + Hairpiece L
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Anna Eyes Pack #1
  • Makeup:  theSkinnery  – Deziree  eyeshadow (group gift);  DS’Elles – Scandalous Lipstick
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles
  • Tattoo:  Letis Tattoo – Ixchel
  • Jewelry: lunamoon’s Creation Shop – Spider Web Gem Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Location:  Inspired by “Legend of Wooley Swamp” by Charlie Daniels

Too big a problem to sweep under the rug

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Too big a problem to sweep under the rug

How do you deal with problems?  Do you sweep them under the rug to deal with another time, or do you face them immediately?  I’ll admit that I do both.  Sometimes I honestly just can’t be bothered with small issues, figuring they’ll either stop being important & will therefore just go away, or that waiting won’t make a difference.  Big problems, however, generally don’t fit easily under that proverbial rug, and need to be dealt with immediately.  Unfortunately, sometimes you have periods of time where EVERYTHING seems to be going wrong, with problems cropping up everywhere.  Now that I am moving in less than two weeks (eeek!), I seem to be dealing with a host of new issues, big and small, from the fact that new furniture I was considering which was going to take a week to 10 days to be delivered last time I looked is now showing as 2 – 4 months, to the roof bag for my car suddenly being too frayed to use safely and new bags all seem to be back-ordered until well after I leave.  Sighs… oh well, the best-laid plans and all that…  Time to take a breather and have a nice slow cup of something hot…  Happy shopping!

  • Top:  Tonic – Fave Cropped Sweater.  You know that one sweater in your closet you always go to when you want that comfy feel but still want to look great?  THIS is the SL equivalent.  It comes in 16 colors; perfect to mix & match with all sorts of bottoms to create multiple looks.  ONLY for Tonic bodies, this comfy sweater is sized for Curvy, Fine, & Fine-Mini, & is EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of eBento, open through October 30th.  Demo available.
  • Pants:  Tonic – Slick Leggings. Skin-tight leggings, with a V in front for added style, in a beautiful “slick” texture. 16 colors, sized for Curvy & Fine, with versions for boots & dainty-fit. EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of eBento, open through October 30th.  Demo available.
  • Cottage:  Dreamland Designs – Garden Cottage Complete.  Includes the cottage, the fence & all plantings within it as well as the two arching autumn trees in front.  All the plantings are copy/mod, so you can easily add more autumn color around the cottage, like I did.  Included & also sold separately: The Autumn Hanging Chair (full of animations, PG or Adult!), the Cabin Fireplace, & the Autumn Chocolate Tray (it gives cups of hot chocolate, just like what I’m holding, & will animate your avatar).  EXCLUSIVELY available in PG or Adult versions as a complete set, Hanging Chair Only (Adult or PG), Fireplace Only, or Garden Cottage with Garden, all at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.  See the closeup below for a full view!
  • Rug & Rat:  Evolving Images – Body Under Carpet; Rat V; Goth Shield.  Just 3 of many fun Halloween-themed items from Evolving Images, EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty (worn with Booty Control), in the new updated version.  Truly the most natural curves on the grid with options to add that extra oomph how & if you want it, as well as others to minimize the bust &/or the butt.  With Tonic, you can truly customize the look of your body!
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy
  • Hair:  Analog Dog – Rae
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Makeup:  Dulce Secrets – Pucker Up Lipgloss
  • Tattoo:  Chameleon – Tattoo Rati
  • Nails:  Livia – Deep Gel
  • Jewelry:  RealEvil Industries – Areah Set; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Luane’s World Poses – Come Back Home (includes cat)

Hawkeye Horus

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Hawkeye Horus

In the ancient Egyptian religion, Horus was a god who was often depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcon head, whose right eye was the sun and whose left eye was the moon.  He was believed to be the god of war and the sky,  and his importance grew until he eventually became the most revered god in ancient Egypt.  He is probably most well-known as the protector of the ruler of Egypt. The Pharaohs were intimately connected with Horus, and often an image of Horus was carved above the doors of the Pharaohs’ palaces.  It’s not really a stretch of the imagination to think that nomadic tribes might seize upon this mythology to create their own apparel… just look at how the American Indians incorporated their own mythology into ceremonial wear.  I (of course) have given even a step further, adding wings and horns since those are a part of who I am as a character, but all elements can be used separately or in any combination, making them the perfect addition to any fantasy wardrobe. Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Jangka – Horus.  NEW RELEASE, 100% original mesh, & sized for Maitreya, Signature, & Legacy, Horus comes in 7 colors, with gold as a bonus color available only in the fatpacks.  Each element — the outfit, shoes, armbands, & headpiece (which is unisex & resizable) — is sold separately in both individual colors & in fatpacks, so you can piece together this extremely unusual & creative outfit in many unique ways.  There’s just so much exquisite detail in this outfit (the headpiece is glorious!), it’s absolutely a must see, & it’s EXCLUSIVELY at the October We Love Role Play for 25% OFF, Oct 4th – 30th.  Demo available.
  • Horns:  Petrichor – Arenvie Horns.  I originally blogged these horns almost a month ago on Sept 23rd when they debuted at the Black Fair (you can see my post HERE), but with 5 wear styles & 40 colors in each of the 6 color HUDs, they work perfectly with so many outfits, I couldn’t resist blogging them again.  (This time, I’m wearing them in the Baph style.)
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body:  Maitreya
  • Skin:  Petrichor/Plastik – Styliste
  • Hair:  Kuni – Clarissa
  • Brows:  Simple Bloom – Genus Lara/Dawn Glitter/Stars (GIFT)
  • Ears:  Swallow – Pixie Ears Protruding
  • Eyes:  {Demicorn} Cosmetics – Starlet Eyes (Genus Appliers)
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Shura Makeup (eyeshadow); {Demicorn} Cosmetics – Queenie Lippies
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Ragged Fairy Wings
  • Pose:  Kokoro Poses – Herta Pose Set
  • Location:  Ancient Egypt/Amarna

Shopping Day

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Shopping Day

Wow, it’s been a rough couple of days on the grid, hasn’t it? Inventory issues galore… things I wear every day LIKE MY EYES (pretty noticeable that they’re missing in the top pic, right? but nothing would get them to rez until I took the closeup below hours and hours later) suddenly just not being there, buying items but receiving error messages that “requested inventory cannot be created”, inability to use the camera…  not a good time in SL for anyone let alone a blogger trying to put together a look and take pix.  I’m still waiting for a hat that I bought to complete this look… fortunately, I had already purchased this great pose set which just happens to include the most adorable little cap, perfect for shopping downtown! So many great items, so little time… may the SL gods PLEASE be in a better mood this week!!! Enjoy!

  • Top:  Kastle Rock Couture – Hannalore Sweater.  A stunning wrap top perfect for the fall, with long bell sleeves & a thick ties that wrap around your body multiple times. Comes in two fatpacks of 7 colors each – brights or darks – as well as an Ultimate Pack that contains both. Sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya, Hannalore is EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.
  • Pants:  Kastle Rock Couture – Nikolette Jeans.  Tight, low-cut, with lots of wrinkles! Includes a separate leather belt with its own 10-color/7-metal HUD.  Choose from 3 different color sets (Colors, Jeans, & Pales), all sized for Tonic, Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, eBody, Signature, Legacy, & Maitreya. EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.
  • Jewelry:  Semi-Precious – Maggie Necklace & Earrings.  Available in 8 color sets, all with resize, & a MegaPack that is a 50% donation item for OutShop Cancer, which is dedicated to raising funds to help fight breast cancer.  Shop with a purpose, it feels great!  See the closeup below for detail.  Also worn: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy
  • Hair:  Fabia – Alida
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Anna Eyes Pack #1
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Noir Pack Vol 16 (eyeshadow); Purple Beauty – Glossiness Lipstick GIFT
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Nails:  Livia – Deep Gel
  • Shoes:  MOZ Designs – Fringe Ankle Boot
  • Pose:  Amitie – Shopping Day V2 (includes Brixton Cap)
  • Backdrop:  Unicorn – Banque Strechnitz Orange

Taking a Break

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Taking a Break

One of the things I find most exciting about Second Life is also one that I find most frustrating.  I’m talking about CHANGE.  There are always new features to adjust to, new places to explore, new events to shop at, new creativity to wonder at… but as new things come, “old” things go.  In both my blogging and my every day Second Life, I use a lot of items from my inventory.  I also have a tendency to hold on to demos of things that I like but may not be able to afford at the time or that I choose to wait on until I have a definite use.  I sometimes spend so much time chasing items and stores down on the grid, sometimes successfully but more and more often it seems that it’s an exercise to nowhere.  Since I’m one of those bloggers who try to credit EVERYTHING in the shot because it’s something that I appreciate when others do it, it can be quite time-consuming.  For this one post, for example, there were 4 different designers whose locations I just couldn’t come up with (one I successfully found on MarketPlace).  It’s always sad when old favorites leave, though maybe I’m a bit more sensitive at the moment because I am getting ready to leave my home IRL.  Who knows… but I DO know that I need to focus on the NEW exciting things that are all around me.  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  YoU by GeMyles – Laura Dress & Jacket & Boots.  Cute & sexy strapless dress & jacket combination with sensational thigh-high boots with buttons up the leg.  Includes a 10-color HUD for the dress, which can be worn separately (as can the jacket).  Laura jacket/dress combo is sized for Tonic, Hourglass, Freya, Legacy, Signature, Ebody Curvy, & Maitreya. EXCLUSIVELY available at the October Designer Showcase, open October 5th – 25th.  Demo available.
  • Bag:  MY BAGS by Mila – My Catrina in Red.  An original design for the Day of the Dead, My Catrina is available in 6 beautiful textures in patent leather with a gold handle, each with a hand pose & an arm pose. This 100% original mesh bag is available EXCLUSIVELY at the October round of eBento, open October 11th – 31st.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty (worn with Booty Control), in the new updated version.  Truly the most natural curves on the grid with options to add that extra oomph how & if you want it, as well as others to minimize the bust &/or the butt.  With Tonic, you can truly customize the look of your body!
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy
  • Hair:  Sintiklia – Hair Ulufemi
  • Eyes:  Avi-Glam – Luminous Eyes in Ivy
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Noir Pack Vol 16 (eyeshadow); Dulce Secrets – Pucker Up Lipgloss
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Jewelry: Maxi Gossamer – Tabatha Beaded Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Tattoo:  PinUp – Arabesque in Flower (seems to be an extinct vendor)
  • Pose:  Cara’s Poses & ELLAs – Bossy Boots Pose Set
  • Backdrop:  Pseudo – Townhouse Scene

The Morigan

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The Morigan

Halloween season is a confusing time for fantasy creatures. Suddenly it’s hard to share that immediate recognition of like-kind when all these humans are disguising themselves and wearing wings, horns, tails and more.  On the other hand, it’s possible to get a better sense of human culture when you’re not singled out for being different but are instead accepted as another “person” getting into the spirit of the holidays.  The best news though is that suddenly there is a wealth of outfits and accessories available from designers who don’t normally cater to our kind, not to mention all the special events and festivals!  I might need to use a little magic to expand my closet, but oh, it will be so worth it! (flutters my wings happily)…  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – The Morigan.  Named after one of the three Celtic war goddesses (the Phantom Queen), this is a stunningly beautiful outfit.  It’s perfect for that Halloween party whether you’re human or fae, & then goes on to live as a gorgeous gown all year long!  Includes a stunning strapless gown slit up to one hip that clings to your shape before it puddles artfully at the bottom, plus a matching lace C-string, heels, feather wrap (not shown), & absolutely glorious animated wings.   Includes two HUDs — one for the 100% ORIGINAL textures that can be applied to the gown, the heels, the wrap, & the wings (how many colors depends on whether you choose the fatpack or the slimpack) — & another to control the wings.  The complete outfit is sized for Slink H/P, Belleza F/I, Legacy, & Maitreya.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the October Twe12ve event, an Evil Bunny Production. The theme for this round, open Oct 7th – 30th, is Wizards & Witchcraft.  So awesome!
  • Horns:  Petrichor – Sanya Horns.  These unisex horns are 100% custom mesh, & are both modifiable & resizable.  HUD controlled with 80 horn colors, plus more for the metals, skulls, ribbons, gemstones, & more.  See the closeup below.  Sold EXCLUSIVELY at SAMHAIN: A Pagan Festival open Oct 10th – Nov 2nd.
  • Jewelry:  Petrichor – Sanya Jewelry.  Matching jewelry set to the horns though it’s equally awesome on its own.  Three separate length necklaces plus two separate length earrings, this jewelry is also HUD controlled to change the metals, skulls, tassels, & gemstones.  Also shown in the closeup below. Sold EXCLUSIVELY at SAMHAIN: A Pagan Festival open Oct 10th – Nov 2nd. 
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Redux, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  •  Skin:  Petrichor – Styliste
  • Brows:  Simple Bloom – Genus Lara/Dawn Glitter/Stars (GIFT)
  • Hair:  D!va – Vally
  • Ears:  Swallow – Pixie Ears Protruding
  • Eyes:  {Demicorn} Cosmetics – Starlet Eyes (Genus Appliers)
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Olek Makeup (eyeshadow); Shura Lips
  • Pose:  West End – Hartje Pose Collection
  • Location:  All Hallows at Moochies

An All Hallows Eve Dance

Posted on by cejalaval

http://An All Hallows Eve Dance

I’m not really into the dark side of things, but for Halloween I absolutely dip my toe, though I definitely avoid the truly ghoulish.  I like items with a lot of creativity, that have a bit of spookiness or creepiness without crossing over into “yuck”.  I’m so happy to say that I’m almost overwhelmed with items that fit my style and taste this year.  I’ve been tempted to create a whole story about my scene here, but frankly, my RL house is in pre-move shambles (my desk is gone!!!), and my creative juices are a bit thin when it comes to words…  But shopping is such a sheer joy at this time of year (though let’s be honest — when is it not?).  Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  Poet’s Heart – Fading Life.  This gown comes in two colors (black or white) or a fatpack.  Includes gown, 3 different frills, veil rigged & unrigged.  Each color set has a HUD for clean, bloody, dirty & bloody+dirty dress + clean & bloody versions for the rest of the items. Sized for Slink Hourglass & Maitreya, this beautifully detailed outfit is available EXCLUSIVELY at Hallow Manor, open from October 16th – November 1st.
  • Crypt:  CJ Creations – Halloween Crypt Little Rosie + Sound.  A ghostly crypt with (what else) two ghosts that slowly rez in & out.  8 different textures for the roses; creepy sound on/off by touching the coffin. Poor little Rosie! See the stand-alone pic below.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.
  • Flora:  IrrISIStible – Halloween Creepy 3 Trees, 4 Textures, + HUD –  Halloween Big Pack 9 monsters grass patch. There are so many wonderful Halloween-themed landscaping items out there, but they can sometimes seem somewhat “plopped” without some surrounding creepy flora.  These two items solve that problem with both style & variety.  The Creepy Trees come in 3 styles in 4 textures (black, brown, ghost, & magic); the accompanying HUD lets you change the color of the little strung lights in the trees & of the hanging decor balls.  The grass comes in 3 versions of swirl (I’ve used the ghost & the black), 4 versions of monster grass (literally, with monsters), & two versions of “dots.”  Everything you need to provide landscaping for the creepy part of the season!  Both items are EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Pose:  Nantra – Illuminati (includes dancing ghost)
  • Fog:  Dysfunctionality – Creeping Fog