Month: August 2022

The Magic of Fairies

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The Magic of Fairies

It’s another one of those days when I find myself in a strange place, not particularly wanting to chat about anything, just aching to return to my world and explore and create and indulge my newest passion of building (whether that will eventually become something I share overtly is yet to be seen, but my backdrops have made it into a few of my pics already, just without any fanfare).  But that is part of the magic of fairies… we say so much without actually uttering much of anything…  Sprinkles a little fairy dust, and happily goes on my way, still pondering whether I’m catching or releasing my diminutive cousin…

  • Outfit:  Poet’s Heart – Eirwen Crown, which to use a phrase I’ve used previously, can be the crowning achievement of any fantasy look.   As always with this designer, the customization options for the crown are amazing, with every element — the front “points”, the jewels on them, the back “points”, the decorative points, the beads, the forehead jewel, the hanging chains… all customizable with the incredibly easy color-coded HUD.  A definite must have for every fantasy female’s wardrobe!
  • Skin:  Petrichor – Vareni Purples.  Highly detailed, gorgeous purple-toned skins in your choice of 30 colors (see below for these awesome textures; I’m wearing Kailauma).  Both male & female versions feature all new shading & details, in BOM/default layers only plus EvoX.  Includes Vareni elf ears (worn), & new brows in 10 colors & 8 shapes for both classic & EvoX (worn in Snowqueen), plus a whole range of more add-ons.  Mainstore release, with other color sets available as well.  (I’ve previously blogged the Muted tones.)  Demo available.  
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Hair:  Sintiklia – Elvina
  • Eyes:  Samia – Ziyu
  • Makeup:  POUT! – Angel Cake HD Liners:  SCIAVO – Amore Liptint
  • Pose:   AAP Angel’s Art Pose – The Magic of Fairies

Soiree Mix

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Soiree Mix

Lately I seem to always be a day late and a  dollar short, and in most cases, multiples of each… Things have just been so disrupted… there’s massive construction going on outside the window right next to my desk where I work, so between the noise and the nonstop country music that the team plays it’s been hard for me to actually sit, be creative, and get things done.  I really wanted to feature these goodies that were part of this past weekend’s Secret Sale, but just couldn’t get my act together.  The good news is that it’s all still available at the mainstore, in a beautiful display where you can experiment with all the built-in bento animations….  and if you hurry, it might still be on sale! Enjoy!!!!

Dreamland Designs:  NEW and EXCLUSIVE!!!!  I love the styling of this, the mix of the modern with the vintage and even the farmhouse…  it’s eclectic but it works, & IMHO it works fabulously! All sets are material enabled & are copy-mod-no trans.

  • Soiree Collection.   
    • Modern Couch Set.  Couch set is with bento animations (Adult or PG) plus texture changer on the pillows for 4 florals.  Includes the end tables with working lamps, plus the two pictures hanging over the couch.
    • Vintage Chair.  Chair is original mesh and comes with a texture changer for 4 different floral colors.  Available in both Adult & PG versions.
    • Moroccan Coffee Table Set.  Includes the vase & candle decor.
    • Rug Set, of 3 patterns.
  • Farmhouse Tin Console Set.  Includes “fully stocked” decor shelves, but the console itself comes “bare.”

Also shown:

  • Plants:  CIRCA – “Aziza” Hanging plant baskets; Q Creations – Bougainvillea Plant in a Pot; Anna’s Attic – Farm Pitcher Tin
  • Console Items:  Muniick – Coraline Coffee Maker & Coffee Mug Station, Wickman Saute & Sauce Pans; What Next – Harvest Cheese Board & Wine Glass & Cheese Plate; Your Dreams – Big Red, Medium White & Small White Casseroles; Bag of Groceries
  • Woven Baskets:  Fancy Decor
  • Cat Stuff:  MOoH! – Stuff Cat Pole; Mutresse – Teased Shortie Cats

 

Against All Odds

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Against All Odds

I am a defender.  Others may like to hunt or to be the aggressor; I’m a more peaceful, nature-loving tree hugger type of fae.  But threaten my people or my way of life or the hidden wonders of the forest, and I’m there.  Being on the slighter side and very attuned to my surroundings, I tend to be relegated to either the outer or inner edges, acting as scout or one of the last lines of defense.  But just because I’m not huge and solid like the male warriors of my tribe, it doesn’t mean that I take my job as protector any less seriously or that I’m not willing to lay my life on the line for what I love…  I have trained and trained, to the point where my skills now equal those of any warrior, even if my size and strength do not.  I have learned how not to just compensate for what many see as shortcomings but to use them to a winning advantage against my foes…  And it looks like it might be the day when they are once again put to the test.  My inner warrior is ready and we will face whatever challenge awaits that threatens the inner circle!!!  This is how legends are born… when one small soul takes a stand against all odds to defend all that they love…

  • Outfit:  Jangka Design – Shenarah.  Another amazing role-playing outfit!!!  100% original mesh, & sized only for Maitreya, the Shenarah top comes in 6 individual colors or as a fatpack, everything else (the pants, boots, armbands, armor, & headdress) come in 2 colors or fatpacks.  I LOVE the gleam of the armor & the headdress, adds that special touch of realism to kick an already fantastic fantasy outfit up to a whole new level!  Brand-new, she is EXCLUSIVELY at Enchantment Twisted Fairytales, open August 13th – Sept 3rd, for 25% OFF.  Demo available. 
  • Skin:  Petrichor – Vareni Muted.  Highly detailed, gorgeous muted tone skins in your choice of 15 colors (see below for these awesome textures; I’m wearing Filaurian… in an earlier post HERE, I wore Mylaela).  Both male & female versions feature all new shading & details, in BOM/default layers only plus EvoX.  Includes Vareni ears (which I’m NOT wearing), new brows in 10 colors for both classic & EvoX (which I’m wearing in Obsidian), & several other options to help customize your look.  A definite “must check out”! Demo available.  
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Hair:  KMH – Hair F177
  • Eyes:  Samia – Ziyu
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Renzo Eye Makeup & Vieno Lips
  • Horns:  not a peep – Lilian (natural)
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Thread Leaf Wings
  • Jewelry:  Swallow – Earrings E05 for EvoX
  • Pose:  Black Cats poses – Ishii
  • Sword:  BAMSE – Drengr – Legendary
  • Dinosaurs:  JIAN – Dino Buddies, Fast Biter

You Want to Make A Memory?

Posted on by cejalaval

http://You Want to Make A Memory

Outfits can be funny things.  Sometimes you have a look in mind, and you choose your clothing accordingly.  Other times, you put on an outfit and IT tells YOU what it wants.  For me, this outfit was very specific in its wants… once I slipped it on, it felt a bit more sophisticated, a bit classier, and definitely full of hair-tossing self-confidence, ready to challenge whatever and whomever, to go and get what I want when I want it.  And although I am a dedicated redhead, somehow for this look in this color I just had to be an ombre blonde, the outfit demanded it!  Once I had the full accessorized look, it made me think of a business trip, checking into the hotel, or looking for some action (my mind went to cougar and boytoy, which some will get, and others can take at face value lol), and then in playing with poses, it struck me that I needed to be on a pool table at a somewhat classy bar, ready to move on to the next part of the evening.  And there you have a glimpse of why doing a blog shoot/post can take me so long lol… but I HAVE learned to listen to the clothing… it generally steers me well!!!  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  I.M. Collection – Ashley Separates.  Form-fitting strapless jumpsuit in a delicious linen weave with a metallic belt strapped loosely at the hips, topped with an open cropped jacket in a fantastic print. Separate 8-color HUDs for the jacket & the jumper, plus optional gold/silver belts.  Sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, Maitreya, Kupra, & Reborn (NOTE: the gold/silver belt is unrigged), Ashley is available EXCLUSIVELY at the August round of the Designer Showcase, ending in just a few days on Aug 25th.  
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  bonbon – Tame
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Hae Eyes
  • Tattoo:  Horl – Chest Orn Tattoo
  • Makeup:  Heron – Pamela
  • Jewelry:   IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Aurora Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Nails:  StunnerOriginals – Bento Nails Mesh Ballerina
  • Pose:  Diversion – Look Away
  • Location:  Greg’s Bar & Lounge II

The Summer Wind

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The Summer Wind

The end of summer is just about here.  Down south where I live the kids are already back at school; soon the snowbirds will begin to return (which means so will the traffic lol and the crowded restaurants).  And here on the grid, it definitely won’t be long before we’re sporting fall styles in the midst of swirling autumn leaves.  Part of me is sad to bid summer goodbye, but part of me can’t wait for all the crispness and colors of fall… of course, living in Florida like I do, the crispness is more in my head than in the actual weather lol, but I have a good memory and can easily recall all those years up in NY…  But for now, the summer wind is still blowing gently, and it’s time to “take a dip”!  Happy shopping!!!!

  • Bathing Suit:  United Colors – Goldy All-in-1 Swimsuit.  Awesome detail, awesome cut, & the fatpack has a totally awesome HUD that lets you choose one of 20 colors/patterns for the right side, one for the left side, & one of 5 metals for the straps, the “connector” between the two halves, & the hip chain/strap for the bottom.  Sized for Legacy, Maitreya, & Reborn.  EXCLUSIVELY available & absolutely perfect for Takin’ A Dip, the current round of The Liaison Collaborative, open Aug 18th through Sept 10th.  Demo available.
  • Pose:  Nantra – Beach Illustrated 2022.  Set of 8 bento poses, with mirrors.  Includes hide/show pose stand.  See below for the ad showing all 8 fabulous beach poses.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the current round of The Liaison Collaborative, themed Takin’ A Dip, open Aug 18th through Sept 10th.   Be sure to try them out!!! Demo available.
  • Cabana:  Dabble Home & Garden (formerly known as Tylar’s Treasures) – SURFRIDER Beach Shack.  Animated with bento animations for male, female, & couples in either PG or Adult versions.  Includes 6 color texture change menu.  Perfect for that special spot on the beach!  See the ad below for more details.
  • Palm Tree:  Dabble Home & Garden (formerly known as Tylar’s Treasures) – Starfish Cove Palm Decor (shown on right).  Includes palm tree with the loveliest lights, ground palm, & starfish.  Available only on Marketplace.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Hair:  Argrace – Tokiwa
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Tattoo:  Horl – Chest Orn Tattoo; SAXO – Sandy Leg Unisex
  • Sunglasses:  KC Couture – Diva Eyewear

 

Farm living

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Farm Living

I’m a city girl, born and bred.  I’ve had minimal exposure to farm life, but I really wanted to do something a bit different, a bit fun, because it’s been a tough few days.  First I started making some big changes in sponsorships for my blogging.  Then I changed the SL memberships for my three avatars, and in moving land ownership around a lot of things got returned on my fantasy land (and I just finished tweaking things to where I wanted them lol)  Turns out that I had been doing something wrong for years, and it finally caught up to me.  No harm done in the end, but it was frustrating, and looking for a solution (that turned out to be totally unnecessary) was time-consuming and stressful.  I think a large part of why it was such an issue for me is that my emotions were already running quite high. My mom died a year ago, and although I know rationally that I did all that I could, the fact that I was unable to see her the last week of her life due to COVID lockdown at her memory care facility (I had just finally gotten permission for a “last visit”) makes me feel like I failed her.   And this undercurrent has been running through everything all last week, and it wasn’t until I finally recognized it that I was able to let it go.

BUT I was unable to get my act together enough to put together a shoot/blog post.  Now, my land issues are settled, my emotions have settled down, I’ve started building again which I LOVE LOVE LOVE to do (a possible business idea is starting to hatch lol), and I am back in the swing of things… I still wanted to get myself back by doing something FUN, and after driving past a bunch of farms and various grazing farm animals on my way out to dinner the other night I knew exactly that I wanted to feature my newest sponsor’s extremely adorable farmyard (which I of course supplemented lol)…  Though for some reason, I have the theme song from Green Acres running through my brain lol… Enjoy!

CJ Creations – Chicken Coop with Weathervane.   NEW RELEASE!  As I said above, I’m a city girl, so I may not know much about farms but I definitely know a lot about cute!  And this is just soooo cute!!!!  The detail (which is WHAT always gets me!!!) is just so perfect, with both the pecking hen & the little sparrow on the roof animated by touch; sounds touch on/off.  And the dogs!!!  One with a bandana, & one promoting eggs for sale… cute, cute, cute!!! And of course, it’s all copy/mod so you can move things around or add more chickens, etc. if you want.  Just a fun item to add to your backyard (especially if you like those fresh eggs in the morning lol!)… On display at the main store.

Also shown:

Fae at Orb Practice

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Fae at Orb Practice

I’ve been such a busy fae!  For some reason, I got the urge to redo my land, so I’ve been digging through storage, unearthing lost treasures, tossing out other items that no longer capture my imagination, and just taking a fresh look at everything around me.  I’m considering some extensive renovation, lowering a large section of my mountain, but that definitely requires more thought than the quick impulse that had me about to start demolition, because once started, there’s no going back!!!! (Why isn’t there an UNDO button when it comes to editing the land????)  Just as well though… I needed more practice working with my orb so that I know how to harness its power when needed.  And then of course I’m off to all  the new and soon-ending events, because what fae ever has enough???

  • Outfit:  Petrichor – Gaelinne.  Another gorgeous fantasy look by the amazing design team of Petrichor & Ersch!  Gaelinne is the epitome of a flowy elven goddess, with sensational adornments included.  Available in 10 single colors, 5 full color packs (Shine, Floredge, Fades, Fabrics, & Worn), or a megapack of all these fabulous choices.  Each HUD allows you to pick a color for each element (the top & vest, long skirt, waist wrap, ribbon sleeves), & the adornments have their own HUD with a ton of choices for each individual adornment; additionally, all parts are show/hideable.  See below for a closeup of the fabulous detail & textures. Sized for Legacy + Perky, Lara + Petite,  Reborn + Mounds, & Kupra, Gaelinne is part of the 7th Birthday Sale for The Epiphany Event, which runs through August 12th.  Sadly this is the last Epiphany, & with this final round, all items are only at their mainstore locations.  Demo available.
  • Prop:  Petrichor – Castanys Kel Orb.  Originally part of a gacha set, this fun little orb includes a holding animation of tossing/rolling the orb… such fun! And of course it includes a HUD to change the textures…  See the closeup below for better detail!
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:   Unholy – Poppy Pink Fairy (Velour Ipanema body skin)
  • Hair:  Magika – Monarch (includes crown)
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Tirel
  • Horns:  Eclectica – Crystal Satyr Horns
  • Makeup:  ND/MD – Adinkra Face Tattoo; Zibska – Michi White Overlay
  • Wings:  –FAS– Bento Faery Wings
  • Pose:  Stardust – Magic

Feelin’ Good!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Feeling good!

So I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’m completely blown away by certain pics  I see on FlickR.  Yes, there are plenty of good and some even really good shots amidst a lot of what I consider mediocre shots at best, but there are also true gems that completely floor me.  Those pics make me totally stop and look and try to figure out exactly what it is that grabs me and makes me say “wow” so that maybe, just maybe, I can learn something new.  Now sometimes it just comes down to the photographer’s eye, and I hate to say it but that’s one of those things you either have or you don’t.  Yes, hard work and practice will improve your eye, but that basic sense of the absolutely most perfect perspective and framing, well IMHO those abilities can be finer tuned but simply can not be taught.  In other pics though, it’s a definite sense of technique, a lot of which is applied in edit.  Now some of that I can figure out WHAT they did if not HOW, but since I use Corel and not Photo Shop, I can only try so far to teach myself.  But there’s always been other things that I just knew were being done inworld and I had absolutely no idea how to even attempt them.  Well I just watched a video on photography through Second Life University of all things, and just in minor playing around I can see that (hopefully anyway) I’ll be able to do a lot with this.  If nothing else, I discovered much simpler ways of doing what I already do in setting up my shots and playing with angles, so it could be a huge time and frustration saver.  I also learned to be very very careful about changing ANY settings, even the most innocuous seeming, without writing down what I had before and exactly what I did because I just spent an inordinate amount of time trying to get out of some weird perspective issue that I somehow locked myself into.  Lesson learned!!!  Now to move on to playing with some of what I’ve seen… I hope to be able to share some improved results in the near future!!! In the meantime, happy shopping!!!!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Akeri Wrap Dress.  Akeri is one of those seemingless effortless looks, with a deceptively simple, ankle length hip-wrapped very low-cut sundress with matching panties & flat sandals, & is available in 7 individual colors, a HUD-driven 7 texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 14, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Tonic, Freya & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at FABLE, an Evil Bunny Production, open August 6th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Hair:  Doux – Bellami
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Tattoo:  Juna – Milly
  • Jewelry:   IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Victorian, Set 2; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  FOXCITY – Bird of Paradise
  • Location:  Dusk Point Beach

Fae, Interrupted

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Fae, Interrupted

A bit deep in thought these days; not sure why, but just not feeling particularly social.  I’m enjoying my time just wandering through somewhat wild places I’ve never seen (this sim is just awesome for that!), tweaking my home to capture more of that wild & colorful essence, and communing with nature and its denizens.  A little private time seems to be just what this fae needs, and she is definitely making the most of it! (Of course, that does NOT impact my shopping… that would be downright sacrilegious lol!!!)…  looks up startled at a sound entering the glade, before settling back to my ruminating on the beauty of the play of light on the water…

  • Outfit:  Poet’s Heart – Solar Panties & Pasties.  Definitely a LOT more revealing than my normal wear, but how could I resist? She is sized only for Maitreya, although an unrigged version of the pasties are also included  (NOTE: she fit my Legacy body with just the lower deformer).  Solar’s HUD offers an incredible range of individual choices in light, mid, & deep tones for fabric 1 (the panties), fabric 2 (the drape), metal 1 (the pasties), metal 2 (the hips), & the pastie gems. Demo available.  There is matching jewelry (necklace & headpiece, not shown) which is sold separately.
  • Skin:  Petrichor – Vareni Muted.  Highly detailed, gorgeous muted tone skins in your choice of 15 colors (see below for these awesome textures; I’m wearing Mylaela).  Both male & female versions feature all new shading & details, in BOM/default layers only plus EvoX.  Includes Vareni ears, & new brows in 10 colors for both classic & EvoX.  Demo available.  
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Ghoul
  • Hair:  Lamb – Heart, with Roses & Crown
  • Horns:  not a peep – Lilian Horns
  • Makeup:  Loa – Ninsar Warpaint  (cheek dots, forehead stripe, lip brush stroke)
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Irid Light Wings
  • Pose:  LW Bento Poses – Hopeful
  • Location:  The Wylde