Month: May 2024

Once in a Blue Moon…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Once in a Blue Moon...

I’ve been blogging for a long time now, and though I’m constantly working on improving my skills, I do tend to follow certain ways of doing things.  But once in a blue moon (yeah, sorry, couldn’t resist lol), I decide to try something totally different, something that I see in a lot of pix that I think are great.  Since gowns always pose a difficulty in that they’re difficult to do on site (too many avatars which even derendered cause computer issues) & 360 degree-type backdrops are hard to come by, I decided to try something new with this picture & create a flat backdrop with a texture. Results are always two-fold… The first, is MY reaction… I see changes I want to do with this type of photoshoot going forward, but if I didn’t feel good about how this shot came out, it wouldn’t have made it this far, to the 2nd judgment call.  And that is how it fares in the FlickR world.   Back when I first started blogging, I was advised not to worry about my stats but to blog for ME, to do shots that I enjoyed doing and that gave me personal satisfaction.  And for the most part, I do that.  BUT (and it’s a big but!) I can’t help but react when a pic that I feel really good about just doesn’t do well.  I see it with other bloggers too… sometimes a great pic, a pic that I wished I had done, just lags behind the norm.  I can never really understand why.  Part of me thinks it’s all timing… WHEN you post, HOW MANY people see the post, HOW FAR DOWN you are in the award groups when they release a batch (which ties into TIMING)… BUT the fact remains that I absolutely love shots that other folks do using this type of backdrop  and I find formal pix extremely difficult to shoot on site (too many avatars are always around, and even if derendered my computer has difficulty because my shoots are rather lengthy).  I felt I could be much more creative if I wasn’t standing in a crowded room where I’m in the way.  And I LOVE these backgrounds… so much easier to set the scene!  But the bottom line is yet to be seen.  In the meantime, I’m taking this stunning look out for some dancing… the gown has already been partner-approved!  

  • Gown:  JUMO – Altagracia.  Includes two versions (the gown plus a mini dress, see the ad below), plus optional gloves & a diamond “necklace”.  I can’t say enough about this gown… stunning, gorgeous, absolutely fabulous detail.  And the textures!!! There are three different texture “families”… 20 satin, 5 sequin, & 5 rose…  all of which have the most fabulous lace trim at the bodice, the top of the sleeves, & along the bottom of the gown (you can see your shoes, which I love!).  I have to say it was a struggle for me to choose which one to wear!  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, GenX Classic+Curvy, Kupra, Erika, & Maitreya+MaitreyaPetite, LaraX+LaraXPetite, I do want to mention that I had to modify my nipples & use nipple covers for the gown (then again, I’m a bit more prudish than many in this regard), but it took all of two minutes & was totally worth it! Altagracia is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the May round of Designer Showcase, open May 5th – 25th.  Demo available. 
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn+Waifu
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Heidi in Rosekiss (Velour body skin)
  • Hair:  S-Club – Bella
  • Eyes:  LOTUS – Bubble Eyes
  • Makeup:  I n’ K Original – “Time Eye” Eyeshadow; Heron – Mistic Lipstick
  • Moles:  poema – Molly
  • Jewelry:   Heartsdale Jewelry – Met Gala Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Amitie – Martini
  • Backdrop:  SATO – 1001 Nights

Be a dear, take my bags to the hotel… I’m expected for the opening…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Be a dear, take my bags to the hotel... I'm expected for the opening...

And life goes on, though trapped at home like I am, definitely not a lot to report.  At least I’ve healed to the point where I can sit at the computer for a few more hours a day without having my foot and leg blow up to ridiculous proportions.  So I’m left to dream about all the things I could be doing and experiencing… and that is what SL is all about!!! Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  I.M. Collection – Naomi Set.  Beautiful very stylish two piece set, with a lightly cropped top with slightly ballooned long sleeves with 4-button cuffs over a sarong-style skirt that hits just below the knee.  A little half-belt at the side plus a big zipper at the back of the top add just the right amount of detail. Choose between three fatpacks — leather (which I’m wearing), animal print, or floral — or grab the Megapack to avoid having to choose.  Either way, the textures are top quality, & both the leather & animal print fatpacks include additional options for the sleeves.  That turned out PERFECTLY for me, because as you might know, I absolutely love animal prints, but I can feel overwhelmed by them… the ability to partially wear animal print was the absolute best solution for me!  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky, & Maitreya+LaraX, Naomi is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the May round of Designer Showcase, open May 5th – 25th.  See the ad below for details.  Demo available. 
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn+Waifu
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Heidi in Rosekiss (Velour body skin)
  • Hair:  Stealthic – Barbwire
  • Eyes:  LOTUS – Bubble Eyes
  • Makeup:  Traditional Face – Aelin Eyeshadow
  • Moles:  poema – Molly
  • Nails:  Veechi – Magnetic Gels
  • Jewelry:   Cae – Reesha Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Backdrop:  Synnergy Tavis – Airport Hangar

 

Looking for a brighter tomorrow

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Looking for a brighter tomorrow

Sometimes it’s hard to keep your spirits up.  I’m fortunate, and I know it.  The things that are going wrong in my life right now are not huge or life-altering.  But it’s like a steady drip… in itself, what is a drop? But drop after drop after drop after drop eventually becomes a bit overwhelming.  That’s where I’ve been… in that “overwhelm”.  I finally FINALLY got a good night’s sleep last night… first time in weeks that I wasn’t awoken by pain.  I hadn’t realized the level of exhaustion that was lurking behind my day…  how I’d surrendered to those feelings of, well not hopelessness but definitely something not life-affirming.  That constant low-level pain with flashes of greater intensity is so draining, so demoralizing, and just so sneaky that you don’t realize how it’s invaded EVERYTHING, especially when your mobility is curtailed so all of your activities are “on hold”.  I miss that daily mile-long walk with my dog way more than I’ve realized; we can now make it to the end of the street, but that’s not even a quarter of the way.  I wasn’t even reading (and I read about a book a week!), and I just devoured a fabulous novel in two days.  Hopefully now things have shifted from maintaining a low status quo to a slow but steady climb back to a more pain-free and more active lifestyle.  I know my dog will be happy when we can get back into our routine, and that will open the way for me to resume my other activities.  All such minor things, but I will be so glad to turn off (or at least slow down) that drip, drip, drip of pain and confinement.  Well enough moaning about poor little me… it’s the weekend, isn’t it, and that means one thing… SHOPPING THERAPY!!!!  Checks my linden balance… and I’m off! Happy shopping!

  • Dress:  Carol’s Store – Mati Top & Skirt.   Perfect casual skirt set for the increasing heat of spring (we’ve been in the 90s where I am IRL). Choose from 10 single colors or a fatpack for the top; 10 single colors or a fatpack for the skirt (even single skirts include a HUD to change the belt); or the MegaPack for all these fabulous choices!  ORIGINAL MESH with materials enabled, Mati is sized for Reborn, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, GenX (Classic & Curvy), LaraX+PetiteX, Kupra, Khara, Erika, & Love Momma.  EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of uber, open through May 22nd.   Demo available.  
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Heidi in Rosekiss (Velour body skin)
  • Hair:  S-Club – Sasa
  • Eyes:  euphoric – Hae
  • Makeup:  WarPaint – Romancer Eyeshadow; Guapa – Graphic Eyeliner; Celestial – Softness Lip Applier
  • Moles:  poema – Molly
  • Nails:  Veechi – Magnetic Gels
  • Jewelry:  Maxi Gossamer – Ayla Moon Goddess Necklace & Earrings; MINIMAL – Chelin Letter Necklace C; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Fashiowl – My White Horse
  • Location:  Elvion

As one dream ends, another begins…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://As one dream ends, another begins

Even a fae has dreams of what life could be.  In the last week, my dream was to be a mermaid, but alas it proved too challenging for me at this point to trade in my wings for a tail.  Everything was going wrong, from developing an extreme line at the neck to having issues with poses and so much more that I finally realized it was just not meant to be in the limited time before Fantasy Faire closes its doors again and disappears into the mists.  Everything was going wrong IRL as well, with myself, my son, & my grandson all having accidents that left us each with a broken bone.  As difficult and frustrating as that has been been (especially since I am long distance from both of them), I recognize how lucky I am… these are all non-traumatic injuries that will heal.  It helped me realize that I had lost sight of the far bigger dream that is the essence of Fantasy Faire… the dream of a world without cancer.  Today, May 7th, is the last day of this celebration of fantasy life in SL and its goal for all humankind.  We all want to see THAT fantasy world, a world without cancer.  To that end, join us in the fight, shop with a purpose and Relay for Life!!!

  • Gown:  Kitty Creations – Rosamund.  Absolutely stunning medieval gown, with the most amazing collar & cuffs… very regal without becoming overly done.  Available in 7 single colors, each as a 100% RFL Donation (see the ad below).  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of Miralume HERE.
  • Jewelry:  Cygnet’s Dreams – Gem Set.  Includes two headpieces, tikka, & earrings, with a 12-texture HUD to change the colors.  (See the ad below.) You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of Whispering Pages HERE.  Demo available.
  • Wings:  Aii  – Fairy Wings. Absolutely the most gorgeous wings I have ever worn!  They sparkle subtly & move so beautifully & just look so real! Includes both bento & animesh versions in 4 sizes, with a HUD that lets you modify all or parts of the wings.  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of Thunnus Bay HERE.  Demo available.
  • Companion:  Quills & Curiosities – Faelidae Companion.  NEW!! I do love my animal companions (I’ve blogged twice with both of my new “pets”).  Released for FF24, Faelidae has four ears, three tails, & is an arm or shoulder holdable companion.  Includes 3 sizes, 3 position options, & a HUD with 23 fur colors & 10 eye colors with tint & glow options.  (See the ad below.)  Adorably animated, you can see them all around the sim, since the store sponsors the Faireland.  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of The Duskfall Court HERE.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head
  • Body & Ears:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Hair:  RunAway – Mei
  • Skin:  Birth – Fae
  • Pose:  LW Bento Poses – Loyal
  • Location:  Ondheim (sponsors Belle Epoque/Harshlands), known as the Realm of the Spirits. It is a place where departed souls take rest during their journey from the mortal realm to the what lays ahead. Heavily inspired by Nordic and Viking landscaping/architecture.

 

Discovering the hidden world of the Wistlyn Shallows…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Discovering the hidden world of the Wistlyn Shallows

Fantasy Faire may be winding down (end date ORIGINALLY May 5th, but now extended to May 7th!!!), but my personal exploring definitely is not! I always start the Faire by (a) visiting any of my favorite stores, then (b) TPing into the center of each realm to “get a taste” of what that land is all about, and then (c) following the “road”, winding through all the lands, peeking into most stores and shopping!!! in others.  By this time, I’ve usually posted one or two blogs based on scenes that grabbed my attention; then I turn to what I’ve been doing of late… exploring some of the maybe-not-hidden but definitely off-the-beaten-track gems that I come across.  That’s how I found this little awesome spot, down below the walkway for this Faireland, which was absolutely perfect (IMHO anyway!) for this character…  Though there is so much animation going on — my wings, my shoulder cat, the tiny creatures from the Shallows, circling decor, lights — it was definitely a challenge to get it all.  Bottom line though… if you haven’t made it to the Faire yet, DON’T DELAY!  Not only will the creativity astound you, but there’s so much dedicated to helping support the fight against cancer.  Join the fun of Fantasy Faire, and join the fight to help create a world without cancer!!!

  • Gown:  UNA – Lady Targaryan, in Wine.  Absolutely stunning & totally unique with a top that looks like hammered gold, Lady Targaryan is sized for Legacy+Perky+Nerido, Reborn+Juicy, & LaraX+PetiteX (see the ad below).  She is available in 6 individual colors, or as a fatpack with extra colors included… & the fatpack is a 100% RFL Donation!  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of The Duskfall Court HERE.  Demo available.
  • Skin:  Petrichor – Wyldeia.  NEW!! A brand new set of fantasy skins available for both male & female in 35 different tones (I’m wearing Ereyal).  Incredible markings, incredible quality, incredible choice of skin tones!  These are all-inclusive skins that come with multiple versions, body add-ons, & more, for EvoX & SLUV.  (See the ad below for more detail.)  You can purchase a single skin, custom packs of 3, 5 or 10 skins, or as a complete fatpack for male or female.  EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at Fantasy Faire; you can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of Samsara HERE.  Demos available.
  • Horns & Ears:  Petrichor – Karthras Accessories.  NEW!!  Gorgeous horns that curl around special included M/F EvoX ears.  Also includes optional forehead chain & jewelry.  The included HUD in each of 5 texture packs or the Megapack controls everything (see the ad below for more details).  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of Samsara HERE.   Demo available.
  • Wings:  Quills & Curiosities – Sinistrae.  NEW!!  Released for FF24, these dark fae wings have their own AO, are included in 6 different sizes, 2 different color HUDs for a total of 96 different color options. (See the ad below.) You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of The Duskfall Court HERE.  Demo available.
  • Cat:  Quills & Curiosities – Faelidae Companion.  NEW!!  Released for FF24, this is definitely a cat like no other!  With four ears, three tails, Faelidae is an arm or shoulder holdable companion.  Includes 3 sizes, 3 position options, & a HUD with 23 fur colors & 10 eye colors with tint & glow options.  (See the ad below.)  Adorably animated, you can see them all around the sim, since the store sponsors the Faireland.  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of The Duskfall Court HERE.
  • Lantern:  Oblivis Solem – Ghostfire Lantern.  Fantasy Faire Blue (which is what I’m holding), including both gold & silver patterns with hold or rez options, is a 100% RFL Donation.  (The lantern is also available in 6 single colors or as a fatpack.  See the ad below for more details.)  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of Thunnus Bay HERE.
  • Sword:  Mindgardens Creations – Asgardian Bifrost Unity Combat Sword Set, worn sheathed.  The set includes the sword, sheath, & shield, utilizing the Unity Maxim combat system (see the ad below).  Animation HUD included.  The entire set is a 50% RFL Donation.  You can teleport directly to the store in the Faireland of Whispering Pages HERE. 
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Hair:  CHAIN – Safari
  • Pose:  Le Poppycock – Grains of Sand Pack B, Hollow instep
  • Location:  Wistlyn Shallows (sponsors Star Mesh Body/Starlite Realms/M&M), a landscape where every blade of grass is a giant’s height, a daisy is a giant’s tower, and even a discarded bolt (where did that come from?) is too heavy for an ordinary human to lift.  You are tiny, insignificant, and possibly lost. As you explore those things overlooked in other realms, discover the hidden world of Fireflies and Minnows, tiny flying pixies and equally tiny aquatic mer creatures. Something far in the past has divided these two cultures, a rift seemingly impassable. But there are those who seek harmony, a way to heal the past, and a way to create the future.