Month: September 2024

Fetch me this, fetch me that, when all I want is to get to the Festival!

Posted on by cejalaval

https://Fetch me this, fetch me that, when all I want is to get to the Festival!

This is the time for Renaissance fairs everywhere, and Second Life is no exception.  The SL Renaissance Festival is an annual fundraising event which raises funds for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and it is a celebration of everything medieval.  This is a festival filled with valor and celebration, where every arrow and every linden spent supports the vital work of the American Cancer Society.  From Sept 27th through October 6th, you can step into a world brimming with heroic deeds and exciting challenges/tournaments, not to mention spectacular entertainment and lots of shopping!  Come join us for the SL Renaissance Festival 2024 as we embark on a noble quest in the fight against breast cancer!

  • Gown:  AVAGirl – Medieval Royal Dress.  Including both the dress & the gold-edged veil, this gown absolutely belongs in the company of royalty… It even boasts the keys to the kingdom in the center panel of the skirt!  Includes a 6-color HUD of royally rich textures for the velvet (the corset waist & inner skirt stay the same; see the ad below).  Sized for Legacy+Perky, Reborn, Maitreya+Petite+LaraX+XPetite, & Freya, 100% DONATION item, the dress is EXCLUSIVELY available at the SL Renaissance Festival.  You can TP direct to their booth HERE.  Demo available.
  • Jewelry:  Heartsdale Jewelry – d’Medici Collection.  Incredibly stylish necklace & earrings set that definitely has that medieval look with the big jeweled cross.  Sized for Legacy, Reborn, Lara+LaraX, & unrigged, for a perfect fit. This 100% DONATION item is EXCLUSIVELY available at the SL Renaissance Festival.  You can TP direct to their booth HERE.  Demo available so you can see the fabulous look & fit!
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Glam Affair – Winnie, in Icy (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  Fantavatar & Moonstruck Oblivion – Isabella D’Este
  • Makeup:  Dernier – “Foxxie” Tintable Eyeshadow; Glam Affair – Winnie Lips Toner
  • Wings:  –FAS– Bento Faery Wings
  • Pose:  IDK – Pack #183 (mod)
  • Location:  Right of Conquest:  A Story of Ice and Fire

Checking you out…

Posted on by cejalaval

https://Checking you out...

It’s been an interesting few days… we caught the very edge of Helene, so lots of wind with only a spot of rain and no damage, so we were very VERY lucky.  Being stuck indoors was actually very beneficial, since my new computer arrived and I’ve been working hard to move everything over, knowing that the old one might say “bye, good luck, I’m done” at any moment.  Moving things from a 5 1/2+year old PC to a brand new one is not as easy as one would think (or as easy as it should be for that matter).  It took me 3 days of frustration and eight tries to move my iTunes (one approach took forever copying music files and uploading, and that one didn’t work lol!), partly because the first set of instructions I followed put the wrong program on my PC and then I couldn’t seem to find it to uninstall it.  Who knew they moved so much around with some programs going in as “apps” rather than “programs” and therefore not showing up for uninstall; all I can say is that it definitely does NOT make things easier.  The good news is that I have managed to move the most important “old” programs, though others are still proving obstinate.  I hate to have to pay for something I already own because it’s “not compatible” or because after years of use I can’t find serial numbers, etc.  But if it’s one thing that I think everyone who knows me would agree on is that I am persistent, and I do not give up easily.  I will say that SL looks amazing with my new setup, and I no longer have to turn things on for photo shoots and then back off in order to be able to move, etc… I can just keep it all on! Of course, in time, with more enhancements on the horizon, that may change.  But for now, fall is absolutely glorious in SL!!! Enjoy!

  • Dress:  Carol’s Store – Maia Dress.   Absolutely lovely, with an easy fall that drapes your shape & open lace at broad cuffs & along the edge of the bodice.  Choose from 10 single colors or a fatpack, where the HUD now includes the ability to easily tint the dress, so you have even MORE colors to play with (which is what I did to get this awesome fall color)!  ORIGINAL MESH with materials enabled, Alessia is sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, GenX (Classic & Curvy), Lara+LaraX+PetiteX, Kupra, Erika, & Momma.  EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of the Dubai event, open Sept 20th – Oct 15th.   Demo available.  
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn+Waifu
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Monia, in Rose Kiss (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  Doux – Mecca
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  Hype – Something Eyeshadow + Sugarose – LARY;  TOP1Salon – Rebellious Lipstick
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Jewelry:   Eclectica – Boho Earrings;  AvaWay – Paige Necklaces Set; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Bag:  Bueno – March Bag
  • Pose:  Pose Maniacs – Olga
  • Backdrop:  brassie lassie – fall city pathway

Autumn leaves

Posted on by cejalaval

https://Autumn Leaves

Living in Florida, I do miss fall in NY, all the colors and that crunch of leaves underfoot, that small bite of chill starting to enter the breeze once the sun goes down… What I DON’T miss is the raking… my hands hurt just at the thought of it!  And although I gave up rolling around doing angels in the pile of leaves long long ago, leaving that to the kids and pets, here in SL it just seemed a perfect way to show my love of the season.  Clean-up is just so easy lol!!! Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Kimmie Jeans Outfit.  Cropped animal print top with classic jeans & matching heels, classic style at its best!  (And we know how I do love my animal prints!)  Available in 8 single 100% Original Textures or in a HUD-driven Fatback with 12 textures. Kimmie is sized for Reborn+Waifus, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, Maitreya+Petite+ LaraX+XPetite, & is a BRAND-NEW EXCLUSIVE only at Sense Event, open Sept 18th – Oct 8th.  (Normally I’d have the ad below, but computer issues prevented my saving the image, so you’ll just have to go check it out at the event!) Demo available.  
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn+Waifu
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Monia, in Rose Kiss (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_FUSION (group gift)
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  Hype – Something Eyeshadow; Dernier – Eyeliner Vol 1; Velour – Layla Lipstick
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Jewelry:   Earthstones – Balamani Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Props:  CJ Creations – Autumn Cluster of Leafs Raking (incl pose); JIAN – Leaf Pile Pupper & Hedgehog Buckets

Another troublemaker banned from the garden!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Banned from the garden!

Don’t you wish sometimes that you had enough control where you could just ban someone from your world??  Not to get political (though there are PLENTY of folks I would ban if I could lol), so we’ll use Loki as an example… someone who just can’t resist causing trouble, it’s just part of their nature.  I mean sometimes you just want to stand there and scream “Can’t we all just get along?”  Perhaps enough banning would help all the Lokis of the world change their ways, but sadly, I am not a witch doctor and there is no power in this interconnected world to effectively ban someone from society.  But it’s a tempting thought, no?

  • Outfit:  Jangka Design – Oona.  A perfect example of why Jangka is IMHO a leading fantasy designer… no matter what fantasy genre an outfit belongs to (medieval, scifi, etc), the styling & detail are just top-notch!  Just look at Oona… leather, bones, fur, straps, & metal, all “finely wrought”.  Available in 6 individual colors or as a fatpack; boots, shoulder armor, & armbands are available in black or brown; the awesome headdress is available in 4 colors. Sized for Legacy, Maitreya + LaraX, she is 100% full body original mesh.  Demo available. 
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Petrichor – Wyldeia Pastelle, worn in Azuri
  • Hair:  Sintiklia – Nala
  • Wings:  Decoy – Blooming Fae: Wings Midnight
  • Pose:   piXit – The Reaper
  • Props:  DOBS – Witch Doctor Staff; Mish Mish – Bunny Fluffz, Brown Dutchie
  • Backdrop:  T-Spot Home & Garden – Eternal Passage

Just breathe…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Just breathe...

Sometimes you just need a moment to breathe… Considering I no longer have an ultra-demanding job, it’s amazing how stressed I can get.  My 5+ year-old computer has been struggling, not just with SL (BUGSPLAT!) but freezing even with everyday tasks… freezing to the point of having to unplug it, even the power button not working.  We’re going on a 3-week-long vacation in October, and with 3 pets at home, making arrangements for their in-home care has been a huge issue.  And don’t even let me get started with all the health issues that have been cropping up.  Hopefully today marks the beginning of the end for all that.  Computer is ordered.  New monitor is ordered.  Pet care is arranged.  Doctors have been/are being seen.  And I just downloaded a new updated version of Firestorm, so hopefully all that crashing after TPing home will be done.  Breathes deep and appreciates the beauty around me… Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  I.M. Collection –Simone Dress.  Another adorably sexy little dress that continually elicited comments from my partner!  Low cut (I needed nipple covers), wrap top with spaghetti straps, cinched in waist with a cute metallic belt, & then a two-tiered swingy bottom… sexy indeed! Includes coordinated heels plus a 100-color HUD with 7 Jewel options + 3 metal options (see the ad below).  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, & MaitreyaLaraX.  EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of Designer Showcase, open Sept 5th – Sept 20th.  Demo available (just click for menu, then demo). 
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn+Waifu
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Monia, in Rose Kiss (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  S-Club – Bella
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  Tutti Belli – Jaded Collection Eyeshadow; Dernier – Eyeliner Vol 1;  BNNB Makeup – Bielo Lipstick
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Jewelry:   Beloved Jewelry – Manika Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  STUN – Violet
  • Location:  Naturally Naughty Photo Studio

Energize for Autumn

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Energize for Autumn

So much of my life in SL — both as a blogger and as a resident — is “setting the scene.”  Being in a monogamous long-term relationship for more than 16 years with my inworld partner,  I work hard to make our home feel like “home”, but I strive  to keep things fresh by “changing it up” for every season and creating new scenes in our home (or bringing back old favorites).  This gorgeous dining set with a romantic autumn atmosphere is a perfect example.  Originally used in a different home on a different lot in a different autumn, I have happily re-installed it in our newest home (though admittedly this is NOT where I shot it).   Perfect for welcoming him home on “date night”, sitting at the table, using one of its built-in single animations, perusing my ipad.  Upon his arrival, moving to the delightfully romantic cuddles built into the table.  With the adult version, you can even move on from there if you so choose.  Wherever you choose to set up this set, it looks amazing and sets a lovely mood.  Perfect for Samhain or any other time that calls for fall splendor (and maybe even that perfect touch of romance to spice things up)!

Dreamland Designs:  Samhain Autumn Dining Table.  Available in adult & PG. Single dining animations with props on the chair; more romantic adult & cuddles in the table. Bento animations only. The pumpkin decor has a beautiful light sparkling.  Includes all the table decor, the rug, plus hanging lights (which turn on/off) which are not shown.  Rezzes as a complete scene.  ON SALE as part of Energy Weekend Sept 13th – 15th.

Backdrop:  Synnergy Tavis – Chestnut Pavilion

 

THERE’S my shot!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://THERE'S my shot!

I’m definitely starting to feel more comfortable doing photography with PBR… getting a bunch of PBR-enabled windlights has definitely helped, but plenty of the older ones work well with a few tweaks as needed.  Sadly though, my technology woes continue… is it the PBR that keeps making me crash, or is it my poor struggling computer? I think it’s that PBR is just pushing my computer to its limits (and past!!!), so an upgrade is definitely imminent., especially since my current computer can’t be upgraded to Windows 11.  I unfortunately missed out on a sale price because I was still researching all the options, with an eye towards “future-proofing” (I’d rather spend a bit more now, and have my computer last that much longer).  But either way, I’m getting better at finding the shot I want, and then actually capturing it!  Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  JUMO Luxury – Simone.  Perfect outfit for those early fall days, when you first start needing that light sweater but if you get too warm you can easily slip it off.  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky, Maitreya+LaraX, & Kupra, Simone includes a lo-cut minidress & a long sleeved sweater loosely tied around the waist, together with a  huge range of textures in a HUD that lets you choose a different color/pattern for every element (see the ad below).  EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of Designer Showcase, open Sept 5th – Sept 20th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Monia, in Rose Kiss (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  S-Club – Lilis
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  Tutti Belli – Jaded Collection Eyeshadow; BNNB Makeup – Bielo Lipstick
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Jewelry:   Heartsdale Jewelry – Boho Celebration Fiesta Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Hazeel – Picture Time
  • Location:  Winchester Harbor

Fae at Lost Unicorn

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Fae at Lost Unicorn

Who doesn’t love unicorns?  Sometimes I wonder if they truly did exist in real life but were hunted to extinction, as so many wondrous species have been throughout history.  But here in SL, at least, unicorns are still to be found, and IMHO they are nowhere quite as lovely as they are in their very own world at Lost Unicorn… a perfect place for fae (and yes, even humans) to explore! Happy shopping!

P.S.: AARGH!!! Sometimes I think that using a computer successfully is ALSO like finding a unicorn!  Now that my constant crashing issues in SL appear to have improved somewhat, Flickr wouldn’t let me upload despite their status showing “no issues.”  Here I am, about 5 hours later, being told that “We had a brief incident that was affecting uploads.  Our engineers have resolved the issue now.”  Now that I’ve lost most of the day… but maybe, just maybe, I’ve found this unicorn?

  • Outfit:  Petrichor & Ersch– Silethe.  Another gorgeous dress with that unique Petrichor style that I consider to be pure “seductive fantasy.”  As always, the detail, style & fit are all amazing, as is the range of options in any of the 5 fabric packs containing 40-color HUDs  (she’s also available in 10 single colors, if you can manage to choose just one).  This time, the fabric packs are not “fabric” per se; they’re graphic choices (one is fabric only without graphic)… I’ve chosen “Bravery”, which is the regally gorgeous lion! (See the ad below which also shows Cunning, the snake.)  There’s also a Megapack so you get all fabrics.  Silethe is sized for Legacy+Perky+Bombshell, LaraX+XPetite, GenX Classic/Curvy, Mounds, Kupra, & Reborn+Waifu.  Originally released for the recent Wizarding Faire, both the outfit & demo are available at the main store.  
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  IVES Beauty – Dove in Lavender Fairy (body skin by Velour)
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Amos
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_EMPIRE
  • Horns, Necklaces & Forehead Deco:  Petrichor – Farys
  • Makeup:  Dernier – Eyeliner Set Vol2; StunnerOriginals – Bellatrix HD Lips
  • Tattoo:  Octubre x Kitty Coven – Luz
  • Wings:  Aii  – Fairy Wings
  • Shoes:  Sheba – Cyra Sandals
  • Pose:  Stardust – Summer Breeze
  • Location:  Lost Unicorn

Goodbye, Summer

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Goodbye, Summer

I’m having an incredibly hard time this year believing that yes, summer is over.  The stores are full of Halloween and Thanksgiving merchandise, and SL has crossed that line where everything is fall colors and pumpkins.  So although a summery outfit might still make it into my blog (I’m in Florida where it’s still really HOT and of course, there’s always vacation lol!), this is my last shot in my tanned summer skin and I am going to follow the trend and start shooting in apple orchards and pumpkin fields…  unfortunately (or maybe fortunately? I’m not sure) I’m no longer living in a 4-season sim, so my land won’t switch over to full autumnal delight but knowing me, I’ll still be swapping out some trees and throwing down those autumn leaves…  for some reason landscaping has always soothed me, so it will be interesting (to ME at least) how much I take on in that regard this year…  In the meantime, farewell to summer!!! Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  PurpleMoon – Marina Set.  Perfect outfit for that end-of-summer, Labor Day Weekend feeling!  Loose, light summer linen slacks, paired with a ribbed long-bra-type-cropped top (how does one describe it lol?) plus an optional open lightweight (dare I say “floaty”?) jacket.  Sized for Reborn+Waifu, Legacy+Perky, GenX Classic+Curvy, Maitreya+Petite+LaraX+XPetite, Marina is available in 10 single colors or as a Megapack that includes two bonus prints for the jacket & the pants (one of which I’m wearing in the jacket).  EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of Designer Showcase, open today Sept 5th – Sept 20th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  eBody – Reborn
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Philippa, in Resort (body skin by Velour)
  • Hair:  Sintiklia – Kaari
  • Eyes:  EUPHORIC – Freya
  • Makeup:  Sequoia – Anabella Eyeshadow + HYPE – Something Eyeshadow
  • Moles:  Moccino – GIFT (Face); Ambar Beauty – Natural Moles (Body)
  • Nails:  Eventyra – Nordic Summer
  • Jewelry:   Heartsdale Jewelry – Primavera Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  XTC Poses – Belle Cheri