Author: cejalaval

Wishing for a Brighter Tomorrow

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Wishing for a Brighter Tomorrow

Why is there so much stress and distress in the world?  It saddens my heart, and all of the personal stress my human counterpart has been undergoing (some minor surgeries, end-of-year financial decisions, hosting a major dinner for the first time in her new home) is cascading over onto me.  In one way, I’m happy to share the burden and lighten her load as much as I can, but in the other way!!! I want nothing at all to do with all those human things, and the only stress I want to experience is in dealing with the crowds at major shopping events while I search for the perfect accessory or makeup, or battling evil, or questing, or… well, you get the idea.  If I’m built for escapist fantasy, then what is real life stress doing intruding into my existence? Well, here’s wishing for a brighter tomorrow, where stress is minor, and my Second Life world can remain peaceful, and loving, and fun.  Happy shopping!

  • Dress:  Poet’s Heart – Alice.   Not quite your typical medieval gown, because (horrors!), Alice is cut away in front to show legs.  Being a bit more liberal & a lot more practical, this style is very fashionable among the fae folk at any time, but for humans Alice was originally designed more for the steam punk crowd at the Engine Room Event (it’s now at the mainstore).  Alice comes in three color packs (Vibrant, Muted, Naturals) or a fatpack of all 19 colors.  Each color pack has a HUD to customize the jacket, the jacket strap, the corset, corset strap, corset edge, skirt & pants, frill, inside skirt, frill inside, & metal separately, so the color combinations are almost limitless.  Alice is sized only for Maitreya, & is available in the Casual Fantasy room at the mainstore. Demo available.
  • Jewelry:  Petrichor – Arthriss Jewelry.  Stunning fantasy jewelry, the set includes earrings, 3 necklaces of different lengths, & a bracelet (not worn), all of which can be worn separately.  100% custom mesh & textures, with everything HUD controlled, including a glow which just adds a special touch of magic to this set!  Modify, resizable, low lag LOD.  A perfect fantasy accessory! See the ad below for more detail…
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Tirel Collection
  • Skin:  Heaux – Mikaela
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_LIMIT 
  • Horns:  LOGO – Hellion Horns
  • Makeup:  Loa – Nashwa Eyeshadows
  • Beauty Mark:  Unholy – Beauty Mark BOM for EvoX
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Irid Dark Wings
  • Pose:  Luane’s World – What the Future May Bring (includes lighted arch)

Archway to Hell

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Archway to Hell

So with my human counterpart taking advantage of the Halloween season to co-opt fantasy blogging, I took the opportunity to completely redo my avatar.  I never realized how similar we looked until she started “dressing up” for Halloween.  So I decided it was time to move a bit more into what I’ll call an “otherworldly” look as opposed to taking a human look and adding some fae attributes.  You can’t really see my face in this shot (so there’s still some fae mystery here) but  I’m sure I’ll have to modify the look somewhat for my less warrior-type outfits, since I don’t want to look underage lol, but for now I’m quite enthralled by the new face staring out of the mirror to me.  What I love about ALL of this — the outfit, the tree, my new face/body — is that it’s not JUST for Halloween… you always need a touch of the dark when creating fantasy… so even though I might be just getting in under the wire for the events, it’s definitely not too late to take advantage of these finds! Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Jangka – Aeryn.  100% original mesh, & sized only for Maitreya & Legacy, Aeryn is perfect for the huntress or woodland sprite.  The outfit comes in 5 individual colors or a fatpack, & includes the jewelry, with matching armbands & black or brown boots available.  Brand-new, Aeryn is  EXCLUSIVELY at the October round of Chronicles & Legends, which ends today (!!!) but will then be available in the main store.  Demo available.
  • Tree:   Fantavatar & Moonstruck – Arch To Hell, Evil Hollow Tree.  Dark, foreboding, a bit eerie but totally beautiful… exactly what you want for all of the autumn/winter season! See below for full detail. Exclusive @ Trick or Treat Lane 2021, open until Nov 1st, then it will be available at the main store.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Eyes:  SAMIA – MIA Eyes
  • Skin:  Loa – Aroa
  • Hair:  Olive – Angelica
  • Horns:  LOGO – Hellion Horns
  • Makeup:  Mea Tenebra – Xelanah (GIFT); Loa – Nashwa Eyeshadows; Zibska – Quell eye makeup
  • Beauty Mark:  Unholy – Beauty Mark BOM for EvoX
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Thread Leaf Wings
  • Pose:  Angel’s Art Pose – The Magic of Fairies

Last Chance to Outshop Cancer!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Last Chance to Outshop Cancer!

That’s right, this chance to help fight bright cancer and support  research and programs & services for breast cancer survivors just by shopping here in SL is almost over.  The Out Shop Cancer Shopping event  main store and Marketplace shopping event – an official Strides Campaign the American Cancer Society in Second Life ends on October 31st.   Don’t miss out on this opportunity to do something really worthwhile with those lindens you’re spending.  Every linden adds up!!! Happy shopping!!!

Wythburn Fine Furniture – Garden Bench.  This seemingly ordinary garden bench is so much more than it looks.  First off, you can easily texture just the seat, the legs, or both to any of 4 different materials (Goldleaf, Granite, Limestone, or Marble), each with 9 color choices.  Once you have it customized to the look you want, you can play with all of the animations (Gentleman, Lady, or Two of Us), both with two more levels of submenus.  Easily resized, all of which makes it perfect for any garden or patio, be it fantasy or human.   Even better, proceeds of all purchases through the end of October are pledged to the American Cancer Society in SL, through the Outshop Cancer event. What a fabulous way to spruce up your SL home while shopping with a purpose!!! Don’t just sit around and wait… even on such a fabulous bench as this!

Also shown:

Black Magic Woman

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Black Magic Woman

Well, now I’ve done it.  I’ve gone and broken one of my cardinal rules about blogging… all fantasy posts are supposed to fall into Thea’s wheelhouse, while I handle human fashion and home & decor.  But this outfit was just too tempting to follow rules like that, and let’s face it… Halloween is one of those times when everyone gets to dress up and picturize their fantasy, and I have just as much right to exercise my imagination as she does!  That said, I think I make a pretty awesome witchy elf with a bent towards the black side of magic!  I had a blast putting this look together and then exploring some of the highly creative Halloween sims that some truly imaginative minds have put together.  I have to admit, I might get a bit wistful once November rolls around and I have to pack away my elfin ears and my witchy wiles… at least till next time!  Happy shopping, and Happy Halloween!

    • Outfit:  Skindustrial Bodyworks (SKBW) – Rune Witch.  Sexy & just slightly on the dark side, this awesome costume includes the tunic with metallic collar & a magical rune print, arm bands, witch helm, & BOM layers for the face tattoo, the eyeshadow, the body tattoo, & the full body/face, as well as the magic orb (with bento hold). Sized for Slink HG/P, Legacy, Belleza F/I/V,  Maitreya, & Classic M.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, Oct 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
    • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
    • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
    • Eyes:  SAMIA – RIA Eyes
    • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
    • Hair:  Analog Dog – Glamp
    • Makeup:  Opulein – Harmony Lips
    • Nails:  Stunner Originals – Bento Nails Mesh Ballerina Long
    • Location:  Frogmore

Mistress of Ceremonies

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Mistress of Ceremonies

And now for the really fun part of Halloween… the costumes!  I mean, let’s get honest… more than half of my life in Second Life is spent role-playing as fae, so you might say that being in costume doesn’t seem like such a big deal.  But somehow it is.  Maybe it’s because I do keep my two personalities pretty separate; maybe it’s the type of outfit (I mean, come on, this is more burlesque and Mardi Gras appropriate than a medieval fantasy character would ever ever wear); maybe it’s something else entirely. I really don’t know, and frankly, I really don’t care.  All I know is that does make my heart beat just a tiny bit faster and brings a silly smile to my face.  Creating the scene was just so much fun, so different from what I normally do.  And that I think is the key… different from my norm.  After more than 14 years in SL, just being inworld is no longer something unique in itself, it IS the norm.  It’s getting to play with outfits like these and the inner fantasy worlds to which they lead that creates a new, different kind of excitement.  And I love it!  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  FlowerDreams – Agatha Costume.  Includes gorgeous black corset with straps & swirls & a built-in collar (with alpha mask), underskirt, black skirt (swirls fantastically, but not worn for this pic – see the ad below), underpants with garters & stockings, hat with a caged fairy within, & rose decorations.  Sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/V, Maitreya, Fitmesh, & Classic S/M/L.  Get this outstanding costume EXCLUSIVELY at the October round of Swank Event, Oct 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Freckles:  WOW Skins – Evo-X Beauty Marks
  • Hair:  eXxEsS – GIN
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Tattoo:  SHANA – Sofi Black
  • Mask:  LEIGH – Masquerade Lace Mask
  • Gloves:  BouBouKi – Erith Gloves
  • Pose:  STUN Poses – Noite
  • Zebra:  Wild Kajaera – Firestorm Zebra (GIFT)
  • Backdrop:  Floyd – Halloween Series, Mad Circus

I Love the Crisp in the Air

Posted on by cejalaval

http://I Love the Crisp in the Air

So it’s definitely cooled off here in central Florida. I’ve had to start wearing a light jacket in the mornings and evenings or when tooling around in my golf cart.  As much as I hate the cold, I do have a slight yearning for that crisp October air during fall in the northeast, especially when the sun hit the changing leaves at that perfect angle.  It always made the dog so spirited and lively (which is both a good and bad thing lol).  Since I won’t be going up north until Christmas time, I guess I’ll just have to take those crisp walks virtually here on the grid!!! Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Sascha’s Designs – Mireile Tux Dress Duo Pack.  That’s right, this sophisticated dress not only comes in 7 different colors, but each & every one comes in two styles (with or without the black trim, see below).  The little details – like the black inner lining that shows when you move – just kick this lovely dress up a notch.  I have to say, if I had an office or a date in the city, or just wanted to look totally put together, I’d totally wear this! Sized for Legacy, Slink HG/P,  Freya, Kupra O/B, & Maitreya, Annabelle is available in 11 different colors, or as a fatpack, EXCLUSIVELY at the October round of Swank Event, Oct 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Freckles:  WOW Skins – Evo-X Beauty Marks
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  tram – F728
  • Makeup:  Dernier – “Eyeliner Set” Vol.1; CAZIMI – Dusk EvoX Lipstick
  • Jewelry:  IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Season Berries Set
  • Boots:  KC Couture – Gale Boots
  • Bag with Dog:  Rezz Room – Walking Bag Animesh
  • Pose:  Pose Maniacs – Olga Walking Poses
  • Backdrop:  Synnergy – Fall Pathway Backdrop

It’s exhausting to try to Outshop Cancer, but so worth it!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://It's exhausting to try to Outshop Cancer, but so worth it!

It may be exhausting, but it’s so very very worthwhile to do whatever you can!  Out Shop Cancer is a main store and Marketplace shopping event – an official Strides Campaign the American Cancer Society in Second Life with proceeds going to support breast cancer research and programs & services for breast cancer survivors. The Out Shop Cancer Shopping event will run the entire month of October.  My meager services as a blogger can only go so far… it’s up to everyone to get out there and shop this event through the month of October and help fight breast cancer, a dread disease that affects us all, one way or another, one time or another.  So whether your brush with cancer is personal or through an acquaintance, is in the past, currently happening, or still waiting out there in the future, it’s important that you do what you can.  That’s what “shopping with a purpose” is all about… buy the things you want, and your lindens go to this all-important charity to help fight this scourge.  So have a cup of the beverage of your choice, and let’s get out there and shop, shop, shop!!!!  Let’s all do our best to Outshop Cancer!

What I’m wearing:

  • Outfit:  Ari-Pari – BCA Sweats.  This OSC EXCLUSIVE includes a HUD offers 10 hoodie & sweatpant color options.  Includes version of the cropped hoodie without the BCA emblem. Sized for Legacy, Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya.  Perfect outfit for resting up & relaxing after an exhausting day of shopping!  100% of proceeds are pledged to the American Cancer Society in SL, through the Outshop Cancer event for the month of October.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Freckles:  WOW Skins – Evo-X Beauty Marks
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  Doux – Peach
  • Glasses:  MULLOY – Josa
  • Pose:  Heart Poses – Cozy Cocoa

The scene:

  • Cupboard (far right):  Korpokkur House – perfect little cupboard for storing your tea, coffee, & sugar… just what you need to replenish your energy!  Two versions available, both of which are 100% donations to Outshop Cancer.  Also shown is the Halloween plant (far left), which is a Hunt gift, courtesy of Outshop Cancer!
  • Hot Chocolate Tray (near right):  Simply Designed. Gives edible items on touch, including eating animations. 
  • Coffee Mugs:  Muniick – Coraline Coffee Mug Stand
  • Spice Shelf:  D-LAB – Spice Shelf Gift
  • Tea Kettle:   Raena Parx Designs – Tea Kettle with Handle in Copper
  • Kitchen Jars:  Salacity – Kitchen Jar Decor

A Samhain Celebration

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A Samhain Celebration

You know the expression “variety is the spice of life”?   Well, when it comes to monogamous long-term relationships (especially in SL), variety is not so much the key, as “change”.   After almost 14 years together with my inworld partner, even that can be a bit harder to obtain.  To keep things fresh, I like to “change it up” by creating new scenes in our home.  This gorgeous dining set with a romantic autumn atmosphere is a perfect example.  I welcomed him inworld on “date night”, waiting in the moonlight on our back deck, sitting at the table, using one of its built-in single animations, perusing my ipad.  Upon his arrival, I moved 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 and PG at the mainstore. Single dining animations with props on the chair; adult & cuddles in the table. Bento animations only. The pumpkin decor has a beautiful light sparkling.  Also includes hanging lights, which I didn’t use since I placed this outdoors on the deck.  Rezzes as a complete scene so you don’t have to start moving individual items around to get them in place.

Also shown:

 

More! We Need More Halloween!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://More! We Need More Halloween

It seems to me that there’s rarely such a thing as “a little bit of Halloween.”  Yes, people might put up one token decoration, just to acknowledge that they know what season it is.  But generally speaking, either people do nothing (or that one thing, which let’s face it, is virtually the same thing!), or they go wild, where the concept of “too much” just doesn’t exist.  I have to admit that when my kids were young and we were inundated with trick-or-treaters (we sometimes got 100 or more!!!), I was guilty of going completely overboard.  It took several years of post-Halloween clean-up — standing there for hours trying to get all the cobwebs down, multiple trips up all the stairs and the attic ladder to put everything away for the next year —  for me to recognize that this was lunacy.  Ever since then, every year we’ve done less and less.  And now, as it turns out, none of our Halloween decorations made the cut when we were packing for the big move to Florida.  Since there are no trick-or-treaters this year, we are officially non-decorating, other than the pumpkins that my husband will carve when the holiday gets a bit closer.  Perhaps because of that, I’m one of those who is definitely going a bit Halloween-mad here on the grid… though since I gave up a LOT of prims to move to my current lot, I need to be judicious about what’s out…  one thing is for sure though… clean-up is waaaaay easier in SL than it is IRL!!!  The entire round of Swank is dedicated to Goth, so it’s incredibly tempting both for decor AND for clothes!!! Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  GuGuVaGa Fashion  (GGVG) – Gilda Gown in Orange.  Personally, I don’t know that I’d actually call this a gown… to me, the word “gown” conjures up “formal”.  Yes, Gilda is long, but its unique style makes it so much more wearable than “normal” formalwear.   Includes two versions — Wide Open Dress (shows the butt) & the Open Dress (worn), which has a long slit on the back of the left thigh, making that front part into more of a panel for a fantastic sexy look – plus optional “pants” (think thong), a garter, & stockings for mid-heel.  To me, this dress cried out for a leg tattoo and thigh-high boots, so that’s what I did! There’s also a teeny bit of alternating bling to the buttons, making it look like the light just happened to catch the metal.  Between that & the two slits, Gilda is just awesome to watch! Sized for Legacy, Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I, Kupra O/B/L, & Maitreya, Gilda comes in 11 colors, EXCLUSIVELY at the October round of the Swank Event, open Oct 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Freckles:  WOW Skins – Evo-X Beauty Marks
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  Doux – Bloodline
  • Makeup:  LeLUTKA – EvoX Eyeliner & Eyeshadow; Opulein – Harmony Collection Lips
  • Tattoo:  Vezzo Ink – Rozi
  • Boots:  REIGN – Mishi Thigh High Boots
  • Jewelry:  Maxi Gossamer – Katerina Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  STUN Poses – Bianca
  • Decor:  The Looking Glass – The Witching Hour

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and caldron bubble

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Double, double toil and trouble

OK, so now the Halloween bug has bitten me and I’m all into pumpkins and fog and creepy things (NOTE: I LOVE creepy but NOT horror… there IS a most definite difference)!  But even amid all the creepiness, I want to look my best while keeping with the season.  So although I’m sure some if not many posts will depart from this theme (I mean, Halloween ALL the time is just not as much fun, now is it), plan on seeing lots of holiday spirit through All Hallow’s Eve…  I’m loving it, and hoping you are too! Happy shopping!!!!

What I’m wearing:

  • Outfit:  LUXE Paris Fashion House – SIOUXSEE Bodice, Skirt, & Tattoo.  Low cut, off the shoulders, cinched & laced black bodice with semi-sheer pattern sleeves with a bright red lace cuff.  The skirt has matching pattern on its deep ruffle, & red/black trim between the bodice & the skirt.  A rose chest tatto in red & black is included in both BOM & Omega versions. A be-witch-ing little outfit, not just for the Halloween season! Sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya, EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open Oct 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine (I have to say that I LOVE having the included deformers that let me easily wear outfits like this that don’t include a Legacy version!)
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Boots:  WellMade – Demi Boots
  • Pose:  Sassy Sweet Poses – Witchyness (includes wand)

The scene:

  • Tylar’s Treasures:  Attack of the Man-Eating Spiders.  A must-have for anyone who does Halloween landscaping! The scene features a bare tree covered in a spiderweb. The ground beneath  the tree is covered in skulls and two whole skeletons.  But what really makes this item come alive is that it has 3 animated spiders — one of the giant ones wanders around the scene (yes, you can set his range!); another giant is attacking a skeleton in the foreground; and a smaller cousin is moving up and down on a web from the tree.  This can be seriously creepy stuff in the right windlight, especially if you get tangled up with the big animated spider… Want even more creepiness?  The giant animated spider is copy, so you can have as many of his family & friends as you can handle.  Available at the SL Shop & Hop Halloween Event through the month of October; TP direct to the TT booth HERE.
  • CIRCA:  Moonlight Applebob Cauldron.