Category: Uncategorized

Exclusive elegance for Valentine’s

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Valentine's Day Attitude

Even after 11 years in SL, I still find that getting all dolled up and going out in a gown creates a certain sense of excitement. Maybe it’s because it’s such a rare occurrence in my RL, but the whole process of putting together that couturish look just makes me happy.  Still, finding gowns for my Tonic curves isn’t always easy.  Yes, any Omega gown will fit, but many of those are so revealing that for me, they lose that sense of elegance. Which is why I’ve been so thrilled since I found Allure. Although she creates a lot of awesome non-formal wear (some of which I’ve featured on these pages), I find her gowns — many of which come in true Tonic sizes — are truly exceptional.

Although this beautiful one-shoulder gown won’t fully release until March (which means seven additional color choices), the dark rose is just so perfect for Valentine’s (without being the red that almost every other avatar will be wearing) that per the designer “it screamed to be released early”! The texture is a romantic mixture of chiffon and satin textures, with materials to pick up the highlights.  I just love the resulting gleam in the texture plus all those little details that make an Allure gown so special, like the half peplum that really sets off my Tonic curves in a truly elegant fashion. The gown includes an optional flexi shoulder scarf (worn) as well as a flexi skirt for those who like that option (not shown). Keep in mind, that if you join the Allure group, you get an automatic discount on the whole store including a 50% discount on the first week of new releases as well. Also, and to me this is HUGE, the designer will provide a DEMO upon request.

  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty
  • Head: LAQ – Neve (Bento)
  • Skin: LAQ – Nellie, with Nellie makeup HUD
  • Eyebrows: DS’Elles – Eyebrow Series 8 for Omega
  • Eyes: Dulce Secrets – Glint Jade Eyes
  • Hair: Amacci – Daphne in Modern Red
  • Gown with Shoes: Allure Couture – Sidney Gown in Dark Rose (includes Tonic sizes) with optional Flexi Skirt and Shoulder Scarf; includes Flower Heels in Rose & Silver
  • Jewelry: Vintage Jewels – Eternelle Earrings, Bracelet (VERY high complexity) & Ring (extinct vendor)
  • Nails: Encore – Glittery Purples
  • Pose: Image Essentials – Sultry 10
  • Location: The Looking Glass Ballroom

Just thinking about blogging…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Just thinking about the blog

I passed 500 followers a little while back, and it’s made me stop and think about this blog, why I do it, the fun I have doing it, the work I put into it, and question whether anyone even really looks at it. I realized that all that really matters is what it means to ME. The fact is I’m actually seeing more of the grid than I have for years (other than shopping and music venues) because I don’t do PhotoShop, and rather than shoot in a photo box, I run around spotting locations and just plain exploring much more of the marvelous creativity to be found on the grid.  That said, I also just love putting together the looks and sharing them! Today’s mix-n-match look flaunts my Tonic curviness with a true combination of new —  my MOZ jeans, Facepalm jacket, and Bauhaus pose — and inventory faves! And something new I’m introducing is that going forward, I’ll be putting new items I’m featuring into boldface (and that means new for me or at an event, not necessarily new for SL).

A city girl, a pickup truck, and beer… sounds like the start of quite a story!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A city girl, a pickup truck, and beer

I’ve been a bad girl lately, doing way too much shopping or to be more specific, too much buying! But I just can’t resist putting together an entire look once I find a new outfit… finding the right hair, the right shoes, and then the right setting and pose. This one actually took more work than most… and somehow I wandered into a setting that worked, but where I feel a bit like a fish out of water.  A city girl, a pickup truck, and beer… works for me!

  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty
  • Head: LAQ – Neve (Bento)
  • Skin: WoW Skins – Niah
  • Eyebrows: DS’Elles – Eyebrow Series 8 for Omega
  • Eyes: Anatomy – Vie Mesh Eyes in Green, exclusively at the Blush Fair
  • Hair: eXxEsS – Nova
  • Top: Glitter – Lara Puffer Jacket (worn in Hourglass, NOT available in Tonic) and Top (Omega applier) in Blue Night
  • Pants: Glitter – Lara Cargo Pants (in Tonic) in Blue Night 
  • Shoes: KC Couture – Scarlett Boots
  • Tattoo: Pin Up – Luz del Fuego (Omega)
  • Nails: LIVIA – Metallic Shine Nail Applier
  • Jewelry: Beloved Jewelry – Gold Flower Earrings
  • Scene: Tylar’s Treasures – Trunk Date, available at the Swank Event

Friday Night Attitude

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Friday Night Attitude

I love Friday nights in Second Life! Not only because my partner is usually inworld, but also because it’s when I tend to don those sexy clubby outfits and go dance the night away! This Friday, I had a hankering to wear lace and put together this look to hit Funk Friday over at the MMAC (one of my favorite venues on a Friday night). Between the lace top applier and the sexy little hotpants (yes, they come in Tonic sizes!), not to mention the hells with lace socks, I was ready to boogie the night away!!!

  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty
  • Head: LAQ – Neve (Bento)
  • Skin: WoW Skins – Mandy
  • Eyebrows: DS’Elles – Eyebrow Series 8 for Omega
  • Eyes: Anatomy – Vie Mesh Eyes in Green, exclusively at the Blush Fair
  • Hair: D!va – Helen in Garnet
  • Outfit: Siss Boom – So Lace, Plum (applier top; mesh sizes bottom, including Tonic)
  • Shoes: Mosquito’s Way – Candy Lace Heels (HUD)
  • Jewelry: Akorat – Tsumami Earrings, Koorigasane (Gacha and Marketplace); Yummy – Sweetheart Rings (HUD), exclusively at the N21 Event
  • Tattoo: Juna – White Fahari (Omega)
  • Nails: A:S:S – Metal Dreams (appears to now be Marketplace Only)
  • Pose: GingerFish Poses – Curves 1 (Marketplace & Events only
  • Location: Solarwinds

Vacation Dreams

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Vacation dreams

I know it’s a recurrent theme of late, but I’m just so done with winter. I really really REALLY need a vacation, which is just not in the cards at this point. Thankfully, I can indulge those vacation fantasies on the grid, and look absolutely fabulous doing it (which sadly is another fantasy lol)! If only I had these Tonic curves in RL I could flaunt a bikini like this sexy little number from MOZ on a sandy beach with crystal blue water… sighs, if only…

Less snow, more wine!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A toast to less snow and more wine

My love affair with winter and snow is over. In RL, my shoes are falling apart and I’m just getting over the flu. I can’t even drink wine because it gives me migraines (yuk), but a girl can dream! Which is why in SL, I’m out on the town in this curve-baring, sexy semi-casual set from Allure, who is rapidly becoming one of my favorite designers inworld. Her Tonic sizes are always a perfect fit (which as we all know is not always the case), her eye for detail and her textures continue to happily surprise me! The silvery pattern on these pants together with the subtle shading on the blouse are what make this basically simple outfit a stand-out! And it even includes the matching ankle boots for those of us who wear Slink.

No more winter!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://No more winter, give me moors instead

Ok, I’ve had enough winter. On top of the cold and windchill and snow, I just spent two days flat on my back unable to eat or stand up or (perish the thought!) go inworld. Time to de-winterize my property and stop going to all those snowy wintry sims I’ve been absolutely loving till now. Of course, it’s still sweater weather, and these separates from MOZ Designs are absolutely perfect in my book! Both offer multi-color HUDs for lots of mix-n-match looks, together or apart; I decided to go with a brown combination that pairs beautifully with my hair and boots!

  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty
  • Head: LAQ – Neve (Bento)
  • Skin: WoW Skins – Niah
  • Eyebrows: DS’Elles – Eyebrow Series 8 for Omega
  • Eyes: Avi-Glam – Ardor Eyes in Ivy
  • Makeup:  DS’Elles – Lipstick Series 8 for Omega; at the 4Mesh Event
  • Hair: eXxEsS – Avela
  • Jacket: MOZ Designs – Sonora Jacket (multi-color HUD)
  • Skirt: MOZ Designs – Claire Skirt (multi-color HUD)
  • Shoes: Reign – Anaiya Boots
  • Lingerie:  MMC (My Closet, My Choice) – Johanna Lingerie (Brown, Omega Applier); appears to be another store that has disappeared into the ether
  • Tattoo: SHANA (Marketplace Only) – Black Asha (Omega)
  • Nails: Go Frock Yourself – Bronze Omega Nail Appliers
  • Jewelry: No Match – No_Diamond loops
  • Location: Yorkshire

Patience, remember patience

Posted on by cejalaval

http://I'll just be a moment, he said, it won't take long, he said

Patience is definitely not my long suit. I can spend forever tweaking and making things just right, but sitting and waiting for people, for things to rez, to get into a full sim, for responses to questions, not so much.  Good news is that waiting often offers the perfect opportunity for a shot or two (especially when I’m not actually looking for one) to show off my latest find like this amazing little outfit from Gaall. Yes, it’s cute and sexy without going overboard, but the textures! Phenomenal! Frankly, I had a hard time deciding on my colorway (it comes with a HUD with a nice variety of choices), but this one just blew me away!

  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty
  • Head: LAQ – Neve (Bento)
  • Skin: WoW Skins – Niah
  • Eyebrows: DS’Elles – Eyebrow Series 8 for Omega
  • Eyes: Avi-Glam – Ardor Eyes in Ivy
  • Hair: MINA – Haley
  • Skirt Set: Gaall – Nina
  • Shoes: Oh Pair! – Morgan (24-color HUD with multiple detail options); worn in Physique size
  • Lingerie: Tonic – Corazon Thong (from the Bra & Thong Set)
  • Jewelry: RealEvil Industries – LUX Farfalla Earcuffs; [VO.Z] – Twining Around Tenderness Bento Rings
  • Pose: EXPOSURE – RoadWarrior 5 from The Underdog Event (thru Feb 16); otherwise Marketplace Only

An extra-special look for an extra-special occasion!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The finishing touch

I just celebrated a very special occasion in my second life, my 10-year anniversary with my partner. It felt so momentous, I took a lot of extra care creating an extra-special look. Every detail was perfect, from the way the gown hugged those Tonic curves to the way the diamond drop nestled between my breasts (the perfect touch for a low-cut gown like this) and how the gold tattoo set everything off without being overwhelming… not to mention how my heavier-than-normal makeup for going out on the town showed my new head and skin off to perfection! I absolutely loved the result, and just as important, he did too!

  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty
  • Head: LAQ – Neve (Bento)
  • Skin: WoW Skins – Mandy
  • Eyebrows: DS’Elles – Eyebrow Series 8 for Omega
  • Makeup:  DS’Elles – Eyeshadow Series 10 and Lipstick Series 8 for Omega; both at the 4Mesh Event
  • Eyes: Avi-Glam – Ardor Eyes in Ivy
  • Hair: TRUTH – Zoya with the optional bangs
  • Gown with Shoes: Allure Couture – Maura Deep Cut Gown in Green (Tonic sizes); includes Butterfly Jeweled Emerald Shoes
  • Lingerie: Tonic – Corazon Thong (from the Bra & Thong Set)
  • Jewelry: J&W Jewelers – LesLey Collection Diamond Drop, Long Necklace and Earrings; RealEvil Industries – Luxy Rings (SLink Dynamic)
  • Tattoo: Chameleon – Rati in Gold
  • Nails: Black Butterflii – Yepa Nail Polish Applier (Marketplace Only)
  • Pose: FoxCity – Lippy-3

Clothing that Demanded My Attention

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Sighs, If Only

It’s extremely rare that I wear clothing not made with a specific Tonic size, since when they’re made well, nothing fits better. But sometimes things just demand to be tried on, and surprise me by how well they fit with minimal alpha use. This sweater outfit is one of those rare exceptions; the textural details on both the sweater and the shorts are just amazing and provide so much dimensional depth. My only complaint (other than there being no Tonic size of course, although the Isis size for the top and Fitted for the shorts work really well for me) was that some of the various color combinations were so  wildly different it made it really difficult to choose just one (so yes, no HUD for this one).  Textures like this couldn’t go with just flat leggings, but the textured leg warmers from MOZ (and yes, those do come in Tonic sizes with a multi-color HUD) are the perfect accompaniment, especially when paired with the Keti booties that offer the standard multi-color, multi-option HUD from KC.