Summer Wind

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Summer Wind

And as August draws to a close, I find myself somewhat shocked that it’s already September.  And even though I now live in the Sunshine State IRL, September means just one thing in SL… fall blogging is on its way! I’m already seeing so many fall items at events and in the sales.  Usually I can’t wait to jump into fall (it was always my favorite season!), but maybe because I’ve been so out of it the last few months, I’m just not ready to let summer go!  I’ve therefore struck what I consider the perfect compromise for this shot… lightweight summer clothing but where there’s a breeze and no brutal heat… just the warm winds at end-of-summer!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Gina Linen Pant Outfit.   Like a fresh breath of summer heat, Gina includes a cropped one-shouldered top with long hanging ties at the side, matching loose palazzo style pants laced up with a waistband, & high-wedged sandals, all with a very subtle pattern on the linen texture.  The whole effect is airy & light, exuding ease & confident sexuality. Sized for Hourglass,  Belleza F/I, Legacy, & Maitreya.  This is one outfit I wish came in my size IRL!!!  She’s available in 5 individual colors, in a 5-texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 10, all with 100% Original Textures where you can choose the top, pants, & sandals separately. EXCLUSIVELY at the Eclectic Event, August 24th – Sept 18th.  Demo Available.
  • Jewelry:  IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Pinwheel Earrings.  Hanging delicately on long stems, I almost expected these to start spinning in the breeze!  HUD driven with 10 metal versions & 2×8 gem options (choose separate textures for the center gem & for those on the wheels!), 100% resizable mesh.  Available in 6 different color sets (see one example below). EXCLUSIVELY available at the August round of Swank Event, August 7th – 31st, ending TODAY!!! Matching necklace also available. Also worn: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Head, Hairbase & Eye Makeup:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (new 3.1 update with EvoX)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass
  • Skin:  Nuve – Hope in EvoX
  • Freckles:  Magnetic – Beauty Moles EvoX
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  Argrace – Haruka
  • Makeup:  Beaumore – Sparks Lipstick
  • Pose/Prop:  Merak – Summer bicycle

A Walk on the Wild Side

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A Walk on the Wild Side

I’ve always found that August is a challenging month in which to blog.  The traditional end of summer just naturally brings a level of ennui , and with views (and therefore faves) way down on Flickr I find that I suffer from a bit of a “why bother” attitude.  This year is way way WAY worse.  I’m still highly affected by the circumstances of my mother’s death on the 14th, and that I was unable to see her for more than a week prior due to COVID lockdown.  Although I know that I couldn’t do anything about it, I still feel guilty.  And that’s compounded by the fact that due to administrative incompetence (don’t get me started on the rolling ball of incompetence that has surrounded everything with my mom for MONTHS), the death certificate is STILL not signed, so we are left dangling in limbo, unable to make any final plans and put her to rest. It’s wrong, it’s infuriating, and I am left feeling helpless, hopeless, depressed, and very very angry.  We’re thinking it’s time to get both a lawyer and the state involved, because we are at our wits’ end.  Blogging is just not a sufficient escape for all this… I’ve been working at it in little dribs and drabs, but the resulting creative efforts have rarely reached the levels of acceptability, and instead end up in the trash bin.   Every post is therefore taking way more time and effort than usual.  My first priority is to get out pix that I took weeks ago (this is the last one). That said, I’m still working at new shots (albeit at a snail’s pace), because I’ve made commitments and even 15 minutes of quality escape time is better than none.  I do find that the time spent putting together a look totally absorbs my brain, especially if it involves doing some shopping for the finishing touches.  Shopping therapy at its best!!!!  Sighs, I do love those moments of discovering fantastic finds!  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  LUXE Paris Fashion House – African Top, Shorts, Heels.  The texture, the styling, the fit, the shoes!… I can’t say enough about this outfit.  So different, such a fabulous addition to any closet! Sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, Legacy, & Maitreya, EXCLUSIVELY available at the August round of the Swank Event, open Aug 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Jewelry:  Heartsdale Jewelry – Dhoom Mila Earrings.  Big, chunky bohemian-style earrings, that are also available with pale beads. EXCLUSIVELY available at the August round of Swank Event, August 7th – 31st.  See the closeup below for greater detail.   Also worn: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Head, Hairbase & Eye Makeup:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (new 3.1 update with EvoX)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass
  • Skin:  Nuve – Hope in EvoX
  • Freckles:  Magnetic – Beauty Moles EvoX
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  EMO-tions – Keisha
  • Pose:  Fashiowl – Kira
  • Tiger:  AnaSTyle – Sheena GACHA, Tiger
  • Backdrop:  PALETO – Sarai Bawari

 

Retail Therapy… A Tribute

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Retail Therapy, A Tribute

Since my mom passed over the weekend, I find I’m spending quite a bit of a time remembering things that claim a hold in my memory.  It’s not quite reminiscing… more like reviewing all the little things that made her who she was.  For example, I’ll never forget her support the first time I lost a job. I had resigned a safe but boring job to try my hand at advertising.  It was a great position working for a fabulous boss in a brand new department… all was well until a few months in when the powers that be decided that they really didn’t want this new internal advertising department after all and we were both out on our tails.  I was in my early 20s, and I was devastated, wondering how I was going to make the rent on my little NYC apartment and starting to panic. My mother’s advice was to go shopping and buy myself something special, something that would make me feel better and more confident.  I thought she was crazy, that I needed to save every penny until I had a new job.  She didn’t relent, saying her favorite phrases — “Life goes on” and “This too shall pass”.  I listened and took myself shopping, buying the most fabulous pair of black boots… boots that indeed boosted my confidence and feelings of self-worth, so that when I wore them on my job interviews I was coming from a calm center of strength rather than one of desperation.  To this day, I believe that it made all the difference and made me a strong believer in shopping therapy (read “therapy” not “spree”).  Maybe that’s why I’m a fashion blogger??? Who knows, but the fact is that I love to shop, and shopping therapy works! Happy shopping!

  • Dress:  anny’s Fashion – LeeH Sexy Cotton Dress.  Definitely sexy, high-style, sleeveless  cotton dress with an infinity scarf (looks like a cowl neck!), hip-hugging belt & an asymmetric hem.  Sized for Slink HG/P, Tonic, Belleza F/I/V, Ocacin, Voluptuous, & Maitreya, LeeH includes a HUD with 12 colors for the dress in a fabulously realistic texture, plus 8 for the belt & 5 for the buckle.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the August round of Swank Event, August 7th – 31st.  This round’s theme is Around the World, & all I can say is that putting on this dress made me feel like I’d transported to Paris!  Demo available.
  • Jewelry:  WILD Fashion – Maya Jewelry Set.  Big, chunky necklace & earrings, the perfect accent for a dress like LeeH.  Includes two separate HUDs, one for the necklace & one for the earrings, each with 15 fabulous colors. EXCLUSIVELY available at the August round of Swank Event, August 7th – 31st. Demo available.   Also worn: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Head & Eye Makeup:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (new 3.1 update with EvoX)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass
  • Skin:  Nuve – Hope in EvoX
  • Freckles:  Finer Threads – Sasha Beauty Marks EvoX
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  Shi Flagship – Medusozoa
  • Pose:  Image Essentials – Holiday Shopping
  • Location:  Backdrop City

Nevermore

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Nevermore

I’m going to make an exception to my “rule” and leave my fae persona for this post, because it’s a hard one to write. My mother passed away on Saturday night.  She had almost 24 hours of pain before they got her meds, and the permission to get in to see her on a compassionate visit (the facility is in COVID lockdown) came too late for me to see her.  Although death is a part of life, and this is one that we’ve been anticipating ever since she fell and broke her hip a few months ago, staring death in the face is never easy and even harder to fully accept.  This particular post had already been shot and tentatively titled “The Shadow of Death.”  Even if I’d known how prophetic it would be, I doubt I could have been more prepared since in my heart I knew her last days were upon us.  Ironically, she died 10 years + 1 day from when my dad passed, and she’s been wanting to join him ever since. She is now at peace, and the healing can begin for those of us who are still here, holding her memory in our hearts.  Life goes on, and I know that my second life here on the grid will be even more important in the days to come as a place to leave it all behind for just a bit, and escape into my world of fantasy.

  • Dress: Poet’s Heart – Helmiina.   Two very different looks in one package!  I’m wearing Helmiina as a strapless gown with shoulder ornamentation, but you can also choose to wear a long-sleeved coat.  Choose colors for the top, the skirt, the shoulder ornamentation, the coat, & the trim with the included HUD.  Note the texture with the bare trees… it’s stunning!   Helmiina comes in four color packs plus a fatpack; each color pack has 6 gown colors plus black & white.  She is sized for Hourglass & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY at the August Enchantment event, August 14th – Sept 4th.  Demo available.
  • Collar:  Petrichor – Karzakk Collar.  This collar is 100% custom mesh, & it’s totally unique! HUD controlled with 30 base textures plus 24 add-ons, you can choose to wear it single toned or “striped” as I did (see the closeup below for greater detail). Includes both rigged & unrigged versions.  Available EXCLUSIVELY at the Midnight Order, closing on August 20th.  Male version also available.
  • Hair:  Fantavatar & Moonstruck – Pandora. Original rigged mesh hair, this twisted/braided style with pearl accents is definitely among the most unique medieval/fantasy styled hair that I’ve seen anywhere on the grid.  Amazing, just see the closeup below! Demo available.
  • Tattoo:  Lush Poses – Broken Chest Tattoo.  As you can see in the closeup below, the tattoo includes the “splatter” from the broken heart.  In both Omega & BOM versions, at two different levels of intensity (original & fade).  Awesome!  Exclusively available at FABLE, an Evil Bunny Production, open April 7th – 31st.
  • Head:  LOGO – Bella bento head
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass
  • Skin & Ears:  Petrichor – Styliste
  • Horns:  Eclectica – Crystal Satyr Horns
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Saro DK eye makeup (Group Gift); The Little Bat – Aria Lips
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Tirel Collection
  • Beauty Mark:  Izzie’s – Beauty Mole dark
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Arboreal Fairy Wings
  • Jewelry:  RYCA Jewelry – NC55 Armband in Gold
  • Pose:  Angel’s Art Pose – The Crow & The Darkness
  • Location:  Garden of Whimsy – the Elven Forest

Life Interrupted

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Life Interrupted

Well, those of you who follow my blog may have noticed that I haven’t posted in almost 2 weeks.  I haven’t even been inworld much in all that time either.  The break wasn’t a voluntary one… real life just got real difficult for a while there, which didn’t just eat up my time but put me in a frame of mind that just wasn’t suitable for doing much of anything, let alone being creative.  It’s hard to watch your parents fail and turn into helpless children where you’re their parent.  And when the system fails them — which is what’s been happening repeatedly to my mom — you are their only advocate.  It’s draining, it’s depressing, it’s confusing, and it’s exhausting.  And although I have emotional support from family, the actual handling of everything (and there’s been a lot of handling!!!) has fallen squarely on my shoulders and on my shoulders alone.  The bottom line is this, and it’s a frightening one… our healthcare system is NOT set up to help seniors with severe Alzheimer’s behavior problems… every facility seems to think the solution is to provide 1-on-1 care 24 hours a day.  Since where I live that costs $24/hour, that’s $576 a day or $4,000 a week it’s completely out of the question… and mind you, that’s on top of the already insanely high monthly costs for memory care!  Thankfully, I have a good friend in the healthcare system who urged me to check into hospice.  I always thought that was only for terminally ill patients, but I’ve happily learned their services go well beyond that.  Although my mom was originally rejected for hospice care, somehow the fact that she’s now falling several times a week (even daily) got her accepted, and it’s made all the difference.  She no longer is sent to the ER every time she falls (where they do nothing, I have to then go and drive her, and she’s so fragile that she often ends up an additional skin tear from the transport) and nurses go to see her almost every single day.  For the first time in years I feel like someone is actively trying to help her as opposed to just managing her.  And now that the healthcare system down here is in active lockdown, that makes a HUGE difference since I can’t even get into the building to see my mom and reassure both her and myself that things are ok.  Needless to say, it’s been a tough go.  It felt amazing to work on a blog post (for an outfit I put on weeks ago lol), to play with lighting, to feel some creativity emerging from the dark, heavy cloud that’s been weighing me down.  I’m sure I’ve lost some sponsors… most blogger-managers will understand, but some only see their own needs and are blind and uncaring to the real life struggles that we all must deal with from time to time.  And you know what? That’s ok, because I couldn’t have lived with myself if I let anything be a bigger priority than taking care of my mom.

Going back into SL with fresh eyes I was struck by how amazing some of today’s fashion finds are…  the little details, all the options, and so much more.  Here are just a few… happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Ember.  Casually sexy & just oh so cute, Ember includes a cropped corset top with contrast stitching along the top edge & on the lacing, denim booty shorts (& they are SHORT!!), & the cutest high-heeled wedge sneakers.  Sized for Hourglass,  Belleza F/I, Legacy, & Maitreya.  She’s available in 5 separate colors, in a 5-texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 10, all with 100% Original Textures where you can choose the top, shorts, sneakers & laces separately. EXCLUSIVELY at the 2Much Event, July 29th – August 16th.  Demo available.
  • Head & Eye Makeup:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (new 3.1 update with EvoX)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass
  • Skin:  Nuve – Hope in EvoX
  • Freckles:  SAP Beauty – Beauty Marks/Moles
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  Doux – Peach
  • Jewelry:  Glint – Gemmed icicle drop earrings & necklace; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Location:  Elvion

Siren of the Sea

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Siren of the Sea

Calling all mermaids, water sprites, and other female fantasies of the watery realm!  I don’t even know where to begin to describe the awesomeness of this 100% custom mesh gacha; the detail & the creativity is just amazing. There are so many wondrous elements to it, each of which is amazing on its own, but the more you add, well, it just builds & builds! And every element has its own HUD, so there is virtually no limit to the customization opportunities, and that makes every item a winner!  Heed the siren’s call, and check out this unique gacha!  A demo of all elements is available at the Main Store, but the gacha itself is EXCLUSIVELY available at the July round of The Epiphany.  Here are all the details…

  • Outfit:  Petrichor – Verelle Mer Gacha, created in conjunction with ERSCH.  The clothing (Bra, Thong, Shoulders, Sleeves, Belt, Legs) is sized for Hourglass, Freya, Legacy, Kupra, & Lara. I’m wearing the following mix of commons & rares in the pic above (you can see ALL of the fabulous gacha elements in the gacha key below. or a closeup HERE); 
    • Bra
    • Thong
    • Shoulders
    • Sleeves
    • Eyes
    • BOM overlay
    • Headdress
    • Legs
    • Belt
    • Ears
    • Coral Crown
    • Bracelets
    • Earrings
    • Pearl Necklace
    • Chest Deco
    • Aura
    • Pearlaura
    • Staff (which comes in several different positions, for right & left shoulders)
    • Orb
  • Head:  LOGO – Bella bento head
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Everlasting
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Shura Lips
  • Hair:  Sintiklia – Caroline
  • Pose:  Something New – Angel Orb

Keep Your Head Up

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Keep Your Head Up

When I retired from work, I thought life would get easier.  And for a few months, it did. My migraines went almost completely away, I lost 20 pounds, I was more active than I’ve been since my early 20s, and my social life is busier than it’s been in years as well.  And then my mom’s condition deteriorated, with falls now mandating trips to the ER at least once a week, temper tantrums where she’s breaking things and throwing them at other residents, and more.  Yesterday she destroyed the television in her room (though honestly, there are times the news gets me so mad I’ve wanted to do that myself).  It’s a tough line for her residence to follow… not enough medication and the violent behavior increases; too much medication and she’s groggy and falls more.  There’s no easy solution, and on top of memory care we’re now paying for 1-on-1 care/supervision in the afternoon/early evening hours when she “sundowns.”  I’m now on day 4 of a migraine, my body hurts, I’m short of breath, I’ve had to beg off some social engagements, the only physical activity I seem to be doing is golf (and yes, some will argue that’s not very physical, but in 90+ heat, it most definitely is!), and it’s taking me three to four times longer to create and post a blog.  That said, I’m still living in paradise, and as my mom always said (back when she was my mom), “this too shall pass.” We all just have to knuckle down and get through it, hopefully with a smile!  Sadly, I’m going to have to resign some of my sponsors, since it’s just not fair to them, and it’s just adding more stress for me.  I sincerely hope they understand; I know some will, just as I know some may not.  But rule number one for Second Life (at least for me and my inworld friends) has always been that real life comes first.  I’ve just got to keep my head up, grin, and remember that in many, many, MANY respects, I’m in a better place than most, and everyone has to deal with troubling issues at different times in their lives.  It seems that this is just one of those times.  Sighs… well enough of this pity party, time to do some shopping!!!! Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  Skindustrial Bodyworks (SKBW) – Rumbera Dress.  Sexy & fun, this little mini-dress comes in 5 stunning prints (available singly or in a fatpack), perfect for the hot weather! Rubera is sized for Slink HG/P, Tonic, Belleza F/I/V, Legacy, Kupra,  Maitreya, & Classic M.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the July round of Swank Event, July 7th – 31st, themed Tropical Island Heat.  Demo available.
  • Head & Eye Makeup:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (new 3.1 update)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass
  • Skin:  Nuve – Hope in EvoX
  • Freckles:  SAP Beauty – Beauty Marks/Moles
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  Doux – Mecca
  • Jewelry:  Lapointe & BastChild – Boho Necklace & Earrings (gift from long ago)

Making A Connection

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Making A Connection

I’m an animal lover inworld and out.  If you’re a regular follower of my blog, then you might remember that I live in a menagerie of sorts.  For several years now, we’ve been down to one dog (from two), two cats (from three), and two parakeets (status quo).  That all changed about a month or so ago when my mom’s mental and physical condition took a severe nosedive, and her dog needed to be re-homed.   I couldn’t just give her away without at least giving it a try, even though we’re not particularly fond of small dogs, so we’re now back up to two dogs… and this is a MUCH smaller house than what we had in NY.  To make it even more interesting, she wasn’t the friendliest of dogs to people, snapping without warning, etc… she even bit me once when I was trying to put on her leash, and the grooming salon deemed this little 11-pound dog to be “unmanageable” and gave her back to me wet but unbathed and ungroomed.  I will say that we seem to have passed some kind of invisible point of adjustment, because suddenly this dog is crawling all over me, prancing around with happiness, racing to the back door when it’s time to go out for a “pee break”… now if we could only get her to eat her food without standing there giving her constant encouragement lol!  I’ve also been told that I’m a somewhat comical sight when I have the two of them on their longer daily walks… my 65-pound dog on a retractable leash in my left hand, and this little 11-pounder prancing along on a regular leash on my right, sometimes walking in harmony until they start pulling in opposite directions with me standing still with my arms stretched way out… still better than two separate walks in this heat!!!

  • Outfit:  Nala Designs – Meryem Outfit.  Halterneck top with the cutest little denim shorts, sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, eBody, & Maitreya, the outfit includes a HUD with 8 patterns for the top & 8 solids for the shorts. The outfit is EXCLUSIVELY available at the July Swank Event, July 7th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Shoes:  Nala Design – Meryem Timberland Sport Boots.  These boots with the matching outfit makes a look that is just so adorable! I don’t often go for cute, but how could I resist?  Includes a HUD with 20 colors to choose separately for the boot, the sole, the laces, the strap back, the decor laces, etc.  Also at the July Swank Event (not exclusive). Demo available.
  • Set:  Dreamland Designs – Kensie Garden Bench.  Includes the bench (which is FULL of a HUGE menu of single & couple animations), ground lanterns, banana planter, & a “Memories” sign (not used).  I just love the gently worn look of the bench & pillows… totally says that it’s a well-loved place to sit.  Available in both PG & Adult versions, EXCLUSIVELY at the July Swank Event, open from July 7th – 31st. 
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (new 3.1 update)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  Velour – Meg
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole; Marpesia – Beauty Mark V1
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Scout
  • Jewelry:  rise Design – Linosa Set; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Fashiowl – Hachiko (includes dog)
  • Cats:  KittyCatS! – Just a few of my breedable cats… they kept wandering into the shots, so I had to include them (they have the cutest AI)! I even have my own little store on MarketPlace to sell some of my extra kittens