Tag: Allure Couture

Getting Organized

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Getting Organized

Where has October gone?  It’s just flown by!  All the snowbirds are returning here to Florida (plus lots of brand-new residents fleeing the cold and taxes from elsewhere), and that means everything is getting so much more crowded… but it also means that lots of activities are picking up from a summer hiatus.  I’ve been pushing myself to spend less time inworld and on the computer in general, and more time doing “social” activities (much of which goes against the grain lol, I’m basically quite content being a home-body), but the end result has been less of a “doing so many more fun things” and more of an “OMG I’m so behind in my blogging deadlines”, which is basically the opposite of the overall intention.  Oh well, not all experiments work out the way they’re planned, but that’s what experimentation is all about!  I’m back to needing blogging charts with deadlines and requirements, preliminary choices with initial ideas.  One critical advance, however, is that I DO seem to be making definitive choices earlier in the shoot process, even abandoning entire looks if I just don’t feel it’s all coming together… I still need to relax a bit about faves/awards when a pic is posted — I’ve learned that some of what I consider my best work just doesn’t seem to resonate with others… what matters most to me (or so I keep reminding myself) is that a shoot (or more specifically, what’s coming out of it) makes me smile…  As my very first blogger-manager advised me, you can’t blog for awards and recognition (though they’re definitely very nice to receive)… you need to blog for yourself, to do what YOU want to do to exercise your creative muscle…  Although at the end of the day, I’ll admit that it bothers me when my pix don’t do well…   Enough philosophizing and self-justification!  Now let’s see, requirements are now complete for which sponsors?  And let’s not forget all my weekend shopping!!!!  Who said Sundays were for resting?

  • Hat:  Vesta Cloths – Drey Hat.  Includes a color-changing HUD of 24 textures for changing the hat itself & each of the two bows separately (see the ad below).  A very modern take on what to me is a somewhat Eliza Doolittle look! 100% original mesh.  Available at the current round of Out Shop Cancer, where every sale of this hat goes to the American Cancer Society.  Just a few days left to help support the fight & shop with a purpose… Out Shop Cancer is open through Oct 31st.  
  • Jewelry:  Heartsdale Jewelry – Mists of Avalon Collection.  Includes the necklace & earrings featuring a beautiful tree of life, plus a HUD for changing the main color to any of 8 rich choices with 3 different metal accents.  EXCLUSIVELY at the Oct round of Designer Showcase, open just a few more days till Oct 25th.  Also worn:  Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Nails:  LIVIA – Net Frenchies HUDs for Mix-It Pro Nails.  NEW release, available in 4 color palettes (Blue/Green, Nude/White, Pink/Purple, Orange/White) or as a Megapak, these HUDs work with all three shapes (coffin, square, stiletto) of the Mix-It Pro Nails (base nails required), which are available for Legacy, Maitreya, Belleza, Slink, Signature, Tonic, Kupra, Ebody Reborn, & Kahlene.  You can mix & match by hand or by nail… so much fun (though I’m so boring I tend to always do them all matchy-matchy lol & I just love the style with the little bats)…  EXCLUSIVELY at the Oct round of Designer Showcase, closing Oct 25th.  See the ad below!  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Chantilly
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  Analog Dog – Glamp
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Hae
  • Makeup:  Dernier – Eyeliner; Synergy – HD Eyeshadow Lagos; Joy – Baby Lipstick
  • Pose:   space cadet – Journalin’

 

Feelin’ Good!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Feeling good!

So I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’m completely blown away by certain pics  I see on FlickR.  Yes, there are plenty of good and some even really good shots amidst a lot of what I consider mediocre shots at best, but there are also true gems that completely floor me.  Those pics make me totally stop and look and try to figure out exactly what it is that grabs me and makes me say “wow” so that maybe, just maybe, I can learn something new.  Now sometimes it just comes down to the photographer’s eye, and I hate to say it but that’s one of those things you either have or you don’t.  Yes, hard work and practice will improve your eye, but that basic sense of the absolutely most perfect perspective and framing, well IMHO those abilities can be finer tuned but simply can not be taught.  In other pics though, it’s a definite sense of technique, a lot of which is applied in edit.  Now some of that I can figure out WHAT they did if not HOW, but since I use Corel and not Photo Shop, I can only try so far to teach myself.  But there’s always been other things that I just knew were being done inworld and I had absolutely no idea how to even attempt them.  Well I just watched a video on photography through Second Life University of all things, and just in minor playing around I can see that (hopefully anyway) I’ll be able to do a lot with this.  If nothing else, I discovered much simpler ways of doing what I already do in setting up my shots and playing with angles, so it could be a huge time and frustration saver.  I also learned to be very very careful about changing ANY settings, even the most innocuous seeming, without writing down what I had before and exactly what I did because I just spent an inordinate amount of time trying to get out of some weird perspective issue that I somehow locked myself into.  Lesson learned!!!  Now to move on to playing with some of what I’ve seen… I hope to be able to share some improved results in the near future!!! In the meantime, happy shopping!!!!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Akeri Wrap Dress.  Akeri is one of those seemingless effortless looks, with a deceptively simple, ankle length hip-wrapped very low-cut sundress with matching panties & flat sandals, & is available in 7 individual colors, a HUD-driven 7 texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 14, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Tonic, Freya & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at FABLE, an Evil Bunny Production, open August 6th – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Hair:  Doux – Bellami
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Tattoo:  Juna – Milly
  • Jewelry:   IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Victorian, Set 2; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  FOXCITY – Bird of Paradise
  • Location:  Dusk Point Beach

Late day in late summer

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Late Day in Late Summer

And we’re back to stress IRL! Construction has begun on the lanai renovation, and of course we ran into a problem on the very first day.  It seems that the existing irrigation lines go right where the footers need to be for the concrete, so we had to watch the concrete guys pack up and go while we resourced an irrigation guy to quickly come and cap off the lines (quick, easy, not too expensive) so that the concrete work can resume next week.  Hopefully, all we lost was the one day in our schedule.  Of course now we need to get all new lines put down… an unanticipated expense (not even estimated yet).  But what’s a secondary issue is that it means we have NO irrigation until then… and in Florida, it’s the dry part of the rainy season, so if go without irrigation, our lawn and plantings would suffer and potentially die.  So it’s back to the old-school way of hooking up a hose to a sprinkler and then manually moving it around the property… definitely not as effective but hopefully it will keep everything alive if not thriving.  Never a dull moment!!!  All this added stress and necessary paperwork/research/etc has impacted my SL schedule, and now I’m desperately trying to get a last few posts in for the month.  I’ll apologize right now that I’ll be hitting the tail end of events, but as always, the status of “exclusive” and “sale” may end, but the featured items are always available after that at the main store (generally with a delay of one or two days).  Let the weekend officially begin!!!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Melody Shorts Set.  Melody includes a corset top, midcut short shorts (both with fabulous lacing, up the front for the top & down the sides for the shorts), & matching flat sandals, & is available in 6 individual colors, a HUD-driven 6 texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 12, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, Kupra & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the July round of the WOW Event, closing TODAY July 30th.  (After that, it will be at the main store.) Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Eclipse
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Tattoo:  Carol G – Fleshly
  • Hat:  ZOOM – Luxury Windbreak Hat
  • Pose:  STUN Poses – Bianca

Tropical Beauty

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Tropical Beautyhttp://Portrait, Tropical Style

I really can’t believe it’s Saturday already.  Perhaps it’s because I’m older; perhaps it’s because I no longer work IRL & live a relaxed leisure life.  I will say that time didn’t fly by when I was away in Europe a few months ago (wow, has it already been a few months!!!!) when almost every day was loaded with activity.  All I know is that I’m suddenly aware of time flying by at breakneck speed… in fact I was talking to a relatively new avatar the other day, & realized that I’ve been here inworld for more than 15 years.  15 years!!!!  Wow, just wow… On the other hand, I’ve never looked so good (IMHO anyway lol) or had a home I loved as much, and have just started rediscovering some of the joys of SL that kind of fell by the wayside when the demands of blogging became too overwhelming.  As IRL, finding balance (something I’ve learned needs to be achieved over and over again) is what’s key.  The fact remains though, that it is the weekend once again, with sales and events galore.  And time is a-wasting, so on to shopping before the weekend is gone!!!!  Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Lorina.  This is one of those outfits that I had to battle my fae counterpart for blogging rights.  It has a tropical beachy Arabian nights feel to it, what with the gauzy semi-transparent fabric on the stomach & then falling from the hipband, not to mention all those slit panels on the legs.  Lorina includes matching heels, is available in 5 individual colors, a 5 texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 10, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the new round of Down the Rabbit Hole, an Evil Bunny production, opening today July 9th – 19th.  Demo available.
  • Hairpin:  Magnetic – Lily Hairpin.  Mesh hairpin accessory with versions for wearing on both the  left & the right.  Also includes hairpin with Walking FX that emits Lily particles as you walk. EXCLUSIVELY available at the July round of the Swank Event, themed Island Tropical Heat, open July 7th – 30th.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Aislin
  • Makeup:  IDTTY Faces – Lelutka Secret Potion 5
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Jewelry:  Kunglers – Kara Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Sassy Sweet Poses – Checking it Out
  • Location:  Dolce Amore Beach

Can you wish upon a Starfish?

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Can you wish upon a starfish?

It’s definitely summertime, and I’m getting the beach blues.  I may live in Florida, but I’m right in the middle of the state, no beach bum life for me!  Yes, I’ve got the sun, but right now I’m craving some sand and surf to go with it…  I’ll definitely have to create at least a day trip in the very near future (more is always a bit more difficult when you have a house full of pets lol), but for now I guess I’ll be taking my avatar off for some needed beach time… the problem I keep running into is that the beaches I keep finding tend to be more of the nude beach variety… not my style, I’m a fashion blogger after all!  Oh well, there’s a downside to everything, even on  the grid! Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Misha Bikini.  You know summer is officially here when bikinis are suddenly everywhere!  Me, I like them sexy enough to show off my curves but not so teeny that my assets are showing more than I’m comfortable with!  And of course, it’s all about texture, texture, texture.  Misha is available in 5 individual colors, a 6-bikini/2 metal Slimpack, or a Fatback of 12 bikinis that includes four metal options, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, Kupra & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of the Under the Sea Event, an Evil Bunny production, open June 4th – 14th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Lullaby
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Jewelry:  EarthStones – Sentiments Necklace, LOVED; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Secret Poses – Summer

Just Feeling Beachy

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Just Feeling Beachy

Wow, re-entry after a long vacation is tough! This was the longest vacation I’ve ever taken in my adult life (it was actually a teeny bit too long to be honest), and it was exhausting.  It totally took me almost a full week to recover and get back into my “normal” routine.  As for blogging, I’ve been a bit shocked as to how hard it’s been to retake up the reins, from not remembering favorite windlights for types of shots to doing really stupid things (like accidentally leaving on a demo body skin,  wondering why there was cross-hatching everywhere & not figuring out until after spending hours post-editing… the real kicker was that it was still the best shot by far BUT totally unusable lol).   The fact remains is that you really can’t go back and redo a shot… you can never quite recapture that same angle, especially when a shoot involves continual minute adjustments to both angle & windlight.  But now here we are in June, it’s hot here IRL & the “full” beachwear is out, so I’ve made the switch here in SL too to tanned skin and beach time.  Happy summer, and happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Circe.  Although designed with fantasy in mind, this fabulous little wrap dress with long fringe & a low LOW back just screamed “sarong” to me, which immediately made me think “beach”.  Definitely not your standard beachwear, Circe is available in 5 individual colors, a 6-color Slimpack with three options for the panties w/leg wraps, or a Fatback of 12 that includes six options for panties w/leg wraps, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, Tonic & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the current round of the Pandora Fair, open through May 30th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Hair:  eXxEsS – Champagne (includes hat)
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Makeup:  Celestial – Softness Lip Applier
  • Pose:  Nantra – Beach Illustrated 2020

Lilacs for Remembrance

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Lilacs for Remembrance

I’m an avid reader of fiction, all genres.  A book that even as a pretty light read has always lingered in the back of my mind was about the language of flowers.  Purple is my favorite color IRL, and I just adore the scent of lilacs, so naturally enough purple lilacs are one of my favorite flowers.  What I find extremely interesting in that (according to Google anyway), the purple lilac is also “a very spiritually symbolic flower. Both reflective and inward-looking, the purple lilac is considered a connection to the spiritual world.”  How fitting, both with respect to the Memorial Day Weekend here in the US and the horror of the school shooting preceding it…

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Gayle Slacks Outfit.  A sexy little long-sleeved blouse with a fabulous ruffled pattern that’s just barely hanging on by the tie underneath your chest, paired with almost waist-high belled pants that hug your butt & sport a decorative metal belt over the hips. Gayle is available in 5 individual colors, a 6-color Slimpack with two options for the belt, or a Fatback of 12 that includes four options for the belt, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy & Maitreya, & is EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE at the May round of Twelve, an Evil Bunny Production, open through May 30th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Chantilly
  • Makeup: Dernier – Eyeliner Set Vol 1; Shiny Stuffs – Radiant Shimmers HD Shadows; GoreGlam – Heartseeker Lipglow
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  Doux – Alexa
  • Jewelry:  Beloved Jewelry – Lissette Earrings & Necklace; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band;
  • Pose:  :LW: Poses – Lilacs (modified)

Taking A Time Out

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Taking A Time Out

Sighs, I need this… I need to just take a little time out, and sit somewhere and soak up a little sun and the beauty of nature… to relax and de-stress.  One week from tomorrow I’m leaving on my first big trip since COVID, and it’s the longest trip I’ve ever taken as an adult.  I’ll be traveling for 2-and-a-half weeks in Europe, which is waaaaay more than I’ve done since I first graduated college (and that was ages ago lol).  So needless to say I’m stressed… so much to handle, so many details, PLUS all the regular day-to-day things.  It should be more than worth it, but still, this last week should be a doozy.  This is almost definitely my last “human” post until my return the last week of May, although my fae other will still have a few posts about Fantasy Faire right up until we leave.  On top of all the real life craziness, it will be the longest I’ve been away from SL in more than 15 years, and I’ll have zero access the entire time, so it should be interesting both to see how much I’ll miss my “other life” and then to re-immerse.  Well, time is a-wasting, and still so much to do (and this time, it’s NOT just shopping lol though admittedly there’s some of that too).  Wish me bon voyage, and have a fabulous few weeks!  Take care of the grid for me!!!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Darby Jean Outfit.  Tight jeans cut right below the waist with a tie-wrapped black-or-white polka dot bralette plus open-toe stiletto pumps…  she’s sexy as you-know-what yet breezingly casual.  Darby is available in 4 individual colors, a 5-color Slimpack, or a Fatback of 10, all with 100% Original Textures.  She’s sized for Legacy,  Hourglass/Physique, Freya, & Maitreya.  At the April Swank Event, open through April 30th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin/Makeup:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Chantilly; DeeTaleZ Smokey Eyes; DeeTaleZ Lip Tint
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  Doux – Morning
  • Jewelry:   IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Pinwheel Earrings & Necklace; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band;
  • Pose:  :LW: Poses – Tell Me This

When You’re Gone

Posted on by cejalaval

http://When You're Gone

The chair is empty, your glass awaits your return, and you are MIA as I await word of your return… The pain of not knowing where you are, or what you’re doing, and why you’re not here with me…  these seem to be the constants of relationships in Second Life.  I hear it all the time; I occasionally still experience it myself although thankfully not as much or as often as when my relationship was newer.  But to me, that’s what this picture evokes… that feeling of confusion, of being caught midstream between inaction and tp’ing somewhere just to take up the time, just waiting waiting waiting for a word, a sign, anything of what to do.  In days gone by, my solution in this situation was to go to a live music venue, to listen to the music and watch the crowd; more recently, my typical reaction is to shop (perhaps that’s why I became a blogger???).  Bottom line though, I’m looking awesome and awesomely comfortable in a subtly sexy way in this comfy casual outfit from my favorite designer.  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Allure Couture – Nancy Cardigan Outfit.  Print leggings, a soft button down knit top softly falling off one shoulder sporting pockets that match the print on the pants, & matching heels… if I saw this in a store IRL I’d be grabbing it!  Love everything about this, including the colors (she’s available in 5 individual colors, in a 5-texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 10, all with 100% Original Textures).  Sized for Legacy,  Hourglass, Freya, Altamura, & Maitreya.  Coordinated men’s outfit sold separately, both EXCLUSIVELY at the January Jail Event, open January 10th – 30th.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  bonbon – Nori
  • Makeup:  Synergy – HD Eyeshadow Lagos; Warpaint – Polaris Eyeshadow; Goreglam – Planetarium Lip Gloss
  • Nails:  Livia – Mix It Pro Nails
  • Jewelry:  EarthStones – Inlaid Harmony Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Location:  Mimmo

Almost Midnight

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Almost Midnight

New Year’s is almost here, and not a moment too soon! This is one year I think that almost everyone just wants to end!!!!  This post is quite late however (the event is about to end), but I’ve had continuing troubles with FlickR and more, so I’m ending the year on a bit of a hectic note.  But at least I’m going out in style!!!!  I’m not going to prattle on, just let my eyes meet that special someone across the room, toast to the New Year, and move on!!! Happy shopping and Happy New Year!!!

  • Gown:  Allure Couture – Siann Gown, with Siann Gloves.  I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to 2021 & welcome 2022 than in a sensational gown like this!  To me, it’s almost architectural, reminiscent of “modern vintage”, a modified mermaid with what’s very artful wrinkling to totally but subtly flaunt your shape (especially your butt!!! I mean, wow!), layered black bows at the shoulders on the bodice, thick waist sash, & trim that definitely echoes art deco.  Add the optional opera gloves, with or without the matching contrast texture, & you have a stand-out sophisticated look.   Sized for Legacy,  Hourglass, Freya, Isis, & Maitreya.  She’s available in 5 individual colors, in a 5-texture Slimpack, or a Fatback of 10, all with 100% Original Textures.  Gloves are sold separately, as is a coordinated men’s tuxedo, all EXCLUSIVELY at the December Twelve Event, which ends TODAY Dec 30th.  After that she’ll be at the main store. Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Amara Beauty – Lorena
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  Exile – Full of Grace
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes
  • Makeup:  Velour – Sersi Eyeshadows; Dernier – Eyeliner Set Vol. 1; Cazimi – Dusk EvoX Lipstick
  • Jewelry:  Suga Baby – Tierra Earrings (seemingly extinct vendor); Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Location:  Ballroom Persona