The Magic of Encanto

http://The Magic of Encanto

I haven’t personally seen the Disney movie Encanto, but my RL counterpart DID shop and purchase an Encanto costume for her granddaughter who absolutely adores it.  My wings were all aflutter when I saw  this amazing and seemingly Encanto-inspired outfit for ME!!!  Talk about living the fantasy!!!  I found myself searching the grid for the right Latin-style setting to further enhance this glorious look, and found the most amazing SIM where exploration totally distracted me from my goal for longer than I am willing to admit…  Time for a siesta, while I plan out my next adventure!!!  Sprinkles a little fairy dust as I move into the cool interiors to wait out the sun…

  • Gown:  Viki – Pepita.  In 9 color combinations or as a fatpack with a mix ‘n’ match HUD, Pepita is sized for Legacy, Freya, Isis, Venus, & Maitreya, is Material Enabled, 100% Original,  Brand NEW & EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE with a 25% discount only at the current round of Shiny Shabby, open through July 18th.  Demo available.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Birth – Fae
  • Hair:  bonbon – sophie
  • Horns:  Petrichor – Trinket
  • Eyes:  OJAYO – Yoshi
  • Makeup:  Venge – Ear Blushing EvoX; Loa – Nashwa Eyeshadow; Amis – Elfie Lips
  • Wings:  Decoy – Angela Wings
  • Pose:  An lar Poses – The Paulette Series
  • Jar:  Lorien – Wine Vase
  • Location:  Tulum Reserve

Misbehaving

http://Misbehaving

Everything, every situation, has its own rules.  Some are set by others; some are set individually based on your own wants, needs, goals, morals &/or ethical code.  Some are relatively small and inconsequential (like making the bed or how you set the table); others have huge societal ramifications.  There are prices to pay no matter what you choose, because every choice has an impact, no matter how small, on the next moment and the moment after that and so on.  There are many books and movies — not to mention real history — that focus on the ramifications of a single choice in a single moment of time, sometimes as seemingly random as choosing this seat or that one.  Which is probably why we all set rules in an effort to control our personal lives in some sort of orderly fashion, so that we can move forward minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, without being paralyzed in indecision (which still happens all too frequently lol).  And we teach (or try to teach) those rules to our children (including the 4-legged ones!) to help them safely navigate the world as well.  One of the beauties here in SL is that many of those INDIVIDUAL rules don’t apply… you CAN jump off a tall building without getting hurt; you CAN swim in deep water (even with sharks!) without worry; you CAN go fight zombies without actually getting hurt; and on and on.   There are still SOCIETAL rules, because otherwise individual rights tend to rub up against each other. But they’re pretty non-restrictive.  So what’s with all this pontification about rules?  I’ve just been thinking a lot about individual rights lately, and how so many people think that their personal beliefs should give them control over other people’s individual choices, which are necessary for a civilized society and which are just exertions of power.  And a conversation I had with my daughter about the time-out we give our kids & pets for misbehaving, for not following those rules we set,  just brought it all to the forefront of my pre-coffee brain this morning.  And on that note, I think I’ll go get my coffee and officially begin the day, both in SL and out.  Enjoy!!!!

  • Outfit:  Ruxy – Senara.   A sexy bikini (without crossing that indefinable but oh so important line) with just enough gems in all the right places to make it truly special!  Sized for Legacy, Maitreya & eBody, Ruxy includes a HUD with 12 texture options for the suit plus 12 for the Gems in the straps.  She is EXCLUSIVELY available at the July round of the Swank Event, themed Island Tropical Heat, open TODAY July 7th through the 30th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Sunkiss
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  Sintiklia – Paula
  • Sunglasses:  Mulloy – Antago
  • Pose:  Fashiowl – Windsurfing

Fae in the Forest Primeval

http://Fae in the Forest Primeval

Sometimes I have so much to say here on these pages… other times (like this), not so much.  I am currently reigning as temporary goddess of this part of the forest, and am spending a great deal of my time in quiet contemplation of all its hidden beauty, doing what I can for its more defenseless inhabitants.  There’s just so much going on, with so much shopping (well worth it in my case, I ADORE this look!!!!), but it’s important to take this time to refresh and recharge…  smiles softly as a young fawn approaches me for the first time…  summer is such a fabulous time to enjoy all the blessings of nature!

  • Outfit:  Petrichor – Eres Dress & Harness.  Another stunning fantasy brought to life by the amazing design team of Petrichor & Ersch, Eres is flowy & silky, & incredibly customizable.  Choose from 7 color palettes or go for the fatpack, each HUD allows you to pick a color for each element (the top, shorts, long skirt, waist sash, arm ribbons, front sashes, side sashes, straps & studs); additionally, all parts are show/hideable. Sized for Legacy, eBody, Kupra, & Maitreya, Eres is available only at the mainstore.
  •  Horns:  Petrichor – Stranded Swyrl Horns.  100% custom design, these horns are unisex, moddable, customizable & resizable. HUD-controlled with over 40 colors/textures in 3 different palettes (or a full fatpack) where you choose one texture for the horns & another for the strands (which you can also choose to hide).  GORGEOUS!
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Birth – Fae
  • Hair:  bonbon – zoey
  • Eyes:  Samia – Lana
  • Makeup:  Loa – Nashwa Eyeshadow
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Irid Dark Wings
  • Pose:  STUN Poses – Fay

She dances in the flames…

http://She dances in the flames...

Color, color, color!!! Is there ever enough color in the world?  Don’t get me wrong, neutrals have their place in the world, but they’re just so, well, neutral!  I love being surrounded by color, wearing color, creating color… color creates a vibrance in the air and just makes me feel so alive!  I even prefer having the blues to having the blahs… Tosses some fairy dust into the flames and sends energy out into the world… May color fill your day and chase any drabs away!!

  • Gown:  Viki – Colette.   Fabric (or here in SL, texture) & cut are always what make clothing stand out.  This dress just begged me to wear it (or was that me doing the begging to wear it?) because it simply excels in both categories! Add the tiny details, like the simple draping & shading, the gown is amazingly realistic. In 12 incredibly rich textures or a fatpack, Colette is sized for Maitreya & Legacy (with deformer), Material Enabled, 100% Original,  Brand NEW & EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE with a 25% discount only at the June round of The Narrative Event.  Demo available.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Arcana – Cirice, worn in Freesia
  • Hair:  monso – Meiga
  • Horns:  Eclectica – Crystal Satyr Horns
  • Makeup:  Venge – Ear Blushing EvoX; Rubedo – Olive EvoX; Amis – Elfie Lips
  • Tattoo:  Juna – Naimi
  • Wings:  FAS– Butterfly Fae Wings (Animesh); I never got a chance to blog these when they were introduced at the recent Fantasy Faire since I left before the faire ended for my travels… AMAZING wings!
  • Pose:  west end poses – Hartje

Fae at Doriath

http://Fae at Doriath

I feel so bad for my poor human counterpart.  Real life has been quite stressful the last several days, trying to get things in order for a huge overseas trip that begins at the end of this week, with seemingly simple tasks morphing into monumental headaches.  I had to literally beg for a few hours of time to explore more of the exceptionally creative Fantasy Faire — open only until May 8th!!!! — and to create this third look.  Sometimes it’s amazing what you can do under pressure (then again, other times you get crushed lol).  But I don’t have a single moment to waste… I hope to get at least one more fantastic trip through the faire before going to sleep for most of the month…  But oh, the wonders I’ve seen!!!!  Don’t take my word, go see them yourself, now before time runs out and the portals close for another year!!!!

  • Outfit:  Jangka – Aeldyn.  I love all my Jangka outfits, the detail & the visualization are just amazing.  It’s rare though that they do airy fae style, like in this outfit that I just had to have the moment I saw it!  It’s flowery & drapey (is that a word?) & colorful & with all that minute attention to detail that makes an outfit feel truly real.  Aeldyn is available as 4 colors (one for each season; I’m wearing Winter).  You can purchase each piece separately (the top, the skirt, ankle ornaments, wrist ornaments, leg ornaments, arm ornaments, wings) or as a fatpack.  Sized only for Maitreya (but fitting my Legacy with only the smallest of changes to my shape), she is  BRAND NEW & EXCLUSIVE at the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Aarkenfen.  You can TP direct to their location HERE.  The wings (which are static) can also be purchased separately individually or as a fatpack of 7 colors.
  • Horns:  Petrichor – Sylaine Horns, worn in Brass.  NEW!   100% custom mesh & textures, materials enabled, these unique swirled horns combine a glass base with various metals.  Resizable, unisex, & mod/copy, they are truly amazing looking!  Available in 8 texture packs with HUDs or as a fatpack, you can TP direct to their location in the Carnelian Archive (which they’ve sponsored!!!) HERE.  See the ad below for details.
  • Tattoo:   Aerth – Moon Tears Body Tattoo, worn in Ocean.  Stunning stunning stunning full body & head tattoo, & with 3 levels of transparency (50%, 75%, or 100%) this tattoo is as subtle or dramatic as you choose. (FYI I’m using the 50% level.)  Includes versions for EVOX & SLUV.  The fatpack has 16 awesome colors & is priced 15% off ONLY at the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Athenium (four color packs of two tones each are also available); TP direct to their location HERE.  Demo available.
  • Hair:  KMH – Hair F163.  Another fabulous fantasy hair style from KMH at the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Bassett Town; TP direct to the faire booth HERE.  Demo available.
  • Location:  at the Fantasy Faire, Faireland – Doriath
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Arcana – Cirice, worn in Aster.
  • Eyes:  OJAYO – Yoshi Eyes
  • Makeup:  POUT! – Angel Cake HD Liners & Shadow

Taking A Time Out

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

I Wish…

http://I wish...

In some ways, fae are not so different from humans.  We too have wishes, ours just tend to be more centered around nature and the heart, and less about power and prestige (though there are certainly some of THOSE types in my world too).  Right now, there is just so much unrest in that real world out there, so much pain, that my current wishes are less about me and my world and more about “out there.”  But in times of stress, this fae believes that surrounding yourself with the beauty of nature and the wonder of fantasy becomes even MORE important… a small escape into a stressless environment where peace, love and beauty reign.  Wishing that for you, me, and all who share the desire to live in harmony…

From Ostara’s Altar, open through April 30th:

  • Dress:  Oubliette – Persephone, worn in Moss.  Soft, beautiful dress with sheer lace sleeves & skirt, perfect for a fae!  Available in 15 colors or as a fatpack.  Sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, & Maitreya.  EXCLUSIVELY available at Ostara’s Altar.  Demo available. (There’s also a beautiful floral circlet as a Hunt Item there at the booth, which coordinates beautifully with the dress!)
  • Skin:  Arcana – Cirice, worn in Clover.  Just one of  three EXCLUSIVE skins at the event, all of which are designed specifically for Lelutka EvoX.  Cirice is available in 4 tones (see below); body skin is sold separately. Heads include Dark Brow / White Brow / No Brow, Freckle & No Freckle, LeLutka Ears.  Body Skins support Legacy, Maitreya, Belleza, & Reborn, & include two cleavages, two belly options, freckle & no freckle.  SKINS ARE BOM ONLY & do not include appliers.  Demo available.  
  • Pond:  Candle & Cauldron – Olde Pond.  Includes animated water & koi fish; also has seasonal textures.  There’s no way to capture the darting movement of the fish or the ripple of the water in a still shot, but it is incredibly realistic & fun to watch! Includes an optional land blender to help ease the transition of your land to the pond.   See the ad below for a full shot.
  • Plants:  BamPu Legacies – Golden Ivy Field.  This beautiful field comes in three sizes (small, medium, large) & is perfect for adding that golden touch to your surroundings. 

From Fantasy Faire, open through May 8th:

  • Horns:  Naminoke – Pasion Flower Horns.  A Fantasy Faire EXCLUSIVE, it comes with both flex (the long dangling things; see the ad below) & no flex versions, & is available with 3 different color flowers — white, red, or purple.  The purple version is a 100% DONATION to RFL.  At the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Bassett Town; TP direct to the faire booth HERE.
  • Hair:  KMH – Hair F189.  At the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Bassett Town; TP direct to the faire booth HERE.  Demo available.

Also used:

Living Echoes

http://Living Echoeshttp://Fantasy Faire Look 2

Fantasy Faire 2022 is in full swing.  If you haven’t been there yet, this is a MUST SEE.  Seriously, do NOT miss this once-a-year event.  All the details about this year’s Fantasy Faire are HERE, for the shopping, the entertainment, the hunts… and remember, this is a Relay for Life event, so it’s all to benefit a cause every one of us can support, the eradication of cancer.  You have no interest in “that fantasy stuff”? Well, you’re in Second Life, so if nothing else you should be able to appreciate unique fabulous builds, and at FF there are 20 totally different and incredibly impressive lands.  And who knows? That adorable dragon or centaur may just steal your heart or one of those incredible skins for your horse or maybe even that set of gossamer wings.  Or hair.  Or skin.  Or beautifully colored flowers and plants.  Or home decor.  Or, or, or… you get the idea.  There’s something for everyone at  Fantasy Faire, open through May 8th.  And if your life has been touched by cancer in any way, there’s quite a bit dedicated to loved ones lost.  (The Faireland of Living Echoes, where this pic is taken, is a prime example of that.)  Me, I’m spending as much time as I can at the Faire (which sadly is not as much as I’d like), but even if all you do is a quick visit, it’s one you will feel was well spent…

  • Gown:  Viki – Nilea.   Viki always does medieval fantasy fashion at its best, & Nilea more than lives up to her own incredibly high standard! Available in 8 individual colors or as a fatpack, this softly draped “every day” dress has a beautifully detailed jacket in a deeper tone.  Sized for Freya, Isis, Venus, Physique, Tonic & Maitreya, Nilea is Material Enabled, NEW & EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE as a FULL RFL DONATION at the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Necturn Moon.  Tp direct to the faire booth HERE.  Demo available, as is a matching men’s outfit.
  • Hair:  KMH – Hair F195 RFL Edition.  Good medieval styled hair is so hard to find, but not at KMH!  This rigged hair includes 5 styles (braids forward/braids back/etc), plus the forehead braid is on/off.  NEW & EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE as a FULL RFL DONATION (alternate color pack also available) at the Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of Bassett Town.  Other styles also available as RFL Donation items!!! TP direct to the faire booth HERE.  Demo available.
  • Horns:  Kotolier – Crystal Horns in Amethyst Gold.  LOVE LOVE LOVE these, they are just so beautiful, & the glow & transparency are easily adjusted by HUD.  Available together with a mini version for the forehead in 4 color packs or as a fatpack.  The amethyst version of both the size worn as well as a separate mini horns version is a FULL  RFL Donation item available at Fantasy Faire in the Faireland of The Chrysalis Gardens; tp direct to their booth HERE.  
  • Wings:  Lunaria – Dragonfly Wings.  Absolutely beautiful textured stained glass static wings  with “strings of light” hanging.  Available at Fantasy Faire 2022 in the Faireland of Sylvuselah; tp direct to their booth HERE.  Demo available.
  • Location:  at the Fantasy Faire, Faireland – Living Echoes
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Birth – Fae
  • Eyes:  Samia – Lana
  • Makeup:  Loa – Nashwa Eyeshadows
  • Jewelry:  Swallow – Earrings E05 for EvoX

Night and Day, You Are the One

http://Night and Day, You Are the One

Blogging is such an interesting job… considering that it’s unpaid, it’s amazing how much work some of us put into it.  Granted, I’m a bit more obsessive than most.  I’ve never once just thrown on a look, stood in front of a blank screen, taken a shot, added a color to the background, and called it a day.  And yes, I know I’ve talked about this before, but every once in a while it really starts to kill me when I see so many bloggers who do the absolute minimum to really poor effect AND get tons of faves.  I don’t get it, I just don’t get it.  As a blogger-manager, I sometimes get pix submitted from event bloggers that actually leave my speechless (and not in a good way!!!); my designer recently commented on one that it was like they hated her for what they did to her outfit (none of our brand bloggers would EVER do a pic like that). For me, this is a creative exercise, an outlet, and I pour a lot of energy and a lot of ME into it.  It just amazes me what some other people are willing to put their name to, as their “best” effort for that look.  I don’t do it for the faves, but there’s so much of me in every shot that it does hurt just a little bit when a pic really doesn’t do well.  I do sometimes need to remind myself that I’m the only one who has to be happy and satisfied with a final pic (and my sponsors, of course!!), but each pic does take me hours of time.  On the other hand, I’m often completely blown away by the beauty of others’ shots, humbled to the point where I wonder if I’ll ever be able to achieve anything equal.  That kind of photographic excellence inspires me, gives me ideas on how to improve, things to try… I often wish there were “blogging classes” but we’re all on our own except for those blogger-managers and top bloggers who truly try to teach the rest of us the little tricks… the rest of it is just having the eye and having the desire to do one’s personal best… and neither of those can be taught.  OK, enough ranting & griping for the day… there’s lots more blogging (and shopping!!!) to do, not to mention landscaping and home decor since I just moved (again!) in SL (not to mention getting ready for a big vacation IRL).  Enjoy!!!!

  • Outfit:  Vega Design – Eda Jumpsuit.   I’ve always loved jumpsuits.   To me, nothing is quite as casually elegant as a well-designed jumpsuit… & this one is definitely well-designed!  Just slightly loosely draped low on the chest, the patterned shoulder straps turn into the most amazing back straps (three across, one down from the neck to the top strap), changing at the waist to a skin-hugging pattern down to the ankles.  Sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Freya, Isis, & Maitreya, includes a HUD with 12 textures… me, I just couldn’t resist the animal print!  EXCLUSIVELY at the April Swank Event, April 7th – 30th.  Demo available.
  • Jewelry:   IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Victorian Earrings & Necklace, Set 3.  HUD driven, materials enabled, 100% resizable mesh with 10 metal versions & 4 x 8 gems options so that you can set the color for each gem separately.  Available in 6 separate sets or as a fatpack, EXCLUSIVELY at the April Swank Event, April 7th – 30th.  Other sets with just one or two “danglers” (as opposed to the three in this set) also available.  Also worn: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band; Glowing Gems – Jenny Bangle Bracelets
  • 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 – Mecca
  • Eyes:  ARTE – Green Eyes

Holiday Guard Duty

http://Holiday Guard Duty

It’s always hard to be on duty when everyone else is celebrating.  But sneak attacks have often happened on holidays when the enemy thinks you’ll be too distracted to properly keep watch.  Since my partner is away visiting the tribe of his birth — a tribe where I am not welcome, what with my wings and my horns — I volunteered to take on back-to-back shifts  so that others could relax and enjoy the celebration.  It’s but a small sacrifice to keep watch over this tribe that welcomed us into their midst after we were outcast by our own upon our rule-breaking marriage.   I am happy to do it, and proud of the responsibility they allow this adopted daughter,  and yet, it’s still lonely up here in the heights, hearing the laughter and revelry from below, feeling apart from it all.  It’s been so boring, my mind keeps drifting to other times, other places.  But soon it will be dark; those happy sounds will carry even further, and that is when I need to be on fullest alert, guarding against any and all dangers in the shadows, to protect those who have willingly and openly become our new family.   Perhaps it is the blending of the races in my background, my adherence to no single set of practices, but it is my wish for all to have a happy holiday, whatever and however they celebrate, in any tribe, in any village, in any family.  Sprinkles a little fairy dust on the wind, and with a sigh, I set my mind to hours more of watchful vigilance…

  • Outfit:  Jangka – Kaira.  This outfit has so many fabulous touches, like the colored feathers at my shoulders, the “built in” necklace & the belts (two at my waist, one at my hips).  100% original mesh, & sized only for Maitreya & Legacy, Kaira comes in 5 individual colors or as a fatpack, as do the matching armbands; the boots are available in your choice of black or brown.  Brand-new, Kaira is  EXCLUSIVELY at the April round of We Love Roleplay for 25% OFF, ending April 30th. Demo available. 
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Birth – Fae
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Tirel
  • Hair:  EscalateD – Solaris
  • Horns:  Cats Claw Designs – Roses on Horns , Sunset Silver Roses
  • Makeup:  Rubedo – Ava; Venge – Ear Blushing EvoX
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Insect Wings
  • Pose:  The Veiled Bae – Obsidian
  • Location:  The Forgotten