Tag: Avatars

Goodbye 2020!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Goodbye 2020

The world rarely agrees on anything, but I would have to guess that just about everyone is happy to see the year 2020 end.  No, things won’t magically change as the page turns on the calendar, but closing the books on the year will hopefully mean one step in the right direction.  Although most of us will be “celebrating” very very quietly, here’s a toast to better things in the year ahead!

  • Outfit:  GiuliaDesign – Marisela.  Stunningly simple two-piece dress that flaunts style whether you dress it up or down.  Criss-cross straps in back & the separate arms are what to me really make this dress a standout! Available in 10 colors or in a fatback, Marisela is sized for Hourglass, Freya, Legacy, & Maitreya. EXCLUSIVELY available at the December Swank event CLOSING TODAY (yes, I know I’m late blogging).
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Lilly Head.  FREE Christmas Gift for Group Members.  There’s a free male head too!  Both are available HERE at a special holiday site that ONLY has the two heads.
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Scarlett (Holiday Group Gift)
  • Hair:   Doux – Brandie
  • Makeup:  theSkinnery – Aurora Makeup (Group Gift), layered with Simple Eyeshadow & Waterline Eyeliner; ives – Passione lipstick
  • Jewelry:  Indulge Temptation (IT!) – Samsara Necklace – Loved; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Belle Poses – Zoe
  • Location:  Backdrop Central

Catching My Eye

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Catching My Eye

I have a desk!  I’m so excited, it’s so much easier to be on the computer, let alone to blog!  Couldn’t happen at a better time either with all the holiday specials popping up all over the grid.  A new FREE head caught my eye, and I’m therefore once again developing a whole new look!  Hopefully the look and what I can do with it will be one to catch eyes as well lol!  Happy shopping!!!

  • Dress:  Sascha’s Designs (SAS) – Paris Dress.  Stunning little cocktail dress, with some truly awesome customization options in terms of texture.  First choose between two different HUDs, each one offering 8 different (& really exceptional) textures that can be applied to just the top, just the skirt, or both.  Sized for Hourglass, Freya, Isis, Legacy, & Maitreya, Paris is EXCLUSIVELY available at the December Swank event open Dec 7th -30th.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Lilly Head.  FREE Christmas Gift for Group Members.   I’ve often been tempted to try LeLUTKA because it seems whenever I really love someone’s look, that’s what they’re wearing.  But with so many heads in my inventory from blogging, I’ve always resisted.   Until now.  Lily is free, so I figured why not give it a try.  I am blown away!  I’ve loved other heads before, true, but there are always issues that eventually become so annoying that I find myself tempted to move on.  My immediate impression of LeLUTKA is that Lilly is not only a beautiful head, but she also has a relatively easy HUD to work, although I’m admittedly struggling with a tonal difference between head & body (I think it’s the difference between BOM on the head & Omega on the body, so I’m working on going BOM on my body too).  I’m so in love with the range of mood animations that are built in; they not only look amazingly natural, but they keep running even when you remove the HUD,  And so far no major glitches, like my mouth constantly popping open on another brand’s head that I adore but can’t deal with because of the inability to use their facial expressions. I’m happily surprised by the tons of “extras” available out there for the Evolution line of heads, but since Lilly is BOM only (no Omega except for the eyes) I have very little in inventory that will work.   Even so, my first impressions are double thumbs up!  There’s a male head too!  Both are available HERE at a special holiday site that ONLY has the two heads.
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Scarlett (Holiday Group Gift)
  • Hair:   Tram – F919
  • Makeup:  Trend – Slayer Eyeliner & Sinner Eyeshadow
  • Jewelry:  Solange – Retro Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Reve Obscura (RO!) – Elegant Bento Pose
  • Location:  Eterea

It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing

Posted on by cejalaval

http://It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

It’s funny how the past becomes much more glamorous the further it gets in the rear window, isn’t it?  Each element of this look brings to mind days gone by (long gone by lol, like before my time).  All I can say is that I feel FABULOUS in this look, so feminine, so stylish.  The movement, the SWING, is amazing… I really tried to capture that in a still pic, but the fact is that I could go on and on, but you really have to try this all for yourself, and feel it for yourself!  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  GGVG Fashion Store – Mistral.  Talk about style!!!  This two-piece dress evokes the fashion & glamour of the past (to me it says “40s”, but since I wasn’t alive back then, who knows?), with its silky fabric, soft folds, swing skirt, & huge polka dots.  I absolutely adore the overskirt & the way it moves (remember when flexi first hit SL?).  This outfit just makes me feel so feminine & sophisticated, I love it!  In 5 colors or in a fatpack, Mistral is sized for Hourglass, Belleza F/I, Legacy, & Maitreya, & is this round’s EXCLUSIVE at the December Swank event open Dec 7th -30th.  Demo available.
  • Hat & Bag:  MY BAGS by Mila – My Vivien Leigh in Brown.  The first from MY BAGS by Mila Blauvelt in its new facet of head ornaments to match the bags!  With a fabulous metal ornament on top of what I think of as a modified beret style (not really knowing hat styles I don’t know the “real” term), & paired with an adorable clutch that echoes the same shape, My Vivien Leigh is available in 7 colors (hat & bag sold separately) or in a fatpack; every color includes a Hud for metals & the bag includes an Exclusive Pose Bento for the hand.  See the closeup below for this unique look, EXCLUSIVELY available at the December round of the UniK Event, open Dec 7th – 28th. 
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy (freckled)
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Anna Eyes Pack #1
  • Hair:  Stealthic – Purity
  • Makeup:  poema – Mariola Eyeshadow; IVES – Passione Lipstick
  • Jewelry:  Accolade – Japanese Tensha Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Shoes:  KC Couture – Elaine
  • Pose (for the closeup shot):  Reve Obscura (RO!) – Lush Bento Pose
  • Location:  The Mercury Room, Owl’s Hollywood Jazz Lounge

Cocoa Anyone?

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Cocoa Anyone?

And life is starting to slowly settle in.  It still feels somewhat like a vacation… most meals are being eaten out since our POD with our cookware, spices, etc. doesn’t arrive until tomorrow; we’re doing a lot of “touristy” stuff, wandering around exploring and oohing and ahhhing over little gems we find. We discovered that we were unable to participate in any activities until we had resident ID cards, so we handled that and have hit the pool.  Once the golf clubs arrive tomorrow, we can start doing a bit more than just shop and eat, and then maybe it will start feeling more like home!  Since we’re still without any furniture outside of a bed and a dresser, I’m finding it extremely difficult to blog.  Between that and all the activities I plan on starting to participate in, I’ve realized that I need to cut back on my blogging, so I’ve reluctantly started resigning some of my sponsors, since nothing is worse than not meeting your requirements or doing your best for each and every post. Will I regret it? Time will tell. But one thing I can say for sure… I don’t miss the cold AT ALL.  Though the thought of some nice warm cocoa is still very very appetizing lol, especially when it gets a bit nippy (by Florida standards anyway) at night… Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Sexy Style – CLIO dress, jacket, boots.  Sexy style indeed! You could also add “sassy” for this awesome little outfit that combines a short little dress with an exceptionally style little jacket with black piping to really make it a standout.  And the boots! Wow, soooo sexy different… altogether just an amazing little outfit, in 10 colors (a few of which are patterned like this; the others are solids but still with the piping).  Sized for Slink HG/HG Petite, Belleza F/I, Legacy/Legacy Perky, & Maitreya/Maitreya Petite. Available EXCLUSIVELY at the November Swank Event, open Nov 7th – 30th.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles
  • Hair:  Doux – Ciara
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Anna Eyes Pack #1
  • Makeup:  Dulce Secrets – Boho Chic Lipgloss
  • Jewelry:  IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Serendipity Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Secret Poses – Cocoa Anyone?
  • Backdrop:  K&S – Kitchen daylight Photo Booth

Too big a problem to sweep under the rug

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Too big a problem to sweep under the rug

How do you deal with problems?  Do you sweep them under the rug to deal with another time, or do you face them immediately?  I’ll admit that I do both.  Sometimes I honestly just can’t be bothered with small issues, figuring they’ll either stop being important & will therefore just go away, or that waiting won’t make a difference.  Big problems, however, generally don’t fit easily under that proverbial rug, and need to be dealt with immediately.  Unfortunately, sometimes you have periods of time where EVERYTHING seems to be going wrong, with problems cropping up everywhere.  Now that I am moving in less than two weeks (eeek!), I seem to be dealing with a host of new issues, big and small, from the fact that new furniture I was considering which was going to take a week to 10 days to be delivered last time I looked is now showing as 2 – 4 months, to the roof bag for my car suddenly being too frayed to use safely and new bags all seem to be back-ordered until well after I leave.  Sighs… oh well, the best-laid plans and all that…  Time to take a breather and have a nice slow cup of something hot…  Happy shopping!

  • Top:  Tonic – Fave Cropped Sweater.  You know that one sweater in your closet you always go to when you want that comfy feel but still want to look great?  THIS is the SL equivalent.  It comes in 16 colors; perfect to mix & match with all sorts of bottoms to create multiple looks.  ONLY for Tonic bodies, this comfy sweater is sized for Curvy, Fine, & Fine-Mini, & is EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of eBento, open through October 30th.  Demo available.
  • Pants:  Tonic – Slick Leggings. Skin-tight leggings, with a V in front for added style, in a beautiful “slick” texture. 16 colors, sized for Curvy & Fine, with versions for boots & dainty-fit. EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of eBento, open through October 30th.  Demo available.
  • Cottage:  Dreamland Designs – Garden Cottage Complete.  Includes the cottage, the fence & all plantings within it as well as the two arching autumn trees in front.  All the plantings are copy/mod, so you can easily add more autumn color around the cottage, like I did.  Included & also sold separately: The Autumn Hanging Chair (full of animations, PG or Adult!), the Cabin Fireplace, & the Autumn Chocolate Tray (it gives cups of hot chocolate, just like what I’m holding, & will animate your avatar).  EXCLUSIVELY available in PG or Adult versions as a complete set, Hanging Chair Only (Adult or PG), Fireplace Only, or Garden Cottage with Garden, all at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.  See the closeup below for a full view!
  • Rug & Rat:  Evolving Images – Body Under Carpet; Rat V; Goth Shield.  Just 3 of many fun Halloween-themed items from Evolving Images, EXCLUSIVELY available at the October round of the Swank Event, open October 7th – 31st.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty (worn with Booty Control), in the new updated version.  Truly the most natural curves on the grid with options to add that extra oomph how & if you want it, as well as others to minimize the bust &/or the butt.  With Tonic, you can truly customize the look of your body!
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy
  • Hair:  Analog Dog – Rae
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Makeup:  Dulce Secrets – Pucker Up Lipgloss
  • Tattoo:  Chameleon – Tattoo Rati
  • Nails:  Livia – Deep Gel
  • Jewelry:  RealEvil Industries – Areah Set; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Luane’s World Poses – Come Back Home (includes cat)

Taking a Break

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Taking a Break

One of the things I find most exciting about Second Life is also one that I find most frustrating.  I’m talking about CHANGE.  There are always new features to adjust to, new places to explore, new events to shop at, new creativity to wonder at… but as new things come, “old” things go.  In both my blogging and my every day Second Life, I use a lot of items from my inventory.  I also have a tendency to hold on to demos of things that I like but may not be able to afford at the time or that I choose to wait on until I have a definite use.  I sometimes spend so much time chasing items and stores down on the grid, sometimes successfully but more and more often it seems that it’s an exercise to nowhere.  Since I’m one of those bloggers who try to credit EVERYTHING in the shot because it’s something that I appreciate when others do it, it can be quite time-consuming.  For this one post, for example, there were 4 different designers whose locations I just couldn’t come up with (one I successfully found on MarketPlace).  It’s always sad when old favorites leave, though maybe I’m a bit more sensitive at the moment because I am getting ready to leave my home IRL.  Who knows… but I DO know that I need to focus on the NEW exciting things that are all around me.  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  YoU by GeMyles – Laura Dress & Jacket & Boots.  Cute & sexy strapless dress & jacket combination with sensational thigh-high boots with buttons up the leg.  Includes a 10-color HUD for the dress, which can be worn separately (as can the jacket).  Laura jacket/dress combo is sized for Tonic, Hourglass, Freya, Legacy, Signature, Ebody Curvy, & Maitreya. EXCLUSIVELY available at the October Designer Showcase, open October 5th – 25th.  Demo available.
  • Bag:  MY BAGS by Mila – My Catrina in Red.  An original design for the Day of the Dead, My Catrina is available in 6 beautiful textures in patent leather with a gold handle, each with a hand pose & an arm pose. This 100% original mesh bag is available EXCLUSIVELY at the October round of eBento, open October 11th – 31st.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty (worn with Booty Control), in the new updated version.  Truly the most natural curves on the grid with options to add that extra oomph how & if you want it, as well as others to minimize the bust &/or the butt.  With Tonic, you can truly customize the look of your body!
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy
  • Hair:  Sintiklia – Hair Ulufemi
  • Eyes:  Avi-Glam – Luminous Eyes in Ivy
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Noir Pack Vol 16 (eyeshadow); Dulce Secrets – Pucker Up Lipgloss
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Jewelry: Maxi Gossamer – Tabatha Beaded Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Tattoo:  PinUp – Arabesque in Flower (seems to be an extinct vendor)
  • Pose:  Cara’s Poses & ELLAs – Bossy Boots Pose Set
  • Backdrop:  Pseudo – Townhouse Scene

Enjoying Nature’s Bath

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Enjoying Nature's Bath

As promised, today’s post is a close-up take of yesterday’s blog for this incredible autumnal waterfall.  Combining fashion and H&G can be difficult:  too far out a shot and you can’t see the fashion; too far in and you can’t properly see the Home&Garden item.  Since I really wanted to feature both, I considered a “double post” (posting two shots at the same time for one blog) but I continually find that by doing this, neither item fully gets the attention it deserves.  So instead I opted for a “split post”, where I have two different takes on the same general shot, one that’s a closeup and one that’s not.  I took the opportunity to feature a different animation that’s included with the waterfall, and in case you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to go look for yesterday’s post (though I’ve given a handy link below lol!), I’ve included a 2nd pull-out shot.  Enjoy!

  • Complete Outfit:    Petrichor – Aranathaema Gatcha.  I’m wearing the complete set, which includes not only all the body parts but also the deco horns (complete body set in white or in black are RAREs, as are the deco horns).  The “regular” horns are bare.  There are also 4 seasons to win, each with its own color HUD.  See the chart below for details on this set; sized for Hourglass, Freya, Legacy, V-Tech, & Maitreya. Originally at the Arcade Gacha, this fabulous set is coming to the mainstore. 
  • The Scene:  Tylar’s Treasures – Celebrate Fall Waterfall.  Although you can’t see it in the primary shot, I blogged this extraordinary item yesterday.  I included a pull-back shot to show the setting.   For details on the waterfall & its animations, see yesterday’s blog HERE. Available in both PG & Adult versions.
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Redux, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  •  Skin:  Petrichor – Styliste; includes lip stripe
  • Brows:  Simple Bloom – Genus Lara/Dawn Glitter/Stars (GIFT)
  • Hair:  monso – Meiga
  • Ears:  Swallow – Pixie Ears Protruding
  • Eyes:  {Demicorn} Cosmetics – Unicorn Eyes (Genus Appliers)
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Splash Wings in Fairy Style

An Autumn Catnap

Posted on by cejalaval

http://An Autumn Catnap

It’s absolutely amazing how quickly the seasons changed here in NY from late summer to fall.  The trees are turning, there are fallen leaves EVERYWHERE, and there’s a definite cool edge to the air during the day (it’s downright nippy at night).  Whereas I’m happy to have gotten in one more autumn before moving to the always-sunny south, I’m also shivering in my shoes lol.  The definite changeover has prompted me to change my inworld home as well, from summer landscaping to fall.  I’m thrilled to be able to incorporate some amazing new landscaping/home decor items to help showcase all the wonderful fall fashions that are everywhere!  Happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  Apple Heart – Melody with HUD.  Perfect outfit for that inbetween, early fall weather.  Includes the off-should short-sleeved top that laces up in front & then crosses under the fabric, the pants, & the sneakers, all with a HUD of up to 22 colors/patterns for every element, from the top to the laces to each side of the pants (you can make each leg a separate color or pattern!) to the sides/front of the sneakers.  Create a look all your own! Sized for Tonic, Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya, available EXCLUSIVELY at the 09/20 Girls Heaven event, open Sept 20th – Oct 14th.  Demo available.
  • Garden Set:  Dreamland Designs – Woodland Autumn Complete Set.  Available As Full set or Patio Set Only.  The full set is a beautiful entire scene, including everything you see inside the wall (the wall is part of the set; the cat is not) including the autumn tree right in back of the wall, although I admittedly moved a few things around in order to fit into the shot… definitely another benefit, in that each item can be moved separately to make the scene exactly how you want it.  (See below for a shot of the complete set.) The Patio Set Only Includes the Patio Set & the Autumn leaves Centerpiece with Pumpkins. All the furniture includes Brand New Bento Animations, in both PG & Adult versions. The standing light goes on/off by touch as well. EXCLUSIVELY available at the 09/20 Girls Heaven Event open Sept 20th – Oct 14th. 
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty (worn with Booty Control), in the newest updated version.  Truly the most natural curves on the grid with options to add that extra oomph how & if you want it, as well as others to minimize the bust &/or the butt.  With Tonic, you can truly customize the look of your body!
  • Head:  GENUS Project – Strong Face (gift version)
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Sandy @ Collabor88
  • Hair:  Tableau Vivant — Westward @ Collabor88
  • Eyes:  Avi-Glam – Luminous Eyes in Ivy
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Omega)
  • Nails:  Encore – Shades of Blue
  • Jewelry:  Cae – Reesha Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Cat:  Image Essentials Props and Poses – Full Perm Mesh Cats