Tag: Second Life

My friend, is that you? Shambles Halloween Photo Contest 2022 Entry 1 Chrysanthea Navarathna

Posted on by cejalaval

http://My friend, is that you? Shambles Halloween Photo Contest 2022 Entry 1 Chrysanthea Navarathna

I do love it when it all just comes together!  I’d like to say that it’s all the magic of fae, but I’m a bit too honest for that… truth is, the gods were smiling and the planets were aligned, and who knows what else !?!  It just happens that way sometimes, when fabulous new items from different sponsors just fit together to create a unique and fantastic whole that is even beyond the sum of its parts…  In fact, I had absolutely no intention of joining a photo contest when I went to The Shambles to do my photo shoot.  I was just looking for some fog and some atmosphere, had seen some fabulous pix but hadn’t yet had a chance to explore the sim.  But once again, all the pieces just fell together, and the result? Well, I honestly don’t feel that ANY pic can truly capture the atmosphere that has been created here, with swirling mists & flying ghosts, especially not if you want to show an outfit lol!  My skills just aren’t there to do it full justice (I DID plan on adding some swirling fog around the edges, but wasn’t sure if I (a) had the skill, and (b) if it would disqualify from the contest).  But I did my best, my wings are beating happily, and honestly, that’s what really matters to me (although awards and such are always greatly appreciated, especially on those down days when the gods are NOT smiling!)…  But that is not this day… THIS day I urge you to go see this fabulous sim, while it’s still here…

  • Outfit:  Jangka Design – Yumi.  And yet another amazing role-playing outfit!!!  100% original mesh, & sized for Legacy & Maitreya, the Yumi outfit (which consists of the coat & the top) comes in 7 individual & truly rich colors or as a fatpack; the pants & boots come in 2 black & brown or as a fatpack of both.  As always, the detail is simply exquisite, this time with a flair of the Orient! Brand-new, she is EXCLUSIVELY at the current round of We Love Role Play open Oct 4th – 29th, for 25% OFF as is a limited number of a special color!  Demo available, 
  • Horns:  Petrichor – Varisei Headdress.  One thing I’ve learned… anything by the team of Petrichor & Ersch is going to be exceptional, & these unisex horns are definitely NOT an exception.  100% custom mesh & textures,  Headdress comes in 3 styles (full as shown, single chain, or bare),   including earrings, a forehead bindi, & floaties for the left & right (not used for this pic).  The headdress is totally HUD controlled for color (40 x 2 in each of the 3 color styles) for every detail, from the horn base to the florals, gems, skulls, & metal, with each element being able to be hidden or shown.  Truly exceptional!!! EXCLUSIVELY at the current round of Fameshed, open Oct 1st – 27th.  Demo available.  See the ad below for a more detailed closeup.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  IVES Beauty – Dove in Lavender Fairy
  • Hair:  KMH – Hair CP008
  • Eyes:  Celesticat – Stardust
  • Eyebrows:  Nuve – Nadia
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Quell Eye Makeup
  • Wings:  Decoy – Angela Wings in Sunset
  • Pose:  Animosity – Wiccan Poses w/ Props
  • Location:  The Shambles

Cool wind in my hair…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Cool Wind in My Hair

OK, so it’s not dark or a desert or even a highway, and it’s definitely not California, but still it’s the music I hear in my mind with this shot…   And if you can’t tell,  I’ll admit it… I miss the fall weather.  We’ve had a few brisk mornings/evenings here, where jeans and long sleeves and jackets are necessary, and yes, some leaves are actually falling and need to be raked, but hey, this is central Florida, and we’re still mostly getting up into the 80s during the days and raking takes maybe 10 or 15 minutes.  It’s just not the same as that crunching underneath your feet that was part of fall in NY.  On the other hand, the jeans-and-jacket weather is a lovely break, but then we get back to warm sunshine (at least for a while anyway, we DID have a few hard frosts last year).  But I digress (as I am most definitely wont to do), and the hot tub on the lanai is calling my name on this delightful fall evening, sooooo I’m outta here!!! Dreaming about that wind in my hair…

  • Outfit:  KiB Designs – Joan Outfit.  To me, Joan evokes the girl-next-door or at grabbing lunch from an office… she’s well put together with what comes across as a relaxed but individualized sense of style.  Joan includes the sweater, top, & long peasant skirt (but with a slit!), plus a texture HUD of 28 combinations in fabulous autumnal tones.  Sized for Legacy, Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya, she is EXCLUSIVELY at the Oct round of Designer Showcase, open Oct 5th – 25th.  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:  Argrace – Haruka
  • Jewelry:  Maxi Gossamer – Monterey Boho Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band

Orange Glory of Harvest Time

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Orange Glory of Harvest Time

It’s harvest time!  One of my favorite seasons, between the fresh air and the fantastic colors of fall, just so much to enjoy!  The air is so refreshing after that heaviness and lassitude of the summer heat, I feel energized and ready to take on the world!  And of course, at the back of my mind is the thought that this amazing season is relatively short-lived, and will soon enough give way to colder hair and harsher winds, but for now, it’s pumpkin time, and I will go join the others as we enjoy the fruits of the fall and revel in the orange!

  • Outfit:  Viki – Viviana.  Lovely medieval dress with a tartan print skirt for everyday wear.   In 6 individual colors or as a fatpack, you can match your plaid to your clan!  Viviana is sized for Maitreya, Hourglass, Physique, Freya & Isis, is Material Enabled, 100% Original Mesh, & is Viki’s EXCLUSIVE only at the Fallen Gods 15th Anniversary, open Oct 1st – 31st.  Demo available.
  • Garden Gate:  CJ Creations – Lost Garden Ruin Gate.   NEW RELEASE!  This lovely all-in-one set includes the gate, trees, sunflowers, stump, paver stones, grass & more (see the ad below).  Touch the lamp & the light turns on/off; it looks awesome by day or night, in just about any windlight!  On display at the main store.  
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Moccino – Boo Papaya
  • Makeup:  Mea Tenebra – Xelanah in Orange
  • Eyes:  Ojayo – Yoshi
  • Hair:  monso – Chowon2
  • Horns:  Petrichor – Stranded Swyrl Horns
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Irid Dark Wings
  • Jewelry:  Bliensen – Dreki Necklace
  • Pose:  Black Tulip – Ice Queen
  • Prop:  Ariskea – Autumn Harvest Basket

Simple Elegance

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Simple Elegance

So the mechanics of blogging have been frustrating of late.  I know that a lot of folks have been complaining about the last few rounds of changes FlickR has made for nonPro accounts, but the fact is that I DO have Pro and I’m still having loads of issues!  Forget the standard not being able to leave comments or timing out while uploading or groups spinning but never loading etc.,; that has happened off and on since I started using the platform back in 2017.  But where I’m experiencing lots of other issues have been both in SL itself — what I see on camera and what I capture don’t match AT ALL, tons of LOD issues, random crashes (always in the middle of a shoot so it takes forever to get that same angle back!) — and perhaps more infuriating, here in my blog site itself.  The underlying issue is that I don’t really understand the underlying technology of my blog… I rely on “click here, do this, add this, do that” and when something fails to actually add (like an inset I talk about below to show greater detail in the gown), I’m at a loss.  Sighs, well, there’s just so much of being a perfectionist I can stand… after that, it’s time to move on!  I think I need some shopping therapy, don’t you?

  • Gown:  Le’La Design – Atalie.  I’m so very glad that I tried this gown on!  It’s one of those items that looks great on the hangar but is so much more on the body!  Beautifully but simply styled, Atalie features a corset waist, simple straps with bows & ribbons, & a beautifully cascading skirt with an overlay of not-too-subtle but not-too-dominating glitter… The skirt has hidden depths too (I had an inset to add below but after 3 hours of trying to insert, I’ve given up… check it out on the demo, it’s totally gorgeous when dancing!), making for a mesmerizing but totally understated elegance.  Atalie comes in 20 colors, or in a fatpack with an amazing HUD that lets you choose different colors for the upper, middle, back, skirt & ribbons allowing you to create individualized looks.  Sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Physique, Freya, Isis, Maitreya & Classic M, Atalie is available EXCLUSIVELY at the Oct round of Designer Showcase, open TODAY Oct 5th through the 25th.  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:  EMO-tions – Petra
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Hae
  • Tattoo:  Kira Tattoo – Ella
  • Jewelry:  Moondance Boutique –  Reignn Crown Jewels Earrings & Bracelet; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:   STUN Poses – Willow
  • Location:  Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Feeling Lucky

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Feeling Lucky

A double entendre?  Definitely… a question for you and an absolute statement for ME.  It’s been quite the week.  If you follow my blog at all, then you know I live in central Florida.  It was a scary week.  First preparing for a major storm that was going to hit the state somewhere on the Gulf Coast and then head inland, but no one really knew for sure where.  It was my first major storm since moving here almost 2 years ago, so we had no pre-storm routine & no knowledge of all the “what-to-do ifs” that we had learned the hard way in our prior home that we lived in for years and years and even more years.  Then there was the storm itself.  I couldn’t believe the wind… it woke me up in the middle of the night (and just about everyone I’ve talked to in the neighborhood).  And all the rain!!  And we were lucky, so very very lucky.  The storm shifted southwards the day before, taking us out of the  direct path and just leaving us with all that wind and rain.  We dodged an incredibly destructive bullet, and came through unscathed except for intermittent loss of tv/internet (and therefore, no SL) and some standard storm debris.  But my heart breaks and I even feel a small version of “survivor’s guilt” when I see all the news about those poor people who did get hit by that southerly shift.  The wheel of fortune, the luck of the draw, a game of craps, whatever you want to call it, so many things in life — the good AND the bad — are just random, no rhyme nor reason to the whys and wherefores.  I count my blessings that I was lucky… this time.  And that’s a sobering thought…

  • Dress:  Birdie’s Boutique – Paris Party Dress.  Deceptively simple little dress suspended at the neck by a centered leather strap w/ metal ring.  Something about this dress made me feel “edgy”, very on trend & totally comfortable with who I am, ready & confident to take the world on in my own terms.  That’s a lot for a little dress lol!  Offered in 16 separately sold colors or as a hud-driven Birdie Pack (aka fatpack.)  Sized for Legacy, Hourglass, Maitreya, Kupra, & Reborn, Paris is EXCLUSIVELY at the current round of The Liaison Collaborative, open Sept 18th – Oct 10th.  Demo available.
  • Tattoo:  Juna – Soledad.  Gorgeous floral tattoo for the chest & arms.  Includes layers for Classic & BOM in 4 intensities (Dark 100%, Medium 75%, Light 50%, & UltraLight 30%).  Modifiable for tinting (base texture is white), which I’ve done for that little hint of blue (so easy!). EXCLUSIVELY at this round of The Liaison Collaborative, open Sept 18th – Oct 10th.
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Chantilly
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_KISS
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Hae
  • Makeup:  DeeTaleZ  –  Smoky Eyes (included w/ skin); GOREGLAM – JamJam
  • Jewelry:  Aurealis Jewelry – Kiara Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Diversion – Wine O’Clock, #1
  • Backdrop:  The Bearded Guy – Bar Peri

What do you mean, why can’t a unicorn be in a Fairytale?

Posted on by cejalaval

http://What do you mean, why can't a unicorn be in a fairytale?

I hear nonsensical statements like this all the time (well, maybe not QUITE like this, but nonsensical just the same).  Rules, rules, rules. It’s always been this way, why make a change. It’s never been done before, so there must be a good reason.  Yada yada yada.  But as a fae, I believe that there’s magic in trying new things, new ways… defending our way of life doesn’t have to mean stagnation, it can mean growth and progress and evolution.  Yes, certain things may be lost as our knowledge and experience grows, but so much else can also be gained.  There are times I use my fae magic to travel to other times (I do love steampunk!!!), but for me, my heart is here in the olden medieval life (with some modern advancements lol).  But that doesn’t mean that we have to follow all the old, restrictive rules, now does it… if a unicorn wants to join in a fairytale, why should he be denied?  Shakes my head in frustration… horses can be so stubborn…

  • Outfit:  Petrichor – Nelestine Dress.  Feel like a celestial queen in this fantastical look by the amazing design team of Petrichor & Ersch!  Nelestine combines flowing silks with glowing stars with multiple wear styles & packs (see the ad below for just a few of the other styles you can do).  Available in 10 single colors, 4 tonal fatpacks, or a megapack of all these fabulous choices.  The color HUD allows you to pick a color for each element (the neck, sleeves, body, panty, & skirt); a separate HUD has controls for the skirt length, show/hide for all elements,  & of course 14 options for the stars.  See below for a closeup of the fabulous detail & textures. Sized for Legacy + Perky, Lara + Petite,  Reborn + Mounds, & Kupra, Nelestine is now available at the main store under “New Stuff.”  Demo available.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Birth – Fae
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Tirel
  • Hair:  Doe – Miria
  • Horns:  Les Encantades – Capri Horns
  • Makeup:  Zibska – Oda; Venge – Ear Blushing
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Thread Leaf Wings
  • Shoes:  Eudora3D – Charro Flats
  • Props:  Luas – Triss Lantern White; HEXtraordinary – Unicorn Companion (in Snow)
  • Backdrop:  InkMe – Princess backdrop

Summer’s Really Over

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Summer's Really Over

Well it’s finally sinking in, summer is over.  Although there’s no crispness in the air at this time of year in Florida (it DOES come in the area where I live), it’s noticeably cooler, especially in the evenings, and it’s definitely getting darker earlier.  I need to get back into the habit of taking a flashlight for the early evening dog walk, or cleanup can be tough.  It’s absolutely delightful…  although it’s not complete yet (the screens don’t go up till next week), we can now sit out on our new lanai.  Incredibly awesome, just sitting out there reading, drinking coffee, and watching all the wildlife activity on the pond.  All MY animals though are in for a rude awakening when the screens do go up and they can no longer run on and off from the lanai to the lawn, but for now, it’s a lot more relaxed than it’s been ever since construction began.  Without all that noise outside my office window, I’ve also been able to spend better quality time inworld, so it’s a win all around!  All the fall activty is really picking up after the summer SL doldrums… all the new fall items are out, soon it will be Halloween, and then winter and the holidays… just like IRL only more fun and much easier to accommodate!  I just love all the seasonal looks, and am already surrounded by all those wonderful colors of fall… It’s my favorite time of year!

  • Top:  Eris Designs – Spirit Top. The Spirit Top is a cute cropped knit sweater fitted for Legacy Classic, Legacy Perky, & Reborn.  To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how I’d feel with the way it’s hiked up on one side to flash a curve of breast, but once on, I LOVED it (& what do you know, so did my partner lol)!  Offered in 12 separately sold colors with a HUD to change the borders or as a fatpack.  100% original!  EXCLUSIVELY at the current round of The Liaison Collaborative, open Sept 18th – Oct 10th.  Demo available, & I totally recommend trying it on!  I think you’ll fall in love with this little knit, just like I did!
  • Tattoo:  REVIVER – La Rose Rouge.  Gorgeously detailed full sleeve tattoos with three intensities included (I’m wearing the mid-tone).  Available EXCLUSIVELY at the current round of The Liaison Collaborative, open Sept 18th – Oct 10th.
  • Jewelry:  Rise Design – Hallstat Set.  Skulls & hearts, what could be better for this time of year?  Comes with a HUD that includes 10 gemstone colors & 5 metal finishes to mix-n-match.  Resizer built in.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the current round of The Liaison Collaborative, open Sept 18th through Oct 10th.   Also worn:   Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • 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 – Rae
  • Eyes:  Euphoric – Hae
  • Pants:  !MOZ – Leather Panel Leggings

Ready to put that in writing?

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Ready to put that in writing?

Summer seems to be officially over here in the real world, even where I live in Florida.  And SL is changing too; I logged in a few days ago to find that my estate owners had changed the season to fall… I absolutely love it, all those autumnal colors, but it was still a bit of a shock.  Personally, my tanned skin has given way to a less sunkissed look,  and long sleeves have worked their way back into the front of my closet!  I’m still trying to hang on to those last breaths of summer but I know that soon enough I’ll be revelling in the crispness of the fall!  Happy shopping!!!!

  • Outfit:  MAHOGANY Store – Pillow Talk Romper.  Mahogany describes it as a cozy, colorful one-piece, & it IS that.  But what I love about this romper is that depending on which of the 14 textures you choose from the included HUD — from black w/ red or white to blue w/ yellow to purple w/ pink to a leopard print w/ tan to, well you get the idea! —  you can easily dress it up or down… perhaps depending on the kind of romp you have in mind!?!  Sized for Legacy, Maitreya, Kupra & Reborn, & EXCLUSIVELY available at the Sept round of Designer Showcase, open Sept 5th – 25th.  Demo available.
  • Pose:  NANTRA – As If pose set.  Includes 6 bento poses, plus mirrors & self-rezzing props.  I found these to be so versatile, perfect for creating whatever mood you have in mind!  EXCLUSIVELY available at the brand new round of The Liaison Collaborative, open Sept 18th – Oct 10th.  See below for ad details; then go try them out for yourself at the event!
  • Head:  LeLUTKA – Nova Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  DeeTaleZ – Esra in Chantilly
  • Freckles/Moles:  DS’ELLES – Charm Moles
  • Hair:  Exile – Peyton
  • Jewelry:   IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Sofia Earrings; Maxi Gossamer – Lucca Leather & Chain Necklace; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Backdrop:  FOXCITY – Photo Booth, The Agency

The butterfly effect

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The butterfly effect

Coming back to SL after almost a week away due to visiting company.  It was the best kind of company… family that was fun to be with and who pitched in on everything rather than sitting back waiting to be entertained.  Incredible time!!!  But now I’m back, and slowly getting back into the blogging routine (it took forever just to go through all my inworld messages lol)…  Since we’ve been getting an incredible amount of truly torrential rain, it’s perfect timing… however, there’s still a ton of construction going on outside my home office window, so I’m not able to accomplish quite as much during the day as I would like.  And of course problem after problem after unforeseen circumstance after “we have to do what?” keeps cropping up, so there’s that stress, but hey, at the end of it all we’ll have something new and wonderful that will totally make our house that much more livable and enjoyable!  If only home improvement was as easy in real life as it is inworld!!!!  (Then again, you can say that about just about everything lol!)

  • Outfit:  BlackBirdLace – Cassie Outfit.  Talk about cute & sexy!  This outfit consists of a cute little tube top with sleeves & a dangling tie, adorably cut denim shorts with open side zippers, & matching heels with thigh-high straps.   Includes  a HUD containing 30 textures for the top, 20 for the shorts, & 20 for the heels. Sized for Legacy, Maitreya, & Kupra, Cassie is EXCLUSIVELY at the Sept round of Designer Showcase, open Sept 5th – 25th.  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:  Argrace – Haruka II
  • Jewelry:  Maxi Gossamer – Fern’s Trinket & Bead Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Backdrop:  Lyrium – Garden View – Wild Flowers

Sentry Duty

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Sentry Duty

I’m breaking all the rules with this post… all MY rules, anyway.  First off, I’m blogging as a male, which I haven’t done in ages.  Secondly, I’m blogging as a fantasy male, which I’ve NEVER done.  And thirdly, I’m posting this late at night rather than in the AM, but I have company coming and I need to be at the airport by the time I normally post, and then my time is not my own till next week.   Besides, I think this is an awesome fantasy look for a guy, and its from one of my favorite designers (who also happens to be a sponsor!!! I’m so lucky!!!), and it’s at an event that also sponsors me!   Not to mention that my “rules” obviously aren’t rules in any strict sense, just guidelines… and hey, those need to be updated all the time now, don’t they…  Be all that as it may, sentry duty may be boring but it’s important, and I really should pay better attention to my surroundings rather than to my mental wanderings…

  • Outfit:  Viki – Wayid.  Very simple garb, for simpler times… just a gorgeous fabric belted at the waist, allowing complete freedom of movement for when things get more complicated.   In 9 individual colors or as a fatpack, Wayid is sized for Belleza, Signature, Slink, & Kario, is Material Enabled, 100% Original Mesh.   EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE with a 25% discount only at the current round of The Narrative, open Sept 1st – 30th.  Demo available.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Logan
  • Body:  Belleza – Jake
  • Skin:  Petrichor – Styliste
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_PAST
  • Eyes:  Tville – Solar Eyes Cobalt
  • Headband:  Angelicus – Thunder Amber Headband
  • Pose w/ Spear:  Caress Poses – Winter Warrior