Tag: Second Life

The Magic of Encanto

Posted on by cejalaval

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

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

Misbehaving

Posted on by cejalaval

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

There’s a Lot to Learn in Fairy Tales

Posted on by cejalaval

There's a lot to learn in fairy tales

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. 

If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” 

Albert Einstein

Being a fae might seem (in some ways and to some people, at least) a bit like living in a fairy tale.  After all, I have wings and can fly (not to mention horns, but then, that’s not particularly fae-like lol).  Of course, everyone in SL can fly (unless you’re somewhere that the powers that be decided that no, you can’t).   What I take issue with is that “living in a fairy tale” is said derisively, as an insult.  The fact is that there’s a lot of what is called “folk wisdom” combined with pure morality in a place that both good and evil dwell side by side.  Sounds a lot like real life when you look at it that way, no?  You can learn a lot from fairy tales, especially the original Grimm stories, if not necessarily the cleaned-up Disney versions.  I don’t understand why people have so many issues with how others choose to live their lives, ESPECIALLY in this second life that is virtually a fantasy world for all of us… some of us just take that word “fantasy” a bit more literally than others.  So for those of you who put down my fae existence and make snickering comments, well, I’ll just keep on keeping on, doing what I’m doing, living MY fantasy.  You can go stew in your judgments rather than living the life that comes when you accept the personal choices that others make for themselves.  (And yes, you can extrapolate that into the real world as well.)  Me, I prefer the fairy tale, where we all get to choose who and what we want to be.  And one thing I definitely choose is to look FABULOUS!!!!

  • Gown:  Poet’s Heart – Elise.  I’m finding it very difficult to put the style of this dress into words… it has medieval elegance but with what I consider a very modern touch in the openwork on top.  With the big hip billows (I have no idea what the proper term is for those!) & the huge bow at the back, it has a young feel… but again that openwork adds a definite touch of maturity.  I’m going to dub it as “informed innocence” (she IS reading a book after all).  Whatever the style moniker though, Elise is a beautiful addition to any fantasy closet!  Do note that the lace top is BOM only; two different lace patterns are included in both black & white versions.   She is sized only for Maitreya & Petite, though she fit my Legacy body with just the top deformer.  Elise comes in different color packs — all of which include black, white, grey, & off-white — or as a fatpack.  Each color pack has a HUD to customize the gown color, the sleeve & collar edge, & the color for that huge bow in the back. See the ad below for some examples of what other looks can be done.  EXCLUSIVELY at the July round of We Love Role Play, opening tomorrow July 4th. Demo available.
  • Head & Ears:  LeLUTKA – Gaia Head (EvoX)
  • Body:  LEGACY – Mesh Body Special Edition, Feminine
  • Skin:  Arcana – Raine, worn in Blossom
  • Hair:  D!va – Iris
  • Eyes:  Gloom – Artemis
  • Horns:  Les Encantades – Capri Horns
  • Makeup:  Venge – Ear Blushing EvoX; Demicorn – CandyHearts Eyeshadows; GoreGlam – Superlove Gloss
  • Wings:  Seven’s Selections (now Vaengi Wings) – Bridal Lace Wings
  • Pose:  Amitie – Library Poses (modified)
  • Location:  The Lost Unicorn Gallery

Fae in the Forest Primeval

Posted on by cejalaval

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

Livonia Industrial Bedroom Collection

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Livonia Industrial Bedroom Collection

Dreamland Designs:     Livonia Industrial Bedroom.   Even though this is a NEW collection, each of the sets (plus a few related items) are currently  On Sale for just L$99 each at the The Designer Outlet, a Discount Sales Event running from June 14th through July 1st.  After that, it’s definitely available at the main store.

  • Industrial Bedroom Set.  The set includes the bed — which is available in either Adult or PG — plus the two nightstands with click on/off lights, the rug, table with pillows at the foot of the bed, & the ceiling fixture (also click on/off).   I have to admit that I got a chance to experiment with some of the couples animations, & am happy to give a HUGE thumbs up.  I was delighted to find that there’s even a whole sleep menu (6 options!), which if you have a sign-off ritual with your partner that involves going to sleep just before logging is a fabulous bonus.  
  • Industrial Chair Set.  Includes two chairs, the table with books & rug, plus the click on/off ceiling fixture.  Also available in Adult or PG versions.
  • Industrial Shelf.   Comes pre-filled with books & small table light (also click on/off).
  • Industrial Room Dividers.  Set of 3 different styles (of which I used one).  See below for a pic of all three.
  • Industrial Wooden Cabinet.  You can see this low cabinet at the far left in the first pic below.
  • Not shown: 
    • Industrial Hallway Set.  In addition to the table, this set includes the picture frames, the rug, console lamp, & planters.  See the ad below.
    • Round Rug Set. Includes three different style rugs. See the ad below.

 

 

As the guests begin to arrive…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://As the guests begin to arrive...

Life is returning to normal, and I’m feeling pretty good! I’m still on a soft food diet, but I’m learning how to cope with it… it’s still a pain, but like anything else, the more you do it the easier it becomes.  I’m back to the weight I fought so hard to achieve, my body feels soooo much better from the weeks of PT (my last one is Monday!), and although it’s been incredibly hot here in central Florida (a certified heat wave!), my body has adjusted and I hear myself saying “you know, it’s not that bad”.  I’m not quite back in “the routine” though…  the majority of my friends are snowbirds and are gone for the summer; several of those who are full-time residents like myself are off on little jaunts or have family visiting or don’t want to do any physical activity in the summer heat, BUT I feel relaxed and good, am enjoying the exceptional quiet (ALL of our immediate neighbors are GONE) and our phenomenal AC.  It’s giving me time to get resettled back in SL, and back into blogging form (although I’m admittedly really struggling with photo titles… more and more, I understand why so many bloggers do Look #XYZ lol).  A couple of weeks though, and then construction begins right outside the window next to my computer, which should nicely disrupt everything for a time before creating a fabulous (hopefully!) new normal.  The Florida sunshine is not quite as intoxicating as the Mediterranean, but the memories I have from our recent trip are very carefully stored in my brain, and I am discovering that they are managing to infiltrate my blogging choices!!!!  Speaking of blogging, it’s the weekend, and that means time to shop!!!!! Enjoy!

  • Outfit:  M&M Style – Kaila.  A deceptively simple jumpsuit, Kaila features bra-style cups with fabulous banding through the ribs, a loose thin belt at the hips, with the legs cut nice & snug through the butt & slowly widening out to long shoe-covering bells.  The overall effect is very feminine, showing off every asset to its fullest advantage.  Sized for Legacy, eBody, Kupra, & Maitreyal, Kaila includes a HUD with 24 textures.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the June round of the Swank Event, open through June 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:  Exile – Peyton
  • Sunglasses:  Mulloy – Antago
  • Jewelry:  Maxi Gossamer – Cabo San Lucas Leather & Shell Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  STUN Poses – Aurora (modified)
  • Location:  Luane’s World – Le Monde Perdu, Summer 2022

NextUP… Glamping!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://NextUP... Glamping!

Glamping is one of those words known as a “portmanteau”, in that it “blends the sounds and meanings of two other words.”  I’ve never been glamping, in fact I’ve never been much of a camper at all.  Based on what I’m seeing here though, it’s a far cry from camping has always meant to me!  As a kid, camping meant a sleeping bag on the ground under the stars, not even a tent to help hide some of those terrifying night shadows.  As an adult, my first camping trip used a pup tent so that my head was covered but my body was still outside, which was totally ridiculous; 15 years later, we added a tent for camping with the cub scouts, but it was still mighty rough, with every stone jabbing your back, rolling partway across the uneven ground while asleep, & still having to crawl to the flap to get out!  This amazing set is such a far cry from my past experiences because it’s anything BUT roughing it… AND you can put it together any way you want, with just one or two pieces or the entire set, to create the glamping experience and scene that YOU want.

Dreamland Designs:     Elisa Glamping Tent NextUP.  Remember that this is a NextUP event & not a gacha.  With NextUP, you can see the next upcoming item so that you know what you will be buying, it’s not a gamble. The glamping set includes 14 commons & two rares — the two tents themselves, PG & Adult versions — all material enabled & transfer.  There’s also a fatpack available for 20% off with copy/mod no transfer permissions.   In my pic above, I’ve used every item in the set (though obviously not all the variations!); you can see the individual details in the key below.  Note that both the tent & the cushions contain bento animations.  On sale at the NextUP shopping event only until June 28th. 

A moment in time…

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A moment in time...

It’s been incredibly hot and humid.  It’s been increasingly rainy.  And I’m still on a soft food diet.  But while I’m no longer walking around starving all day, I was on restricted physical activity for the last week or so (both due to weather and doctor’s orders) so between vacation-eating and post oral surgery-eating I’ve managed to put back on quite a few pounds.  Which — after working so hard last year to take the weight off after COVID — has in turn been making me somewhat depressed, leading to more eating, less activity, etc.  I’m at least recognizing early on that it’s a self-destructive circle, one that I’m starting to kick myself off of starting right NOW.  The sun is shining, not a drop of rain in sight, and within my limited range of food choices, I will be going out for some exercise today and choosing better food (though I have to say, any form of dieting is REALLY hard when you’re not allowed to eat salads or raw vegetables or berries or apples or, well the list goes on and on, which is why pudding and ice cream keep leaping into my hands! Cottage cheese just isn’t that appealing lol, BUT since I don’t have body sliders (oh, if only!!!!) it’s what I’ve got to do…  And of course, the cure to ALL depression, SHOPPING THERAPY!!!!

  • Gown:  Kitty Creations – Gwen.  Sexy silver-trimmed gown sized for Slink HG/P, Belleza F/I/V, Tonic, Maitreya & Classic.  Totally elegant look that includes necklace & earrings.  Available in 8 colors or as a fatpack.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the June round of the Swank Event, open through June 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:  EMO-tions – Roberta
  • Bag:  MAJESTY – Crystal Sphere Bag (white)
  • Pose:  BellePoses – Inna
  • Backdrop:  BellePoses – Black Shades

Goin’ Coastal at Dreamland Designs’ Secret Sale

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Goin' Coastal at Dreamland Designs' Secret Sale

I’ve been nesting.  I had some major dental work done earlier this week (ugh, I know, believe me), I’ve graduated from a liquid diet to soft foods (still ugh) but the lack of “real” food and the enforced non-activity has turned me into a total homebody (even more than usual lol).  And that translates into nesting.  It’s a much slower, more involved, and way more costly issue IRL, so my SL home has become the focus of this concentrated energy.  Since my move to this lot and the purchase of my house are both relatively recent events, this nesting phase has been greatly needed, considering the house had basically been furnished with items found in the ever deepening inventory bag… sometimes I wish I could set everything up in a great multi-level storage unit and I could just wander and point and say “let’s try that”, but the prims and space involved would be astronomical (like having a Ceja store with all my stuff in it lol).   Sometimes what I find in inventory is perfect, but even when the decor is fabulous, it doesn’t mean that it works best in THIS space.  That’s what makes it so fantastic when the PERFECT set is suddenly ON SALE.  No way, am I keeping this sale a secret!!!

Dreamland Designs:     It’s no secret that the Secret Sale offers fabulous deals; these items are on sale this weekend, June 18th – 20th. 

  • Coastal Bed Couch Set.  Includes the couch with bento animations, table, rugs, palm planter, & leaf wooden wall art.  Available in both PG & Adult versions; note that the PG version is on sale for L$99, & the Adult version is on a 50% discount for the Secret Sale.
  • White Farmhouse Book Armoire.  Perfect for all the readers out there (like myself!)!  Books not your thing?  Another version — an empty curio cabinet — is also available at the Sale!
  • Mosaic House Planters.  Set of three, two large & one small.  (Shown far left, far right, & on the room dividing ledge on right.)

Also shown:

  • Dreamland Designs – Helen Hanging Lamp
  • Circa – Hanging Plants
  • Evolving Images – Bull Dog
  • Rezz Room – Bulldog Puppy Play