Tag: SLPhotography

Heart of Stone

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Heart of Stone

I’m a softie.  Always have been.  Over-sensitive, a soft touch.  I tear up at commercials (I need to leave the room for those commercials about the homeless cats and dogs, I just can’t bear it).  But sometimes you need to harden your heart and power through whatever situation needs to be handled, to just pull yourself together and do what needs to be done.  That’s been the situation with my mom for quite a while now, beginning a few years ago when I had to take her car away after she totaled it (well, I didn’t TAKE it away, I refused to let her get a new one).  A few months ago, we had to move her into memory care when it became obvious that she was just losing touch with reality.  There were a few times there when she didn’t recognize me; one when she couldn’t remember almost anything or anyone beyond her childhood.  It’s hard.  I miss the woman she was.  But this is the way it is, and the way it will be from now on.  She had a good life, she’s in a good place as long as the money holds out, and somehow thinks she’s on a cruise that somehow never ends and is nowhere near the water, but since there’s no reasoning with dementia, you just go with it.  So I need to change that bleeding heart of mine into one of stone, and just be strong and do what needs to be done.  And I’ll save my tears for all those little four-legged creatures that I can actually help and do something about.  And oh yeah, happy shopping…

  • Outfit:  [Icewerk] – BlackBerry.  Includes the form-clinging sleeveless black Tube Dress (which can be worn alone), the cropped suede jacket that IMHO hits at the absolutely perfect place, & the over-the-knees black suede boots with the most awesome silver buttons going up the side.  I love all the little touches — the buttons on the jacket lapels match the buttons on the boots; the sole of the boots is the same color as the jacket, the hanging zippers on the jacket, the realistic wrinkles on the dress… THAT’S style.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the last round of the Designer Circle 26/19, open Dec 29th – Jan 11th. 
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo (deluxe bento, now with BOM)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Flora (Freckled version)
  • Hair:  Doux – Mecca
  • Lashes/Makeup:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes; HD9 Eyeshadow; Jessy HD Lips
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Jewelry:  IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Serendipity Set; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  WetCat – “Last Christmas” (Winter Holiday Gift)
  • Fountain:  Dench Designs – The Ice Fountain

Romeo in Black Jeans

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Romeo in Black Jeans

I heard the song “No Myth” today in the shower (of course I wrote all this last night, so it was yesterday morning lol), and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind ever since.  So when I started thinking about my next post (this post), I of course envisioned Crichton bare-chested in a pair of black jeans that I knew I had received to blog.  The rest of the outfit then just fell completely into place, one of those effortless looks to put together because the vision in my mind was just so clear and luck was smiling down on me.  (I know I’ll pay for it another day, but hey, I’ll enjoy it while it’s here!)  It’s my first post done completely on my new computer, from the photo shoot to the editing to the posting, and am I ever happy to not be crashing constantly, which of course was always at the most inopportune moments when I stood to lose the best angle, the best windlight, and so on.  The full migration isn’t anywhere near done, but at least from a blogging and SL perspective, I’m all moved in!  It will still be a bit till complete while I wait for answers on a few support tickets, but in the meantime, happy shopping!

  • Jacket:  HERO – Alessandro Jacket.  Simple, sexy, open black leather jacket, sized for Slink, Signature Gianni, TMP, & Classic. EXCLUSIVELY available at the January Swank Event, January 7th – 31st.
  • Pants:   Nala Design – Silva Men’s Regular Jeans.  Includes a HUD of 8 denim textures. Sized for Slink, Adin, Jake, Gianni, Gamit, Onupup, & Classic.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the January Swank Event, January 7th – 31st.
  • Hat:  Stone’s Works –  American Eagle Grey Suede CowBoy Hat. Unisex cowboy hat with a textured band studded with gold eagles AND a resizer built in, so it easily fits whatever size head you have or to adjust over many hairstyles.  You can see the fabulous detail in the closeup below.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the Driftwood Event, Dec 31st – Jan 24th.
  • Head & Skin:  Akeruka (AK) – Clay (deluxe bento, with BOM)
  • Body:  Slink – Male Physique Mesh Body
  • Hair:  Vango – James
  • Eyes:  IKON – Odyssey
  • Pose:  Wrong & The Owl – Static Male Poses #15, pose 3
  • Location:  Skyeland home of Rancho del Cielo and Family

 

Sweet Dreams, Continental Style

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Sweet Dreams, Continental Style

What is more appealing after a tough day at work or with family or touring on vacation or running around dancing or shopping in SL or with whatever, but the chance to luxuriate in style.  This dream bed promises all that and so much more, even when placed in less than deluxe surroundings.  Its mixed styles of vintage and continental chic go with almost every level of decor, offering only the best for your time in — and on — bed.

Dreamland Designs:  London Vintage Bed.  A mix of fabulous fabrics, properly rumpled, together with the “Breakfast in Paris” tray & the fluffy beige rug.  See the closeup below for further detail.  Bed is absolutely loaded with bento animations for single F & M, reading, adult, cuddles, massage, & friends, variations depending on whether it’s the PG or Adult version. EXCLUSIVELY available at the January Swank Event, Jan 7th – 30th.  The tray is in the set & also available for sale without the bed.  Matching chairs are also sold separately.

Also shown:

It’s MY Downtime

Posted on by cejalaval

http://It's MY downtime

So I don’t know about you, but I just love having days where I never really get dressed and just hang around the house in my pjs. It may not be complete downtime… there’s always some cleaning and basic chores that need doing, and of course I’m always doing something for my blog, but just the act — or “non-act” as it were — of not even putting on “real” clothes can be utterly delicious.  It just feels decadent and pampering, even if I end up logging in remotely to my office and working for a full day, the fact that I’m doing it in pj’s just makes it more bearable and even somehow “bad”.  And who doesn’t like being bad now and then lol?  But even if just for an hour or two before or after bedtime, this is definitely a perfect outfit for lounging comfortably…

  • Outfit: Allure Couture – Her Downtime.  How we all like to dress (or not dress!) when we’re totally relaxing & just hanging… a big man’s shirt with matching panties & leg warmers!  Delish! Available in several options.  There’s a Fatpack of the complete outfit, containing 16 100% original textures for the the shirt, 8 more textures for the Leg Warmers, & 8 Textures for the Panties.  The Shirt & Leg Warmers are also sold as separate Fatpacks of 8 textures each.  Sized for Slink H/P & Maitreya; the shirt is also sized for Belleza F/I/V, eBody, Tonic, & Classic.  EXCLUSIVE new release for the 7 Event, January 5th – 20th.  Men’s outfit also available! A We Love to Blog Designer.
  • Head & Eyes:   LOGO – Mae.
  • Skin & Shape:  LOGO – Naomi, worn in Blossom, together with a very slightly modified Naomi shape which is specifically made for the Mae head.
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Hair:  TRUTH – Cerys
  • Nails:  Encore – Shades of Blue
  • Pose:  Black Cats – Nailing It
  • Couch:  Serendipity Designs – Cimmaron Sofa

Prepping for New Year’s Eve

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Prepping for New Year's Eve

OK, I know you’re wondering what’s with all the alcohol lately in my pix.  I mean usually I’m drinking coffee or hot chocolate, lately it’s always champagne!  But no, I’m not turning into an alcoholic but I am definitely in the spirit of the season (or should I say “spirits”?) when it comes to the bubbly.  Unfortunately most of my celebrating will be on my own, though some of it will definitely be in a cozy twosome, both inworld and out.  I’m just practicing, to make sure that I can hold my own…  I mean who wants a Ceja dancing on the table or (even worse) passed out on the table?  So for now, I’m making friends with the bottle, rehearsing to make sure I can party and still keep my head.  Cheers! and, of course, happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  !!smesh – NEW! Filippa Outfit.   Includes the solid blouse in a sexy clingy fabric, winter shorts in a twill-like fabric with the cutest “fanny pack” that blends the two fabrics, & slouchy red leather boots.  Sized for Slink Hourglass, Belleza Freya, Legacy, & Maitreya. Demo available.
  • Kitchen Decor:  Salacity – Kitchen Jar Decor.  Jars that say H – O – M – E … simple, classic, useful, & stylish… what can be better? An exclusive release for the Southern Charm event, Dec 10th – Jan 5th.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo (deluxe bento, now with BOM)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Flora (Freckled version)
  • Hair:  Stealthic – Cadence
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes/Makeup:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes; HD9 Eyeshadow
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Jewelry: Maxi Gossamer – Jessica Sanctuary Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Diversion – 2019 Group Gifts, #3
  • Location:  my home in Blake Passage

Trying to Smile When You’re Alone at the New Year’s Party

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Trying to Smile When You're Alone at the New Years Party

This is a really tough time of year when you’re alone.  And yes, I’m married RL and partnered with a great guy I’ve been with for almost 12 years now, but his time inworld is limited and definitely not for big things like New Year’s Eve (then again, I’m not really available for that either lol).  But it made me think about all those years when I was alone, and would go to parties stag with all those couples, smiling bravely through all the toasts and statements of love.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that even as a couple, life is rarely (if ever) the way you imagined it would be, and sometimes the forced gaiety of these mass celebrations can just be downright depressing.  These days I generally prefer a quiet night at home or, if pushed a bit, a small intimate party.  But whether you like to party big, party small, or go to bed and wait till the partying’s done, the year will still end and a new one will begin.  And THAT is something worth toasting!  Here’s to a Happy New Year and happy shopping both for the rest of this year and all of the next!

  • Gown:  FlowerDreams by Nile Karas – Derin Gown, worn in SeaGreen.  Beautifully elegant, off-shoulders gown, without all the glitter & frou-frou seen on most gowns at this time of year.  Just simple, beautiful, & classic, softly belted with a wide bow sash (added separately), & with optional floaty chiffon skirts & tail.  Available in SeaGreen, Latte, Mauve, Light Pink, Sand, & Sky. Sized for Tonic, Slink H/P, Belleza F/I/V, Maitreya, Voluptuous, Ocacin, & Fitmesh M.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the December Swank Event, Dec 7th – 31st.  A We Love to Blog in SL designer.
  • Jewelry:  Moondance Boutique – Reign Crown Jewels. You’ll not only look like royalty, you’ll feel like it too in this jewelry set. The perfect accompaniment to a simple classic gown, where it can “reign” supreme, with each complementing the other instead of fighting for attention.  Set includes the necklace, earrings, bracelets, & a crown (not worn), plus a HUD that allows you to select among 26 gemstones (you select two for this set!) & 9 metals. Also includes a resizer.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the December Swank Event, Dec 7th – 31st.  Also worn: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Bridget, worn in Apricot browless.  Also classically beautiful, just another stunner of an Omega skin.  Two options of 5 tones each, including both omega & BOM, with & without brows, available at the December eBento through December 30th.  Shape & demos also available. 
  • Head: Tonic – Pixie, newest bento head from Tonic
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty + Booty Control… truly the most natural curves on the grid with the ability to add that extra oomph how & if you want it!
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_DREAM
  • Brows:  Avada – Anja Eyebrows
  • Mole/Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Makeup:  Izzie’s – Shimmer Lipstick
  • Nails:  Weaponized Sugar – Celadon
  • Pose:  BellePoses – Zoe, pose 4 (at the Winter Pose Fair)
  • Location:  Oceana

The Winter Wonderland Sled Set

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The Winter Wonderland Sled Set

I’ve been searching for the word to sum up this wintry set that just knocked me over the minute I saw it, and I think I finally have it… CHARM.  It’s simply one of those home & garden items where the designer thought of everything, and just did it all so well.  Every time my mind started to go “I wish they’d done such and such,” I realized “oh, they did”.   In all honesty, I had only two problems with this set… I simply couldn’t decide between the different props available, I just loved so many of them and kept changing my mind… over and over and over again.  Second, I couldn’t decide where to place the set, because it just looked fantastic everywhere.  Not bad problems to have, eh?  Seriously, though, if you value how your land looks and you just love having fun and playing with your animations like I do, this is a fabulous set that you simply must check out.  Happy shopping, and happy holidays!

CJ Creations:  CJ Winter Wonderland Sled Set.  Includes: the Sled, which is so very much more than “just” a sled, with 3 different wood textures (snow, light, & dark), each of which then has 5 different pillow/fur textures; surrounding deco (the trees & plantings around the sled, the “gate”, optional snowground; single & couple animations, that include champagne & hot drinks; lots of optional props that rez just by touching the gate.  I finally chose the snowman/huskies, but there are several more available, including fireworks, elk, husky puppies, & a shoveling animation! So much fun in so many ways, & it’s EXCLUSIVELY available at the December Swank Event, Dec 7th – 31st.

Happy holidays? Bah, humbug!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Happy Holidays? Bah, Hambug!

We’re in the final countdown, nerves are getting frayed, there’s a hint of desperation in the stores, both brick & mortar and even online as the news channels tell horror stories of packages not being delivered on time.  Are these the bedtime stories of tomorrow, that will have our children on the edge of their seats with worry?  not whether the accidental hero will successfully win out in the end, or if the guy will get the girl (or the girl get the guy!), but whether the almighty package will get there in time, as scheduled??? Admittedly I’ve had my own recent spot of hysteria over a shipment delay, but in my own defense it was with a very vague descriptive of “delayed” with some additional text that “would automatically cancel if not fulfilled by Jan 10th”, not to mention (though I’m obviously GOING to mention lol) that it was for the computer that is replacing the very one I’m typing on that seems to be juuuust hanging on.  So yes, some packages need to be delivered as scheduled.  And though I procrastinate as well as the next person, those who wait till the very last minute to get the touted “guaranteed by Christmas delivery as long as ordered by XPM on such a such day” have to realize that they are throwing the die each and every time.  There are just too many variables out there, especially in the dead of winter at the busiest shipping time of year.  Predictable worry, of course, but seriously folks, hardly the stuff to keep you up at night or want to “read” over and over.  So why is it all I’m hearing about, everywhere I turn? If you’re in that situation now, I have just one word of advice to you… shop earlier next year!!!! (Today’s sermon of the day lol.) And of course, as always, happy shopping!

  • Outfit:  HERO – Maxi Outfit Red.  Includes black leather jacket over a ribbed red shirt, together with jeans.  Sized for Slink, Belleza Jake, Signature Gianni, Adin, Gamit, Onupup, & Classic. EXCLUSIVELY available at the December Swank Event, Dec 7th – 31st.
  • Head & Skin:  Akeruka (AK) – Clay (deluxe bento, with BOM)
  • Body:  Slink – Male Physique Mesh Body
  • Hair:  Vango – Jared
  • Eyes:  IKON – Odyssey
  • Backdrop:  FOXCITY – Lucky Lounge Photo Booth
  • Pose:  Wrong & The Owl – Static Male Poses #7, pose 2