Tag: Virtual Worlds

Finding Balance

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Finding Balance

I’m beginning to understand why some bloggers don’t name their photos but just number them.  Personally, I’ve never liked the practice… it’s not quite at the level of pet peeve, like taking a vertical photograph and turning it horizontal — something I’ve never EVER understood, unless it’s in the hopes of getting a cover? ; but it does seem kind of lazy and to me, somehow makes the picture itself less unique.  But then again, there are times I agonize over what to name an image, only to have the absolute perfect name burst into my brain after I’ve published with something “good enough”.  This is one of those times.  Everything is done and ready to go, EXCEPT A TITLE.  No one is around. So I’m just going to go with what my life is all about right now… finding balance.  Between health and illness, dreams and reality, strength and vulnerability, and so much more.  One day at a time. So true… I guess that’s why it’s a cliché, right?  😉

  • Outfit:  Dallas MacKenzie Designs – Braelyn. “One-piece” double-belted outfit, with midriff netting that’s a muted echo of whatever color/pattern you select for the top.  HUD includes 24 textures for the top, 35 for the pants, 3 for the belts, & 3 for the buckles. Sized only for Slink H/P & Maitreya.  At the Designer Circle 12/19 June 9th – 22nd. Demo available.
  • Hair:  Firelight – Myrcella Curls. Includes two curl effects of this ponytail full of wild curls, in both rigged & unrigged versions.  An EXCLUSIVE at the Designer Circle 12/19 June 9th – 22nd, in 6 color packs.  Demo available.  A We Love to Blog designer.
  • Shoes:  Tonic – Encore Clogs, a re-imagined version of an old favorite.  HUD includes 8 luxurious leather colors. Tonic/Slink high versions (so yes, even if you don’t have a Tonic body or can’t wear it because of a clothing issue like here, you still get to wear them!!!!!).  Demo available.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo, the new bento head from AK (amazing group gift through 6/20 after which it goes to regular price)
  • Body:  Slink – Physique Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Flora
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes:  SLACKGIRL –  Thay Deluxe Lashes
  • Makeup:  SLACKGIRL – HD10 Eyeshadow
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Nails: Encore – Shades of Blue Nail Appliers
  • Jewelry: Maxi Gossamer – Savannah Bracelet & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  GingerFish – Ahoy Poses, 3M

Ship-Shape

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Ship-Shape

I need a vacation. All the emotional and physical stress from my husband’s health-care emergency and the first month post-surgery where I was still worried all the time & had to be a pretty strict caregiver, not to mention the physical exhaustion of doing both our chores, has taken its toll. I’m worn out and need a recharge. Although we had originally thought that our next vacation would be city-style, with lots of running around, now I want the complete opposite… I want to lie on a beach (or a ship!!!) somewhere and veg.  But since my husband’s strength is still not there, we’re thinking maybe just doing an AirBnB somewhere we can drive to and take the dog… a place that still says BEACH but maybe also has a boardwalk or other entertainment nearby if we want it and feel up to it.  But I definitely need some time away to get myself back to feeling ship-shape and ready to go. So I’ve been scrolling through pages and pages of photos of houses, falling in love and seeing no availability, seeing availability and cringing at the house or something about the location.  Then I saw this set from Salacity and thought how perfect it would be in ANY of these vacation homes, how it totally (prepare yourself!) rings that beach vacation bell!  So let’s start ringing those bells, and bring on vacation!!!  😉

Castaway Nautical Decor Set:  Salacity – A nautically themed set of decor, made for any entryway.  Includes coat hooks, porthole mirror, anchor rug, & table decor.  Ships’s wheel table lamp turns on & off, & everything is copy, so you can arrange however you want.  Each piece also sold separately.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the June Liaison Collaborative until June 26th.

The Beach Body

Posted on by cejalaval

http://The Beach Body (back)http://The Beach Body (front)

“The Beach Body”… an interesting concept. One we hear about all our lives; for some of us, one of those elusive goals we were never able to achieve for more than a fleeting moment of time if at all.  No, I won’t start ranting about our society and the harm it does to a girl’s self-image; there’s more than enough of that “out there”, and this is definitely not the right forum for it.  BUT I believe it’s one of the reasons we all love it here in Second Life.  Even those of us who don’t spend parts of our second lives blogging about the fashion world spend an inordinate amount of time on how we look because we have that magical ability to look however we’ve always wanted to, better than we’ve even dreamed possible, and then to change it at will.  You’d think that being beautiful and having the perfect beach body would lose meaning when everyone is beautiful and perfect.  And although BEING beautiful is not a unique or special quality in SL as it is in RL, what is important is its interpretation.  And that’s what I find so intriguing… everyone’s definition of beauty is so different.  Even when choosing the same mesh head, the same mesh body, the same skin, the same outfit, it’s extremely rare to see two avatars who look identical (unless they’re using ready-made and don’t tweak; don’t get me started on those lol!).  What I’ve also found is that one thing that holds true in real life is the same in here… the inner beauty is harder to find, but it’s really the one that matters overall.  To the beach!!!! 😉

  • Top:  MOZ Designs – NEW! “Tampico” Swimsuit.  Who needs a bikini to look amazing on the beach?  Sexy sheer in the back, perfect for showing off those back tattoos (see my next bullet!); criss-crossing panels & edging are all color/pattern customizable in the fatpack HUD.  Also available in select single packages. Original FitMesh sized for Tonic, Slink H/P, Belleza F/I, eBody & Maitreya.  EXCLUSIVE at the June eBENTO, June 10th – 30th
  • Tattoo: Juna Artistic Tattoo – Susy Tattoo, a stunner for the back! Includes three shade options (dark, medium & light) with appliers for Altamura, Belleza, Eve, Maitreya, Omega & Classic. On sale for 140L — that’s 25% OFF! —  at the Designer Circle 12/19 June 9th – 22nd.
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Crimson worn in Maple, Browless.  Another gorgeous Omega skin! I love the maple tone, for that lightly tanned look. Dark & light toned fatpacks of 7 tones each available at the Designer Circle 12/19 June 9th – 22nd discounted to just 250L. Shape & demos also available.
  • Head: Tonic – Coco, one of the two NEW bento heads from Tonic; fully mod & Omega-ready so you can easily customize her to make her truly unique.
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty + Booty Control… the most natural curves on the grid for the ultimate beach body!
  • Hair:  BESOM – Payson (long)/Dakota (short)
  • Brows:  DS’Elles – EyeBrow Series 8
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Freckles & Heart Mole (Omega);  DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Belleza, Slink, Maitreya, Omega)
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Jewelry:  Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose: ProPose – Back 3 (seems to be extinct); CNZ – Summer Hula Bento Poses, available at eBENTO

Caffeine with Kitty

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Caffeine with Kitty

Watching the world go by with a cup of coffee in hand has always been a favorite pastime of mine.  What better way to think, to observe, to relax, to figure things out, to de-stress, to find your strength, to gather your thoughts or your emotions, or just to be.  As a teenager, I remember sitting on the steps of the museum in NYC with my best friend, just watching and talking and drinking coffee.  At other times, I’ve sat on stoops or porch swings… now I tend to sit on my front steps or my back porch. The venue changes, the companion changes, but the coffee itself always remains constant!  (Although admittedly it IS sometimes iced in the hot weather lol!)  😉

  • Outfit:  ICEWERK Designs – Pink Paisley.  A fun, relaxing, sexy little two-piece outfit with the cutest matching pink sandals! Who says you can’t look good when you just want to relax & feel good? Sized for Slink H/P, Belleza F/I, & Maitreya.  At the Designer Circle 12/19 June 9th – 22nd. Demo available.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo, the new bento head from AK (amazing group gift through 6/20 after which it goes to regular price)
  • Body:  Slink – Physique Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Hair:  BESOM – Maddy
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Flora
  • Lashes:  SLACKGIRL –  Ginny Deluxe Lashes
  • Makeup:  SLACKGIRL – HD10 Eyeshadow
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Pose:  FMS Poses – Pose 489 (includes coffee mug)
  • Cat:  one of my KittyCats, this is Bijoux (yes, I’m a crazy cat lady!)

Feeling good

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Feeling Good

Wow, it feels like a page has turned, and a new chapter has begun! We got great news at the cardiologist yesterday, things are really REALLY progressing, with lots of restrictions easing up.  I no longer have to be the strict caregiver; I was even able to hand over the keys to his car and set him free from the house.  Life is returning (slowly) back to almost-normal as there’s still a long road to full recovery ahead, but all that stress I’ve been carrying around is finally starting to let go.  The relief is palpable. To celebrate, I did a bit of a makeover inworld as well… a new head that I absolutely adore and a lightening up of my sponsors so that I can go back to enjoying the blogging life rather than being stressed by too many deadlines.  It feels wonderful!!!!

  • Outfit:  YoU by GeMyles – Ashley Side Tied Dress & Boots.  Incredibly sexy, without going over the top.  I feel so good wearing this (& from the feedback I’m getting, I’m looking pretty good too lol)! Includes a 32-color HUD, so no matter what your sexy feels like, there’s a color to fit! Sized for Slink H/P & Maitreya.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo, a beautiful new bento head from AK.  I’ve never worn an AK head before, but Cleo is currently being offered as a group gift for 1L until June 20th. I first demo’d some of the other heads, & really liked several of them as well as the accompanying HUDs & the animations (LOVE the smile). Cleo was so pretty & just so aligned with how I’ve always envisioned ME, I figured it was worth the 150L group join. I’m SOOO happy I did, because I fell in love with her & the included skin immediately, before I even started tweaking.  (There’s also a gift skin on MP for 1L that gives a slightly different but equally great look.) If I was an official AK blogger, I’d be doing a closeup showing you how awesome she looks straight out of the box.  As it is, I hesitated blogging about her at all because I kind of want to keep her all to myself!!!!
  • Body:  Slink – Physique Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_WATER 
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Flora
  • Lashes:  SLACKGIRL –  Ginny Deluxe Lashes
  • Makeup:  SLACKGIRL – HD6 Eyeshadow
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Pose:  BellePoses – Soha 4

 

Feelin’ Groovy

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Feelin' Groovy

I know I’ve talked about it before, but it always fascinates me how sometimes the smallest thing can be the catalyst for something that feels so much more. In this case, it was the jewelry… Peace and love, symbols of another generation; once I had them on, they cried out for clothing from the same era… and shoes… and of course hair… and then the right setting… and suddenly, there I am, looking at someone very VERY reminiscent of my RL younger self…  yes, the hair is way redder, the body is definitely more curvaceous and taller, but that WAS my hair, and I HAD that hairband with a feather, AND a fringed vest AND huge bellbottoms AND John Lennon glasses (although mine were blue tints) and I rode a city bus, and and and…  well, needless to say, I’ve been singing Bellbottom Blues and the 59th Street Bridge Song ever since I put this outfit together… and I really don’t want to take it off… ever… but of course I will lol because blogging must go on… 😉

  • Outfit: Allure Couture – 70’s Bell Bottom Outfit, great for sit ins, love ins, to tune out, tune in, turn on.  Includes the fringed vest, bell bottom pants, & glasses.  As always when it comes to Allure, the textures & details are stunning, both in front (above) & back (see below). Originally designed for Relay for Life, it’s now available at the Main Store in sizes for Slink H/P, Maitreya, TMP, & Classic. Demo available. 
  • Jewelry:  Stone’s Works –  Peace & Love Necklace & Earring Set (see below for ad view).  Groovy, man, just groovy.  On sale as a set or separately at the “Hippy Days” Creative Spark, in store, June 1st – 15th.  Also worn: Gem Elegance – Ladies Feather & Leather Hippie Peace Sign Headband; Rebel Yell – “Retro” Hippe Bracelet Unisex;  Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Body:  Slink – Physique Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Head: LAQ – Athena (Bento)
  • Hair:  Stealthic – Cadence
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Lime worn in Butter, Browless
  • Brows:  LAQ – Brows 1
  • Freckles & Moles:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Moles & Freckles #5;  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Belleza, Slink, Maitreya, Omega)
  • Location:  Vintage Fair North

Nothing Says Summer like Barbecue!

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Nothing Says Summer like BBQ

Summer may not have officially begun, but as far as I’m concerned, once Memorial Day has come and gone, it’s summer! And although the definition of summer has changed for me over the years, as my life has changed, one thing has always remained constant… summer means BARBECUES!  And at my house, we’re old-fashioned… no gas grills for us, we still use charcoal, and BBQ the way we did when I was a kid.  I love everything about a charcoal grill — the smell, the taste, the charring — mmmmm, I’m making myself hungry lol! But that’s why I was so thrilled when I saw this set from [Circa]… it’s not only charcoal, it even has flames.  And just in case things get out of hand, they’ve even thoughtfully included a fire extinguisher!  So let’s throw some steak and chicken and corn and whatnot on the barbie, and get this BBQ cookin’!  😉

What I’m wearing:

  • Outfit:   smesh – Roberta Romper & Bralette  is the perfect casual outfit for a barbecue, hanging out with friends, anything summer.  Includes a 10-texture HUD for the romper WITH ADJUSTABLE SHEER!!!!, & 10 textures for the bralette. Sized for Slink H/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya. A We Love to Blog designer.
  • Body:  Slink – Physique Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Head: LAQ – Athena (Bento)
  • Hair:  {Limerence} – Joel
  • Brows:  LAQ – Brows 1
  • Freckles & Moles:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Moles & Freckles #5;  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Belleza, Slink, Maitreya, Omega)
  • Sunglasses:  MULLOY – Ticola Glasses
  • Jewelry:  SpotCat – I Love You Necklace; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Shoes:  Mutresse – Sofia Flat Sandals

The scene:

  • CIRCA Living – “Galloway’s” BBQ Set is a new summer design with lots of great options.  It includes everything you see, with lots of animations plus food & drink choices.  As a foodie myself, this new release is an essential to have for those times when you have friends, family or other guests for any type of gathering in hot weather. People get hungry! Whether you are having a backyard party, pool party, beach side party, or event setup, this is the perfect set for adding an entertaining atmosphere.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the May Boardwalk Event, May 15th – June 15th. During the event, these exclusive sets are discounted 50% Off & will be regular price after June 15th. A We Love to Blog designer.
    • BBQ Pavilion with Lights, available in 3 colors (Redwood, Natural Wood, Grey Wood) — includes 10 stand animations (male & female) included for those who want to just hangout & watch life go by & people watch
    • BBQ Oil Drum style barbecue — includes 6 animations for bbq grilling and standing (male & female). Auto hand props are included  associated to the related animations when used. You also get 6 grilling food display options for the BBQ via touch menu with an easy cleanup option. The lid to the bbq opens on touch, & there is an on & off flame function on touch.
    • Food & Drink Table & Food & Serve Table — Givers that offer guests items on touch which auto attach to the avi hands. These items include drinking, eating, or hold animations when worn. One table carries grilled food plates & beer drinks while the other has single pieces of food & one drink.
    • Beer Barrel in Redwood
    • Fire Extinguisher

 

Shopping is the Best Therapy

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Shopping is the Best Therapyhttp://Another Portrait Shot

It’s true that except for groceries and other everyday necessities, I rarely shop brick-and-mortar stores any more… instead, I’m a confirmed online shopper.  But back in the day, I clearly remember days of “shop till you drop”, just going store to store, looking and trying on seemingly thousands of things, sometimes buying a lot, other times not buying a thing. Sometimes I wonder what changed… was it the shopping experience itself? was it me? was it the combination of both? I guess I’ll never know, but I DO know that there are times when a bit of retail shopping therapy is still exactly what’s called for to get out of a slump, or to chase those blues away.  There’s nothing quite like that feeling of walking out of a store, package in hand, knowing that you found exactly what it took to put that light back in your eyes and the smile on your face!  Not quite the same as shopping on MarketPlace lol!!!! 😉

  • Outfit:   [Sexy Princess] – Summer Tale Outfit, includes top, skirt & handbag. You’ll definitely be able to write your own story in this! The off-shoulder top is fully unbuttoned, closed only by a knotted tie; the hip-hugging skirt is deeply cut in the back, tied with a big bow… sexy both coming & going!  Sized for Slink H/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya.  At the Designer Circle 11/19 May 26th – June 8th. Demo available.
  • Shoes:  [Sheba] Creations – NEW! Yuna Heels. Includes a 40-texture HUD that lets you set one color for the upper shoe/heel, another for the heel, & still another for the flower. Absolutely lovely! In sizes for Slink, Belleza, eBody & Maitreya. Demo available.
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Noora worn in Butter, Browless.  I love this skin so much, I decided to wear her for a 2nd blog! Dark & light toned fatpacks of 7 tones each available at the Dubai Event, May 20th – June 10th.  Shape & demos also available.
  • Body:  Slink – Physique Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Head: LAQ – Athena (Bento)
  • Hair: Analog Dog – Nori, Dark Reds 
  • Brows:  LAQ – Brows 1
  • Freckles & Moles:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Moles & Freckles #5;  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Belleza, Slink, Maitreya, Omega)
  • Eyes:  Avi-Glam (Marketplace Only) – Luminous Eyes, in Ivy
  • Jewelry:  Solange – Retro Jewelry Set in Black (extinct?); Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Pose Maniacs – Olga Walking Poses, #4
  • Location:  Backdrop City

Do these say Spring to you?

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Do these say Spring to you?

Wow, it’s really hard to believe that Memorial Day is over and past, and summer is basically here. Definitely doesn’t feel like it, it’s a relatively chilly day. But it was back to work after the holiday weekend, and now that’s it’s just about June, it’s also back to my full blogging schedule… geez, what ever happened to the long slow days of summer lol?  I do seem to be a little off my game in terms of blogging… I’m a bit unsure of myself, having trouble picking my shots, my windlights, not quite trusting my judgment. Thankfully Rene is generally there, and ALWAYS willing to weigh in with an opinion on everything, from which pic to titling an image, and so much more. Unfortunately, she’s not around at the moment, so let me ask YOUR opinion… do these flowers say Spring to you?  😉

  • Top: Tonic – NEW! Tight Graphic Tee is definitely not your run-of-the-mill tshirt. Yes, the HUD has 24 colors & 16 fun graphics, but what really makes this tee special is that you can easily add your own custom graphics right into the HUD, just by following the simple instructions that are included! Only for the Tonic bodies, it includes sizes for Curvy, Fine, & Fine with the bust minimizer.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the upcoming June Curves event, opening June 3rd.
  • Shorts:  MOZ Designs – NEW! Satin Boy shorts fit like a dream and come in 8 Sherbet colors. Sized for Tonic, Slink H/P, Belleza F/I, eBody & Maitreya. 
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Gipsy worn in Cashew, Browless.  Another stunning Omega skin, built on Genus, with beautiful delicate shading. Dark & light toned fatpacks of 7 tones each available DISCOUNTED for only 250L at the Designer Circle 11/19 May 26th – June 8th.  Shape & demos also available.
  • Nails:  Cazimi – Leila Nail appliers. Five gorgeous “ombre” tones in rich jewel-like shades for your fingers & toes (see below).  At the Designer Circle 11/19 May 26th – June 8th.
  • Head: Tonic – Abbi, one of the two NEW bento heads from Tonic; fully mod & Omega-ready so you can easily customize her to make her truly unique.
  • Body: Tonic – Curvy Beauty + Booty Control
  • Hair:  Doux – Pink, at Equal10
  • Brows:  DS’Elles – EyeBrow Series 8
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Freckles & Heart Mole (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Belleza, Slink, Maitreya, Omega)
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Jewelry:  Kunglers – Milena Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  FashiOwl – Abril 4
  • Location:  My new home in Klamath Isles South

 

Up Up and Away

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Up up and away

Hot air balloons have always captured my imagination.  Maybe it’s from watching the Wizard of Oz as a little girl, or pictures I’ve seen of hot air balloon festivals, but they always make my heart soar. My family did a hot air balloon ride in Arizona several years ago… it was not quite as magical as I’d hoped — my head was hot from the heat for the balloon, and we hit a day without much wind — but it was still pretty thrilling and the history behind it was fascinating (especially its relationship to champagne!!!)… This gacha brought all that rushing back into my mind in a moment, and although there’s no champagne handy and this balloon doesn’t actually move, let’s toast to taking a ride in my beautiful balloon!  😉

  • Shoes:  MOZ Designs – NEW! “Chloe” Heeled Sandal is one of those special shoes that you build an outfit around rather than match to an outfit.  Created from RL haute couture design, this high heeled sandal with realistic wood & leather textures is available in brown (shown), black, or tan/crochet lace. Vendor is located in the  “Footwear” room. Moz members, be sure to wear your group tag for your group discount! 
  • Balloon:  M.Law Designs – Anne Soft Ballon Gacha offers a beautiful romantic opportunity to float above it all & enjoy a romantic moment that includes 9 couple animations.  60L per play for 7 commons, 1 rare; demo available (#5 shown).  EXCLUSIVELY available at the May Boardwalk Event, May 15th – June 15th
  • Body:  Slink – Physique Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Head: LAQ – Athena (Bento)
  • Brows:  LAQ – Brows 1
  • Hair:  no.match – NO_TWICE
  • Skin:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Kieron worn in Butter, Browless
  • Freckles & Moles:  7 Deadly s[K]ins – Moles & Freckles #5;  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega); DS’Elles – Freckle Body (Belleza, Slink, Maitreya, Omega)
  • Eyes:  Avi-Glam (Marketplace Only) – Luminous Eyes, in Ivy
  • Outfit:  Graffitiwear – Vogue
  • Jewelry: *Cailyn’s* – Teardrop Necklace Set; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band