Tag: Virtual Worlds

Hello, Ghostbusters?

Posted on by cejalaval

 

http://Hello, Ghostbusters?

So I just realized that just like IRL, I wear a lot of black in Second Life.  There’s one major difference, though… I can do a lot more with it here on the grid! Just the ability to change the tone of my hair and skin, not to mention all the fantastic accessories that are available, makes everything pop so much more.  And of course the styles are just so exceedingly more exciting to wear… and not just because I have the body of my dreams, but it sure doesn’t hurt lol!  IRL I’m often struggling to make the clothes I own fit the occasion; it’s rare that I go out and buy something special unless it’s for a really important wedding or something of that nature. It’s often the exact opposite in SL… as a blogger, I’m usually searching for the “scene” to wear my clothes.  But it generally all works out, in both worlds, though admittedly sometimes it’s harder than others… especially IRL! I will say this though: I have so much fun setting up scenes here in Second Life! Take this one for example… the moment I entered this spooky little backdrop, the entry side “closed up” behind me, and all I could hear in my head was Ghostbusters music… from there, it was easy!  After all, in a spooky situation, who you gonna call???  Happy shopping!!!

  • Dress:  !!smesh – Black Romper & Boots.  Sized for Slink Hourglass, Belleza Freya, & Maitreya, this is a sexy little romper that’s made for curves.  Its plunging neckline can be worn with or without the straps & grommets, & the whole romper has a muted print, which creates an interesting  contrast of not-so-subtle sexuality.  LOVE IT!!!  Available at the Designer Circle 21/19, open Oct 20th – Nov 2nd.  Demo available.
  • Hair:  Firelight – Callie Hair/Fatpack (Thick Edition).  Fun curly hair, shoulder length with long bangs swept up & over to one side, but what makes this hair so different is the thickness… you can just tell it would be bouncy & would demand to be touched.  Available in 6 color packs or as a fatpack, each with rigged & unrigged versions, in two different effects.  See the close-up below.  EXCLUSIVELY at the Designer Circle 21/19, open Oct 20th – Nov 2nd.  Demo available.  A We Love to Blog designer.
  • Backdrop:  Adorably Strange Wares – The Daire Backdrop.  I think this is the coolest backdrop! First off, once you enter, the back “closes” up behind you, so it’s like you’re suddenly in an enclosed room. Spooky, but it also means that you can shoot from any angle without worrying about falling outside the perimeters of the box! Then the ghostly colored lights seep out from under the doors & then mist away; the lights behind the barred door brighten & fade. Truly awesome! Available at the October Swank Event, through October 28th.
  • Headband:   in.SANITY Designs – Black Cat headband.  Just a fun little item to add a touch of Halloween to almost any outfit. Includes a HUD to change the color of the kitties’ hats to any of 5 colors, as well as a resize script. See the closeup below  for an idea of how cute these really are! Best of all? It’s the current GROUP GIFT!!!
  •  Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo (deluxe bento, now with BOM)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Giulia (Freckled version)
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes/Makeup:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes; HDLiners; Grazi HD Lips
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Nails:  Livia – Metallic Shine
  • Jewelry: Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  Reve Obscura – Come Over

 

Brunch at Tiffany’s

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Brunch at Tiffany's

Unless you’re a classic movie buff or “of a certain age” — or both, they’re not mutually exclusive lol! — you may or may not have heard of Audrey Hepburn.  If you haven’t, it would be a real shame, because she was someone really special.  Not just in looks — she had this wide-eyed gamin look about her, very innocent, but oh she could be so sexy if she chose to, and always ALWAYS just oozed class.  She was also a great humanitarian, most notably working for Unicef.  Although my looks are NOTHING like hers, IRL or here on the grid, I always adored her, in the classics My Fair Lady and Sabrina, and in my personal favorite of hers, Charade.  (You can tell I spent some time watching classic movies while recently away at my mom’s lol!)  She always looked fabulous in these big hats (though she usually wore big sunglasses with them), so this is my little “tip of the hat” as it were to Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and as so many other wonderful characters that will live on in my imagination.

  • Top:  MOZ Designs – NEW! “Vivian” Open Tied Blouse.   Super sexy, yet super classy… not easy to pull off!  A combination of the cut & the choice of textures, which are always spectacular. Available in 4 individual patterns or in a fatpack of 7 textures.   Original Fitmesh sized for Tonic, Slink, Belleza, eBody, & Maitreya.  ONLY at the October eBento Event, Oct 10th – 30th.  Demo available.
  • Pants:  MOZ Designs – NEW! “Reese” Gaucho Pants.  It’s funny… I didn’t think that this was a shape that I would like to wear.  Was I ever wrong!  It may be loose and comfortable, but it’s so incredibly stylish! Available in 6 individual color/fabric options plus a poplin fatpack, a leather fatpack, & a superpack that includes them all! EXCLUSIVE at the Sense Event, Oct 18th – Nov 8th.  In original Fitmesh for Tonic, Maitreya, Slink, Belleza, & eBody mesh bodies.  Demo available.
  • Boots:  MOZ Designs – “Morgan” Mid Calf Boot.  With the big buckles & the chunky heels, these boots are absolutely the perfect finishing touch for anything this length or shorter!  
  • Hat:  BamPu Legacies – Polly Folly Floral Parrot Hat.  This is definitely not your run-of-the-mill, every day hat.  This is a floppy, ornate mesh hat with beautiful flowers & a parrot, plus a bit of chiffon or something all around to just give a little bit of a veiled effect.  Stunning just doesn’t go far enough to describe this! But to kick it up just one more notch, this is an EXCLUSIVE item for the Out Shop Cancer event, and will be sold with 100% of proceeds going to support the fight against breast cancer for the duration of the event (through Oct 31st).  You can find a list of all participants here at the Out Shop Cancer Store Directory.
  • Pose:  Poses by ALEXA – Cappucino.  Just the right amount of sass… available instore or on Marketplace.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo (deluxe bento, now with BOM)
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Giulia (Freckled version)
  • 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:  Doux – Aysha, available at the Belle Event
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes/Makeup:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes; HD10 Eyeshadow
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Jewelry:  IT! (Indulge Temptation) – Audrey Earrings; Sintiklia – Nessa Necklace; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Location:  Soul2SoulBay

A Fall Bounty for All the Senses

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A Fall Bounty

Now that a permanent move to Florida is in the works for me in a year or two’s time, I find that I’m paying even more attention than usual to the seasons.  And although I’ve always KNOWN it, I’m really seeing how so many of the little things that make the fall season special just get lost in all the noise about Halloween.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Halloween, but I also love the crisp bite of the fall air and of the late-season apples (we just went apple-picking yesterday!!!!), the beauty of the red, gold and orange leaves on the trees and the crunch underfoot of those that have fallen, the clarity of the air and the way that mist and fog seem to reach out and beckon in the gloom, the bustle of the squirrels and the cry of the Canadian geese as they both ready themselves for what comes next, the scent of fall treats and comfort foods baking, and so very much more.  It truly is a season of bounty for ALL the senses. That’s why I was thrilled to find among all the awesome horror and Goth items at the current home & garden area of this month’s Swank a beautiful fall deck that, for me, just helps crystallize the glory of this season as I relax and watch the waves.  Check it out, and I think you’ll feel the same way…

EVHAH – The Fall Deck, which is actually not just the wooden deck but also all the decor as shown, plus the rocks & autumn tree at left (copy so you can more to the scene if you want), the surrounding flowers, & cattails (not shown), all in a rez box so it’s super easy to set up initially & then customize from there if you want.  Includes texture changes with 9 options for the blanket/pillows & 7 for the wood; you can also turn on a slow fall of swirling leaves from the autumn tree which has 3 autumn textures plus 1 green & a winter option, so you can easily use it year-round. Also includes both single & couple animations (I’m using one) — including swim, drinks, dance, cuddle, & sex options. With the little lights on the deck & on the autumn tree, this is just a gorgeous addition to your fall landscaping, day or night! Available at the October Swank Event, through October 28th.

Dream On

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Dream OnSo I’m generally not an animal print or animal skin person.  Don’t get me wrong, when done well, they’re awesome… the problem is that IMHO, they’re rarely done well which means they just look, well, tacky.  This is one outfit that is done EXCEPTIONALLY well.  The texture for the crocodile “skin” itself is AMAZING, and on the pants — falling just below the waist and shaped sooooo perfectly especially for a curvy shape like mine — it’s broken up with perfectly placed mesh insets that add interest, draw the eye, and keep it from being “too much”.  The sexy little open-laced top is also an unquestionable winner.  Granted, some of the colors in the included HUD were a little too far out there for me, but even so, they were still extremely well done.  And there were still several more “natural” crocodile colors — like the silver grey I’m wearing — that made this outfit go on my list of total knockouts! Not only that, but it’s an exclusive item for the Out Shop Cancer event, with the designer donating all proceeds to the cause.  You can see a directory of participating stores at the Strides office on ACS Island as well as on the Making Strides Second Life website.  Talk about a win-win! (well, except for the croc!)

  • Outfit:  in.SANITY Designs – Croc Bite.  This is an EXCLUSIVE item for the Out Shop Cancer event, and will be sold with 100% of proceeds going to support the fight against breast cancer for the duration of the event (through Oct 31st).  Includes a 10-color HUD for both the top & the bottom, with separate options for the laces on the top & the mesh insets on the bottom. Sized for Slink, Belleza, & Maitreya.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo (deluxe bento, now with BOM)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Giulia (Freckled version)
  • Hair:  Doux – Mecca
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes/Makeup:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes; AKHD6 EyeShadow; Amata HDLips
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Shoes:  KC Couture – Winslet Boots
  • Jewelry: Beloved Jewelry – Spiral Jewelry Set in Silver; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Pose:  STUN Poses – Bluebird Cuddle Van

Standing Out on The Family Tree

Posted on by cejalaval

http://A strange offshoot of the family tree

Like many people, I often felt like I just didn’t fit on the family tree.  I never quite fit the mold, was always a bit different, more of a rebel, more liberal, more creative, just “more” in so many ways.  And yet with the week I just had with my mom, with a fall and a broken arm sending her slip-sliding unbelievably fast into dementia to the point of not recognizing me the other morning, the thought of family and the solidity of roots of a family tree have suddenly become incredibly important to me.  My mom is now safely ensconced in memory care where they can properly care for her, but my heart is broken at the thought that the mom I’ve known and loved is mostly if not totally gone.  I’d happily embrace being the colorful witchy bitch — or is it the bitchy witch? — to have my family back, but that will never be.  The scary fact is that now I’m the matriarch of my own clan… hopefully it will be a strong, fruitful tree that can bend with the storms of life… As my mom always said, life goes on, and it’s up to us to make it special.

  • Outfit:  YoU by GeMyles – Brooke Romper Outfit/Boots/Fatpack.  5 options are available for this sexy little romper, the difference being the text on the straps (shoulder & cross-straps in back) & belt loops; choose from Diva, Babe, Princess, Slut or my choice, Bitch.  All include a 24 color HUD.  Thigh-high boots in taupe that match the leather belt also available (included in the fatpack). Sized for Slink H/P, Belleza F/I/V, & Maitreya.  EXCLUSIVELY available at the Designer Circle 20/19, open through Oct 19th.  Demo available.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo (deluxe bento, now with BOM)
  • Body:  Slink – Hourglass Mesh Body Original, Full Version including Hands (Dynamic) & Feet
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Giulia (Freckled version)
  • Hair:  Exile – Into You
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes/Makeup:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Jewelry: Maxi Gossamer – Ayla Moon Goddess Necklace & Earrings; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Hat: Halloween Witch Hat from inventory
  • Pose:  STUN – Cindy 2 (seems to be Marketplace & Events)
  • Location:  Comhar Photo Studio & Photo Garden

Singing for my honey bunny

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Singing for my Honey Bunny

Halloween is not just about horror and screams and chills. There’s a whole other side of dressing up in costume, one of beauty, honoring characters and icons that have touched our hearts and minds in one way or another.  This is one of those Halloween outfits.  The second I saw it, I yearned to be able to say “I’m not bad; I’m just drawn that way”, and to toss my long wavy red hair away from my eyes as I sashayed across the floor in a very tight gown with operatic gloves.  It made me laugh, it made me smile, and with what’s been going on in my real life, that’s quite an achievement.  I almost ALMOST modified my body to create a wasp waist and accentuate the effect even further, but I decided that in this gown, I was hourglass enough with my “regular” shape.  Let’s just quote Jessica herself, and say that in wearing this awesome outfit, “You don’t know how hard it is being a woman looking the way I do.”  What’s so awesome is the fact that now you can. And it doesn’t even have to be Halloween. Happy shopping!

  • Gown:  La Bella Boutique – Mrs Rabbit Outfit.  Includes gown, opera-length gloves, & shoes in a 14-color texture HUD that lets you choose individual colors for each, as well as the pearl necklace in black or white.  Materials enabled.  Sized for Slink H/P, Belleza F/I/V, eBody, & Maitreya.  Available at the Designer Circle 20/19, open Oct 6th – 19th.  Demo available.
  • 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:  Besom – Roma
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes/Makeup:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes; Amata HD Shadow
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Jewelry: J&W Jewelers Helena Collection Roses & Pink Pearls Earrings (extinct vendor); Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band
  • Location:  The Leopard Lounge

Black Cat Halloween

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Black Cat Halloween

Anyone who knows me in SL or follows my blog knows that I’m a crazy cat lady.  I have more cats than I’m willing to admit, and about 18 boxes (for those of you who are unversed in the world of KittyCatS, that means ready-to-birth kittens) in storage.  So needless to say, when I saw this Halloween gacha set full of black kittens my craziness rose to the surface and I just HAD to HAVE THEM ALL and blog about them.  Although I couldn’t fit everything into my pic and do them justice, you can see the full set below.  What I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE about this set — in addition to it being cats together with Halloween, which is in itself enough! — is that every piece is wonderfully detailed, and unique and different in its own way.  Yes, one or two are variants in black or orange, but the number of completely different items is extremely high for a gacha set of this size, with 12 commons & only two items classified as “Rare”.  And I just have to mention that the rat with the cat animates on touch, and the dog has really red eyes.  Such fun!

Black Kitten Gacha:  MOoH! – EXCLUSIVELY at the Driftwood event, Oct 5th – Nov 5th, 50L a play. Good luck!

Mirror Mirror

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Mirror Mirror

I have to admit that all of the “stuff” that goes with dealing with my mom’s situation and helping to move her into memory care is exhausting, physically and mentally.  And the fact that I’m far from home, out of my own environment and comfort zone sure doesn’t help.  Sometimes I look in the mirror and I just wonder how we got to this point.  Life has a nasty habit of just sneaking up on you in that way, doesn’t it?  I do have to say that my life here inworld and my blogging has been a true lifeline for me throughout this process.  It’s both given me another focus and provided an escape where I can forget about life for a while… lol, reminds me of that old Calgon commercial, “Calgon, take me away!”  But in my case, it’s Second Life to the rescue!!!

  • Swimsuit:   Prism by Jezzixa Cazalet – Emily Lingerie.  Sized for Tonic, Slink H/P, Belleza F/I/V, eBody, Maitreya, & Classic.  This long open semi-transparent silken robe is beautifully textured in a soft feminine pattern with contrast edging, held together by a wide sash in the contrast color.  Includes a matching thong. Available in 5 colors or a fatpack EXCLUSIVELY at the Designer Circle 20/19, open Oct 6th – 19th.  Demo available.
  • Mirror/Pose:  Poses by ALEXA – Mirror Pose Fatpack.  Wonderfully detailed classic-style wood-framed free-standing mirror, with 5 built in poses, one with a poisoned apple!  Available instore or on Marketplace.
  • Head:  Akeruka (AK) – Cleo (deluxe bento, now with BOM)
  • 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!
  • Skin:  theSkinnery – Giulia (Freckled version)
  • Hair:  Truth – Cerys
  • Eyes:  IKON – Triumph
  • Lashes:  SlackGirl –  Thay Deluxe Lashes
  • Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)
  • Jewelry:  EarthStones – Sentiments Necklace; Chop Zuey – Bel Aire Gold Women’s Wedding Band

Introducing PIXIE

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Introducing PIXIE

Unlike almost all of my posts, this one is all about a single item — the all-new, totally re-imagined bento head from Tonic.  Pixie is just such a total delight, I felt I had to devote a blog to her!  Just like her name implies, she has a spark of impish delight, youthful exuberance, and wide-eyed wonder.   I think she has a totally unique, slightly exotic look, perfect for fantasy and role-play, but also just so totally right for those of us who generally play as human.

  • Head: Tonic – NEW! Pixie, the all-new, totally re-imagined bento head from Tonic.  She’s just so cute!!!!  The HUD now includes BOM buttons for skin & eyes, a new section for controlling the ear shape (regular or elfin!) & ear angle, as well as a full range of Pink Fuel skins in freckled & regular (head only; see below for where to get matching body tones).  You can also hide your teeth if desired.  Includes several different sample shapes & brow shapes, but Pixie is fully mod & Omega-ready so you can easily customize Pixie to be uniquely YOU. EXCLUSIVELY available for an introductory price of 25% OFF at the October eBento opening October 11th.
  • 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!
  • Skin:  Pink Fuel – Hazel
  • Hair:  Navy & Copper – Mulberry
  • Mole/Freckles:  Izzie’s – Heart Mole & Freckles (Omega)

Another Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Posted on by cejalaval

http://Another Legend of Sleepy Hollow

We all know the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the story of Ichabod Crane.  I happen to live not all that far away from Sleepy Hollow, and the cemetery there is always a place for all kinds of haunted doings at this time of year.  There might not be a Headless Horseman anywhere in sight, but this is my version of Sleepy Hollow this year… the scene adds just the right bit of eerieness to make the season feel more Halloweenish!

  • Graveyard: [HarshLands] – Cemetery Walls.  A modular set of graveyard walls that come in multiple configurations — open sided walls, gates, closed walls, corners — in three variations — mossy, bloody, or regular — so you can create your own customized cemetery.  Available at the October Swank Event, through October 28th.
  • Tree: CJ Creations – Halloween Twisted Sleepy Hollow.  This is Halloween decor at its finest. A twisted hollow tree with moss & hanging vines, skeletons, spiders, & an eerie shrouded figure with a lantern. Best of all, you can turn fog in the hollow on/off by touch.  I’ve added another pic below so nothing is obscured by the cemetery walls. EXCLUSIVELY available at the October Swank Event until October 28th.
  • Fog:  Dysfunctional Designs – Creeping Fog, because I couldn’t resist adding more to the effect from the tree!