Knock, Knock!!

A knock sounds at the front door and the kettle is boiling….

I wrote my first post in this blog September 24th, 2008. At the time I blogged solely for myself. Through the next year and a half I  honed my skills, learned a great deal about shooting pics on location, reviewing for designers, attending sales and so many things I could never mention them all. I have gone to fashion shows, multiple fairs and had the privilege to meet and talk to a whole host of talented people. I have seen my share of drama but rarely commented on it and generally gotten more out of blogging than I have put into it. I have learned about editing my work, writing and even the fact that you don’t need very expensive programs to be creative within SL.

I started to learn the process which designers use to create clothes, skins and other items for sale within this virtual world. Second Life can be an all consuming passion, and while I blogged I realized that the demands of this world cannot supersede real life concerns.  I knew one day, real life might come calling and I wondered how I would respond to it. I have seen many farewell posts from people too busy to blog, design or be in SL any more. I have always felt sad about this but hopeful as well, as one chapter ends, a new and exciting chapter can begin.

Therefore this is not a farewell post. I am not going anywhere but it is with some regret that I must set aside the review side of blogging, at least for a while. This is not for any reasons of discontent or dislike for the process. On the contrary, if my skills as a blogger have improved I hold reviewing in large part responsible. This type of blogging requires one to be self disciplined, organized and creative. I have thoroughly enjoyed blogging skins, reviewing fairs and trying new looks which maybe aren’t my style but challenge my views. A very wise designer once said to me “ Don’t ever feel you have to blog an item or apologize for being late..” That’s not me I’m afraid. I value the relationships I have built in SL, with our designers too much,to continue to receive items gratis if I cannot promise that I will be able to blog them. Now that I am working full time and spending the rest of my time taking care of my family, I do not have the energy to put in the hours that my style of blogging requires.

I love blogging too much to say goodbye and for me it is something totally mine, a little bit of sanity in a sometimes insane world. I don’t know what the future will bring, I like to think that there is always something new to learn and that moving out of one’s comfort zone can be a very good thing. At the same time …SL and blogging is my cup of tea.

A knock sounds at the front door and the kettle is boiling….

Unmentionables…

Unmentionables - those articles of ladies' apparel that are never discussed in public, except in full-page, illustrated ads.  ~Changing Times



Recently I received a folder of new items from Pacadi. Since Lingerie is a new venture for the designers of this line of clothing, I thought it would be nice to take a look at these plus other “Unmentionables” in my inventory. All are nicely textured and well deserving of mention. Since I love to shoot on location, I thought it would be fun to find an empty sim and see what I could come up with picture wise. Bra set is by Pacadi, Tattoo Luck Inc., Skin Exodi and Hair Lamb. Earrings by Rising Star.



The lovely set by Reasonable Desires matched well with the new Pacadi Belt , Tatt by Pididdle, Shoes Biaistice, and Skin Group Gift from Belleza.


This bodysuit from Luck Inc. (Linc) comes in a bevy of colours and matched with Leafy set from Illusions, Hair from OH, Skin from Tuli (group gift) and shoes from Maitreya. Below was a gorgeous sale item from Zaara which I bought a while ago, hair by Simply Brittney, skin by Cupcakes, necklace from Sparkle fish.



All pictures were taken at Bliss Gardens Park SIM. The sim is designed around a cave theme, with gardens permeating the trails and some very unusual vegetation. It is also a sim which is welcoming to new players with tents set up for camping, and you can set it as your home location by joining the group if you are homeless. (no rezzing though). Poses used were by Juxtapose and LAP.

Credits: All eyes Exodi.
Pic1-Lingerie PACADI Jasha Oona (#1)165L(265 wth belt){R}, Luck Inc. Linc Wraps Tattoo 299L{R}, Skin Exodi Sienna Vivante (icicle), Earrings Rising Star Nyx 225L {R}, Hair Lamb Witch (powder).
Pic2-Lingerie Reasonable Desires Rosie (black) 150L{R}, Belt PACADI Jasha Mairey Leather (brown) 225L {R}, Bracelets ALaMood (Grab Bag)Il Circo (stacked gold), Earrings Rising Star Goddess 200L{R}, Tattoo Pididdle (remember that I love you), Shoes Baiastice Querelle (brown), Hair Maitreya LE.LOOK (coffee), Skin Belleza Alison (Christmas Group Gift).
Pic3-Lingerie Linc Bodysuit wth snake suspenders (rifle green) 220L {R}, Hair OH Oh my Mohawk{R}, Socks Doppelganger Button Me up (olive), Leafy Jewellery Illusions Hedera, Shoes Maitreya Mishima Dawn Leather (green)Skin Tuli (group gift) Eva.
Pic4- Lingerie Zaara Kanti (frost){R}, Skin Cupcakes Embrace Cameo (miracle), Hair Simply Brittney Ave (luna){R}, Jewellery Sparkle Fish Peonies wth Pearls&White gold.

More than this….SWA & ESS

It is somewhat unusual to write about a posemaker and not include their poses but this post is about businesses in Sl which don’t fall into a preconceived idea of what we have come to expect.



The idea for this post came about when I had taken a trip over to Essential Soul Studio N Poses. I had heard about the release of some non-pose related items. I love to see designers branching out and the Guardian Sunglasses were quite attractive. (Especially the crashed version..) I also noted a beautiful Tattoo and so things started to percolate in my brain… One of the problems with showing off any Tattoo is that once clothing is added, you often don’t see much of it. I had been sent some new clothes from Sioxie Legend of Second Wave Apparel and realized Leathers would be perfect for the look. The Leather Jacket fit me really well, which is a bonus because I suck at modifying prims (I am better than I used to be but I tend to lose buttons…).  And then there was also a Leather Bra and Panties… SWA is a store which always has great quality and I never know what Sioxie will make next. I took myself over to MC Studio, Bosch because in the studio there is a huge prop room.



I must also mention the sale at Exodi (where I picked up these lushious black lips..), one of my favourite boots from Kookie, League pants and the hair which is new from Clawtooth over at Tableau. And the gun…well I’ll keep that to myself, you never know when I’ll need it….

Credits: Skin Exodi Sienna Soleil Paparazzi , Eyes Exodi LIM (SexOnTheBeach), GLasses (ES) Guardian (crashed) 349L {R}, Tattoo (ES) Tawhaki Type2 449L {R}, Hair Clawtooth LoveMoMo (VampireRed), Leather Bra & Panties SWA {R},Cropped Leather Jacket SWA 200L {R}, Boots Kookie Athena.

Why Mrs. Claus is Emo…

Christmas is not for procrastinators. Christmas is for those who love to plan. The Martha Stewarts of the world. Oh you know the type… Shopping is done by November, cards sent out. The Tree is up well before December with lights put up on the last warm day. The Christmas baking is begun and decorating is well ..beautiful. These wonderful people are singing and dancing through the season. It is their favourite time of year. And then there’s the rest of us.



We do our best we really do, but somehow we leave everything to the last minute not thinking (and we do this every year) that everything is going to accumulate into one big pile of things we have to do right before the big day. (Something like my Inventory which by now has grown appendages and smells like cheese!) My Cards are always late (that’s a given), decorations still waiting to be put up. And lights (Ha!!) I’ve given up on the ones you put outside and go for the easy inside, attach to the window ones. I made a half hearted attempt at presents in November but still have lots to do. (Add to that 2 Birthdays).I am lucky that my Hubby always buys the big stuff for the kids (he buys too much..) So add to that the financial, personal (because who has a family where everyone gets along?) and a big dose of office parties (one guaranteed fight) and those of us who are not organized start to grumble, moan and sound like the Grinch.



Somehow, along the way, everything gets done. Christmas is a one of many December Holidays and an important part of Christian (as well as pre-Christian) Tradition. I love going to Mass at Christmas, the traditional carols, walking through the snow on Christmas day, listening to the silence born of no commerce (except for those souls travelling or visiting). And yes, in the end it brings some light to an approaching winter, which in my part of the world is brutal to say the least. I have often thought how different it must be if you live in Australia, more like a summer holiday or Mexico. And for those of different cultures who must live through the madness every year, you must think we’re insane. I am posting this early, because I know how busy we all are going to get soon. Blogging is going to be sporadic at best after this week, as I like so many others will be travelling. So today I’m making my list..things I simply have to do and can’t put off. It’s a start!



A note about the clothes. I was looking for a slightly politically incorrect Seasonal outfit. Found the Dress at Sn@tch, Boots, well you all know these boots, and I just had to have them (Anexx) and a few items sent to me for review. The leggings are new from the PlastiK come in many textures and come in varying lengths and the Necklace and Piercing are new from HoD. Aydan Darcy is going to be opening her new store .HoD., this week. Her items are also available on Xstreet. (I will let you all know when the store is open as there are some really cute items for sale here). I’ll also mention a very popular skin by Curio (which looks like you’ve been out in the cold) and new hair by Analog Dog, my current fave, I just love the colour. Binder by Reek.

Credits: Leggings – The Plastik 199L (for 2 textures in varying lengths) {R}, Necklace&Piercing – HoD Spite Necklace wth Bows {R} Spite necklace Fatpack with piercing 249L(piercing alone is 99L but you get that in the fatpack), Dress - Sn@tch Expose Dress (red) 200L, Boots – Anexx 2 way belt lace up boots 580L, Eyes – Poetic Colours Christmas Fairy (f), Skin Curio Petal Frex Winter Sniffles 1000L , Hair – Analog Dog Kelly Copper 350L (darks).

Black Friday…

I decided to not be long winded and just show you some of my 50L Friday finds… In Canada our Thanksgiving is in October and we don’t have anything like Black Friday so I really enjoyed running around to the stores in SL. Too bad I had to shovel when I returned… Thanks to the creators for all that they do!!




Hair Tiny Bird Max, Skin Tyranny Designs Dinah in Fall, Hat Sway’s Aviator Winter Hat, Shovel wth animations RC Cluster, Tea House and stuff..Turnips Homes, Boots Surf Couture Elsa, Skirt Kyoot Mini & Tights, Fishy Strawberry Tweed Jacket.



Hair Lamb Oh Sugar Mango, Skin 5th&Oxford Med Brooke Winter Stars, T.Z. Wooly Roll neck sweater, Milk Motion My wool pants, Kustkammer Crystal Belt.



Hair Deviant Kitties Friday (Swedish), Skin Vive 9 Gracev2 Light Sick, Plastik Birdies and Feathers (Birds and Tatts), UBU Pornstar High tops (pic2&3)(not on sale), Tres Blah Ruffle purse (red), Sh*t Happens Sunny Leggings (Red), Ellabella piercings, Whippet & Buck I’ll be a Ghost Shirt,  all Eyes Exodi.

(This is a brief post so I’m not including SLURLS.)

Leafy Shapes and Pink Fuel..Review

When I first started looking at the shapes from the Skin and Shape Expo, I admit I had a lot of OMG moments. I am not sure that you can really review shapes in the same way you review clothing or skins. A shape either works for you or it doesn’t. It is also important to buy modifiable shapes and if possible different versions or sizes of that shape. Taking a look at Leafy shapes, I realized that they are probably the closest to my own shape and answered the question I always ask myself. Would I wear it?

I paired the Shapes from Leafy up with Pink Fuel’s new skin, Skye. In these pictures I am wearing Leafy Shape Mona with some of the make-ups available at the Expo. I had expected Sky to be a similar skin to Raine, a skin I reviewed back in August and at first glance it is. The face is similar with the lips being softer and more natural but the biggest change occurs in the body. Raine’s body was softly shaded with detail on the understated side. Skye has the full on body shading one has come to expect from the top skinners in SL. Lots of detail and great overall look paired with Mochi Milena’s excellent make-ups makes this skin outstanding. Skins are 900L for a single skin and 2800L for five. There are 20 make-ups to choose from with possibly more to come in Milk, Honey, Chai and Tea.

My Shape wearing Skye Honey Pure, Bree wearing Skye Milk Leafy, Calypso wearing Skye Honey Pure, Jerelyn wearing Skye Tea pure, Mona wearing Skye Honey Beestung, Parfait2 wearing Skye Tea Pure.

I compared my shape with the Leafy Shapes. The Leafy shapes are well proportioned and generally realistic if a little idealized. (As I would hope mine generally is also.) Shapes come with various brow shapers and body sizes.

My Shape wearing Raine Bare, Bree wearing Honey pure DKBr*, Calypso*, Jerelyn*, Mona*, Parfait*.

I compared my Face (wearing Raine) to the faces of the Leafy shapes. They are quite nice I think. The eyes are smaller, and more naturally shaped than mine. Its a pain to fit lashes to my eyes.. I made my eyes on the larger size because I photograph from a distance and I wanted the eyes to show better. My nose is bigger and my head is rounder. My shape has been developed over about a year and I am still modifying it to accommodate different skins. My Favourite Leafy face is Mona..nice proportions on that face.

Just a thought when buying shapes; If you are going for a particular look, ie. from the pictures in the shape store, make sure you get a styling card in with the shapes, be prepared to spend more money on the skin, hair and clothes. The shape is like the frame for all the additions you make to it, and will look radically different depending on what skin you put on it. I really enjoy experimenting with my look and look forward to seeing all the pieces come together. I generally follow my own style but I know a lot of people like to know what they are getting in terms of an overall package. Leafy Shapes come in two types the no modify shapes are 350L and the Modify shapes are 699L.

Credits: all Eyes Hoot Halftone (all pics from top left and across)

Pic1-Leafy Shape Mona (Body Type 9) Leafy Brow 9, Skin Pink Fuel Skye, Beestung Honey, Leafy Milk, Pure Honey, Pure Tea, Shirt group Gift League (in store) Hair Jolie Femme Stephanie.

Pic2-My shape-skin Skye Honey Beestung, Sugarcube retro bikini, Hair Truth Grazia, Bree-skin Skye Milk Leafy, Exodi Olivia unikini, Hair Truth Marianne, Calypso-skin Skye Honey Pure, Thimbles Toasted Fred Savage, Hair truth Babyhoney, Jerelyn-skin Skye Tea Pure, Sh*t Happens Bikini Black Striped, Hair Truth Collette, Mona-skin Skye Honey beestung, Tuli Pink Skully Bikini, Hait Truth Renee, Parfait2-Skin Skye Tea Pure, Aoharu Layer Gradation Bikini Black, Hair Truth Trisha.

Pic3-My Face wearing Raine Honey Bare, All the rest are wearing Skye Pure Honey, Bree, Calypso, Jerelyn, Mona and Parfait2.

Odd Socks….part the first.

This is a probably ill-fated attempt to put together a plethora of the ever growing # items from my inventory which I have had problems matching…like odd socks.

I really didn’t mean to call you at 2am after a night of double 2 flavoured Marguerita’s. '”I know you just had a baby but it was so amazing I just had to call. Look at this thing…no wires!!!” (Call made to my Sister from a Mexican Bar, circa 1988, a friend had just gotten this contraption, because he was in the news business….) Technology is pretty amazing isn’t it? I paid for it later…

Some people were raised on Rock n’ Roll, some on religion, I was raised on Monty Python. That pretty well explains everything….

On a Monday with PMS, I’m coming down with a cold, and everything is just Meh…! Good thing I have this enormous bag to carry everything I own, including Pain meds, and a book which I hope will get me out of this funk.

No one in their right mind would try to put this stuff together. I am not in my right mind. I will not take responsibility for any ailment caused by eyestrain or brain fatigue. I have to say that I love all this stuff and thank the designers for making them. They are old, new and sometimes for review. For sale, on sale and maybe free, group gifts and lauds, maybe even no longer available… definitely not available in Blue Mars…Favourite things I haven’t worn in a blog or tried to put together. The wild, wacky and perfectly ordinary, just some of the ephemera which makes SL the interesting place that it is. I will stop now before I get all philosophical about my stuff and kill my post with run on sentences, if I could stop I would…ah kill me now, will you!!!

And judging by the fact that many odd socks remain…to be continued….

Credits: Skin Fashionably Dead Morning Sun-Sun Drops, Eyes IC (Ina Centaur Skin Store) Ranika Eyes.

Pic1-Skirt Storin berry High-waist Sculptie skirt, Socks Mia Snow Rainbow, Sh*t Happens Kellie Navy Blazer, Hair Boon ZG0223 Blonde, Wigglesworth Elderly Avatars-free Junk Cell phone Horn Rimmed Glasses, Creamshop Linen Stole Muffler red, Shoes Pretties Boho Chic Mules Red, Bracelet Puddles Tricky Bangle Charcoal.

Pic2-Outfit Slanted Fox (sale) Draag Purse blue, J Rock Haiku Love Boy Shorts, Thrill me Zipup blue, Puddles Tricky Bangle Blue, Delia Boots Squeeky Clean Bubbles (on sale cheap!), Gabby’s Glasses Signerd, Hair [OH] Oh my happiness G, Dead Parrot (no Idea where that guy came from..).

Pic3- Shirt Beetlebones Jailbird sweater in maroon saloon, Fri*day Halter vest Blk, Slanted Fox School Etiquette cross, Artilleri Greta Glasses blk, Hair Tiny Bird The Art Teacher Spun Sugar, Earring Deco POOP Hunt smoky Earring, Shoes Pretties Fusion Creole, Tres Blah Chic Satchel Black, EmJay ripped Super dark Capri’s, (NS) Naith Smit Design white Cigarette Animated.

!SSUS!, Tuli Review and a few things…

Rowan Carroll is the lady behind the Store “She’s so Unusual Shoes!” or !SSUS! for short. I wish I had discovered this store when I first joined Sl, as I remember the choices were either to spend a fortune or wear shoes that blinged. The first thing you notice when you enter !SSUS! is that there are ..lots and lots of shoes in many colours and textures. The second thing you notice is the cost of the shoes which is very reasonable. And the third thing is that this lady does have a sense of humour, with her whimsical creations like the Penis (am I allowed to say that?) Pumps and Noob shoes! I love her most recent creations especially her Gothic Rose and Pentagram Platforms. Chunky heels yay!! You will be seeing more of these shoes…

I am sure that I am later than anyone blogging Tuli’s new skin tone in her Hope line, Ivory. That said, I really enjoyed working with these skins. I found them versatile and loved the new make-ups. As always the skins are gorgeous and photograph beautifully

Ah, finally I get to how you my favourite hair from the Hair Fair!!! Tukinowguma is the hair store and I wanted to find the perfect outfit to show it off. I found it at DP YumYum, which is in the process of being renovated right now. The hair and flower are texture change. Oh isn’t it just the sweetest thing?? Pics shot at Route 66.

During my travels around the grid, I came across the store, Likka House and the lovely grey dress, Giselle. This dress has a Glow or non Glow option. Hair is by Magica and Pics shot at Cesaire.

I found this delicious dress at Pinky Gals (originally to go with my favourite hair from the hair fair). It has a lovely shine which I teamed up with Hoofs (from Lazy Places demonology Hunt on now) and a great new hair from Boon (half price right now). Shot at Carpe Noctem.

Credits: all Skins Tuli Hope Ivory, All eyes Exodi and Hoot.

Pic1- Shoes from !SSUS! Magellen Corsett Wedges(95L), Absinthe Lace trim Pumps (95L), Black Pentagram Platforms(195L), Red Gothic Rose Platforms (195L), Outfit DP YumYum Rose Petal Dress Red.

Pic2-refer to other pics

Pic-3 Tuli Ivory 6 PU, Redgrave Twiggy Lashes, DP YumYum Rose Petal Dress, Hair Tukinowaguma Morning Rose Ash, !SSUS! Gothic Rose Platforms red.

Pic4-Tuli Ivory 4 PU, Dress Likka House Giselle Grey, Mystic Ears Naturals Illusions, !SSUS! Black Pentagram Platforms, HoC Pentagram Necklace Silver, Magica Hair Safety Pin Blond A.

Pic5-Tuli Ivory 10PU, Dress Pinky Gals Dress05 Red, Evolution Bleeding Heart Collar Red (Philotic Energy Part of a 50L gift box), Sh*t Happens Mariya Stirrup Pants Crimson, Tatts GoK Aphrodisia, Lazy Places Myth Satyr Hoof (Demonology Hunt) Hair Boon Mau486 Blond, Horns *Hexed* Alt Sinners (The store has closed but Alt items still available onXStreet)..

The Swimsuit Edition…

A Canadian summer is something of an oxymoron… But our short summer does have its moments of sweetness. Here are some of my favourite Bathing Suits snagged over the summer and I’d better show them to you before I have to pull out my snow shovel and Toques!!

A lovely suit from Boom and what better way to show off the mmmm’ cleavage supplied by League? Shot at Coco’s Island.

When I was 9 my parents flew us all to England and Ireland to meet the relatives and see the sights. I remember Brighton pier and hiding behind windbreaks trying to get a tan. Suit by DP YumYum.

When I was older I went to Maine. It was the year Jaws came out in the theaters and I remember reading the book. No one wanted to go in the water. Love the Artillieri suit and glasses. Shoes and toes by SLink. Hair was a freebie by Junwave. Shot at Amity Island.

When January and February rear their ugly heads, I want to be Here. This combo reminded me of the Disco – Early Eighties (Dallas) era. The Suit is from Thimbles.

And where does a Cyberchick sunbather get her little self to? Well home of course and I’m not tellin’ you where that is.. Suit and clothes from Aoharu.

Credits: Eyes by Exodi, Gracile and Hoot.

Pic1-Skin League Misty Pale Classic Blond Bald, Suit Boom Wild Girl II, Hair Truth Linda Tahiti, Ng White&Black flipflops, Eyes Exodi Vetro*.

Pic2-Skin My Ugly Dorothy mama’s Lipstick, Suit DP YumYum Candy Bikini Pink, ThuperThoaker Boutique of Oddness, Surf Couture Freedom Flops, Hair Junwave Delia Gold, Bandaids by Reek, *.

Pic3-Skin Boutique Parfait (Fleur NLA) 5th&Oxford, Suit Artilleri Jeanette Red/White, Glasses Artilleri Onyxia White, Shoes SLink L’Amour Platforms red, Tattoo Artilleri Maggie, Hair Junwave Vivi red (free) *.

Pic4-Skin Cupcakes Enchanted Sienna Ruby F, Suit Thimbles 1983 Calling, Shoes Sakka’s Studio Gladiator Wedge Beige, Eyes Gracile Illuminati Gold, Jewellery Chuculet Bracelet Gold, Nose Ring DSN Manadrop, Bangles Nomine Gypsy, Hair Truth Gogo Seaspray, Tatts Coll Double Dragon.

Pic5-Skin GP Curio Petal Doe, Outfit Aoharu Spangle simple Swimsuit Blk, French Sleeve Denim Jacket Blk, Denim Shorts Blk, Hair Magika Fly Brown, Tatts Huz Henna2, Boots Shiny Things Ving Blk, Gloves Pididdle, Earrings Miel Sol (50LFridays) Sn@tch Dirty Biker Arm Cuff, Eyes by Hoot.

Royal Blue … Review

Royal Blue is one of the many charming Boutique type stores located in the Horst/LLoyd/Starlust sims. I had been planning to make my way over there for a while, so I was delighted when Marni Grut dropped a sample of some of the new items appearing today at her store. Of course I had to take a gander at her wares and was impressed by the originality and freshness of her designs, grabbing a few items while there. The clothes are sold as separates and meant to mix and match. She also sells shoes, bags and accessories.

Credits: New Items – (Royal Blue) Floaty Summer Dress Dark Summer, Jacket Corporate Pow Wow in Boardroom Blue, Shoes Sluts in Skyscrapers(come with re-size script), Bag Studded Clutch Olive(comes with AO or without). Eyes (Exodi) Realite grape,(Fashionably Dead) Heavy Brow Bird Skin, Hair (!Lamb) Unbirthday redux Tacky Gold, Jewellery (Violet Voltaire) No Love Lost and DM Stoned Life Bracelet, Pants Meow for I am Catwoman Black and Top Body Con is not Dead silver (Royal Blue). Shot in 1920’s Berlin Project and Tochigi Japan. Poses by LAP, Blogger Pack.

Enchanted…

Normally when a new skin comes into my life I walk around the grid for a couple of days to get a feel for it. I tweak the face to fit the skin better and try to get a feel for the personality and how this skin fits with my Avie. “Enchanted” is the new skin from Cupcakes and at first glance has much in common with Seduction, another Cupcakes skin. I remember Seduction's lips primarily and these lips are still large and beautiful. I found my Avie had a sad look to her so the lips got smaller and corners turned up a little more than usual. She had something of a classic beauty look to her which is fine though I like my blonds to have an edge. I was running around shopping…(so many sales!!) when I spied this dress from A-Bomb and with the shoes..I realized all it needed was some funky hair and I’d have an 80’s Debbie Harry feel.

The body has some nice shading and its understated, soft with a lovely belly. There are areas across the body where the tone is a little uneven but could be interpreted as light tanlines. The face is especially well shaded with contouring around the cheeks, lips and eyes. I have shown the freckled versions as I love the texturing, freckles are lightly sprinkled around the body.

The skin comes in four tones; Cream, Apricot, Sienna, Sepia, and Cioccolato. All my pics are with the Sienna Tone, a light tan.

There are 11 Make-ups which run the gamut from Bare to Ruby. Eye make-ups are pretty, and lips range from very glossy to matte. Left side; Bare Freckles, Berry Freckles, Fairy Freckles, Glamorous Freckles, Golden Freckles. Right Side; Midnight Freckles, Natural Freckles, Princess freckles, Ruby Freckles, Smokey Freckles. (I left out Midori Freckles, oops!) This picture doesn’t do justice to the gorgeous eyes and lips, it is well worth demoing just to see them. Individual skins are 1000L with fatpacks going at 5000L. Poses are from Flowey, who is having a 50% sale this week and I found the Mike and animation (Falta’s Animation) for free in the sim where I took the pictures, Sinners Heaven. The Hair is from Truth and the shoes from A-Bomb as well, are texture change which makes them pretty versatile.

Credits; Outfit 1-Skin-Cupcakes Enchanted/Sienna, Eyes-Exodi Vetro Eyes Blue, Outfit-A Bomb Little Lisa Dress, Fukmi Shoes, Jewellery Violet Voltaire Creepy Crawly Cuppycake, Hair-Truth Grazia Mirage. Outfit 2-Skirt Tuli denim miniskirt pink, !lux! Pink Band Aids Luxicous Main Store, Flipflops Sand Shack Surf Co. Freedom flops pink. Poses from Flowey (Bottom pose is a blogger gift from Vposes.)

Heading to the beach….

I am a beach bum. There is nothing I like better than a day or week spent messing around on a beach. Packing for a beach excursion is another story. Between one towel and packing ones whole house is the challenge. I have taken holidays with family members who could not pack light. No word of a lie, this is what they physically transported from cottage down 2 stair carries, across rocky shore; wagon packed with 2 coolers, 6 chairs, bags packed with toys, games, food, towels, sunscreen, blankets, 2 umbrellas, dog, bikes, cooler containing every drink known to man, huge lunch and every known condiment. After lugging all this stuff to the beach, an operation requiring half a day, we would arrive, the sun would disappear behind a cloud, it would begin raining and we would have to drag all that paraphernalia back up to the cottage. And the cottage was so close as to make most of that effort unnecessary.

So aside from family vacations which resemble a John Candy movie or Nation Lampoon Vacation, this is what I pack for a day at the beach; 1 Bag for carrying it all, Sunscreen, Sunglasses,Hat, Book, Magazine (neither of which I’ll really read) drinks, Towel and Beachmat, maybe snacks or small lunch (don’t forget the bikini and camera..). Of Course if I am not close to home (or cottage, or Hotel) then I’ll revert to John Candy mode. But really, the whole point is to get to the beach, ASAP, and if I’m lucky I’ll find a nice Tiki bar nearby which serves great food and has a happy hour…

Credits: Skin Blowpop Elizabeth ToneC Granny Smith2, Hair @Waffles! Miucha, Outfit from Sand Shack Surf Co. Racerback Striped Tank, Rolled Denim Shorts, Freedom Flops, Funnel Cake Shades, Beach Bag from Ibizarre (with animation), Jewellery from DM Designs Jewellery Gems n Roses. Pics Shot at RFL Spirit.

Moon River....

Roslin Petion and CJ Carnot only have themselves to blame. After waiting for weeks with bated breath to see the new skins…. I suffered a relapse to Diva-ness upon glancing at the name of the new Line, Audrey… I have spent the last day or two channeling my inner Audrey but I stopped myself before things turned really creepy. The funny thing is I was in New York last March (after Twenty Years) standing outside of Tiffany’s and I did not go in… Some things are better left imagined..

These two collaborators, who have been part of some of the best loved Skin lines in SL, closed up shop several weeks ago in order to introduce not only skins but a whole new Brand, 5th & Oxford. Roslin has said that they will over the next few months be introducing a whole range of products which will fit with the concept of a lifestyle brand.

Audrey comes in four lines at this point; Fresh Freckles, Fresh, Smolder and Smokey. Like in the past, the make ups are impeccable and if you have owned Fleur or TAP skins before, you will not be disappointed. What has changed about the make ups now are the changes which have occurred in the body. The lips are far more defined, with a variety of lipsticks and shading. On the face the nose is nicely rendered as is the lip area. The body as a whole is beautifully shaded with details, like the belly, back, neck and bum each having it’s own character. The only area missing detail to my view is the ankle but it seems to be a problem area for a lot of skin makers as the ankle can look knobby if done wrong. My overall view of the skin is that the shading and details are sensitively rendered, coupled with the makups which as usual are stunning.

There are three tones for each skin, fair, Med and Tan. Medium being my favorite. Each skin is 600L with 6 skins going for 2400L (with a store card). Demo’s available. Because I was channelling Audrey and because Ivalde was having a photo Contest (which I believe I missed by a whole week), I went looking for something she might have worn. Early 60’s old Hollywood….

Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.

© 1961 Paramount Music Corporation, ASCAP

Credits: Skins-5th&Oxford, Audrey (wearing fair smolder2), Eyes-Exodi Twilight Bella, Hair-Curio Paper Tiger Wheat Blond, Dress -Ivalde Desiree Black 1960, Shoes-Sin Daphne, Cigarette-Mika Elegant Animated Cigarette holder/Ebony silver, Jewellery Chuchulet. Most pics taken at MC Store.

Maya…

Last but not least, in the series of new Blowpop skins by Annyka Bekkers is Maya. I have tried in all these reviews to capture something of the spirit of these skins with clothes and hair,while keeping my own shape and find a look that I was comfortable with.

Like the others, Maya comes in four tones. My Fave was the third.

This is the third tone and the make-ups are available with 2 lip options. Maya C Tone Bare2, Au Contraire2, Mink2, Van Bean2, Grenadine2 and Queen of the Night2.

While shooting Carmen in Drowsy sim, I came across a store that I realized had the perfect clothes for what I wanted for Maya , Kurotsubaki. As well I bought the Hat and Hair there. I wanted to capture something of the comfort and casualness of summer clothes. Cotton, bright colours and a Hat to protect me from the sun. Scrunchy Socks and flat shoes I found courtesy of Beanie Canning’s blog, Beanie Loves Japan.

Credits: Eyes Exodi Twilight Bella, Hair and Hat (+earrings) Kurotsubaki Mugiwara, Clothes Kurotsubaki Old Clothes Skirt Green, Tunic Yellow, Scarf Pretties by JB Marms Spring Scarf Orange Sorbet and Bangles, Socks Sen*2, Shoes Sakka’s Studio Strap Sabo Sandals, Tatoo Aphrodisia from The Garden of Ku (GoK). Pics Shot at Feast and Aught. Poses from Flowey and Oyakinbo.

Doomed…

I honestly don’t know what to call this style….Circus Lolly? When I read about the closing of Crimson Shadow, I was sad I must admit but my ears perked up when I heard the word sale and they perked up again when I heard that Carnival of Doom was also having a sale. 50 L for dresses. Each of these pieces were 50L..

I knew I would have to find the perfect location to shoot pics of this outfit or I would end up looking perfectly ridiculous so I returned to a sim I have photographed before, Crucible. This amazing build has many odd corners and out of the way places to explore.

I had lots of fun playing around with the windlight settings. Shoot me, I had to use a facelamp…(only on this shot though.)

These great boots are from Sn@tch because everyone needs at least one pair of killer stompers. I managed to pick up a number of Dresses, a Corset Thingy and an Evil Avatar…

Credits: Skin-Curio June Doe, Eyes Exodi Vetro Blood, Sn@tch Gooshers, Hair Shadenfreude Black Witch Nekomi, Leggings Truth Xanadu Silver, Socks Mia Snow Broken Heart Garter Stockings (part of Broken Heart outfit) Earring RinRin Rin Cafe&Shop (F), Earthstones Spider Lip Ring, Outfit- Carnival of Doom Blood Bigtop Tanktop, Tutu and Lingerie, Ruff and Cuffs.