Spring is for Girly Dresses

I've been away from SL for all of two days.  This morning I browsed through the blogs, and guess what?  Mon Tissu had a new release of a girly spring dress in my absence.  Even better, I was able to match my espadrilles from Gos to the dress!  What more could I ask for?  Besides emptying all the avatars out of Pose Fair just for me so I can shop, that is.

Credits:

Gos Lolita Espadrilles - Colour Collection

Mon Tissu Rokoray Dress ~ Peonies
Truth Ariel w/Roots - pumpkinpie
Pure Poison - Silver Flowers Earrings
Slink Mesh Hands
Izzie's - Asia Skin Ginger Edition pale freckles

Izzie's - Asia Eyeshadow pink
Poetic Colors Eyes - classic gen4 - snow light - medium bright

Mandala Simple Ears HUTUU
Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Fun and Earrings

Here's something fun to do this week.  Beginning tomorrow, March 28th, through April 3rd, Pure Poison is having an Easter Hunt for mesh earrings - a new set each day.  I've seen them and they're gorgeous.  According to the sign, each pack contains a gold and silver version.

If you're wondering about this pretty skin, it's by Essences and available at the Zodiac event for $250L.  Skin makers that offer discounted skins at events give me a chance to walk around in a new skin without investing too deeply.  It works to tempt me.  Now I want to check out more Essences skins, of course.

Credits:

Pure Poison - Gold Lagrima Earrings (available during the Pure Poison Easter Hunt)
Essences Aries 03 *light rose* ginger (available at Zodiac)

TRUTH Brianna w/Roots - pumpkinpie
Rebel Hope Bali Dress

Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Spring Field, w3)

See the Taxi Page for SLurls

Dolly's Social Media Meme

Thanks to Strawberry Singh's meme, I'm thinking about and sharing more of my Second Life.  This time the subject is social media. 

What was the first social network you joined using your SL Avatar?
Since I consider Second Life itself to be a social media site, at least in part, that would be the first.  Flickr was the second.

Which social networks are you currently on using your SL Avatar?
Flickr
Facebook (for games when I'm in the mood)
Plurk
NOTE: If someone wants to add me on Plurk it's fine as long as you identify yourself as a Second Life person.

Which network is your favorite?
Flickr - I love looking at all the pretty pictures, passing out pink stars to my favorites, and if I'm lucky, receiving some back. 

Which network is your least favorite?
Facebook.  The games are addictive, the privacy issues are a concern to me, and I HATE how they advertise to me.

Which network do you have the most amount of connections?
Probably Flickr, but I'm not sure.

How/Where do you usually read/use most of your networks?
Mostly on my phone.

What are your favorite social networking apps? (if applicable)
Honestly I don't have any apps for these things.  The browser seems to work fine for what I do.

What do you like most about social networking sites?
It depends on the site.  For Flickr, pictures.  For Plurk, information.  For Facebook, games.

What do you like least about social networking sites?
Call me old fashioned, but I just can't share myself on social networking sites.  What I am willing to share flattens me into a two dimensional person, but I'm not willing to defend core beliefs to strangers on the internet with no context as to who we are and what might have shaped us.  Other people are better users, and I don't speak for everyone, only myself.

Do you feel social networks are a good way to promote you/your brand/your work?
Yes, I do.  Most of my blog traffic comes from Plurk and Flickr, where I am part of the Second Life community.

What is your main reason for using Social Networks?
Again, it depends on the site, but in general it's a connection to other Second Life users and a way to share information, idle chitchat and pretty pictures.

Credits:

coldLogic shirt - perdue.earth

LeLutka BREEZE hair - ItsNotGinger (old group gift)

Belleza Ava Med Red 1

Slink Mesh Hands

Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (Desert Dawn Shadow, w3)

Olive Juice- Butterfly Pose (no longer available)

Home Is Always A Work in Progress

I try to blog regularly, but I got distracted after going to see the beautiful Neva River, which is only open to the public for a limited time.  It inspired me to redo my little bit of Second Life, and I borrowed liberally from Neva Crystall's vision.  See her blog HERE for more information.  The Studio Skye path leading to the steps of the house, and indeed the house from Culprit, I discovered by wandering her sim.  The tree tunnel from Studio Skye is a particular favorite. 

I added a pond in front of the house.  To the rear is a bay.  On the right side of the house is a stream that begins with a waterfall.  I find water features restful and in Second Life they're also prim savers if you have terraform rights.

I can't - nor would I want to - exactly recreate Neva's beautiful sim.  I'm adding elements from it and giving credit where it is due.

The trees are from Deco and Botanical, grasses from Rustica, rocks and waterfall from Studio Skye.  The pictures are raw shots with Annan Adored windlight settings and shadows turned on. 

Easy Tiger

Maitreya Dakota Top * Silver Tiger

Maitreya August Ankle Boots * Dark Grey

Maitreya Zipper-Skinny Jeans * Dirty

[iruco]hair28M

[Iruco] gacha / blow glasses (bk)

Maxi Gossamer - Bracelet - Tarifa

 Maxi Gossamer Necklace - Babette - Combo Small - JET SILVER

*League* Jen Suntan PinkChampagne

Slink Hands

Berry Pose 4 - Label Motion

SLURL's on Taxi page

It's Spring at coldLogic

Everybody knows I love coldLogic.  I get so excited with every new release.  Well, there's a big spring release with great jackets, sweaters, capris, jumpsuits, skirts, dresses and combinations like the comfortable, slouchy sweater and dress outfit I'm wearing in this picture.  The colors are spring bright and happy like this purple.  Me, in PURPLE!  I feel so daring.

In case you're wondering, I'm in the Barnesworth Anubis skybox that's available at Collabor88.  It's the perfect size for me.

Credits:

coldLogic dress - darcy.grapes
Maxi Gossamer - RING - Ketama
Slink Mesh Hands 

Decoy Izel Scarf - Spring Wind (at Collabor88)

Gos Lolita Espadrilles - Colour Collection 

LeLutka - VIBRATO hair - IrishRed
Belleza - Ava Med Red 0

SLurls to stores are on the Taxi Page

Dolly's Procrastination Meme

Super blogger Strawberry Singh has posted a new blogger meme - procrastination.  Since I did the last meme I figure I'll just keep going.  This picture of the Baiastice bathing suit is perfect for my procrastination meme.  I took it about a week ago.  The Truth hair Marisol was new then.  I thought I should reshoot it with a new skin from skin fair.... but I didn't get around to it.  :-P  So, I'll procrastinate and answer all these questions instead of taking another picture!

1. What is the rez date for your current SL Avatar that you use most often? Dolly Baroque, August 9, 2007
2. Where was the first place you made friends as a newb and got to know people in Second Life? I don't remember the name but it was a castle and I think the sim started with an X Maybe a Z.  I met a few people there, one I still chat with occasionally.
3. Where do you spend most of your SL time now? At my home on the Alterior Living sim.  I have a platform, a skybox, and my own little plot of land and sea.
4. Who is your closest friend in Second Life? (only pick one) There is no way I can choose one best friend.  I have three, Ayla Barzane, AprilMae Devin, and Clay Cowen.
5. What is the most favorite thing in your inventory? (only pick one) ONE?  Oh jeeze, this is a hard one.  I guess my SLink hands.  I haven't taken them off since I got them.
6. The last thing you purchased in Second Life? One Bad Pixel shorts in a floral print! 
7. What color clothing does your avatar wear most often?  I love earth tones and buy lots of neutrals to mix and match better.  Rusty reds and browns are probably my first choices.
8. Do you prefer to walk, run or fly?  I walk.  Dolly has a cute wiggle.
9. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done in SL? Oh goodness, I've done so many crazy things I can't narrow it down. I had amnesia and forgot I was married to a nasty pirate.  I had a deep pit in the floor of my house and occasionally would toss in people who annoyed me and hold them prisoner.  I threw pies at Ayla all the time (this is all roleplay, of course). 
10. Who would you like to play YOU, in the movie of your SLife?  Maybe Deborah Ann Woll who plays Jessica on True Blood.  She's hot!

In Bloom

Today is a good day.  In my real life I noticed a few pink blossoms on my cherry tree which means we will have Spring!  Of course last year it bloomed in February due to an unseasonably warm winter, but this year I'm so ready for Spring to begin.

In my Second Life it's a good day because I managed to put together an outfit, pose and setting to my satisfaction - trust me, it doesn't happen that often.  The silk blouse is from 22769 Casual Couture and the espadrilles from Gos Boutique - both currently for sale at Liaison Collaborative's Boutique.  The summery floral shorts are a new release from One Bad Pixel.  I featured the Gypsy caravan from Zigana in an earlier post.  It's still available at The Arcade Gacha Event.

Credits:

22769 ~ [femme] keiko silk top cherry blossom
One Bad Pixel Cuffed Denim Shorts Flor 1

TRUTH Marisol w/Roots - pumpkinpie
Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (Desert Dawn Shadow, w3)
Slink Mesh Hands
Gos Lolita Espadrilles - Colour Collection
Izzie's - Asia Skin Ginger Edition pale freckles (at Skin Fair 2013)

Izzie's - Asia Eyeshadow smokey
BeetleBones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

 Pose by Del May

 

I Went to Skin Fair and Now I'm Broke

 You can see why I'm broke.  At Skin Fair, which opened on March 15th, I went wild with demos from creators I've never worn before and ended up buying way too much.  These are my two favorite purchases of the day.  I used the same shape, pose and windlight setting to highlight the fascinating way these talented skin designers are able to create such different but equally lovely looks. 

The top skin is Lana in the fair shade from Glance Skins.  It comes with the full range of eyebrows.  I liked the hooded eyes that make my eyes seem deep set.  Lipstick and eye makeup tattoos were sold separately for this skin, and I snapped them up as well for the sake of versatility, though I'm not using them in this picture. 

 Izzie's Asia skin is a fresh faced beauty with a bloom on her cheeks.  The ginger edition of this skin comes with or without freckles.  I'm not usually a freckles girl, but I found these freckles totally captivating and couldn't resist.  Asia comes with lipstick and eyeshadow layers, although again I opted for the base layer only for the photo. 

The Skin Fair 2013 covers two sims with simple easy rez builds which I appreciated.  Although both sims were nearly full I had no lag and things rezzed pretty quickly.  Strip down to a bathing suit, check your avatar rendering cost, be mindful of scripts, and you're ready to shop.  Many designers have sent demos of their skins to the Skin Fair 2013 group.  It's a free group, so join if you have the space and pluck all the demos out of group notices.  For more information about Skin Fair, including maps and SLurls, check out their website HERE.
 

Other Credits:

 

Pure Poison - Rock Earrings- Gold- Nude 

LeLutka - LOOSE hair - AuburnHaze

Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Deep Honey Hazel, w3) R

Balancing Act

I can't get over how many great creations are being released this month, one after another.  The gorgeous fountain from Deco is available right now at Collabor88.  The Rebel Hope dress, Earthstones earrings, and Gos Boutique espadrilles were released today in a brand new designer showcase event from Liaison Collaborative's Boutique.

Did you notice I've gone blonde?  It suited this new lovely VIP group skin from PXL Creations. 

Credits:

EarthStones Maxine Earrings - Spectrolite
Gos Boutique - Lolita Espadrilles
PXL Creations - SOPHIA NAT SPRING (VIP Gift)
TRUTH - Teddy w/Roots - seasand
Rebel Hope - Bianca Dress
BeetleBones Mesh Lashes
Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (True Grey, w3)
Slink Mesh Hands

Pretty as a Picture

I can't help it. I get breathlessly excited over certain designers' new releases.  This time Maitreya's and Gos Boutique's releases put me over the edge into hyperventilating.  I feel so pretty!  

Credits:

Maitreya Dakota Dress Batik Print

Gos Boutique Angelina Peeptoe - Seduction Collection

LeLutka - CANTO hair - IrishRedFade
Glam Affair - Amberly - America 09 Red
Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Spring Field, w3)
BeetleBones Mesh Lashes V.01 (clumpy tintable)
Slink Mesh Hands
Frame prop and pose from Glitterati

(SLurls to stores are on the Taxi Page)

Summer Dreaming

Hello! It's been over a month since I last blogged, it's been weeks since I've been on Second Life at all really. I had a lot of shopping to catch up on.  Collabor88, The Arcade Gacha, Fameshed to name a few. Anyway, I took this snap of me in a little cute outfit from C88. It made me want summer so I took myself off to Alirium where's it's summer all year round. Makes up for the snow we have had this week. Snow, in March?!

::{u.f.o}::burst into bloom skirt - pink flower @ Collabor88

::{u.f.o}::lace ruffle collar blouse - pink @ Collabo88

Slink Mesh Hands

>TRUTH< Tenille w/Roots - toast

*League* Jen Suntan Natural

SLURL's can be found on the Taxi page

Dolly's Seven SL Facts Meme

 I was planning to do a quick post about this gorgeous Adam N Eve Bethany skin, a preview for the Skin Fair, but I happened to see the fabulous Strawberry Singh's blog post called My Seven SL Facts Meme.  It's a great idea and I thought it would be fun to play along.  In Berry's own words, here is the meme:

"The first meme I’m going to start with is the seven SL facts meme. Basically I’m going to share seven facts about my SL avatar or my SLife that may or may not be obvious to all my readers. The only thing I ask is, don’t judge me (or at least just do it quietly in your head)! :P"

So here are seven SL facts about Dolly Baroque:

1. I read about Second Life in the New York Times in 2007 and thought it might be fun to be a land mogul.  I missed the subtle suggestions of sex being a part of SL - it was the New York Times, after all.  After leaving Orientation Island I quickly learned about the seamier side of SL and dived right in, forgetting all about becoming a rich land mogul. 
2. Most of my best friends in SL I met while role playing our fantasies in turgid purple prose at a much missed sim called Claiming Beauty.  We had long involved story lines and considered ourselves elite role players.  Ayla, Clay, April, and I are forever friends from our role playing days.  I still chat occasionally with other role play buddies, but my role play days are mostly behind me because of time.  A good role play takes HOURS!
3. I've met one SL friend in RL, April.  We had a great time, even wearing matching polka dotted swimsuits at the pool.
4. I built furniture and houses and sold them until mesh took over.  It was more of a hobby than a source of income, but I enjoyed it. Maybe I'll figure out Blender someday.
5. Ayla had to explain to me what a camel toe was.  Even then it took me awhile to figure out what she meant.  I learned lots and lots of naughty terminology from Ayla.  I'm not sure that's an SL fact or a RL fact, but if it weren't for SL I'd probably never have caught on.
6. My alt is named Callie.  While I try to be nice and kind, she's a bit of a snot.  Of course she's a blonde, blue eyed princess and never lets anyone forget it.  She's very demanding when I let her out, always begging me for money to update her wardrobe.  Sometimes I say no and she sulks.  All my friends know she's me - well, sort of me.  I do think sometimes our avatars all have a mind of their own.
7. Oh gosh, last one, hmmm... I guess I'll tell you about my inventory.  I admire all those people who keep tidy inventories.  I chime in to every conversation about inventory management.  My inventory is a mess.  I have a few subfolders for hair, skin, shoes, accessories, furniture, houses and skyboxes, but I'm slow to put things away.  I occasionally go on a deleting purge, but after I get rid of a thousand or so items I'm ready to shop.  The cycle continues.

Now back to the regularly scheduled program:

The Skin Fair opens to the public on March 15th, and I'm looking forward to demoing lots of skins.  More news about Skin Fair can be found HERE.

Credits:

Adam N Eve Skins - Bethany T3 Russet (Skin Fair Preview)

Adam N Eve Skins Bare Inner Eyelid
Dura-Boys&Girls 41(Sienna) (tinted)
League Dipped Feather Earring RoseGold
MANDALA Simple Ears Hutuu
Baiastice Bibbe dress-print blue (at The Arcade Gacha Event)
Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Spring Field, w3)
Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Layers for Changable Weather from One Bad Pixel

I love love love the store, One Bad Pixel, and have been waiting awhile for a new release.  Good news!  One Bad Pixel released a beautiful new sweater and shirt combo for that Spring nip in the morning air.  It  has a color change hud for the shirt and belt which makes this a very versatile wardrobe essential.  Their new release shorts in loads of color choices fit flawlessly beneath the blouse.

Credits:

One Bad Pixel Cuffed Denim Shorts Taupe
One Bad Pixel Sweater and Blouse Olive Chenille

Dura Hair - Boys&Girls*41(Sienna) (tinted)
Tres Blah Saddle Shoe - Brown Floral with Ruffle Socks
-Belleza- Ava Med Red 0

Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Spring Field, w3)
Slink Mesh Hands

BeetleBones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)
GLITTERATI pose and coffee prop

(See Taxi Page for SLurls to stores)

The Traveler

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life."

Jack Kerouac

I was looking for a profound quote about traveling because I'm feeling a little romantic about subject.  My romanticism stems from this amazing Gypsy Caravan by Zigana at The Arcade Gacha Event.  It put me in the mood to travel the vast wilderness - as long as it's not too cold in the vast wilderness, and there are no bears, snakes, tics, mosquitoes or motorcycle gangs.  Bathroom facilities nearby would be nice as well.  Well, in Second Life I can just teleport to a nice hot shower.
  

The accessories were from The Arcade Gacha Event as well - musical instruments from Balaclava!, Wizard of Oz themed items from HandVerk,  a table and tea goodies from Tres Blah.  Just because I'm camping out shouldn't mean I can't throw a nice tea party.

I also love the romantic rosebud skirt and tops from Tee*fy in the March round of Collabor88.  They match my teapot!  The wispy D!va hair is perfection with it.

Wearing:

D!va Hair "Flora" (Type B)(Red amber) 
Tee*fy Elyse Wrapped Tucked Tank  Floral
Tee*fy Estelle Fluffy Skirt Floral
-Belleza- Ava Med Red 0
Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)
Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Spring Field, w3)
Slink Mesh Hands 

March Collabor88 Goodies

I'm only halfway through unpacking my Collabor88 purchases, so I'll make this a quick post.  The Fashionably Dead shorts, Tres Blah socks and saddle shoes, and LISP table with nerd bookends are early favorites from the March Collabor88 offering. 

I got distracted from further unpacking by the sudden need to furnish my new Barnesworth Anubis skybox, also from Collabor88.  The furnishings (straight out of my inventory) are from Dutchie, Post, LAQ, UrbanizeD, and LISP.

Perfection is the Enemy of Creation

I can't decide.  There is a photo contest for Glam Affair's Amberly skin.  Win, place or lose, photo contests can be lots of fun.  Like blog challenges, they push you to experiment a bit and then to focus on something in particular.  In this case it's a skin that I really love.  I've taken several photos of it.  Though I can submit two photos, I'm not sure which two I like.  Is a SLink hand in the first picture a no no?  Is there enough face in the second one?  Is the third photo a little flat because the shadows are so soft?

More often than I like to admit, my favorite photos happen by surprise. I take lots of pictures from different angles and in different windlight settings.  Some things work, some don't.  I'm not to the point where I can follow a set of procedures and turn out consistent work.  However, I think my skills have improved with experimentation.  I'm not perfect and neither are my photos, but a wise woman once paraphrased Voltaire when she said, "Perfection is the enemy of creation."  Who?  I forget.  I already said I wasn't perfect.

Credits:

Glam Affair Amberly Skin America number 11 and bare

Lelutka Hair Lillian

 PiDiddle Kitty Bow Peep Band (at the Arcade Gacha Event)

Truth Hair London

Remarkable Oblivion Crown

Lelutka Hair Canto (fades)

 LaGyo Beret

On a Dare

These sizzling hot dresses from Cracked Mirror should be worn on a dare.  If you walk around in world in either dress, make sure you remember your panties (wink).  You'll find both dresses at FaMeshed until the end of March.

Credits:

First photo

Cracked Mirror Para Dress (black) (at FaMeshed)
Yummy Observation Earrings
Wasabi Pills Valerie Mesh Hair - Gingerbread
Remarkable Oblivion - Clutch - Black
Slink Mesh Hands
Glam Affair - Amberly - America 11 Red

Second photo

Cracked Mirror Slip Dress (red) (at FaMeshed)
Maxi Gossamer - Bracelet - Santa Fe - Large
Maxi Gossamer - Ring - Gigi Shimmer Bow - Small
Slink Mesh Hands 

Gos Grace Sandal - Elegance Collection

LeLutka -VIBRATO hair - IrishRed
Glam Affair - Amberly - America 11 Red

Poses by Diesel Works

Just a Little Streeeetch...

...and I'll get back to work.  It's a new month and there are events and goodies to blog!  My ultra feminine and sexy dress is from Valentina E. Couture at FaMeshed, and the desk and chair is a rare item from Dig's gacha at The Arcade Gacha Event.  The artwork is from Pilot, not a new release.  I managed to clutter up the desk with various items from my inventory. 

Credits:

Valentina E. - Marilyn Dress Blossom Cherry

TRUTH Hair Savina w/Roots (Mesh) - marmalade
Maxi Gossamer - Necklace - Lealao Pendant - Short

Gos Boutique - Sophia Peeptoe - Essentials Collection
Glam Affair - Amberly - America Clean Red
Poetic Colors Eyes - classic gen4 - snow light - medium bright 

BeetleBones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Slink Mesh Hands

Pose by the incomparable Del May
 

(See Taxi to Stores Page for SLurls)

Second Life - Another Time and Place

Some of the most intriguing and beautiful places in Second Life are roleplay sims like Venexia.  When Bilo released two styles of caftans with a medieval flair, I decided it was time to peek in on this gorgeous sim in costume.  It was quiet when I arrived and donned my observer tag.  The little bit of roleplay that I overheard was interesting and made me want to read the background story.  Creativity in Second Life is not just in building beautiful things and dressing up our avatars, but in telling stories - sometimes comedy, sometimes tragedy, sometimes with pictures, and sometimes with words.  No wonder I love Second Life.

Now where's that gondola to take me to my palazzo?

Credits:

Purple Moon Venice Necklace in Chocolate
Bilo Rani - Iram Golden Fire
Slink Ilena Sandals Standard Brown
Slink Mesh Feet (Rigged)
Slink Mesh Hands 

LeLutka - LILLIAN Hair - IrishRed
Glam Affair - Amberly - America 09 Red
BeetleBones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)
 Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (True Grey, w3)
Olive Juice Pose Prop and pose - Blooms (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)