Backpacking Off the Beaten Path

I headed out to The Liaison Collaborative this morning to check out this month's collection inspired by a Route 66 road trip. I didn't try to capture the spirit of that road in my photo, but I really like this month's theme. For those who don't know, Route 66 is a 2,400 mile iconic and scenic East/West road in the United States from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California. It has been replaced for practical travel purposes by the interstate highway system, but Route 66 lives in the American imagination. A trip on Route 66 is more than a way to get from point A to point B. It's the Mother Road. Think Jack Kerouak's On the Road or John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath.

I discovered a new-to-me pose store at The Liaison Collaborative. I really liked the Off the Beaten Path poses from NanTra. My son spent a month in Scotland this summer where he spent his spare time backpacking and camping - activities that baffle his nice hotel or condo rental parents. I do appreciate the romance of camping out on a remote Scottish island, I'd just never do it. I was thinking these thoughts as I posed this blog photo, a study of on-the-road romance and sore feet.

Credits:

 

Pose, Backpack and Waterbottle by NanTra (at The Liaison Collaborative)
Baiastice Kafue Top-gold
Maitreya * Washed Out * BF Jeans Shorts
Pure Poison - Viking Woman Sandals - Brown
Epoque Metal Petal Ring - Gold/Obsidian

Eaters Coma - HAIR 55 / Mocha (at Uber)

Lara Hurley-Fae drained /Rose Pale
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Flat
Slink Physique Mesh Figure V1

Wet Head

Just in time for bikini weather comes this fabulous wet hair from Argrace. I adore the special and imaginative styles at that store! My Baiastice bikini is at Collabor88 for a few more days, and my freckled skin is the PXL Creations applier for my SLink Physique.

Credits:

ARGRACE HIKARI - Cinnamon (New Release)
Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower
Baiastice Luli Bikini - corals (at Collabor88)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Physique Mesh Figure V1
PXL Creations MIA Jazz NAT ~ Makeup 03 REB C2 (at Rhapsody)
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Pose by oOo Studios

Physique By SLink

No, I didn't go work out in the SLink gym, I bought the brand new mesh body by Siddean Munro, SLink's owner/creator. I'm wearing my usual shape - Physique is fitted mesh - and didn't see much of a difference in my body shape except for the lack of jagged edges. That's a good thing. I added the same size Baiastice mesh lingerie that I usually wear and it fits perfectly. A detailed alpha HUD is included to allow us to continue to wear most of our favorite mesh clothes we have collected over the past few years.

Scroll down at your own risk - to show my Physique, I'm showing my - umm - physique.

The only item that didn't work perfectly for me on the first try was my SLink hands. For some reason I had to go down a size to get the seamless fit I always have enjoyed. If that's the biggest issue, there really is no issue.

And yes, you need SLink hands and feet for this mesh body. You can wear your mesh head, or your system head. Appliers are coming from most major skin designers. I picked up the DeeTaleZ applier and saw a notice from Glam Affair letting customers know that appliers are also available in Glam Affair's main store.

My bottom line.... another excellent product to improve our avatars from SLink.

Credits:

Slink Physique Mesh Figure V1
DeeTaleZ Appliers for SLINK PHYSIQUE BODY MIXEDTYPE
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Becky

DeeTaleZ HUD for Slink Visage "Face Viola" MIXEDTYPE
TRUTH HAIR Lunara
Baiastice Lena Lingerie-lace-black
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Mid
IKON Spectral Eyes - Blue

Poses by Diesel Works

Aye Aye Captain

Collabor88 is open and it has a summer water theme. I'm a sucker for jean shorts and Maitreya's are a perfect summer basic. It was hard to decide which of the many adorable tops to add, but I settled on Baiastice's cute anchor top. Yummy Accessories offers the cute necklace and awesome captain's hat.

I'm still having fun with the SLink mesh heads, and get really excited when a skin maker releases a new skin applier. Adam N Eve Skins just released Simone. The skin is released with a basic applier including three brow choices, three eyeliner choices, and freckles, a mole or a sunkissed pink nose. An additional lipstick HUD can be purchased for more choices.

Credits:

Yummy Anchor Necklace- Gold (at Collabor88)

Yummy Captain's Hat - Navy Rim (at Collabor88)
Baiastice Marina shirt-anchors (at Collabor88)
Maitreya * Washed Out * BF Jeans Shorts (at Collabor88)
Eaters Coma - HAIR 47 / Light Mocha
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Becky
Adam N Eve Skin Simone Tone B Bare (New Release)
Adam N Eve Skin Simone Genesis Tone B Basic Applier for Slink Visage Head
IKON Spectral Eyes - Green

Collabor88 Goodies for April

I'm late in pointing out how great Collabor88 is this month, especially if you like florals and other girlie-girl goodies. But I'm not too late! Baiastice offers a darling top/dress, and coordinating leggings that fit perfectly under the top. The Hucci sandals with butterflies for SLink high feet are by far my favorite item this round. They're well worth fatpacking at Collabor88 prices.

Also at Collabor88 is the wearable pose balloon chair from Flowey. The Truth hair, Fleur, is available at Season's Story - Spring, also filled with loveliness and worth a visit.

Credits:

Hucci Vinnitsa Sandal - WildPink (at Collabor88)
Baiastice Jade Balloon top-Hawaii pink (at Collabor88)
Baiastice Lesha trousers-aqua (at Collabor88)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - High
TRUTH HAIR Fleur (at Season's Story)

Adam N Eve Carolyn 2 Tone C Applier for Slink Visage Head
Adam N Eve Skin Carolyn 2 Tone C Bare
Flowey air chair with poses - watercolor blush (at Collabor88)

My First SL Video - The Dance Meme

I am so excited! Because Strawberry Singh decided on a dance challenge for her blog meme this week I have actually made my first SL video! Yeah, it's not great, but I figured out some basics. I used Berry's recommended video capture software, Camtasia. There's a 30 day free trial, so I'm able to play with it a bit before committing to buying. Thanks Berry for prompting me to try something I've wanted to learn for a long time!

Meme Instructions: Share a photo and/or video of your avatar dancing in Second Life. Also answer the following questions and share your favorite dances and animation stores with us. Don’t forget to leave a link to your post in the comments and share your pictures in the Blog Memes Flickr Group.

1. Which dance are you sharing in the image/video and where is it from? I have HUDs filled with dances. The dance HUD I used in the video is filled with Vista Animations pop dances.
2. Which is your favorite dance in Second Life? – The old Bits and Bobs couples dances. They are awesome to watch.
3. What are your favorite dance animation stores in Second Life? – I haven't shopped for dances in quite awhile. Unlike clothes and skins, well made animations don't get too dated in SL, so oldies can still be goodies.
4. Are you a frequent dancer in Second Life? – Not so much lately, but Ayla, April and I like to get together and dance sometimes.
5. Are you a frequent dancer in the real world? – LOL. I used to dance for exercise, then I broke my ankle (not while dancing), and my dancing days seem to be over.

Credits:

Hucci Glynco Pumps - Corner Red
Baiastice Mjrie top-black-size
Maitreya Leather Skinny Pants - Black
TRUTH HAIR Anessa

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) S - Mid
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Becky
Adam N Eve Amy Genesis Tone C Basic Applier for Slink Visage Head
Adam n Eve Skin Carolyn 2 Tone C
IKON Promise Eyes - Green (M)
Pose for still picture from Diesel Works

SLex Life Meme

It's meme time again, and we've got some deep thrusting - ah - questions this week from Strawberry Singh of a sexual nature. I think I'll stick to answers about Second Life here, though some answers will apply to both lives. I'm more adventurous in Second Life than in real life. One of the things that first intrigued me about Second Life was the ability to explore fantasies in a safe virtual environment.

Meme instructions: Answer the following sexual questions because Berry is a perv and wants to know all about our sex lives. Don’t forget to leave a link to your post in her comments so we can perv all over your answers, multiple times.

Sexual Questions:

1. What is your sexual orientation or do you not like to label yourself? – I'm straight, only vaguely bi-curious.
2. Name a physical attribute that you find attractive or sexy. – In SL we can all be beautiful, so the first thing I find attractive is someone with charm, wit and who expresses themselves well. After that, an avatar that looks human is a must, and one that has at least a little sense of style.
3. Are you promiscuous, a prude or in between? – Dolly went through a slutty experimental stage but she has toned it down a lot in the past few years. Definitely not a prude though.
4. What turns you on? – Words, slow kisses, blindfolds.
5. Are you dominant or submissive? – In the bedroom I prefer a submissive role, but that pretty much stays in the bedroom. Out of the bedroom I'm downright bossy.
6. Are you into sexual roleplay? – Oh yes!
7. Which sexual position is your favorite? – I don't know what it's called. I love it when my partner is standing and I'm perched on the edge of a counter that's just the right height with my legs wrapped around him.... Oh my!
8. Do you have any fetishes? – Blindfolds and four poster beds and silk rope.
9. Have you or would you do porn, amateur or professional? – There are a few raunchy pictures of me possibly floating around in SL. I must say though, that visual porn doesn't really do it for me the way a hot roleplay story does.
10. Do you consider yourself sexy? – I'm sexual but I prefer to be subtle about it. I think whether that comes across as sexy is for others to decide. Deliberately trying to be sexy just fails for me.

Credits:

Baiastice Orly Lingerie-Silk pink
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Mid
AE Skin Carolyn 2 Tone C Bare and AE Carolyn 2 Applier for Mesh Head
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Becky
TRUTH HAIR Rowan

Chaise by Cheeky Pea

Pose from Chanimations
 

At Collabor88 - Baiastice

The theme at Collabor88 this month has something to do with outer space. It's an interesting theme and a bit of a challenge fashionwise. I'm not sure Baiastice's Danika dress cries out "outer space," but as inspiration for a beautiful design, the theme is a winner. The overall straps are cleverly casual and the fabric/leather pairing is stunning. Also from Collabor88 are the mixed metal bracelet from Yummy and the star inspired ring from Maxi Gossamer.

The new release hair from Truth is another sexy bedhead look called Tyr. Mr. Hawks is on a roll lately with sexy must have hair styles!

Credits:

Baiastice Danika dress - celeste (at Collabor88)

Yummy Rings of Saturn Bracelet - Mixed  (at Collabor88)
Maxi Gossamer - Ring - Nova Dream Moon - Large (at Collabor88)
TRUTH HAIR Tyr (ginger pack) (New Release)

Belleza- Ashley Med Xmas Gift R (Group Gift)

Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

IKON Spectral Eyes - Green

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands

I'd Like to Thank My Mom...It's the Oscar Contest!

Contests are fun and Harper Ganesvoort's 5th Annual Oscar Fashion Photo Contest is one of the most fun of all. Last year Ayla and I won 3rd place with this entry! Every red carpet fashionista should enter! Check out past years' entries (and add your entry for this year) at this Flickr pool.

I'm planning to take a few photos and choose my favorite for my entry, but this "Thanks Mom" photo is a definite possibility. There's time, the contest runs through March 2nd.

Credits:

Baiastice Giulia dress - metal gold
Mandala 777 jewelry set Yellow

LeLutka - KATE hair - AuburnHaze (New Release)
Glam Affair - Vera skin - America - FLF E

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Mid
ANE Aura Shoes GOLD 

Pose and Props - Standby Inc. - World Tour - Microphone (Gacha Item)

SL OSCAR (Free on Marketplace)

A Lesson in Truth

Truth Hair is the lesson. The first new Truth releases of 2014 are gorgeous! And remember when I told you there was so much more to blog for Collabor88? In the top photo the Belleza Skin, Yummy Accessories earrings, and The Secret Store blouse are all available at Collabor88.

In the second photo the dress is from Tee*fy, the clutch from Baiastice, and the black pearls from Maxi Gossamer. All at Collabor88!

Credits:

(Top Pic)

TRUTH HAIR Luella (New Release)

Yummy Pearl Wisp Earring - White (at Collabor88)

 The Secret Store - Mary Pleated Shirt - White Polka (at Collabor88)

Belleza - Ria Med 1 R (at Collabor88)

Mandala Simple Ears HUTUU

BeetleBones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

MIEL HIPSTER PEEPERS - tortoise shell

(Bottom Pic)

TRUTH HAIR Snow - Gingers (New Release)

Belleza - Ria Med 1 R (at Collabor88)

Belleza - Ria Med Freckles 1

Belleza- Ria Med Gloss Lip 4

Baiastice -Yara clutch-black (at Collabor88)

Maxi Gossamer - Necklace - Knotted Shimmer Pearls (at Collabor88)

Maxi Gossamer - Ring - Royal Khadijah Estate - Large - SILVER

Yummy Pearl Wisp Earring - White (at Collabor88)

Tee*fy Julianna Fluffy Dress Classic (at Collabor88)

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands

MANDALA Simple Ears HUTUU

IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Luxury

I do love to dress up in Second Life. Baiastice's new release for FaMeshed has the luxury texturing and ruffled detailing that make my heart go pitter patter. It also gave me a chance to step out in my delicate SLink wrap around heels for the new high SLink feet.

Credits:

Baiastice kirsty skirt-vanilla (at FaMeshed)

Baiastice kirsty top-vanilla (at FaMeshed)

Yummy Metal and Diamonds Necklace - Day

Ryvolter Mink Princess Stole - Champagne

Maxi Gossamer - Ring - Royal Khadijah Estate (at FaMeshed)

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands

Slink Hera Wrap Heel Mother of Pearl

Slink AvEnhance Feet High

TRUTH HAIR Gaia 2 - Gingers

IKON Promise Eyes - Green (at FaMeshed)

Glam Affair - Vera skin - America - FLF E

Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Cracked Mirror's Trench Coat at FaMeshed

Every time any of my favorite designers release a coat for the season I tend to snap it up. When I'm cold in real life I tend to want to see my avatar all bundled up as well. The double breasted trench coat from Cracked Mirror keeps me warm and is also versatile enough to wear into Spring. It layers well over skinny jeans and leggings. You'll find this coat in a variety of colors at December's FaMeshed. Happy shopping!

Credits:

Rebel Hope Petra Bag
Cracked Mirror Royal Trench Coat (brown) (at FaMeshed)
League Snood -Tribal (chest)
Baiastice Ellen ankle boot-leather coffee
coldLogic leggings - hill.cocoa
TRUTH HAIR Fernanda (New Group Gift)
Maxi Gossamer - Earring - Hampton Boho
IKON Spectral Eyes (at FaMeshed)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands 

Belleza - Leila Med 4 R

It's December!

It's December and in Second Life that means new releases at events like The Arcade Gacha Event and FaMeshed. Pure Poison, one of my favorite jewelry makers, has this delightful star jewelry and clutch purse at the Arcade. I feel kind of bad ass in this eyepatch. Just don't call me the Governor. The D!va hair is also at the arcade. It comes with the option of starry hair decorations which you can turn off as I did for this photo. I love the versatility.

The jacket and skirt are new mix and match Baiastice releases at FaMeshed. My Arcade win of the Ingenue silver shoes was the perfect match!

Lastly, but certainly not least, an exciting new release at FaMeshed this month is Ikon's new mesh eyes. Finally Ikon mesh eyes and they're gorgeous!

Go to the Arcade HERE.
Go to FaMeshed HERE.

Credits:

D!va Hair Daisy (Type A)(Black amber) (at The Arcade)
Baiastice Kaji Jacket with top-orchid (at FaMeshed)
Baiastice Tulle Skirt-grey (at FaMeshed)
IKON Spectral Eyes - Green (at FaMeshed)
Ingenue - Noella Heels - Silver (at The Arcade)
Pure Poison - Star Broche (at The Arcade)
Pure Poison - Star Clutch (at The Arcade)
Pure Poison - Star Earrings (at The Arcade)
Pure Poison - Star Eyepatch (at The Arcade)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Mid
-Belleza- Leila Med 4 R

Lacy Gloves for Our SLink Hands

I wasn't sure why I was updating my SLink hands at first. The biggest advantage I could see was that I was able to remove stuff from my inventory because in the update one pair of hands worked for both skin appliers and tint matching. Then I saw these lace glove appliers from Adam n Eve. A light bulb went off. The new hands have a tattoo layer!

There are three painless steps to slipping these gloves over your hands:

• First, in your SLink hands folder find the HUD titled "SLink AvEnhance Utilities - Hands." You can change the length of your nails, or even turn them off, which isn't important with lace gloves since they're see through. Under that you can turn on the tattoo layer. Your hands will turn white, but don't panic. 
• Second, open your AE Lace Gloves folder and find the HUD titled "AE - SLink Applier HUD (Gloves Lace)" and choose your color. If you turned off the fingernails on the SLink Utilities HUD then you're done, but I recommend saving that for gloves that are supposed to cover the skin. So there is one more step.
• Third, and last, find the AE HUD titled "AE - SLink Fingernail Applier HUD (Gloves Lace)" and choose your color. 

Voila! Pretty lacy gloves on pretty SLink hands.  A happy fashionista just got happier.

Other Credits:

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands - Casual - L
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands - Elegant1 - R
Baiastice_Aida dress-black
TRUTH HAIR Felicity (New Release)
Maxi Gossamer - Earrings - Baroque Teardrop - Silver
Maxi Gossamer - Rings - Dew Encrusted Teardrop - Small - SILVER
-Belleza- Leila Med 3 R

BeetleBones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (Aged Bronze, w3)

These Are Days

Ayla and I went to the newest My Attic at the Deck event (SALE!) and both fell in love with the Baiastice corset. Of course I had to get a picture and blog it. One of our favorite things to do in downtime is to dance, so that's what we did. Guess what was playing in the background on my iTunes?

 

Credits:

On Ayla (left)

Baiastice Lingerie Corset-black
Magika [Hair M] Reflect
Maxi Gossamer - Necklace - Baroque Teardrop - Short - Gold
Poetic Colors Milky Eyes - Dove
LeLutka - 2011 lashes/natur/touch me
Glam Affair - Cleo - India - Clean D

Glam Affair - Cleavage - India 1
-Belleza- Eyeliner 1
 

On Dolly (right)

Baiastice Lingerie Corset-blood
lassitude & ennui Knotted pearl necklace white
SLink Closed Eyelids (pose prop)

Slink Mesh Hands (av)
TRUTH HAIR Kimbra [Roots] - Gingers02Fade
-Belleza- Leila TLC Med 3 R

Trendy and Classic - That's Baiastice

My fashion senses are usually tickled by timeless classics. and there is something timeless yet trend right about Baiastice's offering for FaMeshed this month. I picked up multiple colors of the trendy top and classic skirt to mix and match. My hair from Exile, also at FaMeshed, was just the right pairing of casual and elegant.

I bought the Maxi Gossamer ring and necklace from the Limited Bazaar for two reasons:

1. I love everything Maxi Gossamer makes, and 
2. The theme was Baroque. 

So I couldn't help myself, could I?

Credits:

Baiastice Mjrie top-black
Baiastice Yse maxi skirt-black
Exile Hair Where We Belong Natural Fusion 2
Maxi Gossamer - Necklace - Baroque Peacock Flower - Long
Maxi Gossamer - Rings  - Venetian Fortune - Small - GOLD
Slink Mesh Hands (av)
Glam Affair - Cleo - America - 04 F

Glam Affair - Cleo - Freckles 1
Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)
Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Deep Honey Hazel, w3) 

Pose by oOo Studios

Besties

Ayla and I shopped at FaMeshed this morning. We're both wearing tops we bought. Ayla, on the right, is wearing the Baiastice top, I'm in the Valentina E on the left. April, in the middle, picked up her tunic sweater at TeeFy at the Fifty Linden Friday event. Because we all looked so fabulous I asked to take a photo. We all hopped on a cute girly threesome from Rack Poses that I've had in my inventory for awhile and voila!
 
We three met through roleplaying and we're excited to try again. We've decided to play sisters at Wendigo Lake which is still in beta. It's a lovely small town sim and worth a visit. If you're a roleplayer, stop over and visit us on the boardwalk. We'll tell your fortune if the spirits move us.

What's New?

Do you like My Hair? It's from Monso and it's materials ready. See the glint in the hair? The shine moves with the sun when shadows are enabled. It's subtle, but adds richness to our 3D environment.  My new hair is only one of several new releases that I'm excited about.

The Maxi Gossamer necklace and earrings and the DARLING twist on a denim skirt from Baiastice are available through the month of August at FaMeshed along with the Monso hair. My top, and the sandals that are add-ons for SLink feet, are both new at Beetlebones. I so wish I'd fatpacked the sandals!

This mesh gate and fence set by Botanical is only available at FaMeshed through August. It's  gorgeous with so many building options.  I want to redo my land just to set it off!

Credits:

Monso My Hair - Lizzy/ Red

Beetlebones Cropped Petuna Top (CREAM) (new release)

Beetlebones SUNANTHA SANDALS (new release)

Baiastice Denim white Tulle skirt-faded blue (at FaMeshed)

Maxi Gossamer - Earrings - Window to My Heart (at FaMeshed)

Maxi Gossamer - Necklace - Window to My Heart (at FaMeshed)

Slink Mesh Feet (Av) Toes

Slink Mesh Hands (av)

Glam Affair - Cleo - America - Clean F

Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (Summer Shore, w3)
Poses from oOo Studio

Dancing In the Moonlight

Harlow Heslop has a blog challenge going called Blog the Beat, where the blogger's inspiration is a song. I really liked Harlow's photo this week and the song was upbeat and happy. So I thought I'd give the challenge a shot. I've always meant to attempt a moon photo.

OOPS! As I went back to link to Harlow's blog I noticed we're wearing the same dress! Oh well, we both have the good taste to wear the new Baiastice Giulia dress that is currently available at the Love Donna Flora! event.

Here's Dancing In the Moonlight by King Harvest.

Other Credits:

LeLutka - LORELLA hair and floral wreath - AuburnHaze (at Hair Fair 2013)
PXL Creations JADE NAT Chocolate Lips MEB C2 (FR)

PXL Creations JADE NAT TopLine Eyes (tattoo)
PXL Creations JADE NAT Eyebrows: Red (tattoo)
SLink eyelids - photo prop
Slink Mesh Hands (av)

I Can Walk In These Shoes

This post wouldn't have happened if Clay Cowen hadn't pointed out a series of Jimmy Choo shoe ads that made him think of me - a redhead with a shoe obsession. I passed the link on to Aprilmae Devin who made some very nice sitting poses (not yet released) for her store, Alterior Motions - some inspired by the ads. All I needed was a new pair of shoes and the Gos Boutique Lauren d'Orsay shoes at The Liaison Collaborative Boutique were the clear winners.

Botanicals is at Collabor88 this month with a romantic ruin that makes a terrific backdrop for photos. I of course had to snatch it right up.

Credits:

Baiastice Iman top-vanilla (at Liaison Collaborative Boutique)

Decoy Hair Hannah - Copper Red (at Hair Fair)

Gos Boutique - Lauren d'Orsay - Truffle Collection (at Liaison Collaborative Boutique)

Mon Tissu Cotton Pants ~ Khaki

Glam Affair - Lulu ( America ) 02 C (at Collabor88)

Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (Aged Bronze, w3)

Slink Mesh Hands (av)