Happy Memorial Day!

I've always had a thing for a sailor, but for this Memorial Day I salute all the Armed Forces and their families for their bravery and sacrifice. To our Afghanistan troops in particular, come home safely and soon.

Credits:

Fishy Strawberry Navy Uniform Pin-Up Top, Bottom and Hat - Blue (at My Attic at the Deck)

Hucci Pinup Peep - Moonglow (at Collabor88)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink AvEnhance Feet High
Tram Hair D428 hair / maroon (at Collabor88)
Izzie's - Neva Skin rosy GB (at The Liaison Collaborative)
Izzie's - Neva Eyeliner black
Izzie's - Freckles
Izzie's - Lipstick cherry

Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower

IKON Spectral Eyes - Blue

Kirin - Burlesque Poses / Cane Pose 5

Just Call Me Gilda

I went to The Liaison Collaborative which reopened with all new fashion, home and pose offerings. The theme this month is a Riviera vacation. I immediately fell in love with the new Izzie's skin Neva in a new tone called Rosy. It's a full skin release, so all of your favorite Izzie skin tones are available with mix and match lipsticks, eyeshadows, freckles and moles.

The pretty Shoreline necklace and earrings from Cae come with a color change HUD to change from gold to silver on a whim.

Truth's new vintage Thelma hair has a no-bow option which makes this hair perfect for a wide variety of looks. I feel like Rita Hayworth in Gilda. Just put the blame on Mame, boys.

Credits:

Izzie's - Neva Skin rosy GB (at The Liaison Collaborative)

Izzie's - Lipstick rust (included)

Izzie's - Neva Eyeshadow brown (included)

Izzie's - Freckles (face only) (included)

Mandala Simple Ears Hutuu

Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower

Baiastice Sophia jumpsuit-orange

Cae Shoreline Earrings (at The Liaison Collaborative)

Cae Shoreline Necklace (at The Liaison Collaborative)

Truth Hair Thelma [w/o headband] (at Collabor88)

IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Just Me and Mesh

After looking so scary in the last post I thought I'd better try a more normal look today for a couple of reasons. Reason number one is that my friend Clay was a little disturbed that my zombie av could have such sexy hair, so I thought I'd wear the hair for him while looking more normal. That's also who the wink is for! Reason number two is so I could remind myself how good mesh can look. Zombie Girl aside, most of the new female avis in our library are just ugly. Poor noobs.

I'm in the mood for casual, and have chosen a few of my recent casual items to wear today. The Pure Poison wedge sandals with the cherries on them are adorable, and work so well with my cherry necklace from Yummy Accessories. Of the several pairs of jeans I've bought recently, Mon Tissu's rolled up cuffed ones are my favorites. The latest coldLogic release has the cutest summer tops!

Digs has a lot of beautiful new home furnishing releases that can be used indoors or out. The Genoa lanterns (currently found at The Liaison Collaborative) are definitely going on my patio. I used an animation from the Digs Jensen Footstool for this picture because I thought it showed off the shoes and my casual attitude today.

Credits:

Yummy Fruit Necklace - Cherry (at Collabor88)
coldLogic shirt - bates.snow (New Release)
Mon Tissu Harlow's Cuffed Jeans ~ Medium Wash
Pure Poison - Cherry Wedges (New Release)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Mid
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Becky

Adam N Eve Taliya Genesis Tone B Basic Applier for Slink Visage Head
Adam N Eve Skin Taliya Tone B Bare
Argrace Hair HARUKA - Russet
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

 

Fall Colors

My favorite colors tend to be the earth tones of Autumn, so I was thrilled by the new four season set of trees from Studio Skye. Directly after that purchase, Autumn came to my sim! I'm also loving the earth color selection of 22769 Casual Couture's new release for The Liaison Collaborative Boutique. The pants are versatile and can certainly be dressed down with a sweater or casual shirt. The halter top keeps it dressy and living up to the 5th Avenue theme of this round of the Boutique.

Credits:

22769 ~ [femme] Marlene Pants Brown Chefron
22769 ~ [femme] Obi Top Orange
TRUTH HAIR Renata - Gingers
[Gos] Boutique - Lauren d'Orsay - Truffle Collection
Belleza - Leila Med 4 R
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands

Yes It's a Fly

Even a fly can be pretty when you make it sparkly! I so love this statement necklace from Pure Poison, a guest designer this round of the Liaison Collaborative Boutique. I've been a big fan of Shaleene Kenin's mesh jewelry for about a year now, and she never fails to deliver unique accessories. To see more of Pure Poison mesh jewelry check out the home store HERE.

Credits:

Pure Poison - Lady Fly Necklace (at Liaison Collaborative Boutique)

One Bad Pixel Jersey Tank Dress Red

TRUTH HAIR Renata (New Release)

Belleza- Leila Med 4 R (at Collabor88)

Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

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

At Home with Dolly

When I go to events I don't just buy new release clothes, I buy furniture and houses, too. The Modern Villa is the new release by Trompe Loeil at Collabor88. I'm slowly decorating it and the great room is shaping up nicely with Dig's new Douglas sofa, table and wall art at Liaison Collaborative's Garden. The rug and floor cushion are from Pilot, the floor lamp is from Trompe Loeil's Oceana group at this month's FaMeshed. Other assorted accessories are from Dutchie, Post, and Mud Honey.

Part of the fun of decorating a home in Second Life is the pleasure of mixing the work of different designers into a cohesive look. For my fireplace grouping I used the Trompe Loeil Oceana sofa, chairs, trunk and coffee table. I mixed in a floor lamp from the Digs Douglas grouping, a table lamp, mirror, wall art, and some accessories from The Loft's Alders grouping at Collabor88. The Mission style dresser and the books on the trunk are from Apple Fall at Collabor88. The only items NOT from a new event are the Pilot rugs, the hydrangas in a glass vase from Apple Fall and touch of greenery in the right corner from Rustica.

I think I'm going to be happy at this new house for awhile. Did I tell you it has a pool?

Photo Safari

I'm on a photo safari with 22769's new releases for The Liaison Collaborative Boutique. I especially love the wraparound silk scarf top and the bangles. I'm also quite taken with PXL Creations' new Jade skin with its wide range of customizing choices on tattoo layers.  I'm wearing a freckled version of the skin with several fun makeup, eyebrow and mole tattoos! And of course, PXL Creation skins have optional appliers for our SLink hands and feet.

Credits:

 

PXL Creations JADE NAT Bare Lips MEB C2 (FR) (New Release)

PXL Creations Moles Light (Tattoo)

PXL Creations JADE NAT TopLine Eyes (tattoo)
PXL Creations JADE LipGloss #2 (tattoo)
PXL Creations JADE NAT Eyebrows: Red (tattoo)
22769 ~ [femme] Safari Bangles (at Liaison Collaborative Boutique)
22769 ~ [femme] Safari Silk Top Desert (at Liaison Collaborative Boutique)
22769 ~ [femme] Safari Skirt Desert (at Liaison Collaborative Boutique)
Donna Flora ARTURO ring
Beetlebones Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

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

LeLutka - JOLIE RM hair - AuburnHaze

MANDALA]SIMPLE_EARS_HUTUU

What Next Pop-Shot Camera Pose and Prop

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)

Take Another Little Piece of My Heart - A Strawberry Singh Meme

Strawberry Singh posted her Monday Meme today, more questions. She's nosy that way. I told her on Plurk that I'd post my response as soon as I figured out which of my MANY new hairs to wear. I honestly look forward to these memes or challenges, whatever you want to call them. Through these exercises, some frivolous, some not so much, I think I've revealed who I am behind my avatar. I've been leaving pieces of my heart on the pages of my blog, so my choice of hair was a given - Exile's Piece of My Heart from Hair Fair 2013. I even tried to give myself a Janis Joplin vibe!

Meme instructions: Copy and paste the following questions and answers into your post. Delete my answers and input your own. Don’t forget to leave a comment in Berry's post!

1. How do you deal with criticism? It depends on whether I've solicited a critique or not, and who is criticizing me. When I was building, Aprilmae Devin would turn a critical eye on my builds and make constructive comments to improve my build. She was usually right, and though I'd moan and grumble about the extra work, I would end up with a better build. We all need someone like April to keep us from getting lazy. Occasionally criticism comes out of the blue and I'm not as receptive to that kind, especially from people I don't know well. It doesn't happen often enough for me to have to develop a coping strategy, though.
2. What’s the most infuriating thing other SL residents do? I sometimes get a vibe from certain people that they see most of us like a gamer's NPC - non player character. The rest of us exist solely on the screen for their amusement. I think that is a big source of rudeness in SL and it drives me bonkers.
3. Which SL resident would you most like to have lunch with and why? Oh gosh, since Ayla Barzane and I live on different continents it would be such a miracle if we could sit down to big salad together. Aprilmae Devin should be there, too. I'd make them both drink iced tea. We'd have the best time even though I'd have to listen to them rage about people who would ice tea!
4. Who would you say is your “anti” role model? Someone who serves as a warning rather than an inspiration? I might not have been able to think of an answer to this if it hadn't happened just today. A male roleplayer sends me IM's out of the blue setting up a roleplay scenario. Not "Hi Dolly, how are you? Do you want to roleplay? Here's what I'm thinking..." but just sending the IM with the first paragraph of roleplay. He's been doing this a few times a month for almost a year and it's always the same line of roleplay! I used to politely decline, but now I just click out of the IM. Maybe it works on some, but for me it's a real turn off.
5. What was something you used to enjoy, but was ruined for you? Mesh ruined my prim building! I keep thinking that one of these days I'll learn to build in mesh, but so far I've been too lazy.
6. What’s something you want to do that you’d be embarrassed to tell other people about? I'm so easily embarrassed by my desires that the list would be too long to post. ;-P
7. What’s the oddest term of endearment you’ve ever used or that someone’s used for you? I'm hoping that when Ayla calls me "Doolally Dolly" she means it affectionately.
8. Have you ever fallen in love with another SL resident? Yes, both romantically and the friend sort of love. SL is amazing that way.
9. Describe a time/event in your slife that you’re nostalgic for. I get nostalgic for the now gone roleplay sim where I met most of my closest friends in Second Life. It's been gone for two or three years and we've moved on, but I still occasionally miss it.
10. What’s something sweet you’d like someone to do for you? Take me exploring. There are still so many fantastic places to see in SL. 

Credits: 

Bilo - Wild Tunic Zebra Frank (at Liaison Collaborative Boutique)
Dark Mouse glasses - Roundeye - John (on Marketplace)
Exile Piece of My Heart Natural Fusion 2 (at Hair Fair)
Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (Aged Bronze, w3)
Maxi Gossamer - Necklace - Peace Rocker
Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 Right
Slink Mesh Hands (av) Victory Left
Adam n Eve Skins - Marnie T2 Bare (new release)
Adam n Eve - Freckles
Adam n Eve Marnie Eyebrow Tattoo Red T2

Winner

I couldn't decide who is the biggest winner, coldLogic for the new release gym shorts, or Diesel Works for the women's basketball pose prop and poses, available at Liaison Collaborative. It's a team effort so they win together. This picture makes me feel kind of powerful, so I guess I win too. Wanna play?

Credits:

coldLogic shorts - ramsey.heather (new release)
coldLogic top - daniels.blush (new release)

Maxi Gossamer - Rings - Khaleesi's Ring Of Power
Slink Mesh Hands (av)
Glam Affair - Cleo - America - 01 F
Glam Affair - Cleo - Freckles 2
 Mayfly - Liquid Light Mesh Eye (Aged Bronze, w3)
D!va Hair "Mimi" (Type A)(Red amber)
Mandala Simple Ears HUTUU
Beetlebone Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

Life Is Good at the Beach

I hopped straight over to the Liaison Collaborative to check out the new home and garden offerings. I was particularly interested to see 22769 Bauwerk's changing room beach buildings and accessories. Not only are they darling, but the changing rooms are an example of the new shiny (literally) in Second Life, Materials. If you look at the blue and white planks, you can see the subtle use of this new building aid to give depth to the flat surface of the board textures. It changes as the light changes. Very cool and like magic to me. So far you can only see Materials on the Second Life Beta viewer, but it's coming soon to your favorite viewers.

As for my outfit credits, I see no point in a list for this post. The hat hair is from Maitreya and the bikini from Baiastice.

Truth Hair Contest!

I have a lot of fun with Second Life photography contests. It's nice to win or place, but I never feel like I lose as long as I'm having fun and am relatively satisfied with my photos. These photos are for the Truth Model Search contest. Check out the rules and submit your photos on his Flickr group HERE.

This contest coincides with the release of six new Truth hairs, new textures and a new store build. It's nice to see even the best and most popular designers on the grid seeking to reach new levels. And taking pictures of beautiful new hair? Nothing better!

Credits (clockwise from top left):

Photo 1

TRUTH HAIR Selma - Gingers01
Baiastice_Lari Halter Neck Top-green (at Liaison Collaborative)
-Belleza- Ava Med TLC 5 r (at Liaison Collaborative)
::BB:: Mesh Lashes V.01 (Dainty brown)

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

Photo 2
TRUTH HAIR Sadie - Gingers02Fade
Truth Hairbase - marmalade

Ohmai Antique Bee Ring (Brass)

G Field [Mesh] Frill Bikini bottom -lagoon
G Field [Mesh] Frill Bikini bra -lagoon
Maxi Gossamer - Earring - Beatrice
AE Skins - Bethany T3 Bare
AE Bethany Eyebrow Tattoo Red T3
Adam n Eve - Freckles

Photo 3

TRUTH HAIR Gattina - Gingers02Fade

Yummy Winter Flower Necklace - Gold

Yummy Winter Flower Ring - Gold

League Nyx Corset -Lace- Apricot
League Nyx Skirt -LightTan
Mirror's Enigma Victoria Tan Skintone (Nude/Red)

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

 

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