Winter Blush

Wishful Thinking

Windswept

Timeless

The Rose Bower

The Winter Queen

Plenty of new fantasy oriented things are available to shoppers on the Second Life grid thanks to events such as We <3 RP such as this skin from Jalwa for the next round of We <3 RP. I was really inspired by this skin. Something about it prompted me to immediately 'snatch' up the mesh gown from Sn@tch, my go-to store for quality textured goth clothes.




Credits:
Dress:    Sn@tched - Borghese (Silver)
Jewelry:    Earthstones - Vintage Romance (Princess)
Hair:     Truth - Candy (Black and Whites pack)
Eyes:    {d.a.} Dead Apples - Blind Blue
Skin:    Jalwa - Winter Queen ( w/ brows - no teeth)
Poses:    Picture This! Poses - Fall Fashion Pack

First in Fall

It's official. Autumn is here and rolling into the grid! I love that about Second Life. Where I live in real life there is no such thing as Fall. Chandra and I have been busying ourselves with getting the SIM ready for Autumn and I have been hitting my favorite hotspots for my favorite fashion season. Collabor88 is full of amazing fall items, my favorite being the blouse and skirt combo from Tres Blah.

Credits:
Top:    -tb- Tres Blah - Short Sleeve Blouse (Cream) New!~Collabor88
Skirt:    -tb- Tres Blah - Leather Skirt (Brown) New!~Collabor88
Boots:    Color.Me.H.O.F - Mesh Rider Boots (Oxblood) New!~The Arcade
Hair w/hat:   ::Exile:: - Falling For Your (Naturals) New!~Collabor88
Eyes:    .tsg. The Sugar Garden - Sleepy (Ice Blue)
Skin:    League - Jen (Fair Bloom)
Pose:    Picture This! Poses - Brave New!

Storybook Saturday
Hogwarts

Oh blog! I have missed you. With RL being crazy this week and last, I've hardly had a chance to pick up my blog and showcase any grid finds. I even missed my own Storybook Saturday blogger challenge last week. But not this week!

In case you didn't know, FATEwear released two new lines for their FATEplay brand last week. One is a Sailor Fuku themed line; the other is devoted to our favorite characters at Hogwarts. I talked about the Sailor line here in my last post, this week I wanted to talk more about Jenny. Jenny comes in both adult avatar and child avatar sizes, includes a variety of options for wearing the blouse, cardigan, and tie. In addition, there is also a mesh robe that an aspiring wizard can wear over their clothes if they so wish. Also! FATEplay's items are all materials ready.

We <3 Roleplay will be featuring some of these amazing lines from FATEplay's last release so make sure to check them out.

Speaking of Role Play, if you're looking for a place to immerse yourselves in Hogwarts, check out Mischief Managed, a Hogwarts community Role Play SIM - it's an amazing build to explore.

Credits:
Cardigan/Tie/Skirt:   FATEplay - Jenny (Slytherin) New!
Tights:    Erratic - Ripped Stockings (Black)
Boots:    DRD Death Row Designs - Worn Combat Boots (Coal)
Hair:    Truth - Chilali (Red03Fade)
Eyes:    tSg The Sugar Garden - Sleepy (Ice Blue)
Hands:    Slink
Skin:    League - Jen (Glam Goth)
Lip gloss:    [PF] Pink Fuel (Deep Red)
Pose:    dfo! - Gala

Defender of the City

It's release day for FATEplay and this round is all about magic. It's time to get your wands ready or your transformation gear because Damien Fate's current releases are all about Harry Potter and a personal favorite - Sailor Moon. Okay, so it's not /totally/ Sailor Moon, but the Rena releases are inspired by the senshi scouts from the very popular manga and anime series. Rena comes in the color schemes of our favorite gaggle of teenage girls including the outfit I'm wearing now. Each outfit comes with many options for sizing and a black and variant on the corset for something a little different.

If you spin the wand, be prepared to shower your foes with love and justice.



Credits
Sailor Fuku Outfit:    FATEplay - Rena (Thunder!) New!
Hair:    Truth - Moxie (Sangria)
Hands:    Slink
Skin:    League - Jen (Fair Natural)
Eyes:    IKON - Sunrise Eyes (Green)
Poses:    [top] Picture This! [bottom] Included w/ wand

Catwalk

These Boots Are Made for Something

Ever hear the song 'These Boots are Made for Walking'? It was sung by Nancy Sinatra back in 1966. It's sort of a dark little song in the wake of go-go pop music that topped the charts so long ago before there was internet and youtube. Hucci released these sexy black boots - in both leather and suede - and I feel as though they are certainly made for...something.


Credits:
Boots:  ::HH:: Hucci - Akita Boots (Midnight) [Fits on Slink Medium feet] New!
Glasses:    Mad - Nerd Glasses (Black)
Hair:    Truth - Lyma (Red 02) New!
Hands/Feet:    Slink
Eyes:    IKON - Ardent Eyes (Glass)
Skin:     League - Jen (Fair Natural)

Vintage

Collabor88's stunning new celebratory round has only recently come to my SL list of things to do. Mostly this is because of technical problems I've been experiencing and I didn't want to crash every thirty seconds. Despite the amazing and awesome things available to shoppers, my favorite item is the dress from ISON. Anything that takes me to the glam of vintage deco is a top favorite for me.

The theater I am standing in is part of the Looking Glass' shopping district. Despite being an older build, it's still a beautiful place to visit, though I'm not sure how long this gem in SL will be here as it appears the Looking Glass is moving locations.

Also, the windlight I am using here is called Epi Vintage Windlight. It is part of William Weaver's phototools and is already integrated into the latest version of firestorm. However, if you would like to get the windlight, see William Weaver's website on the Resources page.

Credits:
Dress:    ISON - Dazzle Gown (Champagne)~August Collabor88
Shoes:    fri. - Jane.Heels (Coal)[For Slink Medium feet]
Hair:    [e]Elikatira - Thrive (Red 08)
Hands:    SLink
Eyes:    IKON - Destiny Eyes (Ice)
Skin:    League - Jen (Fair Glam)
Pose:    Juxtapose

Storybook Saturday
The Medieval Court

Today's Storybook Saturday kicks off with the medieval court theme. I am not sure if I've ever worked so hard on a blog post in my entire life. For one thing when I think 'medieval court' I think just shy of the pre-renaissance era with the Tudor architecture and the colorful society that made up the king's court. I had a serious hard time finding a suitable place to take my photo - and that is after trying to find a suitable dress that I felt represented the 'look' of the times I was going for. But here I am, Princess Kel dressed up to the 9's in a court gown. If you want to participate, read about the challenge here.

Credits:
Dress:    ::b@r:: Bare Rose - Juliet Act II - Blue
Rosary:    MG Maxi Gossamer - Black Pearl
Hair:    [Lelutka] - Lillian Hair (Irish Red)
Eyes:    .ID. Insufferable Dastard - Mysterious (Rain)
Hands:    SLink
Skin:    League - Jen (Fair Medium)
Pose:    Picture This! Poses - Hair to the Princess

See His Ship a' Sailin'

Wild Thing

Liaison Collaborative is hands down my favorite event team in Second Life. The designer teams that work on The Boutique, The Garden, and Poser Pavilion have something for everyone, each round going with a different theme. The Boutique recently unveiled the Safari collection with top notch clothing, accessories, and skins to excite any shopper (that includes the men, too!)

Make sure you stop by and check out this fantastic round featuring fantastic designs from some of the grid's amazing talent.

Credits:
Top:    Baiastice - Iman (Black) New!~The Boutique
Skirt:    Baiastice - Lima Skirt (Red croc w/silver belt) New!~The Boutique
Jewelry:    Cae - Safari New!~The Boutique
Hair:    LoQ - Chianti (Hypnotic Red) New!~2013 Hair Fair
Eyes:    IKON - Ardent Eyes (Clarity)
Cosmetics:    Izzie's
Hands:    SLink
Skin:    League - Jen (Medium Natural)
Pose:    Picture This! Poses

1000 Years

Beachin' It

June seems to have been an official explosion of beach fun, bold, bright colors, and summertime goodness. Have you been to the Liaison Collaborative's 'The Garden'? I can't stress the amazing designs put out by the Grid's talented mesh makers of all things home and garden. The Garden has anything you could possibly want to make your SIM and home the perfect summertime getaway. One of my favorites of the bunch (they are all my favorites) is the Avalon Guard Tower by Breno. It comes with tons of options and animations as well as fun props and different color schemes.

I'm sure by now you've checked out Collabor88's newest round. I'm loving the 90's theme and the bright, fresh colors.

Lastly, do you like my little friend? The designer behind Bilo's creations showed me this cute puppy and puppy carrier. It's a fun, free gift from Tuty's.




Credits:
Top:    Tee*fy - Basic Knot T-Shirt (Yellow) New! ~ Collabor88
Bikini Bottom:    -jinXtimacy- - Bali Bikini (Model12)
Sandals:    SLink Aussie Thongs (White)
Necklace/Bracelet:    MG Maxie Gossamer - Rapture Rave & Love Heart New! ~ Collabor88
Sunglasses:    Izzie's Oversized Sunglasses
Puppy/Bag:    Tuty's Mesh Pet Carrier
Hair:    Truth - Siobhan (Red 02) New!
Eyes:    IKON - Ascension Eyes (Nymph) New! ~ Numerology
Hands/Feet:    SLink
Skin:    League - Jen (Medium Natural)
Pose:    Picture This! Poses - Model 01-05

Oceanside Blues

I've got the blues. No, I don't mean the sad sort of blues. Today, I'm inspired by bright, vibrant blues. Especially aquas, teals, and of course, red. I was looking for a lovely seashore to take my picture at and I came across Studio Skye's SIM, which is the store brand's location to purchase wonderful landscapes for your own SIM for pretty good prices. Even if you do not find something you wish to purchase, the SIM itself is a lovely garden of landscapes detailing their products.

In case you're wondering, my long hair comes from the batch of the latest Truth releases. It's called 'Tawny' and I love the length of it.


Credits:
Dress:    Drift - Zoe Maxi Dress (Romanc) New!~The Dressing Room Fusion
Hair:    Truth - Tawny (Red 02) New!
Skin:    League - Jen (Medium Natural)
Hands:    SLink
Pose:    BENT - Behind

Always Look on the Bright Side

It's been awhile. Real life dropped by as it is wont to do, shook me by the shoulders, and then left me wanting and disoriented. The truth is I had to put SL aside and figure out what was going on with my life - because it was going no where and I realized that if I didn't set my personal wheels in motion then I was going to wind up living in my car with no future. 
Those who know me know that I've been looking for work. I've been out of work since November. At first I was like, 'Oh, I'll get a job right away and everything will be okay.' I tried to not let it get me down as the first three months ticked by without anything. Luckily, I had - and do have still - unemployment. It barely pays, but at least it's something to hold on to to help along. However, as the months passed, the deadline for my benefits was coming dangerously to a close. I found myself wasting a lot of my time bent over my computer. In fact, I was spending probably 90% of my time online, if not more. I would wake up, not get dressed from my pajamas, drink a pot of coffee, and just be online. I neglected my home, my car, and my health. I sank so low into depression that I had to struggle to stay up on my hygiene - and when you're having personal arguments with yourself to take a shower, you know you have a problem. I had sunk low into depression (a condition I struggle with, but usually self manage just fine) and couldn't see any way out of my current situation. 
Luckily my graphics card fried. Without it, I realized SL was a big distraction from my misery, and I used it as a blanket to cower behind while the real world was  progressing to a bleaker future. The thing is, I have goals. I have a certain thing that I want to do pretty much more than anything - and that's move. But how is that going to happen if I have no money? How about when I get to where I want to be? My field is not in that state, there are no job prospects for me there and in order to move up to the state where my SL boyfriend lives, I have to have a job. See, I want to take care of me - not move up there and be a financial burden to someone. My outlook was so poor that I couldn't seem to make my goals come to fruition. Today I am in a much better place. I just...sort of snapped out of it. No, the magical job fairies were not going to provide me with a job that 400-500 people in my county were applying for. No, that winning lotto ticket wasn't going to come into my possession. No, feeling sorry for myself and wasting my life wasn't going to make things better.
I decided while I was on unemployment, I was going to make a drastic career change after reviewing the Department of Labor Statistics. I re-enrolled in school. I've been going now for a month and I love it. Being in a place where I was actively making a change in my life raised me up a few notches on the feel-good-o-meter. Suddenly, I had responsibility again. I had a schedule again! Also, I have a job starting officially on Monday. What's best? It's in my new field and with a national company that, hopefully, will allow me to transfer when I am ready to move. These are two goals I set out for myself. Get accepted in this school. Get a job with this company. I have met them. I feel good! Life, I hope, is finally going my way.   Second Life no longer serves as a vice to hide with. It's no longer a wall between me and reality. Because of this, I feel I can return and spend more time here than I have been these past two months.
Credits: Dress:    Indyra Originals - Elisne Tribal Dress (Santorini) New! Earrings:    Indyra Originals - Slyph New! Bangles:    Indyra Originals - Peacock bangle stack (Santorini) New! Shoes:    SLink - Ilena Sandals (Brown) Hair:    Truth - Bobbie (Red 02) New! Hands/Feet:    SLink  Eyes:    IKON - Destiny Eyes (Ice) New! @The Boutique Skin:    League - Jen (Sunkissed Natural) Pose:    Adorkable - My Hair

Chic Inspiration