#482 If music be the food of love

....play on - William Shakespeare

As it is coming up to the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death I thought I would share one of his quotes.  I doubt anyone in SL knows that I am a huge lover of Shakespeare.  Along I guess with the majority of school kids. I loathed him at school, where we were forced to study "the Scottish play", which made no sense whatsoever to me.  Years later, as a mature student of English Literature, I was forced into studying Shakespeare again, very unwillingly.  However a trip to Stratford upon Avon to see the Royal Shakespeare Company perform Othello changed all that.  It was spellbinding, electric, and ever since that moment have been a huge appreciator of all things Shakespeare.

I always get a kick out of a blog post that builds from one item and takes me in a direction I hadn't thought of till I look at it and put my little imagination cap on.  In this instance the starting point was this dress from a new-to-me designer, VIP Creations.  It fits like a glove and gives ZZ curves fitting of a forties torch singer, so that is what she became for this shoot (though I think she forgot the torch part and rocked it up a bit).  A quick search in her mammoth inventory brought up this great pose set from Nantra which includes 6 poses and 6 coordinating microphone props.

The dress comes with a texture change hud and also white pumps which I am not wearing here, opting for a classic pump from KC Couture instead.  A quick mention about the hair I have worn in this and my last post - both are by No Match for Hairology, and come with hairbase appliers which are absolutely fabulous!  EMO-tions have also included a hairbase applier, and I hope more hair sellers do this as it really makes wearing hair with a mesh head much easier.

Credits:

Mesh body: Maitreya Lara

Mesh Head:  Catwa Jessica

Applier:  WoW Skins Angelica Bronze

Hair: No Match No Loss - available at Hairology
Hair Base:  No Match for Catwa Jessica - comes with the pack above

Eyes:  Ikon Promise

Manicure & Pedicure: Wicked Peach - Retro Chic Pastels

Dress: Vips Creations Sofia Pencil Corset Dress polka dots
Shoes:  KC Couture Vixie Heels
Jewellery:  Indulge Temptation Nomad Princess necklace, earrings & bracelets

Poses:  Nantra - Songbird

Tools I use in most blog posts

SecondSnaps Photo studio

Pose Anywhere 

Lumipro 

Anypose 

Combo Fix

Info

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, however in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.  

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).

I wear a mesh body, head, hands & feet in all posts. Most items I blog fit various mesh body parts, and often classic avatar standing sizing and/or fitmesh. Please make sure to demo anything you see here that you are thinking of buying to be sure it works for you.

#481 Young & Beautiful

This post has been a while coming as I am suffering a lot of hypos at the moment which have made it hard to put together a blog post.  I have been attempting but not liking the results - this is my third shoot for this outfit!   Things will improve as I tweak my insulin and get my blood sugars balanced, meanwhile I will keep on keeping on, just maybe a bit slower than usual.

I am still having fun experimenting with my mesh heads, and seeing what I can achieve by tweaking the sliders.  I am really loving this applier from WoW, one of their earlier releases and which comes with a choice of eye and lip make-ups, and various choices for freckles and beauty spots.  

I love these original mesh shorts and crop sweater from Entice which are available at Project Se7en until April 30.  They are exceptionally well made, and fit my Maitreya Lara mesh body like a dream.  You can choose from a wide variety of matching or contrasting colours, or go for the fat pack and mix and match to your heart's content.  There are also applier tights available which I am not showing.  

My heels are brand new from KC Couture atTres Chic, and are absolutely fabulous.  They come with a texture change hud allowing independent texturing of multiple faces for ultimate customisation.

Credits:

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, however in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.

Mesh body: Maitreya Lara

Mesh Head:  Catwa Jessica

Applier:  WoW Skins Angelica bronze

Hair: No Match - No Angel - available at Hairology 

Eyes:  Ikon Odyssey

Cosmetics
Aalaskametro v2.1 skin nailpolish

Clothing

Entice  - Young & Beautiful Shorts - available at The Project Se7en 
Entice  - Young & Beautiful Top - available at The Project Se7en  
KC Couture Sura Heels - available at Tres Chic

Accessories

L&B Triskelion Hoop Earring - available at 100 Block Event

Poses

Hopscotch 

Location

My SecondSnaps Studio

Tools I use in most blog posts

Pose Huds: Pose Anywhere 

Studio:  SecondSnaps

Lighting:  Lumipro 

Eye focussing:  Anypose 

Fix for broken ankles etc:  Combo Fix

Info

There are often more photos of blogged items on my flickr account here.

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).

#480 The first time I see a jogger smiling, I'll consider it

Joan Rivers 

This post has taken me way longer than it should have, because I was doing it as a home & garden/fashion mix, even took all the pics, but then decided I hated them, binned them and am doing the two posts separately.  As you can see, ZZ is still having fun messing with her mesh heads, and took advantage of this great new pose pack by Nantra for The Instruments.  It comprises 6 poses plus mirrors, along with 2 mobile phone props with mirrors. 

These new ones capris from Doc Eldritch made me squee a bit, because I love capris and have struggled to find just the right pair - and now I have!  They are really well constructed, with realistic creases and shading and come in a great selection of colours (individual or fatpack), with a hud to change hardware and belt texture.  They are compatible with all the major mesh bodies (demo first of course!) plus classic avatar.

My shirt from Just Because comes in a plethora of beautiful colours and is compatible with Maiteya Lara, both Slink bodies and all the Belleza bodies.  Both of the designers featured have colour palettes that I adore - nothing so bright you need pixel sunglasses to look at them, but deep, rich gorgeous tones.  Add that to their fantastic original mesh builds and superlative textures, these are both designers I would recommend to anyone.

Credits:

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, but in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.

   
Body

Maitreya Lara
Catwa Jessica
WoW Skins 2016 Hope BRONZE Catwa applier
Hair Wasabi Pills Celine - available at Uber
IKON Odyssey eyes

Cosmetics

DaneMarkZ - Maitreya nails -  Nebula

Clothing

Just Because Kathie Shirt - available at
 DE Designs - Nina Capri Fatpack
Baby Monkey - Toe Tipped Leather Flats (texture change)

Accessories

YS & YS Ever Cross Necklace & earrings - available at The Dressing Room

Poses

Nantra - Downtown - available at The Instruments

Location
My Attic using SecondSnaps Studio

Tools I use in most blog posts
SecondSnaps Studio 3 v3.07

Pose Anywhere 

Lumipro 

Anypose 

Combo Fix

Info

There are often more photos of blogged items on my flickr account here.

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).

#479 To light a candle is to cast a shadow

....Ursula K Le Guin

I am so into my mesh heads now, I can't imagine I will ever be able to wear my system head again!  Today I am wearing Mila from Belleza on my Catwa Jessica head again but with the addition of some of the make-up from their new add-on which is available at The Liaison Collaborative.  

My dress and shoes are from a Hilly Haalan ouftit currently available at The Designer Showcase.  The outfit includes a clutch (not shown), and all three pieces are texture change via hud, giving a selection of mix and match solids and patterned textures to choose from.  The dress and shoes are compatible with most of the major mesh bodies plus classic avvies.

I used a new studio for these pics - when I got my new pc I was very much into the "on location rather than studio" mindset as I finally had a pc that could cope.  However, there are occasions when I missed using a studio so when I heard about this one in a youtube video by Morgana Hilra here I ran to check it out - long story short, I was impressed, I bought it, and I love it!   

For just $350 this studio from SecondSnaps has everything I need plus a whole heap more.  There is a great choice of backgrounds already loaded and there are more to purchase or you can load your own.  It comes with a pose stand loaded with quality female and male poses (I am using Nantra poses here though).  It also has a shadow menu giving some great shadow options, and you can alter the opacity of those shadows, which is really useful.  There are also colour change lights which you can choose to use, or not.  I have only had the studio a few days so still have to learn all it can do, but already I can say without a second's doubt that for 350L it is incredible value for money and I wish I had found it years ago! 

Credits:

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, but in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.

Body

Body:  Maitreya Lara
Head: Catwa Jessica
Applier: Belleza Mila - available in mainstore for The Mix
Add On Makeup:  Belleza - available at The Liaison Collaborative
Hair: Elikatira Nataline - Redheads
Eyes - IKON 

Cosmetics

Dark Passions - Koffin Nails - Maitreya HUD - Soft Prints 

Clothing

Hilly Haalan  Sheer Panel Dress Spring - available at The Designer Showcase
Hilly Haalan Halle Heels 

Accessories

Cae Romantique

Poses

Nantra - Effortless - available at The Liaison Collaborative

Location
In my attic, using SecondSnaps Studio 3.07

Tools I use in most blog posts

Pose Anywhere 

Lumipro 

Anypose 

Combo Fix

Info

There are often more photos of blogged items on my flickr account here.

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).

#477 Keep your face always to the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you

Yay!  Zsa is an excited little blogger today, she has finally taken the leap and fallen in  love with her mesh head!  With mesh bodies, it took me a long time before I jumped, but when I did, I loved them so much it is inconceivable for me now to not wear one.  Same with mesh heads - I have had quite a few in my inventory gathering pixel dust for ages, but never liked the way they looked on me.  Then I tried this applier from Belleza and fell in love - I still feel like me, just a much improved me!  When I saw my system avvie after wearing this head for a day, I was quite horrified that I ever allowed myself to wander around the grid, let alone appear on this blog, looking like that!

My dress is new from Entice and I think it has a bit of a 1940's classy vibe.  You have 4 different huds to choose from, each one having 3 textures, it was a real struggle to choose, they are all lovely.  The Maitreya dress fits perfectly to my Maitreya Lara mesh body and you also get the dress in Slink, Belleza, classic and fitmesh.  They are just 99L for each hud for Super Sales Weekend which ends on the 8th

My shoes are brand new from KC Couture, and I thought they also have a vintage vibe.  They are currently available at the new round of Designer Showcase.  As always they come with a humoungous texture change hud so you can make them work with any outfit, and are also compatible with Belleza, Slink and Eve.

My necklace, earrings and bracelet are currently on offer at Indulge Temptation, but they will be changing soon, so if you want them you need to run.  There are 6 packs available, some for Sixty Linden Weekends and some for 55L Thursday.

My pictures are taken in my wonderful friend Pet's newly refurbished shabby chic store.  I recommend a visit for some really cute home items at extremely reasonable prices.  If you  haven't got a croquet set for your lawn, shame on you!  Go grab Pet's original mesh one now!

Credits:

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, but in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.

Body

Maitreya Lara Mesh Body
Catwa Jessica Mesh Head with Belleza Mila sk applier - available for Mix at the Belleza mainstore
Hair Amacci Siobhan 
IKON Odyssey eyes

Clothing
Entice - Rain Over Me - Gradient - 99L until April 8th
KC Couture Sharon Wedges - available at Designer Showcase

Accessories

Indulge Temptation - Nomad Princess necklace & earrings - currently on offer at mainstore

Poses

Diesel Works - Prima Donna

Location
Persnickity Shabby Chic

Tools I use in most blog posts
Pose Anywhere 

Lumipro 

Anypose 

Combo Fix

Quote by either Hellen Keller or Walt Whitman, depending on your source (and I am too tired right now to solve the riddle)

Info

There are often more photos of blogged items on my flickr account here.

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).

#476 Time spent with cats is never wasted

......Sigmund Freud

This quote is true for me, in all lives, I type this with my rl kitty snoring and purring at the same time on the arm of the sofa I am sitting on.  As for sl, I was struggling to find a good photo destination to take these pics, so decided to take them at home, and this usually means a kittycat of some sort will make a guest appearance.  A lot has been changing in the garden so I thought I would take some pics using some great camera poses from Le Poppycock.

My vest top is from DE Designs and fits absolutely perfectly on my Lara mesh body - it comes in a great range of colours, or a hud operated fat pack. It is compatible with all Belleza bodies, both Slink bodies, Maitreya Lara, and for standard avvies, a fitmesh version. I have teamed it with some recently updated boyfriend jeans from Lapointe & Bastchild.  My boots are new from Baby Monkey and can be bought in a classics hud, with the option to buy an extended hud.   They are compatible with Slink, Belleza and Maitreya mesh bodies, and also classic avvie.

This post is somewhat delayed as I have had a bit of a nightmare when my Lara mesh body corrupted, so I had to delete it and use a fresh one, which meant redoing all my saved outfits.  Also, I have also suddenly and belatedly (and about timely!), got the mesh head bug - I have had 4 of them for ages, but never quite felt like "me" in them.  That changed this week as I found an applier that I love, and yes, feels like me!  So as well as sorting out my mesh body problems, I also have to think about totally revamping all my outfits with a mesh head, so my little blogger head is spinning right now.  Anyway, expect much mesh headish gorgeousness on this blog very soon :).


Credits

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, but in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.

Body

Maitreya Lara
WoW Skins 2016 Hope bronze
Elikatira Elodie
IKON Clarity eyes

Cosmetics

DaneMarkZ - Maitreya nails -  Romantica

Clothing

DE Designs - Opel Tank
Lapointe & Bastchild * Swear - Boyfriend Jeans * updated slurl
Baby Monkey Zuli Boots

Accessories

Xia Bejeweled Web Necklace & Earrings

Poses

Le Poppycock - Say Cheese Set 2 - available at Half Deer

Decor
Megapuss House - Dekute Dekore
House - Mansfield Barn - Barnesworth Anubis

Extras
Arick & Dawneisha by Kittycats (check out my flickr here for a pic where I was totally photobombed by a megapuss!)

Location
Home

Tools I use in most blog posts

Pose Anywhere 

Lumipro 

Anypose 

Combo Fix

#474 Will you grasp the thorn ?

But he who dares not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose - Anne Bronte

Zsa has been busy building herself a dressing room, but I dragged her aside for a little while to make her pose for these pics.  She has gone back to pulling stuff apart and has left me to write this blog post for her.  I adore this new mix and match set from Entice for Tres Chic.  Each item can be bought separately or you can choose a fatpack (which has my vote) - they all fit my Maitreya Lara mesh body without any issue, and there is a great selection of textures to choose from.  Entice are also offering a set of seriously cute nail appliers - anything with kitties on gets my vote :).  

My hair is one of 3 new hairs from Amacci for Hairology, I love that this one is cute without going overboard.  My shoes from KC Couture seem made for the outfit, and again the texture change hud gives you so much choice. My poses are from Pose Fair 2016 but it finishes tomorrow, so if you have not already been, run!

Credits:

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, but in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.

Body

Maitreya Lara
WoW Skins 2016 Hope Bronze
Amacci Hair - Zip - available at Hairology
Mon Cheri Falsies
IKON Sovereign Eyes

Cosmetics

Entice - What's New Pussycat Nails HUD - available at Tres Chic

Clothing

Entice - Bon, Bon Halter - available at Tres Chic
Entice - Bon, Bon Pants - available at Tres Chic
Entice - Bon, Bon Jacket - available at Tres Chic
KC Couture - Viv Heels

Accessories

Elysium - Partytime earings (R) - ivory
Elysium - Partytime necklace - ivory

Poses

xoxo - Pic 1 Hannah, Pic 2 Skyler - available at The Pose Fair * ends tomorrow, 26th March *

Location
Home

Tools I use in most blog posts
Pose Anywhere 

Lumipro 

Anypose 

Combo Fix

Info

There are often more photos of blogged items on my flickr account here.

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).

#473 Smoke Signals

Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world.  I know because I've done it thousands of times - Mark Twain

Were you aware that you are only able to add 38 attachments to your avvie?  You'll never use all of them, right?  I thought so too, till I realised that while I was putting this outfit together, I was using 36 out of 38 - and this doesn't include the huds I use when taking pics (which are listed below the credits).

Onto the outfit - I love love love these new dresses from Doc Eldritch, which are a Maitreya Lara exclusive.  I particularly the ombre style - ombre isnt the right word but my brain is tired and refuses to offer up the right one right now.  I love all the colours available but continue my love affair with purple, not sure what is going on here but the slightest hint of purple has me rummaging through my inventory for more awesome purple-ness.  Anyway, as it was a bit nippy outside I added one of Doc's leather jackets to the outfit so that Zsa would stop shaking long enough for me to take my pics.  This jacket is compatible with all 3 Belleza bodies, Maiteya Lara and Slink Physique, as well as fitmesh.

By the way, Zsa wants me to tell you that she doesn't really smoke, she just borrowed a pixel ciggie for a short time for the taking of these pics.  She doesn't however want me to tell you that she did take a small drag and coughed so much we almost had to abandon the shoot :).

Credits:

If an item is for sale at an event, I give the slurl to that event, but in case this blog post is read after the event has finished, I also include the slurl to the mainstore.

Body

Maitreya Lara
Amacci Hair - Natia - Crazy hud
WoW Skins Roxana Bronze
Mon Cheri Falsies
IKON Odyssey Eyes

Cosmetics

Alaskametro Angel lipstick - Cyber
Alaskametro Extreme Wing II eyeshadow - black

Clothing
DE Designs - Revolution dress
DE Designs - Sashi jacket 
KC Couture Alivia Heels

Accessories

The Plastik Nohm Bracelet
The Plastik Sahaze Cord Necklace & Earrings

Poses

Infiniti - Blowing Smoke 1 & 2 - available at The Pose Fair
Location
Entropy II

Tools I use in most blog posts

Pose Anywhere 

Lumipro 

Anypose 

Combo Fix

Info

There are often more photos of blogged items on my flickr account here.

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).