black basalt beach
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There have been a number of lovely memories inspired within me this last week, and perhaps my favorite was recalling the time I spent in Ireland while I was at University, a ten day tour with my small chamber choir as we toured several cities, stopping to sing at churches, pubs, and even a castle or two. I felt so bestirred by emotion during that trip, yet unwilling to take for granted a single moment. In my head like a gentle mantra, I kept remembering a concept attributed to Confucius in my philosophy courses: “No matter where you go, there you are.” To be true, no matter where we visited in Ireland, I was so present in that place and time, I could almost feel the passageways of my mind taking careful, ardent notes of my surroundings and experiences, in order to paint the most meaningful memories.
And one particularly lush recollection I have of Ireland is its bodies of water, how unique they felt to me. The North Atlantic Ocean lapping the shores of Galway was the same one I’d swam in whilst visiting New Jersey as a girl, but it felt so profoundly different: stoic and serene, worldly and wise, as though it was regarding this young woman with its thoughtful blue-gray eyes, asking her to stay awhile, maybe have a pint, and please: feel right at home.
The other day, I wrote that: “the most simple and poetic way I know how to describe it is that when you find your place here, Second Life feels like coming home.” I would expand upon that to say that it’s so much more than the platform that inspires this feeling, but truly the people and experiences we share within. I feel as though I’m emerging at last with grateful clarity from the occasional storms that have paused for a while on my prairie these past few weeks, and I have a number of wonderful SL residents to thank for that. Because without you, kind souls, this virtual world is like a harbor without a lighthouse. Or to borrow a beautiful sentiment from my favorite poet, Pablo Neruda: “You occupied the house that darkly awaited you, and then you lit the lamps …”
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“Relieved … I’m so relieved
The tables are turning
Don’t sacrifice this feeling
Home, is this my home?
Been starting over
Bathe in the water …”
Look
Slink Body – Hourglass v1.5.1
Genesis Lab Head & Skin – Melissa
Mandala Ears – Steking Ears Season 5
Avi-Glam Eyes – Elysian Eyes (Sunrise) *
Elua Hair – Oceana (Blonde HUD)
Style & Pose
TETRA Lingerie – Sporty Bra & Panties (fatpack for Maitreya Lara, Slink Hourglass & Slink Physique) New Release @ Kustom9, through August 10th *
!Bang Poses – Tease 3
Destination & Inspiration
✈ Sights: Black Basalt Beach
🎧 Sounds: Engineers – Home
Tessellate
Warm, summery welcomes to a bright new week, my loves! This week will be a quieter one for words, I suspect, but in all the best possible ways. Usually my ‘deeper’ posts are stoked and provoked, stirred and yearned, from places of either nostalgia and memory, or thoughtful disquiet. That’s not quite the right word … think of a calm pool of water that has been disturbed by a drop of a stone, sometimes feather-light, and other times weighing a ton or more. When my mind stays calm and rested, there just isn’t as much I’m compelled to say. Ah bless, that makes me sound either enlightened or stoned, haha! Neither of which is the case I’m afraid, but I think you’re pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down. I just feel … happy. Blissfully at peace. So I’ll just let the clothes (or in this case, the delightfully cheeky Sharkini by TETRA) do the talking. I hope you’re all having a marvelous summer so far. Lots of love! ♡
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“bite chunks out of me
you’re a shark, and I’m swimming
my heart still thumps as I bleed
and all your friends come sniffing …”
Look
Maitreya Body – Lara v3.5
Genesis Lab Head & Skin – Melissa
Mandala Ears – Steking Ears Season 3
Damien Fate Eyelashes – FATELashes v2.0
Avi-Glam Eyes – Ardent Eyes (Citrus v2) *
Tram Hair – F603 Hair (Amber & Cork HUD)
Aurica Store Tattoo – Flowers (for Maitreya, Slink, TMP & Omega) *
Style & Pose
TETRA Swimsuit – Sharkini (fatpack for Maitreya Lara, Slink Hourglass, and Slink Physique) New Release @ Summerfest, through July 10th *
Lyrium Pose – Beach 3 (from the Beach Pose Collection with HUD) New Release *
Destination & Inspiration
✈ Sights: Black Basalt Beach
🎧 Sounds: Ellie Goulding – Tessellate
The Sirens Inside You
One of the wonderful, kindred fascinations that so many of us share in the SL blogging and Flickr communities is a deep love and appreciation for music. Songs can often be found informing and inspiring pictures, blog posts, and even the looks we create. And some of the most enduring and beloved landmarks on the grid often have music at their core: whether it’s a well-loved dance and DJ spot, or a region like Chouchou whose very existence in rooted in the music created by its amazing owners and designers.
I’m often listening to music as I wander the grid, work on photography, or write my blog posts. And it was the soundtrack to the amazing and heartrending game “Life Is Strange” that inspired the site and sonic mood of my picture today. Without giving away any spoilers or secrets, a lighthouse features prominently in the game, and my look reminds me of something that a grown-up Max might wear on a trip in the dusky evening light to the Oregon coast. A form-fitting bikini modestly covered by a cool jacket she snagged from Chloe’s closet, and sandals with a wonderful Boho vibe that may be a bit of a nod to Rachel Amber’s memorable style.
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Look
Body // Lara Mesh Body v3.5 by Maitreya
Head & Skin // Melissa by Genesis Lab
Hair // Quinn (Essentials HUD) by Elikatira
* Eyes // April Eyes (Ambar) by Inkheart New Release!
Style
Necklace // Alianza Necklace (Black) by MINIMAL for The Chapter Four, through May 21st Free Gift!
Jacket // Free Love Leather Jacket (Mural Elephant) by Foxes for Uber, through May 22nd
Bikini // Neve Bikini (Maitreya Royal Blue) by Miss Chelsea for FaMESHed, through May 27th Free Gift!
Shoes // CountryGirl Sandals (Maitreya Fatpack) by VALE KOER for Uber, through May 22nd
Destination & Inspiration
Location // Black Basalt Beach
Song Spark // José González – Crosses
Both my bikini and necklace are wonderfully generous gifts given out at the current rounds of FaMESHed and The Chapter Four, respectively, and I’ll once more include the list of must-see events I mentioned the other day which are presently featuring anniversary/birthday gifts from many of the participating designers. Be sure to visit before time runs out! ♡
The Chapter Four, through May 21st
FaMESHed, through May 27th
We <3 Roleplay, through May 31st
Summer Girl
Summertime, you are a tricky beast! No sooner had I started pining for Autumn when a lovely bundle of swimsuits came my way, and with a click of an applier button, I fell in love with the summery weather once more. Also, what better way to show off a lovely new tattoo than while wearing not very much at all? And any excuse I may find to visit one of my favorite sims is a truly worthwhile one, I’d say. So strike up “Summer Lovin'”, because it’s back to the beach with me!
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Look
Body / Maitreya | Mesh Body – Lara v3.4
* Skin / AlterEgo | Janae – Almond (Blonde Brows + Cleavage)
* Hair / Tukinowaguma | Ginger – HUD 3-2 | WearHouse Event, through August 28th
* Eyes / DS’ELLES | Apocalypse Mesh Eyes – Violet (Small)
Lashes / Mon Cheri | Falsies Mesh Eyelashes – Upper
* Lips / Nova Bodyshop | Bell Lipstick – 007 (LeLutka, TMP, Kissers, Loud Mouth, Nyam Nyam & Sweet Lips appliers + system tattoo layers) | AnyBody Event, through August 31st
* Tattoo / White Widow | Steppin’ Tattoo (Maitreya, Belleza, Eve, Omega, Sking, Slink, TMP & Lolas appliers + system tattoo layers) | Gold Prize at The Collection by MadPea, through September 30th
Style
* Jewelry / Paper Arrow | Chevron Necklace – Gold (Maitreya Beta & Belleza Isis fits)
* Swimsuit / alaskametro<3 | Giselle II Bikini (Slink, TMP, Omega & Lolas appliers + system clothing layers) | AnyBody Event, through August 31st
Shoes / KC Couture | Brazilia Heels (Maitreya, Belleza and Slink High feet)
Poses & Destination
* Pose / Agapee | Photo Pose Set 006 – Pose 123 | WearHouse Event, through August 28th
Location / Black Basalt Beach
First and foremost, I want to mention this gorgeous White Widow tattoo, which is a Gold level prize from The Collection, the brand new interactive adventure game from MadPea. You will become the main character in a quest that will lead you to a bevy of hidden treasures, following the clues and solving the puzzles you encounter in order to progress. It’s deeper than a traditional point-and-click game, and far more than just a hunt. The Collection has deeply immersive story and a truly unique style, so I highly recommend visiting the MadPea Games website to learn more about how to get started with this not-to-be-missed event!
In shopping event exclusives, I’m wearing the beautifully hand-drawn Giselle II Bikini by alaskametro<3, which may be found at the current round of AnyBody along side my fabulous lipstick by Nova Bodyshop. Over at the WearHouse event, you’ll find the gorgeous Ginger hairstyle by Tukinowaguma – a true bombshell style with an exceptional number of choices in the color HUDs – as well as an excellent and versatile pose set by Agapee.
I also want to give a special mention to my Chevron Necklace by Paper Arrow, which is the first piece of jewelry I’ve personally seen that features a specialized mesh body fit. I’m wearing the Maitreya (Beta) fit, and it may just be the first necklace I’ve ever worn in Second Life that did not have to be adjusted or resized in some fashion. So awesome! It fits beautifully against the skin with applier clothing, and works with mesh tops as well. A fitted version for Belleza’s Isis body is also included.
I hope you’re having a wonderful week so far, and please do check out The Collection by MadPea; it promises to be a thrilling and rewarding way to enjoy a whole new aspect of Second Life, and the prizes on offer in the Silver and Gold packages are wonderful. See you there! ♥
On a Beach of Weathered Sand
The real world me (or as my friend Shae delightfully puts it, my “meaty self”) used to work in the cosmetics industry, and in online forums dedicated to beauty, a lot of fun and funny acronyms exist. Being someone who loves fiercely adores alteration, one acronym in particular caught my fancy and describes me perfectly: PPP, or Pale Porcelain Princess. Alright, not so much the “princess” bit, but Pale and Porcelain? Absolutely! This means that whilst living in a part of the country that enjoys eight or so months of summer-like weather, I’m able to stand very little sun and heat before I start burning and swooning. But in Second Life? Bring on the brilliant beaches and sweet, summery sunshine!
Please click for full size.
Please click for full size.
Look
Body / Maitreya | Mesh Body – Lara v3.4
Skin / AlterEgo | Lydia v2 – Honey (Hipsta Plz) | Group Gift
Hair / Elikatira | Kara – Essentials HUD | Free Gift at Hair Fair 2015, through July 26th
Eyes / Suicidal Unborn | Nova Eyes – Deep Blue | Group Gift
Lashes / Mon Cheri | Falsies Mesh Eylashes – Upper
* Eyeliner / Nova Bodyshop | Sagan Liner – 003 (LeLutka, TMP appliers & system tattoos) | AnyBody Event, through July 31st
* Lips / Nova Bodyshop | Lizzy Lipstick – 001 (Loud Mouth, Nyam Nyam, Sweet Lips, LeLutka, TMP appliers & system tattoos) | AnyBody Event, through July 31st
Style
* Necklace / Secret Love | Rosette Necklace | Aristo Event, through July 24th
* Outfit / MMC | Summer Jumpsuit (Maitreya, Belleza, TMP, Slink, Lena, Eve, Omega Appliers & System Layers) | Ross Fair, through August 5th
* Shoes / KC Couture | Laura Heels (for Maitreya, Slink High & Belleza)
Poses & Destination
* Pic 1 / Zomy Poses | Casual Posepack – Casual #3 (Mirrored)
* Pic 2 / DS’ELLES | Stand Pose Beach – Pose 2 | The Black Dot Project, through August 4th
Location / Black Basalt Beach
Exciting news! I finally made it over to Hair Fair 2015, and while I went in a full-body alpha layer to help mitigate lag, it probably wasn’t even necessary as I found it to be a remarkably smooth browsing experience with little difficulty despite the heavy crowds. I was able to snag a wonderful bevy of free gifts, and was elated to see that Elikatira – the brand who has the honor of being my first ever SL hair purchase, some 8 or 9 years ago – was offering three hairstyles in her gift box. So much joy! The Kara style, with its perfect bow headband, is gorgeous and comes with the Essentials HUD which offers a wonderful variety of hair colors to choose from. Hair Fair is on through July 26th, and the crowds should thin considerably this week, so don’t miss out!
I’m wearing the wonderfully retro-inspired Summer Jumpsuit by MMC, which comes in four color combinations and offers appliers for every body under the sun, as well as system layers. If you’re ever looking for applier clothing that will suit multiple mesh bodies in your collection, MMC has all the options covered brilliantly! My necklace is by the always-wonderful Secret Love, and offers a HUD with 7 petal colors, 3 metals and 2 pearl hues. Matching earrings are included in the set, and it’s an exclusive at the new Aristo event, which ends on July 24th.
I wanted a strong red lip and perfectly flicked cat eyes for my look, and Nova Bodyshop met the challenge brilliantly! Both the Sagan Eyeliner and Lizzy Lipstick may be found at the current round of AnyBody, and I’ve listed the various appliers that these cosmetics come with to my credits above. While I still use system tattoo layers myself, I hope this information will be helpful to those with mesh heads and/or mouths!
Last but surely not least, I’m thrilled to be blogging for KC Couture, one of my very favorite shoe brands on the grid. Klari’s designs are wonderfully affordable and always offer lots of options in their HUDs, and many of her designs are compatible with Maitreya, Slink and Belleza feet. My Laura Heels are deliciously vampy, with peep toes, buckle and zipper detailing, and a wide range of color and metal options in the HUD.
In my last beach-inspired look I was all sweetness and cheer, but this time around I found the perfect setting in Black Basalt Beach, a location I discovered on Flickr that has a wonderfully rustic, weathered look to it. It’s still every bit as beautiful as the more pristine Baja Cove, but the bits of driftwood and overgrowth gives it a different feel that I really enjoy. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy your Sunday, I highly recommend a visit! ♥
Happily, Ever Afterr in Second Life 