Inspiring Artists - Featuring Snowpaws at Designer Showcase Also Featuring AIDORU and NailedIt

Snowpaws! Snowpaws! Snowpaws!

I found her at several locations this week. For my first outfit to show you, I pulled this dress Sumam from the creative work contributed to the Designer Showcase September round. The package is actually a set that includes the dress and jewelry. You can see the earrings easily in both photos.

To add a little touch of color, I chose to use some jewelry and nails that were bold and reminiscent of famous artists from yesteryear. Both AIDORU and Nailed It created items as part of a themed event earlier this year. I had used some of the items in the past, but not the heels, bangles or nails, til now. These all bring to mind the artist P.Mondrian. I wasn't sure how they would fit into my blog, along the way, but with a little patience, each puzzle piece has its own niche.

Featuring Snowpaws from Designer Showcase Sumam Mesh Dress Black & White

Featuring AIDORU Homage to P.Mondrian Heels and Bangles

Featuring NailedIt Mondrian Nails from Fashion Art Set

1. blackLiquid: Chen

2. Gaeline: Stella

3. October's 4 Seasons: Lily Skin Tone (Hannah)

4. KaTink: Dilan Set

The Month of Games and KL Couture -- Plus New From Sabra Style

I love it when something takes me back to good childhood memories. One of those things is the scent of cotton candy. I'm still a candy-a-holic to this day. I probably consume enough candy that it should be considered one of Caryn's 4 food groups. When I learned that The Month of Games, sponsored by Siren Productions, would feature three games and one of them was Candyland, I knew I was in for a delicious calorie-less treat. You can't gain weight if you nibble at candy in Second Life. Promise!

The dress with the pale pink ruffle and bow at the back comes from KL Couture. I splashed a lot more color, all around, and had to go with the cotton candy type hair, though it's originally a head piece from Lyrical B!zarre Templates. The fan skirt and shoulder are the same piece copied and one repurposed so that it matched, comes from Sabra Style Amelia Evening gown. It's beautiful, and I thought the brilliant purple plumes would suit the overall theme of indulgence in my ever avid sweet tooth.

You'll find a plethora of fun beginning July 12th, running through the 31st at The Month of Games. Along with Siren Productions, AIM, BOSL, Boulevard, Culture Magazine, Designing SL, ModeLS Magazine, SCALA, SL Live Radio, and Versus Magazine all combined efforts to produce this fabulous event. With designers galore and each designer styling 3 exclusive pieces, one for each game chosen, you'll find something to love and loads of summer memories from childhood flickering. Candyland, Clue and Chess have been chosen and those exclusive pieces will each represent something from each game. If you would like more information, you can follow this link: http://sirenproductionsl.com/month-games-coming/

Each of these designers made this styling possible:

Featuring from Sabra Style Amelia Evening Gown (Pieces) Fan Skirt

Featuring from KL Couture at The Month of Games Gourmandise 

1. AIDORU: Dream Tiptoe Feet

2. !Lyrical B!zarre Templates: Wander Necklace

-- Cotton Candy Headpiece

3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom Skin Tone

-- Candy Eyeshadow Powder Blue

4. Morphine: Heather Lips Lily Dark

5. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

6. Corpus Poses

New News! Featuring from FASHIONART Faire AIDORU and Moda, Also [Liv-Glam], h.m.a.e.m., and KMADD

A wide array of new items were put together to create this look. MODA Designs, the Ethnic Dress, and AIDORU, the Elite Pumps, both have items seen here at the FASHIONART Faire.

Additionally, there's a new pair of earrings from AIDORU, aptly named Pirates Earrings.

KMADD continues to amaze me with the fantastic array of colors and options for their Mesh eyes and the hair shared here and hairbase as well also came from Maddox DuPont's KMADD.

h.m.a.e.m. shared circles circles circles, the shape represented on the necklace and then repeated by me. [Liv-Glam] has this great Delilah bag that's on a HUD with color change options.

Featuring Moda Ethnic Dress Orange from FASHIONART Faire by Glamourist

Featuring AIDORU Elite Pumps from FASHIONART Faire by Glamourist

Featuring AIDORU Pirates Earrings

Featuring h.m.a.e.m. Irie Necklace

Featuring [Liv-Glam] Delilah Bag

Featuring KMADD Hairbase Equal

Featuring KMADD Hair Mia

1. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Mocha Skin Tone

3. SLink: Hands Elegant 1

4. Poses in AO from Liv-Glam's Delilah Bag

Are You Imagineering? -- Featuring from DOPE Fashion Week "B.I.P.", Maxi Gossamer, and Kyxe Skins & Shapes

It's rare for me to wear a swimsuit. I haven't been to a beach party in I don't know how long. When I was new to the virtual world, pool and beach parties occurred non-stop, along with all sorts of other ways to celebrate and make sure people wore the clothes you wanted, "Best in Beachwear" or "Best in Blue" didn't matter, just a whole lotta strangers, and a few Linden to make it worth the time, even if you didn't meet a someone special in the process.

I work at a much different point of view within SL now and those sorts of parties feel so far away in the distant recesses of my history. It's weird how 8 years has the ability to feel like a lifetime. Many things have evolved. The very look of SL certainly has. These photos, with the waves, and the water's reflection, and the high quality sculpted pieces used to make the props as well as the buildings in the background all accentuate how much they have.

At Disney, they call almost all of the artists on staff, from the artists who work on the movies, to the ones who create elements for the Magic Kingdom and Disney's other properties and investments, Imagineers. I like the notion of an Imagineer at work, always trying to imagine more and bigger and more interesting, and more fun. I don't know how much the people who created SL put into updating and upgrading the experience in their game, their second world, our Second Life.

Maybe it was their responsibility in the past and now they rely on all of us, the avid users, to embrace the tools we're given to create beautiful new experiences. For fashion, that means pushing the edge of all that is 'normal', figuring out how to import the things we love from the world around us, but also finding ways to create worlds that could never exist within our physics.

I believe the only way to overcome some of the frustrating steps that fashion faces, with the eternal lag, is not to continue doing the same things, but find new ways to do things, and new things to do. Each of us can be Imagineers. We have it in us, even the ones who read this and shout, "I don't have a creative bone in my body." I beg to differ. You probably do. You just haven't tapped into something that released it yet. It's there. Find a figment, and figure out how to translate it to the outlet we share in SL. I know you can. We all can be Imagineers.

Nothing I do would be possible without those who Imagineer every item I style:

Featuring from DOPE Fashion Week "B.I.P." Staxx High Waist Shorts Outfit

Featuring Maxi Gossamer Eyelashes Party Inverted Crown

Featuring Kyxe Fierce Black Brow

1. AIDORU: Dream Tiptoe Feet

2. VicE: Powder Pink Silver Bangles

3. AIDORU: Downtown Glasses

4. **Feel** StarDust Nails

5. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Pearl Skin Tone

6. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Innocence Spring

7. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Captivate Bubble Gum

8. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

9. [[j'adore]] Poses

10. EMO-tions: Harley

You Are Loved -- Featuring Pichi from Couturier's Docks, Kastle Rock Couture, EMO-tions and Maxi Gossamer

Sometimes the simplest ends up being the most elegant. When I tried on EMO-tions new hair this week, Leena, I found myself feeling like a Southern Belle from another century, ready to ply my charms on the nearest Rhett Butler. The Marlena gown from Kastle Rock Couture also struck me as very simple, sweet and innocent and went well with the upswept coif.

I know this time of year brings celebration to some families, while others with other faith backgrounds enjoy tomorrow as just another lovely Sunday to relax during a weekend. I had friends over the years who celebrated other holidays, but didn't mind the ones that had made their way into the US culture to a point that businesses closed and people had long weekends.

You don't have to agree to a certain religion to enjoy the holiday and wherever you are in our wide world, I do hope you find the day tomorrow filled with good things. To those who celebrate a holiday tomorrow, I wish you happy family time, sharing with loved ones and friends, and whatever traditions you keep each year.

I've done a little bit of this and that through the years. Some of you know that I was a Youth Pastor along my journey, a marriage counselor, and other tangents to being a member of church staff. My personal theology has always been simple. I don't know a lot of doctrine, and it doesn't phase me. I know that people need to know they're loved, unconditionally, and that in this wide, scary world, At least one Southern Belle, in her teenytiny town loves you.

My blog would not exist without your support and that of these amazing designers:

Featuring from Couturier's Docks Pichi Rich Shimmer Lips Color

Featuring EMO-tions Leena

Featuring Kastle Rock Couture Marlena Gown in Blue

Featuring Maxi Gossamer Groomed Lashes

1. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom Skin Tone

2. AIDORU: Mood Bracelet

3. Eclectica: Relic Jewelry Set

4. {{BSD Design Studio}}: Angel Grey Rabbit

5. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

6. Candy Nail: Diva Blue

7. KMADD: Runway Poses

More From Easter Market - Featuring [CIRCA], *Lavanda Chic*, *~Aphrodite Shop~* Also - EMO-tions, Chop Zuey

Every time I look into my Easter Market Basket, I find some new little surprises. I love the pose props that different designers release around different holidays.

The bunny from *~Aphrodite Shop~* in the first photo has it's own nestle pose built into it. I guess in the absence of a man to cuddle, the bunny works well![CIRCA] Provided the props on either side of the bunny, and have other spring seasonal props for sale.

All the fun props needed a spring outfit to go with it, and I used the short dress from *Lavanda Chic* - also from Easter Market, new hair from EMO-tions called Rula, and the Runway Perfect Hunt jewelry set from Chop Zuey.

I also accidentally discovered a buried treasure, the bare feet from AIDORU. I didn't know I had them til now and I'm so glad I do, as bare feet are perfect in Spring!

Gracious thanks to each designer who made this style possible:

Featuring from Easter Market *Lavanda Chic* Silk Dress

Featuring from Easter Market [CIRCA] Cottonwood Grove Birdhouse

Featuring from Easter Market [CIRCA] Spring Crate

Featuring from Easter Market *~Aphrodite Shop~* Poses - Happy Easter Baby

Featuring from EMO-tions Rula

Featuring from Chop Zuey - The Runway Perfect Hunt Items - Fenghuang Set

Featuring from AIDORU Dream Tiptoe Feet

1. SLink: Elegant 1

2. blackLiquid: Nail Appliers

3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Basic Blossom With Shadow and Lips

4. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

5. Miamai: Catwalk Lashes

6. Manifest Poses

Another Reason You Should Visit Fashion Pride -- Featuring 22769, Kyxe, [orage], A*S, AIDORU, Bliensen + MaiTai, Ch

I've had a great time working with items created especially for the Fashion Pride event in Second Life.

This playful jumpsuit is just one delight you'll find there.

I pulled a few items from boxes I had not yet gone through and had fun with the items, a little like Christmas or an unexpected birthday.

I can't say it enough, that it's a great thing to support the fundraising opportunities in Second Life and Fashion Pride in Second Life is one of those places you can participate.

Many thanks to the delightful designers who made this blog possible:

Featuring 22769 [femme] Jumpsuit Pinstripes from Fashion Pride

Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Spring Nail Appliers

Featuring [orage] Ceramics Sunglasses

Featuring A*S Simple Collar

Featuring AIDORU Angel Ring With Wings

Featuring Bliensen + MaiTai Friedel Jewelry

Featuring Ch My Silver Luxury Sandals

Kyxe Skins & Shapes Updated New Makeup Mocha

1. Bokeh OD Bangles Metallic

2. SLink: Elegant 1

3. Truth: Bonnie

4. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Starlia

5. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

6. Di's Opera Poses

Running Too Fast To Catch Up -- Featuring Purple Moon, Hawker's House, KMADD/Moda and AIDORU

I'm running too fast to catch up... Yes, I know that doesn't make sense, but sometimes, the things that don't make sense are the things that explain life the best way possible. I did go and get my Pink Shirt Day top prior to the 26th. I wholeheartedly celebrate anything that promotes positive action and positive thought and any cause. If there were 365 special days set aside to help promote awareness that there is a problem and violence is at the core, I'd support. The pink shirt day promotes Anti-Bullying. I remember being teased at school as a young teen, and never quite feeling like I fit in, but when I reflect back on it and then read things that are happening to young people today, I realize I had a very mild dose of what happens out there today.

Some of you may not know this, but for 11 years, I was a Youth Pastor, and worked with young girls primarily ages 11-18. I miss that more than words can say, and it's interesting to me that some of the girls I first worked with are now young mothers, college graduates, people making a difference in their own world, and when I met them, they seemed fragile, so young, so vulnerable. I have a personal faith background but I took an unusual approach to Youth Ministry, and probably to ministry itself. I don't need to indoctrinate anyone. At first this was a point of contention at the first church that hired me. They were steeped in tradition and old ways. I simply felt like the only message the teens I worked with needed to hear was that they were loved. The very core of my faith comes from love and hopefully pours that love out to others. To complicate it, which I think many religions do, there are doctrines and denominations and cultures and traditions and so much more. I put that aside and focused on the child, because despite them feeling so grown up, they were children, and the child's basic need to feel loved.

Children AND adults need love, need that love affirmed, and need it affirmed often. The rest is just details. To me... anyway. And children who are bullied are often the ones who feel unworthy of love. That's a travesty to me, and something we can overcome, one person at a time. Bullying occurs at many ages and stages, can accompany cultural bias, hate crimes, and other violent acts, where one group thinks they have all the answers and have the right to tell those who are not like them that they are bad, stupid, and words I would not retype/resay but words that hurt deeply and leave scars.

I find little things like the Pink Shirt campaign works, one step at a time, one person at a time, and as more and more people join together, more good will come of it and change will occur. Each one love one.

Great new SLink nails from Kyxe Skins & Shapes!

Purple Moon

KMADD/Moda

Kyxe Skins & Shapes

AIDORU

Hawker's House

Some Things That Make Me Feel Beautiful from Dot-Be Fashion, AIDORU and EMO-tions

The best way I know to share what I've done and seen and felt comes from my fingertips and my imagination. Prescribed medications CAN have an unusual influence on the imagination but they also have the ability to scatter thoughts. I hope you find kernels of truth and exposure of beauty amid my rambling moments.

In the past week, I've gradually adjusted to some changes in my world and found myself with more alert time and more interest in visiting Second Life again. I thought this was a good sign! At first, I struggled with the detail of being able to READ what I saw on the screen but a good friend helped me magnify the text so now I can see it! I already have my websites font super sized.

I opened a number of boxes from the very last things I accepted as an official blogger from anywhere first. I have continued to believe that if I cannot blog it, I cannot keep it, so many things I opened, played Barbie, then had to delete. I never had dolls growing up but when I just get to try on all these fantastic designs, I call it playing Barbie.

I enjoy the fashion world. It's one of my favorite things I've ever done in Second Life. I think it's wonderful to see businesses grow and designers make it WORK. When they make things that make me feel beautiful, it gives me a boost that's difficult to explain. If you feel beautiful, maybe you feel better about self and the world around you. I don't know.

I do know that I've worked with Boniefacio and Dot-Be Fashion since he opened his store and he's created a whole array of items for men and women. This particular dress, Linde, was new in January and one of the things I put on and thought Yes! This is an excellent example of his sense of style and detail. EMO-tions has the same ability to Wow me. I've got jewelry from the Rare Gacha's as well as one of January's hair releases, Amita. Though I've never had AIDORU as a sponsor, I've worked with their designs via many events and continue to love the diversity of items they release. The pumps in this blog are from them, a clever Bitch.ed pair of heels.

It's fun to play dress up, and though I've stopped accepting items as a blogger, I plan on sharing items that make me feel beautiful when I can, and support those who've supported me for so long. Live! Laugh! Love!

Featuring AIDORU Elite Pumps Bitch.ed

Featuring Dot-Be Fashion Linde Dress

Featuring EMO-tions Elbensoul Rare Gacha Circlet and Necklace

Featuring EMO-tions Amita

1. Gaeline: Mysteria

2. KMADD: Eyes Attention Required

3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom

w. Kyxe Seduction Gloss

w. Kyxe Magical Blues Shadow

4. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands

5. Poses built into props at Image Essentials

Sexy... ABSOLUTELY - Featuring Carrie's Lingerie and [Mirror's Enigma]

It's impossible to feel anything but SEXY when you're wearing well made lingerie. Carrie's Lingerie fills this to perfection. Every detail she creates with the eye of an artist wanting to make sure every piece, down to the eyelets for the corset laces, looks amazing.

The Princess in Aqua makes me feel like a princess ready to prowl the chambers of my prince, with gloves, corset and stockings, makeup (plus a prim miniskirt and shoes not shown) amped up for the greatest appeal.

The close up shows the details of the lace and print on this holiday bit of sensual fun. You can also see the elegance of the makeup, lips plump and ready for biting ... ermm kissing, and the design compliments the attire.

All of my photos capture places you can visit when you visit Carrie's. Inside, many different holiday displays are set up for the purpose of great pictures and greater fun. Outside, the crisp snowy landscape takes you away to a place of winter even if it's 77 degrees and sunny in your world off line.

A special note** Carrie's VIP area has been opened to the public this December. If you find this fireplace at the back of the store, you'll see a VIP transport that takes you to Carrie's 12 days of Christmas, and another world of beauty. Everyone should take advantage of this!

Live! Laugh! Love!

Featuring Carrie's Lingerie Princess Aqua

Featuring [Mirror's Enigma] Kami Native Skintone

1. MINA: Tabita

2. MADesigns:

- Eyelashes Fabulous Darling

- Eyes Confidence Subtle Ocean

3. AIDORU: 70s Bracelet and Earrings Copper

4. Italiano: Biker Boots

5. In-Pose!

A Special Photo - FINESMITH - "Break the Ice" Featuring FINESMITH, KMADD, Kyxe, AIDORU, and .::Shellac

It is very rare that I take a single photo. I share one only today from this styling as I put it together for an event that FINESMITH is hosting this month.

The 'Breaking the Ice' event offers space for content creators and bloggers to mix for a period of time in such a way that both have the chance to connect to new people in this business. I have submitted this photo for the chance to join the event. Even if I do not get placed, I encourage you to read more in the link below and participate. Networking helps all of us. Live! Laugh! Love!

For Designers and Bloggers - Breaking the Ice

Breaking the Ice

Featuring FINESMITH -

-- Noland Jacket Grey

-- Noland Shorts Brown

-- Forbidden Love Earrings

-- Belly Gems 03

-- Murder Eye Ornament

Also Featuring MADesigns Fadima

Also Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Pearl Skintone

Also Featuring .::Shellac SLink Wild Side

Also Featuring AIDORU Kyoot Woolen Warm Colors

1. SLink: Elegant 1

2. MADesigns:

-- Eyes Confidence Distracted

-- Eyelashes Naturale

"So This Is Christmas, What Have You Done?" - Featuring *AE* and AIDORU from J&A Expo Plus Carrie's Lingerie, and EMO-tions

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) seems to be an odd name for a song. Its origination came from somewhere unexpected and yet has become a Christmas Carol staple played around the world each holiday and covered by bands since it's singles debut by John Lennon in 1971.

I find it intriguing that people take messages and read what they want into them or glean what they want from them. When this song was written it was definitively done so as an anti-war song protesting the Vietnam War. John Lennon notably said, "Now I understand what you have to do. Put your political message across with a bit of honey."

Projects he took on outside of his work with the Beatles (and often including his new wife Yoko Ono) often had a political message, but his voice was heard best when he sang his protests. He wanted to write a Christmas carol with themes like unity and peaceful change, keeping the song positive and optimistic without creating something of sappy sentimentalism others associated with holiday tunes.

Times have changed. I served in a war as a member of the United States Navy in 1990-1992. I recall the very different sense of support of the military at this time. It was obvious to me that a country had learned to separate their support of a military member from a government's war. That change affected hundreds of thousands of troops at that time and to this day. Maybe protesters, the people who matched into Washing D.C. and those who use their voice like John Lennon had a part in that altered viewpoint.

Putting politics aside completely, this song came into the world with one purpose yet over time, it became a part of a culture that had nothing to do with its original meaning. The lyrics are simple. If you listen to the first recording or find a cover, it's easy to understand the message. Only the last stanza of the song reminds us of war, or peace, or a people who found themselves at war and preferred peace. I prefer peace. I may be naive to think it could ever exist, but I don't mind my naivete. I have hope.

Featuring *AE* Peace / Siver Exclusive from J&A Expo

Featuring AIDORU Exclusive Elite Pumps #2 from J&A Expo

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Webhost/123/125/21

Also Featuring Carrie's Lingerie Mia Copper VIP

Also Featuring EMO-tions Harley

1. MADesigns: Eyelashes ~ Lush Lash

2. MADesigns: Eyes Confidence ~ Subtle Ocean

3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Orchid

4. Manifeste Poses

So, this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over
If you want it
War is over
Now

Read more: John Lennon - Happy Christmas (war Is Over) Lyrics

A.F.I Designs, N@N@, AIDORU, Kyxe, KMADD, .::Shellac, [UNDERSCORE] and Yasum from Jewelry & Accessory Expo (12.6.2013)

What an eclectic group of designers I got to share with you this time. I also created a whole array of photos.

Featuring A.F.I Designs Forbidden Dress

Featuring N@N@ Caryn Set (Thank you for doing a set in my name, N@N@, I was so touched and grateful)

Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Chocolate Cosmos Black Brows, Bald with Eyeshadow and Lips

Featuring MADesigns Eyelashes ~ Precision

Featuring MADesigns Eyes Confidence ~ Dark Path

Yasum Dead End Boots from the Jewelry & Accessory Expo (12.6.2013)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Webhost/125/127/21

1. Candy Nail: Harvest Beige

2. EMO-tions: Tyra *4

3. Wicca's Wardrobe: Poses

For those of you who do not know, DJAFI is one of those gals who can do anything if she sets her mind to it. She's a rad DJ and a creative designer and I'm certain she's many other things as well!

Featuring A.F.I Designs Forbidden Dress

Featuring N@N@ Caryn Set (Thank you for doing a set in my name, N@N@, I was so touched and grateful)

Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Chocolate Cosmos Black Brows, Bald with Eyeshadow and Lips

Featuring MADesigns Eyelashes ~ Precision

Featuring MADesigns Eyes Confidence ~ Dark Path

Yasum Dead End Boots from the Jewelry & Accessory Expo (12.6.2013)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Webhost/125/127/21

1. Candy Nail: Harvest Beige

2. EMO-tions: Tyra *4

3. Wicca's Wardrobe: Poses

Many of her items have an edgy nature. Either they're daringly revealing like this open-fronted dress, or they're exotic in some other way. Before I even know the designer, I can often tell her pieces from others.

Featuring A.F.I Designs Forbidden Dress

Featuring N@N@ Caryn Set (Thank you for doing a set in my name, N@N@, I was so touched and grateful)

Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Chocolate Cosmos Black Brows, Bald with Eyeshadow and Lips

Featuring MADesigns Eyelashes ~ Precision

Featuring MADesigns Eyes Confidence ~ Dark Path

Yasum Dead End Boots from the Jewelry & Accessory Expo (12.6.2013)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Webhost/125/127/21

1. Candy Nail: Harvest Beige

2. EMO-tions: Tyra *4

3. Wicca's Wardrobe: Poses

In addition to the great attire she's created, I get to show you these Dead End boots from Yasum. I got the chance to speak personally to the designer and I thrilled at the chance. The boots look fantastic and have a HUD that offers so many options too!

Featuring A.F.I Designs Forbidden Dress

Featuring N@N@ Caryn Set (Thank you for doing a set in my name, N@N@, I was so touched and grateful)

Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Chocolate Cosmos Black Brows, Bald with Eyeshadow and Lips

Featuring MADesigns Eyelashes ~ Precision

Featuring MADesigns Eyes Confidence ~ Dark Path

Yasum Dead End Boots from the Jewelry & Accessory Expo (12.6.2013)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Webhost/125/127/21

1. Candy Nail: Harvest Beige

2. EMO-tions: Tyra *4

3. Wicca's Wardrobe: Poses

I have to say, this jewelry set called Caryn, delivered as a gift to me this morning stunned me. N@N@ sent the set and they suited me so well. I have such a sense of the balance of energy in our universe and this set spoke directly to that. Thank you so much N@N@.

Featuring A.F.I Designs Stache Jeans Outfit

-- Also A.F.I Designs Rare Gacha Design Mustache Cuff

Featuring AIDORU Starry Night Perfect Fit Flats

Featuring .::Shellac Slink Solid Darks

Featuring [Underscore] Lyon Hair

1. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands

2. MADesigns: Eyelashes ~ Fabulous Darling

2. MADesigns: Eyes Confidence ~ Cruel

3. [Mirror's Enigma]: Heather Tan Skintone (Silken/Light Brow)

4. Photos Taken on Image Essentials' Sim - Poses Built Into Studio Props

A bit more fierce, this urban outlet has its own story to tell. DJAFI asked if I wanted to do this one too, and I said "Of Course!" I love being nudged out of my comfort zone.

Featuring A.F.I Designs Stache Jeans Outfit

-- Also A.F.I Designs Rare Gacha Design Mustache Cuff

Featuring AIDORU Starry Night Perfect Fit Flats

Featuring .::Shellac Slink Solid Darks

Featuring [Underscore] Lyon Hair

1. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands

2. MADesigns: Eyelashes ~ Fabulous Darling

2. MADesigns: Eyes Confidence ~ Cruel

3. [Mirror's Enigma]: Heather Tan Skintone (Silken/Light Brow)

4. Photos Taken on Image Essentials' Sim - Poses Built Into Studio Props

As you can see, there's actually a third piece of the outfit, a mesh bit that's attached with chain and draped to the right hip. It's the first time I've seen a wallet like this in mesh, so that was a great addition. Also, she's gotten so clever with her mesh that she's begun to add jewelry. If you want to try her Gacha machine in the store, you could get the cuff seen in my set of photos.

Featuring A.F.I Designs Stache Jeans Outfit

-- Also A.F.I Designs Rare Gacha Design Mustache Cuff

Featuring AIDORU Starry Night Perfect Fit Flats

Featuring .::Shellac Slink Solid Darks

Featuring [Underscore] Lyon Hair

1. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands

2. MADesigns: Eyelashes ~ Fabulous Darling

2. MADesigns: Eyes Confidence ~ Cruel

3. [Mirror's Enigma]: Heather Tan Skintone (Silken/Light Brow)

4. Photos Taken on Image Essentials' Sim - Poses Built Into Studio Props

I pulled a pair of AIDORU flats, the nail paint from .::Shellac, dark colors designed to wear with SLink hands, and then wore a brand new hair style Lyon from [Underscore]. It all seemed like it was meant to go together.

Featuring A.F.I Designs Stache Jeans Outfit

-- Also A.F.I Designs Rare Gacha Design Mustache Cuff

Featuring AIDORU Starry Night Perfect Fit Flats

Featuring .::Shellac Slink Solid Darks

Featuring [Underscore] Lyon Hair

1. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands

2. MADesigns: Eyelashes ~ Fabulous Darling

2. MADesigns: Eyes Confidence ~ Cruel

3. [Mirror's Enigma]: Heather Tan Skintone (Silken/Light Brow)

4. Photos Taken on Image Essentials' Sim - Poses Built Into Studio Props

You can see how simple yet unique the hair style is in this close up. I absolutely love the diversity of the designer behind A.F.I Designs. Every time I get to style an outfit from her, I get to step into a new role and play for a while.

Live! Laugh! Love!

I See So Much More -- Featuring CC Kre-ations and Candy Crunchers from the Christmas Market, Kyxe and AIDORU

Today, I went out without a wheelchair! I had enough energy to visit one of my favorite stores. It's a little bit of a drive, but the store is called "Fresh Market" and though it's a chain of stores across the Southeast, it's a store that's so different from the grocery, the experience is a wonderful assault on the senses in so many good ways.

I've been having fun with the holiday items in Second Life. It's a lot of brilliant colors and crazy ideas, blended together to create a bit of fantasy. In the Fresh Market, everything was also brilliant colors and bright fun ideas. They had brewing cider for tasting, and little tidbits of fresh baked goods and other things like cheese made and shipped in from all over the world.

I found the little outfit from CC Kre-ations that included a magic staff and the playful jewelry from Candy Crunchers a bit whimsical, but what other time of year would whimsical be any better? I don't think any. I went all out with some of my styling, playing with colorful hair.

Even the pale unusual skin shown here comes from the event. If you mix and match, you'll find the perfect unique items. I thrilled at the Gingerbread houses at the Fresh Market. I don't know why the story of the Gingerbread house goes with holidays any more than I understand the frolicsome items that I find sometimes in Second Life.

For me, part of the fun of the holidays means tapping into that playful unexpected side. We all have that inside us somewhere. I hope you get out into the world around you and enjoy the colorful and fun world that the holidays bring, and as you explore your Second Life, I hope the same to be true for you.

Live! Laugh! Love!

Featuring CC Kre-ations from Christmas Market Event

- Winter Kiss Lolita Dress

- Jack Frost Staff

- Pure Candor Skin

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Atlantis%20City%202/27/101/1224

Featuring Candy Crunchers

- Christmas Tree Headband

- Merry Christmas Necklace

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Atlantis%20City%202/27/101/1224

Also featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Ombre Ocean

Also featuring AIDORU Kyoot Pinkette Boots

1. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Hypnotic Eyeshadow ~ Trance

2. MADesigns: Eyes Confidence ~ Dark Path

3. Face Paint: Gem Prim Nails

4. [Underscore]: Come Undone Smooth Colors

5. blackLiquid: Chen Face Golden

6. Demise of Flight: Lizzy Poses

What Would You Do To Find Paradise? -- Featuring Dot-Be Fashion, AIDORU, and MADesigns

This afternoon, I watched a movie that I'd never seen before and I was pretty sure I'd seen all the Leonardo DiCaprio movies. But it seems I'd missed one, one that Rotten Tomatoes gave 19%; what do they know?

The movie really isn't about anything special, except that it's one of those coming of age stories, and it's a search for utopia theme as well. Maybe in our early twenties we all think that with the right moves, the right line to pick up the right partner, we craft our own utopia and come of age in the process.

The super-man, I can survive anything days of our teens pass away but the energy and passion push us forward towards that dream of something. Maybe it's the perfect wedding, or a child or a job with all the things we've trained to do and now ready to apply.

I'm going to step out on a limb (pun intended related to the photo sequence) and guess that no matter where I lived in the world or what my gender, faith and so forth included, that twenty something time would still be magical for me. I would still have the passion and the need to find paradise.

The pretty girls and handsome guys made the movie definite eye-candy. The story line was basic and true. I do think we all spend some time in our life searching for a utopia. We'd each define what that word meant differently but we'd be seeking, ever seeking.

Then somewhere in the time between those twenties and the age (yes I'm an old dinosaur) I am, reality tips its hat. It isn't a bad thing. Reality just is a life thing. Maybe we grow up, or grow wise, or learn from experience. It's still possible to be eye-candy with lots of exercise or lots of money but that search for utopia has been replaced with something else.

I hope your something else brings you joy, peace, balance and warmth. I think of my twenties, raising children, their wonder at the world, and all the things that made that amazing and I think of the holidays now, and the things that are special and worth every moment now. I wish you only the best.

Live! Laugh! Love!

Featuring Dot-Be Fashion Ponchi Geometric 3

Featuring AIDORU My Roses Perfect Fit Flats

Featuring MADesigns Eyelashes ~ Sweet Girl

Featuring MADesigns Tattoo ~ Lace

1. Zuri's: Carly Ice

2. OUTBREAK: Festive Hat

3. [Mirror's Enigma]: Heather Peach Skintone

4. [elika]: E Say All

5. blackLiquid: Liquid Glame Mykonos Blue

6. Poses built into prop at Sune's Snowfalls Valley