Begin At the Beginning -- Featuring Tori's Sin and EnvyMe from Fashion for Life; Featuring Tuckinowaga from Summer Fashion Festival and Gaeline

It means a lot to me when someone pages me and asks if I will review their item for this or that event; this store or that sale venue. There was a time when I cajoled, pleaded, yes even begged for a chance to review items. Everyone begins at the beginning.

In recent weeks, I've been wholly and completely focused on Fashion For Life because above all other things I do in Second Life that takes a business-ish format, I love to work with charities. It just makes me feel like I'm doing something far bigger than me, reaching around a world that I love to live at my fingertips but touching the real people at their desks, in their work place, living their life.

I also have a certain number of designers to whom I've pledged time and commitment to promote new releases on a certain schedule by month, and I want to be sure that in the midst of the special events and the people to whom I've given my word, that I don't begin to drown in folders. (Where's the inventory life jacket? i still haven't found that thing!)

When someone asks me about blogging things now, I offer names of bloggers whom I know, the ones who share here and on blogspot and wordpress and other private paid for blog pages. I also offer to do a note for them here in FB, to help advertise their desire to find good bloggers. If you're a committed blogger, there will always be someone, somewhere, seeking your services and work.

If you'd like me to refer you, I would be happy to do so. Like I said, everyone begins at the beginning. Let me know.

Fashion for Life has run from June 7 and will run til June 30. That means there are only three more days for you to participate. I hope you find time to head over there, if for nothing else than to drop a few pennies into the piggy bank. The money raised goes to the project Relay for Life which in turn raises money for the American Cancer Society. If you do shop, designers have created a tremendous array of fashionable items to buy with proceeds donated to the charity. If you like to donate directly follow this link to do so:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

This style is possible because of these wonderful designers:

Featuring from Fashion For Life EnvyMe Sphere V3 Boots

Featuring from Fashion For Life Tori's Sin Renatta

Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Tuckinowaga Edia

Featuring from Gaeline Illusia Lashes

1. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Latte Skin Tone

-- Kyxe Tangy Orange Gloss

3. Moondance: Oscar Diamond Jewelry Nail Set

4. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands

5. Corpus Poses
6. Baboom: Necklace and Earrings Set

So Chic -- Featuring from SAVIAD Orsini Red and PoseWay -- Also Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes A.F.I Designs and EnvyMe

Today's styling, or first styling (in case I get industrious later!!), comes from SAVIAD Spring Fair once again, and features two color options from OrsiniRed, Alegria and Dark Bloom.

The poses are from the Liquidation set at PoseWay.

Besides these two special things from the fair, I've also shared Kyxe Skins & Shapes Walnut skin tone with new makeup. Many of Kyxe's skins have gotten a face lift so to speak, adding new features, new makeup and other tidbits that make it even better than better.

A.F.I Designs provided the Noctis jewelry set and EnvyMe created the harem pants. A whole array of designers and items makes the puzzle a beautiful challenge, each and every time! I hope you enjoy!

My sincere thanks to the designers who made this style possible:

Featuring Kyxe Skins & Shapes Walnut Skintone

Featuring SAVIAD OrsiniRed Alegria Outfit

= SAVIAD OrsiniRed Dark Bloom Outfit

Featuring SAVIAD PoseWay 

Featuring EnvyMe Harem Pastel Pink Pants

Featuring A.F.I Designs Noctis Jewelry Set

1. *Stars*Fashion*: Wedge Sandals

2. SLink: Elegant 1

3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Spring Nail Appliers

4. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

5. Nikita: Lashes

6. EMO-tions: Celie

The Glory of Love -- .charme., MINT!, Essenz, Wertina and NiNight

At the end of the year, we celebrate in some way, most of us do all around the globe. Even if it's simply acknowledging the passing of one year and seeing a new one on our horizon, we hopefully look towards that horizon. It's our chance to be better, do better, live better. It means something to me.

This little tree from Ninight reminded me somehow of the moment in the story of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, when they woke to find nothing, and still they went to the town circle and they sang. They weren't singing for things, but for the essence of the moment, the beauty in their hearts.

The glory of love may be shared a thousand ways. You could sing in that nonsense language they came up with for the televised version of the Grinch or you could do a hundred family traditions. It doesn't matter. Love comes packaged in so many ways. And for those who have lost the sense of glory that love is, I hope you find it as this year ends, and like the Grinch, may your heart grow three sizes today.

Live! Laugh! Love!

Featuring .charme. Li Rose Headband (worn as a wreath instead) from the Christmas Market

Featuring Essenz Venice Black Heels from the Christmas Market

Featuring MINT! Caroline Jumpsuit from the Christmas Market

Wertina Winter Hat from the Christmas Market

NiNight Christmas Tree w/Animated Sing Pose Built In from the Christmas Market

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

1. MADesigns: Eyes Confidence ~ Subtle Green

2. EnvyMe: Samia Skin Fair Makeup

3. Manifeste Poses (used instead of pose built in to tree for better overall display)

Behind Bars -- Featuring Dot-Be Fashion, [NikotiN], ::Marshmallows::, and Delirium Style

Help! I'm in jail! Okay, I admit. I went searching for a jail where I could film these photos. I had to find a place that really looked like a jail and a place that wasn't ultra busy so I wouldn't have people who came into the camera's view while I was setting up the photos, and asking questions or worse yet, trying to interact with me as if I were in the jail as a set up for some role-play. Places like that are not so easy to find in Second Life. It seems loads of people LIKE being in jail!

Strangely enough, when I got the new [NikotiN] clever little cigarette set, I knew I wanted to blog from a jail cell. I also knew finding one that would not be crowded would be a challenge. Most jails seem to be on Adult sims with all sorts of tricks and traps set up for the epitome of play. I didn't want to step into anyone's trap and have to explain. No no. Really. I'm not here to be... stop. No. Wuf? Really? Okay. I finally ended up here in this little basement room with walls and bars and little else.

I have heard references to jail in all sorts of literature, the movies, and pop music. The allusion to life, where our worlds are bound up behind bars, restrictions, limitations, past choices, makes sense. It's not that different from the physical world, the rock and mortar and the old rusty iron. If I were passionately avid about escaping, I imagine the rust would work in my favor and over time I could wiggle my way out of such a setting. I have to imagine in like manner that I would do the same in life.

I know that those who've lived in an institution like a prison for a good portion of their life have a hard time wanting to come out from behind the bars. Somewhere in their world, the bars became a security that kept them where they actually felt safe. They learned the rhythm of the prison, the day, the night, the people's faces, and what was permitted. Then they learned to beat the system, and get items that were not permitted. I don't think anyone who's been in that situation said, "OH I LOVE IT HERE!"

I get the idea, the being institutionalized, the getting comfortable within a setting, even if the setting is putting bars on your windows and bars on your heart. If it's been a while, and you haven't acknowledged your own bars, things holding you back, I encourage you to take a deep breath of bravery and rattle that rusty cage door till it comes off its hinges. Fight to get back into your life, and do it with head held high. You can't fail if you don't try. You must try.

Life behind bars will always be less than ideal. Only you can make the decision to do something about it. I pray that you do. Take baby steps. Don't rely on the patterns and consistency of the world you're in now, even if there's a sense of peace and understanding. Don't get so comfortable with wherever you've caged yourself in that you don't realize it's a cage. Always... Live! Laugh! Love!

The Dot-Be Aviator Jacket and [NikotiN]'s new cigarette set inspired me. One thing I really love about Dot-Be... every time I try something new from there, it takes me some new 'where' in my head, and shows a diverse style. Not only does Boniefacio create a whole array of women's things from exquisite formals to urban grunge, he does men's things as well, so if you haven't been by to see, it's worth the trip!

Featuring Dot-Be Fashion Aviator Jacket and Shirt

Featuring ::Marshmallows:: Nu Sneakers

Featuring Delirium Style Easy Slim Jeans 01

Featuring [NikotiN] Cigarette Premium

1. Pure Poison: Snowman Earrings

2. EnvyMe Samia Skin Fair Light Collection With Makeup

3. Kyxe: Exotic Liner Dual Point

4. Face Paint: Eartha Black Lips

5. Sexy Mama Sculpted Nails

6. Nikita: Double Density Lashes

7. EMO-tions: Nova

8. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

9. Poses Built In w/Cigarette

Fitting All the Pieces TBCF *Citrus* RAMS WEAR, Sky, Envyme and Also Featuring Finesmith

I really enjoy what I do each day as a blogger in Second Life. I have asked a few people along the way if they accept bloggers, and submitted blogger applications. I also have had the joy of friends mentioning me to other friends and ending up working with new friends as a result.

TBCF

- *Citrus* Boho Black Boots

- RAMS WEAR Eternal Black Top

- Sky Music Note Leggings

- Envyme Samia Skin Tan Makeup
-DEW Boho Clutch

Also Featuring

Finesmith Urban Angel Catseye Sunglasses

Finesmith Urban Angel Earrings

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Grey

2. Osmose: Chignon

3. Slink: Elegant 1

4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Tangerine Matte Lips

5. Manifeste Poses

This past week felt a little like an avalanche, but the overwhelming flush of items to review is a huge gift to receive. I have wanted to make sure I included a little bit of something from each participant who shared their clever designs.

TBCF

- *Citrus* Boho Black Boots

- RAMS WEAR Eternal Black Top

- Sky Music Note Leggings

- Envyme Samia Skin Tan Makeup
-DEW Boho Clutch

Also Featuring

Finesmith Urban Angel Catseye Sunglasses

Finesmith Urban Angel Earrings

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Grey

2. Osmose: Chignon

3. Slink: Elegant 1

4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Tangerine Matte Lips

5. Manifeste Poses

A few times already, I've had items I blogged that were from my regular sponsors. I did a dress for [[Masoom]], a dress from A.F.I Designs and shoes from {{BSD Design Studio}}. I cherish those designers who've invested in me in the long haul. I believe they realize I do not take them for granted.

TBCF

- *Citrus* Boho Black Boots

- RAMS WEAR Eternal Black Top

- Sky Music Note Leggings

- Envyme Samia Skin Tan Makeup

Also Featuring

Finesmith Urban Angel Catseye Sunglasses

Finesmith Urban Angel Earrings

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Grey

2. Osmose: Chignon

3. Slink: Elegant 1

4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Tangerine Matte Lips

5. Manifeste Poses

I have a hard time asking for help. I don't ask for free items. I couldn't imagine ever doing so. I think I'd freak out a bit if someone tried to make me. During this Boho Fair, I've posted a whole plethora of blogs, several a day sometimes. I know it's a lot of data to process because it's a lot for you and me.

TBCF

- *Citrus* Boho Black Boots

- RAMS WEAR Eternal Black Top

- Sky Music Note Leggings

- Envyme Samia Skin Tan Makeup
-DEW Boho Clutch

Also Featuring

Finesmith Urban Angel Catseye Sunglasses

Finesmith Urban Angel Earrings

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Grey

2. Osmose: Chignon

3. Slink: Elegant 1

4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Tangerine Matte Lips

5. Manifeste Poses

Really special little moments happen in these special event settings for bloggers, at least they have for me and I consider them memories of people at their finest, leading me on my continued sense of positive overall energy in Second Life and my hopefulness that it overcomes darkness fully.

TBCF

- *Citrus* Boho Black Boots

- RAMS WEAR Eternal Black Top

- Sky Music Note Leggings

- Envyme Samia Skin Tan Makeup

Also Featuring

Finesmith Urban Angel Catseye Sunglasses

Finesmith Urban Angel Earrings

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Grey

2. Osmose: Chignon

3. Slink: Elegant 1

4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Tangerine Matte Lips

5. Manifeste Poses

I told one of the designers who'd provided a whole array of items for blogging how grateful I was at their generosity. I try to piece together as many things from the fair itself, and then go to other sponsors items and finally my own personal inventory to get a styling done well.

TBCF

- *Citrus* Boho Black Boots

- RAMS WEAR Eternal Black Top

- Sky Music Note Leggings

- Envyme Samia Skin Tan Makeup

Also Featuring

Finesmith Urban Angel Catseye Sunglasses

Finesmith Urban Angel Earrings

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Grey

2. Osmose: Chignon

3. Slink: Elegant 1

4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Tangerine Matte Lips

5. Manifeste Poses

Because this designer put all sorts of items in their box, I had unusual trinkets of all sorts to add to each blog styling for this fair. When I thanked the owner/designer, the reaction I received only added a greater blessing, "Anything you need. Anything at all. Just let me know."

I've had fun fitting all the pieces together for this event. I think I have one or two more stylings I'll share this week, and I'll have had exposure to more designers than I have ever had. What a treat. It's work. It's FUN work. And I love it.

You Get Out Of It What You Put Into It -- TBCF Envyme, Sky, [Liv-Glam], Apple Spice Poses, Revenge, {{BSD Design Studio}}, and Poudre

People show what they value the most clearly if you open their checkbook register or these days, peek at their online account. The more someone believes in something, the more it shows in how they spend their money. It also shows if you research how they spend their time.

Featuring TBCF

- {{BSD Design Studio}} Classic Beaute

- EnvyMe Samie Skin Fair

- Sky Luxury Heart Diamond Tattoo

- Liv-Glam Love How It Hurts

- Apple Spice Poses

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. [Liv-Glam]: Sculpted Lashes

3. Face Paint: Jessica

4. RYCA: Platinum Earrings

5. Snowpaws: Eilee Leggings Cherry

6. [ChicZafari]: Rose

I know some pretty amazing people around the globe, people who've been doctors and people who've been ordinary citizens. I've met royalty and invited homeless people into my home for Thanksgiving Dinner. I think the people who still have passion for something are the happy and healthy ones.

Featuring TBCF

- {{BSD Design Studio}} Classic Beaute

- EnvyMe Samie Skin Fair

- Sky Luxury Heart Diamond Tattoo

- Liv-Glam Love How It Hurts

- Apple Spice Poses

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. [Liv-Glam]: Sculpted Lashes

3. Face Paint: Jessica

4. RYCA: Platinum Earrings

5. Snowpaws: Eilee Leggings Cherry

6. [ChicZafari]: Rose

When I look at things online, I'm often really impressed with someone after I see their business prowess. To succeed in anything, it takes energy, focus, passion, and sheer will. I think it can be very easy to get disappointed and give up when it's tough.

Featuring TBCF

- {{BSD Design Studio}} Classic Beaute

- EnvyMe Samie Skin Fair

- Sky Luxury Heart Diamond Tattoo

- Liv-Glam Love How It Hurts

- Apple Spice Poses

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. [Liv-Glam]: Sculpted Lashes

3. Face Paint: Jessica

4. RYCA: Platinum Earrings

5. Snowpaws: Eilee Leggings Cherry

6. [ChicZafari]: Rose

It's very challenging to open new ventures in Second Life. New clubs come and close over the course of only a few weeks. New builders, new designers, new anything comes at a pretty steep price, and some major sacrifices, especially if you want to rise above the rest and become the best.

Featuring TBCF

- {{BSD Design Studio}} Classic Beaute

- EnvyMe Samie Skin Fair

- Sky Luxury Heart Diamond Tattoo

- Liv-Glam Love How It Hurts

- Apple Spice Poses

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. [Liv-Glam]: Sculpted Lashes

3. Face Paint: Jessica

4. RYCA: Platinum Earrings

5. Snowpaws: Eilee Leggings Cherry

6. [ChicZafari]: Rose

Samantha Jones and I met very soon after she'd formed the brand [Liv-Glam]. Every time I spoke with her, she was working fastidiously on all the details necessary to launch a brand. Not only did she create an array of mesh clothing, she also created a lot of her own decor and breathed life into her dream.

Featuring TBCF

- [Liv-Glam] Hate To Say I Told You

- Revenge Black Ostric Boots

- Poudre Shina T 03

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. Truth: Pandora

3. Gaeline: Fantasy

4. [S H O C K]: Anamalier Nails

5. [Mirror's Enigma]: Azuka Dark Lips - Craze

6. Manifeste Pose

It moved so quickly from an unknown store to a well respected brand that my head was often spinning. I believe there were and there still are many days when she chooses not to pause and sleep in order to keep [Liv-Glam] constantly growing, and constantly keeping up with what's fashionable.

Featuring TBCF

- [Liv-Glam] Hate To Say I Told You

- Revenge Black Ostric Boots

- Poudre Shina T 03

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. Truth: Pandora

3. Gaeline: Fantasy

4. [S H O C K]: Anamalier Nails

5. [Mirror's Enigma]: Azuka Dark Lips - Craze

6. Manifeste Pose

To this day, I've met no one else like her that possessed the will and fortitude she exhibited as she breathed life into [Liv-Glam]. The products she created at the beginning were not 'newbie' designer pieces. From the get go, items of quality billowed out of [Liv-Glam], a virtual avalanche!

Featuring TBCF

- [Liv-Glam] Hate To Say I Told You

- Revenge Black Ostric Boots

- Poudre Shina T 03

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. Truth: Pandora

3. Gaeline: Fantasy

4. [S H O C K]: Anamalier Nails

5. [Mirror's Enigma]: Azuka Dark Lips - Craze

6. Manifeste Pose

In recent weeks, and it's probably been longer than weeks, but my sense of time flows weirdly... in recent weeks, she's done live model searches. I believe they're done in contest format, and she's pulled in some of the best known models on the grid to participate in her business.

Featuring TBCF

- [Liv-Glam] Hate To Say I Told You

- Revenge Black Ostric Boots

- Poudre Shina T 03

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

2. Truth: Pandora

3. Gaeline: Fantasy

4. [S H O C K]: Anamalier Nails

5. [Mirror's Enigma]: Azuka Dark Lips - Craze

6. Manifeste Pose

I've never really believed in the concept of a Midas' touch. I believe everything good that happens occurs because someone passionately invest into it to make it golden. [Liv-Glam] shows an excellent business model, a place that's about 18 months old, and steadily moves forward, always a little better, always a little more to share.

All of us have the choice to put our time and our money where our mouth is, but most of us dream big but do not act. You get out of it what you put into it, whatever your 'it' is, and if you need a shimmering example of this, just take a look at [Liv-Glam].