Second Life Made Me Learn....

Dear Diary:

For the Monday Meme, Berry has asked us to reveal what we have learned by joining Second Life.  WHOA...what I've learned!!

Technically, I have learned:

ABOUT MY COMPUTER:  I've used a computer for a long time, both at home and at work.  Usually my use was confined to writing reports or documents, or for doing research.  As long as it worked, life was beautiful.  As I got into SL, I realized my home computer was making it difficult to be as active as I would have liked.  I was crashing, or it took forever to load.  It was time for a new computer.  So I've become aware of Gigahertz, RAM and graphics cards, items that I would never have cared about before.

ABOUT BLOGGING:  I've always been interested in writing.  I've kept a diary for years.  So the next step seemed appropriate.  As I've written before, I was nervous about starting but now I love it and would miss it terribly if I had to stop.  I'm not sure I would have attempted it, if not for SL.

ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY:  I enjoy taking pictures in RL and I do take a lot.  But I found taking pictures in SL was very different.  It took me awhile to find the proper size, the right angle, and to save it to the appropriate place.  Personally this taught me patience.  You can't rush taking a good picture.  (Still haven't mastered that exactly)

ABOUT PHOTOSHOP:  I had seen people at my work use Photoshop for various marketing projects and was always keen on learning more about it.  When I started taking pictures in SL and posting them to my blog, I was never happy with them.  Someone suggested Photoshop so I decided to give it a try.  I watched and read tutorials (and still do) to find the tips and tricks.  I like to post raw pictures but sometimes it's nice to have "tools" to help in the search for that perfect picture.

ABOUT SCRIPTING:  I put this one last because I'm not great at this and am definitely still in the kindergarten phase of learning.  I can read a script and have written very very simple ones however, each day it becomes a little easier.

And the not so technical lessons:

ABOUT SOCIALIZING:  On the social level, I learned that people are people no matter where they live or where they are from or what world they live in.  If people are rude and crude in SL, they will be that way in RL too.  The pleasant people who are fun to be with, who are  always considerate, and who make me laugh, would be my friends in both worlds.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing from Kustom9:
Hair: barberyumyum *46
Barrette: barberyumyum Square barrette (gray) (Gacha)
Top: OVH Nova loose t-shirt (gray)
Skirt: OVH Gab skirt black
Purse: Luxe Safety Pin Cluth (blanc et noire)(store opening soon)

Shoes: Friday basic flats (charcoal)

Location: Fashiowl

It's The Year of The Sheep

Dear Diary:

新年快樂 to all my Asian friends.  This is the year of the sheep.

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Sheep/Goat until next February.  If one is born in any of the following years - 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, they are under this sign.

People born in a year of the Goat, are considered to be shy, sympathetic, kind- hearted, and gentle.  They have a strong sense of justice.  Sheep or Goats usually have a strong creativity and perseverance.

Even though gentleness is a characteristic, Sheep have a strong inner resilience.  They don't like to be the centre of attention as they tend to be reserved.  They like to spend money on the nicer things in life.

Because Sheep / Goats are calm in their thoughts, they have fewer health problems.

Lucky colours for this group are brown, red and purple.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced (elegant)
Nailpolish: Izzie's Classic Nail HUD (rust)
Hair: Wasabi Pills Karin

Cheongsam: Lika Ruby
Earrings: Maxi Gossamer Jades Shanghai Teardrop (gift)
Bracelet: SWA Asian Bangle (jade) (no longer available)

Poster: DragonLady Designs Gallery Year of the Sheep (now on SLMarketplace)

Pose: !bang

Have I Ever...Who ME???

Dear Diary:

Berry's got a good Monday Meme going.  These personal ones always make me...ummm..nervous.  But I will answer it as best I can, in my best angelic voice.

1. Have you ever owned a sim in Second Life?  No

2. Have you ever created content in Second Life?  Yes but very simple things for my own use.  Nothing I would or could sell.

3. Have you ever driven a vehicle in Second Life?  Oh yes...lots of times.  Everything from boats, airplanes and seados.  I also own a car and a motorcycle which is far better than the ones I have in my first world.  Does a pogo stick count too?

4. Have you ever gone sky diving in Second Life?  Yes

5. Have you ever played a sport in Second Life?  Yes, I've tried a lot of different sports.  I've played ice hockey (I was goalie - not a good position) and I've done archery, skiing and golf, to name a few.

6. Have you ever gone clubbing in Second Life?  OMG...YES!  That WAS my second life when I first started, country, rock, jazz, you name it and I went.  Not so much any more.  I'm older now.

7. Have you ever fangirled/fanboyed someone in Second Life?  Embarrasingly yes.  Years back I ran into a dress designer at her store and totally made an idiot of myself. I still get flushed when I think about it.
 
8. Have you ever taken a picture of your avatar in water in Second Life?  You bet...by myself; with my friends; with my pet; with whoever comes along.

9. Have you ever taken a picture of a sunset in Second Life?  Yes I have but not many.

10. Have you ever taken a nude picture of your avatar in Second Life?  That's a pretty easy question for an egotist like myself.  But none have been nor will ever be published.  OK...any offers?

11.  Have you ever dated in Second Life? Yes

12.  Have you ever had or attended a wedding in Second Life? I've never had a wedding myself.  That's really not in my agenda but I've been to a few.  I make a great bridesmaid in case someone reading this needs one!

13.  Have you ever drank, smoked or taken drugs in Second Life? Yes, yes and yes.  This is Second Life were talking about, isn't it?

14. Have you ever engaged in sexual activity in Second Life? Hmmm...think I'll take the 5th on this one.

15. Have you ever been to Bukkake Bliss in Second Life?  Where?

OK...at this point I'm feeling a lot less like my angelic self and I really am surprised I could talk so much through the gag.  Time to say....

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Skin: LeLutka Lola (light)
Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)
Eye makeup: Madrid Solo-u-color it (Grace)
Lip gloss: Madrid Solo-u-color it (Grace)
Hair: Analog Dog Pop Scotch

Dress: Meli Imako Swan Dress (ivory) (SL Marketplace)

Halo: Icons of Style Angel halo and wings
Silencer: Sue Xue Muted Lips (SL Marketplace)

Pose: Marukin

An Important Flag Day for Canada

Dear Diary:

Today marks the 50th anniversary for the Canadian Flag and the history behind it is interesting.

In 1964, the Prime Minister, Lester Pearson, proposed adopting a new flag for Canada, since the centennial of the country was coming up in 1967.  The unofficial flag, since the 1880's, was the Red Ensign, a solid red flag, with the Union Jack in the left hand corner and Canada's coat of arms on the right portion.  Pearson's idea was not met with approval.  The debate, coming from veterans and politicians, also involved the English / French factor.  It was a bitter argument.  Pearson forged on, asking for suggestions to be sent to his flag selection committee.  He, himself, submitted and preferred a sprig of 3 red maple leaves, bordered by blue bars but it was not chosen.

On February 15th, 1965, the new, distinctive Canadian flag, known as the Maple Leaf, flew over Parliament Hill.  It received a chilly reception.  It seemed to be the only place the new flag was being exhibited.  Now 50 years later, all controversy behind us, we feel a national pride when the flag is raised.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair with hat: Mina Hair Carlijin
Jacket: Meli Imako Ladies Padded Coat (tinted grey) (SL Marketplace)
Leggings: coldLogic leggings (navy)
Gloves: Izzie's basic fluffy gloves

Skates: Abranimations Super Ice Skates
Flag: Hand held Canadian Flag (no longer available)

Pose: A Netherworld Skater's static pose (no longer available)

Location: Frisland

Happy Valentine's Day

Dear Diary:

I always look for a good prop pose for Valentine's Day and I've found some great ones in the past few years.  Since tomorrow is February 14th, I was out on the search this week. 

view from inside house

 view from outside

I found a good Valentine prop at Fashion Fair.  It's produced by Come Soon Poses and features a whole scene of two buildings with a living room and front door in one building.  You can take photos from either side.  If you choose not to use the full scene, you can use the pose alone.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day with flowers and candy.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Eye makeup: mock Cosmetics Miss Vanity shadow and lashes (neutral)
Lipstick: Pink Fuel Glossy Red
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced (casual)

Top: Nya's Romantic date patterned top (white) (The Instruments Feb)
Skirt: Nya's Romantic date skirt (red) (The Instruments Feb)
Hair: Truth Hair Jodie

Prop Pose: Come Soon Pose Store Happy Valentine's Day (Fashion Fair 2015)

Blogging Milestones in My Blogging Life

Dear Diary:

My first blog was posted June 13th, 2010.  I believe it was a Sunday.  So for the Monday Meme, I tried to recreate the picture on that memorable day.

From my first post, I no longer have the tee; I've deleted the hair; and I have a new computer.  I've acquired nicer hands, flashier makeup and better fitting clothing.  I now own a lovely house in a tropical sim so I can always have warm sunny weather even if the snow is piled up around me in my first world.

I came into this world on March 12th, 2008 but I didn't start blogging until two years after.  I went through various milestones, while blogging, none of which were earth shattering, but changed me as a blogger.  So here are my top 5:

1. The Start: I always wanted to blog.  Early on, I wanted to be a journalist so I thought this would be a great way for me to use my desire to put something in print while using my limited creative talent.  It was hard to start.  Lack of confidence? No skill? Terrified of failure? Or all of the above?  I told myself I should try it and if I didn't like it, I could stop.  The first milestone was a go.

2. The First Post:  I made it simple.  The photo was basic.  I published.  No Photoshop or other touch-up programs.  No additional posting to other feeds.  I checked the number of viewings constantly.  The thrill I felt when I saw that 3 people had read my post was overwhelming!  I was on my way with another milestone under my belt. 

3.  The Revelation:  I started out posting as a "fashion" writer.  I bought the clothes and accessories, and put them together as best I could.  I soon discovered that there were so many other bloggers out there that were much better at it than I was.  I loved the items, I admired the creators but I didn't have the words or phrases to adequately describe what they were like.  I wasn't doing well in the world of fashion. So I decided to abandon the styling posts and lean toward things I like to write / talk about, things that were interesting to me.  I started my "Thinking" posts which melded both of my worlds together.  That way I could write about my cares or problems.  It is very cathartic.  This was a momentous third milestone, one of my biggest.

4. The Learning Curve: At this point in my blogging, I had passed and accepted 3 plateaus of my milestones.  I was feeling more secure with my writing and still working on the quality of my photographs at this point but I needed to know more of how to produce better pictures.  I read tutorials.  Berry's tutorials were informative, helpful and written in words I could understand.  I tried out Windlight, thanks to Chic Aeon, Luna Jubilee and Annan Adored to name only a few who have provided downloads of their settings.  I used photo aids such as Animare or AnyPose.  All of these helpful suggestions came from reading blogs written by people who had started out like me and were now helping others due to their expertise.  This was the most mind expanding milestone.

5.  The Acceptance: My final milestone up to this point, came about almost 2 years ago.  I joined a Challenge and finally knew that I loved doing this blog, for whatever reason.  I was confident knowing that I could write a post for total enjoyment, adding a picture that I termed worthy, and have other readers like it too. 

It seems I've covered all the big milestones in my blogging life.  I no longer worry about how many people read my blog.  I like what I write for myself.  I want to continue to learn new things about photography or settings and appreciate what all the other posts are teaching me.  It will be a continual learning experience.

Another milestone is just around the corner.  I know it.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced (casual)
Nail polish: Izzie's Classic nails
Lipstick: Oceane Glammy Lipstick (orange2)
Hair: Truth Hair Saffron

Dress: TuTy's Sweater dress (orange)
Ring: LaGyo Siroune ring (gold)

Desk: MMG work desk and chair
Laptop: Shared Media Loaded Laptop (no longer available)

Location: My home La Galleria Palo Alto Home

Dancing Whenever We Want To

Dear Diary:

A few weeks back, Chloe and I wanted to go out dancing but our friend and
date-when-needed, Sam, didn't want to go.  We were anxious to go out so we had to have an alternate plan.  Lucky for us, we were able to get some very willing and forever dance partners.



The mannequins can be found at Image Essentials in the Gacha machine.  There are several different ones, all really cute.  Chloe and I are happy to know that when we feel like dancing, we always have a partner.

Good Night for now.

On Chloe:
Skin: Izzie's Harlow (pale)
Lipstick: Izzie's Harlow (pink)
Eyes: The Skinnery (bohemian)
Eye shadow: Izzie's Harlow (silver eye)
Lashes: mock Pandora
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced (elegant)
Hair: EMOtions Deidre
Dress: League Yve pencil dress (blue) (Uber December)
Shoes: Gos Boutique Victoria Platforms (silver)
Earrings and necklace: Maxi Gossamer Beatrice

On me:
Skin: LeLutka Lola (light)
Lipstick: SEVEN glossy (pink rose)
Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)
Eye shadow: mock Miss Vanity with lashes (bluey)
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced (casual)
Hair: Vanity Hair Fugee
Dress: Topazia Edwina dress (light blue)
Shoes: Gos Boutique Isabella sandals (gold)
Earrings: Chop Zuey jelly bean earrings (diamond / gold)

Mannequins: Image Essentials The Dummy #3 (left); # 5 (right)(found in the Gacha area)

Location: Snow Rez Zone

Motivational Monday Meme

Dear Diary:

What a great Monday Meme by Strawberry Singh!  It makes you think.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair: W&Y Hair #86 (no longer available)
Lipstick: Headturners Matt Lipstick (licorice)
Outfit: Dark Moon Punk Rave Goth Emo Vampire Neko B&R (now in SL Marketplace)
Tail: AD long tail

Pose: Tea Soup

"Let's Get Rid of That Word" Soon

Dear Diary:

Around this time of year, Lake Superior State University comes out with a list of words that they think should be banned, either because the words are overused; used in the wrong context or just plain irritating!  I try to write a post when I see the list as it's so fun to see what words should be put in the trash for this year.

While I was watching the sports news, and preparing for Super Bowl, I decided to write this post with my top 4 irritating words.

1. POLAR VORTEX:  Every weather report has a "polar vortex coming out of the north".  I'm not sure what this term means.  What happened to "a cold front" or "winter"?  And why is it always from Canada?

2. SKILL SET: To me this phrase is unnecessary.  I think this is supposed to stand for someone's skills so why not just say skills?

3. FOODIE:  I think the correct way of describing a person who excels in the food world is "gourmand".  I loved one person's comments from the website - "It's ridiculous. Do we call people who like wine 'winies' or beer lovers 'beeries'?" Perfect!

4. __NATION: Being that this suffix is mostly used by sports fans, I'm not sure of any team or fan who has designs on establishing a country.  In honour of this word, I decided to join the Hawks-nation for the Super Bowl, mainly because I don't like the Patriots.

Lake Superior State University has been putting out this list for 40 years.  Although it's a tongue-in-cheek approach, it's fun to look back at some of the words they thought should be banned.  Here is the history behind the list all the lists from 1976.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair: elua demi
Tee: Enchanted Designs Game Day jerseys (Seahawks)
Jeans: Emery Mid Rise skinny jeans (original)
Sneakers: Super Kingdom Low tops mesh sneakers (green) (SL Marketplace)
Helmet: TA Football helmet (SL Marketplace)

Television: Shared Media preloaded TV (no longer available)
Carpet: La Galleria Tan and Floral Contemporary rug

"We Had It All..Just Like Bogie and Bacall" (from Key Largo)

Dear Diary:

I love watching old films so Berry's Monday Meme was a perfect reason to show my two favourite people from the black and white era.  To me, the iconic romantic couple from the 1940's was Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.  There always seemed to be an electric current running between them when they were on the screen.

 

The couple acted in four films together but the one that brought Bacall into the limelight was "The Big Sleep", a 1946 film noir in which she played a nasty manipulative woman, opposite to Bogart's law abiding detective.  The film was described as a story concerning the "process of a criminal investigation, not its results".  In her role, Bacall was described as a dangerous looking female with a sharp tongue.  She did play the same type of woman in other movies and she always did it well.

"The Big Sleep" was added to the National Film Registry in 1997.  The Library of Congress said the film was "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".

Thanks to my friend Sam for posing as Detective Philip Marlowe, to my Vivian Rutledge.

Good Night for now.

Sam is wearing:
Suit: hoorenbeek Pinstripe suit
Hat: Couture Chapeau fedora

I'm wearing:
Hair: Truth Hair Venus
Blouse and skirt: Meli Imako Mesh Ladies Blouse with Pencil skirt (SL Marketplace)
Shoes: Gos Charlotte Mary Jane pumps

Pose: Rack Poses

Saturday is For Shopping

Dear Diary:

Sometimes I get an itch to go shopping.  That often happens in both my worlds but this past Saturday I managed to get the scratching fixed by travelling the grid in my second life.  I did hit many of the major events so here are my favs.

I absolutely loved this coat from Amitomo.  It comes in a two-pack of six different patterns.  There's a woolen turtle neck sweater underneath that comes in complimentary colours.  It can be found at Chapter Four. 

My next favourite purchase was the scarf from Mikunch, found at The Seasons Story.  I had a difficult time deciding what scarf to buy.  The scarf comes in three different designs - tied at the back; around the neck or the "snood" look.  Each scarf comes in a variety of plain or mixed patterns.  I really liked them all but decided the snood  version looked the best with this coat. 

The boots made by Baiastice, from Fameshed, are a great addition to the outfit.  They can be found in many colours, most that would go with any outfit.  The tassels down the side add a little decoration to the boots.

I tried to pick a wonderful location to show off my shopping endeavours and I did find a great sim.  Timeless Memories has many places to explore or just sit to enjoy the magical landscape.  The sim is excellent for photo opportunities. 

An awesome day for spending some Lindens.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
From Chapter Four:
Hair: Mina Hair Vera
Coat: Amitomo Oversized coat and turtleneck (set 2)
Jeans: Coco skinny jeans (blue) (gacha machine)

From The Seasons Story:
Hat: C'est la vie Lil beret (black) (gacha machine)
Scarf: Mikunch snood (art)

From Fameshed:
Boots: Baiastice Rhino Ankle boots (cerise)

Pose: Marukin

Location: Timeless Memories

My Second Life Problem

Dear Diary:

What a way to start the week!  It's always refreshing to be able to complain about things when other people know what you're talking about.  Strawberry Singh's Monday Meme brought a few problems to mind but I settled on one that's been bothering me lately.

I realize to be able to wear mesh clothing the best way, you need to fit into a "standard" size.  I fought this for awhile.  "I'm not changing", I said to myself, "I worked hard on getting this "gorgeous" body so I'm keeping it like it is".  How pompous was that!  And besides, whenever I wore some of the beautiful creations, I was sticking out here and had missing spots there.  So I changed....and modified...and altered...and mutated until I was devoid of any gender at all - no hips, no butt, no boobs.  Of course I saved all of the shapes I made, calling them a multitude of names that I quickly forgot what I made them for.  I had so many shapes I didn't know who I was.  I didn't have any clothes that looked great on me.  So now I'm back to my old shape and adjusting only when I have to.

Wow!!  It's good to vent!!  I feel so much better.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Skin: LeLutka Lola (light)
Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)
Lashes: mock Cosmetics Priscilla
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced hands (casual)
Hair: Truth Hair Joanna
Tee: Strawberry Singh T-shirt #SecondLifeProblems (SL Marketplace)
Jeans: Emery mid-rise Skinny Jeans Kooks
Glasses: K_gs Kumaki Glasses Mito
Earrings: Caroline's Large Hoop (silver) (now on SL Marketplace)

Pose: Icons of Style

Do You Work in an Office Like This?

Dear Diary:

In my Grandmother's time, women who started working in an office were in a large open room where everyone had a desk, usually facing the front of the room or the door area, to give a welcoming appearance to the office.  But that quickly changed over the years.

In the late 1950's, Robert Propst was seen as an early inventor of ergonomics.  He studied office workers to see where he could correct their useless and meaningless actions.  He designed the "stand-up" desk in order to curb the look of wasted time in just sitting.  Obviously this was not met with a lot of appeal by the employees.  Almost 10 years later, Propst came up with the idea of a "movable" office with walls that could be adjusted to make a new floor plan but at the same time giving each office worker a personal space.  This was perceived as a "flexible" environment.   Many offices are still using this design.  However, the furniture arrangement has not been met with approval.  It's depicted as cold and stagnant, with a lot of negativism expressed by the employees.  (Read "Dilbert")

Today, most of our office settings have not changed that much.  Generally there still are the cubicles.  Buildings have tried to add gym areas, coffee shops or health care areas to give a well being to the workers. 

But the cubicles still exist.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair: Calico Hair Luna
Business suit: Meli Imako Business suit (SL Marketplace)

Cubicles: Cubicle (SL Marketplace)
Office chair: C-Outlet office chair (black) (SL Marketplace)
Laptop: Shared media laptop (no longer available)
Books and pencils: d-lab
Lamp: Lisp Bazaar Jacob lamp (yellow)

Shakespeare in Sartorial Splendor

Dear Diary:

Berry really does challenge us every week but I thought the Monday Meme this week was going to be colossal but it turned out to be a lot of fun.

I flew into several places but it seemed that everybody was in a hurry and as soon as I had them in a good position for a pic, off they would go!  I thought I should go to a place where people would not be so frenetic and just want to look around so I decided to visit The Men's Department.  And there, I found the perfect person. 

 

Shakespeare

 

First of all, I really liked his look.  He portrayed an air of casualness but skated around with complete confidence.  I watched him for awhile and decided that I wanted him for a picture.  From our conversation, I think he was trying to achieve a look and he got it SO right. I didn't get his clothing choices but he put it together very well.  I liked everything about him, including his name.  I was nervous about asking but he was very friendly and cooperative. Our conversation went something like this:

 

  Me: Hi Shakespeare....would you mind if I took your pic?

  Shakespeare : hello Yes sure
  Shakespeare : with this silly hair? lol
  Me: Super!!!  Thanks And you look great! 
  Shakespeare : ah thanks
  Shakespeare : decided to change today, to teen look
  Shakespeare : where you want to take it, here?
  Me: Yep...just stay there
  Shakespeare: ok
  Shakespeare : lol ok , why you want my pic?
  Me: I'm doing it for a blog challenge...do you want me to send a link when I post it?
  Shakespeare : sure, if you want to share it
  Me: Can I use your name too?  You have a cool name
  Shakespeare : use my name?
  Me: Yes, like mention who you are

  Shakespeare: yes yes you can use it

  Me: Wonderful...you're the best!!

  Me: btw....why Shakespeare?
  Shakespeare : ahhh I like the bard
  Shakespeare : you?
 Me: Me too  :)  That's why I noticed you
 Shakespeare : nice to meet you
 Me: Nice to meet you too  And thanks again...appreciate it

What a great time I had!  And it reinforced how truly nice people are.

 

"We know what we are, but

not what we may be."

William Shakespeare   1564-1616

 

Good Night for now.



A New Store to Me #12

Dear Diary:

The other day, while shopping around, I came upon a store that I was instantly attracted to because of the name.  I found Moose Clothing.  I come from an area that has a lot of moose so the name made me check it out.

I found a few things I liked but decided to show this cute jacket with the leopard leggings.  The jacket has knitted arms that come with the jacket but are not detachable.  The jacket comes in 4 different colours.  The leopard leggings come in many choices from subtle to vivid.

The store has a lot of dresses, mostly short and strapless but there is one nice maxi that I might go back for when the weather gets warmer.  There are not many casual items but that could change with the next season.

Maybe the store doesn't hold a lot for a casual gal like me but I do love the name.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:

From Moose Clothing:
Coat: Magma Coat (green)
Leggings: Katamashi leggings (leopard)

Other items:
Lipstick: Madrid Solo u-color-it Grace
Hair with hat: W&Y #41 (no longer available)
Boots: Coco Designs suede ankle boots (dark brown)
Earrings: je suis precieuse hoops

My Yearbook Smile

Dear Diary:

When I read that Berry was starting up the Monday Meme again, I was thrilled.  And to start off the new challenge, she has chosen an especially dear-to-my-hear topic.

I went to a school that required wearing a uniform.  That was ok by me.  I was very nerdy in Grade 9 so I didn't mind.  It was a way of fitting in.  But as I progressed through high school, I - uh - came - uh -  "out of my shell" as my Grandma would say.  So I tried to recreate what I looked like in the very first of my yearbooks.

This is a pretty good likeness of me in my Grade 9 school picture.  I did wear glasses and braces so my smile would not be as bright as I would have liked it.  (Who wanted to show all that metal?)  My hair was limp and shapeless and never would stay in place.  (Who really cared about hair?)  I loved school and was a good student.  However...

By the time I graduated high school, I had lost the glasses; lost the braces; went to a stylist instead of a barber and had enough self confidence for my whole class.  The quote under my picture was actually written by a friend in my Grade 13 yearbook.

Doing the Meme was so much fun and brought back a ton of memories.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced (elegant)
Hair: W&Y #154 (no longer available)

Uniform: Lemon Tea hanamachi school girl
Glasses: k_gs Kumaki glasses option

Background: Strawberry Singh (download here) Thanks Berry!!
Pose: oOo studio

A Shopping Spree with Chloe

Dear Diary:

My friend Chloe and I love to go on shopping expeditions together.  We don't always have the time to do it but when we do, the plastic is melting!  One of our favourite events is Creation jp.  We both admire the Japanese creators and manage to pick up a few things to add to our closet.

Chloe decided to go for an "edgier" look than I did.  In both worlds, she's definitely the one to take chances.  I loved her pants from chronokit so much that I went back and got a pair for myself.  The pant comes in a few basic colours with a colour change belt, and that guarantees that there will be something in your wardrobe to match it perfectly.  The detail on the pant is precise and shows lots of creativity.  In the package, a boot version of the pant is available too.  Chloe did an amazing job of putting all her purchases together for an awesome look.

I'm thrilled with all my buys too.  My hair from elua is a style I go for - a little messy, a bit casual with a natural look.  I usually go for a sweater dress for its practicality.  You can dress it up or down.  This one, from  Fishy Strawberry  has pearls running down the back - a really nice touch.  In particular, I love the glasses from Kumaki.  There are lots of options for colour change of frames and/or lenses, and a choice of normal placement or one on top of your head.  I've tested round glasses before but they never seemed to have the right look.  These are the best I've tried.

It was a fun day.  Take a trip out to  Creation jp when you get the time.  It's well worth it.

Good Night for now.

Chloe and I are wearing from Creation jp:

Chloe:
Hair: Boon OPA206
Vest: Gizza Brooke draped vest (camel)
Pants: chronokit Long Sarouel pants (khaki)
Neckpiece: studio Akini Ala-neo plain (gold)

Me:
Hair: elua Demi
Dress: Fishy Strawberry Pearls Sweatdress (pale wisteria)
Glasses: K_gs Kumaki Glasses Mito

Background and pose: Katink

Here's to a Happy 2015

Dear Diary: 

 

 

 

 

"Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life.  The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can."

Douglas Pagels

 

 

In 2015, I wish that your diary this year, turns out to be the best you've ever had. 

 

Happy New Year.

 

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair: Analog Dog Val
Dress: Baiastice  Kylie Dress (ivory) (December Uber)
Earrings and Necklace: Maxi Gossamer Serena White Pearls

Happy New Year Banner: Diesel Works

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panic in a Box

Dear Diary:

It was interesting to read the new Challenge on Strawberry Singh's post.  I was really hesitant about doing it since...I'm a bit, or a little...ok...definitely... claustrophobic!  But as long as the lid wasn't on, I could do it.

To qualify this Challenge, I would have to say that I would never put my avatar (or me) in a box...ever ... so there would be nothing in there with me.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair: Argrace
Sweater: Purple Moon Dresha top
Jeans: Izzie's skinny jeans (brown)

Crate: MMG's freight box
Background: [T] Dead Forest Photobox (no longer available)
Pose: ht studio

"At Christmas, Play and Make Good Cheer. For Christmas Comes but Once a Year" (Tusser)

Dear Diary:

 

 

Chloe, Sam and I

wish you a very Merry Christmas

and

the happiest of New Years.

Our wish is for peace and prosperity for all of us.

 

 

Good Night for now.