Feels Like Home

Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,
Feels like I’m on my way back where I come from.
Feels like home to me, feels like home to me,
Feels like I’m on my way back where I belong.

~ “Feels Like Home” as done by Randy Newman

I recently redecorated a part of my home to enjoy some of the fantastic furniture and décor I was seeing at recent events. Kalia Firelyte’s great rug and fireplace from ROMP provide the center of the grouping with chairs from ValiantCo featured at Collabor88 and Fameshed. Sway Dench has made drawers and rugs for this month’s colorful theme at The Liaison Collaborative. Gachas from Kunst  Himmel and Anaisterpellie and DanielEstro provided fine accessories. I want to note that Anaisterpellie/DanielEstro’s pieces are usually based on a white palette BUT because they leave them mod, a person can recolor, retexture or just rip pieces apart as they like to decorate (please note the wreath on the wall came off one of their pieces and I recolored elements of their other work). Thank you for letting me mod!

To relax at home I am wearing a romantic gown from Aikea Reiko that comes in many luscious colors (as I don’t think Aikea sees any problem with giving you the rainbow and then some). As always, the textures are rich and beautiful with lush shades and ombres. Caelan Hancroft’s choker/collar from ROMP (which includes texture change for the metals and the center stone) is a lovely piece of jewelry or, if needed, open collar for other kinds of play.

My beautiful face is Gael Streeter and ElleEtGance’s mesh head collaboration (which I will call the “GA:EG Adriana Mesh Head” because that’s the brand name, regardless that it is hard to search and clumsy to type). With a very user-friendly HUD that was plug n play (which I will show in a subsequent blog post), layers for makeup, and most important to me, Omega compatibility, I think I am going to find myself wearing this head more and more. It does include expressions which, I find, are not as versatile as the Logo or LeLutka heads but as expressive as the Catwa head. I wish the makeups had the translucency control that other heads have. However, I found they went on lickety split, and I didn’t have the kind of rezzing issues I often have with the Catwa head.

Most importantly, the face is aesthetically pleasing to me. The cheekbones are a bit high but having adjusted my head length up and down and front to back, I was able to find a look that was pleasing. I did not have to mess with my mesh eyes very much as I do with Catwa and even Logo (thank you, thank you) and I found I could wear this skin from Sawsan Secretspy without problems when I wore the Omega converter. The head fit my Maitreya body to a T. It seems the creators have thought of almost everything one will need but I will keep working with it and tell you more.

Hair: AD – meredith – DARK REDS by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog, available at Hairology *

Mesh head: [GA.EG] Adriana Mesh Head by Gael Streeter and ElleEtGance for GA:EG *

Skin applier: .::WoW Skins::. Olivia BRONZE 2016 OMEGA ADV APPL. by sawsan Secretspy for.::WoW skins::., available at the Designers Circle *

Eyes: .ID. Attraction Eyes by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard, available at The Men’s Dept

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: :[P]:- Kaciala Dress [FIT]:// Peony by Aikea Rieko for The Plastik *

Choker: Cae :: Devotion :: Collar by Caelan Hancroft for Cae, available at ROMP *

Nail appliers: [LB Solid Brushed S1 Reds] *Maitreya* Manicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Poses by Fanny Willis for Everglow *

 

Décor:

[ kunst ] – Hector’s Shelf Gacha  by Kunst Himmel for [ kunst ], available at Shiny Shabby*

• .2 [ kunst ] – Rustic wall hanging bulbs RARE
• .3 [ kunst ] – Potted plant
• .7 [ kunst ] – Potted plants
• .4 [ kunst ] – Hector’s penny-farthing

 

Jian :: Hearthside Living – Rug (Adult) by Kalia Firelyte for Jian, available at ROMP *

Jian :: Hearthside Living – Fireplace by Kalia Firelyte for Jian, available at ROMP *

Jian :: Hearthside Living – Fireplace Barrier by Kalia Firelyte for Jian, available at ROMP *

 

Sway’s [Ihina] chest of drawers . tall by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at The Liaison Collaborative *

Sway’s [Ihina] chest of drawers . small by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at The Liaison Collaborative *

Sway’s [Ihina] Rug no fringes by Sway Dench for Sway’s, available at The Liaison Collaborative *

 

[ zerkalo ] Vintage Entryway by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at

• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Entryway – Lamp – RARE
• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Entryway – Branch Board
• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Entryway – Candles
• [ zerkalo ] Vintage Entryway – Crate with Candles

[ zerkalo ] Winter Dream – Books1 by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Shiny Shabby *

 

[Con.] The Cave – Tub Chair – A – Brown by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Collabor88 *

[Con.] Oversized Corner Chair – Brown A by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *

 

Taken using the LUMIPro 2016 HUD by Stefan Buscaylet *

Faces

I have never been aware before how many faces there are.  There are quantities of human beings, but there are many more faces, for each person has several.  ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

The big news today is that LeLutka has added expressions to their faces and they will be UPDATED and released on Wednesday, so we have been told. The updates will be available to all who have purchased the heads already so keep your eyes peeled for news about how to get them.

They come with a drop-out menu under the “Express Yourself” button and include 3 versions of eye looks (wide open, halfway, and closed), 4 versions of brows and seven mouths. This allows mix and match for your expressions. The expressions render readily (no rezzing issues at all), and it’s all integrated with the HUD.

I show the head with Monicuzza Babenco’s fabulous appliers for the upcoming Shiny Shabby. She gives you a great HUD with a choice of mix and match skins (smooth, moles, and freckles), eye makeups and lipsticks plus hairbases. And Mina Nakamura’s darling hair for Geeks n Nerds has her full palate of textures plus a certain geeky charm. (I was feeling a tinge of Bjork wearing it!)

Hair: MINA Hair – Edith (no materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Geeks n Nerds *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-STELLA v1.2 by JadenArt for LeLutka * (available October 21)

Skin: *YS&YS* Malika Tone03 Skin Applier – Lelutka Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby (opening October 20) *

Eyes: Mesh – Marble Eyes – Smoke by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Choker: Cae :: Infinite :: Collar by Caelan Hancroft for Cae *

Mina at Hair Fair 2015

Gorgeous hair!

You knew Mina Nakamura would come up with some great casual styles for Hair Fair. She’s one of the engines of hair production in SL, grinding out great styles for events. Her three looks proves she has developed her work over the years. With a great texture-change HUD and a clear desire to make styles in her vision, getting a Mina hair means you will be getting something well crafted which doesn’t look like all the others.

Inka Mexicola has brought this delicate, lovely skin to Kustom9. With this casual look, it’s pretty and sexy. My outfit from Kim Lysette includes her great textures and style with a bit of fun thrown in and I wore Caelan Hancroft’s cute necklace to accent the look.

Hair by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Hair Fair 2015 *

• MINA Hair – Nicolet
• MINA Hair – Lizzy
• MINA Hair – Grace

Skin: Essences [Lou-Ann] medium01 *brunette* by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at Kustom9 *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – dark blue by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Outfit: LEGENDAIRE ONE MORE TIME by Kim Lysette for Legendaire *

Necklace: Cae :: Heart of Glass :: Necklace by Caelan Hancroft for Cae *

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression (no longer available)

In Between

In between
What I find is pleasing and I’m feeling fine

~ “Heart of Glass” by Blondie

A favorite little hang out of mine is Industry, where I go to hear great musicians and DJs and hang out with some nice folks with great avatars. Cate Footman started the club, built by Jessyca Teardrop, and it’s a fun eclectic space, so when Cate came up with the idea of doing a fashion event, I was excited to see what came up. Opening April 12, it will prove to be pretty fun set of fashion, all inspired by a list of songs.

Lexi Morgan chose “Heart of Glass” by Blondie for her inspiration, putting a funky graphic zigzag in several colorways on a cute sleeveless minidress. With a zip up the front, it’s funky and cute and portrays what seems to be a pop-culture dress for a very pop-culture song.

Caelen Hancroft was also inspired by “Heart of Glass” and made literal hearts of glass, which she dangles from a linked chain. It includes a fantastic HUD for changing textures and colors on the hearts, beads and chain components. Shoes from KenadeeCole, featured at the 100 Block, are a perfect match to the dress style.

Mina Nakamura has this brilliant hair at 100 Block, perfect for this look and reminiscent of a cut that Debbie Harry once had with bangs artfully framing the face and super straight hair. It’s actually a challenge to make hair like this look right in SL and Mina was up to the challenge. A skin with a beautiful glow and great brows for blondes (which is always tough), Shyla Diggs’ skin for Uber is just gorgeous with a bit of blush and gloss added. I love how Shyla does eye makeups—so subtle with beautiful colors.

Hair: MINA Hair – Joelle (no materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at 100 Block *

Skin: -Belleza- Jia Uber SK 5 Bl by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza, available at Uber *

Eyes: #adored – moon eyes – dk blue // a by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: [Stellar] Divine Dress aqua by Lexi Morgan for Stellar, available at !nterlude  (opening April 12)*

Necklace: Cae :: Heart of Glass :: Necklace by Caelan Hancroft for Cae, available at !nterlude  (opening April 12)*

Nail appliers: [LB Chrome Brown] *Belleza* Manicure and Pedicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Shoes: REIGN.- AVERY PLATS (BELLEZA)- FATPACK by KenadeeCole for Reign, available at 100 Block *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo *

The Ocean Refuses No River

Sink into your eyes and all I see
Love is an ocean
And you for me

Sink into your eyes
Your eyes
Are all I see
Your love is an ocean

An ocean refuses no river
Ever so lonely
An ocean refuses no river

Waiting for the time when we can be alone together
Alone together
Eternally

The ocean, the ocean
Refuses no river

The ocean, your ocean
Refuses no river

~ “Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean” by Sheila Chandra

A beautiful cosmic song of love and I have a gorgeous look to go with it. First I start with this luxurious silk look from LeEnfantTerrible, a silk robe over a very short tunic that is labeled a “dress,” but goodness knows it’s a short dress. I absolutely loved the textures she shows on these pieces, which come 2-for-1 at Chapter Four, so you get two gorgeous looks. The colors are vibrant, the style is sexy without being crass, and the feel is pure luxury.

I accessorized with a jewelry set Caelen Hancroft is featuring at 100 Block when it opens on April 9. All exclusive items at 100 Block are marked down 20% or more so you will be able to pick up this pretty mesh set, which includes a HUD for texture change on three different parts of the metal and the beads. Zaara Kohime has come out with gorgeously-textured ethnic bags, also made in mesh and done with her special touch of color. Available in a variety of colors, the bags can add spice to any look. Finally, Poulet Koenkamp is featuring these space age sandals at The Instruments with three different sets of color-change HUDs to give you a variety of looks.

Nicole Button has been going through her inventory of skins and upgrading them with new features, a full set of appliers (and I mean full set), brow varieties, several cleavage choices, and just a whole lot of goodness. I added her gloss to the lips on the pretty lips for this skin. I am wearing the darling hair from MissAllSunday Lemon from the Xiasumi School Fair, an anime-inspired cut with tendrils around the face. I love these bright blue eyes from Soleil Reid. Usually I am not for bright eyes, but these make the look with this gorgeous dress.

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Maiko Mesh Hair – Chocolate by MissAllSunday Lemon for /Wasabi Pills/, available at Xiasumi School Festival *

Skin: Egozy.Hyolee (Golden).SOFT with Egozy.Hyolee.LipsGloss.(Add)(Golden) by Nicole Button for Egozy *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Aqua by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.0 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: .Enfant Terrible. Kia Dress Cyan by leenfantterrible for .Enfant Terrible, available at Chapter Four *

Jewelry: Cae :: :Lumiere :: Necklace and Earrings by Caelan Hancroft for Cae, available at 100 Block (opening April 9) *

Handbag: Zaara : Potli sling bag *orange* by Zaara Kohime for Zaara *

Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands V2.1 – Casual by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: [LB MehndiOmbreGold] *Slink* Manicure and Pedicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Feet: Slink Avatar Enhancement Feet High V2.1 by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: :: PM :: Aretha Heels – Brights Pack by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations, available at The Instruments *

Poses by Tutys for Tutys

Beauty

“It was her favorite story, that she remembers, but she would be hard-pressed to retell it now, faithfully, as it had been told to her. All she could recall were frayed, sleep-watered images of a forgotten castle in the middle of a wild forest, stone statues, crimson roses, and a dark, animal presence never seen, but which stained her memory of the tale, even past its edges to the daylight after.”~ Ava Zavora

The last round of Enchantment ends in a couple days, which means only a couple days left to grab the gifts, all made for the theme of Beauty and the Beast. How it works: you purchase one of the specially marked Enchanted items at one of the participating stores. You get a stamp collection card. You go to every store and wear the card and click the little Enchantment kiosk and it puts a stamp on the card. A full card can be exchanged for one of the 20 great gifts that the participants have made. See them all at the Enchantment website. The cards are transfer so share one with a friend after you have filled it up.

I have assembled an outfit from several pieces from the event. Start with a gorgeous mesh dress from Titania Halasy that includes separate gold-embroidered overlays, perfect for a beauty and available in several jewel-toned colors. Flats from kenadeecole are a perfect choice for this outfit or frankly, just about any. (I highly suggest you grab a pair.)

These amazing wicker (?) horns entwined with roses are May Tolsen’s contribution to the theme and she also made this rose eye patch and a necklace I don’t show because I wanted to make sure I featured the delicately beautiful necklace from Caelyn Hancroft, which includes a HUD for texture change to gold, silver or copper. Long hair with a beautiful braid framing the front is Dubled’s contribution to the event. And my beauty wears Umazuma Metaluna’s beautiful skin for the Shiny Shabby event.

Hair: [DUE] Poppy by Dubled for [DUE], available for Enchantment

Skin: [theSkinnery] Julie – Bare face(honey) CB CL1 with [theSkinnery] Julie Lip Intensity 5 (modified) by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – light green by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V2.1 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: [FAIDA] & FGInc.~ Jolie Proie, Green by Titania Halasy for [FAIDA], available for Enchantment

Horns: beast horns white by May Tolsen for May’s Soul, available for Enchantment *

Eye Patch: rose eye patch by May Tolsen for May’s Soul, GIFT available for Enchantment *

Necklace: Cae :: Belle’s Rose :: Necklace by Caelan Hancroft for Cae, available for Enchantment *

Shoes: REIGN.- Belle Flats (MAITREYA)- White by kenadeecole for REIGN, available for Enchantment

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression (no longer available)

Across the Universe

Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

~ “Across the Universe” by the Beatles

For the past few weeks the only TV show we have talked about in our house is Cosmos, the remake of the Carl Sagan show from my childhood. Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this version, and it’s a restating of what Carl Sagan revealed to us many years ago with some added information and a strong argument for science and the belief in objectivity and Truth.

To say that it has great cultural impact right at this moment would be stretching it. Not enough people watch it, and that’s truly a shame, because the rhetorical and metaphorical means by which very complex and amazing truths are shared is astonishing and beautiful. It pulls us back from the nihilistic postmodern navel-gazing that has been going on for so long in academics to a beautiful world of absolutely concrete proof, logic, and deep wonder. The argument for evolution alone is so deft and tight, it makes me cheer. I do think that in the long run it will have a profound impact, however.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Neil deGrasse Tyson is sexy as hell, and he has the intellectual cojones to back up his narrative. He’s taking us on a star ride for which he knows every single millimeter. I have had the guy on my personal radar for some time, and all I can say is he is the real deal and gosh, there is almost nothing hotter than a physicist.

I put on this dress from Aikea Reiko, one of the many gorgeous patterns on this set of mini dresses, and I was starstruck immediately. With a hand-drawn belt that binds the dress, it’s a simple outfit that allows for many ways to accessorize. And I accessorized in theme with Caelan Hancroft’s darling mesh necklace with prim change and texture change HUD. It’s offered at the Seraphim Social with these darling star-speckled wedges from LacunaInc. I also included one of Random Calliope’s hand-made, fully prim earrings, made as the Taurus constellation, still a marvel of SL building—no scripts, no textures, just prims. Absolutely gorgeous.

My luminous skin is Inka Mexicola’s newest beauty, which can be found at Secret Story. I have loved how Inka has put a unique spin on the skins with a beautiful blush and fine lovely features. The heavy, defined brow works for this skin, especially offset by the gorgeous lined eyes. I am smitten with her skins. My hair is a lanky lovely look from MissAllSunday Lemon, available at Secret Story in her array of lovely textures.

By the way, a serious group of RL astrophysicists keeps things going at Explorer Island, home since forever of the Jet Propulsion Lab. They meet in SL, present in SL and socialize in SL. Seriously.

“After all, what nobler thought can one cherish than that the universe lives within us all?”
― Neil deGrasse Tyson

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Hanako Mesh Hair – Night shadow by MissAllSunday Lemon for Wasabi Pills, available at The Seasons Story *

Skin: Essences – Amaranth TSS04 *light rose* brunette by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at The Seasons Story *

Eyes: pearl – columbia – medium bright by Lano Ling for Poetic Eyes *

Dress: :[P]:- Courtesan Reloaded [S]://Nebulon by Aikea Rieko for Plastik *

Necklace: Cae :: Galaxy :: Necklace by Caelan Hancroft for Cae, available at The Seraphim Social

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual Right and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant Left by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – set 207 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair, available at Cosmetic Fair *

Stockings: {W&R} Starlight Socks – Blue by Almarea Firehawk for {W&R}

Feet: Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) – Mid by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: *LACUNA* Milliways Platforms – Royal Blue by LacunaInc for Lacuna, available at The Seraphim Social *

Telescope by LISP – Mesh – Kepler Telescope – tex change touch middle –Large by Pandora Popstar for LISP

Momentary Bliss

“One instant, you’re just a regular Joe, schlepping through your mundane life, and then suddenly – what is this? – nothing has changed, yet you feel stirred by a grace, swollen with wonder, overflowing with bliss. Everything – for no reason whatsoever – is perfect.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

I woke up this morning to fresh snow and bright sunshine, and I made muffins, ate a bowl of perfectly sweet cantaloupe, found a most beautiful piece of music from the KCRW song of the day in my podcasts, a chat with a dear new friend, and received a lovely skin to blog. What more bliss can one have?

I ran off to Leroy to take photos of this beautiful mesh dress by Cocoro Lemon, which she is featuring at the Season’s Story. I tried for white but the vendors were not working well that evening, and I ended up with beige, and with this look, it’s about as aetherial as mesh can get. I decided to keep my accessories to a minimum—a flower ring in my hair from Wisp Jinn and anklet from Caelan Hancroft.

I have to admit one good reason for my bliss was this new skin from Umazuma Petaluna. The face is sublime with depth and a natural beauty which appealed to my mood today. Uma has clearly put a lot of work into this skin, from the beautifully drawn brows to the expressive eyes to the smattering of freckles and gentle blush and the full bee-stung lips. She includes appliers for hands and feet (which is why I could wear my Slink hands and feet and run through the grass barefoot), breasts and butt.

I am wearing Queue Marlowe’s newest hair, which falls on my shoulders in gentle waves and looks beautifully natural with its deep textures and attractive silhouette. Deep eyes from Keiba finish this gorgeous look.

Half empty, half full
Cup runneth over
Horns of plenty, coffers full

~ Andrew Bird, “Pulaski at Night”

Hair: AD – bree – light browns by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog*

Skin: [theSkinnery] Bella – Bare face (toffee) BB CL1 with [theSkinnery] Bella Lip Intensity 4 by Umazuma Metaluna for the Skinnery, available at the Cosmetic Fair *

Eyes: [UMEBOSHI] Ren eyes -Lolly- by Keiba for UMEBOSHI

Dress: *COCO*_LaceDress(Beige) by cocoro Lemon for COCO, available at The Season’s Story

Crown: [Wishbox] Rose Crown (Champagne) by Wisp Jinn for [Wishbox]

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual Left and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail Appliers: Nailed It –  French Manicure by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Anklet: Cae :: Bali Anklet :: Rose Quartz by Caelan Hancroft for Cae *

Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) Flat by Siddean Munro for Slink

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Photos taken at Leroy, built by Quark Fallen

Go find the “I Want to See Pulaski at Night” EP from Andrew Bird if you want to share in my bliss. “Ethio Invention No. 1” was the source of my euphoria today.