Sunday, July 26, 2015

Chinese White Tea with Roses and Jasmine for a Meditative Blend

Happy Sunday! The past week has been very emotional for me, and I was debating whether or not to do a post for this week. It has been very hard for me to even log onto Second Life, and I have been trying to better balance my time and energies. After watching the Dr. Phil show on Gaming Addictions (I don't think I am addicted to Second Life, but I do recognize I am on Second Life a lot), and after reading an amazing blog post by Canary Beck centered around what we would all do if Second Life stopped working I realized I needed to do a bit of refocusing on myself and my time. These thoughts were all reaffirmed after an emotional experience last Friday night; it really made me put my Second Life in perspective in regards to my real life.

Hair: Exile Walking on Sunshine @HairFair

I do adore all the fashions and items and ways to customize our avatars in Second Life. The content creators in Second Life have often fascinated me and left me in awe. It is hard for me to picture myself as creative, even though I know I am...possibly...sometimes... I don't think I am close to the creativeness of the content creators. I am not talented enough or coordinated enough to create anything more inworld other than boxes and pose balls(I did dabble in jewelry for a bit, but I wasn't very serious with it). I can take pictures though! And I am super awesome at shopping. Like, I am really good at spending my Linden on pretty things.  I have recently been trying to curb my shopping and only buying items I know I will wear or I really like. I realize I tend to be a bit buy happy. This is why I am proud of myself at the recent round of Kustom9. I only bought one bangle set and two dresses.

I bought a dress by Pixicat which seems very versatile. It can be both elegant and causal. It all depends on the hair and accessories. I also bought a dress by Zenith. It is short and has a cute design on the bottom. This dress was made with summer in mind. I really liked these two dresses the best at this round, and Ariskea has a wooden bangle set which I just had to buy. I am sucker for bangles, and I LOVE things made from wood since my father was a carpenter. So I only bought three things at Kustom9, a definite first for me.

Dress: Pixicat CutOutDress @Kustom9, Bangles: Ariskea Hindi Wood Bangles @Kustom9, Hair: NEW Truth Lola, Shoes: Reign Devotion Heels, Eyes: IKON Charm Forest eyes and Redgrave Natural6 Lashes, Skin: Glam Affair Katra, Whatever Fang Mesh Teeth, Slink Hands and Feet

So the year is more than halfway through and I still need to message a creator for an interview and I feel like now is the time for me to do it. So, my goal to complete by the end of the month is to ask a content creator for a small interview! Oh My Goodness! How exciting and nerve wrecking! Fingers crossed someone wouldn't mind being interviewed by a goofy tea and shopping fanatic.


Have a wonderful Sunday my Tea Readers. Enjoy the rest of your weekend--have a cuppa and think about how you can better balance your time to get the most out of Life.


SURLS:

Kustom9:    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mingle/124/49/26

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Mermaids Must Have a Kelp-y Brew

Happy Sunday my Tea Readers! This past week has been crazy busy again for me. On a positive note, I didn't work yesterday. I like working on Saturdays because it is quiet and I get a lot of work done. However, it stinks having only a day off ,then going back to work on Monday. Good news, I still have done a lot this past week, including getting this week's post done.~

Outfit: Baiastice Oceane Dress with Mermaid Jewel Bra @Collabor88, Hair: D!va Ariel @Collabor88, Ring: Aisling The Good Wife, Necklace: Maxi Gossamer Serena Seashells and Pearls @Collabor88, Skin: Glam Affair Katra, Eyes: IKON Charm and Redgrave Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet

Okay, this summer's theme is appearing to be mermaids, because mermaids is the theme for Collabor88, Season's Story's backdrop is some mermaid ruins, and later this summer Enchantment will start and the story theme is The Little Mermaid. So yea, this summer is very "under the sea". As a marine biologist I adore the sea and all sea-life. If I could have one wish it would be to become a mermaid. I just love the idea of swimming around all day, looking at all the life under the water and playing with fish and cetaceans, even some of the perils of underwater life don't really phase me. I think I would make an awesome mermaid.

When I saw the theme for Collabor88 last month was chosen for "Under the Sea", I was immediately excited(like when they picked the "Into the Light" and "OMG! Unicorns"). Lots of light blues and purples for this event, and LOTS and LOTS of mermaid stuff--from sea shells to fish scales! I bought the blue ombre tank top by ISON with matching silver fish scale leggings--it is one of the more conservative looks from the event. Baiastice has a really pretty evening gown at the event, and a cute shell bra which is compatible with the dress. Foxes has two dress at the event and I had to be different and buy the blue/purple dress because it just looks so good! My favorite dress buy from the event has to be by Fashionably Dead. This blue dress is a high-lo and has "scales". When I went to the Hair Fair last Saturday evening this tentacled hair by Ohmai looks perfect with it(at least to me it does).

Dress: Fashionably Dead Dorothy @Collabor88, Hair: !Ohmai Salon Tako with Tentacle add on (it moves and twitches too!) @HairFair, Jewelry: Amala The Shell Set @Collabor88, Shoes: Gos Audrey @Collabor88, SLink Hands Feet and Eyelashes, Skin: Glam Affair Katra

The Hair Fair is an annual event which doubles as a fundraiser for "Wigs for Kids". Each vendor has a certain percentage of their profits going towards the "Wigs for Kids" charity. The event opened last Saturday, and this year I went to the event so prepared! I don't think I have EVER planned out my shopping this intense before. I did all my normal research, Strawberry Singh was kind enough in one of her blog posts to link the Eloquence Blog which has pictures, prices, and locations for each vendor. So what did I do Saturday morning when I had a break at work? I looked at the hairs, and wrote the vendors and the locations for all the hairs I wanted. When I eventually logged on to Second Life in the evening I teleported into the Blonde Sim, and did area searches for all the hairs on my "Blonde" list. I did the same for Brunette, Redhead, and Noirette. I didn't teleport to the other sims, I tried to walk or fly into the other sims. Thanks to whoever made the decision to allow fly! It helped with getting around and fighting lag. I was vastly surprised when I only spend about an hour (maybe a bit longer, but definitely not an hour and a half) getting into the event and doing all my shopping. Last year when I went I was at the Hair Fair for 2+ hours, which lead me to prepare and plan everything.

Outfit: Pixicat Aquatic Dress @Collabor88, Hair: Analog Dog Bangers GIFT @HairFair, Shoes: Fri.Day Ursula @Collabor88, Ring: Aisling The Good Wife, Skin: Glam Affair December II, Eyes: IKON Charm and Redgrave Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet, Whatever Mesh Fang Teeth

Season's Story opened last Friday, and I didn't get as buy crazy as I did at the other events. The sim is gorgeous, it all looks like mermaid ruins, and who doesn't like to shop and fun places? I spent a bit of linden "playing" the Zenith gacha. I really wanted a bodysuit/swimsuit which is the rare item. I also played another gacha by SWaGGa for some flippers. I recently bought a wet suit by Meli Imako and the flippers match so well!! Now I can go snorkeling and adventuring underwater in Second Life while not being a mermaid... Who am I kidding, I will still be a mermaid~  I didn't really buy much else at Season's Story. I think after this past weekend I am all shopped out.

Outfit: Meli Imako Women's Wetsuit, Flippers: [SWaGGa] Flippers @Season'sStory, Necklace: Maxi Gossamer Vintage Race Whistle, Henna: Letis Mehndi, Hair: Truth Benita, Skin: Glam Affair Yolandi, Eyes: IKON Charm and Redgrave Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet, Whatever Mesh Fang Teeth

Long post for today. There are lots of other great items at Season's Story, but nothing really big that I felt I needed to share. I will be sure to put more items and such from these events in upcoming posts. Happy Sunday everyone! Enjoy your cuppa and the rest of your weekend.


SURLS:

Collabor88:    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/8%208/54/199/1090

Hair Fair:    links in the post

Season's Story:    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Seasons%20Story/213/158/1

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Make Your Own Blend

Happy Sunday! This week has been another crazy busy one for me. Today is my only day off, then back to the long work week. Not big on working so much, but the money....sweet, sweet money. Okay, on with the post~~

Outfit: Ionic Margaery @TheChapterFour, Necklace: CAE Juno @FaMESHed, Ring: Aisling The Good Wife, Nose Ring: Yummy Diamond Flower, Hair: Magika Meadow, Shoes: Fri.day Nadya (not pictured), Skin: Glam Affair Katra, Eyes: Redgrave Catgreen and Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet

There is this new event that started on the first of the month, and I believe it is going to be a monthly event. The Mix is really unique--you have a list of stores which have an item (or items) out special for the event. The item is either a sale (discounted previous store release), new (brand new release for the store), or an exclusive (an item, new or previous release, in special colors out for the event). What is really cool, is for the tons of stores who participate, you don't need a landmark. Everything is listed and used via a special HUD. The HUD is color coded with the list of stores and help show who has a sale, new, or exclusive item. You click the store you want to go to and then you can teleport. No landmark, just BAM the map pops up and you can just click teleport. It's so cool!

I ended up only buying a few things. I bought shoes from Fri.day, a necklace by CAE, and a Summer jewelry set from Maxi Gossamer. I really do enjoy Maxi Gossamer Jewelry. Whenever Maxi does a new release more often than not I purchase it. Her pieces fit whatever the theme is and yet remain versatile enough to be easily paired with other outfits. The summer set she has, are all previous releases, and at a low, low price of 699L for the bundle. Great deal for all those pieces. I was inspired by her flip-book/advertising photo by Strawberry Singh and paired all the pieces with a top I bought at FaMEHSed. The top is fun and very summery.

Shirt: Style Threads Summer Top @FaMESHed, Shorts: Addams Epiphany, Jewelry and Shoes: Maxi Gossamer's Summer LookBook for The Mix, Hair: Truth Randa, Skin: Glam Affair Yolandi, Eyes: Redgrave Catgreen and Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet

FaMESHed is very ready for summer. There are several swimsuits and swimsuit covers. Maxi Gossamer also has a summer hat at the event. I ended up buying some sarongs by Rebel Hope and a hat by Maxi. I, surprisingly, didn't buy the dress by Zenith this round. I didn't like the way the bra looked on my avatar. I don't know...the demo looked odd on me (looks great on Earth though). There is also a dress by Valentina called Debutante. I don't really like the cut of the dress, but Earth really liked it. And to be honest, it does look really sophisticated on her.

Bikini: Zaara Morjim, Sarong: Rebel Hope Mesh Sorang @FaMESHed, Necklace: CAE Illuminati for The Mix, Sunglasses: Glamistry, Hair: NEW Truth Shaylee, Anklets: Zaara Nizam Payal, Skin: Glam Affair, Eyes: Redgrave Catgreen and Natural6 Lashes, Hena: Letis Diwali, Slink Hands and Feet

One event I hardly cover, but go to every month, is The Chapter Four. Usually I only ever buy a skin set by Glam Affair or some random shirt or skirt or accessory, which sits in my inventory until I can pair it with something. This month there are a LOT of outfits which I was able to put together (I may have cheated a lot, because the outfits are all partially put together... Don't judge). My favorites are by COCO and Ionic. COCO has a cute sheer crop-top shirt and matching skirt. It is more modern of a look on me, but I have made it a bit softer by having a simple curly hair paired with it. The dress by Ionic has an attached cardigan sweater; it is really cute and the prints are simple and add a small bit of flare.

Sun is wearing... Outfit: COCO Sheer Panel Top and Skirt @TheChapterFour, Hair: Truth Lyric, Shoes: Just Design Boho Vintage Brick, Ring: Aisling The Good Wife, Skin: Glam Affair Katra, Eyes: Redgrave Catgreen and Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet
Earth is wearing... Outfit: Valentina Debutante @FaMESHed, Shoes: Reign Adele @FaMESHed, Necklace: Junbug Pearls of Wisdom @FaMESHed, Ring: Anara's Earth and CAE Belle, Earrings: Earthstones Sitara, Bangles: {anc} ThornCombiBandle, Hair: Truth Posy, Skin: LAQ Jessica Peach, Slink Hands and Feet

Season's Story opened on Friday and Collabor88 opened on Wednesday, but this week's post is already long. I will post more next week about Season's Story and Collabor88. I hope you all enjoy your Sunday cuppa and have a wonderful week~ Hugs and Smooches.

Huge THANK YOU to Earth for letting me use her new home (Glam Affair's item for The Mix!) as the location for some of the photos and for posing with me in her new outfit from this month's FaMESHed! HUGGLES~~~~


SURL:

The Chapter Four:    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamlove/121/132/1236

FaMESHed:    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/111/137/3494

The Mix Hud, it's free!

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Wintergreen for a Wild Brew

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone had a great weekend, and a wonderful July 4th. Lots to be excited about in the States--it is finally legal for all people to get married to whoever they love! So proud right now of my country's Supreme Court. Cheers everyone!

Outfit: Zenith Minority Long Dress @Uber, Hair: Truth Lyric, Necklace: Pekka Third Eye, Nose Ring: Yummy Diamond Flower Nose Ring, Ring: Aisling The Good Wife, Skin: Glam Affair Katra, Eyes: Redgrave Catgreen and Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet

Uber opened on Friday last week and the theme for this month is Rustic. Truth does not have a hair out for this month, but I have a suspicion...since Uber's 1st Birthday is coming up, I am thinking Truth Hawks is creating an extra gorgeous and awesome hair for the event. Anyway, the theme this month is Rustic. It reminds me of cowboys, the untamed wilderness, and my mother's family(her whole family is from Southern Virginia...Appalachian Mountain people). I will admit not to being much of a country girl. I don't like country music but I do enjoy some folk bluegrass; I love nature but hate camouflage print; I love to shoot but hate hunting; I love to fish but suck cleaning my catch. I am going to go ahead and say, for Rustic I can see it with a lot of the items, but for some of the outfits I don't see rustic at all.

Outfit: Pixicat Rustic Shirt and Skirt @Uber, Shoes: Reign Gabbi Plats, Hair: Truth Hair Ishya, Jewelry: Yummy Spring Garden Necklace and Ring @N21, Skin: Glam Affair Katra, Eyes: Redgrave Catgreen and Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands and Feet

Zenith has a really nice dress that looks more bohemian to me than rustic, but it is fun and fits really well. I ended up buying the red dress because I liked the gold trim on the bottom better than the trim on the lighter colored dresses. Baiastice has a dress that also does not look very rustic. It is simple, and, in my opinion, pretty--it isn't very rustic. It is a simple floor length dress, very slim fit with spaghetti straps, and has a simple design at the bottom. I would not call this dress rustic by any means, it is more simplistic than rustic.

Pixicat has a fun two piece outfit with a fun lace skirt and a denim top. It is mix and match so you pick your shirt and skirt. Also ISON has a gorgeous....GORGEOUS lace off-shoulder dress that looks good in heels and in boots. I love this dress. LOVE it. I have it paired with some star-studded boots I bought a while ago from Shiny Shabby. I knew I bought those boots for a reason, and this dress is it!

Outfit: ISON Off-Shoulder Dress @Uber, Shoes: RebelGal Starry-Eyed Leather Bootv2, Hair: Truth Katra, Necklace: CAE Phases, Ring: Aisling The Good Wife, Bangles: Zaara Banjara Kada, Skin: Glam Affair Ellie, Lip Gloss: Mudskin YumYum Dark, Eyes: Redgrave Catgreen and Natural6 Lashes, Slink Hands

I hope all of you have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week. Season's Story should be opening soon for it's Summer round and I am intrigued to see what fun items the creators have done. Enjoy the rest of your cuppa~ Hugs and Smooches.


SURL:

Uber:    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Uber/130/255/33