Stepping out with my baby....

As much as I have good intentions in keeping my blog up-to-date, well, it doesn't happen all the time. So I will have multiple posts in a row. My sweetie asked me out for a dance a few days ago...and I was most happy to oblige. We had a great time talking and laughing. We can't meet up all the time but I am happy when I am with him and you can't wish for more than that. :)

Charting a new course....

Over the past couple of weeks I sat down and thought about the current status of my SL life. After due consideration, I have decided to chart a new course...and find a new direction. True...it means leaving someone behind...but it has become necessary. I found myself becoming increasingly sad and disappointed; resentful and angry. In the past I had no problem waiting...but now...I no longer have the patience.



In the spirit of those who adventure the high seas...I decided to set my sails out to once again explore this metaverse called Second Life. Who knows what waits for me out there...but I do hope that if I find a buried treasure...it will certainly be worth having and holding.

Bodice from "Cake or Death" by RFyre
Rommy Necklace from Burroughs
"Circe" earrings from KessKreations
Captain's Hat from Illusions
"Emily" Hair from !!Calico Creations!!

Bellagio Style

As you can see from previous posts, one of my favorite places to go in Second Life is the Bellagio Hotel. There is always friendly staff awaiting your arrival and the surroundings are richly elegant. The hotel hosts a wide variety of musical and social entertainment. Last night I had the pleasure of listening to Louis Volare in Club Caramel; a singer trained in the old school style of vocalization. His singing conjures up visions of a neat glass of whiskey, a cigarette and an old Frank Sinatra album playing softly in the background as you lounge lazily in front of a crackling fire. Against the backdrop of the Bellagio Fountains (spectacular in the midnight world setting), one can listen to classic musical standards from the great singers of the past on the island stream. And also, the Bellagio plays host to a great shopping mini-mall with some of the best clothing and jewelry designers in SL.



I'm finding that I am starting to develop what I call the "Bellagio Style"; dressing up the way people did back in the 1950's when they went out for an evening of fun and dancing. Here you don't see the norm of jeans and t-shirts...but elegant men and women dressed to the "nines". Ah...such is the life...and it can be..here at the Bellagio in Second Life. Visit the Bellagio Hotel and its environs ...you won't regret it!

"Celeste" cocktail dress by PixelDolls
"Diamond and Platinum Half-Hoop Earrings" by Virtual Impressions
"Close to My Heart Locket" in platinum and diamonds by Virtual Impressions
"Phoebe" Hairstyle in Auburn by ETD

Time for Reflection

This weekend wasn't the best of my efforts at a Second Life. I wish things would have gone much differently. I fear I might have lost something and someone who means a great deal to me as a friend, confidant, and companion.



I guess only time will truly reveal what it has in store for me and what the future might bring with my second life. I don't want to lose what I have and will work to get back to the roots...to find another whole dimension to what I had...something more defining...more true in spirit. Little do they know..this person who I hope that I have not lost...how much what they desire is what I desire as well.

I only know that for right now I wish I could turn back the hands of time...just for a moment...

Ain't no sunshine when he's gone.....

Another evening spent alone...and I get the message that my SL boyfriend is dead. After recovering from the initial shock of that statement and realizing that he means basically that he won't be in-world for several days, I headed off again to the Bellagio Hotel this time for a double-header of music; the first being a rock artist, Ictus Belford who plays classic rock as well as a mean harmonica and then the second...a sultry songbird named Therese Nightfire.



I listened to Therese vocalize that immortal Bill Wither's classic..."Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone."

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long anytime
She goes away

I kept thinking how those words rang true for me this evening.....

Dress: Anemone purple taffeta by Nonna Hedges
Shoes: *IM* Chantilly Black/Gold from Mary Jane Shoes
Jewelry: Nonna's Art Neuveau Orchard Necklace set in gold by Nonna Hedges
Hair: Calla Sunflower Burnt Auburns (Cherry Wood)

Photography Location: Bellagio Hotel Gardens

What a lovely way to burn....

Last night I spent part of the evening at one of my favorite venues in SL, the Bellagio Hotel. I've been going there quite frequently to listen to various musicians featured at the hotel's Club Light. I've never been disappointed with the talented people the Bellagio brings in to entertain.



I decided to pull out this great design called "Mina" in red by Ivalde to suit a night of sultry jazz. I completed my dress with the Le'Cameo set "Athena Writing" from Alienbear (a Christmas gift from the boyfriend), platinum diamond bracelet from Jewelry by Jake and "Chantilly" black with silver shoes by Mary Jane Shoes.

As the performer wailed out the old Peggy Lee classic....I thought what a perfect name for this ensemble.

Woman's got to have it

Woman's got to have it
I believe that I should know
She's got to know that she's that she's needed around
When you kiss her
You got to make her feel it everyday, boy
She's got to know that she's not walking on shaky ground
Think it over
Don't take for granted the smile upon her face
Check a little bit closer, you might find a tear trace
Maybe the little girl never said a mumbling word
But she's got to know that her voice is heard. -- J.T.

...musing today in my *Muism* Damaged Jeans...something every woman's got to have!

Urban Torero

As we live our day-to-day lives, we must don the uniform of the "urban torero" and step into the arena called the workplace. Just as the dance that occurs between the matador and the bull, one finds themselves delicately maneuvering through the daily toil and demands.

So I find myself inspired by the traditional clothing of the matador and put together an outfit I call "urban torero." I chose the blouse and belt from Icing's "Study Date" ensemble and combined it with the toreador-style pants from *FI* topped off with cute Francoise flats in a tomato color from Shiny Things.

All be told if the matador has done exceptionally well, he will be given a standing ovation by the crowd, throwing hats and roses into the arena to show their appreciation....if not....back to dealing with the bull. :P

Come sail away .....

Sitting alone tonight in the bar that is co-owned by my SL boyfriend and I (I'll skip the part as to why I was alone), I found myself thinking about my island home and the active water surrounding it. I told the boyfriend last night that I needed a boat and he quickly pointed out that he had a jet-ski available for buzzing around the island. Granted hitting the water with a jet-ski is definitely a lot of fun...but the lure of billowing sails on a wooden boat while snuggled in the arms of a loved one is a vision that has not left me.

With that mood in mind, I decided to do a photo shoot with a nautical theme. I found the perfect striped top at Elephant Outfitters at Armidi. This top, combined with white jeans and deck shoes, would make the perfect attire for sailing the azure seas. I hope I get the opportunity to do so...

New Beginnings

On March 20th was the vernal equinox or the first day of spring .
Vernal comes originally from the Latin word for bloom and refers to the fact that, in the northern hemisphere, this equinox marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Spring also traditionally symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. So I've decided to try rejuvenate to my long since dead blog and blow the breath of spring life back into it.

These past two weeks have brought many changes for me. I was given a wonderful opportunity to move to an openspace island and create my own private estate. So I am moving and rebuilding my home. As a person who loves interior decoration, not only am I afforded the chance to give my home a make-over but also do the traditional closet-weeding (aka my inventory) and get rid of unnecessarily clutter that breeds faster than rabbits in spring.

Secondly, I resigned my post of being a Special Collections Librarian for the Whitehorn Memorial Library at Caledon. With my other jobs duties, I found that I could not devote as much time and attention to that position as I would have liked. I am hoping that down the road I can discover the joys of working in Caledon again.

Drop the puck! Season 4 of the Second Life Hockey league wrapped up last weekend with our annual Awards Ceremony.....but Season 5 is soon to start. It's amazing how quickly one misses, during the off-season, the companionship of teammates and the thrill of racing down the ice. But Season 5 promises to bring more weeks of fun and laughter. And the league is welcoming many new people into its ranks!

I've discovered a new passion in Second Life! Fashion photography! Not that I would give Cecil Beaton or Richard Avedon cause to worry (not that they would...they are long since passed on... :P), but the lure of model poses and the snap of the camera shutter brings great excitement. I got inspired by reading one of my favorite blogs, Fashion Feed of SL. Fashion has been a passion of mine since I was a child and this blog keeps me abreast of all the latest fashion trends in SL. Granted the only model I use is myself but it gives me the opportunity to practice my newly discovered hobby and hone my skill. Taking the base photograph and with a whisk or two of the proverbial Photoshop brush, I can create a nice fashion layout. In an outfit and look inspired by a recent post in Fashion Feed, I created this spring layout ad for myself.




I have a long way to go to match some of the great things I've seen on various fashion blogs. But half the fun is learning new techniques and skills! So look for more of my work at time moves on. And speaking of time...it's time for me to sign off! :)