Lashae Karsin ღ

As the days draw closer to summer break, I can't help to almost feel a sense of relief.  I am so busy in real life; I need a break... badly!  I don't like feeling stressed and overwhelmed all the time.  Another sense of relief came Friday with the news that my husband was finally hired after fourteen months of being laid off.  It isn't the job he permanently wants to be in, but it is definitely a means to an end.  God has been so good to us, and I feel so extremely blessed.

The dress I'm wearing today is an exclusive design from (Elate!) available at Bees Through the Seasons.  If you have never visited this small event, just going to see the decor will be reward enough.  It is truly one of the cutest designs I have seen... and not to mention that the participating designers are extremely talented!  The Ivy Dress is available in four colors and includes five mesh sizes and the necklace in three sizes.  I love the simplicity of the design.  It's very classy and chic; the mesh is well made and the textures are well colored and shaded.  A free demo is available for your convenience.


Izzie's released her latest skin a little over a week ago, and as with all of her other skins... the value is astounding.  Holly is available in nine skin tones and includes a modifiable body shape, freckles, moles, four brow colors (excluding the mocha skin tone), cleavage options, a nail base, twelve lipstick colors, eleven eyeshadow colors, eyeliner and a brow shape.  And... just in case you haven't been on Second Life in the past few weeks... Izzie's also now offers a skin applier for Slink hands and feet.  Matching up the skin tones is literally as easy as clicking a button.  Nail appliers are also available.


Credits
Clothing: Ivy Dress in Charcoal by (Elate!) @ Bees Through the Seasons
Shoes: Millside Flats in Winter by [elikatira] 70% Off
Jewelry: Lola Leaves Earrings in Death by {cherry} @ The Attic
Hair: Conclusion in Brown 08 by [elikatira] 70% Off
Skin: Holly Skin Pale DB by Izzie's
Makeup: [Eyeshadow] Smokey by Izzie's (Included with purchase of Holly Skin) and [Lips] Glossy Lip Highlights 3D by Izzie's
Eyes: Ardent Eyes in Skyfall by IKON
Lashes: 2011 Lashes Curl by LeLutka
Hands: Mesh Hands Elegant by Slink
Skin Applier: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands Applier by Izzie's
Nail Applier: Slink Avatar Enhancement Classic Nails Applier by Izzie's
Poses: [1] Lean II 5v2 and [2] My Hair 8 by aDORKable Poses
Location: PLAAKA

This past week I came across the Meme Challenge blog posts by Strawberry Singh and thought that it would be a fun way to get back into blogging on a regular basis.  Her latest theme is SL Pet Peeves; I try not to complain too much on my blog, but I suppose that we all do need a release every now and then.

1. Designers who do not offer demos or who charge for demos.  Nothing annoys me more as a shopper than designers who do not offer demos for mesh clothing, shoes, skin, hair or poses.  Since each of these items works very differently with the many different body shapes of the second life avatar, it is really important for me to be able to "try before I buy."  I hate wasting money even if it is only a few Lindens.  More annoying than no demo is a demo that I have to pay for.  To me, asking a customer to pay for a demo suggests that the designer doesn't have much confidence in his or her product and must make Lindens wherever they are able.  In each case, you are most likely not going to get my business.

2. Designers who do not put their store name in/on their vendor or in their profiles.  As many of you know, I have been blogging for the Second Life event and sales coverage blog SeraphimSL since it began in the summer of 2011.  It has been very surprising for me to see how many designers do not include the name of their store somewhere in or on their vendor or even in their profile.  Do you not want customers to be able to locate your store?  When it takes me five plus minutes to simply try and figure out what the name of your store is, I'm more than annoyed and would never search that long as a customer.  You're losing business!

3. The ever expanding unorganized mess that is my inventory.  No matter how good my intentions are, I can never seem to be able to completely organize my inventory.  It has expanded to the point that I have almost lost hope in it ever being under control again.  I seem to accumulate items much quicker than I sort them and put them in their place.  I did purchase the Visual Inventory Organizer Wardrobe a few months back and was doing really well with photoing and sorting, but like with all other plans... it kind of fell to the wayside.  The biggest thing that annoys me about not having an organized inventory is that I really have no idea what I have.  Over the past three and a half years I have easily spent hundreds of real life dollars on items in-world... perhaps even into the thousands.  It really bothers me that I cannot find items or even remember what is there.  I suppose I should start blogging weekly installments of my Pieces of My Closet series once again to motivate myself to sort through this mess.

4. Designers who add me to their subscribers without my permission.  The first time I got a notecard from a designer I didn't recognize, I thought that perhaps I had just forgotten about the store or they had rechristened themselves.  However, the more often that it happens, the more convinced I become that some designers actually are adding residents to their subscribers.  I completely understand that designers want to advertise themselves and get information out about new designs and sales, but I feel this method is a bit tacky and unprofessional.  Flickr is a great way to connect with people in Second Life and gain potential new customers; send me a contact request... I'll be more than happy to add you!

5. Grid lines and disappearing shadows in my photographs.  I thought all my photography woes had been solved when my husband and I were finally able to purchase a high functioning gaming computer.  I was finally able to see shadows, but I came to realize that there are so many glitches with the actual software that it is almost impossible to take a photo without some type of flaw... be it the ever dreaded grid lines or complete blocks of shadows missing from the picture.  I use the Firestorm viewer and have heard that grid lines are a thing of the past with the latest official Second Life viewer, but I have yet to try it for myself.  Perhaps I should put that on my list of things to do in the near future!

I've been feeling so uninspired lately.  I have been wearing this same outfit for at least two to three weeks.  I remember when I used to feel the need to have a different outfit every day in-world.  It's not that I don't like the items that designers are putting out... I just haven't felt that into it.  I'm sure that it probably is due to a combination of more hours at real life work and never feeling like I'm really getting anywhere in life.  It's taxing on the spirit.  Hopefully with warmer weather (if it ever shows up) and more day light hours, my spirit will start picking back up and inspiration will once again be free flowing!

I really do love the shirt I'm wearing.  I picked it up at erratic during the store's 50% off moving sale.  Unfortunately, the sale is over, but based on the inventory available in the shop, you will probably see more of this designer featured on my blog in the future.  The styles are classy and very well made, and free demos are available for all mesh items.  The designer does have an in-world group that is completely free to join; members receive 30% off all new releases (when the group tag is activated) for a limited time after each release.


The skin I'm wearing was Izzie's contribution at Skin Fair 2013, which is also now over; the skin is, however, now available at the main store location.  This skin is a bit different from the designer's other skins since it is an Asian inspired skin.  New skin tones are available with this design; so, please try one of the free demos before you make a purchase.  The skin is available in six tones and includes a modifiable shape, four eyebrow colors (excluding dark tan and ginger tones), cleavage options, six lipstick tattoos, six eyeshadow tattoos and a brow shape.  Lola's Tango appliers are available as separate purchases for this skin.

I fell in love with the eyes by IKON when I first discovered them a few months ago.  The designer is participating in the current round of The Boutique by The Liaison Collaborative.  Twenty-seven colors of the newest Ardent design is available; each purchase includes five sizes.  I'm wearing the color titled Skyfall, but they are honestly all so gorgeous that this will probably not be my only purchase.  A special color of the Ardent Eyes has been placed out at the designer's main store for the in-world IKON VIP group members; the group is completely free to join, and a free pair of eyes is set out for group members only during the first week of each month.


One of my favorite events of the entire year is underway now through April 14th.  All the poses featured in this post are by the very talented aDORKable Poses, and they are only available at Pose Fair 2013.  I love this designer's poses because they are all extremely well made and mirrors of each pose are included in every pack.  aDORKable released six new pose packs as Pose Fair exclusives, and I am sure that these poses will be available in store upon the conclusion of the event.  If you are interested in seeing more poses that are available, check out my coverage of the fair at Seraphim!


Credits
Clothing: [Top] Amy Silk Blouse in Salmon by erratic and [Pants] Flare Jeans for Flats in #8 by Maitreya
Shoes: Millside Flats in Onyx by [elikatira] 70% Off
Jewelry: Amazon Necklace in Black by Bens Beauty
Hair: Sound in Brown 08 by [elikatira] 70% Off
Skin: Asia Skin Light DB by Izzie's
Makeup: [Eyeshadow] Asia Eyeshadow Smokey and Asia Eyeshadow Pink by Izzie's (Included with purchase of Asia Skin), [Eyeliner] Black Eyeliner in Gentle Fume by Acid & Mala and [Lips] Glossy Lip Highlights 3D by Izzie's
Eyes: Ardent Eyes in Skyfall MLby IKON @ The Boutique
Lashes: 2011 Lashes Curl by LeLutka
Hands: Mesh Hands Elegant R [1 and 2], Bag R [3] and Casual L by Slink
Poses: [1] Bam 1, [2] Simple 4 and [3] Simple 2m by aDORKable Poses @ Pose Fair 2013
Location: Pretty Island

I hope you have all had an amazing weekend.  This is the first time I have had a chance to make any photos for my blog in two weeks, and I must say that I have really missed it.  I have a lot of fun putting outfits together and finding the perfect spot to take a snapshot.  My husband and I spent the weekend at my mother's house last week, and unfortunately I cannot pack up my desktop and take it with me for photos.  Spending some time away from the computer is definitely nice, but I always end up missing Second Life no matter how long I've been away.  It's kind of like home... You enjoy going on vacation every now and then, but you always want to go home eventually!

I'm honestly not sure how new the top I'm wearing from Ducknipple is.  I spotted it while checking out the designer's new releases and really liked it.  If you have never visited this store, you may want to pencil it into your schedule sometime in the near future.  Almost all mesh items include a color change HUD; it's like purchasing a fatpack for the price of one regular item.  The Leather Jacket w/Top that I'm wearing includes twelve color options for the jacket and twelve color options for the top; this gives you a total of one hundred and forty-four possible color combinations.  A free demo is available.

I picked the jeans that I'm wearing up from Cracked Mirror at FaMESHed.  I really love the shape of these pants and the fact that there isn't a huge gap in the crotch which seems to be a fashion epidemic lately.  I've never had that problem with this designer, however.  The Disclaimer Skinny Jeans are available in five colors and include five mesh sizes and a modifiable alpha layer.  It's rare for me to find jeans that I really like in Second Life; so, when I do... I stock up.  The texture on these jeans is fabulous; it contains enough realism to be credible with enough artistry to properly fit in world.  Although my tush isn't photoed, the butt of jeans really makes it or breaks it for me.  The pockets have to look good and the shape (with mesh) has to be nice and round.  These jeans score on all points!  If you want to try them out for yourself, a free demo is available.


I have to admit that I haven't always been the biggest fan of hair by Exile.  His styles have always been pretty, but I thought the tips of the hair were way too pointy.  That problem, however, seems to be a thing of the past.  I spotted his new releases this weekend and instantly fell in love with Crazy in Love.  This hairstyle is so dramatic!  The volume is fantastic, the textures are beautiful and best of all... there are no pointy tips!  The hair is available in thirteen color packs, and a free demo is available.

A new skin was recently released by Izzie's titled Harlow.  I love the soft but classy and chic look of this skin.  Harlow is available in eight skin tones and includes a modifiable body shape, freckles options, moles options, four brow colors (excluding the mocha skin tone), cleavage options, a nail base, twelve lipstick colors, twelve eyeshadow colors and a brow shape.  I particularly like the eyeshadows included with this skin; they are very shiny and shimmery.  A free demo is available.


Credits
Clothing: [Top] Leather Jacket w/Top by Ducknipple and [Pants] Disclaimer Skinny Jeans in Faded Light by Cracked Mirror @ FaMESHed
Shoes: Millside Flats in Taupe by [elikatira]
Jewelry: Lena Earrings by Donna Flora No longer available.
Hair: Crazy in Love in Drift by Exile
Skin: Harlow Skin Pale DB by Izzie's
Makeup: [Eyeshadow] Harlow Eyeshadow Silver Teal by Izzie's (Included with purchase of Harlow Skin), [Lips] Glossy Lip Highlights 3D by Izzie's and [Eyeliner] Black Eyeliner in Gentle Fume by Acid & Mala
Eyes: Lucid Eyes in Optimism by IKON
Lashes: 2011 Lashes Curl by LeLutka
Hands: Mesh Hands Elegant R And Relax L by Slink
Poses: [1] Honey 2 and [2] Legs 7m by aDORKable Poses
Location: Hazardous

A new round of FaMESHed started this past week which is where I found almost all of the items in the outfit I'm wearing.  I really like this "sales" event because there are a lot of good quality designers who participate.  It's not really a sales event, however, since all the items are priced as they normally would be.  That of course is completely fine since designers do deserve to be compensated for the amount of time and effort they put into their products.

The top I'm wearing is from Tee*fy, and you really do get a lot of value for your Lindens with this item.  There are twelve total color options available with nine out of the twelve including three different designs in the purchase: a striped version, a polka dot version and a solid version.  It will be difficult for me to not add a few more colors to my inventory... especially the pastels.  Five sizes of each shirt and a modifiable alpha layer are included in your purchase.  A free demo is available.

I picked the pants I'm wearing up from FANATIK, and I had a really difficult time deciding between black and pink.  The girl in me always wants to buy pink, but I went with my husband's suggestion and snagged the black.  They do, after all, go with more things.  The leather texture on these pants is very pretty.  Eight total colors are available and each contains five modifiable sizes with a modifiable alpha layer.  A free demo is available.


The skin I'm wearing is one of the three skin available by Glam Affair at the current round of Collabor88 which only has a few days left.  I was really disappointed when the designer decided to leave The Dressing Room; I probably own almost every skin that was included in the TDR collections.  When Aida popped up at Collabor88 I was, needless to say, ecstatic.  Glam Affair truly does produce some of the highest quality skins in all of Second Life.  If you have ever purchased a high quality skin, you know what an amazing deal 188L for a single skin is.  Three brow colors are included in your purchase, and a free demo is available.

I am deeply in love with the eyes I'm wearing from IKON, and the best thing about them is that they are completely free.  Each month IKON sets out a pair of never before released eyes for one week free to the stores VIP group members (free to join).  Theses Lucid eyes are the first pair in a new line coming from IKON.  The eyes are only available through February 7th; so, don't put off visiting too long!


The shoes by LaRoo at FaMESHed may just be my favorite design by the team yet.  The Lizzy T-Strap Pumps are very feminine and girly.  Ten colors are available; each color features a solid black sole and heel with the body of the shoe featuring the various colors.  A skin and nail color HUD are included with your purchase; instructions for the HUD and the RGB values for popular skins are available on LaRoo's website.  A free demo is available.

If any of you have every wondered where I find the locations I use in my photos, it isn't from me endlessly searching the entire grid before I find the perfect location.  I actually browse the Beautiful Landscapes of Second Life flick group for interesting looking SIMs.  Most people who post their pictures there include slurls to the location.  The blogger that led me to the beautiful Kalki SIM is the very talented Danni Ravinelli.  I always appreciate fellow bloggers who don't mind posting their secrets for others to find and use.


Credits
Clothing: [Top] Olga Sweatshirt in Stripe Grey by Tee*fy @ FaMESHed and [Pants] Leather Leggings in Black by FANATIK @ FaMESHed
Shoes: Lizzy T-Strap Pumps in Pink by LaRoo Shoes @ FaMESHed
Jewelry: Uva Earrings by miel Group Gift
Hair: Josie w/Roots in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Renee - Trending 02 D by Glam Affair @ Collabor88
Makeup: Black Eyeliner in Gentle Fume by Acid & Mala
Eyes: Lucid Eyes in Optimism by IKON Group Gift
Lashes: 2011 Lashes Curl by LeLutka
Hands: Mesh Hands Gesture L and Mouse R by Slink
Poses: [1] Model 252, [2] Model 228 and [3] Model 285 by Glitterati
Location: Kalki