Isa's Digits

Strawberry Singh asked, "Have you changed your shape to fit into mesh?"    It has definitely changed mine:

1. How has the introduction of mesh affected your SL, if at all? Are you open to wearing mesh often or do you still shy away from it?
   
   I very much prefer mesh now, particularly because of the improved texturing - no more fuzziness or blurriness!  
2. Have you changed your shape to fit into mesh? If so, did you go bigger or smaller?
   
   
   

   I created a few custom shapes to fit into certain brands.  If you compare my shape now to the last time I posted my digits, my avatar has become a bit thinner.
   
   
   
   
   I prefer the standard sizing, and I am a medium, which I find a bit odd since I think my avatar looks quite skinny.  My original shape was somewhere between a medium and a large, but the large was way too big, so my shape has become a bit thinner with the introduction of mesh, particularly in the waist.  The most important thing to me is to feel like I have a strong, healthy figure.  I feel like I'm able to achieve that look with a fairly standard medium size.  I did stay with smaller boobs, though.  The standard size boobs look huge to me.
3. Do you think the mesh deformer will resolve a lot of the issues people seem to have with mesh and will it encourage you to wear mesh more often, if you don’t already?
   
   For me, personally, the deformer probably won't make much difference.  Currently, I buy mesh and adjust my shape to fit it (within reason).  The deformer would save me a bit of time and would allow me to wear some brands that just do not fit my shape at all (like I'd have to go to 0 body fat in order to wear them, and that's just too thin for me).  My shape is a fairly standard shape, but I do understand how important shape is to one's sense of avatar identity, and there are some things about my shape that I am unwilling to change because of that (else I wouldn't be "Isa").   So, for those who fall outside the standard sizing, I think the deformer is a very important step.

What I'm wearing:

Credits:
Hair -[LeLutka]-CHERYL hair - BournvilleFade (Mesh)
Skin - Pink Fuel: [PF] Alena - Classic (ltbrow/freck)
Eyelashes - Glow Studio: Innocent. eyelashes - soft
Eyes - Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye (Light Grey) (Mesh)
Jewelry - Lasaki - Retro Necklace
Outfit - e! - Cheer Trackies & Sports Bra (White&Red) M (Mesh)
Shoes - 2Real: Pro_Spec
Ice Cream Cone: Snow Bound
Poses by Lasaki

Purely Angelic Winter

Spellbound

The night is darkening round me,

The wild winds coldly blow;

But a tyrant spell has bound me

And I cannot, cannot go.

The giant trees are bending

Their bare boughs weighed with snow.

And the storm is fast descending,

And yet I cannot go.

Clouds beyond clouds above me,

Wastes beyond wastes below;

But nothing dear can move me;

I will not, cannot go.

~ Emily Bronte

Credits:

Skin:  .{Rue}. Skin'd/Anima Isabeal: Bare (DBr/Fr/Med) (NEW)

Hair:  Magika Hair // Luna

Eye Shadow, Lipstick, Blush and Teeth:  .:Glamorize:. Shattered - Lips Blush Eyes
Eye Glow: .{Rue}. Eye'd/Luminous: Iris
Eyelashes: Glow - Innocent. eyelashes - soft
Eyes: Moonshadow Eyes - Lifeless
Forehead Stars: Garage - Piercing 02(on chin)
Outfit: **Angelwing** Coin Silks White
Horns: lassitude & ennui Filigree horns silver
Location - Alirium
Poses by !bang

This is why I'm a scrooge

I'm not feeling the holiday spirit this year.  In fact, I'm a bit of a scrooge.  If I had a choice, I'd just skip the whole holiday season, but there are some awesome things going on that keep me from turning into an axe murder.  For example:

The RFL Quarantine: A Postapocolyptic Hunt:

This hunt runs from December 1st to the 31st and all proceeds benefit Relay for Life.  There are two paths - a human path and a hybrid path.  If you want to go on the human path, start at -=Forsaken=- and make a $100L donation to the RFL kiosk at the entrance.  From there, you will get a badge that will allow you to get ALL the hunt prizes from that path.  There are 83 stores on the human path and 62 stores on the mutant path (which starts at Pop Tart and Urban Assault -- SLURL)

-=Forsaken=- has this "Epic bat of skull smashingness" as their hunt gift.  It's probably a good idea to pick it up for this hunt.  You'll probably need it.

-=Forsaken=- is also participating in the A Very Scary Christmas Hunt.   Now, that is my kind of hunt!  You can get this Stabby Cane for absolutely free.  The hunt runs from December 1st to the 31st.  

I really hate it when that happens!

Another hunt to look forward to is a mini hunt at JeSyLiLo.  Just look for the letters hidden around the shop spelling out J e S y L i L o.  There are skins, tattoos, clothes, and even shoes there for free!

Now, I know what you're thinking at this point.  "Isabeal, those boots!  OMG!  They're kick ass!" And you're absolutely right.  They are!  They're a new release from -=Forsaken=-, and they are awesome.  I might never take them off.

Credits:

Skin: *JeSyLiLO*:::ZombiePopcorn:::*LightSkin*J1*BT (Free - ZombiePopcorn Hunt)

Stitches & Bruise Face Tattoo: *JeSyLiLO*::Tattoo.Face::*Bloodie.x2 (Free - JeSyLiLo Hunt)

Hair: POMME D'AMOUR / BALLET HAIR/ INTENSE BLACK (New Release)

Tattoo: *JeSyLiLO*::TaTToo::*JL.Essay (Free - JeSyLiLo Hunt)

Eyes: .ID. Light Sensitive/Clean - Light Green 

Lashes: Glow - Innocent. eyelashes - soft 

Candy Cane * Face Wound Tattoo: -=FORSAKEN=- Stabby Cane (Free - A Very Scary Christmas Hunt Prize)

Sweater: *JeSyLiLO*::Cold::*Black Jaket (f/M) (Free - JeSyLiLo Hunt)

Jeans: .: Somnia :. Cords {Black} {P} 

Necklace: Lolapop! Troika Necklace (only 25L for grand opening of Mabignion)

Boots: -=FORSAKEN=- Step on my fuckin' boots,I DARE ya! Red and Skull Crushers (New Release)

Poses by Status

To blog or not to blog

I am really thankful for all the wonderful designers in SL and for all the hard (and often under-appreciated/under-paid) work they do.  As a blogger, I can only do my little bit to support them by my purchases and perhaps some promotion via the feeds.  I blog in the hopes that someone else will see something from my post, think it is as cute as I do, and go out and support the creator.

So, I want to give an extra special thank you to the following creators who are responsible for this look:

Hair: Truth Hawks - >TRUTH< Rayne - platinum

Skin: LiLO Glom - *JeSyLiLO*:::Mona:::*PaleSkin*J1* ( Matte )

Teeth:  Mary Blaze (arriah.fiertze) - Medley  [M] Prim Teef

Eyes: audrey lamede - Insufferable Dastard - .ID. Light Sensitive/Clean - Dark Brown

Eyelashes:  Jocelyn Anatine - Glow Studio - Innocent. eyelashes - soft

Tattoo:   Annabelle Couturier - ~Cannibelle~ Danika ~ Faded Black Ink

Dress: Lo Dailey (lolita.dailey) - DK Designs-  Amy Cocktail Dress Pink

Shoes: Alice Demonia - Alice Project - *AP* Faelin Pumps (Mesh)
Necklace & Ring:  ℓυиα (lady.leonard) - Sweet Leonard/Needful Things - ::LEO-NT:: Strange Friends
Poses by Miyoko Magic of Helamiyo and Gidge Uriza of Status
Swirly Christmas Tree by Fairy Coage of Bound by Love

I made the shape.  If you absolutely love it and want to buy it, send me an IM.  I'll sell it to you cheap.  :-)

Go to Frick to Celebrate

Fricka Morgath of Frick Skins is celebrating her 3rd rez day with a wonderful free skin and sale.  Everything blue and red is 50% off her already crazy low prices.  Frick was one of the first shops I discovered in SL, and it has been one of my favorites ever since.  Happy rez day, Fricka!  And thank you for making SL so pretty.  :-)

Skin:  Frick - {Frick} Rezday Goodies in Noveria

Hair:  Shag - La Petite Mort - onyx

Eyelashes:  Glow Studio - Innocent eyelashes - soft

Necklace:  Primalot - The Rose (from Jewelery Fair)

Sweater:  Luck - Linc cashmere Top w/Longsleeve Black

Dress:  Frick - Mallard Leaves

Tights:  Bang Bang - Basic Wooly tights sombre black

Boots:  Animas Designs - Lady Biker Boots

Location:  Innsmouth

Playing with Shadows

So, I tried taking pics with shadows enabled in Emerald.  It didn't go as planned.  Whenever I took a picture using the viewer, the sky would turn black.  So, I had use"print screen."  Then, I tried to edit my pics in Photoshop, but for some reason, liquify...didn't.  So, these are completely raw SL pics - notice the lovely square elbow.  LOL.

I'm wearing some new items from WoE.  They are celebrating their move to a new sim.  The shirt is in the gacha and the jeans are a lucky chair prize.  They have tons of new releases!

The jewelry is a new release from ByKay.  It's the Kayla set in Blue and it goes really nicely with the WoE shirt, I think.  My shoes are also new from A-Bomb for the shoe fair.  They are only $150L and are named in honor of fellow blogger Khitten Kurka.

Credits:
Skin:  SPIRIT Skins 3.0 Missy Light - Nude, Black F
Hair:  Clawtooth - Louise Brooks - Black beauty
Eyes:  Sindecade - Wish Blue
Eyelashes:  Glow Studio - Innocent eyelashes - soft
Shirt:  WoE - Lunden Plaid Shirt Girls (Hunt Blue) and Winged Ribbed Tank
Jeans:  WoE - Lowrise Jeans (Peace Love Happiness)
Jewelry: ByKay - Kayla  - Blue (Set)
Shoes:  A-Bomb - Khitten Shoes - Leather/Thick Heel

P.S.  I noticed that my earrings were suffering from SL disappearing prim disease in the above photo, and they really are lovely, so I wanted to post a closeup so no one would think that I'm crazy (well, I am crazy, but more in an eccentric neighbor kind of way).  Click the picture for a larger size photo.

I found some cool stuffs

Why am I so addicted to long curly hair in SL?  That and little cute bobs?  It's my problem in RL, too.  I can't decide between the two, and I can't have both at the same time.  I really wish I could just change hair in RL like I do in SL.  This new hair from Analog Dog is great for pictures because it comes with a shoulder attachment so the hair flows in front and in back.

The boots are new from A-bomb.  The texturing is lovely, and the buckles and straps are sculpted.  I'm addicted to boots, too.  I like them so much better than the stilettos I see all over the grid.  I know avatar feet can't hurt, but psychologically, I still feel the pain of heels.  Strange, that is.

I got these cute little wrist cuffs from Ezura.  They can make any outfit fancy.  And this little dress is another one from Vesna.

Other finds of the day - this gorgeous black widow spider necklace from Moon Dance Designs - their 60L Sunday special.  Psssst...bit secret...you can find some wonderful deals on 60L Sunday.  It's not as well known, but I've found some real gems, and they put everything on Picasa so it makes shopping easier.

Finally, check out these eyes!  They're from Rosie's Thingies.  I love the red.  They go so well with my Sn@tch skin.  They make me feel all evil inside.  And, combined with that black widow spider, I know exactly what I need to do.  

Credits:
Hair - Analog Dog - Dive Jet
Skin - Sn@tch - Plush Skin (Tone 1-Bruise 2)
Eyes - Rosies Thingies - Antonia Blood Large
Dress - Vesna - Kate Dress black
Wrist Cuffs - Ezura - Crown Lolita Cuffs *Black Set
Stockings - Blowpop - Seamed Fishnet Tights-Black-Rip
Shoes - A-Bomb - Addison unisex boots
Necklace - Moon Dance Designs - Jeweled Spider Necklace
Eyelashes - Glow Studio - Innocent.eyelashes - soft

Poses - PDA (no longer available) and Everglow

The road to RUIN is always in good repair

I've long been a fan of House of Ruin, and now, Ruina Kessel is releasing some absolutely wonderful new eye sets and horns.  Her eyes are not ordinary by any stretch of the imagination.  They are not for the faint of heart.  They are not for soccer moms.  Her horns are almost sweet and subtle while maintaining that ever so perfect hint of evil.

What better to pair Ruina's eyes and horns, than with the new ::Vesna:: Kristina top and high waisted skirt and these killer heels from ByKay.  The textures on the Vesna outfit are gorgeous.  

I had to pull out some of my favoite demonic accessories to compliment the horns and eyes.  The claws are a Twisted Hunt gift from last fall from The Stringer Mausoleum. The skin is by the wonderfully amazing Fricka Morgath, and I pulled out my own necklace.

Below are some of my favorite new items from House of Ruin.  Please click the picture to see a larger and more detailed image of the eyes and horns.  The eyes come in sets of 5 for only L$100 and the horns come in sets of 7 for only L$280.  They are copy/mod.

The Archivist Horns and Tonic XXX Eyes;

The Chirurgeon Horns and Tonic Eyes

Credits:
Hair - I Love Olive - Starr Silver
Skin - Frick - Nemesis - Goth
Eyelashes - Glow Studio - Innocent eyelashes - soft
Claws - TSM - Twisted Nightmare Demon-Clawed Nails
Necklace - A Netherworld - I've Got a Backbone Necklace
Top - Vesna - Kristina Top black
Skirt - Vesna - Kristina Skirt black
Shoes - ByKay - Mayaka

Beware of my cold dark heart

Sangre Noir is another one of my favorite shops in SL.  I admire Noirran Marx's dreamy gothic style, and I have just discovered that she makes the best vampire teeth in SL.  While I normally consider my avatar to be more of a ghost than a vamp, I couldn't resist wearing her wonderful teeth!

Her style is very romantic and you can find lovely long romantic dresses that don't seem too ballroom gown-ish. They flow nicely and have beautiful details.  They're perfect for those of us who are romantic goths (what kind of goth are you?).  Don't I look like a hungry vampire?  You should definitely beware.  It's been ages since I've had a bite.  Come closer.  Let me whisper a secret into your ear.

There are beautiful romantic details in Noirran's designs.  These dresses feature lace sleeves, ribbons, bows, and full length skirts.  I look better when I've eaten, don't I?  You don't have to be afraid of me anymore.  I think I can control my appetite now.

I wanted to feature, close up, these vampire teeth that I love so much.  When you smile, laugh, or growl, the teeth stay set appropriately.  And the lovely Marilyn piercings that go with the teeth set, just add to the image of dark romance.

Even Norrain's more casual designs are romantic.  From flowers on pant legs to bare shoulders and roses on simple tops, there is something to keep all the romantic goths in SL happy, that is, until they get hungry again.  It's funny how, when you're a vampire, your existence is controlled by your desire to eat.  It's just that all of you mortals look so...yummy.

Taxi to Sangre Noir but beware of little goth girls standing in dark alleys.

I also want to mention I'm wearing a number of items from the Alt Fair.  I'm wearing skins from Sn@tch and IrEn, and jewelry from Lolapop. If you haven't been, yet, I highly recommend it.  There are many wonderful and exclusive items available, like the beautiful items I am wearing, that the designers have donated to Nothing but Nets.  It's a good cause.  Don't miss it.

Credits:
Photo 1
Top - Sangre Noir - Antique Lace Tunic Noir (modest)
Skirt - Sangre Noir - Gypsy Flexi Skirt Noir ankle length
Hair - Exile - Mercy/twilight
Skin - Iren - Evangeline ghost_noBT (at the Alt Fair)

Necklace - Lolapop! Blood Lust Necklace

Photo 2
Dress - Sangre Noir - 18
Skin - Iren Evangeline fair_eyeliner_noBT (at the Alt Fair)
Hair - Exile - Shirelle/Twilight
Necklace - Lolapop! Icon Choker Bronze Pearls (Alt Fair charity item)
Ring - Sangre Noir - Gothic Onyx Ring
Photo3
Top - Sangre Noir - Dark Roses Tunic
Jeans - Sangre Noir - Midnight and Roses Jeans
Skin - Sn@tch - Plush Skin (Tone 1-Bruse 2) (Alt Fair charity item)
Hair - Exile - Carly/twilight
Necklace - Lolapop! Bitten Choker
In all photos:
Eyes - House of Ruin - Spectrum: Velvet, Dark
Eyelashes - Glow Studio -  Innocent eyelashes - soft
Fangs/Piercings - Sangre Noir - Fangs and Piercings Marilyn
Nails - Sn@tch - Nail Candy (brick)

Forever Searching

When the evening falls

and the daylight is fading

From within me calls

Could it be I am sleeping?

For a moment I stray

then it holds me completely

Close to home, I cannot say

Close to home, feeling so far away

As I walk the room

there before me a shadow

From another world

where no other can follow

Carry me to my own

To where I can cross over...

Close to home, I cannot say

Close to home, feeling so far away

Forever searching, never right

I am lost in oceans of night

Forever hoping I can find memories

Those memories I left behind

Even though I leave

will I go on believing

that this time is real

- am I lost in this feeling?

Like a child passing through

Never knowing the reason

I am home, I know the way

I am home, feeling oh, so far away

From Enya, Watermark, "Evening Falls"

Credits:

Hair - VIXEN - Jasmine - EspressoCurls (group gift)

Skin - Gala Pheonix - :GP: Moonbeam [Dark]Cupid-Allure 2

Lashes - Glow Studio - Innocent. eyelashes - soft

Tattoo - moloko - Stardust Tattoo Female

Top - Sn@tch - Sister Velvet Top - Blood

Skirt - Sn@tch - Nightmare Skirt - Red

Fly Through the Air like a Silent Sparrow

In the Silent Sparrow lucky chair is a sweet little red and black outfit, the Sanguine set.  It is red, of course, but it also leaves one hopeful and optimistic, as it's name would suggest.

I'm also wearing the prize for pics top - the Sanguine Gutter Glitter top.  It was something I couldn't do without.  

Gutter Glitter is also a song by one of my favorite bands, Switchblade Symphony.  It's even my ringtone on my cell phone.  I'm such a geek (hence the wonderful necklace from Lolapop spelling out G33K with computer keys).

Credits:

Hair - !lamb. The Glow - Ink

Skin - :GP: Moonbeam Frex [Light] Cupid-Allure 2

Eyelashes - [ glow ] studio - Innocent. eyelashes - soft

Piercings - Virtual Insanity - IPEENCH PS (MM Prize)

Tattoo - Moloko - Stardust Tattoo

Necklace - Lolapop! G33k Keys Choker

Bra - ~silentsparrow~ (sanguine) gutter glitter half-top 03 (Prize for picks)

Outfit - ~silentsparrow~ Sanguine Lucky Bird Set (group only - 250L to join)

Shoes - *Fukmi* Looking Glass Flats (former hunt prize - may no longer be available)

Pose Prop - ~Scribble~ Pearl Trapeze 11 Poses DU3 Exclusive (no longer available)

I remember

I remember a poem I read long ago:

Beloved, lay your hands on my heart in it's gloom.

Do you hear that? Like tapping inside of a room?

A carpenter lives there with malice and glee.

He's building a coffin - a coffin for me.

He hammers and pounds with such fiendish delight,

I can never sleep, neither daytime or night.

Oh, carpenter, hurry the hours that creep;

Come, finish your labor - and then I can sleep.

                                             ~ Heine

Credits:

Eyelashes - Glow - Innocent, eyelashes - soft

Eyes - House of Ruin - Spectrum: Velvet, hollow
Necklace - Grim Bros - neckproteck (Midnight Mania Prize)
Shoes - N-core - 3" Ankle multicolor (Group Gift)
Tattoo - Moloko - Stardust Tattoo
Skin - Gala Pheonix - Moonbeam Frex [light] Cupid - Allure 1
Hair - Analog Dog - Delora Jet
Lip Piercing - Dreams - Pentagram Lip Rings Set (R)
Dress - Kissed by Lithium - Lorcet Black & Pink (R)

Bleeding Dust Storm at Twin Peaks

This morning on Plurk, Nominee's Munchflower Zaius reminded all of us (including Recidivist Sideways, who writes the best notecards, btw) that Valentine's Day is around the corner.  When I think of Valentine's Day, I think of broken hearts, love, and death.  It's not my favorite holiday.  So, what would be more appropriate than wearing bleeding dresses and bats?  This dress is from Nominee's new Dust Storm line of dresses, and it is perfect for my Valentine's Day dress.  If I get blood on it, no one will be able to tell!

Also new today is this little stabbity heart with bat wings necklace by Lolapop (formerly Otaku designs). The little heart can change colors to match your outfit, so you can have a knife through your heart no matter what you're wearing.  It's poetic!  And where else would I be thinking of stabbing and death than on the new Twin Peaks inspired sim Little Horrid Hill.

Take care, and keep those knives in your purses, ladies (yes, I've seen those purse pictures.  I'm not the only one stabbity around here).

Hair - Raspberry Aristocrat - [RA] Chai Anxiety Hair - Berry Soulmate
Outfit - Nominee - Dust Storm Dress- BleedingBlack
Boots - Edge Grafica - Engineer Boots (only 1L)
Skin - Sn@tch - Plush Skin (Tone 1-Autumn)
Necklace - Lolapop (formerly Otaku Designs) - La muerte de un vampiro Necklace
Lip Piercing - Mi Pop - black double lip piercing
Eyes - House of Ruin - Spectrum: Moss
Eyelashes - Glow Studio - Innocent, eyelashes - soft

Hump Day Sn@tch

Sn@tch has this beautiful little pink dress for sale exclusively for 69L Hump Day.  The sculpted skirt has terrific movement when you walk and the textures are outstanding.   Ivey Deschanel is one of my favorite designers in SL.  I love her style and her sass.  

I'm wearing some of my favorite accessories with this outfit.  The hat is from tomoto, the skull collar is from the lovely Sanura Snowpaw's shop Dreams.  She is really one of the sweetest people around and very much deserves success.  The sword necklace is from Lostwood and the boots are from HOC.  They are color change and can match just about any outfit.  I am such a fan of these boots!

I took the photos at a lovely sim called Petit Pas.  There will soon be a grand opening within the next couple weeks, but for now, it's a beautiful place to just be a tourist.

Style Notes:
Outfit - Sn@tch - Velveteen (Hot Pink Humpday)
Skin - Tuli - Hope (goth) 08
Hair - Lamb - Bang Bang Bob - Ink
Hat - tomoto - Tartan voile gothique
Necklace - Lostwood - Magical Sword Chain
Collar - Dreams - Skull Buckle Collar
Boots - HOC Apparel - Knee Boots
Eyes - House of Ruin - Spectrum: Moss
Eyelashes - Glow Studio - Innocent, eyelashes - soft
Poses by Everglow

LOTD 1/25/10

I have a thing for cute little bobs.  This new hair from I Love Olive gives me a little bit of a finger wave in my bob.  It's a bit of a softer look.  To balance it out, I paired the bobbed hair with a skull tank from +grasp+ that I picked up during the Creator's Stamp Rally last month.  This new necklace is a hunt gift from LacieCakes.  I chew on my necklaces in RL, too.  :-)

Hair - I Love Olive - Ettie/Jet black
Skin - L. Fauna - {Lapine, Pale 1}[Mulberry-FR]
Eyelashes - Glow - Innocent, eyelashes - soft
Bracelets - Sn@tch - No. 9 Bracelets (Skulls & Metal)
Boots - Coco - Knee-Highboots
Capris - Aleida - Gulu Capri - dark black
Tank - Grasp - Stone Skull Cami/bk+rd
Tattoo - Oddment - batty little tattoo
Necklace - LacieCakes - Piper NomNom Necklace/Piper Necklace (Jubilee Sim Hunt - thank you SL Schnaeppchen Hunt)