Your spell.

Location : de*cid*u*ous

In this photo I'm wearing the new skin from Essences available at Kustom9. I absolutely freakin' love Essences skin, and they have been a staple in my life since my Pickle avatar was created (and before that, too). Needless to say it's an honor to be permitted to blog for the brand. The lips on this skin are EVERYTHING for me, they just look so soft and pouty, and that's something I enjoy immensely. This is the Pale01 tone, and it's the palest of the regular tones which I favour during the winter months. I've previously mentioned the eyebrow colours too, and Essences include black, brown, red, ginger, blonde & no brow options in every release. 

My eyes are by Lotus, I'm using the catwa applier version on my unrigged catwa eyes.

With Lotus, you can absolutely guarantee perfect eyes every time. Her textures are flawless, and the closer you get to the eyes, the more detail you see. There's also an amazing shine on the eye without even using the materials option on the viewer. All her eyes have a different colour-palette and are completely different, in incredibly subtle ways. These Escapism eyes are exceptional and if you can pair them with the catwa eyes with the dilating pupils, it brings them to life in a very special way.

The glasses are from #Shook. I was directed to this store by a friend, and immediately decided I loved the quality. These are the Lunari glasses, and on popping them on my face, I squealed. The frames are SO delicate that I imagine they would feel very light on my head haha.

Lastly, if you haven't visited the "deciduous" sim, you really should. It's beautiful!

All of the things :

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Essences - Cinnamon @ Kustom9

Head : CATWA Catya

Shape : Kaleidoscope : Believe Shape 

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eyes :  LOTUS. Escapism Eyes - Catwa @ District 20

Hair : *Tentacio* Winter Bunny. Kioky hair (Gacha) @ Kustom9

Glasses : #SHOOK - Lunari Sunglasses 

Ears : ^^Swallow^^ Pixie Ears 

Choker : Burial. Puppy Choker @ Limit8

Scarf : .S&S. Soopascarf

On a completely unrelated note, today is Consent's big "Very Zombie Christmas" Event.

It starts at 5pm SLT and will go until 11pm SLT. I have an absolute TON of pressies to give out, and the Dj line-up is DEFINITELY showcasing some of the best in SL.

Dress up in Christmas Zombie items to be eligible for prizes & surprises!

TP to Consent  > Here <

Not even mad.

Pose : Imitation - Ally 6 B

Background : MINIMAL - Illusion II - *7* (Gacha)

I think we've all been in a position where we've heard a story about a person, stored the story in the back of our head having made a snap decision and then got to know the person in question, thus realizing the story was correct, or in fact very very false.

I can be super judgmental, and I'm the first to admit this. However, I will give someone the benefit of the doubt. Second chances are handed out like candycanes for me, depending on the length of time that has passed (I see it as scope for growth), or the severity of the first 'mistake'.

I do get it wrong, sometimes. I am human. There are times I have let the same people make the same fool of me over and over, to the point I know those I care about want to shake me, or I'll go the other way and cut someone off who really doesn't deserve it, purely because it's easier for me to leave them first, or because they're engaging with other people that I consider to be difficult.

Sometimes, the stories you're hearing aren't being told for you to formulate an opinion on, but for the teller to arrange facts in their own head. I know when I 'bitch' or 'vent' I'm doing it not because I actually think that-person-I-don't-know is an idiot, but because I need to make sense of the situation.

Most of the things I say aloud to friends, I will also say out loud to the person my rant pertains to.

Anyway. I guess I'm rambling because I heard a bad thing about a person who I consider to be good.

I questioned them.

Their response enabled me to figure out "my" side of their truth.

Maybe you'll afford someone the same opportunity one day.

Perhaps their truth will be something you can handle, or maybe you'll simply move on alone.

All of the things :

Body & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : LAQ Bento - Motion Capture - Scarlet 

Skin : -Glam Affair - Lola Applier - LAQ Head @ Kustom9

Eyes : LOTUS. Brilliant Eyes @ Pocket Gacha 

Bindi & Nose Ring : :: SAGA :: Wonderland Jewel Set @ Kustom9

Hair : #Foxy - Whip Hair (Formerly @ N21)

Tattoo : *Bolson / Willem @ TMD

Sweater & Bra : BUENO-Half Hoodie -Mat-Bye Torn @ Kustom9

Pants :  .:villena:. - Track Pants @ District 20

Sneakers : *Tentacio* Winter Bunny. bunny sneakers (Gacha) @ Kustom9

Tell me how you feel.

Pose : *CNZ* Kinky Santa 01 (Mirror) @ Ebento

Held Decorations : {moss&mink} Baubleicious! (Gacha) @ Tannenbaum

Christmas Tree : {moss&mink} All that Glitters - Christmas Tree (pastel) RARE (Gacha) @ The Arcade

Chair : {moss&mink} Daydream Chair @ District20

Rug : _CandyDoll_Fancy Rug Rose

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."

Appearances can be deceptive.

I've learned that you really can't judge a book by it's cover. As much as I love to see a fully put together avatar, I'm far more open to finding a fully put together heart now. 

For me, outside appearances are now a bonus.

I would rather meet a new player with a pure heart than an old player with a twisted mind and some pretty pixels.

Trusting is no longer easy, for many of us. We have been burned. We have been mislabelled by reactions we've had to situations caused by the malice of others. We're pigeon holed by those labels and fight to free ourselves daily. While I believe we are many things to many people, the only person who ever has a chance of really understanding us, is ourselves. Unless, we open up.

I want nothing more than to continue being brave, opening up to people and allowing them in. Encountering all their pain, and molding it with mine in a bitter sweet reminiscence that brings us close. Not sheltering each other, but leaning against each other and saying "I understand." Because with most situations you have encountered, another would have been there too.

I'm incredibly grateful to the people I have met lately.

You have all taught me to be strong, and have unintentionally assured me that yes, there IS still good. Yes, there ARE still people who believe in the basic morality of humanity and consideration to others and their lives.

Live your way, but do it respectfully.

All of the things :

Body & Feet : -Belleza- Freya 

Head : LAQ Bento - Motion Capture - Scarlet 

Skin : Insol: face Vera, ST03 'Peach' 

Ears :  ^^Swallow^^ Rox Ears 

Birthmark : [okkbye] bold birthmarks

Eyes :  -SU!-Delora Eyes Fatpack /ULTRARARE/ (Gacha) 

Headpiece : *LODE* Head Accessory - Hibiscus [white] @ The Chapter Four

Hair : TRUTH HAIR Olympia

Glasses : .tsg. Shy Megane 

Nipple Chain : Messy. Gem Barbells Nipplechain 

Hands : Slink Hands - Dynamic

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

Nail Polish : Hello Dave - Nail Appliers - Astralia - The French One

Fishnets :Bossie. diamond fishnet tights 

Panties : Blueberry - Tinker Panties 

Shoes : #EMPIRE - Sundrop 

Just like you.

Pose :  FOXCITY.  Play Ball-4m

Location :  Consent (Adult)

Chicken! : JIAN Chicken Collection

I was just passing, but I couldn't resist picking up these adorable lil chooks!

I know, I know! I'm not even dressed for it, but my mouth started watering at the thought of some freshly laid eggs with my bacon in the morning, and let's face it, EVERYTHING is better with bacon!

Breakfasts are weird. I mean, it's not weird to eat breakfast, but English Breakfasts are often depicted as weird, and that's cool. To be perfectly frank, I have never understood the idea of putting chips (fries) on your plate before lunch time! We also have the habit of eating beans for breakfast. Not the green type, but the baked beans in tomato sauce type. This has never seemed odd to me, but since I've been using SL & have connected with Americans in particular, I've noticed it's definitely not the norm.

Of course there are things that even I won't touch - I don't want to know what Black/Blood Pudding is, but it looks and smells disgusting. Not for me, thank you!

In my house growing up, it was rare we had a full English breakfast, we were used to toast and cereal in the morning. If we were getting a treat, we'd have a pop tart, or maybe some Eggy Bread (French Toast) or on days where it was expected to be really cold, Porridge (Oats).

I'm really hungry now, enjoy some LMs to cool fashion finds while I wander off to grab something to fill my belly!

All of the things :

Body: -Belleza- Freya 

Skin : Essences - Luz @ Shiny Shabby

Head : CATWA Lona

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Applier : LOTUS. Fairylight Eyes @ Tannenbaum

Eyeliner & Lipstick : Found in your CATWA hud

Birthmark : [okkbye] bold birthmarks

Hair : .Entwined. Sura @ N21

Hairband/Cat Ears & Choker : #Foxy - Lace Corset Choker & Ears

Glasses : DAZED. Concubine Glasses Gold

Tattoo : *Bolson / Tattoo - Mikhail

Jacket : SEUL - Robyn Puffer @ District 20

Shirt : .:villena:. - Stripe Bralette @ District 20

Pants : EVANI - Bubble leggins @ Kustom9

Shoes : [VALE KOER] 7 PREPPY SHOES (Gacha)