Piece by piece.

Pose : Foxcity Flowers-1 (Tweaked with Animare, Facial expression thanks to the Axix hud from Lelutka)

Decor/Props : {moss&mink} Whispers - Naughty (Gacha) (Mug in hand)

Kenvie - Raindeer - Black Red Horns

Peaches - A Raven's Feast Hot Chocolate Bar @ FaMESHed (Note - this is part of a Collaboration between Moss&Mink & Peaches, and I've currently only included the Peaches collection. Keep your eyes peeled for the Moss&Mink part in the future!)

Includes : A Raven's Feast  - Chalk Board

A Raven's Feast  - Chocolate Chips

A Raven's Feast  - Cinnamon Sugar

A Raven's Feast  - Cup Stand

A Raven's Feast  - Side Table (Includes variations with draped blankets)

A Raven's Feast  - Straws

A Raven's Feast  - Syrups

A Raven's Feast  - Whipped Cream

A Raven's Feast - Hot Chocolate Dispenser (Includes colour variations)

A Raven's Feast - Marshmellows

I'm a pretty proud person, and sometimes in the past, my pride has definitely gotten in the way of me making progress both in SL & RL.

Today I questioned myself, and whether my pride was a reason I haven't excelled as far as I would have liked in terms of blogging and/or Photography.

My main reason for beginning this journey was to prove to someone else I could do it MY way. I feel like I've done that, but honestly, it's unlikely that they even notice, let alone care, that I am still blogging three years later.

However, along the way I discovered a passion for photography (still in progress!), and when I finally felt like I could maybe write occasionally in my blog, I discovered it to be a fabulous form of therapy and far better to help me find myself than the professionals I've seen (shh, I'm broken!).

There are a few things I get frustrated at when I speak about "SL Bloggers", and those are assumptions made. I've seen a lot of it, and in certain circles these assumptions are most definitely prevalent, read on for my feelings on the nonsense!

a. Bloggers only want free shit.

* In my world, I love free shit. However, I don't want free shit I feel I am undeserving of, or free shit that I don't absolutely adore. It took me three months of (almost) daily blogging to even consider reaching out to creators for sponsorship, because I wanted to be taken seriously and even now, I only apply to stores that I genuinely love. I have been asked to blog for a couple of stores and events too, and that's always ALWAYS incredibly flattering. I'm lucky enough to feel like I'm at a point where I can decide whether that particular store or event has the quality I want to showcase in my 'work'.

b. Bloggers only make friends with creators they want free shit from.

* I have never made friends with someone purely to become a someone in their life to forward my blog, myself, or for any reason other than friendship. Three years into my blog, and I feel like I'm only genuine friends with maybe three creators. I have respect and admiration for the others, and while I won't throw away a future friendship with anyone, I will never approach someone for personal gain. It IS something I witness often though, but it works both ways, and when you're in any type of community it makes sense that you would hang out more with people that are inside that community with you, and that's cool... but I think sometimes it gets forgotten that there are people outside of these groups that still have a pull or an audience just as important as the 'clique'.

c. All bloggers are snobs.

* Let's be honest, I have my moments! I will however be polite and respectful so long as I feel that is being reciprocated. I am only human and I have no doubt I have a reputation of being a bit stand-offish, but that's not a reflection of anyone else but far more because like almost everyone who has been in SL for an extended period of time, I have been bitten more times than I can count. I am far more introverted than I have ever been, and getting me to open up or to be comfortable in anyone's company is a challenge, especially when I feed off energies and again, people have perceptions of who you should be based on what they have heard.

There's probably many more assumptions I haven't addressed, but this was getting a bit long!

Anyway.

Back to my original point of being prideful... I don't think I am -currently- being proud, if constructive criticism was ever offered, I would most definitely be up for a discussion and I much prefer that to mindlessly blowing smoke up my ass!

I would rather progress frustratingly slow, than throw myself at people to be a fake version of myself simply for a broader audience and "better" content. The current sponsors I have are fantastic - and trust me, there's been a couple of nightmares, but mostly I feel like I have been extremely lucky!

I hope that I have found my moral compass in regards to the way I want to behave, be seen, and the presence I want to have in other people's lives.

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet: -Belleza- Freya

Head & Eyeliner : GENUS Project (babyface)

Skin : . MILA . Neave Skin [Honey] GENUS @ Vanity Event

Eyes :   LOTUS. Sparkle Eyes (mesh)  @ Vanity Event

Hairbase : Just Magnetized - Essential Hairbase - set 05 for OMEGA

Hair : #Foxy - Ari. 

Choker : Messy. Saint Choker Monster

Tattoo : DAPPA - Babygirl Tattoo. @ Equal10

Outfit : .miss chelsea. Oria @ Equal10

Shoes : #EMPIRE - Aquamarine (previously at N21)

C'mere!

Pose : Foxcity. Sits Vol3-5 (Fatpack exclusive)

Background &  Props : .:Joplino:. Backdrop Lazy Nights @ Backdrop City

+Half-Deer+ Corgi Puppy - Lazy Friends (Gacha)

+Half-Deer+ Dog Clutter - Pink - Toy Rubber Ball

+Half-Deer+ Dog Clutter - Pink - Leash on Floor

+Half-Deer+ Dog Clutter - Pink - Toy Bone

BUENO-Pizza Boxes (Gacha)

+Half-Deer+ Fast Food Clutter - Spilled Soda Drink (Red)

+Half-Deer+ Fast Food Clutter - Soda Drink (Red)

Whenever I feel like I can't people successfully, I pet.

It doesn't usually happen for long periods of time, mostly just a couple of hours, but recently, I've kind of started to absolutely adore being a puppy.

I know there's a D/s term for this nonsense, but I don't have a Dominant, nor am I looking - mostly because I have a Jake, and having a Jake (luckily with a Punky attached) has been far more successful for me than having an official Dominant!

When I'm a puppy, or a kitty, or a faun, or any other kind of animal-style-thingy-ma-bob, it's entirely probable that I'm feeling slightly more vulnerable. There doesn't have to be a particular reason for my vulnerability and often, there isn't ONE reason for it... it's a culmination of things that just make me want to retreat slightly and stand at the edge of the crowd rather than finding myself central to the action. It's my time to reflect.

Where many true Babygirls may have 'little space', I find myself to be better suited to 'pet space'. I suppose both are a bit weird if you don't understand the concept!

Oddly enough, when I feel in a 'pet' kind of mood, I also feel more creative - which leads on from what I was saying a couple of days ago. Somehow being vulnerable, or allowing myself to feel the way I need to in order to heal myself, I am far more able to feel like 'me' despite the fact that my avatar might run around with a tail and ears.

I'm a bizarre little Pickle, and ultimately, I suppose I'm just glad I'm able to have this outlet to throw out my random ventings and occasionally pretty pictures!

Wishing you love and light!

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : TRES BEAU MAKEUP CATWA BAE

Head : CATWA Lona

Eyes : {S0NG} :: Bubble Eyes 

Tears : Dirty Secrets ~ Bento Tears 

Eyebrows : Bossie. sarah eyebrows 

Ears : L'Etre - Basic mesh ears 

Puppy Ears : c h i m e r a . Dog Ears (Made for Furry avatars and resized, SCULPTED not mesh)

Bindi : TONY -- Sailor Scouts Moon Jewel (No longer available, but there's a lot similar!)

Goggles : Kenvie - vintage Goggles - Black RARE (gacha)

Hair : little bones. Alias @ Equal10

Tattoo : DAPPA - Apex Tattoo. @ Equal10

Collar : .random.Matter. - Cermet Collar - Do Not Feed

Shirt & Pants : EVANI - Jenny @ Kustom9

Nails : -SU!- Livana Nails .GothBabe. 

Sneakers : REPRESENT - Holy Grails "Classic"

I choose to believe.

Pose : *!R.O!* Renew BENTO Pose (Note, this pose comes with a bird, I just swapped it out)

Robin : MishMish - Robins in the snow 

Location : Luane's World

Spoons.

Many of my friends know and understand the term and I feel like it should be a universal term for, well, everyone.

The original article is >here< and it's written in relation to Lupus. However, I feel like it should be noted that no matter who you are, you have a limited amount of spoons, daily.

The basic gist of the article is that you need a physical representation of the amount of energy you use each day. This could be spoons... this could be coins, basically, anything you can easily find multiples of. Each day, you are assigned a certain amount of "spoons". Let's say today, you have 12. That's a fair amount of spoons! Now what are you going to do with them?

For every activity you do today, you're going to give a spoon away.

Got out of bed? I'll take a spoon.

Brushed your teeth? I'll take another.

Showered? More spoons!

Gotten dressed? Yep. That'll be a spoon, please.

And the day kinda goes on like this.

The idea is to end up with no spoons, and no activities left to do. If you run out of spoons but for example, still need to take the rubbish out of the house, or a friend calls around unexpectedly and you have to act as a host for a while, you can borrow against your spoons for the next day - but that's going to leave you with less activities available for you tomorrow.. so you need to be extra careful you're not running on empty!

Sometimes, you have to do just that, which kind of leaves you in a difficult position.

Do you continue trying to do everything? Or do you take a rest-day and recover your spoons?

I love the idea of this "Spoon Theory". For me (and many around me) it makes mental illness, pain management & general day-to-day life so much easier to explain. Within my little group of people, if we're not in the mood to talk, we just use the term "I don't have enough spoons today", and we instantly understand each other and give the space that's needed, or offer support if necessary.

I like to think you can earn spoons back, too. Say you ask for help, maybe it's something as simple as you're hurting when you're putting your coat on, or you have a nagging issue you'd like some advice with. Having someone to help you with your coat, or offer a friendly ear could be a way of making you feel better, and thus grasping at a shiny new spoon to spend elsewhere that day.

It's really helped me in terms of having people understand why sometimes I just can't people. Hopefully, it'll help you, too.

All of the things :

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Essences - Rachel 

Head : CATWA Catya

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eyes :  LOTUS. Lovely Eyes @ The Chapter Four

Brows : Viena :: Perfect Eyebrows Brown @ Bodyfy 

Blush : Izzie's - Winter Blush (Former Gift)

Ears Hairband : Included with the +Spellbound+ Honey hair

Hair : Tableau Vivant \\ December @ Collabor88

Collar : Kenvie - Gold Ring Choker - Brown (You can get a version of this collar FREE @ Consent!)

Dress & Cardigan : =Zenith=Cardigan Sweater with Shirt Dress @ Kustom9 (Opens 15th Dec) (Note : If you have ANY type of boobs, this dress is going to flatten them. I mean pancake flat.)

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

NailPolish : alme.   Fall Palette II - Shiny 

Rings : Amala - The Lumi Stacking Rings 

Bracelet/Watch : E-Clipse Fiocco Watch (Former Gift)

Counting to fifty.

Pose : <K&S ~Leonard~ Pose 1 1

Location : Consent (Adult)

Man-Pickle Monday has become one of my favourite days of the week.

It's a chance for me to throw myself into the deep end and attempt something completely different. Many times I've bought an item and thought "That'd look amazing on a guy!" or "This says it's for men, but let me just throw it on my girl av anyway."

When dressing a girl, it's fairly easy. Our choices are far less limited than the males of SL, and that's kind of how Man-Pickle was born.

He's been a semi-regular on this blog for a while now, and he's even featured in some friends pictures & blog posts. The only thing that is mildly irksome is that I can't be both Man-Pickle and Girl-Pickle at the same time, so there's no pictures of us together as yet! I think I'll work on that, maybe in the future I'll be talented enough to make it happen!

I'm never sure if I've made him look "Manly" enough. I mean, sure, he's obviously a dude, but for a long time I struggled with his facial features... particularly the eyes. They just never looked like man-eyes and always had an air of femininity. This skin, however.. let me just say I would!!

A few of these items are at TMD (The Men's Dept), and that's closing within the next few days, so make sure you hurry and grab the goodies!

All of the things :

Body & Hands : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body (updated to 4.4 sent automatically)

Head Skin : [theSkinnery] Ralph (Catwa Applier) @ The Mens Dept.

Body Skin : Clef de Peau.Body 

Head :  CATWA HEAD Stanley 

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

Ears : [theSkinnery]  Human Ears 

Piercings :  -SU!- Piercing Set 05 

Beard : Beusame // Beard V29 

Hair base : Stealthic - Male Hairbase 

Hair : Stealthic- Hunter

Necklace : [VEX] 24inch Herringbone Necklace @ The Mens Dept.

Tattoo : DAPPA - Da Vinci Tattoo.

Shirt : DAPPA  - TDC - Trip. @ Men Only Monthly (Note: Check out the other designs available!)

Bracelet : Kenvie - Lion Bracelet @ The Mens Dept.

Pants : BlankLine TightColorPants @ The Mens Dept.

Sneakers : [VALE KOER] HEATUP SNEAKERS 

Close up! ♥

Making my own history.

Pose (Left) : FOXCITY - Observe 5

Pose (Right) & Fish & Glass : *!R.O!* Snack BENTO Pose

Background : anxiety %september

All of the things : 

Left :  Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : CATWA Lona 

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Hair : *barberyumyum*94

Ears : L'Etre Horn mesh ears

Makeup : -[TWC]- La Lune

Kitty Ears : Evermore. Animated Neko Ears 

Whiskers : .ARISE. Kittie Mesh Whiskers

Rat on head & In hand : Schadenfreude Looking Up Rattie & Flopped Rattie (Gacha) @ Kawaii Project

Collar :  Sweet Thing. Sweet White Kitten Collar

Shine : -[TWC]- Shy Lover Blush -Pale-

Bikini : [sYs] TINY bikini

Corset : Mossu - Temptress.Corset (Gacha)

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

Nail Polish : Hello Dave - Nail Appliers - Astralia - The French One (Free Gift @ Astralia)

Tail : Sweet Thing. Fuwa Tail (Bento) 

Socks & Shoes : Phedora ~Meggi Heels (Formerly @ C88, please allow time to move to mainstore)

Right : Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : CATWA Lona 

Eyelids : Slink Mesh eyelids (No longer available in store, but if you ask really nicely in a note, you MIGHT get them from slink customer service like I did on an alt *coughs*)

Kitty Ears : Evermore. Animated Neko Ears 

Whiskers : PEACHES. - 14. Whiskers (Gacha)

Freckles : [okkbye] Faux Freckles From a previous Powder Pack

Hair : #Foxy - Morgana. @ Salem
Goggles : Kenvie - vintage Goggles - White RARE (Gacha)

Collar : Kibitz - Leather collar kitten (Gacha)

Bodysuit : ..S..: Diamonte Bodysuit (Gacha) @ Industrie

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

Nail Polish : Hello Dave - Nail Appliers - Astralia - The French One (Free Gift @ Astralia)

Belt : [The Forge] Arwen's Belt, Female (Black)

Tail : Sweet Thing. Neko Tail (Bento) 

Shoes :  #EMPIRE  - Calla @ Kustom9

Taste you.

Pose : . MILA . POSES // Heini 3 @ The Vintage Fair

Background : BUENO-Red Hall @ Kustom9

All of the things :

Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Glam Affair - Lilo Applier

Head : CATWA Lona 

Eyes : {S0NG} :: Vampy

Eyeshadow : Veechi - Dazzle Liner [Catwa]
Lipstick : [PF] CATWA LIPSTICK Applier - Glossy Pout (Colors)
Septum : .01 [ kunst ] - Orbit piercing RARE (Gacha) @ Kustom9 

Hair : Moon. Hair. // Melpomene From May Luxe Box
Glasses : Kenvie - Invader Sunglasses 

Tattoo : DAPPA -  Smite Tattoo @ ManCave (June 18th)

Shirt : .AiShA. Lavin Top Reduced Price @ Redeux

Hand Jewels : Amala - The Robyn Hand Bracelet @ Kustom9
Rings : The Robyn Stacking Rings @ Kustom9 

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

Nail Polish : Hello Dave - Nail Appliers - Astralia - The French One (Free Gift @ Astralia)
Bracelets : [The Forge] Gypsy Bangle Reduced Price @ Redeux
Skirt & Panties : EVANI - Deanna  @ Kustom9 
Garters & leg chains : PHEDORA / Leg Chains Caelia
Shoes : Glamistry - ZINNIA Heels

The speed of light.

Pose : FOXCITY. Night Owl-3m 

Background & Prop :  anxiety %aperture @ The Chapter Four

[Kres] Shine on signs - Distance (Gacha)

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : : Insol: Yolo Gacha #RARE @ The Epiphany

Head : CATWA Lona 

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Applier : LOTUS. Bliss Eyes (Catwa) @ LTTL SMLL STYL

Eyeshadow : Veechi - Salt Water Shadow

Freckles : [okkbye] Faux Freckles From January's  Powder Pack

Ears : ^^Swallow^^ Gauged Ears

Hair : #Foxy - Grind Hair @ Kustom9

Collar : Kenvie - Gold Ring Choker -@ The Dark Style Fair

Tattoo : DAPPA   - Blues Tattoo @ The Chapter Four

Shirt : BUENO-Rucy Tops- @ Kustom9

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

Nail Polish : Hello Dave - Nail Appliers - Astralia - The French One (Free Gift @ Astralia)

Skirt : {MYNX} Jean Skirt - Riot 

Shoes : Phedora  ~ Kylie heels ~ @ Romp 

Almost.

Pose : Wrong - Male Poses with bento hands.

Background : RAMA - #selfie_RAMA Modern Garage (Gacha)

All of the things : 

Body & Hands : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body

Skin : Bold & Beauty .: Homme :. Xin (Catwa Applier)

Head :  CATWA HEAD Daniel

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes

Eye Applier : ZORA - KANY EYES (CATWA APPLIER)Eyebrow & Scar : VYC - Slash  Men Only Hunt 9 FREE
Ears :   ^^Swallow^^  Rox Ears
Hair & Base : Action Inkubator Hair Theo
Necklace : Kenvie - Diesel Necklace
Shirt : Razor/// B4s3b4ll Shirt - S0oh.Tr4ash Men Only Hunt 9 FREE
Pants : *UNKWN* - 5710 Denim @ Men Only Monthly
Boots : [ VERSOV ] BLENDOV_BOOTS

Bound to happen.

Pose : MILA . POSES // 25

Props : {moss&mink} Chaise sofa

{moss&mink} Drop Curtain

{moss&mink} Roses lamp

{moss&mink} Side table

All available @ SaNaRae

All of the things :

Body & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara  

Skin : Insol: 2 IN 1 skin Diana, ST 'Peach' @ Uber

Head : CATWA Lona 

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes

Eye Applier : ZORA - KANY EYES (CATWA APPLIER)
Eyeshadow : Veechi - Rita Shadow [Glam] (Gacha)
Eyelashes : [okkbye] Amaris Eyelashes (CATWA) From March Powder Pack
Lipstick :  [PF] CATWA LIPSTICK Applier - Glossy Nudes From January Powder Pack
Hair : Tableau Vivant \\ Thea [frizzy chic] @ Project Se7en
Collar : *ATHOR* - Choker
Tattoo : -7P-Henna Applier
Romper : BUENO-Romper @ Uber
Hands : -VA-F-VISTA BENTO PROHANDS
Nails : #EMPIRE - Coffin Nails - Medium
Nail Polish : Veechi - Mirror Pigment Nails
Shoes : Kenvie - Roma Heels @ Shoetopia

Thrown.

 

Pose : MILA . POSES // 67

Background : RAMA - #selfie_RAMA Error Display (Gacha)

All of the things : 

Body : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara  

Skin : ItGirls - Catwa Skin Applier - Rosa @ Skin fair (10th March)

Head : CATWA Lona @ Skin fair (10th March)

Eye applier : LOTUS. Formation Eyes (Gacha)

Eyebrows : Bossie. sarah eyebrows [catwa] @ Skin fair (10th March)

Lashes : [okkbye] Lithe Eyelashes (CATWA) @ Skin fair (10th March)

Eyeliner : Veechi - Obsession Liner

Lipstick : Just Magnetized - Gardenia Lipstick for CATWA (gloss)

Ears :  ^^Swallow^^  Gauged Ears
Hair : #Foxy - Mondaze Hair (Grayscales) @ Versus Event

Collar & Bracelets : **RE** Mara Set @ Shiny Shabby

Shirt : Tee*fy Brooklyn Top - Nope @ N21

Hands : -VA-F-VISTA BENTO PROHANDS  

Nails : *PL* bento nail 

Rings : **RE** Luxy Rings Set @ Chapter Four 

Skirt : JamBee > Clothes > Sheer Panel Mini Skirt @ Whore Couture

Feet : Slink Avatar Enhancement Feet Deluxe (High)

Shoes :  Kenvie - Maroco Heels @ Whore Couture