It's not over.

Pose : Go&See * BeMineValentine * Couple Pose @ Chapter Four (Hidden Chapter)

So I'm not gonna lie, I had a whole lot more planned for the above photograph. I originally green-screened the thing, but somewhere along my process I was smart enough to make the background white, despite cutting the green out, and by the time I'd figured out I'd royally effed up it was too late. I tried to do the whole "Let's cut around this picture" thing, but honestly, i'm not mad at how this came out, so you're just gonna be kinda stuck with your bog-standard blank background postie, and rest assured that I am still trying to learn allthenewthings and do sometimes make mistakes (shh! If anyone I know finds out I said that my reputation as a hard-ass, no-nonsense perfectionist will be ruined!).

There's a bunch of cool stuff shown in this pic today, and I want to start with the Saga jewelry set. I applied to blog for this brand thinking there was absolutely no way in heck that I'd be accepted, and honestly, I am stunned and overwhelmed with the fact that I was chosen to represent them. The quality is amazing, and trust me, because I'm picky af. Not only are there amazingly intricate mesh designs, but there's also some fabulous hud colours, of both the metals and the butterfly-wings on the earrings. I can't do these justice, but I can and will shout to the high heavens about the value you are getting when you purchase these items. Seriously. The heart-hands are appropriate!

I fell in love with this set of eyes from Lotus. I blogged them yesterday, and as usual, I'm left wondering if I'll ever want to take them out of my head (Things you can only say in reference to SL, huh?), this colour specifically was perfect for me, and the toning... uggghh, again, heart hands! There are plenty to chose from, and they're available in gacha form, so they're perfect for gifting or exchanging.

The cute little knotted tee is by Miss Chelsea. It's a free group gift and comes with a 4 colour hud. Did you see what I wrote? FREE. GROUP. GIFT. Run!! Grab it, pick it up! Miss Chelsea can barely do wrong in my eyes, their mesh has always been high quality & their textures are sublime, so grab the group, grab the freebies (there's more than just this shirt on the counter!!) and make sure you stay updated so that you can be as addicted as I am!

A lot of the time, dressing casually causes me great pains, but this outfit came together surprisingly easily once I'd added the Foxy hair. Part of me always wants to fatpack Foxy, because they're another brand that I absolutely adore, and are completely on my blogger bucket list. I have watched them expand from adorable little accessories which were always must have pieces, to the mega-hair-brand they now are, and it's been wonderful to watch the progress & the following the brand has garnered. 

Check out the LMs of everything, along with unedited pictures below. ♥

All of the things : 

Body Hands : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Moccino - Catwa Skin Applier - Maria

Head : CATWA Lona

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Applier : LOTUS. Origin Eyes @ Pocket Gacha 

Eyeliner : Veechi - White Waterline Liner [Catwa] @ Rewind 

Birthmark : [okkbye] bold birthmarks

Ears : Random.Matter - Haruhi Ears

Hair : #Foxy - Kels Hair @ Kustom9

Earrings :  :: SAGA ::  Butterfly Effect Earrings @ Kustom9

Necklace : :: SAGA ::  Swirl NeckRing @ Kustom9

Shirt : .miss chelsea. Judi Top Group Gift

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

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

Pants : .:villena:. - Distressed Skinny Jeans

Sneakers : :PARKER: CHRIS SNEAKERS.

In the moment.

Pose : FOXCITY. Bouquet (VIP Gift)
Bouquet : :: Scandalize:: GIFT ROSES 

Background & Furniture things : Trompe Loeil - Margaux Photo Backdrop + Surround @ FaMESHed
Chandelier : Refuge - Carnegie Lighting
Chairs : Refuge - Vintage Fur Chair
Balloons : Sese - Balloons sweet & Sese - Cute Heart (Gacha) @ The Chapter Four
Curtain & Lights: {moss&mink} Drop Curtain (NEW LANDMARK!)
Table : +Half-Deer+ Valentine Tea Table
Teaset : Fancy Decor: Proper Tea Set

This post has been a bit confusing to work out how to express. I knew I wanted to do something with Santi, but I wasn't sure how. I also didn't really want to do your typical Valentine's post ON Valentines day... and I'm going to explain both of these things.. so bear with.

Addressing the fact that I didn't want to do anything loveydovey on Valentines day is going to be difficult, which is probably why it's a couple of days after the event that this is finally coming together. 

I'm sure there are many people like me who although they may adore the 'idea' of Valentines day, the actual day itself has always lacked. I don't mean anything super negative has happened, it hasn't... but I've been alone for so long without a partner in either RL or SL on Valentines that it had become another day for those coupled up people to rub it in my face that they were celebrating with someone who they love, while I was on the couch with my ice cream, wondering if Cupid was ever going to visit me.

This year, I didn't want to be one of those lovey dovey couples just because I have a Santi. I even caused a massively dramatic scene the day before that exhausted me, purely because in my experience ANY "Holiday" has had a negative context when I have been in a relationship with anyone. The last really good Valentines day I can remember has been when I was 16, and back then, it mattered because of teenage angst and knowing someone liked me enough to give me a card and spent his last £1.50 on a banana milkshake from McDonalds for me was more than I could have wished for. (I don't even like banana milkshake, but to this day, I don't think the guy knows that!!)

I also don't buy into the whole "This one day makes up for the rest of the year where I don't tell you that I love you. and I'm only buying you a gift because I feel like I absolutely have to thanks to the hugely advertised day that today is and if I don't you might physically hurt me" or something maybe less sensational.

So I did what I always do, and over-talked Santi into an explanation of "Although I get the appeal of Valentines day, I don't want presents and I'm not just saying I don't want presents I really really don't want presents, but I do want to spend the day with you are you confused yet?" kinda thing, because I do not want ANYONE to feel like gifts they are getting are because some person a long time ago decided lovers needed to express their love on this specific one day a year. I want gifts I get, or gifts I give to be personal and given purely because I popped in their mind at -that- point. Not out of obligation.

Lawd. Take a breath, Pickle.

For the actual blog post, I wanted to make it somehow different, and luckily this dress from CandyDoll totally allows for that.

It loosely connects to Santi's blog "This Guy's Eye" that you can find >Here<.

As you can see from his post, he's wandering along to my house. I want you to imagine me peeking out of the window, seeing that view and snapping a quick photo to remember that moment. Then skip along to my top picture... Santi has handed me the bouquet, and snapped a quick picture of me, along with the special tea I've prepared for him.

Naturally, after some cake and a cup of tea, things have progressed, and you'll see below, they're becoming a little heated... what happens next isn't suitable for my blog. :P

As usual, more details below ♥

Pose : HERA Sensual Couples Pose #3
Santi's Blog

All of the things :

Body Hands : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Moccino - Catwa Skin Applier - Maria (Shout out to Moccino for some amazing customer service, too!)

Head : CATWA Lona

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Applier : LOTUS. Origin Eyes @ Pocket Gacha 

Birthmark : [okkbye] bold birthmarks

Ears : Random.Matter - Haruhi Ears

Earrings :  :: SAGA :: Valentine Heart Earrings (Free Group Gift, available for purchase without group)

Hair : [RA] Rachel Hair - Essential

Necklace & Choker : Kibitz - Love necklaces - gold

Dress : _CandyDoll_ Layla Dress (Note: Dress comes with two versions included, open & closed. Open shown on bottom photo & will give a view of your netherbits!) @ Collabor88

Rings : Kibitz - Love rings - gold

Boots : _CandyDoll_ Layla Boots @ Collabor88

Conscious caring.

Pose : FOXCITY. Sits VOL3-5 (Fatpack exclusive)

Background : FOXCITY.  KPOP STAR - 6 (Gacha)

[we're CLOSED] fur carpet cream

Apple Fall Huge Fan Palm

JIAN Pudgy Persians 17. Black  Grubbin' Kitten (Gacha)

Poseidon Savage Land Tiger RARE (part of a pose set @ Fantasy Gacha Carnival)

Refuge - Selene Ottoman Pink/S @ The Coven (Notes : The Selene Ottoman comes in a selection of colours, with the option of gold or silver accents. It's also available as a PG or Adult item, definitely worth checking out!)

ZOMG! So today's post is running a little later than planned, because photoshop decided to crash on me when I was about 20 minutes away from clicking 'Save'.
Somehow, I calmed myself down and didn't throw my computer out of the window... and then started over, hitting save sporadically in case the same thing happened again!
I'm not sure what's with me today, but I got about 20 minutes towards clicking 'Save' again, and CLOSED THE FUDGING FILE. Yes. That's right. "Close all" does JUST that.

Anyway! Let's talk about this dress for a minute, k? See them thar sparkles? They're not added fancy effects. The dress is most definitely materials enabled and when you wiggle around, be that with an AO or a dance, or yanno, pose, the dress LEGIT FREAKIN SPARKLES. Not only that, but there's an array of colours, it caters to Maitreya, Belleza Freya & Isis(with push up & perky options), AND Hourglass, so everyone can get into this slinky number and parade about feeling like BAJILLIONS of Lindens! Check out the gif below!

All of the things :

Body & Feet: -Belleza- Freya

Skin : Lara Hurley-Rie Milky 

Head : LeLutka Bento Head-CHLOE
Eyes : LOTUS. Blossom Eyes 01 @ Chapter Four
Hair : pr!tty - Demy @ The Coven 
Tattoo : DAPPA - Rozu Tattoo. @ Anybody
Dress : #SHOOK - Loquita Dress Pink (Mainstore)
Shoes : #EMPIRE - Chrysanthemum 

Elevated.

Pose : Go&See * Cool * 5 @ Chapter Four (Opens 4th Feb)
Shoulder Jacket : ::C'est la vie !:: Chus JK Gacha @ Blush

Background : Fireplace, Build & Table : DRD - Series 01
Plants & Bar : Apple Fall

Hold on to your knickers, today's post is full of information about the products shown!
Back in September, DRD started a series called "Light and Dark" running on the concept of a subscription box. Over a period of six months, they released one mystery box per month, which you had to sign up for every month and pay for every month. At the end of the six month period, if you  had managed to grab each of the boxes you were promised a light and dark building to match with the furniture as a bonus.
Not only have I been absolutely wowed by the furniture on a monthly basis, but I am also stunned by the buildings now too. When I logged in today and received the final box, I almost literally ran to DRD as fast as my pixel-legs could carry me, wearing my Subscription hud, I made huge grabby hands at the vendor, receiving my bonus houses. I. Freaking. Love. Them.
I know I'm only showing you a small portion of the latest box, in the light version, but this set is undoubtedly worth every single penny I paid for it. I'm never upset by the quality of DRD, and this is no exception. With the ability to rez the builds inclusive of furniture, or to create your own scene using the subscription boxes you've received previously, this is a fantastic end to a 6 month journey I took on an off-chance. Love.

Now let me just squee over this dress by Bueno. I say dress loosely, because as you can see by the main photograph, I've removed the shirt to add my own. Automatically this becomes a staple in your inventory, because it's now capable of being glammed up for a night out, or worn to visit your friends who don't like seeing your tits at every opportunity. (Although, who doesn't like tits?)
The skirt comes in several colour options available separately or in a fatpack and with it, you get a hud for the shirt (shown in pictures above) with a bunch MORE colour options for that (Yes, there's even more than those shown in the picture!). It's literally the mixiest and matchiest thing ever! You can even change the zippers through different metal textures too!
Finally, there's the pose from Go&See. I love how creative Go&See is, and the store reflects the different interests extremely well. Whether it's poses, eyes, skins, or add-ons, the quality is always there. These poses are from the *cool* range, and will be available at Chapter Four from the 4th February.

All of the things! :

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Lara Hurley-Rie Milky 

Head : LeLutka Bento Head-CHLOE

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

Glasses : .tsg. Shy Megane

Hair : AD - sia 

Choker : Eclat - Velvet Choker

Bra : Addams - Cecilia Flower Bra - Maitreya - N*30 - RARE (Gacha)

Nail applier : alme.   Minimal: Silver

Skirt/Dress : BUENO-Bonita Set @ Fameshed

Fishnets applier : .:villena:. - Fishnet

Shoes : #EMPIRE - Nasturtiums 

Chasing my mind.

Hi!

I was talking to my SL brother, Kim, today. He was discussing how he'd felt so much better since he'd gotten closure with a negative entity in his life, and sometimes it's nice to just put things behind you... and I while I agree completely, it's lovely to be able to close a door on someone/something and have nothing but positive energy, it's not always possible.

I think I tend to focus a lot on negatives for myself. With other people, I can almost always see a bright side, and I suppose that's quite nice if you ever come to me for advice.

Anywho... I know I have a terrible tendency to put situations in boxes in my head and then leave them there. The only problem with doing that is that they're never actually 100% resolved, and there's an odd residue, or a trail of broken neurons or something that just don't connect to anything anymore. Closing those doors completely might be beneficial, but at the same time, what if the responses you're met with aren't what you're hoping for?

I'm going to mull this over for a while. Maybe there are some synapses that I can reconnect to lost boxes safely.

All of the things : 

Head : CATWA Uma

Skin : more more. nari skin_RARE1 (Gacha)

Eyes :  CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Appliers :  LOTUS. Charmant Eyes (Gacha) @ Chapter 4 

Freckles : Bossie. freckles & star stickers

Eyebrows & Eyeshadow : Go&See * Frozen * Eye - Make-Up Pallete ~ Catwa @ Chapter 4 

Tongue : ::Axix:: Aine Tongue [Pierced] @ Kinky Event

Collar : Stockholm&Lima: Little Spiked Collar 

Hair : *Besom~Relle 

Headpiece : =Zenith=Winter Deer Headband (Milk) (Gacha)

Indigo nights.

Pose : .HG. Coy 2

Music, and the poetry of words hits you right in the feels.

The song I'm using today is "Satellite" by Gabbie Hanna. Apparently, she's a semi-well known youtube vlogger, but honestly, I'm not entirely aware of her presence there. 

Her song, however, hit me hard.

I've already described myself as slightly anxious, but I often have issues with social settings too. I'm convinced that as we start to rely more on the internet to socialize this is going to become a common problem. However, online I tend to be slightly more outgoing than that of the real me. Whether that's because i'm subconsciously masking the parts of me I don't like, or I have more confidence behind an avatar, I'm not entirely sure. What I do know, is that sometimes, I just CAN'T people.

I say the wrong things from the beginning. I forget new people don't know me, and don't understand my humor, so I backtrack and confuse myself and them.

Listen to the lyrics of this one, please. She might not be Beyonce, but give it a chance. Maybe you'll relate too.

All of the things : 

Body: -Belleza- Freya 

Skin : Lara Hurley- Beth

Head : CATWA Lona

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Applier : LOTUS. Lovely Eyes @ The Chapter Four

Frosty Face Appliers : Izzie's - Face Snow 

Hair & Hat : Action Inkubator HAIR Lulu

Tattoo : -Endless Pain Tattoos- Dawn @ Bodyfy (Opens 8th Dec)

Shirt : _CandyDoll_ Mala Bodysuit White (Gacha item)

Hands : Slink Hands - Dynamic

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

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

Rings : (Yummy) Serena Rings @ N21

Come back to life.

Pose : FOXCITY. Highlights-3 (Fatpack exclusive) @ Tres Chic

Props : DRD Series 01 Shadow Box, August. (Dark version)

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Essences Riley

Head : CATWA Lona

Eyes : CURELESS [+] Yuurei Eyes / MOURN 

Face Tattoo : W6 los muertos face tattoos girls @ Bodyfy (opens Oct 8th) 

Nose Piercings : :: SAGA :: Isis Piercing Set @ Bodyfy (opens Oct 8th) 

Ears : [MANDALA]SIMPLE_EARS_HUTUU

Hair : .Entwined. Alison

Headpiece : *LODE* Head Accessory - Pretty Things Aster [white II] (Gacha) @ The Chapter Four

Earrings & Necklace : .::Nanika::. Spiders jewelry set @ The Liasion Collaborative
Tattoo : [ATI] Grim Nights...@ Bodyfy (opens Oct 8th) 

Dress : _CandyDoll_ Jacinda Dress @ FaMESHed

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

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

Shoes : *BOOM* Aura Shoes @ Shoetopia

Maybe I want to...

Pose & Chair : PM . Classy Chair @ Chapter Four

Background : BUENO-Highlight Mini Box (Little Boxes Gacha)

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : RARE #12 Essences [ErinP01] For Pocket Gacha

Head : CATWA Catya (UPDATED! Go to the redelivery terminal in store to get your MOCAP head!!)

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Applier : LOTUS. Adeline Eyes @ Chapter Four

Ears : : ^^Swallow^^ Pixie Ears 

Earrings : : .random.Matter. - Taeyeon Earrings 

Hair : Moon. Hair // Fallon From Luxe Box Sept

Tattoo : *Bolson / Serra & Eli

Necktie : #Foxy - Suede Wrap Choker 

Bodysuit : EVANI - Annie @ Kustom9

Fur : PLASTIX - Bambi Jacket @ Tres Chic

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

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

Shoes : #EMPIRE - Xeranthemum @ Kustom9

Closer up picture showing the  Essences [ErinP01] For Pocket Gacha & the  LOTUS. Adeline Eyes @ Chapter Four. Both products, as you can see, are utterly flawless. <3

Can't take my mind off you.

Pose : FOXCITY. Sits VOL1-6m

Taken @ Private sim, sorry!

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Insol: face Bianca, ST 'Peach' 

Head : LeLutka Bento Head-CHLOE 3.0 - Wear your head for a free update!!

Eyes : .LeLutka.Eyes.Chloe 3.0

Face Stuffs : Zibska Sukie Makeup Lelutka Applier @ Bodyfy

Eye liner : . MILA . Princess of Darkness Makeup (Lelutka & Catwa) @ Bodyfy

Hair : [e] Thea For 50L friday

Head Flowers : *LODE* Head Accessory - Bagatiba Crown [yellow] @ The Chapter Four

Tattoo : DAPPA - Rise Tattoo. @ The Man Cave 

Necklace : {MYNX} Triangle Necklace @ The Chapter Four 

Bikini : Blueberry  - Bikini - From  Luxe Box May

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

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

Rings : Astralia - Bayswater rings with 

Shorts : {MYNX} Bermuda Shorts - Vintage

Sandals : fri. - Edie Sandals (Formerly @ Kustom9, allow time for transfer to store)

Cold cash.

Pose : FOXCITY. GSits VOL2-6

Props : Con&floorplan. The Librocubicularist's Library

BUENO - $Love and Money$ @ Romp (Open today)

Boudoir Nouveau Riche Gacha-Animated Flying Money (Gacha)

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Insol: face Bianca, ST 'Peach' 

Head : LeLutka Bento Head-CHLOE 3.0 - Wear your head for a free update!!

Eyes : .LeLutka.Eyes.Chloe 3.0

Eye Applier :   LOTUS. Eternity Eyes @ The Chapter Four

Eyeshadow : Veechi - Riot Liner @ Rewind 

Ears :  ^^Swallow^^  Pixie Ears @ Mesh Body Addicts Fair

Hair : ICONIC:UBER:ALEXANDRA @ Uber

Tattoo : DAPPA - Rekar Tattoo. @ The Coven

Bodysuit : Pretty Mess - Desu @ Collabor88

Nails : Astralia - Compatible mesh nails system

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

Boots : Phedora ~ Jessica boots @ The Fetish Fair

Moments of magic.

Background items from the amazing Apple Fall Sale. (25L-75L for everything!)

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Skin : Milan - Aileen BB40 Catwa Applier (Comes with body appliers \o/) @ Tres Chic

Shape :  Kaleidoscope : Bright Shape.

Head : CATWA Lona 

Eyes : CATWA Mesh Eyes 

Eye Applier :  LOTUS. Urban Eyes @ The Hidden Chapter ( The Chapter Four)

Eyelashes : [okkbye] Lithe Eyelashes (CATWA)

Eyeshadow : Veechi - Mojave Shadow [Resort] RARE (Gacha) @ The Epiphany 

Freckles : Just Magnetized - Insta Beauty - set 02 for Catwa from July Powder Pack

Lipstick & Gloss : Just Magnetized - Aster Lipstick v2 LIMITED @ Limit8

Septum : .ARISE. Nose Ring / Gold

Hairbase :  Just Magnetized- Basic Hairbase - set 15 for CATWA

Hair : *Besom~Bloomishly (gacha)

Outfit (Arms/hands & drink are all part of the outfit!) : =Zenith=Hot Hot Summer Outift RARE (Gacha) @ Kustom9 

Shoes : #EMPIRE - Pelargonium for July Luxe Box