Nothing really matters but...

Pose : FOXCITY. Breezy-2

Before I go to sleep, I like to Youtube. I have a pretty select number of channels that I actually enjoy, from your generic make-up artists to more newsy type things, and sometimes even a good ol' conspiracy.

I was watching Philip DeFranco last night, he's a news type dude, but will give you the facts then if necessary he'll give you his opinion. I like this a lot. He seems fair, he doesn't appear to have an agenda, and I've been finding out some really cool shit about the world that I'd never have known before, because the mainstream news just makes me want to punch kittens through boredom.

Last night he mentioned how Instagram was going to start making likes on their posts less visible in order to raise the quality of content people were posting, and my dead little heart SOARED. THIS. This whole principle is exactly why I am planning a break, to distance myself from the "Likes = quality content" crap surrounding blogging and photography. I want to bring content to readers/viewers of my blog that adds something to their lives, whether that surrounds RL mental health issues and my perspectives, or something in SL that bugs me. I want to be slightly more informational, maybe more pictures indicating the quality of the product i'm blogging, maybe a feature on a sim, maybe more close ups and definitely more informational vlogs, which will hopefully increase in quality the more I practice!

My opinions will be broadcast even more. So if you don't like this part of my blogging, you can totally skip over it (probably like you already do, right?) and if you do, well you're gonna be in for a treat! 

The other advantage of me stepping away from the Likes debacle, will hopefully mean that I don't value the opinions of strangers on my work, and this external validation that I feel necessary will deplete. I know I'm decent at what I do, and if that makes me a big headed, entitled cowbag, I'll take that title. I know I 'deserve' things that other people are getting, but I also know that as much as I deserve what other people are getting, so do many many bloggers and photographers that are far better than I am, so why not just take that whole 'competition' aspect I feel from blogging away, and turn it back into what it should be, what it has been in the past, and what I love... a place I can show my style, give information and overall have some bloody fun.

Just today by taking away the "Omg I gotta" aspect from my photo, I feel like I encapsulated a side of the Pickle avatar that had been long forgotten, and it came easily. 

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : GENUS Project (Original)

Skin : . MILA . Neave Skin [Honey] GENUS 

Eyes : Veechi - Foxy Eyes @ UBER

Eyeliner :  Veechi  - Basic Glossy Liner

Hair : -FABIA-<Vitalina> @ The Gacha Garden 

Necklace : MINIMAL - Camera Necklace *Gold*

Shirt : evani. Polly ribbed dress @ Collabor88

Haze.

Pose : FOXCITY. Autumn-1 (Fatpack exclusive)

Background Items :  RAMA - #selfie_RAMA Flower-Garden Lavatory RARE @ Backdrop City

[Bad Unicorn x Birch] Mary Janes 'Bong' (Gacha item)

The weed plants are from somewhere on marketplace a million years ago - I think they may even be prims.

Sleepy, please come back tomorrow for some ranties.

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : LeLutka Bento Head-PIPER 3.3

Skin : Lefort by REVOUL Nicki Lelutka Applier 

Eyes : REVOUL - Revoulutionary Beauty Eyes 

Eyeliner : Veechi - Basic Glossy Liner

Hair : DOUX - Tyrisha Hairstyle @ Belle Event

Necklaces : .random.Matter. - Kashina - Necklaces @ Equal 10

Tattoo : DAPPA - Herz Tattoo. @ Man Cave Event

Outfit : .miss chelsea. Sana Set @ Uber

Shoes : [BREATHE]-Song Su- @ The Epiphany

You.

I'm feeling pretty in pastels today!

All of the things : 

Head : CATWA Kittia

Skin : TRES BEAU MAKEUP CATWA BAE (PEARL)

Eyes : LOTUS. Bright Eyes 

Eyeshadow & Blush : Veechi - Vixen Flush for the Palette Mainstore Event (Check the poster/marketplace for details!)

Hair : DOUX - Hailey hairstyle 

Hairpiece : NS::  Sweet Kitty Headband @ Harajuku (opens 20th April)

Choker :  #SHOOK - Identity Choker {Crybaby}

Necklace : #SHOOK - Leo Necklace {Sweetheart}

Work it out.

Pose : {PINGPONG} MIMI Bento poses #4 (I don't think this store exists anymore, sorry.)

Background : FOXCITY. Photo Booth - RGB Drive @ Backdrop City

I feel super cute in this whole outfit, go buy it all, immediately, and feel cute with me!

(or don't, but at least tell me I'm adorable.)

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : CATWA Kittia

Skin : . MILA . Christina Skin [Ivory] CATWA 

Eyes : {S0NG} :: Bubble Eyes 

Eyeliner : Veechi - Scarlett Liner [Catwa]

Ears : L'Etre - Pure mesh ears PIXIE

Hairbase : Tableau Vivant \\ Catwa hairbase 11 - A

Hair : -FABIA- Mesh Hair   < Madeline> @ Tres Chic

Choker : #SHOOK - Identity Choker {SAVAGE}

Shirt : BUENO-NeoTop @ Kustom9

Pants : SPIRIT - Nancy pants @ Kustom9

Shoes : Native - Guetta Sneakers  @ Access

Ok, so this vid is a little weird and I think in an attempt to be edgy they might have cut corners.. but I actually kinda like the song, and the vid was just kinda.. unironically ironic and almost cool. *blinks*.

I can hear you.

Hai, I totally forgot what I was doing today and didn't save credits for the pose or the background - but the background can be found at the members only area of  Backdrop City under 'retro'! Sorry. 

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet: -Belleza- Freya

Head : GENUS Project (Baby Face)

Skin : .: fiore :. MAXIE Genus Applier - SPF35 @ Kustom9

Eyeshadow : Veechi - Glossy Liners

Hair : TRUTH / Lady /

Tattoo : DAPPA - Claudia Tattoo. @ Kinky Event

Shirt : BUENO-Layla Top @ Uber

Skirt : .miss chelsea. Hali Skirt Black Leather (Formerly for 50L friday)

Milkshake : Pewpew! Icy Milkshake Jar - Strawberry Cream

You know what they say.

Pose : Go&See * Divine * 8

Yup, still exhausted! ♥

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet: -Belleza- Freya

Head : GENUS Project (Original)

Skin : Lefort by Revoul Arabella Genus Applier  Tone RE 10 (+ Chubby Body Applier for Belleza) @ Collabor88

Eyeshadow : Veechi - Cyber Romy Shadow (50L friday)

Cheek Stars : Veechi - Cutie Stars

Hair : -FABIA- Mesh Hair   < Becca> @ Shiny Shabby

Tattoo : DAPPA - Hikaru V2 Tattoo. @ Limit8

Jacket : .miss chelsea. Eevi Jacket (50L Friday)

Panties :DAPPA  - Cursed Panties 

Less important.

Pose : FOXCITY. Stairs (Sitting)-4m

Background & Props : FOXCITY. Photo Booth - A Fool's Paradise

{what next} Wall Hanging Plant #1

{what next} Oasis Bloom - Prickly Pear Cactus Planter

{what next} Oasis Bloom - Tall Cactus Planter   

dust bunny . quirky planters . llama

{what next} Oasis Bloom - Succulent Planter

dust bunny . quirky planters . cactus

dust bunny . quirky planters . snail 

dust bunny . quirky planters . hedgehog   

I had a conversation with someone recently that made me think again about who I want to be and where I want to go, and although I feel like without a doubt there have been some positive changes, I do feel like I need to address something that has niggled me for the longest time.

Life isn't fair.

I get that certain people are capable of "playing the game", and therefore they'll be the ones who seemingly succeed, which kinda makes their lives enviable to some... but I can't ever be that person again, if I ever was. The only way I have ever been able to achieve anything is to work my ass off, and as my friend mentioned to me in our conversation, I've worn many hats, especially within SL and whenever I felt like I was heading in a direction that didn't suit me, I think I may have intentionally shot myself in the butt to prevent it from happening. Still, in terms of blogging and photography, no matter how hard I try, how much I think I have improved, my not playing the game hurts me in terms of exposure.

Now, this may seem like I'm sitting here whining that I'm incredibly unpopular, but I'm not. I'm just using this platform as an example of what is changing for me, and how I'm viewing things... and in terms of blogging and many, many other things in my life that I'm not 'there' yet with, I fucking LOVE doing it. Because I love doing this, I will continue to do this. I will not circle jerk and I will stay the eff away from drama surrounding any activity I enjoy. I'm more than happy to work at my own pace now and although that jealousy monster might occasionally rear it's ugly head, it's power is fading daily, and I feel as though each "Congratulations" I pass on to someone else is more genuine than the last.

If others decide to play games, I'll no doubt see it, but it's not my life... it's theirs, and they have every right to live the way they see fit. 

If you love what I do, that's a bonus... but I want to hold my head high and walk with integrity.

So, yeah, life isn't fair, but it does give us a chance to show our worth and I'm finally figuring out what mine is. I'm priceless. And so are you.

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : GENUS Project (Original)

Skin : . MILA . Neave Skin [Honey] GENUS 

Eyes : -SU!- Medora Eyes /Glitch Wasted (Gacha)

Eyeliner : Veechi - Basic Glossy Liner

Ears : L'Etre - Crystal mesh ears 

Hair :  -Fabia- Mesh Hair   < Andy> @ Rewind (opens 20th March)

Tattoo : DAPPA - Rachel Tattoo. @ Equal10

Shirt : #SHOOK - Thotiana Top @ Level Event

Shorts : BUENO-Spring Shorts @ Kustom9

Sneakers : Native - Another 1 Sneakers 

It's okay to be different.

Pose : FOXCITY. Legs for Days

Prop-things : FOXCITY. Prop - Water Bath 

Candles from [The Emporium] 

I've been trying to spend some time with people offline lately, but that's kind of melded into us playing computer games... that aren't SL. This is a little bit of a shock to me, because I am most definitely too old to be any type of girl, let alone a "gamer girl". 

I always find it amusing how things that weren't cool 5-10 years ago, come around as being cool, and the only reason it becomes cool is because people love to be considered edgy or different... just look at the hipsters running around with their curled up mustaches, and the current 'fad' of being a babygirl. (No offence to anyone who identify either of these communities, but you haveta admit there's a sudden influx of both of these things) 

Anywho, I hope your week is beautiful, and continues to do nothing but improve!

xoxo

Oh hi, did you say lipsticks? Okay! These are the Revoul Chun lipstick options, and I find them all gorgeous. 

All of the things : 

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : CATWA Catya

Shape : Lefort by Revoul.Chun Catwa Applier / Shape @ Kustom9

Skin : Lefort by Revoul.Chun Catwa Applier @ Kustom9

Lipstick : Lefort by Revoul.Chun Lipsticks @ Kustom9

Lashes : Veechi - Lily Lashes @ N21

Robe & Panties : -FABIA- Bathrobe <Zarina>  @ Whore Couture 

No fire.

Pose : Go&See * LoveBites * 9

Hi!

I am so amazingly thrilled with the way this picture came out I may have done a happy dance.

Sometimes, I can take a picture and love it and it's done in 4 minutes.

Other days, it takes me a while.

If it's not the pose, it's the lighting. If it's not the lighting, it's the background. Sometimes my hair will stick through my clothing, or my finger will dig into my body, and i'll have to spend up to an hour editing all those little pieces to make the picture fit together the way it does in my head. 

Today was one of those days, and I had to step away for a while, and come back and carry on.

There was a questionnaire that went out for bloggers to voluntarily fill out at some point... and I remember reading the questions and wondering whether i'm the only person in the world who experiences moments like I mentioned above. When it asked "How long does it take you to do a blog post from concept to completion?" I really didn't know how to answer. Some days, I can do it all in maybe two hours. Other days, it literally takes me ALL DAY... and the chances are before I've even started to take the photograph, I have had a conceptual idea in my head for at least half a day previous, sometimes a week or more, depending on deadlines.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining! I freakin' LOVE doing what I do, and I suppose in a way I am lucky that I can currently devote the time to it that I do.

I guess what I'm saying is that you really can't judge effort, or growth by looking at one picture... and that's true of people as much as it art.

xoxo

Soooo.. Shook has come out with some pretty effin' awesome nail addons. They come for Slink & Maitreya, and you can change two layers. I've enclosed a couple of gifs, and hopefully that'll be enough to set you on your way to understanding how these nails work. You can choose to have an ombre effect with two colours of your choice using the hud, or if you select both colours to be the same, you have some stunningly gorgeous single colour adornments for the tips of your fingers.

I'm wearing the Square version of the nails, and I'm using the metallics hud for varnish.

All of the things : 

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : GENUS Project (babyface)

Skin : Essences Nari @ Kustom9

Eyes : LOTUS.Soulful Eyes 

Eyeliner : Veechi - Basic Matte Liner

Face Tattoo : DAPPA - Sinner Face Tattoo. @ Men Only Monthly

Glasses : -SU!- Poison Sunglasses

Hair & Hat : -FABIA- Mesh Hair   < Azara>  @ TLC

Dress : evani. - Ingrid dress @ Uber

Nails : #SHOOK - Baddie Claws {Short Square} @ Whore Couture 

Don't give up.

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

Background :  Mesh India Graffiti Backdrop Natural Limited @ Backdrop City

The louder they talk, the less they have to say.

Let's have a look at the Dappa Tattoo I'm sporting today, yeah?

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet: -Belleza- Freya

Head : GENUS Project (babyface)

Eyes : -SU!- Medora Eyes /Glitch Wasted/ (Gacha)

Eyeliner : Veechi - Basic Glossy Liner

Eyes : LOTUS. Flow Eyes 

Lipstick : -SU!- Matte Lip Essentials 

Ears : ^^Swallow^^ Gauged Ear 

Hair : .Shi Hair : Ruach @ Uber

Tattoo : DAPPA - Impact Tattoo.@ Kinky Event

Outfit : .miss chelsea. Alba Set @ Uber

Shoes : [BREATHE]-Tomoe Heels @ The Arcade 

Falling into nothing.

Pose :  FOXCITY.  - Me time -5     

Background & props : FOXCITY. Photo Booth - New Beginnings (w/white exterior)   @ Backdrop City

 CUREMORE / Lost Paradise / Forbidden fruits (Red) (Gacha)

Decor from Mesh India

Draw the symbolism from this wherever you can, because I'm not sure I'm entirely confident what I was going for!

I'm a sleepy Pickle today, so have some credits, yeah? We'll talk tomorrow.

xoxo

All of the things : 

Body Hands & Feet: -Belleza- Freya

Head : GENUS Project (babyface)

Eyes : -SU!- Medora Eyes /Glitch Wasted/ (Gacha)

Eyeliner : Veechi - Basic Glossy Liner

Lipstick : -SU!- Matte Lip Essentials 

Earrings : Saga  Boho Princess Earring 

Headpiece : CUREMORE / Lost Paradise / Wreath (Fire)(Gacha)

Hair : [LeLutka]-SALOME hair (I'm not sure if this is still available.. sorry!)

Dress : evani. - Ingrid dress @ Uber

Nails : Ascendant - Pretentious Nails 01

Shoes : [BREATHE]-Momoka Heels @ The Arcade (March 1st)

Catwa Catya & Maitreya Basics. Vlog.

Well, this has been a long time coming!

I've wanted to get into vlogs for the longest time, but my confidence was pretty much shot and I really didn't believe I could do it. Yesterday, however, I spent the entire day figuring out how to do this.

It's pretty basic, I uhm and er a lot, I need to work on the volume and there's very light editing and no music... however, I think this is a pretty decent start... the only way is up, right?

All the things :

Skybox : BUENO-Studio Skybox-Pure

Body, Hands & Feet : Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

Head : CATWA Catya

Skin : Go&See * Anya * (Tropic Tone)

Shape : Kaleidoscope Believe

Eye Applier :  Go&See * Anya *  & LOTUS. Flow Eyes 

Eyeliner : Veechi - Basic Glossy Liner

Eyelashes : Veechi - Lily Lashes @ N21
Hair : TRUTH VIP Kaijah

Clothing : .miss chelsea. X Miaa Rebane - Rebane Set @ N21
Boots : [BREATHE]-Kasume Heels @ The Fetish Fair