You Say Ice Cream, I Say Gelato

I've always wanted to visit Italy. I've seen the good movies... the cheesy ones, too. And it's all mixed together in my mind in this vision of sun dappled fields and wine soaked days. I suppose I could have both of those things here in Ohio, too, seeing as we're certainly not short on fields... Or wine, for that matter (though I caution everyone who passes through to always avoid the Ohio "wineries." Seriously. Don't buy local.) But our fields are usually packed full of corn, or soybeans, and while wine soaked days in Italy just mean vacation, they probably mean alcoholism here. Anyway, my point is that I have an idea of what Italy might be like, and though I'm sure the reality is different, I can't help but think that the reality will be just as good, better, in fact, than the idea I have in my mind.

So yesterday, I took a trip to Italy. I fell in love with this dress weeks ago, I've tried it on several times, and I've pondered over color choices, asked myself if I would wear it, and if I did, where would I wear it to? But I got it, in the sunny yellow, because summer is near. And I found myself on a street in a small Italian village, searching for the nearest glass of wine, and being checked out by handsome European men. It doesn't get any better than that, right?

Well, yes it does, because soon after, I was sitting in the cafe, having a glass of wine.



Who knows where I'll end up today?

Credits:

Dress: Silk Tucked Pencil Dress in Summer Ikat by Mon Tissu
Shoes: Ribbon Slingback Shoes in Cream by G-Field
Hair: Kirby in Sangria by Truth
Earrings: MaruMaru in Brown by Mandala

xoxo
Erin

I Always Dot My I's

I have kind of a love/hate relationship with lingerie in Second Life. On the one hand, some of it is just beautiful, and I enjoy beautiful things. On the other hand, it really can be a pain. The addition of multiple layers did help tip the scales a bit to the "love" side of things, but it didn't eliminate the hate portion entirely. For one thing, creators will, on occasion, make baffling layering choices, like having a garter belt only be wearable on the jacket layer. I don't understand this. If I want to wear a full set of lingerie, I might actually want to wear it under something, and I need my pants layer. Although I haven't tried wearing that under mesh, which might finally solve my problems, but I will still never understand why anyone would do that. Having it as an option, sure, but the only option? I don't get it.

(Also, on a side note, yesterday I learned the hard way that I need to wear panties at all times under mesh dresses. Live and learn, people.)

I also struggle to find strapless bras. Not a corset, which was always a layering nightmare, but an actual strapless bra and panties set. I'm telling you, they are the most difficult things to find on the grid. So when I got the update NC from Gawk! yesterday, with the Marketplace special for these little sets, I wasted absolutely no time in jumping on there and purchasing. First of all, they're adorable. I love polka dots. And lace. And all things ridiculous and girly. Second of all... Strapless! This really just served as a reminder that I will and always have loved Gawk.





That's my bedroom! It's very empty, but you can't tell from the pictures. Yay angles.

I suppose I should put some actual clothes on now.

Credits:

Lingerie: First Love Lingerie in Polka Dotted Rose & Blue by Gawk (Sold together, only on Marketplace)
Hair: Trend in Jessica by LeLutka

Slurls to stores located here.

xoxo
Erin

Sunshine On My Shoulders Makes Me Happy

So after my "adventure" earlier... I was exhausted, and couldn't bring myself to go shopping anymore. I dug around in my closet and pulled out this little sundress I haven't worn yet, that I picked up from Celoe a couple of days ago. I could see how this dress could be a little tricky to wear for certain body types, but I think it looks okay on me... if I'm wrong, don't tell me, because I love it.

I didn't really dress the outfit up much, but sometimes simple is better! Besides, I'm refusing to leave the house, so who cares? Only one person is going to see me, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't care if I have earrings on.



Also? Picnic tables: Surprisingly comfortable for relaxing. I've found this to be true in real life as well.



I forgot my nails. Oh, the humiliation.

Credits:

Dress: April Dress in Beach by Celoe
Shoes: Flip Flops in Lucid by Maitreya
Hair: Shiki in Rouge by Wasabi Pills

Slurls to stores located here.

xoxo
Erin

New York State of Mind...

I woke up this morning, feeling somewhat... inspired. Maybe it was the beautiful weather, or the fact that it's Friday, or maybe just the chemicals in my brain coming together in a nice, happy way.

So I decided to take a trip downtown! Called a cab, which was mysteriously driven by no one... bit creepy, but you know, it got me where I wanted to go, which is all that matters, right? (Also, avoiding small talk is never a bad thing, I'm so awkward!). He.. It? Dropped me off on a street corner, which made me wonder if they were trying to tell me something, but I shrugged it off and took a few steps... Closed my eyes... And let the sounds and smells of the city overwhelm me.



It took all my strength not to get back into the cab immediately after that mistake, but I powered on. I brought my camera, and was going to take so many pictures of my adventure! But some guy smacked into me after the first picture and I dropped my camera and it broke. So I went walking, determined to find a shop that sold cameras and I could get a replacement, but I was distracted by shoe stores, and by the time I was done with that, my mysterious cab had returned, ready to take me home. I don't know why it seemed so dead set on getting me out of there, but I was a little scared to argue with a vehicle that could drive itself. I wanted to live to see another day, you know?

And now I'm back home, exhausted from my adventure, but with more shoes. So I call it a success!

Credits:

Suit: Mesh Leather Suit in Light Green by Gabriel (Acquired at Culture Shock)
Shoes: Xylia Pumps in Shadow by Celoe
Necklace: 4 Minute Necklace by Glow Studio (Acquired at Culture Shock)
Hair: Daffodil in Red 08 by Elikatira

Slurls to stores located here.

Until next time!

xoxo
Erin

I Like Lemons

Sooooo that whole challenge thing? Aborted. Or failed, depending on how you look at it. I had a slight change in circumstances that FORCED ME to go shopping. Thank God. So! I hit Culture Shock, and spent two days shopping there, and I actually have one more section to get through still. As it was last year, it's packed full and I had a blast, wandering around bald and barefoot, hoping I didn't see anyone I know.

One thing I found that was really frustrating was that I couldn't find demos in a lot of the stores for their mesh items, and quite a few of them were the donation items. I don't really understand why any shop owner wouldn't have a demo out for any mesh clothing, or have it hidden so well that no amount of searching can locate it. I wouldn't think that would help sales at all, because I, personally, won't buy anything mesh without trying it on first. Even if it's standard sizing, I've had enough items that don't quite fit the way another standard sizing item fits that I'm not going to buy without a preview. It's just really frustrating.

But the event itself is great, and I appreciate the fact that they don't let people off their LP without reducing their scripts. I'm really impressed with the layout, it's easy to get around and not confusing, and since I tend to get lost everywhere I go, in both lives, that's kind of a big deal!

I'm trying to learn a little more about my photo editing program... and how to take pictures that I can work with a bit. So I actually took this picture myself, and I don't think it turned out too badly. I'm getting better! I picked up this jumpsuit at Ricielli's store in Culture Shock, and I think it's super cute, but I do wish it was lined on the inside. Either way, it's adorable.



Credits:

Jumpsuit: Ricielli (From Culture Shock)
Hair: Exile
Shoes: Celoe
Nails: Mandala

Until next time!

xoxo
Erin

A Change is Gonna Come...

I have a challenge for myself. It's a sad challenge, but one nonetheless. I have to get through the rest of the week without buying anything. This is made especially difficult because Culture Shock is going on right now, but if I can make it through the week, it'll be worth it anyway, because the lag there will be much better next week.

So anyway, I have to try and dress without actually purchasing anything... I didn't realize how often I did this until today, when I was trying to find shoes for this outfit. I'm not really crazy about these shoes with it, but... my flip-flops don't work with these jeans (which I love) and I had to work with what I already had. This also means I may have to forgo some mesh this week! Annoying, but doable.

In better news, I got someone to take pictures for me! Her name is Daniela Karsin, and she is adorable and talented and all that good stuff. Someday maybe I'll have a graphics card that enables me to be able to take pictures that don't have jagged edges, but... today is not that day.

And I know the plain backgrounds are boring... I'm working on it.



Okay... working on being more specific in my credits. I must learn patience!

Sweater: Celoe - Jet Sweater in Madison (Mesh)
Pants: Mon Tissue - Nora Skinny Jeans in Faded (Mesh)
Shoes: Hucci - Kayla Pump in Black
Hair: Exile - Best of You in Rouge (Mesh)
Earrings: Mandala - Chara Chara in White (Mesh)
Bracelets: Mandala - 7Luck Bracelets
Nails: Mandala - Mandala - Short
Picture: Daniela Karsin

I'm going to make a slurl post separately that I can just link to for stores... so I don't have to do them in every post. I will force myself to be efficient if it's the last thing I do. And hell, I'll have so much time this week when I'm not allowed to shop. Oh... the pain of that sentence.

Until next time!

xoxo
Erin

A Storm is Brewing!

I am frustrated with all blogs right now. It's like they're trying to thwart me and keep me from my blogging destiny! And I don't understand it, because everyone knows how delightful I am.

I attempted to work on my layout earlier... it didn't go very well. I need to work on it again. I think I did figure out the problem with the smooshed up stuff, so at least I have that figured out! Maybe I'll just stay here after all.

It's been storming like crazy here... makes me want to get out the rain thingy I have in SL. It could rain in my bedroom, like in the winter when it snowed in there! It's a surprisingly cozy visual, really. You wouldn't think it would be, but you'd be wrong! Also, my living room looks like a slightly off set from Mad Men. It's pretty awesome. I should blog it at some point.

Picture time!



Picture by my friend, Isamu Negulesco.

What I'm wearing:

Corset, shoes, & skirt: Celoe (I'm not creative.)
Hair: Elikatira
Jewelry & nails: Mandala

Until next time!

xoxo
Erin