The One in Which ... I Purchase a Mesh Body

Ever since I returned to SL, I've been trying to figure out mesh.  Now there was some mesh coming into the world when I left 3 years ago...I even made a few mesh items myself.  However, the whole mesh body thing was only beginning to take shape...haha...pun intended.  I have had mixed feelings about mesh shapes & heads.  In my ignorance I thought, why would anyone want to look like everyone else?  I certainly don't want to.  However, after recently trying on several demo mesh bodies, I realized they are still VERY customizable.  you still need a shape to go under them.  And even though its not completely unique per avatar, even the skin and details can be customized a bit.  I have yet to be ok with buying a mesh head though.  Maybe once they are as customizable as the bodies I'll consider it.

So that leads us to the choices...so many choices.  I looked over the reviews on http://meshbodyaddicts.com/ and also chatted in world with a few people.  The general consensus was that Belleza and Maitreya stood out ahead of the pack.  They happened to be my favorite demos as well.  I definitely want to purchase others in the future though, especially for the plans I have in SL.  I really want the Belleza body but since Maitreya was a bit cheaper and I "needed" a new skin too, I went with them.

This body has been blogged about countless times I'm sure, but here is my take.  I find it absolutely stunning.  I love the fact that it goes with Glam Affair skins, which are some of my all time favs.  You can find all the details on what I'm wearing in the photos below.  Here are a few close ups (un-edited) of the amazing detail on this body.

And...have I mentioned how awesome the feet are?  I HATE feet!  But I LOVE these!

Next purchase will be the Belleza body!  Then we'll see what happens after that.

Style Sheet

Mesh Body ~ Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara
Skin ~ -Glam Affair - Katya - America 03
Hair ~ ::Exile:: Set Free: Dark Reds
Location ~ My humble home
Poses ~ by Zelly Mornington (no longer in world), Dove Swanson (no longer in world) & Maliah Naidoo (of KaTink...can be found under Annemarit Jarvinen).

Please Note:  The first 3 photos in this post are edited so to see the originals, please visit my flickr.  Thank you!

The One in Which ... I Visit the Okinawa Summer Festival

So I tend to get bored fast if I don't have something to keep my busy.  And until I'm able to transfer some linden in world, shopping is not much of an option.  So I've been checking out some different events and discovering new designers I can shop when I get rich!

Today I found my way over to the Okinawa Summer Festival.  Its a Japanese event with 40+ designers showing their awesome wares and goes through August 24th.  So be sure to go visit here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ryukyu/110/144/24

As I was looking around, I found this beautiful maxi skirt!  The designer has a women's shirt as well for free, and men's shorts & a tank.  And all the other items are great as well at a super good price point.

After styling the skirt, I went in search of a great sim to take photos and ended up at Drobak Village here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/DROBAK%20village/60/36/22

Since I edit all my photos and play with photoshop keep in mind that the actual item will appear slightly different shades than what you see here.  So to see the raw shots before editing check out my new flickr account (Forgot the password on my old one):
https://www.flickr.com/people/134265140@N05/

And of course don't miss the Style Sheet below the next picture.

Style Sheet

Maxi Skirt - ++Twilight++ MAXI SKIRT 5
Jacket - fri. - Tourist.Jacket - 24.7 Pack (no longer available in SL)
Tank - JANE - intrinsic tanks.oranges
Necklace - EarthStones Falling Leaves Lariat Necklace- Autumn
Nail Polish - * RezIpsa Loc * ~ Autumn Nail Pack (no longer available in SL)
Shoes - *RRS* Boho Fringe - Gingerbread - DTCH Gift (no longer available in SL)
Hair - >TRUTH< Adeline -  reds
Eyes - Amacci ~ Gaze Eyes - Spring Green
Skin - (no longer available in SL)
Poses - (no longer available in SL)

The One in Which ... I return to SL

Three years...that's how long I have been gone from SL for the most part.  I have stopped in a time or two to chat with friends, check out the skin fair earlier this year, do photos for someone...but in general, I have not spent any significant time in SL since late 2012.

Why did I leave?  A variety of reasons but suffice it to say RL was not good for us for a while, and I needed to focus on that.  I was in a deep depression and I lost interest in anything SL related, as well as most everything else.  Then I just stopped thinking about it.  Occasionally SL would pop into my mind, and I would try to log in but my heart wasn't in it.  Then, things started to turn around for us in RL.  I started running my own clothing boutique and recently moved it to a better and bigger location.  I am super SUPER excited and loving my RL job!  My plan is to start carrying my own clothing designs in the near future.

Why come back to SL?  Well, my head seems to be in a better place now.  And I have been thinking a lot about how much fun I used to have and all the awesome friends I made.  I want to get back into designing in SL in my "spare" time.  And I for sure want to blog!  Today I got to catch up with a handful of old friends in Starwalkers.  That was awesome.  I have officially been in SL for about 5 days in a row now. That's a record!  I'm staying interested and coming up with all sorts of ideas.

So...to all my old friends that I have not kept up with in RL, I have missed you!  Watch out...Ana's Back!!!

52 Weeks of Color Week One - Grey

I've seen this blogging challenge going around for a while now and wanted to do something with it but finally decided to get started.  You can view all the details of it here:

http://lunajubilee.com/category/challenges/52-weeks-of-color-challenge/

I'd love to find some more blogging challenges to do too, so if anyone knows of any let me know!

What I'm Wearing:

• Ring:  (Elate!) Square Stone Ring - Opal
• Shoes:  fri. - Basic Pumps (Silver)
• Earrings:  Gems & Kisses - I love you - Plat&White
• Dress:  HC - Sweater Mini lower (Ash)  from Hyper Couture
• Hair:  Kin-Eleanor-[blonde]
• Nails:  Armidi - (True Enhance) Painted Nails - Dark Gray I
• Eyes:  *Mayden couture* - Eyes L 03
• Poses:  Long Awkward Pose

LaViere Anyone?

Was skimming blog feeds today and came across some stuff I loved!  So I visited the shop and picked up a few different things for myself.  Enjoy:  -LaViere-!

What I Am Wearing:

• Dress:  -Laviere- Melanie V-neck Dress Dust pink
• Shoes:  [Armidi Gisaci] Viniani Heel - Pearl
• Necklace:  ((Crystal line))Tidy flower Necklace(Chest) (by- RENA Vita)
• Ring:  [!SyDS! Ring] Serenite (Pink)
• Nail Polish:  * RezIpsa Loc * ~ Powder Pink Nails
• Hair:  **Pocket Mirrors** Hikaru Updo Blonde
• Poses:  fri.day model poses

Yes...I'm blogging...

So I've finally decided to start a blog.  Ana's never been much of a blogger but I do love photography and taking pics so I'll probably have more of that than lots of writing.  Who knows, we'll see.  As of right now I'm just thinking of posting outfits I mix and match together on occasion, and having fun with the photo process of it.  I don't plan on posting every day but who knows, if I do, then I do.  I'll always be sure to include a style sheet as well.  Hope you enjoy!

Starting with an outfit I threw on for the Maniera Pajama Party tonight at 7pm SLT, part of The Mens 24 events!  You can join us here:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/KMADD%20Events/239/127/22

What I'm Wearing:

• PJS:  *BOOM* Bunny Hunt Freebie (from a past hunt)
• Socks:  Pig - Duotone Socks Mit Suspenders - Key West
• Mirror:  .:*December*:. Hand Mirror Rose & Gems /Rhand
• Nails:  * RezIpsa Loc * ~ Polka Dot Nails, Lavender & Purple (glove)
• Hair:  Cake - Dakota - Light Blonde Hair