Thunderstruck!

So, have you ever looked at someone’s profile picture and thought..“Wow..that’s amazing..I wonder how they did that?”.

Me too.

So I decided to get a professional SL picture taken.

I pulled out my cell phone and called BrookeMaree Gossipgirl and asked her for some help with the matter.

You see, Brooke owns Thunderstruck – a photography studio.

And in her usual cheerful form, she was kind enough to take me in and help me out.

So while she set up shop, using my idea of “post-party” as the picture theme, I wandered her store. The sample pictures were amazing. Great poses..lighting..theme..the whole nine. I couldn’t believe these were even avis being photographed.

I got so excited just WAITING, when the time came, I was bubbling over to see the results.

And I sincerely encourage you to visit her store (the LM is in my picks) and get your own pic done. You won’t be sorry – I definitely wasn’t! I even plan on going back for some more.

If you have any questions, IM me! I’ll be more than happy to help you out. She’s even given me her pricing list, so I can send that to you as well. She’s a great photographer and a doll to work with. And if you ever have a few spare moments? She’s a damn good DJ too.

So I just wanted to share with you the two pics she did for me.

Thanks, Brooke!

Friendship SL Style

So yesterday I got to talking to a friend of mine. And I got to thinking how alike we were..even though she half a world away from me.

Now..imagine this..I met her in a crowded room of 30 or so avis. We were sitting on couches across from each other chatting about fashion at random. I loved her dress and she loved my boots.

And thus, a friendship was born.

The thing about SL is that friendships can be forged over the simplest things. Shoes, hair, clothes, lucky chairs and music.

Anyway, so we were talking about SL and how funny it is that people sometimes make more of a concentrated effort to 'pay it forward' in SL than in RL. We agreed on the common attitude of..'you get what you give'. If you try to be a good person..it's more than likely that the people involed will try and return the same treatment.

True, no? If someone's always pleasant towards you - says hello, how are you, etc., aren't you more inclined to be equally as pleasant to them? Now if someone sees you..and consistently looks through you like glass..well..you're more inclined to give them the finger, aren't you?

So here's the thing. I get that some people don't like me for whatever reason.

But at the end of the day, I can always say to myself that I tried to spread good karma.

I try my best to take care of the people around me. I try to IM my friends at least once a day. I try to invite them wherever I am and wherever I know they will be comfortable. I try to spread myself around so that nobody feels used or neglected. I try to share with others - sale info, shopping LMs and food. I try to attend every party I am invited to - and believe me, in SL that's some job. I try to remember all important dates to the people around me. I try to catch my dj friends at least once a week. I try to shop from the various stores/shops of my friends. And I try to be tactful and honest at the same time.

It's a lot of trying, but when you can IM someone and have them tell you that they've had a shitty day and your sending them a random gift card just brightened it up that much..well..it's worth it.

And yes, I do delete people I don't IM with. I only keep my friends and people I really like on my friends list. I don't keep strangers on or accept random friendships. I don't see the point.

:) So I'm happy I'm always busybusy in SL with my friends. I think I'd go nuts if I sat in one spot for too long.

So pay it forward because what you sow today, you will reap tomorrow.

And investing in your loved ones is the best investment of all. :)


XOXO,
B

Happy Father's Day!

I think I’ve already expressed how much my dad means to me – and how great I think he is.

But let me just say.

Going to baseball games with my dad as a kid was always fun. We’d pile into the car, head to Shea Stadium as a family.

When we got out of the car to walk around, I’d hold my dad’s pinky finger..because his hands were (and still are) that much bigger than mine.

And we’d sit down to watch the game. EVERY vendor that came by made a stop at us.

I’d have ice cream, and hot dogs a soda and cotton candy and Cracker Jacks and peanuts..

And then I’d fall asleep.

Like clockwork.

And dad would carry me back to the car when the game was over.

And let me tell you, this founded my love of baseball – a true love of food. LOL

And recently we went to the Mets game.

Except now I have seats where waiters come to you and serve you off of a menu. Sure vendors walk by..but it’s not the same.

And I don’t fall asleep anymore. I stay awake – and I actually watch the game.

But I still hold his hand when we walk back to the car – mostly to help him now. But every now and then, I hold his pinky finger..and I feel six years old again.

And you know what?

I like it.

Happy Father’s Day, dad! And to all of the other dads out there that can and will always make their children feel like children (in a good way), when they may need it most.


XOXO,
B

The Fashion Showcase Begins!

Okay, so I’ve been secretly bubbling over with the giddy.

A few weeks ago I had this brilliant idea (I think all of my ideas are brilliant – just ask Borday).

A Fashion Showcase at the Bee Hive.

I mean, think about!

It’s PURE GENIUS!

Designers get exposure, the club gets exposure, DJ Borday gets exposure, I get to work with some of my FAVORITE designers ever! It’s win/win for everyone.

So I IMed Busybee Beaver, dumping my brain spasms onto her. And as usual, she was receptive.

So I got busy. I IMed first and foremost, Skinkie Winkler. Skinkie is the creator behind ~flirt~ jewelry. If you’ve never seen it, you MUST. Very beautiful, very classic, very trendy. And Skinkie, as in the past, was very positive about the venture and eager to work with me. If you’re interested, please check out the ~flirt~ blog at http://flirtacious.wordpress.com/ .

Now I was REALLY bubbling with the giddy. I IMed two of my other favorite designers – this time clothing – Sachi Vixen from Adam N Eve and Tuli Asturias from []::Tuli::[]. Both designers were also very receptive to the idea and happy to take part as well.

Could it be? Could the creators of the very clothes I covet be interested in working with me at the Bee Hive for a showcase? Now I’m just bouncing around – beyond excited. What’s beyond excited you ask? Me!

So now, I won’t lie. I haven’t the foggiest clue how this will go.

It could be a total flop. Nobody could show.

I could be wasting everyone’s time.

Now if I thought like that, I’d never try anything. Ever.

So I plow ahead. Booking more creators/designers/builders and planting them each two weeks apart.

I’m honored to say that Beverly Zauberflote from Witchy Woman Designs and Aeryn Lovenkraft from Lovenkrafted Shapes have also agreed to hop on board and take part in the Showcase.

So I’m just hoping nobody changes their mind. I’m hoping people show up. And, I suppose, above all else, I’m hoping this is a positive experience for everyone involved.

So, if you’re reading this and interested in taking part in the showcase, please drop me an IM or notecard. I’d be happy to speak with you and work things out.

SO! Beginning June 17th from 6-8 PM SLT, the Fashion Showcase kicks off with ~flirt~ and will run through the summer with some of the best and brightest in Second Life. I hope to see you there – even if it’s for a moment.

And now, I’m going to take my super giddy..super excited butt to bed.

Thanks for reading this far.

And if you want to help..please IM me! I’d love the help! Before every featured designer, I will post about them and whatever outfits/goods I own from them. :) So stay tuned!


XOXO,
B

SL Questions..

Okay, borrowed this from Kim who borrowed from Joonie..

SL Bloggers - If there was one thing on the grid that you could snap your fingers and it would be gone forever, what would it be and why?

Hmm.

I guess..I wouldn’t get rid of anything.

Even the bad stuff.

Everything happens for a reason.

And everything has its place.



SL Bloggers - Where do you go to shop when you just need some retail therapy? Do you suffer from buyers remorse later? What is the most expensive thing in your inventory?

OH BOY!

Cupcakes, Indyra, ICING, Love.Love.Love, Maitreya, WWD..

Buyer’s remorse ? Sometimes. Mostly with the freebie crap I pick up.

Most expensive thing? A 1,500L yoga mat. But I use it and love it. And finally have the prims to put it out! Hooooo!



XOXO,
B

The Beach Test

What the Beach Test Says About You

You like people, but you're careful about who you get close to. Friendship is important to you... so important that you aren't just friends with anyone. You fall in love with ease and confidence. Even if you've had bad experiences in the past, each new love is a reason to start completely over. You are a deep and contemplative person. You are as passionate as everyone else, but your passion is not always apparent. Your sense of humor is very physical. Your facial expressions or spot on imitations of people are hilarious.

The Beach Test

Home Sweet..New Home?

So it seems like I just moved, no? From Sporks’ home of Deyo to Blissie’s Retreat in Bayou. Well, get ready. We’ve moved again. This time, we’ve moved to Marinero. Hooo!

A sailing sim for Moo with prims aplenty for me to gobble up. Like Hannah, it’s the best of both worlds!

I finally have a WHOLE kitchen out – WITH FOOD! I’ve even got my beloved cupcakes out! You can’t imagine my excitement. Moo has his pirate niche and I have my beachy snuggle spots.

And our snowy skybox? Well. It’s gone.

That’s not to say we won’t have a snowy spot again someday – just not right now.

But I have some great stuff out to play with – spots to just hang out and chat.

And the most excellent Beverly Zauberflote (from Witchy Woman Designs – where you MUST go if you’ve never been) who custom designed my beloved Blissie Tulip furniture (which you can buy too!) even gave me the thumbs up last night for the island. (Funny side story. I gave Bev the LM to the island so she could wander freely. So after Moo’s show we get home exhausted, get into our kinda nekkid clothes and then POOF..Bev appears on the bridge. And I’m laughing, and Borday’s looking for pants..and it was just awesomely funny..and it’s the kind of thing that makes you laugh the next day..). Thanks, Bev!

Our house is down on the island, so I welcome you to pop in and look around (though, the house has security and only a select few are built in – so..you may want to drop me an IM first..LOL).

If you have a boat, feel free to come down and sail around. There are ten sims you can sail to. There’s a carpet ride through the entire area at the main hub.

All in all, it’s a pretty nice place. And yes, I’ll be having a party soon.

I hope to see you drop by the island.


XOXO,
B

50 Things

50 ODD Things about you! Now that you are reading - you too have to fill it out!Learn 50 things about your friends and family, and let them learn 50 things about you!I deleted my original e-mail. So here are some brand new responses.

1. Do you like blue cheese? Sometimes.
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No.
3. Do you own a gun? No. But I’m constantly rethinking that.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? I’ve discovered there IS a Sonic in New York. Just..nowhere I’ve ever seen.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Eh. Sometimes.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? What ARE they made of?
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Love, Actually
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Cranberry juice.
9. Can you do pushups? Yep.
10. Age? 27.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Diamond stud earrings.
12. Favorite hobby? Writing.
13. Favorite Actor? The list is just too long.
14. Do you have A.D.D.? Probably.
15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I’m not very friendly.
16. Middle name? Danger! Or Fashion!
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? It’s hot, I feel so lazy, and I need more shrimp.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday/today: Lindens, land and a new Mets t-shirt for my dad.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Vitamin Water, cranberry juice and Jamba Juice
20. Current worries? Where do I belong in this world?
21. Current hate right now? Working.
22. Favorite place to be? In bed.
23. How did you bring in the New Year? Happily. J
24. Where would you like to go? Fiji!
25. Name three people who will complete this ? :) You, you and you.
26. Do you own slippers? Yes.
27. What shirt are you wearing? My gray Pink t-shirt.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Once I’m asleep, I don’t care.
29. Can you whistle? Not so great.
30. Favorite color? Purple.
31. Would you be a pirate? Yes.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Ain’t No Stoppin’ Sunshine!
33. Favorite girl's name? Cheryl
34. Favorite boy's name? Dylan.
35. What is in your pocket right now? No pockets. Pajama pants!
36. Last thing that made you laugh? Guy at Shea Stadium screaming at another guy for talking on his cell phone.
37. Best bed sheets as a child? Strawberry Shortcake.
38. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken heart.
39. Do you love where you live? Sometimes.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 7 (don’t ask)
41. Who is your loudest friend? Uhm..Kim?
42. How many dogs do you have? None.
43. Does someone have a crush on you? ROFL! Let’s say no?
44. What is your favorite book? God of Small Things.
45. Where were you born? Brooklyn, NY
46. What is your favorite candy? Teuscher champagne truffles.
47. Favorite Sports Team? Mets!
48. What song(s) do you want played at your funeral? Home by Daughtry or Travelin’ Thru by Dolly Parton.
49. What were you doing at 12AM? Uhm..last night? On Second Life.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? It’s SATURDAY!

Hairy Sleepless Mess..with Starbucks!

Don't think it. Please.

But one of my closest friends is Eva. And Eva is also my hair stylist.

There, you just thought it! How very New York of her.

But it's not like that. I've known Eva for years. I knew her when she was dating my friend and then no longer dating said friend. And in the end, I kept her. She was the more genuine person in that couple. And I've never regretted my choice.

So some days, when we both need it, I wait for her outside of her salon with a grande passion tea lemonade for me and an iced caramel macchiato. We stroll around..window shopping down Fifth Avenue, chatting and mocking multiple outfits, hairstyles and people (of course).

But a few years ago, Eva was the first friend I ever had that called me out on my insomnia. Putting aside that it came with eratic behavior and wicked cruelty (my vicious icy tongue lashed out more than once at our friends), it was also hell on my appearance.

She told me to meet her for a late dinner, she wanted to talk to me. So I waited at the salon until things were all settled and closed up, and she told me to sit in the chair. She picked up a few strands of my hair and glared. Yes, I'd been cutting my own hair. Not in a demented kind of hacking way..but being up at bizarre hours of the night..you notice things. Like uneven hair. And you set out to rectify it – always doing more harm than good.

"Can you fix it?" My words more a question than a plea.

She sighed and looked at me. Fifteen minutes later my hair was washed and she was snipping away, evening out my uneven and unhappy tresses while I talked. And she listened. Without comment for 40 minutes while I let it all out. Everything that ran through my mind at 2:54 AM. Everything that haunted me..everything that woke me up out of a deep sleep. Everything came out. Fears, sadness, stress, anger..

And when we were done, my hair was perfectly coifed. New bangs, clean cut..and it was all even. She stood behind me in the mirror and said "Life is like hair, honey. No matter what you do to it, there's always some way to fix it. Whether it's alone, which I don't recommend doing unless you have a beauty license, or with the help of a friend. It'll always be okay. So don't sweat it."

And I'd love to say that my insomnia ended that night. But..it didn't. But I learned that sometimes it’s not about fixing a problem..but just being able to verbalize it. Just being able to say..“this is what’s wrong..and me saying it outloud won’t make it worse..won’t give it more power.” That changes your world sometimes.

And changing your life a little helps too. I shut down working on my laptop earlier now (mostly because SL slows me down..LOL). I've (been put on) started a sleep schedule. A routine helps. And someone to kind of enforce it does too.

But letting it all out still works best for me. Because if stuff can't torment you, they can't keep you awake either. And I have a few rough nights now and then..I won't lie. But it’s better. I’m better.

But I talk now. I don't keep it to myself. And a few days of sleeplessness trumps a few months of it – even if my ego takes a slight hit (you can't imagine how horrible you feel if you've never had insomnia - it's not even about the sleep - it's about turning your mind off just for a little and keeping your sanity).

:) And sanity is such a fragile thing in this wacky world.



Until next time,

B

Pretty in Pink..

So I pushed my crappy work day aside and decided I needed a little mid-day pick me up. And my mid-day pick me up generally revolves around three things: dessert, shopping and..uhm..lunch (teehee). So I strolled over to Sephora and started shopping. I was out of my Clinique 'All About Lips', so the trip did have a point.

..in the beginning, that is..

And then I started wandering around the store. I found a super cute kit by Too Faced called 'A Decade of Glamour'. The contents, I must admit, were genius. Their top telling items from the last ten years were exposed when you unfolded the little dollhouse shaped kit. Mindblowing let me tell you. From lipsticks to blush..to..eyeshadows..mascara..liner..it was all in there! By now my one little Clinique box that I'd been carrying around the store was making friends in my cute little silver and black shopping basket that the saleswoman was kind enough to bring me. I also picked up Philosophy's new coconut scrub (though it's not new..just the Coconut Milk scrub they'd released last year repackaged after disappointed customers were told Coconut Milk was discontinued and would not be returning). I snagged a cute new palette of eye shadows in the Summer's hot colors (it came with a free liquid eyeliner! Gotta love stuff like that!). So I was done. I'd decided. I was done and going to get on line. And then I saw it.

And of course, I had to have it.

Too Faced’s ‘Mood Swing Lip Gloss’. Emotionally activated lip gloss. Changes to your perfect shade of pink according to your mood. And what are the listed moods, you ask? Not angry..sad..happy..

No.

The moods are (in this particular order): Totally Zen, Slightly Smitten, Feelin’ Frisky, Dirty Thoughts, Hot & Bothered, and Bask in the Afterglow. So a sex driven lip gloss? Wow. What will they think of next? Little buzzzer's tied into men's watches that go off when any woman is turned on within a five foot radius?

Anyway.

So I bought it. What? Are you shocked? Tsk, tsk. It's got to be tested, no?

So I skitter back to work with my sack of goodies and grab my friend. We read and re-read the box. Looks easy to use. So..I slap some on my lips. It's clear. Glossy looking.

And then..

It's hot pink. Hot & Bothered, according to the box. But it’s really pink.

Like..flaming whore pink! (Yeah, I always thought flaming whore only came in the red shade, but the things you learn..they're shocking!).

So now I'm sitting at work..with hot pink lips..which are telling me I'm supposed to be in heat or something. And I don't think I am. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm not.

And then my co-worker walks by. Mr.IStopAndBabbleAboutMyselfForTenMinutesWithoutAir.

And he says..

"That's really pretty lipstick. Don't think I've seen you in that color before." I don't correct him that it's gloss. "Sexy." And he leaves.

So I read the box again. Maybe I read it wrong. Maybe it reads other people's moods? So I look in my little mirror again. Maybe the color had lightened up a little?

Nope. Still flaming whore pink.

Hm.

So after much thought, I decided that the lip gloss was made by men. Men trying to convince women they're in heat..when they're not. Because..why would lipstick lie to us?

And that's my conclusion.

But..let's admit it..it won't stop me from slapping some of this stuff on when I get pulled over for my next speeding ticket. God gave me this weapon..er..TOOL for a reason. To waste it is a sin. :)


Decade of Glamour Beauty Wardrobe Makeup Collection ($195 Value)

What it is:

Ten years' worth of best-selling products from Too Faced.

What it does:

Introducing the Too Faced Decade of Glamour Beauty Wardrobe Makeup Collection. Once upon a time (1998 to be exact), in a town known as Tinsel, two young (and need I say charming?) boys named Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson decided it was time to add glamour, sex appeal, and glitter back into the beauty biz. Declaring, "Why be pretty when you can be gorgeous?" the Too Faced revolution began. The Decade of Glamour beauty kit transforms you from pretty and sweet, to red carpet starlet and sexy in seconds. Loaded with every best-selling product in our ten years of business to make heads turn and hearts break�the Decade of Glamour Beauty Kit will have the paparazzi frenzied for you.

What else you need to know:

The deluxe kit includes six Eye Shadows (Astro Turf, Zsa Zsa, Label Whore, Pixie Dust, Ooh and Aah, and Lovey Dovey), Beauty Balm in Girly Grapefruit, an exclusive Bronzing Powder, two Gossip Glosses (Sabotage and Tattle Tale), two Lipsticks (You're No Lady and Marcia Marcia Marcia), Bauble Gloss in Ring Pop, a mini Lash Injection Mascara, Glamour Gloss in Love Bites, Ooh La Rouge Blush Duo in Pink Provacateur, Juicy Jewel Doublesided Gloss Stick in Vanilla Ice, Sun Bunny Bronzer Duo, a full-size Lip Injection, and a mini Lava Gloss Eyeliner.

Mood Swing

What it is:

A lip gloss that changes color on your lips depending on your body heat, ph balance, and mood.

What it does:

Our supernatural formulation starts off crystal clear and blossoms into countless shades of pink from cotton candy to deep fuchsia, depending on the wearer's emotional state. Are you in love, jealous, angry, happy, or hot and bothered? Your lips will tell the tale and allow you to express yourself like never before! Mood Swing's secret blend of essential oils and extracts improves elasticity and rejuvenates your lips while natural sunscreens insure a younger looking smile.

What else you need to know:

Apply Mood Swing when you're feeling sassy, sexy, or deliriously happy and witness your lip color blossom from clear to pale pink or fuchsia. You can also apply Mood Swing in the center of the lips, over the top of lipstick, and watch the color erupt for a perfect pout.

Enjoy,

B