#SecondLifeChallenge - My Second Life blogging/vlogging journey

1. How long have you been blogging or vlogging about Second Life?
I started my blog in December '16 when I had been in Second Life for just under four months. It wasn't until June of '17 that I was hired by my first store. I don't vlog yet but I've been learning and practicing OBS Studio and find I'm pretty comfortable making videos so I hope to get into that some time soon.

2. Why did you start blogging or vlogging?
I've been writing in blogs and online journals since 2000, so it was only natural I'd want to make a regular record of my experience in Second Life, especially since it was a platform I had never tried before. Prior to Second Life, all my online activities took place in text form via message broads, forums and chat clients. I originally figured it would be more focused on writing with the occasional picture to prevent people from getting bored.

3. How many times a week/month do you post?
It varies from 3-5 times per week, although sometimes I play catch-up and spam my few readers several times over the weekend.

4. Do you keep track of how many hits or subscribers you have?
I think if I did that it would be a bit discouraging for me. Being that I'm such a new blogger, I don't get many hits and I don't even know how to tell if someone has subscribed to my blog.

5. What electronic devices do you use to blog/vlog with?
I only use my laptop.

6. Do you monetize your blog or vlogs?
Ok lol I don't know what that means.

7. What has Second Life blogging or vlogging taught you?
So far it's taught me that I can meet challenges I would never have chosen on my own. It's shown that I do have a creative streak and a willingness to work hard on it and put the results out there with little to no guarantee of success. In the past, I've been hesitant to share my creative work with others and often go months and even years without producing anything worthwhile. Somehow, Second Life blogging has given me confidence and a drive to constantly produce.

8. Do you feel like Second Life blogging or vlogging takes away from your real life?
Not in the slightest. Second Life is something I do in my spare time and I have plenty of it since my job doesn't demand overtime and my social life usually takes place on the weekends. I'm the only one of my friends who doesn't have a husband or kids and I don't do the nightlife thing any more. I've always been an early bird so Second Life is perfect for those pre-dawn hours I like to spend on the porch with my coffee, before the rest of the world wakes up. I also don't think I would ever let it take away from my real life because that always comes first and most people understand that.

9. Do you have a mission statement for your blog or vlog and if so, what is it?
Nothing formal yet, but I do aim to inform and entertain readers. Eventually, when I get into vlogging I would like it to be informative. Right now I'm interested in creating tutorials but there's no telling where it will take me once I get into it.

10. Share your top 3 tips for [fellow] new bloggers/vloggers.
Always have a passion for what you do - don't stick with something which becomes a chore. Blogging/vlogging in Second Life is supposed to be a creative outlet. Be an active learner - always strive to continue growing. And finally, get immersed in the community - it's full of so many talented people who are passionate about what they do and will support and inspire you.

In case you're wondering what the #SecondLifeChallenge is, click here for info.

credits:
[hair] Truth - Elyse
[dress] Dead Dollz - Praha (Fifty Linden Friday 10-27)
[shoes] Ingenue - Nina Wooden Heels (Fifty Linden Friday 10-27)
[glasses] Izzie's - Oversized Sunglasses
[body] Maitreya
[head] Catwa - Catya
[pose] Double Take - Mountain Ranges

Taken @ the Sable Club

I am a Truthie

In the last year, the Truth VIP group has become my home. Chat is usually pretty active and I've made a lot of friends there because it's filled with some of the loveliest people I've met in Second Life. I also appreciate his exclusive monthly groups gifts just as much as I do his main store and event releases and am blown away by how hard he works just to design something he winds up giving away for free. He most certainly likes to spoil us.

Speaking of which, this month was likely going to be the first month without a gift due to some seriously time-consuming rl stuff Truth was involved in. However, on the evening of the 28th, Amber announce the gift was coming after all. I was so surprised and excited, I opened the folder immediately and put it on without even realizing there was no picture included...and suddenly found myself standing there with a pumpkin on my head! My first thought was "hmm what did I do?". I re-checked the folder and sure enough, the only wearable item in there was called "Pumpkin". I guiltily tried to suppress a smirk as I squinted and leaned in to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. And then the giggles started. In the next 24 hours the group was filled with laughter and talk of spit-takes and some seriously funny pictures and commentary...and yes, some righteous indignation as well. I won't focus on those lone individuals though. For me, the pumpkin demonstrated his sense of humor and despite not being my next go-to 'style' (snort) I delighted in imagining his amusement as he made it. In place of a stem, he added a bow and a little tuft of hair and, of course, every color pack for the hair!

Then 24 hours later, we got another notice and discovered there was a full hair gift after all. So despite moving his entire family to another country and whatever else he had going on this month, he managed to get us TWO gifts. 

wearing:

[hair] Truth - Makena (October VIP group gift)

[glasses] Convair - Glamingo Glasses

[scarf] Just Because - Fiore Scarf A

[sweater] Reign - Oxley Cardigan - Cognac 

[dress] Reign - Oxley Wrinkled Dress - Sand

[boots & socks] Reign - Blair Knee High Boot & Blair Boot Socks

[bag] Reign - Fall Vibes Traveler Bag - the Romantic

[coffee] Reign - Doodle Cup Latte

[body] Maitreya

[head] Catwa - Catya

[pose] An Lar - the Jane Series no. 4 (arms modified by the latte and bag)

scene:

buildings (L) Serenity Style- Norah Imagination  Little Library RARE

                (R) Serenity Style- Janire -Le Petit Tresor ULTRARARE

sidewalk {what next} Lucia Terrace x2 resized & linked

{what next} Scattered Leaves Decor (large & small)

PILOT & Can't Even - Basket of Pumpkins

Tarte - Cape Wagon (October Luxe box)

Peaches box (for unpacking)

Sway's [Autumn] Pumpkin decoration - single A - natural x2

bunting unlinked from the Cheeky Pea - Autumn Harvest Pumpkins set (October Deco(c)rate)

inside the window

DaD DESIGN - Oval wood table brown

PILOT - Scully-Bot

Truth - Pumpkin (October VIP gift)

Truth:
to join the VIP group, paste this URI into local chat: secondlife:///app/group/7ebc6331-a002-2735-2597-c7badaae368a/about
or taxi to the main store. (joiner is in the far left corner of the second room)

marketplace

  

happy fall

I can't get enough of this season and its beautiful colors. I also love repurposing things and the open air option on the Lucia Summer House seemed perfect for a cafe type setting.

{what next} Lucia Terrace x3
{what next} Lucia Summer House (with lights)
{what next} Happy Fall Banner (VIP group gift)
{what next} Colonna Hot Chocolate Station (NEW @ the main store)
{what next} Terrace Table & Chairs
Trompe Loeil  - Ceres Pumpkins
Nutmeg - Rattan Tote Carry - Biege
{what next} Hot Apple Cider Mug Decor
{what next} Hot Chocolate Mug Decor
{what next} Victoria Sponge Slice - (VIP Group Gift)
{what next} 'Hello Fall' Mini Tree (lit) x4
{what next} Rustic Bellevie Light String - 2 Poles x2
{what next} Scattered Leaves Decor (large) x3
{what next} Autumn Bicycle Decor
{what next} Pallet Log Box
Kalopsia - Bibi's Chiminea
Peaches - Rustic Accents -  Hanging Frames - RARE (@ N21)
Zen Creations - Harvest Blackboard Art Table Set

landscaping:
Studio Skye - Four Season Oak Trees
Studio Skye - Wild Grasses
Keke - Windflowers

What Next
marketplace
main store
flickr

#SecondLifeChallenge - Halloween in Second Life

I don't usually go for the creepy gory look but I do like to get into the Halloween spirit and really enjoyed doing this challenge. Check out the #SecondLifeChallenge details here.
Credits below.

wearing:
[hair] Truth - Olinda
[dress] Just Because - Giselle Gown - Bloody Lady (group gift)
[earrings] Maxi Gossamer - Lola Happy Magik Skulls
[body] Maitreya
[head] Catwa - Lona
[face & body blood] Izzie's
[skin] Amara beauty - Joanna Fantasy Skins (October Powder Pack)
[eyes] Izzie's Zombie Eyes (October Powder Pack)
[lips] Catwa - from the Catwa Lona hud

[pose] oOo - Ghost Light no 1

scene and props
Tasty - Brutal Infestation Bodies
Tasty - Spiders unlinked from Bodies
MadPea - Severed Head (wearing Truth Jon hair)
Remarkable Oblivian - Zombie Axe - Bloody (group gift)

Pewpew - Southern Shed (September Deco(c)rate)

goal digger

Serenity Style - Skippy Scooter  RUST RARE (NEW @ Shiny Shabby)
Serenity Style - Skippy Scooter  Purple RARE (NEW @ Shiny Shabby)
Scarlet Creative - Greenwich Chaise Lounge
Apple Fall - Open Book
unKindness - 9 to 5 Marble/Pearl Table RARE (NEW @ Epiphany)
What Next - Swiss Cheese Plant
unKindness - 9 to 5 Day Bed RARE (NEW @ Epiphany)
MishMish - My Kawaii Snail / Pink / stance 4 (August Luxe Box)
What Next - House Plant - Rubber Tree (stand)
What Next - Snake Plant (stand)
What Next - Swiss Cheese Plant (stand)
Garbaggio - Shoe Box Clutter 5
What Next - Toasty Space Heater (pink)
What Next - Bloom Rug x2
Scarlet Creative - Venice Curtains Blue MC x3
Sway's - Iris - Window Blind - wide - gradient x2
Scarlet Creative - Daisy Cupboard Faded MT
What Next - Madeleine Mannequin
unKindness - 10. 9 to 5 Triple Box Stack Patterns x2 (NEW @ Epiphany)
Scarlet Creative - Sofia Bed Neutral MC
Scarlet Creative - Artist Desk and Plant MC
unKindness - 11. 9 to 5 Dbl Box Stack Patterns x2 (NEW @ Epiphany)
What Next - Madeleine Hatbox (stack)
Scarlet Creative - Sofia Basket MC
unKindness - 17. 9 to 5 Amazing Things Frames (NEW @ Epiphany)
unKindness - 16. 9 to 5 Good Vibes Framed  (NEW @ Epiphany)
unKindness - 18. 9 to 5 Goal Digger Sign - 25 point Exclusive  (NEW @ Epiphany)
What Next - Hearts Alarm Clock (ivory) (VIP group gift)
unKindness - 8. 9 to 5 Side Table w/Fern (NEW @ Epiphany)
unKindness - 6. 9 to 5 Foxy Lappy (NEW @ Epiphany)
Sway's - Workplace - Pencil Jar
Sway's - Workplace - Pens and Pencils
What Next - Row of Books  A (Decorated)
What Next - Pothos Plant (trailing)
Sway's - Workplace - Stack of Books
unKindness - 14. 9 to 5 Nail Polish Highlighters (NEW @ Epiphany)
unKindness - 15. 9 to 5 Lipstick Highlighters (NEW @ Epiphany)
unKindness - 4 9 to 5 Polka Dot Desk (NEW @ Epiphany)
unKindness - 3. 9 to 5 Desk Chair (NEW @ Epiphany)
Sway's - Workplace - Paper Bin
Scarlet Creative - Venice Wardrobe - Blue MC

Scarlet Creative - Greenwich Park House RARE

UnKindness
marketplace
main store
flickr

Serenity Style
marketplace
main store
flickr

What Next
marketplace
main store
flickr

Sway's
marketplace
main store
flickr

Lonely Dream

[hair] Truth - Lisette + Bangs Swept Left (from VIP bangs Collection in the main store)
[bodysuit] ChicModa - Raven
[tat] Identity Body Shop - Lonely Dream (NEW @ Shiny Shabby)
[body] Maitreya
[head] Catwa - Lona
[skin] Essences - Isela (August Powder Pack)
[pose] Paper Rabbit - Pose 22 (@ Seasons Story)

Lagom - FairyGrass - gift (@ Seasons Story)
Anc - Mist Cloud

Truth Hair & Apparel
marketplace
main store
flickr

Identity Body Shop
marketplace
main store
flickr

ChicModa
marketplace
main store
flickr

get lost

[hair] Truth - Miriam
[top] ChicModa - Bonnie Halloween (NEW @ the main store for Once Upon A Nightmare* - fatpack is 50% off until Oct 31st!)
[pants] Tetra - Skinny Zip Capris
[body] Maitreya
[head] Catwa - Lona
[skin] League - Ella
[backdrop] Isuka - Union Local Backdrop (NEW @ Shiny Shabby)
[pose] LePoppycock - Live Free A - Get Lost

Truth Hair & Apparel
marketplace
main store
flickr

ChicModa
marketplace
main store
flickr

*More about Once Upon A Nightmare:
This is a mainstore event which includes a hunt. Shoppers can obtain the Shopping HUD from any
participating store or by joining the Once Upon a Nightmare Group in world by pasting the URI into local chat:
secondlife:///app/group/8be9bd9c-87b3-84c8-1172-1f5f629a0fa7/about
Click here for a list of participating stores and shopping guide

repurposed

Serenity Style - Bri Wedding Gazebo (NEW @ the Trunk Show)
Serenity Style -Bri Wedding Lamp (NEW @ the Trunk Show)
What Next - Farmhouse Gourds
What Next - Farmhouse Candlesticks
What Next - 'Hello Fall' - Mini Tree x2
Tarte. Round Table (white washed)
Bee Designs - Elise Living Room Gacha Books - Purple ribbon
Serenity Style - Autumn Flying Leaves
Kres - Autumn Tray (TSS gift)
Tarte - Hanging Sofa RARE
Tarte - Star Marquee
Tarte - Goodnight Moon

Landscaping by Studio Skye

Serenity Style
marketplace
main store
flickr

What Next
main store
marketplace
flickr

in the kitchen

Sway's - Judith China Cabinet with decor - Birch (@ Shiny Shabby - Oct 20th)
What Next - Patisserie - Stacked Bowls Decor
Apple Fall - Roses Jug
Apple Fall - Tea Time Tins
Mesh Plants - Hibiscus Tall - Pink
Dust Bunny - Potted Rowan Berries
Kalopsia - Bibi's Can Plant - Pink/Yellow
What Next - Patisserie - Kitchen Utensils
Dust Bunny - Storybook Living - Lavender Tin
Dust Bunny - Hanging Flower Pot - Blue
Dust Bunny - Darling Hanging Plant x2
Chez Moi - Southern Kitchen Island (September Deco(c)rate)
What Next - Patisserie - Dish Drainer
Dutchie - Whisk
Apple Fall - Decorative Artichokes
Apple Fall - Charlotte's Pears
What Next - Patisserie - Bowls Decor
What Next - Patisserie - Kitchen Mixer
MB - BBQ  tomato Server
What Next - Victoria Sponge Cake - (VIP group gift)
Anhelo - Cutting Board and Knives
Anhelo - Kitchen Shelf
What Next - Patisserie - Bake Decor
What Next - Colonna Coffee Machine (white)
What Next - Colonna Coffee Cups Decor
What Next - Colonna Cannisters
What Next - White Hot Chocolate Machine RARE
What Next - Colonna Sideboard - Mix/Decor
Chez Moi - Southern Kitchen Stool (September Deco(c)rate)

Wearing:
[hair] Truth - Elira
[top] Paper Arrow - Heart Sweater (October Luxe box)
[Pants] tetra - Skinny Zip Capris
[body] Maitreya
[head] Cartwa - Lona
pose/props from Chez Moi - Southern Kitchen Island (September Deco(c)rate)

What Next
main store
marketplace
flickr

Sway's
marketplace
main store
flickr

#SecondLifeChallenge - My Zodiac Sign

~credits below~

Strawberry Singh's #SecondLifeChallenge - My Zodiac Sign

Well, I've been feeling disappointed lately that I haven't been writing as much as I'd hoped I would when I first started this blog but thanks to Berry, she's once again got me typing up a storm. I do think I'm going to love these challenges.


1. What is your Zodiac sign?  I'm smack in the middle of Aquarius.

2. Do you believe in Astrology and read your horoscope often? Not really but it's fun sometimes. My mother used to read our horoscopes at the breakfast table.

3. What are some of the traits of your zodiac sign and do you feel they reflect who you are?

I am going to copy and paste the traits from the astrology-zodiac-signs.com website for Aquarius here and then compare.

Strengths: Progressive, original, independent, humanitarian. Interesting. I've been called each of these things so often that I've gotten to the point of attaching them to the definition of who I am but I also tend to doubt myself. These are the exact strengths I strive to posses at least. I always thought they came from my parents though.

Weaknesses: Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof. Oh yep, that's me in a nutshell - all except the aloof part. I tend toward being very outgoing and I love chatting with people. I warm up quickly in social situations but I also don't get very close to people that easily.

Aquarius likes:
Fun with friends
I like to spend a lot of time at home by myself and I don't think I spend enough time with my friends, so this one might not fit me perfectly.
helping others 
I've always loved helping others and I like to go out of my way to do so.
fighting for causes 
I don't necessarily fight for causes but I do feel strongly about certain ones and those strong feelings can come through in how I express myself. I daydream about being more involved but it seems like it would stress me out.
intellectual conversation 
I like intellectual conversations but I don't like pretentious ones. I'm more satisfied when they're interesting. 
a good listener 
this is a must.

Aquarius dislikes:
limitations
who doesn't?
broken promises
although I'm a forgiving person, I have a near-zero tolerance for broken promises unless there are extenuating circumstances.
being lonely
I don't feel lonely very often at all but when I did I sure hated it - but who doesn't?
dull or boring situations
I have a childlike reaction to boring or dull situations, but at least nowadays I can keep that to myself
people who disagree with them 
I've struggled with this in the past but I've been working on it for some time now and I feel like I've made some progress.

Aquarius-born are shy and quiet , but on the other hand they can be eccentric and energetic. See, this is interesting. I've always viewed this as my unique split personality lol perhaps it does have more to do with being an Aquarius than it does with being unique.

However, in both cases, they are deep thinkers and highly intellectual people who love helping others. I have been accused of being an intellectual deep thinker but I would beg to differ sometimes.

They are able to see without prejudice, on both sides, which makes them people who can easily solve problems. 
I'm pretty good at seeing life through the eyes of others or understanding their point of view even if I disagree with them but that doesn't mean I always show up that way in face to face conversations. I do love a challenge though and problem solving is one I find myself involved in a lot.

Although they can easily adapt to the energy that surrounds them, Aquarius-born have a deep need to be some time alone and away from everything, in order to restore power. 
Sometimes my tendency to adapt to the energy around me can be exhausting and even emotionally distressing, which is why I avoid drama as much as humanly possible. That's one of the reasons I love the internet, because I have a lot more control over my environment and can keep it clean with the tap of a button. The time alone thing is very accurate. I usually need it after work or after spending time with a group of people or in a crowd. I tend to avoid large crowds for that reason.

People born under the Aquarius sign, look at the world as a place full of possibilities.
Yep, still haven't lost my childlike curiosity.

Aquarius is an air sign, and as such, uses her mind at every opportunity.
I've always been pretty resourceful. I've missed out on a lot of privileges in life but that never stopped me from accomplishing what I wanted.

If there is no mental stimulation, they are bored and lack motivation to achieve the best result.
True. I always thought of it as bouts of laziness. I like the sound of "needs mental stimulation" better.

The ruling planet of Aquarius, Uranus has a timid, abrupt and sometimes aggressive nature, 
Abrupt and aggressive? I prefer "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line". I don't beat around the bush. I don't have the patience for it.

but it also gives Aquarius visionary quality. They are capable of perceiving the future and they know exactly what they want to be doing five or ten years from now.
Ha! I never know what the future holds but I seem to be able to predict it in others.

Uranus also gave them the power of quick and easy transformation, 
Eerily accurate

so they are known as thinkers, progressives and humanists.
Not sure how the powder of quick and easy transformation leads to being progressive humanist but I do relate to both of those.

They feel good in a group or a community, so they constantly strive to be surrounded by other people.
I do love being part of a community but that doesn't mean I strive to be surrounded by other people.

The biggest problem for Aquarius-born is the feeling that they are limited or constrained. Because of the desire for freedom and equality for all, they will always strive to ensure freedom of speech and movement. 
Freedom of speech and movement are causes I would fight for if I had the energy to do so. For now though I just settle for doing it on social media and in the one-sided conversation of a blog post with comments disabled.

Aquarius-born have a reputation for being cold and insensitive persons, but this is just their defense mechanism against premature intimacy. They need to learn to trust others and express their emotions in a healthy way.
Ok this is a loaded statement. I have felt cold and insensitive at times but I do believe it's an instinctual defense against getting hurt. I have difficulty trusting others implicitly although I'm good at giving them the benefit of the doubt. In the past I've expressed my emotions in pretty unhealthy ways but in recent years I've mostly clammed up and only expressed my emotions to those I trust enough.

Notes:
Although many of the qualities listed by the website - both good and bad - were accurate, I've always seen them as products of genetics, my environment, upbringing and personal experiences. While that's more likely to be true than the fact I was born in early February, It's interesting to think about. Could there be some cosmic influence to these elements of me that is working on a subconscious level to determine how I think and live my life?

Photo credits:
[hair] Truth - Lola
[headband] from Doe - Sue hair (May Bish Box)
[whiskers & eyeliner]: Identity Body Shop - Faces - Bad Kitty (May Bish Box)
[choker] Kibitz - Kitten Collar (May Bish Box)
[tat] Carol G - Cat's Way
[head] Catwa - Lona

In case you're wondering what the #SecondLifeChallenge is, click here for info.

Sugar Skull

[hair] Truth - Ophelia (NEW @ Salem)
[dress] Ison - Julie V-Cut Bodicon (October Luxe Box)
[shoes] Empire - Baby's Breath (October Luxe Box)
[bag] Maxi Gossamer - Madame Midnight
[tat] Identity Body Shop - Secret Love
[necklace] Maxi Gossamer - Royal Autumn Forest Acorn
[pup] Jian - Sugar Skull Pup (October Luxe Box)
[body] Maitreya
[head] Catwa - Catya

Taken @ Night Gazing

my attic

Serenity Style - Janire Vintage Coat Rack
RC Cluster - New Home Moving Boxes
Scarlet Creative - Summer Chairs (from the Sunday Table and Summer Chairs set - May Luxe box)
Serenity Style - My Attic - Old Memories Trunk x2 (October PocketGacha)
Serenity Style - My Attic - Where is my bird cage (October PocketGacha)
DC - Watching Crow
Serenity Style - Adalynne Autumn Suitcase
Serenity Style - My Attic - Lost Drawers (October PocketGacha)
22769 - Bauwerk - He Once Was Cute Bust - COMMON
Serenity Style - My Attic - That Old Music (October PocketGacha)
Serenity Style - My Attic - Covered Armchair (October PocketGacha)
Boogers - Poor Abandoned Bear
ChiMia - Arty Clock
Serenity Style - My Attic- Rust Metal Table (October PocketGacha)
Serenity Style - Janire Vintage Picture
O.M.E.N - I Heart Roo
Tres Blah - Eclectic Collection - Skull w/ Light Roses RARE
Kunst - Tube amplifier RARE
DRD - Post Apoc Radio/Receiver - Yellow (group gift)
Fancy Decor - Stamp Box
Anhelo - TV
Serenity Style - Norah Imagination - Stuffs to keep
Serenity Style - Janire Vintage  Boxes
Garbaggio - Storage Boxes

Scarlet Creative - Ministry Skybox (October Luxe Box)

PocketGacha:
info
October Catalog
get your hud here

Serenity Style
marketplace
main store
flickr

Old Smokems'

Available now @ Gacha Guardians from unKindness:
Old Smokem' National Forest Sign RARE
Old Smokem' Fence
Old Smokem' Log Bench
Old Smokem' Trail Signs 1 and 2

What Next - Bellevie Chairs 1 and 2
What Next - Bellevie Fire Pit
What Next - Bellevie Table
What Next - the Kissing Bridge
Studio Skye - Enchanted Path
Studio Skye - Rocky Outcrops
Little Branch - Four Seasons Cedar trees V2
Studio Sky - Wild Grass - Multiple
Nomad - Vintage Roadtrip Car


UnKindness
marketplace
main store
flickr

What Next
main store
marketplace
flickr

Pumpkin spice and everything nice

Serenity Style - Adalynne Autumn Stepladder
Mesh India - Harvest Moon Leaf Basket (October Deco(c)rate)
7mad;Ravens - Seasonal Art 2 (@ Salem)
Serenity Style - Trick or Treat Candy Frame Display (group gift)
7mad;Ravens - Seasonal Art 1 (@ Salem)
Sway's - Autumn Hanging Lanterns - halloween
Mesh India - Harvest Moon Frame (October Deco(c)rate)
Mesh India - Harvest Moon Fall Banner (October Deco(c)rate)
Sway's - Batty Companion x2
7mad;Ravens - Pillow Crate - Boo (@ Salem)
Sway's - Autumn - Pumpkin decoration - trio - 3
Cheeky Pea - Autumn Harvest Plant x2 (October Deco(c)rate)
Sway's - Autumn - Pumpkin decoration - single A - natural
Sway's - Autumn - Pumpkin decoration - single B - 2
Hive - Mini Pumpkin x8
7mad;Ravens - Pillow Crate - Hocus Pocus (@ Salem)
HEXtraordinary - Harvest Lantern (October Deco(c)rate)
Mesh India - Harvest Moon Tree Light (October Deco(c)rate)
Dust Bunny - Harvest Haybale
Mesh India - Harvest Moon Pumpkin Light (October Deco(c)rate)
Sway's - Autumn Pumpkin decoration - duo - natural
Serenity Style - Adalynne Autumn Stool
Serenity Style - Jules Fall Leaves - Ground
Half-Deer - Metal Leaf Vines - Black - Vertical x2 (@ C88)

Pewpew - Southern Shed (Solo) (September Deco(c)rate)

Sway's
marketplace
main store
flickr

Serenity Style
marketplace
main store
flickr

UnKindness & 7mad;Ravens
marketplace
main store
flickr

taxi to Deco(c)rate Headquarters

Pottering

Scarlet Creative - Harry Pottering Shed (@ C88)
Serenity Style - Raven Dream in the Porch - Bench (October Deco(c)rate)
Nomad - Autumn Garden Bench sans leaves
Pilot - Can't Even - Basket of Pumpkins
Thor - Vintage Ride On Toy
Bazar - Good Morning - Chair
Scarlet Creative - "Daisy Garden" - Table Aged
Garbaggio - Plant Pot 04
Hive  - Basket of Mini Pumpkins - Spilled
Pewpew - Painted Ladder & Planks (September Deco(c)rate)
Soy - Potted Pothos
Vagabond - Tray Table (October Deco(c)rate)
Cheeky Pea - Autumn Harvest - Pumpkins and Lanterns (October Deco(c)rate)
Apple Fall -  L'Olivier Potted Plant x2
Sway's - Pumpkin Carving - Carved Pumpkin A
Sway's - Pumpkin Carving - Carved Pumpkin C
Sway's - Autumn Pumpkin Decoration - Single B - natural x5
Scarlet Creative - Grace Wooden Chair B

InVerse - MRockPath 2 LINEAR x3
HEXtraordinary - Garden District Iron Fencing Kit (September Deco(c)rate)
Studio Skye - Wild Grass Type 1 lush
Studio Skye - Four Season Oak Trees

#SecondLifeChallenge - My Seven Second Life facts

Strawberry Singh's #SecondLifeChallenge

-credits below-

I've been posting on this blog for a while but it wasn't until a few months ago that I officially started blogging for stores. Since then, my Second Life experience has changed quite a lot. I've always enjoyed taking pictures of the fruits of my various shopping sprees but since I've been blogging officially, I've been challenged creatively in ways I may never have challenged myself. As a result, I've grown and gained confidence in my work which may not have happened, had I just continued staying in the safe zone of what I want, when I want. I've also become immersed in the blogging community thru Facebook and flickr and have discovered a lot of very talented people who support me and inspire me every day. There aren't a lot of people who really know me so I'm not sure how surprising or interesting any of this will be but here goes...

My seven Second Life facts:

1. Although I'm very active and in chat groups in world and on social media and have made a lot of friends here, I often prefer to be alone in the quiet of my home or my platform in the sky, building blog scenes. That's where I usually am and what I'm doing most days when I'm chatting up a storm. Even before I started blogging I spent most of my time sim-hopping by myself and taking pictures or sitting around at home while chatting.

2. I enjoy organizing my inventory. Since day one I've always kept it at least somewhat sorted - a folder for everything and everything it its folder. A few months ago I discovered I was pushing 20K items after having been in world for less than a year and that there were so many things I didn't need or use any more, like duplicate landmarks, thank you notecards and sizes I'll never wear. At that point I happily spent HOURS a day for a few weeks deleting all those unnecessary things and making my folders and subfolders even more tidy. And I enjoyed it immensely - I even wish I could sort and clean others' inventories for them!

3. In Second Life I mainly interact with women. Its very rare that I have any contact with men aside from a couple male friends I check in with from time to time, both of whom are guys I dated briefly in the early days. What's interesting about this is that in real life, I'm much more comfortable around men and have very few female friends. In world I connect with women effortlessly while in the real world it has always been a struggle for me. Which is why the next fact might be understandable.

4. Back in December, when I was still quite new, I used my alt to work at a strip club - and damn was it profitable! I quit a couple months later when the club closed down and I realized it was taking up too much time I could have been spending doing all the things I had grown to love about Second Life. I have no desire to get a job and prefer to spend my own money even when funds are low. On a side note, I'm pretty sure that's what caused me to become a shopaholic.

5. I go on gacha sprees and then give them all away. I shudder to think of how much I've spent on those little demon machines. In the past, I've pulled and pulled until I would get a complete set, take a picture wearing or using said set and then it would gather dust in my inventory. One of my subfolders is titled "gachas to share" and I often like playing santa clause with them, rares and all. A couple months ago I decided they weren't going fast enough and in the spirit of keeping things tidy, I took screenshots of the folder and posted it in my favorite groups, offering up anything to anyone, first come, first serve for free. I gave away complete sets in every color of all the Blueberry gachas since December '16 and many many others. It was so much fun! I don't like the idea of selling my gachas even if I were to charge only pull price for each item. It feels wrong to me somehow. That said, I don't judge anyone for doing it (unless they mark them up ridiculously), it's just not my thing.

6. I've never ever been lucky with contests and drawings in real life but in Second Life, I've won a ton of shit! I'll try to list them all here but I'm sure I'll forget some things:
-three Powder Packs
-a BishBox
-around 8-10 gift cards from various popular stores
-a Deco(c)rate
-a total of 4200L in cash drawings
-also, I always seem to win the MM boards

7. Contrary to how I live my real life, in Second Life I'm a bonafide shopaholic. Also contrary to my real life, I rarely wear the same thing twice unless its a quick-change essential piece like my favorite pair of jeans etc and I pretty much never wear the same entire outfit twice. I shop almost daily and don't save outfits for that reason.

I know this post was long but I'm a writer at heart and just can't help myself. I do appreciate anyone who read it all. I don't get many views on this thing and most people don't even seem to notice there's a link to it in all my photos on flickr, so thanks for reading! ❤❤❤

credits:
[hair] Truth - Athena (September VIP group gift - still available free for VIPs!)
[top] Blueberry - Lace Top Free Gift
[jacket] Addams - Biker Jacket
[pants] Tetra - Skinny Zip Capris (Fifty Linden Friday Oct 6)
[shoes] Roc - Martens Boot
[pose] Lagom - Run (@ Salem)

Spooky Tree(s) - Jian (@ Salem)
Raven - Jian - Raven Collection (@ Salem)
Trellis Lantern - DDD
Wild Grass - Studio Skye
Mist Clouds - Anc
gravestones and corpse arms unlinked from the Lagom Necrophobia backdrop (@ Salem)

In case you're wondering what the #SecondLifeChallenge is, click here for info.

Nadira

[hair] Truth - Sorcha
[top] Zaara - Nadira Blouse
[pants] Zaara - Nadira Harem Pants
[belt] Zaara - Nadira Belt
[tat] Carol G - Meditation Flower
[accessories] Codex - Sandy Bento Rings
[body] Maitreya
[head] Catwa - Catya
[pose] Expressive Bento Poses - Arabian Bento no. 2

Taken @ the Zaara mainstore

Expressive Bento Poses
main store
marketplace

Truth Hair & Apparel
marketplace
main store
flickr