Giving Thanks

Too often I feel that we, and when we I say we I mean to say especially me, lose sight of what the American holiday of Thanksgiving should truly be about. Too often it is simply about eating more food that you honestly should and visiting family and friends. But, how often do we stop to actually think of all the things that we are truly and abundantly blessed with? Certainly not often enough.

Over the past week or so I have tried to make it a point every day on my real life Facebook account to post something I am thankful for. My posts have been from the big things in my life like my wonderful boyfriend and my family to the 'smaller' things that I rarely think about like having electricity and running water. Even if I continue to post a different thing or person that I am thankful for the the rest of my life (and hopefully I still have quite a few years left in me), there is no way that I could ever possibly list everything. God as so richly blessed me, and I am ashamed to admit that most the time I take it all for granted. An example would be my 'smaller' thanks of electricity and running water. I'm sure that would be nothing small to someone living in a third world country or even to someone who lives in a progressed nation who cannot afford their bills. Unless there was a widespread electrical outage, I have never had to go without either of those.

I am personally going to try hard every day to think of something different that I am thankful for. To me, this will be an excellent exercise which will hopefully in the end will help me to not to take anything, even the 'little' things, for granted.

What I'm Wearing: The dress that I am wearing is a replica of the classic Pilgrim outfit worn by women. The owner of A Touch of Ireland is so extremely generous to me, and yes, I am very thankful for her! AliciaKay Kilara specializes in costumes and has almost anything you could possibly want. Although it is not pictured below, the outfit also includes shoes to match. A Touch of Ireland is most definitely the place to go for all of your costume needs!

Clothing: *Pilgrim Female Dress 2010 by A Touch of Ireland
Shoes: Included with Clothing
Hair: Josephine in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: *Poofy 9 Mirror by aDORKable Poses




* Denotes item provided by designer for review.

Happy Halloween!

I have had a lot of fun dressing up in so many costumes this week and attending some great Halloween parties this weekend! Of course, there are still many great parties left to attend tonight, and just incase you haven't picked up a costume yet, I've got some more for you! My first two costumes are from A Touch of Ireland. The Black and Orange Halloween Dress features a corset style top with poofy sleeves and a long, flowing skirt. An adorable pumpkin ring is also included with your purchase to wear on your head. I'm also wearing an adorable ring titled Pumpkin Spice from { r a n g s } that I found today for only L$25! Nothing in the store is over L$100! You definitely have to check it out!

Clothing: Black and Orange Halloween Dress by A Touch of Ireland
Jewelry: Pumpkin Spice by { r a n g s } @ L$25
Hair: Roxanna in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: (1) Bag Lady 2 by aDORKable Poses and (2) Deliver Me to Destiny by .::DARE::.


If you are looking for a costume that is a little sexier, then perhaps Spell Caster is for you! This outfit features a bikini style top with an ultra short skirt! An adorable witch hat with a frog, a wand, black and white striped stockings and a skin are also included with the purchase!

Clothing: Spell Caster by A Touch of Ireland
Hair: Tamina in Lime by TRUTH
Skin: Included with Clothing
Pose: Bag Lady 2 by aDROKable Poses
Background by RubyBlossom


If you are looking for a costume that is a classic, you will definitely want to stop by Lemania Indigo Desgins. Mr. President is a tribute to Marilyn Monroe that is absoultely stunning and very true to the actual, real life design. At only L$100, you really cannot lose with this purchase!

Clothing: Mr. President by Lemania Indigo Designs @ L$100
Jewelry: Tennis Necklace by EarthStones
Shoes: Included with Clothing
Hair: Marilyn in Blonde by Ingenue @ L$35
Skin: Jessica 6 (Fair) by LAQ
Pose: (1) Pencil 3 and (2) Pencil 9 by aDORKable Poses

Batty Purple

A Touch of Ireland released a sexy new costume today just in time for Halloween! Batty Purple is a long black and purple dress with iridescent wings and an adorable top hat (also with wings). A free skin is also included with the purchase of this costume! If you haven't picked up your Halloween costume yet, or if you just want a new one, be sure to stop by A Touch of Ireland today. Many items are on sale!

Clothing: Batty Purple by A Touch of Ireland
Hair: Christina 2 in Snow by TRUTH
Skin: Included with Clothing
Pose: Poofy 8 by aDORKable Poses
Background by RubyBlossom

Frank-n-Mini

I absoultey adore the costume I am bringing to you today from A Touch of Ireland! Frank-n-Mini is a short black and lime green dress with high legged socks, an adorable hat and an extremely detailed candy backpack with a rat and bats! A free skin is also included with your purchase! Please keep in mind, however, that this is more of an adult themed costume since a little booty does show in the back.

Clothing: Frank-n-Mini by A Touch of Ireland
Shoes: Neo Boots by HOC Industries
Hair: Tamina in Lime by TRUTH
Skin: Included with Clothing
Pose: (1) Bag Lady 3 and (2) Bag Lady 8 Mirror by aDORKable Poses
Background by RubyBlossom

... Do You Have Yours?

Many of the Halloween parties on Second Life will be starting tomorrow! Do you have your costume(s) yet? If not, I have three more great costumes for you today! Bride of Frank by A Touch of Ireland is an adorable female version of Frenkenstein! Skin and shoes are included with the outfit. The Red Queen by Lemania Indigo Designs is a tribute to Alice in Wonderland's Red Queen; shoes and a skin are also included with this outfit! Last, but certainly not least, is an adorable ladybug costume by Fierce Designs. I absoultey love the wings that are included with this outfit! You also receive shoes and a headband with bug 'antennas' with your purchase.

Clothing: Bride of Frank by A Touch of Ireland
Shoes: Included with Clothing
Hair: Kalista in Crow Streaked by TRUTH
Skin: Irina 10 (Goth) by Amacci
Makeup: Cosette Lemonade Punch Tattoo by Siss Boom
Pose: Pencil 6 by aDORKable Poses
Location: Scarlett Gardens

Clothing: The Red Queen by Lemania Indigo Designs @ L$50 LOW Special
Shoes: Included with Clothing
Hair: Roxanna in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: Poofy 5 Mirror by aDORKable Poses
Background by RubyBlossom

Clothing: Ladybug by Fierce Designs
Shoes: Included with Clothing
Hair: Cleo in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: Spunky 2 by aDORKable Poses
Background by RubyBlossom

I Always Wanted to Be a Princess...

Being a Disney princess for Halloween is most definitely a timeless classic. Every little girl grows up wishing she was a princess; some of the lucky ones actually get to live out that dream. My real life boyfriend, who also happens to be my Second Life husband, has shown me that you don't have to have royal blood flowing in your veins to be a princess; all you need is someone who loves you enough to treat you like one every day of your life. I truly could not ask for anyone better.

So, where do you find your Disney princess costumes in Second Life? I have had the Cinderella costume from A Touch of Ireland stuck in my closet for almost a year now; actually, I think that it may have been the first costume that I purchased from the designer which led me to falling in complete love with her work! As you can see, the detail is absolutely amazing! A pumpkin coach is actually included with the purchase! You also receive a pumpkin 'pet' that follows you around and talks to people, shoes and jewelry. A costume fit for a princess!

Clothing: Cinderella by A Touch of Ireland
Jewelry: Included with Clothing
Hair: Allison in Anxious Blond by fri.day
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Makeup: Cosette Berry Cool Tatto by Siss Boom
Pose: Poofy 4 Mirror by aDORKable Poses


Another wonderful place to pick up your Disney princess costumes is Fierce Designs! I remember when Disney first released Aladdin; I would sit in front of my television and watch the movie over and over! The designs of the buildings always fascinated me. I also always thought that it would be neat to have a pet tiger... a tame pet tiger that is! The Jasmine princess costume includes jewelry, hair and skin!

Clothing: Princess Jasmine by Fierce Designs
Shoes: Silk Ribbon Flats in Black by Baby Monkey
Jewelry: Included with Clothing
Hair: Tatum in Cynical Black by fri.day
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Makeup: Cosette Berry Cool Tattoo by Siss Boom
Pose: Pencil 1 Mirror by aDORKable Poses

Fall's Twilight

The beautiful colors that appear in nature during the fall have always captivated me. I love sitting and watching the leaves fall outside my window. The reds, oranges and yellows seem to just naturally go together. The almost FREE (L$1) dress at A Touch of Ireland, titled Samhain Fall, reminds me of those falling leaves. The colors are rich, deep and absolutely amazing! Jewelry, nails and skin are also included with the dress!

Clothing: Samhain Fall by A Touch of Ireland @ L$1
Jewelry: Included with Clothing
Hair: Witch in Rotten Carrot by !lamb.
Skin: Included with Clothing
Nails: Included with Clothing
Background by RubyBlossom
A Touch of Ireland on SL Marekplace


I absolutely love it and get so excited when I go to a newly discovered (to me) store and find designs that are interesting and different than 'mainstream' Second Life. The costumes at Fierce Designs on Fierce Island are just that! As I do my "Halloween Special" over the next week, I will also be including costumes from Fierce Designs (and any other store I find interesting)! Today's costume is a reflection of my 'love' for vampires. I'm not entirely sure why I have always been so interested in them, but give me a good vampire book or vampire show (preferably one featuring Eric Northman haha!) and I will be happy! This costume includes both a long and short skirt version; a skin is also included.

Clothing: Bella by Fierce Designs
Jewelry: Tempest Gothic Cross Necklace in Jet by EarthStones
Hair: Witch in Ink by !lamb.
Skin: Irina 9 Red (Goth) by Amacci

Celtic Storm

As a child, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. Honestly, who doesn't love dressing up and getting free candy?! For those of you who do not know, Halloween originated as a Celtic 'new years' holiday some 2,000 years ago in present day Ireland. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year the world between the living and the dead became blurred and thought that the dead could walk among us. Somewhere along the way, the tradition of the Celts was mixed with Roman customs of the dead. Around 800 AD the Catholic church established All Saints Day in an attempt to make the holiday a day to honor saints and martyrs. Over the next 1200 or so years Halloween became not a time of ghosts and goblins but more of a time of community (Halloween, 2010).

So, where is the absolute best place in all of Second Life to pick up your Halloween costume? A Touch of Ireland, of course! AliciaKay Kilara is an extremely talented artist who creates costumes of every type. From today until Halloween, I will be featuring new costumes, free costumes and 'old' costumes in my inventory by AliciaKay. I hope you are as impressed with her work as I am! Swing by A Touch of Ireland to pick up your costume today!

Clothing: Celtic Storm by A Touch of Ireland
Jewelry: Included with Clothing
Hair: Sour in Butterfinger by !lamb.
Skin: Pearl 2 by LAQ




Halloween. (2010). The History Channel website. Retrieved 9:34, October 25, 2010, from http://www.history.com/topics/halloween.

California Gold Rush

Fashion Fest 2010 has begun, and Second Life content creators have come together to bring you fabulous items and to help raise money for Relay for Life, an organization dedicated to winning the battle against cancer. Over several posts I will bring you highlights from these creators, taking one SIM out of the nine total at a time. The following landmark will take you to a landing point on the California Gold Rush SIM; to get to specific stores, use the teleporters provided. Main store landmarks are provided below.

☆★ California Gold Rush SIM ★☆

The California Gold Rush SIM has been decorated to represent the Wild West. A Touch of Ireland, the SIM sponsor, has two items available to help raise money for RFL. One of these items, Gold Rush, fits in perfectly with the SIM! The western design features a long, brown plaid skirt accompanied with a ruffled white shirt, matching collar and adorable brown hat (not pictured). This item is available for a donation of L$300 with all proceeds going to cancer research. The Touch of Ireland shop is adorable in itself, and even if western wear is not your thing, you should stop in and see it! The designer, AliciaKay Kilara, has built a gold mine for the gold rush with jewels for you inside! It really is a must see.

Clothing: Gold Rush by A Touch of Ireland @ L$300 Relay for Life Donation
Hair: Josephine in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Ania 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: model.pose 15 by fri.day

Mela'Ryn has placed an adorable fairy type gown out on the California Gold Rush SIM. The white dress features a long skirt, flaired sleaves and a daisy headdress. The design is available for a donation of L$325 with proceeds going to Relay for Life.

Clothing: Audrey by Mela'Ryn @ L$325 Relay for Life Donation
Hair: Josephine in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Ania 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Background by JoesSistah

Finally, Fairy Tail has placed a jewelry set out for a dontation of L$50. Pearl Cotton includes a color change necklace and pair of earrings. Color options include blue, cream, green, pink, purple and white.

Clothing: Photo Shoot Shirt by Lestat Reuven
Jewelry: Pearl Cotton by Fairy Tail @ L$50 Relay for Life Donation
Hair: Allison in Timid Brown by fri.day
Skin: Ania 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Background by JoesSistah

Freedom Is Not Free

When I was little, I remember the 4th of July as being a time to grill out and watch fireworks. As an adult, I realize it is about much more than just having a good time. It is about the uniqueness of living in a country where we have the freedom of choice. Of course, freedom comes at a cost. So, today is also a day to thank the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who willingly sacrifice their lives each and every day for the blanket of freedom that we sleep under each night.

I'm showcasing designs by three designers today: A Touch of Ireland, Lemania Indigo Designs and Prism. A Touch of Ireland has created a fabulous Statue of Liberty costume. The box includes the clothing with two skirt options, jewelry, a torch and the skin for L$375. Fireworks by Lemania Indigo Designs is a fun, poofy dress that does indeed look like fireworks! The box also includes a matching bikini, shoes, a particle poofer to wear and free fireworks for L$100 this weekend only! Prism has set out an American flag bikini with an adorable pair of denim crop pants for L$1.

Clothing: Lady Liberty by A Touch of Ireland
Jewelry: Included with Clothing
Hair: Deena in Startled White (Tinted to match costume) by fri.day
Skin: Included with Clothing
Pose: (Top) every night i save you, (Bottom) must have been a huge ceral box by Don't Freak Out
Background by Joes Sistah

Clothing: Fireworks by Lemania Indigo Designs @ L$100
Hair: Deena in Startled White by fri.day
Skin: Ania 4 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: we're on the same side by Don't Freak Out
Background by JoesSistah

Clothing: July 4th Bikini and Jeans by Prism @ L$1
Hair: Deena in Startled White by fri.day
Skin: Ania 4 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: gotta serve somebody by Don't Freak Out
Background by JoesSistah

Independence

I can't believe that it's already almost Independence Day! To prepare for the weekend celebrations on Second Life, I swung by two of my favorite Second Life shops to pick up a few items. A Touch of Ireland ... I know, it doesn't sound like a place you would go to pick up something for the American Independence Day ... specializes in costumes for everything from holidays to your favorite cartoon characters. I stumbled across this amazing store while doing a hunt when I was very young in Second Life, and anytime I need a new costume, it is the first place that I check. The outfits are so amazing, and I would recommend the store to anyone looking for a great costume. I picked up Red Stars, an adorably sexy red, white and blue dress that comes with two skirts, a top hat and a full set of jewelry. I also got a great bikini with hat and shoes included for only L$50! A Touch of Ireland also has an adorable freebie in the front of their store with a free skin included; so, of course I picked that up as well!

Clothing: Red Stars by A Touch of Ireland @ L$375
Shoes: Dream.Booties in Cobalt by fri.day
Jewelry: Included with Clothing
Hair: Marnie in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: Ania 4 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: (Top) How's My Makeup?, (Bottom) True Blood Promo: Tara Thornton by Olive Juice
Background by JoesSistah

Clothing: RWB Bikini by A Touch of Ireland @ L$50
Shoes: Included with Clothing
Jewelry: Fireworks! Independence by EarthStones
Hair: Brande in Timid Brown by fri.day
Skin: Ania 4 (Peach)by LAQ
Pose: model.pose 11 by fri.day
Background by JoesSistah

Clothing: Free Dress by A Touch of Ireland @ L$0
Shoes: Back to Basics Flip Flops by In Her Shoes @ L$0
Hair: Brande in Timid Brown by fri.day
Skin: Ania 5 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: model.pose 3 by fri.day
Background by JoesSistah


One of my favorite jewelry stores in Second Life, which I coincidently also found through a hunt, put a special set of jewelry out for Independence Day. EarthStones has created a jewelry set titled Fireworks! available in three colors, Independence, White Light and Multi. I picked up the Independence for the holiday weekend and White Light for other specials occassions in Second Life. The jewelry flickers and glows just like real fireworks! EarthStones always does such an amazing job with jewelry, and this set is definitely not an exception from the high standard for quality the designer has set for her store. EarthStones has also set out specials from last year as well for anyone who missed them and a freebie!

Clothing: RWB Bikini by A Touch of Ireland @ L$50
Jewelry: (Left) Fireworks! Independence, (Right) Fireworks! White Lights by EarthStones
Hair: Brande in Timid Brown by fri.day
Skin: Ania 4 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: model.pose 5 by fri.day
Background by JoesSistah