I think the PicMonkey people have been reading my blog, cos they’ve added a couple of new features that are amazing!! Now you can upload directly to Flickr, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr, from the PicMonkey dashboard. The new Light effects are so cool! I love bokeh! I will try this tutorial on some of my pics this week, and see how it turns out. I may renew my PicMonkey subscription next year, if they keep releasing new filters such as these! <3
I really wish they would make it possible to go back to the filters menu, once you’re done creating a collage pic. *hint hint*
Here’s a picture of the updated Chloe v2 that I edited entirely with PicMonkey.
Chloe v2 is out this week at LOGO! If you didn’t get your update automatically, go to the store and touch the update kiosk.
– Split Expressions
– Detachable Ears
– Drop and Drop Add-Ons
– Eyebrows No Longer Separate
– Redesigned HUD
– All New Scripts
I’m so thrilled with this update! I really like the “sultry eyes” and wanted to wear those eyes with the different lips available. With this update, I can have sultry eyes all the time, yay! 🙂
What I’m Wearing:
Exile – All for Love (Fawn)
Fishy Strawberry – Desiderio Blue
I have a slight obsession with Genie bottles and genie outfits in SL. When Trompe Loeil released the mesh Dreamy Genie Bottle Skybox, I had to have it! The bottle is scripted with tons of poses for singles & couples, but I only tried out the single poses. Most of the sitting poses were slightly animated and too fidgety for my liking, so I’ll probably rez my own sit pillows. The interior & exterior texture is beautifully done, and such and upgrade from my old genie bottle.
I am wearing the Davenport Blouse & P*ssy Pusher Pants from The Sea Hole. I really like the colors and style of this outfit, even if the textures are a bit too photo-sourced. I’ve noticed that a lot of The Sea Hole mesh clothes have a mesh glitch that interferes with hair alpha. Sasy explains more about the Mesh and Alpha Issues here, you should read it, it’s informative.
Hello!!!! For some reason, Aems and I sometimes blog on the same day, even though we should really alternate days so the posts are spread out. I didn’t feel like searching my inventory for pants, so I’m not wearing any today, but…… I think it works, cos the jacket is long enough.
Look at the text on the pocket!! This may not be that funny if you’re a cat lover, but to me it’s hilarious. This Oversized Bomber from Monso is especially funny cos there’s a picture of a cat on the back, LOL.
Have you seen these gorgeous Farmers Market stuff from Lark? This set brings me joy. I want to ride around my bike along the countryside, singing songs, and getting drunk on fine wine picking fresh flowers.
What I’m Wearing:
Pink Fuel Skin
Exile – Shine (Arcade)
Monso – My Bunny Band Gift (White)
Monso – My Oversized Bomber (Pink) Size2
Ingenue – Pandora Flats (Blush) Arcade
Lark – Market Bag (Oranges)
New Dutch Touch Jolie skins have the prettiest little faces and lightest brows I’ve seen on a DT skin yet! These new Pip makeups on Jolie are so whimsical and adorable and cheerful! Who doesn’t love hearts-shaped lips? I am wearing the Jolie skins in Creme skin tone below:
These skins have 2 cleavage options as well – I’m just wearing the regular boobs here, but there is a very nice push-up version too.
I stumbled across the Blackout August initiative created by Second Life resident Imogen Aurelia, and I’m honestly really into the idea.
BLACKOUT AUGUST A pause. A reset. A quiet rebellion against the noise.
We’re stepping back from constant shopping — not to punish creators, but to challenge a system that’s chewing up time, talent, and energy for less and less return.
Creators are burned out. Shoppers are overwhelmed. 💸 L$ are worth less. 🌀 The loop is unsustainable.
So we’re unplugging — for a month — to breathe, explore, connect, and remember what Second Life used to feel like before it became just another sales feed.
This isn’t a protest. It’s perspective. Not a ban — but a boundary. Not harm — but healing.
✨ Support sims. Tip artists. Host meetups. Style your inventory. Explore again. Let SL be about experience, not exhaustion.
Imogen Aurelia
Even though I love shopping in SL, I’m totally on board with taking a pause. A reset for 30 days to stop the constant cycle of buying, and just enjoy what I already have. Maybe even do something different in Second Life. What’s that something else? Hanging out with friends, exploring sims, playing a game. Just being present.
This isn’t about boycotting anyone. I love SL creators. I’ve been shopping and blogging for over 18 years. But even from the consumer side, I can feel the burnout. Creators are producing too much, too fast, and shoppers can’t keep up. I miss when a new release felt special for months, when we showed it off to friends and designers actually had time to enjoy the success of their work instead of rushing into the next release or discounting at a weekend sale.
If going 30 days without shopping feels impossible, you can still take part in a way that works for you. Maybe that means buying only the things you really love instead of grabbing everything just because it’s new or on sale. Personally, I’ve been buying less without even meaning to. My inventory is out of control — I’m at 93K now and trying hard not to hit 100K. I need this break just to organize and reset. That alone is a project.
Can you still enjoy SL without buying anything? Yes. Absolutely. Brands are always giving away gifts and store credit. Most of us have inventory full of unopened things. You can wear what you already have in a new color or styled differently. You can still support creators you love this month by wearing items that you already own.
Some people might say this kind of pause hurts the economy or puts creators at risk, but that’s a much bigger conversation. Most of us are just players. We’re not here to keep the grid economy afloat. I’ve spent years spending money in SL, and I’ll continue to support the creators I love, but I don’t believe it’s my responsibility to make sure everyone is earning. SL is a hobby for most of us. We engage with it how and when we want to.
So I’m trying out Blackout August. I might go the full 30 days, or maybe just a week here and there. But I’m doing it. You can too. Try it in a way that feels right for you. Let Second Life be fun again, not just a sales feed. Let’s breathe a little.
Let’s talk a bit more about the new Ridgewood Enclave Commercial shops.
It’s clear that Second Life is still learning and refining things as they go. Since launch just a few weeks ago, we’ve already seen several covenant revisions, likely to better serve residents and clarify expectations. Personally, I’m fine with the rules as they stand, and I plan to keep my current shop long term. I’m Premium Plus Lifetime, after all. I’m not going anywhere.
When I first blogged about these shops two weeks ago, I was settled in a different region with my friends. We hadn’t planned to move. These shops are always in high demand, and being together matters most to us. But when new regions released last week, an opportunity came up, so we decided to move together. We abandoned our shops and claimed new ones at Plaza Mercantile.
I couldn’t be happier. We’re together again, and this time the region has a central pool and plenty of parking, which makes it feel even more complete.
My EEP Shop @ Plaza Mercantile
I don’t have huge commercial ambitions, but I do enjoy having a shop in Second Life. For me, it’s less about business and more about shared experiences with friends. Right now, that experience just happens to be setting up our shops together. From the start, I knew that our enjoyment would depend on clustering near each other so we can promote and support one another. Unlike Linden Homes, where location can be everything, Linden Shops feel more about community than coordinates. That said, I still wanted both. Great neighbors and a beautiful location. I feel like I’ve found that here, and I don’t plan to move again unless a new theme is released.
Tonight, I spent far too long learning how to properly drive and park my cars in front of the shop just to get photos. The 30 minute auto return is honestly a bit tight. My car kept disappearing before I could even take a picture. Still, I love the idea of being able to park outside. It adds so much life to the region.
My JuicyBomb Shop HQ @ PLaza Mercantile
Even with the current demand, I don’t think Second Life should overdo it with these shops. Yes, they’re incredibly appealing, especially since they’re free with Premium Plus, but part of what makes them special is their scarcity. If there are too many, it risks turning into a sea of empty storefronts, and no one wants to be in a dead mall.
Right now, my region feels active and lively, partly because I’m blogging and sharing it on social media. But maintaining that energy across many regions is another challenge entirely. The Lindens and Moles will likely have their hands full enforcing the covenant, so they’ll need to balance expansion with sustainability.
One last thought. I still think these shops should be placed a bit farther from residential areas. Not everyone wants the glow of a neon storefront outside their bedroom window.
Neferia Abel of Ivalde has released a ton of gorgeous new gowns in classic, stylish designs. You guys don’t know this, but I’m usually barefoot when I do my blog entries 😛 But just for today, I’ve put on my classy little J’s pumps and The HUB sandals just so I can try to do these gowns justice.
Ivalde – Fleurette (Pink)
Ivalde – Cosette (Blue)
Ivalde – Devena (Hot Pink)
This dress is GORGEOUS…… perfect for any event.
Ivalde – Gertie (Rose)
Tp to Ivalde to view the entire collection. I’ve only shown one print/color for each dress but there’s a lot of colors to choose from!
I had Sadie first then A week later I got Chloe because Chloe’s fuller lips don’t know why I didn’t get Chloe first maybe because at the time Sadie looked way hotter lmao.
I like her face features but I just can’t get past the shading of the skin..on her face and body. I never use it for that reason although I did buy it. I tried the demo first and didn’t really notice it much then.
wanted to ty for the post on ribbet earlier, it is really a godsend. I’ve been wanting to try PicMonkey as well and you make it look easy so ty ty ty :))
Beautiful picture =)
I had Sadie first then A week later I got Chloe because Chloe’s fuller lips don’t know why I didn’t get Chloe first maybe because at the time Sadie looked way hotter lmao.
I prefer Chloe’s fuller lips too 🙂
Gorgeous skin..but, those teeth have to go. It looks like you have one huge tooth!
I like her face features but I just can’t get past the shading of the skin..on her face and body. I never use it for that reason although I did buy it. I tried the demo first and didn’t really notice it much then.
Hello Gogo,in “Freckle Love” where do I buy those eyes?they are gorgeous!
Love your blog, kiss!
the eyes are by Nany Merlin
wanted to ty for the post on ribbet earlier, it is really a godsend. I’ve been wanting to try PicMonkey as well and you make it look easy so ty ty ty :))