DevaStatingSL

Surrender

August 21, 2019 devawestland1 Comment

Surrender

Summer seems to be drawing to a close. In fact… here in the UK, there seems to be a trend for us to have glorious summer days in July, but August seems at times to feel more like Autumn.

It does make those brief glimpses of sunshine even more important though. There are still jobs to do in my garden: dead-heading plants to encourage them to bloom another time before the weather turns; tidying here and there, and they are always much nicer to do when basking in sunshine.

The garden is very busy. I have been fighting what seems like a endless battle with snails and slugs who seem determined to beat me to consuming the vegetables I am growing. I refuse to use poison on them, but had set beer traps… which were working well, until the dog decided he preferred emptying the beer… sighs..

The air is full of the honey-scent of the buddleia bushes I am growing. Most of my plants in my garden were chosen for the fact that pollinators love them. The air is busy with bees of various kinds, and other assorted insects. I didn’t even mind that one of my clumps of nasturtiums was chomped to pieces by caterpillars… I was pleased that the butterflies had been so happy there. I still had plenty of leaves to add to my salads.

For me this time of year is about surrendering to the passing of time. There’s nothing I can do to keep the days from slowly shortening. All I can do is make the most of each moment of sunshine… to store that feeling of warmth in my bones. To collect each happy memory of summer, and store it away to reflect on when the weather turns to winter, and the sun is too weak to pierce the frozen clouds which blanket with their stillness.

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This outfit is ‘Nala’ from Lybra, and is available now at Fameshed. Further details can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/natzukasl/48435229736/in/dateposted/
As always, it features the gorgeous lace textures which LYBRA do so well, but for me, I love the strapped legs to the trousers, with buckle details.

I followed Grace’s suggestion and paired it with the Barbara sandals from Gos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gospel_voom/48427472907/in/photostream/

Reputation

August 13, 2019 devawestlandLeave a comment

The assassin stood at what he felt was a safe distance. He had heard whisper that this might be where she was to be found, but had scarce believed it. She stood alone in the forest clearing, statue-like, eyes closed and head tilted upwards, at the very moment when the sun started to rise, sending weak beams of light between branches, illuminating her, and the rising mist with the ethereal beauty of a new day.

Her name had been on his list to… remove.. for so long, but he had never got anywhere close to actually seeing her. For what seemed like forever, and across many countries, he had always been just a few steps behind her as she deftly evaded him, seemingly without any difficulty at all. He had even begun to doubt whether she was even aware of his pursuit.

Yet now he watched her silently as she went through some kind of training regime. Truth be told he couldn’t tell if it was the art of fight or dance, she had such ease and grace to each movement. His breath caught in his throat as he felt himself step from the steely grasp of his silent watchfulness, swept away in the beauty of each step from his quarry as she moved with ease and beauty amongst the trees.

There was no doubt that her fine katanas were sharp. They cut the air with barely any sound at all. It was also evident that this woman was indeed expert in her use of them, for not at any time did a blade so much as caress a leaf or twig of the forest surroundings, leaving everything untouched as the woman pirouetted and stepped barely creating even the slightest indentation of a toe in the spongy undergrowth.

She stopped, and his throat grew dry. He realised his own moment of danger too late, his weapons just out of reach on the forest floor where he had placed them on arrival. He kept his eyes on the woman whilst silently reaching a hand to the side, fingers seeking the security of the hilt of his own sword. His eyes flicked from the woman for only the briefest of seconds, but her voice came clear into the morning air: “You had better be as fast with that sword as your reputation claims!” His hand fastened around sword and he lifted it, standing clear of the undergrowth he had hoped had hidden him.

The woman had turned and readied herself, swords poised as they gleamed in the light of the beginning day. “Lesson one… if you hope to sneak up unannounced, ensure your stench does not give you away before the sound of your clumsy footsteps ever could!”

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I couldn’t resist the temptation to let my writing wander a little, inspired by this strong and wonderful pose from Gingerfish poses, which also comes with Katanas included. Further details at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyredangel/48499173081/in/dateposted/

The head is my usual Ariel from LOGO. I am unashamedly a LOGO gal, and LOVE the expressions LOGO heads give me.

I rummaged in my inventory for the rest of the apparel. The Roxy boots are from the collaboration between Gos and Lybra which was for a Gacha a little while back. The Bella Leather shorts are also from Gos. The gorgeous corset is one from Atreum. The vento hair is from Tableau Vivant.

The best seat in the house

August 12, 2019 devawestlandLeave a comment

seat2

They had both dressed for the occasion… each wearing power suits, of sorts. He reclaimed his chair, and didn’t wait for her, his hand reaching quickly for her wrist and pulling her gently to his side. She grinned down at him unsurprised that her attire should provoke an instant response. Standing beside him, she did not intend to give in so easily to his… wishes. That would be far too simple.

Ah.. but his upturned face and deep eyes made her melt inside. She ran her fingers gently through his hair, and leaned to kiss his forehead. “I have missed you!” she whispered softly. That was all he needed! Her guard was dropped with words of sweetness, while her nearness and scent invaded his senses. He expertly manoeuvred her, turning her off balance, his body rewarded with the shudder as she dropped perfectly into his lap.

She gasped with surprise, then purred and wriggled slightly, the slightly rough fabric of his suit trousers abrasive to the smoothness of her naked legs. Wrapping her arms about him, she smiled. His eyes met hers, but his grin far outstretched hers. “I have missed you even more!” he whispered throatily, his hands moving over his prize and holding her close.

She moved her lips close to his ear, pressing ever closer to him, the warmth of his supporting and strong body delighting her curves. “Ah… but I have the best seat in the house!”, she proclaimed smugly.
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These are the Amanda peep toe shoes from Gos, which are available now at collabor88. Further details at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gospel_voom/48487427761/in/dateposted/

The Cecilia lingerie is from Erratic, and Colm is dressed in Deadwool.

Lift Yourself!

August 10, 2019 devawestlandLeave a comment

Friend

I have had a few conversations recently with a friend who has got himself into a situation which isn’t proving positive or good for his heart and soul.

Part of the course of these conversations has involved me trying to bite my tongue and hide my frustration at how little importance he seems to place on his own peace of mind.. and heart.

I guess there’s a part of me wishes that those I care about didn’t go through some of the same kinds of pain I have in my past… but… during one of these conversations he shrugged. “Well, I am my own worst enemy.” Without a second to think, I chimed back “Well… time to be your own best friend then!”

It obviously got me thinking though, because days since I am still mulling it over in my mind. How are we all so happy to simply accept the idea of being our own worst enemies. So often it’s a phrase and feeling which seems so natural, yet surely it’s the wrong way to be. We shouldn’t accept it at all!

Goodness knows I am greatly flawed as a person, and make mistakes in life, but I have reached a stage where I truly do try and be a friend to myself. I realised a while back that although people can advise, and sit and share experience with me, the only one who can actually do anything about my life and choices…is.. me.

So much of the person I am today has been shaped by my past, BUT it’s a constant growing and shaping process and I realised I didn’t have to JUST allow past pain to direct my life and days.

I openly state that I can be short on patience, and often can seem difficult. Sometimes that is simply almost a defence mechanism for me… a way of keeping negative influences at arm’s length. I don’t have to welcome it into my life or days. I have grown to realise I have limitations on my spirit, my heart… and my time, and in the interest of being kind to myself I observe and maintain that balance as best I can.

Choose not to be your own worst enemy… but learn to be the very best friend to yourself that you can. You can lift yourself quicker and easier than anyone else can!

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This beautiful outfit is the Sandy set from Lybra out now at Belle, further details at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/natzukasl/48474793817/in/dateposted/

The pose is from Gingerfish, and is at TLC at the moment. Further details at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyredangel/48449036301/in/dateposted/

The picture is taken on Elysion

The fire has been stoked!

August 7, 2019 devawestlandLeave a comment

spikes23

She marveled at how the shoe looked on her foot, turning it this way and that, admiring it. A grin spread on her face at how perfect they were for her mood tonight.

Satin ribbons hugged and bound her shapely ankles perfectly… feminine in the neatness of their bows. Although she sat to await the return of her Love, she knew the shapely heels elongated her legs perfectly… just as he liked them.

Yes, the slight studding to the front hinted that there was more than just fragile beauty to the shoes, and indeed her. The sharp spikes to the back of the shoe were perfect and sexy in their own right… shiny and dangerous, something to be both feared and admired.

She leaned back in her chair to wait for him. This was often His chair, but for tonight her fires had been stoked, and it was for Her to claim, and for him to enjoy!

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These are the gorgeously sexy Barbara sandals from Gos. They are exclusive to Fameshed for August.

Pretty in pink!

July 30, 2019 devawestland2 Comments

SL, a place you can live a…. second… life?

I used to spend so much of my time in SL roleplaying, mainly on fantasy or medieval fantasy SIMs. Talk about pure escapism! I started out RPing a human, albeit much younger than my real self was at that time… somewhere in my early twenties, I guess. That said, she was talented with a bow and arrow, and even better with a jousting lance, serving as the right hand person to a King. It makes me chuckle so much now to look back on it all.

She was as stroppy as I can be at times, and bossy. As different as she was in some aspects, it was very much me at her heart. I was never good at being completely different from the roles I played. Even when spending years RPing as a fairy, the love and observation of nature was very much my real life self.

See… for me, although SL gives me a place to ‘live a new life’ and follow a new path, it’s very much the same me who travels through it.

Two conversations I had today made this ramble spring to mind. Firstly I was talking with an artist friend about how SL lets us come into contact with those who lead different lives, on both sides of the screen. If you approach it with an open mind, there’s much to learn of how others choose to be. I have truly lost count of how many things I have encountered in SL which are new to me… it has been quite an eye-opener!

Then I wore a new hairstyle. It was pointed out to me that something as simple as changing my hair was a complete new look… highlighting the versatility to SL. Yeah…one way my SL is different to my life on the other side of the screen is the sheer amount of shoes and clothes I have in SL. Each new look can bring a new mindset, or approach to the day.

And yet… too many still seem to use it as a place to carry the same mistakes and baggage. I am not one to judge how someone lives their life, especially in SL… unless you use that as a place to be mean to others. I guess if some can’t have an open-mind, or be accepting in their day to day lives on one side of the screen, there’s no reason to expect they can gain that maturity to do so in a world made of pixels.

I have no time or place in either of my ‘lives’ for those who back stab, seek to damage others, or revel in causing upset to others. I respect myself more, and simply choose to cut those away and steer well clear of any I see.

This picture was taken of the new LOGO head, “Willow” She’s on sale now at Uber, and for the time she’s at the event, you can get her for the special price of 499L$ . This is an amazing offer really, and as someone who has worn LOGO heads for years, I am constantly amazed by the wonderful sculpting work Max does to shape such realistic heads for both males and females.

In the picture I have just used the shape as she comes out of the box. It’s also one of the included skins. The omega eyes are the crystal ones from LOGO too.

To my mind and eye, not only are the heads lifelike and beautiful, but I also love the animations which have been made to go with LOGO heads.

Now we have Bento there’s the added joy of then tweaking the shape to make your AV a little different from those wearing the same head even. It takes time, but it’s a fun thing to do. Ah… if only we had sliders in real life! Someone needs to fix that sometime! Hahaha

For now I shall let you all head off and try on a demo for Willow 😉

Pull up a seat!

July 29, 2019July 29, 2019 devawestland2 Comments

It’s no secret to those who know me, that I often find social media too… noisy… too shouty….and oftentimes too emotionally demanding.

I am old. I find it nicer to simply have a simple conversation with someone rather than shouting out to all the world in one fell swoop, leaving my words typed on a page to last until forever. That said, ‘forever’ isn’t what I thought it to be. Facebook often regurgitates memories that I wouldn’t care to be reminded of… and those events, or people get deleted. We can’t erase the past from our minds, but we certainly don’t have to choose to relive each moment.

Now… where was I going with this ramble when I started out? Ah yes, another inconvenience of age and being easily distracted. *grins*

I have just returned from just over two weeks away on holiday. I needed a break from all kinds of things, but definitely to find green spaces, to head to the beach too and stand in the sea and let nature cleanse the dark feelings of worry and gripping anxiety which bubbles up inside me at times, especially with the way the world seems to be these days.

I was able to check in with social media now and then while away, but luckily my chilled state of mind acted as a temporary buffer zone to all the shouting, squabbling and self-promotion which seems to go on. Hmmm I should explain that last part a little… self-promotion isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but do it for a reason… to share talent or insight, rather than simply because you exist.

I know I sound shocking, but I think it’s too easy to be caught up in the thin veneer of social media persona that it’s simple to create and step behind. Perhaps it seems that the assumed persona acts as armour enabling the wearer to behave any way they wish, without a thought for others or consequence!

I am well aware that I can come across as being abrasive, or short on patience… at times I am exactly that. I am not going to apologise for it either. I can be a good and loyal friend, but to those who merit it. Perhaps that sounds harsh, but I have learned that it’s perfectly possible, (and essential for me) to lead a considerate and kind life without being a doormat.

The first sign of someone throwing a tantrum at me for not endlessly supporting them, just because they are…simply there… and I back well away. I call it a ‘tantrum’ because that is just how it comes across. Those closest to me never need to have that conversation. True friendship is an even balance. I am by nature a giver, and only have space close to me for fellow givers.

I am no angel, but have learned to smile and accept the person I am. It’s probably best that others do too as I can’t see me changing… haha!

Credits:

This beautiful top is Rosy from LYBRA: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Twilight%20Woods/182/166/25. and is available now at Fameshed: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/191/158/22 . I love the silky and lace textures that Lybra produce in their clothes.

The panties are from Erratic: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LE%20LOOK/128/128/2002. Somehow it seemed wrong to show off the top with trousers or a skirt. *winks*

The gorgeous leather chair with built in poses is from Gingerfish: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Brookhurst%20Cove/169/198/25. Tracy’s poses are so realistic and strong, and I find I use them over and over…. and over.

My head is the Ariel from LOGO: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Eventide%20Far%20East/177/116/33 , with my own shape.

Hair is from Tram: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Minnaloushe/180/33/20
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The wings… are old favourites for me, from an old Gacha from lassitude & ennui: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nouveau/46/88/27