Izzyisms

Back From Vacay!

I bet you thought I'd gone all Izzy-M.I.A. again, eh?  Not a chance; I'm loving the fashion world entirely too much for that!

As a matter of fact, my (sl & rl) fiancé - Cyth Hax - and I have just returned from a week-long vacation in (usually) sunny Destin, Florida.  If you have never been (or heard of it), it's a gorgeous, little place; all white sands and emerald waters.  Its beaches have been named some of the prettiest in the world.

That is, of course, unless you go during a patch of stormy weather as we did - where the constant churning of unusually large, wind-spawned waves made the water as murky as the Gulf at Biloxi, Mississippi (much closer to home and the ones we generally visit when we want some sand and sun).

Though the wind was hellish (beach time was filled with lovely wind-whipped sandblasts that pummeled your skin with fine and sharp-feeling sand), it often rained, and the sun decided to be shy and stay behind the clouds for the duration of our trip, we still had a fairly nice time.

A week, however, is just too long for me.  It was the longest vacay I'd ever gone on and I really didn't know how I would handle being away from home, our five cats (counting a new baby kitty!), and my desktop computer!  It was nothing short of hell, I'll admit.  I must just relegate myself to the notion that I am, simply, a homebody.

As well, since Rosie proffered the idea of becoming a fashionista in SL, I have been in-world and active a lot more; it was like finding my true calling and I - finally - had a purpose; a reason to be spending so much time in a virtual world.  (Without purpose or direction, I lose interest quickly).  I tried getting in-world on my laptop, even downloaded an alt viewer or two, but it just wasn't happening.  Even when I could get in for a few moments, I had to have the graphics turned down so low that trying to put together an outfit was simply not worth the effort.

So, I am back (yay!) and will be working on some new outfits to post this very evening.  I hope everyone has missed me as much as I have missed them & SL!

Meet Julian

If it weren't for Rosie - and her cute, little Spot - I wouldn't even know anything about AIFriends.  In fact, if it weren't for Rosie, I would not now be sharing my virtual life with my new sweet, little baby Julian.

I really can't thank her enough for bringing us together.  He is the apple of my eye - I mean, look at all that cuteness!  The photo above was after I first brought him home and I gave him his very first bath.  He is not yet litter-trained because even though I have his box out, he still left a steaming pile of poo on my floor (maybe I'm sick, but even the poo was cute - and yes, it was really steaming!).

My sweet boy is a Bombay and though it was a tough choice between that and a Siamese, I had to finally settle on that adorable black bundle.  I have a thing for black cats (three of my four rl furbabies are black - completely by coincidence!) and omghessocute.  I just don't even know what else to say.  He's adorable and cute and has amazing vertical leap (seriously - we were all hanging out on Rosie's sky workroom and he was leaping over everyone's heads).

Yes, he loves to jump - and jump high! - and run around like a nut.  What kitty worth their 'nip doesn't, right?  Our favorite thing to do together, though, is sit on the floor in our bedroom and read together.

I almost got a Corgi, but how could I - the ultimate cat lover - not get a kitty?  It just wouldn't be right.  I'd like to get a Corgi one day and I just might, but for now I am just enjoying my time with Juju.

Isn't he just adorable?  Thank you Aunty Ro - Julian & I will be forever grateful that you brought us together!

Izzy, The Fashionista!

At Rosie's urging, I have decided to try my hand at being an SL fashionista.  Putting together outfits from my overflowing inventory - my very own creations - is one of my most-favorite SL activities; by doing the fashion-thing I actually have an outlet to share my hard work.

One of the things I think that I can bring to the table in the vast world of SL fashion is not only my unique sense of style, but showcasing designers that are not on the top of many fashion lists.  I am not - never have been - a name brand kind of girl; in real life nor in my second life.  I buy what I like; I don't give a toss if it's by a hot designer or is a name brand of the moment.

Naturally, then, my SL shopping days have led me to a variety of personally-favored designers that have yet to get any real notice; I hope that I can give them some because they all certainly deserve it.  It is my hope that I can open a world of fresh outfits and accessories to the fashion-conscious; that I can help them discover something new that they may just love.

And so, without further adieu, I give you Izzy Chic at izzychic.isadoragraves.com.  Photos will be posted on my regular, pro Flickr account under an "Izzy Chic" set - you can get there here.  If you would like to copy any of the outfits you see on my blog, I'd love to see your version!  Please upload any such pics to the Izzy Chic Copycatz Flickr group.

Enjoy - and wish me luck in this new venture!

Party, Party, Party

Last night was my first time back on the grid in ages. Rosie wanted to make sure I had a great time to make up for all I'd missed. The best part of all, though, was getting to spend time with my old SL-friends, who I have missed dearly.

First, we made our way to Subversions for the SLag Magazine Release Party. Though touted as a "burlesque" show, it was a good deal more. Each act was unique, and obviously a great deal of work went into every last little detail. I had fun snapping pics, as always, overall enjoyed the joy except for the emoting (more on that later). Stephen Venkman was even in attendance and I about melted in my seat when he spoke to me (longtime readers will remember that I have an innocent, secret-SL crush on Mr. Venkman). Some of his artwork was on display and it was as powerful and sensual as ever.

NiNi signed on for a bit to help me choose an outfit to wear to the Relay For Life benefit gala at Organica that Rosie and I were going to. Codie and Gabby and Eshi and all of the other coolest-of-the-cool SL folk were in attendance. We were about to die from the name spam, 'til Marx showed up and - before you know it - we were all dancing around a shining, burning effigy of Richard Simmons (pictures as soon as I get them uploaded). I got to meet Mayo and Neko, two of Marx's friends, and we had a really great time.

It was, overall, an amazing day back in SL. I can't tell you how much I have missed it, and missed my friends. I always have such a wonderful time and am always left wondering why I don't remember that it is the perfect escape when real life is overwhelming me. Instead of avoiding SL when I'm down in the dumps, I should be embracing it!

Let's just hope this time I can remember that lesson.