[#601] Woke Up This Morning

Wives, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers
Don’t you wish you didn’t function, don’t you wish you didn’t think beyond the next paycheck
And the next little drink?
Well, you do, so make up your mind to go on ’cause when you woke up this morning
Everything you had was gone, everything you had was gone

Alabama 3, ♫Woke Up This Morning♫

When it comes to old timey mafia films or television I’m a casual fan but that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy them less than the hardcore passionate ones. I’ll admit that I’ve really not seen much of if any of the Sopranos even though I’m sure that once I get around to seeing it that I’d enjoy it a lot as all indications are it has great acting and a compelling story.

My scene today is a tribute to the many mobster themed sources of entertainment over the years including but not limited to The Godfather series, Goodfellas, Scarface and many more that would take forever to list. Perhaps though for the aficionado’s will see the call out to The Godfather with the cat sitting on my lap and my bro Lucky sitting across from me as if he’s there to ask for a favor.

I didn’t want to completely recreate the scene exactly as I wanted to put my own touches on it so that it could stand on it’s own and not be considered a “rip-off” of sorts; I am confident that this photo will appeal to many but also if not I know I had fun with it. I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank Brenna for helping set up the scene with me based on ideas I had given her.

Having a bad memory sometimes leads to me repeating things and if I do then I apologize profusely. One of the newest stores that I am proudly a part of is Lapointe & Bastchild and for the first time I am blogging their work and being that as a blogger I am nervous because they have been one of my favorite designers over the years. Making sure that I get it right when it comes to featuring their clothing and accessories is important to me so here I go at my very first attempt as part of their team.

Most of the time I’m usually wearing black suits or tuxedos so when I found out that L&B released a specifically white rendition of their “Marc Tuxedo” I jumped at the chance to make it my mafia “Don” attire. As with their other suits and tuxes it’s very well made and fits perfectly. The suit is highly customizable with different variations of white (like the cream colored version that I’m wearing) as well as options for changing the color of the shirt, bow tie and pocket square. You can also make the pocket square invisible if they are not your thing.

If you’re a guy that’s looking for a tux that isn’t your traditional black then a visit to Lapointe & Bastchild is in order to give the “Marc Tuxedo Basic White” edition a try; if you do make the purchase, you should also consider the “Edge Oxford” shoes to compliment them for a complete look.

Lapointe & Bastchild – Marc Tuxedo Basic White Edition

Original mesh
HUD includes options to change jacket, shirt, bow tie, pocket square and pants
Many different style combinations to choose from
Fitted for Belleza (Jake), Fitted Classic, Signature (Gianni) and SLink Physique mesh bodies

Admittedly I’m not a decor blogger by default but with all the work that Brenna did helping to construct this scene so at the end of this blog you’ll find the decor credits as well as both the styles for myself and Lucky to make this a very thorough blog post. I’d also like to thank Andraus Thor who is the creator for THOR, a decor and accessories store for assisting me with a feline problem. You were a big help in facilitating my kitty addiction so thank you very much.

On this note with all the info that there is to give to you I am going to wrap up this blog post and start to begin preparation for my turn as a blogger for Skin Fair, which officially opens to the public in a weeks time. I am very excited about this and look forward to helping out hopefully not only both my fellow gentleman but also the gals as well.

It’s the weekend so I hope everyone has a chance to relax and take it easy; I’ll be back again with more from the virtual landscape so keep your eyes peeled until next time!

But you’re one in a million, you’ve got that shotgun shine
Born under a bad sign with a blue moon in your eyes

「 MY STYLE 」

HAIR: Deadwool – Slicked Back Hair
HEAD: LeLutka – Guy ✦ NEW
SKIN: Stray Dog – Mario (Tone 2) ✦ NEW

TUXEDO: L&B Swear (Store / MP) – Marc Tuxedo Basic White

「 LUCKY’S STYLE 」

HAIR: Lock&Tuft (Store / MP) – Frank v1
HEAD: CATWA – Victor v3.2
SKIN: Clef de Peau – Oscar (T4)
EARS: MANDALA – Steking Ears (Season 5)
BEARD: Magnificent – Victor Hipster Stache & Beard Medium – Night
BODY: SLink – Physique Male Mesh Body v2.06

JACKET: Deadwool – Hart Jacket (Flannel)
SHIRT: Deadwool – Pinned Add-On (From Original Hart Suit)
PANTS: Deadwool – Hart Trousers (Flannel)

「 DECOR 」

SKYBOX: Trompe Loeil – Knoxlane Cottage
DESK: EPIA – The Big Boss Desk Set
CHAIR: EPIA – The Big Boss Desk Set
BOOKCASE: EPIA – The Big Boss Desk Set
LAMP: EPIA – The Big Boss Desk Set
NEWSPAPER: Vespertine – Newspaper
CIGAR BOX: BAMSE – The Boss – Cigar Box ✦ Gacha
GUN: BAMSE – The Boss – Pistol ✦ Gacha
ASHTRAY: Nutmeg – Dandy Astray Bronze ✦ Gacha
WHISKEY: Apple Fall – Whiskey Decanter
GLASS: Kunst – Bourbon Glass #1
BOOKS: Cheeky Pea – Vetur Falkland Books
CAT: THOR – Licking Gray Cat
TABLE: David Heather – Gun Table ✦ Gacha

[#469] And This Is War…

It’s just the two of us
A silver cross
And some strength that you won’t believe
Well I’m not afraid
I’m gonna make you pay
I’m gonna wipe that smile off your face

Our Lady Peace, ♫Wipe That Smile Off Your Face♫

Having someone to work with, collaborate and to bounce ideas off of is something that I feel is very lacking in the world of blogging. Maybe it’s just me or perhaps my way of going about things that brings about the belief that most bloggers are not interested in working together for fear of competition or plagiarism or whatever goes through ones mind.

Personally I’m not really out to compete with anyone and I know that everyone has their own style, some styles might be similar or some may contrast drastically. We’ve all got our ways and that’s what makes things exciting and unique when you’re browsing Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or whatever social media you might be attached to. There are so many out there and probably will see more to come in the future as technology advances. What might we see in the future? It’s a very good question.

My good friend and at times partner in crime, Lucky Spiritor created a very cool scene that inspired me to complete a visual I had in my head for a long time but never knew exactly how to go about it; that is why for the background of this blog the credit goes completely to him. You can find the blog he did with the scene by clicking HERE.

There are a lot of elements in this post so I’m a bit afraid of getting too wordy in my writing about what you are seeing. Like my friend, I have thought of a series of visuals that connect together and this is the first of them which I am going to call “Battle Scars”. It’s almost normal now for us to read about some type of fighting overseas and that US Soldiers (and also those from other nations) being killed in active duty. First and foremost if there’s anyone who reads this that has served or is currently serving in the Armed Forces, I thank you for doing what you do to defend our liberties and keep us safe from those who might harm us.

Most of the personal things on me are products I have been using lately and can be filed under the “previously blogged” category. The more I start using these on a consistent basis, I may add a page on the site which will state that unless I credit it that I’m going to be wearing them. I am wearing a new pair of eyes which I do have a better view of that you will see as you get deeper into the blog. I’ll tell you more about them after the photo which accompanies them.

Finding good soldier/mercenary gear is difficult to find and there are very few creators in world that handle these things which led me to begin scouring the marketplace. There I found the tactical vest and pants that I am wearing which are very well textured and made and the vest can be resized to help fit just about any mesh body out there.

The gloves I’m wearing are a past group gift from E-Clipse Designs but the store may still have them up with other past gifts. They are bento enabled and have an included HUD that you can change the color from either black or brown with the click of a button.

The wall of guns is from a gacha machine that is the brainchild of both the xin and Toro stores. I believe that it was created as part of a GTA V / Bank Heist type set which included a bunch of different gadgets and items. Though sticking with this wall, I feel there is plenty of firepower for a massive skirmish in whatever war zone this picture is based in (I haven’t decided yet where it would be).

For a soldier what can be more important than a wall of guns? More guns! As you can see there are several different handguns as well as a slick looking sniper rifle (a Call of Duty fans dream I’m sure). On top of that throwing in some tech that helps an operation go as smoothly as possible.

The rifle and hand guns (along with the magazine clip + compensator) belong to the very well crafted and detailed “Sharpshooter” gacha from BAMSE who specialize in making great weapons for gachas. I’m pretty sure that most males that blog these kinds of scenes have items from their machines (as well as anyone that might role-play). The brand doesn’t slouch when it comes to making these interesting pieces and definitely helps add a little more definition to a scene.

The case comes from the same gacha machine as the gun wall from xin + Toro, while the table itself comes from [NikotiN]’s “Dealer Kitchen” set. The grunge type look of the table works well with the gritty scene of the remote location that houses this tactical operation.

Avi-Glam did not just release skins at this years Skin Fair, they also released a min-set of eyes called the “Prestige” eyes and are exclusive to the event until it ends on the 26th of March. There’s still plenty of time to get this set which offers 15 different color irises with the choice to have small, medium, or large sizes. For those of you with CATWA and Omega enabled eyes, there is a HUD for you as well as one for regular mesh eyes that are also included.

I have a good idea where this theme of blog entries is going to go but until the rest of them are done and posted I truly don’t know if they’ll be quite what I have seen in my head. Though it will be definitely worth the effort of trying just to see how far I can allow my mind and creativity go and give a little bit of life and story to them.

This blog had a lot going on for itself with all the different gacha items in the background and it was really cool of Lucky to allow me to use the set he had created for himself to build a visual from my own mind. I’m not the best decorator when it comes down to it and usually prefer something already on a sim or a backdrop. Sometimes I am able to push myself to create a scene that even I am surprised of but it doesn’t happen often.

Now that I’m done getting carried away, I’m going to leave you to what I consider to be one of the most important parts of the blog: the credits. Be sure to click that link to Lucky’s blog as well because he does some great stuff as well.

Onto the next conversation…

HAIRBASE: Labyrinth – ‘Buzzcut’ Hairbase ✦ Previously Blogged
HEAD: CATWA – Skell ✦ NEW @ Skin Fair 2018 ✦ Previously Blogged
EYEBROWS: [theSkinnery] Hallford Brows Style 1 ✦ Previously Blogged
EYES: Avi-Glam – Prestige Eyes ✦ NEW @ Skin Fair 2018
FACE: LV Designs – Brennan Tone 2 ✦ Previously Blogged
BEARD: Nivaro – Rugged ✦ Previously Blogged
BODY: Belleza – Jake ✦ Previously Blogged
TATTOO: { Speakeasy } Flame Tattoo ✦ Previously Blogged

TACTICAL OUTFIT: [AbsoluT] – Tactical Combat Outfit
GLOVES: E-Clipse Designs – Male Bento Gloves (2017 Christmas Group Gift)

BACKDROP: [isuka] Basement Backdrop
GUN WALL: xin + toro // gun racks + RARE
TABLE: [NikotiN] Dealer Kitchen – Table
TECH CASE: xin + toro // portable hacking control station
SNIPER: :BAMSE: Sharpshooter – Sniper Rifle RARE ✦ NEW @ The Arcade
SIDEARM: :BAMSE: Sharpshooter – Sidearm [MODDED] RARE ✦ NEW @ The Arcade
SIDEARM 2: :BAMSE: Sharpshooter – Sidearm ✦ NEW @ The Arcade
MAGAZINE: :BAMSE: Sharpshooter – Magazine ✦ NEW @ The Arcade
COMPENSATOR: :BAMSE: Sharpshooter – Compensator ✦ NEW @ The Arcade

POSE: WRONG – Male Poses #24 ✦ NEW @ Ultra

[#414] This Hurricane…

“The promises we made were not enough
The prayers that we have prayed were like a drug
The secrets that we sold were never known…“

“Hurricane” – 30 Seconds To Mars ♫Listen♫

With this scene I brought together some things to add a little culture to the entries of These Conversations Kill. After having visited the Matsuri event, it inspired me to put together this look with the things I brought home and some that I already had lurking in my virtual closet.

For those of you who might not be familiar with the Matsuri event, it is an event full of asian centric items including furniture, clothing, poses, and photography aids such as backdrops.

Aside from the event area there is a nice little town to explore as well to further give you an experience. Many of the vendors in the shopping area have a HUD that you can used to collect “stamps” by teleporting to the participating storefronts and after you’ve collected 15 stamps you can return to the event and trade them in for a prize of your choice from one of several designers.

I‘m featuring items from blog sponsors LV Designs and Go&See (whom have a great eye set at The Seasons Story as well as a gift that I’m reviewing in this post). Other creators being shown include Gabriel, Catwa, Belleza, [sYs] and BAMSE.

Shooting this scene was particularly fun for me because I enjoy many aspects of Asian culture past and present. I’ve done scenes in the past as well with it being the theme so it is something I consider to be an interest.

I hope everyone that’s viewing this enjoys what they see and it gives them a reason to take a ride to the Matsuri event as well as a trip to The Seasons Story and the other great places that make up this article.

Another adventure is in the books so I will leave you with the credits and say sayonara for now but check back again soon. On to the next conversation!

⊰HAIR⊱ Tableau Vivant \\ Eastern Promises Hair

This hair is one I’ve had in hiding for a long time. I am not sure what reason I bought it in the first place but I must have had the notion for using it and now in the present I have found just the right place for it.

⊰HEAD⊱ CATWA – Dino ♯ NEW

The latest release in the male head collection by creator Catwa Clip, this softer and more ethnic featured face is still just as handsome as the others. This appeals heavily to those out there that have been looking for a diverse looking face.

⊰EYES⊱ Go&See * Fall * (Anniversary Gift) @ The Season’s Story ♯ NEW

Going to an event where creator’s give you gifts just for checking it out? Heck yes! Go&See is offering as a gift for the anniversary edition of The Season’s Story – Fall edition a 4 pack of eyes specifically made for CATWA eyes. These give you just a bit of a preview of the bigger pack of eyes with the same name that is for sale at the event. Very detailed and appealing and worth giving a look.

⊰FACE⊱ ::LV:. Noct Applier – Pearl/02 ♯ Marketplace ♯ NEW

In conjunction with the Catwa “Dino” head, LV Designs has created a skin based off of a character from a well known video game franchise. The skin is compatible with Stray Dog 02 body appliers and also comes packaged with eye and body shapers.

⊰BODY⊱ Belleza – Jake

⊰OUTFIT⊱ ::GB::Katakake Haori – Kon-ai @ Matsuri ♯ NEW

Personally I am a fan of this type of attire. I think it stems back to different television shows and movies that were located in Asian countries. I also thought it would be cool to be a samurai and learn the art of wielding a timeless weapon but not for reasons of violence. Swordsmanship is much more than that.

Compatible with: Belleza, Signature, SLink, and TMP

⊰SHOES⊱ [sYs] ZORI TABI Shoes – Black / White

These have been in my closet for a good while and were also looking for a reason to be brought out and this helped make putting together this wardrobe a lot easier. There are only sizes for classic avi’s in this package, I was able to hide my feet to make it work with the length of the kimono.

⊰DISPLAY⊱ :BAMSE: Bushido Display

This was the first piece that started the brainstorming into what you are seeing as the final production. I love learning about swords especially those of asian origin. They are beautifully crafted and not at all clunky like some of the bigger bladed weapons in history. To proudly display this fine creation by BAMSE is certainly an honor for me.

⊰BACKDROP⊱ *bitter vanilla* -4- b.v Kuchinashi (Brown) @ Matsuri ♯ NEW

This is one of four different stylized backdrops that can be played for in the gacha machine at Matsuri. There are different color schemes each with accompanying HUD’s to change different parts of the scene. What’s best about this is that you can take the item from the machine to the main location and trade it in for a copy-able version that you won’t have to worry about it being eaten or accidentally deleted and gone for good.

<K&S> Fearless. Bento Poses 2 (2)

This is the second part of a pose set that I used in my last entry. Another three poses that are quite different from those you find in the first set. I really like the set as a whole and hope to find more like this from K&S

{#314} I Let You Go…But You’re Still Chasing

“Go ahead and put a target on my forehead
You can fire but you got no bullets…

I was yours but I’m not yours anymore
Oh you don’t own me“

⊰HAIR⊱ lock&tuft – Spudly ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ M.O.M
⊰HEAD⊱ [SIGNATURE] Gianni – Head – v1.0
⊰EYES⊱ AG. Melancholia Eyes (Coal)
⊰FACE⊱ Clef de Peau – Tobias T2 (SIGNATURE) ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ Mainstore
⊰BODY⊱ [SIGNATURE] Gianni – Body – v3.1
⊰TATTOO⊱ ISUKA – Cerviel ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ M.O.M

⊰PANTS⊱ N-Uno – Vlad Jeans // N 4 ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ M.O.M

⊰NECKLACE⊱ {COLD-ASH} WESTON Necklace ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ ULTRA
⊰BRACELET⊱ {COLD-ASH} ROWLETT Bracelet ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ ULTRA

⊰RIFLE⊱ :BAMSE: Hunter ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ SwagBag (Nov)

⊰KIOSK⊱ Modulus – Abandoned Kiosk ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ Shiny Shabby

Maresto – Hunter ≠ @ Marketplace
oOo Studio: Everyday ≠ ~~No Longer Available~~

“Dear X (You Don’t Own Me)” – Disciple ♬Listen♬

[#311] There’s Hope For The Hopeless

“Now that I know this
You give me the strength to carry on
The voice in the silence
Is crushing the violence
It’s giving me a chance to right these wrongs
I will never quit
This is it“

⊰HAIR⊱ [ tomboi ] Colby Hair – Fat Pack ≠ ~~Currently Unavailable~~
⊰HEAD⊱ LOGO – Ethan
⊰EYEBROWS⊱ Clef de Peau: Eyebrows v.18 Brown
⊰EYES⊱ AG. Melancholia Eyes ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ Sad November
⊰FACE⊱ Go&See *Matty* Summer
⊰BEARD⊱ Action Inkubator Beard – Harold / 1.0 ≠ ☆NEW☆ @ Mainstore
⊰BODY⊱ SLink – Physique MALE Mesh Body Release 1.2
⊰TATTOO⊱ ISUKA – Augustus

⊰PANTS⊱ not so bad – PAOLO Jeans – Red
⊰SHOES⊱ [ VERSOV ] WONZOV Sneakers – DIRTY – RED

⊰ARMWARMER⊱ Caboodle – Aiden Armwarmers
⊰SWORD⊱ BAMSE: Ikazuchi – Silver †

† Item is part of a Gacha

⊰HEAD⊱ LOGO – Ethan
⊰FACE⊱ Go&See *Dexter* Pale
⊰SCARS⊱ The Horror!~ Corpse Scars & Bruises – Veined †
⊰BODY⊱ SLink – Physique MALE Mesh Body Release 1.2

⊰OUTFIT⊱ R2A – SNIPER OUTFIT

† Item is part of a Gacha

*CS* End of Line – 02 (SwagBag – Oct)

“Hope For The Hopeless” – Papa Roach ♬Listen♬

[#223] Six Feet Under

“I’m not dead and gone
I will carry on
With no fear
I am here, I am now
I am not going down“

⊰HAIR⊱ RAW HOUSE :: Noctis [All Colors] // ◇NEW◇ @ TMD
⊰HEAD⊱ CATWA HEAD Jackson
⊰EYES⊱ .ID. Sensual Eyes FATPACK // ◇NEW◇ @ Cosmopolitan
⊰FACE⊱ Clef de Peau – Andre T2 // ◇NEW◇ @ TMD
⊰BEARD⊱ [Deadwool] Full Beard – Brown
⊰BODY⊱ Absolut-Creation – Adam Mesh Body -v1.1

⊰SHIRT⊱ ODDITY ~Eivissa~ Mistic *FATPACK*
⊰PANTS⊱ 7mad;Ravens – Derek Cargos – Grey // ◇NEW◇ @ Sir Monthly
⊰BOOTS⊱ [monso] My Vintage Walker – Grey // ◇NEW◇ @ TMD