Summer Tans Will Fade, But the Memories Will Last Forever

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About the Images

Summer is my favorite season in RL, so I wanted to do a post celebrating the end of summer. Unfortunately, summer never really takes hold where I live, and temps almost never get higher than 75 degrees on the warmest days. This is something of a relief after spending a decade living in the desert, where temps hit triple digits about nine months of the year (a “dry heat” is still HOT). But I still miss the warmth of summer and hold out hope that we will get a few days before collapsing into fall.

FWIW, autumn is my favorite SL season, so I’m sure you’ll see lots of fall colors in my posts going forward. 🍂

Anyway… let’s talk about what the ladies are wearing. I picked up Serena’s cute top from Sorumin a few weeks ago at a weekend sale. It comes in a variety of color packs with what looks like a corduroy fabric, a droopy strap, and some pretty flowers (flower colors can be changed with the HUD). Serena’s skirt was from a weekend sale at JUSTICE.

Ella Rose’s scarf top is the latest group gift from Fashionably Dead, and it comes with a HUD full of color combos. Her shorts are also from Fashionably Dead; I really like the little chain that wraps from front to back. Ella Rose is wearing the beautiful new floral tattoos by WarPaint: the arm tattoos, called Twilight Garden, are available at the current round of Anthology. The hip tattoo is called Oui Mais Non and is available at the current round of FaMESHed X. I think the flowers are roses, but whatever they are, they seem to match the flowers in Serena’s top, which was a happy accident!

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I’m really loving the messy hairbase by Angel Eyes (on Serena). I picked up this one at the mainstore, and it comes in a fatpack of colors. A black-and-white version is also available for a lower price point.

Finally, both ladies are wearing new eyes by IKON. Serena is wearing the new Wish Eyes that were previously available at Cosmopolitan (I’m sure they’ll be at the mainstore soon). Ella Rose is wearing the latest group gift from IKON, the Fortune Eyes, in a beautiful teal color that just happens to match her top. Head over to IKON and join the free group to grab these gorgeous eyes for yourself!

The Story

The sun was beginning to rise as Serena and Ella Rose stepped out of their cozy beach cottage, the air already warm with the promise of a late summer day. The sky was a soft canvas of pastels, the remnants of dawn fading as the blue of day took over. Serena stretched her arms above her head and took a deep breath of the salty air. Ella Rose smiled at her friend, the corners of her green eyes crinkling with contentment.

“Ready for one last perfect summer day?” asked Serena, her voice light with excitement.

“More than ready,” Ella Rose replied, slipping her sunglasses over her eyes. “Let’s make it a day to remember!”

They made their way down to the beach, sandals tapping softly against the wooden planks of the boardwalk. The beach was quiet; the only sounds were the rhythmic crash of waves and the occasional call of a seagull. The sand was warm underfoot, and they quickly spread out their towels, claiming a spot close to the shoreline.

The morning passed in a lazy, sun-soaked haze. Serena lay on her stomach, flipping through a well-worn paperback, while Ella Rose basked in the sun, her eyes closed as she listened to the soothing lull of the ocean. Every so often, a gentle breeze would sweep across the beach, carrying with it the scent of salt and sunscreen, ruffling their hair and cooling their sun-warmed skin.

“I’m getting hungry,” Ella Rose said, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Me too,” Serena agreed, setting her book down. “How about some ice cream?”

Ella Rose grinned. “Now you’re speaking my language!”

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Packing up their belongings, they strolled along the beach until they reached an ice cream truck nestled under the shade of the trees. The colorful menu offered a delightful array of flavors, from classic vanilla to exotic coconut lime. Serena chose her favorite, a scoop of mint chocolate chip, while Ella Rose opted for a strawberry swirl. They walked back toward the town, laughing as their ice cream began to melt and drip. The sun climbed higher into the sky, and the warmth of the day intensified with each passing hour.

After finishing their ice cream, the women wandered through the narrow streets, pausing now and then to admire the charming shops and quaint cottages that lined the way. The town was alive with the hum of summer—families playing on the beach, couples riding bicycles, and the soft murmur of conversations from café terraces.

Eventually, they found themselves at the Burrow Coffee Co., a comfortable café with a rustic charm that drew them in instantly. The interior was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the wooden tables and mismatched chairs gave a welcoming, homey feel. They ordered iced lattes and settled into a corner on the patio, watching as the world passed by outside.

“Can you believe summer’s almost over?” Serena mused, absent-mindedly stirring her drink.

“I know,” Ella Rose sighed. “It feels like summer just started. But I’m glad we’re ending it on such a high note.”

Serena smiled, taking a sip of her latte. “Me too. There’s something special about days like this—no rush, no plans, just enjoying the moment. I just wish Luna could have joined us.”

They lingered at the café for a while longer, talking and laughing as the afternoon slowly faded into evening. When the sun began to dip lower in the sky, they decided to head back to the beach to catch the sunset and take a few selfies. The bay was calm, and the water was a shimmering expanse of gold and orange as the sun began to sink toward the horizon. They stood side by side on the boardwalk, watching as the sky transformed into a fiery display of colors.

“I’m really going to miss this,” Ella Rose said softly, her voice tinged with melancholy.

“Me too,” Serena replied, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “But I know we’ll have next summer and the one after that. And days like today… we’ll always have them to look back on.”

As the last sliver of sun disappeared below the water, the sky darkened, and a cool breeze swept across the beach. The two women stood in comfortable silence, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over them.

Finally, Serena turned and offered her hand to Ella Rose. “Come on, let’s head back.”

Ella Rose took her hand, and they walked back toward the cottage with the sound of ocean waves fading behind them. The end of summer had come, but the memories of this perfect day would linger long after the season had passed.

SERENA (the blonde)

Hair: TRUTH Elusive
Hairbase: Angel Eyes Messy 17
Skin: Glam Affair Soraia
Eyes: IKON Wish Eyes Eternal Pack
Eyeshadow: Glam Affair Soraia
Lipstick: Glam Affair Soraia Lips Toner
Body Blush: Izzie’s Face & Body Blush
Tan Lines: Izzie’s Thong & Bikini Top Tan Lines
Armpit Creases: Izzie’s Armpit Creases Double
Earrings: e.marie Skyla Earrings
Necklace: Kibitz Hallia’s Necklace
Arm Tattoo: WarPaint Sweet Nothings
Nails: CAZIMI Citrus Nails applier (group gift)
Rings: e.marie Sirena Rings
Top: Sorumin Blossom Top
Skirt: JUSTICE Sophia Skirt
Shoes: Friday Sajni Sandals Dust

ELLA ROSE (the redhead)

Hair: Wasabi Starlight Hair
Skin: Glam Affair Robby
Eyes: IKON Fortune Eyes (group gift)
Eyeshadow: WarPaint Breeze Eyeshadow
Lipstick: Glam Affair Robby Lips Toner
Body Blush: Izzie’s Face & Body Blush
Tan Lines: Izzie’s Bikini Tan Lines V2
Armpit Creases: Izzie’s Armpit Creases Double
Earrings: Vibing Anna Earrings
Necklace: Kibitz Nora Necklace
Arm Tattoo: WarPaint Twilight Garden (@ Anthology)
Hip Tattoo: WarPaint Oui Mais Non (@ FaMESHed X)
Nails: Belle Epoque Sandra Nails (group gift)
Rings: Kibitz Ameria’s Rings
Top: Fashionably Dead BandanaTop (group gift)
Shorts: Fashionably Dead Star Chain Shorts
Shoes: DEAD DOLL Melodie Sandals

OTHER ITEMS

Pose #1 (front): West End Duo
Pose #2 (rear): Ana Poses Every Moment Matters
Serena’s Solo Pose: Versuta Crystal
Ella Rose’s Solo Pose: Versuta Megan
Specter Skies EEP Ambiance Pack

Photographed at Burrow Coffee Co.

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