Chalice In Wonderland - Happy 2010 Everyone

There's only 5 minutes to go until midnight in Victoria, Australia.  I wish each and every one of you a wonderful 2010.  I hope your dreams come true and that you find inner peace.

Despite our disagreements and differences, we are all searching for acceptance and love .  This is my wish for each of you.

Chalice In Wonderland - I'm So PC...Paper Couture That Is.

If I could reach into my screen and grab one gown from SL, this would be it.  It combines everything I love...feathers, strong color and fantasy all rolled into one.  Worn with Kalnins Orchid shoes which are wonderful for matching with outfits, I feel so PC.  My love affair with this designer has been unceasing since the first time I wandered into her store so long ago and purchased the Falsetta Layered Gown.  That was the defining moment when I realized that SL was Barbie doll's with dimension.  I swear that dress was responsible for some success at castings and it was a staple when I wanted something impressive.  Anyway, please welcome Lush by Ava Lu of Paper Couture.

 

 

Now I'm going to think about 3 things from my SL inventory that I just couldn't do without.  If Vixie, Jula and Ella were in there, that's what (who really) I'd pick. 

The Designers:

Hair:   Peta in Natural Blond by LeLutka
Skin:  Estelle Light in Make Up 3 by LeLutka
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes in Grey by Nany Merlin
Lashes: Tinted Lashes in Purple by Pixel Fashion
Nails:  Purple by Petit Ange
Dress:  Lush by Paper Couture
Shoes:  Orchid by Kalnins
Hair flower: Rose Hair Flower in Red by Artilleri
Necklace:  Jenica Necklace by Aurora Borealis
Earrings:  MM Luxe Amethyst Jewel Chandelier Earrings by Pearlie Pedro

Taking It To The Streets - Post Christmas

One of my favorite things to do is checking out what people are wearing around the streets of SL.  What I simply love is the limitless number of ways people choose to express themselves.  Some people have bag loads of L's to spend and other's stick to sales or freebies but still manage to forge their own fashion stamp.

Here, just after Christmas, I unleashed myself on the grid once again to check you all out.  My stealth camera hones in quickly to unsuspecting residents and I click the first people who appear before me so I'm not selecting looks I particularly like...I take pics of the first people I see which is fun and random.

Now the dude in Artilleri has the right idea.  Never has to worry about shoes which must save him a lot of L's.  Miss Azul looked very sexy in her plaid, endlessly unbuttoned shirt and woolly pink boots with pom pom's. 

I just love the look of the girl on the left.  Retro gorgeous she is...look at that hair/skin combo.  Just perfect.   I also love to see people shopping with a cachet of weaponry.  This guy has some good looking abs to accompany some serious looking ink.

Who doesn't love Bare Rose?  It like Aladdin's Cave of treasures.  I love this little jacket on the left teamed with the flared mini skirt.  Look at the cute belt and pockets.  The guy on the right is wearing some interesting accessories and I have named this look 'Apocalyptic Brave Heart'.  People like him are the reason I love SL fashion.  It is more diverse than anything RL produces.

A vision in gray at Ce Cubic Effect.  Loving the pants of the girl on the left along with the huge cowl neck.  I noticed SL was having shoe issues this night so please forgive the missing shoe.  Great hair too complimenting the neck line of the jumper.  I love the guy at Mashooka in his steel grey pants and tunic adorned with lace.  Nice to see different looking avatar's and particularly one that has a bit of age about him.  Nice look Sir.

Two gorgeous girls at Donna Flora.  Look at the amazing layered colors in the dress on the left.  I'm loving that hair too.  The girl on the right intrigued me.  Camming in, she had the most authentic to RL faces I have ever seen.  I don't know what skin it was because I don't inspect but I couldn't stop looking at her. It was amazing.

Always up for a shop at Fri.day, I captured these two lovelies walking in the door.  Gotta love the juxtaposition of these two looks, one sexy and figure hugging in watermelon and the other classic chic in beige and black.  Brilliant shoe choice too in the look on the right.

So there you have it, another set sharing the range of fashion worn by you all.  Keep shopping everyone...let's keep our wonderful designers in the black so they can continue to dress us, and dress us good.

LeeZu In My Pants!

I absolutely love LeeZu pants.  Somehow she has managed to overcome some of the problems inherent in SL pant making and in my opinion, they look as real as can be.  That funny texturing between the legs that looks weird and unattractive in a lot of pants doesn't seem to be an issue for LeeZu.  I imagine she has spent quite some time perfecting her pieces so that they look as authentic as possible to RL pants.  Of course there are many, many designers who do awesome pants too but I have fallen in love with this collection of LeeZu's called Brit pants.  I know they've been out for a while but when items are as good as this, they deserve all the attention they can get.

LeeZu's Miss Mara scarf is also divoon and what thrills me is the fact that it sits like a dream on the shoulders and moves with the body.

The Designers:

Hair:  Edwina in Silk from Novocaine
Skin:  Jesse in Sunkiss Make Up 9 from Belleza
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes in Green 2 by Nany Merlin
Lashes: Thorn by Detour
Nails:  Brown from Petit Ange
Bra:  Intimizzio Aufiori Chambre Sheer Set in Gold from Armidi
Pants:  Brit Pants in Black by LeeZu
Scarf: Miss Mara Scarf in Ethno Gold by LeeZu
Shoes:  Esprit Xtd Noir by Maitreya Gold
Bracelet:  From Cienega's Chocolate Sin outfit by Eshi
Earrings:  Antonia Earrings in Brown by DeLa
Belly Ring:  Diamond Belly Ring With Drop Diamond by Dex's Jewelry

Any More Presents?????????????????

Well I just couldn't bring it home...my 12 days of Christmas piece will have to remain 8 days but I will show you the other 4 outfits I came up with. 

I hope you all had a wonderful, food filled Christmas.  I am completely stuffed with stuffing, turkey, ham, pudding.  I haven't exercised for 3 days and feel yuk but today I'm off to drown myself at the pool.  I will be dragging my food filled body up and down the lane hoping that the life guards keep their eye on me in case I sink like a stone.  I estimate 1000 laps might undo my Christmas excess.

Now I must get the bod ready for New Year.

The Designers:

Hair:  Tarae in Black from JE Republic
Skin:  Jesse Sunkiss Make Up 10 by Belleza
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes in Blue 4 by Nany Merlin
Dress:  Passing Swans by Paper Couture
Tights:  Metallic Gold Lycra Tights by Viva La Glam
Gloves: Quilt Handwarmer in Brown by UnTone  Designer: Cocomitsu Mayo
Shoes:  Phoebe Shoes in Brown from Kookie
Hair Accessory:  Oriental Hair Accessory by JE Republic
Earrings:  Antonia Silver by DeLa

On The Eighth Day Of Christmas...

Sleep nearly beat me tonight but I made an effort to get it out.  Here's a real eclectic mix of SL notables.  Please excuse my lack of links...me tired.

 

 
Shopping List:

Hair:  Pigtail Braids in White Blonde by Curio
Skin:  Jesse Sunkiss in Make Up 10 by Belleza
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes Blue 4 by Nany Merlin
Top:  All About Me Tank by Vain
Shorts:  Black and White Check with Hip Bag by :Sey
Scarf: Long Black Scarf by Maitreya
Tights: White Tights by Paper Couture
Shoes:  Viva La Gigi in Black by Ztique
Bag: Short Feather White Bag from Muism
Hat:  Golightly Hat by Chapeau tres Mignon
Bracelets:  Mahjong Bakelite Mooncake Braclets by Fresh Baked Goods
Earrings:  Greyscale Jelly Tots Dangle Earrings by Fresh Baked Goods

On The Seventh Day Of Christmas....

Please excuse my swans...they aren't swimming.  I've taken poetic licence due to being pushed for time.  LeeZu put this coat out under the tree as a Christmas gift and I have to say I love it.  I'd love this coat RL actually.  I purchased these boots like a gazillion years ago but they are still firm fav's.  These Maitreya scripted scarves are one of my 'up there' purchases because they simply work.

Hope you are all being very good because even this close to Christmas...it counts.

Shopping List:

Hair:  London Import by VINTAGEwear
Skin: Estelle Light in Make Up 7 by LeLutka
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes Blue 4 by Nany Merlin
Lashes: Tinted Lashes (Dark Red) from Pixel Fashion
Jacket: JonesLion Coat from LeeZu (Christmas Gift)
Bra/knickers:  Eva White Bra & Thong from Seldom Blue
Shoes:  Red Loto created by Acido Ferraris - Acid & Mala Creations
Bag: Red Chain Bag from Muism
Scarf: Sangria Sarf from Maitreya:

On The Sixth Day Of Christmas...

Oh the pressure, the pressure of posting the last 6 days but I'm going to do it because the pics are taken and it took me ages to put them together.  I'm not wasting the effort lol.

I have always loved this dress from Pixel Fashion and have it in brown too.  The hair from Diorsis is something to behold and I'm still trying to work out what's in the cage.  Balls I think and you can't have too many balls I've always said.

OK it's not the sort of thing you'd wear to meet the BF's mother unless she's Vivienne Westwood or Phyllis Diller (only two crazy old birds I could think of), but sometimes I work on the premise that Less is Less.  Really it was a good excuse to bring out the BF lashes for an airing.

Shopping list:

Hair:  Catwalk Blond Cage Hair by Diorsis
Skin:  Jesse Sunkiss Make Up 12 by Belleza
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes in Blue 4 by Nany Merlin
Lashes: Fushia Feather Lashes by Bianca Foulon
Dress:  Tixy Puple Feather Dress by Pixel Fashion
Boa: Bolero Black by Liberte Fashion
Gloves:  Black Fur Gloves by Atelier AM
Stockings:  Candy Star Stockings by Amerie
Shoes:  Audrey Pumps by AlaLee Balut
Earrings:  Retro Glass Chunk Earrings by Shiny Things
Cigarette Holder: by Mika

And before I go, just wanted to say a huge congrats to the winner of Miss Virtual World, Miss Miaa Rebane.  I have to say she looked absolutely stunning in her evening gown.  I could be wrong but I think it was designed by Nicky Ree.  It seriously was the most amazing gown I've seen.  Darling Ella was 4th runner up and I'm thrilled for her. 

I managed to catch some of it but due to SL issues and possibly too many ppl in the sims, everyone kept crashing.  I managed to put together a look of 400 ARC without my shoes on.  Didn't need shoes anyway cause my feet were buried in the ground.  I really like this look that I wore.

The dress was from Convoitise called Atsuko courte noir and I thought it was fitting because I won it and other dresses from that label when I placed in last year's pageant.  Skin and hair from LeLutka, jewellery from 24 and hair needle from Mika. 

Anyway, till next time :-)

On The Fifth Day Of Christmas....

If I don't hurry up with this, Christmas will be over.  I do love gold so had fun putting this together.  A bit of whimsy, a bit of LeeZu,  a bit of Sonatta Morales.  I just kept adding.

Shopping List:
Hair:  Hairbase from Estelle Light by LeLutka
Skin:  Estelle Light in Make Up 9 by LeLutka
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes Green 2 by Nany Merlin
Top:  Lime Light Gold Undershirt by Pixel Dolls
Pants:  Lea Vivendi Pants in Gold by LeeZu
Bag: Chain Gold bag by Muism
Shoes: M. Antoinette Empire Falls Shoes by Digit Darkes
Hat:  Goldy Headdress by Sonatta Morales
Bracelet:  From Brown Glitter Clubbing Dress by Redgrave
Necklace:  Luv Necklace in Gold by ::69::
Mask:  Hestia in Golden by Masquerade Parade Mask Boutique
Wings:  Golden Feather wings created by Obunnywan Manimal purchased from Isle of Rfyre


And if I can just indulge for a second, GO ELLA GO.  It's Miss Virtual World today (Sat the 19th) and while I'm cheering on all the girls, my dear friend Ella Quinsette is Miss UK and I would just love her to win.  I send all my best wishes to the contestants and hope you are all happy with how you went at the end of the pageant.  Win, lose or draw...you've all done remarkably well to be finalists.

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder...Or The One Who Made The Shape.

OK this is not meant to be a nasty post, really it isn't despite how it might look.

I was at Maitreya just people watching when in came this girl who from where I was standing, looked very striking.  I actually liked her shirt and cammed in to take a closer look when I noticed her face.  What seemed a very pretty av at distance, changed dramatically upon closer inspection.

It was her eyes that nearly made my RL eyes bulge too.  There was this girl  where 99% of her av was normal and the other 1% looked downright alien.  Her facial structure was amazing for want of a better word...her jaw and cheeks were jagged and moving to the side, her eyes were positively bulging out of their sockets.  The pictures don't actually replicate how rough the features were and it reminded me how interesting it is to see  how people want to be represented in SL.  I'm not talking about people who deliberately create a weird or exotic avi, but the one's who attempt to recreate their perception of human perfection.

I'm all for unique looking avi's but there is a line between nailing it and not.  It just goes to show that shape creation and the ability to use the sliders so that from all angles you ensure rounded edges is not as easy as it first appears. 

I find it fascinating what people come up with when they are attempting to create a normal, human-like avi.  The one's who get featured on What The Fug? and SL Fashion Police to name but two might have what I call ADD.  Avatar Dysmorphic Disorder.

Just another layer of SL that intriques me :-)

Tonight Is A Good Night

OMG sorry for double blogging BUT I need to share. 

My endorphin levels have reached dangerous levels as a direct result of my shopping trip moments ago.  Logging in for a quick check of my messages, the Maitreya group notice about the three new hair releases had me over there practically before I had time to get myself decent.  I had clicked on the Nimue hair without bothering to demo...I don't need a demo at Maitreya cause it all looks fantastic.  Around the same time I read the wonderful  Alicia Cheneux's blog Ch'Know extolling the virtues of the FilterCam 2.0 created by CodeBastard Redgrave with input from  Ryker Beck.  Thank you for sharing that Alicia because after reading the links you provided I was over at Rouge in the blink of an eye spending a meagre 1000L for this amazing special effect HUD that has added another dimension to my SL photo taking.  I've only had it 10 minutes but I know it is my best friend already.

I also want to say thank you to Ryker Beck for her amazing tutorials on her Rezzable Blog.  If you've ever wanted to learn some PS skills, this is the blog for you.  If I can follow it, anyone can.  She makes it so easy and I have spent countless hours of fun practicing her tutorials. 

For anyone who loves to take SL photo's, I guarantee you're going to have lots of fun with the FilterCam 2.0.

Here's my first shot in my Maitreya hair.  OMG...SL just got a whole lot better.

On The Fourth Day of Christmas......

God I'm dumb.  I was supposed to wear this outfit for the Three French Hens shot but I got my birds mixed up.  Serves me right for rushing.  Anyhow, fashion doesn't have to be all serious and so cool global warming would be a thing of the past.  Sometimes it's fun to theme up to create a story in a kitsch kinda way.  Of course my French Maid outfit was supposed to compliment my french hens but calling birds will have to do. 

We are so lucky in SL that we have a plethora of costumes to choose from for those times where we want to recreate a scene.  I really remind myself of  Bridget Marquardt from 'The Girls Next Door'' in my love of creating a theme...SL is the perfect platform for this and you just have to look at the feeds and flickr to see how many people love to do it too.

This is a four Yip outfit...Yippe for Yip.  She's my favorite fantasy specialist.

Shopping List:

Hair:  Berlin Blonde by Cake
Skin:  Estelle Light in Make Up 12 by LeLutka
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Gray by Nany Merlin
Lashes: Pixel Fashion Tinted Lashes in Black
Nails:  French Pink by Detour
Dress:  French Souvenir by Four Yip (incl. broom)
Socks:  Calzinotulle in White from Bianca Foulon
Shoes:  Black Patent Pumps from Stiletto Moody
Tiara: Princess Rose Diamond Tiara from Dahlinks
Ring:   Women's White Gold Gemstone ring from Prinny's Prims

On The Third Day Of Christmas.......

Christmas is a time of giving and in SL this certainly rings true with so many wonderful content creators and designers giving us gifts to celebrate the season and to reward their customers.  This was a gift from LeeZu.  Thank you my darling...we love you big time.

Three French hens were impossible to find so I had to take a trip to KFC for these.

 

Shopping List:

Hair:  Temptress Red Sparrow by Sky Everett

Skin:  Jesse Sunkiss in Make Up 13 by Belleza
Eyes:  Expressive Eyes in Green 4 by Nany Merlin
Dress:  Nuomi Red Dress by LeeZu (Christmas Gift)
Shoes:  Esprit Xtd Noir by Maitreya Gold
Hat:  Highlight of Art Crown by Diorsis Hair
Necklace:  From Nuomi Outfit by LeeZu

On The Second Day Of Christmas.......

The second day of Christmas and I'm raiding the wardrobe creating outfits that make me happy and put me in the festive mood.  Finding two turtle doves was not easy and it was only when I wished upon a Christmas star did they fly down for the photo.  Oh the joys of PS.

Shopping List:

Hair:  LeLutka blond hair base - Estelle

Skin:  Estelle Light in Make Up 9 by LeLutka
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Grey by Nany Merlin
Lashes: Pixel Fashion Tinted Lashes (Light Blue)
Dress:  Hooded Knit in Turquoise by Ce Cubic Effect
Stockings:  Winternacht Silky Top Lace Stockings by CdC Fashion deLuxe
Shoes:  Junkie Zneeks by shOOz!
Bag: The Tasty Bag in Bleu by Paper Couture
Hat:  Winter Knit Cap in Aqua by Ce Cubic Effect
Jewellery:  Long Pastel Links Necklace by Caroline's

On The First Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me......

I hope you enjoy my photo series of the first 12 days of Christmas using SL fashion designers in a frenzied mash up of looks.

Shopping List:

Hair: Deena in Happy Blond by Fri.day
Skin: Estelle Light in Make Up 10 by LeLutka
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Green (4) by Nany Merlin
Nails:  Color 1a by The Nail Station
Top:  Deck of Tarot by Sick With Lust (Tarot Card Hunt)
Pants:  Basic Leggings in Black by Fri.day
Belt: STG301 belt in Red from booN
Shoes: Fairy Rose in Red by {=L+R+W=}

It's Hard To Soar Like An Eagle, When You're Surrounded By Turkey's

This is what I'll be wearing to cook the turkey...gobble, gobble, gobble.  It's going to be hot, hot, hot in Oz so less is best.

I Christmasized my blog which was fun.  I'm loving my Stitch by Stitch antlers and Love Soul shoes.  I'm just so looking forward to getting my hand up the backside of the turkey :-))

Fri.day Leggings To Make LiLo LayLow

I'm a girl on a budget so I have to make the most out of mix 'n' match with the old 'n' new.  Taking a wee trip to Fri.day to take advantage of the sale the other day, I couldn't go past these white leggings and I'm so glad I grabbed them.  After spending ages in PS creating these pics, it was then that I realised the fantastic shading and fit of these little gems. 

In my studio taking some snappies, I thought about how liberating leggings can be because you can move so well in them.  That prompted my picture above showing that leggings successfully combine action and fashion.  Granted you have to have the body for them or it can look like two pigs fighting under a blanket but hey, it's SL.  My body's buff.  I'm loving Fri.day and the layout.  Great job Parvarti Monday for creating such a fantastic boutique.

Naughty GoGolita of Juicy Bomb fame blogged these amazing shoes called Fairy Rose, a collaborative effort from the designers at Love Soul and R2 and I headed off to try the demo.  Needless to say they are as good as they look in GoGo's photo and temptation tapped me on the shoulder and I succumbed.  I wandered into Love Soul and ended up in the hair shop where I purchased this sweet hair with color change flowers and sizing script.  Just perfect for lazy me.

I definitely have a soft spot for the visual strength of black and white ensemble's and I like the way this ended up.  The top is a ghost hunt giftie from Ivalde and I just love the cut and quirky detailing on the bodice and shoulders.  Ivalde is a SL treasure.

 

 

Shopping List:

Hair: 010 hair in black from Love Soul

Skin: Estelle Light Make Up #10 from LeLutka

Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Green #4 by Nany Merlin

Nails: Black Manicure created by Melissinha Palen

Glasses: Checkered by Jet Doll

Top: Jenica top in black by Ivalde (Ghost Hunt gift)

Pants: Basic Leggings in white by Fri.day

Necklace & Earrings: Pyramid by ::69::

Shoes: Esprit Xtd in Noir by Maitreya Gold