Rodvik Linden And Me(me)

Well I decided Berry's Meme idea was such fun I had to get in on the act, albeit late.

Of course I had to wear my 'Fuck Me I'm Famous' jumper from Razor given the importance of my guest.  I invited him home and within minutes he was jumping on my bed.  I showed him a few cheer leader moves and talked him in to taking me shopping.  We arrived at Gos but guess what?  He didn't have any money.  His excuse?  He didn't have any pockets to keep his wallet. 

What a disappointing date.   

Hair and pig tails: Tram
Skin: Betty in Pale tone (make up #1) by Belleza
Eyes: Deep Sky Mesh Eyes in Twilight Sea by Mayfly
Jumper and Socks: By Razor
Shoes: Black and White Ankle Boots by Kunglers
Rings: Aruro and Gloria rings by Donna Flora
Necklace and Earrings: Triandre by Pure Poison
Location: GOS

My Guilty Confessions And A SLook.

Mz Straw-Meme has devised another great idea so I'll do that first then talk about my look.  Oh dear...think Chalice think.  What are my guilty confessions?  I'm sure I have some in there...thinking....thinking.  OK, here I go opening up which is sometimes kind of scary because of the judgement that goes along with it.

1. I try all kinds of ways to make my blog more popular and get it out there but they don't seem to work.
I think I shoot myself in the foot with this because in SL I've become so reserved I'm practically invisible.  This is reflective of my RL at the moment because of some tragedies I experienced last year that I've kind of cocooned myself for protection.  I've tried repeatedly to get my blog linked to some of the more popular feeds, but they haven't responded which has knocked my confidence about whether the time and money I spend blogging is really worth it.  My hits both on the blog and in Flickr aren't that high and I secretly wish I could break through the glass ceiling and become more notable in SL.  I question whether my style is rubbish, my pictures passé and that my opinions are nondescript.  I know I shouldn't worry but since this is about confessions, this is one of mine.

2. I hate the process of putting links in my style credits at the end of each post.
I do want the designers to get their due credit and make it easy for people to catch a TP to their stores, but it's soooooo damn tedious.

3. I read Shopping Cart Disco's SLectrets every week hoping I'll know at least what one of them is about.
Because I'm out of the inner circle of whatever goes off in SL, I read them and they go straight over my head.  I then read the PLURK comments and the blog comments and even then, it's like another language.  Who's the shoe person?  Who's the penis person?  I dunno!  This probably stems from the fact that I have no inner circle in-world anymore that I live vicariously through and on the periphery of what's going down via blogs, PLURK etc.  PS - I need more PLURK friends, hint, hint.

4. When I'm out and about searching for new shops, if I see those horrid little skirts of years ago and wall upon wall of slutty looking badly made clothing, I fly right on past.
I'm sure you know the shops I'm talking about.  It's like do you not even look at the relevance of what you're selling compared to the fabulous fashion that's available?  Even today, looking through the window of some stores, its like a time warp of what was available 5 or 6 years ago and the decor, omg, update, please update.  Take a trip around SL and see the way things have progressed then go back to your store and take an objective look around.  Gawd I can feel the knives hovering at my back.

5. I confess that I wish there was a blog like SL Fashion Police around again.  
I admit I used to laugh my head off looking at some of the avi's and bad fashion they used to show on their blog.  I know it's mean spirited but I think if Joan River's and Fashion Police can get away with it on real people, a SL version isn't that horrible.  I admit to taking pics of some avi's around the traps that seriously look like road kill.  I sometimes get the impulse to pop it on my blog but that's not what my blog is about.  Hmmm.  Maybe there's an opening?????

So there are some of my SLecret confessions - be kind :-)

          

I've had this woolen bolero from Bounce for ages and in my mess of an inventory, forgot about it.  I popped it on and paired it with my newly purchased LeeZu 'Yve' pants in Vintage Black.  They're so cute and I love the little flare above the knee.  I found the white tights at DeeTaleZ.  I was really impressed by their selection of socks, tights and leggings so if you are in the market for some, go have a look.  The shoes were a subscriber gift from Slink called 'Lara Mary Jane's' and the anklets I found at LouLou.  The necklace and earrings work so well with this look I think and are from Maxi Gossamer called 'Isis Solar Magic'.

Thank goodness Belleza is on board with the Slink Hand Applier and am wearing Mya skin in the Pale tone.  I couldn't find a Feet Applier so would love it if you did one Tricky.  If not, you're fabulous anyway and a skin maker of the highest regard.

Now here I go doing my least favorite thing, giving you LM's.

Hair: Emo in Platinum color by Vanity Hair
Skin: Mya in Pale tone by Belleza
Eyes: Vanity Eyes in Denim (group gift) by IKON
Hands: Slink
Hand Skin Applier: For Pale skin by Belleza
Top: Wool Bolero in Blanc by Bounce
Pants: Yve in Vintage Black by LeeZu
Stockings: White Wool Tights from DeeTaleZ
Shoes: Lara Mary Jane's (subscriber gift) by Slink
Anklets: Crepuscule in Black by LouLou
Earrings and Necklace: Isis Solar Magic colored Silver by Maxi Gossamer
Ring: White Melt My Heart Ring by Auxiliary
Location: Resonant Osmosis

I Call This 'My Brain Hurts' Meme - A Haiku For You

Ouch!  Double Ouch!  Whatever happened to 'Roses are red, violets are blue blah blah blah'?  Mz Berry has opened up a a big, ol' can of Haiku and I embarrassingly admit, I had no clue of this form of expression prior to her Meme suggestions this week.  So while I was jimmying open my newly received container of Rubber Nipples, I pondered the task and managed to come up with this pathetic little something. 

The chalice empty

Fashion seasons fill the void

Couture be deployed 

Of course with the arrival of my secret weapons, the rubber nipple, I thought I would create another Haiku.

Rubber nipples worn

Boys touch, fawn and scorn the fact

Not real so they're torn 

 

Very Meme Monday - "My Three Wishes"

Another meme meets Monday from the wonderful mind of Strawberry Singh.  Well this one I had to think long and hard about because I'm greedy and only three wishes was a stretch.


1. I wish for the fun days when I first joined.
This makes me a little sad because I've become somewhat of a recluse since my blog has become all consuming.  I wish for the days when I was modeling all over the place working with amazing people who made SL such fun.  When we would discover things together and laugh for ages or be in awe of something beautiful.  At learning new skills and sharing them with my then wide circle of friends who would wax lyrical about you when really, it wasn't anything much that you did but that the importance of encouragement was the impetus of your friendships.  When all you could hear was the 'ding' of IM's and you couldn't keep up with the conversations.  The days when something fantastic was released and the grapevine was humming with friends letting you know and going shopping together oooo'ing and ahhh'ing all over the grid.  It was pure fun and something that could only occur in a certain time because everything was new and you were establishing your identity in SL.  In a way, it felt like growing up again and you can only do that once in SL.  I'm probably making no sense because perhaps its only me who feels like this.  My fondest memories of the early days was enlisting all different photographers to take pics of me for my portfolio and styling a gazillion looks hoping they would think I was remarkably different and waiting for them to arrive to share with friends.  I still have the folders of my modeling friends where we would share our newest pics and support each other when we auditioned or made the cut.  Seems sort of silly now, but back then, it was fabulous.

2. I wish I had Chalice's body/bodies and wardrobe.
In RL I do really love fashion.  I do have a pretty liberal wardrobe of clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelery but if I had Chalice's body, my god I'd be unstoppable.  I'd probably dress and re-dress ten times a day and never have my head out of my closet, only to go out showing off.  Then again, she is way over six feet tall with a clothes horse figure so its pretty unattainable in reality.

3. I wish that the crotch area didn't distort clothing.
I don't have an answer for why this is but it seems the minute you open your legs to any degree, the texture distorts and looks horrible.  Its the one area I need to fix up in Photoshop the most.  It doesn't happen with mesh items so much though.  Also on this subject, it would be great if one had the ability to lower the alpha layer with mesh clothing to ensure the legs don't poke out the dress. Is this even possible?

Oh and one of my pics was chosen to to make up the header of BloggingSL.  What a thrill and thank you so much for picking it Alianna.  Such a lovely surprise to wake up to. 

Outfit is from Kanou.
Lace leggings from Fishy Strawberry 
Hair from Boudoir
Skin from Glam Affair
Shoes from BSD
Umbrella created by Seagel Neville
 
  

The Meme Of All Meme's - Why Do I Blog??????

Hey it's Berry Meme Monday don't ya know!  I love this one about blogging so thought I'd share the space where it all happens.

 

So here are my answers -

1. How long have you been blogging?
I started Chalice In Wonderland some time in 2008 then stopped.  I resurrected it in July 2009.  Half of me loves doing it and the other half worries about the time I spend doing it thinking I could be devoting time to something else.  I reason however, that its a creative outlet because I have a RL job that requires an entirely different persona.

2. Why did you start blogging?
I initially started it when I was a contestant in Miss Virtual World representing my home country, Australia.  I wanted to share the journey which I did but at the time my ex-husband was getting pissy about me being in SL so I quit.  I took it up again in 2009 because I really did need a little me time and it did help me unwind for an hour or two in the evening.  I figured my ex-husband loved to watch sports on TV so I could have a Second Life. lol.  I used to be very mindful about the time I spent doing SL things but now I'm single, its not the issue it once was. 

3. How many times a week do you post an entry?
Probably around 5 to 6 times a week.  I do fluctuate depending on spare time and inclination.

4. How many different blogs do you read on a regular basis?
Gawd it would have to be a lot.  Not sure of numbers but I do have a lot of favorites.  I use the feeds to keep up with who's doing what.

5. Do you comment on other people's blogs?
Yep I sure do.  I love to receive comments and I love to give them for posts I appreciate.  Lets face it, we don't blog hoping no one will read it, so validation from time to time is nice.  I also get a buzz when designers come on and let you know they know you've blogged their items.  I think as a community it would be great if we could give encouragement to each other through comments.

6. Do you keep track of how many visitors you have?
Yes via my counter, Blogger stats and Feedjit widget.  I unfortunately lost my original counter so have started again.  I wish I had more visitors though but that's just me being greedy.

7. Did you ever regret a post that you wrote?
Yes...on my original blog I got involved with something I never should have and it kind of blew up in my face.  That taught me to really think about what I post and not use my fashion blog as a soap box for SL issues that really don't concern me.

8. Do you think your readers have a true sense of who you are based on your blog?
This is a hard one.  I don't think I really put myself out there in either life so probably not.  The open book I initially was in SL has closed to a certain extent and I mainly focus on promoting fashion items and designers.  One of my favorite bloggers is Emerald Wynn and I really love how she perfectly mixes her SL avi exploits and RL persona into her blog.  It's an interesting format but she's a wonderful writer and commentator on life in general which is why it works so well.

9. Do you blog under your real name?
My SL real name but not my real real name. lol

10. Are there topics that you would never blog about?
The traditional ones like politics and religion...no, no, never.  I wouldn't blog about other people's choices in SL or expose anyone.  Its just not me dishing any dirt so yes, anything controversial I steer away from.   BUT I have an admission.  I do like a bit of muck raking so perhaps I'm as bad as those that do it.

11. What is the theme/topic of your blog?
Basically just showing off fashion items and talking about those who design them.  I find it funny that while so many other blogs support all these events/charities/causes etc., I just keep on buying clothes and blogging about them.  The pressure I'd feel in being an official blogger for 'blah, blah' would be too much for me to handle I think.  I'd be nervous I wouldn't do them justice.

12. Do you have more than one blog?  If so, why?
No only this one.

13. What have you found to be the benefits of blogging?
Well for me it's certainly not getting the drum on new releases or free clothing?  That's a rarity for me.  I think the benefits are creating looks from random pieces and trying to make them appealing.  Whether I'm successful, well that's not for me to say.

14. So why do you continue to blog?
Because there's nothing else I can do in SL.  I wouldn't know the first thing about actually designing a clothing item and I don't build...I just dress my dolly.  To me its essentially role playing being a clothes horse  Boring as shit aren't I?  lol    

With all the penis talk going on at the moment, I thought I'd add to the drama and wear my COCK top.  Cock-a-doodle-do darlings.

Hair: Tram
Skin: Tuli
Lips: Tuli
Eyes: IKON
Hands: SLINK
Top: Le Primitif
Pants and Belt: My Own Way
Shoes: 7 Plus picked up at Fi*Friday and The Promenade
Necklace: Maylo Designs
Watch: Indyra Originals
Bracelet: Elemental Earth Designs
Glasses: Designed by Drupal Kirax - doesn't seem to be selling.
Hair piece: BoHo HoBo

It's Meme Berry Christmas - My Name

Berry's done another Meme and I'm in.

I had a sly ciggie while I was thinking of my answers.  A terrible habit I know but it's my second last vice other than enjoying a fine glass of  red.

1. What’s your SL name? Chalice Carling
2. What made you choose this name? God it's so far back for the old memory bank but I think I chose the sir name Carling first and then tried to think of another name starting with C.  I thought Chalice sounded nice plus I was probably drinking a glass of wine at the time which reminded me that wine was traditionally drunk from a chalice in the Biblical sense.  Chalice is also the name Jamaicans use for a bong, and is also an ancient symbol for a woman.  It is also the antiquated metaphor for the female urino-genital tract but please don't hold that against me.
3. What’s your SL nickname, or what do most people call you? (if applicable) Either Cha or Cha Cha.  I always love the way Frolic Mills pronounces my name...like Chal-eee-ce.  Very cute.
4. What’s your SL display name? Why do you choose to have one? (if applicable) I did just put Cha Cha as my display name.  Not sure why though.
5. Do you like your SL name? Yes I do actually.  I really wouldn't mind if Chalice was my RL name.  My RL first name is very, very unusual and I've spent a life time correcting people with the pronunciation and spelling it, sometimes two or three times because people get lost half way through.  Turns out my name is a common name for a male in Jamaica.
6. If you could change your SL name, what would it be? Blooming Wonderful.
7. What’s the craziest/funniest SL name you’ve ever seen? Ayefarted On Yeu.  Eww I'd have to fart back.
8. What’s the coolest (your favorite) SL name you’ve ever seen? I think it would have to be Crap Mariner.  I remember when I first knew of him and I just loved that name.  Actually now I wish I could be Crap Carling.

Now I better credit my stuff:

Hair: Sweet Iris by Boudoir
Skin: Zoe in Pearl tone by Tuli
Lips: Deviant Vamp by Tuli
Eyes: IKON
Hands and Feet: By SLINK
Dress: Drape Dress in White by Tram
Earrings, bangles and necklace: By Mandala
Flowers: By Lapointe & BastChild
Smoke: By NikotiN

Sorry I cannot give you SLURLS today but SL is broken and wouldn't bring up profiles at the time of publishing this post.  Bad SL.

Another Meme...Fashion Blogging

As I mentioned a few posts back, I have been wanting to start at Meme about blogging practices to get to know you better but also I'm interested in how you prepare and what inspires you.  My interest arises from the fact that there are so many interesting SL blogs that I appreciate out there and I'd love to know what goes on 'behind the scenes'.  Interesting blogs equals interesting people. When I see styling that is amazing, I wonder what process the blogger goes through to get that look.  Or how long it takes one to create a post from beginning to end.  Or why some blogs are more popular than others and whether you think other forms of social media are important in self promotion.

I'd love for you all to participate.  Just cut, paste and delete my answers.  YAY.  Oh and put a link in my comments so I can read them.

1.  Blog Name?
Chalice In Wonderland.

2.  Blog URL?
http://chalicecarling.blogspot.com.au/

3.  How long have you been blogging? 
Since July 2009.

4.  Why did you become a blogger?
For me it was a natural progression from modeling in SL.  I wanted to show off fashion and styles I liked to a wider audience. I mean standing in my SL home looking at my new purchase is not very stimulating.  

5.  How would you describe your blog?
My blog is centered around SL fashion more than anything else.  While I sometimes express an opinion on SL happenings, I feel more comfortable sharing the positive aspects of SL fashion, although, I wish I could think of more to say.  I love blogs that have a mix of both fashion and social commentary.  I don't critique designers because I won't blog what I don't like but I do appreciate bloggers who do.

6.  What process do you go through when styling an outfit for your blog? 
Because I don't blog for any label or designer, I purchase most of what I post unless a designer connects with my blog and sends me something.  I usually find a piece of clothing that resonates, put it on and then start to build from there.  I'm often seen TP'ing across the grid partly dressed looking for accessories.  I find that works for me because I can gauge color, patterns etc while I'm wearing the key item.  When I'm happy with the entire look, I save it and head out to a location or my photo backdrop on the roof to take my pictures.  I save the photo's to my computer and then open them up for photo processing.

Sometimes a look comes quickly and sometimes I scour every store I know to find that right accessory.

7.  How long does it usually take you to prepare a post?
I'm getting much quicker these days.  I'd say on average it takes me 3 hours for each post.

8.  How do you promote your blog?
I am syndicated to a few SL feeds but wish it were more.  I have been applying but it seems that no-one is home. lol.  I also post when I blog in Plurk, add my posts to Moolto and Pixel Fashion Group in world.

I'll be honest...I am disappointed that my blog isn't more popular after so many years but its my fault because I don't network enough.  I have become more insular in SL than I used to be and only pop my head up every now and then.  I think this is reflected in my readership and general interest in my blog.  I do dedicate a lot of time to it and sometimes wish I felt that it had a purpose and relevance in the blogging world.  That probably says more about me than anyone else.  It's probably the fact that I suffer depression and often internalize silence as no one cares.

9.  Are readers comments important to you?
 Yup...I love to get comments.  It just validates the work one puts in.

10. I always get excited when I see a blog post from.....?
Shopping Cart Disco's SL Secrets.  I never have a clue who they're about but I love the comments left nonetheless.  I admit it, I love a bit of drama from the sidelines.

10. What do you think it takes to achieve a successful blog?
I guess this is really subjective because what denotes a successful blog but I'm sure most of us do it hoping for as wide a readership as possible?  I think it takes good networking skills and the ability to remain fresh and relevant. 


Wearing:
Skin: Zoe in Pearl tone by Tuli
Lip: Intense Crimson color for Pearl skin by Tuli
Hair: B429 hair in Creamy tone by Tram
Eyes: IKON
Coat: Maruca Coat in Dress Blue color from Celoe
Bag: Boni Brown bag by Bare Rose
Earrings: Tres Chic color change earrings from Lazuri
Hands: SLINK of course

My SL Pet Peeves Meme - Chalice

Doesn't Strawberry Singh come up with the best ideas to open up the blogger community that allows us to get to know each other better?  I swear that I had been tossing around a blog post about my favorite and least favorite things in SL...I must be psychic.

Anyway I thought I would join in her Pet Peeves Meme and hope I don't upset anyone in the process.  I purposefully haven't read anyone elses meme yet so that my responses are off the top of my head and aren't influenced by the peeves of others.  My peeve level isn't that high so please don't be offended if I mention something YOU do because in the scheme of things, its not very important and you have every right to do it, unless its illegal or hurtful to others of course.

Number 1
Bloggers who end up with gigantic pictures on the feeds.   

Number 2
Those really weird and anatomically impossible hips and thighs.  The avi's with a Grand Canyon gap between their legs so that their undies look like dental floss.  Its funny how my eye is immediately drawn to their genitals.

Number 3
People you don't know who walk up to you in SL and stand an inch from your face.  Although Chalice is so tall it's usually the navel.  Sometimes they just push you and sometimes they ask for money.  I'm so stunned by the number of times I'm at a sim taking pics for the blog and in a static pose when people walk straight up and push my avi around.

Number 4
When you buy an outfit and it's nothing like the vendor poster when you put it on.  Fortunately it doesn't happen to me very often but every now and then I buy something that no amount of body tweaking will make it look passable, let alone good.

Number 5
People emoting baby stuff in a crowd and also that giggling noise you often hear.  This is probably my least favorite thing about SL  Like most things in life though, because you have an aversion to something you tend to notice it more.

Thanks for the great idea Berry.