Tuesday, December 8, 2009

I Gotta Disco Stick And I'm Gonna Use It.



Let's have some fun, this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick

Christmas is so sparkly with all the tinsel and lights and that set the mood for some fun that only sequins and mirror balls can provide.  In my finest Studio 54 garb, I had my own party and boogied till it hurt.  Come take a ride on my disco stick.







Shopping List:
Hair: Afterglow in Blonde by Cake
Skin: Estelle Light in Make Up #10 by LeLutka
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Green #4 by Nany Merlin
Hat/jacket/shorts: Purple Rain by Bolaro
Shoes: Esprit XTD Noir by Maitreya Gold

Before I sign off, I just wanted to mention, well compliment really, the high standard of  SL blogs over the last few months in particular. Some of the fashion spreads are so inspired and the quality of pictures exceptional.  Just goes to show the breadth of talent we have in SL and certainly motivates me to improve on my limited skills.  In my opinion, the standard of fashion blogging has risen substantially and I guess that also reflects the vast improvements of designers and creators products in SL.

And while I'm handing out bouquet's, I want to give a ginormous bunch to Beauvoir Rousselot for her Maitreya Gold shoes.  Being a late comer to the Maitreya Gold phenomena, I simply think they are perfect.   From one who just can't fit the OTHER one's no matter how hard I try, these shoes fell straight from heaven and onto my feet.  You have Chalice's 'Master Craftswoman award for Excellence in Shoemaking'.


Monday, December 7, 2009

Oh Not Another Shoe Blog??? Yep It's Kalnins...They've Done It Again.

So smack me.

I just had to blog these Kalnins shoes called Orchid. They arrived saying Hello Blogger and I was very excited because not only did someone think I was worthy to blog their product, this is one of the rare occasions where I didn't spend my Linden's. Regardless of cost and the fact they were a gift, I think Kalnins have cracked the code with their prim feet shoes. I can work them and that mean's they are dead easy to operate. I love the hud accompanying the shoes because it's all there for you to just press a button. Matching skin is a piece of cake and took me all of about 1 second to get a very good outcome.

The color change script is terrific and for this outfit, I made them a silver color. Compared to other prim feet shoes that are cost prohibitive for many in SL, these shoes are incredible quality for the money. Designed by Maris Kanto, at $450L for various colors and toe polish options, you just can't go wrong. Thank you Maris for sharing your shoe's with this blogger...I think you have put a lot of thought into these shoes and made them idiot proof just for me.

I've put together a little Baiastice, Yip and Kalnins ensemble.












 

Shopping List:

Hair:  Eva in Platinum from Truth
Skin: Estelle Light Make Up 1 by LeLutka
Eyes: Expressive Eyes Blue 4 by Nany Merlin
Hair Birds: Bird Whisper Hat by Yip
Top/Pants/Skirt: West Lace by Baiastice
Shoes: Orchid by Kalnins
Necklace: All My Heart gold necklace by Aluinn
Bangle: Gold and Silver bangle with Diamonds from Caroline's

Miss you Vixie. xxx

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Did I Ever Tell You I Love A Gift????????

Don't you love a group gift sent through inventory?  Its just like a Christmas present.  You don't know what you're getting until you open it.

Hyper Culture sent this cute purple vest and shirt through SL mail and I thought I'd use it as the base for a blogging outfit.  The top has the word LOVE on it and we all know you can't get enough love'n.

Loving the energy and power of amethyst, this outfit is passion purple to match my mood today.










 

Shopping list:
Skin: LeLutka Estelle Light Make Up 3
Hair: Yuruponi hair in blonde from Shop Seu
Eyes: Expressive eyes by Nany Merlin in Big Blue 1
Nails: French Pink from Detour
Shirt: Hyper Culture subscriber gift
Pants: Unisex purple bondage pants by Panda Express
Sunglasses: Voyage sunglasses by Kalnins (group gift)
Shoes: Chi Chi Pumps in black by Maitreya
Earrings: Antonia Silver by DeLa
Socks: Purple Slouch socks by Maitreya

Thanks Hyper Culture and Kalnins for the lovely gifts :-)))

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Christmas Decorating - Better Than Sex

OK I'm breaking my own rule of not saturating the feeds with Christmas inspired posts too early but I had this overwhelming desire to take some late night photo's after I'd decorated my house.  Keep in mind, over 2 years in SL and no place of my own before so this feels special.  I'll be decorating RL home next week so I get to enjoy it twice.

Prims are a bit thin on the ground at home but this is not suprising given what I've done with the land and the house.  I had to be frugal - no snow flittering from the sky, huge santa's or snowmen that would eat up my precious prims.  I TP'd around looking at something more unusual yet conservative with the prim count. 

So let me share a few photo's of some of my Christmas decs with the lights OFF.  It was actually quite lovely to set the environment to midnight and just see the water and decorations glow in the night after I'd finished. 

All I need now is to get Ms Barlett from Scarlet Creative to help me find my front door and reattach it so I can hang a Christmas wreath on it.  Damn thing few off when I rezzed the house...entirely my fault mind you.  I think I pressed the wrong button.



Tree created by Caliandris Pendragon from Cali's Christmas Shop




Christmas Card Wreath made by Lunata Lupino from LL Design
Christmas Bauble's - Group gift from AnaLee Balut at ALB Dream Fashion
Fireplace by Jenny Minogue from Plush Pod
Glass Bottles by Colleen Desmoulins from The Loft



Christmas Trees made by Lunata Lupino from LL Design




And then I really did it.  Certain that Santa wouldn't empty his sack all over  my bed on Christmas Eve because I'd been such a naughty girl, I caught a cab to LeLutka and before I knew it I had pressed the pay button and was the proud owner of an Estelle Light fat pack.   Sorry Tricky.  I always thought it would be just you and I together forever but Minnu had cast her spell on me and I couldn't resist.  There's enough of me to go round you know and you gotta love the skin you're in.



For someone who proclaimed she was going to hardly spend anything in SL....I LIED.  It'l be just me and my fat pack sitting on a park bench I can see it now. 

Sorry...two posts in one night.   I'll stop now.

Miss Virtual World 2010 - A Celebration Of SL Creation? It sure is.



The time is nearly here for the crowning of Miss Virtual World 2010. An event not just to reveal how beautiful avatar's can be but to showcase the talents of clothing designers, pose makers, hair, skin, shoe and jewelery creators under one delightful roof.

Love or hate these forms of competition, you can't deny the enormous efforts of the entrants and organizers.  One thing's for sure...people are talking.

Good luck to everyone involved.  Yes there can only be one winner but sometimes when you lose, you win.  Enjoy the experience and remember it's not all about you...it's celebrating the enormous talents of those who helped get you there.

Go Miss Australia.  Buggar....there isn't one.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Blessed Are The Pose Makers



Yes I know this has already been blogged and it may seem that I'm lagging badly, pardon the pun, but the recent pose sale at Niqotine Pose Store got me thinking about poses.  I have had a love/hate relationship with them since I first learned to walk, literally, in SL.  When I think about the amount of $L's I have spent on huds, AO's, walks and poses in the past only to get home and find some of them dud's.  Or perhaps that was me?  Yes I think I've contributed a fair amount of 'duddage' to the art of movement in SL but eventually I learned what was good, bad and plain ole ugly.

I do have a weakness for poses and when you think about it, for anyone who models, blogs or just loves taking pics of themselves, poses are an integral part of our expression.  I personally love poses that closely resemble RL catwalk stances...like when a model walks, stops briefly, looks mean and then turns for the walk back.  I'm always watching the European fashion shows on Foxtel and keep a keen eye on the models silhouettes.

Dropping in to Niqotine the other day paying $1L a pose, I was really impressed with them and took some shots on my roof (see below).  I certainly got value for money for what I believe are quality poses.  I then wondered about what makes good and bad poses in SL and having had a crack at Qavimator, I realize that a lot of work must go into good poses and particularly, moving poses.  My attempts were nothing short of spectacular in that I managed to make myself look like a scarecrow once I brought them in-world.  Anyone got any corn they want protecting??????



Some of my favorite poses have been from:


Of course there are a gazillion more pose makers that are doing wonderful stuff.  I just picked a few of my favs that came to mind.  One of my pet hates is losing my ass when I use a sitting or bending pose and I'm sure you all know what I mean unless you have a JLo butt and then I'd like to see what happens to it.  The number of times I have to use PS to put my ass back when using some poses just makes me thankful it was invented. 





Anyway thank you Niqotine for selling such great poses so cheaply.  They will become firm faves when I want something different.  I popped over there just prior to posting this and the sale was still going. 

Pose makers I salute you because you offer an essential SL service by creating color and movement.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

My Dirty Little Secret




I have a secret, shhhhhh!

Every Monday morning I get up at 6.30am, grab a cappuccino, stumble into my study and turn on the computer before I conquer my work day.  Half-asleep and looking absolutely non-fabulous, I click in to SCD for my dose of delectable drama SL style.  I confess, I have been doing this since it started even during my long Sabbatical from SL.  Why?  Because I am a drama strumpet once removed.  I admit, I like reading about who hates who, who hates what and who's doing who but my desire is essentially not to stir the pot despite the fact that I did lapse once or twice, it is simply that I love to be in the loop. 

I assume it is a character flaw that I need, no want, to get the juicy goss on those in-world.  I rather enjoy it from the sidelines but have no wish to be the instigator.  The tale inevitably stops with me as I don't use networks such as Twitter, Plurk or Face Book to communicate...I want to know then I'm satisfied to leave it there.

So there you have it.  I'm a SLecret addict in addition to any piece of news that is remotely drama-laden.  Am I really that different from most of you?  I tend to think not.  Isn't that why God invented the humble glass tumbler?   To hold it up against the wall to hear whats happening next door?

Anyway keep it up SCD and others who feel the need to share SL tales of drama, intrigue and tantalizing tid-bits.  Oh I can feel the wrath of you all now tutting at my confession.  My intellectual, empathetic side tuts along with you but it's the paparazzi loving, dish-the-dirt side of me that seems to surface in SL.  I'll say five Hail Linden's and rezz a rosary for my sins.

 In the meantime, I'll share some SLecrets of my own.












Don't forget to check your tyre pressure :-)

The Owl and The Pussycat - inspired by Stitch by Stitch Owly Skirt



Inspiration comes from anywhere and when I popped on this Owly skirt from Stitch by Stitch kindly given to me a while ago by designer  Sevenstar Amat, once again I was blown away by the intricate work and quirky theme of this piece.  The owl in the picture above is Seven's artwork seen on the skirt hanging like a Scottish sporran.  You've got to love an owl...so beautiful and wise and the idea of the Owl and The Pussycat immediately jumped in my head.



The Owly skirt I have on is in Mud but it looks more like Forest Green hounds tooth material to me.  Regardless, the material/texture is wonderful and the belt of the same materiel holds said owly with a gold chain attached to a pear shape ornament and tassel is just what we've come to expect from the sewing room of Stitch by Stitch.



While in my Stitch by Stitch portion of the wardrobe, I found the Elizabeth jumper in Chestnut, a thick woolen vision with puff shoulders atop of cute knitted bows on the sleeves.  It was the perfect accompaniment in texture and thickness for the skirt and those cold winter days supping eggnog heavy with brandy.  Having fallen deeply in love with these Courtisane La Vivien red boots, there was no contest.  On they went too.





I had a lot of fun putting this outfit together.  Its quirky and clever and like all of Seven's clothes, reveals a little hidden treasure.

Shopping list:
Skin:  Jesse in Sunkiss by Belleza
Hair: Charli in Natural Blond from Maitreya
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Green #4 by Nany Merlin
Jumper: Elizabeth in Chestnut from Stitch by Stitch
Skirt: Owly in Mud from Stitch by Stitch
Hair Ribbon: From Adrianna outfit from Stitch by Stitch
Brooch: Granny's Diamond and Pearl Brooch from Stitch by Stitch
Socks: Couture socks by Digit Darkes
Shoes: Coutisane La Vivien in Red
Bangle Left: Line Bangles in Green by eLDee
Bangle Right: Sculpted Sugar Copper Gem Bangle by Fresh Baked Goods

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I Love You...I Love You Not (so much) - SL Ponderings



What a slack old tart I've been.  I had this half-baked idea of pictorializing some things that I love about SL and some things that, dare I say it, get under my skin.  Of course, it's different for all of us but once I started on my list, I was then stuck between a rock and a hard place not wishing to single out any  person or designer etc.  I was merely thinking about what makes me go WOO and makes me go WAH.

I have learned to appreciate SL for the simplest things rather than saying yes to everything and then realizing I was working as hard as I did in my RL work.  Nah I'm a beach bum with a RL financier and that's how I like it.


 
I love discovering beautiful sim's.  Seeing things I've never seen before or even things that aren't possible in RL.  This was shot at Where The Wild Things Are wearing a dress from Elate!.




From the moment I somehow made my way from Orientation Island to the free stuff, I managed to unbox an outfit I clicked on and it revealed a little skirt.  These skirts that sit off the hips like a clowns collar just make me wince like I've sucked on a lemon.  I have a particular aversion to the really short one's though.  When I go random shopping,, if these little skirts appear in a shop, I get my run on and scamper as fast as I can.




There is something so magical about Christmas in SL.  The amazing sims that people spend hours creating, the snow that I've never seen in RL and being able to share how people celebrate around the world.  I once went to a Linden snow fight for my first SL Christmas but alas, I couldn't work out how to launch my snowball so I ended up being the target.  I'm short on primmage but I've made allowances for my Chrissie trees this year.  I'm having a beach Christmas just like I do in Australia.  




Now I have to say these DeLa Celine Zebra shoes are wonderful and make the foot look as good as is possible without prim feet but au natural SL ankles and toes are HORRIBLE.  Me wishes that there was something that could be done with them without having to amputate your feet for pretend ones that quite frankly, I'm still rubbish at fitting.  Thank god for liquify and clone brush in PS.  Well at least that's what I use but I do have my L-Plates on with PS.




Okay so this is just an extension of my RL love...swimming.  Having purchased my most proudest item to date, my Scarlet Creative Let Me Hang Art pre-fab house complete with pool, I have enjoyed just floating around while I clean my inventory or read the SL fash mags.  I actually wanted to change the water texture and low and behold, after hours of tp'ing around the place, found the water I like and somehow put it in the pool. 




When I was a noob,  I seemed to have lost my style.  Maybe because I hadn't quite made it to anywhere yet that I considered sold my style.  Silly skirts, ill fitting shoes, bra tops and lots of PVC were all I could see and I thought, 'when in Rome'.  Along with the quite lengthy evolution of Chalice came some disasterous choices in skin, hair and eyes.  I just couldn't get eyes blue enough until  one day I cammed around and scared myself.  I looked like an extra from "Village of the Damned".  I hadn't quite appreciated how offputting these pools of iridescent blue looked to those around me.




Oh I know, I know.  Sometimes I do get a bit over the big pavlova dresses around the place but in all reality, it is amazing to be able to dress up like a princess and not have to worry about magic tape.  In my early days I used to strut around the shops in these huge gowns, jeweled up to the eyeballs with a hat on.  Now I feel kind of silly doing that and the only time it felt right was on the cat walk or doing a photo shoot.  But yes, I love that I can glam up like I never would/could in RL.  Here I am wearing the Divine Ice Gown that is a free gift from Staged to its group members as is the lilac gown at the beginning of this post.




Controversial as this may be, the inclination of SL residents putting everything in their mouth but the kitchen sink is grating on me lately.  A ciggie yeah, but I think I saw a crushed Christmas elf the other day.  Is it due to people who's rooting reflex never ceased in adult life?  Anyway each to their own.  I guess I'm just jealous because I have an over-developed gag reflex.


That's all from me chickens.   Have a lovely week and remember to brush your teeth.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Urban Safari - I Love Game



The streets are a jungle with danger at every turn.  Natural born killers lurk  in the shadows ready to pounce if they smell fear so looking the part is important when you head off on safari in the dark, dank city. 

Hunting and collecting food is an important skill, so Chalice bags her catch at the popcorn machine.


 Wanna pop my corn?

Fighting wild beasts and fending off unwanted attention in the heart of the urban jungle takes  strength and courage.  Chalice takes great delight in sitting among her quarry which have been stuffed for posterity. 


Wanna see my pillows?

Standing in the lush canopy of green camouflaged from the head-hunters and jungle natives, Chalice spots a lone hunter and stands her ground.



Wanna see my weapon?

Chalice encourages him to come closer.  Slowly, slowly the hunter approaches Chalice relying on his instincts to flee if he senses danger.  He looks deep into her eyes as Chalice  reveals her weapon to the hunter and he falls to his knees in submission.



Wanna be my shopping partner?

The hunter, hypnotized by her beauty and a hairs breath away from saying yes, uses every ounce of will power to resist Chalice's offer.  He takes flight and as quick as a puma, runs  into the jungle to his certain death rather than face the fate awaiting  him as Chalice's shopping bud.




Chalice sat and pondered what might have been if her handsome hunter had stayed with her for all time.  Chalice looked over at her trophy wall and while sad that another had declined her invitation, felt a certain sense of satisfaction that she had added to her collection.  Hanging on the wall, he made a very good coat stand.


Shopping List:
Hair: Animal Forest in Black from Mayamaya Designs
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Green 4 by Nany Merlin
Skin: Jesse in Sunkiss Make Up 11 by Belleza
Nails: Black Manicure by Melissinha Palen
Outfit: Toume Nora by Convoitise
Boots: Midnight in Black by Fuel 
Earrings: Antonia Silver earrings by DeLa
Belt: Embossed Wide Belt from Coco
Location:  Drowsy

Sunday, November 15, 2009

My New Favorite Dress - It Smine...All Smine.

Hold on to your hats girls, Seven has done it this time.

I am in love with this dress...I don't want anyone else wearing this dress...it smine.

Okay that wouldn't be fair for Sevenstar Amat, the creative genius that is Stitch by Stitch but I want it all for me.  I do believe it was released tonight (my time) so quickly took some snap-a-roos because I wanted to blog it before bed.  Note the clever use of the flowers on the bodice and how the brown flower co-ordinates with the belt.  There's a cheeky tush ruffle on the derriere....oooooo it's adorable.

Ladies & gents, I give you the Miss Kylie - no I don't, yes I do, no I don't....oh for gods sake here it is :-(



Click for a larger look.

Shopping List:
Hair: Tatus Happy Blond by Fri
Skin: Jesse in Sunkiss Make Up 11 by Belleza
Eyes: Expressive Eyes Green 4 by Nany Merlin
Dress/Bag/Belt: Miss Kylie from Stitch By Stitch
Shoes: Vintage Heels in Black Pearl by Gibberish
Hat: Betty Elegance Hat in Black by Elegance Hats - modified feathers to match dress