Introducing Avantgarda Creations Skin

For those of you who frequent Flickr, you are bound to have seen the amazing works of Rebeca Bashly.  She is amazingly talented and a sweet, encouraging presence to those in the embryonic stages of their photography skills. Thank goodness for us, Rebeca has turned her hand to skin making and is about to launch her new enterprise, Avantgarda Creations, on Friday May 7th at 1pm SLT. In support of new designers, I would encourage you to go enjoy the entertainment, DJ Simone Peterman of Second Nights, and also check out her new Avantgarda range.

This post is picture heavy but I did want to provide visuals on all of the range from different angles. Please note that there is NO MANIPULATION of the skins in PS so these are raw photo's. Given the dramatic nature of the make up and in particular the gorgeous brows in both the Cherrie and Schatzi range, I chose to present a Vintage look to capture the glamorous aspect of these skins.

Due to skins being a very personal choice and everyone's criteria of the perfect skin is so varied, I will refrain from adding any critique only to say that I really love this look and will be wearing them for many photo shoots in the future. They are very different in that the facial features are robust and the shading on the body strong but for me, that is what makes them so photogenic. 

I wish Rebeca the best of luck with her new venture and congratulate her on the product.  It's always exciting to watch the evolution of new designers and I hope I have gone a little way to help you gain more exposure for your opening.  Thank you for sharing your skins with me and I was honored to present them. 

It's Prestige All The Way At OoEas! Designs

I received a folder tonight full of sexy little dresses that I couldn't wait to try on and share with you all.  Called 'Prestige Suede Mini-dress', I think you're going to love the quality texture and shading that quite honestly, doesn't adequately show in these pictures.  I loved the fact that in a variety of poses, the break down in texture that invariably occurs along the torso was a non-issue with these barely there beauties. Designed by Sara Dimitriaski of OoEas! Designs, the dresses were named after Bax Coen's Prestige Suede Boots because the 4 shades of the dresses contained in the Blacks fat-pack match the shades of the Bax boots in the Black fat-pack.  Clever eh?

The colors of the dresses are Key Lime, Pink, Coal, Dark Grey, Ivory and Light Grey respectively. Proving that it's all in the details, there's also a prim zipper attachment for the back. I'm wearing Bax's Prestige boots to show you what wonderful music these two designers make together. I'm also wearing my faithful Shag Stone Love Crystal Sets in various colors.  The hair is also from Bax Coen called the Nathalie in Platinum, it features a diamante studded headband with color change script.  Me likes a lot. 

I chose a colorful make up from LeLutka's Eclat range in the pale skin tone to give the face as much life as the outfit.

OoEas! also sent some new release belts in various colors.

Worn with Leezu's Brit Pants, these belts sit on the hips very well and required no tweaking from me.

I'll be showing you the fruits of a new skin designers labor tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

The Golden Chalice

Who doesn't love Mandala? Rhetorical question really because the answer is evident. I fell in love with Hannya Necklace - it's bold, flash and brash so wanted to put something together to showcase this piece of Mandala mastery.

For the longest time I have been in total love with Leezu's Maita spectacular. I bring it out from time to time when I want to be reminded of what's possible in SL clothes design. It comes with an abundance of pieces to mix 'n' match so the outfit is multifaceted. I found this belt called Syrianas Rebirth waistband from an outfit designed by Boston Westland who now designs for Chantkare Male so am not sure if it is still available but I love it.

Again not for everyone but I think the simplicity of the hair and make up allows for the dynamic life force of the outfit and jewelery. I mean it's not often you see bell bottoms like this. I think Quasimodo would have his work cut out for him ringing Chal's bells.

Skin: Eclat Pale in Make Up 6 by LeLutka
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Big Grey by Nany Merlin
Hair: Eclat blond hair base and Eclat blond hair attachment
Lashes: Photoshoot by LeLutka
Top and Pants: Revolution Maita by LeeZu
Belt: Designed by Boston Westland
Shoes: Espirit in Black by Maitreya Gold
Necklace: Hannya in Black by Mandala
Earrings and Ring: Stoned Love Jewelery set in Onyx

Have a great week.

Puss'eh Galore - The Fashion Assassin

Just a quickie before bed. Hmmmm sounds quite wrong that. I wanted to finish off this post before the day was out. I put together this outfit based around the green gloves that I picked up from Ranena Olivier Couture as a freebie. I love styling outfits. Reminds me of a road trip without a map...you never know where you end up. From there I picked this skirt that is part of a freebie outfit called Lucky from Phoenix Rising. Great skirt with wonderfully rich texture that includes the terrific belt. The top and jacket is part of an outfit from Stitch by Stitch called Roma.

Some heavy eyed make up in the form of Glam Affair's Leona was used to continue the drama of the outfit and impossibly long lashes from Detour called Cactus opened the eye even further.  In the hair department, I couldn't go past the new release Riley from Truth.  I tinted the hair band dark green and I'm wearing the Swedish tone.

I thought the Victorian Choker from Illusions would be a good match given it clings to the throat and compliments the deep red of the jacket and rose on the belt.

I've said it before, I believe there are no better shoes in SL than the Maitreya Gold range and take a look at these Allure shoes with tights. Shown here are the shoes in Bordeaux worn with the black tights...watch your keyboard as you drool over these amazing, stylish babies. Dank u voor de schoenen Onyx.

Here's a pic of me riding my Frisian mare that I purchased from Branagh's Barn. In honor of my fav shoes and you know how much a woman loves her shoes....I've named said horse Maitreya.

Oh and if you're looking for a flag and flagpole for your house I found a great Aussie flag from Freak Flag Park - Flags & Banners. Only 2 prims and 200L's, they float in the breeze and I think look very realistic. Now my house is complete. All it needed was an Aussie flag.

Okay enough rambling from me...have a great Saturday.

Look For Beauty And Ye Shall Find It

That's my thought for today. My darling dad used to say 'I don't find faults in people because I don't look for them'. He lived that way and his life was all the richer because of it. I unfortunately didn't inherit his beautiful disposition but I do try to think this way. It was easy for him but I do struggle...a lot. Regardless, it's a state of mind and you have to work at it if you choose to be that kind of person. While it would be utterly boring to live in a 'Stepford' world, the least we can do is allow each other the right to voice our opinions without ridicule, name-calling or labeling because it just makes people feel like crap. Something to aspire to perhaps? Don't get me wrong, I've taken cheap shots but my conscience slaps me in the head pretty hard and I always regret not taking the time to humanely say why I disagree.

Anyway, with that in mind I found a beautiful place to take some photo's...I went looking for beauty and I found it. It's a place called Regenboog at Kook. Amazing lighting and ambiance.

Today I'm wearing three new things. The amazing Allure shoes from Maitreya Gold in Brown, the new Siri hair also from Maitreya and a 10L outfit called Porto Cevo from Glam Affair.  I have to say that above all the shoe's in SL, Maitreya Gold's are my all time faves.  Salience, Espirit, Shanti, Allure and all the rest, there's nothing that comes between me and my Maitreya's...except perhaps a little tinea.  I so wanted the Allure with the socks but I thought I'd get more wear from these because I so love the Maitreya foot.

Click to read my affirmations.

Sit, look around you. Isn't it beautiful?

I'd be really happy to include a link to your blog in mine so please just send me a message with your URL. We should all support each other because really, WE are the feeds and perform a wonderful service to those residents who want the drum on who, what, when and where.

Skin: Elle Fair Make Up #10 by Belleza
Hair: Siri in Scandinavian Blond by Maitreya
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Big Grey by Nany Merlin
Nails: Natural Real Color Nails in Gold by J's
Top and Skirt: Porto Cevo by Glam Affair (Sale department)
Shoes: Allure in Brown by Maitreya
Glasses: Celeste by Prim Optic (worn on head)
Necklace & Earrings: Soho Hardwood Jewelery Set by JCNY
Bracelet: Chunky Heart Bracelet by MM designed by Pearlie Pedro (no longer has a shop)
Bag:  Gold Mini Bag by Baiastice

Now play nicely

What's The Difference Between SL & The Titanic?

Nothing....today they are both old hulks at the bottom of the ocean.

Please hurry up and fix it...I'm in the mood for some Maitreya hair shopping. It seems to be getting worse dudes. For the love of all things pixel, can't you do something??

PHEW that felt good. Just needed to share.  Move on, nothing to see here.

Orange Krush With A Dose Of Flu

Pass me the tissues and rub my chest with vapor rub (insert brand name common to your country), I'm sick. Too sick to go to work and not wishing to share my germs with everyone, I stayed in bed and woke at 12pm.

Anyway (sniff, sniff) I thought I'd get up for a bit and post these pics I took yesterday. I picked this little orange treasure up from the Glam Affair 10L sale. I thought this would make me stand out on the dance floor and partial to anything orange, I snapped it up. The beautiful Shyayn Lusch, Miss "Shag" herself and the creator of The Digital Doll blog, sent me copies of her new Stoned Love Crystal Jewelery Sets. Absolutely brilliant they are. Not only is there a color to match every outfit, the pieces fit like a glove. There's a choice of big and giant earrings and necklace with matching ring. If you haven't been to her shop Shag, you absolutely must. You haven't decorated until you do.

To me, this outfit has a certain kitschy appeal that I'm rather partial to and if I was a roller derby babe, this is the outfit I'd wear.  My performance name would be "The Orange Krush".

These pis were taken at a gorgeous sim called Heaven's Lake. Unfortunately I didn't have time to explore and basically these were taken close to the landing spot but I encourage you to take a look. It was lovely and with your WL magic, could produce some stunning photo's.

Hair: Emerald (after our very own Emerald Wynn) in Swedish by Truth
Skin: Elle in Fair Make Up #9 by Belleza
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Blue #4 by Nany Merlin
Lashes: Smuggle by Ema's Secret
Top, pants and gloves: Yolo Orange by Glam Affair
Boots: Bloom in Black by Maitreya
Leg tattoo: From JahSoul
Hair decoration: Spiderweb Geisha (color modified by me) designed by Valryn Vandeverre
Earrings/necklace: Stoned Love Crystal Jewelery Set in Sunkissed by Shag
Bracelets: Sugar Copper Gem Bangles by Fresh Baked Coods


Please excuse the fact that there are no links. SL was behaving badly again and I couldn't load them.

ATCHOO...sorry about your screen.

Life Ain't Always Black And White...But Today It Is

I have come to the realization that Chalice needs to dance more. I used to love going out with the girls dancing and listening to music. I dug deep and found my Huddles EZ Animator Hud and running through my dances, I just went blah. Old, boring and done to death. It definitely needed an update so decided to see what was out there beyond my old haunts. Early in my search I found Studio 4D Dance Animations and I really liked them so purchased a few...ok a lot. The mix of old and new wasn't working for me so I dumped the old one's and my hud is filled with all my newies. I went off to GOL to test them out and threw on this concoction of pieces that I really do like as a wacky combo.

I headed over to a sim called Innsmouth, a New England Coastal Town abandoned in the 1930's. It's dark, moody and has infinite possibilities for pics.

I do have a penchant for looking like an angel but dressing like a devil. While I love elegant, I do have this weakness for taking my look to the nth degree and seeing how far I can go. I have to say that technically, this skirt is probably one of the most skilled pieces of prim work I've seen. Unfortunately I tried to find the shop again, Susie's, but the sim isn't accepting visitors. It was created by a Japanese designer named Asuka Reinard and if the doors are indeed shut, that's a shame. I know this skirt isn't everyone's cuppa but mark my words, it moves beautifully and fits so well. Clap for Asuka.

Skin: Elle in Fair Make Up #11 by Belleza
Hair: Moon in Natural Blond by Maitreya
Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Blue #4 by Nany Merlin
Top,Shoulder Treatment & Gloves: Darken Bliss (part of formal gown) from Phoenix Rising
Skirt: Rock Check designed by Asuka Reinard (sadly no LM)
Tights: Switch by Barbee (designer natsu Serevi). No longer operating
Shoes: Salience by Maitreya Gold
Hair Flower: Poppy by Elegance Hats
Rings: Broadway Star Cocktail Rings by Magpie