Chalice In Wonderland - This Is My Secret Dress.

My name is Chalice and I'm a shopaholic in need of an intervention.

Do you ever say "I'm going to save my $L's for as long as possible" and then 5 minutes later find yourself in a shop clicking away?  Well I do.  There are some things where resistance is futile and rather than leave the shop with bad Chalice ringing in my ears saying 'do it...you know you want to', I shortcut all that and just brought it.  The shop in question was 'DONNA FLORA' where wacky, elegant, classy, unique, crazy, quirky all merge together under one roof.

Of course, a lovely dress needs lovely shoes and that was just the excuse I needed to grab LeLutka's Saffron heels which I have coveted for weeks now.  My love affair with orange continues and guided my pointer to the Electric Orange option.  I practically never purchase fat packs because on some level, I do watch my spending so my choices need to be considered.

Donna Flora's new releases are just fabulous but my soft spot for dramatic black led me to buy 'Secret', a wonderfully constructed, umbrella skirted little black dress with a twist.  Oh and her retro DIVA sunnies are the cherry on the top.  I'm loving myself sick in this :-)

 

Where did she get it?

Skin:  Estelle Light in Make Up #6 from LeLutka

Hair: Estelle hair base with Eclat hair and bangs from LeLutka

Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Big Green #4 from Nany Merlin

Nails:  Orange by Petit Ange

Dress: Secret from Donna Flora

Glasses: DIVA glasses by Donna Flora

Shoes: Saffron pumps in Electric Orange from LeLutka

Necklace:  Ethnic from Sonatta Morales

Chalice In Wonderland - Take A Load Off At GOLden Shopping Centre

Here I am visiting GOL's newest tenant, AOHARU.

As if GOLden Shopping didn't have it all already, AOHARU has joined the GOL family providing even more reason to visit my favorite shopping haunt in SL.  If shopping for you is an enjoyable past time and you have discerning tastes, look no further than GOL for an experience that incorporates a classy environment, unique shops and a lay out that emulates an exclsive RL location you would be proud to visit.

I skipped over there this evening to view AOHARU's set up at GOL and I was thoroughly impressed with the decor of this roomy satellite store.  Like most of you, I couldn't go past the newly released AOHARU Tweed Feminine Hounds tooth jacket that I purchased in the brown color.  To me, this is an amazing triumph in jacket construction that is often a collection of sculpties and prims that don't seem to connect in all the right places.  This jacket sits beautifully and comes with a resizing script that can increase or decrease the overall coat or just one prim for that individual fit.   Tailored and classy, I feel a million Linden's in this coat.

 

 

Definitely take a load off at GOL.

Here's how I wore the coat -

Hair: Eclat hair and bun from LeLutka

Skin: Eclat Light in Make Up 4 by LeLutka

Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Green (Big) 4 by Nany Merlin

Nails: Brown color by Petit Ange

Coat: Tweed Feminine Hounds tooth Jacket in Brown by Aoharu at GOL

Top: Golden Wrinkle top from Redgrave

Pants: Black leggings by FRI.day

Shoes: Digna Boots by Kalnins

Socks: Black kneehighs AL legwear by Kit Maitland (no longer available)

Earrings: Antonia in Beige by DeLa

Chalice In Wonderland - Memories Of The Way We Were.

How embarrassment!  Jumping on the band wagon of fun ideas, I managed to find my original sets of professional photo's taken on the journey to becoming a model.  Unearthing these was like sucking on a lemon or I shoud say, the look on my face once I cast my eyes on these gems.  "OMG Becky look at that hair" keeps paying in my head.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?  Really! Was I thinking at all?

Here's a secret.  The photos in the school girl clothes.  That was for a competition and wait for it....I genuinely thought I had a shot. HAHAHA.  /me rolling on the floor with legs akimbo.  I was shocked when I didn't win....can you believe that?  Very shortly after I came to my senses and normalized but the jump from default avatar (not sure what to call her) to school girl Chalice with new hair/skin/eyes/shape brought with it some cognitive distortions and an unhealthy bout of body dysmorphic disorder.  I thought I was a hot, hot, hottie when I was really Cindy, the poor man's Barbie doll. 

The evolution of an avatar has been quite interesting to see and of course, for those really early avatar's, they were confined by what was on offer at the time.  We must really take a good look and thank all those people who have slaved away over their computer's trying to push the boundaries and perfect what LL gave them.  We have come such a long way between then and now.

Smacks for anyone caught laughing.

 

The now Chalice.  

Thanks Sophia Harlow for thinking up this fun challenge.

Chalice In Wonderland - Anyone for Pacadi??

Just as well I'm patient!  Well sometimes.  Oh ok rarely then.  Tonight SL ran like a three legged horse and wouldn't it have to happen just when I was kindly sent some clothes to blog?  As this happens infrequently, I really wanted to get it done quickly so once in my blogging life I wasn't coming past the post in last place.  Oh well...I'm most likely breaking the blogger's code once again to try not to blog the same things at once.  Can you just pretend you've never seen this please...just once?

Logging on tonight, a lovely surprise awaited me in the form of some lingerie and a belt from designer Lotta Shelman of Pacadi.  I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of this line before but popping on the panties and bra, I was really impressed with the set.  An accompanying notecard from  Anette Bernard, Director of Marketing for Pacadi explained " We are pleased to announce our new lingerie line...Euphoria....so sexy....but sorta kinky!!"  I decided to take some snaps in the shop and found lots of lovely items there.  I believe I saw three different Pacadi shops selling eyes, skins, hair, clothes, jewelery and some stuff for dudes.  I really liked it and decided to purchase the Firenzie top to go with the belt that was sent.  Lotta displays nearly all of her wares on clothes racks....oh bliss, bliss, bliss.

The lingerie shop is still under construction but lingerie is available from the existing shops.  Let the clothes speak for themselves.  Thank you Lotta...I really like your shops and content.  You'll be seeing me again that's for sure :-)

 

 

The Designers:

Hair: Deena in Anxious Blond by Fri.day

Skin: Belleeza Jesse Sunkiss make up 9

Top: Firenzie top in beige by Pacadi

Belt: Mairey leather belt by Pacadi

Pants: Knickerbockers in brown by Muism

Shoes: Shanti Nude by Maitreya Gold

Jewellery: Necklace, Earrings and Bracelets by JCNY - Soho Hardwood.

 

Chalice in Wonderland - Ibizarre! How about you?

I've had a soft spot for Ibizarre since I purchased their orange knit pattern tank top and appreciated the fine work of the texturing.  It had been ages since I visited their shop and last night whisked off for a mini-shop to some of my old haunts.  The shop looked different but the quality of the items hadn't changed at all.

Anyusha Lilienthal is Ibizarre's designer and she certainly has an exceptional eye for fashion.  Her pieces are honest, edgy and well constructed.  I couldn't resist this draped jacket with cute fringing.  I often take a deep breath when I shell out for clothes like this because they can be a dog's breakfast of prims that just don't work on the body or in movement but this my dears, is wonderful.  I added the pink leather pants also from Ibizarre, a simple black bra and flower hair piece in a shade of mauve to create an outfit of similar hue's but contrasting textures.

Thank you Ibizarre for your contribution to SL fashion.  I'm very impressed with this jacket.

 

Someone mentioned in a comment on one of the blogs that it was nice to see pics taken in-world and I thought about it and have to agree.  In-world pics showcasing the talents of sim builders/creaters are much more fun.  I headed of to China for these snaps.  Great photo sim.

The designers:

Hair: Eva in Swedish from Truth

Skin: Estelle Light (Make up 9) by LeLutka

Eyes: Expressive Eyes in Big Grey by Nany Merlin

Nails: Purple by Petit Ange

Hair flower: Maude the Mod headband (color change)  by Split Pea

Jacket: Draped Jacket by Ibizarre

Pants: Pink leather by Ibizarre

Shoes: Esprit Noir by Maitreya Gold

Chalice In Wonderland: Good Golly Miss Molly It's Exile Hair

I hear ya, I hear ya.  The topic of us blogging multiple items at once has been raised and I do agree that it can get a bit much when new things come out and everyone rushes to profile it.  But on the other hand I do like to see the different interpretations of the same thing.  It's something that can't really be monitored and I'm about to break it anyway BECAUSE I really love this new style from Exile and I saw it blogged earlier.  I guess I just wanted to add my 2L's worth in saying  the Molly style is just so lovely.  It's feminine, girly and the curls and wispy bits are just perfect. 

I admit I haven't been an Exile hair devotee, why I don't know, but that's now changed.  This hair is seriously well constructed and apart from lifting it a tad, needed no tweaking.  Created by Kavar Cleanslate, I wanted to say I've been looking for Molly all my SL.  Exile is found at Covet, a really lovely sim that has some great photography spots around it.   My head pics were taken on the boat out the front of the shop.

Chalice In Wonderland: To Those Who Made 2009 So Colorful.

In SL, I packed away the Christmas decorations and the house has lost it's festive spirit so I had a scotch and coke to make up for it.  I always find this after Christmas and it's a task I don't like but in order to move on and grab the new year by the balls, everything had to go.

Someone commented on my blog not so long ago saying  'hope you get a life for Christmas' and its played on my mind some since then.  I've been thinking about who actually does use SL?  Are they all sad losers devoid of friends and family?  Does everyone have social deficits that only through a virtual platform does their life have meaning?  Of course NOT.  Of course I can't be the only one who has an incredibly full and rewarding life but finds great solace and enjoyment in-world?   The people I've had the good fortune to meet are intelligent, talented, articulate and motivated individuals who also get a kick out of living in-world and creating a personal space that they control.  Comments like the one above are easy shots when someone doesn't like what you say or do so in 2010, lets not assume that only the needy, disabled, challenged, unstable, desperate or deranged use SL .  It's full of amazing people who blow my socks off with what they say, do and create.  A happy RL and SL is not exclusive of one another. 

That said, my SL is only as wonderful as the people in it and I wanted to just say thank you to certain elements that have all added to the experience in the last year.  Looking back over the past year, it's been a rollercoaster as life surely is.  Both lives have brought me thrills and spills and I've come to the conclusion that playing around in SL is nothing to be embarrassed about.  It's just another form of expression.

Here's my thank you list that is obviously not limited to only these few.  These are the one's that ring the loudest though

.

Shops that sell their clothes on racks.  I LOVE U BIG TIME.

  [...]

Thank you Baiastice.  You've clothed me forever and I love you.

 

Thank you BiancaF.  You make SL fashion real and edgy.

 

LeeZu

Thank you LeeZu.  You made my Miss VW dress in 2008 and I appreciated it more than words could say.

 

Thank you LeLutka.  Keep those creative gems coming.

 

Thank you Maitreya and Maitreya Gold.  I kiss your feet.

 

Thank you Split Pea.  /me takes hat off to you.

Thank you Sonatta Morales.  Your Goddess Headpiece is genius.

 

Thank you Paper Couture.  The new Tableau is wonderful.  Your designs have given SL another dimension is fashion.

And never least, thank you Stitch by Stitch.  Your contribution to SL fashion is simply AMAZING.

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: