I actually put this look together several days ago. Launa Fauna had just released her new skin line, Lapine, under her new brand name, L. Fauna, and I was in the mood for something comfy and casual. The holidays, however, creeped up on me and I was left with no time to blog. I wanted to play with some frosty blue and silver tones, so this outfit started with the Elspeth Cardigan in Snowflake from Artilleri, which I layered over MichaMi’s GlamTank in white. I topped Milk Motion’s My Boyfriend Jeans with Reek’s I Heart Stripes Belt. For accessories, I turned to my “go to” jewelry designer, Jori Watler, and chose the Kalnera Original Pendant and Bandara Bracelet from alaMood. The skin that I’m wearing in the first picture is Fresh, with the freckled option, from the original Lapine release. Today, however, I couldn’t help myself and had to ‘port over to pick up the second set. I’ve included photos of the five new makeups. I’m wearing the Tan 1 tone in each of these photos, but there are six skin tones available. Each comes with tintable brows and lipsticks, as well as freckle and cleavage options. There are now 10 makeups available in each tone and L.Fauna offers a gift-delivery service for both single skins and fat packs. I love skins with freckles, but I usually have problems finding a skin that is both perfectly freckled and fits my shape. These L. Fauna skins deliver…on both counts. You can bet I’ll be wearing them quite a bit!
Also wearing: Hair: Lydia in Coffee by Truth Eyes: Vetro in Blue by Exodi Lashes: Beauty by Calla
Today’s look is a mix of old and new pieces from some of my favorite tried-and-true designers. I wanted to put together something casual and very “me.” I love this new cardigan from Artilleri so much I had to have the fatpack, and while I was there, I cleaned out the entire display of glasses. I love mixing Antie’s retro style into my everyday wardrobe. The bracelets and necklace are new from alaMood. Jori has gone crazy this weekend, introducing a whopping 20 new pieces to the grid. I’m also wearing my favorite Bandara ring from alaMood, in a pink shade to pick up the glossy pink lips of Babyhoney Bailey’s new skin, MUA by Djinn & Tonic. For the rest of the look, I added caLLie cLine’s giant Black Rock ring, a 50L Friday find, a must-have tank from MichaMi, my favorite jeans from Zaara, a great belt from Linc, and ankle boots from J’s. As usual, the hair is from Truth and my eyes are Exodi.
Style Notes: Cardigan: Artilleri Tank: MichaMi Jeans: Zaara Belt: Linc Bracelets, Necklace, Earrings, Pink Ring: alaMood Black Ring: caLLie cLine Boots: J’s Glasses: Artilleri Skin & Manicure: MUA by Djinn & Tonic Eyes: Exodi Pose: Glitterati Polaroid Frame: MechanizedLife FilterCam HUD
When it comes to skins, I’m not a huge shape tweaker. That’s probably why I stick to Exodi and 5th & Oxford most of the time. It’s pretty much a given that any skin from either of these two brands will fit my shape without any modification. And, that’s probably why I liked the skins that Gandalf Edman presented to me for review. GeEs Design is a new-to-me skin shop and has three new skins available at the 2009 Skin Fair that is going on now.
Tara America has a darker skin-tone, Tara Australia is a nice sun-kissed tan and Tara India is quite pale. The makeup selection for each ranges from subtle to glam, and are all quite well done. Though it is a bit darker than what I usually wear, I think I actually prefer Tara America and really had a hard time selecting my favorite makeups to feature in this post. And I think they all look great with the new Athshe necklaces, shown in Silver, Gold and Ice, designed by my uber-talented bestie, Jori Watler and available at alaMood.
And while I’m talking about features…take a look at the top photo. That was created in the new Photoble by MudHoney Designs. Rayvn Hynes has created a collection of mini-rooms specifically designed for photography. Though built with photography in mind, they are really quite versatile as the pieces can be used independently. Some versions, like the Glam Girl room I’ve used, have poses built in and texture-changing walls. You can see all of the designs at the MudHoney main store.
And, back to the skins. While I’ve never been one to inspect every pixel of a skin, I’m very picky about what I like and what I don’t. These skins have a lot of what I like: Nice, even skin tones, well-placed highlighting, and pretty lips and eyes with colors that are saturated and not overly smudged. I spent a good amount of times in these skins and did not come across any noticeable seam issues. These are skins I will definitely wear over and over again.
Keep reading after the jump to see my four favorite makeups for each skin tone…and then skip over to GeEs Design to pick out your favorites. Read the rest of this entry »
Fifth and Oxford, the brainchild of Roslin Petion and CJ Carnot, recently released the Little Miss Collection. This fun and flirty line features skins, lingerie, slips, and accessories that are at once the picture of doe-eyed innocence and pin-up smolder.
I love the smoky eyes and full lips that are expertly drawn, just as we’ve come to expect from Roslin and CJ. The lingerie is full of delicate details that really show off the duo’s talent. Add in the fluff of the mules and I was in a pin-up mood, so I used the Sissi & Glitterati collaborative Pearls Pose set.
Now, I’m all dressed up (erm, down?), so I think I’ll take my Little Miss for a little misbehavin’. *winks*
Also worn: Hair: Truth – Gloria in Coffee Eyes: Exodi – Old Hollywood Eyes – Dark, Large, Veins
Roslin Petion and CJ Carnot of 5th & Oxford have released their Summer Cocktails collection. I’ve always known CJ was a gifted builder – each incarnation of their main store on Nouveau is a testament to his skills – but the bar set they have created is exceptionally designed and loaded with details. The glasses empty as you drink from them, you can douse your friends with the seltzer bottle (you might want to think twice before you give them one of the 3 extras that come in the set), there are little dishes of lemons and olives for garnishing your drink of choice and the bar and the bar stools feature a color change menu so you can easily integrate the set in your existing decor.
As if that wasn’t enough, along comes Roslin, with her eye for understated elegance, to make sure that we are properly attired. The Summer Cocktails collection features two dress designs. The mini (above in Cheeky Monkey and below in Blue Lagoon) is a sleek, one shouldered little number with a prim skirt. And the dress (below in Red Crush and Appletini) features a V-neck, sculpted sleeves and obi-style belt, and makes use of the system skirt for a slim silhouette. With names straight from the Bartender’s Bible, there are six vibrant colors to choose from. There is also a new Summer Cocktail makeup line added to the Audrey skin series that perfectly compliments the dresses. (Note: Click on the pics and view at original size to see more detail)
Now, the jewelry you will have to wait for. Jori Watler, of Pretties by JB, is gearing up for September’s jewelry expo and I managed to sneak a few pieces out of her studio while I was watching her work. Don’t tell her, though, I’m hoping she won’t miss these few I pilfered from her pile of amazing designs. I can’t wait to see the rest of her collection and I’ll try to sneak a few more out of the workroom…if she doesn’t ban me first. (Don’t forget to click through to flickr and view the pics in original size for a better look at the jewelry and the makeup)
For now, though, hop on over to 5th & Oxford and pick out your favorite Summer Cocktail, then relax at the bar with your friends!
Style Notes: Dresses: 5th & Oxford Summer Cocktails Dress and Mini Skin: 5th & Oxford Audrey (Tan) Summer Cocktails 1 Shoes: Tesla Natasha Heels in Tan Bracelets: Pretties by JB (coming soon) – Hammered Gold Cuff, Tu Kala Golden, Hammered Silver Cuff, Il’Circo Silver Fleur, Santa Cruz Turquoise Cuff Hair: Truth Marianne in Coffee Eyes: Exodi Vetro Eyes in Blue Poses: Penny Dreadful Arcade
This should actually be dated 08.15.09, because I’ve been wearing it…changing out pieces and parts here and there…since I picked up the dress and poses during last week’s 50L Friday. I have a few pieces from Whippet & Buck, but this dress caught my eye almost as soon as I rezzed. Penny Dreadful Arcade is one of those new-to-me pose shops that I had to rush back to, a couple of times, to pick up the entirety of their pose collection.
For this look, I chose the Art Teacher hair by Tiny Bird and the long denim shorts from CoCo to turn the W&B dress into a more casual tunic. The Tiny Dancer necklace and Freshwater Pearl earrings from Sable Rose are two pieces that I wear constantly (I <3 Rosie Barthelmess). And I am positively enamored by Balderdash’s Rosary (I may not make it to Mass as often as my mother would like, but I still find the Rosary fascinating and collect them in RL). Saiyge Lotus’ version is beautifully designed and loaded with details. To round out the look, I added bangles from Zaara and, for a touch of whimsy, the Kitty Ring from Puarangi Designs, which has a texture change script and is just adorable! Just a couple of final details. The shoes are Tesla’s latest release, Klaks Clogs in Lemon. As usual her sculpting and texture work is absolutely flawless. With each new release, Tesla Miles blows me away with her mastery of the sculpted prim. I chose glasses from primOptic. Nibb Tardis uses standard prims and feature-packed menus to create realistic and customizable designs.
That’s all for now, happy shopping!
Style Notes: Dress: Whippet & Buck – Haver Tiered Frock in Winter Gloom Shorts: Coco – Knee Length Denim in Dark Blue Socks: Maitreya – Prim Sock in Olive Shoes: Tesla – Klaks Clogs in Lemon Hair: Tiny Bird – The Art Teacher II in Brownie Necklace: Sable Rose – Tiny Dancer in Tri-Color Silver Earrings: Sable Rose – Naiad Freshwater Pearl Earrings Rosary: Balderdash – Rosary on the Hand Bracelets: Zaara – Sadaf Paua Bangles in Silver Ring: Puarangi Designs – Kitty Ring – Texture Changing Glasses: PrimOptic – Maren Skin: Exodi – Lily in Cedar, Fusion Exclusive makeup: Osmosis Eyes: Exodi – Vetro Eyes in Blue Poses: Penny Dreadful Arcade
Lily, the latest of Ryker Beck’s skin collections at Exodi, should be released sometime in the next week or so, but I couldn’t wait. You see, a couple of weeks ago, Ryker sent me a prototype of this fantastic skin to try on. To say I fell in love instantly would be a gross understatement. When I learned that Lily would be featured in the auction at Requiem, an event held last weekend to benefit the Human Rights Campaign, I knew I had to have it…the fact that proceeds from the auction were going to such a worthy cause was just a bonus.
Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve recently become reacquainted with Moonshine. No, I haven’t taken to distilling my own liquor, but I have rediscovered my fondness for Shelly Toonie’s designs. I have an alt (shhh…don’t tell) whose inventory consists predominantly of Moonshine clothing, yet I have only a few pieces on my main account. So, I was delighted when Shelly, a relatively new friend thanks to plurk, offered me her new Fleur Smock to feature here. Read the rest of this entry »
Recently, the metaverse has been abuzz with the heated debate surrounding the value and effectiveness of freebies, group gifts and hunts. The hunt after hunt after hunt. The are everywhere, a new one every week it seems. I don’t know about you, but my inventory is still clogged with unopened gifts the grid wide Easter hunt…last year’s Easter hunt.
Watching the hunt debate unfold, Rika Watanabe started to formulate an idea. What if there was a system that connected designers and consumers directly, allowed content creators to provide samples of their work to potentially new customers, and gave these same customers time to try out the item, decide they liked it and visit the store to see their other products? I know what you’re thinking, this sounds a lot like another hunt, right? There’s more. Now imagine that the system automagically sends out one item per day, randomly selected from the pool of creators, to each list subscriber so that every creator’s work is exposed to a new group of customers everyday, and, over time, customers receive a product from each and every participating creator. Starting to sound more interesting, isn’t it?
This concept is the Designer Showcase Network, and it launched today! Rika and her partner in this project, Peter Stindberg, have worked tirelessly to create a system that takes the hunting out of hunts, puts samples of a content creator’s work directly into the hands of potential customers, gives shoppers a new gift item everyday while eliminating that dreaded chore of opening hundreds of hunt boxes, weeding through the schlock and sorting it into an already-overloaded inventory.
Isle Lunesea posted on her blog about how we can all do our part to reduce lag at crowded events, hunts and expos by choosing wearables that contribute to a low ARC or Avatar Rendering Cost. So she challenged bloggers to come up with attractive, low-ARC outfits…under 100 ARC to be exact. I really pushed the limit…and, okay, I might have dipped my toe over the line a little bit…but I came up with two looks that I think fit the spirit of the challenge.
There are those who will argue that ARC is a myth. Personally, I will admit to being completely non-techy, so I don’t even pretend to understand all of the arguments for or against the legitimacy of ARC and its effect on sim lag. In fact, just this week I discussed this with Codie and she tells me that, other than the sim build itself, skin is actually the largest contributor to lag at crowded events. She made sense, but skin only has an ARC value of one. So, how does that compute in the swirl of rationales debated by those for and against ARC as a lag measure? But I digress. This post is about the spirit of the challenge so lets get to the pictures, shall we?
