Ruffles and Shadows

1 Pretty

I had a plan. I had a shopping list of stuff I had seen that I loved and had an idea for a picture. The dress, the hair, the flowery arm wraps. The birdie, perched on my hand. A blooming garden and soft light. It should have been a cinch.

Instead, I fought the depth of shadows caused by the ruffles and pleats of this dress. Don’t get me wrong; I love it. It is everything I adore – romantic and feminine and delicate, the textures and construction are impeccable. But all of those folds played havoc with getting a photo that didn’t end up looking like the dress had been shot through with holes.

This is also a dress that is designed for standing still. The way the skirt puddles and flares is lovely when posed for a portrait, but when I walked it reminded me of a duck. I laughed when I waddled across the garden to find a position for this shoot. The designer had the right idea; the limitations of mesh make anything created static and flexi-prims just wouldn’t work, either. I am hopeful for the day that there is the capability in Second Life for mesh to have movement.

I had another picture I was going to add to this post, showing the front, but after spending almost an hour trying to soften the SL-rendered hard edges to the ruffles and shadows, I had enough. You’ll have to either imagine how it looks or go get it yourself.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Dress: =Zenith=(Begie)Lana Long Dress by Miffyhoi Rosco (available at FaMESHed May 2014)
Arm wraps: Lark – Briar Arm Wrap by Sienia Trevellion (for Enchantment)
Necklace/earrings: ::: Krystal ::: Eden – Jewelry Set – Gold by Krystal Jenkins (available at OneWord May 2014)
Hair: *ARGRACE* KOTO – True Red [headband] by rika Oyen (New release)
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT PetalPink MEB C2 (FR) by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Hand appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson

1st pose: Bounce This Poses – Birdy Pose 1 by Bouncer Criss (gacha prize)

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD

G Is For [Gos]

1 G is for Gos

What else could I choose for the letter G besides [Gos]? Don’t answer that – it’s hypothetical 😉

These days, if I’m not wearing Slink add-ons, I’m wearing [Gos] pumps/stilettos/heels. Although I love the variety of choosing from so many designers for the Slink add-ons, the quality has as much variety from amazing to ZOMG-what-were-you-thinking? Not only is the skin-matching a breeze with [Gos], but Mr Voom puts out consistently fabulous shoes. From the style to the quality of textures and design, I don’t think he has put out a pair from the Boutique that I either don’t have or don’t want.

Give me a pair of these babies and I’m a giddy girl!

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Top: *LACUNA* Tetroz Tank – S – Samba by LacunaInc
Shorts: …Mutresse… Guzla Shorts – 13 Colors by Eeky Cioc (available at FaMESHed April 2014)
Shoes: [Gos] Boutique [Gos] Charlotte Mary Jane Pumps – Patent by Gospel Voom (available at FaMESHed April 2014)
Necklace: Maxi Gossamer MG – Necklace – Isis Solar Magic – Short 1 – SILVER by Maxi Gossamer
Earrings: Maxi Gossamer MG – Earrings – Isis Solar Magic – SILVER by Maxi Gossamer
Hair: “”D!va”” Hair “Sayaka2” (Type A)(Garnet) by Marisa Kira
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT Terre MEB C2 by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Hand appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Pose/prop: oOo Studio Poses – [Gos & oOo] Pouffe – Small – Black by Gospel Voom & Olaenka Chesnokov

Photos taken using the LumiPro HUD

E Is For Eternal Dream

1 E is for Eternal Dream_002

Every fashion blogger in Second Life has one thing they use in every post – a pose. But rarely are the poses the centerpiece of the photo. In fact, a lot of bloggers don’t even credit the pose or posemaker. I have never understood that – they are willing to credit every other thing in their photographs, but not the pose that shows it off.

Since I began doing credits for my blog I have always included the pose, whether it is still available or not. I have a huge respect for pose makers and I believe they should get the same attention as the dressmakers, hair stylists and jewelers. So, today, E is for Eternal Dream Poses, one of my favourite pose stores in Second Life.

Eternal Dream Poses may not be as well known as some of the others, but Fata Boa makes very natural poses – something that I value. Yes, some pictures scream for more drama, but for the most part, if the outfit is the hero of the photo, a natural pose is my choice. She also creates fun pose props, such as the little birdie shown here. He can change his plumage to compliment your composition – even he is a fashion maven! Or is that raven? 😉

1 E is for Eternal Dream_017

I have been lucky enough to have been chosen for early entry (more E’s!) to this year’s Pose Fair, largely because I am a blogger who does always credit poses. I am hoping to have a few more to feature during the alphabet challenge. If they don’t fit the day’s letter, I will still be showing them off. Just keep an eye on my credits 🙂

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Top: =Zenith=(Rose)Chiffon Shirt with Belt by Miffyhoi Rosca (available at FaMESHed April 2014)
Boots: (LaRoo) Shotgun Boots (Tan) by LarooShoes (available at FaMESHed April 2014)
Tights: *LACUNA* Semi Opaque Hipster Tights – SAMBA by LacunaInc
Hair: ~Tableau Vivant~ Valentin Hair – Fall by M4ri1yn Magic (available at FaMESHed April 2014)
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT Terre MEB C2 by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Hand appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Pose/prop 1st picture: Eternal Dream Poses *ED* Birdies 03 by Fata Boa
Pose 2nd picture: Eternal Dream Poses *ED* In These Shoes 02 by Fata Boa

Swing: *ionic* lovecats by Iakua Arriaga

Photos taken using the LumiPro HUD