[keke]

Shadows & Daydreams

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1 Becca's Daydream

Much to talk about! I know I have been relatively quiet on the blog front recently. It’s not that I haven’t had lots of pretties to photograph, but rather that I lost my shadows a while back. Not literally; I just couldn’t photograph them any longer. Sadly, every time I had shadows enabled and clicked a pic, my viewer crashed 😦 Light and shadows have always been the most exciting part of photography for me, so when I lost the ability to use it in Second Life, my motivation to take pictures began to wane. I would still create a set, style an outfit and shoot multiple photos in varying Windlight settings, but they just seemed flat to me. I am not accomplished enough in Photoshop to create my own shadows realistically, so I just let my work on my blog dwindle to a trickle, while lamenting and daydreaming about my lost light and shade.

Then, yesterday, I decided to finally install the latest beta Firestorm update. I had held back because of the known detachment issues, but since they hadn’t yet released the alpha update in several weeks, I went ahead and installed the current version. And something happened that I didn’t realise would make such a huge difference to me in just a while…

Firestorm changed the configuration of my graphics card as relates to the viewer. I didn’t think anything about it at the time, but when I finally began to take photographs using the new interface (which I LOVE, by the way!!) I noticed that the refresh rate was amazingly faster than it was before. Holding my breath, I went into Preferences and enabled Sun, Moon & Projectors, clicked my virtual shutter-release button and…

Nothing happened. Well, at least not what I was dreading – the crash, the swear words, the frustration, the reboot! The image simply refreshed within a couple of seconds! Considering it previously took up to 20 seconds to refresh an image using the old version sans shadows, I was dancing and laughing like a two-year old hyped up on Frogs in a Pond!

Happy, happy girl 🙂

On top of all of that, I got into Collabor88 and just died deliriously over the goodies from [ keke ] and Vagabond & Kalopsia! You can tell – almost every prop in this photo is from one of those creators. I needed something to showcase this lovely and feminine corset and skirt set from Salt & Pepper for We < 3 Role-Play this month, and they fit the bill magically.

It was a good day. In fact, I think I know exactly how Stella felt when she finally got her groove back. While the shadows aren’t overly evident in this photo, you should see them in some of the other forty-odd raw shots I have!

To celebrate, I’ll just be happily dwelling amongst the shadows and daydreams with a faraway smile on my face.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

*Top: Salt & Pepper S&P Corsage Becca by xxSaltandPepperxx
(available at We < 3 Role-Play August 2015)
*Skirt: Salt & Pepper S&P Skirt Becca S sand by xxSaltandPepperxx (available at We < 3 Role-Play August 2015)
Feet wrappings: fri.day fri. – Aisling.Wraps (Blush) – Maitreya High by Darling Monday (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
Hair: *ARGRACE* NAO – Ginger by rika Oyen (New Release)
Tattoo: [White~Widow] Midnight in Paris – MeshBody Appliers by Julie Hastings (New Release)
Skin: -Glam Affair – Summerv3 – America 02 E by aida Ewing
Body, hands and feet: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V1.0 by Onyx LeShelle
Eyes: IKON Promise Eyes – Maldives by Ikon Innovia
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Floor: Kalopsia – Broken Floor – Dream by Isasbeau Baragula (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
Table: Vagabond – Pearl’s Birdie Cage by Shawneese Offcourse (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
Birdcage: Vagabond – Pearl’s Birdie Cage by Shawneese Offcourse (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
Curtains: Kalopsia– Lace Curtains by Isabeau Baragula (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
Leaves: Kalopsia – Flying leaves – Dream 1 by Isabeau Baragula (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
Book: floorplan. daydream book by Tegan Serin (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
floor lights: [ keke ] glitter floor by Kean Kelly (available at Collabor88 August 2015)
Stars: [ keke ] star glitter by Kean Kelly (available at Collabor88 August 2015)

Pose: Di’s Opera – Glam Series 4 – 2 by Di Hoorenbeek

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD by Stefan Buscaylet

If You’ve Got To Go, Go In Style

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1 If You've Gotta Go, Go In Style

I guess it’s not a common topic in polite society, but everybody has to pee. Or, um…do that other thing. It’s just nature taking its course, of course. Yet using the facilities is one topic I never thought I would be tackling on my blog. But, here I go…

The theme for this round of The Challenge is “Castaway.” There are tons of lovely driftwood, beachy and deserted isle inspired offerings, but I have to take my hat off to Heavenly Villa of shutter field. In addition to a castaway bed and lantern she has created this clever outdoor toilet set. Comprised of a sand-filled tub, a log enclosure complete with “Occupied” sign and toilet rolls plus an extra accessories set (which includes the mandatory “vacant” sign), it is as delightful and imaginative as it is well-made. The textures are impeccable and the animations are adorable. To satisfy both camps of ladies in public toilet usage, there is a choice between perching on the edge and hovering above the sand. Of course, there is another animation for men. Best of all, it has a “covering” action that made my cat huff away in envy. I honestly laughed out loud when taking it for a test run.

I teamed it with my latest favourite decor item, the Twinkling Lights Logs from [ keke ]. Even for such a basic function, a lady must be privy to elegance.

If you’ve got to go, you should always be able to go in style.

The Challenge runs all through July and you can pick up any of the products at the designers’ main stores. The Castaway Outhouse Set and Castaway Bed & Lantern are on sale at a 30% discount for the duration of the round at the shutter field store.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

*Toilet: shutter field [sf] castaway toilet by Heavenly Villa (available for The Challenge July)
*Enclosure: shutter field [sf] castaway outhouse by Heavenly Villa (challenge)
*Accessories: shutter field [sf] castaway outhouse stuff by Heavenly Villa (challenge)
Lights: [ keke ] twinkling lights log – snow wood by Kean Kelly
Grass: Zigana leaf .firefly by Nalena Fairey

Role Model

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1 Role Model

I don’t quite have the stance down pat, but I’m working on it! As a role model for posture, Miss Dress Form is perfection.

I mentioned a couple of days ago I seem to be carrying a mannequin theme lately. It honestly hasn’t been a considered idea; it has just happened. I love pulling items out of my inventory, scattering them, taking some back, moving others around, digging for another gem or two. Or six. Or eighteen.

I have several dress forms in my treasure trove (surprise, surprise!), but this one from Apple Fall has to be my favourite. It actually reminded me a bit of the frock I’m wearing from Apple May Designs. The dress comes in four colours, with the pink I am wearing on sale for 50L for a limited time at the main store. What a bargain!

I spent two hours setting up this room for a client shoot. She was a no-show. So instead of getting upset, I decided to use it myself.

How’s that for being a role model for fashion, economics and resourcefulness all in one post? 😉

*Dress: Apple May Designs Diamond Dress (S) – Pink by Apple May
Shoes: Essenz – Cape Town (Cream) by Senzati0n Domenitzo (available at Shiny Shabby May 2015)
Hair: [Entwined] Electra by Vivienmarli (available at Shiny Shabby May 2015)
Skin: -Glam Affair – Amberly II skin – America 05 D by aida Ewing
Body, hands and feet: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V1.0 by Onyx LeShelle
Eyes: IKON Promise Eyes – Maldives by Ikon Innovia
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Dress form: Apple Fall AF Dress Form w/ Dress by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Dresser: 4. Apple Fall Blanket Curio by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Plant: 4. Apple Fall AF Reaching Plant by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Picture on dresser: Trompe Loeil – Recycled Wood Photo Frame by Cory Edo
Bed: Vagabond – Julie’s Bed by Shawneese Offcourse (available at Collabor88 May 2015)
Rug: Glam Affair – Andy Rug 02 by Aida Ewing (gacha prize)
Books & papers: Zigana Product Box by Nalena Fairey
Bench: Apple Fall Neva’s Sideboard by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Open book: Apple Fall AF Sketchbook by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Knicknacks on bench: -tres blah- -tb- Fairy Whispers and Daisies by Julliette Westerburg (gacha prize)
Lamp: Apple Fall AF Dolly Lamp by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Dollhouse: Apple Fall AF Victoria’s Dollshouse by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Firewood: Apple Fall AF Woodstock by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Persian Rug: Little House of Curios – Faded Persian Rug by Lindsay Pinelli
Leaning painting: Apple Fall AF New Arrival Painting by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Armoire: Apple Fall AF Victoria’s Armoire by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Lillies: Apple Fall AF Calla Lilies by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Side table: Spargel & Shine Antique Bath Table Rose by Tess Spargel
Square photo: Zaara [home] : 19 Vintage frame *square* by Zaara Kohime (gacha prize)
Oval photo: Zaara [home] : 15 Vintage frame *oval* by Zaara Kohime (gacha prize)
Tall photo: Zaara [home] : 16 Vintage frame *tall* by Zaara Kohime (gacha prize)
Horizontal photo: Zaara [home] : 18 Vintage frame *horizontal* by Zaara Kohime (gacha prize)
Shelf: Apple Fall AF Frame Shelf by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Light branch: [ keke ] twinkling lights log – snow wood by Kean Kelly
Painting: Apple Fall AF Gilt Frame (Portrait) by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)
Build: (Milk Motion) flat in Montmartre – all white by Marie Lauridsen

Pose: !bang – stand 485M by Luna Jubilee

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD by Stefan Buscaylet