It’s my spring break and I’ve been trying to relax but lately my mind has been spinning and on top of that, the weather is not the warmest. Tomorrow I’m going to Disney, so hopefully that’ll distract me a bit. I should be sleeping, but again, my mind has other plans. So I figured I’d do another post even though I was saving this one for later this week.
The dress is by Nevery Lorakeet of Les Petits Détails. It will be released at AVENUE Spring Summer 2013 Fashion Week as well, which starts on March 31st. Sorry for all the early teasers but it’s just another few more days and you can check out the flick group to see what else is coming.
The skin I’m wearing is by the talented Shai Delcroix of Casa Del Shai. Shai released two gorgeous, hand painted skin lines at Skin Fair and I’ve been wanting to photograph them, but I wasn’t sure if I’d do them justice. They are stunning. Skin Fair ends on the 31st so you have just a few days to head down there to try on a demo.
I am going to try and get some sleep now so I’m not completed exhausted for tomorrow. If I run into Buzz or Woody, I’m definitely going to try this. Wish me luck and goodnight! <3
The Drax Files: World Makers, by Draxtor Depres, will be a monthly show on YouTube examining the creative people behind the avatars who continue to move the virtual world of Second Life forward with their passion and persistence.
Mixed reality interviews form the basis of very personal stories that profile designers, game-makers, role-players and fashion aficionados, musicians, artists and social-issue activists: for these dedicated residents the avatar is not just a separate pixelated entity, but a true extension of their identity with which they navigate the digital space.
The show will utilize real-life footage and Skype interviews as well as machinima from within Second Life and feature a range of creators from self-taught hobbyists to dedicated pros from all walks of life, from all over the world, cutting across gender, ethnic and generational divides.
This is a world solely made and nourished by its residents – therefore truly only their imagination can be the limit!
I had the honor of having a five second guest appearance on the first edition of The Drax Files World Makers. It is about the talented man behind the Straylight sim and Botanical store, Kriss Lehmann. You’ll also get a glimpse of his beautiful and talented wife, Shai Delacroix, whom he met in Second Life.
I couldn’t help sharing one of the pictures that Drax sent me. It is an outtake from when I was shooting my part with both him and Kriss. All three of us were cracking up on skype and saying goofy things to each other inworld so it popped up on the chat bubbles. Drax happened to catch Kriss at exactly the right moment in the shot below, LOL!
Look out for more episodes of The Drax Files coming soon. I think it’ll be a really eye opening and interesting series showing a positive side of Second Life and its talented residents. If you become a fan of the series, like I am, you can pick up some official show merchandise on the marketplace at this link.
I have to admit, the picture is kind of a lie. I’m really submissive if anything (sorry, TMI? :P). Anyhow, I couldn’t resist dressing up like this when I got my hands on these new boots.
The Gos Equestrian boots are mesh, they are so sexy and they will be released this weekend. My favorite part about these boots is the sensual curve at the ankle & heel. They are leather texture and will be available in 6 colors that are perfect for autumn. Along with other extras such as gold and silver metals. But that’s not all! Not only is Gos releasing these beauties on the weekend, he also has a pair of very hot ankle boots which will also be released at the same time. This weekend is going to be shoe heaven!
These are some ways you can stalk Gos so you’re first to know when they are released:
Credits:
*Skin: [Aura] Helena – Honey- Love Notes by Tyr Rozenblum (no longer available, I think)
Hair: [LeLutka]-CHERYL hair – AlmostGoth by Thora Charron
*Bodysuit: [Ladies Who Lunch] High Tea Bodysuit (black) by Faint Paulse
Garter: *Shai* Duchess Black Garters by Shai Delacroix (Part of *Shai* The Duchess Coat Black)
*Stockings: erratic / fishnet thin – thigh / black by Erratic Rain
Nails: Candy Nail #FP006 Clear Glitter French 3color change by Peche Bury
Ring: Donna Flora VITO black ring by Squinternet Larnia
Whip: G356 Whip by Jackie Graves (Part of Graves Catwoman Outfit)
*[Gos] Equestrian Boot – Autumn Collection by Gospel Voom (to be released this weekend)
*Pose: Diesel Works Kneeled Pose Set by Rogan Diesel
I’m definitely not a smoker in real life, but I couldn’t help but think that the cig in my hand really completed the look. I had a lot of fun putting together this outfit and also shooting the images today. It was the first time I was able to successfully play around with layering mesh items and not completely pull my hair out over it.
I wanted to pair these mesh pants with the mesh jacket and also the tube top underneath which is partial mesh. I normally wear a small size in most mesh items, however to make the pants fit under the jacket nicely, I wore them in XS. The The mesh tie on the tube top I wore in XXS so it would fit underneath the jacket, however I can’t wear it in that size if I’m not wearing the jacket because it cuts into the boobs. And then finally, the jacket I wore in a medium size and voila, they all fit! I was so excited! I’m going to see if I can mash up different sizes in mesh like that more often.
The shoes were another story. I have been eyeing these shoes on flickr ever since the first tease promo shots and when I saw them at Vintage Fair I bought them up quickly. However, today when I was trying them on for the first time, I couldn’t figure out why they looked partially transparent every time I put the alpha layer on, see my plurk here about it. I was finally able to make them look amazing as they do now by checking “Automatic Alpa Masks” under rendering in the Develop menu. This is the first time I ever had to do that for a pair of shoes, does anyone know why? Is there some other setting of mine that’s not correct? I don’t mind having that checked, but usually having that checked ruins the ends of my hair and eyelashes so I would prefer to keep it off.
EDIT: I just wanted to add a little note here to say that the designer of the shoe from Kunglers, AvaGardner Kungler, read my post and sent me an updated shoe folder and the problem was all fixed. She said that the only thing she did different is instead of using a PNG texture file, she used a TGA file so she believes this may be the reason I was having that problem. Thank you so much Ava! <3
Finally, the most exciting part, Shai Delacroix (one of my fav designers since 2008) has released her first mesh item! The bag (which I totally didn’t get a closeup of, sorry) is available at Zodiac this month. It’s a beautifully crafted bag, original mesh and available in ten colors! For more details about the bag, check out the Casa Del Shai blog and don’t forget to like the Casa Del Shai facebook page!
The location for my shoot was also a lot of fun. I explored the New York City sim again. It’s really well done and any time I’m looking for a city atmosphere, I head right there. They also have a very organized and informative website: http://www.newyorkcitysl.com
Credits:
*Skin: {.essences.} Virgo – Brunette by Inka Mexicola @ Zodiac – Virgo
*Hair: >TRUTH< Soleil w/Roots – mocha by Truth Hawks
*Top: Zaara : Nina tube top XXS *cream* by Zaara Kohime
*Pants: Zaara : [Mesh] Kavya summer pants (XS) *mocha* by Zaara Kohime
*Jacket: fri.day – Marie.Jacket (Fire) – Medium by Darling Monday @ Collabor88 for August
Shoes: (Kunglers) Morgana pumps – brown python by Avagardner Kungler @ Vintage Fair 2012
*Bag: *Casa Del Shai* Virgo Satchel Sand by Shai Delacroix @ Zodiac – Virgo
Glasses: MG – Sunglasses – Milano by Maxi Gossamer
Necklace: Paper Couture Black Pearls by Cora Lu
Ring: Paper Couture Diamonds and Pearl Ring by Cora Lu
*Earrings: [ glow ] studio – Pearl Dark Stud by Jocelyn Anatine
Cigarette + Poses: Di’s Opera by Di Hoorenbeek
Location: New York City
So, I was a bad girl this week and totally goofed off instead of learning something new in photoshop. Therefore I thought this time I would share a skin smoothing tutorial that helped me a lot a few years ago. This is the technique I still use to smooth skin. The tutorial is by Ryker Beck and can be viewed at this link. I get asked a lot how I smooth the skin in my pictures so I figured I’d go ahead and share that. And while I’m sharing tutorials from other SL residents, this is another great one by Elysium Eilde showing us how to get rid of those pesky grid lines you get in shadow pictures.
Today I’m wearing a new skin by Shai Delacroix of Casa Del Shai. It’s a very realistic dark skin. I love the warm tone and the makeups it comes with. You can check out the Casa Del Shai facebook page for more pictures of the skin and all the makeups. Then take the slurl to straylight to try on a demo yourself.
The light and summery mesh top I’m wearing is a new release from Zaara Kohime of {Zaara}. This is Zaara’s first mesh release with a lot more to come in the following weeks. I am so excited for all the stuff she’s about to release so make sure to add her blog to your readers and like her facebook page to keep up with all her upcoming releases. Zaara has also put all her new releases on marketplace.
I also wanted to share this last picture as well which I blogged on the iRez blog earlier this week. I love the mesh sunglasses from Maxi in this image that I picked up at Fameshed this month. Check out Seraphim for all the details on what’s available there this month.
Credits:
1st & 2nd picture:
Skin: *Shai* Jamaica Skin – GREEN by Shai Delacroix
Hair: booN KBO906 hair chocolate with booN hairbase by boo Nakamura
Eyes: Mayfly – Deep Sky Mesh (Desert Dawn, w4) by Arkesh Baral
*Blouse: Zaara : [Mesh] Ashima Blouse *fire* by Zaara Kohime
*Shorts: Zaara : Mitya shorts *red* by Zaara Kohime
*Headband: LaGyo_Catalina headbend gold by Gyorgyna Larnia @ Collabor88 for July
*Earrings: Intrigue Co. – MESH Sandcastle Earrings @ Collabor88 for July
*Poses: Geez by Grazia Horwitz
3rd picture:
Skin: [Aura] Helena – Love Notes – Caramel by Tyr Rozenblum
*Hair: >TRUTH< Ashlee Streaked - fairyfloss by Truth Hawks
*Sunglasses: MG - SunGlasses - Milano Cats-Eye 40's by Maxi Gossamer @ Fameshed for July
*Necklace: [HANDverk]Coral Pendant Necklace by Daphne Klossovsky @ Fameshed for July
*Blouse: Zaara : [Mesh] Ashima Blouse *ivory* by Zaara Kohime
*Shorts: Zaara : Denim shorts *ivory* by Zaara Kohime
*Pose: Magpie by Echo Davi
Location: {Zaara}
