The Chocolate Room

If you haven't noticed, I love taking pictures in SL. I find myself once again at the Black Swan sim wanting to snap as many keep-able pics as I can.

The lovely Lokum Shilova pointed my attention to another Black Swan inspired designer, Eshi Otawara of Chambre du Chocolat. Her Black Swan Ballerina Outfit simply has to be worn, it's an experience. The attention to detail is perfect, I especially like the shading on the pants layer to pop the ethereal skirt design. Eshi includes ballet shoes (not shown), earrings, necklace and a bracelet to match. If that's not enough, there is a ballerina Animation Override! Be sure to pick one up before August 4th at the Black Swan sim.



Not being familiar with her work other than the famous Fish Hook Dress, I checked out her shop which I found in her profile. Once I got there, I was hyperventilating. She has sooooo many unusually creative offerings I couldn't contain myself. I have a few I can't wait to take pictures with, but here's one that could NOT wait:



Okay, I haven't met Eshi yet, but I already LOVE her sense of humor.

Dress, Necklace, Earrings & Bracelet - Chambre du Chocolat @ Black Swan - Black Swan Ballet Dress

Shoes -Adam & Eve - Lotus - Black

Skin - PXL - Natural Eyes & Red Lips

Hair - ETD - Sophia - Smoke

Eyes - Miriel - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes - Cake - Bedroom Lashes

LBD - It's not an STD

LBD. Every woman looks great wearing it, and every woman has her own mega collection of them. It is the default date ensemble when it is one of those "I have nothing to wear" days. In fact, it is so popular, so necessary, and so much an institution in women's fashion that we have to thank Coco Chanel for giving it to us in the roaring 20's.




Today I'm thanking Kit Maitland for designing the Monica dress from CKS Designs. Classic lines and a flirty skirt is the foundation of what Second Life was built on and this is primo. Kit's clothes are always so much fun to wear because I can interchange them with so many options. This dress comes in more colors, I always begin with black and if I like it I buy the rest! I think next I'll wear this top with some white jeans and the HUB Venus Sandals, a pony tail and some sunglasses.



I've also purchased more phalanges! J's has come out with another pair of anatomically correct shoes. I really, really want all my open toed shoes to have these...in SL of course.

I was exploring at the Musa Artis interactive exhibit 'Temptation & Revenge' that just opened a couple days ago. Take someone with you for a fun, photo opportunity.


Dress - CKS Designs - Monica

Earrings, Bracelets & Clutch - DeLa - Earrings 'Claudia' Bangle 'Aida' Clutch bag 'Zazu'

Shoes - J's - Real Toe Cross Belt Pumps

Skin - PXL - Natural Eyes - Red Lips

Hair - O Style - Pompadour

Eyes - Miriel - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes - Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Unleash Your Inner Girly-Girl

It's funny, I'm not much of a formal girly-girl, but these new releases are impossible to resist. Nicky Ree's newest design is always my favorite, and the Black Swan Vintage Glamour Gown has made its way to the top of her loooong list. I found it at the Black Swan sim and after August 4th it will be available at Nicky Ree's store.




The trip to the Black Swan sim is a virtual treat of stunning talent. It is free admission until the 4th of August, so you better skedaddle over there to take some pics! While you're there, be sure to check out Melodious Source's "Dagger Eye Gallery". Not only is Mel one of the top 5 premier photographers in SL in my not-so-humble opinion, the exhibit is interactive and I completely enjoyed myself going through it. Click here for the Rezzable Locations Directory website.



I thought I'd put in a shameless plug here for the *Dirty Ego* Diamond Studded Pendant Set. I am busy in my studio making a jewelry line to debut at the Jewelry Expo in October. Send me your inspiration list whilst my muse is here, she's a fickle thing.

Gown - Designing Nicky Ree - Black Swan Vintage Glamour Gown

Necklace & Earrings - * Dirty Ego * - Diamond Studded Pendant Set

Skin - PXL - Crys Sunkissed - DarkEyes & PassionLips

Hair - W&Y - Yuki Hair 37

Eyes - Miriel - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes - Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Diva Maker

Okay, this is a dress I want to wear to a RL function this fall...it will make me an instant Diva. No, this isn't a dress, it's the Diva Goddess of gowns.

So many times while reading the Fashion Consolidated notices in world, I see the promo pics of items and when I go to check them out they can be somewhat of a shoulder drop in disappointment. Even then, sometimes you do the left-click purchase, then excitedly try everything on only to be let down.



Chili Geer at Chic Dimensions didn't let me down today. I put on everything in the folder and didn't have to do any pressing, dry cleaning or prim adjusting. The alpha texturing works, none of that annoying shifting with so many layers. The gown itself makes such a statement I didn't want to wear much jewelry to compete with it...the dress would definitely win that contest. There are a pair of sexy, glitzy shoes to go with it as well. I'm wearing this to bed tonight...sans the shoes of course.

I didn't have much time to look at everything in her store, but I will definitely be going back. Where do these people hide? Her store is packed!

Gown & Shoes - Chic Dimensions - Sparkle

Earrings - Dex's Jewelry - Flowered Vine Earrings

Skin - PXL - Crys Sunkissed - Fashion Eyes & Natural Lips

Hair - Gurl 6 - Precious

Eyes - Miriel - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes - Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Curiously Cute

Typically I find a top or a camisole that I can't live without, then I struggle with what to wear with it. Not today. Ameshin Yossarian over at Curious Kitties came up with the Kanoluk (can of luck?) top and I ran over there late last night to get one. It comes with a frill for the front hem that matches the sleeves that didn't make the cut for my outfit today.


Curious Kitties was my first foray into Japanese design when I first started in SL. Ameshin has somewhat of a goth approach, but makes many pieces that transition into whatever style you want to create. I never tire of looking at her builds, she is out of control creative.

I paired the Kanoluk with Armidi's Kogo Skinny Pants and Shiny Things shoes called Belles. Being in a particularly relaxed mood, I put on Maitreya's Sculpted Anklets and they pulled everything together.


To accessorize, I put on part of Myllie Writer's Mighty Heart Collection from Persona. Right now in my hardly-humble opinion, she is the mensch of jewelry creators. The necklace with a chest AND spine attachment, which is common sense brilliance. Also ALL the options, bracelets galore! I haven't made my way over there to get her new set, but it looks SO wearable.

Top - Curious Kitties - Kanoluk

Pants - Armidi Limited - Kogo Skinny Pants

Shoes - Shiny Things - Belles

Bangles - Persona - Mighty Heart Collection

Necklace - Persona - Mighty Heart Collection

Skin - PXL - Crys Sunkissed - Fashion Eyes & Natural Lips

Hair - Muism - Cheryl

Eyes - Miriel - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes - Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Poses - Long Awkward Pose [LAP]

98% Faithful

It's no secret that Hart Larsson makes me beautiful and I am just about 98% faithful to him. The wearers of his Crys skins have been clamoring for a Sunkissed version for a while now. With much talent he blends photo sourced parts with hand drawn details that make not only the faces beautiful, but the bits pretty also. Crys now comes in two skin tones, Light and Sunkissed along with an Emo line with Messy Eyes and Deep Eyes. I thought I'd show you a close up of the freckle version that's shown in the last photo of the montage. They are very well done and not the first thing you notice when you see a PXL freckle face in world. The freckles aren't continued down the chest, but now that I think about it I only have freckles on the bridge of my nose in RL.


The faces are detailed and sophisticated. The lips are simply kissable and the nose blends perfectly. The make up choices are diverse and I find myself wearing the Natural Eyes quite often when I didn't think I would. PXL's skins are modifiable, so if the Light is too light and the Sunkissed is too dark, there's a happy medium with your finger on the slider trigger.

Click Here for Nekkie Pics


The body on these skins is smooth, buttery, goodness. The shading is immaculate particularly around the collarbone, the elbows, and the knees. The nips are perfect and seem very natural with realistic looking aureole and the light reflects naturally. The derriere is scrumptious and the shading on all skin tones is fantastic. I think the PXL skins have the most gorgeous backs in all of SL. The shoulder blades are perfectly placed and the muscle tone around the spine is yum. The kitty has just the right elements with the shading and coloring and shows just a hint of the goodies peeking out. The skins come with a tasteful landing strip, but no shaved (or waxed for the brave!) version. I really like the beauty mark on the pelvis.

For a single purchase at 1,500L you get 4 skins really, black eyebrows with, and without freckles, brown eyebrows with, and without freckles. Of course there are the multi-purchases there is somewhat of a discount. All eyes in one lip color, 5,000L and All lip colors in one eye make up style, 6,000L.

You can check out PXL Creations in world here, the PXL Creations blog here, the store Flickr stream here, and the group Flickr stream here.

Birthday Suit
PXL - Crys Sunkissed - Fashion Eyes & Natural Lips

Hair
ETD - Lynne II - Smoke, Burnt

Shining Gleaming Streaming Flaxen Waxen

Are you singing the Hair song yet? I've been singing it all day thinking about the Hair Fair 2008 Official Photo Contest.

I just had to talk about Cake's hair. Obviously my favorite feature is the ability to photograph it well even though it took 2 copies, some texture magic and a lotta coffee to make it happen. Stumbelina has mad skills and a great eye for something just a little different - which I always embrace. I don't quite understand my hair addiction, but not a day goes by that I don't sport a new do. You can always tell a good design when you keep coming back to it time and time again.

What are your inventory faves that are tried and true?

I also heard Mr. Larsson over at PXL is releasing new Crys skins, come back here in a day or so for a looksie.

Here are the where's and the what's:

Lingerie
LoveLace~ Applique: Black

Shoes
Periquita - Funny Girl Flats - Black

Skin
PXL - Crys - Cat Eyes & NaturalLips

Hair
Cake - Faith - Black

Eyes
Miriel - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes
Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Pose
Author's Own

Stool
LostDog Designs - Antarctica Stool (modded)

Where'd You Get Those Eyes?!

I wear sunglasses all the time, but not so much in SL. What caught my attention to Role Optic, a store dedicated to sunglasses only, was the astounding quality of their advertisements. They definitely perked my interest, so I went to check it out.

In my pursuit of new shades, I was sidetracked by the store itself, and my pictures do it no justice. The build is very good, the textures and the colors flow well. Many stores in Second Life are pedestrian in layout and arrangement and lack dimension, but these displays had my "alt + left click cam" going nuts - it just feeeeeels good in that store. Beautiful transparent fractals in multiple layers embedded inside the display windows showcased the vendors. One of the main display windows has poses set up inside it for photo opportunities - what a GREAT idea! I had to try them, then I had to look at everything again. After my visual feast, I got to shopping - finally.

As well as being uber-glam hot, the scripted features with these glasses are intuitive and easy to use. Hundreds of options *click*click*click* I decided on the original style options for colors, textures, lenses etc. Again, attention to detail, the primwork is prime. Many different styles for both males and females, I just didn't have time to inspect them all. I'm looking forward to seeing everything that comes from Leeza and Rohal at Role Optic.

I also just had to use the new Poseframes from Lost Angel Poses Store - another GREAT idea. I enjoy using poses and items made by people that are spending so much time doing amazing photography in Second Life which is a serious obsession of my own...the photography part...learning to be amazing...


Shorts
Iki - Rolled Up Shorts Belted: White

Tank
MichaMi - GlamTank in Gold

Shoes
Periquita - Funny Girl Flats Brown Peach

Bangles
VG Republic - Resin Bangles with Color-Change

Necklace
VG Republic - Circle Charm Necklace with Color-Change

Skin
PXL - Linda SK Fashion Eyes Coffee Lips

Hair
SHOP SEU -Pompadour Hair

Eyes
Miriel - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes
Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Pose
Lost Angel Poses - Poseframe

Exclusive Sexy Beachwear

There's a new fashion trend on the grid, and it's exclusive. I was obviously living under a rock and missed the 7 Seas Fishing Game. One of my friends who shall remain nameless showed up at a party wearing all this fishing paraphernalia. She's nameless because she has completely and totally wrecked my life. I am besotted with this latest fixation and it's all her fault.

I've fished all my life but never did I look this good on a charter boat. The clothing items you can win in this game are...exciting. I couldn't WAIT to get the UltraRare Left Boot to match the Common Right Boot. The bikini's are very well made, the board shorts come with 2 layers so your avi legs won't distort. The Ultra Rare Gold Fishing Hat speaks for itself, it's the only bling I own that I like. Truth's Jennifer hair works perfectly with it...I shan't take it off.Not only are there hard-to-come-by clothing items to wear, but fish. Yes, scripted fish. They swim around your avatar and blow bubbles and can be named as pets. They are collectible which explains the hundreds of people on the 7 Seas group chat that stay up all night. One more cast...one more bucket of bait. I've decided not to gauge my time by how many more casts but by bait buckets which yield 100 casts. I know, I don't think this will pass soon.

Meissa Thorne and the 7 Seas team has put together an amazingly scripted game, well built prizes and a fantastic website. I talked with Meissa and she told me she's a scientist in RL, and works in microbiology. That explains the amazing detail of the fish we love to catch and wear.

I have a fish server at the end of our dock, but it's a blast to go to the public fishing holes and meet new people. Enamabala Towradgi was one of those that captivated my attention. I commented that my Poseidon could kick arse on his Devil Rays. To my astonishment he attached all the SuperUltraRare fish he had collected to which I informed him he was now my 7S Idol. After you've been in Second Life for over 2 years, you don't make a point to go meet new people, 7S has reminded me how much fun that is.
Jean Shorts
Cupcakes - Jean Shorts (Longer) - Group Gift

Shoes in Main Photo
Jeepers Creepers - Fuscia Groks

Remaining Clothing
7 Seas Fishing Game

Skin
[PXL] - Linda SK Fashion Eyes Coffee Lips

Hair
*Truth* - Jennifer Noir

Eyes
(Miriel) Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes
Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Pose
Boudoir Rouge

Piece of Art

As far as gowns go, the Le Mystique from Haute Style & Co. is wondrous. Moxie Polano has executed her talents well with this piece. Or should I say pieces – this purchase is loaded with options. The usual layer options are included as well as a pair of scripted shoes and a shape to make the dress fit exquisitely. A shape! Can you believe it?! Two more unusual additions are the dress adornment and that fantastic mask. I can’t imagine how long it took to create this.

I didn't have to do any editing, the dress flows flawlessly, I am impressed how the prim attachments move, very natural and not “rubbery”. The only thing I would change would be a photo included in the folder. It’s so helpful when you’re overwhelmed with all the choices in a piece of art like this. Item posters included is appreciated in general for those of us with ginormous inventories. It makes it easier to go shopping in your own inventory when you’re low on Lindens. Here's a non-artsy pic of the details:

I set up the main photo on the Japan Tempura Island. I didn’t have a whole lot of time to explore today, but the build is absolutely phenomenal. This is a perfect place for romance and taking pictures. I’ll definitely be spending some time here. In fact there was a couple inside the building as I was shooting for this post – I won’t be posting the chat log. Let’s just say they must have been very inspired by the beauty of the sim ;)

Gown

Haute Style - Le Mystique Gown

Skin
[PXL] - Linda SK FashionEyes Coffee Lips

Hair
Sky Everett Designs-Temptress Revisited, black.

Eyes
(Miriel) - Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes
Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Main Picture Pose
Reel Expressions - *Luth* Fashion S3 09

Mmmmmargeaux

Annette Voight over at Decoy has outdone herself with the Margeaux jackets. Prim attachments can be frustrating to photograph, I just 204'd them and they behave perfectly in all my Windlight settings. 204'd you ask? I tint the prim attachments with 204 for R, G, and B thanks to a tip from Miriel Enfield - it's supahh!
Cute store! Easy to see everything, great displays, and best of all, lag free. I especially like the divider/displays that showed different ideas for wearing her designs.
Where did JB Gazov come from?! The J's Real Toe Tassel Wedge Sandals have not come off my feet for a few days. With or without the ankle straps, they are irresistible. I don't know how many times I've given this landmark out. Maybe we can buy toes ala cart? Don't take that last sentence out of context, that's just wrong.

Jacket
[Decoy] - Margeaux Jacket - Peach

Jeans
Armidi Limited - Kogo Skinny Pants [Charcoal]

Sandals
J's - Real Toe Tassele Wedge Sole Sandals BLACK

Jewelry
[VG Republic] - Resin Bangles

Skin
[PXL] - Linda SK Fashion Eyes Coffee Lips

Hair
ETD Hayden - Black & ETD Long Bangs Right - Black

Eyes
(Miriel) Eyes - Sepia (Big)

Lashes
Cake - Bedroom Lashes

Pose
Boudoir Rouge - Naughty - Enticing