For you, dressing to go out is the means to an end. All the fuss of choosing gowns and shoes and jewelry and makeup and (ugh) hair, seems, well, like too much work. You enjoy looking good, but you don’t get excited about it the way other people do. You probably prefer your mesh feet over any shoes on the grid.
However much you enjoy clothing, you enjoy where you’re going even more. You may not accessorize as much as the Daring Diva but you love texture. If something looks soft, lush, and/or comfortable, you probably have it in six colours.
~ Natural Beauty ~
Fairy Skin -Avie- /*natural *REDGRAVE* IKON Eternal Eyes – Pond Miamai_Catwalk Lashes_Evergreen 04 Audrey .Pekka. KATHYA Eyes Make Up (green) ROZENA/ Kiss Kiss ~ dolce
Working Title: Yesterday’s Tomorrow’s Tomorrow Today
First of all, I’m sure you can see why I went with a simpler title but let me explain:
It was always my intention to cover the Tomorrow Today event in installments; it’s the easiest thing in the world to promote a new event because most everyone has heard about it, been waiting for it, and are excited to see fantastic new offerings especially when proceeds are donated to a worthwhile cause. The thing with Second Life, though, is that time is a little skewed. Many things happen on a daily basis and the more time we spend here, the fuller every day seems to be. It’s easy to say “hey, I really love this __________, but I’ll just come back for it later. I won’t forget.“
Sometimes we forget. We’re human. We err.
I was supposed to write this post yesterday under the borderline-creative-and-cheeky title “Tomorrow’s Tomorrow Today” but .. again, I’m as human as anyone. I didn’t get to it. Ugh.
( I love this picture so much! Click here for the full shot, omg. )
So this is my reminder to all of you (and to myself, aack!) that today is the very last day of the Tomorrow Today event. You can read my previous blog posts covering the event here and here. You can read Match’s blog here. You can SEE how much of a difference one month has made, how much closer Matchbook Monday is to an amazing improvement in her quality of life.
I’m asking you to think back to the beginning of the month; was there anything you really liked that never ended up in your inventory? So many amazing designers have lent their names to the cause, donating their time and resources to support one of their own. Go back today. Have a peek. If you haven’t been yet, check it out. Help make a difference today!
~ Portia ~
Fairy Skin -Avie- /*natural *REDGRAVE* IKON Kaleido Eyes – Shadow ~ Available at Tomorrow Today TODAY! Miamai_Catwalk Lashes_Evergreen 01 Femme ROZENA/ Kiss Kiss ~ dolce cheLLe - (eyeliner) All Niter 1
I’m not writing this post to complain, far from it, but I would like to highlight the amount of work stylists undertake when putting an outfit together. Blogging said outfits is another challenge (but gosh, I love it) because the purpose is to highlight clothing in a specific, and often individual, fashion. The blog posts we love best seem effortless and perfect; it looks like a snapshot right out of someone’s second life. In truth, I’m certain that it’s the result of hours of work from beginning to end and I appreciate this process SO much. Behind every blogger, you’ll likely find a thorough and thoughtful individual who is just in love with SL fashion and wants to share this fascination with the world. Like me.
So this is the first installment of what I’m calling my “Stylin’ Ain’t Easy” tribute to SL blogging. It’s not definitive but it is a peek at how I operate. The first step for me is what I have named my BB-0 (Beauty Base Zero); it’s a term I’ve pillaged from book two of The Hunger Games trilogy because the concept was dead on. It’s where you start, imagining your nails are perfect, your hair is tied back and you’re staring into a mirror, or your closet, wondering what the heck you’re going to wear today.
I use Firestorm so this is my default saved outfit (the first of dozens of others I’ve saved for whatever reason) and if you haven’t upgraded to a viewer that allows you to save your outfits, let me say that it’s worth the discomfort of learning a new UI just to have this functionality.* This outfit includes HUDs I use when taking pictures (listed below) but the important thing to note is that with everything here, I have all I need to start putting together any outfit I desire.
Here are just a few tips for creating your own BB-0:
~ Underwear: Odds are anything you’re putting on afterward will cover these but I have to say that after a few mesh alpha-layer-not-covering-my-bits blunders, I always make sure I’m wearing panties. Just saying.
~ Basic Makeup: I don’t wear much as a rule but when I’m styling I always consider extra tattoo layers at a later time. I’ve occasionally forgotten the basics, though, and had to go back and start pictures again because of this lack. Ugh.
~ Simple Eyelashes: You can always add or change these once you’ve decided on the basics of ‘casual vs. fancy.’ Minimal eyelashes gives you an idea of what you have to work with before you begin layering. I hope it doesn’t need to be said, but please do your best to make sure eyelashes fit your eyes properly. If you need help with this do not hesitate to IM me, day or night. <3
~ Hair: This may seem like a no-brainer but I like beginning with a style that’s pulled back from the neck. You can always change it later but it’s helpful to make sure your jewelry is positioned properly before you go about covering it up with your lovely locks. **
~ Hairbases: First of all, I use an eyebrow shaper as my basic SL-driven hairbase. It gives my face definition and is just another way to squeeze a bit more individuality into my avatar. Hairbase tattoo layers are also something I recommend; even if you can’t see it under your current hairstyle, there’s -nothing- worse than tp’ing into a sim bald. Nothing.
~ Basic Shape: I have three shapes I use regularly in SL. One for mesh (smaller bust), one for system skirts (narrower hips, smaller bum, and less in the thighs), and the basic every day shape. These are NOT fun to confuse pre-clothing.
~ Nails: As much as they disagree with poses, as laggy as they can be in busy places, I really do love the look of them. Remember to take off your glove base if you’re going to put on actual gloves, though. If you always start with these you’ll just work it into your routine.
I hope this is enough to get you started! Stay tuned for the next installment of “Stylin’ Ain’t Easy.”
EDIT: Bloggers, Fashionistas, and fancy people of SL – What’s YOUR Beauty Base Zero?
* We’ll talk a little more about viewer features I use in my SLife in a later post, so keep an eye out!
** A jewelry positioning tutorial will be available in part two of this series. Patience, Padawan.
Hey guys! Just a quick post to start the day off properly. <3
I’ve been walking around in this outfit for a little while now and just loving Shine’s sweet bohemian style; I’m gravitating to this designer more and more often so if you haven’t had a chance to try the in-store demos, I highly recommend it.
.. in all the shops in all of the SL events right now .. the CadyLady and I bought the EXACT SAME ONE. At Cinema.
Crazy, right? But really .. would you have been able to resist the Volstead ‘Liason’ in honey? This lacy, silky, sheerchemise (if you aren’t wearing the glitch layers) left me speechless the second I tried it on. I’m still having trouble drumming up the words to describe how much I love this piece. Just .. go to Cinema and pick up the demo so you can throw me a line, here.
Okay?
Thanks.
( Hanging out at home with two of my favourite ladies and the new !bang Serenade piano prop. Go see! )
Reunited in blogship by our mutual love of Volstead, Cady and I decided to do this post (and maybe others!!) together; something we haven’t done in months and months and if we’re a little matchy-matchy, you’ll have to understand how excited we are to be doing this again!
The dresses below, ‘Champagne’ and ‘Empire,’ are also available in the Romance section at Cinema along with a bunch of other goodies, all classy and exquisite, so don’t be shy here, all right? I’m looking forward to sharing more of my finds from here very, very soon. <3
( Wondering where Cady and I went last night to take this picture? Check here for the wider shot. Raar. )
~ Cady ~
Credits for Cady’s outfits and the stunning pictures she’s taken can be found on her blog, Serene Cadence.
~ Portia ~
Fairy Skin -Avie- /*natural *REDGRAVE* IKON Utopia Eyes – Light Forest Green Miamai_Catwalk Lashes_Evergreen 01 Femme .Pekka. Classy Eye shadow with eyeliner – Gold ROZENA/ Kiss Kiss ~ dolce
>TRUTH< Mayim w/Roots – seasand Truth Hairbase – latte
Volstead ~ Liaison Chemise ~ Honey (mesh dark trim) ~ Available at Cinema! ~ [Gos] Pimp Your Pumps V3 – Point Platform
Music is my solace. Harmony, my heart. Certain chord progressions make me weak, or enraged, or giddy, or .. anything, really, because at a very basic level, music is feeling. It sinks into you, sometimes, and becomes part of who you are and how you see the world.
What I’m trying to say here, I suppose, is that there are some songs that you never forget or, specifically, that I will never forget. When other girls were listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers and Destiny’s Child, I’m slightly embarassed to admit that I spent my high school years obsessing over Dmitri Shostakovich’s fourth ballet suite and, of course, I knew every note in the Phantom of the Opera. One of my favourite CDs of all time, though, was Colm Wilkinson’s Stage Heroes, and the first track on THAT was his version of ‘I, Don Quixote.’
Listen to it sometime – you won’t regret it.
Now. The point of this confession is to provide a bit of context when I say that .. I am absolutely in LOVE with Chop Zuey‘s new Don Quixote Collection!
The story of Don Quixote is too long to share in a single blog post (and you’d probably throw something at me if I tried, admit it!) but I think we’re all familiar with the basic shape of it. An older gentleman becomes caught up in old, chivalric stories and as his mind begins to leave him, he assumes the identity of a knight errant to rid the world of injustice and evil. It’s clear, even from the beginning, that he’s not quite right in the head.
The fall collection, released last Saturday, captures the spirit of this story; strength, valour, beauty, and (of course) madness, all interpreted and presented in the form of truly stunning jewelry.
With names like Gentle Insanities, Rochainte’s Curve, and Balsam for Madness, each set in the collection has its own story to tell. Together, as I hope to show you in the coming days, they become something more. Please, enjoy the pictures I’ve taken but make a point of viewing the collection for yourself at the Chop Zuey mainstore. They’re well worth the trip!
Chop Zuey ~ Balsam for Maddness Glasses in Black/White ~ NEW Fall Collection! Chop Zuey ~ Balsam for Maddness Whte Neck Corset ~ NEW Fall Collection! Chop Zuey ~ Shirobana Ring
One of my fondest memories, and not a word of a lie here, took place in Niagara Falls a few years ago. I was visiting the Butterfly Conservatory with a friend and, while we were sitting and just enjoying the sights, these beautiful creatures began to come closer and closer until one, a brave beastie for sure, landed on my lovely flowy purple skirt. After a few breathless seconds I coaxed it onto my finger and, feeling like a Disney princess, lifted my hand to eye-level so I could smile at it. The picture we took is pretty awful but the memory remains crystal clear.
Needless to say, I have a serious love of butterflies. They appeal to a gentler side of me; the side that loves fluttery skirts and bare toes wiggling. They epitomize feminine delicacy and the sort of care we all take when we beautify ourselves (mostly) every day.
I am SO proud of this shot. Click here to see the full view!
So today is a day of favourites. As we all begin to say goodbye to Summer in our own way, I wanted to draw special attention to this lovely dress from Blueberry, perfect with its delicate shading and a playful skirt and butterfly motif. I’ve worn it off and on all summer and now I do so with a bittersweet smile on my face. I’ll be ecstatic to welcome Autumn, I promise, but not today.
This is one of Exile’s trio of new hairstyles (EEE!) and, as always, I’m going to wear the heck out of all of them until the next release .. along with the new kaleidoscope (wow, spelled that right the first time!) eyes from the incredible IKON. I’m wearing one of the monthly group gift shades right now and if you hurry you can pick them up as well!
Do the strings on my Chop Zuey necklace remind you a little of a butterfly’s body and antennae?
Do I just have butterflies on the brain?
~ Portia ~
Fairy Skin -Avie- /*natural *REDGRAVE* IKON Kaleido Eyes – Day – NEW! Miamai_Catwalk Lashes_Evergreen 01 Femme ROZENA/ Kiss Kiss ~ dolce
Blueberry Seaside *Mesh* Dress Yellow
*[Cynful] Deliciosa – Black Slink Ilena Sandals Black
Chop Zuey ~ Le Cousette Necklace Yw Tor Chop Zuey ~ Le Cousette Ring Yw Tor
Pose: Olive Juice
*Listing panties because this IS an upskirt dress. Do not be caught without your knickers on, ladies! I’ll also mention that I wrote this BEFORE I thought to include the Jason Mraz video. No correlation here whatsoever. *Whistles innocently*
I’m having a hard time finding words today. Handy, isn’t it, that I have a few paragraphs to paste at you instead?
“One of our grid’s dearest and most talented designers, Gospel Voom, has recently had a heartbreaking incident happen in his life. His beloved cat, Archibald, was hit by a car last Saturday night. Miraculously, Archibald was able to make it home and is currently being treated for his injuries which include massive head and facial injuries. The surgeries and veterinary costs associated have already been astronomical and will continue to rise.
Those of us who have owned a pet, can understand what Gos must be going through. On top of the emotional distress, there is the large question as to how to ensure Arch will receive the necessary care. Truth District and several talented friends from across the grid have come together in support with volunteering an item(s) to help pay for the vet expenses. I am humbly asking if you would consider donating an item in support of Gos and Arch. It need not be a brand new item, it can be a recolor, it can be at 50% donation or even less. At this point, anything is helpful as the cost of Arch’s care will easily be in the 5 figures.”
The event is named “Archie Appeal” and is taking place in the Truth District from now until September 2nd. Please visit early and often to show your support for a content creator who is often on the front lines when other people need help. Let’s do the same for him, all right?
I’ve actually broken precedent and created a few items for the event as well. Until today, I have been creating custom cakes, bouquets, and other things by request but I was moved to do something beyond donating money to this cause. In the picture below you’ll see the rose crown, earrings, and pretty kitty bed I’ve put together. They’re available in three colour themes, even, and mod/trans for all your tinting needs. <3
~ Portia ~
Fairy Skin -Avie- /*natural *REDGRAVE* IKON Horizon Eyes v2 – Pale Glass
Eyelashes -31- ExtraLong *REDGRAVE* ROZENA/ Kiss Kiss ~ dolce
Phew, what a weekend! I am THRILLED to see that CHIC² is in full swing and still super-busy after the insanity of opening night. It’s been fantastic to see people peering into designer booths, trying the furniture or popping in to see if those Sassy models really ARE as tall as they seem. I grin every time I see another blog covering the event and celebrating incredible exclusives as well as CHIC Management‘s second birthday.
Since it’s a little much to expect my computer to run Second Life on ultra in the middle of CHIC², I thought I’d share a peek at my newest rooftop garden instead.:) I’m loving the new mesh topiaries from Trompe L’Oeil – like everything Cory Edo creates, these beautiful plants are low-prim, copy/modifiable, and just flipping INCREDIBLE and as if that wasn’t enough, they come with these perfect little stone urns too!
I have a serious obsession with cute dresses (obviously), and these offerings from tomoto (above) and Zenith (below) are no exception. While the tomoto delice dress isn’t mesh, it doesn’t need to be as it’s perfect just the way it is with sheer, gauzy prim bits, ruffles, and the cutest lace leggings peeking out from beneath the skirt. It’s available in black, aqua, pink, and (of course) white. <3 Zenith brings everything I love about mesh to the (Fluke Chic Café) table. Long and flowing with every step you take, I’m sure you’ll love the halter neck and gorgeous open back, not to mention the cute rope belt that comes with each of the three (nude, beige, and khaki) colour options.
I’m not around to celebrate with you tonight but HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, CHIC!
~ Portia ~
tomoto, delice white ~ New@CHIC² Chloe: Honey Drop Earrings ~ New@CHIC²
Honestly, I was having a bit of a day today. Rough morning, long afternoon, and my night was not going the way I wanted it to go; one might go so far as to say that I was moody, even vaguely upset.
mood-y [moo-dee]
adjective, mood·i·er, mood·i·est.
1. given to gloomy, depressed, or sullen moods; ill-humored.
2. proceeding from or showing such a mood: a moody silence.
3. expressing or exhibiting sharply varying moods; temperamental.
Then I signed into SL and my day got just a little brighter!
TONS brighter, really, when I took a peek at coldLogic’s new ‘moody’ sundresses! Completely adorable, right?! You’ll be able to pick them up at the CHIC² birthday event from June 3rd (4pm, SLT) to June 24th (4pm, SLT) and afterwards at the coldLogic mainstore! I’ll even go ahead and book the taxi to send you directly to their booth, but don’t drop in until the 3rd, kay? Portia’s Sunshiney Yellow Cab!
Who’s ready for cake?
~ Portia ~
Fairy Skin -Avie- /*natural *REDGRAVE* IKON Horizon Eyes v2 – Deep Blue
Eyelashes -31- ExtraLong *REDGRAVE* *BOOM* Pale Pucker Pink
coldLogic dress – moody.sageblossom
Necklace – Lealao Pendant – Short – Maxi Gossamer (NEW and available @ faMESHed) [Gos] Pimp Your Pumps V2 – Maryjane Court ::Exile:: She Loves You:Vanilla
~ Natural Beauty ~
