Second Anniversary of Last Post (sigh)

Oh my goodness.  So much for challenging myself to blog more.  It have been over two years since I last blogged.  I really would like to write more often, but I guess I am not sure I have much worth saying.  However, I have enough items in my inventory, especially when it comes to gacha.

So, wish me luck that I do better at this.  In the meantime, here is the look I have been wearing the last few days.  I love Halloween.

Happy Hauntings!

Let's Get This Thing Rolling

I have challenged myself to blog more often.  Modeling in SL has bummed me out and I need to push myself somehow.

This mini dress is new from Miamai.  This is the pink version of Amaria.  It is part mesh and so fun to wear.  I have styled it with the new BAX stockings in Snake and Miamai's Daisy pumps.  The color-change necklace and earrings are from Maxi Gossamer.

Color Me Retro

Today, I was popping by some of my favorite places to shop.  I really like the stores that have discounted items from various designers, especially when the items change regularly.  Today I TPed over to Collabor88 and found a dress I fell in love with.  It's Downing Color Field from Schadenfreude.  Am I giving away my age by enjoying this dress?  It reminds me of Twiggy with the color circles down the sides.  This sheath is mesh and fits like a dream.  There are dresses in other color block patterns, so swing yourself over and check it out.(http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tails/58/140/889)

The boots are from Aleida and she's closing soon.  Prices are deeply discounted.

Style card:
Dress: Schadenfreude Downing Color Field Dress
Boots: ALEIDA Anais boots in sapphire
Hair: Dura-Boy 31
Jewelry:
     Necklace + Earrings: Roho from MG
     Ring: Gigi Shimmer Bow
     Bangle: by me

Nails: Leverocci Mesh Round Nails

Oops, Forgot the Others

I have had two more dresses from the Miamai Summer Collection.

Katerine

and Marlene.

They are all just so versatile.  I love them all and all the color options.

More from Miamai's Summer Bridal Collection

Caroline in green

Evelina in gold


Beautiful, aren't they??

NEW Wedding Collection from Miamai

Monica Outlander of Miamai has released her Summer Bridal Collection for 2012.  These are not your usual white gowns but alive with soft colors.  There are six different gowns, each in at least four colors.  Today I chose to wear Areanne in Azure.

It's a simple traditional gown with antique lace overlay and flowing skirt.  Lovely flowers edge the waistband of the skirt, the neckline and the top of the veil.  Short lace gloves complete the look.

Beautiful, isn't it?  Bet you can't wait to see the others; some are even mesh.  <3

Miamai

Don't You Hate When This Happens

I am sure that anyone in Second Life who has ever stood on a pose stand has had this occur.  What a pain...hehehe.   There you are trying on clothes and/or accessories and, all of a sudden, it's The Exorcist.  You have to get off the pose stand and back on before causing any permanent damage.

Have a good day in or out of SL.

Hitting the Water

I recently entered a contest, a pageant of sorts.  I submitted entry photographs at the last minute.  I wasn't sure about whether I had the time to give to it, but I figured I could use the experience.  The phase after photo entry (if you are selected from your pictures) was a swimsuit styling.

This is what I came up with.

Swimsuit ~ Guarana Bikini from Purple Moon
Wet Tank Top ~ from INDI
Waterdrops ~ tattoo from INDI
Hair ~ Rush from LeLutka (band recolored and retextured)
Lipstick ~ Lip Gloss 1 from Face Paint
Jewelry:
     Earrings ~ Orquidea from Kunglers
     Necklace ~ Grateful from Earthstones
     Bracelets ~ Tumbled Stones (mix) from Earthstones
Nails from CCD

Contests - to enter or not to enter

Trying to get one's name out there in the modeling world is a perplexing thing.  I try to enter contests and this is more because I love to play with photos in Second Life.  Since I mentioned Ivalde in my last post, I wanted to show you my entry for their "Black Magic" contest.

I told you I love vintage/retro.  This got me second place!

MBMA

What is that...some kind of degree???  MBMA is the latest modeling academy which I have completed.  I had just two classmates who are now sistas.  Our instructor is the fabulous Sequoia Nightfire.  Now, I had been acquainted with Sequoia since early in my SL days.  She was/is a model at Ivalde (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ivalde/107/139/25) and since I love vintage/retro, I became familiar with the girls there -- Kymsara Rayna, Sequoia and another lady who has left SL.

Sequoia is the organizer of the wonderful Peace on Earth hunt each year and the creative genius behind Aurora Borealis.  Obviously, this woman is BUSY, so what a pleasure to have her lead us on this MBMA journey.

Excited is how we felt when told that for our graduation show, we would be wearing designs by Reign Congrejo from EVOLVE.  This is how it turned out:

Sorry, I am not going to list all the styling info.  Stop by Evolve and have a look for yourself --http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/San%20Jose%20City/163/171/23.  It will be worth your while.  And say hi to the models there, lots of lovely friends of mine.  :-)

Update

I know, I know...it's been ages since I did a post.  Second Life modeling is a time and cash consuming enterprise.  Since last we spoke, I (finally) graduated from the Miss Virtual World Modeling Academy.  Frolic Mills can be intimidating to models.  I find it entertaining to listen to him tell models what they need to change and/or what they have done "fabulously".  Now, this is a three day final class leading to styling for a runway walk in the hopes of graduating.  Many models do not graduate the first time, so it is a little scary.  On the second day we were to style burlesque.  I chose to go the Sally Rand route and got chastised for it but that is all I will say on the subject.  Our assignment for the runway walk was Steampunk.  Yikes, not a subject familiar to me.  I mean I have considered role play many times but never followed up; however, I have a friend and co-worker who has mucho experience so I gave her a shout.  Shiloh Fouroux saved the day when she introduced me to BlackOpal and Unzipped.

Here is my outfit:

P.S. I graduated...first try!  Also, I made some good friends through the process, which was my number one goal.

Moon over Me

Now, I do love shopping...RL and SL.  One of my favorite stops is Purple Moon.  Poulet Koenkamp is a very talented creator.  She offers clothing -- both formal and casual, jewelry, hair, etc.  She participates in special groups with discount prices, so it is easy to pick up great things for a song.

Here is a sample of one of her gowns.

Style info:
Dress: Odette in blue by PURPLE MOON
Hair: Eden in auburn by VANITY HAIR
Earrings: Irene by DONNA FLORA
Bracelet & Watch: Angle by VIRTUAL IMPRESSIONS
Ring: Pavone by GEMS & KISSES
Eye Decor: Celebration by WHITE~WIDOW
Skin: Linn by GLAM AFFAIR

Testing the Waters

This is my first attempt at posting a picture of a piece of clothing.  I love this coat, so it is a good choice (imho).  It's called Westwood from LeeZu.  Now, I will admit that it has been awhile since I was shopping at LeeZu but, boy, am I glad I went back to check it out.

Let me know what you think...  :-)

P.S.  The fedora is from O&N.  Found it on SL Marketplace (shopping made easy) -- https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/28205

More Challenges -- the Secondlife Modeling World

My interest in SL photography came along with a desire to learn more about modeling in SL.  I have never had many friends in SL (or RL for that matter).  I had a few good ones but they left awhile ago.  I miss them and having someone to turn to when RL is bothering me.

I thought that taking modeling classes would be a good route to making new friends.  I signed up for a famous one, Miss Virtual World Modeling Academy.  I haven't had the opportunity to finish my experience there because I never seem to be available on the weekend of the final classes and graduation "test".  I did meet some nice folks, one who was the instructor for my first class -- Nemi McCoy.  This wonderful woman reached out to me a number of days after class.  She was concerned because I was quiet and she didn't want me to feel overwhelmed.  Unfortunately for MVW, she does not teach there anymore.  She has been a model for a long time and is someone to whom I know I can always reach out.

Since I love to take classes and have assignments to motivate me to create, I signed up for another academy. This time, I chose Glance.  This academy has a one-on-one approach to training.  I had an interview with the director, Roe Woodford.  She told me I was accepted into the program and advised me of my instructor --  herself.  I was thrilled and it was all a wonderful experience.  Roe is another experienced model on whom I feel I can rely.

Next stop on the modeling training train was MA Modeling Academy.  I received good training, got a taste of some of the drama in SL modeling and met some great people.  I am currently attending Mimmi Boa Modeling Academy.  Anyone who knows modeling in SL knows that name.  My instructor is also a name I had known -- Sequoia Nightfire.  She is very talented and knowledgeable.

I have learned that, like RL, there is drama in SL...modeling there is no exception.  I have also learned that the models, on the whole, are much nicer than the stereotype.  They are friendly and helpful and I have yet to experience any nastiness (towards me).

I am trying to get myself some work.  I'll keep you posted.

Challenges

When I first started in SL, I wanted to learn how to edit prims.  I thought that a good way to do this would be to learn how to make jewelry.  What better practice on editing prims than working with nano ones.  Off I went to become a Master Jeweler.  Creativity is buried in me somewhere but I need to be inspired.

I acquired alot of knowledge from my class.  I tried for awhile to run a shop but things changed too fast for me.  Sculpties became the way to go and I did not have the time (or patience) to learn how to work with them.  There are way too many terrifically creative designers out there for me to compete.  However, learning to work with textures peaked my curiosity.  In jewelry class, we used GIMP to make ours.  It's a great program because it's free and the learning curve isn't too bad.

I wanted more so I started working with Photoshop.  There are so many tutorials online and so many books available.  I even joined NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals).  Of course, I'm not a professional in any stretch of the imagination, but it's a great source of tutorials, materials, discounts, etc.

I like making textures but without my jewelry outlet, I needed another way to use Photoshop.  Photos!!  Novel idea on my part.  I am, by no means, a photographer in real life but what a great option in SL.  So, bare with me as I tread into this new territory.  I have even taken some classes with Pixel Icon to add to my skill set.  Check them out!

Here is a photo I snapped today at a beautiful shopping area, Reale Isle.  No real editing on this one, just the graphics settings adjusted. Great skirt and blouse from Amarelo Manga; bag from The Secret Store.  <3

Hmm...

It's difficult to know how to begin a blog.  I wanted to start one so that I could journal about Second Life.  Asking people how they got into SL is a fun pastime of mine.  Don't think I'm nosy (well, maybe I am), but it is interesting to learn.  I would also like to hear why they stay, why they left and why some have left and come back.  Let's just say that I am fascinated by SL every day.

It began for me with one of those teasers before a commercial on a morning news program.  They mentioned an interview with a woman who quit her job because she made enough money in a virtual world game that she no longer needed her "real life" job.  What???  I was getting ready to go to my job so I didn't have time to explore but you can bet that I searched for this Second Life game upon my return home that night.

I was hooked.