Spooky hand

I had some trouble taking this picture because of the shadows. Any Second Life photographer will tell you that what you see on your screen is not what will appear on the picture on your harddrive. Sometimes, it is not too bad, sometimes, no matter the angle or the windlight setting you are using, you will have a lot of postproccesing work to do. In this case, i have partly solutioned the problem by upping the gamma in Second Life to flood the shadows with light and then by darkening the whole picture, adding a lot of burn, in Photoshop.

Here below you can see one of the first pictures I have taken and some of its flaws.

Most obvious thing is the spooky hand. It is like my avatar is having a third arm and hand from hell only visible in the shadows. It is one of the issues with the alpha layers in Second Life. You may hide parts, it is still there and appears in the shadows. Using a different pose might have helped but I liked this one a lot so i have decided to be stubborn and to go on with it.

Secondly, you may see a smooth gradient of shadows in world but on your picture, it is a solid block and not always rightly placed. Here, you can mainly see the problem with the shadow from the hair on the face. There is a thin light line between the hair and its shadow. Also, what should be a smooth darker area under the breast appears like a stain.

Another reason I have titled this post “Spooky Hand” is what makes this outfit so particular. I really like the idea of having a hand in the pocket. I would have liked it better if the mesh pants had a pocket with more volume to fake the hand hidden by the alphas. But then, I guess it would have been more difficult to make the pants wearable separately from the jacket. As it is, I have to say I feel a bit like my avatar is missing a limb. But I am being picky, that outfit is really awesome.

Details:

Skin: DeeTaleZ Skin Kimber (Freckles) brown Mixedtype @ Uber
Eyes: IKON Hope Eyes – Silverleaf (S)
Hair: [LeLutka]-ALEX hair – StrawberryBlonde
Jacket and shirt: *COCO*_ShawlCollarCoat(Grey)_S
Pants: *COCO*_TailoredPants(Grey)_S
Pose: !bang

Green Orange

Details:

Skin: Glam Affair – Amberly – Artic – Candy 02 Red
Lipstick: –Glam Affair – Leah Lipstick 15
Hair: >TRUTH< Kenzie – pumpkinpie
Hands: Slink Mesh rigged Hands
Top: *COCO*_SleevelessBlouse(Grass)_S(Tucked)
Pants: *COCO*_StripedPants(Orange)_S
Bracelets: [MANDALA] Omochi Bracelet /SAHARA Brown
Shoes: {mon tissu} Daley T-Strap Heels / Medium ~ Mint + Cherry
Pose: Manifeste

February Fameshed

The Secret Store has a new pretty dress available at FaMESHed in several colors ranging from soft and romantic like snow or vanilla to more daring and vivid tones like teal mixed with orange. While I was there, I have picked boots from Coco and a leather vest from Emery.

In my world, short dress + boots = 60’s look but I did not want to be too much of a babydoll so I have chosen the Ava Skin from Belleza, which suits a grown up woman rather than a young girl. The Virginie hairstyle is one of this week’s releases from Truth. Like always, the eyes are from Ikon. To finish the look, I am wearing the new Atiriya jewelry set from Zaara and mesh nails from Pixel Mode.

The Secret Store Summer Collection Out Now!

Hello,

This time, it is not a teaser anymore, the mini summer collection of The Secret Store is there! Don’t wait and visit the mainstore to grab some adorable tank tops, cute skirts, funky flared pants and lovely cardigans. Each cloth is made so you can mix’n match it with other pieces of the collection, coordinating prints and colors. Not to forget the not to be missed absolute must have gloves! Here is your taxi to The Secret Store!

For the hairtsyle, I have picked one of the new releases from Plume , a classy vintage braid named Broadway which adds sophistication to any outfit.

Credits:

Skin: [PXL] GAIA NAT SE MEB C2 FR
Eyes Makeup: [PXL] GAIA NAT Simple Eyes (Tattoo)
Lipstick: [PXL] GAIA NAT Rose Lips (Tattoo)
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Blue (S)
Hair: *Plume* – Broadway/Brick
Cardigan: The Secret Store – Darling cardigan – Faded Blue
Top: The Secret Store – Ribbon Tank – Batic
Skirt: The Secret Store – Cherie’s Flared Skirt – Batic
Gloves: The Secret Store – Fine gloves – White
Ring: Zaara : Kashiti bobble ring *turquoise* (silver)
Earrings: Zaara – ZC : Sarayi painted hoops *silver*
Boots: *COCO*_Leather&CanvasFlatBoots(v2)_Cream
Poses: swAyNimation – aRt’itude #5

Byebye,
Tana

Scooter

Hello,

I had written a great post and all about Suri Yangtz poses from [socialANGtz]. It is a great scooter, isn’t it? But well, I have made a mistake and deleted it so… I’ll just add a few words on the pictures.

Next thing I want to emphasize is the Sn@tch crochet poncho. This texture is so great! I can’t keep looking at it and go “wow”.

Finaly, yes, I am designing shapes! Like it or not… I have started to update every single one of them and make new vendors and styling cards and stuff. It is Emma’s turn. This one was easy, it is one of my favorite, kind of the one I would wear if I were not using my own personnal one. And, it works great with the PXL Creations Linda G3 skin so… What about trying a free demo at my store?

Credits:

Skin: [PXL] Linda G3 SK NudeLips MEB
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Green 3 (S)
and FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes- Light Blue (M)
Shape: ** Dunes ** Emma 2011 Shape Medium
Hair: >TRUTH< Alison Streaked – sand
Poncho: :::Sn@tch Crochet Poncho (Black):::
Skirt: [SC] Surf Couture – Walkabout Denim Skirt – Original
Top: *League* Spring Camisole -Red
Tights: – Nemesis – Criminal tights red
Necklace: ::je suis::douce::soft::necklace
Bangles: ::je::suis::magnifique::bangles Greys
Shoes: *Coco* Work Boots Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Donations
Pose: [socialANGtz] Jackie Stone Scooter Series

Asparagus and Ecru – 52 Weeks of Color Challenge

Hello,

I’ve been a bit slacking on Luna Jubilee’s 52 weeks of colors challenge these last few week so I’ll try to make a post that counts for two: Ecru and Asparagus. Actualy, the vegetable is either ecru or green and the combination of colors works pretty good together.

For Ecru, I’ve picked a cardigan from Naith Smith Designs, the one kind everyone has in his closet for that time of the evening when the air become a bit more fresh. I’ve also purchased those great boots from Coco which are available at The Dressing Room for only 50 l$! I know you’ve seen them already a lot on the feeds today but seriously, if you haven’t been there to get them yet, you’re missing something.

For asparagus, well, i’ve cheated a bit. The clothes i’ve been chosing are missing that tiny bit of yellow that would made them really asparagus but confession of a fault, is half amended, well I hope …

Sn@tch is a store which has been in Second Life for a very long time with weekly new releases. It is a place I am often visiting for great basics or when I want a look a bit more grunge. In this case, I am using the Gilda top with lovely flower patterns. The skirt is a new release from League, it has the perfect length to be very sexy while not giving you a bitch look. Miel has released new scarves for yesterday Fifty Linden Friday. They are color changeable and will complete a lot of different outfits.

The Luka hairstyle is fun and young, it is Exile’s offer for Project FUR Japan, a charity organized to benefit the animals which are also suffering from the disaster.

In this post, i’ve been using three items you have already seen everywhere on the feeds. That is also an interessant part of fashion blogging, to see what people can do with the same items, creating different looks. And when those items are awesome, there is certainly no reason to look them down.

Credits:
Skin: :Curio: :GP: Acorn Frex [Light] Lustre-Patina 2
Shape: ** Dunes ** Cherry 2011 Medium
Eyelashes: :: Exodi :: Makeups – Eyelashes – Glamour
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Egyptian Blue (M)
Hair: Exile Luka/cinnamon at Project FUR Japan
Cardigan: [NSD] Laine Cardigan White
Shirt: :::Sn@tch Gilda Top (Brown-S):::
Top: *League* Spring Frill Neck Camisole -Cream
Skirt: *League* Buttoned Corduroy Mini -Green
Socks: Maitreya Moxie Over-Knees
Scarf: MIEL MAKI SCARF – linen (spine)
Bracelet: MIEL LUN BRACELET
Necklace and Earrings: ~SIGMA~Jewels/ Admira
Boots: *COCO*_Leather&CanvasFlatBoots(v2)_Cream at Project FUR Japan
Bag: (Milk Motion) My wool bag
Poses: Posies

Umbrella is the Trend!

It’s all Maylee’s fault!

Some times ago, I saw an awesome picture from Maylee’s Oh on Flickr. She was teasing us with a new release of The Secret Store for the Happy Holidays hunt. Being the asshole i can be, I immediately bugged her, saying she was mean to tease us with such a great picture, that it was not humanly possible to wait for several days until the 10th December and the start of the hunt and so on. She was also wearing the fabulous coat when i TPed over to her shop, looking for something else, so i’ve threatened her to drool all over her coat for teasing us with it. That’s when she made me feel bad for bugging her for the fun as she gave me the said coat… but that’s how Maylee is, she is just great. I don’t know her for long but each time i’ve had had the chance to talk to her, it was great fun and i’ve been amazed to see how such a nice and funny girl she can be.

That is for the person, … now what about her creations? They are just the same! Original, fun, made with passion and care for quality. Maylee Oh’s The Secret Store is becoming one of those rising brand that you cannot avoid, that you don’t want to avoid! Seriously, orginal, beautiful clothes with textures and sculpties created by the designer at affordable prices, who would want to skip that? Fayne Khandr has written an article about Maylee in the 42nd release of Second Style Magazine. While reading the article, all i could do was nod and smile, totally agreeing, as Fayne was depicting with her talented pen the Maylee I know.

But this is not the end of the story. 2 days ago, Maylee shared wonderful pictures on her blog. She was using that totally awesome umbrella. As I was teasing her again about stealing the umbrella from her, she started to look for the landmark and finaly offered to TP me to the store while i was finishing my blog post. Not asif she had no creation work on her own… Yes, Maylee is THAT nice. After some (a lot) of chat and fun, we both agreed on starting a new trend! WEAR UMBRELLAS ! So now, please, be kind, join the umbrella club!

Credits,
Skin: [PXL] Kasumi SK CherryLips
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1]
Eyes make-up: [PXL] Kasumi SK Smoke Eyes
Hair: [Shag] – La Petite Mort – dark copper
Coat: The Secret Store – Silver Snowflake
Etolle: Tee*fy Sopha’s Big Warmer (Black)
Gloves: [LeeZu!] LBD Nif Nif gloves /black
Tights: not for sale. I made them using InSight textures. IM me if you’re interested, i’ll put them for free under the tree for Christmas at ** Dunes ** as soon as i have finished this post.
Boots: *COCO*_Over-the-kneeBoots_(Black)
Umbrella: ++NODe++umbrella_v2_NO5
Poses: Glitterati
Location: Risk City

Bye bye,
Tana

What’s New Copycat?

No, I don’t believe my title is orginal, I actualy think it has been used before.

I am bored, bored with what I see on the feeds lately. Everywhere the same, everywhere the same new hair, everywhere the same new clothes, everywhere the same new accessories.

I am bored with so-called designers. Everywhere the same textures, everywhere the same sculpties. Everywhere the same RL inspirations. Hey look, the latest Lady Gaga excentricity! … declined in 10 SL versions.. how original!

I am bored with bloggers. Everywhere the same designers featured, everywhere the same reviews of new offered review copies, everywhere the same SL shadows and pictures, everywhere the same lack of content. I have to say some of my favorite bloggers have left and sadly, they were not replaced. The last one being Fayne Khandr who is on a indefinite blogging hiatus. I am not close to Fayne, i’ve spoken once or twice with her and she seemed to be a nice person but really, I miss her blog. She was one of the few I was looking forward for new articles as she was actualy offering us something to read, combined with a great sense of style and pictures telling a story. I don’t know why she has stopped, I am not close enough to bug her, I respect her choice, but yeah, I miss her blog posts.

I am bored with SL fashion. Doh wait… Am I different?

NOPE! I am not different! I do exactly the same! I only need to have a look at today’s style to know I am not different! It actualy started with me being sick, staying home, calling doctor and going to the pharmacy to get my medicines, 2 weeks ago. There, the owner of the drugstore was not wearing her white blouse like usual but she was actualy wearing a light grey woolen tunique with violet tights, black boots and belt and violet under-sweater. I was like “wow” she looks good with that. Then I’ve been thinking about what I could use in Second Life to create the same look. So, no, I am not original…

Yesterday, as I was looking for hair to finish the look, I’ve found that Truth Raquel style in my inventory. I actualy had never used it as it is very special and I had seen some other people doing a great job with it. One of those people being Leah McCullough. I remembered having seen a great picture of her wearing the same style. I mean no offense to others having used this style but Leah’s job is the one that had struck me at that time. Leah was kind enough to let me use her picture for my blog. See how pretty she is and how good the picture is.

But back to the point, when I saw that style, i immediately thought “yes! that is the one i need!” Not because it looks great, not because it works good with the style, but because someone else did a great job featuring it already!

and here is my version of it.

Sometimes, I won’t blog an outfit because I am pretty sure everyone will blog it and I don’t think I am good enough to do better, Sometimes I still blog it, because it is that or nothing at all. I wished I could have the choice to blog something else but then, I am looking at the new creations, everywhere the same, and unfortunately, I have to say very few things will make me want to buy them these last days, not even the bloggers featuring them, including me… and that is boring.

Credits:
Skin: [PXL] Kasumi SK RoseLips
Eyes make-up: [PXL] Kasumi SK Smoke Eyes
Shape: ** Dunes ** Heather Shape
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1]
Hair: >TRUTH< Raquel – auburn
Dress: AOHARU_CablesKnitDress_White
Sweater: So Many Styles {SMS} Winter Sweater Plum
Tights: Maitreya Allure Tights – Violet
Necklace: So Many Styles {SMS} Pearl Lily Necklace Black
Boots: *COCO*_EngineerBoots(Black)
Poses: Reel Expression *Luth*

Bye bye,
Tana

And Here Comes Heather

Hello,

I’ve realesed a new shape today, Heather.

You could already admire her in the past 2 posts from the blog. Heather is a sophisticated young sweet woman. Her elegant body allows her to wear a lot of different styles and to always look good. She has a round face with wide eyes, pulpous lips and a thin nose.

As always, the shape is mod, copy, no trans so you can change it to your best preferences.

For 899 L$, you will receive:
– Petite Shape + System Skirt Version
– Medium Shape + System Skirt Version
– Tall Shape + System Skirt Version
– Runway Shape + System Skirt Version
– Bald Base
– Style Card

You can find the shape at the ** Dunes ** Mainstore or on the Marketplace.

Free demos are of course available and i cannot insist enough on always trying a demo before you purchase any No Trans item.

Credits:
Skin: LAQ ~ Claudia2 – 01 [Peach] Glow skin
Shape: ** Dunes ** Heather Shape (coming soon)
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Greyi 1]
Hair: >TRUTH< Tamina – auburn
Dress: [Plastik]
Jewels:
Boots: *COCO* _Over-the-kneeBoots_(Brown)
Jewels: Balderdash– Twig – Autumn
Poses: Glitterati

Bye bye,
Tana

The Looking Glass

Hello,

Today’s attempt at taking snapshots brought me to The Looking Glass. I told myself that if I had to crash, I might aswell do it in a good looking place. Designed by Markus Inkpen, the same creator as the famous No Sound sim, and Sharni Azalee, that fabulous sim welcomes you to discover fantasy places going from church ruins to old stables or even wonderland.

I’ve chosen to take the pictures in the village. Among all the wonders you will see there, what caught my attention was that parrot. Maybe the fact it is called Muad’Dib has something to do with it… (Muad’Dib being the Fremen name of Paul Atreides in Dune from Frank Herbert. It is my favorite book and one of the reasons why my blog is named like that, though the official excuse i’ve found was dunes was reminding of the curves of a feminine body).

Just to tell you a few more words about my snapshots adventures lately. Today, i’ve been able to take 10 pictures! Yeah! BUT… for some unknow reason, i’ve crashed at the 11th. Since then, though I was using Kirsten’s Viewer for the pics, I am unable to log back in SL with Snowstorm which crashes immediately. Go figure…

Credits:
Skin: LAQ ~ Nellie 03 [Nougat] Glow skin
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1]
Hair: [Shag] – La Petite Mort – dark copper
Jumpsuit: .:* LOULOU&CO *:. – S.Suit :: CHARLIE’S ANGEL :: Green
Pullover: [LeeZu!] LBD Loui Pullover right hand /beige
Belt: :. WoE .: Nomi Leather Belt (Blood)
Scarf: [LeeZu!] Miss Mara Scarf /ethno mauve
Tights: *Fishy Strawberry* Woolen Tights – Brown Stripes at The Dressing Room
Earrings: MIEL CUE EARRING
Boots: *COCO*_EngineerBoots(Black)
Poses: Glitterati

Bye bye,
Tana