Angle and windlight

Today I will show you almost twice the same picture but I was not happy with the first one I had taken (the one here under) and I will explain why.

At first I had not really planned on lighting the picture this way but as I was testing and trying in Photoshop, the idea came it was the perfect pose for this kind of light coming from one side. After my usual editing, I have simply used a soft light layer with a basic gradient to do it.

Unfortunately, the windlight settings I had chosen in Second Life were not appropriate as you can see the shadow of my avatar screened on the background, showing the angle used. The colors are more neutral and that is why I had gone with it first. But the more I look at the picture, the more I feel there is something weird with the shadows.

I have then decided to try again in Second Life and use windlight settings with an angle more appropriate. It actualy is an angle for dawn or dusk so the picture has a lot more orange in it.

Next time, I guess I should better plan my picture and what I want to do in the end. In this case, I should have probably used lamps in Second Life rather than playing with windlight setting.

Credits:

Mesh Head: LOGO Alex v3.0
Hair: [elikatira] Fiona
Skin: *YS&YS* Beatrix Tone02 Skin Applier LOGO ALEX Mesh Head @ My Attic
Dress: :Valentina e. Empress Embellished Dress S Cerulean
Leggings:Mimikri – Leather Leggings / Niki gold_XS @ My Attic
Earring: [MANDALA]SHIPPOAH Jewelry set -GOLD&SILVER
Pose: Diesel Works

Resolution

Lately I have been changing my blog layout and have been playing with the size of the pictures aswell. In the past, I found the images were a bit too small and not standing out. Now, I am under the impression they are a bit too big and you cannot see the whole picture at once. So I am trying another sizing: 600 x 750 pixels. On my computer with my resolution, it works fine. I am curious wether it is ok for you with different screens so let me know what you think about it please.

I am also working on a new shape I will try to release soon, well, when I am satisfied with it which might not be so soon. Here is a first glimpse of Carla, though the shape in that state already doe not exist anymore as I have changed the chin since I have taken the pictures.

I know I won’t become rich with selling shapes. I can tell I am actualy spending more money styling a shape than earning anything from the sales. It does not matter much, it is part of my fun in Second Life, it has been before I have started to blog and I guess it is the case for a lot of people who are doing the same. So I just hope you’ll like this one.

Credits:

Shape: ** Dunes ** Carla Shape (coming soon)
Skin: *League* Jen Medium Lavender
Eyes: IKON ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Sand (S)
Eyelashes: Slink Mesh Lashes
Hair: [LeLutka]-TREND hair – Bournville
Eyeglasses: [Gos] Custom Eyeware v3.3 – INTUITION
Dress: * Mimikri – Marni Shiftdress spice
Watch: Donna Flora GLORIA watch
Ring: Donna Flora ARTURO ring R
Nails: Leverocci – Round Nails_1FA_ScarlettPlain
Shoes: NX-Nardcotix MANA Era Gator Peep Toe Red at O Glam Sim
Poses: Diesel Works

In LaViere

Hello,

Let’s go back to some good old building techniques blogging with the 2011 Summer Collection from LaViere by Azure Electricteeth. I’ve mixed several pieces to create this rather elegant and classical look. The wide pants, while they are made of a layer and four sculpted prims have the big asset of showing my avatar curves. Though she is rather thin, I have made her with a curvy butt and a narrow waist which I find sexy.

Those wonderful Ren boots are the latest release from LeLutka but be aware they are made from meshes. I have heard a lot of people had no idea and have bought them while they were using old viewers. I have to say I hadn’t paid attention myself. I was just drooling at them, admiring how perfect they are and did not know they were mesh stuff until a friend told me. If you need reasons to finaly move to the new viewer, you have to have a look at those shoes. It is time to move forward, seriously!

Credits:

Skin: LAQ ~ Olivia [Peach] 01
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Lagoon (M)
Hair: [LeLutka]-RYKIEL hair – StrawberryBlonde
Top 1: –LaViere– JumpSuit Printed ( Red) (part of outfit)
Top 2: –Laviere– Melanie V-neck Dress Fur Grey
Pants: –LaViere– Wide Flare Pants Black
Scarf: Mimikri – Scarf / Kay cadillac
Shoes: [LeLutka]-REN/Plum
Poses: Torridwear

Byebye,
Tana

Between Brigitte and Amy

Credits:

Skin: Baiastice_Nina-peach -make up 12- BL (R)
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Lagoon (M)
Hair: [LeLutka]-BRIGITTE hair – StrawberryBlonde
Blazer: * Mimikri – Kay Blazer black
Skirt: Zaara : Denim Skirt *white* (R)
Nails: ::je suis…naive Nails v.2 (R)
Hat: ::MOOD:: Duchess Fascinator (R)
Sunglasses: [Gos] – Custom Sunglasses v3.2 BUTTERFLY
Tights: –tb– tights polkadots black
Shoes: Gos [DOCS-V2] Cow
Poses: ADORKable (R)

Review copies: (R)

Parisienne Boho

Hello,

There were several new cute releases this week-end, including two Dutch Touch Skins, MensJe and MegAn, and a Mimikri dress, emily, which has a vintage boho feel to it. If you are part of the Dutch Touch VIP group, the MegAn starterpack in cream is only at 400 L$. No idea how long it will last but it is worth to run to the store to get the deal. The skin is cute with far set eyes, tons of options like 3 eyebrows colors, freckles, moles, cleavage.

I’ve been walking for some hours wearing this look, with those great MIEL boots, color changeable to fit about anything, a clutch and matching tights from Croire but there was something missing, hair. I’ve tried several different styles, but I was not happy with what i was finding until I saw an advertizing for Plume, a new hair shop by Fauve Beaumont. Fauve is proposing us original couture styles, with accessories like this cute hat for the Parisienne coiffure, which adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the look.

The Seasons Hunt was launched on saturday 15th January and will last for two whole weeks. I am not really into hunts, I can even say I am boycotting some of them for several reasons but in this case, I have to admit I am very pleasantly surprised as the designers have been very generous and are offering us awesome items, like the So Many Style Fur Shrug. Believe me, you want to look for it, but be warned, it is a well hidden one! One of the things I like about this hunt is you don’t have to find the gift in one store before being able to move to the next one. If you join the in world The Seasons Hunt(ers) group, you can find a notecard in the notices with the landmarks to the participating stores and tons of help from lovely people. So, you can choose to only visit the stores you like when you don’t have much time online or give a try at the whole list, which is really worth it.

Credits:

Skin: Dutch Touch ::DT:: ::Megan:: Cream – Basic CL1 EBBrown Mo FR HB
Make-up: :: Exodi :: Makeups – Smokey Shadows – Dark Chocolate
Eyelashes: :: Exodi :: Makeups – Eyelashes – Dramatic
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1]
Hair: *Plume* Parisienne/Brick
Dress: * Mimikri – Emily wheat
Schrug: {SMS} Fur Shrug
Leggings: [croire] sheer pattern leggings (9) U
Jewels: (Kunglers Extra) Bambu – natural
Boots: MIEL LIA BOOTS
Clutch: [croire] floral olive accessories
Skybox: ::Modest House:: The Veronica Skybox
rugs: [.nordari.]
Shelves: :: rucott ::
Dresser: LISP – Vintage Steamer Case Dresser – Natural Suede
Poses: Long Awkward Pose

Bye bye,

Tana

Silver

Hello,

Silver to celebrate the New Year was chosen for the 52 Weeks of color challenge. Mimikri has released new fur coats so i’ve picked the one that looks like arctic fox.

For more contrast and dramatic effect, I am wearing the darkest tone of the PXL Kasumi skin, accompanied by the metal make-up. Of course, the hair from Truth are silver aswell.

Credits:

Skin: [PXL] Kasumi DA PaleLips
Make-up: [PXL] Kasumi DA Metal Eyes
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gray 1]
Hair: >TRUTH< Jolie (Upper) – silver
Coat: * Mimikri – Foxy Jacket black
Top: Zaara : Acira dress top *nude* (part of)
Pants: Digit Darkes-Diversity Pant_Sasy Silver (no longer available)
Earrings: Zaara ZC: Urvi Earrings *silver*
Boots: *Kookie* Pomski Boots – White fur – Snow white
Poses: Torridwear

Bye bye,

Tana

Plum in the Snow

Hello,

here’s my try at the 52 Weeks of color challenge, plum edition. I haven’t been able to do the blue and goldenrod weeks and I barely made it this time. But better late than never.

It would have been a shame for me to skip that color as it is one i am using fairly often, SL or RL, it is stylish but not sad. It is also the occasion to share with you the new wonderful pants from Leezu. I’ve chosen here the short version as i wanted to wear the new Maitreya shoes and socks aswell but I love those pants so much i will probably use them in another color but with the full version this time.

This week again Fifty Linden Friday is offering us a gem, it is a haircut from !Lamb Slowly but surely, this store is becoming one of my favorites for hairs. It is in the top 3 for sure. The styles are original with good textures. I prefer the blondes or light browns to the reds or copper for once, which is perfect as it is often the colors offered for Fifty Linden Friday.

Credits:
Skin: [PXL] Kasumi SK RoseLips
Eyes make-up: [PXL] Kasumi SK Fashion Eyes
Shape: ** Dunes ** Jade Shape
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1]
Hair: !lamb. Mon Cheri – Butterfinger
Jacket: Mimikri – Yeti Vest snow / TDR blue
Shirt: [LeLutka]-DARDA dress/lilly
Pants: [LeeZu!] Milan Pants /lila
Gloves: [LeeZu!] LBD Nif Nif gloves /lila
Necklace: p.c; Dragon Fly Fabric Necklace
Shoes and socks: Maitreya Gold * Moxie Violets
Poses: *”*Perfection is Style*”*

Bye bye,
Tana

Piz + Name abuse

Hello,

What a hot release this week at Mimikri, Piz will turn heads! Very short shorts letting see how long and perfect your legs are, a sexy cleavage, add some golden accessories like the new earrings from N’Soul and you’re perfect for clubbing!

Not related to the pictures above:
As you probably know, Linden Lab has introduced a big change in the creation of Second Life accounts as it now requires only one name. This has lead to a massive creation of alts to reserve names, aswell for individuals as for brand names. Once again, Linden Lab has opened Pandora’s box and has offered new ways to ill-minded wicked people to harm the ones they don’t like or even to scam known brands by creating a username before they could get it. Worse, the new created avatar appears in top of the search feature. Imagine you’re looking for shop ABCDXYZ which is famous for its sexy clothes, but what you found in the search is avatar ABCDXYZ created by a concurrent and which will misguide you. Or people trying to resell their brand names to designers. If you want more details about some of the trouble this has brought, please read the following articles:
SL Username Changes on Grid Expectations
What’s my name on Shopping Cart Disco
And what for all this? Probably for a marketing campaign so Linden Lab can artificially inflate their user numbers to better sell the company to Microsoft. Showing once more how little they care about actual Second Life Residents.
We cannot do much about it but at least, we can ask to minimize the harm done to people and brands by voting for this Jira Against Avatar Name Mis-usage which basicly asks that the new avatars at least don’t appear on top of the search. Please vote!

Credits:
Skin: [PXL] Kasumi SK CherryLips
Eyes make-up: [PXL] Kasumi SK Lines Eyes
Shape: ** Dunes ** Heather Shape
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1]
Hair: Sixty Nine [ 69 ] MIMI 01 – Light Mocha
Sweater: * Mimikri – Piz Sweater arsenic
Shorts: * Mimikri – Piz Shorts arsenic
Earrings: [N’soul] Leaves Earring – Gold
Boots: ANEXX_FringeWesternBoots_Camel
Poses: Glitterati

Bye bye,
Tana

Dunes New Shape: Claire

You may have meet Claire before as a prerelease for Project Donate. I’ve been reworking her a bit and here she is:

The shape is mod/copy/no trans and comes with a bold base and a style card to look exactly as the model for the price of only 399L$. Remember to always try a demo before purchasing any shape, you can get one for free at the shop or on the Marketplace.

By the way, Claire is wearing the new prim lashes from Julia Merosi of Je Suis. They require a bit of patience to adjust in the beginning but once it is done, they are just awesome. You can also change their color to match your hair!

Here’s the previous Clare Portrait, with a skin from Exodi and Hair from Exile:

Credits:
Skin: LAQ ~ Isabel 05 [Peach] Glow skin (hairbase)
Shape: ** Dunes ** Claire Shape
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Blue 2]
Eyelashes: ::je::suis::false lashes:: No.001
Hair: (Posh) ; Bitter Sweet ; Latte ; PT ; 75L
Dress: Mimikri – Dress / Clio dune
Jewels: ::je::suis::tente::fire::
Shoes: Maitreya Gold – Hana Red Tiger
Poses: Diesel Works

Bye bye,
Tana

Mimikri Chic

Hello,

looking for some chic outfit to go to that business lunch in town? Then, head to Mimikri Couture: chic with a touch a daring sexyness, you will strike people around you by your sheer elegance.

Credits:
Skin: [[ATOMIC] Skin Morgan_Honey – Stumble
Shape: ** Dunes ** Claire Shape (to be released)
Hair: Exile Bianca/dark brass at The Dressing Room Blue>
Hair base: Tiny Bird – Hair Bases for SL 2.0 Light Browns Pack Hair base
Eyes:L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Blue 2] small pupil
Lashes: Tiny Bird – Thick Lashes
Jacket: * Mimikri – Luisa Jacket seadust
Skirt: * Mimikri – Capucine Skirt seadust
Top: ** Dunes ** Simple Tank Top Grey Blue
Necklace: Whippet & Buck [W&B] Love is a Deserter Necklace
Earrings: :: Exodi :: Pearl Essentials – Simple Pearl Drop
Shoes: Maitreya Gold – Aequus Blue
Poses: Olive Juice– Fall Frills (skirt-friendly)

Bye bye,
Tana