Emerald

Emerald

The countdown to the new FaMESHed round is ticking. A bit more than 24 hours to wait and you will be able to purchase that fantastic Structured Blazer from The Secret Store. There are eight colors to choose from but I have chosen that vigorous emerald for this post.

Emerald 2

Details:

Skin: -Belleza- Ava Med Red 1
Eyes: IKON Eternal Eyes – Pond (S)
Hair: >TRUTH< Swift w/Roots – pumpkinpie
Vest: The Secret Store – Structured Blazer – Emerald – L at FaMESHed from 1rst May
Shirt: {mon tissu} Collared Shirt (S) ~ Black
Shorts: {mon tissu} Tulip Shorts (S) ~ Black
Thighs: erratic / patterned stockings – stripes / black (thigh)
Earrings: {Cherry} Lola Leaves Earrings (R) – death
Ring: P.C; Diamond Fan Ring
Hands: Slink Mesh hands
Shoes: ISON – hawkin boot -left- (seafoam)

Vintage coldLogic

Vintage coldlogic

Vintage Fair will start later today August 4. Here is a preview of one of the coldLogic dresses which will be avalaible on the Retro sim during the event.

Credits:

Shape: ** Dunes ** Custom made – not for sale
Skin: *Leasgue* Isla Suntan Champagne Blonde (Chest D)
Eyes: IKON Horizon Eyes v2 – Light Glass (M)
Hair: >TRUTH< Froukje w/Roots – driftwood
Dress: coldLogic dress – christie.cocoa/pink (S) at Vintage Fair
Ring: Donna Flora BICE ring
Necklace and Earrings: Paper Couture Regal Pearl set
Pose: Glitterati

Deep

Deep 2

For today’s post, I did a bit more styling than in my last posts. Mesh is making us lazy as it is not as easy to layer up though some great pieces like this Celoe corset are perfect to wear aswell as a very sexy single top or with a blouse under it for a wiser effect.

Deep

One of my fun with pictures is to enhance them and to play with photoshop to add depth. Strawberry Singh is inviting us to share some of our secrets in one of her last articles. I have learned taking pictures and editing them mainly through tutorials made by others bloggers. I can hardly give any secrets as I actualy don’t have any but trusting my own eye.

Deep  After Before

So here are some of the things i do with my pictures:

1. Use good windlight settings. It is easier to edit a picture which is already good than make something pretty with an ugly lighting. You can download the new WL setting I have used for these pictures. It is a bit pinkish.
2. Use a pose which works fine with the outfit, complements it, ads expressivity.
3. Basics things like high resolution png files are always a good start as the simple fact of reducing the picture later removes a lot of imperfections. I also use anti-aliasing as high as i can without crashing. Some don’t bother about that, I do as I don’t blur the pictures most of the time. It irks me when I see the jagged edges while working on photoshop.
4. Next step is to clean the picture using a photo edition application: remove the black lines, liquify the bad angles, smudge, clone stamp the holes.
5. I enhance the shadows from Second Life with dodge and burn. I basicly emphasize the light and dark parts.
6. I am playing with the colors: curves, vibrance, contrast, saturation. While doing that, try to preserve the details.
7. I add a layer an overlayed gray layer with a default render light filter. I play with the intensity so it adds to the shadows, giving even more depth.
8. Each picture is different. I have some settings I can apply directly with some windlight settings but it is not a guarantee it is going to look nice as each color reacts differently. Each pictures receives a different treatment, with different values.
9. Crop, searching for better framing. Rule of thirds is your friend.

As a conclusion, it is only through practice that you can learn. Nothing replaces your eye for what is good or not. You may learn technical tricks but your pictures will only be valuable if you develop your own style and your own edition settings through time, adding a personnal touch. Try new things, play. Sometimes the result is not what you would like but maybe next time, you will be able to fine tune the settings to get the right colors, the right lighting. Practice, practice, practice !

Credits:

Skin: *League* Jen Medium Feline
Eyes: IKON ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Sand (M)
Hair: ::Exile:: In The Meantime:Fawn
Eyelashes: Slink Mesh Lashes
Shirt: Izzie’s – Bow Tie Blouse white
Corset: [celoe.clara.corset.deep.M]
Skirt: [celoe.nikka.snow.snow.S]
Tighs: Shiny Things Solid thigh-highs – teal
Earrings: Paper Couture P.C; Tulle Wrapped Earring
Bangles: Zaara : Pallav clear bracelets
Ring: Zaara : Raga oyster ring *pearl*
Nails: Leverocci – Round Nails_1FA_RosyManicure
Shoes: [LeLutka]-REN/Pearl
Hat: LaGyo_Bow hat baja blue
Poses: (pda)

Navy Green

Navy Green

A new mesh store has hit the grid, its name is Nyu. They offer a selection of mesh clothing for men and women. I have chosen those large high-waist pants in blue for their elegancy.

Navy Green 2

This week, I have paid a visit to store I did not know really good, MOLiCHiNO, where they have a collection of pretty mesh clothes. I am wearing here a summery alter top in green.

Raw Shot with PXL Kate

Hart Larsson of PXL has finally released his very long awaited new skin, Kate. As always, I am very happy to wear this skin which shows details and a grain lacking in many others brands. Though, this time, where I like almost everything in the skin, I have to say I am not a big fan of the mouth which has too high lip cleft for my taste, though I know a lot are enjoying it as it is in fashion in Second Life lately. It is a matter of personal tastes. I am showing above an unedited picture so you can judge objectively by yourself.

Tanaquil Avril 2012

Here is the edited image I am using as profile picture and be warned I have photoshopped the mouth so this should not be taken as an example of the skin. I usualy prefer something more neutral as you can always tweak your shape to make it appear smaller or bigger. I am still struggling in world to have the mouth the way I like but editing the picture in photoshop was way faster as I am running out of time this week-end. I insist on the fact it is a matter of personal tastes. A lot of you will enjoy fat lips. I highly recommand the skin as it is much better than a lot of more popular stores but yeah… I would have prefered other lips.

The eyes are from Ikon and are my new favorite color of the sunrise serie I am wearing all the time: light sand. While the hair are another awesome release from Elikatira.

Credits:

Skin: [PXL] KATE SK NE MEB C2 + [PXL] KATE SK LineBlue Eyes (Tattoo) + [PXL] KATE SK Cherry Lips (Tattoo)
Eyes: IKON ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Sand (M)
Hair: Elikatira [e] Daffodil – Blonde 07
Top: MOLiCHiNO *MESH* Linney Halter – Green
Pants: NYU – Debut, Hi-Waist Pants, Midnight
Nails: Leverocci – Round Nails_1FA_ScarlettPlain
Ring: Paper Couture P.C; Encrusted Emerald Ring
Earrings: (NHA!) – Maelle/ -Earring
Bow: MIEL ELLE UBER bow
Bangle: MONS / Big Bangle dore&green
Bag: MONS Croco Clutch Bag – Sephia
Poses: Glitterati

Teacher

Teacher

Here is a quick look of the day with Fifty Linden items from LaViere and Whippet & Buck with furnitures from cluttered.

By the way, LaViere has moved to a big store at the Cheesecake sim. Here is the new taxi.

Teacher 2

Credits:

Skin: –Belleza– Chloe SK 6 + Light Brows
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Lagoon (S)
Hair: [LeLutka]-OFFICE hair – SummerTime
Hairbase: [LeLutka]-HAIRBASE IrishRed
Top: –LaViere– Modern Mod
Dress: Whippet & Buck – Jezibell Backless Dress NAVY/BEIGE
Leggings: –LaViere– Cloud Sheer Leggins Cream/Black
Glasses: /artilleri/ Meredith glasses *FLF – bronze*
Necklace: (Yummy) Butterfly Collector Necklace
Watch: Donna Flora GLORIA watch
Ring: Paper Couture – P.C; Diamond Fan Ring
Bag: (Milk Motion) My leather patchwork bag
Shoes: Paper Couture – p.c; Elevation Booties – Black/White
Poses: (pda) for Paper Couture
Furnitures: Cluttered, Sway’s and Nordari

Diesel Blue

Hello,

Diesel Blue 2

There are new short dresses with a V cleavage named Vee at MichaMi. They come in six different colors: agave, berry, black, coffee, diesel and gray. MichaMi mainstore has moved so don’t forget to update your landmarks.

I am also wearing the new Poipu Paua Bangles from MOOD. There are six soft shades: moonstone, powder, gold, rose, silver, lilac.

Diesel Blue

Credits:

Skin: [PXL] GAIA SK NE MEB C2 FR
Lipstick: [PXL] GAIA SK Pale Lips (Tattoo)
Hair: Elikatira [e] Later – Red 05
Dress: MichaMi: Vee in Diesel R*
Scarf: (TokiD) soft scarf (white)
Sunglasses: [BUKKA]Sunglasses “glossy” ::All-ColorSelect::
Bangles: ::MOOD:: Paua Kau Bangles Powder *R
Ring: paper couture Diamonds and Pearl Ring
Earrings: LaGyo_Eques earring silver
Hat: LaGyo_Virginie big fold hat sky
Clutch: ::: B@R ::: Gefion LightBrown
Shoes: Baiastice_Maxine wedge-mother-of-pearl *R
Poses: Glitterati
(review copies: *R)

Bye bye,
Tana

Lazy Sunday at The Secret Store

Hello,

Secret Lazy Sunday 2

For Lazy Sunday, Maylee Oh of The Secret Store has released a special edition of the Eglantine vest in black and a preview of upcoming new flared pants with pretty prints on the cuffs and back pockets. They are already available in the store so hurry up to go get them: Taxi !

Secret Lazy Sunday

Olive Juice was proposing a box pose prop for Fifty Linden Fridays. It has six different poses, all very sexy and was still available the last time I have checked.

Finaly, if you haven’t heard about it yet, there is a new feed around: Style Academy which “proudly syndicates SL’s premiere fashion & photography blogs, which fuel our collective imaginations with their creativity & style.” I am pretty proud to see my blog syndicated at Style Academy as all my favorite bloggers are there already.

Credits:

Skin: [PXL] GAIA SK SE MEB C2 FR
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Green 3 (S)
Hair: >TRUTH< Lucia – auburn
Vest: The Secret Store – Eglantine – Charcoal (brooch partly tinted)
Shirt: Zaara ZC : 3 Isis shirt *pitch* 1
Pants: The Secret Store – Embroidered flared pants- Black
Earrings: Paper Couture p.c; Oxidized Silver Hoop
Ring: Paper Couture p.c; Diamonds and Pearl Ring
Shoes: Donna Flora DANA Baroque red shoe
Bags: The Secret Store – Girly briefcase in black, cherry and honeysuckle
Poses: Olive Juice

Bye bye,
Tana

Best of 2010

Hello,

Best of 2010

As we are narrowing the end of 2010, time has come to look backwards at what was achieved during this last year. I have started the blog only in May, since then I have written 149 posts, this one being the 150th. That is 150 different outfits, made of skins, hair, shoes, clothes, accessories coming from so many fabulous designers. Among all those items, I have picked some of my favorite to present you this look as a review of what I liked best in 2010.

Best of 2010 Close-up

I would love to see which items you liked best from your blog aswell. So, feel free to work on the same idea and please post a link to your blog as a comment here to let me and others who might be interested know what you’ve done.

Skin: [PXL] Kasumi SK RoseLips by Hart Larsson. I actualy had a hard time choosing the skin, not that i had a doubt it would be a PXL but because I couldn’t decide between Candy, Dafne and Kasumi, three skins i love for different reasons. I’ve finaly picked Kasumi as i haven’t removed it since its release in November, for the skin whore i usualy am, this is a record!

Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1] by Launa Fauna. Simply the best eyes i’ve been giving to try. I have been testing many others but I always come back to these. The reflection, the size, the color, it has all what I am looking for.

Eyelashes: :: Exodi :: Makeups – Eyelashes – Glamour + prim eyelashes from the skin packs by Ryker Beck. The ones I never remove, easy to fit, rather realistic, the nightmare of eyelashes made easy.

Hair: Exile Serana/auburn by Kavar Cleanslate. I could have picked a lot of different styles from different brands, all styles i wear of a frequent basis but I’ve picked Serana as I’ve used this style in some of the posts I prefer. It has a sexy movement perfect for photography.

Top: Maitreya Bodysuit de la Ruche – Golden by Onyx LeShelle. I could have chosen shoes, hair or jackets but i went for this bodysuit. I have it in several colors and it is a great basic for lingerie or top. A piece of clothing I am using a lot.

Shorts: *Fishy Strawberry* Billy Denim Shorts – Garage by Fae Eriksen. I’ve been wearing those shorts in several posts. Casual and sexy without showing too much they have the perfect length for me.

Tights: Maitreya Allure Stockings – Neutral03 bye Onyx LeShelle. I cannot count the number of posts where i have used those tights. This color or another one.

Gloves: gants moi by Yung Back. One of my oldest and trustworthy friend here. The only girl i will ever call “Mamour”. I don’t think the gloves are for sale, sorry.

Belt: Nyte’N’Day – Ginger Belt – Burnt/Black Studs by Nyte Caligari. A timeless hand-crafted studded casual leather belt you can wear with skirts, pants, anything.

Earrings: p.c; Organic Hoops by Cora Lu. This fall, Paper Couture has once again spoiled us with a fabulous collection, full of fantasy and originality. These Organic Hoops are fun very large earrings, so large it is one of the rare pair you can wear under long hair and still see them!

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Bambu – necklace – natura by AvaGardner Kungler. An elegant with a vintage touch necklace which should compliment many cleavages.

Bracelet: ::je::suis::africain::bracelet by Julia Merosi. The africain set is an ethnic jewelry ensemble you can customize with myriads of possibilities as you can color its beads and other parts to match about any outfit you might wear.

Sunglasses: [Gos] – Custom Sunglasses v3.2 BUTTERFLY by Gospel Voom. Great shoes, great sunglasses with perfect sculpties and the respray technology allowing you to get several colors of a small price in addition to the basic price.

Bag: (Milk Motion) My leopard bag by Marie Lauridsen. I got this bag at one of the Fifty Linden Friday’s. You may like or hate this kind of events but some of the designers are offering us real gems.

Boots: {mon tissu} Provence Riding Boots ~ Chestnut by Elie Spot. I love boots, I cannot resist them! I have way too many already but I will still have to purchase the last ones. Though these boots from mon tissu have rapidly reached the top of my list. The sculpts and textures are perfect and they are not loaded with plenty of scripts and prims that cause you to lag so much you cannot teleport anymore. If you have to choose for one pair of casual yet elegant boots, these are the ones!

Poses: Diesel Works by Rogan Diesel. I’ve used those poses a lot lately as they have some movement without deforming the body too much.

Location: SaliMar. I’ve taken several pictures there last summer. It is a lovely mediterranean village with art exhibitions and a touch of fantasy. A perfect place to discover alone or with that speical someone.

Last but not least and not on the pictures but you just have to have a look at my previous posts: Mayle Oh from The Secret Store! She has rapidly become one of my best friends here. Always supportive, always positive. She has a great sense of styling and her creations are what i am looking the most forward for 2011!

Bye bye,

Tana

The Secret Store has moved!

Hello,

Plastic Lips

A very quick post to let you know The Secret Store has moved to Cheesecake. The old store is closing tomorrow so update your landmarks!

Plastic Lips 2

For the occasion, I am wearing one of the last releases, a dress created for the Pop Art Modavia event. I had already shown you another outfit in a previous post. I don’t know if the Modavia event is still up but all the creations can be found at the new Secret Store location. Pssst, by the way, there are several not to be missed bargains under the tree, so, don’t hesitate, TP to The Secret Store!

Credits:
Skin: [PXL] Kasumi NAT CherryLips
Eyes make-up: [PXL] Kasumi NAT Gold Eyes
Eyelashes: :: Exodi :: Makeups – Eyelashes – Dramatic
Eyes: L.Fauna Charm Eyes [Gemini 1]
Hair: booN LAE656 hair chestnut
Hair Base: booN gathered raised hairbase chestnut
Dress: The Secret Store – Plastic Lips
Shawl: *Fishy Strawberry* Eos Christmas Fur Shawl
Jewels: p.c; Cheetah’s Pride Necklace
Shoes: p.c; Suede Platform Pumps – Blue
Poses: Diesel Works

Bye bye,
Tana