The Secret Store Babydoll

Maylee Oh has a new babydoll dress at The Secret Store with seven different textures including hand dyed patterns, lace and geometric designs, going from sweet and girly to more modern pattrerns. I have picked the Graph It Up one for this picture for its sixties touch.

While you are at The Secret Store, get the Lady Swing Skirt, a long retro skirt with a lovely belt shaped as a rose. The crimson color is a bargain for Lazy Sunday.

Credits:

Shape: ** Dunes ** Lizbeth Shape (work in progress)
Skin: –Glam Affair– Roza – Natural Summer 01 D at The Dressing room
Lipstick: –Glam Affair – Leah Lipstick 15
Eyes: IKON Utopia Eyes – Pale Trojan Blue (S)
Eyelashes: [LeLutka]-SEDUCTRESS volume sculpted lashes
Hair: =DeLa*= Mesh Hair “Eloise” Black 1
Dress: [S]The Secret Store – Babydoll – Graph It Up
Tights: The Secret Store – Lace knit socks – Dark Zebra
Ring and Earring: [ glow ] studio – Pearl Cross at The Dressing room
Bracelet: *League* Wanderer -Black- Bracelet -Wrist (4 Strands)
Nails: Izzie’s – Spring/Summer 2012 Classic Nails
Teeth: Teeth layer *REDGRAVE*
Poses: (pda)

Rockabilly

Let’s go back in time today with a look inspired by a new release from The Secret Store, the Lady Swing Skirt, accompanied by the new Ashima blouse from Zaara. The belt with a lovely rose is part of the skirt but works wonderfully with the blouse aswell.

The annual Hair Fair has opened today 14th July and will last up to the 29th of July 2012. LaViere has five new styles there and I am showing you here three of them.

Shape: ** Dunes ** Taylor Shape size M
Skin: –Belleza– Lily V1 Med 1
Eyes: IKON ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Bleached Blue S
Hair: –LaViere– at Hair Fair
– Picture 1: -LaViere- Freya
– Picture 2: -LaViere- Natasha
– Picture 3: -LaViere- Ambush
Blouse: Zaara : Ashima blouse in moss, blush and fire
Skirt: The Secret Store – Lady Swing Skirt – Rockabilly
Earrings: [MANDALA]Omochi earrings/red
Ring: [MANDALA] Motsumame Ring
Necklace: LaGyo_Hamptons necklace
Nails: Leverocci – Round Nails_1FA_ScarlettPlain
Shoes: [celoe] aelia.wedges.fog
Poses: Glitterati and (pda)

Deep

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.

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.

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)

Haute Punk Special Effects

The December Collabor88 collection is out and this time, it has a mixed theme of winter’s edge and haute punk couture, which for my taste, is just perfect while others might not be so interested in it. While I may not have purchased every single item presented there, I have to confess I have bought more than usual.

Today’s look is made with my favorite items: a mesh skirt from Aura, pants, sweater and boots from The Sea Hole, a top from Kyoot, a mesh scarf from Boom and a lovely skin from Illusory.

I would like to add a few words about the pictures. You may notice light effects around the character and on the background. Lately, I am playing with windlight settings but they don’t always offer a nice light for the face while other shadows are improved. To compensate, I am wearing a soft facelamp in Second Life and the special effects are appearing after post processing. I find it funny how things you don’t see on the basic picture may appear while working on it so I have decided to keep them.

Credits:

Skin: [Ill] Illusory Skin – Love_Chai – Winter Edge at C88
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Eggplant Deep (S)
Eyelashes: [LeLutka]-Photoshoot II Lashes
Hair: [elikatira] Quirky – Red 04
Sweater: The Sea Hole – Persuasion sweater -Dusk at C88
Top: Kyoot – Atonement Top (C88) at C88
Skirt: Aura – Bullet Proof – Ruffled Pencil Skirt (MESH) at C88
Tights: The Sea Hole – MetalMinx Jeans – Dusk at C88
Belt: Ingenue :: Bertille Belt :: Standard Small :: Lavender (Mesh)
Scarf: *BOOM* Puffler – Royal (mesh) at C88
Gloves: Izzie’s – Leather Gloves dark grey
Tie: FEMALE [MANDALA]SMEXY TIE NECKLACE(cross)/Houshou GOLD
Hat: Emery – Beret Tropez #Black
Right bangles: ::je::suis::asymetrique::yellows::bangles
Left bracelet: ::je::suis::africain::bracelet dark
Bag: *FIR & MNA* The Curragh Satchel Plum Leather
Boots: The Sea Hole – Python Kicks – Dusk at C88
Poses: (pda) at C88

Crimson Leopard

Of course I could have titled this post Vintage Ison as I am showcasing some releases of Ison for the Vintage Fair. But it would have been too easy and while I like vintage, I have to admit what made me choose for this look is its rock attitude with leather pants and dress and animal printed blazer.

Since I have seen previews of the Ison girl Panic Boots, I just want them! And now these babies are mine! I am in love with their punk rock side with the british flag on the top.

One of the major assets of vintage is you can mix it with much more modern elements to arrive to a result which is almost always elegant. It is like vintage is never out of date, always coming back, always reinvented. I definately did not need a special occasion to go vintage, did you?

This post is vintage as in made with items found at the Vintage Fair but it is definately an outfit I could have put up together on other occasions. I love mixing genres, the classical ladylike precious jewelry from Donna Flora is always a win for such looks, aswell as a small 50’s style hat, in this case a new release from Nardcotix for the fair.

Of course, I needed a cluth from Vive 9 for the vintage side, not a bag, clutches are so much more elegant.

Finally, for the hair, I have picked a new style from Boon. I have chosen this one for its wild curls forming a chignon on the side of the head, making it such a fun hairdo, going on with the rock side of the outfit.

Hoping you have enjoyed this rock vintage lady post, see you next time !

Credits:
Skin: –Belleza– Chloe SK 5
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Caribbean Blue (S)
Eyelashes: [LeLutka]-Photoshoot Lashes
Hair: *booN WMO003 hair brown/mat/chestnut
Blazer: ISON – one-button blazer (leopard) *
Dress: ISON – leather dress (strap) *
Pants: ISON – moto leather pants (red) *
Hat: NX-Nardcotix Innocence Claude Brick *
Gloves: LBD Nif Nif gloves /black
Jewels: Donna Flora OPERA skull set
Clutch: .: vive9 :. Charlotte Envelope Clutch in Cherry
Boots: ISON – ISON – girl panic boots (british black) *
Poses: (PDA) at Collabor88

* at Vintage Fair until it closes (1st December 2011 I think)

Dunes Mathilde Shape

I have finally released a new shape for Dunes, Mathilde. She is a cute young girl 1m67 tall (5’7”) so she is rather petite for Second Life. She has wide hips with a small breast. I have been working on that shape for two weeks and have changed completely what she was supposed to look like at the start to finally be happy with her. So I hope you will enjoy her sweet face as much as I do.

You can purchase the shape on the marketplace and please, try a demo first, it is free!

For Mathilde’s outfit, I have paid a visit to the new Collabor88 collection where I have picked lace jeans and a kimono vest from Tres Blah. The cute and elegant pearls are from Yummy.

Insolence has released boots made in mesh. I just love the way the boots are bending behind the ankle with that pose, making it so much more natural. The design of the boots is pretty simple but very well done and realistic. They are among my favorite shoes at the moment.

When Sachi Vixen from Adam n Eve has seen a preview of the shape, she thought one of her skins would go pretty good with it and has offered me the pretty Hailie in apricot tone. I am sharing with you the result in the above picture, which is very cute.

Credits:
Shape: ** Dunes ** Mathilde Shape
Skin (in pics 1-2-3): [Ill] Illusory Skin – Paige_Chai – Smoked with frekcles on tattoo layer
Eyes: [LeLutka]-Ellis-Vine/M
Skin (pic 4): Adam n Eve Hailie Apricot
Eyelashes: [LeLutka]-SEDUCTRESS volume sculpted lashes
Hair: >TRUTH< Valeska Streaked w/Roots – auburn
Jacket: Tres Blah -tb- C88 Lace Kimono – Plum at Collabor88
T-Shirt: Tres Blah -tb- Peek-a-boo Vneck – Grey
Pants: Tres Blah -tb- C88 Juju Jeans – Black Lace at Collabor88
Necklace: (Yummy) Simple Pearl Necklace at Collabor88
Boots: Nina Boots Cream by INSOLENCE
Poses: (pda) at Collabor88

Brown and Dots

I am particularly fond of this new release from Chantkare for Project Themeoryas it reminds me a shopping day with my grand-mother who used to be a very elegant woman. I had convinced her to purchase such a brown dress with white polka dots, a bit more expensive than what she was used to and it stayed one of my favorite dresses for years. I was so proud to see her wear that dress to go out. I wonder where that dress is now. Anyway, it is too bad we don’t have the same size.

Credits:
Skin: Illusory Skin – Paige_Chai – Smoked (Red Brow)
Lipstick: [Ill] Illusory – Paige Lips – Toast (High Gloss)
Eyes: [LeLutka]-Ellis-Vine/M
Hair: Elikatira [e] Fight – Red 05
Dress: CHANTKARE POLKA FALL OUT DRESS
Jewels: (NHA!) – Ditta/ -Earring and Necklace
Shoes: Maitreya Gold * Allegre Brown
Poses: (pda)
Furnitures: LISP Bazaar

Lemon Green

Credits:

Skin: –Belleza– Chloe Med 3
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Lagoon (S)
Eyelashes: [LeLutka]-Photoshoot II Lashes
Hair: [LeLutka]-OFFICE hair – IrishRed
Coat: [LeeZu!] Westwood Coat /green leafs
Pullover: LBD Loui Pullover /beige
Skirt: The Secret Store – Pencil Skirt – Emberglow
Tights: Sissy Tights /olive by LeeZu!
Purse: LaGyo_Lora purse Sherbet
Hat: LaGyo_Inga hat Sherbet
Boots: [SC] Surf Couture – Olea Boots

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.

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

Ok… What’s new?

Hello,

Lately, I have seen several complaints from people that designers they liked were not making mesh stuff yet. The important words to remember in the last sentence are “designers” and “not yet”. Probably most people have missed the following fact, or they don’t care about it, but most of the good mesh clothes we are having at our disposal are made from the same full permissions templates, designed by Damien Fate who is offering us high quality products, setting a high standard from the start for other mesh creators. Some people who are using those templates are adding value to the product, offering us a nice texturing work, adding their touch. Others are just assembling a mesh and a random texture. They don’t care if the final result is ugly, people are taken in the mesh crazyness and will buy it anyway, ugly or not, added value or not. Of course, there is nothing new about this: what was occuring with sculpties is occuring with meshes. Unfortunately, that is not new that many people have forgotten about being objectively critical.

To illustrate my writings, I have chosen a funky dress from The Secret Store which is still available for one more week at the Dressing Room. I have picked this one for two reasons. First, it does not need to be mesh stuff to be awesome. Maylee Oh is spoiling us with something you can call real designing work, her creations are unique. You will not find the same sculpted prims on other people’s clothes. Second, Maylee is a perfectionnist. She is very able to create mesh, she has already started, but she wants it to be very good, designed by herself, before she releases something, like she has always been doing with any of her creations. I believe a lot of designers are busy lately discovering the new possibilites, and very soon they will release awesome new creations. Others are happy to share with us their first creations as group gifts. When you are trying those gifts, please always remember they are work in progress, that the designers are getting their hands at this new toy and that they, at least, have the courage to learn and try something new.

Now, it is up to you to see which are your quality standards. I am happy with some clothes made from full permissions templates if they have added value. I am even happier with unique original creations and if I have to be patient to get that, I am glad to wait. I am much less happy about people who have forgotten (nerver had?) their objective critical mind and dare bitching about brands which do not have mesh yet. But yeah… that is not new.

To end this post on a positive note, here is the new LAQ Thea skin. On my shape it looks a bit more mature than their last faces so I am a happy customer with a pretty new skin.

Credits:

Skin: LAQ ~ Thea – [Fair] – 05
Eyebrows: LAQ ~ [Fair] Alva Blonde
Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Lagoon (M)
Hair: tram A811 hair / cork
Dress: The Secret Store – Patchwork Dress – Ocean Five
Tights: – Nemesis – Criminal tights red
Jewels: je suis…nocturne
Nails: je suis…naive crocodile red
Shoes: [LeLutka]-REN/Blue (Mesh)
Poses: (pda)

Bye bye,
Tana