A Perfect Color - Red

I've read across several different blogs that simply picking a color and searching on it can inspire some great outfits. Since that matches my "mix and match" philosophy on Second Life fashion and I was also in a serious RED (yep, all caps) mood, it seemed like a great idea. I decided to do at least one casual look, at least one evening look and then the third could be whatever the pieces leant themselves to merging into. I also eliminated outfits that had been blogged about recently.

I had a great time pulling together a few outfits and playing around with the studio controls and came up with three "ready to go" outfits. The first outfit I happened to have acquired earlier today - Cachet's Garbage Dress, which comes with 5 different belt colors including - neon red. I love the slim upper body combined with the puffy bubble skirt and bright cinch belt. Certainly evening wear with an edge. Maitreya's Verve Pumps (red) are a perfect match for the belt. I also have to say that this was my favorite picture of the bunch.

The second outfit is pure casual with Maitreya's Dune Boots (red), X2 Gothica's Dress Shirt (red) with the Hell and Back Light jeans from The Abyss. In retrospect, I should have tried black jeans or leather pants as well since the jewelry is Earthstones Yin Yang Red Jasper/Onyx, but I liked the final look anyway. Finally, I dug into the Canimal folder and pulled out the Rocker Jacket (stripey red) and one of my favorites, the Black Lace skirt. I tried several pairs of shoe and boots and they all looked terrific with this, but when I put on the ::69:: Succubus Pumps (Dark Cherry) I knew I had the perfect pair for the picture.

So, there you have it - red, red and more red. Which is what I have - tons more red. This might be a post idea that I need to revisit on a semi regular basis, just to keep things fresh.
.
Top left:
Outfit - Garbage by Cachet
Shoes - Verve Pumps (red) by Maitreya

Center right:
Shirt -Dress Shirt (Red) by X2 Gothica
Jeans - Hell and Back Jeans Light by The Abyss
Boots - Dune Boots (red) by Maitreya

Bottom left:
Top - Rocker Jacket (stripey red) by Canimal
Skirt - Black Lace Skirt by Canimal
Shoes - Succubus Pumps (Dark Cherry) by ::69::

All pictures:
Jewelry - Yin Yang Set (Red Jasper/Onyx) by EarthStones
Skin - S5 Medium Diva by Tuli
Tattoo - Gecko Tattoo by *Mu Mei Do*
Hair - The Poynter by Armidi

Paper Couture - Italian Black Jacket

I suppose that after more than 4 months, I should be more sophisticated and knowledgeable, but I'm still learning and finding things every day. Paper Couture has been on my "places to go shop" list forever and yet I'd never been until today. What a mistake on my part! As soon as I saw it, I knew that the Italian Black outfit was going to be amazing and it didn't disappoint.

With all the distinguishing features of a little black dress - you know, the ability to go anywhere and change gears with an accessory or pair of shoes - Italian Black deserves a place in every wardrobe. The outfit is composed of a three piece prim jacket that drapes across the shoulders and dips to reveal the burgundy bodice beneath. Subtle belting cinches the waistline and finishes with a burnished gold buckle above the beautifully textured mid thigh skirt. I'm not normally a fan of gloves, but the matching burgundy opera gloves absolutely finish this dress to perfection.

Fun and sexy enough for a night of clubbing, it is also a classic look for a night of dining and dancing. This is a standalone item, so only available in the black and burgundy combination, but the burgundy is such a perfect complement for the deep steely greys and blacks that the outfit will be a the top of your list for "clothes that always look just right". There don't appear to be any limitations with shoes so you can switch up the tone easily with footwear, though I preferred classic pumps and ankle boots - I can say that the black stockings that are included will get a lot of wear on their own because of the subtle shading. With the jacket making the neckline so eye-catching, limited the jewelry to earrings, which seemed to work quite well.

All in all, Italian Black would be a bargain at L$400 even if I hadn't thought to pair the three prim jacket with the Digit Darkes Relay for Life Twilight gown for a very formal evening look. The gown was a RFL Clothing Fair exclusive, but the jacket looks equally spectacular on many of my evening gowns and little black dresses that are still available - definitely experiment here.

Don't wait as long as I did, definitely visit Paper Couture at Barcola today.

Top left:
Outfit - Italian Black by Paper Couture
Shoes - Bitch Booties (Black/Black) by Stiletto Moody
Earrings - Floating Circles (Diamonds/Gold) by Earthstones

Center right:
Outfit - Italian Black by Paper Couture
Shoes - Verve (Black 2) by Maitreya
Earrings - Yin Yang (Red Jasper/Onyx) by Earthstones

Bottom left:
Gown - Twilight (RFL Exclusive) by Digit Darkes
Jacket - Italian Black by Paper Couture
Shoes - Verve (Black 2) by Maitreya
Earrings - Yin Yang (RFL Amethyst/Onyx) by Earthstones

A Perfect Place - Dickins Photography Studio

Well, with the new viewer, I discovered that my pictures were coming out even more dismal than usual, so I went on the hunt for better lighting and settings. I wasn't really getting anywhere in finding the lighting I needed to show clothes to their best advantage, nor was I finding settings that weren't difficult to work with within lighting constraints. On a whim, I did a search for photo studio and Dickins Free Photography Studio came up. What the heck, if you can't find natural lighting you like, create some, right?

From the Studio Brochure:

Our photo stations are equipped with the N30 Deluxe Modeling Studio version 2.9, loaded with 240+ poses for male and females and dozens of backdrop images.
Controlling the modeling studios is easy. You can use the commands in the attached notecard or opt to purchase a low prices HUD which is good for any N30 Deluxe Modeling Studio version 2.6 and above.

What does all this mean? It means that I spent a huge amount of time trying different options and didn't even scratch the surface of what was available. You control the station with a series of commands on a channel specific to that station. There are also menus for driving the modeling table, lighting and effects or they can be touch controlled directly. You can learn all about this by either clicking around and experimenting or reading the Modeling Studio Abridged Guide that you are given.
.

You can start and stop the modeling table rotating as you move through the hundreds of poses either automatically on a timer, manually scrolling through or by choosing individual poses. There are effects such as snow, fog, bubbles and stars and a long list of various fog specific commands for density and colors. The lights can also be managed on a color by color or bank by bank basis allowing you full control of the lighting. The Modeling Studio guide and Dickins Photography Studio business card both have lots of information on optimizing your effects and enhancing the quality of your pictures.

I used almost none of the available options and only a fraction of the backgrounds, lighting and effects available (as well as being not the greatest photographer) and still got great results. I didn't even try out any of the available props this time, but you can be sure I will in the future. I can see this becoming a staple for the blog and a huge consumer of my time in Second Life.

Grab an armful of clothes (and maybe a friend), head to Dickins Free Photography Studio and have a whole lot of fun! (And don't forget to tip!)

The Abyss - Ele Zip Lingerie

The Abyss is one of those stores where there is something for almost everyone. I have some wonderful hair from there and their Hell and Back jeans get more wear than most any other single item in my wardrobe. While I'm not utterly convinced that the Ele Zip outfit is best worn as lingerie, I suppose that anything where the pants are panties probably qualifies by default.

.

The top is a full coverage back with a strappy front, the panties are, frankly, perfection. I loved this outfit so much that I refuse to keep it underwraps and quickly discovered that throwing on the aforementioned Hell and Back jeans and a great pair of boots made it a great edgy casual club outfit. It only comes in a dark gunmetal grey, but I don't think it would be nearly as strong a look in other colors. At a mere L$150, Ele Zip is a bargain and comes with four pieces to allow for choice in layers - very tattoo friendly.

.

Make a descent into The Abyss.

.

On the left:

Lingerie: Ele Zip by The Abyss

Shoes: Dentelle by Storm Schmooz

.

On the right:

Lingerie: Ele Zip by The Abyss

Jeans: Hell and Back (Light) by The Abyss

Boots: Bot's Black by Storm Schmooz

Frozen Turquoise Valentine - Garden Drama

I spent part of the afternoon at the FTV (Frozen Turquoise Valentine) fashion show, taking notes and mentally spending money. When I got the show notice, I knew I had to go since I had just spent the morning shopping - mostly at FTV. I picked up two outfits, one of which, Coco, was featured on the runway - the classic black, white and grey power dress with a dramatic ruffled shoulder and opera gloves to add the final touch. My other purchase prior to the show was the outfit featured here - Garden Drama.

Garden Drama has a sleek silhouette with a hint of cutting edge in the high prim collar and a touch of the feminine in the soft fabric flares on the hip. The outfit consists of four pieces, slim pants, jacket layer top (good for tattoos), optional prim collar and prim side skirt. A very flexible outfit that can be mixed and matched with almost anything in your wardrobe, Garden Drama is only available in black and priced at $L400. Personally, I love the outfit and think it is well worth the Lindens given the myriad of options available for the individual pieces.

.

Take a long afternoon and wander through the rooms at the Frozen Turquoise Valentine Main Store.

.

Both pictures:

Outfit: Garden Drama by FTV

Shoes: Verve Pumps (Black 2) by Maitreya

Tattoo (left): What is the Matrix by iNFLiCT

Necklace (right): Stone Donut Leather Necklace - Labradorite/Black by Earthstones

Group Gift of the Month - April

After being away from SL for much of April due to First Life stuff, it was like Christmas digging through all my group gifts for the month. I would have thought that after the huge number of hunts and giveaways in March there would be fewer group gifts. I was wrong.

Cachet sent out a pink Chanel inspired suit dress with a jaunty matching hat that set the tone early for a great month of group gifts. LBD's Zelma Shorts and Top in white inspired me to go shopping for a pair of breezy espadrilles. Kayliwulf Kingdom regularly sends out group gifts during the month and the two colors of the Fetishdoll 2.0 Latex Moonlight Gown (Chianti & Dandelion) definitely put the fetish in evening gown. Another designer gifting multiple colors was Silent Sparrow where members got the Beloved Shirt with lace in four colors (Cream, Fire, Rose & Twilight).

This month, however, Kouse's Sanctum led the pack with the Serena Gown in Midnight. With both Empire and Ballgown skirts, the fitted lace bodice and arm lace combine for a look that flatters any shape. The texture is lovely and the movement of the gown is graceful. Kouse's Sanctum, like Evie's Closet (currently on sabbatical), gives a member gift each month and they are consistently beautiful.

Kouse's Sanctum Main Store at Sea Breeze

(Group Name - Kouse's Sanctum , Cost to Join - L$0, Group Tag - The Incomparable)

Insolence - Misty Line

After a "rather longer than I would have liked" absence while I was on the road, I arrive back only to find a fabulous batch of review copies from Camilla Yosuke of Insolence. Now, I adore Insolence and I love latex, so I'm breaking several unspoken rules - I'm not picking one piece and I'm not mixing it with any other designers beyond skin, tats and shoes. The Misty line is that great. It was the absolute best way to come back home to SL and a natural for my first return blog article.
.
I tried out 6 different styles within the line and thought they were all not only terrific but they all mixed back and forth beautifully. The Dionne is a latex catsuit including stockings, gloves, top, bottom (in both open and closed) and panties in a very tattoo friendly combination of layers. I have to say I thought the catsuit top was amazingly textured. The Grace style is an open cup, open pant ensemble sure to get far more than just a second glance.
.
I loved the open cup corset style of the Sally paired with ever so sexy garters, stockings, panties and gloves. Tracey is a classic bra and panty combination, while Wanda is a fetish edge open bra and panties. In the final judgement, I loved the Dawn style best of all, but not by much - the laced side bodysuit and zippered back panty were so perfect with my shape they looked made for it.
.
Yes, I'm a latex fan and I have some wonderful pieces from some of SL's (IMHO) best latex designers. With this line, Insolence has moved straight to the top. The textures and details are incredibly realistic, the line comes in a plethora of styles to suit any shape, taste or extracurricular activity.
.
Outfits are all in black and range from L$290 to L$490 with gloves, stockings, garters and panties also sold separately in the L$90 to L$120 range. As with most of Insolence's lingerie, the majority of outfits are tattoo friendly in a variety of layer combinations. Short version of all this? You *need* at least one outfit from Insolence's new Misty Line.
.

Slide into some amazing latex at the Insolence Main Store.

.

On the top left:
Bodysuit: Dawn by Insolence (Misty Line)
Boots: Bitch Booties (Deer/Black) by Stiletto Moody

In the center right:

Catsuit: Dionne by Insolence (Misty Line)

Boots: Bitch Booties (Deer/Black) by Stiletto Moody

On the bottom left:
Lingerie: Sally by Insolence (Misty Line)
Boots: Bitch Booties (Black/Black) by Stiletto Moody