~Sascha’s, Zibska, ZOZ, Chop Zuey, Ikon~

Just a quickie post today to highlight new releases from some of my favorite places in SL.  The truth is, I have a LOT of favorite places in SL.  There are so many truly talented individuals creating content in our virtual world…I love being able to wear and show each person’s amazing work.

This dress Otille, from Sascha’s Designs, is not yet released…but get ready…it won’t be long!  I absolutely love the textures Sascha uses…she’s been designing gorgeous clothing for a long time and she knows what she is doing with textures.  I’m wearing the Bronze and Red colors, but I also saw White, Gold, Blue, Sand, Champagne, Mauve, Pink, Moss, Peach, Hot Oil, Purple and Rose; so plenty of options to choose from!

Zibska just released these fabulous Plelone shoes that come with a color changing HUD for the shoe and the studs; they are Slink high foot compatible.  My fabulous Slink nail appliers are the Romantic Sparks polish from -{ZOZ}-.

The gorgeous eye makeup I am wearing is the Noir 2 Eyeshadows; also from Zibska.  I am also wearing the Shimmer Hair from MAGIKA Hair, the stunning new line of Immortal Eyes (Mesh) from IKON, the Moon Crystals Necklaces (Latest Group Gift) and Kismet Wedding Ring Set from CHOP ZUEY COUTURE JEWELLERY, Tiger Lily Ring from MG – Maxis Gossamer Accessories and [Ey:No] bangles (no longer available/store closed).

Check out all these wonderful items, and so much more from these fantastic creators!

Life and Fashion are fleeting…stay captivated! ❤ ❤

~X~

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Xiu is also wearing:

Eyeliner:  *Les Petits details*– Eyeliner

Skin:  Glam Affair  – Aria

Hands & Feet:  Slink – AVEnhance – Elegant1

Poses: Del May

Shot on location at  My Private Studio

***PLEASE NOTE that I am not a mainstream fashion blogger.  My focus is telling a story through a photo…so I DO manipulate my photos.  TRY before you buy. ***

 

Me and my Zibska shadow…

I just scored this fabulous Plaisance dress from Zibska~Jewelry, Roots & Couture!  It was really tough to decide which outfit to purchase, because Zibska has some really creative…or, as she aptly describes it, punk nouveau designs.

I absolutely love the geometric, three dimensional, hollow boxes with their gray scale harlequin design.  It makes me think…art and fashion meet science…just brilliant!  (click through the pics to see the detail of the dress)

I chose to accessorize the dress with the ethereal Glam Affair Roza Unamed skin, the fashion forward Just Design Mesh Creations Deviant Shoes, Tuty’s LIMBO Short Wet Hairstyle, and Mime Eyes from Dirty Cute-Ugly Duck (store is empty and eyes not currently available).

William Weaver’s build 002 served as a perfect backdrop for the shoot and The Apple Spice Fighting Gravity Poses from Apple Spice, cStar Limited and AnTi-Social highlight the fabulous quirkiness of this dress.
I’ve been visiting the Lumipro blogspot to learn more about how to get the best usage out of my Lumipro HUD from Stefan Buscaylet.  So, on this shoot, I kept fiddling with the lights and found a way to make the shadows pop and become part of the focal point of the pics.

I know they aren’t perfect and I broke the rules…but I had a blast composing and taking the pics. My biggest disappointment with them is knowing how much I really need to learn more about using layering/masks so that I can get a better color balance to the pics.  The skin is wayyyy to bright here…despite adjusting the intensity, fall off, radius and color of the Lumipro lamp.

It’s all part of the journey and staying captivated.

The Other Details

Hands:     Slink Mesh rigged hands Elegant.

Eyeliner:     LpD  Prim Eyeliner (black)

Prim Eyelashes:  *REDGRAVE* Eyelashes- 11-Showgirl

Mesh Eyelashes:  ::BB:: (Beetlebones) Mesh Lashes V.01 (SLEB Black)

Beauty Marks:  [:T:] Beauty Marks tattoo layers (layer option 2) [:Tuli:]

Teeth:     PXL creations [ PXL ] OpenMouth PRO with HUD

Lips:     .:Glamorize:. Rival Black Combo Makeup

Phototools, William Weaver & Firestorm 4.3 Beta

Ok, so I think I have my viewer/video card issues fixed.  I downloaded the Firestorm 4.3 Beta; which now comes loaded with the amazing Phototools.  It appears to be playing nicely with my video card…but I’ve only had it two days and haven’t done any serious photo shoots…so the jury is still out.  If you don’t know who William Weaver is or what his Phototools is all about…he is definitely worth checking out and Phototools is indispensable for SL photography.  Also, check out Mr. Weaver’s fabulous FREE photography builds on the Marketplace.

Here are a few quick snaps using the Edward Hoppper build 001:

I didn’t use a specific windlight…instead I used a combination of the sky setting sliders and my Lumipro lights…so I don’t have specific details on the lighting for you:(…

I took one from inside and one  from outside the build so you could see how the different perspectives look with the shadows.

Anyway, Firestorm 4.3 Beta is working great so far…hopefully I can stick with it and not have to bounce back and forth between it and Niran’s Viewer.  I REALLY like the quality of photos that I can capture in Niran’s…I’m just too dang stubborn and lazy to learn a whole new viewer.  I’m also spoiled by all those windlight presets that I can access in Firestorm, but are limited in Niran’s.

If you do download Firestorm 4.3 Beta and want to use the Phototools…make sure you read all the documentation on the Paperwork Shows site; where you will find all the information you need to utilize Phototools to maximum advantage.  Don’t forget to follow William Weaver and his amazing work! I don’t know him personally nor have we ever conversed or met…I just truly admire his work and builds. <3<3

The Other Details

Sari:   Zaara  ZC : 7 Menaka Sari

Hair:  “D!va”  “Maya” (onyx)

Shoes:     Maitreya Gold  Yaxkin Pearl sandals

Earrings:     ZIBSKA Severine earrings in Gold (Gift from Hair Fair)

Armband:  !!!Quality Designs!!! Athena set

Necklace:  *~*Illusions*~* Orinthia Puro set (Texture & Stone change)

Ring:  Zaara Raga oyster ring *paua*

Wedding Rings:  CHOP ZUEY COUTURE JEWELLRY Kismet Engagement ring and inset & women’s wedding band set.

Skin:  – Glam Affair – Jadis – Natural Clean(a)

Eyes:  [Curio] Tragic Eyes – Fatpack (Purples and Blues) Watercolor Shine Large (Prim eyes) Not currently available.

Prim Eyelashes:  *REDGRAVE* Eyelashes- 11-Showgirl

Mesh Eyelashes:  ::BB:: (Beetlebones) Mesh Lashes V.01 (SLEB Black)

Beauty Marks:  [:T:] Beauty Marks tattoo layers (layer option 2) [:Tuli:]

Hands:     Slink Mesh rigged hands Elegant.

Poses & Props:     None…I used my Perfect Lady AO from Vista Animations

Props:   

Bed:     {what next} Morning Tea Bed

Luggage:     Sweet’n’Tart Skins & Tindy Creations [Boxed] Tindy Creations : I’m Leaving Home(Coconut)

Shot at: ~Ephemera Studio~

~Pin-Up~

Shhhhhhhh…I’ve got a secret fetish…

Well, not so secret really…anyone who knows me knows how much I love Pin-Up art.  I grew up loving black and white movies, jazz, old magazines and pin-up art.  So, I get very excited when I come across a creator in SL who enjoys designing vintage and pin-up clothing and accessories.

Last summer I was searching for a mesh bikini and stumbled across an adorable one at this store, on the marketplace, called Etchaflesh.  I liked the bikini so much, I wrote a review about it.  Several days later, I received a special edition corset, as a thank you for the review…and I was officially hooked on Shaodie’s designs.  She manages to fuse goth, pin-up and a bit of rockabilly into her own unique interpretations.  One of the things I love about her work is that she doesn’t overlook the little details that make clothing standout; like the corset lacing on the back of this high-waisted pin-up skirt..  I like the dark edge to her designs, but then she also has some really gorgeous pink corsets; there is something for everyone.

I decided to pair the skirt with back-seam stockings and top from a 50’s Tintable set that I purchased from Reasonable Desires…a few years ago. The oh-so-fantastic pin-up Jean hair from .:EMO-tions:., and the Coqueta Doll (pink/black) platforms from KIKI Designs. Finishing touches…Severine Earrings from Zibska, Prim eyeliner from LpD and mesh hands from SLink.

The Details

Skirt:   Etchaflesh  Gothsweet Pin-Up Skirt

Top & Stockings:    Reasonable Desires  50’s Tintable lingerie set.

Hair:  .:EMO-tions:.  *Jean* (black)

Shoes:     KIKI Designs  Coqueta Doll (Black & Pink) mesh

Earrings:     ZIBSKA Severine earrings in Gold (Gift from Hair Fair)

Skin:  – Glam Affair – Jadis – Natural Clean(a)

Eyes:  [Curio] Tragic Eyes – Fatpack (Purples and Blues) Watercolor Shine Large (Prim eyes) Not currently available.

Eyeliner:     LpD  Prim Eyeliner (black)

Prim Eyelashes:  *REDGRAVE* Eyelashes- 11-Showgirl

Mesh Eyelashes:  ::BB:: (Beetlebones) Mesh Lashes V.01 (SLEB Black)

Beauty Marks:  [:T:] Beauty Marks tattoo layers (layer option 2) [:Tuli:]

Hands:     Slink Mesh rigged hands Elegant, pointing and relaxed.

Poses & Props:     {what next} Vintage Dressing Screen and Stool Modelling Props (both loaded with pposes)

Shot at: ~Ephemera Studio~

Dog:     Zooby Beagle (His name is Bagel :))