Solitude my Guide

Heart on a Wire - (Click Here for Larger Image)

I've been a bad blogger - posting this series of pics on my Flickr page with a note that the blog and credits were coming soon, and here I am, two days later trying to think of something to write that can do these pictures justice.  

I Can't Stay Here - (Click Here for Larger Image)

And I'm struggling more than a bit with that.  Because, while working on these photos, they became something greater than a simple fashion review.  There was a story tucked away in the folds of fabric, in the sturdy weight of the pack on my back and the no nonsense boots on my feet that spoke volumes, that hinted at a self-reliant spirit tinged with pain, at a soul longing for solace in nature, and at a journey to come, just a few virtual steps away.

Solitude my Guide - (Click Here for Larger Image)

Something about the combination of beautiful realistic mesh clothing, and the incredible Akasha sim I was exploring, (thanks to the Yse Sliffeuse et gloodeuse blog) brought out an inspiration in me to create the story these photos tell.  

Where Doves Cry - (Click Here for Larger Image)

For my friends on plurk that were waiting to hear the juicy story behind the images... I'm sorry there isn't one, though I tried my hand at making one up, and writing a poem to go along with the pictures.  But the feeling just wasn't there, and it was too contrived.  

Runaway - (Click Here for Larger Image)

Sorry to say, these beautiful pictures were just an expression of my creativity in the moment, and perhaps picking up something more of the essence of the people that created the beautiful Akasha sim.  It's hard to say... but I urge you to go visit it and see if you feel the same.

So Cold Out Here - (Click Here for Larger Image)

Love the Journey,

Boudica Destiny

Style Credits:

Jacket - *chronokit* Shirts 02 Ladies M Check Red (Mesh)

Jeans - Emery Mesh Mid-Rise Super Skinny Jeans Kooks Trinity (Mesh)

Shirt - *G Field* Lace Tops "Lucy" 

Bag - (TokiD) attic boho bag (fall red) - for TDR

Scarf - R.icielli - LongScarf Skull 

Boots - Maitreya Stagioni Boots - Cordovan (Mesh)

Hair - Magika - After (Mesh)

Piercing - Tameless Piercing 8

Skin -Belleza- Melissa 

Eyes - Mayfly - Deep Sky Mesh Eye

Standing Poses - Del May

Location - Akasha    

Better Days Will Come

Better Days Will Come - (Click Here for larger image)

Better days will come, they told me.  Standing in the rain waiting for my bus, a taxi, anything to get me to Vintage Fair 2012.   The rain sleeting down like no tomorrow, splashing up from lucid puddles, mocking me.

Missed the Bus - (click here for larger image)

I'll never get there at this rate.  But don't let that stop you!  Visit the Seraphim blog for full covereage, including Gallery of delicious vintage finds at this year's Vintage Fair 2012, and be sure to take a Map  Vintage Fair 2012: Map and SLURL's

Waiting for the Rain - (click here for larger image)

Muah! 
Boudi Loves You


Style Credits:
[essencial] Dolce Dark Tan Skin - on Classic @ Vintage Fair 2012
Eclectica 'Nouveau Leaves' Jewelry - on Retro @ Vintage Fair 2012
Faster Pussycat - Memsh PencilSkirt, Red - on Retro @ Vintage Fair 2012
GizzA - Elegant Steps Glasses, Belt, Collar, Hat, Stockings, Top - on Retro @ Vintage Fair 2012
Romantic - 40's vintage hairstyle by TuTy's - on CHIC @ Vintage Fair 2012
Poses by CheerNo - @ Vintage Fair 2012
Alex Strap Shoes by G Field
Lashes 6 by .ploom.
Pearl eyes - Poison by Poetic Colors
Location: Rainy City
Model and Photographer: Boudica Destiny

Vintage Fair 2012: Map and SLURL's - http://www.chic-management.com/?page_id=1437
http://www.chic-management.com/?p=1416 - Vintage Fair Flickr Competition

Retro Funk at Vintage Fair

[Click for larger image]

It's right around the corner!  Shopkeepers are burning the midnight oil, putting on the shine, pulling out all the stops, polishing the racks, rolling out the carpet, and bringing out their finest vintage fashions and retro wares for your shopping pleasure.  It's Vintage Baby!  And with three full sims bursting at the seams with awesomeness, the Vintage Fair 2012 is going to be an event you won't want to miss!

Vintage Fair 2012 opens August 4th through the 29th, and today I'd like to give you a little sneak preview of  some of what's to come from a few of the fabulous creators you'll find there. Today's little number is the "Funky Girl" dress and "Peaceful Flower Necklace - Woodland" by Curious Kitties. This is a mesh dress and totally shag-tastic with the 60's influenced print and wide vinyl belt.  Shake and shimmy the night away and don't worry, this thoughtfully designed mesh comes carefully crafted with an underside to the skirt as well as the bust area, so there's no peek-a-boo invisible hollow av underside to worry about.  Fan-tab-ulous baby!!

[Click for larger image]

Adding to the vintage appeal, the glowing "Selene" skin by Aeva makes me feel like a Hollywood Dream, and my shining perfectly coiffured hair is "Romantic" in mahogany by TuTy's, also found at the Vintage Fair.

The list of designers (over 250 brands!) is totally mind-blowing, and you can click here for an interactive map to help you in finding your old favorites as well as a huge number of some I'm sure you haven't heard of yet but are very well worth the visit!  Be sure to show some extra special Vintage Love to the event sponsors: Aura, Belleza, Cheeky Pea, coldLogic, Gizza Creations, Indyra Originals, PurpleMoon Creations, oOo Studio, Trompe Loeil, and of course Kiera Seerose and the Chic Management team, without whom this event would only be a gleam in the dreamy eye of vintage lovers everywhere.

If all that wasn't great enough, there's over 115000L up for grabs in the Vintage Fair Flickr Competition from the very talented and generous sponsors of this event.  The photo competition runs from July 28th to August 31st with winners announced on September 7th. Read more about it on the Chic Management SL blog, and be sure to join us in the Vintage Fair 2012 Flickr Group pool and send in your photos!  Whether you're marvelous, fabulous, divine or simply groovy, come on out and share your gorgeous vintage self with us at Vintage Fair 2012.  See you there!


Muah! 
Boudi Loves You


Style Credits:
Funky Girl dress by Curious Kitties at Vintage Fair 2012
Peaceful Flower Necklace - Woodland by Curious Kitties at Vintage Fair 2012
Selene 3 Tart skin by Aeva at Vintage Fair 2012
Romantic - Mahogany hair by TuTy's at Vintage Fair 2012
Poses - Hairspray and Rockabilly sets by Di's Opera at Vintage Fair 2012
Pearl - Arctic Sea eyes by Poetic Colors
Lace-Up Boots by G Field
Photoshoot Location: New Berlin

Oh So Tameless

Tameless Ramona

Nita Bracken of Tameless has been at it again, and now you can find 5 beautiful new Tameless hairstyles right now at the Hair Fair. Find the Tameless Booth on the Hair Fair - Garden sim.  I'm combining them with some great new partial mesh outfits from Chandelle.  The  whimsical designs include a mesh off-shoulder tops with skirts and some with belts.

Tameless Ramona Hair with Ster 03 Dress Set from Chandelle

Tameless Victoria (partial mesh) Hair with Ster 05 Dress Set from Chandelle

Tameless Bethany Hair with Ster 01 Dress Set by Chandelle

Tameless Peggy Sue Hair with Ster 01 Dress Set by Chandelle

Tameless Sojo Hair with Ster 04 Dress Set by Chandelle

Enjoy!
Boudica



Style Credits:
All Hairstyles by Nita Bracken of Tameless - at the Hair Fair
All Dress Sets - Ster by Chandelle
Alex Strap Shoes by G Field
Pearl Eyes - Arctic Sea by Poetic Colors
Mellissa Skin Sunkissed by Belleza
Poses by Del May

FaMESHed

The new FaMESHed Collection is out, and if you join the group, you'll be able to get these great Mesh group gifts.

I'm wearing the Long Summer Dress in Black Zebra by Valentina E., the current group gift for FaMESHed women.  Also found at FaMESHed, the un-rigged mesh Coral Jewelry by Handverk.

Galahad is wearing the Kauna Open Shirt in Red, FaMESHed Men's Group Gift.  Head on over to FaMESHed and devour these gorgeous gifts up before they're gone.


Enjoy!
Boudi Loves You

On Her:

Long Summer Dress - Zebra by Valentina E. (FaMESHed Group Gift)

*GF* Strap Shoes "Alex" -patent:red- (L)

[HANDverk]Coral Jewelry Set

::Exile:: Catwalk Mesh Hair

Melissa Skin by -Belezza-

On Him:

Kauna - Open Shirt - (FaMESHed Group Gift)

Kingston Jeans by Electric Feel
Keats Hair - Dry Earth by Uncleweb Studios
Knox Blond skin by FRUK

Deux for You

It's been a long week and I'm dying for a party to go to this Friday!  Alexohol has this fun little mesh dress called Party Gras, shown here in red and black with silvery sequins.  I love Alexohol and I love that they are making some fabulous mesh things now!

On another note, while I'm a huge fan of Mesh and love this dress from Alexohol on the outside, I'm not sure yet how I feel about dresses that leave the body invisible underneath.  Kicking up my heels at a party might be a less than photogenic opportunity, but it's a great dress for more static poses. 

Wearing the dress alpha leaves your body under the dress completely invisible, so if you were to, look up my skirt for instance, you'd see hollow all the way up into my floating eyeballs and hair.  Kinda disconcerting... Not that anyone would be looking up my skirt, right?  I know I have a few dresses where the designers created a mesh bottom to them higher up inside the skirt, that both hides the alpha problem and looks a little more normal.  Hopefully more designers will start making skirts and shorts with this thought in mind.  As Avatars, we don't want to look like just hollow pixels.  Part of the joy of Mesh is that it can achieve a higher state of realism... which is then ruined by the alpha hollow person syndrome beneath if anyone looks a little closer.

My love affair for Mesh brought me back to LeLutka today, where I found this gorgeous Jolie Mesh hair.  It's a style that I wear in real life more, and a pretty close match to my own length and color.  As mesh moves with your body, it's the perfect style for dancing, since it won't poke through your body at odd angles, or stick out stiffly when you move.  All that would make it better is a bit of flex here and there, just a few tendrils of movement, but this style is so well crafted it gives the illusion of movement, and I really am delighted with it.

Muahs!
Boudi



Style Credits:
Party Gras Dress - Alexohol
Jolie Mesh Hair - LeLutka
Alex Strap Shoes - G Field
Ear Chains - Tameless
Rings of Silver Necklace - Elemental
Deep Sky Mesh Eyes - Mayfly
Melissa Skin - Belleza

52 Weeks of Color - Raspberry Glace by Boudica

Today, I'm joining the 52 weeks of Color Challenge by Luna Jubilee, on week 24, featuring Raspberry Glace. It's about time I tried one of these...

Getting my raspberry dream on with the stunningly crafted Isabella gown by Evie's Closet and Imperial Rose Lace Jewelry by G Field.

Photo backdrop is the Tulla Photography Studio by Taya Muscari found on the Marketplace, which I just love.  It is a lovely rather roomy unfurnished skybox with seating and studio area and three color box rooms for taking your photographs.

Raspberry Kisses,
Boudica Destiny

Isabella gown by Evie's Closet
Imperial Rose Lace Jewelry by G Field
Sayaka2 Hair by D!va at Collabor88
Melissa skin by Belleza
Liquid Light Mesh Eyes by Mayfly
Photoshoot II Lashes by Lelutka
Tulla Photography Studio - Taya Muscari
Umbrella Floor Lamp by Lisp

I Want to Get Away...

Sometimes you just have to get away...

When I slipped into the Maua mesh bikini by Baiastice, after I picked my jaw up from the floor, the first thing I had to do was hit the beach!

Luckily I had a friend who was dying to hit the surf as well, sporting his INDI Cargo pants and sandals by SEY.

Are you tired of wearing painted on bikinis that leave a little realism to be desired?  The Maua bikini by Baiastice fits like a dream, after a slight bit of body adjusting.  Shown here in the extra-small, I had only a few minor tweaks to get my body into beach shape.

We found a great little beach at the .::What?::. Surf & Simboard Park on Opelessence where, after joining the local group, we were able to use the surfboards and get ready to hit the waves.

Jake slipped into a great pair of mesh board shorts by CutShore on the marketplace, and then we were out into the waves hangin' ten, wiping out, and pretty much laughing our asses off.  It was a blast!

Surfing and taking photographs at the same time are not my forte, especially with my slow connection, so you'll just have to settle for the more peaceful reflections of a great time spent out on the water, becoming one with the wild waves.

After splashing and frolicking in the waves, we needed a bit of drying off and went wandering the boardwalks, exploring all the sites at this great little getaway resort.

Sneaking in a dance or two here and there along the way... and savoring the last bits of sunset as muted hues washed across the shoreline.

This dreamy resort has many beach huts and cozy appointments to let you kick back and rest, lulled by the whispering surf just steps away.

But even when the sun goes down, the sea is there, calling... echoing in your dreams. And in a virtual world, the surf is always up, waiting for your next adventure!  Are you going to get away?



Surfs Up!
Boudica

Style Credits:

On Her:
Maua Mesh Bikini by Baiastice
*GF* Wedge Tong Sandal "Sunny" by G Field
Oubliette Abalone Jewelry by Chop Zuey
[Atomic] Skin_Grace_Toffee - Chic2
Dragon Mesh hair by Wasabi Pills

On Him:
Radiant Midnight hair - LAQ
Cargo pants by INDI
Nano surfer grey board shorts by CutShore
LaVie Mark skin

What I Feel When I'm Without You

This gorgeously curvaceous mesh corset by Lily Bird found at the Chic2 event was the beginning of a love affair, rediscovering my absolute love of all things G Field.  Lending itself so sweetly to the G Field Mesh Frill Shorts, then layered over the Rose Lace Leggings and Sandals, also by G Field. Jewelry is the Oubliette Abalone set by Chop Zuey, which is incredibly crafted.

While the corset mesmerizes me with the finely buttoned and ribboned fittings (and really awesome shading), alas, as is often a downfall with mesh designs, the alpha was completely showing along the bustline.  A friend of mine offered to make me a custom alpha to wear under it, but guys, if you're going to go through the effort of designing such beautiful and carefully crafted meshes, please do take a few minutes more to assure that the alpha underlayers are better fitting and tucked in a bit from the edge of where the mesh ends, so it doesn't show so obviously.  You'll have so many more happy return customers!  Aside from the minor alpha distress, I absolutely LOVE this corset by Lily Bird and will have to go back to get it in some of the other colors as well!

Mesh hairstyling is by the ever talented Wasabi Pills, showing the braided Anais 2 style found at Chic2, and this beautiful skin is the Grace in Toffee by [ Atomic ] for the Chic2 Birthday event, which runs until June 24th.


Happy Birthday Chic!
Boudi Loves You


Style Credits:
Anais 2 (Mesh) Hair by Wasabi Pills at Chic 2
[Atomic] Skin_Grace_Toffee - Chic2
(Mesh) Corset by Lily Bird at Chic2
*GF* (Mesh) Frill Shorts by G Field
*GF* Rose Lace Leggings by G Field
*GF* Wedge Tong Sandal "Sunny" by G Field
Oubliette Abalone Jewelry by Chop Zuey

Flowers for Ashraya

I first saw this gown from across the room while out shopping, and was so taken by its beauty and by the elegance and poise of the person wearing it, I simply had to compliment her on it.  She delightedly told me more about the gown and that I could find it at the Ashraya Project.

Her name was Skylei Caproni, and as I found out later, she is the current Miss Virtual Mexico 2012 and the face of ALEIDA.  Thank you Skylei, for your kindness and for pointing me in the right direction to find this gown. I simply adore it!

Siobhan is a lovingly crafted sculpted gown offered by ALEIDA in this exclusive coloring at the Ashraya Project this month.  Delicate flounces of lace and flowers adorn the gown with matching hair flower.

The Siobhan gown has a lavishly long train, yet with a flirtatiously coy skirt which tastefully reveals and frames the legs. Also shown, the Oubliette Abalone & White Cabochon jewelry set by Chop Zuey, available at the Ashraya Project and the lovely and glamorous Yvonne hair by Tameless.

The Ashraya Project - "Giving hope and love to the children of India" runs from May 5th - June 4th.  You can find out more about the project at the official Ashraya blog.


Lovingly,
Boudica

Style Credits:
Siobhan Gown by Aleida - Exclusive Color for Ashraya Project
Jewelry: Oubliette Abalone & White Cabochon by Chop Zuey (Ashraya Project)
Hair: Yvonne by Tameless
Skin: Aida by Lara Skins
Eyes: Sunrise by IKON
Shoes: Alex Strap Shoes by G Field
Location: Blossom

Double Trouble

I knew I was in trouble when I walked into The Dressing Room today.  Not only were there a lot of must have designs, skin, hair, jewelry... but there was mesh too.  Oh and check out this skin!

The gorgeous male Andrej skin by Tableau Vivant beckoned to me from across the room, and I thought.... hell with that I'm wearin it, even if it's boy skin!  Love it, and such kissable lips!  Guyliner FTW! Male or female this skin has it going on.

Always managing to get myself into some technical difficulty trouble one way or the other, today's trouble was with getting my viewer to show shadows. Try as I might, I wasn't able to both have shadows, and show all the mesh I was wearing, often having either my top or skirt disappear, as well as dark streaks show up in my hair.  That was no good... so I threw my hands up in dispair and said... Mesh wins... I'll Photoshop (well GIMP) my own shadows in.  I was in a bit of a hurry so there are jagged edges where I didn't erase the outline of my avatar close enough, but good enough for the feel of the look I wanted, at first glance.

While I was striking a pose, or three, a flood of fantastic mesh skirts from Alexehol arrived at my doorstep.  Wow thanks... these are fab!!  And they just happened to look perfect with the look I was trying to accomplish.

Shown here in two designs of two colors each, all MESH skirts from the new and improved Alexohol! As seen on their blog after a bit of a break, Alexehol is back and kickin' it big time on the Jamaica sim! Welcome back!  Don't know about you, but I'm loving the music streaming on that blog.  Might just have to go back often to get my Alexehol fix!

The double bubble part of this little escapade happened when a friend tossed me a pipe he had just finished making.  I had such a blast posing with it while I did my photoshoot, I decided to keep it on and share it with you!  You can find the Double Bubble Scripted Pipe from [FE] on the Marketplace, and there's also this nifty little YouTube video about it. Though, I think it looks better on me, don't you?

XOXO!
Boudica Destiny




Style Credits:
MichaMi Call Me Top - Mesh (TDR)
Violetta Hair by Exile (for The Dressing Room)
Andrej Serpent Skin by Tableau Vivant (TDR)
Hoop Slice Jewelry by Glow Studio (TDR)
Madame Bangles by Glow Studio (TDR/SoC)
All Skirts Shown are MESH by Alexohol
Alex Strap shoes by G Field
Sunrise Eyes by IKON/Fashism
Double Bubble Pipe by [FE] on Marketplace
Poses by Del May

Heads up on The Dressing Room teleport link.  There are *two* Dressing Rooms and I get stuff from both locations every time.  There is a TP board in each shop that takes you over to the other location.  So if you're looking for something that's not in that shop, be sure to hit the TP and go check out the other location. Happy Shopping!

Rose Colored Jackets

The new Sugar hair by Tameless is beautiful. I love how it drapes across my eye, framing my face with smooth and silky shine.  As always, Tameless hair comes with color change built in, including highlights, which I love.

I'm wearing G Field Bolero, Lace Shirt, and Alex Strap Shoes, paired with the divine Moto leather pants from Fishy Strawberry, and Tameless piercings and lashes.  Polishing off the look I stopped by the Tropicalia Bazaar II on the Purple Moon sim and found the Ludicia skin by Filthy, Dorothy Cat Eye glasses by Purple Moon, and poses by Art Body Store and Wet Cat. LOVE this skin by Filthy.  The lips are kissable and not overglossed, and the eyes are lovely, with delicate almost petulant brows.

The Cat Eye glasses are really great and are color change in all parts of the frame between brown and orange, with shades of opacity for the lenses to achieve your perfect look.  Another feature with the Sugar hair from Tameless is the braid attachment, which I am wearing here draped over my fabulous Survivor jacket by SEY.  I'm in love with SEY jackets and the only thing that could make them better is if they were Mesh (nudge nudge... ok beg!).  My go-to jacket of the season, it's hard to part me from my red Survivor jacket. Even inside. Next to a roaring fire...

Rose colored jackets are the tune of the day, and here I sweeten the sugary look with the R.icielli Stefani Rose Blazer and the new Chrissie hair by Tameless.  A playful ponytail style, I'm digging the "bangs in my face you just want to reach out and brush them back from my eyes" look.

Tropicalia Bazaar II is home to the Tropicalia Magazine office upstairs, where you can browse past covers of the magazine on the wall, posing hopefully to be scouted out as the next hot star.  Adding some edge to the look, I choose the R.icielli Alexandra leather jacket in (pick me! pick me!) red. Gotta say, these Moto leather pants from Fishy Strawberry are really scrumptious!  And when I'm not using a mesh viewer and licking my divinely crafted Maitreya mesh leather leggings... I'm prancing around in these lovelies.

Now, this jacket looks amazingly like another jacket in my inventory from Stars Fashion Mall (blogged here), and when I looked closer I found that the base sculpts are, in fact, the same, and most likely from a kit.  Some people may shy away from designs made from sculpt kits, but it's the personal touches, the texturing and additional details that a designer adds, like this one from R.icielli that make it stand out as a great design on its own.

Muahs!
Boudi Loves You!