Winter Dream

Come inside... ( click here for larger image )

This lovely Holly Dress by Bilo is a limited edition design for the holiday, found only during the month of December.  So hurry to get it!  It comes in several colors and styles.  As soon as I tried slipped into it, I knew just the perfect shoes and hurried over to SLink for the glittery peeptoe heels I had seen earlier.

Winter Dream ( click here for larger image ) 

My search for the perfect necklace took far too long and had me all over the grid, but eventually found and fell in love with the Lotus necklace by Mandala.  I love how a few of the petals have fallen from the central design.


Warm kisses,
Boudica


Credits:
Holly Dress - silver, by Bilo
Shoes: Glitter Peeptoe - silver, by SLink
Necklace: Lotus by Mandala
Hair: Intended by Magika
Skin: Shylah by Belleza
Lashes: Lelutka
Poses: Del May
Location: Wolf Mountain Ski Resort

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    

Of Lace and Flowers

Lace Breeze - (click here for larger image)

While exploring the blogger's preview of the Vintage Fair 2012, I happened upon a scene so lovely and lit with light and lace, I was immediately drawn to take a closer look.  Through the breezy lace doorway, there stood a remarkable woman, wearing a gown of lace eyelet in such delicate colors, I was mesmerized on the spot, as the folds of fabric swayed and flounced upon even the lightest breeze.  Her name was Garance Ashland, and she is a new and very talented designer of a store called Lace.

Lace store by Garance Ashland - at Vintage Faire 2012

Being the shy sort I am, it was all I could do to not plaster my face to the window and peek inside, and so I lingered outside while she set up her shop, hoping not to disturb her, but longing to see what beautiful creations she was carefully setting on display.  I left the fair that day with a lighter heart, and a carefully packaged box with that lovely gown, "Breeze" by Garance Ashland of Lace.

Poetic Breeze - (click here for larger image)

Highlighting such a lovely gown took some attention to hair, skin and accessories, and here, I decided to combine the look with the beautiful and delicate Glorya skin in Pale, by Funka, and the delightful filigree Foliage earrings and necklace by WTG, also found at the Vintage Faire 2012.

Morning Glorya - (click here for larger image)

For the crowing glory, my beautiful tresses and hair flower are Unfold, the newest mesh creations by [elikatira], which I am beyond in love with.  The flower can be worn separately or with other hairstyles and has a color-change hud.  My eyes are Sunrise in Pale Rose by IKON, and while not my normal blue or green, they seemed the perfect touch for this romantic look.

Foliage - (click here for larger image)

Be sure to visit Lace on the Classic sim at Vintage Fair 2012 and show some linden love to a dreamy new and up and coming designer, Garance Ashland.  Find these, and other beautiful designs at Vintage Fair 2012 and be sure to take a Map.  

Happy Shopping!

Boudica

Style Credits:

Breeze dress by Garance Ashland of Lace - on the Classic Sim @ Vintage Fair

Foliage necklace and earrings by WTG @ Vintage Fair

Glorya skin in Pale by Funka @ Vintage Fair

Unfold (Mesh) hair and flower by [elikatira]

Sunrise Eyes - Pale Rose by IKON

Lashes by .ploom.

Poses by Del May

Wide Awake

Sometimes I do my best work when I'm supposed to be sleeping... unlike other people who do amazing things all the time.  I'm talking about the new Cassiopea skin by Aida Ewing of Glam Affair, and (wow!) this is a gorgeous skin!

She's a darker shade than I normally would wear, but being half asleep I bought the wrong one, and now that I have her, I'm absolutely in love with her.

The rest of my ensemble was gathered together mostly at Collabor88, so hurry over while they've still got the current collection, or you'll miss out on some great deals!

Feeling like a goddess, I went in search of a beautiful and surreal place to take pictures in and found the Mysterious Wave art installation.

And now... off to sleep I go...

Goodnight!
Bou

Style Credits:
Eala Dress (MESH) Bisque by Schadenfreude for Collabor88
Cygnette Shoes - Bisque by Shadenfreude for Collabor88
Cassiopea Skin - India 04 by Glam Affair NEW!
Wide Awake (MESH) Hair - Rouge by Exile at Hair Fair - Sand
Catalina Headbend by LaGyo for Collabor88
Sea Trinkets Charm Necklace by (Yummy) for Collabor88
Pearl - Arctic Sea Eyes by Poetic Colors
Photoshoot II Lashes by LeLutka
Poses by Del May
Location: Mysterious Wave

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

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!

Chandellerina

Daring to bare it all for Chandelle skins... here is Anna2 in Pale from Chandelle.  I love this skin!  Anna 2 comes in four tones - Light, Pale, Medium and Tan, with 4 makeup/lipstick colors per skin.

I'm also delighted with Exile's Jules hair found right now at The Dressing Room Blue in four beautiful colors.  Such high quality hair at bargain prices... you just can't beat the Dressing Room.  Exile often features new and exclusive styles or colors at the Dressing Room.  And, being a long time Exile fan I can't help but swing by The Dressing Room to see if he has anything new out.

While at The Dressing Room, I also got myself "Boomified".  I fell in love with the fun Early Summer Days set from Boom. Shown here with the Everyday Tank in Lime and the Feel Free shorts in bleached blue, the set also comes with another tank option not shown but great for layering.  The whole set was such a steal.  Everything you find at The Dressing Room is less than 70L.

Also from Chandelle, these delicious Shoe Barbie heels in Guava, an exclusive color available only at the  Tropicalia Big Bazaar event on Reale.

Photo Tips - You can take beautiful raw photos in Second Life with no photoshopping needed.  It helps to find a nice backdrop or setting to take your photos in.  I also prefer to use the AnaLu Studio 5 windlight settings to give a nicely lit appearance to the skin.  Also, play with having Atmospheric Shaders on or off.  In the bare skin photos I have it set to on, but I don't really like the harsh glow it gives to the skin.  The close up skin pictures I've unchecked Atmospheric Shaders. Here I found a beautiful setting in a faerie wood near the Del May mainstore and also standing on the back of a dragon, with colorful glowing wings.  He didn't seem to mind.


XOXOXO,
Boudica Destiny

Style Credits:
Skin: Anna2 by Chandelle
Hair: Jules by Exile for TDR
Tank and Shorts: Early Summer Set by Boom for TDR
Shoes: Barbie in Guava by Chantelle for TBB
Poses: Del May