Miss TWA 2015 - The journey continues...

As you've probably figured out by the title of this post, I made it to the Quarter Final of the contest. The challenge this time was to style one of the non-mesh gowns from The White Armory. I half expected this challenge actually, since they did the same last year for the quarter final, as well as the finale, so it was a good thing I saved a few of the prim gowns from TWA when I cleaned out the "black hole of doom" (i.e. my inventory) last. Clothing that uses prims, and system layers in particular, is not always compatible with mesh bodyparts, unless the creator has taken the trouble to go back and update them with mesh appliers, so I ended up deleting a large part of my inventory.

Coincidentally I ended up using the gown that was put up as the new group gift this week, Regent of Hampshire Gown Set. I was actually going to use another I had from before, but decided I liked the Regent gown better.

As last time, I took a few different pictures, this time I used the same lighting and background for all of them, only the poses were different, but I'll still post them all for your opinions.

First pose. What made me not pick this one was partly the way the flexi sleeve is shown, and partly because a part of the underskirt layer with the red trim is showing through the white.

Second pose. Discarded for the same reasons as the first one. Also, the pose is a bit too whimsical for a gown like this.

Third pose. Discarded for the simple reason that I didn't like the way the sleeves were shown. It's all in the details.

Fourth pose. I nearly picked this one, and now that I look at it again I'm honestly not sure why I didn't. Something about the position of the arms, I think.

Fifth pose. This was the one I picked in the end. I think I ended up choosing this one over #4 because it's not your traditional formal gown pose, it's a little different but still elegant. My thought was to portray the regal figure of a regent in a moment of reflection at the seaside and I think I captured it fairly well.

For those interested in the particulars, the gown is the TWA Regent of Hampshire Gown Set (available as a group gift until this Saturday (Sept 5th) at The White Armory), Chop Zuey Mystic Enchantress Set jewelry (necklace and earrings, currently available at the FabFree HQ), Chop Zuey Mystery of Owls Ring (limited edition for WWF), Slink Wire Tiara with Texture Change Gemstone (I think I got it as a hunt prize years and years ago), and although you can't see them in any of the pictures I'm also wearing the TWA Gleann Brook Mesh Elven Ballet Flats-Nature (they're red with gold scroll embroidery). The gown set comes with a coronet/circlet which is just darling, but it didn't match the rest of the jewelry so I changed it.

The skin is Niska - Sangria in Peach tone from Lumae and the hair is Dolce Far Niente from rezology.

Phew, I think I got everything. If I missed anything that you absolutely have to know, just poke me and I'll look it up.

I'll know on September 19th if I made the cut. Wish me luck.

The best things in Second Life are free

There are always several fashion events going on in Second Life and occasionally you can find some really nice gifts from the designers. The other day I visited the Enchantment event, and the Mesh Body Addicts event and picked up some pretty gifts that I want to share with you.

At the Enchantment event I found this gorgeous mermaid skin in a gift from Lumae. Coincidentally I had just picked up the new group gift from NSP/[MUSE], Dancing Anemone mermaid jewelry set, so I put the two together, added the hair Pulled Back Perfection from rezology, and got this look. The sea star pasties were a prize in the Enchantment Hunt, from Glitzz.

Miss TWA 2015 - The Journey Begins

The last two years I have entered the Miss TWA pageant, and last year I even made it to the finale. This year I have some additional modeling experience and hopefully will be able to use a better computer in case I make it to the finale. But I am getting ahead of myself, let me take a step back.

Two days ago, Friday 7 August 2015, the contest was announced in a group notice with a notecard attached outlining the rules for participating. I actually did a fistpump-yes! on the couch as I saw the notice, I was afraid I had missed it while I took a short break from Second Life.

For those who might not know, Miss TWA is a pageant organized by The White Armory, one of my favorite stores in Second Life. Absolutely gorgeous medi-fantasy clothing on one side and amazing weaponry on the other. I highly recommend a visit if you have never been there.

For my contest entry I chose a fairly recent release, Phoenix Rising, which is a collaboration with TWA and NSP/[MUSE]. I took a few different shots in the same pose but with different backgrounds and lighting. It was a difficult choice, the outfit looks good no matter what, but I could only send in one. I decided to show all of them here because they were all good. It helped to that I was on my mom's computer, which I have the use of this month while she's out hiking, and it is far less laggy than my regular craptop, and has a much better graphics processor.

Without further ado, the pictures in the order I took them:

I thought this background would look cool. I was wrong. At least in this case it takes away focus from the outfit. Which still looks amazing by the way.

I think I did a little better with this one, although there is still too much going on in the background. And the colors are too similar to the subject (i.e. the outfit).

Here I used only a part of a picture, editing it onto the photo backdrop to only show the part I wanted. I also added a light prim (just a box that emits light) to get the lit up face with the midnight sun setting. This one made my short list.

Same as the last one, with a different background. This one also made my short list, but it looked a bit too angelic. Still, I'm rather happy with it. Not bad for an amateur.

Next I tried basic black and white backgrounds. The black was too black so I added a little bit of shine to the photo backdrop. I don't hate it, is the best I can say about the white. The black is a little better, but only because it sets off the subject better.

And lastly, the one I picked to be my contest entry for Miss TWA 2015...

Phoenix Rising from the ashes of a burning world.

I think the symbolism in the picture speaks for itself. I am quite happy with how it turned out to, especially with how little work I put into it.

The outfit/dress is by The White Armory, all the accessories (wings, staff, headdress, footwear) are by NSP/[MUSE]. The landmark will land you in front of The White Armory, but just turn around and walk the other way to find NSP/[MUSE], or use the teleporter. You should visit, their stuff is fabulous.

Also, the hair is Celestial by rezology.

The background image for my contest entry was made by Ciocoveanu Radu. Check out his other stuff on DeviantArt and on his blog, he's very talented.

There you have it. Feel free to leave a comment if you want. Or not. Whatever. I may post more pictures related to the contest if I make the cut.

Vermillion

I am very selective about which store groups I join. Normally I don't even consider joining a store group unless I've shopped there a few times. I've never had any regrets about the groups I did join either. Here are some pretties I found at ECRU earlier this week, all of which are in the color Vermillion, hence the title of the post. All items are featured at Designer Showcase until the end of July.

Harley pants come in no less than four different versions. Pictured here is the no studs gold version, where gold refers to the metal of the button and belt buckle. The color featured at Designer Showcase is Vermillion.

Here is Harley with gold studs. The matching scarf top is called Belinda, here also shown in Vermillion, although all colors are featured at Designer Showcase.

The gorgeous shoes are Jubilant, also in Vermillion, for Slink High Feet.

There isn't much holding Belinda in place when you see it from the back. Sassy.

Harley, Belinda and Jubilant are all available at ECRU, and are only a few of several new releases. Take a look around the store to, you're likely to find more shiny pretties.

I will now forever remember that Vermillion means red.

To all my Canadian friends...

Happy Canada Day! 

Treasure Found, Part 6

I was so busy taking pictures yesterday that by the time I was done I was too tired to actually post anything. On the bright side, today you finally get to see the men's items from LostGem, so let's move on to the pictures.

This is Adam, an all-in-one outfit (except the gloves, they're separate) that brings to mind riveted leather armor. Or maybe that's just me. Adam is equipped with the Sword of the Mearas from The White Armory. I quite like this one, with one small exception. The gloves look much too large in my opinion. Luckily, they are optional.

Assassin is the men's free gift on the ground floor. I like the whole outfit, it's very well made (as usual. AJ is an artist), but if I had to pick one feature that I like more it would have to be the fingerless gloves.

This outfit is called Berzerk and it reminds me of the online browser MMO Kingdom of Loathing. It also reminds me of the Barbarians in EverQuest. The boots (which are barely visible) are not part of the outfit, they were a group gift from Completely oBVious, and the axe is by Fallen Arms from the gacha at LostGem.

Calibos looks rather menacing, but I suspect that's on purpose. The mask and the hoodie are removeable, but the rest of the outfit is in one piece. The swords are the Dual Unicorn Swords from The White Armory.

Here's Calibos without the mask and hoodie. Somewhat less scary.

Edison is the new Midnight Mania prize for the guys. I think this may be my favorite of the male outfits. The details, again, are amazing, and there are not too many of them so it still looks simple enough.

This is Equinox, another all-in-one outfit. This is one where the details on the armor, while well made, become a little cluttered because there are so many of them.

And the last outfit for today is Evangelion, which I thought looked somewhat like a desert warrior, which is why I equipped him with the Silk Road Scimitar from MacMoragh & Muse. I think it was a hunt prize some years ago. Favorite part of the outfit: the sandals. Least favorite part: the gloves. I like the sandals for the same reason I like the fingerless gloves on the Assassin outfit. The gloves I don't like because they look like giant paws with claws, and are too large as well.

There you have it, guys. There may be another one or two outfits in the Lucky Chairs that I didn't get, but I'll let you discover those for yourselves. More ladies' outfits tomorrow.

Treasure Found, Part 5

I was going to show you something completely different today, but it turned out to be my lucky day so I changed my mind. To clarify, I finally won the last item from the LostGem Lucky Chairs, which also happens to be the one I think is the prettiest. So of course I have to show it off. If you think I look different in the pictures it's because I do. I thought these outfits looked better on my model avatar, and I really wanted to show them in the best light possible, because they deserve nothing less. So I'm going to shut up now and just show you what I'm talking about.

Meet the noble lady CameliAnna. I found her in the gacha at LostGem. I love, love, love the details on this dress. From this angle, notice how the silver medals on the skirt reflect the light. And you can just see the way the fabric folds over the hips.

Here she is from the back. Just look at those delicate creases and the way the skirt shimmers like satin. Not to mention the detailed embroidery on the bodice. Did I mention I love the details on this dress?

I chose to only show the pink gown here, but CameliAnna comes in several different colors. I got Pink, Jaded, Brown (rare) and Black (rare) from the gacha myself, and traded an extra Pink for one in Mint.

Of course you are wondering about the accessories, I know I would be. I wanted to save those for last because I used the same ones for the next dress. The jewelry set is MissSL Lumine Cameo Texture Change Set by Chop Zuey, a brand new release and simply to die for. It's only one of several new releases related to the Miss SL pageant and that were featured there earlier this year. Since it's texture change it can be matched to pretty much any outfit. The shiny hair ornaments are StarBurst HairSticks CatsEye, also by Chop Zuey of course. They were a free group gift a while back, because Belle loves her groupies that much.

And now for my new love, my preciousss...

Modest Maiden RoseMary in bright red silk trimmed in gold thread and accentuated with a delicately gold-embroidered leather belt. So amazingly pretty I stuck it out for two whole weeks waiting to win it from the Lucky Chairs. I was about ready to just buy it, I wanted it so much, so imagine my happiness when I popped in at LostGem today to check and there it was, and the letter Y on the chair. I almost forgot to sit I was so shocked. I haven't taken it off since.

Just look at how the fabric falls in perfect folds, and how the delicate golden embroidery contrasts with the deep red silk. I may never wear another dress again. For a while at least. ;)

Of course the perfect shoes to go with this perfect dress were found at The White Armory, where else. Gleann Brook Mesh Elven Ballet Flats in 'Nature', or gold embroidered red leather.

All right, I think I've gushed enough about my shiny new dress. More to come tomorrow! Also, I've finally collected all the prizes from the Peaseblossom path in the Midsummer Night's Dream Hunt this year and will be posting pictures in the next couple of days. Keep an eye out.

Treasure Found, Part 4

Before I get to the main purpose of this post, I have to mention something else. When I woke up this morning, I checked my Twitter feed as usual and was completely blown away by the amazing news from our friends across the Big Blue. Marriage Equality for everyone, Finally! I honestly thought I was still dreaming. To those complaining that it took long enough I say, better late than never. To celebrate this amazingly wonderful news, I put together an outfit to match and I wanted to share it with all of you.

YESS! Jumping for joy at the wonderful news! The awesome t-shirt was free at Baby Monkey and there was of course one for the guys as well.

The shoes are also from Baby Monkey, Tanith Linen for SLink Mid Feet. A little celebratory shopping on my part. The sunglasses were a free group gift from the same store. Pixie is very generous to her groupies.

So happy I could take to the sky! The pretty purple pants are from ALB Fashion, Tanita mesh pants, and they come with a HUD to change the color. And they were free!

Let's go shopping to celebrate! Be Da Buddha Bag from Chop Zuey, and A Little Bit of Easter jewelry set from the same store, both group gifts, because Belle is amazing and regularly loves on her groupies with fabulous gifties.

One more just because I love this outfit so much and because... well, just because!

All right, now that I got that out of my system, let's move on to today's LostGem pretties.

This Damsel is definitely not in distress, but she is gorgeous. This outfit comes in several textures, but this was the one I fell for. The others were a little dark for a Bard, I thought, but still fabulous. This one can be worn as shown, or without sleeves, or with sleeves and without boots, or without the sash, or.... well I think you get my point. It has four parts, body (bodice and pants in one piece), sleeves, boots and sash, for your mixing and matching pleasure.

Personally I think it looks amazing just the way it is, and as you can see I added very few accessories. A necklace (that I cannot remember where I got), my lute and of course The Mysteries of Owls ring from Chop Zuey. That one never leaves my finger.

Personally I think the sash pulls the whole outfit together, but that's just my opinion. If you are uncomfortable with the decolletage, it's simple enough to add a system layer top underneath. And I like that the boots have moderate heels.

This outfit was definitely worth the lindens I paid for it. So c'mon, let's head over to LostGem and see what other pretties we can find.

Oh here is another of the amazing Lucky Chair prizes. This one is called Purple Moon, I think for obvious reasons :) It's in five pieces, bodice, boots, sleeves, gloves and belt/skirt, for you to mix and match to your heart's content. Purple is one of my absolute favorite colors so this was a hit for me.

Here's a look at the back. I love the details of the texture, the celtic knot design, and the stitched leather. The staff is from The White Armory, Staff of Dionysos, and actually comes in three versions in one pack. You can use it as a melee polearm, or as a mage staff that shoots fireballs, or as a healing staff. And the color kinda went with this outfit I think.

This outfit doesn't really need anything to enhance it, it's already got it all.

There you go, darlings, that's all the shiny pretties for today. More to come tomorrow! I'm also working on getting some pictures of the men's stuff from the Lucky Chairs, so check back soon!

Treasure Found, Part 3

You know the drill by now, I suspect :) Let's jump right to the part where I show you my pretty shinies.

This here is Bambizzle, one of the outfits from LostGem that I bought and paid for. I fell for this one because of the pretty colors. There are two other versions as well, but this one was the prettiest I thought.

Since I'm supposed to be a Bard, I added my Lute in its traveling case. It's the Traveler's Lute from Sylva's Animation Factory. The one I play is actually from Mikki Miles, but I like this carrying pouch.

The bracelets are again the Ice Swirls Bracelets from Pure Poison. They went well with this outfit and I like the look of them, kind of both bracelet and bracer at the same time. The hair is Save the Queen by Rezology. It was a freebie on the Marketplace when I got it, but it may have been a limited time offer.

The bag is from !gO!, it was a free gift and it didn't look like that originally. It's modifiable so I made a copy that I could modify to fit my outfit, and voilá it works as a medieval travel bag.

As a traveling Bard I of course need traveling clothes. Can't be running around the woods in brightly colored silks and brocades, right? Natalie (the outfit that is) suits perfectly to traveling, I think. Nice, soft leather tunic and pants and comfortable leather boots made for walking. So, lute over one shoulder, traveling bag over the other, and a dagger to protect myself from the wild beasts, and off I go. Hmm, I wonder if it's going to rain?

Natalie was one of the Lucky Chair prizes at LostGem (well still is, as of writing this), and another of the outfits that really doesn't need many accessories.

The outfit is all in one, so no mucking about finding footwear or making the top fit the pants etc, just wear and go. I love simple things. The dagger I think I mentioned before, the Lanai dagger from Primus Weapons. I think it may have been a hunt prize in some distant past.

Honestly, I still can't believe this was a Lucky Chair prize. Such excellent quality for free. Can't beat that. In fact, I think everything I'm wearing in this outfit was free, except for the lute.

That's all folks! Well, for today at least. More to come tomorrow. And keep an eye out for my post about the Midsummer Night's Dream 6 Hunt, from the Petite perspective!