It All Started With A Simple Dare

That’s right, one tiny little challenge has snowballed into THIS. And what exactly is THIS? Come closer and I’ll let you in on all the fun…

While I sit, innocently minding my own business after a fun-filled day at the RFL Art Auction – over L$300K raised, by the way! – my dear friend Jori Watler pops up in my IM with a link to a photo and announces that her partner, the ever-charming Reacher Rau, has challenged her to wear this lovely outfit for a full week. Knowing Jori’s taste in clothing, I knew she’d never go for it, but I took the bait anyway. “I’ll match it if you let me drag you around to events all week.” Jori’s reply, “TP me.” Lo and behold, she is wearing the lovely ensemble seen below. Not only will she wear this for the full week, she informs me, she will donate the funds to Eshi Otawara’s RFL team. What a generous sport. But wait! There’s more…

While shopping for the outfit, Jori was torn between the one she chose and another. We have to take some pictures, she announces. And, off I go to pick up the second outfit. When I came back wearing the delicious-looking fruitiness, an idea was formed. Both Jori and I will parade the grid in our new and delightful ensembles – I agreed to participate when Jori anted up 10K of her own to the cause. But…and this is a fantastic but…if we can gather 100K in donations to Team Eshi, all funds to benefit Relay For Life, we will ditch the fruit and flowers (and, yes, the bling…gawd yes, the bling!) and pose together wearing nothing but a smile…and maybe some smexy pumps.

So, open up your wallets fashion fans and we’ll treat you to a skin review the likes of which you’ve never seen! Donation Kiosks have been placed on Night Flower and at Jori’s store on Fusion. Give generously, give often, just give, give, give!

Shining in Chrome

Iota Ultsch of Tres Jolie Haute Couture has released her Chrome gown and it is a work of art created in honor of a dear first life friend of the designer.

Iota shared with me the touching story of her friend, who is battling breast cancer. The metallic texture of the dress represents the strength with which she has faced her disease and the metallic intervention against her body.  The single exposed breast symbolizes the beauty of the feminine form and the vulnerability one feels when faced with the loss of such personal magnitude. A full-coverage version of the bodice is also included for the more demure.

The digitally generated design of undulating liquid chrome moves beautifully about the body. The belt is accented by Mother of Pearl medallions and horsehair tassels which add an earthiness to the otherwise industrial textures. This gown is central to Tres Jolie Haute Couture’s current collection which is inspired by Iota’s love for, and work in, the architecture industry.

Iota includes all of the accessories necessary to complete the look as it is intended, with a tall collar of polished chrome, large, but simple, hoop earrings and a contemporary take on the bindhi.

You can find this, as well as other Tres Jolie Haute Couture styles, at the main store in Slusteria. Iota Ultsch’s designs range from classic to couture and each is exquisitely detailed and flawlessly finished. Be sure to visit Tres Jolie! and say hello to Iota while you are there…you won’t be disappointed.

Style Sheet:

Gown and Jewelry: Chrome by Tres Jolie Haute Couture

Hair: Machete in Black and White & Piper in Black and Grey both by Deviant Kitties

Boots: Latex Boots by Yummy

Skin: Fleur Vivant Bronze 3 Feline

Nails: Fleur Nails Regular Dark Set in Red

Eyes: Mid:OceanBlue by Glanz

Everything’s Bigger & Better in caLLiefornia

Callie Cline has finally opened her new store in caLLiefornia and I have to tell you, the new build is a shopper’s paradise…and it’s not even completely finished yet! From the light, bright and spacious design to the elegantly ornate decor, not a single detail has been overlooked.
From the outside, the new building is sleek and whimsical, much like the designer herself.  You may or may not know that when Callie first started designing, she wanted a store dominated by skull designs.  Over time, though, her styles have evolved through glitter and gowns to vintage cocktail.  Her current releases are eclectic and daring, fun and fashion-forward.
Step inside and watch the magic unfold before your eyes.  The massive staircase and chandelier that are the focal point of the store’s interior were once the standout features of the Opera House on the Intempesta Nox sim. Both were created by Sue Stonebender and Baron Grayson, and was acquired by Callie when the Opera House was destroyed in October of 2007.
When Callie won the staircase at auction, she didn’t know what she would do with it, only that she had to have this piece of SL history…partly for it’s historical significance and partly because it was Sue who introduced Callie to SL and Baron is an artist whose work she greatly admires.

As soon as Callie rezzed the staircase, she knew she wanted a store around it and called on Moxie Polano to help.  Together, they, along with Barnesworth Anubis, created, moved, textured and retextured walls and floors and windows, then moved them around again until the current structure materialized.  Callie calls her new store a work in progress, and you can hear the excitement when she talks about how inspired she is by that prospect alone.
Each room is themed…there is the “pink room”, “wild room’, “aquarium” (for swimwear), “dark room”, “runway room”, and each showcases a different aspect of Callie’s eclectic personality and diverse tastes.   And because the store is so large, Callie will be able to finally release the designs she has been working on for the past year that she just has not had the space for until now.  And watch for the store to evolve over time, because now, when she gets bored, she won’t have to build, she can just redecorate a room or two!

The rooms on the lower level feature Callie’s ready-to-wear collections and the caLLie cLine HOME store. Here you will find the new Create-a-Dress Cruise Collection, accessories and her fun and funky casual styles.
Take the staircase to the second level and you will find the formal gowns, couture collections and Callie’s own line of intimates.

Callie is planning a proper grand opening event for the fall and will begin hosting fashion shows on the grand staircase.  She also intends to start the “rock-n-fashion” events as the new shop has a huge open space perfect for events without a lot of product in the way.  In the future, look for artists whom she admires showing their work in the store.

But the really exciting part, watch for Callie to also introduce her brand new poses, skins, hair and shoes!

Take this opportunity to visit the new caLLie cLine store at caLLiefornia and discover the style and design that is beautifully, and unmistakably, caLLie cLine.

The Black Swan Sings

The Rezzable sim, Black Swan, is filled with glowing water and impressive works of art. In celebration of the sim, Callie Cline teamed with Nebulosus Severine to create a look that is at once uniquely couture and signature Callie.
The sculpted skirt features circular orbs filled with water and the aquatic movement is encapsulated in the jeweled pendant and earrings.

The bodice of the dress is made of crushed velvet and the plush texture is echoed through the soft feathers of the skirt and sleeves.

In addition to the the sculpted water orb skirt and feather train, the seventeen-piece Swan Song Collection by Callie Cline includes a ball-length skirt, a mid-length skirt and a shorter mini-skirt, a plain black sculpted skirt, eye-flashes, gloves, a water ring with the same glow and movement as the sculpted skirt, stockings, gloves and a fat belt. And of course, the bodice and shorts can also be worn on their own.

The Swan’s Tears jewelry collection by Nebulosus Severine includes two necklaces, two pairs of earrings, Sea Green Glow Contact Lenses, and both black and white blank eye bases to be worn with the contacts.

Each piece by these two artists is impeccably designed and beautifully detailed. Visit Black Swan and take the black feather to the vendor area where these and other limited edition designs await. But don’t delay as this exhibit will end August 4, 2008.
Other style notes:
Skin: Fleur Vivant Bronze 3 Feline
Hair: MMSHair – Medusa – Limited Edition in Jet and ETD Alina in Black
Shoes: Maitreya Frenzy in Dangerous.

I’m Loco for Loco Pocos

My friends Damien Fate and Washu Zebrastripe are incredibly talented. I’ve always known that. But, even with that knowledge I was not prepared for the wonder and awe I discovered while visiting their latest endeavor, Loco Pocos Island. Here are a few pictures I took while exploring the sim with Damien Fate, Washu Zebrastripe, Sasy Scarborough, Gwyneth Llewellen and Ana Lutetia.

Please follow the jump for the full press release and be sure to watch Sasy’s amazing You Tube video filmed on Loco Pocos Island.


“LOCO POCOS ISLAND – Damien Fate has gone out on limb, literally, to bring to the Second Life grid an interactive destination unlike any other.

On July 9, 2008, Second Life ™ residents will be able to experience, first hand, the magic that is Loco Pocos Island. The island is built with a story in mind, and visitors are invited to search the island for pages from the unfortunate Captain B. Bonnik’s journal. Each journal entry will piece together the history of Loco Pocos Island and will lead the visitor to secret locations where special tasks and rewards await. The centerpiece of the island is the mythical tree, Rokeden. With it’s rich texturing, imaginative design and Fate’s characteristic attention to detail, visitors to the sim will instantly become immersed in, and a part of, the fantasy that is the story of Loco Pocos Island.

Fate felt inspired to create Loco Pocos Island hoping to bring a unique experience to Second Life residents. “My dream was to create something new in SL, not with just a product, but a whole island experience. Something that is intuitive, bringing things to a whole new level and above all, bring everyone in SL together by removing all language barriers possible.” Fate continued. “Sims can be so much more than just a store, avatars can be so much more than just prims.”

Loco Pocos, which, loosely translated, means “crazy tinies”, are the inhabitants of this magical island. Each sculpted avatar, equipped with a user-friendly HUD, is meticulously detailed and textured. The Loco Pocos are infinitely customizable via the HUD for maximum personalization. Each avatar is able to emote and gesture via the HUD and wearing any of the multiple Loco Pocos accessories automatically updates the HUD with the appropriate customization options for that item.

The HUD itself is designed to offer maximum ease-of-use. The graphic icons are easily recognizable and a users manual, translated into seven languages, has been provided for those who prefer text based instruction. Overall, though, each avatar and it’s HUD was designed so that the end-user could visit the Island Store, purchase an avatar and begin exploring all of the island’s adventures within minutes.

Prior to beginning the Loco Pocos project, Fate worked with the Electric Sheep Company, playing a major role in the development of such notable projects as Ben and Jerry’s island, IBM Sentinel 2.0, and CSI:NY (tv shows and inworld game/machinima), independently developed a popular line of Final Fantasy avatars, and the mirada.smartHUD, an emotion HUD which, to date, has sold over 5,000 units.

Fate was joined in this endeavor by his partner and wife, Washu Zebrastripe. Zebrastripe is a beta lifetime member of Second Life and is the original creator of prim hair. Fate and Zebrastripe are also co-owners of the Hairspray Sim.

To kick off the Grand Opening of Loco Pocos Island, a massive scavenger hunt event will begin at Noon SLT on July 9, 2008. Visitors to the sim on this date will have the opportunity to win a unique avatar which will only be available during events at Loco Pocos Island.

For more information about Loco Pocos Island, please contact Damien Fate or Washu Zebrastripe or visit the Loco Pocos website.

Photos are available from Damien Fate’s Flickr Photostream and from the Loco Pocos Flickr Group page.”


See you at the Opening!

Rouge Has Arrived!

That’s right. Today is the Grand Opening party for CodeBastard Redgrave’s new sim, Rouge. The theme of the night is, of course, red, and I chose my gown accordingly. I actually thought of changing it once, but this is the dress Codie liked and since this is her day, I decided to stick.

Several people are keeping their party attire a secret but, since I have another, bigger, secret to keep, something had to give. So, I’m giving the metaverse a sneak peak at my homage to Rouge.

The gown, handbag and boa are from Rebel Hope, the earrings are Paper Couture, and the shoes are, of course, Stiletto Moody. Apart that, you’ll find another tried and true ETD wig on my head and my makeup is by Fleur.

And, just in case you missed it (and I don’t know how you could really, it’s been all over the blogosphere since yesterday afternoon), here is the official Rouge Press Release and pictures of the sim. See you at the party!

“ROUGE – Saturday, July 5, 2008, marks the highly-anticipated unveiling of CodeBastard Redgrave’s new sim, simply named, Rouge. Redgrave is the creator of the infamous Boudoir Rouge portrait series, developer of the MachinimaCam and Dramavatar fashion line, and owner of the Code Red Lounge and Gallery.

The aesthetic design of Rouge was conceptualized by Redgrave and legendary builder, Eshi Otawara. From that point, Otawara used her skills as a builder, designer and artist to create a multi-purpose destination that will serve as the new home of the Boudoir Rouge Gallery Walk, Code Red lounge and Rouge Boutique.

Just over 2500 prims were used to create the basic structure, artwork and furnishings. Otawara’s judicious use of mega-prims and unique textures has created a locale never before seen in Second Life. The land is formed in the shape of a female silhouette outfitted with artistic touches signature to Rouge’s proprietress. Visitors to the sim will instantly recognize Redgrave’s signature color, and the sim’s namesake, as well as her ever-present red stilettos. A black and red feather boa serves as the roof of the Gallery Walk and a shock of wavy hair provides cover for the Code Red Lounge.

The Rouge Boutique is housed inside a dance pole shackled at the feet of the silhouette. The boutique will offer selections of Redgrave’s own creations, as well as, offerings from some of the grid’s most notable designers. All items available for purchase in the Rouge Boutique will feature the color red in keeping with the sim’s theme. Designers who have already signed on to have their designs featured in the Rouge Boutique include, among others: Casa del Shai (Shai Delacroix), Juicy, Tesla, and Bluebell Productions.

Additionally, Rouge will be available for use by individuals and organizations wishing to host parties, fashion shows and other events in a unique and beautiful setting.

Rouge will open, officially, with a Grand Opening party that will begin at 2:00 pm SLT on Saturday, July 5, 2008. Events are planned throughout the day and night so that the festivities can be attended by friends from around the globe. Hostesses for the evening will be the luminous duo of Queen Coronet and LadyArwen Demina. The DJ line up includes some of Second Life’s most sought after mix masters:

• 2PM-3PM – DJ Azufr3
• 3PM-5PM – Digital Francis
• 5PM-7PM – Nexeus Fatale
• 7PM-9PM – Amanda Shinji
• 9PM-11PM – Init Hubble
• 11PM-1AM – Eris Alexander
• 1AM-3AM – To be determined
• 3AM-5AM – To be determined
• 5AM-7AM – Nephie Eerie – Stella Errans

Several of Second Life’s most prominent designers have signed on as sponsors of the epic Grand Opening event and will offer special gifts to invitees. The sponsors list includes:

• Tesla
• Casa del Shai
• Juicy
• Bluebell Productions
• Simply Silks
• Callie Cline
• Alexx Markova

Due to the expected high demand, access MAY be limited to Code Red group members. IM CodeBastard Redgrave for a group invitation and come join the fun. “

*Rouge sim photos by Stephan Venkman

Spirit Dazzlers Audition Information

Pyper asked me to post this for her…
From the team audition application kit, now available at the landing point at SPIRIT…Please see the info after the jump!

“Hello and thank you for your interest in the SPIRIT Dazzlers Cheer and Dance Team. The SPIRIT Dazzlers is a team of cheerleaders, dancers, and spokesmodels who will represent SPIRIT with class, grace, and style at special events, paid performances, and charity events, model in upcoming SPIRIT catalogs, ads and fashion shows, appear in an annual team calendar, and perform in commercials and videos for SPIRIT. Ladies who are chosen to represent SPIRIT on the SPIRIT Dazzlers team will be paid for their participation at these events and modeling jobs, will have exclusive opportunities to build their modeling portfolios as few others can, and will receive many custom and prereleased SPIRIT designs while an active member on the team.

We will have 3 sections to the audition process, and we will make our final decision by July 31, 2008. Also attached is a breakdown of dates and an application.

1. Please create a folder named Dazzlers-(your name). In this folder please put the application and include 3 pics of yourself. 1 being a headshot, 1 being a full bodyshot and 1 being your favorite shot that will show us your personality. Please do not include nude shots.

2. The second portion to the auditions will be an invitation-only interview where you will be interviewed by SPIRIT Dazzlers Team Owner SavannahAnn McMillan and myself.

3. The third portion will be a tryout which will be a review of terms and moves. You will be given a move and you will just have to execute it in an order asked by the choreographer.

If you are chosen to become a member of the SPIRIT Dazzlers team, please be sure that the shape you send photos of is modifiable and one you are willing to dedicate exclusively to SPIRIT approved usage only.

Please send your folder with your application and pictures to Pyper Dollinger by July 1, 2008.

Good Luck everyone and Let’s Shine!

Pyper Dollinger

Director, SPIRIT Dazzlers

Team Website: http://www.spiritdazzlers.com/ “

Audition applications can be picked up for free (there’s no audition fee either) at the SPIRIT store main landing point at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Plush%20Tau/109/66/22/.

I’ve Been A Bad, Albeit Busy, Girl

It has been a crazy couple of weeks! For some reason, I’ve felt like I was extremely busy…and now I realize that I have been busy procrastinating posting anything on this blog. So, I apologize for the completely unacceptable lack of updates.

What have I been busy with, you ask? Well, I can try to tell you, I suppose. But mostly, it seems like the last couple of weeks have flown by in such a flurry of activity, that I’m not quite sure I can remember all of it. I’ll give it a shot though, yes? Here we go…

First, Guy and I hosted our very first party at our home on Balboa Beach. We had so much fun with all of the preparations, but wanted everything to be perfect, so we spent alot of time on it. We were so pleased with the turn out! So many of our friends were able to make it and we stayed up until the wee hours dancing and laughing…I think a few even hung around long after I finally had to trade my dancing shoes for a pillow. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to attend….especially those of you across the pond who fought the time zone monster to be there.

Then, Babyhoney Bailey made the decision to relinquish her Miss SL Universe crown. Rosie Shark and I were enlisted to interview Bho and Frolic Mills (Miss SL Universe founder) for SLNN.com. It was fascinating to work side-by-side with Rosie and we were up very late documenting the drama and writing our article. You can read more about it here. Also, I just want to mention that it was great to find a new friend in Rosie, this girl is utterly fabulous. Be sure to check out her blog, Mean Girls Guide to SL.

But mostly, I’ve been having the best time meeting all kinds of Twittery, Plurky friends. It is so much fun to use other Social Networking outlets to broaden your SL horizons. As Codie and I discussed, SL on it’s own is a horrible social networking device. There is no real way to connect with people of like interests, so these other outlets provide that opportunity. I can’t tell you how many kind, generous, interesting, intelligent and ridiculously talented people I have met since I picked up the Twitter and Plurk habit. I credit the two photos in this post to one of these new friends, Jessyka Richard. She turned me on to the walking-on-hands AO and the spoon-on-the-nose trick…and you know how I love these neat little gizmos! Seriously, though, I am honored to have met each and every one of you, my dear Twitter/Plurk family. *smiles*

Also, one new something that I am really excited about it Codie’s new sim, Rouge. The uber-talented Eshi Otawara is designing it, and while I won’t give away any details – both Codie and Eshi have insisted that it remain a secret until it’s completion – I can tell you that it is Fantastic with a Capital F! I am on the edge of my seat waiting to post some pictures here. It will be soon, I’m told, and there will be a fabulous Grand Sim Opening party to show it off. Stay tuned!

Oh, AND I celebrated my first Rez Day on Saturday! Yay me! I’ve really come to love my Second Life and all of my Second Life friends. Thanks to all of you who have made this so special to me…Guy, Tucor and Codie, I love you most of all.

love.love.love
Gabby

Travels with Gabby and Guy

Hi CC Readers. Gabby finally convinced me to contribute to her blog. So…rather than following her around from fashion show to fashion show carrying her purse, I decided to explore some of Second Life’s™ more “educational” sites.
One that we found was The David Rumsey Map Collection..

Now, before you start yawning…TAKE A LOOK at this fantastic site. Those who appreciate the “art” of SL™ site construction will be amazed when they read the note cards available to visitors at the site…ie: “Second Life™ Interpretation was done by segmenting the original map into forty-two 1000-pixel-square textures, then separating each texture into layers. Each primitive segment contains two to five layers in order to achieve the illusion of depth.”
This is just an example of the meticulous attention to detail paid to the site construction.
When you arrive you will find yourself on

“Yosemite Valley”(Topographical Map) 1883 – Wheeler, George M.
This is one of the earliest detailed surveys of Yosemite Valley in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The map shows interesting cultural features in the valley, many of which no longer exist. The steep valley cliffs are shown with a map style of the 19th century called hachuring – closely spaced lines to indicate slope.”

As you look around you find more like – “…Streets of NYC in 1836. This map has superb detail, down to the street level. While you are viewing the map, try changing camera angles to look at it straight on…”
And

GRAND CANYON PARALLAX
“The grand canyon illustration that you see framed on our SIM has very impressive details. The sense of depth in this image is amazing, so we decided to show it as a layered parallax so that you can appreciate its sense of depth.”
And one of our favorites – two huge globes you can fly into…
CELESTIAL & GLOBE SPHERES

“… These spheres are impressive in size, and level of detail. Explore the world globe, or gaze into the celestial skies. You can even fly inside of it and see what’s hidden inside.”
GO INTO THEM!

There are several levels to this awesome site so don’t be afraid to look up.
And before you leave…place a stick pin on
WORLD MAP – PUSH PIN ANNOTATION

I could place more pictures that Gabby and I took but we feel it would ruin the surprises awaiting you at The David Rumsey Map Collection.

As a “fan” of Architecture I would like to hear from readers who have found different and interesting Architectural sites in SL™.

*COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Images copyright © 2000 by Cartography Associates. Images may be reproduced or transmitted, but not for commercial use. For commercial use or commercial republication, contact carto@luna-img.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. By downloading any images from this site, you agree to the terms of that license.
Couture Conundrum also attributes text to the above copyright
For more information, go to http://www.davidrumsey.com/

Archange Has Arrived

At exactly 9:01 PM SLT on Monday Night, fashionistas from all over the grid answered Danner Dosei and Katterina Dagastino’s call to attend the Grand Opening of Archange. The opening marks the debut fashions on this new partnership and also signals Katterina’s return to the SL fashion world since the closing of Last Call.

Here is just a sampling of the designs you will find at Archange, located in the former Last Call building. I will be posting more about the designs and these designers as soon as recover from lag exhaustion.

Left to Right: Archange’s Fernanda, Zophia and Natalia

Congratulations Katterina and Danner on your new adventure!