The Joy Of the Chop Zuey Girl Contest -- Featuring Chop Zuey, *Whimsical Imaginarium* from The Instruments, and AZUL

I ended up with a plethora of pictures I put together for the Chop Zuey contest and instead of just sharing the final draft, I thought I'd show the selection, and my point of view. The Sailing To Byzantium fascinator that Chop Zuey released recently really caught my attention because it was gorgeous and because of what it represented, a way to disappear into dreams, to find our utopia, a world unbroken, young and beautiful.

I looked up Byzantium art and prints that were famous in that time period and how current designers in 2014 are using prints like those for clothing. A great example is the print that's on the new Gold Finch gown from *Whimsical Imaginarium*. Besides being one of the best yellow anything I've ever ever seen in Second Life, because Second Life can be so hard on yellows for some reason, this gown also had a soft feminine touch, made me feel young and echoed the colors and unique passions of the Byzantine era. The Sea Mist Set came out sometime around the Sailing To Byzantium fascinator and the colors worked so perfectly against the backdrop I set.

Before I took that pair of photos, I shot a segment of photos that were op'd into one picture, and had so much fun playing with the elements of size and purpose. I took the fascinator, and dropped it into a pool of water at the edge of October's 4Seasons, and zoomed in to it, so that it was in a world of its own, and then I went to work with the elements of the Sailing To Byzantium boat, the garnet, the sapphire, the diamonds, and I looked for gowns that were elegant on their own but in this case, also had one of those tones as the primary color, settling on this garnet gown by Azul. I also found a set of jewelry from Chop Zuey that was as brilliant as the gown so the jewelry could remain the primary focus of the photo, and windblown hair from EMO-tions. The photo of me in the boat was a result of that compilation. Then I thought one step further, of a girl, a regular girl like me, who might dabble in dreams, and put the actually sailing version of myself on the wall behind me as I stepped out to work on whatever the world had in store for me next, even as I dreamed of my utopian trip.

I have no idea how the photo I submitted will be reviewed and that's one thing that I've really come to terms with in this model evolution. I pour my heart into what I do. I love every moment of it. I hope I do justice to every designer, from Chop Zuey for whom the contest focused, to the talented ladies who created the gowns that were key to each of the photos.

The project, the evolution of it, the research behind it, it all meant something to me and then I get to share it with you. If it does well in the contest, that's great. If it's one of many stories, and not selected, I understand that too because we are all artists looking at our world through our own eyes and we're each figuring out our story to tell as we go along.

Featuring Chop Zuey Sailing To Byzantium Fascinator

Featuring Chop Zuey Sea Mist Set

Also featuring *Whimsical Imaginarium* Goldfinch

Also featuring October's 4Seasons Papavar Skin Tone Angelina

1. Truth Lunara

2. Maxi Gossamer Swallow Wings Lashes

3. SLink Elegant 1 Hands

4. KMADD/Moda Mesh Eyes

Reposted from thebestofSL.com - I've Seen Fire and I've Seen Rain

This year may be the best yet in my Second Life. I began in 2005 as another version of Caryn and have seen it grow and evolve in so many ways. I love the history - Once upon a time bling jewelry was THE it thing to wear and if you could blind your neighbor, that was better still. Now? No way. I think the speed we live life online makes experiences curious. It's hard to perceive how much or little time has passed since... If you're on vacation and away for a few days, literally off line for 3 days, and you return, it feels like you've missed an eon. If you stay up all night typing or talking in voice, the newer faster and finger friendly way to connect, the night seems to pass as quick as lightning, and then ... gone.

 

 I'm so blessed to be working with an array of stellar designers. Mirja Mills creates new hair week after week, and does so in such a way that regardless how you live your life in Second Life, a new release will suit your needs often, from the calm and sweet to the vivacious and wild. This hair called Sunburst reminded me of flames all around my face and as a massive James Taylor fan, the song Fire and Rain came to mind. How apt is that song to this world in our shared Second Life. Some days are so incredible, and I feel like I'm on top of the world. Other days are challenging or sad.

 

 I had not yet unpacked this beautiful gown from Azul that a generous friend gave me at Christmas. It also reminded me of flames blazing, a world brilliant and crazy and wonderful. However, my January has been on of those months that JT sang about when he considered the rain. He was only 20 and he'd just lost a friend to suicide when he wrote Fire and Rain. I spent the month in fear of that big C word - Cancer. Biopsies. Medicine. Doctors. I would have preferred to be across the world playing hooky from my life, but I think the universe keeps us in balance with the fire an the rain, the light and the dark, and the ups and downs... If we did not have one, we would not understand the other. The biopsies came back - BENIGN. It was the light I needed after a long storm.

 

 I put this outfit together, celebrating the warmth of the sun and the warmth of friendships that burn brighter than any fire deep in our souls. I've seen fire and I've seen rain. I've seen lonely days, but I've been blessed and found friends to carry me in the weak moments, and keep me warm. The jewelry fit in well to this theme today. Chop Zuey has several locations where there are exclusive items sold. Ms. Belle told me of October Bettencourt's Fashion Chamber and I visited today, happy to find the "Love Struck" set, hearts and white gold, reminding me in another way of how love works. It can be bold and blunt or quiet and calm, and from those who know us best, they often know what we need without ever speaking a word. I'm glad for those people in my world who remind me of all the brilliance in my world, both on and off line. It's priceless. 

Also seen in photo: Oceane's Rose Natural Honey Tan, Poetic Eyes - Autumn Moon, Gaeline Mesh Lashes - Divina, Noya - Red Ribbon Heels, Face Paint: Lip Pop and Sparkle Shadows, Poses by Focus Poses and Wet Cat, all photos taken on second floor of October Bettencourts Fashion Chamber

Entering Contests: Scarier Then It Looks

I think it is natural for all of us to have personal fears regarding rejection of some sort and when we put personal pieces of ourselves out there in the public sphere, it's a risky thing, a vulnerable undertaking and it's scarier than it looks.

I might not look like I'm trembling in the photo, however it's true. I am. There's an element of art involved in modeling, putting together pieces of a beautiful puzzle in such a way that it appeals to others, motivates others, inspires others, and stepping out from behind the fears to make it happen.

All I want to know comes from within me, though, not from all those around me. I know that at any given moment, I'm giving every ounce of heart and energy and time. Knowing that, I know that there really isn't anything else I can offer. Eventually, my prayer is that what I offer means something to others and makes my work useful. I grow. I learn. Ultimately, I have the time of my life! This just happens to be one of the steps along the way.

1. Custom Shape 
2. Emotions: Tyra - Dark Brown 
3. Poetic Eyes: Quicksilver 
4. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia 
5. Face Paint: Holiday Series - Pure Silver 
6. Glam Affair Skin: Jadis 
7. Azul: DiamondGem/Pearl/MissBrasilV2012/Miss Ceara - Flexi Skirts 
8. Fellini Couture: Temptation in White and Black Hope for Emilia - Corset and Gloves 
9. Morea Style: Elena Whitte - Left Bracelet, Flexi Skirts, Sculpt Ruffle Sleeves 
10. Morea Style: Bracelet Right, Earrings, Tunique 
11. Celestina's Weddings: Alay Dream Wedding Shoes 
12. Di's Opera Poses