Long before I knew much about this business, I had read note cards that went out that mentioned "Fashion Therapy". It hit me as amusing and actually a possibility that would work for some of us. Sometimes all we need to do is get outside of our head, and shopping does that.
Evolve participates in a number of sales each week, so even if your budget is slim like mine is, you'll find something lovely and at a great price. This Hiraoki dress comes from the 60L sale board. With a little bit of something for everyone, it's an ideal shopping stop and fashion therapy.
Some of you might notice that these photos posted here do not have borders around them and it's intentional. After trying the July 4th Dress Group Gift, I knew I wanted to work for and with Evolve. Though you can't see much of the dress in this photo, it's featured on an entry earlier this week. And the photos are raw so the staff might evaluate my images as fairly as possible. Whatever happens, I've been blessed!
Featuring Evolve Hiroaki Dress Purple
1. Truth Hair: Ana (1)
2. EMO-tions: Chevia (2)
3. Poetic Colors: Autumn Moon (1)
4. Poetic Colors: Autumn Colors - Storm (2)
5. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Divina
6. Face Paint: Trin Gloss 1, Frosted Shadow Pink, Gem Eyes Aqua (1)
7. Face Paint: Drama Purple (2)
8. Chop Zuey: Espresso in Pompeii (2)
9. .::Joops::. Black Golden Nailed Ankle Boots
10. Manifeste Poses
Featuring Evolve July Hippie Dress
1. Poetic Colors: Autumn Colors - Storm
2. /Wasabi Pills/: Lory Mesh Hair Chocolate
3. Face Paint: Happy Fourth Basic (no fireworks)
4. Face Paint: Long Prim Eye Lashes Black
5. Onyx Paw Lip Piercing - Creator Unknown
I'm partial to Snowpaws for many reasons, but one of the ones at the core of the positive emotions resounds in the relationship I've been privileged to develop over time with Carrie Snowpaw.
Way... way... back in time, she supported the Face of Face Paint contest with Eve Express, committing new outfits to the winner(s).
I had peripherally known of Snowpaws for a long time prior to March 2012, but when I won one of the spots at Face Paint thus also winning clothing from Snowpaws, I got to know it a bit more.
Ever since, I have worked with Carrie Snowpaw, writing the weekly blog, posting sales, special events, news and fashion shows she's done. All the while, besides a business relationship building trust, we also developed a welcome friendship.
She's one of those people you simply want to know because she exudes a warmth that is genuine, and in her little niche in Second Life, she's poured out that warmth to so many many people.
Not only does she participate in a half dozen or so special sales events each week, she also joins hunts and makes high quality treasures for those hunts, and then there are all the ways you can win free items.
But there's even more to it than that. Every so often, I think of the phrase, "Go the extra mile," and how it relates to her and to Snowpaws. She contributes items to a conglomeration of charity based fund raisers.
No, she's not a Saint yet, but I don't know if anyone has petitioned the new Pope Francis to recognize her as one... yet. When I get to work with and for someone who offers more of herself than she ever asks, I consider myself the lucky one.
If you've never visited Snowpaws, you should. People have so many motives in Second Life, some of them seemingly unsavory, but at Snowpaws, there's always a sense of goodness with a splash of fun and naughty in a good way. Her motives come through as crystal clear and full of hope.
A side note, about the fun nails I have on in the photo (see the zoomed in photo), these are the cleverest drops of fun ever to drip on my fingertips. The set of 10 nails each have little tea party dishes. They're some of my favorite ever from Candy Nail and they were in a Gacha machine for only 50L. Fun at a great price. Who can do better than that?
Featured Snowpaws Ava Dress (The Event)
Featured Candy Nail (Gacha, and what a deal) Tea Time Nails in Pink
1. Custom Shape
2. EMO-tions: Fame
3. Poetic Eyes: Quicksilver
4. Face Paint Gems: Spring Gems 2 A Girl's Best Friend
5. Face Paint: Midas Touch Silver v2
6. Baboom!: Bracelet from Silver Moon Outfit
7. RYCA: Platinum Earrings
8. N-Core: Triumph
9. Focus Poses
10. Avante Pose (Now called In-Pose!)
Featured Snowpaws Harlow Form Fitting Dress
1. Custom Shape
2. Poetic Eyes: Quicksilver
3. Truth: Soleil
4. Face Paint Gems: Spring Gems 1 Easter Basket
5. Sexy Mama Valentine Manicure
6. LAQ: Tasha Skin
7. Zuri's: My Juliet Set Bracelet
8. Angel Dessous: Dragon Fly Brooch (worn in hair)
9. Joops: Black Golden Nailed Ankle Boots
Perhaps there is as little chance of saying too much about this charity fund raiser as there is of being just a little bit pregnant. Fashion for Life is just huge, and one of my favorite things about Second Life in general.
A number of people I know have invested a huge amount of time to make this year the best year yet. EMO-tions not only contributed to raise money by designing this hair (Dunja) and two others (plus a free gift just for visiting), they are the sim sponsor of Colossus of Rhodes.
Though it isn't a traditional crown, this particular style still makes me feel like a princess. All I need is a prince charming and I'll ride off into the sunset. EMO-tions does a great job of creating diverse looks. This is just one of them.
Chop Zuey also contributed to Fashion for Life (the set seen in this photo isn't from there, but coming soon!) and continues to support amazing charities, not to mention the free items shared with the public, even if you cannot afford to join the group. Charity comes in all packages.
There is a note card floating around Second Life that lists all of the sponsors and participants at Fashion for Life. It's easy to put the SLURL into your program, and voila, land exactly where you want to be. Also, Angel Dessous sent out an alpha texture that's wearable that makes the wearer completely invisible, like Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, so you can weave through Fashion for Life with as few items worn that create lag. What a novel idea!
Featured EMO-tions from Fashion for Life - Dunja
Featured Chop Zuey - Great Earth Set
Featured Joops - Black Corset Grunge
1. Custom Shape
2. Glam Affair Skin: Amberly
3. Poetic Eyes: Autumn Moon
4. Gaeline: Mesh Lashes Divina
5. Face Paint: Jessica Rabbit
6. Candy Nail: Rosy Black
7. Baboom!: Lace Boots
8. [Eve n Better]: Cintia Tartan
9. Image Essentials: Poses built into props
This weekend, I caught the marathon version of this season's Top Chef. Like many reality television opportunities, this show offers something very special and important. One of the participants had to make a difficult decision near the end of the series because his wife went into labor while he was far away in Alaska competing and he chose his passion to create fine foods and the opportunities potentially his, should he win the competition rather than packing up and heading home. He missed his daughter's birth. Was it a good thing or bad thing? I don't know how to quantify such a choice. For him in that moment, he embraced his passion and he stood strong in his belief that his family supported him even in his absence for such a great moment.
The people I've met in Second Life show different levels of passion. To some I suppose it really is just a video game and that's great for them. To others, however, it's part of their life. Despite the fact that it occurs in virtual space, it still occurs and means a great deal. Those who share a passion for art or design or commerce or any other niche in Second Life sacrifice other things in their world to make their passion their reality.
The designer for Liv-Glam works tirelessly to create beautiful items daily. I think she eats, sleeps and breathes her passion into her Second Life business. It shows too. Cucinelli, the pretty little pink frock seen in the photo. While some designers bring out new items once every two weeks or so, Samantha of Liv-Glam brings out multiple items in a day or so.
I enjoy finding new designers as well and the boots from Joops look to be just the first of many items to come. Perhaps this will also be a new passion embraced by Magical, the name behind the new brand. It always makes me smile to see new names appear, new items, and especially new ideas. It's so hard to find new things to try in Second Life, but with a bit of imagination and passion, many things could be achieved.
One of my favorite locations to snap photos sponsors a contest, planning to be monthly, with it's kick-off this month. These photos come from the Zen garden at Image Essentials. I've added a border to these shots but the raw shots are entered on Flickr, and I look forward to more challenges in the months to come. If you like photography or modeling or other artistic expression and want more information, contact Kay Weston or Ally Dwyer.
Featured Liv-Glam Cucinelli Dress
Featured Joops Black Golden Nailed Ankle Boots
1. Custom Shape
2. Mirror's Enigma: Megumi Frost Exclusive
3. Mirror's Enigma: Gray Eyes
4. Hinako Hair: Antonio Pink
5. Miamai: Catwalk Lashes Pink Explosion
6. Candy Nails: Marble Strawberry
7. Joops: Black Nailed Ankle Boots
8. Shear Tights by Caryn (me)
9. ~Shadow Moon~: Pink Polka Dot Bangle Beads
10. Focus Poses and Demise of Flight at Image Essentials Bamboo Garden
I really enjoy it when something in Second Life reminds me that I'm here to have fun some of the time. I work hard at a professional approach and business relationship but on occasion, I just have fun with the playfulness of this place. When Something New sent out a free pose pair, I had to play with it.
I have been using song titles to name my blog posts recently, growing and evolving as a blogger. When I thought of holding on tight, I recalled this song, and it's so aptly applied to Second Life. Persevere. Hold on tight to your dreams. I borrowed a helper here, someone who generously answered my petition to partner pose. In exchange, I took several photos for him and his special someone. I hope they hold on tightly to one another. Thank you Skua Sarrasine.
I don't want to be known as the girl who's always so down to earth and serious! The dress comes from a designer who participates in Designer Showcase, Unique Clothing - Sophie in Red. It includes the dress and the sexy garter and stockings. I also pulled a little treat from the new store .::Joops::. a headband that's showing two tiny red hearts in my hair.
Featured Unique Clothing Sophie in Red from Designer Showcase
Featured .::Joops::. Hairband Hearts
Featured Something New Balloons Pose
1. Custom Shape
2. Mirror's Enigma Leigh Native Skin Tone
3. Poetic Eyes: Hot Mocca
4. EMO-tions: Lala
5. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Starlia
6. Face Paint: Love and Care Extreme 6
7. Sexy Mama Valentine Sculpted Nails
8. Baboom Lucky Stone
9. Bax Boots: Prestige Boots Red Suede
10. Skua Sarrasine - Holding My Hand
