What Are Words For? -- Featuring Romance Couture Gowns and {{BSD Design Studio}}

Recently, the people behind the new store Romance Couture opened their store with the flourish that can only be matched by the lavishly appointed gowns they sell. I've never had a reason to wear such extravagant gowns in my world off line, but a girl can dream.

Featuring }RC{ Romance Couture Wraith Night (group gift)

Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Carpe Diem Brown Croco Black

Featuring Kyxe Shapes & Skins

- Dark Golden Sparkle Shadow

- Brown Diamonds

Featuring Chop Zuey Crux Invictus Women's Necklace

1. Poetic Color: Quicksilver

2. [elika]: Breathe

3. Gaeline: Fantasia

4. Deeses Skins: Loreen

5. Face Paint: Eye Liner

6. Kyxe Shapes & Skins: Apple Blossom with Gloss

7. Quentessencia: 17 Nails Square

In addition to opening their store, they've also introduced a new contest, one seeking the best representative to wear their items and represent their brand. I hope that the contest draws models in from all over the grid at all levels of experience.

Featuring }RC{ Romance Couture Wraith Night (group gift)

Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Carpe Diem Brown Croco Black

Featuring Kyxe Shapes & Skins

- Dark Golden Sparkle Shadow

- Brown Diamonds

Featuring Chop Zuey Crux Invictus Women's Necklace

1. Poetic Color: Quicksilver

2. [elika]: Breathe

3. Gaeline: Fantasia

4. Deeses Skins: Loreen

5. Face Paint: Eye Liner

6. Kyxe Shapes & Skins: Apple Blossom with Gloss

7. Quentessencia: 17 Nails Square

Sometimes new businesses in Second Life seem to have to work extra hard those first few days and weeks of existence, just to get noticed. People who might enjoy their garments choose not to buy right away because they want to see how the public in general responds to the new store.

Featuring }RC{ Romance Couture Ava Dress Rose

Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Carpe Diem Brown Croco Black

Featuring Kyxe Shapes & Skins

- Dark Golden Sparkle Shadow

- Brown Diamonds

1. Poetic Color: Quicksilver

2. [elika]: Breathe

3. Gaeline: Fantasia

4. Deeses Skins: Loreen

5. Face Paint: Eye Liner

6. Kyxe Shapes & Skins: Apple Blossom with Gloss

7. Quentessencia: 17 Nails Square

8. Jewelry by Jake: Valencia Set

Clever use of advertisement help any store at any stage. I know that in those early days, it's challenging to figure out what to do, how to best expose a brand, and all those choices seem a bit like a tidal wave that threatens to take down everything before you get started.

Featuring }RC{ Romance Couture Rea Red (Finesmith Bazaar)

Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Carpe Diem Brown Croco Black

Featuring Kyxe Shapes & Skins

- Dark Golden Sparkle Shadow

- Brown Diamonds

1. Poetic Color: Quicksilver

2. [elika]: Breathe

3. Gaeline: Fantasia

4. Deeses Skins: Loreen

5. Face Paint: Eye Liner

6. Kyxe Shapes & Skins: Apple Blossom with Gloss

7. Quentessencia: 17 Nails Square

8. Jewelry by Jake: Valencia Set

9. Demise of Flight Poses

Store blogs tell an item's story from the viewpoint of the designer. Between the photographs and the words shared, customers will choose to risk or not to risk buying something. It's the best time to get involved in any business, on or off line, because when you're new, you really cannot go backwards. The only direction then is forward.

Featuring }RC{ Romance Couture Rea Red (Finesmith Bazaar)

Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Carpe Diem Brown Croco Black

Featuring Kyxe Shapes & Skins

- Dark Golden Sparkle Shadow

- Brown Diamonds

1. Poetic Color: Quicksilver

2. [elika]: Breathe

3. Gaeline: Fantasia

4. Deeses Skins: Loreen

5. Face Paint: Eye Liner

6. Kyxe Shapes & Skins: Apple Blossom with Gloss

7. Quentessencia: 17 Nails Square

8. Jewelry by Jake: Valencia Set

9. Demise of Flight Poses

I think bloggers have become important to the overall mechanism of branding and advertising clothing. What are words for? when a blogger shares a designer on their blog? How do those words convey data, energy, and emotion? How do you feel after you've read the blog. Some bloggers are careful to keep their blog very professional and non-emotional. Others go in another direction. The designer has to find the right fit, and if they do, the words of the bloggers they choose should enhance their business.

Pausing For a Moment In My World -- Featuring Liv-Glam from 24 Event, Baboom!, Pure Poison from 24 Event, and Death Rocker Bettie Crocker at 24 Event

You might find it amusing to know that I have a very hard time being still. It's true on and off line. I work hard at resting. It's one of those sayings that can't really exist, but yet I do. I really work hard at resting. And when I'm in Second Life and I'm at work somewhere, modeling, and things are quiet, I'm immediately looking for some way to use my time constructively and still accomplish my work goals.

Featuring Death Rocker Bettie Crocker Los Muertos

1. Chop Zuey: Black Storm Set

2. Purple Moon: Marlene Gloves

3. Tat by Caryn

4. [Mirror's Enigma]: Sapphire Tan Skintone

5. Face Paint: Caryn

6. *booN: QPT129

7. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

Things really haven't been quiet at the 24 Event. Every few moments someone new drops in to shop. I was on pose stand 3 yesterday and on pose stand 2 today. The change of location on the pink sim, where most of the women's wear has its home this week, allows me to pan around and look into all sorts of booths. I can window shop, say hi to new arrivals and have a blast, all the while modeling my Death Rocker Bettie Crocker look.

Featuring Pure Poison Angela Dress Blue Fantasy from 24 Event

1. R2: Azuli Blue

2. Finesmith: Lillies Set

3. VicE: Lavender Blue Hair

4. [Mirror's Enigma]: Sapphire Tan Skintone

5. Face Paint: Nail Art Manicure

6. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia

7. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

A whole array of designers are represented at the 24 Event and many of them are designers I've blogged in the past or do currently, or just good friends whom I'm glad to see having good turn out and hopefully excellent sales. Pure Poison has a number of items out and this dress Angela Blue Fantasy is just one of the gorgeous options you'll find there by PP.

Featuring Liv-Glam Alejandro from 24 Event

1. N-Core: Sense

2. Chop Zuey: Party Bright Colors

3. [Mirror's Enigma]: Sapphire Tan Skintone

4. [S H O C K]: Glitter Nails

5. Bliss: Yanni

6. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

You'll feel super spoiled by Liv-Glam if you drop in on their display at 24 Event. There are a wide array of designs at all sorts of prices for so many different purse sizes. Alejandro takes the basic mesh to a fun new level with those sexy cutouts over the left hip. Vavavoom! And the name itself makes me sing the Gaga song by the same name. Ack! It's a good thing.

Featuring Baboom! Mesh Jacket Chess with Mesh Skirt Laetitia

1. N-Core: Coquette

2. Carrie's Lingerie: Cherry

3. Chop Zuey: Out Damned Spot Earrings

4. [Mirror's Enigma]: Sapphire Tan Skintone

5. Quintessencia: 17 Nails

6. Face Paint: Fall Perfect Matte Lips and Liner

7. EMO-tions: Fame

8. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia

9. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

In the midst of all the fun at 24 Event, some of my favorite designers are releasing new looks for fall, or just because and one of those designers is Kyra Camel from Baboom! The store has moved. If you haven't been by lately, drop in and see what's new and grab a landmark while you're at it.

Featuring Baboom! Mesh Jacket Chess with Mesh Skirt Laetitia

1. N-Core: Coquette

2. Carrie's Lingerie: Cherry

3. Chop Zuey: Out Damned Spot Earrings

4. [Mirror's Enigma]: Sapphire Tan Skintone

5. Quintessencia: 17 Nails

6. Face Paint: Fall Perfect Matte Lips and Liner

7. EMO-tions: Fame

8. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia

9. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue Pale

She's made a set that can be worn with mix and match, two different jackets, one called Eve, and the other called Chess and both go with the skirt Laetitia. At Baboom! you're bound to find a style you enjoy as this designer offers a very versatile array of items for her customers.

Light Always Conquers Darkness and There Is Something Beautiful In Each Of You - Featuring Hairoin, KL Couture, and Evolve

This morning I woke to read of sadness and pain one person has created for a group of friends of mine, co-workers, and people I respect. I don't take a lot of things personally online. I've had people telling me for 15 years since I first discovered this internet, that I needed to grow a thick skin. I developed it over time, that thick skin, and it does help. Sadly, it does not help when someone I care for gets hurt.

Featuring Hairoin Maxine

Featuring KL Couture Astrid

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue

2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia

3. Face Paint: French Square Prim Manicure

4. [Mirror's Enigma]: Sapphire Tan Skintone

5. [Liv-Glam][Stella]: Catwalk Shoes

6. Face Paint: Modern Drops Earrings Blue

7. Chop Zuey: MaSong Belly Ring

I want to defend, to encourage, to love them back to health, when a friend is not doing well. If you're hurting, it hurts me. If you're crying, I feel your tears. If you're bullied by someone who chooses those moments in life where you're weak and feeling lost, I'm going to stand by you and show you the many reasons the bully knew nothing, and completely erred in their attempt to prove to you that you lacked value. Everyone has value in my eyes.

Featuring Hairoin Maxine

Featuring KL Couture Astrid

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue

2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia

3. Face Paint: French Square Prim Manicure

4. [Mirror's Enigma]: Sapphire Tan Skintone

5. [Liv-Glam][Stella]: Catwalk Shoes

6. Face Paint: Modern Drops Earrings Blue

7. Chop Zuey: MaSong Belly Ring

I do not have the strength of a super-hero. I do not have the tenacity of a pit bull. I do have a gentle heart, and I do care. I do believe light and positive energy always overcomes the darkness. Isn't there a saying that in the dead of night, a single match's light can be seen for a hundred miles? This also finds truth in the metaphysical world of positive energy vs. negative energy. For every cruel and cutting thing a bully says to harass you, I hope you find a thousand warm and beautiful things to douse that bullying energy.

Featuring Evolve Hiroaki Dress Green

Featuring Bliss Cielesta Miel/Cannelle

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue

2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia

3. Quintessencia: Square Nails Red

4. N-Core: Soleil

5. EMO-tions: Endless Love Set

6. Face Paint: Liner and Lash

7. Face Paint: Lip Pop

8. Manifest Poses

I can't tell you that the pain doesn't hurt or that you shouldn't listen. When I'm at my weakest, the pain of emotional tearing does hurt and I do listen. Thankfully, I have a shared group of friends who have my back on those darker days. I couldn't handle this life alone, on any front, the net, off line, anywhere. I'm a social creature who needs each person in my life. Each person makes an impact and each of you matters. There is something special in each of you.

Featuring Evolve Hiroaki Dress Green

Featuring Bliss Cielesta Miel/Cannelle

1. IKON: Sunrise Eyes Steel Blue

2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia

3. Quintessencia: Square Nails Red

4. N-Core: Soleil

5. EMO-tions: Endless Love Set

6. Face Paint: Liner and Lash

7. Face Paint: Lip Pop

8. Manifeste Poses

I champion those who try. I encourage those who do not give up and I am thrilled to have an array of people in my world who offer the same to me. I see the good in every soul. I want to help where I can, live and grow in what I love and pour out to you the best parts of me. I enjoy the artistry of the internet, but behind the pixels of beauty, like these two outfits created by two clever women for two different businesses, there are people. Every pixel matters when attempting to set up a canvas, whether it's a canvas on which you paint landscapes or one where you draw avatar parts. Every pixel represents a heart, a hope, an idea and someONE who matters. That's why I do what I do here, on my blog. I want to celebrate the pixels, the successes, and most of all, I want to celebrate each ONE of you who works behind the pixels.

Looking Forward in Time... Featuring Luziefee at Love Donna Flora Event

I've been thinking a lot about time zones and people across the world. I've had the joy of working with and playing with people everywhere, from China to Australia, from Denmark to Canada and people who almost lived in my backyard. I think it's incredibly good to know that I get to interact with many cultures as I cross time zones and learn and absorb and appreciate people. Recently, I've gotten attached a bit to a man who's from Denmark. It's a great new place in the world to study!

For me, autumn remains a long way off in the future. I live in the South and seasons are a little weird at best. Sometimes it's nearly the holidays before it's chilled enough to pull out favorite sweaters and scarfs. Other places I've lived, like Massachussetts, had the tiniest short little summer and then it was time to get cold again, and when I say cold I mean C-O-L-D! Today though, as I took this photo, I realized that in other parts of the world, at this very moment, it IS autumn.

I can't travel around the world like I wish I could. I do find great satisfaction when I study about other places in the world, about special dishes only served in Denmark and remember that while it's nearing 100 degrees in the shade in teeny tiny-ville SC, south of the equator, their seasons are exactly opposite mine, and when I close my eyes, then focus on this wonderful creation Luziefee put together for the Love Donna Flora Event, I can see myself in those cooler climates, dancing in the falling leaves.

Featuring Luziefee Vera Outfit for Love Donna Flora
1. Poetic Color: Autumn Colors - Storm
2. Truth: Becky
3. Gaeline Mesh Lashes Fantasia
4. Face Paint: Come Along
5. Quintessecia: 17 Nails
6. 7 Deadly S{k}ins: Vanity
7. Taken at Image Essentials using Demise of Flight Poses

**I really can't say enough about the ladies who own and manage Image Essentials. Kay Weston, Ally Dwyer and Nikki Demarazi. They do so much for others, out of their own pocket, and their space and place continues to evolve, with time and energy and love. I love how the settings around the sim change a little bit here, a little bit there, and every change ends up blessing everyone who visits, takes photos there, and just hangs out in their group. Thank you, Ladies. You guys rock.

Featuring Luziefee Vera Outfit for Love Donna Flora
1. Poetic Color: Autumn Colors - Storm
2. Truth: Becky
3. Gaeline Mesh Lashes Fantasia
4. Face Paint: Come Along
5. Quintessecia: 17 Nails
6. 7 Deadly S{k}ins: Vanity
7. Taken at Image Essentials using Demise of Flight Poses

A Treasure to Meet You -- Featuring Evolve

A common courtesy type comment when you've met someone new and your conversation is about to end in my neck of the world... "It was a pleasure to meet you." And for the most part, you mean it on some level, but it's also just one of those polite phrases that leaves the two who were just in the conversation thinking positively as they walk away from one another.

I'm the world's worst 'anti' common thing to say person. I like to answer in ways no one else will when someone asks me how I am doing. "How are you feeling today?" "Sparkly with a touch of cotton candy." Is there any way to respond to that without a smile or a smirk or a little laugh? I find new places, new people and new things in Second Life treasures in my life. I need them many times more than I think they need me and I'm grateful that they have adopted me on some level.

 When I spoke to Spirit Llewellyn today about blogging for Evolve, I had known her already, but I hadn't seen her or talked to her much in the past year as our paths diverged. It was a treasure to 'remeet' her today, and I'm excited about working with Evolve. I look forward to showing you new items from their collection as I can, beginning with this first look.

This dress reminded me a bit of the one Julia Roberts wore in Pretty Woman, but with a more distinct separation between top and skirt. It's great to see how the lines of mesh make such a dress as this fit correctly against the body so you can move, twist, turn and dance the night away without odd parts poking out like some traditional system designed pieces used to do. For the month of July, this dress comes free as part of your group membership.

Featuring Evolve July Hippie Outfit (Group Gift)
1. EMO-tions: Sunburst
2. Poetic Colors: Autumn Colors
3. Face Paint: New Lip 12
4. Face Paint: Long Prim Lashes Black
5. Quintessecia: Nails 17
6. [:ME:]: Croix Light Skintone
7. Dotted Bangles
8. Ruby Diamond Earrings

9. Taken on location at Model's Workshop