Sweet and Sexy -- Oh La La! -- Featuring Luziefee Quin in Red

The other luscious outfit I began styling Friday comes from Luziefee. I have a thing for Q and Z names for anything. It's a weird fanatical, but then you may have guessed by now, I'm weird! This outfit has an outer sweet side that reminds me of the burlesque style so hugely popular on and off line...

But it also has a layer I have not yet revealed, a sultry lacy bit of material to wear under this layer. It's twice the sexy and thus the ooh la la.

When I met Bliss, she was just venturing into creating gowns. The gowns in the early days were designed to be very texturally unique and using very static prims (no flexi, no sculpt, nothing but prims and texture). She'd done hair for a while at that point, and was one of the first women I knew who moved from prim to flexi hair when it was available. She's been amazing on this whole journey. Our paths crossed many times. Like many others, I went and continue to visit her sale, this time adoring and buying hats and hair. You'll see a few now and then in my blog, but sadly I cannot advertise for her, so I can speak of her and wish her blessings on her next leg of life's journey. I do think she met her goal and helped provide a lot of people with a little taste of bliss in their life.

Thank you!

Featuring Luziefee Quin Red Dress
Featuring Bliss Yanni and Rosanna Hat
1. IKON: Sunrise Steel Blue
2. Face Paint: Square Prim Manicure
3. Face Paint: Audrey
4. Mirror's Enigma: Vanity Tan Skintone
5. Liv-Glam: Odeur Over Knee Boots
6. N@N@: Upper Arm Bracelet
7. Heart of Rubies from Zarah Dawn's previous store
8. Taken on location at The Creative Loft

What a Day -- Finally Able To Show You... KL Couture Marcia

This has been one of those days where I had a computer nightmare. I had a personal one earlier in the day so that didn't help my state of mind either. I really dislike missing appointments and my computer has been flaky this weekend so I completely missed duty I'd agreed to at one store.

I had styled this outfit on Friday to post. I think I got a virus from my own photobucket photo, something unrelated to my SL or blogspot, but by the time I got it, I gave it (I'm so sorry!) to a good friend and meanwhile it replicated itself here too. I rarely get growly but here I am! Rawr. 

Scary, huh? ~laughs softly~ I'm blunt and real here. 95% of the time I share with you the bright light and silver linings even if the rest is better left unsaid. I only share this here because the people who work with me and support me look to this spot for my agreements to be fulfilled and I feel like finally, I cant get busy and catch up. Thank you so much, ongoing friends, new friends, and business associates for your patience.

~~~~~~HUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGS~~~~~~

Featuring KL Couture Marcia Outfit

Featuring Glance Skins Anaias

1. IKON: Sunrise Steel Blue

2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Divina

3. Face Paint: True Custom

4. Finesmith: Belly Gems 3

5. Finesmith: Folieole Sunflower Set

6. [nn]: Beaded Flat Sandals

7. Bliss: Airiska

Did You Ever See a Lassie... -- Featuring Evolve, Finesmith, and Face Paint

Every day, or at least most days, I work hard to put together at least one new look styled, and take a series of photos. I learn something new about photography, or a new designer, or something comes along and helps me with what I do.

It's a little like being a star. You never know what you're going to be wearing and sometimes, it doesn't even look quite like you. I have enjoyed trying out new skins this week from several new designers as well as clothing from a designer whom I've blogged before, but not their clothing!

In this set of photos, I've got a gown on from Finesmith as well as Finesmith jewelry. I've also got on Kyxe's Laura Shape and Laura Skin by Kyxe Angel. I got the chance to show you this skin as a result of good friendships and word of mouth, what a privilege. Playing a role, being something lovely in hopes of helping introduce new designers like Kyxe Angel or support designers like yula Finesmith who've been around Second Life a long time.

Besides working for some of the designers I've met, I also hear advice from them on many topics, almost always on the subject of fashion. This week, Ms. Reign who owns Evolve, suggested I try Deeses Skins to wear when I work in her store. I went to Deeses and tried on every skin they have as she had asked me to to. I joined the group and then found there was a free skin as a part of that group membership. I put it on, and really liked it.

When I change shapes and skins for different designers, I don't mind. My brand is Caryn, yes. I'm marketing myself as well as helping support an array of creative people. Ultimately, my brand is what's inside my head and heart. To me, my greatest responsibility to my name is to keep my commitments, to tell you and everyone else I speak to at any time (not just when I'm at work) the truth.

If I'm true to me, regardless what the avi looks like, I hope I've earned enough trust and respect that encourages those who know me to enjoy what I present. If I don't care for something or someone, I take care of conflicts privately. If I don't have something kind or thoughtful to say, I just won't say it. I care about what I do. I want to make Face Paint, and all the other companies who've let me represent them in some way, shine as brightly as possible. When I do so, the woman behind the pretty pixels gets to shine too.

Featuring Evolve Garden Affair
Featuring Deeses Skins Loreen
Featuring IKON Sunrise eyes: Steel Blue Pale
1. Wasabi Pills: Lory
2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia
3. Purple Moon: Tears Me Not Set
4. Face Paint: Desire
5. Miamai Poses

Featuring Kyxe Laura Copper Skin and Shape
Featuring Face Paint Cara Warm
Featuring Finesmith White and Black Gown
Featuring Finesmith Cen Necklace and Earrings
1. EMO-tions: Forever
2. Poetic Color: Rain Tree
3. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Divina
4. Poses in pose studio at The Creative Loft

Featuring Face Paint
1. IKON: Sunrise Steel Blue Pale
2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Divina
3. Luziefee: Hat, Dress and Jewelry

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous -- Featuring Evolve, Glam Dreams and Banger Islands

Every so often, a show comes on television that celebrates someone rich and famous, fantasy or reality, it really doesn't mind. The ideas entice us to dream, and think of those worlds that feel so far out of reach. I don't know if everyone comes into this world with the yearning for such a life, but many of us seem enamored with it.

Evolve: Capture

Featuring Evolve Capture

1. Face Paint: Barbie

2. Wasabi Pills: Lory

3. Mirror's Enigma: Iona Native Skintone

4. Baboom: Diamond Red Shoe

5. Chop Zuey: Black Ice Set

6. Candy Nail: Resort Sunset

7. Poetic Color: Oriental Pearl

When we play hard in our Second Life, we have the opportunity to grasp those fantasy worlds, pretend to be rich or famous, and in some cases, become rich and famous. I remember Ansche Chung's first million making national news, and it was a million US Dollars! out of Second Life.

Glam Dreams Antonelli Gown

Featuring Glam Dreams Antonelli

Featuring Chop Zuey Feu Foliet Clutch Purse

1. Poetic Color: Oriental Pearl

2. [elika]: Abbey

3. Face Paint: Sophisticates

4. Candy Nail: Rose Garden Classics

5. Mirror's Enigma: Sapphire

6. Jewelry by Jake: Valencia Set

I think it would be incredibly difficult in this age of Second Life to repeat such a success, but there are still dreams. Meanwhile, we really do have the chance to visit stunning worlds of fantasy and wearing glamorous clothing; fantastic gowns and gems, pants suits and fun clothes we might otherwise never wear in our lives off line.

Banger Island Creations Tube Top

Featuring Banger Island Creations Gift Mesh Tube Top

1. ::B::u::B:: Jeans

2. Exquisite Abigail Ring - Unknown

3. Chinese Dreams Necklace - Unknown

4. Baubles! by Phe: Square Diamond Bangle

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

6. Face Paint: Smoke

7. Face Paint: Gem Square Prim Nails

8. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Starlia

9. Poetic Color: Oriental Pearl

10. EMO-tions: Lavina

Even when I dress it down, look around, and the world around me makes you go ooh... ahh... and more. A casual tube top fits closely and enhances that sculpted body. She (me?) must work out often to have those curves and the flat tummy. Maybe there's a secret plastic surgeon down the lane that keeps everyone's secrets in this lifestyle.

Evolve Dream Love in Green

Featuring Evolve Dream Love in Green

Featuring Poetic Color Rain Tree

1. [elika]: Breathe

2. Face Paint: Doe

3. Candy Nail: Rain Drop Green

4. Mirror's Enigma: Iona Bronze

5. Angel Necklace - Unknown

6. InPose

If I were truly a part of this strata of people in my world off line, I would pour my effort and time into the lives of those who were not as fortunate. People all around this great world struggle, with health issues beyond our imagination, lack of food, lack of shelter, worn out, used up and forgotten. I would make sure someone remembered them.

Evolve Dream Love in Green (2)

Featuring Evolve Dream Love in Green

Featuring Poetic Color Rain Tree

1. [elika]: Breathe

2. Face Paint: Doe

3. Candy Nail: Rain Drop Green

4. Mirror's Enigma: Iona Bronze

5. Angel Necklace - Unknown

6. InPose

I know it's unlikely I will attain this lifestyle. That's alright. I feel rich and rewarded simply by having family and friends. Wealth comes in many forms, and though it would be wonderful to have no financial conflicts, the ability to buy everything including hot looks, I would honestly rate those things of the heart far above those things bought and paid for in any world.

I can play at anything I want to play in Second Life. Famous or flirtatious. Playful or playgirl. There's a little something for everyone. I enjoy the dreams. I even enjoy those shows I mentioned that let us glimpse that world out of my reach. I focus on those things of no monetary value and personally know that focus would be the same if I did have a huge bank account. I feel whole only when I pour out of myself and into other's lives. I can do that in any lifestyle, at any financial strata. We all can.

A Series of Raw Photos for [Mirror's Enigma]

This week I have had the joy of working with Ydreece Forester. She has been designing for a while now, and makes skins under the name [Mirror's Enigma]. We all know the skin makers who've been around for a while. I can recall when Chip Midnight's skins were the best there was. Now there are other 'bests' and a lot of best is a matter of opinion.

I don't pretend to know all the nuances of what makes a good skin but I do know since I began working with her at a fair last fall, she's improved greatly over each series of skins she develops.

As they say in pictures, "You just get betta and betta, Baby!" She really does!

When I mentioned to her that I thought it would be a good idea to include a completely nude skin, no eyebrows even, she took my suggestion and did so. Many MANY skin designers are using last year's eyebrows and if you look at fashion trends you'll see the massive change in shape and the reason we need some really good designers to track those trends and sell us brows along. Maybe she will herself!

There are many facets of my life that I keep somewhat secreted away from the business world. It's logical. If I were still a secretary, I would not share all my wanton ways at work. I'd save those revelations for people whom I trusted.

It's still amusing to me that many people see me as perhaps sweet (gack, are you sure!?) and innocent (double gack!) Really? I had a blast trying to figure out how to do these very sultry photos and yet show style and class and reflect well on my professional approach and my personal thoughts on nudity.

The other day, I really wanted to single out another designer and did an add that resembled an old Calvin Klein add. Just two days later, I was encouraged to snap some photos for a skin release in the store, and did a series, posted them to my flickr, got feedback from the designer, and went back to the site, took new shots and those are now up on my flickr. I really appreciate the comments, but if she wants something different, I might take this series down as well, so I put it on my blog so they wouldn't be lost.

Besides the skin by Mirror's Enigma, I have on a very lovely hair that I keep in my folder because tho the company went out of business, I still love the few things I got from there - Osmose. I have Gaeline lashes because she makes lashes easy with a HUD and mesh! I love her lashes. I'd have 20 pair if she made them. And of course, a blog would not be complete without some FacePaint. On the photo where I'm wearing the natural skin, I have on Face Paint's most recent makeup as well. Enjoy!

You Never Know Who's Listening... -- Featuring Ms. Darcy and Luziefee

Social media has broadened my internet horizon a lot in these recent days. I'm one of those old people who don't try new things so quickly. I know there's use in each new fad that comes along, but I also get comfortable in what I do and how programs run (until they change it completely like Flickr recently did!!)...

Facebook then to me was just another MySpace, and I had one of those, though no one ever used it. I had it. It was 'cool' at the time I created the account, but eventually everything becomes uncool. I just wasn't as quick to hop on the Facebook wagon. Now I have, and I meet new people, people who have nothing to do with SL, by linking with friends friends friends. I even have people who type to me in letters from languages that are so unique I don't even know what they are!

When they take time to look at my blog, they see an array of topics, whatever happens to be in my heart on any given day, and stories related to SL, but they have no real reference point on which to start. But they stay and remain commentors, followers, and eventually friends. It's a unique thing to me. I often realize that I don't know who's reading me and in essence who's listening.

I've also realized recently that many groups I'm in have countless members who are primarily silent. Occasionally a topic arises and they speak up and share something and their voice makes a difference. I happened to comment on a gown the other day and I ended up showing you this gown today as a result of who was chatting, and who was listening. I like building my world on relationships and enjoying the fashion as I go. When I get old and grey (wait I am!!), I will still have priceless treasures in all the friendships I've made. Life can't get any better than that.

Featuring Ms. Darcy Dar's Dragon
1. EMO-tions: Sessie
2. Poetic Color: Oriental Pearl
3. Mirror's Enigma: Croix Light Skintone
4. Face Paint: Perfect Lip & Liner
5. Face Paint: French Manicure

Featuring Luziefee Shania Blue Day
Featuring Luziefee Leni Onyx
1. Poetic Color: Oriental Pearl
2. Amacci Hair: Celine
3. Mirror's Enigma: Sapphire Tan Skintone
4. !InPose

Nothing Gets Between Me and My BSD -- Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}}

There was a Calvin Klein commercial some long time ago that received a lot of negative press, but in the business of fashion and celebrity, any press is good press. Brooke Shields, in her very young years as a model, spoke the line, "Nothing gets between me and my Calvin Kleins."

I broke down and bought a laptop that could see some of the extra graphics features on Second Life recently. It's given me a whole new world to play with, light and texture, shapes and so much more. I could only run on Low, nothing fancy, nothing else. Now I log in and I see snowflakes and particles on fancy pretty flowers.

The lady who creates {{BSD Design Studio}} products creates her own mesh so her shoes are different than they are anywhere else on the grid. I'd been so blessed to be in her blogger group that I've been looking for a while for an idea to really showcase her products. Shoes. Check. Handbag. Check. A bit of jewelry and not much else. Yes and yes.

As every month comes and goes, I find new treats as group gifts offered to the VIP group at Carrie's Lingerie. I think I've more than gotten my money's worth. Another great location for group gifts is Finesmith and everything from great jewelry to unique clothing, she provides a lot of options as well in her group gift each month. It's worth it, if you love a designer, to buy into their special groups.

Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Milano Bag Black
Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Post Modernism Black Leather
1. Chop Zuey: Candy Kisses Set
2. [Mirror's Enigma]: Croix Light Skintone
3. [elika]: Breathe

Featuring Carrie's Lingerie VIP August Group Gift
Featuring Finesmith Love Angel Set
1. Poetic Color: Oriental Pearl
2. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Fantasia
3. [ChicZafari]: Black Rose
4. Face Paint: Perfect Lip & Liner
5. [S H O C K]: Glitter Nails
6. [Mirror's Enigma]: Croix Light Skintone
7. Chop Zuey: Spangles Ring
8. Bax Boots: White Leather