I was reminded today why I love to add different kinds of SL photographers to my FLICKR contacts when I saw this amazing sim and couldn’t resist heading over to get some pictures.
Called Finlandia, the Northern Lights play with your senses and you don’t know where to look there is so much gorgeous scenery all around you. Continue reading
I took a little nap today and the entire day disappeared in a puff of pillows and blankets and dreams. Not that I remember the dreams, but I assume they happened. I probably dreamt about shoes thanks to the cornucopia of shoes from Shoetopia which reminds be of the great song from Paolo Nutini, Matthew Benbrook and Jim Duguid:
Woke up cold one Tuesday
I’m looking tired and feeling quite sick
I felt like there was something missing
In my day to day life
So I quickly opened the wardrobe
Pulled out some jeans and a T-Shirt that seemed clean
Topped it off with a pair of old shoes
That were ripped around the seams
And I thought these shoes just don’t suit me
Hey, I put some new shoes on
And suddenly everything’s right
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on
And everybody’s smiling, it’s so inviting
Oh, short on money but long on time
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine
And I’m running late and I don’t need an excuse
‘Cause I’m wearing my brand new shoes
Gidge loves to show off her house and I love her posts showing her pixel life. I thought I might give you just a little peek into my house, too. I just redecorated a bit with some of the new items from this month’s Collabor88, including a magnificent chest and mannequin from Apple Fall, that Eiffel Marquee from floorplan. that I am obsessed with and a new bed from Pilot.
Shoetopia is literally shoe heaven.
Shoetopia will be opening soon. Just two more days until the fashionistas of Second Life® can descend on shoe lover’s heaven, literally so as the build is itself heavenly. A brief bloggers preview run through tells me that folks will be thrilled with the variety, creativity and quality of shoes and that the most difficult aspect of Shoetopia will be deciding what to buy.
Some people love to make fun of people’s love of shoes, as though it is somehow decadent to enthuse over that fusion of art and engineering, but while shoes can be and often are extravagant indulgences for some, they are also the most important article of clothing there is.
Most of us are lucky enough to have Naot shoes for many functions, daywear for work, formal dress shoes for special occasions, work shoes to protect us from harm while gardening or chopping wood, boots and galoshes for cold and rain, and even specialized athletic shoes for different activities. Not all people are so lucky. In a working class family, they may buy one pair of new shoes for the school year – and hope no one grows too quickly. I grew up in a such a family and know very well the dilemma of choosing one pair that must be strong and hardy enough for the year. Those shoes are never delicate and dainty. Loafers, saddleshoes, oxfords, those last a year. Mary Janes? Not so much.
My parents never encouraged me to go barefoot to save on shoes in the summer. A good thing, since many kids get hookworm from walking around barefoot. On top of the risk of broken glass, sharp objects and hot burning tar on the road, parasites are a serious health hazard for those who go barefoot. Soles4Souls is a charity aimed at making sure people have the shoes they need to protect them and help them lead a healthier, safer life. Kids cannot go to school without shoes – so they are also important to reducing poverty. This is a critical, and often neglected, charitable need and Shoetopia aims to raise funds to donate to Soles4Souls efforts.
I love this sleek modern sheath from CIA Designs.
For DJ’ing last night, i wore this casual sweater from The Secret Store with some pants from Baiastice.
Sasy Scarborough suggested some time ago that I share my DJ playlists on Spotify so folks can listen even if they can’t come to my set. I set up an account and hope you will follow me. I shared a playlist with Gidge and she confessed that Spotify was too complicated, so I thought I would do a Spotify tutorial.
Leather Sleeve Pullover from House of Fox – Color.Me.H.O.F at Collabor88
It makes sense that Industrial Chic has come back into fashion in this age of economic insecurity with the middle class fading into the working class. The fashions are a form of solidarity with labor – the use of metals, the hard and soft fabrics, the utilitarian forms and simple silhouettes all avoid blinged out conspicuous consumption in favor of working class colors and practicality. But it’s chic, so there are details that elevate it from banality, details like the inset leather sleeves in this top from House of Fox.
I heard a radio show shortly before the Royal Wedding, talking about beige patent pumps. Beige patent pumps are apparently everything. Kate Middleton had been seeing wearing them at appearances, suddenly you had to have them. The morning shopping guide on the radio show (because this is now a thing apparently) went through and told us what brand Kate was wearing and since we obviously can’t afford those (commoners) told us where to get them priced in our (commoner) price range.
Luckily for us pixel girls, LVLE has come out with a gorgeous pair of beige pumps that fit the bill with gorgeous texturing that subtly shines. We might not get to marry a prince, but we’ve got cute shoes so really, that’s probably good enough.
Pixel princes are a dime a dozen anyway, girls. Continue reading
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there was a princess. She was known as Snow White. Some may figure they know this tale, but you only have heard the beginning.
One of my favorite features on iTunes, is the “Also Bought” suggestions that show up. The idea is simple, you like something, someone else liked it, so you might like what they liked. That was how I came across Valerie June, a new addition to my list of favorite singers. She’s such a fascinating blend of R&B, folk, gospel and even a bit country that you just cannot pigeonhole in any genre. That kind of versatility is not necessarily an advantage. It often seems the most underrated singers are those who cannot fit in one simple slot. Anyway, if you like Amy Winehouse, Macy Grey, Brittany Howard and the other gritty vocal divas, you will love her.
Wanna be on your mind
Stay there all the time
You can’t call my name
Dat da datta da dah
I am in love with this gorgeous gown and capelet from KatatOnik. It comes is all the rich jewel tones that you could need to fill a treasure chest. You will find it at Collabor88. For some reason, the pose and the cool blue tone of the lighting made me think of Melanie Safka’s extraordinarily beautiful song, The Citiest People. Most people probably have not heard of Melanie, or if they have, they only know her biggest song, Brand New Key. However, if you have a chance, spend some time on Spotify or YouTube and discover her many other fabulous songs, like Kansas, Someday I’ll Be a Farmer or Candles in the Rain.
To the citiest people
In the whole wide world
You’ve been unkind
To an un-city girl
From the stone walls you grew, so
I’m not blaming you
But look what the city –
Just look how the city
Has taken a pretty
And made an ugly of you
Just look what the city
Is doing to you
I have pulled out my Fiat Lux projector that I am selling on Marketplace for 50L for shooting the pics today. This is a combination of two projectors – one white and one tinted. They are mod, so you can change the color of the tint. I changed it to red the other day and have often changed it to gold. You can pretty much tint it any way you please. You can also make your own, using the tutorials you can find under the Tutorials tab up above.
To the citiest people
In the citiest town
I’m not the one
To be putting you down
From the stone walls you grew, but
I grew there too
And I know that the city
The dirty old city
Can take such a pretty
And make an ugly of you
Just look what the city
Is doing to you
