glamourazzi

For my second challenge, Gabby gave me the following guidelines:

"Okay, Arcadia, let's get you away from the goth for a little bit. I'd love to see you put together something Glam punk in style. Start at Maitreya and Emery...their recent collaboration will give you lots of pieces to work with. Then check out Gritty Kitty or Exile for some hair. Oh, and I'd love to see you try some brighter colors with this, too. Have fun!"

I must admit that I found this the most daunting of the challenges, not because I dislike Glam Punk or anything, but because of those two little words: bright colors. *shudders*

After hiding in a corner and listening to my inner Goth hissing in my head for a while, I decided to be brave and tp over to Maitreya to see what their collaboration with Emery produced.

The results were interesting. And while I can appreciate the aesthetic of the outfits, I wasn't sure any of them were even remotely "me" enough to wear. But I did find myself drawn to the look in the promotional signs, so I thought I'd try to replicate that. It looked very Glam and still a bit "me". I found the Emery Biker jacket and immediately wished it came in more than two colors. Fuscia (Hot Pink to me) and Yellow are not colors I would normally wear. But I kept hearing Gabby's words in my head, so I snagged the Hot Pink jacket as it is the lesser of two evils. At least it's derived from red, right?

Next, I grabbed the Emery Denim Burk pants and the Maitreya Frenzy shoes in the special Hot Lips edition. They're black with hot pink on the bottoms, which totally matches the jacket.

And though Gabby directed me to other places for hair, I couldn't pass up the Nico hair sitting next to the Frenzy shoes. The Maitreya Armwarmers in black were next (sorry, I have to have black in there somewhere Gabby), and I was starting to feel a little better about the outfit. Not entirely comfortable, mind you, but I thought it would at least be an interesting experiment. All that was left was a shirt. And while the model in the promotional sign had on just a plain grey shirt underneath her jacket, I decided to grab the Emery Call Me outfit (a freebie, btw) and use the Blondie shirt from that outfit with my new look. It works perfectly to tie in those black armwarmers. As for accessories, I tp'd over to ::69:: for some fun pink and black star earrings and decided to use my Exotic Zeenu necklace from Viva La Glam instead of hunting around for a new one. With all of the pieces gathered, I tp'd home and put the whole thing together.

And you know what?

I LOVE it.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this look! I've not stopped wearing it for an entire week. Can you belive it?

Gabby, you've corrupted me!

More photos and info behind the cut.

Here you can see the Maitreya Nico hair. I wasn't quite sure about it at first, but Rhodesy gave it the green light when I sent her a photo of me wearing the demo, so I went with it. And I'm glad I did. It's super sexy, and it's a lot of fun to photograph. Believe me, I know. I'm wearing Beach Blonde, but it comes in a vast array of colors.


Ah, the Emery Biker jacket that started the whole thing. The first thing I've ever owned in SL or in RL that is pink. I think the texture on this is fabulous, and the cut is quite flattering. It comes with a prim collar and sleeve cuffs, but I opted to wear it without. You could do a totally different kind of look with them, though. And at 200L, I think it's quite the bargain.

The Maitreya Armwarmers go great with this jacket too, but I bet you could wear them with lots of looks. Oh, and they also come in a dizzying array of colors. You can get single colors, or packs of three.

Two great photos of the Emery Denim Burk pants. I'm not sure I'll ever take these off. They're just perfect. I love the color and texture, and they are incredibly flattering, especially in the back. And the skinny legs...love the skinny legs.


The Maitreya Frenzy shoes in the special unreleased edition, Hot Lips. Don't you just love Maitreya's shoes? So sexy and chic. I like these almost as well as their Virtue shoes, which I wear with just about everything. I may have to go back and get more colors.


So there you have it...Arcadia gone Glam Punk. I certainly never expected to see me in anything pink, but I'm glad Gabby challenged me. I love this look and will definitely be wearing it...a lot. Most importanly, I had fun. Which is what this is all about, right?

Photography by Arcadia Nightfire, MDR Photo Studio

Model Info:
Skin: Celestial Studios - Charmed Skin 20 (Glitter- Silver 2)
Eyes: Eye AC - darkturquoise
Hair: Maitreya - Nico, Beach Blond
Manicure: Sin Skins - Glitter Manicure, Black
Top: Emery - Tee Call Me 1
Pants: Emery - Denim Burk
Jacket: Emery Biker Jacket, Fucsia
ArmWarmers: Maitreya Armwarmer, Black
Shoes: Maitreya - Frenzy, Hot Lips
Jewelry: Inks & Kinks Nostril Diamond Stud
Viva La Glam - Exotic Zeenu Necklace (recolored)
::69:: - OpenStar Earrings, Pink/Black

Poses:
Photos 1 & 3: Long Awkward Pose - Seduction
Photos 2, 4, & 5: Striking Poses - DQ2 - Ann Margaret
Photo 7: Long Awkward Pose - JewelryPose_16

*revised because html hates me*

Gidge said "I want to see you do WARRIOR GODDESS! I’d cruise Fairy’s Grove and Tekeli Li for inspiration.Think……..BREASTPLATE!"


Ask and ye shall recieve, my dear. I give you Arcadia as Warrior Goddess.

I have to thank Gidge for coming up with this idea for the challenge because it gave me an excuse to buy an outfit I've been coveting for quite some time; Amazon by GothiCatz. I thought it was lovely the day it came out, and I still adore it. Of course, how often does a photographer need to be wearing a breastplate? And so, I resisted...and resisted...and resisted. But now, thanks to Gidge, it is mine! *cue evil laughter*

Amazon comes with two skirt options, Rubellite and Emmerald. I'm wearing Rubellite (of course). The movement on this skirt is just stunning; I would expect nothing less from Looloo Beck.

The detail on the breastplate is gorgeously done, and that same pattern is accented on the waistband of the skirt as well. I love how the top looks like a corset done in metal. I added some henna tattoos, from LaynieWear, just for fun.

One of the places Gidge told me to check out was Tekeli Li. I must admit, I'd never heard of that place before, but I'm glad Gidge pointed me in that direction. What fun stuff! I bought the Wyrmling hair to go with my Warrior Goddess look. It's quite well done, with a cute yet fierce looking dragon resting atop the head.

The back is just as fun, with cascading falls of hair held up by metal rings. It's very ornate and just what I was looking for.

The best part is that it's all scripted. You can change the hair color, the color of the dragon, the color of the jewels on the dragon, etc. All with just a click of a button. How fun is that?

I was also able to find some lovely jewelry. The Sinqui Collar and Cuffs set is just understated enough to go with the Wyrmling hair. It, too, is scripted. You can change the color of the metal and the color of the gems. The possibilities abound with stuff from Tekeli Li. And we all know how much I like versatile items.

Of course, no Warrior Goddess look is complete without some kick ass heels, and I had the perfect pair in my inventory. ZHAO's Savannah in black leather. Nothing says Warrior Goddess quite like leather straps wrapping half way up your leg. These shoes are stunning, and with the right outfit, make a very bold statement.

Last, but definitely not least, a Warrior Goddess must have a trusty blade. I tp'd over to Stone Keep and snagged the Spell Fire Dragon's Eye blade. A lovely peice of metal work. It comes with a shield (not shown), and animations for drawing and sheathing the sword. It even has sound effects.

All in all, I had a lot of fun putting this look together. Thanks, Gidge!

Photography by Arcadia Nightfire, MDR Photo Studio

Model Info:

Skin: Deviant Kitty - Voodoo Lashes - Sunkiss
Lashes: Deviant Kitty -Deviant Prim Lashes 01
Eyes: ::Tuli:: - Mesmerize Eyes, Blue
Hair: Tekeli-li - Wyrmling, Scripted
Manicure: Sin Skins - Glitter Manicure, Black
Pedicure: Candy Nail - #000 Basic Toenails, Black
Tattoo: LaynieWear - Henna Shoulders 1
Outfit: GothiCatz - Amazon (Rubellite Skirt Option)
Shoes: ZHAO- Savannah, Black Leather
Jewelry: Tekeli-li - Sinqui Collar and Cuffs
Sword: Stone Keep - Spell Fire Dragon's Eye Sword and Sheath (comes with shield not shown)

Poses:

Photo 1: Long Awkward Pose - Helping Hand
Photos 2 & 3: Long Awkward Pose - Dayum
Photo 4 & 5: Long Awkward Pose - Seduction

Oh, why not? It could be interesting.

I have a love/hate relationship with snow. On the one hand, I think freshly fallen snow (when it's like six inches deep) is one of the most beautiful sights you'll ever see on this planet. On the other hand, I absolutely despise driving in it. I am of the firm belief that if it's going to snow at all, there should be enough of the white stuff on the ground that I don't have to leave my apartment for a few days. Otherwise, what's the point?



But there is hope.



The beauty of Second Life is that I can enjoy the snow without having to drive in it, and that's just what I did a few days ago when wandering around MDR's new SIM. We have this lovely mountain top area with lots of trees, snow, and even wolves howling in the distance. It's very picturesque; the perfect stage for the newest GothiCatz outfit.

I love the texture on this shirt; it is exquisitely done and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy just by looking at it. And the row of buttons down the front adds a touch of cuteness to this dramatic winter outfit.

Of course, my favorite part is always the leather pants. These are highly detailed, with little metal accents all down the front of the legs. I paired this outfit with the Hylda boots from Tesla and kept the jewelry to a minimum - this outfit doesn't need any accessories.

You can take the fur trim off, but I think the outfit looses a lot when you do. Of course, it's up to your personal taste and the clothing is lovely with or without the fur.

Stage is the perfect outfit for taking in the winter scenery or going on those holiday shopping sprees. Tp over to GothiCatz and check it out.

Photography by Arcadia Nightfire, MDR Photo Studio

Model Info:
Skin: Celestial Studios - Charmed Skin 20 (Glitter- Silver 2)
Eyes: Eye AC - darkturquoise
Hair: the Abyss - Secret, Light Blonde
Manicure: Sin Skins - Glitter Manicure, Crimson
Outfit: Gothicatz - Stage
Shoes: Tesla - Hylda Boots, Black
Jewelry: Inks & Kinks Nostril Diamond Stud
Caroline's - Individual, a Right Hand Ring

Poses:
Photo 1 - Striking Poses - Krista Allen_10
Photo 2 - ANA_MATIONS - BabyDoll4_hip
Photo 3 - Long Awkward Pose - Emo - Forlorn
Photo 4 - Striking Poses - Tyra Banks_1

I discovered TRUTH while jumping from SIM to SIM searching for ghosts over Halloween weekend. It's an interesting store, with a vast array of items for both men and women (looks pointedly at Payten). My favorite item, though, is the Spy coat. I love it. I love everything about it; from the black color, to the shiny silver belt, to the fun zipper detail. The bottom of it moves beautifully as you walk and it definitely screams "Spy".

For the TRUTH photo contest, I headed over to AM Radio's Dancing Umbrellas Installation. Cajsa gave me the landmark for this when MDR did their shoot for Runway Magazine. That issue comes out this week, I believe, so be sure to pick up a copy and check out the feature on the ladies of MDR.

The contest rules are that you must wear TRUTH hair, clothing, and shoes so I paired the Spy Coat with the Huntress boots in night. Spy. Huntress. Midnight. Night. I feel like the next Bond girl! The Jennifer hair in Flame was the perfect compliment to the look.

This coat would look wonderful with almost anything you paired with it; i.e. jeans, black pants, etc. I chose to go without for the contest, which certainly works as well. Though you do have the added complication of people asking you if you're wearing anything underneath the coat. Perhaps it's more fun to leave them guessing.

Photo contest or no, I like TRUTH's style. There's a wide selection of hair, clothing, and shoes for both men and women. It's definitely worth stopping by on your next shopping trip around the grid.

Photography by Arcadia Nightfire, MDR Photo Studio

Model Info:
Skin: Celestial Studios - Charmed Skin 20 (Glitter- Silver 2)
Eyes: Eye AC - darkturquoise
Hair: TRUTH - Jennifer, Flame
Coat: TRUTH - The Spy, Midnight
Boots: TRUTH - Huntress Boots, Night
Jewelry: Inks & Kinks - Diamond Nostril Stud
Caroline's Jewelry - Graduated Diamond Set

Poses:

Photos 1 & 2 - Striking Poses - DQ2 - Bette Davis
Photo 3 - Striking Poses - Sandra Bullock Freebie Pose
Photo 4 - Striking Poses - DQ6 - Ann Margaret

There I was last Friday, the night of MDR's Anniversary Bash, standing in my bedroom frantically riflling through my inventory. What to wear, what to wear...the age old question that every fashionista asks herself before an important occassion. I had a list of criteria I was trying to follow:

Dressy but not TOO formal.
Classy and elegant.
Something a little out of the ordinary.
And most importantly...smokin H-O-T!

My first thought was a little black dress, because that works for almost every occassion, but I wanted out of the ordinary. Perhaps I could find something that fit both bills?

It took me awhile, but I finally stumbled upon the perfect dress for theparty. It fit all of my party dress criteria, and better yet, I'd not had an opportunity to wear it yet. So what dress was the perfect dress for an anniversary bash? What dress was elegant, sexy, and a bit out of the ordinary? The Noir Vero Flexi Dress from Leezu Baxter Designs, of course.

Leezu Baxter always has fabulous, not your run of the mill, couture. I've been an admirer of hers for quite some time, but I admit I don't get to wear her things as often as I'd like. I bought this dress on impulse quite awhile ago, but hadn't had a reason to wear it yet. I'm so glad I pulled it out and dusted it off. It was the PERFECT dress for the occassion.

This dress is exquisitely sexy. The geomatric cut out pattern on the torso and the plunging neckline show off a tantalizing amount of skin without crossing the line.


The skirt comes with three flexi prims and it moves beautifully...this is definitely a dress for dancing. I love the pairing of the modest length of the skirt with the daring neckline. And the gloves, with their matching cut out pattern, not only compliment this dress perfectly, but they add that touch of elegance I was looking for.

I paired this dress with the new Yvette hair from ETD because I thought an updo would look best, but I didn't want anything too formal and polished. Yvette is just a tiny bit messy and a little less formal. The hair sweeping across one side of the face adds a touch of sexy to the updo. For jewelry, I kept it simple and understated so as not to overpower the dress. Caroline's graduated diamond set was the perfect compliment. Classic, simple, beautiful. And besides, diamonds go with everything, right?


Black seamed stockings and the Maitreya Virtue shoes were the finishing touches to my Anniversary Party look.

Sorrow is the final doll in the Marionette Doll series from theAbyss and I have to admit she's my favorite. As soon as I put this on, I knew it would be the one I chose to wear for Halloween. I'm not sure if it's the runny mascara or the wonderful net gloves, but this one has totally won me over. As much as I love the other two dolls, this one is just...perfect. It also really fits my mood these days.

She's a bit Gothy, a bit Emo, and a lot doll. Sorrow's clothing is also black and red, much like Mystery, but the pattern and shade of red are completely different. Sorrow is...darker. The pattern on the skirt looks more like blood spatter on fishnet than anything resembling polka dots. (although you will find polka dots on the hair bows.)



The solid skirt is wonderful too.

You get the same clothing options as the other dolls but the gloves are an added bonus with this one and a nice touch, I think. I love that they are ripped. They lend themselves well to the overall theme of this outfit. I should mention also that these shapes are modifiable. I didn't change them because I thought they were great as is, but you certainly have the option if you so choose.

Sorrow comes with:

Shape
Skin (pg and mature versions)
Eyes
Prim Eyelashes
Hair (with two different options for the bows)
Stockings (two different options)
Pantaloons (two different options)
Peasant Top (two different options)
Full Corset(two different options)
Half Corset (two different options)
Skirt (two different options)
Victorian Boots (with strings or without)

Ripped Net Gloves
Top Hat
Strings
Face Light
Bow (three options)

Not much more can be said about these dolls that I've not already said in these last few posts. So if you are running around at the last minute looking for a great costume to wear to that special Halloween party, look no futher than theAbyss. Yes, the Marionette Dolls are a bit pricey...but they're totally worth it for a no muss no fuss costume that's unique and fabulous.

Model Info:

theAbyss - Full Avatar - Sorrow_Marionette Doll

Poses:

Photo 1 - Luth - Melancholy 11

Photo 2 - Luth - Melancholy 01

Photo 3 - Luth - Melancholy 04

Photo 4 - Luth - Melancholy 01

Photo 5 - Luth - Melancholy 09

Mystery is the second doll in the Marionette Dolls series from theAbyss. She is just as lovely as the first doll, Magic, yet very different. Where Magic is dark, Mystery is light. Her hair is an eye-catching full bright blonde and her skin is lovely and pale; almost like alabaster. She's an absolutely gorgeous doll.

As with Magic before her, Mystery comes with lots of fun options for mixing and matching. In the photo above, I'm wearing the pattern peasant shirt, the pattern black half corset, and the solid black skirt. I love the red polka dots on this pattern shirt, so I opted for the half corset so as to show off said polka dots.

Speaking of polka dots...

You get two options for bloomers as well. Below I'm wearing the pattern bloomers sans skirt to show you how absolutely fabulous they are. And I have to say, the red and black polka dotted stockings are my favorite in this set.



In the photo below, I've opted for the pattern skirt, a lovely black paisely design, and the full corset, which accomplishes a somewhat different type of sexy than the half corset.



Last but not least is the solid peasant shirt, the half corset and the solid black skirt. The options abound with this set - all pattern, all solid, mix and match, etc. I love versatility. And, I feel I must mention how well done the doll strings are. I've seen doll strings before that just sort of hang there and don't do anything, but these move with the avatar flawlessly and are yet another example of the attention to detail that went into making these sets.