52-weeks of Color-Blue- Week 2

So here we are at week two of the 52 week color challenge. This weeks challenge Blue. Now if you asked me at the age of 8 what my favorite color was I have immediately answered, Blue. While most girls wore pink and had items in their room lined in the color, I was the one in blue. I have to say that blue is still a color that I am quite fond of but it's not my favorite anymore. That color will have to wait for another post.

The Look- Blue without you.
Hair-Truth-Mary-Indigo
*Skin-Exodi-Dael Nuit-7
Shirt-Artilleri-Carlita top-Blue
*Pants-Sn@tch-Community College Capris
Jacket-Friday-Tourist Jacket- Navy
Socks-Robin-Bella Socks-Silent Sparrow
Shoes-Friday-Basic Pump- Navy

*Blogger Item

Fit to be Tied

Bells Boutique has released a new outfit "Fit to be Tied" which is a Corset/Bodysuit. "Fit to Be Tied" is released in 8 vibrant colors. Each lingerie set is 75L and the Skittles Pack (fat pack) is 450L.  Included is an optional prim skirt and necklace.

Reflecting on Bells Boutique-
A long time ago before I started blogging I used to make clothing in Second Life. It was something that interested me when I was a new resident. I wanted to learn so badly, so I attended classes at NCI. The first class I took taught me how to upload a texture and then edit in SL Appearance to make shirts, skirts, pants. Ect. My first designs were ugly, crude, the word primitive definitely comes to mind when I think about early works.

My little store grew and I learned new techniques and skills. I started with Gimp, then moved on to Photoshop elements until I was gifted Photoshop CS and a whole package of Adobe goodies from a classmate in RL. As RL brought inevitable changes I found I had less time and interest in designing until slowly stopped creating in SL. As my Fourth Rezz day approaches I have started to review my little trip down SL. I've decided that I would like to focus back on what I first loved in SL, Clothing Creation.



My little store has always been sort of a passing hobby and way to learn. I don't think I could ever be someone with great talent in clothing design; but I will continue to create because it's fun, a challenge and gives me a sense of personal satisfaction. My clothing will never be perfect and part of me will always feel as if it's inadequate. I will admit to feeling that small twinge of failure or invisibility that some SL content creators fall into. I made sales yes, but my tiny store was never blogged by anyone other than myself. I never knew about review copies or marketing. My blog wasn't even on the feeds. I have set aside a couple of personal goals for myself for the next six months, hopefully I can achieve these small milestones.

"Fit to Be Tied", is actually one of the first personal challenges I have completed. With this design I have managed to hand draw all elements, I refused to use brushes. I also learned how to make multiple colors of one design. Finally, I created a new template for store signs. Hopefully I can improve upon these techniques and make my next release better. Please stay tuned for new releases and as always if you have any feedback please let me know how to improve upon my store.

XOXO
Bells Semyorka

52 Weeks of Color- Week 1- Grey

Luna Jubilee recently called out a blogger challenge. She explains it best so please click here to review the detials.

This week's color is Grey. I tried to use as much of the color as possible in my post giving a monochromatic look. From head to toe, I'm in "Shades of Grey".

Hair-69-MOG-Silver- Group Gift 2009
Skin-L. Fauna- Lapine- Snow Fae- Ice
Tattoo- Cheap Makeup- Cat Power- 50L friday
*Shirt-WoE- Jenae Tie Front Shirt Sweater- (Russet- available in 7 colors)
Skirt- Baiastice- Pleated Cotton Skirt
Shoes-Maitreya Gold- Shanti Black
Necklace- Miel- Sey Necklace
Ring- Callie Cline- The Black Rock Ring- 50L Friday 2009
*Pose-Bang!- Indecisive Pose 4

*Blogger Item

With Love

We need not think alike to love alike. - David Ferenc

Here are a few of the recent goodies I haven fallen in LOVE with. 

Hair-bOON-WAW635-Chestnut
Skin-Exodi- Sylvan Vivante- Beloved-DK/F/C- 50L Friday
Top-Zaara- Zhubh shirt- Freebie Gift
Skirt-Zaara- Trishna Print Skirt- Powder
Necklace-Paper Couture- Deer Flower Pendant
Ring-Paper Couture- Golden Wings Rings

Subtle Changes

 

When I first tried on Amacci's newest skin Irina, I had this feeling of familiarity come over me. The reason this Deja Vu swept over me is because Irina reminded me so much of Giselle, A skin released in April by Amacci. It wasn't until I did a side by side comparison, as suggested by Luna Jubilee that I was able to really appreciate the subtle changes I almost overlooked. So let's take a peak at the differences and see what makes this skin distinct from it's predecessor.




The Examination Process
In my photo I have outlined the differences in the skin. I am comparing Irina Nude (Left) and Giselle Natural (Right).

  ***No photo shopping has been done besides cropping and adding lines and circles. 

Both Skins are from Amacci so it's the same creator, No Copy Issue.

Both skins are using the fresh skin tone, with optional hair base and cleavage

I've removed all attachments and tattoo layers so you can have confidence this is skin only.****

1. Eyebrows- Irina has softer eyebrows while Giselle has a more defined eyebrow shape.
2. Eye Lashes- Irina has slightly longer lashes, almost hard to tell the changes between them
3. Highlight Areas- Irina is softer and incorporates brighter highlight areas giving the skin a silky touch
4. Lip Shape- Irina has a softer lip arches Giselle is more defined
5. Moles- Irina has no moles along the decollete
6. Coloring-  The coloring of these two skins are similar but are not identical. I haven't gone through all the skins and compared the newest 16 to the previous ones. I just happened to pick these skins because the Pale/Nude Colors worked with the look I was putting together.

I want to be completely thorough and show that I had a hard time at first with spotting the changes because I was wearing hair, an eyeliner base and eyelashes. These Items provided an obstructing view of the skin. Here is a photo of the two skins with the extras. As you can see from the photos adding long full hair would make the differences hard to spot.



My conclusion of Irina is that it's a great skin well worth the 900L; however, if you already own Giselle you might want to be extremely selective when it comes to choosing your new skin. I didn't originally intend for this post to be a skin analysis but I'm really pleased that I took the time to reflect on Carina Larsen's work. I really have formed a new appreciation for her brand and all the changes she puts forth. If I had to point out two things I love about Irina it's the softness of the skin in the highlighted areas and lips. I do prefer the sculpted eyebrows of Gisella and would really love to see these skins with shorter eyelashes. Since the 2.0 tattoo layers are becoming so popular perhaps having the longer lashes as a tattoo base would be more beneficial.



The Look- Subtle Changes
Hair- Truth- Truth Hawks- BoHo- Mahogany
*Skin- Amacci, Carina Larsen- Irina- Fresh- Nude
Shirt-Kyoot-Saeya Nyada- Flimsy Plungie Blouse-Sheer Lace- 50l friday
Necklace-AddiCt- Treasured Peacock Necklace
Jacket/Vest-A&A Fashion Fall Coat Blue Jacket- The Dressing Room
Panties-W&B Frilly Little Knickers- Ivory
Leggings-The Closet- Lace Leg Warmer- PNK
EyeLiner- Cheap Makeup-Cat Power- 50l friday

*blogger item

Do Not Enter..

 Just ring the door bell they urged her. Her face grew taut and her stomached flipped. The thought of walking up the steps brought her to tears. She had no choice but to follow through; How could she admit to the others that she belived the stories about the witch that occupied this house. She knew one way or another it would all be over. She gave them one last look and headed to the house which clearly gave all the signs to stay away.

The Look- Not Gonna Do It! 
Hair- Elikatira-Elikapeka Tiramisu Horizon- Blonde
Skin- Try Designs, Tyr Rozenblum- Dinah In Fall- Bad Day
Dress- Laces and Steel Medieval Gowns and Swords- Hannah Yakan- Godiva Goth Doll
*Blogger Review Item

Lil Devil in The Ruins

I've been a little down which lead to a total decline of my blogging productivity. It's partly because I'm homesick for some Halloween fun and also because I was a bit ill. However, now I have managed to kick my sickness to the curb and have decided to embrace what's left of the Halloween Season by using Second Life as my vessel. I've also outlined my RL Halloween plans, well sort of. Right now it's a toss up between a tour of an "haunted castle" with only torch lights to guide the way. Or a Halloween party with friends. I'm thinking the castle might win in the end, but enough of my mini rant lets talk about props/poses.



What I found to be perfect for competing this Halloween look was poses/props from !Bang and here's why. !Bang has released a whole set of Prop/Poses that are versitle for any look you may want to manifest this Halloween. Are you feeling a bit mysterious and dark? Then "The Ruins", might be perfect for you. If you're feeling a little cute and playful.  You may find "My Big Fat Bat" calling to you or if you would like to let your inner candy demon come out the "Candy Corn" set deliciously sweet and a great treat to share with your friends.

Prop/Pose sets happen to be my favorite part of SL pose making because I feel the pose maker has to really go the extra mile to incorporate the prop into the set. Also when the pose and prop are already linked it helps to create a unified look making themed photos so much easier to envision. I always find myself developing a sense of loyalty and take note of pose makers that create pose/prop sets.  Personally I feel it's a great way for the store to show it's uniqueness and creativity.

I want to note that I mentioned two props/Poses that are not shown here.
1) My big fat Bat, I opted to show the mini bat because it's currently a freebie at !Bang.
2) Candy Corn- I am currently planning on using the set in another blog post and didn't want to spoil the post by showcasing it now.

!Bang poses are worth every Linden, if you haven't visited the store please take the time and do so. I also want to note there are some great specials going on right now in the front of the store. It looks like the Lo Lo cart will stay until October 31st so don't miss your chance to pick up these poses, tattoos, and props. 




The Look- Lil Devil from the Ruins
*Hair-69- Sweet Devilkin-Silver Collection-Group Gift- 09 Halloween
*Skin-Exodi- Ryker Beck- Isolde, Drow- Murder At Skull Creek Prize
Dress-Sn@tch-Ivey Deschanel-Limited Edition Gallery Dress- Blue Light Special
Shoes-Grim Brothers- Luxury Steam punk Heels
**Necklace-Tiff Vella- Eclectica Jewellery- Vintage Rose Necklace
Props/Pose- !BANG
*Bat-Trieste Minuet-My Lil' Fat Bat- Freebie in store
**The Ruins- Trieste Minuet

*Freebie Item/Halloween Gift
**Blogger Item LM included