Betty Boobs!

Playing around with new photography techniques, new TAPS skin, and my mesh boobs.
Always time for playing with boobs!  XD

Introducing BETTY - the new skin from TAPS Skins!

I love her delicate eyes!

Skin:                 [TAPS] - [Betty] - [Natural] - [BCleavage] - [Cat Eye] NEW!

Hair Base:         [LeLutka]-HAIRBASE BlondeFun

Hair:                TRUTH HAIR - Laurie w/ Roots - Seaspray (light blondes pack) NEW!

Make-up:         [UMEBOSHI] Kuro Eye Make-up Set: Eyeliner + Lash

                       [UMEBOSHI] Kuro Eye Make-up Set: Smoky Eyeshadow -brown-

Nails:               [ Love Soul ] Prim Nails*Glitter Gradation*Pink

Breasts:            Lola's Tangos Mesh Breasts

Shirt:               Gawk! Rose Cozy Mini Sweatshirt with matching Tangos applier NEW!

Jeans:             -BC- Snug Jeans "Black"

Boots:              [monso] My Combat Ankle Boots - Silver

Earrings:          [MAGIC NOOK] Monday Morning Earrings - Silver

Rings:              *ICED* Diamond 2Finger Ring

                      SHUP BISH Glam Plate Ring - Silver/Milk *custom color*

I'll be back soon with meatier posts!  I have some Marketplace stalking to do... [monso] appears to have more new stuff... hmmmm...

And I leave you with a video for the song I can't get OUT OF MY FREAKING HEAD!

Sharing is caring.  :)

♥ ~SS~

Shoes = Heaven

The GoS Boutique opened today and aside from the usual "I'm not compromising on the things I'm wearing for the sake of reducing lag for all involved" frustration (*sigh* there was a unicorn there, people ... a U-NEE-freakin-CORN   -.-) it was a relatively pleasant experience.  I had figured that with the introduction of SL's best skin-matching HUD, it was going to be a little laggy, a little time-consuming, and a little pricey (shoes $795, bare feet $595).  Still, never before have I been so willing and thrilled to spend thousands of lindens in one shot for a handful of shoes!  Honestly, I had considered doing the photo shoot lying on the floor on my back surrounded by the shoe boxes with a contented face similar to that of post-coital bliss, but I wanted to show my silvery babies in sunlight instead.

Anyway, back to facts... I have to admit to having been caught up in the hype.  Ever since I watched the YouTube video last night about the skin-matching system, I was enthralled with these beautifully-designed shoes.  I was also impressed with the dedication it would take to painstakingly match shoes to skins just to form a database of the size that GoS has - over 250 skins!  What I didn't realize was that those 250 skins were actually only from a handful of skin creators.  So before you run out and get these, do yourself a favor and check their website to see if your favorite skin(s) will be in their HUD.  They are glorious shoes - and you can still manually match with the color HUD - but part of what you're paying for, I'm convinced, is this top-of-the-line skin-matching technology.

IMPORTANT!!!
When you do go to grab some - and I'm pretty sure you will because everyone wants to have a fabulous pair of limited edition snakeskin peep-toe shoes in her fashion arsenal - you should probably do so this weekend.  Join the GoS Boutique Inworld Group and get 10% off until Monday as well as the option to purchase one or two limited versions to support PDSA.  Prepare for it to be laggy and prepare to be trying to get onto the sim for a while, but in the end you will have made the sacrifice for beautiful shoes you will no doubt wear with pride all over the grid for months to come.

[GoS] Boutique - Grace Sandals - Mirror
(I ♥ them so much already!)

Here's the info for rest of the outfit:

Hair:           Elikatira - Found - Warm Blondes - Blonde 07
                  LeLutka Hair Base - BlondeFun
Make-up:    [bubble] Into the Night - Egyptian Liner & Shadow II
                  Izzie's Lipstick Red
Nails:          Izzie's Classic Nails
Skin:           -Belleza- Lily V2 Tan 0 (cleavage)
Shirt:           erratic / amy - silk blouse / RED
Skirt:           Well Then! Black Mini Skirt
Bracelets:     Finesmith - Nola Bracelets Silver
Necklace:    -RYCA- Choker EZ Platinum
Earrings:      *VEXTRA FASHION * Triple Loop Earrings
Rings:          LaGyo Shield Rings Silver/Black
                  Kyoot Nine Crimes Ring Silver

I'm Just Peachy - And You?

I'm so excited to introduce TAPS Skins' newest creations!  This blog post is going to be short and sweet since it's Friday and there are TONS of sales events out there I need to visit.  I'm adding some info about those at the end of this post for you. :)

Also, be aware, TAPS is offering 5 skins @ 25L each, so stop by and check them out!
I don't know how long that lasts, so don't wait!
TAPS also includes Tangos appliers with these two skins so your tatas will look fantastic!

Soooo earlier this week TAPS released Anna...

This is the Natural [B Cleavage] Cat's Eye with the included shape

(just a minor tweak to the saddlebags to accommodate the mesh skirt).

Then today we have the release of Aida, another cutie!

This is the same shape with the Aida skin in Natural [B Cleavage] Cat's Eye.

Hair: [e] Return - Brown 07 (Rich Browns pack)
Eyes: *YS&YS* Eye Real Frozen
Make-up: .Pekka. Juicy Lips 2
Nails: Izzie's Classic Nails - Nude
Earrings: erratic // hoop earrings // silver // small
Necklace & Ring: (Yummy) Teardrop Gemstone Set - Ruby (Collabor88)
Ring 2: LaGyo Starla Ring Silver (Collabor88)
Bracelets: Roger Paulino Silver Bangles
Top: ISON Draped Sleeveless Top - Rose (Collabor88)
Skirt: Well Then! Black Mini Skirt

Pose 1: Exposure - When You're Smiling 3m (Zodiac)
Pose 2: ILAYA - Expose 18 (Stuff in Stock Discount Event)



===============
    Sales Event Info
===============
Elikatira Retirement Sale - Hair & Shoes 70% Off
blah.Blah.blah. Retirement Sale - 60% off EVERYTHING
Kyoot Closing Sale - EVERYTHING 50L each
Aitui Clearance Sale
Floorplan Semi-Annual Sale thru January 31st

... and be sure to check out the Seraphim blog where they have different sales events listed by duration!
It's nearing the end of the month, so hit those monthly events!

Rooftop Party!!!

So I just got done moving SHUP BISH to another sim and that definitely calls for celebration and chill time.  I had been on Maelstrom for almost 2 years and I was sad that the owner could no longer keep it, but the move will be a pleasant change of scenery.  I'll be sharing the Onyx Noir sim with Dilly Dolls and Jelly.  You'll have to check it out - one of the prettiest winter scenes I've seen yet this season!

I don't know where you live, but I apparently live in the tundra - cuz it is DAMN COLD here!!! Ya know, 23°F is too chilly for this delicate Cali-to-East-Coast transplant.  I would love to dress up in a sleeveless dress and go out for a nice night on the town with a warm breeze dancing across my arms and back... but NOOOOO I have to wait for spring.  This is when SecondLife delivers - when I can virtually enjoy that carefree nightlife (only to a certain extent, though *sigh*).

This ensemble was created using the following:

Skin: *League* Taylor Suntan -Blonde-Feline-Cleavage
Eyebrows: *YS & YS* Eyebrows Roxanne
Eyelashes: [Stellar] Doll Lashes 2
Hair: [LeLutka] Hairbase Strawberry Blonde
         ploom. Heart - Indecisive (available at Zodiac "Aquarius" through Feb 13th)
Make-up: .Pekka. Eyeliner Combo #3
                .Pekka. Juicy Lip 9
Dress: [Cynful] Neckholder Dress - Black Suede (TDRF)
Bracelets: erratic // cuffs / silver
Rings: [label mode] Minerva Rings - Black - Silver
          Kyoot - Nine Crimes Ring (Silver)
Stockings: *Holli Pocket* Teeny Tighty-Solid-Coal (Set 1 - Solid)
Shoes: [whatever] stripper boots - greyz


Tomorrow I'll be introducing *NEW* TAPS Skins!
Have a great night! Tomorrow's Friday!  YaAaAaY!

Star Bright!

Today has been nuts - NUTS I tell ya.  Between my real life business, a business relocation in Second Life, and the regular social stuff, it's been pretty hectic since last night - which is when I originally intended to post a blog but just could not do it.  I helped a friend find a new skin and shape which he hadn't done in years, so it took some time.  He settled on a Belleza skin & a Pekka shape.  But, oh, the lessons we learn from extended shopping trips, both as consumers and business owners!  Apparently, Pekka recently relocated also, but didn't get a chance to update all the LMs in their wares.  I purchased a makeup set that I really loved and went back for more.  The LM that was included whisked me away to a private residence where two amorous lovebirds were embroiled in passionate lovemaking. Ahhhhh!  Funny, huh?  Yeaaaaah.  I made sure to let the owner know.  Wonder how many other people ended up at that house?

Anywho, a couple other sidenotes:
*  I am never again paying to be a VIP in someone's SL group.  There have been two groups that I paid for now that have either completely dissolved altogether without notice (*cough* -BC- *cough) or just haven't delivered.  I have to admit, Paper.Doll went out of its way to rectify last year's flakiness - just waiting to see what happens this year.  I think if you're kind enough to give up a slot in your groups for a store whose products you love, even if it is for a few stinkin' minutes to grab a group gift, in the end it is promoting that store and they should be pleased with that.  Hey, I know everyone wants something for their work, but some things are intangible and priceless.  Store owners need to recognize this.

* Gachas should always have stuff in them that are transferable.  It's really only fair.  I mean if I'm standing there trying to get a specific shade of hair bow, spending 45L every time, let me give the others away that I probably won't ever use!  You have your money - what the hell do you care who I give it to?  If anything, it could gain you a new customer that never even knew about your store.

* LOLA'S ... I am so torn.  I ♥ my bewbies.  I do.  I got the Belleza Applier that makes them look incredible and in spite of the upturned-permanent-erect-nipple thingy that I'm not super fond of, the Tangos are purty good (though I still wish the Push-Ups had made it to mesh).  The issue I'm having is from being a finicky shopper.  Not many creators take the time to make the system layers of an implant-friendly outfit work.  Perhaps two separate sets of system layers are required to really make this happen since I know people who don't have implants also enjoy buying the outfits?  But when I put something on and I work tirelessly forever with horizontal digits and pesky offsets, I still end up seeing the layer underneath between my bewbs, whether it's lace, or a button, or some other cute detail.  I know it's rectifiable by angle, but PLEASE - a little extra time and attention to detail could make them turn out so much better!  Egoxentrikax has really put the effort into making their products look fabulous.  I've gotten 3 items from them now, and the first came from a hunt.  Their v-neck sweaters line up nicely without much effort and the appliers taper to conform to the v-neck just before the center.  No odd stuff going on twixt the titties(!) - and I commend them for that.  Same is true of their Lace Halter Tops and Kamila Dresses.

Whew - I had some thoughts going on tonight!  I may sound bitchy HEY, but, there were at least some nuggets of good in there, I hope.  On to what I put together...

So today's outfit shapes up like this...

Skin: -Belleza- Lily V2 Tan 0 w/ Lola's Tango Tan Tattoo & Lola's Tango Mesh Breasts
Shape: *custom*
Hair: >Truth< Evelyn w/ Roots - Seaspray (crap! I forgot to change my hair!  oops XD)
Make-up:  Pekka Juicy Lips - 2
                 Pekka Kathya V2 Eye Makeup (white)
                 [Stellar] Doll Lashes 1
                 Izzie's French Nails
                 [:T:] Parted Lips 5
Earrings: erratic // hoops earrings (silver, large)
Necklace: [AddiCt] Circle Necklace
Gloves: [Glue Ink] Ree Gloves - White Lace
Rings: Ben's Beauty Melissa Ring (white silver a & b)
Bracelets: Finesmith - Inspired by Nola Bracelets
Dress: [Cynful] Strapless Dress - Silver (last TDR)
Boots: Maitreya Radical Boots - Snow

Hope you all have a great day!  Take it easy!

P.S. - Go get these Red Cat Flats for 1L - they're adorable!

Where It Begins

SL photography is NOT easy, y'all.  I am learning so much from a website called SL Blogger Support - and there's still a LOT to read.  I've always kind of dabbled and I know a bit about PhotoShop now, but with more practice I know my pictures are going to get better and better.  :)

It always happens that when I get to January, I am already longing for summer.  So I dressed up to go hang in the sun for a bit at a coffee house I used to visit.  Well, I didn't find it, but I still found a nice spot to soak in the sun on a sim called "Where It Begins".

Skin: al vulo - Aisha* Candy blonde brow cleavage sunkissed (from TDR)
Hair: Lelutka SWISH 4-in-1 Hair & Pony in BlondeFun
Eyelashes: [Stellar] Doll Lashes 2
Eyes: MB MO Blue 1
Nails: Izzie's French Nails
Make-up: [bubble] Into the Night - Black Egyptian Liner & Shadow II
                [:T:] Parted Lips 4
                Izzie's Lipgloss - Soft Pink
Earrings: Cha Cha Dee - Not Enough Earrings
Necklace: Maxi Gossamer - Marrakech Heart - Short - Silver
Bracelets: Earthstones - Tarnished Gypsy Bangles - Silver/Smoke
                 erratic - cuff - silver
Top: Sassy! Venus Mesh Top - Black Polka
Jeans: J&K The Rockstar Skinny Jeans - White
Shoes: Candy Bomb - Blacky Heel White MESH
Rings: FANATIK My Steel Boho Ring - Black
          Kyoot Dakota Pearl Ring - White Pearls

<<<ALSO>>> Kyoot is CLOSING :(  Until she closes up shop, everything is 50L each, so get in there and grab your favorites while you still can!

Ahhhh if I could only be home in San Diego where it's just like summer 95% of the time!!!  At least I can dress like it's summer in SL, and listen to some summer-inspired TUNZ, too.  Join me for a 8:48 California vacation, won't you?  :D  I found a little Armin van Buuren "Suddenly Summer" for us. \o/  Hope it lifts your spirits and makes you feel a little warmer inside, even if only for a few minutes.

Beauty Base Zero & Cotton Candy MMMMM!

It's been so great to catch up on some of my favorite blogs dating back to Christmas when I had zero spare time to look them over, let alone go shop for stuff, and I stumbled upon a neat idea posted by Portia Pexington on her blog Something New.  It's a blogger challenge to show your "starting point" or your "blank canvas", the default outfit you throw on before delving into your virtual closet to get dressed for a blog post.  So I thought I'd share what is usually my "base", my favorites that I stray from after putting together an outfit, but what I put on before getting dressed.  Normally, I'm quite nakie, but who ever complains about lingerie?  XD

Beauty Base Zero

Skin: Belleza Lily V2 Tan 0 (cleavage)
Shape: *custom* (tweaked over the years from my original Platinum "Jody" Shape)
Hair: >Truth< Evelyn w/ Roots - Seaspray
Eyelashes: [Stellar] Doll Lashes 2
Eyes: MB MO Blue 1
Nails: Izzie's French Nails
Make-up: [bubble] Into the Night - Black Egyptian Liner & Shadow II
                [:T:] Parted Lips 5
                Izzie's Lipgloss - Soft Pink
Lingerie: [Detour] Lingerie #1 - Bra & Panties

Additional Tools:
      Facelight: Everglow Beauty Light (provides a soft, muted glow rather than a bright, harsh light)
      Pose: [LAP] C-Now Lean Back
      Posestand: Serenade Posestand Pro V4.0


THEN there was another blog post about themed challenges and the one I found for this week was "cotton candy".  Well, I just so happen to have finished The Hello Titty Hunt last night and received this cute little lingerie set from J'adore.  The hunt is only 30 stops and I got a bunch of really nice goodies I can wear with or without my Lola's (many offer multiple implant appliers, too!), push-ups or tangos.  YaY!

The above was my Beauty Base Zero + the [J'adore] Hello Titty Bra, Thong, & Stockings.  I used Striking Poses' Drew Barrymore Pose 1, some Pillow Talk Pillows, and the AnaLutetia Studio 2 environment setting to achieve a soft pink backdrop.

I'm just glad I got to play with this some today!  In RL I'm finishing up a wall-mounted jewelry organizer made from an antique wooden linotype drawer with all it's little cubed spaces.  When I saw them on Etsy I knew I could make the same thing. I've been Drimmeling away holes for dangly earrings, adding cork to some for stud earrings, and adding hooks for necklaces, anklets, & bracelets in others.  Tomorrow I'll finish it up with little dowels on top for rings, a large dowel suspended across the bottom for chunky bracelets, magnets on the side for bobbie pins and barettes, and little clothespins on the other side for hairbands.  This thing is going to be AWESOME when it's done.  I can't wait!!!

Anyway - I have to go grab some zzz's.  Been a long day.  I'll have more for you all tomorrow!

P.S. - My friend Shelz Theas has joined as a contributor so you'll be seeing fantastic stuff from her on this blog, too!  \o/

Peeking Cat, Hidden Tiger

INTRO TO THE BLOG...
I spent a few hours on the SL Marketplace the other night looking for NEW stuff (you know, stuff people haven't found yet) and I stumbled on a few things I really liked.  As I thought about these new goodies, I realized that there's lots of fashion blogs out there but they all tend to focus on predominantly the larger, well-known designers, or friends' creations, or friends-of-friends' creations, or freebies, or hunts ... blah blah blah.  You know how it goes.  Though I do have a few favorites when it comes to fashion blogs, it's only because I still have a need to spend way too much money on stuff that I instantly and deeply like by said well-known designers.  [I can't help it - I'm a Libra - we like pretty things - so no dissin' on that.]  I just noticed that it's always mainstream, mostly really expensive, or the complete, exact opposite, and rarely the "in-between", modestly-priced, but still very good quality goodies.  Also, very few blogs have that "diary" sort of feel.  They're more of a "here's 20 pictures of my snazzy avatar, don't you wish you were me, and OH - here's where I got this stuff" sort of situation.  I'm striving for more of a "here was my day" sort of tone and format - the down-to-earth vibe, if you will.  So I decided that with this blog we'd focus on a little bit of everything, which is really no focus at all, but still ... beautifully packaged, nicely worded, and easily digestible. And I have a few friends that will be co-authoring to give you all more variety.  ;)

ALL THAT BEING SAID ...
To start things off (& to allow me to see my layout and tweak things fo realz), I  I found this adorable shirt and it's a steal of a deal.  At first I considered a post title of "Peking Cat" to see if I got hate mail, but decided against.  It's the cat lover in me, I guess.  Anyway, go grab this top and support its creator - and it's so cheap you really can't say NO - AND you'll probably want to gift one to someone else, too.  XD

Skin - Belleza Lily V2 Tan 0
Shape - *custom*
Hair - Magika Break 01 [Mirrored]
Eyes - MB MO Blue 1
Eyelashes - [Stellar] Doll Lashes 2
Makeup - [bubble] Into the Night Make-up Set - Black Egyptian Liner & Shadow II 
Nails - Izzie's French Nails
Bracelet - *Sexy Mamas* Beaded Leather Set - Bracelet (left)
Choker - *Sexy Mamas* Beaded Leather Set - Choker
Rings - [bellballs] Cheetah Metal Ring- Silver (left)
            SHUP BISH Glam Plate Ring - Slvr / Ashes (R)
Shirt - <Burnt Toast> Sweater - Peeking *MESH* ---> GET IT HERE for 5L!
Jeans - [bubble] Grey Skinny Jeans - Mesh
Shoes - Magnetized Sneakers - Black&White [BLK2.0]

That's all for now.  I'm going to go tweak some things & see what I can put together for a post tomorrow.
Ciao!   ~SS~

P.S. - Here's a cute cat video (cuz all the bloggers add videos at the end, right?) :P