Color me, beauty; Discover me, reverie

Lazolli's "Devon Aoki" Skins: A Review

2009-06-20T16:55:00.004-04:00

So I'll be honest with you all, and maybe I've been living under a rock, but up until a few weeks ago I had no idea who Devon Aoki was. I started seeing a couple of places release Devon Aoki-inspired skins. I Googled and found a page with some pics of the American-born supermodel/actress-- and immediately saw why someone would want to create a skin inspired by her.. shes got a really unique look, style, and beauty-- so it comes as no surprise that many content creators have used her as their muse.

Then, by chance, Loring Halsey of Lazolli made a set too-- and she passed me on a few makeups to take a look at. Please click the image below to enlarge :)

As with all Lazolli skins, Loring Halsey has provided a huge range of makeup styles which I think will appeal to just about anyone. Usually her eye makeups are pretty bold-- but I like bolder eyes iRL too. As a shapemaker I've started to notice that the bold eye makeup can make your eyes look HUGE, so I took a little time to modify my shape so that the eyes still looked proportional to the face. I'm a big fan of the eyeshadow color variations-- of the ones I pictured up above they can range from subtle to bright and colorful-- and the eyeliner comes in various styles and thicknesses.

I can appreciate that the lips and eye makeup are hand drawn and well-blended. I'm not a big fan of obviously-photosourced lips (or any other body part for that matter!). A lot of photosourcing in the lip area tends to look stretched out and, to be honest, kinda freaks me out. But the lips on these skins are really crisp and the colors are beautiful-- check out the two-toned lips above! LOVE that! :)

If I had to complain at all about the skin, I would say I had minor issues with the nose. It's the only place on the body where photosourcing didn't seem to be very well blended, and in-world it gives the tip of the nose a flat, slightly glitchy appearance. It's something you dont really notice in photos unless you look at the nose from an angle, again I think it's pretty minor-- especially if what youre looking for is just the overall Devon Aoki "look". Its definitely manageable with the right shape!

Overall, I'm a fan of the body style, there's a lot of detail in the shading and highlighting, not overly muscular in the abdominal area-- and no noticeable seams that I could find.. overall a really nice body that comes off looking really cute and youthful.

So head on over to Lazolli and try on a demo of these cute skins for yourself-- and as a special offering, Loring has placed out the shape I created (the one I used in the picture) and it will be available for FREE for a limited time inside her store, as well as in the past notices for the Lazolli in-world group!

Enjoy!
~Averie~

TP to Lazolli Skins!

Hair Fair 2009 - Averie's Favorites

2009-06-20T01:56:00.004-04:00

I was lucky enough to gain access to the Hair Fair a little bit early, got a chance to shop around, and wanted to show you some of my favorite pieces from designers so far :) I'm including direct SLURLs to the booths so you can find the styles easily if you like them! Enjoy!

(Please click image above to enlarge!)

Pictured from Left to Right:
-- [Decoy Hair] Zoey - Golden Brown
-- Lamb - Babys on Fire - KitKat
-- Find Ash - Innocent Phase - Light Brown/HF'09 Limited
-- Truth - Esme - Cocoa
-- Curio - Paper Tiger 1 - Light Brown
-- Raspberry Aristocrat - Adora Hair - Brown Driftwood

Also pictured:
Skin: Gala - June
Eyes: Zanzo - Diyu Eyes in Youming
Tank: Whippet & Buck -Hykova Buttoned Tank in Peach

The hair fair opens in less than an hour!!! Have fun shopping everyone!
~Averie~

NEW "Lila Striped Tops" from Decoy

2009-06-09T16:48:00.005-04:00

I'm always on the prowl for casual, versatile tops to wear around everyday. When I heard that my longtime friend, Annette Voight of Decoy had a new set of tops among her new releases this week, I excitedly TPed over to her shop! There, I discovered the Lila Striped Tops --available in 16 different bright, summery color combinations.

Please click the images below to enlarge!

From left to right: Blue/Green, Classic Beige, Classic Blue, Classic Green,
Classic Navy, Classic Purple, Classic Red, & Classic Yellow

From left to right: Forest, Grey/Pink, Grey/Teal, Pink/Orange,
Purple/Pink, Yellow/Blue, Yellow/Orange, & Yellow/Pink

Like all of Annette's work, the designs are all hand-drawn, so no photosourcing here! Additionally, the stripes are really well done (I can appreciate the work that goes into a striped shirt, I know its really hard to execute well when you go from photoshop to the avatar mesh). The cut of the neckline with the exposed shoulders is really flattering, and I also love the button detailing in the front! There's also probably a color here that will satisfy just about any need you could possibly have!

So if you're looking for a great colorful summer shirt or outfit, hop on by Decoy! You're sure to find something fabulous :)

~Averie~

Photo credits:
All shirts from Decoy
Hair: Exile "Jade" in Cheyanne
Skin: Gala Phoenix (Curio) "April" in Redbud 1
Eyes: HooT "Smolder Eyes" in Muddy

Painting SL Purple

2009-06-01T13:52:00.004-04:00

When I heard that today was "Paint SL Purple" day, I couldn't have been more thrilled. Purple not only is my favorite color, but also represents the amazing cause that is the Relay for Life (which I'm proud to be a part of this year!).

To celebrate, I've put together my ode-to-purple, with some very special pieces from around the grid.

The stunning violet dress pictured above is from Thimbles and I've had it in my inventory for a while but found this was the perfect time to dust it off. What better occassion then a day devoted to purpley goodness? I love how the skirt poofs out and the detailing of each prim as they overlay. The scarf with the bow is a really beautiful touch as well.

I was delighted to receive the gift pack of purple hair styles from Violet Morellet of ::Inorite:: via her Subscribe-o-Matic. Not only did the hair match the Thimbles dress perfectly, but it came in a ton of different styles, all totally beautiful (some not released in her store yet!). If you'd like the hair too, hop on over to Inorite and check the past notices in the subscribo!

Incase you haven't heard, the new skin brand ::L'ORING:: is the resurrection of Lazolli (formerly owned by Nariko Shinn, now Loring Halsey-- same person, different name!). With her new brand she's made some beautiful new skins, but has also brought back some of our old favorites. Shown above is the beautiful Takako skin that she's got up in her store for free--- an absolute steal for such a cute face! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Take a closer look at the pic above (click to enlarge) and notice the fantastic purple eyes from Zanzo. They just released a new line of men's skins, inspired by Edward Cullen of the Twilight series, and alongside the skins they also released a beautiful line of vampire-worthy eyes called "Diyu". The entire range of eyes are colorful and bright, great for those of you looking to stand out--- I've found theres a pair of eyes in this set that can go with virtually any color combination of an outfit I put together! So extremely versatile, deep rich colors. Definitely check these out if you love eyes!

So what are you waiting for? Put on your best purple today and support the "Paint SL Purple" initiative and the Relay for Life!

~Averie~

Outfit details:
Hair -- ::Inorite:: Masumi - Start Wearing Purple (Subscribe-o-matic gift!)
Skin -- ::L'ORING:: Takako(re-release) 01D (free gift in-store)
Dress -- Thimbles "Half For Me" dress + scarf
Eyes-- Zanzo "Diyu" Eyes in Abi

Sneak Peek: Infinity Skins "Ava"

2009-03-08T16:35:00.005-04:00

Annyka Bekkers, known for her super cute, detailed, hand-painted skins at Blowpop, has been super busy creating new skins under a new brand, Infinity Skins! She kindly passed on some of her latest work, soon to be released-- and I instantly fell in love with the "Ava" line! Take a look :)

Annyka is known for her attention to details, and she really does not dissapoint with "Ava". My favorite things about the skins are the gorgeous highlights that leave a soft glow over the face and body, the adorable button nose, and the complimenting makeup combinations. The makeups aren't over the top, can be worn day-to-day, and are in a style that can easily be dressed up or down, for daytime or evening looks!

If you like what you see here, definitely keep an eye out for the grand opening of Infinity Skins, coming VERY soon! Check the Infinity Skins blog for the latest updates.

Enjoy!
~Averie~
Color Me Beauty; Discover Me Reverie

Also pictured above:
Hair by Maitreya "Apple" in Ash Blonde
Eyes by =HooT= "Fantasma Eyes" in Earthen Retreat (soon to be released)
Shape by ~Hourglass Shapes~ "Infinity-Ava" (soon to be released)

Discovery Series: The Starlust Motel's Melatonin Hax & Apatia Hammerer

2009-02-24T21:27:00.010-05:00

If you're looking for spunk, personality, and fun in SecondLife, Apatia Hammerer and Melatonin Hax are probably the ladies to ask. The two are widely known for their management of the Starlust Motel, as well as for their partnership in Thimbles (and individual ventures with their stores Pig and Split Pea). Perhaps most of all, though.. what makes these two stand out is that they are unique in truly being themselves. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting either Apatia or Melatonin, you'll have the pleasure of seeing their true selves, NEVER trying to be or portray someone they're not. Their personalities shine through in everything they do. And in SL, that makes them truly unique, and very special.

Apatia and Melatonin, lounging together on a tree branch at the Starlust Motel.

I've been priviledged to get to know these ladies as a shopowner in the Horst von Starlustinberg State Penitentiary, and I'm really excited to get to introduce my wonderful friends to you. These quirky gals are more than meets the eye, constantly dreaming up great new ideas to shape (and clothe) our virtual haven. I present the two to you as a pair, because this is how, so often, they are found.. and it would seem strange to me to not mention one without the other. The two have forged a friendship so strong, it carries into their RL as well!

Shown above: The shops of Thimbles, Pig, and Split Pea.
Please click image to enlarge.

Melatonin Hax is from a small Southern town in the United States, where she lives on a farm.. and in a town with people, whom she claims were "bred by bears." She describes her personal style as really casual and comfortable, oftentimes wearing a housecoat bearing evidence of her cats' love. In SL, she mirrors that casual comfort, and really rocks the vintage look! When asked what inspires her, she states that sometimes she's inspired by guilt itself. In SecondLife, she spends a great deal of time managing the sims of Starlustland, building "secret" projects, finding random things to sit on, alongside co-owning Thimbles with Apatia, and owning her own store, Split Pea.

Apatia Hammerer, from the eastern coast of the US, describes her personal style as casual in real life-- she loves staying warm in hooded sweatshirts. And in SecondLife, she's all about wearing hands! (Yes, hands! Haven't you seen the infamous handypanties?!) When asked where her inspiration stems from, if you've ever wondered how on earth she names the clothes at Thimbles (I know I have), she notes her inspiration can come from "oddities, trash, satan, raw meats and of course... my gut." Something you might not know about Apatia.. actually, I'm sure you probably don't know this, but she's got a fetal shark in a jar on her bookshelf, aptly named "Carmine the Fetal Shark on my Bookshelf". She claims she's not good at naming things, but I think that's brilliant.. :)

Pictured above: Mel, Appy and I... striking a pose, with visions of the Starlust behind us!

As far as their stores, here's what you'll find. At Thimbles, it ranges from casual shirts to dresses, and you can find things for both guys and girls! You can find some of the best plaid on the grid here!! Apatia Hammerer's Pig Shop has a variety of hand-drawn shirts and other casual outfits, many of which are unisex! Melatonin Hax's Split Pea has some of the most adorable, inventive and creative hats and other miscellaneous accessories I've seen-- so much personality!! There are also a series of hats that match special dresses from Heart Attack & Vine!

For me, personally, it's hard to imagine my SecondLife without these two fantastic people. They inspire me constantly with their creativity and can always make me laugh, I'm so happy and honored that I've gotten the chance to get to know them and learn from them. They're both really friendly and approachable, so if you're ever in Starlustland and see them, don't be shy, say hi!

So what are you waiting for? Discover Apatia, Melatonin, and their stores at Starlustland!

TP to Thimbles
TP to Split Pea
TP to Pig Shop

~Averie~
Color Me Beauty; Discover Me Reverie

Meet Phoebe!

2009-02-06T02:27:00.004-05:00

Meet Phoebe!

If you haven't met Phoebe yet, perhaps you should! "Phoebe" is the newest line of skins released from Lazolli-- and in my opinion, some of the best skins the store offers! Owner Nariko Shinn has created a beautiful radiant skin with 26 different makeups!

Some of the great features of this line include:
-MANY options of eye and lip colors (lips range from natural, to deep crimson red, to gold, to Asian-inspired with a stripe down the center--- eyeshadows come smokey, glittery, glowing, and colorful!)
-A killer body! I found no seams to speak of, the skin over the body actually glistens, gives off a glow, which I find really beautiful. The shading is perfect!
-Great teeth, for those of you wanting to show off your pearly whites!
-Will work with a wide variety of shapes, and still look unique and adorable!

Shown below are just a few of the offerings from the Phoebe line! Please click the image to enlarge.

From left to right: 02- NaturalA; 07- hot cherry; 013- lady night; 023- I love you; 019- rose garden

So what are you waiting for? Discover "Phoebe" from Lazolli!

TP to Lazolli

~Averie~
Color Me Beauty; Discover Me Reverie

NEW Sugar skins from [lessthanthree]<3

2009-01-25T16:21:00.006-05:00

Last week, Nykki Heartsdale released a brand new range of skins called "Sugar" which features colorful and unique makeups inspired by sweet treats :)

The range is her first line with a freckles! YAY! Each skin comes with a base makeup, shown below, and a freckled and non-freckled version. So you're really getting 3 skins for the price of one. The skins come in pale, light, and tan options as well.

Shown above: [lessthanthree] base makeup in pale with freckles

The entire series has 8 unique makeups, and she has released one extra skin as a group gift in-store. All the makeup variations are shown below. Please click the image to enlarge.

**All of the skins shown here are the pale, freckled tone**

---Pictured above, from left to right---
Row 1: Godiva (Group Gift in-store); Swedish Fish; Twizzlers
Row 2: Skittles; Sour Patch Kid; Pixie Stick
Row 3: Nerds; Starburst; Reeses Pieces

All of the photos here used the "Honey, Honey" shape, specifically designed for this series. This shape is available alongside the Sugar skins in the [lessthanthree] mainstore.

So what are you waiting for? Discover the "Sugar" skins now!
TP to [lessthanthree]

~Averie~
Color Me Beauty; Discover Me Reverie

NEW Harajuku Doll Skins from Zanzo

2009-01-16T00:37:00.004-05:00

It's been foreverrr since I've blogged for Color Me Beauty, since I've been busy developing a series of shapes under the name Averie Larnia for ~Hourglass Shapes~. But I wanted to revive this blog and do it in a big way, and what better way than to show you a fabulous new skin series from Zanzo!

The series, entitled Harajuku Doll was inspired by the colorful Japanese trend, and the skins are some of the most colorful I've seen.

Please click the images below to enlarge.
*Individual skin pictures can be seen on my Flickr page!*

From left to right-- Row 1: Aurora Candy; Copernic Starstream; Cutesy 'n' Freckly; Gothloli Serenade
Row 2: Grapefruit Medley; Guava Cocktail; Kaleidoscope Sunrise; Kawaii Gyaru
Row 3: Lime Sherbert; Pink Arachnid; Porcelain; Purple Rain
Row 4: Retro Holiday; Saturn Rising; Sienna Condor; Watermelon Sunday

There are also two special skin offerings from this line-- one was given out thru their update group, and the other you can win in their lucky chair! See the image below.

Freebie/SE Skins: Canary Dawn (Subscriber Group Gift); Monarch Butterfly (Lucky Chair)

Each of the regular makeups comes with a regular porcelain base tone (also pictured in the collage).

I'm forever amazed with the ambition of my friends Drusus and Theo, the masterminds behind Zanzo. Along with 18 makeups, there is also a personalized range of shapes available, specifically designed to fit these skins. The new range of skins and shapes will be available starting Friday, January 16th (the boys are busy putting it up in the store right now, as of 10 pm SLT on Thurs!).

So if you're looking for a new skin, discover Zanzo. I don't think you'll be dissapointed with the vibrancy and color of their unique line of skins.

So what are you waiting for? Discover me!
~Averie~

TP to Zanzo

[lessthan3] Unnamed Skins Released!

2008-10-06T15:36:00.007-04:00

As promised, Nykki Heartsdale of [lessthan3] completed her new line of skins entitled "Unnamed" last week! The skins have an upgraded look from her previous line (the Glam II Series) and are absolutely stunning! I love the color and shading on each of the skins-- this line truly offers a great diversity to suit a variety of tastes!

The skins come in 3 different shades (Pale, Light Tan, and Tan), with each individual set including a base skin with no makeup. If you purchase a fatpack, you also receive 2 additional Special Edition skins-- which are really pretty and fun!

Shown below are the "Unnamed" Series of skins in the Light Tan shade. Please click the images to see them enlarged!
(*sidenote* the names of these skins were all inspired by some of Nykki's favorite songs!)

Shown above (from left to right): Nine in the Afternoon, Dirty Little Secret, Life is Beautiful

Shown above (from left to right): Obscure, Ready Set Go, Semifiction

Shown above (from left to right): Sixty-Nine, Storms, and Base

Limited Edition Skins (from left to right): Kyo and Pinkie (in Pale)

It's not too late to get the Halloween group gift skin from [lessthan3] (blogged HERE). Just join the update group and check past notices!

Follow this direct TP and check out these fabulous new skins from [lessthan3]! :)

Enjoy!
~LR~
Color Me Beauty; Discover Me Reverie

[lessthan3] Skin Preview and Group Giftie!

2008-09-29T18:36:00.005-04:00

My lovely friend Nykki Heartsdale ( of [lessthan3] ) has been hard at work modifying her series of Glam Skins, perfecting the nose specifically, and was nice enough to send me along a preview! See below :)

The nose is super cutes!! Good work, Nykki! :)
Pictured above are skins "Unnamed" in Tan, Light Tan, and Pale

And to ebb all those anxious for the new release, [lessthan3] released a group gift especially for Halloween, shown below-- so join the [lessthan3] Update Group and check past notices for this really unique (and hauntingly pretty) skin!!

[lessthan3] can be found in the Vodou sim, here!

Enjoy!
~LR~

New skins at Zanzo released today!

2008-08-16T15:47:00.008-04:00

A series of 15 amazing new skins has just been released at Zanzo! The series, entitled Nubile (Phase II), features some really creative makeups (including "80's Glam", "Emo Tears", "Harajuku Girl" and "Winehouse") in two skintones, Cream and Latte. Skins in the shade of "Cream" are shown below. Please click the images to enlarge.

Pictured above: Winehouse (Pink); Winehouse (Black); Snow Angel; Rainbow Kiss; Pixie

Pictured above: Pink Claw; Harajuku Girl; Gothica; Emo Tears; Dark Angel

Pictured above: Carnivale; Butterfly; Blue Claw; 80's Glam; Black Claw

Skins are 400L each, copy/mod/no trans. The upcoming Phase III of the Nubile skins is in its planning stages but will include a more exotic array of designs-- be sure to join the Zanzo update group to stay "in the know!"

So what are you waiting for? Drop on by Zanzo and check out these beautiful skins! I know you'll love them!

~LR~

Discovery Series: [Zanzo] by Drusus and Theodore DuCasse

2008-08-10T19:34:00.008-04:00

It's my great pleasure to introduce to you two very talented men in the SL world, Theodore and Drusus DuCasse-- and their store, Zanzo!

Pictured above: Drusus (left) and Theo (right) inside their newly redesigned shop, Zanzo.
Random factoids: Dru-- Everything he's created has been within the last 6 months!
Theo-- He must have every prim lined up and rotated to perfection :)

While I hadn't met Theo until just recently, I met Dru almost 6 months ago through a friend of mine. I immediately noticed that Dru was different than most people you run across-- he's one of the few who isn't afraid to speak his mind, and I love that about him! Through Dru, I was able to meet his partner, Theo, who is truly one of the most hard-working and dedicated people I've ever known. Theo has been working in SL for quite some time-- apart from Zanzo, he runs an immensely successful Harry Potter-themed shop called the Wicked Workshop, the oldest of its kind in SL.

Theo and Dru initially started out making skins, shapes, eyes, and clothing specifically for teenage and neko avatars. However, about a month after they started, they began to expand their collection to accomodate the requests of their customers. Within the past month, their focus has been more on the adult market. The two recently released a top-of-the-line series of men's skins, called Machismo, uniquely designed and individualized with some very special details. In the very near future, Zanzo will also be releasing what is sure to be a stunning array of female skins. I can't wait! Yay :)

Apart from skins, the store also provides clothing for men, women, and teens. I was *so* excited to receive their latest release-- an adorable line of strapless shirts (see below)!!

Pictured above: Zanzo *Strapless* shirts in (from left to right)
Line 1: Pink Blossom, Pink Peonies, Purple Daisy, Purple Tulip, and Sky Blossom
Line 2: Night Dahlia, Grey Peonies, Ivory Blossom, Milky Ferns, and Orange Sunflower

Theo and Dru are constantly working on something new, whether it be completely re-vamping their store or creating another skin or shape. The two draw their inspiration from very different places-- for Theo, it's music and books, as well as Popular and Japanese culture. In Dru's case, his inspirations come from "silly little things like hot showers, sitting by a fire, or a good book that challenges your perceptions of life."

So if you're looking for something colorful, new, youthful and vibrant, it's about time you discovered Zanzo! You're sure to find something to bring out your lighter and brighter side!

What are you waiting for? Discover me!
Zanzo @ Splintered Rock

~LR~

Pictured above: (from L to R) The masterminds of Zanzo, Theodore and Drusus DuCasse, allow me to grace their presence--thanks guys! :)

I <3 Myself in B@R

2008-07-26T15:20:00.004-04:00

Sifting through the inventory today and discovered an outfit I hadn't yet worn from a shopping spree at Bare Rose Tokyo goodness knows how long ago.. and was inspired to take a few pictures of this fun, quirky ensemble-- apty named "I Love Myself"! And it's true.. I really do love myself in this. Punky and glam all at once, my kinda style!

One of the great things about Bare Rose is that when you purchase an outfit, it comes with everything. This set came with the shirt, arm warmers, a pair of large red leg warmers, fishnet stockings, a black beaded necklace, and denim shorts. However, for those of you like myself who like to personalize outfits, you can easily interchange the pieces with others from your inventory. I accessorized with leg warmers from Maitreya's "Boot-a-licious" boots and added my favorite skull necklace from the Crush Factory.

So I know Bare Rose isn't new to most of you out there in the metaverse, but if you haven't stopped by you definitely should. They offer a great variety of looks at amazing prices, and definitely offers some peace of mind to those of you who hate trying to piece an outfit together in a snap.. it's already done for you!

So what are you waiting for?

...Discover Bare Rose...

~LR~

PHOTO CREDITS:
Hair: House of Heart's "Tuli" in Bitter Chocolate
Skin: GiGi Couture's "CAT Skin" (Group Freebie-- long ago..)
Tank/armwarmers/leggings/shorts: from BareRose Tokyo's "I Love Myself" outfit
Leg warmers: from Maitreya's "Boot-a-licious" Ash set (grey-black socks)
Shoes: Sven Olbers "Midnight Pumps" in Black
Necklace: The Crush Factory "Black Pearl Skull Necklace"

When RL and SL merge, you get....

2008-07-19T09:10:00.006-04:00

Generally my little sparks of creativity and artistry are inspired by emotions that I'm feeling iRL, as I'm sure many of you can agree with. But yesterday, my SL reflected my RL emotions after having witnessed one of my colleagues tell a child (16 years old) that she had cancer. Not often in pediatric primary care do you have to tell someone news like that, but it was a thought that stayed with me long after I got home from work yesterday.

So not wanting to spread my mood upon everyone, and completely unable to shake the thought from my mind, I hopped in my photosphere wearing a dress with an apt enough name to portray my feelings and my favorite tattoos.. and started snapping away. The emotions I felt helped me to capture something within these photos..

When you realize you can't be the superhero all the time, you resign to something much more honest and innocent. Just a little something I thought I'd share with the world...

~LR~
Color Me Beauty; Discover Me Reverie

LauraRose is wearing...
Tattoo: "Wired Garden" by Garden of Ku
Dress: "Corpse Dress" by Kyoot Army
Skin: "MMS Zero Light_GiftB" by Minnu Model Skins
Hair: "W&Y yuki 37 in black" by WAKA & Yuki

Discovery Series: [kk cachoo] by Narumi Watanabe

2008-07-02T20:29:00.009-04:00

I am so excited to share this next Discovery Series post with you. Today I get to showcase the work of my longtime friend, Narumi Watanabe, and her store KK Cachoo!

Pictured above: Narumi Watanabe in front of the store logo for KK Cachoo
(Random factoid about Numi: She's a self-proclaimed Harry Potter nerd!)

In all honesty, I first discovered KK Cachoo during a fit of boredom. I was looking for new places to shop, and looking at my friends' groups in their profiles one day, stumbled upon her group, and got to exploring! One of the things that Narumi (affectionately known as "Numi") and I share is a common "nerd-bond"-- we both dabble in some Harry Potter roleplay! And when I walked into her store, she had this cute football-style Slytherin jersey--which I immediately bought! I IMed the creator of this masterpiece on the spot, and that became the beginning of our friendship.. hehe :)

Narumi's shop is filled with great, funky/punky tees, hoodies, and a new line of swimwear.. but if she's made a name for herself with any particular pieces, by far it would be her graphic tees. The style is unique, colorful, and fun.. something I was immediately drawn to (and I'm fairly sure you will be too!). In her own words, she "makes clothing that no one else is".. and I couldn't agree with her more.

Pictured above: Some of my favorite pieces from KK Cachoo
(from left to right) Pretty 'n Punk Zipp!!, Milk 'n Cookies Luv Zipup, Hello Kitty Luv 4ever Hoodie

Narumi has lived all over, but calls Texas, USA home. Inspired by Japanese fashion, her creations bring an element of her own RL style into SL. Numi describes her personal style as variable, but she states she likes whatever is cute!

Numi is *always* working on something new, so join the KK Cachoo Update Group to stay in-the-know! She treats her group members very well, so you definitely won't be dissapointed! And a quick note, KK Cachoo shares a store parcel with Store with No Name, a store run by Numi's SL mom and aunt! They sell really cute accessories and furniture.. definitely worth a look while you're out shopping!

So if you're in the mood for something funky, fresh, and new.. grab the closest LM and head over to KK Cachoo! What are you waiting for?! Discover me!

KK Cachoo @ Phoenix Dreaming

~LR~

Pictured above: Myself and Numi inside KK Cachoo!

Photo Credits:
LauraRose is wearing:
Hair: Diversity Hair "Sydney" in Black
Skin: [lessthan3] Glam Skin- "Queenie" (pre-release)
Shirt: [k k cachoo] "holdyrbreath top"
Jeans: mia "ragged jeans"

Narumi is wearing:
Hair: Junwave "Rockgirl"
Skin: ~obscene~ "milk - base"
Jacket: [k k cachoo] "tokidoki camo zipup"
Shorts: [k k cachoo] "shawty bordered leos"
Belt: ~Be Casual~ "Smoke Belt"

Discovery Series: [lessthan3] by Nykki Heartsdale

2008-06-14T11:26:00.000-04:00

I know it's been a while, but "CMB, DMR" is back with a new installment of the Discovery Series! I'd like to introduce you all to the talented Nykki Heartsdale, designer of *many things* (clothes/eyes/tattoos/shapes/skins... just to name a few) and the co-owner of lessthan3.

Pictured above: Nykki Heartsdale in front of her shop, [lessthan3]
(Random factoid about Nykki: She knows Egyptian hieroglyphics!)

I first discovered lessthan3 after joining the Vain, Inc. update group earlier this year. I remember getting the notice when the shop first opened, and I literally immediately bought almost everything I saw in there. What do I like about Nykki's work? Basically everything! The style is edgy, glam, and punk all at the same time, and helps to bring out that side of me! One of my all time favorites is Nykki's line of "circusgirl" skins. These skins are beautifully ornate, with *drama* eyes which I love. See below...

Pictured above: The "circusgirl (light)" skin from lessthan3, worn by yours truly :)

Nykki, from Washington, DC, USA, co-owns lessthan3 with her RL husband, Faadal Mokeev. Together, they create shapes, skins, eyes, clothes, and "nifty little trinkets for amusement" (go see the shop to understand.. hehe). Nykki is also the VP of Vain Inc. Magazine and also does photography for The Booth. While she is quite the busy one, oftentimes you can catch her hanging out in or around her shop. She wants you all out there to know that, no! she's not stalking you. She just loves the music playing on the radio in the parcel where her shop is.. so chances are, shes rocking out.. NOT peeking over your shoulder! :)

Nykki and Faadal started creating things for lessthan3 because they were both curious about the creative process behind making skins and tattoos. At the time, they were not as well known and were, what I like to call "financially challenged"--- so building and creating things for themselves really helped to get through that chapter of their life.

Nykki describes her personal style as eclectic. She enjoys wearing bright colors and mismatching! She also strives to make a statement with truly funky and unique pieces that show off her personality-- these are qualities that also show through in pretty much everything you see in lessthan3!

Currently Nykki is diligently working on a new line of men's skins that, she describes will be "super high quality and low cost". So keep an eye out everyone! She also just recently opened up shop in the Velvet sim, where she is currently promoting a limited edition/limited time run of some exclusive skins! Be sure to check it out!

So if you're looking for something unique, colorful, and painstakingly perfect.. hop on over to lessthan3, dance around with Nykki, and maybe even discover a side of yourself you never knew you had...

What are you waiting for? Discover me!
[lessthan3] @ Vodou
[lessthan3] @ Velvet

~LR~

Pictured above (from left to right): Myself and Nykki, striking a pose on the coolest parcel to have a random dance party on, EVER.

Photo credits:
LauraRose is wearing...
Hair: "Secret" in Full Moon- The Abyss
Skin: "Scene Couture" in Light Tan- lessthan3
Tattoo: "FTM Elvish Tat (Upper)" from the *fables* set- lessthan3
Tank: "Death Punch Tank (Pain)"- lessthan3
Eyes: Gray Burst eyes- lessthan3

Nykki is wearing... (in pic#1)
Skin: "Clean" skin in Light Tan- lessthan3 (freebie)
Jeans: "skinny faded jeans with ratty patches"- lessthan3
Tank: "effing work of art" tank- lessthan3

Discovery Series: [Decoy] by Annette Voight

2008-05-28T08:41:00.000-04:00

For the second installment of the Color Me Beauty: Discovery Series, I'd like to introduce to you my adorable friend Annette Voight, clothing designer and owner of the store [Decoy].

Pictured above: Annette Voight outside of her shop, Decoy.
(Random Factoid about Annette: She's a music junkie, known to spend hours-upon-hours listening to music on her iPod! You can actually listen to her most recently played music on her Last.FM page!)

I first discovered Decoy last year around the holidays, while shopping around for a "secret Santa" gift for one of my friends. What I liked about Annette's designs were that they were colorful, fun, and fresh and that there was a lot of variety.. whether you wanted a t-shirt and jeans or more formal cocktail-attire. Her work is original and hand-drawn.. she can sometimes take up to 3 weeks on one piece to get it "just right" (refer to her new series of shoes, the Francisco Wedges!). Her attention to detail in her creations is a quality that I believe enables her to stand out as one of the great unique talents in SL!

Annette, from Georgia, USA, has been designing in Second Life since August/September '07. Inspirations for her designs come from: her sister's closet, RL clothing designs, food (the Sweetarts dresses!) and frequently by other SL designers. Her love for music also inspires her designs, as she tries to create pieces that "fit the song." The 'Elisa' dress was named after the Italian singer Elisa Toffoli, as she felt the dress would flow well whilst dancing to her music! :) Keep an eye out for her musical inspirations when you're in her shop! It just goes to show you.. inspiration can come from anywhere!

Pictured above: (right to left) Annette and I--- this picture is just too cute not to post!

Annette describes her personal style as dressy-casual. Her inventory is *filled* with jeans, and she wears them all the time! She claims she has some difficulty assembling high-fashion ensembles and that she just prefers to stick to casual, simple, and colorful--- totally fitting of her personality!

So if you're ever stumbling around SL and you find yourself face-to-face with a cute little neko bopping around with iPod headphones glued to her ears.. say hello :) It's probably Annette Voight, getting motivated to create her next great design...

What are you waiting for? Discover me!
Decoy (mainstore) @ Daffodil Island
Decoy @ Fashion Victim

~LR~

Photo Credits:
LauraRose is wearing....
Dress: Decoy "Aubrey" in Sea (group gift from December... Annette is *very* good to her group members!!!)
Shoes: Decoy "Francisco Wedges" in White/white
Hair: ETD "Ashley" in Expresso
Skin: Wax Poetic// Java Joe (ripped/waxed)

Annette is wearing....
Shirt: Decoy "Flava Pop tank" in Citrus
Jeans: Decoy "Genesis 10" in White
Shoes: Decoy "Francisco Wedges" in Orange/white
Scarf: Decoy "Mraz Scarf" in White (unreleased)
Hair: Cake "Europa" in Brown
Skin: Tuli "Celeste-Dawn"

Discovery Series: [insert cool name] by Malte Antfarm

2008-05-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

Thus marks the beginning of a new series of blog posts for me, entitled the "Color me Beauty: Discovery Series"! Over the next few weeks, you'll be meeting friends of mine who have influenced my style in some way, shape, or form--- this is just my little way of saying "Thanks!"

My first inclusion is the up-and-coming designer Malte Antfarm from Germany, who recently opened up his shop [insert cool name] in a few locations around the grid.

Pictured above: Malte in his shop [insert cool name]

Random factoid about Malte: He looveessss cookies! :)

When I first met Malte, one of the first things I noticed about him was his own personal style. When I asked him about it and he said that the clothes were his own creations, I was immediately impressed! Come to find out, he'd been creating some clothing for fun, with no real intention to sell it, in an attempt to stand out and be unique in a world where so many guys have the "same-ish" look. He finally decided to open up shop, and with no surprise he's had growing success! [insert cool name] sells men's/women's/unisex clothing, including graphic tees (which look great layered), jackets, hoodies, polo shirts, jeans, and sweaters (and soon-to-come, a line of piercings!).

Malte describes his own personal style as casual, preppy, and punk, noting that his inspiration for his designs come from clothing iRL.

So, what are you waiting for? Discover me!

[insert cool name] @ THE BEACHCLUB
[insert cool name] @ addiXion
[insert cool name] @ Pull d'Vagin

~LR~

Photo Credits:
LauraRose is wearing:
Jacket: *bp* "dnm jacket"
T-shirt: [insert cool name] "retro stars (tucked)"
Pants: Celestial Studios "Suede Pants" in black
Hair: Diversity Hair's "Penelope" in Charred
Skin: Wax Poetic "Charcol (Ripped/Waxed)
Eyes: Karamia "Strong Blue" eyes

Malte is wearing:
Hoodie: [insert cool name] "Punisher hoodie"
T-shirt: [insert cool name] "Policia shirt"
Jeans: [insert cool name] "Medium jeans"
Hair: Naughty Designs "Deception" in Driftwood
Lip Piercings: [insert cool name] **unreleased**
Skin and Eyes: ^^shhh it's a secret!

My debut into blogdom..

2008-05-23T12:07:00.000-04:00

Hey there all you blog readers-- so I'm finally taking the big leap and making a SecondLife blog, with the purpose of just sharing some insight into my little slice of this metaverse.. life, love, and of course style!

As a quick introduction, in-world, my name is LauraRose GossipGirl.. really easy to approach so IM me if you'd like! I've been in SL since October '07.. and I'm truly addicted! I'm fascinated with SL style, always on the look out for something new and exciting! I love outdoor spaces and dabble a little in landscaping and interior decorating on the side! You'll learn more about me as this blog progresses.. won't bore you with too much here..

For anyone who may be wondering, the inspiration for the title of the blog (which is completely original) mainly stems from how my character is progressing. "Color me, beauty" is a statement describing how over time I really feel I've grown and changed, inside and out.. and my total surrender to just let the metamorphosis take its course! "Discover me, reverie" speaks to all of you, the readers. Take it as you may.. I place a lot of meaning in words. Discover me, discover this, in this grande illusion we build upon.

Happy reading, everyone!
~LR~

Photo Credits:
Hair: The Abyss, 'Secret' in Full Moon
Skin: WaxPoetic // Charcol (Ripped/Waxed)
Shape: Custom, self-edited for the skin but created by MissPure Voom
Shirt: [k k cachoo] kick your ass dress tee
Necklace: Schadenfreude-- S necklace (freebie in shop!)
Eyes: Karamia "Strong Blue" eyes
Lashes: Celestial Studios "Prim Lashes size 3" (comes with skin purchase)