Chop Zuey and fruity :)

Sometimes, I think RL has periods when it tests your patience, just because it can I think. Mind you, it would be awfully dull if things were perfect all the time, difficult periods help us to build character and resilience. A thick skin is no hindrance ........

So today, I decided to think of happier things......sunshine (wasn't any), bird song (limited to a very fat pigeon cooing away trying to grab one of the ladies), my cat (asleep firmly in the middle of my bed) and breakfast (no milk). So, you just know it's going to be one of those days !!!!

We all know Belle Roussel, the creator of the beautiful Chop Zuey range of jewellry. But did you also know she has begun to make some quite spectacular clothes too? I thought I'd share with you one of her gorgeous collections, the "Spring Nectarine".

When I first saw this it hit me square between the eyes, the deep, rich colours, the incredible detail and the beautiful jewellery that comes along with this gown.

The gown itself is mesh, a glittering, floor-length, figure-hugging delight in the usual sizes. Over this is a bejewelled corset top with a resizer to ensure a perfect fit for all of us. The jewels spread from the top to bottom of the corset, tailoring off around to the back. Two jewelled belts fit over the corset, you could wear one or the other, maybe even both if you felt like it. These again are encrusted with jewels and flash quite amazingly in any light.

A pair of over-the-elbow gloves in the same shade as the gown are topped off with jewelled cuffs, complementing the rest of this sparkling collection. A flamboyant hat, complete with an optional veil really adds a touch of drama and impact. A choice of two chest brooches (small and large) add a dash of elegance and really add to the silhouette of this gown. The jewellery consists of the jewelled glove cuffs, matching earrings and two matching bangles, again all complete with resizers.

I never pretend to be anything except an enthusiastic amateur as far as photography is concerned, but I hope this image gives you an inkling of how spectacular this collection really is, the detail is just mind-boggling.

So, have a trip up to the Sky Boutique and have a look at Belle's amazing designs, you will not regret it!

Styling-

Gown, hat, jewellry - "Spring Nectarine" - Chop Zuey

Hair - Updo Blonde Hat Hair - CC

Lipstick - Orange - LaFauna

Eyeshadow - Pippi Orange/Gold - Oceane

Your taxi awaits :)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chop%20Zuey/45/137/26

Formalities.......

Ever had one of those days? I sat down to scribble something on here three times already today. Each time I laid a finger on my keys, a thunderstorm seemed to park itself over the roof my house and rain as if I had insulted its' mother. I don't know how the drivers coped, one minute dry road, next minute a passable impression of a river in flood. Climate change........don't get me started.

I've not worn a gown in what seemed like ages, so having found three gorgeous ones, I thought I'd share the looks with you, see if you like, that sort of thing........

The first is a limited edition gown from Countdown simply called "Cleo Gold". Antonia creates some simply lovely clothes for us to enjoy and this is definitely one to enjoy.

A shimmering creation in gold, silver and a touch of black, it really clings in all the right places. The neck of the bodice is quite high and modest, the arms are left bare with a floor length skirt sweeping along elegantly. Antonia thoughtfully included two lower skirt pieces to complete the long, elegant line. This is one for a late summer soiree.

Styling:

Gown - Cleo Gold Limited Edition - Countdown

Hair - Veronica Golden - Wasabi Pills

Earrings - Snowflake - Chop Zuey

Bracelet - Grace bracelet - Finesmith

Shoes - Sense Champagne - N-Core

Nails - Female Medium - Mandala

Eyeliner - Needle Black - Blackliquir

Lipstick - Vibrant Red - Izzie's

Sadly Bliss Couture is closing its doors very soon, a sad day for us all in Second Life. Amutey DeCuir creates some of the most sublime gowns anywhere in Second Life, including the spectacular gown she made for me for the Miss Virtual World finals last December. When I saw this next gown, I simply HAD to get one before they disappeared for ever.

This gorgeous gown is a limited edition again, designed in the style of Yves St Laurent. A lacey bodice runs down into this explosion of a skirt. Crafted from chiffon, its one of those gowns that makes you feel like royalty the second you step into it. The gloves lend a perfect touch of class to this perfect collection.

Styling:

Gown and gloves - YSL gown - Bliss Couture

Hair - SJ Calm - Magicka

Earrings and necklace - Circus Maximus Gold and Purple - Chop Zuey

Shoes - Cuore Black - N-Core

Hat - Valeries Hat - York (tinted) - Bliss Couture

Eyeshadow - Metallic Light Gold - Kosh

Lipstick - Vibrant Dark Red - Izzie's

The last installment of this fabulous formality comes from Mohna Lisa Couture.

Calista Ella, an old friend, invited me over to the Mohna Lisa store to have a look at this new gown, the "Hourglass Elegance". Once I saw it, I fell a bit in love, the styling and design is so opulant and classy. I was about to buy one when Cali bought it for me. Thank you !!!!

This colour is the "Lace and White" version of the gown, there are others available too. 

There are many different pieces to the gown from the mesh fitted gown itself, prim skirt pieces that fit lower on the leg, beautiful mesh earrings that complement the gown very nicely, jewels that fit to the chest and hip. There is even a bow that adorns the left shoulder and an optional shoulder drape that sweeps behind the gown.

It's the details that really caught my eyes when I was styling it, from delicate shimmering in the bodice material to the beautiful texturing on the skirt, I was just amazed how much one could cram into one gown.

Styling:

Gown and jewellry- Hourglass Elegance - Lace and White - Mohna Lisa Couture

Hair - Hat Hair and hair base Blonde - LOQ

Shoes - Shaori Black - Ahn-Ji

Hat - Miah Hat Red - Bliss Couture

Eyeshadow - Big Night Out Black - Chelle

Lipstick - Vibrant Dark red - Izzie's

Gloves - Jessamine Gloves Olympic Blue (Tinted) - Belgravia

Oh wow, it's stopped pouring with rain. the storms must have realised that I was not calling them rude names after all.

  

"Check This Out..." - New from Tres Beau

Tres Beau is probably one of the best-known and well-respected brands in Second Life. The designer, Kimmera Madison-Fall has had her designs featured in some of the biggest fashion shows SL has seen, including many Miss Virtual World pageants.

Charltina Christensen held her "Exotic" show yesterday, featuring many wonderful brands, including Tres Beau. So, naturally, I was delighted to find I had been assigned this gorgeous new outfit to model.

It's a fun, funky design with a leather-look bustier in black underneath a well-fitted jacket. The jacket design is very intricate with embroidery and an embossed design on the back.

The collar of the jacket is high and the shoulders are topped off with these amazing pearlescent epaulettes. The pearl trim can also be found on the cuffs of the sleeves. The pants are cut to just above the ankles and closely-fitted, patterned with a black and white checkered design that reminds me a little bit of a harlequin-type design.

I adore this design, I hope you do too, you can pick it up from the Tres Beau mainstore.

Styling :

Jacket, pants and bustier - "Check This Out" - Tres Beau

Ankle boots - "Casting" Noir Extreme - N-Core

Hair - Ula in Sookie - LeLutka

Necklace - Akoya Black Pearls - Zuri Rayna

Earrings - Pearl Mixeables Classic Twist Black - Eclectica

Pantyhose - Soft Shine 50 1 Black - Bax Coen

Eyeliner - Jewel Liner Scarlet - Blacklace

Eyeshadow - Flatter My Eyes Grey - BOOM

Lipstick - Dark red - Izzie's

Sunglasses - Electra - Solar Eyewear 

Cap - SwagTastiCap Black - Remarkable Oblivion

Well, I'm back :)

After a rather difficult patch, I am back into the groove again here in SL. One thing after another tripped me up in RL, from work issues to internet problems, but a family bereavement made me realise that I needed a break to spend time on sorting out my RL once again.

So, I had two months almost totally away from SL and I must confess I did need them. My RL had gone through a bad time, but well, back again into the wonderful world that is our SL.

I had been on a massive shopping spree just before I went on my break, so let me start with a gorgeous dress I picked up from the Liv-Glam store.

When I started to style it, I suddenly was hit with a look of a 1940's film noir, so I continued on down that road and came up with this :)

  The dress itself is from Liv-Glam, the "Imani" dress. This one is quite unusual in that normally when you buy a dress, it comes in the usual 5 sizes, but this one does not. Instead, it comes with a HUD that is worn, from the HUD you choose the size and that is delivered to you. It's a really neat idea, one that I have not seen much around the grid so far.

The dress itself is just about knee-length and has a fabulous sheen to it, fits like a glove too. It has a corset-style fitted top and a close-fitting pencil-style skirt. The jacket is a bolero-type fit, held closed by a delicate chain at the neckline and complements the outfit quite beautifully.

As I tried for a vintage look, I had to find some sort of a hat to complement the whole thing, I had a hunt through my pile that I rather stupidly call an inventory and found I had already picked up the "Valerie - York" hat from Bliss Couture a little while ago. A delicate floral piece, with white petals and darker detailings, it worked just so well.

Finding the right place to shoot the photos happened by happy accident. I was checking out a holodeck that I have from Horizons and found this scene in it that I had bought at least a year ago. It's simply called "Noir" and it recreates quite beautifully a film-noir style cafe, even down to the bar, piano and Art-Deco style decor. It is literally stuffed full of lovely poses and animations that I can't believe I did not use it before.

I am glad to be back and thank you to all of you who wished me well and supported me through what was a very difficult time for me.The avatars may be virtual, but the people and emotions behind them are not and they made a huge difference to me so thank you all once again xx

Styling

Dress and jacket - Imani - Liv-Glam
Hat - Valerie York - Bliss Couture
Shoes - Femme "Noir Intense" - NCore
Hose - Soft Shine Pantyhose Black 50 seams - Bax Coen
Glasses - Dorothy Cat Eye Glasses Cherry/Brown - Purple Moon
Gloves - Jessamine Gloves  - Olympian Blue Leather (Tinted) - Belgravia
Hair - DIVA Vintage hair (medium length) black - Tuty's
Lipstick - Dark red - Izzie's
Eyeliner - Needle black liner 1 - Blackliquid
Eyeshadow - Big Night Out (Black) - Chelle
Clutch - Stella Clutch [Noir-Silver] - House of Fox