Today's Gaze - A spring in my step

I am totally a warm weather girl. All this snow and cold dreary days doesn't make for me feeling much like blogging, I'll tell ya that much! But when I saw these adorable new Spring.Bloom dresses from fri.day, well...I immediately felt much more springy and happy!






The dresses are super cute, and make your legs look 10 miles long, which of course I totally love. I'm wearing this one in Teacup, but there are 6 colors available, with cute little names like Bouquet and Bonnet. The skirt IS sculpted [I know some of you just hated sculpted skirts!], but it made allowances for even my most fidgety AO, and of course there is a demo available, so you can try it before you buy it. I wish more stores would do that!!

Each Spring.Bloom dress is $200L, or the 24.7 pack for $840L.

I paired the dress up with my favorite Wedge Tong sandals in Poppy from G Field and some gold bracelets from the Mora set by alaMood. I was never a big gold wearer before SL, but it's starting to grow on me!

I hope you find the outfit that puts a Spring in your step, too!

Also in this post:

Skin: Belle "Amethyst Kisses" by Belleza
Hair: Chalice in Swedish by Truth
Eyes: Beloved Aquamarine by Beloved Custom Designs [The tree I'm in front of is from BCD, too!! And so is the green grass texture!]
Poses by Glitterati

J'aime le papillon!

Anyone who knows me knows I have a tremendous love for butterflies. I can't explain it, I just do! So these new Papillon dresses from SySy's are right up my alley!






Isn't this dress just so so sweet? And with the small butterflies on the skirt, it is something that will pop out of my inventory time and time again. I also just adore the sleeves! I am a sucker for sweet, ladylike dresses and this definitely fits the bill.

Papillon comes in 5 colors [brownie, emerald, lavender, orange, and fuschia, which I am wearing] and is available for $250L for a single color, or $950L for the fatpack, which comes with a red version as well. Also right now if you're in the SySy's SoM, you can get the free Valentine's edition of this dress.

Head over the mainstore to pick up this dress, and be sure to check out the new satellite location at the brand new and super awesome Second Style sim!

Also in this post:

Skin: Belle "Smokey Cherries" by Belleza
Hair: Berry in Swedish by Truth
Eyes: Beloved Aquamarine by Beloved Custom Designs
Shoes: Ribbon Slingbacks in Strawberry by G Field
Poses by Long Awkward Pose

FilterCam Contest!!

You guys have heard me rave about FilterCam by MechanizedLife before, but I'm giving you all the best reason in the world to buy one now or pull yours out! There's a contest!!

What do you have to do? Take pictures using FilterCam! I snapped this one earlier tonight using the Keyhole filter and a windlight setting. The only post-processing I did was crop it and put a thin black frame around it.




Using FilterCam allows you to take some great photos without the need for a lot of Photoshop/Gimp work afterwards. I love love love mine!

Oh, the contest? Well, check out all the details! I snagged it from the gorgeous Gabby's blog.

What: FilterCam Photo Contest

When: 6 February through 28 February 2010, Winners announced 1 March 2010

Prizes

1st Prize – L$5000 + Avimote PoseMaker Personal Edition (L$2450 value)

2nd Prize – L$2500 + Avimote PoseMaker Personal Edition (L$2450 value)

3rd Prize – L$1000 + Avimote PoseMaker Personal Edition (L$2450 value)

Rules

All entries must originate in Second Life and must be created using the FilterCam HUD by MechanizedLife

Entries must be submitted to the FilterCam Flickr Group

Entries must include the tag “FILTERCAM CONTEST”

Post-processing is permitted, but should be used sparingly as the idea behind the FilterCam HUD is to create beautiful in-world snapshots that do not require extensive post work.

A descripton of the filter/mask used and any post-processing applied should be included in the photo description.

You may use any of the filters/masks included with the FilterCam HUD or you may create and use filters/masks of your own design.

You may submit up to 3 entries.

Entries can be submitted through 12:00am SLT on Sunday, 28 February 2010, at which time judging will begin. Late entries will not be considered.

Winners will be announced on Monday, 1 March 2010 at 5pm SLT and prizes will be distributed at that time.

Judges

The following individuals have agreed to participate as judges for this competition.

CodeBastard Redgrave – Owner, MechanizedLife and Creator of the FilterCam HUD

Gabby Panacek – PR Manager, MechanizedLife

Ryker Beck – Second Life artist and designer, creator of many of the filters/masks included with the FilterCam HUD

Stephen Venkman – Second Life Artist and Photographer

Tillie Ariantho – Second Life Photographer and Creator of Tillie’s Posing Stand with HUD

Jori Watler – Second Life Photographer and Jewelry Designer


I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to try to be a winner! If you haven't bought your own FilterCam yet - hurry over to MechanizedLife and do it now!

I'm the Valentine Princess!

I'm full of the Valentine spirit this week! And how could I not be, when designers are coming out with the girly girl goods? :)

Speaking of girly girl, Musashi-Do designer Shiryu Musashi has two special Valentine editions of his gorgeous Brocade Princess gowns coming out Monday, February 10th. Pink AND purple? I'm in love!




As most people know, I'm a huge fan of the original Brocade Princess gowns, and having them in these gorgeous girly colors just makes my day! Each gown comes with both the patterned and solid sash, and as all Musashi-Do items are, the gowns are handdrawn.

The Valentine edition gowns will be available at the discounted price of $350L, and are transferable, so you can surprise the special princess in your life with a lovely lovely gift.

You can pick up the Valentine Pink at the Musashi-Do mainstore, and the Valentine Purple at the satellite shop at Franks Place! Hey, that's pretty nifty - buy a dress and then go dance! Remember, the gowns are only going to be available until the 14th, and then never offered again, so be sure you get them!

Also in this post:

Skin: Belle "Amethyst Kisses" by Belleza
Hair: Joanna and Jacinta, both in Swedish, by Truth
Eyes: Beloved Tanzanite by Beloved Custom Designs
Necklace: Love Necklace in platinum by Cad & Tart [I ♥ Originals fair exclusive]
Poses by ImpEle and Olive Juice

It means Love

I was always surrounded by musicians and artists growing up, but as I got older, I started hanging with a more science nerd type crowd. And I think geeks are hot, but I always missed the artists.

Luckily, in Second Life, I'm back surrounded by a bunch of artists, including my friend, Swirly Disco Flames artist Marnix Malifozik. Marnix creates these ... well, swirly, funky pieces of art that are pretty darn cool! He has a new collection released just in time for Valentine's Day called Aroha.

Aroha is a Maori word meaning love. But the English word love does not demonstrate the true depth of aroha. Other ways to translate aroha might include compassion, affection, respect, sympathy and mercy. It encompasses so much more than merely love.

Well, I don't know much about Maori, but I do know that this collection is very pretty!




I'm showing you No.77 and No.102, but there are 20 altogether. Each piece of art is modify/no copy, and just perfect for gift giving to someone special. All paintings are $100L.

Stop by Swirly Disco Flames to check out these, and the other art pieces by Marnix!

Also in this post:

Skin: Belle "Meow Rubies" by Belleza
Hair: Joanna in Swedish by Truth
Eyes: Open Ocean by Miriel [No longer available]
Top: Help Thermal.Henley by fri.day
Jeans: Garage jeans by League
Necklace: Love Necklace in platinum by Cad & Tart [I ♥ Originals fair exclusive]
Pose by Olive Juice

The Truth is...New hair makes me happy!

Nothing makes me sign into SL faster than seeing that Truth has new hair! I'm a girl, I love love love new hairstyles, I just can't seem to help it! This week's styles are all so cute, I'm having a hard time picking a favorite!

Lulu



Caroline



Danielle



Sage [Ok, I lied. Sage is my favorite.]



I'm wearing the Swedish color in all of these hairs, because that's usually the one I pull out of my nice little fatpacks. You can buy a color pack at Truth for $250L, or fatpack it at $1500L. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

Also in this post:

Skin: Belle "Smokey Cherries" by Belleza
Eyes: Open Ocean by Miriel [No longer available]
Lashes: NoAlpha Lashes N06 by MiaMai
Top: Charcoal ribbed tank & Denim Waist Cinch in Midnight by WoE
Poses by ImpEle

Girly In My Bedroom!

I woke up on the right side of the bed today!




And with a bed this pretty, who wouldn't be happy every morning? The new Valentine Bed from Belle Belle is JUST my style! Pink, girly, and oh-so-pretty! It goes along with all of the new Belle Belle Valentine furniture and you guys MUST check it out! If you love feminine, beautiful furniture, it's just your style too!

Not only is the bed gorgeous, but it comes with LOTS of fun animations! I dusted Aidan off and forced him to pose with me. [Gosh, where WERE all those boys who told me they were available for pics? Are they scared of my pretty pink bed??]

You can have breakfast in bed:




Lay around chatting:




And yes...there are the more intimate animations, too! ;)




The Valentine Bed is 53 prims for the bed, and 14 prims for the canopy, and is $2990L. I know, a little pricy, but so very very worth it!! There is even a TV that you and your honey can lie in bed together and watch! Go to Belle Belle and check it all out, you will LOVE it!

Oh, what's that? My outfit? Why yes, you can see it a little better.




That is the 69L Hump Day Happiness outfit from WoE. It's called Becky and I've been hopping all over SL in it today. The Wooden Bracelets are also in the HDH sale and are from Hopscotch! :) Available Wednesday only, so get it quick!

Also in this post:

Skin: Belle "Amethyst Kisses" by Belleza
Hair: Quinn in Happy Blond by fri.day
Poses by Everglow

My Lovely Valentine

Although I am not an intense fan of Valentine's Day, the beginning of February is always fun for a girly girl like me because of all the red, pink, and hearts! I love it! And even more than that, I love a great deal. Dezi Jarvinen of Staged has a great little deal for us ladies right now out in her store.

My Lovely Valentine is a $20L special that is just so cute and versatile, too!




The cotton dress [which can be worn also as just a cute tank top] comes with black or white lace options. The knitted shrug has the options for short or long sleeves. You guys know I love options! The dress and shrug are sold separately for $10L each, but you have to admit, for $20L, it's an adorable outfit!

There are also many other colors of the new cotton dresses and shrugs at Staged, so be sure you check those out as well!

Also in this post:

Skin: Belle "Meow Mocha" by Belleza
Hair: Joanna in Swedish by Truth
Eyes: Open Ocean by Miriel [no longer available]
Shoes: Red Basic by 50 Flats
Mouth heart & earrings: Candy Hearts by Accessories by Eolande
Poses by Glitterati and ImpEle