Tango Foxtrot.

First let me start off by saying I have no criticism of designers in the SL community.   If I find items that are not my personal style, it is simply my prerogative to not purchase them.  It is not a reflection of their ability to design, it is just a matter of whether I could see myself putting my avatar in it.

So you should know this blog is angled more as an explanation of Lola Tangos to avatars like me who have no fucking clue what they are or how to clothe them, only that there have been instances of teleporting somewhere and being AWED by how enormous someone's boobs were in that venue.   Or seeing someone's avatar rez in before their breasts did and wait for the two gray blobs on their chest to get some color after a few minutes.  These mesh breasts confuse people like me who have no experience outside encounters like that, so my intention is to be forthcoming and detailed.

Designers design clothes of certain styles for a reason: People buy them.   The Lola Tango community is one I've been experimenting with for the past week by first contacting a dear friend of mine (this ward of the state knows who she is) who is deeply involved with making clothes for Lolas and Tangos and loves her boobies.

The conversation went roughly as follows: 

Me: "So I want boobies."
Her: "TO CLEAVAGE!"
Me: "I have cleavage, I want boobies."
Her: "It's the sim, dumbass." 

Next, based on the information given to me (ie: Lolas are older, Tangos are newer), I decided to get a pair of Tangos.  I didn't take a long look around the sim we were on, but I did return to examine some of the styles available for Tango breasts and I'll talk about those later. 

The first thing that worried me about my new mesh breasts was sizing.  Were they going to fit MY lifestyle?  In a world where you can accidentally attach a fucking house to yourself, 'attaching' wasn't an issue; but I did not want GIANT breasts that are well in the E, F, G, H, I, J and the rest of the god damn alphabet cup range that would require two titanium backup spines to hold up.  In RL I wear a size 32DD to a 36DD (depending on bra maker).   This isn't a unique size, and yet it is not one I've been able to mimic in SL without looking... well, lame.  Tangos offered me the possibility of adding a more sincere element to my avatar that mirrors one detail about myself that SL just couldn't do properly without making me look foolish. 

Now after explaining this to my friend while I was buck naked, she told me to put them on.  I did, and they were bright red.  Not 'aw how rosy her bubblies are', I mean sunburnt.  The nipples were enormous, and had what appeared to be nipple rings the size of bracelets hanging out of them.  

Needless to say, I was concerned.   

But!   The creator of my skin has tango appliers (much like Slink appliers) and with my sunburnt tits hanging out; I ran to her mainstore (thankfully in the middle of the night) and grabbed an applier for my new Tangos. 

With the click of a button, they were now my skintone.   But they were still spine-snapping huge, ringed, and the nipples looked like they might jab someone's eye out faster than a Red Ryder carbine-action two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that measures time.    My friend told me not to worry and just open the menu.   

One click, nipple rings gone. 
Another click, giant nipples replaced with petite pink ones.
And a third click, SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIZE.

Watching them shrink was a breath of fresh air.  It isn't tricky to adjust them to sit at the right height, but you want a smooth sweep between your chest and your breast.  It helps if you think of your Tangos as a new bra.   No sideboob, no pinching.  

Now the fun part: shopping for clothes.   Now shopping for shirts was by far the biggest challenge to date.   The first dozen stores or so that I visited that had tango appliers were... not my cup of tea.  So I resorted to Marketplace.  

There is a nice lady by the name of Evangelis (that's mizevangeline resident to anyone searching for her in Marketplace) that owns ~By Eve~, and she helped a great deal when I finally found plain ol' tee shirts and hoodies that I wanted to wear.  I recommend her highly, she went out of her way to help me use an applier for the first time and has excellent customer service. 

The second store I recommend is Malfean Visions, and this is because the wide range of corsets and dresses they have usually have Tango appliers, and if they don't, the owner Lokii Violet will likely make one for the item if you let her know you need one (and you are polite.  ALWAYS BE POLITE).   Lokii explained how to make the bustline on shirts line up on the Tangos, and this is crucial information for those of you just purchasing a pair of Tangos so listen up.

1. Right click on your breasts.
2. Open edit.
3. At the top of your edit window, click 'select face'.
4. Click your Tangos again.  Make sure only the SURFACE layer is selected  (this means not the nipple).
5. Click the 'Texture' tab.
6. Adjust 'repeats per face' up or down.  I recommend horizontal, and adjust this SLOWLY. 

Bustline should line up after that.  And here's a couple things you'll find at the store with tango appliers available: 

Next I visited a store called ! ellemeno ! and found clothing that fits around your existing Tangos (like open sweaters) and some adorable dresses in styles that the nerdy alternative girl in me couldn't pass up.  I grabbed an open sweater and was happy to find that it fit on my tee shirt from ~By Eve~.  Insert squee here. 

The final store I recommend is Capacious, because the creator Amanda has a real love of boobs, a love of her customers, and combines these two things by putting them in items that look great on their Tangos.  Nothing too fantasy-oriented, just cute dresses and tee shirts that you'll adore. 

But of course I have to show this awesome gacha in the store, with the cutest freakin' nerdy dresses ever.  Trust me, you'll want to see their regular dresses and tees too. 

Free Falling.

So last night I was a little tuckered out before I had a chance to talk about this one, but I had a rare opportunity to host for the Clockwork Spiral music event, with DJ Lokii Violet of Malfean Visions acclaim rolling out the music.   The theme was 'Best in Steampunk', and while usually I'd have taken a hundred pictures of all the awesome costumes (seriously: best in steampunk winner was a brass horse with articulated moving gears blowing steam from various pipes and whatnot), the sim was PACKED and I just didn't have a chance to turn on shadows.  

Luckily, Axi Kurmin (owner of *takes deep breath* Cursed, Club Gothika, Damned Good Design SL, House of Rain, Beautiful Freak Cosmetics, and is partner in GALLACTIC, and Pale Empress... dat lady is BUSY yo) has a much better computer than I do, and has an awesome flickr stream set up for the Clockwork Spiral happenings.  My absolute favorite photo she took of my costume (and I cannot emphasize enough: Axi is an AMAZING photographer with an ASTOUNDING eye, and this photo is ALL hers):

Isn't that just gorgeous?   She calls it "She looks far more angelic than she is."  And she ain't wrong.  There was mutiny.  Matches.  Sail fisting.  You name it.

Needless to say I had a lot of fun, and in case anybody hasn't had a chance; go visit A Clockwork Spiral (click this link for an slurl).  The grid's best steampunk/dieselpunk designers and creators all gathered together for one event, sponsoring the National Kidney Foundation.   Which is a foundation that deserves more attention, so I'm super keen to see it get as much money as it can.  

And while you're there, don't forget to hunt down the Ampersand Photography gacha.  It's only 25L to play, and a percentage of the proceeds go towards the National Kidney Foundation.   It is a limited run of a series called 'Gloom', and will only last the month of September, after which it will be retired forever. 

Also it's mine, and I worked very hard on the photos in it.  Hey, what's a little shameless self promotion?  You can find it near the ~Oceania Breedables~ booth, which has a really cool Steam Powered Animated Pet Dolphin that you can attach and it swims around you!   Just don't rez it on the ground, you will have one hell of a time catching the little guy.  100% of its proceeds go towards the National Kidney Foundation, and so far over 40 have been sold!   It is exclusive to the event, so don't go and wait.   It'll be gone by the 22nd and at that point you'll have to beg someone to cough one up someday.

I was exceptionally glad to participate in this event, really.  And apparently I didn't fuck it up too badly, because Lokii invited me back to host for her on Friday nights from here on out at Club Gothika.   I do have a lot of fun with the Gothika crew and have a soft spot for both Axi (the owner and a damn fine DJ) and Lokii (who's shenanagins I love almost as much as sleeping and drooling on her fluffy pillow boobs), so I agreed. 

A quip from the evening:

Now playing: Jackie Beat - Baby Got Front
Eden: Oh they finally made a song about Loks's clitsquiggle?
Lokii: EGWE@#) LAWL
Lokii: Fuck you Red.
Eden: <3
Axi: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Shenanagins.  I do love them. 

Additionally my friend Jalynne Ohmai who owns 'Unrepentant' (creating full perm mesh kits) asked me to use my photography skills to make a couple vendor pics for her after I made with the 'GIMMIE' hands after she started flashing her latest creation around like a pair of tits.  What was really cool was the item in question was a pair of steampunk wings, and the result is something I am very proud of.

In case you're curious about the props, there are few.   
[UN] Steampunk Seraph Wings
[ContraptioN] Masks: King of the skies *Trapeze* (freebie from the Twisted Hunt)
:{MV}: Racer Corsetry Thong (Noir)
:Little Pricks: Psychic Cross Nipple Tape
[INK] Hair___SURREALISM for DU5 ::Black

Designers United 5, Surrealism.

Designers United 5 has arrived and with it, a veritable plethora of goodies for the beloved odd person in your life.  Why?  Well, the theme is 'Surrealism' and below you'll find just a taste of the breathtaking clothing, decor, accessories, and hair you'll find there.  There's a distinction between 'surrealism' and 'freaky' and it was delightful to discover that this event is about surrealism. 

From !Ohmai: Nezumi (mouse), Usagi (rabbit), Neko (cat) ice creams!   Now as far as ice cream is concerned, you wouldn't usually think 'hey I want a cat/mouse/rabbit in it', but Ohmai makes it work.   In each pack there are 5 versions included: a food version, pet version (head), pet version (hold), and finally an ice cream you can rez and click or an ice cream you can wear and click to make the cat/mouse/rabbit pop out.  It's really quite cute!

From Nuwiggles you have this awesome 'Trapeze Telephone Pole Pose Prop' which, as I'm sure you guessed, is exactly as advertised.  Six poses, and in case you're still waffling despite it being a Nuwiggles product: it is stunning aesthetically as well as being a fabulous photography prop. 

Now here we have two Beetlebones contributions that are both such kooky accessories that you do not want to overlook.  The first is a class pipe that blows bubbles (what else is bubblecco for?!) and the second is 'Koi Bag' in four styles.  Let me add: the koi tails wiggle.  THEY WIGGLE. 

From Maitreya we have 'Hera' and I've got to say I might have a new favorite 'dress up' outfit in SL because of this.   In my mind: who WOULDN'T want to look like a walking piece of Dali art?   

This is BBQQ's contribution and while you might be thinking "...gramophones? Really?  Why?", you should just listen to them.  Each one plays four retro chinese songs, and if added to any build or home, will only enhance the beauty of the build with its own curious soundtrack. 

From INK we have three hair styles: (from top to bottom) 'Surrealism' 'Moses' and 'Worldview'.  I went ahead and grabbed 'Surrealism' because it is difficult to find a well made 'windswept' hair and this one might be the windiest. 

Secret Store released this 'E-Motion' dress, and it is animated.  Let me repeat that really quick: it is animated.  While wearing this, the sky texture will roll across your dress.  

Duboo added these two 'helmets' (though don't let that description fool you, both versions come with the glass or without the glass).  'Space Wanderer' and 'Sea Wanderer'.   They are not animated, but don't let that deter you.   They both make excellent photo props (or accessories if you're like me).

There is plenty more to see and find, and still more that needs to be taken home.   The event runs from September 15th to October 4th 2013.

Flipping for Sharks... and Arcade.

I was given a chance to snap a photo celebrating Arcade's 1 year anniversary, and ~Oceania Breedables~ sponsorship of the event.   I'm pretty proud of the result myself, but then I've always been a sucker for vivid and bright colors.   So that might be a matter of personal opinion.  In fact I'm almost 100% sure it is.  99.89777%.  

It is always surprising when someone else likes my photos, because I feel I'm learning a great deal about 'how' to take them and feel I have a long way to go still.  My pictures are always just things that catch my eye that I find unique in some way, or were taken purely to see if I am capable of setting up the shot and snapping the photo exactly the way I intended.  

The largest challenge to date is always taking photos with other avatars.  Poseballs are a tool, but the patience of my friends is a gift.  I try to get every detail except windlight finished before the other avatar arrives, but windlight and shadow angles can be an exercise in creativity and frustration.  And because my friends are both easy going and sharp as tacks; they can point out ways to improve the shot that I hadn't thought of.  Or half the time they'll just move the wrong way which results in having to reposition my angle and eureka!  The new angle works better than the old did.   

But hey, telling them they ruined a perfectly good shot keeps them from moving again.  You can tell them they helped you create a great shot when it's done.  Or after they point out a curious crease in your pose that (ahem) does not look right from any angle.  
Remember Kids: Friends don't move.  Real friends jump... to tell you about your creases.

My favorite photos are usually tied into Oceania in some way.  I'm a beach kid to the core... the ongoing anecdote in the family is I have the personality I do today because I learned to walk with sand in my diaper.  My only reply is that I'm the posterchild for a sunny fucking disposition, thank you very much.

The ocean continues to be a source of fascination to me both in RL and SL.  Having a chance to tie together two of my favorite things in SL: Oceania Breedables and the Arcade Event, was a particularly fantastic experience and I hope to do it again. 

September 14, 2013: The Neighborhood dropped off my furniture!

I'm just joshin' you.   It is the week of bookshelves and I'm not complaining; did I mention I adore reading?   Between my idiosyncratic desire to obtain more houses than I can feasibly use in SL and the need to fill said houses with bookshelves; I can keep myself entertained.

Remember that the Neighborhood runs from 12:01am to 11:59pm (yes, this is a habit) every Saturday with items marked down from their usual price (whatever that might be) to only 200L for ONE DAY ONLY, and these are just a taste of the things I found fun so far.   This week, the stores included are: Trompe Loeil, Floorplan, Kuro, R(S)W, DIGS, Eleventh Hour, Pixel Mode, and junk. 

From Eleventh Hour, a Streamline bookshelf that sits on a pipe!   Excellent shadows, and the light bulbs do in fact function!  
...as in they turn on and off.  
...I don't want to know what it is you do with light bulbs in private. These are for illumination.

'

I don't know if I'm the last to know about Junk, but I rather enjoy their style.  Wandering around the store I found a dozen pieces I'd like to add to my home, but for the Neighborhood they contributed an alphabet chest and a pair of apple bookends.  For the returning student, of course!























From Pixel Mode this week, we have 'Thought Bubble Bookshelf'.  I don't know about you but I get a kick out of inspecting the titles on books in SL, and if you're the same way; this bookshelf will not disappoint.  One title: "Cooking for Avatars".   Why?   Why not! 

September 13, 2013: SL Fashion Week Finds!

One of the things I adore about the SL Fashion Week Event is that you can find some fairly offbeat designers between the racks.  And since I'm offbeat myself, it's like discovering your local library carries back issues of playboy.  Always a treat!   

First up: a wild Half-Deer appeared!   

There are few accessories that look better with just about any outfit in SL, and for me Half-Deer's antlers and horns fit the bill better than a pair of little black heels to go with your little black dress.   They're subtle, graceful, a little surreal, and come in a wide variety of colors.

Next up: a Little Bones release: Mercury hair.   Feminine without being girly, it's a style that made me go "OOOOH!" before snatching up my color.

.:*LOULOU&CO*:. added 'Kali Mata' earrings, and for this one I hope you enlarge the photo to really check out the detail.  If you're an eccentric with a love for the little touches like me, take note of the cow skull, peacock, and the ridges of every feather.  Wouldn't this look great with a violet outfit?

Here we have Offbeat's contribution, four really cute ringer-style sweaters.  In case you hadn't noticed my favorite, it would be the smiley face with peace in one eye and running rainbow grin on the left.

From <Rom.> we have 'Bon Bon Headbands'.  Feeling goofy today?  Grab a color and inform everyone that they're your only hope.   Bonus points if you can skip your voice mid-way convincingly, or if your target is Obi-Wan.

And the last of what I'd like to share: [whatever]'s 'low jeans' in 20 colors.  All the major tones are represented, as well as some interesting ones at the end.  Florals, zebra print, leopard print... whatever your outfit needs, you'll find a skinny jean that'll work with it!

This and a whole lot more can be found at SL Fashion Week this week!  Don't worry about gussying up, you'll find plenty there. 

September 13, 2013 - Fun Fifty Linden Friday Finds!

Mot Shark's quirky finds from Fifty Linden Friday!

Remember: Fifty Linden Friday runs from 12:01am Friday to 11:59pm Friday (okay maybe it's midnight to midnight, but remembering it like this helps ME remember!), so you have to be quick about picking up your sale items!

To join the Fifty Linden Friday Group and get the list each week, copy and paste this line into your chat window (just to avoid it opening a second viewer when you click): secondlife:///app/group/4736f8f4-8b07-85c3-6952-ceafd0673096/about

First of all these Fat Bats from D-Lab, which I want to say come in 'his and hers' judging by the colors but frankly I'm just tickled pink by their adorable hats and goofy smiles!




While you're here, don't forget to check out the group gifts... A little pair of garden gnomes and an 'Uncle Fester' style holdable doll that is a part of the 'family' gacha collection D-Lab has at The Arcade Event this month (running from 9/1-9/31)!

D-Lab always has something delightfully fun up its sleeve, so it is most assuredly a group worth joining and staying in if you enjoy offbeat toys and outdoor decor.




Then we have a fun photo display from Sway, a fluffy 'Memories' cloud that you can set down and add three of your own photos to!



Up next we have two finds from Conspiracy Theory, both of which made me giggle. Naughtical Art, which is some pretty bad innuendo (in YOUR end-o) with a seaworthy theme that you can hang (twice over if you're of the male persuasion) and call your own.



As well as... it's more of a notice from Conspiracy Theory, really. You just lost the game. What is the game? It has just one rule: if you think about the game, you lost the game. While you're chewing on the cycle of defeat, swing by and pick this up to better tease your friends!



More to come later today, I hope!