Live.Laugh.Love.

August 27, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

Well, another weekend flew by. This was a busy one; I went to a wedding of a relative. Nothing makes you more introspective than a wedding. I thought quite a bit about my friends in SL, the upcoming hurricane, which though it will pass me by, has the potential to hit other areas of the states, and just mostly about my general “joy factor.” I can’t help it, I exist, and therefore I think. And when I was pondering my potential for abounding joy, I made a major Second Life decision, I am no longer semiretired, I am retired.

It’s been coming for a little while now, well actually since Miss Virtual World was over, but like most cows, (and yes, I know my name is pronounced “Kee,” but sometimes when your friend is a dragon, you have to relate), I find that often I have to ponder things a long while before I can motivate myself to move. I think the comment to my blog last week was the catalyst to have me commit to the decision, but the final decision rests squarely on my shoulders.

Will I still blog? Well, yes! I am, therefore I write! Will I blog Second Life fashion? Let me put it this way, I will definitely blog whilst wearing Second Life fashion, but will probably not often blog designer’s in singular form. There are a small handful of designer’s I will always blog for. The designers whose names are written on my heart, my small family, but for the most part, I am going to mix and match.

So for my last blog of a designer I chose, .::ZE::.HOC. .::ZE::. HOC is a new design house to Second Life. It has a range of fashion for all Second Life Fashionista’s from Haute Couture to Pret-a-porter (off the rack). The founder of the .::ZE::. House of Couture is, Zzoie Zee, the Haute Couture designer is Enshe, and the Pret-a-porter designer is Selena Maskelyne. The sundress I am wearing is mesh, so a mesh enabled viewer is required. The cute little sundress is called “Madonna,” it’s form is a casual chic dress with simple lines, but the choice of colors are scrumptious. But don’t take my word for it, check this outfit and all the brand new outfits available at .::ZE::. House of Couture today. I’ve even included a taxi for you! Taxi:

Outfit One:

Hat: O & N, Fedora Buckle
Jacket: Gizza, Velvet Jacket
Shirt: [VG], Beater (*modified to color)
Pants: Ladies Who Lunch (*modified to color)
Gloves: .Shi, Leather Gloves
Necklace: Indy& Co, Ibiza and Heirloom
Hairs: Tuty’s wet

Outfit Two &Three:

Dress: .::ZE::. HOC, Madonna
(Red)
Hair: Boon, KOM372
Necklace: Indy and Co, Heirloom
Shoes: Maitreya, flip-flops

(Pink)
Hair: Dura-Girl*29
Necklace: Zaara
Shoes: CeLoe, “ Wedge”

Let.Them Eat.Cake.

July 13, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

Maneira is having an event, a “Tribute to Vivienne Westwood” this week that I think is such a marvelous idea, I am blogging it even though I am not in the Maneira Agency. But I do love the agency and its models, as well as the designer’s involved, so it’s not a great chore. ;P I also adore Vivienne Westwood, she is a designer most noted for bringing modern punk and “new wave” fashions to the mainstream. We all have seen “punk style” with it’s BDSM flavors, bondage gear, safety pins and razors, outrageous hair and makeup, but Vivienne also included deeper elements in her designs with the use of historical 17th and 18th century cutting techniques which give the clothes an even more shocking flare.

So with this, Maneira challenged its designer’s to create a one of a king “tribute to Vivienne Westwood.” And with their great minds, they all seem to have come through swimmingly. A few days ago I posted *SoliDea FoliEs* “Vivienne” gown, Flickr:, a simply stunning work of art with its tiers of skirting and bows. Today I want to show you two more offerings in this event, and sadly, they are only available until Sunday, so if you are going to purchase, time is running out.

The first is Aliza Karu’s “Tribute to Westwood” A truly remarkable work with its outlandish punk themed swank, chains, masks, and there is even a clock on the back. The entire affect is the epitome of the punk movement I feel, a sort of shock and awe, guaranteed to have your mother swooning with a “what did I do to deserve this” comment. But then, wasn’t that what the punk movement was about? Ms Westwood herself once commented, “I was messianic about punk, seeing if one could put a spoke in the system in some way.” The Punk movement is about a shock of the senses, a nose up to authority. But the most amazing part of this outfit is Aliza Karu does it in such a notedly feminine way! It is true punk softened with flowers and lace. Gorgeous!

The next outfit from *LpD* is “Marie Antoinette.” I know, if you didn’t know Vivienne Westwood, you would think one designer totally got it wrong. But both were spot on. Westwood is a designer of many fathoms, and Nevery Lorakeet’s selection is fitting of a gown created for either the “Queens Jubilee Collection” or from her wedding selections. Because really, who wants to show up on their wedding day with safety pins in their ears, I mean, on our wedding day aren’t we all princesses at heart? I actually seem to recall a similar dress to Neve’s in the wedding collection and thought at the time how stunning it is. Nevery’s is no less so. Truly a feminine, graceful piece that makes a statement. Just for the fifteen minutes it took to snap a picture, and this is truly an unedited snapshot, I received two comments from gentlemen on how lovely I looked. Amazing. Me. A Cao. I can’t remember the last time a man has even noticed me. As an aside, the “Marie Antoinette: style Hairs are from Fauve Beaumont’s Osmose, I saw recently the store has reopened, so runnnnn! And give her a huge hug from me and pick up the really cool summer style she just released.

And as usual I digress. If you want to see some truly inspirational pieces, check out the offerings at Maneira this weekend. I just know they will have something for everyone. Have a beautyful weekend! Here you are, you know I will even give you a ride: Taxi:

MANIERA LLC ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE REAL LIFE DIGITAL PUBLICATION
SUNDAY 8th JULY 1pm

MANIERA LLC PRESENT: BACK TO REALITY

LAUNCH OF PREVIEW EDITION OF REAL LIFE DIGITAL PUBLICATION
LIVE MUSIC BY THUMPER BOUCHER
TRIBUTE TO WESTWOOD FASHION SHOW
WESTWOOD EXHIBIT
AFTER PARTY

28 brand new designs by 18 of SL’s top designers made especially for this event and on sale at MANIERA sim for 7 days after the show.

Love.

June 14, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

Kungler’s has come out with some more dazzling jewelry and incredible designs in recent weeks, This gown I am wearing, “Ngozi” (ala supermodel Ngozi Faith), is incredible with its demure underskirting and ruffled over skirting. The colors, gorgeous enough to make a peacock jealous, the tightly molded, sleeveless bodice fashionable and elegant. Such a gorgeous design needs very little accessory, but the “Nightbloom” set matched the colors to perfection so I just couldn’t pass it up. Topped with Vanity Hair’s “Sinahi”, the look becomes glamorously formal.

As always, Kungler’s doesn’t hang its hat on “just” gowns, or “just” jewelry, they cater to our casual needs as well. I am wearing the “Tina and Sara” pants and shirt, both mesh, so mesh enabled viewer required, but both filled with such chic detail, I don’t know how anyone could live without them. The pants are fitted and the top loosely ruffled in a scarving type cut, the range of colors means you will always find your “it” color. The entire look perfect for casual to semi formal events. I completed my look with the “Bambu” necklace, also from Kunglers, and “Roma” patent leather shoes from “Similar Italian,” If you get a chance, check out all the new items available at Kunglers, I know you will be glad you did!
Taxi:

To Feel at Home, Stay at Home~ Clifton Fadiman

May 24, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

For the next couple days, twice a day, I am going to cover an event very dear to me. Not much of a carouser, bookish by nature, when I am not inworld modeling, I spend so much of my time with my true passion, interior design and gardening. If I could have taken a different path in real life, this is an avenue I would have definitely traveled towards. But this is one of the wonders of Second Life. We can explore these paths not taken. From May 19th to 28th 2012, the Home and Garden Expo is taking place, so if you have a dream to create your one of a kind “home away from home” now is the time to get out there and explore all that is available, and the best part is the event benefits Relay For Life, an organization I am very passionate about having been touched by cancer in my real life. For more on the daily events link here: link:

A few days ago, when a note circulated about blogging for Leezu! at the Home and Garden Expo, to accept was truly a “no-brainer” for me. Afer all, I’ve been living in a Leezu! house for years. I love the quality. Leezu Baxter puts as much detail into her homewares as she does with her clothes design. This first picture is the “Twiggy Bowl” in Mesh, its incredibly well made, I just threw some fruit in it and snapped a simple picture. Sometimes, perfect interior design is in the visual affect of the smallest of details. This is, quite simply, divine! Taxi:

The second item is this lamp, both are the RFL items of this designer, so to purchase them gives 100% of the proceeds to the Relay for Life charity. YAY! The incredible Mesh Lamp, “Studio Ring” Table Lamp is a well detailed furnishing. As you can see the detailing is a heavily forged metal, the shade oblong and elegant. Just the sort of piece to put into any masculine or urban interior design. It’s Spring! Make yours special by dusting out the old and putting some new design touches on your crib. Check out these two housewares and all the items available from Leezu! here: Taxi:

Hermit’s Have no Peer Pressure~ Steven Wright

April 9, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

But for the rest of us, well, it’s a different story. It’s amazing, even in a Second Life, there can be an amazing trend to conformity, I say, buck tradition, be you! The wonderful thing about SL fashion is relatively cheaply you can experiment with so many different styles, mix and matches. So experiment, play and above all, have fun with yourself. Who knows? You might put together the next “Great Look.” And differentiating yourself from the pack in SL modeling is a must to be noticed.

For the weekend, I wanted to wear something kicky and fun and chose the “Optical” dress from designer Nevery Lorakeet of *LpD*. This fun piece hints of Paris in springtime with its tighly molded and sleeveless bodice. The skirting is scrumptious with a white mini attractively detailed with voluptous tufts of satin about the hips. The entire effect is completed with a color-blocking red belt. Spring inspired? Definitely! Filled with random Fun? For sure! This and all the outfits are divine and one of a kind at *LpD* but dont take my word for it, check it out here! Taxi:

Dress: *LpD* (La Petit Details)
Hat: Agnes Finney’s My Precious
Shoes: [LWL] (Ladies Who Lunch)
Socks: EB Atelier Mesh socks
Makeup: Lovely Mi

“We all look for lost time. “ Christian LaCroix

March 2, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

I chose the above quote because I felt it so suitably “fit” this first dress. One of the most incredible things of a Second Life is you can explore era’s, imagined moments of history, that in the real world you can only dream about. This gown,from Son!a, is simply called “Sunrise.” In my mind, it pulls the strings of my heart, makes me crave simpler more elegant moments of an elders lifetime. Certainly it doesn’t fit in the casualled down non-mysterious styles of this century. The bodice is an exquisite peekaboo lace carefully tailored and artfully detailed. The gorgeous taffeta skirting has a simple elegance with its rose shade and the lace detailing on the hem beautifully mimics the lacy bodice giving the entire gown a simple gracefulness that would turn the eyes at any ball gown function. I completed the outfit with a pink pearl bracelet from Mandala, a necklace from Donna Flora and the crowning hat, simply a rosily dyed version of the hat in Angel Dessous’ Seoul wedding gown set.

Since I typically show two outfits from a designer per blog, last week I wandered over to Son!a to check out her inventory. I just adore Sonia Jie, she is sweet, kind and very artistic. As for her store, I am always impressed with her range. She has casual to elegant and all styles in between but after much debate, I decided to keep it in the formal genre this time around simply because I fell in love with this dress.

The dress below, “Trance” is an exquisite satin, slim about the bodice to hug along the sensual lines of a woman’s body. There is a beautiful flower between the breasts with a flowing satin lace scarfing that moves divinely as you move. It is further defined in feminine grace with the floral netting across the top of the bodice, cascading softly from the breast flower down to where the flowers spill along the hem of the skirt. Not seen in this picture, the back of the gown dips, oh so low, right to the spot where a man’s hands would ache to run his fingers across. The overall look creates a soft classic Hollywood starlet appeal, sexy enough to drive any man crazy.

Swing by Son!a today. I know you will find many things that appeal individually to you. I even included the Taxi: <3 Taxi:

“You have to be unique, and different, and shine in your own way.” ~ Lady Gaga

February 27, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

When I decided to become a model, I chose to create my avatar in the way a real life model exists, having one no makeup skin (the only change being in tone) and changing my makeup layers to create the look I am trying to achieve. I do this because it makes me recognizable and modeling is all about selling the product you are wearing. And to me, much as a designer’s logo is their brand, my face is my brand. So I am always looking for creative makeups.

Recently while wandering around Pipins, I entered the section of Angiliak Crystal’s store that holds her makeups. While looking around I came upon the makeup in this picture and just fell in love with it for a fantasy type picture. The tattoo layer is artistically created with exacting detail and I immediately thought of the Vita’s Boudoir mermaid outfit to accompany it. That’s the thing I loved most about this find, how often do you build a picture around a makeup?

If you have a show coming up, or just want to create a fantasy, check out Pipins, there are a lot of very creative and surreal items in her store. <3 Taxi:

Design is not for philosophy it’s for life. ~Issey Miyake

February 24, 2012 by caoimhelionheart

I love Issey Miyake, he is a real life designer with a creative flare for the artistic. So much of his designs are like wearable sculptures and I love the concept that you can wear any old dress to an art exhibit or you can be the centerpiece work of art at the art show. We are lucky in Second Life, because we can be the centerpiece work of art affordably. Where in real life I can only look at the pictures and admire something Miyake has done, in Second Life, I can make pictures of myself wearing the items Yula has made.

In the first picture, I am wearing part of Finemith’s “Love” series in my choice of the “Love doesn’t grow on trees” face ornament. It is one of the most incredibly sensual works of art I have ever worn. Love doesn’t grow on trees is a very 3 dimensional piece of art, symbolizing the tree of life and how love is the center piece of the tree. The flowering limb, whose center is the heart shows that love will grow, if only we learn to love, honestly and openly. Another exceptionally beautiful 3-dimensional work of art is the “I Love to Love” necklace and bracelet. This is another gorgeous set with its mild calming pastels. The heart is encrusted with a botanical garden of beauty with the sacred Calla Lily, a symbol of magnificent beauty in many cultures, featured throughout the piece, weaving its way softly up the chain, gently framing the face lovingly. The bracelet is a continuation of the petals of the necklace and includes a gorgeous chain of beading.

In the picture below, I am wearing one of Finesmith’s newest and hottest items, the “Aesthetic Value” which includes a ring, bracelet, necklace and earrings. This is a gorgeous set in that it is substantial and heavy so it won’t get lost while you are on the runway or at an event where what you wear is as important as who you are. It is available in gold, silver, blue, Earth, fusion and wooden so it is versatile enough to fit from sheer elegance to a more free-spirited BOHO, whatever your style of the day is. Check it out! I know Finesmith has something for everyone’s tastes, from extravagant to demure. <3 Taxi:

“Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women” ~Elsa Schiaparelli

December 20, 2011 by caoimhelionheart

Megu~ One of the Incredible Winter Offerings Now Available at Gabriel!

Winter, what a wonderful time! Some think of Winter as the final gasp of breath, the demise of summer turn Fall. But in another view, it is a replenishing, a preparing of the soil for the Spring renewal that is to come! In a fashion sense, Winter is one of the most fun season of all to me! Go ahead! shoot me now! what can I say? I love furs! they are fluffy, pouffy, and downright soft and sexy! The best part about a Second Life, is you can wear them without harming a single animal!

I am wearing one of the incredibly gorgeous offerings from Gabriel’s Winter Collection. All pieces of this are from the Megu leather collection. The mini-dress is from the White collection and the Fur Coat, tights and boots from the black collection. I partnered it up with a red belt from Lelutka and it’s an instant Tres Chic selection for your best of Second Life Winter events! I have to say, both collections do come with an adorable leather belt with an attached furry purse that is absolute perfection with the set, I only chose to wear the Lelutka to to add some color to the wintry photograph.

Before you head out to snow ski or ice skate with friends and loved ones this holiday, stop by Gabriel and check out the many new winter styles available! I know you will find something you will absolutely love! I know I did! <3

“You got nothing to lose. You don’t lose when you lose fake friends.” ~ Joan Jett

December 18, 2011 by caoimhelionheart

Gorgeous photo by Julie Hastings

I hope Nando will forgive me for being a little self-centered on this “day after” Miss Virtual World, but I plan to blog this incredible gown in a few days for Angel Dessous and for the first time, I want to be totally selfish and blog myself, MVW, and most of all, you! Don’t worry, I know, if you are going to prattle on about yourself you better make the words to the point and precisely short. Well as short as the person some friends accuse of writing a new edition of War and Peace every time she takes to the keyboard, can do. But here it goes.

As you all may know, I didn’t win Miss Virtual World. Congrats Anna Sapphire, you are a beautiful person! And no, this is not a surprise to me, I was an underdog from the beginning. Sure, I am more disappointed about a non-top five finish than I thought I would be, but with some introspection, I have dusted off my big girl knickers and moved on. I know my limitiations, I am as gangly and gawky as a professional basketball player, and perhaps not as voluptuous as an MVW should be, I am also shorter than the average model, it’s not terribly noticeable, unless you are standing on the runway right next to someone a foot taller, of course. Also, my style does not tend to the current Euro Fashion glam styles, I prefer to steep my fashion in a more eclectic brew. I am not debasing the current styles, I do like them, after all they design them to appeal to the masses, I am just merely pointing out an obvious truth about personal style. But, even when all is lost, I won’t change because of a Miss Virtual World contest, I can’t, because the point of this blog is also you!

Because when the dust settled, and some of the “fake” friends created by the competitive nature of MVW, wander away. I still have you. All of you, and you have all moved me so much! There truly are not enough words so I will start with the obvious, thank you! I am me, a goofy print model, because of each and every one of you. Your support of a Lil Cao came from day one of my career and I thrived in your well wishes. The day before the finals, I received so many IM’s and notes, emails, flickr comments, just about anywhere you can receive a notice of well wishes, I did, from all of you, my Facebook, Flickr, Moolto and My Face Model Pool but most of all inworld friends! During this journey, I inworld met so many of you and it has been such incredible fun! Most of you are not BOSL, or perhaps even models, but you are all so incredibly talented you could be one if you were inclined, together, between the photographers, designers and creative minds in our group we could create our own United Nations of Second Life and I couldn’t be more proud of any of you! I may not have won the battle, but I somehow think collectively, we have won a war. Because our face is on the map, because in the end, WE the masses, are the true faces of Second Life. I hope you all have a peaceful holiday surrounded by love and family. <3

an chailín álainn

The Lovely Girl's Travels Through a Second Life

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