Bunny boiler is now part of our language, and I’m proud of that. ~ Glenn Close

Animated Bunny Ears From Sax Shepherd Designs

Sax Shepherd has been decorating my Sim, Seven Veils, with his creations for the last several months, building his skyboxes and opening his stores. His first wearable, however, is officially squee-worthy and requires blogging.

These Animated Bunny Ears are the perfect accessory for Spring dress-up and naughty bunny romping. More than that, they’re just plain fun. The sculpted ears attach to the chin by default and first come in a basic white with shademap. But there are oodles of options from there.

To start with, by turning animations on, the ears will randomly stretch and bend, creating a cute little winking effect. The time between animations can be adjusted from 1 to 120 seconds to accommodate both lively or subtle preferences. Additionally, the animations can be turned off and the ears can be custom-positioned.

Animated Bunny Ears Menu

There are 9 pre-set colors that change the outline of the ears if you want color on the edges with white in the middle, but they can also be custom-tinted to provide a range of mix-and-match variety. You can also play with the Utilities options to allow friends to change your ears, or limit access to yourself as well as check for updates when they come out.

Although he doesn’t have a wearable store yet, Sax has the ears out for sale at his Pavilion Gazebo and also up on the Marketplace. So hop over and grab ‘em.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys:

Animated Bunny Ears
Sax Shepherd Designs

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seven%20Veils/170/196/43

Marketplace Listing

The Student Top
PARADISIS

http://slurl.com/secondlife/PARADISIS%20Creations/160/49/32

“The only constant is change.” ~ Heraclitus

I decided to see what the oldest outfits were that I could find in my inventory. In preparing for a new culling, it was fun to take one or two last shots in some of my favorites.

Hint: If your avatar looks in any way like these photos, you are sporting 2005 pixel vanity. Upgrade now. You may think it makes you seem cool and aloof, but it really just makes you outdated and out of touch.
Extra Hint: If the stuff you are making looks anything like these photos, stop, drop and skill up (this means *you* hair designers).

It’s worth noting that I no longer seem to have my old glasses, eyes, or stockings from that era, so I’m sportin’ current eyes and glasses and sans stockings.

Throwback SL 2005 Look

2005: Part I
Hair: Lash Xevious (Flower Child in Bronzed)
Skin: Starley Thereian (CS Passport Skin – Paris/Brown Torrid)
Rose: Forseti Svarog (Roses For Hair – Scarlet)
Top: Nicola Escher (GK – Red/Black Lace Corset Top)
Skirt: Janie Marlowe (**Mis** Lil Ebony Ruffles)
Shoes: Fallingwater Cellardoor (Mary Jane Mules)

Throwback SL Look 2005

2005: Part II
Hair: Lash Xevious (Flower Child in Bronzed)
Skin: Starley Thereian (CS Passport Skin – Paris/Brown Torrid)
Dress: Nonna Hedges (Thank You India)
Shoes: Jackal Ennui (Taupe Brocade Mules)

“When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy intends a truce.” ~ Sun Tzu

So last Thursday at the Slip, I was doing the usual shuffle of trying to be all hostess-y during concerts balanced against the general IM parade when I received what can only be regarded as the most backhanded compliment ever. The gent to blame (nameless here to protect the anything but innocent) left for the night and bade farewell by sending me the following IM:

Nameless Non-Innocent: You really have a sexy avatar — there aren’t many who can pull off a tablecloth and make it look hot.

I fixed spelling errors, punctuation and capitalization, but otherwise that’s word for word.

So, let’s start with the fact that the guy is a sort-of-acquaintance-but-mostly-total-stranger. He knows friends I know, or seems to, but we don’t engage in more than hello and goodbye on occasion. So this comment comes 100% out of the blue. I’m pretty sure it was well-intended — which is kinda the most cringe-y part of the entire thing.

Also, how do you respond to compliments about an avatar being “sexy” or “hot?” I mean, I didn’t work out for this bod or spend hours on my hair and make-up. Do I think my avatar is cute and nummy? Yes — she fits my personal tastes. Do I appreciate other people may or may not feel the same? Of course. Would I take any feedback negative or positive personally? Um. How?

Don’t get me wrong — I appreciate it when someone says they like the sort of style I project, or when they squee over an outfit I put together. To me, that reflects a symbiotic pixel vanity and I do allow a smile here and there when someone compliments my aesthetic choices. But the “sexiness” thing always leaves me wanting to smirk and reply “thanks, your slider settings get me really hot, too.” But, you just know the sarcasm would be lost. To be fair, I don’t handle these sorts of compliments well IRL, either. Basically what someone is saying is they like the lot you drew in the genetic lottery. I suppose, comparing the two, at least I picked my own slider settings.

Most importantly of all, the dress I was wearing was a-fucking-dorable and deserves more than to be labeled a tablecloth!

One Shoulder Lace Dress from *COCO*

Meet the One-Shoulder Lace Dress from COCO. Yes, I know it’s shamelessly frilly and girly, but it’s the end of Summer and this breezy little number begged wearing. Admittedly, it’s not my normal fare (if for no other reason than I don’t generally like one-shoulder anything) but there’s something sweet about it. Fair warning — it was a bitch to fit to my fashion-waif shape; I had to shrink the lace ruffle sculpts quite a bit and I had to prim-by-prim fit the skirt.

As lace flirting with sheer goes, I appreciate efforts like these put out by designers because they cover all the important bits and allow for a delicate, feminine look that flashes a lot of skin, but keeps you on the “good girl” side of the tracks. As there are soon going to be a bunch of kids wandering around the grid next to us, I imagine that will become more important. Saints preserve us all.

The dress also comes in ecru/beige and black in addition to the white I selected. And the ruffles can be used as a stand alone top if you’re into that sort of thing.

Icing - Princess Pearls

I accessorized with the perfect-with-anything Princess Pearls from Icing — which I’m relatively sure every woman in SL must have in their inventory. If they don’t…I cannot imagine why.

As for the shoes, I’m doing a second entry on them. Stay Tuned.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys:

One-Shoulder Lace Dress – L$300
*COCO*

http://slurl.com/secondlife/COCO%20DESIGNS/86/118/521

Princess Pearls Set – L$195
Icing

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mischief/126/175/25

“In summer, the song sings itself.” ~ William Carlos Williams

I haven’t felt like reviewing an outfit for a while, but every so often something squee-worthy drags me up to the photo cylinder. Recently, I went scrounging around the grid for a “spoil me” Summer outfit to wear for the re-launch of my music venue.

Tropic of Summer Ensemble

What I came up with was one of those outfits I haven’t wanted to take off for a week and a half. I’ve donned it my “Tropic of Summer Ensemble” and I do believe I’ve struck yummy.

Tropic of Summer Skirt

To start off, we have the “To The Beach” wrap skirt from Hudson’s Clothing Co. This is a lovely little Summer wrap that doesn’t quite feed my sarong fetish, but comes pretty damn close. The single system layer is a richly-textured pant that is modest enough for public exposure while still revealing a bit of cheek. The fabric pattern is intricate and could potentially wear well on its own for a sunning suit outfit if accessorized nicely. Alas, it only comes on the panty layer, so you have limited mix and match options with it. The waist is a folded scarf sculpt prim that “ties” on the hip. The rest of the flex prims cascade down to form a semi-transparent asymmetrical layered skirt. The prim elements are a single item which attach, by default, to the pelvis.

Tropic of Summer Skirt Bottoms

There’s no reinventing the wheel happening with this item. It works and I like the look of it, but it’s the same flex skirt with the same transparency issues you’ve seen dozens of times over. It’s a very basic item that does not come with re-size scripts, but it’s copy and mod, so you can tinker. Modestly priced, I found it a very handsome piece for the sheckles. On a side-note it also comes in green, blue, and “dusk” (which is more or less a light purple-ish). If you like airy feminine skirts with a gypsy feel, this is your type of ticket.

Tropic of Summer Blouse

Moving on to blouse action, we have the “Summer Tie-Up” in “primrose.” If you like it, you should run — do not walk – I said RUN to Prim & Pixel Paradise to grab it because it’s only L$1 for who knows how long. I wasn’t familiar with Prim & Pixel and I found the included notecard too long and obnoxious, explaining how signing up for some group that was never named or linked to will get you exclusive this-or-that and after that point “they will be gone gone gone fahhhevah”. You can’t make this stuff up. I appreciate that designers want to encourage people to join their update groups, but given the limitations of SL groups and how many people have to pick and choose, this sort of bullying runs the opposite direction of inspiring customer loyalty from my perspective. If you have to force me to stay in your group through product blackmail, you’re doing something wrong. But then using ASCII graphics, phrases like “da bunnehs” and being KIND OF ANNOYING with CAPS LOCK probably means I’m not the target customer base.

Tropic of Summer - Blouse Seam Issues

That said, the top is darling with scalloped edges and silver conchos at the gather between the breasts and at the tie in the back. If you’re a seam watcher you’re not going to be happy as both the side seams and where one of the panels meets the rest of the layer in the back are not exactly prime-time ready. But, I can assure you, it’s cute enough to not really focus on the shortcomings. For the price and for the charm, it’s full of happy. It comes on undershirt, shirt, and jacket layers for mix and match mayhem.

Tropic of Summer - Floppy Hat

Next we have the Floppy Hat w/ Scarf from GOS. I’m told it’s already been over-blogged to death, but c’est la vie. GOS does a lot right from a consumer point of view. The hat has an in-store demo and excellent documentation. Attaching to the chin by default, the touch-menu system guides you through the oodles of options, including three shapes (Up, Flat, Down), three brim/base colors (Light, Golden, Dark), five scarf ring colors (Frake, Mahogany, Oak, Rosewood, Walnut) and sixteen scarf colors. The hat is copy / no-mod and the only thing I can even come near scolding them for is not having a remove scripts option, although I checked my avatar script time and didn’t have any significant jump with it.

Tropic of Summer - More Hat Goodness

You have to resize the hat each time you change the shape which made the “save” and “restore” options a little baroo for me, but the resizing is pretty painless button-pushing and you can remove the hat and copy it to save it in various stages for your favorite outfits. You can also reset it to factory defaults, which is nice when the reshuffle of prims does odd things.

Tropic of Summer - Hat Glitch

I had one display issue with the hat which is a heartbreaker for me, although many of the people I showed it to did not have the same issues, so it’s obviously viewer-setting and/or hardware dependent. If you zoom out to the point where you could take a full-figure shot, there is a transparency issue along the scarf/brim section that shows through. As annoying as this glitch is, it only happens when you zoom out enough to cause it. Given the quality of the sculpts and my propensity to sing songs from Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (shut up — it’s my hat and I can sing what I want) I was happy to stay zoomed in.

The “Espadrilles” wedge shoes also came from GOS and I was again impressed with their options as a consumer. Another purchase with amazing documentation and scripts that even come with remove options (although, once more, I didn’t notice any significant script time increase with the items). Also, it must be noted that at a time when shoes in SL are ridiculously overpriced, these puppies are no more expensive than a hair pack and you can buy color add-ons for only L$100, which is just brilliant.

Tropic of Summer - Wedges

At first glance they might seem to be cork wedges, but the base and heel cup are actually more like rattan. Alas, you cannot recolor these elements which is a crying shame after seeing the lovely straw options on the hat, but you can’t have everything. The ribbons, seams, bows, and toe of the canvass/linen textured elements can all be recolored depending on which packs you have, which means with a handful of color purchases you can mix up options for different outfits. I did find it somewhat limiting that I was unable to recolor the inner sole, especially given that the shoes were much wider on my foot than necessary when scaled for size.

The Espadrilles are 2.0 friendly and allow you to either re-size the invisiprim or turn it off and use the mesh alpha layer. They also come with an “ankle lock” feature that uses an A/O type method of keeping your feet and shoes working in tandem; this option can be toggled on and off for those who don’t like it. When editing, you can Sync the shoes so that changes apply to both and you don’t have to re-texture/size twice. As scripting goes, this is a company that understands how to make consumer-friendly products. Despite a few wishful tweaks, they’re riding the rails of perfection.

For jewelry I went to Mandala and picked up the “Pearl Rain” sets in cream and gold. The items are excellently crafted and delightfully textured, with luxurious pearl shine and variegated colors for a realistic effect. The sculpts are top-drawer and I cannot rave enough about the appearance. They are copy/no mod with full-bright counterparts included in each set and basic re-size “this prim” or “all prim” scale options. The necklace defaults to the chest attach position and everything else defaults where you’d expect.

Tropic of Summer - Jewelry & Glasses

The problem, however — and this seems to be a big issue with jewelry today in SL — is that the resize scripts are hogs. My avatar script time jumped over 1.0 when I was wearing all the items and an average of .3 per item (necklace, each earring, each bracelet). The menus do not offer a “remove scripts” option and because the items are no-mod you can’t remove them manually. When I’m home by myself taking photos, this isn’t a big deal, but if you’re out at an event, that kind of script hogging is just rude. I find myself not wearing jewelry these days because of this issue. When my avatar has an average script time of .25 – .3 with A/O, Mysti and my usual attachments, there just isn’t a way to justify quadrupling that for some jewelry.

***MEMO to designers — get with the program and offer us the ability to remove scripts if your items are script-time hogs. Kthxbai.***

Tropic of Summer - Glasses

Moving to a “depths of my inventory” oldie fave, are the Cat’s Eye Glasses from Frameworks which I am chuffed to report still exists in-world. These “never go out of style” delights are just L$80 and I love every spec of them, down to the rhinestoned corners. Copy and mod (those were the good old days) they use old /1 scripts to change colors, shininess, and transparency, although you have to size them manually. The scripts didn’t create any jump I could notice, but being as the glasses are mod, they can always be removed. I still love these as much as I did years ago when I first got them and I have to say, they hold up wonderfully against more modern offerings.

Tropic of Summer - Hair

Last but nowhere near least, is the ME hairstyle from Sixty Nine. I found this a few months ago and I’ve been in lust with it ever since. Sixty Nine has a modest offering of styles, but they’re all lovely. The sculpts weave together to form a realistic whole with a feminine and wispy delicacy that you just don’t see in a lot of creators. The textures are fantastic and each wig is offered in traditional size-yourself or re-size script options (which can be removed). I didn’t have to tinker very much to get it to go with the floppy hat for those keeping track at home.

The prims are static and not flexi, so that is the compromise; movement and poses will be less natural. Still, it’s a compromise we’re all used to at this stage of the game.

As Summer outfits go, there is a lot for me to love about this one and we may be kissing Autumn before I relent to taking it off. I might even go crazy and keep the white Espadrilles on after Labor Day.

…just kidding.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys?

TO THE BEACH SKIRT WRAP – L$150
HUDSON’s Clothing Co

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Paektu/48/174/94

Summer Tie Up Blouse – Primrose – L$1
Prim & Pixel Paradise

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rebels%20Haven/75/196/22

Espadrilles Wedge Shoes – L$295
(Add-On Colors L$100)
Floppy Hat w/ Scarf – L$295
Gos
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gos/150/150/301 (shoes)
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gos/115/130/301 (hat)

Pearl Rain Jewelry Set/Cream Gold – L$407
Pearl Rain Bracelet/Cream gold – L$257
MANDALA

http://slurl.com/secondlife/TEMPURA%20SOBA/98/115/24

Cat Eye Glasses – L$80
Frameworks

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Triangulum/145/133/27

ME – Mocha Collection – L$300
Sixty Nine

http://slurl.com/secondlife/SIXTY%20NINE/69/70/691

April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
~ T.S. Eliot, “The Waste Land”

Aphrodisia Outfit From Wishbox

*Editorial Note* Although I generally try and photograph review outfits in the studio, it is difficult to get good studio images with white dominant outfits. In this case, I felt using display images that demonstrate the effects of different daylight settings would be more helpful to consumers.

One of the reasons I’ve rejected the label “fashionista” in SL is because, although I enjoy wriggling my avatar into virtual fashion, I am far more interested in playing pixel paper dolls than I am in paying attention to trends and latest styles. I do believe that fashion – good fashion – can be both a visual art and an act of meaningful expression. Like most commercial arts, however, too many people think they’re good at it when they’re not and everyone from producers to promoters to critics to consumers wants to claim authority over it. Factor in the whole gaggle scrapping to remain relevant in a competitive market and you’re going to get the inevitable mediocrity of mainstream and drama.

The reason I know I’m not a fashionista is because my first priority in playing dress up is “pretty” rather than “compelling.” Sure, ideally, I aim for a marriage of the two, but if I have to choose, I take pretty everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. Compelling can be thought-inspiring and stimulating and controversial, but it can also be ugly. When it comes to such things, I lean heavily toward the Oscar Wilde side of vanity and weakness. And if you think that is slightly shallow the only response I can offer is…guilty as charged.

However, it is this playful attraction to dress-up pretty that brought me to the absolute delight that is Wishbox‘s Aphrodisia.

Aphrodisia - Front View

Although intended as a fairy or elf outfit, Aphrodisia is so unabashedly Spring-friendly that I don’t think just the mythical folk should get to lay claim over it. I opted for the white and pink which consists of the ruffled top and cascading half-skirt generously garnished with a plaited sash and belt of sculpted flowers (I suspect, but cannot say with complete authority that these are roses and lilies from the full-perm Arctic Garden flowers line).

The movement on the flexi bust ruffle and skirt drapes are nicely done. The ruffle on the top breathes and floats lightly, as do the upper layers of the skirt, while the lower layers of the skirt have a bit more bounce and wiggle. The overall effect is well done and makes it surprisingly suitable for dance or frolic animations.

Aphrodisia - Risque Side

What makes the outfit risque is the fully exposed slit up along one side of the skirt. While I have no problem with wearing personal outfits that offer glimpses of deliciously bare skin, I generally don’t wear them in pubic. However, even if you are a hint on the modest side for your public clothing, the execution of the Aphrodisia is still on the “good girl” side of public decency. It gives the impression of vixen with a brazen display of inner thigh and *ahem* cheek, but it completely covers all the key bits, even during movement.

Aphrodisia - Modesty Layers

Stripping the outfit down to its modesty layers allows you to see how the nips and bikini areas are sheltered in the perfect way to provide a semblance of scandal, while keeping your personal secrets well under cover. Granted, the ensemble will never pass for prim, but it’s Spring and even the trees are flirty, so why shouldn’t supple pixel flesh get a little time to strut its stuff?

Aphrodisia - Back View

The outfit comes with a modifiable complimentary shape, but I had no problem fitting it to my existing shape. All the sculpts have touch-to-resize scripts that allow you to +/- in intervals of 1, 5 or 10 and they also feature a “restore” feature that resets them to the out-of-box sizing. They do not allow you to modify prim by prim, however.

Along with the outfit itself, there are two accessories that are “must have”s in my opinion. They can be found in a different part of the Wishbox main location near the Thumbelina fairy outfit. Both of them are flower accessories that use the same roses and lilies employed in the Aphrodisia sash and belt.

Wishbox - Fairy Garter

First up is the “Fairy Garter” which attached by default to the upper left leg. It can also be resized, but doesn’t appear to have a restore function. The white/pink version of the garter matches perfectly to the flowers in the “Blushing Ivory” version of Aphrodisia, but I didn’t see flower sets that would match the other two Aphrodisa options called “Paradise Green” and “Blackbird Pie” so you might want to check on this for yourself prior to purchase.

Wishbox - "Happy Foibles" Wreath

The “Happy Foibles” wreath attaches by default to the mouth and can be resized, but not restored. It also has a feature to remove scripts once you’ve sized it, but always be careful and remember to take a copy before removing scripts. The wreath can be found in the same section with the garter and has the same color combination options, as far as I could tell.

In closing, let me just say if you’ve ever had the desire to look like a girl out of a Mucha illustration, I suggest you skip your happy pixel toes over to Wishbox and give Aphrodisia a long, considering look.

Detail Items
Hair – Maitreya Green II (Pecan)
Shoes – Shiny Things SM Jane wedge (White)

Where & How Much
Aphrodisia Outfit (Blushing Ivory used in review) – L$550
“Happy Foibles” Wreath (Pink used in review) – L$175
Fairy Garter (Pink/White used in review) – L$150
Wishbox

http://slurl.com/secondlife/BraveHearts/194/161/30