“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” ~ Pablo Picasso

Tableau Peddler Woman

After being out of SL proper for a time, I slipped back in to tend some Sim-related tidying which I will likely be blogging about tomorrow or the next day. However, since I was already en pixel, I decided to traipse over to the oft-blogged Tableau Spring Color Event which started on 3/28. My main goal was to pick up the Tres Blah Mexican Peasant Dress which has already been blogged to death. But while I was there, I found a darling little number tucked into one of the outskirtting trailers that houses Surf Couture‘s wares.

Surf Couture - Somer Dress

The sight of this Somer Dress (which only appears to come in Goldenrod and Tomato) might not affect younger shoppers in the same way it did me. You have to be a child of the 70s for this dress to bring back memories of mini-Tupperware tea parties. When I was little, Tupperware was indestructible and came in four main “harvest” colors. My favorite was the one I referred to as “golden squash” — I suppose because the cheery yellow complimented a sunshine girl who spent hours setting a small table in the backyard with pecan sandies and grape Kool-aid while forcing the most tolerant dachshund in the world to wear a baby doll bonnet to take high tea with her (high tea requires bonnets, this is an axiom). The child-sized mini-set was one of my favorite toys. Unlike my expensive dolls or the fine china tea set that had been passed on for five generations, Tupperware could get left out in the rain, the sun, the rain again, get half-buried (by aforementioned dachshund) and yet only require a quick rinse before it was ready for bonnets and high tea again.

Simple and perfect, much like this little dress.

Like most items that rely heavily on sculpt prims, there is some compromise in the movement aspects. And if your avatar is small-waisted there is the usual grumble of butt-cheek poking through the back when you size the skirt small enough to fit your waist. And, for the record, I have a modest bottom, so if you’re a boom boom in the back type gal with a small waist, this dress will likely not be your friend.

The compromise, however, is worth the little quirks. The shape and shading is tended with care and creates a lovely overall effect. The sleeveless top also has a sculpted bodice fold that would do Carol Brady proud and provides the perfect touch of dimension to compliment the textured buttons and seams on the system top.

Bow Soiree Platform Wedges

Interestingly, I had no golden shoes in my inventory so I trotted around the Tableau a bit and found the Bow Soiree Platform Wedges which are eye candy crack. How much do I love these? Well, let me put this in perspective. I hate 90% of all wedges because, you know, I’m not a stripper and I don’t want to play one on TV. Also, they require you to lapse back into the horror of system feet. And finally, I have a hard rule about buying shoes in colors I am unlikely to ever wear again. Despite those three strikes, I didn’t hesitate to squeak “mine” and tackle the damn things. They won me with their squee-tastic charms. It doesn’t hurt that they are deftly sculpted and richly textured.

Shopping fix accomplished.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys?

Somer Dress (Shown in Goldenrod)
L$175
Surf Couture (Emma Gilmour)

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tableau/205/244/23

Bow Soiree Platform Wedges (Shown in Honey)
L$400
Paper Couture (Cici Vonderheide)

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tableau/171/63/23

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experience.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

As part of my new-found desire to try new things, I finally decided to try out the FRAPS program I purchased over two years ago. I’ve always wanted a better way to show movement and some of the other details of virtual goods for consumer reviews and this seems like a good next step. The catch, of course, is that I’m a person who doesn’t like doing things outside my skillset, and I don’t want to pester one of the talented folk who put up with me to capture video for my little squee entries. So, I’m going to *try* and learn how to do this. To make the ensuing hi-jinks really entertaining, I’ve never used hotkeys for my camera controls, so I’ll be learning that, too. This is *not* a professional endeavor — this is the ugly process of an uncoordinated babbling little geek with pixel vanity learning new skills.

Yes, it’s as bad as you’re thinking. Only worse.

For my first video review, I chose the Nyna Bikini from Artilleri and the only hair style from the 2010 Hair Fair I could bring myself to buy — the Del Mar from Surf. Co. If you want to slog through my babble, the video review is here:

I know, I’m sorry, but I warned you it was bad.

In the future I will hopefully be improving on the camera controls and I’ll keep my mouth shut to wheedle the time down to just a snippet as opposed to eight full minuets of agony. I’m counting on my sense of dignity and wanting to not look like a total moron to motivate my skills to improve. However, the stark white backdrop is by choice. My reviews aren’t about splash. I just want to show products so that shoppers can know what to expect from a purchase and then make a choice about whether or not to buy. Clever edits, flashy backgrounds and other effects might look nicer, but my concern is that they’re really just vanity improvements that would interfere with the substance I’m trying to offer. The presentation will, hopefully, get better, but the rest will remain dry as toast.

At any rate, if the video quality didn’t give you what you needed, here’s a few close-up shots for detail. I especially think the shading and fabric textures on the Nyna are worth another long peek:

Nyna Bikini From Artilleri

And the hair:

Surf Co.'s "Del Mar" Hairstyle

That wasn’t so bad. Now where’s my lolly?

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys:

Nyna Retro Bikini – L$150
Artilleri

http://slurl.com/secondlife/artilleri/93/123/26

Del Mar Hairstyle – L$200 (three color shade pack)
Surf Co.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/artilleri/131/175/24

(Currently Only on Display at the Hair Fair)

James: Moneypenny! What gives?
Moneypenny: Me, given an ounce of encouragement. You’ve never taken me to dinner looking like this. You’ve never taken me to dinner…
James: I would, you know. Only “M” would have me court-martialed for… illegal use of government property.
Moneypenny: Flattery will get you nowhere – but don’t stop trying.
~ Lois Maxwell & Sean Connery as Miss Moneypenny & James Bond in Dr. No (via Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, and/or Berkely Mather)

Lois Maxwell Will *Always* Be Miss Moneypenny

For me, Miss Moneypenny will always mean Lois Maxwell. Growing up, the Moneypenny scenes were always my favorite parts of James Bond movies. Yeah all the intrigue and action was fun, but the dialog between James and M’s brainy Gal Friday was the back-and-forth worth waiting for. Maxwell had a way of delivering her wit that defied the attempts of the script to cast her in a pining spinster sterotype. She gave as good as she got and her repeated attempts to lure Bond to dinner always seemed like more of a dare than a plea. She never came across to me as desperate, just bold and sassy and deep down I think James always said no because he knew she was too good for him. There was never a “Bond Girl” to touch her.

A cursory google image search does not immediately return any photos of Lois as Moneypenny in pencil skirts. Yet, in my head, I generally see her in one. All prim and chic in her turned-up collar, crisp white blouse or feminine, smart suits. Maybe that’s why, when I wandered into Whippet & Buck I immediately began humming Bond themes when I spotted two seperates that were destined to go together.

Whippet & Buck Pairing

This is the Victoria High-Waisted Pencil Skirt and Sgt. Pepper Cropped Jacket from Whippet & Buck and there is everything to love about them. First of all, the phrase “high-waisted pencil skirt” should come up in my inventory a hell of a lot more than it does because, you know, yum — but in this case, I’m in awe. This is a system-skirt-meets-jacket-layer and I DARE YOU to find the seam where the system skirt connects to the waist. I have never seen a system skirt fit as cleanly as this one.

Everything at Whippet & Buck is mostly about hand-drawn subtle detail. The shading is exquisite but not over the top. The pinches and gathers along the waist of the skirt, the hem stitching, the gentle white-on-white fold of the jacket collar, all of it is the kind of thing that really melts my butter. Alas, the back of the jacket is a little plain (I think it could have benefited from a little something) and the skirt does not come with a non-suspenders option (which I’ve already begged for from Kota and company), but as complaints go, those are whispers and not barks. I will be wishing with all my heart and watching for a high-waisted pencil skirt mini version of this. *hint* *hint* *nudge* *nudge*

Moving on, you’ll be shocked to learn that I wandered into a new hair store recently and walked out with…piggy buns.

Amacci "Olivia" Piggy Buns

It’s safe to say at this point that I have a piggy buns problem. I’m not sure what Carrie Fisher did to me in the 70s, but it’s clear that I’m still not over it. At any rate, if you’re not familiar with Amacci, you really should give them a lookie-loo. They have nice textures and some great long-hair styles, including the only good long hair styles I’ve seen for men. There is a sort of “fly away” trait to most of their wigs that I’m not 100% sure about. On one hand, I really like the natural sense of tendrils that cling to the back of the neck, etc but they seem to get a little carried away with it here and there. Of course, hair in SL is the one thing you can always count on for demo first / buy after experience that lets you know exactly what you’re getting before you buy. Amacci has a great inventory of product, including tattoo-layer hairbases and prim eyelashes and a host of other items. More than worth a field trip if they’re new to you, or it’s been a while since you made a visit.

The final part of the outfit is the most disappointing and that serves me right, because they’re shoes Miss Moneypenny would never wear.

Nova's High Society Heels

These are the High Society Heels from Nova which was one of the three purchases I made at the Shoe Fair. There is currently such a quality gap in the shoe market — which would be a lot less annoying if the price ranges reflected that. On that front, the High Society’s get good marks, however, because they are priced very reasonable for an open-toe mule that doesn’t offer prim toes. Currently, wearing stockings and open-toe means we’re stuck with system feet. I’ve seen a few prim foot shoes that try to offer stockings, but they don’t seem to quite hit the mark yet.

But back to these. As shape, style, and shading go, these got it going on. I like the tapering stiletto heel and the fit of the foot against the insole is good. In fact, the shaping of the system foot is one of the better I’ve seen — your foot doesn’t look like a sliver of orange peel flatted out like silly putty. I even love the idea of the draping satin ankle strap and bows, but that element happens to be where the shoes fail:

Nova's High Society Heels -- Issues

Perhaps because the designer was making a “sized for system foot 0″ shoe, I guess he/she figured they didn’t need to provide re-size or edit options, and that’s a shame because in order for these shoes to work on me, I desperately needed to bump the ankle strap back toward my heel about two clicks. In pretty much every movement and pose of my foot, they eat into the back and stick out way too far in front.

Prior to sculpts, I understood why shoes *had* to be no-mod. The designer’s settings and shapes were key to their craft and protecting their hard work was something we accepted. Tricks of invisiprims and basic prim magic were trade secret. But these days, invisiprims are on the way out and high quality shoes are all about sculpts and texture. So why do they deserve any more privilege of protection than the average hairstyle (which is almost always mod)? The time for no-mod shoes has passed, and I hope some designers will start to see that. For the amount of money we’re spending on shoes, we should be able to tinker and tint them, remove scripts, or add the re-size scripts we prefer.

Hope springs eternal, anyway.

Oh — and btw, although the suspenders might indicate otherwise, my Miss Moneypenny shouldn’t be confused with this Moneypenny.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys:

Sgt. Pepper Cropped Jacket – L$115
Victoria High-Waisted Pencil Skirt – L$200
Whippet & Buck

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imogen/63/230/25

Twiggy Whippet / Dakota Buck

Olivia Style Pack – L$250
Amacci Hair

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Amacci/133/136/23

High Society Heels – L$249 (shoe fair purchase, unsure of store price)
Nova

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Filataponic/38/184/37

“I love lingerie and feminine things…and if it turns (someone else) on — fantastic. But, no matter what, I’m getting off.” ~ Lorri Bagley

Now that I’ve got my rant out of the way, eet eez time to squee.

For *looks at wrist* a long time now, quality lingerie in SL has been limited to a handful of good designers. In fact, there are only three folders in my Clothes>Lingerie>Designers folder: Insolence, Intimizzio, and Solange. Occassionally, there are separates or ensembles that filter into the other folders (>bras >corsets >sets >stockings, etc). But as designers go, I’m generally not impressed. Let’s face it, there are scores of ugly, depressing stores out there claiming to offer “hot” or “sexy” or whatever adjective makes people embrace their inner slut and decide that “lingerie” includes ass-less short shorts. Don’t get me wrong — there is a time and a place for nipple tape, it’s just not when I’m in girly-girl dress-up mode and want to play in lingerie.

Yesterday, however, I wandered into Zaara. And that sound you heard last night that you thought was a mouse dying from cardiac arrest under your house? That was me, squeeing from thousands of miles away. I reached decibels even dogs couldn’t hear.

Zaara - Sumana Lingerie (In Crimson)

This is the Sumana Lingerie set from Zaara. For one of the few times in my fashion blogging career, I’m almost tempted to just let the photos speak for themselves. But you know I can’t. Although it’s hard to know where to start.

We could begin with the fact that the textures are sublime. The velvet panels really look like velvet. The satin bows really look like satin. The floral silk brocade really looks like silk brocade. This isn’t the same old “pretend” texturing. There is sheen and shadow and detail and it’s glorious.

The set comes with oodles of layer options — I’m wearing four of them:
(a) the strapless bustier is on the shirt layer,
(b) the cincher belt with garters is on the jacket layer,
(c) the panties are on the underpants layer, and
(d) the stockings are, obviously, the sock layer.

Zaara - Sumana Lingerie Stockings

Speaking of the stockings, the closest thing I have to a consumer concern worth mentioning is on them. While a lot of effort obviously went into giving the stockings character and not just leaving them as flat sheer textures with seams (squee!), they may not be to everyone’s liking. In a few cases, the shadows and highlights that were employed to give the impression of randomness in the fit of the nylon look like what happens when you over-stretch delicate fabric, or scratch it to the point where it scars but doesn’t quite run. I appreciate the work that went into this kind of reality. I’m just not sure I want my stockings to look like ones I’d switch out of IRL for a fresh pair.

As gripes go, however, “you made your textures too realistic” is something I wish I could say to every lingerie designer in SL.

Zaara - Ilaida Mojri Slippers

Complimenting the lingerie, Zaara also offers the Ilaida Mojri Slippers — which are currently only on display at the Shoe Fair. These flats are amazingly detailed and textured. Although made for a size-zero system foot, they can be re-sized on touch and the piping can also be changed to gold or silver on touch. Although I didn’t think it possible, my Shiny Things Brocattos finally have competition in my slippers folder.

If, however, you want something a little more high-heel for your lingerie, I suggest my favorite Shoe Fair find:

*G Field* - Ribbon Slingbacks

These Ribbon Heel Slingbacks from *G Field* are fan-flippin’-tastic and really hit the girly-girl spot for frilly heels. Wonderfully sculpted and textured with gold buckles and satin-shiny removable bows on the toe and backstrap, they offer invisiprims on or off as well and manage to make a system foot look better than it has any right to.

Oh, and they’re only L$180. So go grab a pair, or five. It’ll still be less than most of the overpriced crap at the Shoe Fair.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys:

Sumana Lingerie – L$250
Ilaida Mojri Slippers – L$345
Zaara

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Zaara/136/132/25

Ribbon Slingback Shoes[V2] – L$180
*G Field*

http://slurl.com/secondlife/YABU/155/130/24

“I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

This week, almost everything at Maitreya is 50% off, except animations and the m.a.ii.k.i line. Since I don’t care for their clothes and I own all the hair already, that means one thing.

Shoes.

Specifically, the “Maitreya Gold” Shanti shoe which is, simply the best shoe on the grid right now for a number of reasons.

"Maitreya Gold" Shanti Heels in Silver

I first became aware of the Shanti style a while back, but I refused to purchase them. L$1k per pair, per color simply offends me (as I’ve already ranted). When you’ve managed to offend a super-consumer out of buying what she considers to be the best product on the grid, you’re working hard at it.

Previous to the sale, I’ve had two pair – both purchased for me as gifts by friends who drug me by my prim hair to get them. My principles do not extend to gifts. Also I wanted them. Pixel vanity > outrage when I’m not the one rewarding bad behavior directly.

Why, yes, I can rationalize anything.

So let’s talk about why I feel these shoes are superior. For one thing, the sculpted toes are much higher quality than anything else I’ve seen. Unlike their equally overpriced counterparts (whose initials are SM) these toes have a lot more dimension — they are rounded over the top with the short cut nails standing out above the toe’s curvature and not just pushed down into the toe or laying flat. This is done with a combo of sculpt and texture shading that really pays off for those of us paying attention.

Maitreya actually does themselves a disservice not having a rezzed display example, because whoever is doing their sculpts is doing a better job for them than any other designer I’ve seen. The toes are also slightly offset and not perfectly aligned like flat little piggies in a row. Why does this seem more real?

Unlike sandals, where your toes are able to spread and lay flat, the gravity and pressure of a stiletto forces the toes into a position where they actually pout up slightly. Obviously, the degree of the pout depends somewhat on the toes themselves and shoe models are picked for the appeal of their toes, so mileage varies. However, anyone that has spent time in high heels, especially open-toe mules, should appreciate this difference.

That is just the toes.

In addition to the above details (which I consider to be key in creating a superior product) there is also the shoe itself which greatly appeals to me. As we all know when dealing with prim feet products, the way the shoe meets the ankle is a key element that will make or break the illusion. The Shanti handles this better than any product I’ve yet seen. The wrapped satin ties are sculpted and shaded to trick the eye in all the right ways and create a good camouflage into the system leg. There is no issue in movement at all — it’s flawless for me to walk in them.

I also like the fact that the shoe is dressy with a designer feel that doesn’t make it look like I just got off shift at the Bada Bing.

"Maitreya Gold" HUD

Moving on to performance issues, we have the HUD that comes with the shoes. I don’t own other Maitreya shoes, but I would imagine the HUDs for their other styles are similar. My eyes are miserable (something about being in glasses since I was a nibblet) so I can’t read squat on the thing, but the images are pretty self-explanatory. Across the top are the skin pre-sets. My LAQ “Fair” skin is already one of the presets. Otherwise you’ll have to play and tweak to get your own saved. The next two rows are all nail colors and below those are your customization pickers and sliders.

To size the shoes you click them directly and navigate drop-down menus. I had very little problem customizing my pairs. I did not experience any significant script time jump while wearing them. Also, I believe they only currently come with invisiprims, although I couldn’t confirm this.

It’s also worth noting that Maitreya puts a lot of class in the products they put out, so you do not have trailer-trash pink hearts or other symbols vandalizing the sole of your shoes. Again, this is the sort of thing that matters to those of us paying attention.

If, like me, you simply refuse to pay L$1k for a pair of heels, then you should wiggle on over and pick up a few of these. Be prepared to play the “this Sim is full” game of clicking every 20 seconds to try and sneak in when someone else leaves because the sale has the place packed.

Hopefully, when the next best shoes comes out, they’ll take a page from the GOS handbook and offer color packs at reduced prices.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys:

Shanti Heels – L$485
Maitreya

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Maitreya%20Isle/207/165/26