A Learning Experience

The other day while at The Trunk Show shopping event, someone complimented me on my avatar.  Not knowing what to say I said "Thank you, I went to school for it" and told them about my time with Miss Virtual World and how they helped me put my avatar together.  They then asked me if I modeled in Second Life and I said yes and that I modeled for Ghee and PurpleMoon Creations. Their response to that was along the lines of "Wow, it's like I'm talking to a celebrity!"  At which point I laughed and said "I'm not".

I have worked for and with people that I consider to be SL celebrities.  I even still get a "yay!" moment when I see who I will be working for and with.  Anyone in SL that has made any sort of name for themselves has worked hard to be where they are and that is worthy of anyone's respect.

But I think it is important, right at the beginning, to make the decision that you won't let any accolades go to your head.  I may joke about being a diva but I know that at any given moment there are at least 15 professional models in Second Life that can do what I do, with more skill, are far more well known, and have been at it far longer.  So what sets people apart in this industry where everyone is replaceable?

Like one of my instructors at MVW Modeling Academy taught me:  it all comes down to attitude.  My favourite Second Life "celebrities" are the ones that have taken the time to speak to me as a person.  They have spoken to me with respect and as an equal.  They have not been arrogant or rude, acted like I as an annoyance or that I was in some way beneath their notice.  For someone relatively new to the SL modeling scene it was (and still is) encouraging to me that most of the models I have met have treated me kindly and that the ones that haven't have been rare.

For me it isn't just about attitude.  It's about being a good person.  It's about being the type of person that is an encouragement because this industry has a tendency to crush people. It's about being helpful to others because other people helped us along the way to get where we are.  It's about choosing to be nice when you can just as easily be nasty (little secret: both take the same amount of effort). It's about not being out for yourself and what this industry can give you but what you can contribute to others.

The success of anything in SL or even in the real world so often depends on the support of the people outside your industry as well as in it. The success of any endeavour in SL comes down to the people buying your product, subscribing to your magazine or blog, viewing your pictures, attending your event, etc. Which leads  me to my last point - it's about being just as friendly to people you don't know as it is to people you DO know because those people could be your biggest fans behind the scenes and making you the success you are.  

On the Left:
Mesh Body - Maitreya
Mesh Hands - Vista Pro Hands
Nails - DP - Koffin Nails - Maitreya - Shades of Pink v2

Knotted Top - Petite Mort - Fchsia - knotted tank S
Leather Skirt - Petite Mort - Black Hand-painted leather skirt (Maitreya v1)
Shoes/Socks - PurpleMoon - Gretel Pumps w/socks - Maitreya


Necklace - Kunglers - Lakshmi necklace - Black
Bracelets - EarthStones - Dragonfly Cuff Bracelets


Hair - Wasabi Pills - Berry
Lipstick - La Boheme - LB Kissable Cream Lips Set 5 Boysenberry
Eyeshadow - R.icielli - Hot Colors Makeup - Smokey Eyes


On the Right:
Mesh Body - Maitreya
Nail Color - DP - Koffin Nails - Maitreya - Shades of Pink v2

Blouse - Coco - Off Shoulder Shirt (White) Maitreya
Wrap - !Go! - Gretel Knit  Wrap - L
Jeans - Essential Bootcut Jeans (Flats) - Maitreya
Mules - GField - Ashley - Scalloped Mule - Texture change hud

Pose - XXY - School Day 2

Eyeshadow - Elymode makeup - e's mix: pink and blurple w/liner
Lipstick - Amacci - Shiny Lips - Tatoo - Pink 7


Hair - Amacci - Candy Rose

Ripples on a Pond

It is funny how inspiration works.  One person gets inspired and acts on that inspiration, which in turn inspires someone else and, like a ripple on a pond, the idea expands until many people are touched by that initial idea.

There is a Chinese designer named Guo Pei - who creates gowns of exceptional beauty that inspired designers at Ghee to create the beautiful gown above.  I seen that design and wanted to style an outfit and get a professional photographer to take the picture of it. To that end, I contacted my friend WrenNoir Cerise to take the picture for me, which in turn inspired her to create the image above.

This single image above is the result of an idea being cast in the water by a real life fashion designer inspiring fashion designers in a virtual world but real life people are going to see the images and it is going to spread out even further until the whole pond is rippling.  Think about that for a minute.

One of the most beautiful things in nature is sunlight sparkling on all the miniature waves created on water.  It shines and shimmers in a way that still waters don't.  It is almost overwhelming to think about.  What would happen if we all added something of beauty to this world - whether by word or action?  How beautiful could this world become?

How about we find out?



Styling Card

Gown and Headpiece – Ghee – Jali – Scarlet
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New/191/1/21

Choker – Gizza -  Lisa
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/GizzA%20Creations/132/113/72

Hair – Tukinowaguma – Otero
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chimera%20Island/206/194/1005

Lipstick – Aii - Geisha’s Kiss Red
Marketplace Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Geishas-Kiss-Lip-Pack-aii/6729286

Skin – Glam Affair – Katra (Asia 06 G)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Beauty%20Avatar%20couture/100/88/24

Eyeliner – WoW Skins
Not available

Nails – La Boheme – Ivria Gold – Slink version
Marketplace Link: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/LB-Ivria-Gold-OMNI-Set-Slink-Omega-Maitreya/9194555

Modern Doll

Every little girl, with few exceptions, has played with fashion dolls.  When I was a child, I remember having this one that came with a pink plastic camera connected to a stand that you clipped the doll into.  When you clicked the shutter on the camera the doll would change poses.  It was, I think, my very first experience with taking pictures.  Like most little girls, it also gave me my first glimpse into the world of fashion and clothing.

My sister teases me that I didn't play with dolls often enough when I was a child and that's why I love playing around with clothes in Second Life.  Perhaps she is right and if she is, then it is a fun past time shared with many others in that virtual space - both designers and shoppers alike.  It was a conversation with one such person that made me so excited to do the image above.  We both loved playing with dolls when we were children and she made me start thinking along the terms of what the fashion dolls would have now. The pink house with pool and car is a given - only this time the automobile is a smart car.  The bubble gum pink dress with feminine lace and sequins is a given and so is the long hair - though this time it's black instead of blonde.

I enjoyed my time revisiting the fashion doll world in taking this picture.  I think it is important to recapture part of one's youth every once in a while.  It keeps us young at heart and gives us a break from the very serious issues we face in today's world - like the reason for smart cars and the many issues facing today's women.   Those things are anything but child's play.  So is growing up and enjoying the fun side of fashion, which I am thankful I get a chance to do every week :)




Style Card

Dress - Ghee Latina Dress
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Shoes - Ghee - Pinky Peeptoes - Rose
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Necklace - Ghee Gumball Pearl Necklace (Rare Gacha Prize with Texture Change HUD)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Eyeshadow - Elymode - Bold Coal & Blue
(not available)

Lipstick - WoW Skins - Aurora - BabyPink Lips
(not available)

Nails - Ghee - Neon Nails - Texture change HUD for Slink Hands
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Qeestein/136/113/1501

Hair -Tameless - Angel - Midnight
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreyfus/192/217/1512

Garage - Kianta Silverfall - part of the Pinkie Dream House V.2.0 set
Available on marketplace:
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Sweet-Bunny-Pinkie-Dream-House-V20-PROMO/2249650

Driveway - Roost - Palm View Driveway & Path Kit
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Roost/158/130/28

Smart Car - Transatlantic Motors Dealership (AKA Horizon Motors Dealership)
Smart Seats 2 Car (P) Ver.1.03
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Stepanovych/74/127/38

The Light in the Darkness

It is very scary to step out into unknown territory.  The first few steps are hesitant, uncertain and the thought will come often to turn back - to question if the road you are going on is the right one.  When I first began virtual modeling I would often see other peoples style and think "They have so much talent and ability, what possible place could I have here when I am so different?"  It caused me to doubt myself and my own abilities sometimes to the point where I would think I want to give it all up.

The funny thing is though every single time that has happened someone would come along and do something so unexpected and encouraging that I breathed easier and was able to take another step - sometimes even run forward refreshed and excited about the path I was on. Sometimes that encouragement came from a friend outside the SL modeling world, from someone outside of SL itself or a fellow model, mentor,  a photographer and even a designer or two.  These people didn't have any idea how encouraging they were and how their kindness kept me going.  I think those people are put in our path to do exactly what the quote in my picture above says: to help us find solid footing or give us wings in order to fly exultantly into what lies ahead.

**Dress – Ghee – Chained Leather Mini Dress – Noir (Texture Change for metal parts)**

Shoes – Ghee – Curve Appeal Heels – With Metal Texture Change Hud

Both for Maitreya fit

**(To be released at The Darkness Event April 5, 2017)**

Upper Arm Bands – Aisling – Efezah Gacha – Texture Change

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Agar/63/82/1112

Mesh Ears – Swallow

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cobra/82/66/2501

Full Makeup – Carrie’s Lingerie - Lust – Silver

Not available

Also worn: Eyeshadow – Izzie’s – Harlow – Silver

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Izzies/115/125/31

Hairbase – No Match

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VALHAL/119/132/21

Hair – Emo-tions – Tommy (female)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hells%20End/134/145/25

Mesh Body – Maitreya

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maitreya%20Isle/62/53/24

Background Image by LadyBunny’s Fantasy

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/How-About-ThatTextureHalloween-Night-Background-Texture/3617015

Quote taken from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/darkness?page=3

Model, Editor, Photography – Yhishara Cerise

Faith, Modeling and Ghee

There are times when life takes a turn that surprises you and takes you down a road you never expected to go down.  Modeling in Second Life has done that for me.  Many opportunities have come my way that have completely floored me with how much honour I feel to be a part of them.  I am part of groups I never thought I would be a part of, work with people that I truly respect and admire, walked for shows I would never have thought I would walk in a few years ago.  And I work now for companies and people in Second Life that have had my loyalty since discovering them.  Ghee is no exception and I am thrilled to be working for them.

I submitted my application to their model search for 2017 after looking at the ad many times and finally put my courage together and put together a look.   You can see it below: 

I then put it behind me as I have seen the names in their past Ghee Girl searches.   The names on that list were and are very popular models or are active in other ways in Second Life.  With all those people to choose from why in the world would they even consider me? So I was shocked when I received the notecard informing me that I was chosen to do the second audition and even more stunned when they let me know I was one of the models selected to represent their brand as a live in store model.  (And trust me when I say the models I work with for Ghee are very impressive!)

It is an ideal store and brand for me.  Ghee is quirky, fun and colorful. Sometimes sexy, sometimes adorable. Color coordinated and stylish.   Bea Serendipity and Warm Clarity put a great deal of thought into the work they do - everything is planned out with nothing left unconsidered.  Not many designers think about a complete look but they definitely do.   But it isn't just about the products they sell.  For me, it's also about attitude towards others.  I love that they are part of charity events, are active around the Second Life grid with the events they do and how often they give back to their customers.   They make people feel like they are valued.  And that comes from the heart. 

I suppose that's where faith comes in.   I look at myself still as a new comer to Second Life modelling.  And I definitely AM!   But when companies such as Ghee offer a wonderful opportunity to work for them then definitely something good is happening.  When Reign Congrejo (yes THAT Reign Congrejo :)  ) made the suggestion I get a new profile picture taken that was more professional I went into it with mixed feelings.  I had always taken my picture before.  Now though, it represents to me the new chapter in my Second Life.  

I chose Pam Astonia to take that picture (which is the very first image in this post),  and I chose the Poppy Dot gown by Ghee to wear in it.   This was not a random thing but very planned.   When I first began working for them I wanted to do something special.  And the picture above is one that is very special in all that it represents  to me.  It represents stores I love in Second Life.   Groups I am thrilled and honor to work for.  But it also represents that I am now a professional model in Second Life. It represents the hours of work behind me to get this far,  and the incredible amount of work still ahead.   It represents that I am part of something bigger than myself and all the people that helped me along the way - from designers, to other models, to instructors and mentors, to the magazines that chose me to be in them and so much more.   I hope I bring that professionalism to the work I do for them and for Ghee.

This post is my way of saying Thank you.     I promise next time to do a styling card but for now - I think its just more important to say that more than anything else. 

My First Day

I have been a fan of the Second Life clothing store Purple Moon Creations for a few years now.  They are one of the few stores that I make a point to visit every few days and I have a great many things from them.  When I became interested in Second Life modeling, I had never really considered putting my name in as a model for them simply because to me they are one of the best and I am a new model without much experience (though that is changing).  Through conversations with their manager, Belladonna Wexhome,  however, I decided to take all my courage and submit an application.  

I got in. 

Even now as I type this, and even now after my first day on the job,  I am so excited and thrilled about the opportunity to work for them that I have been given. All the staff have been so kind and encouraging to me over the years that to work with them, is such a huge honour.  Truly.  

I am writing this today because I want to commemorate this day somehow. I want everyone who may visit my blog to know what this opportunity means to me and to publicly show my gratitude for being asked to join the PurpleMoon Dream team.  It is one of the jobs in SL that I would consider a dream job and therefore I am going to give it my best.  

Below is the outfit I wore on my first day.  The outfit consists of a jacket/sweater combination, matching pants, and booties - all called Sonia.  It is available now in the main PurpleMoon store  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etherea/167/73/22.  

The jacket comes in sets of two - one plaid patterned and one plain. The sweater can be changed to five coordinating neutral colors and there are 4 different color themes to choose for the jacket.

The pants come in three different sets of three colors each that you can mix and match with the jacket colors.  

The booties are sold in a set of 6 colors with a hud that you can coordinate with the jacket and pants. 

The top and pants can be worn with Classic Avatars, or the Slink (Hourglass/ Physique) and Maitreya mesh bodies.  In the picture I chose to wear it with the Slink Physique one.   The booties can be used with both Slink and Maitreya feet.   All pieces are copy but not modify or transfer.  

The great thing about this set is that they are very inexpensive (jacket - $159L, pants $129L and the booties fatpack is $179L.  So for less than $600L you can update your wardrobe with very little money but still get very high quality items that you can mix and match to make several different outfits with. Since they are all basic peices,  you can easily combine them with things you already own which makes them even more awesome investment pieces. 

Coffee station is located at Aero Pines Winter Park http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aero%20Pines%20Park/15/6/22