[#485] I Hope You’re Somewhere Praying

I hope you’re somewhere praying, praying
I hope your soul is changing, changing
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, praying

Kesha, ♫Praying♫

Recently I was given a name and a taxi to a location by a friend who had used it in one of their photos because I wanted to see what I could do with it myself. That’s one of the great things about photographers, they can come up with their own vision using something that might have already been photographed but done in a different way.

2elwe is an interesting location and very good for mood; it’s what I would consider to be post-apocalyptic based on the fact that it is desolate and rainy. When I roamed around and found my exact spot. The direction I thought I could take this was maybe a bit of a prequel/sequel to my blog entry “After The Storm” with the rain being so far away. A way to look at it is the story could go from being in the middle of the storm and traveling to finally get out of it.

The last time I posted I shared that I have become a partner with the Native Urban brand, which I am happy to be a part of their blogging family. There are so many great and different styles of clothing and accessories to choose from and the quality is excellent. I remember the first time that I encountered products from them was at the SWANK event. I stopped right away when I came to their booth and knew that I had never seen them before but I liked what I saw and instantly made a purchase.

For my first blog post to feature them as a blogger for their brand, I am wearing the limited edition version of the Anjuna Sweater from the Limit8 event. I really love the style of this product and I’m going to refer to it as a hoodie because that’s what it is to me. I’m wearing the Belleza Jake version which comes in two different “sizes”. There is a version with a more open hood for people who want to wear hair with it and a closer version like I have on for those who choose not to. One of the things I like best is the varying lengths of the sleeves as most items you see are always the same length which makes this a bit more unique in design. For non Belleza body owners this also comes with sizes for Signature (Gianni) and SLink Physique mesh bodies.

Only 100 copies of this are being sold and it is still available but you need to act fast because once they are gone, they are gone forever. The Limit8 event runs until the 13th of May but you may not want to wait until the last minute because this great item will be gone.

Given the location I was photographing at and the main item of my look was the Anjuna Sweater, I figured that I would go with a bit of an urban look mixed with a bit of nerd (I’m all about fusion…well maybe). Jeans are always something I’m looking at when I am out shopping and there are always a lot of different options and styles of denim that make it hard to decline.

During the April round of The Men’s Department I grabbed the FATPACK of the “Loose Straight” jeans by ::K:: (by Kitt Ragu). I love the look of these and having the option of wearing (or not wearing) a belt is a cool option. A lot of the times with jeans you don’t get a choice of being able to add or subtract the belt and it is harder to pair it with things for fear of clipping into one another (which is a pain as I’m sure anyone who has ever been a blogger/photographer can attest to). The FATPACK includes 6 different denim colors that fit Belleza, Signature (Geralt & Gianni versions) and also SLink Physique mesh bodies.

You can pick these up at the mainstore and if you are a jeans collector like myself, you’ll want to go take a look at these.

As I wrap this up I have some really good ideas (or what I think to be at least) for some photos in the next little while so stay tuned for cool fashion, hair, and poses from my favorite brands such Cold-Ash, Native Urban, Modulus and Image Essentials. Also throw some things in from events like Kustom9, Men Only Monthly, and The Men’s Dept (which opens Saturday the 5th!).

Until the next time our paths cross, onto the next conversation…

Photos taken @ 2elwe

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HAIRBASE: Labyrinth – ‘Buzzcut’ ✦ Previously Blogged
HEAD: CATWA – Skell ✦ Previously Blogged
EYEBROWS: [theSkinnery] Hallford Brows Style 4 ✦ Previously Blogged
EYES: Amara Beauty – Gem Eyes ✦ Previously Blogged
FACE: LV Designs – Brennan Tone 02 ✦ Previously Blogged
BODY: Belleza – Jake ✦ Previously Blogged

GLASSES: BALACLAVA! – Kip Glasses (Black)
HOODIE: Native Urban (Store / MP) – Anjuna Sweater L8 Special ✦ NEW @ Limit8 (Apr 08 – May 13)
JEANS: K – Loose Straight Jeans – Medium
SHOES: {COLD-ASH} – VALKYRIE SNEAKERS FATPACK

POSE: WRONG & The Owl – Male

[#484] You Got The Touch

You got the touch
You got the power
When all hell’s breaking loose
You’ll be riding the eye of the storm
You got the heart
You got the motion
You know that when things get too tough
You got the touch

Stan Bush, ♫The Touch♫

Some time has passed since my last post but things were a bit hectic lately but at least it hasn’t been the longest amount of time I’ve ever gone without posting. I also did most of the work on this several days ago before I got wrapped up in the world of flesh. A moment of geekdom took over as I was putting everything together all based upon the RARE item in the Stealthic/Toksik gacha machine at The Epiphany.

It’s the only new item in this look so I thought I would do something at least a bit special because it’s definitely a throwback moment to my much younger and formative years. It’s very glam and 80’s and despite my feelings towards some of the fashion and things from that time, one of the biggest part of my years was the time I spent (and still spend) as a fan of the Generation 1 of The Transformers.

Saturday morning cartoons helped build my imagination and creativity as I spent time with Optimus Prime and the Autobots, as well as Duke and G.I. Joe (among many other greats of that era but don’t get me started or I’ll be here forever).

I am certain that I’ve spent time reminiscing about my love for The Transformers and their animated big screen debut in 1986. At the time my family was not real big into going to the movies yet as it was just kind of one of those hassles that made it just about impossible to do. I remember that there weren’t very many video stores (yes there were things called video stores that rented out VHS tapes much like your Redbox etc do today). I managed to earn good grades and when the book fair came along (they also had movies as well in in) I was able to order the movie and once it came and I took it home it was like magic happened and I was forever a fan.

When I was given the hair by my blogging friend, Aleriah, I knew that I had to do something epic and throwback with it because it is very 80’s and nothing reminded me more of that then one of the main songs associated with The Transformers: The Movie. Stan Bush’s “The Touch” is every bit of the 80’s that anybody who was a part of that era would know it embodies it.

For my outfit I raided my closet to find as much denim that I could find and both my jacket and jeans are from L&B Swear. With the jacket I knew that I definitely hit the mark of the style and look that I was going for as I tried to do my best to create a visual that compared to the music video for the song which is highly obscure.

This was meant to be a pretty short entry but I have one more quick thing before I wrap things up.

As of the 28th, I found out that I was selected to be a part of the bloggers for the brand Native Urban; I look forward to being able to come up with creative and great ways to feature the brands products going forward as I welcome them to my brand partners. There are new releases that I am looking forward to digging into in my posts for this upcoming week. I hope everyone has had a great weekend and for those of us that are finally being rewarded with spring are able to get those windows open and get some fresh air.

Until our paths cross again, onto the next conversation…

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HAIR: Stealthic x Toksik – 2. TOS Facade Hair RARE ✦ NEW @ The Epiphany
HEAD: CATWA – Skell ✦ Previously Blogged
EYEBROWS: [theSkinnery] Hallford Brows Style 4 ✦ Previously Blogged
EYES: Amara Beauty – Gem Eyes ✦ Previously Blogged
FACE: LV Designs – Brennan Tone 02 ✦ Previously Blogged
BODY: Belleza – Jake ✦ Previously Blogged

JACKET: L&B Swear – Patrol Denim Shirt – Fatpack
JEANS: L&B Swear – Salvage Cuffed Jeans Fatpack ✦ Previously Blogged

POSE: Chat Noir – 1760 ✦ Previously Blogged

[#483] After The Storm

And after the storm,
I run and run as the rains come
And I look up, I look up,
on my knees and out of luck,
I look up.

Mumford & Sons, ♫After The Storm♫

We’ve all been there.

Every single soul that has or ever will step foot into this plane of existence has dealt with a trying time in their existence. It may last a few moments, days, weeks or possibly years but one thing that it is certain is that it doesn’t last forever. It’s what you do with that time after enduring whatever you’ve gone through is what’s most important. You’ve tempered the raging storms but it’s what you do after the storms that helps define you, your character.

I myself am going through a bit of a rough spot but I refuse to let it weigh me down and why it helps to have a medium such as this to work things out in my head because I know that when all the winds and rain have subsided that I will come out for it a wiser person and hopefully use it to my advantage.

Many times I plan things down to the very detail when it comes to a photo I take (location, styling etc) and then sometimes it is just really nice to go about things spontaneously as I’ve done with this blog entry. I threw on some clothes that I had not worn before or even remotely had plans for and wandered off to a location I’ve never been and found creativity took hold and was able to create something that set the mood at that moment.

The only thing about my look that was planned was the hair style I have on from Modulus that is currently available at the Equal10 event, which is something entirely new not only to the grid but to me as well. I’m not 100% sure of what the story is behind it but if you decide to check out the hair you’ll be in for a treat. The setup for the event is honestly one of the coolest I’ve seen in a long time and I have to give a major applause to whomever came up with the idea and executed it.

Moving back to the latest Modulus release, “Jay” is a short style that you can use a shaved base with to give it a bit more depth or you can use a regular one (as either work just fine). I’m wearing the Blonds pack (for the second straight release) which is not usual for me but I almost kind of feel that I was absently putting out a honey badger vibe (and we all know honey badger don’t care).

When it comes to hair whether it be me blogging it for a brand partner such as Modulus or finding something at a store/event that I like, one thing I tend to do is purchase FATPACKS because sometimes you just never know what mood you’ll be in or if you feel like going outside of your norm and if you do then I give you a round of applause. As I’m still on the topic of Modulus, the “Jay” hair does come in a FATPACK option and with that you’d get 25 different hair tones to work with in the form of 5 HUDs all with an integrated tinting ability to customize things that much further. It offers up the question of why bother picking up just a color or two when you’ll save money and have all the colors because even if you don’t use them today you may change your mind tomorrow or the next day.

Equal 10 runs through the 5th of May so there’s plenty of time to give it a look see!

Many of us have our favorite clothing brands in both the real world and in this virtual world, there are the ones that we buy just about every item they release but there is also room for those that while not everything that comes out works for you or fits your preferred mesh body choice the quality is at a high level. Lately for me that is the ExalteD brand.

A great handful of their products are definitely things I like (and more than likely own or will own) and the quality to me meets my criteria enough to shine a brighter light on them (not like they really need it!). I purchased this “Jumpsuit” at an event some time ago but just did not find the right inspiration to give it the proper featuring I felt it deserved. Yes, you can also even call them overalls if you like because that seems a bit more fitting but we’re allowed to see things as we like regardless of right or wrong.

This product fits both the Signature (Gianni) and Belleza body which I am wearing and comes with the Jumpsuit itself in two versions (regular and “big”) and includes a sweater which you can wear with it if you like. Probably if you were wearing these in a farm type setting you would definitely not be wearing the sweater with it and also be able to show off your physique but seeing as how my photo is a bit more moody and in a rainy setting it felt right the way I styled it.

Before I wrap things up I will encourage you to explore where this photo was taken. The place is called “Motorheadz Cafe” and the main feature of it is a biker bar but it is so much more than that. It is a very rural type location with houses and little shacks make this place a really enjoyable place to explore and as I did, take photos.

Finding locations to capture images that last in your mind are hard to come by and this particular place and scene are something that I’ll remember for quite a while to come and I hope it does with you as well. I also hope that if you yourself have or are going through a troubling time to know that while the storms may try to do you in they do not last and it’s what you do after the storms will be the best chapters in the story of your life.

Until our paths cross again, onto the next conversation…

Photo taken @ Motorheadz Cafe

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HAIR: Modulus – Jay Hair – Blonds ✦ NEW @ Equal10
HEAD: CATWA – Skell ✦ Previously Blogged
EYEBROWS: [theSkinnery] Hallford Brows Style 4 ✦ Previously Blogged
EYES: Amara Beauty – Gem Eyes ✦ Previously Blogged
FACE: LV Designs – Brennan Tone 02 ✦ Previously Blogged
BEARD: Nivaro – Rugged ✦ Previously Blogged
BODY: Belleza – Jake ✦ Previously Blogged

OUTFIT: ExalteD – Jumpsuit v2 – Denim Dark

POSE: RK Poses – Jacob ✦ Previously Blogged

[#482] I Wish…

‘Cause when it comes to playing basketball
I’m always last to be picked
And in some cases never picked at all
So I just lean upon the wall
Or sit up in the bleachers with the rest of the girls
Who came to watch their men ball

Skee-Lo, ♫I Wish♫

With as many times as you’ve seen me do a photo with a basketball theme to it that I’m some kind of superfan but in reality it’s probably the one sport I watch the least. Not that I have any extreme dislike for it but it just doesn’t appeal to me like Baseball does (as it seems to be more of a chess match to me). I can also say though that it is easier to capture in a photo and more designers are making poses and props that represent it.

For example, take the pose and prop that I’m using in today’s entry. It’s the “Backyard Basketball” set from Image Essentials (a TCK blog partner) that is currently available at the eBento event. This is probably one of their more intensive products as not only do you have the front of the garage with asphalt driveway but you also have poses that are for single use and also poses for two people (to create one on one action scenes). Unfortunately at the time I was doing this photo there was no one available to work with so I went solo (like Han…yep corny I know).

You can check this item out at eBento until the 30th of April and if by some odd reason you procrastinate (which is a BAD idea) then you’ll be able to find it at the store shortly thereafter…but seriously go take a look.

April has been quite the busy month for the Modulus brand, which has just released (and thankfully right when I needed it) “Anthony” a backwards snapback cap with a tuft of hair sticking out of the hole above the snap strip. While in real life I personally prefer fitted hats (there seem to be very few of any good quality on the grid of the mesh variety) this hat is the best thing for headwear junkies like myself.

25 colors in 5 different HUDs (complete with integrated tinting as well as an the ability to change the design of the cap to which there are 6 options). For those of you who like to change your hair color on a whim a FATPACK is available at a discounted price which gives you all the colors and you’ll save a little pocket change. I’ve always often said that if you can’t choose on just one thing and there’s several to do the math and you’ll find that it’s better to buy everything at once and save yourself the hassle of spending extra money down the road.

“Anthony” is a part of the Shiny Shabby event that runs from the 20th of April until the 15th of May, lots of great items and designers from clothing, poses and home decoration; is very much worth grabbing a taxi ride from the credits below.

Although I’ve previously blogged the “FLAME” tattoo by { Speakeasy } this is probably one of the best and closest views that I’ve ever posted in a photo as I’m wearing clothes most of the time and rarely show much skin. I really am fond of this tattoo and in the past I usually would never wear one for more than a short time but this one has really won me over. I think that it has elements of some of my favorite things (roses, ravens, as well as clocks) and has a very true saying just under the right pec that says “Hearts are wild creatures that is why our ribs are cages”. I find that to be very true and if they were just free to roam you never know what kind of trouble they could get into or damage they could endure.

Kalback (formerly Kal Rau) has been around for ages and I haven’t really kept up with the brand all that much since they returned several years ago; it’s not because I’m no longer a fan it just seems that other things just took precedence or was more in my style wheelhouse. Their “Sweat Shorts M3” happened to be just the thing I needed for my outfit as I felt that if I was going to shoot hoops shirtless that wearing long pants would defeat the purpose of my styling. It’s probably a weird thought but just go with me on it would you?

These shorts are available at the current round of the Man Cave event which is ongoing until May 1st so you’ve still go time to check out all the guy goodness!

It could also be said that my look might be more 90’s inspired considering that I used Skee-Lo’s “I Wish” as the soundtrack for the blog post. This song has been entertained by me to be used in previous blogs but I just decided on something else because it might not have fit the way I wanted it to. This time I do think it does hit the right point that I wanted to achieve.

One final thing before I wrap this up, is I wanted to make mention that the shoes I am wearing are a Limited Edition of the FLI. Low Sk8 shoes that I’ve worn several times through the course of entries on the site. They are all black with flames on the side part of the sole of the shoe. I realized after I had finished with everything that I did not get a close-up of them but considering I blogged a version of them before (as well as the fact they are in limited quantity) running out and grabbing them before they are gone completely. There is also a Hi version of the shoe as well and they are both together to the right side of the store as you walk in. I couldn’t pass these up the moment I saw the ad for them and hopefully if there’s anyone reading this and likes them as much as I do that you are able to get them too.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and taking it as easy as possible. There’s more to come of course as I’ve got some goods from the newly open Men Only Monthly and of course more from Shiny Shabby which also reopened for it’s April/March round; I also hope to have at least one more look at this current round of Pose Fair before it closes as well so stay tuned!

Until our paths cross again, onto the next conversation…

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HAIR: Modulus – Anthony Hair – Blonds ✦ NEW @ Shiny Shabby
HEAD: CATWA – Daniel ✦ Previously Blogged
EYEBROWS: [theSkinnery] Hallford Brows Style 4 ✦ Previously Blogged
EYES: Amara Beauty – Gem Eyes ✦ Previously Blogged
FACE: LV Designs – Angel Tone 02 ✦ NEW @ The Darkness ✦ Previously Blogged
BEARD: Nivaro – Rugged ✦ Previously Blogged
BODY: Belleza – Jake ✦ Previously Blogged
TATTOO: { Speakeasy } Flame Tattoo ✦ Previously Blogged

SHORTS: <Kalback> Sweat Shorts M3 Grey ✦ NEW @ Man Cave
SHOES: FLI. – Black Flame Sk8 Low (Limited) ✦ NEW @ Mainstore

POSE/PROP: Image Essentials – Backyard Basketball (b) ✦ NEW @ eBento

[#480] Movies

I want you to be free
Don’t worry about me
And just like the movies
We play out our last scene

Alien Ant Farm, ♫Movies♫

One of my favorite things to do (when weather permits and funds are available) is go to the movies and a lot of time the cost to go these days is outrageous just for one person so I can only imagine what it is like for a family of four or more to go. There are places that have matinees or special deals to get you in to see the latest and greatest which is always the best time to go.

Being the geek that I am, the excitement for the latest Avengers movie “Infinity War” which comes out next Friday already has me itching to see it. Some say you can’t be a fan of both DC and Marvel comics apparently has never met me…because if it is comic book related I am going to see it because (comic books) are one of the things that helped me draw imagination as a youngster and though I don’t keep up with them much now (if at all) I still find ways of seeing what’s happened with certain characters of both imprints.

Pose Fair has some time left but I wanted to make sure that I featured the pose that I am using for this scene because it blends a bunch of things that I love together. The idea of going to the movies and getting some buttery popcorn to munch on as one loses themselves in the worlds that are being created in front of them on the screen. ASO has captured that with their exclusives for the fair and they deserve applause for how simple yet great these poses are.

That’s right, ASO! created two different poses which you can use in a movie theater setting or inside of one (there are tons of options you can work with as far as scenery) with realistic looking popcorn (one pose contains a bag and the other just some popcorn you are tossing into your mouth). The detail on the popcorn when you move close to it is nearly mind blowing. This was one pose that was fun trying to create an idea and visual around and I hope to see more from them in the future that is just as appealing and I have no doubt there will be.

Remember that you have until the 30th of April to hit the Pose Fair for all your photography and blogging needs before the doors close.

Modulus has a been on fire lately with releasing a ton of new hairs and have event updated some of the skins and one thing is for certain and I’ve said this before and I could say it until I’m blue in the face, Chucky Hollak is a man dedicated to his customers. At FaMESHed you can take a look at the “Baptiste” hair which is a a side swept hair of short to medium length which you can have shaved back and sides or just a normal under hair.

It reminds me slightly of a hairstyle that a younger Leo DiCaprio might have had at one time (which to you could be a good or bad thing but I’m looking at it like it is a good thing regardless of any kind of personal feelings about the actor as it isn’t relevant here). I went with the brown color HUD which has been my go to lately (previously always wore black but have been changing it up). If you are or even aren’t a fan of brown there are plenty of choices with 25 colors overall distributed through 5 different HUDs with an integrated tinting application. Of course a FATPACK is also available for those of you that just like to try different things on any given day and stick to one hairstyle for a while.

Check this out at FaMESHed right now which runs through the 27th of April.

When I had my look, pose and idea settled upon the next step was for me to figure out how to compose my image. One thing I know I wanted to do was use a movie theater and KraftWork has a really amazing build that I’ve had for a while and I did my best to attempt to build a scene but that’s not really my forte in the larger scheme of things. Then I realized that the sim, The Last Forever, was created in part by the brand’s owners and a small collective of people; everything I needed to get my vision accomplished would likely be there.

I took a small field trip and a few moments after arriving I saw the exact shot that I wanted and went right to work.

As I wrap things up I encourage you to take a look at The Last Forever and also check out KraftWork, who are a fine creator of decoration and builds that may help those of you who are adept at creating scenes yourself to be inspired for your own pictorials. My requirements as a blogger for Pose Fair have also been met but considering the event is still running and there’s plenty of good things that I’d like to use, you’ll likely see more from the event in some of my upcoming blog posts.

Until our paths cross again, onto the next conversation…

Photo taken @ The Last Forever

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HAIR: Modulus – Baptiste Hair – BROWNS ✦ NEW @ FaMESHed
HEAD: CATWA – Skell ✦ Previously Blogged
EYEBROWS: [theSkinnery] Hallford Brows Style 4
EYES: Amara Beauty – Gem Eyes
FACE: LV Designs – Brennan Tone 02 ✦ Previously Blogged
BEARD: Nivaro – Rugged ✦ Previously Blogged
BODY: Belleza – Jake ✦ Previously Blogged

SHIRT: COLD-ASH – TAYLOR Shirt (Dotted) ✦ Previously Blogged
PANTS: Deadwool – Tweed Trousers – Antracite ✦ Previously Blogged
SHOES: COLD-ASH – VALKYRIE SNEAKERS FATPACK ✦ NEW @ TMD ✦ Previously Blogged

POSE: ASO – Popcorn Bag ✦ NEW @ Pose Fair