It's been kinda a slow week for me iw...but I've got a wee bit of newness tonight. :)
I wanted something pretty & feminine & sexy & summery and SO...here's what came out!! It's called 'Fresh' & it started out as a little white eyelet tube dress...but then I wanted to do the bow in different colors...and then I wanted a shrug...and then stockings...and then I wanted to include pieces so it could be also worn as a tummy-baring 2-piece thinger...and so before I know it...OUTTA CONTROL!!
Anyhow I didn't want to release it in separate colors b/c they'd all use the same skirts & somehow I just didn't like that idea. SO...what you get instead is this gimongolous pack o stuff that you can mix & match to your heart's content...and it should all be nicely mix/matchable with other stuffs in your wardrobe too!
It's available at CKS Designs, SLexchange & SLboutique for $L425!!. I put a no-txfr, TURQUOISE ONLY version in the MobVend for $L300 (or as low as half price).
Happy weekend everyone!! <33
Pretties: Skin - Gala: Pale in Root Beer, Hair - ETD: Sensitive in Golden Brunette Burnt, Shoes - Shiny Things: Spring Stilettos in White, Jewelry - Miriel: Casual Pearls in Silver.
Sooooo...last night's American Idol performances...most ok...a couple really excellent...and one big ol wtf.
Also...didn't Gwen just look awesome? I have the right to hate her for this, just a little. Seriously, though, it was very cool that she was on...she is (& No Doubt are) one of my all time faves & it was nice to have some more contemporary music overall also.
Anywho...on to the top 10...audio included for your listening pleasure, should you be so inclined. :P
1. LaKisha Jones ("Last Dance")
Nice to see LaKisha return to her usual great form last night!!
2. Chris Sligh ("Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic")
Wow...it's just sorta...ok...the tone of his voice is ok...but does he even know there's a band back there? Has he considered singing *with* them?
3. Gina Glockson ("I'll Stand By You")
FINALLY...Gina comes through with a fabulous performance. Although I must admit I would've liked to see her really tee off on an older No Doubt song.
4. Sanjaya Malakar ("Bathwater")
Judges' Response:
Right so...it really must be seen to be uhm...appreciated. Here's what I don't understand: 1) Why any male would choose to sing this song (I loved how in the middle there he actually forgot he was supposed to be singing about a girl...)...2) Why any parents would allow their 17-year old child to humiliate himself like this on national television, and continue to be the butt of media jokes week after week. Also he was a sweet kid...now he's just like...turning snotty and bratty...and clearly has no intention of taking any sort of advice or constructive criticism. This is one of my all-time fave No Doubt songs...BLEH. Just BLEH.
5. Haley Scarnato ("True Colors")
EEeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh...nothing wrong with her singing at all. It's just so...ehhhhhhhhhh. It's hard to listen to her sing this and not miss the vulnerable sound Cyndi Lauper gave it that she doesn't quite hit. It's not bad...but Simon was right...very forgettable.
6. Phil Stacy ("Every Breath You Take")
Well I just thought it was thoroughly excellent. Best male performance of the night imo.
7. Melinda Doolittle ("Heaven Knows")
Interesting that both Melinda & LaKisha chose Donna Summer songs. Of course Melinda was completely excellent. Duh. I love how she looks like a deer in the headlights when she finishes singing...almost like she finishes then is just like...'omg what am I doing here?...they're going to tell me to gtf off their stage!'
8. Blake Lewis ("Lovesong")
Hm ok...he's emulating 311 so it's not original. I would've preferred an arrangement closer to the original version of the song...I feel the 311 arrangement sort of takes a bit of 'edge' off the song. He did ok...and overall I still think he's the best male in the competition. I just didn't find it like OOOHHHHhhh fabulous. WTF didn't he do a Police song? :/
9. Jordin Sparks ("Hey Baby")
I don't understand why the judges praised this. I thought it was utterly horrible in every way possible.
10. Chris Richardson ("Don't Speak")
If George Michael sang a No Doubt song... Well I had never really thought about it but I know now I wouldn't like it. And why did none of them bust on him for forgetting his lyrics near the end?!!
So at this point I have to say I agree with Simon...bashing Sanjaya is just pointless. But really wtf America? Jesus.
I Wanna See The Rest!!
Yup I know country music & American Idol are prolly just about two of the most uncool things to be into...but then those who know me know I'm a gigantogeek so it should come as no surprise that I love both! :P
So I wanted to post a song...and I decided on this one because:
1) Carrie Underwood is my all-time fave American Idol and I adore her voice. 2) I've been listening to her CD again a lot these past few weeks, and I love this song. 3) Bite me...it's my blog.
Ok I just gotta get this off my chest...cos I've been catching up on some blogreading this morning.
I realize none of us are perfect (LEAST of all me...ffs)...and typos creep in despite our best efforts...but seriously...if you're gonna blog something that you put out there for others to see in a major way...and especially if you enjoy slamming people in your posts...learn some effing grammar/spellcheck skills.
So I put these out earlier today but I have company this weekend and just didn't have time to blog...so I'm peeking in to do it now! ;)
I'm really really loving this outfit...called 'Stephania' in honor of Steph Marx who suggested the idea!! The set includes a sheer tank top with a deep v in the front and back & opaque overlay detail...a short, tied-up semi sheer striped shirt...and a knee-length skirt with a sash around the waist and a prim bow on the front. I'm really happy with how the textures flow together and complement each other...and with the light, airy look the entire outfit has. It has me thinking of warm spring days and warm summer nights at the beach!!!
'Stephania' is available in 4 color combinations...I've included a pic of each below. They're $L200 each or $L400 for the set of four...and of course they're available at CKS Designs, and will be on SLexchange & SLboutique as soon as I can get to it tonight!!. I put the Sea (my personal fave) in the MobVend...so bring yer posse and get it for as little as $L100! ;)
Huge thanks to Steph for suggesting this...cos I lurvvve it!! I'm off for now...happy weekend everyone!! <333333
I've been in a mood to break myself out of the winter bllllaahhhhssss & so I wanted to do some springy babydoll sundresses...and did them in a variety of bright/fun patterns. I decided to call the set 'Spring Fling'. Each includes the dress plus coordinating leggings & shrug. There are 10 yummy fun variations to choose from...OR you can just get the lot and mix/match all the colors up!! Thanks to CC for helping me come up with names for the different patterns! :D
Of course they're available at CKS Designs, as well as SLexchange & SLboutique. They're $L200/single or $L1000 for the whole shebang. I also put the Bluenette one in the MobVend...so you can get a no-txfr version of that one for up to half off!!
I'm including some random piccies...ta for now!!! <333
Yeeeeha!!! I need a cowboy and a beer!! (is that right?..was it a beer? /me waits for Ethan to respond)
Anyway...
Hey wow everyone was actually mostly decent if not great last night...no *horrid* performances I guess...tho a lot were just kinda ehhhhhh.
WTF is up w/Simon...he was like extra extra cranky last night!!
So...brief runthru...
1. Haley Scarnato ("Tell Him") - Ok...she looked really really cute. She performed really really well. Her vocals are still really really shaky...but I actually like her...and hope she gets more confidence and that gets better.
2. Chris Richardson ("Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying") - Yeah the judges loved it. I didn't. I still think he has a weird sound to his voice (maybe it's the 'nasally' thing Simon mentioned) that annoys me when I hear it.
3. Stephanie Edwards ("You Don't Have To Say You Love Me") - Great song. Remember last week I said she's really not that great vocally but covers it well? It's difficult to cover in a song like this...and boy did it show.
4. Blake Lewis ("Time Of The Season") - Yayyy the old Blake is back. I absolutely loved everything about that performance.
5. LaKisha Jones ("Diamonds Are Forever") - Dunno what really happened there. She's an incredible singer but it just did not come through at all last night.
6. Phil Stacey ("Tobacco Road") - I just dunno about this guy. He has a good voice...usually he's a good performer...but he's just sort of...all over the place. Yeah, I'm fussing about the 'no identity' thing again!
7. Jordin Sparks ("I Who Have Nothing") - Well she certainly broke out of the gooey mold!! Seriously just so hard to believe the depth she has at only 17. Incredible.
8. Sanjaya Malakar ("You Really Got Me Now") - *sigh* I know that will keep him in another week because it was his best performance yet. I stress *performance* because, he didn't even really sing...he sort of...growled. And wtf is with the crying girl?!! Seriously and without a doubt he needs to leave this competition.
9. Gina Glockson ("Paint It Black") - Wow I really thought Simon was overly harsh. I agree the vocals were way too shaky...and it's like...she's not fully throwing herself into it (she was the same last week). She's been one of my personal faves so I really hope she loosens up and just goes for it.
10. Chris Sligh ("She's Not There") - I thought he oversang it somewhat at the end but mostly I thought it was very good.
11. Melinda Doolittle ("As Long As He Needs Me") - Once again...clearly the best singer in the competition. Not much I can add to that really...she's just fantastic in every way.
So yah ok...Sanjaya was not as horrid as usual last night...but he still needs to go. Every week he stays god kills a kitten. :(
So I had one more 'businessy' type outfit I wanted to do (I had pinstriped shorts & skirts...I needed pants ffs!!)...a uhmmm...trilogy or something...:)
I decided to call it 'Business Class' (actually the *original* name for 'Girl Power')...and it's a pinstriped pants/fuzzy twinset thingie. The textures should mix/match nicely with the 'Girl Power' & 'Pwned' pieces. It's a pretty simple outfit but very classic and feminine I think!!
Really the audition stuff is fun at first but gets old to me pretty quickly...this is the part of the show I like best.
Ok so...three things...#1)...could Paula be more useless, #2)...what's up w/the homoerotic tension between Simon & Ryan this season?!!! Is it just me?!!...and #3)...could someone please tell Diana Ross that the word is 'enunciate'...not 'pronunciate'?!!
I leave you with my brief take on the top 12 last night:
1. Brandon Rogers ("You Can't Hurry Love") - I didn't really think he was top 12 material...seems like a nice guy...but I think he proved me right.
2. Melinda Doolittle ("Home") - IMO, the best singer in the competition.
3. Chris Sligh ("Endless Love") - WTF was that? I know I've always wanted to hear Coldplay do a sappy 80's (was it 80's? 70's?) love song.
4. Gina Glockson ("Love Child") - I really like her, but it was weak.
5. Sanjaya Malakar ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough") - This is one of the all time great songs out there. I feel really bad for the song that it had to be a part of that. I feel really bad for Diana Ross that she said it's one of her favorite songs and she had to see/hear that. We won't even discuss the hair. Or the earrings.
6. Haley Scarnato ("Missing You") - Ok she was better than I expected. I hope she gets another shot next week.
7. Phil Stacey ("I'm Gonna Make You Love Me") - I thought he was easily the best male last night...sounded very good.
8. Lakisha Jones ("God Bless The Child") - When I say Melinda is the best singer in the competition, it's not by much. Basically it's Melinda, Lakisha, & everyone else.
9. Blake Lewis ("You Keep Me Hanging On") - It was just too bizarre. Not horrible...just...wrong. I really really like him though.
10. Stephanie Edwards ("Love Hangover") - Her voice really isn't that great...she drops pitch a lot but is really good at covering. I don't know this song so I didn't get what the judges were all saying about the arrangement...but I didn't care for the performance.
11. Chris Richardson ("The Boss") - Wow I just thought that sounded horrible all the way through.
12. Jordin Sparks ("If We Hold On Together") - Yup, Simon was right. Too gooey for my taste too. But she sang the hell out of it...amazing talent and poise...hard to believe she's only 17.
Firrrst up is another business-ish type outfit that I decided to call 'Pwnd'. Why? Wellll...I had originally made the sweater for Haver Cole & Saeya Nyanda's Pwnd Mag release party on Imogen, with the plan of including it in a future outfit. I really liked the linen & pinstripes in the 'Girl Power' outfit...and had been thinking about a sort of two-toned black & white linen shirt. It all seemed to be such a natural fit...and so I used a non-sheer version of the linen (also minus the lacy flowers) for the shirt...and made a straight, form-fitting prim skirt to go with. After it was made, I realized, as a cool & unplanned result (although I'm not sure why I didn't realize it from the start...duh) that the pieces from the Girl Power outfit will mix & match very nicely with those from the Pwnd outfit...so that's kinda cool. Anyhow it needed a name...and since the sweater was originally made for the mag party...I went with it! Here's a piccie! :)
After I made the shirt for the Pwnd outfit...I really liked it...and started thinking that it would look nice in some more colorful variations. Also I'm just so tired of looking out my window and seeing snow...and I just want spring to be here already!! So I took my pretty paisley pattern and started seeing what fun color variations I could put on it...and this is what came out! Basically, I wanted some fun, colorful clothes that could be mixed up and mashed up in a few different ways...plus mixed up & mashed up with a few things already in the 'ol wardrobe!! I decided to call it 'Trendsetter'...and decided to go with some fun 'color' names like 'Crisp' & 'Fresh'. I just wanted something fun dammit! FUN!! So anyhow it comes in 5 color combos...each set comes with a cropped sweater, long (untucked) two-toned linen shirt (the sweater and shirt can be worn alone or together), two skirts (one matches the color of the sweater, the other the darker shade in the shirt), & leggings. Or you can just get the whole oinkin' pack and just go nuts in your own little orgy of color! Here's a pic to stop my rambling! (OK it's a couple of pics...one of the 'Fresh' set...and one of the pack so you get an idea of the color ranges!) :D
Ok fun blah blah blah....they're available at CKS Designs, as well as SLexchange & SLboutique...'Pwnd' is $L275 & 'Trendsetter' is $L325/single or $L800/pack.
That's me for now. God help you if you've actually read my incoherent rambling thus far...but THANK YOU if you did!! <333
HAPPY WEEKEND WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!
Pretties:
Pwnd ad: Skin - Tete a Pied: Rose Medium in Janvier Slate, Hair - ETD: Roslin in Red Blackened, Shoes - Sylfie's Prim Seductions: Origins Stilettos in steel/black, Earrings - Luminosity: Pearl Jewelry Set, Glasses - Mad Designs: Mad Glasses Type A#1 Wood
Trendsetter ads: Skin - Tete a Pied: Redhead in Fevrier Dawn, Hair - Madame de Pompadour: Whitney in Golden Brown, Shoes - Shiny Things: Lollies (in various colors), Earrings - Celestial Studios: Lulu Heart Dangle Earrings (color changing)
Starting with the women...yes it was a bit of a surprise to see Sabrina go and a bit of a disappointment to see Haley stay...but...I can kind of see it. I mean clearly you have Lakisha and Melinda as the cream of the crop in the R&B/soul sort of genre...that leaves Stephanie and Sabrina lumped together at the back...and neither one stood out or made a sort of *wow* impression...at least not wow enough (or the *yo*, as Randy says). You have Gina...the only rocker in the *entire* competition...which in and of itself could probably propel her into the top 3...but she also has the *yo*...and *that* makes her a major player. That leaves Jordin, Haley, & Antonella as the more youthful 'pop' type singers. Some people simply prefer that genre of music...so it stands to reason those people are more likely to vote for the contestants who fit into it. Clearly, Jordin and Haley were the best of that type...so in a way it makes sense that Haley got in and Sabrina didn't. Yes, Sabrina is the better singer...but she got drowned out by *even better* singers of her type. I don't really like Haley, but I can definitely understand how it happened. At least America was smart enough to pick the better one between Haley & Antonella...lol.
As for the men...ok seriously...how much does it really matter? You have Blake who puts off a sort of alternative vibe...and Chris Richardson who puts off a sort of boy band vibe. Clearly they are the best of the guys...with Chris Sligh being a close 3rd. If Chris Sligh is smart enough to stick to the bluesy/soul sound, he'll probably go a lot further (again...b/c he will be fitting into a different genre...allowing himself to stand out more). The rest of the guys...come on...do they even have names?!! It's too bad Sanjaya got in over Sundance...but hey...I felt Sundance never even deserved to make top 24 based on his performances in Hollywood...and well...ok...choosing to sing Pearl Jam was a massive mistake on his part. He's not putting a solid identity out there...so he wouldn't have made it far anyhow. Besides that...at his very best he was too much like Taylor Hicks. I think America will be looking for something different this year. So yah...big time boo for putting Sanjaya through...but it doesn't matter anyhow. The girls are gonna eat this group alive.
Identity is crucial from here on out. If you think about all 5 prior AI winners...a solid identity is the one thing they all had in common from the start. They all knew who they were and were able to choose songs to showcase their identities. Anyone who doesn't have one at this point (or can't find one quickly) may as well kiss it goodbye.
Okies y'all have to check out this uberfun & catchy teaser for Divas...a new Machinma series coming in May from Phaylen Fairchild!! Tell me you're not laughing your booty off and seatdancing all over the place! ;)
SO yes I know I'm like the last person in SL to talk about this...but seriously I just love this little effer so much I GOTTA SAY SOMETHING!!!!!!!!
Weekend before last Saeya Nyanda dropped this little toy on me she had made called a Photosphere. Having never used a photo studio before, I was like...'Hmmmmmm OK...I'll check it out...'. Later on that night I rezzed it on my little work platform...and 10 minutes later I was in lurrrrrrrve!!!!!! I love it so much I had to make a second platform under my regular workspace just for it!! o.O
The brilliant thing about the Photosphere is how much it packs into this compact little package. For only 10 prims...and very little space...Saesae has made this fantastic studio that includes tons of easily changeable, tintable, & scaleable background textures (and you can buy more texture packs...or even use your own!!)...lighting that's easily changed at a touch...a poseball that you can drop your own poses into (or you can put down whatever poseballs you like so you can take pics with friends & stuff!!)...a HUD so that you and others can make changes conveniently...and, most brilliantly, a fabulous spherical construction that lets you take photos from any angle imaginable and not lose your background!! Have I said brilliant?!!
So...I have to include a few snapshots I took with it...and YOU have to get your butt on out to Kyoot and nab one of these little beauties for yourself!! Trust me...you'll ADORE it!!!!!
So...a pretty little pretty today that I once again didn't feel like blogging last night! ;)
So I've been wanting to do some different things this week for those ladies who don't like having their midriffs hanging out (not that there's anything wrong with that...just I know 95% of what I make is tummy-revealing o.O)...and this is an idea I had for a simple little 60's retro-style dress.
It's called 'Paisley Park'...I'm super-happy with how the paisley fabric on the upper half of the dress came out...and with the dress overall...it's just very simple, very fun, and very girlie. Sheer white tights are included...as well as a pair of sheer paisley tights that aren't shown in the picture. I wasn't nuts with how the paisley tights looked with the dress after making them...but...I thought they were really cute and would be nice to wear with other things...so I tossed them in anyhow!! :D
SO...two more hopeful idols gone tonight...my take on this week's performances:
Guys...overall MUCH better than last week...thankfully...was afraid it was gearing up to be an awfully dull season. Girls...pretty much the same...which is to say amazing! ;)
So my tops for the week....
Guys:
1) Blake Lewis (sang Jamiroquai's 'Virtual Insanity')
Yup...my fave again this week. I love his voice and style. I'd really like to hear him do a Maroon5 song...
2) Chris Richardson (sang Jason Mraz's 'Geek In The Pink')
All I can say is WOW...I was very impressed by both his voice and his performance. It'll be interesting to see if he can break out something different...
3) Jared Cotter (sang Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get It On')
Yeah...I know he's done two sort of 'smooth r&b' type songs...and yeah...I know the judges were not overly impressed either week...but wow...I still say he has just such an incredible voice. Hopefully he can mix it up a bit with some different song choices...
4) Phil Stacey (sang John Waite's 'Missing You')
Like Jared...a little formulaic still but he has a great voice I think...and like Jared...hoping he breaks out a bit into something new.
5) Chris Sligh (sang Ray Lamontagne's 'Trouble')
Okies so the only reason I didn't rank him higher was...the first 4 I mentioned have been consistent...but WOW...very impressive. Hope this is the Chris we see from here on out!!
6) Sundance Head (sang Mack Rice's 'Mustang Sally')
Again...only listed lower because he's been so inconsistent. I really hope this is an indication of how things will go the rest of the season...he was AMAZING this week!!!
Another amazing performance...she completely made that song her own...and I just absoutely *love* her personality.
2) Lakisha Jones (sang Gladys Knight's 'Midnight Train To Georgia')
Ok so I have to agree that Melinda won out this week...but still really...both of these women are just fabulous in every way. I really think both of them have a career in the industry cemented already, no matter what happens from here on out.
3) Gina Glockson (sang Heart's 'Alone')
The only negative for this for me was that I still see this song, in AI terms, as *totally* belonging to Carrie Underwood...and it's difficult not to compare. But I thought Gina did a great job and I think this song was much more suited to her than last week's. I hope she takes Simon's advice and goes after the edginess a little more. She makes a nice alternative to Lakisha & Melinda.
4) Sabrina Sloan (sang Whitney Houston's 'All The Man I Need')
Lots of girls went for the *big guns* this week...this was the best of them, imo. (By big guns I mean...anything sung by someone such as...Whitney...Christina...Mariah...Celine...etc). It's always risky, and usually fails...but she did a decent job with it. The last note kinda...tanked...but she was smart enough to not hold it...nice cover! haha Still...she sort of lumps in for me with Jordin Sparks & Stephanie Edwards. Good...not really standing out though.
Anddd my personal bottom four...
Guys:
1) Sanjaya Malakar (sang Irving Berlin's 'Stepping Out With My Baby')
He's a sweet kid with a great voice...but he's too shy and unsure of himself to be a contender in this competition. He needs to go now, really, because keeping him in only knocks a more legitimate contender out.
2) Nicholas Pedro (sang Peggy Lee's "Fever") & Brandon Rogers (sang Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time")
So it's a cop out...but I really can't decide. I truly like them both...they both had bad nights...and honestly...whichever one of them doesn't go this week will probably end up going next week anyhow. Just not good enough in this competition.
Girls:
1) Antonella Barba (sang Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me")
OK. So let me see if I have this straight. After being told last week that the Aerosmith song was too big for her and ate her alive...she decides to come back this week with a Celine Dion song. Right. That worked. Oh...and the comment about Simon being 'wrong about Jennifer Hudson too'...wtf? Uhm...the week Jennifer Hudson was voted off Simon chastised the American public for doing it...and Antonella Barba is no Jennifer Hudson. So bad singer + bad attitude. Yes, she's absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. So was Katharine McPhee...and she never deserved to be in the finals. Let's get rid of this one when we should.
2) Alaina Alexander (sang the Dixie Chicks' 'Not Ready To Make Nice')
Fab song. She sang a fab song last week also. The problem is, neither of those songs suited her. Seeing her up there attempting to belt out 'I'm special' or 'I'm still mad as hell' in her little nicey nice way...just no. Unconvincing. She doesn't have the attitude to pull off Chrissie Hynde or Natalie Maines. I really really like her...but if she doesn't know herself better...she just doesn't have what it takes for this.
OKIES there's my 50 cents!! Thoughts from you other addicts out there?!!
Some newness today (well last night) in the form of a fun little sweater dress (and it's not black & white!!!).
I wanted a short, stripey sweater dress (it's sort of reminiscent a bit of an 80'sish style to me) that would look cool with some thigh high boots...and pretty much that's how it came out with very few changes (for once!!). I decided to toss in a pair of leggings for those who like...and a pair of panties for those who don't!! Also the sweater is made to work nicely w/o the skirt so it makes a great basic piece to pair up with other items in your wardrobe!!
It's called 'Darling'...and it comes in 6 yummy colors!! I'm including a piccie below of the chocolate and the pack!! It's available at CKS Designs, as well as SLexchange & SLboutique for $L225/single or $L675/pack.
It's almost Friday!!! <333
Pretties: Skin - Tete a Pied: Redhead in Trendy Copper, Hair - Calico Creations: Debbie in Bronzed, Boots - Tickled Pink: Vivians, Shoes - Lassitude & Ennui: Mules in Anthracite/Pompom, Necklace - Mirial: Mirror, Mirror Necklace in Black, Earrings - Gurl6: Silver Hoops.
