amara beauty

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    Cute & Dangerous

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    4 Comments
    Cute & Dangerous

    I used to be an avid buyer and blogger of Stealthic hair, but something in 2023 made me cut back significantly. Recently, during FLF (Fifty Linden Fridays), I noticed the Pulse hairstyle and decided to check my inventory. Turns out, I already owned it. I decided to visit Stealthic to redeliver the upgraded HUDs to myself, and noticed that I’ve only purchased one Stealthic hairstyle in 2024.

    Reflecting on last year, I realized why I had stopped buying so much Stealthic hair. It’s been a year and a half since the incident, so I feel comfortable sharing now. Stealthic had posted a bloggers search on Flickr, and I applied. Shockingly, within 5 minutes, I received an instant rejection from Blogotex. Seeing similar sentiments from other bloggers on their Flickr, I voiced my concerns on Twitter. Stealthic responded, claiming they “carefully evaluated every single application,” which felt insincere.

    Cute & Dangerous

    Having applied to numerous blogger searches, I was used to rejections, but they usually take 2-3 weeks, with results announced at the end. This timeframe shows respect to bloggers who are customers, the people who have been enthusistically promoting the brand for free. The instant rejection and harsh reactions from the Stealthic manager left a sour taste. Despite my consistent support and promotion of Stealthic hair, that experience made me lose enthusiasm for the brand.

    My experience serves as a reminder: brands need to treat people with respect. Rejection is a part of life, but it should be handled with dignity. No brand is immune to the importance of positive promotion, and bad word-of-mouth can spread far and wide. Since some time has passed, I will start including all of the hairstyles that I own from Stealthic back on my blog.

    Now, onto the main reason for this blog post. I attended SmokeFest for the first time, which I believe is another American Cancer Society/Relay For Life event in SL. This charity is incredibly active, currently hosting two major events in SL, including SL Fandom Con. Their fundraising efforts seem endless, given their significant endorsements from Linden Lab.

    Inspired by the recent Olympics Air Pistol competition, I decided to buy a gun. The “Get It Done Gun” from Bueno was available at SmokeFest, and I couldn’t resist because it comes with a neat animation.

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    Pour Up Winery & Vineyard

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Uncategorized
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    Pour Up Winery & Vineyard

    Hello from the Pour Up Winery & Vineyard! This Ricielli Yana outfit is absolutely adorable. Some elements of the floral print do remind me of a 90’s sofa, but it’s a nostalgic touch I don’t mind at all. The outfit’s shape is very flattering, and despite being a crop top, it still covers all the essential parts perfectly. It’s the ideal casual ensemble for a day of exploring a winery, offering both comfort and style. I absolutely love this region—it’s so posh and meticulously designed, every corner photogenic.

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    Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake

    Hello from Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake! Nestled in Thailand, this enchanting destination is also known as the Red Lotus Lake. I was captivated by a feature on New World Notes and felt a sudden urge to explore it myself. Though I’m unable to hop on a plane right now, fortunately, you can take a virtual trip to Thailand and witness the mesmerizing beauty of this region. It’s truly a must-visit, even if only online. The virtual replication of real-life places allows us to appreciate their splendor right from our screens.

    Have you ever wondered what to wear when visiting a lotus lake? In my case, I took the more whimsical route and stayed in my Victorian attire! Recently, I visited Midnight Order, where I picked up a few splendid accessories to spruce up my wardrobe. One noteworthy find was this Renee Parasol from Soapberry. This beautiful parasol is animesh, meaning you cannot resize it. Make sure to try a demo to ensure it fits your avatar perfectly before making a purchase. There’s a charming spinning animation built into the parasol, adding a delightful touch to its already exquisite design. Surprisingly, I did not own a lace parasol, so I seized the opportunity to add this enchanting item to my collection.

    Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake
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    Pirate Treasure with James&Dew

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    Pirate Treasure with James&Dew in Second Life

    Another round of Anthology has just opened, and the item that immediately caught my eye is the Captain’s Lullaby decor set from James&Dew. This captivating set includes a decorative chandelier crafted from bottles and ship pieces, along with candles nestled in bottles, all evoking a delightful DIY old-world charm. I absolutely adore how these items have been repurposed, making them perfect for a rustic or cottage-themed setting.

    Pirate Treasure with James&Dew in Second Life

    As I delved into the description on Flickr, I was intrigued by the mention of a hidden surprise. Curiosity piqued, I meticulously searched and eventually uncovered a hidden treasure! While I don’t want to give away the surprise, I can assure you it’s definitely worth exploring. Who knows? You might find treasures that have washed up on the shore somewhere. I’m thrilled about this treasure hunt feature, as I have a soft spot for nautical-themed items.

    Pirate Treasure with James&Dew in Second Life

    I must say, it’s quite bold of James&Dew to release this set with PBR textures only, sans fallback. This decision highlights their forward-thinking approach. As Second Life progresses, we’re moving beyond older texturing methods. For those unable to view PBR textures, the fallback is a blank white texture, but it’s high time designers focus on the future. Continually supporting outdated texturing methods is a tall order, and it’s refreshing to see creators embracing advancement.

    Filmed in Second Life: Stormy Sips & Play

    To showcase the stunning PBR textures of the Captain’s Lullaby set, I created a short video. I rezzed a reflection probe in the entire room, although it’s not necessary to enjoy the beauty of PBR items. The probe merely enhanced the reflections, making them more focused. In fact, foregoing the additional reflection probe might even reduce lag, as regions already have auto probes, albeit less concentrated.

    So, embark on this nautical adventure with the Captain’s Lullaby set, and who knows what hidden gems you might discover along the way!

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    Afternoon Stroll

    Bygogo Aurelias, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    https://www.flickr.com/photos/gogolita/53857445246/in/datetaken/

    Hello from Aurelias! I’m still living out my Bridgerton dreams in Second Life. This particular look is so stunning that I’ve saved it as my default outfit. This way, I can effortlessly switch from my everyday casual look to this elegant Victorian attire with just a click.

    Over the weekend, I attempted to do some shopping but came up empty-handed. My current fashion mood is all about Victorian elegance, and nothing I found quite matched that vibe.

    Curiously, I decided to give the Second Life mobile app another try. The app is now available to Premium and Premium Plus members. While it’s handy for logging in and chatting with friends, I found that navigating and performing any actions within Second Life remains a significant challenge. Movement is clunky, and rendering continues to be a nightmare. It’s clear that developers are making strides, but I can’t help but wonder how long this app will linger in beta.

    The mobile app, in its current state, is unlikely to attract new users. New residents would find themselves better off downloading the viewer and logging in that way. The app’s limitations also mean it doesn’t quite hit the mark for existing residents either. Access to inventory and the ability to change outfits are crucial features that are sorely missed.

    So, while it’s a step in an exciting direction, the Second Life mobile app still has a long journey ahead before it becomes a viable option for both new and seasoned residents.

    Afternoon Stroll
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    Buddha Garden

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Uncategorized
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    Buddha Garden

    Hello from the serene Buddha Garden! I discovered this gem through the Destination Guide, an excellent resource for finding picturesque spots and experimenting with EEP settings.

    I was pleasantly surprised by how tranquil and well-designed this homestead region is. They’ve kept things simple due to prim limitations, but this simplicity enhances its charm. As a long-time admirer of Second Life water, being surrounded by it here is a dream come true.

    The default EEP settings in this region were quite dark, so I created a new one specifically for my photos. Interestingly, I didn’t plan on making an EEP or shooting a short video, but I was inspired to capture the stunning new Second Life skies in a PBR viewer.

    Adjusting to PBR has been a challenge, but I’m coping better by fully embracing the PBR viewer. By doing so, I avoid making constant comparisons with the old viewer’s water. Surprisingly, I’m starting to miss the beautiful pre-PBR water a little less each day.

    Sometimes, diving in headfirst is the best approach to adapt to a drastic change.

    My photos are straight from Second Life with very minimal edits—just a bit of blurring and cropping.

    Buddha Garden
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    Independence Day

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    2 Comments
    Independence Day

    Hello from the 4th of July Block Party! This delightful mainland parcel may be small, but it packs a punch with its many photogenic spots. When it comes to Summer holidays, gingham print always springs to mind, reminiscent of a classic picnic blanket.

    To celebrate the Fourth of July, I’m rocking this Spring Tied Halter top from Fashionably Dead. To complete the ensemble, I’ve added the Blair Headband (4th of July print) from Sparkle Skye. Both of these items are part of the weekend sale at their main store, so grab them while you can!

    Independence Day

    Since transitioning to using a PBR viewer full-time, I’ve been tweaking the colors of my skin and body. I previously wore a body skin from Not Found but have since switched back to The Skinnery. The Luna body skin from The Skinnery is stunning, offering a myriad of options. I’ve reviewed it before, and was thrilled when they released the fabulous Body Bundle—it addresses several of my personal preferences, prompting me to give the body another go. Now, if only skin designers could offer face skins with neck options or none at all, it would make blending with our body skin choices so much easier.

    Body Skin
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    Portrait

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    1 Comment
    Portrait

    It was time for Gogo to get a fresh new portrait to celebrate the new PBR lighting in Second Life! The last time I changed my profile photo was 4 years ago. Despite taking selfies all the time, I rarely think a photo is good enough for a profile update. Hopefully, this one will last for the next four years!

    My friend Sparkle has crafted the most darling Emily Pearl Headband set. You can snag it at her main store on Sparkle Skye. Right now, it’s 50% off the fatpack, and there’s a special discount pack for the weekend sale. It pairs beautifully with the new Destiny hairstyle from Doux—a match made in virtual heaven!

    Portrait

    These photos were taken at my Linden Home using the JuicyBomb – Country Skies EEP Settings. Even though I made these settings pre-PBR, the viewer automatically adjusts the lighting—it’s fantastic that they still work so well for photography. If you have this pack, you can easily tweak the lighting to suit your needs.

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    Summer in the City

    Bygogo Events, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    Summer in the City

    Good morning from the beautiful City of Portofino!

    The latest round of the Anthology event has just opened, brimming with summery delights! There are so many tempting accessories and makeups this time around. I couldn’t resist dashing straight for the Asuna Sunglasses from BONDI and the Tifa Sandals from C’est La Vie. Make sure to check out the shopping guide on Seraphim.

    For today’s look, I’ve paired my Anthology treasures with the stylish Sonya Sweater & Top from Tetra. Tetra always delivers immaculate creations, so I typically don’t scrutinize the mesh quality. However, this time I noticed a few issues—the back of the sweater wasn’t rigged quite right, with some odd breaks around the back and arms in standard poses. This is a good reminder that, no matter how much you trust a brand, it’s always wise to demo and inspect an item from every angle.

    All the photos in this post were taken using a PBR viewer with minimal editing. I simply cropped the images and added a subtle blur to the background. With the current conversation around overly processed SL photos, fueled by AI enhancements, I prefer to keep my editing minimal. Due to time constraints, I spend only a minute or two on each photo, primarily focusing on cropping and saving the file.

    Happy shopping and enjoy the summer vibes!

    Summer in the City
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    Miss Bridgerton

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    1 Comment
    Miss Bridgerton
    Photo taken at Bright Diamonds Oasis (a region designed by Sparkely Sugar)

    I’ve been fashionably late to the Bridgerton viewing party. Typically, my taste in historical dramas veers towards the darker, more intense ones, like The Tudors, where beheadings are surprisingly frequent. However, at the insistence of my friend Sparkle, I gave Bridgerton a try, and found myself falling in love with the scenes and fashion. It’s a delightful swirl of pastel dreams and romance.

    Currently, I’m embracing my inner Miss Bridgerton in Second Life, fantasizing about a chance encounter with Duke Hastings. Sporting the Breeze hairstyle from Truth, straight from Hair Fair, and adorned with the charming Kaori Mini Hat by Sparkle Skye, also a Hair Fair gem, I’m fully immersed in this whimsical world. Bridgerton-inspired gowns have been my go-to this month, particularly the Jane Regency Gown from Just Because, allowing me to live out this Regency fantasy to the fullest.

    Miss Bridgerton
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