Saturday, January 8, 2011

Remix this: Kiko-Life unveils their newest make-up collection!

Wow...
Even I can see the fact that it's been entirely TOO long since I've made a post!
So what prompted me to jump back into the spotlight?!
You know my adoration for Kiko Life's beautiful true to life skins, but it's reached new heights recently with the addition of make-up layers!
Now, not only can you continue to wear your favorite Kiko-skin, you can jazz it up a little more with as many different make-ups as you can buy.



If the hues and precision of the eye shadows and lipsticks aren't enough to get your body hummin', maybe the fact that each make-up comes with a nice set of eyebrow colors as well will get you goin'! I know that was definitely a mega plus for me!

As always, the entire body of skin is like butter! Smooth, velvety and completely luxurious! The details scream incredible, and dare you to try and think otherwise! Pairing it with the Lola bikini from Cupcakes in Fuschia seriously brings out the detailed undertones in the make-up as well as in the skin itself.


Desperately wanting to view this make-up in another setting, with another outfit to bring out the details, I decided to take a little trip to the SL Louvre Museum (as their grounds are incredibly stunning, and bring out the absolute best in just about everything) and capture a couple shots.
Wearing my Hyper Culture Half Cardi in Purple (Please take a moment of silence for the fallen store as it just had its last week), over my Fri.Day Paradise Romper in Coral.
TELL ME this doesn't look stunning?! Right!? It just sets off everything! So you know it wasn't rocket science to add some bangles from Zaara and this beautiful bronze pearl necklace from the soon to be defunct aDiva collection.


You know, another awesome thing about Kiko-life? And many of the stores are getting hip to it as well, if you can't get your avvie to the store in-world, you can always visit them (as I did) on the SL Market place! The transaction was easy and fast! Plus, you can add as much as you want in your cart, it's an avvie's dream shopping trip when they're trying to get through their rl work day!

Well my lovelies, do check out Kiko-life, tell them I sent you! Until next time! Ciao!


Outfit:
Skin: *{Kiko-Life}* Cafe Au Lait - Make Up 017 - Brown Brow
Make-up: *{Kiko-Life}* Remix: Berry Baby - Brown- Tart
Hair: [e] Mood - Brown 10
Bikini: Cupcakes - The Lola Bikini - Fuschia
Cardigan: Hyper Culture (HC)- Cropped Cardigan (Purple)
Bangles: Zaara - Suvarna Bangles - Color
Necklace: aDiva - Couture Anais Brocade Three Tier Pearl Necklace
Romper: Fri. Day - Paradiso Romper - Coral


<3
Afrosia

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Butterfly Modeling Agency presents "The Secret Show"

Goooood morning my fine feathered beauties :P!

Have I got a some fabulous news for you!

The Butterfly Modeling Agency is holding a glorious Secret Show, full of beautifully laced bods, and pampered curves! The most fabulous of all fabulous things is, You're invited!!!

The Secret Show will be held August 9th, at 2pm slt, So BE THERE! Or miss the chance to drool over delectable strategically placed lingerie! Not to mention the hair, the shoes, the accessories!!!!



Sorry about that... pleasure overload :P!


Here's some eye-candy for the visually stimulated lovelies out there:


Look at that...it's beautiful!!!
I hope to see all of you wonderfully fabulous folks out there on Sunday, I promise you, this will be a show to remember!!!

SLurl: "The Butterfly Modeling Agency and Academy"
http://slurl.com/secondlife/black%20sand%20beach/235/219/21?title=The%20Butterfly%20Agency%20-%20The%20Secret%20Show

Friday, July 3, 2009

So "Wots" up?

Gooood afternoon (well for me..here..on the east coast..anywayz :P),

Yes yes, I know it's been a minute..but ya never can fully predict RL. Anywho, best believe it dahlings, I have a new skin to review, and ain't she a beaut! It's Wots skin #003!

I just LOVE this makeup! It's so fun, and well chic! I also like the fact that the designer, made the tone seriously nubian and wasn't afraid to make the eye makeup out there. It's just enough, without being clownish, and TRUST me..I've seeeeen my share of clownish skins.. my god.. the mental images.. *shivers*


What's also pretty awesome, is that because the make up is so bold, and such a statement maker, it goes with everything purple in my closet :P Which as some of my dear friends may know, I've been on a real purple kick for a while now.

Like this adorable "Retro" sunglasses T from Picadi Jasha, (Have I mentioned how much I admire this shop? The choices are.. fabulous, and the colors simply marvellous!), and paired with the Mini Jean Skirt in Turquoise aslo from Picadi Jasha.

Here, I show of the delicous backside to this skin, with the Crocheted Bikini from Crochet! (Isn't the shading divine?) It truly shows the versatility of the colors, even with the bold purple eyeshadow, it really goes with just about anything.

Naturally, with the bikini chosen and the whole 70's sort of feel to it, I had to choose Maitreya's
Apple hair in Ebony. Now I'm really "Groovy" LOL Oh wow.. points to moi for my cornyness? Anyone? :P



(LOL I love how it looks like I'm holding the camera from this angle, can ya'll say MYSPACE!!)
Another point about this skin, that I am finding skin artiste are really paying attention to now, are the detail and bone shading.

My first skin had the shading all over the place, making it look slightly unrealistic and more towards cartoon like. While that may be good for the anime in me, it wasn't good for a begining career in modeling. So now, either it's just begun, this notice of bone detail, or I've simply moved on to better skins, I don't know.. but I like it!

Here you can see exactly what I'm talking about. The contours in shading of the neck and chest area, delicate, yet there... It's beautiful, it's realistic, it's truly art!

Outfits
Skin: Wot! #003

Shirt: Picadi Jasha "Retro Sunglass T"

Skirt: Picadi Jasha "Turquoise Mini"

Bikini: Crochet! "Crochet Bikini"

Hair: Matreiya "Apple" in Ebony

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

"Teef your head" An Interview with the beautiful mind behind Kiko Life: Shapes and Skins for the African American Avatar.

Hello darling blog readers, my my do I have a treat!
I had the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful Osuntomi Melendez, founder and creator of Kiko Life: Shapes and Skins and http://www.kikolife.com/ .

She is a visionary for the African American SL community. Providing well made, beautifully designed, and realistically captured shapes and skins, affordable for the hard working avvie who wants to look especially well taken care of.

I had the opportunity to sit down with her, and discuss her work, her latest idea's, and the history behind the name. She provided me with well thought out and detailed answers, making this an especially intriguing interview!
So sit back and enjoy meeting Osuntomi Melendez!
"Good Evening!

Afrosia Choche: "I just have to say, once again, thank you so much for taking this time to sit with me, I really truly appreciate it!"

Osuntomi Melendez:" oh it's my pleasure. I'm glad you care what i have to say. lol."

AC: "Firstly, what made you decide to create a more ethnic shape in sl?"

OM: "I decided to do it for many reasons, driven to do it because of personal experiences. but largely it was because I was tired of not seeing very many 'real' faces in SL. So many people who identify as 'black' in SL especially the men had European facial structures with mostly tan skin tones or when you got a true dark skin tone, it was still with this European face, I wanted to change that. I wanted to see more real faces in SL and see more darker skin tones or at least more variety, because Black avatars are barely visible in SL fashion. Walk into any big store, a big designer and you hardly see Black faces, African features, and I want to CHANGE that."

AC: "That is incredible, I love that, I think that is truly inspiring. I've had the pleasure of looking at your shapes and skins up close, they have incredibly realistic quality, is this due in part to an artistic background in rl?"

OM: "Yes indeed, I come from a family in the arts.My mother is an actress, painter, and historian. My father is an ex-revolutionary, a master African drum-maker, carver, artist, and play writer. I say is, but it's was, he passed a couple years ago. My brother is an award winning musician. I grew up writing and drawing, but drawing was something I let go as writing took over. But I always always did graphics. I started out on the computer learning graphics programs, that was about fifteen or sixteen years ago now. I have also been a web developer for more almost fourteen years, and graphics design and the web go hand in hand. However, with skins in particular, it brought me back to my drawing that I let go twenty years ago in a very real way. It's a different kind of graphic art for me. The web stuff I do is very simple, very basic, not sexy, it's good enough for government work and it gets me by, BUT with the skins, there is a lot of light and shadow involved. That was why I gave up Geography in fourth form at The Combermere School when I was 15. My class did not have art, but I went to the headmaster and said I wanted to stay in my class and give up geography. I was passionate about colour, and light and shadow. I lost that for twenty years, and Kiko Life gave it back to me."
AC: "Let me just say, I am in complete awe of you!"

OM: "LMAO, don't be."

AC: "Seriously, this has got to be THE coolest conversation!"
OM: "LMAO!"

AC: "Let me tell you, I adore the fact that you offer a whole package! Shape, Eyes, and Skin. What made you decide to offer the complete essentials at such a great cost, when so many others want you to pay an arm, a leg, your first born child, for just a part of what you're offering?"
OM: "Because I want it to be accessible, and while I do aim to make this part of my real life income, I don't need to milk everyone for every cent. I'm not greedy. I just want to provide a good product for a ,market that SORELY needs it. For passionately held reasons and beliefs that's it. If I happen to make a lot of money doing it then it's all to the good BUT I am very capable in rl."

AC: "Fabulous, simply fabulous!Have you ever had a negative reaction to your work? If so, how were you personally affected by it?"

OM: "Hmmm, your most interesting question to date. Define 'Negative Reaction'."

AC: "Well, has anyone ever said to you that your shapes aren't that of African American standard, or put what you're doing down in a way that made you feel inadequate?"

OM: "Absolutely not. The response has been overwhelmingly and incredibly positive. It's like Black SL was just waiting for me to arrive. little shorty av I am, with the big mouth. I have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from customers, strangers, friends, friends of friends. the one thing I hear over and over is that it's diverse and that's exactly what I was going for. I didn't want it to be that you come here and see six shapes that look like white girls in dark skins. Or body wise looking like some ridiculous caricature of a Black woman, with thighs and hips that just look unnatural and disproportionate. my feedback has been re: shapes that the diversity of the range is moving. People have NEVER seen anything like it I think and I should know, I researched what I was doing before I did it. I know how hard it is to get good ethnic shapes, good BBW shapes, good male shapes, and even MORE, good black skins. I know how hard it is cause I was searching for those things too. I spent a ridiculous amount of money for skins that were never quite what I was looking for or for someone Else's interpretation of Black beauty. I was like, I can do this because I know how it feels to be a Black av in SL looking for makeup chile!"

AC: "lol! I hear that!"


OM: "My feedback has been that I am hitting that mark, so I am pleased for that."

AC: "It is truly hard..but thankfully, you have given us somewhere we can go for sure and know we'll be welcomed."

OM: "Awww, bless, bless. The negatives I have experience have been more personal in nature, and nothing to do with the work itself. The response to the work has been humbling."
AC: "I hear there is a points system currently within your store, how does the point system work, and What does it entail?"

OM: "I have deferred that, but will bring it back eventually. I am about to release a gift card program and fat pack cards."

AC: "Oh Excellent!!"

OM: "So that you can buy any combination of skin and shape you want in various amounts. I will bring back the points program as well but currently I've put it on hold."

AC: "I completely understand. As one of the foremost shape and skin creators in the African American sl community, do you have any words of wisdom to give to the yet undiscovered artists out there who are trying to make themselves known?"
OM: "I don't have any words of wisdom, but I do have a story, as I am by trade and in my heart a story teller. when I registered for Second Life, I had a computer that couldn't run the client. So for six months I didn't log in, I had no clue what was waiting for me. Then I got an iMac, and a friend of mine, Nobody Fugazi, the person who in fact hounded me about registering for SL as early as Summer 2006, again cranked up a campaign to get me to log in. I logged in and was utterly enchanted by SL. I have however spent long periods logged out as well. Not in a year to be true, but I have spent months out of this virtual environment. In Dec. of 2007 I started a business, a Black bookstore. Simple idea. Browse info on the books, buy them on a website, amazon delivers the book. And for a year, I paid rent on two shops so this bookstore could have a space. Of course, I never sold so much as one book, ever. That said, when I started up Kiko Life, I spent months researching the market, looking at what other people were doing, learning. And I would have gone on doing that for perhaps another year until a few very important people put pebbles in the river, hoping to block my passage. The course of my river diverted. What you see was born out of that. Disappointed hopes turned into a manifested reality based on hard work and determination. Every negative situation I've experienced from the time I had this idea until this moment I sit next to you on this bench, has made me grow more. As a real life person, as a 3D representation of that person. Something positive comes out of every negative I've faced and I guess that's what I'd like to pass on. Mastering that trick is the key. Not to let anyone turn you out of your head, "Teef your head" they say where I come from, because nobody can tell you who you are or who your friends are, or what's good for you, but turning negative into positive, that's a neat trick. A life lesson well worth learning."
AC: "That truly is a glorious lesson, one that I myself will take to heart. Thank you so much for your time."

OM: "Awww, bless you, bless, blessings and good things to you."

AC: "And unto you as well."






If you want to visit the wonderful Kiko Life Shopping center, simply go here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/University%20City/85/138/21/ !!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Strawberry Halls and Mint Vapo Rub...

Yes yes ladies and gents, that has been my meal for the past 3 to 4 days.

You just have to love being sick, truly, or you'll go mad.
Also, isn't this a surprise!? Two, count 'em, TWO postings in a week? What is the world coming to?!?! Deliciousness, that's what. :P.
So I had a meeting in world this evening, and while sitting there trying not to nod off into my note pad (due in part to the cold concoction I'd just taken, not at all because of the boredom factor), I was dropped this adorable little number from Callie Cline, her new Corset in Lime Leopard. It seems she has decided to test out this "Try before you buy" idea, where she'll put out a new item (this one not even available in stores yet) and if you like it, then you pay her the fee she asks (Which I would pay her one thousand times over) and if you don't, then you simply delete it.
Well I just automatically knew what skin I wanted to use. It's been a favorite of mine for a couple of months now, it is Skin Within's Sheeba!

As you can see, she's gorgeous!
I really am in love with the lighter tone of this skin, as well as the fact that you can clearly see its definition and detail.

Many skin artists aren't aware of the many supple shades in Nubian skin. So you can imagine my surprise, and delight, to find out that the artist behind Sheeba (beautiful name I might add) is a sculptor in RL.

You can also see why I chose this particular skin to go with the newest release from Ms. Cline! The eyeshadow is dead on!

With a hint of pink for the lips, enough so there's not to much green going on.

Who thinks up Lime Leopard? Really? No one! That's what makes this corset so fierce!


I love love LOVE the color, and what respectable diva doesn't love animal print? Faux of course, so there's no PETA tryna ruin mah new duds, and no poor animal gets maimed. (For you movie fans out there, if you get this you win a big smoocheroni " Omg did you skin a collie for your bag?" " Duh, no it's faux!").

I also thought my Zaara jeans in charcoal would go wonderfully together, giving it that darker tone to pull out the black in the corset a little more, and finishing it up with the fabulous Maitreya pumps in green, which are a fabulous group gift that you can actually pick up in the store now.

As per usual, my go to place for hair right now, Armidi "The Bombshell" in espresso. Gotta love the way it cups the face, accentuating the cheek bones, and having the curls keep everything soft, feminine, and ultra flirty.

One last thing before I close it up and crash out (being in that I took a double dose of Cherry VODKA! jk, Cherry NyQuil, and... apparently by the light of my kitchen window it's near dawn :P).
Don't you just ADORE when skin artists really pay attention to the nails of their hands and feet? I think that that truly shows their dedication to authenticity and customer appreciation.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful evening...er..morning..or whatever time of the day...or...night it is...wherever you are :P! Ciao daaaahlings!

Kisses,
Afrosia

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Blog Revamp 1?

Sooo I got to thinking the other night. I realized the reason I have been feeling so uninspired to write, was because my mind was going in to many directions, with to many different ideas. Should I write about my fashion style, should I write about that persons fashion style, or whats hot, not, and should not be got. I came to the conclusion that, while it may work for others, that won't necessarily work for me. So I sat my little avvie's butt down and thought about, what am I passionate about in sl? Well duh, fashion. Ok, next step. What about fashion inspires me? The detail, the hard to find jewels. Ok good good, keeep gooooing afro.. Then I got an Idea...

SL Fashion, like RL fashion, can sometimes neglect the darker spectrum of our beautifully made bodies. Having said this, I find it can be challenging, in both a good way and negative way, to find realistic, beautifully made skins for those of african american background. I have searched high and low, and while I have found many treasures (as the one I am about to show you), I have also found some that are COMPLETELY off base.

So with that being said, I think for now, the direction of my blog will be finding the beauty in nubian skins. I will hunt down, the best there is to offer, and bring it to you.

Now for photos!

I have been eyeing this skin for quite some time. The details are dead on, the shading near perfect. Realistic flaws here and there as well, but thats what enhances the beauty of this skin for me.

Laqroki's new skin line Imani (which btw is my rl middle name in swahili, LOOOOVEDEDED that) Is like a little black porcelian doll, she's GORGEOUS! The detail in the lips is enough to make you scream with glee :P!

I also thought the red undertones of this skin would look stunning with the new Picadi/Jasha store's lingerie line "The French" in red. When you look at this set, the texture is beyond luxurious. The little added bows on the hip area seal this little delectible find up like a present!







Naturally I thought that Duh!'s Scarlet Pumps would make this outfit complete, along with Armidi's 'The Envy" hair. I really feel like the hair gives it that seductive look, of course the lingerie does it all by its self. But with this hair, you know for sure what is goin' on!


So that is the agenda for the time being... I think it's a good idea...what do yooou think?

Smooches,
Afrosia

(P.s. I'm still learning about photo taking, and close ups, and lighting, and all that. And I may redo these photos as they don't show off the incredibleness of this outfit. If anybody has any tips, hints, ideas, pwease share :D! Sharing is caring ;P!)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Oooh what's goin' on...

Well, things have been moving along quite well :D!





I've been going to academies learning EXTREMELY useful information, things that I wouldn't normally have sought out on my own because I wouldn't have known to. I'm taking a new pride in my appearence:
Or trying to at least. :P! I've seriously fallen in LOVE with this pashmina (by Zaara), the luxurious feel, the texture..so smooth against your skin. Seriously, I wish I had one in RL that was even remotely as gorgeous as this!

I've also moved into mah very own little plot of land, so that was exciting. I should also be graduating from my first academy as well, though the date has not been set, I will definitely keep it posted.

I'm currently working on my portfolio, and attending as many wonderful shows as I possibly can. And believe me they are all AMAZING! My two favorite to date were last nights show with Glance International @ DG, and the Sebis Fashion Show with Avenue. The clothes were completely inspiring, so beautifully crafted. Wonderful! It just better fuels my fire of wanting to strut down that runway and show what beauty others can and have created!!

The only unfortunate thing about any of this, is the fact that my computer (I swear it has radar when to be a butt head to me) was being tempermental at both shows, and would not allow me to capture the graceful, divine models on stage. Oh well! Maaaaaybe next time. Ya gotta be hopeful I tell you, HOPEFUL!!!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

And the time keeps on rollin..

Ok, ok I know.
I haven't been on in FOREVER!
But I actually had some RL problems to attend to. I've since moved coastally.. No mo westcoast *le sigh*. But hopefully its all for the better.

Let see...I have gotten back into SL. I've also officially decided to work as an african american model. You know..reflecting what I am in rl..african american. None of this "light trying to pass" mess. I am an african american, therefore I should persue that area of modeling.


Since, I've gone ahead and purchased a couple of new skins, both by Cupcake. I will definitely be editing this post later to show photos of them both. They're gorgeous! Cupcake got me in trouble. I nearly blew all of my hard earned lindens there over a two day period. Their mainstore is collassal. And for that, I adore them.

I actually have got to run a couple of errands, I shall be back later!

Kiss kiss
Afrosia