I'm exhausted today, but that's kinda no change really, is it? :P
I think that a whole hour of actually people-ing with people in the RL where people go might have had a bigger effect on me than I first thought, because my sleep is all over the place and I just can't seem to.. well, people. *blinks*
I thought I'd try something different for a picture today. I was feeling kinda basic, and trying to be lazy but it turns out quite a lot goes into these lookbook style pictures, so kudos to those of you who do it regularly!
Generally, I try to credit people when I get inspiration, but for the life of me I can't remember who on facebook did something similar lately. I have added a lil bit of Pickle flair that may have come from other Flickr users, so thank you to everyone who already does this for giving my brain a new thing to try! ♥
There's a lil bit of information stashed inside this post today, as somehow, I managed to pick up a beautiful new skin sponsor in Revoul.
I've often admired their skins, as they are pretty darn diverse and cater to many skin shades, and their darker skins have always held a level of realism I have adored.
Today i'm showing you the Winnie skin, which is available at the mainstore. There's face options and tones shown below. The skin itself I believe is probably based on the model Winnie Harlow, who stormed into the business because of her acceptance of her skin and the condition of Vitiligo.
I truly believe we can find beauty in almost everything, if we just look hard enough, and once you start seeing the beauty it becomes more apparent everywhere.
xoxo
Here's an example of the Revoul Winnie skin face options.
Yeeees, the second face from the left is the wrong tone, totes my fault... I'd done so many pictures that I just didn't want to redo the whole thing, but you can still see the difference in the vitiligo patterns across the face.
There are eight options available for this skin, and each comes with a special matching body tone included. All the tones come with the four face options shown above. Along with the skin having a Genus applier, there's also an Omega option, I didn't get the chance to try the skin on any other brand, and I fully suggest trying a demo before purchase as sometimes the shading can be slightly off.
Lookie lookie! More beautiful items from FGC, the theme of this round is "Wild West, Cowboys and Native Americans, West world & Firefly inspired." You can find more information on the website >Here<
Not gonna lie, I feel totally cute in this outfit!
I don't have any words of wisdom, or even any words today. I'm pretty exhausted, so have some credits and here's hoping my brain kicks in shortly and I'm back to writing so much stuff your eyes cross!
I adore these froggies from Culprit at Enchantment this round. The large toad Pickle sits on is a rare mount version - there are four of those colours to collect, and the smaller frogs are common companions, with several varieties to grab!
This is a bit of a different look, even by my standards. I've always looked at the cute pastel goth girls within SL and adored the style, but I've never been fully able to grasp how to pull it off.
Today, I feel like I might have actually done it.
Some of the people I know are completely amazing, and I feel like as I continue my journey of self-enlightenment (lol?), I'm encountering aspects of these people that may never have unfolded before.
The last couple of days my spoons have been plentiful. I have been throwing them around willy nilly (I LOVE THAT SAYING!) and have had actual in-depth conversations with people that I love, which totally fill my heart with all the happy feels and things.
Anwaaay. One of these people (and he's "awesome" so he'll know who he is), have set me a challenge. I'm pretty well known for having the mouth of a sailor. No, it's not salty or always doused in rum, but I do have a tendency to swear. I curse when I'm sad. I curse when I'm happy. I curse when I'm excited. There is no situation where my cursing is left by the wayside... I am uncouth. Knowing what I'm going through in great detail, Adam (DAMNIT! Now he's gonna think I care about him or something!) suggested I attempt to change my language in a effort to think more positively.
So that's what I'm gonna do. Even IF I fail miserably and end up effing and blinding, I think that the potential for change is HUGE! Not only will it improve my language, but losing the negative context of those curse words might help to bring on a more positive mindset.
Whether you agree with the nonsense I've just written or not, I want you to bear in mind that it's an experiment for personal betterment, and regardless of the results, that in itself is something I think I deserve to be proud of.
So I've been trying to get this blog post out for a couple of days but I'm so uncomfortable at the moment sitting at the computer just wears me out.
Anywho! Without sounding like a complete Debbie Downer, here's today's offering. Apologies that it's not man-pickle, but he'll be back (so will Durex, maybe they'll be together - who knows?).
This little location I found was an absolute gem, so make sure you visit - but stay respectful (as always)
I'm still reeling from the post I made about my daughter. It's been an emotional couple of days for me, but I feel oddly stronger because of it. I'm hoping that maybe having experienced an absolutely stunning amount of support that it might have changed something in my head. I always thought that if I told my story people wouldn't get it. That i'd be subjected to more abusive behaviour. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the outpouring of positivity you have all shown me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I can't think of anything I want to say more than thank you today, instead... keep scrolling down to find out where all the items in this picture are from. This is my celebratory dance btw. I'm not proud of my behaviour - don't get me wrong. I still wish my little' un was with me... but I am feeling good about the future and I hope you are, too.
As soon as Dappa dropped this delicate leg tattoo, I KNEW I needed it in my inventory, and when Moss&Mink popped this cage into the blogotex, I squee'd and immediately knew this was what I wanted to do, however, sometimes having a plan in your head doesn't necessarily correlate to in-world.
ANYWAY. I'm super happy with the results, so excuse me while I squee more!
The basis of this picture for me was the premise of D/s and the "Caging of a free-bird".
In this case, I'm the bird.
I hope that the picture shows that I am at peace, the flowing hair is just from a soft breeze, which of course makes the feathers fall around me, again, symbolizing serenity.
You can barely make out that I wear a chastity set from Meva, which includes a collar. My pose is relaxed and cushions are included in my cage, to add an extra element of comfort.
The gorgeous cage itself remains open, although by rights I am a caged bird, the choice to remain caged is mine, and I can leave at any time.
Lastly, I am alone. Even though the person responsible for caging me is not physically in the picture, I again remain inside my cage, awaiting their return.
I'm not sure i've explained this with enough gravity, but ultimately, in any healthy relationship your choices should remain yours. Whether you identify as a submissive, Dominant, switch, or something completely vanilla, if you're in a place of comfort, able to discuss issues and talk them through, and decide what does and doesn't work for you and your partner/s, I feel it's a case of live and let live.
I can't do this cage justice, no matter how I photograph it. I am officially shook, I love this so much.
Please note, the cushions & lights etc are not part of the cage, but they make it look pretty and comfortable, so I kept them. Also, there are adult poses & singles included within the cage - make sure you check all the things out, because trust me, you need this in your life! ♥
I'm going to broach a very sensitive subject for the blogger community today. I've attempted this in the past, but I believe my mentality was wrong, and the words just ended up looking like I was ungrateful and spiteful, rather than contemplative and confused... so today, I try again.
Over the past two years I have been incredibly -incredibly- lucky to gain the support of some absolutely amazing brands for this blog. I am -so- grateful, and often amazed at their creativity and skill, and also grateful that their products allow my creativity to flow too.
When I began my journey, I had made the decision that everything I got would be earned through progression & work. I would improve, hoping to turn the heads of a few people along the way to help support my growth with the pictures I take & the showcasing of the way I wear their products.
I continue with that theory today.
These last few months, I have struggled immensely with new sponsorships.
Now, I understand that being a blogger is all about social networking and not just plain talent. I also know there are other people who have far more talent than I do in their photography, and I honestly hope that continues to be the case forever, otherwise I will have nowhere to aspire to be.
I am an introvert. I accept this! However it means that there are times where I legitimately cannot cope with being around "people". This makes the social aspect of blogging an absolute nightmare for me. The anxious, overthinking, over-talking & explaining part of my brain just won't allow me to get involved with the community on the level I might like to, in order to continue my growth.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I do, and I blog because not only do I enjoy the outlet SL provides for photography & fashion, but now, I also enjoy writing, even if it's a bunch of Pickled nonsense! I would be lying if part of me didn't want to succeed to a greater extent than I am right now. I feel like I have stagnated, and although *I* think I see an improvement in my photography from the beginning of my journey, I feel like I am being overlooked because I choose not to favourite and like and share and be as involved in the social aspect of blogging in order to make my pictures get noticed.
I am not that girl.
I know there are more bloggers & flickrites & photographers who feel the same way I do, and I really feel like there should be two categories when creators choose their bloggers. One being "Friends who blog" and the other being "Bloggers I want to support & showcase my product".
It is -so- frustrating to watch the conversations on facebook/flickr occur, seeing the same people who happen to blog and be friends with a creator suddenly appear on their blogger list, when you feel like you're working your butt off to improve. I'm not saying those people don't necessarily deserve their spots, but there are always "wtf?" moments for me when I see the names appear.
Again, I understand that as a creator you want maximum exposure for your brand, and having an online presence will no doubt give out a helping hand for that and I am not bashing or belittling anybody for being friends with a creator - I too have creator friends and I am always humbled when they provide me with items to blog... I am simply venting.
Whatever the case, I will continue to love on & support those creators who's products I genuinely adore, and I will never stop purchasing from somebody who has "rejected" me as a blogger.
I hope this post doesn't come off as "poor Pickle", because I do not feel "poor" at all.
I'm enriched with the sponsors I do have, each one is a gift, each one also allows me to express a part of my creativity that I might not know existed had they not produced their item and allowed me to be a part of their marketing team. I am, and will continue to be humbled and blessed by those who support me by allowing me to support them. <3
