There are times where I look through this blog and think "Pickle, bb, what is you doin'?" because there really isn't a set style that I follow, there isn't a theme that my pictures all fit into.
I'm often reminded that having a 'niche' is important when you're a blogger - but for me, part of the joy of SL is that you can look entirely different every day, and for that reason alone, I point blank refuse to be anything other than Pickle. Which means I'm going to continue rocking different looks, embracing many different themes, and experimenting with my avatar.
Go&See have released another beautiful skin for the Blush event, called Tina, and along with it, a brand new tone called "Cola".
I'm still feeling all sorts of nope right now, so I'm not going to do a big old postie on the new tone, instead, I am going to encourage you to go demo all the things! I promise I'll do a much more in-depth review of the new tone - which is darker than tropic!
I had the absolute gall to post a rant on facebook two days ago. I'm not sure why I chose facebook, perhaps I wanted people to see I was more than just a spam bloggy type and that I actually had half a personality... or perhaps I just needed to vent and it was there, so that's what I did.
I believe I received more support than I thought I would, but I also noticed a lot of "faux positive" posts -never linking directly to mine but definitely encompassing the subject I was discussing.
Fair enough, say I.
Still, it saddens me that I can open a subject for discussion and rather than getting a discussion, there are these ridiculously petty "blasts" that in actual fact I don't disagree with on principal, but if I were to respond I would probably be branded as "sensitive".
This is why I generally shut the fuck up and don't say much unless it's here.
Or with close friends who have all heard the rant before. :P
It'll probably happen again in around a year, assuming my facebook is still there.
If you're at all interested, you can find my ridiculous rant >here< Feel free to add me to friends, should you wish, but be aware I only really use it for blog or consent spam! You're also well within your rights to disagree with me completely, or hate me immediately upon reading said rant. Either way, it'd be lovely if you left a comment or opened a door to a conversation whether it's in agreement or not!
Nail Polish : Hello Dave - Nail Appliers - Astralia - The French One (Note, a reader IM'd me, and let me know they couldn't find any Astralia appliers in store @ Hello Dave. I popped over and looked myself, and sent a notecard to the owner. Hopefully we'll get a response soon!)
Pasties : from the JACKALOPE / Strap Harness+Pasties top
I feel much better today, almost at 100% functioning and I'm sure that given another good sleep I'll be back on it with all my spoons and ready to reach out. To those who have given me a poke, made me giggle stupidly and generally been around the past couple of days (even in the background while I gather myself and ignore you completely) I am grateful!
Today's picture I actually took and edited twice. Something about the first one didn't sit right with me after the quality I feel like I've been producing lately it felt like a back-step, so rather than just pumping a bunch of crap out, I took a step back and redid it.
I'm SO glad I did, this is a much more me picture and I wasn't hating it while editing, which to me is an absolute blessing!
I think that many people have forgotten about Whole Wheat, or just don't utilize it like they used to. For those who aren't aware, Whole Wheat is similar in design to Backdrop City. The difference is that the scenes contained are entirely created by Mr Toast & a couple by his lovely partner lady Tea (Seriously, can you get a cuter freaking couple than Tea & Toast? I mean, #goals!) I say entirely created, but for the most part the scenery itself is readily available across SL. Toast is a Sim Designer, and he sometimes spews a bunch of his creativity across his own little parcel - Whole Wheat (get it? Toast? Bread? WHOLE WHEAT? Ugh.), there are several smaller sets over a couple of floors and maybe 3/4 larger ones, spaced out. If you join the group (for a small fee of 150L), you're able to rez your own props and poses and optimize the cute set ups available there. WELL worth checking out!
I'm loving everything about this picture. I hope you see progression as I work, as I really am trying to improve consistently.
I had a lot of fun with creating the picture for this post! I'm obviously still experimenting with all the effect thingies, and though I'm well aware i'm no expert, I'm not too sad at how this came out!
You can probably tell I wanted to create an out-of-world experience, mainly because the Moccino skin was created after Lupito Nyong'o and she's in Star Wars (She's the CG Character "Maz"), so when I stumbled across these amazing accessories from Oppa, I just knew it was a perfect fit.
I've kept the clothes kind of casual, The Empire top comes in two versions, the other having a collar effect around the neck with a delicate strip of fabric down the centre of the chest. I should really have shown both options but I'm naughty and neglected to. Sorries!
These CandyDoll boots are something I have been itching to get my hands on for a while. They're still available at Whore Couture until the 31st, so hurry your butt over to pick them up, because as usual, they are stunning!
More details are shown below, so grab a LM and shop your little (medium, or big) butts off!
I'm not really one to get my nipples out without due cause, but this outfit just made all kinds of sense to me. It's a little bit naughty and a lot fantastic... and I feel like maybe I'm missing some of that fantastical stuffs lately, and with the fantasy gacha carnival thingies going on, sometimes regular posts can look a little bland.
This look shows more items from the Y2K round of Rewind, and I'm absolutely loving the ErschxOppa set (There are earrings and a necklace not shown, too).
It's a gacha and it's so different that as soon as it popped up I just KNEW it was going to be fun to photograph. As usual, my anxious little brain has been whirring with ideas surrounding the items, and finally I settled upon this. Tada!
I'm always slightly wary of wearing skins that aren't my RL race. I'm almost literally the whitest white girl in the history of white people. I've been bought up in the most white-collar, English way possible for my generation, and I am mostly pretty ignorant to the struggles of many other races. The last thing on my mind is making people uncomfortable or awkward because of a way that I portray an item, and I really hope that I do justice to the skins and pretties that I find across the grid. If you choose to look at this post, or any of my posts for any reason, just know that I am attempting to make art, regardless of race, colour, gender stereotypes or roles. I want so badly to bridge ALL the gaps and have a world where nothing matters except lifting people up and making others happy, but not at the expense of ourselves... but I know realistically this is just a dream for how the world works right now.
That being said, this skin is truly beautiful, as are all the items portrayed in today's post. I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome of the photograph, and only hope you enjoy what I have bought you. xoxo
(Note: These were rezzed for me, and I think they're mostly gacha's. They may still be available at events, but i'm not certain which ones. There's a massive display of Motorbikes at their mainstore that are well worth checking out!)
Let's talk about throat-punching people who ask for your advice and then promptly ignore all of it!
I mean, I know I've been there, I'm pretty good at asking for opinions and then being insane enough to go "Balls to your advice!" and running off to do the opposite. Although now, I really would like to think that I will at least consider what's been said before continuing down a road that could ultimately prove maddeningly awful.
I've come to the conclusion that no matter how frustratingly annoying it is, if someone asks your advice they usually want an "Okay, do it." sort of response. If there's a negative, chances are they're going to look for a door or a gateway, or even a ladder to find some loopholes and jump over that wall you've created, to do whatever they want anyway.
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
