SL Firsts - A meme from Strawberry Singh

Pic stolen from Wendy - See tomorrows post for a style card.

1. First SL Friend: Wil Dreadlow. I had an avatar before Tracy but never really called anybody a 'friend' as I barely logged in for more than a few weeks at a time. Wil and I rezzed at around the same time and had great fun running around being newbies together. We spent a ton of time at a sim called heaven above the clouds, and the rest of our time exploring. We did hang out once every few weeks until he left SL too. Got to admit I really miss the randomness he brought.

2. First SL Kiss: I don't actually remember one. My RL hubby used to be in-world a lot, and we're partnered, so I don't think I actually ever bothered. 

3. First SLex time/place/partner: See number 2. 

4. First SL Partner/Girlfriend/Boyfriend/Wife/Husband: My first SL partner was a guy called KC. It was early 2008 and my RL knew about it. It was pretty much a platonic friendship more than anything else, but we got partnered and "played house" for a while. 

5: First SL Job: My first job was as a dancer in a club. I cannot remember the name of the club, only that the uniform was a red flame dress. I stayed there for months whilst waiting for my 6 month rez day to arrive so that I could get a job at Galaxy. At the same time I had opened my first incarnation of Trubble.

6. First SL Creation: The least said the better, but it was a slider made dress with a looprez skirt made out of a freebie net texture. It was vile. I don't even have pictures.

7. First encounter with a Linden: I interviewed Glenn Linden and I forget the name of the other. It was for the SL business convention a few years ago, about the time viewer 2 launched. I can't remember that much about it, but basically it was on skype and over in twenty minutes. I also met some Linden's for a "storytime in the cornfield" a few years ago. This was before the cornfield was opened and it was unavailable so we ended up around a campfire. I think it was after an office hour of some description. 

8. First encounter with a SLebrity: Callie Cline came to a party in my store once. Does that count?

9. First SL sim you fell in love with: Midnight Reflections. It was just one amazing, huge garden. I'm not sure if it's still around but I absolutely loved exploring it. There were poseballs all over for photographs. Romantic picnic areas dotted clifftops over waterfalls. Wil and I found it in our first week and we'd find a spot there to relax and chat. 

10. First Blog Post: Other than a really boring "hello world" post - http://gforgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/waiting-for-summer.html

Bubblegum weekends

Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

(Don Mclean, Starry Starry night)

-Style Card-

Hair - Exile Buffy - Roots Lapis (Platinum hunt 2011 gift)

Lashes - LeLutka Seductress volume sculpted lashes

Skin - Rockberry - Apple G Natural BLD Clv

Shape - My own

Dress - L'Abel Country Chic - Savanna Maxidress green

Glasses - Epic Kyoot nerdy glasses - teal (Gatcha Festival running now until 31August)

Sugar Dummy - Nzuri (shameless self promotion I know)

Sofa - What Next 

Plant pots - My own 

House - nordari - mint.apartment

Bubblegum Weekends week 1

Gogo over at JuicyBomb has set us bloggers the challenge of wearing unnatural hair colours!

I too love the shades in hair packs that don't get much of an outing. Those pinks, teals and purples that look too cartoony for most looks, but absolutely amazing if you can pull it off.

So here's my first attempt, helped along by todays new Exile release Nomi in Passion.. a gorgeous purple.

Enjoy, and if you have a blog and want to take part in Bubblegum weekends - Info here!

See yesterdays post for outfit styling. I'm way too lazy to change. 

Bloggers Budget challenge 2011

Shopping in SL can get expensive. But it doesn't have to be, if you look around.
This look is gorgeous for day to day wear, yet didn't cost the earth.

Shape: My Own, created using SL sliders. FREE
Skin: Style by Kira - Lucky Chair FREE
Eyes: Poetic Colors - FREE
Hair: Exile - FREE
Top: Phoenix Rising 25L
Jeans Phoenix Rising 25L
Boots: Skifija 25L
TOTAL COST 75L

Click the links for the individual xstreet pages. Or check out our stick "where can I get" page for Slurls.

Until Next Time
Tracy xx

Bloggers Budget Challenge 2011

Now the gnubie store is closed, new residents might have a little trouble shaking off that "fresh out the box" look. So I have a challenge to all of you bloggers out there.

Budget Challenge 2011

I know it's been done before, but there are never too many opportunities to challenge yourself so here goes. 

The Rules

1. Your total spend must be less than 100L for the full look. This includes all clothing, hair, skin etc. (Shape/pose not included unless you want to.)
2. All items included in the look MUST be available now, and for at least the next 2 weeks. You can use items from sales, hunts, deals etc as long as they're going to be available long enough for people to buy them. 
3. Be creative. Mix and Match. 
4. The most important rule. Have fun. 

When your look is completed, drop the link into the comments below... share it, draw some new readers to your blog. Let's show that fashion isn't all about how much you can spend.

My look will be in the next post.

Enjoy
Tracy x

52 weeks of color challenge - Catchup Cerise

The Dressing Room is quickly becoming a favourite place of mine. It's a place where a selection of quality designers place regularly updating specials. Everything is under 70L too! Which makes it a regular drop by of mine.

Most of the items I'm wearing in this post are from there, see the style card for details.

You can find the dressing room blue here.

{Style Card}

Hair - Exile @ The dressing room
Lashes - Glow Studio
Skin -Exodi Sylvan (January group gift)
Lip Stain - Chelle
Necklace - Glow Studio @ The Dressing Room
Dress - Emery @ The dressing room
Boots - Bax Coen

52 Weeks of Color - Weeks 4-6 catchup

No words, just pictures. Enjoy x

Week 4 - PLUM

Hair - Exile, Top - Pink Outfitters. Skin - Exodi, Eyeliner - Elegant Epiffany

Week 5 - SEPIA

Hair - Elikatira, Gown - Dragonladies Closet. Skin - Exodi

Week 6 - YELLOW

Hair - Elikatira, Gown - Adam n Eve, Skin - Exodi.

Until Next time 

Tracy x

52 weeks of color - the catchup part 1.

I love a good challenge. So after the "silver" post in this challenge, I decided to go back and play catchup on the weeks that I've missed.

Luna Jubilee's 52 weeks of color challenge is the perfect excuse to rummage through my inventory and dig out things I've either forgotten about or sometimes wouldn't ever consider wearing. It's a great chance to explore some looks and find something I feel is me.

So here's weeks 1-3 in catchup... I can't wait to keep going on this journey... thankyou Luna!


Week 1 - Grey

{Style Card}
Skin - Exodi - Orchid -Vivante Friday
Hair - Exile - Hannah Pearl
Cardigan - L'abel Tuva Grey
Week 2 - Blue

Skin - Exodi - Orchild Vivante Friday
Hair - Exile - Susan Pulse
Romper - Pink Outfitters Socialite

Week 3 - Goldenrod
A note for this one - Goldenrod is the WORST color to do so far. First I had to find out what it was... then find something that fits.... not easy. Thankyou for the challenge.

 Skin - Exodi Orchid - Vivante Friday
Hair - (Apologies, I was so tied up in the post I forgot to write it down)
Top - *HD* Flourish Gold
Trousers - League - Metallic Shine Leggings.

Weeks 4-8 coming tomorrow hopefully :)

Until Next Time
Tracy xx

Color Challenge - Silver.

Better late than never!

I've been watching Luna's challenge on the feeds and friend's blogs for weeks, but only now have I decided to join in. I have no idea why... better not to ask eh?!

This week's color is silver. One of my favourites for many reasons.
Silver for me is magical, and precious. It's innocent and clean.. It's angelic.

Until next time
Tracy xx

Style Card -
Hair - Exile xmas gift - Artemis Angel Dust.
Skin - Exodi Orchid - Vivante Friday

The final bbbc10

Was this your first Challenge? What did you get out of your experience? Do you think it will change the way you blog in the future?
I've taken part in a few smaller challenges since I started my blog, but this was the first one on this scale.
I decided to do it when a friend of mine dropped me the link to the first question. My first thought was "ooh I fancy a coffee" shortly followed by "yeah I can do that".

To be honest, I didn't think I'd do much. I thought I'd do a few short answers and a quick picture. But as you can see the pictures didn't come, the words did.

This challenge has been amazing, and really made me think about what I want from SL and from my blog. I don't think I'd be happy just settling into the occasional review again. Instead I want to fill these pages with the things I WANT to say. Yes there'll still be reviews, but backed up with the topics that hit my head about SL and the times I think "I don't agree."

There are many of those times, when I see a post or a plurk and want to open my mouth and say what I really think. But like many others, I just don't want the hassle. Well, this challenge has given me the chance to open the can of worms, and I am not going to close it.

Now the challenge is over, keep an eye on this blog. I'm not going to stop with the honest posts, I'm going to spit out the rainbow and sunshine maker and carry on letting it all out. After all, if a challenge like this can make me feel so happy with myself. Then why stop now?

So do you want to pose me a question or give me a topic? Go for it! Email me tracyrubble@gmail.com. IM me, comment on a post etc. Just get it to me and I'll answer as openly and (brutally) honestly as I can. Enjoy.

Disclaimer - I will only post on general topics or the big topic of the day. I will not post about individuals or individual dramas. This is not, and never will be, a "Bitch" blog... it's just a chance for me to say my piece.

Topic #5 - Blogger's choice! Write about anything that's on your mind!

When I first saw this topic I thought "Oh yay, free for all, time to talk bollocks." Then I realised I'd do that anyway so why not use it to get some things off my chest at the same time. So here goes. Enjoy the rare time I rant, and remember

All words past this point are of my opinion only, they are not carefully worded to protect anyone or anything (although I'll try and avoid names). If you are easily pissed off, don't read past this point. If you are easily upset, don't read past this point. If you just wanna make drama out of the words I've written before 9am ... go for it, I'm happy to appease your boredom in some way. ENJOY!

When I started designing in SL I was told to "thicken my skin". I can honestly say I was so unbelievably naive, and assumed they meant people might say my stuff is shite and that I should just give up. I though SL drama was the game of lovers who want to fight and strippers who steal each others pole. I honestly didn't think it had a place in business, which is what the fashion world basically is right?
So, when I started noticing the "he said, she said" posts on blogs, and the plurks with over 1000 ranty comments, I slowly began to realise, to my shock, that there are drama queens around these here parts too. Of course I shrugged it off and joined the masses in the "oh I hate drama, lets just ignore it" scene. Though secretly I loved reading the posts, and loved looking at the offending blogs. I still do today.
For the record I LOVE DRAMA. I love watching a fight play out between two designers. I love watching the individual cliques spend hours building an argument up as to why their friend is the victim and I love seeing it come to an explosive conclusion.
What I can't stand is those who throw a nice public "screw you guys I'm going home" style tantrum. I've seen too many plurkies dump their accounts and too many people leave sl or close their store over a drama. Yeah, drama is shitty and drama can hurt. But if you don't want it to, don't read the blogs, delete the plurkies that piss you off, make your timeline private, ban, mute and move on. Just get back to your SL and whatever it is you do there and forget the drama.
The fact is... people who cause/participate in drama just want attention. They want 15 minutes of fame. If you ignore them, they lose right?

Speaking of fame, another shocking thing I love in SL is SLebrity.
OMG SHOCK HORROR!

Yes, I love SLebrity and one day I want to be one.
I love creating, and I love my store. I love each new release and I want to share it with the people who pass by. Why shouldn't I aim to be well known for what I do? Is it so shameful to want to benefits of being known by a large proportion of the SL community?

The fact is being a SLebrity opens doors. It brings custom, it beings notority and it brings sales. It also brings invites to the coolest parties and invites to hang with the coolest, most interesting and talented people. The people who can pick and choose who they want to spend time with.

I don't get the people who say "Oh SLebrity is a load of old balls, it's SL it's not RL."
BIG DEAL! SLebrity means the same as celebrity. It means people know who you are and they want on that bandwagon. So they buy your stuff. They trip over themselves to meet you and get your attention. They wanna do what you do. Who wouldn't want that?

Another argument against SLebrity is "Only x number of people from y community know you."
Guess what... there are Celebrities in RL that are not universally known. They are known within their community and their skillset. There are poker Celebrities, (Devilfish anyone?), Music celebrities, art celebrities, IT girls/boys... etc etc.

Not everyone knows every celebrity... only x number of people from y community know them. Get what I'm saying?

And for my final little rant before I step of my soapbox.

Theft!

We all know copybotting and copying happen. Unfortunately it's a fact of life in SL.
It's not one we should sit down and ignore, we SHOULD fight it. But the sad fact is, too many people witch hunt.
Too many people make assumptions based on a few "facts" that they have gathered.

Think of the last time you saw a copied item. Did you know every single fact for definate? Or did you follow the rest of the sheep into assuming you knew for a fact that "colonel linden did it on the sim with a copybotter"?
The fact of the matter is, there are a zillion templates in SL. People use them, and a ton of identical items appear. Yes the shading can be identical too, because some of the templates come in layers with shadows.
LMC sell a ton of such, psd templates. They have all the details in, and people pay 2-3k a set to be able to just shove it together and call it a creation. So you see 2 identical gowns... are they copybotted? Who's to thief?
Answer... nobody, they are just both very uncreative people who slapped textures on a mesh.

Sometimes it definately IS a copy. The copy doesn't have to be exact either.

At the very end of last year I created a gown. It hurt like hell to see, 3 weeks later, a dress in almost the exact style released as a dollarbie from a well known designer. My gown, which was selling slowly, stopped selling at all. Why buy a style you like for L$499 when you can get it for $L1 eh?
Fact was, it wasn't theft. The other dress was a scarily similar style, but the other designer put in as much work as I did. So it had to be let go.
I checked it wasn't theft with a few friends, then I left it alone. Chalked it up to flattery, and moved on.

At the end of the day, the witch trials were caused by people creating "proof" and victimising people for whatever reason they liked. Do we all really want to be the next innocent person sat in tears after an accusation?
The law states people are innocent until proven guilty. If you don't have proof, let it go.

So there it is... my bloggers choice.
And I won't hide behind the anonymous wall for saying any of it. I'm Tracy Rubble in world, feel free to IM me. My email is tracyrubble@gmail.com, feel free to email. You can comment etc. I'm open to hearing your thoughts. In fact it'd be nice to see people de-sheeping and saying what they REALLY think for once. So go ahead.... whats your true colour?

Super Long BBBC10 Post

Wow I've fallen behind on this. But it was to be expected when I'm totally busy trying to get pretties out of my head in time for Operation Squeegee AND the Fashion Fest fair. It's been totally crazy. So here's the last 3 topics all rolled into one. Enjoy.

Day 3 - How hard do you think it is to find a relationship in SL? If you have an SL relationship, have you met in the physical world? Would you meet them? Do you think it would change your SL relationship if you met?
I'm married in SL to my RL partner of 8 years. Before we got partnered we chose to try to have seperate lives within sl. During that time, I learned that SL dating is just as hard as RL dating. There are way more frogs than princes.
We soon gravitated back to each other and took it as proof we're perfect for each other. Neither of us could date without comparing them to our RL partners.
I don't think, even if I was single, I'd want to meet an SL partner in RL. Yes, I know many people who have had SL relationships that moved to RL and worked great. But I also know many who were stung when they met their SL partner in the real world and we're suddenly dropped in both worlds. It left those friends feeling insecure and depressed. It made them feel as though their RL looks/personality were not good enough. The truth is, after months or even years of getting to know each other in world, people have expectations of what a person is like in the real world. But the real world is a different place, with different stresses. No matter how much you can say you are the same in RL and SL, nobody truly is.

Day 4 - Is your avatar more or less your current biological age? Do you portray a younger avatar, or older? Why is this?In RL I am 25, and I wanted to be about the same age in SL. I've never really introduced my avatar as being any age, but I always felt I'd be better at being my own age than any other. Unfortunately most of the skins/shapes I found in the past made me look, in my opinion at least, nearer to 30. So I got a friend to make me a custom shape with softer features and now I look my age instead of my boob size!

I think it's easier to just be myself, even age wise. I'm not 18 (although I wish I was, those days were fun!) and I'm not 30 (thank god, no ageism meant but I'm holding off on 30 ta very much.) I'm 25 and happy, so why not be the same in all worlds?

BBBC2010 - Write about three positive things going on in your Second Life.

The big bad blogger challenge is definately food for thought. Today is day 2, and the subject is "positive things." We've been asked to Write about three positive things going on in your Second Life.So here goes.
I am regularly accused of being Miss Negative. Not that I'm all doom and gloom, but I have low self esteem and always find myself comparing my life to others, and usually feel that I fall short.

So my number one positive thing is...
I'm learning to be more positive.
The funny thing is, just learning to laugh at myself (see my first BBBC post) is making a huge difference in my SL. It's giving me the clarity to see that I don't have to beat everyone else, I just have to enjoy what I am doing.

My second Positive is ...
I've finally got my store looking how I want it to. I took a day or two to totally remodel the inside and get things how I like them. I gave up on the "rules" and just did it. Now it's so pretty.. yay.

My third and final positive is...
I'm making friends where it counts.
No I don't mean in high places, or with people who can give me a leg up socially or professionally. I mean I'm making friends with interesting people, who challenge me each day and give me lots to laugh and smile about. These friends range from talented designers, to day old newbies. Each and every one bring a little sunshine just by logging in.

So there's my three positive things. Although because of number 1 I could probably go on to name at least 10 more (like the new lamb hair I just bought). But those are the 3 biggest. What's yours?

Big Bad Blogger Challenge 2010 - Day One.

Today's Topic: Why did you become a blogger? How has it enriched your life?I became a blogger for one reason and one reason only. The free stuff. I thought it would be the perfect way to fill my inventory with the latest fashions without spending a single L$, and the easiest way to get the best gadgets before other people did. It's enriched my life because I never have to leave my skybox. I sit around being a non-stop repository of pretties. I never have to socialise, nor do I need to wait through the lagfests that are new release days. Nope I just sit, and the designers drop their hard work on me.
(For Beu xxx)
Now for the honest answer... Anyone still reading?
I have wanted to blog since I started designing clothing. I saw what bloggers could do for new stores, and how they could help the wider world through their words. Just a post from a well followed blogger can take a charity event from raising $20 to raising $2000.
Bloggers in SL can be the nicest, most amazing people. Yes there are some that aren't so nice, but that's true within any community. But on the whole they are lovely. As a designer I've found most bloggers are happy to take something I've made and offer me clear, constructive criticism. I've grown as a creator because of this.
I wanted to be able to offer that to others, and pay back the kindnesses bloggers have shown to me. So once I'd got past my shyness about it, I set up this blog.
It has enriched my life through the people I have met and the things I've seen. I have met brand new designers who were just learning how to use the system tools, right up to well known brands adding to their already bulging stores.
I have met Linden's, I have met shoppers. Each person I've spoken to has a story to tell, and one day I might do a series of posts telling these stories.
Blogging opens doors and shows things you wouldn't notice otherwise. It makes you take a closer look at the world around you and makes you put your own ideas under the microscope. Blogging makes you think and feel. Blogging makes an avatar... human.

Bloggers Challenge - Closet Clean Out

Luna Jubilee posted an interesting challenge.
Everyone seems to be having a good inventory cleanout, with it being the new year, and Luna has asked bloggers to show off something they found when cleaning.

Here's mine...

Yes, somewhere back in time I was a fan of goth culture. In fact, that hasn't changed. I love the style, I love the way things are so OTT.

The dress in this picture was something I bought within about 6 months of joining SL. It's called Gothic Lolita and was from Goth1c0. It reminded me of the lolita style outfits many celebs were wearing in RL at the time, and I loved the poofy skirt!

The boots are Goth Princess from a store called Dejavu Designs. They're one thing I will never throw out. The detailing is delicious, from the textured skulls on the legs and feet, to the tiny little chains and claws adorning them. I'm not sure the store exists anymore. But the owner Sexxxy Dejavu is still around in world.

Magika is a current favourite for hair and not as old as the other two. This style, Earth, is actually in the new freebie box. I especially love the stakes through the bun at the back.

Finally the skin is Rockberry, and one of the few dark lipped skins I've actually liked.

All in all this is a look I don't rock normally, but one I used to wear all of the time. Sorting my inventory and putting these on brought some amazing memories back.

Go on, what do you have buried?

Tracy xx

{Style Card}
Hair - Magika Earth (Black A)
Skin - Rockberry Kate E (Natural FR)
Shape - My Own
Outfit - Gothic Lolita Goth1c0
Boots - Goth Princess Dejavu Designs

Bloggers challenge - Then and Now

Sophia Harlow asked bloggers a while back to post pictures of how they looked when they first started out.
I've been astounded by how pretty some of the pictures were, especially for newbies. So much so I hesitated on whether to do mine, but after some deliberation I dug into that "what the noob?" folder and pulled out my first ever picture, taken the day I logged in as Tracy Rubble, slipped it in alongside a picture taken a couple of months later when I learnt of the joys of decent skin.

The 3rd picture is me today! I think I've come a long way in 2 years, what do you think?


Until Next time
Tracy xx