IC3 Entry by ~Its Raining ..Its Pouring Team~

As soon as I heard about the IC3 contest, I giggled ” Ana will be you be my partner?” So we got to talking and the creative wheels starting turning….Spring… a few seconds later I saw the light bulb go on over Ana’s head. Sheer brilliance on her part “April showers, bring May flowers!..An Old Childhood favorite “, She said.

So off we went  to look for a place that exuded the essence of spring time… flowers! We found our perfect setting at Creative Fantasy Home & Garden. The sim is full of lush plantings, from snow, to woodlands, to our gorgeous spring setting, this place offers everything you could need to bring spring or the other seasons home with you and honestly as a confirmed shopaholic lol i did bring some home.. well the bunny looked at me lol.

Our amazing photographer luci, went out on location with us and endured our excited calls of “Over here”, ” No, no Luci over here”. Each spot was more beautiful than the next, settling on one became the biggest challenge. Anastacia in her gorgeous latex yellow rain coat by Elixr in Yellow , braved the spring rain with her beautiful translucent umbrella by Embryo. The gorgeous gems dripping from her ears are from  JCNY-called Marie Juliet. By total accident we ended up in the same stunning hair style Monday, by Analog dog.. what can we say we both have great taste! I planned on a totally different dress, but when I went to Haute Style & Co. on the Opium sim, I saw Passion in Purple and my first thought was that this beautiful dress , covered in delicate floral lace literally epitomized the feeling of spring. My mind then immediately jumped to the gorgeous floral Alienbear Jewelry in my inventory.  The floral delicacy of the Princess Calanthe  necklace and earring set was the perfect accompaniment to the dress. We had an amazing time posing for this photo and working on the project.  Regardless of who wins…. the time spent laughing and smiling, already makes us winners. X0X~Giannabella & Anastacia

IC3 – The Spring Blossom Beauties

Each flower is a soul opening out to nature.
- Gerald De Nerval

The arrival of spring! The earth comes back to life after a long, cold winter. The sweet smell of honeysuckle and wysteria blooms fill the air. There is no doubt that spring is one of the most beautiful and colorful seasons of all.

With the help of a very talented photographer, Gidgette MacMoragh of Perceptions Studio, and a vision of spring, colleen Criss, Raine McCellan and Harlee Lane set forth to capture the pure and infinite beauty and feel of spring by adornments of flowers and jewels and of all things of nature. 
Colleen glows in an embodiment of soft pink flowers, her necklace is by Alexander exclusively for Opium Top Model, earrings and bracelets by AlienBear Designs Princess Carita in teal, and hair by Truth, Nikhita 2. 
Raine is sensually wrapped in delicate pink hibiscus blossoms, her necklace also by Alexander exclusively for Opium Top Model, earrings by Alienbear, Princess Krystelle, and hair by Exile, Wild Orchid. 
Harlee is wrapped in the passion of red rose buds, her neckace and earrings by Paper Couture, Diamond and Pearl Menagerie Set, and hair by Exile, Love Story.

Lean back, breathe deep, let the sensual fragrances of Spring Blossoms of Opium Fashions caress and calm your senses.

IC3, A Rose Between Two Thorns

Team Rose between Torns = Michela Benazzi, Adamantite Nikolaidis  & Lexi Vargas

Spring 1863 and the Civil War was at its height but even in in the middle of war, spring is the time when love and roses are in bloom.

Miss “Rose” Michela, the lovely southern belle had a  thorny problem to deal with. She had  two handsome suitors with tempers that were growing ever more prickly.  One was Lexi, a dashing Union Officer who had recently ridden into town and become smitten with her at first sight.  The other was the powerful Adamantite, an artillery officer of the Confederate and a dearly beloved  friend.  Both men were  competing  for her dainty hand and it was surely going  to come to blows soon if she did not pick one man or the other.  What ever would the lovely girl do?  She would simply savor the pink springtime blooms and keep the men waiting.

The photo shoot was set on Japan Tempura Island, a artistically beautiful sim that is perfect for taking photos. There are stunning views in every direction just begging for a camera. The rose arbor with it’s pink blooms looking out over the trees full of  spring cherry blossoms inspired our team to choose it as our location. Since Michela was working with two gentlemen for the shoot, we joked that she was the rose between two thorns. With that  joke,  inspiration hit us  for the theme of our picture. The photo itself is Mechela’s  photoshop blend of two different photos, one taken by Michela and the other taken by Lexi.

As the spring rose in avatar form, Michela Benazzi  wanted to be as delicate and feminine as  the flower itself and she managed that perfectly in the rose pink  “Marie Antoinette” dress  from Cilian’gel, designed by Cilia Shepherd. Her ladylike, up-swept hairstyle was “Cloe” by Exile.   From the Opium Sim, she purchased the “Unlock My Heart”  necklace by AV in Blush, and it made a perfect accent for her dress. Even it’s name was well suited since the two “thorns” so wanted to unlock the southen belles pretty heart.

Adamantite Nikolaidis is wearing the  “CSA Officer” from GK Designs, designed by Kael Demonge. Adam did a lot of  shopping in Second Life and on Xstreet Marketplace and GK’s uniforms were easily the most realistic and detailed.  Adamantite decided  to go military bald for this shoot.

Lexi Vargas also chose GK Designs for his uniform. He is wearing the “Union Officer” version. Lexi who is terrified of being bald has a  hair style by Calico Creations, the “Blake”  in Blood Red.

We all had great fun with this contest and the whole team offers thanks to the Opium Team for giving us models such a enjoyable way to express ourselves.

IC3 – Spring afternoon’s dream

This picture freely takes inspiration from William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Andrew Laguna and I wanted to create something ethereal and fantastic, to give the sense of lightness and freedom that is brought by Spring. So we picked a pose where we are flying, kinda dancing into the air together with butterflies and among pretty flowers to celebrate the arrival of the warm season.

The picture is taken on the private sim Stern, in my own garden that has been rearranged a bit for the occasion. It is a place of great peace and serenity, and I hope those feelings will be conveyed by this picture.

Andrew Laguna wears: Jacket and collar from Nostalgic Rampage from Frozen Turquoise Valentine by Valentine Carfagno.  Pants and Shirt Black Gala Tux from Sartoria Italiana by traveller Bade. Shoes by Redgrave, boots black leather, hair by Armidi, The Pointer.

Mavi Beck wears a dress that is a mix of Paper Couture’s Dancing Bears and Romantic Soliloquy. Hair by Tiny Bird, Fuentes and shoes by 50 flats, Flower Flats Pink.

Photographer: Mavi Beck

Thank you to Andrew and to the Opium team for giving us the opportunity to express ourselves!

Mavi & Andrew – Italians Do it Better Team