August 3rd, 2008 by Candy Flanagan

Sometimes a topic will sweep the SL fashion blogosphere. These memes often have nothing at all to do with SL, but every so often a real gem will shine through. If you read any fashion feed whatsoever, you will have noticed the “Ruth Challenge.” The premise is simple: take the default “Ruth” shape and make it over, with as little shape editing as possible. Who started it all? Alaska Metropolitan, with her post “Who’s That Girl?”

I’m not usually one to jump on a bandwagon, especially not ones that travel as quickly as they tend to in SL! Trends come and go in the space of a few days. Here today, gone tomorrow. Ruth has been with us all for so long, though, that I couldn’t resist. I’ve never found Ruth unattractive - her shape is quite similar to my own in SL, after all! I did three looks. It’s hard to stop, once you’ve started!

My first attempt was also my favorite. I fell in love with this skin from Sin Skins (URL, SLURL) immediately, it is so deliciously dark that I had to trick both SL and Photoshop into lightening things up. The other photos haven’t been so heavily edited, though!

I haven’t been able to change out of these “Sweet Death” jeans from Calypso Giano (SLURL) lately, they are just so cute! I keep finding adorable matching accessories, like my belt and shoes from Kari (SLURL) and the top from Momo (SLURL).

I have to admit, this shot is all about the dress. It was a Lucky Chair exclusive at Silent Sparrow (URL, SLURL) recently and I was ecstatic when I finally got my copy. Thank you, hya!

To find out what other fashionistas have been able to whip up, check out these blog posts:

• SL Fashion Avengers: Ruth Challenge
• Dead as We: Ruth challenge
• Malicious Style: The Ruth Challenge!
• LaynieWear: Making Ruth Pretty…
• JuicyBomb: Hi, My name is Ruthie
• The Body Politik: Make Ruth Pretty??
• PXL Creations: For the Love of Ruth
• Style Your Destiny: Ruth Challenge, Part 2
• Ivalde: My Ruth
• One Perfect Piece: What About Ruth?
• Adam n Eve: Ruth Supermodel
• Kiss Kiss: Who Am I?
• Achariya.net: For the longest time I had no idea what Ruthed meant
• Essence of SL: Ruth Challenge
• Chic at Phil’s Place: Dangerous Ruth
• Slaundry: Remembering Ruth
• LaynieWear: My final Ruth- Gnubie Ruth
• Sn@tch: Sn@tch Takes the Ruth Challenge
• SLink: My Ruth
• Schadenfreude Enterprises: Halp! I’ve been Ruthed!
• Something Different: Fine as Ruth
• Persona: Ruth “revamped”
• Something Different: Ruth as a Drow
• AnnaH: I am back … ruthed!!!
• iheartsl.com: Am I Ruthed?
• Silk Caravanserai: Ruth Kajira
• Fing: Equal Opportunity Ruth

This is the kind of meme I like to see on the feed! If I missed you or you post a new Ruth Challenge after this goes out, feel free to leave a message - I can’t get enough of Ruth!

June 20th, 2008 by Candy Flanagan

Model
Silent Sparrow (SLURL)
(Full Credits)
Closeup of Face and Skin Line-up; Contains nudity

Over the last year, I have likely tried hundreds of skins. I am constantly on the lookout for the perfect skin. Unlike some of my friends, though, I don’t have a very long list of demands. The most important feature of a skin for myself is the face - I absolutely must have freckles. My first big purchase in SL was Lisa, from Camilla Yosuke’s first line of skins. I really liked it, but was set on having freckles! Camilla recently released new skins and when I saw the Estelle face it was love at first sight. These skins are smooth, while still retaining the distinctive, photorealistic look that Insolence (SLURL) is known for - in short, buttery goodness.

If you’re in the market for a new skin, check out the new faces (click here for a link to detailed pictures - not safe for work!). Each skin is distinct, so try them all. I loved the lips on Carol and Claire, but the freckles on Estelle won me over! Plus, that’s got to be the cutest tush in all of SL.

By the way, I was at Silent Sparrow (SLURL) for the current sale. Items in the Secret Sewer Sale Area will be removed permanently on June 24th and there are a slew of other items on sale in the main shop. Check it out before you miss out!