Tamara has hardly ever done underwater looks before, but after her "Save the Bees" look during her time off, she was more than happy to be the face of a campaign raising awareness of the issue of ocean pollution. Our water ways are very important to life here on Earth, and ocean pollution has a huge impact on this. She used to think it was just plastic straws in sea turtle noses and can rings stuck to sea birds, but then Tamara did more research and learned about the floating garbage island, and illegal sea dumping. She learned the impact that some fishing practices have on all sea life, and she learned how important our sea plant life is. Tamara had some challenges with the underwater shoot (mainly that she can't swim), but she managed to get a few good shots for the campaign.
For my birthstone I did
aquamarine
, as I am born in
March.
There are a couple of blue birthstones, but I figured going very sea/water forward would drive everyone to the right conclusion. As well, I am a Pisces, so I wanted to reflect the water sign in my design. I almost got stuck in using a tail for legs like a mermaid, but I didn't felt like that gave me any flexibility for the legs to incorporate into the design. So I went with feet instead (I also wasn't sure about the rules texting around tails, but figured they would be fine as they have fake tails in real life so hypothetically that's what she would be wearing). I personally am not a huge fan of blue, so my birthstone doesn't speak to me, but I have a give and take relationship with water, and I love watery motifs. So I loved working on this design.
Not that versed in birthstones, let alone realizing there'd be multiple gemstones assigned to a month (who knew!). I had to make sure these December birthstones would match Delilah, however. Eventually l locked onto tanzanite. I was greatly inspired reading about its origins, particularly the legend of their discovery by Maasai warriors of Tanzania. Since a tanzanite's key feature is their blue/violet/red hues revealed through high temperatures and lighting, Delilah's look is meant to symbolize an eagerness to adapt to anything. And yet, she stays through to her inner witchy self! An embodiment of metamorphosis!
Well I could use the tanzanite colour scheme in Gaia, but that would be boring! I played around with dark indigo and pinks, which happen to match well with Delilah's red hair. Thinking about how to depict December weather, I gave her a veil full of stars. Something like a North Star? Following this, her dress is layered in a way that looks like a night sky woven together. She spots some sparkling jewelry to highlight our birthstone, crowned with a star on her head. Behind her is a mysterious cosmos, a fitting domain for a magical gem.
I definitely wanted to incorporate the fiery aspect of the birthstone. So happy when I found the flaming abyss item! I placed a few strategic embers surrounding Delilah, framing her in a way. She rises from the ashes, ready to light up the world.
All in all, I believe tanzanite really does symbolize my journey with Delilah in this first challenge. As mentioned in my audition, I never really thought she would be my initial pick. But getting to know her while working on this, I feel like maybe... we both can adapt to any situation when it calls for it. I believe that I approach life as it is, biding my time to nurture my true colours. The more we burn, the better we shine!
Steal her look...
🔮 Astra: Rosy Radiance (still) 🔮 Exquisite Evening (necklace) 🔮 Devoted Charmed Rose (skirt) 🔮 Song of the Velvetine Newborn (Star) 🔮 Nova Star Seer (Legs C) 🔮 Your Wishful Angel (Bewere cutter) 🔮 Your Future in Flames 🔮 In the Shadow (Streuung) 🔮 Mysterious Dream Weaver (Third Eye) 🔮 Alluring Ballad of Souls (flaming abyss) 🔮 Draconic Bast Friends (Dress) 🔮 Obscure Sin of Wrath (Arms v.1) 🔮 Painted Celestial Nemesis (Background) 🔮 Its a God LOL (Dark Light) 🔮 Dubious Cards of Heart (Make-up) 🔮 Drachen Quest Sequel (Star) 🔮 Velvetine Jewelled Dancer (Top C) 🔮 Potion Master's Aesthetic (Powers) 🔮 Bony Sleepy Season (Blushy Blushy) 🔮 Fleur de Reve Envieuse (chestplate) 🔮 Lite Spirit (Flame Aura) 🔮 Obscure Celestial Duchess (Veil) 🔮 Charred Back2k (Blush)
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:08 pm
Designer: SoggykittenArt Challenge #1: You’re A Gem Status: Complete 23AUG ⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰ Model: 𖤐𝓞𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓪 𖤐 ⋰⋱⋰ Title: Lavender Skies and Gemstone Eyes ⋆ Olivia Crowned in Amethyst ⋆⋱⋰⋱✶
Description: 𝔹orn beneath the lavender sky on a day that rarely comes – like a myth, or a calendar’s secret – Olivia, with her gemstone eyes, is rare treasure.
A leapling – born once every four years, yet unforgettable to all. She is an ageless beauty. Crowned in amethyst, she wears her birthstone not as an ornament, but as an aura. Her eyes – one green, one blue – gleam like rival jewels, as if the earth itself couldn’t choose just one gem to bestow. They say amethyst brings clarity, but to look upon her is to drift into a dream…
~she whispers~ My birthstone is amethyst. My birthday comes but once every four years – and still, time moves forward. Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?
Creator's Notes: 𝔽or her first look, I wanted Olivia to embody the clustered elegance of my birthstone, amethyst. With her scepter in hand, a flowered crown upon her head, and lavender skirts flowing like dusk, she glitters across a misty violet runway – ethereal, regal, and radiant. Of course, I also drew inspiration from the day I was born – Leap Day. It's a curious thing, aging both slowly and swiftly. If I am blessed to be around to the ripe old age of 100, I will have celebrated just 25 calendar birthdays.
Fun Fact: 𝕀 often forget my own ages and feel both younger than I am and wise beyond my years.
Designer: nyphente Challenge: You're a Gem Model: Sunny Progress: Completed
Title: The Guiding Light
Description: She drifts through the cold silence of December like a gentle light against the frost, a spirit carved from the calm waters of winter. Her presence soothes the restless, her glow guiding wanderers through the longest nights. With every shimmer of her gown, she carries whispers of renewal; with every beat of her wings, she heals what is weary.
She is serenity wrapped in crystal, a guardian of travelers, a quiet force of protection. Soft yet unyielding, fragile in beauty but eternal in strength.
About My Birthstone:
Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones known to humanity, cherished across cultures for its blue-green hues and powerful symbolism of protection, wisdom, and healing energy. Often carried as a talisman, it was believed to keep travelers safe and bring fortune on new paths. Its cool tones reflect both the calm of winter and the promise of safe passage through life’s journeys.
Why This Items: When I asked Sunny what she wished to embody, she smiled softly and told me she wanted to be a light in the cold. She spoke of December’s quiet frost, of nights that feel endless and roads that feel uncertain. “Let me be their guide,” she said, “the calm in the storm, the warmth hidden in winter’s chill.”
Together we imagined her draped in blue light, crystalline touches catching like frost on the edges of her gown. She would move like flowing ice, gentle yet unbreakable, carrying the spirit of healing and protection wherever she wandered. And as I listened, I realized she wasn’t just speaking of herself, she was speaking for me too.
I chose a flowing icy gown to reflect her tranquil essence, with crystalline shards to mirror icy winter brilliance. The butterflies embody transformation and hope, while the celestial crown and starry backdrop connect to her role as a guiding light. Sunny’s softness merges seamlessly with the cold beauty of December, showing that even in the frost, warmth and renewal can be found.
About Me: I was born in December, under the sign of Sagittarius, a soul that’s always chasing horizons. Traveling has always been a part of me. New roads, new skies, and the feeling of being guided by something greater. That’s why I feel so connected to this stone’s spirit of protection and safe passage.
Just like Sunny, I carry that restless energy to explore, but I also trust the quiet strength of my birthstone to guide me, keep me safe, and remind me that every journey, no matter how far, always leads to growth..
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 8:21 am
Challenge #1: You’re a Gem Designer: torimani Model: Mathilde Title: Queen of Aquamarine Status: Complete!
Description: I came into this challenge excited, because I love gemstones and crystals! I actually have crystals of my own, many that I’ve collected over the years, and that includes my birthstone, aquamarine Now, I did a water-based design for Mathilde already with my audition, but aquamarine IS my birthstone, so I wanted to make it look much different than my audition one, and with different color contrasts. I chose a more holographic/slightly opal and purple design to complement the blue, and a bit of luminescent green. I love how she looks like a crystal queen!
Speaking on her queendom, I chose a fantasy look that wasn’t camp or too fantasy-like. I had a vision of her being a water goddess, an aquamarine queen, if you will! Working with Mathilde’s hair, since it is on the medium-longer side, in contrast to her outfits and even the background is honestly a challenge, but one that I’m becoming comfortable with! That’s why I didn’t want to overdo any layering of the background to obscure her appearance, and no filters. I tried putting eyeshadow on her, specifically blue eyeshadow, but it didn’t look right at all and it kinda looked ghastly and off-putting, so I just let her be eyeshadow-free especially to accentuate her outfit. The middle part of her dress also resembles the clam in the background, as she is part of sea life, she IS sea life, she is not above her position, and instead works WITH her subjects to achieve her queenly goals.
I’m a Pisces, so naturally I love doing water based looks. With us Pisces (I study astrology too btw! Yes I’m one of “those” girls lol) we are wavering, changing, moving, and emotional. You can feel the emotion in Mathilde even though she isn’t making an emotional face. When I made this, I envisioned her as being slightly sad, morose, yet resilient in her quest to rule her kingdom. However, she reminisces about the past (another Pisces trait that we love to do) and she is dreaming about all the things she can achieve as queen. She doesn’t let her broken crown deter her, she stands strong. I also wanted her to resemble the Venus painting, because I have a Pisces Venus as well (the Pisces symbol is tattooed over my heart, actually, because Venus represents love and romance, and that’s the essence of the heart!)
I can’t wait to design more enthralling and darker looks, more vibrant looks for Mathilde! I’m very satisfied with this look overall!
(Sorry, I tried multiple times ro edit the description and after it didn’t work got frustrated because I kept forgetting what I wanted to even say after the first 4 times I tried lol!)
Narrative In a desaturated world sucked dry of any color, Jae levitates throughout the world like an ember spark, rising gracefully from a dying flame. Clad in regal layers of crimson silk and gold adornments, she exists in deliberate defiance of the black and grey monotony that suffocates the land. With intricate kanzashi hairpieces and gold jewelry that shimmers and dangles in the night, she jingles as she floats - a ceremonial bell that announces her blood red storm.
Her singular mission - to reintroduce the color red - the color of love, rage, and vitality - into a world where even the sky has been sapped of all of it's richness. No bright red pomegranates with sweet fruit like polished rubies. No poppies with their color emanating joy and warmth. Only blackness. Only darkness. An empty void of nothingness, just as the Gray Ones intended.
For centuries, the Gray Ones have ruled with a stone fist, their empire a vast, ashen city. Their fear of color sickens them to their very core. And they have done well to drain the world of its vibrance with their powerful shadow magic. Their shade creatures, a blight of despair and forgetfulness, turn anything they touch into a greyscale and soulless shell. They delete the memories of what used to be and will stop at nothing to turn every living creature into meaningless husks.
But all is not lost.
Jae, alongside her triplet sisters clad in topaz and sapphire create a harmonious trifecta of color storms. They are the guardians of lost hues and the defenders of what used to be. Jae uses her ruby shards to revitalize anything they touch, color seeping from them like wine staining cotton. Her power is unmatched, and with the flick of the wrist, she can eviscerate the shades into blood-red mist. A reminder to the Gray Ones that her powers extend beyond healing.
The war for color, for healing, for memory, has begun. And Jae, with her revolutionary ruby weapons, will not stop until the world remembers how to live again.
Author's Note Distinguished panel of judges! Fellow contestants! Gaia lurkers! HELLO!! Just gotta say, I'm SO excited to be doing this, no freaking CAP. It’s been an absolute blast dressing Jae for this, and creating the story behind her has been incredibly fulfilling and fun. I really hope you connect with her in this round.
A little about me: I was born in July (yay Cancers!) and my birthstone is ruby. To me, ruby has always been such a warm, inviting stone, so I knew I wanted to incorporate gold to reflect that warmth. The very first thing that caught my eye were those beautiful ruby arms. The deep red just screamed the theme, and I knew I had to build around them. That’s how I usually work... I find one piece I’m drawn to and keep adding until it feels right.
For this storyline and avatar, I drew inspiration from two main sources: the Japanese kimono and the video game GRIS.
Kimonos evoke a sense of regality and culture, which felt perfect, especially given the premise of a world drained of both color and culture. What better way to represent the resistance than through a culture known for its stunning fabrics, vibrant colors, and rich heritage.
As for GRIS, if you’ve played it, you’ll see the parallels to my story. It’s a game that explores mental health, and the protagonist restores color across various biomes, gaining powers as she does. My take on the concept has a similar foundation but takes a creative direction that’s deeply personal to me.
Sometimes, I feel like we’re all just drones, cogs in a wheel, living under the thumb of capitalism, and when my mental health dips, I can absolutely feel like a shell of myself. But whenever I remind myself that color exists... that life is rich and beautiful... it helps pull me out of that darkness. The memories of happier times have a way of shifting my entire perspective, and that’s what I wanted Jae’s journey to reflect: the healing power of color and the strength it can give us to remember who we are.
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 5:09 pm
Designer: John Challenge #1: You're A Gem Model: Moxie Title: Moxie on the Moon Status: Complete
Fresh off her Malaysian getaway, where the warm waters had sparked a wave of new inspiration, Moxie returned to find her dreams accelerating at light speed; she’d been offered the front cover of Lustre, her favorite fashion magazine, not only as a designer, but as a model! The theme was as otherworldly as her designs: Mermaid on the Moon. Within days, she was collaborating with stylists, makeup artists, and a NASA consultant to craft a photo shoot that merged galactic with oceanic elegance. She created a new, celestial bathing suit collection that shimmered like stardust. As she floated before the camera in a lunar simulation, tail glistening and hair flowing like solar winds, Moxie knew she was ready to redefine celestial chic, proving that even in the vacuum of space, her style knows no limits.
For this runway, I did... Aquamarine! Shout out to all my fellow March competitors! There's an abundance of us and I love to see it! I'm a March Pisces, so I really wanted to incorporate the fish sign in my design. It went from thinking March, to Pisces, to water, to moon, and although it's all very on the nose, I love how she turned out!
Items
Gogh Reed (Aqua Burst) Brow Basics (Shaped brow) Shooting Star's Debut (Sparkles) Ruined Souls (Purified Well) Transgenic Soldier (face) Everlasting Planchette (Planchette Earring) Antipathy's Return (Cheekbones v2) Hero's Journey (Slim Face) Edgy Back2k (Blush) The Celestial Rose (You're Welcome) Hellion Gaze (green) Delusional Lashes (Rosewood) Chance is Nosy (Skintone D) Agape's Cute Back to the 90s (Goddess Braids) Utile Colorum (Jay) Pastel Enticing Eyeshadow (Sky) A Small Wistful Light (Filter) A Small Graceful Light (Filter) Lascivious Reputation Waist Necklace (Cirrus) Mark of the Tribe (Wilted) Z's Stellar Space Gloss (Flirtini) Jelly Pout Lips Lash Out (Apatite) Aurelian Consort Selene (Winged Lashes) Saiphic Pelagic Primadonna (bubbles) River Floating Flower x2 Saiphic Pelagic Primadonna (tutu) Azure Protector (Sacred Ground) Starborne Constellation Columba (Starry Sky) Skintone D Body Dye Back to the Vintage 90s (Earrings) Highborn Pelagic Primadonna (tutu) Barton Nighttime Garden Bridge Undersea Bougie Seashell Corset (Aocha) Icy Sugarplum Sparkle Headpiece Lady Dove (mouth)
Description: Emerson had a roommate in college who was a photographer. When they were in school, the two would spend their weekends taking day trips and doing photo shoots for fun. When Emerson thinks back to those years, she also thinks of how the photos became viral online, pushing both Emerson and her roommate into their prospective careers.
So when Emerson’s old roommate called her asking to travel for a week to Australia and take “photos like the old days”, it was a no-brainer to get the tickets and go.
During her time sight-seeing, Emerson noticed that one of those rare moon phases was happening one of the nights they were there. Australia has iconic beaches, and they knew this would be an amazing opportunity for a shoot.
Emerson and her friend spent time shopping, discovering that a certain gem happened to be mined in Australia, and it was found everywhere in the shops they looked in. They decided to up the camp factor, and make the shoot something fantasy related- a cape, a helmet, the heels… Ugh- it was going to be so fun.
They showed up in the late afternoon, enjoying the scenery. That day, the tide was high, and the sand seemed to sparkle like jewels. Emerson smelled the salty air and couldn’t stop smiling.
As the sun was setting, Emerson ran out to the water. Whooping and yelling, she twirled in the rays until she saw the moon finally rise above the mountains.
“Emerson!” shouted her friend. “The time is now, girl!”
And like the professional she is, Emerson grabbed the cape of her outfit, showed face and walked back to the beach from the water.
Nothing could’ve prepared them for the final shot. The moon shone like the sun, lighting up the sky in iridescent hues. For a moment in time, Emerson sparkled with the moon behind her, walking like a Goddess touching the Earth.
Author's Note:
Hey there! I’m so happy to be here!
I am born in October, so my birthstone is Opal. I’m a Libra Sun AND Libra Moon, which feels like an October Libra all the way through. However, I live in the desert, so we don’t get cold weather in Fall- we just get more time to enjoy the sun and swimming. I wanted to play with the lighter colors of the Opal gem, and wanted to make sure I wasn’t being too unrealistic with the design of my outfit. So this meant that Emerson had to travel somewhere warm, but also beautiful.
I named the outfit Contra Luz, because they’re a type of transparent opals that show a brilliant play of iridescence only when light shines through the stone. Contra Luz means “Against the Light.” Unlike other opals, contra luz opals have a great colour display when faceted.
Designer: immortaljelly (Steph) Challenge #1: - You're A Gem
Designers, welcome to your first challenge for Cycle 7! To help us get to know you better, you’re going to dress your model up as your birthstone. You can make them the embodiment of the birthstone, you can just dress them as the colors, draw inspiration from the season, etc. But the judges shouldn’t be left guessing what your birthstone is. Bring your personality out! Give us some fun facts! This is a challenge to get personal on.
Status: Complete
Model: Vanity Title: Stories Across Time
Description:
I was born in March, and while March has two birthstones, I was drawn to bloodstone from the get-go as the striking colours were a visual reminder of my fragmented cultural identity.
In history, bloodstone has held different meanings across different cultures. In South Asian traditions, bloodstone was associated with vitality and healing, and some sources stated that it was used in Ayurvedic traditions. In Greco-Roman and Mediterranean contexts, Pliny the Elder and Albertus Magnus described bloodstone for its magical uses. Later on, in medieval European Christian traditions, Christians interpreted the red splatters on bloodstone as the blood of Christ, and would inscribe religious imagery onto bloodstone. I also discovered that bloodstone existed in many forms. Apart from amulets, there were snuffboxes, beads, seals, etc. made of bloodstone, suggesting that it was a relatively accessible material. Together, with the simple name of ‘bloodstone’, I interpreted bloodstone to be an accessible material that was relatively available to common folks. And just like the communities before me, I too found myself interpreting bloodstone in a way that was meaningful and authentic to me.
Here, Vanity dons armor and stands tall as the protector of her people. In terms of design motifs and choices, I leaned into the Ponderosa colour scheme as a tribute to the colours of bloodstone. She is also wearing a bloodstone amulet, a charm for good luck, though its true significance lies in the fact that it was given to her by the ones who look up to her. She wields a more ornate-looking spear as I wanted her weapon to complement the wavy flow of her hair. Her makeup has been kept simple and minimal for this look, as she is preparing for the battlefield. Her cape and legmod were intentional, as I wanted to add movement to balance an otherwise static-looking avi. Her scars mimic the blood splatter patterns on bloodstone, and reveal the stories of how she has always been there for those who needed her. Last but not least, the structures she stands in front of are a representation of the people she has vowed to protect.
Author’s Note:
I was initially stumped by the challenge, because I am the complete opposite of a birthstone/astrology girlie, so to speak. I didn’t really want to pretend that I had some sort of connection with my birthstone (especially since this first challenge of the cycle was for us to share a bit more about ourselves), so I decided to tackle the prompt in a way that was authentic to me, while still (hopefully) honoring the spirit of the challenge.
Visually, I was drawn to bloodstone over aquamarine (March’s other birthstone) right away. The contrast between the streaks and splatters of red amidst the dark green of bloodstone reminded me of my fragmented cultural identity. Having been away from home for about half of my life, wherever I go, I carry pieces of each place with me. They don't always fit together neatly and they stand out just like the red in bloodstone, but they are all still part of who I am. I also picked bloodstone for strategic reasons. To me, its darker greens and reds would complement Vanity’s features, and there have already been many great aquamarine entries.
After exploring different approaches, I chose to investigate what bloodstone meant to different groups of people throughout history, as I have always been interested in cultural history. Researching for the theme was a bit of a challenge though, as many modern sources felt like marketing copy that has been regurgitated for 1000 times. After looking at museum archives, and going down random rabbit holes, I came up with this look for Vanity that centered on the Crystal Witch Bloodstone on Gaia.
At the end of the day, while I may not personally connect with birthstone symbolism, I do still appreciate the significance they hold for others. And to me, the urge to give meaning to these items and traditions to figure out who we are and to find a sense of comfort and belonging is precisely part of what makes us human. After all, we’re just on a big rock floating in space anyway, so we should all just do what makes us happy.
Addendum/Sources: (unfortunately I wasn't able to complete the sources section before the deadline, but I added them after the deadline just for my own peace of mind, they have no bearing on my submission at all!)
Cameo; heliotrope; half-figure of Virgin holding both hands before breast, with palms outwards; inscribed. British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1869-0712-2.
Magical gem; intaglio; bloodstone; oval; bevelled edge; engraved on obverse: Artemis wearing a peplos and a shawl; a fillet; two crescents and a torch; inscribed. British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1867-0915-70.
Magical gem; intaglio; bloodstone; oval; bevelled edge; engraved on obverse with a lion and a crescent; inscribed. British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1842-0728-46.
Cameo; bloodstone; oval; red and green; bust of St George facing, holding sword and buckler; bevelled edge and name in Greek script in the field. British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1916-1108-1.
Bead; bloodstone; string of beads including 5 etched cornelians decorated with an etched white pattern of double concentric circles framed by curving lines. British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1929-1017-256.
Snuffbox; bloodstone; gold; marking: [1] mark resembling a kneeling angel (unidentified maker's mark); [2] two eagle heads (Paris restricted warranty mark for gold, May 10, 1838, onward). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/236585.
“Heliotrope.” Virtual Humanities Lab, Brown University, https://www.brown.edu/academics/virtual-humanities-lab/heliotrope. Pliny the Elder. “Natural History, Book 37, Sections 107–205.” Attalus, translated by D.E. Eichholz, 1962, https://www.attalus.org/translate/pliny_hn37b.html. Pavitt, William Thomas, and Kate Pavitt. “The Bloodstone.” The Book of Talismans, Amulets, and Zodiacal Gems. Rider, 1922, pp. 137–140. Internet Archive, https://archive.org/details/bookoftalismansa00pavi.
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:00 am
Challenge #1 - You're a Gem Status - Complete 8/21 Designer - Arielso Model - Marilou
Description - In this look, Marilou is exploring a forgotten cave. A multi-colored light twinkles on the dark walls ahead from around a corner. She turns the corner and is met with a cavern full of her birthstone! Light shines from above, making all sorts of colors bounce around the room. She looks down at her ivory outfit, the colors dancing around making her sparkle, just like her own birthstone -
opal!
Note/Inspiration - I didn't want to rely solely on the gem's color scheme. So, I tried to play with the idea that my birthstone can look white with flecks of color shining through when manipulated. I played around with Marilou's eye look for such a long time, but every eyelash/eyeliner changed her eye shape slightly. So, I erred on the side of caution, but I still am happy that I was able to blend some eyeshadows together to try to represent some more colors of the gem. For her outfit, the legmod/bottoms, especially the shoes, put me in a streetwear-inspired direction. I loved the silhouette the top and bottoms gave. The armmod/sleeves with the painted fingernails gave such a cute, stylish look. I didn't want to mess with the silhouette, so I went with a bustle, keeping with the bows throughout. I think the bustle makes the outfit more whimsical and fun.
3 Fun Things ! cat_whee 1. I was born in October! Apparently, so was Marilou. Such a Libra. cat_wink 2. I have 9 aunts and uncles just on my mom's side. Her mom was born in Trinidad to a Chinese father and not really sure about the mother. I wish I knew more about the history. Anyways, it's a big family, but I love it with all of my heart. We have a family reunion every year. It's one of my favorite things. There's a pickleball tourney. It's so funny. And when I was younger, I would tag along on trips like to Mexico, Roatan, Italy. I don't have the time or money to do that nowcat_emo. I will always cherish those memories though and hopefully one day I'll be able to again. 3. I've always loved cooking. When I was young, I wasn't very adventurous with food, but I would pretend I was on a cooking show. My epiphany came when I traveled to California when I was maybe 14 and instead of going to an authentic Mexican place, I made my dad take us to Taco Bell...Cringe! I didn't really realize until a year or so later how stupid that really was. I promised myself I would think more deeply about food and be willing to try new things. Since then, I barely watch anything besides stuff involving food, whether it be recipes, rankings, or traveling. Making people feel good through my food is truly one of the best feelings. Food connects us all! cat_blaugh
Challenge #1 - You're a Gem Status - Complete Designer - Sleepy Model - Tara Title - gaia_moon Harvest Goddess gaia_moon
November is fast approaching, and I can feel the chill slowly creeping into the air. I know most people dread the end of Summer, but myself? I adore Fall. I love the changing colors, the cooler nights and start of frost. Its such a beautiful time of the year where you still get some fairly toasty days, but no more sweating to death in the summer sun!
For my first look, I decided to give Tara a Harvest Goddess sort of style. I love Harvest Moon, Magical Melody and A Wonderful Life were HUGE time sinks when I was in middle school, and even to this day! (Thank you to my modded GameCube, your a CHAMP!) Channeling the spirits of those games, I wanted Tara to look ethereal and for the colors to be on the lighter end. I tried creating a similar look with the Autumn color scheme, and even just some oranges and the like, but Tara ended up disappearing, blending in too much with the darker tones and the deep browns that came with it. And by trying to add too many bright orange colors to compensate, it didn't look good at all. So I took a step back and looked at the many beautiful shades that my birthstone comes in, deciding to use the shades of the Pink Imperial and Azotic Topaz!
About the Stone: My actual birthstone is Imperial Topaz, the classic orange/yellow thats seen everywhere! Imperial Topaz as a stone has many meanings, being mainly associated with Strength, Prosperity, and Clarity of Mind! Back in the day, owning Imperial Topaz was a sign of wealth and social standing! In a more spiritual sense, Topaz is considered a powerful manifestation stone, helping people realize their goals and desires! It is also a stone of emotional balance, promoting intelligence, patience, and empathy, while dispelling negative emotions like anger and greed. It is also believed to connect to divine energies! With these facts in mind, that is why I decided to transform Tara into the beautiful Harvest Goddess you see before you. With her love and guidance, Tara promises a healthy and plentiful harvest!!
Challenge #1: You are a Gem! Status: Completed 08/21/25 Designer: Rosey yum_strawberry Model: Solveig Title: "I am RESPLENDANT" - Aylin, BG3 emotion_sweatdropgaia_diamondemotion_sweatdrop emotion_sweatdropgaia_diamondemotion_sweatdrop Taking the path of a born leader. Solveig was made to stand strong, protect those who sail the dangerous waters, and lead with a fiery passion. Hardened by her trails in this life, her presence is welcoming and calming. From her chest rises a powerful voice, one that vibrates with determination. With her call comes a sense of courage and strength to those around her. Though Solveig dawns gold in her outfit, she wears iron with her beautiful blue hues. A small symbol to ground her, reminding her of who she is. Her horns curved, like her other half’s, are a stark reminder to her of said desires. This passion she has never truly contained. Solveig tends to forget that she must control this untamed temper, her quick reactions, her impulsive nature.
She isn’t just anyone. She is a March Aries. An Aquamarine by heart.
gaia_crown My fun fact for this challenge gaia_crown emotion_bigheart My birthday is March 25th emotion_bigheart I’ve had a, heart shaped, Silver and Aquamarine charm on a Gold necklace since I was 10. This challenge is a chapter for me. Something I could relate to. I knew I wanted her to feel as I do inside, to look as I wish I could. Strong and free. Unstoppable and ever more. I wanted Solveig to feel as if she is a beacon of hope to those who pass her shores.
gaia_angelleft What Solveig is wearing gaia_angelright
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Song of Pearlescent Newborn (Star)
