Face of Picostyle Winners!

We received a handful of entries for the Face of Picostyle contest. The votes have been tallied and after much deliberation the judges have spoken!

Each and every person who entered submitted an absolutely adorable entry and we want to thank all those who entered from the bottom of our little pixelated hearts.

We want to encourage all the "faces" who entered to continued to shine in whatever you choose to do in and out of Pico - blog, take beautiful photos, build unique rooms, socialize and make people feel at ease. Your confidence was so refreshing!

Not everyone could be the overall contest winner (in fact, Peggy wanted every single person to win because she was absolutely delighted by each entry), but you're all winners in our books!

Read on to see the winners and our title choices for honorable mentions. ♥

12 hours left to enter Face of Picostyle

This is a friendly reminder that you have 12 hours to enter the Face of Picostyle contest.

We are looking for the ultimate Picostyle fan. If you think you've got what it takes, prove it by sending in your submission.

The 3 lucky winners will appear on the blog and the overall Grand Prize winner will get the chance to meet a few members of the Picostyle writing team.

Want to enter? Read more »

3 days left to enter Face of Picostyle

This is a friendly reminder that you have 3-and-a-half days to enter the Face of Picostyle contest.

We are looking for the ultimate Picostyle fan. If you think you've got what it takes, prove it by sending in your submission.

The 3 lucky winners will appear on the blog and the overall Grand Prize winner will get the chance to meet a few members of the Picostyle writing team.

Want to enter? Read more »

Meeting Mr.Pidut ◦˘ε˘◦

I got a letter yesterday from the effervescent Mr.Pidut ◦˘ε˘◦ - one of the winners of the first ever Pico room contest (he has changed his name since then). Mr.Pidut reads Picostyle and really wanted to have his photo on the blog, so, I decided to meet him and have a little chat.

Pidut asked me the most unusual question. I had to break my "never answer a question with a question" rule to reply (he laughed at my response):

(11:09) Mr.Pidut ◦˘ε˘◦: why are you black?
(11:10) Catero: why are you white?

Mr.Pidut, who wants to be a "fashion Pico" enjoys building and is in the process of redecorating his award-winning room.

We met up amidst the hustle and bustle of Japanese Park, then went to have a quiet chat in a private room. What immediately struck me about MrPidut was his jovial nature and his Bono meets Prince fashion flair ... with ducky lips.

Where in the World do you live?
Mr.Pidut: Indonesia.

Why do you like Pico?
Mr.Pidut: Pico is my life.

Why is Pico "your life"?
Mr.Pidut: Hmm ... because I feel the happiness in Pico.

What do you do here that makes you happy? Do you hang out with friends, build with your blocks or something else?
Mr.Pidut: I have many friends in Pico. What makes me happy is being able to make friends. Also, my room award has made me very happy here.

Which room contest did you win? Halloween? Winter?
Mr.Pidut: The first ever Pico room contest last year. I won this Red Room Stick Trophy. I've redecorated since then. My house is now "the kingdom above the clouds".

(Mr.Pidut's name was different there, but he wouldn't share what his name was, though he mentioned his first name was -RB-LOKI loki. He is truly an international man of mystery.)

What do you want Picostyle's readers to know about you?
Mr.Pidut: Hmm ... Well, I want them to know me well. They can even add me as a buddy in Pico.



There you have it, folks. If you see the dashing Mr.Pidut ◦˘ε˘◦ around Pico please prop him and encourage him to start a Pico fashion blog where he can show off his rock star style.

The Face of Picostyle contest

With the blog stopping production on new posts in 2 weeks we would be remiss to acknowledge our loyal readers.

Are you the ultimate Picostyle fan?

If you are an avid reader this is your chance to step into the spotlight as the "The Face of Picostyle".

Here's how to enter:

1. Dress up in an outfit inspired by a Picostyle writer:
1. Hime gyaru Ayuhime
2. Old Navyish Catero
3. Colorful Gothic fashion contradiction Gem Rock
4. Preppy / hipster Ora
5. Psychadelic pattern machine Peggy
6. Hobo chic Pinkerton
2. Tell us why you're the ultimate fan. Remember, spelling and grammar count!
• Log into your email and compose a new email message ...
• To: picostylers@gmail.com
• Subject: My Face of Picostyle Entry
• Type these questions with your answers into the body of the email:
• What is your Pico ID?*
• How did you discover Picostyle?
• What Picostyler's style have you chosen to dress in? Hime gyaru, Old Navyish, Colorful Goth, Preppy / Hipster, Psychadelic, or Hobo chic?
• What is your favorite Picostyle article and why (include the article URL)?
• Has reading Picostyle inspired any part of you Pico life (example: what you wear, what you place in your room, etc.)?
• What makes you the ultimate Picostyle fan?
3. Take a 320 x 240 photo of yourself all dressed up in the Closet or Change Look menu.

• Enter your Closet or Change Look menu (click on yourself, click Settings then Change Look)
• Click Camera, make sure the image of your Pico character is fully in the shot (not cut off)
• Click the Take A Shot button and download the image to your computer
• Attach your image to your written Face of Picostyle entry
• In your photo and written submissions we are looking for creativity and uniqueness.

Your contest entry will be judged by 3 Picostyle writers and the 3 winning candidates (1 grand prize winner, 2 runner ups) will be announced on the Picostyle blog on March 21, 2011.

Entries that do not conform to the submission requirements above will not be considered. Please see this example.

Here's what you could win:

One (1) Grand Prize:

• Your photo in your submitted outfit taken in large format by a Picostyle writer and your written submission to appear on Picostyle on March 21, 2011.
• A private meet-and-greet with at least 2 of the Picostyle writing team on an agreeable future date/time.

Two (2) Runner Up Prizes:

• Your submitted photo and written entry to appear on Picostyle on March 21, 2011.

Deadline: March 19, 2011 @ 11:59PM EST

By sending your photo and written entry to picostylers@gmail.com you are giving us permission to post your submission publicly on the Picostyle blog.

We thank all those who send in entries.

Good luck!

---

* Please do not change your Pico ID for the time of the Face of Picostyle contest. If you do, we will not be able to contact you to advise you if you are the winners. In the case that we are unable to locate you by your Pico ID we will select another winner.

Meeting MissLindaK

It's not tricky to rock a rhyme (get it?) with <MissLindaK>. This former feature of Profiles #25 is and 80s rap aficionado. Who'da thunk it? We should have known from the Ice Cube lyrics in her profile at the time.

We all know that rap is no longer just a boys game and Pico-D.M.C. (aka MissLindaK) is making sure everyone knows it. She spit out lyrics like ... like ... a cobra; deadly and hypnotic.

I met Linda not long after we found her profile and posted it. sweet_mom and I saw her in one of the Japan Parks and I ran up to her and said, "OMG! I SAW YOU ON A BLOG!".

Linda invited us over to her room where she was a gracious host and provided us with yummy foods an interesting conversation.

Since that time, we've also met Linda's partner in crime, Chayannie (who I, unfortunately, do not have a photo of at this time). Linda always entertains a room with great conversation about music.

If you see her in Pico (she likes to hang around the Casino and Japanese Parks), try to stump her with some rare or little-known 80s rap lyrics. She might surprise you.

Commentary: Can't we all just get along?

Written by:


Hey, I'm 'merica. You've probably seen me around.

I rolepay for a group called HetaPico, a group that focuses on the anime/comic Hetalia. As a roleplayer on Pico I have noticed a lot of hate for same-sex couples dished out by other Pico players. Most of the characters in my group are men, so it's rare to find a straight couple. Granted, we are pretty open to gay people, but the group isn't based on homosexual relationships.

We don't act out vile sex acts in public, but somehow for many people two male Picos in public is the biggest sin ever.

I don't intend to start a huge political battle. That's for real life, not games. However, other Picos can certainly make a person feel unwelcome. Even when just talking out-of-character in a public area, and sometimes even in private, other Picos will go out of their way to harass us.

For example, this happened on January 23 in a public room:
(14:35) 'merica: mmhmm~~
(14:35) Doitsu.: *hugs him*
(14:37) 'merica: *nuzzle*
(14:37) 'merica: *runs fingers through ludwig's hair*
(14:38) ♫Bяee Røṧεḓαℓ♫: EW GAYYY
(14:38) ♫Bяee Røṧεḓαℓ♫: EW EW EW
(14:38) ♫Bяee Røṧεḓαℓ♫: GAY GAY GAY

I totally understand if you guys have no desire to write about such a thing, due its political tension, and I can't say that I know any of your views on this, but I thought I'd ask.

On that same note, I have noticed a lack of respect for older Pico players. While arguing with the girl above (♫Bяee Røṧεḓαℓ♫), I revealed my age. She immediately came to the conclusion that I am the biggest bum ever. I'm only 20, man! I'm in college and I have some free time I choose to spend in Pico. Is that such a big deal? Pico is so addictive ... *le sigh*.

---

All of the regular writers of Picostyle are over the age of 20. We like to think that our age gives us, not only the skill to write, but the experience and perspective to be able to do so well.


What do you think, fellow Picos? Have you experienced ageism, racism, homophobia or any other forms of discrimination/prejudice demonstrated by other Pico players?


How do you feel about this? What do you think that the administrators of Ameba Pico can/should do about it ... if anything?


Please feel free to leave your opinons and perspectives in comments, but be reminded that any comments that may be abusive or offensive, or personal attacks will be deleted. Let's respect one another in the spirit of 'merica's commentary.

Meeting Cici A.r

Last night I was sitting in the corner of one of the casino rooms playing slots with sweet_mom when a girl in her undies came up to me. Cici A.r!

(23:38) Cici A.r: catero
(23:38) Catero: yes?
(23:39) Cici A.r: i like ur blog
(23:39) Cici A.r: i fllw u
(23:39) Cici A.r: nice
(23:40) Catero: thanks

I followed her blog to and we ended up sending a few letters back and forth. She wished me a Happy Chinese New Year with a very gracious "Gōng xǐ fā cái" (even though neither of us celebrate it!), which was very polite of her.

Cici A.r is from Indonesia and she has her own blog in Indonesian and English, Cici Pico. Lately, she seems to be ranting A LOT about how much she hates slots .... but I met her playing slots. She's a conflicted woman right now, admitting that she has a love/hate relationship with the slot machine lately. Don't we all? I think if I get another "0" as the fourth number in Bonus Time I am going to scream.

Cici, I feel your pain!

• Visit Cici A.r's blog
• Visit Cici A.r's blog with a Indonesian to English translation

Meeting Rex_A

When I click on someone's profile to  Prop  them I usually click on their URL if the address leads to a blog.

This weekend I saw a very festive-looking  Pico and clicked on her URL to visit her Pigg blog. Though, I don't read Japanese, I was instantly impressed by the layout graphics and the design of the blog. The "Comment" button for the posts made me giggle. I tried to leave a comment, but for some reason it wouldn't let me. I kept getting an error message in red ... but I don't know what it means (全角文字を含まないコメントは投稿できません。 ), so I gave up.

The effervescent Rex_A has dedicated her Pigg blog to journaling her Pico life and new developments to the game for those who read Japanese.

When I saw Rex_A again on Tuesday I ran up to her to tell her how much I admire her blog layout. I buttered her up with some food so she wouldn't think I was too strange. She said she has created all her blog graphics herself and that she loves making custom graphics for her layout.

I must say I am very impressed by - and a little jealous of - how the edges of her custom graphics look. She took a photo of us with the green grass as the background ... and when she posted it on her blog, the green was completely and perfectly removed. I don't know how she does it and keeps the edges looking so clean. One day, I will ask her what her trick is.

To my surprise, Rex_A said she knew of Picostyle and follows this blog. It was mutual blog appreciation.

I was very honoured that she asked if I would take a photo with her ... and then she posted about our meeting on her blog.

When asked whether she liked Pico or Pigg better, Rex_A replied that she likes both, but loves Pico more, since there are more things you can buy with Gummies. I imagine that the deeply tanned skin also has something to do with it. Snooki would be jealous, Rex_A.

If you happen to see Rex_A in your Pico travels, please be sure to say a very kind hello, give her Props and maybe even share some food (she has a healthy appetite). She is very nice and friendly.

• Visit Rex_A's blog on Pigg
• Follow Rex_A's blog on Pigg

Photo Credits: #2 (Coment image), :# (Catero and Rex_A) from http://ameblo.jp/ameba-pico-blog/

Meeting [aNm]Shamps™

Last night I was hanging out in Japanese Park (again) and doing some people watching when I saw the familiar face of Pico blogger [aNm]*Shamps™.

Before I knew of Shamps' blog I had seen him in the Parks, and he was very friendly and polite. So, I decided to go over and say hello. :-)

(00:08) [aNm]*Shamps™: wow
(00:08) Catero: shamps
(00:08) Catero: i read your blog
(00:08) [aNm]*Shamps™: you
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: from
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: picostyle
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: wow
(00:09) Catero: nice to meet you
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: nice to meet you
(00:09) Catero: your blog is goofy. i like it :-)
(00:10) [aNm]*Shamps™: imma post picostyle on my URL
(00:10) Catero: thanks :-)
(00:11) Catero: i have your blog on our blogroll
(00:11) [aNm]*Shamps™: Yeey
(00:11) Catero: i will let you get back to your goofing around
(00:11) Catero: keep blogging, shamps :-)
(00:11) [aNm]*Shamps™: Let's Pic
(00:11) Catero: you want a pic?
(00:11) [aNm]*Shamps™: For Blog
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: OK
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: Done
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: :)
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: Thanks
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: again
(00:12) Catero: yw. i got one too
(00:13) [aNm]*Shamps™: ok
(00:13) [aNm]*Shamps™: DONE
(00:13) [aNm]*Shamps™: : )
(00:13) Catero: cool
(00:14) Catero: bye shamps :-)
(00:14) [aNm]*Shamps™: say hello to pinkerton
(00:14) [aNm]*Shamps™: from shamps
(00:14) Catero: i will :-D
(00:14) [aNm]*Shamps™: bye

[aNm]*Shamps™ also posted the photo he took of our meeting.

Check out [aNm]*Shamps™ blog if you'd like a good giggle or chuckle.

Haters

I think I can speak for the rest of the Picostyle team when I say that we are honored to be part of the Ameba Pico fan-blogging community. As we've said before, we love our readers and try to include them into our posts as often as we can with profile submissions, "Pico Cribs" features, and of course advertising fellow fan blogs.

But yesterday, Peggy received quite a rude post on her room message board which read as follows:

"picostyle is a bad blog yuck become inspired by my better blog [URL removed] yuck ur blog. dont miss the chance 2 mk ur blog nc"



I'm sorry but that is just rude. It's bad taste to bash another fan's blog... Please know that we aren't the type to bash and make fun of other blogs. Sure, you might do things a way we don't like, but that doesn't mean our blog is better than ours. Sheesh!
Well, decide for yourself folks.

Love always,
Ayuhime xoxo

*Note: The poster's name and blog have been blurred out.

We like you. We really like you!

The holidays are here, and there's a feeling of positivity in the air. No, this isn't the start of a song I wrote. Rather, I thought to myself "what better time to show our fans how much we care than now?" Yes, we have some of the best fans around.

Pico Cribs #24 with Jean Royal

Written by:


Hello Picostylers! This is me, Jean Royal. Today, I've been hanging around and I saw 3 fantabulous Christmas themed rooms!

So here they are ...

Onogina Hotel, Restaurant & Maze
Room owner: onogina



Wow-wow-wow! That's the only thing that I can say. And did you notice the purple Christmas tree? I wish my room could be as nice.

Benry's Café
Room owner: Benry



Imagine, being in the snowy city. Then you find a warm café and walk inside. Doesn't coming in from the cold and getting warm and comfy make you smile? This café may not look very Christmassy ... but you can still notice the little Christmas tree in the corner.

Ask my friends; I don't usually go to cafés (I think they're boring), but I could easily see myself coming here see me here to listen to my iPod and do homework.

Pico Waterpark
Room owner: ¶PЯ-¶⋛⋋紫紗姫系⋌⋚™



And of course, this is my favorite. It's just SO creative! I wonder how many countless hours the owner of this room spent doing this.

Like the RO80 robots in the Flea Market that sell blocks say, 'It's time to be creative!'. I love the presents in the tree. It's different! And if you look closer you'll find a jukebox in the tree! Isn't that a great idea to add some atmosphere (maybe imitate the birds)?

Photo Credit: Photos by Jean Royal

Pico FAILS

I think we've all noticed the several Engrish moments in Pico. Here is one funny example. When you design a boy Pico, there is an option to add a beard. When you want to remove the beard, there is this button:

lol. Obviously, it's supposed to say "no beard." Or maybe there are no bears allowed in Pico? Thanks to The Hound for this! Check out his blog here to see more Pico FAILS and vote in his "What do you think of Indonesians?" poll.

Lots of love as always,
AyuHime xoxo

Fan art by ☆chihiro☆

Well, it seems that Ora18 has started a trend! Not long after Peggy posted Ora's wonderful drawing of the Picostyle team, ☆chihiro☆ sent us a creation of her own.

Thanks for your drawing, ☆chihiro☆!

Check out ☆chihiro☆'s blog, PicoWorld, at http://picoworld1.blogspot.com.

---

Dear Readers,


Please feel free to send us your Pico-related drawings, poems and other creations and we will post them on Picostyle, giving you full credit for your work. Keep in mind that, depending on the taste of your submissions: (1) they may or may not be published; (2) published submissions may be edited for content.


We will not publish email requests that simply request "put me on your blog!". 


Thank you.

Thanks Ora!

Ora18 drew this kawaii picture of the Picostyle team and friends! I totally smiled when I saw it in my inbox earlier this week. It's always nice to be surprised <3 Thank you Ora-Bora!

Love,
Peggy

Fans: Destinee and Jade

Pictured: Destinee <3 ☆ (left) and ♛ じゃで JADE ♛™ (right)

Omg, I hope u got this message :D

YOU ARE AWSOME PICO STYLE TEAM!! I LOVE UR BLOG :D

Well, I just wanted to tell you, I love your blog and I look up to y'all.

I wish one day I will have an awesome blog like yours. But, that will never happend 'cause a blog can't get any better than yours! And I love the way you dress on Pico! Ya'll look awesome. I don't know how you get that much gummies to get your houses like that! But you look really awesome!! I hope I meet you on Pico.  My name is "Destinee Destinee <3 ☆. I hope u email me back. :D

Love, Destinee <3 ☆

---

Destinee <3 ☆ and her gal pal ♛ じゃで JADE ♛™ have their own awesome blog, picofashion.blogspot.com. Check it out!

I got to meet both of the ladies yesterday. They're both very funny and totally random.

Rant Week ends with a reader having her say

To close off Rant Week, we wanted to give our readers an opportunity to have their say too.

Tiffany Pink, Head Sister and CEO of the P.I.N.K. Picos Sorority on Facebook, shared one of her major peeves about Pico:

I hate that we can't trade items with others Picos ... I think it would be soooo cool!!! But nooooo! That's too much (like, RIGHT)!

It's funny because Peggy, Gem and I have said the same ... I wonder if Pinkerton and Ayuhime feel this way too.

In fact, rumor has it that Gem saves all the multiple items she wins from Gacha in the event that Ameba does end up putting this into place.

Thanks for writing in, Tiffany. The Picostyle team is behind you. We think this is an absolutely great idea.

We hope you enjoyed Rant Week!

More writing theme weeks to come.

Thank you again, loyal readers!

Who knows how it happened, really. We started a blog and for some reason, people started reading it. All we did was put our blog link in our profiles' URL spot.

I'm sure Peggy's charismatic personality has done a lot towards spreading the word as well.

And the letters and wall notes and fangirling/fanboying began! Peggy tends to get all the "love" mail, and I get the "hate" mail. I'm sure Gem Rock, sweet_mom, Ayuhime and Pinkerton get lots of love too. In fact, if I'm really honest, Pinkerton was a force of nature before he penned his first post.

Now, as a profile URL clicking addict, I see people all the time with the Picostyle blog URL in their profiles. People I don't know! People who I try to take a quick photo of so I can post their Pico with a thank you note on the blog that they're helping to spread the word about. Most times, those people go *poof* before I get the chance to press my PrtSc button.

♥Ericaxx wasn't like that at all.  I noticed her URL links to Picostyle after she propped me in Beginners Plaza. She came up to me, said hi, and asked me where Peggy was - telling me that she met Peggy and Gem Rock at a runway show Gem had in her room.She then announced how bored she was and asked me to come to my room so we would plan a food party.

For some reason, I went along for the ride.

Thanks for the hospitality,  ♥Ericaxx. Thanks for the yummy easter egg you fed me. And thanks for insisting that I add you as a buddy.

And thank you to all the other Picos who are showing us their URL love that we haven't bumped into yet.

Just a humble fan

Gem, Peggy and I recently got this email from a reader of our blog and wanted to share it with you.



Hello!

I recently came across this blog and read every single article! Your group is too funny and I'm glad to see some fellow adults playing this game as well :)

As a pico player, I've always been finicky about my stairs, but when I came across Peggy Hill's "elevator" stairs tutorial, I immediately went to work! I'm very pleased with the results. Thanks soo much for the awesome step by step! I've attached a picture of my fancy new room and all are welcome to come and visit~~

Pico name is:
あゆ姫　「AYUHIME」

Thanks for reading!