Dark-Haired Girls

I don’t much like blondes;
they don’t know how to kiss.
What I like are dark-haired girls,
’cause from their mouths come kisses
that take away all sorrows.

~ Traditional Bulerias flamenco song from Flamenco Quote of the Day

A sexy Latina in a short lacy mini-dress singing a throaty love song and most straight men will have to concede there is something about a brunette. My Latina wears a cute lace dress from Weronika Pobieksi dressed up with pearls from Nena Janus. Brand new mesh boots from Camilla Yosuke (mesh!) complete the look.

The core of my Latina look is a brand new skin from Agony Helse. With its rich skin tone and sexy makeup (and body), I am top to bottom beautiful. My sexy long locks come courtesy of Queue Marlowe, who has just released two more charming ‘dos.

Written while listening to Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado by Claudia Acuna (“What a Difference a Day Makes”)

Hair: sapphire milk chocolate by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: AKERUKA Lisa Lips 6 Tan with Akeruka Lisa Mk 1 Tatoo Tan by Agony Helse for AKERUKA *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Brown (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Dress: [Wertina Lace dress *Cream*] by Weronika Pobieski for Wertina *

Jewelry: *League* Pearls & Lace Bracelet and Necklace by Nena Janus for *League*

Boots: Christine White Mesh Boots by INSOLENCE by camilla yosuke for INSOLENCE *

I want to give a shout out to my pal, Harper Ganesvoort, who is running a Oscar Fashion Photo Contest and she is offering up 6500L in prizes to winners. Read more about it here (and knock her socks off!).

Fashionation

Fashion is so close in revealing a person’s inner feelings and everybody seems to hate to lay claim to vanity so people tend to push it away. It’s really too close to the quick of the soul. ~ Stella Blum

Ever meet a woman who is so interesting looking, who seems to put each element together so well, you just want to know her? It’s in her bearing, in her confidence and shining personality—she fascinating. The thing is, though, usually a woman like this is also warm and inclusive. You never feel like a lesser person in front of her because she lets you be you as she is she and she truly likes you for you.

Our woman of this sort likes to dress funky. Today she is wearing a great embroidered boho jacket from sookie Larnia, who has a store full of darling separates. Notice the fringes on the bottom. Her dress is one of Milla Michinaga’s sexy bandage minis, worn over tights from Romi Juliesse with funky boots from Emma Gilmour, which is the exclamation point on a pretty awesome fashion statement.

My skin is a beautiful gift Sachi Vixen made as tribute to Etta James. This skin is luscious and beautiful, just like Ms. James herself, reflecting the richness and beauty of her voice. Sachi includes a shape with it, but I was more inclined to use it as a beautiful skin in general—I love the brows and eye makeup, the subtle lip and the beauty mark. It just so happened that Mina Nakamura released Kezia—this wonderful hair that comes in “essential” colors. I did consider wearing blonde, in honor of Ms. Etta, but I preferred the black braids as they stand out beautifully and let me show off earrings from Matchbook Monday.

Be sure what you want and be sure about yourself. Fashion is not just beauty, it’s about good attitude. You have to believe in yourself and be strong. ~ Adriana Lima

Hair: MINA Hair – Kezia – Essentials (touch hair) with TanglesWeave_BG06 by Nina Nakamura for MINA *

Skin: Adam n Eve Skins – E by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Brown (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Jacket: ::TOXIC KITTY:: Boho Jacket Patterned by sookie Larnia for ::TOXIC KITTY:: *

Dress: MichaMi:Marinara in Brown by Milla Michinaga for MichaMi

Tights: [Little Romi] Knit tights_brown 1 by Romi Juliesse for [Little Romi]

Earrings:  : Amorous : Aphrodisia (Wood) by Matchbook Monday for  : Amorous : *

Boots: [SC] Surf Couture – Olea Boots – Worn by Emma Gilmour for Sand Shack Surf Co.

For Life

In the past few days I have been quite busy. Invitations for Fashion for Life 2012 have been sent out and we have been seeing people register at a very fast pace. This is the second year I have co-led FFL; last year Delora Starbrook snatched it from death when Nevar Lobo suddenly resigned and Syngen Sohmers helped me keep it going. This year Syngen is co-leading with me again, I am so pleased (and relieved) to say. It’s very gratifying to feel that all the work Syngen and I do up front is worth it when we see so many registering and cheering us on. Our work is 100% volunteer—I get nothing and make nothing from this. Syngen doesn’t, none of our builders or staff members do—it ALL goes to ACS. And it’s a lot of work and time for us.

Let me explain my personal reasons for helping run Fashion for Life. First, I have come to realize that service is very important in my life. Doing Fashion for Life is how I give service to my community in SL. It’s a good cause—I have been touched by cancer—my grandmother had a brain tumor, my aunt died from a brain tumor, and I have two friends in SL—one of them very dear to me–currently being treated for cancer. I hear nowadays from each about the pain of their surgeries, the nausea and fatigue caused by their chemotherapy, and the financial trouble the illness is bringing to them.

I know some people have reservations about giving money to the American Cancer Society because the administration of the society as a whole has not received the very highest grades for use of donated funds from some websites. Some are concerned that monies are given in grants to studies that will help big pharma, etc. These are potentially viable concerns. (I say “potentially” because *I* personally feel pharma has enough damn money to do its own evil without involving the American Cancer Society.)

The truth is that the American Cancer Society is a very big and very diverse organization. If you read their mission statement, you will see their statement is very compact but encompasses a LOT of actual programs (and encompasses a very broad health concern—cancer). It’s a BIG organization. As they state, “Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has 12 chartered Divisions, more than 900 local offices nationwide, and a presence in more than 5,100 communities.” That’s a lot of employees, rent, paperwork, etc. And they spread their influence politically, financially, and educationally. If the ACS’s agenda of stopping cancer is not yours, then you shouldn’t donate. However, I can’t see how anyone could say they don’t want to stop cancer.

One of their main programs is the Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a grassroots effort that is organized in communities around the country wherein people get together, run together under the name of the American Cancer Society and also support each other and get more info about cancer. It’s really an ingenious program because while ACS is raising funds, they are doing a great service on the ground.

How is that? Many of the people involved in these fundraising efforts for Relay for Life have been personally touched by cancer—either as survivors or caretakers, friends or relatives. When they show up to do a Relay for Life event, they are touching a part of their own identities, a very personal experience they are sharing with the mass of people who are also participating. The effort behind Relay for Life is also a sort of big middle finger to cancer, saying they defy the pain and hurt it causes. When people show up, they provide community, support and vital information for each other.

This is the reason I support Relay for Life in Second Life. It’s not just about posting numbers—though I would like to see Fashion for Life smash our records. It’s also about supporting the members of our community in SL who have been touched by cancer—including me.

Fifty Two Names for Snow

https://slfashionpassion.wordpress.com/?p=3801&preview=true

I walked into work early in the morning and it was raining a little. The sky was dark (it was 5 am, after all) and it seemed balmy. When I walked out at 10 am, everything was covered in snow! I regretted wearing heels and not boots (as I had considered). Tomorrow I am going to wear something like this. Start with this brilliant mesh coat from Siddean Munro (who is in the midst of summer!) with its wooly collar and great double breasted cut and wide drapey sleeves. This is mesh as it’s supposed to be—not just another system piece but something with dimension.

My glowing skin is my namesake from Sachi Vixen, a perfect cold weather skin with its gentle blush and ruby red lips. I love this hair from Mina Nakamura. She provides a texture change script with the hat, so I can wear a hand-knit fair isle to keep me warm. Brilliant little mittens from Nena Janus and mesh boots from Gospel Voom and I am bundled up but still chic.

January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow. ~ Sara Coleridge

Hair: MINA Hair – Shara – BG06 with MINA TKO HairBase BG06 by Mina Nakamura for MINA *

Skin: Adam n Eve Skins – Harper Sunblessed Lemongrass by Sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

Eeys: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Clover Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Jacket: Slink Marigold Winter Coat by Siddean Munro for SLink

Skirt: [ Last Period ] bottoms 0009 Black (mid length skirt) by Memai Avon for Last Period (no longer available)

Tights:Doppelganger Inc. – Knocked Up Knee Socks Black by Syler Morgaine for Doppelganger

Mittens: *League* Sheepskin Mittens –Berry by Nena Janus for *League*

Boots: [Gos] MESH Wellingtons – 12 Colour FATPACK v1.0 [bagged] by Gospel Voom for [Gos] *

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression

Beautiful

You’ve got to get up every morning with a smile on your face
And show the world all the love in your heart
Then people gonna treat you better
You’re gonna find, yes, you will
That you’re beautiful as you feel

~ “Beautiful” by Carole King

Beauty has a way of finding itself outwards as well as back inwards. Consider the study by Nick Yee and Jeremy Bailenson that found that when one represents with a taller or more beautiful avatar, one feels more confidence, what they call the Proteus effect. I certainly know I feel more generous and kind to others when I am feeling good about myself, and that includes feeling good about my avatar. This lovely dress from Geryn Sloane adds a definite sense of loveliness with its roses printed on a swirling translucent skirt. A bow at the waist makes it picture pretty.

What really makes the look is this gorgeous skin from Carina Larsen. I am not sure why more are not talking about these skins—they are blushingly beautiful with well defined lips, lovely makeup, and great eyebrows. Truth Hawks’ new hair, a sweet wavy pinned back style, suits this gentle look. I wonder—does he subscribe to hair magazines? Does he secretly photograph women? How does he come up with all these hairstyles?

I have often asked myself the reason for THE sadness
In a world where tears are just a lullaby
If there’s any answer, maybe love can end the madness
Maybe not, oh, but we can only try

Hair: >TRUTH< Sophie – treacle by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Amacci Skin – Liane (Nutmeg) – 02 Beauty by Carina Larsen for Amacci *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Dress: GSC Paper Roses by Geryn Sloane for G Sloane Couture *

Shoes: I ALEIDA I Malene pumps – pistacie by Aleida Rhode for Aleida *

Poses by Katey Coppola for Glitterati

Dishing It Up

Today I am simply dishing up a set of things I think you might want to know about. It’s a mash-up, a collage, a bricolage if we want to get postmodern and French.

First we start with this sexy little befurred top from Monica Outlander. Crisp textures made from rows of sequins, fluffy black fur (which also goes on the shoulders and neck but I didn’t wear it). Slim leggings from Neferia Abel and chic bowed boots from Dita Actor tie the look up plus a little pink sparkle from Dita Tran on my finger.

This gorgeous skin from aida Ewing with it’s dynamic makeup fits perfectly on this shape from Sophia Rossen. I like the face on this shape a lot—the eyes are closer rather than wide open as so many shapes show nowadays, she has an elegant thin nose and a lovely mouth. Her shape is a little thin—I like Harper with a little more in the booty—but it’s an expert shape maker at work here.

My wild and sexy hair is an offering from Neveah Niu, and it provides a color changing script right in the hair that lets me switch colors and shades.

“If one calls bricolage the necessity of borrowing one’s concepts from the text of a heritage which is more or less coherent or ruined, it must be said that every discourse is bricoleur.” ~ Jacques Derrida

Hair: ICONIC -Adrienne-MonoTones with HairBase_FortheBlack by Neveah Niu for ICONIC*

Skin: -Glam Affair- Linn Tan skin – Galaxy D by aida Ewing for –Glam Affair-

Shape: Sophistishapes – LEONA bodyshape by Sophia Rossen for Sophistishapes *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Pale Grey (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Top: Miamai_Rure Pink by Monica Oulander for Miamai *

Leggings: Lana black leggings by Neferia Abel for L’Abel (no longer available) *

Ring: FuLo – “Tina” ring – Pink Tourmaline by Dita Tran for FuLo *

Boots: Ribbon Boot :CooCoo Chanel Edition 1.0 by Dita Actor for Dita’s Diabolique

A Quick Dance

I’ve been working hard these past few weeks and just want to go out for a quick dance.

What to wear? Well this beautiful dress from Nicky Ree would do the trick. With its festive colors and pretty shape. I love how Nicky is willing to employ halters as well as other necklines in her dress and this one it’s especially intriguing with its sheer center panel on the bodice and sheer back. Sometimes not showing everything or making it peek-a-boo is more sexy then just putting it out there. I love the textures—a riot of colors, proportions and prints with a sheen over all of it that makes this dress pop.

This is the freshman effort from skin maker XXX. With its freckles and shimmering eyes, it’s a pretty accompaniment to Nicky Ree’s shimmering colorful dress. As with many first time skin makers, XXX has focused on the face, leave the body relatively untouched. Seams are mostly in place with a little discoloration under the skin. Eyebrows aren’t my favorite ever—too married to one hair color and too smudged, but nicely shaped. Facial features are nicely proportioned and drawn but still too smudgy or dry in places. I would give this first one a positive score but not outstanding.

My hair is one of Truth Hawks’ newest. Truth took a much-deserved break for a couple weeks and he’s now back into production with lovely new ‘dos for all of us. Yay!

There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. ~ Edwin Denby

Hair: >TRUTH< Evelyn w/Roots – chocolateby Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<

Skin: //-RS4U-\\ Jenny Green Mocha by RS4U for RS4U *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Brown (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Dress: *DNR* Tayler Gown and Dress Red by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree *

Shoes: *GF* Ribbon Slingback Shoes[V2] -red- by Cerberus Noel for G Field

Poses by Katie Coppola for Glitterati

Don’t You

Don’t you, wanna be somewhere else
oh
Don’t you, don’t you wanna be somewhere else

~ “Don’t You” by El May (free download of the song at the link)

To be honest, there is nowhere I would rather be than where I am right now. Tomorrow, however, it’s supposed to snow 7 inches, so I would much rather be in the Keys with a friend who keeps sending me photos of the warm weather. Hmpf! If I *were* going there, I know I would need something chic and seasonal, and this outfit might do it. First start with a slinky top from Nena Janus, add a darling skirt from Drinkenstein Sorbet (with its beautiful and almost bohemian Japanese crane print) and you’re set to go somewhere else.

Gala Phoenix has come out with yet another set of skins, this one a little more sultry and chic. It pairs perfectly with Ikon Innovia’s eyes and this sassy new hair from Chiaki Xue. Slip on some wedge boots from Onyx LeShelle (mesh, dontcha know), sling a chic soft bag over your shoulder, also from Onxy, and dress it up with cute jewelry from Polyester Partridge and you have a trip in the making.

You are helped, you are held, by a great big hand
of the sun, you are loved, you are loved.

Hair: *Dura-Girl*32(Mocha) by Chiaki Xue for Dura

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] Downtown-Taxi Cab 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Hazel (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM

Top: *League* Siara Blouse –Cream by Nena Janus for League

Skirt: The Sea Hole – Heron Skirt – Dusted by Drinkenstein Sorbet for The Sea Hole, available at Collabor88

Earrings: (Yummy) Hodgepodge Looped Earring – Silver by Polyester Partridge for (Yummy), available at Collabor88

Bracelet: (Yummy) Hodgepodge Beaded Bracelet (4 strands) (L) by Polyester Partridge for (Yummy), available at Collabor88

Purse: Maitreya Mesh – Leather Satchel  FLF Edition by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Shoes: Maitreya Mesh * Alexa Wedges *  FLF Edition by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Poses by Zelly Mornington of Striking Poses (no longer available)

Bachelorette Pad

The existence of parcels in SL sometimes seems like the existence of a space where someone can be alone to rez their prims or dress themselves or just be in a place where she can decorate just as she likes with no one to fuss about it. I have my own bachelorette pad in SL, up high on my sim, where I rarely have people visit (mostly because it’s a mess). It’s where I do my photos and sort my inventory and rez my packages. The only rule about my space is that things can at any moment change and that no one tells me to clean up after myself except myself.

The most recent Collabor88 gave me a great chance to decorate a little and make my space a little more cozy. With a great mesh furniture set from Cory Edo (check out the sofa, with 5 locations to sit and 9 poses for each sit), art from Callie Cline, and rug from Isla Gealach (from a whole set), a girl could redo her home for much less than 500. Consider it an IKEA for the pixel set if you must. (And everything is amazingly color coordinated!)

Also abundant are some great fashions. Start with this darling top and jeans from Callie, which include the little Japanese dolls from her wall hangings. The jeans have bright embroidered flowers on the pockets and the leg as well as the cuff, which you don’t see because I have my jeans tucked into Rob Moonites’ bold yellow rain boots. Cute earrings from Gyorgyna Larnia complete this bright look.

Finally, my beautiful namesake skin from Sachi Vixen allows me to adopt a casual look without loss of beauty and a simple ponytail from Kavar Cleanslate suits the entire mood—restful, solitary, peaceful.

Every woman needs a room of one’s own. (paraphrasing Virginia Woolf)

Hair: ::Exile:: Camille:Swiss by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile:: *

Skin: Adam n Eve Skins – Harper Sunblessed Pink by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Brown (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Top: caLLie cLine – Peace Doll Tank by Callie Cline for caLLie cLine, available at Collabor88 *

Jeans: caLLie cLine Jeans – Culture Fusion Light Wash – Collab88 Jan by Callie Cline for caLLie cLine, available at Collabor88 *

Earrings: LaGyo_Olrich earrings silver by Gyorgyna Larnia for LaGyo, available at Collabor88

Boots: *FIR & MNA* Lahinch Boots Yellow by Rob1977 Moonites for *FIR & MNA*, available at Collabor88 *

Sofa, lamp, table, chair from the Simple Culture Living Room Set by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at Collabor88 *

Wall art: caLLie cLine – Happiness Doll, Peace Doll, and Love Doll by Callie Cline for caLLie cLine, available at Collabor88 *

Rug from :CP: Vita’s Holiday Reading Corner by Isla Gealach for Cheeky Pea, , available at Collabor88

Sweet Sour

Sour by the minute but you’re sweeter by the hour

~ Sweet Sour by Band of Skulls

I have a friend in SL for whom this song fits so perfectly. She comes on kind of intense, like a hard rock song, but once you know her, she is really sweet. She is pure intensity—she cleans her house like a demon, creates her art with knife-edge perfection, tosses out quotes from Kierkegaard as if they are tootsie rolls. But she is also as sweet as can be—she loves pink, dresses up in little girl clothes, peppers her speech with ♥s, and frets over her plants. So this little beauty is in honor of her.

I start with this terrific mesh modernist-inspired dress by LeeZu Baxter. I love the sweep of stripe over the dress and folds, the rippling skirt line, the great graphic colors. It’s a simple mesh—I look forward to seeing more from LeeZu in the future. I pair it with Gospel Voom’s criminally chic boots, which I set on all sorts of colors to match the graphic color blocks of the dress.

My skin, from Gala Phoenix, has the same qualities of my friend—a bit intense but really soft. The eyebrows are about the only ones in SL I could call faint and pretty. (It’s so hard to do lighter brows—I know!) My jewelry is from Matchbook Monday, who provides this set with color changing on the metals, so while the “wood” beads remain the same, you can switch up the look on the metals for different outfits. I love Matchbook’s textures and her sense of geometry, but mostly I love the mix of metals and wood and earthy tones she uses.

Sweet sour
Sweet sour
Sour by the minute but you’re sweeter by the hour

Hair: >TRUTH< Velvet w/Roots – sandlewood by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] Airhead-Pure 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Hazel (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Dress: [LeeZu!] Oxford Dress /stripes brown by LeeZu Baxter for [LeeZu!] *

Jewelry: : Amorous : Ecks (Boxed) by Matchbook Monday for : Amorous :

Stockings: Doppelganger Inc. – Knocked Up Knee Socks Brown by Syler Morgaine for Doppelganger Inc.

Boots: [Gos] Curvaceous Boots in FATPACK by Gospel Voom for [Gos] *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations