Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum.

“Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.” ~ Margaret Atwood

Today is Margaret Atwood’s birthday—she is 74. She is one of my favorite authors and has shown that one’s light doesn’t necessarily burn out as she becomes older and more successful—it can burn brightly, provocatively and thoughtfully. She writes literary fiction, critical thinking, and science fiction. I am particularly fond of her science fiction work, which seems to have become her genre in the past few years. I recently just read her two latest offerings, which are shorts offered via amazon.com for the Kindle–I’m Starved for You and Choke Collar—and they are witty and edgy dystopian chapters in a serial novel—a bit kinky, a bit surprising and a bit funny in a sort of dark way. I would want to be Margaret Atwood when I grow up if I had the least bit of chance.

But no, I am simply a fashion blogger and what you see here is the combination of a few elements from great SL designers, including a mesh dress from AvaGardner Kungler, showcasing her ease with elegance and color mixing. The assymmetrical silhouette of this short skirt lends it an air of insouciance. I accessorized with a darling clutch from Renee Harvy and these charming pumps from Betty Doyle, featured at the Zodiac, with a curling tongue on the vamp.

My hair is one of Queue Marlowe’s newest, an update on the Harper model, now including sculpties and a slightly different shape. I am hoping to see this around the grid more—it’s darling. My skin is one of Aida Ewing’s beautiful glowing skins.

The title of this post, incidentally, is from the book, The Handmaid’s Tale. “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” It’s a phrase I have internalized.

“What am I living for and what am I dying for are the same question.” ~ Margaret Atwood

Hair: cray sandy by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: Glam Affair – Roza Basic – Jamaica01 D by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair *

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

Dress: (Kunglers) Veronica dress – S – Lavender by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Clutch: ::Duh!:: Little Clutch  – Color Change by Renee Harvy for Duh!

Shoes: Ingenue :: Scorpius :: Water by Betty Doyle for Ingenue, featured at The Zodiac

Mollena

Mollena before I met you
I’d always walked the line
I know you’d leave me
If I let you
The blame’s entirely mine
Cause I could fall into a whole world of trouble over you

~ “Mollena” by James Hunter

Remember that girl in school who got every boy’s attention just by being who she was—she exuded some energy, some spirit and life that turned boys’ eyes? I knew several girls like this. As years passed, their stories always turned out to be a sad for whatever reason. Despite being able to capture any boy’s attention, they always chose the worst ones—the bad boys—and it always turned for the worse. No one can sustain that kind of energy forever.

My Mollena here is in tribute to the beauty who captured the boys’ attention. All sorts of boys fell into a world of trouble over her. From her slinky tank top from Betty Doyle (a great separate that can span tons of looks—from retro to contemporary) to little black capris from Ivey Deschanel, Mollena has a look that’s rockin’. Accessories from Dick Wiesel (who has this belt out in color change) and Nyte Caligari make the look. And of course, high heels from Teresa Republic turn cute into sexy.

The real story here is the skin and hair. First, this skin from Helyanwe Vindaloo is fresh and pretty—youthful but not kewpie-doll. The eyeliners in this series are fantastic—I opted for this modified cat-eye, which looks smokin’ hot without being over made-up on this pale skin. My hair is from Kavar Cleanslate’s newest color set—Evolution. I love how he includes roots with the hair—we all have them as the hair grows out and lightens as it gets long. The style reminds me of that girl in school—she wore it short and feathered and sassy just like this. (She’s divorced with three kids now. *sigh*)

Cause I could fall into a whole world of trouble over you

Hair: ::Exile:: Caitrin:Roots-Stefani by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::

Skin: .ploom. Maia_Cream – BL – Eyeliner 4 by Helyanwe Vindaloo for .ploom

Top: Ingenue :: Trixie Halter :: Halter :: Teal by Betty Doyle for Ingenue *

Capris: :::Sn@tch Le Jazz Hot Bodysuit Capris (Black)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch *

Earrings: [mixxES]Hoop and feather earrings04(L) by marron Vita for Mixx Ethnic Style (no longer available)

Bracelets: Nyte’N'Day – Elle Bangles – Green by Nyte Caligari for Nyte’N'Day

Belt: :. WoE .: Nomi Leather Belt (Grey) by Dick Wiesel for :. WoE .: *

Shoes: ! haut.monde – Gossip Pumps – Silver Peony by Teresa Republic for haut.monde *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations *

Spring Layers

Spring is a time when you’re not sure what the weather will be—it might be warm, might be cold. And then you’re kind of anxious to get your summer clothes out after wearing the same sweater what seems 100 times.

This outfit from Anyusha Lillienthal is a reminder that layers can be functional AND fashionable. She puts together a long top with a ruffled bottom (cleverly made with a sculpty tight-to-the-hips), capri leggings and a denim vest. A scarf tops off the set, keeping the cool spring winds off the neck while still showing a little skin and allowing for the removal of layers as the day gets warmer. I love the funky modern print Anyusha chose. She also includes a cleverly engineered alpha layer to hide your fanny—a sort of SL Spanx—though I am not wearing it.

I haven’t worn Tuli in a while and it’s high time I did again. All the features of a beautiful Tuli skin came back to me—the perfectly drawn eyebrows, the gorgeous eyes, the sumptuous lipstick makeup layers. My glasses are a funky color-change pair from Leona Iuga. (Thanks to Daphne in Fashion Emergency for the landmark!)

Happy Spring!

Hair: >TRUTH< Courtney – fudge by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed :: 04 Electric with [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / lips :: Lilac by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Outfit: Ibizarre Neelie Dress – Nature by Anyusha Lilienthal for Ibizarre *

Glasses: -NALA-*Cruella* by Leona Iuga for –NALA-

Shoes: Ingenue :: Tallula Heels :: Chocolate by Betty Doyle for Ingenue *

Sophie Roux

Je m’appelle Sophie Roux, comment allez-vous?
Je m’appelle Sophie Roux comment allez-vous?
~ “Sophie Roux” by Lady Danville

That one girl who always runs around with barefeet but bothers to get her toenails painted and who nonchalantly ties a scarf around her neck yet it perfectly matches and who can wear her hair up as if she just put it that way without thinking—that’s the Sophie Roux in the song. I always wanted to be this girl. Never happened but I can make her in SL. It’s easy with these great pieces, including a cute little tank from Betty Doyle and new jeans from Dick Wiesel.

Add all the little accessories—the darling double banded watch from Menno Ophelia, the scarf from Noelle Eilde, an artsy ring from Julia Merosi, and this seemingly uncalculated look comes together—especially with the perfect bare feet from Siddean Munro.

The completion of this is Rhapzody Wilde’s skin, a fresh face she debuted at the Skin Fair (and which I purchased and never got around to showing—ack!). Rhapzody has a clear fan base, one that appreciates her eye for fantasy but also her down-to-earth attitude. Kianna (the skin) is not glamorous but she’s certainly fascinating. My hair is a new up-do from Truth Hawks. I wonder when he is going to run out of styles? I can’t imagine how he keeps coming up with them. Finally my alluring eyes are another set from Ikon Innovia.

Amour perdu à Marseille,
Histoire triste… ça je sais
Histoire triste… ça je sais

Hair: >TRUTH< Pia – sandlewood by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Kianna Shade 5 Smokey by Rhapzody Wilde for Mynerva

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

Top: Ingenue :: Mon Petit :: Cami :: Maple by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Jeans: :. WoE .: Guage G2 Girls Jeans (Steel) by Dick Wiesel for :. WoE .: *

Scarf: <X> Patchwork fringe scarf by Noelle Eilde for Argyle

Watch: Kari – Triple strap watch – Brown by Menno Ophelia for Kari

Ring: ::je suis::Gacha::tente::fire::ring by Julia Merosi for ::je suis::

Feet: SLink Jolie Pied Barefeet Medium by Siddean Munro for SLink

Mellow Yellow

I’m just mad about Saffron
She’s just mad about me
I’m just mad about Saffron
She’s just mad about me

Pull on a yellow sweater and some tweed capris and you can feel casual and put-together all at once. This sweater is a beauty being offered by Betty Doyle in a gatcha at the Gatcha Festival. I love the texturing and the cowl neck. Betty has a great talent at making vintage wearable even for contemporary looks. The pants are from Marie Lauridsen, who makes very interesting pants.. (that sounds funny but it’s true—I like her pants!). My little flats are from flexagons Villota, also from the Gatcha Festival. I love this gold belt by Antosperandeo Allen, which actually fits around an avatar waist realistically (once it was sized down slightly) and comes with and without an AO.

Now that more clients are employing the tattoo layer, I feel lots better about Tuli’s Audrey set, which comes with the skins and lipsticks on tattoo layers. I love being able to make my look completely different with just a lipstick change. In this case a copper lipstick made the look.

They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
~ Mellow Yellow by Donovan

Hair: >TRUTH< Sylvia – copper by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Audrey (tone 3/co) :: 07 with []::Tuli::[] Audrey t3 – dark 7 gloss by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Sweater: Ingenue :: The Gamine :: Mustard by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Pants: (Milk Motion) my highwaist wool pants by Marie Lauridsen for Milk Motion

Belt: BeBo-BELT-GOLD by Antosperandeo Allen for Behavior Body *

Shoes: +mocha+  -  Flower Flat [F] by flexagons Villota for +mocha+

What Keeps Me Up At Night

Some nights, can’t sleep, I draw up a list,
Of everything I’ve never done wrong.
To look at me now, you might insist
My list could hardly be long,
But I’ve stolen no gnomes from my neighbor’s yard,
Nor struck his dog, backing out my car.
Never ate my way up and down the Loire
On a stranger’s credit card.

~ from “A Good List” by Brad Leithauser

Friends who know me know I like contemporary poetry—the published kind, the kind that sparks my thoughts, reminds me someone has the same feelings I do, evokes sensual memories. And reading good poetry keeps me up at night. I was absolutely delighted to receive this poem in my email via DailyLit late one night, reading from my iPad under the covers. (I strongly encourage you to click through on the link for this poem.. lines like “Or stood up and shouted, My God, that’s enough!/At a nephew’s piano recital…” make it worth it!)

I also stay up late sometimes to write my blogs or shoot my outfits. In this case, I really wanted to show you this darling dress from Shinicha Mathy. I love the colors, the aqua and green tangled together in the textures, the cleverly made sculpty halter. Shinicha makes fun cute outfits for men and women with well made textures and imaginative color ways.

I ventured into Emerald Beta (I had grabbed a copy before they took it off the site) and played with Tuli Asterias’ Audrey line again. When I am able to wear the skin with the lipstick layer on it, I am very pleased with the skin and love the possibilities. I am not as thrilled with the base skin without the lipstick as it is usable in other viewers. Ergo, it’s not my first choice as I am generally running Snowglobe, which lacks that crucial alpha layer. I have not read all the documentation for Snowstorm but this silly little fashionista hopes they make the alpha layer standard.

… My list, once started, continues to grow,
Which is all for the good, but just goes to show
It’s the good who do not sleep.

Hair: Exile Lily/expression by Kavar Cleanslate for Exile, available at The Dressing Room Blue for a limited time

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Audrey (tone 3/br) :: 07 and []::Tuli::[] Audrey t3 – light 3 gloss by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Dress: SHIKI-dress halter top-JERSEY SHORE by Shinichi Mathy for Shiki *

Bracelets: Ear Candy ~ Easygoing Blob Bangles by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy

Shoes: Ingenue :: Citron :: Aqua by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Bathing Beauty

I just want to know.. in those old movies where the ladies dressed up in swimsuits that seemed to wrap their bodies up like little sausages and they wore nail polish and lipstick and high heels and bows in their hair… were they for real?

I sure hope not because that’s a lot to live up to. However, in SL we’re able to do it without it seeming so improbable. In fact I am doing it with this darling little new suit from monica Outlander. With its sparkling sequined fabric, its modest cut and retro neckline, even Esther Williams would have been proud to seen in this. (Well maybe not so modest, seeing it from the back…)

Then we have the vintage piled-up-high ‘do from Betty Doyle with a sweet bow (color-change, don’tcha know). And the skin is a new one from sachi Vixen, who recently redid the entire Adam n Eve store. With its cute can (as seen above), luscious red lips, and lustrous tan (from hours sitting on a lounge chair with a pina colada), this is an ideal skin for every day use or more glamorous pursuits.

Sitting by the pool, trying not to muss my hair…

Hair: Ingenue ~ Bathing Beauty ~ Mahogany by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Skin: Adam n Eve Skin – Amanda – Scarlet Tone 3 by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

Swimsuit: Miamai_Bettie Swimsuit Red by monica Outlander for Miamai *

Sunglasses: /artilleri/ greta sunglasses *white* by Antonia Marat for Artilleri

Nails: Candy nail #P000 Basic Prim nails : Red nails by peche Bury for Candy Nail

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Pumps – Red by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Fantasy Honeymoon

Well, honestly, what is a Fantasy Faire without a good wedding fantasy. I mean, come on, it IS a fantasy. Big wedding, romantic honeymoon.

This is all pretense to show one of Delora Starbrook’s offerings for RFL. With its beautifully rendered system pieces and amazing translucent skirt trimmed with silver thread (and absent ANY alpha texture problems… Delora needs to be giving half of SL a lesson in channels), this pretty piece would make a lovely honeymoon outfit (especially as it comes with optional silks for later play).

This was also a pretense to give you a glimpse at BastChild Lotus’ beautiful wedding ring, which any bride this lovely deserves. BastChild smartly includes a proposal box, engagement ring and wedding ring (as shown here). The blushing bride’s hair is coming down, as made by Truth Hawks and her gentle and anticipatory blush is provided by Tuli Asturias. (And no, there is no secret message about my own matrimonial plans in this blog.)

“Too f–ing busy, and vice versa.”
~ Dorothy Parker’s reply to her editor who was bothering her for her belated work while she was on her honeymoon

Hair: >TRUTH< Bailey – seaspray by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Eva (tone 4/li) 01a by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Outfit: *HD* Selah – RFL by Delora Starbrook for Haven Designs available on the Elvencourt sim

Ring: .:L&B:. “Caged Love” Women’s Wedding Band – 18 kt gold by BastChild Lotus for LaPointe and Bastchild *

Shoes: Ingenue :: Dianthus :: Blush (Starlust Hunt) by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

P.S. This blog goes out with best wishes for my friend Raven Haalen and his beautiful bride, Kell Babenco. Hope they have a marvelous f–ing honeymoon! ;)

Vintage Grace

I am breaking another rule of my many (unwritten) blogging rules. I have always been reluctant to blog Raven Pennyfeather’s work because I work for her and she’s a dear friend of mine. I felt there was some sort of conflict in doing so, but I have been convinced otherwise as long as I give the following disclaimer: Raven is one of my best friends and I love her dearly. She is the reason I am still here in SL, plugging away, pursuing fashion, dressing up every day. If I walk away from SL, she will still be with me. Our friendship is the proof that SL is more RL than many people like to acknowledge.

That being said, I am blogging this beautiful new dress from Raven because she truly has outdone herself. The system top is absolutely exquisite, with the feathered décolletage, the tweed pattern running through it, and the three-quarter length sleeves punctuated by satin cuffs. A tortured prim collar surrounds the neck like a piece of constructed fluffery with a well-chosen sculpty belt around the waist. A dramatic (but not overdone) feather hat tops the ensemble. The system skirt is tight and sexy with a brilliant pleated flexi attached, and Raven’s characteristic textured stockings complete the outfit. This truly is high fashion—unique, artistic, designed well. It shows how Raven continues to push herself artistically and technically.

I was originally (brilliantly) photographed in this outfit for the ad by SC Tracy, using styling from Raven. I have restyled it in a different vintage fashion for these photos using this amazing hair from Betty Doyle. (I remember coming into SL and wanting to pursue the vintage look—Marleen Vaughn was doing some brilliant stuff but she was the only one until Betty Doyle came along. Betty IS vintage in SL.) A skin from Lorac Farella with decadently lined eyes and a full ripe red glossy lip and beauty mark complete the look.

With elegance and grace:

Hair: Ingenue ~ Lamour ~ Cinnamon by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Skin: Pulse Skin – Honey/Oh My!-Radiance blk  brows by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *

Dress: ! RP Couture Fury Womens Black by Raven Pennyfeather for RP Couture *

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Pumps – Black by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

All About Business

Lately I have been getting a lot of requests for business looks in SL, especially since Amanda Linden wrote a blog about business appearance.

It’s not impossible to put together a business look here, especially if you get yourself outside the box of black suit and skirt. I am personally tired of that—that’s for lawyers and very uptight librarians. A professional woman can be found in a tailored sweater and skirt with a stylish scarf, as I show here.

Betty Doyle has come out with a set of “Vintage Basics,” but I consider them regular basics. The system skirt has a great texture and shape (though for some reason, this one made my rear end look large so I “dieted” a little and shrunk my otherwise perfectly useful skinny skirt shape). And the sweater, with its ideally proportioned knit texture and wonderful sculpty shapes, has enough style to look beyond ordinary but is not outrageous.

I accessorized with Tiffy Vella’s beautiful Wistaria set. She has done some absolutely exquisite work with jewelry in SL, combining killer skills in tiny prim building with gorgeous textures. This set comes with this beautiful scarf, earrings, and a ring. (It also has a necklace and bracelets you don’t see here.) And finally I pull out the classic Verve pumps from Onyx LeShelle.

I wear here a skin I custom made at Body Politik. Maximillion Grant and his partner Polly Pavlova didn’t make it for me–I made it myself on their handy dandy website, and I blogged about this wonderful idea. I received news today that they are now letting you customize in-world as well at their “Skin Creation Stations.” So get down to their store in-world—you may catch me there putting another one together.

Getting down to it:

Hair: [V] Vignette Jaime Brick by Rachel Boram for Vignette

Skin: TBP Infinity Custom Skin – Harper Beresford CYT-103353_1936 by Maximillion Grant for Body Politik

Sweater: Ingenue :: Vintage Basics :: Edie :: Forest by Betty Doyle for Ingenue*

Skirt: Ingenue :: Vintage Basics :: Memo :: Midnight by Betty Doyle for Ingenue*

Jewelry and Scarf: Eclectica_Purples_Wistaria by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Pumps – Olive by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya