Mandarin Orange

When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out – because that’s what’s inside. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what is inside. ~ Wayne Dyer

The beautiful girl in orange that shows up at the party—who is she who dares to wear orange and wear it so well? What does it say about her? Sonatta Morales made this gorgeous dress, offered at Fashion for Life this year, to catch the eye, and it does that with its exotic print and elegant assembly. From the bow at the shoulder to the sleek primmed skirt, it’s an evening gown for a woman who is bright inside and out.

My skin is a lovely Asian look from Gala Phoenix. What works for this skin is that it can be put on a shape and look just right—I have not modifed my shape in any way yet I look perfect. I love the coloring and skin tone. My jewels are courtesy of Tiffy Vella, whose aesthetic is truly based in the early 20th century with her deco motifs and lavish use of pearls. This lovely pair of earrings comes from a new set Tiffy is offering.

“Orange is the happiest color.” ~ Frank Sinatra

Hair: **Dura-Boys&Girls**16(Black) by chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: :GP: Honey [Light] Jasmine-Pure 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio

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

Dress: Breeze by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales

Jewelry: Eclectica Deco Knot bracelet-pale silver and Eclectica Deco Knot earrings-pale silver by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Shoes: ! haut.monde – Gossip Pumps – Coral Rose by Teresa Republic for haut.monde *

Swoon

Just remember to fall in love,
there’s nothing else,

there’s nothing else

~ ”Swoon” by the Chemical Brothers

Swoon at this look. First we have this gorgeous new lingerie from camille yosuke, who has been making women in SL sexy for years. Her look is always delicate, soft and alluring, and in this ensemble, a bit dressed up and classy. I love camille’s pastel choices for her lingerie—she reminds us that a lady likes to feel pretty as well as sexy. I dressed up the ensemble with a new set from accessories from Tiffy Vella—long gloves, tied at the top and a choker cinched with a gem.

The news is my skin, which is an exclusive for the Skin and Shape Expo, a makeup version Gala Phoenix made for her new May set. Gala mixes photosourced elements with skillful artistry to create this glowing skin, which shows a face that is young but more elegant than some of her previous work. I really like it.

“There’s nothing else….”

Hair: [e] Rhythm – Blonde 02 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira

Skin: :GP: Petal [Light] May-Expo Exclusive 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio, available at the Skin and Shape Expo

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Green 3 (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Lingerie: May Cream Lingerie Set by INSOLENCE by camille Yosuke for Insolence *

Choker and gloves: Eclectica “Swoon” (ivory) by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica

Shoes: TIPTOESquare Toe Pump-Cream Roses by F4 Forzane for TipToes

Posing chair by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations.

Heaven

Heaven heaven
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
Heaven heaven

The rhythm of wheels the rhythm of heels
That we fall into the sun
She walk on silver she walk on gold

We are still watching the Fashion for Life totals slowly tick up due to the generosity of some designers who continue to sell their exclusive pieces on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Geryn Sloane is one of those very generous individuals. She has been an ardent supporter of the cause, both with her beautiful creations and with her enthusiastic attitude. She is not a huge name in SL; she is not making tons of money (though she could use it), yet she generously gives to RFL and Fashion for Life of her time and energy—she is an unsung hero. Her fashions are glamorous and colorful with touches of sexiness (like the low cut back on this dress—woohoo!).

I wear with a gorgeous skin from Tuli Asturias, who seems to be remaking her older skins and adding all sorts of glorious add ons. Hair is a newish curly style from Truth Hawks, who seems to have the market on sexy waves in SL. Jewelry is an older set from Tiffy Vella, who is expanding her repertoire to shoes and gloves now. She does amazing work!

Written while listening to “Always Loved a Film” by Underworld

Hair: >TRUTH< RiRi – strawberry by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<*

Skin: [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed :: 02 Purity with [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / brows :: Honey and [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / lips :: Amethyst by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Dress: ***FFL Exclusive*** GSC Your Sin by Geryn Sloane for G SLOANE COUTURE *

Jewelry: Eclectica_Jazz_purple paisley_long beads and Eclectica_Jazz_purple paisley_Bangles_l by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Violet2 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Bliss Couture at Fashion for Life

When Amutey DeCuir happily accepted sponsoring the Entertainment sim—Avedon—at Fashion for Life, we were thrilled. We couldn’t put her store on the sim—it was designated for entertainment and main entry—but she had no problem. She knew that her donation was going to the American Cancer Society, and she wanted to do what she could.

Amutey’s clothing is dramatic and bold sometimes and sleek and sexy other times. She employs bold, sometimes uncommon colors, relishing in the opportunities SL offers for making clothing that is chic and forward.

Amutey’s textures have a sheen that lends a richness to her dresses. Her additional textures—lace or an Asian print or a ruffle or a fur—are what really make her work stand out. Each creation is brand new, considered with careful thought and constructed with clear attention to proportion and silhouette.

Amutey’s participation in Fashion for Life has been a joy. She has been selfless and helpful and lots of fun. She knows this fundraiser is about a serious matter but also realizes that it’s about bringing happiness and joy to the many cancer survivors and cancer patients who rely on the grassroots Relay for Life program from the American Cancer Society to give them community, support and encouragement. Amutey told me many people helped her when she was new to SL and she wanted to give back; by being a sim sponsor at FFL, she’s doing so for thousands of people who are in SL who have been touched by cancer.

Find Bliss at Fashion for Life, going on NOW through March 22.

Photo 1:

• Hair: !*Bliss Hair*! Voff Hair – Cannelle by Amutey DeCuir for Bliss Couture, Sim Sponsor for the Avedon sim, FFL store sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Skin: -Glam Affair – Jadis – Natural A – TDR #24 by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Dress: *Bliss Couture* Nura Gown (Bright Yellow) by Amutey DeCuir for Bliss Couture, Sim Sponsor for the Avedon sim, FFL store sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Jewelry: Eclectica Flounce (champagne) by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, FFL Store Sponsor on the Arbus sim

Photo 2:

• Hair: [e] Lasting – Red 09 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: : HS : Bliss : Sweetness (nc) by Amesha Jewell for Heartsick Skins, FFL Store Sponsor on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Dress: *Bliss Couture* Tyako Dress (Steel Blue) by Amutey DeCuir for Bliss Couture, Sim Sponsor for the Avedon sim, FFL store sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Shoes: N-core SHARK XtremeHeel “Galaxy” by Claire Messenger for N-Core, FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim

Photo 3:

• Hair:  .:EMO-tions:. * BREATH * /brown by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Skin: (AMD) Ava – Tan – Lustrous *Night Sky* by Apple May for Apple May Designs, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: *Bliss Couture* Corinne (Egg Yolk) by Amutey DeCuir for Bliss Couture, Sim Sponsor for the Avedon sim, FFL store sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Shoes: [Gos] Curvaceous Boot by Gospel Voom for [Gos], FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim

Photo 4:

• Hair: !*Bliss Hair*! Sonne Hair – Bordeaux by Amutey DeCuir for Bliss Couture, Sim Sponsor for the Avedon sim, FFL store sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Skin: LOGO Babydoll Amber Skin – Moonstone Base (No Brows) with LOGO Babydoll Amber – L08 – Brows Style 3 Red and LOGO Babydoll – L03 – Soft Liner and LOGO Babydoll Amber – L01 – Lips – Brandy (Pouty) by Maximillion Grant for Logo, FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Dress: *Bliss Couture* Annastar Gown (Blue) by Amutey DeCuir for Bliss Couture, Sim Sponsor for the Avedon sim, FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim

Azul at Fashion for Life

Evening wear in SL is a big deal. Lots of women and men want to come into SL and live out their fantasy and dream of being wealthy, well-dressed, and elegant. Mami Jewell understands this too well and caters to the well-dressed set with her beautifully textured dresses.

Mami’s offerings at Azul range from the drop dead sexy to elegant to dramatic. She has mastered the high-cut leg to perfection, making elegant sexy with a mere slit up the fabric of the skirt.

Mami has also mastered the prim, using sculpties and flexis with ease, allowing her design to dictate the prims rather than the reverse. Her texturing is unparalleled with shadows running over the prims and into the system pieces seamlessly, creating the perfect fantasy of beautiful couture.

Mami has generously contributed to Fashion for Life in the past with her designs. This year she has continued her generosity with a VIP Sponsorship. She knows the money she has donated and the money from her donated creations goes 100% to the American Cancer Society.

See what Mami is offering this year at the Fashion for Life, March 12-22, SL’s biggest fashion fair on 9 sims hosted by the American Cancer Society and SL’s Relay for Life.

 

Photo 1:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * WINDBLOWN* /naturals by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: *Glance Skins – Natasha – 05 by Joakim Asbrink for *Glance Skins, FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: -AZUL- Linda –Amethyst by Mami Jewell for –AZUL-, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Necklace: ZC : Balini Necklace *amethyst amber* by Zaara Kohime for {Zaara}, FFL Store Sponsor

 

Photo 2:

• Hair: [e] Lasting 2 – Red 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: -Glam Affair- Castalia Skin – Natural 02 by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: -AZUL- Milonga 3333rd ANV –Rosario by Mami Jewell for –AZUL-, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Shoes: N-core PRELUDE XtremeHeel Red by Claire Messenger for N-Core, FFL Store Sponsor

 

Photo 3:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ZOE * / black by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: Shapes by Kira – Tomoko Skin 01E Tone A by Kira Paderborn by Kira Paderborn for Style by Kira, FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: -AZUL- Mila/Black by Mami Jewell for –AZUL-, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Boots: [Gos] Curvaceous Boot by Gospel Voom for [Gos], FFL Store Sponsor

 

Photo 4:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ISABELLE * /deepbrown by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: (AMD) Ava – Tan – Lustrous *Night Sky* by Apple May for Apple May Designs, FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: -AZUL-Melinda/exclusive for RFL ClothingFair2010 by Mami Jewell for –AZUL-, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Jewelry: Eclectica Victoriana in jade (including necklace, choker, earrings, bracelet, and ring) by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, FFL Store Sponsor
• Shoes: I ALEIDA I Malene pumps – pistacie by Aleida Rhode for Aleida, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor

Green green I want you green…

Green green I want you green: green the wind, green the branches. ~ from “Sonambulistic Ballad” by Federico Garcia Lorca

Green is my favorite color. It’s the color of the earth’s bounty, the color of the sea, the color of emeralds and even American money. You’ll see me in a lot of green generally—it suits a redhead. This beautiful dress from Sascha Frangilli is a perfect example. Elegant in silhouette and textures, it is ideal for formal occasions or dancing (and I took this one out for a whirl). Sascha offers this as part of a larger package, which includes her always versatile variety of skirt sizes and shapes and top pieces (including a ruffled shoulder piece and a stole). She also offers this gorgeous emerald in a cocktail dress that also includes several skirt and top styles.

Sachi Vixen has come out with a new set of skins that is absolutely lovely. With a fresher look and subtler makeup, sachi is tapping into the desire we all have for a glowing look and a shapely body. She includes with her skins, as always, a variety of nail polishes, and this time, eyebrows and hair bases. Worn in v2.4 and above, you can pile on the layers. I am showing this in Phoenix, where I have once again tackled the shadows. I am getting there….

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises. ~ Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Hair: [e] Away – Red 09 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira

Skin: Adam n Eve Skins – Laurel Tan – Natural with Adam n Eve Skins – Laurel – Dark Brows Tan by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

Dress: SAS – Cruella Moss Formal by Sascha Frangilli for Sascha’s Designs *

Jewelry: Eclectica Emerald by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

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

Betty, Betty, Where Are You?

Oh, Betty, Betty, where are you, you mean mother inside all of us mothers, you dissatisfied wife in all us wives, you pretty thing who thought all you needed to do was look good and get knocked up to be happy? When did all your hopes and dreams turn into lumps of black rock in your stone cold heart? Will you ever find fulfillment, our Nordic goddess?

Betty is actually one of my favorite characters in Mad Men because she is the enigma, the most complex, I think. She’s no dummy—we know she can speak fluent Italian and read quite a bit.  She has a much better education than Don, who learned from the school of hard knocks. While Don has his existential crisis, Betty’s own personal crisis is in being stuck as who she is. Who can blame her for being a bit bitchy?

Today’s Betty is brought to you courtesy of Aree Lilibub, Tiffy Vella, and Bubbles Clawtooth, via Mallory Cowen. Aree has a store full of cute clothes—lots of vintage sun dresses and cute capris and nice little tops done with great detail. And this skin from Mallory Cowen is ideal for blondes, especially our Betty, who was once a fur coat model when Don met her. Glowing beautiful skin, pretty make-up—perfect for a former model.

Our shoes are a little more contemporary but nonetheless perfect for a woman who wants to show off her legs. Gospel Voom has made this set versatile, with color changing scripts in the laces, ribbon, seam and toe material. The number of combinations seems endless. And the photosourced woven sole is a great touch.

“I was an anthropology major. Imagine that.” ~ Betty Draper (Season 3, Episode 7: “Seven Twenty Three”)

Hair: CBC: Mrs.Mittens – Bombshell Blonde by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth

Skin: LAQ ~ Pearl – 09 [Peach] Glow skin (blonde hairbase) by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

Dress: ::P:: Bus Stop Sundress, Purple by Aree Lulibub for .:Petunia

Earrings and Bracelet: Eclectica Jazz Purple Paisley Set by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica

Shoes: [Gos] Espadrilles Model by Gospel Voom for [ Gos ]

Holly Hobbie

I know not every girl grows up wanting to wear a long dress or look like a princess. I certainly was never the princess type, but I do remember quite clearly wanting badly to wear a long dress when I was 8 and the American Centennial was being celebrated. We were bombarded by images of Revolutionary-era men and women, and I thought it so romantic and heroic to wear a long dress. (On top of it, there was the whole Holly Hobbie fad with her homespun clothes and bonnets going on as well.) I finally convinced my mother to let me go to school for our Centennial celebrations, wearing a pretty nightgown that my aunt had sent me, so I could live out my dream.

Ravenlynn Templar is having a sale on gowns til Saturday so I ran over to sate my holly hobbie need. I don’t wear gowns like this often but sometimes it’s just wonderful to dress up and be pretty, and Ravenlynn has the corner on pretty. This gown, with its lovely floral motif and satiny textures, brings back memories of my long gown fantasies. And really, isn’t that what flexi prims were made for—pretty long gowns?

I am wearing an intricate set of jewelry fashioned by Tiffy Vella. I have zoomed in to the ring on this photo and the size and perfection of these gems makes my eyes pop considering how tiny they are and how perfectly Tiffy has placed each piece. Check out the necklace in the next photo!

A romantic vision requires a romantic hair and skin, and this hair from Onyx LeShelle is ideal with its loose tendrils and lovely styling. Tuli Asturias’ fresh and gently made-up Jade skin is perfect.

The prettiest girls wear long gowns ;)

Hair: Maitreya Bo – Ash Blond by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Jade (tone 3/li) :: 01a by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Dress: Enchanted-(Lvs&Co)Princess of Spring(pnk) by Ravenlynn Templar for LVS&Co

Jewelry: Eclectica Vintage Rose by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Easy

It’s only love
It’s only love
You know how it feels
Feeling is easy
I know

~ Easy by Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale, sung by Norah Jones

We’re deep in the middle of summer when things just need to be cool and easy—a tank top, a short skirt, wedge sandals. The tank top is from Dick Wiesel, who knows about making it easy, with this rich green color and great rendering of wrinkles and lace. The short skirt is a Japanese sim find with two tiers of skirt (and two more to switch out to change the look) from kinbo Akina.

Finally the wedge sandals with the pretty toes from JB Gazov, one of his newest offerings. I get the fat pack immediately—denial about my need for every color is fruitless. These shoes are available at the Shoe Fair, which opens today noon slt and goes til Sunday, August 22. I got a tour of the four sims, which are cuter’n heck (designed and build by Delora Starbrook all by her own self and amazingly done), and there are a wide variety of shoe makers offering some tasty pieces. It’s a budget breaker, but worth it as proceeds benefit Soles4Souls.

Finally this lovely summery skin from Lorac Farella, who has just reopened the Pulse store, remodeled and revitalized. Look at the glow on these lips, the soft vulnerable lips, the smokey and sensual eyes. And this beautiful jewelry set from Tiffy Vella, who is herself in the deep dark of winter on the other side of the earth and happily assembling pretty tiny prims while she waits for her own summer.

I’ve been shown
The other side
And now I see the way
Things are

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

Skin: Pulse Skin Dance With Me-M2 by Lorac Farella for Pulse *

Top: :. WoE .: Madison Lace Cami (Mustard) by Dick Wiesel for :. WoE .: *

Skirt: oyakin*fril-miniskirt(used*flower) by kinbo Akina for oyakin

Jewelry: Eclectica Nouveau Rose-moccha set by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Shoes: J’s Real Toe Wrap Front Sandals—Olive Green by JB Gazov for J’s, and available at this year’s Shoe Fair

21st Century Flapper

In the 1920s, flappers were young women who dressed in a certain style (typically a bob, a thin columnar dress reminisced of Greek fashion, ruby red bow lips and the high heels with the chunky soles that were the fashion of the time). They were a new sort of woman—more liberated than their sisters, more apt to having a good time and flaunting their new sexual powers. It was a sign of the times.

I’m dressed in a sweet little dress that doesn’t quite fit the flapper image. (I see it being a little more 50s-influenced than 20s.) That doesn’t mean a flapper in the 21st century—a postmodern flapper—couldn’t wear it. Made by Jill Lemon, this cute ensemble comes complete with lacy skirt and tights, cuffed three-quarter length sleeves, and cute bowed gloves.

The skin is another from the Julie series by Mallory Cowen. I’m having a hard time taking them off with their sweet full bowed lips and glowing skin. I wear a cloche hat over a modified bob from Bubbles Clawtooth. The bob, a haircut originated from “bobbing” a young woman’s low-tied ponytail so the back hair was in an even line with the front, gets a reworking into a longer style here.Tiffy Vella’s vintage beads mix in well with the outfit.

Finally we have a pair of “Victorian” ankle boots from Elven Dreamscape. With the close attention to the stitching and laces, the boots are a piece of virtual art.

The bee’s knees:

Hair: Clawtooth: Roaring 20′s (Long) – Sunset by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth

Skin: LAQ ~ Julie – 05 [Peach] Glow skin by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki *

Dress: *+*JILL*+*LCD by Jill Lemon for *+*JILL*+*

Necklace: Eclectica_Jazz_celadon_long beads by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Boots: Juicy Victorian Ankle Boot – Squid Ink by Elven Dreamscape for Juicy *