Debutante

What if SL had debs?

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Mr. and Mrs. Rocco28 Rau

are pleased to announce the debut of their “daughter,”

Miss Glitterprincess Saiman.

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Miss Saiman, late of the ~* Shanel Modeling Agency *~ and former exotic dancer for the Milky Way Club, enjoyed her coming out at Cherry’s Shemale Sugar Shack. Wearing a full-length satin gown from Agnes Finney, the latest in formal couture, Miss Saiman was the belle of the ball. In a full-skirted champagne gown with a ruffled confection at the waist and decolletage, Miss Saiman was corseted in beautiful black lace.

Her headpiece, an etherial construction of roses and butterflies, was also created by the talented Agnes Finney.

Wearing skin by the talented Marisa Feila, Miss Saiman can embrace her full feminine form with beautiful makeup and lovely body details. Miss Saiman opted to wear the brown eyebrows because, though she has a very light blonde ponytail from Elikapeka Tiramisu, the curtains don’t match the drapes and the eyebrows are more true to her real coloring.

Make your dreams come true….

Hair: [e] Novel – Blonde 02 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Skin: [MyDear]Chole Skin– Tan #1 with [MyDear] Brown Eyebrows-Tan Skin by Marisa Feila for MyDear Skin *

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

Dress: Ariel Champagne by Agnes Finney for My Precious *

Headpiece: Ariel Headpiece Champagne by Agnes Finney for My Precious *

Cassandra

Cassandra is the evening hostess at the Cosmopolitan Club. She has a winning personality and easy style that welcomes patrons to the mostly African-American jazz club in her town. She loves jazz—its sound, its history, its resonance deep in her bones—so this job is just perfect for her. The women visiting the club love Cassandra for her sweet but non-committal friendliness (she doesn’t flirt with their men); the men call her “Baby” with affection and tip her well, knowing she is the club’s “little intellectual,” or so her boss says.

Her momma raised her to go to college, and so Cassandra did, choosing a most unmarketable degree–Literature. Cassandra focused specifically on women’s literature, loving the books of Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and even Angela Davis. She would have liked to continue her schooling, filling her head with literature and history, writing herself, but she couldn’t afford it.

The job market, being what it was when she got out of college, led her from being a phone customer service rep for a multinational to filing and secretarial in an insurance office to this job. She works at “the Cosmo,” as they call it, to support her baby girl, Gwendolyn, during the hours when her boyfriend, Diante, is not working as a mechanic at Briggs’ Ford. (“We’ll get married when we can afford to have a reception with a live DJ and a sit-down dinner with everyone,” she tells her mother.) She also works to collect her favorite books. Her prized possession is a first edition of Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.”

That being said, Cassandra realizes the importance of dressing for success, but success in her line means treading the fine line between underdressed and outshining her patrons. Therefore she tends to wear something sedate (for club wear), not revealing too much but not looking prudish. This outfit from Sascha Frangilli was perfect for a night of jazz standards and blues. With the velvet top and bolero and imprinted velvet skinny pants, it is dressy but not ostentatious.

Her skin is a gift offered by Agony Helse at her new store, Akeruka. The skin is sensuous and the makeup glittering. I am not sure Agony intended this to look African-American, but it seemed to fit with its full and beautiful lips and blue shadow, which sets so nicely against brown eyes (these from Ikon Innovia). Cassandra’s hair is one of Elikapeka Tiramisu’s offerings at the Hair Fair this year, a lovely long bob with bangs pushed to the side. This is what I like about Elika’s hair: it’s never outrageous, always fashionable and wearable. Her textures are, of course, amazing.

Shoes are from Oct Oakleaf’s new line of PLATFORMAs. With their beautiful sheen and ingenious blending, they are an ideal end point to this glamorous club hostess outfit.

“I found God in myself
and I loved her
I loved her fiercely.”
~ Ntozake Shange

Hair: [e] Pretend – Brown 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira], available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: Akeruka Opening Group Gift Meg Skin by Agony Helse for Akeruka

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

Outfit: SAS – Chocolate Blue by Sascha Frangillia for Sascha’s Designs *

Earrings: fulo silver stud earring by Dita Tran for fulo *

Bracelets: fri. – Loop Bangles (Silver) by Viva Monday for fri.day

Shoes: + ADDiCTIA + PLATFORMA Wedge Sandals – Platinum Silver by Oct Oakleaf for + ADDiCTIA + *

Grayness

That ambiguous centerpoint
between black and white:
shadow and concrete,
pencil marks, storm-
laden skies, burnished
silver, doves’ feathers.

And thus begins a poem written for a dear friend. The poem is all about gray, be it pewter or heather or dove or oyster, pearly or pepper, silver or smoky. This ensemble is an homage to gray. I start with a beautifully drawn tank and skirt from Elie Spot (which I bought at separate times but which went together wonderfully). I love how the sculpty skirt still seems to have movement and lightness, and this is due to the well done shadows in the skirt itself and the clever engineering of the skirt.

I top it all with this awesome new style from Elikapeka Tiramisu, which she debuted for 50L Friday. I think women all over SL are popping that on their head and saying, “Dang, I look great!” Face framing, versatile, I anticipate it will become a classic SL style. My skin is a pale one from Alexandra Barcelos, who has heretofore always dropped tan skins on her fans. I think it came out nicely.

“Her laughter was a shiny thing, like pewter flung high in the air.” ~ Pat Conroy

Hair: [e] Again – White 05 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Skin: Ana . Milky . Sea by Alexandra Barcelos for Filthy Skins *

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

Top: {mon tissu} Joli Beaded Tunic ~ Light Gray by Elie Spot for {mon tissu}

Skirt: {mon tissu} Scattered Birds Skirt  ~ Gray by Elie Spot for {mon tissu}

Necklace: Florina necklace – silver by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things)

Bangles: Florina bangles and Ruma bangles by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things)

Shoes: AOHARU_WALK_SuedeLaceupSandal_White by machang Pichot for AOHARU

A Heartbreaking Blog of Staggering Genius

“She needs a new journal. The one she has is problematic. To get to the present, she needs to page through the past, and when she does, she remembers things, and her new journal entries become, for the most part, reactions to the days she regrets, wants to correct, rewrite.” ~ Dave Eggers

Since I was talking about crushes a few days ago, I have to bring up Dave Eggers, who I admire greatly. He wrote the book for my generation in the US—A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius when he was a young man—a sort of diary but so much more. After that, rather than self-indulgent Generation Y writing, he chose to reach out to the bigger world in his novels and his work. Now he leads 826 National, a non profit writing and tutoring center for kids in San Francisco. I could go on and on about how inspiring this man is. And his writing is damn good too ;)

Apropos of nothing about Dave Eggers, I show a pretty summery look. Well actually this is the kind of girl I think would like Dave—a beautiful sophisticated but not pretentious lady in a simple summer dress from AvaGardner Kungler and little shoes from Elikapeka Tiramisu.

A pretty summer skin from Gala Phoenix with bold flowery colors to match the colors of the dress and my namesake hair from Queue Marlowe, and it’s a pretty look for a fangirl for a pretty awesome person.

“Still though, I think if you’re not self-obsessed, you’re probably boring.” ~ Dave Eggers

Hair: harper mahogany by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Light] Chic-Flair 2 with :GP: Chic-Dark Brows (Tintable) by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Dress: (Kunglers) TDRB #26 – Summer Dress by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers

Necklace: NHA! Necklace Samy by kyrha Bouscario for NHA!

Shoes: [e] Flair Flats – Watermelon (SoM Gift) by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Sofa prop: [Starstruck] Langar Sofa Green Sequin RARE by Cyclic Gearz for Starstruck

Dreaming of a Mojito

One of my favorite drinks is the mojito. I really got hooked on them when I went to Tampa for SLCC and sat at the bar with Lauren Weyland and Eshi Otawara and several others, enjoy the great drinks. Yum!

So this beautifully done dress from Tammany Goodliffe makes me think of a fruity refreshing mojito (though it’s less lime than orange). With its great tropical print and excellent construction (that’s a sculpty skirt there but you would hardly even think about it the way it is fitted to the avatar and the way it moves), it’s an antidote to “spring-is-too-damn-long-coming.” Tammany’s work is perfection from top to bottom.

I wore it to match the ethereal skin Gala Phoenix has recently released—May. Gala has combined photoreal features with artistically rendered elements to create a more mature, more refined skin for her customers. The lips are absolutely luscious this time—not overdone or oversized and her eyebrows are perfection.

I wear the set with one of AvaGardner Kungler’s beautiful jewelry sets. Ava makes jewelry go beyond the representative to the artistic in SL. I can really imagine these beads as an intricate couture piece for both the necklace and ring. This is part of a series she is completing based on nature; the next series will be about the ocean. I can’t wait!

Finally, my shoes are a warm weather showstopper from Sissy Pessoa. Available at the Shoe Fair, they have all the earmarks of a chic summertime shoe—straps lacing up the foot, a sexy, more casual wedge, and golden python, which seems to be Sissy’s specialty. These would be perfect at a club or bar ocean side, where mojitos can be leisurely sipped.

“When life gives you limes, make a mojito!”

Hair: [e] Follow – Blonde 07 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Skin: :GP: Petal [Light] May-Blackbird 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Dress: salt. calypson batik by Tammany Goodliffe for salt.

Necklace and Ring: (Kunglers Extra) Aroeira – necklace golden and ring – golden by Avagardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra *

Shoes:Baiastice_Maxine wedge-gold pyton by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Learned

It’s not enough to set the turn
With nothing ventured nothing learned
It’s how it’s always been

~ “The Next Time Around” by Little Joy

Try something new and you might learn something. I found these cute skirt/pants out on my wanderings. Made by yoriminaty Beresford (a distant cousin, clearly), this unusual piece with its handpainted motif and muddy color is hippy chic. Kaneyan Nicholls supplies the light and pretty top with the laced collar.

My skin is a fresh offering from Kaethe Dyrssen, who is dipping into skin creation after being established as a shape maker. I juiced up the lips with a new lip gloss from Mocksoup Graves. Mocksoup’s glosses and eyeshadows dominate my makeup kit because they fit so many skins and are translucent, so the original skin’s lip shape can still show through. For all we gripe about LL, surely the tattoo layers are a great feature. Finally my wispy and romantic hair is a new offering from Mirja Mills. This blonde is really fantastic.

I’ll belong to you, it’s how it’s meant to be

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * LARA * /blonde by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: *L*Luna – Peach -Pure LBFR by Kaethe Dyrssen for Leafy

Makeup: [mock] Mizu LipGloss [Dark Pink] [Pia] by Mocksoup Graves for M.O.C.K Cosmetics *

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

Top: Cotton tunic <Chocolate> short sleeve by kaneyan Nicholls for MNK*SHOP

Pants: (yorim’s F)otogi_skirt (long) by yoriminaty Beresford for =YORIM’S FACTORY=

Bracelet: MIEL AHI BRACELET – right hand by Mika Nieuport for The Hive

Shoes: [e] Millside Flats – Desert by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

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.

Possibly Maybe

Your flirt finds me out
Teases the crack in me
Smittens me with hope

Possibly maybe possibly maybe
possibly maybe

~ “Possibly Maybe” by Bjork

I am a sucker for Bjork—I admit it. This song reminds me of the first moments you meet someone you really like. It doesn’t even have to be romantic love; it could be the promise of a wonderful lifelong friendship. Maybe this new person will change your life.

Well if someone new meets me, I want to look good, and this beautiful dress from maizon Rayna is certainly the ticket. Maizon is a RL fashion designer from Italy—she knows what goes into making a piece and knows the elements of style from very personal experience. It’s abundantly clear in her use of laces and prints—something a lot of designers can’t or won’t do. Once you get to print, you have to worry about propotions, seams, etc, and maizon executes perfectly. From the lace bolero with cap sleeves to the ruffled bow at the waist, maizon hits on every detail with perfect pitch.

The Skin and Shape Expo is on now (yes another one, but these skin and shape makers want to show you stuff!). This skin is a new offering from Inka Mexicola at the Expo. It has an intense boldness that works well with this dress. Inka realizes a bold eye needs a subtler lipstick, and this pink is ideal. The features are fine but not generic and the skin tone is lovely. Ryker Beck offers this gorgeous necklace and earring set as a ridiculously generous gift at her booth at the Skin and Shape Expo.

Electric shocks?
I love them!
With you –> dozen a day
But after a while I wonder
Where’s that love you promised me?
Where is it?

Possibly maybe probably love, possibly
Possibly maybe probably love, possibly

Hair: >TRUTH< Edie – crow by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: ~Essences ~Nadia with :: Essences :: Hairbase – Black by Inka Mexicola for :: ESSENCES ::, available at the Skin and Shape Expo 2011 *

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

Dress: BRIDGET by maizon Rayna for Terra d’ombrA *

Jewelry: :: Exodi :: Dael Necklace and Earrings by Ryker Beck for :: Exodi ::, a generous gift available at the Skin and Shape Expo 2011 *

Shoes: [e] Move Pumps – Near Black by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations *

Want to know more about the Skin and Shape Expo and score some demo skins without having to fight the lag? Join the Skin Addiction group in-world and get info from the designers.

Blue Monday

It’s a blue Monday only in color—not in feelings.

It’s truly a delightful Monday. Miko Omegamu has just come out with another dress, and as always, it’s the picture of elegance and sophistication. One of the best pieces any woman can have in her wardrobe is a wrap dress and Miko makes this to perfection with a silk charmeuse fabric, elegantly tailored. I decided to dress it up with pearls from Mouse Mimistrobell and matching slingbacks from Pixieplumb Flanagan. A little clutch from Indyra Seigo adds a little pop.

Finally I wear an elegant twist from Elikapeka Tiramisu (this outfit is all about twists and wraps if you didn’t notice) and Mocksoup Graves adds a perfect tint with her lip stain on a beautiful birthday gift Rhapzody Wilde offered at her store celebration.

I petition that we call it silk Monday and wear silk.

Hair: [e] Breathe-Blonde 02 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira

Skin: BDay Gift~Mynerva~Adele Bcup by Rhapzody Wilde for Mynerva

Makeup: M.O.C.K Cosmetics Cherry Cordial Lip Creme(Lipcolor only) by Mocksoup Graves for M.O.C.K Cosmetics

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

Dress: *ICING* Joan – Blue by Miko Omegamu for *ICING* *

Necklace: Dark Mouse 50′s Strand Pearl Necklace – White by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse *

Earrings: Dark Mouse 50′s Pearl Stud Clip – White by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse *

Bracelet: Armidi Gisaci – Triple Pearl Bracelet (L) – Classy by London Armidi for Armidi

Clutch: Indy&Co.: Snakeskin Clutch-Honeysuckle by Indyra Seigo for Indyra Originals

Shoes: BM Mia Pumps – Blues & Greens by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey *

Purple Perfection

Purple is the color of royalty. That’s what makes it classy and remarkable. I put together these great separates to make a purple outfit for a lady of sophistication.

First start with this top from Carrie Snowpaw. Carrie has ingeniously made a blouse with a blouse-on sculpty prim addition that makes the blouse look like it’s blousing out at the bust while tight around the waist. She also made some pretty prim buttons and I love the frilled cuffs. My skirt is a versatile piece from Chrystina Noel. With its sculpty skirt and cute tweed texture, it’s a great skirt for many outfits.

I have a pretty skin with purple makeup from Alexandra Barcelos and I couldn’t resist wearing eggplant eyes from Ikon Innovia. My earrings were a special pair Abraxxa Anatine made for RFL. And check out the pumps from Pixieplumb Flanagan—inexpensive and chic!

When I am a young woman I will wear purple too ;)

Hair: [e] Rhythm – Brown 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikapeka

Skin: :F: Kiona .  CB . Spc by Alexandra Barcelos for Filthy Skins *

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

Top: Pia Blouse – mulberry by Carrie Snowpaw for Snowpaws*

Skirt: ** [ Riddle ] ** Wool Skirt – Purple by Chrystina Noel for [ Riddle ]

Earrings: EarthStones Karuka Earring – Silver/Amethyst by Abraxxa Anatine for EarthStones

Shoes: BM Audrey Pumps – Pinks & Purples by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey *

P.S. My friend, Teshan, has started a new feed called “Style Academy.” Check it out ;)