Make New Friends…

 

So this is what happens when some upstart blogger IMs you and gets all sweet and nice and funny. She lets you steal witty things from her profile. She dishes with you about her partner. Then, she sneaks up and asks to take your photo because of a blogger challenge. She asks you to look like yourself (whatever that is anymore, I am not sure). And then she takes your photo and you look like a billion bucks (see below).

Rainey Manx, authoress of No Rainey Days, IM’d me and flattered me with her request to take my photo to answer Harlow Heslop’s question about what blogger inspires her. I was thrilled because Rainey’s work is incredible—she puts beauty into every piece she does (and I am incredibly envious because my PS and art skills stink). I was putty in her hands.

Did we intend to dress to match? Nope. But that’s how similar we are in aesthetic–it all seemed to work. I can only talk about what I threw on; Rainey’s babeitude speaks for itself (and she has more at her blog). I started with a minidress and scarf from Trill Zapatero, who tempted me with several things at her store. I love the funky look of her things, their casual sexy hippy dippy coolness. All proceeds from sales at her store go to help Afghan women, so it appeals to my charitable side as well.

My hair is my namesake from my someday partner Queue Marlowe (whenever Callie dumps me). Queue made the hair and then I sent a photo of RL Harper and we agreed—it matches. My skin, like Rainey’s, comes from Nena Janus’ beautiful mind.

Most importantly, our eyes come from a man we both hold dear to our heart—Ikon Innovia. I would like to think I am the reason they are together but I am guessing it’s more because of his devastating charm and her incredible wit and spirit. It seems Ikon lucked out. So did I in making a new friend :)

… but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.

On Rainey:

Hair: Magika – Luna Roots Edition by Sabina Gully for Magika

Skin: League – Sia by Nena Janus for *League* *

Eyes: Fashism – Custom by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Sweater & Tank Top: Sn@tch – Church Sweater & Butch Tank Sheer by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch

Jeans: L.inc – Tyra Jeans by CK Winx for Luck Inc *

Belt: Coco – Calf Leather by cocoro Lemon for *COCO*

Necklace: Dark Mouse -  I’ve Lost My Way by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse*

Bracelet: Sigma – Siren by Sofi Trenkins for ~SIGMA~Jewels

Pose: !Bang – Promises by Triest Minuet for Bang Poses

 

On Harper:

Hair: AD – harper brown sugar by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: *League* Amber Br Sunkiss -Smoky- by Nena Janus for *League* *

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

Top: BoHo HoBo minidress (tealquarks) by Trill Zapatero for BoHo Hobo

Jeans: Maitreya Skinny Jeans by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Scarf: BoHo HoBo skinny scarf (blue) by Trill Zapatero for BoHo Hobo

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

Boots: BAX Prestige Boots Blue Suede by Bax Coen for Bax Coen Designs *

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 *

Boring

Saturday Night
We look alright
We’re going out
Boring.

Paris, France
Londontown
NYC
Boring.
Nothing thrills us
Anymore
No one kills us
Anymore
Life is such a chore
When it’s….
Boring

I really hate when people jump into group chat and say, “I’m bo-ored,” don’t you? How can you possibly be bored in SL? If you are, log off. Yet the coolness of bored seems to pervade some venues. I don’t get bored, especially when you can change your look every day.

Today I have put on an assortment of pieces to equal the girl in black. First a new top from Nyte Caligari, who continues to put quality content into SL after all these years, never stopping, always improving. I love the asymmetrical nature of this top. Then we have this spangled skirt from Ivey Deschanel (who rocks the glitter in her textures). I pulled on opera gloves from Anemysk Karu for a touch of glamour and hooked in earrings from Linka Demina for a bit of fabulousness.

Today I have put together an assortment of pieces to equal the girl in black. First a new top from Nyte Caligari, who continues to put quality content into SL after all these years, never stopping, always improving. I love the asymmetrical nature of this top. Then we have this spangled skirt from Ivey Deschanel (who rocks the glitter in her textures). I pulled on opera gloves from Anemysk Karu for a touch of glamour and hooked in earrings from Linka Demina for a bit of fabulousness.

Then I pulled on these cyberfantastic boots from ono Zinner. The brilliant thing about this set are the animations in the soles and running up the backs of the zippers, and the great HUD for changing the colors of the details to whatever you like. The texture of the boots can be changed to four different styles (I am wearing black carbon here), and there are 10 available animations for the soles. How can you be bored when you can find fantasy boots like these?

Nothing thrills us
Anymore
No one kills us
Anymore
Life is such a chore
When it’s….
Boring
(when it’s boring)
Nothing thrills us
Anymore
No one kills us
Anymore
Life is such a chore
When it’s….
Boring
~ “Boring” by The Pierces

Hair: 99Hair -Kerry v3 –r2 by Emelie Carter for 99 Elephants

Skin: [PXL] Dafne SK Twiggy Makeup MEB by Hart Larsson for [PXL]

Top: Nyte’N'Day – Catawampus Shirt (complete) – Black/Almond by Nyte Caligari for NyteNDay

Skirt: :::Sn@tch Confetti Mini Skirt (Black)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch

Earrings: [ glow ] studio Bitterness Earrings TDRblue by Linka Demina for [glow]

Gloves: [glow] Gloves Duo Tone – Black Satin by Anemysk Karu for [glow]

Boots: [NeurolaB Inc.] Evolution Hi-Boots Black Electro V3 by ono Zinner for [NeurolaB Inc.]

FAQ

Q: A/S/L?
A: Old enough, plenty, and Second Life.

Q: What’s your favorite color?
A: Today it is mustard because I am wearing this awesome outfit from Ivey Deschanel. Ivey never fails to surprise me with her fashion versatility. Just when I think she is a little neko/goth girl designer, she comes out with a sexy elegant outfit like this one with its blousy sleeves and wrap tied shape. I love the little leather shorts with dark tights (rather than a mini for once), the beautiful almost-floral texture on the top, the graceful sleeves and tie. Paired with funky little boots from Violace Huntress (with color change socks and boots), this is an outfit I could live in.

Q: What is your favorite lip gloss flavor?
A: Well today it’s Cranberry Crush, because that’s the flavor on this luscious skin from Gala Phoenix. With my kissable lips, I am guessing it might become your favorite flavor today too ;)

Q: Do you dye your hair?
A: It would seem that way, wouldn’t it? But could any bottle of dye come up with a color as rich and exciting as the one on this new hair from Bubbles Clawtooth? I think not.

Q: Do you look like your avatar?
A: No, but my mind looks like her.

Hair: Clawtooth: Cat Call – Red eye flight by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] Yum-Cranberry Crush BL by Gala Phoenix for Curio

Outfit: Sn@tch Once More With Feeling-Mustard by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch *

Boots: *VioMagic* Skathi Shoes by Violace Huntress for *VioMagic*

Your Brother’s New Girlfriend

Sometimes holidays are full of stress because you will be meeting new people who are significant to people who are significant to you, and you feel obligated to like them. Take for example, when your little brother brings home his new girlfriend, Siobhan. He has spoken so enthusiastically, so lovingly of her, you really want to like her. He says she likes the poetry of Mary Oliver, cardamom in her coffee, obscure tango music she finds on the internet, and crocheting purses. You’re not sure what to expect.

(And of course, your brother has never been known for his taste in women. Remember the French major who nervously chewed her fingernails to the quick and ended up quitting school because she owed so much on parking tickets she couldn’t pay tuition? Or the weightlifting physical therapist who told him to “man up” and told him to drive himself to the emergency room when he had been throwing up for two hours from food poisoning? Or the girl who sold Peruvian hats and sweaters in a head shop and argued with your mom about the difference between sweet potatoes and yams? Clearly the poor girl has a lot to live down.)

She arrives somewhat shy and sweet, bearing a gift for your mom of Belgian chocolates she brought back from a recent trip to Europe. When she says hello to you, you notice her breath does smell sweetly of cardamom, and her blue eyes are captivating. You approve of her pretty velvet dress from Ivey Deschanel. Its lush fabric and textures speak to the season, and she looks very demure—that is until she turns around and you see her dress is cut deeply down the back to show off her tattoo from Jesseaitui Petion. Your boyfriend nudges you as you both watch her walk by and whispers in your ear that he thinks you need a tattoo, for which you swat him. Her pumps made by Pixieplumb Flanagan are pretty and festive with bows in the back. Clearly she dressed up to impress her boyfriend’s family. Minus the low cut back, you wholly approve of her appearance.

She is not overly made up. This is intentional as she wears a skin from Toast Bard, which is usually minimal and very human and girlish despite being hand-drawn. She’s just not that kind of girl, you find out, as you all chat over hors d’oeuvres and find out she majored in Mathematics and currently works for a start-up research company. (Your older brother is impressed.) Her hair from Lamb Bellic, though showing dark roots, is clean and nicely kept with a bobby pin and suits her look. (He once had a girlfriend with dreadlocks—need we say more?) She eats everything on her plate and doesn’t pick around like the Gap manager your brother brought home last Easter who spent way too much time extolling the virtues of  jeans. (“Who doesn’t eat ham on Easter?” your mother complained in the kitchen while you were scraping her dish into the garbage.) She responds thoughtfully to questions, sits with your brother but doesn’t hang on him, patiently looks at the kids’ crayon drawings, and doesn’t bring up politics or religion.

As she leaves that evening with hugs and goodbyes, a plate of leftovers to take home in her hands, you feel a twinge of anxiety. You realize it’s no longer whether she passes your test. The question is, will your family pass muster with her?

Hair: !lamb. The Chills – Powder w/ Black Roots by Lamb Bellic for !lamb.

Skin: (fd) Bird Skin – Dust 1 (Black Brows) by Toast Bard for fashionably dead

Dress: :::Sn@tch Velvet Drape Dress by Ivey Deschanel for :::Sn@tch *

Tattoo: AITUI TATTOO – Angelic Embrace I by Jesseaitui Petion for AITUI

Shoes: BM Mia Pumps – Blacks & Reds by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey *

The Puritan Ethic

Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. ~ Theodore Isaac Rubin

You expected to see me in some pilgrim costume with that title? Nah! (Nor will I be doing an exegesis on Max Weber, my dear academic friends.)  The Puritan ethic comes down to working hard and having high expectations of oneself and others and high optimism for the results of that hard work. That’s why a business outfit like this is perfect for the holder of that ethic. Ivey Deschanel—her place is so dark, some of her clothes are so funky but really, she is good example of that ethic. She cranks out the goodness day after day, while improving her work and making her customers happy.

This cardigan and skirt (from two different sets from Ivey) are an example of how Ivey breaks out of the dark neko aesthetic I somehow always expect (I think is the decor of her store or something…) and comes up with elegant, well-designed and appealing fashion. I love the below-the-knee plaid skirt, the great argyle, well-shaded in the right areas, and the overall silhouette and simplicity. Ivey never over-relies on embellishments and instead rocks the system pieces til they sing.

Another rocking creator is Truth Hawks. A discussion tonight allowed me to remind people that Truth is keeps a constant flow of content, and that is what keeps people coming back and again and again. It’s not about marketing, about flash and dazzle and image. It’s about making quality content on a consistent basis. (Though I would personally argue that the head/face he uses to fit this stuff is too wide—I am always adjusting it slightly for Harper’s long thinner head.) I know he’s Australian (and not American puritan), but he really is a captain of industry in SL.

High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation. ~ Charles Kettering

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

Skin: []::Tuli::[] The Dressing Room :: Helena 02 by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Sweater: :::Sn@tch Fast Forward Sweater (Argyle Red-J)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch *

Skirt: :::Sn@tch Madge Skirt (Black Tweed-S)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch *

Glasses: HOC – Rectangle Framed Glasses #001 by Guu Nishi for HOC

Shoes: p.c; Suede Platform Pump Black by Cici Vonderheide for Paper Couture

Ruby Red

Sometimes it really is only about the dress.

The Crazy Arse Hair Hunt took me to Ivey Deschanel’s store, and of course, something caught my eye (as it always does when I walk in there—you’d think I would learn). This pretty party dress, available in a package with a black and purple version for a mere 250L really got my imagination going. I put it on and suddenly I was climbing in taxis and running from one cocktail party to another in my lovely sculpted frock. Ivey’s store would make you believe she is all dark and tough but really, she is a girl like any of us—one who likes pretty dresses and the delightful horizon of an evening on the town laid out before us.

I paired it up with this pretty skin from Amesha Jewell with it’s deep eyes and pretty lips. I mentioned in a previous blog that a skin she had offered had a seam. She quickly fixed the skin, made a public notice that she would replace the skin to anyone who wanted such a replacement, and kindly replaced mine. I can’t say enough about service and integrity like that. She really is stellar.

Hair is from BlueStarRUI Villota. (You can kind of tell I had a little shopping spree at Love Soul recently because you are seeing a lot from her here. It was a great splurge!)

Paint the town red!

Hair: [ Love Soul ] Hair*023-A*Mocha by BlueStarRUI Villota for [ Love Soul ]

Skin: : HS : Bliss : Sweetness (nc) by Amesha Jewell for Heartsick *

Dress: :::Sn@tch Dancing After::: (red) by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch

Jewelry: Tesselations – Deep Ruby by Random Calliope for Worthwhile *

Shoes: .*Courtisane*. La Sauvage – Red by LeeZu Baxter and Enktan Gully for Courtisane *

Poses from Fanny Willis  for *EverGlow* *

Written while listening to “Flamenco Sketches” by Miles Davis.

I have received several notices today from flopsie McArdle concerning her desire to sell the Iron Fist sim. I don’t think I have gushed enough about how wonderful I think her work is, how amazing the Iron Fist sim is, how much her creativity has brought much joy to my SL and probably many others’. That being said, I don’t think this is about drama–flopsie is simply being proactive and selling a grandfathered full sim when she can still get a good price for it. It’s wise business. I would encourage all of my dear readers to go to Iron Fist one more time before it disappears from the grid. Enjoy flopsie’s tremendous creativity and wonderful sense of humor and abundant love for this medium. (And if you’re so moved, make her an offer….)  Iron Fist is one place in SL where art lives.

Bluebirds Calling

I am going to break two rules in this blog that I normally keep. First, I am going to show the same clothing designer twice in one week. Second, I am going to show content that is not easily obtained because it is “exclusive.” Nevertheless, the content is fully representative of the makers’ quality work–and I look really cute!

Again I am featuring a piece by Ivey Deschanel, this one made for the Stumblebum sale. It is one of a series of Nutcracker dresses she made, but this exclusive one is the only one she offered in a blue and purple paisley combo. The remainder appear to be solid colors, which is a shame, because this texture is fun and imaginative and perfect for the whimsical silhouette of this puff sleeved, girly coat with its light blue tights.

I am wearing one of Tuli’s exclusive skins given to group members. I have shown this one before, but I thought its freshness was the perfect accompaniment to the fanciful patterns of Ivey’s dress.

The dress matches this lovely gift a friend sent over—a hat from a series done by Saraid Dalglish. (And really, this blog is all about the hat.) Saraid’s playful hats cover a variety of themes including a Queen of Hearts hat and a beautiful Monarch butterfly hat that I also own. The hats are transferable, so it’s a very fun way to give a friend who has everything a piece of wearable art.

Note the details on the bluebirds, the nests and feathers and the pretty blue eggs.

The boots are NOT exclusive but might seem so as they are so unique. They are from the beautiful set that Enktan Gully and LeeZu Baxter recently collaborated on. This outfit needed a faux old-fashioned boot—stilettos would ruin the look and flats would be too modern. The new Courtisane boots up the whimsy of the entire ensemble, especially with their fantastic textures and pretty puffy flower.

Tweet, tweet:

Hair: !lamb. Bang Bang – Sunset (sideways bangs) by Lamb Bellic for !lamb

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Bella (fair/br) VIP exclusive (group gift) by Tuli Asturias for Tuli

Dress: :::Sn@tch Nutcracker Limited Edition::: by Ivey Deschanel (Stumblebum exclusive) for Sn@tch

Hat: TMH Blue Bird Hat # 11 in series by Saraid Dalglish for The Mad Hatter

Boots: .*Courtisane*. La Vivien /Blues (not exclusive—fully available!) by LeeZu Baxter and Enktan Gully for Courtisane *

Rock n Roll

I am finally out of this winter thing. Actually what pushed me out of it was a visit to a store.

The neon busy graphics, bold name, and sort of grunge kitty “feel” of Ivey Deschanel’s store always made me think perhaps it wasn’t a place for me. I  just don’t do that sort of grunge neko thing very well. However, I went in the other day and found that Ivey does a little more than sassy kitty clothing, and I liked what I saw.

This outfit from Ivey is glam and sexy and elegant all at once. The elaborate textures in the pants, as if burnt into a velvet, accentuate my long legs and curves with the sculpties that bottom out the legs in a flare. The jacket has a great bolero cut with a tied front—very modern and urban. But the sleeves, made of sculpties, have that decadent featheriness (without the cliched PS fur that everyone else uses) that makes this outfit truly glam. The rich depth of the top with its hand-drawn wrinkles and sexy low-cut back (shown here without the jacket) create a slinky and sensuous camisole. The look is complete and whole and ideal. Ivey’s system piece work is clean and well-done with great seams and edges. Her textures in this outfit are delicious.

Sachi Vixen has long been making skins, but her Portia line is a recent addition that once again displays her fine talents as an artist. I especially like the eye makeup on this skin with its subtle rainbow hues, entirely appropriate for an elegant glam girl—not over the top but pushing the edge. And her sexy décolletage is not over the top. I just don’t need to look like I am “enhanced.”

‘Never Say Never”:

Hair: * 0 Style *Angie *(Raven)_M by Rei Gully for Zero Style

Skin: Adam n Eve Skin – Portia – Tone 2 Dark – Rouge by Sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve

Outfit: :::Sn@tch Rocker (Clothing Layers Only)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch

Boots: ~*ZHAO*~ “ASTA” Vendor (BLACK LEATHER) Silver by Melanie Zhao for Zhao Shoes