Copenhagen

But you, you have disappeared
You have been released
You are flecks of light–you are missed
Somewhere, spinning round the sun
Circling the moon
Traveling through time
You are missed

~ “Copenhagen,” by Lucinda Williams

Two people I know in SL have lost parents recently in the past couple days—both losses sudden and unexpected. One of these people was a dear friend of mine and his father lived a full life to raise two good sons and enjoy 58 years of marriage (and a brownie sundae when they went out to dinner to celebrate their anniversary the weekend before). The other person I don’t know as well but she is a great creator in SL, and I am sure her mother was a lovely person because she certainly is. This poignant song from Lucinda Williams has a beautiful message for a lost loved one which I hope will bring comfort to both of them.

It’s a rather clumsy transition to go into talking about a mere virtual dress after such weighty subjects, but this is a fashion blog after all. I start with Mami Jewell’s beautiful gown recently released, the gown created for Miss Brazil in Miss Virtual World. It has all the hallmarks of Mami’s incredible styling—great textures, glittering touches (but never over the top), lush coloring and an incredible silhouette. From the cap sleeves to the full skirt, it’s sexy and elegant.

I chose to wear with one of Queue Marlowe’s new hair releases under her brand, .b. Her blondes are to die for—not at all “yellow” and full of depth and shine. I love how Queue does waves and curls in her hair—no one’s hair is uniformly one curl and she shows that perfectly in this style.

My skin is from a creator I tripped across—Marisa Felia. I rather like her work with its elegant face and very subtle sprinkling of freckles and gentle blush. I hope to be showing more.

My necklace, from Kesseret Steeplechase, says it all—love—and is perhaps a message to one cherished and remembered rather than a simply a lover.

Somewhere, spinning round the sun
Circling the moon
Traveling through time
You are missed

Hair: .b – quiver raw honey by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: [MyDear]Natalie Skin– Pale #5(Cleavage) by Marisa Felia for MyDear Skin *

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

Dress: -AZUL- J.e./Jade (MMV2011finalist/MissBrazil) by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Necklace: =^^= MIAO Gidge Sweetheart Necklace by Kesseret Steeplechase for Miao

My heart reaches across several oceans for you and your family, Michael.

Katniss

I have been reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins this week, as recommended to me by my pal, Bram Ellison. Set in the post apocalyptic world of the North America, a country called Panem, our heroine, Katniss, is a participant and survivor, with her District 12 associate, Peeta, of the Hunger Games, a televised survival game between children chosen from each of the 12 districts of Panem to fight to the death to prove that even children are not beyond the reach of the Capital, the existing power. Pressured by President Snow after a seeming act of defiance in surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss is coerced into pretending to love Peeta. This ensemble and reading the book inspired me to create a narrative from Katniss’ perspective. She is being dressed for the night before her wedding to Peeta; the intent is to bring romance to the Hunger Games for the television audience.

Effie wakes me from a nightmare-filled nap that afternoon. “Rise and shine!” she chirps cheerily. “Tonight Caesar Flickerman will be interviewing you and Peeta, and then they will be filming you in a romantic dance. You have to look your most alluring for Peeta.”

After Flavius, Venia and Octavius have done their usual magic of converting me from Seam denizen to glamorous victor (always an arduous task for all of us despite their careless gossip and chatter), Cinna eases my dress over my head. Blooming a deep burgundy into a glittering purple hem, the dress swooshes around me almost airlessly despite the heaviness and richness of the fabric. The bodice leaves my shoulders exposed above a blossom of fabric, and Cinna dusts them with a subtle glitter. “This deep purple is the color of royalty but also of passion,” he explains to me. “It represents your love for Peeta. He should not be able to resist nor will the audience.”

He smiles at me as he pushes feathers into my updo, dotting my hair with diamonds. “These feathers represent a bird in flight, Katniss.” I know he means the mockingjay, and I realize then that Cinna fully supports our dissent as well and that this is his very subtle message. I feel a renewed conviction about what we are about to do.

Cinna dabs his fingers into a jar of dark makeup. “I am going to do a different sort of look tonight,” he explains, as he applies the makeup in streaks around my eyes, covering the black eye Haymitch accidentally gave me in training. “We will say it’s a romantic mask.” I look in the mirror and what I see in the makeup are tears, the tears I want to shed for the other victors, who will die, the tears I want to shed for Gale and Prim and my mother, but mostly the tears I want to shed for Peeta and myself. He presses the mockingjay pin into my hand and I curl my fingers around it.

I put on a brave smile and walk through the tunnels to the arena.

“The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol’s plans. The symbol of the rebellion.” ~ Katniss in “Catching Fire,” the second book in “The Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins

Hair: Miamai_Lenoira_Black with Miamai_Lena Hairbase_Black (which includes the eye makeup seen) by Monica Outlander for Miamai, available at Hair Fair 2011 *

Skin: *YS & YS* Linda – June TDR by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS*

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

Dress: -AZUL- Yolanda/Lavender (MMV2011finalist/MissVenezuela) by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Earrings: {H} Caged Pearl Earring – Silver by Reghan Straaf for Hatpins *

From Blossoms

O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach.

~ From “From Blossoms” by Li-Young Lee

A favorite poem of mine is from Li-Young Lee, about eating warm summer peaches at a roadstand. The simple enjoyment of sunshine and life is so abundant in this poem I love to read it out loud just to roll the sweetness on my own tongue. (Please, click the link and read it in full yourself.) This glorious dress from Mami Jewell reminded me of the poem with its beautiful simplicity and elegant lines. Lace and an undertint of a peach color is all that’s needed to bring life to this gorgeous gown.

My glowing skin is a new one from Brendon Papp. With its luscious tone, soft dusting of freckles, elegant eyebrows and simple loveliness, it’s a welcome blank palette for makeups. I chose a sophisticated eyeliner from Kianna Noel and matched a slightly messy updo from Thora Charron. Twinkling earrings from Belle Roussel dress the look up a bit (check out the very slight bit of bling). This is a sweet young peach who has had to work a little to make herself seem more sophisticated.

There are days we live
as if death were nowhere
in the background; from joy
to joy to joy, from wing to wing,
from blossom to blossom to
impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

Hair: [LeLutka]-JULIET 2.0 hair – IrishRed by Thora Charron for [LeLutka]

Skin: !Imabee: Stigma – Olivia – Base Skin / REDbrow / by Brendon Papp for Imabee

Makeup: -[AddiCt]-Aki Eyeshadow/liner-Rust by Kianna Noel for -[AddiCt]-

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

Dress: -AZUL- Dailey/Coral (MMV2011finalist/Miss Bolivia) by Mami Jewell for -AZUL- *

Earrings: Ajisai Earrings Wht by Belle Roussel for Chop Zuey

Leather Cinderella

Once upon a time in a homestead sim far far away (probably Zindra), in a stately sculpty chateau lived a widowed gentleman and his lovely daughter, Cinderella. While he loved his daughter, he was concerned for her well-being—he thought she needed a mother to teach her how to tweak her shape and position her eyelashes. So he partnered a woman, HotMama51 Paine,  who had two daughters—Squeakieee278 Resident and 2Fly4U Afterthought and gave her an allowance for all the girls’ needs. Then he was called away to Open Sim so he left Cinderella with his new partner.

While the mother and her daughters ran around the grid looking for shoes to match their eyes, Cinderella had to resort to camping and hanging out at lucky chairs. (C does not come up often, she found.) Cinderella found herself having to pick up all the packages the sisters and mother opened and left lying around the sim, even in her small 117-prim corner. Through it all she remained ever gentle and kind, for with each dawn (4 times in 24 hours), she found new hope that some day her dream of a happy second life would come true.

One day she rezzed in to see a huge invitation with particles flying out of it in the middle of the sim. “Come to the ball—meet Prince Philip. Wear your best bling for a night of dancing and romance.” She clicked the invite and it spewed a notecard with a landmark attached. “The Big Ball, Magical Forest (128, 100, 1001)” it said. The particles were causing sim lag, so Cinderella deleted it.

“Leave that there!” sneered her stepsister, Squeakieee278. “I like how it looks.”

Her other sister, 2Fly4U snorted. “She thinks she can go too. Well, she can’t–she still has newbie eyes!”

For days the sisters flew back and forth from stores and dropped boxes from Marketplace all over the sim, trying on outfit after outfit, dressing up their avatars enough so that Prince Philip would spot them through the haze of gray and lag at the Ball. Hair, shoes, dresses, eyes, skins—all were tried on to the point the asset servers were slowed down for the rest of the grid. Cinderella continued to clean up after them, deleting prim after prim to keep the sim clean.

The evening of the ball, Cinderella settled in to sort the Midnight Mania items in her inventory while the sisters adjusted and primped. When every last prim was in place, the sisters tp’d out (or tried to—their scripted shoes and hair made it hard for them to get anywhere). The sisters finally relogged at the ball sim while Cinderella was left behind alone to delete the remainder of their packages.

Suddenly in a poof a tiny rezzed into the sim. Her name, “FairyGodmother” included the display name “The Real Deal.” A bunny, she was holding a great big wand with particles flying out of it. She waddled up to Cinderella and said, “You’re going to that ball. Sending items.. ready?”

Cinderella nodded, confused but opened her inventory. A folder dropped in and Cinderella donned it. A beautiful dress with an ethereal pink-tinged ballgown rezzed on her body. FairyGodmother fluttered up to cinch the laces on the back of the leather corset a little tighter and fluff the material at the bodice. “Mami Jewell,” the bunny smiled. “Only the best for you dear. And my, leather suits you.”

A wave of the magic wand and poof, a skin appeared in Cinderella’s Body Parts. Cinderella dragged it on and gasped and her new face and body. Her eyeshadow glistened, her lips puckered in a full juicy smile. The bunny grinned (as bunnies do) and said, “esra Noyes—quite exotic, quite sexy.”

The bunny tossed another object at her and Cinderella threw it on. Wild, windblown hair from Mirja Mills. Cinderella felt suddenly glamorous. Another object appeared and upon putting it on, Cinderella discovered it was an exquisitely ornate choker from Abraxxa Anatine.

The bunny squinted. “For goodness sake, you have NEWBIE eyes. Who let you walk around like that?” A pair of eyes popped into inventory and Cinderella double clicked. She went from glassy-eyed stare to soulful and sexy in the time they took to rez thanks to Ikon Innovia.

The bunny dusted off her paws. “My work is done here. You do realize it’s not about getting Prince Charming–it’s about looking good. You know how to teleport–the rest is up to you.” Cinderella restored the landmark from trash, took a deep breath and double clicked. Finding the rest of her fantasy was up to her….

“A dream is a wish your heart makes….”

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * WINDBLOWN* /deepblack by Mirja Mills for EMO-tions *

Skin: DREAM INK-SF-ARIANNA-D-4-HAIRBASE by esra Noyes for Dream Ink

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

Dress: -AZUL- Suzana/Sakura by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Necklace: EarthStones Gothique Choker Locket – Gold/Opal Mosaic (BOX) by Abraxxa Anatine for EarthStones *

Flower of the Mountain

“…I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes. “

~ James Joyce, “Ulysses” (inspiration for Kate Bush)

What do Andalusian girls wear? Roses in their hair, at their waist, beautiful dresses. This dress from Mami Jewell would suit an Andalusian girl just fine with its bold red color and bright blowsy roses. Mami makes a sheer texture like no other in SL—there are no alpha clashes—it’s pure netting and light and airy in the flexi settings. The system pieces are rendered perfectly, as always. Mami is generously donating proceeds from this dress for Japanese relief—to help folks in her own country.

My skin is a new one from Diarmiud Miklos. I was struck by the beautiful rendering of the features and the gorgeous collarbone. (These things matter, people!) The hair base is not truly black hair—it’s more dark brown, so I wore a mixed color updo from DBS Heart rather than a straight black. I tucked a rose from Siyu Suen above my ear and donned extravagantly beautiful earrings from Dita Tron.

You can’t see my shoes in the first two shots but they are under there. (I took off the skirt to show them). A new offering from Nardya Rousselot, they are being featured at the Shoe Fair. Nardya is back in action in SL again, and thank goodness for that. Her toes are the some of the loveliest tootsies in SL and her styling is influenced by her South American life. Check out the great metallic accents on the straps that Nardya so skillfully renders. These are pretty darn hot for any girl, even an Andalusian girl ;)

Written while listening to Kate Bush’s “Flower of the Mountain” and struggling with shadows in Firestorm.

Hair: ::DBS::Mireya-ebonytan by DBS Heart for Bishwear

Skin: ISPACHI Skin [ PORTIA ] Tanned ~ Hair/Bluebells by Diarmuid Miklos for ISPACHI, available at the Skin and Shape Expo *

Makeup: M.O.C.K Cosmetics Red Hot Lipstain  (Lipcolor only) by Mocksoup Graves for M.O.C.K Cosmetics

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

Dress: -AZUL- Esperanca/Egretta(Red)/Japan Relief Fundraiser by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Earrings: NEW – FuLo – “Lacie” earring – Ruby by Dita Tran for FuLo *

Rose: *~*Hair Rose: Red/Copy by Siyu Suen for *~*Illusions*~*

Shoes: NX-Nardcotix MANA Rosa Maria Fire by Nardya Rousselot for Nardcotix *

Champagne

“Three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content and sufficient Champagne.”  ~ Dorothy Parker

Champagne—a heady, sparkling, rare—not unlike a romantic evening with a new someone special. This evening gown from Mami Jewell is the ideal dress for such an evening with its elegant lace bodice and smooth silk skirt. Mami makes the dress even more special with huge blossoming roses slung below the hips and trimmed with black lace. The dress moves gloriously.

Someone whose taste I respect suggested I wear a light blonde hair with this dress. I chose Onyx LeShelle’s platinum blonde in an updo, which is striking with the dress and against Monicuzza Babenco’s lovely preview skin for Sole. My almost-retro jewelry is an older set from Cora Lu.

“Champagne makes you feel like it’s Sunday and better days are just around the corner.” ~ Marlene Dietrich

Hair: Maitreya Siri – Platinum by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Skin: *YS & YS* Sole Reborn – EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW  4 TDR with *YS & YS* Sole Reborn LightBrows by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS*

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

Dress: -AZUL- Kathe/Champagne by Mami Jewell for -AZUL-

Jewelry: P.C; Antique Pearl Choker and P.C; Antique Pearl Earrings by Cora Lu for Paper Couture

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Delphine pumps – sand by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things) *

Faith, Hope and Charity

In today’s blog, I am showing a dress that benefits relief efforts in Japan. This particular effort is something I can really get behind for several reasons. Mami Jewell has donated all the income from two beautiful dresses, this being one of them, to relief efforts in Japan via the Japanese Red Cross. Because it’s from Mami Jewell, it has all the marks of integrity and open-hearted giving.

Let’s set aside for the moment the pure beauty of this dress, the artistry needed to create it, the incredible use of alpha textures without clash, the beautiful sculpted roses. Let’s forget it has been made by one of the best eveningwear creators in SL as well. Why do I encourage my readers to purchase this particular gown on behalf of the Japanese Red Cross? Several reasons:

1. Mami Jewell has employed painstakingly transparent methods for documenting the transfer of funds from the sale of this gown and another at her store via her website including the costs associated with it. With each transfer, she documents the funds going through a separate avatar, shows the cost of converting Lindens to Japanese yen via Linden Lab, and shows each transaction as it’s sent to the Japanese Red cross.

2. Mami Jewell is helping people in her own country, Japan. The business of doing something to help her fellow countrymen through her own work is something that makes sense. It’s not an attempt to help people “over there,” with an unwitting misunderstanding of who “those people” are. (In other words, it’s not a panda bear being sold on behalf of people whose connection to panda bears is as tenuous as say, Haitians’ association with them.) This is her attempt, as a Japanese citizen, to use her skills and talents to solicit money to help her fellow citizens, not to do something “cool” to show she “cares.”

3. Of any relief organization in the world, the Japanese Red Cross is probably the most prepared to utilize the funds in a manner that is appropriate because they have infrastructure for its use in the nation (which few other relief organizations would have in a country that has the third largest economy in the world).

4. While I can not read Japanese, I do not believe that Mami is earmarking these funds either, so they will not be forced into being used for recovery efforts for this specific event. Earmarking funds can be a huge problem because the funds are then designated for a specific purpose and a specific event in a specific place. That money may end up being wasted on useless things just to use it up. If the money is not earmarked, the Japanese Red Cross can use the money in Japan for this event OR they can use it other places where it’s needed. Additionally, they can bank it for future disasters, which Japan may well have as attested by the recent aftershocks off the coast.

5. Mami has proved in the past she is incredibly generous for many charities in SL–for other disaster relief efforts and for the RFL. She has proven her sincere desire to offer her skills and marketing to assist good works of charity, even if it means managing it herself, so this is quite in line with her past generosity. Additionally, her business has a high profile and is successful enough that she can support this enterprise.

I should not diminish the other beautiful elements of this look. First this exquisite new skin from sachi Vixen has just been released and really needs to be worn. Sachi has revamped parts of the body and added an otherworldly makeup to the face. Then we have this newer hair from Truth Hawks that gives “wind blown” new meaning. Finally, Ikon Innovia’s dreamy mint eyes, a new offering from him.

And now stays faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13, American King James Bible

Hair: >TRUTH< Kaelyn – pearl by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Adam n Eve Skins – Astrelle Natural – Peacock by Sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

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

Dress: -AZUL- Esperanca/Egretta (Help Japan Item) by Mami Jewell for Azul *

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

Homecoming

I saw our town’s Homecoming parade the other day and had to explain to my son what “Homecoming” is. (For my non-American readers, it’s a tradition in high schools and colleges in the US to welcome back former residents and alumni for a weekend. Typically there is a parade, football game, and dance or party. It’s a big deal for teenagers.) More friends have come back to SL, so it’s homecoming there too. It’s amazing—once this place has a grip on you, you can’t leave—not forever. Welcome back, Rouns and Hung. I am still waiting on Peter :P

This is all gonna tie together.. you’ll see. First off, let me talk about this gorgeous dress from Mami Jewell. Mami has grown her business with dresses of elegance and drama. This dress is no exception. With the lush purple texture running in gentle folds over my avatar, the spectacular ruffles surrounding the face and decolletage, it’s a dress that could push into melodrama but doesn’t because of her muted textures and minimal decoration.

Anyone who is familiar with the dress knows I left a beautiful waist piece off. That is because I wanted the main decoration for this ensemble to be Abraxxa Anatine’s newest offering, a choker and earring set. Abraxxa is offering this set at the 2010 Jewelry Fair, and it’s probably one of the loveliest pieces in the whole fair (which is saying a lot because there are a ton of wonderful pieces). Abraxxa, I am sure most would agree, is the one of the most prolific and amazing jewelry builders in SL, and this piece is no exception with its elegantly draped chains and brilliant gem textures. Where else will you find a black opal like this in SL?

Abraxxa packs even more goodness into her jewelry by including scripts which will allow you to make them your own. In this case, the locket opens and allows you to load up to 100 photos of loved ones. (In this case, my grumpy old man avatar is the one you see here as he holds a special place in my heart.) I will be loading photos of my friends—the ones still in SL and the ones who have yet to attend Homecoming. You are all dear to me.

Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. ~ Anais Nin

Hair: >TRUTH< Leighton 2 – mahogany by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<

Skin: [ ama garijus ][ sunset ][ vixen ][ bald] by SinSister Chastity for <TheAbyss>

Dress: -AZUL- Reine /Amethyst  for “Keep A Child Alive” by Mami Jewell for AZUL

Necklace: EarthStones Gothique Choker Locket – Gold/Opal Mosaic by Abraxxa Anatine for Earthstones, available at the 2010 Jewelry Fair *

Earrings: EarthStones Gothique Earrings -  Gold/Opal Mosaic by Abraxxa Anatine for Earthstones, available at the 2010 Jewelry Fair *

Purple Prose

I am still rummaging through my closet for things to recommend as gifts for your beautiful lady on Valentine’s. We will get past this evening gown phase soon and get on to the better stuff soon… I promise. But we can’t neglect to understand that ladies want to feel beautiful and want to be wooed and courted for all their feminine graces.

This beautiful gown from Mimi Jewell would likely set any heart pounding. Imagine opening the folder for this and putting it on… with its graceful neckline complimented by a high collar, its trained skirt, lace cap sleeves, floral motif, and most importantly, sexy wrinkles and highlights showing a woman’s most beautiful curves, this gown would thrill any recipient. It will thrill her partner too with its sexy open back, cut down to there.

I compliment the gown with a perfect palette provided by Tricky Boucher. Tricky’s latest line—Alyson—shows how far Tricky has come as an artist. With its full sensuous lips (beautifully pink and perfectly glossy), subtlely shaded eyes and perfectly trimmed eyebrows plus the glowing décolletage, this skin is glorious.

Beauty and grace:

Hair: PE Portia Kohl by Aemilia Case for Philotic Energy

Skin: -Belleza- Alyson SK 12 by Tricky Boucher for Belleza *

Dress: -AZUL- Linda –Amethyst by Mami Jewell for Azul

Earrings: Zivanit Earring RFL2009 special by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear Design

Today’s recommendation: “A Love Story” by Thomas Dybdahl (“Doesn’t it feel good to know you’ve been loved?”)