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 *

Vanity

I believe one of the best features of SL is the ability to have an avatar and dress it up. (Yeah, uh, that’s why I devote a whole blog to it.. duh.) I am about as vain as the next person (though I am not above laughing at myself or going for the cheap joke). I am also not above talking about my own vanity…

… or shouting about it. “Look how pretty I am!” Well it’s easy to do when I am wearing this lovely dress from Ravenlynn Templar, named “Vanity” and part of a series of dresses based on the 7 Deadly Sins. Built of just three system pieces—gloves, top, and glitch pants—and one prim skirt attachment, it’s beautiful work, full skirted, lush and gorgeous. Those little pearls on the bustle are prims. It’s really lovely. If this is sinning, call me a sinner. (I have a tip here: if you get there before the end of May 30, you can grab this dress for 100L as she has them all on sale for the weekend.)

Vanity requires adornment and I do this with Abraxxa Anatine’s beautiful work. This is the set Abraxxa made for RFL. With its lovely texture and great build it’s an alternative to diamonds and has a hand-crafted look that works with evening dresses or casual clothing.

And I show Tuli Asturias’ newest skin again. The eye makeup on this one is intoxicating.

“Vanity is my favorite sin.” ~ Al Pacino

Hair: >TRUTH< Chelsea – Walnut by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Jade (tone 4/br) :: 08b by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Dress: lvs&co-7sins-Vanity by Ravenlynn Templar for LVS&Co.

Necklace and earrings: EarthStones RFL Karuka Necklace & Earrings – Amethyst by Abraxxa Anatine for Earthstones

Dance at Dusk

OK, let’s face it. We all want pretty dresses. We all have indulged in a dance at Apollo or Avilion, watching with starry eyes as our skirts swirl around us and our dancing partner. The dream of wearing a beautiful full gown starts at an early age, and women never really shake it.

I was instantly taken back to that childhood dream of having a beautiful blue gown when I donned this dress from Ravenlynn Templar. Ravenlynn’s dresses are gorgeous creations, many of them inspired by gowns seen in movies. Her textures are detailed and well-drawn. She uses prims well and her skirts flow about beautifully. And I may add, her dresses are inexpensive, so you can fill your fantasy dress folder economically.

I have complimented this beautiful midnight blue gown with a necklace from Di Yifu. Di, a premier jewelry maker, explained to me once that she came from a family of RL jewelers. Hence, her attention to detail and exactitude in her construction. Her work is exquisite. This necklace is really the least of it. I highly recommend a trip to her store.

Shall we…?

Hair: MIEL BM HAIR BLONDE 1 by Mika Nieuport for Miel

Skin: Pulse Skin-Valeries T: Wheat/Blueberry by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins

Dress: Enchanted-Yvaine’s blue  gown by Ravenlynn Templar for LVS&Co

Necklace: Lady Di necklace by Di Yifu for Inca Temple