The Primcess Returns

It’s been a long time since I have felt truly myself, but in today’s outfit, Harper has reemerged. I am in my skin, I am surrounded by hundreds of beautiful prims, and I am dressed elegantly.

I am wearing one of Lorac Farella’s new Life-Warm skins. I slipped this skin on and immediately I was back to being Harper—the sophisticated, elegant, womanly, sexy Harper I always imagine myself to be, at least. (And I want to know, how many skins can you get this close on and still find stunning?)

Lorac has dialed into the right formula with her newly released artistically hand-drawn skins—the eyes are emotive, the lips are full and beautiful without being overblown, the skin is gently blushed but textured with shadow and depth, the décolletage is soft and curvy, and the eyebrows are.. well, you know how I feel about eyebrows. They are perfect! These skins were made for me it feels like, and undoubtedly you, dear readers, will be seeing more of them.

I have donned Alienbear Gupte’s beautiful jewelry. Diamonds ARE this girl’s best friend and in this case, so is the beauty of finely worked gold prims and many of them. Alienbear keeps besting herself with each creation—they are more and more elaborate yet contain her signature touches—the beautiful long blooming buds, the gracefully swirling flourishes, the intricately entwined links. (Check out the tiny diamonds in the channels of the bracelet.) This particular set comes with two crowns (one which comes in two pieces due to SL’s prim link limits), a necklace (also in two pieces—yes, this is how many prims Alienbear has put together), two sets of earrings, and a left and right bracelet.

Let’s face it—one of the best things about being a woman in SL is that you can have a huge evening gown wardrobe and dress like a princess whenever you want and you don’t feel ridiculous or overindulgent. Sparkle Skye ably sates that need with her gorgeous and elaborate evening gowns. This particular gown comes with a short option, a semi-sheer and a non-sparkling or sparkling skirt.

I’m ba-ack:

Hair: ETD Loraine 2 – Crimson by Elikapeka Tiramisu for ETD

Skin: Pulse Skin-Life/Tone 4 Warm m1 by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *

Dress: *SS* Madame X – Snow by Sparkle Skye for Sparkle Skye Designs

Jewelry: !Alienbear Designs-Azuena Queen & Princess Antique Gold Set by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear Designs *

Brash

Sometimes I have to push myself to try something new, something not in my comfort zone. That used to be wearing a bikini in SL (yeah, really). Then it was wearing eyelashes. Then it was wearing blonde hair (the day that happened was a major breakthrough). Today it was wearing a skin with BOLD makeup.

Djinn and Tonic, a new collaboration of creators on the newly opened Prosperine sim, offers a line of skins that’s .. well.. brash. When I first wore the skins, I thought the lips were glossy, the eyes were bold, and the cheek makeup was stark. But I started wearing it around, trying on hair, clothes, etc., and I realized it was pretty darn groovy.

The best part? When you buy a pack, you get one skin tone and one eye makeup, but you also get five shades of lipstick, freckles or not, and shaved or not. Therefore, you get 20 skins for one price. I especially like the lipstick option because sometimes you just want to swap out a lipstick and not mess with the rest.

I am showing a dress from a relatively new designer—Mariusz Miliandrovic. Based on Mariusz’ other photos in his little shop, he *ahem* likes the feminine shape. The dress is sexy in the best sort of way—the top is low cut, the back is quite low cut, but the skirt is full and flirty to balance the top and includes a bow. His prim building is good and his use of color fantastic.

I show great boots from Magnifico Miggins here. I have feature Magnifico’s work before. She has come into the SL world with her footwear, and with the quality of it, she should be taking the grid by storm. These boots are a ‘fatpack’ boot, which means they have a hud that changes the colors of the boots. The textures are remarkable.. very real, very rich.

Bold and proud:

Hair: *FRANTIC*  hair – pure black by Mirja Mills for EMO-tions

Skin: [DT] MUA :  Pomegranate, Black [03] by Gin Galtier for Djinn & Tonic *

Dress: Sanguine Summer Rev3 by Mariusz Miliandrovic for 2Dye4

Boots: z [mm] cage boot special by Magnifico Miggins for Magnifico Exclusive Shoes *

Precarious Perch

I went to the Shoe Fair, benefitting Toys for Tots, right before Thanksgiving, hoping to score some pretties for my feet.

I found quite a few beautiful shoes, but none were as unique and sculptural as those made by 2408 Alekseev. With their gracefully intertwining vines and flowers, the precarious sole and serpentine heel, these shoes are a piece of wearable art.

I have to say, I had a few problems fitting them (though they come with resize scripts and an amazing range of skin tones to match to), so I contacted the creator, 24, as she likes to be called, via notecard. She responded quickly and helpfully (and cheerfully and humorously). Turns out I have very small and delicate ankles, so she had to shrink the shoes down considerably. Go figure.

She IS featuring two pairs for one at the Shoe Fair, benefitting Toys for Tots, so you may want to purchase those so you can check out her work.

When the outfit is all about the shoes, you can’t wear something long or they will be hidden, so I chose this flirty party dress from Kuranosuke Kamachi. Going to DeLa is a hit or miss for me sometimes–Kuranosuke uses sculpties in risk-taking ways that sometimes don’t pan out. But for this dress, the work is impeccable. The skirt is a marvelous fluff of stiff satin.

I styled with simple but elegant jewelry from Tiffy Vella. When an outfit has one point of interest, there is no reason to over do it. The jewelry balances the outfit with a touch of elegance without excessiveness. And Tiffy’s work is always beautiful and exact.

Walking in glass slippers…

Hair: [V] Vignette Sophia Charcoal by Rachel Boram for Vignette

Skin: *YS & YS* Zara 02 Smoke Black EB HairBase by Monicuzza Babenco for YS & YS *

Dress: =DeLa*= Dress “Leona” Black by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*=

Necklace and Earrings: Eclectica Deco Pearl Strands Choker and Earrings by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica

Shoes: 24 wow 18 gold by 2408 Alekseev for 24 Shoo-Shoes and Haute Couture

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

Snowshoes

I have been holding on to this beautiful outfit for quite a while, waiting for the perfect time to show it. Well, since we’re talking about winter….

Heather Rau has cast winter in a realm of fantasy with this beautiful outfit. With its mix of textures and fine prim work, this outfit can find itself very at home on RP sims but also on all the beautiful winter sims in SL. I feel like an adventure of snow-covered land might not be so bad when I wear this. In fact, I feel like kicking some polar bear butt.

I would love to say that the snowshoes are the coolest part of this outfit, but it’s a tough contest. You have the fur cape, the sexy turtleneck sweater (frayed at the bottom), the sexy winter white pants, the chunky, rope-lashed fur boots, the rope belt with the knife and pouch, and oh yeah.. breath.

I am wearing a lovely skin from Monicuzza Babenco that was given out to the group members of YS&YS at the opening of their new sim, Feel Beautiful. With its lined eyes but sublime smile, it’s a perfect accompaniment to this outfit.

Check out the gorgeous, fantastic hair from Mirja Mills, whose store is a one-stop shop for wild hair, kilts, and other fantastic items. Watch out polar bears!

Hair: penelope hair + by Mirja Mills for EMO-tions

Skin: *YS&YS* Sharon Special Opening Groupgift by Monicuzza Babenco for YS&YS

Outfit including Snowshoes: [BO] Hammersgaard Winter Outfit -Light (Boxed) by Heather Rau for Black Orchid

Listening to Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado by Claudia Acuña with Branford Marsalis on saxophone. *sigh*

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And finally, a shout out to my friend PeterX, departed from SL but not my memories. Have a wonderful holiday and best of luck in the new year, Peter :)

“He was just here a minute ago.” ~ George Carlin

Snow Girl

I am still on this kick about what to wear to keep warm. There are dozens of beautiful winter-themed sims all over the grid and it looks mighty silly if you show up in a bikini or a fairy costume. So here is some more winter goodness.

The scenario is that I am out on the plains of the Midwest, fighting off the brisk wind rolling over the flatlands off the Rockies. This puffy parka from AIR Winx is a clever mix of sculpty prims, flexi furry prims, and system pieces with an ingenious satiny quilted texture. The thing looks real, folks.. all I can say. And it’s VERY warm. And it has that nice airy squishy feeling that is so delish. The jacket comes with a striped gray and black sweater underneath—but you don’t have to wear it.

Casual jeans from Kaejo DaSilva (thanks, KK) work with this outfit. (KK is very scrupulous about her wardrobe—whatever doesn’t work gets trashed immediately. She has had these jeans a while and loves them. I can see why.) I plopped earmuffs from Antonia Marat on my head—she didn’t have purple but white matches all and since when do YOUR earmuffs always match your jacket?

A beautiful luscious skin from Hart Larsson makes me a winter beauty with its fresh glowing tan and well drawn eyebrows. (Really.. it’s about the eyebrows.. it really REALLY is.) A short cute hairstyle, pinned back, from Truth Hawks, tops this fresh air look.

I once lived in this part of the fair Midwest, in a state where people spent an inordinate amount of time talking about their boots. “Like your boots… where’dya get ‘em… They sure look warm.” These boots from MariaElena Barbosa would do well in that wintery clime, mud-spattered and scuffed from good old-fashioned hard work. These are for girls who know how to pitch hay.

Crunchin’ through the snow:

Hair: >TRUTH< Jess – cocoa by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<

Skin: [PXL] July LT NE Nude DEB by Hart Larsson for [PXL]

Jacket: *ARGRACE* ” Joy ” -Purple-Lady`s by AIR Winx for *ARGRACE*

Jeans: [Renegade] North 55 Faded Jeans by Kaejo DaSilva for [Renegade]

Earmuffs: /artilleri/ Knit earmuffs! *white* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Boots: MEB : Grunge boots by MariaElena Barbosa for MEB

Sending a shout out to my favorite college class in the real world, Pink’s and Dex’s students in the Midwest—not the first college class in that particular state I have been in front of ;)

Fashionably Warm

Houndstooth has always been a classic pattern for fashion. Combine that with expert tailoring and feminine touches like a full skirt and a tint of pink, and you have a fantastic look for a pretty fashionista.

Shiryu Musashi enters the Winter market with this cute houndstooth coat with belted full skirt. In signature Musashi-Do style, all the textures are hand drawn and he combines sculpted prims in the collar and cuffs and regular flexi prims in the skirt. This skillful mix of prim types without overuse makes the outfit very wearable and versatile. I am very excited to Shiryu’s new sim, Eleganza, is open (in the interests of full disclosure: named by yours truly)!

This skin by Torie Senne is her newest entry to the market. Fresh and sophisticated with its combination of photosourced and hand-drawn elements, it makes me feel very haute and hot all at once. Her skins are very photographable and subtly colored. Aemilia Case seems to be the underdog of hair in SL—her hair is universally cute, well constructed, beautifully colored and innovative. This style, with its flipped ends, is casual but smart.

Finally, I show boots from JB Gazov (still not-so-secretly one of my favorite shoe makers in SL). With their subtle sheen and sinuous curves, his boots make any lady look and feel sexy.

Tailored warmth:

Hair: PE Vanora Mochachino by Aemilia Case for Philotic Energy

Skin: [Bebae] Fabia > Cara: 00 by Torie Senne for [Bebae] *

Coat: (Musashi-Do) December Warmth – Pink by Shiryu Musashi for Musashi-Do *

Boots: J’s Long Boots Round-Soft Gray by JB Gazov for J’s

Urban Winter

In a city, the winter is never romantic, except on a day when it has just snowed and nothing can move (which is almost never). Nevertheless, women have to look sleek, fashionable and sexy and still keep warm.

So what does a stylish woman wear? Well if she is climbing in a cab and out to a doorway, she doesn’t need a quilted down jacket able to withstand temps at –30F. She just needs a faux fur collar cardigan and some kickin’ boots. I show here an outfit from Kotobuki Jewell that I purchased last year. It came out of the winter closet with nary a wrinkle—the great design still works this year.

Check the clever use of the prims, the careful attention to carrying the sweater bottom to the system piece so when the prims move, you still seem like you are wearing a cardigan, the stylish line of the whole ensemble. It’s what a smart city lady wears so she looks dressed well but not uptight and overly tailored.

My hair flies free (despite some sort of haloing glitch in the Emerald viewer, among other grievous problems with said client). Truth Hawks is making the hair women in SL love—stylish but not overly styled, contemporary but not cutting edge, sexy but not contrived.

Boots from B&G complete the look. These are clearly photosourced but still well built and a great alternative to all the old standards. One great feature is that there just doesn’t appear to be a huge invisiprim on the boots, creating that embarrassing disappearing act on everything else around it.

Snow and slush and cold be damned…

Hair: >TRUTH< Sophia – burgundy by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: *YS&YS* Adriana Lust 08 GlitRed by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS* *

Outfit: :bijou: Absinthe [Red set] by Kotobuki Jewell for :bijou:

Boots: B&G BOTA ETERNITY – NEGRO – T000 by BG Planer for B&G

Wearing Warm

My friend KK IM’d me the other day and told me she needed recommendations for things to wear for skating, holiday shopping, keeping warm, and generally being a snow bunny. So this will be the first of a series I will do on “Wearing Warm.”

We all know that SL finds its home on computers spread out in offices in warmer climates. In fact, a lot of the residents of SL never see snow. They find the whole idea of snow exotic and fun. So let me tell you about how it gets squeaky in REALLY cold weather, how it is fluffy or slushy, how it can drop in big glorious glops of flakes or in dry flurries of twinkledust.

I pulled out an older outfit from Myllie Writer, one she had marketed last year (and is now in her discount area ;)) to show you one possible ensemble. I have always loved this sweater/skirt set, and it comes in several combinations of colors so you can wear many color combos of sweaters and tights (and at a reasonable price). In poking around Persona today to confirm it was still available, I also purchased a ton of poses, some of which you see here.

I am showing this outfit with hair named after ME. I just get so happy when that happens. And I feel so honored Truth Hawks would honor me with his great work. (Je suis arrivee!) This tousled ponytail compliments the casualness of the outfit and reminds me how windblown hair can get in the winter.

A scarf from Antonia Marat and darling furry boots from Lexi Morgan keep me warm and a luscious skin from Monicuzza Babenco (named “Snow”—go figure), make me feel all snuggly.

Oh the weather outside is frightful…

Hair: >TRUTH< Harper – pumpkin by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<*

Skin: *YS&YS* Adriana Lust 05 Snow EB Brown by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS**

Sweater: *PERSONA* Furry Sweater – cream by Myllie Writer for PERSONA

Skirt: *PERSONA* Plaid Belted Skirt by Myllie Writer for PERSONA

Tights: *PERSONA* Woolen tights – orange by Myllie Writer for PERSONA

Scarf: /artilleri/ Taylor scarf STRIPES *peach/yellow* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Boots: [Stellar] Kenai Boots – Tan by Lexi Morgan for Stellar

Wagon: Reek – Snowy Wagon by Riq Graves for Reek

Written while listening to “Funeral Singers” by Califone.

Coriander and Nutmeg

One of my favorite Indian spices is Garam Masala. A mix of spices which varies by recipe and by region in India, it is always blended in a manner in which one spice never predominates.

I am reminded of it because of the fashions of Aradhana Voight. Aradhana is Indio-European—a lady who grew up in Europe in an Indian family, speaking the same language as her classmates but coming from a distinctively different racial and cultural background. The clothing she makes in SL shows that blending of east and west, as it were. She combines elements of sarees with more traditional European or American styles.

Take this evening dress from Aradhana. She visited the bazaars of the market to find the fabric for this dress with its golden patterns and sheer sensuous folds. However, she also cut the skirt up the thigh, added a distinctively Western bow to the hip and a decidedly sexy cut.

I have included Aradhana’s exquisite jewelry with this outfit. Aradhana’s textures contribute to the designs, providing the color and intricacy the jewelry needs. Add to that the pure pleasure of the jewelry. Oftentimes when I wear a necklace, earrings seem redundant or it seems excessive. With this jewelry, there is never too much—each piece is designed with a separate shape but following a similar motif, so piling it on adds layers of complexity rather than overabundance. This is harder to achieve than the average consumer realizes.

I compliment this ensemble with a luscious skin from Monicuzza Babenco and hair from Alexiander Biedermann. (I modified the front curl and pushed it in to let the head jewels show.) Finally, a most luscious pair of Onxy LeShelle’s shoes complete this look, making me sexy from top to bottom.

Garam Masala:

Hair: #AB# Rocio charcoal hair by Aleixandre Biedermann (slightly modified) for Biedermanns Q Hair

Skin: *YS&YS* Adriana Lust 04 Fall EB Dark Hairbase by Monicuzza Babenco for YS & YS*

Dress: :Mashooka: Hope gown {metalred} by Aradhana Voight for Mashooka Designs*

Jewelry: :Mashooka: Aradhana Jewels {gold} by Aradhana Voight for Mashooka Designs*

Shoes: Maitreya Gold – Esprit Wine by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya