Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress

A pair of 45’s made me open my eyes
My temperature started to rise
She was a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5’9, beautiful tall
With just one look I was a bad mess
‘Cos that long cool woman had it all

~ “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,” as sung by Raul Malo

I always loved this song and loved this idea. I always wanted to be long and cool and I was sure to find the black dress. It took some doing—more than I thought. I found this sleek and sexy dress from Elisea Carter and it achieved my purposes, making me look long and cool. I like how Elisea combines “hardware” with “software” to achieve this look—prim chains run around the leg and on the shoulder to hold the silk fabric in place.

I opted for Siddean Munro’s Aveela Stilettos as the buckle echoes the hardware of Elisea’s dress and they are simply killer heels. The hud is incredibly easy to use (especially for the color-challenged like me) and her toes are perfect (not too thin or too chunky).

Marisa Feila’s newest skins have just been released and I wore this skin with delight. With its smooth and subtle makeup and slight upturn on the corners of the mouth (which is really very sexy), I thought this was the perfect choice for my long cool woman. My hair is Elikapeka Tiramisu’s 50L Friday offering—another classic, hopefully gridwide with its elegant silhouette.

My jewels are Belle Roussel’s newest release and are as exquisite as they look. With their practical shape, these can go from evening wear to possibly a day time look for a spoiled diamond-loving girl. Belle has incredible diamond textures and while her jewels DO bling (yes I admit it), it’s very subtle and adds a little depth (and relatively low lag—I checked).

I saw her headin’ to the table
With a tall walking big black cat
When Charlie said I hope that you’re able boy
Well I’m telling you she knows where it’s at

Hair: [e] Charmed – Black 04 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [Elikatira]

Skin: [MyDear]Heidi Skin II– Sunkiss #1 with [MyDear] Black Hairbase by Marisa Feila for [MyDear]*

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

Dress: “Muna black” by Elisea Carter for Elisea Carter

Jewelry: Pagoda Collection from Belle Roussel for Chop Zuey *

Shoes: SLink Aveela Stilettos Black by Siddean Munro for SLink *

A Bright Summer Day

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

~ Mary Oliver in “The Summer Day”

What are you doing with the beautiful days of summer? Every day I get up and try to get out and see something, do something, experience something–going to the farmer’s market, knitting with friends, sitting on the beach enjoying the lake. And in SL I am doing the same thing–venturing out again–dancing, sailing, shopping, and making new friends.

A new friend I made decided to introduce me to an old friend of his and took me to her store. I already knew of her because she was one of the great designers who participated in Fashion for Life, but I was glad to have another opportunity to check out her store. AmySue Shirakawa has been in world for 4 years, running her business and making sporty, sexy apparel for women across the grid, all reasonably priced. Take this cute dress, for example—a summertime confection. With its very pretty print and great cut, it’s ideal as a sundress for hot summer days. I love the sheerness of the skirt and that pattern on the hem. She includes a hat with color-changing hair AND shoes with this, but I opted to match this with new wedges from Pixieplumb Flanagan.

I have donned Sissy Pessoa’s newest skin release, a beautiful porcelain skin with beautiful makeup. Most in the set are a bit more muted than this makeup but it’s so colorful and perfect for this summery ensemble. The body is well defined with a great décolletage and really nice legs. I wore it over a willowy shape from Sophia Rossen. Sissy’s skin fit perfectly to Sophia’s well-done shape.

I paired it with one of Kavar Cleanslate’s newest hairs. I am in love with this particular blonde color–Chardonnay. Is it the name or the color, I wonder? Kavar is rocking this feathered and wavy, 70s revisited look and while I get nervous about static long hair like this, it performed well in different poses.

My choker and bracelet are further add-ons to the summer flower theme. Danielle Astonia’s jewelry is really quite astounding and versatile. One pack purchased from her includes several colors (instead of potentially laggy color-changing scripts) and is finely crafted. Notice the roses running down the back. A visit to her store is a jewelry lover’s delight.

Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.  ~Henry James

Hair: ::Exile:: Georgina:Chardonnay by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile:: *

Skin: Baiastice_Nina-porcelaine -make up 11- BL by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice *

Shape: Sophistishapes – ANNABEL bodyshape by Sophia Rossen for Sophistishapes *

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

Dress: !   [Adored]  APRIL PINK by AmySue Shirakawa for [Adored] *

Choker and bracelet: *Arwen Choker White w/o flexy* and *Arwen Bracelet White* by Danielle Astonia for La Forgia Jewels *

Shoes: BM ZsaZsa Wedge Pink Roses by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey *

Purple Haze

Summer is putting me in a haze. The humidity, the heat… for some reason purple seems the antidote.

I conveniently found purple in a new dress from Dolce Blackflag. Now, Dolce’s brand, PixelDolls, is one of the grand dames of SL fashion. It’s the second place Ireland Barrymore took me shopping in my early days of actually spending linden (right after Artilleri and right before RFyre). The colorful little outfits, so cleanly done on system pieces, the flirty skirts, the funky separates—they were delicious and filled my wardrobe. And Dolce is still at it with her great fashion skills in this cute dress with its pretty flowered sculpty skirt and sleeveless top. I top the outfit with a funky fringed sculpty vest from Trill Zapatero, whose bohemian clothes are just my speed. A pretty little anklet from Belle Roussel’s sparkly collection gave me the final touch I needed.

My skin is from the makeup lovers’ fantasy of Maximillion Grant’s Grace set. In Firestorm, I was able to put on lipstick, new eyebrows, blush, dimples and liner! (Optional dimples—c’mon and admit you would do it too.) I love pulling this out when I just want to play and change up my look in a myriad of ways.

Purple haze all in my brain
Lately things just don’t seem the same
Actin’ funny, but I don’t know why
‘Scuse me while I kiss the sky (Which I always heard as “kiss this guy…” which I kind of prefer ;))

~ “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix

Hair: fri. – Cassidy – Passionate Red by Parvarti Monday for fri.day

Skin: LOGO Grace Bloom Skin – Amethyst Base (No Brows) with LOGO Grace Bloom – L02 – Blush 4 and LOGO Grace Bloom – L07 – Dimples (For Blush 4) plus LOGO Grace – L03 – Extended Liner Black, LOGO Grace Bloom – L08 – Brows Style 5 Light Brown and LOGO Grace Bloom – L01 – Lips – Dazzle (Matte) by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

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

Vest: BoHo HoBo purple fringey vest by Trill Zapatero for BoHo HoBo *

Dress: (PixelDolls) Vigne/Tart . Violet  by Dolce Blackflag for (PixelDolls)

Earrings: *Primagine* Gypsy Hoops Silver Amethyst by Trixie Bumbo for *Primagine* *

Bangles: ::eLDee:: Line bangles (plum) by Lilyane Dryke for ::eLDee:: (no longer available)

Anklet: The Lass of Richmond Hill Slv Ankle by Belle Roussel for Chop Zuey

Shoes: *GF* Knot Wedge Sanal –purple by Cerberus Noel for G Field

O What A Thrill

Woman words fail me
Your skin is sweet and warm
I want to console you
And hold you in my arms
O once you were my baby
You’re my baby still

~ “O What A Thrill” by the Mavericks

I know y’all think I’m a city girl. Well… I am but sometimes some country gets into me, and I feel like talkin’ about what Momma’s taught me and callin’ everyone “Darlin’.” When such a thing happens, I put on a pretty frock and some cowboy boots and get it out of my system by listening to some Mavericks (and Raul Malo’s luscious voice). Luckily Arianrhod Garnet made this dress that makes my country girl perfect in every way with its sweet floral pattern and darling cap sleeves. JB Gazov makes THE BEST cowboy boots in SL (Dex told me so and he knows cowboy boots) so I just slip these on and feel so country.

My skin is a new one from Rosemary Galbraith, who is coming out soon with a set of skins sold under her own Cupcakes label that won’t go full perm. She’ll be adding further makeup enhancements and eyebrow options very soon. I chose this skin because of its lovely hue and pretty features. It was perfect for my country girl.

My long lovely locks are from Truth Hawks and a Truth specialty, flowing over shoulders and in a tangle of wavy beautiful curls. The hair band is, of course, color change, and this new style does feature streaks (which I don’t show).

O what a thrill
O what a thrill
Stars in the sky
Stars stand still
O what a thrill

Hair: >TRUTH< Lacey (Upper) – copper by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: *CUPCAKES – Abigail – Pale:Limey by Rosemary Galbraith for CUPCAKES *

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

Dress: suzy / french sleeve dress * palegreen by Arianrhod Garnet for suzy

Earrings and ring: Ear Candy ~ Chunk of Jade Earrings and Chunk of Jade Ring by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy

Boots: J’s WesternBoots ( 10Colors ) by JB Gazov for J’s

Dress

Put on that dress
I’m going out dancing
Starting off red
Clean and sparkling he’ll see me
Music playing make it dreamy for dancing
Must be a way that i can dress to please him
It’s hard to walk in the dress, it’s not easy
I’m spilling over like a heavy loaded fruit tree

If you put it on
If you put it on

~ Dress by P.J. Harvey

If you put it on, will he notice? I am guessing in this dress from monica Outlander, there is a good chance he will. When we dress up to get a lovers’ attention or just attention, what do we focus on? Some people think it’s all about showing some skin. I think it’s about showing something less overt—the curve and sway of a feminine body, the very subtle cultural cues—a slit up the leg, an open back. Monica’s dress quite effortlessly achieves this.

My skin is another glorious example of Gala Phoenix’s newest releases, a beautiful soft skin with an underlying sensuality and a fresh freckled countenance. I have been resorting to overlying the dark brows from the Chic series on her skins—I really want a darker brow when I wear dark hair.

And my dark hair is a beautiful sensuous style from Queue Marlowe’s latest line. I think this style really has that sort of Mary Louise Parker look to it—loose curls flowing down in a sexy silhouette.

If you put it on
If you put it on

Hair: .b – tavern house wine by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: :GP: Petal Frex [Dark] Candy-Licorice Whip 1 with :GP: Chic-Dark Brows (Tintable) by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Dress: Miamai_Aralee Blue by monica Outlander for Miamai *

Bangles: Ear Candy ~ Special Silver Bangles L by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy

Shoes: Maitreya Gold Aequus Blue *V2.0 Boxed* by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Poses: Diesel Works Railing (Straightened) by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works

World Traveler

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

One of the most fantastic things about SL, one that I think people forget because it becomes so natural to us, is that we can travel around the world in a sense from our own little desk chairs. Yes, the internet does this for us, but SL provides that extra sense of otherplaceness, which we can’t easily find elsewhere without physically traveling. A simple teleport and we are transported to another land. Granted that land is someone’s fantasy without all the other touches we might feel if we were physically there (the weather, the smells, the feel of the air) but it still fulfills some need in us and transmits some otherness to us that we can not get by just stepping out the door or turning on the TV. Add to that the friends we make from around the world—from Africa to Antarctica (and yes there are some from each in SL), and we are world travelers.

In this case I traveled to Hosoi Ichiba to take shots of this brilliant kimono from kaori0514 Karas. I love the colors, the silhouette and the ebullience of this kimono. She adds a little hair flower which just completes it. I decided to don Siddean Munro’s new platform shoes, which are a sort of combo of geta and flipflop and perfectly suit this contemporary kimono (especially with the optional little flowers on the shoes—I love the options Siddean has built into these).

Of course, the prettiest part of this ensemble is my new skin from Gala Phoenix, who has put out another two batches of absolutely amazing skins. I thought this colorway would suit the kimono and with Ikon Innovia’s eyes it’s a joyful look. I topped it all off with a new hair from Kavar Cleanslate, a messy wonderful look that is perfect for a girl running around from sim to sim to see the “world.”

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears. ~ Cesare Pavese

Hair: ::Exile:: Amira:Roots-Maraschino by Kavar Cleanslate for Exile *

Skin: :GP: Petal [Dark] Candy-Green Apple 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Kimono: PINKY*GALS YUKATA HimeGal03 by kaori0514 Karas for PINKY*GALS

Shoes: Slink Shaz Platforms Red by Siddean Munro for SLink *

Shadow Dancing

Do it light, taking me through the night
Shadow dancing, baby, you do it right
Give me more, drag me across the floor
Shadow dancing, all this and nothin’ more
~ “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb

I am still struggling with shadows in SL, which may be my fault because I persist in using a client that seems unstable on my machine (I am guessing due to my inventory size). I am increasingly frustrated with the instability. So it’s a bit of “shadow dancing” for me.

Of course, the song suits this look, which I find has a touch of 70s to it.I start with this incredible dress from pixivor Allen, which was one of her Fashion for Life donation dresses, and is now sold in her store. It moves with a fluidity that is mesmerizing and has a silhouette that is simply fantastic. The system pieces are sexy (especially that lacing up the back) and match perfectly to the prim skirt pieces. While the dress comes with little silver mary jane high heels, I chose to wear some prim toe shoes from Babette Ultsch because they have the best silver texture in SL.

My skin is a new one from Gala Phoenix, who is simply making my heart sing with her newest skins. I love the subtle translucency and pinkiness to this skin, the gentle freckles sprinkled across the nose, the beautiful lips, the shapely eyebrows. Even the collar bone and breasts are beautifully shaped—that is no small feat right there. The best part is this skin is youthful but not “immature.”  My hair is Thora Charron’s free offering from Hair Fair, and it’s fantastic! I will say I recolored the barette to a shiny white but guess what? Native shiny doesn’t show in shadows. Go figure.

Shadow dancing, all this and nothin’ more…

Hair: [LeLutka]-PINNED hair – AuburnHaze by Thora Charron for LeLutka (modified)

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] Stormy-Electrify 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Eyelashes: Eyelashes -20- DiamondDust *REDGRAVE* by Viola Leigh for *REDGRAVE*

Dress (with hair piece): (AlaFolie) Miss Philipines version 1 by Pixivor Allen for AlaFolie

Shoes: *KL* Sandals Nadia Silver by Babette Ultsch for Kitties Lair

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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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•               •`¯¨• ¸¸ `•. `•.¸) `•.¸)
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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 *

The N’dali

“The N’dali of the temperate forests and hills of Southern Peninsula of Melanasia are an independent tribe of traders and craftspeople. They are most noted for their fine metalwork and technology in working with exotic creature skins and feathers such as those of the phoenix and dragon. Their people are homogenous with genetic markers such as pale fine caucasian skin, thick dark black hair and most amazingly, golden eyes, which appear ubiquitously through the N’dali people but are known as a rare recessive gene across other populations.

“As the culture is matrifocal, women enjoy a great degree of independence and power. Free of the pressures of typical patriarchal societies, both women and men flourish as leaders, artisans, nurturers and tradespeople. Some occupations weigh heavier towards one sex or the other but both sexes enjoy the opportunity to choose their vocation. Parenthood is shared, with all children taught the concept of n’dalia, or fidelity to social oneness and community. The people are, overall, very insular and communicate very reluctantly with others except in trade. It could be said that their cultural ethos is ‘G’sip a g’ringen’ or ‘Words are power.’

“As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the N’dali women’s garb is made entirely by local artisans. First, the top and skirt are sewn from treated dragonskin, which is created from a process of steps that range from the original hunt of dragons by specialized warriors to the butchering of dragons and curing of dragonskin by skilled craftspeople. The dragonskin is surprisingly light but flexible and protective—it can withstand high temperatures and resists puncturing. The collars and belt of their garments are fashioned by artisans trained via apprenticeship and are created by commission, showing the marks of their owners’ family seals-—in this case, the image of a goddess akin to Callisto on the belt.

“Figure 3 shows us the face of a N’gali woman. With fine beautiful features, the N’dali’s caucasian skin is surprisingly resistant to the elements and heat. The skin provides for N’dali women a convenient canvas for personal expression. While the facial tattoos of many women accentuate their golden eyes and provide pure decoration, the tattoos on their arms tell metaphorical tales of very personal narratives and relationships (in the case of this woman, an homage to the master craftswoman who taught her dragonskin hunting and curing). The hair is arranged in a complex construction of loops and curls, reaching ever higher heights as wearers try to outdo each other to the astonishment and subsequent duplication of their peers. It could never be said a N’dali woman is not vain.”

Excerpted from “Between the Dragon and Phoenix: the N’dali of Melanasia” by anthropologist Birgit Fredriksson-Denison.

Cultural artifacts provided by:

Hair: MrS – Hazardous –  Medium by MrSigmund Fride for MrS

Skin: :GP: Petal [Dark] Summer-Pebble 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

Makeup: Adam n Eve Eye Tattoo Dragon Queen Gold by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

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

Outfit: Adam n Eve Clothes – Dragonskin – Purple by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

Earrings: p.c; Oxidized Silver Hoop by Cora Lu for Paper Couture (modified)

Tattoos: AITUI TATTOO – Fire Fish Sleeves ::airbrushed:: by Jesseaitui Petion for AITUI

Shoes: ::: MOON ::: 1001 Nights Slippers COCOA by Moon Ling for ::: MOON :::

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.