Party Princess

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

It’s almost New Year’s Eve and in the spirit of festivity, I dressed up and drank a little champagne. My dress, from Sissy Pessoa’s winter collection, is a satiny little mini, all sheen and shine, with a pretty surprise in the back—a jeweled chain that drapes down and adds a ton of glitter to this little silver dress. Shoes are strappy stand-bys from Onyx LeShelle and my bracelet was a group gift from Kayleigh McMillan.

The skin name says it all—Party Girl—and Gala Phoenix has come out with a set of skins that can go from fresh to funky in a matter of seconds (if you get the fat pack). Check out that bold pink on the lips. My eyes are partially hidden by the bangs on Thora Charron’s winter group gift, complete with tiara—a perfect New Year’s Eve look for a party princess.

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.” ~ Mark Twain

Hair: [LeLutka]-AWE hair – AlmostGoth by Thora Charron for [LeLutka]

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] Party Girl-Rave 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Cool Silver (S) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Dress: Baiastice_Liksye dress-silver by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice *

Bracelet: *ByKay* ~ Angel ~ Bracelet (Group Only Ltd.) by Kayleigh McMillan for *ByKay*

Shoes: Maitreya Gold * Foxy Silver by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Champagne: ..::VcF by Gia::.. Champagne Set by Gia Zero for Vyper Creations

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Dear Mrs. Claus

Dear Mrs Claus, I know Santa’s away
Loaded up all the toys and taken the sleigh
It gets awfully cold and lonely in the North Pole they say
Hang your Christmas stockings and I’ll be on my way

I’ll bring some sugar plums and a candy cane ;)
We’ll start a fire in the fireplace, send all the elves away
No one should be alone on this most silent of nights
Let me turn on your Christmas light

Santa, he’s out with Rudolph and the boys
Bringing all the little kids Christmas toys
I don’t want to seem too impolite
but do you really think he’s just getting milk and cookies tonight?

If anyone ever brings me milk and cookies, I sure hope he looks like my alt, Blunt. I found out as I put together this look that the business of seduction is a tricky one for men. They have to consider their “audience” and all the fine subtle cues that will gently nudge her into the sweet spot. For help, I turned to Menstuff—as Blunt—and asked in group chat for recommendations—what would a guy wear to seduce a lady? Who is it for, they asked? “Uh, a nice middle aged lady.” And what does she like—rock n roll, punk, biker? “Oh, I think something a little understated… I don’t want to scare her.” What does she like to do? “She likes to make cookies and uh… (mumbled) feed reindeer….” I finally blurted out that it was Mrs. Claus. No one blinked an eye. This is SL, after all.

Patty Tisane of Mimi’s Choice was very gracious to drag poor foolish Blunt around shopping. First a black suit jacket from Kal Rau. He has perfectly fitted the suit with a prim jacket bottom and cuffs and collar. I did find myself pulling the cuffs down a bit (and I wonder if they are still too short on me), but that might be Blunt’s apishly long arms. Wandering over to SF Designs, I found a great Christmas red shirt that comes open and even more open (which I show as Blunt leads Mrs. Claus to the bedroom).

Jeans from machang Pichot might make Mrs. Claus swoon a bit and shoes from Eponymous Trenchmouth class up this ensemble. Of course, he has to be “blunt” about his intentions, so Blunt wears a handsome Christmas hat with a bit of mistletoe pinned to the brim.

Oh Mrs. Claus, let me hold your hand
spread our warmth across this winter wonderland
No one should be alone on Christmas night
let me turn your on your Christmas light

Santa’s, he’s off with Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, too
and it’s anyone’s guess all the things they get up to
I don’t want to look impolite
do you really think he’s just getting milk and cookies tonight?

Mrs. Claus, aw, let me hold your hand
spread our warmth across this winter land
no one should be alone on this most silent of nights

Let me turn on your Christmas light
Hey baby
Let me turn on your Christmas light
Hohoho, hohoho
Let me turn on your Christmas light

~ “Dear Mrs. Claus” by The Barr Brothers

Hair: *Dura-Boy*24 (Black) by Chiaki Xue for Dura

Skin: -Belleza- MOH skin gift by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza-

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

Jacket: <kal rau> Blazer Collection_Black_Grey by Kal Rau for Kal Rau, also available at Mimi’s Choice

Shirt: sf design chambray shirt red – mens monday mania by Swaffette Firefly for SF Design, also available at Mimi’s Choice

Jeans: AOHARU_BT_VintageDenim_Black by machang Pichot for Aoharu

Hat: Midnight Jazz – Mistletoe Hat – Red by Erielle Deschanel

Shoes: Colbert – Black by Eponymous Trenchmouth for Jeepers Creepers

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations and Dove Swanson for Long Awkward Pose

Photos taken in the amazing Log Cabin from Roscko Cobalt for Ruca Tease. See a video with Blunt and Harper both, showing all the features of this lovely cabin. *

Eleanora the Explorer

Not everyone in SL stands around sorting inventory and chatting in groups and shopping like a lunatic and trying on clothes. Many people enjoy logging on to explore—to see what this great other world has to offer as far as decorations or living or environment. I have met people who systematically walk from sim to sim in mainland to see everything, folks who like to randomly choose a place on the map and tp there, and residents who explore landmarks passed to them by other explorers.

For such world adventuring, what should a fashionable girl wear? Something cute, of course, and maybe warm. This dress from Poulet Koenkamp does the trick with its deliciously soft fur collar and cuffs. (No breedables were killed for this collar—Meeroos don’t yield such a lovely fur and KittyCats are too cute.) With its slinky knit, it still has the sexiness needed for survival in the wilds of SL without bling or hootchie. Cream colored tights (I stole from a dress from dirty Adored) and mukluks from Trippy Fall I found at a great 30L sale on a Gorean sim keep my legs and feet warm. Those are little buffalos that decorate them, if you were wondering—like the buffalo that wander the sim plains of SL. And a darling backpack with all the essential supplies–a lantern, marshmallows, cleaver, shovel, and yoga mat–keeps my inventory in line.

A buffalo plaid hunters hat tells everyone what you’re up to—exploring, hunting wabbits, looking ironically cool. Mina Nakamura adds two cute ponytails to the hat with a lovely blonde texture and whimsical little rope ties. This is a mesh hat so you wear it and are seen by non-mesh viewers during your travels, they will miss the whole cultural cue. My skin is one of Gala Phoenix’s newest with pretty blonde brows and a lovely mouth with natural peachy lip color and a sprinkle of faint freckles. A pretty face like this can get you into pretty much any sim.

“I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks.” ~ Daniel Boone

Hair: MINA Hair – Freija by Mina Nakamura for MINA *

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] Angel-Flutter 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Sweater dress: :: PM :: Greta Wool Dress in Brown by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon, available at the Tropicalia Bazaar

Tights: from Bottle Bird Rosemary Tights by dirty Adored for Bottle Bird *

Backpack: * May’s Soul* Sorell by May Tolsen for May’s Soul, available at Four Corners

Boots: ~~MO~~ Red savage Bosk by Trippy Fall for Silk Worms, available at the 30L Midwinter Fair

Happy Hanukkah!

Put on your yalmulka, here comes hanukkah
So much fun-akkah to celebrate hanukkah.

Hanukkah is the festival of lights,
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.

Yes, ok I know it’s already started but that’s the luxury of Hanukkah. I can come in ANY of the eight wonderful days and wish you all Happy Hanukkah! This beautiful dress from Squinternet Larnia is a perfect choice for such a wonderful holiday—a holiday of solemn and beautiful ceremony and the warmth of community and friends. Squinternet, from day one, has been interested in clothing women in couture, in style, in what her imagination can conjure up. She has conquered the prim and sculpty to provide absolutely breathtaking apparel. I especially love this because of the gorgeous gold texture Squinternet has conjured up–it’s as if gold is just flowing from the dress. The blue sculpty (with its clever curled hem) serves to barely contain the rich skirt, pulling it together with the beautifully brocaded bodice.

A holiday of lights deserves a luminous, glittering skin and this one from Tricky Boucher fills the bill. With its exotically lined eyes and shimmering makeup, this skin suits the drama and boldness of this dress without competing with it. My gorgeous curled updo is courtesy of Queue Marlowe, with exquisite color and texture in piles of luxurious hair. Its almost classical shape suits the sculptural element of the gown. Mazel tov!

Tell your friend Veronica, it’s time you celebrate hanukkah
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely, lovely hanukkah.

So drink your gin-and-tonic-ah, but don’t smoke mara-juanic-ah,
If you really, really wanna-kah, have a happy, happy, happy, happy Hanukkah!!

~ Adam Sandler singing “Happy Hanukkah!”

Hair: kathryn morning by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: -Belleza- Chloe Tan 7 Cleavage with -Belleza- Chloe Tan Light brows by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza- *

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

Dress: * Donna Flora * FAITH bronze by Squinternet Larnia for Donna Flora *

Ring: P.C; Golden Wings Ring by Cora Lu for Paper Couture

Cozy

A sweater, some leggings and boots, and it’s a cozy day.

Today’s a dress down sort of day—nothing fancy. Just casual and easy. It’s simple to get this look with this great sweater from Larcoco Mathy. I love the softness of this sweater—the pretty color and texture that makes it look so cozy. It has a nice turtleneck and sculpty cuffs on the sleeves. She includes a sculpty bottom which I have not used because those torso prims always look frumpy on me. My leggings are a pretty pair from Ivey Deschanel and my jewelry is one of Matchbook Monday’s newest sets.

I am digging this haircut from Kavar Cleanslate, which shows a pretty funky layered look in back to a long bang in front. He could have just left the back as one length like most older school SL hair of this style, but he went the extra mile by layering it, as it would be in real life. I love the new texture he’s showing on these new pieces.

My skin is a redhead’s desire from Agony Helse. This one has exotic blue-lined eyes and a pale lip, which is ideal—only one thing should be bold on a face. A sprinkling of freckles and the pale tone makes this skin sexy.

Finally, I show one of LeeZu Baxter’s forays into mesh. (Yes! I am wearing mesh now because Firestorm works for me.) Once again, we see LeeZu’s great texturing and unique fashion vision in these boots. The laces mixed with the bands and buckles is stylish and intriguing.

‘Bring out… The Comfy Chair!!!!’ ~ Monty Python’s Flying Circus

Hair: ::Exile:: Callisto:Autumn by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile:: *

Skin: Akeruka Kia 13 Nat by Agony Helse for Akeruka *

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

Sweater: ::C’est la vie !:: knit turtleneck(mortlake blue)LB by Larcoco Mathy for ::C’est la vie !::

Leggings: :::Sn@tch Tapestry Pants (Grey-P)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch *

Jewelry: : Amorous : Simplicity by Matchbook Monday for Amorous *

Boots: [LeeZu!] Street Blues Boots /blue by LeeZu Baxter for [LeeZu!] *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations

Swing and Sway

Born Anna Sandowsky in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1917, Arlene Sands was one of the swing era’s “unsung” female vocalists. Known for her throaty voice and broad range, Arlene was admired from coast to coast for her work with the Harvey Hall band. As Hitler marched into Poland, Arlene sang for crowds up and down the East Coast and blessed her citizenship, which allowed a Jewish woman like her to appear in public, an equal citizen whose religious heritage and beliefs were not as important to them as her beautiful voice and glamorous look.

Anna/Arlene is brought to life with this gorgeous dress from Neferia Abel. Neferia has been making dresses in SL based on her historical research for over five years. At one time. she was the only place go for anything vintage, and she is still the best for historical accuracy in 20th century women’s fashion. This pretty green sheath—just the right color for the holidays—includes a sculpty bow.

My skin, from Mae Liamano, cuts it for this look with its sophisticated face and lighter makeup. I really appreciate how Mae sells a base skin with makeup addons she has made, so she lets you choose her makeups or someone else’s. I chose her lip stain, and this coral is delicate and lovely. The eyebrows and eyes on this skin also get me—just gorgeous. My hair is a vintage piece from Kin Keiko that I always seem to run to for thse shots because of its beautiful curliness. And my gorgeous necklace is from Mouse Mimistrobell—not quite dripping in diamonds but certainly wearing something vintage and beautiful.

(Photo dated 1939, Arlene Sands singing with Artie Shaw’s band. Please note Arlene in front.)

When they begin
the beguine
it brings back the sound
of music so tender
it brings back a night
of tropical splendor
it brings back a memory of green

~ “Begin the Beguine” by Cole Porter, as done by Artie Shaw

Hair: Kin-Jennifer-[Brown] by Kin Keiko for Kin

Skin: (love) skin – Emma Medium/Dark (dk eyebrows) with (love) lip stain – coral by Mae Liamano for (love)

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

Dress: ~Ivalde~ Gilda collection by Neferia Able for Ivalde *

Necklace: Dark Mouse Deco Squared Necklace – Silver by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse *

Ring: DIAMOND COCTAIL RING WITH GEM CHANGER by caLLie cLine for caLLie cLine *

Shoes: [ glow ] studio Benelli Pumps (TDRgreen) by Linka Demina for [ glow ]

Microphone with poses: *Naina Props {Vintage Mic Set1} and *Naina Props {Vintage Mic Set2} by Naina Brune for Naina Props

P.S. Arlene Sands did not exist, but Helen Forrest did, and the story is loosely based on her personal history.

All I Want for Christmas

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There’s just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is…
You

Christmas is not really about presents—it’s about love, being with our loved ones, sending a message of love to them. Sometimes a loved one is not close at hand—I think in particular of our service people still in Afghanistan and those still coming back from Iraq. A loved one far away might like a few photos of his girl showing him just how badly she wants him home.

Well-made lingerie is always the ticket for such a set of photos. It enhances the beauty of a woman’s body and, if done right, caresses her body as well. One of the best lingerie makers in SL is Camille Yosuke. She’s old school—all her pieces are system pieces, perfectly integrated across all layers so you have a variety of ways to wear her work.

Consider the sheerness of the material, the embroidered flowers, the beautiful peek-a-boo of skin and curves through the material as it wraps around her body. Imagine the warmth of her skin on a cold winter’s night, the glow of her body in the firelight and the feel of silk under your fingers as you touch her. If all she wants for Christmas is you, you best be getting home soon.

If she has a skin from aida Ewing, it might make it all that more important to hitch a ride with Santa and get home. With its elegant face and truly sexy curves (let me be crass here but.. check out that ass), aida’s skin has got to say to a loved one, I want you for home for Christmas.

Come home, take  her beautiful hair down, open your present. All she wants for Christmas is YOU.

Santa won’t you bring me the one I really need
Won’t you please bring my baby to me…

~ “All I Want for Christmas,” as sung by Mariah Carey

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

Skin: -Glam Affair- Linn MedTan – D 08 by aida Ewing for –Glam Affair- *

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

Lingerie: Lauren Red Lingerie Outfit by INSOLENCE by camilla Yosuke for Insolence *

Earrings: EarthStones Quatro Diamond Stud Earring by Abraxxa Anatine for EarthStones

Shoes: [e] Move Pumps – Onyx by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [Elikatira]

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations

Dynamite

Tricky, finger licky cheeky take another bite
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it like a dynamite

~ “Dynamite” by Kraak and Smaak

Sometimes I want to go out and just feel like I am a tall stick of dynamite—hot, sizzling, with the potential for something explosive. Wearing red does it for me, especially a great red dress like this special edition from LeeZu Baxter, which features a lot of the great details LeeZu is known for—great textures mixed with ingenious and stylish prim work. Things I noticed while wearing it: prims melted into system pieces organically, prim ruffles were square and hollowed with flexi, sculpties were used to create a shapely decollatage with ruffles. With its eensy little ruffled skirt and exposed shoulder, this dress is cute and sophisticated and sexy all at once.

A dynamite look needs a dynamite face and Tricky Boucher’s newest skin, with its glossy cherry pop lips and glittering silver makeup charges this look with a thousand tons of power. Sexy laced heels from Claire Messenger give my long legs a blast of color and sexyiness with their great color-changing nails and skin. Sexy eyes from Ikon Innovia peek out from under curled bangs on the thick black hair from chiaki Xue, giving the entire look a final pop.

Baby pop, get on top, do it all night
Hubba hubba, cherry pop it like a dynamite!

Hair: *Dura-Girl*30 (Black) by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: -Belleza- Chloe Tan 5 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza- *

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

Dress: [LeeZu!] Natascha Flexi Dress /red by LeeZu Baxter for [LeeZu!] *

Shoes: N-core POISON “Fatpack” 18 colors by Claire Messenger for N-core *

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression

Timeless

You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen.  But if you are beautiful at sixty, it will be your soul’s own doing.  ~ Marie Stopes

They say 30 is the new 20, 40 is the new 30, etc. Certainly women are retaining a vitality for much longer and women RL Harper’s own age are drop dead (even moreso than younger women, I have been told). Truth is, beauty doesn’t know an age. An older woman can pull off a sophisticated look that a younger girl could never carry off. Take this top from sable99 Magic’s dress paired with a high-waisted skirt from Dakota Buck. Black and white, echoed in the black bag from Renee Harvy and toe-cap pumps from Onyx LeShelle and simple pearls from Tiffy Vella knotted at the neck, and you have the sort of elegance that only comes from years of experience.

The look is pulled together with a short cut from chiaki Xue and this gorgeous hand-drawn skin from Sissy Pessoa. Sissy is taking a risk here, putting out a women’s skin for a more mature look—isn’t youth what we all seek? Well if you want to be taken seriously or want to represent the “real you,” maybe not. Notice how well Sissy adds wrinkles to the skin, the slightly drooping eyes, the lines from a lot of smiling (and a little worrying too) working their way from the eyes, across the bridge of the nose, and around the mouth. Sissy shows us that, indeed, beauty can be timeless.

I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that. ~ Lauren Bacall

Hair: **Dura-Girl**25(Dark Gray) by chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: Baiastice_Sophie skin-peach tone-BK by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice *

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

Top: S@BBiA::Dress classical black by sable99 Magic for S@BBiA (top only)

Skirt: [W&B] High-Waisted Pencil Skirt BLACK by Dakota Buck for Whippet and Buck

Jewelry: Eclectica Pearl Mixables- Classic Twist (black) by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Bag: ::Duh!:: Big Tote – Black by Renee Harvy for ::Duh!::

Shoes: Maitreya Neyya * Toe-cap White by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression

Anonymous

All this technology for connection and what we really only know more about is how anonymous we are in the grand scheme of things.~ Heather Donahue

She’s a librarian. She found SL because she read about it in a magazine about library science. When she got there, she not only found wonderful library resources, but also a whole way of imagining a secret life that leapt off the page. Now I am not suggesting librarians don’t have such a secret life—it exists quite abundantly in libraries—in many romance novels, in academic texts, in histories and photographs, in reference books and databases. It’s all there but when she found she opened the book, it was a discussion between her and the author and nothing interactive happened. So SL became a place to bring out the discussion and explore her ideas and for once, embody her secret life. She created an alt, named her “Peaches,” cloaked her identity, and leapt in….

I think many people know this story very well. They come into SL for professional reasons and stay in SL for personal reasons. Ever want to be cinched up tight in a corset and wantonly walk around, collar on your neck, fishnets wrapped around your long legs, stiletto heels putting little dents in the floor, anonymously? Khurt knows the your need for corsets. In his store, every outfit starts with the prim corset and works its way through different themes. I wear here  corset with a subtle skull motif, tight little leather booty shorts, a cropped sweater and fishnets. Khurt offers steampunk, Victorian, romantic, goth—whatever your heart desires—all held tight with a prim corset that can be sized independently on the X, Y or Z axis.

She covers her eyes with a short wavy cut from Chiaki Xue (really meant for boys but works so well here). Her skin is aida Ewing’s newest (out sometime today) because, frankly, an anonymous alt should look as good as the main avatar, especially, when she’s out and about, living a second life.

For most of history, Anonymous was a woman. ~ Virginia Woolf

Hair: *Dura-Emo*07(Dark Gray) by chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: -Glam Affair- Linn MedTan – BL 11 by aida ewing for –Glam Affair-*

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

Outfit (with Corset): .:NV:. Corsetry Pink Skully corset by Khurt Vhargon for .:NV:. Corsetry *

Collar: +DV8+ Deathrock Collar – Iron Trifecta – Skulls! (chest-fit) by Vasha Martinek for +DV8+ *

Boots: BAX Ankle Boots Red+ Suede by Bax Coen for Bax Boots *

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression

P.S. If you EVER read down this far and read this on Sunday afternoon, Dahlia Lithwick, one of my favoritist writers, is going to be in SL AGAIN. (I just find it so wonderful that she embodies herself here—NOT anonymously.) If you would like to join in the discussion either via the web or in SL, you can either go to their webpage at Virtually Speaking Sundays or tp over to the sim and see Dahlia in real live pixels. She knows all the juicy bits about the Supreme Court!