Takin’ It Easy

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. ~ Lao Tzu

 

This weekend was an easy one, blessedly. Went out for dinner at a French restaurant, planted all my windowboxes and weeded my garden, enjoyed beautiful weather. Ah! You find out doing tasks in small bits accomplishes a lot.

I put this outfit together the same way. Lately I have felt a little overwhelmed with my inventory and wardrobe but things have coalesced into a few good looks. I started with LeeZu Baxter’s new mesh creation, a poncho that comes in a variety of looks. This is what I like about LeeZu—her stuff is not simply recolors of one item—she uses many different textures across a set to provide a variety of choices and looks. I personally loved this fabric, and how it “feels” like a piece of soft material draped over my shoulders.

Voshie Paine has accomplished the seeming undoable by hosting the Skin Addiction Skin Showcase without a functioning computer. Yes, you read it here—her computer is down. She has relied heavily on the good will of a neighbor and the many skin creators who have brought a variety of skins for both men and women, to the Showcase, which seems to be the only skin fair of its type in Second Life right now. (See earlier posts here with my pal, Blunt, showing off the men’s skins.) I could not help but show this lovely skin from Izzie Button, who excels in sublime skins for pretty girls.

I topped this whole look off with some great boho earrings from Maxi Gossamer who, by the way, has a great collection of mesh jewelry. These have color change for the gems, which I really like. My hair is MissAllSunday Lemon’s newest, which just dropped on my head right as I was going to shoot, and it was PERFECT for this look with its braids wrapped around and loose tendrils.

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy. ~ Lao Tzu

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Anais Mesh Hair – Chocolate by MissAllSunday Lemon for /Wasabi Pills/ *

Skin: Izzie’s – Delusional Skin sunkissed LB by Izzie Button for Izzie’s, available at the Skin Showcase *

Eyes: Mayfly – Deep Sky Mesh Eyes (Midnight Hazel) by Arkesh Baral for Mayfly

Top: [LeeZu!] Scarf Poncho S (mesh,rigged) /color brown by LeeZu Baxter and Cyphien Heart for [LeeZu!] *

Pants: Miamai_Karomia Pants Rust by Monica Outlander for Miamai *

Nails: Leverocci – Round Nails_1FA_RosyManicure by Jin Elfran for Leverocci

Jewelry: MG – Earrings – Roho – GOLD by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer *

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression

Streaking

There is nothing better than dragging a man to the outdoors and slowly stripping him naked. Yes, I said it.

The outdoors is the Skin Addiction Skin Showcase, set up by Voshie Paine. The stripping has to do with showing this great skin from Theodore duCasse. Blunt dressed up in a great shirt from Swaffette Firefly and khakis from the Warehouse and then slowly dressed down as I dragged him around the sim.

By the time we got to the forest, he was in nothing but his skivvies, and I dared him to take it all off (so we could show you, our dear readers, then entirety of the skin, of course).

Blunt was a little skittish about Voshie showing up and catching him like this.

I was, of course, always looking at his eyes, these included with the skin. The face is fully hand drawn with some great details, like the lines under the eyes and the shading around the cheekbones and lips. The shape included did nothing for either Blunt nor I so Blunt used his own shape, and the skin still worked though it was a markedly different shape and aesthetic. That is, in my mind, the sign of a well-done skin.

Hair: >TRUTH< Jason – chocolate from TRUTH

Skin and Eyes: *Zanzo* Temptation from Zanzo, at the Skin Showcase

Shirt: sf design check it out shirt with ties grey from SF Design

Pants: Armidi Limited – Low Rise Chinos [Beige] from the Warehouse

Shoes: Colbert – Black  from Jeepers Creepers

The Masquerade

Last time I did an avatar for Second Life’s Marketplace, I got tons of IMs asking for style notes so today I am just posting them here so you can all find what you need!

Let me give some notes on the assembly of the look. I didn’t want to replicate Marie Antoinette (the dresses would have looked silly in a lounging position like this). I wanted to show a woman like Marie Antoinette, who was used to a life of leisure and partying. Rogan Diesel’s posing chaise was a perfect choice.

I wanted a more contemporary hair, so Marleen Vaughan’s interpretation suited me very well. I wanted to use the very blushy skin from Hush Darkrose without the tint, so I found the perfect powder makeup to overlay it from Jacqueline Seisenbacher (which includes beauty marks—it’s brilliant).

Freya Oliveiri’s corseted lingerie had the right kind of look for what I was after—a sexy lady of leisure, resting between parties. The little handheld mask was much better than obscuring the face and eyes.

“Let them eat cake!” (which Marie Antoinette never said)

Hair: V. Marie Antoinette without Hat :: powder by Marleen Vaughan for Vaughan’s House of Curiosities, found here on Marketplace

Skin: Hush – Marin – BlueRaspberry – Honey (lb) by Hush Darkrose for Hush, also available on Marketplace

Makeup overlay: Jeunette Baroque Makeup Moderate Powder by Jacqueline Seisenbacher for Kleineschewein, found here on Marketplace

Eyes: IKON Horizon Eyes – Light Blue (ML) by Ikon Innovia, found here on Marketplace

Outfit (including jewelry): ::TGIS:: Dahlia Blanc [Lemon Baby] by Freya Olivieri for Mon Chéri, found here on Marketplace

Mask: Venetian mask-Side-white hand by Joy Kurosawa for Mermaid Temple Store, found on Marketplace

Shoes: baroque slipper by Nonna Hedges from Nonna Hedges

Chaise by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations, with some available here on Marketplace

Peep

Sure God created man before woman, but then again you always make a rough draft before creating the final masterpiece.

Blunt sure thinks he is something else. He showed up for today’s photos in this smokin’ hot skin from Birth and told me to “Snap to it, woman.” I said, “Don’t make a peep, and I will be very happy.” Of course, what did he say? “Peep.”

We went through the whole process again. First we start with this excellent suit from Kal Rau and jeans and boots from Raven Pennyfeather. Blunt likes the shirt because he doesn’t have to wear a belt with it. He’s that kind of lazy.

I made him turn around and show me his best asset. He still couldn’t stop himself from turning back to talk to me. I really need a piece of duct tape for his mouth but.. oh that mouth. Silent Alchemi, where did you learn to draw such a beautiful man? I muted Blunt and just gazed at him and everything was ok. From the gorgeous eyebrows to the high cheekbones, the great neck, the oh-my-gah chest and abdoment down to…. Well *cough* it’s a great skin!

The set includes a variety of facial hair and a treasure trail or not. I think Blunt pulled it off well (once he was muted).

The cocks may crow, but it’s the hen that lays the egg. ~ Margaret Thatcher

Hair: [Shag] – Shine On – charcoal from Shag

Skin: *Birth* Fang Skin (straw) burns_bodynormal_hair from Birth

Eyes: *Birth* Presence Eyes – Silver Brown (Larger) from Birth

Blazer: <kal rau> Blazer Collection_Black_Grey from Kal Rau

Jeans: RFYRE ABSOLOM MENS JEANS BLACK from RFyre

Boots RFYRE ABSOLOM MENS SHORT BIKER BOOT BLACK from RFyre

The Slow Reveal

I will reveal the secrets behind these doors. ~ Zahi Hawass

Skin Addiction is having their Skin Showcase starting May 25, and Voshie was in need of a male blogger so I convinced Blunt to help me out. We dressed him up, I posed him and took the photos. The deal was that we would do the slow reveal so we could show the skins dressed… and undressed.

Blunt chose a suave suit jacket and jeans for his first outfit, most of which he got at the Warehouse, which is still open and functioning. He wore his favorite shoes from Eponymous Trenchmouth, the Shanghais, and he slowly did a strip tease for me so I could share the wonder and beauty of this new skin, a collaboration between Ramses Meredith and brox Riaxik, making a new line—Evian.

And hello, Alejandro, with your sexy shape, and beautiful face. I had a hard time keeping my eyes off Blunt as I photographed him. When he kept his mouth shut I could almost image he was a hunk. (However he chattered the whole time and drove me nuts. It’s really true there is more to someone than looks.)

The face is especially nice with a great selection of facial hair (some of it can be custom colored by you so I guess if you want a purple beard, you got it). The eyes are dreamy, the lips scrumptious and the derriere? Oh boy, oh boy.

Here are a bunch of Blunts, all gorgeous when he has his mouth SHUT, thank you. Just sit there and look pretty.

A man is known by the silence he keeps. ~ Oliver Herford

Hair: *Dura-Boy*24 (Black) from Dura

Skin: ALEJANDRO Medium/Hair (Body Hair) from Egoisme, available at the Skin Addiction Skin Showcase (coming soon!)

Shape: Evian -.Alejandro Shape from Egoisme

Add-on: Egoisme Addon Goatee4 Brown Bald from Egoisme

Clothes: Armidi – Casual Look / Gray from the Warehouse

Shoes: Shanghai – Black/Gray from Jeepers Creepers

Au Printemps

It’s a beautiful day! Don’t let it get away.

This stylish and bright look reminded a friend of printemps (spring in French) and then he and I got on talking about Paris, shopping and our general infatuation with Paris. The Primtemps on Boulevard Haussmann is *the* original department store as far as I am concerned. I love the cupola at the top, the busy commerce, the variety of high and low. This outfit seems perfect for Paris, and even more perfect because until midnight slt TONIGHT, Aurelia Chauveau is donating all proceeds from sale of this outfit to Feed a Smile. With a funky mesh skirt and peplum and cute purple top, the colors say, “Printemps!”

My fresh printemps skin is the newesy from moon Meiyo. I showed her skins a while ago, having tripped across them on some random sim, and I have never been disappointed. With pretty makeups and gently drawn bodies, these skins make a girl feel pretty and full of spring.

My sleek cut is courtesy of Alair Cortes. For men or women, the blonde texture is delightful and suits this chic ensemble. My jewelry, one of Maxi Gossamer’s newest sets, has color change stones so I could pull up a springy green stone to go with the whole look.

Au Printemps, nous avons des vêtements!

Hair: **Pocket Mirrors** Marsha Short Light Blonde by Alair Cortes for Pocket Mirrors

Skin: B Cup[MyDear]Jessica Skin- Medium 5 by moon Meiyo for [MyDear] *

Eyes: Mayfly – Deep Sky Mesh Eyes (Spring Teal) by Arkesh Baral for Mayfly

Dress: MOLiCHiNO Exclusive Outfit for Feed A Smile by Aurelia Chauveau for MOLiCHiNO, available right now in the lobby of the DreamSeeker Styles Venue

Jewelry: Necklace – Roho – Long – GOLD and MG – RING – Roho – Small – R by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer *

Nails: Leverocci – Round Nails_1FA_PurplePlain by Jin Elfran for Leverocci

Shoes: BM Ultimate Lily Lilac by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey, generous gift at Womenstuff

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations

Persuasion

Clothes can suggest, persuade, connote, insinuate, or indeed lie, and apply subtle pressure while their wearer is speaking frankly and straightforwardly of other matters.  ~Anne Hollander

What would it take to persuade you? Might it take a set of lingerie that is so pretty and sexy at the same time you don’t know whether to enjoy its beautiful details or shiver from its sensuousness. Camilla Yosuke, the grand dame of lingerie in SL (she’s been doing this a loooong time), still knows how to do it from the scalloped lace around the edges of my panties to the peekabo panels in the bra. A pair of pumps from Tya Fallingbridge, a lovely new necklace from Mouse Mimistrobell, and I’m convinced!

It’s only appropriate to wear the best skin when dressing so scantily, and Tricky Boucher’s newest deserves scrutiny. Now we can see the details that make Tricky’s skins so evocative—the sheen between the breasts, the delicate clavicle, the subtle ribs, the sheen of the lips and all-over glow.

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? – Anonymous

Hair: Amacci Hair Minna ~ Onyx by Carina Larsen for Amacci

Skin: -Belleza- Lily V2 Med 6 with -Belleza- Lily V2 Med Dark Brows Tattoo and -Belleza- Lily V2 Med lip 4 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza- *

Eyes: IKON Horizon Eyes – Light Blue (ML) by Ikon Innovia for IKON *

Lingerie: Mary Blue Lingerie Set by INSOLENCE by Camille Yosuke for Insolence *

Jewelry: Dark Mouse Spring Pearls Necklace by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse *

Shoes: [PM] Baby T’s Plain 2.0 : Sky by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode *

Chaise by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Wild Thing

Wild thing…you make my heart sing…
You make everything
Groovy
I said wild thing…

~ “Wild Thing” by the Troggs

 

I’m feeling like a wild thing today in this dress, which was a personal birthday present to myself. I loved it from the moment I saw it. With a wild print and a sexy construction, this dress from Saby Clary is a delight to wear from the flowing sleeves to the long sexy, coyly revealing skirt. The silhouette is sexy and modern and enhances the look of a body in all the right places.

The big news of the day is, of course, the release of Tricky Boucher’s newest skin, which I swear he planned just for my birthday (but we know he didn’t because you ALL get to share in the beauty). From the beautifully expressive eyes to the luscious lips (with a great choice of makeup layers) to the sensuously detailed body, this is a gift of pure glamour for all the girls on the grid. (Oh darn, LOOK at those eyes!)

You move me

Hair: >TRUTH< Kirby – copper by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: -Belleza- Lily V2 Med 6 with -Belleza- Lily V2 Med lip 2 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza- *

Eyes: .ID. Light Sensitive/Clean – Slate by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Dress: Utopia LUCY Psychedelice black dots by saby Clary for Utopia

Jewelry: // the egg // Crescent by Yolks Resident for // the egg //

Shoes: N-core ETOILE “Black” BOXED by Nuria Augapfel and Claire Messenger for N-Core

Story Not Yet Told

A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end… but not necessarily in that order. ~ Jean-Luc Godard

My favorite sims suggest a hidden life, a community of people who have left a mark there, and when it’s there, it’s like I just happened to walk in when no one was around. The Metabirds sim always had this sense, and recently I found out Dream Seekers has one quite the same. Run by the ionic Collective, it’s a sim that harbors a story, one that needs to be told. I tell it in this darling dress from Irie Campese with its funky floral print and cute thin belt. My shoes, from Tya Fallingbridge, are the ultimate in sexy and fun. She has the cutest toes (for some reason the toe appearance is very important to me—I think because I have cute toes in RL, I expect to as well in SL).

My skin from Aida Ewing proves something about her work—it can go from formal to casual and still look good, which is a hard task sometimes. I find some skins I put on and look out of place with jeans and some skins I wear look too girlish with an evening gown. Aida’s skins fit shapes well and translate across many genres. I love these ponytails from Truth Hawks. For once the tails don’t disappear in my body. Yay for mesh!

“Now you know the rest of the story….” ~ Paul Harvey

Hair: >TRUTH< Marcia w/Roots – fudge by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Giselle – MedTan R 03 by Aida Ewing for –Glam Affair- *

Eyes: IKON Horizon Eyes – Hazel (ML) by Ikon Innovia for IKON *

Dress: {SMS} Floral Spring Dress Orange FS by Irie Campese for So Many Styles

Necklace: EarthStones Tumbled Stone Jewelry Set – Fire Hot by Abraxxa Anatine for EarthStones

Shoes: [PM] Pixel Mode: Fae [A] Khaki by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations

Photos taken at the The ionic Spell collective on  Ionic Dream Seeker

On Being Not Bored

“

I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen one percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless. It goes on forever, inwardly. Do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored.” ~ Louis C.K.

It’s a lovely day. How can you possibly be bored on a day like this or.. for that matter.. any day? I love what Louis CK has to say about these things. He’s right. We have so much inside and outside, what is there to be bored about? This cute little outfit is perfect for a trip to the market on a sunny day. With a cheerful gingham top from Marie Lauridsen and a sleek mesh pencil skirt from Eclectic Wingtips, I can be cute and chic and set for a wonderful day.

My fresh skin from Hush Darkrose makes this a perfect day, of course. With a smattering of freckles, lovely light brows and luscious full pink lips, this look is not bored, not full of ennui, and definitely not unhappy. I love Truth Hawks little doubled up ponytails with this (with color changing bands).

It’s a nice day. Go outside!

Hair: >TRUTH< Tisha w/Roots – oasis by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [HUSH] Grace – Natural – Vanilla (lb) by Hush Darkrose for Hush *

Eyes: IKON Horizon Eyes – Light Blue (ML) by Ikon Innovia for IKON *

Top: (Milk Motion) My  vichy shirt by Marie Lauridsen for (Milk Motion)

Skirt: e! Marion Skirt (Denim) by Eclectic Wingtips for E!  Eclectic Apparel and Accessories

Shoes: *GF* Strap Shoes “Alex” -gray- by Cerberus Noel for G Field

Basket: Dark Mouse Straw Summer Bag (Blue) by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse

Poses by Valencia Southard for [marukin]