Romance

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Can one love oneself too much? Like 20 million other bloggers, I got the Belleza mesh body updates and needed to take comparison photos to see the three versions of the body—Venus, Isis, and Freya. Tricky and Co. have given more in this update that anyone should deserve, all on his dime. (If you already bought the body, you don’t have to buy it again—think about that.) He has completely revamped the HUD, including a plethora of features that weren’t there before, including three boob types (not two), a better blending neck, massive numbers of alpha slices, the mesh nipples much more easily turned off and on, pointy nails, and of course, THREE bodies, which I compare below. There is, of course, the revised Venus in her original form, but also Isis with a rounder butt and nice perky boobs. Then there is Freya, with thicker, juicier thighs and butt and a fuller figure. And they include a special HUD for storing applied outfits. Bingo!

I applied away, of course, using the Omega Belleza one-time clicker to put the relay into the body and then wore the hud for this lingerie set from Mariska Simons and clicked it on. It worked perfectly on all three bodies. Mayhem Seetan’s almost avant garde and sky high shoes fit perfectly on the Belleza feet (and I think we will see more of the creators making Belleza shoes again—yay!). My hair is a new style from Kuranosuke Kamachi and of course, I am wearing one of Shyla Diggs’ newest skins.

I am posed on a pedestal from Dreamfantasia Nightmare for ROMP, which is opening July 3. The pedestal, seemingly innocuous with one avatar on it, actually contains a surprise for two, a surprise appropriate for ROMP.

Hair: =DeLa*= Fitted Mesh Hair “Stock” All colors by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*= *

Skin: -Belleza- Amelia SK Makeup 6 with -Belleza- Amelia SK Brows – Dark Red by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza *

Eyes: #adored – cloud eyes – pine – b by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Mesh bodies by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

• -Belleza- Venus V3
• -Belleza- Isis
• -Belleza- Freya

Applier: Lingerie appliers: ~Blacklace~ Omega Hud (Sinnocent in Blue) by Mariska Simons for Blacklace *

Shoes: AZOURY – Alma Wedge Sandals – Dark (Belleza) by Mayhem Seetan for AZOURY, available at Shiny Shabby *

Pedestal: *Figment* Pygmalion’s Column-White by Dreamfantasia Nightmare for *Figment*, available at ROMP (opening July 3)

Linda Lu

They call my baby Patty, but, her real name, her real name,
her real name is Linda Lu

~ “Linda Lu” by Ray Sharpe

I made up Linda Lu in a chic look today starting with a bold graphic dress from Ashleey Andrew that she is featuring at IDK. With great sequined textures, Ashleey has created a dress that is perfect for clubbing all night. I paired it up with sexy shoes from Davidefre, who has named them “Harper,” so I had to get them at Uber. He is now making his shoes fit Slink and Maitreya feet, which is a great step forward (no pun intended). My earrings are from Maxi Gossamer’s boho set for Uber.

Now I had a fun time with the LeLutka appliers this time. First I used Umazuma Metaluna’s awesome new applier for the upcoming Sou by creation.jp event to make Linda look uniquely beautiful. Then I put on Monicuzza Babenco’s awesome make-up set for Fantasy Collective to choose a different look for my eye makeup. Just like system faces, you can layer effects from different creators to make a very specific look, which cuts down on that “Stepford Wives” effect that people fear with mesh heads. My wind-tossed wavy hair with blue highlights is one of Bubbles Clawtooth’s exclusives at Summerfest.

Hair: Clawtooth: Beach Babe – The Complete Collection by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth, available at Summerfest *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-STELLA v1.1 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Skin applier: [theSkinnery] Natsumi (LeLutka Applier) (honey) by Umazuma Metaluna for[theSkinnery], available at SOU by Creation.jp (opens June 27) *

Makeup applier: *YS&YS* Favorite Eye Makeups  Applier – Lelutka Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS*, available at The Fantasy Collective *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Journal by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: :Garbaggio // Geo Shift Dress – Blue (Materials) by Ashleey Andrew for Garbaggio, available at IDK *

Jewelry: MG – Earrings and Bracelet – Savannah by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Uber *

Shoes: JD – Harper Maitreya Navy by davidefre for Just Design, available at Uber

Poses by Luna Jubilee for !bang *

A La Calma Verde

“Al fin, podrás ver esos ojos de mar que fluyen, se hacen espuma, vuelven a la calma verde, vuelven a inflamarse como una ola: tu los ves y te repites que no es cierto, que son unos ojos hermosos verdes idénticos a todos los hermosos ojos verdes que has conocido o podrás conocer.” ~ Carlos Fuentes

The calm green is the essence of mid-summer and the hue of this gorgeous dress from Aikea Reiko. Aikea has mastered the art of texture and color with her sexy fantasy looks and this is no exception with swirls and paisleys reaching up from the hem of the dress. Beautifully draped I front, the dress has a plunging back, cleverly held up by a cord around the waist. (Thank you for not showing plumber butt—I am kind of over that look.) I accessorized simply with a choker from Kathya Szczepanski, available at Shiny Shabby, and a back tattoo from Amber Swallowtail (which was about the tenth tattoo I tried on).

I had to wear Monicuzza Babenco’s applier for the LeLutka heads again. She has made this set for Shiny Shabby and I love the variations. I wore the same applier a couple days ago with a different LeLutka head and got a different look. I heard that people fear looking like “Stepford Wives” wearing a mesh head and yes, while it is noticeable that you have a mesh head on to many, not everyone looks the same. My beautiful red hair is one of Kuranosuke Kamachi’s exclusive looks for Summertime. I love this elegant, effortless look.

Hair: =DeLa*= Fitted Mesh Hair “Oriana” All colors by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*=, available at Summerfest *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-EVER v1.1 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* HARA Tone02 Skin Applier – Lelutka Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby*

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Olive by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: :[P]:- Ragnhild Dress ://Yoryn by Aikea Rieko for Plastik *

Choker: Kibitz – Celine necklace – copper by Kathya Szczepanski for Kibitz, available at Shiny Shabby*

Tattoo: IAF Chinese Back tattoo by Amber Swallowtail for IAF

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression (no longer available)

Sweet Caroline

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would

~ “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond

Sweet Caroline is feeling free and easy with this pretty long shirt from Miffyhoi Rosca, which she is featuring at Shiny Shabby this round. Made from fitted mesh, it fit over my Maitreya body pretty darn well and came in several lovely colors. I matched it up with the gorgeous found-object necklace from AvaGardner Kungler that she is offering at the Cosmopolitan Room and darling t-strap pumps from JourdanMcMillan, also available at Shiny Shabby.

My messy braids are the beautiful creation of Mina Nakamura for Kustom9 and have lovely face-framing, growing-out bangs with a gorgeous texture (which looks like our Caroline is growing out some dark ends). I popped the color of the necklace in my eyes with peepers from Soleil Reid. And Ensorcelante has made a custom set of skins for Shiny Shabby which include a pretty spectacular set of appliers-in-one HUD with mesh faces (Slink, LeLutka, Genesis, andTMP)  and then bodies (Belleza, Maitreya, Banned, Lena, and Slink).

Hair: MINA Hair – Yuliya (materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Kustom9 *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-KARIN v1.1 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Head applier: **[PUMENS]  – .:SCARLETT:. SKIN –  SUMMER – ** by Ensorcelante for Pumens, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Aqua by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Shirt: =Zenith=Oversize Shirt (Rose) fitted mesh by Miffyhoi Rosca for =Zenith=, available at Shiny Shabby *

Necklace: (Kunglers) Yvonne necklace – Quartz by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Shoe: Rebel Gal::Janis Patent Platf.Maitreya/Gold by JourdanMcMillan for Rebel Gal, available at Shiny Shabby *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo *

Over and Over Again

“Fashion has a right to exist, because it permits the people to define themselves over and over again.” ~ Ann Demeulemeester

This month’s Shiny Shabby opened with a bang, and no wonder, since the fashions are inspired, in part, by Ann Demeulemeester (which explains all the bold shapes and dark colors). There quite a few good picks, so this month of blogging is going to be very pleasurable. First is this asymmetrical dress from Kiddo Oh, available in three colors and very much Demeulemeester-ish. Add Senzati0n Domenitzo’s amazing ankle-wrapped heels and wire and glass rings from Sigifaust, and you have a designer look for your travels about SL. (See at the bottom where I took this look dancing at the DJ Stage at SL12B.) I have set the stage with décor from Imokon Neox, also available at Shiny Shabby. Fashionable poses from Katya Valeska can be found there too.

Monicuzza Babenco has once again created an applier for the LeLutka mesh head that does a beautiful job of embellishing the features of the face in the best light. I loved the choices of lipstick and the artistic eye makeups available with the applier and will certainly be using this photogenic fashion set over and over. My easy-going, lush hair comes courtesy of Kuranosuke Kamachi, with a great color palette available. Both are also available at Shiny Shabby.

Hair: =DeLa*= Fitted Mesh Hair “Olympia” All colors by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*=, available at Shiny Shabby*

Mesh head: LeLutka Aria HUD 1.1 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Head applier: *YS&YS* HARA Tone03 Skin Applier – Lelutka Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby*

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Journal by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Mesh body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: .::Dead Dollz::. Zion – Black by Kiddo Oh for .::Dead Dollz::., available at Shiny Shabby*

Rings: ieQED anne.ring.set.all.right [MAITREYA 20] by Sigifaust for ieQED, available at Shiny Shabby *

Shoes: Essenz – Hanover (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Shiny Shabby*

Poses: an lar [poses] The Maven Series by Katya Valeska for an lar poses, available at Shiny Shabby*

Décor: cinphul // Gotrik Frame [Evolve] and cinphul // Gotrik Vase [Nite] by Imokon Neox for cinphul, available at Shiny Shabby*

Surface Envy

We win, we lose
Only together do we break the rules
We win, we lose
Only together do we make the rules

~ “Surface Envy” by Sleater-Kinney

The SL12B is creeping up and keeping me busy so I am throwing this blog entry out there and hoping you like it as much as I do.  This time I put together a more eclectic look, starting with the capris from Ariadna Garrigus that she just issued, which include a great texture change HUD to swap up pants and belt textures. I topped it with this provocative piece from Lalu Bonetto, which is part of an outfit she will be selling exclusively at Shiny Shabby (opens June 20). Glamistry just came out with these platform-platform Mary Janes with a fish hook heel for Kustom9. (Last time I saw a good hook in SL was with Eshi!)

The spark to this whole look is Chiaki Xue’s newest hair for boys or girls, a tossed aside, chic cut that hides the eyes, but not the style. Inka Mexicola is coming out with a  new skin, which I am showing only a small piece of this time because I used bright lips from Constance Daehlie. And AvaGardner Kungler comes on heavy metal with these great earrings for On9.

Hair: *Dura-Boys&Girls*57 HAIR by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: Essences [Kendra] pale02 *ginger* by Inka Mexicola for Essences *

Lipstick: #adored – liquid lips – tango by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – HUD V3.3 Lara by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Sweater: Link Top Petrol by Lalu Bonetto for Gato, available at Shiny Shabby (opens June 20) *

Capris: ***ArisAris~Gara01~Lennart Capri by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Earrings: (Kunglers) Ciri earring – Copper by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at On9 *

Shoes: Glamistry : PARRASANA Heels – maitreya by Glamistry for Glamistry *

Poses by VestigeCreations for Vestige Poses *

Three Summer Days

“I almost wish we were butterflies and liv’d but three summer days – three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.” ~ John Keats

Summer is here finally! It’s been a long couple years of hard weather for many people, so we all seize on whatever we can get. This darling outfit from Mami Jewell is a perfect celebration of summer with butterflies floating about and its own butterfly wings. With a sexy mesh dress beneath, it’s a fairy’s ideal summer look.

Maximillion Grant has made appliers for the Maitreya body to match his mesh head, which I had shown recently. To be honest, I rather like this body, especially the legs, which are beautifully detailed and human. Those are some sexy legs. I clicked around the makeups to find my ideal look for the mesh face. With Mina Nakamura’s windblown hair for Kustom9, this look is the ideal celebration of summer!

Hair: MINA Hair – Elvire – Natural by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Kustom9 *

Mesh head: LOGO Infinity Alex Hybrid Mesh Avatar – Cocoa All Expressions by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Eyes: #adored – cloud eyes – firecaster by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: -AZUL- Pepeke /Coral by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Shoes: Zaara : Janya jeweled sandals *coral* by Zaara Kohime for Zaara *

Poses by VestigeCreations for Vestige Poses *

Drive

Grab the keys and let’s go for a ride

~ “Drive” by Dornik

The theme for SL12B this year is “What Dreams May Come” and having a backstage pass gives me a lot of insight into people’s dreams. I toodled around the sims on a motorcycle by NiR McBride that I got The Men’s Dept after I finished my own exhibit and enjoyed the views that are developing. Of course, nothing is completed, so I was careful to skirt around and not show anything that isn’t already kinda public, like the awesome Auditorium.

I put on an easy look—the new outfit Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus have released at their store, a set of their best pieces in black—jacket, jeans and boots plus a tank add-on that includes a HUD with several texture choices. This is a great entry level into their stuff and lets you test out the fit for yourself. (And the fit over my Maitreya body is fantastic).

Shylah Honey’s newest hair for On9 was my go-to look for this adventure with the wild wavy locks pulled to the side. I have put Umazuma Metaluna’s gorgeous skin applier on the Lotte head from Jadenarts. She is selling this set at the Chapter Four and I have to say, it’s sublime. The freckled version is gorgeous.Sunglasses from Glamistry with his great texture-change HUD keep the glow out. (“Future’s so bright I gotta wear shades…”)

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Lexique by Shylah Honey for *~*Damselfly*~*, available at On9 *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-LOTTE v1.1 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Head applier: [theSkinnery] London (LeLutka Applier) (honey) by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at the Chapter Four *

Eyes: [theSkinery] Chocolate eyes – Truffles by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery]

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Outfit (including boots): L&B Swear “Drift Mesh” Leather Jacket Outfit by BastChild Lotus and Paul Lapointe for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Sunglasses: Glamistry: Sunglasses PU2003 by Glamistry for Glamistry *

Motorcycle: [sau]Kuazi[lite][TMD][Matt Black] by NiR McBride for [sau]motors, available at The Men’s Dept

Clematis

The common hill-flowers wither, but they blossom again. The laburnum will be as yellow next June as it is now. In a month there will be purple stars on the clematis, and year after year the green night of its leaves will hold its purple stars. But we never get back our youth. ~ Oscar Wilde

Finally the flowers are out! I have been taking walks and snapping photos left and right of people’s gorgeous gardens. By the end of August. I hope my clematis climbs as high as the one Lilith Heart is selling at Fameshed. The detail for such low land impact is amazing.

Kiddo Oh’s gorgeous dress for the Cosmopolitan Room is a lovely full mesh piece that evokes dresses young ladies wore for cotillions but with a sexy twist in skirt cut up to there and side panels cut to the waist. With a delicate crystal embellishment along the bodice, it comes in four lovely shades, but I thought this delicate shade was perfect.

Bubbles Clawtooth came out with this retro style for Collabor88, available with or without bangs and with a nice texture-change bow. I think my mom wore a style very similar to this in the early 60s and it suits this ball gown just fine when one thinks of the last bloom of innocence in a young woman. My pretty skin is Inka Mexicola’s lovely new skin, available in her store with all the eyebrow shades you can shake a stick at. As always, her eyes are soulful with thick groomed brows and a piquant smile.

Hair: Clawtooth: Bee-Bop-Betty – Complete Collection by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth, available at Collabor88 *

Skin: Essences [Illamasqua] medium02 *brunette* by Inka Mexicola for Essences *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – morning by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: Miso Nude by Kiddo Oh for .::Dead Dollz::., available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Maitreya – Pastels Set by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Shoes: Ingenue :: Lara Heels (Maitreya) :: Blush by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Poses by Dove Swanson for Long Awkward Pose (no longer available)

Décor: Heart – WILDFLOWERS – Ancient Climbing Clematis by Lilith Heart for Heart Garden Centre, available at FaMESHed

The Deeper the Blue

The deeper the blue becomes, the more strongly it calls man towards the infinite, awakening in him a desire for the pure and, finally, for the supernatural… The brighter it becomes, the more it loses its sound, until it turns into silent stillness and becomes white. ~ Wassily Kandinsky

Mami Jewell has just come out with a bridal dress that should catch your attention. As always, Mami applies her beautiful texture work with laces, embossing and sheer elements to an elegant dress. It’s the skillful combination of proportions in the textures from the sheen of the textured bodice to the sheerness of the skirt and ruffled sleeves to the carefully placed roses with the mixture of mesh with flexi with prim, that distinguishes Mami’s work from other ballgown makers. Mami includes a veil, bouquet variations and other pieces with this outfit but I am simply satisfied in wearing it as a beautiful gown. I added dangly earrings from Zib Scaggs from On9—the dress really doesn’t need much more accessorization.

Gosh I love this new updo from Kavar Cleanslate. It’s a new look on the grid—straight hair pulled up in a messy French twist—and so prevalent in RL looks. With his fantastic textures, I predict this one will be a big seller at Collabor88 and one you will see on lots of ladies. My skin too, the newest from Shyla Diggs, is a classic look from one of the best skin artists on the grid. I have added a touch of gloss and blush to the skin but the eye makeups, the brows, the features are all subtle, nuanced and gorgeous. When I put one of Shyla’s skins on, I feel myself and I feel beautiful.

Hair: ::Exile::Full Of Grace by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at Collabor88 *

Skin: -Belleza- Amelia SK Makeup 9 with -Belleza- Amelia SK Brows – Blonde and -Belleza- Amelia Blush Sk by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Jeans by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: -AZUL Bridal- Regina/Sugilite by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Earrings: Roxi ~ Earring Silver/Blues by Zib Scaggs for Zibska, available at On9 *

Shoes: Elyisum – Grace peeptoe stiletto – classic blue plain by Aleida Rhode for Elysium *

Poses by Dove Swanson for Long Awkward Pose (no longer available)