Mexican Chocolate Butter Cookies

To cram big chocolate flavor into a tender, crisp chocolate butter cookie recipe, we found that cocoa powder—with a much higher percentage of cocoa solids than other forms of chocolate—was clearly the best candidate. ~ Cooks Illustrated

Today’s cookie (which turned out excellently) is the Mexican Chocolate Sugar Cookie. Forget the sugar—it’s all chocolate, dark dark chocolate (thanks to Dutch process cocoa and instant espresso), with an eensy touch of cayenne pepper to give it a little afterbite. This is not your Grandma’s Christmas cookie. I thought the idea of the cayenne pepper touched cookie went well with this outfit, which includes a darling integrated shawl and top from AscendSL and a great set of leggings from Rucy Byron with feet shaped to fit Slink or Maitreya shoes and a texture-change HUD for three different neutral shades. I picked up a pair of boots made by InfinityStore that includes a texture-change HUD for the socks and the hardware and a scarf from xMike Deed from Thrift Shop at half off to complete my look.

Avenge is a new skin line made by AvengeStore, and she includes appliers for Slink hands and feet and Maitreya and Belleza bodies and tells me she will be working on Catwa and Logo head appliers very soon. The body is nicely detailed and the face is quite pretty with several makeup options available. She’s still getting things together but for a unique look that many won’t have, you might check her store. Bubbles Clawtooth features this wavy and wild hair at N21 with some great ombre textures she has made. The barrette includes its own color change HUD.

Hair: Clawtooth: Magnolia – Dark Ombre Pack by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth, available at N21 *

Skin: [Avenge] Athena (bronze) – brown eyebrow with [Avenge] Athena skin makeup (eyes) – sun by AvengeStore for [Avenge] *

Eyes: .ID. September Eyes / Brown by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kyra lashes.02 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Top: Ascend – Fringed Out Cardigan RED by ascendsl for Ascend, available at Shiny Shabby *

Leggings: !APHORISM! Knitted Tights – Maitreya Flat Monochrome by Rucy Byron for !APHORISM!, available at Shiny Shabby *

Scarf: Kenvie. Wool Scarf—Sienna  by xmike Deed for Kenvie, available at the Thrift Shop *

Boots: !NFINITY Winterboots Back Lace -Grey – Isis  by InfinityOwner for !nfinity, available at the Thrift Shop

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Taken at Flux Sur Mer

Alfajores

At first glance, the alfajor is entirely unassuming. One might even pass it up for something with chocolate chips or frosting. This would be a grave mistake. There’s a reason this simple cookie defines the cafe scene in Buenos Aires and has entire cafes devoted to it all across Latin America. It’s maybe the best cookie that ever was. ~ Julie R. Thomson, Huffington Post

Today’s cookies are alfajores, an Argentinian specialty, tender and flavorful, filled with dulce de leche. And today’s look comes courtesy of June Dion, who has made this darling Chanel-inspired outfit with mesh pieces. She includes dark and light pieces with textures that are absolutely gorgeous, even close up. I looked at the buttons over and over because they are so exquisitely done. And out and about, my ensemble got noticed—several asked me where I got it. (You will find it in th new releases section.) The outfit also comes with some system layers which are unnecessary and boots that you can take or leave. I left them for these great boots Senzati0n Domenitzo made for Shiny Shabby. They fit my calves perfectly and include all of Senz’s great colors. With Polyester Partridge’s darling little case for N21, it’s a chic look.

I am wearing the Logo mesh head again, testing more makeup applications. I used AtomicSparkle Skytower’s beautiful applier for the head and then applied one of Alaska Metropolitan’s great (and economical!) lipsticks. Omega applier eyes from Weaponized Sugar complete my look. I popped Glamistry’s awesome sunglasses on my head (even though it’s overcast) and the newest hair from Chiaki Xue, a wavy lush look that creates a darling wrap up for an entire look. Could my girl be Argentinian? She certainly is chic enough.

Hair: *Dura-B&G*62 HAIR – LIGHT COLOR -B- by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Mesh head: LOGO Alex v3.0 Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: *VERVE* Coco Skin – Logo Alex Head Applier Omega (Sun) by Atomicsparkle Skytower for *VERVE* *

Makeup: alaskametro<3 “Creme Red” lipstick – Omega HUD by Alaska Metropolitan for Alaskametro

Eyes: :{WS}: Omega Eye Applier – Spring Green Medium by weaponizedsugar for Weaponized Sugar

Body:  Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: ::: B@R ::: Chidoria by June Dion for Bare Rose *

Sunglasses: Glamistry: Sunglasses PU2002 by Glamistry for Glamistry *

Necklace: Meva Skull Necklace women 1 by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at Shiny Shabby *

Handbag: (Yummy) Valena Box Purse by Polyester Partridge for Yummy, available at N21

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

Poses by by Flutter Memel for Flowey

Taken at St. Pete’s City

Raspberry-Filled Almond Torte Cookies

These cookies get a double-dose of almond flavor with a crunchy almond topping and almond extract in the frosting. ~ Cook’s Country

True to my word, another cookie recipe, and these are a bit of work but so good and beautiful! I may be sending a batch this year to Max and Polly in thanks because they just released the update for the Alex mesh head at LOGO with makeup and so much more. Yes, now you can apply Omega makeups AND Omega eyes! (I have more to say about that in a moment.) You can also tint the skin, inner eye (more important than you think), lashes, hair base and Omega makeups.

And now you can also fiddle around with expressions, using a typed command to evoke certain expressions (even one you have made yourself—so if you hate saying “lol” but prefer “laugh” it will go off at your command), set the timing on those expressions (for example if the smile seems insincerely short), and set a series of expressions animating in order (imagine doing a machinima where you could just have it go off in a sequence *wink*wink*). Max includes a very thorough explanation on the LOGO site (that I have linked through).

Omega makeups are included now, which is remarkable. However, makeup creators need to make sure they make makeups using the most up-to-date Omega scirpts—ones that find the zone of the eye versus the lip. (Older Omega scripts just lay over the whole surface layer.) That’s why I am able to show you Alaska Metropolitan’s great eye shadow but I can’t use her lipstick as well (though she has promised to update her Omega makeups soon). I encountered this same problem with a Catwa head when I tried to combine lipstick with blush. Contact your Omega makeup creator and ask them to upgrade!

I was also able to use one of the few Omega eye appliers to change the color of my eyes. I was so very very happy to be able to do this rather than fit in mesh eyes. The eyes that come with the head are already fit perfectly. I really hope eye creators start making Omega eyes for just this kind of application (thanks WeaponizedSugar for offering them on MP).

Max has also made it easier to include add-ons. Now they are boxed in an HUD, you click and it automagically adds the required scripts to your HUD. I was able to add the expressions expansion packs to my HUD that easily! He offers all his makeup add-ons this way too.

You see here Monicuzza Babenco’s beautifully freckled Beatrix for My Attic, which she has made for several mesh heads but which fits the Alex head so wonderfully. The freckles are gorgeous on the face (and also on her body applier, which is sold separately). Elikapeka Tiramisu’s gorgeous style for Shiny Shabby complements the look I assembled with other pieces from Shiny Shabby including Giz Seorn’s brilliant sheepskin coat over a knit cardigan (a wonderful combination of great textures and mesh with a trendy silhouette) and Thetra Blackheart’s multi-textured jeans. Aleida Rhode’s beautifully-made 100% original mesh (I know because I saw the models) include a great texture change hud for parts of the boot and can be worn without mesh feet so you don’t have to worry about fitting.

Hair: [e] Becca by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: LOGO Alex v3.0 Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Beatrix Tone02 Skin Applier for Logo Mesh Head Alex by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at My Attic *

Makeup: alaskametro<3 “Matte Smoke” eyeshadow – Omega HUD by Alaska Metropolitan for Alaskametro

Eye applier: :{WS}: Omega Eye Applier – Redrum Medium by weaponizedsugar for Weaponized Sugar

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Jacket: GizzA – Norsk Jacket with Cardigan – Women [Blue] by Giz Seorn for GizzA, available at Shiny Shabby *

Pants: E-Clipse LuceJeans Grey (Maitreya Compatible) by Thetra Blackheart for E-Clipse, available at Shiny Shabby *

Boots: Elysium – London ankle boots – charcoal by Aleida Rhode for Elysium, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Photos taken at Furillen, created by Serene Footman

Peanut Blossoms

“We wanted our Peanut Blossom Cookies recipe to have a smooth texture with a roasted flavor, so we used creamy peanut butter and replaced a portion of the flour with ground roasted peanuts.” ~ Cook’s Country

I have officially run out of titles and quotes today so you are being subjected to my topic of interest at the moment: Christmas cookies. Yes, I am starting now but this will be a banner year for cookie baking and I have made room in my freezer and purchased many pounds of butter and chocolate for the festivities. Then I give the cookies as gifts to teachers, relatives and friends here and afar. For example, Barely Texan nearly got down on his knobby knees earlier this year to beg me to send him a batch again. And Callie hinted around several times. For the Celebrity Auction for MadPea, benefitting Live & Learn in Kenya, I offered to send Christmas cookies as part of the prize, if the winner takes me up on it, he will receive a few of the said peanut blossoms as well several other cookies (which will title blogs in the future).

I also want to point out that this blog has been nominated as “Favorite Fashion Blog” in the Avi-Choice awards, which is quite an honor to me and my fellow bloggers who sometimes contribute to this blog. There are SO MANY fashion blogs for SL, so this is truly an honor, especially to be in a group of such distinguished bloggers. I would sure appreciate a vote from you and if I win, I will send you cookies. Click this link and scroll down to the bottom and up a bit to find my listing and thanks!

That being said, a quick trip to the grocery store to get hazelnuts, raspberry jam, dulce de leche, and several pounds of chocolate was in order, so I put on this hot little dress from Spooky Mistwallow (that includes a great texture change HUD with ten choices), struggled into tights from Alaska Metropolitan, threw on my scarf from Izzie Button from Gen Neutral, and grabbed my purse from Snow Martiel and ran out the door in my highly practical and sexy high heeled boots from Senzati0n Domenitzo. Yes, I always dress like this when I go cookie ingredient shopping—don’t you?

Umazuma Metaluma is offering a seasonal blush for cheeks and nose at Tres Chic, so I employed the blush layer over Nicole Button’s latest conversion to the Catwa head. I also used Nicole’s great eye makeups though I struggled with the lipsticks—they just didn’t conform to the lips the way I had hoped, even when I dialed them down. I also had to keep reapplying the blush as the lips overrode that. Not sure if it was a problem with the head’s HUD, the head or the makeup HUD.

Last, I want to give a big plus to the hair I am wearing which includes ANIMATION just like my face. Other people have tried this in the past but Thora Charron has finally made it work with mesh that seems to move in the breeze. I tried to capture an animation (and will attempt again on a future blog), but the side tendrils and the ponytail sway as if a gentle breeze is blowing on me. It’s pretty fabulous!

Hair: .LeLutka.Brittany hair.FIT.Swish by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Jessica V4.2 by Catwa Clip for CATWA *

Skin Applier: Egozy.FACE.Faiza(Fair)Catwa with Egozy.EYESHADOWS.Faiza.Catwa by Nicole Button for Egozy *

Blush: [theSkinnery] Winter Blush (Catwa Applier Hud) by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at Tres Chic *

Eyes: AMITOMO.Eye Collection 2 – 10 by Woomi Latte for AMITOMO, available at Kustom9

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: :KR: Giana Sweaterdress by Spooky Mistwallow for Kastle Rock Couture *

Scarf: Izzie’s – Winter Scarf Stripes by Izzie Button for Izzie’s, available at Gen Neutral

Handbag: Bens Boutique – Fiona Tote Bag by Snow Martiel for Ben’s Boutique

Earrings: (Kunglers) Ciri earring – Copper by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra *

Tights: alaskametro<3 “Kat” tights – Olive – Omega Classic HUD by Alaska Metropolitan for AlaskaMetro

Boots: Essenz – Oklahoma (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz *

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

The Spice of Life

“Variety’s the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour.” ~  William Cowper

 

I’m going the graphic route today with more photos than words because I wanted to feature a few of the great hairs from this month’s Hairology, and I knew I wouldn’t get to all of them otherwise. I have donned Paradox Messmer’s mesh dress from Thrift Shop, half off, in its various colorways and have clicked away at Maxi Gossamer’s great Collabor88 necklace to show the many colors you can use on this one piece of jewelry.

I love the variety of hair at Hairology, from Nita Bracken’s simple style to Casandra Rain’s gorgeous wedge (check out the back—brilliant) and I employed color on Tabata Jewell’s rock n roll style and on Elikapeka Tiramisu’s great side ponytail. An elegant girl will go with Evadne Quintessa’s look—it’s honest and easy.

 

Hair: Tameless Svana by Nita Bracken for Tameless, available at Hairology *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Divanity Golden by sawsan Secretspy for.::WoW skins::., available at Designer Circle *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Nut by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kornelia lashes.02 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Wildcat Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

Jewelry: MG – Necklace – Morello drops by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

 

Hair: enVOGUE HAIR – Gisselle by Casandra Rain for enVOGUE, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Blue by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Lynx Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

 

Hair: Mithral * Arrowroot by Evadne Quintessa for Mithral, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Beach by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Snow Leopard Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

 

Hair: [e] Libby by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Lily by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Purrple Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

 

Hair: Vanity Hair:I let U Have It(F)-Greedy by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Black by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Pink Panther Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

Earrings: MG – Earrings – Morello drops by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

 

Mojo

“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.” ~ Steve Jobs

I was plowing along with blogs and then boom, hit some sort of wall. Trying to get my mojo back. The new leggings Erratic Rain has at Collabor88 does a little something for me with the tons of colors and the perfect fit. I like the ribbing on these leggings—warm for the coming winter but versatile with other tops. I chose Sash Arabello’s tank from the recently closed (?) Dressing Room Fusion. High platforms from Celena Galli, which she offers as an exclusive at Thrift Shop, are half off for the event and come with a great texture-change HUD for various parts of the shoes. I chose to wear Mea Carnell’s beautiful fantasy jewelry with this look to dress it up a bit.

Monicuzza Babenco has issued a collection of skins on one HUD for the Catwa mesh head that are absolutely gorgeous and evocative, showing the progression of a beautiful woman through youth to adulthood and maturity. The look is gorgeous at any age. I love the character and beauty of this skin on the head—making it so I don’t see the mesh head anymore but the visage of a woman with character. Quite a feat! Mina Nakamura is joining in the fun at Hairology with this simple look, a versatile hair for many ages.

Hair: MINA Hair – Hanne 02 (no materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Hairology *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Jessica V4.2 by Catwa Clip for CATWA *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* KATE Tone04 Skin Applier – Catwa Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS* *

Eyes: Mesh – Striking Eyes – Branch by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Top: Wimey: Addison Tank Black by Sash Arabello for Wimey

Bottoms: erratic / melissa – leggings (maitreya) by Erratic Rain for erratic, available at Collabor88 *

Jewelry: Meva Tudor Necklace, Bangles left and right, Ring right by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at We <3 RP *

Shoes: phedora. Annita platforms Maitreya by Celena Galli for phedora, available at the Thrift Shop *

Poses by Fanny Willis for Everglow *

Greetings from Chicago

I send you a postcard
It says, “Pulaski at night”
Greetings from Chicago
City of, city of light

Come back to Chicago
City of, city of light

Come back to Chicago

~ “Pulaski at Night” by Andrew Bird

I giggled when I went to 6 Republic for this round with Chicago vs. California. There really is no competition. California is way warmer. Ever see a winter in the Windy City? It’s no fun—the night dropping suddenly like death, piles of lake effect snow, and yes, wind. However, Chicago has the most beautiful architecture, orderly streets and beautiful neighborhoods, masses of unpretentious diverse hard-working Midwestern people who wear boots in the winter so they can get around, and a thrum and noise that rumbles overhead from the El. (BTW, 6 Republic organizers, remove the “Subway” sign. There is no such thing there. It’s called the “El” and it’s elevated.) When I first heard the cozy music of Andrew Bird’s “Pulaski at Night” a couple years ago, I thought, yes that is exactly what Chicago is.

Piraiyah Novikov got a flavor of Chicago with his Art Deco pieces for 6 Republic. Chicago is an architecture lover’s dream with Art Deco, the promise of a bright new world at the World Fair in 1933, and understated glamour along the Magnificent Mile. Pira’s club chair and sofa are pure Chicago with its strong rounded shoulders and cozy softness. Pira got it. I wear a wool cowl-neck dress from StellaJane that she has made as an exclusive for the Thrift Shop. With a texture-change HUD with 10 choices, it’s a bargain at 50% off and a positively Chicago dress in wool but still fashionable and sleek. (Just put a cardigan sweater on if you get cold.) Frilled boots are an indulgence from Hilly Haalan at Cosmopolitan Room and a beautiful necklace from AvaGardner Kungler for On9 completes the look.

Hairology opens tomorrow so I am in hair heaven right now. What a great simple shopping area Tabata Jewell created for easy viewing and the hair coming up is amazing. This side styled ‘do from Neveah Niu includes fantastic textures and a great fit. Umazuma Metaluna has created a beautiful applier for the Catwa head for this month’s Collabor88. With and without freckles and option dimples, the skin is her usual combination of realism and perfection.

And now I need to go outside and get a breath of air for a slap of reality because I just got teary-eyed about Chicago in the winter. Andrew Bird does this to me every damn time. A cold fall breeze off the Lake portending winter oughta cure me of that.

Hair: ICONIC:VANESSA-HAIR by Neveah Niu for ICONIC, available at Hairology (opening tomorrow!) *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Jessica V4.2 by Catwa Clip for CATWA *

Skin applier: [theSkinnery] Sienna (Catwa Applier) mocca by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at Collabor88 *

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Maple eye – Autumn by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery] *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: SJ Mallory Wool Cowl Neck Dress – MAITREYA by StellaJane for Stella Jane, available at Thrift Shop *

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Dulce necklace – Silver quartz by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at On9 *

Nail applier: [LB Razor Color] *Maitreya* Manicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Boots: [hh] MAITREYA Beatriz by Hilly Haalan for Hilly Haalan, available at the Cosmopolitan Room

Poses by Fanny Willis for Everglow *

Décor: NOMAD // ART DECO Industrial Gacha by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at 6 Republic *

• NOMAD // Art Deco Industrial // Couch
• NOMAD // Art Deco Industrial // Sculpture
• NOMAD // Art Deco Industrial // Table Lamp
• NOMAD // Art Deco Industrial // Coffee Table
• NOMAD // Art Deco Industrial // Factory Wall Clock

Infinity

“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” ~ Stephen Chbosky

Art in Hats, benefiting the American Diabetes Association, opened with a plethora of headwear for the stylish avatar, including this hat shaped in a bent lemniscate, which resembled to me, the infinity sign (∞). It’s an elegant, chic headpiece that combines well with the straps echoed in my dress and shoes. The dress, which is an attempted fit to the Maitreya body (close enough), is one of Mariska Simon’s newest, with a lace tied back and a great number of colors for your choice of sexy club wear. The glass platform heels from Azlyn Vaher include a HUD that allows the heart enclosed in the glass to be turned off or on and a sexy tied ankle.

Mea Carnell’s beautiful leather flowered necklace provides a soft point to another otherwise sort of extreme look. I applied Aida Ewing’s recently LeLutka applier release, chose her chic eye and lip makeup and then used Thora Charron’s great hairbase applier and ponytail to complete this very sleek, very chic look.

Hair: .Lelutka.Pony Sparkle.FIT by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Hairbase: .LeLutka.Rosamund hairbase HUD.Set 02 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-KARIN v1.3 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Skin applier: Glam Affair ( Lelutka Heads ) Laura Applier [ Exotic ] by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair *

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

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kyra lashes.01 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: ~Blacklace~ Sophia: Corset Dress ( Physique & Maitreya) by Mariska Simons for Blacklace *

Hat: Elysium – Arts`n hat – 01 by Aleida Rhode for Elysium, available at Art in Hats *

Necklace: Meva Leather Flower Necklace Black by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at Sad November *

Shoes: Yasum*Mesh*Maitreya*Berlin Night Heels*Grunge by Azlyn Vaher for Yasum, available at Shiny Shabby *

Poses by Mavi Beck for Ma Vie *

Autumn Mornings

“Once in a while i am struck
all over again… by just how blue
the sky appears .. on wind-played
autumn mornings, blue enough
to bruise a heart.”
― Sanober Khan

A beautiful fall morning woke me up and I took a walk outside to enjoy the colors and the fresh air. It’s unseasonably warm so the vibrant colors are a pleasure. I wore a boho sort of outfit including a new top from Ariadna Garrigus that comes with a great texture-change HUD that allowed me to switch around until I was able to match the scads of gorgeous jewelry from Mea Carnell in her Gacha Garden collection. She gives you many options so you can combine necklaces and different mixes of bracelets and arm cuffs. She even offers rings that fit Maitreya or Slink hands. My boots are Senzati0n Domenitzo’s feature for Sad November. I decided that Paul Lapointe’s great boyfriend jeans would work great with this top.

Inka Mexicola’s beautiful skin for Kustom9 allowed me to remove the mesh heads for a day and breathe in the fresh air. With several makeups, it’s fresh and lovely with gorgeous brows and eye makeups. My tousled hair is one of Shylah Honey’s pieces for Fameshed this month, an unrigged wavy ‘do finger combed and tossed back with pretty tendrils framing the face (and suspiciously like my own RL hair).  Enjoy the fall colors on the Loch Noble sim as I did. It’s gorgeous!

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Shannon Non-Rig Mesh by Shylah Honey for *~*Damselfly*~*, available at Fameshed *

Skin: Essences – Quinta01 *medium01* brunette by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at Kustom9 *

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

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kyra lashes.02 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Top: ***ArisAris~Gara14~Assorted Tops- FITTED~ by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Jeans: L&B Jeans “Classic Boyfriend” by BastChild Lotus and Paul Lapointe for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Jewelry:  Meva Bogo Bangle 2 left, Meva Bogo Collar (rare), Meva Bogo Earringst, Meva Bogo Necklace Short, Meva Bogo Ring, Meva Bogo Upperarm Cuff left, and Meva Bogo Upperarm Cuff right by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at Gacha Garden *

Boots: Essenz – Copenhagen (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Sad November *

Poses by Di Hoorenbeek for Di’s Opera, available at The Dressing Room Fusion

Photos taken at Loch Noble

You Cannot Hide

“You cannot hide in a hat; you will be noticed, especially by men. To men, you become a lady when you don a hat–one who they rush to open doors for. To women, you become an inspiration, reminding them that they have a closet full of hats they have not had the courage to wear.” ~ Unknown

A woman in a hat is a glorious thing and highly unusual nowadays. I am showing a bunch of hats today from three designers participating in Art for Hats, opening November 4. Each is throwing a portion of their sales to the American Diabetes Association. I wore Mami Jewell’s newest elegant gown with all its finery to balance the magnificence of the hats I am showing, including a veiled vintage piece from Sonatta Morales in the top photo. Elegant stiletto pumps from Glamistry are the perfect accompaniment to this high style look.

Sascha Frangilli is donating proceeds from three hats for the event, including this high bouquet of white lilies. It may be perfect for a wedding look.

This sculpture of sticks and berries is also from Sascha Frangilli and creates a beautiful organic silhouette.

Sonatta Morales is donating proceeds from this artistic pearl-studded piece (with a pearl teardrop below the eye).

And Wicca Merlin has created this Marie Antoinette ship sailing top hat for both men and women as well as this futuristic sculpture that includes a great texture change HUD for the grid, flaps, helmet and gems.

Finding hair to wear with hats is not easy but Thora Charron has recently come out with a hairbase applier for the LeLutka mesh heads and a set of ponytails which are ideals for most hats and also for a sleek look. Monicuzza Babenco has created a gorgeous high-fashion makeup palette for her LeLutka appliers, available at Shiny Shabby.

Hair: .Lelutka.Pony Dash.FIT by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Hairbase appliers: .LeLutka.Rosamund hairbase HUD.Set 03 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-STELLA v1.3 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

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

Eyes: {S0NG} :: Sugar~ Abyss Eye by Funeral Plutonian for {S0NG}

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: -AZUL- Julie/Onyx by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

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

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo *

Hats:

• Sonatta Morales *8* Dory hat by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• Sonatta Morales *8* Donna hat by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)

• Wicca’s Wardrobe – Endeavour Hat [Unisex] by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• Wicca’s Wardrobe – Phaedra Headpiece [Unisex] by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)

• SAS – Perpetual Black Hat (Mesh) by Sascha Frangilli for Sascha’s Designs, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• SAS – LulaBella Black Hat (Mesh) by Sascha Frangilli for Sascha’s Designs, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• SAS – LulaBella White Hat (Mesh) by Sascha Frangilli for Sascha’s Designs, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)