Polar Vortex

“As a newsman, I want to salute whoever came up with the term ‘polar vortex. It is terrifying but still sounds all science-y. A lesser meteorologist could have overreached with ‘arctic coldnado’ or ‘alaskan dick punch,’ but ‘polar vortex’ is restrained but menacing.” ~ Stephen Colbert

The cold has begun in my part of the world, much too soon. Who thought this was a good idea? After last winter, all romance for fall and winter has left my heart. Forget Christmas—I want my summer back! The cold is so pervasive to me that even in SL I feel I have to bundle up so the receipt of this new puffy jacket from Tatyana Ultsch was very welcome. Besides her deft mesh work and absolutely kick ass textures, she includes a HUD to color change this jacket into one of 14 colors. The detailing is astonishing. Leri Miles is offering these sleek pants at the Thrift Shop 7.0, and they also include a texture-change HUD.  I attached Renee Harvy’s darling chunky loafers because I looked silly without feet. And I accessorized with old-school earmuffs from Antonia Marat and a great scarf from Trill Zapatero.

I wore this whole business over the Belleza Venus. I am not sure why but it’s just become more convenient for me to click alphas off than mess around trying to reconstitute myself with alphas and separate body parts and appliers for skin and fingernails and then toenails. I have heard the Maitreya body is just as gorgeous, so I can’t wait to see that one come out. I am wearing Sawsan Secretspy’s newest offer for the Designer Circle and I applied pretty pink lipstick from Constance Daehlie. My hair is a darling bun from MissAllSunday Lemon that she is offering at the Xiasumi School Festival.

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Suki Mesh Hair – Chocolate by MissAllSunday Lemon for/Wasabi Pills/, available at the Xiasumi School Festival *

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

Eyes: .ID. Shine Eyes / Blue-Green by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

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

Jacket: :::insanya::: Winter Jacket by Tatyana Ultsch for :::insanya:::, available at Sad November *

Pants: LMD Sexy Satin Slacks Addict Pack by Leri Miles for Leri Miles Designs, available at Thrift Shop 7.0 *

Earmuffs: /artilleri/ Knit earmuffs! (NOSE) *red* 1 by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Scarf: BoHo HoBo Scarf Ladie’s Large (candystripes) by Trill Zapatero for BoHo HoBo *

Shoes: ::Duh!:: Heeled Croc Loafers Black by Renee Harvy for Duh!, available at Thrift Shop 7.0 *

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

Ruby Pearl

Well, I’ve got a woman named a-Ruby Pearl
A be-boppin’ baby in a be-boppin’ world
She’s got the rhythm from her head to her feet
She knows at first every brand new beat
Ruby Pearl, hey, hey-hey, Ruby Pearl
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby Pearl

~ “Ruby Pearl” by Jackie Lee Cochran

A be-boppin’ girl, our Ruby Pearl, with a great mesh dress from the just-opened Thrift Shop with all the great attributes of a rockabilly look. With a full mesh skirt (underlain with a cleverly-crafted alpha that includes lace at the edge), this dress with big blowsy roses is a lovely look from Blacknesslectra. To go from sweet to more rockabilly, I added a tattoo from Antonia Marat (still the best rockabilly I can find on the grid) and pearls and earrings from Plurabelle Laszlo, that will soon be featured at the Jewelry Fair. Finally, wicked stiletto shoes from Beanster Potato with a texture change HUD  for the little triangle insets allowed me to match my shoes to the look while having that edgy high heeled look that good rockabilly needs.

Of course, the whole look was started because of this fabulous new style from Truth Hawks with the side rolls and long wavy locks. He made the hair in two versions so you get two for one in your box, but I preferred this look, especially with the fabulous skin that Sawsan Secretspy has made for the Unique Varied Event. She includes several lipsticks and eyeshadows and this wickedly great eyeliner with the skin. I wore the cleavage version with this dress because it makes sense. CarrieAnn Lemon’s great plain nail color set from the Thrift Shop completes my look.

 

 

 

 

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Tulip 2 by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Aurora Tan Nat CL with .::WoW Skins::: Eyeliner and .::WoW Skins::. Aurora – BabyPink Lips by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::., available at the Unique Varied Event *

Eyes: {S0NG} :: Prisma~ Ice Eye by Funeral Plutonian for {S0NG}

Dress: +MC+Hey Darling!Roses by Blacknesslectra for Macabre, available at Thrift Shop

Jewelry: Bliensen + MaiTai – Margarita – pastel rose – Necklace and Earrings by Plurabelle Laszlo for .Bliensen + MaiTai, available at the Jewelry Fair (opening September 13) *

Tattoo: /artilleri/ maggie tattoo (no chest) by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands – Casual by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: ! ellemeno ! colored nails by CarrieAnn Lemon for Ellemeno, available at Thrift Shop

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: DN Mesh: Akaline Heels by beanster Potato for Ducknipple *

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

Under the Sun

I am the Ocean
You are the land
My deep Devotion
Crashes on your Sand
~ “Under the Sun” by Mia Doi Todd

I heard this song and it took me right to a sunny beach on a private island (no, I was not with William and Kate but perhaps this song would suit them well because it would be a perfect wedding song). I decided in honor of the song I would put on a bikini and a tan skin. This great little bikini was an offering from Zaara Kohime on behalf of the American Cancer Society. It includes her usual exquisite craftswomanship and Indian aesthetic.

My skin is a new one from Alexandra Barcelos and exudes the rich glow of a healthy beach tan. My feetsies are from Siddean Munro, the queen of terrific tootsies in SL. This windblown hair is a new offering from Truth Hawks.

Maybe we should spend the summer
Maybe we should spend this Life together
Under the Sun

Hair: >TRUTH< Jacqueline – fudge by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Scarlet . Tan . Ice by Alexandra Barcelos for Filthy Skins *

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

Bikini: Zaara : Esha Bikini *pink* for RFL by Zaara Kohime for Zaara

Hair flower: /artilleri/ Hibi hair flower *FLF*by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Feet: SLink Jolie Pied v2.0 Barefeet Medium by Siddean Munro for Slink *

Mouse in the House

“When the mouse laughs at the cat there is a hole nearby.” ~ Nigerian Proverb

I know I dissed elf ears the other day and now I am wearing mouse ears, but honestly? They are cute. This was all about building a look around these ears from Jenova Saeed and hair from Chiaki Xue. It seems Chiaki is taking a fun approach to creation and teaming up with several different Japanese designers to make different looks. I love the results. The ears twitch and have orbiting spirals around them (which are not easily seen in this photo—it’s subtle) and they come in several colors.

I just recently got this skirt, part of a dress set from dirty Adored’s new Themeory offering, and the skirt was so ideal for this look, especially over these stockings from Nena Janus that were a rez day present. I found this top from Vasha Martinek and colored it a bright red to match and donned a great rockabilly tattoo from Antonia Marat. My shoes were a Marketplace find from Ann Otoole because they had that exaggerated style I wanted. I had to hack them to get the invisiprims hidden—Firestorm makes a mess of those. Give us V2 options, designers!

My skin was a recently rez day purchase from Belleza. I love the red lips Tricky Boucher made. Finally, new black eyes from Ikon Innovia. You all wanted different colors but *I* wanted my black eyes. It makes my mouse girl perfect.

Woman or mouse? Squeak up! ;)

Hair with ears: *+JENOVA’s+* & **Dura**(Hair)(Black) with *+JENOVA’s+*&**DURA** :White Ear by Chiaki Xue and JENOVA Saeed for Dura and Jenova *

Skin: -Belleza- Melissa Med 13 (cleavage) with -Belleza- Melissa Med Lip 3 by Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-

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

Top: +DV8+ Danse Crop (S-layer) – Silver by Vasha Martinek for +DV8+ (modified to make bright red)

Skirt: Bottle Bird Themeory Jive Skirt red by dirty Adored for Bottle Bird *

Stockings: *League* Side-Gartered Stockings -White -Black Garter by Nena Janus for League

Tattoo: /artilleri/ maggie tattoo (no chest) by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Shoes: Juicylicious Platform High Heels 8 Colors by Ann Otoole for Unique Needs

2000 Miles

Outside under the purple sky,
Diamonds in the snow,
Sparkle.
Our hearts were singing,
It felt like Christmas time.
2000 miles.
Is very far through the snow
I’ll think of you
Wherever you go.

The worst part of SL is that friends are often physically far far away. As the lyrics say, “2000 miles is very far through the snow.” I am thinking of many friends from SL with whom I can’t share this time face-to-face, and I do miss them. (Though I had the wonderful pleasure of having Eshi with me this Eve.) I did not send out an in-world holiday card. This is my card for all of you, my dear friends.

This morning I will wake up in my Christmas jammies (which I can only legitimately wear one time a year) and enjoy the morning sunlight coming through the windows while we open gifts. My jammies, from Antonia Marat, are cozy and warm, and I almost didn’t get out of bed to be honest. It was so snuggly.

When can you wear bare feet in winter? Well when you’re in your jammies, of course, and Siddean Munro’s feets are perfect, especially as I can color the nails red—instant pedicure!

My skin is the new fresh beautiful face offered by Mallory Cowen. She really created a beautiful set with this newest release. I love the freshness of the skins—how the make-up is not overdone. It creates a beautiful palate on which you can potentially put other make-ups later. My hair is a messy-out-of-bed piece from Truth Hawks—one of his new releases this week.

2000 miles,
Is very far.
The snows falling down,
It’s colder day by day.
I miss you.
I can hear people singing,
It must be Christmas time.

~’2000 Miles” by the Pretenders, covered by Lucy Schwartz (proceeds from it’s sale go to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and their music therapy program)

Hair: >TRUTH< Kai – cherry by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: LAQ ~ Vilda 01 [Peach] Glow skin by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

Jammies: /artilleri/ Holly PJs *red* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Feet: SLink Jolie Pied Barefeet Low by Siddean Munro for SLink

I wish I had a river…

It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

I am not a huge fan of on-location photos. The backgrounds kind of detract from the clothes, which is really what I am doing here. But Stephen Venkman and Cocovia Zoilin built a beautiful skating area on their sim and invited me over for skating today and I was very grateful after wrestling with gingerbread house icing. (It’s an adhesive—need I say more?)

Skating there reminded me of one of my favorite holiday songs by Joni Mitchell. I tried to dress appropriately and came up with this mashup of favorite designers. Sweater from Janie Marlowe, skirt from sachi Vixen, tights from Memai Avon, cowl from Morphine Janick (who has a sale on right now.. go go!), earmuffs from Antonia Marat and freakin excellent mittens from Nena Janus. A wind-kissed skin from Toast Bard gives me the touch of girlishness that skating requires.

My skates are Bax Coen’s v2 set, which come in white, black, gold and silver with a new alpha layer option. She has packed them with the same resizing scripts from her boots and a skating AO that is quite nice. However, I opted to upgrade to Sala Snook’s AO, which has all sorts of fun stuff like jumps, skating moves, twirls, etc. The whole combination today made skating so pleasurable, especially in the crisp air of Stephen’s and Coco’s sim.

I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

~ “River” by Joni Mitchell

Hair: >TRUTH< Quinn Streaked – cherry by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: (fd) Bird Skin – Dust 1 (Red Brows) by Toast Bard for fashionably dead

Sweater: **MIS** Bell Flower Sweater – Cranberry by Janie Marlowe for Mischief (no longer available but you can find some good stuff of hers at Jane)

Skirt: Adam n Eve Clothes – Cord Skirt – Black by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

Ear Muffs: /artilleri/ Knit earmuffs! *black* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Cowl: [SG*] Desire – Purple by Morphine Janick for the Sweetest Goodbye

Mittens: *League* Sheepskin Mittens –Berry by Nena Janus for *League*

Stockings: [ Last Period ] socks 0001 Gray by Memai Avon for Last Period

Skates: BAX Ice Skates Black by Bax Coen for Bax Coen Designs *

AO: :KH: Ice Skate AO by Sala Snook for KAMI-HITOE

Orange Crush

Bah! The best part of fall has passed and now it’s all early evenings and drizzle (with some sleet today) and the unbeautiful side of the season. (It’s like going from the center of Paris to the outskirts, going from a beautiful magical land to face the hard cold reality about how things gotta be.) So I am going to put on a little orange to chase the ugliness away.

I start with an orange shrug over a funky t-shirt. The shrug is a masterpiece from Cerberus Noel (and free at her store in this iteration). Look closely and each ruffle is individually and perfectly textured with a border running along the ruffle. The sleeves are the same and the back has a pretty scallop in back. Honestly, I would knit this if I could. The top, from Toast Bard, lends a sort of modern bohemian feel to the look, especially paired with this bold skirt from sato Yifu.

I am wearing a pretty little necklace and earrings from Trixie Bumbo who has really upped her game recently with a new assortment of jewelry in different styles. They compliment my as-always gorgeous skin from Mallory Cowen, made specifically for redheads. And what a redhead I am in Truth Hawks’ copper color.

There is no blue without yellow and without orange. ~ Vincent Van Gogh

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

Skin: LAQ ~ Julie – 02 [Peach] Glow skin by Mallory Cowen for LAQ *

Shrug: *GF* Ruffle Bolero (middle) -pumpkin- by Cerberus Noel for G Field

Top: (fd) Sparrow Shirt by Toast Bard for fashionably dead

Skirt: *KUROTSUBAKI* flexible_skirt_yellow by sato Yifu for *KUROTSUBAKI*

Necklace and Earrings: *Primagine* I <3 Autumn Necklace and Earrings by Trixie Bumbo for *Primagine* *

Bangles: /artilleri/ brazil bracelet *oranges* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/ (no longer available)

Boots: (Shiny Things) Ginger Boots – cinnamon by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things)

Gracie and the Real Girl

I met Gracie Kendal when I first went to Tiphares. We have known each other for some time, and I would be lying if I said we were besties, but we certainly do like each other tons. I asked Gracie to provide a guest blog because she has done very specific work centered around her avatar. She wants me to mention that she is an artist—and she is—but her work is so much more than mere art. It’s an incredibly personal statement about her identity

Gracie Kendal is a woman who has been seeking her way in her first life using her second life as a mirror, a vessel for her identity, a means of growing both personally and artistically. Gracie, who is now an instructor in art, did her entire masters thesis using SL. She explored the embodiment of Gracie, her avatar self, to understand the embodiment of Kris, her human self. You can read more about Gracie.. and Kris.. at www.kristineschomaker.net and see pieces of her thesis at The Gracie Kendal Project.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

How can I be myself when I’m immersed in thousands of advertisements, TV shows and movies every day persuading, influencing, telling me who to be? How can I be myself when I am constantly being judged and criticized by family and friends for not living up to their expectations? How can I be myself when I don’t have control? Ralph Waldo Emerson was right, It will be my greatest accomplishment to be able to find myself amongst the constant barrage of “something else” out there. I wonder what Emerson would have thought about avatars. It is funny, creating this virtual representation of myself, this ideal figure, this avatar I control, I can be myself. Is she my doll? When I was a kid, I played with Barbies. I wanted to be a Barbie. Who didn’t? Now, I have become my own “doll” which I project my hopes, fears, passions and imagination on while I explore this amazing path of self exploration.

This is Gracie. Gracie is me. I am Gracie. Her clothes help define us. Her signature paint pants were given to her by a great friend who said, “OMG you have to have these.” As he said, “they’ll look much better on you, than me.” I laughed. The black t-shirt from Coco, is amazing. The detail in the wrinkling and seams help make it seem real and natural. Gracie’s shoes are the fabulous UBU PornStar Hi-Tops. I especially love the detail of the writing on the toes and the ability to change color and pattern. This outfit, that Gracie wears all the time, is also what I (Kris) wears in the real world most of the time; Jeans, a black V-neck tshirt and Converse. Gracie is me.

In her 4 years of existence Gracie has had the same shape from Alady, and only one other skin. Her current skin from Redgrave helps show off her blue eyes and bright smile. Another signature to Gracie’s look is her Artilleri Rhinestone retro glasses. While I wear glasses in real life, I felt it was important for Gracie to also have some stylish artsy specs. Her nose ring and Kaj <3 bracelet were created by my great friend Jordan, owner of Jordans Jewelry. These are both representations of two amazing long time friends in SL. The only thing that Gracie changes a little more often is hair. I mean come on, with so many amazing hair stylists out there, you just have to. Right? Her current hair, is Truth Linda champagne. The one constant as far as hair goes, is that Gracie always stays blond. That is who Gracie is.

Radiohead sang, “I don’t care if it hurts- I want to have control- I want a perfect body- I want a perfect soul.” With Gracie’s help, I am trying to find “my” control through “my” perfect body and “my” perfect soul. Whatever that is.

Hair: >TRUTH< Linda – champagne by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<

Skin: O4B Moon Pale Skin / blue (light-brows) *REDGRAVE* by Emilia Redgrave for REDGRAVE

Shape: AladyShapes68SlaveGirlCcup by Tracey Sassoon for ALady

Top: *COCO*_V-neckTee (black) by Cocoru Lemon for Coco

Pants: Painter Jeans created by Forseti Svarog (unknown where they came from)

Glasses: /artilleri/ Rhinestone Retro! BLACK by Antonia Marat for Artilleri

Nose Piercing: Jordan*s Diamond Nose Piercing by Jordan Morgenrote for Jordan’s Jewelry

Bracelet: Kaj <3 bracelet, blk cord (rs) by Jordan Morgenrote for Jordan’s Jewelry

Key: CFF- Heartwork Wind Up Key by Canolli Capalini for Capalini Fine Furnishings

Shoes: PornStar Hi-Tops MultiColor v2 by Coke Dreadlow for Urban Bomb Unit

Grandma

Isn’t it odd how things in SL can be so evocative and tangible? It seens a kind of a “duh” statement but the things you see in SL really can remind you of RL things. This is a deeper idea that it seems at first. I could get all esoteric, start talking about semiotics, poststructuralism, etc. But instead I would like to talk about my grandma.

My grandma (my dad’s mom) was a tall thin graceful woman (who passed many of her genes on to my dad that somehow missed me). She liked fine things but didn’t have enough of them in her life so she was careful with the ones she had. I remember her entire closet was filled with clothes that dated back from the 20s and 30s, covered carefully in fabric to keep them in good condition. So going through her closet was like going through a history of women’s fashion.

She would have definitely worn an ensemble like this. In fact, I remember she had a blouse very similar to this one, but not so bright—navy blue I believe. This one is made by Antonia Marat and in her typical nod to retro, she has the big polka dots, the rolled up sleeves, and the collar. I show it with a slim skirt from Onyx LeShelle.

This skin from Hart Larsson reminds me of my grandmother too..when she was younger—she was beautiful. She had beautiful skin. She kept her hair about this length, but not with a bow in it. And it wasn’t red. She always had her hands manicured, and these nails from London Armidi reflect the sort of nails a woman who takes care of a family and her home would have.

The reason I have gone on this trip down memory lane is because of these shoes from Emma Gilmour. Spectator pumps! Emma’s work on these shoes is exquisitely detailed. Look at the buckle. Check out the cork soles. And finally those punched decorative details. My grandmother had some awesome shoes, especially spectator pumps. I remember them quite well.

I didn’t inherit her thinness but I did inherit her love of style… ;)

Hair: (fd) Jennyfly – Burger Clown by Toast Bard for fashionably dead

Skin: [PXL] Candy SK CE RedLips MEB by Hart Larsson for [PXL] *

Top: /artilleri/ Selma blouse (red/white dots) by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Skirt: Maitreya HighSkirt Ivory by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Bracelet: Armidi Gisaci – Triple Pearl Bracelet (L) – Classy by London Armidi for Armidi

Nails: Armidi – (True Enhance) Painted Nails (S20) – Cherry III (L) by Nicole David for Armidi

Shoes: [SC] Surf Couture – Nantucket Spectators – Red by Emma Gilmour for Surf Couture, available at the Shoe Fair

Funny How Time Slips Away

Well hello there
My, it’s been a long long time
How am I doin’
Oh well, I guess I’m doin’ fine
It’s been so long now and it seems that
It was only yesterday
Ain’t it funny how time slips away

~ Willie Nelson, “Funny How Time Slips Away”

Today’s post was inspired by an old recording of a Willie Nelson song, “Funny How Time Slips Away,” the one recorded in 1962 with the ladies crooning in the background. He also wrote “Crazy,” very famously performed by Patsy Cline. Hence today’s look, which is built on the foundation of a great skin by Keiko Morigi, poignant in its illustrative character (so unlike the many airbrushed looks we see around the grid). I top it with a great vintage ‘do from Bubbles Clawtooth, one of many vintage pieces he offers.

The shirt’s from Floatie Hock, who has a good thing going with her vintage wear (and great sims). This can be worn by a man or a woman (as most of her items, they look great on either sex). I wanted to find a big full skirt, ala Patsy Cline at the Grand Ol’ Opry, but nothing was turning up, so I ran over to Antonia Marat’s and found these cute rockabilly-style highwaist pants. Finally, the cowboy boots are from Cerberus Noel and appropriately decorated. No cowgirl would be seen dead on a horse on these but in front of an audience of music lovers, yes indeed!

Well ain’t it surprisin’ how time slips away…

Hair: Clawtooth: True Betty – Uptown brown by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth

Skin: &Bean – hounds of love LIGHT Rav  1  brow by Kieko Morigi for &Bean

Top: HB – Wyatt – Black by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop *

Jeans: /artilleri/ nina highwaist pants *black* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Cowboy hat: **DD**Resistol  II Cowboy Hat White Leather by TOmmy Fairplay for Dragonfly Designs

Earrings: Earring – Pearl Stud – Black – Unltd by Random Calliope for Worthwhile *

Nails: *[PM] Sculpted Nail V2 – Platinum Edition V2 : Gloss by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode

Boots: *GF* Short Western Boots -black- by Cerberus Noel for G Field