Heaven

Heaven heaven
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
Heaven heaven

The rhythm of wheels the rhythm of heels
That we fall into the sun
She walk on silver she walk on gold

We are still watching the Fashion for Life totals slowly tick up due to the generosity of some designers who continue to sell their exclusive pieces on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Geryn Sloane is one of those very generous individuals. She has been an ardent supporter of the cause, both with her beautiful creations and with her enthusiastic attitude. She is not a huge name in SL; she is not making tons of money (though she could use it), yet she generously gives to RFL and Fashion for Life of her time and energy—she is an unsung hero. Her fashions are glamorous and colorful with touches of sexiness (like the low cut back on this dress—woohoo!).

I wear with a gorgeous skin from Tuli Asturias, who seems to be remaking her older skins and adding all sorts of glorious add ons. Hair is a newish curly style from Truth Hawks, who seems to have the market on sexy waves in SL. Jewelry is an older set from Tiffy Vella, who is expanding her repertoire to shoes and gloves now. She does amazing work!

Written while listening to “Always Loved a Film” by Underworld

Hair: >TRUTH< RiRi – strawberry by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<*

Skin: [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed :: 02 Purity with [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / brows :: Honey and [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / lips :: Amethyst by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Dress: ***FFL Exclusive*** GSC Your Sin by Geryn Sloane for G SLOANE COUTURE *

Jewelry: Eclectica_Jazz_purple paisley_long beads and Eclectica_Jazz_purple paisley_Bangles_l by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Violet2 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Spring Fresh

Designers are introducing a bunch of new content for this spring, bringing a new fresh look to the season. (Now if the sun would come out….)

For example, LeeZu Baxter has been on a tear, producing new content like a woman on a mission. Are the hyacinths and tulips popping out of the ground inspiring her? This pair of shorts with their color-changing texture belt is a fresh look for spring. I show here with a burgundy silk texture but it comes with a whole handful of looks that can accent an outfit. I wear it with a gacha sweater from Memai Avon. Blessedly, LeeZu did not put loops on the belt so I could wear this sweater out.

Tricky Boucher came out with a new line of skins a month or so ago and I was remiss in not showing his group gift, which is truly lovely. Queue Marlowe just released a new set of sexy up-dos with her characteristic messy and sexy curls. Ikon Innovia has released new hazel eyes in five shades with his typical five sizes (there you go, Ms. Alchemi!) which are absolutely hypnotizing. And goodness, Bax Coen is hard at work applying her new metallic look to everything in sight—this time her Prestige boots. These are color changing and this particular set has three colors, all distinctively different. And as always, you can fit the boots via Bax’s brilliant fitting system.

Every spring is the only spring – a perpetual astonishment.  ~Ellis Peters

Hair: AD – ginger maple by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: -Belleza- Erika Med group gift by Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-

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

Top: [ Last Period ] tops 0021 gacha Pink by Memai Avon for Last Period (no longer available)

Shorts: [LeeZu!] Cortez Pants /blue jeans by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu! *

Boots: BAX Prestige Boots Violet Metallic by Bax Coen for BAX Boots *

Devil’s in the Details

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe preferred to say “God is in the details,” but I like the the old saw that the devil’s in the details. It applies perfectly to this look.

Christel Morane attends to many details in making up this look—puff sleeves, arm warmers, dangling suspenders held on by roses, a great tartan side skirt and pony boots held up with garters. She has the silhouette nailed down (which is what attracted me to the look) with the big rounded girly shoulders on an outfit that says “trust” and the kickass poofed-out skirt and lean boots. The whole look, and many of her ensembles, have a sort of eclecticism and shape that is incredibly appealing.

However, the devil’s in the details. In this case, her system top is messy at the edges, the textures are flat (using flat black makes it easy to get away with this), and biggest issue for me—the lace prim is not transparent on the edges that need it. (This is a real newbie mistake—get a transparent texture on those edges and open that alpha up to .99 horizontally and vertically to avoid ghosting.) This is the only outfit I purchased from Delirium; perhaps it’s older or an anomaly, but I would suggest she go back and clean it up. Christel clearly has a great vision for fashion—these ensembles are just brimming with creativity; it’s a bummer they are marred by the details.

I loved this look so much I went to find a skin that would match it, which took me to Kira Paderborn’s store. Kira has been making skins that are hand drawn using bits and pieces of photosourcing (like her sisters’ faces, she told me), templates for placement and her own hand artistry. For people wanting a very highly detailed naked body, these might not be there yet, but for a beautiful face, Kira has it nailed down. She offers a wide variety of looks for many tastes. I loved this fantasy skin with its slashes of color.

Success is the sum of details. ~ Harvey S. Firestone

Hair: +BM+ H055 Black by Opera Qunhua for Black Maria

Skin: Style by Kira – Kate Skin Fantasy 01E – CE by Kira Paderborn for Style by Kira *

Outfit (with boots): Delirium Style – Love Game by Christel Morane for Delirium

I Think Pink

“The very pink of perfection.” ~ Oliver Goldsmith

Saya Littlething, the creator of Schoen, decided to contribute to Fashion for Life because her father is being treated for cancer of the large intestine. Recently, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan affected her family as well as they live near the epicenter.

Saya continued to support Fashion for Life because cancer was her main concern and the main thing touching her life, earthquake and tsunami notwithstanding. Despite the trouble in her country, she persisted with Fashion for Life, and she has continued to do so by offering this cute jacket as a donation item in her store with all proceeds going directly to the American Cancer Society. Her shop is full of cute items, many of them considerably well crafted and great for casual wear for men and women.

I wear with shoes from Renee Harvy, another FFL offering at her store and skin from Monicuzza Babenco, recently offered at The Dressing Room. My pants are from Anessa Stine, model and now designer, who has taken the DCNY label under her wing and is filling the store with new creations weekly.

Finally, my hair is from the always friendly chiaki Xue, who partnered up with mappy Handrick of ARAI to make this cute style. I saw it on a man the other day and it wasn’t bad, but I sure like it for a girl, especially with its color change hat.

 

Pink isn’t just a color, it’s an attitude! ~ Miley Cyrus

Hair (with hat): Dura x ARAI Curl(Black) by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: *YS & YS* Amber – Rainbow for Tdr by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS*

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

Jacket: ***FFL Exclusive*** ::Schoen:: Froh (Pink) by Saya Littlething for ::Schoen:: *

Pants: DCNY_Zip Pocket Pants_Black by Anessa Stine for DCNY *

Shoes: ***FFL Exclusive*** ::Duh!:: Floral Linen Flats Silver by Renee Harvy for ::Duh!:: *

Seeing Stars

Sexy club wear is just not my thing in SL but for many folks in SL, it is the only way to dress—short skirts, thigh highs, teeny tiny tops.

Mascha Boa has recently returned to SL and she has brought her unique vision of clubwear back to her many adoring customers. A mix of teeny tiny, leather, and domme with elements of fantasy, such as the star sparkled texture of this outfit. Mascha is generously offering this outfit and several others in donation vendors at her store to benefit the American Cancer Society. She committed to raising 50,000L for Fashion for Life—help her out.

I wear a skin from Minnu Palen with this outfit with a bold red lipstick. My intense glittering eyes are from Ikon Innovia, and my great red fantasy hair is a new one from Mirja Mills, who is cranking out amazing new hair week after week.

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star. ~ W. Clement Stone

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ZARA* / darkred by Mirja Mills for Emo-tions *

Skin: [LeLutka]-LOLA_stan-makeup2(D Brows) with [LeLutka]-LOLA -Lipstic_German Red by Minnu Palen for LeLutka

Outfit (with boots): ***FFL Exclusive*** ! Jetaime Sexy Leather Outfit *Starnite* – black & white by Mascha Boa for Jetaime *

Too Beautiful to Work

I have a lot of stuff to do—blogs to write, hair to demo, KittyCatS to feed, chickens to knit. But I have to pause and just enjoy Harper for a second.

It’s because of LeeZu Baxter’s newest dress offered in the Noir line. It seems LeeZu has been enjoying a burst of creative energy lately. She has been sending out beautiful content for a few weeks now and she has also posted free wallpapers she has made. (As if she doesn’t have enough to do!) This dress is an assemblage of beauty with its combination of netting, feathers, ribbons, and sculpted stamen with an A-line silhouette, sleek gloves and a sweet little hair piece.

My skin is from Gianni Broda (renamed Harlen Christy in-world but for search purposes, Gianna Broda). This skin, while a little flat, is a great alternative if you like a more anime look. My hair is from the lovely Chiaki Xue, who is cranking out new content at an amazing rate. Her textures are sublime, especially when it comes to wavy hair, and she has a real knack for shorter styles. I love wearing her boy hair but this time I have one of her girl hairs on with its lovely light blonde coloring. I wore Ikon’s eyes in a larger size here to further push that anime look, dark eyes which are especially beguiling with this light skin and hair.

Written while listening to The Luyas “Too Beautiful to Work.”

Hair: **Dura-Girl**18(Blonde)resize by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: *CASHMERE*Godiva(Latte)GLARE by Gianni Broda for *CASHMERE*

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

Dress: [LeeZu!] NOiR Papillon De Nuit Dress by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu! *

Shoes: NX-Nardcotix Eva Black by Nardya Rousselot for Nardcotix

Queen of Pastry

I am watching the movie, “Kings of Pastry,” while I write this blog. Following chef Jacquy Pfeiffer (and others), it documents what these pastry chefs have to do to earn the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, which is the highest achievement a pastry chef can achieve. You find out it takes an incredible amount of artistry, engineering, skill, knowledge, trial and error, and hard work to get to that level.

I rarely show someone’s work twice in one week, but Tammany Goodliffe sent over this perfect piece of pastry and I had to take photos today. With the exquisite bodice and beautifully-made skirt, it’s a display of beauty married with smart work. She deepens the color of the print on the sides so the seams match nicely and the body is given a subtle contour while she places froofs seemingly randomly but in a beautiful silhouette. The color is nuanced and lovely. She offers this same dress in tangerine.

I show with a skin from Minnu Palen that came with several hair pieces that can simply be put on top and match the hairbase on the skin perfectly. The skins also come with tattoo lipsticks—Minnu was the first I found to employ this smart trick. The skins are elegant and minimal and suit this dress in tone perfectly.

“The fine arts are five in number, namely: painting, sculpture, poetry, music, and architecture, the principal branch of the latter being pastry.”  ~ Antonin Careme

Hair: [LeLutka]-LOLA Bun_BLOND_SunTan by Thora Charron for LeLutka

Skin: [LeLutka]-LOLA_stan-makeup4(L Brows)hairbase with [LeLutka]-LOLA -Lipstic_Nature Matte by Minnu Palen for LeLutka

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

Dress: salt. koi- strawberry brocade cocktail dress, two skirt types by Tammany Goodliffe for salt.

Bracelet: >< Xaida >< Frida bangles L by Xaida Fang for Xaida

Sandals: Maitreya Gold – Hana Seashell Leather by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya Gold

Happy Birthday, Finned!

Spoiled

Now, you probably think I get a lot of swag. I do get a good share, but not always. Fashion for Life nearly broke me. I don’t think I have ever seen my linden balance this low. I was spoiled by choice not by gifts. (If you ever wonder what I have received as a gift and what I have purchased myself, everything with “*” behind it was given to me, as stated in my “About”.)

There were so many freakin’ fantastic things at Fashion for Life—many of them exclusives—I couldn’t help myself as I was.. you know.. inspecting the sims and stuff. Turns out some of these designers have generously placed their donation vendors at their own stores, so I can still show you these items and you can still grab them at the stores (and do some other shopping because, frankly, some of these these designers are undiscovered gems). All funds will still go to Relay for Life’s general fund; all are directly given to the American Cancer Society.

Take this darling outfit from Zaira Pelazzi. It’s simply system pieces—a jacket, top, and pants—but it’s so nicely done it doesn’t need anything else. Zaira is a new designer on the scene, offering items 199L or below—simple system pieces without a lot of elaborate adornment. For the avatar on a budget (uh, like me right now), her stuff is a great choice. (She offers men’s too.)

The boots are another budget winner from Renee Harvy. I love Renee’s work and her spirit. She offers great shoes and boots at a very winning price—usually about 25L a pair. How can you beat that?! Her items are not elaborate—no menus or color changers or fancy toes. But sometimes all you need are a pair of cute pink boots without all the bells and whistles.

Pick up both these items at their stores and give the American Cancer Society a little love.

My skin is a beauty from Tuli Asturias with lipstick. I know I have not shown Tuli a lot lately, and it’s not been fun because I love Tuli’s work. This includes the great lipstick layer that makes this pink outfit pop. My sexy streaked hair is from Truth Hawks.

My jewelry is a punch of couture candy from Dita Tran. It seems like too much when you put it on, but once you’ve outfitted yourself, you find out that it is the over-the-top that completes this outfit. This jewelry actually makes sense from a woman like Dita, who is, like this jewelry, bold and fun.

If you need reminding about why it’s important to give to the American Cancer Society, listen to this week’s podcast from The Moth—the comedian Anthony Griffith speaking about the death of his daughter from cancer.

Hair: >TRUTH< Priscilla Streaked – chestnut by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed :: 03 Discotheque with [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / lips :: Magenta by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Outfit: ***FFL Exclusive*** Oblivious – Trilogy- 3pc set by Zaira Pelazzi for Oblivious

Jewelry: FuLo Versace Jewelry by Dita Tran for Fulo *

Boots: ***FFL Exclusive*** ::Duh!:: Silk Floral Booties – Rose by Renee Harvy for ::Duh!:: *

<3 Brina

O sweet spontaneous earth…

thou answerest
them only with

Spring

~ e.e. cummings

I won’t whine. I won’t complain. I will wait patiently, dear Spring, for you to show your face. I will not sue the damn groundhog who promised an early coming. I will NOT bang on the weatherman’s door and plead for him to do something, dammit! However, I will dress up in a pretty dress, put on my spring hat, and perhaps that will coax Spring out.

Well I lucked out because I had the prettiest spring dress to wear from Tammany Goodliffe. With a garden of poppies beautifully covering this dress, Spring has to be enticed by what she could show if she could just get here! I love this dress for it’s silhouette and many details. Take, for example, the little cuffed jacket with the cap sleeves. She uses the sculpties in a perfect way to make those cap sleeves and puts a pretty little prim tie to keep it tied up. Her skirt—it’s sculpty but not stiff. And her system pieces are perfect—great seams (that edging is all lined up), perfect integration with the prims, and a great use of RL clothing ideas to make a perfect virtual dress. It truly is a triumph of design in a simple little spring dress.

I show this beautiful spring look with a fresh skin from Mallory Cowen. Spring needs something new, and this new skin from Mallory cures the ills of winter with its beautiful colors and pleasant mien. My hair is a new one from Elikapeka Tiramisu, who proves that being a long time content producer in SL never means you can’t come back and kick butt (which she has been doing with her new store).

Another content producer who consistently kicks butt is Fallingwater Cellardoor. She set the standard by which all others are and should be judged. This new offering from her shows the same attention to detail, the same expert texture work and eye for fashion and styling. Fallingwater has survived the many changes in SL and still sets the bar.

If you doubt
That I’ll be there
Don’t despair
Don’t you dare
~ In the Dirt by S. Carey

Hair: [e] Follow – Brown 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira *

Skin: LAQ ~ Linnea – [Peach] Dark brows – 08 by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

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

Dress: salt. silk poppies dress by Tammany Goodliffe for salt.

Hat: salt. birdwatcher’s hat by Tammany Goodliffe for salt.

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Charlottes – tan by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things *

Future Perfect

He quickly pulled me off the busy sidewalk and into a doorway. A velocicopter whizzed past, leaving a plume of cool air behind it that curled around the corner of the doorway.

“Come with me,” he beckoned, and I followed him into the dark doorway.

We pushed through a small dark hallway past the security cilia. They whispered over our bodies as we passed, sensing our pulse, picking up data from the dust on our clothing, sniffing for prohibited weapons. Frac pushed through and emerged into the club ahead of me, bellowing, “Mellita, domi adsum!”

A towering woman emerged from behind a dark podium. “Fractile Montosa,” she snarled. “Welcome back to the Esoterium.” Her skin was pale and glimmered with a subtle sheen in the black lights of the club. She wore spots of glowing light blue hardware—earrings, belt, gems on her chest armor. Lines of blue light slid up her calves.

She gazed down at Frac, peering through her dark glasses with disdainful light blue eyes. I could see lines of data sliding across the inside as she engaged his attention. “We won’t have any more trouble like we did last time, will we?” The lights on the bottoms of her heelless boots pulsed with the beat of the loud music in the club as her long fingers curved around a small glowing voltaic terminus.

Frac grinned abashedly. “No, Ma’am. Just here to grab a drink, swap a few stories, and discreetly enjoy the beneficence of your gracious hospitality.”

Her blue lips curled in a smile. “I am glad we understand each other.”

Our hostess from Esoterium is wearing the lastest in future club wear. First a great outfit from Syane Cisse—a combo of futuristic breast plate over Victorian bustle, laced and cut high in back and completed with fingerless gloves and thigh high stockings. The outfit comes with a hud for changing the accent colors. Her dark data glasses (also with hud) are also from Systi with glowing blue accents and her skin is from Systi’s sister, Syane. With its blue lipstick and shadow, it’s perfect for an evening at the Esoterium.

Finally her amazing boots from Ono Zinner. With their heelless shape and molded platform, these boots were made for futuristic ass kicking. Ono has made these as his others, with glow adjust and animation adjustment available in a handy hud. Our hostess at the Esoterium can choose a rainbow of colors and adjustments to these boots and look newly made every night.

Drinks arrived at our table, smoothly served by a pale dark-eyed server. “On the house,” he smiled, nodding towards the hostess across the club, who still had her blue eyes focused on Frac.

Frac lifted his glass in salute to her and drained it down in one draft. “Cheers to Mistress Eso!” he said merrily, slamming it down on the table.

Hair: [CheerNo] Hair YALLI [Dark 3.0N] by CheerNo Destiny for [CheerNo]

Hairbase: booN gathered raised hairbase black by boo Nakamura for booN

Skin: [sYs] YSIS – skin dual (pale) – cleavage + HB Black by Syane Cisse for [sYs] *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Pale Blue (XL) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Dress: [sYs] LYDO avant garde outfit (color HUD) by Systi Cisse for [sYs] *

Sunglasses: [sYs] PULSAR Evolution – sounglasses by Systi Cisse for [sYs] *

Earrings: Ring Earring by Sweetlemon Jewell for ::: Omega Point :::

Boots: [NeurolaB Inc.] Activa Boots Black Electro (BOXED) by OnO Zinner for [NeurolaB Inc.] *

(Writing is original by Harper. No book quoted ;))