The Color of Truth

“The color of truth is gray.” ~ Andre Gide

The season is turning to gray, both at events and on sims. I visited the new Furillen build by Serene Footman, inspired by the RL Furillen hotel, to see a widely gray scene based on the “brutal beauty of post-industry with the natural splendor of Gotland island.” It’s a beautiful place for photoing, of course, and I will probably return again and again as I do with most of Serene’s builds. The Shiny Shabby inspiration theme is gray as well. I wore this darling outfit from Larcoco Mathy for Shiny Shabby, which is a one-piece mesh look that includes a texture change for the skirt, so you purchase the sweater color and you get a variety of skirts to match via the HUD. Senzati0n Domenitzo’s chic boots for Geeks n Nerds keep me safe from the snow while looking chic and Christel Morane’s bucket bag for Boho Culture Fair has a fabulous texture change HUD to mix and match the bag, handle, and ribbon for an ideal look.

Shyla Diggs has brought her beautiful art to the Catwa Jessica head and it’s breathtaking. With fine features, luscious lips and Shyla’s absolutely gorgeous eye makeups, the face is transformed and becomes unique. With face framing bangs from one of Kuranosuke Kamachi’s new hairs, it’s a stunningly beautiful look. Bastchild Lotus has made a beautiful necklace for the gachas at the Freak Show, one that comes with a center piece with all the cards of the tarot and if you get one of the two rares, you get a HUD with texture change for the beads AND for the center cards. It’s well worth pumping some change into the gacha to try to get it.

Hair: =DeLa*= Fitted Mesh Hair “Brinley” by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*= *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Jessica by Catwa Clip for CATWA *

Skin applier: -Belleza- Keira Catwa Applier Sunkissed by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza– *

Eyes: Mesh – Marble Eyes – Smoke by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: -Belleza- Isis by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Outfit: ::C’est la vie !:: Noella dress(oriental blue)- by Larcoco Mathy for C’est la vie, available at Shiny Shabby *

Necklace: L&B Swear (C) “Celtic Heart” Tarot Necklace  (RARE) by BastChild Lotus and Paul Lapointe for Lapointe and Bastchild, available at the Freak Show *

Handbag: :: D-Style – Bucket Bag w.HUD :: by Christel Morane for Delirium Style, available at the Boho Culture Fair *

Nails: Nailed It – Belleza – Gemstones Set HUD by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Feet: Slink Avatar Enhancement Feet High Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

Boots: Essenz – Tennessee by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Geeks n Nerds *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Taken at Furillen, assembled by Serene Footman

Funny Bunnies

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt! ~ Lucy Van Pelt

Easter’s coming up and for some it’s and important holiday but for many it heralds the beginning of Spring. With chocolates and Easter egg hunts and bunnies, it’s a lovely holiday, and I have surrounded myself with the newest KittyCatS to celebrate. These kittens were custom made for the Showers & Flowers collection (rain, flowers, sunshine and blue skies) and the Bunny Babies, who wear darling flapbacked pajamas with bunny ears. These will be sold for only a limited time, so get them now! Interspersed are eggshell candles from Cherelle Capra and lovely sparkling art she is selling for the holiday (including one piece that is a group gift.

I dressed all in purple for the holiday, starting with my darling top from Paul Lapointe, which comes in a long and short version, which I wear here, and as usual, includes a texture-change HUD that offers 16 bright and muted textures. I have to note that Paul and Bast’s textures are infinitely better than your run of the mill looks. Paul does all his mesh himself and he does it with exacting attention. The fabric wraps around to a perfect insouciant bow in back. My jeans are from Christel Morane, who is selling these sexy skinny jeans at the 100 Block in several colors. My handbag is GraceHaddington’s newest, and it includes a texture change HUD with 8 colors and an AO that allows you to wear the handbag in several poses without seeing it go through your body. I picked up my shoes from the other day and decided to wear them because Pill Kanto did such a great job!

My fresh look comes from PeachieMuah, who loves to add dimples and ruddiness to her faces to connote a healthful glow and youthfulness. Her skins are doll-like and precious but they still work on my rather longer face. My beautiful eyes are Isabelle Requiem’s featured product at Kustom9. I have been waiting for her to come out with new ones! Finally, my big fluffy hair comes from the master of feathered and fluffy locks, Kavar Cleanslate. I clicked around on his HUDs for quite a while to find this perfect blonde, pink-tinted look and had a good time imagining the possibilities. Hoppy Easter!

Good: finding Easter eggs on Easter. Bad: finding Easter eggs at Christmas.

Hair: Exile::San Francisco Wild Fusion 2 by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at The Seasons Story *

Skin: {FF Doll} Zoe Natural _Cleavage by PeachieMuah for Fresh Face *

Eyes: [Brixley] Spring Eyes – deep teal by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at Kustom9 *

Top: L&B S’wear “Bianca” Camisole Cropped – Color Knit Set by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Pants: D-Style – Punky Pants w.HUD/Purple by Christel Morane for Delirium Style, available at the 100 Block *

Handbag: [LG] Boutique-Minirosa Tote by GraceHaddington for LivGlam *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual Right and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant Left by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: -{ZOZ}- Peep Solid Polish (Slinks) by Zozicon for ZOZ, available at the 100 Block *

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: MIAMAI_Difference high pumps -luxe- magenta by Pill Kanto for Miamai *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Art: [CIRCA] – Spring Art Panels – Trio Canvas Set by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at the Easter Market Event *

More art: [CIRCA] – “Burst of Spring” – Art Panel 4 – Group Gift by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *

Candles: [C.] Pkg – “EasterLand” Eggshell Candles – Set 5 by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA] *

Starring the Showers & Flowers and Bunny Baby KittyCats by KittyCats for KittyCats

Rock N Roll High School

Well I don’t care about history
Rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school
‘Cause that’s not where I wanna be
Rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school
I just wanna have some kicks
I just wanna get some chicks
Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school

~ “Rock’n’Roll High School” by the Ramones

A couple times a week I go over to the high school for water aerobics and when I am done, I walk through the halls and I am so amazed and excited to see the variety of looks and styles the kids have. And no one walks around with duck lips. None of the kids dress like this but I do remember “Rock’n’Roll High School” and how revolutionary it was at the time, so I made this look in tribute. Start with my guitar from Christel Morane and my lunchbox from xOLanaxO Serenity at the Luck of Irish Gacha Fair (had to sneak that lunchbox in again). Then add more glasses from Boyd Krastins for a more academic look and one of Sasy Scarborough’s new nail appliers from My Attic.

Ivy Burner has a few of these exclusive corsets left at her store—this is a limited edition and I am not sure why they weren’t gone immediately because it’s a gorgeous piece of mesh and texturing work. I topped Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus’ new sexy zipper pants that come with their amazing texture-change HUD (with a variety of amazing textures—these pants will be seen again and again). And oh my, look at that tush. Paul does the best ass in SL, bar none. And Circe Ishtari has put out these amazingly sexy next boots!

The whole impetus for the look was, of course, Kavar Cleanslate’s hair band hair, which he is featuring at My Attic. I think Kavar and I went to rock’n’roll high school together because the sight of this hair made me laugh and then drift back into reminiscing (during which I sang that “Reminiscing” song from the Little River Band from my childhood and then I went to find my old black Phil Collins concert t-shirt and it turned into something schmaltzy I can’t share here and then realized with horror that this is all considered “retro” now). I donned Ava Grau’s gorgeous new skin from Skin Fair, which I will be showing again, of course, because I layered on Madrid Solo’s deep cherry lips and one of the free eyeliners Nena Janus offers at Skin Fair. Thank you, Kavar, for making my week!

“Things sure have changed since we got kicked out of high school.” ~ Johnny Ramone

Hair: Exile::1985 Wild Fusion by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at My Attic *

Skin: *Glance Skins – Aina – SKT05 – Black Brows by Ava Grau for Glance Skins, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2)

Makeup: Madrid Solo- Eyes & Lips- Seductress Red LIp Color by Madrid Solo for Madrid Solo, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2) * and *League* Classic Wing EyeLiner 3 Tattoo by Nena Janus for League, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2)

Eyes: Mayfly – Deep Sky Eyes (Molasses, w2) by Arkesh Baral for Mayfly

Corset: ~Sassy!~ Stamina Carbon Fiber corset – black by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~ *

Pants: L&B Pants “Zipp” (SM) (Tucked) – BW Leather Set by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Glasses: BNe simple glasses black/red by Boyd Krastins for Random Gear (unreleased) *

Guitar: D-Style – Guitar Gacha Punk RARE by Christel Morane for Delirium Style, available at the Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

Lunchbox: {XO} Graffiti Dreams Lunchbox – RARE by xOLanaxO Serenity for XO Visions, available at the Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Bag Right and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Relaxed Left by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – set 205 by Sasy Scarborough forFlair, available at My Attic *

Boots: Tokyo.Girl . Lyke Boot . Black by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Poses by Willa Whybrow for don’t freak out!

The Socialite

“Socialite women meet socialite men and mate and breed socialite children so that we can fund small opera companies and ballet troupes because there is no government subsidy.” ~ Sugar Rautbord

The socialite—the one I have in mind—doesn’t live in California or Arizona but keeps homes there and in Hawaii. She spends the fund raising season in chilly New York, however, which explains her fur-collared coat, this from Teekie, simply an outer garment to get her from the penthouse to the limousine to the benefit party. Removing her coat reveals a gorgeous, corseted brocade dress, fitted just to her and made by Christel Morane. Both she discovered at the Style Icon fashion fair along with her gorgeous glittering jewelry from Belle Roussel.

Of course she sports a healthy sun kissed glow from her recent trip to Aspen and her make-up was applied by Nataliewells, who came to her penthouse earlier tonight to get her ready, including a full compliment of lipsticks and eyeshadows. Nails were done by artist Giela Delpaso, who also contributed to the fair. And her up-do was styled by Marisa Karu, who had first created this style for a Miss Virtual World. Our socialite knows the best so she appears flawless, rich and beautiful on the society pages while spreading her wealth around for all her pet projects.

“Money is like manure. It should be spread around.” ~ Brooke Astor

Hair: “”D!va”” Hair “Locuala” (MVW INDIA 2014)(Brown diamond) by Marisa Kira for D!va, available at Collabor88

Skin: Deesses Skins: Meredith – brown eyebrows – cappuccino with Deesses Skins: Jameia – eyeshadow 11 and Deesses Skins: Meredith lipstick – Famous by NatalieWells for Deesses, available at The Style Icon *

Eyes: [Brixley] Mist Eyes – brown by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at Kustom9 *

Coat: HOLLY MESH RED MADAME COAT by Teekie for Hollyhood, available at The Style Icon *

Dress: D-Style – Jessica Gown 07 by Christel Morane for Delirium Style, available at The Style Icon *

Jewelry: True Romance Gld/Blk Necklace, Earrings and Bracelets by Belle Roussel for Chop Zuey, available at The Style Icon *

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Slink – The Style Icon Set HUD by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It, available at The Style Icon *

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

:*

Virtually Freudian

Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy. ~ Sigmund Freud

What would Freud think of SL? What would Ralph Steadman’s crotchety old Freud think of SL, that is? All dreams fulfill an unconscious wish–which does our fantasy girl fulfill today? View her unveiled sexuality undercut with its bold, almost masculine attitude, from the skater knee pads to the insouciant vest, and imagine what Freud is thinking now. This ensemble will challenge both Daddy and the object of transference with its wantonness. (Imagine that on your couch!)

Freud would marvel at the nomenclature we use for pieces in SL: skins, “attachments,” tattoos, alphas…. The question really is, can we feel comfortable in someone else’s skin? This skin is a sensuous and smoky but youthful visage—our Dora grown up perhaps. With its glossy nude lips and gorgeously rendered body, Dora turned out to be quite a beauty. The latest hair from chiaki Xue completes the look with its insolent bangs-in-the-face and careless waves.

The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is “What does a woman want?” ~ Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams

Hair: *Dura-Boy20*(Dark Brown)resize by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: I ALEIDA I SUMIKO – smoked eyes (nat) (no cleav. & no hb) by Aleida Rhodes for Aleida *

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

Outfit: Delirium Style – LadyG US by Christel Morane for Delirium *

Bra: *blowpop* Cassie – Black Triangle Bra by Annyka Bekkers for Blowpop

Lithograph by Ralph Steadman

Free Spirit

I’m cut loose. I’m a free spirit. It’s not easy but there it is.

This outfit is perfect for a free spirit. Made by Christel Morane, it’s a complete ensemble from top to bottom. She includes a backpack, a shirt tied around the waist, bandannas, and ripped jeans and hiking boots. (What’s in the backpack you can only imagine—589 pairs of shoes, 2313 hairs, 234 skins, 1249 things named “Object”….) It’s a cute outfit for girls wandering the grid.

I have put on a brand new skin from LiLO Glom with freckles. I love this fresh look and it fits Sophia Rossen’s new shape, Melody, really well. Truth Hawks’ darling haircut is perfect for this look—a quick easy style for stepping out the door and into the world.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.” ~ Helen Keller

Hair: >TRUTH< Penny – caramel by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: *JeSyLiLO*:::YUMMY:::*LightSkin*J6 by LiLO Glom for *JeSyLiLO* *

Shape: Sophistishapes – MELODY bodyshape by Sophia Rossen for Sophistishapes *

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

Outfit (with boots and backpack): Delirium Style – The Hiker F by Christel Morane for Delirium *

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