Tangled–KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 4

“A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones.” ~ Arthur Conan Doyle

I have the tree up, lights on, some décor put out, but I had to get to a holiday party. I had this festive dress from Ever Wonder, a lovely mesh piece she was selling at Designer Showcase that included a texture change HUD so I could try a few colorways on. I slipped on my new shoes from Glamistry and great jewelry from Maxi Gossamer for this month’s Fameshed and rushed out the door to the party.

Now, you all know I have a new dog named Ziggy. She is a darling mutt, full of joy and life and coziness too. But she’s also still a bit of a puppy and she finds her way into things she shouldn’t frequently. For example, she has found (and chewed) slippers I forgot I had. She has chewed the hem on a sweater of mine (after she laid all over it). And she’s chewed up three iPad charging cords. (What the appeal is, I have no idea.) So I should have felt a little trepidation about leaving her loose with the holiday decorations out but I was already late.

Sure enough, she got into the tree. Thanks to today’s gift from Garvie Garzo in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, I have a perfect representation of Ziggy (though she’s not the same breed). When I rezzed the gift, I laughed because, yep, that’s my dog and somehow Garvie has met her. Garvie went to considerable pains to create a pet that would make you smile for the holidays, so I hope you rush to the calendar to grab this silly puppy to add warmth to your own home.

Monicuzza Babenco has made a lovely applier for the Catwa mesh head at the Dressing Room Fusion. At a ridiculously low price, it’s absolute beauty on a budget with the beautiful features and freckles (!). Mirja Mills has created this elegant updo with a pearl-studded scarf for all your holiday dress up, also discount priced for My Attic. So I can still smile, though I will be replacing all the lights.

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ROBERTA * by Mirja Mills for.:EMO-tions:., available at My Attic *

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

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Patricia Tone03 Skin Applier – Catwa Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at The Dressing Room Fusion *

Eyes: Mesh – Marble Eyes – Old Book by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

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

Dress: Stardust Gown – Holiday – MAITREYA by Ever Wonder  for More Than Ever, available at the Designer Showcase *

Jewelry: MG – Necklace – Sophia Faceted Jewelled Collar and MG – Earrings – Sophia Faceted Jewels by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Fameshed *

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

Décor:

• Trompe Loeil – Vintage Diamond Floor Lights by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at the Arcade *
• Botanical – Green Douglas Fir Christmas Tree (Tannenbaum) by Kriss Lehmann for Botanical, available at the Tannenbaum Holiday Market
• TBF Christmas Lights by Arduenn Schwartzman for The Black Forest
• Trompe Loeil – JOY Light-Up Letters by Cory Edo for Trompe Loieil, available at the Arcade *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Poses assisted by Avimote PoseMaker PE 1.02 by Avimote Dreamscape for Avimote *

Pet: Holiday Hound by Garvie Garzo for meadowWorks, available December 4 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

Strange Magic

I get a strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it’s a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic.

~ “Strange Magic” by Electric Light Orchestra

I quoted this song from ELO because it suited this look, an outfit with a “strange magic.” Start with the custom mesh dress from Buttercup Iwish, textured with a brilliant and beautiful melange of patterns. I have to say that working with pattern in SL is a tough task—our fashions are so ephemeral that taking the time to do pattern seems fruitless, but Buttercup has managed to make a high-fashion piece not only by having this very exciting silhouette but also by including luscious pattern on the piece with a beautiful satiny sheen. It’s no small trick. Paired with couture heels, constructed with a fantasy idea of machined heels and platform, the outfit is stunning and remarkable.

Sawsan Secretspy’s luscious golden tone on one of her newer skins, Monica, makes our look classy and rich, especially with the deep eyes and lips and Constance Daehlie’s vibrant green eyes. Truth Hawks has, once again, brought out a gorgeous hair with this swept back ponytail that is also available as a bun (you get a twofer in this package—woot!) Enjoy the strange magic!

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Harmony [Ponytail] by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Monica Golden 03 by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. *

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

Dress: [Fifi & Trixi] FW2014 Speranza by Buttercup Iwish for [Fifi & Trixi], available at Designer Showcase *

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

Nail appliers: [LB OilAbstractGold] *Slink* Manicure and Pedicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: [Fifi & Trixi] FW2014 Giana Platfom Heels by Buttercup Iwish for [Fifi & Trixi], available at Designer Showcase *

Poses by Fanny Willis for Everglow *

Maga

“Oh, Maga, whenever I saw a woman who looked like you a clear, sharp pause would close in like a deafening silence, collapsing like a wet umbrella being closed. An umbrella, precisely.” ~ from Hopscotch by Jose Cortazar

I just started reading Hopscotch by Jose Cortazar, recommended this weekend by a friend. But I had just started Behind the Beautiful Forevers from Keatherine Boo, which won a scad of awards and deservingly so. It’s amazing. But then last night someone told me to read A Sand County Almanac, so of course, I couldn’t wait and cracked that open. So I’ll probably find quotes from each one to share here.

This outfit reminded me of Cortazar’s description in the first chapter of his mixed-up book, a lady named Maga, who accompanies him through Paris on many adventures. (If you read the book and Maga turns out to be a poop, don’t tell me. I just read the first chapter so far.) I loved his description of this woman, and I thought it suited this look, a sophisticated beauty. I have assembled a set of mesh pieces on the Belleza body to prove, once again, that is quite doable. First, a top from one dress made by Nevery Lorakeet with a sheer panel on top and a lovely blousing that leads to a belt I found in inventory from Fhara Acacia (search: “belt,” scroll). My skirt is part of a dress from GraceHaddington that she will be putting out at Designer Showcase this month. With its perfectly shaded texture and flirty shape, it’s a great piece even without its accompanying jacket and worth it at the price. A handbag from Monicuzza Babenco from The Dressing Room and heels I retrofitted to the Belleza feet from Aleida Rhode (originally meant for Slink feet but nonrigged, so I could make them work), and the outfit is complete.

I am, as I said, wearing the Belleza body. Why? Well, frankly, I love being able to switch my hands and feet at the touch of a HUD button rather than searching through my inventory for the many separate pieces that make up separate mesh hands and feet. I was able to match my body skin pretty nicely to Sawsan Secretspy’s new Lolita skin, which she recently released at her store. I got Karla Marama’s hair at the Dressing Room. The sleek, low style is very nice though the rigging still needs a little work (saw some breaks in turning my head and pieces obscuring my face). It’s not the most sophisticated mesh hair. For a discount you can get bright colors at the event but regular hair colors like this were bundled for a higher price.

Hair: pr!tty – Rae – by Karla Marama for pr!tty, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Lolita Darktan 05 with .::WoW Skins::. Lolita Black eyebrows B/DT by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. *

Eyes: #adored – siren eyes – kelp by Constance Daehlie for #adored

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

Top: *LpD* – *Celina* Top Pure V.2 (Mesh) by Nevery Lorakeet for Les Petits Details

Belt: R.icielli – VERONICA belt /black by Fhara Acacia for R.icielli

Skirt: [LG] Boutique-Fall 2014 These Waters Skirt by Grace Haddington for LivGlam, available at Designer Showcase *

Handbag: *YS&YS* – Velletri Bag ZebraGold by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at the Dressing Room Fusion

Wedges: Elysium – Mei wedge shoes – noir by Aleida Rhode for Elysium *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo

The Rainbow

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. ~ Dolly Parton

Sometimes a rainbow is the goal, not the gold, and this dress from Dainie Fraina proves my point with its rainbow colorwash and great off-the-shoulder style. Dainie, who is known for her African-inspired fashions, loves color and finds anyway she can to get as much as into her fashion without going overboard. This time she got every color in the rainbow with a little green removable tie at the waist.

I am carrying a cute texture-change handbag from the queen of cute and inexpensive accessories, Renee Harvy, which matches my darling wedges from Ariadna Garrigus, which she also features in brown and black.

Peachiemuah has released this new skin, named after a certain famous blonde I am guessing, with beautiful features, full lips, a fine blush to her lips and a little darkness around her eyes (as if she had been partying a little too much maybe). I love Truth Hawks’ style with waves surrounding two beautifully curved braids that taper down to nothing. Sometimes Truth makes the most romantic hair, and this certainly fits that description.

“Dare to love yourself
as if you were a rainbow
with gold at both ends.”
― Aberjhani, The River of Winged Dreams

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Lagertha by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: {FF Doll} Paris Natural _ Cleavage _w/o eyebrow by PeachieMuah for Fresh Face *

Eyes: .ID. April Gift / Blue-Gray by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Dress: :: ARTIZANA :: SUNGURUN Mesh Off-Shoulder Dress (Rainbow) by Dainie Fraina for ARTIZANA, available at Designer Showcase

Handbag: ::Duh!:: Suede & Bamboo Handbag – Colorchange by Renee Harvy for Duh! *

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

Nail Appliers: -{ZOZ}- Butterfly Spring Polish (Slinks) by Zozicon for ZOZ, available at Fashion Stars *

Shoes: ***ArisAris AA37 chunky boho sandal white by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

When Spring Comes….

“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

When spring comes, and undoubtedly it will because a hyacinth in a pot on my dining room table is belling her fragrance and telling me excitedly that spring is coming, some day, soon. My bike is sitting out in the garage, orange and bright blue and hopeful. My gardening clogs are lying obediently by the back door, biding their time. It’s going to come, spring is, I know it.

And when it does I will be damn happy, as I am sure anyone will. This dress from Amberchaudry Corpur reminds me of that happiness with its pastel colors and glittering lines. In shadows, the alphas in the skirt don’t do the dress the greatest favor but in the light most would wear this—unshadowed—it’s quite pretty, and quite a deal at the Designer Showcase. I also got my pink and pretty nail appliers at the Designer Showcase, from S1nful Viper, who features several pastel sets. My bracelets feature materials from Maxi Gossamer.

I rather adore the new skin from Izzie Button that she is offering at the Liaison Collaborative. She offers appliers in her store for all her skin tones and a set of makeups with this skin, which is beautiful and sexy in the best ways. My updo is one of Mirja Mill’s gorgeously created buns with the great hair base. It looks so sleek and so sexy this way. And earrings are Plurabell Laszlo’s offering for I <3 Role Play. They can be used with any outfit that needs a touch of spring.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” ~ Anne Bradstreet

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * SHELLY * by Mirja Mills for.:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: Izzie’s – Maci Skin sunkissed LB with Izzie’s – Maci Eyeshadow pink and Izzie’s – Lipstick soft rose by Izzie Button for Izzie’s, available at the Liaison Collaborative

Eyes: [Brixley] Haze Eyes – indigo by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at SL Fashion Week *

Dress: [[ Masoom ]] Veera gown by Amberchaudry Corpur for Masoom, available at Designer Showcase

Earrings: Bliensen + MaiTai – Cassis Earring by Plurabelle Laszlo for Bliensen + MaiTai, available at We <3 Roleplay *

Bracelets: MG – Bangles – Sparkly Pearl Cuff – GOLD by Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

Nail appliers: SB: Amore Polish Slink Nails by S1nful Viper for Sansa Bella, available at Designer Showcase

Shoes: {{BSD Design studio}}Cherish GOLD by BabyChampagne Sass for {{BSD Design studio}} *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

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Smitten Kitten

“how can you love a little cat
so much
in such a
short
short
time?”
― Sharon Creech, Hate That Cat

Everyone needs a good friend to snuggle up to when it’s cold. I think I found the ideal friend—in the final KittyCats Advent Calendar gift. Anyone get a free KittyCat with a week’s supply of food and you can birth your KittyCat and see it grow if you get there by January 6 and grab one for yourself. I put my darling new friend on my shoulder so you can see her. She is cuddling up in my fur coat from Cecilia Blachere, which Cecilia is selling at Designer Showcase this month as a special offer. I’m wearing her sexy black pencil skirt and top underneath with red tights from Maya Levane and darling ankle boots from Pixieplumb Flanagan.

Umazuma Petaluna had created a set of lovely skins for Arcade, copies of which can probably still be found in yard sales for gacha items. I would recommend you grab them when you can because they are gorgeous, with full lips and a beautifully rendered body. My hair is one of Truth’s more recent releases, a tousled sexy ‘do with Truth’s handy texture-change HUD. Peeking from behind a lock of hair, my lovely blue eyes (matching my KittyCat’s eyes almost) are available in Keiba’s store.

“Purr more, hiss less.” ~ Linda C. Marchman

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Gaia by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [theSkinnery] Maya 13 (honey) BB CL1 by Umazuma Metaluna for the Skinnery, available at The Arcade *

Eyes: [UMEBOSHI] Ren eyes -Seal- by Keiba for UMEBOSHI

Jacket: shine by [ZD] ARIA MESH BLAZER storm by Cecilia Blachere for shine, available at Designer Showcase

Top: shine by [ZD] SIMPLE UNDERNEATH SWEATER black by Cecilia Blachere for shine *

Skirt: shine by [ZD] Alpha for HANNAH MESH PENCIL SKIRT by Cecilia Blachere for shine *

Tights: (TokiD) un tights -soft red by Maya Levane for TokiD

Boots: BM Mirari Boot  All Colours by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey *

KittyCat by KittyCats, available as a gift at the KittyCats 2013 Advent Calendar at KittyCats Winterland through January 6

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

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