Cassandra

Cassandra is the evening hostess at the Cosmopolitan Club. She has a winning personality and easy style that welcomes patrons to the mostly African-American jazz club in her town. She loves jazz—its sound, its history, its resonance deep in her bones—so this job is just perfect for her. The women visiting the club love Cassandra for her sweet but non-committal friendliness (she doesn’t flirt with their men); the men call her “Baby” with affection and tip her well, knowing she is the club’s “little intellectual,” or so her boss says.

Her momma raised her to go to college, and so Cassandra did, choosing a most unmarketable degree–Literature. Cassandra focused specifically on women’s literature, loving the books of Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and even Angela Davis. She would have liked to continue her schooling, filling her head with literature and history, writing herself, but she couldn’t afford it.

The job market, being what it was when she got out of college, led her from being a phone customer service rep for a multinational to filing and secretarial in an insurance office to this job. She works at “the Cosmo,” as they call it, to support her baby girl, Gwendolyn, during the hours when her boyfriend, Diante, is not working as a mechanic at Briggs’ Ford. (“We’ll get married when we can afford to have a reception with a live DJ and a sit-down dinner with everyone,” she tells her mother.) She also works to collect her favorite books. Her prized possession is a first edition of Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.”

That being said, Cassandra realizes the importance of dressing for success, but success in her line means treading the fine line between underdressed and outshining her patrons. Therefore she tends to wear something sedate (for club wear), not revealing too much but not looking prudish. This outfit from Sascha Frangilli was perfect for a night of jazz standards and blues. With the velvet top and bolero and imprinted velvet skinny pants, it is dressy but not ostentatious.

Her skin is a gift offered by Agony Helse at her new store, Akeruka. The skin is sensuous and the makeup glittering. I am not sure Agony intended this to look African-American, but it seemed to fit with its full and beautiful lips and blue shadow, which sets so nicely against brown eyes (these from Ikon Innovia). Cassandra’s hair is one of Elikapeka Tiramisu’s offerings at the Hair Fair this year, a lovely long bob with bangs pushed to the side. This is what I like about Elika’s hair: it’s never outrageous, always fashionable and wearable. Her textures are, of course, amazing.

Shoes are from Oct Oakleaf’s new line of PLATFORMAs. With their beautiful sheen and ingenious blending, they are an ideal end point to this glamorous club hostess outfit.

“I found God in myself
and I loved her
I loved her fiercely.”
~ Ntozake Shange

Hair: [e] Pretend – Brown 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira], available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: Akeruka Opening Group Gift Meg Skin by Agony Helse for Akeruka

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

Outfit: SAS – Chocolate Blue by Sascha Frangillia for Sascha’s Designs *

Earrings: fulo silver stud earring by Dita Tran for fulo *

Bracelets: fri. – Loop Bangles (Silver) by Viva Monday for fri.day

Shoes: + ADDiCTIA + PLATFORMA Wedge Sandals – Platinum Silver by Oct Oakleaf for + ADDiCTIA + *

Flower of the Mountain

“…I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes. “

~ James Joyce, “Ulysses” (inspiration for Kate Bush)

What do Andalusian girls wear? Roses in their hair, at their waist, beautiful dresses. This dress from Mami Jewell would suit an Andalusian girl just fine with its bold red color and bright blowsy roses. Mami makes a sheer texture like no other in SL—there are no alpha clashes—it’s pure netting and light and airy in the flexi settings. The system pieces are rendered perfectly, as always. Mami is generously donating proceeds from this dress for Japanese relief—to help folks in her own country.

My skin is a new one from Diarmiud Miklos. I was struck by the beautiful rendering of the features and the gorgeous collarbone. (These things matter, people!) The hair base is not truly black hair—it’s more dark brown, so I wore a mixed color updo from DBS Heart rather than a straight black. I tucked a rose from Siyu Suen above my ear and donned extravagantly beautiful earrings from Dita Tron.

You can’t see my shoes in the first two shots but they are under there. (I took off the skirt to show them). A new offering from Nardya Rousselot, they are being featured at the Shoe Fair. Nardya is back in action in SL again, and thank goodness for that. Her toes are the some of the loveliest tootsies in SL and her styling is influenced by her South American life. Check out the great metallic accents on the straps that Nardya so skillfully renders. These are pretty darn hot for any girl, even an Andalusian girl ;)

Written while listening to Kate Bush’s “Flower of the Mountain” and struggling with shadows in Firestorm.

Hair: ::DBS::Mireya-ebonytan by DBS Heart for Bishwear

Skin: ISPACHI Skin [ PORTIA ] Tanned ~ Hair/Bluebells by Diarmuid Miklos for ISPACHI, available at the Skin and Shape Expo *

Makeup: M.O.C.K Cosmetics Red Hot Lipstain  (Lipcolor only) by Mocksoup Graves for M.O.C.K Cosmetics

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

Dress: -AZUL- Esperanca/Egretta(Red)/Japan Relief Fundraiser by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Earrings: NEW – FuLo – “Lacie” earring – Ruby by Dita Tran for FuLo *

Rose: *~*Hair Rose: Red/Copy by Siyu Suen for *~*Illusions*~*

Shoes: NX-Nardcotix MANA Rosa Maria Fire by Nardya Rousselot for Nardcotix *

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

Nicky Ree at Fashion for Life

Nicky Ree has *always* been a supporter of Relay for Life. Every year she applies her talents to specially made exclusive dresses sold for Relay for Life with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. In the past and this year as well, she has also backed that up with a personal donation as a sim sponsor.

Nicky chose to color her RFL donations purple or pink, and we are honored to have her beautiful content grace the Ansel Adams sim. Take the Tanya Gown with its rich deep sheen, tweedy print, and gem-like colors. With its sexy plunging neckline and sophisticated silhouette, it’s a beautiful gown for a red carpet.

Nicky was clearly influenced by Frederick Lancaster’s art deco build for her sim when she did this exquisite texture on her Mara dress. Nicky has donated the Mara dress in various iterations over the years, each one more stunning than the next.

Her regular black and white version of this dress is stunning and both Mara dresses come with a long ballroom skirt and a shorter sophisticated skirt.

For women who like a softer look, Nicky offers pink and fuchsia versions of her Lana Satin and Lace and Tricia Lace gowns. With their sophisticated drama, these gowns highlight Nicky’s amazing talent and background in formal evening wear (her mother owned a custom boutique in RL). Nicky has perfected the lushness of fabrics that would be used in formal gowns, highlighting a woman’s best features and making her feel incredibly pampered and beautiful.

Dress yourself up at Fashion for Life, going on NOW through March 22.

Photo 1:

• Hair: ::DBS::Mona-black by DBS Heart for Bishwear, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim
• Skin: LaVie Enya Purple Heart normal (H) by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Rising Sun (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR Tanya Gowns & Pants in Purple by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: Fulo Lacey Earrings – Amethyst by Dita Tran for Fulo, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim

 

Photo 2:

• Hair: [e] Just – Black 04 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: : HS : Reverie : Ghosts (c) by Amesha Jewell for Heartsick Skins, FFL Store Sponsor, FFL Store Sponsor on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Rising Sun (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR RFL 2011 Mara Art Deco Collection Purple by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life

 

Photo 3:

• Hair: [e] Early – Red 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: -Glam Affair- Mary Light – E/D/A 02 by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Blue 3 (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR RFL 2011 Mara Art Deco Collection Black by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: FuLo – "Lacie" earrings – Ruby by Dita Tran for Fulo, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim
• Ring: **FFL Gacha**  ::je suis::Gacha::tente::fire::ring (l) by Julia Merosi for je suis on the Helmut Newton sim
• Bag: **FFL Exclusive**  ::je::suis::insouciant::bag black(hands) by Julia Merosi for je suis on the Helmut Newton sim
• Shoes: N-core AURA "Noir" by Claire Messenger for N-Core, FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim

 

Photo 4:

• Hair: Miamai_Anna Bun_Blonde_PinkBow_NO Forehead by monica Outlander for Miamai, FLL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Skin: **FFL Exclusive** LaVie Hope  Autumn Glory Normal #5 [H] cleavage by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR Lana Satin & Lace Svelte Gown Pink by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: **FFL Exclusive** Alienbear’s ( Queen Maraget earrings RFL 2011 Special) by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear’s, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim

 

Photo 5:

• Hair: Vanity Hair:Gala HP-Noir by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Skin: Style by Kira – Willow Skin 01E by Kira Paderborn for Style by Kira, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR Tricia Lace Gowns in Pink by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: Zivanit Earring RFL2009 special by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear’s, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim