The Love Zone

In the love zone, you don’t have to be alone
Together we can live and learn in the love zone

~ “Love Zone” by Billy Ocean

School’s not going to start soon enough in our household. The weather is gorgeous and perfect for shorts and a tank top. I love the textures on this new tank from Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus. I especially loved the old Billy Ocean song lyrics! Apple May’s shorts for Shiny Shabby fit perfectly and are a great look for a warm day, especially with strappy wedges from Darling Monday. A pretty glittery pink choker from Liza Broono from the Dressing Room is a glamorous little touch.

Elikapeka Tiramisu’s darling hair for Shiny Shabby, casually pulled back with a little tie, has a sly, long lock of hair hiding one eye. And it’s a shame to hide these lovely eyes from Audrey Lamede from the Dressing Room. Nicole Button’s applier with freckles sprinkled across the nose lends a sort of innocence to this elegant skin, especially with its bee stung lips and well-groomed brows.

Hair: [e] Kabrina by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier and makeup: Egozy.Alena (Canelle) Freckles with Egozy.Alena (Make Up) Golden till Canelle by Nicole Button for Egozy *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Destiny V4.9 by Catwa Clip for CATWA

Eyes: .ID. Deep Gaze Eyes / Hazel / Mesh by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard, available at the Dressing Room

Mesh body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.5 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Top: L&B (*Fitted*  LARA) Swear Retro Tank Top by BastChild Lotus and Paul Lapointe for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Shorts: Chantell Shorts (Maitreya) – Pink by Apple May for Apple May Designs, available at Shiny Shabby*

Choker: #Foxy – Celestial Choker (Silver, Pink) by Liza Broono for #Foxy, available at the Dressing Room

Shoes: fri. – Jenny.Sandals (Cocoa) by Darling Monday for fri.day

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression

Compliments

“It is a great mistake for men to give up paying compliments, for when they give up saying what is charming, they give up thinking what is charming.” ~ Oscar Wilde

I don’t hand out compliments thoughtlessly. I hate coming off as a sycophant or as insincere. I think most folks get that when I say something complimentary, I mean it. (It’s a Midwestern thing.) That being said, I got the lucky chance to be a blogger for the Mesh Body Addicts Fair, and I have been trying to show a few things that have come through for the event. I didn’t get the full import of the event, however, until I got a preview. I really have to compliment the organizers (mainly LilDaria, the owner of the Mesh Body Addicts blog, and Ravenwings). The layout is shopping friendly without a lot of silly décor, walls, paths or other obstacles. The designers are allowed to have more than just an exclusive piece, so there is lots of shopping fun. And the line-up is freakin’ fantastic with such big hitters as Maitreya, Belleza, Catwa, Blueberry, and others participating. Even better, there are some newcomers and lesser-known names joining in, and that’s what makes it so exciting. For once it seems like no one was excluded for any other reason than they don’t do original stuff for mesh bodies. It doesn’t feel cliquey, it’s professional, and it seems everyone has put their best (mesh) foot forward with every single store filled. No small feat. Well done!

Exciting news out of Belleza too, as Tricky Boucher has released an update to the Belleza bodies with a redesigned HUD, an alternate body that takes down the graphic resources used (called Lite), and several new rigging and body part updates that make this body sleeker and better (including a seemingly seamless neck). Most importantly, the body is an UPDATE, which means no additional cost accrues to those who already own the body. That’s a big deal because Tricky derives no immediate benefit from all this work except hopefully new sales to people who will weigh the improvements against other bodies and purchase new. It’s really quite generous. Worn with one of Shyla’s recent appliers for Fifty Linden Friday, it’s a gorgeous look top to bottom. (Please note I am wearing Catwa Clip’s newest mesh head, featured at the Mesh Body Addicts Fair, one that I have been raving about for the past couple days. Looks awesome with Shyla’s applier and fits the Belleza body absolutely perfectly.)

I wore this dress from Sukoshitosuto from the Mesh Body Addicts Fair, a darling number that can you around the grid and fits the Belleza Isis body perfectly. Many creators have foregone making stuff for Belleza bodies and I hope they get back to it because it’s a great body and as I understand, the designer pack is easier to use than others. Shoes from Equitum, which are featured at Tres Chic, fit the Belleza feet and add prettiness to my look.

I hunted down the pretty necklace Crashnoww has in his gacha at The Epiphany and wore AvaGardner Kungler’s newest earrings for the Cosmopolitan Room, glamorous and pretty with this look. Finally, Elikapeka Tiramisu’s ponytail for Shiny Shabby is a simple and pretty look for getting around the grid.

Hair: [e] Xaverie by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier: -Belleza- Sara Catwa Applier Medium by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza–

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Destiny V4.9 by Catwa Clip for CATWA, available at Mesh Body Addicts Fair *

Eyes: L’Etre – Mesh Eyes [#6] by dam1710 for L’Etre, available at The Epiphany

Mesh body: -Belleza- Isis V2 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: Vinyl – Melanie Belted Dress – Isis by Sukoshitosuto for Vinyl, available at Mesh Body Addicts Fair *

Earrings: (Kunglers) Diana earring – Ruby by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at Cosmopolitan Room *

Necklace: **RE** Surya Necklace – Common – Silver by crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at The Epiphany

Nail appliers: Hello Dave – Nail Appliers – Lavender Ice by Maia Gasparini for Hello Dave!

Shoes: ..::ILLI::.. Belleza Laelia Suede Heels by equitum for ILLI, available at Tres Chic

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Taken at Black Kite

Tree House

“A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house.
A street house, a neat house,
Be sure to wipe your feet house
Is not my kind of house at all-
Let’s go live in a tree house.”
~ Shel Silverstein

This is one of those mega blog entries that just about puts me under. The RFL Home & Garden Expo is packed full of amazing things and I want to show them all, so I crammed select pieces into a gorgeous little treehouse from Kathy Greymoon. My living room is comprised of donation items for RFL, including an industrial table from Bethesa Hancroft, a rug from Tess Spargel, an original painting from Sarah Gantt, a gacha polaroid display from xMister Dash, a lovely Japanese lute from Ryo Ixxel, and one of the darling yoga frogs from Garvie Garzo. My plush sofa and chair are ValiantCo’s contribution to Fameshed this month.

Slide around the corner and find Aki Shichiroji’s orchid terrarium on Loz Hyde’s Paris-themed chest of drawers with one of jiuis32’s full perm frames. There is a whole section of full perm items at the Expo this year, which I spent a fair amount of time perusing. Sometimes I get frustrated and want my own frame with my own texture or to create gifts for friends and full perm can fulfill that need. (It’s not just for reselling!) I found quite a few things that struck my fancy!

Chic Aeon has made a collection of book lover pieces for her gacha at the Expo, and I rather liked the idea of books piled around my house (read or to-be-read). Propped on top is a sunny pitcher of daffodils from Chiana0 and Sisterbutta’s hunt item. I want to note that everything I show contributes, if not 100% donation to RFL, at least a portion. This house is built from love.

My dining room is a place of comfort and joy. I used Liz Gaelich’s gateleg table, (which comes in closed and open versions) as my main table, flanking it with Cory Edo’s chairs for Collabor88. Sisterbutta’s whimsical and beautiful floating paper cranes serve as my centerpiece. Chiana0 made the lovely dark wood hutch and plates that line the hutch. I always like chairs as a piece of art and décor so Akahata’s awesome skyline chair and Sisterbutta’s lovely neoclassical armchair decorate as well as provide seating. DanielEstro always makes his pieces in grays with modify so I feel free to color pieces as I see fit and I warmed up his “Hope” wreath with color. A pretty lamp and wall hanging from Isabelli Anatine bookends the scene with Kasslina’s exquisite and unique antler chandelier lighting the space. Another pretty rug from Tess Spargel gathers it all together.

Shiny Shabby opens today with their first anniversary round and I look forward to showing more items in the next few weeks but I couldn’t help donning Sora Tatham’s denim-based dress. With a texture-change HUD included, you can switch up the top and scarf for different color combos. Boots from Katat0nik Pidgeon fit men or women and are completely modifiable for size as they are not rigged (whew). Elikapeka Tiramisu is also joining in on the fun for the first anniversary with this full bob for Shiny Shabby.

I got my hands on the new Omega-ready Sadie head from Maximillion Grant that he has been promising his pleading customers for a few months. It’s finally done! Since Max had to retrofit his HUDs to be Omega ready and redo all the layers, it took some time. I tried Monicuzza Babenco’s new Logo applier for the Alex head on this one with mixed results. I think we are going to have to wait for Sadie-themed skins to come out for it to look good. For example, Moni compensated for Alex’s full lips by making them thinner but on the thinner lips of the Sadie, it doesn’t look the best. I will keep experimenting, dear readers. Just get yourself to the RFL Home & Garden Expo and donate til it hurts!

Hair: [e] Olivia by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: LOGO Sadie v5.0 Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Paige Tone 02 – Skins Applier for Logo Mesh Head Alex by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eye applier: Weaponized Sugar Eyes – Spring Green by weaponizedsugar for Weaponized Sugar

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.5 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: *agp* Jean outfit-Maitreya by Sora Tatham for *agapee*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Boots: *katat0nik* (dark) Buckle Boot by Katat0nik Pidgeon for *katat0nik*, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Dining Room:

• UNCERTAIN SMILE DECO FLOOR LAMP – DECO FANS by Isabelli Anatine for UNCERTAIN SMILE ,available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• – aKa – Skyline Chair Oak by Akahata for aKa, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• [ zerkalo ] Hope Wreath – Dark by DanielEstro for [ zerkalo ], available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• by Chiana Oh – Welsh Dresser [Dark] by Chiana0 for by Chiana Oh, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• by Chiana Oh – Dotty Plates – Welsh Dresser Set [Yellow] by Chiana0 for by Chiana Oh, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Rug Multi-Floral 3 by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Thistle Gateleg Jacobean Table Open Dark Wood (cm) by Liz Gealach for Thistle Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo
• UNCERTAIN SMILE DIY RECYCLED FRAME – DARK ROSES by Isabelli Anatine for UNCERTAIN SMILE, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• DG – Ebonized Neoclassical Armchair w Silk Broche Fabric m/c/nt by Sisterbutta for AMDG, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• DG – 19th Century Japanese Crane Serving Plate w Origami m/c/nt by Sisterbutta for AMDG, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo*
• Yoga Frog 11 ~ Sleeping Angle Pose by Garvie Garzo for meadowWorks, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• OTB! Rustic Retreat  Antler Light by kasslina for Outside the box, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Trompe Loeil – Savonarola Armchair Charcoal PG by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at Collabor88 *

Living Room:

• [[RH]] Biwa -Japanese Lute – display by Ryo Ixxel for [[RH]] Design House, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Sarah Gantt – Medium Landscape Oil Painting by Sarah Gantt for Gallery by Sarah Gantt, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Yoga Frog 10 ~ Lotus Pose by Garvie Garzo for meadowWorks, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• [Con.] Basic Sidetable – Medium by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• [Con.] Cooper’s Leather Sofa – A by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• [Con.] Cooper’s Armchair – A by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• [Con.] Regal lamp – freebie by ValiantCo for Consignment, available at Fameshed *
• HORNTAIL – Polaroid Parade [HeartCreative] by xMister Dash for Horntail, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• *RnB* Wagon Table – 14 Weathered Painted Woods (c) by Bethesa Hancroft for RnB Furniture, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo * by
• Rug Multi-Floral 2 by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• MESHWORX~Lulu Chest – Effel Tower (Mod/Copy) by Loz Hyde for MESHWORX, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo
• Frame004Texturized by jiuis32 for CCDesign, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo
• [ Organica ] Orchid Terrarium by Aki Shichiroji for Organica, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• tms bird cage decor:  petunia planter (antique white) by Lavinia Godenot for the mustard seed home store, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• by Chiana Oh – Jug of Daffies [Yellow] by Chiana0 for by Chiana Oh, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• DG – Framed sketch “The House that Jack Built” – RFL Hunt by Sisterbutta for AMDG, available at
• Book Lover’s – Tall Book Stack (copy) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Book Lover’s – Book Stack with Leaning Book (copy) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Book Lover’s – Book Stack Short (copy) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Book Lover’s – Repurposed Veggie  Storage (RARE) by Chic Aeon for ChiC buildings, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Rug Multi-Floral 4 by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *

House: Treetops Cottage by Kathy Greymoon for Greymoon Designs, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *

The Spice of Life

“Variety’s the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour.” ~  William Cowper

 

I’m going the graphic route today with more photos than words because I wanted to feature a few of the great hairs from this month’s Hairology, and I knew I wouldn’t get to all of them otherwise. I have donned Paradox Messmer’s mesh dress from Thrift Shop, half off, in its various colorways and have clicked away at Maxi Gossamer’s great Collabor88 necklace to show the many colors you can use on this one piece of jewelry.

I love the variety of hair at Hairology, from Nita Bracken’s simple style to Casandra Rain’s gorgeous wedge (check out the back—brilliant) and I employed color on Tabata Jewell’s rock n roll style and on Elikapeka Tiramisu’s great side ponytail. An elegant girl will go with Evadne Quintessa’s look—it’s honest and easy.

 

Hair: Tameless Svana by Nita Bracken for Tameless, available at Hairology *

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

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Nut by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kornelia lashes.02 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

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

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Wildcat Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

Jewelry: MG – Necklace – Morello drops by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

 

Hair: enVOGUE HAIR – Gisselle by Casandra Rain for enVOGUE, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Blue by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Lynx Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

 

Hair: Mithral * Arrowroot by Evadne Quintessa for Mithral, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Beach by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Snow Leopard Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

 

Hair: [e] Libby by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Lily by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Purrple Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

 

Hair: Vanity Hair:I let U Have It(F)-Greedy by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair, available at Hairology *

Eyes: *YS&YS* – Lovely Eyes Black by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS* *

Dress: Du Jour- Rawr Dress Pink Panther Maitreya by Paradox Messmer for Du Jour, available at the Thrift Shop *

Earrings: MG – Earrings – Morello drops by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

 

Elikatira for Hair Fair 2015

She made it to Hair Fair!!

When I was just a twinkle in my virtual mother’s virtual eye, Elikapeka Tiramisu was paving the way for the hair designers of SL. I am not saying she invented SL hair—I am sure someone else did that—but she professionalized the creation of hair, made it beautiful and varied and set it on the path it’s on today. With her store, ETD, she propagated the free hair that made newbies feel virtually human and built the one of the first hair stores that looked like a high fashion boutique. (There were other mass hair producers but Elika’s was the most chic.) She was one of the first big ones in the grid, kids.

And she’s back at Hair Fair, showing some of the most darling styles you can grab, all with great texture-change HUDs for the hair and the accessories and all in her great hair colors in mesh. It’s great that she decided to come back on to the grid recently. She never fails to please with her styles and her kind presence is a welcome one.

I won’t continue to wax nostalgic without mentioning the other great pieces in my look, including Umazuma Metaluna’s winsome skin for Seasons Story with its full lips and beautiful eyes. Then I have this exquisite necklace from Mea Carnell for On9, a piece that is available in three metals. Mea has shown up in the jewelry world with some great mesh work and amazing designs, especially in metals. Poulet Koenkamp is presenting this dress at Fashiontropic, which includes a beautifully textured hem with large tropical flwoers, which I don’t show here. It’s an almost romantic piece with optional translucent sleeves and a sexy halter top.

Hair by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Hair Fair 2015 *

• [e] Chantal
• [e] Kara
• [e] Lilllian

Skin: [theSkinnery] Emily – Bare face (champagne) DB CL1 by Umazuma Metaluna for[theSkinnery], available at Season’s Story *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Smoke by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.3 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: :: PM :: Strelitzia in Orange by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations,, available at Fashiontropic *

Necklace: Meva Spiral Spheres Collar Copper by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at On9 *

Poses by Luna Jubilee for !bang *

A Little Nonsense

“A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.” ~ Roald Dahl

Check this out! I hit the motherlode! The folks at MadPea made a darling collection of gacha items for the Arcade this month, and I lined them all up (after I played with each one, of course). Each one is interactive in its own special way, from the goofy Sticky Finger I wore on my finger and flung around to the barking doggy that I had to turn off because it drove me nuts to the musical guitar you can wear and play like you did when you were 5 and your dad hoped he was raising another Eric Clapton to the ultra rare robot. These fun pieces can be won and traded or given away or you can use one in your own special photo for the MadPea Rewind & Play Photo Contest. To find out more about that, click through on the link to their Facebook page and the rules are listed there. Important thing is it ends September 30.

My Attic opened again and this darling dress from LacunaInc is one of the great fashions being offered there. The dress is a great little mini for the coming fall with a nice cowl neck and a short skirt. The textures are rich and the silhouette is sexy. I matched up Kenadeecole’s strappy wedges from No21, which she has made for both Slink and Belleza feet. They also have a HUD for choosing metal colors and an optional translucent cuff around the ankle.

That being said, I am again wearing the Venus mesh body from Tricky Boucher. I want to reinterate that it’s easy to wear mesh clothing with this shape by using the alpha area of the HUD and editing your shape. It works brilliantly and look how great my legs look! And I don’t have to shuffle hands around. I am so relieved to not have to deal with that.

My skin is Shyla Diggs’ newest and wow, I am impressed. As always, Shyla doesn’t fail to impress with beautifully shaped brows, gorgeous eye makeups, muted and lush lips, a darling nose. With or without the mesh body, this is a skin worth having.

Elikapeka Tiramisu has been rather quiet, pursuing her first life I presume, but she does have a store with some gorgeous mesh hairs with her lovely textures. Elika was one of the first in SL, kids. And she still can pull it off. This hair comes with a great texture-change HUD and, as you can see, some sleek styling.

Hair: [e] Cassidy by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Skin: -Belleza- Yasmin SK 6 Br by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza– *

Eyes: #adored – dream eyes – mushroom by Constance Daehlie for #adored

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

Dress: *LACUNA* Maeve Dress –  Aurora by LacunaInc for Lacuna, available at My Attic *

Earrings: MG – Earrings – Nima’s Fall Leaf Necklace by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at  FaMESHed *

Shoes: REIGN.- Oli Wedges (BELLEZA/HIGH)- Crimson by kenadeecole for REIGN, available at No21

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

Shelf: Sway’s [Army] LampShelf . blue-plain (empty) by Sway Dench for Sway’s *

The Toys: MadPea Rewind & Play by Arduenn Schwartzman, Indigo Lucerne, Rag Randt, and Harter Fall for MadPea, available at The Arcade *

• MadPea – Crazy Jack-in-the-box
• MadPea – MadPea Singers Piano
• MadPea – Rosetta (Add or Rez)
• MadPea – Sniffy
• MadPea – Sticky Fingers
• MadPea – Thunder Chord
• MadPea – Thunder Chord  – Guitar Stand – Rez (click -> view.)
• MadPea – Wind-n-Watch (Add or Rez)
• MadPea – Zerbert 2000 RARE (Add or Rez)
• MadPea Toy Phone (blue) – prop to wear [use HUD to call]
• MadPea Toy Phone (red) – prop to wear [use HUD to call]

Debutante

What if SL had debs?

(¯`v´¯)                                                         (¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´                                                        `*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (`’·.¸(`’·.¸  ¸.·’´) ¸.·’´)  (¨*•.¸ (¨*•.¸`•.¸
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•               •`¯¨• ¸¸ `•. `•.¸) `•.¸)
`*.¸.*´                                     `*.¸.*´

Mr. and Mrs. Rocco28 Rau

are pleased to announce the debut of their “daughter,”

Miss Glitterprincess Saiman.

(¯`v´¯)                                                         (¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´                                                        `*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (`’·.¸(`’·.¸  ¸.·’´) ¸.·’´)  (¨*•.¸ (¨*•.¸`•.¸
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•               •`¯¨• ¸¸ `•. `•.¸) `•.¸)
`*.¸.*´                                     `*.¸.*´

Miss Saiman, late of the ~* Shanel Modeling Agency *~ and former exotic dancer for the Milky Way Club, enjoyed her coming out at Cherry’s Shemale Sugar Shack. Wearing a full-length satin gown from Agnes Finney, the latest in formal couture, Miss Saiman was the belle of the ball. In a full-skirted champagne gown with a ruffled confection at the waist and decolletage, Miss Saiman was corseted in beautiful black lace.

Her headpiece, an etherial construction of roses and butterflies, was also created by the talented Agnes Finney.

Wearing skin by the talented Marisa Feila, Miss Saiman can embrace her full feminine form with beautiful makeup and lovely body details. Miss Saiman opted to wear the brown eyebrows because, though she has a very light blonde ponytail from Elikapeka Tiramisu, the curtains don’t match the drapes and the eyebrows are more true to her real coloring.

Make your dreams come true….

Hair: [e] Novel – Blonde 02 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Skin: [MyDear]Chole Skin– Tan #1 with [MyDear] Brown Eyebrows-Tan Skin by Marisa Feila for MyDear Skin *

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

Dress: Ariel Champagne by Agnes Finney for My Precious *

Headpiece: Ariel Headpiece Champagne by Agnes Finney for My Precious *

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 + *

Grayness

That ambiguous centerpoint
between black and white:
shadow and concrete,
pencil marks, storm-
laden skies, burnished
silver, doves’ feathers.

And thus begins a poem written for a dear friend. The poem is all about gray, be it pewter or heather or dove or oyster, pearly or pepper, silver or smoky. This ensemble is an homage to gray. I start with a beautifully drawn tank and skirt from Elie Spot (which I bought at separate times but which went together wonderfully). I love how the sculpty skirt still seems to have movement and lightness, and this is due to the well done shadows in the skirt itself and the clever engineering of the skirt.

I top it all with this awesome new style from Elikapeka Tiramisu, which she debuted for 50L Friday. I think women all over SL are popping that on their head and saying, “Dang, I look great!” Face framing, versatile, I anticipate it will become a classic SL style. My skin is a pale one from Alexandra Barcelos, who has heretofore always dropped tan skins on her fans. I think it came out nicely.

“Her laughter was a shiny thing, like pewter flung high in the air.” ~ Pat Conroy

Hair: [e] Again – White 05 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Skin: Ana . Milky . Sea by Alexandra Barcelos for Filthy Skins *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Pale Grey (M) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Top: {mon tissu} Joli Beaded Tunic ~ Light Gray by Elie Spot for {mon tissu}

Skirt: {mon tissu} Scattered Birds Skirt  ~ Gray by Elie Spot for {mon tissu}

Necklace: Florina necklace – silver by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things)

Bangles: Florina bangles and Ruma bangles by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things)

Shoes: AOHARU_WALK_SuedeLaceupSandal_White by machang Pichot for AOHARU

A Heartbreaking Blog of Staggering Genius

“She needs a new journal. The one she has is problematic. To get to the present, she needs to page through the past, and when she does, she remembers things, and her new journal entries become, for the most part, reactions to the days she regrets, wants to correct, rewrite.” ~ Dave Eggers

Since I was talking about crushes a few days ago, I have to bring up Dave Eggers, who I admire greatly. He wrote the book for my generation in the US—A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius when he was a young man—a sort of diary but so much more. After that, rather than self-indulgent Generation Y writing, he chose to reach out to the bigger world in his novels and his work. Now he leads 826 National, a non profit writing and tutoring center for kids in San Francisco. I could go on and on about how inspiring this man is. And his writing is damn good too ;)

Apropos of nothing about Dave Eggers, I show a pretty summery look. Well actually this is the kind of girl I think would like Dave—a beautiful sophisticated but not pretentious lady in a simple summer dress from AvaGardner Kungler and little shoes from Elikapeka Tiramisu.

A pretty summer skin from Gala Phoenix with bold flowery colors to match the colors of the dress and my namesake hair from Queue Marlowe, and it’s a pretty look for a fangirl for a pretty awesome person.

“Still though, I think if you’re not self-obsessed, you’re probably boring.” ~ Dave Eggers

Hair: harper mahogany by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Light] Chic-Flair 2 with :GP: Chic-Dark Brows (Tintable) by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Dress: (Kunglers) TDRB #26 – Summer Dress by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers

Necklace: NHA! Necklace Samy by kyrha Bouscario for NHA!

Shoes: [e] Flair Flats – Watermelon (SoM Gift) by Elikapeka Tiramisu for [elikatira]

Sofa prop: [Starstruck] Langar Sofa Green Sequin RARE by Cyclic Gearz for Starstruck