Gossip

Gossip is news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress. ~ Liz Smith

If all gossip were a red satin dress, I would want to be in it if it were this one. Su Scarmon has come up with a lovely new dress that includes this split leg and a full skirt for a more prudent fashionista (who doesn’t want people to gossip about her). With its great gathered texture and beautiful deep red color, it’s the perfect gossip—shocking, scandalous and delicious.

My skin is Mimi Coral’s newest for Cupcakes. I showed Rosemary Galbraith’s newest skin a couple days ago; this is Mimi’s. Rosemary Galbraith and Mimi Coral are partners in the business and each generates content, so you will see some difference. In this case, Mimi’s skin has a decidedly deeper make-up and picture perfect lips, which I accentuate with glossy watermelon-flavored lipstick on the tattoo layer.

My hair, a confection of curls clipped in back, is chiaki Xue’s group gift for all her members for achieving 5000 members. I love how chiaki handles close-to-the head cuts and curls. She just has a knack for it.

Nardya Rousselot brings her beautiful design skills to another pair of gorgeous shoes. The brilliant part of these is the various options for the toes and body of the shoe—you can try on different color combos to match your ensemble—even a zebra stripe texture. Get them and you have a whole wardrobe of possibilities.

The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them. ~ Will Rogers

Hair: *Dura*  memorial gift(resize) by chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: *Cupcakes/Charm/Almond/Brown Brows/Romance with *Cupcakes/Charm/ Almond-Neon-Watermelon by Mimi Coral for CUPCAKES *

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

Dress: *LaLei*Leda-red by Su Scarmon for *Lalei* *

Jewelry: Dark Mouse Soiree set by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse *

Shoes: NX-Nardcotix Shana Unleashed Color Pack by Nadya Rousselot for Nardcotix *

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 *

Copenhagen

But you, you have disappeared
You have been released
You are flecks of light–you are missed
Somewhere, spinning round the sun
Circling the moon
Traveling through time
You are missed

~ “Copenhagen,” by Lucinda Williams

Two people I know in SL have lost parents recently in the past couple days—both losses sudden and unexpected. One of these people was a dear friend of mine and his father lived a full life to raise two good sons and enjoy 58 years of marriage (and a brownie sundae when they went out to dinner to celebrate their anniversary the weekend before). The other person I don’t know as well but she is a great creator in SL, and I am sure her mother was a lovely person because she certainly is. This poignant song from Lucinda Williams has a beautiful message for a lost loved one which I hope will bring comfort to both of them.

It’s a rather clumsy transition to go into talking about a mere virtual dress after such weighty subjects, but this is a fashion blog after all. I start with Mami Jewell’s beautiful gown recently released, the gown created for Miss Brazil in Miss Virtual World. It has all the hallmarks of Mami’s incredible styling—great textures, glittering touches (but never over the top), lush coloring and an incredible silhouette. From the cap sleeves to the full skirt, it’s sexy and elegant.

I chose to wear with one of Queue Marlowe’s new hair releases under her brand, .b. Her blondes are to die for—not at all “yellow” and full of depth and shine. I love how Queue does waves and curls in her hair—no one’s hair is uniformly one curl and she shows that perfectly in this style.

My skin is from a creator I tripped across—Marisa Felia. I rather like her work with its elegant face and very subtle sprinkling of freckles and gentle blush. I hope to be showing more.

My necklace, from Kesseret Steeplechase, says it all—love—and is perhaps a message to one cherished and remembered rather than a simply a lover.

Somewhere, spinning round the sun
Circling the moon
Traveling through time
You are missed

Hair: .b – quiver raw honey by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: [MyDear]Natalie Skin– Pale #5(Cleavage) by Marisa Felia for MyDear Skin *

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

Dress: -AZUL- J.e./Jade (MMV2011finalist/MissBrazil) by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Necklace: =^^= MIAO Gidge Sweetheart Necklace by Kesseret Steeplechase for Miao

My heart reaches across several oceans for you and your family, Michael.

Katniss

I have been reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins this week, as recommended to me by my pal, Bram Ellison. Set in the post apocalyptic world of the North America, a country called Panem, our heroine, Katniss, is a participant and survivor, with her District 12 associate, Peeta, of the Hunger Games, a televised survival game between children chosen from each of the 12 districts of Panem to fight to the death to prove that even children are not beyond the reach of the Capital, the existing power. Pressured by President Snow after a seeming act of defiance in surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss is coerced into pretending to love Peeta. This ensemble and reading the book inspired me to create a narrative from Katniss’ perspective. She is being dressed for the night before her wedding to Peeta; the intent is to bring romance to the Hunger Games for the television audience.

Effie wakes me from a nightmare-filled nap that afternoon. “Rise and shine!” she chirps cheerily. “Tonight Caesar Flickerman will be interviewing you and Peeta, and then they will be filming you in a romantic dance. You have to look your most alluring for Peeta.”

After Flavius, Venia and Octavius have done their usual magic of converting me from Seam denizen to glamorous victor (always an arduous task for all of us despite their careless gossip and chatter), Cinna eases my dress over my head. Blooming a deep burgundy into a glittering purple hem, the dress swooshes around me almost airlessly despite the heaviness and richness of the fabric. The bodice leaves my shoulders exposed above a blossom of fabric, and Cinna dusts them with a subtle glitter. “This deep purple is the color of royalty but also of passion,” he explains to me. “It represents your love for Peeta. He should not be able to resist nor will the audience.”

He smiles at me as he pushes feathers into my updo, dotting my hair with diamonds. “These feathers represent a bird in flight, Katniss.” I know he means the mockingjay, and I realize then that Cinna fully supports our dissent as well and that this is his very subtle message. I feel a renewed conviction about what we are about to do.

Cinna dabs his fingers into a jar of dark makeup. “I am going to do a different sort of look tonight,” he explains, as he applies the makeup in streaks around my eyes, covering the black eye Haymitch accidentally gave me in training. “We will say it’s a romantic mask.” I look in the mirror and what I see in the makeup are tears, the tears I want to shed for the other victors, who will die, the tears I want to shed for Gale and Prim and my mother, but mostly the tears I want to shed for Peeta and myself. He presses the mockingjay pin into my hand and I curl my fingers around it.

I put on a brave smile and walk through the tunnels to the arena.

“The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol’s plans. The symbol of the rebellion.” ~ Katniss in “Catching Fire,” the second book in “The Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins

Hair: Miamai_Lenoira_Black with Miamai_Lena Hairbase_Black (which includes the eye makeup seen) by Monica Outlander for Miamai, available at Hair Fair 2011 *

Skin: *YS & YS* Linda – June TDR by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS*

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

Dress: -AZUL- Yolanda/Lavender (MMV2011finalist/MissVenezuela) by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Earrings: {H} Caged Pearl Earring – Silver by Reghan Straaf for Hatpins *

Cloves

Her breath is like honey spiced with cloves, Her mouth delicious as a ripened mango. ~ Srzgarakarika

Even in summer I like warm colors, like the golden colors of this beautiful dress from Sakao Adamski. With the lacey texture running over the bodice into the skirt and its flared gold mermaid skirt at the bottom, this dress is glamorous and warm, making it a sexy look for a warm summer evening. I accompany the look with new jewelry from AvaGardner Kungler, this time following her new series of pieces inspired by the sea.

Maximillion Grant’s new Grace skin set is fabulous to try in the new Firestorm with its tattoo-layering possibilities. I was able to make my own custom skin by layering on eyebrows, eyeliner, and lipstick. (I could have had a blush, eyelashes, a lip gloss, or a beauty mark as well from Maximillion’s collection.) Even if you don’t use this client, you can create your own custom skin on Maxmillion’s website and choose from a number of options of base skins and make-ups to create your own individual look.

Glamour and spice….

Hair: :MIRONE: ADIE V2_apricot by Miu Edman for :MIRONE:

Skin: LOGO Grace Bloom Skin – Coffee Base (No Brows) with LOGO Grace – L03 – Extended Liner Black and LOGO Grace – L03 – Extended Liner Black and LOGO Grace Bloom – L01 – Lips – Cinnamon (Matte) by Maximillion Grant for LOGO (also available on the LOGO Custom Skin Creator website) *

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

Dress: [Entre Mares] Dania/Gold by Sykao Adamski for [Entre Mares] *

Jewelry: (Kunglers Extra) Anemona – Ivory by AvaGardner Kungler for (Kunglers Extra) *

No Blog Is An Island

It would be a complete lie if I said that I do my blogs completely alone. I do a lot of the work on my own—searching for items to show, photographing, posting, etc. But I spend a lot of time talking to friends who give me feedback about my blog. For example, my blog from a couple days ago about Grayness was heavily influenced by the feedback and contribution of a friend, who also contributed the background of the photo. I have found more and more that the discipline of writing I wanted to find with my blog has turned out to be a process that involves many friends and mentors.

I don’t think a single thing in SL is made without some sort of collaboration of that sort. A blog, a piece of art, a piece of content—they are all products of social action and interaction. They all want to say something and be spoken to (hence “Comments” sections on blogs, for example). No blog is an island, as it were. Why would I bother doing this if I didn’t want to speak to you and have a discussion? I am very mindful of you, Dear Reader, and because of this, I do this blog every day as carefully as I can.

My look today is the product of a friend’s input. As I was at Tiphares, I donned this dress, having purchased it at Sonatta Morales’ garden party to launch her new collection. I was so excited to see how it would look on me. (And let me say, Sonatta Morales’ new collection is jaw-droppingly cool. She makes the most exquisite historically accurate 20th century period fashion in SL.) It looked amazing on me. Sonatta has rendered elegance complete on the SL avatar. I was wearing the hair I show here, and my friend, Todd Action, IM’d, “You look like Florence Welch. She might wear a dress like that.”

I set to making my look more like Florence Welch, with Todd’s feedback. Fortunately, Maximillion Grant had sent over his newest set of skins, the Grace collection. Max’s collection, I know, is made in collaboration with his wife and many friends. He reaches out for feedback from customers and incorporates them into his work. Therefore, he offers a wide variety of choices with his skins. I was able to layer on different eyebrows, liner, blush and lips with Todd looking on to approve. (I did also try to change me shape to match Florence Welch’s longer face and nose but that was for naught. Todd said, “Just be Harper as Florence.”)

I may look like like “Harper as Florence,” rather than Florence proper. This look is the result of my collaboration with Todd and all the designers who contributed to this work (as their content made it). That is why their names always appear in credits below.

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” ~ John Donne

Hair: >TRUTH< Kitty – carrot by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: LOGO Grace Bloom Skin – Carbon Base (No Brows) with LOGO Grace Bloom – L08 – Brows Style 5 Brown and LOGO Grace – L03 – Soft Liner plus LOGO Grace Bloom – L02 – Blush 2 and LOGO Grace Bloom – L01 – Lips – Vamp (Matte) by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Green 3 (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Dress: Peach by Sonatta Morales *8* by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales

Shoes: Gossip Pumps – Silver Peony by Teresa Republic for ! haut.monde *

Modern-Day Cleopatra

Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety.
~ from “Antony and Cleopatra” by William Shakespeare

And so Shakespeare invents for an archetypal woman, so vigorous, so vivacious that even in later years, she is interesting. (She is also vain and dramatic, self-centered and selfish—not exactly a sympathetic heroine). Perhaps that’s why the fantasy woman in SL is so prevalent—she of the huge gown, extravagant hair and eyelashes, and incredible features. Agnes Finney sells to this dream—a dream of an elaborate gown kissed with key details, like this high collar, the butterflies at the hip, and the high cut up the leg. Our Cleopatra considers herself royalty and expects to be treated as such.

Aida Ewing plays to the fantasy as well with her shimmering, glimmering makeup, this time on a beautifully lush darker skin highlighted with diamond-enhanced lashes from Viola Leigh. Strappy sandals with leather crenellations on the heel from Onxy LeShelle complete our modern-day Cleopatra, aiming for her Antony.

I was
A morsel for a monarch.

Hair: *Plume* – Amor/Onyx by Fauve Beaumont & Lulu Jameson for *Plume*

Skin: -Glam Affair- Layla Dark –  TDR – D by aida Ewing for -Glam Affair-

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

Eyelashes: Eyelashes -28- Cleopatra *REDGRAVE* by Viola Leigh for *REDGRAVE*

Dress: Agnes Queen Victoria 2 by Agnes Finney for My Precious *

Earrings: (Caroline’s) White Pearl Shoulder Dust Earrings by Caroline Apollo for (Caroline’s)

Shoes: Maitreya Gold * Hana Seashell Leather V2 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya Gold

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Animation Works. *

Mood Indigo

You ain’t been blue; no, no, no.
You ain’t been blue,
Till you’ve had that mood indigo.
That feelin’ goes stealin’ down to my shoes
While I sit and sigh, “Go ‘long blues”.

~ “Mood Indigo,” as sung by Nina Simone

There’s a reason I chose this particular version of “Mood Indigo.” While it talks about the blues, it’s really a peppy number as done by Nina Simone. It starts off in a Duke Ellington style (as well it should as he wrote it) that moves through at a energetic pace, which belies the lyrics. It suits our beauty as shown here.. she sparkles and is the epitome of brilliance but underneath she may be a “poor fool that’s bluer than blue can be.” While I realize this gown is not indigo, it certainly is blue. Her elegance is provided by saby Clary in this satiny sleek gown with silver lace highlights and sheer bodice panel and heels from nut Barak.

Her beautiful skin is another skin tone from Monicuzza Babenco’s newest releases, a shimmering makeup on a beautiful tan skin. I donned piercing light blue eyes from Ikon Innovia and earrings from Alienbear Gupte that are a couple years old but still amazing today.

I’m just a poor fool that’s bluer than blue can be
When I get that mood indigo

Hair: >TRUTH< Eden – pearl by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: *YS & YS* Linda – 14 Ice by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS* *

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

Dress: Utopia KATHLEEN azure by saby Clary for Utopia

Earrings: Frideswide Earring (white) by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear Gupte’s Designs

Shoes: #OC# Crush heels – Azure by Nut Barak for Orange Creations *

Mandarin Orange

When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out – because that’s what’s inside. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what is inside. ~ Wayne Dyer

The beautiful girl in orange that shows up at the party—who is she who dares to wear orange and wear it so well? What does it say about her? Sonatta Morales made this gorgeous dress, offered at Fashion for Life this year, to catch the eye, and it does that with its exotic print and elegant assembly. From the bow at the shoulder to the sleek primmed skirt, it’s an evening gown for a woman who is bright inside and out.

My skin is a lovely Asian look from Gala Phoenix. What works for this skin is that it can be put on a shape and look just right—I have not modifed my shape in any way yet I look perfect. I love the coloring and skin tone. My jewels are courtesy of Tiffy Vella, whose aesthetic is truly based in the early 20th century with her deco motifs and lavish use of pearls. This lovely pair of earrings comes from a new set Tiffy is offering.

“Orange is the happiest color.” ~ Frank Sinatra

Hair: **Dura-Boys&Girls**16(Black) by chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: :GP: Honey [Light] Jasmine-Pure 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio

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

Dress: Breeze by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales

Jewelry: Eclectica Deco Knot bracelet-pale silver and Eclectica Deco Knot earrings-pale silver by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Shoes: ! haut.monde – Gossip Pumps – Coral Rose by Teresa Republic for haut.monde *

From Blossoms

O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach.

~ From “From Blossoms” by Li-Young Lee

A favorite poem of mine is from Li-Young Lee, about eating warm summer peaches at a roadstand. The simple enjoyment of sunshine and life is so abundant in this poem I love to read it out loud just to roll the sweetness on my own tongue. (Please, click the link and read it in full yourself.) This glorious dress from Mami Jewell reminded me of the poem with its beautiful simplicity and elegant lines. Lace and an undertint of a peach color is all that’s needed to bring life to this gorgeous gown.

My glowing skin is a new one from Brendon Papp. With its luscious tone, soft dusting of freckles, elegant eyebrows and simple loveliness, it’s a welcome blank palette for makeups. I chose a sophisticated eyeliner from Kianna Noel and matched a slightly messy updo from Thora Charron. Twinkling earrings from Belle Roussel dress the look up a bit (check out the very slight bit of bling). This is a sweet young peach who has had to work a little to make herself seem more sophisticated.

There are days we live
as if death were nowhere
in the background; from joy
to joy to joy, from wing to wing,
from blossom to blossom to
impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

Hair: [LeLutka]-JULIET 2.0 hair – IrishRed by Thora Charron for [LeLutka]

Skin: !Imabee: Stigma – Olivia – Base Skin / REDbrow / by Brendon Papp for Imabee

Makeup: -[AddiCt]-Aki Eyeshadow/liner-Rust by Kianna Noel for -[AddiCt]-

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

Dress: -AZUL- Dailey/Coral (MMV2011finalist/Miss Bolivia) by Mami Jewell for -AZUL- *

Earrings: Ajisai Earrings Wht by Belle Roussel for Chop Zuey