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

Optimistic

You can try the best you can
If you try the best you can
The best you can is good enough

~ Radiohead, “Optimistic”

I am writing this while listening to Radiohead and in pure bliss. It’s a beautiful day out, I have new headphones, I got a full night’s sleep and I have some cute clothes! Today’s summer-kissed outfit features, first of all, patched jeans from Dick Wiesel. With their cute but sexy look and variable patches (depending on what color you get), they are a great go-to for a more colorful jeans look. (Dick named these “Cherry Pie” after the Warrant song. Way to play the age card, Dick!)

My top is a frilly beautiful from Maria Gherardi. These are available in several colors but I had to hunt her store down because the main store sim is gone. My shoes are older but no less amazing mules from Fallingwater Cellardoor.

My tan lines come courtesy of Monicuzza Babenco, who takes tan one step sexier with a bikini line. (I had to show the lines—it’s really nicely done). The makeup is sensuous and fresh. My mane is courtesy of Truth Hawks, who has not yet run out of sexy women’s names for his hair.

The best you can is good enough….

Hair: >TRUTH< Bebe – fudge by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: *YS & YS* Penelope Sunburn TanLine – TDR by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS*

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

Top: [MG fashion] Gigi Tank Top (burgundy) by Maria Gherardi for MG Fashion

Jeans: :. WoE .: Guage G2 Patched Jeans (Cherry Pie) by Dick Wiesel for :. WoE .: *

Necklace: necklace *cp* pink >> **~Twinkleberry~** by Emiko Harvey for Twinkleberry

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Plainers – pink by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things)

Poses by Diesel Rogan for Diesel Works Animations*

Everything’s Coming Up Roses

You’ll be swell! You’ll be great!
Gonna have the whole world on the plate!
Starting here, starting now,
honey, everything’s coming up roses!
~ “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” as sung by Ethel Merman

I know an Ethel Merman song is a bit bold for this lovely look but the point is flowers are starting to come up for the spring—in this case in one of Aradhana Voight’s new spring dresses. It’s great to hear Aradhana is back in SL and selling designs and this lovely dress is surely welcome this spring. My blush-colored flats with their big bow are perfect for this dress—more of Fallingwater Cellardoor’s amazing work.

My skin is a subtle and pretty offering from Ziekling Bunnyhug. It’s pretty and minimalist, which probably means it takes tattoo make up layers well,but I am showing it here au naturel. My hair is a lovely new spring ‘do with color change blossoms from Truth Hawks.

Final note… I rarely mention non-fashion things, but I am a HUGE Dahlia Lithwick fan. Dahlia is a senior editor at Slate and an amazing writer about the courts in the US. She will be appearing in SL at Virtually Speaking for her second time to discuss recent Supreme Court decisions, including one about broccoli. If this interests you in the least bit, come to Virtually Speaking tonight (May 15) at 6 pm slt (9 pm EST) or listen live on BlogTalkRadio. You can ask questions and speak to her. (I even got to say hello to her in voice.)

And nothing’s gonna stop us ’til we’re through!
Honey, everything’s coming up roses and daffodils!

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

Skin: Esk-Imo Female Skin #9 – Fair A by Ziekling Bunnyhug for Esk-Imo, available at the Skin and Shape Expo *

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

Dress: :Mashooka: Naina dress {rose} by Aradhana Voight for Mashooka *

Earrings: aluinn- Bound pearls- Rose earring by Bratty Slade for aluinn

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Charlottes – blush (left) by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things) *

Interested in Virtually Speaking? Send Widget Whiteberry a note or IM in SL and get on her list. She works incredibly hard on this program and they have amazing guests—James Fallows, Juan Cole, etc. It’s really quite extraordinary, and it’s in SL!

Champagne

“Three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content and sufficient Champagne.”  ~ Dorothy Parker

Champagne—a heady, sparkling, rare—not unlike a romantic evening with a new someone special. This evening gown from Mami Jewell is the ideal dress for such an evening with its elegant lace bodice and smooth silk skirt. Mami makes the dress even more special with huge blossoming roses slung below the hips and trimmed with black lace. The dress moves gloriously.

Someone whose taste I respect suggested I wear a light blonde hair with this dress. I chose Onyx LeShelle’s platinum blonde in an updo, which is striking with the dress and against Monicuzza Babenco’s lovely preview skin for Sole. My almost-retro jewelry is an older set from Cora Lu.

“Champagne makes you feel like it’s Sunday and better days are just around the corner.” ~ Marlene Dietrich

Hair: Maitreya Siri – Platinum by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Skin: *YS & YS* Sole Reborn – EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW  4 TDR with *YS & YS* Sole Reborn LightBrows by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS*

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

Dress: -AZUL- Kathe/Champagne by Mami Jewell for -AZUL-

Jewelry: P.C; Antique Pearl Choker and P.C; Antique Pearl Earrings by Cora Lu for Paper Couture

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Delphine pumps – sand by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things) *

Happy Easter

‘Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees
Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Easter is when you put on your prettiest frock and enjoy the spring. Tammany Goodliffe has just come out with a series of pastel perfect pretties for spring, all ideal for an Easter gathering or tea party. Notice the beautiful rendering of the top over the lovely skirt (which floats like a dream). Not a seam shows, all the edges are perfectly clean and the color is gorgeous. The truly winning part of this ensemble are the roses, available for either shoulder or your hair. Look closely and you will see how exquisitely Tammany rendered these roses, from the leaves to the petals.

I am showing it with a simply lovely new hair from Truth Hawks. When my hair was a bit longer (and I was a bit younger), I often wore my hair this way. My shoes are a classic from Fallingwater Cellardoor—ladylike and pretty and beautifully textured. And I defaulted to Nena Janus’ skin, which has the springtime glow I wanted.

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.  ~S.D. Gordon

Hair: >TRUTH< Karen – toffee by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: *League* Amber Br Sunkiss -Apricot- by Nena Janus for League *

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

Dress: salt. say grace sand sunday dress by Tammany Goodliffe for salt. *

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Delphine pumps – sand by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things *

I Want Candy

I know a guy who’s tough but sweet
He’s so fine, he can’t be beat
He’s got everything that I desire
Sets the summer sun on fire

I want candy….

This sweet little outfit from Indyra Seigo reminds me so much of peppermint starlights and tangy cherry lollipops. With its candy-striped skirt and bodice, darling ribbon belt and cute cropped jacket complete with rose, a girl can feel sweet and pretty.

My skin is a new offering from Alexandra Barcelos. It adds to the sweetness of this look with its gentle blush and charming demeanor. I wear bright blue eyes from Ikon Innovia and darling ponytails from Truth Hawks.

Finally sweet little delectable clogs from Fallingwater Cellardoor that make the entire outfit pretty and mouth watering.

So sweet, you make my mouth water
I want candy, I want candy

~ “I Want Candy,” as sung by Bow Wow Wow

Hair: >TRUTH< Cleo – blood by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Kiona . Pale . Passion by Alexandra Barcelos for Filthy Skins *

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

Dress: Indyra La Capitaine by Indyra Seigo for Indyra

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Candy Clogs – red by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things *

Reminiscing

Friday night, it was late, I was walking you home
We got down to the gate and I was dreaming of the night
Would it turn out right
Now as the years roll on
Each time we hear our favorite song
The memories come along
Older times we’re missing
Spending the hours reminiscing

Oh k.d., how I have missed you. She just came out with a new album and this little gem popped up. And I was waiting for some inspiration for this darling dress, which is kind of old-fashioned and contemporary all at once. Aree Lilibub has a way of doing that—she definitely has a vision and style and it’s very charming and retro-influenced but not dowdy. She does this with a low cut front and back, a luxuriously big bow tying the halter in back and a larger-scale print. (A small print would have made it less exciting).

The most suitable skin for a look like this is Mallory Cowen’s Linnea with its sexy glow and subtle sophistication. Ikon Innovia’s new hazel eyes are perfect as is this pretty little necklace from Sierra Gourdou. I love this casual and tousled hair from Truth Hawks. And my t-straps from Fallingwater Cellardoor complete the look. (You know, charming shoes like this are so underrated—this is such a feminine look in my humble opinion.) Overall perfect for reminiscing over k.d. lang.

Hurry, don’t be late, I can hardly wait
I said to myself when we’re old
We’ll go dancing in the dark
Walking through the park and reminiscing

~ “Reminiscing” as sung by k.d. lang

Hair: >TRUTH< Florence 2 – chocolate by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: LAQ ~ Linnea – [Peach] Dark brows – 01 by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

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

Dress: ::P:: Camille Dress by Aree Lilibub for Petunia

Jewelry: ~Simply~ Twisted Teardrop Jewelry Set Topaz by Sierra Gourdou for ~Simply~ *

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Kelsey pumps – black by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things *

O sweet spontaneous earth…

thou answerest
them only with

Spring

~ e.e. cummings

I won’t whine. I won’t complain. I will wait patiently, dear Spring, for you to show your face. I will not sue the damn groundhog who promised an early coming. I will NOT bang on the weatherman’s door and plead for him to do something, dammit! However, I will dress up in a pretty dress, put on my spring hat, and perhaps that will coax Spring out.

Well I lucked out because I had the prettiest spring dress to wear from Tammany Goodliffe. With a garden of poppies beautifully covering this dress, Spring has to be enticed by what she could show if she could just get here! I love this dress for it’s silhouette and many details. Take, for example, the little cuffed jacket with the cap sleeves. She uses the sculpties in a perfect way to make those cap sleeves and puts a pretty little prim tie to keep it tied up. Her skirt—it’s sculpty but not stiff. And her system pieces are perfect—great seams (that edging is all lined up), perfect integration with the prims, and a great use of RL clothing ideas to make a perfect virtual dress. It truly is a triumph of design in a simple little spring dress.

I show this beautiful spring look with a fresh skin from Mallory Cowen. Spring needs something new, and this new skin from Mallory cures the ills of winter with its beautiful colors and pleasant mien. My hair is a new one from Elikapeka Tiramisu, who proves that being a long time content producer in SL never means you can’t come back and kick butt (which she has been doing with her new store).

Another content producer who consistently kicks butt is Fallingwater Cellardoor. She set the standard by which all others are and should be judged. This new offering from her shows the same attention to detail, the same expert texture work and eye for fashion and styling. Fallingwater has survived the many changes in SL and still sets the bar.

If you doubt
That I’ll be there
Don’t despair
Don’t you dare
~ In the Dirt by S. Carey

Hair: [e] Follow – Brown 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira *

Skin: LAQ ~ Linnea – [Peach] Dark brows – 08 by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

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

Dress: salt. silk poppies dress by Tammany Goodliffe for salt.

Hat: salt. birdwatcher’s hat by Tammany Goodliffe for salt.

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Charlottes – tan by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things *

Tea Party

No this is not about the political party–we won’t even go there. I have never been to an actual tea party but I was recently invited to one so I went. I was told to wear my best party frock.

I put on this cute dress from Miko Omegamu. Miko is one of the original perfectionists of SL. Every system piece is just so, every prim is in its place—always. And her textures are amazing. In this beautiful dress, we see a gorgeous floral print on a body-conscious dress. Miko has managed to run the crossover line from the top into the skirt. Lining things up this precisely on system pieces is very difficult work but Miko makes it look easy. Then she runs the ribbon from the other side under as if it’s seen through the fabric. The top worn underneath can be seen under the print in back as well and a darker red ribbon runs along the hem on the skirt. It’s in all these little details that the marks of a great designer can be seen.

The tea party was hosted by sachi Vixen, in honor of the release of her new skin Lauren. I showed the skin a couple days ago and I show here a version of the skin she gave out to tea party attendees and is now selling for a mere 150L for the next day or so at her sim. Go get it and then check out the other Lauren skins. I am wearing a new hair from Truth Hawks. He was smart enough to include optional bangs with this style, which makes it sweet.

If we are talking about skill, let’s talk about my great shoes as well. Fallingwater Cellardoor is the mother of all pumps in SL (imho). Before there were prim toes and stiletto heels, there was Shiny Things with Fallingwater’s shoes, patiently assembled from prim pieces. Now she has adopted sculpties in her work and she textures her shoes with the most evocative and perfectly rendered textures. Get close to these shoes and you see the stitching, the tiny scuffs from walking, the pretty little buckles. There is no reason to spend your money on anything less than these works of art.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.  ~Henry James, ‘The Portrait of a Lady”

Hair: >TRUTH< Odette – seaspray with >TRUTH< Odette Bangs – seaspray by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Adam n Eve Skins – Laurel Natural Cupcake by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve

Dress: *ICING* Imperial Blossom – Pink by Miko Omegamu for *ICING* *

Gloves: P.C. Pica white gloves by Ava Lu for Paper Couture

Earrings: Ear Candy ~ Simple Emerald Cut Diamond Stud by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Delphine pumps – sand by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things *

Orange Crush

Bah! The best part of fall has passed and now it’s all early evenings and drizzle (with some sleet today) and the unbeautiful side of the season. (It’s like going from the center of Paris to the outskirts, going from a beautiful magical land to face the hard cold reality about how things gotta be.) So I am going to put on a little orange to chase the ugliness away.

I start with an orange shrug over a funky t-shirt. The shrug is a masterpiece from Cerberus Noel (and free at her store in this iteration). Look closely and each ruffle is individually and perfectly textured with a border running along the ruffle. The sleeves are the same and the back has a pretty scallop in back. Honestly, I would knit this if I could. The top, from Toast Bard, lends a sort of modern bohemian feel to the look, especially paired with this bold skirt from sato Yifu.

I am wearing a pretty little necklace and earrings from Trixie Bumbo who has really upped her game recently with a new assortment of jewelry in different styles. They compliment my as-always gorgeous skin from Mallory Cowen, made specifically for redheads. And what a redhead I am in Truth Hawks’ copper color.

There is no blue without yellow and without orange. ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Hair: >TRUTH< Eva – copper by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: LAQ ~ Julie – 02 [Peach] Glow skin by Mallory Cowen for LAQ *

Shrug: *GF* Ruffle Bolero (middle) -pumpkin- by Cerberus Noel for G Field

Top: (fd) Sparrow Shirt by Toast Bard for fashionably dead

Skirt: *KUROTSUBAKI* flexible_skirt_yellow by sato Yifu for *KUROTSUBAKI*

Necklace and Earrings: *Primagine* I <3 Autumn Necklace and Earrings by Trixie Bumbo for *Primagine* *

Bangles: /artilleri/ brazil bracelet *oranges* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/ (no longer available)

Boots: (Shiny Things) Ginger Boots – cinnamon by Fallingwater Cellardoor for (Shiny Things)