O What A Thrill

Woman words fail me
Your skin is sweet and warm
I want to console you
And hold you in my arms
O once you were my baby
You’re my baby still

~ “O What A Thrill” by the Mavericks

I know y’all think I’m a city girl. Well… I am but sometimes some country gets into me, and I feel like talkin’ about what Momma’s taught me and callin’ everyone “Darlin’.” When such a thing happens, I put on a pretty frock and some cowboy boots and get it out of my system by listening to some Mavericks (and Raul Malo’s luscious voice). Luckily Arianrhod Garnet made this dress that makes my country girl perfect in every way with its sweet floral pattern and darling cap sleeves. JB Gazov makes THE BEST cowboy boots in SL (Dex told me so and he knows cowboy boots) so I just slip these on and feel so country.

My skin is a new one from Rosemary Galbraith, who is coming out soon with a set of skins sold under her own Cupcakes label that won’t go full perm. She’ll be adding further makeup enhancements and eyebrow options very soon. I chose this skin because of its lovely hue and pretty features. It was perfect for my country girl.

My long lovely locks are from Truth Hawks and a Truth specialty, flowing over shoulders and in a tangle of wavy beautiful curls. The hair band is, of course, color change, and this new style does feature streaks (which I don’t show).

O what a thrill
O what a thrill
Stars in the sky
Stars stand still
O what a thrill

Hair: >TRUTH< Lacey (Upper) – copper by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: *CUPCAKES – Abigail – Pale:Limey by Rosemary Galbraith for CUPCAKES *

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

Dress: suzy / french sleeve dress * palegreen by Arianrhod Garnet for suzy

Earrings and ring: Ear Candy ~ Chunk of Jade Earrings and Chunk of Jade Ring by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy

Boots: J’s WesternBoots ( 10Colors ) by JB Gazov for J’s

Dress

Put on that dress
I’m going out dancing
Starting off red
Clean and sparkling he’ll see me
Music playing make it dreamy for dancing
Must be a way that i can dress to please him
It’s hard to walk in the dress, it’s not easy
I’m spilling over like a heavy loaded fruit tree

If you put it on
If you put it on

~ Dress by P.J. Harvey

If you put it on, will he notice? I am guessing in this dress from monica Outlander, there is a good chance he will. When we dress up to get a lovers’ attention or just attention, what do we focus on? Some people think it’s all about showing some skin. I think it’s about showing something less overt—the curve and sway of a feminine body, the very subtle cultural cues—a slit up the leg, an open back. Monica’s dress quite effortlessly achieves this.

My skin is another glorious example of Gala Phoenix’s newest releases, a beautiful soft skin with an underlying sensuality and a fresh freckled countenance. I have been resorting to overlying the dark brows from the Chic series on her skins—I really want a darker brow when I wear dark hair.

And my dark hair is a beautiful sensuous style from Queue Marlowe’s latest line. I think this style really has that sort of Mary Louise Parker look to it—loose curls flowing down in a sexy silhouette.

If you put it on
If you put it on

Hair: .b – tavern house wine by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: :GP: Petal Frex [Dark] Candy-Licorice Whip 1 with :GP: Chic-Dark Brows (Tintable) by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Dress: Miamai_Aralee Blue by monica Outlander for Miamai *

Bangles: Ear Candy ~ Special Silver Bangles L by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy

Shoes: Maitreya Gold Aequus Blue *V2.0 Boxed* by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Poses: Diesel Works Railing (Straightened) by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works

World Traveler

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

One of the most fantastic things about SL, one that I think people forget because it becomes so natural to us, is that we can travel around the world in a sense from our own little desk chairs. Yes, the internet does this for us, but SL provides that extra sense of otherplaceness, which we can’t easily find elsewhere without physically traveling. A simple teleport and we are transported to another land. Granted that land is someone’s fantasy without all the other touches we might feel if we were physically there (the weather, the smells, the feel of the air) but it still fulfills some need in us and transmits some otherness to us that we can not get by just stepping out the door or turning on the TV. Add to that the friends we make from around the world—from Africa to Antarctica (and yes there are some from each in SL), and we are world travelers.

In this case I traveled to Hosoi Ichiba to take shots of this brilliant kimono from kaori0514 Karas. I love the colors, the silhouette and the ebullience of this kimono. She adds a little hair flower which just completes it. I decided to don Siddean Munro’s new platform shoes, which are a sort of combo of geta and flipflop and perfectly suit this contemporary kimono (especially with the optional little flowers on the shoes—I love the options Siddean has built into these).

Of course, the prettiest part of this ensemble is my new skin from Gala Phoenix, who has put out another two batches of absolutely amazing skins. I thought this colorway would suit the kimono and with Ikon Innovia’s eyes it’s a joyful look. I topped it all off with a new hair from Kavar Cleanslate, a messy wonderful look that is perfect for a girl running around from sim to sim to see the “world.”

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears. ~ Cesare Pavese

Hair: ::Exile:: Amira:Roots-Maraschino by Kavar Cleanslate for Exile *

Skin: :GP: Petal [Dark] Candy-Green Apple 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Kimono: PINKY*GALS YUKATA HimeGal03 by kaori0514 Karas for PINKY*GALS

Shoes: Slink Shaz Platforms Red by Siddean Munro for SLink *

Shadow Dancing

Do it light, taking me through the night
Shadow dancing, baby, you do it right
Give me more, drag me across the floor
Shadow dancing, all this and nothin’ more
~ “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb

I am still struggling with shadows in SL, which may be my fault because I persist in using a client that seems unstable on my machine (I am guessing due to my inventory size). I am increasingly frustrated with the instability. So it’s a bit of “shadow dancing” for me.

Of course, the song suits this look, which I find has a touch of 70s to it.I start with this incredible dress from pixivor Allen, which was one of her Fashion for Life donation dresses, and is now sold in her store. It moves with a fluidity that is mesmerizing and has a silhouette that is simply fantastic. The system pieces are sexy (especially that lacing up the back) and match perfectly to the prim skirt pieces. While the dress comes with little silver mary jane high heels, I chose to wear some prim toe shoes from Babette Ultsch because they have the best silver texture in SL.

My skin is a new one from Gala Phoenix, who is simply making my heart sing with her newest skins. I love the subtle translucency and pinkiness to this skin, the gentle freckles sprinkled across the nose, the beautiful lips, the shapely eyebrows. Even the collar bone and breasts are beautifully shaped—that is no small feat right there. The best part is this skin is youthful but not “immature.”  My hair is Thora Charron’s free offering from Hair Fair, and it’s fantastic! I will say I recolored the barette to a shiny white but guess what? Native shiny doesn’t show in shadows. Go figure.

Shadow dancing, all this and nothin’ more…

Hair: [LeLutka]-PINNED hair – AuburnHaze by Thora Charron for LeLutka (modified)

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] Stormy-Electrify 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Eyelashes: Eyelashes -20- DiamondDust *REDGRAVE* by Viola Leigh for *REDGRAVE*

Dress (with hair piece): (AlaFolie) Miss Philipines version 1 by Pixivor Allen for AlaFolie

Shoes: *KL* Sandals Nadia Silver by Babette Ultsch for Kitties Lair

Debutante

What if SL had debs?

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Mr. and Mrs. Rocco28 Rau

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

Miss Glitterprincess Saiman.

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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 *

The N’dali

“The N’dali of the temperate forests and hills of Southern Peninsula of Melanasia are an independent tribe of traders and craftspeople. They are most noted for their fine metalwork and technology in working with exotic creature skins and feathers such as those of the phoenix and dragon. Their people are homogenous with genetic markers such as pale fine caucasian skin, thick dark black hair and most amazingly, golden eyes, which appear ubiquitously through the N’dali people but are known as a rare recessive gene across other populations.

“As the culture is matrifocal, women enjoy a great degree of independence and power. Free of the pressures of typical patriarchal societies, both women and men flourish as leaders, artisans, nurturers and tradespeople. Some occupations weigh heavier towards one sex or the other but both sexes enjoy the opportunity to choose their vocation. Parenthood is shared, with all children taught the concept of n’dalia, or fidelity to social oneness and community. The people are, overall, very insular and communicate very reluctantly with others except in trade. It could be said that their cultural ethos is ‘G’sip a g’ringen’ or ‘Words are power.’

“As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the N’dali women’s garb is made entirely by local artisans. First, the top and skirt are sewn from treated dragonskin, which is created from a process of steps that range from the original hunt of dragons by specialized warriors to the butchering of dragons and curing of dragonskin by skilled craftspeople. The dragonskin is surprisingly light but flexible and protective—it can withstand high temperatures and resists puncturing. The collars and belt of their garments are fashioned by artisans trained via apprenticeship and are created by commission, showing the marks of their owners’ family seals-—in this case, the image of a goddess akin to Callisto on the belt.

“Figure 3 shows us the face of a N’gali woman. With fine beautiful features, the N’dali’s caucasian skin is surprisingly resistant to the elements and heat. The skin provides for N’dali women a convenient canvas for personal expression. While the facial tattoos of many women accentuate their golden eyes and provide pure decoration, the tattoos on their arms tell metaphorical tales of very personal narratives and relationships (in the case of this woman, an homage to the master craftswoman who taught her dragonskin hunting and curing). The hair is arranged in a complex construction of loops and curls, reaching ever higher heights as wearers try to outdo each other to the astonishment and subsequent duplication of their peers. It could never be said a N’dali woman is not vain.”

Excerpted from “Between the Dragon and Phoenix: the N’dali of Melanasia” by anthropologist Birgit Fredriksson-Denison.

Cultural artifacts provided by:

Hair: MrS – Hazardous –  Medium by MrSigmund Fride for MrS

Skin: :GP: Petal [Dark] Summer-Pebble 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

Makeup: Adam n Eve Eye Tattoo Dragon Queen Gold by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

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

Outfit: Adam n Eve Clothes – Dragonskin – Purple by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve *

Earrings: p.c; Oxidized Silver Hoop by Cora Lu for Paper Couture (modified)

Tattoos: AITUI TATTOO – Fire Fish Sleeves ::airbrushed:: by Jesseaitui Petion for AITUI

Shoes: ::: MOON ::: 1001 Nights Slippers COCOA by Moon Ling for ::: MOON :::

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.

Fiona

Why can’t I be more conventional
People talk
People stare
So I try
But can’t be
Cuz I can’t see
My strange little world
Just go passing me by

Today’s look is named after Fiona Apple because I was listening to Fiona Apple and this looks like a Fiona. In fact, this Fiona likes blossoms. My top is from Teresa Republic—a form fitting top with a panel of flowers running down the middle. I paired it with a skirt from Mikiya Alter with golden blossoms running along the hem.

I have two pieces of good news in this outfit. First, Queue Marlowe has been up to tricks, and my ‘do is from her newest line, which is a breath of fresh air from her with 92 color choices (talk about upload charges!). Queue has been working hard on this new line with new textures, new shapes and a new brand name for this line: Point B. She has more coming out soon… join her group to keep apprised.

My second piece of good news is Siddean Munro’s platform flip flops. Siddean has tried to address the same problem that Oct Oakleaf did with his sandals—trying to eliminate the “ankle join” for prim feet while making them easier to match. Her solution is smart and makes matching easy. The great thing about Siddean’s work is that she never sits back and says, “OK, I am done.” Continuous improvement is Siddean’s ethos, and that’s why she’s always one step ahead (gah, no pun intended).

So let people wonder
Let ’em laugh
Let ’em frown
You know I’ll love you
Till the moon’s upside down
Don’t you remember
I was always your clown
Why try to change me now

~ Fiona Apple, “Why Try to Change Me Now”

Hair: tavern passion by Queue Marlowe for .b *

Skin: #5 LaVie Asia -Tiffany- Light by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie *

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

Top: haut.monde – Mariska Blouse – Blue Cacarao 2 by Teresa Republic for haut.monde *

Skirt: ****em**** Bohemian Skirt(Turquoise) by Mikiya Alter for ****em****

Necklace: *HD* Bertille Pendant by Delora Starbrook for Haven Designs (no longer available :( )

Shoes: Slink Shaz Platforms Teal by Siddean Munro for SLink *

Make New Friends…

 

So this is what happens when some upstart blogger IMs you and gets all sweet and nice and funny. She lets you steal witty things from her profile. She dishes with you about her partner. Then, she sneaks up and asks to take your photo because of a blogger challenge. She asks you to look like yourself (whatever that is anymore, I am not sure). And then she takes your photo and you look like a billion bucks (see below).

Rainey Manx, authoress of No Rainey Days, IM’d me and flattered me with her request to take my photo to answer Harlow Heslop’s question about what blogger inspires her. I was thrilled because Rainey’s work is incredible—she puts beauty into every piece she does (and I am incredibly envious because my PS and art skills stink). I was putty in her hands.

Did we intend to dress to match? Nope. But that’s how similar we are in aesthetic–it all seemed to work. I can only talk about what I threw on; Rainey’s babeitude speaks for itself (and she has more at her blog). I started with a minidress and scarf from Trill Zapatero, who tempted me with several things at her store. I love the funky look of her things, their casual sexy hippy dippy coolness. All proceeds from sales at her store go to help Afghan women, so it appeals to my charitable side as well.

My hair is my namesake from my someday partner Queue Marlowe (whenever Callie dumps me). Queue made the hair and then I sent a photo of RL Harper and we agreed—it matches. My skin, like Rainey’s, comes from Nena Janus’ beautiful mind.

Most importantly, our eyes come from a man we both hold dear to our heart—Ikon Innovia. I would like to think I am the reason they are together but I am guessing it’s more because of his devastating charm and her incredible wit and spirit. It seems Ikon lucked out. So did I in making a new friend :)

… but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.

On Rainey:

Hair: Magika – Luna Roots Edition by Sabina Gully for Magika

Skin: League – Sia by Nena Janus for *League* *

Eyes: Fashism – Custom by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Sweater & Tank Top: Sn@tch – Church Sweater & Butch Tank Sheer by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch

Jeans: L.inc – Tyra Jeans by CK Winx for Luck Inc *

Belt: Coco – Calf Leather by cocoro Lemon for *COCO*

Necklace: Dark Mouse -  I’ve Lost My Way by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse*

Bracelet: Sigma – Siren by Sofi Trenkins for ~SIGMA~Jewels

Pose: !Bang – Promises by Triest Minuet for Bang Poses

 

On Harper:

Hair: AD – harper brown sugar by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

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

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

Top: BoHo HoBo minidress (tealquarks) by Trill Zapatero for BoHo Hobo

Jeans: Maitreya Skinny Jeans by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Scarf: BoHo HoBo skinny scarf (blue) by Trill Zapatero for BoHo Hobo

Ring: ::je suis::Gacha::tente::sky::ring by Julia Merosi for je suis

Boots: BAX Prestige Boots Blue Suede by Bax Coen for Bax Coen Designs *

Queen Annalea

As the head parson placed the crown upon her head in front of all the citizens in the arena, she felt its weight.. not just on her head but down her spine, running through her body, deep in her soul. As the chains were settled into place, the crenellated horns adjusted, the warrock tails thrown over her shoulders, she knew her lazy afternoon lessons, her idle needlework, her gossip and girlish pastimes—all were gone and over. That was another life and it was far behind her.

She gazed out into the faces of the thousands of people. Her mother, Queen Dendra, gazed up at her from the foot of the stage; her younger brother, Rance, watched her keenly. She thought about the death of her father, King Timmott, in the hands of the enemy.

The head parson announced, “All hail, Queen Annalea.”

The people cheered. “All hail, Queen Annalea. Long live the Queen!”

Our queen comes courtesy of June Dion, whose considerable line of inexpensive and amazingly rendered garments is an incredible addition to SL content. This ensemble, part of a set with several colors, includes sculpty belts, ties, and a beautifully textured skirt. Echoed through the garment are Asian motifs all jumbled up in a complicated but beautiful look fit for a young warrior queen.

My hair/headpiece comes courtesy of Tekelili Tantalus, whose unique vision provides amazing fantasy wear that includes incredible versatility with a built-in color-changing script that operates most elements separately. Look closely at his textures—they gleam and shine with depth of light and dark. Tek is at the Hair Fair this year, and he will be, without exception, the most amazing and fantastic artist there. Indulge in one of his pieces—they go beyond hair to art.

Her blue eyes locked with Rance’s eyes as the arena filled with the fierce chanting. Unspoken but agreed between them at that moment was that vengeance was inevitable and it would be theirs.

Hair: Ashtoreth – Black by Tekelili Tantalus for Tekeli-li!, available at Hair Fair 2011 *

Hair Base: AD hair base – black by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog

Skin: :GP: Petal [Dark] Pout-Melancholy Baby 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

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

Outfit: :: B@R ::: CODE Qipao Blue by June Dion for Bare Rose

Boots: [NeurolaB Inc.] Activa Ankle Boots Black by Ono Zinner for [NeurolaB Inc.] *