Hot Enough for You?

“If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?” ~ Steven Wright

It’s like it went from freezing miserable spring to boiling miserable summer in two days. What gives? Is this what we call global warming? All a girl can do is lie around in her bikini in the air of a fan, sipping blue-tinged froo-froo drinks and thinking about her next blog. My lounge is a new one from my pal Gin Galtier, with color change pillow and blanket (not that I need a blanket right now). My bikini is a pretty little thing from Saeya Nyanda, which covers without overcovering or undercovering. (Buttfloss just doesn’t feel comfy when you’re hot.) My hair is a pretty, casual style from Onyx LeShelle and this is day two of the hottest shoes on the grid from Siddean Munro.

The newest skin release from thebodyco was greeted with a bit of excitement in the Skin Addiction group. I ran over to see what all the excitement was about and was less than excited, to be honest. The vendors take a long time to rez,p and because they are all identical little tubes with teensy writing on them, they are hard to distinguish. For anyone who is not a native speaker, it has to be a daunting task. Then the skins themselves are pricey and the make-ups equally so. I chose the “Relax” makeup for a minimal look, and I got just what I paid for—I can’t tell the difference very much when I am wearing it. I wish I had found makeup demos or bigger images of the makeups offered.

That being said, the skin is lovely in a very different way than many skins. The body is sensuous and sexy with shadowing and details like hipbones, clavicle, nails, and even elbows that many skins lack. The face is sophisticated but not over-made or exaggerated. A composite of photo realism and hand sketching, this skin does not look like any others out there and that is probably a lot of win for people on the grid who don’t want to look like everyone else but DO want to be beautiful.  It’s up to you if the price is worth it.

“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” ~ Jane Austen

Hair: Maitreya Jordyn – Hazel by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Skin: the body co. Orchid (03 Light) – black hair with the body co. Orchid (03 Light) – makeup (relax) by thebodyco for the body co. (worn on my personal shape—not the one provided)

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

Bikini: Kyoot – Day Trip Bikini – Essaouira by Saeya Nyanda for Kyoot

Shoes: Slink Lulu Stilettos Chocolate by Siddean Munro for SLink *

Lounge: elefantu [Piedra] Chocolate by Gin Galtier for elefantu

Fan: *atmosphere works* floor fan-D*001 (GD) by Daikick Gausman for atmosphere works

Poses by Rogan Diesel for Diesel Works Animations *

Love

Let us discuss “love.” I thought a lot about this. I consulted books, I read poetry, I considered philosophy and history and religion, and I thought about whom I love and who loves me.

I came to this conclusion: love, for me or from me, makes me a better person. I realize the people who love me, elevate me and make me elevate myself. It’s in the giving and receiving of love—romantic, motherly, friendship, brotherly–that I work towards being my best self. The positive reinforcement of love, the support it provides, the safety net, the acceptance I receive—it all nourishes me. In return, I can give back the same because I receive it and I can nourish others.

That being said, Valentine’s Day is really for amorous lovers, so I have a few things specifically for lovers here. First of all I show a bed from Froukje Hoorenbeek, who recently decided to spice up her offerings with a few love-making beds. I specifically say “love-making” as opposed to sex because it is evident from the features that Froukje includes, these beds are not for one-night stands. The beds include ample numbers of couple’s sex sets, all very nicely animated (from what I could tell with my one avatar) and all seemingly more geared towards a woman’s taste—lots of women’s pleasure as well as men’s in these poses, all I’m sayin’. The bed also includes lots and lots of cuddles and some solo poses, that you see above. Get one for your new home with your Valentine and make love all night long ;)

Another amorous item for Valentine’s is lingerie and I show one of camilla Yosuke’s newest releases here. With its innocent lace and flower styling, this set would be perfectly innocent except she makes the material sheer, allowing a sexy peekaboo that would race any woman’s lover’s heart. Camilla is all about the details—the lace around the edges, the garter holding a stocking that is pulled up (not straight across), a seam up the back of the stocking. Tell me your Valentine wouldn’t love this!

Finally, I wear Hart Larsson’s newest skin for this shoot, mostly because I didn’t get a chance to show off the beautifully drawn body and sensuous lips. I did not wear one of the eye shadows the sells with the skin this time. There was no need. Hart draws beautiful expressive eyes.

I shot this series of photos in a skybox made by Gin Galtier. Gin is an expert at making small, intimate spaces. This loft, with its high ceilings and ballet bars running down one wall, is a nod to the conversion of industrial spaces into work and living spaces for urban areas. What I don’t show (and should but there is only so much real estate on my blog here) is a beautifully made window looking out into an urban courtyard, giving the entire space the touch of authenticity it needs.

“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.” ~ Morrie Schwartz

Hair: >TRUTH< Francesca – auburn by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [PXL] Linda G3 NAT RoseLips DEB by Hart Larsson for [PXL] *

Lingerie: Amy White and Purple Lingerie Outfit by INSOLENCE by camilla Yosuke for Insolence *

Bed: Dutchie adult bed green II by Froukje Hoorenbeek for Dutchie *

Skybox: elefantu – Converted Ballet Studio Skybox Apartment by Gin Galtier for elefantu *

Feelin’ the Blues

The title of this post is not about being depressed. It’s a ploy to tell you about the great blues you can hear on the grid. First there is Hotlanta, where folks like Bradley Gazov spin the blues (he’s there Monday and Friday nights, fyi). Then there is the Savoy Jazz Club, where I have caught Hy Gynoid doing his thing. (I remember a night of raunchy women’s songs once we got him going.. ha!) And then there is Crossroads, where a gorgeous DJane, BluJns Benoir, kicks it. Or the infamous Junkyard Blues Club where I have caught some smokin hot sets from Fiery Otaared. Feelin’ blue? There’s a place on the grid for you.

What to wear to a club but something like this—short, sexy and blue. Eclectic Wingtip has recently brought some pieces out of her closet that are sexy and slinky. I really like this dress for it’s simplicity. Dress it up or dress it down—it’s a palette upon which you can add many looks.

Tuli Asturias is having a sale on skins right now. You can grab this beauty for half price if you scoot over to her sim. My hair is one of Truth Hawks’ newest with a daring streak. I chose to go Bonnie Raitt white to match the blues theme here.

My boots are from Gin Galtier, who is coming out with this winter set that will NOT keep your toes warm. However, this is the going look nowadays and really meant for a girl clubbing. The scrunchy legwarmer makes this “winter.” Gin did a great job knitting these up in a cable stitch.

A guy will promise you the world and give you nothin’, and that’s the blues. ~ Otis Rush

Hair: >TRUTH< Chantelle Streaked – quince by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Eva (tone 4/br) 07a by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Dress: e! Heatwave Dress (Navy) by Eclectic Wingtips for E!  Eclectic Apparel and Accessories

Bangles: * Pretties by JB * Moxie – Hues of  Blue Bangles by Jori Watler for Mood *

Boots: Djinn & Tonic [Winter Knit Boot] Royal by Gin Galtier for Djinn & Tonic *

Go Packers!

On Sundays where I live, there is so much green and gold on every living person, it’s enough to make one wonder if investing in gold and green dye plants would make one a millionaire. Packers fans are about as devoted as they get, and with this weekend’s battle against the Minnesota Vikings, there was a buzz in the air. We wanted to CREAM the Vikings. And we did! I am sorry to say, but there was something so satisfying seeing Brett Favre throw that last minute incomplete. (My international friends can pretend they are above all this but I have seen the World Cup. You don’t have to know the players or game to know the feeling ;))

Well, the biggest fans know it requires more than just cheering—it requires a sort of psychic oneness with the team to get them through. And this psychic oneness necessitates dressing up in the team colors in the most outrageous ways in order to push that ball through the end posts. Rob1977 Moonites accommodated me in my efforts by making his very cute Jackson sweater in green and gold. (I don’t think he intended this at all—he’s Irish and probably has no idea who the Packers are but it’s a lucky coincidence, dontcha think?)  Skinny jeans from Gin Galtier with a yellow pocket make it all nice matchy matchy.

I modified this hair from Kavar Cleanslate to make it greener. I hope the dye washes out tomorrow—eek! Tiff Aristocrat has made some darling facepaints for the 2.0 tattoo layer that bring out the spirit in all of us (though I would caution her against using trademarked team names for them). We know that’s why LL made that tattoo layer–so we can show our team spirit!

I love these high tops from Coke Dreadlow. They are beautifully sculpted, textured and scripted to let a person change the colors all over the shoe. A custom-made Packer Backer sneaker! (Say THAT three times fast!) And my beer helmet? Well ya know, it’s never a Packer game without some beer. (Found this in Blazed Undercity’s head shop—I don’t think I laughed quite so much as the night I visited that place.)

Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn’t do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another. ~ Vince Lombardi

Hair: Exile Dori/aqua by Kavar Cleanslate for Exile (modified)

Skin: *YS & YS* Andrea 07 Passion by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS & YS*

Makeup: Facepaint Green Bay Colors ‘half’ – f by Tiff Aristocrat for ***Sports Teams Face Paint

Sweater: *FIR & MNA* The Jackson Sweater Green Womens by Rob1977 Moonites for *FIR & MNA* *

Jeans: Djinn & Tonic [Bootcut Denim, Dark & Belted] YELLOW  by Gin Galtier for Djinn and Tonic *

Scarf: >TRUTH<  Lygon Scarf [yellow stripe] by Pixel Chrome for >TRUTH<

Socks: *Sprawl* Scrunchy Sock (green) by Pushbutton Skolnick for Sprawl

Shoes: PornStar Hi-Tops MultiColor v2 by Coke Dreadlow for Urban Bomb Unit

Hat: !Blazed.BeerHelmet by Blazed Undercity for OD Games & Scripts

A Chill in the Air

Fall has come in too quickly. I am still staring at the shorts and t-shirt in my drawers, wondering if I will ever be able to wear them again. It’s not so bad because fall brings back the best part–snuggling up.

So I have snuggled up to .. myself. Yeah, that’s my male alt modeling for me. I needed a hunk in a pinch and there he was, chilling in his box, so I pulled him out. (Yeah, really, what kind of loser snuggles their other doll except me?) The reason was this adorable seasonable skybox from Gin Galtier. She has made 50 only to be sold on Marketplace and for that alone, it’s worth considering. I don’t normally do “on location” shoots, but the colors in this skybox are so pretty and autumnal, I wanted to show something cozy.

Check out the sweet desk in the corner with Gin’s eclectic styling. The skybox comes complete with all decor, which is also modifiable and removable. So you can hack this skybox as you please and still have a cozy nook for warming up. At 215 prims, it’s a lightweight packed with a lot of goodness.

And if nothing else, it’s chock full of great photography opportunities. (How humiliating—being cute with myself… *sigh*. What I do for “art.”)

My outfit is the kind of cozy I need on a chilly day. Doc Eldritch knitted up this beautiful sweater last year that comes with a hood or this great cowl. My jeans are comfy and sexy and made by Anyusha Lilienthal. And I love these boots from Ansor Hoorenbeek (who does women’s as well as men’s.. hello), which come with three different leg options. The great leg warmers make me feel cuddly. My boy is dressed in a great sweater from mappy handrick, jeans from machang Pichot and shoes from Guu Nishi. But really, this is all about the skybox…. and the girl ;)

“Then summer fades and passes and October comes.  We’ll smell smoke then, and feel an unexpected sharpness, a thrill of nervousness, swift elation, a sense of sadness and departure.” ~  Thomas Wolfe

Featuring elefantu [October Song] Limited Edition Skybox by Gin Galtier for elefantu, sold on Marketplace *

On her:

Hair: Meredith – Dark Copper by Calico Ingmann for Calico Ingmann Creations

Skin: LAQ ~ Julie – 02 [Peach] Glow skin (red hairbase) by Mallory Cowen for LAQ

Sweater: DE Tango Fall 09 Sweater – Toffee by DoC Eldritch for DE Designs

Jeans: Ibizarre Lolo Jeans by Anyusha Lilienthal for Ibizarre

Boots: [ hoorenbeek ] Warmleg Boots – Brown by Ansor Hoorenbeek for Hoorenbeek

On him:

Hair: LAQ ~ Radiant M05 (L) – Midnight by Winter DiPrima for LAQ

Skin: no.07 :: Demetris – Natural :: Goatee 01 – Hair by Aeon Jiminy for no.07

Sweater: *ARAI* Nit_gray by mappy Handrick for ARAI

Shirt (underneath): *ARAI* Jersey_black by mappy Handrick for ARAI

Jeans: AOHARU_BT_VintageDenim_Black by machang Pichot for AOHARU

Shoes: HOC Industries – Easy Striders by Guu Nishi for HOC

Tutti Frutti

Awop-bop-a-loo-mop alop bam boom!

It’s about time I show a little sex appeal. Gin Galtier passed over a new collection of lingerie she will be putting out for Stumblebum and once I saw the wild textures and ruffles, I had to put this on the blog. I show the ruffled bra and panties, but it also comes with dark stockings, a garter, and a simple corset.

The whole reason I needed to do this sexy blog is because Queue Marlowe came out with this drop dead sexy hair for the Hair Fair. Queue, the goddess of curl, has made another stunner, one with a hairline that covers one eye and comes with a shoulder piece that allows the hair to seemingly drape over the shoulder but move with the avatar’s head movements. What makes me really love this hair is how Queue has the hair taper down to the ends. It’s so.. real.

The skin is from Kira Ahn, and it’s blessedly a sort of “clean slate.” She has included lip colors on the tattoo layer to enhance it, but I chose to wear one of Monica Outlander’s eyeshadow tattoos instead. This tutti frutti colorway is a perfect match to the lingerie. I love being able to do up my lips or nails with the tattoo layer to suit the outfit!

Felicity Overlord offers sandals with prim toes at a reasonable price. I thought this style with the ruffles was darling and clever, hiding the attachment point with a very appealing bow-tied top. The toes are acceptable (I should have a rating system for prim toes—delicious, acceptable, and gnarly as ratings). The hud is easy to use.. moreso than many in some ways because it has you use the native building tools of SL to change the foot and nail colors. (And you, dear reader, know I stink at foot coloring).

I got a girl, named Sue,
She knows just what to do
I bop to the east,
She bop to the west,
but she’s the girl
That I love the best.
~ Little Richard, Tutti Frutti

Hair: BAM! brown sugar by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog, being sold at Hair Fair *

Skin: [dekade.] Skins  -Claire- sunkissed/DB/No Make Up by Kira Ahn for [dekade.]

Makeup: Miamai_LesMakeups_Summertime 01 by Monica Outlander for Miamai *

Lingerie: Djinn & Tonic [Corset Belt] Leopard Floral Pink by Gin Galtier for Djinn & Tonic *

Shoes: *FO* Odetta – Black Ruffled Stilettos by Felicity Overlord for Felicity

Welcome Back!

Friends are sneaking back into SL in unprecedented numbers. Back from holiday, back to school, back to create, back to socialize, everyone’s starting to hunker down for the fall into the winter. This evening I spent the evening shopping for AOs with a dear old friend while hearing from another who has just moved across country and is finally settled enough to be back in world.

My friend asked me to take her shopping and I said, well you know, a lot of the same creators are still in world and doing great work. Take for instance, these jeans, by Gin Galtier. We know her creator has been in world for a good amount of time, making funky fun clothes for avatars. I really like the texture of these jeans with their dark denim look at floor-dragging boot cut bottoms.

The top is from Eclectic Wingtips, a designer who has been doing her work for a relatively short time, and I see clear improvement whenever I see her new creations. I really like this wrap top, which comes in a variety of combos at a price that’s nice for separates.

The shoes are the creation of another veteran—Nardya Rousselot. She has made some of the prettiest toes in the metaverse, plump pretty little piggies that are so finely detailed you can see the wrinkles on the skin (yes I cammed that close).

Wanna talk about some oldies but goodies? Let’s talk about Gala Phoenix and Calico Ingmann. First, let me talk about Gala, who has been making skins for avatars since before my first pixels rezzed and doing it quietly and successfully for years. I see her skins all over with their bee stung lips, translucent skin (look closely and you can see the veins under the skin), and beautifully made up eyes. Even the ear lobes have holes for the earrings!

Calico Ingmann is another who has been around since before I was a twinkle in Ruth’s eye. This style, featured at this year’s Hair Fair, is a great updo with a casual bang framing the face, which makes it versatile for both casual, as I show, it, and more formal. Her textures are great, with gentle highlights running through.

Welcome back, dear friends. I was waiting for you to come home… :)

Hair: Meredith – Dark Copper by Calico Ingmann for Calico Ingmann Creations, available at the Hair Fair

Skin: :GP: Sundust [Dark] June-Grass 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio

Top: Fallen Top (Green/Gold) by Eclectic Wingtips for E! – Eclectic Apparel and Accessories *

Jeans: Djinn & Tonic [Bootcut Denim, Patched Darks] Yellow by Gin Galtier for Djinn & Tonic *

Earrings and Ring: Morantique Lush/Vain earrings and ring for Mo Miasma for Morantique, available at Designers United 4

Shoes: NX-Nardcotix MANA Anessa by Nardya Rousselot for Nardcotix *