Nostalgia–KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 7

“Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were.” ~ Marcel Proust

Who doesn’t like the idea of a Victorian Christmas? A lady waiting for her carriage outside her home, perhaps for a party or clandestine visit to her lover. Luna Barak is offering this gorgeous winter mesh outfit, which includes the draping sleeves, the hair tucked under the hood, and the lovely pattern, at Fair Play, with at least part of the cost benefitting Relay for Life. Luna has always been terrifically generous with her work for that particular charity—she had participated in Fashion for Life when I ran it—and now she is giving this, which includes a great HUD to change the colors of the hair and also change the color of the coat (red, green or white). It’s an absolutely lovely piece and I posed with Olaenka Chesnokov’s lamp post, which includes eight poses and is 100% original mesh from Olaenka’s own self. Since it’s for Christmas on 34th Street, it’s giftable to someone you love or perfect for your own holiday snapshots. (Note, I did change one of the poses using the Avimote Posemaker in order to better show off the coat. Artistic license and all that.)

It *is* the season for giving and today has two gifts from the KittyCats & Friends Advent Calendar. First, Sawsan Secretspy is offering this exquisite lady’s skin as her gift in the calendar. It comes with and without cleavage option and includes this very neutral makeup palette so you can wear it with other makeups. It’s for system bodies, and that is just fine because anyone can wear it then. Julia Merosi, who has gone from creator to KittyCatS lover, made this darling seasonal clutch with berries and beads and a tinsel trimming. Remember: if you miss getting to the Calendar any day, you can get the previous day’s gifts so don’t worry. Though it’s one per avatar, there is ample opportunity to fill your inventory with goodness.

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. ADV CALENDAR 2016 Skin TAN by sawsan Secretspy for.::WoW skins::., available December 7 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

Eyes: IKON Triumph Eyes – Oxidation by Ikon Innovia for IKON *

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

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

Outfit (with hair): !! FANTAVATAR & MOONSTRUCK !! Winter Coat by Luna Barak for FANTAVATAR & MOONSTRUCK, available at Fair Play (benefitting Relay for Life)

Clutch: je suis…FelineS Christmas clutch (gold)-KittyCatS Advent ’15 by Julia Merosi for je suis, available December 7 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

Pose prop: oOo Lamplighters c/m/nt by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo Studio, available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

Poses assisted by Avimote PoseMaker PE 1.02 by Avimote Dreamscape for Avimote *

Taken at Sabein Streeter’s home

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 *

Sophie Roux

Je m’appelle Sophie Roux, comment allez-vous?
Je m’appelle Sophie Roux comment allez-vous?
~ “Sophie Roux” by Lady Danville

That one girl who always runs around with barefeet but bothers to get her toenails painted and who nonchalantly ties a scarf around her neck yet it perfectly matches and who can wear her hair up as if she just put it that way without thinking—that’s the Sophie Roux in the song. I always wanted to be this girl. Never happened but I can make her in SL. It’s easy with these great pieces, including a cute little tank from Betty Doyle and new jeans from Dick Wiesel.

Add all the little accessories—the darling double banded watch from Menno Ophelia, the scarf from Noelle Eilde, an artsy ring from Julia Merosi, and this seemingly uncalculated look comes together—especially with the perfect bare feet from Siddean Munro.

The completion of this is Rhapzody Wilde’s skin, a fresh face she debuted at the Skin Fair (and which I purchased and never got around to showing—ack!). Rhapzody has a clear fan base, one that appreciates her eye for fantasy but also her down-to-earth attitude. Kianna (the skin) is not glamorous but she’s certainly fascinating. My hair is a new up-do from Truth Hawks. I wonder when he is going to run out of styles? I can’t imagine how he keeps coming up with them. Finally my alluring eyes are another set from Ikon Innovia.

Amour perdu à Marseille,
Histoire triste… ça je sais
Histoire triste… ça je sais

Hair: >TRUTH< Pia – sandlewood by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Kianna Shade 5 Smokey by Rhapzody Wilde for Mynerva

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

Top: Ingenue :: Mon Petit :: Cami :: Maple by Betty Doyle for Ingenue

Jeans: :. WoE .: Guage G2 Girls Jeans (Steel) by Dick Wiesel for :. WoE .: *

Scarf: <X> Patchwork fringe scarf by Noelle Eilde for Argyle

Watch: Kari – Triple strap watch – Brown by Menno Ophelia for Kari

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

Feet: SLink Jolie Pied Barefeet Medium by Siddean Munro for SLink

Nicky Ree at Fashion for Life

Nicky Ree has *always* been a supporter of Relay for Life. Every year she applies her talents to specially made exclusive dresses sold for Relay for Life with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. In the past and this year as well, she has also backed that up with a personal donation as a sim sponsor.

Nicky chose to color her RFL donations purple or pink, and we are honored to have her beautiful content grace the Ansel Adams sim. Take the Tanya Gown with its rich deep sheen, tweedy print, and gem-like colors. With its sexy plunging neckline and sophisticated silhouette, it’s a beautiful gown for a red carpet.

Nicky was clearly influenced by Frederick Lancaster’s art deco build for her sim when she did this exquisite texture on her Mara dress. Nicky has donated the Mara dress in various iterations over the years, each one more stunning than the next.

Her regular black and white version of this dress is stunning and both Mara dresses come with a long ballroom skirt and a shorter sophisticated skirt.

For women who like a softer look, Nicky offers pink and fuchsia versions of her Lana Satin and Lace and Tricia Lace gowns. With their sophisticated drama, these gowns highlight Nicky’s amazing talent and background in formal evening wear (her mother owned a custom boutique in RL). Nicky has perfected the lushness of fabrics that would be used in formal gowns, highlighting a woman’s best features and making her feel incredibly pampered and beautiful.

Dress yourself up at Fashion for Life, going on NOW through March 22.

Photo 1:

• Hair: ::DBS::Mona-black by DBS Heart for Bishwear, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim
• Skin: LaVie Enya Purple Heart normal (H) by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Rising Sun (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR Tanya Gowns & Pants in Purple by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: Fulo Lacey Earrings – Amethyst by Dita Tran for Fulo, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim

 

Photo 2:

• Hair: [e] Just – Black 04 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: : HS : Reverie : Ghosts (c) by Amesha Jewell for Heartsick Skins, FFL Store Sponsor, FFL Store Sponsor on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Rising Sun (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR RFL 2011 Mara Art Deco Collection Purple by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life

 

Photo 3:

• Hair: [e] Early – Red 08 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: -Glam Affair- Mary Light – E/D/A 02 by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Blue 3 (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR RFL 2011 Mara Art Deco Collection Black by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: FuLo – "Lacie" earrings – Ruby by Dita Tran for Fulo, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim
• Ring: **FFL Gacha**  ::je suis::Gacha::tente::fire::ring (l) by Julia Merosi for je suis on the Helmut Newton sim
• Bag: **FFL Exclusive**  ::je::suis::insouciant::bag black(hands) by Julia Merosi for je suis on the Helmut Newton sim
• Shoes: N-core AURA "Noir" by Claire Messenger for N-Core, FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim

 

Photo 4:

• Hair: Miamai_Anna Bun_Blonde_PinkBow_NO Forehead by monica Outlander for Miamai, FLL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Skin: **FFL Exclusive** LaVie Hope  Autumn Glory Normal #5 [H] cleavage by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR Lana Satin & Lace Svelte Gown Pink by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: **FFL Exclusive** Alienbear’s ( Queen Maraget earrings RFL 2011 Special) by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear’s, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim

 

Photo 5:

• Hair: Vanity Hair:Gala HP-Noir by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Skin: Style by Kira – Willow Skin 01E by Kira Paderborn for Style by Kira, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Dress: **FFL Exclusive** DNR Tricia Lace Gowns in Pink by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree, Sim Sponsor for the Ansel Adams sim at Fashion for Life
• Earrings: Zivanit Earring RFL2009 special by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear’s, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim

Gutterpup at Fashion for Life

Tucked away on sims you may not visited are entire untapped cultures with their own manners and mores, language and fashion. The Land of Gor is one such place (along with the Underground Neko Empire and Fashionista Fantasyland). In Gor, men wear tunics and abas, women wear kirtles and camisks, veils and robes. Gutterpup is a conveyor of fine Gorean fashion for women and has pieces for all types of women.

This is not to say that Etalena Lane’s work is not accessible to others. Take for example, this beautiful dress with its subtle golden print and beautifully ruched bodice. Gorgeously rendered, this could take a woman out of Gor to any classy ballroom once the modesty undershirt is removed (as I have done).

Of course, Gor has dancers and dancers have to dress in a manner that is revealing. Gutterpup has a lot that will appeal to those that want to look sexy and show a bit of their expensive skin. Etalena’s textures are rich and enticing, mostly in the earthtones that show a life of living off the land.

Etalena once in a while pulls out a trick with something a little more contemporary, like this cute mini with tights. She also makes lots of camisks that could double as sexy tops or swimsuits, as I show below.

Etalena asked to be a VIP Sponsor as well as a Store Sponsor for Fashion for Life because she knew how important the work of the American Cancer Society is for people’s health around the world. She also knew she would reach a much wider audience by being in Fashion for Life. She wants you to see her great work—come to Fashion for Life!

Etalena will be one of the many designers at the Fashion for Life, March 12-22, SL’s biggest fashion fair on 9 sims hosted by the American Cancer Society and SL’s Relay for Life.

Photo 1:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ISABELLE * /brown by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: Adam n Eve Skin – Portia – Tone 3 Dark – Natural by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve, FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: *GutterPup* Simplicity Gown by Etalena Lane for *GutterPup*, FFL VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor
• Jewelry: ::je::suis::tente::euphoria::full set by Julia Merosi for ::je::suis::, FFL Store Sponsor

Photo 2:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * TESSA * / naturals by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: :: Exodi :: Sylvan Nuit – Beloved – Dk/C by Ryker Beck for Exodi, FFL Store Sponsor
• Outfit: *GutterPup* Dancer in Red by Etalena Lane for *GutterPup*, FFL VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor

Photo 3:

• Hair: [e] Lasting 2 – Brown 08 for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: LOGO Babydoll Amber Skin – Mystique Base with LOGO Babydoll Amber – L01 – Lips – Brandy (Pouty) by Maximillion Grant for LOGO, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Dress: *GutterPup* Sparrow Dress by Etalena Lane for *GutterPup*, FFL VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor
• Shoes: *GF* Square-toe Shoes “Sophie” -brown- by Cerberus Noel for *G Field*, VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life

Photo 4:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * LYSANNE * /darkred by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor
• Skin: (AMD) Ava – Deep Tan – Lustrous *Pink* by Apple May for Apple May Designs, FFL Store Sponsor
• Outfit: *Gutterpup* Lollipop Purple by Etalena Lane for *GutterPup*, FFL VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor
• Shoes: [PM] Jori 1 – White by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, FFL Store Sponsor

Mélange

I love words that can only convey their meaning in their own language—schadenfreude, bricolage, lasagna… One such word is mélange which means a mixture, often of incongruous elements.

Not a lot of people are willing to take the risk of mélange in their own work—it’s hard to do well. AvaGardner Kungler has managed to pull it off very beautifully in this dress from her collection. When I first donned it, I was stunned by the combination of colors, textures and shapes that all came together to make this unified dress. AvaGardner pulls it off by making a very simple silhouette—an inverted triangle on top of a triangle—and echoing the audacity of the combined textures by exaggerating those shapes. The dress could be flat out wrong if AvaGardner had not had the base brown in the colorways and if she had not chosen such an elegant silhouette.

I am featuring one of aida Ewing’s newest skins with the dress. Aida’s skill has been developing as she proceeds to each skin, her experience being carefully applied. For this set, I was pleased to see more definition to the lips and eyebrows, more elegant color choices, and a lovely shape to the eyebrows and lips. Aida’s skins are not “photoreal” insofar as they have the flaws—pores, shadows, under-eye circles—that other skins have. Nevertheless it’s an attractive skin, especially for photography.

I am wearing a lovely set of jewelry from Julia Merosi, which is being sold at the Jewelry Fair. I love the deep teal of the gems on this jewelry and the unique shape of the stones. She runs the shape from the earrings to the bracelet to the ring (and the necklace, which I don’t show here). The texture on the gem is gorgeous as is most of her work.

I had a bowl of schadenfreude for breakfast, some bricolage for lunch and lasagna with a side dish of mélange for dinner. Topped it all off with an ennui nightcap ;)

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

Skin: -Glam Affair- SofiaV2- Natural 11 by aida Ewing for Glam Affair

Dress: (Kunglers Couture) Ellis – chocolate by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Earrings, Bracelet and Ring: ::je::suis::mysterious::earrings, ::je::suis::mysterious::ring, and ::je::suis::mysterious::bracelet by Julia Merosi for je suis, available at the 2010 Jewelry Fair

Autumn Heat

I am waiting for that little last burst of summer before autumn really kicks in, when the air is warm with a touch of chill, the sun is golden through the leaves and summer gives us her final burst of beauty before leaving. It hasn’t come but when it does, I know what to wear.

AvaGardner Kungler has just come out with this wonderful dress, a combo of abstract texture with a beautifully rendered silk top. Leave it to AvaGardner to create the top asymmetrically with two pieces of silk criss-crossing and wrapping around to the back. Her texture work is superb with shadows and puckers correctly rendered and a sheen that is there but not so overt we are conscious of it. The mini skirt moves well with the avatar and lines up PERFECTLY. (She took on a challenge with her horizontal stripes and knocked it out of the ballpark.) I was looking at some of the real life stuff from fashion week in New York and realized that drawing it in SL would not be very easy. I think AvaGardner could pull it off.

I show this dress with the smokin’ hot skin from Tuli, her latest line. (Check out my new profile photo in-world–I wear the same skin.) I love the lip colors available on the tattoo layers, but I am still worried about expecting all customers to use clients that employ alpha layers. I tried another viewer—Impudence this time—so I could get the alpha layer. I still crash in it more than Snowglobe, especially when I take photos, but I like it other than that.

The necklace is from Julia Merosi, who has set up shop on Bax Coen’s sim and is making lovely jewelry. This necklace has color changers that can change different sets of beads so the combinations are endless. The earrings are from Bella Bombast, who has quite a great collection of jewelry and fashion with African influences. And my shoes? Ms. Siddean Munro loves my feet and I love hers. This sexy pair comes with two huds—the standard one for changing skin tone (totally easy to use, even for dorks like me), nail color and shoe size and then another for changing the color of the gems.

It was Indian summer, a bluebird sort of day as we call it in the north, warm and sunny, without a breath of wind; the water was sky-blue, the shores a bank of solid gold.
–   Sigurd Olson

Hair: >TRUTH< Cindy Streaked – burgundy by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Audrey (tone 3/br) :: 05 with []::Tuli::[] Audrey t3 – dark 8 matte by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Dress: (Kunglers) Sandra – apple dress by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Necklace: ::je::suis::boheme::necklace by Julia Merosi for je suis…

Earrings:  -=UZURI=- Dalya Ear Rings by Bella Bombast for UZURI

Nails: [ Love Soul ] Posing nail*Oval-Natural* by BlueStarRUI Villota for [ Love Soul ]

Shoes: SLink Mikaela Shoes Bronze by Siddean Munro for SLink